679.42—Limitations on use of QS and IFQ.

(a) IFQ regulatory area and vessel category. (1) The QS or IFQ specified for one IFQ regulatory area must not be used in a different IFQ regulatory area, except all or part of the QS and IFQ specified for regulatory area 4C may be harvested in either Area 4C or Area 4D.

(i) Notwithstanding § 679.4(d)(1), § 679.7(f)(4) and (f)(11), § 679.40(b)(1), (c)(3), and (e), from July 22, 2005 to November 15, 2005, all or part of the QS and IFQ specified for regulatory area 4C may be harvested in either Area 4C or Area 4D.

(ii) For the year 2006 and subsequent annual IFQ fishing seasons, all or part of the QS and IFQ specified for regulatory area 4C may be harvested in either Area 4C or Area 4D.

(2) The QS or IFQ assigned to one vessel category must not be used to harvest IFQ species on a vessel of a different vessel category, except:

(i) As provided in paragraph (k) of this section (processing fish other than IFQ halibut and IFQ sablefish);

(ii) As provided in § 679.41(i)(1) of this part (CDQ compensation QS exemption);

(iii) IFQ derived from QS held by a CQE may be used to harvest IFQ species from a vessel of any length.

(iv) In Areas 3B and 4C, category D QS and associated IFQ authorizes an IFQ permit holder to harvest IFQ halibut on a vessel less than or equal to 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA.

(b) Gear— (1) IFQ Fisheries. Halibut IFQ must be used only to harvest halibut with fishing gear authorized in § 679.2. Sablefish fixed gear IFQ must not be used to harvest sablefish with trawl gear in any IFQ regulatory area, or with pot gear in any IFQ regulatory area of the GOA.

(2) Seabird avoidance gear and methods. The operator of a vessel using gear authorized at § 679.2 while fishing for IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, or hook-and-line gear while fishing for IFQ sablefish must comply with requirements for seabird avoidance gear and methods set forth at § 679.24(e).

(c) Permit holder aboard requirement. Any individual who harvests halibut or sablefish with fixed gear must have a valid IFQ permit, and if a hired master is conducting the harvest, a valid IFQ hired master permit, and must be aboard the vessel at all times during the fishing trip and be present during the landing.

(d) Emergency waivers and medical transfers. The person authorized to fish IFQ halibut or sablefish must be aboard the vessel during fishing operations and must sign the IFQ landing report except as provided in § 679.41 and under the following circumstances:

(1) Emergency waiver. In the event of extreme personal emergency during a fishing trip involving a person authorized to fish IFQ halibut or sablefish, the requirements or paragraph (c)(1) of this section may be waived. The waiving of these requirements under this provision shall apply to IFQ halibut or IFQ sablefish retained on the fishing trip during which the emergency occurred.

(2) Medical transfers. In the event of a medical condition affecting a QS holder or an immediate family member of a QS holder that prevents the QS holder from being able to participate in the halibut or sablefish IFQ fisheries, a medical transfer may be approved for the IFQ derived from the QS held by the person affected by the medical condition.

(i) General. A medical transfer will be approved if the QS holder demonstrates that:

(A) He or she is unable to participate in the IFQ fishery for which he or she holds QS because of a medical condition that precludes participation by the QS holder; or

(B) He or she is unable to participate in the IFQ fishery for which he or she holds QS because of a medical condition involving an immediate family member that requires the QS holder's full time attendance.

(ii) Eligibility. To be eligible to receive a medical transfer, a QS holder must:

(A) Possess one or more catcher vessel IFQ permits; and

(B) Not qualify for a hired master exception under paragraph (i)(1) of this section.

