[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 41 (Monday, March 3, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9907-9924]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-4815]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 021212307-3037-3037-02; I.D. 110602C]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Bering Sea 
and Aleutian Islands; Final 2003 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish

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

ACTION: Final 2003 specifications for groundfish and associated 
management measures; apportionment of reserves; request for comments; 
closures.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces final 2003 harvest specifications, prohibited 
species catch (PSC) allowances, and associated management measures for 
the groundfish fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to establish harvest 
limits and associated management measures for groundfish during the 
2003 fishing year and to accomplish the goals and objectives of the 
Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea 
and Aleutian Islands Management Area (FMP). The intended effect of this 
action is to conserve and manage the groundfish resources in the BSAI.

DATES: The final 2003 harvest specifications and associated 
apportionment of reserves are effective at 1200 hrs, Alaska local time 
(A.l.t.), February 25, 2003 through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 
2003. Comments on the apportionment of reserves must be received by 
March 18, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the apportionment of reserves may be sent to Sue 
Salveson, Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries 
Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668, 
Attn: Lori Durall. Comments also may be sent via facsimile (fax) to 
907-586-7557. Comments will not be accepted if submitted via e-mail or 
Internet. Courier or hand delivery of comments may be

[[Page 9908]]

made to NMFS in the Federal Building, Room 453, 709 West 9th Street, 
Juneau, AK 99801.
    Copies of the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Final 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) prepared for this action and the 
Final 2002 Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) report, dated 
November 2002, are available from the North Pacific Fishery Management 
Council, West 4th Avenue, Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 99510-2252 (907-271-
2809).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 907-586-7228 or e-mail 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background for the 2003 Final Harvest Specifications

    Federal regulations at 50 CFR part 679 that implement the FMP 
govern the groundfish fisheries in the BSAI. The Council prepared the 
FMP and NMFS approved it under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act. General regulations governing U.S. 
fisheries also appear at 50 CFR part 600.
    The FMP and its implementing regulations require NMFS, after 
consultation with the Council, to specify annually the total allowable 
catch (TAC) for each target species and for the ``other species'' 
category, the sum of which must be within the optimum yield range of 
1.4 million to 2.0 million metric tons (mt) (Sec.  679.20(a)(1)(i)). 
Also specified are apportionments of TACs, and Community Development 
Quota (CDQ) reserve amounts, prohibited species quota (PSQ) reserves, 
and PSC allowances. Regulations at Sec.  679.20(c)(3) further require 
NMFS to consider public comment on the proposed annual TACs and 
apportionments thereof and the proposed PSC allowances, and to publish 
final specifications in the Federal Register. The final specifications 
set forth in Tables 1 through 17 of this action satisfy these 
requirements. For 2003, the sum of TACs is 2 million mt.
    The proposed BSAI groundfish specifications and PSC allowances for 
the groundfish fishery of the BSAI were published in the Federal 
Register on December 12, 2002 (67 FR 76362). Comments were invited and 
accepted through January 13, 2003. NMFS received one comment on the 
proposed specifications. This comment is summarized and responded to in 
the Response to Comments section. Public consultation with the Council 
occurred during the December 2002 Council meeting in Anchorage, AK. 
After considering public comments, as well as biological and economic 
data that were available at the Council's December meeting, NMFS is 
implementing the final 2003 groundfish specifications as recommended by 
the Council.
    Regulations at Sec.  679.20(c)(2)(ii) establish the interim amounts 
of each proposed initial TAC (ITAC) and allocations thereof, of each 
CDQ reserve established by Sec.  679.20(b)(1)(iii), and of the proposed 
PSQ reserves and PSC allowances established by Sec.  679.21 that become 
available at 0001 hours, A.l.t., January 1, and remain available until 
superseded by the final specifications. NMFS published the interim 2003 
groundfish harvest specifications in the Federal Register on December 
26, 2002 (67 FR 78739). Regulations at Sec.  679.20(c)(2)(ii) do not 
provide for an interim specification for either the hook-and-line and 
pot gear sablefish CDQ reserve or for sablefish managed under the 
Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) management plan. The final 2003 
groundfish harvest specifications, PSQ reserves and PSC allowances 
contained in this action supersede the interim 2003 groundfish harvest 
specifications.

Implementation of Steller Sea Lion Conservation Measures

    In accordance with a biological opinion issued by NMFS on October 
19, 2001, NMFS implemented a final rule for the start of the 2003 BSAI 
groundfish fisheries (68 FR 204, January 2, 2003), that contains 
measures that were deemed necessary to avoid the likelihood that the 
pollock, Pacific cod, and Atka mackerel fisheries off Alaska would 
jeopardize the continued existence of the western population of Steller 
sea lions or adversely modify its critical habitat. The final rule 
implements three types of management measures for the pollock, Pacific 
cod and Atka mackerel fisheries of the BSAI: (1) Measures to temporally 
disperse fishing effort, (2) measures to spatially disperse fishing 
effort, and (3) measures to provide sufficient protection from 
competition with pollock fisheries for prey in waters immediately 
adjacent to rookeries and important haulouts.
    The final rule establishes a Steller Sea Lion Conservation Area 
(SCA) to regulate total removals of pollock in an area considered to be 
critical to the recovery of the endangered western population of 
Steller sea lions. The final rule restricts pollock harvests within the 
SCA to a percentage of each sector's seasonal allocation as recommended 
by the Council.
    On December 18, 2002, the United States District Court for the 
Western District of Washington entered an Order remanding the October 
19, 2001, biological opinion prepared for the groundfish fisheries. 
Greenpeace, et al. v. National Marine Fisheries Service, No. C98-492Z 
(W.D. Wash.). The Court held that the biological opinion's findings of 
no jeopardy to the continued existence of endangered Steller sea lions 
and no adverse modification of their critical habitat were arbitrary 
and capricious. NMFS reached an agreement with the Plaintiffs that the 
2003 groundfish fisheries will commence pursuant to the Steller sea 
lion protection measures examined in the biological opinion pending 
completion of the remand. The Court issued an order on December 30, 
2002, that supported the agreement and extended the effective date of 
the 2001 Steller sea lion protection measures biological opinion until 
June 30, 2003.

Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) and TAC Specifications

    The final ABC levels are based on the best available scientific 
information, including projected biomass trends, information on assumed 
distribution of stock biomass, and revised technical methods used to 
calculate stock biomass. The FMP specifies the formulas, or tiers, to 
be used in computing ABCs and overfishing levels (OFLs). The formulas 
applicable to a particular stock or stock complex are determined by the 
level of reliable information available to fishery scientists. This 
information is categorized into a successive series of six tiers.
    At its December 2002 meeting, the Scientific and Statistical 
Committee (SSC), Advisory Panel (AP), and Council reviewed current 
biological information about the condition of groundfish stocks in the 
BSAI. This information was compiled by the Council's Plan Team and is 
presented in the final 2002 SAFE report for the BSAI groundfish 
fisheries, dated November 2002. The SAFE report contains a review of 
the latest scientific analyses and estimates of each species' biomass 
and other biological parameters, as well as summaries of the available 
information on the BSAI ecosystem and the economic condition of 
groundfish fisheries off Alaska. From these data and analyses, the Plan 
Team estimates an ABC for each species or species category.
    In December 2002, the SSC, AP, and Council reviewed the Plan Team's 
recommendations. Except for Bogoslof pollock, sablefish, northern 
rockfish, Atka mackerel and the ``other species'' category, the SSC, 
AP, and Council endorsed the Plan Team's ABC recommendations. Based on 
the best

[[Page 9909]]

available information, the SSC recommended slightly higher ABCs for 
sablefish and Atka mackerel and slightly lower ABCs for Bogoslof 
pollock and the ``other species'' category than the Plan Team 
recommended. For sablefish, the SSC increased the ABC from the Plan 
Team's recommendation based on the projected 5-year average of catches 
under the Council's F40[percnt] policy. For Atka 
mackerel, the SSC recommended a higher, yet still conservative, ABC 
compared to the Plan Team. The SSC's recommendation was based on an ABC 
option presented by the stock assessment author that should maintain 
stock biomass at or near B40[percnt]. For 
Bogoslof pollock, the SSC recommended using a procedure that reduces 
the ABC proportionately to the ratio of current stock biomass to target 
stock biomass. For ``other species'', the SSC recommended for the 5th 
year, a procedure that moves gradually to a higher ABC over a 10-year 
period instead of a large increase in one year. For all species, the AP 
endorsed the ABCs recommended by the SSC, and the Council adopted them. 
The final ABCs, as adopted by the Council, are listed in Table 1. For 
northern rockfish, the SSC concluded that a reliable Bering Sea biomass 
estimate was not available and therefore used a more conservative 
procedure than the Plan Team for calculating OFLs and ABCs. This 
resulted in establishing separate OFLs and ABCs for the Bering Sea and 
Aleutian Islands subareas. At the Council meeting in January 2003, the 
SSC and Council received additional reports on northern rockfish 
biomass estimates and concluded that although variability in the 
estimates is high, the estimates are considered to be conservative. 
Thus both the SSC and Council recommended that NMFS consider following 
the historical approach of BSAI-wide northern rockfish OFL and ABC 
amounts. This was the approach proposed by NMFS (68 FR 76362, December 
12, 2002) and is determined to be appropriate for this stock.
    The final TAC recommendations were based on the ABCs as adjusted 
for other biological and socioeconomic considerations, including 
maintaining the total TAC within the required optimum yield (OY) range 
of 1.4 million to 2.0 million mt. The Council adopted the AP's TAC 
recommendations. None of the Council's recommended TACs for 2003 exceed 
the final ABC for any species category. NMFS finds that the recommended 
ABCs and TACs are consistent with the biological condition of 
groundfish stocks as described in the 2002 SAFE document that was 
approved by the Council.
    Table 1 lists the 2003 OFL, ABC, TAC, ITAC and CDQ reserve amounts 
of groundfish in the BSAI. The apportionment of TAC amounts among 
fisheries and seasons is discussed below.

