(a) Crab QS and Crab QS fisheries. The Regional Administrator will issue crab QS for the crab QS fisheries defined in paragraph (a)(1) of this section. The Regional Administrator will annually issue IFQ based on the amount of QS a person holds. Crab harvested and retained in each crab QS fishery may be harvested and retained only by persons holding the appropriate crab IFQ for that crab QS fishery.

(1) Allocations. With the exception of the WAI golden king crab fishery, the Regional Administrator shall annually apportion 10 percent of the TAC specified by the State of Alaska for each of the fisheries described in Table 1 to this part to the Western Alaska CDQ program. Ten percent of the TAC in the Western Aleutian Islands golden king crab fishery will be allocated to the Adak community entity. The remaining TACs for the crab QS fisheries will be apportioned for use by QS holders in each fishery.

(2) Official crab rationalization record. The official crab rationalization record will be used to determine the amount of QS that is to be allocated for each crab QS fishery. The official crab rationalization record is presumed to be correct. An applicant for QS has the burden to prove otherwise. For the purposes of creating the official crab rationalization record the Regional Administrator will presume the following:

(i) An LLP license is presumed to have been used onboard the same vessel from which that LLP is derived, unless documentation is provided establishing otherwise.

(ii) If more than one person is claiming the same legal landings or legal processing activities, then each person eligible to receive QS or PQS based on those activities will receive an equal share of any resulting QS or PQS unless the applicants can provide written documentation establishing an alternative means for distributing the QS or PQS.

(iii) For the purposes of determining eligibility for CPO QS, a person is presumed to have processed BSAI crab in 1998 or 1999 if the vessel on which the applicant's LLP license is based processed such crab in those years.

(b) QS sectors and regional designations—(1) General. The Regional Administrator shall initially assign to qualified persons, crab QS that are specific to the crab QS fisheries defined in paragraph (a)(1) of this section. The crab QS amount issued will be based on legal landings made on vessels authorized to participate in those fisheries in four QS sectors:

(i) Catcher Vessel Owner (CVO) QS shall be initially issued to qualified persons defined in paragraph (b)(3) of this section based on legal landings of unprocessed crab.

(ii) Catcher Vessel Crew (CVC) QS shall be initially issued to qualified persons defined in paragraph (b)(3) of this section based on legal landings of unprocessed crab.

(iii) Catcher/Processor Owner (CPO) QS shall be initially issued to qualified persons defined in paragraph (b)(3) of this section based on legal landings of crab that were harvested and processed on the same vessel.

(iv) Catcher/Processor Crew (CPC) QS shall be initially issued to qualified persons defined in paragraph (b)(3) of this section based on legal landings of crab that were harvested and processed on the same vessel.

(2) Regional designations. (i) Regional designations apply to:

(A) North QS if the legal landings that gave rise to the QS for a crab QS fishery were landed in the Bering Sea subarea north of 56°20′ N. lat.; or

(B) South QS if the legal landings that gave rise to the QS for a crab QS fishery were not landed in the North Region, and all CVO QS allocated to the WAI crab QS fishery; or

(C) West QS for a portion of the QS allocated to the WAG crab QS fishery subject to the provisions under § 680.40(c)(4).

(ii) Regional designations do not apply (Undesignated QS) to:

(A) Crab QS for the EBT or WBT crab QS fishery;

(B) Crab QS for that portion of the WAG QS fishery not regionally designated for the West region;

(C) CVC QS;

(D) CPO QS unless that QS is transferred to the CVO QS sector, in which case the regional designation is made by the recipient of the resulting CVO QS at the time of transfer; and

(E) CPC QS.

(iii) The regional designations that apply to each of the crab QS fisheries are specified in the following table:

(iv) The regional designation ratios applied to QS and PQS for each crab QS fishery will be established based on the regional designations determined on August 1, 2005. QS or PQS issued after this date will be issued in the same ratio.

(3) Qualified person means, for the purposes of QS issuance, a person, as defined in § 679.2, who at the time of application for QS meets the following criteria for each of the QS sectors:

(i) CVO QS. Holds one or more permanent, fully transferable crab LLP licenses and is a citizen of the United States;

(ii) CPO QS. (A) Holds one or more permanent, fully transferable crab LLP licenses with a Catcher/Processor designation and is a citizen of the United States; and

(B) Harvested and processed at sea any crab species in any BSAI crab fishery during the years 1998 or 1999.

(iii) CVC QS and CPC QS. (A) Is an individual who is a citizen of the United States, or his or her successor-in-interest if that individual is deceased;

(B) Has historical participation in the fishery demonstrated by being the individual named on a State of Alaska Interim Use Permit for a QS crab fishery and made at least one legal landing per year for any 3 eligibility years under that permit based on data from fish tickets maintained by the State of Alaska. The qualifying years are described in Column C of Table 7 to this part.

(C) Has recent participation in the fishery demonstrated by being the individual named on a State of Alaska Interim Use Permit for a QS crab fishery and made at least one legal landing under that permit in any 2 of 3 seasons based on data from fish tickets maintained by the State of Alaska. Those seasons are defined in Column D of Table 7 to this part; except that the requirement for recent participation does not apply if:

(1) The legal landings that qualify the individual for QS in the PIK crab QS fishery were made from a vessel that was less than 60 feet length overall; or

(2) If the individual who is otherwise eligible to receive an initial issuance of QS died while working as part of a harvesting crew in any U.S. commercial fishery.

(4) Qualification for initial allocation of QS—(i) Qualifying year. The qualifying years for each crab QS fishery are described in Column B of Table 7 to this part.

(ii) Legal landing of crab means, for the purpose of initial allocation of QS, crab harvested during the qualifying years specified in Column B of Table 7 to this part and landed in compliance with state and Federal permitting, landing, and reporting regulations in effect at the time of the landing.

(A) Legal landings exclude any deadloss, test fishing, fishing conducted under an experimental, exploratory, or scientific activity permit, or the fishery conducted under the Western Alaska CDQ Program.

(B) Landings made onboard a vessel that gave rise to a crab LLP license or made under the authority of an LLP license are non-severable from the crab LLP license until QS has been issued for those legal landings, except as provided for in paragraph (c)(2)(vii) of this section.

(C) Landings may only be used once for each QS sector for the purposes of allocating QS.

(D) Landings made from vessels which are used for purposes of receiving compensation through the BSAI Crab Capacity Reduction Program may not be used for the allocation of CVO QS or CPO QS.

(E) Legal landings for purposes of allocating QS for a crab QS fishery only include those landings that resulted in the issuance of an LLP license endorsed for that crab QS fishery, or landings that were made in that crab QS fishery under the authority of an LLP license endorsed for that crab QS fishery, except as provided for in paragraph (c)(2)(vii) of this section.

(iii) Documentation. Evidence of legal landings shall be limited to State of Alaska fish tickets.

(c) Calculation of QS allocation—(1) General. (i) For each permanent, fully transferable crab LLP license under which an applicant applies, CVO and CPO QS will be based on legal landings that resulted in the issuance of that license or from legal landings that were made under the authority of that license.

(ii) For each State of Alaska Interim Use Permit under which an applicant applies for CVC QS or CPC QS, the initial allocation of QS will be based on the legal landings that were made under the authority of that permit.

(2) Computation for initial issuance of QS. (i) Based on the official crab rationalization record the Regional Administrator shall derive the annual harvest denominator (AHD) that represents the amount of legally landed crab in each crab QS fishery in each qualifying year as established in Column B of Table 7 to this part.

(ii) The initial QS pool is described in Table 8 to this part.

(iii) A person's initial allocation of QS shall be based on a percentage of the legal landings for the applicable sector in each crab QS fishery:

(A) Associated with crab LLP licenses held by the applicant for CVO or CPO QS; or

(B) Authorized under a State of Alaska Interim Use Permit held by the applicant for CVC or CPC QS.

(iv) The Regional Administrator shall calculate the allocation of CVO and CPO QS for each crab QS fishery “f” based on each fully transferable LLP license “l” held by a qualified person by the following formulas:

(A) Sum legal landings for each qualifying year, as described in Column B of Table 7 to this part, and divide that amount by the AHD for that year as follows:

(σ legal landingslf/AHDf) × 100 = Percentage of the AHDlf

(B) In those fisheries where only a subset of the qualifying years are applied, the Regional Administrator will use the years that yield the highest percentages of each AHD as calculated in paragraph (c)(2)(iv)(A) of this section.

(C) Sum the highest percentages of the AHD's for that license as calculated under paragraph (c)(2)(iv)(B) of this section and divide by the number in Column E of Table 7 to this part (Subset of Qualifying Years). This yields the Average Percentage as presented in the following equation:

σ Percentages of the AHDlf/Subset of Qualifying Yearsf = Average Percentagelf

(D) Divide the Average percentage in paragraph (c)(2)(iv)(C) of this section for a license and fishery by the Sum of all Average Percentages for all licenses for that fishery as presented in the following equation:

Average Percentagelf/σ Average Percentagesf = Percentage of the Total Percentageslf

(E) Multiply the Percentage of the Total Percentages in paragraph (c)(2)(iv)(D) of this section by the Initial QS Pool as described in Table 8 to this part. This yields the unadjusted number of QS units derived from a license for a fishery.

(F) Multiply the unadjusted number of QS units in paragraph (c)(2)(iv)(E) of this section by 97 percent. This yields the number of QS units to be allocated.

(G) Determine the percentage of legal landings in the subset of qualifying years associated with a LLP license with a catcher/processor designation that were processed on that vessel and multiply the amount calculated in paragraph (c)(2)(iv)(F) of this section by this percentage. This yields the amount of CPO QS to be allocated.

