Environmental Assessment for a Regulatory Amendment to Modify Harvest Restrictions in Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) and Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) Fisheries for Pacific Halibut in Areas 4C and 4D of the Bering Sea
February 10, 2005
Analysis of an action to amend halibut Individual Fishing Quota and Community Development Quota regulations that define regulatory fishing areas for these programs under the authority of both NOAA Fisheries and International Pacific Halibut Commission.
In December 2004, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council identified its preferred alternative to allow holders of Area 4C halibut IFQ (Individual Fishing Quota) and CDQ (Community Development Quota) to harvest such halibut IFQ/CDQ in Area 4D. It would allow additional fishing opportunities so that the assigned Area 4C IFQ and CDQ quotas for two Pribilof Island communities (St. Paul and St. George) in Area 4C may be attained.
A complementary action by the IPHC, required to adopt this regulatory amendment, was approved in January 2005.
Halibut IFQ and CDQ fishermen in Area 4C have experienced a greater than 70 percent decline in catch rates over the past ten years. The drop is consistent among gear types. Declines in catch rates and consequent poor harvests have generated considerable concern among Area 4C residents who depend on halibut for support of their local economies.