The Council reviewed a discussion paper on IFQ survivorship beneficiary designation and developed a Purpose and Need Statement and alternatives to be analyzed (available on the Council’s website under the Agenda Item C5).
The alternatives provide options for the Council to add “estate” to all references to surviving spouse and immediate family at 50 CFR 679.41(k). The proposed change is intended to clarify which individuals may receive QS and lease IFQ for three years after a QS holder’s death. The Council also developed an alternative to address the definition of an “immediate family member.” That term is not defined in regulations at 50 CFR 679, and the lack of a definition has created problems for NMFS when administering the provision. The two definitions of an immediate family member being considered by the Council are those currently used by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and the Federal Family Medical Leave Act.
Staff contact is Sam Cunningham.