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DOC/NOAA | RIN: 0648-BJ03 | Publication ID: Fall 2019 |
Title: ●Amendment 119 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area and Amendment 107 to the Fishery Management Plan | |
Abstract:
In response to a recommendation by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, this rulemaking action proposes to require full retention of all rockfish species by catcher vessels (CVs) using hook-and-line, pot, or jig gear in the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council determined that requiring full retention of all rockfish species will improve the identification of species when CVs are subject to electronic monitoring; improve data collection; reduce incentives to discard rockfish; reduce waste from bycatch of rockfish, which has an extremely high mortality rate when discarded; reduce overall enforcement burden; and promote more consistent management between State of Alaska and Federal fisheries. This action also mitigates most conservation concerns by establishing a maximum commerce allowance (MCA). The MCA for rockfish is calculated at delivery and is set to 15 percent of retained groundfish and halibut, of which 5 percent can be yelloweye rockfish. The MCA is intended to remove financial incentives for vessel operators to increase rockfish harvest; and to allow vessel operators to sell most rockfish harvested incidentally to promote compliance with the full retention requirement. This action would also require retention of all rockfish even if a rockfish species is on prohibited species status, but prohibits retained rockfish from entering commerce. |
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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 13771 Designation: Not subject to, not significant | |
CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679 | |
Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. |
Legal Deadline:
None |
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Timetable:
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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: 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 |