Rule2024-05093
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands; Final 2024 and 2025 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish
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Published
March 11, 2024
Effective
March 11, 2024
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS announces the final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications, apportionments, and prohibited species catch (PSC) allowances for the groundfish fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). 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 BSAI (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those previously set in the final 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications, and the 2025 harvest specifications will be superseded in early 2025 when the final 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications are published.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 BSAI in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 48 (Monday, March 11, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 48 (Monday, March 11, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17287-17321]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-05093]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 240304-0068]
RTID 0648-XD454
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Bering Sea
and Aleutian Islands; 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.
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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications,
apportionments, and prohibited species catch (PSC) allowances for the
groundfish fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management
area (BSAI). 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 BSAI (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 BSAI in accordance
with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
(Magnuson-Stevens Act).
DATES: Harvest specifications and closures are effective from 1200
hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 11, 2024, through 2400 hours,
A.l.t., December 31, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the Alaska Groundfish Harvest
Specifications Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS), Record
of Decision (ROD), and the annual Supplementary Information Reports
(SIR) to the Final EIS prepared for this action are available from
<a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/region/alaska">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/region/alaska</a>. The 2023 Stock Assessment
and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) report for the groundfish resources of
the BSAI, dated November 2023, as well as the SAFE reports for previous
years, are available from the North Pacific Fishery Management Council
(Council) at 1007 West Third Ave., Suite 400, Anchorage, AK 99501,
phone 907-271-2809, or from the Council's website at <a href="https://www.npfmc.org/">https://www.npfmc.org/</a>, and the Alaska Fisheries Science Center website 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: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Federal regulations at 50 CFR part 679
implement the FMP and govern the groundfish fisheries in the BSAI. The
Council prepared, and NMFS approved, the FMP pursuant to the Magnuson-
Stevens Act. General regulations governing U.S. fisheries also appear
at 50 CFR part 600.
The FMP and its implementing regulations require NMFS, after
consultation with the Council, to specify annually the total allowable
catch (TAC) for each target species category. The sum of all TACs for
groundfish species in the BSAI must be within the optimum yield (OY)
range of 1.4 million to 2.0 million metric tons (mt) (see Sec. Sec.
679.20(a)(1)(i)(A) and 679.20(a)(2)). This final rule specifies the sum
of the TAC at 2.0 million mt for 2024 and 2.0 million mt for 2025. NMFS
also must specify: (1) apportionments of TAC; (2) prohibited species
catch (PSC) allowances and prohibited species quota (PSQ) reserves
established by Sec. 679.21; (3) seasonal allowances of pollock,
Pacific cod, and Atka mackerel TAC; (4) American Fisheries Act (AFA)
allocations; (5) Amendment 80 allocations; (6) Community Development
Quota (CDQ) reserve amounts established by Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(ii); (7)
acceptable biological catch (ABC) surpluses and reserves for CDQ groups
and any Amendment 80 cooperatives for flathead sole, rock sole, and
yellowfin sole; and (8) halibut discard mortality rates (DMR). The
final harvest specifications set forth in tables 1 through 26 of this
action satisfy these requirements.
Section 679.20(c)(3)(i) further requires that NMFS consider public
comment on the proposed harvest specifications and, after consultation
with the Council, publish final harvest specifications in the Federal
Register. The proposed 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications for the
groundfish fishery of the BSAI were published in the Federal Register
on December 5, 2023 (88 FR 84278). Comments were invited and accepted
through January 4, 2024. As discussed in the Response to Comments
section below, NMFS received 5 letters raising 17 distinct comments
during the public comment period for the proposed BSAI groundfish
harvest specifications. NMFS's responses are addressed in the Response
to Comments section below.
NMFS consulted with the Council on the final 2024 and 2025 harvest
specifications during the December 2023 Council meeting. After
considering public comments during public meetings and submitted for
the proposed rule (88 FR 84278, December 5, 2023), as well as current
biological, ecosystem, and socioeconomic data, NMFS implements in this
final rule the final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications as
recommended by the Council.
[[Page 17288]]
ABC and TAC Harvest Specifications
The final ABC amounts for Alaska groundfish are based on the best
available biological information, including projected biomass trends,
information on assumed distribution of stock biomass, and revised
technical methods used to calculate stock biomass. In general, the
development of ABCs and overfishing levels (OFL) involves sophisticated
statistical analyses of fish populations. 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.
In December 2023, the Council, its Scientific and Statistical
Committee (SSC), and its Advisory Panel (AP) reviewed current
biological, ecosystem, socioeconomic, and harvest information about the
condition of the BSAI groundfish stocks. The Council's BSAI Groundfish
Plan Team (Plan Team) compiled and presented this information in the
2023 SAFE report for the BSAI 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 BSAI ecosystem and the economic condition of
groundfish fisheries off Alaska. NMFS notified the public of the
comment period for these harvest specifications--and of the publication
of the 2023 SAFE report--in the proposed harvest specifications (88 FR
84278, December 5, 2023). From the data and analyses in the SAFE
report, the Plan Team recommended an OFL and ABC for each species and
species group at the November 2023 Plan Team meeting.
In December 2023, the SSC, AP, and Council reviewed the Plan Team's
recommendations. The final TAC recommendations were based on the ABCs,
and were adjusted for other biological and socioeconomic
considerations, including the maintenance of the sum of all the TACs
within the required OY range of 1.4 million to 2.0 million mt. As
required by annual catch limit rules for all fisheries (74 FR 3178,
January 16, 2009) and consistent with the FMP, none of the Council's
recommended 2024 or 2025 TACs exceed the final 2024 or 2025 ABCs for
any species or species group. NMFS finds that the Council's recommended
OFLs, ABCs, and TACs are consistent with the preferred harvest strategy
outlined in the FMP, as well as the Final EIS and ROD, and the
biological condition of groundfish stocks as described in the 2023 SAFE
report that was approved by the Council, while accounting for ecosystem
and socioeconomic information presented in the 2023 SAFE report (which
includes the Ecosystem Status Reports (ESR)). Therefore, this final
rule provides notification that the Secretary of Commerce approves the
final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications as recommended by the
Council.
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 14926, March 10, 2023). The 2024
harvest specifications herein 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 will apply for the
remainder of the current year (2024) while the 2025 harvest
specifications are projected only for the following year (2025) and
will be superseded in early 2025 by the final 2025 and 2026 harvest
specifications. Because this final action (published in early 2024)
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 BSAI for
approximately 1 year.
Other Actions Affecting the 2024 and 2025 Harvest Specifications
State of Alaska Guideline Harvest Levels
For 2024 and 2025, the Board of Fisheries (BOF) for the State of
Alaska (State) established the guideline harvest level (GHL) for
vessels using pot, longline, jig, and hand troll gear in State waters
in the State's Aleutian Islands (AI) State waters sablefish
registration area that includes all State waters west of Scotch Cap
Light (164[deg] 44.72' W longitude) and south of Cape Sarichef (54[deg]
36' N latitude). The 2024 AI GHL is set at 5 percent (1,228 mt) of the
combined 2024 Bering Sea subarea (BS) and AI subarea ABC (mt). The 2025
AI GHL is set at 5 percent (1,233 mt) of the combined 2025 BS subarea
and AI subarea ABC (mt). The State's AI sablefish registration area
includes areas adjacent to parts of the Federal BS subarea. The Council
and its Plan Team, SSC, and AP recommended that the sum of all State
and Federal waters sablefish removals from the BS and AI not exceed the
ABC recommendations for sablefish in the BS and AI. Accordingly, after
reviewing the Council recommendations, NMFS approves that the 2024 and
2025 sablefish TACs in the BS and AI account for the State's GHLs for
sablefish caught in State waters.
For 2024 and 2025, the BOF for the State established the GHL for
vessels using pot gear in State waters in the BS equal to 12 percent of
the Pacific cod ABC in the BS. Under the State's management plan, the
BS GHL will increase by 1 percent if 90 percent of the GHL is harvested
by November 15 of the preceding year for two consecutive years but may
not exceed 15 percent of the BS ABC. If 90 percent of the GHL is not
harvested by November 15 of the preceding year for two consecutive
years, the GHL will decrease by 1 percent, but the GHL may not decrease
below 10 percent of the BS ABC. For 2024, the BS Pacific cod ABC is
167,952 mt, and for 2025, it is 150,876 mt. Therefore, based on the
preceding years' harvests, the GHL in the BS for pot gear will be 12
percent for 2024 (20,154 mt) and is projected to be 12 percent for 2025
(18,105 mt). Also, for 2024 and 2025, the BOF established an additional
GHL for vessels using jig gear in State waters in the BS equal to 45 mt
of Pacific cod in the BS. The Council and its Plan Team, SSC, and AP
recommended that the sum of all State and Federal waters Pacific cod
removals from the BS not exceed the ABC recommendations for Pacific cod
in the BS. Accordingly, after reviewing the Council recommendations,
NMFS approves that the 2024 and 2025 Pacific cod TACs in the BS account
for the State's GHLs for Pacific cod caught in State waters in the BS.
For 2024 and 2025, the BOF for the State established the GHL for
Pacific cod in State waters in the AI equal to 35 percent of the AI
ABC. Under the State's management plan, the AI GHL will increase
annually by 4 percent of the AI ABC if 90 percent of the GHL is
harvested by November 15 of the preceding year, but may not exceed 39
percent of the AI ABC or 15 million pounds (6,804 mt). If 90 percent of
the GHL is not harvested by November 15 of the preceding year for two
consecutive years, the GHL will decrease by 4 percent, but the GHL may
not decrease below 15 percent of the AI ABC. For 2024 and for 2025, 35
percent of the AI ABC is 4,351 mt. The Council and its Plan Team, SSC,
and AP recommended that the sum of all State and Federal waters Pacific
cod removals from the AI not exceed the ABC recommendations for Pacific
cod in the AI. Accordingly, after reviewing the Council's
recommendations, NMFS approves that the 2024 and 2025 Pacific cod TACs
in the AI account for the
[[Page 17289]]
State's GHL for Pacific cod caught in State waters in the AI.
Halibut Abundance Based Management for the Amendment 80 Program PSC
Limit
On November 24, 2023, NMFS published a final rule to implement
Amendment 123 to the FMP (88 FR 82740), which establishes abundance-
based management of the Amendment 80 Program PSC limit for Pacific
halibut. The final action replaces the current Amendment 80 sector
static halibut PSC limit (1,745 mt) with a process for annually setting
the Amendment 80 sector halibut PSC limit based on the most recent
halibut abundance estimates from the International Pacific Halibut
Commission (IPHC) setline survey index and the NMFS Alaska Fisheries
Science Center Eastern Bering Sea shelf trawl survey index. The annual
process will use a table with pre-established halibut abundance ranges
based on those surveys (Table 58 to 50 CFR part 679). The annual
Amendment 80 sector halibut PSC limit will be set at the value found at
the intercept of the results from the most recent survey indices. The
final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications announce the Amendment 80
halibut PSC limit based on the implementation of Amendment 123 and
regulations effective January 1, 2024.
Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative Limited Access Privilege Program
On August 8, 2023, NMFS published a final rule to implement
Amendment 122 to the FMP (88 FR 53704, effective September 7, 2023)
(see also correction 88 FR 57009, August 22, 2023). The final rule
establishes a limited access privilege program called the Pacific Cod
Trawl Cooperative (PCTC) Program. The PCTC Program allocates Pacific
cod quota share (QS) to groundfish License Limitation Program license
holders and to processors based on history during the qualifying years.
Under this program, QS holders are required to join cooperatives
annually. Cooperatives are allocated the BSAI trawl catcher vessel
sector's A and B seasons Pacific cod allocation as an exclusive harvest
privilege in the form of cooperative quota (CQ), equivalent to the
aggregate QS of all cooperative members. Amendment 122 also reduces the
halibut and crab PSC limits for the BSAI trawl catcher vessel (CV)
Pacific cod fishery, changes the AFA CV sideboard limit for Pacific cod
to apply in the C season only, and removes the halibut PSC sideboard
limit for AFA trawl CVs. Accordingly, Amendment 122 and its
implementing regulations affect the calculation of the BSAI trawl CV
sector allocation of Pacific cod (discussed in a subsequent section of
this rule titled ``Allocation of the Pacific Cod TAC'') and the BSAI
trawl limited access sector crab and halibut PSC limits (discussed in
two subsequent sections of this rule titled ``PSC Limits for Halibut,
Salmon, Crab, and Herring'' and ``AFA Catcher Vessel Sideboard
Limits''). Amendment 122 also removed the regulations at Sec.
679.20(a)(7)(viii) for Amendment 113 to the FMP because the U.S.
District Court for the District of Columbia vacated the rule
implementing Amendment 113 (see Groundfish Forum v. Ross, 375 F.Supp.3d
72 (D.D.C. 2019)).
Changes From the Proposed 2024 and 2025 Harvest Specifications for the
BSAI
In October 2023, the Council's recommendations for the proposed
2024 and 2025 harvest specifications (88 FR 84278, December 5, 2023)
were based largely on information contained in the 2022 SAFE report for
the BSAI groundfish fisheries, dated November 2022. Stocks are managed
in tiers based on the amount and quality of information available.
There is more information available about stocks in tiers 1 through 3
than is available for those in tiers 4 through 6. In October 2023, the
Council recommended that proposed 2024 and 2025 OFLs and ABCs be based
on rollovers of the 2024 amounts. In making this recommendation, the
Council used the best information available from the 2022 stock
assessments until the 2023 SAFE report could be completed.
In December 2023, the Council's recommendations for the final 2024
and 2025 harvest specifications were based largely on information
contained in the 2023 SAFE report for the BSAI groundfish fisheries,
dated November 2023. 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 BSAI ecosystem by including risk tables and
information from the BS ESR and AI 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. These ESRs are updated annually and 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 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 OFL
and ABC for each species and species group.
The Council recommended a final 2024 BS pollock TAC that is a
decrease of 2,000 mt from the proposed 2024 BS pollock TAC and is also
the same as the 2023 BS pollock TAC. The Council recommended a final
2025 BS pollock TAC that is an increase of 23,000 mt from the proposed
2025 BS pollock TAC to reflect the increase in the 2025 BS pollock ABC.
The Council also recommended to increase the BS Pacific cod TAC by
24,458 mt in 2024 and 9,431 mt in 2025 from the proposed TAC. In terms
of tonnage, the Council reduced the TACs from the proposed TACs of
several species of lower economic value to maintain an overall total
TAC within the required OY range of 1.4 to 2.0 million mt with the
yellowfin sole TAC accounting for most of the decrease in terms of
tonnage. Some species, such as Atka mackerel and northern rockfish, are
economically valuable species whose ABCs increased in 2024, which
allowed the 2024 TACs to increase as well. Others, such as Alaska
plaice and sharks, have increased TACs due to anticipated increased
incidental catches in other fisheries. Of these species, sharks had the
largest increase in terms of percentage. This is due to an increase in
anticipated incidental catch in the pollock fishery. The changes to
TACs between the proposed and final harvest specifications are based on
the most recent scientific, biological, and socioeconomic information
and are
[[Page 17290]]
consistent with the FMP, regulatory obligations, and harvest strategy
as described in the proposed and final harvest specifications,
including the required OY range of 1.4 million to 2.0 million mt. These
changes are compared in table 1A.
Table 1 lists the Council's recommended final 2024 OFL, ABC, TAC,
initial TAC (ITAC), CDQ reserve allocations, and non-specified reserves
of the BSAI groundfish species and species groups; and table 2 lists
the Council's recommended final 2025 OFL, ABC, TAC, ITAC, CDQ reserve
allocations, and non-specified reserves of the BSAI groundfish species
and species groups. NMFS concurs with these recommendations. These
final 2024 and 2025 TAC amounts for the BSAI are within the OY range
established for the BSAI and do not exceed the ABC for any species or
species group. The apportionment of TAC amounts among fisheries and
seasons is discussed below.
Table 1--Final 2024 OFL, ABC, TAC, Initial TAC (ITAC), CDQ Reserve Allocation, and Nonspecified Reserves of Groundfish in the BSAI \1\
[Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2024
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Species Area Nonspecified
OFL ABC TAC ITAC \2\ CDQ \3\ reserves
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Pollock \4\....................... BS.................. 3,162,000 2,313,000 1,300,000 1,170,000 130,000 ..............
AI.................. 51,516 42,654 19,000 17,100 1,900 ..............
Bogoslof............ 115,146 86,360 250 250 .............. ..............
Pacific cod \5\................... BS.................. 200,995 167,952 147,753 131,943 15,810 ..............
AI.................. 18,416 12,431 8,080 7,215 865 ..............
Sablefish \6\..................... Alaska-wide......... 55,084 47,146 n/a n/a n/a ..............