(H) Determine the percentage of legal landings in the subset of qualifying years associated with a LLP license that were not processed on that vessel and multiply the amount calculated in paragraph (c)(2)(iv)(F) of this section by this percentage. This yields the amount of CVO QS to be allocated.

(I) Determine the percentage of legal landings associated with an LLP license in the subset of qualifying years that were delivered in each region as defined in paragraph (b)(2) of this section. The amount calculated in paragraph (c)(2)(iv)(H) of this section is multiplied by the percentage for each region.

(J) The percentage calculated in paragraph (c)(2)(iv)(I) of this section may be adjusted according to the provisions at paragraphs (c)(3) and (c)(4) of this section.

(v) As shown in the formulas under this paragraph (c)(2)(v), the allocation of CVC and CPC QS for each crab QS fishery “f” based on each State of Alaska Interim Use Permit “i” held by each qualified person shall be calculated by the Regional Administrator as follows:

(A) Sum legal landings for each qualifying year as described in Column B of Table 7 to this part and divide that amount by the AHD for that year using the following equation:

(σ legal landingsif/AHDf) × 100 = Percentage of the AHDif

(B) In those fisheries where only a subset of the qualifying years are applied, the Regional Administrator will use the years that yield the highest percentages of the AHD as calculated in paragraph (c)(2)(v)(A) of this section.

(C) Sum the highest percentages of the AHDs for that license calculated under paragraph (c)(2)(v)(B) of this section and divide by the number in Column E of Table 7 to this part (Subset of Qualifying Years). This yields the Average Percentage as presented in the following equation:

σ Percentages of the AHDlf/Subset of Qualifying Yearsf = Average Percentageif

(D) Divide the Average Percentage in paragraph (c)(2)(v)(C) of this section for a permit and fishery by the Sum of all Average Percentages for all permits for that fishery as presented in the following equation:

Average Percentageif/σ Average Percentagesf = Percentage of the Total Percentagesif

(E) Multiply the Percentage of the Total Percentages in paragraph (c)(2)(v)(E) of this section by the Initial QS Pool as described in Table 8 to this part. This yields the unadjusted number of QS units derived from a permit for a fishery.

(F) Multiply the unadjusted number of QS units in paragraph (c)(2)(v)(E) of this section by 3 percent. This yields the number of QS units to be allocated.

(G) Determine the percentage of legal landings in the subset of qualifying years associated with a permit that were processed on that vessel and multiply the amount calculated in paragraph (c)(2)(v)(F) of this section by this percentage. This yields the amount of CPC QS to be allocated.

(H) Determine the percentage of legal landings in the subset of qualifying years associated with a permit that were not processed on that vessel and multiply the amount calculated in paragraph (c)(2)(v)(F) of this section by this percentage. This yields the amount of CVC QS to be allocated.

(I) Determine the percentage of legal landings associated with a permit in the subset of qualifying years that were delivered in each region as defined in paragraph (b)(2) of this section. The amount calculated in paragraph (c)(2)(v)(H) of this section is multiplied by the percentage for each region.

(J) The percentage calculated in paragraph (c)(2)(v)(I) of this section may be adjusted according to the provisions at paragraphs (c)(3) and (c)(4) of this section. The amount calculated in paragraph (c)(2)(v)(H) of this section is multiplied by the percentage for each region. These regional QS designations do not apply to CVC QS.

(vi) Sunken vessel provisions. (A) If a person applies for CVO QS or CPO QS based, in whole or in part, on the activities of a vessel that sank, the Regional Administrator shall presume landings for that vessel for the crab fishing years between the time of vessel loss and the replacement of the vessel under § 679.4(k)(5)(v) of this chapter. These presumed landings shall be equivalent to 50 percent of the average legal landings for the qualifying years established in Column B of Table 7 to this part unaffected by the sinking. If the vessel sank during a qualifying year, the legal landings for that year will not be used as the basis for presumed landings;

(B) If a person applies for CVO QS or CPO QS based, in whole or in part, on the activities of a vessel that sank and:

(1) The person who owned the vessel that sank would have been denied eligibility to replace a sunken vessel under the provisions of Public Law 106-554; and

(2) The vessel that sank was replaced with a newly constructed vessel, with that vessel under construction no later than June 10, 2002. For purposes of this section a vessel is considered under construction once the keel for that vessel has been laid; and

(3) The newly constructed vessel participated in any Bering Sea crab fishery no later than October 31, 2002;

(4) Then the Regional Administrator shall presume landings for that vessel for the crab fishing years between the time of vessel loss and the replacement of the vessel. These presumed landings shall be equivalent to 50 percent of the average legal landings for the qualifying years established in Column B of Table 7 to this part unaffected by the sinking. If the vessel sank during a qualifying year, the legal landings for that year will not be used as the basis for presumed landings.

(vii) LLP license history exemption. An applicant for CVO or CPO QS who:

(A) Deployed a vessel in a crab QS fishery under the authority of an interim or permanent fully transferable LLP license; and

(B) Prior to January 1, 2002, received by transfer, as authorized by NMFS, a permanent fully transferable LLP license for use in that crab QS fishery to insure that a vessel would remain authorized to participate in the fishery, may choose to use as the legal landings which are the basis for QS allocation on his or her application for crab QS or PQS either:

(1) The legal landings made on that vessel for that crab QS fishery prior to the transfer of the permanent fully transferable LLP license for use on that vessel; or

(2) The legal landings made on the vessel that gave rise to the permanent fully transferable LLP license and the legal landings made under the authority of that same LLP license in that crab QS fishery prior to January 1, 2002.

(C) If the history described in paragraph (c)(2)(vii)(B)(1) of this section is being used by another person for an allocation with an LLP license, then the allocation in paragraph (c)(2)(vii) will be based on the legal landings as described under paragraph (c)(2)(vii)(B)(2) of this section.

(3) Adjustment of CVO and CVC QS allocation for North and South regional designation. The Regional Administrator may adjust the regional designation of QS to ensure that it is initially allocated in the same proportion as the regional designation of PQS for that crab QS fishery. A person who would receive QS based on the legal landings in only one region, will receive QS with only that regional designation. A person who would receive QS with more than one regional designation for that crab QS fishery would have his or her QS holdings regionally adjusted on a pro rata basis as follows:

(i) Determine the ratio of the Initial PQS pool in the North and South regions.

(ii) Multiply the Initial QS pool by the ratio of North and South PQS. This will yield the target QS pool for each region.

(iii) Sum the QS for all persons who are eligible to receive North QS yielding the unadjusted North QS pool, and sum the QS for all persons who are eligible to receive South QS yielding the unadjusted South QS pool.

(iv) To calculate the amount of QS available for adjustment, subtract the amount of QS for persons receiving North only QS from the unadjusted North QS pool and subtract the amount of QS for persons receiving South only QS from the unadjusted South QS pool, as presented in the following equations:

(A) Unadj. North QS −North QS only = North QS for [North & South] QS holders.

(B) Unadj. South QS −South QS only = South QS for [North & South] QS holders.

(v) Determine which region becomes the gaining region if the target QS pool is greater than the unadjusted QS pool.

(vi) Subtract the gaining region unadjusted QS pool from the gaining region target QS pool to calculate the number of QS units that need to be applied to the gaining region. This amount is the Adjustment Amount as presented in the following equation:

Unadj. gaining region QS −Target gaining region QS pool = Adjustment Amount

(vii) Divide the Adjustment Amount by the unadjusted losing region QS pool for North and South QS holders. This yields the regional adjustment factor (RAF) for each person as presented in the following equation:

Adj. Amount/unadjusted losing region QS pool for [North & South] QS holders = RAF

(viii) For each person (p) who holds both North and South Region QS, the QS adjustment (QS Adj. (p)) to that person's Unadjusted losing region QS is expressed in the following equation as:

QS adj. p = Unadjusted losing region QS p × RAF

(ix) The QS adjustment for person (p) is made by subtracting the QS adjustment from that person's unadjusted losing region QS amount and added to that person's unadjusted gaining region QS. These adjustments will yield the regional adjustment QS amounts for that person.

(4) Regional designation of Western Aleutian Islands golden king crab. Fifty percent of the CVO QS that is issued in the WAG crab QS fishery will be initially issued with a West regional designation. The West regional designation applies to QS for delivery west of 174° W. longitude. The remaining 50 percent of the CVO QS initially issued for this fishery is not subject to regional designation (Undesignated QS). A person (p) who would receive QS based on the legal landings in only one region will receive QS with only that regional designation. A person who would receive QS with more than one regional designation for that crab QS fishery would have his or her QS holdings regionally adjusted on a pro rata basis as follows:

(i) The West QS pool is equal to 50 percent of the initial QS pool.

(ii) The Undesignated QS pool is equal to 50 percent of the initial QS pool.

(iii) Sum the QS for all persons who are eligible to receive West QS yielding the unadjusted West QS pool, and sum the QS for all persons who are eligible to receive undesignated QS yielding the unadjusted undesignated QS pool.

(iv) To calculate the amount of QS available for adjustment, subtract the amount of QS for persons receiving West only QS from the unadjusted West QS pool and subtract the amount of QS for persons receiving undesignated only QS from the unadjusted undesignated QS pool, as presented in the following equation:

(A) Unadj. West QS−West QS only = West QS for [West & Undesignated] QS holders.

(B) Unadj. Undesignated QS−Undesignated QS only = Undesignated QS for [West & Undesignated] QS holders.

