Final Regulatory Impact Review/Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis for Amendment 31 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs: Active Participation Requirements for the Acquisition and Use of C Shares
March 01, 2015
In August 2005, fishing in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Island crab fisheries began under a new share-based management program known as the Crab Rationalization Program.
Based on public testimony and input from the Advisory Panel, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council directed staff to analyze elements and options revising the active participation requirements for C share acquisition and use. Owner onboard requirements and leasing prohibitions on C shares are scheduled to go into effect after the third year of fishing under the program. Those rules may be overly burdensome to active captains and crew, given the current fleet fishing patterns in which vessels may not be active in all fisheries some years.