BS.................. n/a 11,450 7,996 6,597 1,099 300
AI.................. n/a 13,100 8,440 6,858 1,424 158
Yellowfin sole.................... BSAI................ 305,298 265,913 195,000 174,135 20,865 ..............
Greenland turbot.................. BSAI................ 3,705 3,188 3,188 2,710 n/a ..............
BS.................. n/a 2,687 2,687 2,284 288 116
AI.................. n/a 501 501 426 .............. 75
Arrowtooth flounder............... BSAI................ 103,280 87,690 14,000 11,900 1,498 602
Kamchatka flounder................ BSAI................ 8,850 7,498 7,498 6,373 .............. 1,125
Rock sole \7\..................... BSAI................ 197,828 122,091 66,000 58,938 7,062 ..............
Flathead sole \8\................. BSAI................ 81,605 67,289 35,500 31,702 3,799 ..............
Alaska plaice..................... BSAI................ 42,695 35,494 21,752 18,489 .............. 3,263
Other flatfish \9\................ BSAI................ 22,919 17,189 4,500 3,825 .............. 675
Pacific ocean perch............... BSAI................ 49,010 41,096 37,626 33,100 n/a ..............
BS.................. n/a 11,636 11,636 9,891 .............. 1,745
EAI................. n/a 7,969 7,969 7,116 853 ..............
CAI................. n/a 5,521 5,521 4,930 591 ..............
WAI................. n/a 15,970 12,500 11,163 1,338 ..............
Northern rockfish................. BSAI................ 23,556 19,274 16,752 14,239 .............. 2,513
Blackspotted/Rougheye rockfish BSAI................ 761 569 569 484 .............. 85
\10\.
BS/EAI.............. n/a 388 388 330 .............. 58
CAI/WAI............. n/a 181 181 154 .............. 27
Shortraker rockfish............... BSAI................ 706 530 530 451 .............. 80
Other rockfish \11\............... BSAI................ 1,680 1,260 1,260 1,071 .............. 189
BS.................. n/a 880 880 748 .............. 132
AI.................. n/a 380 380 323 .............. 57
Atka mackerel..................... BSAI................ 111,684 95,358 72,987 65,177 7,810 ..............
BS/EAI.............. n/a 41,723 32,260 28,808 3,452 ..............
CAI................. n/a 16,754 16,754 14,961 1,793 ..............
WAI................. n/a 36,882 23,973 21,408 2,565 ..............
Skates............................ BSAI................ 45,574 37,808 30,519 25,941 .............. 4,578
Sharks............................ BSAI................ 689 450 400 340 .............. 60
Octopuses......................... BSAI................ 6,080 4,560 400 340 .............. 60
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total......................... .................... 4,609,077 3,476,800 2,000,000 1,789,177 195,199 15,623
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Regulatory areas and districts are defined at Sec. 679.2.
\1\ These amounts apply to the entire BSAI management area unless otherwise specified. With the exception of pollock, and for the purpose of these
harvest specifications, the BS includes the Bogoslof District.
\2\ Except for pollock, the portion of the sablefish TAC allocated to fixed gear, and Amendment 80 species (Atka mackerel, yellowfin sole, rock sole,
flathead sole, Pacific cod, and AI Pacific ocean perch), 15 percent of each TAC is placed into a non-specified reserve (Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(i)). The
ITAC for these species is the remainder of the TAC after the subtraction of these reserves. For pollock and Amendment 80 species, ITAC is the non-CDQ
allocation of TAC (see footnotes 3 and 4).
\3\ For the Amendment 80 species (Atka mackerel, yellowfin sole, rock sole, flathead sole, Pacific cod, and AI Pacific ocean perch), 10.7 percent of the
TAC is reserved for use by CDQ participants (see Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(C)). Twenty percent of the sablefish TAC allocated to fixed gear, 7.5 percent
of the sablefish TAC allocated to trawl gear, and 10.7 percent of the TACs for BS Greenland turbot and arrowtooth flounder are reserved for use by CDQ
participants (see Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(B) and (D)). AI Greenland turbot, ``other flatfish,'' Alaska plaice, Bering Sea Pacific ocean perch,
Kamchatka flounder, northern rockfish, blackspotted/rougheye rockfish, shortraker rockfish, ``other rockfish,'' skates, sharks, and octopuses are not
allocated to the CDQ Program.
\4\ Under Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), the annual BS pollock TAC, after subtracting first for the CDQ directed fishing allowance (10 percent) and second
for the incidental catch allowance (50,000 mt), is further allocated by sector for a pollock directed fishery as follows: inshore--50 percent; catcher/
processor--40 percent; and mothership--10 percent. Section 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(1) requires the AI pollock TAC to be set at 19,000 mt when the AI
pollock ABC equals or exceeds 19,000 mt. Under Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2), the annual AI pollock TAC, after subtracting first for the CDQ directed
fishing allowance (10 percent) and second for the incidental catch allowance (3,420 mt), is allocated to the Aleut Corporation for a pollock directed
fishery. The Bogoslof pollock TAC is set to accommodate incidental catch amounts.
\5\ The BS Pacific cod TAC is set to account for the 12 percent, plus 45 mt, of the BS ABC for the State's guideline harvest level in State waters of
the BS. The AI Pacific cod TAC is set to account for 35 percent of the AI ABC for the State guideline harvest level in State waters of the AI.
\6\ The sablefish OFL and ABC is Alaska-wide and include the Gulf of Alaska. The Alaska-wide sablefish OFL and ABC are included in the total OFL and
ABC. The BS and AI sablefish TACs are set to account for the 5 percent of the BS and AI ABC for the State's guideline harvest level in State waters of
the BS and AI.
\7\ ``Rock sole'' includes Lepidopsetta polyxystra (Northern rock sole).
\8\ ``Flathead sole'' includes Hippoglossoides elassodon (flathead sole) and Hippoglossoides robustus (Bering flounder).
\9\ ``Other flatfish'' includes all flatfish species, except for halibut (a prohibited species), Alaska plaice, arrowtooth flounder, flathead sole,
Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, rock sole, and yellowfin sole.
\10\ ``Blackspotted/Rougheye rockfish'' includes Sebastes melanostictus (blackspotted) and Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye).
[[Page 17291]]
\11\ ``Other rockfish'' includes all Sebastes and Sebastolobus species except for dark rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish, blackspotted/
rougheye rockfish, and shortraker rockfish.
Table 1a--Comparison of Final 2024 and 2025 With Proposed 2024 and 2025 Total Allowable Catch in the BSAI
[Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2024 2025
2024 and 2024 percentage 2025 percentage
Species Area \1\ 2024 final 2025 difference difference 2025 final difference difference
TAC proposed from from TAC from from
TAC proposed proposed proposed proposed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock............................. BS..................... 1,300,000 1,302,000 (2,000) (0.2) 1,325,000 23,000 1.8
AI..................... 19,000 19,000 ........... ........... 19,000 ........... ...........
Bogoslof............... 250 300 (50) (16.7) 250 (50) (16.7)
Pacific cod......................... BS..................... 147,753 123,295 24,458 19.8 132,726 9,431 7.6
AI..................... 8,080 8,425 (345) (4.1) 8,080 (345) (4.1)
Sablefish........................... BS..................... 7,996 9,676 (1,680) (17.4) 9,500 (176) (1.8)
AI..................... 8,440 9,793 (1,353) (13.8) 8,440 (1,353) (13.8)
Yellowfin sole...................... BSAI................... 195,000 230,656 (35,656) (15.5) 195,000 (35,656) (15.5)
Greenland turbot.................... BS..................... 2,687 2,836 (149) (5.3) 2,310 (526) (18.5)
AI..................... 501 528 (27) (5.1) 430 (98) (18.6)
Arrowtooth flounder................. BSAI................... 14,000 15,000 (1,000) (6.7) 14,000 (1,000) (6.7)
Kamchatka flounder.................. BSAI................... 7,498 7,435 63 0.8 7,360 (75) (1.0)
Rock sole........................... BSAI................... 66,000 66,000 ........... ........... 66,000 ........... ...........
Flathead sole....................... BSAI................... 35,500 35,500 ........... ........... 35,500 ........... ...........
Alaska plaice....................... BSAI................... 21,752 18,000 3,752 20.8 20,000 2,000 11.1
Other flatfish...................... BSAI................... 4,500 4,500 ........... ........... 4,500 ........... ...........
Pacific ocean perch................. BS..................... 11,636 11,700 (64) (0.5) 11,430 (270) (2.3)
EAI.................... 7,969 8,013 (44) (0.5) 7,828 (185) (2.3)
CAI.................... 5,521 5,551 (30) (0.5) 5,423 (128) (2.3)
WAI.................... 12,500 13,000 (500) (3.8) 12,500 (500) (3.8)
Northern rockfish................... BSAI................... 16,752 11,000 5,752 52.3 15,000 4,000 36.4
Blackspotted and Rougheye rockfish.. BS/EAI................. 388 388 ........... ........... 412 24 6.2
CAI/WAI................ 181 182 (1) (0.5) 195 13 7.1
Shortraker rockfish................. BSAI................... 530 530 ........... ........... 530 ........... ...........
Other rockfish...................... BS..................... 880 880 ........... ........... 880 ........... ...........
AI..................... 380 380 ........... ........... 380 ........... ...........
Atka mackerel....................... EAI/BS................. 32,260 30,000 2,260 7.5 30,000 ........... ...........
CAI.................... 16,754 15,218 1,536 10.1 14,877 (341) (2.2)
WAI.................... 23,973 21,637 2,336 10.8 21,288 (349) (1.6)
Skates.............................. BSAI................... 30,519 27,927 2,592 9.3 30,361 2,434 8.7
Sharks.............................. BSAI................... 400 250 150 60.0 400 150 60.0
Octopuses........................... BSAI................... 400 400 ........... ........... 400 ........... ...........
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total........................... BSAI................... 2,000,000 2,000,000 ........... ........... 2,000,000 ........... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 2--Final 2025 OFL, ABC, TAC, ITAC, CDQ Reserve Allocation, and Nonspecified Reserves of Groundfish in the BSAI \1\
[Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2025
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Area Nonspecified
OFL ABC TAC ITAC \2\ CDQ \3\ reserves
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock \4\....................... BS.................. 3,449,000 2,401,000 1,325,000 1,192,500 132,500 ..............
AI.................. 53,030 43,863 19,000 17,100 1,900 ..............
Bogoslof............ 115,146 86,360 250 250 .............. ..............
Pacific cod \5\................... BS.................. 180,798 150,876 132,726 118,524 14,202 ..............
AI.................. 18,416 12,431 8,080 7,215 865 ..............
Sablefish \6\..................... Alaska-wide......... 55,317 47,350 n/a n/a n/a ..............
BS.................. n/a 11,499 9,500 4,038 356 356
AI.................. n/a 13,156 8,440 1,794 158 158
Yellowfin sole.................... BSAI................ 317,932 276,917 195,000 174,135 20,865 ..............
Greenland turbot.................. BSAI................ 3,185 2,740 2,740 2,329 n/a ..............
BS.................. n/a 2,310 2,310 1,964 247 99
AI.................. n/a 430 430 366 .............. 65
Arrowtooth flounder............... BSAI................ 104,270 88,548 14,000 11,900 1,498 602
Kamchatka flounder................ BSAI................ 8,687 7,360 7,360 6,256 .............. 1,104
Rock sole \7\..................... BSAI................ 264,789 122,535 66,000 58,938 7,062 ..............
Flathead sole \8\................. BSAI................ 82,699 68,203 35,500 31,702 3,799 ..............
Alaska plaice..................... BSAI................ 45,182 37,560 20,000 17,000 .............. 3,000
Other flatfish \9\................ BSAI................ 22,919 17,189 4,500 3,825 .............. 675
Pacific ocean perch............... BSAI................ 48,139 40,366 37,181 32,711 n/a ..............
BS.................. n/a 11,430 11,430 9,716 .............. 1,715
EAI................. n/a 7,828 7,828 6,990 838 ..............
CAI................. n/a 5,423 5,423 4,843 580 ..............
WAI................. n/a 15,685 12,500 11,163 1,338 ..............
Northern rockfish................. BSAI................ 22,838 18,685 15,000 12,750 .............. 2,250
Blackspotted/Rougheye rockfish BSAI................ 813 607 607 516 .............. 91
\10\.
BS/EAI.............. n/a 412 412 350 .............. 62
CAI/WAI............. n/a 195 195 166 .............. 29
[[Page 17292]]
Shortraker rockfish............... BSAI................ 706 530 530 451 .............. 80
Other rockfish \11\............... BSAI................ 1,680 1,260 1,260 1,071 .............. 189
BS.................. n/a 880 880 748 .............. 132
AI.................. n/a 380 380 323 .............. 57
Atka mackerel..................... BSAI................ 99,723 84,676 66,165 59,085 7,080 ..............
EAI/BS.............. n/a 37,049 30,000 26,790 3,210 ..............
CAI................. n/a 14,877 14,877 13,285 1,592 ..............
WAI................. n/a 32,750 21,288 19,010 2,278 ..............
Skates............................ BSAI................ 44,203 36,625 30,361 25,807 .............. 4,554
Sharks............................ BSAI................ 689 450 400 340 .............. 60
Octopuses......................... BSAI................ 6,080 4,560 400 340 .............. 60
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total......................... .................... 4,946,241 3,550,691 2,000,000 1,780,576 193,286 15,058
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Regulatory areas and districts are defined at Sec. 679.2.
\1\ These amounts apply to the entire BSAI management area unless otherwise specified. With the exception of pollock, and for the purpose of these
harvest specifications, the BS includes the Bogoslof District.
\2\ Except for pollock, the portion of the sablefish TAC allocated to fixed gear, and Amendment 80 species (Atka mackerel, flathead sole, rock sole,
yellowfin sole, Pacific cod, and Aleutian Islands Pacific ocean perch), 15 percent of each TAC is put into a non-specified reserve (Sec.
679.20(b)(1)(i)). The ITAC for these species is the remainder of the TAC after the subtraction of these reserves. For pollock and Amendment 80
species, ITAC is the non-CDQ allocation of TAC (see footnotes 3 and 4).
\3\ For the Amendment 80 species (Atka mackerel, flathead sole, rock sole, yellowfin sole, Pacific cod, and Aleutian Islands Pacific ocean perch), 10.7
percent of the TAC is reserved for use by CDQ participants (see Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(C)). Twenty percent of the sablefish TAC allocated to fixed
gear, 7.5 percent of the sablefish TAC allocated to trawl gear, and 10.7 percent of the TACs for Bering Sea Greenland turbot and arrowtooth flounder
are reserved for use by CDQ participants (see Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(B) and (D)). The 2025 fixed gear portion of the sablefish ITAC and CDQ reserve
will not be specified until the final 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications. Aleutian Islands Greenland turbot, ``other flatfish,'' Alaska plaice,
Bering Sea Pacific ocean perch, Kamchatka flounder, northern rockfish, shortraker rockfish, blackspotted/rougheye rockfish, ``other rockfish,''
skates, sharks, and octopuses are not allocated to the CDQ program.
\4\ Under Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), the annual BS pollock TAC, after subtracting first for the CDQ directed fishing allowance (10 percent) and second
for the incidental catch allowance (50,000 mt), is further allocated by sector for a pollock directed fishery as follows: inshore--50 percent; catcher/
processor--40 percent; and motherships--10 percent. Section 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(1) requires the AI pollock TAC to be set at 19,000 mt when the AI
pollock ABC equals or exceeds 19,000 mt. Under Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2), the annual AI pollock TAC, after subtracting first for the CDQ directed
fishing allowance (10 percent) and second for the incidental catch allowance (3,420 mt), is allocated to the Aleut Corporation for a pollock directed
fishery. The Bogoslof pollock TAC is set to accommodate incidental catch amounts.
\5\ The BS Pacific cod TAC is set to account for the 12 percent, plus 45 mt, of the BS ABC for the State's guideline harvest level in State waters of
the BS. The AI Pacific cod TAC is set to account for 35 percent of the AI ABC for the State guideline harvest level in State waters of the AI.
\6\ The sablefish OFL and ABC are Alaska-wide and include the Gulf of Alaska. The Alaska-wide sablefish OFL and ABC are included in the total OFL and
ABC. The BS and AI sablefish TACs are set to account for the 5 percent of the BS and AI ABC for the State's guideline harvest level in State waters.
\7\ ``Rock sole'' includes Lepidopsetta polyxystra (Northern rock sole).
\8\ ``Flathead sole'' includes Hippoglossoides elassodon (flathead sole) and Hippoglossoides robustus (Bering flounder).
