Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands; Final 2024 and 2025 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish

Federal RegisterMar 11, 2024

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 240304-0068]

RTID 0648-XD454

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands; Final 2024 and 2025 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish

AGENCY:

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION:

Final rule; harvest specifications and closures.

SUMMARY:

NMFS announces the final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications, apportionments, and prohibited species catch (PSC) allowances for the groundfish fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to establish harvest limits for groundfish during the remainder of the 2024 and the start of the 2025 fishing years and to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the BSAI (FMP). The 2024 harvest specifications supersede those previously set in the final 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications, and the 2025 harvest specifications will be superseded in early 2025 when the final 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications are published. The intended effect of this action is to conserve and manage the groundfish resources in the BSAI in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).

DATES:

Harvest specifications and closures are effective from 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 11, 2024, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2025.

ADDRESSES:

Electronic copies of the Alaska Groundfish Harvest Specifications Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS), Record of Decision (ROD), and the annual Supplementary Information Reports (SIR) to the Final EIS prepared for this action are available from

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/region/alaska.

The 2023 Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) report for the groundfish resources of the BSAI, dated November 2023, as well as the SAFE reports for previous years, are available from the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) at 1007 West Third Ave., Suite 400, Anchorage, AK 99501, phone 907-271-2809, or from the Council's website at

https://www.npfmc.org/,

and the Alaska Fisheries Science Center website at

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/population-assessments/north-pacific-groundfish-stock-assessments-and-fishery-evaluation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Federal regulations at 50 CFR part 679 implement the FMP and govern the groundfish fisheries in the BSAI. The Council prepared, and NMFS approved, the FMP pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Act. General regulations governing U.S. fisheries also appear at 50 CFR part 600.

The FMP and its implementing regulations require NMFS, after consultation with the Council, to specify annually the total allowable catch (TAC) for each target species category. The sum of all TACs for groundfish species in the BSAI must be within the optimum yield (OY) range of 1.4 million to 2.0 million metric tons (mt) (see §§ 679.20(a)(1)(i)(A) and 679.20(a)(2)). This final rule specifies the sum of the TAC at 2.0 million mt for 2024 and 2.0 million mt for 2025. NMFS also must specify: (1) apportionments of TAC; (2) prohibited species catch (PSC) allowances and prohibited species quota (PSQ) reserves established by § 679.21; (3) seasonal allowances of pollock, Pacific cod, and Atka mackerel TAC; (4) American Fisheries Act (AFA) allocations; (5) Amendment 80 allocations; (6) Community Development Quota (CDQ) reserve amounts established by § 679.20(b)(1)(ii); (7) acceptable biological catch (ABC) surpluses and reserves for CDQ groups and any Amendment 80 cooperatives for flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole; and (8) halibut discard mortality rates (DMR). The final harvest specifications set forth in tables 1 through 26 of this action satisfy these requirements.

Section 679.20(c)(3)(i) further requires that NMFS consider public comment on the proposed harvest specifications and, after consultation with the Council, publish final harvest specifications in the

Federal Register

. The proposed 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications for the groundfish fishery of the BSAI were published in the

Federal Register

on December 5, 2023 (88 FR 84278). Comments were invited and accepted through January 4, 2024. As discussed in the Response to Comments section below, NMFS received 5 letters raising 17 distinct comments during the public comment period for the proposed BSAI groundfish harvest specifications. NMFS's responses are addressed in the Response to Comments section below.

NMFS consulted with the Council on the final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications during the December 2023 Council meeting. After considering public comments during public meetings and submitted for the proposed rule (88 FR 84278, December 5, 2023), as well as current biological, ecosystem, and socioeconomic data, NMFS implements in this final rule the final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications as recommended by the Council.

ABC and TAC Harvest Specifications

The final ABC amounts for Alaska groundfish are based on the best available biological information, including projected biomass trends, information on assumed distribution of stock biomass, and revised technical methods used to calculate stock biomass. In general, the development of ABCs and overfishing levels (OFL) involves sophisticated statistical analyses of fish populations. The FMP specifies a series of six tiers to define OFL and ABC amounts based on the level of reliable information available to fishery scientists. Tier 1 represents the highest level of information quality available, while Tier 6 represents the lowest.

In December 2023, the Council, its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), and its Advisory Panel (AP) reviewed current biological, ecosystem, socioeconomic, and harvest information about the condition of the BSAI groundfish stocks. The Council's BSAI Groundfish Plan Team (Plan Team) compiled and presented this information in the 2023 SAFE report for the BSAI groundfish fisheries, dated November 2023 (see

ADDRESSES

). The SAFE report contains a review of the latest scientific analyses and estimates of each species' biomass and other biological parameters, as well as summaries of the available information on the BSAI ecosystem and the economic condition of groundfish fisheries off Alaska. NMFS notified the public of the comment period for these harvest specifications—and of the publication of the 2023 SAFE report—in the proposed harvest specifications (88 FR 84278, December 5, 2023). From the data and analyses in the SAFE report, the Plan Team recommended an OFL and ABC for each species and species group at the November 2023 Plan Team meeting.

In December 2023, the SSC, AP, and Council reviewed the Plan Team's recommendations. The final TAC recommendations were based on the ABCs, and were adjusted for other biological and socioeconomic considerations, including the maintenance of the sum of all the TACs within the required OY range of 1.4 million to 2.0 million mt. As required by annual catch limit rules for all fisheries (74 FR 3178, January 16, 2009) and consistent with the FMP, none of the Council's recommended 2024 or 2025 TACs exceed the final 2024 or 2025 ABCs for any species or species group. NMFS finds that the Council's recommended OFLs, ABCs, and TACs are consistent with the preferred harvest strategy outlined in the FMP, as well as the Final EIS and ROD, and the biological condition of groundfish stocks as described in the 2023 SAFE report that was approved by the Council, while accounting for ecosystem and socioeconomic information presented in the 2023 SAFE report (which includes the Ecosystem Status Reports (ESR)). Therefore, this final rule provides notification that the Secretary of Commerce approves the final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications as recommended by the Council.

The 2024 harvest specifications set in this final action supersede the 2024 harvest specifications previously set in the final 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications (88 FR 14926, March 10, 2023). The 2024 harvest specifications herein will be superseded in early 2025 when the final 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications are published. Pursuant to this final action, the 2024 harvest specifications will apply for the remainder of the current year (2024) while the 2025 harvest specifications are projected only for the following year (2025) and will be superseded in early 2025 by the final 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications. Because this final action (published in early 2024) will be superseded in early 2025 by the publication of the final 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications, it is projected that this final action will implement the harvest specifications for the BSAI for approximately 1 year.

Other Actions Affecting the 2024 and 2025 Harvest Specifications

State of Alaska Guideline Harvest Levels

For 2024 and 2025, the Board of Fisheries (BOF) for the State of Alaska (State) established the guideline harvest level (GHL) for vessels using pot, longline, jig, and hand troll gear in State waters in the State's Aleutian Islands (AI) State waters sablefish registration area that includes all State waters west of Scotch Cap Light (164° 44.72′ W longitude) and south of Cape Sarichef (54° 36′ N latitude). The 2024 AI GHL is set at 5 percent (1,228 mt) of the combined 2024 Bering Sea subarea (BS) and AI subarea ABC (mt). The 2025 AI GHL is set at 5 percent (1,233 mt) of the combined 2025 BS subarea and AI subarea ABC (mt). The State's AI sablefish registration area includes areas adjacent to parts of the Federal BS subarea. The Council and its Plan Team, SSC, and AP recommended that the sum of all State and Federal waters sablefish removals from the BS and AI not exceed the ABC recommendations for sablefish in the BS and AI. Accordingly, after reviewing the Council recommendations, NMFS approves that the 2024 and 2025 sablefish TACs in the BS and AI account for the State's GHLs for sablefish caught in State waters.

For 2024 and 2025, the BOF for the State established the GHL for vessels using pot gear in State waters in the BS equal to 12 percent of the Pacific cod ABC in the BS. Under the State's management plan, the BS GHL will increase by 1 percent if 90 percent of the GHL is harvested by November 15 of the preceding year for two consecutive years but may not exceed 15 percent of the BS ABC. If 90 percent of the GHL is not harvested by November 15 of the preceding year for two consecutive years, the GHL will decrease by 1 percent, but the GHL may not decrease below 10 percent of the BS ABC. For 2024, the BS Pacific cod ABC is 167,952 mt, and for 2025, it is 150,876 mt. Therefore, based on the preceding years' harvests, the GHL in the BS for pot gear will be 12 percent for 2024 (20,154 mt) and is projected to be 12 percent for 2025 (18,105 mt). Also, for 2024 and 2025, the BOF established an additional GHL for vessels using jig gear in State waters in the BS equal to 45 mt of Pacific cod in the BS. The Council and its Plan Team, SSC, and AP recommended that the sum of all State and Federal waters Pacific cod removals from the BS not exceed the ABC recommendations for Pacific cod in the BS. Accordingly, after reviewing the Council recommendations, NMFS approves that the 2024 and 2025 Pacific cod TACs in the BS account for the State's GHLs for Pacific cod caught in State waters in the BS.

For 2024 and 2025, the BOF for the State established the GHL for Pacific cod in State waters in the AI equal to 35 percent of the AI ABC. Under the State's management plan, the AI GHL will increase annually by 4 percent of the AI ABC if 90 percent of the GHL is harvested by November 15 of the preceding year, but may not exceed 39 percent of the AI ABC or 15 million pounds (6,804 mt). If 90 percent of the GHL is not harvested by November 15 of the preceding year for two consecutive years, the GHL will decrease by 4 percent, but the GHL may not decrease below 15 percent of the AI ABC. For 2024 and for 2025, 35 percent of the AI ABC is 4,351 mt. The Council and its Plan Team, SSC, and AP recommended that the sum of all State and Federal waters Pacific cod removals from the AI not exceed the ABC recommendations for Pacific cod in the AI. Accordingly, after reviewing the Council's recommendations, NMFS approves that the 2024 and 2025 Pacific cod TACs in the AI account for the

State's GHL for Pacific cod caught in State waters in the AI.

Halibut Abundance Based Management for the Amendment 80 Program PSC Limit

On November 24, 2023, NMFS published a final rule to implement Amendment 123 to the FMP (88 FR 82740), which establishes abundance-based management of the Amendment 80 Program PSC limit for Pacific halibut. The final action replaces the current Amendment 80 sector static halibut PSC limit (1,745 mt) with a process for annually setting the Amendment 80 sector halibut PSC limit based on the most recent halibut abundance estimates from the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) setline survey index and the NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center Eastern Bering Sea shelf trawl survey index. The annual process will use a table with pre-established halibut abundance ranges based on those surveys (Table 58 to 50 CFR part 679). The annual Amendment 80 sector halibut PSC limit will be set at the value found at the intercept of the results from the most recent survey indices. The final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications announce the Amendment 80 halibut PSC limit based on the implementation of Amendment 123 and regulations effective January 1, 2024.

Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative Limited Access Privilege Program

On August 8, 2023, NMFS published a final rule to implement Amendment 122 to the FMP (88 FR 53704, effective September 7, 2023) (see also correction 88 FR 57009, August 22, 2023). The final rule establishes a limited access privilege program called the Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative (PCTC) Program. The PCTC Program allocates Pacific cod quota share (QS) to groundfish License Limitation Program license holders and to processors based on history during the qualifying years. Under this program, QS holders are required to join cooperatives annually. Cooperatives are allocated the BSAI trawl catcher vessel sector's A and B seasons Pacific cod allocation as an exclusive harvest privilege in the form of cooperative quota (CQ), equivalent to the aggregate QS of all cooperative members. Amendment 122 also reduces the halibut and crab PSC limits for the BSAI trawl catcher vessel (CV) Pacific cod fishery, changes the AFA CV sideboard limit for Pacific cod to apply in the C season only, and removes the halibut PSC sideboard limit for AFA trawl CVs. Accordingly, Amendment 122 and its implementing regulations affect the calculation of the BSAI trawl CV sector allocation of Pacific cod (discussed in a subsequent section of this rule titled “Allocation of the Pacific Cod TAC”) and the BSAI trawl limited access sector crab and halibut PSC limits (discussed in two subsequent sections of this rule titled “PSC Limits for Halibut, Salmon, Crab, and Herring” and “AFA Catcher Vessel Sideboard Limits”). Amendment 122 also removed the regulations at § 679.20(a)(7)(viii) for Amendment 113 to the FMP because the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia vacated the rule implementing Amendment 113 (see

Groundfish Forum

Ross,

375 F.Supp.3d 72 (D.D.C. 2019)).

Changes From the Proposed 2024 and 2025 Harvest Specifications for the BSAI

In October 2023, the Council's recommendations for the proposed 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications (88 FR 84278, December 5, 2023) were based largely on information contained in the 2022 SAFE report for the BSAI groundfish fisheries, dated November 2022. Stocks are managed in tiers based on the amount and quality of information available. There is more information available about stocks in tiers 1 through 3 than is available for those in tiers 4 through 6. In October 2023, the Council recommended that proposed 2024 and 2025 OFLs and ABCs be based on rollovers of the 2024 amounts. In making this recommendation, the Council used the best information available from the 2022 stock assessments until the 2023 SAFE report could be completed.

In December 2023, the Council's recommendations for the final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications were based largely on information contained in the 2023 SAFE report for the BSAI groundfish fisheries, dated November 2023. The SAFE report contains a review of the latest scientific analyses and estimates of each species' biomass and other biological parameters, as well as summaries of the available information on the BSAI ecosystem by including risk tables and information from the BS ESR and AI ESR.

The ESRs compile and summarize information about the status of the Alaska marine ecosystems for the Plan Team, SSC, AP, Council, NMFS, and the public. These ESRs are updated annually and include ecosystem report cards, ecosystem assessments, and ecosystem status indicators (

i.e.,

climate indices, sea surface temperature), which together provide context for ecosystem-based fisheries management in Alaska. The ESRs inform stock assessments and are integrated in the annual harvest recommendations through inclusion in stock assessment-specific risk tables. The ESRs provide context for the SSC's recommendations for OFLs and ABCs, as well as for the Council's TAC recommendations. The SAFE reports and the ESRs are presented to the Plan Team and at the October and December Council meetings before the SSC, AP, and Council make groundfish harvest recommendations and aid NMFS in implementing these annual groundfish harvest specifications.

The SAFE report also includes information on the economic condition of the groundfish fisheries off Alaska through the Economic Status Report. The SAFE report provides information to the Council and NMFS for recommending and setting, respectively, annual harvest levels for each stock, documenting significant trends or changes in the resource, marine ecosystems, and fisheries over time, and assessing the relative success of existing Federal fishery management programs. From these data and analyses, the Plan Team recommends, and the SSC sets, an OFL and ABC for each species and species group.

The Council recommended a final 2024 BS pollock TAC that is a decrease of 2,000 mt from the proposed 2024 BS pollock TAC and is also the same as the 2023 BS pollock TAC. The Council recommended a final 2025 BS pollock TAC that is an increase of 23,000 mt from the proposed 2025 BS pollock TAC to reflect the increase in the 2025 BS pollock ABC. The Council also recommended to increase the BS Pacific cod TAC by 24,458 mt in 2024 and 9,431 mt in 2025 from the proposed TAC. In terms of tonnage, the Council reduced the TACs from the proposed TACs of several species of lower economic value to maintain an overall total TAC within the required OY range of 1.4 to 2.0 million mt with the yellowfin sole TAC accounting for most of the decrease in terms of tonnage. Some species, such as Atka mackerel and northern rockfish, are economically valuable species whose ABCs increased in 2024, which allowed the 2024 TACs to increase as well. Others, such as Alaska plaice and sharks, have increased TACs due to anticipated increased incidental catches in other fisheries. Of these species, sharks had the largest increase in terms of percentage. This is due to an increase in anticipated incidental catch in the pollock fishery. The changes to TACs between the proposed and final harvest specifications are based on the most recent scientific, biological, and socioeconomic information and are

consistent with the FMP, regulatory obligations, and harvest strategy as described in the proposed and final harvest specifications, including the required OY range of 1.4 million to 2.0 million mt. These changes are compared in table 1A.

Table 1 lists the Council's recommended final 2024 OFL, ABC, TAC, initial TAC (ITAC), CDQ reserve allocations, and non-specified reserves of the BSAI groundfish species and species groups; and table 2 lists the Council's recommended final 2025 OFL, ABC, TAC, ITAC, CDQ reserve allocations, and non-specified reserves of the BSAI groundfish species and species groups. NMFS concurs with these recommendations. These final 2024 and 2025 TAC amounts for the BSAI are within the OY range established for the BSAI and do not exceed the ABC for any species or species group. The apportionment of TAC amounts among fisheries and seasons is discussed below.

