Regulatory Impact Review/Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Regulatory Amendment to the Halibut Individual Fishing Quota and Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota Program To Prohibit Use of Hired Skippers for Future Transfers of Halibut Catcher Vessel Quota Shares or Sablefish Catcher Vessel Quota Shares after a Control Date of February 12, 2010

This Regulatory Impact Review/Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis was prepared to evaluate the economic and socioeconomic effects of a proposed amendment to federal regulations, as required under Presidential Executive Order 12866 and the Regulatory Flexibility Act. It evaluates the costs and benefits of proposed changes to the Halibut/Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Programs that would narrow current restrictions for initial recipients of catcher vessel quota share (QS) to use a hired master (skipper) to harvest their IFQs in all areas where hired skippers are allowed. In February 2010, the Council initiated this analysis to prohibit use of hired skippers for halibut B, C, and D class QS or sablefish B and C class QS transferred after a control date of February 12, 2010 (the date of Council action). This proposed action would not affect category A QS or individual initial recipients in Area 2C (halibut) and Southeast (sablefish) (who are restricted from using hired skippers in those areas). 2014 NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) AKR (Alaska Region) OLE (Office of Law Enforcement) Submitted Public Domain 1862