[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 241 (Friday, December 16, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 74723-74739]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-24168]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 051205324-5324-01; I.D. 112805B]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Bering Sea 
and Aleutian Islands; 2006 and 2007 Proposed Harvest Specifications for 
Groundfish

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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[[Page 74724]]

SUMMARY: NMFS proposes 2006 and 2007 harvest specifications and 
prohibited species catch (PSC) allowances for the groundfish fishery of 
the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action 
is necessary to establish harvest limits for groundfish during the 2006 
and 2007 fishing years and to accomplish the goals and objectives of 
the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish 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 
in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).

DATES: Comments must be received by January 17, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Sue Salveson, Assistant Regional 
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, 
Attn: Lori Durall. Comments may be submitted by:
     Webform at the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions at that site for 
submitting comments;
     Mail to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802;
     Hand Delivery to the Federal Building, 709 West 9th 
Street, Room 420A, Juneau, AK;
     E-mail to [email protected] and include 
in the subject line the document identifier: 2006 Proposed 
Specifications (E-mail comments, with or without attachments, are 
limited to 5 megabytes); or
     Fax to 907-586-7557.
    Copies of the draft Environmental Assessment/Initial Regulatory 
Flexibility Analysis (EA/IRFA) prepared for this action are available 
from NMFS at the addresses above or from the Alaska Region Web site at 
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov. Copies of the final 2004 Stock Assessment and 
Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) report for the groundfish resources of the 
BSAI, dated November 2004, are available from the North Pacific Fishery 
Management Council (Council), West 4th Avenue, Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 
99510-2252, 907-271-2809, or from its Web site at http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Federal regulations at 50 CFR part 679 implement the FMP and govern 
the groundfish fisheries in the BSAI. The Council prepared the FMP and 
NMFS approved it under the Magnuson-Stevens 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 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) (see Sec.  679.20(a)(1)(i)). 
Regulations at Sec.  679.20(c)(1) further require NMFS to publish 
proposed harvest specifications in the Federal Register and solicit 
public comment on proposed annual TACs and apportionments thereof, PSC 
allowances and prohibited species quota (PSQ) reserves established by 
Sec.  679.21, seasonal allowances of pollock, Pacific cod and Atka 
mackerel TAC, including pollock Community Development Quota (CDQ), and 
CDQ reserve amounts established by Sec.  679.20(b)(1)(iii). The 
proposed harvest specifications set forth in Tables 1 through 13 of 
this action satisfy these requirements.
    Under Sec.  679.20(c)(3), NMFS will publish the final harvest 
specifications for 2006 and 2007 after (1) considering comments 
received within the comment period (see DATES), (2) consulting with the 
Council at its December 2005 meeting, and (3) considering new 
information presented in the EA and the final 2005 SAFE reports 
prepared for the 2006 and 2007 groundfish fisheries.

Other Rules Affecting the 2006 and 2007 Harvest Specifications

    When possible, this proposed rule identifies proposals that are 
under consideration by the Council that, if approved by the Secretary 
of Commerce (Secretary), could change the final harvest specifications. 
The 2006 harvest specifications will be updated in early 2006, when 
final harvest specifications for 2006 and new harvest specifications 
for 2007 are implemented.
    The Council is reviewing Amendment 85, which may revise the BSAI 
Pacific cod sector allocation and apportion the Pacific cod acceptable 
biological catch (ABC) or TAC by Bering Sea subarea and Aleutian 
Islands (AI) subarea separately instead of by the entire BSAI 
management area. The Council is also reviewing Amendment 84, which may 
modify current regulations for managing incidental catch of chinook and 
chum salmon. The Council may consider separating some rockfish species 
from the ``other rockfish'' species category so individual overfishing 
levels (OFLs), ABCs, and TACs may be established for some rockfish 
species. The Council may pursue a change to the start date for the BSAI 
pollock ``A'' season fishery. An earlier start date would allow the 
fleet more flexibility to harvest pollock when roe content is optimal.

Proposed ABC and TAC Harvest Specifications

    The proposed ABC levels are based on the best available biological 
and socioeconomic information, including projected biomass trends, 
information on assumed distribution of stock biomass, and revised 
technical methods used to calculate stock biomass. In general, the 
development of ABCs and OFLs involves sophisticated statistical 
analyses of fish populations and is based on a successive series of six 
levels, or tiers, of reliable information available to fishery 
scientists. Tier one represents the highest level of data quality 
available and tier six the lowest level of data quality available.
    Appendix A to the final SAFE report for the 2005 BSAI groundfish 
fisheries dated November 2004 (see ADDRESSES) sets forth the best 
information currently available. Information on the status of stocks 
will be updated with the 2005 survey results and reconsidered by the 
Plan Team in November 2005 for the 2005 SAFE report. The 2006 and 2007 
final harvest specifications will be based on the 2005 SAFE report.
    In October 2005, the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), 
Advisory Panel, and the Council reviewed the Plan Team's preliminary 
projections as the basis for the 2006 and 2007 proposed ABC, OFL, and 
TAC amounts. The SSC concurred in the Plan Team's recommendations 
which, for stocks in tiers 1-3, used 2005 estimated fishing mortality 
rates in stock projection models to estimate OFLs and ABCs for 2006. 
The estimated 2006 TACs were derived based on ABC constraints and past 
Council actions. The estimated 2006 TACs were treated as the projected 
2006 fishing mortality rates to derive estimates of OFLs and ABCs for 
2007. For stocks in tiers 4-6, for which there are no population 
projection models, the OFL and ABC amounts from 2005 were used for 2006 
and 2007. The Council adopted the OFL and ABC amounts recommended by 
the SSC (Table 1). The Council recommended that the 2006 proposed TACs 
be set equal to the 2006 TACs the Council adopted and the Secretary 
approved in 2005 for the 2006 final specifications

[[Page 74725]]

(70 FR 8979, February 24, 2005). The Council recommended that the 2007 
proposed TACs be set equal to the proposed ABCs, except for decreases 
for Aleutian Islands and Bogoslof pollock, arrowtooth flounder, Alaska 
plaice, and other species. The Council recommended using the 2005 and 
2006 PSC allowances for the 2006 and 2007 proposed allowances. The 
Council will reconsider the OFL, ABC, TAC, and PSC amounts in December 
2005 after the Plan Team incorporates new status of groundfish stocks 
information into a final 2005 SAFE report for the 2006 and 2007 BSAI 
groundfish fishery. None of the Council's recommended proposed TACs for 
2006 or 2007 exceeds the recommended 2006 or 2007 proposed ABC for any 
species category. NMFS finds the Council's recommended proposed 2006 
and 2007 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs are consistent with the best available 
information on the biological condition of the groundfish stocks.
    Table 1 lists the 2006 and 2007 proposed OFL, ABC, and TAC, initial 
TAC (ITAC) and CDQ amounts for groundfish in the BSAI. The proposed 
apportionment of TAC amounts among fisheries and seasons is discussed 
below.

[[Page 74726]]