Table 1—Final 2024 OFL, ABC, TAC, Initial TAC (ITAC), CDQ Reserve Allocation, and Nonspecified Reserves of Groundfish in the BSAI

[Amounts are in metric tons]

Species

Area

2024

OFL

ABC

TAC

ITAC

CDQ

Nonspecified

reserves

Pollock

3,162,000

2,313,000

1,300,000

1,170,000

130,000

51,516

42,654

19,000

17,100

1,900

Bogoslof

115,146

86,360

250

Pacific cod

200,995

167,952

147,753

131,943

15,810

18,416

12,431

8,080

7,215

865

Sablefish

Alaska-wide

55,084

47,146

n/a

11,450

7,996

6,597

1,099

300

n/a

13,100

8,440

6,858

1,424

158

Yellowfin sole

BSAI

305,298

265,913

195,000

174,135

20,865

Greenland turbot

BSAI

3,705

3,188

2,710

n/a

2,687

2,284

288

116

n/a

501

426

Arrowtooth flounder

BSAI

103,280

87,690

14,000

11,900

1,498

602

Kamchatka flounder

BSAI

8,850

7,498

6,373

1,125

Rock sole

BSAI

197,828

122,091

66,000

58,938

7,062

Flathead sole

BSAI

81,605

67,289

35,500

31,702

3,799

Alaska plaice

BSAI

42,695

35,494

21,752

18,489

3,263

Other flatfish

BSAI

22,919

17,189

4,500

3,825

675

Pacific ocean perch

BSAI

49,010

41,096

37,626

33,100

n/a

11,636

9,891

1,745

EAI

n/a

7,969

7,116

853

CAI

n/a

5,521

4,930

591

WAI

n/a

15,970

12,500

11,163

1,338

Northern rockfish

BSAI

23,556

19,274

16,752

14,239

2,513

Blackspotted/Rougheye rockfish

BSAI

761

569

484

BS/EAI

n/a

388

330

CAI/WAI

n/a

181

154

Shortraker rockfish

BSAI

706

530

451

Other rockfish

BSAI

1,680

1,260

1,071

189

n/a

880

748

132

n/a

380

323

Atka mackerel

BSAI

111,684

95,358

72,987

65,177

7,810

BS/EAI

n/a

41,723

32,260

28,808

3,452

CAI

n/a

16,754

14,961

1,793

WAI

n/a

36,882

23,973

21,408

2,565

Skates

BSAI

45,574

37,808

30,519

25,941

4,578

Sharks

BSAI

689

450

400

340

Octopuses

BSAI

6,080

4,560

400

340

Total

4,609,077

3,476,800

2,000,000

1,789,177

195,199

15,623

Note:

Regulatory areas and districts are defined at § 679.2.

These amounts apply to the entire BSAI management area unless otherwise specified. With the exception of pollock, and for the purpose of these harvest specifications, the BS includes the Bogoslof District.

Except for pollock, the portion of the sablefish TAC allocated to fixed gear, and Amendment 80 species (Atka mackerel, yellowfin sole, rock sole, flathead sole, Pacific cod, and AI Pacific ocean perch), 15 percent of each TAC is placed into a non-specified reserve (§ 679.20(b)(1)(i)). The ITAC for these species is the remainder of the TAC after the subtraction of these reserves. For pollock and Amendment 80 species, ITAC is the non-CDQ allocation of TAC (see footnotes 3 and 4).

For the Amendment 80 species (Atka mackerel, yellowfin sole, rock sole, flathead sole, Pacific cod, and AI Pacific ocean perch), 10.7 percent of the TAC is reserved for use by CDQ participants (see § 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(C)). Twenty percent of the sablefish TAC allocated to fixed gear, 7.5 percent of the sablefish TAC allocated to trawl gear, and 10.7 percent of the TACs for BS Greenland turbot and arrowtooth flounder are reserved for use by CDQ participants (see § 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(B) and (D)). AI Greenland turbot, “other flatfish,” Alaska plaice, Bering Sea Pacific ocean perch, Kamchatka flounder, northern rockfish, blackspotted/rougheye rockfish, shortraker rockfish, “other rockfish,” skates, sharks, and octopuses are not allocated to the CDQ Program.

Under § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), the annual BS pollock TAC, after subtracting first for the CDQ directed fishing allowance (10 percent) and second for the incidental catch allowance (50,000 mt), is further allocated by sector for a pollock directed fishery as follows: inshore—50 percent; catcher/processor—40 percent; and mothership—10 percent. Section 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(1) requires the AI pollock TAC to be set at 19,000 mt when the AI pollock ABC equals or exceeds 19,000 mt. Under § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(

), the annual AI pollock TAC, after subtracting first for the CDQ directed fishing allowance (10 percent) and second for the incidental catch allowance (3,420 mt), is allocated to the Aleut Corporation for a pollock directed fishery. The Bogoslof pollock TAC is set to accommodate incidental catch amounts.

The BS Pacific cod TAC is set to account for the 12 percent, plus 45 mt, of the BS ABC for the State's guideline harvest level in State waters of the BS. The AI Pacific cod TAC is set to account for 35 percent of the AI ABC for the State guideline harvest level in State waters of the AI.

The sablefish OFL and ABC is Alaska-wide and include the Gulf of Alaska. The Alaska-wide sablefish OFL and ABC are included in the total OFL and ABC. The BS and AI sablefish TACs are set to account for the 5 percent of the BS and AI ABC for the State's guideline harvest level in State waters of the BS and AI.

“Rock sole” includes

Lepidopsetta polyxystra

(Northern rock sole).

“Flathead sole” includes

Hippoglossoides elassodon

(flathead sole) and

Hippoglossoides robustus

(Bering flounder).

“Other flatfish” includes all flatfish species, except for halibut (a prohibited species), Alaska plaice, arrowtooth flounder, flathead sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, rock sole, and yellowfin sole.

“Blackspotted/Rougheye rockfish” includes

Sebastes melanostictus

(blackspotted) and

Sebastes aleutianus

(rougheye).

“Other rockfish” includes all

Sebastes

and

Sebastolobus

species except for dark rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish, blackspotted/rougheye rockfish, and shortraker rockfish.

Table 1

—Comparison of Final 2024 and 2025 With Proposed 2024 and 2025 Total Allowable Catch in the BSAI

[Amounts are in metric tons]

Species

Area

2024 final

TAC

2024 and 2025

proposed

TAC

2024

difference from

proposed

2024 percentage

difference from

proposed

2025 final

TAC

2025

difference

from

proposed

2025

percentage

difference from

proposed

Pollock

1,300,000

1,302,000

(2,000)

(0.2)

1,325,000

23,000

1.8

19,000

Bogoslof

250

300

(50)

(16.7)

250

(50)

(16.7)

Pacific cod

147,753

123,295

24,458

19.8

132,726

9,431

7.6

8,080

8,425

(345)

(4.1)

8,080

(345)

(4.1)

Sablefish

7,996

9,676

(1,680)

(17.4)

9,500

(176)

(1.8)

8,440

9,793

(1,353)

(13.8)

8,440

(1,353)

(13.8)

Yellowfin sole

BSAI

195,000

230,656

(35,656)

(15.5)

195,000

(35,656)

(15.5)

Greenland turbot

2,687

2,836

(149)

(5.3)

2,310

(526)

(18.5)

501

528

(27)

(5.1)

430

(98)

(18.6)

Arrowtooth flounder

BSAI

14,000

15,000

(1,000)

(6.7)

14,000

(1,000)

(6.7)

Kamchatka flounder

BSAI

7,498

7,435

0.8

7,360

(75)

(1.0)

Rock sole

BSAI

66,000

Flathead sole

BSAI

35,500

Alaska plaice

BSAI

21,752

18,000

3,752

20.8

20,000

2,000

11.1

Other flatfish

BSAI

4,500

Pacific ocean perch

11,636

11,700

(64)

(0.5)

11,430

(270)

(2.3)

EAI

7,969

8,013

(44)

(0.5)

7,828

(185)

(2.3)

CAI

5,521

5,551

(30)

(0.5)

5,423

(128)

(2.3)

WAI

12,500

13,000

(500)

(3.8)

12,500

(500)

(3.8)

Northern rockfish

BSAI

16,752

11,000

5,752

52.3

15,000

4,000

36.4

Blackspotted and Rougheye rockfish

BS/EAI

388

412

6.2

CAI/WAI

181

182

(1)

(0.5)

195

7.1

Shortraker rockfish

BSAI

530

Other rockfish

880

380

Atka mackerel

EAI/BS

32,260

30,000

2,260

7.5

30,000

CAI

16,754

15,218

1,536

10.1

14,877

(341)

(2.2)

WAI

23,973

21,637

2,336

10.8

21,288

(349)

(1.6)

Skates

BSAI

30,519

27,927

2,592

9.3

30,361

2,434

8.7

Sharks

BSAI

400

250

150

60.0

400

150

60.0

Octopuses

BSAI

400

Total

BSAI

2,000,000

Table 2—Final 2025 OFL, ABC, TAC, ITAC, CDQ Reserve Allocation, and Nonspecified Reserves of Groundfish in the BSAI

[Amounts are in metric tons]

Species

Area

2025

OFL

ABC

TAC

ITAC

CDQ

Nonspecified reserves

Pollock

3,449,000

2,401,000

1,325,000

1,192,500

132,500

53,030

43,863

19,000

17,100

1,900

Bogoslof

115,146

86,360

250

Pacific cod

180,798

150,876

132,726

118,524

14,202

18,416

12,431

8,080

7,215

865

Sablefish

Alaska-wide

55,317

47,350

n/a

11,499

9,500

4,038

356

n/a

13,156

8,440

1,794

158

Yellowfin sole

BSAI

317,932

276,917

195,000

174,135

20,865

Greenland turbot

BSAI

3,185

2,740

2,329

n/a

2,310

1,964

247

n/a

430

366

Arrowtooth flounder

BSAI

104,270

88,548

14,000

11,900

1,498

602

Kamchatka flounder

BSAI

8,687

7,360

6,256

1,104

Rock sole

BSAI

264,789

122,535

66,000

58,938

7,062

Flathead sole

BSAI

82,699

68,203

35,500

31,702

3,799

Alaska plaice

BSAI

45,182

37,560

20,000

17,000

3,000

Other flatfish

BSAI

22,919

17,189

4,500

3,825

675

Pacific ocean perch

BSAI

48,139

40,366

37,181

32,711

n/a

11,430

9,716

1,715

EAI

n/a

7,828

6,990

838

CAI

n/a

5,423

4,843

580

WAI

n/a

15,685

12,500

11,163

1,338

Northern rockfish

BSAI

22,838

18,685

15,000

12,750

2,250

Blackspotted/Rougheye rockfish

BSAI

813

607

516

BS/EAI

n/a

412

350

CAI/WAI

n/a

195

166

Shortraker rockfish

BSAI

706

530

451

Other rockfish

BSAI

1,680

1,260

1,071

189

n/a

880

748

132

n/a

380

323

Atka mackerel

BSAI

99,723

84,676

66,165

59,085

7,080

EAI/BS

n/a

37,049

30,000

26,790

3,210

CAI

n/a

14,877

13,285

1,592

WAI

n/a

32,750

21,288

19,010

2,278

Skates

BSAI

44,203

36,625

30,361

25,807

4,554

Sharks

BSAI

689

450

400

340

Octopuses

BSAI

6,080

4,560

400

340

Total

4,946,241

3,550,691

2,000,000

1,780,576

193,286

15,058

Note:

Regulatory areas and districts are defined at § 679.2.

Except for pollock, the portion of the sablefish TAC allocated to fixed gear, and Amendment 80 species (Atka mackerel, flathead sole, rock sole, yellowfin sole, Pacific cod, and Aleutian Islands Pacific ocean perch), 15 percent of each TAC is put into a non-specified reserve (§ 679.20(b)(1)(i)). The ITAC for these species is the remainder of the TAC after the subtraction of these reserves. For pollock and Amendment 80 species, ITAC is the non-CDQ allocation of TAC (see footnotes 3 and 4).

For the Amendment 80 species (Atka mackerel, flathead sole, rock sole, yellowfin sole, Pacific cod, and Aleutian Islands Pacific ocean perch), 10.7 percent of the TAC is reserved for use by CDQ participants (see § 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(C)). Twenty percent of the sablefish TAC allocated to fixed gear, 7.5 percent of the sablefish TAC allocated to trawl gear, and 10.7 percent of the TACs for Bering Sea Greenland turbot and arrowtooth flounder are reserved for use by CDQ participants (see § 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(B) and (D)). The 2025 fixed gear portion of the sablefish ITAC and CDQ reserve will not be specified until the final 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications. Aleutian Islands Greenland turbot, “other flatfish,” Alaska plaice, Bering Sea Pacific ocean perch, Kamchatka flounder, northern rockfish, shortraker rockfish, blackspotted/rougheye rockfish, “other rockfish,” skates, sharks, and octopuses are not allocated to the CDQ program.

Under § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), the annual BS pollock TAC, after subtracting first for the CDQ directed fishing allowance (10 percent) and second for the incidental catch allowance (50,000 mt), is further allocated by sector for a pollock directed fishery as follows: inshore—50 percent; catcher/processor—40 percent; and motherships—10 percent. Section 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(1) requires the AI pollock TAC to be set at 19,000 mt when the AI pollock ABC equals or exceeds 19,000 mt. Under § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(

The sablefish OFL and ABC are Alaska-wide and include the Gulf of Alaska. The Alaska-wide sablefish OFL and ABC are included in the total OFL and ABC. The BS and AI sablefish TACs are set to account for the 5 percent of the BS and AI ABC for the State's guideline harvest level in State waters.

“Rock sole” includes

Lepidopsetta polyxystra

(Northern rock sole).

“Flathead sole” includes

Hippoglossoides elassodon

(flathead sole) and

Hippoglossoides robustus

(Bering flounder).

“Blackspotted/Rougheye rockfish” includes

Sebastes melanostictus

(blackspotted) and

Sebastes aleutianu

s (rougheye).

“Other rockfish” includes all

Sebastes

and

Sebastolobus

species except for dark rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish, blackspotted/rougheye rockfish, and shortraker rockfish.

Groundfish Reserves and the ICA for Pollock, Atka Mackerel, Flathead Sole, Rock Sole, Yellowfin Sole, and AI Pacific Ocean Perch

Section 679.20(b)(1)(i) requires that NMFS reserve 15 percent of the TAC for each target species (except for pollock, fixed gear allocation of sablefish, and Amendment 80 species) in a non-specified reserve. Section 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(B) requires that NMFS allocate 20 percent of the fixed gear allocation of sablefish to the fixed-gear sablefish CDQ reserve for each subarea. Section 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(D) requires that NMFS allocate 7.5 percent of the trawl gear allocations of sablefish in the BS and AI and 10.7 percent of the BS Greenland turbot and arrowtooth flounder TACs to the respective CDQ reserves. Section 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(C) requires that NMFS allocate 10.7 percent of the TACs for Atka mackerel, AI Pacific ocean perch, yellowfin sole, rock sole, flathead sole, and Pacific cod (the Amendment 80 species) to the respective CDQ reserves.

Section 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(A) also requires that 10 percent of the BS pollock TAC be allocated to the pollock CDQ directed fishing allowance (DFA). Section 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(A) requires that 10 percent of the AI pollock TAC be allocated to the pollock CDQ DFA. The entire Bogoslof District pollock TAC is allocated as an ICA pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(ii) because the Bogoslof District is closed to directed fishing for pollock by regulation (§ 679.22(a)(7)(B)). With the exception of the fixed gear sablefish CDQ reserve, the regulations do not further apportion the CDQ allocations by gear.

Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(

), NMFS allocates a pollock ICA of 50,000 mt of the BS pollock TAC after subtracting the 10 percent CDQ DFA. This allowance is based on NMFS's examination of the pollock incidental catch, including the incidental catch by CDQ vessels, in target fisheries other than pollock from 2000-2023. During this 24-year period, the pollock incidental catch ranged from a low of 2.2 percent in 2006 to a high of 4.6 percent in 2014, with a 24-year average of 3 percent. Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(

), NMFS establishes a pollock ICA of 3,420 mt of the AI pollock TAC after subtracting the 10 percent CDQ DFA. This allowance is based on NMFS's examination of the pollock incidental catch, including the incidental catch by CDQ vessels, in target fisheries other than pollock from 2003-2023. During this 21-year period, the incidental catch of pollock ranged from a low of 5 percent in 2006 to a high of 17 percent in 2014, with a 21-year average of 9 percent.

After subtracting the 10.7 percent CDQ reserve and pursuant to § 679.20(a)(8) and (10), NMFS allocates ICAs of 3,000 mt of flathead sole, 6,000 mt of rock sole, 4,000 mt of yellowfin sole, 10 mt of Western Aleutian district (WAI) Pacific ocean perch, 60 mt of Central Aleutian district (CAI) Pacific ocean perch, 100 mt of Eastern Aleutian

district (EAI) Pacific ocean perch, 20 mt of WAI Atka mackerel, 75 mt of CAI Atka mackerel, and 800 mt of EAI and BS Atka mackerel. These ICA allowances are based on NMFS's examination of the incidental catch in other target fisheries from 2003 through 2023.

The regulations do not designate the remainder of the non-specified reserve by species or species group. Any amount of the reserve may be apportioned to a target species that contributed to the non-specified reserves during the year, provided that such apportionments are consistent with § 679.20(a)(3) and do not result in overfishing (see § 679.20(b)(1)(i)). The Regional Administrator has determined that the ITACs specified for two species group listed in tables 1 and 2 need to be supplemented from the non-specified reserve because U.S. fishing vessels have demonstrated the capacity to catch the full TAC allocations. Therefore, in accordance with § 679.20(b), NMFS is apportioning the amounts shown in table 3 from the non-specified reserve to increase the ITAC for AI “other rockfish” and blackspotted/rougheye rockfish in the Central Aleutian district and Western Aleutian district (CAI/WAI) by 15 percent of their TACs in 2024 and 2025.

