Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Revision to the Management of “Other Species” Community Development Quota

Résumé

NMFS issues a final rule to modify the management of the "other species" Community Development Quota (CDQ) reserve by eliminating specific allocations of "other species" CDQ to individual CDQ managing organizations (CDQ groups) and, instead, allowing NMFS to manage the "other species" CDQ reserve with the general limitations used to manage the catch of non-CDQ groundfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action also eliminates the CDQ non-specific reserve and makes other changes to improve the clarity and consistency of CDQ Program regulations. This action is necessary to improve NMFS' ability to effectively administer the CDQ Program. It is intended to further the goals and objectives of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) with respect to this program.