Cordell Bank Groundfish Conservation Area Revisions

NMFS issues these proposed regulations to remove the Cordell Bank Groundfish Conservation Area off central California for all groundfish fisheries and implement a new Groundfish Exclusion Area for all groundfish fisheries to protect sensitive habitat. The purpose of this proposed rule is to simplify regulatory complexity associated with other overlapping fishery closures in the Cordell Bank area while still protecting the Cordell Bank ecosystem. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, NMFS also announces the availability of a draft Environmental Assessment that analyzes the potential effects of the associated proposed rule.