Responsible Official:

• Main Authors: Tanner Crabs, Robert D. Mecum, Acting Administrator
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2008
• Subjects: Arctic; Sea ice
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.364.2641; http://209.112.168.2/npfmc/PDFdocuments/fmp/Arctic/ArcticEA1208.pdf

Abstract: The document provides decision-makers and the public with an evaluation of the environmental, social, and economic effects of alternatives and options to manage the fishery resources in the Arctic Management Area. No significant fisheries exist in the Arctic Management Area, either historically or currently. However, the warming of the Arctic and seasonal shrinkage of the sea ice may increase opportunities for fishing in this region. The Council proposes to develop an Arctic Fishery Management Plan that would (1) close the Arctic to commercial fishing so that unregulated fishing does not occur and until information improves so that fishing can be conducted sustainably and with due concern to other ecosystem components; (2) determine the fishery management authorities in the Arctic and provide the Council with a vehicle for addressing future management issues; and (3) implement an ecosystem-based management policy that recognizes the resources of the U.S. Arctic and the potential for fishery development that might affect those resources, particularly in the face of a changing climate. This document addresses the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act, Presidential Executive Order 12866, and the Regulatory Flexibility Act. This document has been approved by the Council for public review. Comments are requested prior to the Council’s February 4-10, 2009 meeting in Seattle. At that meeting, the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee and Advisory Panel will review this document and provide comments to the Council, the Council will receive public comments, and then the Council is scheduled to pick its preferred alternative and take final action to adopt the Arctic FMP. The Council is interested in public comments on the alternatives and other elements of the proposed Arctic FMP.