"Fish Stocks"

On September 1, 2007, the Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) completed the twenty-ninth annual longline survey of Alaska sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) resources of the upper continental slope (Figure 1). This survey was designed to continue the time series (1979-94) of the Gulf of Alaska portion of the Japan-U.S. cooperative longline survey that was discontinued after 1994. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has surveyed the Gulf of Alaska annually since 1987, the eastern Aleutian Islands biennially since 1996, and the eastern Bering Sea biennially since 1997. The Gulf of Alaska and eastern Bering Sea were sampled in 2007.

This Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) evaluates the adverse economic impacts on regulated small entities of regulatory amendments to 50 CFR part 679 and part 680 to revise and reorganize regulations associated with logbooks, forms, and electronic reporting systems. Several definitions are changed. This action changes certain crab provisions, including fee calculations. The FRFA addresses the statutory requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) of 1980, as amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (5 U.S.C. 601-612).

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Administrative Order (NAO) 216-6 (May 20, 1999) contains criteria for determining the significance of the impacts of a Proposed Action.

All groundfish and halibut vessels and processors may be required to accommodate one or more NMFS-certified observers or an electronic monitoring system, in order to verify catch composition and quantity, including catch discarded at sea, and to collect biological information on marine resources. Vessels and processors are included in one of two coverage categories: partial and full. Vessels and processors in the partial coverage category are subject to an ex-vessel value-based fee not to exceed 2%, and are required to carry an observer or electronic monitoring system as determined by NMFS through an Annual Deployment Plan. Vessels and processors in the full observer coverage category are required to obtain observer coverage by contracting directly with observer providers to meet coverage requirements in regulation.

On September 1, 2006, the, Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC), completed the twenty-fourth annual longline survey of Alaska sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) resources of the upper continental slope (Figure 1). The present NMFS survey was designed to continue the time series (1979-94) of the discontinued Japan-U.S. cooperative longline survey of the Gulf of Alaska. NMFS has surveyed the Gulf of Alaska annually since 1987, the eastern Aleutian Islands biennially since 1996, and the eastern Bering Sea biennially since 1997. The Gulf of Alaska and eastern Aleutian Islands were sampled in 2006.

On September 5, 2005, the, Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC), completed the twenty-sixth annual longline survey of Alaska sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) resources of the upper continental slope (Figure 1). This survey was designed to continue the time series (1979-94) of the Gulf of Alaska portion of the Japan-U.S. cooperative longline survey that was discontinued after 1994. NMFS has surveyed the Gulf of Alaska annually since 1987, the eastern Aleutian Islands biennially since 1996, and the eastern Bering Sea biennially since 1997. The Gulf of Alaska and eastern Bering sea were sampled in 2005.

This proposed action is an amendment to 50 CFR 6 79.22 regarding closures to groundfish fishing in waters off Cape Sari chef and in the Chiniak Gully Research Area. This proposed regulatory change would open the Cape SarichefResearch Restriction Arca in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSA!) to directed fishing for groundfish using trawl, pot, or hook-and-line gear from March 15, 2006, through March 31, 2006. Opening this area would allow vessels participating in ground fish fisheries to harvest their total allowable catch amounts without the operational constraints imposed by the closure. This proposed rule also would remove the regulations for the Cape Sari chef Research Restriction Area, as well as regulations for the Chiniak Gully Research Area because both research projects have ended.

On September 1, 2004, the, Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC), completed the twenty-fifth annual longline survey of Alaska sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) resources of the upper continental slope (Figure 1). The present NMFS survey was designed to continue the time series (1979-94) of the discontinued Japan-U.S. cooperative longline survey of the Gulf of Alaska. NMFS has surveyed the Gulf of Alaska annually since 1987, the eastern Aleutian Islands biennially since 1996, and the eastern Bering Sea biennially since 1997. The Gulf of Alaska and eastern Aleutian Islands were sampled in 2004.

This Regulatory Impact Review (RIR) evaluates the costs and benefits of a proposed regulatory amendment to relax a harvest restriction for participants in the harvest limit area (HLA) Atka mackerel fishery in the Aleutian Islands. The proposed action would allow participants in the HLA fishery to harvest Atka mackerel outside of the HLA during the first assigned HLA fishery. Regulations currently prohibit harvest of any groundfish other than Atka mackerel, and then only within the HLA, during the first HLA fishery. This action would relieve a restriction on participants in the HLA Atka mackerel fishery and potentially provide additional protection for Steller sea lions by allowing for less harvest from within the HLA. The regulatory amendment would allowmore efficient harvest of Atka mackerel. This RIR addresses the requirements of Presidential Executive Order 12866.

This proposed action is an amendment to the existing subsistence halibut regulations. With this proposed rule, NMFS intends to change the regulations found at § 300.65 - 300.66 to better manage the subsistence halibut fishery. This proposed action amends the regulatory language at § 300.65 - 300.66 to narrowly adjust gear and harvest restrictions for subsistence halibut in several discrete regions. Additionally, this proposed action implements tribe and community-based permit measures that centralize fishing effort.