Final Regulatory Impact Review / Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis For Amendment to Regulations that Implement the Halibut IFQ Program Allow IFQ derived from Category D QS to be fished on Category C vessels in Area 4B January, 2014

This action amends the halibut Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) regulations under the authority of the NOAA Fisheries Service. The action allows IFQ derived from Category D quota share (QS) to be fished on Category C vessels in Area 4B. This action would relieve a restriction placed on IFQ halibut fishery participants and would further program goals by increasing the amount of IFQ that may be harvested by the small boat fleet, and by increasing safety at sea for that fleet. 2014 NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) AKR (Alaska Region) Submitted Public Domain 1862