Which document formally authorizes PFMC measures for NMFS implementation?

• A. The council's annual budget report.
• B. The annual management measures package and the associated FMP amendments approved by NMFS.
• C. State fishery agency approvals only.
• D. A private industry waiver.

Answer: (B)

The formal authorization to implement PFMC measures in federal waters comes from the annual management measures package together with the associated amendments to the Fishery Management Plans, once these are approved by NMFS. This package represents the council’s proposed rules and the legal changes to the FMPs that allow those rules to be put into effect. NMFS approval is the official authorization to implement them in federal regulations. The other options don’t provide that regulatory authorization: budget documents don’t authorize management measures, state approvals alone don’t authorize federal rules, and private waivers have no regulatory authority to implement NMFS-managed measures.