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DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-AY65 Publication ID: Spring 2011 
Title: Amendment to Limit Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Fixed Gear Catcher Processors Fishing for Pacific Cod in State of Alaska Parallel Waters 
Abstract: NMFS proposes to limit access by federally permitted pot and hook-and-line catcher/processors to the Pacific cod fishery in State of Alaska parallel waters in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) management area. The parallel fishery occurs off the coast of Alaska within 3 nautical miles of shore, and is concurrent with the federal fishery for Pacific cod in the BSAI. This measure is necessary to deter some catcher/processors from catching more Pacific cod than have been allocated to their sector. It would reduce the risk of exceeding seasonal and area allocations of Pacific cod, improve NMFS's ability to manage existing sector allocations, and increase information collected about Pacific cod catch in the parallel fishery. It also would create more secure sector allocations of Pacific cod to prevent vessels fishing in the parallel fishery from eroding previously established sector allocations, and improve vessel owners' ability to repay loans under the BSAI longline catcher/processor capacity reduction program. This rule would limit access to the parallel fishery for Pacific cod by requiring a federally permitted pot or hook-and-line catcher/processor to hold the same endorsements required on their federal fisheries permit or license limitation program license for catching Pacific cod in the parallel fishery as currently required for catching Pacific cod in the federal waters of the BSAI. Any pot or hook-and-line catcher/processor fishing for Pacific cod in the parallel fishery also would be required to comply with seasonal closures of Pacific cod that apply to federally permitted vessels regardless of whether they are fishing in the federal or parallel fishery. Vessel owners of pot and hook-and-line catcher/processors who surrender federal fisheries permit would not be reissued a new federal fisheries permit within the 3-year term of the permit. 
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679   
Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  03/11/2011  76 FR 13331   
NPRM Comment Period End  04/11/2011    
Final Action  06/00/2011    
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Robert D. Mecum
Deputy Acting Administrator
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Room 420, 709 West Ninth Street,
Juneau, AK 99802
Phone:907 586-7221
Fax:907 586-7249
Email: robert.mecum@noaa.gov