Rule2024-04516
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska; Final 2024 and 2025 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
March 4, 2024
Effective
March 4, 2024
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS announces final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications, apportionments, and Pacific halibut prohibited species catch limits for the groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to establish harvest limits for groundfish during the remainder of the 2024 and the start of the 2025 fishing years and to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP). The 2024 harvest specifications supersede those previously set in the final 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications, and the 2025 harvest specifications will be superseded in early 2025 when the final 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications are published. The intended effect of this action is to conserve and manage the groundfish resources in the GOA in accordance with the Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 43 (Monday, March 4, 2024)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 43 (Monday, March 4, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15484-15516]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-04516]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 240227-0061; RTID 0648-XD436]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of
Alaska; Final 2024 and 2025 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule; harvest specifications and closures.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS announces final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications,
apportionments, and Pacific halibut prohibited species catch limits for
the groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to establish harvest limits for groundfish during the
remainder of the 2024 and the start of the 2025 fishing years and to
accomplish the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for
Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP). The 2024 harvest specifications
supersede those previously set in the final 2023 and 2024 harvest
specifications, and the 2025 harvest specifications will be superseded
in early 2025 when the final 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications are
published. The intended effect of this action is to conserve and manage
the groundfish resources in the GOA in accordance with the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
DATES: Harvest specifications and closures are effective at 1200 hours,
Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 4, 2024, through 2400 hours, A.l.t.,
December 31, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the Final Alaska Groundfish Harvest
Specifications Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS), Record of
Decision (ROD), and the annual Supplementary Information Reports (SIRs)
to the EIS prepared for this action are available from <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. The 2023 Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation
[[Page 15485]]
(SAFE) report for the groundfish resources of the GOA, dated November
2023, and SAFE reports for previous years are available from the North
Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) at 1007 West Third Avenue,
Suite 400, Anchorage, AK 99501, phone 907-271-2809, or from the North
Pacific Groundfish SAFE Report web page at <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/population-assessments/north-pacific-groundfish-stock-assessments-and-fishery-evaluation">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/population-assessments/north-pacific-groundfish-stock-assessments-and-fishery-evaluation</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Abby Jahn, 907-586-7416.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the GOA groundfish fisheries in
the exclusive economic zone of the GOA under the FMP. The Council
prepared the FMP under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act (16
U.S.C. 1801 et seq.). Regulations governing U.S. fisheries and
implementing the FMP appear at 50 CFR parts 600, 679, and 680.
The FMP and its implementing regulations require that NMFS, after
consultation with the Council, specify the total allowable catch (TAC)
for each target species, the sum of which must be within the optimum
yield (OY) range of 116,000 to 800,000 metric tons (mt) (Sec.
679.20(a)(1)(i)(B) and Sec. 679.20(a)(2)). Section 679.20(c)(1)
further requires that NMFS publish and solicit public comment on
proposed annual TACs and apportionments thereof, Pacific halibut
prohibited species catch (PSC) limits, and seasonal allowances of
pollock and Pacific cod. Upon consideration of those public comments,
NMFS must publish a notification of final harvest specifications for up
to 2 fishing years as annual TACs and apportionments, Pacific halibut
PSC limits, and seasonal allowances of pollock and Pacific cod, per
Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(ii). The final harvest specifications set forth in
tables 1 through 27 of this rule reflect the outcome of this process,
as required at Sec. 679.20(c).
The proposed 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications for groundfish of
the GOA and Pacific halibut PSC limits were published in the Federal
Register on December 7, 2023 (88 FR 85184). Comments were invited and
accepted through January 8, 2024. NMFS received 2 letters raising 7
distinct comments during the public comment period for the proposed GOA
groundfish harvest specifications. In December 2023, NMFS consulted
with the Council regarding the 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications.
After considering public comment at public meetings and submitted for
the proposed rule (88 FR 85184), as well as current biological,
ecosystem, and socioeconomic data, NMFS is implementing the final 2024
and 2025 harvest specifications, as recommended by the Council. For
2024, the sum of the TAC amounts is 520,020 mt. For 2025, the sum of
the TAC amounts is 483,700 mt.
Other Actions Affecting the 2024 and 2025 Harvest Specifications
Amendment 122 to the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands FMP: Pacific Cod
Trawl Cooperative Program
NMFS published a final rule implementing Amendment 122 to the
Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands (BSAI) Management Area (BSAI FMP) (88 FR 53704, August 8,
2023), establishing the Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative Program (PCTC
Program) to allocate BSAI Pacific cod quota share to qualifying
groundfish License Limitation Program (LLP) license holders and
qualifying processors. The PCTC Program is a limited access privilege
program for the harvest of Pacific cod in the BSAI trawl catcher vessel
(CV) sector.
The PCTC Program modifies existing GOA sideboard limits and
associated GOA halibut PSC limits for non-exempt American Fisheries Act
(AFA) CVs and LLP license holders and closes directed fishing where the
revised sideboard limits are too small to support a directed fishery.
All GOA non-exempt AFA CVs and associated AFA LLP licenses are
sideboarded in aggregate for all GOA groundfish fishing activity and
for GOA halibut PSC based on their GOA catch history during the
qualifying years 2009 through 2019, except when participating in the
Central Gulf of Alaska (Central GOA) Rockfish Program. In addition, the
ratio used to apportion GOA halibut PSC limits is modified, and the
five seasonal apportionments based on that sideboard ratio is reduced
to a single aggregate annual amount. Amendment 122 also closes directed
fishing to all GOA non-exempt AFA CVs and LLP licenses for the
following species categories: Southeast Outside (SEO) District of the
Eastern GOA pollock, Western GOA shallow-water flatfish, Central and
Eastern GOA deep-water flatfish, Central GOA dusky rockfish, and
Eastern GOA and Central GOA Pacific ocean perch. NMFS will no longer
publish AFA Program sideboard limits for these specific species or
species groups in the Federal Register as part of the annual groundfish
harvest specifications, and instead table 56 to 50 CFR part 679 lists
that directed fishing for these species is prohibited to non-exempt AFA
CVs. Amendment 122 and its implementing regulations affect the
calculation and establishment of the groundfish sideboard limits and
halibut PSC limits discussed below under the sections ``American
Fisheries Act (AFA) Catcher/Processor and Catcher Vessel Groundfish
Harvest Limits'' and ``Non-Exempt AFA Catcher Vessel Halibut PSC
Limits.''
Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) and TAC Specifications
In December 2023, the Council's Scientific and Statistical
Committee (SSC), its Advisory Panel (AP), and the Council reviewed the
most recent biological, ecosystem, socioeconomic, and harvest
information about the condition of the GOA groundfish stocks. The
Council's GOA Groundfish Plan Team (Plan Team) compiled and presented
this information in the 2023 SAFE report for the GOA groundfish
fisheries, dated November 2023 (see ADDRESSES). The SAFE report
contains a review of the latest scientific analyses and estimates of
each species' biomass and other biological parameters, as well as
summaries of the available information on the GOA ecosystem by
including risk tables and information from the GOA Ecosystem Status
Report (ESR).
The ESRs compile and summarize information about the status of the
Alaska marine ecosystems for the Plan Team, SSC, AP, Council, NMFS, and
the public, and they are updated annually. These ESRs include ecosystem
report cards, ecosystem assessments, and ecosystem status indicators
(i.e., climate indices, sea surface temperature), which together
provide context for ecosystem-based fisheries management in Alaska. The
ESRs inform stock assessments and are integrated in the annual harvest
recommendations through inclusion in stock assessment-specific risk
tables. The ESRs provide context for the SSC's recommendations for OFLs
and ABCs, as well as for the Council's TAC recommendations. The SAFE
reports and the ESRs are presented to the Plan Team and at the October
and December Council meetings before the SSC, AP, and Council make
groundfish harvest recommendations and aid NMFS in implementing these
annual groundfish harvest specifications.
The SAFE report also includes information on the economic condition
of the groundfish fisheries off Alaska through the Economic Status
Report. The SAFE report provides information to the Council and NMFS
for recommending and setting, respectively, annual harvest levels for
each stock, documenting significant trends or changes in the resource,
marine
[[Page 15486]]
ecosystems, and fisheries over time, and assessing the relative success
of existing Federal fishery management programs. From these data and
analyses, the Plan Team recommends, and the SSC sets, an overfishing
level (OFL) and ABC for each species and species group. The 2023 SAFE
report was made available for public review during the public comment
period for the proposed harvest specifications.
In previous years, the greatest changes from the proposed to the
final harvest specifications were based on recent NMFS stock surveys,
which provide updated estimates of stock biomass and spatial
distribution, and changes to the models used for producing stock
assessments. At the November 2023 Plan Team meeting, NMFS scientists
presented updated and new survey results, changes to stock assessment
models, and accompanying stock assessment estimates for groundfish
species and species groups that are included in the 2023 SAFE report
per the stock assessment schedule found in the 2023 SAFE report
introduction. The SSC reviewed this information at the December 2023
Council meeting. Changes from the proposed to the final 2024 and 2025
harvest specifications are discussed below.
The final 2024 and 2025 OFLs and ABCs are based on the best
scientific information available, including projected biomass trends,
information on assumed distribution of stock biomass, and revised
methods used to calculate stock biomass, and the final 2024 and 2025
TACs are based on the best scientific and socioeconomic information
available. The FMP specifies the formulas, or tiers, to be used to
compute OFLs and ABCs. The formulas applicable to a particular stock or
stock complex are determined by the level of reliable information
available to fisheries scientists. This information is categorized into
a successive series of six tiers to define OFL and ABC amounts, with
Tier 1 representing the highest level of information quality available
and Tier 6 representing the lowest level of information quality
available. The Plan Team used the FMP tier structure to calculate OFL
and ABC amounts for each groundfish species. The SSC adopted the final
2024 and 2025 OFLs and ABCs recommended by the Plan Team, with the
exception of the ABC for pollock in the combined Western and Central
Regulatory Areas and the West Yakutat District of the Eastern
Regulatory Area (the W/C/WYK), and the ABC apportionments by area for
shortraker rockfish and other rockfish.
For pollock, the SSC did not accept the GOA Plan Team's recommended
ABC because of concerns about discrepancies between model predicted and
survey trends. Instead, the SSC recommended a reduction from max ABC
for 2024.
For shortraker rockfish sub-area apportionments of ABC, the Plan
Team deliberated on the author's recommended model change because the
new apportionment method of using both trawl and longline indices may
constrain fisheries within the Central GOA. The Plan Team recommended
accepting the new apportionment method but applying a stair-step
between the methods to alleviate concerns highlighted by the public
during the meeting. The SSC received public testimony that also
highlighted allocation limitations. Public testimony asserted that
there is a high probability that the reduction in a Central GOA sub-
area apportionment of ABC could result in fishery closure. Sub-area
apportionments of ABCs may be a constraint when species are allocated
to catch share programs or sectors through regulation. As there is no
current conservation concern for shortraker rockfish, the SSC
recommended the status quo apportionment method. The SSC acknowledges
that this differs from the author and Plan Team recommendation for this
stock as well as the SSC recommendation for GOA rougheye and
blackspotted rockfish, which uses both trawl and longline indices for
apportionment.
For other rockfish sub-area apportionments of ABC, the Plan Team
recommended that the W/C and WYK sub-area ABCs be combined for 2025.
The Plan Team rationale for this recommendation is that these non-
target species are poorly sampled by the trawl survey, there are no
major changes in fishing behavior, good species-specific catch data is
available, and most of the biomass is in the Southeast Outside (SEO)
District of the Eastern Regulatory Area where trawling is prohibited.
Further, recent analyses suggest there is little to no genetic
structure in rockfish in general, and evidence of local depletion has
not been observed. The Plan Team recommended that the Council engage in
the Spatial Management Policy for this stock. After discussing this
recommendation and considering related public testimony, the SSC agreed
with the Plan Team recommendation for 2024. This change will align with
the ABC apportionment for GOA Demersal Shelf Rockfish (DSR) when they
are moved to a separate assessment for the 2025 fishery.
For Pacific ocean perch, the Plan Team recommended specifying a
GOA-wide OFL for consistency with stock definition and stock status
determination criteria. The SSC agreed with the Plan Team's
recommendation.
The Council adopted the SSC's OFLs and ABCs and the AP's TAC
recommendations. The final TAC recommendations are based on the ABCs
and are adjusted for other biological and socioeconomic considerations,
including maintaining the sum of all TACs within the required OY range
of 116,000 to 800,000 mt.
The Council recommended 2024 and 2025 TACs that are equal to ABCs
for pollock in the SEO District, sablefish, shallow-water flatfish in
the Central GOA and WYK and SEO Districts, deep-water flatfish, rex
sole, arrowtooth flounder in the Central GOA and WYK District, flathead
sole in the Central GOA and WYK and SEO Districts, Pacific ocean perch;
northern rockfish, shortraker rockfish, dusky rockfish, rougheye and
blackspotted rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish, thornyhead rockfish,
other rockfish in the W/C/WYK, Atka mackerel, big skate, longnose
skate, other skates, sharks, and octopuses in the GOA. The Council
recommended TACs for 2024 and 2025 that are less than the ABCs for
pollock, Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish in the Western Regulatory
Area (Western GOA), arrowtooth flounder in the Western GOA and SEO
District, flathead sole in the Western GOA, and other rockfish in the
SEO District. For sub-area apportionments of ABCs, refer to tables 1
and 2.
The combined W/C/WYK pollock TAC and the GOA Pacific cod TACs are
set to accommodate the State of Alaska's (State's) guideline harvest
levels (GHLs) so that the ABCs for pollock and Pacific cod are not
exceeded. The Western GOA shallow-water flatfish, Western GOA
arrowtooth flounder, and Western GOA flathead sole TACs are set to
allow for increased harvest opportunities for these target species
while conserving the halibut PSC limit for use in other, more fully
utilized fisheries. Similarly, the SEO District arrowtooth flounder TAC
is set lower than ABC to conserve halibut PSC limit for use in other
fisheries or because there is limited commercial interest and
participation in this fishery. The other rockfish TAC in the SEO
District is set to reduce the amount of discards of the species in that
complex.
The final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications approved by the
Secretary of Commerce are unchanged from those recommended by the
Council and are consistent with the preferred harvest
[[Page 15487]]
strategy alternative outlined in the FMP, as well as the Final EIS and
ROD, because they were set through the harvest specifications process,
none of the TACs exceed the recommended ABCs, and the sum of all TACs
is within the OY range (see ADDRESSES).
NMFS finds that the Council's recommended OFLs, ABCs, and TACs are
consistent with the biological condition of the groundfish stocks as
described in the final 2023 SAFE report, while also accounting for
ecosystem and socioeconomic information presented in the 2023 SAFE
report (which includes the GOA ESR). NMFS also finds that the Council's
recommendations for TACs are consistent with the biological condition
of groundfish stocks as adjusted for other biological and socioeconomic
considerations, including maintaining the sum of all TACs within the OY
range. NMFS reviewed the Council's recommended TACs and apportionments,
and NMFS approves these harvest specifications under Sec.
679.20(c)(3)(ii). The apportionment of TAC amounts among gear types and
sectors, processing sectors, and seasons is discussed below.
