Environmental Assessment/Regulatory Impact Review for Proposed Amendments to the Fishery Management Plans for BSAI and GOA Groundfish - IFQ Sablefish Release Allowance

Large year classes of sablefish result in significant catches of small sablefish in the IFQ fixed gear fisheries. Small sablefish have low commercial value and current regulations require IFQ holders to retain all sablefish. Available data suggest that survival rates for carefully released sablefish are high. Operational flexibility to carefully release sablefish may increase the value of the commercial harvest and allow small fish to contribute to the overall biomass.