SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SCOM] — August 7, 2014 — The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council has asked NMFS to implement an information collection program in the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog individual transferable quota (ITQ) fisheries.
The purpose of this information collection is to better identify the specific individuals who hold or control ITQ allocation in these fisheries. The Council will use the information collected to inform the development of a future management action intended to establish an excessive share cap as part of the Council's Surfclam/Ocean Quahog FMP.
The Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries have been managed under an ITQ system since 1990. Vessel owners received an initial allocation of quota share based on a formula of historical catch and vessel size. Each year, the total commercial quotas for the surfclam and ocean quahog ITQ fisheries are divided among the individuals who hold quota share. Annual allocations take the form of cage tags for the standard 32-bushel (1,700L) cages, which must be used to land the product. The quota share or cage tags are both considered types of ITQ allocation, and may be leased or sold to anyone, except foreign owners.
While managed jointly, the surfclam and ocean quahog ITQ fisheries are operationally distinct. The commercial quotas, quota shareholders, and cage tags are different for the two species. In addition, vessels may not land both surfclams and ocean quahogs on the same trip. Because these fisheries are managed in the same way, this information collection program applies equally to both fisheries.
Currently, NMFS collects only basic information about the individuals or businesses that hold surfclam and ocean quahog ITQ allocations. This information is collected at the time that an entity first acquires ITQ allocation and is not routinely verified or updated.
The information collection program proposed by this action is intended to identify the specific individuals who have an ownership interest in surfclam or ocean quahog ITQ allocation through a corporation, partnership, or other entity, or control the use of ITQ allocation through the use of long- term contracts or other agreements. This action would also ensure that the ownership information on file remains current by modifying the procedures for receiving and maintaining an ITQ allocation permit.
With this action, we are proposing to change the current surfclam and ocean quahog ITQ allocation permit, which currently never expires, into an annual ITQ permit. A surfclam or ocean quahog ITQ permit would need to be renewed each year before the ITQ permit holder could receive cage tags. In addition, if the permit holder has quota share, the permit would need to be renewed before the end of the fishing year or that quota could be considered voluntarily relinquished, and no longer eligible to receive an annual allocation of cage tags.
To receive a surfclam or ocean quahog ITQ permit, an applicant would need to complete both an ITQ permit application form and an ITQ ownership form. In subsequent years, the permit renewal process would require the applicant to review a pre-filled copy of these forms, make any necessary changes, then sign and submit the forms to NMFS in order to verify that the information on file remains current. Any transfer of ITQ quota share or cage tags would require an ITQ transfer application form.
This story originally appeared on Seafood.com, a subscription site. It is reprinted with permission.