[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 17, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7333-7359]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-3295]



[[Page 7333]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 0910091344-9056-02]
RIN 0648-XL23


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of 
Alaska; 2009 and 2010 Final Harvest Specifications for Groundfish

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

ACTION: Final rule; closures.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces 2009 and 2010 final harvest specifications, 
reserves and apportionments thereof, Pacific halibut prohibited species 
catch (PSC) limits, and associated management measures for the 
groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is 
necessary to establish harvest limits and associated management 
measures for groundfish during the 2009 and 2010 fishing years and to 
accomplish the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for 
Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP). The intended effect of this 
action is to conserve and manage the groundfish resources in the GOA in 
accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act.

DATES: Effective at 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 17, 
2009, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Supplementary Information Report (SIR) to the 
Alaska Groundfish Harvest Specifications Final Environmental Impact 
Statement (Final EIS), Record of Decision (ROD), and Final Regulatory 
Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) prepared for this action are available from 
the Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802, Attn: Ellen 
Sebastian, or from the Alaska Region Web site at http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. Copies of the final 2008 Stock Assessment 
and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) report for the groundfish resources of 
the GOA, dated November 2008, are available from the North Pacific 
Fishery Management Council (Council), 605 West 4th Avenue, Suite 306, 
Anchorage, AK 99510-2252, phone 907-271-2809, or from its Web site at 
http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/npfmc.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Pearson, Sustainable Fisheries 
Division, Alaska Region, 907-481-1780, or e-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fisheries in the 
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the GOA under the FMP. The Council 
prepared the FMP under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), 16 U.S.C. 1801 
et seq. Regulations governing U.S. fisheries and implementing the FMP 
appear at 50 CFR parts 600, 679, and 680.
    The FMP and its implementing regulations require NMFS, after 
consultation with the Council, to specify and apportion the total 
allowable catch (TAC) for each target species and for the ``other 
species'' category, and the sum of which must be within the optimum 
yield (OY) range of 116,000 to 800,000 metric tons (mt). The final 
specifications set forth in Tables 1 through 27 of this document 
satisfy this requirement. For 2009, the sum of the TAC amounts is 
242,727 mt. For 2010, the sum of the TAC amounts is 284,688 mt.
    50 CFR 679.20(c)(1) further requires NMFS to publish and solicit 
public comment on proposed annual TACs, halibut PSC amounts, and 
seasonal allowances of pollock and inshore/offshore Pacific cod. The 
proposed GOA groundfish specifications and Pacific halibut PSC 
allowances for 2009 and 2010 were published in the Federal Register on 
December 2, 2008 (73 FR 73222). Comments were invited and accepted 
through January 2, 2009. NMFS received one letter of comment on the 
proposed specifications. This letter of comment is summarized in the 
Response to Comments section of this action. In December 2008, NMFS 
consulted with the Council regarding the 2009 and 2010 harvest 
specifications. After considering public comments received, as well as 
biological and economic data that were available at the Council's 
December 2008 meeting, NMFS is implementing the 2009 and 2010 final 
harvest specifications, as recommended by the Council.

Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) and TAC Specifications

    In December 2008, the Council, its Advisory Panel (AP), and its 
Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), reviewed current biological 
and harvest information about the condition of groundfish stocks in the 
GOA. This information was compiled by the Council's GOA Plan Team and 
was presented in the final 2008 SAFE report for the GOA groundfish 
fisheries, dated November 2008 (see ADDRESSES). The SAFE report 
contains a review of the latest scientific analyses and estimates of 
each species' biomass and other biological parameters, as well as 
summaries of the available information on the GOA ecosystem and the 
economic condition of the groundfish fisheries off Alaska. From these 
data and analyses, the Plan Team estimates an ABC for each species or 
species category.
    The final 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 
methods used to calculate stock biomass. The FMP specifies the 
formulas, or tiers, to be used to compute ABCs and overfishing levels 
(OFLs). The formulas applicable to a particular stock or stock complex 
are determined by the level of reliable information available to 
fisheries scientists. This information is categorized into a successive 
series of six tiers with tier one representing the highest level of 
information quality available and tier six the lowest level of 
information quality available.
    The final TAC recommendations were based on the ABCs as adjusted 
for other biological and socioeconomic considerations, including 
maintaining the sum of all TACs within the required OY range of 116,000 
to 800,000 mt. The Council adopted the AP's TAC recommendations. The 
Council recommended TACs for 2009 and 2010 that are equal to ABCs for 
pollock, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, sablefish, Pacific ocean perch, 
shortraker rockfish, rougheye rockfish, northern rockfish, pelagic 
shelf rockfish, thornyhead rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish, big 
skate, longnose skate, and other skates. The Council recommended TACs 
for 2009 and 2010 that are less than the ABCs for Pacific cod, flathead 
sole, shallow-water flatfish, arrowtooth flounder, other rockfish, Atka 
mackerel, and ``other species.'' None of the Council's recommended TACs 
for 2009 and 2010 exceeds the final ABC for any species or species 
category. The 2009 and 2010 harvest specifications approved by the 
Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) are unchanged from those recommended 
by the Council and are consistent with the preferred harvest strategy 
alternative in the Final EIS. NMFS finds that the Council's recommended 
ABCs, OFLs, and TACs are consistent with the biological condition of 
the groundfish stocks as described in the 2008 SAFE report and

[[Page 7334]]

approved by the Council. NMFS also finds that the Council's 
recommendations for OFL, ABC, and TAC amounts are consistent with the 
biological condition of groundfish stocks as adjusted for other 
biological and socioeconomic considerations, including maintaining the 
total TAC within the OY range. NMFS reviewed the Council's recommended 
TAC specifications and apportionments and approves these specifications 
under 50 CFR 679.20(c)(3)(ii). The apportionment of TAC amounts among 
gear types, processing sectors, and seasons is discussed below.
    Tables 1 and 2 list the final 2009 and 2010 OFLs, ABCs, TACs, and 
area apportionments of groundfish in the GOA. The sums of the 2009 and 
2010 ABCs are 516,055 mt and 562,762 mt, respectively, which are lower 
in 2009 and higher in 2010 than the 2008 ABC sum of 536,201 mt (73 FR 
10562, February 27, 2008).

Specification and Apportionment of TAC Amounts

    As in 2008, the SSC and Council recommended that the method of 
apportioning the sablefish ABC among management areas in 2009 and 2010 
include commercial fishery and survey data. NMFS stock assessment 
scientists believe the use of unbiased commercial fishery data 
reflecting catch-per-unit-effort provides a desirable input for stock 
distribution assessments. NMFS evaluates the use of commercial fishery 
data annually to ensure unbiased information is included in stock 
distribution models. The Council's recommendation for sablefish area 
apportionments also takes into account the prohibition on the use of 
trawl gear in the Southeast Outside (SEO) District of the Eastern 
Regulatory Area and makes available 5 percent of the combined Eastern 
Regulatory Area ABCs to trawl gear for use as incidental catch in other 
directed groundfish fisheries in the West Yakutat (WYK) District (Sec.  
679.20(a)(4)(i)).
    Since the inception of a State of Alaska (State) managed pollock 
fishery in Prince William Sound (PWS), the GOA Plan Team has 
recommended the guideline harvest level (GHL) for the pollock fishery 
in PWS be deducted from the ABC for the western stock of pollock in the 
GOA in the Western/Central/West Yakutat (W/C/WYK) Area. For the 2009 
and 2010 pollock fisheries in PWS, the State's GHL is 1,650 mt.
    The apportionment of annual pollock TAC among the Western and 
Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA reflects the seasonal biomass 
distribution and is discussed in greater detail below. The annual 
pollock TAC in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA is 
apportioned among Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, as well as 
equally among each of the following four seasons: the A season (January 
20 through March 10), the B season (March 10 through May 31), the C 
season (August 25 through October 1), and the D season (October 1 
through November 1) (50 CFR 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv) and 
679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)).
    The SSC, AP, and Council adopted the Plan Team's OFL and ABC 
recommendations for all groundfish species, complexes, and categories.
    The SSC, AP, and Council recommended apportionment of the ABC for 
Pacific cod in the GOA among regulatory areas based on the three most 
recent NMFS summer trawl surveys.
    The 2009 and 2010 Pacific cod TACs are affected by the State's 
fishery for Pacific cod in State waters in the Central and Western 
Regulatory Areas, as well as in PWS. The SSC, AP, and Council 
recommended that the sum of all State and Federal water Pacific cod 
removals not exceed the ABC. Accordingly, the Council recommended 
reducing the 2009 and 2010 Pacific cod TACs from the ABCs in the 
Central and Western Regulatory Areas to account for State GHLs. 
Therefore, the 2009 Pacific cod TACs are less than the ABCs by the 
following amounts: (1) Eastern GOA, 221 mt; (2) Central GOA, 7,880 mt; 
and (3) Western GOA, 5,392 mt; the 2010 Pacific cod TACs are less than 
the ABCs by the following amounts: (1) Eastern GOA, 318 mt; (2) Central 
GOA, 11,329 mt; and (3) Western GOA, 7,751 mt. These amounts reflect 
the sum of the State's 2009 and 2010 GHLs in these areas, which are 10 
percent, 25 percent, and 25 percent of the Eastern, Central, and 
Western GOA ABCs, respectively. The percentages of the ABCs used to 
calculate the 2009 and 2010 GHLs for the State managed Pacific cod 
fisheries are unchanged from 2008.
    NMFS also is establishing seasonal apportionments of the annual 
Pacific cod TAC in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas. Sixty 
percent of the annual TAC is apportioned to the A season for hook-and-
line, pot, and jig gear from January 1 through June 10, and for trawl 
gear from January 20 through June 10. Forty percent of the annual TAC 
is apportioned to the B season for hook-and-line, pot, and jig gear 
from September 1 through December 31, and for trawl gear from September 
1 through November 1 (50 CFR 679.23(d)(3) and 679.20(a)(12)).
    As in 2008, NMFS establishes for 2009 and 2010 an A season directed 
fishing allowance (DFA) for the Pacific cod fisheries in the GOA based 
on the management area TACs minus the recent average A season 
incidental catch of Pacific cod in each management area before June 10 
(Sec.  679.20(d)(1)). The DFA and incidental catch before June 10 will 
be managed such that total harvest in the A season will be no more than 
60 percent of the annual TAC. Incidental catch taken after June 10 will 
continue to accrue against the B season TAC. This action meets the 
intent of the Steller Sea Lion Protection Measures by achieving 
temporal dispersion of the Pacific cod removals and by reducing the 
likelihood of harvest exceeding 60 percent of the annual TAC in the A 
season (January 1 through June 10 for hook-and-line, pot, and jig gear; 
January 20 through June 10 for trawl gear). The seasonal apportionments 
of the annual Pacific cod TAC are discussed in greater detail below.

Other Actions Affecting the 2009 and 2010 Harvest Specifications

    Amendment 79 to the GOA FMP was approved by the Secretary on August 
20, 2008 (73 FR 49963, August 25, 2008). Amendment 79 requires that 
aggregate OFL, ABC, and TAC levels for the ``other species'' category 
be established as part of the annual groundfish harvest specification 
process. Previously only an annual TAC was established. NMFS is 
implementing an OFL of 8,720 mt and an ABC of 6,540 mt for 2009 and 
2010 (see Tables 1 and 2). Stock assessments for the major taxonomic 
groups which comprise the ``other species'' category (sharks, sculpins, 
squid, and octopus) are included in 2008 SAFE report.
    Following the publication of a proposed rule (73 FR 55010, 
September 24, 2008) and comment period to implement Amendment 77 to the 
GOA FMP the Secretary approved Amendment 77 on December 15, 2008 and 
NMFS published a final rule implementing the amendment on December 31, 
2008 (73 FR 80307). Amendment 77 removed dark rockfish from the pelagic 
shelf rockfish (PSR) complex in the GOA FMP in order to allow the State 
of Alaska (State) to assume management of dark rockfish beginning in 
2009. This action was necessary to allow the State to implement more 
responsive, regionally-based management measures than are currently 
possible under the FMP. The effect of removing dark rockfish from the 
PSR complex is to reduce the OFLs, ABCs, and TACs for the PSR complex 
in these harvest specifications. Compared to the final 2008 harvest 
specifications the OFL is reduced from 6,400 mt in 2008 to 5,803 mt in 
2009 and to 5,420 mt in 2010. Compared to the final 2008

[[Page 7335]]

harvest specifications the ABCs and TACs are reduced from 5,227 mt in 
2008 to 4,781 mt in 2009 and to 4,465 mt in 2010 (see Tables 1 and 2). 
The final 2008 SAFE report accounted for the removal of dark rockfish 
from the PSR complex. Based on the approval of Amendment 77, the 
Council recommended final 2009 and 2010 harvest specifications for GOA 
groundfish.

Changes From the Proposed 2009 and 2010 Harvest Specifications in the 
GOA

    In October 2008, the Council's recommendations for the proposed 
2009 and 2010 harvest specifications (73 FR 73222, December 2, 2008) 
were based largely upon information contained in the final 2007 SAFE 
report for the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated November 2007 (see 
ADDRESSES). The Council recommended that the proposed OFLs, ABCs, and 
TACs established for the groundfish fisheries in 2009 (73 FR 10562, 
February 27, 2008 see Table 2) be rolled over to 2009 and 2010, with 
the exception of sablefish and ``other species'' pending completion and 
review of the 2008 SAFE report at its December 2008 meeting.
    The 2008 SAFE report, which was not available when the Council made 
its recommendations in October 2008, contains the best and most recent 
scientific information on the condition of the groundfish stocks. This 
report was considered in December 2008 by the Council when it made 
recommendations for the final 2009 and 2010 harvest specifications. 
Based on the final 2008 SAFE report, the sum of the 2009 final TACs for 
the GOA (242,727 mt) is 36,537 mt lower than the sum of the proposed 
2009 TACs (279,264 mt). The largest 2009 decreases occurred for 
pollock, from 78,170 mt to 49,900 mt (36 percent decrease); for Pacific 
cod, from 50,269 mt to 41,807 mt (17 percent decrease); for sablefish, 
from 11,633 mt to 11,160 mt (4 percent decrease); for pelagic shelf 
rockfish, from 5,140 mt to 4,781 mt (7 percent decrease); and for 
demersal shelf rockfish, from 382 mt to 362 mt (5 percent decrease). 
The largest increases occurred for rex sole, from 8,468 mt to 8,996 mt 
(6 percent increase) and for Atka mackerel, from 1,500 mt to 2,000 mt 
(33 percent increase). Other increases or decreases in 2009 are within 
2 percent of the proposed specifications.
    The sum of the 2010 final TACs for the GOA (284,688 mt) is 5,424 mt 
higher than the sum of the proposed 2010 TACs (279,264 mt). The largest 
2010 decreases occurred for pollock, from 78,170 mt to 74,330 mt (5 
percent decrease); for sablefish, from 11,633 mt to 10,337 mt (11 
percent decrease), for pelagic shelf rockfish, from 5,140 mt to 4,465 
(13 percent decrease); and for demersal shelf rockfish, from 382 mt to 
362 mt (5 percent decrease). The largest increases occurred for Pacific 
cod from 50,269 mt to 60,102 (20 percent increase); for deep-water 
flatfish from 9,172 mt to 9,793 (7 percent increase); for rex sole, 
from 8,468 mt to 8,827 mt (4 percent increase); and for Atka mackerel, 
from 1,500 mt to 2,000 mt (33 percent increase). Other increases or 
decreases in 2010 are within 2 percent of the proposed specifications.
    Compared to the proposed 2009 and 2010 harvest specifications, the 
Council's final 2009 and 2010 TAC recommendations increase fishing 
opportunities for species for which the Council had sufficient 
information to raise TAC levels. For 2009, these include rex sole, 
Pacific ocean perch, and Atka mackerel. For 2010, TACs were increased 
for Pacific cod, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, flathead sole, Pacific 
ocean perch, and Atka mackerel. Conversely, the Council reduced TAC 
levels to provide greater protection for some species. In 2009, TACs 
were reduced for pollock, Pacific cod, sablefish, pelagic shelf 
rockfish, and demersal shelf rockfish. In 2010, TACs were again reduced 
for pollock, sablefish, pelagic shelf rockfish, and demersal shelf 
rockfish. The changes in the final rule from the proposed rule are 
based on the most recent scientific information and implement the 
harvest strategy described in the proposed rule for the harvest 
specifications. Tables 1 and 2 list the 2009 and 2010 final OFL, ABC, 
and TAC amounts for GOA groundfish, respectively.

