[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 48 (Friday, March 12, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11749-11778]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-5472]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 0910131362-0087-02]
RIN 0648-XS43


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of 
Alaska; Final 2010 and 2011 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 final 2010 and 2011 harvest specifications, 
apportionments, and Pacific halibut prohibited species catch limits for 
the groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is 
necessary to establish harvest limits for groundfish during the 2010 
and 2011 fishing years and to accomplish the goals and objectives of 
the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Groundfish of the GOA. 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 (Magnuson-Stevens Act).

DATES: Effective at 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 12, 
2010, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the Final Alaska Groundfish Harvest 
Specifications Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Record of Decision 
(ROD), Supplementary Information Report (SIR) to the EIS, and Final 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) prepared for this action are 
available from http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. The final 2009 Stock 
Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) report for the groundfish 
resources of the GOA, dated November 2009, is available from the North 
Pacific Fishery Management Council's (the Council) Web site at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/npfmc.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Pearson, 907-481-1780, or Obren 
Davis, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the GOA 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 Act, 16 
U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Regulations governing U.S.

[[Page 11750]]

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 the total allowable catch 
(TAC) for each target species and for the ``other species'' category, 
the sum of which must be within the optimum yield (OY) range of 116,000 
to 800,000 metric tons (mt). Section 679.20(c)(1) further requires NMFS 
to publish and solicit public comment on proposed annual TACs, halibut 
prohibited species catch (PSC) amounts, and seasonal allowances of 
pollock and inshore/offshore Pacific cod. Upon consideration of public 
comment received under Sec.  679.20(c)(1), NMFS must publish notice of 
final specifications for up to two fishing years as annual target and 
``other species'' TAC, per Sec.  679.20(c)(3)(ii). The final 
specifications set forth in Tables 1 through 28 of this document 
reflect the outcome of this process, as required at 679.20(c).
    The proposed 2010 and 2011 harvest specifications for groundfish of 
the GOA and Pacific halibut PSC allowances were published in the 
Federal Register on November 30, 2009 (74 FR 62533). Comments were 
invited and accepted through December 30, 2009. NMFS received three 
letters of comment on the proposed specifications. The comments are 
summarized in the Response to Comments section of this action. In 
December 2009, NMFS consulted with the Council regarding the 2010 and 
2011 harvest specifications. After considering public comments 
received, as well as biological and economic data that were available 
at the Council's December 2009 meeting, NMFS is implementing the final 
2010 and 2011 harvest specifications, as recommended by the Council. 
For 2010, the sum of the TAC amounts is 292,087 mt. For 2011, the sum 
of the TAC amounts is 328,464 mt.

Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) and TAC Specifications

    In December 2009, 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 2009 SAFE report for the GOA groundfish 
fisheries, dated November 2009 (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 ABCs and TACs 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 to define OFL and ABC amounts, with tier one 
representing the highest level of information quality available and 
tier six representing the lowest level of information quality 
available. The SSC adopted the final 2010 and 2011 OFLs and ABCs 
recommended by the Plan Team for all groundfish species.
    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 SSC's OFL and ABC 
recommendations and the AP's TAC recommendations. The Council 
recommended TACs for 2010 and 2011 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 2010 and 2011 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 2010 and 2011 exceed the final ABC for any species or species 
category. The 2010 and 2011 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 EIS (see ADDRESSES). NMFS finds that the Council's 
recommended OFLs, ABCs, and TACs are consistent with the biological 
condition of the groundfish stocks as described in the 2009 SAFE report 
and approved by the Council. NMFS also finds that the Council's 
recommendations for OFLs, ABCs, and TACs 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 2010 and 2011 OFLs, ABCs, TACs, and 
area apportionments of groundfish in the GOA. The sums of the 2010 and 
2011 ABCs are 565,499 mt and 605,086 mt, respectively, which are higher 
in 2010 and 2011 than the 2009 ABC sum of 516,055 mt (74 FR 7333, 
February 17, 2009).

Specification and Apportionment of TAC Amounts

    As in prior years, the SSC and Council recommended that the method 
of apportioning the sablefish ABC among management areas in 2010 and 
2011 include commercial fishery and survey data. NMFS stock assessment 
scientists believe the use of unbiased commercial fishery data 
reflecting catch-per-unit-effort provides rational input for stock 
distribution assessments. NMFS annually evaluates the use of commercial 
fishery data 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 five 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 2010 
and 2011 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

[[Page 11751]]

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)(iv)(A), (B)).
    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 2010 and 2011 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 Plan 
Team, SSC, AP, and Council recommended that the sum of all State and 
Federal water Pacific cod removals from the GOA not exceed ABC 
recommendations. Accordingly, the Council recommended reducing the 2010 
and 2011 Pacific cod TACs from the ABCs in the Central and Western 
Regulatory Areas to account for State GHLs. Therefore, the 2010 Pacific 
cod TACs are less than the ABCs by the following amounts: (1) Eastern 
GOA, 356 mt; (2) Central GOA, 12,260 mt; and (3) Western GOA, 6,921 mt. 
The 2011 Pacific cod TACs are less than the ABCs by the following 
amounts: (1) Eastern GOA, 441 mt; (2) Central GOA, 15,174 mt; and (3) 
Western GOA, 8,566 mt. These amounts reflect the sum of the State's 
2010 and 2011 GHLs in these areas, which are 15 percent, 25 percent, 
and 25 percent of the Eastern, Central, and Western GOA ABCs, 
respectively. The percentage of the ABC used to calculate the 2010 and 
2011 GHL for the State-managed Pacific cod fishery in PWS fisheries has 
been increased from 10 percent in 2009 to 15 percent of the Eastern GOA 
ABC in 2010 and 2011.
    NMFS establishes 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 (Sec. Sec.  679.23(d)(3) and 679.20(a)(12)).
    NMFS establishes--for 2010 and 2011--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.

Other Actions Affecting the 2010 and 2011 Harvest Specifications

    The Council is developing an amendment to the FMP to comply with 
Magnuson-Stevens Act requirements associated with annual catch limits 
and accountability measures. That amendment may result in revisions to 
how total annual groundfish mortality is estimated and accounted for in 
the annual SAFE reports, which in turn may affect the OFLs and ABCs for 
certain groundfish species. NMFS will attempt to identify additional 
sources of mortality to groundfish stocks not currently reported or 
considered by the groundfish stock assessments in recommending OFL, 
ABC, and TAC for certain groundfish species. These changes would not be 
in effect until 2011, and could affect the 2011 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs 
contained in this action.
    In October 2008, the Council adopted Amendment 34 to the Fishery 
Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs. 
Amendment 34 would amend the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab 
Rationalization Program (Crab Rationalization Program) to exempt 
additional fishery participants from harvest limits, called sideboards, 
which apply to some vessels and license limitation program (LLP) 
licenses that are used to participate in GOA Pacific cod and pollock 
fisheries. These particular sideboards are discussed under the 
subsequent section titled ``Non-AFA Crab Vessel Groundfish Harvest 
Limitations.'' Tables 19 and 20 specify the 2010 and 2011 sideboard 
amounts. If the Secretary approves Amendment 34, NMFS would revise the 
sideboard amounts specified in Tables 19 and 20.

Changes From the Proposed 2010 and 2011 Harvest Specifications in the 
GOA

    In October 2009, the Council's recommendations for the proposed 
2010 and 2011 harvest specifications (74 FR 62533, November 30, 2009) 
were based largely upon information contained in the final 2008 SAFE 
report for the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated November 2008 (see 
ADDRESSES). The Council proposed that the OFLs, ABCs, and TACs 
established for the groundfish fisheries in 2009 (74 FR 7333, February 
17, 2009, see Table 2) be rolled over to 2010 and 2011, pending 
completion and review of the 2009 SAFE report at its December 2009 
meeting.
    The 2009 SAFE report, which was not available when the Council made 
its recommendations in October 2009, contains the best and most recent 
scientific information on the condition of the groundfish stocks. The 
Council considered this report in December 2009 when it made 
recommendations for the final 2010 and 2011 harvest specifications. The 
Council's final 2010 and 2011 TAC recommendations increase fishing 
opportunities for species for which the Council had sufficient 
information to raise TAC levels. Conversely, the Council reduced TAC 
levels to provide greater protection for some species. Based on the 
final 2009 SAFE report, the sum of the 2010 final TACs for the GOA 
(292,087 mt) is 7,399 mt higher than the sum of the proposed 2010 TACs 
(284,688 mt). The largest 2010 increases occurred for pollock, from 
74,330 mt to 84,745 mt (14 percent increase); for rex sole, from 8,827 
mt to 9,729 mt (10 percent increase); for Pacific ocean perch, from 
15,098 mt to 17,584 mt (16 percent increase); for northern rockfish, 
from 4,173 mt to 5,098 mt (22 percent increase); and for pelagic shelf 
rockfish, from 4,465 mt to 5,059 mt (13 percent increase). The largest 
decreases occurred for deep-water flatfish, from 9,793 mt to 6,190 mt 
(37 percent decrease); for shallow-water flatfish, from 22,256 mt to 
20,062 mt (10 percent decrease); for flathead sole, from 11,289 mt to 
10,441 mt (8 percent decrease); for other rockfish, from 1,730 mt to 
1,192 mt (31 percent decrease); for thornyhead rockfish, from 1,910 mt 
to 1,770 mt (7 percent decrease); and for demersal shelf rockfish, from 
362 mt to 295 mt (18 percent decrease). The sum of the final 2011 TACs 
for the GOA (328,464 mt) is 43,776 mt higher than the sum of the 
proposed 2011 TACs (284,688 mt). The largest 2011 increases occurred 
for pollock, Pacific cod, rex sole, Pacific ocean perch, northern 
rockfish, and pelagic shelf rockfish. Concurrently, decreases occurred 
for sablefish, deep-water flatfish, shallow-water flatfish, flathead 
sole, other rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish, and thornyhead rockfish. 
Other increases or decreases in 2010 and 2011 are within 2 percent of 
the proposed specifications.

[[Page 11752]]

    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 2010 and 2011, respectively, final OFL, ABC, 
and TAC amounts for GOA groundfish.