Tables 1 and 2 list the final 2024 and 2025 OFLs, ABCs, TACs, and
area apportionments of groundfish in the GOA. The 2024 harvest
specifications set in this final action supersede the 2024 harvest
specifications previously set in the final 2023 and 2024 harvest
specifications (88 FR 13238, March 2, 2023). The 2025 harvest
specifications will be superseded in early 2025 when the final 2025 and
2026 harvest specifications are published. Pursuant to this final
action, the 2024 harvest specifications therefore will apply for the
remainder of the current year (2024), while the 2025 harvest
specifications are projected only for the following year and will be
superseded in early 2025 by the final 2025 and 2026 harvest
specifications. Because this final action will be superseded in early
2025 by the publication of the final 2025 and 2026 harvest
specifications, it is projected that this final action will implement
the harvest specifications for the GOA for approximately 1 year.
Specification and Apportionment of TAC Amounts
NMFS's apportionment of groundfish species are based on the
distribution of biomass among the regulatory areas over which NMFS
manages the species. Additional regulations that govern the
apportionment of pollock, Pacific cod, and sablefish and are described
below.
The ABC for the pollock stock in the combined W/C/WYK includes the
amount for the GHL established by the State for the Prince William
Sound (PWS) pollock fishery. The Plan Team, SSC, AP, and Council have
recommended that the sum of all State waters and Federal waters pollock
removals from the GOA not exceed ABC recommendations. For 2024 and
2025, the SSC recommended and the Council approved the W/C/WYK pollock
ABC, including the amount to account for the State's PWS GHL. At the
November 2023 Plan Team meeting, State fisheries managers recommended
setting the PWS pollock GHL at 2.5 percent of the annual W/C/WYK
pollock ABC. For 2024, this yields a PWS pollock GHL of 4,769 mt, an
increase of 18 percent from the 2023 PWS pollock GHL of 4,027 mt. For
2025, the PWS pollock GHL is 3,942 mt, a decrease of 17 percent from
the 2024 PWS pollock GHL of 4,769 mt. After the GHL reductions, the
2024 and 2025 pollock ABCs for the combined W/C/WYK areas are then
apportioned between four statistical areas (Areas 610, 620, 630, and
640) as both ABCs and TACs, as described below and detailed in tables 1
and 2. The ABCs and TACs for the four statistical areas, plus the State
PWS GHL, do not exceed the combined W/C/WYK ABC.
Apportionments of pollock to the W/C/WYK areas are considered to be
``apportionments of annual catch limits (ACLs)'' rather than ``ABCs.''
This more accurately reflects that such apportionments address
management, rather than biological or conservation, concerns. In
addition, apportionments of the ACL in this manner allow NMFS to
balance any transfer of TAC among Areas 610, 620, and 630 pursuant to
Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B) to ensure that the combined apportionments of
ACL and ABC for the W/C/WYK, as well as the W/C/WYK TAC, are not
exceeded.
NMFS establishes pollock TACs in the Western (Area 610) and Central
(Areas 620 and 630) Regulatory Areas and the West Yakutat (Area 640)
and the SEO (Area 650) Districts of the GOA (see tables 1 and 2). NMFS
also establishes seasonal apportionments of the annual pollock TACs in
the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA among Statistical
Areas 610, 620, and 630. Additional detail on area apportionments and
seasonal allowances is provided in the Apportionments of Pollock TAC
Among Seasons and Regulatory Areas, and Allocations for Processing by
Inshore and Offshore Components section of this rule; tables 3 and 4
list these amounts.
The 2024 and 2025 Pacific cod TACs are set to accommodate the
State's GHLs for Pacific cod in State waters in the Western and Central
Regulatory Areas, as well as in PWS (in the Eastern Regulatory Area).
The Plan Team, SSC, AP, and Council recommended that the sum of all
State waters and Federal waters Pacific cod removals from the GOA not
exceed ABC recommendations. The Council recommended setting the 2024
and 2025 Pacific cod TACs in the Western, Central, and Eastern
Regulatory Areas to account for State GHLs. Therefore, the 2024 Pacific
cod TACs are less than the ABCs by the following amounts: (1) Western
GOA, 2,624 mt; (2) Central GOA, 5,148 mt; and (3) Eastern GOA, 734 mt.
The 2025 Pacific cod TACs are less than the ABCs by the following
amounts: (1) Western GOA, 2,291 mt; (2) Central GOA, 4,495 mt; and (3)
Eastern GOA, 641 mt. These amounts reflect the State's 2024 and 2025
GHLs in these areas, which are 30 percent of the Western GOA ABC and 25
percent of the Eastern and Central GOA ABCs.
The Western and Central GOA Pacific cod TACs are allocated among
various gear and operational sectors. NMFS also establishes seasonal
apportionments of the annual Pacific cod TACs in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas. The Pacific cod sector and seasonal
apportionments are discussed in detail in the Annual and Seasonal
Apportionments of Pacific Cod TAC section and in tables 5 and 6 of this
rule.
The Council's recommendation for sablefish area apportionments
takes into account the prohibition on the use of trawl gear in the SEO
District of the Eastern Regulatory Area (Sec. 679.7(b)(1)) and makes
available 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area TACs to
vessels using trawl gear for use as incidental catch in other trawl
groundfish fisheries in the WYK District (Sec. 679.20(a)(4)(i)).
Tables 7 and 8 list the final 2024 and 2025 allocations of sablefish
TAC to fixed gear and trawl gear in the GOA.
Changes From the Proposed 2024 and 2025 Harvest Specifications in the
GOA
In October 2023, the Council's recommendations for the proposed
2024 and 2025 harvest specifications (88 FR 85184, December 7, 2023)
were based largely on information contained in the final 2022 SAFE
report for the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated November 2022. The final
2022 SAFE report for the GOA is available from the Council (see
ADDRESSES). The Council proposed that the final OFLs, ABCs, and TACs
established for the 2024 groundfish fisheries (88 FR 13238, March 2,
2023) be used for the proposed 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications (88
FR 85184, December 7, 2023) pending completion
[[Page 15488]]
and review of the 2023 SAFE report at the Council's December 2023
meeting.
As described previously, the SSC recommended the final 2024 and
2025 OFLs and ABCs as recommended by the Plan Team, with the exception
of the 2024 pollock ABC and the shortraker rockfish and other rockfish
ABC apportionments by subareas. The Council adopted as its
recommendations the SSC's OFL and ABC recommendations and the AP's TAC
recommendations for 2024 and 2025.
The final 2024 TACs are higher than the proposed 2024 TACs
published in the proposed 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications (88 FR
85184, December 7, 2023) for pollock, Pacific cod, sablefish, shallow-
water flatfish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, arrowtooth flounder,
flathead sole, Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish, dusky rockfish,
rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, other rockfish, and Atka mackerel.
The final 2024 TACs are lower than the proposed 2024 TACs for
shortraker rockfish, big skate, longnose skate, and other skates.
The final 2025 TACs are higher than the proposed 2025 GOA TACs for
Pacific cod, sablefish, shallow-water flatfish, deep-water flatfish,
rex sole, arrowtooth flounder, flathead sole, Pacific ocean perch,
rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, other rockfish, and Atka mackerel.
The final 2025 TACs are lower than the proposed 2025 TACs for pollock,
northern rockfish, shortraker rockfish, dusky rockfish, big skates,
longnose skates, and other skates. For the remaining target species
(i.e., demersal shelf rockfish, thornyhead rockfish, sharks, and
octopus), the Council recommended the final 2024 and 2025 TACs that are
the same as the proposed 2024 and 2025 TACs.
Additional information explaining the changes between the proposed
and final ABCs is included in the final 2023 SAFE report, which was not
completed and available when the Council made its proposed ABC and TAC
recommendations in October 2023. At that time, the most recent stock
assessment information was contained in the final 2022 SAFE report. For
the final specifications, the final 2023 SAFE report contains the best
and most recent scientific information on the condition of the
groundfish stocks, harvest information, and ecosystem and socioeconomic
information, as previously discussed in this preamble, and is available
for review (see ADDRESSES). The Council considered the 2023 SAFE report
in December 2023 when it made recommendations for the final 2024 and
2025 harvest specifications. In the GOA, the total final 2024 TAC
amount is 520,020 mt, an increase of 9.1 percent from the total
proposed 2024 TAC amount of 476,537 mt. The total final 2025 TAC amount
is 483,700 mt, an increase of 1.5 percent from the total proposed 2025
TAC amount of 476,537 mt. Table 1a summarizes the difference between
the proposed and final TACs.
Annual stock assessments incorporate a variety of new or revised
inputs, such as survey data or catch information, as well as changes to
the statistical models used to estimate a species' biomass and
population trend. Changes to biomass and ABC estimates are primarily
based on fishery catch updates to species' assessment models.
The changes for individual species or species groups from the
proposed 2024 TACs to the final 2024 TACs are within a range of plus 57
percent or minus 32 percent, and the changes from the proposed 2025
TACs to the final 2025 TACs are within a range of plus 57 percent or
minus 32 percent. Differences in TACs are based on changes in the
estimates of overall biomass in the stock assessment for 2024 and 2025,
as compared to the estimates previously made for 2023 and 2024. For
2024, the species or species group with TAC increases greater than 10
percent are pollock, Pacific cod, deep-water flatfish, rougheye and
blackspotted rockfish, and Atka mackerel. For 2025, the species or
species group with TAC increases greater than ten percent are Pacific
cod, deep-water flatfish, rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, and Atka
mackerel. Based on changes in the estimates of biomass, the species
group with TAC percentage decreases greater than ten percent are other
skates for 2024 and 2025. For all other species and species groups,
changes from the proposed 2024 and 2025 TACs to the final 2024 and 2025
TACs are a 10 percent or less change (either increase or decrease).
These TAC changes correspond to associated changes in the OFLs and
ABCs, as recommended by the SSC, AP, and Council.
Detailed information providing the basis for the changes described
above are contained in the final 2023 SAFE report. The final TACs are
based on the best scientific information available, including
biological and socioeconomic information. These TACs are specified in
compliance with the harvest strategy from the FMP and Final EIS and as
described in the proposed and final rules for the 2024 and 2025 harvest
specifications.
Table 1a--Comparison of Proposed and Final 2024 and 2025 GOA Total Allowable Catch Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentage]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2024 Final 2025 Final
2024 and 2025 2024 Final minus 2024 Percentage 2025 Final minus 2025 Percentage
Species proposed TAC TAC proposed difference TAC proposed difference
TAC TAC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock.................................................. 168,416 195,720 27,304 16 168,416 -4,922 -3
Pacific cod.............................................. 16,668 23,766 7,098 43 16,668 4,089 25
Sablefish................................................ 21,095 22,596 1,501 7 21,095 1,600 8
Shallow-water flatfish................................... 45,425 45,478 53 0 45,425 666 1
Deep-water flatfish...................................... 5,719 7,062 1,343 23 5,719 1,234 22
Rex sole................................................. 21,097 21,364 267 1 21,097 206 1
Arrowtooth flounder...................................... 93,389 94,141 752 1 93,389 547 1
Flathead sole............................................ 35,839 35,880 41 0 35,839 548 2
Pacific ocean perch...................................... 36,196 39,719 3,523 10 36,196 2,158 6
Northern rockfish........................................ 4,741 4,815 74 2 4,741 -95 -2
Shortraker rockfish...................................... 705 647 -58 -8 705 -58 -8
Dusky rockfish........................................... 7,520 7,624 104 1 7,520 -295 -4
Rougheye/blackspotted rockfish........................... 772 1,037 265 34 772 269 35
Demersal shelf rockfish.................................. 283 283 0 0 283 0 0
Thornyhead rockfish...................................... 1,628 1,628 0 0 1,628 0 0
Other rockfish........................................... 1,610 1,653 43 3 1,610 43 3
[[Page 15489]]
Atka mackerel............................................ 3,000 4,700 1,700 57 3,000 1,700 57
Big skate................................................ 2,867 2,835 -32 -1 2,867 -32 -1
Longnose skate........................................... 2,712 2,536 -176 -6 2,712 -176 -6
Other skates............................................. 984 665 -319 -32 984 -319 -32
Sharks................................................... 4,891 4,891 0 0 4,891 0 0
Octopuses................................................ 980 980 0 0 980 0 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................................................ 476,537 520,020 43,483 9.1 483,700 7,163 1.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The final 2024 and 2025 TAC amounts for the GOA are within the OY
range established for the GOA and do not exceed the ABC for any species
or species group. The ABC does not exceed the OFL for any species or
species group. Tables 1 and 2 list the final OFL, ABC, and TAC amounts
for GOA groundfish for 2024 and 2025, respectively.
Table 1--Final 2024 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs of Groundfish for the Western/Central/West Yakutat, Western, Central,
Eastern Regulatory Areas, the West Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts of the Eastern Regulatory Area, and
Gulfwide Districts of the Gulf of Alaska
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Area \1\ OFL ABC TAC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock \2\................................. Shumagin (610)................ n/a 38,882 38,882
Chirikof (620)................ n/a 90,937 90,937
Kodiak (630).................. n/a 50,587 50,587
WYK (640)..................... n/a 5,565 5,565
-----------------------------------
W/C/WYK (subtotal) \2\..... 269,916 190,740 185,971
SEO (650)..................... 12,998 9,749 9,749
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 282,914 200,489 195,720
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod \3\............................. W............................. n/a 8,745 6,121
C............................. n/a 20,590 15,442
E............................. n/a 2,937 2,203
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 38,712 32,272 23,766
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish \4\............................... W............................. n/a 4,699 4,699
C............................. n/a 9,651 9,651
WYK........................... n/a 2,926 2,926
SEO........................... n/a 5,320 5,320
-----------------------------------
Subtotal TAC............... n/a n/a 22,596
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 55,084 47,146 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shallow-water flatfish \5\.................. W............................. n/a 23,337 13,250
C............................. n/a 27,783 27,783
WYK........................... n/a 2,778 2,778
SEO........................... n/a 1,667 1,667
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 68,121 55,565 45,478
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deep-water flatfish \6\..................... W............................. n/a 237 237
C............................. n/a 2,655 2,655
WYK........................... n/a 1,856 1,856
SEO........................... n/a 2,314 2,314
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 8,387 7,062 7,062
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rex sole.................................... W............................. n/a 3,367 3,367
C............................. n/a 13,639 13,639
WYK........................... n/a 1,453 1,453
SEO........................... n/a 2,905 2,905
-----------------------------------
[[Page 15490]]
Total...................... 25,978 21,364 21,364
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth flounder......................... W............................. n/a 30,409 14,500
C............................. n/a 64,871 64,871
WYK........................... n/a 7,870 7,870
SEO........................... n/a 16,099 6,900
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 142,485 119,249 94,141
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead sole............................... W............................. n/a 13,273 8,650
C............................. n/a 21,307 21,307
WYK........................... n/a 3,876 3,876
SEO........................... n/a 2,047 2,047
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 49,414 40,503 35,880
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch \7\..................... W............................. n/a 1,787 1,787
C............................. n/a 28,757 28,757
WYK........................... n/a 2,110 2,110
SEO........................... n/a 7,065 7,065
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 47,466 39,719 39,719
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern rockfish \8\....................... W............................. n/a 2,535 2,535
C............................. n/a 2,280 2,280
E............................. n/a 0 0
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 5,750 4,815 4,815
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortraker rockfish \9\..................... W............................. n/a 34 34
C............................. n/a 189 189
E............................. n/a 424 424
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 863 647 647
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dusky rockfish \10\......................... W............................. n/a 145 145
C............................. n/a 7,365 7,365
WYK........................... n/a 84 84
SEO........................... n/a 30 30
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 9,281 7,624 7,624
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rougheye and Blackspotted rockfish \11\..... W............................. n/a 197 197
C............................. n/a 315 315
E............................. n/a 525 525
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 1,555 1,037 1,037
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demersal shelf rockfish \12\................ SEO........................... 376 283 283
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thornyhead rockfish\13\..................... W............................. n/a 314 314
C............................. n/a 693 693
E............................. n/a 621 621
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 2,170 1,628 1,628
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other rockfish \14\ \15\.................... W/C/WYK....................... n/a 1,353 1,353
SEO........................... n/a 2,421 300
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 4,977 3,774 1,653
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel............................... GW............................ 6,200 4,700 4,700
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big skate \16\.............................. W............................. n/a 745 745
C............................. n/a 1,749 1,749
E............................. n/a 341 341
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 3,780 2,835 2,835
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longnose skate \17\......................... W............................. n/a 104 104
[[Page 15491]]
C............................. n/a 1,894 1,894
E............................. n/a 538 538
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 3,380 2,536 2,536
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other skates \18\........................... GW............................ 887 665 665
GW............................ 6,521 4,891 4,891
GW............................ 1,307 980 980
-----------------------------------
Total................................... .............................. 765,608 599,784 520,020
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Regulatory areas and districts are defined at Sec. 679.2. (W = Western Gulf of Alaska; C = Central Gulf of
Alaska; E = Eastern Gulf of Alaska; WYK = West Yakutat District; SEO = Southeast Outside District; GW = Gulf-
wide).
