Amendment 16 provides a framework for specifying biological and management reference points and accountability measures that will meet the requirements of the revised Magnuson-Stevens Act and National Standard 1 Guidelines to account for uncertainty in the fishery management process, reduce the probability of overfishing, and include clear and objective status determination criteria while integrating with existing management processes and capabilities to the degree possible.
Final rule (effective January 30, 2012)
Amendment 16 environmental assessment and initial regulator impact review including appendices (December 2011)