(iii) Application. A QS holder may apply for a medical transfer by submitting a medical transfer application to the Alaska Region, NMFS. A QS holder who has received an approved medical transfer from RAM may transfer the IFQ derived from his or her own QS to an individual eligible to receive IFQ. A medical transfer application is available at http://www.fakr.noaa.gov or by calling 1-800-304-4846. Completed applications must be mailed to: Restricted Access Management Program, NMFS, Alaska Region, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668. A complete application must include:

(A) The applicant's (transferor's) identity including his or her full name, NMFS person ID, date of birth, Social Security Number or Tax ID, permanent business mailing address, business telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail address (if any). A temporary mailing address may be provided, if appropriate;

(B) The recipient's (transferee's) identity including his or her full name, NMFS person ID, date of birth, Social Security Number or Tax ID, permanent business mailing address, business telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail address (if any). A temporary mailing address may be provided, if appropriate;

(C) The identification characteristics of the IFQ including whether the transfer is for halibut or sablefish IFQ, IFQ regulatory area, number of units, range of serial numbers for IFQ to be transferred, actual number of IFQ pounds, transferor (seller) IFQ permit number, and fishing year;

(D) The price per pound (including leases) and total amount paid for the IFQ in the requested transaction, including all fees;

(E) The primary source of financing for the transfer, how the IFQ was located, and the transferee's (buyer's) relationship to the transferor (seller);

(F) A written declaration from a licensed medical doctor, advanced nurse practitioner, or primary community health aide as those persons are defined in § 679.2. The declaration must include:

(1) The identity of the licensed medical doctor, advanced nurse practitioner, or primary community health aide including his or her full name, business telephone, permanent business mailing address (number and street, city and state, zip code), and whether the individual is a licensed medical doctor, advanced nurse practitioner, or primary community health aide;

(2) A concise description of the medical condition affecting the applicant or applicant's family member including verification that the applicant is unable to participate in the IFQ fishery for which he or she holds IFQ permits during the IFQ season because of the medical condition and, for an affected family member, a description of the care required; and

(3) The dated signature of the licensed medical doctor, advanced nurse practitioner, or primary community health aide who conducted the medical examination;

(G) The signatures and printed names of the transferor and transferee, and date; and

(H) The signature, seal, and commission expiration of a notary public.

(iv) Restrictions. (A) A medical transfer shall be valid only during the calendar year for which the permit is issued;

(B) A medical transfer will be issued only for the IFQ derived from the QS held by the applicant;

(C) NMFS will not approve a medical transfer if the applicant has received a medical transfer in any 2 of the previous 5 years for the same medical condition.

(v) Medical transfer evaluations and appeals— (A) Initial evaluation. The Regional Administrator will evaluate an application for a medical transfer submitted in accordance with paragraphs (d)(2)(iii) and (d)(2)(iv) of this section. An applicant who fails to submit the information specified in the application for a medical transfer will be provided a reasonable opportunity to submit the specified information or submit a revised application.

(B) Initial administrative determinations (IAD). The Regional Administrator will prepare and send an IAD to the applicant if the Regional Administrator determines that the application provided by the applicant is deficient or if the applicant fails to submit the specified information or a revised application. The IAD will indicate the deficiencies in the application, including any deficiencies with the information on the revised application. An applicant who receives an IAD may appeal under the appeals procedures set out at § 679.43.

(e) Sablefish QS Use. (1) No person, individually or collectively, may use more than 3,229,721 units of sablefish QS, except if the amount of a person's initial allocation of sablefish QS is greater than 3,229,721 units, in which case that person may not use more than the amount of the initial allocation.

(2) In the IFQ regulatory area east of 140° W. long., no person, individually or collectively, may use more than 688,485 units of sablefish QS for this area, except if the amount of a person's initial allocation of sablefish QS is greater than 688,485 units, in which case that person may not use more than the amount of the initial allocation.

(3) No CQE may hold sablefish QS in the IFQ regulatory areas of the Bering Sea subarea and the Aleutian Islands subareas.

(4) No CQE may hold more than 3,229,721 units of sablefish QS on behalf of any single eligible community.

(5) In the IFQ regulatory area east of 140° W. long., no CQE may hold more than 688,485 units of sablefish QS for this area on behalf of any single eligible community.

(6) In the aggregate, all CQEs are limited to holding a maximum of 3 percent of the total QS in those IFQ regulatory areas specified in § 679.41(e)(2)(I) through (e)(2)(iv) of this part for sablefish in the first calendar year implementing the regulation in this section. In each subsequent calendar year, this aggregate limit on all CQEs shall increase by an additional 3 percent in each IFQ regulatory area specified in § 679.41(e)(2)(i) through (e)(2)(iv) of this part up to a maximum limit of 21 percent of the total QS in each regulatory area specified in §§ 679.41(e)(2)(i) through (e)(2)(iv) of this part for sablefish.