 Table 1--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 (GOA)
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Species                         Area \1\                ABC             TAC             OFL
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock \2\...........................  Shumagin (610)..........          26,256          26,256             n/a
                                        Chirikof (620)..........          28,095          28,095             n/a
                                        Kodiak (630)............          19,118          19,118             n/a
                                        WYK (640)...............           2,031           2,031             n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                        W/C/WYK (subtotal)......          75,500          75,500         103,210
                                        SEO (650)...............           9,245           9,245          12,326
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................          84,745          84,745         115,536
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod \3\.......................  W.......................          27,685          20,764             n/a
                                        C.......................          49,042          36,782             n/a
                                        E.......................           2,373           2,017             n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................          79,100          59,563          94,100
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish \4\.........................  W.......................           1,660           1,660             n/a
                                        C.......................           4,510           4,510             n/a
                                        WYK.....................           1,620           1,620             n/a
                                        SEO.....................           2,580           2,580             n/a
                                        E (WYK and SEO)                    4,200           4,200             n/a
                                         (subtotal).
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................          10,370          10,370          12,270
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deep-water flatfish \5\...............  W.......................             521             521             n/a
                                        C.......................           2,865           2,865             n/a
                                        WYK.....................           2,044           2,044             n/a
                                        SEO.....................             760             760             n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................           6,190           6,190           7,680
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shallow-water flatfish \6\............  W.......................          23,681           4,500             n/a
                                        C.......................          29,999          13,000             n/a
                                        WYK.....................           1,228           1,228             n/a
                                        SEO.....................           1,334           1,334             n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................          56,242          20,062          67,768
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rex sole..............................  W.......................           1,543           1,543             n/a
                                        C.......................           6,403           6,403             n/a
                                        WYK.....................             883             883             n/a
                                        SEO.....................             900             900             n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................           9,729           9,729          12,714
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth flounder...................  W.......................          34,773           8,000             n/a
                                        C.......................         146,407          30,000             n/a
                                        WYK.....................          22,835           2,500             n/a
                                        SEO.....................          11,867           2,500             n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................         215,882          43,000         254,271
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead sole.........................  W.......................          16,857           2,000             n/a
                                        C.......................          27,124           5,000             n/a
                                        WYK.....................           1,990           1,990             n/a
                                        SEO.....................           1,451           1,451             n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................          47,422          10,411          59,295
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch \7\...............  W.......................           2,895           2,895           3,332
                                        C.......................          10,737          10,737          12,361
                                        WYK.....................           2,004           2,004             n/a
                                        SEO.....................           1,948           1,948             n/a
                                        E (WYK and SEO)                    3,952           3,952           4,550
                                         (subtotal).
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------

[[Page 11753]]

 
                                           Total................          17,584          17,584          20,243
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern rockfish \8\ \9\.............  W.......................           2,703           2,703             n/a
                                        C.......................           2,395           2,395             n/a
                                        E.......................               0               0             n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................           5,098           5,098           6,070
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rougheye rockfish \10\................  W.......................              80              80             n/a
                                        C.......................             862             862             n/a
                                        E.......................             360             360             n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................           1,302           1,302           1,568
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortraker rockfish \11\..............  W.......................             134             134             n/a
                                        C.......................             325             325             n/a
                                        E.......................             455             455             n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................             914             914           1,219
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other rockfish \9\ \12\...............  W.......................             212             212             n/a
                                        C.......................             507             507             n/a
                                        WYK.....................             273             273             n/a
                                        SEO.....................           2,757             200             n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................           3,749           1,192           4,881
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pelagic shelf rockfish \13\...........  W.......................             650             650             n/a
                                        C.......................           3,249           3,249             n/a
                                        WYK.....................             434             434             n/a
                                        SEO.....................             726             726             n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................           5,059           5,059           6,142
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demersal shelf rockfish \14\..........  SEO.....................             295             295             472
Thornyhead rockfish...................  W.......................             425             425             n/a
                                        C.......................             637             637             n/a
                                        E.......................             708             708             n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................           1,770           1,770           2,360
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel.........................  GW......................           4,700           2,000           6,200
Big skate \15\........................  W.......................             598             598             n/a
                                        C.......................           2,049           2,049             n/a
                                        E.......................             681             681             n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................           3,328           3,328           4,438
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longnose skate \16\...................  W.......................              81              81             n/a
                                        C.......................           2,009           2,009             n/a
                                        E.......................             762             762             n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................           2,852           2,852           3,803
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other skates \17\.....................  GW......................           2,093           2,093           2,791
Other species \18\....................  GW......................           7,075           4,500           9,432
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Total.............................  ........................         565,499         292,087         693,253
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Regulatory areas and districts are defined at Sec.   679.2.
\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 30 percent, 46 percent, and 24 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 30 percent,
  54 percent, and 16 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 41 percent, 27 percent, and 32
  percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. Tables 5 and 6 list the proposed 2010 and 2011
  pollock seasonal apportionments. In the West Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts of the Eastern Regulatory
  Area, pollock is not divided into seasonal allowances.
\3\ The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned 60 percent to the A season and 40 percent to the 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. Table 7 and 8 list the proposed
  2010 and 2011 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments.

[[Page 11754]]

 
\4\ Sablefish is allocated to trawl and hook-and-line gears for 2010 and to trawl gear in 2011. Tables 3 and 4
  list the proposed 2010 and 2011 sablefish TACs.
\5\ ``Deep-water flatfish'' means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, and deepsea sole.
\6\ ``Shallow-water flatfish'' means flatfish not including ``deep-water flatfish,'' flathead sole, rex sole, or
  arrowtooth flounder.
\7\ ``Pacific ocean perch'' means Sebastes alutus.
\8\ ``Northern rockfish'' means Sebastes polyspinous. For management purposes the 2 mt apportionment of ABC to
  the Eastern GOA has been included in the slope rockfish complex.
\9\ ``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 GOA only, slope rockfish also includes northern
  rockfish, S. polyspinous.
\10\ ``Rougheye rockfish'' means Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and Sebastes melanostictus (blackspotted).
\11\ ``Shortraker rockfish'' means Sebastes borealis.
\12\ ``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.
\13\ ``Pelagic shelf rockfish'' means Sebastes ciliatus (dark), S. variabilis (dusky), S. entomelas (widow), and
  S. flavidus (yellowtail).
\14\ ``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).
\15\ ``Big skate'' means Raja binoculata.
\16\ ``Longnose skate'' means Raja rhina.
\17\ ``Other skates'' means Bathyraja spp.
\18\ ``Other species'' means sculpins, sharks, squid, and octopus.


 Table 2--Final 2011 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 (GOA)
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Species                         Area \1\                ABC             TAC             OFL
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock \2\...........................  Shumagin (610)..........          34,728          34,728             n/a
                                        Chirikof (620)..........          37,159          37,159             n/a
                                        Kodiak (630)............          25,287          25,287             n/a
                                        WYK (640)...............           2,686           2,686             n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                        W/C/WYK (subtotal)......          99,860          99,860         135,010
                                        SEO (650)...............           9,245           9,245          12,326
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................         109,105         109,105         147,336
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod \3\.......................  W.......................          34,265          25,699             n/a
                                        C.......................          60,698          45,524             n/a
                                        E.......................           2,937           2,496             n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................          97,900          73,719         116,700
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish \4\.........................  W.......................           1,488           1,488             n/a
                                        C.......................           4,042           4,042             n/a
                                        WYK.....................           1,450           1,450             n/a
                                        SEO.....................           2,320           2,320             n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                        E (WYK and SEO)                    3,770           3,770             n/a
                                         (subtotal).
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................           9,300           9,300          11,008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deep-water flatfish \5\...............  W.......................             530             530             n/a
                                        C.......................           2,928           2,928             n/a
                                        WYK.....................           2,089           2,089             n/a
                                        SEO.....................             778             778             n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................           6,325           6,325           7,847
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shallow-water flatfish \6\............  W.......................          23,681           4,500             n/a
                                        C.......................          29,999          13,000             n/a
                                        WYK.....................           1,228           1,228             n/a
                                        SEO.....................           1,334           1,334             n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................          56,242          20,062          67,768
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rex sole..............................  W.......................           1,521           1,521             n/a
                                        C.......................           6,312           6,312             n/a
                                        WYK.....................             871             871             n/a
                                        SEO.....................             888             888             n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................           9,592           9,592          12,534
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth flounder...................  W.......................          34,263           8,000             n/a
                                        C.......................         144,262          30,000             n/a

[[Page 11755]]

 
                                        WYK.....................          22,501           2,500             n/a
                                        SEO.....................          11,693           2,500             n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................         212,719          43,000         250,559
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead sole.........................  W.......................          17,520           2,000             n/a
                                        C.......................          28,190           5,000             n/a
                                        WYK.....................           2,068           2,068             n/a
                                        SEO.....................           1,508           1,508             n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................          49,286          10,576          61,601
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch \7\...............  W.......................           2,797           2,797           3,220
                                        C.......................          10,377          10,377          11,944
                                        WYK.....................           1,937           1,937             n/a
                                        SEO.....................           1,882           1,882             n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                        E (WYK and SEO)                    3,819           3,819           4,396
                                         (subtotal).
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................          16,993          16,993          19,560
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern rockfish \8\ \9\.............  W.......................           2,549           2,549             n/a
                                        C.......................           2,259           2,259             n/a
                                        E.......................               0               0             n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................           4,808           4,808           5,730
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rougheye rockfish \10\................  W.......................              81              81             n/a
                                        C.......................             869             869             n/a
                                        E.......................             363             363             n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................           1,313           1,313           1,581
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortraker rockfish \11\..............  W.......................             134             134             n/a
                                        C.......................             325             325             n/a
                                        E.......................             455             455             n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................             914             914           1,219
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other rockfish \\9 \12\...............  W.......................             212             212             n/a
                                        C.......................             507             507             n/a
                                        WYK.....................             273             273             n/a
                                        SEO.....................           2,757             200             n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................           3,749           1,192           4,881
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pelagic shelf rockfish \13\...........  W.......................             607             607             n/a
                                        C.......................           3,035           3,035             n/a
                                        WYK.....................             405             405             n/a
                                        SEO.....................             680             680             n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................           4,727           4,727           5,739
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demersal shelf rockfish \14\..........  SEO.....................             295             295             472
Thornyhead rockfish...................  W.......................             425             425             n/a
                                        C.......................             637             637             n/a
                                        E.......................             708             708             n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................           1,770           1,770           2,360
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel.........................  GW......................           4,700           2,000           6,200
Big skate \15\........................  W.......................             598             598             n/a
                                        C.......................           2,049           2,049             n/a
                                        E.......................             681             681             n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................           3,328           3,328           4,438
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longnose skate \16\...................  W.......................              81              81             n/a
                                        C.......................           2,009           2,009             n/a

[[Page 11756]]

