National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration August 31, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS issues this notice to inform the public about the Community Development Quota (CDQ) percentage allocations among the six CDQ managing entities (CDQ groups) that are in effect as a result of recent amendments to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). On July 11, 2006, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006 amended the Magnuson- Stevens Act to establish percentage allocations for groundfish, crab, and halibut allocated among the CDQ groups at those percentage allocations in effect on March 1, 2006. In addition, this notice provides information about the percentage allocations for prohibited species quota (PSQ) allocated among the CDQ groups that were not affected by the Magnuson-Stevens Act amendments, but continue in effect under an administrative determination issued by NMFS on August 8, 2005.

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the C season allowance of the 2006 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock for Statistical Area 620 of the GOA.

NMFS issues this final rule to modify the regulations implementing the Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP) to allow vessels issued either a General Category Atlantic sea scallop permit or a limited access sea scallop permit, when not fishing under a scallop days-at-sea (DAS) limitation, to fish for scallops with small dredges (combined width not to exceed 10.5 ft (3.2 m)) within the Great South Channel Scallop Dredge Exemption Area. This final rule responds to a request from the fishing industry to add this area to the list of exempted fisheries. The intent of this action is to allow small scallop dredge vessels to harvest scallops in a manner that is consistent with the bycatch reduction objectives of the FMP.