 Table 1--Final 2009 ABCs, TACs, and OFLs of Groundfish for the Western/Central/West Yakutat (W/C/WYK), Western
   (W), Central (C), Eastern (E) Regulatory Areas, and in the West Yakutat (WYK), Southeast Outside (SEO), and
                                  Gulfwide (GW) Districts of the Gulf of Alaska
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
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                Species                     Area/district \1\           ABC             TAC             OFL
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Pollock \2\...........................  Shumagin (610)..........          15,249          15,249             n/a
                                        Chirikof (620)..........          14,098          14,098             n/a
                                        Kodiak (630)............          11,058          11,058             n/a
                                        WYK (640)...............           1,215           1,215             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..........................  W/C/WYK.................          41,620          41,620          58,590
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                                        SEO (650)...............           8,280           8,280          11,040
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................          49,900          49,900          69,630
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Pacific cod \3\.......................  W.......................          21,567          16,175             n/a
                                        C.......................          31,521          23,641             n/a
                                        E.......................           2,212           1,991             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................          55,300          41,807          66,600
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Flatfish \4\ (deep-water).............  W.......................             706             706             n/a
                                        C.......................           6,927           6,927             n/a
                                        WYK.....................             997             997             n/a
                                        SEO.....................             538             538             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................           9,168           9,168          11,578
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Rex sole..............................  W.......................           1,007           1,007             n/a

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                                        C.......................           6,630           6,630             n/a
                                        WYK.....................             513             513             n/a
                                        SEO.....................             846             846             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................           8,996           8,996          11,756
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Flathead sole.........................  W.......................          13,010           2,000             n/a
                                        C.......................          29,273           5,000             n/a
                                        WYK.....................           3,531           3,531             n/a
                                        SEO.....................             650             650             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................          46,464          11,181          57,911
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Flatfish \5\ (shallow-water)..........  W.......................          26,360           4,500             n/a
                                        C.......................          29,873          13,000             n/a
                                        WYK.....................           3,333           3,333             n/a
                                        SEO.....................           1,423           1,423             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................          60,989          22,256          74,364
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Arrowtooth flounder...................  W.......................          30,148           8,000             n/a
                                        C.......................         164,251          30,000             n/a
                                        WYK.....................          14,908           2,500             n/a
                                        SEO.....................          12,205           2,500             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................         221,512          43,000         261,022
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Sablefish \6\.........................  W.......................           1,640           1,640             n/a
                                        C.......................           4,990           4,990             n/a
                                        WYK.....................           1,784           1,784             n/a
                                        SEO.....................           2,746           2,746             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..........................  E (WYK and SEO).........           4,530           4,530             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................          11,160          11,160          13,190
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch \7\...............  W.......................           3,713           3,713           4,409
                                        C.......................           8,246           8,246           9,790
                                        WYK.....................           1,108           1,108             n/a
                                        SEO.....................           2,044           2,044             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..........................  E (WYK and SEO).........           3,152           3,152           3,741
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................          15,111          15,111          17,940
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortraker rockfish \8\...............  W.......................             120             120             n/a
                                        C.......................             315             315             n/a
                                        E.......................             463             463             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................             898             898           1,197
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rougheye rockfish \9\.................  W.......................             125             125             n/a
                                        C.......................             833             833             n/a
                                        E.......................             326             326             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................           1,284           1,284           1,545
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other rockfish \10\ \11\..............  W.......................             357             357             n/a
                                        C.......................             569             569             n/a
                                        WYK.....................             604             604             n/a
                                        SEO.....................           2,767             200             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................           4,297           1,730           5,624
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern rockfish \11\ \12\...........  W.......................           2,054           2,054             n/a
                                        C.......................           2,308           2,308             n/a
                                        E.......................               0               0             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................           4,362           4,362           5,204
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 7337]]

 
Pelagic shelf rockfish \13\...........  W.......................             819             819             n/a
                                        C.......................           3,404           3,404             n/a
                                        WYK.....................             234             234             n/a
                                        SEO.....................             324             324             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................           4,781           4,781           5,803
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thornyhead rockfish...................  W.......................             267             267             n/a
                                        C.......................             860             860             n/a
                                        E.......................             783             783             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................           1,910           1,910           2,540
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big skates \14\.......................  W.......................             632             632             n/a
                                        C.......................           2,065           2,065             n/a
                                        E.......................             633             633             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................           3,330           3,330           4,439
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longnose skates \15\..................  W.......................              78              78             n/a
                                        C.......................           2,041           2,041             n/a
                                        E.......................             768             768             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................           2,887           2,887           3,849
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other skates \16\.....................  GW......................           2,104           2,104           2,806
Demersal shelf rockfish \17\..........  SEO.....................             362             362             580
Atka mackerel.........................  GW......................           4,700           2,000           6,200
Other species \18\....................  GW......................           6,540           4,500           8,720
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................         516,055         242,727        632,498
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Regulatory areas and districts are defined at 50 CFR 679.2. (W=Western Gulf of Alaska; C=Central Gulf of
  Alaska; E=Eastern Gulf of Alaska; WYK=West Yakutat District; SEO=Southeast Outside District; GW=Gulf-wide).
\2\ Pollock is apportioned in the Western/Central Regulatory Areas among three statistical areas. During the A
  season, the apportionment is based on an adjusted estimate of the relative distribution of pollock biomass of
  approximately 32 percent, 43 percent, and 25 percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively.
  During the B season, the apportionment is based on the relative distribution of pollock biomass at 32 percent,
  54 percent, and 14 percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. During the C and D seasons,
  the apportionment is based on the relative distribution of pollock biomass at 43 percent, 21 percent, and 35
  percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. Tables 5 and 6 list the 2009 and 2010 seasonal
  apportionments of pollock. In the WYK District and SEO Districts of the Eastern Regulatory Area, pollock is
  not divided into seasonal allowances.
\3\ The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned 60 percent to an A season and 40 percent to a B season in the
  Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA. Pacific cod is allocated 90 percent for processing by the
  inshore component and 10 percent for processing by the offshore component in the Western and Central
  Regulatory Areas of the GOA. Tables 7 and 8 list the 2009 and 2010 seasonal apportionments and component
  allocations of the Pacific cod TAC.
\4\ ``Deep-water flatfish'' means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, and deepsea sole.
\5\ ``Shallow-water flatfish'' means flatfish not including ``deep water flatfish,'' flathead sole, rex sole, or
  arrowtooth flounder.
\6\ Sablefish is allocated to trawl and hook-and-line gears for 2008 and to trawl gear in 2009. Tables 3 and 4
  list the 2008 and 2009 allocations of sablefish.
\7\ ``Pacific ocean perch'' means Sebastes alutus.
\8\ ``Shortraker rockfish'' means Sebastes borealis.
\9\ ``Rougheye rockfish'' means Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and Sebastes melanostictus (blackspotted).
\10\ ``Other rockfish'' in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the WYK District means slope rockfish
  and demersal shelf rockfish. The category ``other rockfish'' in the SEO District means slope rockfish.
\11\ ``Slope rockfish'' means Sebastes aurora (aurora), S. melanostomus (blackgill), S. paucispinis (bocaccio),
  S. goodei (chilipepper), S. crameri (darkblotch), S. elongatus (greenstriped), S. variegatus (harlequin), S.
  wilsoni (pygmy), S. babcocki (redbanded), S. proriger (redstripe), S. zacentrus (sharpchin), S. jordani
  (shortbelly), S. brevispinis (silvergrey), S. diploproa (splitnose), S. saxicola (stripetail), S. miniatus
  (vermilion), and S. reedi (yellowmouth). In the Eastern Regulatory Area only, slope rockfish also includes
  northern rockfish, S. polyspinis.
\12\ ``Northern rockfish'' means Sebastes polyspinis. The 2 mt ABC for northern rockfish in the Eastern
  Regulatory Area has been combined with the ABC for slope rockfish in the WYK District.
\13\ ``Pelagic shelf rockfish'' means Sebastes variabilis (dusky), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus
  (yellowtail).
\14\ Big skate means Raja binoculata.
\15\ Longnose skate means Raja rhina.
\16\ Other skates means Bathyraja spp.
\17\ ``Demersal shelf rockfish'' means Sebastes pinniger (canary), S. nebulosus (china), S. caurinus (copper),
  S. maliger (quillback), S. helvomaculatus (rosethorn), S. nigrocinctus (tiger), and S. ruberrimus (yelloweye).
 
\18\ ``Other species'' means sculpins, sharks, squid, and octopus.


[[Page 7338]]


 Table 2--Final 2010 ABCs, TACs, and OFLs of Groundfish for the Western/Central/West Yakutat (W/C/WYK), Western
   (W), Central (C), Eastern (E) Regulatory Areas, and in the West Yakutat (WYK), Southeast Outside (SEO), and
                                  Gulfwide (GW) Districts of the Gulf of Alaska
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Species                     Area/district \1\           ABC             TAC             OFL
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock \2\...........................  Shumagin (610)..........          24,199          24,199             n/a
                                        Chirikof (620)..........          22,374          22,374             n/a
                                        Kodiak (630)............          17,548          17,548             n/a
                                        WYK (640)...............           1,929           1,929             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..........................  W/C/WYK.................          66,050          66,050          90,920
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        SEO (650)...............           8,280           8,280          11,040
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................          74,330          74,330         101,960
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod \3\.......................  W.......................          31,005          23,254             n/a
                                        C.......................          45,315          33,986             n/a
                                        E.......................           3,180           2,862             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................          79,500          60,102         126,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flatfish \4\ (deep-water).............  W.......................             747             747             n/a
                                        C.......................           7,405           7,405             n/a
                                        WYK.....................           1,066           1,066             n/a
                                        SEO.....................             575             575             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................           9,793           9,793          12,367
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rex sole..............................  W.......................             988             988             n/a
                                        C.......................           6,506           6,506             n/a
                                        WYK.....................             503             503             n/a
                                        SEO.....................             830             830             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................           8,827           8,827          11,535
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead sole.........................  W.......................          13,342           2,000             n/a
                                        C.......................          30,021           5,000             n/a
                                        WYK.....................           3,622           3,622             n/a
                                        SEO.....................             667             667             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................          47,652          11,289          59,349
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flatfish \5\ (shallow-water)..........  W.......................          26,360           4,500             n/a
                                        C.......................          29,873          13,000             n/a
                                        WYK.....................           3,333           3,333             n/a
                                        SEO.....................           1,423           1,423             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................          60,989          22,256          74,364
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth flounder...................  W.......................          29,843           8,000             n/a
                                        C.......................         162,591          30,000             n/a
                                        WYK.....................          14,757           2,500             n/a
                                        SEO.....................          12,082           2,500             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................         219,273          43,000         258,397
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish \6\.........................  W.......................           1,523           1,523             n/a
                                        C.......................           4,625           4,625             n/a
                                        WYK.....................           1,645           1,645             n/a
                                        SEO.....................           2,544           2,544             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..........................  E (WYK and SEO).........           4,189           4,189             n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................          10,337          10,337          12,321
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch \7\...............  W.......................           3,710           3,710           4,405
                                        C.......................           8,239           8,239           9,782
                                        WYK.....................           1,107           1,107             n/a
                                        SEO.....................           2,042           2,042             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..........................  E (WYK and SEO).........           3,149           3,149           3,738
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................          15,098          15,098          17,925
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 7339]]

 
Shortraker rockfish \8\...............  W.......................             120             120             n/a
                                        C.......................             315             315             n/a
                                        E.......................             463             463             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.............................  ........................             898             898           1,197
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rougheye rockfish \9\.................  W.......................             126             126             n/a
                                        C.......................             842             842             n/a
                                        E.......................             329             329             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................           1,297           1,297           1,562
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other rockfish \10\ \11\..............  W.......................             357             357             n/a
                                        C.......................             569             569             n/a
                                        WYK.....................             604             604             n/a
                                        SEO.....................           2,767             200             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................           4,297           1,730           5,624
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern rockfish \11\ \12\...........  W.......................           1,965           1,965             n/a
                                        C.......................           2,208           2,208             n/a
                                        E.......................               0               0             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................           4,173           4,173           4,979
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pelagic shelf rockfish \13\...........  W.......................             765             765             n/a
                                        C.......................           3,179           3,179             n/a
                                        WYK.....................             219             219             n/a
                                        SEO.....................             302             302             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................           4,465           4,465           5,420
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thornyhead rockfish...................  W.......................             267             267             n/a
                                        C.......................             860             860             n/a
                                        E.......................             783             783             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................           1,910           1,910           2,540
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big skates \14\.......................  W.......................             632             632             n/a
                                        C.......................           2,065           2,065             n/a
                                        E.......................             633             633             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................           3,330           3,330           4,439
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longnose skates \15\..................  W.......................              78              78             n/a
                                        C.......................           2,041           2,041             n/a
                                        E.......................             768             768             n/a
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................           2,887           2,887           3,849
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other skates \16\.....................  GW......................           2,104           2,104           2,806
Demersal shelf rockfish \17\..........  SEO.....................             362             362             580
Atka mackerel.........................  GW......................           4,700           2,000           6,200
Other species \18\....................  GW......................           6,540           4,500           8,720
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.........................  ........................         562,762         284,688        722,134
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Regulatory areas and districts are defined at 50 CFR 679.2. (W=Western Gulf of Alaska; C=Central Gulf of
  Alaska; E=Eastern Gulf of Alaska; WYK=West Yakutat District; SEO=Southeast Outside District; GW=Gulf-wide).
\2\ Pollock is apportioned in the Western/Central Regulatory Areas among three statistical areas. During the A
  season, the apportionment is based on an adjusted estimate of the relative distribution of pollock biomass of
  approximately 32 percent, 43 percent, and 25 percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively.
  During the B season, the apportionment is based on the relative distribution of pollock biomass at 32 percent,
  54 percent, and 14 percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. During the C and D seasons,
  the apportionment is based on the relative distribution of pollock biomass at 43 percent, 21 percent, and 35
  percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. Tables 5 and 6 list the 2009 and 2010 seasonal
  apportionments of pollock. In the WYK District and SEO Districts of the Eastern Regulatory Area, pollock is
  not divided into seasonal allowances.
\3\ The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned 60 percent to an A season and 40 percent to a B season in the
  Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA. Pacific cod is allocated 90 percent for processing by the
  inshore component and 10 percent for processing by the offshore component in the Western and Central
  Regulatory Areas of the GOA. Tables 7 and 8 list the 2009 and 2010 seasonal apportionments and component
  allocations of the Pacific cod TAC.
\4\ ``Deep-water flatfish'' means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, and deepsea sole.

