Proposed Rule2024-27896
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska; Proposed 2025 and 2026 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish
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Published
November 29, 2024
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS proposes 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications, apportionments, and Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limits for the groundfish fisheries of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to establish harvest limits for groundfish during the 2025 and 2026 fishing years and to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the GOA (FMP). The 2025 harvest specifications supersede those previously set in the final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications, and the 2026 harvest specifications will be superseded in early 2026 when the final 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications are published. The intended effect of this action is to conserve and manage the groundfish resources in the GOA in accordance with the Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 230 (Friday, November 29, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 230 (Friday, November 29, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 94680-94700]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-27896]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 241121-0299; RTID 0648-XE336]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of
Alaska; Proposed 2025 and 2026 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule; harvest specifications and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: NMFS proposes 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications,
apportionments, and Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC)
limits for the groundfish fisheries of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This
action is necessary to establish harvest limits for groundfish during
the 2025 and 2026 fishing years and to accomplish the goals and
objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the GOA
(FMP). The 2025 harvest specifications supersede those previously set
in the final 2024 and 2025 harvest
[[Page 94681]]
specifications, and the 2026 harvest specifications will be superseded
in early 2026 when the final 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications are
published. The intended effect of this action is to conserve and manage
the groundfish resources in the GOA in accordance with the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
DATES: Comments must be received by December 30, 2024.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by
NOAA-NMFS-2024-0124 by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and enter NOAA-NMFS-2024-0124 in the Search box.
Click on the ``Comment'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter
or attach your comments.
<bullet> Mail: Submit written comments to Gretchen Harrington,
Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division,
Alaska Region NMFS. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-
1668.
Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain
anonymous).
Electronic copies of the Alaska Groundfish Harvest Specifications
Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS), Record of Decision
(ROD) for the Final EIS, and the annual Supplementary Information
Reports (SIR) to the Final EIS prepared for this action are available
from <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. An updated 2025 SIR for the final
2025 and 2026 harvest specifications will be available from the same
source. The final 2023 Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE)
report for the groundfish resources of the GOA, dated December 2023, is
available from the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council)
at 1007 West Third, Suite 400, Anchorage, AK 99501-2252, phone 907-271-
2809, or from the NMFS 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>. The 2024 SAFE report for the GOA
will be available from the same sources.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Abby Jahn, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the GOA groundfish fisheries in
the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the GOA under the FMP. The Council
prepared and NMFS approved the FMP under the authority of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.). Regulations governing U.S.
fisheries and implementing the FMP appear at 50 CFR parts 600, 679, and
680.
The FMP and its implementing regulations require that NMFS, after
consultation with the Council, specify the total allowable catch (TAC)
for each target species, the sum of which must be within the optimum
yield (OY) range of 116,000 to 800,000 metric tons (mt) (Sec.
679.20(a)(1)(i)(B) and 679.20(a)(2)). Section 679.20(c)(1) further
requires NMFS to publish and solicit public comment on proposed annual
TACs and apportionments thereof for each target species, Pacific
halibut PSC limits, and seasonal allowances of pollock and Pacific cod.
The proposed harvest specifications in tables 1 through 19 of this rule
satisfy these requirements. For 2025 and 2026, the sum of the proposed
TAC amounts is 482,000 mt.
Under Sec. 679.20(c)(3), NMFS will publish the final 2025 and 2026
harvest specifications after (1) considering comments received within
the comment period (see DATES), (2) consulting with the Council at its
December 2024 meeting, (3) considering information presented in the
2025 SIR to the Final EIS that assesses the need to prepare a
Supplemental EIS (see ADDRESSES), and (4) considering information
presented in the final 2024 SAFE report, including the 2024 Ecosystem
Status Report (ESR) for the GOA.
Other Actions Potentially Affecting the 2025 and 2026 GOA Harvest
Specifications
The Alaska Board of Fisheries (BOF) is considering five proposals
for management of fishing in State waters that if adopted could
potentially affect the GOA groundfish harvest specifications for 2025
and 2026. The BOF will not take action on these proposals until after
the December 2024 Council meeting.
Proposal 8, if adopted by the BOF, would increase the Prince
William Sound (PWS) Pacific cod fishery guideline harvest level (GHL)
from 25 percent to a minimum of 35 percent and a maximum of 50 percent
of the acceptable biological catch (ABC) for the Eastern Regulatory
Area of the GOA. The final 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications would
have to account for this increase in the GHL when specifying the
Pacific cod TAC for the Eastern Regulatory Area to ensure that the sum
of all State waters and Federal waters Pacific cod removals from the
GOA do not exceed ABC recommendations. Proposal 13, if adopted, allows
for 100 percent retention of longnose and big skate in the PWS Pacific
cod and Pacific halibut fisheries until 25 percent of the TAC for the
Eastern Regulatory Area is reached. The final 2025 and 2026 harvest
specifications would need to account for this change when specifying
TACs for longnose and big skates for the Eastern Regulatory Area to
ensure that the sum of all skate removals from State and Federal waters
of the GOA do not exceed ABC recommendations. Proposals 14 and 16, if
adopted, would limit or close the PWS pollock fishery, which would mean
a reduced or no GHL, and the final 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications
would account for this change to the GHL by changing the TAC. Proposal
43, if adopted, would establish a directed octopus fishery in PWS,
which means the State could set a GHL. The final 2025 and 2026 harvest
specifications would have to account for this GHL for octopus in PWS
when specifying the TAC to ensure that the sum of all octopus removals
from the State and Federal waters of the GOA do not exceed ABC
recommendation.
Proposed ABC and TAC Specifications
In October 2024, the Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee
(SSC), its Advisory Panel (AP), and the Council reviewed the most
recent biological and harvest information about the condition of the
GOA groundfish stocks. The Council's GOA Groundfish Plan Team (Plan
Team) compiled and presented this information in the final 2023 SAFE
report for the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated December 2023 (see
ADDRESSES). The final 2024 SAFE report, including individual stock
assessments, will be available online (see ADDRESSES). The SAFE report
contains a review of the latest scientific analyses and estimates of
each species' biomass and past, present, and possible future condition
of the stocks and groundfish fisheries off Alaska. The SAFE report also
contains an economic summary informed by the Economic SAFE report
(available online, see ADDRESSES) and ecosystem information summarized
from the ESR. The SAFE
[[Page 94682]]
provides information to the Council and NMFS for recommending and
setting, respectively, annual harvest levels for each stock and
documenting significant trends or changes in the resource, marine
ecosystems, and fisheries over time.
An ESR is prepared for the GOA ecosystem (as well as for the Bering
Sea and Aleutian Islands ecosystems). ESRs compile and summarize
information about the status of the Alaska marine ecosystems for the
Plan Team, SSC, AP, Council, NMFS, and the public, and they are updated
annually. These ESRs include ecosystem report cards, ecosystem
assessments, and ecosystem-based management 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 into the annual harvest recommendations
primarily through inclusion in stock assessment-specific risk tables
that inform the specification of ABC for each target species. The ESRs
provide context for the SSC's recommendations for overfishing levels
(OFL) and ABC, as well as for the Council's TAC recommendations. The
SAFE reports and the ESRs are presented at the October and December
Council meetings before the SSC, AP, and the Council make groundfish
harvest recommendations, and they aid NMFS in implementing these annual
groundfish harvest specificaitions.
In addition to the 2023 SAFE report (the most recent final SAFE
report available), the Plan Team, SSC, and Council also reviewed
preliminary survey data from 2024 surveys, updates on ecosystem and
socioeconomic profiles (ESPs) for certain species, initial updates on
climate and oceanography for Alaska ecosystems, summaries of potential
changes to models, and stock assessment methodologies. From these data
and analyses, the Plan Team and SSC recommend the proposed OFL and ABC
for each species and species group. The AP and Council also review the
data and analyses, including the 2023 SAFE report, as well as Plan Team
and SSC recommendations for OFL and ABC to develop their TAC
recommendations. The AP and Council recommended that the proposed 2025
and 2026 TACs be set equal to proposed ABCs for all species and species
groups (a species or species groups' TAC cannot exceed its ABC), with
the exception of the species and species groups further discussed
below. The proposed OFLs, ABCs, and TACs could be changed in the final
harvest specifications depending on the most recent scientific
information contained in the final 2024 SAFE report and comments on
this proposed rule. The individual stock assessments that comprise, in
part, the 2023 SAFE report are available online (see ADDRESSES). The
final 2024 SAFE report will be available from the same source.
In November 2024, the Plan Team will update the 2023 SAFE report to
include new information collected during 2024, such as NMFS stock
surveys, revised stock assessments, and catch data. The Plan Team will
compile this information and present the draft 2024 SAFE report at the
December 2024 Council meeting. At that meeting, the SSC and the Council
will review the 2024 SAFE report, and the Council will approve the 2024
SAFE report for use in informing the Council's final recommendations to
NMFS. The Council will consider information in the 2024 SAFE report,
recommendations from the November 2024 Plan Team meeting and December
2024 SSC and AP meetings, public testimony, and relevant written public
comments in making its recommendations to NMFS for the final 2025 and
2026 harvest specifications. Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(2) and (3),
NMFS will specify the final TACs based on the biological condition of
groundfish stocks, a variety of socioeconomic considerations; ensuring
that the sum of all the TACs is to fall within the OY range.
Potential Changes Between Proposed and Final Specifications
In previous years, the most significant changes (relative to the
amount of assessed tonnage of fish) to the OFLs and ABCs from the
proposed to the final harvest specifications have been based on the
most recent NMFS stock surveys. These surveys provide updated estimates
of stock biomass and spatial distribution and inform changes to the
models used for producing stock assessments. At the September 2024 Plan
Team meeting, NMFS scientists presented updated and new survey results.
Scientists also discussed potential changes to assessment models and
accompanying preliminary stock estimates. At the October 2024 Council
meeting, the SSC reviewed this information. Species and species groups
with proposed changes to assessment models include pollock, Pacific
cod, dusky rockfish, and northern rockfish. Model changes may result in
changes to the final OFLs, ABCs, and TACs.
In November 2024, the Plan Team will consider updated survey
results and updated stock assessments for groundfish stocks, which will
be included in the draft 2024 SAFE report. If the 2024 SAFE report
indicates that the stock biomass trend is increasing for a species,
then the final 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications for that species
may reflect an increase from the proposed harvest specifications.
Conversely, if the 2024 SAFE report indicates that the stock biomass
trend is decreasing for a species, then the final 2025 and 2026 harvest
specifications for that species may reflect a decrease from the
proposed harvest specifications.
The proposed 2025 and 2026 OFLs and ABCs are based on the best
available biological and scientific information, including projected
biomass trends, information on assumed distribution of stock biomass,
and revised technical methods used to calculate stock biomass. The FMP
specifies the tiers to be used to calculate OFLs and ABCs. The tier
applicable to a particular stock or stock complex is determined by the
level of reliable information available to the fisheries scientists.
This information is categorized into a successive series of six tiers
to define OFLs and ABCs, with Tier 1 representing the highest level of
information quality available and Tier 6 representing the lowest level
of information quality available. The Plan Team used the FMP tier
structure to calculate OFLs and ABCs for each groundfish species. The
SSC adopted the proposed 2025 and 2026 OFLs and ABCs recommended by the
Plan Team for all groundfish species. The proposed 2025 and 2026 TACs
are based on the best available biological and socioeconomic
information. In making its recommendations, the Council adopted the
SSC's OFL and ABC recommendations and the AP's TAC recommendations for
all groundfish species. NMFS has reviewed the recommendations of the
SSC and Council for OFLs, ABCs, and TACs for target species and species
groups in the GOA as well as any other relevant information. Based on
that review, NMFS is proposing the OFLs, ABCs, and TACs set forth in
the tables of this proposed rule as consistent with the Magnuson-
Stevens Act, the FMP, and other applicable law, subject to further
review and consideration after public comment.
