(a)
A catch sharing plan (CSP) may be developed by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council and approved by NMFS for portions of the fishery. Any approved CSP may be obtained from the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
(b)
The catch sharing plan for Commission regulatory area 4 allocates the annual TAC among area 4 subareas and will be implemented by the Commission in annual management measures published pursuant to 50 CFR 300.62.
(c) Guideline harvest level.
(1)
The annual GHLs for Regulatory Areas 2C and 3A are determined as follows:
(i) Regulatory Area 2C |
(A) 9,027,000 lb(4,094.6 mt)
|
1,432,000 lb(649.5 mt)
|
(B) 7,965,000 lb(3,612.9 mt)
|
1,217,000 lb(552.0 mt)
|
(C) 6,903,000 lb(3,131.1 mt)
|
1,074,000 lb(487.2 mt)
|
(D) 5,841,000 lb(2,649.4 mt)
|
931,000 lb(422.3 mt)
|
(E) 4,779,000 lb(2,167.7 mt)
|
788,000 lb(357.4 mt)
|
(ii) Regulatory Area 3A |
(A) 21,581,000 lb(9,789.0 mt)
|
3,650,000 lb(1,655.6 mt)
|
(B) 19,042,000 lb(8,637.3 mt)
|
3,103,000 lb(1,407.5 mt)
|
(C) 16,504,000 lb(7,486.1 mt)
|
2,734,000 lb(1,240.1 mt)
|
(D) 13,964,000 lb(6,334.0 mt)
|
2,373,000 lb(1,076.4 mt)
|
(E) 11,425,000 lb(5,182.3 mt)
|
2,008,000 lb(910.8 mt)
|
(2)
NMFS will publish a notice in the Federal Register on an annual basis announcing the GHL based on the table in paragraph (c)(1) of this section for Area 2C and Area 3A for that calendar year after the IPHC establishes the constant exploitation yield for that year.
(3)
The announced GHLs for Area 2C and 3A are intended to be the benchmarks for charter halibut harvest in those areas for the year in which it is announced pursuant to paragraph (c)(2) of this section. NMFS may take action at any time to limit the charter halibut harvest to as close to the GHL as practicable.
(d) Charter vessels in Area 2C and Area 3A—
(1) General requirements—
Alaska Department of Fish and Game Saltwater Sport Fishing Charter Trip Logbook data sheets must be submitted to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish, 333 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, AK 99518-1599, and postmarked no more than seven calendar days after the end of a charter vessel fishing trip.
(ii)
The charter vessel guide is responsible for complying with the reporting requirements of this paragraph (d). The employer of the charter vessel guide is responsible for ensuring that the charter vessel guide complies with the reporting requirements of this paragraph (d).
(2) Charter vessels in Area 2C—
(i) Daily bag limit.
The number of halibut caught and retained by each charter vessel angler in Area 2C is limited to no more than one halibut per calendar day.
(ii) Charter vessel guide and crew restriction.
A charter vessel guide, a charter vessel operator, and any crew member of a charter vessel must not catch and retain halibut during a charter fishing trip.
(iii) Line limit.
The number of lines used to fish for halibut onboard a vessel must not exceed six or the number of charter vessel anglers, whichever is less.
(iv) Recordkeeping and reporting requirements in Area 2C.
Each charter vessel angler and charter vessel guide onboard a vessel in Area 2C must comply with the following recordkeeping and reporting requirements (see paragraphs (d)(2)(iv)(A) and (B) of this section):
(A) Charter vessel angler signature requirement.
At the end of a charter vessel fishing trip, each charter vessel angler who retains halibut caught in Area 2C must acknowledge that his or her information and the number of halibut retained (kept) are recorded correctly by signing the back of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Saltwater Sport Fishing Charter Trip Logbook data sheet on the line number that corresponds to the angler's information on the front of the logbook data sheet.
(B) Charter vessel guide requirements.
For each charter vessel fishing trip in Area 2C, the charter vessel guide must record the following information (see paragraphs (d)(2)(iv)(B)(1) through (8) of this section) in the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Saltwater Sport Fishing Charter Trip Logbook:
(1) Business owner license number. The sport fishing operator business license number issued by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to the charter vessel guide or the charter vessel guide's employer.
(2) Guide license number. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game sport fishing guide license number held by charter vessel guide who certified the logbook data sheet.