Table 3—Final 2024 and 2025 Apportionment of Non-Specified Reserves to ITAC Categories

[Amounts are in metric tons]

Species-area or subarea

2024 ITAC

2024

reserve amount

2024 final TAC

2025 ITAC

2025

reserve amount

2025 final TAC

Other rockfish-Aleutian Islands subarea

323

380

323

380

Blackspotted/Rougheye rockfish—CAI/WAI

154

181

166

195

Total

477

561

489

575

Allocation of Pollock TAC Under the American Fisheries Act (AFA)

Section 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A) requires that the BS pollock TAC be apportioned as a DFA, after subtracting 10 percent for the CDQ program and 50,000 mt for the ICA in both 2024 and 2025, as follows: 50 percent to the inshore sector, 40 percent to the catcher/processor (CP) sector, and 10 percent to the mothership sector. In the BS, 45 percent of the DFAs are allocated to the A season (January 20-June 10), and 55 percent of the DFAs are allocated to the B season (June 10-November 1) (§§ 679.20(a)(5)(i)(B)(

) and 679.23(e)(2)). The AI directed pollock fishery allocation to the Aleut Corporation is the amount of pollock TAC remaining in the AI after subtracting 1,900 mt for the CDQ DFA (10 percent) and 3,420 mt for the ICA (§ 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(

)). In the AI, the total A season apportionment of the TAC (including the AI directed fishery allocation, the CDQ DFA, and the ICA) may not exceed 40 percent of the ABC for AI pollock, and the remainder of the TAC is allocated to the B season (§ 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(

)). Tables 4 and 5 list these 2024 and 2025 amounts.

Section 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(

) sets harvest limits for pollock in the A season (January 20 to June 10) in Areas 543, 542, and 541. In accordance with this regulation, NMFS establishes harvest limits for pollock in the A season in Area 541 of no more than 30 percent, in Area 542 of no more than 15 percent, and in Area 543 of no more than 5 percent of the Aleutian Islands pollock ABC.

Section 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(

) also includes several specific requirements regarding BS pollock allocations. First, it requires that 8.5 percent of the pollock allocated to the CP sector be available for harvest by AFA CVs with CP sector endorsements, unless the Regional Administrator receives a cooperative contract that allows for the distribution of harvest among AFA CPs and AFA CVs in a manner agreed to by all members. Second, AFA CPs not listed in the AFA are limited to harvesting not more than 0.5 percent of the pollock allocated to the CP sector. Tables 4 and 5 list the 2024 and 2025 allocations of pollock TAC. Table 6 lists the 2024 inshore sector allocation among AFA inshore cooperatives and AFA open access vessels. The 2025 AFA CV cooperative membership will not be known until eligible participants apply for participation in the program by December 1, 2024. Table 22 lists the CDQ allocation of pollock among the CDQ groups. Tables 24, 25, and 26 list the AFA CP and CV harvesting sideboard limits.

Tables 4, 5, and 6 also list seasonal apportionments of pollock and harvest limits within the Steller Sea Lion Conservation Area (SCA). The harvest of pollock within the SCA, as defined at § 679.22(a)(7)(vii), is limited to no more than 28 percent of the annual pollock DFA before 12 p.m. A.l.t. (noon), April 1, as provided in § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(C). The A season pollock SCA harvest limit is apportioned to each sector in proportion to each sector's allocated percentage of the DFA.

Table 4—Final 2024 Allocations of Pollock TACs to the Directed Pollock Fisheries and to the CDQ Directed Fishing Allowances (DFA)

[Amounts are in metric tons]

Area and sector

2024

Allocations

2024 A season

A season

DFA

SCA harvest

limit

2024 B season

B season

DFA

Bering Sea subarea TAC

1,300,000

n/a

CDQ DFA

130,000

58,500

36,400

71,500

ICA

50,000

n/a

Total Bering Sea non-CDQ DFA

1,120,000

504,000

313,600

616,000

AFA Inshore

560,000

252,000

156,800

308,000

AFA Catcher/Processors

448,000

201,600

125,440

246,400

Catch by CPs

409,920

184,464

n/a

225,456

Catch by CVs

38,080

17,136

n/a

20,944

Unlisted CP Limit

2,240

1,008

n/a

1,232

AFA Motherships

112,000

50,400

31,360

61,600

Excessive Harvesting Limit

196,000

n/a

Excessive Processing Limit

336,000

n/a

Aleutian Islands subarea ABC

42,654

n/a

Aleutian Islands subarea TAC

19,000

n/a

CDQ DFA

1,900

1,872

n/a

ICA

3,420

1,710

n/a

1,710

Aleut Corporation

13,680

13,479

n/a

201

Area harvest limit

n/a

541

12,796

n/a

542

6,398

n/a

543

2,133

n/a

Bogoslof District ICA

250

n/a

Note:

Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.

Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), the BS pollock TAC, after subtracting the CDQ DFA (10 percent) and the ICA (50,000 mt, ~3.85 percent), is allocated as a DFA as follows: inshore sector—50 percent, catcher/processor sector (CP)—40 percent, and mothership sector—10 percent. In the BS subarea, 45 percent of the DFA and CDQ DFA are allocated to the A season (January 20-June 10) and 55 percent of the DFA and CDQ DFA are allocated to the B season (June 10-November 1). When the AI pollock ABC equals or exceeds 19,000 mt, the annual TAC is equal to 19,000 mt (§ 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(1)). Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2), the AI subarea pollock TAC, after subtracting first for the CDQ DFA (10 percent) and second for the ICA (3,420 mt), is allocated to the Aleut Corporation for a pollock directed fishery. In the AI subarea, the A season is allocated no more than 40 percent of the AI pollock ABC.

In the BS subarea, pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(C), no more than 28 percent of each sector's annual DFA may be taken from the SCA before 12:00 p.m. A.l.t., April 1. The SCA is defined at § 679.22(a)(7)(vii).

Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(

), 8.5 percent of the allocation to listed CPs shall be available for harvest only by eligible catcher vessels with a CP endorsement delivering to listed CPs, unless there is a CP sector cooperative contract for the year.

Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(

)(

iii

), the AFA unlisted CPs are limited to harvesting not more than 0.5 percent of the CP sector's allocation of pollock.

Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(

), NMFS establishes an excessive harvesting share limit equal to 17.5 percent of the sum of the non-CDQ pollock DFAs.

Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(

), NMFS establishes an excessive processing share limit equal to 30.0 percent of the sum of the non-CDQ pollock DFAs.

Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(

), NMFS establishes harvest limits for pollock in the A season in Area 541 of no more than 30 percent, in Area 542 of no more than 15 percent, and in Area 543 of no more than 5 percent of the AI pollock ABC.

Pursuant to § 679.22(a)(7)(B), the Bogoslof District is closed to directed fishing for pollock. The amounts specified are for incidental catch only and are not apportioned by season or sector.

Table 5—Final 2025 Allocations of Pollock TACs to the Directed Pollock Fisheries and to the CDQ Directed Fishing Allowances (DFA)

[Amounts are in metric tons]

Area and sector

2025

Allocations

2025 A season

A season

DFA

SCA harvest

limit

2025 B season

B season

DFA

Bering Sea subarea TAC

1,325,000

n/a

CDQ DFA

132,500

59,625

37,100

72,875

ICA

50,000

n/a

Total Bering Sea non-CDQ DFA

1,142,500

514,125

319,900

628,375

AFA Inshore

571,250

257,063

159,950

314,188

AFA Catcher/Processors

457,000

205,650

127,960

251,350

Catch by CPs

418,155

188,170

n/a

229,985

Catch by CVs

38,845

17,480

n/a

21,365

Unlisted CP Limit

2,285

1,028

n/a

1,257

AFA Motherships

114,250

51,413

31,990

62,838

Excessive Harvesting Limit

199,938

n/a

Excessive Processing Limit

342,750

n/a

Aleutian Islands subarea ABC

43,863

n/a

Aleutian Islands subarea TAC

19,000

n/a

CDQ DFA

1,900

n/a

ICA

3,420

1,710

n/a

1,710

Aleut Corporation

13,680

n/a

Area harvest limit

n/a

541

13,159

n/a

542

6,579

n/a

543

2,193

n/a

Bogoslof District ICA

250

n/a

Note:

Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.

Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), the BS subarea pollock TAC, after subtracting the CDQ DFA (10 percent) and the ICA (50,000 mt, ~3.85 percent), is allocated as a DFA as follows: inshore sector—50 percent, catcher/processor sector (CP)—40 percent, and mothership sector—10 percent. In the BS subarea, 45 percent of the DFA and CDQ DFA are allocated to the A season (January 20-June 10) and 55 percent of the DFA and CDQ DFA are allocated to the B season (June 10-November 1). When the AI pollock ABC equals or exceeds 19,000 mt, the annual TAC is equal to 19,000 mt (§ 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(1)). Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2), the AI subarea pollock TAC, after subtracting first for the CDQ DFA (10 percent) and second for the ICA (3,420 mt), is allocated to the Aleut Corporation for a pollock directed fishery. In the AI subarea, the A season is allocated no more than 40 percent of the AI pollock ABC.

Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(

)(

iii

), the AFA unlisted CPs are limited to harvesting not more than 0.5 percent of the CP sector's allocation of pollock.

Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(

), NMFS establishes an excessive harvesting share limit equal to 17.5 percent of the sum of the non-CDQ pollock DFAs.

Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(

), NMFS establishes an excessive processing share limit equal to 30.0 percent of the sum of the non-CDQ pollock DFAs.

Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(

Pursuant to § 679.22(a)(7)(B), the Bogoslof District is closed to directed fishing for pollock. The amounts specified are for incidental catch only and are not apportioned by season or sector.

Table 6—Final 2024 AFA Inshore Cooperative and Open Access Pollock Allocations, and Inshore Sector Steller Sea Lion Conservation Area Limits

Cooperative name

Percent of

inshore sector

allocation

Sum of

vessel's catch

histories

(mt)

2024 Allocations

(mt)

AFA Open Access

2.103

18,414

11,777

Akutan Catcher Vessel Association

33.788

295,836

189,212

Northern Victor Fleet Cooperative

9.346

81,828

52,336

Unalaska Fleet Cooperative (Alyeska)

12.261

107,357

68,663

UniSea Fleet Cooperative

23.122

202,454

129,486

Westward Fleet Cooperative

19.380

169,683

108,526

Sum of all Cooperatives

100.000

875,572

560,000

Inshore Sector Steller Sea Lion Conservation Area (SCA) Limits

2024 A season TAC

2024 A season SCA harvest limit

2024 B season TAC

Inshore cooperative sector:

Vessels >99 ft

n/a

134,934

n/a

Vessels ≤99 ft

n/a

21,866

n/a

Total

252,000

156,800

308,000

Open access sector

Total inshore sector

252,000

156,800

308,000

Note:

Totals may not add up due to rounding.

The 2025 AFA catcher vessel cooperative membership will not be known until eligible participants apply for participation in the program by December 1, 2024.

According to regulations at § 679.62(a)(1), the individual catch history for each vessel is equal to the vessel's best 2 of 3 years inshore pollock landings from 1995 through 1997 and includes landings to catcher/processors and motherships for vessels that made 500 or more mt of landings to catcher/processors and motherships from 1995 through 1997.

The Steller sea lion conservation area (SCA) is established at § 679.22(a)(7)(vii). The SCA limitations for vessels less than or equal to 99 ft LOA that are not participating in a cooperative will be established on an inseason basis in accordance with § 679.22(a)(7)(vii)(C)(2), and the Regional Administrator will prohibit directed fishing for pollock by vessels greater than 99 ft (30.2 m) LOA, catching pollock for processing by the inshore component before reaching the inshore SCA harvest limit before April 1 to accommodate fishing by vessels less than or equal to 99 ft (30.2 m) inside the SCA until April 1.

Allocation of the Atka Mackerel TACs

Section 679.20(a)(8) allocates the Atka mackerel TACs to the Amendment 80 and BSAI trawl limited access sectors, after subtracting the CDQ reserves, ICAs for the BSAI trawl limited access sector and non-trawl gear sector, and the jig gear allocation (tables 7 and 8). The percentage of the ITAC for Atka mackerel allocated to the Amendment 80 and BSAI trawl limited access sectors is listed in table 33 to 50 CFR part 679 and in § 679.91. Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(8)(i), up to 2 percent of the EAI and the BS Atka mackerel TAC may be allocated to vessels using jig gear. The percent of this allocation is recommended annually by the Council based on several criteria, including, among other criteria, the anticipated harvest capacity of the jig gear fleet. After reviewing Council recommendations, NMFS approves a 0.5 percent allocation of the Atka mackerel TAC in the EAI and BS to the jig gear sector in 2024 and 2025.

Section 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(A) apportions the Atka mackerel TAC, after subtraction of the jig gear allocation, into two equal seasonal allowances. Section 679.23(e)(3) sets the first seasonal allowance for directed fishing with trawl gear from January 20 through June 10 (A season), and the second seasonal allowance from June 10 through December 31 (B season). Section 679.23(e)(4)(iii) applies Atka mackerel seasons to CDQ Atka mackerel trawl fishing. Within any fishing year, any under harvest or over harvest of a seasonal allowance may be added to or subtracted from a subsequent seasonal allowance (§ 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(B)). The ICAs and jig gear allocations are not apportioned by season.

Sections 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(

)(

) and (

) limits Atka mackerel catch within waters 0 nautical miles (nmi) to 20 nmi of Steller sea lion sites listed in table 6 to 50 CFR part 679 and located west of 178° W longitude to no more than 60 percent of the annual TACs in Areas 542 and 543. The annual harvest is also equally divided between the A and B seasons as defined at § 679.23(e)(3). Section 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(

) requires that the annual TAC in Area 543 will be no more than 65 percent of the ABC in Area 543. Section 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(D) requires that any unharvested Atka mackerel A season allowance that is added to the B season be prohibited from being harvested within waters 0 nmi to 20 nmi of Steller sea lion sites listed in table 6 to 50 CFR part 679 and located in Areas 541, 542, and 543.

Tables 7 and 8 list these 2024 and 2025 Atka mackerel seasonal and area allowances, and the sector allocations. One Amendment 80 cooperative has formed for the 2024 fishing year. Because all Amendment 80 vessels are part of the sole Amendment 80 cooperative, no allocation to the Amendment 80 limited access sector is required for 2024. The 2025 allocations for Atka mackerel between Amendment 80 cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited access sector will not be known until eligible participants apply for participation in the program by November 1, 2024. Table 22 lists the allocation of CDQ Atka mackerel among the CDQ groups.

Table 7—Final 2024 Seasonal and Spatial Allowances, Gear Shares, CDQ Reserve, Incidental Catch Allowance, and Amendment 80 Allocations of the BSAI Atka Mackerel TAC

[Amounts are in metric tons]

Sector

Season

2 3 4

2024 Allocation by area

Eastern Aleutian

District/

Bering Sea

Central Aleutian

District

Western Aleutian

District

TAC

n/a

32,260

16,754

23,973

CDQ reserve

Total

3,452

1,793

2,565

1,726

896

1,283

Critical Habitat

n/a

538

770

1,726

896

1,283

Critical Habitat

n/a

538

770

Non-CDQ TAC

n/a

28,808

14,961

21,408

ICA

Total

800

Jig

Total

140

BSAI trawl limited access

Total

2,787

1,489

1,393

744

Critical Habitat

n/a

447

1,393

744

Critical Habitat

n/a

447

Amendment 80 sector

Total

25,081

13,398

21,388

12,541

6,699

10,694

Critical Habitat

n/a

4,019

6,416

12,541

6,699

10,694

Critical Habitat

n/a

4,019

6,416

Note:

Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.

Section 679.20(a)(8)(ii) allocates the Atka mackerel TACs, after subtracting the CDQ reserves, ICAs, and jig gear allocation, to the Amendment 80 and BSAI trawl limited access sectors. The allocation of the ITAC for Atka mackerel to the Amendment 80 and BSAI trawl limited access sectors is established in table 33 to 50 CFR part 679 and § 679.91. The CDQ reserve is 10.7 percent of the TAC for use by CDQ participants (see § 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(C)).

Sections 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(A) and 679.22(a) establish temporal and spatial limitations for the Atka mackerel fishery.

The seasonal allowances of Atka mackerel for the CDQ reserve, BSAI trawl limited access sector, and Amendment 80 sector are 50 percent in the A season and 50 percent in the B season.

Section 679.23(e)(3) authorizes directed fishing for Atka mackerel with trawl gear during the A season from January 20 to June 10 and the B season from June 10 to December 31.

Section 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(

)(

) limits no more than 60 percent of the annual TACs in Areas 542 and 543 to be caught inside of Steller sea lion protection areas; section 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(

)(

) equally divides the annual harvest limits between the A and B seasons as defined at § 679.23(e)(3); and section 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(

) requires that the TAC in Area 543 shall be no more than 65 percent of ABC in Area 543.

