Overview
Title
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Agencies
ELI5 AI
In a big fishy world, those who catch fish are sharing some extra Pacific cod with smaller boats because the big boats with special fishing tools couldn't catch it all. This helps make sure everyone gets their fair share without waiting too long!
Summary AI
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is redistributing the unused quota of Pacific cod from vessels that use jig gear to smaller catcher vessels that use hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. This reallocation is needed to ensure the 2021 Pacific cod catch limits are met. The action takes place from January 7, 2021, to December 31, 2021. It was deemed necessary to bypass public comments due to the urgency based on recent data.
Abstract
NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod from vessels using jig gear to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) length overall using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to allow the A season apportionment of the 2021 total allowable catch of Pacific cod to be harvested.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), describes a temporary rule regarding the reallocation of Pacific cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area. This reallocation shifts the projected unused amounts from vessels using jig gear to smaller catcher vessels employing hook-and-line or pot gear. The primary goal is to ensure that the 2021 catch limits are met within the specified timeframe, from January 7 to December 31, 2021.
Summary of the Document
The NMFS rule focuses on the efficient use of the allowable catch of Pacific cod by redistributing quotas. Vessels using jig gear are anticipated to underutilize their allocated quota by 900 metric tons during the initial portion of their fishing season. Consequently, this unused quota is transferred to smaller catcher vessels, enhancing the chances of meeting total catch limits. This regulatory action underscores the adaptability of fishery management plans to real-time data, ensuring that resource allocations align with actual fishing activity.
Significant Issues and Concerns
One significant issue is the document's technical nature, which incorporates specialized terminology and specific regulations. This complexity may hinder ordinary citizens from comprehensively understanding the rule and its implications. While the document mentions sections of the Code of Federal Regulations, it does not clarify these references for the lay audience.
The absence of prior notice and opportunity for public comment is also noteworthy. NMFS waived these steps citing urgency, driven by freshly available data. While this approach allows for flexible and timely adjustments, it may also lead to concerns about transparency in decision-making processes and restrict public participation.
Moreover, the document does not furnish detailed explanations or data justifying why jig vessels cannot meet their allocation, which raises questions regarding the underlying assumptions for reallocation. This lack of detailed rationale may lead stakeholders to question the decision's fairness or accuracy.
Broader Impact on the Public
For the general public, this regulation underscores the dynamic nature of natural resource management and reflects ongoing efforts to balance ecological sustainability with economic viability. However, the bypass of public commentary and the complexity of the regulation might lead to public skepticism about the process's openness and accessibility.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For fishermen and associated industries, this reallocation could have notable impacts. Catcher vessels less than 60 feet may benefit from enhanced opportunities to increase catch volumes, potentially leading to increased economic benefits. On the flip side, operators of jig vessels may feel disadvantaged by the reduction of their allotted quota, potentially affecting their operations' profitability.
It's critical for stakeholders to understand how these adjustments might affect their specific operations and to engage in dialogue with regulatory bodies to ensure their perspectives are considered in future decisions. Understanding these dynamics ensures that fishery management strategies remain equitable and effectively address the varied interests within the fishing community.
Issues
• The document uses specialized terminology and references specific regulations (e.g., § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)) which might be difficult for the general public to understand.
• The waiver of prior notice and opportunity for public comment based on the claim that it would be 'impracticable and contrary to the public interest' might raise concerns about transparency and public participation in the decision-making process.
• The document does not provide a detailed explanation or data supporting the determination that jig vessels will not be able to harvest 900 mt of the A season apportionment.
• The reallocation decision could potentially favor catcher vessels less than 60 feet over jig vessels, but the document does not discuss the potential impacts on different stakeholders within the fishing industry.