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Need To Improve Fishery Management Plan Process

RCED-83-72 Published: Jan 07, 1983. Publicly Released: Jan 07, 1983.
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Highlights

GAO reviewed the fishery management planning process authorized under the Fishery Conservation and Management Act, which extended U.S. fisheries' jurisdiction and established eight regional fishery management councils which develop plans that provide the basis for and describe the conservation, management, and regulatory measures which govern and control specific fisheries. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) approves and implements these plans.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Commerce The Secretary of Commerce should direct the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to provide additional information to the councils on the benefits of using the framework management plan concept. Special attention should be directed to alleviating the councils' express concerns in the development and use of framework plans, including designating authority to change approved management measures.
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Commerce The Secretary of Commerce should direct the Administrator of NOAA to allow councils wide latitude in determining how fisheries should be managed and limit reviews to matters that affect the national standards and other applicable Federal laws.
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Commerce The Secretary of Commerce should direct the Administrator of NOAA to permit regional councils to prepare environmental assessments in developing fishery plans and prepare environmental impact statements (EIS) only when warranted. Criteria should be developed to assist councils in determining when an EIS is needed.
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Commerce The Secretary of Commerce should direct the Administrator of NOAA to develop, in consultation with the regional councils, a generic EIS that could be applied to several fishery plans in the same geographic area.
Closed – Not Implemented
The need for generic EIS's has diminished as a result of: (1) a new NOAA policy to permit councils to prepare environmental assessments, instead of EIS's, whenever appropriate; and (2) an emerging trend toward developing comprehensive fishery management plans covering many species in each plan which will lead to broader-based EIS's.

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Topics

Environmental monitoringFishery legislationFishesIntergovernmental relationsMarine resources conservationPlanningProgram managementProposed legislationRegulationConservation compliance