Sections 679.2 and 679.20(a)(8)(i) require that up to 2 percent of the Eastern Aleutian Islands District and the Bering Sea subarea TAC be allocated to jig gear after subtracting the CDQ reserve and the ICA. NMFS sets the amount of this allocation for 2024 at 0.5 percent. The jig gear allocation is not apportioned by season.

Table 8—Final 2025 Seasonal and Spatial Allowances, Gear Shares, CDQ Reserve, Incidental Catch Allowance, and Amendment 80 Allocations of the BSAI Atka Mackerel TAC

[Amounts are in metric tons]

Sector

Season

2 3 4

2025 Allocation by area

Eastern Aleutian

District/

Bering Sea

Central Aleutian

District

Western Aleutian

District

TAC

n/a

30,000

14,877

21,288

CDQ reserve

Total

3,210

1,592

2,278

1,605

796

1,139

Critical Habitat

n/a

478

683

1,605

796

1,139

Critical Habitat

n/a

478

683

non-CDQ TAC

n/a

26,790

13,285

19,010

ICA

Total

800

Jig

Total

130

BSAI trawl limited access

Total

2,586

1,321

1,293

661

Critical Habitat

n/a

396

1,293

661

Critical Habitat

n/a

396

Amendment 80 sectors

Total

23,274

11,889

18,990

11,637

5,945

9,495

Critical Habitat

n/a

3,567

5,697

11,637

5,945

9,495

Critical Habitat

n/a

3,567

5,697

Note:

Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.

Sections 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(A) and 679.22(a) establish temporal and spatial limitations for the Atka mackerel fishery.

The seasonal allowances of Atka mackerel for the CDQ reserve, BSAI trawl limited access sector, and Amendment 80 sector are 50 percent in the A season and 50 percent in the B season.

Section 679.23(e)(3) authorizes directed fishing for Atka mackerel with trawl gear during the A season from January 20 to June 10 and the B season from June 10 to December 31.

Section 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(

)(

) limits no more than 60 percent of the annual TACs in Areas 542 and 543 to be caught inside of Steller sea lion protection areas; section 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(

)(

) equally divides the annual harvest limits between the A and B seasons as defined at § 679.23(e)(3); and section 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(

) requires that the TAC in Area 543 shall be no more than 65 percent of ABC in Area 543.

Sections 679.2 and 679.20(a)(8)(i) require that up to 2 percent of the Eastern Aleutian Islands District and the Bering Sea subarea TAC be allocated to jig gear after subtracting the CDQ reserve and the ICA. NMFS sets the amount of this allocation for 2025 at 0.5 percent. The jig gear allocation is not apportioned by season.

The 2025 allocations for Atka mackerel between Amendment 80 cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited access sector will not be known until eligible participants apply for participation in the program by November 1, 2024.

Allocation of the Pacific Cod TAC

The Council separated the BSAI OFL, ABC, and TAC into BS and AI subarea OFLs, ABCs, and TACs for Pacific cod in 2014 (79 FR 12108, March 4, 2014). Section 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(C) allocates 10.7 percent of the BS TAC and the AI TAC to the CDQ program. After CDQ allocations have been deducted from the respective BS and AI Pacific cod TACs, the remaining BSAI Pacific cod TACs are combined for calculating further BSAI Pacific cod sector allocations and seasonal allowances. If the non-CDQ Pacific cod TAC is or will be reached in either the BS or the AI subareas, NMFS will prohibit non-CDQ directed fishing for Pacific cod in that subarea as provided in § 679.20(d)(1)(iii).

Section 679.20(a)(7)(ii) allocates to the non-CDQ sectors the Pacific cod TAC in the combined BSAI, after subtracting 10.7 percent for the CDQ program, as follows: 1.4 percent to vessels using jig gear; 2.0 percent to hook-and-line or pot CVs less than 60 ft (18.3 m) length overall (LOA); 0.2 percent to hook-and-line CVs greater than or equal to 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA; 48.7 percent to hook-and-line CPs; 8.4 percent to pot CVs greater than or equal to 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA; 1.5 percent to pot CPs; 2.3 percent to AFA trawl CPs; 13.4 percent to Amendment 80 sector; and 22.1 percent to trawl CVs. The ICA for the hook-and-line and pot sectors will be deducted from the aggregate portion of Pacific cod TAC allocated to the hook-and-line and pot sectors. For 2024 and 2025, the Regional Administrator establishes an ICA of 500 mt based on anticipated incidental catch by these sectors in other fisheries. During the fishing year, NMFS may reallocate unharvested Pacific cod among sectors, consistent with the reallocation hierarchy set forth at § 679.20(a)(7)(iii).

The ITAC allocation of Pacific cod to the Amendment 80 sector is established in table 33 to 50 CFR part 679 and § 679.91. One Amendment 80 cooperative has formed for the 2024 fishing year. Because all Amendment 80 vessels are part of the sole Amendment 80 cooperative, no allocation to the Amendment 80 limited access sector is required for 2024. The 2025 allocations for Pacific cod between Amendment 80 cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited access sector will not be known until eligible participants apply for participation in the program by November 1, 2024.

The BSAI ITAC allocation of Pacific cod to the PCTC Program is established in § 679.131(b). Section 679.131(b)(1)(i) also requires NMFS to establish an ICA for incidental catch of Pacific cod by trawl CVs engaged in directed fishing for groundfish other than PCTC Program Pacific cod. In the annual harvest specification process, NMFS determines the Pacific cod trawl catcher vessel TAC and the annual apportionment of Pacific cod in the A and B seasons between the PCTC Program DFA and the ICA (§ 679.131(b)(2)) (table 9 below). The 2025 allocations for PCTC Program cooperatives will not be known until NMFS receives the membership applications by November 1, 2024. The 2024 PCTC cooperative allocations and PSC allowances are listed in table 11.

The sector allocations of Pacific cod are apportioned into seasonal allowances to disperse the Pacific cod fisheries over the fishing year (see §§ 679.20(a)(7)(i)(B) (CDQ), 679.20(a)(7)(iv)(A) (non-CDQ), and 679.23(e)(5) (seasons)). Tables 9 and 10 list the non-CDQ sector and seasonal allowances. In accordance with § 679.20(a)(7)(iv)(B) and (C), any unused portion of a non-CDQ Pacific cod seasonal allowance for any sector, except the jig sector, will become available at the beginning of that sector's next seasonal allowance. Section 679.20(a)(7)(i)(B) sets forth the CDQ Pacific cod gear allowances by season, and CDQ groups are prohibited from exceeding those seasonal allowances (§ 679.7(d)(6)).

Section 679.20(a)(7)(vii) requires that the Regional Administrator establish an Area 543 Pacific cod harvest limit based on Pacific cod abundance in Area 543 as determined by the annual stock assessment process. Based on the 2023 stock assessment, the Regional Administrator determined for 2024 and 2025 the estimated amount of Pacific cod abundance in Area 543 is 15.7 percent of the total AI abundance. To calculate the Area 543 Pacific cod harvest limit, NMFS first subtracts the State GHL Pacific cod amount from the AI Pacific cod ABC. Then NMFS determines the harvest limit in Area 543 by multiplying the percentage of Pacific cod estimated in Area 543 (15.7 percent) by the remaining ABC for AI Pacific cod. Based on these calculations, the Area 543 harvest limit is 1,269 mt for 2024 and 2025.

Under the PCTC Program, PCTC Program cooperatives are required to collectively set aside up to twelve percent of the trawl CV A-season allocation for delivery to an AI shoreplant in years in which an AI community representative notifies NMFS of the intent to process PCTC Program Pacific cod in the City of Adak or City of Atka (§ 679.132). A notice of intent to process PCTC Program Pacific cod must be submitted in writing to the Regional Administrator by a representative of the City of Adak or the City of Atka no later than October 15. A notice of intent was not received in 2023, and accordingly the AI set-aside will not be in effect for 2024. The 2025 set-aside will be determined after the October 15, 2024 deadline in conjunction with the 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications process.

Based on the final 2024 and 2025 Pacific cod TACs, table 9 and table 10 list the CDQ and non-CDQ TAC amounts; non-CDQ seasonal allowances by gear; the sector allocations of Pacific cod; and the seasons set forth at § 679.23(e)(5). The CDQ allocation by CDQ groups is listed in table 22.

Table 9—Final 2024 Sector Allocations and Seasonal Allowances of the BSAI Pacific Cod TAC

[Amounts are in metric tons]

Sector

Percent

2024 Share of

gear sector

total

2024 Share of

sector total

2024 Seasonal allowances

Season

Amount

Total Bering Sea TAC

n/a

147,753

n/a

Bering Sea CDQ

n/a

15,810

n/a

See § 679.20(a)(7)(i)(B)

n/a

Bering Sea non-CDQ TAC

n/a

131,943

n/a

Total Aleutian Islands TAC

n/a

8,080

n/a

Aleutian Islands CDQ

n/a

865

n/a

See § 679.20(a)(7)(i)(B)

n/a

Aleutian Islands non-CDQ TAC

n/a

7,215

n/a

Western Aleutians Islands Limit

n/a

1,269

n/a

Total BSAI non-CDQ TAC

100.0

139,159

n/a

Total hook-and-line/pot gear

60.8

84,609

n/a

Hook-and-line/pot ICA

n/a

500

n/a

Hook-and-line/pot sub-total

n/a

84,109

n/a

Hook-and-line catcher/processors

48.7

n/a

67,370

n/a

A-season

Jan 1-Jun 10

34,359

B-season

Jun 10-Dec 31

33,011

Hook-and-line catcher vessels ≥60 ft LOA

0.2

n/a

277

n/a

A-season

Jan 1-Jun 10

141

B-season

Jun 10-Dec 31

136

Pot catcher/processors

1.5

n/a

2,075

n/a

Pot catcher/processors A-season

Jan 1-Jun 10

1,058

Pot catcher/processors B-season

Sept 1-Dec 31

1,017

Pot catcher vessels ≥60 ft LOA

8.4

n/a

11,620

n/a

A-season

Jan 1-Jun 10

5,926

B-season

Sept 1-Dec 31

5,694

Catcher vessels <60 ft LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear

2.0

n/a

2,767

n/a

Trawl catcher vessels

22.1

30,754

n/a

A-season ICA

Jan 20-Apr 1

1,500

A-season PCTC

Jan 20-Apr 1

21,258

B-season ICA

Apr 1-Jun 10

700

B-season PCTC

Apr 1-Jun 10

2,683

C-season trawl catcher vessels

Jun 10-Nov 1

4,613

AFA trawl catcher/processors

2.3

3,201

n/a

A-season

Jan 20-Apr 1

2,400

B-season

Apr 1-Jun 10

800

C-season

Jun 10-Nov 1

Amendment 80

13.4

18,647

n/a

A-season

Jan 20-Apr 1

13,985

B-season

Apr 1-Jun 10

4,662

C-season

Jun 10-Dec 31

Jig

1.4

1,948

n/a

A-season

Jan 1-Apr 30

1,169

B-season

Apr 30-Aug 31

390

C-season

Aug 31-Dec 31

390

Note:

Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.

The sector allocations and seasonal allowances for BSAI Pacific cod TAC are based on the sum of the BS and AI Pacific cod TACs, after subtraction of the reserves for the CDQ Program. If the TAC for Pacific cod in either the BS or AI is or will be reached, then directed fishing will be prohibited for non-CDQ Pacific cod in that subarea, even if a BSAI allowance remains (§ 679.20(d)(1)(iii)).

The ICA for the hook-and-line and pot sectors is deducted from the aggregate portion of Pacific cod TAC allocated to the hook-and-line and pot sectors. The Regional Administrator approves an ICA of 500 mt based on anticipated incidental catch by these sectors in other fisheries.

The A and B season trawl CV Pacific cod allocation is allocated to the Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative Program after subtraction of the A and B season ICAs (§ 679.131(b)(1)). The Regional Administrator approves for the A and B seasons, ICAs of 1,500 mt and 700 mt, respectively, to account for projected incidental catch of Pacific cod by trawl catcher vessels engaged in directed fishing for groundfish other than PCTC Program Pacific cod.

Table 10—Final 2025 Sector Allocations and Seasonal Allowances of the BSAI Pacific Cod TAC

[Amounts are in metric tons]

Sector

Percent

2025 Share of

gear sector

total

2025 Share of

sector total

2025 Seasonal allowances

Season

Amount

Total Bering Sea TAC

n/a

132,726

n/a

Bering Sea CDQ

n/a

14,202

n/a

See § 679.20(a)(7)(i)(B)

n/a

Bering Sea non-CDQ TAC

n/a

118,524

n/a

Total Aleutian Islands TAC

n/a

8,080

n/a

Aleutian Islands CDQ

n/a

865

n/a

See § 679.20(a)(7)(i)(B)

n/a

Aleutian Islands non-CDQ TAC

n/a

7,215

n/a

Western Aleutians Islands Limit

n/a

1,269

n/a

Total BSAI non-CDQ TAC

100.0

125,740

n/a

Total hook-and-line/pot gear

60.8

76,450

n/a

Hook-and-line/pot ICA

n/a

500

n/a

Hook-and-line/pot sub-total

n/a

75,950

n/a

Hook-and-line catcher/processors

48.7

n/a

60,835

n/a

A-season

Jan 1-Jun 10

31,026

B-season

Jun 10-Dec 31

29,809

Hook-and-line catcher vessels ≥60 ft LOA

0.2

n/a

250

n/a

A-season

Jan 1-Jun 10

127

B-season

Jun 10-Dec 31

122

Pot catcher/processors

1.5

n/a

1,874

n/a

Pot catcher/processors A-season

Jan 1-Jun 10

956

Pot catcher/processors B-season

Sept 1-Dec 31

918

Pot catcher vessels ≥60 ft LOA

8.4

n/a

10,493

n/a

A-season

Jan 1-Jun 10

5,351

B-season

Sept 1-Dec 31

5,142

Catcher vessels <60 ft LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear

2.0

n/a

2,498

n/a

Trawl catcher vessels

22.1

27,788

n/a

A-season ICA

Jan 20-Apr 1

1,500

A-season PCTC

Jan 20-Apr 1

19,063

B-season ICA

Apr 1-Jun 10

700

B-season PCTC

Apr 1-Jun 10

2,357

C-season trawl catcher vessels

Jun 10-Nov 1

4,168

AFA trawl catcher/processors

2.3

2,892

n/a

A-season

Jan 20-Apr 1

2,169

B-season

Apr 1-Jun 10

723

C-season

Jun 10-Nov 1

Amendment 80

13.4

16,849

n/a

A-season

Jan 20-Apr 1

12,637

B-season

Apr 1-Jun 10

4,212

C-season

Jun 10-Dec 31

Jig

1.4

1,760

n/a

A-season

Jan 1-Apr 30

1,056

B-season

Apr 30-Aug 31

352

C-season

Aug 31-Dec 31

352

Note:

Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.

Table 11—Final 2024 PCTC Cooperative Allocations and PSC Allowances

[Pacific cod and Pacific halibut amounts are in metric tons. Crab are in number of animals.]

Cooperative name

Total

Pacific

cod CQ

A Season

Pacific

cod CQ

B Season

Pacific

cod CQ

Halibut

Red

king

crab

C. opilio

COBLZ

Zone 1

c. bairdi

Zone 2

c. bairdi

GA Catcher Vessels Association

894

794

100

9.599

1,050

1,253

1,044

Akutan Cod Association

14,256

12,658

1,598

8.703

952

1,136

947

Usixty PCTC Association

811

720

9.475

1,037

1,237

1,031

Katie Ann Cod Cooperative

883

784

50.54

325

5,531

6,601

5,501

USS Cod Cooperative

2,389

2,122

268

153.03

984

16,750

19,987

16,656

Unified Cod Cooperative

4,708

4,180

528

25.649

164

2,807

3,350

2,791

Totals

23,942

21,258

2,684

257

1,653

28,130

33,567

27,973

Note:

Totals may not add up due to rounding.

The 2025 allocations for PCTC Cooperatives will not be known until eligible participants apply for participation in the program by November 1, 2024.

Sablefish Gear Allocation

Sections 679.20(a)(4)(iii) and (iv) require allocation of the sablefish TAC for the BS and AI subareas between the trawl gear and fixed gear sectors. Gear allocations of the sablefish TAC for the BS are 50 percent for trawl gear and 50 percent for fixed gear. Gear allocations of the TAC for the AI are 25 percent for trawl gear and 75 percent for fixed gear. Section 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(B) requires that NMFS apportion 20 percent of the fixed gear allocation of sablefish TAC to the CDQ reserve for each subarea. Also, § 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(D)(

) requires that in the BS and AI 7.5 percent of the trawl gear allocation of sablefish TAC from the non-specified reserve, established under § 679.20(b)(1)(i), be assigned to the CDQ reserve.

The Council recommended that only trawl sablefish TAC be established biennially. The harvest specifications for the fixed gear sablefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) fisheries are limited to the 2024 fishing year to ensure those fisheries are conducted concurrently with the halibut IFQ fishery. Concurrent sablefish and halibut IFQ fisheries reduce the potential for discards of halibut and sablefish in those fisheries. The sablefish IFQ fisheries remain closed at the beginning of each fishing year until the final harvest specifications for the sablefish IFQ fisheries are in effect. Table 12 lists the 2024 and 2025 gear allocations of the sablefish TAC and CDQ reserve amounts. Allocations among CDQ groups are listed in table 22.

