Alaska Groundfish Harvest Specifications: Supplementary Information Report

This supplementary information report evaluates the need to prepare a Supplemental EIS (SEIS) for the 2023 and 2024 groundfish harvest specifications. This supplementary information report also provides information to determine whether an SEIS may be necessary for the 2023 and 2024 groundfish harvest specifications. An SEIS must be prepared if – 1. the agency makes substantial changes in the proposed action that are relevant to environmental concerns, or 2. significant new circumstances or information exist relevant to environmental concerns and bearing on the proposed action or its impacts (40 CFR 1502.9(d)(1)). This report analyzes the information contained in the 2022 Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) reports and information available to NMFS and the Council to determine whether an SEIS should be prepared. Appendices A and B contain the websites for the SAFE reports, which represent the best available scientific information for the harvest specifications. Appendix C contains the website for the ecosystem considerations report for the SAFE reports. Appendix D contains the website for the economic status report for the SAFE reports.