Specification and Apportionment of TAC Amounts
The combined Western and Central (W/C) Regulatory Areas and the
West Yakutat (WYK) District of the Eastern Regulatory Area (the W/C/
WYK) pollock TAC and the GOA Pacific cod TACs are set to account for
the State GHLs for the State waters pollock and Pacific cod fisheries
so that the ABCs are not exceeded. These reductions are
[[Page 94683]]
described below. The shallow-water flatfish TAC in the Western
Regulatory Area, arrowtooth flounder TACs in the Western Regulatory
Area and the Southeast Outside (SEO) District, and flathead sole TAC in
the Western Regulatory Area are set to allow for increased harvest
opportunities for these target species while conserving the halibut PSC
limit for use in other fisheries. The Atka mackerel TAC is set to
accommodate incidental catch amounts (ICA) in other fisheries. The
other rockfish TAC in the SEO District of the Eastern Regulatory Area
is set to reduce the amount of discards of the species in that complex.
NMFS's proposed apportionments of groundfish species are based on
the distribution of biomass among the regulatory areas over which NMFS
manages the species. Additional regulations govern the apportionment of
pollock, Pacific cod, and sablefish. Additional detail on
apportionments of pollock, Pacific cod, and sablefish are described
below.
The proposed 2025 and 2026 TAC for the pollock stock in the
combined W/C/WYK Regulatory Area is set to account for the GHL
established by the State for the PWS pollock fishery. The Plan Team,
SSC, AP, and Council have recommended that the sum of all State waters
and Federal waters pollock removals from the GOA not exceed ABC
recommendations. State fisheries managers set the PWS GHL at 2.5
percent of the annual W/C/WYK pollock ABC. Currently, this GHL is based
on the GHL historical percent average from 2001 to 2010. For 2025 and
2026, this yields a projected PWS pollock GHL of 3,942 mt, a decrease
of 17 percent from the 2024 PWS GHL of 4,769 mt. After reductions for
the PWS GHL, the remaining 2025 and 2026 pollock ABC for the combined
W/C/WYK areas is then apportioned among four statistical areas (Areas
610, 620, 630, and 640) and corresponding TACs are proposed to be set
equal to the ABCs, as described below and detailed in table 1. The
total TACs for the four statistical areas, plus the State GHL, do not
exceed the combined W/C/WYK ABC. The proposed W/C/WYK 2025 and 2026
pollock ABC is 157,687 mt, and the proposed TAC is 153,745 mt.
Apportionments of pollock to the W/C/WYK management areas are
considered to be apportionments of the TAC. Apportionments of the TAC
in this manner allow NMFS to balance any transfer of TAC among Areas
610, 620, and 630 pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B) and to ensure
that the combined W/C/WYK ABC, ACL, and TAC are not exceeded.
NMFS proposes pollock TACs in the Western (Area 610) and Central
(Areas 620 and 630) Regulatory Areas and the WYK (Area 640) and the SEO
(Area 650) Districts of the GOA (see table 1). NMFS also proposes
seasonal apportionment of the annual pollock TAC in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA among Statistical Areas 610, 620,
and 630. These apportionments are divided equally among the following
two seasons: the A season (January 20 through May 31) and the B season
(September 1 through November 1) (Sec. Sec. 679.23(d)(2) and
679.20(a)(5)(iv)). Additional detail is provided below; table 2 lists
these amounts.
The proposed 2025 and 2026 Pacific cod TACs (see table 1) are set
to account for the State's GHLs for Pacific cod in State waters in the
Western and Central Regulatory Areas, as well as in PWS (in the Eastern
Regulatory Area). The Plan Team, SSC, AP, and Council recommended that
the sum of all State waters and Federal waters Pacific cod removals
from the GOA not exceed ABC recommendations. Accordingly, the Council
recommended and NMFS proposes that the 2025 and 2026 Pacific cod TACs
in the Western, Central, and Eastern Regulatory Areas account for State
GHLs. Therefore, the proposed 2025 and 2026 Pacific cod TACs are less
than the proposed ABCs by the following amounts: (1) Western GOA, 2,291
mt; (2) Central GOA, 4,495 mt; and (3) Eastern GOA, 641 mt. These
amounts reflect the State's projected 2025 and 2026 GHLs in these
areas, which are 30 percent of the Western GOA proposed ABC, and 25
percent of both the Eastern and Central GOA proposed ABCs.
The Western and Central GOA Pacific cod TACs are allocated among
various gear and operational sectors. NMFS also establishes seasonal
apportionments of the annual Pacific cod TACs in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas. The Pacific cod sector and seasonal
apportionments are discussed in detail in a subsequent section and in
table 4 of this rule.
The Council's recommendation for sablefish area apportionments
takes into account the prohibition on the use of trawl gear in the SEO
District of the Eastern Regulatory Area (Sec. 679.7(b)(1)) and makes
available 5 percent of the Eastern Regulatory Area (WYK and SEO
Districts combined) TAC to vessels using trawl gear for use as
incidental catch in other trawl groundfish fisheries in the WYK
District (Sec. 679.20(a)(4)(i)). Additional detail is provided below.
Tables 5 and 6 list the proposed 2025 and 2026 allocations of the
sablefish TAC to fixed gear and trawl gear in the GOA.
For 2025 and 2026, the Council recommends, and NMFS proposes, the
OFLs, ABCs, and TACs listed in table 1. These amounts are consistent
with the biological condition of groundfish stocks as described in the
2023 SAFE report. The proposed ABCs reflect harvest amounts that are
less than the specified OFLs. The proposed TACs are adjusted for other
biological and socioeconomic considerations and do not exceed ABCs. The
sum of the proposed TACs for all GOA groundfish target species is
482,000 mt for 2025 and 2026, which is within the OY range specified by
the FMP and implementing regulations. These proposed amounts and
apportionments by area, season, and sector are subject to change by
NMFS pending consideration of the 2024 SAFE report, public comment, and
the Council's recommendations for the final 2025 and 2026 harvest
specifications during its December 2024 meeting.
Table 1--Proposed 2025 and 2026 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs of Groundfish for the Western/Central/West Yakutat,
Western, Central, and Eastern Regulatory Areas, the West Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts of the Eastern
Regulatory Area, and Gulfwide District of the Gulf of Alaska
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Area \1\ OFL ABC TAC \2\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock \2\................................. Shumagin (610)................ n/a 32,144 32,144
Chirikof (620)................ n/a 75,179 75,179
Kodiak (630).................. n/a 41,821 41,821
WYK (640)..................... n/a 4,601 4,601
W/C/WYK (subtotal)............ 182,891 157,687 153,745
-----------------------------------
[[Page 94684]]
SEO (650).................. 12,998 9,749 9,749
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 195,889 167,436 163,494
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod \3\............................. W............................. n/a 7,638 5,347
C............................. n/a 17,981 13,486
E............................. n/a 2,565 1,924
-----------------------------------
Total......................... 33,970 28,184 20,757
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish \4\............................... W............................. n/a 4,719 4,719
C............................. n/a 9,693 9,693
WYK........................... n/a 2,940 2,940
-----------------------------------
SEO........................... n/a 5,343 5,343
Subtotal TAC............... n/a n/a 22,695
Total...................... 55,317 47,350 n/a
Shallow-water flatfish \5\.................. W............................. n/a 23,782 13,250
C............................. n/a 28,311 28,311
WYK........................... n/a 2,831 2,831
SEO........................... n/a 1,699 1,699
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 69,354 56,623 46,091
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deep-water flatfish \6\..................... W............................. n/a 234 234
C............................. n/a 2,614 2,614
WYK........................... n/a 1,827 1,827
SEO........................... n/a 2,278 2,278
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 8,257 6,953 6,953
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rex sole.................................... W............................. n/a 3,363 3,363
C............................. n/a 13,624 13,624
WYK........................... n/a 1,439 1,439
SEO........................... n/a 2,877 2,877
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 25,900 21,303 21,303
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth flounder......................... W............................. n/a 30,323 14,500
C............................. n/a 64,688 64,688
WYK........................... n/a 7,848 7,848
-----------------------------------
SEO........................... n/a 16,053 6,900
Total...................... 142,074 118,912 93,936
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead sole............................... W............................. n/a 13,521 8,650
C............................. n/a 21,702 21,702
WYK........................... n/a 3,949 3,949
SEO........................... n/a 2,086 2,086
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 50,322 41,258 36,387
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch \7\..................... W............................. n/a 1,726 1,726
C............................. n/a 27,768 27,768
WYK........................... n/a 2,038 2,038
SEO........................... n/a 6,822 6,822
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 45,835 38,354 38,354
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern rockfish \8\....................... W............................. n/a 2,446 2,446
C............................. n/a 2,200 2,200
E............................. n/a .......... ..........
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 5,548 4,646 4,646
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortraker rockfish \9\..................... W............................. n/a 34 34
C............................. n/a 189 189
E............................. n/a 424 424
Total...................... 863 647 647
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 94685]]
Dusky rockfish \10\......................... W............................. n/a 137 137
C............................. n/a 6,979 6,979
WYK........................... n/a 81 81
SEO........................... n/a 28 28
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 8,796 7,225 7,225
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rougheye and blackspotted rockfish \11\..... W............................. n/a 198 198
C............................. n/a 317 317
E............................. n/a 526 526
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 1,566 1,041 1,041
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demersal shelf rockfish \12\................ SEO........................... 376 283 283
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thornyhead rockfish \13\.................... W............................. n/a 314 314
C............................. n/a 693 693
E............................. n/a 621 621
Total...................... 2,170 1,628 1,628
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other rockfish 14 15........................ W/C/WYK combined.............. n/a 1,353 1,353
SEO........................... n/a 2,421 300
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 4,977 3,774 1,653
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel............................... GW............................ 6,200 4,700 3,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big skates \16\............................. W............................. n/a 745 745
C............................. n/a 1,749 1,749
E............................. n/a 341 341
-----------------------------------
Total...................... 3,780 2,835 2,835
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longnose skates \17\........................ W............................. n/a 104 104
C............................. n/a 1,894 1,894
E............................. n/a 538 538
-----------------------------------
Total......................... 3,380 2,536 2,536
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other skates \18\........................... GW............................ 887 665 665
Sharks...................................... GW............................ 6,521 4,891 4,891
Octopuses................................... GW............................ 1,307 980 980
Total................................... .............................. 673,289 562,224 482,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Regulatory areas and districts are defined at Sec. 679.2. (W=Western Gulf of Alaska; C=Central Gulf of
Alaska; E=Eastern Gulf of Alaska; WYK=West Yakutat District; SEO=Southeast Outside District; GW=Gulfwide).
\2\ The total for the W/C/WYK Regulatory Areas pollock ABC is 157,687 mt. After deducting 2.5 percent (3,942 mt)
of that ABC for the State's pollock GHL fishery, the remaining pollock ABC of 153,745 mt (for the W/C/WYK
Regulatory Areas) is apportioned among four statistical areas (Areas 610, 620, 630, and 640). The
apportionments in Areas 610, 620, and 630 are further divided by season, as detailed in table 2 (proposed 2025
and 2026 seasonal biomass distribution of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, area
apportionments, and seasonal allowances). In the West Yakutat (Area 640) and Southeast Outside (Area 650)
Districts of the Eastern Regulatory Area, pollock is not divided into seasonal allowances.
\3\ The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned, after seasonal apportionment to the jig sector, as follows: 1)
63.84 percent to the A season and 36.16 percent to the B season and 2) 64.16 percent to the A season and 35.84
percent to the B season in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA, respectively. The Pacific cod
TAC in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA is allocated 90 percent to vessels harvesting Pacific cod for
processing by the inshore component and 10 percent to vessels harvesting Pacific cod for processing by the
offshore component. Table 4 lists the proposed 2025 and 2026 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments and sector
allocations.