(7) No individual that receives IFQ derived from sablefish QS held by a CQE may hold, individually or collectively, more than 50,000 lb (22.7 mt) of IFQ sablefish derived from any sablefish QS source.

(8) A CQE receiving category B, or C sablefish QS through transfer may lease the IFQ resulting from that QS only to an eligible community resident of the eligible community on whose behalf the QS is held.

(f) Halibut QS use. (1) Unless the amount in excess of the following limits was received in the initial allocation of halibut QS, no person, individually or collectively, may use more than:

(i) IFQ regulatory area 2C. 599,799 units of halibut QS.

(ii) IFQ regulatory area 2C, 3A, and 3B. 1,502,823 units of halibut QS.

(iii) IFQ regulatory area 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E. 495,044 units of halibut QS.

(2) No CQE may receive an amount of halibut QS on behalf of any single eligible community which is more than:

(i) IFQ regulatory area 2C. 599,799 units of halibut QS.

(ii) IFQ regulatory area 2C, 3A, and 3B. 1,502,823 units of halibut QS.

(3) No CQE may hold halibut QS in the IFQ regulatory areas 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E.

(4) A CQE representing an eligible community may receive by transfer or use QS only in the IFQ regulatory areas designated for that species and for that eligible community as described in Table 21 to this part.

(5) In the aggregate, all CQEs are limited to holding a maximum of 3 percent of the total QS in those IFQ regulatory areas specified in §§ 679.41(e)(3)(i) through (e)(3)(iii) for halibut in the first calendar year implementing the regulation in this section. In each subsequent calendar year, this aggregate limit on all community quota entities shall increase by an additional 3 percent in each IFQ regulatory area specified in §§ 679.41(e)(3)(i) through (e)(3)(iii). This limit shall increase up to a maximum limit of 21 percent of the total QS in each regulatory area specified in §§ 679.41(e)(3)(i) through (e)(3)(iii) for halibut.

(6) No individual that receives IFQ derived from halibut QS held by a CQE may hold, individually or collectively, more than 50,000 lb (22.7 mt) of IFQ halibut derived from any halibut QS source.

(7) A CQE receiving category B or C halibut QS through transfer may lease the IFQ resulting from that QS only to an eligible community resident of the eligible community represented by the CQE.

(g) Limitations on QS blocks— (1) Number of blocks per species. No person, individually or collectively, may hold more than two blocks of sablefish or three blocks of halibut in any IFQ regulatory area, except:

(i) A person, individually or collectively, who holds unblocked QS for a species in an IFQ regulatory area, may hold only one QS block for that species in that regulatory area; and

(ii) A CQE may hold no more than ten blocks of halibut QS in any IFQ regulatory area and no more than five blocks of sablefish QS in any IFQ regulatory area on behalf of any eligible community.

(2) Action by the Regional Administrator in Areas 3B and 4A. In Areas 3B and 4A, the Regional Administrator shall:

(i) Identify any halibut blocks that result in an allocation of more than 20,000 lb (9.1) mt of halibut IFQ, based on the 2004 TAC for fixed gear halibut in those areas and the QS pools for those areas as of January 31, 2004; and

(ii) Divide those halibut blocks into one block of 20,000 lb (9.1 mt) and the remainder unblocked, based on the 2004 TAC for fixed gear halibut in those areas and the QS pools for those areas as of January 31, 2004.

(3) Transfer of QS blocks. Notwithstanding paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this section, a person who holds more than one block of halibut QS and unblocked halibut QS as a result of the Regional Administrator's action under paragraph (g)(2) of this section may transfer unblocked QS until such time as that person transfers a halibut QS block to another person.

(4) Holding or to hold blocks of QS. For purposes of this section, “holding” or “to hold” blocks of QS means being registered by NMFS as the person who received QS by initial assignment or approved transfer.

(h) Vessel limitations— (1) Halibut. No vessel may be used, during any fishing year, to harvest more than one-half percent of the combined total catch limits of halibut for IFQ regulatory areas 2C, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E, except that:

(i) In IFQ regulatory area 2C, no vessel may be used to harvest more than 1 percent of the halibut catch limit for this area.