[[Page 7340]]

 
\5\ ``Shallow-water flatfish'' means flatfish not including ``deep water flatfish,'' flathead sole, rex sole, or
  arrowtooth flounder.
\6\ Sablefish is allocated to trawl and hook-and-line gears for 2008 and to trawl gear in 2009. Tables 3 and 4
  list the 2008 and 2009 allocations of sablefish.
\7\ ``Pacific ocean perch'' means Sebastes alutus.
\8\ ``Shortraker rockfish'' means Sebastes borealis.
\9\ ``Rougheye rockfish'' means Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and Sebastes melanostictus (blackspotted).
\10\ ``Other rockfish'' in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the WYK District means slope rockfish
  and demersal shelf rockfish. The category ``other rockfish'' in the SEO District means slope rockfish.
\11\ ``Slope rockfish'' means Sebastes aurora (aurora), S. melanostomus (blackgill), S. paucispinis (bocaccio),
  S. goodei (chilipepper), S. crameri (darkblotch), S. elongatus (greenstriped), S. variegatus (harlequin), S.
  wilsoni (pygmy), S. babcocki (redbanded), S. proriger (redstripe), S. zacentrus (sharpchin), S. jordani
  (shortbelly), S. brevispinis (silvergrey), S. diploproa (splitnose), S. saxicola (stripetail), S. miniatus
  (vermilion), and S. reedi (yellowmouth). In the Eastern Regulatory Area only, slope rockfish also includes
  northern rockfish, S. polyspinis.
\12\ ``Northern rockfish'' means Sebastes polyspinis. The 2 mt ABC for northern rockfish in the Eastern
  Regulatory Area has been combined with the ABC for slope rockfish in the WYK District.
\13\ ``Pelagic shelf rockfish'' means Sebastes variabilis (dusky), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus
  (yellowtail).
\14\ Big skate means Raja binoculata.
\15\ Longnose skate means Raja rhina.
\16\ Other skates means Bathyraja spp.
\17\ ``Demersal shelf rockfish'' means Sebastes pinniger (canary), S. nebulosus (china), S. caurinus (copper),
  S. maliger (quillback), S. helvomaculatus (rosethorn), S. nigrocinctus (tiger), and S. ruberrimus (yelloweye).
 
\18\ ``Other species'' means sculpins, sharks, squid, and octopus.

Apportionment of Reserves

    Section 679.20(b)(2) requires 20 percent of each TAC for pollock, 
Pacific cod, flatfish, and the ``other species'' category be set aside 
in reserves for possible apportionment at a later date during the 
fishing year. In 2008, NMFS reapportioned all the reserves in the final 
harvest specifications. For 2009 and 2010, NMFS proposed 
reapportionment of all the reserves in the proposed 2009 and 2010 
harvest specifications published in the Federal Register on December 2, 
2008 (73 FR 73222). NMFS received no public comments on the proposed 
reapportionments. For the final 2009 and 2010 harvest specifications, 
NMFS reapportioned as proposed all the reserves for pollock, Pacific 
cod, flatfish, and ``other species.'' Specifications of TAC shown in 
Tables 1 and 2 reflect reapportionment of reserve amounts for these 
species and species groups.

Allocations of the Sablefish TAC Amounts to Vessels Using Hook-and-Line 
and Trawl Gear

    Section 679.20(a)(4)(i) and (ii) require allocations of sablefish 
TACs for each of the regulatory areas and districts to hook-and-line 
and trawl gear. In the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, 80 percent 
of each TAC is allocated to hook-and-line gear, and 20 percent of each 
TAC is allocated to trawl gear. In the Eastern Regulatory Area, 95 
percent of the TAC is allocated to hook-and-line gear, and 5 percent is 
allocated to trawl gear. The trawl gear allocation in the Eastern 
Regulatory Area may only be used to support incidental catch of 
sablefish in directed fisheries for other target species (Sec.  
679.20(a)(1)). In recognition of the trawl ban in the SEO District of 
the Eastern Regulatory Area, the Council recommended and NMFS concurs 
with the allocation of 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory 
Area sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the WYK District and the remainder 
of the WYK sablefish TAC be available to vessels using hook-and-line 
gear. As a result, NMFS allocates 100 percent of the sablefish TAC in 
the SEO District to vessels using hook-and-line gear. The Council 
recommended that the hook-and-line sablefish TAC be established 
annually to ensure that the Individual Fishery Quota (IFQ) fishery is 
conducted concurrent with the halibut IFQ fishery and is based on the 
most recent survey information. This recommendation results in an 
allocation of 227 mt to trawl gear and 1,557 mt to hook-and-line gear 
in the WYK District in 2009, an allocation of 2,746 mt to hook-and-line 
gear in the SEO District in 2009, and 209 mt to trawl gear in the WYK 
District in 2010. Table 3 lists the allocations of the 2009 sablefish 
TACs to hook-and-line and trawl gear. Table 4 lists the allocations of 
the 2010 sablefish TACs to trawl gear. The Council recommended that 
only a trawl sablefish TAC be established for two years so that 
retention of incidental catch of sablefish by trawl gear could commence 
in January in the second year of the groundfish harvest specifications. 
However, since there is an annual assessment for sablefish and the 
final specifications are expected to be published before the IFQ season 
begins, the industry and Council recommended that the sablefish TAC be 
set on an annual basis so that the best and most recent scientific 
information could be considered in recommending the ABCs and TACs. 
Since sablefish is on bycatch status for trawl gear the entire fishing 
year and given that fishing for groundfish is prohibited prior to 
January 20, it is not likely that the sablefish allocation to trawl 
gear would be reached before the effective date of the final harvest 
specifications.

   Table 3--Final 2009 Sablefish TAC Specifications in the Gulf of Alaska and Allocations to Hook-and-Line and
                                                   Trawl Gear
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              Hook-and-line          Trawl
                     Area/District                              TAC           apportionment      apportionment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western................................................              1,640              1,312                328
Central................................................              4,990              3,992                998
West Yakutat \1\.......................................              1,784              1,557                227
Southeast Outside......................................              2,746              2,746                  0
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
    Total..............................................             11,160              9,607              1,553
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Represents an allocation of 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area sablefish TAC to trawl gear in
  the WYK District.


[[Page 7341]]


       Table 4--Final 2010 Sablefish TAC Specifications in the Gulf of Alaska and Allocation to Trawl Gear
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              Hook-and-line          Trawl
                     Area/District                              TAC          apportionment\1\    apportionment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western................................................              1,523                n/a                305
Central................................................              4,625                n/a                925
West Yakutat \2\.......................................              1,645                n/a                209
Southeast Outside......................................              2,544                n/a                  0
                                                        ====================
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Council recommended that specifications for the hook-and-line gear sablefish Individual Fishery Quota
  fisheries be limited to 1 year.
\2\ Represents an allocation of 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area sablefish TAC to trawl gear in
  the WYK District.

Apportionments of Pollock TAC Among Seasons and Regulatory Areas, and 
Allocations for Processing by Inshore and Offshore Components

    In the GOA, pollock is apportioned by season and area, and is 
further allocated for processing by inshore and offshore components. 
Pursuant to Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B), the annual pollock TAC specified 
for the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA is apportioned 
into four equal seasonal allowances of 25 percent. As established by 
Sec.  679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season 
allowances are available from January 20 to March 10, March 10 to May 
31, August 25 to October 1, and October 1 to November 1, respectively.
    Pollock TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA 
are apportioned among Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630. In the A and 
B seasons, the apportionments are in proportion to the distribution of 
pollock biomass based on the four most recent NMFS winter surveys. In 
the C and D seasons, the apportionments are in proportion to the 
distribution of pollock biomass based on the four most recent NMFS 
summer surveys. For 2009 and 2010, the Council recommends and NMFS 
approves averaging the winter and summer distribution of pollock in the 
Central Regulatory Area for the A season. The average is intended to 
reflect the distribution of pollock and the performance of the fishery 
in the area during the A season for the 2009 and 2010 fishing years. 
Within any fishing year, the amount by which a seasonal allowance is 
underharvested or overharvested may be added to, or subtracted from, 
subsequent seasonal allowances in a manner to be determined by the 
Regional Administrator. The rollover amount of unharvested pollock is 
limited to 20 percent of the seasonal apportionment for the statistical 
area. Any unharvested pollock above the 20 percent limit could be 
further distributed to the other statistical areas, in proportion to 
the estimated biomass in the subsequent season in those statistical 
areas (Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The WYK and SEO District pollock 
TACs of 1,215 mt and 8,280 mt, respectively, in 2009, and 1,929 mt and 
8,280 mt, respectively, in 2010, are not allocated by season.
    Section 679.20(a)(6)(i) requires the allocation of 100 percent of 
the pollock TAC in all regulatory areas and all seasonal allowances to 
vessels catching pollock for processing by the inshore component after 
subtracting amounts projected by the Regional Administrator to be 
caught by, or delivered to, the offshore component incidental to 
directed fishing for other groundfish species. The amount of pollock 
available for harvest by vessels harvesting pollock for processing by 
the offshore component is that amount actually taken as incidental 
catch during directed fishing for groundfish species other than 
pollock, up to the maximum retainable amounts allowed by Sec.  
679.20(e) and (f). At this time, these incidental catch amounts are 
unknown and will be determined during the fishing year.
    The 2009 and 2010 seasonal biomass distribution of pollock in the 
Western and Central Regulatory Areas, area apportionments, and seasonal 
apportionments for the A, B, C, and D seasons are summarized in Tables 
5 and 6, except that amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore 
and offshore components are not shown.

 Table 5--Final 2009 Distribution of Pollock in the Central and Western Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska;
            Seasonal Biomass Distribution, Area Apportionments; and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Shumagin  (Area     Chirikof  (Area
             Season                      610)                620)         Kodiak  (Area 630)       Total \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...............................     3,234 (32.01%)      4,365 (43.21%)      2,503 (24.78%)       10,102 (100%)
B...............................     3,233 (32.01%)      5,413 (53.59%)      1,455 (14.90%)       10,101 (100%)
C...............................     4,391 (43.47%)      2,160 (21.38%)      3,550 (35.15%)       10,101 (100%)
D...............................     4,391 (43.47%)      2,160 (21.38%)      3,550 (35.15%)       10,101 (100%)
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Annual Total................             15,249              14,098              11,058              40,405
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The WYK and SEO District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock
  TACs shown in this table. Note: As established by Sec.   679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D
  season allowances are available from January 20 to March 10, March 10 to May 31, August 25 to October 1, and
  October 1 to November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and offshore
  components are not shown in this table.


[[Page 7342]]


 Table 6--Final 2010 Distribution of Pollock in the Central and Western Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska;
            Seasonal Biomass Distribution, Area Apportionments; and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Shumagin  (Area     Chirikof  (Area
             Season                      610)                620)         Kodiak  (Area 630)       Total \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...............................     5,132 (32.01%)      6,927 (43.21%)      3,972 (24.78%)       16,031 (100%)
B...............................     5,131 (32.01%)      8,591 (53.39%)      2,308 (14.40%)       16,030 (100%)
C...............................     6,968 (43.47%)      3,428 (21.38%)      5,634 (35.15%)       16,030 (100%)
D...............................     6,968 (43.47%)      3,428 (21.38%)      5,634 (35.15%)       16,030 (100%)
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Annual Total................             24,199              22,374              17,548             64,121
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The WYK and SEO District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock
  TACs shown in this table.
Note: As established by Sec.   679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season allowances are available
  from January 20 to March 10, March 10 to May 31, August 25 to October 1, and October 1 to November 1,
  respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and offshore components are not shown in
  this table.

Seasonal Apportionments of Pacific Cod TAC and Allocations for 
Processing of Pacific Cod TAC Between Inshore and Offshore Components

    Pacific cod fishing is divided into two seasons in the Western and 
Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA. For hook-and-line, pot, and jig 
gear, the A season is January 1 through June 10, and the B season is 
September 1 through December 31. For trawl gear, the A season is 
January 20 through June 10, and the B season is September 1 through 
November 1 (Sec.  679.23(d)(3)). After subtracting incidental catch 
from the A season, 60 percent of the annual TAC will be available as a 
DFA during the A season for the inshore and offshore components. The 
remaining 40 percent of the annual TAC will be available for harvest 
during the B season. The seasonal allocations will be apportioned 
between the inshore and offshore components, as provided in Sec.  
679.20(a)(6)(ii). Under Sec.  679.20(a)(11)(ii), any overage or 
underage of the Pacific cod allowance from the A season may be 
subtracted from or added to the subsequent B season allowance.
    Section 679.20(a)(6)(ii) requires allocation of the TAC 
apportionments of Pacific cod in all regulatory areas to vessels 
catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore and offshore 
components. Ninety percent of the Pacific cod TAC in each regulatory 
area is allocated to vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the 
inshore component. The remaining 10 percent of the TAC is allocated to 
vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component. 
Tables 7 and 8 lists the seasonal apportionments and allocations of the 
final 2009 and 2010 Pacific cod TACs, respectively.

  Table 7--Final 2009 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocation of Pacific Cod TAC Amounts in the Gulf of Alaska;
                        Allocations for Processing by the Inshore and Offshore Components
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Component allocation
              Season                  Regulatory area           TAC        -------------------------------------
                                                                              Inshore  (90%)    Offshore  (10%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Western.............             16,175             14,558              1,617
A season (60%)...................                                    9,705              8,735                970
B season (40%)...................                                    6,470              5,823                647
                                   Central.............             23,641             21,277              2,364
A season (60%)...................                                   14,185             12,767              1,418
B season (40%)...................                                    9,456              8,510                946
                                   Eastern.............              1,991              1,792                199
                                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total........................  ....................             41,807             37,627              4,180
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  Table 8--Final 2010 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocation of Pacific Cod TAC Amounts in the Gulf of Alaska;
                        Allocations for Processing by the Inshore and Offshore Components
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Component allocation
              Season                  Regulatory area           TAC        -------------------------------------
                                                                              Inshore  (90%)    Offshore  (10%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Western.............             23,254             20,929              2,325
A season (60%)...................                                   13,952             12,557              1,395
B season (40%)...................                                    9,302              8,371                930
                                   Central.............             33,986             30,587              3,399
A season (60%)...................                                   20,392             18,352              2,039
B season (40%)...................                                   13,594             12,235              1,359
                                   Eastern.............              2,862              2,576                286

[[Page 7343]]

 
    Total........................  ....................             60,102             54,092              6,010
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Demersal Shelf Rockfish (DSR)

    In 2006 the Alaska Board of Fish (BOF) allocated the Southeast 
Outside District DSR TAC between the commercial fishery (84 percent) 
and the sportfish fishery (16 percent). This results in an 2009 and 
2010 allocation of 304 mt to the commercial fishery and 58 mt to the 
sportfish fishery. Estimates of incidental catch of DSR in the 
commercial halibut fishery are deducted from the DSR commercial fishery 
allocation. In 2008 this resulted in 120 mt being available for the 
directed commercial DSR fishery of which 41 mt were harvested. The 
Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) will announce the opening of 
directed fishing for DSR in January following the International Pacific 
Halibut Commission's (IPHC) annual meeting to be held January 13-16, 
2009. DSR harvest in the halibut fishery is linked to the halibut 
quota, therefore ADF&G cannot estimate potential DSR incidental catch 
in that fishery until those quotas are established. Full retention of 
all DSR by federally permitted catcher vessels using hook-and-line or 
jig gear fishing for groundfish and Pacific halibut in the SEO District 
of the GOA is required (Sec.  679.20(j)).

