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
January 15, 2014
Analysis of an action to amend the halibut Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) regulations under the authority of the NOAA Fisheries Service.
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.