\9\ ``Other flatfish'' includes all flatfish species, except for halibut (a prohibited species), Alaska plaice, arrowtooth flounder, flathead sole,
Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, rock sole, and yellowfin sole.
\10\ ``Blackspotted/Rougheye rockfish'' includes Sebastes melanostictus (blackspotted) and Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye).
\11\ ``Other rockfish'' includes all Sebastes and Sebastolobus species except for dark rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish, blackspotted/
rougheye rockfish, and shortraker rockfish.
Groundfish Reserves and the ICA for Pollock, Atka Mackerel, Flathead
Sole, Rock Sole, Yellowfin Sole, and AI Pacific Ocean Perch
Section 679.20(b)(1)(i) requires that NMFS reserve 15 percent of
the TAC for each target species (except for pollock, fixed gear
allocation of sablefish, and Amendment 80 species) in a non-specified
reserve. Section 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(B) requires that NMFS allocate 20
percent of the fixed gear allocation of sablefish to the fixed-gear
sablefish CDQ reserve for each subarea. Section 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(D)
requires that NMFS allocate 7.5 percent of the trawl gear allocations
of sablefish in the BS and AI and 10.7 percent of the BS Greenland
turbot and arrowtooth flounder TACs to the respective CDQ reserves.
Section 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(C) requires that NMFS allocate 10.7 percent of
the TACs for Atka mackerel, AI Pacific ocean perch, yellowfin sole,
rock sole, flathead sole, and Pacific cod (the Amendment 80 species) to
the respective CDQ reserves.
Section 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(A) also requires that 10 percent of the BS
pollock TAC be allocated to the pollock CDQ directed fishing allowance
(DFA). Section 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(A) requires that 10 percent of the AI
pollock TAC be allocated to the pollock CDQ DFA. The entire Bogoslof
District pollock TAC is allocated as an ICA pursuant to Sec.
679.20(a)(5)(ii) because the Bogoslof District is closed to directed
fishing for pollock by regulation (Sec. 679.22(a)(7)(B)). With the
exception of the fixed gear sablefish CDQ reserve, the regulations do
not further apportion the CDQ allocations by gear.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(1), NMFS allocates a pollock
ICA of 50,000 mt of the BS pollock TAC after subtracting the 10 percent
CDQ DFA. This allowance is based on NMFS's examination of the pollock
incidental catch, including the incidental catch by CDQ vessels, in
target fisheries other than pollock from 2000-2023. During this 24-year
period, the pollock incidental catch ranged from a low of 2.2 percent
in 2006 to a high of 4.6 percent in 2014, with a 24-year average of 3
percent. Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2), NMFS establishes a
pollock ICA of 3,420 mt of the AI pollock TAC after subtracting the 10
percent CDQ DFA. This allowance is based on NMFS's examination of the
pollock incidental catch, including the incidental catch by CDQ
vessels, in target fisheries other than pollock from 2003-2023. During
this 21-year period, the incidental catch of pollock ranged from a low
of 5 percent in 2006 to a high of 17 percent in 2014, with a 21-year
average of 9 percent.
After subtracting the 10.7 percent CDQ reserve and pursuant to
Sec. 679.20(a)(8) and (10), NMFS allocates ICAs of 3,000 mt of
flathead sole, 6,000 mt of rock sole, 4,000 mt of yellowfin sole, 10 mt
of Western Aleutian district (WAI) Pacific ocean perch, 60 mt of
Central Aleutian district (CAI) Pacific ocean perch, 100 mt of Eastern
Aleutian
[[Page 17293]]
district (EAI) Pacific ocean perch, 20 mt of WAI Atka mackerel, 75 mt
of CAI Atka mackerel, and 800 mt of EAI and BS Atka mackerel. These ICA
allowances are based on NMFS's examination of the incidental catch in
other target fisheries from 2003 through 2023.
The regulations do not designate the remainder of the non-specified
reserve by species or species group. Any amount of the reserve may be
apportioned to a target species that contributed to the non-specified
reserves during the year, provided that such apportionments are
consistent with Sec. 679.20(a)(3) and do not result in overfishing
(see Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(i)). The Regional Administrator has determined
that the ITACs specified for two species group listed in tables 1 and 2
need to be supplemented from the non-specified reserve because U.S.
fishing vessels have demonstrated the capacity to catch the full TAC
allocations. Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(b), NMFS is
apportioning the amounts shown in table 3 from the non-specified
reserve to increase the ITAC for AI ``other rockfish'' and
blackspotted/rougheye rockfish in the Central Aleutian district and
Western Aleutian district (CAI/WAI) by 15 percent of their TACs in 2024
and 2025.
Table 3--Final 2024 and 2025 Apportionment of Non-Specified Reserves to ITAC Categories
[Amounts are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2024 2025
Species-area or subarea 2024 ITAC reserve 2024 final 2025 ITAC reserve 2025 final
amount TAC amount TAC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other rockfish-Aleutian Islands 323 57 380 323 57 380
subarea..........................
Blackspotted/Rougheye rockfish-- 154 27 181 166 29 195
CAI/WAI..........................
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total......................... 477 84 561 489 86 575
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allocation of Pollock TAC Under the American Fisheries Act (AFA)
Section 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A) requires that the BS pollock TAC be
apportioned as a DFA, after subtracting 10 percent for the CDQ program
and 50,000 mt for the ICA in both 2024 and 2025, as follows: 50 percent
to the inshore sector, 40 percent to the catcher/processor (CP) sector,
and 10 percent to the mothership sector. In the BS, 45 percent of the
DFAs are allocated to the A season (January 20-June 10), and 55 percent
of the DFAs are allocated to the B season (June 10-November 1)
(Sec. Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(B)(1) and 679.23(e)(2)). The AI directed
pollock fishery allocation to the Aleut Corporation is the amount of
pollock TAC remaining in the AI after subtracting 1,900 mt for the CDQ
DFA (10 percent) and 3,420 mt for the ICA (Sec.
679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2)). In the AI, the total A season apportionment
of the TAC (including the AI directed fishery allocation, the CDQ DFA,
and the ICA) may not exceed 40 percent of the ABC for AI pollock, and
the remainder of the TAC is allocated to the B season (Sec.
679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(3)). Tables 4 and 5 list these 2024 and 2025
amounts.
Section 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(6) sets harvest limits for pollock in
the A season (January 20 to June 10) in Areas 543, 542, and 541. In
accordance with this regulation, NMFS establishes harvest limits for
pollock in the A season in Area 541 of no more than 30 percent, in Area
542 of no more than 15 percent, and in Area 543 of no more than 5
percent of the Aleutian Islands pollock ABC.
Section 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4) also includes several specific
requirements regarding BS pollock allocations. First, it requires that
8.5 percent of the pollock allocated to the CP sector be available for
harvest by AFA CVs with CP sector endorsements, unless the Regional
Administrator receives a cooperative contract that allows for the
distribution of harvest among AFA CPs and AFA CVs in a manner agreed to
by all members. Second, AFA CPs not listed in the AFA are limited to
harvesting not more than 0.5 percent of the pollock allocated to the CP
sector. Tables 4 and 5 list the 2024 and 2025 allocations of pollock
TAC. Table 6 lists the 2024 inshore sector allocation among AFA inshore
cooperatives and AFA open access vessels. The 2025 AFA CV cooperative
membership will not be known until eligible participants apply for
participation in the program by December 1, 2024. Table 22 lists the
CDQ allocation of pollock among the CDQ groups. Tables 24, 25, and 26
list the AFA CP and CV harvesting sideboard limits.
Tables 4, 5, and 6 also list seasonal apportionments of pollock and
harvest limits within the Steller Sea Lion Conservation Area (SCA). The
harvest of pollock within the SCA, as defined at Sec.
679.22(a)(7)(vii), is limited to no more than 28 percent of the annual
pollock DFA before 12 p.m. A.l.t. (noon), April 1, as provided in Sec.
679.20(a)(5)(i)(C). The A season pollock SCA harvest limit is
apportioned to each sector in proportion to each sector's allocated
percentage of the DFA.
Table 4--Final 2024 Allocations of Pollock TACs to the Directed Pollock Fisheries and to the CDQ Directed
Fishing Allowances (DFA) \1\
[Amounts are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2024 A season \1\ 2024 B season \1\
2024 --------------------------------------------------
Area and sector Allocations SCA harvest
A season DFA limit \2\ B season DFA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bering Sea subarea TAC \1\................... 1,300,000 n/a n/a n/a
CDQ DFA...................................... 130,000 58,500 36,400 71,500
ICA \1\...................................... 50,000 n/a n/a n/a
Total Bering Sea non-CDQ DFA................. 1,120,000 504,000 313,600 616,000
AFA Inshore.................................. 560,000 252,000 156,800 308,000
AFA Catcher/Processors \3\................... 448,000 201,600 125,440 246,400
Catch by CPs............................. 409,920 184,464 n/a 225,456
[[Page 17294]]
Catch by CVs \3\......................... 38,080 17,136 n/a 20,944
Unlisted CP Limit \4\.................... 2,240 1,008 n/a 1,232
AFA Motherships.............................. 112,000 50,400 31,360 61,600
Excessive Harvesting Limit \5\............... 196,000 n/a n/a n/a
Excessive Processing Limit \6\............... 336,000 n/a n/a n/a
Aleutian Islands subarea ABC................. 42,654 n/a n/a n/a
Aleutian Islands subarea TAC \1\............. 19,000 n/a n/a n/a
CDQ DFA...................................... 1,900 1,872 n/a 28
ICA.......................................... 3,420 1,710 n/a 1,710
Aleut Corporation............................ 13,680 13,479 n/a 201
Area harvest limit \7\....................... n/a n/a n/a n/a
541...................................... 12,796 n/a n/a n/a
542...................................... 6,398 n/a n/a n/a
543...................................... 2,133 n/a n/a n/a
Bogoslof District ICA \8\.................... 250 n/a n/a n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
\1\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), the BS pollock TAC, after subtracting the CDQ DFA (10 percent) and
the ICA (50,000 mt, ~3.85 percent), is allocated as a DFA as follows: inshore sector--50 percent, catcher/
processor sector (CP)--40 percent, and mothership sector--10 percent. In the BS subarea, 45 percent of the DFA
and CDQ DFA are allocated to the A season (January 20-June 10) and 55 percent of the DFA and CDQ DFA are
allocated to the B season (June 10-November 1). When the AI pollock ABC equals or exceeds 19,000 mt, the
annual TAC is equal to 19,000 mt (Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(1)). Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2),
the AI subarea pollock TAC, after subtracting first for the CDQ DFA (10 percent) and second for the ICA (3,420
mt), is allocated to the Aleut Corporation for a pollock directed fishery. In the AI subarea, the A season is
allocated no more than 40 percent of the AI pollock ABC.
\2\ In the BS subarea, pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(C), no more than 28 percent of each sector's annual
DFA may be taken from the SCA before 12:00 p.m. A.l.t., April 1. The SCA is defined at Sec.
679.22(a)(7)(vii).
\3\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4), 8.5 percent of the allocation to listed CPs shall be available for
harvest only by eligible catcher vessels with a CP endorsement delivering to listed CPs, unless there is a CP
sector cooperative contract for the year.
\4\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4)(iii), the AFA unlisted CPs are limited to harvesting not more than
0.5 percent of the CP sector's allocation of pollock.
\5\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(6), NMFS establishes an excessive harvesting share limit equal to 17.5
percent of the sum of the non-CDQ pollock DFAs.
\6\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(7), NMFS establishes an excessive processing share limit equal to 30.0
percent of the sum of the non-CDQ pollock DFAs.
\7\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(6), NMFS establishes harvest limits for pollock in the A season in
Area 541 of no more than 30 percent, in Area 542 of no more than 15 percent, and in Area 543 of no more than 5
percent of the AI pollock ABC.
\8\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.22(a)(7)(B), the Bogoslof District is closed to directed fishing for pollock. The
amounts specified are for incidental catch only and are not apportioned by season or sector.
Table 5--Final 2025 Allocations of Pollock TACs to the Directed Pollock Fisheries and to the CDQ Directed
Fishing Allowances (DFA) \1\
[Amounts are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2025 A season \1\ 2025 B season \1\
2025 --------------------------------------------------
Area and sector Allocations SCA harvest
A season DFA limit \2\ B season DFA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bering Sea subarea TAC \1\................... 1,325,000 n/a n/a n/a
CDQ DFA...................................... 132,500 59,625 37,100 72,875
ICA \1\...................................... 50,000 n/a n/a n/a
Total Bering Sea non-CDQ DFA................. 1,142,500 514,125 319,900 628,375
AFA Inshore.................................. 571,250 257,063 159,950 314,188
AFA Catcher/Processors \3\................... 457,000 205,650 127,960 251,350
Catch by CPs............................. 418,155 188,170 n/a 229,985
Catch by CVs \3\......................... 38,845 17,480 n/a 21,365
Unlisted CP Limit \4\.................... 2,285 1,028 n/a 1,257
AFA Motherships.............................. 114,250 51,413 31,990 62,838
Excessive Harvesting Limit \5\............... 199,938 n/a n/a n/a
Excessive Processing Limit \6\............... 342,750 n/a n/a n/a
Aleutian Islands subarea ABC................. 43,863 n/a n/a n/a
Aleutian Islands subarea TAC \1\............. 19,000 n/a n/a n/a
CDQ DFA...................................... 1,900 1,900 n/a .................
ICA.......................................... 3,420 1,710 n/a 1,710
Aleut Corporation............................ 13,680 13,680 n/a .................
Area harvest limit \7\....................... n/a n/a n/a n/a
541...................................... 13,159 n/a n/a n/a
542...................................... 6,579 n/a n/a n/a
543...................................... 2,193 n/a n/a n/a
[[Page 17295]]
Bogoslof District ICA \8\.................... 250 n/a n/a n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
\1\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), the BS subarea pollock TAC, after subtracting the CDQ DFA (10
percent) and the ICA (50,000 mt, ~3.85 percent), is allocated as a DFA as follows: inshore sector--50 percent,
catcher/processor sector (CP)--40 percent, and mothership sector--10 percent. In the BS subarea, 45 percent of
the DFA and CDQ DFA are allocated to the A season (January 20-June 10) and 55 percent of the DFA and CDQ DFA
are allocated to the B season (June 10-November 1). When the AI pollock ABC equals or exceeds 19,000 mt, the
annual TAC is equal to 19,000 mt (Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(1)). Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2),
the AI subarea pollock TAC, after subtracting first for the CDQ DFA (10 percent) and second for the ICA (3,420
mt), is allocated to the Aleut Corporation for a pollock directed fishery. In the AI subarea, the A season is
allocated no more than 40 percent of the AI pollock ABC.
\2\ In the BS subarea, pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(C), no more than 28 percent of each sector's annual
DFA may be taken from the SCA before 12:00 p.m. A.l.t., April 1. The SCA is defined at Sec.
679.22(a)(7)(vii).
\3\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4), 8.5 percent of the allocation to listed CPs shall be available for
harvest only by eligible catcher vessels with a CP endorsement delivering to listed CPs, unless there is a CP
sector cooperative contract for the year.
\4\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4)(iii), the AFA unlisted CPs are limited to harvesting not more than
0.5 percent of the CP sector's allocation of pollock.
\5\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(6), NMFS establishes an excessive harvesting share limit equal to 17.5
percent of the sum of the non-CDQ pollock DFAs.
\6\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(7), NMFS establishes an excessive processing share limit equal to 30.0
percent of the sum of the non-CDQ pollock DFAs.
\7\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(6), NMFS establishes harvest limits for pollock in the A season in
Area 541 of no more than 30 percent, in Area 542 of no more than 15 percent, and in Area 543 of no more than 5
percent of the AI pollock ABC.
\8\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.22(a)(7)(B), the Bogoslof District is closed to directed fishing for pollock. The
amounts specified are for incidental catch only and are not apportioned by season or sector.
Table 6--Final 2024 AFA Inshore Cooperative and Open Access Pollock Allocations, and Inshore Sector Steller Sea
Lion Conservation Area Limits
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sum of vessel's
Cooperative name \1\ Percent of inshore catch histories 2024 Allocations
sector allocation (mt) \2\ (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFA Open Access..................................... 2.103 18,414 11,777
Akutan Catcher Vessel Association................... 33.788 295,836 189,212
Northern Victor Fleet Cooperative................... 9.346 81,828 52,336
Unalaska Fleet Cooperative (Alyeska)................ 12.261 107,357 68,663
UniSea Fleet Cooperative............................ 23.122 202,454 129,486
Westward Fleet Cooperative.......................... 19.380 169,683 108,526
Sum of all Cooperatives............................. 100.000 875,572 560,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inshore Sector Steller Sea Lion Conservation Area (SCA) Limits
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2024 A season TAC 2024 A season SCA 2024 B season TAC
harvest limit \3\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inshore cooperative sector:
Vessels >99 ft.................................. n/a 134,934 n/a
Vessels <=99 ft................................. n/a 21,866 n/a
-----------------------------------------------------------
Total....................................... 252,000 156,800 308,000
Open access sector.................................. .................. .................. ..................