(v) Subtract the gaining region Unadjusted QS pool from the gaining region Target QS pool to calculate the number of QS units that will need to be applied to the gaining region. This amount is the Adjustment Amount as presented in the following equation:

Target gaining region QS pool−unadjusted region QS = Adjustment Amount

(vi) Divide the Adjustment Amount by the unadjusted losing region QS pool for West and Undesignated QS holders. This yields the regional adjustment factor (RAF) for each person as presented in the following equation:

Adj. Amount/unadjusted losing region QS pool for West & Undesignated QS holders = RAF

(vii) For each person (p) who holds both unadjusted West and Undesignated Region QS, the QS adjustment (QS Adj. p) to that person's Unadjusted West QS is expressed in the following equation as:

QS adj. p = Unadjusted West QS p × RAF

(viii) The QS adjustment for person (p) is made by subtracting the QS adjustment for that person's unadjusted losing region QS amount and subtracted from that person's unadjusted gaining region QS. These adjustments will yield the regional adjustment QS amounts for that person.

(5) Issuance of converted CPO QS. (i) For each crab fishing year, the Regional Administrator may issue converted CPO QS for the BBR or BSS crab QS fishery with a North Region designation to an entity described in paragraph (c)(5)(ii), (c)(5)(iii), or (c)(5)(iv) of this section if NMFS has approved an application for converted CPO QS/IFQ for that crab fishing year.

(ii) Entity A is comprised only of Yardarm Knot, Inc. (NMFS ID # 675).

(iii) Entity B is comprised only of Blue Dutch, LLC (NMFS ID # 3163).

(iv) Entity C is comprised only of Trident Seafoods, Inc. (NMFS ID # 8184).

(v) NMFS will issue Entity A, B, or C, described in paragraphs (c)(5)(ii) through (c)(5)(iv) of this section, one unit of converted CPO for each unit of CVO QS and 0.9 units of PQS indicated in an approved application for converted CPO QS/IFQ.

(vi) For each crab fishing year, the Regional Administrator will not issue CPO QS for the BBR or BSS crab QS fishery:

(A) To Entity A described in paragraph (c)(5)(ii) of this section that is greater than the amount of converted CPO QS that may be derived from the amount of PQS units with a North Region designation initially issued by NMFS to Yardarm Knot, Inc. (NMFS ID # 675), and any affiliates of Yardarm Knot, Inc., as listed on an annual application for converted CPO QS/IFQ for that crab fishing year;

(B) To Entity B described in paragraph (c)(5)(iii) of this section that is greater than the amount of converted CPO QS that may be derived from the amount of PQS units with a North Region designation initially issued by NMFS to Blue Dutch, LLC, (NMFS ID # 3163) under paragraph (e)(3) of this section and any affiliates of Blue Dutch, LLC, as listed on an annual application for annual application for converted CPO QS/IFQ for that crab fishing year; and

(C) To Entity C described in paragraph (c)(5)(iv) of this section that is greater than the amount of converted CPO QS that may be derived from the amount of CVO QS units with a North Region designation initially issued by NMFS to Trident Seafoods, Inc. (NMFS ID # 8184), and any affiliates of Trident Seafoods, Inc., as listed on an annual application for converted CPO QS/IFQ for that crab fishing year;

(vii) CPO IFQ derived from converted CPO QS may be issued to a crab harvesting cooperative only if the entity described in paragraph (c)(5)(ii), (c)(5)(iii), or (c)(5)(iv) of this section holding the converted CPO QS is a member of that crab harvesting cooperative.

(6) Offloading requirements for CPO IFQ derived from converted CPO QS. Any crab harvested under a CPO IFQ permit derived from converted CPO QS must be offloaded in the Bering Sea subarea north of 56°20′ N. lat.

(d) Crab PQS and Crab PQS Fisheries—(1) General. The Regional Administrator shall initially assign to qualified persons defined in paragraph (d)(3) of this section crab PQS specific to crab QS fisheries defined in paragraph (a)(1) of this section. The crab PQS amount issued will be based on total legal processing of crab made in those crab QS fisheries. PQS shall yield annual IPQ as defined under paragraph (j) of this section.

(2) Regional designations. For each crab QS fishery, PQS shall be initially regionally designated based on the legal processing that gave rise to the PQS as follows:

(i) North PQS if the processing that gave rise to the PQS for a crab QS fishery occurred in the Bering Sea subarea north of 56°20′ N. lat.; or

(ii) South PQS if the processing that gave rise the PQS for a crab QS fishery did not occur in the North Region, and PQS allocated to the WAI crab QS fishery; or

(iii) West PQS for a portion of the PQS allocated to the WAG crab QS fishery subject to the provisions under paragraph (e)(2) of this section; or

(iv) Undesignated. Regional designations do not apply to:

(A) That portion of the WAG crab QS fishery that is not regionally designated as West Region PQS; and

(B) The EBT or WBT crab QS fishery.

(v) The specific regional designations that apply to PQS in each of the crab QS fisheries are described in paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this section.

(3) Qualified person, for the purposes of PQS issuance, means a person, as defined at § 679.2, who at the time of application for PQS is a U.S. citizen, or a U.S. corporation, partnership, association, or other entity, and who:

(i) Legally processed any crab QS species established in paragraph (a)(1) of this section during 1998 or 1999 as demonstrated on the official crab rationalization record; or

(ii) Did not legally process any crab QS species during 1998 or 1999 according to the official crab rationalization record, but who:

(A) Processed BSS crab QS species in each crab season for that fishery during the period from 1988 through 1997; and

(B) From January 1, 1996, through June 10, 2002, invested in a processing facility, processing equipment, or a vessel for use in processing operations, including any improvements made to existing facilities with a total expenditure in excess of $1,000,000; or

(C) Is the person to whom the history of legal processing of crab has been transferred by the express terms of a written contract that clearly and unambiguously provides that such legal processing of crab has been transferred. This provision would apply only if that applicant for PQS:

(1) Legally processed any crab QS species established in paragraph (a)(1) of this section during 1998 or 1999, as demonstrated on the official crab rationalization record; or

(2) Received history of crab processing that was legally processed during 1998 or 1999, as demonstrated on the official crab rationalization record.

(iii) Qualified persons, or their successors-in-interest, must exist at the time of application for PQS.

(iv) A former partner of a dissolved partnership or a former shareholder of a dissolved corporation who would otherwise be a qualified person may apply for PQS in proportion to his or her ownership interest in the dissolved partnership or corporation.

(v) A person who has acquired a processing corporation, partnership, or other entity that has a history of legal processing of crab is presumed to have received by transfer all of that history of legal processing of crab unless a clear and unambiguous written contract establishes otherwise.

(4) Qualification for initial allocation of PQS—(i) Years. The qualifying years for each crab QS fishery are designated in Table 9 to this part.

(ii) Ownership interest. Documentation of ownership interest in a dissolved partnership or corporation, association, or other entity shall be limited to corporate documents (e.g., articles of incorporation) or notarized statements signed by each former partner, shareholder or director, and specifying their proportions of interest.

(iii) Legal processing of crab means, for the purpose of initial allocation of PQS, raw crab pounds processed in the crab QS fisheries designated under paragraph (a)(1) of this section in compliance with state and Federal permitting, landing, and reporting regulations in effect at the time of the landing. Legal processing excludes any deadloss, processing of crab harvested in a test fishery or under a scientific, education, exploratory, or experimental permit, or under the Western Alaska CDQ Program.

(iv) Documentation. Evidence of legal processing shall be limited to State of Alaska fish tickets, except that:

(A) NMFS may use information from a State of Alaska Commercial Operators Annual Report, State of Alaska fishery tax records, or evidence of direct payment from a receiver of crab to a harvester if that information indicates that the buyer of crab differs from the receiver indicated on State of Alaska fish ticket records; however:

(B) Information on State of Alaska fish tickets shall be presumed to be correct for the purpose of determining evidence of legal processing of crab. An applicant will have the burden of proving the validity of information submitted in an application that is inconsistent with the information on the State of Alaska fish ticket.

(e) Calculation of PQS allocation—(1) Computation for initial issuance of PQS. (i) The Regional Administrator shall establish the Total Processing Denominator (TPD) which represents the amount of legally processed raw crab pounds in each crab QS fishery in all qualifying years.

(ii) For each crab QS fishery, the percentage of the initial PQS pool that will be distributed to each qualified person shall be based on their percentage of the TPD according to the following procedure:

(A) Sum the raw crab pounds purchased for each person for all qualifying years.

(B) Divide the sum calculated in paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(A) of this section by the TPD. Multiply by 100. This yields a person's percentage of the TPD.

(C) Sum the TPD percentages of all persons.

(D) Divide the percentage for a person calculated in paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(B) of this section by the sum calculated in paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(C) of this section for all persons. This yields a person's percentage of the TPD.

(E) Multiply the amount calculated in paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(D) of this section by the PQS pool for that crab QS fishery as that amount is defined in Table 8 to this part.

(F) Determine the percentages of legally processed crab that were processed in each region. The percentages calculated in paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(E) of this section are multiplied by the amount determined within each regional designation. Regional designations will apply to that PQS according to the provisions established in paragraphs (d)(2) and (e)(2) of this section.

(2) Regional designation of Western Aleutian Islands golden king crab. (i) Fifty percent of the PQS that is issued in the WAG crab QS fishery will be issued with a West regional designation. The West regional designation applies to PQS for processing west of 174° N. long. The remaining 50 percent of the PQS issued for this fishery is Undesignated region PQS.

(ii) A person will receive only West PQS if, at the time of application, that person owns a crab processing facility that is located in the West region. A person will receive West region and Undesignated Region PQS if, at the time of application, that person does not own a crab processing facility located in the West region. Expressed algebraically, for any person (p) allocated both West region PQS and undesignated region PQS the formula is as follows:

(A) PQSWest = PQS × 0.50

(B) PQSUnd. = PQS × 0.50

(C) PQSWest for PQSWest & Und. holders = PQSWest−PQSWest only

(D) PQSWest for Personp West & Und. = PQSp × PQSWest for PQSWest & Und. holders/(PQSWest for PQSWest & Und. holders + PQSUnd.)