 
                                        E.......................             762             762             n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................           2,852           2,852           3,803
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other skates \17\.....................  GW......................           2,093           2,093           2,791
Other species \18\....................  GW......................           7,075           4,500           9,432
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.............................  ........................         605,086         328,464         743,559
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Regulatory areas and districts are defined at Sec.   679.2.
\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 30 percent, 46 percent, and 24 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 30 percent,
  54 percent, and 16 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 41 percent, 27 percent, and 32
  percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. Tables 5 and 6 list the proposed 2010 and 2011
  pollock seasonal apportionments. In the West Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts of the Eastern Regulatory
  Area, pollock is not divided into seasonal allowances.
\3\ The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned 60 percent to the A season and 40 percent to the 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. Tables 7 and 8 list the proposed
  2010 and 2011 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments.
\4\ Sablefish is allocated to trawl and hook-and-line gears for 2010 and to trawl gear in 2011. Tables 3 and 4
  list the proposed 2010 and 2011 sablefish TACs.
\5\ ``Deep-water flatfish'' means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, and deepsea sole.
\6\ ``Shallow-water flatfish'' means flatfish not including ``deep-water flatfish,'' flathead sole, rex sole, or
  arrowtooth flounder.
\7\ ``Pacific ocean perch'' means Sebastes alutus.
\8\ ``Northern rockfish'' means Sebastes polyspinous. For management purposes the 2 mt apportionment of ABC to
  the Eastern GOA has been included in the slope rockfish complex.
\9\ ``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 GOA only, slope rockfish also includes northern
  rockfish, S. polyspinous.
\10\ ``Rougheye rockfish'' means Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and Sebastes melanostictus (blackspotted).
\11\ ``Shortraker rockfish'' means Sebastes borealis.
\12\ ``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.
\13\ ``Pelagic shelf rockfish'' means Sebastes ciliatus (dark), S. variabilis (dusky), S. entomelas (widow), and
  S. flavidus (yellowtail).
\14\ ``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).
\15\ ``Big skate'' means Raja binoculata.
\16\ ``Longnose skate'' means Raja rhina.
\17\ ``Other skates'' means Bathyraja spp.
\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 2009, NMFS reapportioned all the reserves in the final 
harvest specifications. For 2010 and 2011, NMFS proposed 
reapportionment of all the reserves in the proposed 2010 and 2011 
harvest specifications published in the Federal Register on November 
30, 2009 (74 FR 62533). NMFS received no public comments on the 
proposed reapportionments. For the final 2010 and 2011 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 five 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 five 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. This 
recommendation results in an allocation of 210 mt to trawl gear and 
1,410 mt to hook-and-line gear in the WYK District in 2010, an 
allocation of 2,580 mt to hook-and-line gear in the SEO District in 
2010, and 189 mt to trawl gear in the WYK District in 2011. Table 3 
lists the allocations of the 2010 sablefish TACs to hook-and-line and 
trawl gear. Table 4 lists the allocations of the 2011 sablefish TACs to 
trawl 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. The Council also 
recommended that only a

[[Page 11757]]

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 harvest 
specifications are expected to be published before the IFQ season 
begins (typically, early March), 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 
during 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 2010 Sablefish TAC Specifications in the GOA and Allocations to Hook-and-Line and Trawl Gear
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   Hook-and-line       Trawl
                          Area/district                                 TAC         allocation      allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western.........................................................           1,660           1,328             332
Central.........................................................           4,510           3,608             902
West Yakutat \1\................................................           1,620           1,410             210
Southeast Outside...............................................           2,580           2,580               0
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................................          10,370           8,926           1,444
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Represents an allocation of 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area sablefish TAC to trawl gear in
  the WYK District.


          Table 4--Final 2011 Sablefish TAC Specifications in the GOA and Allocation to Trawl Gear \1\
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   Hook-and-line       Trawl
                          Area/district                                 TAC         allocation      allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western.........................................................           1,488             n/a             298
Central.........................................................           4,042             n/a             808
West Yakutat \2\................................................           1,450             n/a             189
Southeast Outside...............................................           2,320             n/a               0
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................................           9,300             n/a           1,295
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Council recommended that harvest specifications for the hook-and-line gear sablefish Individual Fishing
  Quota fisheries be limited to one 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, pursuant to 
Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A). 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 2010 and 2011, 
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 2010 and 2011 fishing years. Within any fishing year, the amount by 
which a seasonal allowance is under- or overharvested may be added to, 
or subtracted from, subsequent seasonal allowances in a manner to be 
determined by the Regional Administrator (Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). 
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 pollock TACs in the WYK and SEO District of 
2,031 mt and 9,245 mt, respectively, in 2010, and 2,686 mt and 9,245 
mt, respectively, in 2011, 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 
subtraction of amounts projected by the Regional Administrator to be 
caught by, or delivered to, the offshore component incidental to 
directed fishing for other groundfish species. Thus, the amount of 
pollock available for harvest by vessels harvesting pollock for 
processing by the offshore component is that amount that will be 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 
of pollock are unknown and will be determined during the fishing year.
    Tables 5 and 6 list the seasonal biomass distribution of pollock in 
the

[[Page 11758]]

Western and Central Regulatory Areas, area apportionments, and seasonal 
allowances. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and 
offshore components are not shown.

 Table 5--Final 2010 Distribution of Pollock in the Central and Western Regulatory Areas of the GOA; Seasonal Biomass Distribution, Area Apportionments;
                                                          and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC
                                                     [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Season \1\                              Shumagin (Area 610)
                                                                  Chirikof (Area 620)
                                                                   Kodiak (Area 630)      Total \2\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A (Jan 20-Mar 10)............................................        5,551     (30.22%)        8,414     (45.81%)        4,403     (23.97%)       18,368
B (Mar 10-May 31)............................................        5,551     (30.22%)        9,925     (54.04%)        2,891     (15.74%)       18,367
C (Aug 25-Oct 1).............................................        7,577     (41.25%)        4,878     (26.55%)        5,912     (32.19%)       18,367
D (Oct 1-Nov 1)..............................................        7,577     (41.25%)        4,878     (26.55%)        5,912     (32.19%)       18,367
                                                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Annual Total.............................................       26,256  ...........       28,095  ...........       19,118  ...........       73,469
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 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.
\2\ 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.


 Table 6--Final 2011 Distribution of Pollock in the Central and Western Regulatory Areas of the GOA; Seasonal Biomass Distribution, Area Apportionments;
                                                          and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC
                                                     [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Season \1\                              Shumagin (Area 610)
                                                                  Chirikof (Area 620)
                                                                   Kodiak (Area 630)      Total \2\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A (Jan 20-Mar 10)............................................        7,342     (30.22%)       11,129     (45.81%)        5,823     (23.97%)       24,294
B (Mar 10-May 31)............................................        7,342     (30.22%)       13,128     (54.04%)        3,824     (15.74%)       24,294
C (Aug 25-Oct 1).............................................       10,022     (41.25%)        6,451     (26.55%)        7,820     (32.19%)       24,293
D (Oct 1-Nov 1)..............................................       10,022     (41.25%)        6,451     (26.55%)        7,820     (32.19%)       24,293
                                                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Annual Total.............................................       34,728  ...........       37,159  ...........       25,287  ...........       97,174
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 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.
\2\ 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.

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)(i)). After subtraction of 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. Under Sec.  679.20(a)(12)(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 list the seasonal apportionments and allocations of the 
final 2010 and 2011 Pacific cod TACs, respectively.

  Table 7--Final 2010 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocation of Pacific Cod TAC Amounts in the GOA; Allocations
                              for Processing by the Inshore and Offshore Components
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Component allocation
          Regulatory area                    Season                TAC       -----------------------------------
                                                                                Inshore (90%)    Offshore (10%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western............................  Annual...............            20,764            18,687             2,077
                                     A season (60%).......            12,458            11,212             1,246
                                     B season (40%).......             8,306             7,475               831
Central............................  Annual...............            36,782            33,104             3,678
                                     A season (60%).......            22,069            19,862             2,207
                                     B season (40%).......            14,713            13,242             1,471

[[Page 11759]]

 
Eastern............................  Annual...............             2,017             1,816               201
                                    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total..........................  .....................            59,563            53,607             5,956
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  Table 8--Final 2011 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocation of Pacific Cod TAC Amounts in the GOA; Allocations
                              for Processing by the Inshore and Offshore Components
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Component allocation
          Regulatory area                    Season                TAC       -----------------------------------
                                                                                Inshore (90%)    Offshore (10%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western............................  Annual...............            25,699            23,129             2,570
                                     A season (60%).......            15,419            13,877             1,542
                                     B season (40%).......            10,280             9,252             1,028
Central............................  Annual...............            45,524            40,972             4,552
                                     A season (60%).......            27,314            24,583             2,731
                                     B season (40%).......            18,210            16,389             1,821
Eastern............................  Annual...............             2,496             2,246               250
                                    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total..........................  .....................            73,719            66,347             7,372
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Demersal Shelf Rockfish (DSR)

    The recommended 2010 and 2011 DSR TAC is 295 mt. In 2006, the 
Alaska Board of Fish (BOF) allocated the SEO District DSR TAC between 
the commercial fishery (84 percent) and the sportfish fishery (16 
percent). This results in 2010 and 2011 allocations of 248 mt to the 
commercial fishery and 47 mt to the sportfish fishery. Alaska 
Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) deducts estimates of incidental 
catch of DSR in the commercial halibut fishery from the DSR commercial 
fishery allocation. In 2009, this resulted in 115 mt being available 
for the directed commercial DSR fishery apportioned between four outer 
coast areas. Only two of these areas had GHLs large enough to support 
directed fisheries, totaling 78 mt. Of this amount, 76 mt were 
harvested in directed fisheries. DSR harvest in the halibut fishery is 
linked to the halibut quota; therefore the ADF&G cannot estimate 
potential DSR incidental catch in that fishery until those quotas are 
established. Federally permitted catcher vessels using hook-and-line or 
jig gear fishing for groundfish and Pacific halibut in the SEO District 
of the GOA are required Full retention of all DSR (Sec.  679.20(j)). 
The ADF&G announced the opening of directed fishing for DSR in January 
following the International Pacific Halibut Commission's (IPHC) annual 
January meeting.

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 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; the remaining 95 percent are allocated to those vessels 
eligible to participate in the Rockfish Program. NMFS is setting 
aside--in 2010 and 2011--incidental catch amounts (ICAs) of 500 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 recent average incidental catch in the 
Central Regulatory Area by these other groundfish fisheries.
    Section 679.83(a)(1)(i) requires that allocations to the trawl 
entry-level fishery must 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 2010 and 2011 allocations of 
rockfish in the Central GOA to trawl and longline gear in the entry-
level rockfish fishery, respectively. Allocations of primary rockfish 
species TACs among participants in the Rockfish Program are not 
included in the final harvest specifications because applications for 
catcher/processor and catcher vessel cooperatives are due to NMFS on 
March 1 of each calendar year, thereby preventing NMFS from calculating 
final 2010 allocations. NMFS will post these allocations on the Alaska 
Region Web site (http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/goarat/default.htm) when they become available in March 2010.

[[Page 11760]]



      Table 9--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 the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Incidental                                                      Entry-level     Entry-level
                 Species                        TAC            catch       TAC minus ICA      5% TAC         2.5% TAC          trawl         longline
                                                             allowance                                                      allocation      allocation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch.....................          10,737             500          10,237             512             256             392             120
Northern rockfish.......................           2,395             100           2,295             115              57               0             115
Pelagic shelf rockfish..................           3,249             100           3,149             157              79               0             157
                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total...................................          16,381             700          15,681             784             392             392             392
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Longline gear includes jig and hook-and-line gear.