Table 12—Final 2024 and 2025 Gear Shares and CDQ Reserve of BSAI Sablefish TACs

[Amounts are in metric tons]

Subarea and gear

Percent

of TAC

2024 Share

of TAC

2024 ITAC

2024 CDQ

reserve

2025 Share

of TAC

2025 ITAC

2025 CDQ

reserve

Bering Sea:

Trawl gear

3,998

3,398

300

4,750

4,038

356

Fixed gear

3,998

3,198

800

n/a

Total

100

7,996

6,597

1,099

4,750

4,038

356

Aleutian Islands:

Trawl gear

2,110

1,794

158

2,110

1,794

158

Fixed gear

6,330

5,064

1,266

n/a

Total

100

8,440

6,858

1,424

2,110

1,794

158

Note:

Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.

For the sablefish TAC allocated to vessels using trawl gear, 15 percent of TAC is apportioned to the non-specified reserve (§ 679.20(b)(1)(i)). The ITAC for vessels using trawl gear is the remainder of the TAC after subtracting this reserve. In the BS and AI, 7.5 percent of the trawl gear allocation of the TAC is assigned from the non-specified reserve to the CDQ reserve (§ 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(D)(1)).

For the portion of the sablefish TAC allocated to vessels using fixed gear, 20 percent of the allocated TAC for the BS and AI is reserved for use by CDQ participants (§ 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(B)). The ITAC for vessels using fixed gear is the remainder of the TAC after subtracting the CDQ reserve for each subarea. The Council recommended, and NMFS concurs, that specifications for the fixed gear sablefish IFQ fisheries be limited to one year.

Allocation of the AI Pacific Ocean Perch, and BSAI Flathead Sole, Rock Sole, and Yellowfin Sole TACs

Sections 679.20(a)(10)(i) and (ii) require that NMFS allocate AI Pacific ocean perch and BSAI flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole ITACs between the Amendment 80 sector and the BSAI trawl limited access sector, after subtracting 10.7 percent for the CDQ reserves and ICAs for the BSAI trawl limited access sector and vessels using non-trawl gear. The allocations of the ITACs for AI Pacific ocean perch and BSAI flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole to the Amendment 80 sector are established in accordance with tables 33 and 34 to 50 CFR part 679 and with § 679.91.

One Amendment 80 cooperative has formed for the 2024 fishing year. Because all Amendment 80 vessels are part of the sole Amendment 80 cooperative, no allocation to the Amendment 80 limited access sector is required for 2024. The 2025 allocations for Amendment 80 species between Amendment 80 cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited access sector will not be known until eligible participants apply for participation in the program by November 1, 2024. Tables 13 and 14 list the 2024 and 2025 allocations of the AI Pacific ocean perch and BSAI flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole TACs. Allocations among the CDQ groups are listed in table 22.

Table 13—Final 2024 Community Development Quota (CDQ) Reserves, Incidental Catch Amounts (ICAs), and Amendment 80 Allocations of the Aleutian Islands Pacific Ocean Perch and BSAI Flathead Sole, Rock Sole, and Yellowfin Sole TACs

[Amounts are in metric tons]

Sector

Pacific ocean perch

Eastern

Aleutian

district

Central

Aleutian

district

Western

Aleutian

district

Flathead sole

BSAI

Rock sole

BSAI

Yellowfin sole

BSAI

TAC

7,969

5,521

12,500

35,500

66,000

195,000

CDQ

853

591

1,338

3,799

7,062

20,865

ICA

100

3,000

6,000

4,000

BSAI trawl limited access

702

487

223

32,996

Amendment 80

6,315

4,383

10,929

28,702

52,938

137,139

Note:

Sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.

Table 14—Final 2025 Community Development Quota (CDC) Reserves, Incidental Catch Amounts (ICAs), and Amendment 80 Allocations of the Aleutian Islands Pacific Ocean Perch and BSAI Flathead Sole, Rock Sole, and Yellowfin Sole TACs

[Amounts are in metric tons]

Sector

Pacific ocean perch

Eastern

Aleutian

district

Central

Aleutian

district

Western

Aleutian

district

Flathead sole

BSAI

Rock sole

BSAI

Yellowfin sole

BSAI

TAC

7,828

5,423

12,500

35,500

66,000

195,000

CDQ

838

580

1,338

3,799

7,062

20,865

ICA

100

3,000

6,000

4,000

BSAI trawl limited access

689

478

223

32,996

Amendment 80

6,201

4,304

10,929

28,702

52,938

137,139

Note:

Sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.

The 2025 allocations for Amendment 80 species between Amendment 80 cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited access sector will not be known until eligible participants apply for participation in the program by November 1, 2024.

Section 679.2 defines the ABC surplus for flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole as the difference between the annual ABC and TAC for each species. Section 679.20(b)(1)(iii) establishes ABC reserves for flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole. The ABC surpluses and the ABC reserves are necessary to mitigate the operational variability, environmental conditions, and economic factors that may constrain the CDQ groups and the Amendment 80 cooperatives from fully harvesting their allocations and to improve the likelihood of achieving and maintaining, on a continuing basis, the optimum yield in the BSAI groundfish fisheries. NMFS, after consultation with the Council, may set the ABC reserve at or below the ABC surplus for each species, thus maintaining the TAC at or below ABC limits. An amount equal to 10.7 percent of the ABC reserves will be allocated as CDQ ABC reserves for flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole. Section 679.31(b)(4) establishes the annual allocations of CDQ ABC reserves among the CDQ groups. The Amendment 80 ABC reserves are the ABC reserves minus the CDQ ABC reserves. Section 679.91(i)(2) establishes Amendment 80 cooperatives ABC reserve to be the ratio of each cooperatives' quota share units and the total Amendment 80 quota share units, multiplied by the Amendment 80 ABC

reserve for each respective species. Table 15 lists the 2024 and 2025 ABC surplus and ABC reserves for BSAI flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole. The ABC reserves for the CDQ groups are listed in table 22.

Table 15—Final 2024 and 2025 ABC Surplus, ABC Reserves, Community Development Quota (CDQ) ABC Reserves, and Amendment 80 ABC Reserves in the BSAI for Flathead Sole, Rock Sole, and Yellowfin Sole

[Amounts are in metric tons]

Sector

2024

Flathead sole

2024

Rock sole

2024

Yellowfin sole

2025

Flathead sole

2025

Rock sole

2025

Yellowfin sole

ABC

67,289

122,091

265,913

68,203

122,535

276,917

TAC

35,500

66,000

195,000

35,500

66,000

195,000

ABC surplus

31,789

56,091

70,913

32,703

56,535

81,917

ABC reserve

31,789

56,091

70,913

32,703

56,535

81,917

CDQ ABC reserve

3,401

6,002

7,588

3,499

6,049

8,765

Amendment 80 ABC reserve

28,388

50,089

63,325

29,204

50,486

73,152

PSC Limits for Halibut, Salmon, Crab, and Herring

Section 679.21 (b), (e), (f), and (g), set forth the BSAI PSC limits. Section 679.21(b)(1) establishes three fixed halibut PSC limits totaling 1,770 mt, and assigns 315 mt of the halibut PSC limit as the PSQ reserve for use by the groundfish CDQ Program, 745 mt of the halibut PSC limit for the BSAI trawl limited access sector, and 710 mt of the halibut PSC limit for the BSAI non-trawl sector. An additional amount of BSAI halibut PSC limit for the Amendment 80 sector is determined annually based on the most recent halibut abundance estimates from the IPHC setline survey index and the NMFS AFSC Eastern Bering Sea shelf trawl survey index. In accordance with § 679.21(b)(1)(i), NMFS uses both halibut biomass estimates such that the value at the intercept of those survey indices from table 58 to 50 CFR part 679 is the Amendment 80 sector halibut PSC limit. The 2023 AFSC Eastern Bering Sea shelf trawl survey index estimate of halibut abundance is 170,238 mt and is above the threshold level of 150,000 mt. The IPHC setline survey index is 6,462 mt and is in the “low” abundance state. Pursuant to table 58 to 50 CFR part 679, the 2024 Amendment 80 sector halibut PSC limit is 1,396 mt. NMFS will publish the 2025 Amendment 80 sector halibut PSC limit in the 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications.

Section 679.21(b)(1)(iii)(A) and (B) require apportionment of the BSAI non-trawl halibut PSC limit into PSC allowances among six fishery categories in table 20, and § 679.21(b)(1)(ii)(A) and (B), (e)(3)(i)(B), and (e)(3)(iv) require apportionment of the trawl PSC limits in tables 17, 18, and 19 into PSC allowances among seven fishery categories. These apportionments into PSC allowances are based on the fishery categories' share of anticipated halibut PSC during the fishing year and the need to optimize the amount of total groundfish harvested under the halibut PSC limit for the non-trawl and trawl sectors.

Pursuant to Section 3.6 of the FMP, the Council recommends that certain specified non-trawl fisheries be exempt from the halibut PSC limit. NMFS concurs with this recommendation and exempts the pot gear fishery, the jig gear fishery, and the sablefish IFQ fixed gear fishery categories from halibut bycatch restrictions for the following reasons: (1) the pot gear fisheries have low halibut bycatch mortality; (2) NMFS estimates halibut mortality for the jig gear fleet to be negligible because of the small size of the fishery and the selectivity of the gear; and (3) the sablefish and halibut IFQ fisheries have low halibut bycatch mortality because the IFQ program requires that legal-size halibut be retained by vessels using fixed gear if a halibut IFQ permit holder or a hired master is aboard and is holding unused halibut IFQ for that vessel category and the IFQ regulatory area in which the vessel is operating (see § 679.7(f)(11)).

The 2023 total groundfish catch for the pot gear fishery in the BSAI was 43,527 mt, with an associated halibut bycatch mortality of 9 mt. The 2023 jig gear fishery harvested 22 mt total groundfish. Most vessels in the jig gear fleet are exempt from observer coverage requirements. As a result, observer data are not available on halibut bycatch in the jig gear fishery. As mentioned above, NMFS estimates a negligible amount of halibut bycatch mortality because of the selective nature of jig gear and the low mortality rate of halibut caught with jig gear and released.

Under § 679.21(f)(2), NMFS annually allocates portions of either 33,318, 45,000, 47,591, or 60,000 Chinook salmon PSC limits among the AFA sectors, depending on: (1) past bycatch performance; (2) whether Chinook salmon bycatch incentive plan agreements (IPAs) are formed and approved by NMFS; and (3) whether NMFS determines it is a low Chinook salmon abundance year. NMFS will determine that it is a low Chinook salmon abundance year when abundance of Chinook salmon in western Alaska is less than or equal to 250,000 Chinook salmon. The State provides to NMFS an estimate of Chinook salmon abundance using the 3-System Index for western Alaska based on the Kuskokwim, Unalakleet, and Upper Yukon aggregate stock grouping.

If an AFA sector participates in an approved IPA and has not exceeded its performance standard under § 679.21(f)(6), and if it is not a low Chinook salmon abundance year, then NMFS will allocate a portion of the 60,000 Chinook salmon PSC limit to that sector as specified in § 679.21(f)(3)(iii)(A). If no IPA is approved, or if the sector has exceeded its performance standard under § 679.21(f)(6), and if it is not a low abundance year, then NMFS will allocate a portion of the 47,591 Chinook salmon PSC limit to that sector as specified in § 679.21(f)(3)(iii)(C). If an AFA sector participates in an approved IPA and has not exceeded its performance standard under § 679.21(f)(6), in a low abundance year, then NMFS will allocate a portion of the 45,000 Chinook salmon PSC limit to that sector as specified in § 679.21(f)(3)(iii)(B). If no IPA is approved, or if the sector has exceeded its performance standard under § 679.21(f)(6), and if in a low abundance year, then NMFS will allocate a portion of the 33,318 Chinook salmon PSC limit to that sector as specified in § 679.21(f)(3)(iii)(D).

NMFS has determined that 2023 was a low Chinook salmon abundance year,

based on the State's estimate that Chinook salmon abundance in western Alaska is less than 250,000 Chinook salmon. In addition, all AFA sectors are participating in NMFS-approved IPAs, and no sector has exceeded the sector's annual Chinook salmon bycatch performance standard in any three of seven consecutive years. Therefore, in 2024, the Chinook salmon PSC limit is 45,000 Chinook salmon, allocated to each sector as specified in § 679.21(f)(3)(iii)(B). In 2024, the Chinook salmon bycatch performance standard under § 679.21(f)(6) is 33,318 Chinook salmon, allocated to each sector as specified in § 679.21(f)(3)(iii)(D). The AFA sector Chinook salmon PSC limits are also seasonally apportioned with 70 percent for the A season pollock fishery, and 30 percent for the B season pollock fishery (see §§ 679.21(f)(3)(i) and 679.23(e)(2)). NMFS publishes the approved IPAs, allocations, and reports at

https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/bycatch/default.htm.

Section 679.21(g)(2)(i) specifies 700 fish as the 2024 and 2025 Chinook salmon PSC limit for the AI pollock fishery. Section 679.21(g)(2)(ii) allocates 7.5 percent, or 53 Chinook salmon, as the AI PSQ reserve for the CDQ program, and allocates the remaining 647 Chinook salmon to the non-CDQ fisheries.

Section 679.21(f)(14)(i) specifies 42,000 fish as the 2024 and 2025 non-Chinook salmon PSC limit for vessels using trawl gear from August 15 through October 14 in the Catcher Vessel Operational Area (CVOA). Section 679.21(f)(14)(ii) allocates 10.7 percent, or 4,494 non-Chinook salmon, in the CVOA as the PSQ reserve for the CDQ program, and allocates the remaining 37,506 non-Chinook salmon in the CVOA to the non-CDQ fisheries. Section 679.21(f)(14)(iv) exempts from closures in the Chum Salmon Savings Area trawl vessels participating in directed fishing for pollock and operating under an IPA approved by NMFS.

PSC limits for crab and herring are specified annually based on abundance and spawning biomass.

Based on the most recent (2023) survey data, the red king crab mature female abundance is estimated at 11.054 million red king crabs, and the effective spawning biomass is estimated at 20.055 million lbs (9,320 mt). Based on the criteria set out at § 679.21(e)(1)(i), the calculated 2024 and 2025 PSC limit of red king crab in Zone 1 for trawl gear is 97,000 animals. This limit derives from the mature female abundance estimate above 8.4 million mature red king crab and an effective spawning biomass between 14.5 and 55 million lbs.

Section 679.21(e)(3)(ii)(B)(

) establishes criteria under which NMFS must specify, after consultation with the Council, an annual red king crab bycatch limit for the Red King Crab Savings Subarea (RKCSS) if the State has established a GHL fishery for red king crab in the Bristol Bay area in the previous year. The regulations limit the RKCSS red king crab bycatch limit to 25 percent of the red king crab PSC limit, based on the need to optimize the groundfish harvest relative to red king crab bycatch. In October 2023, the Council recommended, and NMFS approves, that the RKCSS red king crab bycatch limit for 2024 and 2025 be equal to 25 percent of the red king crab PSC limit.

Based on the most recent (2023) survey data from the NMFS annual bottom trawl survey, Tanner crab (

Chionoecetes bairdi

) abundance is estimated at 730 million animals. Pursuant to criteria set out at § 679.21(e)(1)(ii), the calculated 2024 and 2025

C. bairdi

crab PSC limit for trawl gear is 980,000 animals in Zone 1, and 2,970,000 animals in Zone 2. The limit in Zone 1 is based on the total abundance of

C. bairdi

(estimated at 730 million animals), which is greater than 400 million animals. The limit in Zone 2 is based on the total abundance of

C. bairdi

(estimated at 730 million animals), which is greater than 400 million animals.

Pursuant to § 679.21(e)(1)(iii), the PSC limit for trawl gear for snow crab (

C. opilio

) is based on total abundance as indicated by the NMFS annual bottom trawl survey. The

C. opilio

crab PSC limit in the

C. opilio

bycatch limitation zone (COBLZ) is set at 0.1133 percent of the Bering Sea abundance index minus 150,000 crabs, unless a minimum or maximum PSC limit applies. Based on the most recent (2023) survey estimate of 1.142 billion animals, the calculated

C. opilio

crab PSC limit is 1,143,886 animals. Because 0.1133 percent multiplied by the total abundance is less than 4.5 million animals, the minimum PSC limit applies, and the PSC limit is 4.350 million animals.

Pursuant to § 679.21(e)(1)(v), the PSC limit of Pacific herring caught while conducting any trawl operation for BSAI groundfish is 1 percent of the annual eastern BS herring biomass. The best estimate of 2024 and 2025 herring biomass is 253,511 mt. This amount was developed by ADF&G based on biomass for spawning aggregations. Therefore, the herring PSC limit for 2024 and 2025 is 2,535 mt for all trawl gear as listed in tables 16 and 17.