\2\ The total for the W/C/WYK Regulatory Areas pollock ABC is 190,740 mt. After deducting 2.5 percent (4,769 mt)
of that ABC for the State's pollock GHL fishery, the remaining pollock ABC of 185,971 mt (for the W/C/WYK
Regulatory Areas) is apportioned among four statistical areas (Areas 610, 620, 630, and 640). These
apportionments are considered subarea ACLs, rather than ABCs, for specification and reapportionment purposes.
The ACLs in Areas 610, 620, and 630 are further divided by season, as detailed in table 3 (final 2024 seasonal
biomass distribution of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, area apportionments, and seasonal
allowances). In the West Yakutat (Area 640) and Southeast Outside (Area 650) Districts of the Eastern
Regulatory Area, pollock are not divided into seasonal allowances.
\3\ The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned, after seasonal apportionment to the jig sector, as follows: (1)
63.84 percent to the A season and 36.16 percent to the B season and (2) 64.16 percent to the A season and
35.84 percent to the B season in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA, respectively. Pacific
cod TAC in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA is allocated 90 percent to vessels harvesting Pacific cod
for processing by the inshore component and 10 percent to vessels harvesting Pacific cod for processing by the
offshore component. Table 5 lists the final 2024 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments and sector allocations.
\4\ The sablefish OFL and ABC are set Alaska-wide (55,084 mt and 47,146 mt, respectively), and the Alaska-wide
totals are included in the total OFL and ABC in table 1. Additionally, sablefish TAC is allocated to trawl and
fixed gear in 2024 and trawl gear in 2025. Table 7 lists the final 2024 allocations of sablefish TACs.
\5\ ``Shallow-water flatfish'' means flatfish not including ``deep-water flatfish,'' flathead sole, rex sole, or
arrowtooth flounder.
\6\ ``Deep-water flatfish'' means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, and deepsea sole.
\7\ ``Pacific ocean perch'' means Sebastes alutus.
\8\ ``Northern rockfish'' means Sebastes polyspinis. For management purposes, the 1 mt apportionment of ABC to
the WYK District of the Eastern Gulf of Alaska has been included in the other rockfish species group.
\9\ ``Shortraker rockfish'' means Sebastes borealis.
\10\ ``Dusky rockfish'' means Sebastes variabilis.
\11\ ``Rougheye and blackspotted rockfish'' mean Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and S. melanostictus
(blackspotted).
\12\ ``Demersal shelf rockfish'' means Sebastes pinniger (canary), S. nebulosus (china), S. caurinus (copper),
S. maliger (quillback), S. helvomaculatus (rosethorn), S. nigrocinctus (tiger), and S. ruberrimus (yelloweye).
\13\ ``Thornyhead rockfish'' means Sebastolobus species.
\14\ ``Other rockfish'' means Sebastes aurora (aurora), S. melanostomus (blackgill), S. paucispinis (bocaccio),
S. goodei (chilipepper), S. crameri (darkblotch), S. elongatus (greenstriped), S. variegatus (harlequin), S.
wilsoni (pygmy), S. babcocki (redbanded), S. proriger (redstripe), S. zacentrus (sharpchin), S. jordani
(shortbelly), S. brevispinis (silvergrey), S. diploproa (splitnose), S. saxicola (stripetail), S. miniatus
(vermilion), S. reedi (yellowmouth), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus (yellowtail). In the Eastern GOA
only, ``other rockfish'' also includes northern rockfish, S. polyspinis.
\15\ ``Other rockfish'' in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat District means other
rockfish and demersal shelf rockfish. The ``other rockfish'' species group in the SEO District only includes
``other rockfish.''
\16\ ``Big skate'' means Beringraja binoculata.
\17\ ``Longnose skate'' means Raja rhina.
\18\ ``Other skates'' mean Bathyraja spp.
Table 2--Final 2025 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs of Groundfish for the Western/Central/West Yakutat, Western, Central,
Eastern Regulatory Areas, the West Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts of the Eastern Regulatory Area, and
Gulfwide Districts of the Gulf of Alaska
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Area \1\ OFL ABC TAC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock \2\................................. Shumagin (610)................ n/a 32,144 32,144
Chirikof (620)................ n/a 75,179 75,179
Kodiak (630).................. n/a 41,821 41,821
WYK (640)..................... n/a 4,601 4,601
-----------------------------------
W/C/WYK (subtotal) \2\..... 182,891 157,687 153,745
SEO (650)..................... 12,998 9,749 9,749
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 195,889 167,436 163,494
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod \3\............................. W............................. n/a 7,638 5,347
C............................. n/a 17,981 13,486
E............................. n/a 2,565 1,924
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 33,970 28,184 20,757
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 15492]]
Sablefish \4\............................... W............................. n/a 4,719 4,719
C............................. n/a 9,693 9,693
WYK........................... n/a 2,940 2,940
SEO........................... n/a 5,343 5,343
-----------------------------------
Subtotal TAC............... n/a n/a 22,695
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 55,317 47,350 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shallow-water flatfish \5\.................. W............................. n/a 23,782 13,250
C............................. n/a 28,311 28,311
WYK........................... n/a 2,831 2,831
SEO........................... n/a 1,699 1,699
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 69,354 56,623 46,091
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deep-water flatfish \6\..................... W............................. n/a 234 234
C............................. n/a 2,614 2,614
WYK........................... n/a 1,827 1,827
SEO........................... n/a 2,278 2,278
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 8,257 6,953 6,953
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rex sole.................................... W............................. n/a 3,363 3,363
C............................. n/a 13,624 13,624
WYK........................... n/a 1,439 1,439
SEO........................... n/a 2,877 2,877
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 25,900 21,303 21,303
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth flounder......................... W............................. n/a 30,323 14,500
C............................. n/a 64,688 64,688
WYK........................... n/a 7,848 7,848
SEO........................... n/a 16,053 6,900
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 142,074 118,912 93,936
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead sole............................... W............................. n/a 13,521 8,650
C............................. n/a 21,702 21,702
WYK........................... n/a 3,949 3,949
SEO........................... n/a 2,086 2,086
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 50,322 41,258 36,387
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch \7\..................... W............................. n/a 1,726 1,726
C............................. n/a 27,768 27,768
WYK........................... n/a 2,038 2,038
SEO........................... .......... 6,822 6,822
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 45,835 38,354 38,354
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern rockfish \8\....................... W............................. n/a 2,446 2,446
C............................. n/a 2,200 2,200
E............................. n/a .......... ..........
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 5,548 4,646 4,646
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortraker rockfish \9\..................... W............................. n/a 34 34
C............................. n/a 189 189
E............................. n/a 424 424
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 863 647 647
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dusky rockfish \10\......................... W............................. n/a 137 137
C............................. n/a 6,979 6,979
WYK........................... n/a 81 81
SEO........................... n/a 28 28
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 8,796 7,225 7,225
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 15493]]
Rougheye and Blackspotted rockfish \11\..... W............................. n/a 198 198
C............................. n/a 317 317
E............................. n/a 526 526
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 1,566 1,041 1,041
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demersal shelf rockfish \12\................ SEO........................... 376 283 283
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thornyhead rockfish \13\.................... W............................. n/a 314 314
C............................. n/a 693 693
E............................. n/a 621 621
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 2,170 1,628 1,628
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other rockfish \14\ \15\.................... W/C/WYK....................... n/a 1,353 1,353
SEO........................... n/a 2,421 300
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 4,977 3,774 1,653
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel............................... GW............................ 6,200 4,700 4,700
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big skate \16\.............................. W............................. n/a 745 745
C............................. n/a 1,749 1,749
E............................. n/a 341 341
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 3,780 2,835 2,835
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longnose skate \17\......................... W............................. n/a 104 104
C............................. n/a 1,894 1,894
E............................. n/a 538 538
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 3,380 2,536 2,536
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other skates \18\........................... GW............................ 887 665 665
Sharks...................................... GW............................ 6,521 4,891 4,891
Octopus..................................... GW............................ 1,307 980 980
-----------------------------------
Total................................... .............................. 673,289 562,224 483,700
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Regulatory areas and districts are defined at Sec. 679.2. (W = Western Gulf of Alaska; C = Central Gulf of
Alaska; E = Eastern Gulf of Alaska; WYK = West Yakutat District; SEO = Southeast Outside District; GW = Gulf-
wide).
\2\ The total for the W/C/WYK Regulatory Areas pollock ABC is 157,687 mt. After deducting 2.5 percent (3,942 mt)
of that ABC for the State's pollock GHL fishery, the remaining pollock ABC of 153,745 mt (for the W/C/WYK
Regulatory Areas) is apportioned among four statistical areas (Areas 610, 620, 630, and 640). These
apportionments are considered subarea ACLs, rather than ABCs, for specification and reapportionment purposes.
The ACLs in Areas 610, 620, and 630 are further divided by season, as detailed in table 4 (final 2025 seasonal
biomass distribution of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, area apportionments, and seasonal
allowances). In the West Yakutat (Area 640) and Southeast Outside (Area 650) Districts of the Eastern
Regulatory Area, pollock is not divided into seasonal allowances.
\3\ The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned, after seasonal apportionment to the jig sector, as follows: (1)
63.84 percent to the A season and 36.16 percent to the B season and (2) 64.16 percent to the A season and
35.84 percent to the B season in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA, respectively. Pacific
cod TAC in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA is allocated 90 percent to vessels harvesting Pacific cod
for processing by the inshore component and 10 percent to vessels harvesting Pacific cod for processing by the
offshore component. Table 6 lists the final 2025 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments and sector allocations.
\4\ The sablefish OFL and ABC are set Alaska-wide (55,317 mt and 47,350 mt, respectively), and the Alaska-wide
totals are included in the total OFL and ABC in table 2. Additionally, sablefish TAC is allocated only to
trawl gear for 2025. Table 8 lists the final 2025 allocation of sablefish TACs to trawl gear.
\5\ ``Shallow-water flatfish'' means flatfish not including ``deep-water flatfish,'' flathead sole, rex sole, or
arrowtooth flounder.
\6\ ``Deep-water flatfish'' means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, and deepsea sole.
\7\ ``Pacific ocean perch'' means Sebastes alutus.
\8\ ``Northern rockfish'' means Sebastes polyspinis. For management purposes, the 1 mt apportionment of ABC to
the WYK District of the Eastern Gulf of Alaska has been included in the ``other rockfish'' species group.
\9\ ``Shortraker rockfish'' means Sebastes borealis.
\10\ ``Dusky rockfish'' means Sebastes variabilis.
\11\ ``Rougheye and blackspotted rockfish'' mean Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and S. melanostictus
(blackspotted).
\12\ ``Demersal shelf rockfish'' means Sebastes pinniger (canary), S. nebulosus (china), S. caurinus (copper),
S. maliger (quillback), S. helvomaculatus (rosethorn), S. nigrocinctus (tiger), and S. ruberrimus (yelloweye).
\13\ ``Thornyhead rockfish'' means Sebastolobus species.
\14\ ``Other rockfish'' means Sebastes aurora (aurora), S. melanostomus (blackgill), S. paucispinis (bocaccio),
S. goodei (chilipepper), S. crameri (darkblotch), S. elongatus (greenstriped), S. variegatus (harlequin), S.
wilsoni (pygmy), S. babcocki (redbanded), S. proriger (redstripe), S. zacentrus (sharpchin), S. jordani
(shortbelly), S. brevispinis (silvergrey), S. diploproa (splitnose), S. saxicola (stripetail), S. miniatus
(vermilion), S. reedi (yellowmouth), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus (yellowtail). In the Eastern GOA
only, ``other rockfish'' also includes northern rockfish, S. polyspinis.
[[Page 15494]]
\15\ In 2024 and prior years, ``other rockfish'' in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West
Yakutat District meant other rockfish and demersal shelf rockfish, and the ``other rockfish'' species group in
the SEO District only included ``other rockfish.'' Starting with the 2024 stock assessment for the 2025
harvest specifications, the ``other rockfish'' species group will be specified GOA-wide (as one GOA-wide
species group), and the demersal shelf rockfish species group will be specified for the Western and Central
Regulatory Areas/West Yakutat District and for the SEO District (as two separate species groups).
\16\ ``Big skate'' means Beringraja binoculata.
\17\ ``Longnose skate'' means Raja rhina.
\18\ ``Other skates'' mean Bathyraja spp.
Apportionment of Reserves
Section 679.20(b)(2) requires NMFS to set aside 20 percent of each
TAC for pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, sharks, and octopuses in
reserve for possible apportionment at a later date during the fishing
year. For 2024 and 2025, NMFS proposed reapportionment of all the
reserves in the proposed 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications published
in the Federal Register on December 7, 2023 (88 FR 85184). NMFS did not
receive any public comments on the proposed reapportionments. For the
final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications, NMFS reapportions, as
proposed, all the reserves for pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, sharks,
and octopuses back to the original TAC limit from which the reserve was
derived (Sec. 679.20(b)(3)). This is being done because NMFS expects,
based on recent harvest patterns, that such reserves are not necessary
or that the entire TAC for each of these species will be caught. The
TACs listed in tables 1 and 2 reflect reapportionments of reserve
amounts to the original TAC limit for these species and species groups,
i.e., each final TAC for the above-mentioned species or species groups
contains the full TAC recommended by the Council.
Apportionments of Pollock TAC Among Seasons and Regulatory Areas, and
Allocations for Processing by Inshore and Offshore Components
In the GOA, pollock is apportioned by season and area and is
further allocated for processing by inshore and offshore components.
The pollock TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA
are apportioned among Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630. These
apportionments are divided into two equal seasonal allowances of 50
percent to the A season (January 20 through May 31) and 50 percent to
the B season (September 1 through November 1) (Sec. Sec.
679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B) and 679.23(d)(2)).
Effective in 2021, regulatory changes revised the number of GOA
pollock seasons to two seasons from four seasons (85 FR 38093, June 25,
2020). The GOA pollock stock assessment continues to use a four-season
methodology to determine pollock distribution in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA to maintain continuity in the
historical pollock apportionment time-series. Pollock TACs in the
Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA are apportioned among
Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630 in proportion to the distribution
of pollock biomass determined by the most recent NMFS surveys, pursuant
to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A). The pollock chapter of the 2023 SAFE
report (see ADDRESSES) contains a comprehensive description of the
apportionment and reasons for the minor changes from past
apportionments. For purposes of specifying pollock TAC between two
seasons for the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA, NMFS
has summed the A and B season apportionments and the C and D season
apportionments, using the four-season methodology, as calculated in the
2023 GOA pollock assessment. This yields the seasonal amounts specified
for the A season and the B season, respectively.