           Table 10--Final 2011 Allocations of Rockfish in the Central GOA to Trawl and Longline Gear \1\ in the Entry-Level Rockfish Fishery
                                                     [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Incidental                                                      Entry-level     Entry-level
                 Species                        TAC            catch       TAC minus ICA      5% TAC         2.5% TAC          trawl         longline
                                                             allowance                                                      allocation      allocation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch.....................          10,377             500           9,877             494             247             375             119
Northern rockfish.......................           2,259             100           2,159             108              54               0             108
Pelagic shelf rockfish..................           3,035             100           2,935             147              74               0             147
                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total...............................          15,671             700          14,971             749             375             375             374
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Longline gear includes jig and hook-and-line gear.

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 2009, the 
Council recommended that NMFS maintain the 2009 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. ADF&G sets the GHLs after estimates of 
incidental catch in all fisheries (including halibut and subsistence) 
and allocation to the sportfish fishery have been deducted. Of the 362 
mt TAC for DSR in 2009, 115 mt was available for the commercial 
fishery, of which 76 mt were harvested.
    The FMP authorizes the Council to exempt specific gear from the 
halibut PSC limits. 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 2010 and 2011. The Council 
recommended these exemptions because (1) the pot gear fisheries have 
low annual halibut bycatch mortality (averaging 18 mt annually from 
2001 through 2009); (2) IFQ program regulations prohibit discard of 
halibut if any halibut IFQ permit holder on board a catcher vessel 
holds unused halibut IFQ (Sec.  679.7(f)(11)). Sablefish IFQ fishermen 
typically also hold halibut IFQ permits, so are required to retain the 
halibut they catch while fishing sablefish 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 
258 mt annually from 2001 through 2009), the selective nature of jig 
gear, and the high survival rates of halibut caught and released with 
jig gear.
    Section 679.21(d)(5) authorizes NMFS 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 information to 
establish the halibut PSC limits was obtained from the 2009 SAFE 
report, NMFS, ADF&G, the IPHC, and public testimony.
    NMFS concurs in the Council's recommendations listed in Table 11, 
which shows the final 2010 and 2011 Pacific halibut 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.

[[Page 11761]]



                                Table 11--Final 2010 and 2011 Pacific Halibut PSC Limits, Allowances, and Apportionments
                                                               [Values are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Trawl gear                                                             Hook-and-line gear \1\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Other than DSR                                    DSR
                 Season                     Percent     Amount  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Season             Percent     Amount             Season              Amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 20-April 1......................        27.5        550  January 1-June 10.........         86        250  January 1-December 31.....         10
April 1-July 1..........................        20          400  June 10-September 1.......          2          5
July 1-September 1......................        30          600  September 1-December 31...         12         35
September 1-October 1...................         7.5        150
October 1-December 31...................        15          300
                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total...............................  ..........      2,000  ..........................  .........        290  ..........................         10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific halibut PSC limit for hook-and-line gear is allocated to the 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 category, comprised of sablefish, 
rockfish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, and arrowtooth flounder; and 
(2) a shallow-water species category, comprised of pollock, Pacific 
cod, shallow-water flatfish, flathead sole, Atka mackerel, skates, and 
``other species'' (Sec.  679.21(d)(3)(iii)). Table 12 lists the final 
2010 and 2011 apportionments of Pacific halibut PSC trawl limits 
between the trawl gear deep-water and the shallow-water species 
categories.

  Table 12--Final 2010 and 2011 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]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Season                      Shallow-water            Deep-water \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\.................  ................  ................................               300
                                           ---------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.................................  ................  ................................             2,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Vessels participating in cooperatives in the Central GOA Rockfish Program will receive a portion of the
  third season (July 1-September 1) deep-water category halibut PSC apportionment. This amount is not currently
  known but will be posted later on the Alaska Region Web site (http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov) when it becomes
  available.
\2\ There is no apportionment between shallow-water and deep-water trawl fishery categories during the fifth
  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 2009. The calculated halibut bycatch 
mortality by trawl, hook-and-line, and pot gears through December 31, 
2009, is 1,817 mt, 277 mt, and 7 mt, respectively, for a total halibut 
mortality of 2,101 mt. This mortality was calculated using groundfish 
and halibut catch data from the NMFS, Alaska Region's catch accounting 
system. This system contains historical and recent catch information 
compiled from each Alaska groundfish fishery.
    Halibut bycatch restrictions seasonally constrained trawl gear 
fisheries during the 2009 fishing year. Table 13 displays the closure 
dates for fisheries that resulted from the attainment of seasonal or 
annual halibut PSC limits. NMFS does not know amount of groundfish that 
trawl gear might have harvested if halibut PSC limits had not 
restricted some 2009 GOA groundfish fisheries.

                   Table 13--Fishery Closures Due to Attainment of Pacific Halibut PSC Limits
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Fishery category            Opening date        Closure date            Federal Register Citation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trawl Deep-water, season 1.....  January 20, 2009..  March 3, 2009.....  74 FR 9964, March 9, 2009.
Trawl Deep-water, season 2.....  April 1, 2009.....  April 23, 2009....  74 FR 19459, April 29, 2009.
Trawl Shallow-water, season 4..  Sept 1, 2009......  Sept. 2, 2009.....  74 FR 45378, Sept. 2, 2009.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 11762]]

Expected Changes in Groundfish Stocks and Catch

    The final 2010 and 2011 ABCs for pollock, Pacific cod, rex sole, 
flathead sole, Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish, rougheye 
rockfish, shortraker rockfish, and ``other species'' are higher than 
those established for 2009, while the final 2010 and 2011 ABCs for 
sablefish, deep-water flatfish, shallow-water flatfish, arrowtooth 
flounder, other rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish, thornyhead rockfish, 
big skate, longnose skate, and ``other skates'' are lower than those 
established for 2009. The final ABCs for pelagic shelf rockfish are, 
respectively, higher in 2010 and lower in 2011 than the 2009 ABCs. For 
the remaining target species, the Council recommended and the Secretary 
approved ABC levels in 2010 and 2011 that remain unchanged from 2009. 
More information on these changes is included in the final 2009 SAFE 
report. This document is available from the Council (see ADDRESSES).
    In the GOA, the total final 2010 TAC amount is 292,087 mt, an 
increase of three percent from the total proposed 2010 TAC limit of 
284,688 mt. The total final 2011 TAC amount is 328,464 mt, an increase 
of 15 percent from the total proposed 2011 TAC limit of 284,688 mt. 
Table 14 compares the proposed 2010 TACs to the final 2010 and 2011 
TACs.

                                            Table 14--Comparison of Proposed and Final 2010 and 2011 GOA TACs
                                                     [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               2010                                            2011
                         Species                          2010 final TAC   2010 proposed    difference    2011 final TAC   2011 proposed    difference
                                                                                TAC        from proposed                        TAC        from proposed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock.................................................          84,745          74,330          10,415         109,105          74,330          34,775
Pacific cod.............................................          59,563          60,102            -539          73,719          60,102          13,617
Sablefish...............................................          10,370          10,337              33           9,300          10,337          -1,037
Deep-water flatfish.....................................           6,190           9,793          -3,603           6,325           9,793          -3,468
Shallow-water flatfish..................................          20,062          22,256          -2,194          20,062          22,256          -2,194
Rex sole................................................           9,729           8,827             902           9,592           8,827             765
Arrowtooth flounder.....................................          43,000          43,000               0          43,000          43,000               0
Flathead sole...........................................          10,441          11,289            -848          10,576          11,289            -713
Pacific ocean perch.....................................          17,584          15,098           2,486          16,993          15,098           1,895
Northern rockfish.......................................           5,098           4,173             925           4,808           4,173             635
Rougheye rockfish.......................................           1,302           1,297               5           1,313           1,297              16
Shortraker rockfish.....................................             914             898              16             914             898              16
Other rockfish..........................................           1,192           1,730            -538           1,192           1,730            -538
Pelagic shelf rockfish..................................           5,059           4,465             594           4,727           4,465             262
Demersal shelf rockfish.................................             295             362             -67             295             362             -67
Thornyhead rockfish.....................................           1,770           1,910            -140           1,770           1,910            -140
Atka mackerel...........................................           2,000           2,000               0           2,000           2,000               0
Big skate...............................................           3,328           3,330              -2           3,328           3,330              -2
Longnose skates.........................................           2,852           2,887             -35           2,852           2,887             -35
Other skates............................................           2,093           2,104             -11           2,093           2,104             -11
Other species...........................................           4,500           4,500               0           4,500           4,500               0
                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total...............................................         292,087         284,688           7,399         328,464         284,688          43,776
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Current Estimates of Halibut Biomass and Stock Condition

    The most recent halibut stock assessment was developed by the IPHC 
staff in December 2009 for the 2010 commercial fishery; this assessment 
was considered by the IPHC at its annual January 2010 meeting. Since 
2006, the IPHC stock assessment has been fitted to a coastwide data set 
(including the United States and Canada) to estimate total exploitable 
biomass. Coastwide exploitable biomass at the beginning of 2010 is 
estimated to be 334 million pounds. The assessment revised last year's 
estimate of 325 million pounds at the start of 2009 downwards to 291 
million pounds and projects an increase of 14 percent over that value 
to arrive at the 2010 value of 334 million pounds. At least part, if 
not most, of the downward revision for 2009 is believed to be caused by 
the ongoing decline in size at age, which continues for all ages in all 
areas. Projections based on the currently estimated age compositions 
suggest that the exploitable and female spawning biomasses will 
continue to increase over the next several years as a sequence of 
strong year classes recruit to the legal-sized component of the 
population. The coastwide exploitable biomass was apportioned among 
regulatory areas in accordance with survey estimates of relative 
abundance and other considerations. The assessment recommends a 
coastwide harvest rate of 20 percent of the exploitable biomass 
overall, but a lower harvest rate of 15 percent for Areas 4A, 4B, 4C, 
4D, 4E, and 3B.
    The halibut resource is fully utilized. Recent catches, over the 
last 16 years (1994-2009) in the commercial halibut fisheries in Alaska 
have averaged 32,850 mt round weight. In December 2009, IPHC staff 
recommended Alaska commercial catch limits totaling 25,008 mt round 
weight for 2010, a 5 percent decrease from 26,338 mt in 2009. Through 
December 31, 2009, commercial hook-and-line harvests of halibut off 
Alaska totaled 25,536 mt round weight.
    Additional information on the Pacific halibut stock assessment may 
be found in the IPHC's 2009 Pacific halibut stock assessment (December 
2009), available on the IPHC Web site at http://www.iphc.washington.edu. The IPHC considered the 2009 Pacific halibut 
assessment for 2010 at its January 2010 annual meeting when it set the 
2010 commercial halibut fishery catch limits.