-----------------------------------------------------------
Total inshore sector........................ 252,000 156,800 308,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Totals may not add up due to rounding.
\1\ The 2025 AFA catcher vessel cooperative membership will not be known until eligible participants apply for
participation in the program by December 1, 2024.
\2\ According to regulations at Sec. 679.62(a)(1), the individual catch history for each vessel is equal to
the vessel's best 2 of 3 years inshore pollock landings from 1995 through 1997 and includes landings to
catcher/processors and motherships for vessels that made 500 or more mt of landings to catcher/processors and
motherships from 1995 through 1997.
\3\ The Steller sea lion conservation area (SCA) is established at Sec. 679.22(a)(7)(vii). The SCA limitations
for vessels less than or equal to 99 ft LOA that are not participating in a cooperative will be established on
an inseason basis in accordance with Sec. 679.22(a)(7)(vii)(C)(2), and the Regional Administrator will
prohibit directed fishing for pollock by vessels greater than 99 ft (30.2 m) LOA, catching pollock for
processing by the inshore component before reaching the inshore SCA harvest limit before April 1 to
accommodate fishing by vessels less than or equal to 99 ft (30.2 m) inside the SCA until April 1.
[[Page 17296]]
Allocation of the Atka Mackerel TACs
Section 679.20(a)(8) allocates the Atka mackerel TACs to the
Amendment 80 and BSAI trawl limited access sectors, after subtracting
the CDQ reserves, ICAs for the BSAI trawl limited access sector and
non-trawl gear sector, and the jig gear allocation (tables 7 and 8).
The percentage of the ITAC for Atka mackerel allocated to the Amendment
80 and BSAI trawl limited access sectors is listed in table 33 to 50
CFR part 679 and in Sec. 679.91. Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(8)(i), up
to 2 percent of the EAI and the BS Atka mackerel TAC may be allocated
to vessels using jig gear. The percent of this allocation is
recommended annually by the Council based on several criteria,
including, among other criteria, the anticipated harvest capacity of
the jig gear fleet. After reviewing Council recommendations, NMFS
approves a 0.5 percent allocation of the Atka mackerel TAC in the EAI
and BS to the jig gear sector in 2024 and 2025.
Section 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(A) apportions the Atka mackerel TAC, after
subtraction of the jig gear allocation, into two equal seasonal
allowances. Section 679.23(e)(3) sets the first seasonal allowance for
directed fishing with trawl gear from January 20 through June 10 (A
season), and the second seasonal allowance from June 10 through
December 31 (B season). Section 679.23(e)(4)(iii) applies Atka mackerel
seasons to CDQ Atka mackerel trawl fishing. Within any fishing year,
any under harvest or over harvest of a seasonal allowance may be added
to or subtracted from a subsequent seasonal allowance (Sec.
679.20(a)(8)(ii)(B)). The ICAs and jig gear allocations are not
apportioned by season.
Sections 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(1)(i) and (ii) limits Atka mackerel
catch within waters 0 nautical miles (nmi) to 20 nmi of Steller sea
lion sites listed in table 6 to 50 CFR part 679 and located west of
178[deg] W longitude to no more than 60 percent of the annual TACs in
Areas 542 and 543. The annual harvest is also equally divided between
the A and B seasons as defined at Sec. 679.23(e)(3). Section
679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(2) requires that the annual TAC in Area 543 will be
no more than 65 percent of the ABC in Area 543. Section
679.20(a)(8)(ii)(D) requires that any unharvested Atka mackerel A
season allowance that is added to the B season be prohibited from being
harvested within waters 0 nmi to 20 nmi of Steller sea lion sites
listed in table 6 to 50 CFR part 679 and located in Areas 541, 542, and
543.
Tables 7 and 8 list these 2024 and 2025 Atka mackerel seasonal and
area allowances, and the sector allocations. One Amendment 80
cooperative has formed for the 2024 fishing year. Because all Amendment
80 vessels are part of the sole Amendment 80 cooperative, no allocation
to the Amendment 80 limited access sector is required for 2024. The
2025 allocations for Atka mackerel between Amendment 80 cooperatives
and the Amendment 80 limited access sector will not be known until
eligible participants apply for participation in the program by
November 1, 2024. Table 22 lists the allocation of CDQ Atka mackerel
among the CDQ groups.
Table 7--Final 2024 Seasonal and Spatial Allowances, Gear Shares, CDQ Reserve, Incidental Catch Allowance, and
Amendment 80 Allocations of the BSAI Atka Mackerel TAC
[Amounts are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2024 Allocation by area
--------------------------------------------------------
Sector \1\ Season 2 3 4 Eastern Aleutian
District/ Bering Central Aleutian Western Aleutian
Sea District \5\ District
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAC.............................. n/a................. 32,260 16,754 23,973
CDQ reserve...................... Total............... 3,452 1,793 2,565
A................... 1,726 896 1,283
Critical Habitat.... n/a 538 770
B................... 1,726 896 1,283
Critical Habitat.... n/a 538 770
Non-CDQ TAC...................... n/a................. 28,808 14,961 21,408
ICA.............................. Total............... 800 75 20
Jig \6\.......................... Total............... 140 ................. .................
BSAI trawl limited access........ Total............... 2,787 1,489 .................
A................... 1,393 744 .................
Critical Habitat.... n/a 447 .................
B................... 1,393 744 .................
Critical Habitat.... n/a 447 .................
Amendment 80 sector.............. Total............... 25,081 13,398 21,388
A................... 12,541 6,699 10,694
Critical Habitat.... n/a 4,019 6,416
B................... 12,541 6,699 10,694
Critical Habitat.... n/a 4,019 6,416
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
\1\ Section 679.20(a)(8)(ii) allocates the Atka mackerel TACs, after subtracting the CDQ reserves, ICAs, and jig
gear allocation, to the Amendment 80 and BSAI trawl limited access sectors. The allocation of the ITAC for
Atka mackerel to the Amendment 80 and BSAI trawl limited access sectors is established in table 33 to 50 CFR
part 679 and Sec. 679.91. The CDQ reserve is 10.7 percent of the TAC for use by CDQ participants (see Sec.
679.20(b)(1)(ii)(C)).
\2\ Sections 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(A) and 679.22(a) establish temporal and spatial limitations for the Atka mackerel
fishery.
\3\ The seasonal allowances of Atka mackerel for the CDQ reserve, BSAI trawl limited access sector, and
Amendment 80 sector are 50 percent in the A season and 50 percent in the B season.
\4\ Section 679.23(e)(3) authorizes directed fishing for Atka mackerel with trawl gear during the A season from
January 20 to June 10 and the B season from June 10 to December 31.
\5\ Section 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(1)(i) limits no more than 60 percent of the annual TACs in Areas 542 and 543 to
be caught inside of Steller sea lion protection areas; section 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(1)(ii) equally divides the
annual harvest limits between the A and B seasons as defined at Sec. 679.23(e)(3); and section
679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(2) requires that the TAC in Area 543 shall be no more than 65 percent of ABC in Area 543.
[[Page 17297]]
\6\ Sections 679.2 and 679.20(a)(8)(i) require that up to 2 percent of the Eastern Aleutian Islands District and
the Bering Sea subarea TAC be allocated to jig gear after subtracting the CDQ reserve and the ICA. NMFS sets
the amount of this allocation for 2024 at 0.5 percent. The jig gear allocation is not apportioned by season.
Table 8--Final 2025 Seasonal and Spatial Allowances, Gear Shares, CDQ Reserve, Incidental Catch Allowance, and
Amendment 80 Allocations of the BSAI Atka Mackerel TAC
[Amounts are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2025 Allocation by area
--------------------------------------------------------
Sector \1\ Season 2 3 4 Eastern Aleutian
District/ Bering Central Aleutian Western Aleutian
Sea \5\ District \5\ District \5\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAC.............................. n/a................. 30,000 14,877 21,288
CDQ reserve...................... Total............... 3,210 1,592 2,278
A................... 1,605 796 1,139
Critical Habitat.... n/a 478 683
B................... 1,605 796 1,139
Critical Habitat.... n/a 478 683
non-CDQ TAC...................... n/a................. 26,790 13,285 19,010
ICA.............................. Total............... 800 75 20
Jig \6\.......................... Total............... 130 ................. .................
BSAI trawl limited access........ Total............... 2,586 1,321 .................
A................... 1,293 661 .................
Critical Habitat.... n/a 396 .................
B................... 1,293 661 .................
Critical Habitat.... n/a 396 .................
Amendment 80 sectors \7\......... Total............... 23,274 11,889 18,990
A................... 11,637 5,945 9,495
Critical Habitat.... n/a 3,567 5,697
B................... 11,637 5,945 9,495
Critical Habitat.... n/a 3,567 5,697
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
\1\ Section 679.20(a)(8)(ii) allocates the Atka mackerel TACs, after subtracting the CDQ reserves, ICAs, and jig
gear allocation, to the Amendment 80 and BSAI trawl limited access sectors. The allocation of the ITAC for
Atka mackerel to the Amendment 80 and BSAI trawl limited access sectors is established in table 33 to 50 CFR
part 679 and Sec. 679.91. The CDQ reserve is 10.7 percent of the TAC for use by CDQ participants (see Sec.
679.20(b)(1)(ii)(C)).
\2\ Sections 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(A) and 679.22(a) establish temporal and spatial limitations for the Atka mackerel
fishery.
\3\ The seasonal allowances of Atka mackerel for the CDQ reserve, BSAI trawl limited access sector, and
Amendment 80 sector are 50 percent in the A season and 50 percent in the B season.
\4\ Section 679.23(e)(3) authorizes directed fishing for Atka mackerel with trawl gear during the A season from
January 20 to June 10 and the B season from June 10 to December 31.
\5\ Section 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(1)(i) limits no more than 60 percent of the annual TACs in Areas 542 and 543 to
be caught inside of Steller sea lion protection areas; section 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(1)(ii) equally divides the
annual harvest limits between the A and B seasons as defined at Sec. 679.23(e)(3); and section
679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(2) requires that the TAC in Area 543 shall be no more than 65 percent of ABC in Area 543.
\6\ Sections 679.2 and 679.20(a)(8)(i) require that up to 2 percent of the Eastern Aleutian Islands District and
the Bering Sea subarea TAC be allocated to jig gear after subtracting the CDQ reserve and the ICA. NMFS sets
the amount of this allocation for 2025 at 0.5 percent. The jig gear allocation is not apportioned by season.
\7\ The 2025 allocations for Atka mackerel between Amendment 80 cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited access
sector will not be known until eligible participants apply for participation in the program by November 1,
2024.
Allocation of the Pacific Cod TAC
The Council separated the BSAI OFL, ABC, and TAC into BS and AI
subarea OFLs, ABCs, and TACs for Pacific cod in 2014 (79 FR 12108,
March 4, 2014). Section 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(C) allocates 10.7 percent of
the BS TAC and the AI TAC to the CDQ program. After CDQ allocations
have been deducted from the respective BS and AI Pacific cod TACs, the
remaining BSAI Pacific cod TACs are combined for calculating further
BSAI Pacific cod sector allocations and seasonal allowances. If the
non-CDQ Pacific cod TAC is or will be reached in either the BS or the
AI subareas, NMFS will prohibit non-CDQ directed fishing for Pacific
cod in that subarea as provided in Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii).
Section 679.20(a)(7)(ii) allocates to the non-CDQ sectors the
Pacific cod TAC in the combined BSAI, after subtracting 10.7 percent
for the CDQ program, as follows: 1.4 percent to vessels using jig gear;
2.0 percent to hook-and-line or pot CVs less than 60 ft (18.3 m) length
overall (LOA); 0.2 percent to hook-and-line CVs greater than or equal
to 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA; 48.7 percent to hook-and-line CPs; 8.4 percent
to pot CVs greater than or equal to 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA; 1.5 percent to
pot CPs; 2.3 percent to AFA trawl CPs; 13.4 percent to Amendment 80
sector; and 22.1 percent to trawl CVs. The ICA for the hook-and-line
and pot sectors will be deducted from the aggregate portion of Pacific
cod TAC allocated to the hook-and-line and pot sectors. For 2024 and
2025, the Regional Administrator establishes an ICA of 500 mt based on
anticipated incidental catch by these sectors in other fisheries.
During the fishing year, NMFS may reallocate unharvested Pacific cod
among sectors, consistent with the reallocation hierarchy set forth at
Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(iii).
The ITAC allocation of Pacific cod to the Amendment 80 sector is
established in table 33 to 50 CFR part 679 and Sec. 679.91. One
Amendment 80 cooperative has formed for the 2024 fishing year. Because
all Amendment 80 vessels are part of the sole Amendment 80 cooperative,
no allocation to the Amendment 80 limited access sector is required for
2024. The 2025 allocations for Pacific cod between Amendment 80
cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited access sector will not be
known until eligible participants apply for participation in the
program by November 1, 2024.
[[Page 17298]]
The BSAI ITAC allocation of Pacific cod to the PCTC Program is
established in Sec. 679.131(b). Section 679.131(b)(1)(i) also requires
NMFS to establish an ICA for incidental catch of Pacific cod by trawl
CVs engaged in directed fishing for groundfish other than PCTC Program
Pacific cod. In the annual harvest specification process, NMFS
determines the Pacific cod trawl catcher vessel TAC and the annual
apportionment of Pacific cod in the A and B seasons between the PCTC
Program DFA and the ICA (Sec. 679.131(b)(2)) (table 9 below). The 2025
allocations for PCTC Program cooperatives will not be known until NMFS
receives the membership applications by November 1, 2024. The 2024 PCTC
cooperative allocations and PSC allowances are listed in table 11.
The sector allocations of Pacific cod are apportioned into seasonal
allowances to disperse the Pacific cod fisheries over the fishing year
(see Sec. Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(i)(B) (CDQ), 679.20(a)(7)(iv)(A) (non-
CDQ), and 679.23(e)(5) (seasons)). Tables 9 and 10 list the non-CDQ
sector and seasonal allowances. In accordance with Sec.
679.20(a)(7)(iv)(B) and (C), any unused portion of a non-CDQ Pacific
cod seasonal allowance for any sector, except the jig sector, will
become available at the beginning of that sector's next seasonal
allowance. Section 679.20(a)(7)(i)(B) sets forth the CDQ Pacific cod
gear allowances by season, and CDQ groups are prohibited from exceeding
those seasonal allowances (Sec. 679.7(d)(6)).
Section 679.20(a)(7)(vii) requires that the Regional Administrator
establish an Area 543 Pacific cod harvest limit based on Pacific cod
abundance in Area 543 as determined by the annual stock assessment
process. Based on the 2023 stock assessment, the Regional Administrator
determined for 2024 and 2025 the estimated amount of Pacific cod
abundance in Area 543 is 15.7 percent of the total AI abundance. To
calculate the Area 543 Pacific cod harvest limit, NMFS first subtracts
the State GHL Pacific cod amount from the AI Pacific cod ABC. Then NMFS
determines the harvest limit in Area 543 by multiplying the percentage
of Pacific cod estimated in Area 543 (15.7 percent) by the remaining
ABC for AI Pacific cod. Based on these calculations, the Area 543
harvest limit is 1,269 mt for 2024 and 2025.
Under the PCTC Program, PCTC Program cooperatives are required to
collectively set aside up to twelve percent of the trawl CV A-season
allocation for delivery to an AI shoreplant in years in which an AI
community representative notifies NMFS of the intent to process PCTC
Program Pacific cod in the City of Adak or City of Atka (Sec.
679.132). A notice of intent to process PCTC Program Pacific cod must
be submitted in writing to the Regional Administrator by a
representative of the City of Adak or the City of Atka no later than
October 15. A notice of intent was not received in 2023, and
accordingly the AI set-aside will not be in effect for 2024. The 2025
set-aside will be determined after the October 15, 2024 deadline in
conjunction with the 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications process.
Based on the final 2024 and 2025 Pacific cod TACs, table 9 and
table 10 list the CDQ and non-CDQ TAC amounts; non-CDQ seasonal
allowances by gear; the sector allocations of Pacific cod; and the
seasons set forth at Sec. 679.23(e)(5). The CDQ allocation by CDQ
groups is listed in table 22.
