Arctic Fisheries
Ice in the Beaufort Sea. Photo: Erika Acuna, NOAA Fisheries Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC).
In August 2009, the Secretary of Commerce approved the Fishery Management Plan for the Fish Resources of the Arctic Management Area. The plan covers the Arctic waters of the United States in the Chukchi and Beaufort seas. Warming ocean temperatures, migrating fish stocks and shifting sea ice conditions from a changing climate may potentially favor the development of commercial fisheries. The plan establishes a framework for sustainably managing Arctic marine resources. It initially prohibits commercial fishing in the Arctic waters of the region until more information is available to support sustainable fisheries management. The plan was recommended by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council in February 2009.
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Arctic Fishery Management
- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
- 76 FR 82275, December 30, 2011. Notice of availability of the "Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Effects of Oil and Gas Activities in the Arctic Ocean." Publication of this notice begins the official public comment period for this DEIS. Comment period through February 13, 2012.
- NOAA’s 5-Year Arctic Action Plan
- 75 FR 25843, May 10, 2010. Notice of public review and comment period on NOAA’s Arctic Vision and Strategy. Comment period through June 10, 2010.
- NOAA's Arctic website
- Fishery Management Plan (FMP)
- Fishery Management Plan for Fishery Resources of the Arctic
- 74 FR 56734, November 3, 2009. Final rule to implement the Fishery Management Plan for Fish Resources of the Arctic Management Area and Amendment 29 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/ Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs. The Arctic FMP and Amendment 29 to the Crab FMP establish sustainable management of commercial fishing in the Arctic Management Area and move the northern boundary of the Crab FMP out of the Arctic Management Area south to Bering Strait. Effective December 3, 2009.
- 74 FR 27498, June 10, 2009. Proposed rule to implement the Fishery Management Plan for Fish Resources of the Arctic Management Area and Amendment 29 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/ Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs. Public comment period closed July 27, 2009.
- 74 FR 24757, May 26, 2009. Notice of availability of the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Fish Resources of the Arctic Management Area and Amendment 29 to the FMP for BSAI King and Tanner Crabs. Public comment period closed July 27, 2009.
- Analyses
- Final EA/RIR/FRFA for the Arctic FMP and Amendment 29 to the FMP for BSAI King and Tanner Crabs, August 2009
- Secretarial Review Draft EA/RIR/IRFA for the Arctic Fishery Management Plan And Amendment 29 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs, April 2009
- Preliminary Public Review Draft EA/RIR/IRFA of the FMP for Fishery Resources of the Arctic, November 2008
- Council Analyses and Activities
Arctic Research
- 2009 International Arctic Fisheries Symposium
- Habitat Assessment and Marine Chemistry: Arctic Nearshore Studies
- Polar Ecosystems Program: research and monitoring on pinnipeds in the Arctic, sub-Arctic, and Antarctic marine ecosystems
- Beaufort Sea Survey: AFSC's Fishery Interaction Team's August 2008 fish survey