Apportionments to the Central GOA Rockfish Pilot Program

    Section 679.81(a)(1) and (2) require the allocation of the primary 
rockfish species TACs in the Central Regulatory Area after deducting 
incidental catch needs in other directed groundfish fisheries, to 
participants in the Rockfish Pilot Program. Five percent (2.5 percent 
to trawl gear and 2.5 percent to fixed gear) of the final TACs for 
Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish, and pelagic shelf rockfish in 
the Central Regulatory Area are allocated to the entry level rockfish 
fishery and the remaining 95 percent to those vessels eligible to 
participate in the Rockfish Program. NMFS is setting aside in 2009 and 
2010 incidental catch amounts (ICAs) of 200 mt of Pacific ocean perch, 
100 mt of northern rockfish, and 100 mt of pelagic shelf rockfish for 
other directed fisheries in the Central Regulatory Area. These amounts 
are based on the 2003 through 2007 average incidental catch in the 
Central Regulatory Area by these other groundfish fisheries.
    Section 679.83(a)(1)(i) requires allocations to the trawl entry 
level fishery to be made first from the allocation of Pacific ocean 
perch available to the rockfish entry level fishery. If the amount of 
Pacific ocean perch available for allocation is less than the total 
allocation allowable for trawl catcher vessels in the rockfish entry 
level fishery, then northern rockfish and pelagic shelf rockfish must 
be allocated to trawl catcher vessels. Allocations of Pacific ocean 
perch, northern rockfish, and pelagic shelf rockfish to longline gear 
vessels must be made after the allocations to trawl gear.
    Tables 9 and 10 list the final 2009 and 2010 allocations of 
rockfish in the Central GOA to trawl and longline gear in the entry 
level rockfish fishery, respectively.

      Table 9--Final 2009 Allocations of Rockfish in the Central Gulf of Alaska to Trawl and Longline Gear \1\ in the Entry Level Rockfish Fishery
                                                           [Values are rounded to nearest mt]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             Incidental                                         Entry level  Entry level
                           Species                                 TAC         catch      TAC minus      5% TAC      2.5% TAC      trawl       longline
                                                                             allowance       ICA       minus ICA    minus ICA    allocation   allocation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch..........................................        8,246          200        8,046          402          201          339           63
Northern rockfish............................................        2,308          100        2,208          110           55            0          110
Pelagic shelf rockfish.......................................        3,404          100        3,304          165           83            0          165
                                                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total....................................................       13,958          400       13,558          678          339          339          339
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Longline gear includes jig and hook-and-line gear.


      Table 10--Final 2010 Allocations of Rockfish in the Central Gulf of Alaska to Trawl and Longline Gear \1\ in the Entry Level Rockfish Fishery
                                                           [Values are rounded to nearest mt]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             Incidental                                         Entry level  Entry level
                           Species                                 TAC         catch      TAC minus      5% TAC      2.5% TAC      trawl       longline
                                                                             allowance       ICA       minus ICA    minus ICA    allocation   allocation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch..........................................        8,239          200        8,039          402          201          331           71
Northern rockfish............................................        2,208          100        2,108          105           53            0          105
Pelagic shelf rockfish.......................................        3,179          100        3,079          154           77            0          154
                                                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total....................................................       13,626          400       13,226          661          331          331          330
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Longline gear includes jig and hook-and-line gear.


[[Page 7344]]

Halibut PSC Limits

    Section 679.21(d) establishes the annual halibut PSC limit 
apportionments to trawl and hook-and-line gear and permits the 
establishment of apportionments for pot gear. In December 2008, the 
Council recommended that NMFS maintain the 2008 halibut PSC limits of 
2,000 mt for the trawl fisheries and 300 mt for the hook-and-line 
fisheries. Ten mt of the hook-and-line limit is further allocated to 
the DSR fishery in the SEO District. The DSR fishery is defined at 
Sec.  679.21(d)(4)(iii)(A). This fishery has been apportioned 10 mt in 
recognition of its small-scale harvests. Most vessels in the DSR 
fishery are less than 60 ft (18.3 m) length overall (LOA) and are 
exempt from observer coverage. Therefore, observer data are not 
available to verify actual bycatch amounts. NMFS assumes the halibut 
bycatch in the DSR fishery is low because of the short soak times for 
the gear and duration of the DSR fishery. Also, the DSR fishery occurs 
in the winter when less overlap occurs in the distribution of DSR and 
halibut. Finally, much of the DSR TAC is not available to the directed 
DSR commercial fishery. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game sets the 
Guideline Harvest Level (GHL) after estimates of incidental catch in 
all fisheries (including halibut and subsistence) and allocation to the 
sportfish fishery have been deducted. Of the 382 mt TAC for DSR in 
2008, 120 mt was available for the commercial fishery of which 41 mt 
were harvested.
    Section 679.21(d)(4)(i) authorizes the exemption of specified non-
trawl fisheries from the halibut PSC limit. NMFS, after consultation 
with the Council, exempts pot gear, jig gear, and the sablefish IFQ 
hook-and-line gear fishery from the non-trawl halibut limit for 2009 
and 2010. The Council recommended these exemptions because (1) the pot 
gear fisheries have low annual halibut bycatch mortality (averaging 19 
mt annually from 2001 through 2008); (2) the halibut and sablefish IFQ 
fisheries have low halibut bycatch mortality because the IFQ program 
requires retention of legal-sized halibut by vessels using hook-and-
line gear if a halibut IFQ permit holder is aboard and is holding 
unused halibut IFQ; and (3) halibut mortality for the jig gear 
fisheries is assumed to be negligible. Halibut mortality is assumed to 
be negligible in the jig gear fisheries given the small amount of 
groundfish harvested by jig gear (averaging 268 mt annually from 2001 
through 2008), the selective nature of jig gear, and the high survival 
rates of halibut caught and released with jig gear.
    Section 679.21(d)(5) provides NMFS the authority to seasonally 
apportion the halibut PSC limits after consultation with the Council. 
The FMP and regulations require the Council and NMFS to consider the 
following information in seasonally apportioning halibut PSC limits: 
(1) Seasonal distribution of halibut; (2) seasonal distribution of 
target groundfish species relative to halibut distribution; (3) 
expected halibut bycatch needs on a seasonal basis relative to changes 
in halibut biomass and expected catch of target groundfish species; (4) 
expected bycatch rates on a seasonal basis; (5) expected changes in 
directed groundfish fishing seasons; (6) expected actual start of 
fishing effort; and (7) economic effects of establishing seasonal 
halibut allocations on segments of the target groundfish industry.
    The final 2008 and 2009 groundfish harvest specifications (73 FR 
10562, February 27, 2008) summarized the Council and NMFS's findings 
with respect to each of these FMP considerations. The Council and 
NMFS's findings for 2009 and 2010 are unchanged from 2008. The opening 
dates and halibut PSC limitations for vessels using trawl gear 
participating in the Rockfish Program in the Central Regulatory Area 
are described in the final rule to implement the Rockfish Program (71 
FR 67210, November 20, 2006).
    NMFS concurs in the Council's recommendations listed in Table 11, 
which shows the final 2009 and 2010 Pacific halilbut PSC limits, 
allowances, and apportionments. Sections 679.21(d)(5)(iii) and (iv) 
specify that any underages or overages of a seasonal apportionment of a 
PSC limit will be deducted from or added to the next respective 
seasonal apportionment within the fishing year. The information to 
establish the halibut PSC limits was obtained from the 2008 SAFE 
report, NMFS, ADF&G, the IPHC, and public testimony.

                                Table 11--Final 2009 and 2010 Pacific Halibut PSC Limits, Allowances, and Apportionments
                                                               [Values are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Trawl gear                                                              Hook-and-line gear \1\
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                         DSR
                Season                       Amount      --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Other than DSR             Season                Amount                 Season       Amount
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------
January 20-April 1...................        550 (27.5%)  January 1-June 10.......          250 (86%)  January 1-December 31...          10 (100%)
April 1-July 1.......................          400 (20%)  June 10-September 1.....             5 (2%)  ........................  .................
July 1-September 1...................          600 (30%)  September 1-December 31.           35 (12%)  ........................  .................
September 1-October 1................         150 (7.5%)  n/a.....................                n/a  ........................  .................
October 1-December 31................          300 (15%)  n/a.....................                n/a  ........................  .................
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total............................       2,000 (100%)  n/a.....................         290 (100%)  ........................          10 (100%)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific halibut PSC limit for hook-and-line gear is allocated to the demersal shelf rockfish (DSR) fishery and fisheries other than DSR. The
  hook-and-line sablefish fishery is exempt from halibut PSC limits.

    Section 679.21(d)(3)(ii) authorizes further apportionment of the 
trawl halibut PSC limit to trawl fishery categories. The annual 
apportionments are based on each category's proportional share of the 
anticipated halibut bycatch mortality during the fishing year and 
optimization of the total amount of groundfish harvest under the 
halibut PSC limit. The fishery categories for the trawl halibut PSC 
limits are (1) a deep-water species complex, comprised of sablefish, 
rockfish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole and arrowtooth flounder; and 
(2) a shallow-water species complex, comprised of pollock, Pacific cod, 
shallow-water flatfish, flathead sole, Atka mackerel, skates, and 
``other species'' (( 679.21(d)(3)(iii)). Table 12 lists the final 2009 
and 2010

[[Page 7345]]

apportionments of Pacific halibut PSC trawl limits between the trawl 
gear deep-water species complex and shallow-water species complex.

  Table 12--Final 2009 and 2010 Apportionment of Pacific Halibut PSC Trawl Limits Between the Trawl Gear Deep-
                           Water Species Complex and the Shallow-Water Species Complex
                                           [Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Shallow-water      Deep-water species complex
                   Season                     species complex                \1\                     Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 20-April 1.........................                450  100..........................                550
April 1-July 1.............................                100  300..........................                400
July 1-September 1.........................                200  400..........................                600
September 1-October 1......................                150  Any remainder................                150
                                            --------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal January 20-October 1..........                900  800..........................              1,700
October 1-December 31 \2\..................                n/a  n/a..........................                300
                                            ====================
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Vessels participating in cooperatives in the Central Gulf of Alaska Rockfish Pilot Program will receive a
  portion of the third season (July 1-September 1) deep-water category halibut PSC apportionment. At this time,
  this amount is unknown but will be posted later on the Alaska Region Web site at http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov when it becomes available.
\2\ There is no apportionment between shallow-water and deep-water fishery complexes during the 5th season
  (October 1-December 31).

Estimated Halibut Bycatch in Prior Years

    The best available information on estimated halibut bycatch is data 
collected by observers during 2008. The calculated halibut bycatch 
mortality by trawl, hook-and-line, and pot gears through December 31, 
2008, is 1,950 mt, 413 mt, and 29 mt, respectively, for a total halibut 
mortality of 2,392 mt.
    Halibut bycatch restrictions seasonally constrained trawl gear 
fisheries during the 2008 fishing year. The trawl fishery during the 
second season was closed for the deep-water species category on April 
21 (73 FR 22062, April 24, 2008), and during the fourth season on 
September 11 (73 FR 53159, September 15, 2008). The trawl fishery 
during the first season was closed for the shallow-water species 
category on March 10 (73 FR 13464, March 13, 2008) and opened on March 
21 through May 21 (73 FR 15942, March 26, 2008, and 73 FR 30318, May 
27, 2008). To prevent exceeding the fourth season halibut PSC limit for 
the shallow-water species category, directed fishing using trawl gear 
was limited to one 48-hour open period beginning September 1 (73 FR 
51601, September 4, 2008), and to one 36-hour period beginning 
September 10 (73 FR 52930, September 12, 2008). The trawl fishery for 
all groundfish targets (with the exception of vessels targeting pollock 
where open using pelagic trawl gear and vessels participating in the 
Rockfish Program in the Central GOA) closed for the fifth season on 
November 6, 2008 (73 FR 66561, November 10, 2008) and reopened on 
November 16, 2008 (73 FR 69586, November 19, 2008) following the 
reallocation of unused halibut PSC from rockfish cooperatives in the 
Central Gulf of Alaska Rockfish Pilot Program to vessels using trawl 
gear in the GOA (73 FR 69587, November 19, 2008). Directed fishing for 
groundfish using hook-and-line gear closed for the year on October 16 
(73 FR 62212, October 20, 2008). The amount of groundfish that vessels 
using hook-and-line and trawl gear might have harvested if halibut PSC 
limits had not restricted the 2008 season is unknown.

Expected Changes in Groundfish Stocks and Catch

    The final 2009 ABCs for deep-water flatfish, flathead sole, and 
Pacific ocean perch are higher than those established for 2008, while 
the final 2009 ABCs for pollock, Pacific cod, rex sole, arrowtooth 
flounder, rougheye rockfish, northern rockfish, pelagic shelf rockfish, 
demersal shelf rockfish, and sablefish are lower than those established 
for 2008. The final 2010 ABCs for pollock, Pacific cod, deep-water 
flatfish, flathead sole, Pacific ocean perch, and rougheye rockfish are 
higher than those established for 2008, while the final 2010 ABCs for 
arrowtooth flounder, rex sole, rougheye rockfish, northern rockfish, 
pelagic shelf rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish, and sablefish are 
lower than those established for 2008. For the remaining target 
species, the Council recommended that ABC levels remain unchanged from 
2008. More information on these changes is included in the final SAFE 
report (November 2008). This document is available from the Council 
(see ADDRESSES).
    In the GOA, the total final 2009 TAC amounts are 242,727 mt, a 
decrease of 7.6 percent from the 2008 TAC total of 262,826 mt. The 
total final 2010 TAC amounts are 284,688 mt, an increase of 8.3 percent 
from the 2008 TAC total of 262,826 mt. Table 13 compares the final 2008 
TACs to the final 2009 and 2010 TACs.

