Community Quota Entity Program
The IFQ Community Quota Entity authorizes eligible communities in areas 2C, 3A and 3B to form Community Quota Entities (CQEs) to purchase commercial halibut and sablefish Quota Share (QS) for lease to residents of the eligible community. This privilege includes a CQE annual reporting requirement.
Proposed Actions
- CQE in Area 4B Motion; Revising CQE Vessel Use Caps Motion
- CQE Vessel Use Caps; CQE in Area 4b 8/11
Eligible Communities and Approved CQEs
- Eligible communities: 50 CFR, Part 679, Table 21
- Approved IFQ Community Quota Entities
Regulations
- Final Rule to implement the IFQ Community Quota Program: 69 FR 23861, April 30, 2004
- Full IFQ program regulations
Applications
- Community Quota Entity Transfer: Application/Instructions
- Nonprofit Designation as Community Quota Entity: Application
- The State of Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development CQE Program assists communities with funding and forming non-profit organizations
Transfers and Limits
Each year, the CQE may transfer (lease) its IFQ to one or more permanent residents of the eligible community on whose behalf the QS is held, and who must be onboard when the IFQ is fished and landed. Caps limit the amount of QS that can be held on behalf of each community and collectively for all communities. Additional limits exist on "blocks" of QS.
Reporting
Under 50 CFR 679.5(l)(8), each CQE must report to NMFS annually on IFQ activities, including: nonprofit governance, QS holdings, IFQ recipient selection, landings, and other relevant information
The CQE Program has been expanded to include fishing privileges in the charter halibut limited access program and the Western and Central GOA fixed gear Pacific cod fishery.
Related documents:
3A CQE Purchase D QS 2/11
4B CQE program 12/10
CQE Eligible Communities 12/10
CQE Area 4B Disc. Paper 12/10
CQE Program Review, final report - 3/10
Community Quota Entities, Workshop Proceedings, February 17-18, 2009