Regulatory Impact Review/Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis for Regulations that Implement the Halibut Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program

This Regulatory Impact Review and Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis evaluates a final action. This action amends the regulations that implement the Pacific Halibut Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program on the use of quota share (QS). This action allows processing of non-IFQ species on a fishing vessel that is otherwise authorized to process non-IFQ species when any amount of IFQ halibut resulting from QS assigned to vessel categories B, C, or D (catcher vessel QS) are held by fishermen onboard the vessel. This action also allows holders of vessel category A QS (catcher/processor QS) to process IFQ derived from catcher/processor QS, when unused IFQ derived from catcher vessel QS is onboard the vessel.