Other Factors

    The proposed 2010 and 2011 harvest specifications (74 FR 62533, 
November 30, 2009) 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.

[[Page 11763]]

Halibut Discard Mortality Rates

    The Council recommended and NMFS concurs that the halibut discard 
mortality rates (DMRs) developed and recommended by the IPHC for the 
2010 through 2012 GOA groundfish fisheries be used to monitor the 2010 
and 2011 GOA halibut bycatch mortality allowances. The IPHC will 
analyze observer data annually and recommend changes to the DMRs when 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 1999 and 2008. Long-term average DMRs 
were not available for some fisheries (for example, the deepwater 
flatfish fishery has not been prosecuted in recent years), so the IPHC 
used the average rates from the available years between 1999 and 2008. 
For other fisheries targets (which include Atka mackerel, ``other 
species,'' and skates for all gear types; and for the hook-and-line 
sablefish targets), where no data mortality was available, the IPHC 
recommended the mortality rate of halibut caught in the Pacific cod 
fishery for that gear type as a default rate. Table 15 compares the 
final GOA halibut DMRs for 2010 and 2011 with the DMRs published in the 
proposed 2010 and 2011 harvest specifications (74 FR 62533, November 
30, 2009). A discussion of the DMRs and their justification is 
presented in Appendix 2 to the 2009 SAFE report (see ADDRESSES).

      Table 15--Comparison of Proposed and Final 2010 and 2011 Halibut DMRs for Vessels Fishing in the GOA
                           [Values are percent of halibut bycatch assumed to be dead]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   Proposed 2010
                                                                                     and 2011     Final 2010 and
                    Gear                                Target fishery            mortality rate  2011 mortality
                                                                                        (%)          rate (%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hook-and-line..............................  Other fisheries \1\................              14              12
                                            --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Pacific cod........................              14              12
                                            --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Rockfish...........................              10               9
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trawl......................................  Arrowtooth flounder................              69              72
                                            --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Deep-water flatfish................              53              48
                                            --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Flathead sole......................              61              65
                                            --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Non-pelagic pollock................              59              59
                                            --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Other fisheries \1\................              63              62
                                            --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Pacific cod........................              63              62
                                            --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Pelagic pollock....................              76              76
                                            --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Rex sole...........................              63              64
                                            --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Rockfish...........................              67              67
                                            --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Sablefish..........................              65              65
                                            --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Shallow-water flatfish.............              71              71
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pot........................................  Other fisheries \1\................              16              17
                                            --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Pacific cod........................              16              17
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Other fisheries include all gear types for Atka mackerel, ``other species,'' and skates; and hook-and-line
  sablefish.

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

    Section 679.64 establishes groundfish harvesting and processing 
sideboard limitations on AFA catcher/processors and CVs 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 CVs 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 CVs in the GOA 
are based on their traditional harvest levels of TAC in groundfish 
fisheries covered by the FMP. Section 679.64(b)(3)(iii) establishes the 
groundfish sideboard limitations in the GOA based on the retained catch 
of non-exempt AFA CVs of each sideboard species from 1995 through 1997 
divided by the TAC for that species over the same period. Tables 16 and 
17 list the final 2010 and 2011 non-exempt AFA CV groundfish sideboard 
limits. NMFS will deduct all targeted or incidental catch of sideboard 
species made by non-exempt AFA CVs from the sideboard limits specified 
in Tables 16 and 17.

[[Page 11764]]



               Table 16--Final 2010 GOA Non-Exempt AFA CV Groundfish Harvest Sideboard Limitations
                                   [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Ratio of 1995-
                                                                     1997 non-                       2010 non-
           Species              Apportionments   Area/component    exempt AFA CV     2010 TAC      exempt AFA CV
                                by season/gear                    catch to 1995-                     sideboard
                                                                     1997 TAC                          limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock......................  A Season--       Shumagin (610)..          0.6047           5,551           3,357
                                January 20-
                                March 10.
                                                Chirikof (620)..          0.1167           8,414             982
                                                Kodiak (630)....          0.2028           4,403             893
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               B Season--March  Shumagin (610)..          0.6047           5,551           3,357
                                10-May 31.
                                                Chirikof (620)..          0.1167           9,925           1,158
                                                Kodiak (630)....          0.2028           2,891             586
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               C Season--       Shumagin (610)..          0.6047           7,577           4,582
                                August 25-
                                October 1.
                                                Chirikof (620)..          0.1167           4,878             569
                                                Kodiak (630)....          0.2028           5,912           1,199
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               D Season--       Shumagin (610)..          0.6047           7,577           4,582
                                October 1-
                                November 1.
                                                Chirikof (620)..          0.1167           4,878             569
                                                Kodiak (630)....          0.2028           5,912           1,199
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Annual.........  WYK (640).......          0.3495           2,031             710
                                                SEO (650).......          0.3495           9,245           3,231
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod..................  A Season \1\--   W inshore.......          0.1365          11,212           1,530
                                January 1-June
                                10.
                                                W offshore......          0.1026           1,246             128
                                                C inshore.......          0.0689          19,862           1,368
                                                C offshore......          0.0721           2,207             159
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               B Season \2\--   W inshore.......          0.1365           7,475           1,020
                                September 1-
                                December 31.
                                                W offshore......          0.1026             831              85
                                                C inshore.......          0.0689          13,242             912
                                                C offshore......          0.0721           1,471             106
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Annual.........  E inshore.......          0.0079           1,815              14
                                                E offshore......          0.0078             202               2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish....................  Annual, trawl    W...............          0.0000             332               0
                                gear.
                                                C...............          0.0642             902              58
                                                E...............          0.0433             210               9
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flatfish, deep-water.........  Annual.........  W...............          0.0000             521               0
                                                C...............          0.0647           2,865             185
                                                E...............          0.0128           2,804              36
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flatfish, shallow-water......  Annual.........  W...............          0.0156           4,500              70
                                                C...............          0.0587          13,000             763
                                                E...............          0.0126           2,562              32
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rex sole.....................  Annual.........  W...............          0.0007           1,543               1
                                                C...............          0.0384           6,403             246
                                                E...............          0.0029           1,783               5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth Flounder..........  Annual.........  W...............          0.0021           8,000              17
                                                C...............          0.0280          30,000             840
                                                E...............          0.0002           5,000               1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead sole................  Annual.........  W...............          0.0036           2,000               7
                                                C...............          0.0213           5,000             107
                                                E...............          0.0009           3,441               3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean Perch..........  Annual.........  W...............          0.0023           2,895               7
                                                C...............          0.0748          10,737             803
                                                E...............          0.0466           3,952             184
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern Rockfish............  Annual.........  W...............          0.0003           2,703               1

[[Page 11765]]

 
                                                C...............          0.0277           2,395              66
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rougheye Rockfish............  Annual.........  W...............          0.0000              80               0
                                                C...............          0.0237             862              20
                                                E...............          0.0124             360               4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortraker Rockfish..........  Annual.........  W...............          0.0000             134               0
                                                C...............          0.0218             325               7
                                                E...............          0.0110             455               5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Rockfish...............  Annual.........  W...............          0.0034             212               1
                                                C...............          0.1699             507              86
                                                E...............          0.0000             473               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pelagic shelf Rockfish.......  Annual.........  W...............          0.0001             650               0
                                                C...............          0.0000           3,249               0
                                                E...............          0.0067           1,160               8
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demersal shelf rockfish......  Annual.........  SEO.............          0.0020             295               1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thornyhead Rockfish..........  Annual.........  W...............          0.0280             425              12
                                                C...............          0.0280             637              18
                                                E...............          0.0280             708              20
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel................  Annual.........  Gulfwide........          0.0309           2,000              62
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big skates...................  Annual.........  W...............          0.0063             598               4
                                                C...............          0.0063           2,049              13
                                                E...............          0.0063             681               4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longnose Skates..............  Annual.........  W...............          0.0063              81               0
                                                C...............          0.0063           2,009              13
                                                E...............          0.0063             762               5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other skates.................  Annual.........  Gulfwide........          0.0063           2,093              13
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.


               Table 17--Final 2011 GOA Non-Exempt AFA CV Groundfish Harvest Sideboard Limitations
                                   [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Ratio of 1995-
                                                                     1997 non-                       2011 non-
           Species              Apportionments    Area/component   exempt AFA CV     2011 TAC      exempt AFA CV
                                by season/gear                    catch to 1995-                     sideboard
                                                                     1997 TAC                          limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock......................  A Season--        Shumagin (610).          0.6047           7,342           4,440
                                January 20-
                                March 10.
                                                 Chirikof (620).          0.1167          11,129           1,299
                                                 Kodiak (630)...          0.2028           5,823           1,181
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               B Season--March   Shumagin (610).          0.6047           7,342           4,440
                                10--May 31.
                                                 Chirikof (620).          0.1167          13,128           1,532
                                                 Kodiak (630)...          0.2028           3,824             776
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               C Season--August  Shumagin (610).          0.6047          10,022           6,060
                                25-October 1.
                                                 Chirikof (620).          0.1167           6,451             753
                                                 Kodiak (630)...          0.2028           7,820           1,586
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               D Season--        Shumagin (610).          0.6047          10,022           6,060
                                October 1-
                                November 1.
                                                 Chirikof (620).          0.1167           6,451             753
                                                 Kodiak (630)...          0.2028           7,820           1,586
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Annual..........  WYK (640)......          0.3495           2,686             939

[[Page 11766]]

 
                                                 SEO (650)......          0.3495           9,245           3,231
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod..................  A Season \1\      W inshore......          0.1365          13,877           1,894
                                January 1-June
                                10.
                                                 W offshore.....          0.1026           1,542             158
                                                 C inshore......          0.0689          24,583           1,694
                                                 C offshore.....          0.0721           2,731             197
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               B Season \2\      W inshore......          0.1365           9,252           1,263
                                September 1-
                                December 31.
                                                 W offshore.....          0.1026           1,028             105
                                                 C inshore......          0.0689          16,389           1,129
                                                 C offshore.....          0.0721           1,821             131
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Annual..........  E inshore......          0.0079           2,246              18
                                                 E offshore.....          0.0078             250               2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish....................  Annual, trawl     W..............          0.0000             298               0
                                gear.
                                                 C..............          0.0642             808              52
                                                 E..............          0.0433             189               8
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flatfish, deep-water.........  Annual..........  W..............          0.0000             530               0
                                                 C..............          0.0647           2,928             189
                                                 E..............          0.0128           2,867              37
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flatfish, shallow-water......  Annual..........  W..............          0.0156           4,500              70
                                                 C..............          0.0587          13,000             763
                                                 E..............          0.0126           2,562              32
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rex sole.....................  Annual..........  W..............          0.0007           1,521               1
                                                 C..............          0.0384           6,312             242
                                                 E..............          0.0029           1,759               5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth Flounder..........  Annual..........  W..............          0.0021           8,000              17
                                                 C..............          0.0280          30,000             840
                                                 E..............          0.0002           5,000               1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead sole................  Annual..........  W..............          0.0036           2,000               7
                                                 C..............          0.0213           5,000             107
                                                 E..............          0.0009           3,576               3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean Perch..........  Annual..........  W..............          0.0023           2,797               6
                                                 C..............          0.0748          10,377             776
                                                 E..............          0.0466           3,819             178
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern Rockfish............  Annual..........  W..............          0.0003           2,549               1
                                                 C..............          0.0277           2,259              63
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rougheye Rockfish............  Annual..........  W..............          0.0000              81               0
                                                 C..............          0.0237             869              21
                                                 E..............          0.0124             363               5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortraker Rockfish..........  Annual..........  W..............          0.0000             134               0
                                                 C..............          0.0218             325               7
                                                 E..............          0.0110             455               5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Rockfish...............  Annual..........  W..............          0.0034             212               1
                                                 C..............          0.1699             507              86
                                                 E..............          0.0000             473               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pelagic shelf Rockfish.......  Annual..........  W..............          0.0001             607               0
                                                 C..............          0.0000           3,035               0
                                                 E..............          0.0067           1,085               7
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demersal shelf rockfish......  Annual..........  SEO............          0.0020             295               1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thornyhead Rockfish..........  Annual..........  W..............          0.0280             425              12
                                                 C..............          0.0280             637              18