Within any fishing year, the amount by which a pollock seasonal
allowance is underharvested or overharvested may be added to, or
subtracted from, the subsequent seasonal allowance for the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas in a manner to be determined by the Regional
Administrator (Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The rollover amount is
limited to 20 percent of the subsequent seasonal TAC apportionment for
the statistical area. Any unharvested pollock above the 20-percent
limit could be further distributed to the other statistical areas, in
proportion to the estimated biomass in the subsequent season in those
statistical areas and in an amount no more than 20 percent of the
seasonal TAC apportionment in those statistical areas (Sec.
679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The pollock TACs in the WYK and the SEO Districts
of 5,565 mt and 9,749 mt, respectively, in 2024, and 4,601 mt and 9,749
mt, respectively, in 2025, are not allocated by season.
Tables 3 and 4 list the final 2024 and 2025 seasonal biomass
distribution of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas,
area apportionments, and seasonal allowances. The amounts of pollock
for processing by the inshore and offshore components are not shown.
Section 679.20(a)(6)(i) requires the allocation of 100 percent of the
pollock TAC in all GOA regulatory areas and all seasonal allowances to
vessels catching pollock for processing by the inshore component after
subtraction of pollock amounts projected by the Regional Administrator
to be caught by, or delivered to, the offshore component incidental to
directed fishing for other groundfish species. Thus, the amount of
pollock available for harvest by vessels harvesting pollock for
processing by the offshore component is that amount that will be taken
as incidental catch during directed fishing for groundfish species
other than pollock, up to the maximum retainable amounts allowed by
Sec. 679.20(e) and (f). At this time, these incidental catch amounts
of pollock are unknown and will be determined during the fishing year
during the course of fishing activities by the offshore component.
Table 3--Final 2024 Distribution of Pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska;
Area Apportionments; and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton \1\]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shumigan (Area Chirikof (Area Kodiak (Area
Season \2\ 610) 620) 630) Total \3\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A (January 20-May 31)........................... 5,422 70,918 13,863 90,203
B (September 1-November 1)...................... 33,460 20,019 36,724 90,203
---------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 15495]]
Annual Total................................ 38,882 90,937 50,587 180,406
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Area apportionments and seasonal allowances may not total precisely due to rounding.
\2\ As established by Sec. 679.23(d)(2), directed fishing for pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory
Areas is authorized only during the following two seasons: January 20 through May 31 and September 1 through
November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and offshore components are not
shown in this table.
\3\ The West Yakutat and Southeast Outside District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not
included in the total pollock TACs shown in this table.
Table 4--Final 2025 Distribution of Pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska;
Area Apportionments; and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton \1\]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shumigan (Area Chirikof (Area Kodiak (Area
Season \2\ 610) 620) 630) Total \3\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A (January 20-May 31)........................... 4,483 58,629 11,460 74,572
B (September 1-November 1)...................... 27,661 16,550 30,361 74,572
---------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Total................................ 32,144 75,179 41,821 149,144
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Area apportionments and seasonal allowances may not total precisely due to rounding.
\2\ As established by Sec. 679.23(d)(2), directed fishing for pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory
Areas is authorized only during the following two seasons: January 20 through May 31 and September 1 through
November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and offshore components are not
shown in this table.
\3\ The West Yakutat and Southeast Outside District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not
included in the total pollock TACs shown in this table.
Annual and Seasonal Apportionments of Pacific Cod TAC
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i), NMFS seasonally allocates the
2024 and 2025 Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory
Areas of the GOA among gear and operational sectors. In the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas, a portion of the annual TAC is apportioned to
the A season for hook-and-line, pot, and jig gear from January 1
through June 10, and for trawl gear from January 20 through June 10,
and a portion of the annual TAC is apportioned to the B season for jig
gear from June 10 through December 31, for hook-and-line and pot gear
from September 1 through December 31, and for trawl gear from September
1 through November 1 (Sec. Sec. 679.20(a)(12) and 679.23(d)(3)). NMFS
also allocates the Pacific cod TACs annually between the inshore (90
percent) and offshore (10 percent) components in the Eastern Regulatory
Area of the GOA (Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(ii)).
In the Central GOA, the Pacific cod TAC is apportioned seasonally
first to vessels using jig gear, then among CVs less than 50 feet (15.2
meters (m)) in length overall using hook-and-line gear, then among CVs
equal to or greater than 50 feet (15.2 m) in length overall using hook-
and-line gear, then among catcher/processors (CPs) using hook-and-line
gear, then among CVs using trawl gear, then among CPs using trawl gear,
and then among vessels using pot gear (Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)(B)). In
the Western GOA, the Pacific cod TAC is apportioned seasonally first to
vessels using jig gear, then among CVs using hook-and-line gear, then
among CPs using hook-and-line gear, then among CVs using trawl gear,
then among CPs using trawl gear, and then among vessels using pot gear
(Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A)). Excluding seasonal apportionments to the
jig sector, NMFS seasonally apportions the remainder of the annual
Pacific cod TACs in the Western GOA as 63.84 percent to the A season
and 36.16 percent to the B season, and in the Central GOA as 64.16
percent to the A season and 35.84 percent to the B season.
Under Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(ii), any overage or underage of the
Pacific cod season allowance from the A season may be subtracted from,
or added to, the subsequent B season allowance. In addition, any
portion of the hook-and-line, trawl, pot, or jig sector allocations
that is determined by NMFS as likely to go unharvested by a sector may
be reallocated to other sectors for harvest during the remainder of the
fishing year consistent with the reallocation priorities prescribed in
regulation and the capability of a sector to harvest the remaining TAC.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A) and (B), a portion of the
annual Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central GOA will be
allocated to vessels with a Federal fisheries permit that use jig gear
before the TACs are apportioned among other non-jig sectors. In
accordance with the FMP, the annual jig sector allocations may increase
to up to 6 percent of the annual Western and Central GOA Pacific cod
TACs, depending on the annual performance of the jig sector (see table
1 in the final rule implementing Amendment 83 to the FMP for a detailed
discussion of the jig sector allocation process (76 FR 74670, December
1, 2011)). Jig sector allocation increases are established for a
minimum of 2 years. Jig sector allocation decreases are established for
1 year.
NMFS has evaluated the historical harvest performance of the jig
sector in the Western and Central GOA and is establishing the 2024 and
2025 Pacific cod apportionments to this sector based on its historical
harvest performance through 2023. NMFS did not evaluate the 2020
performance of the jig sectors in the Western and Central GOA because
directed fishing was prohibited for all Pacific cod sectors in 2020 (84
FR 70438, December 23, 2019). Because of the closure, catch for the jig
sectors could not reach 90 percent of the annual allocation that is
required for a
[[Page 15496]]
performance increase in the following year's allocation (87 FR 74102,
December 2, 2022). For 2024 and 2025, NMFS allocates the jig sector 3.5
percent of the annual Pacific cod TAC in the Western GOA. The 2024 and
2025 allocations consist of a base allocation of 1.5 percent of the
Western GOA Pacific cod TAC and performance increases of 2.0 percent.
For 2024 and 2025, NMFS allocates the jig sector 2.0 percent of the
annual Pacific cod TAC in the Central GOA. The 2024 and 2025
allocations consist of a base allocation of 1.0 percent of the Central
GOA Pacific cod TAC and a performance increase of 1.0 percent. The 2025
allocations of the annual Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central
GOA to jig gear may change based on the harvest performance of the
sector in 2024, which NMFS will evaluate in the 2025 and 2026 harvest
specifications.
For 2024 and 2025, NMFS is apportioning the jig sector allocations
for the Western and Central GOA between the A season (60 percent) and
the B season (40 percent), pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i). This is
the same jig sector seasonal apportionment implemented in prior
groundfish harvest specifications for the GOA and is consistent with
Amendment 83 to the FMP (76 FR 44700, July 26, 2011).
Tables 5 and 6 list the seasonal apportionments and allocations of
the 2024 and 2025 Pacific cod TACs.
Table 5--Final 2024 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocation of Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch (TAC) Amounts in
the GOA; Allocations in the Western GOA and Central GOA Sectors, and the Eastern GOA Inshore and Offshore
Processing Components
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Season B Season
---------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Sector Sector
Regulatory area and sector allocation percentage of Seasonal percentage of Seasonal
(mt) annual non-jig allowances annual non-jig allowances
TAC (mt) TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA:
Jig (3.5% of TAC)........... 214 n/a 129 n/a 86
Hook-and-line CV............ 83 0.70 41 0.70 41
Hook-and-line CP............ 1,170 10.9 644 8.90 526
Trawl CV.................... 2,268 31.54 1,863 6.86 405
Trawl CP.................... 142 0.90 53 1.50 89
All Pot CV and Pot CP....... 2,245 19.80 1,170 18.20 1,075
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 6,121 63.84 3,899 36.16 2,222
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central GOA:
Jig (2.0% of TAC)........... 309 n/a 185 n/a 124
Hook-and-line <50 CV........ 2,210 9.32 1,410 5.29 800
Hook-and-line >=50 CV....... 1,015 5.61 849 1.10 166
Hook-and-line CP............ 772 4.11 622 1.00 151
Trawl CV \1\................ 6,293 25.29 3,828 16.29 2,465
Trawl CP.................... 635 2.00 303 2.19 332
All Pot CV and Pot CP....... 4,208 17.83 2,698 9.98 1,510
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 15,442 64.16 9,894 35.84 5,548
---------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern GOA..................... .............. Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
---------------------------------------------------------------
2,203 1,983
220
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Trawl catcher vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 588 mt, of the
annual Central GOA TAC (see table 28c to 50 CFR part 679). This apportionment is deducted from the Trawl CV B
season allowance (see table 12: Final 2024 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA to
Catcher Vessel and Catcher/Processor Cooperatives).
Table 6--Final 2025 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocation of Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch (TAC) Amounts in
the GOA; Allocations in the Western GOA and Central GOA Sectors, and the Eastern GOA Inshore and Offshore
Processing Components
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Season B Season
---------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Sector Sector
Regulatory area and sector allocation percentage of Seasonal percentage of Seasonal
(mt) annual non-jig allowances annual non-jig allowances
TAC (mt) TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA:
Jig (3.5% of TAC)........... 187 N/A 112 N/A 75
Hook-and-line CV............ 72 0.70 36 0.70 36
Hook-and-line CP............ 1,022 10.9 562 8.90 459
Trawl CV.................... 1,981 31.54 1,627 6.86 354
Trawl CP.................... 124 0.90 46 1.50 77
All Pot CV and Pot CP....... 1,961 19.80 1,022 18.20 939
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 15497]]
Total................... 5,347 63.84 3,406 36.16 1,941
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central GOA:
Jig (2.0% of TAC)........... 270 N/A 162 N/A 108
Hook-and-line <50 CV........ 1,930 9.32 1,231 5.29 699
Hook-and-line >=50 CV....... 886 5.61 741 1.10 145
Hook-and-line CP............ 675 4.11 543 1.00 132
Trawl CV \1\................ 5,496 25.29 3,343 16.29 2,153
Trawl CP.................... 555 2.00 265 2.19 290
All Pot CV and Pot CP....... 3,675 17.83 2,356 9.98 1,318
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 13,486 64.16 8,641 35.84 4,845
---------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern GOA .............. Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
---------------------------------------------------------------
1,924 1,731
192
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Trawl catcher vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 514 mt, of the
annual Central GOA TAC (see table 28c to 50 CFR part 679). This apportionment is deducted from the Trawl CV B
season allowance (see table 13: Final 2025 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA to
Catcher Vessel and Catcher/Processor Cooperatives).
Allocations of the Sablefish TAC Amounts to Vessels Using Fixed and
Trawl Gear
Section 679.20(a)(4)(i) and (ii) require allocations of sablefish
TACs for each of the regulatory areas and districts to fixed and trawl
gear. In the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, 80 percent of each
TAC is allocated to fixed gear, and 20 percent of each TAC is allocated
to trawl gear. In the Eastern Regulatory Area, 95 percent of the TAC is
allocated to fixed gear, and 5 percent is allocated to trawl gear. The
trawl gear allocation in the Eastern Regulatory Area may only be used
to support incidental catch of sablefish using trawl gear while
directed fishing for other target species (Sec. 679.20(a)(4)(i)).
In recognition of the prohibition against trawl gear in the SEO
District of the Eastern Regulatory Area, the Council recommended, and
NMFS approves, specifying for incidental catch the allocation of 5
percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area sablefish TAC to trawl
gear in the WYK District of the Eastern Regulatory Area. The remainder
of the WYK District sablefish TAC is allocated to vessels using fixed
gear. NMFS allocates 100 percent of the sablefish TAC in the SEO
District to vessels using fixed gear. This results in 2024 allocations
of 412 mt to trawl gear and 2,514 mt to fixed gear in the WYK District,
a 2024 allocation of 5,320 mt to fixed gear in the SEO District, and a
2025 allocation of 414 mt to trawl gear in the WYK District. Table 7
lists the allocations of the 2024 sablefish TACs to fixed and trawl
gear. Table 8 lists the allocations of the 2025 sablefish TACs to trawl
gear.
The Council recommended that a trawl sablefish TAC be established
for 2 years so that retention of incidental catch of sablefish by trawl
gear could commence in January in the second year of the groundfish
harvest specifications. Both the 2024 and 2025 trawl allocations are
specified in these final harvest specifications in tables 7 and 8,
respectively.
The Council also recommended that the fixed gear sablefish TAC be
established annually to ensure that this Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ)
fishery is conducted concurrently with the halibut IFQ fishery and is
based on the most recent survey information. Since there is an annual
assessment for sablefish and since the final harvest specifications are
expected to be published before the IFQ season begins in March 2024,
NMFS specifies the fixed gear sablefish TAC annually, rather than for 2
years, to ensure that the sablefish IFQ fishery is conducted
concurrently with the halibut IFQ fishery. Concurrent sablefish and
halibut IFQ fisheries reduce the potential for discards of halibut and
sablefish in those fisheries. Accordingly, table 7 lists the 2024 fixed
gear allocations, and the 2025 fixed gear allocations will be specified
in the 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications.
With the exception of the trawl gear allocations that are provided
to the Rockfish Program (see table 28c to 50 CFR part 679), directed
fishing for sablefish with trawl gear in the GOA is closed during the
fishing year. Also, fishing for groundfish with trawl gear is
prohibited prior to January 20 (Sec. 679.23(c)). Therefore, it is not
likely that the sablefish allocation to trawl gear will be reached
before the effective date of these final 2024 and 2025 harvest
specifications.
[[Page 15498]]
Table 7--Final 2024 Sablefish TAC Amounts in the Gulf of Alaska and Allocations to Fixed and Trawl Gear
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed gear Trawl gear
Area/district TAC allocation allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western............................................... 4,699 3,759 940
Central \1\........................................... 9,651 7,721 1,930
West Yakutat \2\...................................... 2,926 2,514 412
Southeast Outside..................................... 5,320 5,320 0
---------------------------------------------------------
Total............................................. 22,596 19,313 3,283
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The trawl allocation of sablefish in the Central Regulatory Area is further apportioned to the Rockfish
Program cooperatives (993 mt). See table 28c to 50 CFR part 679 and table 12: Final 2024 Apportionments of
Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA to Catcher Vessel and Catcher/Processor Cooperatives. This
results in 937 mt being available for the non-Rockfish Program trawl fisheries.