  Table 1.--2006 and 2007 Proposed Overfishing Level (OFL), Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC), Total Allowable Catch (TAC), Initial TAC (ITAC), and CDQ Reserve Allocation of Groundfish in the
                                                                                            BSAI \1\
                                                                                  [Amounts are in metric tons]
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                                                                                              2006                                                             2007
                Species                          Area          ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    OFL          ABC          TAC        ITAC \2\     CDQ \3\        OFL          ABC          TAC        ITAC \2\     CDQ \3\
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Pollock \4\...........................  BS \2\................    1,966,100    1,636,800    1,487,756    1,338,980      148,776    1,487,100    1,223,200    1,223,200    1,100,880      122,320
                                        AI \2\................       39,100       29,400       19,000       17,100        1,900       39,100       29,400       19,000       17,100        1,900
                                        Bogoslof..............       39,600        2,570           10           10          n/a       39,600        2,570           11           11          n/a
Pacific cod...........................  BSAI..................      250,700      195,000      195,000      165,750       14,625      222,000      172,200      172,200      146,370       12,915
Sablefish \5\.........................  BS....................        3,085        2,556        2,310          982          318        2,880        2,400        2,400        1,020        44490
                                        AI....................        3,315        2,744        2,480          527          419        3,120        2,600        2,600          553           49
Atka mackerel.........................  BSAI..................      126,700      107,000       63,000       53,550        4,725      106,900       90,800       90,800       77,180        6,810
                                        WAI...................          n/a       40,230       20,000       17,000        1,500          n/a       28,825       28,825       24,501        2,162
                                        CAI...................          n/a       45,580       35,500       30,175        2,663          n/a       51,165       51,165       43,490        3,837
                                        EAI/BS................          n/a       21,190        7,500        6,375          563          n/a       10,810       10,810        9,189          811
Yellowfin sole........................  BSAI..................      139,500      117,700       90,000       76,500        6,750      130,000      109,600      109,600       93,160        8,220
Rock sole.............................  BSAI..................      145,100      121,700       42,000       35,700        3,150      138,400      116,100      116,100       98,685        8,708
Greenland turbot......................  BSAI..................       18,100       11,400        3,500        2,975          263       16,900       10,500       10,500        8,925          788
                                        BS....................          n/a        7,590        2,500        2,125          188          n/a        7,500        7,500        6,375          563
                                        AI....................          n/a        3,410        1,000          850           75          n/a        3,000        3,000        2,550          225
Arrowtooth flounder...................  BSAI..................      128,500      104,200       12,000       10,200          900      125,800      102,100       39,100       33,235        2,933
Flathead sole.........................  BSAI..................       65,900       54,900       20,000       17,000        1,500       60,800       50,600       50,600       43,010        3,795
Other flatfish \6\....................  BSAI..................       28,500       21,400        3,000        2,550          225       28,500       21,400       21,400       18,190        1,605
Alaska plaice.........................  BSAI..................      231,000      183,400       10,000        8,500          750      224,400      178,100       65,000       55,250        4,875
Pacific ocean perch...................  BSAI..................       17,600       14,900       12,600       10,710          945       17,900       15,100       15,100       12,835        1,133
                                        BS....................          n/a        3,000        1,400        1,190          105          n/a        1,678        1,678        1,426          126
                                        WAI...................          n/a        5,450        5,085        4,322          381          n/a        6,096        6,096        5,182          457
                                        CAI...................          n/a        3,252        3,035        2,580          228          n/a        3,637        3,637        3,091          273
                                        EAI...................          n/a        3,298        3,080        2,618          231          n/a        3,689        3,689        3,136          277
Northern rockfish.....................  BSAI..................        9,800        8,200        5,000        4,250          375        9,700        8,200        8,200        6,970          615
Shortraker rockfish...................  BSAI..................          794          596          596          507           45          794          596          596          507           45
Rougheye rockfish.....................  BSAI..................          298          223          223          190           17          298          223          223          190           17
Other rockfish \7\....................  BS....................        1,122          810          460          391           35        1,122          810          810          689           61
                                        AI....................          748          590          590          502           44          748          590          590          502           44
Squid.................................  BSAI..................        2,620        1,970        1,275        1,084          n/a        2,620        1,970        1,970        1,675          n/a
Other species \8\.....................  BSAI..................       87,920       57,870       29,200       24,820        2,190       87,920       57,870       50,000       42,500        3,750
                                       -------------------------
      Total...........................  ......................    3,306,102    2,675,629    2,000,000    1,772,778      187,953    2,746,602    2,196,929    2,000,000    1,759,437     180,673
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\1\ These amounts apply to the entire BSAI management area unless otherwise specified. With the exception of pollock, and for the purpose of these harvest specifications, the Bering Sea (BS)
  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, squid 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\ Under Sec.   679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(1), the annual Bering Sea pollock TAC after subtraction for the CDQ directed fishing allowance--10 percent and the ICA--3.5 percent, is further allocated by
  sector for a directed pollock fishery as follows: inshore--50 percent; catcher/processor--40 percent; and motherships--10 percent. Under Sec.   679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2)(i) and (ii), the
  annual AI pollock TAC, after subtraction for the CDQ directed fishing allowance--10 percent and the ICA--1,800 mt, is allocated to the Aleut Corporation for a directed pollock fishery.
\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 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.


[[Page 74727]]

Reserves and the Incidental Catch Allowance (ICA) for Pollock

    Regulations at Sec.  679.20(b)(1)(i) require placement of 15 
percent of the TAC for each target species or species group, except for 
pollock and the hook-and-line and pot gear allocation of sablefish, in 
a non-specified reserve. Regulations at Sec.  679.20(b)(1)(iii) further 
require the allocation of one half of each TAC amount that is placed in 
the non-specified reserve (7.5 percent), with the exception of squid, 
to the groundfish CDQ reserve, and the allocation of 20 percent of the 
hook-and-line and pot gear allocation of sablefish to the fixed gear 
sablefish CDQ reserve. Regulations at Sec. Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(i)(A) and 
679.31(a) also require the allocation of 10 percent of the BSAI pollock 
TACs to the pollock CDQ directed fishing allowance. The entire Bogoslof 
District pollock TAC is allocated as an ICA (see Sec.  
679.20(a)(5)(ii)). 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 
withholding of 7.5 percent of each PSC limit, with the exception of 
herring, as a PSQ reserve for the CDQ fisheries. Sections 679.30 and 
679.31 set forth the regulations governing the management of the CDQ 
and PSQ reserves.
    Under regulations at Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(1), NMFS allocates a 
pollock ICA of 3.5 percent of the Bering Sea pollock TAC after 
subtraction of the 10 percent CDQ reserve. This allowance is based on 
NMFS' examination of the incidental catch of pollock in target 
fisheries other than pollock from 1999 through 2004. During this 6-year 
period, the incidental catch of pollock ranged from a low of 2 percent 
in 2003 to a high of 5 percent in 1999, with a 6-year average of 3.5 
percent. Because these incidental percentages are contingent on the 
relative amounts of other groundfish TACs, NMFS will be better able to 
assess the ICA amount when the Council makes final ABC and TAC amount 
recommendations in December. Under regulations at Sec.  
679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2)(i) and (ii), NMFS recommends setting a 1,800 mt 
ICA for AI subarea pollock after a subtraction of the 10 percent CDQ 
directed fishing allowance.
    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 reapportioned to a target species or the ``other species'' category 
during the year, providing that such reapportionments do not result in 
overfishing (see Sec.  679.20(b)(1)(ii)).

Allocations of Pollock TAC Under the American Fisheries Act (AFA)

    Regulations at Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(i)(A) require that the pollock 
TAC apportioned to the Bering Sea subarea, after subtraction of the 10 
percent for the CDQ program and the 3.5 percent for the ICA, will be 
allocated as a directed fishing allowance (DFA) as follows: 50 percent 
to the inshore sector, 40 percent to the catcher/processor sector, and 
10 percent to the mothership sector. In the Bering Sea subarea, 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. The 
AI directed pollock fishery allocation to the Aleut Corporation equals 
the AI subarea pollock TAC after subtracting first the 10 percent for 
the CDQ DFA (1,900 mt) and second the ICA (1,800 mt). In the AI 
subarea, 40 percent of the ABC is allocated to the A season and the 
remainder of the directed pollock fishery is allocated to the B season. 
Table 2 lists these 2006 and 2007 proposed amounts.
    The regulations also include several specific requirements 
regarding pollock and pollock allocations under Sec.  
679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4). First, 8.5 percent of the pollock allocated to 
the catcher/processor sector will be available for harvest by AFA 
catcher vessels with catcher/processor sector endorsements, unless the 
Regional Administrator receives a cooperative contract that provides 
for the distribution of harvest among AFA catcher/processors and AFA 
catcher vessels in a manner agreed to by all members. Second, AFA 
catcher/processors not listed in the AFA are limited to harvesting not 
more than 0.5 percent of the pollock allocated to the catcher/processor 
sector. Table 2 lists the 2006 and 2007 proposed allocations of pollock 
TAC. Tables 8 through 13 list other provisions of the AFA, including 
inshore pollock cooperative allocations and listed catcher/processor 
and catcher vessel harvesting sideboard limits.
    Table 2 also lists seasonal apportionments of pollock and harvest 
limits within the Steller Sea Lion Conservation Area (SCA). The harvest 
within the SCA, as defined at Sec.  679.22(a)(7)(vii), is limited to 28 
percent of the DFA until April 1. The remaining 12 percent of the 40 
percent of the annual DFA allocated to the A season may be taken 
outside the SCA before April 1 or inside the SCA after April 1. If the 
28 percent of the annual DFA is not taken inside the SCA before April 
1, the remainder will be available to be taken inside the SCA after 
April 1. The A season pollock SCA harvest limit will be apportioned to 
each sector in proportion to each sector's allocated percentage of the 
DFA. Table 2 lists by sector these 2006 and 2007 proposed amounts.

