Analysis for Amendments Correcting Vessel Length Exemptions to the License Limitation Program: Amendment 108 to the FMP for Groundfish of the BSAI, Amendment 100 to the FMP for Groundfish of the GOA, and Amendment 46 FMP for BSAI King and Tanner Crabs

All changes to a Fishery Management Plan (FMP), even minor typographical changes, require an FMP amendment that is approved by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council). The purpose of the action described in this analysis is to correct FMP text that is inconsistent with the Council’s intent of the license limitation program (LLP) and Federal regulations implementing the LLP. The proposed amendments do not require changes to Federal regulations. The amendments under consideration would align the FMP text that establishes vessel size standards for exempting small vessels from the LLP in the BSAI groundfish and king and Tanner crab fisheries, as well as GOA groundfish fisheries, with the original intent of the LLP, current operations in the fisheries, and Federal regulations.

Specifically these amendments would include correcting FMP text that describes the vessels exempted from the LLP:

1. in the BSAI groundfish fisheries from vessels less than 32 ft. length overall (LOA) to vessels less than or equal to 32 ft. LOA
2. in the GOA groundfish fisheries from vessels less than 26 ft. LOA to vessels less than or equal to 26 ft. LOA
3. in the BSAI king and Tanner crab fisheries from vessels less than 32 ft. LOA to vessels less than or equal to 32 ft. LOA.3