\4\ The sablefish OFL and ABC are set Alaska-wide (55,317 mt and 47,350 mt, respectively), and the GOA sablefish
TAC is 22,695 mt. Tables 5 and 6 list the proposed 2025 and 2026 allocations of sablefish TACs.
\5\ ``Shallow-water flatfish'' means flatfish not including ``deep-water flatfish,'' flathead sole, rex sole, or
arrowtooth flounder.
\6\ ``Deep-water flatfish'' means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, and deepsea sole.
\7\ ``Pacific ocean perch'' means Sebastes alutus.
\8\ ``Northern rockfish'' means Sebastes polyspinis. For management purposes, the one mt apportionment of ABC to
the WYK District of the Eastern Regulatory Area has been included in the other rockfish species group.
\9\ ``Shortraker rockfish'' means Sebastes borealis.
\10\ ``Dusky rockfish'' means Sebastes variabilis.
\11\ ``Rougheye and blackspotted rockfish'' means Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and Sebastes melanostictus
(blackspotted).
\12\ ``Demersal shelf rockfish'' means Sebastes pinniger (canary), S. nebulosus (china), S. caurinus (copper),
S. maliger (quillback), S. helvomaculatus (rosethorn), S. nigrocinctus (tiger), and S. ruberrimus (yelloweye).
\13\ ``Thornyhead rockfish'' means Sebastolobus species.
[[Page 94686]]
\14\ ``Other rockfish'' means Sebastes aurora (aurora), S. melanostomus (blackgill), S. paucispinis (bocaccio),
S. goodei (chilipepper), S. crameri (darkblotch), S. elongatus (greenstriped), S. variegatus (harlequin), S.
wilsoni (pygmy), S. babcocki (redbanded), S. proriger (redstripe), S. zacentrus (sharpchin), S. jordani
(shortbelly), S. brevispinis (silvergray), S. diploproa (splitnose), S. saxicola (stripetail), S. miniatus
(vermilion), S. reedi (yellowmouth), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus (yellowtail). In the Eastern GOA
only, other rockfish also includes northern rockfish (S. polyspinis).
\15\ Other rockfish in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat District of the Eastern
Regulatory Area means all rockfish species included in the other rockfish and demersal shelf rockfish
categories. The other rockfish species group in the SEO District only includes other rockfish.
\16\ ``Big skates'' means Beringraja binoculata.
\17\ ``Longnose skates'' means Raja rhina.
\18\ ``Other skates'' means Bathyraja.
Proposed Apportionment of Reserves
Section 679.20(b)(2) requires NMFS to set aside 20 percent of each
TAC for pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, sharks, and octopuses in
reserve for possible apportionment at a later date during the fishing
year. Section 679.20(b)(3) authorizes NMFS to reapportion all or part
of these reserves. In 2024, NMFS reapportioned all of the reserves in
the final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications. For 2025 and 2026, NMFS
proposes reapportionment of each of the reserves for pollock, Pacific
cod, flatfish, sharks, and octopuses back into the original TAC from
which the reserve was derived. NMFS expects, based on recent harvest
patterns, that such reserves will not be necessary for the management
of these fisheries and that the entire TAC for each of these species
will be caught or are needed to promote efficient fisheries. The TACs
in table 1 reflect this proposed reapportionment of reserve amounts to
the original TAC for these species and species groups, i.e., each
proposed TAC for the above-mentioned species or species groups contains
the full TAC recommended by the Council.
Proposed Apportionments of Pollock TAC Among Seasons and Regulatory
Areas and Allocations for Processing by Inshore and Offshore Components
In the GOA, pollock is apportioned by season and is further
allocated for processing by inshore and offshore components. Pursuant
to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B), the annual pollock TAC specified for the
Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA is apportioned into two
seasonal allowances of 50 percent each. As established by Sec.
679.23(d)(2), the A and B season allowances are available from January
20 through May 31 and September 1 through November 1, respectively.
Pollock TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA
are apportioned among Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630 in proportion
to the distribution of pollock biomass determined by the most recent
NMFS surveys, pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A). The pollock
chapter of the 2023 SAFE report (see ADDRESSES) contains a
comprehensive description of the apportionment and reasons for the
minor changes from past apportionments. Pollock is specified between
two seasons for the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA (A
and B seasons). There are four seasonal apportionments: A, B, C, and D
seasons as outlined in the 2023 GOA pollock assessment in the 2023 SAFE
report. The GOA pollock stock assessment continues to use a four-season
methodology to determine pollock distribution in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA to maintain continuity in the
historical pollock apportionment time-series. A and B seasons from the
assessment are aggregated into the A season for the purposes of
specifications and C and D seasons from the assessement are aggregated
into the B season for the purposes of specifications. This method is
described and calculated in the 2023 GOA pollock assessment.
Within any fishing year, the amount by which a seasonal allowance
is underharvested or overharvested may be added to, or subtracted from,
subsequent seasonal allowances in a manner to be determined by the
Regional Administrator (Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The rollover amount
is limited to 20 percent of the subsequent seasonal TAC apportionment
for the statistical area. Any unharvested pollock above the 20 percent
limit could be further distributed to the subsequent season in the
other statistical areas in proportion to the estimated biomass of the
subsequent season and in an amount no more than 20 percent of the
seasonal TAC apportionment in those statistical areas (Sec.
679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The proposed 2025 and 2026 pollock TACs in the
WYK District of 4,601 mt and the SEO District of 9,749 mt are not
allocated by season.
Table 2 lists the proposed 2025 and 2026 area apportionments and
seasonal allowances of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory
Areas. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and
offshore components are not shown. Section 679.20(a)(6)(i) requires
allocation of 100 percent of the pollock TAC in all regulatory areas
and all seasonal allowances to vessels catching pollock for processing
by the inshore component after subtraction of amounts projected by the
Regional Administrator to be caught by, or delivered to, the offshore
component incidental to directed fishing for other groundfish species.
Thus, the amount of pollock available for harvest by vessels harvesting
pollock for processing by the offshore component is the amount that
will be taken as incidental catch during directed fishing for
groundfish species other than pollock, up to the maximum retainable
amounts allowed by Sec. 679.20(e) and (f). At this time, these ICAs of
pollock are unknown and will be determined during the fishing year
during the course of fishing activities by the offshore component.
Table 2--Proposed 2025 and 2026 Distribution of Pollock in the Central and Western Regulatory Areas of the Gulf
of Alaska; Area Apportionments; and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC \1\
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shumigan (Area Chirikof (Area Kodiak (Area
Season \2\ 610) 620) 630) Total \3\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A (January 20-May 31)........................... 4,483 58,629 11,460 74,572
B (September 1-November 1)...................... 27,661 16,550 30,361 74,572
---------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 94687]]
Annual Total................................ 32,144 75,179 41,821 149,144
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Area apportionments and seasonal allowances may not total precisely due to rounding.
\2\ As established by Sec. 679.23(d)(2), the A and B season allowances are available from January 20 through
May 31 and September 1 through November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore
and offshore components are not shown in this table.
\3\ The West Yakutat and Southeast Outside District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not
included in the total pollock TACs shown in this table.
Proposed Annual and Seasonal Apportionments of Pacific Cod TAC
Section 679.20(a)(12)(i) requires allocations for the 2025 and 2026
Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA
among gear and operational sectors as well as seasonal apportionments
of the Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas. A
portion of the annual TAC is apportioned to the A season for hook-and-
line, pot, and jig gear from January 1 through June 10 and for trawl
gear from January 20 through June 10. The remainder of the annual TAC
is apportioned to the B season for jig gear from June 10 through
December 31, for hook-and-line and pot gear from September 1 through
December 31, and for trawl gear from September 1 through November 1
(Sec. Sec. 679.23(d)(3) and 679.20(a)(12)). Section 679.20(a)(6)(ii)
requires allocations of the 2025 and 2026 Pacific cod TACs annually
between the inshore (90 percent) and offshore (10 percent) components
in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA.
In the Western GOA, the Pacific cod TAC is apportioned seasonally
first to vessels using jig gear and then among catcher vessels (CVs)
using hook-and-line gear, catcher/processors (CPs) using hook-and-line
gear, CVs using trawl gear, CPs using trawl gear, and vessels using pot
gear (Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A)). In the Central GOA, the Pacific cod
TAC is apportioned seasonally first to vessels using jig gear and then
among CVs less than 50 feet (15.2 meters (m)) in length overall using
hook-and-line gear, CVs equal to or greater than 50 feet (15.2 m) in
length overall using hook-and-line gear, CPs using hook-and-line gear,
CVs using trawl gear, CPs using trawl gear, and vessels using pot gear
(Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)(B)). Allocations to the jig sector for the
Western and Central GOA are apportioned between the A season (60
percent) and the B season (40 percent) (Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)).
Excluding seasonal apportionments to the jig gear sector, the remainder
of the annual Pacific cod TACs are apportioned as follows: the seasonal
apportionments of the annual TAC are 63.84 percent to the A season and
36.16 percent to the B season in the Western GOA and 64.16 percent to
the A season and 35.84 percent to the B season in the Central GOA.
Under Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(ii), any overage or underage of the
Pacific cod allowance from the A season may be subtracted from, or
added to, the subsequent B season allowance. In addition, any portion
of the hook-and-line, trawl, pot, or jig sector allocations that is
determined by NMFS as likely to go unharvested by a sector may be
reallocated to other sectors for harvest during the remainder of the
fishing year consistent with the factors set forth in regulation.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A) and (B), a portion of the
annual Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central GOA will be
allocated to vessels with a Federal fisheries permit that use jig gear
before the TACs are apportioned among other non-jig sectors. In
accordance with the FMP, the annual jig sector allocations may increase
to up to 6 percent of the annual Western and Central GOA Pacific cod
TACs, depending on the annual performance of the jig sector (see table
1 of amendment 83 to the FMP for a detailed discussion of the jig
sector allocation process (76 FR 74670, December 1, 2011)). Jig sector
allocation increases are established for a minimum of 2 years.
NMFS has evaluated the historical harvest performance of the jig
sector in the Western and Central GOA and is proposing the 2025 and
2026 Pacific cod apportionments to this sector based on its historical
harvest performance through 2024. For 2025 and 2026, NMFS proposes that
the jig sector receive 3.5 percent of the annual Pacific cod TAC in the
Western GOA. The 2025 and 2026 allocation consists of a base allocation
of 1.5 percent of the Western GOA Pacific cod TAC and a harvest
performance increase of 2 percent based on prior harvest performance.
If the jig sector does not reach 90 percent of its Western GOA Pacific
cod allocation for the 2024 fishing year, which appears likely based on
catch through October 2024, the prior harvest performance increase of 2
percent would be maintained because allocation increases are
established for a minimum of 2 years. For 2025 and 2026, NMFS also
proposes that the jig sector receive 3 percent of the annual Pacific
cod TAC in the Central GOA. The 2025 and 2026 allocation consists of a
base allocation of 1 percent and a harvest performance increase of 2
percent based on harvest performance through 2024 because the jig
sector did reach 90 percent of its Central GOA Pacific cod allocation
for the 2024 fishing year. The Pacific cod jig allocations, catch, and
percent allocation changes are listed in table 3.
Table 3--Summary of Western GOA and Central GOA Pacific Cod Catch by Jig Gear in 2014 Through 2023, and Corresponding Percent Allocation Changes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percent of >90 Percent
Area Year Initial Initial TAC Catch (mt) initial of initial Change to percent
percent of TAC allocation allocation allocation? allocation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA................... 2014 2.5 573 785 137 Y Increase 1.
2015 3.5 948 55 6 N None.
2016 3.5 992 52 5 N Decrease 1.
2017 2.5 635 49 8 N Decrease 1.
2018 1.5 125 121 97 Y Increase 1.
2019 2.5 134 134 100 Y Increase 1.
[[Page 94688]]
2020 \1\ n/a .............. .............. .............. ............ ..........................
