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DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-BM64 Publication ID: Fall 2024 
Title: Amendment 125 to the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Fishery Management Plan; Pacific Cod Small Boat Access 
Abstract:

In response to a recommendation by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, this action would allow smaller hook-and-line or pot catcher vessels operating in the Federal Bering Sea and Aleutian Island (BSAI) Pacific cod (Gadus macrophalus) less than 60’ hook-and-line or pot catcher vessel sector to harvest Pacific cod from the BSAI Pacific cod jig sector’s allocation. Under the current regulations, the BSAI Pacific cod jig sector only includes jig catcher vessels and catcher processors. The proposed amendment would redefine the current Federal BSAI Pacific cod jig sector to add hook-and-line and pot catcher vessels that are less than or equal to 55’ length overall to the current definition. This proposed action is needed because of reduced Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC), shortened seasons for the less than 60’ hook-and-line and pot catcher vessel Pacific cod sector, and the inability of these smaller vessels to compete with larger vessels during poor weather. As such, the proposed action would likely provide a small benefit to a small number of fishery participants (those with smaller vessels). This action could provide stability and additional opportunities for current fishery participants and potential new entrants with smaller hook-and-line or pot catcher vessels without negatively impacting vessels that operate in the jig sector. However, larger hook-and-line or pot vessels could be negatively impacted by the proposed action, which would likely impact the historically common reallocations of projected unused Pacific cod allocation from the jig sector to the less than 60’ hook-and-line or pot catcher vessel sector. The authority for this action is Section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

 
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage 
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  05/00/2025 
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:
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