Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; Increase Halibut Quota Share Use Limits in Area 4

Resumo

NMFS proposes to implement a regulatory amendment to the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program for fixed gear Pacific halibut fisheries in and off Alaska. This action would increase halibut quota share (QS) use limits for QS holders in IFQ regulatory areas 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E (Area 4) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI). This action is necessary to increase individual harvest limits of IFQ halibut in Area 4 and is intended to improve the profits for IFQ halibut fishermen operating in Area 4.