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DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-BE85 Publication ID: Spring 2016 
Title: Revision of Skate Maximum Retainable Amounts in the Gulf of Alaska Groundfish Fishery 
Abstract: This rule reduced the maximum retainable amount of incidentally caught skates in directed fisheries for groundfish in the Gulf of Alaska to 5 percent, which allows a vessel to retain skates in an amount up to 5 percent of the weight of the target groundfish species onboard the vessel. The skate maximum retainable amount is intended to limit harvest of skates to the intrinsic rate of incidental catch of skates in Gulf of Alaska groundfish fisheries and to provide a disincentive for vessels to target skates. Skate harvests have increased in recent years and have exceeded the acceptable biological catch in some areas. This action was necessary to enhance conservation and management of skates by decreasing the incentive for vessels to target skates and to slow the harvest rate of skates. 
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 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  07/10/2015  80 FR 39734   
NPRM Comment Period End  08/10/2015 
Final Action  12/28/2015  80 FR 80695   
Final Action Effective  01/27/2016 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: Businesses  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