Environmental Assessment for Amendment 113 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

Amendment 113 and this proposed rule would modify harvesting and delivery requirements in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI) Pacific cod fishery to prioritize the delivery of a portion of the Aleutian Islands Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) to shoreside processors located on land west of 170 W. longitude in the Aleutian Islands (Aleutian Islands shoreplants). These harvesting and delivery requirements would apply only if specific notification requirements are met, and only during a portion of the year. This action would provide the opportunity for Aleutian Islands shoreplants and the communities where Aleutian Islands shoreplants are located to receive the benefits from the delivery of a portion of the Aleutian Islands Pacific cod TAC, while still providing an opportunity for the complete harvest of the BSAI Pacific cod resource.