Table 9--Final 2024 Sector Allocations and Seasonal Allowances of the BSAI Pacific Cod TAC
[Amounts are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2024 Share of 2024 Seasonal allowances
Sector Percent gear sector 2024 Share of --------------------------------
total sector total Season Amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Bering Sea TAC.............. n/a 147,753 n/a n/a................. n/a
Bering Sea CDQ.................... n/a 15,810 n/a See Sec. n/a
679.20(a)(7)(i)(B).
Bering Sea non-CDQ TAC............ n/a 131,943 n/a n/a................. n/a
Total Aleutian Islands TAC........ n/a 8,080 n/a n/a................. n/a
Aleutian Islands CDQ.............. n/a 865 n/a See Sec. n/a
679.20(a)(7)(i)(B).
Aleutian Islands non-CDQ TAC...... n/a 7,215 n/a n/a................. n/a
Western Aleutians Islands Limit... n/a 1,269 n/a n/a................. n/a
Total BSAI non-CDQ TAC \1\........ 100.0 139,159 n/a n/a................. n/a
Total hook-and-line/pot gear...... 60.8 84,609 n/a n/a................. n/a
Hook-and-line/pot ICA \2\......... n/a n/a 500 n/a................. n/a
Hook-and-line/pot sub-total....... n/a 84,109 n/a n/a................. n/a
Hook-and-line catcher/processors.. 48.7 n/a 67,370 n/a................. n/a
A-season...................... Jan 1-Jun 10........ 34,359
B-season...................... Jun 10-Dec 31....... 33,011
Hook-and-line catcher vessels >=60 0.2 n/a 277 n/a................. n/a
ft LOA.
A-season...................... Jan 1-Jun 10........ 141
B-season...................... Jun 10-Dec 31....... 136
Pot catcher/processors............ 1.5 n/a 2,075 n/a................. n/a
Pot catcher/processors A- Jan 1-Jun 10........ 1,058
season.
Pot catcher/processors B- Sept 1-Dec 31....... 1,017
season.
Pot catcher vessels >=60 ft LOA... 8.4 n/a 11,620 n/a................. n/a
A-season...................... Jan 1-Jun 10........ 5,926
B-season...................... Sept 1-Dec 31....... 5,694
Catcher vessels <60 ft LOA using 2.0 n/a 2,767 n/a................. n/a
hook-and-line or pot gear.
Trawl catcher vessels \3\......... 22.1 30,754 n/a n/a................. n/a
A-season ICA.................. Jan 20-Apr 1........ 1,500
A-season PCTC................. Jan 20-Apr 1........ 21,258
B-season ICA.................. Apr 1-Jun 10........ 700
B-season PCTC................. Apr 1-Jun 10........ 2,683
C-season trawl catcher vessels Jun 10-Nov 1........ 4,613
AFA trawl catcher/processors...... 2.3 3,201 n/a n/a................. n/a
A-season...................... Jan 20-Apr 1........ 2,400
B-season...................... Apr 1-Jun 10........ 800
[[Page 17299]]
C-season...................... Jun 10-Nov 1........ .........
Amendment 80...................... 13.4 18,647 n/a n/a................. n/a
A-season...................... Jan 20-Apr 1........ 13,985
B-season...................... Apr 1-Jun 10........ 4,662
C-season...................... Jun 10-Dec 31....... .........
Jig............................... 1.4 1,948 n/a n/a................. n/a
A-season...................... Jan 1-Apr 30........ 1,169
B-season...................... Apr 30-Aug 31....... 390
C-season...................... Aug 31-Dec 31....... 390
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
\1\ The sector allocations and seasonal allowances for BSAI Pacific cod TAC are based on the sum of the BS and
AI Pacific cod TACs, after subtraction of the reserves for the CDQ Program. If the TAC for Pacific cod in
either the BS or AI is or will be reached, then directed fishing will be prohibited for non-CDQ Pacific cod in
that subarea, even if a BSAI allowance remains (Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii)).
\2\ The ICA for the hook-and-line and pot sectors is deducted from the aggregate portion of Pacific cod TAC
allocated to the hook-and-line and pot sectors. The Regional Administrator approves an ICA of 500 mt based on
anticipated incidental catch by these sectors in other fisheries.
\3\ The A and B season trawl CV Pacific cod allocation is allocated to the Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative Program
after subtraction of the A and B season ICAs (Sec. 679.131(b)(1)). The Regional Administrator approves for
the A and B seasons, ICAs of 1,500 mt and 700 mt, respectively, to account for projected incidental catch of
Pacific cod by trawl catcher vessels engaged in directed fishing for groundfish other than PCTC Program
Pacific cod.
Table 10--Final 2025 Sector Allocations and Seasonal Allowances of the BSAI Pacific Cod TAC
[Amounts are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2025 Share of 2025 Seasonal allowances
Sector Percent gear sector 2025 Share of --------------------------------
total sector total Season Amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Bering Sea TAC.............. n/a 132,726 n/a n/a................. n/a
Bering Sea CDQ.................... n/a 14,202 n/a See Sec. n/a
679.20(a)(7)(i)(B).
Bering Sea non-CDQ TAC............ n/a 118,524 n/a n/a................. n/a
Total Aleutian Islands TAC........ n/a 8,080 n/a n/a................. n/a
Aleutian Islands CDQ.............. n/a 865 n/a See Sec. n/a
679.20(a)(7)(i)(B).
Aleutian Islands non-CDQ TAC...... n/a 7,215 n/a n/a................. n/a
Western Aleutians Islands Limit... n/a 1,269 n/a n/a................. n/a
Total BSAI non-CDQ TAC \1\........ 100.0 125,740 n/a n/a................. n/a
Total hook-and-line/pot gear...... 60.8 76,450 n/a n/a................. n/a
Hook-and-line/pot ICA \2\......... n/a n/a 500 n/a................. n/a
Hook-and-line/pot sub-total....... n/a 75,950 n/a n/a................. n/a
Hook-and-line catcher/processors.. 48.7 n/a 60,835 n/a................. n/a
A-season...................... Jan 1-Jun 10........ 31,026
B-season...................... Jun 10-Dec 31....... 29,809
Hook-and-line catcher vessels >=60 0.2 n/a 250 n/a................. n/a
ft LOA.
A-season...................... Jan 1-Jun 10........ 127
B-season...................... Jun 10-Dec 31....... 122
Pot catcher/processors............ 1.5 n/a 1,874 n/a................. n/a
Pot catcher/processors A- Jan 1-Jun 10........ 956
season.
Pot catcher/processors B- Sept 1-Dec 31....... 918
season.
Pot catcher vessels >=60 ft LOA... 8.4 n/a 10,493 n/a................. n/a
A-season...................... Jan 1-Jun 10........ 5,351
B-season...................... Sept 1-Dec 31....... 5,142
Catcher vessels <60 ft LOA using 2.0 n/a 2,498 n/a................. n/a
hook-and-line or pot gear.
Trawl catcher vessels \3\......... 22.1 27,788 n/a n/a................. n/a
A-season ICA.................. Jan 20-Apr 1........ 1,500
A-season PCTC................. Jan 20-Apr 1........ 19,063
B-season ICA.................. Apr 1-Jun 10........ 700
B-season PCTC................. Apr 1-Jun 10........ 2,357
C-season trawl catcher vessels Jun 10-Nov 1........ 4,168
AFA trawl catcher/processors...... 2.3 2,892 n/a n/a................. n/a
A-season...................... Jan 20-Apr 1........ 2,169
B-season...................... Apr 1-Jun 10........ 723
C-season...................... Jun 10-Nov 1........ .........
Amendment 80...................... 13.4 16,849 n/a n/a................. n/a
A-season...................... Jan 20-Apr 1........ 12,637
B-season...................... Apr 1-Jun 10........ 4,212
C-season...................... Jun 10-Dec 31....... .........
Jig............................... 1.4 1,760 n/a n/a................. n/a
A-season...................... Jan 1-Apr 30........ 1,056
B-season...................... Apr 30-Aug 31....... 352
[[Page 17300]]
C-season...................... Aug 31-Dec 31....... 352
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The sector allocations and seasonal allowances for BSAI Pacific cod TAC are based on the sum of the BS and
AI Pacific cod TACs, after subtraction of the reserves for the CDQ Program. If the TAC for Pacific cod in
either the BS or AI is or will be reached, then directed fishing will be prohibited for non-CDQ Pacific cod in
that subarea, even if a BSAI allowance remains (Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii)).
\2\ The ICA for the hook-and-line and pot sectors is deducted from the aggregate portion of Pacific cod TAC
allocated to the hook-and-line and pot sectors. The Regional Administrator approves an ICA of 500 mt based on
anticipated incidental catch by these sectors in other fisheries.
\3\ The A and B season trawl CV Pacific cod allocation is allocated to the Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative Program
after subtraction of the A and B season ICAs (Sec. 679.131(b)(1)). The Regional Administrator approves for
the A and B seasons, ICAs of 1,500 mt and 700 mt, respectively, to account for projected incidental catch of
Pacific cod by trawl catcher vessels engaged in directed fishing for groundfish other than PCTC Program
Pacific cod.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
Table 11--Final 2024 PCTC Cooperative Allocations and PSC Allowances
[Pacific cod and Pacific halibut amounts are in metric tons. Crab are in number of animals.]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total A Season B Season
Cooperative name \1\ Pacific cod Pacific cod Pacific cod Halibut Red king C. opilio Zone 1 c. Zone 2 c.
CQ CQ CQ crab COBLZ bairdi bairdi
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GA Catcher Vessels Association.................. 894 794 100 9.599 61 1,050 1,253 1,044
Akutan Cod Association.......................... 14,256 12,658 1,598 8.703 55 952 1,136 947
Usixty PCTC Association......................... 811 720 91 9.475 60 1,037 1,237 1,031
Katie Ann Cod Cooperative....................... 883 784 99 50.54 325 5,531 6,601 5,501
USS Cod Cooperative............................. 2,389 2,122 268 153.03 984 16,750 19,987 16,656
Unified Cod Cooperative......................... 4,708 4,180 528 25.649 164 2,807 3,350 2,791
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals...................................... 23,942 21,258 2,684 257 1,653 28,130 33,567 27,973
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Totals may not add up due to rounding.
\1\ The 2025 allocations for PCTC Cooperatives will not be known until eligible participants apply for participation in the program by November 1, 2024.
Sablefish Gear Allocation
Sections 679.20(a)(4)(iii) and (iv) require allocation of the
sablefish TAC for the BS and AI subareas between the trawl gear and
fixed gear sectors. Gear allocations of the sablefish TAC for the BS
are 50 percent for trawl gear and 50 percent for fixed gear. Gear
allocations of the TAC for the AI are 25 percent for trawl gear and 75
percent for fixed gear. Section 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(B) requires that NMFS
apportion 20 percent of the fixed gear allocation of sablefish TAC to
the CDQ reserve for each subarea. Also, Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(D)(1)
requires that in the BS and AI 7.5 percent of the trawl gear allocation
of sablefish TAC from the non-specified reserve, established under
Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(i), be assigned to the CDQ reserve.
The Council recommended that only trawl sablefish TAC be
established biennially. The harvest specifications for the fixed gear
sablefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) fisheries are limited to the
2024 fishing year to ensure those fisheries are 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. The sablefish IFQ fisheries remain closed at the
beginning of each fishing year until the final harvest specifications
for the sablefish IFQ fisheries are in effect. Table 12 lists the 2024
and 2025 gear allocations of the sablefish TAC and CDQ reserve amounts.
Allocations among CDQ groups are listed in table 22.
Table 12--Final 2024 and 2025 Gear Shares and CDQ Reserve of BSAI Sablefish TACs
[Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2024 Share of 2024 CDQ 2025 Share of 2025 CDQ
Subarea and gear Percent of TAC TAC 2024 ITAC reserve TAC 2025 ITAC reserve
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bering Sea:
Trawl gear \1\...................... 50 3,998 3,398 300 4,750 4,038 356
Fixed gear \2\...................... 50 3,998 3,198 800 n/a n/a n/a
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total........................... 100 7,996 6,597 1,099 4,750 4,038 356
Aleutian Islands:
Trawl gear \1\...................... 25 2,110 1,794 158 2,110 1,794 158
Fixed gear \2\...................... 75 6,330 5,064 1,266 n/a n/a n/a
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total........................... 100 8,440 6,858 1,424 2,110 1,794 158
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
\1\ For the sablefish TAC allocated to vessels using trawl gear, 15 percent of TAC is apportioned to the non-specified reserve (Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(i)).
The ITAC for vessels using trawl gear is the remainder of the TAC after subtracting this reserve. In the BS and AI, 7.5 percent of the trawl gear
allocation of the TAC is assigned from the non-specified reserve to the CDQ reserve (Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(D)(1)).
[[Page 17301]]
\2\ For the portion of the sablefish TAC allocated to vessels using fixed gear, 20 percent of the allocated TAC for the BS and AI is reserved for use by
CDQ participants (Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(B)). The ITAC for vessels using fixed gear is the remainder of the TAC after subtracting the CDQ reserve for
each subarea. The Council recommended, and NMFS concurs, that specifications for the fixed gear sablefish IFQ fisheries be limited to one year.
Allocation of the AI Pacific Ocean Perch, and BSAI Flathead Sole, Rock
Sole, and Yellowfin Sole TACs
Sections 679.20(a)(10)(i) and (ii) require that NMFS allocate AI
Pacific ocean perch and BSAI flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin
sole ITACs between the Amendment 80 sector and the BSAI trawl limited
access sector, after subtracting 10.7 percent for the CDQ reserves and
ICAs for the BSAI trawl limited access sector and vessels using non-
trawl gear. The allocations of the ITACs for AI Pacific ocean perch and
BSAI flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole to the Amendment 80
sector are established in accordance with tables 33 and 34 to 50 CFR
part 679 and with Sec. 679.91.
One Amendment 80 cooperative has formed for the 2024 fishing year.
Because all Amendment 80 vessels are part of the sole Amendment 80
cooperative, no allocation to the Amendment 80 limited access sector is
required for 2024. The 2025 allocations for Amendment 80 species
between Amendment 80 cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited access
sector will not be known until eligible participants apply for
participation in the program by November 1, 2024. Tables 13 and 14 list
the 2024 and 2025 allocations of the AI Pacific ocean perch and BSAI
flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole TACs. Allocations among
the CDQ groups are listed in table 22.
Table 13--Final 2024 Community Development Quota (CDQ) Reserves, Incidental Catch Amounts (ICAs), and Amendment 80 Allocations of the Aleutian Islands
Pacific Ocean Perch and BSAI Flathead Sole, Rock Sole, and Yellowfin Sole TACs
[Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch Flathead sole Rock sole Yellowfin sole
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector Eastern Central Western
Aleutian Aleutian Aleutian BSAI BSAI BSAI
district district district
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAC..................................................... 7,969 5,521 12,500 35,500 66,000 195,000
CDQ..................................................... 853 591 1,338 3,799 7,062 20,865
ICA..................................................... 100 60 10 3,000 6,000 4,000
BSAI trawl limited access............................... 702 487 223 .............. .............. 32,996
Amendment 80............................................ 6,315 4,383 10,929 28,702 52,938 137,139
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
Table 14--Final 2025 Community Development Quota (CDC) Reserves, Incidental Catch Amounts (ICAs), and Amendment 80 Allocations of the Aleutian Islands
Pacific Ocean Perch and BSAI Flathead Sole, Rock Sole, and Yellowfin Sole TACs
[Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch Flathead sole Rock sole Yellowfin sole
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector Eastern Central Western
Aleutian Aleutian Aleutian BSAI BSAI BSAI
district district district
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAC..................................................... 7,828 5,423 12,500 35,500 66,000 195,000
CDQ..................................................... 838 580 1,338 3,799 7,062 20,865
ICA..................................................... 100 60 10 3,000 6,000 4,000
BSAI trawl limited access............................... 689 478 223 .............. .............. 32,996
Amendment 80 \1\........................................ 6,201 4,304 10,929 28,702 52,938 137,139
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
\1\ The 2025 allocations for Amendment 80 species between Amendment 80 cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited access sector will not be known until
eligible participants apply for participation in the program by November 1, 2024.
