IB 04-102: NMFS Announces 2004 Cost Recovery Fee for the Halibut and Sablefish IFQ Programs in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has calculated a fee percentage for the recovery of certain management and enforcement costs in the halibut and sablefish individual fishing quota (IFQ) programs in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) and the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI) management areas equal to 1.3% of the ex-vessel value of permit holders= 2004 IFQ landings, according to James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.

Under 1996 amendments to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Secretary of Commerce is required to "collect a fee to recover the actual costs directly related to the management and enforcement of any...individual fishing quota program." The Secretary may collect up to 3% of the ex-vessel value of IFQ landings. The Secretary may collect less if a lower percentage will cover program costs. NMFS has determined that 1.3% will be sufficient to cover all fiscal year 2004 expenses for the halibut and sablefish IFQ programs. Up to 25% of the revenues from this fee may be used for an IFQ loan program to aid in financing the purchase of IFQ or quota share for entry-level and small-vessel fishermen.

Halibut and sablefish fishermen are responsible for self-collection of their fee liability for all IFQ halibut and sablefish landings on their permits. IFQ permit holders are also responsible for submitting a fee liability payment to NMFS on or before the due date of January 31, 2005. The dollar amount of the fee due is determined by multiplying the IFQ fee percentage (1.3%) by the ex-vessel value of each 2004 IFQ landing made on a permit and summing the totals of each permit (if more than one). To facilitate this process NMFS mails statements to permit holders late each calendar year.

For more information contact Troie Zuniga, Fee Coordinator, at 907-586-7231.

This information bulletin provides notice of the fee percentage. Do not rely upon it to guide you in complying with the fee assessment requirements.