Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Individual Fishing Quota Program; Community Development Quota Program

The regulatory action amends existing commercial fishing regulations at 50 CFR part 679. The amendment would enhance the management of the halibut and sablefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) fisheries, as well as the sablefish Community Development Quota (CDQ) fishery. In June 2006, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council recommended a suite of four amendments to the halibut and sablefish IFQ fishery regulations, otherwise known as OMNI V. This proposed action addresses Action 2 and Action 4 of the Council's proposed regulatory amendments. The action would amend regulations to (1) Allow the use of longline pot gear in the Bering Sea sablefish IFQ and CDQ fisheries during the month of June; and (2) allow the temporary transfer of IFQ held by mobilized reservists and guardsmen.