     Table 13--Comparison of Final 2008 and Final 2009 and 2010 Total Allowable Catch in the Gulf of Alaska
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Species                                 2008               2009               2010
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock................................................             60,180             49,900             74,330
Pacific cod............................................             50,269             41,807             60,102
Deep-water flatfish....................................              8,903              9,168              9,793
Rex sole...............................................              9,132              8,996              8,827
Flathead sole..........................................             11,054             11,181             11,289
Shallow-water flatfish.................................             22,256             22,256             22,256
Arrowtooth flounder....................................             43,000             43,000             43,000
Sablefish..............................................             12,730             11,160             10,337

[[Page 7346]]

 
Pacific ocean perch....................................             14,999             15,111             15,098
Shortraker rockfish....................................                898                898                898
Rougheye rockfish......................................              1,286              1,284              1,297
Other rockfish.........................................              1,730              1,730              1,730
Northern rockfish......................................              4,549              4,362              4,173
Pelagic shelf rockfish.................................              5,227              4,781              4,465
Thornyhead rockfish....................................              1,910              1,910              1,910
Big skates.............................................              3,330              3,330              3,330
Longnose skates........................................              2,887              2,887              2,887
Other skates...........................................              2,104              2,104              2,104
Demersal shelf rockfish................................                382                362                362
Atka mackerel..........................................              1,500              2,000              2,000
``Other species''......................................              4,500              4,500              4,500
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
    Total..............................................            262,826            242,727            284,688
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Current Estimates of Halibut Biomass and Stock Condition

    The most recent halibut stock assessment was developed by the 
International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) staff in December 2008 
for the 2009 commercial fishery; this assessment was considered by the 
IPHC at its annual January 2009 meeting. Information from ongoing 
passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag recoveries, as well as 
inconsistencies in the traditional closed-area stock assessments for 
some areas has prompted the IPHC to reexamine the stock assessment 
framework and corresponding harvest policy. It had been assumed that 
once the halibut reached legal commercial size there was little 
movement between regulatory areas. PIT tag recoveries indicate greater 
movement between regulatory areas than previously thought. In response 
to this new information, IPHC staff developed a coast-wide assessment 
based on a single stock. The assessment recommends a coast-wide harvest 
rate of 20 percent of the exploitable biomass (Ebio) overall, but a 
lower harvest rate of 15 percent for Areas 4A, B, C, D, and E. The 
current estimate of coast-wide (United States and Canada) EBio for 2009 
is 147,419 mt, down from 163,749 mt estimated for 2008. Virtually all 
of the decrease is due to lower survey and commercial catch rates of 
legal-sized halibut. Projections based on the currently estimated age 
compositions suggest that the exploitable and female spawning biomass 
will increase over the next several years as a sequence of strong year 
classes recruit to the legal-sized component of the population. The 
female spawning biomass (Sbio) is estimated to be 14,288 mt for 2009, 
an increase of 3 percent from 2008, and approximately 35 percent of the 
estimated unfished SBio of 398,258 mt.
    The halibut resource is fully utilized. Recent catches, over the 
last 14 years (1994-2007) in the commercial halibut fisheries in Alaska 
have averaged 33,675 mt round weight. In January 2009, the IPHC 
approved Alaska commercial catch limits totaling 27,518 mt round weight 
for 2009, a 9 percent decrease from 30,349 mt in 2008. Through December 
31, 2008, commercial hook-and-line harvests of halibut off Alaska 
totaled 29,577 mt round weight.
    Additional information on the Pacific halibut stock assessment may 
be found in the IPHC's 2008 Pacific halibut stock assessment (December 
2008), available on the IPHC Web site at http://www.iphc.washington.edu. The IPHC considered the 2008 Pacific halibut 
assessment for 2009 at its January 2009 annual meeting when the IPHC 
set the 2009 commercial halibut fishery catch limits.

Other Factors

    The proposed 2009 and 2010 harvest specifications (73 FR 73222, 
December 2, 2008) discuss potential impacts of expected fishing for 
groundfish on halibut stocks, as well as methods available for, and 
costs of, reducing halibut bycatch in the groundfish fisheries.

Halibut Discard Mortality Rates

    The Council recommends and NMFS concurs that the halibut discard 
mortality rates (DMRs) developed and recommended by the IPHC for the 
2009 and 2010 GOA groundfish fisheries be used to monitor the 2009 and 
2010 GOA halibut bycatch mortality limits. The IPHC recommended use of 
long-term average DMRs for the 2009 and 2010 groundfish fisheries. The 
IPHC will analyze observer data annually and recommend changes to the 
DMRs where a DMR shows large variation from the mean. Most of the 
IPHC's assumed DMRs were based on an average of mortality rates 
determined from NMFS observer data collected between 1996 and 2005. 
Long-term average DMRs were not available for some fisheries, so rates 
from the most recent years were used. For the ``other species'' and 
skate fisheries, where insufficient mortality data are available, the 
mortality rate of halibut caught in the Pacific cod fishery for that 
gear type was recommended as a default rate. The GOA DMRs for 2009 and 
2010 are unchanged from those used in 2008. The DMRs for hook-and-line 
targeted fisheries range from 10 to 14 percent. The DMRs for trawl 
target fisheries range from 53 to 76 percent. Each DMR for the pot 
target fisheries is 16 percent. The final halibut DMRs for vessels 
fishing in the GOA for 2009 and 2010 are listed in Table 14. A copy of 
the document justifying these DMRs is available from the Council (see 
ADDRESSES) and is discussed in the final 2008 SAFE report, dated 
November 2008. The IPHC intends to review all of the DMRs in 2009 for 
use in the groundfish fisheries during 2010 through 2012.

[[Page 7347]]



    Table 14--Final 2009 and 2010 Halibut Discard Mortality Rates for
                  Vessels Fishing in the Gulf of Alaska
       [Values are percent of halibut bycatch assumed to be dead]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Mortality rate
              Gear                   Target fishery           (%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hook-and-line...................  Other species......                 14
                                  Skates.............                 14
                                  Pacific cod........                 14
                                  Rockfish...........                 10
Trawl...........................  Arrowtooth flounder                 69
                                  Atka mackere.......                l60
                                  Deep-water flatfish                 53
                                  Flathead sole......                 61
                                  Non-pelagic pollock                 59
                                  Other species......                 63
                                  Skates.............                 63
                                  Pacific cod........                 63
                                  Pelagic pollock....                 76
                                  Rex sole...........                 63
                                  Rockfish...........                 67
                                  Sablefish..........                 65
                                  Shallow-water                       71
                                   flatfish.
Pot.............................  Other species......                 16
                                  Skates.............                 16
                                  Pacific cod........                 16
------------------------------------------------------------------------

American Fisheries Act (AFA) Catcher/Processor and Catcher Vessel 
Groundfish Harvest and PSC Limits

    Section 679.64 establishes groundfish harvesting and processing 
sideboard limitations on AFA catcher/processors and catcher vessels in 
the GOA. These sideboard limits are necessary to protect the interests 
of fishermen and processors who have not directly benefitted from the 
AFA from fishermen and processors who have received exclusive 
harvesting and processing privileges under the AFA. Section 
679.7(k)(1)(ii) prohibits listed AFA catcher/processors from harvesting 
any species of fish in the GOA. Additionally, Sec.  679.7(k)(1)(iv) 
prohibits listed AFA catcher/processors from processing any pollock 
harvested in a directed pollock fishery in the GOA and any groundfish 
harvested in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA.
    AFA catcher vessels that are less than 125 ft (38.1 m) LOA, have 
annual landings of pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands less 
than 5,100 mt, and have made at least 40 groundfish landings from 1995 
through 1997 are exempt from GOA sideboard limits under Sec.  
679.64(b)(2)(ii). Sideboard limits for non-exempt AFA catcher vessels 
in the GOA are based on their traditional harvest levels of TAC in 
groundfish fisheries covered by the GOA FMP. Section 679.64(b)(3)(iii) 
establishes the groundfish sideboard limitations in the GOA based on 
the retained catch of non-exempt AFA catcher vessels of each sideboard 
species from 1995 through 1997 divided by the TAC for that species over 
the same period. The final 2009 and 2010 non-exempt AFA catcher vessel 
groundfish harvest sideboard limitations are listed in Tables 15 and 
16, respectively. All catch of sideboard species made by non-exempt AFA 
catcher vessels, whether as targeted catch or incidental catch, will be 
deducted from the sideboard limits in Tables 15 and 16. The ratios used 
to calculate these sideboard limits were adjusted slightly to reflect 
changing two separate vessels' status from non-exempt to exempt, based 
on NMFS administrative review of these vessels' applications for non-
exempt versus exempt status. This results in slight decreases to the 
catch-to-TAC ratios used in 2008 to establish the non-exempt AFA CV 
sideboard limits.

                 Table 15--Final 2009 GOA Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel (CV) Groundfish Harvest Sideboard Limitations
                                                       [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                   Ratio of 1995-
                                                                                                  1997 non-exempt                       2009 non-exempt
                Species                   Apportionments by season/        Area/component         AFA CV catch to        2009 TAC       AFA CV sideboard
                                                    gear                                           1995-1997 TAC                             limit
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock................................  A Season..................  Shumagin..................             0.6047              3,234              1,956
                                         January 20-March 10.......  Chirikof (620)............             0.1167              4,365                509
                                                                     Kodiak (630)..............             0.2028              2,503                508
                                         B Season..................  Shumagin..................             0.6047              3,233              1,955
                                         March 10--May 31..........  Chirikof (620)............             0.1167              5,413                632
                                                                     Kodiak (630)..............             0.2028              1,455                295
                                         C Season..................  Shumagin..................             0.6047              4,391              2,655
                                         August 25-October 1.......  Chirikof (620)............             0.1167              2,160                252
                                                                     Kodiak (630)..............             0.2028              3,550                720
                                         D Season..................  Shumagin..................             0.6047              4,391              2,655
                                         October 1--November 1.....  Chirikof (620)............             0.1167              2,160                252
                                                                     Kodiak (630)..............             0.2028              3,550                720
                                         Annual....................  WYK (640).................             0.3495              1,215                425
                                                                     SEO (650).................             0.3495              8,280              2,894

[[Page 7348]]

 
Pacific cod............................  A Season \1\..............  W inshore.................             0.1365              8,735              1,192
                                         January 1-June 10.........  W offshore................             0.1026                970                100
                                                                     C inshore.................             0.0689             12,767                880
                                                                     C offshore................             0.0721              1,418                102
                                         B Season \2\..............  W inshore.................             0.1365              5,823                795
                                         September 1-                W offshore................
                                         December 31...............  ..........................             0.1026                647                 66
                                                                     C inshore.................             0.0689              8,510                586
                                                                     C offshore................             0.0721                946                 68
                                         Annual                      E inshore.................             0.0079              1,792                 14
                                                                     E offshore................             0.0078                199                  2
Flatfish, deep-water...................  Annual....................  W.........................             0.0000                706                  0
                                                                     C.........................             0.0647              6,927                448
                                                                     E.........................             0.0128              1,535                 20
Rex sole...............................  Annual                      W.........................             0.0007              1,007                  1
                                                                     C.........................             0.0384              6,630                255
                                                                     E.........................             0.0029              1,359                  4
Flathead sole..........................  Annual....................  W.........................             0.0036              2,000                  7
                                                                     C.........................             0.0213              5,000                107
                                                                     E.........................             0.0009              4,181                  4
Flatfish, shallow-water................  Annual....................  W.........................             0.0156              4,500                 70
                                                                     C.........................             0.0587             13,000                763
                                                                     E.........................             0.0126              4,756                 60
Arrowtooth flounder....................  Annual....................  W.........................             0.0021              8,000                 17
                                                                     C.........................             0.0280             30,000                840
                                                                     E.........................             0.0002              5,000                  1
Sablefish..............................  Annual, trawl gear........  W.........................             0.0000                328                  0
                                                                     C.........................             0.0642                998                 64
                                                                     E.........................             0.0433                227                 10
Pacific ocean perch....................  Annual....................  W.........................             0.0023              3,713                  9
                                                                     C.........................             0.0748              8,246                617
                                                                     E.........................             0.0466              3,152                147
Shortraker rockfish....................  Annual....................   W........................             0.0000                120                  0
                                                                     C.........................             0.0218                315                  7
                                                                     E.........................             0.0110                463                  5
Rougheye rockfish......................  Annual....................  W.........................             0.0000                125                  0
                                                                     C.........................             0.0237                833                 20
                                                                     E.........................             0.0124                326                  4
Other rockfish.........................  Annual....................  W.........................             0.0034                357                  1
                                                                     C.........................             0.1699                569                 97
                                                                     E.........................             0.0000                804                  0
Northern rockfish......................  Annual....................   W........................             0.0003              2,054                  1
                                                                     C.........................             0.0277              2,308                 64
Pelagic shelf rockfish.................  Annual....................   W........................             0.0001                819                  0
                                                                     C.........................             0.0000              3,404                  0
                                                                     E.........................             0.0067                558                  4
Thornyhead rockfish....................  Annual....................   W........................             0.0280                267                  7
                                                                     C.........................             0.0280                860                 24
                                                                     E.........................             0.0280                783                 22
Big skates.............................  Annual....................   W........................             0.0063                632                  4
                                                                     C.........................             0.0063              2,065                 13
                                                                     E.........................             0.0063                633                  4
Longnose skates........................  Annual....................  W.........................             0.0063                 78                  0
                                                                     C.........................             0.0063              2,041                 13
                                                                     E.........................             0.0063                768                  5
Other skates...........................  Annual....................  Gulfwide..................             0.0063              2,104                 13
Demersal shelf rockfish................  Annual....................  SEO.......................  .................  .................  .................
                                                                     ..........................             0.0020                362                  1
Atka...................................  Annual....................  Gulfwide..................             0.0309              2,000                 62
Other..................................  Annual....................  Gulfwide..................             0.0063              4,500                 28
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.