Section 679.21(e)(3)(i)(A)(

) allocates 10.7 percent from each trawl gear PSC limit specified for crab as a PSQ reserve for use by the groundfish CDQ program. Section 679.21(e)(3)(i)(A) requires that crab PSQ reserves be subtracted from the total trawl gear crab PSC limits. The crab and halibut PSC limits apportioned to the Amendment 80 and BSAI trawl limited access sectors are listed in table 35 to 50 CFR part 679. The resulting 2024 and 2025 allocations of PSC limit to CDQ PSQ reserves, the Amendment 80 sector, and the BSAI trawl limited access sector are listed in table 16. Pursuant to §§ 679.21(b)(1)(i), 679.21(e)(3)(vi), and 679.91(d) through (f), crab and halibut trawl PSC limits assigned to the Amendment 80 sector are then further allocated to Amendment 80 cooperatives as cooperative quota. Crab and halibut PSC cooperative quota assigned to Amendment 80 cooperatives is not allocated to specific fishery categories.

In 2024, there are no vessels in the Amendment 80 limited access sector and there is a single Amendment 80 cooperative. The 2025 PSC allocations between Amendment 80 cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited access sector will not be known until eligible participants apply for participation in the program by November 1, 2024.

The BSAI ITAC allocation of halibut and crab PSC limits to the PCTC Program is established in § 679.131(c) and (d). The halibut PSC apportioned to the trawl CV sector is 98 percent of the halibut PSC limit apportioned to the BSAI trawl limited access sector's Pacific cod fishery category, and the remaining 2 percent is apportioned to the AFA CP sector. The trawl CV sector apportionment is further allocated to the A and B seasons (95 percent) and the C season (5 percent). The allocation to the trawl CV sector for the A and B season is subject to reductions consistent with § 679.131(c)(1)(iii). The crab PSC apportioned to the trawl CV sector is 90.6 percent of the crab PSC limit apportioned to the BSAI trawl limited access sector's Pacific cod fishery category, and the remaining 9.4 percent is apportioned to the AFA CP sector. The trawl CV sector apportionment is further allocated to the A and B seasons (95 percent) and the C season (5 percent), and the A and B season limit is reduced by 35 percent to determine the overall PCTC Program crab PSC limit. The limits of halibut and crab PSC for the PCTC Program are listed in tables 18 and 19, and in table 11 for PSC allowances for PCTC Program cooperatives.

Sections 679.21(b)(2) and (e)(5) authorize NMFS, after consulting with the Council, to establish seasonal apportionments of halibut and crab PSC amounts for the BSAI trawl limited access and non-trawl sectors to maximize the ability of the fleet to harvest the available groundfish TAC and to minimize bycatch. The factors to be considered are: (1) seasonal distribution of prohibited species; (2) seasonal distribution of target groundfish species relative to prohibited species distribution; (3) PSC bycatch needs on a seasonal basis relevant to prohibited species biomass and expected catches of target groundfish species; (4) the expected variations in bycatch rates throughout the year; (5) the expected changes in directed groundfish fishing seasons; (6) the expected start of fishing effort; and (7) economic effects of establishing seasonal prohibited species apportionments on segments of the target groundfish industry. Based on this criteria, the Council recommended and NMFS approves the seasonal PSC apportionments in tables 18, 19, and 20 to maximize harvest among gear types, fisheries, and seasons while minimizing bycatch of PSC. PSC limits for PCTC Program cooperatives are listed in table 11. PSC allocations among the CDQ groups are listed in table 22.

Table 16—Final 2024 and 2025 Apportionment of Prohibited Species Catch Allowances to Non-Trawl Gear, the CDQ Program, Amendment 80, and the BSAI Trawl Limited Access Sectors

PSC species and area and zone

Total PSC

Non-trawl

PSC

CDQ PSQ

reserve

Trawl PSC

remaining

after CDQ PSQ

Amendment 80

sector

3 4

BSAI trawl

limited

access sector

BSAI PSC limits

not allocated to

Amendment 80

Halibut mortality (mt) BSAI

3,166

710

315

n/a

1,396

745

n/a

Herring (mt) BSAI

2,535

n/a

Red king crab (animals) Zone 1

97,000

n/a

10,379

86,621

43,293

26,489

16,839

C. opilio

(animals) COBLZ

4,350,000

n/a

465,450

3,884,550

1,909,256

1,248,494

726,799

C. bairdi

crab (animals) Zone 1

980,000

n/a

104,860

875,140

368,521

411,228

95,390

C. bairdi

crab (animals) Zone 2

2,970,000

n/a

317,790

2,652,210

627,778

1,241,500

782,932

Refer to § 679.2 for definitions of areas and zones.

The PSQ reserve for crab species is 10.7 percent of each crab PSC limit.

The BSAI halibut PSC limit for the Amendment 80 sector is determined annually based on the most recent halibut abundance estimates from the IPHC setline survey index and the NMFS AFSC Eastern Bering Sea shelf trawl survey index (§ 679.21(b)(1)(i)). The Amendment 80 Program reduced apportionment of the trawl PSC limits for crab below the total PSC limit. These reductions are not apportioned to other gear types or sectors (table 35 to part 679).

The Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative (PCTC) Program reduced the Pacific cod PCTC Program PSC limit for halibut by 12.5 percent in 2024 and 25 percent in 2025 and each year after (§ 679.131(c)(1)(iii)(A and B)). The PCTC Program reduced the Pacific cod PCTC Program PSC limit for crab by 35 percent each year (679.131(d)(1)(iii)). The PSC limits apply to PCTC Program trawl CVs in the A and B seasons.

Table 17—Final 2024 and 2025 Herring and Red King Crab Savings Subarea Prohibited Species Catch Allowances for All Trawl Sectors

Fishery categories

Herring (mt)

BSAI

Red king crab

(animals)

Zone 1

Yellowfin sole

146

n/a

Rock sole/flathead sole/Alaska plaice/other flatfish

n/a

Greenland turbot/arrowtooth flounder/Kamchatka flounder/sablefish

n/a

Rockfish

n/a

Pacific cod

n/a

Midwater trawl pollock

2,256

n/a

Pollock/Atka mackerel/other species

2 3

n/a

Red king crab savings subarea non-pelagic trawl gear

n/a

24,250

Total trawl PSC

2,535

97,000

Note:

Species apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.

“Other flatfish” for PSC monitoring includes all flatfish species, except for halibut (a prohibited species), Alaska plaice, arrowtooth flounder, flathead sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, rock sole, and yellowfin sole.

Pollock other than midwater trawl pollock, Atka mackerel, and “other species” fishery category.

“Other species” for PSC monitoring includes skates, sharks, and octopuses.

In December 2024, the Council recommended, and NMFS approves, that the red king crab bycatch limit for non-pelagic trawl fisheries within the RKCSS be limited to 25 percent of the red king crab PSC allowance (see § 679.21(e)(3)(ii)(B)(2)).

Table 18—Final 2024 Prohibited Species Bycatch Allowances for the BSAI Trawl Limited Access Sectors and Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative Program

BSAI trawl limited access sector fisheries

Prohibited species and area

Halibut

mortality (mt)

BSAI

Red king crab

(animals)

Zone 1

C. opilio

(animals)

COBLZ

C. bairdi (animals)

Zone 1

Zone 2

Yellowfin sole

250

23,337

1,192,179

346,228

1,185,500

Rock sole/flathead sole/other flatfish

Greenland turbot/arrowtooth flounder/Kamchatka flounder/sablefish

Rockfish, April 15-December 31

1,006

1,000

Total Pacific cod

315

2,955

50,281

60,000

50,000

AFA CP Pacific cod

278

4,726

5,640

4,700

PCTC Program Pacific cod, A and B season

257

1,653

28,130

33,567

27,973

Trawl CV Pacific cod, C season

134

2,278

2,718

2,265

PCTC Program unallocated reduction

890

15,147

18,075

15,062

Pollock/Atka mackerel/other species

175

197

5,028

5,000

Total BSAI trawl limited access sector PSC

745

26,489

1,248,494

411,228

1,241,500

Note:

Species apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.

Refer to § 679.2 for definitions of areas and zones.

Amendment 122 established the Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative (PCTC) Program that further apportioned the BSAI trawl limited access sector Pacific cod PSC limits for halibut and crab between AFA CPs, PCTC A and B-season, and open access C-season (§ 679.131(c) and (d)). In 2024, NMFS will apply a 12.5 percent reduction to the A and B season trawl CV sector halibut PSC apportionment after the Council recommends and NMFS approves the BSAI trawl limited access sector's PSC limit apportionments to fishery categories (§ 679.131(c)(1)(iii)). In 2025 and every year thereafter, NMFS will apply a 25 percent reduction to the A and B season trawl CV sector halibut PSC apportionment. The crab PSC limits are reduced for the A and B season trawl CV sector PSC limit by 35 percent each year (§ 679.131(d)(1)(iii)). Any amount of the PCTC Program PSC limit remaining after the B season may be reapportioned to the trawl CV open access fishery in the C season. Because the annual PSC limits for the PCTC Program is not a fixed amount established in regulation and, instead, is determined annually through the harvest specification process, NMFS must apply the reduction to the A and B season apportionment of the trawl CV sector apportionment to implement the overall PSC reductions under the PCTC Program.

“Other species” for PSC monitoring includes skates, sharks, and octopuses.

Table 19—Final 2025 Prohibited Species Bycatch Allowances for the BSAI Trawl Limited Access Sectors and Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative Program

BSAI trawl limited access sector fisheries

Prohibited species and area

Halibut

mortality (mt)

BSAI

Red king crab

(animals)

Zone 1

C. opilio

(animals)

COBLZ

C. bairdi (animals)

Zone 1

Zone 2

Yellowfin sole

250

23,337

1,192,179

346,228

1,185,500

Rock sole/flathead sole/other flatfish

Greenland turbot/arrowtooth flounder/Kamchatka flounder/sablefish

Rockfish April 15-December 31

1,006

1,000

Total Pacific cod

315

2,955

50,281

60,000

50,000

AFA CP Pacific cod

278

4,726

5,640

4,700

PCTC Program Pacific cod, January 20-June 10

220

1,653

28,130

33,567

27,973

Trawl CV Pacific cod, June 10-November 1

134

2,278

2,718

2,265

PCTC Program unallocated reduction

890

15,147

18,075

15,062

Pollock/Atka mackerel/other species

175

197

5,028

5,000

Total BSAI trawl limited access sector PSC

745

26,489

1,248,494

411,228

1,241,500

Note:

Species apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.

Refer to § 679.2 for definitions of areas and zones.

Amendment 122 established the Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative (PCTC) Program that further apportioned the BSAI trawl limited access sector Pacific cod PSC limits for halibut and crab between AFA CPs, PCTC A and B-season, and open access C-season (§ 679.131(c) and (d)). In 2025 and every year thereafter, NMFS will apply a 25 percent reduction to the A and B season trawl CV sector halibut PSC apportionment after the Council recommends and NMFS approves the BSAI trawl limited access sector's PSC limit apportionments to fishery categories (§ 679.131(c)(1)(iii)). The crab PSC limits are reduced for the A and B season trawl CV sector PSC limit by 35 percent each year (§ 679.131(d)(1)(iii)). Any amount of the PCTC Program PSC limit remaining after the B season may be reapportioned to the trawl CV open access fishery in the C season. Because the annual PSC limits for the PCTC Program is not a fixed amount established in regulation and, instead, is determined annually through the harvest specification process, NMFS must apply the reduction to the A and B season apportionment of the trawl CV sector apportionment to implement the overall PSC reductions under the PCTC Program.

“Other species” for PSC monitoring includes skates, sharks, and octopuses.

Table 20—Final 2024 and 2025 Halibut Prohibited Species Bycatch Allowances for Non-Trawl Fisheries

Halibut mortality (mt) BSAI

Non-trawl fisheries

Seasons

Catcher

processor

Catcher vessel

All non-trawl

Pacific cod

Total Pacific cod

648

661

January 1-June 10

388

n/a

June 10-August 15

162

n/a

August 15-December 31

n/a

Non-Pacific cod non-trawl-Total

May 1-December 31

n/a

Groundfish pot and jig

n/a

Exempt

Sablefish hook-and-line

n/a

Exempt

Total for all non-trawl PSC

n/a

710

Note:

Seasonal or sector allowances may not total precisely due to rounding.

Estimates of Halibut Biomass and Stock Condition

The IPHC annually assesses the abundance and potential yield of the Pacific halibut stock using all available data from the commercial and sport fisheries, other removals, and scientific surveys. Additional information on the Pacific halibut stock assessment may be found in the IPHC's 2023 Pacific halibut stock assessment (December 2023), available on the IPHC website at

https://www.iphc.int.

The IPHC considered the 2023 Pacific halibut stock assessment at its January 2024 annual meeting when it set the 2024 commercial halibut fishery catch limits.

Halibut Discard Mortality Rates (DMRs)

To monitor halibut bycatch mortality allowances and apportionments, the Regional Administrator uses observed halibut incidental catch rates, DMRs, and estimates of groundfish catch to project when a fishery's halibut bycatch mortality allowance or seasonal apportionment is reached. Halibut incidental catch rates are based on observed estimates of halibut incidental catch in the groundfish fishery. DMRs are estimates of the proportion of incidentally caught halibut that do not survive after being returned to the sea. The cumulative halibut mortality that accrues to a particular halibut PSC limit is the product of a DMR multiplied by the estimated halibut PSC. DMRs are estimated using the best scientific information available in conjunction with the annual BSAI stock assessment process. The DMR methodology and findings are included as an appendix to the annual BSAI groundfish SAFE report.

In 2016, the DMR estimation methodology underwent revisions per the Council's directive. An interagency halibut working group (IPHC, Council, and NMFS staff) developed improved estimation methods that have undergone review by the Plan Team, SSC, and the Council. A summary of the revised methodology is included in the BSAI proposed 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications (81 FR 87863, December 6, 2016), and the comprehensive discussion of the working group's statistical methodology is available from the Council (see

ADDRESSES

). The DMR working group's revised methodology is intended to improve estimation accuracy, transparency, and transferability used for calculating DMRs. The working group will continue to consider improvements to the methodology used to calculate halibut mortality, including potential changes to the reference period (the period of data used for calculating the DMRs). The methodology continues to ensure that NMFS is using DMRs that accurately reflect halibut mortality, which will inform the sectors of their estimated halibut mortality and allow sectors to respond with methods that could reduce mortality and, eventually, the DMR for that sector.

At the December 2023 meeting, the SSC, AP, and the Council concurred with the revised DMR estimation methodology, and NMFS adopts for 2024 and 2025 the DMRs calculated under the revised methodology, which uses an updated 2-year reference period, except pot gear uses an updated 4-year reference period. The final 2024 and 2025 DMRs in this rule are unchanged from the DMRs in the proposed 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications (88 FR 84278, December 5, 2023). Table 21 lists these final 2024 and 2025 DMRs.

Table 21—2024 and 2025 Pacific Halibut Discard Mortality Rates (DMR) for the BSAI

Gear

Sector

Halibut discard

mortality rate

(percent)

Pelagic trawl

All

100

Non-pelagic trawl

Mothership and catcher/processor

Non-pelagic trawl

Catcher vessel

Hook-and-line

Catcher/processor

Hook-and-line

Catcher vessel

Pot

All

Community Development Quota Group Quotas

In 2006, Public Law 109-241 amended section 305(i)(1) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act (16 U.S.C. 1855(i)). This law specifies the allocation of CDQ groundfish and PSC amounts among the six CDQ groups. The six groups are the Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association (APICDA), Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation (BBEDC), Central Bering Sea Fisherman's Association (CBSFA), Coastal Villages Regional Fund (CVRF), Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation (NSEDC), and Yukon Delta

Fisheries Development Association (YDFDA). NMFS published the CDQ and CDQ PSQ percentages on August 31, 2006 (71 FR 51804, August 31, 2006). Those percentages applied to the CDQ amounts in these harvest specifications are shown in table 22.