 Table 1.--2003 Overfishing Level (OFL), Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC), Total Allowable Catch (TAC), Initial
       TAC (ITAC), and Community Development Quota (CDQ) Reserve Allocation of Groundfish in the BSAI \1\
                                               [Amounts are in mt]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                          CDQ
             Species                     Area             OFL         ABC         TAC      ITAC \2\     reserve
                                                                                                          \3\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock \4\.....................  Bering Sea (BS)...   3,530,000   2,330,000   1,491,760   1,342,584     149,176
                                  Aleutian Islands        52,600      39,400       1,000       1,000  ..........
                                   (AI).
                                  Bogoslof District.      45,300       4,070          50          50  ..........
Pacific cod.....................  BSAI..............     324,000     223,000     207,500     176,375      15,563
Sablefish \5\...................  BS................       4,290       2,900       2,900       1,233         399
                                  AI................       4,590       3,100       3,100         659         523
Atka mackerel...................  Total.............      99,700      63,000      60,000      51,000       4,500
                                  Western AI........  ..........      22,990      19,990      16,992       1,499
                                  Central AI........  ..........      29,360      29,360      24,956       2,202
                                  Eastern AI/BS.....  ..........      10,650      10,650       9,053         799
Yellowfin sole..................  BSAI..............     136,000     114,000      83,750      71,188       6,281
Rock sole.......................  BSAI..............     132,000     110,000      44,000      37,400       3,300
Greenland turbot................  Total.............      17,800       5,880       4,000       3,400         300
                                  BS................  ..........       3,920       2,680       2,278         201
                                  AI................  ..........       1,960       1,320       1,122          99
Arrowtooth flounder.............  BSAI..............     139,000     112,000      12,000      10,200         900
Flathead sole...................  BSAI..............      81,000      66,000      20,000      17,000       1,500
Other flatfish \6\..............  BSAI..............      21,400      16,000       3,000       2,550         225
Alaska plaice...................  BSAI..............     165,000     137,000      10,000       8,500         750
Pacific ocean perch.............  BSAI..............      18,000  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........
                                  BS................  ..........       2,410       1,410       1,199         106
                                  AI Total..........  ..........      12,690      12,690      10,787         952
                                  Western AI........  ..........       5,850       5,850       4,973         439
                                  Central AI........  ..........       3,340       3,340       2,839         251
                                  Eastern AI........  ..........       3,500       3,500       2,975         263
Northern rockfish...............  BSAI..............       9,468       7,101  ..........  ..........  ..........
                                  BS................  ..........  ..........         121         103           9
                                  AI................  ..........  ..........       5,879       4,997         441
Shortraker/rougheye.............  BSAI..............       1,289         967  ..........  ..........  ..........
                                  BS................  ..........  ..........         137         116          10
                                  AI................  ..........  ..........         830         706          62
Other rockfish \7\..............  BS................       1,280         960         960         816          72
                                  AI................         846         634         634         539          48
Squid...........................  BSAI..............       2,620       1,970       1,970       1,675  ..........
Other species \8\...............  BSAI..............      81,100      43,300      32,309      27,463       2,423
                                                     -------------

[[Page 9910]]

 
    Total.......................  ..................   4,867,308   3,296,382   2,000,000   1,771,540    187,540
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ These amounts apply to the entire BSAI management area unless otherwise specified. With the exception of
  pollock, and for the purpose of these specifications, the Bering Sea subarea includes the Bogoslof District.
\2\ Except for pollock and the portion of the sablefish TAC allocated to hook-and-line and pot gear, 15 percent
  of each TAC is put into a reserve. The ITAC for each species is the remainder of the TAC after the subtraction
  of these reserves.
\3\ Except for pollock and the hook-and-line or pot gear allocation of sablefish, one half of the amount of the
  TACs placed in reserve, or 7.5 percent of the TACs, is designated as a CDQ reserve for use by CDQ participants
  (see Sec.  Sec.   679.20(b)(1)(iii) and 679.31).
\4\ The American Fisheries Act (AFA) requires that 10 percent of the annual Bering Sea pollock TAC be allocated
  as a CDQ reserve and the entire Aleutian Islands and Bogoslof District pollock ITAC be allocated as an
  incidental catch allowance. NMFS then subtracts 3.5 percent of the remaining Bering Sea pollock as an
  incidental catch allowance, which is not apportioned by season or area. The remainder of the ITAC is further
  allocated by sector as directed fishing allocations as follows: inshore, 50 percent; catcher/processor, 40
  percent; and motherships, 10 percent.
\5\ The ITAC for sablefish reflected in Table 1 is for trawl gear only. Regulations at Sec.   679.20(b)(1) do
  not provide for the establishment of an ITAC for the hook-and-line and pot gear allocation for sablefish.
  Twenty percent of the sablefish TAC allocated to hook-and-line gear or pot gear and 7.5 percent of the
  sablefish TAC allocated to trawl gear is reserved for use by CDQ participants (see Sec.   679.20(b)(1)(iii)).
\6\ ``Other flatfish'' includes all flatfish species, except for Pacific halibut (a prohibited species),
  flathead sole, Greenland turbot, rock sole, yellowfin sole, arrowtooth flounder and Alaska plaice.
\7\ ``Other rockfish'' includes all Sebastes and Sebastolobus species except for Pacific ocean perch, northern,
  shortraker, and rougheye rockfish.
\8\ ``Other species'' includes sculpins, sharks, skates and octopus. Forage fish, as defined at Sec.   679.2,
  are not included in the ``other species'' category.

Reserves and the Incidental Catch Allowance (ICA) for Pollock

    Regulations at Sec.  679.20(b)(1)(i) require that 15 percent of the 
TAC for each target species or species group, except for the hook-and-
line and pot gear allocation of sablefish, be placed in a non-specified 
reserve. The AFA supersedes this provision for pollock by requiring 
that the TAC for this species be fully allocated among the CDQ program, 
the ICA, and the inshore, catcher/processor, and mothership directed 
fishery allocations.
    Regulations at Sec.  679.20(b)(1)(iii) require that one-half of 
each TAC amount placed in the non-specified reserve be allocated to the 
groundfish CDQ reserve and that 20 percent of the hook-and-line and pot 
gear allocation of sablefish be allocated to the fixed gear sablefish 
CDQ reserve. Regulations at Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(i)(A) also require that 
10 percent of the Bering Sea subarea pollock TAC be allocated to the 
pollock CDQ reserve. The entire Aleutian Islands subarea and Bogoslof 
District pollock TAC is allocated as an ICA (Sec.  
679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(1)). With the exception of the hook-and-line and pot 
gear sablefish CDQ reserve, the regulations do not further apportion 
the CDQ reserves by gear. Regulations at Sec.  679.21(e)(1)(i) also 
require that 7.5 percent of each PSC limit, with the exception of 
herring, be withheld as a PSQ reserve for the CDQ fisheries. 
Regulations governing the management of the CDQ and PSQ reserves are 
set forth at Sec. Sec.  679.30 and 679.31.
    Under regulations at Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(1), NMFS allocates 
3.5 percent of the Bering Sea subarea pollock TAC as an ICA after 
subtraction of the 10-percent CDQ reserve. This allowance is based on 
an examination of the incidental catch of pollock in non-pollock target 
fisheries from 1998 through 2002. During this 5-year period, the 
incidental catch of pollock ranged from a low of 3 percent in 1998, 
2001 and 2002 to a high of 5 percent in 1999, with a 5-year average of 
3 percent.
    The regulations do not designate the remainder of the non-specified 
reserve by species or species group, and any amount of the reserve may 
be apportioned to a target species or to the ``other species'' category 
during the year, providing that such apportionments do not result in 
overfishing. The Administrator of the Alaska Region for NMFS (Regional 
Administrator), has determined that the ITACs specified for the species 
listed in Table 2 need to be supplemented from the non-specified 
reserve because U.S. fishing vessels have demonstrated the capacity to 
catch the full TAC allocations. Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  
679.20(b)(3), NMFS is apportioning the amounts shown in Table 2 from 
the nonspecified reserve to increase the ITAC to an amount that is 
equal to TAC minus the CDQ reserve.

         Table 2.--Apportionment of Reserves to ITAC Categories
                           [Amounts are in mt]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Species--area or subarea          Reserve amount    Final ITAC
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel--Western Aleutian district           1,499          18,491
Atka mackerel--Central Aleutian district           2,202          27,158
Atka mackerel--Eastern Aleutian district             799           9,851
 and Bering Sea subarea.................
Other flatfish--BSAI....................             225           2,775
Alaska plaice--BSAI.....................             750           9,250
Pacific ocean perch--Western Aleutian                439           5,411
 district...............................
Pacific ocean perch--Central Aleutian                251           3,090
 district...............................
Pacific ocean perch--Eastern Aleutian                263           3,238
 district...............................
Pacific cod--BSAI.......................          15,563         191,938
Shortraker/rougheye rockfish--Bering Sea              10             126
 subarea................................
Shortraker/rougheye rockfish--Aleutian                62             768
 Islands subarea........................
Northern rockfish--Bering Sea subarea...               9             112

[[Page 9911]]

 
Northern rockfish--Aleutian Islands                  441           5,438
 subarea................................
Other rockfish--Bering Sea subarea......              72             888
Other species--BSAI.....................           2,423          29,886
-----------------------------------------
    Total...............................          25,008         308,420
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Allocation of Pollock TAC Under the AFA

    Section 206(a) of the AFA requires the allocation of 10 percent of 
the BSAI pollock TAC as a CDQ reserve (Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)). The 
remainder of the BSAI pollock TAC, after the subtraction of an 
allowance for the incidental catch of pollock by vessels (3.5 percent), 
including CDQ vessels, harvesting other groundfish species, is 
allocated as directed fishing allocations (DFA) as follows: 50 percent 
to catcher vessels harvesting pollock for processing by the inshore 
component, 40 percent to catcher/processors and catcher vessels 
harvesting pollock for processing by catcher/processors in the offshore 
component, and 10 percent to catcher vessels harvesting pollock for 
processing by motherships in the offshore component (Sec.  
679.20(a)(5)(i)). These amounts are listed in Table 3.
    The AFA also contains several specific requirements concerning 
pollock and pollock allocations. First, at Sec.  
679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4)(i) and (ii), NMFS will allocate 91.5 percent of 
the catcher/processor sector allocation to AFA catcher/processors 
engaged in directed fishing for pollock and 8.5 percent of the catcher/
processor sector allocation to AFA catcher vessels delivering to 
catcher/processors unless changed by the cooperative contracts. Second, 
unlisted AFA catcher/processors (Sec.  679.4(k)(1)(2)(ii)) are limited 
to harvesting not more than 0.5 percent of the catcher/processor sector 
allocation of pollock (Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4)(iii)).
    Table 3 also lists seasonal apportionments of pollock and harvest 
limits within the SCA. Regulations implementing Steller sea lion 
protection measures at Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(ii)(A)(1) apportion the 
pollock directed fishing allowances allocated to each component into 
two seasonal allowances. The first allowance, 40 percent of the DFA, is 
made available for directed fishing from January 20 to June 10 (``A'' 
season), and the second seasonal allowance, 60 percent of the DFA, is 
made available from June 10 to November 1 (``B'' season)(Table 3). The 
harvest within the SCA, as defined at Sec.  679.22(a)(7)(vii), is 
limited to 28 percent of the annual DFA until April 1. The remaining 12 
percent of the annual DFA allocated to the A season may be taken 
outside of the SCA before April 1 or inside the SCA after April 1. If 
28 percent of the annual DFA is not taken inside the SCA before April 
1, the remainder is available to be taken inside the SCA after April 1. 
The A season pollock SCA harvest limit will be apportioned to each 
industry sector in proportion to each sector's allocated percentage of 
the DFA as set forth in the AFA.

