EA/RIR/FRFA for a Regulatory Amendment to Revise Harvest Regulations Associated with the Community Development Quota Fisheries in Accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
November 02, 2011
Evaluation of the environmental effects, as well as costs and benefits, of different alternatives to modify fishery management regulations for the Community Development Quota (CDQ) fisheries conducted in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands.
This Environmental Assessment/Regulatory Impact Review/ Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis for a Regulatory Amendment. This amendment would revise harvest regulations associated with the Community Development Quota (CDQ) fisheries. This Review/Analysis evaluates the environmental effects of different alternatives to modify fishery management regulations for the CDQ fisheries. Costs and benefits are also evaluated. The CDQ fisheries affected by this amendment are in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. Proposed changes to 50 CFR part 679 include revising CDQ regulations associated with fisheries observer coverage requirements. Bycatch retention, vessel licensing, and reporting requirements would also be revised to ensure that they are no more restrictive than the regulations in effect for comparable individual fishing quota fisheries and fisheries managed with cooperatives.
This document is in Accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, as amended by the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006