The IFQ Committee met on Monday, April 1, and reviewed three documents that came before the Council at this meeting: CQE fish-up in halibut Area 3A, IFQ eligibility criteria, and small sablefish discards. Committee comments and recommendations were presented to the Council under each agenda item and are summarized in the minutes. The Committee’s other… Read More →
IFQ Medical & Beneficiary Transfer Provisions
The Council reaffirmed its preliminary preferred alternatives and options after reviewing the Public Review draft of proposed changes to the medical transfer and designated beneficiary transfer provisions of the halibut and sablefish IFQ programs. While this agenda item had originally been scheduled for final action at this meeting, the Federal government shutdown prevented the February… Read More →
Halibut in Pots
The Council took final action on an issue that would allow retention of legal-size halibut in pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI), provided the operator holds sufficient halibut IFQ or CDQ for the corresponding regulatory area. The purpose of this action is to allow for more efficient harvest of the halibut… Read More →
IFQ CQE Fish Up in Area 3A
The Council reviewed a discussion paper on whether to allow Community Quota Entities (CQEs) in Area 3A to fish D-class halibut IFQ on C-class vessels. Current regulations that restrict CQE ability to fish “D” class quota on “C” class vessels have, in some circumstances, limited the CQE community’s access to fish CQE halibut, particularly in… Read More →
IFQ Outreach
The Council hosted an evening outreach/listening session in Kodiak on Tuesday, June 5. More than 50 stakeholders – including Council members – attended to comment on opportunities to help the halibut and sablefish IFQ fishery continue to address the program’s objectives. The session was specifically focused on entry-level opportunities and rural participation. The Council received… Read More →
IFQ Medical Transfer Provision
The Council reviewed a discussion paper, developed a Purpose and Need Statement, and approved alternatives for analysis. Alternatives were included to broaden the definition of a Certified Medical Professional that would be allowed to certify the Medical Transfer Application Form. Currently only a licensed medical doctor, an advanced nurse practitioner, or a primary community health… Read More →
IFQ Beneficiary Designation
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… Read More →
IFQ Committee
The IFQ Committee met on February 5, 2018 to review two Council discussion papers and a set of 20 proposals for modifications to the IFQ program which were offered by members of the Committee. The discussion papers addressed use of IFQ lease provisions that cover medical hardship and survivorship beneficiaries and are summarized separately. The Committee… Read More →
IFQ Committee
The Council reviewed the minutes of the IFQ Committee which met on Monday, October 2. The committee reviewed staff papers on: NMFS’s cost recovery program, an action that would allow retention of halibut IFQ in BSAI pot gear, and a review of the first year of sablefish fishing with longline pot gear in the GOA.… Read More →
Halibut Retention in Pot Gear
After reviewing a staff discussion paper, the Council initiated an analysis to allow vessels using pot gear in the BSAI to retain legal-size halibut if they possess the appropriate IFQ. The Council established a purpose and need statement that recognizes the challenge of whale depredation on longline gear and on halibut that must be discarded… Read More →