(E) PQSUnd. for Personp = PQSp−PQSWest for Personp

(iii) For purposes of the allocation of PQS in the WAG crab fishery:

(A) Ownership of a processing facility is defined as:

(1) A sole proprietor; or

(2) A relationship between two or more entities in which a person directly or indirectly owns a 10 percent or greater interest in another, or a third entity directly or indirectly owns a 10 percent or greater interest in both.

(B) A processing facility is a shoreside crab processor or a stationary floating crab processor.

(3) PQS issued to Blue Dutch, LLC. (i) Pursuant to Public Law 109-241, NMFS issued 3,015,229 units of PQS for the BBR crab QS fishery and 7,516,253 units of PQS for the BSS crab QS fishery.

(ii) PQS units issued to Blue Dutch, LLC, under paragraph (e)(3)(i) of this section were assigned a regional designation according to the procedures established in paragraph (b)(2)(iv) of this section.

(iii) PQS units issued to Blue Dutch, LLC, under paragraph (e)(3)(i) of this section may not be transferred to any other person.

(f) Application for crab QS or PQS—(1) General. The Regional Administrator will issue QS and/or PQS to an applicant if a complete application for crab QS or PQS is submitted by or on behalf of the applicant during the specified application period, and if the applicant meets all criteria for eligibility as specified at paragraphs (b)(3) and (d)(3) of this section.

(i) The Regional Administrator will send application materials to the person identified by NMFS as an eligible applicant based on the official crab rationalization record. An application form may also be obtained from the Internet or requested from the Regional Administrator.

(ii) An application for crab QS or PQS may be submitted to NMFS as instructed on the application. Forms are available on the NMFS Alaska Region website at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov, or by contacting NMFS at 800-304-4846, Option 2.

(iii) An application that is postmarked, faxed, or hand delivered after the ending date for the application period for the Crab QS Program specified in the Federal Register will be denied.

(2) Contents of application. A complete application for crab QS or PQS must be signed by the applicant, or the individual representing the applicant, and include the following, as applicable:

(i) Type of QS or PQS for which the person is applying. Select the type of QS or PQS for which the applicant is applying.

(A) If applying for CVO QS or CPO QS, submit information required in paragraphs (f)(2)(ii) through (f)(2)(iv) of this section;

(B) If applying for CVC QS or CPC QS, submit information required in paragraphs (f)(2)(ii), (f)(2)(iii) and (f)(2)(v) of this section;

(C) If applying for PQS, submit information required in paragraphs (f)(2)(ii), (f)(2)(iii) and (f)(2)(vi) of this section.

(ii) Applicant information. (A) Enter the applicant's name, NMFS person ID (if applicable), tax ID or social security number (required), permanent business mailing address, business telephone number, facsimile number, and e-mail (if available);

(B) Indicate (YES or NO) whether applicant is a U.S. citizen; if YES, enter his or her date of birth. You must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. corporation, partnership, or other business entity to obtain CVO, CPO, CVC, or CPC QS.

(C) Indicate (YES or NO) whether applicant is a U.S. corporation, partnership, association, or other business entity; if YES, enter the date of incorporation;

(D) Indicate (YES or NO) whether applicant is deceased; if YES, enter date of death. A copy of the death certificate must be attached to the application;

(E) Indicate (YES or NO) whether applicant described in paragraph (f)(2)(ii)(C) of this section is no longer in existence; if YES, enter date of dissolution and attach evidence of dissolution to the application;

(iii) Fishery and QS/PQS type. Indicate the crab QS fishery and type of QS/PQS for which applying.

(iv) CVO or CPO QS. (A) For vessels whose catch histories are being claimed for purposes of the crab QS program, enter the following information: name of the vessel, ADF&G vessel registration number, USCG documentation number, moratorium crab permit number(s), and crab LLP license number(s) held by the applicant and used on that vessel, qualifying years or seasons fished by fishery, and dates during which those permits were used on that vessel.

(B) Indicate (YES or NO) whether applicant is applying for QS for any crab QS fishery for which the applicant purchased an LLP license prior to January 1, 2002, in order to remain in that fishery. If YES, include LLP crab license number, and the vessel's name, ADF&G vessel registration number, and USCG documentation number.

(C) Indicate (YES or NO) whether QS is being claimed based on the fishing history of a vessel that was lost or destroyed. If YES, include the name, ADF&G registration number, and USCG documentation number of the lost or destroyed vessel, the date the vessel was lost or destroyed, and evidence of the loss or destruction.

(D) Indicate (YES or NO) whether the lost or destroyed vessel described in paragraph (f)(2)(iv)(C) of this section was replaced with a newly constructed vessel. If YES, include the name, ADF&G vessel registration number, and USCG documentation number of the replacement vessel, date of vessel construction, and date vessel entered fishery(ies). Indicate (YES or NO) if the replacement vessel participated in a Bering Sea crab fishery by October 31, 2002. If YES, provide documentation of the replacement vessel's participation by October 31, 2002, in a Bering Sea crab fishery.

(E) If the applicant is applying for CPO QS, indicate (YES or NO) whether the applicant processed crab from any of the crab QS fisheries listed on Table 1 to this part on board a vessel authorized by one of the LLP licenses listed in paragraph (f)(2)(iv)(A) of this section in 1998 or 1999. If YES, enter information for the processed crab, including harvest area, date of landing, and crab species.

(v) CVC or CPC QS. (A) Indicate (YES or NO) whether applicant had at least one landing in three of the qualifying years for each crab species for which the applicant is applying for QS (see Table 7 to this part).

(B) Indicate (YES or NO) whether applicant has recent participation in a crab QS fishery as defined in Table 7 to this part.

(C) If the answer to paragraph (f)(2)(v)(A) or paragraph (f)(2)(v)(B) of this section is YES, enter State of Alaska Interim Use Permit number and the name, ADF&G vessel registration number, and USCG documentation number of vessel on which harvesting occurred. Select the qualifying years or seasons fished by QS fishery, and the dates during which those permits were used on that vessel;

(D) Indicate (YES or NO) whether a person is applying as the successor-in-interest to an eligible applicant. If YES, attach to the application documentation proving the person's status as a successor-in-interest and evidence of the death of the eligible applicant.

(vi) Processor QS. (A) Indicate (YES or NO) whether applicant processed any of the crab species included in the Crab QS program (see Table 1 to this part) in 1998 or 1999.

(B) If answer to paragraph (f)(2)(vi)(A) of this section is YES, enter the facility name and ADF&G processor code for each processing facility where crab, from any of the crab QS fisheries listed in Table 1 of this part, were processed and the qualifying years or seasons by fishery for which applicant is claiming eligibility for PQS.

(C) If answer to paragraph (f)(2)(vi)(A) of this section is NO, indicate (YES or NO) whether applicant is claiming eligibility under hardship provisions;

(D) If answer to paragraph (f)(2)(vi)(C) of this section is YES, both of the following provisions must apply to a processor to obtain hardship provisions. Attach documentation of the following circumstances:

(1) Applicant processed QS crab during 1998 or 1999, or processed BSS crab in each season between 1988 and 1997; and

(2) Applicant invested a total expenditure in excess of $1,000,000 for any processing facility, processing equipment, or a vessel for use in processing operations, including any improvements made to existing facilities from January 1, 1996, to June 10, 2002;

(E) Indicate (YES or NO) whether applicant has entered into a Community Right of First Refusal (ROFR) contract consistent with paragraph (f)(3) of this section pertaining to the transfer of any PQS and/or IPQ subject to ROFR and issued as a result of this application.

(F) Contract that the legal processing history and rights to apply for and receive PQS based on that legal processing history have been transferred or retained; and

(G) Any other information deemed necessary by the Regional Administrator.

(H) If applicant is applying to receive PQS for the WAG crab QS fishery, indicate (YES or NO) whether applicant owns a crab processing facility in the West region (see paragraph (b)(2) (iii) of this section).

(vii) Applicant signature and certification. The applicant must sign and date the application certifying that all information is true, correct, and complete to the best of his/her knowledge and belief. If the application is completed by an authorized representative, then authorization must accompany the application.

(3) Notice and contract provisions for community right of first refusal (ROFR) for initial issuance of PQS. (i) To be complete, an application for PQS from a person based on legal processing that occurred in an ECC, other than Adak, must also include an affidavit signed by the applicant stating that notice has been provided to the ECC of the applicant's intent to apply for PQS. If the ECC designates an entity to represent it in the exercise of ROFR under § 680.41(l), then the application also must include an affidavit of completion of a contract for ROFR that includes the terms enacted under section 313(j) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The affidavit must be signed by the applicant for initial allocation of PQS and the ECC entity designated under § 680.41(l)(2). A list of contract terms is available from the NMFS Alaska Region Web site at http://www.fakr.noaa.gov. A copy of these contract terms also will be made available by mail or facsimile by contacting the Regional Administrator at 907-586-7221.

(ii) To be complete, an application for crab QS or PQS from a person based on legal processing that occurred in the GOA north of a line at 56°20′ N. lat. must also include an affidavit signed by the applicant stating that notice has been provided to the City of Kodiak and Kodiak Island Borough of the applicant's intent to apply for PQS. If the City of Kodiak and Kodiak Island Borough designate an entity to represent it in the exercise of ROFR under § 680.41(l), then the application also must include an affidavit of completion of a contract for ROFR that includes the terms enacted under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2004 (Pub. L. 108-199) and that is signed by the applicant for initial allocation of PQS and the ECC entity designated by the City of Kodiak and Kodiak Island Borough under § 680.41(l)(2). A list of contract terms is available from the NMFS Alaska Region Web site at http://www.fakr.noaa.gov. A copy of these contract terms also will be made available by mail or facsimile by contacting the Regional Administrator at (907) 586-7221.

