Environmental Assessment/Regulatory Impact Review/Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis for Plan Amendment 60 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Gulf of Alaska to Prohibit Non-Pelagic Trawl Gear in Cook Inlet

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Act (MSA) emphasizes the importance of limiting the effects ofbycatch to achieve sustainable fisheries. National Standard 9 mandates that conservation and management measures shall, to the extent practicable: minimize bycatch; and to the extent bycatch cannot be avoided, minimize the mortality of such bycatch. This analysis addresses the use of non-pelagic trawl gear in Federal waters of Cook Inlet in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) north of a line from Cape Douglas to Point Adam. This area is currently managed as part of the Central Regulatory area in the GOA. Historically, Cook Inlet supported significant fisheries for king and Tanner crab and currently supports limited fisheries for Pacific cod. King and Tanner crab resources in the Cook Inlet portion of the GOA remain depressed. King crab fisheries have remained closed since 1984. Commercial Tanner crab fisheries have been closed since 1994. Due to the absence of Federal management of crab stocks in the GOA prior to August l, 1996, the State of Alaska has been delegated jurisdiction for managing all crab stocks in the GOA Exclusive Economic Zone (BEZ).