National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration July 20, 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS issues this final rule pursuant to its authority to issue emergency measures under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). This emergency action implements new stock status determination criteria for pollock and associated increases in pollock catch limits under the Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP), based on the most recent and best available scientific information. Specifically, this emergency action increases fishing year (FY) 2010 pollock catch levels specified by Framework Adjustment (FW) 44, including Overfishing Levels (OFLs), Acceptable Biological Catches (ABCs), Annual Catch Limits (ACLs), ACL components, incidental Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for special management programs, and sector Annual Catch Entitlements (ACEs). The ACL components include sub-ACLs for the common pool and sectors. This action is intended to provide additional fishing opportunities, consistent with the FMP and the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

NMFS is reopening directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch by trawl catcher vessels participating in the rockfish entry level fishery in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully use the 2010 directed fishing allowance of Pacific ocean perch for trawl catcher vessels participating in the rockfish entry level fishery in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Salmon Technical Team (STT) and Habitat Committee (HC) sub-committees will hold a joint meeting to develop a draft assessment of the factors triggering an overfishing concern for SRFC. The report will include analyses of fishing and non-fishing related factors, and recommendations for stock rebuilding. This meeting of the STT and HC sub-committees is open to the public.