[[Page 11767]]

 
                                                 E..............          0.0280             708              20
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel................  Annual..........  Gulfwide.......          0.0309           2,000              62
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big skates...................  Annual..........  W..............          0.0063             598               4
                                                 C..............          0.0063           2,049              13
                                                 E..............          0.0063             681               4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longnose Skates..............  Annual..........  W..............          0.0063              81               0
                                                 C..............          0.0063           2,009              13
                                                 E..............          0.0063             762               5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other skates.................  Annual..........  Gulfwide.......          0.0063           2,093              13
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 halibut PSC sideboard limits for non-exempt AFA CVs in the GOA 
are based on the aggregate retained groundfish catch by non-exempt AFA 
CVs 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 18 lists the final 2010 and 2011 non-exempt 
AFA CV halibut PSC limits for vessels using trawl gear in the GOA.

 Table 18--Final 2010 and 2011 Non-Exempt AFA CV Halibut Prohibited Species Catch (PSC) Limits for Vessels Using
                                              Trawl Gear in the GOA
                                   [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Ratio of 1995-
                                                                     1997 non-                     2010 and 2011
                                                                   exempt AFA CV   2010 and 2011    non- exempt
            Season               Season dates     Target fishery  retained catch     PSC limit      AFA CV PSC
                                                                     to total                          limit
                                                                  retained catch
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............................  January 20-April  shallow-water..           0.340             450             153
                                1.
                                                 deep-water.....           0.070             100               7
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2............................  April 1-July 1..  shallow-water..           0.340             100              34
                                                 deep-water.....           0.070             300              21
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3............................  July 1-September  shallow-water..           0.340             200              68
                                1.
                                                 deep-water.....           0.070             400              28
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4............................  September 1-      shallow-water..           0.340             150              51
                                October 1.
                                                 deep-water.....           0.070               0               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5............................  October 1-        all targets....           0.205             300              62
                                December 31.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 to 
prevent these vessels from using the increased flexibility provided by 
the Crab Rationalization Program to expand their level of participation 
in the GOA groundfish fisheries. Sideboard limits restrict the vessels' 
catch to their collective historical landings in each GOA groundfish 
fishery (except the fixed-gear sablefish fishery). Sideboard limits 
also apply to catch made using an 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 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. Tables 19 and 20 
list the final 2010 and 2011 GOA groundfish sideboard limits for non-
AFA crab vessels. All targeted or incidental catch of sideboard species 
made by non-AFA crab vessels will be

[[Page 11768]]

deducted from the sideboard limits specified in Tables 19 and 20.
    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).

       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                    2010 non-AFA
                                                                    crab vessel                     crab vessel
           Species                Season/gear     Area/component  catch to 1996-     2010 TAC        sideboard
                                                                    2000 total                         limit
                                                                      harvest
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock......................  A Season--        Shumagin (610).          0.0098           5,551              54
                                January 20-
                                March 10.
                                                 Chirikof (620).          0.0031           8,414              26
                                                 Kodiak (630)...          0.0002           4,403               1
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               B Season--March   Shumagin (610).          0.0098           5,551              54
                                10-May 31.
                                                 Chirikof (620).          0.0031           9,925              31
                                                 Kodiak (630)...          0.0002           2,891               1
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               C Season--August  Shumagin (610).          0.0098           7,577              74
                                25-October 1.
                                                 Chirikof (620).          0.0031           4,878              15
                                                 Kodiak (630)...          0.0002           5,912               1
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               D Season--        Shumagin (610).          0.0098           7,577              74
                                October 1-
                                November 1.
                                                 Chirikof (620).          0.0031           4,878              15
                                                 Kodiak (630)...          0.0002           5,912               1
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Annual..........  WYK (640)......          0.0000           2,031               0
                                                 SEO (650)......          0.0000           9,245               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod..................  A Season \1\--    W inshore......          0.0902          11,212           1,011
                                January 1-June
                                10.
                                                 W offshore.....          0.2046           1,246             255
                                                 C inshore......          0.0383          19,862             761
                                                 C offshore.....          0.2074           2,207             458
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               B Season \2\--    W inshore......          0.0902           7,475             674
                                September 1-
                                December 31.
                                                 W offshore.....          0.2046             831             170
                                                 C inshore......          0.0383          13,242             507
                                                 C offshore.....          0.2074           1,471             305
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Annual..........  E inshore......          0.0110           1,815              20
                                                 E offshore.....          0.0000             202               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish....................  Annual, trawl     W..............          0.0000             332               0
                                gear.
                                                 C..............          0.0000             902               0
                                                 E..............          0.0000             210               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flatfish, deep-water.........  Annual..........  W..............          0.0035             521               2
                                                 C..............          0.0000           2,865               0
                                                 E..............          0.0000           2,804               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flatfish, shallow-water......  Annual..........  W..............          0.0059           4,500              27
                                                 C..............          0.0001          13,000               1
                                                 E..............          0.0000           2,562               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rex sole.....................  Annual..........  W..............          0.0000           1,543               0
                                                 C..............          0.0000           6,403               0
                                                 E..............          0.0000           1,783               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth Flounder..........  Annual..........  W..............          0.0004           8,000               3
                                                 C..............          0.0001          30,000               3
                                                 E..............          0.0000           5,000               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead Sole................  Annual..........  W..............          0.0002           2,000               0
                                                 C..............          0.0004           5,000               2
                                                 E..............          0.0000           3,441               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean Perch..........  Annual..........  W..............          0.0000           2,895               0
                                                 C..............          0.0000          10,737               0

[[Page 11769]]

 
                                                 E..............          0.0000           3,952               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern Rockfish............  Annual..........  W..............          0.0005           2,703               1
                                                 C..............          0.0000           2,395               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rougheye Rockfish............  Annual..........  W..............          0.0067              80               1
                                                 C..............          0.0047             862               4
                                                 E..............          0.0008             360               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortraker Rockfish..........  Annual..........  W..............          0.0013             134               0
                                                 C..............          0.0012             325               0
                                                 E..............          0.0009             455               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Rockfish...............  Annual..........  W..............          0.0035             212               1
                                                 C..............          0.0033             507               2
                                                 E..............          0.0000             473               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pelagic shelf Rockfish.......  Annual..........  W..............          0.0017             650               1
                                                 C..............          0.0000           3,249               0
                                                 E..............          0.0000           1,160               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demersal shelf Rockfish......  Annual..........  SEO............          0.0000             295               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thornyhead Rockfish..........  Annual..........  W..............          0.0047             425               2
                                                 C..............          0.0066             637               4
                                                 E..............          0.0045             708               3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel................  Annual..........  Gulfwide.......          0.0000           2,000               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big skate....................  Annual..........  W..............          0.0392             598              23
                                                 C..............          0.0159           2,049              33
                                                 E..............          0.0000             681               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longnose Skate...............  Annual..........  W..............          0.0392              81               3
                                                 C..............          0.0159           2,009              32
                                                 E..............          0.0000             762               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other skates.................  Annual..........  Gulfwide.......          0.0176           2,093              37
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 20--Final 2011 GOA Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessel Groundfish Harvest Sideboard Limits
                                   [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Ratio of 1996-
                                                                   2000 non-AFA                    2011 non-AFA
                                                                    crab vessel                     crab vessel
           Species                Season/gear     Area/component  catch to 1996-     2011 TAC        sideboard
                                                                    2000 total                         limit
                                                                      harvest
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock......................  A Season--        Shumagin (610).          0.0098           7,342              72
                                January 20-
                                March 10.
                                                 Chirikof (620).          0.0031          11,129              34
                                                 Kodiak (630)...          0.0002           5,823               1
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               B Season--March   Shumagin (610).          0.0098           7,342              72
                                10-May 31.
                                                 Chirikof (620).          0.0031          13,128              41
                                                 Kodiak (630)...          0.0002           3,824               1
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               C Season--August  Shumagin (610).          0.0098          10,022              98
                                25-October 1.
                                                 Chirikof (620).          0.0031           6,451              20

[[Page 11770]]

 
                                                 Kodiak (630)...          0.0002           7,820               2
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               D Season--        Shumagin (610).          0.0098          10,022              98
                                October 1-
                                November 1.
                                                 Chirikof (620).          0.0031           6,451              20
                                                 Kodiak (630)...          0.0002           7,820               2
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Annual..........  WYK (640)......          0.0000           2,686               0
                                                 SEO (650)......          0.0000           9,245               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod..................  A Season \1\      W inshore......          0.0902          13,877           1,252
                                January 1-June
                                10.
                                                 W offshore.....          0.2046           1,542             315
                                                 C inshore......          0.0383          24,583             942
                                                 C offshore.....          0.2074           2,731             566
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               B Season \2\      W inshore......          0.0902           9,252             835
                                September 1-
                                December 31.
                                                 W offshore.....          0.2046           1,028             210
                                                 C inshore......          0.0383          16,389             628
                                                 C offshore.....          0.2074           1,821             378
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Annual..........  E inshore......          0.0110           2,246              25
                                                 E offshore.....          0.0000             250               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish....................  Annual, trawl     W..............          0.0000             298               0
                                gear.
                                                 C..............          0.0000             808               0
                                                 E..............          0.0000             188               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flatfish, deep-water.........  Annual..........  W..............          0.0035             530               2
                                                 C..............          0.0000           2,928               0
                                                 E..............          0.0000           2,867               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flatfish, shallow-water......  Annual..........  W..............          0.0059           4,500              27
                                                 C..............          0.0001          13,000               1
                                                 E..............          0.0000           2,562               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rex sole.....................  Annual..........  W..............          0.0000           1,541               0
                                                 C..............          0.0000           6,312               0
                                                 E..............          0.0000           1,759               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth Flounder..........  Annual..........  W..............          0.0004           8,000               3
                                                 C..............          0.0001          30,000               3
                                                 E..............          0.0000           5,000               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead Sole................  Annual..........  W..............          0.0002           2,000               0
                                                 C..............          0.0004           5,000               2
                                                 E..............          0.0000           3,576               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean Perch..........  Annual..........  W..............          0.0000           2,797               0
                                                 C..............          0.0000          10,377               0
                                                 E..............          0.0000           3,819               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern Rockfish............  Annual..........  W..............          0.0005           2,549               1
                                                 C..............          0.0000           2,259               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rougheye Rockfish............  Annual..........  W..............          0.0067              81               1
                                                 C..............          0.0047             869               4
                                                 E..............          0.0008             363               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortraker Rockfish..........  Annual..........  W..............          0.0013             134               0
                                                 C..............          0.0012             325               0
                                                 E..............          0.0009             455               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Rockfish...............  Annual..........  W..............          0.0035             212               1
                                                 C..............          0.0033             507               2
                                                 E..............          0.0000             473               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 11771]]