   Table 2.--2006 and 2007 Proposed Allocations of Pollock TACs to the Directed Pollock Fisheries and to the CDQ Directed Fishing Allowances (DFA)\1\
                                                              [Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  2006  A season \1\       2006  B                    2007  A season \1\       2007  B
                                                              --------------------------  season \1\              --------------------------    season
                 Area and sector                      2006                              -------------     2007                              ------------
                                                  allocations    A season   SCA harvest    B season   allocations    A season   SCA harvest    B season
                                                                   DFA       limit \2\       DFA                       DFA       limit \2\       DFA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bering Sea subarea..............................    1,487,756          n/a          n/a          n/a    1,223,200          n/a          n/a          n/a
CDQ DFA.........................................      148,776       59,510       41,657       89,265      122,320       48,928       34,250       73,392
ICA\1\..........................................       46,864          n/a          n/a          n/a       38,531          n/a          n/a          n/a
AFA Inshore.....................................      646,058      258,423      180,896      387,635      531,175      212,470      148,729      318,705
AFA Catcher/Processors \3\......................      516,846      206,739      144,717      310,108      424,940      169,976      118,983      254,964
Catch by C/Ps...................................      472,914      189,166          n/a      283,749      388,820      155,528          n/a      233,292
Catch by CVs \3\................................       43,932       17,573          n/a       26,359       36,120       14,448          n/a       21,672
Unlisted C/P Limit \4\..........................        2,584        1,034          n/a        1,551        2,125          850          n/a        1,275
AFA Motherships.................................      129,212       51,685       36,179       77,527      106,235       42,494       29,746       63,741
Excessive Harvesting Limit \5\..................      226,120          n/a          n/a          n/a      185,911          n/a          n/a          n/a

[[Page 74728]]

 
Excessive Processing Limit \6\..................      387,635          n/a          n/a          n/a      318,705          n/a          n/a          n/a
Total Bering Sea DFA............................    1,487,756      576,357      403,450      864,535    1,223,200      473,868      331,707      710,802
Aleutian Islands subarea \1\....................       19,000          n/a          n/a          n/a       19,000          n/a          n/a          n/a
CDQ DFA.........................................        1,900          760          n/a        1,140        1,900          760          n/a        1,140
ICA.............................................        1,800        1,000          n/a          800        1,800        1,000          n/a          800
Aleut Corporation...............................       15,300       10,000          n/a        5,300       15,300       10,000          n/a        5,300
Bogoslof District ICA \7\.......................           10          n/a          n/a          n/a           11          n/a          n/a         n/a
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Under Sec.   679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), the Bering Sea subarea pollock after subtraction for the CDQ DFA--10 percent and the ICA--3.5 percent, the pollock
  TAC is allocated as a DFA as follows: Inshore component--50 percent, catcher/processor component--40 percent, and mothership component--10 percent. In
  the Bering Sea subarea, 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. The Aleutian Islands (AI) AI directed pollock fishery allocation to the Aleut Corporation remains after subtraction for the CDQ
  DFA--10 percent and the ICA--1,800 mt. In the AI subarea, the A season is allocated 40 percent of the ABC and the B season is allocated the remainder
  of the directed pollock fishery.
\2\ In the Bering Sea subarea, 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\ Under Sec.   679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4), not less than 8.5 percent of the DFA allocated to listed catcher/processors shall be available for harvest only
  by eligible catcher vessels delivering to listed catcher/processors.
\4\ Under Sec.   679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4)(iii), the AFA unlisted catcher/processors are limited to harvesting not more than 0.5 percent of the catcher/
  processors sector's allocation of pollock.
\5\ 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 pollock DFAs.
\6\ Under Sec.   679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(7) NMFS establishes an excessive processing share limit equal to 30.0 percent of the sum of the pollock DFAs.
\7\ The Bogoslof District is closed by the proposed harvest specifications to directed fishing for pollock. The amounts specified are for ICA only, and
  are not apportioned by season or sector.

Allocation of the Atka Mackerel TAC

    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 jig gear. 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 proposes that 1 percent of the Atka mackerel ITAC 
in the Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering Sea subarea be 
allocated to jig gear in 2006 and 2007. Based on the 2006 ITAC of 6,375 
mt, the jig gear allocation is 64 mt for 2006. Based on the 2007 ITAC 
of 9,189 mt, the jig gear allocation is 92 mt for 2007.
    Regulations at Sec.  679.20(a)(8)(ii)(A) 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 3).
    Under Sec.  679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(1), the Regional Administrator 
establishes a harvest limit area (HLA) limit of no more than 60 percent 
of the seasonal TAC for the Western and Central Aleutian Districts. 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 districts (see Sec.  679.20(a)(8)(iii)).

            Table 3.--2006 and 2007 Proposed Seasonal and Spatial Allowances, Gear Shares, and CDQ Reserve of the BSAI ATKA Mackerel TAC \1\
                                                              [Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                               2006 Seasonal allowances \2\
                                                                                               ------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           2006 CDQ     2006 CDQ                      A season \3\              B season \3\
           Subarea and component              2006 TAC     reserve    reserve HLA   2006 ITAC  ---------------------------------------------------     B
                                                                       limit \4\                              HLA limit                 HLA limit   season
                                                                                                   Total         \4\         Total         \4\        \3\
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------
Western AI District.......................       20,000        1,500          900       17,000        8,500        5,100        8,500        5,100
Central AI District.......................       35,500        2,663        1,598       30,175       15,088        9,053       15,088        9,053
EAI/BS subarea \5\........................        7,500          563          n/a        6,375          n/a          n/a          n/a          n/a
Jig (1%) \6\..............................          n/a          n/a          n/a           64          n/a          n/a          n/a          n/a
Other gear (99%)..........................          n/a          n/a          n/a        6,311        3,156          n/a        3,156          n/a
                                           --------------
    Total.................................       63,000        4,725          n/a       53,550       26,743          n/a       26,743          n/a
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 74729]]


 
 
                                                                                                                  Seasonal allowances \2\
                                                                                               ------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           2007 CDQ     2007 CDQ                      A season \3\              B season \3\
           Subarea and component              2007 TAC     reserve    reserve HLA   2007 ITAC  ---------------------------------------------------     B
                                                                       limit \4\                              HLA limit                 HLA limit   season
                                                                                                   Total         \4\         Total         \4\        \3\
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------
Western AI District.......................       28,825        2,162        1,297       24,501       12,251        7,350       12,251        7,350
Central AI District.......................       51,165        3,837        2,302       43,490       21,745       13,047       21,745       13,047
EAI/BS subarea \5\........................       10,810          811          n/a        9,189          n/a          n/a          n/a          n/a
Jig (1%) \6\..............................          n/a          n/a          n/a           92          n/a          n/a          n/a          n/a
Other gear (99%)..........................          n/a          n/a          n/a        9,097        4,549          n/a        4,548          n/a
                                           --------------
    Total.................................       90,800        6,810          n/a       77,180       38,544          n/a       38,544         n/a
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Regulations at Sec.  Sec.   679.20(a)(8)(ii) and 679.22(a) establish temporal and spatial limitations for the Atka mackerel fishery.
\2\ The seasonal allowances of Atka mackerel are 50 percent in the A season and 50 percent in the B season.
\3\ The A season is January 1 (January 20 for trawl gear) to April 15 and the B season is September 1 to November 1.
\4\ Harvest Limit Area (HLA) limit refers to the amount of each seasonal allowance that is available for fishing inside the HLA (see Sec.   679.2). In
  2006 and 2007, 60 percent of each seasonal allowance is available for fishing inside the HLA in the Western and Central Aleutian Districts.
\5\ Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering Sea subarea.
\6\ 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
  jig gear. The proposed 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 ITAC 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 ITAC 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 proposes 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 DFAs: 80 percent to hook-and-line catcher/
processors, 0.3 percent to hook-and-line catcher vessels, 3.3 percent 
to pot catcher processors, 15 percent to pot catcher 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 
apportionment of the ITAC disperses the Pacific cod fisheries into 
seasonal allowances (see Sec. Sec.  679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A) and 
679.23(e)(5)). For pot and most hook-and-line gear, the first seasonal 
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 (September 1 for 
pot gear) to December 31. No seasonal harvest constraints are imposed 
on 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. For jig gear, the first and third seasonal 
allowances are each allocated 40 percent of the ITAC and the second 
seasonal allowance is allocated 20 percent of the ITAC. Table 4 lists 
the 2006 and 2007 proposed allocations and seasonal apportionments of 
the Pacific cod ITAC. In accordance with Sec.  679.20(a)(7)(ii)(D) and 
(a)(7)(iii)(B), any unused portion of a seasonal Pacific cod allowance 
will become available at the beginning of the next seasonal allowance.