   Table 3.--2003 Allocations of the Pollock TAC and Directed Fishing Allowance (DFA) to the Inshore, Catcher/
                                  Processor, Mothership, and CDQ Components \1\
                                               [Amounts are in mt]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  A Season \1\                   B Season\1\
                                          2003     -------------------------------------------------------------
           Area and sector             allocations   A season DFA  (40%   SCA harvest limit   B season DFA  (60%
                                                       of Annual DFA)            \2\            of Annual DFA)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bering Sea subarea..................     1,491,760  ...................  ..................  ...................
    CDQ.............................       149,176               59,670              41,769               89,506
    ICA \3\.........................        46,990  ...................  ..................  ...................
    AFA Inshore.....................       647,797              259,119             181,383              388,678
    AFA Catcher/Processors \4\......       518,237              207,295             145,106              310,942
        Catch by C/Ps \4\...........       474,187              189,675  ..................              284,512
        Catch by CVs \4\............        44,050               17,620  ..................               26,430
            Restricted C/P cap \5\..         2,591                1,036  ..................                1,555
    AFA Motherships.................       129,559               51,824              36,277               77,736
    Excessive harvesting share \6\..       226,729  ...................  ..................  ...................
Aleutian Islands ICA \7\............         1,000  ...................  ..................  ...................
Bogoslof District ICA \7\...........            50  ...................  ..................  ...................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ After subtraction for the CDQ reserve (10 percent) and the ICA (3.5 percent), the pollock TAC is allocated
  as a DFA: inshore component--50 percent, catcher/processor component--40 percent, and mothership component--10
  percent. Under Sec.   679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), the CDQ reserve for pollock is 10 percent. The A season, January 20--
  June 10, is allocated 40 percent of the DFA and the B season, June 10--November 1, is allocated 60 percent of
  the DFA.
\2\ No more than 28 percent of each sector's annual DFA may be taken from the SCA before April 1. The remaining
  12 percent of the annual DFA allocated to the A season may be taken outside of SCA before April 1 or inside
  the SCA after April 1. If 28 percent of the annual DFA is not taken inside the SCA before April 1, the
  remainder is available to be taken inside the SCA after April 1.
\3\ The pollock ICA for the BS subarea is 3.5 percent of the TAC after subtraction of the CDQ reserve.
\4\ Under Sec.   679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4)(i) and (ii), NMFS will allocate 91.5 percent of the catcher/processor
  sector allocation to AFA catcher/processors engaged in directed fishing for pollock and 8.5 percent of the
  catcher/processor sector allocation to AFA catcher vessels delivering to catcher/processors unless changed by
  the cooperative contracts.
\5\ Under Sec.   679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4)(iii), unlisted AFA catcher/processors are limited to harvesting not more
  than 0.5 percent of the catcher/processor sector allocation of pollock.

[[Page 9912]]

 
\6\ Under Sec.   679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(6), NMFS establishes an excessive harvesting share limit equal to 17.5
  percent of the sum of the directed fishing allowances established under paragraphs (a)(5)(i) and (a)(5)(ii) of
  this section.
\7\ The Aleutian Islands subarea and the Bogoslof District are closed to directed fishing for pollock. The
  amounts specified are for incidental catch amounts only, and are not apportioned by season or sector.

Allocation of the Atka Mackerel TAC

    Regulations implementing Steller sea lion protection measures at 
Sec.  679.20(a)(8)(ii) apportion the Atka mackerel ITAC into two equal 
seasonal allowances. After subtraction of the jig gear allocation, the 
first allowance is made available for directed fishing from January 1 
(January 20 for trawl gear) to April 15 (``A'' season), and the second 
seasonal allowance is made available from September 1 to November 1 
(``B'' season)(Table 4). Under Sec.  679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(1), the 
Regional Administrator will establish a harvest limit area (HLA) limit 
of no more than 60 percent of the seasonal TAC for the Western and 
Central Aleutian districts.
    Under Sec.  679.20(a)(8)(i), up to 2 percent of the Eastern 
Aleutian district and the Bering Sea subarea Atka mackerel ITAC may be 
allocated to the jig gear fleet. The amount of this allocation is 
determined annually by the Council based on several criteria, including 
the anticipated harvest capacity of the jig gear fleet. The Council 
recommended, and NMFS approved, a 1-percent allocation of the Atka 
mackerel ITAC in the Eastern Aleutian district and the Bering Sea 
subarea to the jig gear fleet in 2003. Based on an ITAC and a reserve 
apportionment which together total 9,851 mt, the jig gear allocation is 
99 mt.
    A lottery system is used for the HLA Atka mackerel directed 
fisheries to reduce the amount of daily catch in the HLA by about half 
and to disperse the fishery over two areas (Sec.  679.20(a)(8)(iii)).

 Table 4.--2003 Seasonal and Spatial Apportionments, Gear Shares, and CDQ Reserve of the BSAI Atka Mackerel TAC
                                                       \1\
                                               [Amounts are in mt]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            Seasonal apportionment \2\
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                                 CDQ                   A Season \3\            B Season \4\
        Subarea & Component            TAC     reserve    ITAC   -----------------------------------------------
                                                                               HLA Limit               HLA Limit
                                                                     Total        \5\        Total        \5\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western Aleutian district.........    19,990     1,499    18,491       9,245       5,547       9,245       5,547
Central Aleutian district.........    29,360     2,202    27,158      13,579       8,147      13,579       8,147
Eastern AI/BS subarea \6\.........    10,650       799     9,851  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........
    Jig (1%) \7\..................  ........  ........        99  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........
    Other gear (99%)..............  ........  ........     9,753       4,876  ..........       4,876  ..........
                                   -----------
        Total.....................    60,000     4,500    55,500      27,701  ..........      27,701  ..........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Regulations at Sec.  Sec.   679.20(a)(8)(ii) and 679.22(a)(8) establish temporal and spatial limitations for
  the Atka mackerel fishery.
\2\ The seasonal apportionment of Atka mackerel is 50 percent in the A season and 50 percent in the B season.
\3\ The A season is January 1 through April 15, however trawl gear is prohibited until January 20.
\4\ The B season is September 1 through November 1.
\5\ HLA limit refers to the amount of each seasonal allowance that is available for fishing inside the HLA (Sec.
    679.2). In 2003, 60 percent of each seasonal allowance is available for fishing inside the HLA in the
  Western and Central Aleutian districts.
\6\ Eastern Aleutian district and the Bering Sea subarea.
\7\ Regulations at Sec.   679.20(a)(8)(i) require that up to 2 percent of the Eastern Aleutian district and the
  Bering Sea subarea ITAC be allocated to the jig gear fleet. The amount of this allocation is 1 percent. The
  jig gear allocation is not apportioned by season.

Allocation of the Pacific Cod TAC

    Under Sec.  679.20(a)(7)(i)(A), 2 percent of the Pacific cod ITAC 
is allocated to vessels using jig gear, 51 percent to vessels using 
hook-and-line or pot gear, and 47 percent to vessels using trawl gear. 
Under regulations at Sec.  679.20(a)(7)(i)(B), the portion of the 
Pacific cod TAC allocated to trawl gear is further allocated 50 percent 
to catcher vessels and 50 percent to catcher/processors. Under 
regulations at Sec.  679.20(a)(7)(i)(C)(1), a portion of the Pacific 
cod allocated to hook-and-line or pot gear is set aside as an ICA of 
Pacific cod in directed fisheries for groundfish using these gear 
types. Based on anticipated incidental catch in these fisheries, the 
Regional Administrator specifies an ICA of 500 mt. The remainder of 
Pacific cod is further allocated to vessels using hook-and-line or pot 
gear as the following directed fishing allowances: 80 percent to hook-
and-line catcher/processors, 0.3 percent to hook-and-line catcher 
vessels, 18.3 percent to pot gear vessels, and 1.4 percent to catcher 
vessels under 60 feet (18.3 m) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line 
or pot gear.
    Due to concerns about the potential impact of the Pacific cod 
fishery on Steller sea lions and their critical habitat, the Pacific 
cod fisheries are temporally dispersed by the apportionment of the ITAC 
into two seasonal allowances (Sec. Sec.  679.23(e)(5) and 
679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A)). For most non-trawl gear the first allowance of 
60 percent of the ITAC is made available for directed fishing from 
January 1 to June 10, and the second seasonal allowance of 40 percent 
of the ITAC is made available from June 10 to December 31. No seasonal 
harvest constraints are imposed for the Pacific cod fishery by catcher 
vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear. 
For trawl gear, the first season is January 20 to April 1 and is 
allocated 60 percent of the ITAC. The second season, April 1 to June 
10, and the third season, June 10 to November 1, are each allocated 20 
percent of the ITAC. The trawl catcher vessel allocation is further 
allocated as 70 percent in the first season, 10 percent in the second 
season and 20 percent in the third season. The trawl catcher/processor 
allocation is allocated 50 percent in the first season, 30 percent in 
the second season, and 20 percent in the third season. Table 5 lists 
the 2003 allocations and seasonal apportionments of the Pacific cod 
ITAC. In accordance with Sec. Sec.  679.20(a)(7)(ii)(D) and 
679.20(a)(7)(iii)(B), any unused portion of a seasonal Pacific cod 
allowance will become available at the

[[Page 9913]]

beginning of the next seasonal allowance.

