Limited Access Management of Federal Fisheries In and Off of Alaska; Determinations and Appeals

Résumé

NMFS issues this final rule to implement the determinations and appeals procedures for the limited access management of Federal fisheries in and off of Alaska. This action is necessary to establish who may appeal initial administrative determinations; establish what must be included in appeals; establish procedures regarding acceptance of appeals; establish the authority of, and a procedure for disqualifying, appellate officers; establish evidentiary procedures and the hearing process; establish procedures for post-hearing decisions; and establish appeals procedures to the Director, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Director). The intended effect of this action is to provide an orderly process for appeals from initial administrative determinations made by NMFS management staff and from decisions issued by appellate officers under the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program.