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DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-BE41 Publication ID: Fall 2015 
Title: Regulatory Amendment to Change the Definition of Sport Fishing Guide Services for Pacific Halibut in International Pacific Halibut Commission Area 2C and Area 3A 
Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service finalized regulations that revised Federal regulatory text regarding sport fishing guide services for Pacific halibut in International Pacific Halibut Commission Regulatory Areas 2C (Southeast Alaska) and 3A (Central Gulf of Alaska) to remove the requirement that a charter vessel guide be on board the same vessel as a charter vessel angler to provide sport fishing guide services. The action clarified that all sport fishing in which anglers receive assistance from a compensated guide will be managed under charter fishery regulations, and all harvest will accrue toward charter allocations. This action aligned Federal regulations with State of Alaska regulations. The definition of sport fishing guide services was revised and a definition for compensation was added to Federal regulations. Additional minor changes to the regulatory text pertaining to the charter halibut fishery were required to maintain consistency in the regulations with these new definitions. This action was necessary to achieve the halibut fishery management goals of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. 
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 300   
Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  12/03/2014  79 FR 71729   
NPRM Comment Period End  01/02/2015 
Final Action  06/19/2015  80 FR 35195   
Final Action Effective  07/20/2015 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: Businesses, Organizations  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: Yes 
Agency Contact:
James Balsiger
Regional Administrator, Alaska Region
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
709 West Ninth Street,
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone:907 586-7221
Email: jim.balsiger@noaa.gov