Table 22—2024 CDQ Program Quota Categories, Target CDQ Reserves, Prohibited Species Quota (PSQ) Reserves, and CDQ Group Quotas

Species or species group

APICDA

BBEDC

CBSFA

CVRF

NSEDC

YDFDA

Total

Groundfish CDQ Species

CDQ Group Quotas

Groundfish units are in metric tons

BS Pollock A season

8,190

12,285

2,925

14,040

12,870

8,190

58,500

BS Pollock B season

10,010

15,015

3,575

17,160

15,730

10,010

71,500

BS Pollock Total

18,200

27,300

6,500

31,200

28,600

18,200

130,000

AI Pollock

266

399

456

418

266

1,900

BS FG Sablefish

120

160

128

144

248

800

AI FG Sablefish

177

241

342

291

177

1,266

BS Sablefish

300

AI Sablefish

158

BS Pacific cod

2,371

3,320

1,423

2,846

3,004

15,810

AI Pacific cod

130

182

156

164

865

WAI Atka Mackerel

770

385

205

385

359

462

2,565

CAI Atka Mackerel

538

269

143

269

251

323

1,793

EAI/BS Atka Mackerel

1,036

518

276

518

483

621

3,452

Yellowfin Sole

5,842

5,008

1,669

1,252

1,461

5,634

20,865

Yellowfin Sole ABC reserves

2,125

1,821

607

455

531

2,049

7,588

Rock Sole

1,695

1,624

565

777

1,624

7,062

Rock Sole ABC reserves

1,440

1,380

480

660

1,380

6,002

BS Greenland Turbot

288

Arrowtooth Flounder

330

135

195

180

330

1,498

Flathead Sole

760

798

342

570

760

3,799

Flathead Sole ABC reserves

680

714

306

510

680

3,401

WAI Pacific Ocean Perch

401

201

107

201

187

241

1,338

CAI Pacific Ocean Perch

177

106

591

EAI Pacific Ocean Perch

256

128

119

153

853

PSQ

Halibut PSQ is in metric tons. Crab and salmon PSQ are in number of animals

Zone 1 Red King Crab

2,491

2,180

830

1,245

2,387

10,379

Zone 1 Bairdi Tanner Crab

27,264

25,166

8,389

27,264

104,860

Zone 2 Bairdi Tanner Crab

76,270

73,092

25,423

34,957

31,779

76,270

317,790

COBLZ Opilio Tanner Crab

116,363

111,708

37,236

46,545

37,236

116,363

465,450

Pacific Halibut

315

BS Chinook Salmon A season

547

820

195

937

859

547

3,906

BS Chinook Salmon B season

139

208

238

218

139

990

BS Chinook Salmon total

685

1,028

245

1,175

1,077

685

4,896

AI Chinook Salmon

Non-Chinook Salmon

629

944

225

1,079

989

629

4,494

Directed Fishing Closures

In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional Administrator may establish a DFA for a species or species group if the Regional Administrator determines that any allocation or apportionment of a target species has been or will be reached. If the Regional Administrator establishes a DFA, and that allowance is or will be reached before the end of the fishing year, NMFS will prohibit directed fishing for that species or species group in the specified subarea, regulatory area, or district (see § 679.20(d)(1)(iii)). Similarly, pursuant to § 679.21(b)(4) and (e)(7), if the Regional Administrator determines that a fishery category's bycatch allowance of halibut, red king crab,

C. bairdi

crab, or

C. opilio

crab for a specified area has been reached, the Regional Administrator will prohibit directed fishing for each species or species group in that fishery category in the area specified by regulation for the remainder of the season or fishing year.

Based on historical catch patterns and anticipated fishing activity, the Regional Administrator has determined that the groundfish allocation amounts in table 23 will be necessary as incidental catch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries for the 2024 and 2025 fishing years. Consequently, in accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional Administrator establishes the DFA for the species and species groups in table 23 as zero mt. Therefore, in accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for these sectors and species or species groups in the specified areas effective at 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 11, 2024, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2025. Also, for the BSAI trawl limited access sector, bycatch allowances of halibut, red king crab,

C. bairdi

crab, and

C. opilio

crab listed in table 23 are insufficient to support directed fisheries for the species and species groups listed in table 23. Therefore, in accordance with § 679.21(b)(4)(i) and (e)(7), NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for these sectors, species, and fishery categories in the specified areas effective at 1200

hours, A.l.t., March 11, 2024, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2025.

Table 23—2024 and 2025 Directed Fishing Closures

[Groundfish and halibut amounts are in metric tons. Crab amounts are in number of animals.]

Area

Sector

Species

2024

Incidental

catch

allowance

2025

Incidental

catch

allowance

Bogoslof District

All

Pollock

250

Aleutian Islands subarea

All

Greenland Turbot

426

366

Aleutian Islands subarea

All

ICA pollock

3,420

“Other rockfish”

380

Aleutian Islands subarea

Trawl non-CDQ

Sablefish

1,794

Eastern Aleutian District/Bering Sea

Non-amendment 80, CDQ, and BSAI trawl limited access

ICA Atka mackerel

800

Eastern Aleutian District/Bering Sea

All

Blackspotted/Rougheye rockfish

330

350

Eastern Aleutian District

Non-amendment 80, CDQ, and BSAI trawl limited access

ICA Pacific ocean perch

100

Central Aleutian District

Non-amendment 80, CDQ, and BSAI trawl limited access

ICA Atka mackerel

ICA Pacific ocean perch

Western Aleutian District

Non-amendment 80, CDQ and BSAI trawl limited access

ICA Atka mackerel

ICA Pacific ocean perch

Western and Central Aleutian Districts

All

Blackspotted/Rougheye rockfish

181

195

Bering Sea subarea

Trawl non-CDQ

Sablefish

3,398

4,038

Bering Sea subarea

All

Pacific ocean perch

“Other rockfish”

ICA pollock

9,891

748

50,000

9,716

748

50,000

Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

Shortraker rockfish

Skates

Sharks

Octopuses

451

25,941

340

451

25,807

340

Hook-and-line and pot gear

ICA Pacific cod

500

All

ICA flathead sole

ICA rock sole

3,000

6,000

3,000

6,000

All

ICA yellowfin sole

4,000

BSAI trawl limited access

Rock sole/flathead sole/other flatfish—halibut mortality, red king crab Zone 1,

C. opilio

COBLZ,

C. bairdi

Zone 1 and 2

Turbot/arrowtooth/Kamchatka/sablefish—halibut mortality, red king crab Zone 1,

C. opilio

COBLZ,

C. bairdi

Zone 1 and 2

Rockfish—red king crab Zone 1

Maximum retainable amounts may be found in table 11 to 50 CFR part 679.

“Other rockfish” includes all

Sebastes

and

Sebastolobus

species except for dark rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish, blackspotted/rougheye rockfish, and shortraker rockfish.

Closures implemented under the final 2023 and 2024 BSAI harvest specifications for groundfish (88 FR 14926, March 10, 2023) remain effective under authority of these final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications and until the date specified in those closure notifications. Closures are posted at the following website under the Alaska filter for Management Area:

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/rules-and-announcements/bulletins.

While these closures are in effect, the maximum retainable amounts at § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a fishing trip. These closures to directed fishing are in addition to closures and prohibitions found at 50 CFR part 679.

Listed AFA Catcher/Processor Sideboard Limits

Pursuant to § 679.64(a), the Regional Administrator is responsible for restricting the ability of listed AFA CPs to engage in directed fishing for groundfish species other than pollock to protect participants in other groundfish fisheries from adverse effects resulting from the AFA fishery and from fishery cooperatives in the directed pollock fishery. These restrictions are set out as sideboard limits on catch. On February 8, 2019, NMFS published a final rule (84 FR 2723) that implemented regulations to prohibit non-exempt AFA CPs from directed fishing for all groundfish species or species groups subject to sideboard limits (see § 679.20(d)(1)(iv)(D) and table 54 to 50 CFR part 679). Section 679.64(a)(1)(v) exempts AFA CPs from a yellowfin sole sideboard limit because the final 2024 and 2025 aggregate ITAC of yellowfin sole assigned to the Amendment 80 sector and BSAI trawl limited access sector is greater than 125,000 mt.

Section 679.64(a)(2) and tables 40 and 41 to 50 CFR part 679 establish a formula for calculating PSC sideboard limits for halibut and crab caught by

listed AFA CPs. The basis for these sideboard limits is described in detail in the final rules implementing the major provisions of the AFA (67 FR 79692, December 30, 2002) and Amendment 80 (72 FR 52668, September 14, 2007). PSC species listed in table 24 that are caught by listed AFA CPs participating in any groundfish fishery other than pollock will accrue against the final 2024 and 2025 PSC sideboard limits for the listed AFA CPs. Section 679.21(b)(4)(iii), (e)(3)(v), and (e)(7) authorizes NMFS to close directed fishing for groundfish other than pollock for listed AFA CPs once a final 2024 or 2025 PSC sideboard limit listed in table 24 is reached. Pursuant to § 679.21(b)(1)(ii)(C) and (e)(3)(ii)(C), halibut or crab PSC by listed AFA CPs while fishing for pollock will accrue against the PSC allowances annually specified for the pollock/Atka mackerel/“other species” fishery categories, according to § 679.21(b)(1)(ii)(B) and (e)(3)(iv).

Table 24—Final 2024 and 2025 BSAI AFA Listed Catcher/Processor Prohibited Species Sideboard Limits

PSC species and area

Ratio of PSC catch to total PSC

2024 and 2025 PSC available to trawl vessels after subtraction of PSQ

2024 and 2025 AFA catcher/

processor

sideboard limit

Halibut mortality BSAI

n/a

286

Red king crab Zone 1

0.0070

86,621

606

C. opilio

(COBLZ)

0.1530

3,884,550

594,336

C. bairdi

Zone 1

0.1400

875,140

122,520

C. bairdi

Zone 2

0.0500

2,652,210

132,611

Refer to § 679.2 for definitions of areas.

Halibut amounts are in metric tons of halibut mortality. Crab amounts are in numbers of animals.

AFA Catcher Vessel Sideboard Limits

Pursuant to § 679.64(b), the Regional Administrator is responsible for restricting the ability of AFA CVs to engage in directed fishing for groundfish species other than pollock to protect participants in other groundfish fisheries from adverse effects resulting from the AFA fishery and from fishery cooperatives in the pollock directed fishery. Section 679.64(b)(3) and (b)(4) and tables 40 and 41 to 50 CFR part 679 establish formulas for setting AFA CV groundfish and halibut and crab PSC sideboard limits for the BSAI. The basis for these sideboard limits is described in detail in the final rules implementing the major provisions of the AFA (67 FR 79692, December 30, 2002), Amendment 80 (72 FR 52668, September 14, 2007), and Amendment 122 (88 FR 53704, August 8, 2023). Section 679.64(b)(6) exempts AFA CVs from a yellowfin sole sideboard limit because the final 2024 and 2025 aggregate ITAC of yellowfin sole assigned to the Amendment 80 sector and BSAI trawl limited access sector is greater than 125,000 mt.

On February 8, 2019, NMFS published a final rule (84 FR 2723) that implemented regulations to prohibit non-exempt AFA CVs from directed fishing for a majority of the groundfish species or species groups subject to sideboard limits (see § 679.20(d)(1)(iv)(D) and table 55 to 50 CFR part 679). The only remaining sideboard limit for non-exempt AFA CVs is for Pacific cod. Pursuant to Amendment 122 to the FMP, the Pacific cod sideboard limit is no longer necessary in the A and B seasons because directed fishing in the BSAI for Pacific cod by trawl CVs is now managed under the PCTC Program, and accordingly the sideboard limit is in effect in the C season only (§ 679.64(b)(3)(ii)). Table 25 lists the final 2024 and 2025 AFA CV groundfish sideboard limits.

Table 25—Final 2024 and 2025 BSAI Pacific Cod Sideboard Limits for American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessels (CVs)

[Amounts are in metric tons]

Fishery by area/gear/season

Ratio of 1997 AFA CV catch to 1997 TAC

2024 ITAC for C season

2024 AFA catcher vessel sideboard limit

2025 ITAC for C season

2025 AFA catcher vessel sideboard limit

Pacific cod BSAI

n/a

Trawl gear CV

n/a

Jun 10-Nov 1

0.8609

4,613

3,971

4,168

3,588

Note:

Section 679.64(b)(6) exempts AFA catcher vessels from a yellowfin sole sideboard limit because the final 2024 and 2025 aggregate ITAC of yellowfin sole assigned to the Amendment 80 sector and BSAI trawl limited access sector is greater than 125,000 mt.

Halibut and crab PSC limits listed in table 26 that are caught by AFA CVs participating in any groundfish fishery other than pollock will accrue against the 2024 and 2025 PSC sideboard limits for the AFA CVs. Section 679.21 (b)(4)(iii), (e)(3)(v), and (e)(7) authorizes NMFS to close directed fishing for groundfish other than pollock for AFA CVs once a final 2024 or 2025 PSC sideboard limit listed in table 26 is reached. Pursuant to § 679.21(b)(1)(ii)(C) and (e)(3)(ii)(C), halibut or crab PSC by AFA CVs while fishing for pollock will accrue against the PSC allowances annually specified for the pollock/Atka mackerel/“other species” fishery categories under § 679.21(b)(1)(ii)(B) and (e)(3)(iv).

Table 26—Final 2024 and 2025 American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel Prohibited Species Catch Sideboard Limits for the BSAI

PSC species and area

Target fishery category

AFA catcher vessel PSC sideboard limit ratio

2024 and 2025 PSC limit after

subtraction

of PSQ

reserves

2024 and 2025 AFA catcher vessel PSC sideboard limit

Halibut

Pacific cod trawl

n/a

Pacific cod hook-and-line or pot

n/a

Yellowfin sole total

n/a

101

Rock sole/flathead sole/Alaska plaice/other flatfish

n/a

228

Greenland turbot/arrowtooth/Kamchatka/sablefish

n/a

Rockfish

n/a

Pollock/Atka mackerel/other species

n/a

Red king crab Zone 1

n/a

0.2990

86,621

25,900

C. opilio

COBLZ

n/a

0.1680

3,884,550

652,604

C. bairdi

Zone 1

n/a

0.3300

875,140

288,796

C. bairdi

Zone 2

n/a

0.1860

2,652,210

493,311

Refer to § 679.2 for definitions of areas.

Target trawl fishery categories are defined at §§ 679.21(b)(1)(ii)(B) and (e)(3)(iv).

Halibut amounts are in metric tons of halibut mortality. Crab amounts are in numbers of animals.

“Other species” for PSC monitoring includes skates, sharks, and octopuses.

Response to Comments

NMFS received 5 letters raising 17 distinct comments during the public comment period for the proposed BSAI groundfish harvest specifications (88 FR 84278, December 5, 2023). NMFS's responses are below.

Comment 1:

The BSAI harvest specifications do not consider the impact of offshore wind on the marine environment.

Response:

This is outside of the scope of the harvest specifications. The final rule implementing the harvest specifications sets the OFL, ABC, and TAC for target species in the BSAI, but does not regulate or authorize offshore wind. There is no current or planned offshore wind project in Alaska State waters or EEZ waters off of Alaska.

Comment 2:

Salmon are important for the cultural well-being of Alaska native tribes. Climate change is negatively affecting salmon and additive pressure from the pollock fishery is exacerbating their declines. Maintaining the status quo TAC for pollock harvest will result in continued bycatch and impacts to salmon and halibut as the pollock industry catches more individual salmon and halibut as bycatch than directed and subsistence fishermen of Alaska are allocated for their survival and livelihoods.

Response:

NMFS recognizes that salmon are paramount to the cultural well-being for indigenous peoples of Alaska. NMFS also recognizes that climate change is affecting the survival of western Alaska Chinook and chum salmon in their freshwater and marine life stages.

The annual TAC setting process is a robust, expansive process that involves significant scientific input and includes consideration of current environmental and ecosystem factors (

e.g.,

climate change) and other marine resources (

e.g.,

salmon and halibut). Scientists from the AFSC prepare the assessment using sophisticated statistical analyses of fish populations and draft the written assessment for a species or species group, which for eastern BS (EBS) pollock is a full assessment updated annually and for AI pollock is a full assessment updated biennially. The assessments for the BSAI are informed by the most recent survey and harvest data available, including multiple surveys in the EBS scheduled annually and in the AI every other year. The stock assessment then undergoes rigorous review by the scientists and resource managers on the Plan Team and SSC.

During this annual TAC setting process, the Plan Team, SSC, AP, and Council review several sources comprising the best scientific information available—the ESRs, Ecosystem and Socioeconomic Profiles (ESP), stock assessments, and Plan Team report—and use all these materials as reference in their OFL, ABC, and TAC recommendations to NMFS. NMFS reviews the same information for its annual decision to implement the OFL, ABC, and TAC for BSAI groundfish. Updates on salmon abundance estimates, commercial salmon catch, and the physical environment are included in the ESR and ESP. For an overview of the ESR and ESP, refer to the response to Comment 3.

The stock assessment author and Plan Team make a recommendation for OFL and ABC for each species and species group, and the SSC may concur with this recommendation or make a different recommendation. Ultimately, the SSC recommends the OFL and ABC (

i.e.,

the biological reference points) that inform the setting of the TAC (the harvest target/limit) for each species and species group since TAC cannot exceed ABC (see Section 3.2.3.4.1 of the FMP and 50 CFR 600.310(g)(4)). This ensures that the TAC for each species and species group does not exceed the scientific recommendations for ABC and OFL.

OFL and ABC are calculated using prescribed methods set forth in the FMP. The FMP specifies a series of six tiers to define OFL and ABC amounts based on the level of reliable information available to fishery scientists. Tier 1 represents the highest level of information quality available, while Tier 6 represents the lowest. The methods for calculating OFL and ABC (including the ABC control rule) become more precautionary depending on the tier and stock status: for example, with less reliable information the larger the buffer (reduction) between OFL and ABC, and as stock status declines the OFL and ABC are reduced.

