 June 09, 2004
The six-volume Alaska Groundfish Fisheries Programmatic Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (PSEIS) represents a comprehensive assessment of the overarching conservation and management objectives and policies of the Alaska groundfish fishery management plans. This assessment was done through the environmental review process established by the National Environmental Policy Act. At its April 2004 meeting, the North Pacific Council adopted recommended amendments to the fishery management plans for the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska groundfish fisheries that would implement its preferred alternative in the PSEIS. "If approved by the Secretary of Commerce after his review, these amendments would establish a management framework for each fishery management plan that is more precautionary when faced with scientific uncertainty," said Dr. James Balsiger, Administrator of NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region. "They would also incorporate ecosystem-based management goals and objectives more formally into our conservation and management decision-making." The PSEIS also will provide critical information on the status of these fisheries and their environmental impacts necessary for evaluating management alternatives. For more information, or to receive a copy of the Alaska Groundfish Fisheries PSEIS, contact Steven K. Davis, NOAA Fisheries, Alaska Region; (907) 271-3523. The PSEIS is available at: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/seis/default.htm
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