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DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-BO24 Publication ID: 2026 
Title: ●Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Catch Sharing Plan; Modify Halibut Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Vessel Harvest Limitations in IFQ Areas 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E 
Abstract:

In response to a recommendation by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), this action would modify vessel harvest limitations for vessels harvesting halibut Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) in IFQ Regulatory Areas 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E (hereafter, collectively referred to as Area 4 and generally corresponding to the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area off Alaska). This action would make two changes to the management of vessel harvest limitations, which are limits in place to prevent excessive consolidation of harvesting privileges. First, a vessel participating in the halibut IFQ fishery would be able to harvest up to 5 percent of the annual aggregate Area 4 total allowable catch on a single vessel. Second, an Area 4B Community Quota Entity’s harvest would not accrue towards the 5 percent vessel limitation applicable in Area 4 (a Community Quota Entity is a nonprofit group that is allowed to hold quota share under the IFQ Program on behalf of an eligible community). This action is needed because utilization of halibut quota in Area 4 has declined in recent years because of reduced processing capacity and increased operating costs due to the remote nature of Area 4 fishing grounds and increasing whale depredation while fishing. This action would provide additional flexibility and stability to IFQ participants and vessel operators harvesting halibut IFQ in Area 4. It would increase efficiency and utilization of quota and fishery revenues in Area 4 by providing additional harvest opportunities on vessels that have previously been constrained by vessel harvest limitations. This action would maintain entry level opportunities for vessels and continue to support sustained participation by fishery dependent communities in the IFQ program (including through the Community Quota Entity).

 
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
EO 14192 Designation: Not subject to, not significant 
CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679   
Legal Authority: 16 USC 7783   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  07/00/2026 
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