FMP Amendment 20: Management Categories

Beginning in November 2018, the Council embarked on a process to consider removing the concept of categorizing CPS management unit species, specifically the nomenclature of “Active” and “Monitored” (Agenda Item E.5.a, CPSMT Report 1, November 2018). This action was prompted by a perceived lack of clarity regarding the meaning and use of the “Active” and “Monitored” stock management categories within the CPS FMP. Subsequently, the Council directed the CPSMT to prepare draft revisions to the CPS FMP in a manner that retains the management approaches for the CPS management unit stocks and describes how each stock is managed in a stock-specific manner, rather than through use of a categorical assignments.  Specifically, the intent was to remove references to the named management categories, but not to revise the manner in which the CPS stocks are managed.

The CPSMT brought draft amendment text to the Council in November 2021 in Agenda Item I.2.a, CPSMT Report 1, November 2021, which the Council adopted for public review and potential final action at the April 2022 meeting. The Council also directed the CPSMT to explore adding references in the FMP to Council Operating Procedure (COP) 9 and the Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) document as part of the management categories amendment.

In April 2022, the Council adopted the public review language from November 2021 as the final amendment language (April 2022 Council Decision Summary). 

NMFS approved Amendment 20 to the CPS FMP on June 16, 2023. See NMFS approval letter dated June 16, 2023.

The final rule implementing Amendment 20 was published on July 3, 2023 (88 FR 42652).