                                   Table 5.--2003 Gear Shares and Seasonal Apportionments of the BSAI Pacific Cod TAC
                                                                   [Amounts are in mt]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Subtotal                              Seasonal apportionment \1\
                                                             Share of    percentages    Share of  ------------------------------------------------------
                   Gear sector                    Percent   gear sector    for gear   gear sector
                                                            total  (mt)    sectors    total  (mt)                    Date                    Amount (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total hook-and-line and pot gear allocation of         51        97,888  ...........  ...........  ........................................  ...........
 Pacific cod TAC.
    Incidental Catch Allowance..................  .......  ............  ...........          500  ........................................  ...........
    Catcher/Processor and Catcher Vessel sub-     .......        97,388  ...........  ...........  ........................................  ...........
     total.
    Hook-and-line...............................  .......  ............           80       77,911  Jan 1-Jun 10............................       46,747
    Catcher/Processors..........................  .......  ............  ...........  ...........  Jun 10-Dec 31...........................       31,164
    Hook-and-line...............................  .......  ............          0.3          292  Jan 1-Jun 10............................          175
    Catcher Vessels.............................  .......  ............  ...........  ...........  Jun 10-Dec 31...........................          117
    Pot Gear Vessels............................  .......  ............         18.3       17,822  Jan 1-Jun 10............................       10,693
                                                  .......  ............  ...........  ...........  Sept 1-Dec 31...........................        7,129
    Catcher Vessels < 60 feet LOA using hook-and- .......  ............          1.4        1,363  ........................................  ...........
     line or pot gear.
Trawl gear total................................       47        90,211  ...........  ...........  ........................................  ...........
    Trawl Catcher Vessel........................  .......  ............           50       45,105  Jan 20-Apr 1............................       31,574
                                                  .......  ............  ...........  ...........  Apr 1-Jun 10............................        4,510
                                                  .......  ............  ...........  ...........  Jun 10-Nov 1............................        9,021
    Trawl Catcher/Processor.....................  .......  ............           50       45,105  Jan 20-Apr 1............................       22,553
                                                  .......  ............  ...........  ...........  Apr 1-Jun 10............................       13,531
                                                  .......  ............  ...........  ...........  Jun 10-Nov 1............................        9,021
Jig.............................................        2         3,839  ...........  ...........  Jan 1-Jun 10............................        2,303
                                                  .......  ............  ...........  ...........  Jun 10-Dec 31...........................        1,536
                                                 ----------
    Total.......................................      100       191,938  ...........  ...........  ........................................  ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For non-trawl gear the first season is allocated 60 percent of the TAC and the second season is allocated 40 percent of the TAC. No seasonal harvest
  constraints are imposed for the Pacific cod fishery by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear. For trawl gear,
  the first season is allocated 60 percent of the TAC and the second and third seasons are each allocated 20 percent of the TAC. The trawl catcher
  vessels' allocation is further allocated as 70 percent in the first season, 10 percent in the second season and 20 percent in the third season. The
  trawl catcher/processors' allocation is allocated 50 percent in the first season, 30 percent in the second season and 20 percent in the third season.
  Any unused portion of a seasonal Pacific cod allowance will be reapportioned to the next seasonal allowance.

Allocation of the Shortraker and Rougheye Rockfish TAC

    Under Sec.  679.20(a)(9), the ITAC of shortraker rockfish and 
rougheye rockfish specified for the Aleutian Islands subarea is 
allocated 30 percent to vessels using non-trawl gear and 70 percent to 
vessels using trawl gear. Based on the 2003 ITAC and the reserve 
apportionment which together total 768 mt, the trawl allocation is 538 
mt and the non-trawl allocation is 230 mt.

Sablefish Gear Allocation

    Regulations at Sec.  679.20(a)(4)(iii) and (iv) require that 
sablefish TACs for subareas of the BSAI be allocated between trawl and 
hook-and-line or pot gear. Gear allocations of TACs for the Bering Sea 
subarea are 50 percent for trawl gear and 50 percent for hook-and-line/
pot gear and for the Aleutian Islands subarea are 25 percent for trawl 
gear and 75 percent for hook-and-line/pot gear. Regulations at Sec.  
679.20(b)(1)(iii)(B) require that 20 percent of the hook-and-line and 
pot gear allocation of sablefish be apportioned to the CDQ reserve. 
Additionally, regulations at Sec.  679.20(b)(1)(iii)(A) require that 
7.5 percent of the trawl gear allocation of sablefish (one half of the 
reserve) be apportioned to the CDQ reserve. Gear allocations of the 
sablefish TAC and CDQ reserve amounts are specified in Table 6.

                        Table 6.--2003 Gear Shares and CDQ Reserve of BSAI Sablefish TACS
                                               [Amounts are in mt]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Percent of    Share of    ITAC  (mt)
                      Subarea and gear                            TAC       TAC  (mt)       \1\      CDQ reserve
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bering Sea subarea:
    Trawl \2\...............................................           50        1,450        1,233          109
    Hook-and-line/pot gear \3\..............................           50        1,450          N/A          290
                                                             --------------
        Total...............................................          100        2,900        1,233          399
                                                             ==============
Aleutian Islands subarea:
    Trawl \2\...............................................           25          775          659           58
    Hook-and-line/pot gear \3\..............................           75        2,325          N/A          465
-------------------------------------------------------------==============

[[Page 9914]]

                                                             ==============
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Except for the sablefish hook-and-line and pot gear allocation, 15 percent of TAC is apportioned to the
  reserve. The ITAC is the remainder of the TAC after the subtraction of these reserves.
\2\ The portion of the sablefish TAC allocated to vessels using trawl gear, one half of the reserve (7.5 percent
  of the specified TAC) is reserved for the CDQ program.
\3\ For the portion of the sablefish TAC allocated to vessels using hook-and-line or pot gear, 20 percent of the
  allocated TAC is reserved for use by CDQ participants. Regulations in Sec.   679.20(b)(1) do not provide for
  the establishment of an ITAC for sablefish allocated to hook-and-line or pot gear.

Allocation of PSC Limits for Halibut, Salmon, Crab, and Herring

    PSC limits for halibut are set forth in regulations at Sec.  
679.21(e). For the BSAI trawl fisheries, the limit is 3,675 mt of 
halibut mortality and for non-trawl fisheries, the limit is 900 mt of 
halibut mortality. For chinook salmon, regulations at Sec.  
679.21(e)(1)(vii) specify a scheduled reduction of the chinook salmon 
PSC limit until the final limit is reached in 2004. For 2003, the 
chinook salmon PSC limit for the pollock fishery is 33,000 fish. PSC 
limits for crab and herring are specified annually based on abundance 
and spawning biomass.
    The red king crab mature female abundance is estimated to be 18.6 
million king crab and the effective spawning biomass is estimated to be 
37.7 million pounds (17,100 mt) from the 2002 survey data. Based on the 
criteria set out at Sec.  679.21(e)(1)(ii), the 2003 PSC limit of red 
king crab in Zone 1 for trawl gear is 97,000 animals as a result of the 
mature female abundance above 8.4 million king crab and the effective 
spawning biomass estimate greater than 14.5 (6,577 mt) but less than 55 
million pounds (24,948 mt).
    Regulations at Sec.  679.21(e)(3)(ii)(B) establish criteria under 
which NMFS must specify an annual red king crab bycatch limit for the 
Red King Crab Savings Subarea (RKCSS). The regulations limit the RKCSS 
to up to 35 percent of the trawl bycatch allowance specified for the 
rock sole/flathead sole/``other flatfish'' fishery category and must be 
based on the need to optimize the groundfish harvest relative to red 
king crab bycatch. The Council recommended, and NMFS approves, a red 
king crab bycatch limit equal to 35 percent of the trawl bycatch 
allowance specified for the rock sole/flathead sole/''other flatfish'' 
fishery category within the RKCSS.
    Based on 2002 survey data, the C. bairdi crab abundance is 
estimated to be 464.9 million animals. Given the criteria set out at 
Sec.  679.21(e)(1)(iii), the 2003 C. bairdi crab PSC limit for trawl 
gear is 980,000 animals in Zone 1 and 2,970,000 animals in Zone 2 as a 
result of the C. bairdi crab abundance estimate of over 400 million 
animals.
    Under Sec.  679.21(e)(1)(iv), the PSC limit for C. opilio crab is 
based on total abundance as indicated by the NMFS annual bottom trawl 
survey. The C. opilio crab PSC limit is set at 0.1133 percent of the 
Bering Sea abundance index. Based on the 2002 survey estimate of 1.49 
billion animals, the calculated limit is 1,169,000 animals. Because 
this limit is less than 4.5 million, under Sec.  679.21(e)(1)(iv)(B), 
the 2003 C. opilio crab PSC limit is 4,350,000 animals.
    Under Sec.  679.21(e)(1)(vi), the PSC limit of Pacific herring 
caught while conducting any trawl operation for groundfish in the BSAI 
is 1 percent of the annual eastern Bering Sea herring biomass. NMFS' 
best estimate of 2003 herring biomass is 152,574 mt. This amount was 
derived using 2001 survey data and an age-structured biomass projection 
model developed by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Therefore, 
the herring PSC limit for 2003 is 1,526 mt.
    Under Sec.  679.21(e)(1)(i), 7.5 percent of each PSC limit 
specified for halibut and crab is allocated as a PSQ reserve for use by 
the groundfish CDQ program. Regulations at Sec.  679.21(e)(3) require 
the apportionment of each trawl PSC limit into PSC bycatch allowances 
for seven specified fishery categories. Regulations at Sec.  
679.21(e)(4)(ii) authorize the apportionment of the non-trawl halibut 
PSC limit into PSC bycatch allowances among five fishery categories. 
The fishery bycatch allowances for the trawl and non-trawl fisheries 
are listed in Table 7.
    Regulations at Sec.  679.21(e)(4)(ii) authorize exemption of 
specified non-trawl fisheries from the halibut PSC limit. As in past 
years, NMFS, after consultation with the Council, is exempting pot 
gear, jig gear, and the sablefish IFQ hook-and-line gear fishery 
categories from halibut bycatch restrictions because these fisheries 
use selective gear types that take few halibut compared to other gear 
types such as nonpelagic trawl. In 2002, total groundfish catch for the 
pot gear fishery in the BSAI was approximately 15,518 mt with an 
associated halibut bycatch mortality of about 8 mt. The 2002 groundfish 
jig gear fishery harvested about 172 mt of groundfish. Most vessels in 
the jig gear fleet are less than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA and are exempt from 
observer coverage requirements. As a result, observer data are not 
available on halibut bycatch in the jig gear fishery. However, a 
negligible amount of halibut bycatch mortality is assumed because of 
the selective nature of this gear type and the likelihood that halibut 
caught with jig gear have a high survival rate when released.
    As in past years, the Council recommended the sablefish IFQ fishery 
be exempt from halibut bycatch restrictions because of the sablefish 
and halibut IFQ program (subpart D of 50 CFR part 679). The sablefish 
IFQ program requires legal-sized halibut to be retained by vessels 
using hook-and-line gear if a halibut IFQ permit holder is aboard and 
is holding unused halibut IFQ. NMFS is approving the Council's 
recommendation. This action results in less halibut discard in the 
sablefish fishery. In 1995, about 36 mt of halibut discard mortality 
was estimated for the sablefish IFQ fishery. Estimates for 1996 through 
2002 have not been calculated, however NMFS has no information 
indicating that it would be significantly different.
    Regulations at Sec.  679.21(e)(5) authorize NMFS, after 
consultation with the Council, to establish seasonal apportionments of 
PSC amounts in order to maximize the ability of the fleet to harvest 
the available groundfish TAC and to minimize bycatch. The factors to be 
considered are: (1) Seasonal distribution of prohibited species, (2) 
seasonal distribution of target groundfish species, (3) PSC bycatch 
needs on a seasonal basis relevant to

[[Page 9915]]

prohibited species biomass, (4) expected variations in bycatch rates 
throughout the year, (5) expected start of fishing effort, and (6) 
economic effects of seasonal PSC apportionments on industry sectors. In 
December 2002, the Council's AP recommended seasonal PSC apportionments 
in order to maximize harvest among gear types, fisheries, and seasons 
while minimizing bycatch of PSC based upon the above criteria.
    The Council adopted and NMFS approves the PSC apportionments 
specified in Table 7.