[[Page 7349]]


                 Table 16--Final 2010 GOA Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel (CV) Groundfish Harvest Sideboard Limitations
                                                       [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                   Ratio of 1995-
                                                                                                  1997 non-exempt                       2010 non-exempt
                Species                   Apportionments by season/        Area/component         AFA CV catch to        2010 TAC       AFA CV sideboard
                                                    gear                                           1995-1997 TAC                             limit
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock................................  A Season..................  Shumagin (610)............             0.6047              5,132              3,103
                                         January 20-March 10.......  Chirikof (620)............             0.1167              6,927                808
                                                                     Kodiak (630)..............             0.2028              3,972                806
                                         B Season..................  Shumagin (610)............             0.6047              5,131              3,103
                                         March 10-May 31...........  Chirikof (620)............             0.1167              8,591              1,003
                                                                     Kodiak (630)..............             0.2028              2,308                468
                                         C Season..................  Shumagin (610)............             0.6047              6,968              4,214
                                         August 25-October 1.......  Chirikof (620)............             0.1167              3,428                400
                                                                     Kodiak (630)..............             0.2028              5,634              1,143
                                         D Season..................  Shumagin (610)............             0.6047              6,968              4,214
                                         October 1-November 1......  Chirikof (620)............             0.1167              3,428                400
                                                                     Kodiak (630)..............             0.2028              5,634              1,143
                                         Annual....................  WYK (640).................             0.3495              1,929                674
                                                                     SEO (650).................             0.3495              8,280              2,894
Pacific cod............................  A Season \1\..............  W inshore.................             0.1365             12,557              1,714
                                         January 1-June 10.........  W offshore................             0.1026              1,395                143
                                                                     C inshore.................             0.0689             18,352              1,264
                                                                     C offshore................             0.0721              2,039                147
                                         B Season \2\..............  W inshore.................             0.1365              8,371              1,143
                                         September 1-December 31...  W offshore................             0.1026                930                 95
                                                                     C inshore.................             0.0689             12,235                843
                                                                     C offshore................             0.0721              1,359                 98
                                         Annual....................  E inshore.................             0.0079              2,576                 20
                                                                     E offshore................             0.0078                286                  2
Flatfish, deep-water...................  Annual....................  W.........................             0.0000                747                  0
                                                                     C.........................             0.0647              7,405                479
                                                                     E.........................             0.0128              1,641                 21
Rex sole...............................  Annual....................  W.........................             0.0007                988                  1
                                                                     C.........................             0.0384              6,506                250
                                                                     E.........................             0.0029              1,333                  4
Flathead sole..........................  Annual....................  W.........................             0.0036              2,000                  7
                                                                     C.........................             0.0213              5,000                107
                                                                     E.........................             0.0009              4,289                  4
Flatfish, shallow-water................  Annual....................  W.........................             0.0156              4,500                 70
                                                                     C.........................             0.0587             13,000                763
                                                                     E.........................             0.0126              4,756                 60
Arrowtooth flounder....................  Annual....................  W.........................             0.0021              8,000                 17
                                                                     C.........................             0.0280             30,000                840
                                                                     E.........................             0.0002              5,000                  1
Sablefish..............................  Annual, trawl gear........  W.........................             0.0000                305                  0
                                                                     C.........................             0.0642                925                 59
                                                                     E.........................             0.0433                209                  9
Pacific ocean perch....................  Annual....................  W.........................             0.0023              3,710                  9
                                                                     C.........................             0.0748              8,239                616
                                                                     E.........................             0.0466              3,149                147
Shortraker rockfish....................  Annual....................  W.........................             0.0000                120                  0
                                                                     C.........................             0.0218                315                  7
                                                                     E.........................             0.0110                463                  5
Rougheye rockfish......................  Annual....................  W.........................             0.0000                126                  0
                                                                     C.........................             0.0237                842                 20
                                                                     E.........................             0.0124                329                  4
Other rockfish.........................  Annual....................  W.........................             0.0034                357                  1
                                                                     C.........................             0.1699                569                 97
                                                                     E.........................             0.0000                804                  0
Northern rockfish......................  Annual....................  W.........................             0.0003              1,965                  1
                                                                     C.........................             0.0277              2,208                 61
Pelagic shelf rockfish.................  Annual....................  W.........................             0.0001                765                  0
                                                                     C.........................             0.0000              3,179                  0
                                                                     E.........................             0.0067                521                  3
Thornyhead rockfish....................  Annual....................  W.........................             0.0280                267                  7
                                                                     C.........................             0.0280                860                 24
                                                                     E.........................             0.0280                783                 22
Big skates.............................  Annual....................  W.........................             0.0063                632                  4
                                                                     C.........................             0.0063              2,065                 13
                                                                     E.........................             0.0063                633                  4
Longnose skates........................  Annual....................  W.........................             0.0063                 78                  0

[[Page 7350]]

 
                                                                     C.........................             0.0063              2,041                 13
                                                                     E.........................             0.0063                768                  5
Other skates...........................  Annual....................  Gulfwide..................             0.0063              2,104                 13
Demersal shelf rockfish................  Annual....................  SEO.......................             0.0020                362                  1
Atka mackerel..........................  Annual....................  Gulfwide..................             0.0309              2,000                 62
Other species..........................  Annual....................  Gulfwide..................             0.0063              4,500                 28
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.

    The PSC sideboard limits for non-exempt AFA catcher vessels in the 
GOA are based on the aggregate retained groundfish catch by non-exempt 
AFA catcher vessels in each PSC target category from 1995 through 1997 
divided by the retained catch of all vessels in that fishery from 1995 
through 1997 (Sec.  679.64(b)(4)). Table 17 lists the final 2009 and 
2010 non-exempt AFA catcher vessel halibut PSC limits for vessels using 
trawl gear in the GOA.

 Table 17--Final 2009 and 2010 Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel Halibut Prohibited Species Catch
                              (PSC) Limits for Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the GOA
                                           [Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Ratio of 1995-1997
                                                       non-exempt AFA CV                      2009 and 2010 non-
    Seasonal           Season        Target fishery    retained catch to   2009 and 2010 PSC   exempt AFA CV PSC
    allowance                                           total retained           limit               limit
                                                             catch
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...............  January 20-April  shallow-water...               0.340                 450                 153
                   1.
2...............  April 1-July 1..  deep-water......               0.070                 100                   7
                                    shallow-water...               0.340                 100                  34
3...............  July 1-September  deep-water......               0.070                 300                  21
                   1.
                                    shallow-water...               0.340                 200                  68
4...............  September 1-      deep-water......               0.070                 400                  28
                   October 1.
                                    shallow-water...               0.340                 150                  51
5...............  October 1-        deep-water \1\..               0.070                   0                   0
                   December 31.
                                    all targets.....               0.205                 300                  61
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ There is no apportionment of halibut PSC to the deep-water targets in September. However any unused
  apportionment to the deep-water targets from earlier in the fishing year may be used to support the deep-water
  targets in September.

Non-AFA Crab Vessel Groundfish Harvest Limitations

    Section 680.22 establishes groundfish catch limits for vessels with 
a history of participation in the Bering Sea snow crab fishery from 
using the increased flexibility provided by the Crab Rationalization 
Program to expand their level of participation in the GOA groundfish 
fisheries. These sideboard limits restrict these vessels' catch to 
their collective historical landings in each GOA groundfish fishery 
(except the fixed-gear sablefish fishery). Sideboard limits also will 
apply to catch made using a License Limitation Program (LLP) license 
derived from the history of a restricted vessel, even if that LLP 
license is used on another vessel.
    Sideboard limits for non-AFA crab vessels in the GOA are based on 
their traditional harvest levels of TAC in groundfish fisheries covered 
by the GOA FMP. Sections 680.22(d) and (e) base the groundfish 
sideboard limitations in the GOA on the retained catch by non-AFA crab 
vessels of each sideboard species from 1996 through 2000 divided by the 
total retained harvest of that species over the same period. The 2009 
and 2010 final GOA non-AFA crab vessel groundfish harvest sideboard 
limits are listed in Tables 18 and 19. All targeted or incidental catch 
of sideboard species made by non-AFA crab vessels will be deducted from 
the sideboard limits in Tables 18 and 19.
    Vessels exempt from Pacific cod sideboards are those that landed 
less than 45,359 kilograms of Bering Sea snow crab and more than 500 mt 
of groundfish (in round weight equivalents) from the GOA between 
January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2000, and any vessel named on an LLP 
that was generated in whole or in part by the fishing history of a 
vessel meeting the criteria in Sec.  680.22(a)(3).

[[Page 7351]]



                           Table 18--Final 2009 GOA Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessel Groundfish Harvest Sideboard Limits
                                                       [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                              Ratio of 1996-2000
                                                                                                 non-AFA crab                          2009 non-AFA crab
                Species                        Season/gear               Area/component         vessel catch to        2009 TAC        vessel sideboard
                                                                                                1996-2000 total                              limit
                                                                                                    harvest
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock...............................  A Season.................  Shumagin (610)...........              0.0098               3,234                  32
                                        January 20-March 10......  Chirikof (620)...........              0.0031               4,365                  14
                                                                   Kodiak (630).............              0.0002               2,503                   1
                                        B Season.................  Shumagin (610)...........              0.0098               3,233                  32
                                        March 10-May 31..........  Chirikof (620)...........              0.0031               5,413                  17
                                                                   Kodiak (630).............              0.0002               1,455                   0
                                        C Season.................  Shumagin (610)...........              0.0098               4,391                  43
                                        August 25-October 1......  Chirikof (620)...........              0.0031               2,160                   7
                                                                   Kodiak (630).............              0.0002               3,550                   1
                                        D Season.................  Shumagin (610)...........              0.0098               4,391                  43
                                        October 1-November 1.....  Chirikof (620)...........              0.0031               2,160                   7
                                                                   Kodiak (630).............              0.0002               3,550                   1
                                        Annual...................  WYK (640)................              0.0000               1,215                   0
                                                                   SEO (650)................              0.0000               8,280                   0
Pacific cod...........................  A Season \1\.............  W inshore................              0.0902               8,735                 788
                                        January 1-June 10........  W offshore...............              0.2046                 970                 198
                                                                   C inshore................              0.0383              12,767                 489
                                                                   C offshore...............              0.2074               1,418                 294
                                        B Season \2\.............  W inshore................              0.0902               5,823                 525
                                        September 1-December 31..  W offshore...............              0.2046                 647                 132
                                                                   C inshore................              0.0383               8,510                 326
                                                                   C offshore...............              0.2074                 946                 196
                                        Annual...................  E inshore................              0.0110               1,792                  20
                                                                   E offshore...............              0.0000                 199                   0
Flatfish deep-water...................  Annual...................  W........................              0.0035                 706                   2
                                                                   C........................              0.0000               6,927                   0
                                                                   E........................              0.0000               1,535                   0
Rex sole..............................  Annual...................  W........................              0.0000               1,007                   0
                                                                   C........................              0.0000               6,630                   0
                                                                   E........................              0.0000               1,359                   0
Flathead sole.........................  Annual...................  W........................              0.0002               2,000                   0
                                                                   C........................              0.0004               5,000                   2
                                                                   E........................              0.0000               4,181                   0
Flatfish shallow-water................  Annual...................  W........................              0.0059               4,500                  27
                                                                   C........................              0.0001              13,000                   1
                                                                   E........................              0.0000               4,756                   0
Arrowtooth flounder...................  Annual...................  W........................              0.0004               8,000                   3
                                                                   C........................              0.0001              30,000                   3
                                                                   E........................              0.0000               5,000                   0
Sablefish.............................  Annual, trawl gear.......  W........................              0.0000                 328                   0
                                                                   C........................              0.0000                 998                   0
                                                                   E........................              0.0000                 227                   0
Pacific ocean perch...................  Annual...................  W........................              0.0000               3,713                   0
                                                                   C........................              0.0000               8,246                   0
                                                                   E........................              0.0000               3,152                   0
Shortraker rockfish...................  Annual...................  W........................              0.0013                 120                   0
                                                                   C........................              0.0012                 315                   0
                                                                   E........................              0.0009                 463                   0
Rougheye rockfish.....................  Annual...................  W........................              0.0067                 125                   1
                                                                   C........................              0.0047                 833                   4
                                                                   E........................              0.0008                 326                   0
Other rockfish........................  Annual...................  W........................              0.0035                 357                   1
                                                                   C........................              0.0033                 569                   2
                                                                   E........................              0.0000                 804                   0
Northern rockfish.....................  Annual...................  W........................              0.0005               2,054                   1
                                                                   C........................              0.0000               2,308                   0
Pelagic shelf rockfish................  Annual...................  W........................              0.0017                 819                   1
                                                                   C........................              0.0000               3,404                   0
                                                                   E........................              0.0000                 558                   0
Thornyhead rockfish...................  Annual...................  W........................              0.0047                 267                   1
                                                                   C........................              0.0066                 860                   6
                                                                   E........................              0.0045                 783                   4
Big skate.............................  Annual...................  W........................              0.0392                 632                  25
                                                                   C........................              0.0159               2,065                  33
                                                                   E........................              0.0000                 633                   0
Longnose skate........................  Annual...................  W........................              0.0392                  78                   3
                                                                   C........................              0.0159               2,041                  32

[[Page 7352]]

 
                                                                   E........................              0.0000                 768                   0
Other skates..........................  Annual...................  Gulfwide.................              0.0176               2,104                  37
Demersal shelf rockfish...............  Annual...................  SEO......................              0.0000                 362                   0
Atka mackerel.........................  Annual...................  Gulfwide.................              0.0000               2,000                   0
Other species.........................  Annual...................  Gulfwide.................              0.0176               4,500                  79
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.


                           Table 19--Final 2010 GOA Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessel Groundfish Harvest Sideboard Limits
                                                       [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                              Ratio of 1996-2000
                                                                                                 non-AFA crab                          2010 non-AFA crab
                Species                        Season/gear               Area/component         vessel catch to        2010 TAC        vessel sideboard
                                                                                                1996-2000 total                              limit
                                                                                                    harvest
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock...............................  A Season.................  Shumagin (610)...........              0.0098               5,132                  50
                                        January 20-March 10......  Chirikof (620)...........              0.0031               6,927                  21
                                                                   Kodiak (630).............              0.0002               3,972                   1
                                        B Season.................  Shumagin (610)...........              0.0098               5,131                  50
                                        March 10-May 31..........  Chirikof (620)...........              0.0031               8,591                  27
                                                                   Kodiak (630).............              0.0002               2,308                   0
                                        C Season.................  Shumagin (610)...........              0.0098               6,968                  68
                                        August 25-October 1......  Chirikof (620)...........              0.0031               3,428                  11
                                                                   Kodiak (630).............              0.0002               5,634                   1
                                        D Season.................  Shumagin (610)...........              0.0098               6,968                  68
                                        October 1-November 1.....  Chirikof (620)...........              0.0031               3,428                  11
                                                                   Kodiak (630).............              0.0002               5,634                   1
                                        Annual...................  WYK (640)................              0.0000               1,929                   0
                                                                   SEO (650)................              0.0000               8,280                   0
Pacific cod...........................  A Season \1\.............  W inshore................              0.0902              12,557               1,133
                                        January 1-June 10........  W offshore...............              0.2046               1,395                 285
                                                                   C inshore................              0.0383              18,352                 703
                                                                   C offshore...............              0.2074               2,039                 423
                                        B Season \2\.............  W inshore................              0.0902               8,371                 755
                                        September 1-December 31..  W offshore...............              0.2046                 930                 190
                                                                   C inshore................              0.0383              12,235                 469
                                                                   C offshore...............              0.2074               1,359                 282
                                        Annual...................  E inshore................              0.0110               2,576                  28
                                                                   E offshore...............              0.0000                 286                   0
Flatfish deep-water...................  Annual...................  W........................              0.0035                 747                   3
                                                                   C........................              0.0000               7,405                   0
                                                                   E........................              0.0000               1,641                   0
Rex sole..............................  Annual...................  W........................              0.0000                 988                   0
                                                                   C........................              0.0000               6,506                   0
                                                                   E........................              0.0000               1,333                   0
Flathead sole.........................  Annual...................  W........................              0.0002               2,000                   0
                                                                   C........................              0.0004               5,000                   2
                                                                   E........................              0.0000               4,289                   0
Flatfish shallow-water................  Annual...................  W........................              0.0059               4,500                  27
                                                                   C........................              0.0001              13,000                   1
                                                                   E........................              0.0000               4,756                   0
Arrowtooth flounder...................  Annual...................  W........................              0.0004               8,000                   3
                                                                   C........................              0.0001              30,000                   3
                                                                   E........................              0.0000               5,000                   0
Sablefish.............................  Annual, trawl gear.......  W........................              0.0000                 305                   0
                                                                   C........................              0.0000                 925                   0
                                                                   E........................              0.0000                 209                   0
Pacific ocean perch...................  Annual...................  W........................              0.0000               3,710                   0
                                                                   C........................              0.0000               8,239                   0
                                                                   E........................              0.0000               3,149                   0
Shortraker rockfish...................  Annual...................  W........................              0.0013                 120                   0
                                                                   C........................              0.0012                 315                   0
                                                                   E........................              0.0009                 463                   0
Rougheye rockfish.....................  Annual...................  W........................              0.0067                 126                   1

[[Page 7353]]

 
                                                                   C........................              0.0047                 842                   4
                                                                   E........................              0.0008                 329                   0
Other rockfish........................  Annual...................  W........................              0.0035                 357                   1
                                                                   C........................              0.0033                 569                   2
                                                                   E........................              0.0000                 804                   0
Northern rockfish.....................  Annual...................  W........................              0.0005               1,965                   1
                                                                   C........................              0.0000               2,208                   0
Pelagic shelf rockfish................  Annual...................  W........................              0.0017                 765                   1
                                                                   C........................              0.0000               3,179                   0
                                                                   E........................              0.0000                 521                   0
Thornyhead rockfish...................  Annual...................  W........................              0.0047                 267                   1
                                                                   C........................              0.0066                 860                   6
                                                                   E........................              0.0045                 783                   4
Big skate.............................  Annual...................  W........................              0.0392                 632                  25
                                                                   C........................              0.0159               2,065                  33
                                                                   E........................              0.0000                 633                   0
Longnose skate........................  Annual...................  W........................              0.0392                  78                   3
                                                                   C........................              0.0159               2,041                  32
                                                                   E........................              0.0000                 768                   0
Other skates..........................  Annual...................  Gulfwide.................              0.0176               2,104                  37
Demersal shelf rockfish...............  Annual...................  SEO......................              0.0000                 362                   0
Atka mackerel.........................  Annual...................  Gulfwide.................              0.0000               2,000                   0
Other species.........................  Annual...................  Gulfwide.................              0.0176               4,500                 79
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.