(4) Application evaluation. The Regional Administrator will evaluate Applications for Crab QS or PQS submitted during the specified application period and compare all claims in an application with the information in the official crab rationalization record. Claims in an application that are consistent with information in the official crab rationalization record will be accepted by the Regional Administrator. Inconsistent claims in the Applications for Crab QS or PQS, unless verified by documentation, will not be accepted. An applicant who submits inconsistent claims, or an applicant who fails to submit the information specified in paragraph (f)(2) of this section, will be provided a single 30-day evidentiary period as provided in paragraph (f)(5) of this section to submit the specified information, submit evidence to verify his or her inconsistent claims, or submit a revised application with claims consistent with information in the official crab rationalization record. An applicant who submits claims that are inconsistent with information in the official crab rationalization record has the burden of proving that the submitted claims are correct.

(5) Additional information or evidence. The Regional Administrator will evaluate additional information or evidence to support an applicant's inconsistent claims submitted prior to or within the 30-day evidentiary period. If the Regional Administrator determines that the additional information or evidence meets the applicant's burden of proving that the inconsistent claims in his or her application are correct, the official crab rationalization record will be amended and the information will be used in determining whether the applicant is eligible for QS or PQS. However, if the Regional Administrator determines that the additional information or evidence does not meet the applicant's burden of proving that the inconsistent claims in his or her application are correct, the applicant will be notified by an IAD, that the applicant did not meet the burden of proof to change the information in the official crab rationalization record.

(6) 30-day evidentiary period. The Regional Administrator will specify by letter a single 30-day evidentiary period during which an applicant may provide additional information or evidence to support the claims made in his or her application, or to submit a revised application with claims consistent with information in the official crab rationalization record, if the Regional Administrator determines that the applicant did not meet the burden of proving that the information on the application is correct through evidence provided with the application. Also, an applicant who fails to submit information as specified in paragraphs (b)(3)(iii) and (b)(3)(iv) of this section will have 30 days to provide that information. An applicant will be limited to one 30-day evidentiary period per application. Additional information or evidence, or a revised application, received after the 30-day evidentiary period specified in the letter has expired will not be considered for purposes of the IAD.

(7) Right of First Refusal (ROFR) contract provisions. If an ECC designates an entity to represent it in the exercise of ROFR under § 680.41(l), then the Regional Administrator will not prepare an IAD on unverified claims or issue PQS until an affidavit is received from the applicant confirming the completion of a civil contract for ROFR as required under section 313(j) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

(8) Initial administrative determinations (IAD). The Regional Administrator will prepare and send an IAD to the applicant following the expiration of the 30-day evidentiary period if the Regional Administrator determines that the information or evidence provided by the applicant fails to support the applicant's claims and is insufficient to rebut the presumption that the official crab rationalization record is correct, or if the additional information, evidence, or revised application is not provided within the time period specified in the letter that notifies the applicant of his or her 30-day evidentiary period. The IAD will indicate the deficiencies in the application, including any deficiencies with the information, the evidence submitted in support of the information, or the revised application. The IAD will also indicate which claims cannot be approved based on the available information or evidence. An applicant who receives an IAD may appeal pursuant to § 679.43. An applicant who avails himself or herself of the opportunity to appeal an IAD will not receive crab QS or PQS until after the final resolution of that appeal in the applicant's favor.

(g) Annual allocation of IFQ—(1) General. IFQ is assigned based on the underlying QS. Except for CVC and CPC QS permit holders who fail to meet the participation requirements at paragraph (g)(2) of this section, the Regional Administrator shall assign crab IFQs to each person who holds QS and submits a complete annual application for crab IFQ/IPQ permit as described under § 680.4. IFQ will be assigned to a crab QS fishery with the appropriate regional designation, QS sector, and IFQ class. This amount will represent the maximum amount of crab that may be harvested from the specified crab QS fishery by the person to whom it is assigned during the specified crab fishing year, unless the IFQ assignment is changed by the Regional Administrator because of an approved transfer, revoked, suspended, or modified under 15 CFR part 904.

(2) Eligibility for CVC and CPC IFQ. For each crab fishing year after June 30, 2018, individuals holding CVC or CPC QS permits must meet the participation requirements set forth in paragraphs (g)(2)(i) or (g)(2)(ii) of this section in order to receive CVC or CPC IFQ unless the CVC or CPC QS permit holder meets the exemption provided in paragraph (g)(2)(iii) of this section.

(i) The individual has participated as crew in at least one delivery of crab in any CR crab fishery during the three crab fishing years preceding the crab fishing year for which the individual is filing an annual crab IFQ permit application. If the individual holds C share QS in a single CR crab fishery and that CR crab fishery is closed to fishing for an entire crab fishing year, NMFS will exclude that crab fishing year when determining whether the individual has satisfied this participation requirement.

(ii) The individual was an initial recipient of CVC or CPC QS and participated as crew in at least 30 days of fishing in a commercial fishery managed by the State of Alaska or in a U.S. commercial fishery in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska during the three crab fishing years preceding the crab fishing year for which the individual is filing an annual crab IFQ permit application. Individuals may combine participation as crew in State and Federal commercial fisheries to meet this requirement. If the individual holds C share QS in a single CR crab fishery and that CR crab fishery is closed to fishing for an entire crab fishing year, NMFS will exclude that crab fishing year when determining whether the individual has satisfied this participation requirement.

(iii) All of the CVC or CPC QS permits held by the individual were acquired using the eligibility criteria in 50 CFR 680.41(c)(1)(vii)(B) and the individual has held those CVC or CPC QS permits for less than three full crab fishing years.

(3) Withholding of CVC or CPC IFQ. Beginning July 1, 2018, the Regional Administrator will withhold issuance of CVC or CPC IFQ to an individual who has not met the participation requirements set forth in paragraph (g)(2) of this section. The Regional Administrator will withhold an individual's CVC IFQ or CPC IFQ in accordance with the procedures set forth in paragraphs (g)(3)(i) and (ii) of this section.

(i) Notice of C Share IFQ Withholding. The Regional Administrator will issue a Notice of C Share IFQ Withholding to an individual holding CVC or CPC QS if, after reviewing the CVC or CPC QS holder's Application for Annual Crab IFQ Permit, the Regional Administrator determines that the CVC or CPC QS holder has failed to meet the participation requirements in paragraph (g)(2) of this section. A CVC or CPC QS holder who receives a Notice of C Share IFQ Withholding will have 30 days to provide the Regional Administrator with information demonstrating participation as crew that meets the requirements of paragraph (g)(2) of this section.

(ii) Initial administrative determination (IAD). The Regional Administrator will prepare and send an IAD to the CVC or CPC QS holder following the expiration of the 30-day evidentiary period if the Regional Administrator determines that the information or evidence provided by the CVC or CPC QS holder fails to demonstrate participation as crew and is insufficient to rebut the information included in the CVC or CPC QS holder's Applications for Annual Crab IFQ Permit, or if the additional information or evidence is not provided within the time period specified in the Notice of C Share IFQ Withholding. The IAD will explain the basis for the withholding of IFQ. A CVC or CPC QS holder who receives an IAD withholding IFQ may appeal under the appeals procedures set forth at 15 CFR part 906. A CVC or CPC QS holder who avails himself or herself of the opportunity to appeal an IAD withholding IFQ will not receive crab IFQ until after the final resolution of that appeal in the QS holder's favor.

(h) Calculation of annual IFQ allocation—(1) General. (i) The annual allocation of IFQ to any person (p) in any crab QS fishery (f) will be based on the TAC of crab for that crab QS fishery less the allocation to the Western Alaska CDQ Program (“CDQ Reserve”) and Western Aleutian Islands golden king crab fishery. Expressed algebraically, the annual IFQ allocation formula is as follows:

(A) IFQ TACf = TACf − (CDQ Reservef + Allocation for the Western Aleutian Island golden king crab fishery)

(B) IFQpf = IFQ TACf × (QSpf/QS poolf)

(ii) CVO, CPO, CVC, and CPC IFQ. Each year, 3 percent of the IFQ TACf will be allocated as CVC IFQ or CPC IFQ and 97 percent of the IFQ TACf will be allocated as CVO IFQ or CPO IFQ. Expressed algebraically, the formulas for the annual IFQ allocations are as follows:

(A) CVC/CPC IFQf = IFQ TACf × 0.03

(B) CVO/CPO IFQf = IFQ TACf × 0.97

(2) Class A/B IFQ. (i) QS shall yield Class A or Class B IFQ if:

(A) Initially assigned to the CVO QS sector; or

(B) Transferred to the CVO QS sector from the CPO QS sector.

(ii) The Class A/B IFQ TAC is the portion of the TAC assigned as Class A/B IFQ under paragraphs (h)(2)(i)(A) and (B) of this section.

(3) Class A/B IFQ issuance ratio. (i) Class A and Class B IFQ shall be assigned on an annual basis such that the total amount of Class A and B IFQ assigned in a crab fishing year in each crab QS fishery for each region will be in a ratio of 90 percent Class A IFQ and 10 percent Class B IFQ.

