Environmental Assessment/Regulatory Impact Review/Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis for a Moratorium on the Entry of New Vessels into the Groundfish and Crab Fisheries

This Final Environmental Assessment/Regulatory Impact Review/Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is for a moratorium on the entry of new vessels into the groundfish and crab fisheries for Amendment 28 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska, Amendment 23 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands, and Amendment 4 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Commercial King and Tanner Crab Fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands.

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council approved revisions to its proposed moratorium in response to concerns raised by the Secretary of Commerce. As requested by NOAA Fisheries, the Council:

1. shortened the qualifying period from the original January 1, 1980 to February 9, 1992, to the revised January 1, 1988 to February 9, 1992
2. eliminated halibut and sablefish fixed gear fisheries because they will be managed with Individual Fishing Quotas beginning in 1995
3. considered current participation in 1992-1994, but did not extend the February 9, 1992 cutoff date for basic moratorium qualification
4. restricted crossover ability between fisheries during the moratorium
5. revised the appeals process to be the same as for the sablefish and halibut IFQ program. As originally proposed, the moratorium will sunset 3 years from the effective date.