Rockfish Program Groundfish Sideboard Limitations and Halibut Mortality 
Limitations

    Section 679.82(d)(7) establishes sideboards to limit the ability of 
participants eligible for the Rockfish Program to harvest fish in 
fisheries other than the Central GOA rockfish fisheries. The Rockfish 
Program provides certain economic advantages to harvesters. Harvesters 
could use this economic advantage to increase their participation in 
other fisheries, adversely affecting the participants in other 
fisheries. The final sideboards for 2009 and 2010 limit the total 
amount of catch that could be taken by eligible harvesters and limit 
the amount of halibut mortality to historic levels. The sideboard 
measures are in effect only during the month of July. Traditionally, 
the Central GOA rockfish fisheries opened in July. The sideboards are 
designed to restrict fishing during the historical season for the 
fishery, but allow eligible rockfish harvesters to participate in 
fisheries before or after the historical rockfish season. The sideboard 
provisions are discussed in detail in the proposed rule (71 FR 33040, 
June 7, 2006) and final rule (71 FR 67210, November 20, 2006 and 72 FR 
37678, July 11, 2007) for the Rockfish Program. Tables 20 and 21 list 
the final 2009 and 2010 Rockfish Program harvest limits in the WYK 
District and the Western GOA. Table 22 lists the final 2009 and 2010 
Rockfish Program halibut mortality limits for catcher/processors and 
catcher vessels.

 Table 20--Final 2009 Rockfish Program Harvest Limits by Sector for West Yakutat District and Western Regulatory
                       Area by the Catcher/Processor (CP) and Catcher Vessel (CV) Sectors
                                   [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  CP sector    CV sector                  2009  CP     2009  CV
       Management area              Fishery       (% of TAC)   (% of TAC)    2009 TAC      limit        limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
West Yakutat District........  Pelagic shelf            72.4          1.7          234          169            4
                                rockfish.
                               Pacific ocean            76.0          2.9        1,108          842           32
                                perch.
Western Regulatory Area......  Pelagic shelf            63.3          0.0          819          518            0
                                rockfish.
                               Pacific ocean            61.1          0.0        3,713        2,269            0
                                perch.
                               Northern                 78.9          0.0        2,054        1,621            0
                                rockfish.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


 Table 21--Final 2010 Rockfish Program Harvest Limits by Sector for West Yakutat District and Western Regulatory
                       Area by the Catcher/Processor (CP) and Catcher Vessel (CV) Sectors
                                   [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  CP sector    CV sector                  2010  CP     2010  CV
       Management area              Fishery       (% of TAC)   (% of TAC)    2010 TAC      limit        limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
West Yakutat District........  Pelagic shelf            72.4          1.7          219          159            4
                                rockfish.

[[Page 7354]]

 
                               Pacific ocean            76.0          2.9        1,107          841           32
                                perch.
Western Regulatory Area......  Pelagic shelf            63.3          0.0          765          484            0
                                rockfish.
                               Pacific ocean            61.1          0.0        3,710        2,267            0
                                perch.
                               Northern                 78.9          0.0        1,965        1,550            0
                                rockfish.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


              Table 22--Final 2009 and 2010 Rockfish Program Halibut Mortality Limits for the Catcher/Processor and Catcher Vessel Sectors
                                                       [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                    Annual shallow-
                                                         Shallow-water    Deep-water complex    Annual halibut       water complex     Annual deep-water
                       Sector                           complex halibut       halibut PSC       mortality limit       halibut PSC       complex halibut
                                                         PSC sideboard      sideboard ratio          (mt)           sideboard limit      PSC sideboard
                                                      ratio (in percent)     (in percent)                                (mt)             limit (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher/processor...................................                0.54                3.99               2,000                  11                  80
Catcher vessel......................................                6.32                1.08               2,000                 126                  22
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gulf of Alaska Amendment 80 Vessel Groundfish Harvest and PSC Limits

    Amendment 80 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, hereinafter referred 
to as the ``Amendment 80 Program,'' established a limited access 
privilege program for the non-AFA trawl catcher processor sector. In 
order to limit the ability of participants eligible for the Amendment 
80 Program to expand their harvest efforts in the GOA, the Amendment 80 
Program established groundfish and halibut PSC catch limits for 
Amendment 80 Program participants in the GOA.
    Section 679.92 establishes groundfish harvesting sideboard limits 
on all Amendment 80 Program vessels, other than the F/V GOLDEN FLEECE, 
to amounts no greater than the limits shown in Table 37 to part 679. 
Sideboard limits in the GOA are for pollock in the Western and Central 
Regulatory Areas and in the WYK District, for Pacific cod gulfwide, for 
Pacific ocean perch and pelagic shelf rockfish in the Western 
Regulatory Area and WYK District, and for northern rockfish in the 
Western Regulatory Area. The harvest of Pacific ocean perch, pelagic 
shelf rockfish, and northern rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area of 
the GOA is subject to regulation under the Central GOA Rockfish 
Program. Amendment 80 Program vessels not qualified under the Rockfish 
Program are excluded from directed fishing for these rockfish species 
in the Central GOA. Under regulations, the F/V GOLDEN FLEECE is 
prohibited from directed fishing for pollock, Pacific cod, Pacific 
ocean perch, pelagic shelf rockfish, and northern rockfish in the GOA. 
These sideboard limits are necessary to protect the interests of 
fishermen who do not directly benefit from Amendment 80 from expansion 
into their fisheries by the Amendment 80 Program participants.
    Groundfish sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels 
operating in the GOA are based on their average aggregate harvests from 
1998 to 2004. Tables 23 and 24 list the final 2009 and 2010 sideboard 
limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels, respectively. All targeted or 
incidental catch of sideboard species made by Amendment 80 Program 
vessels will be deducted from the sideboard limits in Tables 23 and 24.

                                  Table 23--Final 2009 GOA Groundfish Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels
                                                       [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                   Ratio of
                                                                                                 amendment 80                          2009 amendment 80
                Species                     Apportionments and                Area              program sector      2009 TAC  (mt)      program vessel
                                          allocations by season                                vessels 1998-2004                       sideboard limits
                                                                                                 catch to TAC                                (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock...............................  A Season.................  Shumagin (610)...........               0.003               3,234                  10
                                        January 20-February 25...  Chirikof (620)...........               0.002               4,365                   9
                                                                   Kodiak (630).............               0.002               2,503                   5
                                        B Season.................  Shumagin (610)...........               0.003               3,233                  10
                                        March 10-May 31..........  Chirikof (620)...........               0.002               5,413                  11
                                                                   Kodiak (630).............               0.002               1,455                   3
                                        C Season.................  Shumagin (610)...........               0.003               4,391                  13
                                        August 25-September 15...  Chirikof (620)...........               0.002               2,160                   4
                                                                   Kodiak (630).............               0.002               3,550                   7
                                        D Season.................  Shumagin (610)...........               0.003               4,391                  13
                                        October 1-November 1.....  Chirikof (620)...........               0.002               2,160                   4
                                                                   Kodiak (630).............               0.002               3,550                   7

[[Page 7355]]

 
                                        Annual...................  WYK (640)................               0.002               1,215                   2
Pacific cod...........................  A Season \1\.............  W........................               0.020               9,705                 194
                                        January 1-June 10........  C........................               0.044              14,185                 624
                                        B Season \2\.............  W........................               0.020               6,470                 129
                                        September 1-December 31..  C........................               0.044               9,456                 416
                                        Annual...................  WYK......................               0.034               1,991                  68
Pacific ocean perch...................  Annual...................  W........................               0.994               3,713               3,691
                                                                   WYK......................               0.961               1,108               1,065
Northern rockfish.....................  Annual...................  W........................               1.000               2,054               2,054
                                                                   W........................               0.764                 819                 626
Pelagic shelf rockfish................  Annual...................  WYK......................               0.896                 234                 210
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.


                                  Table 24--Final 2010 GOA Groundfish Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels
                                                       [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                              Ratio of Amendment                       2010 Amendment 80
                                            Apportionments and                                 80 Program sector                        Program vessel
                Species                   allocations by season               Area             vessels 1998-2004     2010 TAC (mt)     sideboard limits
                                                                                                 catch to TAC                                (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock...............................  A Season.................  Shumagin (610)...........               0.003               5,132                  15
                                        January 20-February 25...  Chirikof (620)...........               0.002               6,927                  14
                                                                   Kodiak (630).............               0.002               3,972                   8
                                        B Season.................  Shumagin (610)...........               0.003               5,131                  15
                                        March 10-May 31..........  Chirikof (620)...........               0.002               8,591                  17
                                                                   Kodiak (630).............               0.002               2,308                   5
                                        C Season.................  Shumagin (610)...........               0.003               6,968                  21
                                        August 25-September 15...  Chirikof (620)...........               0.002               3,428                   7
                                                                   Kodiak (630).............               0.002               5,634                  11
                                        D Season.................  Shumagin (610)...........               0.003               6,968                  21
                                        October 1-November 1.....  Chirikof (620)...........               0.002               3,428                   7
                                                                   Kodiak (630).............               0.002               5,634                  11
                                        Annual...................  WYK (640)................               0.002               1,929                   4
Pacific cod...........................  A Season \1\.............  W........................               0.020              13,952                 279
                                        January 1-June 10........  C........................               0.044              20,392                 897
                                        B Season \2\.............  W........................               0.020               9,302                 186
                                        September 1-December 31..  C........................               0.044              13,594                 598
                                        Annual...................  WYK......................               0.034               2,862                  97
Pacific ocean perch...................  Annual...................  W........................               0.994               3,710               3,688
                                                                   WYK......................               0.961               1,107               1,064
Northern rockfish.....................  Annual...................  W........................               1.000               1,965               1,965
Pelagic shelf rockfish................  Annual...................  W........................               0.764                 765                 584
                                                                   WYK......................               0.896                 219                 196
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.

    The PSC sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels in the 
GOA are based on the historic use of halibut PSC by Amendment 80 
Program vessels in each PSC target category from 1998 through 2004 
(Table 38 to 50 CFR part 679). These values are slightly lower than the 
average historic use to accommodate two factors: allocation of halibut 
PSC Cooperative Quotas (CQs) under the Central GOA Rockfish Program and 
the exemption of the F/V GOLDEN FLEECE from this restriction. Table 25 
lists the final 2009 and 2010 halibut PSC limits for Amendment 80 
Program vessels.

[[Page 7356]]



 Table 25--Final 2009 and 2010 Halibut Prohibited Species Catch (PSC) Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels in
                                                     the GOA
                                   [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Historic Amendment                         2009 and 2010
    Seasonal                                           80 Program use of     2009 and 2010       Amendment 80
    allowance          Season        Target fishery   the annual halibut   annual PSC limit   Program vessel PSC
                                                        PSC limit catch          (mt)             limit (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...............  January 20-April  shallow-water...              0.0048               2,000                  10
                   1.
                                    deep-water......              0.0115               2,000                  23
2...............  April 1-July 1..  shallow-water...              0.0189               2,000                  38
                                    deep-water......              0.1072               2,000                 214
3...............  July 1-September  shallow-water...              0.0146               2,000                  29
                   1.
                                    deep-water......              0.0521               2,000                 104
4...............  September 1-      shallow-water...              0.0074               2,000                  15
                   October 1.
                                    deep-water......              0.0014               2,000                   3
5...............  October 1-        shallow-water...              0.0227               2,000                  45
                   December 31.
                                    deep-water......              0.0371               2,000                  74
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Directed Fishing Closures

    Pursuant to Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), if the Regional Administrator 
determines (1) that any allocation or apportionment of a target species 
or ``other species'' category allocated or apportioned to a fishery 
will be reached; or (2) with respect to pollock and Pacific cod, that 
an allocation or apportionment to an inshore or offshore component 
allocation will be reached, the Regional Administrator may establish a 
directed fishing allowance (DFA) for that species or species group. If 
the Regional Administrator establishes a DFA and that allowance is or 
will be reached before the end of the fishing year, NMFS will prohibit 
directed fishing for that species or species group in the specified GOA 
regulatory area or district Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii)).
    The Regional Administrator has determined that the following TAC 
amounts in Table 26 are necessary as incidental catch to support other 
anticipated groundfish fisheries for the 2009 and 2010 fishing years.

      Table 26--2009 and 2010 Directed Fishing Closures in the GOA
 [Amounts for incidental catch in other directed fisheries are in metric
                                  tons]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Area/component/     Incidental catch
             Target                     gear                amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel..................  all...............                2,000
Thornyhead rockfish............  all...............                1,910
Shortraker rockfish............  all...............                  898
Rougheye rockfish..............  all...............         1,284 (2009)
                                                            1,297 (2010)
Other rockfish.................  all...............                1,730
Sablefish......................  all/trawl.........         1,553 (2009)
                                                            1,439 (2010)
Big skates.....................  all...............                3,300
Longnose skates................  all...............                2,887
Other skates...................  all...............                2,104
Pollock........................  all/offshore......          unknown \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Pollock is closed to directed fishing in the GOA by the offshore
  component under Sec.   679.20(a)(6)(i).

    Consequently, in accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the 
Regional Administrator establishes the DFA for the species or species 
groups listed in Table 26 as zero. Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  
679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for those 
species, areas, gear types, and components in the GOA listed in Table 
26. These closures will remain in effect through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., 
December 31, 2010.
    Section 679.64(b)(5) provides for management of AFA catcher vessel 
groundfish harvest limits and PSC bycatch limits using directed fishing 
closures and PSC closures according to procedures set out at Sec.  
679.20(d)(1)(iv), 679.21(d)(8), and 679.21(e)(3)(v). The Regional 
Administrator has determined that, in addition to the closures listed 
above, many of the non-exempt AFA catcher vessel sideboard limits 
listed in Tables 15 and 16 are necessary as incidental catch to support 
other anticipated groundfish fisheries for the 2009 and 2010 fishing 
years. In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iv), the Regional 
Administrator sets the DFAs for the species and species groups in Table 
27 at zero. Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS 
is prohibiting directed fishing by non-exempt AFA catcher vessels in 
the GOA for the species and specified areas set out in Table 27. These 
closures will remain in effect through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 
2010.