(ii) The Regional Administrator will determine the amount of Class A and Class B IFQ that is assigned to each QS holder. The Class A IFQ is calculated by allocating 90 percent of the Class A/B IFQ TAC (TAC a) to Class A IFQ. A portion of the IFQ TAC a is allocated to persons eligible to hold only Class A IFQ (TAC a only), the remaining IFQ TAC (TAC r) is allocated for harvest by a person (p) eligible to receive both Class A IFQ and Class B IFQ. Expressed algebraically, for an individual person (p) eligible to hold both Class A and Class B IFQ the annual allocation formula is as follows:

(A) TACa = Class A/B IFQ TAC × 0.90

(B) TACr = TACa−TACa only

(C) IFQap = TACr/(Class A/B IFQ TAC−TACa only) × IFQp

(D) IFQbp = IFQp−IFQap

(4) Class A IFQ and Class B IFQ issuance to IPQ holders. If a person holds IPQ and IFQ, than that person will be issued Class A IFQ only for the amount of IFQ equal to the amount of IPQ held by that person. Any remaining IFQ held by that person will be issued as Class A and Class B IFQ in a ratio so that the total Class A and Class B IFQ issued in that crab QS fishery is issued as 90 percent Class A IFQ and 10 percent Class B IFQ;

(5) Class A IFQ and Class B IFQ issuance to persons affiliated with IPQ holders. If an IPQ holder holds IPQ in excess of the amount of IFQ held by that person, all IFQ holders affiliated with that IPQ holder will receive only Class A IFQ in proportion to the amount of IFQ held by those affiliated persons relative to that amount of IPQ held by that IPQ holder. Any remaining IFQ held by persons affiliated with the IPQ holder will be issued as Class A and Class B IFQ in a ratio so that the total Class A and Class B IFQ issued in that fishery is issued as 90 percent Class A IFQ and 10 percent Class B IFQ.

(6) CVC IFQ. (i) QS that is initially allocated to the CVC QS sector shall yield CVC IFQ.

(ii) CVC IFQ is not subject to regional designation.

(7) CPO IFQ. (i) QS that is initially allocated to the CPO QS sector shall yield CPO IFQ.

(ii) CPO IFQ is not subject to regional designation.

(8) CPC IFQ. (i) QS that is initially allocated to the CPC QS sector shall yield CPC IFQ.

(ii) CPC IFQ is not subject to regional designation.

(9) QS amounts for IFQ calculation. For purposes of calculating IFQ for any crab fishing year, the amount of a person's QS and the amount of the QS pool for any crab QS fishery will be the amounts on record with the Alaska Region, NMFS, at the time of calculation.

(10) Class A IFQ. (i) The amount of Class A IFQ issued in excess of the IPQ issuance limits for the BSS or BBR crab QS fisheries, as described in paragraph (j)(3) of this section, will be issued to all Class A IFQ recipients on a pro rata basis in proportion to the amount of Class A IFQ held by each person.

(ii) Any amount of Class A IFQ that is issued in excess of the IPQ issuance limits for the BSS or BBR crab QS fisheries, as described in paragraph (j)(3) of this section, is not required to be delivered to an RCR with unused IPQ.

(i) Annual allocation of IPQ. IPQ is assigned based on the underlying PQS. The Regional Administrator shall assign crab IPQs to each person who submits a complete annual application for crab IFQ/IPQ permit as described under § 680.4. Each assigned IPQ will be specific to a crab QS fishery with the appropriate regional designation. This amount will represent the maximum amount of crab that may be received from the specified crab QS fishery by the person to whom it is assigned during the specified crab fishing year, unless the IPQ assignment is changed by the Regional Administrator because of an approved transfer, revoked, suspended, or modified under 15 CFR part 904.

(j) Calculation of annual IPQ allocation—(1) General. The annual allocation of TAC to PQS and the resulting IPQ in any crab QS fishery (f) is the Class A IFQ TAC (TACa). A person's annual IPQ is based on the amount of PQS held by a person (PQS p) divided by the PQS pool for that crab QS fishery for all PQS holders (PQS pool f). Expressed algebraically, the annual IPQ allocation formula is as follows:

IPQpf = TACaf × PQSpf/PQS poolf.

(2) PQS amounts for IPQ calculation. For purposes of calculating IPQs for any crab fishing year, the amount of a person's PQS and the amount of the PQS pool for any crab PQS fishery will be the amounts on record with the Alaska Region, NMFS, at the time of calculation.

(3) IPQ issuance limits. The amount of IPQ issued in any crab fishing year shall not exceed:

(i) 157,500,000 raw crab pounds (71,441.5 mt) in the BSS crab QS fishery; and

(ii) 18,000,000 raw crab pounds (8,164.7 mt) in the BBR crab QS fishery.

(4) IPQ issued to Blue Dutch, LLC—(i) BBR IPQ. For each crab fishing year that the total allowable catch for BBR CR crab is greater than 15,732,480 lb (7,136.2 mt), NMFS will issue IPQ for the 3,015,229 units of PQS issued to Blue Dutch, LLC, pursuant to Public Law 109-241.

(ii) BSS IPQ. For each crab fishing year that the total allowable catch for BSS CR crab is greater than 21,350,640 lb (9,684.6 mt), NMFS will issue IPQ for the 7,516,253 units of PQS issued to Blue Dutch, LLC, pursuant to Public Law 109-241.

(k) Timing for issuance of IFQ or IPQ. IFQ and IPQ will be issued once the TAC for that crab QS fishery in that crab fishing year has been specified by the State of Alaska. All IFQ and IPQ for all persons will be issued once for a crab fishing year for a crab QS fishery. QS issued after NMFS has issued annual IFQ for a crab QS fishery for a crab fishing year will not result in IFQ for that crab QS fishery for that crab fishing year.

(l) Harvesting and processing privilege. QS and PQS allocated or permits issued pursuant to this part do not represent either an absolute right to the resource or any interest that is subject to the “takings” provision of the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Rather, such QS, PQS, or permits represent only a harvesting or processing privilege that may be revoked or amended pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable law. IPQs do not create a right, title, or interest in any crab until that crab is purchased from a fisherman.

(m) Participation requirements for retention of CVC QS and CPC QS. (1) Beginning July 1, 2019, and each crab fishing year thereafter, individuals allocated CVC QS or CPC QS must meet the participation requirements set forth in paragraphs (m)(2)(i) or (m)(2)(ii) of this section in order to retain their CVC QS or CPC QS unless the CVC or CPC QS holder meets the exemption provided in paragraph (m)(5) of this section.

(2)(i) The individual has participated as crew in at least one delivery of crab in any CR crab fishery during the previous four consecutive crab fishing years. If the individual holds C share QS in a single CR crab fishery and that CR crab fishery is closed to fishing for an entire crab fishing year, NMFS will exclude that crab fishing year when determining whether the individual has satisfied this participation requirement.

(ii) The individual was an initial recipient of CVC QS or CPC QS and participated as crew in at least 30 days of fishing in a commercial fishery managed by the State of Alaska or in a U.S. commercial fishery in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska during the previous four consecutive crab fishing years. Individuals may combine participation as crew in State and Federal commercial fisheries to meet this requirement. If the individual holds C share QS in a single CR crab fishery and that CR crab fishery is closed to fishing for an entire crab fishing year, NMFS will exclude that crab fishing year when determining whether the individual has satisfied this participation requirement.

(3) An individual issued a CVC QS or CPC QS permit may include information demonstrating compliance with the participation requirements in paragraph (m)(2) of this section with the individual's annual Application for Crab IFQ.

(4) If an individual issued a CVC QS or CPC QS permit fails to meet the participation requirements in paragraph (m)(2) of this section or fails to qualify for the exemption in paragraph (m)(5) of this section, NMFS will revoke all of the individual's CVC QS or CPC QS in accordance with § 680.43.

(5) All of the CVC or CPC QS permits held by the individual were acquired using the eligibility criteria in § 680.41(c)(1)(vii)(B) and the individual has held those CVC or CPC QS permits for less than four full crab fishing years.

[70 FR 10241, Mar. 2, 2005, as amended at 70 FR 33395, June 8, 2005; 70 FR 75421, Dec. 20, 2005; 71 FR 32864, June 7, 2006; 73 FR 29983, May 23, 2008; 73 FR 30320, May 27, 2008; 73 FR 35088, June 20, 2008; 73 FR 76190, Dec. 15, 2008; 74 FR 51520, Oct. 7, 2009; 80 FR 15897, Mar. 26, 2015; 87 FR 42394, July 15, 2022]

(a) General. (1) Transfer of crab QS, PQS, IFQ, or IPQ means any transaction, approved by NMFS, requiring QS or PQS, or the use thereof in the form of IFQ or IPQ, to pass from one person to another, permanently or for a fixed period of time, except that:

(2) A crab IFQ hired master permit issued by NMFS, as described in § 680.4, is not a transfer of crab QS or IFQ; and

(3) The use of IFQ assigned to a crab harvesting cooperative and used within that cooperative is not a transfer of IFQ.

(b) Transfer applications—(1) Application. An application is required to transfer any amount of QS, PQS, IFQ, or IPQ. A transfer application will not be approved until the necessary eligibility application has been submitted and approved by NMFS in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section. The Regional Administrator will not approve any transfers of QS, PQS, IFQ, or IPQ in any crab QS fishery from June 15 until either the date of the issuance of IFQ or IPQ for that crab QS fishery, or the date on which the State of Alaska announces that a crab QS fishery will not open for that crab fishing year.

(2) Notification of application approval or disapproval. Persons submitting any application for approval under § 680.41 will receive notification of the Regional Administrator's decision to approve or disapprove the application, and if applicable, the reason(s) for disapproval.

(3) Reasons for disapproval. Reasons for disapproval of an application include, but are not limited to:

(i) Lack of U.S. citizenship, where U.S. citizenship is required;

(ii) Failure to meet minimum requirements for sea time as a member of a harvesting crew;

(iii) An incomplete application, including fees and an EDR, if required;

(iv) An untimely application; or

(v) Fines, civil penalties, or other payments due and owing, or outstanding permit sanctions resulting from Federal fishery violations.

(4) QS, PQS, IFQ, or IPQ accounts. (i) QS, PQS, IFQ, or IPQ accounts affected by a transfer approved by the Regional Administrator will change on the date of approval.