          Table 7.--Prohibited Species Catch Allowances for the BSAI Trawl and Non-Trawl Fisheries \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Prohibited Species and Zone
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Halibut                Red King                 C. bairdi (animals)
                                           mortality    Herring      Crab      C. opilio -----------------------
                                           (mt) BSAI   (mt) BSAI   (animals)   (animals)
                                              \6\                   Zone 1     COBLZ \2\    Zone 1      Zone 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Trawl Fisheries
Yellowfin sole..........................         886         139      16,664   2,776,981     340,844   1,788,459
    January 20--April 1.................         262  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........
    April 1--May 21.....................         195  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........
    May 21--June 29.....................          49  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........
    June 29--December 31................         380  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........
Rock sole/flat. sole/other flatfish \3\.         779          20      59,782     969,130     365,320     596,154
    January 20--April 1.................         448  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........
    April 1--June 29....................         164  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........
    June 29--December 31................         167  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........
    RKCSS \3\...........................  ..........  ..........      20,924  ..........  ..........  ..........
Turbot/sablefish/arrowtooth \4\.........  ..........           9  ..........      40,238  ..........  ..........
Rockfish (June 29--Dec. 31).............          69           7  ..........      40,237  ..........      10,988
Pacific cod.............................       1,434          20      13,079     124,736     183,112     324,176
Pollock/Atka/other \5\..................         232         146         200      72,428      17,224      27,473
Midwater trawl pollock..................  ..........       1,184  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........
                                         -------------
    Total Trawl PSC.....................       3,400       1,526      89,725   4,023,750     906,500   2,747,250
                                         =============
           Non-Trawl Fisheries
Pacific cod--Total......................         775  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........
    January 1--June 10..................         320  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........
    June 10--August 15..................           0  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........
    August 15--December 31..............         455  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........
Other non-trawl--Total..................          58  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........
    May 1--December 31..................          58  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........
Groundfish pot & jig....................      Exempt  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........
Sablefish hook-&-line...................      Exempt  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........
                                         ------------
    Total Non-Trawl.....................         833  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........
                                         ============
PSQ RESERVE \7\.........................         342  ..........       7,275     326,250      73,500     222,750
                                         -------------
    GRAND TOTAL.........................       4,575       1,526      97,000   4,350,000     980,000  2,970,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Refer to Sec.   679.2 for definitions of areas.
\2\ C. opilio Bycatch Limitation Zone. Boundaries are defined at 50 CFR part 679, Figure 13.
\3\ The Council at its December 2002 meeting recommended that red king crab bycatch for trawl fisheries within
  the RKCSS be limited to 35 percent of the total allocation to the rock sole, flathead sole, and other flatfish
  fishery category (Sec.   679.21(e)(3)(ii)(B)). ``Other flatfish'' for PSC monitoring includes all flatfish
  species, except for Pacific halibut (a prohibited species), greenland turbot, rock sole, yellowfin sole and
  arrowtooth flounder.
\4\ Greenland turbot, arrowtooth flounder, and sablefish fishery category.
\5\ Pollock other than pelagic trawl pollock, Atka mackerel, and ``other species'' fishery category.
\6\ With the exception of the non-trawl Pacific cod directed fishery, any unused halibut PSC apportionment may
  be added to the following season's apportionment. Any unused halibut PSC apportioned to the non-trawl Pacific
  cod directed fishery during the January 1 through June 10 time period will not be available until August 15.
\7\ With the exception of herring, 7.5 percent of each PSC limit is allocated to the CDQ program as PSQ reserve.
  The PSQ reserve is not allocated by fishery, gear or season.

Halibut Discard Mortality Rates

    To monitor halibut bycatch mortality allowances and apportionments, 
the Regional Administrator will use observed halibut bycatch rates, 
assumed mortality rates, and estimates of groundfish catch to project 
when a fishery's halibut bycatch mortality allowance or seasonal 
apportionment is reached. The assumed mortality rates are based on the 
best information available, including information contained in the 
annual SAFE report.
    The Council recommended, and NMFS concurs, that the assumed halibut 
discard mortality rates (DMRs) developed by the International Pacific 
Halibut Commission (IPHC) for the 2002 BSAI groundfish fisheries be 
adopted for purposes of monitoring halibut bycatch allowances 
established for 2003 (Table 8). In 2001, the IPHC recommended, and the 
Council and NMFS concurred, to use the 10-year average DMRs for the 
2001 through 2003 BSAI non-CDQ groundfish fisheries. Plots of annual 
DMRs against the 10-year average indicated little change since 1990 for 
some fisheries, particularly the major trawl fisheries. DMRs were more 
variable for the smaller fisheries which typically take minor amounts 
of halibut bycatch. The IPHC also will continue to conduct annual 
analyses of observer data and recommend changes to the Preseason 
Assumed DMR where a fishery DMR shows large variation from the average. 
Results from analysis of halibut release condition data for 2002 showed 
continued stability in halibut DMRs for many fisheries. The IPHC 
annually examines the CDQ fisheries and provides recommendations for 
any appropriate DMR revisions for those fisheries. The IPHC has been 
calculating the CDQ fisheries DMRs since 1998 and a 10-year average is 
not available. The Council recommended, and NMFS concurs, with the DMRs 
recommended by the IPHC for 2003 CDQ fisheries. The

[[Page 9916]]

justification for these DMRs is discussed in Appendix A of the final 
SAFE report dated November 2002.

   Table 8.--2003 Assumed Pacific Halibut Mortality Rates For the BSAI
                                Fisheries
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Preseason assumed mortality
                 Fishery                             (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hook-and-line gear fisheries:
    Greenland turbot.....................  18
    Other species........................  12
    Pacific cod..........................  12
    Rockfish.............................  25
    Sablefish............................  22
Trawl gear fisheries:
    Atka mackerel........................  75
    Flathead sole........................  67
    Greenland turbot.....................  70
    Midwater pollock.....................  84
    Nonpelagic pollock...................  76
    Other flatfish.......................  71
    Other species........................  67
    Pacific cod..........................  67
    Rockfish.............................  69
    Rock sole............................  76
    Sablefish............................  50
    Yellowfin sole.......................  81
Pot gear fisheries:
    Other species........................  8
    Pacific cod..........................  8
CDQ trawl fisheries:
    Atka mackerel........................  80
    Flathead sole........................  90
    Midwater pollock.....................  89
    Nonpelagic pollock...................  90
    Rockfish.............................  90
    Yellowfin sole.......................  83
CDQ hook-and-line fisheries:
    Greenland turbot.....................  4
    Pacific cod..........................  11
CDQ pot fisheries:
    Pacific cod..........................  2
    Sablefish............................  46
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Directed Fishing Closures

    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), if the Regional 
Administrator determines that any allocation or apportionment of a 
target species or ``other species'' category has been or will be 
reached, the Regional Administrator may establish a directed fishing 
allowance for that species or species group. If the Regional 
Administrator establishes a directed fishing allowance, and that 
allowance is or will be reached before the end of the fishing year, 
NMFS will prohibit directed fishing for that species or species group 
in the specified subarea or district (Sec.  697.20(d)(1)(iii)). 
Similarly, under Sec.  679.21(e), if the Regional Administrator 
determines that a fishery category's bycatch allowance of halibut, red 
king crab, C. bairdi crab or C. opilio crab for a specified area has 
been reached, the Regional Administrator will prohibit directed fishing 
for each species in that category in the specified area.
    The Regional Administrator has determined that the following 
remaining allocation amounts will be necessary as incidental catch to 
support other anticipated groundfish fisheries for the 2003 fishing 
year:

                                     Table 9.--Directed Fishing Closures \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Incidental
                        Area/species                                      Gear types               catch amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bogoslof District:
    Pollock................................................  All................................              50
Aleutian Islands subarea:
    Pollock................................................  All................................           1,000
    Northern rockfish......................................  All................................           5,438
    Shortraker/Rougheye rockfish, trawl....................  All................................             538
    Shortraker/Rougheye rockfish, non-trawl................  All................................             230
    Other rockfish.........................................  All................................             539
Bering Sea subarea:
    Northern rockfish......................................  All................................             112
    ``Other rockfish''.....................................  All................................             888

[[Page 9917]]

 
    Pacific ocean perch....................................  All................................           1,199
    Shortraker/rougheye rockfish...........................  All................................             126
Bering Sea Aleutian Islands:
    Other species..........................................  All................................         29,886
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Regional Administrator has determined that the incidental catch amounts will be necessary to support
  other anticipated groundfish fisheries for the 2003 fishing year (Sec.   679.20(d)(1)(ii)(B)).

    Consequently, in accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the 
Regional Administrator establishes the directed fishing allowances for 
the above species or species groups as zero.
    Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is 
prohibiting directed fishing for these species in the specified areas 
and these closures are effective immediately through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., 
December 31, 2003.
    In addition, the BSAI Zone 1 annual red king crab allowance 
specified for the trawl rockfish fishery (Sec.  679.21(e)(3)(iv)(D)) is 
0 mt and the BSAI first seasonal halibut bycatch allowance specified 
for the trawl rockfish fishery is 0 mt. The BSAI annual halibut bycatch 
allowance specified for the trawl Greenland turbot/arrowtooth flounder/
sablefish fishery categories is 0 mt (Sec.  679.21(e)(3)(iv)(C)). 
Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  679.21(e)(7)(ii) and (v), NMFS is 
prohibiting directed fishing for rockfish by vessels using trawl gear 
in Zone 1 of the BSAI and directed fishing for Greenland turbot/
arrowtooth flounder/sablefish by vessels using trawl gear in the BSAI 
effective immediately through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2003. NMFS 
is also prohibiting directed fishing for rockfish outside Zone 1 in the 
BSAI through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., June 29, 2003.
    Under authority of the interim 2003 harvest specifications (67 FR 
78739, December 26, 2002), NMFS prohibited directed fishing for Atka 
mackerel in the Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering Sea subarea of 
the BSAI effective 1200 hrs, A.l.t., January 22, 2003, through 1200 
hrs, A.l.t., September 1, 2003 (68 FR 2920, January 22, 2003). NMFS 
opened the first directed fisheries in the HLA in area 542 and area 543 
effective 1200 hrs, A.l.t., January 24, 2003. The first HLA fishery in 
area 542 remained open through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., January 29, 2003. The 
first HLA fishery in area 543 remained open through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., 
January 28, 2003. The second directed fisheries in the HLA in area 542 
and area 543 opened effective 1200 hrs, A.l.t., January 31, 2003. The 
second HLA fishery in area 542 remained open through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., 
February 5, 2003. The second HLA fishery in area 543 remained open 
through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., February 4, 2003. NMFS prohibited directed 
fishing for CDQ reserve amounts of shortraker/rougheye rockfish and 
northern rockfish in the Bering Sea subarea effective 1200 hrs, A.l.t., 
January 22, 2003, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2003 (68 FR 
3823, January 23, 2003). Fishing with non-pelagic trawl gear in the red 
king crab savings subarea of the BSAI closed February 12, 2003, through 
2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2003 (68 FR 8153, February 20, 2003). 
NMFS prohibited directed fishing for rock sole, flathead sole, and 
``other flatfish'' by vessels using trawl gear in the BSAI effective 
1200 hrs, A.l.t., February 18, 2003, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., April 1, 
2003 (68 FR 8726, February 25, 2003).
    These closures remain effective under authority of the final 2003 
harvest specifications.
    These closures supersede the closures announced in the 2003 interim 
specifications (67 FR 78739, December 26, 2002). While these closures 
are in effect, the maximum retainable amounts at Sec.  679.20(e) and 
(f) apply at any time during a fishing trip. These closures to directed 
fishing are in addition to closures and prohibitions found in 
regulations at Sec.  679. In the BSAI, ``other rockfish'' includes 
Sebastes and Sebastolobus species except for Pacific ocean perch, 
shortraker, rougheye, and northern rockfish.