 
Pelagic shelf Rockfish.......  Annual..........  W..............          0.0017             607               1
                                                 C..............          0.0000           3,035               0
                                                 E..............          0.0000           1,085               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demersal shelf...............  Annual..........  SEO............          0.0000             295               0
Rockfish.....................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thornyhead Rockfish..........  Annual..........  W..............          0.0047             425               2
                                                 C..............          0.0066             637               4
                                                 E..............          0.0045             708               3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel................  Annual..........  Gulfwide.......          0.0000           2,000               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big skate....................  Annual..........  W..............          0.0392             598              23
                                                 C..............          0.0159           2,049              33
                                                 E..............          0.0000             681
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longnose Skate...............  Annual..........  W..............          0.0392              81               3
                                                 C..............          0.0159           2,009              32
                                                 E..............          0.0000             762               0
Other skates.................  Annual..........  Gulfwide.......          0.0176           2,093              37
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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) 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, who could 
use this economic advantage to increase their participation in other 
fisheries, thus possibly adversely affecting participants in other 
fisheries. The final sideboards for 2010 and 2011 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. Tables 21 and 
22 list the final 2010 and 2011 Rockfish Program harvest limits in the 
WYK District and the Western GOA. Table 23 lists the final 2010 and 
2011 Rockfish Program halibut mortality limits for catcher/processors 
and CVs.

 Table 21--Final 2010 Rockfish Program Harvest Limits by Sector for WYK District and Western Regulatory Area by
                           the Catcher/Processor (C/P) and Catcher Vessel (CV) Sectors
                                   [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 C/P  sector   CV sector                  2010 C/P     2010 CV
             Area                   Fishery       (% of TAC)   (% of TAC)    2010 TAC      limit        limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
West Yakutat District........  Pelagic shelf            72.4          1.7          434          314            7
                                rockfish.
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Pacific ocean            76.0          2.9        2,004        1,523           58
                                perch.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA..................  Pelagic shelf            63.3            0          650          411            0
                                rockfish.
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Pacific ocean            61.1            0        2,895        1,769            0
                                perch.
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Northern                 78.9            0        2,703        2,133            0
                                rockfish.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 11772]]


 Table 22--Final 2011 Rockfish Program Harvest Limits by Sector for WYK District and Western Regulatory Area by
                           the Catcher/Processor (C/P) and Catcher Vessel (CV) Sectors
                                   [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 C/P  sector   CV sector                  2011 C/P     2011 CV
             Area                   Fishery       (% of TAC)   (% of TAC)    2011 TAC      limit        limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
West Yakutat District........  Pelagic shelf            72.4          1.7          405          293            7
                                rockfish.
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Pacific ocean            76.0          2.9        1,937        1,472           56
                                perch.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA..................  Pelagic shelf            63.3            0          607          384            0
                                rockfish.
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Pacific ocean            61.1            0        2,797        1,709            0
                                perch.
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Northern                 78.9            0        2,549        2,011            0
                                rockfish.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


         Table 23--Final 2010 and 2011 Rockfish Program Halibut Mortality Limits for the Catcher/Processor (C/P) and Catcher Vessel (CV) Sectors
                                                       [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                       Annual shallow-    Annual deep-
                                                                  Shallow-water      Deep-water      Annual halibut     water complex     water complex
                            Sector                               complex halibut   complex halibut   mortality limit     halibut PSC       halibut PSC
                                                                  PSC sideboard     PSC sideboard         (mt)         sideboard limit   sideboard limit
                                                                 ratio (percent)   ratio (percent)                          (mt)              (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C/P...........................................................              0.54              3.99             2,000                11                80
CV............................................................              6.32              1.08             2,000               126                22
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GOA 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.
    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.
    Groundfish sideboard limits for Amendment 80 program vessels 
operating in the GOA are based on their average aggregate harvests from 
1998 to 2004. Tables 24 and 25 list the final 2010 and 2011 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 24 and 25.

              Table 24--Final 2010 GOA Groundfish Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels
                                   [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Ratio of
                                Apportionments                     Amendment 80                   2010 Amendment
           Species              and allocations        Area       sector vessels   2010 TAC (mt)     80 vessel
                                   by season                         1998-2004                      sideboards
                                                                   catch to TAC                        (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock......................  A Season--        Shumagin (610).           0.003           5,551              17
                                January 20-
                                February 25.
                                                 Chirikof (620).           0.002           8,414              17
                                                 Kodiak (630)...           0.002           4,403               9
                               B Season--March   Shumagin (610).           0.003           5,551              17
                                10-May 31.
                                                 Chirikof (620).           0.002           9,925              20
                                                 Kodiak (630)...           0.002           2,891               6
                               C Season--August  Shumagin (610).           0.003           7,577              23
                                25-September 15.
                                                 Chirikof (620).           0.002           4,878              10
                                                 Kodiak (630)...           0.002           5,912              12

[[Page 11773]]

 
                               D Season--        Shumagin (610).           0.003           7,577              23
                                October 1-
                                November 1.
                                                 Chirikof (620).           0.002           4,878              10
                                                 Kodiak (630)...           0.002           5,912              12
                               Annual..........  WYK (640)......           0.002           2,031               5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod..................  A Season \1\--    W..............           0.020          12,458             249
                                January 1-June
                                10.
                                                 C..............           0.044          22,069             971
                               B Season \2\--    W..............           0.020           8,306             166
                                September 1-
                                December 31.
                                                 C..............           0.044          14,713             647
                               Annual..........  WYK............           0.034           2,017              69
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch..........  Annual..........  W..............           0.994           2,895           2,878
                                                 WYK............           0.961           2,004           1,926
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern rockfish............  Annual..........  W..............           1.000           2,703           2,703
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pelagic shelf rockfish.......  Annual..........  W..............           0.764             650             497
                                                 WYK............           0.896             434             389
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 25--Final 2011 GOA Groundfish Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels
                                   [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Ratio of
                                Apportionments                     Amendment 80                   2011 Amendment
           Species              and allocations        Area       sector vessels   2011 TAC (mt)     80 vessel
                                   by season                         1998-2004                      sideboards
                                                                   catch to TAC                        (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock......................  A Season--        Shumagin (610).           0.003           7,342              22
                                January 20-
                                February 25.
                                                 Chirikof (620).           0.002          11,129              22
                                                 Kodiak (630)...           0.002           5,823              12
                               B Season--March   Shumagin (610).           0.003           7,342              22
                                10-May 31.
                                                 Chirikof (620).           0.002          13,128              26
                                                 Kodiak (630)...           0.002           3,824               8
                               C Season--August  Shumagin (610).           0.003          10,022              30
                                25-September 15.
                                                 Chirikof (620).           0.002           6,451              13
                                                 Kodiak (630)...           0.002           7,820              16
                               D Season--        Shumagin (610).           0.003          10,022              30
                                October 1-
                                November 1.
                                                 Chirikof (620).           0.002           6,451              13
                                                 Kodiak (630)...           0.002           7,820              16
                               Annual..........  WYK (640)......           0.002           2,686               5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod..................  A Season\1\--     W..............           0.020          15,419             308
                                January 1-June
                                10.
                                                 C..............           0.044          27,314           1,202
                               B Season\2\--     W..............           0.020          10,280             206
                                September 1-
                                December 31.
                                                 C..............           0.044          18,210             801
                               Annual..........  WYK............           0.034           2,496              85
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch..........  Annual..........  W..............           0.994           2,797           2,780
                                                 WYK............           0.961           1,937           1,861
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern rockfish............  Annual..........  W..............           1.000           2,549           2,549
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pelagic shelf rockfish.......  Annual..........  W..............           0.764             607             464
                                                 WYK............           0.896             405             363
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 11774]]

    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. 
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 (Sec.  679.92(b)(2)). Table 26 
lists the final 2010 and 2011 halibut PSC limits for Amendment 80 
program vessels, as proscribed at Table 38 to 50 CFR part 679.

          Table 26--Final 2010 and 2011 Halibut PSC Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels in the GOA
                                   [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Historic
                                                                   Amendment 80                    2010 and 2011
                                                                    use of the     2010 and 2011   Amendment 80
         Season              Season dates       Target fishery    annual halibut    annual PSC      vessel PSC
                                                                     PSC limit      limit (mt)      limit (mt)
                                                                   catch (ratio)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................  January 20-April 1  shallow-water.....          0.0048           2,000              10
                                              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 1  shallow-water.....          0.0146           2,000              29
                                              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-December  shallow-water.....          0.0227           2,000              45
                           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 
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 27 are necessary as incidental catch to support other 
anticipated groundfish fisheries for the 2010 and 2011 fishing years:

                          Table 27--2010 and 2011 Directed Fishing Closures in the GOA
                  [Amounts for incidental catch in other directed fisheries are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Target                     Area/component/gear                Incidental catch amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel.........................  all......................  2,000.
Thornyhead rockfish...................  all......................  1,770.
Shortraker rockfish...................  all......................  914.
Rougheye rockfish.....................  all......................  1,302 (2010); 1,313 (2011).
Other rockfish........................  all......................  1,192.
Sablefish.............................  all/trawl................  1,444 (2010); 1,295 (2011).
Big skate.............................  all......................  3,328.
Longnose skate........................  all......................  2,852.
Other skates..........................  all......................  2,093.
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 27 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 
27. These closures will remain in effect through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., 
December 31, 2011.
    Section 679.64(b)(5) provides for management of AFA CV groundfish 
harvest limits and PSC bycatch limits using directed fishing closures 
and PSC closures according to procedures set out at Sec. 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 CV sideboard limits listed in Tables 
16 and 17 are necessary as incidental catch to support other 
anticipated groundfish fisheries for the 2010 and 2011 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 28 at zero. 
Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is 
prohibiting directed fishing by non-exempt AFA CVs in the GOA for the 
species and specified areas listed in Table 28. These closures will 
remain in effect through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2011.