(ii) For non-electronic submittals, any necessary IFQ or IPQ permits will be sent with the notification of approval if the receiver of the IFQ or IPQ permit has completed an annual application for crab IFQ or IPQ permit for the current fishing year as required under § 680.4.

(iii) For electronic submittals, the parties to the transfer would access and print approvals and permits online.

(5) Submittal. Submit applications and other documents to NMFS as instructed on the application. Forms are available on the NMFS Alaska Region website at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov, or by contacting NMFS at: 800-304-4846, Option 2.

(c) Eligibility to receive QS, PQS, IFQ, or IPQ by transfer. Persons, other than persons initially issued QS or PQS, must establish eligibility to receive QS, PQS, IFQ, or IPQ by transfer.

(1) To be eligible to receive QS, PQS, IFQ, or IPQ by transfer, a person must first meet the requirements specified in the following table:

(2) Application for eligibility to receive QS/IFQ and PQS/IPQ by transfer. (i) This application is required to establish a person's eligibility to receive QS, PQS, IFQ, or IPQ by transfer, if the person is not an ECCO. See paragraph (j) of this section for eligibility to transfer of QS/IFQ to or from an ECCO. The Regional Administrator shall provide an application to any person on request or on the Internet at http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/.

(ii) Contents. A complete Application for Eligibility to Receive QS/IFQ or PQS/IPQ by Transfer must include the following:

(A) Type of QS, IFQ, PQS, or IPQ for which the applicant is seeking eligibility. Indicate type of QS, IFQ, PQS, IPQ for which applicant is seeking eligibility.

(1) If seeking CVO or CPO QS/IFQ, complete paragraphs (c)(2)(ii)(B), (c)(2)(ii)(D) if applicable, (c)(2)(ii)(E), and (c)(2)(ii)(F) of this section;

(2) If seeking CVC or CPC QS/IFQ, complete paragraphs (c)(2)(ii)(B), (c)(2)(ii)(C), (c)(2)(ii)(E), and (c)(2)(ii)(F) of this section;

(3) If seeking PQS/IPQ, complete paragraphs (c)(2)(ii)(B) and (c)(2)(ii)(F) of this section;

(B) Applicant information. (1) Enter applicant's name and NMFS Person ID, applicant's date of birth or, if not an individual, date of incorporation; applicant's social security number or tax ID number; applicant's permanent business mailing address and any temporary business mailing address the applicant wishes to use, and the applicant's business telephone number, business facsimile number, and e-mail address (if available).

(2) Indicate (YES or NO) whether the applicant is a U.S. citizen or U.S. corporation, partnership or other business entity. Applicants for CVO, CPO, CVC or CPC QS (and associated IFQ) must be U.S. Citizens or U.S. Corporations, Partnerships or Other Business Entity. Applicants for PQS (and associated IPQ) are not required to be U.S. Citizens.

(C) Eligibility for CVC or CPC QS/IFQ. Indicate (YES or NO) whether this application is intended for a person who wishes to buy CVC or CPC QS/IFQ. If YES, provide evidence demonstrating that the applicant meets the criteria set forth in paragraph (c)(1)(vii) of this section. Acceptable evidence is limited to an ADF&G fish ticket imprinted with the applicant's State of Alaska permit card and signed by the applicant, an affidavit from the vessel owner, or a signed receipt for an IFQ crab landing on which the applicant was acting as the permit holder's crab IFQ hired master.

(D) U.S. Corporations, partnerships, or business entities. (1) Indicate (YES or NO) whether this application is submitted by a CDQ Group. If YES, complete paragraph (c)(2)(ii)(F) of this section;

(2) Indicate (YES or NO) whether this application is submitted on behalf of a corporation, partnership or other business entity (not including CDQ groups). If YES: At least one member of the corporation, partnership or other business entity must submit documentation showing at least 20 percent interest in the corporation, partnership, or other entity and must provide evidence of at least 150 days as part of a harvesting crew in any U.S. commercial fishery. Identify the individual member and provide this individual's commercial fishing experience, name, NMFS person ID, and social security number, and business mailing address, business telephone number, and business facsimile number.

(E) Commercial fishing experience. (1) Species; enter any targeted species in a U.S. commercial fishery;

(2) Gear Type; enter any gear type used to legally harvest in a U.S. commercial fishery;

(3) Location; enter actual regulatory, statistical, or geographic harvesting location;

(4) Starting date and ending date of claimed fishing period (MMYY);

(5) Number of actual days spent harvesting;

(6) Duties performed while directly involved in the harvesting of (be specific):

(7) Name and ADF&G vessel registration number or USCG documentation number of the vessel upon which above duties were performed;

(8) Name of vessel owner;

(9) Name of vessel operator;

(10) Reference name. Enter the name of a person (other than applicant) who is able to verify the above experience;

(11) Reference's relationship to applicant;

(12) Reference's business mailing address and telephone number.

(F) Applicant certification. (1) Printed name and signature of applicant and date signed;

(2) [Reserved]

(G) Verification that the applicant applying for eligibility to receive crab QS/IFQ or PQS/IPQ by transfer has submitted an EDR, if required to do so under § 680.6;

(H) A non-profit entity seeking approval to receive crab QS or IFQ by transfer on behalf of a ECC must first complete an Application to Become an ECCO under paragraph (j) of this section.

(d) Transfer of CVO, CPO, CVC, CPC QS or PQS—(1) General. PQS or QS may be transferred, with approval of the Regional Administrator, to persons qualified to receive PQS or QS by transfer. However, the Regional Administrator will not approve a transfer of any type of PQS or QS that would cause a person to exceed the maximum amount of PQS or QS allowable under the use limits provided for in § 680.42, except as provided for under paragraph (f) of this section.

(2) CVO QS. CVO QS may be transferred to any person eligible to receive CVO or CPO QS as defined under paragraph (c) of this section.

(3) CPO QS. Persons holding CPO QS may transfer CPO QS as CVO QS and PQS to eligible recipients under the following provisions:

(i) Each unit of CPO QS shall yield 1 unit of CVO QS, and 0.9 units of PQS; and

(ii) The CVO QS and PQS derived from the transfer of CPO QS may be transferred separately, except that these shares must receive the same regional designation. The regional designation shall be determined at the time of transfer by the person receiving the CVO QS.

(4) CVC or CPC QS. CVC or CPC QS may be transferred to any person eligible to receive CVC or CPC QS as defined under paragraph (c) of this section. CVC and CPC QS may only be used in the sector for which it is originally designated.

(e) Transfer of IFQ or IPQ by Lease—(1) IFQ derived from CVO or CPO QS. IFQ derived from CVO or CPO QS may be transferred by lease until June 30, 2010. IFQ derived from CVO or CPO QS must be leased:

(i) If the IFQ will be used on a vessel on which the QS holder has less than a 10 percent ownership interest; or

(ii) If the IFQ will be used on a vessel on which the QS holder or the holder of a crab IFQ hired master permit, under § 680.4, is not present.

(2) Ownership of a vessel, for the purposes of this section, means:

(i) A sole proprietor; or

(ii) A relationship between 2 or more entities in which one directly or indirectly owns a 10 percent or greater interest in a vessel.

(3) IFQ derived from CVC QS or CPC QS. IFQ derived from CVC or CPC QS may be transferred by lease on an annual basis.

(4) IPQ derived from PQS. IPQ derived from PQS may be leased.

(f) Transfer of QS, PQS, IFQ or IPQ with restrictions. If QS, PQS, IFQ or IPQ must be transferred as a result of a court order, operation of law, or as part of a security agreement, but the person receiving the QS, PQS, IFQ or IPQ by transfer does not meet the eligibility requirements of this section, the Regional Administrator will approve, with restrictions, an Application for transfer of crab QS/IFQ or PQS/IPQ. The Regional Administrator will not assign IFQ or IPQ resulting from the restricted QS or PQS to any person. IFQ or IPQ with restrictions may not be used for harvesting or processing species covered under the CR program. The QS, PQS, IFQ or IPQ will remain restricted until:

(1) The person who received the QS, PQS, IFQ or IPQ with restrictions meets the eligibility requirements of this section and the Regional Administrator approves an application for eligibility for that person; or

(2) The Regional Administrator approves the application for transfer from the person who received the QS, PQS, IFQ or IPQ with restrictions to a person who meets the eligibility requirements of this section.

(g) Survivorship transfer privileges. (1) On the death of an individual who holds QS or PQS, the surviving spouse or, in the absence of a surviving spouse, a beneficiary designated pursuant to paragraph (g)(3) of this section, receives all QS, PQS and IFQ or IPQ held by the decedent by right of survivorship, unless a contrary intent was expressed by the decedent in a will. The Regional Administrator will approve an application for transfer to the surviving spouse or designated beneficiary when sufficient evidence has been provided to verify the death of the individual.

(2) A QS or PQS holder may provide the Regional Administrator with the name of the designated beneficiary from the QS or PQS holder's immediate family to receive survivorship transfer privileges in the event of the QS or PQS holders death and in the absence of a surviving spouse.

(3) The Regional Administrator will approve, for 3 calendar years following the date of the death of an individual, an Application for transfer of crab QS/IFQ or PQS/IPQ from the surviving spouse or, in the absence of a surviving spouse, a beneficiary from the QS or PQS holder's immediate family designated pursuant to this section, to a person eligible to receive IFQ or IPQ under the provisions of this section, notwithstanding the limitations on transfers of IFQ and IPQ in this section and the use limitations under § 680.42.

(h) Applications for transfer—(1) Application for transfer of crab IFQ. NMFS will process a request for transfer of crab individual fishing quota (IFQ) provided that a paper application is completed, with all information fields accurately filled in, and all required additional documentation is attached. The transferor's and the transferee's designated representatives must sign and date the application certifying that all information is true, correct, and complete. The transferor's designated representative must submit the paper application as indicated on the application.

