Categorical Exclusion for Proposed Rule to Implement Pacific Halibut Recreational Quota Entity

The proposed action would require a valid charter halibut stamp (stamp) for anglers 18 years of age or older for each day they intend to harvest halibut on a charter vessel fishing trip in regulatory areas 2C and 3A. This would include charter halibut vessels operated and permitted under the Community Quota Entity and Military Morale and Welfare programs. The RQE program and its ability to acquire funds and purchase commercial halibut quota share (QS) were established by a previous action (83 FR 47819, September 21, 2018). This action establishes a regulatory funding mechanism for the RQE. The collected fees from the stamp purchases would be made available to the RQE program, which would be used on behalf of the charter fishery for purposes specified in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Management and Conservation Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).