Section 679.2 defines the ABC surplus for flathead sole, rock sole,
and yellowfin sole as the difference between the annual ABC and TAC for
each species. Section 679.20(b)(1)(iii) establishes ABC reserves for
flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole. The ABC surpluses and the
ABC reserves are necessary to mitigate the operational variability,
environmental conditions, and economic factors that may constrain the
CDQ groups and the Amendment 80 cooperatives from fully harvesting
their allocations and to improve the likelihood of achieving and
maintaining, on a continuing basis, the optimum yield in the BSAI
groundfish fisheries. NMFS, after consultation with the Council, may
set the ABC reserve at or below the ABC surplus for each species, thus
maintaining the TAC at or below ABC limits. An amount equal to 10.7
percent of the ABC reserves will be allocated as CDQ ABC reserves for
flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole. Section 679.31(b)(4)
establishes the annual allocations of CDQ ABC reserves among the CDQ
groups. The Amendment 80 ABC reserves are the ABC reserves minus the
CDQ ABC reserves. Section 679.91(i)(2) establishes Amendment 80
cooperatives ABC reserve to be the ratio of each cooperatives' quota
share units and the total Amendment 80 quota share units, multiplied by
the Amendment 80 ABC
[[Page 17302]]
reserve for each respective species. Table 15 lists the 2024 and 2025
ABC surplus and ABC reserves for BSAI flathead sole, rock sole, and
yellowfin sole. The ABC reserves for the CDQ groups are listed in table
22.
Table 15--Final 2024 and 2025 ABC Surplus, ABC Reserves, Community Development Quota (CDQ) ABC Reserves, and Amendment 80 ABC Reserves in the BSAI for
Flathead Sole, Rock Sole, and Yellowfin Sole
[Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2024 Flathead 2024 Yellowfin 2025 \1\ 2025 \1\ Rock 2025 \1\
Sector sole 2024 Rock sole sole Flathead sole sole Yellowfin sole
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABC..................................................... 67,289 122,091 265,913 68,203 122,535 276,917
TAC..................................................... 35,500 66,000 195,000 35,500 66,000 195,000
ABC surplus............................................. 31,789 56,091 70,913 32,703 56,535 81,917
ABC reserve............................................. 31,789 56,091 70,913 32,703 56,535 81,917
CDQ ABC reserve......................................... 3,401 6,002 7,588 3,499 6,049 8,765
Amendment 80 ABC reserve................................ 28,388 50,089 63,325 29,204 50,486 73,152
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The 2025 allocations for Amendment 80 species between Amendment 80 cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited access sector will not be known until
eligible participants apply for participation in the program by November 1, 2024.
PSC Limits for Halibut, Salmon, Crab, and Herring
Section 679.21 (b), (e), (f), and (g), set forth the BSAI PSC
limits. Section 679.21(b)(1) establishes three fixed halibut PSC limits
totaling 1,770 mt, and assigns 315 mt of the halibut PSC limit as the
PSQ reserve for use by the groundfish CDQ Program, 745 mt of the
halibut PSC limit for the BSAI trawl limited access sector, and 710 mt
of the halibut PSC limit for the BSAI non-trawl sector. An additional
amount of BSAI halibut PSC limit for the Amendment 80 sector is
determined annually based on the most recent halibut abundance
estimates from the IPHC setline survey index and the NMFS AFSC Eastern
Bering Sea shelf trawl survey index. In accordance with Sec.
679.21(b)(1)(i), NMFS uses both halibut biomass estimates such that the
value at the intercept of those survey indices from table 58 to 50 CFR
part 679 is the Amendment 80 sector halibut PSC limit. The 2023 AFSC
Eastern Bering Sea shelf trawl survey index estimate of halibut
abundance is 170,238 mt and is above the threshold level of 150,000 mt.
The IPHC setline survey index is 6,462 mt and is in the ``low''
abundance state. Pursuant to table 58 to 50 CFR part 679, the 2024
Amendment 80 sector halibut PSC limit is 1,396 mt. NMFS will publish
the 2025 Amendment 80 sector halibut PSC limit in the 2025 and 2026
harvest specifications.
Section 679.21(b)(1)(iii)(A) and (B) require apportionment of the
BSAI non-trawl halibut PSC limit into PSC allowances among six fishery
categories in table 20, and Sec. 679.21(b)(1)(ii)(A) and (B),
(e)(3)(i)(B), and (e)(3)(iv) require apportionment of the trawl PSC
limits in tables 17, 18, and 19 into PSC allowances among seven fishery
categories. These apportionments into PSC allowances are based on the
fishery categories' share of anticipated halibut PSC during the fishing
year and the need to optimize the amount of total groundfish harvested
under the halibut PSC limit for the non-trawl and trawl sectors.
Pursuant to Section 3.6 of the FMP, the Council recommends that
certain specified non-trawl fisheries be exempt from the halibut PSC
limit. NMFS concurs with this recommendation and exempts the pot gear
fishery, the jig gear fishery, and the sablefish IFQ fixed gear fishery
categories from halibut bycatch restrictions for the following reasons:
(1) the pot gear fisheries have low halibut bycatch mortality; (2) NMFS
estimates halibut mortality for the jig gear fleet to be negligible
because of the small size of the fishery and the selectivity of the
gear; and (3) the sablefish and halibut IFQ fisheries have low halibut
bycatch mortality because the IFQ program requires that legal-size
halibut be retained by vessels using fixed gear if a halibut IFQ permit
holder or a hired master is aboard and is holding unused halibut IFQ
for that vessel category and the IFQ regulatory area in which the
vessel is operating (see Sec. 679.7(f)(11)).
The 2023 total groundfish catch for the pot gear fishery in the
BSAI was 43,527 mt, with an associated halibut bycatch mortality of 9
mt. The 2023 jig gear fishery harvested 22 mt total groundfish. Most
vessels in the jig gear fleet are exempt from observer coverage
requirements. As a result, observer data are not available on halibut
bycatch in the jig gear fishery. As mentioned above, NMFS estimates a
negligible amount of halibut bycatch mortality because of the selective
nature of jig gear and the low mortality rate of halibut caught with
jig gear and released.
Under Sec. 679.21(f)(2), NMFS annually allocates portions of
either 33,318, 45,000, 47,591, or 60,000 Chinook salmon PSC limits
among the AFA sectors, depending on: (1) past bycatch performance; (2)
whether Chinook salmon bycatch incentive plan agreements (IPAs) are
formed and approved by NMFS; and (3) whether NMFS determines it is a
low Chinook salmon abundance year. NMFS will determine that it is a low
Chinook salmon abundance year when abundance of Chinook salmon in
western Alaska is less than or equal to 250,000 Chinook salmon. The
State provides to NMFS an estimate of Chinook salmon abundance using
the 3-System Index for western Alaska based on the Kuskokwim,
Unalakleet, and Upper Yukon aggregate stock grouping.
If an AFA sector participates in an approved IPA and has not
exceeded its performance standard under Sec. 679.21(f)(6), and if it
is not a low Chinook salmon abundance year, then NMFS will allocate a
portion of the 60,000 Chinook salmon PSC limit to that sector as
specified in Sec. 679.21(f)(3)(iii)(A). If no IPA is approved, or if
the sector has exceeded its performance standard under Sec.
679.21(f)(6), and if it is not a low abundance year, then NMFS will
allocate a portion of the 47,591 Chinook salmon PSC limit to that
sector as specified in Sec. 679.21(f)(3)(iii)(C). If an AFA sector
participates in an approved IPA and has not exceeded its performance
standard under Sec. 679.21(f)(6), in a low abundance year, then NMFS
will allocate a portion of the 45,000 Chinook salmon PSC limit to that
sector as specified in Sec. 679.21(f)(3)(iii)(B). If no IPA is
approved, or if the sector has exceeded its performance standard under
Sec. 679.21(f)(6), and if in a low abundance year, then NMFS will
allocate a portion of the 33,318 Chinook salmon PSC limit to that
sector as specified in Sec. 679.21(f)(3)(iii)(D).
NMFS has determined that 2023 was a low Chinook salmon abundance
year,
[[Page 17303]]
based on the State's estimate that Chinook salmon abundance in western
Alaska is less than 250,000 Chinook salmon. In addition, all AFA
sectors are participating in NMFS-approved IPAs, and no sector has
exceeded the sector's annual Chinook salmon bycatch performance
standard in any three of seven consecutive years. Therefore, in 2024,
the Chinook salmon PSC limit is 45,000 Chinook salmon, allocated to
each sector as specified in Sec. 679.21(f)(3)(iii)(B). In 2024, the
Chinook salmon bycatch performance standard under Sec. 679.21(f)(6) is
33,318 Chinook salmon, allocated to each sector as specified in Sec.
679.21(f)(3)(iii)(D). The AFA sector Chinook salmon PSC limits are also
seasonally apportioned with 70 percent for the A season pollock
fishery, and 30 percent for the B season pollock fishery (see
Sec. Sec. 679.21(f)(3)(i) and 679.23(e)(2)). NMFS publishes the
approved IPAs, allocations, and reports at <a href="https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/bycatch/default.htm">https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/bycatch/default.htm</a>.
Section 679.21(g)(2)(i) specifies 700 fish as the 2024 and 2025
Chinook salmon PSC limit for the AI pollock fishery. Section
679.21(g)(2)(ii) allocates 7.5 percent, or 53 Chinook salmon, as the AI
PSQ reserve for the CDQ program, and allocates the remaining 647
Chinook salmon to the non-CDQ fisheries.
Section 679.21(f)(14)(i) specifies 42,000 fish as the 2024 and 2025
non-Chinook salmon PSC limit for vessels using trawl gear from August
15 through October 14 in the Catcher Vessel Operational Area (CVOA).
Section 679.21(f)(14)(ii) allocates 10.7 percent, or 4,494 non-Chinook
salmon, in the CVOA as the PSQ reserve for the CDQ program, and
allocates the remaining 37,506 non-Chinook salmon in the CVOA to the
non-CDQ fisheries. Section 679.21(f)(14)(iv) exempts from closures in
the Chum Salmon Savings Area trawl vessels participating in directed
fishing for pollock and operating under an IPA approved by NMFS.
PSC limits for crab and herring are specified annually based on
abundance and spawning biomass.
Based on the most recent (2023) survey data, the red king crab
mature female abundance is estimated at 11.054 million red king crabs,
and the effective spawning biomass is estimated at 20.055 million lbs
(9,320 mt). Based on the criteria set out at Sec. 679.21(e)(1)(i), the
calculated 2024 and 2025 PSC limit of red king crab in Zone 1 for trawl
gear is 97,000 animals. This limit derives from the mature female
abundance estimate above 8.4 million mature red king crab and an
effective spawning biomass between 14.5 and 55 million lbs.
Section 679.21(e)(3)(ii)(B)(2) establishes criteria under which
NMFS must specify, after consultation with the Council, an annual red
king crab bycatch limit for the Red King Crab Savings Subarea (RKCSS)
if the State has established a GHL fishery for red king crab in the
Bristol Bay area in the previous year. The regulations limit the RKCSS
red king crab bycatch limit to 25 percent of the red king crab PSC
limit, based on the need to optimize the groundfish harvest relative to
red king crab bycatch. In October 2023, the Council recommended, and
NMFS approves, that the RKCSS red king crab bycatch limit for 2024 and
2025 be equal to 25 percent of the red king crab PSC limit.
Based on the most recent (2023) survey data from the NMFS annual
bottom trawl survey, Tanner crab (Chionoecetes bairdi) abundance is
estimated at 730 million animals. Pursuant to criteria set out at Sec.
679.21(e)(1)(ii), the calculated 2024 and 2025 C. bairdi crab PSC limit
for trawl gear is 980,000 animals in Zone 1, and 2,970,000 animals in
Zone 2. The limit in Zone 1 is based on the total abundance of C.
bairdi (estimated at 730 million animals), which is greater than 400
million animals. The limit in Zone 2 is based on the total abundance of
C. bairdi (estimated at 730 million animals), which is greater than 400
million animals.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.21(e)(1)(iii), the PSC limit for trawl gear
for snow crab (C. opilio) is based on total abundance as indicated by
the NMFS annual bottom trawl survey. The C. opilio crab PSC limit in
the C. opilio bycatch limitation zone (COBLZ) is set at 0.1133 percent
of the Bering Sea abundance index minus 150,000 crabs, unless a minimum
or maximum PSC limit applies. Based on the most recent (2023) survey
estimate of 1.142 billion animals, the calculated C. opilio crab PSC
limit is 1,143,886 animals. Because 0.1133 percent multiplied by the
total abundance is less than 4.5 million animals, the minimum PSC limit
applies, and the PSC limit is 4.350 million animals.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.21(e)(1)(v), the PSC limit of Pacific herring
caught while conducting any trawl operation for BSAI groundfish is 1
percent of the annual eastern BS herring biomass. The best estimate of
2024 and 2025 herring biomass is 253,511 mt. This amount was developed
by ADF&G based on biomass for spawning aggregations. Therefore, the
herring PSC limit for 2024 and 2025 is 2,535 mt for all trawl gear as
listed in tables 16 and 17.
Section 679.21(e)(3)(i)(A)(1) allocates 10.7 percent from each
trawl gear PSC limit specified for crab as a PSQ reserve for use by the
groundfish CDQ program. Section 679.21(e)(3)(i)(A) requires that crab
PSQ reserves be subtracted from the total trawl gear crab PSC limits.
The crab and halibut PSC limits apportioned to the Amendment 80 and
BSAI trawl limited access sectors are listed in table 35 to 50 CFR part
679. The resulting 2024 and 2025 allocations of PSC limit to CDQ PSQ
reserves, the Amendment 80 sector, and the BSAI trawl limited access
sector are listed in table 16. Pursuant to Sec. Sec. 679.21(b)(1)(i),
679.21(e)(3)(vi), and 679.91(d) through (f), crab and halibut trawl PSC
limits assigned to the Amendment 80 sector are then further allocated
to Amendment 80 cooperatives as cooperative quota. Crab and halibut PSC
cooperative quota assigned to Amendment 80 cooperatives is not
allocated to specific fishery categories.
In 2024, there are no vessels in the Amendment 80 limited access
sector and there is a single Amendment 80 cooperative. The 2025 PSC
allocations between Amendment 80 cooperatives and the Amendment 80
limited access sector will not be known until eligible participants
apply for participation in the program by November 1, 2024.
The BSAI ITAC allocation of halibut and crab PSC limits to the PCTC
Program is established in Sec. 679.131(c) and (d). The halibut PSC
apportioned to the trawl CV sector is 98 percent of the halibut PSC
limit apportioned to the BSAI trawl limited access sector's Pacific cod
fishery category, and the remaining 2 percent is apportioned to the AFA
CP sector. The trawl CV sector apportionment is further allocated to
the A and B seasons (95 percent) and the C season (5 percent). The
allocation to the trawl CV sector for the A and B season is subject to
reductions consistent with Sec. 679.131(c)(1)(iii). The crab PSC
apportioned to the trawl CV sector is 90.6 percent of the crab PSC
limit apportioned to the BSAI trawl limited access sector's Pacific cod
fishery category, and the remaining 9.4 percent is apportioned to the
AFA CP sector. The trawl CV sector apportionment is further allocated
to the A and B seasons (95 percent) and the C season (5 percent), and
the A and B season limit is reduced by 35 percent to determine the
overall PCTC Program crab PSC limit. The limits of halibut and crab PSC
for the PCTC Program are listed in tables 18 and 19, and in table 11
for PSC allowances for PCTC Program cooperatives.
[[Page 17304]]
Sections 679.21(b)(2) and (e)(5) authorize NMFS, after consulting
with the Council, to establish seasonal apportionments of halibut and
crab PSC amounts for the BSAI trawl limited access and non-trawl
sectors to maximize the ability of the fleet to harvest the available
groundfish TAC and to minimize bycatch. The factors to be considered
are: (1) seasonal distribution of prohibited species; (2) seasonal
distribution of target groundfish species relative to prohibited
species distribution; (3) PSC bycatch needs on a seasonal basis
relevant to prohibited species biomass and expected catches of target
groundfish species; (4) the expected variations in bycatch rates
throughout the year; (5) the expected changes in directed groundfish
fishing seasons; (6) the expected start of fishing effort; and (7)
economic effects of establishing seasonal prohibited species
apportionments on segments of the target groundfish industry. Based on
this criteria, the Council recommended and NMFS approves the seasonal
PSC apportionments in tables 18, 19, and 20 to maximize harvest among
gear types, fisheries, and seasons while minimizing bycatch of PSC. PSC
limits for PCTC Program cooperatives are listed in table 11. PSC
allocations among the CDQ groups are listed in table 22.
Table 16--Final 2024 and 2025 Apportionment of Prohibited Species Catch Allowances to Non-Trawl Gear, the CDQ Program, Amendment 80, and the BSAI Trawl
Limited Access Sectors
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trawl PSC BSAI trawl BSAI PSC limits
PSC species and area and zone \1\ Total PSC Non-trawl PSC CDQ PSQ remaining Amendment 80 limited access not allocated to
reserve \2\ after CDQ PSQ sector 3 4 sector Amendment 80 \3\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut mortality (mt) BSAI.......... 3,166 710 315 n/a 1,396 745 n/a
Herring (mt) BSAI.................... 2,535 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Red king crab (animals) Zone 1....... 97,000 n/a 10,379 86,621 43,293 26,489 16,839
C. opilio (animals) COBLZ............ 4,350,000 n/a 465,450 3,884,550 1,909,256 1,248,494 726,799
C. bairdi crab (animals) Zone 1...... 980,000 n/a 104,860 875,140 368,521 411,228 95,390
C. bairdi crab (animals) Zone 2...... 2,970,000 n/a 317,790 2,652,210 627,778 1,241,500 782,932
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Refer to Sec. 679.2 for definitions of areas and zones.