2021 3.5 195 26 13 N None.
2022 3.5 243 2 1 N Decrease 1.
2023 2.5 131 131 101 Y Increase 1.
2024 3.5 214 17 8 N None.
Central GOA................... 2014 2 797 262 33 N Decrease 1.
2015 1 460 355 77 N None.
2016 1 370 267 72 N None.
2017 1 331 18 6 N None.
2018 1 61 0 0 N None.
2019 1 58 30 52 N None.
2020 \1\ n/a .............. .............. .............. ............ ..........................
2021 1 102 26 26 N None.
2022 1 113 3 3 N None.
2023 1 111 246 222 Y Increase 1.
2024 2 309 303 98 Y Increase 1.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ NMFS did not evaluate the 2020 performance of the jig sectors in the Western and Central GOA because NMFS prohibited directed fishing for all
Pacific cod sectors in 2020 (84 FR 70438, December 23, 2019).
NMFS will re-evaluate the annual 2024 harvest performance of the
jig sector in the Western and Central GOA when the 2024 fishing year is
complete to determine whether to change the jig sector allocations
proposed by this action in conjunction with the final 2025 and 2026
harvest specifications. The current catch through October 2024 by the
Central GOA jig sector indicates that the Pacific cod allocation
percentage for this sector will increase by 1 percent in the Central
GOA. However, based on catch through October 2024, an increase is
unlikely for the jig sector in the Western GOA. Table 4 lists the
seasonal apportionments and allocations of the proposed 2025 and 2026
Pacific cod TACs.
Table 4--Proposed 2025 and 2026 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocations of Pacific Cod TAC Amounts in the GOA;
Allocations to the Western GOA and Central GOA Sectors, and the Eastern GOA Inshore and Offshore Processing
Components
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Season B Season
---------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Sector Sector
Regulatory area and sector allocation percentage of Seasonal percentage of Seasonal
(mt) annual non-jig allowances annual non-jig allowances
TAC (mt) TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA:
Jig (3.5 percent of TAC).... 187 N/A 112 N/A 75
Hook-and-line CV............ 72 0.7 36 0.7 36
Hook-and-line CP............ 1022 10.9 562 8.9 459
Trawl CV.................... 1981 31.54 1627 6.86 354
Trawl CP.................... 124 0.9 46 1.5 77
Pot CV and Pot CP........... 1961 19.8 1022 18.2 939
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 5,347 63.84 3,406 36.16 1,941
Central GOA:
Jig (3 percent of TAC)...... 405 N/A 243 N/A 162
Hook-and-line < 50 CV....... 1,910 9.32 1,219 5.29 692
Hook-and-line >= 50 CV...... 877 5.61 734 1.1 144
Hook-and-line CP............ 668 4.11 537 0.9975 130
Trawl CV \1\................ 5,440 25.29 3,309 16.29 2,131
Trawl CP.................... 549 2 262 2.19 287
Pot CV and Pot CP........... 3,637 17.83 2,332 9.98 1,305
Total................... 13,486 64.16 8,641 35.84 4,845
---------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern GOA..................... .............. Inshore (90 percent of Annual
TAC)
Offshore (10 percent of Annual
TAC)
---------------------------------------------------------------
1,924 1,732
192
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Trawl CVs participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 514 mt, of the annual
Central GOA Pacific cod TAC (see table 28c to 50 CFR part 679). This apportionment is deducted from the Trawl
CV B season allowance (see table 9: Proposed 2025 and 2026 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the
Central GOA and table 28c to 50 CFR part 679).
[[Page 94689]]
Proposed Allocations of the Sablefish TAC to Vessels Using Fixed Gear
and Trawl Gear
Section 679.20(a)(4)(i) and (ii) requires allocations of sablefish
TACs for each of the regulatory areas and districts to fixed and trawl
gear. In the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, 80 percent of each
TAC is allocated to fixed gear, and 20 percent of each TAC is allocated
to trawl gear. In the Eastern Regulatory Area, 95 percent of the TAC is
allocated to fixed gear, and 5 percent is allocated to trawl gear. The
trawl gear allocation in the Eastern Regulatory Area may be used only
to support incidental catch of sablefish while directed fishing for
other target species using trawl gear (Sec. 679.20(a)(4)(i)).
In recognition of the prohibition against trawl gear in the SEO
District of the Eastern Regulatory Area, the Council recommended, and
NMFS proposes, specifying for incidental catch the allocation of 5
percent of the Eastern Regulatory Area (WYK and SEO Districts combined)
sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the WYK District of the Eastern
Regulatory Area. The remainder of the WYK District sablefish TAC is
allocated to vessels using fixed gear. This proposed action allocates
100 percent of the sablefish TAC in the SEO District to vessels using
fixed gear. This results in proposed 2025 allocations of 414 mt to
trawl gear and 2,526 mt to fixed gear in the WYK District and a
proposed 2025 allocation of 5,343 mt to fixed gear in the SEO District.
Table 5 lists the allocations of the proposed 2025 sablefish TACs to
fixed and trawl gear. Table 6 lists the allocations of the proposed
2026 sablefish TACs to trawl gear.
The Council recommended that the trawl sablefish TAC be established
for 2 years so that retention of incidental catch of sablefish by trawl
gear could commence in January (when the trawl season opens) in the
second year of the groundfish harvest specifications. NMFS concurs with
this recommendation. Tables 5 and 6 list the proposed 2025 and 2026
trawl allocations, respectively.
The Council also recommended that the fixed gear sablefish TAC be
established annually to ensure that the sablefish individual fishing
quota (IFQ) fishery is conducted concurrently with the halibut IFQ
fishery and is based on the most recent survey information. Since there
is an annual assessment for sablefish and since the final harvest
specifications are expected to be published before the IFQ season
begins (typically, in early March), the Council recommended that the
fixed gear sablefish TAC be set annually, rather than for 2 years. NMFS
concurs with this recommendation. Accordingly, table 5 lists the
proposed 2025 fixed gear allocations, and the 2026 fixed gear
allocations will be specified in the final 2026 and 2027 harvest
specifications.
With the exception of the trawl allocations that are provided to
the Rockfish Program (see table 28c to 50 CFR part 679), directed
fishing for sablefish with trawl gear is typically closed at the
beginning of the fishing year (e.g., table 27 of the final 2024 and
2025 GOA harvest specifications, 89 FR 15484, March 4, 2024). Also,
fishing for groundfish with trawl gear is prohibited prior to January
20 (Sec. 679.23(c)). Therefore, it is not likely that the sablefish
allocation to trawl gear would be reached before the effective date of
the final 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications.
Table 5--Proposed 2025 Sablefish TAC Amounts in the Gulf of Alaska and Allocations to Fixed and Trawl Gear
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed gear
Area/District TAC allocation Trawl allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western............................................. 4,719 3,775 944
Central \1\......................................... 9,693 7,754 1,939
West Yakutat \2\.................................... 2,940 2,526 414
Southeast Outside................................... 5,343 5,343 .................
-----------------------------------------------------------
Total........................................... 22,695 19,398 3,297
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The proposed trawl allocation of sablefish to the Central Regulatory Area is further apportioned to the
Rockfish Program cooperatives (997 mt). See table 9: Proposed 2025 and 2026 Apportionments of Rockfish
Secondary Species in the Central GOA. This results in 942 mt being available for the non-Rockfish Program
trawl fisheries.
\2\ The proposed trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat
and Southeast Outside Districts combined) sablefish TAC as incidental catch to trawl gear in the West Yakutat
District.
Table 6--Proposed 2026 Sablefish TAC Amounts in the Gulf of Alaska and Allocation to Trawl Gear \1\
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed gear Trawl
Area/district TAC allocation allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western......................................................... 4,719 n/a 944
Central \2\..................................................... 9,693 n/a 1,939
West Yakutat \3\................................................ 2,940 n/a 414
Southeast Outside............................................... 5,343 n/a ..............
-----------------------------------------------
Total....................................................... 22,695 n/a 3,297
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Council recommended that the proposed 2026 harvest specifications for the fixed gear sablefish IFQ
fisheries not be specified in the 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications. The 2026 fixed gear allocations will
be specified in the final 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications.
\2\ The proposed trawl allocation of sablefish to the Central Regulatory Area is further apportioned to the
Rockfish Program cooperatives (997 mt). See table 9: Proposed 2025 and 2026 Apportionments of Rockfish
Secondary Species in the Central GOA. This results in 942 mt being available for the non-Rockfish Program
trawl fisheries.
\3\ The proposed trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat
and Southeast Outside Districts combined) sablefish TAC as incidental catch to trawl gear in the West Yakutat
District.
[[Page 94690]]
Proposed Allocations, Apportionments, and Sideboard Limitations for the
Rockfish Program
These proposed 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications for the GOA
include the fishery cooperative allocations and sideboard limitations
established by the Rockfish Program. Program participants are primarily
trawl CVs and trawl CPs, with limited participation by vessels using
longline gear. The Rockfish Program assigns quota share and cooperative
quota to trawl participants for primary species (Pacific ocean perch,
northern rockfish, and dusky rockfish) and secondary species (Pacific
cod, rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, sablefish, shortraker
rockfish, and thornyhead rockfish), allows a participant holding a
License Limitation Program (LLP) license with rockfish quota share to
form a rockfish cooperative with other persons, and allows holders of
CP LLP licenses to opt out of the fishery. The Rockfish Program also
has an entry level fishery for rockfish primary species for vessels
using longline gear. Longline gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll,
and handline gear.
Under the Rockfish Program, rockfish primary species in the Central
GOA are allocated to participants after deducting for incidental catch
needs in other directed fisheries (Sec. 679.81(a)(2)). Participants in
the Rockfish Program also receive a portion of the Central GOA TAC of
specific secondary species. In addition to groundfish species, the
Rockfish Program allocates a portion of the halibut PSC limit (191 mt)
from the third season deep-water species fishery allowance for the GOA
trawl fisheries to Rockfish Program participants (Sec. 679.81(d) and
table 28d to 50 CFR part 679). The Rockfish Program also establishes
sideboard limits to restrict the ability of harvesters operating under
the Rockfish Program to increase their participation in other, non-
Rockfish Program fisheries. These restrictions and halibut PSC limits
are discussed in the Rockfish Program Groundfish Sideboard and Halibut
PSC Limitations section of this proposed rule.
Section 679.81(a)(2)(ii) and table 28e to 50 CFR part 679 require
allocations of 5 mt of Pacific ocean perch, 5 mt of northern rockfish,
and 50 mt of dusky rockfish to the entry level longline fishery in 2025
and 2026. The allocations of primary species to the entry level
longline fishery may increase incrementally each year if the catch
exceeds 90 percent of the allocation of a species. The incremental
increase in the allocations would continue each year until reaching the
maximum percentage of the TAC for that species. In 2024, the catch for
all three primary species did not exceed 90 percent of any allocated
rockfish species. Therefore, NMFS is not proposing any increases to the
entry level longline fishery 2025 and 2026 allocations in the Central
GOA. The remainder of the TACs for the rockfish primary species, after
subtracting the ICAs, would be allocated to the CV and CP cooperatives
(Sec. 679.81(a)(2)(iii)). Table 7 lists the allocations of the
proposed 2025 and 2026 TACs for each rockfish primary species to the
entry level longline fishery, the potential incremental increases for
future years, and the maximum percentages of the TACs of the rockfish
primary species allocations to the entry level longline fishery.
