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DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-BF24 Publication ID: Fall 2015 
Title: ●Emergency Rule to Increase the 2015 Chinook Salmon PSC Apportionment to the Gulf of Alaska Non-Pollock, Non-Rockfish Trawl Catcher Vessel Sector 
Abstract: Through this emergency rule, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) allocated 1,600 Chinook salmon prohibited species catch (PSC) to trawl fisheries of the Western and Central Gulf of Alaska (GOA) non-pollock, Non-Rockfish Program catcher vessel sector (Non-Rockfish Program CV Sector) for the remainder of 2015. On May 3, 2015, NMFS prohibited directed fishing for groundfish by the Non-Rockfish Program CV Sector after the sector exceeded its 2015 allocation of 2,700 Chinook salmon PSC (50 CFR 679.21(i)(3)). The current Chinook salmon PSC allocation to the Non-Rockfish Program CV Sector was implemented under Amendment 97 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (79 FR 71350, December 2, 2014). At its June 2015 meeting, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council concluded that this emergency rule was necessary after determining that (1) new observer data demonstrated that a much greater number of Chinook salmon PSC from this sector was occurring in the Western GOA than was anticipated under Amendment 97 and (2) the Non-Rockfish Program CV Sector processing plants that process groundfish delivered by this sector, and the Borough of Kodiak, have limited alternatives to mitigate the significant and negative economic effects of this closure. This action was intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska, and other applicable law. 
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: First time 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.    16 U.S.C. 3631 et seq.    16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.    Pub. L. 108199   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
Final Action  08/10/2015  80 FR 47864   
Final Action Effective  08/10/2015 
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:
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