\2\ The trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat
and Southeast Outside Districts) sablefish TAC as incidental catch to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.
Table 8--Final 2025 Sablefish TAC Amounts in the Gulf of Alaska and Allocations to Trawl Gear \1\
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed gear Trawl gear
Area/district TAC allocation allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western............................................... 4,719 n/a 944
Central \2\........................................... 9,693 n/a 1,939
West Yakutat \3\...................................... 2,940 n/a 414
Southeast Outside..................................... 5,343 n/a 0
---------------------------------------------------------
Total............................................. 22,695 0 3,297
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Council recommended that the final 2025 harvest specifications for the fixed gear sablefish Individual
Fishing Quota fisheries not be specified in the final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications. The final 2025
harvest specifications for fixed gear will be specified in the 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications.
\2\ The trawl allocation of sablefish in the Central Regulatory Area is further apportioned to the Rockfish
Program cooperatives (997 mt). See table 28c to 50 CFR part 679 and table 13: Final 2025 Apportionments of
Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA to Catcher Vessel and Catcher/Processor Cooperatives. This
results in 942 mt being available for the non-Rockfish Program trawl fisheries.
\3\ The trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat
and Southeast Outside Districts) sablefish TAC as incidental catch to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.
Allocations, Apportionments, and Sideboard Limits for the Rockfish
Program
These final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications for the GOA
include the fishery cooperative allocations and sideboard limitations
established by the Rockfish Program. Rockfish Program participants are
primarily trawl CVs and trawl CPs, with limited participation by
vessels using longline gear. The Rockfish Program assigns quota share
and cooperative quota to participants for primary species (Pacific
ocean perch, northern rockfish, and dusky rockfish) and secondary
species (Pacific cod, rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, sablefish,
shortraker rockfish, and thornyhead rockfish), allows a participant
holding a LLP license with rockfish quota share to form a rockfish
cooperative with other persons, and allows holders of CP LLP licenses
to opt out of the fishery. The Rockfish Program also has an entry-level
fishery for rockfish primary species for vessels using longline gear.
Longline gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear.
Under the Rockfish Program, rockfish primary species in the Central
GOA are allocated to participants after deducting for incidental catch
needs in other directed groundfish fisheries (Sec. 679.81(a)(2)).
Participants in the Rockfish Program also receive a portion of the
Central GOA TAC of specific secondary species. In addition to
groundfish species, the Rockfish Program assigns a portion of the
halibut PSC limit (191.4 mt) from the third season deep-water species
fishery allowance for the GOA trawl fisheries to Rockfish Program
participants (Sec. 679.81(d) and table 28d to 50 CFR part 679). The
Rockfish Program also establishes sideboard limits to restrict the
ability of harvesters operating under the Rockfish Program to increase
their participation in other, non-Rockfish Program fisheries. These
restrictions and halibut PSC limits are discussed in the Rockfish
Program Groundfish Sideboard and Halibut PSC Limitations section of
this rule.
Section 679.81(a)(2)(ii) and table 28e to 50 CFR part 679 require
allocations of 5 mt of Pacific ocean perch, 5 mt of northern rockfish,
and 50 mt of dusky rockfish to the entry-level longline fishery in 2024
and 2025. The allocations for the entry-level longline fishery may
increase incrementally each year if the catch in the previous year
exceeds 90 percent of the allocation of a species. The incremental
increase in the allocation would continue each year until it reaches
the maximum percent of the TAC assigned to the Rockfish Program for
that species. In 2023, the catch of Pacific ocean perch, northern
rockfish, and dusky rockfish did not attain the 90 percent threshold,
and the final allocations for 2024 therefore remain the same as the
2023 allocations. The remainder of the TACs for the rockfish primary
species are allocated to the CV and CP cooperatives (Sec.
679.81(a)(2)(iii)). Table 9 lists the allocations of the 2024 and 2025
TACs for each rockfish primary species to the entry-level longline
fishery, the potential incremental increases for future years, and the
maximum percent of the TACs assigned to the Rockfish Program that may
be allocated to the rockfish entry-level longline fishery.
[[Page 15499]]
Table 9--Final 2024 and Initial 2025 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species to the Entry Level Longline Fishery
in the Central Gulf of Alaska
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incremental increase
2024 and 2025 in 2025 if >90% of Up to maximum
Rockfish primary species allocations 2024 allocation is percent of TAC
(metric tons) harvested (metric (%)
tons)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch................................... 5 5 1
Northern rockfish..................................... 5 5 2
Dusky rockfish........................................ 50 20 5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 679.81 requires allocations of rockfish primary species
among various sectors of the Rockfish Program. Tables 10 and 11 list
the final 2024 and 2025 allocations of rockfish primary species in the
Central GOA to the entry-level longline fishery, and rockfish CV and CP
cooperatives in the Rockfish Program. NMFS also is setting aside
incidental catch amounts (ICAs) for other directed fisheries in the
Central GOA of 3,500 mt of Pacific ocean perch, 300 mt of northern
rockfish, and 250 mt of dusky rockfish. These amounts are based on
recent average incidental catches of these species in the Central GOA
by other groundfish fisheries.
Allocations among vessels belonging to CV or CP cooperatives are
not included in these final harvest specifications. Rockfish Program
applications for CV cooperatives and CP cooperatives are not due to
NMFS until March 1 of each calendar year; therefore, NMFS cannot
calculate 2024 and 2025 allocations in conjunction with these final
harvest specifications (Sec. 679.81(f)). After receiving the Rockfish
Program applications, NMFS will calculate the 2024 allocations for CV
and CP cooperatives, as set forth in Sec. 679.81(b), (c), and (e).
NMFS will announce the 2024 allocations after March 1.
Table 10--Final 2024 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species in the Central Gulf of Alaska to the Entry Level Longline Fishery and Rockfish Cooperatives
in the Rockfish Program
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allocation to
Central GOA Incidental the entry level Allocation to
Rockfish primary species annual TAC catch TAC minus ICA longline \1\ the rockfish
allowance fishery cooperatives \2\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch................................................ 28,757 3,500 25,257 5 25,252
Northern rockfish.................................................. 2,280 300 1,980 5 1,975
Dusky rockfish..................................................... 7,365 250 7,115 50 7,065
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total.......................................................... 38,402 4,050 34,352 60 34,292
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Longline gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear (Sec. 679.2).
\2\ Rockfish cooperatives include vessels in CV and CP cooperatives (Sec. 679.81).
Table 11--Final 2025 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species in the Central Gulf of Alaska to the Entry Level Longline Fishery and Rockfish Cooperatives
in the Rockfish Program
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allocation to
Central GOA Incidental the entry level Allocation to
Rockfish primary species annual TAC catch TAC minus ICA longline \1\ the rockfish
allowance fishery cooperatives \2\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch................................................ 27,768 3,500 24,268 5 24,263
Northern rockfish.................................................. 2,200 300 1,900 5 1,895
Dusky rockfish..................................................... 6,979 250 6,729 50 6,679
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total.......................................................... 36,947 4,050 32,837 60 32,837
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Longline gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear (Sec. 679.2).
\2\ Rockfish cooperatives include vessels in CV and CP cooperatives (Sec. 679.81).
Section 679.81(c) and table 28c to 50 CFR part 679 require
allocations of rockfish secondary species to CV and CP cooperatives in
the Central GOA. CV cooperatives receive allocations of Pacific cod,
sablefish from the trawl gear allocation, and thornyhead rockfish. CP
cooperatives receive allocations of sablefish from the trawl gear
allocation, rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, shortraker rockfish,
and thornyhead rockfish. Tables 12 and 13 list the apportionments of
the 2024 and 2025 TACs of rockfish secondary species in the Central GOA
to CV and CP cooperatives.
[[Page 15500]]
Table 12--Final 2024 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA to Catcher Vessel and
Catcher/Processor Cooperatives
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher vessel cooperatives Catcher/processor
------------------------------ cooperatives
Rockfish secondary species Central GOA -----------------------------
annual TAC Percentage Apportionment Percentage Apportionment
of TAC (mt) of TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod......................... 15,442 3.81 588 0.00 0
Sablefish........................... 9,651 6.78 654 3.51 339
Shortraker rockfish................. 189 0.00 0 40.00 76
Rougheye/blackspotted rockfish...... 315 0.00 0 58.87 185
Thornyhead rockfish................. 693 7.84 54 26.50 184
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 13--Final 2025 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA to Catcher Vessel and
Catcher/Processor Cooperatives
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher vessel cooperatives Catcher/processor
------------------------------ cooperatives
Rockfish secondary species Central GOA -----------------------------
annual TAC Percentage Apportionment Percentage Apportionment
of TAC (mt) of TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod......................... 13,486 3.81 514 0.00 0
Sablefish........................... 9,693 6.78 657 3.51 340
Shortraker rockfish................. 189 0.00 n/a 40.00 76
Rougheye/blackspotted rockfish...... 317 0.00 n/a 58.87 187
Thornyhead rockfish................. 693 7.84 54 26.50 184
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut PSC Limits
Section 679.21(d) establishes annual halibut PSC limit
apportionments to trawl gear and hook-and-line gear and authorizes the
establishment of apportionments for pot gear. In December 2023 the
Council recommended and NMFS approves halibut PSC limits of 1,705 mt
for trawl gear, 256 mt for hook-and-line gear, and 9 mt for the
demersal shelf rockfish (DSR) rockfish fishery in the SEO District for
both 2024 and 2025, consistent with Sec. 679.21.
The DSR fishery in the SEO District is defined at Sec.
679.21(d)(2)(ii)(A). This fishery is apportioned 9 mt of the halibut
PSC limit in recognition of its small-scale harvests of groundfish
(Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(i)(A)). The separate halibut PSC limit for the DSR
fishery is intended to prevent that fishery from being impacted from
the halibut PSC incurred by other GOA fisheries. NMFS estimates low
halibut bycatch in the DSR fishery because: (1) the duration of the DSR
fishery and the gear soak times are short; (2) the DSR fishery occurs
in the winter when there is less overlap in the distribution of DSR and
halibut; and (3) the directed commercial DSR fishery has a low DSR TAC.
The State of Alaska sets the commercial GHL for the DSR fishery after
deducting estimates of DSR incidental catch in all fisheries (including
halibut and subsistence) and allocation to the sport DSR fishery. In
2023, the commercial GHL fishery for DSR was closed due to concerns
about declining DSR biomass.
The FMP authorizes the Council and NMFS to exempt specific gear
from the halibut PSC limits. NMFS, after consultation with the Council,
exempts pot gear, the sablefish IFQ fixed gear fishery categories, and
jig gear from the non-trawl halibut PSC limit for 2024 and 2025. The
Council recommended, and NMFS approves, these exemptions because: (1)
the pot gear fisheries have low annual halibut bycatch mortality; (2)
IFQ program regulations prohibit discard of halibut if any halibut IFQ
permit holder on board a catcher vessel holds unused halibut IFQ for
that vessel category and the IFQ regulatory area in which the vessel is
operating (Sec. 679.7(f)(11)); (3) some sablefish IFQ fishermen hold
halibut IFQ permits and are therefore required to retain the halibut
they catch while fishing sablefish IFQ; and (4) NMFS estimates
negligible halibut mortality for the jig gear fisheries given the small
amount of groundfish harvested by jig gear, the selective nature of jig
gear, and the high survival rates of halibut caught and released with
jig gear.
The best information available on estimated halibut bycatch
consists of data collected by fisheries observers during 2023. The
estimated halibut bycatch mortality through December 31, 2023 is 289 mt
for trawl gear and 37 mt for hook-and-line gear for a total halibut
mortality of 326 mt. The estimated halibut bycatch mortality was
calculated using groundfish and halibut catch data from the NMFS Alaska
Region's catch accounting system. This accounting system contains
historical and recent catch information compiled from each Alaska
groundfish fishery.
Section 679.21(d)(4)(i) and (ii) authorize NMFS to seasonally
apportion the halibut PSC limits after consultation with the Council.
The FMP and regulations require that the Council and NMFS consider the
following information in seasonally apportioning halibut PSC limits:
(1) seasonal distribution of halibut; (2) seasonal distribution of
target groundfish species relative to halibut distribution; (3)
expected halibut bycatch needs on a seasonal basis relative to changes
in halibut biomass and expected catch of target groundfish species; (4)
expected bycatch rates on a seasonal basis; (5) expected changes in
directed groundfish fishing seasons; (6) expected actual start of
fishing effort; and (7) economic effects of establishing seasonal
halibut allocations on segments of the target groundfish industry. The
Council considered information from the 2023 SAFE report, NMFS catch
data, State of Alaska catch data, International Pacific Halibut
Commission (IPHC) stock assessment and mortality data, and
[[Page 15501]]
public testimony when apportioning the halibut PSC limits. NMFS concurs
with the Council's recommendations listed in table 14, which shows the
final 2024 and 2025 Pacific halibut PSC limits, allowances, and
apportionments.
Section 679.21(d)(4)(iii) and (iv) specify that any unused amounts,
or overages, of a seasonal apportionment of a halibut PSC limit will be
added to, or deducted from, the next respective seasonal apportionment
within the fishing year.
Table 14--Final 2024 and 2025 Pacific Halibut Prohibited Species Catch (PSC) Limits, Allowances, and Apportionments
[Values are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trawl gear Hook-and-line gear \1\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other than DSR DSR
Season Percent Amount ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season Percent Amount Season Amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 20-April 1.................... 30.5 520 January 1-June 10....... 86 220 January 1-December 31... 9
April 1-July 1........................ 20.0 341 June 10-September 1..... 2 5 ........................ ..........
July 1-August 1....................... 27.0 460 September 1-December 31. 12 31 ........................ ..........
August 1-October 1.................... 7.5 128 ........................ .......... ........... ........................ ..........
October 1-December 31................. 15.0 256 ........................ .......... ........... ........................ ..........
=================================================================================================================
Total............................. .......... 1,705 ........................ .......... 256 ........................ 9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limit for hook-and-line gear is assigned to the DSR fishery in the SEO District and to the hook-
and-line fisheries other than the DSR fishery. The fixed gear sablefish IFQ fishery is exempt from halibut PSC limits, as are pot and jig gear for all
groundfish fisheries.
Section 679.21(d)(3)(ii) authorizes further apportionment of the
trawl halibut PSC limit to trawl fishery categories listed in Sec.
679.21(d)(3)(iii). The annual apportionments are based on each
category's proportional share of the anticipated halibut bycatch
mortality during the fishing year and optimization of the total amount
of groundfish harvest under the halibut PSC limit. The fishery
categories for the trawl halibut PSC limits are: (1) a deep-water
species fishery, composed of sablefish, rockfish, deep-water flatfish,
rex sole, and arrowtooth flounder; and (2) a shallow-water species
fishery, composed of pollock, Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish,
flathead sole, Atka mackerel, and ``other species'' (sharks and
octopuses) (Sec. 679.21(d)(3)(iii)). Halibut mortality incurred while
directed fishing for skates with trawl gear accrues towards the
shallow-water species fishery halibut PSC limit (69 FR 26320, May 12,
2004).
NMFS will combine available trawl halibut PSC limit apportionments
during a portion of the second season deep-water and shallow-water
species fisheries for use in either fishery from May 15 through June 30
(Sec. 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(D)). This is intended to maintain groundfish
harvest while minimizing halibut bycatch by these sectors to the extent
practicable. This provides the deep-water and shallow-water species
trawl fisheries additional flexibility and the incentive to participate
in fisheries at times of the year that may have lower halibut PSC rates
relative to other times of the year.