[[Page 74730]]



                                                Table 4.--2006 and 2007 Proposed Gear Shares and Seasonal Allowances of the BSAI Pacific Cod ITAC
                                                                                  [Amounts are in metric tons]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               2006                   2006 Seasonal apportionment \1\                    2007                   2007 Seasonal apportionment \1\
                                               2006 Share    Subtotal    2006 Share -----------------------------------  2007 Share    Subtotal    2007 Share ----------------------------------
            Gear sector              Percent    of gear    percentages    of gear     2006 Share of gear  sector total    of gear    percentages    of gear
                                                 sector      for gear      sector   -----------------------------------    sector      for gear      sector            Date             Amount
                                                 total       sectors       total             Date             Amount       total       sectors       total
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total hook-and-line/pot gear......        51       84,533          n/a          n/a  n/a.................          n/a       87,822          n/a          n/a  n/a.................          n/a
Hook-and-line/pot ICA.............       n/a          n/a          n/a          500  n/a.................          n/a          n/a          n/a          500  n/a.................          n/a
Hook-and-line/pot subtotal........       n/a       84,033          n/a          n/a  n/a.................          n/a       87,322          n/a          n/a  n/a.................          n/a
Hook-and-line C/P.................       n/a          n/a           80       67,226  Jan 1-Jun 10........       40,336          n/a           80       69,858  Jan 1-Jun 10........       41,915
                                                                                     Jun 10-Dec 31.......       26,890                                         Jun 10-Dec 31.......       27,943
Hook-and-line CV..................       n/a          n/a          0.3          252  Jan 1-Jun 10........          151          n/a          0.3          262  Jan 1-Jun 10........          157
                                                                                     Jun 10-Dec 31.......          101                                         Jun 10-Dec 31.......          105
Pot C/P...........................       n/a          n/a          3.3        2,773  Jan 1-Jun 10........        1,664          n/a          3.3        2,882  Jan 1-Jun 10........        1,729
                                                                                     Sept 1-Dec 31.......        1,109                                         Sept 1-Dec 31.......        1,153
Pot CV............................       n/a          n/a           15       12,605  Jan 1-Jun 10........        7,563          n/a           15       13,098  Jan 1-Jun 10........        7,859
                                                                                     Sept 1-Dec 31.......        5,042                                         Sept 1-Dec 31.......        5,239
CV < 60 feet LOA using Hook-and-         n/a          n/a          1.4        1,176  n/a.................          n/a          n/a          1.4        1,223  n/a.................          n/a
 line or Pot gear.
  Total Trawl Gear................        47       77,903          n/a          n/a  n/a.................          n/a       80,934          n/a          n/a  n/a.................          n/a
  Trawl CV........................  ........  ...........           50       38,951  Jan 20-Apr 1........       27,266  ...........           50       40,467  Jan 20-Apr 1........       28,327
                                                                                     Apr 1-Jun 10........        3,895                                         Apr 1-Jun 10........        4,047
                                                                                     Jun 10-Nov 1........        7,790                                         Jun 10-Nov 1........        8,093
Trawl CP..........................  ........  ...........           50       38,951  Jan 20-Apr 1........       19,476  ...........           50       40,467  Jan 20-Apr 1........       20,234
                                                                                     Apr 1-Jun 10........       11,685                                         Apr 1-Jun 10........       12,140
                                                                                     Jun 10-Nov 1........        7,790                                         Jun 10-Nov 1........        8,093
Jig...............................         2        3,315          n/a          n/a  Jan 1-Apr 30........        1,326        3,444          n/a          n/a  Jan 1-Apr 30........        1,378
                                                                                     Apr 30-Aug 31.......          663                                         Apr 30-Aug 31.......          689
                                                                                     Aug 31-Dec 31.......        1,326                                         Aug 31-Dec 31.......        1,378
                                   -----------
    Total.........................       100      165,750          n/a          n/a  n/a.................          n/a      172,200          n/a          n/a  n/a.................         n/a
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For most non-trawl gear the first season is allocated 60 percent of the ITAC and the second season is allocated 40 percent of the ITAC. For jig gear, the first season and third seasons are
  each allocated 40 percent of the ITAC and the second season is allocated 20 percent of the ITAC. 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 ITAC and the second and third seasons are each allocated 20
  percent of the ITAC. 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.


[[Page 74731]]

Sablefish Gear Allocation

    Regulations at Sec.  679.20(a)(4)(iii) and (iv) require the 
allocation of sablefish TACs for the Bering Sea and AI subareas between 
trawl and hook-and-line or pot gear. Gear allocations of the TACs for 
the Bering Sea subarea are 50 percent for trawl gear and 50 percent for 
hook-and-line or pot gear and for the AI subarea are 25 percent for 
trawl gear and 75 percent for hook-and-line or pot gear. Regulations at 
Sec.  679.20(b)(1)(iii)(B) require apportionment of 20 percent of the 
hook-and-line and pot gear allocation of sablefish to the CDQ reserve. 
Additionally, regulations at Sec.  679.20(b)(1)(iii)(A) require 
apportionment of 7.5 percent of the trawl gear allocation of sablefish 
(one half of the reserve) to the CDQ reserve. Under regulations at 
Sec.  679.20(c)(1)(iv), the harvest specifications for the hook-and-
line gear and pot gear sablefish IFQ fisheries will be limited to the 
2006 fishing year to ensure those fisheries are conducted concurrent 
with the halibut IFQ fishery. Having sablefish IFQ fisheries concurrent 
with the halibut IFQ fishery would reduce the potential for discards of 
halibut and sablefish in those fisheries. The sablefish IFQ fisheries 
would remain closed at the beginning of each fishing year until the 
final harvest specifications for the sablefish IFQ fisheries are in 
effect. The trawl sablefish fishery would be managed using harvest 
specifications for a 2-year period concurrent with the remaining target 
species in the BSAI. Table 5 lists the 2006 and 2007 proposed gear 
allocations of the sablefish TAC and CDQ reserve amounts.

                                   Table 5.--2006 and 2007 Proposed Gear Shares and CDQ Reserve of BSAI Sablefish TACS
                                                              [Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Percent of   2006 Share   2006 ITAC     2006 CDQ    2007 Share                 2007 CDQ
                       Subarea and gear                            TAC         of TAC        \1\        reserve       of TAC     2007 ITAC     reserve
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bering Sea...................................................
Trawl \2\....................................................           50        1,115          982           87        1,200        1,020           90
Hook-and-line/pot gear \3\...................................           50        1,115          n/a          231          n/a          n/a          n/a
                                                              --------------
    Total....................................................          100        2,310          982          318        1,200        1,020           90
--------------------------------------------------------------
Aleutian Islands.............................................
Trawl \2\....................................................           25          620          527           47          650          553           49
Hook-and-line/pot gear \3\...................................           75        1,860          n/a          372          n/a          n/a          n/a
                                                              --------------
    Total....................................................          100        2,480          527          419          650          553          49
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Except for the sablefish hook-and-line or 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\ For 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, Crab, Salmon, and Herring

