[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 30 (Monday, February 14, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-3371]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: February 14, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[ID. #013194C]

 

Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Public Hearings

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Public hearings on Amendment 8 to the Fishery Management Plan 
for Pacific Coast Groundfish.

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SUMMARY: The Pacific Fishery Management Council is holding hearings on 
a proposed Amendment 8 to its Pacific Coast Groundfish fishery 
management plan (FMP). The amendment would establish an individual 
quota (IQ) program to cover the harvest of sablefish by vessels with 
groundfish limited entry permits for longline and fishpot (trap) gear. 
Harvest of sablefish by: (1) Trawl gear in the limited entry fishery, 
or (2) longline, fishpot (trap) and exempted gear by unlicensed vessels 
in the open access fishery, would not be covered by the proposed IQ 
program.

DATES: Written comments on the IQ proposal must be received by March 
28, 1994. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for dates and times of 
hearings.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Lawrence D. Six, 
Executive Director, Pacific Fishery Management Council, 2000 SW First 
Avenue, suite 420, Portland, OR; telephone: (503) 326-6352. See 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for locations of hearings.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lawrence D. Six, Executive Director, Pacific Fishery Management 
Council, 2000 SW First Avenue, suite 420, Portland, OR; telephone: 
(503) 326-6352.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The fixed gear sablefish IQ program designed 
by the Council would allocate sablefish QS (quota share--a percentage 
of the total annual harvest guideline) to persons based primarily on 
catch history. Each year, holders of QS would be allocated an amount of 
sablefish IFQ (individual fishing quota--an amount of sablefish pounds 
for the year based on the amount of QS held) that could be taken 
anytime during the fishing season.
    A recent participation requirement would require at least one 
landing of sablefish or groundfish (to be determined) with longline or 
fishpot gear between August 1, 1988, and November 13, 1991, in order 
for a person to qualify for an initial allocation of QS. There may also 
be a minimum amount of sablefish landings which must be made between 
January 1, 1984, and November 13, 1991. QS would be allocated to owners 
of ``A'' permits for longline or fishpot (trap) gear based at least in 
part on one of the following catch histories: (1) The catch history of 
the permit owned at the time QS is issued, (2) the catch history of the 
person as a vessel owner, or (3) some combination of the two. 
Confidentiality issues may affect the choice among these options and 
the ability of National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to implement 
this program. Catch history occurring between January 1, 1984, and 
November 13, 1991, would be counted in determining the amount of QS 
issued. Under allocation formulas being considered, between 75 and 100 
percent of the quota shares would be allocated on the basis of the best 
five of eight years of catch history. Up to 25 percent might be 
allocated primarily on the basis of an equal allocation concept.
    The Council is considering a number of optional provisions for the 
program including: (1) Caps on the amount of QS/IFQ that may be issued 
to or accumulated by, a single person and the amount that may be used 
with a single vessel, and (2) requirements that the QS/IFQ owner be on 
board the vessel when the IFQ is used. The latter of these provisions 
implies that leasing would not be allowed. The provision may be 
combined with restrictions on the acquisition of QS/IFQ by 
corporations, partnerships and other non-individual entities that do 
not receive an initial allocation.
    All hearings will start at 7 p.m. The following are the dates and 
locations:

February 28, 1994
    Phoenix B and C Rooms, Radisson Hotel Seattle Airport, 17001 
Pacific Highway, South, Seattle, WA 98188
    Peninsula Room, Clarion Hotel, 401 East Millbrae Avenue, Millbrae, 
CA 94030

March 1, 1994
    PreMarq Centre, 2065 Highway 101, Warrenton, OR 97146
    Travelodge Hotel Resort and Marina, 700 Queens Way Drive, Long 
Beach, CA 90802

March 2, 1994
    Evergreen Room, Red Lion Inn, 1929 Fourth Street, Eureka, CA 95501

March 3, 1994
    Captain John's, 8061 King Fisher Drive, Charleston, OR 97420

    This hearing is physically accessible to people with disabilities. 
Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids 
should be directed to Michelle Perry Sailer at (503) 326-6352 at least 
5 days prior to the hearing date.

    Dated: February 8, 1994.
Richard H. Schaefer,
Director of Office of Fisheries; Conservation and Management; National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-3371 Filed 2-11-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-M