alaska groundfish fisheries

The groundfish complex is the most abundant fisheries resource off Alaska, with a combined biomass of more than 21.8 million metric tons (t). About 76% of the biomass is found in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands region, with the remainder in the Gulf of Alaska. From 2004 to 2006, groundfish catches averaged nearly 2.2 million t or about 10% of the total groundfish biomass, although harvest rates vary for individual species. Prior to 1976, the only groundfish species of significant commercial value to domestic fisheries was Pacific halibut; foreign fisheries harvested most other targeted commercial species. The implementation of the Magnuson Fisheries Conservation and Management Act of 1976 (1976 Act) extended Federal fisheries management jurisdiction to 200 nautical miles (n.mi.), excluding foreign fisheries and stimulating the growth of domestic fisheries. Although the domestic fisheries engaged initially Unit 19