(3) Date. Month and day for each charter vessel fishing trip taken. A separate logbook data sheet is required for each charter vessel fishing trip if two or more trips were taken on the same day. A separate logbook data sheet is required for each calendar day that halibut are caught and retained during a multi-day trip.
(4) Regulatory area fished. Circle the regulatory area (Area 2C or Area 3A) where halibut were caught and retained during each charter vessel fishing trip. If halibut were caught and retained in Area 2C and Area 3A during the same charter vessel fishing trip, then a separate logbook data sheet must be used to record halibut caught and retained for each regulatory area.
(5) Angler sport fishing license number and printed name. Before a charter vessel fishing trip begins, record for each charter vessel angler the Alaska Sport Fishing License number for the current year, resident permanent license number, or disabled veteran license number, and print the name of each paying and nonpaying charter vessel angler onboard that will fish for halibut. Record the name of each angler not required to have an Alaska Sport Fishing License or its equivalent.
(6) Number of halibut retained. For each charter vessel angler, record the number of halibut caught and retained during the charter vessel fishing trip.
(7) Signature. At the end of a charter vessel fishing trip, acknowledge that the recorded information is correct by signing the logbook data sheet.
(8) Angler signature. The charter vessel guide is responsible for ensuring that charter vessel anglers comply with the signature requirements at paragraph (d)(2)(iv)(A) of this section.
(3) Recordkeeping and reporting requirements in Area 3A.
For each charter vessel fishing trip in Area 3A, the charter vessel guide must record the regulatory area (Area 2C or Area 3A) where halibut were caught and retained by circling the appropriate area in the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Saltwater Sport Fishing Charter Trip Logbook. If halibut were caught and retained in Area 2C and Area 3A during the same charter vessel fishing trip, then a separate logbook data sheet must be used to record halibut caught and retained for each regulatory area.
(e)
The Local Area Management Plan (LAMP) for Sitka Sound provides guidelines for participation in the halibut fishery in Sitka Sound.
(1)
For purposes of this section, Sitka Sound means (See Figure 1 to subpart E):
(i)
With respect to paragraph (e)(2) of this section, that part of the Commission regulatory area 2C that is enclosed on the north and east:
(A)
By a line from Kruzof Island at 57°20′30″ N. lat., 135°45′10″ W. long. to Chichagof Island at 57°22′03″ N. lat., 135°43′00″ W. long., and
(B)
By a line from Chichagof Island at 57°22′35″ N. lat., 135°41′18″ W. long. to Baranof Island at 57°22′17″ N. lat., 135°40′57″ W. long.; and
(C)
That is enclosed on the south and west by a line from Cape Edgecumbe at 56°59′54″ N. lat., 135°51′27″ W. long. to Vasilief Rock at 56°48′56″ N. lat., 135°32′30″ W. long., and
(D)
To the green day marker in Dorothy Narrows at 56°49′17″ N. lat., 135°22′45″ W. long. to Baranof Island at 56°49′17″ N. lat., 135°22′36″ W. long.
(ii)
With respect to paragraphs (e)(3), (e)(4), and (e)(5) of this section, that part of the Commission Regulatory Area 2C that is enclosed on the north and east:
(A)
By a line from Kruzof Island at 57°20′30″ N. lat., 135°45′10″ W. long. to Chichagof Island at 57°22′03″ N. lat., 135°43′00″ W. long., and
(B)
A line from Chichagof Island at 57°22′35″ N. lat., 135°41′18″ W. long. to Baranof Island at 57°22′17″ N. lat., 135°40′57″ W. lat.; and
(C)
That is enclosed on the south and west by a line from Sitka Point at 56°59′23″ N. lat., 135°49′34″ W. long., to Hanus Point at 56°51′55″ N. lat., 135°30′30″ W. long.,
(D)
To the green day marker in Dorothy Narrows at 56°49′17″ N. lat., 135°22′45″ W. long. to Baranof Island at 56°49′17″ N. lat., 135°22′36″ W. long.
(2)
A person using a vessel greater than 35 ft (10.7 m) in overall length, as defined at 50 CFR 300.61, is prohibited from fishing for IFQ halibut with setline gear, as defined at 50 CFR 300.61, within Sitka Sound as defined in paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section.
