Environmental Assessment/Regulatory Impact Review for Amendment 109 to the FMP for Groundfish of the BSAI, Pacific Cod Community Development Quota Fishery Development

The measures under consideration include easing or exempting certain regulatory requirements for hook-and-line catcher vessels that do not exceed 46 feet length overall. The intent is to promote harvest opportunities for groundfish Community Development Quota (CDQ), in particular, Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) CDQ by small vessels in a directed fishery and/or while fishing CDQ or Individual Fishing Quota Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis). The preferred alternative removes the requirement for the operators of these small catcher vessels to obtain and carry a License Limitation Program license. It also requires registration of vessels fishing under these regulations and reduces observer coverage requirements. Finally it implements new catch accounting requirements to properly account for the harvest of groundfish and halibut and the accrual of halibut prohibited species catch.