    Section 679.21(e) sets forth the halibut PSC limits. The BSAI 
halibut mortality limits are 3,675 mt for trawl fisheries and 900 mt 
for the non-trawl fisheries. Regulations at Sec.  679.21(e)(1)(vii) 
specify 29,000 fish as the 2006 and 2007 proposed chinook salmon PSC 
limit for the Bering Sea subarea pollock fishery. Regulations at Sec.  
679.21(e)(1)(i) allocate 7.5 percent, or 2,175 chinook salmon, as the 
proposed PSQ for the CDQ program and allocate the remaining 26,825 
chinook salmon to the non-CDQ fisheries. Regulations at Sec.  
679.21(e)(1)(ix) specify 700 fish as the 2006 and 2007 proposed chinook 
salmon PSC limit for the AI subarea pollock fishery. Regulations at 
Sec.  679.21(e)(1)(i) allocate 7.5 percent, or 53 chinook salmon, as 
the proposed PSQ for the CDQ program and allocate the remaining 647 
chinook salmon to the non-CDQ fisheries. Regulations at Sec.  
679.21(e)(1)(viii) specify 42,000 fish as the 2006 and 2007 proposed 
non-chinook salmon PSC limit. Regulations at Sec.  679.21(e)(1)(i) 
allocate 7.5 percent, or 3,150 non-chinook salmon, as the proposed PSQ 
for the CDQ program and allocate the remaining 38,850 non-chinook 
salmon to the non-CDQ fisheries. PSC limits for crab and herring are 
specified annually based on abundance and spawning biomass. Due to the 
lack of new information in October 2005 regarding PSC limits and 
apportionments in October 2005, the Council recommended using the 
halibut, crab, and herring 2005 and 2006 PSC amounts for the proposed 
2006 and 2007 amounts. The Council will reconsider these amounts in 
December 2005, based on recommendations by the Plan Team and the SSC.
    The red king crab mature female abundance is estimated from the 
2004 survey data as 35.4 million king crab and the effective spawning 
biomass is estimated as 61.9 million pounds (28,077 mt). Based on the 
criteria set out at Sec.  679.21(e)(1)(ii), the 2006 and 2007 proposed 
PSC limit of red king crab in Zone 1 for trawl gear is 197,000 animals 
as a result of the mature female abundance being above 8.4 million king 
crab and of the effective spawning biomass estimate being greater 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 
bycatch limit within the RKCSS to up to 35 percent of the trawl bycatch 
allowance specified for the rock sole/flathead sole/``other flatfish'' 
fishery category and is based on the need to optimize the groundfish 
harvest relative to red king crab bycatch. The Council recommended, and 
NMFS proposes, 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 2004 survey data, Tanner crab Chionoecetes bairdi 
abundance is estimated as 437.41 million animals. Given the criteria 
set out at Sec.  679.21(e)(1)(iii), the 2006 and 2007 proposed 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

[[Page 74732]]

result of the C. bairdi crab abundance estimate of over 400 million 
animals.
    Under Sec.  679.21(e)(1)(iv), the PSC limit for snow crab C. opilio 
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 2004 survey estimate of 
4.421 billion animals, the calculated limit is 5,008,993 animals. Under 
Sec.  679.21(e)(1)(iv)(B), the 2006 and 2007 proposed C. opilio crab 
PSC limit is 5,008,993 million animals minus 150,000 animals, which 
results in a limit of 4,858,993 animals.
    Under Sec.  679.21(e)(1)(vi), the proposed 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. 
The best estimate of 2005 and 2006 herring biomass is 201,180 mt. This 
amount was derived using 2004 survey data and an age-structured biomass 
projection model developed by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. 
Therefore, the proposed herring PSC limit for 2006 and 2007 is 2,012 
mt.
    Under Sec.  679.21(e)(1)(i), 7.5 percent of each PSC limit 
specified for crab and halibut 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 for five fishery categories. 
Table 6 lists the proposed fishery bycatch allowances for the trawl and 
non-trawl fisheries.
    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, proposes to exempt 
pot gear, jig gear, and the sablefish IFQ hook-and-line gear fishery 
categories from halibut bycatch restrictions because: (1) The pot gear 
fisheries experience low halibut bycatch mortality, (2) halibut 
mortality for the jig gear fleet cannot be estimated because these 
vessels do not carry observers, and (3) the sablefish and halibut 
Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program (subpart D of 50 CFR part 679) 
requires legal-sized halibut to be retained by vessels using hook-and-
line gear if a halibut IFQ permit holder or a hired master is aboard 
and is holding unused halibut IFQ. In 2005, total groundfish catch for 
the pot gear fishery in the BSAI was approximately 16,971 mt, with an 
associated halibut bycatch mortality of about 4 mt. The 2005 groundfish 
jig gear fishery harvested about 123 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.
    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 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. The Council recommended seasonal 
PSC apportionments to maximize harvest among gear types, fisheries, and 
seasons while minimizing bycatch of PSC based on the above criteria. 
NMFS proposes the Council's recommendations listed in Table 6.

                    Table 6.-2006 and 2007 Proposed Prohibited Species by Catch Allowances for the BSAI Trawl and Non-Trawl Fisheries
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                Prohibited species and zone
                                                                  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               Red king                        C. bairdi  (animals)
                         Trawl fisheries                             Halibut      Herring        Crab        C. opilio   -------------------------------
                                                                    mortality    (mt) BSAI    (animals)      (animals)
                                                                    (mt) BSAI                 Zone 1 \1\     COBLZ \1\      Zone 1 \1\      Zone 2 \1\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yellowfin sole...................................................          886          183       33,843       3,101,915         340,844       1,788,459
    January 20-April 1...........................................          262  ...........  ...........  ..............  ..............  ..............
    April 1-May 21...............................................          195  ...........  ...........  ..............  ..............  ..............
    May 21-July 1................................................           49  ...........  ...........  ..............  ..............  ..............
    July 1-December 31...........................................          380  ...........  ...........  ..............  ..............  ..............
Rock sole/other flat/flathead sole2,6............................          779           27      121,413       1,082,528         365,320         596,154
    January 20-April 1...........................................          448  ...........  ...........  ..............  ..............  ..............
    April 1-July 1...............................................          164  ...........  ...........  ..............  ..............  ..............
    July 1-December 31...........................................          167  ...........  ...........  ..............  ..............  ..............
Turbot/arrowtooth/sablefish \3\..................................  ...........           12  ...........          44,946  ..............  ..............
Rockfish.........................................................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ..............  ..............  ..............
    July 1-December 31...........................................           69           10  ...........          44,945  ..............          10,988
Pacific cod......................................................        1,434           27       26,563         139,331         183,112         324,176
Midwater trawl pollock...........................................  ...........        1,562  ...........  ..............  ..............  ..............
Pollock/Atka mackerel/other \4\..................................          232          192          406          80,903          17,224          27,473
Red King Crab Savings Subarea \6\................................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ..............  ..............  ..............
    (non-pelagic trawl)..........................................  ...........  ...........       42,495  ..............  ..............  ..............
 
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  ...........  ...........  ..............  ..............  ..............

[[Page 74733]]

 
Groundfish pot and jig...........................................       exempt  ...........  ...........  ..............  ..............  ..............
Sablefish hook-and-line..........................................       exempt  ...........  ...........  ..............  ..............  ..............
                                                                  --------------
        Total non-trawl PSC......................................          833  ...........  ...........  ..............  ..............  ..............
                                                                  --------------
        PSQ reserve \5\..........................................          342  ...........       14,775         364,424          73,500         222,750
                                                                  --------------
        PSC grand total..........................................        4,575        2,012      197,000       4,858,993         980,000      2,970,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Refer to Sec.   679.2 for definitions of areas.
\2\ ``Other flatfish'' for PSC monitoring includes all flatfish species, except for halibut (a prohibited species), Greenland turbot, rock sole,
  yellowfin sole, and arrowtooth flounder.
\3\ Greenland turbot, arrowtooth flounder, and sablefish fishery category.
\4\ Pollock other than pelagic trawl pollock, Atka mackerel, and ``other species'' fishery category.
\5\ 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.
\6\ In October 2005, the Council 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 (see Sec.   679.21(e)(3)(ii)(B)).

Halibut Discard Mortality Rates

    To monitor halibut bycatch mortality allowances and apportionments, 
the Regional Administrator will use observed halibut bycatch rates, 
assumed discard mortality rates (DMR), and estimates of groundfish 
catch to project when a fishery's halibut bycatch mortality allowance 
or seasonal apportionment is reached. The DMRs are based on the best 
information available, including information contained in the annual 
SAFE report.
    The Council recommended and NMFS proposes that the recommended 
halibut DMRs developed by staff of the International Pacific Halibut 
Commission (IPHC) for the 2005 and 2006 BSAI groundfish fisheries be 
used for monitoring halibut bycatch allowances established for the 2006 
and 2007 groundfish fisheries (see Table 7). The IPHC developed these 
DMRs using the 10-year mean DMRs for the BSAI non-CDQ groundfish 
fisheries. Plots of annual DMRs against the 10-year mean indicated 
little change since 1990 for most fisheries. DMRs were more variable 
for the smaller fisheries that typically take minor amounts of halibut 
bycatch. The IPHC will analyze observer data annually and recommend 
changes to the DMRs where a fishery DMR shows large variation from the 
mean. The IPHC has been calculating the CDQ fisheries DMRs since 1998, 
and a 10-year mean is not yet available. The justification for the 
proposed DMRs is discussed in Appendix A to the final SAFE report dated 
November 2004. The proposed DMRs listed in Table 7 are subject to 
change pending the results of an updated analysis on halibut DMRs in 
the groundfish fisheries that IPHC staff is scheduled to present to the 
Council at its December 2005 meeting.