Table 7--Proposed 2025 and 2026 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species to the Entry Level Longline Fishery in
the Central Gulf of Alaska
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incremental increase in
Proposed 2025 and 2026 2025 if >90 percent of Up to maximum
Rockfish primary species allocations 2024 allocation is percent of each
harvested TAC of
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch................... 5 metric tons............ 5 metric tons............ 1
Northern rockfish..................... 5 metric tons............ 5 metric tons............ 2
Dusky rockfish........................ 50 metric tons........... 20 metric tons........... 5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 679.81 requires allocations of rockfish primary species
among various sectors of the Rockfish Program. Table 8 lists the
proposed 2025 and 2026 allocations of rockfish primary species in the
Central GOA to the entry level longline fishery and rockfish CV and CP
cooperatives in the Rockfish Program. NMFS also proposes setting aside
ICAs for other directed fisheries in the Central GOA of 3,500 mt of
Pacific ocean perch, 300 mt of northern rockfish, and 250 mt of dusky
rockfish. These amounts are based on recent average incidental catches
in the Central GOA by other groundfish fisheries.
Allocations among vessels belonging to CV or CP cooperatives are
not included in these proposed harvest specifications. Rockfish Program
applications for CV cooperatives and CP cooperatives are not due to
NMFS until March 1 of each calendar year; therefore, NMFS cannot
calculate 2025 and 2026 allocations in conjunction with these proposed
harvest specifications. After receiving the Rockfish Program
applications, NMFS will calculate the 2025 allocations for CV and CP
cooperatives, as set forth in Sec. 679.81(b), (c), and (e). NMFS will
announce the 2025 allocations after March 1 and post these allocations
on the Alaska Region website at <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/sustainable-fisheries/alaska-fisheries-management-reports#central-goa-rockfish">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/sustainable-fisheries/alaska-fisheries-management-reports#central-goa-rockfish</a>.
Table 8--Proposed 2025 and 2026 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species in the Central Gulf of Alaska to the
Entry Level Longline Fishery and Rockfish Cooperatives in the Rockfish Program
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incidental Allocation to Allocation to
Central GOA catch the entry the rockfish
Rockfish primary species TAC allowance TAC minus ICA level longline cooperatives
(ICA) \1\fishery \2\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch............. 27,768 3,500 24,268 5 24,263
Northern rockfish............... 2,200 300 1,900 5 1,895
Dusky rockfish.................. 6,979 250 6,729 50 6,679
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 94691]]
Total....................... 36,947 4,050 32,897 60 32,837
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Longline gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear (50 CFR 679.2).
\2\ Rockfish cooperatives include vessels in CV and CP cooperatives (50 CFR 679.81).
Section 679.81(c) and table 28c to 50 CFR part 679 require
allocations of rockfish secondary species to CV and CP cooperatives in
the Central GOA. CV cooperatives receive allocations of Pacific cod,
sablefish from the trawl gear allocation, and thornyhead rockfish. CP
cooperatives receive allocations of sablefish from the trawl gear
allocation, rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, shortraker rockfish,
and thornyhead rockfish. Table 9 lists the apportionments of the
proposed 2025 and 2026 TACs of rockfish secondary species in the
Central GOA to CV and CP cooperatives.
Table 9--Proposed 2025 and 2026 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA to Catcher
Vessel and Catcher/Processor Cooperatives
[Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher Vessel cooperatives Catcher/Processor cooperatives
Central GOA ---------------------------------------------------------------
Rockfish secondary species annual TAC Percentage of Apportionment Percentage of Apportionment
TAC (mt) TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod..................... 13,486 3.81 514 N/A N/A
Sablefish....................... 9,693 6.78 657 3.51 340
Shortraker rockfish............. 189 n/a n/a 40 76
Rougheye and blackspotted 317 n/a n/a 58.87 187
rockfish.......................
Thornyhead rockfish............. 693 7.84 54 26.5 184
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut PSC Limits
Section 679.21(d) establishes annual halibut PSC limit
apportionments of 1,705 mt for trawl gear, 256 mt for hook-and-line
gear, and 9 mt for the demersal shelf rockfish (DSR) fishery in the SEO
District. It also authorizes the establishment of apportionments for
pot gear.
The DSR fishery in the SEO District is defined at Sec.
679.21(d)(2)(ii)(A). This fishery is apportioned 9 mt of the halibut
PSC limit in recognition of its small-scale harvests of groundfish
(Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(i)(A)). The separate halibut PSC limit for the DSR
fishery is intended to prevent that fishery from being impacted from
the halibut PSC incurred by other GOA fisheries. NMFS estimates low
halibut bycatch in the DSR fishery because (1) the duration of the DSR
fishery and the gear soak times are short, (2) the DSR fishery occurs
in the winter when there is less overlap in the distribution of DSR and
halibut, and (3) the directed commercial DSR fishery has a low DSR TAC.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game sets the commercial GHL for the
DSR fishery after deducting (1) estimates of DSR incidental catch in
all fisheries (including halibut and subsistence); and (2) the
allocation to the DSR sport fish fishery. In 2024, the commercial
fishery for DSR was closed due to concerns about declining DSR biomass.
NMFS, after consultation with the Council, proposes to exempt pot
gear, jig gear, and the sablefish IFQ fixed gear fishery categories
from the non-trawl halibut PSC limit for 2025 and 2026. The Council
recommended and NMFS proposes these exemptions because (1) pot gear
fisheries have low annual halibut bycatch mortality; (2) IFQ program
regulations prohibit discard of halibut if any halibut IFQ permit
holder on board a CV holds unused halibut IFQ for that vessel category
and the IFQ regulatory area in which the vessel is operating (Sec.
679.7(f)(11)); (3) some sablefish IFQ permit holders hold halibut IFQ
permits and are therefore required to retain the halibut they catch
while fishing sablefish IFQ; and (4) NMFS estimates negligible halibut
mortality for the jig gear fisheries given the small amount of
groundfish harvested by jig gear, the selective nature of jig gear, and
the high survival rates of halibut caught and released with jig gear.
The best available information on estimated halibut bycatch
consists of data collected by fisheries observers during 2024. The
calculated halibut bycatch mortality through October 31, 2024, is 337
mt for trawl gear and 25 mt for hook-and-line gear, for a total halibut
mortality of 362 mt. This halibut mortality was calculated using
groundfish and IFQ halibut catch data from the NMFS Alaska Region's
catch accounting system. This accounting system contains historical and
recent catch information compiled from each Alaska groundfish and IFQ
halibut fishery.
Section 679.21(d)(4)(i) and (ii) authorizes NMFS to seasonally
apportion the halibut PSC limits after consultation with the Council.
The FMP and regulations require that the Council and NMFS consider the
following information in seasonally apportioning halibut PSC limits:
(1) seasonal distribution of halibut, (2) seasonal distribution of
target groundfish species relative to halibut distribution, (3)
expected halibut bycatch needs on a seasonal basis relative to changes
in halibut biomass and expected catch of target groundfish species, (4)
expected bycatch rates on a seasonal basis, (5)
[[Page 94692]]
expected changes in directed groundfish fishing seasons, (6) expected
actual start of fishing effort, and (7) economic effects of
establishing seasonal halibut allocations on segments of the target
groundfish industry.
The final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications (89 FR 15484, March
4, 2024) list the final seasonal apportionments based on the FMP and
regulatory considerations with respect to halibut PSC limits. The
Council's recommendations and NMFS's proposed seasonal apportionments
for these proposed 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications are unchanged
from the final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications. Based on public
comment, information presented in the 2024 SAFE report, NMFS catch
data, State catch data, and International Pacific Halibut Commission
(IPHC) stock assessment and mortality data, the Council may recommend
and/or NMFS may make changes to the seasonal, gear-type, or fishery
category apportionments of halibut PSC limits for the final 2025 and
2026 harvest specifications pursuant to Sec. 679.21(d)(1) and (d)(4).
Table 10 lists the proposed 2025 and 2026 Pacific halibut PSC
limits, allowances, and apportionments. The halibut PSC limits in
tables 10, 11, and 12 reflect the halibut PSC limits set forth at Sec.
679.21(d)(2) and (3). Section 679.21(d)(4)(iii) and (iv) specifies that
any underages or overages of a seasonal apportionment of a halibut PSC
limit will be added to or deducted from the next respective seasonal
apportionment within the fishing year.
Table 10--Proposed 2025 and 2026 Pacific Halibut PSC Limits, Allowances, and Apportionments
[Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trawl gear Hook-and-line gear \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other than DSR DSR
Season Percent Amount ---------------------------------------------------------------
Season Percent Amount Season Amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 20-April 1.......... 30.5 520 January 1-June 86 220 January 1- 9
10. December 31.
April 1-July 1.............. 20 341 June 10- 2 5 ............... ........
September 1.
July 1-August 1............. 27 460 September 1- 12 31 ............... ........
December 31.
August 1-October 1.......... 7.5 128 ............... ........ ........ ............... ........
October 1-December 31....... 15 256 ............... ........ ........ ............... ........
-------------------- -------------------- ---------
Total................... ........ 1,705 ............... ........ 256 ............... 9
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limit for hook-and-line gear is allocated to the demersal
shelf rockfish (DSR) fishery in the SEO District and to hook-and-line fisheries other than the DSR fishery.
The Council recommended, and NMFS proposes, that the fixed gear sablefish IFQ fishery, and the pot and jig
gear groundfish fisheries, be exempt from halibut PSC limits.
Section 679.21(d)(3)(ii) authorizes further apportionment of the
trawl halibut PSC limit as bycatch allowances to trawl fishery
categories listed in Sec. 679.21(d)(3)(iii). The annual apportionments
are based on each category's share of the anticipated halibut bycatch
mortality during a fishing year and optimization of the total amount of
groundfish harvest under the halibut PSC limit. The fishery categories
for the trawl halibut PSC limits are (1) a deep-water species fishery
composed of sablefish, rockfish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, and
arrowtooth flounder; and (2) a shallow-water species fishery composed
of pollock, Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish, flathead sole, Atka
mackerel, skates, and ``other species'' (sharks and octopuses) (Sec.
679.21(d)(3)(iii)). Halibut mortality incurred while directed fishing
for skates with trawl gear accrues towards the shallow-water species
fishery halibut PSC limit (69 FR 26320, May 12, 2004).
NMFS will combine available trawl halibut PSC limit apportionments
in part of the second season deep-water and shallow-water species
fisheries for use in either fishery from May 15 through June 30 (Sec.
679.21(d)(4)(iii)(D)). This is intended to maintain groundfish harvest
while minimizing halibut bycatch by these sectors to the extent
practicable. This provides the trawl gear deep-water and shallow-water
species fisheries additional flexibility and the incentive to
participate in fisheries at times of the year that may have lower
halibut PSC rates relative to other times of the year.
Table 11 lists the proposed 2025 and 2026 seasonal apportionments
of trawl halibut PSC limits between the trawl gear deep-water and the
shallow-water species fisheries.
Table 28d to 50 CFR part 679 specifies the amount of the trawl
halibut PSC limit that is assigned to the CV and CP sectors that are
participating in the Central GOA Rockfish Program. This includes 117 mt
of halibut PSC limit to the CV sector and 74 mt of halibut PSC limit to
the CP sector. These amounts are allocated from the trawl deep-water
species fishery's halibut PSC third seasonal apportionment. After the
combined CV and CP halibut PSC limit allocation of 191 mt to the
Rockfish Program, 149 mt remains for the trawl deep-water species
fishery's halibut PSC third seasonal apportionment.
Section 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(B) limits the amount of the halibut PSC
limit allocated to Rockfish Program participants that could be re-
apportioned to the general GOA trawl fisheries for the last seasonal
apportionment during the current fishing year to no more than 55
percent of the unused annual halibut PSC limit apportioned to Rockfish
Program participants. The remainder of the unused Rockfish Program
halibut PSC limit is unavailable for use by any person for the
remainder of the fishing year (Sec. 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(C)).