Table 15 lists the final 2024 and 2025 apportionments of trawl
halibut PSC limits between the trawl gear deep-water and shallow-water
species fishery categories.
Table 28d to 50 CFR part 679 specifies the amount of the trawl
halibut PSC limit that is assigned to the CV and CP sectors that are
participating in the Rockfish Program. This includes 117.3 mt of
halibut PSC limit to the CV sector and 74.1 mt of halibut PSC limit to
the CP sector. These amounts are assigned from the trawl deep-water
species fishery's halibut PSC third seasonal apportionment. After the
combined CV and CP halibut PSC limit allocation of 191.4 mt to the
Rockfish Program, 148.6 mt remains for the trawl deep-water species
fishery's halibut PSC third seasonal apportionment.
Section 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(B) limits the amount of the halibut PSC
limit assigned to Rockfish Program participants that could be re-
apportioned to the last seasonal apportionment for the general GOA
trawl fisheries during the current fishing year to no more than 55
percent of the unused annual halibut PSC limit apportioned to Rockfish
Program participants. The remainder of the unused Rockfish Program
halibut PSC limit is unavailable for use by any person for the
remainder of the fishing year (Sec. 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(C)).
Table 15--Final 2024 and 2025 Apportionment of Pacific Halibut Prohibited Species Catch Limits Between the Trawl
Gear Deep-Water Species Fishery and the Shallow-Water Species Fishery Categories
[Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season Shallow-water Deep-water \1\ Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 20-April 1............................................. 385 135 520
April 1-July 1................................................. 85 256 341
July 1-August 1................................................ 120 340 460
August 1-October 1............................................. 53 75 128
------------------------------------------------
Subtotal January 20-October 1.............................. 643 806 1,449
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
October 1-December 31 \2\...................................... ............... .............. 256
------------------------------------------------
Total.................................................. ............... .............. 1,705
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Vessels participating in cooperatives in the Central GOA Rockfish Program will receive 191.4 mt of the third
season (July 1 through August 1) deep-water species fishery halibut PSC apportionment (see table 28d to 50 CFR
part 679.
[[Page 15502]]
\2\ There is no apportionment between trawl shallow-water and deep-water species fishery categories during the
fifth season (October 1 through December 31).
Section 679.21(d)(2)(i)(B) requires that the ``other hook-and-line
fishery'' halibut PSC limit apportionment to vessels using hook-and-
line gear must be apportioned between CVs and CPs in accordance with
Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(iii) in conjunction with these harvest
specifications. The halibut PSC apportionment is based on the Western
and Central GOA Pacific cod allocations, which vary annually based on
the proportion of the Pacific cod biomass between the Western, Central,
and Eastern GOA. Updated information in the final 2023 SAFE report
describes this distributional calculation, which apportions ABC among
GOA regulatory areas on the basis of the three most recent stock
surveys. For 2024 and 2025, the distribution of the total GOA Pacific
cod ABC is 27.1 percent to the Western GOA, 63.8 percent to the Central
GOA, and 9.1 percent to the Eastern GOA. Therefore, the calculations
made in accordance with Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(iii) incorporate the most
recent information on GOA Pacific cod distribution and allocations with
respect to establishing the annual halibut PSC limits for the CV and CP
hook-and-line sectors of the ``other hook-and-line fishery.''
Additionally, the annual halibut PSC limits for both the CV and CP
sectors of the ``other hook-and-line fishery'' are divided into three
seasonal apportionments, using seasonal percentages of 86 percent, 2
percent, and 12 percent.
For 2024 and 2025, NMFS apportions halibut PSC limits of 149 mt and
107 mt to the hook-and-line CV and hook-and-line CP sectors,
respectively. Table 16 lists the final 2024 and 2025 apportionments of
halibut PSC limits between the hook-and-line CV and the hook-and-line
CP sectors of the ``other hook-and-line fishery.''
No later than November 1 of each year, NMFS will calculate the
projected unused amount of halibut PSC limit by either of the CV or CP
hook-and-line sectors that comprise the two sectors of the ``other
hook-and-line fishery'' for the remainder of the year. The projected
unused amount of halibut PSC limit is made available to the other
sector for the remainder of that fishing year (Sec.
679.21(d)(2)(iii)(C)), if NMFS determines that an additional amount of
halibut PSC is necessary for that sector to continue its directed
fishing operations.
Table 16--Final 2024 and 2025 Apportionments of the ``Other Hook-and-Line Fishery'' Annual Halibut Prohibited
Species Catch Allowance Between the Hook-and-Line Gear Catcher Vessel and Catcher/Processor Sectors
[Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hook-and-line Sector annual Seasonal Sector seasonal
``Other than DSR'' allowance sector amount Season percentage amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
256.......................... Catcher Vessel. 149 January 1-June 86 128
10.
June 10- 2 3
September 1.
September 1- 12 18
December 31.
Catcher/ 107 January 1-June 86 92
Processor. 10.
June 10- 2 2
September 1.
September 1- 12 13
December 31.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimates of Halibut Biomass and Stock Condition
The IPHC annually assesses the abundance and potential yield of the
Pacific halibut stock using all available data from the commercial and
sport fisheries, other removals, and scientific surveys. Additional
information on the Pacific halibut stock assessment may be found in the
IPHC's 2023 Pacific halibut stock assessment (December 2023), available
on the IPHC website at <a href="https://www.iphc.int">https://www.iphc.int</a>. The IPHC considered the
2023 Pacific halibut stock assessment at its January 2024 annual
meeting when it set the 2024 commercial halibut fishery catch limits.
Halibut Discard Mortality Rates
To monitor halibut bycatch mortality allowances and apportionments,
the Regional Administrator uses observed halibut incidental catch
rates, halibut discard mortality rates (DMRs), and estimates of
groundfish catch to project when a fishery's halibut bycatch mortality
allowance or seasonal apportionment is reached. Halibut incidental
catch rates are based on observed estimates of halibut incidental catch
in the groundfish fishery. DMRs are estimates of the proportion of
incidentally caught halibut that do not survive after being returned to
the sea. The cumulative halibut mortality that accrues to a particular
halibut PSC limit is the product of a DMR multiplied by the estimated
halibut PSC. DMRs are estimated using the best scientific information
available in conjunction with the annual GOA stock assessment process.
The DMR methodology and findings are included as an appendix to the
annual GOA groundfish SAFE report.
In 2016, the DMR estimation methodology underwent revisions per the
Council's directive. An interagency halibut working group (IPHC,
Council, and NMFS staff) developed improved estimation methods that
have undergone review by the GOA Plan Team, SSC, and the Council. A
summary of the revised methodology is contained in the GOA proposed
2017 and 2018 harvest specifications (81 FR 87881, December 6, 2016),
and the comprehensive discussion of the working group's statistical
methodology is available from the Council (see ADDRESSES). The DMR
working group's revised methodology is intended to improve estimation
accuracy, transparency, and transferability in the methodology used for
calculating DMRs. The working group will continue to consider
improvements to the methodology used to calculate halibut mortality,
including potential changes to the reference period (the period of data
used for calculating the DMRs). The new methodology continues to ensure
that NMFS is using DMRs that accurately reflect halibut mortality,
which will inform the sectors of their estimated halibut mortality and
allow sectors to respond with methods that could reduce mortality and,
eventually, the DMR for that sector.
[[Page 15503]]
At the December 2023 meeting, the SSC, AP, and Council concurred
with the revised DMR estimation methodology, and NMFS adopts for 2024
and 2025 the DMRs calculated under the revised methodology, which uses
an updated 2-year and 4-year reference period depending on data
availability. The final 2024 and 2025 DMRs in this rule are unchanged
from the DMRs in the proposed 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications (88
FR 85184, December 7, 2023). Table 17 lists these final 2024 and 2025
DMRs.
Table 17--Final 2024 and 2025 Halibut Discard Mortality Rates for Vessels Fishing in the Gulf of Alaska
[Values are percent of halibut assumed to be dead]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut discard
Gear Sector Groundfish fishery mortality rate
(percent)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pelagic trawl.......................... Catcher vessel........... All...................... 100
Catcher/processor........ All...................... 100
Non-pelagic trawl...................... Catcher vessel........... Rockfish Program......... 56
Catcher vessel........... All others............... 69
Mothership and catcher/ All...................... 83
processor.
Hook-and-line.......................... Catcher/processor........ All...................... 11
Catcher vessel........... All...................... 10
Pot.................................... Catcher vessel and All...................... 26
catcher/processor.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinook Salmon Prohibited Species Catch Limits
There are Chinook salmon PSC limits for the directed pollock trawl
fishery in the Western and Central GOA. NMFS is required to close the
directed pollock fishery in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of
the GOA if the applicable Chinook salmon PSC limit in that regulatory
area will be reached (Sec. 679.21(h)(8)). The annual Chinook salmon
PSC limits in the directed pollock fishery of 6,684 salmon in the
Western GOA and 18,316 salmon in the Central GOA are set at Sec.
679.21(h)(2).
There is also an established initial annual PSC limit of 7,500
Chinook salmon for the trawl non-pollock groundfish fisheries in the
Western and Central GOA. This limit is apportioned among the 3 sectors
that conduct directed fishing for groundfish species other than
pollock: 3,600 Chinook salmon to trawl CPs; 1,200 Chinook salmon to
trawl CVs participating in the Rockfish Program; and 2,700 Chinook
salmon to trawl CVs not participating in the Rockfish Program (Sec.
679.21(h)(4)). NMFS will monitor the Chinook salmon PSC in the trawl
non-pollock groundfish fisheries and close an applicable sector if it
will reach its Chinook salmon PSC limit.
The Chinook salmon PSC limit for two sectors, trawl CPs and trawl
CVs not participating in the Rockfish Program, may be increased in
subsequent years based on the performance of these two sectors and
their ability to minimize their use of their respective Chinook salmon
PSC limits during a calendar year. If either or both of these 2 sectors
limited its use of Chinook salmon PSC to the specified threshold amount
(3,120 for trawl CPs and 2,340 for Non-Rockfish Program trawl CVs),
that sector will receive an incremental increase to its Chinook salmon
PSC limit (Sec. 679.21(h)(4)). In 2023, the trawl CP sector did not
exceed 3,120 Chinook salmon PSC; therefore, the 2024 trawl CP sector
Chinook salmon PSC limit will be 4,080 Chinook salmon. In 2023, the
Non-Rockfish Program trawl CV sector did not exceed 2,340 Chinook
salmon PSC; therefore, the 2024 Non-Rockfish Program trawl CV sector
Chinook salmon PSC limit will be 3,060 Chinook salmon.
American Fisheries Act (AFA) Catcher/Processor and Catcher Vessel
Groundfish Harvest Limits
Section 679.64 establishes groundfish harvesting and processing
sideboard limitations on AFA CPs and CVs in the GOA. These sideboard
limits are necessary to protect the interests of fishermen and
processors who do not directly benefit from the AFA as compared to
those fishermen and processors who receive exclusive harvesting and
processing privileges under the AFA. Section 679.7(k)(1)(ii) prohibits
listed AFA CPs and CPs designated on a listed AFA CP permit from
harvesting any species of groundfish in the GOA. Additionally, Sec.
679.7(k)(1)(iv) prohibits listed AFA CPs and CPs designated on a listed
AFA CP permit from processing any pollock harvested in a directed
pollock fishery in the GOA and any groundfish harvested in Statistical
Area 630 of the GOA.
AFA CVs that are less than 125 feet (38.1 meters) length overall,
have annual landings of pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
of less than 5,100 mt, and have made at least 40 landings of GOA
groundfish from 1995 through 1997 are exempt from GOA CV groundfish
sideboard limits (Sec. 679.64(b)(2)(ii)). Sideboard limits for non-
exempt AFA CVs in the GOA are based on their traditional harvest levels
of TAC in groundfish fisheries covered by the FMP. Section
679.64(b)(3)(iv) establishes the CV groundfish sideboard limits in the
GOA based on the aggregate retained catch by non-exempt AFA CVs of each
sideboard species from 2009 through 2019 divided by the TAC for that
species available to catcher vessels from 2009 through 2019. Under the
PCTC Program, NMFS modified the calculation of the sideboard ratios for
non-exempt AFA CVs, using the qualifying years of 2009 through 2019 (88
FR 53704, August 8, 2023). Previously, sideboard limits were based on
the ratio of catch to the TAC during the years 1995 through 1997.
Non-exempt AFA CVs are prohibited in regulation from directed
fishing for specific groundfish species or species groups subject to
sideboard limits (Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iv)(D) and Table 56 to 50 CFR part
679) (84 FR 2723, February 8, 2019). Under the PCTC Program, NMFS also
promulgated regulations to prohibit non-exempt AFA CVs from directed
fishing for additional groundfish species or species groups subject to
sideboard limits (88 FR 53704, August 8, 2023). All of these
prohibitions are found in the revised Table 56 to 50 CFR part 679.
Sideboard limits for species or species groups not listed in Table 56
continue to be calculated and included in the GOA annual harvest
specifications.
Tables 18 and 19 list the final 2024 and 2025 groundfish sideboard
limits for non-exempt AFA CVs. NMFS will deduct all targeted or
incidental catch of sideboard species made by non-exempt AFA CVs from
the sideboard limits listed in tables 18 and 19.
[[Page 15504]]
Table 18--Final 2024 GOA Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel (CV) Groundfish Sideboard Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 2009-2019
Apportionments by season/ non-exempt AFA CV Final 2024 Final 2024 non-
Species gear Area/component retained catch to TACs \3\ exempt AFA CV
2009-2019 TAC sideboard limit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock............................. A Season: January 20-May Shumagin (610)................... 0.057 5,422 309
31. Chirikof (620)................... 0.064 70,918 4,539
Kodiak (630)..................... 0.091 13,862 1,261
B Season: September 1- Shumagin (610)................... 0.057 33,460 1,907
November 1. Chirikof (620)................... 0.064 20,019 1,281
Kodiak (630)..................... 0.091 36,725 3,342
Annual................... WYK (640)........................ 0.026 5,565 145
Pacific cod......................... A Season: \1\ January 1- W................................ 0.009 3,899 35
June 10. C................................ 0.011 9,894 109
B Season: \2\ September 1- W................................ 0.009 2,222 20
December 31. C................................ 0.011 5,548 61
Flatfish, shallow-water............. Annual................... C................................ 0.011 27,783 306
Rex sole............................ Annual................... C................................ 0.014 13,639 191
Arrowtooth flounder................. Annual................... C................................ 0.011 64,871 714
Flathead sole....................... Annual................... C................................ 0.007 21,307 149
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
\3\ The Western and Central GOA and WYK District area apportionments of pollock are considered ACLs.
Table 19--Final 2025 GOA Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel (CV) Groundfish Sideboard Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 2009-2019
Apportionments by season/ non-exempt AFA CV Final 2025 Final 2025 non-
Species gear Area/component retained catch to TAC \3\ exempt AFA CV
2009-2019 TAC sideboard limit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock............................. A Season: January 20-May Shumagin (610)................... 0.057 4,483 256
31. Chirikof (620)................... 0.064 58,629 3,752
Kodiak (630)..................... 0.091 11,460 1,043
B Season: September 1- Shumagin (610)................... 0.057 27,661 1,577
November 1. Chirikof (620)................... 0.064 16,550 1,059
Kodiak (630)..................... 0.091 30,361 2,763
Annual................... WYK (640)........................ 0.026 4,601 120
Pacific cod......................... A Season: \1\ January 1- W................................ 0.009 3,406 31
June 10. C................................ 0.011 8,641 95
B Season: \2\ September 1- W................................ 0.009 1,941 17
December 31. C................................ 0.011 4,845 53
Flatfish, shallow-water............. Annual................... C................................ 0.011 28,311 311
Rex sole............................ Annual................... C................................ 0.014 13,624 191
Arrowtooth flounder................. Annual................... C................................ 0.011 64,688 712
Flathead sole....................... Annual................... C................................ 0.007 21,702 152
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
\3\ The Western and Central GOA and WYK District area apportionments of pollock are considered ACLs.
