109 Pacific Cod Community Development Quota Fishery Development
Purpose and Need
Amendment 109 created a regulatory structure for the harvest of groundfish CDQ that promoted Pacific cod harvest opportunities for the small vessels that fish on behalf of a CDQ group. Additionally, the action allowed CDQ and IFQ halibut harvesters, operating vessels less than or equal to 46 ft. LOA, the ability to retain Pacific cod and/or other groundfish CDQ species in excess of the MRA provided for in the halibut fishery. Although the focus of this action was on developing additional opportunities for small boat Pacific cod CDQ fisheries, it also allowed development of other groundfish CDQ fisheries, should markets for these species develop in the future. The difference between the requirements for halibut CDQ fishing and groundfish CDQ fishing is that any groundfish caught in the halibut fishery was generally not retainable by small vessels for commercial use. Adjusting the regulations for these fisheries was meant to reduce Pacific cod discards and increase small vessel economic opportunities in the halibut CDQ fishery. In light of recent declines in halibut quota, small vessels that fish on behalf of a CDQ group would benefit from the ability to retain Pacific cod incidental catch for commercial sale to supplement their income from halibut CDQ harvest. This action was consistent with Magnuson-Stevens Act policy objectives of supporting employment and growth in these fishery-dependent communities
Analysis
An RIR/IRFA was prepared to analyze three action alternatives, each with options and sub-options. The Council believed that elements under the preferred alternative (PA) and options were consistent with the overall purpose of the CDQ program, as well as the Regulation of Harvest provision in the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The Council anticipated that the components of the PA would address objectives in National Standard 1, 5, 8, and 9 in particular. They also highlighted that provisions established by this action did not appear to be in conflict with or contrary to the purposes of the Halibut Act. There were alternatives considered by the Council, but not moved forwards. Notably, the initial proposal submitted by CDQ representatives requested direct exemptions for vessels less than or equal to 46 ft. LOA from VMS requirements. The February 2014 discussion paper identified significant enforcement and monitoring concerns for these exemptions. Consequently, the Council passed a motion that did not include analysis of direct exemptions from VMS requirements. Instead this analysis was tasked with examining the baseline burden of current VMS options for small vessels, and contrasting this with monitoring alternatives, such as Global Positioning System (GPS) electronic monitoring (EM).
Regulation Summary
Amendment 109 amended regulations governing the Western Alaska CDQ Program to support increased participation in the groundfish CDQ fisheries (primarily Pacific cod) by catcher vessels less than or equal to 46 ft LOA using hook-and-line gear. Specifically, this amendment exempts operators of registered catcher vessels greater than 32 ft LOA and less than or equal to 46 ft LOA using hook-and-line gear from the requirement to obtain and carry a LLP license when groundfish CDQ fishing. It also reduced observer coverage requirements for catcher vessels less than or equal to 46 ft LOA when groundfish CDQ fishing, and implemented new in-season management and catch accounting requirements to properly account for the harvest of groundfish and halibut and the accrual of halibut PSC in these fisheries.
Results
It is too early to gauge the success of Amendment 109.