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DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-AX89 Publication ID: Fall 2010 
Title: Salmon Bycatch Reduction Management Measures for the Fishery Management Plan 91 in the Bering Sea Aleutian Islands 
Abstract: This fishery management plan amendment and rulemaking will implement the North Pacific Fishery Management Council's recommendations for management measures to minimize to the extent practicable Chinook salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea pollock fishery. These management measures provide two options for the pollock sectors (e.g., inshore catcher vessels, offshore catcher-processors, catcher vessels delivering to motherships, or CDQ entities): fish under a lower Chinook salmon cap or participate in an incentive program and fish under a higher cap. Under the first option, the fleet as a whole may choose to fish under a transferable cap of 47,591 Chinook salmon, which would be allocated by season and sector. Once each sector reaches its specific cap, it would be prohibited from continuing to fish for pollock for the remainder of the season. Alternatively, vessels or CDQ entities may choose to participate in private contracts called incentive plan agreements (IPA) which would describe how participants would maintain low bycatch even when their bycatch levels are well below the hard cap approved. Those vessels or CDQ entities participating in an IPA would be allocated a transferable share of up to 60,000 Chinook salmon. This cap would be reduced for any vessels or CDQ entities not participating in an IPA and those vessels and CDQ entities would fish under a lower, non-transferable cap. In addition to the annual cap levels, if any sector operating under an IPA exceeds its proportion of 47,591 Chinook salmon three times in any seven-year period, the sector's maximum bycatch limit will be permanently reduced to its proportional share of the 47,591 cap. If the FMP amendments and proposed rule are approved, fishing under the new Chinook salmon bycatch management measures would start in 2011. 
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Completed Actions 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679   
Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq    16 USC 3631 et seq    16 USC 773 et seq    PL 108-447   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
Notice of Availability  02/18/2010  75 FR 7228   
NPRM  03/23/2010  75 FR 14016   
Notice of Availability Comment Period End  04/19/2010    
NPRM Comment Period End  05/07/2010    
Final Rule  08/30/2010  75 FR 53025   
Final Rule Effective  09/29/2010    
Correction  09/24/2010  75 FR 58337   
Additional Information: Jason Anderson; (907) 586-7650. Jason.Anderson@noaa.gov
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes  Government Levels Affected: Federal 
Small Entities Affected: Businesses  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: Yes 
Related RINs: Related to 0648-AU03 
Agency Contact:
James Balisger
Regional Administrator
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS, P.O. Box 21668,
Juneau, AK 99802
Phone:907 586-7221
Fax:907 586-7249
Email: james.balsiger@noaa.gov