Bering Sea Subarea Inshore Pollock Allocations

    Regulations at Sec.  679.4(l), set forth procedures for AFA inshore 
catcher vessel pollock cooperatives to apply for and receive 
cooperative fishing permits and inshore pollock allocations. NMFS 
received applications from seven inshore catcher vessel cooperatives. 
Table 10 lists the pollock allocations to the seven inshore catcher 
vessel pollock cooperatives based on 2003 cooperative allocations that 
have been approved and permitted by NMFS for the 2003 fishing year. 
Allocations for cooperatives and vessels not participating in 
cooperatives are not made for the AI subarea because the AI subarea has 
been closed to directed fishing for pollock.

   Table 10.--2003 Bering Sea Subarea Inshore Cooperative Allocations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Sum of
                                      member     Percentage
                                     vessel's    of inshore   Annual co-
   Cooperative name and member       official      sector         op
             vessels                  catch      allocation   allocation
                                    histories    (percent)       (mt)
                                     \1\ (mt)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Akutan Catcher Vessel Association      245,527       28.085      181,932
ALDEBARAN, ARCTIC EXPLORER,
 ARCTURUS, BLUE FOX, CAPE
 KIWANDA, COLUMBIA, DOMINATOR,
 EXODUS, FLYING CLOUD, GOLDEN
 DAWN, GOLDEN PISCES, HAZEL
 LORRAINE, INTREPID EXPLORER,
 LESLIE LEE, LISA MELINDA,
 MAJESTY, MARCY J, MARGARET LYN,
 NORDIC EXPLORER, NORTHERN
 PATRIOT, NORTHWEST EXPLORER,
 PACIFIC RAM, PACIFIC VIKING,
 PEGASUS, PEGGY JO, PERSEVERANCE,
 PREDATOR, RAVEN, ROYAL AMERICAN,
 SEEKER, SOVEREIGNTY, TRAVELER,
 VIKING EXPLORER
Arctic Enterprise Association....       36,807        4.210       27,273
BRISTOL EXPLORER, OCEAN EXPLORER,
 PACIFIC EXPLORER

[[Page 9918]]

 
Northern Victor Fleet Cooperative       73,656        8.425       54,578
ANITA J, COLLIER BROTHERS,
 COMMODORE, EXCALIBUR II,
 GOLDRUSH, HALF MOON BAY, MISS
 BERDIE, NORDIC FURY, PACIFIC
 FURY, POSEIDON, ROYAL ATLANTIC,
 SUNSET BAY, STORM PETREL
Peter Pan Fleet Cooperative......       18,693        2.138       13,851
AMBER DAWN, AMERICAN BEAUTY,
 ELIZABETH F, MORNING STAR, OCEAN
 LEADER, OCEANIC, PROVIDIAN,
 TOPAZ, WALTER N
Unalaska Cooperative.............      106,737       12.209       79,091
ALASKA ROSE, BERING ROSE,
 DESTINATION, GREAT PACIFIC,
 MESSIAH, MORNING STAR, MS AMY,
 PROGRESS, SEA WOLF, VANGUARD,
 WESTERN DAWN
UniSea Fleet Cooperative.........      201,566       23.056      149,357
ALSEA, AMERICAN EAGLE, ARGOSY,
 AURIGA, AURORA, DEFENDER, GUN-
 MAR, NORDIC STAR, PACIFIC
 MONARCH, SEADAWN, STARFISH,
 STARLITE
Westward Fleet Cooperative.......      189,942       21.727      140,744
A.J., ALASKAN COMMAND, ALYESKA,
 ARCTIC WIND, CAITLIN ANN,
 CHELSEA K, DONA MARTITA, FIERCE
 ALLEGIANCE, HICKORY WIND, OCEAN
 HOPE 3, PACIFIC CHALLENGER,
 PACIFIC KNIGHT, PACIFIC PRINCE,
 STARWARD, VIKING, WESTWARD I
Open access AFA vessels..........        1,309        0.150          970
                                  --------------
    Total inshore allocation.....      874,238          100      647,797
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ According to regulations that will be effective with the final rule
  to implement major provisions of the AFA at 679.62(e)(1) the
  individual catch history for each vessel is equal to the vessel's best
  2 of 3 years inshore pollock landings from 1995 through 1997 and
  includes landings to catcher/processors for vessels that made 500 or
  more mt of landings to catcher/processors from 1995 through 1997.

    According to regulations at Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(3), NMFS must 
subdivide the inshore allocation into allocations for cooperatives and 
vessels not fishing in a cooperative (i.e., the open access sector). In 
addition, under Sec.  679.22(a)(7)(vii), NMFS must establish harvest 
limits inside the SCA and provide a set-aside so that catcher vessels 
less than or equal to 99 ft (30.2 m) LOA have the opportunity to 
operate entirely within the SCA during the A season. Accordingly, Table 
11 lists the apportionment of the Bering Sea subarea inshore pollock 
allocation into allocations for vessels fishing in a cooperative and 
allocations for vessels not participating in a cooperative and 
establishes a cooperative-sector SCA set-aside for AFA catcher vessels 
less than or equal to 99 ft (30.2 m) LOA. The SCA set-aside for sector 
catcher vessels less than or equal to 99 ft (30.2 m) LOA that are not 
participating in a cooperative will be established inseason based on 
actual participation levels and is not included in Table 11. These 
allocations may be revised based on any corrections to AFA vessels' 
catch history.

Table 11.--2003 Bering Sea Subarea Pollock Allocations To The Cooperative and Open Access Sectors of the Inshore
                                                 Pollock Fishery
                                               [Amounts are in mt]
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 SCA harvest
                                                              A season TAC        limit 1,2       B season TAC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cooperative sector:
    Vessels 99 ft..............................               n/a           155,616               n/a
    Vessels <=99 ft.......................................               n/a            25,495               n/a
                                                           -------------------
        Total.............................................           258,731           181,111           388,096
                                                           ===================
Open access sector........................................               388               272               582
                                                           -------------------
    Total inshore.........................................           259,119           181,383          388,678
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Steller sea lion conservation area established at Sec.   679.22(a)(7)(vii).
\2\ The SCA harvest limits for vessels less than or equal to 99 ft LOA that are not participating in a
  cooperative will be established on an inseason basis in accordance with Sec.   679.22(a)(7)(vii)(C)(2) which
  specifies that ``the Regional Administrator will prohibit directed fishing for pollock by vessels catching
  pollock for processing by the inshore component greater than 99 ft (30.2 m) LOA before reaching the inshore
  SCA harvest limit during the A season to accommodate fishing by vessels less than or equal to 99 ft (30.2 m)
  inside the SCA for the duration of the inshore seasonal opening.''


[[Page 9919]]

Listed AFA Catcher/processor Sideboard Limits

    In 2003, the formula for setting AFA catcher/processor sideboard 
limits for non-pollock groundfish changed from calculations made for 
the sideboard limits in 2000 through 2002. The Council made a 
distinction between retained and total catch for the purpose of 
calculating sideboard limits and determined that AFA vessels should not 
receive sideboard credit for groundfish that were discarded and not 
utilized. Under regulations at Sec.  679.64(a), the listed catcher/
processor sideboard limits for BSAI groundfish (except Atka mackerel, 
Pacific cod, and some Pacific ocean perch) will be based on the 1995 
through 1997 retained catch of such groundfish species by the 20 AFA 
catcher/processors listed in paragraphs 208(e)(1) through (20) of the 
AFA and the nine ineligible catcher/processors listed in section 209 of 
the AFA. For Pacific cod, the sideboard limit will be based on 1997 
retained catch only and for Pacific ocean perch in the Aleutian Islands 
subarea, the sideboard limits will be based on 1996 and 1997 retained 
catch only. The AFA catcher/processor sideboard limit for Atka mackerel 
is zero percent of the Bering Sea subarea and Eastern Aleutians annual 
TAC, 11.5 percent of the Central Aleutian districts annual TAC, and 20 
percent of the Western Aleutian districts annual TAC.
    The basis for these sideboard limits is described in detail in the 
final rule implementing major provisions of the AFA (67 FR 79692, 
December 30, 2002). The 2003 catcher/processor sideboard limits are set 
out in Table 12.
    All non-pollock groundfish that is harvested by listed AFA catcher/
processors, whether as targeted catch or incidental catch, will be 
deducted from the sideboard limits in Table 12. However, non-pollock 
groundfish that are delivered to listed catcher/processors by catcher 
vessels will not be deducted from the 2003 sideboard limits for the 
listed catcher/processors.