[[Page 7357]]



 Table 27--2009 and 2010 Non-Exempt AFA Catcher Vessel Sideboard Directed Fishing Closures for All Gear Types in
                                                     the GOA
                  [Amounts for incidental catch in other directed fisheries are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Regulatory area/
             Species                     district                        Incidental catch amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod......................  Eastern.............  14 (inshore) and 2 (offshore) in 2009.
                                                         20 (inshore) and 2 (offshore) in 2010.
Deep-water flatfish..............  Western.............  0.
Rex sole.........................  Eastern and Western.  4 and 1.
Flathead sole....................  Eastern and Western.  4 and 7.
Arrowtooth flounder..............  Eastern and Western.  1 and 17.
Pacific ocean perch..............  Western.............  9.
Northern rockfish................  Western.............  1.
Pelagic shelf rockfish...........  Entire GOA..........  0 (W), 0 (C), 4 (E) in 2009.
                                                         0 (W), 0 (C), 3 (E) in 2010.
Demersal shelf rockfish..........  SEO District........  1.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 680.22 provides for the management of non-AFA crab vessel 
groundfish harvest limits using directed fishing closures in accordance 
with Sec.  680.22(e)(2) and (3). The Regional Administrator has 
determined that the non-AFA crab vessel sideboards listed in Tables 18 
and 19 are insufficient to support a directed fishery and set the 
sideboard DFA at zero, with the exception of Pacific cod in the Western 
and Central Regulatory Areas. Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  
680.22(e)(3), NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing by non-AFA crab 
vessels in the GOA for all species and species groups listed in Tables 
18 and 19, with the exception of Pacific cod in the Western and Central 
Regulatory Areas.
    Section 679.82 provides for the management of Rockfish Program 
sideboard limits using directed fishing closures in accordance with 
Sec.  679.82(d)(7)(i) and (ii). The Regional Administrator has 
determined that the catcher vessel sideboards listed in Tables 20 and 
21 are insufficient to support a directed fishery and set the sideboard 
DFA at zero. Therefore, NMFS is closing directed fishing for pelagic 
shelf rockfish and Pacific ocean perch in the WYK District and the 
Western Regulatory Area and for northern rockfish in the Western 
Regulatory Area by catcher vessels participating in the Central GOA 
Rockfish Program during the month of July in 2009 and 2010. These 
closures will remain in effect through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 
2010.
    NMFS adjusted the 2009 TAC amounts for the GOA pollock and Pacific 
cod fisheries on January 5, 2009 (74 FR 233) because NMFS determined 
these TACs were incorrectly specified in the 2008 and 2009 GOA harvest 
specifications published February 27, 2008 (73 FR 10562). This 
adjustment will ensure the GOA pollock and Pacific cod TACs do not 
exceed the appropriate amounts, based on the best available scientific 
information for pollock and Pacific cod in the GOA. Closures 
implemented under the 2008 and 2009 Gulf of Alaska harvest 
specifications for groundfish (73 FR 10562, February 27, 2008) remain 
effective under authority of these final 2009 and 2010 harvest 
specifications, and are posted at the following Web sites: http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/index/infobulletins/infobulletins.asp?Yr=2009, and http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/2009/status.htm. While these closures are in effect, the maximum 
retainable amounts at Sec.  679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during 
a fishing trip. These closures to directed fishing are in addition to 
closures and prohibitions found in regulations at 50 CFR part 679. NMFS 
may implement other closures during the 2009 and 2010 fishing years as 
necessary for effective conservation and management.

Response to Comments

    NMFS received one letter of comment (three comments) in response to 
the proposed 2009 and 2010 harvest specifications. These comments are 
summarized and responded to below.
    Comment 1: NMFS administers the federal fisheries off Alaska for 
the benefit of a few Alaska fishermen, not for the benefit of the 
nation or all U.S. citizens.
    Response: NMFS manages the Gulf of Alaska groundfish fisheries on 
behalf of all United States citizens, as well as on behalf of the 
commercial fishing industry. Companies involved in this industry are 
based in various states, including Alaska. The individuals 
participating in these fisheries reside in other states besides Alaska. 
NMFS's primary objective in the harvest specifications process is the 
conservation and management of fish resources for the Nation as a 
whole. The annual harvest specifications process is a key element to 
ensuring that Alaska fisheries are sustainably managed in a controlled 
and orderly manner.
    Comment 2: Commercial fishing activities off of Alaska have an 
adverse and detrimental effect on marine mammals and other marine 
resources.
    Response: The EIS prepared for the Alaska groundfish fisheries 
identified a preferred harvest strategy for groundfish and concluded 
that the preferred harvest strategy, under existing regulations, would 
have no lasting adverse impacts on marine mammals and other marine 
life. Further, pursuant to the Endangered Species Act, NMFS consults to 
ensure that federal actions, including this one, do not jeopardize the 
continued existence of any endangered or threatened marine mammal 
species. Additional protections for marine mammals are provided under 
the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Any taking of a marine mammal, such 
as harassment or shooting, is a violation and a potentially 
prosecutable offense.
    Comment 3: Commercial fishing is killing off fish and other marine 
life to the point of extinction.
    Response: As previously mentioned, the harvest specifications 
process is intended to foster conservation and management of marine 
resources. This process incorporates the best available scientific 
information from the most recent stock assessment and fisheries 
evaluation reports prepared by multi-disciplinary teams of scientists. 
Such reports contain the most recent scientific information on the 
condition of various groundfish stocks, as well as the condition of 
other ecosystem components. None of the NMFS-managed groundfish species 
off Alaska is overfished or subject to overfishing. The Council and 
NMFS annually respond to new developments in the natural environment as 
part of the harvest specifications process.

[[Page 7358]]

Classification

    NMFS has determined that these final harvest specifications are 
consistent with the FMP and 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.
    NMFS prepared a Final EIS for the Alaska Groundfish Harvest 
Specifications and made it available to the public on January 12, 2007 
(72 FR 1512). On February 13, 2007, NMFS issued the Record of Decision 
(ROD) for the Final EIS. In January 2009, NMFS prepared a Supplemental 
Information Report (SIR) for this action. Copies of the Final EIS, ROD, 
and SIR for this action are available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES). The 
Final EIS analyzes the environmental consequences of the groundfish 
harvest specifications and alternative harvest strategies on resources 
in the action area. The SIR evaluates the need to prepare a 
Supplemental EIS (SEIS) for the 2009 and 2010 groundfish harvest 
specifications.
    A SEIS should be prepared if (1) the agency makes substantial 
changes in the proposed action that are relevant to environmental 
concerns, or (2) significant new circumstances or information exist 
relevant to environmental concerns and bearing on the proposed action 
or its impacts (40 CFR 1502.9(c)(1)). After reviewing the information 
contained in the SIR and SAFE reports, the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, has determined that (1) approval of the 2009 and 2010 harvest 
specifications, which were set according to the preferred harvest 
strategy in the Final EIS, do not constitute a change in the action; 
and (2) there are no significant new circumstances or information 
relevant to environmental concerns and bearing on the action or its 
impacts. Additionally, the 2009 and 2010 harvest specifications will 
result in environmental impacts within the scope of those analyzed and 
disclosed in the Final EIS. Therefore, supplemental National 
Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) documentation is not necessary to 
implement the 2009 and 2010 harvest specifications.
    The proposed harvest specifications were published in the Federal 
Register on December 2, 2008 (73 FR 73222). An Initial Regulatory 
Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) was prepared to evaluate the impacts on 
small entities of alternative harvest strategies for the groundfish 
fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska on small entities. 
The public comment period ended on January 2, 2009. No comments were 
received regarding the IRFA or the economic impacts of this action. A 
Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) was prepared that meets 
the statutory requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, 
as amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 
1996 (5 U.S.C. 601-612). Copies of the IRFA and FRFA prepared for this 
action are available from NMFS, Alaska Region (see ADDRESSES).
    Each year, NMFS promulgates a rule establishing the harvest 
specifications pursuant to the adopted harvest strategy. While the 
harvest specification numbers may change from year to year, the harvest 
strategy for establishing those numbers does not change. Therefore, the 
impacts discussed in the IRFA are essentially the same. NMFS considers 
the annual rulemakings establishing the harvest specification numbers 
to be a series of closely related rules stemming from the harvest 
strategy and representing one rule for purposes of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 605(c)). A summary of the FRFA follows.
    The action under consideration is a harvest strategy to govern the 
harvest of groundfish in the GOA. The preferred alternative is the 
status quo harvest strategy in which TACs fall within the range of ABCs 
recommended by the Council's harvest specifications process and TACs 
recommended by the Council. This action is taken in accordance with the 
FMP prepared by the Council pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    The directly regulated small entities include approximately 747 
small catcher vessels and fewer than 20 small catcher/processors. The 
entities directly regulated by this action are those that harvest 
groundfish in the EEZ of the GOA, and in parallel fisheries within 
State of Alaska waters. These include entities operating catcher 
vessels and catcher/processor vessels within the action area, and 
entities receiving direct allocations of groundfish. Catcher vessels 
and catcher/processors were considered to be small entities if they had 
annual gross receipts of $4 million per year or less from all economic 
activities, including the revenue of their affiliated operations. Data 
from 2005 were the most recent available to determine the number of 
small entities.
    Estimates of first wholesale gross revenues for the GOA were used 
as indices of the potential impacts of the alternative harvest 
strategies on small entities. An index of revenues was projected to 
decline under the preferred alternative due to declines in ABCs for key 
species in the GOA. The index of revenues declined by less than 4 
percent between 2007 and 2008 and by less than one percent between 2007 
and 2009.
    The preferred alternative (Alternative 2) was compared to four 
other alternatives. These included Alternative 1, which would have set 
TACs to generate fishing rates equal to the maximum permissible ABC (if 
the full TAC were harvested), unless the sum of TACs exceeded the GOA 
OY, in which case harvests would be limited to the OY. Alternative 3 
would have set TACs to produce fishing rates equal to the most recent 
five-year average fishing rate. Alternative 4 would have set TACs to 
equal the lower limit of the GOA OY range. Alternative 5 would have set 
TACs equal to zero. Alternative 5 is the (no action) alternative.
    Alternatives 3, 4, and 5 were all associated with smaller levels 
for important fishery TACs than Alternative 2. Estimated total first 
wholesale gross revenues were used as an index of potential adverse 
impacts to small entities. As a consequence of the lower TAC levels, 
Alternatives 3, 4, and 5 all had smaller of these first wholesale 
revenue indices than Alternative 2. Thus, Alternatives 3, 4, and 5 had 
greater adverse impacts on small entities. Alternative 1 appeared to 
generate higher values of the gross revenue index for fishing 
operations in the GOA than Alternative 2. A large part of the 
Alternative 1 GOA revenue appears to be due to the assumption that the 
full Alternative 1 TAC would be harvested. This increased revenue is 
due to increases in flatfish TACs that were much higher for Alternative 
1 than for Alternative 2. In recent years, halibut bycatch constraints 
in these fisheries have kept actual flatfish catches from reaching 
Alternative 1 levels. Therefore, a large part of the revenues 
associated with Alternative 1 is unlikely to occur. Also, Alternative 2 
TACs are constrained by the ABCs the Plan Teams and SSC are likely to 
recommend to the Council on the basis of a full consideration of 
biological issues. These ABCs are often less than Alternative 1's 
maximum permissible ABCs. Therefore higher TACs under Alternative 1 may 
not be consistent with prudent biological management of the resource. 
For these reasons, Alternative 2 is the preferred alternative.
    This action does not modify recordkeeping or reporting 
requirements, or duplicate, overlap, or conflict with any Federal 
rules.
    Adverse impacts on marine mammals resulting from fishing activities 
conducted under this rule are discussed in the Final EIS (see 
ADDRESSES).
    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Assistant Administrator for 
Fisheries,

[[Page 7359]]

NOAA, finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness for 
this rule. Plan Team review occurred in November 2008, and Council 
recommendations were not received until December 2008, so NMFS could 
not undertake review and development until January 2009. For all 
fisheries not currently closed because the TACs established under the 
2008 and 2009 final harvest specifications (73 FR 10562, February 27, 
2008) were not reached, the likely possibility exists that they will be 
closed prior to the expiration of a 30-day delayed effectiveness period 
because their TACs could be reached. Certain fisheries, such as those 
for pollock and Pacific cod are intensive, fast-paced fisheries. Other 
fisheries, such as those for flatfish, rockfish, and ``other species,'' 
are critical as directed fisheries and as incidental catch in other 
fisheries. U.S. fishing vessels have demonstrated the capacity to catch 
the TAC allocations in these fisheries. Any delay in allocating the 
final TACs in these fisheries would cause disruption to the industry 
and potential economic harm through unnecessary discards. Determining 
which fisheries may close is impossible because these fisheries are 
affected by several factors that cannot be predicted in advance, 
including fishing effort, weather, movement of fishery stocks, and 
market price. Furthermore, the closure of one fishery has a cascading 
effect on other fisheries by freeing-up fishing vessels, allowing them 
to move from closed fisheries to open ones, increasing the fishing 
capacity in those open fisheries and causing them to close at an 
accelerated pace.
    If the final harvest specifications are not effective by March 21, 
2009, which is the start of the 2009 Pacific halibut season as 
specified by the IPHC, the hook-and-line sablefish fishery will not 
begin concurrently with the Pacific halibut season. This would result 
in the needless discard of sablefish that are caught along with Pacific 
halibut as both hook-and-line sablefish and Pacific halibut are managed 
under the same IFQ program. Immediate effectiveness of the final 2009 
and 2010 harvest specifications will allow the sablefish fishery to 
begin concurrently with the Pacific halibut season. Also, the immediate 
effectiveness of this action is required to provide consistent 
management and conservation of fishery resources based on the best 
available scientific information, and to give the fishing industry the 
earliest possible opportunity to plan its fishing operations. Therefore 
NMFS finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness under 
5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).

Small Entity Compliance Guide

    The following information is a plain language guide to assist small 
entities in complying with this final rule as required by the Small 
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. This final rule's 
primary purpose is to announce the 2009 and 2010 final harvest 
specifications and prohibited species bycatch allowances for the 
groundfish fisheries of the GOA. This action is necessary to establish 
harvest limits and associated management measures for groundfish during 
the 2009 and 2010 fishing years and to accomplish the goals and 
objectives of the FMP. This action affects all fishermen who 
participate in the GOA fisheries. The specific amounts of OFL, ABC, 
TAC, and PSC are provided in tables to assist the reader. NMFS will 
announce closures of directed fishing in the Federal Register and 
information bulletins released by the Alaska Region. Affected fishermen 
should keep themselves informed of such closures.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1540(f), 1801 et 
seq.; 16 U.S.C. 3631 et seq.; Pub. L. 105-277; Pub. L. 106-31; Pub. 
L. 106-554; Pub. L. 108-199; Pub. L. 108-447; Pub. L. 109-241; Pub. 
L. 109-479.

    Dated: February 9, 2009.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
 [FR Doc. E9-3295 Filed 2-13-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P