    Table 7.--2006 and 2007 Proposed Assumed Pacific Halibut Discard
                 Mortality Rates for the BSAI Fisheries
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Mortality
                         Fishery                               rates
                                                             (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hook-and-line gear fisheries:
    Greenland turbot....................................              15
    Other species.......................................              11
    Pacific cod.........................................              11
    Rockfish............................................              16
Trawl gear fisheries:
    Atka mackerel.......................................              78
    Flathead sole.......................................              67
    Greenland turbot....................................              72
    Non-pelagic pollock.................................              76
    Pelagic pollock.....................................              85
    Other flatfish......................................              71
    Other species.......................................              67
    Pacific cod.........................................              68
    Rockfish............................................              74
    Rock sole...........................................              77
    Sablefish...........................................              49
    Yellowfin sole......................................              78
Pot gear fisheries:
    Other species.......................................               8
    Pacific cod.........................................               8
CDQ trawl fisheries:
    Atka mackerel.......................................              85
    Flathead sole.......................................              67
    Non-pelagic pollock.................................              85
    Pelagic pollock.....................................              90
    Rockfish............................................              74
    Yellowfin sole......................................              84
CDQ hook-and-line fisheries:
    Greenland turbot....................................              15
    Pacific cod.........................................              10
CDQ pot fisheries:
    Pacific cod.........................................               8
    Sablefish...........................................              33
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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. For 2006, 
NMFS received applications from seven inshore catcher vessel 
cooperatives. Table 8 lists the proposed pollock allocations to the 
seven inshore catcher vessel pollock cooperatives based on applications 
for membership in the cooperatives received by NMFS for 2006. This 
membership is assumed to remain unchanged for 2007. For 2006 and 2007, 
the sum of the member vessel's official catch histories increased as 
revised catch history became available. Allocations for cooperatives 
and open access vessels are not made for the AI subarea because the 
Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2004 requires the non-CDQ directed 
pollock fishery to be fully allocated to the Aleut Corporation. The 
Bering Sea subarea allocations may be revised pending adjustments to 
the pollock TACs.

[[Page 74734]]



               Table 8.--2006 and 2007 Proposed Bering Sea Subarea Inshore Cooperative Allocations
                                          [Amounts are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Sum of member
                                                     vessel's      Percentage of    2006 Annual     2007 Annual
       Cooperative name and member vessels        official catch  inshore sector    cooperative     cooperative
                                                   histories \1\    allocation      allocation      allocation
                                                       (mt)                            (mt)            (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Akutan Catcher Vessel Association...............  ..............          31.145         201,215         165,434
Arctic Enterprise Association...................  ..............           1.146           7,402           6,086
Northern Victor Fleet Cooperative...............  ..............           8.412          54,350          44,684
Peter Pan Fleet Cooperative.....................  ..............           2.876          18,582          15,279
Unalaska Cooperative............................  ..............          12.191          78,758          64,753
UniSea Fleet Cooperative........................  ..............          25.324         163,609         134,516
Westward Fleet Cooperative......................  ..............          18.906         122,142         100,423
Open access AFA vessels.........................  ..............               0               0               0
                                                 -----------------
    Total inshore allocation....................         875,572             100         646,058        531,175
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ According to regulations at Sec.   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.

    Section 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(3) further divides the inshore sector 
allocation into separate allocations for cooperative and open access 
fishing. In addition, according to 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 until April 1. 
Accordingly, Table 9 lists the proposed Bering Sea subarea inshore 
pollock allocation to the cooperative and open access sectors 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 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 9. These 
proposed allocations may be revised pending final review and approval 
of 2006 and 2007 pollock TACs.

    Table 9.--2006 and 2007 Proposed Bering Sea Subarea Pollock Allocations to the Cooperative and Open Access Sectors of the Inshore Pollock Fishery
                                                              [Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           2006 A season                                   2007 A season
                         Sector                            2006 A season    SCA harvest    2006 B season   2007 A season    SCA harvest    2007 B season
                                                                TAC          limit \1\          TAC             TAC          limit \1\          TAC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inshore cooperative sector..............................  ..............  ..............  ..............  ..............  ..............  ..............
    Vessels >99 ft......................................             n/a         155,400             n/a             n/a         127,767             n/a
    Vessels <=99 ft.....................................             n/a          25,496             n/a             n/a          20,962             n/a
        Total...........................................         258,423         180,896         387,635         212,470         148,729         318,705
Open access sector......................................               0           0 \2\               0               0           0 \2\               0
Total inshore sector....................................         258,423         180,896         387,635         212,470         148,729        318,705
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Steller sea lion conservation area (SCA) established at Sec.   679.22(a)(7)(vii).
\2\ The SCA limitations 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 greater than 99 ft (30.2 m) LOA, catching pollock for processing by the inshore component before reaching the inshore SCA harvest limit before
  April 1 to accommodate fishing by vessels less than or equal to 99 ft (30.2 m) inside the SCA until April 1.''

Listed AFA Catcher/Processor Sideboard Limits

    According to Sec.  679.64(a), the Regional Administrator will 
restrict the ability of listed AFA catcher/processors to engage in 
directed fishing for groundfish species other than pollock to protect 
participants in other groundfish fisheries from adverse effects 
resulting from the AFA and from fishery cooperatives in the directed 
pollock fishery. 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). Table 10 lists the 2006 and 2007 proposed 
catcher/processor sideboard limits.
    All groundfish other than pollock that are harvested by listed AFA 
catcher/processors, whether as targeted catch or incidental catch, will 
be deducted from the proposed sideboard limits in Table 10. However, 
groundfish other than pollock that are delivered to listed catcher/
processors by catcher vessels will not be deducted from the 2006 and 
2007 proposed sideboard limits for the listed catcher/processors.

[[Page 74735]]



                   Table 10.--2006 and 2007 Proposed Listed BSAI American Fisheries Act Catcher/Processor Groundfish Sideboard Limits
                                                              [Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             1995-1997                    2006                      2007
                                                              ---------------------------------------   Proposed       2006       Proposed       2007
                                                                                           Ratio of       ITAC     Proposed C/      ITAC     Proposed C/
           Target species                       Area             Retained                  retained    available   P sideboard   available   P sideboard
                                                                  catch     Total catch    catch to   to trawl C/     limit     to trawl C/     limit
                                                                                         total catch       Ps                        Ps
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod trawl...................  BSAI...................       12,424       48,177        0.258       38,951       10,049       40,467       10,440
Sablefish trawl.....................  BS.....................            8          497        0.016          982           16        1,020           16
                                      AI.....................            0          145        0.000          527            0          553            0
Atka mackerel.......................  Western AI
                                      A season \1\...........          n/a          n/a        0.200        8,500        1,700       12,251        2,450
                                      HLA limit \2\..........          n/a          n/a          n/a        5,100        1,020        7,351        1,470
                                      B season...............          n/a          n/a        0.200        8,500        1,700       12,251        2,450
                                      HLA limit..............          n/a          n/a          n/a        5,100        1,020        7,351        1,470
                                      Central AI
                                      A season \1\...........          n/a          n/a        0.115       15,088        1,735       21,745        2,501
                                      HLA limit..............          n/a          n/a          n/a        9,053        1,041       13,047        1,500
                                      B season...............          n/a          n/a        0.115       15,088        1,735       21,745        2,501
                                      HLA limit..............          n/a          n/a          n/a        9,053        1,041       13,047        1,500
Yellowfin sole......................  BSAI...................      100,192      435,788        0.230       76,500       17,595       93,160       21,427
Rock sole...........................  BSAI...................        6,317      169,362        0.037       35,700        1,321       98,685        3,651
Greenland turbot....................  BS.....................          121       17,305        0.007        2,125           15        6,375           45
                                      AI.....................           23        4,987        0.005          850            4        2,550           13
Arrowtooth flounder.................  BSAI...................           76       33,987        0.002       10,200           20       33,235           66
Flathead sole.......................  BSAI...................        1,925       52,755        0.036       17,000          612       43,010        1,548
Alaska plaice.......................  BSAI...................           14        9,438        0.001        8,500            9       55,250           55
Other flatfish......................  BSAI...................        3,058       52,298        0.058        2,550          148       18,190        1,055
Pacific ocean perch.................  BS.....................           12        4,879        0.002        1,190            2        1,426            3
                                      Western AI.............           54       13,598        0.004        4,322           17        5,182           21
                                      Central AI.............            3        5,698        0.001        2,580            3        3,091            3
                                      Eastern AI.............          125        6,179        0.020        2,618           52        3,136           63
Northern rockfish...................  BSAI...................           91       13,040        0.007        4,250           30        6,970           49
Shortraker rockfish.................  BSAI...................           50        2,811        0.018          507            9          507            9
Rougheye rockfish...................  BSAI...................           50        2,811        0.018          190            3          190            3
Other rockfish......................  BS.....................           18          621        0.029          391           11          689           20
                                      AI.....................           22          806        0.027          502           14          502           14
Squid...............................  BSAI...................           73        3,328        0.022        1,084           24        1,675           37
Other species.......................  BSAI...................          553       68,672        0.008       24,820          199       42,500          340
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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. Listed AFA
  catcher/processors are limited to harvesting no more than zero in the Eastern Aleutian District and Bering Sea subarea, 20 percent of the annual TAC
  specified for the Western Aleutian District, and 11.5 percent of the annual TAC specified for the Central Aleutian District.
\2\ Harvest Limit Area (HLA) limit refers to the amount of each seasonal allowance that is available for fishing inside the HLA (see Sec.   679.2). In
  2006 and 2007, 60 percent of each seasonal allowance is available for fishing inside the HLA in the Western and Central Aleutian Districts.

