Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska License Limitation Program

NMFS proposes regulations to implement Amendment 86 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska. This proposed action would add a Pacific cod endorsement on licenses issued under the license limitation program in specific management areas if those licenses have been used on vessels that met minimum recent landing requirements using non-trawl gear, commonly known as fixed gear. This proposed action would provide exemptions to the requirements to hold a Pacific cod endorsement for vessels that use jig gear, modify the maximum length designation on a specific set of fixed gear licenses, and would allow entities representing specific communities to receive a limited number of fixed gear licenses with Pacific cod endorsements for use on vessels designated by entities representing the communities. This proposed action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Fishery Management Plan, and other applicable law.