NOAA Fisheries

NMFS Publishes a Proposed Ruleto Establish an IFQ Cost Recovery Program

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) requests public comment on the proposed rule that would establish a Cost Recovery Program for the fixed gear halibut and sablefish fisheries under the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program, according to Steven Pennoyer, Administrator, Alaska Region. The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on December 27, 1999 (64 FR 72302) and is available on the Internet web-site of NMFS, Alaska Region (www.fakr.noaa.gov). The comment period for this proposed rule ends January 26, 2000.

Section 304(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act requires the Secretary of Commerce to collect fees to recover actual costs incurred for Federal management and enforcement of IFQ fisheries. This action would require IFQ permit holders to pay up to 3% of the exvessel value of their IFQ landings to NMFS via a Fee Submission Form by January 31 of the following year. By the end of each year, NMFS would provide this form to each IFQ permit holder who had a reported IFQ landing during the year. NMFS would also provide an IFQ landing summary and estimated fee liability to each of these IFQ permit holders. The rule would also establish additional recordkeeping and reporting requirements of IFQ registered buyers who operate as shoreside processors and receive and purchase IFQ landings of sablefish or halibut for purposes of collecting exvessel value information.

This information bulletin provides notice that a regulatory change regarding the IFQ Program is proposed. Do not rely on it to guide you in commenting on the proposed regulatory change.

To obtain additional information, consult the proposed rule referenced above or contact the Sustainable Fisheries Division, NMFS, 907-586-7228.