5 AAC 38.390. Cook Inlet Area Miscellaneous Shellfish Fisheries Management Plan

(a) The Board of Fisheries (board) is concerned that inadequate information exists regarding the biology and stock status of miscellaneous shellfish, except clams, mussels, and scallops, in the Cook Inlet Area to ensure that commercial fisheries can be conducted in a sustainable manner. Therefore, the commercial fisheries for miscellaneous shellfish species, except mussels in the Southern District, clams and scallops, shall be closed until the board has approved a management plan that considers the following factors:

(1) a minimum acceptable biomass level;

(2) maximum allowable exploitation rates;

(3) minimum thresholds for implementation of commercial and noncommercial fisheries;

(4) age and sex composition information;

(5) fishing seasons that avoid the biologically sensitive periods and areas;

(6) a regular schedule and mechanism for stock assessment;

(7) area-specific limits on the incidental catch of non-target fish, including any considerations for the sex and size of target species, if appropriate;

(8) operating requirements, including gear, vessel, and time restrictions;

(9) reporting requirements, including logbooks;

(10) full accountability of fishing mortality, including deadloss and discards;

(11) potential user group conflicts;

(12) the ecosystem function of both target and non-target species;

(13) maintenance of the geographic distribution of the resource; and

(14) an analysis of customary and traditional subsistence use patterns.

(b) After development of a draft management plan by the department, the board will, in its discretion, consider and act upon the management plan and associated regulations at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

History: Eff. 9/12/97, Register 143; am 7/5/2000, Register 155; am 7/31/2003, Register 167

Authority: AS 16.05.251

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