(3)
A person using a vessel less than or equal to 35 ft (10.7 m) in overall length, as defined at 50 CFR 300.61 :
(i)
Is prohibited from fishing for IFQ halibut with setline gear within Sitka Sound, as defined in paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this section, from June 1 through August 31; and
(ii)
Is prohibited, during the remainder of the designated IFQ season, from retaining more than 2,000 lb (0.91 mt) of IFQ halibut within Sitka Sound, as defined in paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this section, per IFQ fishing trip, as defined in 50 CFR 300.61.
(4)
No charter vessel shall engage in sport fishing, as defined at § 300.61, for halibut within Sitka Sound, as defined in paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this section, from June 1 through August 31.
(i)
No charter vessel shall retain halibut caught while engaged in sport fishing, as defined at § 300.61, for other species, within Sitka Sound, as defined in paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this section, from June 1 through August 31.
(ii)
Notwithstanding paragraphs (e)(4) and (e)(4)(i) of this section, halibut harvested outside Sitka Sound, as defined in paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this section, may be retained onboard a charter vessel engaged in sport fishing, as defined in § 300.61, for other species within Sitka Sound, as defined in paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this section, from June 1 through August 31.
(5)
Setline gear may not be used in a 4 nm radius extending south from Low Island at 57°00.70′ N. lat., 135°36.57′ W. long. within Sitka Sound, as defined in paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this section, from June 1 through August 31.
(f)
Sitka Pinnacles Marine Reserve. (1) For purposes of this paragraph (f), the Sitka Pinnacles Marine Reserve means an area totaling 2.5 square nm off Cape Edgecumbe, defined by straight lines connecting the following points in a counterclockwise manner:
(2)
No person shall engage in commercial, sport or subsistence fishing, as defined at § 300.61, for halibut within the Sitka Pinnacles Marine Reserve.
(3)
No person shall anchor a vessel within the Sitka Pinnacles Marine Reserve if halibut is on board.
(g) Subsistence fishing in and off Alaska.
No person shall engage in subsistence fishing for halibut unless that person meets the requirements in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), or (g)(3) of this section.
(1)
A person is eligible to harvest subsistence halibut if he or she is a rural resident of a community with customary and traditional uses of halibut listed in the following table:
Halibut Regulatory Area 2C
Angoon |
Municipality |
Coffman Cove |
Municipality |
Craig |
Municipality |
Edna Bay |
Census Designated Place |
Elfin Cove |
Census Designated Place |
Gustavus |
Census Designated Place |
Haines |
Municipality |
Hollis |
Census Designated Place |
Hoonah |
Municipality |
Hydaburg |
Municipality |
Hyder |
Census Designated Place |
Kake |
Municipality |
Kasaan |
Municipality |
Klawock |
Municipality |
Klukwan |
Census Designated Place |
Metlakatla |
Census Designated Place |
Meyers Chuck |
Census Designated Place |
Naukati |
Municipality |
Pelican |
Municipality |
Petersburg |
Municipality |
Point Baker |
Census Designated Place |
Port Alexander |
Municipality |
Port Protection |
Census Designated Place |
Saxman |
Municipality |
Sitka |
Municipality |
Skagway |
Municipality |
Tenakee Springs |
Municipality |
Thorne Bay |
Municipality |
Whale Pass |
Census Designated Place |
Wrangell |
Municipality |
Halibut Regulatory Area 3A
Akhiok |
Municipality |
Chenega Bay |
Census Designated Place |
Cordova |
Municipality |
Karluk |
Census Designated Place |
Kodiak City |
Municipality |
Larsen Bay |
Municipality |
Nanwalek |
Census Designated Place |
