NOAA Fisheries News Releases
NEWS RELEASE
December 7, 2000
CONTACT:
Philip J. Smith Restricted Access Management
(907) 586-7359
NOAA FISHERIES ANNOUNCES COST RECOVERY FEE
Applies to Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, & Gulf of Alaska Halibut and Sablefish IFQ Programs
NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service has calculated a fee percentage for the recovery of management and enforcement costs in the halibut and sablefish individual fishery quota (IFQ) programs. The fee will be equal to 1.8% of the ex-vessel value of permit holders' IFQ landings during the 2000 season.
Under 1996 amendments to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Secretary of Commerce is required to collect a fee to recover the actual costs directly related to the management and enforcement of the individual fishing quota program. Fees may be up to 3% of the ex-vessel value of IFQ landings to cover program costs. The total value of the halibut and sablefish IFQ fisheries during 2000 approached $200,000,000, while the corresponding costs of management and enforcement were less than $3,500,000. Therefore, NOAA Fisheries has determined that a fee percentage of 1.8% will be sufficient to cover all fiscal year 2000 expenses for the halibut and sablefish IFQ programs.
Up to twenty-five percent (25%) of the revenues collected will be deposited in the Treasury and Congress may appropriate those funds to support the IFQ loan program to aid in financing the purchase of IFQ or quota share for entry-level and small-vessel fishermen.
Halibut and sablefish fishermen are responsible for self-collection of their fee, and are also responsible for submitting a fee liability payment to NOAA Fisheries on or before January 31, 2001. The dollar amount of each IFQ permit holder's obligation is is determined by multiplying the IFQ fee percentage (1.8%) by the ex-vessel value of each IFQ landing made on a permit and summing the totals of each permit (if more than one). To facilitate this process NOAA Fisheries will mail statements to permit holders.
For more information contact Kristie Balovich, Fee Coordinator, at 907-586-7344.
NOAA Fisheries conducts scientific research and provides services and products to support domestic and international fisheries management, fisheries development, trade and industry assistance, enforcement, and protected species and habitat conservation programs.