Bering Sea Non-Chinook Salmon Bycatch Management Scoping Report

This report summarizes the comments received during the January 8, 2009, to March 23, 2009, scoping period for an analysis of Bering Sea Non-Chinook Salmon Bycatch Management. An analytical document is being prepared to assist planning and will serve as the central decision-making document for management measures being developed by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) to manage non-Chinook salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea pollock fishery, in compliance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Analyses under two laws and an executive order will be provided to the Council to inform its decision on this action. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the preparation of either an Environmental Assessment (EA) or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The Council also will review a regulatory impact review (RIR) as required by Executive Order 12866 and an initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA), as required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The document will provide decision-makers and the public with an evaluation of the environmental, social, and economic effects of alternatives for managing nonChinook salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea pollock fisheries.