Old Harbor |
Municipality |
Ouzinkie |
Municipality |
Port Graham |
Census Designated Place |
Port Lions |
Municipality |
Seldovia |
Municipality |
Tatitlek |
Census Designated Place |
Yakutat |
Municipality |
Halibut Regulatory Area 3B
Chignik Bay |
Municipality |
Chignik Lagoon |
Census Designated Place |
Chignik Lake |
Census Designated Place |
Cold Bay |
Municipality |
False Pass |
Municipality |
Ivanof Bay |
Census Designated Place |
King Cove |
Municipality |
Nelson Lagoon |
Census Designated Place |
Perryville |
Census Designated Place |
Sand Point |
Municipality |
Halibut Regulatory Area 4A
Akutan |
Municipality |
Nikolski |
Census Designated Place |
Unalaska |
Municipality |
Halibut Regulatory Area 4B
Adak |
Census Designated Place |
Atka |
Municipality |
Halibut Regulatory Area 4C
St. George |
Municipality |
St. Paul |
Municipality |
Halibut Regulatory Area 4D
Gambell |
Municipality |
Savoonga |
Municipality |
Diomede (Inalik) |
Municipality |
Halibut Regulatory Area 4E
Alakanuk |
Municipality |
Aleknegik |
Municipality |
Bethel |
Municipality |
Brevig Mission |
Municipality |
Chefornak |
Municipality |
Chevak |
Municipality |
Clark's Point |
Municipality |
Council |
Census Designated Place |
Code of Federal Regulations
969
|
Dillingham |
Municipality |
Eek |
Municipality |
Egegik |
Municipality |
Elim |
Municipality |
Emmonak |
Municipality |
Golovin |
Municipality |
Goodnews Bay |
Municipality |
Hooper Bay |
Municipality |
King Salmon |
Census Designated Place |
Kipnuk |
Census Designated Place |
Kongiganak |
Census Designated Place |
Kotlik |
Municipality |
Koyuk |
Municipality |
Kwigillingok |
Census Designated Place |
Levelock |
Census Designated Place |
Manokotak |
Municipality |
Mekoryak |
Municipality |
Naknek |
Census Designated Place |
Napakiak |
Municipality |
Napaskiak |
Municipality |
Newtok |
Census Designated Place |
Nightmute |
Municipality |
Nome |
Municipality |
Oscarville |
Census Designated Place |
Pilot Point |
Municipality |
Platinum |
Municipality |
Port Heiden |
Municipality |
Quinhagak |
Municipality |
Scammon Bay |
Municipality |
Shaktoolik |
Municipality |
Sheldon Point (Nunam Iqua) |
Municipality |
Shishmaref |
Municipality |
Solomon |
Census Designated Place |
South Naknek |
Census Designated Place |
St. Michael |
Municipality |
Stebbins |
Municipality |
Teller |
Municipality |
Togiak |
Municipality |
Toksook Bay |
Municipality |
Tuntutuliak |
Census Designated Place |
Tununak |
Census Designated Place |
Twin Hills |
Census Designated Place |
Ugashik |
Census Designated Place |
Unalakleet |
Municipality |
Wales |
Municipality |
White Mountain |
Municipality |
(2)
A person is eligible to harvest subsistence halibut if he or she is a member of an Alaska Native tribe with customary and traditional uses of halibut listed in the following table:
Halibut Regulatory Area 2C
Angoon |
Angoon Community Association |
Craig |
Craig Community Association |
Haines |
Chilkoot Indian Association |
Hoonah |
Hoonah Indian Association |
Hydaburg |
Hydaburg Cooperative Association |
Juneau |
Aukquan Traditional CouncilCentral Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes
Douglas Indian Association
|
Kake |
Organized Village of Kake |
Kasaan |
Organized Village of Kasaan |
Ketchikan |
Ketchikan Indian Corporation |
Klawock |
Klawock Cooperative Association |
Klukwan |
Chilkat Indian Village |
Metlakatla |
Metlakatla Indian Community, Annette Island Reserve |
Petersburg |
Petersburg Indian Association |
Saxman |
Organized Village of Saxman |
Sitka |
Sitka Tribe of Alaska |
Skagway |
Skagway Village |
Wrangell |
Wrangell Cooperative Association |
Halibut Regulatory Area 3A
Akhiok |
Native Village of Akhiok |
Chenega Bay |
Native Village of Chanega |
Cordova |
Native Village of Eyak |
Karluk |
Native Village of Karluk |
Kenai-Soldotna |
Kenaitze Indian TribeVillage of Salamatoff