The specification of ABC is informed by the ecosystem, environmental, and socioeconomic factors presented in the ESRs and in the stock assessment, specifically the stock-specific risk table prepared for each stock as well as an

additional ecosystem considerations section prepared for full/operational assessments like pollock. For EBS pollock, for example, the ecosystem considerations section of the stock assessment analyzes the fishery's effects on the ecosystem, such as bycatch of non-target species like salmon. The 2023 ESRs also provide information on the status of salmon in the BS ecosystem and AI ecosystem, including updated information on the abundance of salmon, fish condition, the run size of Bristol Bay sockeye salmon, the Yukon and Kuskokwim chum runs and subsistence harvest, abundance and role of eastern Kamchatka pink salmon in the Aleutian Islands, and trends in directed commercial catch of salmon. The 2023 EBS ESR also included an overview of foraging and energetics for Pacific halibut. The specification of the pollock TACs is therefore based on the best scientific information available on the status of the pollock stock and accounts for ecosystem, environmental, and socioeconomic factors, including bycatch of non-target species like salmon. The 2023 SAFE report chapter for EBS pollock is available at

https://www.npfmc.org/wp-content/PDFdocuments/SAFE/2023/EBSpollock.pdf.

As described above, NMFS and the Council considered the status of Chinook and chum salmon in the harvest specifications process. In addition, the harvest specifications announce Chinook bycatch limits based on promulgated regulations implementing Amendments 91 and 110 to the FMP. NMFS and the Council have previously taken comprehensive action through Amendments 91 and 110 to the FMP and implementing regulations to reduce salmon bycatch in the pollock trawl fishery because of the potential for negative impacts on salmon stocks. Existing measures have reduced salmon bycatch in the pollock fishery compared with what they would have been without the measures. Regulations set limits on how many Chinook salmon can be caught in a year in the Bering Sea pollock fishery, and those regulations require that NMFS announce the applicable Chinook salmon limits in the harvest specifications (see § 679.21(f)). Pursuant to § 679.21(f), NMFS annually allocates portions of either 33,318, 45,000, 47,591, or 60,000 Chinook salmon PSC limits among the AFA sectors, depending on: (1) past bycatch performance; (2) whether Chinook salmon bycatch incentive plan agreements (IPAs) are formed and approved by NMFS; and (3) whether NMFS determines it is a low Chinook salmon abundance year (see § 679.21(f)). NMFS will determine that it is a low Chinook salmon abundance year when abundance of Chinook salmon in western Alaska is less than or equal to 250,000 Chinook salmon, based on the estimate provided by the State. The State provides NMFS with an estimate of Chinook salmon abundance using the 3-System Index for western Alaska based on the Kuskokwim, Unalakleet, and Upper Yukon aggregate stock grouping.

For 2023, NMFS determined it was a low abundance year based on the State's 3-System Index. In accordance with the regulations at § 679.21(f), NMFS has specified a Chinook salmon PSC limit of 45,000 Chinook salmon, and a Chinook salmon bycatch performance standard of 33,318 Chinook salmon for the 2024 fishing year. NMFS publishes the approved IPAs, allocations, and reports at

https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/bycatch/default.htm.

Bycatch of salmon is posted on the NMFS website at

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/commercial-fishing/fisheries-catch-and-landings-reports-alaska.

For each fishing year, the Bering Sea pollock fleet is constrained by the limit of Chinook salmon PSC set in regulation (as explained above), regardless of the size of the pollock TAC and harvest. The AFA sectors are prohibited from continuing to fish if their Chinook salmon PSC limit has been exceeded. Further, if the sector exceeds its performance standard in 3 of 7 years, that sector becomes constrained by the performance standard in future years (meaning, the sector would be subject to a lower PSC limit in future years).

Regulations set limits on Chinook salmon PSC for the AI pollock fishery and non-Chinook salmon PSC for vessels using trawl gear. These are static limits set in regulations and are announced in the groundfish harvest specifications each year. Regulations also set limits on Pacific halibut PSC in the groundfish fisheries. Section 679.21(b)(1) establishes a fixed halibut PSC of 745 mt for the BSAI trawl limited access sector. The Council and NMFS apportion for seven trawl fishery categories a PSC allowance from the fixed limit of 745 mt. Halibut PSC in the pollock fisheries accrues to a specific fishery category—the pollock/Atka mackerel/other species fishery category, as specified in regulations. For 2024 and 2025, the allowance for the pollock/Atka mackerel/other species fishery category is 175 mt (see tables 18 and 19).

Ultimately, NMFS manages salmon bycatch in the pollock fishery through a variety of tools that apply at all levels of pollock TAC. The tools for both salmon and halibut bycatch include the Chinook salmon PSC limits (which are announced in these annual harvest specifications), halibut PSC limits set in regulation (which are also announced in these annual harvest specifications), IPAs to address Chinook and chum bycatch, and a comprehensive monitoring program to collect data on bycatch, including salmon and halibut bycatch. The information from this monitoring program is used to estimate how many Chinook and chum salmon are caught as bycatch from trawl vessels, where those fish came from, and whether a potential violation of law occurred.

NMFS acknowledges the western Alaska salmon crisis and the impact it is having on culture and food security throughout western Alaska. Science indicates climate change as the primary driver of poor salmon returns in western Alaska. Scientists from NMFS continue to study the impacts of climate change on salmon and halibut. For example, scientists from NMFS and the State found that recent heat wave events created conditions where energy allocation and prey quality was affected and added stress to western Alaska chum salmon at critical life stages (see Farley, Jr.,

et al.,

2024;

https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v726/p149-160

). Additionally, as discussed in the response to Comment 10, the best scientific evidence indicates that the numbers of the ocean bycatch that would have returned to western Alaska rivers would be relatively small due to ocean mortality and the large number of other river systems contributing to the total Chinook or chum salmon bycatch.

NMFS and the Council are committed to continued improvements in bycatch management with a goal of minimizing bycatch at all levels of abundance for target species (

i.e.,

pollock) and PSC. NMFS and the Council are currently engaged in a comprehensive process to evaluate existing measures and develop alternatives that may be necessary to further reduce chum salmon bycatch. More information on this process can be found at

https://www.npfmc.org/fisheries-issues/bycatch/salmon-bycatch/.

However, the Chinook salmon and Pacific halibut PSC limits and the conditions that affect the limits are set in regulations, and changes to those regulations are outside of the scope of the annual harvest specification process. NMFS believes that changes to bycatch management of all prohibited species, including Chinook salmon, chum salmon, and Pacific halibut, are best accomplished through the Council

process to recommend FMP amendments and regulations that NMFS would implement if consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the FMP, and other applicable law.

Comment 3:

Management of fisheries, including TAC setting and PSC limits, should include ecosystem based fishery management.

Response:

The annual process for specifying TAC for groundfish in the BSAI is a scientifically-driven process informed by the best available information on the status of the marine ecosystems off Alaska. Each year, ESRs are prepared for the BS and AI ecosystems (as well as the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) ecosystem). The intent of the ESRs is to provide the Plan Team, SSC, AP, Council, and NMFS, as well as the public, with a broad overview of the current status of the marine ecosystems. The ESRs are drafted by scientists and staff from NOAA, other federal and state agencies, academic institutions, tribes, and non-profits, and they compile and summarize information about the status of the Alaska marine ecosystems and represent the best scientific information available. The ESRs include information on the physical environment and oceanography, climate data, biological data, marine resources, and socio-ecological dimensions to provide context for the specification of OFL, ABC, and TAC. For example, the 2024 ESR for the EBS includes: (1) a synthesis of the physical environment (

e.g.,

temperature, sea ice, and cold pool); (2) an analysis of primary production (

e.g.,

phytoplankton and zooplankton); (3) trends for non-target species and discards (

e.g.,

jellyfish, forage fish, herring, and salmon); (4) integrated information on seabirds; (5) recruitment predictions; (6) emerging stressors; and (7) a sustainability index. The 2024 EBS ESR is available at

https://apps-afsc.fisheries.noaa.gov/REFM/docs/2023/EBSecosys.pdf.

Information from the ESRs are integrated in stock assessments, primarily through the risk tables that are prepared for each stock. The risk table includes evaluation of four considerations: (1) assessment-related; (2) population dynamics; (3) environmental/ecosystem; and (4) fishery performance. The risk table is meant to inform the specification of ABC by accounting for additional scientific uncertainty that is not addressed in the stock assessment model used to calculate OFL and ABC based on the stock's tier and the corresponding OFL and ABC control rules in the FMP. Because TAC cannot exceed ABC, reductions in ABC based on the risk table result in additional precaution in the catch limits for groundfish of the BSAI. The risk table can highlight changes in ecosystem conditions. For example, in the 2023 EBS pollock SAFE report, the risk table assessed several environmental and ecosystem considerations that warranted an elevated level of concern, including environmental/oceanographic factors related to climate change, status in fish condition over year classes, declining trends in northern fur seal pup production on St. Paul Island, and mixed trends in the status of potential competitors like jellyfish and salmon (Bristol Bay sockeye salmon have continued to sustain high inshore runs, and sockeye salmon compete with both juvenile and adult pollock for prey). Based on the elevated ecosystem risk identified in the risk table, the SSC reduced the EBS pollock ABC by 18 percent.

Some stock assessments also include an individual ESP. The ESP was developed as a framework for organizing and evaluating ecosystem and socioeconomic information about an individual stock. The ESP informs environmental and ecosystem considerations, population dynamics, and fisheries performance in the risk table. For example, the ESP for EBS Pacific cod assesses numerous ecosystem indicators that include physical indicators, lower tropic indicators, and upper trophic indicators. The ESP for EBS Pacific cod is available at

https://apps-afsc.fisheries.noaa.gov/Plan_Team/2023/EBSpcod_app2.pdf.

Stock assessment authors consider a variety of ecosystem-related factors when preparing their assessments, which are thoroughly reviewed by the Plan Team and the SSC. Stock assessment authors will include, if possible, relevant ecosystem-related factors into their modeling. Many models use variables that are potentially ecosystem-related, climate-impacted like size and condition of fish (

i.e.,

length and weight) and recruitment, and some models integrate specific environmental factors that have been influenced by climate change, such as the extent of the cold pool and bottom temperature in the survey area.

The information from the ESRs, stock assessments, and ESPs allows the Plan Team, SSC, AP, Council, and NMFS to respond to ecosystem changes and stock changes in the BSAI and to adjust the harvest specifications as necessary. This is consistent with the FMP and the preferred harvest strategy analyzed in the Final EIS and implemented each year for the specification of TAC. The Final EIS contemplated that ABCs could be reduced based on ecosystem considerations (Chapter 11 of Final EIS). The harvest strategy is designed such that the most recent information would be used each year in setting the annual harvest specification. The process is flexible to incorporate current information on stock abundance and harvest and environmental, ecosystem, and socioeconomic factors (

e.g.,

physical and ecosystem changes associated with climate change). Similarly, the FMP contemplates ongoing consideration of relevant factors (

e.g.,

ecosystem considerations and climate change) through the development of SAFE reports (Section 3.2.2.2 of the FMP). The use of the most recent, best available information in the SAFE reports allows the Council and NMFS to respond to changes in stock condition and environmental, ecosystem, and socioeconomic factors in the BSAI and to adjust the harvest specifications as appropriate, which is also consistent with National Standard 2 of the Magnuson-Stevens Act to use the best scientific information available (16 U.S.C. 1851(a)(2)).

NMFS is committed to supporting science and research to continue to improve the process of effective ecosystem-based management by refining the existing tools and developing new tools for incorporating ecosystem and socioeconomic information.

As noted in response to Comment 2, PSC limits and the conditions that affect the limits are set in regulations, and changes to those regulations are outside of the scope of the annual harvest specification process.

Comment 4:

The Alaska Groundfish Harvest Specifications EIS is outdated and NMFS must prepare a new or supplemental EIS on the harvest specifications. New species listings and critical habitat designations, climate change, vessel strikes and disturbance, entanglement, habitat impacts, prey competition, bycatch, and plastics constitute significant new or cumulative information requiring supplementation.

Response:

Groundfish harvests are managed subject to annual limits on the retained and discarded amounts of each species and species group. The “harvest strategy” is the method used to calculate these annual limits, referred to as “harvest specifications,” and the process of establishing them is referred to as the “specifications process.” NMFS prepared the Alaska Groundfish Harvest Specifications Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) to analyze the environmental, social, and economic impacts of alternative harvest strategies used to determine the annual harvest

specifications for the federally managed groundfish fisheries in the GOA and BSAI management areas.

The purpose of the harvest strategy is to: (1) provide for orderly and controlled commercial fishing for groundfish; (2) promote sustainable incomes to the fishing, fish processing, and support industries; (3) support sustainable fishing communities; and (4) provide sustainable flows of fish products to consumers. The harvest strategy balances groundfish harvest in the fishing year with ecosystem needs (

e.g.,

non-target fish stocks, marine mammals, seabirds, and habitat). Importantly, the harvest strategy and specification process are designed to use the best available scientific information developed each year through the annual SAFE (including the ESR process) to calculate the status determination criteria, assess the status of each stock, and set the TACs.

In a ROD, NMFS selected one of the alternative harvest strategies: to set TACs that fall within the range of ABCs recommended through the harvest specifications process that includes review by the Plan Team and SSC. NMFS concluded that the preferred harvest strategy analyzed in the Final EIS and selected in the ROD provides the best balance among relevant environmental, social, and economic considerations and allows for continued management of the groundfish fisheries based on the most recent, best scientific information. While the specific numbers that the harvest strategy produces may vary from year to year, the methodology used for the preferred harvest strategy remains constant. NMFS has not changed the harvest strategy or specifications process from what was analyzed in the Final EIS.

Each year the harvest strategy uses the best scientific information available in the annual SAFE reports to derive the annual harvest specifications, which include TACs and PSC limits. Through this process, each year, the Council's Groundfish Plan Teams use updated stock assessments to calculate biomass, OFLs, and ABCs for each species and species group for specified management areas. The OFLs and ABCs are published with the harvest specifications, and provide the foundation for the Council and NMFS to develop the TACs. The OFLs and ABCs reflect fishery science, applied in light of the requirements of the FMPs. The Council bases its TAC recommendations on those of its AP, which are consistent with the SSC's OFL and ABC recommendations (

i.e.,

the TAC recommendations cannot exceed the SSC's ABC and OFL recommendations).

The Final EIS evaluates the consequences of alternative harvest strategies on ecosystem components and on the ecosystem as a whole. The Final EIS evaluates the alternatives for their effects within the action area. The environmental consequences of each alternative were considered for target species, non-specified species, forage species, prohibited species, marine mammals, seabirds, Essential Fish Habitat, ecosystem relationships, the economy, and environmental justice. These considerations were evaluated based on the conditions as they existed at the time the Final EIS was developed, but the Final EIS also anticipated potential changes in these conditions, including climate change, could be incorporated, as appropriate, through the annual implementation of the harvest strategy. Each year since 2007 relevant changes (

i.e.,

new information, changed circumstances, potential changes to the action) are considered with the primary purpose of evaluating the need to supplement the Final EIS.

NEPA implementing regulations at 40 CFR 1502.9(d) instruct agencies to prepare supplements to either draft or final environmental impact statements if there remains a major federal action left to occur and: (i) the agency makes substantial changes to the proposed action that are relevant to environmental concerns; or (ii) there are significant new circumstances or information relevant to environmental concerns and bearing on the proposed action or its impacts. Ultimately, an agency is required “to take a `hard look' at the new information to assess whether supplementation might be necessary.” (see

Norton

S. Utah Wilderness All.,

542 U.S. 55, 72-73 (2004)).

A SIR for the Final EIS is prepared each year to take that “hard look” and document the evaluation and decision whether a supplemental EIS (SEIS) is necessary to implement the annual groundfish harvest specifications, consistent with NEPA regulations (see 40 CFR 1502.9(d)) and NOAA's Policy and Procedures for Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and Related Authorities, Companion Manual for NOAA Administrative Order 216-6A. The Companion Manual authorizes the use of a SIR to document a review of new information or circumstances and determine the sufficiency of the existing NEPA analysis for implementing a component or step of the action analyzed in that existing analysis.

The SIR prepared each year for the annual harvest specifications analyzes the information contained in the most recent SAFE reports and all information available to NMFS and the Council to determine whether an SEIS must be prepared to implement the annual harvest specifications. The SAFE reports represent the best scientific information available for the harvest specifications. Included in the SAFE reports are the groundfish stock assessments and any ESPs, the ESRs, and the Economic Status Report. To date, no annual SIR to the Final EIS has concluded that an SEIS is necessary.

The SIR recognizes the preferred harvest strategy analyzed in the Final EIS and selected in the ROD was built on an annual process to compile and utilize the most recent, best scientific information available on species abundance and condition, harvest and survey data, environmental and ecosystem factors, and socio-economic conditions. The Final EIS contemplates the annual process includes flexibility that allows for the implementation of annual harvest specifications that reflect new information and changing circumstances in the context of the considerations in the Final EIS. NMFS has determined that the 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications for the BSAI and GOA are consistent with the preferred alternative harvest strategy analyzed in the Harvest Specifications EIS because they were set through the harvest specifications process, are within the optimum yield established for both the BSAI and the GOA, and do not set TAC to exceed the ABC for any single species or species group.

The SIR assesses new information and circumstances. Based on the SIR, NMFS concluded that the best available, most recent information presented on species abundance and condition, environmental and ecosystem factors, and socio-economic conditions and used to set the 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications does not represent a significant change relative to the environmental impacts of the preferred harvest strategy analyzed in the Harvest Specifications EIS.

The Harvest Specifications EIS identifies reasonably foreseeable future actions, which inform the analysis in the SIR regarding new circumstances and which include catch share management, traditional fisheries managem

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