[[Page 11775]]



  Table 28--2010 and 2011 Non-Exempt AFA CV 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/      Incidental catch
           Species                  district               amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod.................  Eastern.............  16 (inshore) and 2
                                                     (offshore) in 2010.
                                                    18 (inshore) and 2
                                                     (offshore) in 2011.
Deep-water flatfish.........  Western.............  0.
Rex sole....................  Eastern and Western.  5 and 1.
Flathead sole...............  Eastern and Western.  3 and 7.
Arrowtooth flounder.........  Eastern and Western.  1 and 17.
Pacific ocean perch.........  Western.............  7 in 2010.
                                                    6 in 2011.
Northern rockfish...........  Western.............  1.
Pelagic shelf rockfish......  Entire GOA..........  0 (W), 0 (C), 8 (E)
                                                     in 2010.
                                                    0 (W), 0 (C), 7 (E)
                                                     in 2011.
Demersal shelf rockfish.....  SEO District........  1
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 680.22 provides for the management of non-AFA crab vessel 
GHLs 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 19 and 20 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, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing by 
non-AFA crab vessels in the GOA for all species and species groups 
listed in Tables 19 and 20, 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 CV sideboards listed in Tables 21 and 22 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 CVs participating in the Central GOA Rockfish Program during 
the month of July in 2010 and 2011. These closures will remain in 
effect through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2011.
    Closures implemented under the 2009 and 2010 Gulf of Alaska harvest 
specifications for groundfish (74 FR 7333, February 17, 2009) remain 
effective under authority of these final 2010 and 2011 harvest 
specifications, and are posted at the following Web sites: http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/index/infobulletins/infobulletins.asp?Yr=2010, 
and http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/2010/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 2010 and 2011 fishing years as 
necessary for effective conservation and management.

Response to Comments

    NMFS received three letters of comment, which included six distinct 
comments, in response to the proposed 2010 and 2011 harvest 
specifications (74 FR 62533, November 30, 2009). These letters were 
from an individual, an environmental organization, and a company 
involved in the guided Pacific halibut sport fishery in Alaska, 
respectively. These comments are summarized and responded to below.
    Comment 1: The commenter raises general concerns about NMFS's 
management of fisheries, asserting that fishery policies have not 
benefited American citizens. The commenter also asserts that NMFS does 
not enforce fisheries regulations and should not be allowed to manage 
commercial fisheries.
    Response: This comment is not specifically related to the proposed 
rule. The comment recommends broad changes to fisheries management and 
provides opinions of the Federal Government's general management of 
marine resources that are outside the scope of this action. The comment 
did not raise new relevant issues or concerns that have not been 
explained in the preamble to the proposed rule or addressed in the SAFE 
reports and other analyses prepared to support the GOA groundfish 
harvest specifications.
    Comment 2: The comment asserts that the groundfish quotas are too 
high.
    Response: 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 and 
economic data about Alaska groundfish fisheries. This suite of 
information allows the Council to make scientifically-based 
recommendations for annual catch limits that do not exceed, on a 
species-by-species basis, the OFLs and ABCs established for each GOA 
target species managed under the FMP.
    Comment 3: Overfishing is having a detrimental effect on the health 
of oceans and coastal communities.
    Response: This comment does not specially address the proposed 2010 
and 2011 harvest specifications for the GOA. None of the species 
encompassed by these harvest specifications are overfished or subject 
to overfishing.
    Comment 4: The decline of pollock stocks is having a detrimental 
impact on marine mammals.
    Response: The most recent GOA pollock stock surveys indicate that 
pollock stocks in this management area are increasing. Furthermore, the 
EIS (see ADDRESSES) prepared for the Alaska groundfish fisheries 
specifications process 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. Additionally, pursuant to the Endangered 
Species Act, NMFS consults to ensure that Federal actions, including 
this one, do not jeopardize the

[[Page 11776]]

continued existence of any endangered or threatened marine mammal 
species.
    Comment 5: Federal agencies are obligated to renew an EIS when 
conditions prevalent at the time of the EIS's development have 
substantially changed. Recent reductions in the amount of halibut 
allocated to the halibut IFQ fisheries, as well as implementation of a 
one-halibut daily bag limit for the guided sport fishery in 2009, 
constitute a substantial change in environmental conditions. NMFS 
should update the EIS and adopt reductions in the halibut PSC limits to 
address the disparity between relatively constant halibut PSC limits 
and decreasing IFQ halibut and sport halibut allocations.
    Response: The EIS examines the environmental impacts of alternative 
harvest strategies for the federally managed groundfish fisheries in 
the GOA and the BSAI management areas. The EIS concludes that for all 
of the components of the environment analyzed, the effects of the 
harvest specifications, including PSC limits, are insignificant based 
on the available scientific information. That information is annually 
updated and incorporated into the harvest specifications process. The 
EIS explains how PSC limits constrain bycatch in the groundfish 
fisheries, as well as how halibut bycatch is accounted for by the IPHC. 
The IPHC is responsible for analyzing the status of halibut stocks and 
setting the constant exploitation yield (CEY). The CEY is adjusted to 
account for a variety of removals that occur outside of the commercial 
hook-and-line fisheries, including incidental catch of halibut in the 
groundfish fisheries.
    NMFS annually prepares a SIR (see ADDRESSES) to evaluate the need 
to prepare a Supplemental EIS. A Supplemental EIS should be prepared if 
the agency makes substantial changes in a proposed action that are 
relevant to environmental concerns, or if significant new circumstances 
or information exist relevant to environmental concerns associated with 
the action. The 2010 SIR analyzes the information contained in the 
Council's SAFE reports and other new, relevant information associated 
with the management of Alaska groundfish fisheries. The SIR concluded 
that (1) new changes to the preferred harvest strategy (the action) 
have not occurred and (2) the new information evaluated in the SIR does 
not indicate that there are significant new circumstances or 
information relevant to environmental concerns and bearing on the 
proposed action or its impacts. The harvest specifications will result 
in environmental impacts within the scope of those analyzed and 
disclosed in the EIS.
    Comment 6: Businesses engaged in the guided sport fishing sector in 
IPHC Area 2C have suffered economic and social impacts due to the 2009 
implementation of a one-halibut daily bag limit for guided sport 
fishermen. These impacts could be mitigated to some extent by managing 
the halibut PSC limit apportioned to the GOA trawl fisheries to mirror 
the fluctuations in the directed fishery catch limits set by the IPHC.
    Response: The commercial halibut setline and groundfish trawl 
fisheries currently are subject to binding halibut PSC limits set by 
the IPHC and Council, respectively, as a part of their efforts to 
maintain sustainable groundfish stocks. These commercial fisheries are 
required to stop fishing when their halibut limits (either IFQ or PSC) 
are taken. Commercial groundfish fisheries are often closed due to the 
attainment of halibut PSC limits before target species TACs have been 
fully harvested. Participants in these fisheries incur significant 
costs to stay within their halibut catch limits. The issue regarding 
changes to commercial catch limits was considered during the 
development of the one-halibut daily bag limit (74 FR 21194, May 6, 
2009). In the context of seeking economic parity between halibut 
resource user groups, implementing additional restrictions on the 
incidental catch of halibut by the commercial fishing sector is outside 
the scope of this action.

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 an EIS for this action (see ADDRESSES) 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 EIS. In 
January 2010, NMFS prepared a Supplemental Information Report (SIR) for 
this action. Copies of the EIS, ROD, and SIR for this action are 
available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES). The 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 2010 and 2011 
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 Regional Administrator has 
determined that (1) approval of the 2010 and 2011 harvest 
specifications, which were set according to the preferred harvest 
strategy in the 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 2010 and 2011 harvest specifications will result in 
environmental impacts within the scope of those analyzed and disclosed 
in the EIS. Therefore, supplemental National Environmental Protection 
Act (NEPA) documentation is not necessary to implement the 2010 and 
2011 harvest specifications.
    The proposed harvest specifications were published in the Federal 
Register on November 30, 2009 (74 FR 62533). 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 EEZ off Alaska. The public comment period ended on 
December 30, 2009. No comments were received regarding the IRFA or the 
economic impacts of this action. A FRFA was prepared pursuant to 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, 
NMFS is using the same IRFA and FRFA prepared in connection with the 
EIS in association with this action. 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 analyzed in the FRFA is the adoption of a harvest 
strategy to govern the catch of groundfish in the GOA. The preferred 
alternative is the

[[Page 11777]]

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 CVs and fewer than 20 small catcher/processors. The entities 
directly regulated by this action harvest groundfish in the EEZ of the 
GOA, and in parallel fisheries within State of Alaska waters. These 
include entities operating CVs and catcher/processor vessels within the 
action area, and entities receiving direct allocations of groundfish. 
CVs 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 four 
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--the ``no 
action'' alternative--would have set TACs equal to zero.
    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 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 are 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 EIS (see ADDRESSES).
    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Assistant Administrator for 
Fisheries, NOAA, finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in 
effectiveness for this rule. Plan Team review occurred in November 
2009, and Council consideration and recommendations occurred in 
December 2009. Accordingly, NMFS review could not begin until January 
2010. For all fisheries not currently closed because the TACs 
established under the final 2009 and 2010 harvest specifications (74 FR 
7333, February 17, 2009) were not reached, the possibility exists that 
they would be closed prior to the expiration of a 30-day delayed 
effectiveness period, if implemented, 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 confusion 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.
    In fisheries subject to declining sideboards, a failure to 
implement the updated sideboards before initial season's end could 
preclude the intended economic protection to the non-sideboarded 
sectors. Conversely, in fisheries with increasing sideboards, economic 
benefit could be precluded to the sideboarded sectors.
    If the final harvest specifications are not effective by March 6, 
2010, which is the start of the 2010 Pacific halibut season as 
specified by the IPHC, the hook-and-line sablefish fishery will not 
begin concurrently with the Pacific halibut IFQ season. This would 
result in confusion for the industry and economic harm from unnecessary 
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 2010 and 2011 
harvest specifications will allow the sablefish IFQ fishery to begin 
concurrently with the Pacific halibut IFQ 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. This is particularly true of those 
species which have lower 2010 ABCs and TACs than those established in 
the 2009-2010 harvest specifications. Immediate effectiveness also 
would give the fishing industry the earliest possible opportunity to 
plan and conduct its fishing operations with respect to new information 
about TAC limits. 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 final 2010 and 2011 harvest 
specifications and prohibited species bycatch allowances for the 
groundfish fisheries of the GOA. This action is necessary to establish 
harvest

[[Page 11778]]

limits and associated management measures for groundfish during the 
2010 and 2011 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: March 9, 2010.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-5472 Filed 3-11-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P