FR 2021-03194

The document under review is a comprehensive rule issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It details the final harvest specifications for groundfish in the Gulf of Alaska for the years 2021 and 2022. This rule is vital for ensuring sustainable fishing practices and aligns with the broader goals of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. These regulations are in effect from February 19, 2021, and are intended to guide the responsible management and conservation of the fishery resources in this region.

General Overview

The final rule sets out specific catch limits for various fish species in the Gulf of Alaska. It aims to balance the economic benefits of fishing industries with the need to preserve marine environments and fish populations. The document is structured to provide detailed specifications and apportionments of fish catch limits to different sectors and areas, describing how numerical values of total allowable catches (TAC) and other regulatory measures have been determined.

Significant Issues

• Complex Language: The document employs technical jargon and regulatory references that may be challenging for the average reader to understand. Acronyms and references to existing amendments or regulations are numerous, such as Amendment 109 and 50 CFR part 679, but not well-explained, which could alienate those not well-versed in fisheries management.

• Economic Clarity: There's a lack of clarity regarding the financial implications of these regulations. While the document mentions efforts to minimize economic impacts on small entities, it does not elaborate sufficiently on how these efforts specifically manifest or their anticipated outcomes.

• Data Presentation: Extensive tables and numerical data are provided that may be difficult to interpret without visual aids or comparisons to previous data sets. This presentation style may hinder readers from fully understanding the impacts or changes implied by these regulations.

Broader Public Impact

For the general public, particularly those living in or economically dependent on the Gulf of Alaska region, these harvest specifications affect local economies and ecological sustainability. By regulating fishing activities, the NMFS aims to ensure that groundfish populations remain healthy and abundant, supporting long-term fishing opportunities that benefit diverse sectors, including commercial fisheries and local food supply chains.

Stakeholder Impacts

• Fishing Industry: For the fishing sector, the rule provides a clear guideline for allowable catch limits, ensuring that commercial practices do not deplete fish stocks. However, it also means stringent monitoring and compliance with these regulations, possibly affecting how businesses operate or their profit margins.

• Small Entities: Small fishing operations may be particularly sensitive to changes in catch limits, and despite the document stating intentions to minimize negative effects, more precise information could be beneficial for these stakeholders. An understanding of how the TAC calculations might impact smaller businesses is crucial for maintaining economic balance.

• Environmental Conservationists: This rule is likely a positive step for conservation efforts, as it seeks to maintain fish populations and ecosystem health. Environmental stakeholders would appreciate the structured approach to sustainable fishing limits, even though the document could improve by making ecological benefits more explicit.

In conclusion, while the document provides essential regulatory guidelines for the Gulf of Alaska fisheries, its complexity and technical nature can pose challenges for broader public comprehension. Greater clarity and context around economic impacts, especially concerning small entities, would enhance its accessibility and effectiveness in communicating critical regulatory strategies.

The document under consideration provides detailed harvest specifications and management measures for the groundfish fishery in the Gulf of Alaska. It includes financial references primarily around business classifications and average revenues in the fishery sector.

The main financial reference in the document relates to the classification of businesses as small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA). For businesses engaged in commercial fishing, they are classified as small if they have combined annual gross receipts not exceeding $11 million. This classification plays a crucial role in determining the economic impact of regulatory measures on these businesses. According to the document, entities whose aggregated revenues exceed this threshold are considered large. This distinction is significant as the economic considerations and regulatory flexibilities differ based on the size classification.

The document highlights average gross revenues for different types of fishing vessels, providing specific figures: $350,000 for hook-and-line catcher vessels, $780,000 for pot gear catcher vessels, $1.6 million for trawl gear catcher vessels, and $2.9 million for hook-and-line catcher/processors. These figures are essential for understanding the scale and economic impact of the groundfish fisheries on different segments of the industry.

One of the issues identified is the lack of clarity regarding the financial implications of these harvest specifications and management measures. While the document provides revenue data for small versus large entities, it does not elaborate on how the annual harvest specifications, tenders, and rules financially impact these groups. Such information is essential in assessing the cost and benefits of fisheries management, especially when trying to determine whether these regulations might lead to unnecessary expenditure or if they provide economic protection and sustainability.

The document further touches on financial impacts by mentioning that businesses partaking in cooperatives are considered large entities since their combined revenues surpass the $11 million threshold. However, for those outside such cooperatives, the economic protections and implications are not entirely articulated, leaving potential gaps in understanding the broader economic effects of the regulatory framework.

Overall, while the document includes certain financial references, it skims over broader financial discussions, such as how these rules contribute to the economic health of the regions involved, or if there are appropriations related to enforcement or scientific research that support these management decisions. Addressing these gaps could provide a more comprehensive picture of how these harvest specifications affect the industry financially.