Table 11--Proposed 2025 and 2026 Apportionment of the Pacific Halibut PSC Limits Between the Trawl Gear Shallow-
Water and Deep-Water Species Fishery Categories
[Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season Shallow-water Deep-water \1\ Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 20-April 1..................................... 385 135 520
[[Page 94693]]
April 1-July 1......................................... 85 256 341
July 1-August 1........................................ 120 340 460
August 1-October 1..................................... 53 75 128
--------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, January 20-October 1..................... 643 806 1,449
October 1-December 31\2\............................... n/a n/a 256
--------------------------------------------------------
Total.......................................... n/a n/a 1,705
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Vessels participating in cooperatives in the Central GOA Rockfish Program will receive 191 mt of the third
season (July 1 through August 1) deep-water species fishery halibut PSC apportionment.
\2\ There is no apportionment between trawl shallow-water and deep-water species fishery categories during the
fifth season (October 1 through December 31).
Section 679.21(d)(2)(i)(B) requires that the halibut PSC limit
apportionment to vessels using hook-and-line gear that are not part of
the demersal shelf rockfish fishery (i.e. the other hook-and-line
fishery) must be apportioned between CVs and CPs in accordance with
Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(iii) in conjunction with these harvest
specifications. A comprehensive description and example of the
calculations necessary to apportion the other hook-and-line fishery
halibut PSC limit between the hook-and-line CV and CP sectors were
included in the proposed rule to implement amendment 83 to the FMP (76
FR 44700, July 26, 2011) and are not repeated here.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(iii), the halibut PSC limit for the
other hook-and-line fishery is apportioned between the CV and CP
sectors in proportion to the total Western and Central GOA Pacific cod
allocations, which vary annually based on the proportion of the Pacific
cod biomass between the Western, Central, and Eastern GOA. Pacific cod
is apportioned among these three management areas based on the
percentage of overall biomass per area as calculated in the 2023
Pacific cod stock assessment. Information in the final 2023 SAFE report
describes this distributional calculation, which allocates ABC among
GOA regulatory areas on the basis of the three most recent stock
surveys. For 2025 and 2026, the proposed distribution of the total GOA
Pacific cod ABC is 27.1 percent to the Western GOA, 63.8 percent to the
Central GOA, and 9.1 percent to the Eastern GOA. Therefore, the
calculations made in accordance with Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(iii)
incorporate the most recent information on GOA Pacific cod distribution
and allocations with respect to the proposed annual halibut PSC limits
for the CV and CP hook-and-line sectors. The calculations for the final
2025 and 2026 harvest specifications will use updated information on
the distribution of Pacific cod from the Pacific cod stock assessment
in the 2024 SAFE report. Additionally, the annual halibut PSC limits
for both the CV and CP sectors of the other hook-and-line fishery are
proposed to be divided into three seasonal apportionments, using
seasonal percentages of 86 percent, 2 percent, and 12 percent.
For 2025 and 2026, NMFS proposes annual halibut PSC limits of 149
mt and 107 mt to the hook-and-line CV and hook-and-line CP sectors,
respectively. Table 12 lists the proposed 2025 and 2026 apportionments
of halibut PSC limits between the hook-and-line CV and the hook-and-
line CP sectors of the other hook-and-line fishery.
No later than November 1 of each year, NMFS will calculate the
projected unused amount of halibut PSC limit by either of the CV or CP
hook-and-line sectors of the other hook-and-line fishery for the
remainder of the year. The projected unused amount of halibut PSC limit
is made available to the other hook-and-line sector for the remainder
of that fishing year (Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(iii)(C)) if NMFS determines
that an additional amount of halibut PSC is necessary for that sector
to continue its directed fishing operations.
Table 12--Proposed 2025 and 2026 Apportionments of the ``Other hook-and-line fishery'' Annual Halibut PSC Allowance Between the Hook-and-Line Gear
Catcher Vessel and Catcher/Processor Sectors
[Values are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector annual Seasonal Sector seasonal
``Other than DSR'' allowance Hook-and-line sector amount Season percentage amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
256.................................... Catcher Vessel............ 149 January 1-June 10......... 86 128
June 10-September 1....... 2 3
September 1-December 31... 12 18
Catcher/Processor......... 107 January 1-June 10......... 86 92
June 10-September 1....... 2 2
September 1-December 31... 12 13
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut Discard Mortality Rates (DMR)
To monitor halibut bycatch mortality allowances and apportionments,
the Regional Administrator uses observed halibut incidental catch
rates, halibut DMR, and estimates of groundfish catch to project when a
fishery's halibut bycatch mortality allowance or seasonal apportionment
is reached. Halibut
[[Page 94694]]
incidental catch rates are based on observed estimates of halibut
incidental catch in the groundfish fishery. DMRs are estimates of the
proportion of incidentally caught halibut that do not survive after
being returned to the sea. The cumulative halibut mortality that
accrues to a particular halibut PSC limit is the product of a DMR
multiplied by the estimated halibut PSC. DMRs are estimated using the
best scientific information available in conjunction with the annual
GOA stock assessment process. The DMR methodology and findings are
included as an appendix to the annual GOA groundfish SAFE report.
In 2016, the DMR estimation methodology underwent revisions per the
Council's recommendation. An interagency halibut working group (IPHC,
Council, and NMFS staff) developed improved estimation methods that
have undergone review by the Plan Team, the SSC, and the Council. A
summary of the revised methodology is contained in the GOA proposed
2017 and 2018 harvest specifications (81 FR 87881, December 6, 2016),
and the comprehensive discussion of the working group's statistical
methodology is available from the Council (see ADDRESSES). The DMR
working group's revised methodology is intended to improve estimation
accuracy, transparency, and transferability 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).
Future DMRs may change based on additional years of observer sampling,
which could provide more recent and accurate data and which could
improve the accuracy of estimation and progress on methodology. The
methodology will continue to ensure that NMFS is using DMRs that more
accurately reflect halibut mortality, which will inform the different
sectors of their estimated halibut mortality and allow specific sectors
to respond with methods that could reduce mortality and, eventually,
the DMR for that sector.
In October 2024, the Council recommended halibut DMRs reviewed by
the Plan Team and SSC, which are derived from the revised methodology.
The proposed 2025 and 2026 DMRs use an updated 2-year and 4-year
reference period depending on data availability. NMFS is proposing the
DMRs recommended by the Plan Team, reviewed by the SSC, and recommended
by the Council for the proposed 2025 and 2026 DMRs. The proposed DMR
for pelagic trawl gear CVs and CPs is maintained at 100 percent. The
proposed DMR for Rockfish Program CVs using non-pelagic trawl gear is
maintained at 56 percent. The proposed DMR for non-Rockfish Program CVs
using non-pelagic trawl gear increased to 74 percent from 69 percent.
The proposed DMR for motherships and CPs using non-pelagic trawl gear
decreased to 76 percent from 83 percent. The proposed DMR for CPs using
hook-and-line gear decreased to 10 percent from 11 percent. The
proposed DMR for CVs using hook-and-line gear increased to 19 percent
from 10 percent. The proposed DMR for CPs and CVs using pot gear
increased to 32 percent from 26 percent. Table 13 lists the proposed
2025 and 2026 DMRs.
Table 13-Proposed 2025 and 2026 Halibut Discard Mortality Rates for Vessels Fishing in the Gulf of Alaska
[Values are percent of halibut assumed to be dead]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut discard
Gear Sector Groundfish fishery mortality rate
(percent)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pelagic trawl.......................... Catcher vessel........... All...................... 100
Catcher/processor........ All...................... 100
Non-pelagic trawl...................... Catcher vessel........... Rockfish Program......... 56
Catcher vessel........... All others............... 74
Mothership and catcher/ All...................... 76
processor.
Hook-and-line.......................... Catcher/processor........ All...................... 10
Catcher vessel........... All...................... 19
Pot.................................... Catcher vessel and All...................... 32
catcher/processor.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinook Salmon PSC Limits
Section 679.21(h)(2) establishes separate Chinook salmon PSC limits
in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA in the trawl
pollock directed fishery. These limits require that NMFS close directed
fishing for pollock in the Western and Central GOA if the applicable
Chinook salmon PSC limit is reached (Sec. 679.21(h)(8)). The annual
Chinook salmon PSC limits in the trawl pollock directed fishery of
6,684 salmon in the Western GOA and 18,316 salmon in the Central GOA
are set in Sec. 679.21(h)(2)(i) and (ii). The Central GOA Chinook
salmon PSC limit was reached in 2024 and NMFS closed directed fishing
for pollock in the Central GOA on September 25, 2024, for the remainder
of the 2024 fishing year (89 FR 79454).
Section 679.21(h)(3) and (4) establishes an initial annual PSC
limit of 7,500 Chinook salmon for the non-pollock groundfish trawl
fisheries in the Western and Central GOA. This limit is apportioned
among the three sectors that conduct directed fishing for groundfish
species other than pollock: 3,600 Chinook salmon to trawl CPs; 1,200
Chinook salmon to trawl CVs participating in the Rockfish Program; and
2,700 Chinook salmon to trawl CVs not participating in the Rockfish
Program (Sec. 679.21(h)(4)). NMFS will monitor the Chinook salmon PSC
in the trawl non-pollock GOA groundfish fisheries and close an
applicable sector if it reaches its Chinook salmon PSC limit.
The Chinook salmon PSC limit for two sectors, trawl CPs and trawl
CVs not participating in the Rockfish Program, may be increased in
subsequent years based on the performance of these two sectors and
their ability to minimize their use of their respective Chinook salmon
PSC limits. If either or both of these two sectors limit its use of
Chinook salmon PSC to a certain threshold amount in 2024 (3,120 for
trawl CPs and 2,340 for non-Rockfish Program trawl CVs), that sector
will receive an incremental increase to its 2025 Chinook salmon PSC
limit (4,080 for trawl CPs and 3,060 for non-Rockfish Program trawl
CVs) (Sec. 679.21(h)(4)). NMFS will evaluate the annual Chinook
[[Page 94695]]
salmon PSC by trawl CPs and non-Rockfish Program trawl CVs when the
2024 fishing year is complete to determine whether to increase the
Chinook salmon PSC limits for these two sectors. Based on preliminary
2024 Chinook salmon PSC data, the trawl CP sector may receive an
incremental increase of Chinook salmon PSC limit in 2025, and the non-
Rockfish Program trawl CV sector may receive an incremental increase of
Chinook salmon PSC limit in 2025. This evaluation will be completed in
conjunction with the final 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications.
American Fisheries Act (AFA) CP and CV Groundfish Harvest and PSC
Limits
Section 679.64 establishes groundfish harvesting and processing
sideboard limits on AFA CPs and CVs in the GOA. These sideboard limits
are necessary to protect the interests of fishermen and processors who
do not directly benefit from the AFA from those fishermen and
processors who receive exclusive harvesting and processing privileges
under the AFA. Section 679.7(k)(1)(ii) prohibits listed AFA CPs and CPs
designated on a listed AFA CP permit from harvesting any species of
fish in the GOA. Additionally, Sec. 679.7(k)(1)(iv) prohibits listed
AFA CPs and CPs designated on a listed AFA CP permit from processing
any pollock harvested in a directed pollock fishery in the GOA and any
groundfish harvested in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA.
AFA CVs that are less than 125 feet (38.1 meters) length overall,
have annual landings of pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
of less than 5,100 mt, and have made at least 40 landings of GOA
groundfish from 1995 through 1997 are exempt from GOA CV groundfish
sideboard limits under Sec. 679.64(b)(2)(ii). Sideboard limits for
non-exempt AFA CVs in the GOA are based on their traditional harvest
levels of TAC in groundfish fisheries covered by the FMP. Section
679.64(b)(3)(iv) establishes the CV groundfish sideboard limits in the
GOA based on the aggregate retained catch by non-exempt AFA CVs of each
sideboard species from 2009 through 2019 divided by the TAC for that
species available to CVs from 2009 through 2019. Under the Pacific Cod
Trawl Cooperative (PCTC) Program, NMFS modified the calculation of the
sideboard ratios for non-exempt AFA CVs using the qualifying years of
2009 through 2019 (88 FR 53704, August 8, 2023). Previously, sideboard
limits were based on the ratio of catch to the TAC during the years
1995 through 1997.