Non-Exempt AFA Catcher Vessel Halibut PSC Limits
The non-exempt AFA catcher vessels and the associated LLP licenses
PSC limit for halibut in the GOA will be an annual amount based on a
static ratio of 0.072, which was derived from the aggregate retained
groundfish catch by non-exempt AFA CVs in each PSC target category from
2009 through 2019 (Sec. 679.64(b)(4)(ii)). This change was implemented
with the PCTC Program (88 FR 53704, August 8, 2023). Prior to the PCTC
Program, the halibut PSC sideboard limits for non-exempt AFA CVs in the
GOA were based on the aggregate retained groundfish catch by non-exempt
AFA CVs in each PSC target category from 1995 through 1997 divided by
the retained catch of all vessels in that fishery from 1995 through
1997. Table 20 lists the final 2024 and 2025 non-exempt AFA CV halibut
PSC sideboard limits for vessels using trawl gear in the GOA.
Table 20--Final 2024 and 2025 Non-Exempt AFA CV Halibut Prohibited Species Catch (PSC) Sideboard Limits for
Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the GOA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual non-exempt AFA CV halibut PSC
Ratio (percent) Annual trawl gear halibut PSC limit (mt) limit (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.072 1,705 123
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 15505]]
Non-AFA Crab Vessel Groundfish Harvest Limitations
Section 680.22 establishes groundfish catch limits for vessels with
a history of participation in the Bering Sea snow crab fishery to
prevent these vessels from using the increased flexibility provided by
the Crab Rationalization (CR) Program to expand their level of
participation in the GOA groundfish fisheries. Sideboard limits
restrict these vessels' catch to their collective historical landings
in each GOA groundfish fishery (except the fixed-gear sablefish
fishery). Sideboard limits also apply to catch made using an LLP
license derived from the history of a restricted vessel, even if that
LLP license is used on another vessel.
The basis for these sideboard limits is described in detail in the
final rules implementing the major provisions of the CR Program,
including Amendments 18 and 19 to the Fishery Management Plan for
Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs (Crab FMP) (70 FR
10174, March 2, 2005), Amendment 34 to the Crab FMP (76 FR 35772, June
20, 2011), Amendment 83 to the GOA FMP (76 FR 74670, December 1, 2011),
Amendment 45 to the Crab FMP (80 FR 28539, May 19, 2015), and a
rulemaking to prohibit non-AFA crab vessels from directed fishing for
all groundfish species or species groups subject to sideboard limits,
except for Pacific cod apportioned to CVs using pot gear in the Western
and Central Regulatory Areas (Sec. 680.22(e)(1)(iii)) (84 FR 2723,
February 8, 2019).
Tables 21 and 22 list the final 2024 and 2025 groundfish sideboard
limitations for non-AFA crab vessels. All targeted or incidental catch
of sideboard species made by non-AFA crab vessels or associated LLP
licenses will be deducted from these sideboard limits.
Table 21--Final 2024 GOA Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessel Groundfish Sideboard Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1996-2000
non-AFA crab vessel Final 2024 Final 2024 non-
Species Season Area/gear catch to 1996-2000 TACs AFA crab vessel
total harvest sideboard limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod........... A Season: Western Pot CV.. 0.0997 3,899 389
January 1-June Central Pot CV.. 0.0474 9,894 469
10.
B Season: Western Pot CV.. 0.0997 2,222 221
September 1- Central Pot CV.. 0.0474 5,548 263
December 31.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 22--Final 2025 GOA Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessel Groundfish Sideboard Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1996-2000
non-AFA crab vessel Final 2025 Final 2025 non-
Species Season Area/gear catch to 1996-2000 TACs AFA crab vessel
total harvest sideboard limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod........... A Season: Western Pot CV.. 0.0997 3,406 340
January 1-June Central Pot CV.. 0.0474 8,641 410
10.
B Season: Western Pot CV.. 0.0997 1,941 193
September 1- Central Pot CV.. 0.0474 4,845 230
December 31.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rockfish Program Groundfish Sideboard and Halibut PSC Limitations
The Rockfish Program establishes three classes of sideboard
provisions: CV groundfish sideboard restrictions, CP rockfish sideboard
restrictions, and CP opt-out vessel sideboard restrictions (Sec.
679.82(c)(1)). These sideboards are intended to limit the ability of
rockfish harvesters to expand into other GOA groundfish fisheries.
CVs participating in the Rockfish Program may not participate in
directed fishing for dusky rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, and northern
rockfish in the West Yakutat District and Western GOA from July 1
through July 31. Also, CVs may not participate in directed fishing for
arrowtooth flounder, deep-water flatfish, and rex sole in the GOA from
July 1 through July 31 (Sec. 679.82(d)).
CPs participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives are restricted
by rockfish and halibut PSC sideboard limits. These CPs are prohibited
from directed fishing for dusky rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, and
northern rockfish in the West Yakutat District and Western GOA from
July 1 through July 31 (Sec. 679.82(e)(2)). Prior to 2021, CPs
participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives were restricted by
rockfish sideboard limits in the Western GOA. A final rule that
implemented Amendment 111 to the FMP (86 FR 11895, March 1, 2021)
removed from regulation the Western GOA rockfish sideboard limits for
Rockfish Program CPs. That rule also revised and clarified the
establishment of the West Yakutat District rockfish sideboard ratios in
regulation. The rockfish sideboard ratio for each rockfish fishery in
the West Yakutat District is an established percentage of the TAC for
CPs in the directed fishery for dusky rockfish and Pacific ocean perch
(Sec. 679.82(e)(4)). These percentages are confidential.
Holders of CP-designated LLP licenses that opt out of participating
in a Rockfish Program cooperative will be able to access that portion
of each rockfish sideboard limit that is not assigned to rockfish
cooperatives (Sec. 679.82(e)(7)).
Under the Rockfish Program, the CP sector is subject to halibut PSC
sideboard limits for the trawl deep-water and shallow-water species
fisheries (Sec. 679.82(e)(3) and (5)). Halibut PSC sideboard ratios by
fishery are set forth in Sec. 679.82(e)(5). The CP sector halibut PSC
sideboard limits are effective from July 1 through July 31 (Sec.
679.82(c)(4), (e)(6)). No halibut PSC sideboard limits apply to the CV
sector, as CVs participating in cooperatives receive a portion of the
annual halibut PSC limit. CPs that opt out of the Rockfish Program are
able to access that portion of the deep-water and shallow-water species
fishery halibut PSC sideboard limit not assigned to CP rockfish
cooperatives. The sideboard provisions for CPs that elect to opt out of
participating in a rockfish cooperative are described in Sec.
679.82(c), (e), and (f). Sideboard limits are linked to the catch
history of specific vessels; however, some of these vessels may choose
to opt out of the Rockfish Program. After March 1, NMFS will determine
which CPs have opted-out of the Rockfish
[[Page 15506]]
Program in 2024, and NMFS will know the ratios and amounts used to
calculate opt-out sideboard ratios. NMFS will then calculate any
applicable opt-out sideboards for 2024 and announce these limits after
March 1. Table 23 lists the final 2024 and 2025 Rockfish Program
halibut PSC sideboard limits for the CP sector.
Table 23--Final 2024 and 2025 Rockfish Program Halibut PSC Sideboard Limits for the Catcher/Processor Sector
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shallow-water Annual shallow- Annual deep- water
species fishery Deep-water species 2024 and 2025 water species species fishery
Sector halibut PSC fishery halibut halibut mortality fishery halibut halibut PSC
sideboard ratio PSC sideboard limit (mt) PSC sideboard sideboard limit
(percent) ratio (percent) limit (mt) (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher/processor................................... 0.1 2.5 1,705 2 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amendment 80 Program Groundfish and PSC Sideboard Limits
Amendment 80 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (Amendment 80 Program)
established a limited access privilege program for the non-AFA trawl CP
sector. The Amendment 80 Program established groundfish and halibut PSC
catch limits for Amendment 80 Program participants to limit the ability
of participants eligible for the Amendment 80 Program to expand their
harvest efforts in the GOA.
Section 679.92 establishes groundfish harvesting sideboard limits
on all Amendment 80 program vessels, other than the fishing vessel (F/
V) ``Golden Fleece'', to amounts no greater than the limits listed in
table 37 to 50 CFR part 679. Under Sec. 679.92(d), the F/V ``Golden
Fleece'' is prohibited from directed fishing for pollock, Pacific cod,
Pacific ocean perch, dusky rockfish, and northern rockfish in the GOA.
Groundfish sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels
operating in the GOA are based on their average aggregate harvests from
1998 through 2004 (72 FR 52668, September 14, 2007). Tables 24 and 25
list the final 2024 and 2025 groundfish sideboard limits for Amendment
80 Program vessels. NMFS will deduct all targeted or incidental catch
of sideboard species made by Amendment 80 Program vessels from the
sideboard limits in tables 24 and 25.
Table 24--Final 2024 GOA Groundfish Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of
Amendment 80 2024 Amendment 80
Species Apportionments and Area sector vessels 2024 TAC vessel sideboard
allocations by season 1998-2004 catch (mt) limit (mt)
to TAC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock \1\.......................... A Season: January 20-May 31 Shumagin (610).................... 0.003 5,422 16
Chirikof (620).................... 0.002 70,918 142
Kodiak (630)...................... 0.002 13,862 28
B Season: September 1- Shumagin (610).................... 0.003 33,460 100
November 1. Chirikof (620).................... 0.002 20,019 40
Kodiak (630)...................... 0.002 36,725 73
Annual..................... WYK (640)......................... 0.002 5,565 11
Pacific cod.......................... A Season \2\: January 1- W................................. 0.020 3,899 78
June 10. C................................. 0.044 9,894 435
B Season \3\: September 1- W................................. 0.020 2,222 44
December 31. C................................. 0.044 5,548 244
Annual..................... WYK............................... 0.034 2,203 75
Pacific ocean perch.................. Annual..................... W................................. 0.994 1,787 1,776
WYK............................... 0.961 2,110 2,028
Northern rockfish.................... Annual..................... W................................. 1.000 2,535 2,535
Dusky rockfish....................... Annual..................... W................................. 0.764 145 111
WYK............................... 0.896 84 75
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Western and Central GOA and WYK District area apportionments of pollock are considered ACLs.
\2\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\3\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
Table 25--Final 2025 GOA Groundfish Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of
Amendment 80 2025 Amendment 80
Species Apportionments and Area sector vessels 2025 TAC vessel sideboard
allocations by season 1998-2004 catch (mt) limit (mt)
to TAC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock \1\.......................... A Season: January 20-May 31 Shumagin (610).................... 0.003 4,483 83
Chirikof (620).................... 0.002 58,629 33
Kodiak (630)...................... 0.002 11,460 61
B Season: September 1- Shumagin (610).................... 0.003 27,661 96
November 1. Chirikof (620).................... 0.002 16,550 150
Kodiak (630)...................... 0.002 30,361 84
Annual..................... WYK (640)......................... 0.002 4,601 9
[[Page 15507]]
Pacific cod.......................... A Season \2\: January 1- W................................. 0.020 3,406 68
June 10. C................................. 0.044 8,641 150
B Season \3\: September 1- W................................. 0.020 1,941 39
December 31. C................................. 0.044 4,845 213
Annual..................... WYK............................... 0.034 1,924 65
Pacific ocean perch.................. Annual..................... W................................. 0.994 1,726 1,716
........................... WYK............................... 0.961 2,038 1,959
Northern rockfish.................... Annual..................... W................................. 1.000 2,446 2,446
Dusky rockfish....................... Annual..................... W................................. 0.764 137 105
WYK............................... 0.896 81 73
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Western and Central GOA and WYK District area apportionments of pollock are considered ACLs.
\2\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\3\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
The halibut PSC sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels
in the GOA are based on the historic use of halibut PSC by Amendment 80
Program vessels in each PSC target category from 1998 through 2004.
These values are slightly lower than the average historic use to
accommodate two factors: allocation of halibut PSC cooperative quota
under the Rockfish Program and the exemption of the F/V Golden Fleece
from this restriction (Sec. 679.92(b)(2)). Table 26 lists the final
2024 and 2025 halibut PSC sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program
vessels. These tables incorporate the maximum percentages of the
halibut PSC sideboard limits that may be used by Amendment 80 Program
vessels as contained in table 38 to 50 CFR part 679. Any residual
amount of a seasonal Amendment 80 halibut PSC sideboard limit may carry
forward to the next season limit (Sec. 679.92(b)(2)).
Table 26--Final 2024 and 2025 Halibut PSC Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels in the GOA
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Historic Amendment 2024 and 2025
80 use of the 2024 and 2025 Amendment 80
Season Season dates Target fishery annual halibut PSC annual halibut vessel halibut
limit catch (ratio) PSC limit (mt) PSC limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.................... January 20- shallow-water.. 0.0048 1,705 8
April 1. deep-water..... 0.0115 1,705 20
2.................... April 1-July 1. shallow-water.. 0.0189 1,705 32
deep-water..... 0.1072 1,705 183
3.................... July 1-August 1 shallow-water.. 0.0146 1,705 25
deep-water..... 0.0521 1,705 89
4.................... August 1- shallow-water.. 0.0074 1,705 13
October 1. deep-water..... 0.0014 1,705 2
5.................... October 1- shallow-water.. 0.0227 1,705 39
December 31. deep-water..... 0.0371 1,705 63
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............ ............... ............... ................... ................ 474
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Directed Fishing Closures
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), if the Regional Administrator
determines (1) that any allocation or apportionment of a target species
or species group allocated or apportioned to a fishery will be reached;
or (2) with respect to pollock and Pacific cod, that an allocation or
apportionment to an inshore or offshore component or sector allocation
will be reached, then the Regional Administrator may establish a
directed fishing allowance (DFA) for that species or species group. If
the Regional Administrator establishes a DFA and that allowance is or
will be reached before the end of the fishing season or year, NMFS will
prohibit directed fishing for that species or species group in the
specified GOA subarea, regulatory area, or district (Sec.
679.20(d)(1)(iii)).
The Regional Administrator has determined that the TACs for the
species and species groups listed in table 27 are necessary to account
for the incidental catch of these species in other anticipated
groundfish fisheries for the 2024 and 2025 fishing years.
[[Page 15508]]
Table 27--2024 and 2025 Directed Fishing Closures in the GOA
[Amounts for incidental catch in other directed fisheries are in metric
tons]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incidental catch
amount and year (if
Target Area/component/gear amounts differ by
year)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock...................... all/offshore....... not applicable.\1\
Sablefish \2\................ all/trawl.......... 3,283 (2024).
3,297 (2025).
Pacific cod.................. Western, CV, HAL... 83 (2024), 72
Western, CP, trawl. (2025).
Central, CP, trawl. 142 (2024), 124
(2025).
635 (2024), 555
(2025).
Shortraker rockfish \2\...... All................ 647.
Rougheye/blackspotted All................ 1,037 (2024).
rockfish.\2\. 1,041 (2025).
Thornyhead rockfish \2\...... All................ 1,628.
Other rockfish............... All................ 1,653.