\2\ The PSQ reserve for crab species is 10.7 percent of each crab PSC limit.
\3\ The BSAI halibut PSC limit for the Amendment 80 sector is determined annually based on the most recent halibut abundance estimates from the IPHC
setline survey index and the NMFS AFSC Eastern Bering Sea shelf trawl survey index (Sec. 679.21(b)(1)(i)). The Amendment 80 Program reduced
apportionment of the trawl PSC limits for crab below the total PSC limit. These reductions are not apportioned to other gear types or sectors (table
35 to part 679).
\4\ The Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative (PCTC) Program reduced the Pacific cod PCTC Program PSC limit for halibut by 12.5 percent in 2024 and 25 percent
in 2025 and each year after (Sec. 679.131(c)(1)(iii)(A and B)). The PCTC Program reduced the Pacific cod PCTC Program PSC limit for crab by 35
percent each year (679.131(d)(1)(iii)). The PSC limits apply to PCTC Program trawl CVs in the A and B seasons.
Table 17--Final 2024 and 2025 Herring and Red King Crab Savings Subarea
Prohibited Species Catch Allowances for All Trawl Sectors
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Red king crab
Fishery categories Herring (mt) (animals) Zone
BSAI 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yellowfin sole.......................... 146 n/a
Rock sole/flathead sole/Alaska plaice/ 74 n/a
other flatfish \1\.....................
Greenland turbot/arrowtooth flounder/ 8 n/a
Kamchatka flounder/sablefish...........
Rockfish................................ 8 n/a
Pacific cod............................. 13 n/a
Midwater trawl pollock.................. 2,256 n/a
Pollock/Atka mackerel/other species 2 3. 30 n/a
Red king crab savings subarea non- n/a 24,250
pelagic trawl gear \4\.................
-------------------------------
Total trawl PSC..................... 2,535 97,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Species apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
\1\ ``Other flatfish'' for PSC monitoring includes all flatfish species,
except for halibut (a prohibited species), Alaska plaice, arrowtooth
flounder, flathead sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, rock
sole, and yellowfin sole.
\2\ Pollock other than midwater trawl pollock, Atka mackerel, and
``other species'' fishery category.
\3\ ``Other species'' for PSC monitoring includes skates, sharks, and
octopuses.
\4\ In December 2024, the Council recommended, and NMFS approves, that
the red king crab bycatch limit for non-pelagic trawl fisheries within
the RKCSS be limited to 25 percent of the red king crab PSC allowance
(see Sec. 679.21(e)(3)(ii)(B)(2)).
[[Page 17305]]
Table 18--Final 2024 Prohibited Species Bycatch Allowances for the BSAI Trawl Limited Access Sectors and Pacific
Cod Trawl Cooperative Program
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prohibited species and area \1\
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BSAI trawl limited access sector Halibut Red king crab C. opilio C. bairdi (animals)
fisheries mortality (mt) (animals) Zone (animals) -------------------------------
BSAI 1 COBLZ Zone 1 Zone 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yellowfin sole.................. 250 23,337 1,192,179 346,228 1,185,500
Rock sole/flathead sole/other .............. .............. .............. .............. ..............
flatfish \2\...................
Greenland turbot/arrowtooth .............. .............. .............. .............. ..............
flounder/Kamchatka flounder/
sablefish......................
Rockfish, April 15-December 31.. 5 .............. 1,006 .............. 1,000
Total Pacific cod \3\........... 315 2,955 50,281 60,000 50,000
AFA CP Pacific cod.............. 6 278 4,726 5,640 4,700
PCTC Program Pacific cod, A and 257 1,653 28,130 33,567 27,973
B season.......................
Trawl CV Pacific cod, C season.. 15 134 2,278 2,718 2,265
PCTC Program unallocated 37 890 15,147 18,075 15,062
reduction......................
Pollock/Atka mackerel/other 175 197 5,028 5,000 5,000
species \4\....................
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total BSAI trawl limited 745 26,489 1,248,494 411,228 1,241,500
access sector PSC..........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Species apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
\1\ Refer to Sec. 679.2 for definitions of areas and zones.
\2\ ``Other flatfish'' for PSC monitoring includes all flatfish species, except for halibut (a prohibited
species), Alaska plaice, arrowtooth flounder, flathead sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, rock sole,
and yellowfin sole.
\3\ Amendment 122 established the Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative (PCTC) Program that further apportioned the BSAI
trawl limited access sector Pacific cod PSC limits for halibut and crab between AFA CPs, PCTC A and B-season,
and open access C-season (Sec. 679.131(c) and (d)). In 2024, NMFS will apply a 12.5 percent reduction to the
A and B season trawl CV sector halibut PSC apportionment after the Council recommends and NMFS approves the
BSAI trawl limited access sector's PSC limit apportionments to fishery categories (Sec. 679.131(c)(1)(iii)).
In 2025 and every year thereafter, NMFS will apply a 25 percent reduction to the A and B season trawl CV
sector halibut PSC apportionment. The crab PSC limits are reduced for the A and B season trawl CV sector PSC
limit by 35 percent each year (Sec. 679.131(d)(1)(iii)). Any amount of the PCTC Program PSC limit remaining
after the B season may be reapportioned to the trawl CV open access fishery in the C season. Because the
annual PSC limits for the PCTC Program is not a fixed amount established in regulation and, instead, is
determined annually through the harvest specification process, NMFS must apply the reduction to the A and B
season apportionment of the trawl CV sector apportionment to implement the overall PSC reductions under the
PCTC Program.
\4\ ``Other species'' for PSC monitoring includes skates, sharks, and octopuses.
Table 19--Final 2025 Prohibited Species Bycatch Allowances for the BSAI Trawl Limited Access Sectors and Pacific
Cod Trawl Cooperative Program
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prohibited species and area \1\
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BSAI trawl limited access sector Halibut Red king crab C. opilio C. bairdi (animals)
fisheries mortality (mt) (animals) Zone (animals) -------------------------------
BSAI 1 COBLZ Zone 1 Zone 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yellowfin sole.................. 250 23,337 1,192,179 346,228 1,185,500
Rock sole/flathead sole/other .............. .............. .............. .............. ..............
flatfish \2\...................
Greenland turbot/arrowtooth .............. .............. .............. .............. ..............
flounder/Kamchatka flounder/
sablefish......................
Rockfish April 15-December 31... 5 .............. 1,006 .............. 1,000
Total Pacific cod \3\........... 315 2,955 50,281 60,000 50,000
AFA CP Pacific cod.............. 6 278 4,726 5,640 4,700
PCTC Program Pacific cod, 220 1,653 28,130 33,567 27,973
January 20-June 10.............
Trawl CV Pacific cod, June 10- 16 134 2,278 2,718 2,265
November 1.....................
PCTC Program unallocated 73 890 15,147 18,075 15,062
reduction......................
Pollock/Atka mackerel/other 175 197 5,028 5,000 5,000
species \4\....................
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total BSAI trawl limited 745 26,489 1,248,494 411,228 1,241,500
access sector PSC..........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Species apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
\1\ Refer to Sec. 679.2 for definitions of areas and zones.
\2\ ``Other flatfish'' for PSC monitoring includes all flatfish species, except for halibut (a prohibited
species), Alaska plaice, arrowtooth flounder, flathead sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, rock sole,
and yellowfin sole.
\3\ Amendment 122 established the Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative (PCTC) Program that further apportioned the BSAI
trawl limited access sector Pacific cod PSC limits for halibut and crab between AFA CPs, PCTC A and B-season,
and open access C-season (Sec. 679.131(c) and (d)). In 2025 and every year thereafter, NMFS will apply a 25
percent reduction to the A and B season trawl CV sector halibut PSC apportionment after the Council recommends
and NMFS approves the BSAI trawl limited access sector's PSC limit apportionments to fishery categories (Sec.
679.131(c)(1)(iii)). The crab PSC limits are reduced for the A and B season trawl CV sector PSC limit by 35
percent each year (Sec. 679.131(d)(1)(iii)). Any amount of the PCTC Program PSC limit remaining after the B
season may be reapportioned to the trawl CV open access fishery in the C season. Because the annual PSC limits
for the PCTC Program is not a fixed amount established in regulation and, instead, is determined annually
through the harvest specification process, NMFS must apply the reduction to the A and B season apportionment
of the trawl CV sector apportionment to implement the overall PSC reductions under the PCTC Program.
\4\ ``Other species'' for PSC monitoring includes skates, sharks, and octopuses.
[[Page 17306]]
Table 20--Final 2024 and 2025 Halibut Prohibited Species Bycatch Allowances for Non-Trawl Fisheries
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut mortality (mt) BSAI
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher
Non-trawl fisheries Seasons processor Catcher vessel All non-trawl
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod........................... Total Pacific cod....... 648 13 661
January 1-June 10....... 388 9 n/a
June 10-August 15....... 162 2 n/a
August 15-December 31... 98 2 n/a
Non-Pacific cod non-trawl-Total....... May 1-December 31....... n/a n/a 49
Groundfish pot and jig................ n/a..................... n/a n/a Exempt
Sablefish hook-and-line............... n/a..................... n/a n/a Exempt
-----------------------------------------------
Total for all non-trawl PSC....... n/a..................... n/a n/a 710
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Seasonal or sector allowances may not total precisely due to rounding.
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 (DMRs)
To monitor halibut bycatch mortality allowances and apportionments,
the Regional Administrator uses observed halibut incidental catch
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 BSAI stock assessment process. The DMR methodology and findings
are included as an appendix to the annual BSAI 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 Plan Team, SSC, and the Council. A summary
of the revised methodology is included in the BSAI proposed 2017 and
2018 harvest specifications (81 FR 87863, 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 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 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.
At the December 2023 meeting, the SSC, AP, and the 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 reference period, except pot gear uses an
updated 4-year reference period. The final 2024 and 2025 DMRs in this
rule are unchanged from the DMRs in the proposed 2024 and 2025 harvest
specifications (88 FR 84278, December 5, 2023). Table 21 lists these
final 2024 and 2025 DMRs.
Table 21--2024 and 2025 Pacific Halibut Discard Mortality Rates (DMR)
for the BSAI
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut discard
Gear Sector mortality rate
(percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pelagic trawl................. All.................. 100
Non-pelagic trawl............. Mothership and 85
catcher/processor.
Non-pelagic trawl............. Catcher vessel....... 63
Hook-and-line................. Catcher/processor.... 7
Hook-and-line................. Catcher vessel....... 7
Pot........................... All.................. 26
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Community Development Quota Group Quotas
In 2006, Public Law 109-241 amended section 305(i)(1) of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act (16 U.S.C. 1855(i)). This law specifies the
allocation of CDQ groundfish and PSC amounts among the six CDQ groups.
The six groups are the Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development
Association (APICDA), Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation
(BBEDC), Central Bering Sea Fisherman's Association (CBSFA), Coastal
Villages Regional Fund (CVRF), Norton Sound Economic Development
Corporation (NSEDC), and Yukon Delta
[[Page 17307]]
Fisheries Development Association (YDFDA). NMFS published the CDQ and
CDQ PSQ percentages on August 31, 2006 (71 FR 51804, August 31, 2006).
Those percentages applied to the CDQ amounts in these harvest
specifications are shown in table 22.
Table 22--2024 CDQ Program Quota Categories, Target CDQ Reserves, Prohibited Species Quota (PSQ) Reserves, and CDQ Group Quotas
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Species or species group APICDA BBEDC CBSFA CVRF NSEDC YDFDA Total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Groundfish CDQ Species CDQ Group Quotas
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Groundfish units are in metric tons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BS Pollock A season.......................................... 8,190 12,285 2,925 14,040 12,870 8,190 58,500
BS Pollock B season.......................................... 10,010 15,015 3,575 17,160 15,730 10,010 71,500
BS Pollock Total............................................. 18,200 27,300 6,500 31,200 28,600 18,200 130,000
AI Pollock................................................... 266 399 95 456 418 266 1,900
BS FG Sablefish.............................................. 120 160 128 ........... 144 248 800
AI FG Sablefish.............................................. 177 241 38 342 291 177 1,266
BS Sablefish................................................. 63 66 27 39 39 66 300
AI Sablefish................................................. 41 32 13 21 19 33 158
BS Pacific cod............................................... 2,371 3,320 1,423 2,846 2,846 3,004 15,810
AI Pacific cod............................................... 130 182 78 156 156 164 865
WAI Atka Mackerel............................................ 770 385 205 385 359 462 2,565
CAI Atka Mackerel............................................ 538 269 143 269 251 323 1,793
EAI/BS Atka Mackerel......................................... 1,036 518 276 518 483 621 3,452
Yellowfin Sole............................................... 5,842 5,008 1,669 1,252 1,461 5,634 20,865
Yellowfin Sole ABC reserves.................................. 2,125 1,821 607 455 531 2,049 7,588
Rock Sole.................................................... 1,695 1,624 565 777 777 1,624 7,062
Rock Sole ABC reserves....................................... 1,440 1,380 480 660 660 1,380 6,002
BS Greenland Turbot.......................................... 46 58 23 49 55 58 288
Arrowtooth Flounder.......................................... 330 330 135 195 180 330 1,498
Flathead Sole................................................ 760 798 342 570 570 760 3,799
Flathead Sole ABC reserves................................... 680 714 306 510 510 680 3,401
WAI Pacific Ocean Perch...................................... 401 201 107 201 187 241 1,338
CAI Pacific Ocean Perch...................................... 177 89 47 89 83 106 591
EAI Pacific Ocean Perch...................................... 256 128 68 128 119 153 853
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PSQ
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut PSQ is in metric tons. Crab and salmon PSQ are in number of animals
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zone 1 Red King Crab......................................... 2,491 2,180 830 1,245 1,245 2,387 10,379
Zone 1 Bairdi Tanner Crab.................................... 27,264 25,166 8,389 8,389 8,389 27,264 104,860
Zone 2 Bairdi Tanner Crab.................................... 76,270 73,092 25,423 34,957 31,779 76,270 317,790
COBLZ Opilio Tanner Crab..................................... 116,363 111,708 37,236 46,545 37,236 116,363 465,450
Pacific Halibut.............................................. 69 69 28 38 38 72 315
BS Chinook Salmon A season................................... 547 820 195 937 859 547 3,906
BS Chinook Salmon B season................................... 139 208 50 238 218 139 990
BS Chinook Salmon total...................................... 685 1,028 245 1,175 1,077 685 4,896
AI Chinook Salmon............................................ 7 11 3 13 12 7 53
Non-Chinook Salmon........................................... 629 944 225 1,079 989 629 4,494
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Directed Fishing Closures
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional
Administrator may establish a DFA for a species or species group if the
Regional Administrator determines that any allocation or apportionment
of a target species has been or will be reached. If the Regional
Administrator establishes a DFA, and that allowance is or will be
reached before the end of the fishing year, NMFS will prohibit directed
fishing for that species or species group in the specified subarea,
regulatory area, or district (see Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii)). Similarly,
pursuant to Sec. 679.21(b)(4) and (e)(7), if the Regional
Administrator determines that a fishery category's bycatch allowance of
halibut, red king crab, C. bairdi crab, or C. opilio crab for a
specified area has been reached, the Regional Administrator will
prohibit directed fishing for each species or species group in that
fishery category in the area specified by regulation for the remainder
of the season or fishing year.
Based on historical catch patterns and anticipated fishing
activity, the Regional Administrator has determined that the groundfish
allocation amounts in table 23 will be necessary as incidental catch to
support other anticipated groundfish fisheries for the 2024 and 2025
fishing years. Consequently, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i),
the Regional Administrator establishes the DFA for the species and
species groups in table 23 as zero mt. Therefore, in accordance with
Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for these
sectors and species or species groups in the specified areas effective
at 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 11, 2024, through 2400 hours, A.l.t.,
December 31, 2025. Also, for the BSAI trawl limited access sector,
bycatch allowances of halibut, red king crab, C. bairdi crab, and C.
opilio crab listed in table 23 are insufficient to support directed
fisheries for the species and species groups listed in table 23.
Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.21(b)(4)(i) and (e)(7), NMFS is
prohibiting directed fishing for these sectors, species, and fishery
categories in the specified areas effective at 1200
[[Page 17308]]
hours, A.l.t., March 11, 2024, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31,
2025.
