Biological Opinion National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Region, Sustainable Fisheries Division Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fisheries of the Gulf of Alaska

This opinion considers the effects of acoustic disturbance from vessel noise, seafloor disturbance, pollutants and contaminants, competition for prey, bycatch, entanglement/gear interaction, and vessel strike on the species and critical habitats listed in this biological opinion.

This action may effect Steller sea lions, sperm whales, humpback whales, the newly designated critical habitat for humpback whales, and sunflower sea star.

This biological opinion is based on information provided in the July 2024 BA (NMFS 2024b), the GOA FMP (NPFMC 2020), documents incorporated by reference as described in the BA; email and telephone conversations among AKR PRD, AKR SFD, WCR PRD, and WCR SFD, and other sources of information. A complete record of this consultation is on file at our NMFS AKR office.

Last updated by Alaska Regional Office on 01/10/2025

More Information

• Incidental Take Authorization
• Section 7 Biological Opinions Issued in Alaska
• Section 7 Consultation Guidance