NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES CORRECTING ERRORS AND OMISSIONS IN THE REGULATIONS OF THE ALASKA BOARD OF FISHERIES
Brief Description |
BRIEF DESCRIPTION The Department of Fish and Game proposes to change regulations under a delegation of authority from the Alaska Board of Fisheries to correct certain errors and omission in Title 5 of the Alaska Administrative Code. |
The commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game, under a delegation of authority from the Alaska Board of Fisheries (board) under AS 16.05.270, proposes to adopt regulation changes in Title 5 of the Alaska Administrative Code (AAC) correcting errors and omissions dealing with certain finfish and shellfish fisheries, including the following:
(1) 5 AAC 01.645. Subsistence bag, possession, and size limits; annual limits is proposed to be changed to correct an error and repeal section (k) which details bag and possession limit for rainbow/steelhead trout.
(2) 5 AAC 03.200. Fishing districts and subsdistricts is proposed to be changed to correct errors in certain latitude/longitude coordinates in the description of fishing districts and subdistricts in the Arctic-Kotzebue Area.
(3) 5 AAC 05.200. Fishing districts and subdistricts is proposed to be changed to correct an error in the description of District 1.
(4) 5 AAC 05.350. Closed waters is proposed to be changed to correct an error in the description of closed waters and remove a reference to an obsolete ADF&G regulatory marker.
(5) 5 AAC 21.200. Fishing districts, subdistricts, and sections is proposed to be changed to correct errors in certain latitude/longitude coordinates in the description of the Kustatan Subdistrict and correct references to an obsolete chart.
(6) 5 AAC 27.505. Description of Kodiak Area districts and sections is proposed to be changed to correct errors in certain latitude/longitude coordinates in the description of the South Afognak, Uganik Bay, and South Mainland Districts and Harvester Island Section.
(7) 5 AAC 33.200. Fishing districts and sections is proposed to be changed by changing language of “Cape Decision of Helm Point” to “Cape Decision to Helm Point.”
(8) 5 AAC 34.610. Fishing seasons for Registration Area O is proposed to be changed to repeal a regulation relating to the taking of male golden king crab as the regulation is no longer relevant.
(9) 5 AAC 35.506. Area J registration is proposed to be changed to correct an error in verbiage changing “Aleutians” to “Aleutian”. The regulation is also proposed to be changed to correct an error relating to the guideline harvest level and registration deadline for the Chignik District C. bairdi Tanner crab fishery.
(10) 5 AAC 38.140. Southeastern Alaska Sea Cucumber Management Plan is proposed to be changed to correct language changing “virgin population size” to “most recent biomass estimate”.
(11) 5 AAC 39.645. Shellfish onboard observer program is proposed to be changed to remove obsolete relating to the catcher vessel observer coverage requirements in Registration Area O.
(12) 5 AAC 57.120. General provisions for seasons, bag, possession, annual, and size limits, and methods and means for the Kenai River Drainage Area is proposed to be changed to correct an error and add the language “less than 36 inches” and remove “36 inches or less” relating to the maximum size of king salmon that may be retained.
(13) 5 AAC 60.122. Special provisions for the seasons, bag, possession, annual, and size limits, and methods and means for the Knik Arm Drainages Area is proposed to be changed to correct an omission and add the word “consecutive” when referencing the first Saturday and Sunday in August for youth sport fishing at the mouth of Fish Creek.
(14) 5 AAC 93.230. Transitional provisions for certain educational fishery permit procedures is proposed to be repealed to remove an obsolete regulation relating to educational fishery permits.
You may comment on the proposed regulation changes, including the potential costs to private persons of complying with the proposed changes, by submitting written comments to Frances H. Leach, Regulations Program Coordinator, Department of Fish and Game, P.O. Box 115526, Juneau, AK 99811-5526. Additionally, the Department of Fish and Game will accept comments by facsimile at (907) 465-2604 and by electronic mail at frances.leach@alaska.gov. The comments must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on December 23, 2017.
You may submit written questions relevant to the proposed action to Frances H. Leach at the mailing address or email address above. The questions must be received at least 10 days before the end of the public comment period. The Department of Fish and Game will aggregate its response to substantially similar questions and make the questions and responses available on the Online Public Notice System. The Department of Fish and Game may, but is not required to, answer written questions received after the 10-day cut-off date and before the end of the comment period.
If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact Frances H. Leach at (907) 465-6124 no later than December 18, 2017.to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.
A copy of the proposed regulation changes is available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System and by contacting Frances H. Leach, Regulations Program Coordinator at the mailing address, telephone number, or email address above.
After the public comment period ends, the commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game will either adopt the proposed regulation changes or other provisions dealing with the same subject, without further notice, or decide to take no action. The language of the final regulations may be different from that of the proposed regulations. You should comment during the time allowed if your interests could be affected.
Statutory Authority: AS 16.05.050; AS 16.05.251; AS 16.05.258; AS 16.05.270
Statutes Being Implemented, Interpreted, or Made Specific: AS 16.05.020, AS 16.05.060; AS 16.05.251; AS 16.05.258
Fiscal Information: The proposed regulation changes are not expected to require an increased appropriation.
DATE: 11/23/17
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Frances H. Leach, Regulations Specialist
Division of Commercial Fisheries
Department of Fish and Game