Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program in Alaska Federal Register Rules and Notices 2004–Present
Summary
Temporary Final Rule
NOAA Fisheries issues regulations to remove limits on the maximum amount of halibut individual fishing quota (IFQ) that may be harvested by a vessel, commonly known as vessel use caps, in IFQ regulatory Areas 4A (Eastern Aleutian Islands), 4B (Central and Western Aleutian Islands), 4C (Central Bering Sea), and 4D (Eastern Bering Sea). This action is needed to provide additional flexibility to IFQ participants in 2022 to ensure allocations of halibut IFQ can be harvested by the limited number of vessels operating in these areas. This action is within the authority of the Secretary of Commerce to establish additional regulations governing the taking of halibut that are in addition to, and not in conflict with, those adopted by the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC). This action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the IFQ Program, the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 (Halibut Act), and other applicable laws.
Background
The commercial halibut and sablefish fisheries in the GOA and the BSAI management areas are managed under the IFQ Program that was implemented in 1995 (58 FR 59375, November 9, 1993). The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and NOAA Fisheries developed the IFQ Program to resolve the conservation and management problems commonly associated with open access fisheries. The preamble to the proposed rule published on December 3, 1992 (57 FR 57130), describes the background issues leading to the Council's initial action recommending the adoption of the IFQ Program.
Historical IFQ Federal Register notices and rules are posted on the IFQ Federal Register Rules and Notices 2003-1986 page. IFQ related Fishery Management Plan amendments are posted within each management plan.
Federal Register
- Temporary Final Rule: Vessel Use Caps (87 FR 34215, 06/06/2022)
- Proposed Rule: Vessel Use Caps (87 FR 23155, 04/19/2022)
- Final Rule: Sablefish Pot Gear Tags and Notary Certification Requirements (86 F…
- Proposed Rule: Sablefish Pot Gear Tags and Notary Certification Requirements (8…
- Final Rule: Vessel Use Caps (86 FR 28294, 05/26/2021)
- Proposed Rule: Vessel Use Caps (86 FR 19207, 04/13/2021)
- Emergency Rule: Temporary Transfers (86 FR 16542, 03/30/2021)
- Temporary Rule: IFQ/CDQ Sablefish Opening (86 FR 13493, 03/09/2021)
- Final Rule: Fish Up Provision (85 FR 44021, 08/20/2020)
- Final Rule: Revised IFQ Regulations (85 FR 41197, 7/8/20)
- Temporary Final Rule: Transfer Provision (85 FR 38100, 06/25/2020)
- Proposed Rule: Fish Up Provision (85 FR 20657, 04/14/2020)
- Temporary Rule: IFQ/CDQ Sablefish Opening (85 FR 15076, 03/17/2020)
- Final Rule: Medical and Beneficiary Transfer (85 FR 8477, 02/14/2020)
- Proposed Rule: Medical and Beneficiary Transfer (84 FR 56991, 10/24/2019)
- Temporary Rule: Opening of Directed Fishing for Sablefish (84 FR 9978, 03/19/20…
- Final Rule; Leasing Halibut IFQ in Areas 4B, 4C, and 4D, Correction, and Clarif…
- Notice of Availability: Hired Masters Analysis (83 FR 15324, 04/10/2018)
- Proposed Rule: Leasing Halibut IFQ in Areas 4B, 4C, and 4D, Correction, and Cla…
- Final rule; Recreational Quota Entity (RQE); Areas 2C and 3A in the Gulf of Ala…
- Proposed Rule; Recreational Quota Entity (RQE); Areas 2C and 3A in the Gulf of …
- Final Rule; Modification to Vessel Ownership Requirement (79 FR 9995, 02/24/201…
- Final Rule:Amendments to the Hired Master Regulations (79 FR 43679, 07/28/2014)
- Proposed Rule; Amendments to Hired Master Regulations (78 FR 24707, 04/26/2013)
- Proposed Regulatory Amendments; Vessel Ownership Requirements (77 FR 65843, 10/…
- Final Rule; Revoke Inactive IFQ Quota Share (77 FR 29556, 05/18/2012)
- Notice of a Public Meeting; Changes to Observer Program (77 FR 22753, 04/17/201…
- Temporary Rule; Announcement of IFQ Sablefish Opening (77 FR 14304, 03/09/2012)
- Temporary Rule; Announcement of IFQ Sablefish Opening (76 FR 11161, 03/01/2011)
- Proposed Rule; Revoke Inactive IFQ Quota Share (75 FR 51741, 08/23/2010)
- Final Rule Correction to 75 FR 20526 (75 FR 23189, 05/03/2010)
- Final Rule Correction to 73 FR 76136 (75 FR 20526, 04/20/2010)
- Temporary Rule; Announcement of IFQ Sablefish Opening (75 FR 11471, 03/11/2010)
- Final Rule; Web-Based Transfers (74 FR 51515, 10/07/2009)
- Proposed Rule; Web-Based Transfers (74 FR 24762, 05/26/2009)
- Final Rule; Limit Harvest of Pacific Halibut by Guided Sport Charter Vessel Ang…
- Final Rule; Web-Based Transfers (74 FR 13355, 03/27/2009)
- Temporary Rule; Announcement of IFQ Sablefish Opening (74 FR 11881, 03/20/2009)
- Temporary Rule; Announcement of IFQ Sablefish Opening (73 FR 9493, 02/21/2008)
- Final Rule; Use of commercial Halibut QS and the Processing of Non-IFQ Species …
- Final Rule; Online Access to IFQ Account Information (73 FR 31646, 06/03/2008)
- Final Rule; Longline Pot Fishing Gear in Bering Sea Sablefish IFQ and CDQ Fishe…
- Proposed Rule; Longline Pot Fishing Gear in Bering Sea Sablefish IFQ and CDQ Fi…
- Final Rule; Revision to Seabird Avoidance Measures (72 FR 71601, 12/18/2007)
- Proposed Rule; Use of Commercial Halibut QS and Processing of Non-IFQ Species W…
- Proposed Rule; Revision to Seabird Avoidance Measures (72 FR 53516, 09/19/2007)
- Final Rule; Modifications to Regulations for Fixed-Gear Commercial Pacific Hali…
- Final Rule; Exclude Tagged Halibut and Tagged Sablefish Catches (71 FR 36489, 0…
- Proposed Rule; Exclude Tagged Halibut and Tagged Sablefish Catches (71 FR 15687…
- Temporary Rule; Announcement of IFQ Sablefish Opening (70 FR 9881, 03/01/2005)
- Final Rule; Allow Quota Share Holders to Fish Their Area 4C IFQ or CDQ in Area …
- Proposed Rule; Allow Quota Share Holders to Fish Their Area 4C IFQ or CDQ in Ar…
- Final Rule; Retain and Land All Demersal Shelf Rockfish (69 FR 68095, 11/23/200…
- Notice of IFQ Sablefish Fishing Season Dates (69 FR 6199, 02/10/2004)
- Proposed Rule: Retention of Rockfish (69 FR 2875, 01/21/2004)
Supporting Materials
- IFQ Federal Register Rules and Notices 2003-1986
- Catch Sharing Plan and Annual Management Measures
- Halibut and Sablefish IFQ Cost Recovery Program Standard Prices/Fee Percentages
- Fishery Management Plan Amendments
- IFQ Analyses
- IFQ Program
- North Pacific Observer Program
- Seabird Avoidance Gear and Methods