NMFS published a final rule (84 FR 2723, February 8, 2019) that
implemented regulations to prohibit non-exempt AFA CVs from directed
fishing for specific groundfish species or species groups subject to
sideboard limits (Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iv)(D) and table 56 to 50 CFR part
679). Under the PCTC Program, NMFS also promulgated regulations to
prohibit non-exempt AFA CVs from directed fishing for additional
groundfish species or species groups subject to sideboard limits (88 FR
53704, August 8, 2023). All of these prohibitions are found in the
revised table 56 to 50 CFR part 679. Sideboard limits not subject to
these final rules continue to be calculated and included in the GOA
annual harvest specifications.
Table 14 lists the proposed 2025 and 2026 groundfish sideboard
limits for non-exempt AFA CVs. NMFS will deduct all targeted or
incidental catch of sideboard species made by non-exempt AFA CVs from
the sideboard limits listed in table 14.
Table 14--Proposed 2025 and 2026 GOA Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel (CV) Groundfish Sideboard Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 2009-
2019 non-exempt Proposed 2025
AFA CV retained Proposed 2025 and 2026 non-
Species Apportionments by season/gear Area/component catch to 2009- and 2026 TACs exempt AFA CV
2019 TAC sideboard limit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock................................. A Season: January 20-May 31.... Shumagin (610)............ 0.057 4,483 256
Chirikof (620)............ 0.064 58,629 3752
Kodiak (630).............. 0.091 11,460 1043
B Season: September 1-November Shumagin (610)............ 0.057 27,661 1577
1.
Chirikof (620)............ 0.064 16,550 1059
Kodiak (630).............. 0.091 30,361 2763
Annual......................... WYK (640)................. 0.026 4,601 120
Pacific cod............................. A Season: \1\ January 1-June 10 W......................... 0.009 3,406 31
C......................... 0.011 8,641 95
B Season: \2\ September 1- W......................... 0.009 1,941 17
December 31.
C......................... 0.011 4,845 53
Flatfish, shallow-wter.................. Annual......................... C......................... 0.011 28,311 311
Rex sole................................ Annual......................... C......................... 0.014 13,624 191
Arrowtooth flounder..................... Annual......................... C......................... 0.011 64,688 712
Flathead sole........................... Annual......................... C......................... 0.007 21,702 152
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
[[Page 94696]]
Non-Exempt AFA CV Halibut PSC Limit
The non-exempt AFA CVs and the associated LLP licenses PSC limit
for halibut in the GOA will be an annual amount based on a static ratio
of 0.072, which was derived from the aggregate retained groundfish
catch by non-exempt AFA CVs in each PSC target category from 2009
through 2019 (Sec. 679.64(b)(4)(ii)). This change was implemented with
the PCTC Program (88 FR 53704, August 8, 2023). Table 15 lists the
proposed 2025 and 2026 non-exempt AFA CV halibut PSC sideboard limit
for vessels using trawl gear in the GOA.
Table 15--Proposed 2025 and 2026 Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act
Catcher Vessel (CV) Halibut PSC Sideboard Limits
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual non-
Annual trawl exempt AFA CV
Ratio (percent) gear halibut halibut PSC
PSC limit (mt) limit (mt)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.072................................. 1,705 123
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-AFA Crab Vessel Groundfish Harvest Limitations
Section 680.22 establishes groundfish sideboard limits for vessels
with a history of participation in the Bering Sea snow crab fishery to
prevent these vessels from using the increased flexibility provided by
the Crab Rationalization (CR) Program to expand their level of
participation in the GOA groundfish fisheries. Sideboard harvest limits
restrict these vessels' catch to their collective historical landings
in each GOA groundfish fishery (except the fixed-gear sablefish
fishery). Sideboard limits also apply to landings made using an LLP
license derived from the history of a restricted vessel, even if that
LLP license is used on another vessel.
The basis for these sideboard harvest limits is described in detail
in the final rules implementing the major provisions of the CR Program,
including amendments 18 and 19 to the Fishery Management Plan for
Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs (Crab FMP) (70 FR
10174, March 2, 2005), amendment 34 to the Crab FMP (76 FR 35772, June
20, 2011), amendment 83 to the GOA FMP (76 FR 74670, December 1, 2011),
and amendment 45 to the Crab FMP (80 FR 28539, May 19, 2015). Also,
NMFS published a final rule (84 FR 2723, February 8, 2019) that
implemented regulations to prohibit non-AFA crab vessels from directed
fishing for all groundfish species or species groups subject to
sideboard limits, except for Pacific cod apportioned to CVs using pot
gear in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas (Sec.
680.22(e)(1)(iii)). Accordingly, the GOA annual harvest specifications
include only the non-AFA crab vessel groundfish sideboard limits for
Pacific cod apportioned to CVs using pot gear in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas.
Table 16 lists the proposed 2025 and 2026 groundfish sideboard
limits for non-AFA crab vessels. All targeted or incidental catch of
sideboard species made by non-AFA crab vessels or associated LLP
licenses will be deducted from these sideboard limits.
Table 16--Proposed 2025 and 2026 GOA Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessel Groundfish Sideboard Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1996-
2000 non-AFA Proposed 2025 and
crab vessel Proposed 2025 2026 non-AFA crab
Species Season Area/gear catch to 1996- and 2026 TACs vessel sideboard
2000 total limit
harvest
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod............................ A Season: January 1-June 10.... Western Pot CV........... 0.0997 3,406 340
Central Pot CV........... 0.0474 8,641 410
B Season: September 1-December Western Pot CV........... 0.0997 1,941 193
31.
Central Pot CV........... 0.0474 4,845 230
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rockfish Program Groundfish Sideboard and Halibut PSC Limitations
The Rockfish Program establishes three classes of sideboard
provisions: CV groundfish sideboard restrictions, CP rockfish sideboard
restrictions, and CP opt-out vessel sideboard restrictions (Sec.
679.82(c)(1)). These sideboards are intended to limit the ability of
rockfish harvesters to expand into other fisheries.
CVs participating in the Rockfish Program may not participate in
directed fishing for dusky rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, and northern
rockfish in the Western GOA and WYK District from July 1 through July
31. Also, CVs may not participate in directed fishing for arrowtooth
flounder, deep-water flatfish, and rex sole in the GOA from July 1
through July 31 (Sec. 679.82(d)).
Prior to 2021, CPs participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives
were restricted by rockfish sideboard limits in the Western GOA. A
final rule that implemented amendment 111 to the FMP (86 FR 11895,
March 1, 2021) removed Western GOA rockfish sideboard limits for
Rockfish Program CPs from regulation. That rule also revised and
clarified the establishment of WYK District rockfish sideboard ratios
in regulation, rather than specifying the WYK District rockfish
sideboard ratios in the annual GOA harvest specifications.
CPs participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives are restricted
by rockfish and halibut PSC sideboard limits. These CPs are prohibited
from directed fishing for dusky rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, and
northern rockfish in the Western GOA and WYK District from July 1
through July 31 (Sec. 679.82(e)(2)). The sideboard ratio for each
rockfish fishery in the WYK District is set forth in Sec.
679.82(e)(4). The rockfish sideboard ratio for each rockfish fishery in
the WYK District is an established percentage of the TAC for CPs in the
directed fishery for dusky rockfish and Pacific ocean perch. These
percentages are confidential. Holders of CP-designated LLP licenses
that opt out of participating in a Rockfish Program cooperative will be
able to access that portion of each rockfish sideboard limits that is
not assigned to Rockfish Program cooperatives (Sec. 679.82(e)(7)).
Under the Rockfish Program, the CP sector is subject to halibut PSC
[[Page 94697]]
sideboard limits for the trawl deep-water and shallow-water species
fisheries from July 1 through July 31 (Sec. 679.82(e)(3) and (e)(5)).
Halibut PSC sideboard ratios by fishery are set forth in Sec.
679.82(e)(5). No halibut PSC sideboard limits apply to the CV sector,
as vessels participating in a rockfish cooperative receive a portion of
the annual halibut PSC limit. CPs that opt out of the Rockfish Program
would be able to access that portion of the deep-water and shallow-
water halibut PSC sideboard limit not assigned to CP rockfish
cooperatives. The sideboard provisions for CPs that elect to opt out of
participating in a rockfish cooperative are described in Sec.
679.82(c), (e), and (f). Sideboard limits are linked to the catch
history of specific vessels that may choose to opt out. After March 1,
NMFS will determine which CPs have opted-out of the Rockfish Program in
2025 and will know the ratios and amounts used to calculate opt-out
sideboard ratios. NMFS will then calculate any applicable opt-out
sideboard limits for 2025. NMFS will announce the 2025 opt-out
sideboard limits after March 1 and post these limits on the Alaska
Region website at <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/sustainable-fisheries/alaska-fisheries-management-reports#central-goa-rockfish">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/sustainable-fisheries/alaska-fisheries-management-reports#central-goa-rockfish</a>.
Table 17 lists the proposed 2025 and 2026 Rockfish Program halibut PSC
sideboard limits for the CP sector.
Table 17--Proposed 2025 and 2026 Rockfish Program Halibut PSC Sideboard Limits for the Catcher/Processor Sector
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shallow-water Deep-water Annual shallow- Annual deep-
species fishery species fishery Annual trawl water species water species
Sector halibut PSC halibut PSC gear halibut fishery halibut fishery halibut
sideboard ratio sideboard ratio PSC limit (mt) PSC sideboard PSC sideboard
(percent) (percent) limit (mt) limit (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher/processor.................................................. 0.1 2.5 1,705 2 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amendment 80 Program Groundfish and PSC Sideboard Limits
Amendment 80 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (Amendment 80 Program)
established a limited access privilege program for the non-AFA trawl CP
sector. The Amendment 80 Program established groundfish and halibut PSC
limits for Amendment 80 Program participants to limit their ability to
expand their harvest efforts in the GOA.
Section 679.92 establishes groundfish harvesting sideboard limits
on all Amendment 80 Program vessels, other than the F/V Golden Fleece,
to amounts no greater than the limits shown in table 37 to 50 CFR part
679. Under Sec. 679.92(d), the F/V Golden Fleece is prohibited from
directed fishing for pollock, Pacific cod, Pacific ocean perch, dusky
rockfish, and northern rockfish in the GOA.
Groundfish sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels
operating in the GOA are based on their average aggregate harvests from
1998 through 2004 (72 FR 52668, September 14, 2007). Table 18 lists the
proposed 2025 and 2026 groundfish sideboard limits for Amendment 80
Program vessels. NMFS will deduct all targeted or incidental catch of
sideboard species made by Amendment 80 Program vessels from the
sideboard limits in table 18.
Table 18--Proposed 2025 and 2026 GOA Groundfish Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed 2025
Ratio of and 2026
Amendment 80 Proposed 2025 Amendment 80
Species Season Area sector vessels and 2026 TAC vessel
1998-2004 catch (mt) sideboard
to TAC limits (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock................................. A Season: January 20-May 31.... Shumagin (610)............ 0.003 4,483 13
Chirikof (620)............ 0.002 58,629 117
Kodiak (630).............. 0.002 11,460 23
B Season: September 1-November Shumagin (610)............ 0.003 27,661 83
1.
Chirikof (620)............ 0.002 16,550 33
Kodiak (630).............. 0.002 30,361 61
Annual......................... WYK (640)................. 0.002 4,601 9
Pacific cod............................. A Season: \1\ January 1-June 10 W......................... 0.02 3,406 68
C......................... 0.044 8,641 380
B Season: \2\ September 1- W......................... 0.02 1,941 39
December 31.