                  Table 12.--2003 Listed BSAI AFA Catcher/Processor Groundfish Sideboard Limits
                                               [Amounts are in mt]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  1995--1997               2003 ITAC
                                                     ------------------------------------  available   2003 C/P
         Target species                  Area          Retained    Available               to trawl    sideboard
                                                         catch        TAC        Ratio       C/Ps        limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod trawl...............  BSAI..............      12,424      51,450       0.241      45,105      10,870
Sablefish trawl.................  BS................           8       1,736       0.005       1,233           6
                                  AI................           0       1,135       0.000         659           0
Atka mackerel...................  Western AI........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........
                                    A season\1\.....         n/a         n/a       0.200       9,245       1,849
                                     HLA limit \2\..  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........       1,109
                                    B season\1\.....         n/a         n/a       0.200       9,245       1,849
                                     HLA limit \2\..  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........       1,109
                                  Central AI........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........
                                    A season\1\.....         n/a         n/a       0.115      13,579       1,562
                                     HLA limit \2\..  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........         937
                                    B season\1\.....         n/a         n/a       0.115      13,579       1,562
                                     HLA limit\2\...  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........         937
Yellowfin sole..................  BSAI..............     100,192     527,000       0.190      71,188      13,526
Rock sole.......................  BSAI..............       6,317     202,107       0.031      37,400       1,159
Greenland turbot................  BS................         121      16,911       0.007       2,278          16
                                  AI................          23       6,839       0.003       1,122           3
Arrowtooth flounder.............  BSAI..............          76      36,873       0.002      10,200          20
Flathead sole...................  BSAI..............       1,925      87,975       0.022      17,000         374
Alaska plaice...................  BSAI..............       3,243  ..........       0.035       9,250         324
Other flatfish..................  BSAI..............       3,243      92,428       0.035       2,775          97
Pacific ocean perch.............  BS................          12       5,760       0.002       1,199           2
                                  Western AI........          54      12,440       0.004       5,411          22
                                  Central AI........           3       6,195       0.000       3,090           0
                                  Eastern AI........         125       6,265       0.020       3,238          65
Northern rockfish...............  BS................           8  ..........       0.008         112           1
                                  AI................          83      13,254       0.006       5,438          33
Shortraker/rougheye.............  BS................           8  ..........       0.008         126           1
                                  AI................          42       2,827       0.015         538           8
Other rockfish..................  BS................          18       1,026       0.018         888          16
                                  AI................          22       1,924       0.011         539           6
Squid...........................  BSAI..............          73       3,670       0.020       1,675          34
Other species...................  BSAI..............         553      65,925       0.008      29,886        239
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The seasonal apportionment of Atka mackerel in the open access fishery is 50 percent in the A season and 50
  percent in the B season. Unrestricted AFA catcher/processors are limited to incidental catch amounts in the
  Eastern Aleutian district and Bering Sea subarea, 20 percent of the available TAC in the Western Aleutian
  district, and 11.5 percent of the available TAC in the Central Aleutian district.
\2\ HLA limit refers to the amount of each seasonal allowance that is available for fishing inside the HLA (Sec.
    679.2). In 2003, 60 percent of each seasonal allowance is available for fishing inside the HLA in the
  Western and Central Aleutian districts. Pacific cod harvest by trawl gear in the Aleutian Islands HLA, west of
  178 degrees W. long. is prohibited during the Atka mackerel HLA directed fisheries.

    Regulations at Sec.  679.64(a)(5) establish a formula for PSC 
sideboard limits for listed AFA catcher/processors. These amounts are 
equivalent to the percentage of the PSC amounts taken in the non-
pollock groundfish fisheries by the AFA catcher/processors listed in 
subsection 208(e) and section 209 of the AFA from 1995 through 1997. 
PSC amounts taken by listed catcher/processors in BSAI non-pollock 
groundfish fisheries from 1995 through 1997 are shown in Table 13. 
These data were used to calculate the relative amount of PSC limits by 
pollock

[[Page 9920]]

catcher/processors, that were then used to determine the PSC sideboard 
limits for listed AFA catcher/processors in the 2003 non-pollock 
groundfish fisheries.
    PSC that is caught by listed AFA catcher/processors participating 
in any non-pollock groundfish fishery listed in Table 13 would accrue 
against the 2003 PSC limits for the listed AFA catcher/processors. 
Regulations at Sec.  679.21(e)(3)(v) authorize NMFS to close directed 
fishing for non-pollock groundfish for listed AFA catcher/processors 
once a 2003 PSC limit listed in Table 13 is reached.
    Crab or halibut PSC that is caught by listed AFA catcher/processors 
while fishing for pollock will accrue against the bycatch allowances 
annually specified for either the midwater pollock or the pollock/Atka 
mackerel/other species fishery categories under regulations at Sec.  
679.21(e).

         Table 13.--2003 Listed BSAI AFA Catcher/Processor Prohibited Species Catch Sideboard Limits \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     1995-1997                       2003 PSC      2003 C/P PSC
           PSC species           ------------------------------------------------  available to      sideboard
                                     PSC catch       Total PSC         Ratio       trawl vessels       limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut mortality...............             955          11,325           0.084           3,400             286
Red king crab...................           3,098         473,750           0.007          89,725             628
C. opilio.......................       2,323,731      15,139,178           0.153       4,023,750         615,634
C. bairdi
    Zone 1......................         385,978       2,750,000           0.140         906,500         126,910
    Zone 2......................         406,860       8,100,000           0.050       2,747,250        137,363
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Halibut amounts are in metric tons of halibut mortality. Crab amounts are in numbers of animals.

AFA Catcher Vessel Sideboard Limits

    Regulations at Sec.  679.64(b) establish formulas for setting AFA 
catcher vessel groundfish and PSC sideboard limits for the BSAI. The 
basis for these sideboard limits is described in detail in the final 
rule implementing major provisions of the AFA (67 FR 79692, December 
30, 2002). The 2003 AFA catcher vessel sideboard limits are shown in 
Tables 14 and 15.
    All harvests of groundfish sideboard species made by non-exempt AFA 
catcher vessels, whether as targeted catch or incidental catch, will be 
deducted from the sideboard limits listed in Table 14.

                          Table 14.--2003 BSAI AFA Catcher Vessel (CV) Sideboard Limits
                                               [Amounts are in mt]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Ratio of 1995-
                                     Fishery by area/    1997 AFA CV catch                        2003 catcher
             Species                 season/processor/    to 1995-1997 TAC   2003 Initial TAC   vessel sideboard
                                           gear                                                      limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod......................  BSAI
                                     jig gear..........             0.0000              3,839                  0
                                                          hook-and-line CV
                                      Jan 1-Jun 10.....             0.0006                175                  0
                                   ....................
                                      Jun 10-Dec 31....             0.0006                117                  0
                                   pot gear
                                      Jan 1-Jun 10.....             0.0006             10,693                  6
                                      Sept 1-Dec 31....             0.0006              7,129                  4
                                     CV < 60 feet LOA..             0.0006              1,363                  0
                                   using hook-and-line
                                    or pot gear
                                   trawl gear
                                   catcher vessel
                                      Jan 20-Apr 1.....             0.8609             31,574             27,182
                                      Apr 1-Jun 10.....             0.8609              4,510              3,883
                                      Jun 10-Nov 1.....             0.8609              9,021              7,766
Sablefish........................  BS trawl gear.......             0.0906              1,233                112
                                   AI trawl gear.......             0.0645                659                 43
Atka mackerel....................  Eastern AI/BS
                                     jig gear..........             0.0031                 99                  0
                                   other gear
                                      Jan 1-Apr 15.....             0.0032              4,876                 16
                                      Sept 1-Nov 1.....             0.0032              4,876                 16
                                   Central AI
                                      Jan 1-Apr 15.....             0.0001             13,579                  1
                                       HLA limit.......             0.0001              8,147                  1
                                      Sept 1-Nov 1.....             0.0001             13,579                  1
                                       HLA limit.......             0.0001              8,147                  1
                                   Western Al
                                      Jan 1-Apr 15.....             0.0000              9,245                  0
                                       HLA limit.......             0.0000              5,547                  0
                                      Sept 1-Nov 1.....             0.0000              9,245                  0
                                       HLA limit.......             0.0000              5,547                  0
Yellowfin sole...................  BSAI................             0.0647             71,188              4,606
Rock sole........................  BSAI................             0.0341             37,400              1,275

[[Page 9921]]

 
Greenland turbot.................  BS..................             0.0645              2,278                147
                                   Al..................             0.0205              1,122                 23
Arrowtooth flounder..............  BSAI................             0.0690             10,200                704
Aalaska plaice...................  BSAI................             0.0441              9,250                408
Other flatfish...................  BSAI................             0.0441              2,775                122
Pacific ocean perch..............  BS..................             0.1000              1,199                120
                                   Eastern AI..........             0.0077              3,238                 25
                                   Central AI..........             0.0025              3,090                  8
                                   Western AI..........             0.0000              5,411                  0
Northern rockfish................  BS..................             0.0280                112                  3
                                   AI..................             0.0089              5,438                 48
Shortraker/Rougheye..............  BS..................             0.0048                126                  1
                                   AI..................             0.0035                768                  3
Other rockfish...................  BS..................             0.0048                888                  4
                                   AI..................             0.0095                539                  5
Squid............................  BSAI................             0.3827              1,675                641
Other species....................  BSAI................             0.0541             29,886              1,617
Flathead sole....................  BS trawl gear.......             0.0505             17,000                859
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The AFA catcher vessel PSC limit for halibut and each crab species 
in the BSAI for which a trawl bycatch limit has been established, will 
be a portion of the PSC limit equal to the ratio of aggregate retained 
groundfish catch by AFA catcher vessels in each PSC target category 
from 1995 through 1997 relative to the retained catch of all vessels in 
that fishery from 1995 through 1997. For the BSAI, the PSC sideboard 
limits are listed in Table 15.
    Halibut and crab PSC that are caught by AFA catcher vessels 
participating in any non-pollock groundfish fishery listed in Table 15 
will accrue against the 2003 PSC limits for the AFA catcher vessels. 
Regulations at Sec.  679.21(d)(8) and (e)(3)(v) provide authority to 
close directed fishing for non-pollock groundfish for AFA catcher 
vessels once a 2003 PSC limit listed in Table 15 for the BSAI is 
reached. PSC that is caught by AFA catcher vessels while fishing for 
pollock in the BSAI will accrue against the bycatch allowances annually 
specified for either the midwater pollock or the pollock/Atka mackerel/
other species fishery categories under regulations at Sec.  679.21(e).

          Table 15.--2003 AFA Catcher Vessel Prohibited Species Catch Sideboard Limits for the BSAI \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Ratio of 1995-
                                                               1997 AFA CV                      2003 AFA catcher
          PSC species             Target fishery category    retained catch    2003 PSC limit      vessel PSC
                                            \2\                 to total                         sideboard limit
                                                             retained catch
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut.......................  Pacific cod trawl.........            0.6183             1,434               887
                                Pacific cod hook-and-line             0.0022               775                 2
                                 or pot.
                                Yellowfin sole
                                  January 20--April 1.....            0.1144               262                30
                                  April 1--May 21.........            0.1144               195                22
                                  May 21--June 29.........            0.1144                49                 6
                                  June 29--December 31....            0.1144               380                43
                                Rock sole/flathead sole/
                                 other flatfish \5\
                                  January 20--April 1.....            0.2841               448               127
                                  April 1--June 29........            0.2841               164                47
                                  June 29--December 31....            0.2841               167                47
                                Turbot/Arrowtooth/                    0.2327                 0                 0
                                 sablefish.
                                Rockfish..................            0.0245                69                 2
                                Pollock/Atka mackerel/                0.0227               232                 5
                                 Other species.
Red King Crab.................  Pacific cod...............            0.6183            13,079             8,087
Zone 1 \4\....................  Yellowfin sole............            0.1144            16,664             1,906
                                Rock sole/flathead sole/              0.2841            59,782            16,984
                                 other flatfish \5\.
                                Pollock/Atka mackerel/                0.0227               200                 5
                                 Other species.
C. opilio.....................  Pacific cod...............            0.6183           124,736            77,124
COBLZ \3\.....................  Yellowfin sole............            0.1144         2,776,981           317,687
                                Rock sole/flathead sole/              0.2841           969,130           275,330
                                 other flatfish \5\.
                                Pollock/Atka mackerel/                0.0227            72,428             1,644
                                 Other species.
                                Rockfish..................            0.0245            40,237               986
                                Turbot/Arrowtooth/                    0.2327            40,238             9,363
                                 sablefish.
C. bairdi.....................  Pacific cod...............            0.6183           183,112           113,218
Zone 1........................  Yellowfin sole............            0.1144           340,844            38,993
                                Rock sole/flathead sole/              0.2841           365,320           103,787
                                 other flatfish \5\.

