Overview
Title
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Agencies
ELI5 AI
In a big ocean area off Alaska, some fishers didn't use all their fish allowance for Pacific cod, so the fish bosses decided to give that leftover fish to different fishers with bigger boats and different fishing tools to make sure all the fish are caught.
Summary AI
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is reallocating some of the Pacific cod quota in the Gulf of Alaska. This reallocation involves moving unused quota from trawl catcher vessels to hook-and-line catcher vessels that are 50 feet or longer, and to catcher/processors that use trawl gear. The change is effective from December 20, 2024, and aims to ensure the total allowable catch for Pacific cod is fully utilized. NMFS made this decision quickly, without public comment, because the most recent data required an immediate response.
Abstract
NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod from catcher vessels using trawl gear to catcher vessels greater than or equal to 50 feet (ft) (15.2 meters (m)) length overall using hook-and-line gear and to catcher/processors using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to allow the 2024 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod to be harvested.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
General Summary
The document in question is a temporary rule issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), concerning the reallocation of Pacific cod fishing quotas in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska. Specifically, this rule reallocates a portion of the unused Pacific cod quota originally assigned to trawl gear catcher vessels to other groups, namely catcher vessels 50 feet or longer using hook-and-line gear, and catcher/processors using trawl gear. The reallocation aims to ensure that the 2024 total allowable catch (TAC) for Pacific cod is fully utilized. This action is effective as of December 20, 2024, and is published in the Federal Register without prior public notice or comment, due to urgency based on new data.
Significant Issues and Concerns
One notable issue is the lack of detailed analysis regarding the potential economic impact of this reallocation on local fishing communities and the broader economy. The document does not explicitly address how these changes may affect employment, income, or business operations reliant on Pacific cod fishing. Additionally, there is an absence of discussion about the environmental implications of altering fishing quotas among different types of vessels and gear.
The rapid implementation of this rule without prior notice or public consultation may raise concerns about transparency and stakeholder engagement. Questions might arise about how the NMFS projected the unused quota and whether stakeholders agree with the data-driven conclusions that prompted this immediate allocation shift. The document also includes complex legal references and jargon, such as specific sections of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and federal regulations, without providing layman's explanations, which might limit comprehension among the general public.
Public Impact
For the general public, this rule might seem technical and highly specialized, primarily affecting those directly involved in fisheries. However, for consumers, the availability and price of Pacific cod and related products could be indirectly influenced by how effectively the allowable catch is utilized.
Stakeholder Impact
Specific Stakeholder Groups:
Fishing Industries: The reallocation may positively impact catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear and catcher/processors with trawl gear by providing them with additional opportunities to harvest Pacific cod. However, it could negatively impact trawl catcher vessels that might have been looking to exhaust their original quotas in the future.
Local Fishing Communities: Without detailed economic analysis, it's challenging to predict precisely how local economies might be affected. Communities that rely heavily on trawl fishing may face economic shifts, while those adapting to or traditionally using hook-and-line methods may benefit.
Environmental Groups: Stakeholders concerned with marine ecosystems might have questions regarding the unspecified environmental outcomes of this reallocation, which could affect the natural balance in the Gulf of Alaska's waters.
Conclusion
Overall, while the reallocation seeks to make efficient use of the Pacific cod quota, several unanswered questions about the economic, environmental, and procedural aspects may cause concern among different stakeholders. For future actions, greater transparency and inclusion of public discourse may aid in balancing the needs of both the ecosystem and the communities dependent on it.
Issues
• The document does not explicitly provide details on how the reallocation of Pacific cod TAC will impact the local economy or fishing communities, which may lead to concerns about economic ramifications.
• The document does not include any analysis or details on potential environmental impacts of reallocating Pacific cod among different fishing methods and vessel sizes.
• There is no mention of how the unused amount of Pacific cod was projected, which may raise questions about the accuracy and basis of these projections.
• The document mentions waiving prior notice and public comment due to the impracticability and contradiction to public interest, which may raise concerns about transparency and lack of stakeholder engagement.
• The document contains legal and technical references such as '50 CFR part 679' and 'section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act' without providing explanatory context, making it difficult for lay readers to fully understand the implications.
• The classification statement that the action is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866 is made without providing context or elaboration, which might be unclear to some readers.
• The specific administrative or other logistical reasons for selecting 100 mt for hook-and-line gear and 130 mt for trawl gear reallocations are not clearly explained in the document.