C......................... 0.044 4,845 213
Annual......................... WYK....................... 0.034 1,924 65
Pacific ocean perch..................... Annual......................... W......................... 0.994 1,726 1,716
WYK....................... 0.961 2,038 1,959
Northern rockfish....................... Annual......................... W......................... 1 2,446 2,446
Dusky rockfish.......................... Annual......................... W......................... 0.764 137 105
WYK....................... 0.896 81 73
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
[[Page 94698]]
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
The halibut PSC sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels
in the GOA are based on the historical use of halibut PSC by Amendment
80 Program vessels in each PSC target category from 1998 through 2004.
These values are slightly lower than the average historical use to
accommodate two factors: allocation of halibut PSC cooperative quota
under the Rockfish Program and the exemption of the F/V Golden Fleece
from this restriction (Sec. 679.92(b)(2)). Table 19 lists the proposed
2025 and 2026 halibut PSC sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program
vessels. This table incorporates the maximum percentages of the halibut
PSC sideboard limits that may be used by Amendment 80 Program vessels
as contained in table 38 to 50 CFR part 679. Any residual amount of a
seasonal Amendment 80 halibut PSC sideboard limit may carry forward to
the next season limit (Sec. 679.92(b)(2)).
Table 19--Proposed 2025 and 2026 Halibut PSC Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels in the GOA
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Historic Proposed 2025 and
Amendment 80 use Annual trawl gear 2026 Amendment 80
Season Season dates Fishery category of the annual halibut PSC limit vessel PSC
halibut PSC limit (mt) sideboard limit
(ratio) (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...................................... January 20-April 1........ shallow-water............. 0.0048 1,705 8
deep-water................ 0.0115 1,705 20
2...................................... April 1-July 1............ shallow-water............. 0.0189 1,705 32
deep-water................ 0.1072 1,705 183
3...................................... July 1-August 1........... shallow-water............. 0.0146 1,705 25
deep-water................ 0.0521 1,705 89
4...................................... August 1-October 1........ shallow-water............. 0.0074 1,705 13
deep-water................ 0.0014 1,705 2
5...................................... October 1-December 31..... shallow-water............. 0.0227 1,705 39
deep-water................ 0.0371 1,705 63
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total shallow-water....... ................. ................. 117
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Total deep-water.......... ................. ................. 357
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grand Total, all seasons and categories 474
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Classification
NMFS is issuing this proposed rule pursuant to section 305(d) of
the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Through previous actions, the FMP and
regulations at 50 CFR part 679 are designed to authorize NMFS to take
this action. The NMFS Assistant Administrator has preliminarily
determined that the proposed harvest specifications are consistent with
the FMP, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable laws, subject
to further review and consideration after public comment.
This action is authorized under Sec. 679.20 and is exempt from
review under Executive Order 12866 because it only implements annual
catch limits in the GOA.
NMFS prepared an EIS for the Alaska groundfish harvest
specifications and alternative harvest strategies (see ADDRESSES) and
made it available to the public on January 12, 2007 (72 FR 1512). On
February 13, 2007, NMFS issued the ROD for the Final EIS. A SIR is
being prepared for the final 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications to
address the need to prepare a Supplemental EIS (40 CFR 1502.9(d)(1)).
Copies of the Final EIS, ROD, and annual SIRs for this action are
available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES). The Final EIS analyzes the
environmental, social, and economic consequences of alternative harvest
strategies for developing the annual groundfish harvest specifications
on resources in the action area. Based on the analysis in the Final
EIS, NMFS concluded that the preferred alternative (Alternative 2)
provides the best balance among relevant environmental, social, and
economic considerations and allows for continued management of the
groundfish fisheries based on the most recent, best scientific
information.
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
This Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) was prepared
for this proposed rule, as required by Section 603 of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 603), to describe the economic impact
that this proposed rule, if adopted, would have on small entities. The
IRFA describes the action; the reasons why this proposed rule is
proposed; the objectives and legal basis for this proposed rule; the
estimated number and description of directly regulated small entities
to which this proposed rule would apply; the recordkeeping, reporting,
and other compliance requirements of this proposed rule; and the
relevant Federal rules that may duplicate, overlap, or conflict with
this proposed rule. The IRFA also describes significant alternatives to
this proposed rule that would accomplish the stated objectives of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act and any other applicable statutes and that would
minimize any significant economic impact of this proposed rule on small
entities. The description of the proposed action, its purpose, and the
legal basis are explained earlier in the preamble and are not repeated
here.
For RFA purposes only, NMFS has established a small business size
standard for businesses, including their affiliates, whose primary
industry is commercial fishing (see 50 CFR 200.2). A business primarily
engaged in commercial fishing (North American Industry Classification
System (NAICS) code 11411) is classified as a small business if it is
independently owned and operated, is not dominant in its
[[Page 94699]]
field of operation (including its affiliates), and has combined annual
gross receipts not in excess of $11 million for all its affiliated
operations worldwide. A shoreside processor primarily involved in
seafood processing (NAICS code 311710) is classified as a small
business if it is independently owned and operated, is not dominant in
its field of operation (including its affiliates), and has combined
annual employment, counting all individuals employed on a full-time,
part-time, or other basis, not in excess of 750 employees for all its
affiliated operations worldwide.
Number and Description of Small Entities Regulated by This Proposed
Rule
The entities directly regulated by the groundfish harvest
specifications include: (a) entities operating vessels with groundfish
Federal fisheries permits (FFPs) catching FMP groundfish in Federal
waters (including those receiving direction allocations of groundfish);
(b) all entities operating vessels, regardless of whether they hold
groundfish FFPs, catching FMP groundfish in the State waters parallel
fisheries; and (c) all entities operating vessels fishing for halibut
inside 3 miles of the shore (whether or not they have FFPs).
In 2023 (the most recent year of complete data), there were 682
individual CVs and CPs with gross revenues less than or equal to $11
million. This represents the potential suite of directly regulated
small entities and includes an estimated 680 small CV and 3 small CP
entities in the GOA groundfish sector. The determination of entity size
is based on vessel revenues and affiliated group revenues. This
determination also includes an assessment of fisheries cooperative
affiliations, although actual vessel ownership affiliations have not
been completely established. However, the estimate of these 682 CVs and
CPs may be an overstatement of the number of small entities because
there are incomplete data for vessel revenues. The CVs had average
gross revenues that varied by gear type. Average gross revenues for
hook-and-line CVs, pot gear CVs, and trawl gear CVs are estimated to be
$910,000, $1,530,000, and $2,280,000, respectively. Average gross
revenues for hook-and-line CPs and pot gear CPs are confidential. There
are no data for trawl gear CP entity revenue.
Description of Significant Alternatives That Minimize Adverse Impacts
on Small Entities
The action under consideration is the proposed 2025 and 2026
harvest specifications, apportionments, and Pacific halibut PSC limits
for the groundfish fishery of the GOA. This action is necessary to
establish harvest limits for groundfish during the 2025 and 2026
fishing years and is taken in accordance with the FMP prepared and
recommended by the Council and approved by NMFS pursuant to the
Magnuson-Stevens Act. The proposed harvest specifications are developed
using the Council and NMFS's harvest strategy to govern the catch of
groundfish in the GOA. This strategy was selected from among five
alternatives, with the preferred alternative harvest strategy being one
in which the TACs fall within the range of ABCs recommended by the SSC
through the harvest specifications process. Under the preferred harvest
strategy, TACs are set to a level that falls within the range of ABCs
recommended by the SSC through the harvest specifications process; the
sum of the TACs must achieve the OY specified in the FMP. While the
specific numbers that the harvest strategy produces may vary from year
to year, the use of the the preferred harvest strategy remains constant
each year.
The TACs associated with preferred harvest strategy are those
recommended by the Council in October 2024. OFLs and ABCs for the
species were based on recommendations prepared by the Council's Plan
Team in September 2024 and reviewed by the Council's SSC in October
2024. The Council based its TAC recommendations on those of its AP,
which were consistent with the SSC's OFL and ABC recommendations. The
TACs in these proposed 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications are
unchanged from the 2025 TACs in the final 2024 and 2025 harvest
specifications (89 FR 15484, March 4, 2024), with the exception of the
TAC for Atka mackerel, which was incorrectly specified last year. The
sum of all TACs remains within the OY for the GOA.
The proposed 2025 and 2026 OFLs and ABCs are based on the best
biological information available, including projected biomass trends,
information on assumed distribution of stock biomass, and revised
technical methods to calculate stock biomass. The proposed 2025 and
2026 TACs are based on the best biological and socioeconomic
information available. The proposed 2025 and 2026 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs
are consistent with the biological condition of groundfish stocks as
described in the 2023 SAFE report, which is the most recent, completed
SAFE report.
Under this action, the proposed ABCs reflect harvest amounts that
are less than the specified OFLs. The proposed TACs are within the
range of proposed ABCs recommended by the SSC and do not exceed the
biological limits recommended by the SSC (the ABCs and OFLs). For most
species and species groups in the GOA, the Council recommended, and
NMFS proposes, TACs equal to proposed ABCs, which is intended to
maximize harvest opportunities in the GOA.
For some species and species groups, however, the Council
recommended, and NMFS proposes, TACs that are less than the proposed
ABCs, including for pollock, Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish in the
Western Regulatory Area, arrowtooth flounder in the Western Regulatory
Area and SEO District, flathead sole in the Western Regulatory Area,
other rockfish in the SEO District, and Atka mackerel. In the GOA,
increasing TACs for some species may not result in increased harvest
opportunities for those species for a variety of reasons. There may be
a lack of commercial or market interest in some species. Additionally,
there are fixed, and therefore constraining, PSC limits associated with
the harvest of the GOA groundfish species that can lead to an
underharvest of flatfish TACs. For this reason, the shallow-water
flatfish, arrowtooth flounder, and flathead sole TACs are set to allow
for increased harvest opportunities for these target species while
conserving the halibut PSC limit for use in other fisheries. The other
rockfish and Atka mackerel TACs are set to accommodate ICAs in other
fisheries. Finally, the TACs for two species (pollock and Pacific cod)
cannot be set equal to ABC, as the TAC must be set to account for the
State's GHLs in these fisheries. The W/C/WYK Regulatory Area pollock
TAC and the GOA Pacific cod TACs are therefore set to account for the
State's GHLs for the State waters pollock and Pacific cod fisheries so
that the ABCs are not exceeded. For all other species in the GOA, the
Council recommended, and NMFS proposes, that proposed TACs equal
proposed ABCs, unless other conservation or management reasons
(described above) support proposed TAC amounts less than the proposed
ABCs.
Based upon the best scientific data available, and in consideration
of the Council's objectives of this action, it appears that there are
no significant alternatives to the proposed rule that
[[Page 94700]]
have the potential to accomplish the stated objectives of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act and any other applicable statutes and that have the
potential to minimize any significant adverse economic impact of the
proposed rule on small entities. This action is economically beneficial
to entities operating in the GOA, including small entities. The action
proposes TACs for commercially valuable species in the GOA and allows
for the continued prosecution of the fishery, thereby creating the
opportunity for fishery revenue. After public process, during which the
Council solicited input from stakeholders, the Council concluded, and
NMFS concurs, that the proposed harvest specifications would best
accomplish the stated objectives articulated in the preamble for this
proposed rule and the requirements of applicable statutes, and would
minimize to the extent practicable adverse economic impacts on the
universe of directly regulated small entities.
This action does not modify recordkeeping or reporting
requirements, or duplicate, overlap, or conflict with any Federal
rules.
This proposed rule contains no information collection requirements
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Adverse impacts on marine mammals or endangered or threatened
species resulting from fishing activities conducted under these harvest
specifications are discussed in the Final EIS and its accompanying
annual SIR (see ADDRESSES).
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1540(f); 16 U.S.C.
1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 3631 et seq.; Pub. L. 105-277; Pub. L. 106-
31; Pub. L. 106-554; Pub. L. 108-199; Pub. L. 108-447; Pub. L. 109-
241; Pub. L. 109-479.
Dated: November 22, 2024.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-27896 Filed 11-27-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
</pre></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on November 29, 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.