West Coast Groundfish Get New Protection Plan Boost
Published Date: 3/5/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The Pacific Fishery Management Council has proposed Amendment 35 to better protect eight key fish species off the West Coast by defining which stocks need conservation. This update helps prevent overfishing and supports rebuilding fish populations without changing fishing limits or seasons. Fishers, communities, and conservationists should weigh in by May 4, 2025, to help shape the future of these important fisheries.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Defines 8 groundfish stocks (names listed)
Amendment 35 would define stocks for eight Pacific Coast groundfish species so NMFS can make stock status determinations. The species are chilipepper rockfish, English sole, redbanded rockfish, rougheye/blackspotted rockfish (cryptic pair), widow rockfish, yelloweye rockfish, and yellowtail rockfish (defined as two stocks: north of latitude 40°10' N and south of latitude 40°10' N).
No immediate change to fishing limits or seasons
The amendment is administrative and does not change harvest levels, or the timing or location of fishing. Any economic impacts, if they occur, will result from later stock assessments, status determinations, and subsequent management actions.
Public comment opportunity (deadline May 4, 2025)
Stakeholders including fishers, communities, and conservationists may submit comments on Amendment 35 by May 4, 2025, through regulations.gov (Docket NOAA-NMFS-2025-0012). NMFS will consider public comments when deciding whether to approve, partially approve, or disapprove the amendment.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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