Atka mackerel................ All................ 4,700.
Big skate.................... All................ 2,853.
Longnose skate............... All................ 2,536.
Other skates................. All................ 665.
Sharks....................... All................ 4,891.
Octopuses.................... All................ 980.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Pollock is closed to directed fishing in the GOA by the offshore
component under Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(i).
\2\ Closures are not applicable to participants in cooperatives
conducted under the Central GOA Rockfish Program because cooperatives
are prohibited from exceeding their allocations (Sec.
679.7(n)(6)(viii)).
Consequently, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the
Regional Administrator establishes the DFA for the species or species
groups listed in table 27 as zero mt. Therefore, in accordance with
Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for those
species and species groups, areas, gear types, and components in the
GOA listed in table 27 effective at 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 4, 2024,
through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2025.
Closures implemented under the 2023 and 2024 GOA harvest
specifications for groundfish (88 FR 13238, March 2, 2023) remain
effective under authority of these final 2024 and 2025 harvest
specifications and until the date specified in those closure
notifications. Closures are posted at the following website under the
Alaska filter for Management Areas: <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/rules-and-announcements/bulletins">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/rules-and-announcements/bulletins</a>.
While these closures are in effect, the maximum retainable amounts
at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a fishing trip.
These closures to directed fishing are in addition to closures and
prohibitions found at 50 CFR part 679. NMFS may implement other
closures during the 2024 and 2025 fishing years as necessary for
effective conservation and management.
Comments and Responses
NMFS received two comment letters with seven unique comments during
the public comment period for the proposed GOA groundfish harvest
specifications (88 FR 85184, December 7, 2023). One comment letter was
from an individual and the other was from a non-governmental
organization. NMFS's responses to the seven unique comments raised in
the comment letters are addressed below.
Comment 1: The GOA harvest specifications do not consider the
impact of offshore wind on the marine environment.
Response: This is outside of the scope of the harvest
specifications. The final rule implementing the harvest specifications
sets the OFL, ABC, and TAC for target species in the GOA, but does not
regulate or authorize offshore wind. There is no current or planned
offshore wind project in Alaska State waters or EEZ waters off of
Alaska.
Comment 2: Salmon are important for the cultural well-being of
Alaska native tribes. Climate change is negatively affecting salmon and
additive pressure from the pollock fishery is exacerbating their
declines. Maintaining the status quo TAC for pollock harvest will
result in continued bycatch and impacts to salmon and halibut as the
pollock industry catches more individual salmon and halibut as bycatch
than directed and subsistence fishermen of Alaska are allocated for
their survival and livelihoods.
Response: NMFS recognizes that salmon are paramount to the cultural
well-being for indigenous peoples of Alaska. NMFS also recognizes that
climate change is affecting the survival of western Alaska Chinook and
chum salmon in their freshwater and marine life stages.
The annual TAC setting process is a robust, expansive process that
involves significant scientific input and includes consideration of
current environmental and ecosystem factors (like climate change) and
other marine resources (like salmon and halibut). Scientists from the
AFSC prepare the assessment using statistical analyses of fish
populations and draft the written assessment for a species or species
group, which for GOA pollock is a full assessment updated annually. The
assessments for the GOA are informed by the most recent survey and
harvest data available, including multiple surveys conducted annually
and biennially in the GOA. The stock assessment then undergoes rigorous
review by the scientists and resource managers on the Plan Team and
SSC.
During this annual TAC setting process, the Plan Team, SSC, AP, and
Council review several sources comprising the best scientific
information available--the ESR, ESPs, stock assessments, and Plan Team
reports--and use all these materials as reference in their OFL and ABC
(the biological reference points), and TAC (the harvest target/limit),
recommendations to NMFS. NMFS reviews the same information for its
annual decision to implement the OFL, ABC, and TAC for GOA groundfish.
Updates on salmon abundance estimates, commercial salmon catch, and the
physical environment are included in the ESR and ESP. For an overview
of the ESR and ESP, refer to the response to Comment 3.
The stock assessment author and Plan Team make a recommendation for
OFL and ABC for each species and species group, and the SSC may concur
with this recommendation or make a
[[Page 15509]]
different recommendation. Ultimately, the SSC recommends the OFL and
ABC that inform the setting of the TAC for each species and species
group since TAC cannot exceed ABC (Section 3.2.3.4.1 of the FMP; 50 CFR
600.310(g)(4)). This ensures that TAC for each species and species
group does not exceed the scientific recommendations for ABC and OFL.
OFL and ABC are calculated using prescribed methods set forth in
the FMP. The FMP specifies a series of six tiers to define OFL and ABC
amounts based on the level of reliable information available to fishery
scientists. Tier 1 represents the highest level of information quality
available, while Tier 6 represents the lowest. The methods for
calculating OFL and ABC (including the ABC control rule) become more
precautionary depending on the tier and stock status. For example, with
less reliable information the larger the buffer between OFL and ABC. As
stock status declines the OFL and ABC are reduced.
The specification of ABC is informed by the ecosystem,
environmental, and socioeconomic factors presented in the stock
assessment and the ESRs, specifically the stock-specific risk table
prepared for each stock as well as an additional ecosystem
considerations section prepared for full/operational assessments. For
GOA pollock, the ecosystem considerations section is included in the
ESP prepared with the stock assessment, and the GOA pollock assessment
also includes an overview of bycatch of salmon and halibut in the GOA
pollock fishery. The 2023 ESRs for the Alaska ecosystems provide
information on the status of salmon in the GOA ecosystem including
updated information on the abundance of salmon, fish condition, and run
sizes. The specification of the pollock TAC is therefore based on the
best scientific information available on the status of the pollock
stock and accounts for ecosystem, environmental, and socioeconomic
factors, including bycatch of non-target species like salmon.
In the groundfish fisheries, salmon and halibut are a non-target
species and are considered a prohibited species. For the GOA pollock
fisheries, there are separate Chinook salmon PSC limits for the Western
GOA (6,684 salmon) and Central GOA (18,316 salmon). There is also a
trawl non-pollock limit for Chinook salmon in the Western and Central
GOA. The limit is 7,500 Chinook and is further apportioned to trawl CPs
(3,600), trawl CVs participating in the Central GOA Rockfish Program
(1,200), and trawl CVs not participating in the Rockfish Program
(2,700). NMFS monitors Chinook PSC and will close a sector or fishery
if the PSC limit is reached. For halibut, the regulations set a halibut
PSC limit for trawl gear of 1,705 mt, and the estimated halibut bycatch
mortality through December 31, 2023 is 289 mt for trawl gear. NMFS also
posts weekly PSC reports on the web page at <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/commercial-fishing/fisheries-catch-and-landings-reports-alaska">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/commercial-fishing/fisheries-catch-and-landings-reports-alaska</a>.
Additionally, NMFS releases a report of the genetic stock
composition of Chinook salmon in the GOA trawl fisheries on an annual
basis. The latest report was presented to the Council in April 2023
using data from the 2021 and 2022 pollock trawl fisheries. The report
showed that the majority of Chinook salmon encountered and sampled
originate from South and East of the Alaska Peninsula. That report is
available at <a href="https://meetings.npfmc.org/CommentReview/DownloadFile?p=a5e7366b-bb9f-429a-b1b2-636ecfd1f442.pdf&fileName=C2a%20GOA%20Chinook%20Genetics%202021-2022.pdf">https://meetings.npfmc.org/CommentReview/DownloadFile?p=a5e7366b-bb9f-429a-b1b2-636ecfd1f442.pdf&fileName=C2a%20GOA%20Chinook%20Genetics%202021-2022.pdf</a>.
Ultimately, NMFS manages bycatch in the GOA pollock fishery through
a variety of tools. These tools include the PSC limits (which are
announced in these annual harvest specifications), and a comprehensive
monitoring program to collect data on bycatch, including salmon
bycatch. The information from this monitoring program is used to
estimate how many Chinook and chum salmon are caught as bycatch from
trawl vessels, where those fish came from, and whether a potential
violation of law occurred.
NMFS acknowledges the western Alaska salmon crisis and the impact
it is having on culture and food security throughout western Alaska.
Science indicates climate change as the primary driver of poor salmon
returns in western Alaska. Scientists from NMFS continue to study the
impacts of climate change on salmon and halibut. For example,
scientists from NMFS and the State of Alaska found that recent heat
wave events created conditions where energy allocation and prey quality
was affected and added stress to western Alaska chum salmon at critical
life stages, see <a href="https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v726/p149-160/">https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v726/p149-160/</a>.
The Council and NMFS are committed to continued improvements in
bycatch management with a goal of minimizing bycatch at all levels of
abundance for target species (pollock) and PSC. NMFS and the Council
are currently engaged in a comprehensive process to evaluate existing
measures and develop alternatives that may be necessary to further
reduce chum salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea pollock fishery. More
information on this process can be found at <a href="https://www.npfmc.org/fisheries-issues/bycatch/salmon-bycatch/">https://www.npfmc.org/fisheries-issues/bycatch/salmon-bycatch/</a>. However, the Chinook salmon
and Pacific halibut PSC limits and the conditions that affect the
limits are set in regulations, and changes to those regulations are
outside of the scope of the annual harvest specification process. NMFS
believes that changes to bycatch management of all prohibited species,
including Chinook salmon, chum salmon, and Pacific halibut, are best
accomplished through the Council process to recommend FMP amendments
and regulations that NMFS would implement if consistent with the
Magnuson-Stevens Act, the FMP, and other applicable law.
Comment 3: Management of fisheries, including TAC setting and PSC
limits, should include ecosystem based fishery management.
Response: The annual process for specifying TAC for groundfish in
the GOA is a scientifically-driven process informed by the best
available information on the status of the marine ecosystems off
Alaska. Each year, an ESR is prepared for the GOA ecosystem (as well as
for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands ecosystems). The intent of the
ESRs is to provide the Plan Team, SSC, AP, Council, and NMFS, as well
as the public, with a broad overview of the current status of the
marine ecosystems. The ESRs are drafted by scientists and staff from
NOAA, other Federal and state agencies, academic institutions, tribes,
and non-profits, and they compile and summarize information about the
status of the Alaska marine ecosystems and represent the best
scientific information available.
The ESRs include information on the physical environment and
oceanography, climate data, biological data, marine resources, and
socio-ecological dimensions to provide context for the specification of
OFL, ABC, and TAC. For example, the 2024 ESR for the GOA includes a
synthesis of ecosystem status indicators in the physical environment
(such as sea surface temperature, sea level pressure anomalies, and
ocean transport); habitat (including ocean acidification); analysis of
primary production (such as phytoplankton) and zooplankton; trends for
non-target species and discards, including sea jellies, forage fish
like herring and eulachon, and squid; updated information on salmon;
groundfish condition and distribution; benthic communities; a seabird
[[Page 15510]]
synthesis and seabird-derived forage fish indicators; marine mammals,
including humpback whales and Steller sea lions; ecosystem and
community indicators; and fishing indicators, including a
sustainability index. The 2024 GOA ESR is available at <a href="https://apps-afsc.fisheries.noaa.gov/REFM/docs/2023/GOAecosys.pdf">https://apps-afsc.fisheries.noaa.gov/REFM/docs/2023/GOAecosys.pdf</a>.
Information from the ESRs are integrated in stock assessments,
primarily through the risk tables that are prepared for each stock. The
risk table includes evaluation of four considerations: assessment-
related, population dynamics, and environmental/ecosystem, and fishery
performance. The risk table is meant to inform the specification of ABC
by accounting for additional scientific uncertainty that is not
addressed in the stock assessment model used to calculate OFL and ABC
based on the stock's tier and the corresponding OFL and ABC control
rules in the FMP. Because TAC cannot exceed ABC, reductions in ABC
based on the risk table result in additional precaution in the catch
limits for groundfish of the GOA. The risk table can highlight changes
in ecosystem conditions. For example, in the 2019 Pacific cod SAFE
report, the risk table assessed three considerations that were elevated
to level 2. As a result of the elevated risk, authors recommending
setting the ABC below the maximum. Further, because the 2019 GOA
Pacific cod stock was estimated to be below 20 percent of the projected
unfished spawning biomass (B<INF>20</INF><not-eq>), directed fishing
was prohibited during the 2020 fishing year for the conservation of
western Distinct Population Segment Steller sea lions (84 FR 70438,
December 23, 2019). This prohibition is set in regulations (Sec.
679.20(d)(4)).
Some stock assessments, GOA pollock, GOA Pacific cod, and AK
Sablefish, also include an ESP. The ESP was developed as a framework
for organizing and evaluating ecosystem and socioeconomic information
about an individual stock. The ESP informs environmental and ecosystem
considerations, population dynamics, and fisheries performance in the
risk table on pollock. For example, the ESP for GOA pollock is cited in
the pollock SAFE for both temperature and catch per unit effort (CPUE).
Temperature is within the optimal range for pollock life history stages
in 2023 and CPUE is consistent with the abundance trend of exploitable
biomass. The GOA pollock ESP is available at <a href="https://apps-afsc.fisheries.noaa.gov/Plan_Team/2023/GOApollock_appA.pdf">https://apps-afsc.fisheries.noaa.gov/Plan_Team/2023/GOApollock_appA.pdf</a>.
The information from the ESRs, stock assessments, and ESPs allows
the Plan Team, SSC, AP, Council, and NMFS to respond to ecosystem
changes and stock changes in the GOA and to adjust the harvest
specifications as necessary. This is consistent with the FMP and the
preferred harvest strategy analyzed in the Final EIS and implemented
each year for the specification of TAC. The Final EIS contemplated that
ABCs could be reduced based on ecosystem considerations (Chapter 11 of
Final EIS). The harvest strategy is designed such that the most recent
information would be used each year in setting the annual harvest
specification. The process is flexible to incorporate current
information on stock abundance and environmental, ecosystem, and
socioeconomic factors (like physical and ecosystem changes associated
with climate change). Similarly, the FMP contemplates ongoing
consideration of relevant factors, like ecosystem considerations and
climate change, through the development of SAFE reports (Section 3.2 of
the FMP). The use of the most recent, best available information in the
SAFE reports allows the Council and NMFS to respond to changes in stock
condition and environmental, ecosystem, and socioeconomic factors in
the GOA and to adjust the harvest specifications as appropriate, which
is also consistent with National Standard 2 of the Magnuson-Stevens Act
to use the best scientific information available (16 U.S.C.
1851(a)(2)).
NMFS is committed to supporting science and research to continue to
move the process into effective ecosystem-based management by refining
the existing tools and developing new tools for incorporating ecosystem
and socioeconomic information.
As noted in response to Comment 2, PSC limits and the conditions
that affect the limits are set in regulations, and changes to those
regulations are outside of the scope of the annual harvest
specification process.
Comment 4: NMFS must account for climate change in its decision
making.
Response: Climate change is accounted for in NMFS's decisionmaking
on the annual implementation of the harvest specifications, consistent
with the harvest strategy in the FMP and analyzed in the Final EIS. The
Final EIS analyzed alternatives for an implementing framework for the
BSAI and GOA harvest strategy and evaluated the potential effects of
those alternatives on the human environment (see response to Comment
6). The Final EIS examined existing physical and oceanographic
conditions in the BSAI and GOA, and addressed regime shifts, warming
and loss of sea ice, and acidification (Chapter 3.5 of the Final EIS),
as well as systemic ecosystem impacts. (Chapter 11 of the Final EIS).
Moreover, the framework process for the preferred harvest strategy
under the Final EIS allows for the effects of climate change to be
considered in the annual process for setting t
[…truncated; see source link]Indexed from Federal Register on March 4, 2024.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.