"As directed by the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 (P.L. 95-265) the North Pacific Fishery Management Council is preparing fishery management plans for those fisheries within its area of jurisdiction. This document was the first of the plans to be completed by the Council since its formation in October, 1976. The Fishery Management Plan for the Gulf of Alaska Groundfish Fishery was developed by a multi-agency team composed of members from the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the International Pacific Halibut Commission and the University of Washington. It was approved by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council on September 24, 1977, for submission to the Secretary of Commerce. Regulations to implement this plan were published on the same date. It was approved by the Secretary of Commerce and published in the Federal Register on April 21, 1978. The Plan has been amended seven times, beginning December 1, 1978 (Amendment 1 implemented) and most recently, November 1, 1979 (Amendment 7 implemented). An explanation of these amendments is attached."-- from page 1.