RIR/FRFA Analysis of a Provision Allowing Post-Delivery Transfer of Shares in the Central Gulf Rockfish Pilot Program for a Proposed Regulatory Amendment to Implement Amendment 78 to the Fishery Management Plan for Gulf of Alaska Groundfish

In March of 2007, fishing in the Central Gulf of Alaska rockfish fisheries began under a new share-based management program. Under this program, cooperatives receive annual allocations of rockfish and other species (including halibut prohibited species catch) based on the qualified catch histories of their members. These annual allocations are binding, that is, without provision to cover any overage or compensate for any underage. This action considers allowing harvesters to engage in post-delivery transfers of their respective shares to cover overages.