Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Modify the Sablefish Season and Groundfish Closure Timing in the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska Groundfish Fisheries

NMFS proposes revisions to regulations for the opening and closing times of groundfish fisheries in the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska management areas. First, this action would authorize NMFS to determine the opening and closing times for the sablefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) and Community Development Quota (CDQ) fishing season, considering the halibut IFQ/CDQ season set by the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC). Second, this action would allow NMFS flexibility to change the time of day for closing a groundfish fishery. This proposed rule is necessary to minimize regulatory discards and enable fuller utilization of allowable harvest.