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DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-BM81 Publication ID: Spring 2024 
Title: ●Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone; Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab Rationalization Program; C Shares and Facility Use Caps 
Abstract:

In response to a recommendation by the North Pacific Fishery Council, this action would implements Amendments 54 and 55 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands (BSAI) King and Tanner Crabs.  The action revises two provisions of the BSAI Crab Rationalization Program (CR Program): 1) change active participation requirements for quota share established for captains and crew, known as crew quota shares or C shares, and 2) adjust exemptions for processor facility use caps and custom processing. These revisions restart and standardize active participation requirements for all C shareholders, reissue quota share (QS) that was revoked by NMFS between July 1, 2019 until the final rule is implemented, expand the 30-day participation requirement to include serving as crew on a tender vessel, clarify crew participation during at least one fishing trip with a crab delivery, and adjust exemptions for C shareholders with QS exclusively in closed CR Program fisheries, as well as for processor facility use caps and custom processing. The purpose of this action is to provide C shareholders greater flexibility in meeting participation requirements for the annual issuance of individual fishing quota (IFQ) and the retention of QS, and to enhance cost efficiency for processor facility use caps and custom processing due to low crab abundance and reduced crew opportunities. The impact of this action extends to C shareholders and shoreside processors involved in the CR Program fisheries. The authority for this action is Section 303(c) / 304(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

 
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 680   
Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  03/07/2024  89 FR 16510   
NPRM Comment Period End  04/08/2024 
Final Action  06/04/2024  89 FR 47872   
Final Action Effective  07/05/2024 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: Businesses  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Jon Kurland
Regional Administrator, Alaska Region
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
709 West Ninth Street,
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone:907 586-7638
Email: jon.kurland@noaa.gov