Table 23--2024 and 2025 Directed Fishing Closures \1\
[Groundfish and halibut amounts are in metric tons. Crab amounts are in number of animals.]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2024 2025
Incidental Incidental
Area Sector Species catch catch
allowance allowance
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bogoslof District................. All.................. Pollock.............. 250 250
Aleutian Islands subarea.......... All.................. Greenland Turbot..... 426 366
Aleutian Islands subarea.......... All.................. ICA pollock.......... 3,420 3,420
``Other rockfish'' 380 380
\2\.
Aleutian Islands subarea.......... Trawl non-CDQ........ Sablefish............ 1,794 1,794
Eastern Aleutian District/Bering Non-amendment 80, ICA Atka mackerel.... 800 800
Sea. CDQ, and BSAI trawl
limited access.
Eastern Aleutian District/Bering All.................. Blackspotted/Rougheye 330 350
Sea. rockfish.
Eastern Aleutian District......... Non-amendment 80, ICA Pacific ocean 100 100
CDQ, and BSAI trawl perch.
limited access.
Central Aleutian District......... Non-amendment 80, ICA Atka mackerel.... 75 75
CDQ, and BSAI trawl
limited access.
ICA Pacific ocean 60 60
perch.
Western Aleutian District......... Non-amendment 80, CDQ ICA Atka mackerel.... 20 20
and BSAI trawl
limited access.
ICA Pacific ocean 10 10
perch.
Western and Central Aleutian All.................. Blackspotted/Rougheye 181 195
Districts. rockfish.
Bering Sea subarea................ Trawl non-CDQ........ Sablefish............ 3,398 4,038
Bering Sea subarea................ All.................. Pacific ocean perch.. 9,891 9,716
``Other rockfish'' 748 748
\2\. 50,000 50,000
ICA pollock..........
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands... ..................... Shortraker rockfish.. 451 451
Skates............... 25,941 25,807
Sharks............... 340 340
Octopuses............ 340 340
Hook-and-line and pot ICA Pacific cod...... 500 500
gear.
All.................. ICA flathead sole.... 3,000 3,000
ICA rock sole........ 6,000 6,000
All.................. ICA yellowfin sole... 4,000 4,000
BSAI trawl limited Rock sole/flathead .............. ..............
access. sole/other flatfish--
halibut mortality,
red king crab Zone
1, C. opilio COBLZ,
C. bairdi Zone 1 and
2.
Turbot/arrowtooth/ .............. ..............
Kamchatka/sablefish--
halibut mortality,
red king crab Zone
1, C. opilio COBLZ,
C. bairdi Zone 1 and
2.
Rockfish--red king .............. ..............
crab Zone 1.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Maximum retainable amounts may be found in table 11 to 50 CFR part 679.
\2\ ``Other rockfish'' includes all Sebastes and Sebastolobus species except for dark rockfish, Pacific ocean
perch, northern rockfish, blackspotted/rougheye rockfish, and shortraker rockfish.
Closures implemented under the final 2023 and 2024 BSAI harvest
specifications for groundfish (88 FR 14926, March 10, 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 Area: <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.
Listed AFA Catcher/Processor Sideboard Limits
Pursuant to Sec. 679.64(a), the Regional Administrator is
responsible for restricting the ability of listed AFA CPs to engage in
directed fishing for groundfish species other than pollock to protect
participants in other groundfish fisheries from adverse effects
resulting from the AFA fishery and from fishery cooperatives in the
directed pollock fishery. These restrictions are set out as sideboard
limits on catch. On February 8, 2019, NMFS published a final rule (84
FR 2723) that implemented regulations to prohibit non-exempt AFA CPs
from directed fishing for all groundfish species or species groups
subject to sideboard limits (see Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iv)(D) and table 54
to 50 CFR part 679). Section 679.64(a)(1)(v) exempts AFA CPs from a
yellowfin sole sideboard limit because the final 2024 and 2025
aggregate ITAC of yellowfin sole assigned to the Amendment 80 sector
and BSAI trawl limited access sector is greater than 125,000 mt.
Section 679.64(a)(2) and tables 40 and 41 to 50 CFR part 679
establish a formula for calculating PSC sideboard limits for halibut
and crab caught by
[[Page 17309]]
listed AFA CPs. The basis for these sideboard limits is described in
detail in the final rules implementing the major provisions of the AFA
(67 FR 79692, December 30, 2002) and Amendment 80 (72 FR 52668,
September 14, 2007). PSC species listed in table 24 that are caught by
listed AFA CPs participating in any groundfish fishery other than
pollock will accrue against the final 2024 and 2025 PSC sideboard
limits for the listed AFA CPs. Section 679.21(b)(4)(iii), (e)(3)(v),
and (e)(7) authorizes NMFS to close directed fishing for groundfish
other than pollock for listed AFA CPs once a final 2024 or 2025 PSC
sideboard limit listed in table 24 is reached. Pursuant to Sec.
679.21(b)(1)(ii)(C) and (e)(3)(ii)(C), halibut or crab PSC by listed
AFA CPs while fishing for pollock will accrue against the PSC
allowances annually specified for the pollock/Atka mackerel/``other
species'' fishery categories, according to Sec. 679.21(b)(1)(ii)(B)
and (e)(3)(iv).
Table 24--Final 2024 and 2025 BSAI AFA Listed Catcher/Processor Prohibited Species Sideboard Limits
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2024 and 2025 PSC 2024 and 2025 AFA
Ratio of PSC available to catcher/
PSC species and area \1\ catch to total trawl vessels processor
PSC after subtraction sideboard limit
of PSQ \2\ \2\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut mortality BSAI.................................... n/a n/a 286
Red king crab Zone 1...................................... 0.0070 86,621 606
C. opilio (COBLZ)......................................... 0.1530 3,884,550 594,336
C. bairdi Zone 1.......................................... 0.1400 875,140 122,520
C. bairdi Zone 2.......................................... 0.0500 2,652,210 132,611
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Refer to Sec. 679.2 for definitions of areas.
\2\ Halibut amounts are in metric tons of halibut mortality. Crab amounts are in numbers of animals.
AFA Catcher Vessel Sideboard Limits
Pursuant to Sec. 679.64(b), the Regional Administrator is
responsible for restricting the ability of AFA CVs to engage in
directed fishing for groundfish species other than pollock to protect
participants in other groundfish fisheries from adverse effects
resulting from the AFA fishery and from fishery cooperatives in the
pollock directed fishery. Section 679.64(b)(3) and (b)(4) and tables 40
and 41 to 50 CFR part 679 establish formulas for setting AFA CV
groundfish and halibut and crab PSC sideboard limits for the BSAI. The
basis for these sideboard limits is described in detail in the final
rules implementing the major provisions of the AFA (67 FR 79692,
December 30, 2002), Amendment 80 (72 FR 52668, September 14, 2007), and
Amendment 122 (88 FR 53704, August 8, 2023). Section 679.64(b)(6)
exempts AFA CVs from a yellowfin sole sideboard limit because the final
2024 and 2025 aggregate ITAC of yellowfin sole assigned to the
Amendment 80 sector and BSAI trawl limited access sector is greater
than 125,000 mt.
On February 8, 2019, NMFS published a final rule (84 FR 2723) that
implemented regulations to prohibit non-exempt AFA CVs from directed
fishing for a majority of the groundfish species or species groups
subject to sideboard limits (see Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iv)(D) and table 55
to 50 CFR part 679). The only remaining sideboard limit for non-exempt
AFA CVs is for Pacific cod. Pursuant to Amendment 122 to the FMP, the
Pacific cod sideboard limit is no longer necessary in the A and B
seasons because directed fishing in the BSAI for Pacific cod by trawl
CVs is now managed under the PCTC Program, and accordingly the
sideboard limit is in effect in the C season only (Sec.
679.64(b)(3)(ii)). Table 25 lists the final 2024 and 2025 AFA CV
groundfish sideboard limits.
Table 25--Final 2024 and 2025 BSAI Pacific Cod Sideboard Limits for American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessels (CVs)
[Amounts are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2024 AFA 2025 AFA
Ratio of 1997 2024 ITAC for catcher vessel 2025 ITAC for catcher vessel
Fishery by area/gear/season AFA CV catch C season sideboard C season sideboard
to 1997 TAC limit limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod BSAI................ n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Trawl gear CV................... n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Jun 10-Nov 1................ 0.8609 4,613 3,971 4,168 3,588
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Section 679.64(b)(6) exempts AFA catcher vessels from a yellowfin sole sideboard limit because the final
2024 and 2025 aggregate ITAC of yellowfin sole assigned to the Amendment 80 sector and BSAI trawl limited
access sector is greater than 125,000 mt.
Halibut and crab PSC limits listed in table 26 that are caught by
AFA CVs participating in any groundfish fishery other than pollock will
accrue against the 2024 and 2025 PSC sideboard limits for the AFA CVs.
Section 679.21 (b)(4)(iii), (e)(3)(v), and (e)(7) authorizes NMFS to
close directed fishing for groundfish other than pollock for AFA CVs
once a final 2024 or 2025 PSC sideboard limit listed in table 26 is
reached. Pursuant to Sec. 679.21(b)(1)(ii)(C) and (e)(3)(ii)(C),
halibut or crab PSC by AFA CVs while fishing for pollock will accrue
against the PSC allowances annually specified for the pollock/Atka
mackerel/``other species'' fishery categories under Sec.
679.21(b)(1)(ii)(B) and (e)(3)(iv).
[[Page 17310]]
Table 26--Final 2024 and 2025 American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel Prohibited Species Catch Sideboard Limits
for the BSAI \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2024 and 2025
AFA catcher PSC limit 2024 and 2025
Target fishery category vessel PSC after AFA catcher
PSC species and area \1\ \2\ sideboard subtraction of vessel PSC
limit ratio PSQ reserves sideboard
\3\ limit \3\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut............................... Pacific cod trawl....... n/a n/a n/a
Pacific cod hook-and- n/a n/a 2
line or pot.
Yellowfin sole total.... n/a n/a 101
Rock sole/flathead sole/ n/a n/a 228
Alaska plaice/other
flatfish \4\.
Greenland turbot/ n/a n/a ..............
arrowtooth/Kamchatka/
sablefish.
Rockfish................ n/a n/a 2
Pollock/Atka mackerel/ n/a n/a 5
other species \5\.
Red king crab Zone 1.................. n/a..................... 0.2990 86,621 25,900
C. opilio COBLZ....................... n/a..................... 0.1680 3,884,550 652,604
C. bairdi Zone 1...................... n/a..................... 0.3300 875,140 288,796
C. bairdi Zone 2...................... n/a..................... 0.1860 2,652,210 493,311
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Refer to Sec. 679.2 for definitions of areas.
\2\ Target trawl fishery categories are defined at Sec. Sec. 679.21(b)(1)(ii)(B) and (e)(3)(iv).
\3\ Halibut amounts are in metric tons of halibut mortality. Crab amounts are in numbers of animals.
\4\ ``Other flatfish'' for PSC monitoring includes all flatfish species, except for halibut (a prohibited
species), Alaska plaice, arrowtooth flounder, flathead sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, rock sole,
and yellowfin sole.
\5\ ``Other species'' for PSC monitoring includes skates, sharks, and octopuses.
Response to Comments
NMFS received 5 letters raising 17 distinct comments during the
public comment period for the proposed BSAI groundfish harvest
specifications (88 FR 84278, December 5, 2023). NMFS's responses are
below.
Comment 1: The BSAI 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 BSAI, 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 (e.g., climate change) and
other marine resources (e.g., salmon and halibut). Scientists from the
AFSC prepare the assessment using sophisticated statistical analyses of
fish populations and draft the written assessment for a species or
species group, which for eastern BS (EBS) pollock is a full assessment
updated annually and for AI pollock is a full assessment updated
biennially. The assessments for the BSAI are informed by the most
recent survey and harvest data available, including multiple surveys in
the EBS scheduled annually and in the AI every other year. 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 ESRs, Ecosystem and Socioeconomic Profiles
(ESP), stock assessments, and Plan Team report--and use all these
materials as reference in their OFL, ABC, and TAC recommendations to
NMFS. NMFS reviews the same information for its annual decision to
implement the OFL, ABC, and TAC for BSAI 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 different recommendation.
Ultimately, the SSC recommends the OFL and ABC (i.e., the biological
reference points) that inform the setting of the TAC (the harvest
target/limit) for each species and species group since TAC cannot
exceed ABC (see Section 3.2.3.4.1 of the FMP and 50 CFR 600.310(g)(4)).
This ensures that the 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 (reduction) between OFL
and ABC, and 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 ESRs and in
the stock assessment, specifically the stock-specific risk table
prepared for each stock as well as an
[[Page 17311]]
additional ecosystem considerations section prepared for full/
operational assessments like pollock. For EBS pollock, for example, the
ecosystem considerations section of the stock assessment analyzes the
fishery's effects on the ecosystem, such as bycatch of non-target
species like salmon. The 2023 ESRs also provide information on the
status of salmon in the BS ecosystem and AI ecosystem, including
updated information on the abundance of salmon, fish condition, the run
size of Bristol Bay sockeye salmon, the Yukon and Kuskokwim chum runs
and subsistence harvest, abundance and role of eastern Kamchatka pink
salmon in the Aleutian Islands, and trends in directed commercial catch
of salmon. The 2023 EBS ESR also included an overview of foraging and
energetics for Pacific halibut. The specification of the pollock TACs
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. The 2023 SAFE report chapter for EBS pollock is available at
<a href="https://www.npfmc.org/wp-content/PDFdocuments/SAFE/2023/EBSpollock.pdf">https://www.npfmc.org/wp-content/PDFdocuments/SAFE/2023/EBSpollock.pdf</a>.
As described above, NMFS and the Council considered the status of
Chinook and chum salmon in the harvest specifications process. In
addition, the harvest specifications announce Chinook bycatch limits
based on promulgated regulations implementing Amendments 91 and 110 to
the FMP. NMFS and the Council have previously taken comprehensive
action through Amendments 91 and 110 to the FMP and implementing
regulations to reduce salmon bycatch in the pollock trawl fishery
because of the potential for negative impacts on salmon stocks.
Existing measures have reduced salmon bycatch in the pollock fishery
compared with what they would have been without the measures.
Regulations set limits on how many Chinook salmon can be caught in a
year in the Bering Sea pollock fishery, and those regulations require
that NMFS announce the applicable Chinook salmon limits in the harvest
specifications (see Sec. 679.21(f)). Pursuant to Sec. 679.21(f), NMFS
annually allocates portions of either 33,318, 45,000, 47,591, or 60,000
Chinook salmon PSC limits among the AFA sectors, depending on: (1) past
bycatch performance; (2) whether Chinook salmon bycatch incentive plan
agreements (IPAs) are formed and approved by NMFS; and (3) whether NMFS
determines it is a low Chinook salmon abundance year (see Sec.
679.21(f)). NMFS will determine that it is a low Chinook salmon
abundance year when abundance of Chinook salmon in western Alaska is
less than or equal to 250,000 Chinook salmon, based on the estimate
provided by the State. The State provides NMFS with an estimate of
Chinook salmon abundance using the 3-System Index for western Alaska
based on the Kuskokwim, Unalakleet, and Upper Yukon aggregate stock
grouping.
For 2023, NMFS determined it was a low abundance year based on the
State's 3-System Index. In accordance with the regulations at Sec.
679.21(f), NMFS has specified a Chinook salmon PSC limit of 45,000
Chinook salmon, and a Chinook salmon bycatch performance standard of
33,318 Chinook salmon for the 2024 fishing year. NMFS publishes the
approved IPAs, allocations, and reports at <a href="https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/bycatch/default.htm">https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/bycatch/default.htm</a>.
Bycatch of salmon is posted on the NMFS website 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>.
For each fishing year, the Bering Sea pollock fleet is constrained
by the limit of Chinook salmon PSC set in regulation (as explained
above), regardless of the size of the pollock TAC and harvest. The AFA
sectors are prohibited from continuing to fish if their Chinook salmon
PSC limit has been exceeded. Further, if the sector exceeds its
performance standard in 3 of 7 years, that sector becomes constrained
by the performance standard in future years (meaning, the sector would
be subject to a lower PSC limit in future years).
Regulations set limits on Chinook salmon PSC for the AI pollock
fishery and non-Chinook salmon PSC for vessels using trawl gear. These
are static limits set in regulations and are announced in the
groundfish harvest specifications each year. Regulations also set
limits on Pacific halibut PSC in the groundfish fisheries. Section
679.21(b)(1) establishes a fixed ha
[…truncated; see source link]Indexed from Federal Register on March 11, 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.