Final Regulatory Impact Review/Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis for Amendment 45 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs Revising Freezer Longline GOA Pacific Cod Sideboards

The proposed amendment would remove Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Pacific cod sideboard limits applicable to some freezer longliners if certain conditions are met during a limited period of time. The sideboard limits were originally created by the Crab Rationalization Program and were shared by participants using all gear types in the inshore or offshore groundfish sectors. In 2012, these sideboard limits were disaggregated to create limits based on gear type and operation type, as part of the GOA Pacific cod sector splits (Amendment 83 to the FMP for Gulf of Alaska Groundfish). Given the limited catch history of the side boarded freezer longline vessels (i.e., using hook-and-line) during the 1996 through 2000 period, the modified sideboard limits eliminated participation in the GOA Pacific cod fisheries by these vessels. The proposed action is intended to promote cooperation among all freezer longline vessels prior to the removal of sideboards.