NMFS Issues Interim Rule to Expand Individual Fishing Quota Program in Alaska

Summary

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued an interim rule to allow vessels with existing Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program recordkeeping and observer coverage requirements to fish for sablefish and Pacific halibut in areas where they hold IFQ, even if the IFQ for that area is less than the total IFQ on board, in order to facilitate more efficient harvesting by IFQ holders.