Amendment 125 to the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Fishery Management Plan; Pacific Cod Small Boat Access

In response to a recommendation by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, this final action implements Amendment 125 to Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Management Area to allow smaller hook-and-line or pot catcher vessels operating in the Federal 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. This final rule redefines 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 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 final action will 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.