|
Kodiak City |
Lesnoi Village (Woody Island)Native Village of Afognak
Shoonaq' Tribe of Kodiak
|
Larsen Bay |
Native Village of Larsen Bay |
Nanwalek |
Native Village of Nanwalek |
Ninilchik |
Ninilchik Village |
Old Harbor |
Village of Old Harbor |
Ouzinkie |
Native Village of Ouzinkie |
Port Graham |
Native Village of Port Graham |
Port Lions |
Native Village of Port Lions |
Seldovia |
Seldovia Village Tribe |
Tatitlek |
Native Village of Tatitlek |
Wasilla |
Village of Kanatak |
Yakutat |
Yakutat Tlingit Tribe |
Halibut Regulatory Area 3B
Chignik Bay |
Native Village of Chignik |
Chignik Lagoon |
Native Village of Chignik Lagoon |
Chignik Lake |
Chignik Lake Village |
False Pass |
Native Village of False Pass |
Ivanof Bay |
Ivanoff Bay Village |
King Cove |
Agdaagux Tribe of King CoveNative Village of Belkofski
|
Nelson Lagoon |
Native Village of Nelson Lagoon |
Perryville |
Native Village of Perryville |
Sand Point |
Pauloff Harbor VillageNative Village of Unga
Qagan Tayagungin Tribe of Sand Point Village
|
Halibut Regulatory Area 4A
Akutan |
Native Village of Akutan |
Nikolski |
Native Village of Nikolski |
Unalaska |
Qawalingin Tribe of Unalaska |
Halibut Regulatory Area 4B
Atka |
Native Village of Atka |
Halibut Regulatory Area 4C
|
St. GeorgeSt. Paul
|
Pribilof Islands Aleut Communities of St. Paul Island and St. George Island |
Halibut Regulatory Area 4D
Gambell |
Native Village of Gambell |
Savoonga |
Native Village of Savoonga |
Diomede (Inalik) |
Native Village of Diomede (Inalik) |
Halibut Regulatory Area 4E
Alakanuk |
Village of Alakanuk |
Aleknagik |
Native Village of Aleknagik |
Bethel |
Orutsararmuit Native Village |
Brevig Mission |
Native Village of Brevig Mission |
Chefornak |
Village of Chefornak |
Chevak |
Chevak Native Village |
Clark's Point |
Village of Clark's Point |
Council |
Native Village of Council |
Dillingham |
Native Village of DillinghamNative Village of Ekuk
Native Village of Kanakanak
|
Eek |
Native Village of Eek |
Egegik |
Egegik Village |
Elim |
Native Village of Elim |
Emmonak |
Chuloonawick Native VillageEmmonak Village
|
Golovin |
Chinik Eskimo Community |
Goodnews Bay |
Native Village of Goodnews Bay |
Hooper Bay |
Native Village of Hooper BayNative Village of Paimiut
|
King Salmon |
King Salmon Tribal Council |
Kipnuk |
Native Village of Kipnuk |
Kongiganak |
Native Village of Kongiganak |
Kotlik |
Native Village of HamiltonVillage of Bill Moore's Slough
Village of Kotlik
|
Koyuk |
Native Village of Koyuk |
Kwigillingok |
Native Village of Kwigillingok |
Levelock |
Levelock Village |
Manokotak |
Manokotak Village |
Mekoryak |
Native Village of Mekoryak |
Naknek |
Naknek Native Village |
Napakiak |
Native Village of Napakiak |
Napaskiak |
Native Village of Napaskiak |
Newtok |
Newtok Village |
Nightmute |
Native Village of NightmuteUmkumiute Native Village
|
Nome |
King Island Native CommunityNome Eskimo Community
|
Oscarville |
Oscarville Traditional Village |
Pilot Point |
Native Village of Pilot Point |
Platinum |
Platinum Traditional Village |
Port Heiden |
Native Village of Port Heiden |
Quinhagak |
Native Village of Kwinhagak |
Scammon Bay |
Native Village of Scammon Bay |
Shaktoolik |
Native Village of Shaktoolik |
Sheldon Point (Nunam Iqua) |
Native Village of Sheldon's Point |
Shishmaref |
Native Village of Shishmaref |
Solomon |
Village of Solomon |
South Naknek |
South Naknek Village |
St. Michael |
Native Village of Saint Michael |
Stebbins |
Stebbins Community Association |
Teller |
Native Village of Mary's IglooNative Village of Teller
|
Togiak |
Traditional Village of Togiak |
Toksook Bay |
Native Village of Toksook Bay |
Tuntutuliak |
Native Village of Tuntutuliak |
Tununak |
Native Village of Tununak |
Twin Hills |
Twin Hills Village |
Ugashik |
Ugashik Village |
Unalakleet |
Native Village of Unalakleet |
Wales |
Native Village of Wales |