Purpose and Need

The purpose of this amendment was to reduce incidental bycatch of salmon, halibut, king and Tanner crab in the foreign trawl fisheries, and thereby reduce the economic costs to U.S. fishers that participate in these fisheries.  The Council felt the existing requirement that these species be returned to the sea as soon as possible was not reducing the incidental bycatch and associated mortality of these species. The intent of this amendment was to set low allowable bycatch rates to reduce bycatch. By providing incentives (more groundfish TALFF allocation to that country), it was felt that foreign vessels could reduce their bycatch of prohibited species and still catch the groundfish TALFF.

Analysis

A 39-page RIR/IRFA (final draft dated November, 1981) was prepared for this amendment.  There were three alternatives, including the status quo that were considered. The other non-status quo alternatives not chosen would have closed INPFC Areas I and II during the period October 1 through March 31, when prohibited species were believed to be highly concentrated. 

Regulation Summary

Amendment 3 reduced bycatch of prohibited species in foreign groundfish fisheries. Essentially, total PSC allocations for foreign nations were based on bycatch rates multiplied by the nations TALFF allocation.  Bycatch rate reductions to be met by 1986 from status quo base years (1977-80) were as follows: halibut, 50%; king and Tanner crab 25%; salmon 75%. The target level of salmon bycatch was 17,473 fish.  If bycatch apportionments for any PSC species were met or exceeded, that nation=s fleet was prohibited from fishing in the entire BSAI area, unless exempted by the NMFS Regional Director.  

Results

The foreign fleet successfully reduced bycatch in their fisheries (of course, part of this reduction is attributable to reduced TALFF).  However, bycatch savings were offset by the growing joint venture (JV) fisheries.