    Section 679.64(a)(5) establishes a formula for PSC sideboard limits 
for listed AFA catcher/processors. These amounts are equivalent to the 
percentage of PSC amounts taken in the groundfish fisheries other than 
pollock by the AFA catcher/processors listed in subsection 208(e) and 
section 209 of the AFA from 1995 through 1997 (see Table 10). These 
amounts were used to calculate the relative amount of PSC that was 
caught by pollock catcher/processors shown in Table 10. That relative 
amount of PSC was then used to determine the PSC sideboard limits for 
listed AFA catcher/processors in the 2006 and 2007 groundfish fisheries 
other than pollock.
    Halibut and crab PSC, listed in Table 11, that are caught by listed 
AFA catcher/processors participating in any groundfish fishery other 
than pollock will accrue against the 2006 and 2007 proposed PSC 
sideboard limits for the listed AFA catcher/processors. Section 
679.21(e)(3)(v) authorizes NMFS to close directed fishing for 
groundfish other than pollock for listed AFA catcher/processors once a 
2006 or 2007 proposed PSC sideboard limit listed in Table 11 is 
reached.
    Crab or halibut PSC 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 according to regulations 
at Sec.  679.21(e)(3)(iv).

[[Page 74736]]



    Table 11.--2006 and 2007 Proposed BSAI American Fisheries Act Listed Catcher/Processor Prohibited Species
                                              Sideboard Limits \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     1995-1997
                                 ------------------------------------------------  2006 and 2007   2006 and 2007
           PSC species                                             Ratio of PSC    Proposed PSC    Proposed C/P
                                     PSC catch       Total PSC    catch to total   available to      sideboard
                                                                        PSC        trawl vessels       limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut mortality...............             955          11,325           0.084           3,400             286
Red king crab...................           3,098         473,750           0.007         182,225           1,276
C. opilio.......................       2,323,731      15,139,178           0.153       4,494,569         687,669
C. bairdi.......................
    Zone 1 \2\..................         385,978       2,750,000           0.140         906,500         126,910
    Zone 2 \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.
\2\ Refer to Sec.   679.2 for definitions of areas.

AFA Catcher Vessel Sideboard Limits

    Under Sec.  679.64(b), the Regional Administrator restricts the 
ability of AFA catcher vessels to engage in directed fishing for 
groundfish species other than pollock to protect participants in other 
groundfish fisheries from adverse effects resulting from the AFA and 
from fishery cooperatives in the directed pollock fishery. Section 
679.64(b) establishes 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). Tables 12 
and 13 list the 2006 and 2007 proposed catcher vessel sideboard limits.
    All harvests of groundfish sideboard species made by non-exempt AFA 
catcher vessels, whether as targeted catch or as incidental catch, will 
be deducted from the 2006 and 2007 proposed sideboard limits listed in 
Table 12.

                              Table 12.--2006 and 2007 Proposed BSAI American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel Sideboard Limits
                                                              [Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          Ratio of 1995-                   2006 Proposed                   2007 Proposed
                                               Fishery by area/season/      1997 AFA CV    2006 Proposed  catcher vessel   2007 Proposed  catcher vessel
                  Species                          processor/gear         catch to 1995-    initial TAC      sideboard      initial TAC      sideboard
                                                                             1997 TAC                         limits                          limits
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod...............................  BSAI
                                             Jig gear...................          0.0000           3,315               0           3,444               0
                                             Hook-and-line CV
                                             Jan 1-Jun 10...............          0.0006             151               0             157               0
                                             Jun 10-Dec 31..............          0.0006             101               0             105               0
                                             Pot gear CV
                                             Jan 1-Jun 10...............          0.0006           7,563               5           7,859               5
                                             Sept 1-Dec 31..............          0.0006           5,042               3           5,239               3
                                            CV < 60 feet LOA using hook-          0.0006           1,176               1           1,223               1
                                             and-line or pot gear
                                            Trawl gear CV
                                             Jan 20-Apr 1...............          0.8609          27,266          23,473          28,327          24,387
                                             Apr 1-Jun 10...............          0.8609           3,895           3,353           4,047           3,484
                                             Jun 10-Nov 1...............          0.8609           7,790           6,706           8,093           6,967
Sablefish.................................  BS trawl gear...............          0.0906             982              89           1,020              92
                                            AI trawl gear...............          0.0645             527              34             553              36
Atka mackerel.............................  Eastern AI/BS
                                             Jig gear...................          0.0031              64               0              92               0
                                            Other gear
                                             Jan 1-Apr 15...............          0.0032           3,155              10           4,548              15
                                             Sept 1-Nov 1...............          0.0032           3,155              10           4,548              15
                                            Central AI
                                             Jan-Apr 15.................          0.0001          15,088               2          21,745               2
                                             HLA limit..................          0.0001           9,053               1          13,047               1
                                             Sept 1-Nov 1...............          0.0001          15,088               2          21,745               2
                                             HLA limit..................          0.0001           9,053               1          13,047               1
                                            Western AI
                                             Jan-Apr 15.................          0.0000           8,500               0          12,251               0
                                             HLA limit..................             n/a           5,100               0           7,351               0
                                             Sept 1-Nov 1...............          0.0000           8,500               0          12,251               0
                                             HLA limit..................             n/a           5,100               0           7,351               0
Yellowfin sole............................  BSAI........................          0.0647          76,500           4,950          93,160           6,027
Rock sole.................................  BSAI........................          0.0341          35,700           1,217          98,685           3,365
Greenland Turbot..........................  BS..........................          0.0645           2,125             137           6,375             411
                                            AI..........................          0.0205             850              17           2,550              52
Arrowtooth flounder.......................  BSAI........................          0.0690          10,200             704          33,235           2,293

[[Page 74737]]

 
Alaska plaice.............................  BSAI........................          0.0441           8,500             375          55,250           2,437
Other flatfish............................  BSAI........................          0.0441           2,550             112          18,190             802
Pacific ocean perch.......................  BS..........................          0.1000           1,190             119           1,426             143
                                            Eastern AI..................          0.0077           2,618              20           3,136              24
                                            Central AI..................          0.0025           2,580               6           3,091               8
                                            Western AI..................          0.0000           4,322               0           5,182               0
Northern rockfish.........................  BSAI........................          0.0084           4,250              36           6,970              59
Shortraker rockfish.......................  BSAI........................          0.0037             507               2             507               2
Rougheye rockfish.........................  BSAI........................          0.0037             190               1             190               1
Other rockfish............................  BS..........................          0.0048             391               2             689               3
                                            AI..........................          0.0095             502               5             502               5
Squid.....................................  BSAI........................          0.3827           1,084             415           1,675             641
Other species.............................  BSAI........................          0.0541          24,820           1,343          42,500           2,299
Flathead Sole.............................  BS trawl gear...............          0.0505          17,000             859          43,010           2,172
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The AFA catcher vessel PSC limits for halibut and 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. Table 13 lists the 2006 and 
2007 proposed PSC sideboard limits for AFA catcher vessels.
    Halibut and crab PSC, listed in Table 13, that are caught by AFA 
catcher vessels participating in any groundfish fishery other than 
pollock will accrue against the 2006 and 2007 proposed PSC sideboard 
limits for the AFA catcher vessels. Sections 679.21(d)(8) and (e)(3)(v) 
authorize NMFS to close directed fishing for groundfish other than 
pollock for AFA catcher vessels once a 2006 and 2007 proposed PSC 
sideboard limit listed in Table 13 is reached. The PSC 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)(3)(iv).

