Environmental Assessment and Regulatory Impact Review/Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis of Fishery Management Plan Amendments to Establish Pelagic and Bottom Trawl Test Areas in the Gulf of Alaska Amendment 22/27 Analysis

NOAA proposes regulations to implement proposed Amendment 27 to the Fisheries Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) and proposed Amendment 22 to the FMP for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) area. These regulations would establish two trawl test areas in the GOA and one trawl test area in the BSAI area for pelagic and bottom trawl fishermen to test their trawl fishing gear. These areas would be available when the GOA or BSAI would otherwise be closed to trawling. This action is necessary to allow these vessels the opportunity to test their trawl gear in preparation for the opening of the fishing seasons, and is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) with respect to groundfish management off Alaska.