RIR/IRFA for Amendment to Regulations that Implement the Halibut Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program, Allow IFQ Derived from Category D QS to be Fished On Category C Vessels in Area 4B

The regulatory amendment would allow Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) derived from Category D quota share (QS) to be fished on Category C vessels in Area 4B. The action would relieve a restriction placed on IFQ halibut fishery participants and would further program goals by increasing the amount of IFQ that may be harvested by the small boat fleet, and by increasing safety at sea for that fleet. None of the alternatives are likely to change fishing patterns or harvest amounts to an extent that would result in an impact on the halibut stock, bycatch amounts, or other environmental impacts. There are no data that suggest adverse impacts would result from a higher proportion of the harvest being taken on larger vessels.

Under the status quo, as described in detail in the RIR, Category D QS holders (all of whom are assumed to be small entities), must fish their quota from boats 35 ft. or smaller. This requirement puts these entities at physical and economic risk, owing to the remoteness and severity of weather and sea conditions under which they operate. Alternative 2, the Council’s preferred alternative, seeks to mitigate these adverse economic and operational impacts on directly regulated small entities. It does so, by removing the Category D vessel- size restriction for Area 4D halibut QS; thus, allowing use of this valuable asset aboard vessels better suited to the extremes of this region