 Table 13.--2006 and 2007 Proposed BSAI American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel Prohibited Species Catch Sideboard
                                                    Limits 1
                                          [Amounts are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Ratio of 1995-                   2006 and 2007
                                                                     1997 AFA                      Proposed  AFA
                                        Target fishery  category  catcher vessel   2006 and 2007      catcher
              PSC species                           2             retained catch   Proposed  PSC    vessel PSC
                                                                     to total          limit         sideboard
                                                                  retained catch                       limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut...............................  Pacific cod trawl.......          0.6183           1,434             887
                                        Pacific cod hook-and-             0.0022             775               2
                                         line or pot.
                                        Yellowfin sole
                                        January 20-April 1......          0.1144             262              30
                                        April 1-May 21..........          0.1144             195              22
                                        May 21-July 5...........          0.1144              49               6
                                        July 5-December 31......          0.1144             380              43
                                        Rock sole/flathead sole/
                                         other flatfish 5
                                        January 20-April 1......          0.2841             448             127
                                        April 1-July 5..........          0.2841             164              47
                                        July 5-December 31......          0.2841             167              47
                                        Turbot/Arrowtooth/                0.2327               0               0
                                         Sablefish.
                                        Rockfish (July 1-                 0.0245              69               2
                                         December 31).
                                        Pollock/Atka mackerel/            0.0227             232               5
                                         other species.
Red King Crab.........................  Pacific cod.............          0.6183          26,563          16,424
Zone 1 4..............................  Yellowfin sole..........          0.1144          33,843           3,872
                                        Rock sole/flathead sole/          0.2841         121,413          34,493
                                         other flatfish 5.
                                        Pollock/Atka mackerel/            0.0227             406               9
                                         other species.
C. opilio.............................  Pacific cod.............          0.6183         139,331          86,148
COBLZ 3...............................  Yellowfin sole..........          0.1144       3,101,915         354,859
                                        Rock sole/flathead sole/          0.2841       1,082,528         307,546
                                         other flatfish 5.
                                        Pollock/Atka mackerel/            0.0227          80,903           1,836
                                         other species.
                                        Rockfish................          0.0245          44,945           1,101
                                        Turbot/Arrowtooth/                0.2327          44,946          10,459
                                         Sablefish.
C. bairdi.............................  Pacific cod.............          0.6183         183,112         113,218

[[Page 74738]]

 
Zone 1 3..............................  Yellowfin sole..........          0.1144         340,844          38,993
                                        Rock sole/flathead sole/          0.2841         365,320         103,787
                                         other flatfish 5.
                                        Pollock/Atka mackerel/            0.0227          17,224             391
                                         other species.
C. bairdi.............................  Pacific cod.............          0.6183         324,176         200,438
Zone 2 3..............................  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 Refer to 679.2 for definitions of areas.
4 In October 2005, the Council 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 (see Sec.   679.21(e)(3)(ii)(B)).
5 ``Other flatfish'' for PSC monitoring includes all flatfish species, except for halibut (a prohibited
  species), Greenland turbot, rock sole, yellowfin sole, and arrowtooth flounder.

Classification

    NMFS has determined that the proposed specifications are consistent 
with the FMP and preliminarily determined that the proposed 
specifications are consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other 
applicable laws.
    This action is authorized under 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from 
review under Executive Order 12866.
    An IRFA was prepared to evaluate the impacts of the 2006 and 2007 
proposed harvest specifications on directly regulated small entities. 
This IRFA is intended to meet the statutory requirements of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA). The reason for the action, a 
statement of the objective of the action and the legal basis are 
discussed in the preamble and are not repeated here.
    The 2006 and 2007 harvest specifications establish harvest limits 
for the groundfish species and species groups in the BSAI. This action 
is necessary to allow fishing in 2006 and 2007. Entities directly 
impacted are those fishing for groundfish in the Exclusive Economic 
Zone (EEZ), or in parallel fisheries in State waters (in which harvests 
are counted against the Federal TAC). An estimated 693 small catcher 
vessels, 18 small catcher/processors, and 6 small private non-profit 
CDQ groups may be directly regulated by these harvest specifications in 
the BSAI. The catcher vessel estimate in particular is subject to 
various uncertainties; it may provide an underestimate since it does 
not count vessels that fish only within State parallel fisheries; this 
may be offset by upward biases introduced by the use of preliminary 
price estimates (which don't fully account for post-season price 
adjustments) and by a failure to account for affiliations, other than 
AFA cooperative affiliations, among entities. For these reasons, the 
catcher vessel estimate must be considered an approximation.
    The IRFA examined the impacts of the preferred alternative on small 
entities within fisheries reliant on species groups whose TACs might be 
notably adjusted by the harvest specifications. The IRFA identified the 
potential for adverse impacts on small fishing operations harvesting 
pollock and Pacific cod, and on CDQ groups, in the BSAI.
    In the BSAI, small Pacific cod fishing operations would experience 
an estimated 2.3 percent reduction in their gross revenues from all 
sources in 2006, and an estimated reduction of 6.3 percent in revenues 
from all sources between 2005 and 2007. The pollock fishery will be the 
other major fishery to experience large reductions in gross revenues. 
These are estimated to rise by less than 1 percent in 2006, but to 
decline by about 11.6 percent from 2005 to 2007. Aside from the CDQ 
groups, this fishery is dominated by large entities. Targeted pollock 
fishing by non-CDQ operations is limited to AFA affiliated entities, 
and one Native Corporation. Operations affiliated with AFA cooperatives 
are considered to be large entities. The Native Corporation is 
considered to be a holding company, and, on the basis of estimated 
gross revenues, is believed to be large. Incidental catch appears to be 
concentrated among catcher/processors fishing for flatfish and Pacific 
cod. A large proportion of these vessels are considered large. However, 
some small catcher/processor operations taking pollock incidentally in 
their fishing operations may be adversely affected in 2007. Adverse 
impacts for catcher/processor vessels in 2007 may be mitigated by 
increases in TACs for several of their target flatfish species. CDQ 
groups are considered to be small entities by virtue of their status as 
non-profit organizations. CDQ group revenues are expected to be almost 
unchanged in 2006, but to drop by about 15 percent in 2007, due to 
projected declines in TACs for their key species, pollock.
    This analysis examined four alternatives to the preferred 
alternative. These included alternatives that set TACs to produce 
fishing rates equal to maxFABC, \1/2\ maxFABC, 
the recent 5 year average F, and zero. Only one of these alternatives, 
setting TACs to produce fishing rates of maxFABC, would 
potentially have a smaller adverse impact on small entities than the 
preferred alternative. This alternative is associated with larger gross 
revenues for the BSAI fisheries in 2006, but with similar gross 
revenues in 2007. Many of the vessels identified above would share in 
these gross revenues. However, the maxFABC is a fishing rate 
that may, and often does, exceed ABCs recommended by stock assessment 
scientists on the basis of circumstances unique to each species. The 
increases in TACs related to producing fishing rates of 
maxFABC would not be consistent with biologically prudent 
fishery

[[Page 74739]]

management because they do not fall within the scientifically 
determined ABC. Moreover, in 2006, the sum of the TACs contemplated 
under Alternative 1 would also exceed the statutorily mandated two 
million mt optimum yield for the BSAI (it would exceed this by only a 
small amount in 2007).
    A copy of the IRFA is available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES).
    This regulation does not impose new recordkeeping or reporting 
requirements on the regulated small entities. This analysis did not 
reveal any Federal rules that duplicate, overlap, or conflict with the 
proposed action.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 1540(f); 1801 et seq.; 1851 
note; and 3631 et seq.

    Dated: December 12, 2005.
James W. Balsiger,
Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05-24168 Filed 12-15-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P