[[Page 9922]]

 
                                Pollock/Atka mackerel/                0.0227            17,224               391
                                 Other species.
C. bairdi.....................  Pacific cod...............            0.6183           324,176           200,438
Zone 2........................  Yellowfin sole............            0.1144         1,788,459           204,600
                                Rock sole/flathead sole/              0.2841           596,154           169,367
                                 other flatfish \5\.
                                Pollock/Atka mackerel/                0.0227            27,473               624
                                 Other species.
                                Rockfish..................            0.0245            10,988              269
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Halibut amounts are in metric tons of halibut mortality. Crab amounts are in numbers of animals.
\2\ Target fishery categories are defined in regulation at Sec.   679.21(e)(3)(iv).
\3\ C. opilio Bycatch Limitation Zone. Boundaries are defined at Figure 13 of 50 CFR part 679.
\4\ The Council at its December 2002 meeting recommended that red king crab bycatch for trawl fisheries within
  the RKCSS be limited to 35 percent of the total allocation to the rock sole/flathead sole/'other flatfish''
  fishery category (Sec.   679.21(e)(3)(ii)(B)).
\5\ ``Other flatfish'' for PSC monitoring includes all flatfish species, except for Pacific halibut (a
  prohibited species), Greenland turbot, rock sole, yellowfin sole, and arrowtooth flounder.

Sideboard Directed Fishing Closures

AFA Catcher/Processor and Catcher Vessel Sideboard Closures

    The Regional Administrator has determined that many of the AFA 
catcher/processor and catcher vessel sideboard limits listed in Tables 
12 and 14 are necessary as incidental catch to support other 
anticipated groundfish fisheries for the 2003 fishing year. In 
accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iv), the Regional Administrator 
establishes the sideboard limits listed in Tables 12 and 14 as directed 
fishing allowances. The Regional Administrator finds that many of these 
directed fishing allowances will be reached before the end of the year. 
Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is 
prohibiting directed fishing by listed AFA catcher/processors for the 
species in the specified areas set out in Table 16 and directed fishing 
by non-exempt AFA catcher vessels for the species in the specified 
areas set out in Table 17.

                 Table 16.--AFA Listed Catcher/Processor Sideboard Directed Fishing Closures \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               Incidental catch
             Species                            Area                       Gear types               amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish trawl..................  BS............................  Trawl....................                   6
                                   AI............................  Trawl....................                   0
Rock sole........................  BSAI..........................  all......................               1,159
Greenland turbot.................  BS............................  all......................                  16
                                   AI............................  all......................                   3
Arrowtooth flounder..............  BSAI..........................  all......................                  20
Pacific ocean perch..............  BS............................  all......................                   2
                                   Western AI....................  all......................                  22
                                   Central AI....................  all......................                   0
                                   Eastern AI....................  all......................                  65
Northern rockfish................  BS............................  all......................                   1
                                   AI............................  all......................                  33
Shortraker/Rougheye rockfish.....  BS............................  all......................                   1
                                   AI............................  all......................                   8
Other rockfish...................  BS............................  all......................                  16
                                   AI............................  all......................                   6
Squid............................  BSAI..........................  all......................                  34
Other species....................  BSAI..........................  all......................                239
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Maximum retainable percentages may be found in Table 11 to 50 CFR part 679.


                      Table 17.--AFA Catcher Vessel Sideboard Directed Fishing Closures \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               Incidental catch
             Species                            Area                          Gear                  amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod......................  BSAI..........................  hook-and-line............                   0
                                   BSAI..........................  pot......................                  10
                                   BSAI..........................  jig......................                   0
Sablefish........................  BS............................  trawl....................                 112
                                   AI............................  trawl....................                  43
Atka mackerel....................  Eastern AI/BS.................  jig......................                   0
                                   Eastern AI/BS.................  other....................                  32
                                   Central AI....................  all......................                   2
                                   Western AI....................  all......................                   0
Greenland Turbot.................  BS............................  all......................                 147
                                   AI............................  all......................                  23
Arrowtooth flounder..............  BSAI..........................  all......................                 704

[[Page 9923]]

 
Pacific ocean perch..............  BS............................  all......................                 120
                                   Western AI....................  all......................                   0
                                   Central AI....................  all......................                   8
                                   Eastern AI....................  all......................                  25
Northern rockfish................  BS............................  all......................                   3
                                   AI............................  all......................                  48
Shortraker/Rougheye rockfish.....  BS............................  all......................                   1
                                   AI............................  all......................                   3
Other rockfish...................  BS............................  all......................                   4
                                   AI............................  all......................                   5
Squid............................  BSAI..........................  all......................                 641
Other species....................  BSAI..........................  all......................              1,617
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Maximum retainable percentages may be found in Table 11 to 50 CFR part 679.

Response to Comments

    NMFS received one letter of comment in response to the proposed 
2003 harvest specifications (67 FR 76362, December 12, 2002.)
    Comment 1. A request for an extension of time in which to comment 
on the document.
    Response. Regulations at 50 CFR 679.20(c)(1)(i)(B) provide for a 
30-day comment period on the proposed specifications. NMFS has 
determined that an extension of the 30-day comment period on the 
proposed harvest specifications would pose unacceptable management 
implications for the 2003 groundfish fisheries. Without proposed and 
interim specifications in effect on January 1, the groundfish fisheries 
would not be able to open on that date, which would result in 
unnecessary closures and disruption within the fishery industry. 
Therefore, NMFS declines to extend the comment period on the proposed 
specifications.

Small Entity Compliance Guide

    The following information is a plain language guide to assist small 
entities in complying with this final rule as required by the Small 
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. This final rule's 
primary management measures are to announce final 2003 harvest 
specifications and prohibited species bycatch allowances for the 
groundfish fishery of the BSAI. This action is necessary to establish 
harvest limits and associated management measures for groundfish during 
the 2003 fishing year and to accomplish the goals and objectives of the 
Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea 
and Aleutian Islands Area. This action affects all fishermen who 
participate in the BSAI fishery. NMFS will announce closures of 
directed fishing in the Federal Register and in information bulletins 
released by the Alaska Region. Affected fishermen should keep 
themselves informed of such closures.

Classification

    This action is authorized under 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from 
review under Executive Order 12866.
    NMFS prepared an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) 
that describes the impact the 2003 harvest specifications may have on 
small entities, in accordance with the provisions of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act of 1980, as amended by the Small Business Regulatory 
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (5 U.S.C. 603(b)). Notice of the 
availability of the IRFA, and a summary, were published in the 
classification section of the proposed harvest specifications for the 
groundfish fisheries in the BSAI in the Federal Register on December 
12, 2002 (67 FR 76362). The comment period on the proposed BSAI harvest 
specifications and IRFA ended on January 13, 2003. NMFS did not receive 
any comments on the IRFA. NMFS has prepared a FRFA for this action and 
a copy is available from the Council (see ADDRESSES).
    The small entities affected by this action are those that harvest 
fish under the terms of the specifications in the BSAI. The FRFA 
identified 193 small catcher vessels, 31 small catcher/processors, and 
six small CDQ groups.
    No projected additional reporting, recordkeeping or other 
compliance requirements were identified in connection with the final 
notice of specifications.
    Four alternatives were evaluated, in addition to the preferred 
alternative. Alternatives were defined by the use of different harvest 
rates (F values). Impacts of the alternatives were estimated on the 
basis of their associated overall fleet gross revenue levels. Three 
alternatives (set F equal to 50% of max FABC, set F equal to 
the most recent five year average actual F, and set F equal to zero) 
all appeared to have greater adverse impacts on small entities than the 
preferred alternative. Alternative 1 (set F equal to max 
FABC) had impacts on small entities that appeared to be 
similar to those of the preferred alternative. However, this 
alternative was not chosen because it used 2002 TACs, which do not take 
into consideration biological survey information collected and analyzed 
in 2002, and evaluated by the Council and its SSC and AP committees at 
the end of 2002. The preferred alternative was chosen, rather than 
Alternative 1, because the TACs in the preferred alternative take into 
account the best and most recent information available regarding the 
status of the groundfish stocks, public testimony, and socio-economic 
concerns.
    The apportionment of a portion of the nonspecified reserve (see 
Table 2) is necessary to provide increased ITAC to provide for more 
efficient operation of intensive fast-paced fisheries for Pacific cod, 
Atka mackerel and Pacific ocean perch, and to allow for the orderly 
conduct of the flatfish and rockfish fisheries. Also, U.S. fishing 
vessels have demonstrated the capacity to catch the full TAC 
allocations. Therefore, a delay for prior notice and public procedure 
is contrary to the public interest. Accordingly, the Assistant 
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), finds there is good cause to 
waive the requirement for prior notice under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3). In 
accordance with 50 CFR 679(b)(3), comments on the apportionment of 
reserves are invited by March 18, 2003.
    In some cases, the interim specifications currently in effect are 
not sufficient to allow directed fisheries to continue, resulting in 
unnecessary closures and disruption within the fishing industry. This 
action establishes the harvest specifications for the 2003

[[Page 9924]]

fisheries in the BSAI. Hence, the action must be effective immediately 
to provide consistent, uninterrupted management and conservation of 
fishery resources and to allow the fishing industry to plan its fishing 
operations. Accordingly, the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, 
NOAA, finds there is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive the 
30-day delay in the effective date.
    This action must be effective immediately to provide consistent 
management and conservation of fishery resources and to give the 
fishing industry the earliest possible opportunity to plan its fishing 
operations. Accordingly, the AA finds there is good cause under 5 
U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive the 30-day delay of the effective date.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq. 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq., and 
3631 et seq.

    Dated: February 24, 2003.
Rebecca Lent,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-4815 Filed 2-25-03; 3:57 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P