(2) Application for transfer of crab IPQ—(i) Completed application. NMFS will process a request for transfer of crab individual processor quota (IPQ) provided that a paper or electronic request form is completed, with all information fields accurately filled in, and all required additional documentation is attached.

(ii) Certification of transferor—(A) Non-electronic submittal. The transferor's designated representative must sign and date the application certifying that all information is true, correct, and complete. The transferor's designated representative must submit the paper application as indicated on the application.

(B) Electronic submittal. The transferor's designated representative must log into the system and create a transfer request as indicated on the computer screen. By using the transferor's NMFS ID, password, and Transfer Key and submitting the transfer request, the designated representative certifies that all information is true, correct, and complete.

(iii) Certification of transferee—(A) Non-electronic submittal. The transferee's designated representative must sign and date the application certifying that all information is true, correct, and complete.

(B) Electronic submittal. The transferee's designated representative must log into the system and accept the transfer request as indicated on the computer screen. By using the transferee's NMFS ID, password and Transfer Key and submitting the transfer request, the designated representative certifies that all information is true, correct, and complete.

(3) Application for transfer of crab QS or PQS. NMFS will process a request for transfer of crab quota share (QS) or crab processor quota share (PQS) provided that a paper request form is completed and notarized, with all information fields accurately filled in, and all required additional documentation is attached. The transferor's and the transferee's designated representatives must sign and date the application certifying that all information is true, correct, and complete.

(i) Approval criteria for an Application for transfer of crab QS/IFQ or PQS/IPQ. Except as provided in paragraph (f) of this section, an application for transfer of QS/IFQ or PQS/IPQ will not be approved until the Regional Administrator has determined that:

(1) The person applying to receive the QS, PQS, IFQ or IPQ meets the requirements of eligibility in paragraph (c) of this section;

(2) The person applying for transfer and the person applying to receive QS or IFQ/IPQ have their signatures on the application;

(3) No fines, civil penalties, or other payments due and owing, or outstanding permit sanctions, resulting from Federal fishery violations involving either party exist;

(4) The person applying to receive QS, PQS, IFQ or IPQ currently exists;

(5) The transfer would not cause the person applying to receive the QS, PQS, IFQ or IPQ to exceed the use limits in § 680.42;

(6) The person applying to make or receive the QS, PQS, IFQ or IPQ transfer has paid all IFQ or IPQ fees described under § 680.44; or has timely appealed the IAD of underpayment as described under § 680.44;

(7) The person applying to make or receive the QS, PQS, IFQ or IPQ transfer has submitted an EDR, if required to do so under § 680.6;

(8) In the case of an application for transfer of PQS or IPQ for use outside an ECC that has designated an entity to represent it in exercise of ROFR under paragraph (l) of this section:

(i) The Regional Administrator will not act upon the application for a period of 10 days. At the end of that time period, the application will be approved pending meeting the criteria set forth in paragraph (i) of this section.

(ii) The person applying to transfer PQS subject to ROFR must include an affidavit certifying that the ECC entity was provided with notice of the proposed transfer at least 90 days prior to the date of the transfer application and that the ECC entity did not exercise its ROFR during that period.

(iii) The person applying to receive the PQS must include an affidavit certifying that a ROFR contract that includes the ROFR contract terms specified in Chapter 11 section 3.4.4.1.2 of the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs has been completed with an ECC entity eligible to hold a ROFR under paragraph (l) of this section and that represents an ECC within the region for which the PQS is designated.

(9) In the case of an application for transfer of PQS for use within an ECC that has designated an entity to represent it in exercise of ROFR under paragraph (l) of this section, the Regional Administrator will not approve the application unless the proposed recipient of the PQS and the ECC entity provide an affidavit to the Regional Administrator certifying that either the ECC wishes to permanently waive ROFR for the PQS or that a ROFR contract that includes the ROFR contract terms specified in Chapter 11 section 3.4.4.1.2 of the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs has been completed by the proposed recipient of the PQS and the ECC entity.

(10) Other pertinent information requested on the application for transfer has been supplied to the satisfaction of the Regional Administrator.

(11) The person applying to receive the CVC QS or IFQ or CPC QS or IFQ by transfer has submitted proof of at least one delivery of a crab species in any CR crab fishery in the 365 days prior to submission to NMFS of the Application for transfer of crab QS/IFQ or PQS/IPQ, except if eligible under the eligibility requirements in paragraph (c)(1)(vii)(B) of this section. Proof of this landing is—

(i) Signature of the applicant on an ADF&G fish ticket; or

(ii) An affidavit from the vessel owner attesting to that person's participation as a member of a fish harvesting crew on board a vessel during a landing of a crab QS species within the 365 days prior to submission of an Application for transfer of crab QS/IFQ or PQS/IPQ.

(j) Transfer of crab QS/IFQ to or from and ECCO—(1) Designation of an ECCO. (i) The appropriate governing body of each ECC may designate a non-profit organization to serve as the ECCO for that ECC. To transfer and hold QS on the behalf of that ECC, this designation must be submitted by the non-profit organization in its Application to Become an ECCO.

(ii) If the non-profit entity is approved by NMFS to serve as the ECCO, then the appropriate governing body of the ECC must authorize the transfer of any QS from the ECCO.

(iii) The appropriate governing body for purposes of designating a non-profit organization for the Application to Become an ECCO, or acknowledging the transfer of any QS from an ECCO in each ECC is as follows:

(A) If the ECC is also a community eligible to participate in the Western Alaska CDQ Program, then the CDQ group is the appropriate governing body;

(B) If the ECC is not a CDQ community and is incorporated as a municipality and is not within an incorporated borough, then the municipal government is the appropriate governing body;

(C) If the ECC is not a CDQ community and is incorporated as a municipality and also within an incorporated borough, then the municipality and borough jointly serve as the appropriate governing body and both must agree to designate the same non-profit organization to serve as the ECCO or acknowledge the transfer of QS from the ECCO; and

(D) If the ECC is not a CDQ community and is not incorporated as a municipality and is in a borough, then the borough in which the ECC is located is the appropriate governing body.

(iv) The appropriate governing body in each ECC may designate only one non-profit organization to serve as the ECCO for that community at any one time.

(2) Application to become an ECCO. Prior to initially receiving QS or IFQ by transfer on behalf of a specific ECC, a non-profit organization that intends to represent that ECC as a ECCO must submit an application to become an ECCO and have that application approved by the Regional Administrator. The Regional Administrator shall provide an application to become an ECCO to any person on request or on the Internet at http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/.

(i) Contents of application—(A) Applicant identification. (1) Enter the name of the non-profit organization, taxpayer ID number, and NMFS Person ID, applicant's permanent business mailing address and any temporary business mailing address the applicant wishes to use, and the name of contact person, business telephone number, business facsimile number, and e-mail address (if available);

(2) Name of community or communities represented by the non-profit organization; and

(3) Name of contact person for the governing body of each community represented.

(B) Required attachments to the application. (1) The articles of incorporation under the laws of the State of Alaska for that non-profit organization;

(2) A statement indicating the ECC(s) represented by that non-profit organization for purposes of holding QS;

(3) The bylaws of the non-profit organization;

(4) A list of key personnel of the management organization including, but not limited to, the board of directors, officers, representatives, and any managers;

(5) Additional contact information of the managing personnel for the non-profit organization and resumes of management personnel;

(6) A description of how the non-profit organization is qualified to manage QS on behalf of the ECC it is designated to represent, and a demonstration that the non-profit organization has the management skills and technical expertise to manage QS and IFQ; and

(7) A statement describing the procedures that will be used to determine the distribution of IFQ to residents of the ECC represented by that non-profit organization, including procedures used to solicit requests from residents to lease IFQ and criteria used to determine the distribution of IFQ leases among qualified community residents and the relative weighting of those criteria.

(C) Applicant certification. (1) Printed name of applicant or authorized agent, signature, and date signed. If authorized agent, proof of authorization to act on behalf of the applicant must be provided with the application.

(2) [Reserved]

(ii) [Reserved]

(k) Application for transfer of crab QS/IFQ to or from an ECCO. (1) An application for transfer of crab QS/IFQ to or from an ECCO must be approved by the Regional Administrator before the transferee may use the IFQ to harvest crab QS species.

(2) An application for transfer of crab QS/IFQ to or from an ECCO will not be approved until the Regional Administrator has reviewed and approved the transfer agreement signed by the parties to the transaction. Persons who submit an application for transfer of crab QS/IFQ to or from an ECCO for approval will receive notification of the Regional Administrator's decision to approve or disapprove the application, and if applicable, the reason(s) for disapproval, by mail, unless another communication mode is requested on the application.

(3) Contents. A complete application for transfer of crab QS/IFQ to or from an ECCO includes the following:

(i) General requirements. (A) This form may only be used if an ECCO is the proposed transferor or the proposed transferee of the QS or IFQ.

(B) The party to whom an ECCO is seeking to transfer the QS/IFQ must be eligible to receive QS/IFQ by transfer.

(C) If the ECCO is applying to permanently transfer QS, a representative of the community on whose behalf the QS is held must sign the application.

(D) If authorized representative represents either the transferor or transferee, proof of authorization to act on behalf of transferor or transferee must be attached to the application.

(ii) Transferor information. Enter the transferor's (person currently holding the QS or IFQ) name, NMFS Person ID, social security number or Tax ID, permanent business mailing address, business telephone, business facsimile, and business e-mail address. If transferor is an ECCO, enter the name of ECC represented by the ECCO. The transferor may also provide a temporary address for each transaction in addition to the permanent business mailing address.

(iii) Transferee information. Enter the transferee's (person receiving QS or IFQ by transfer) name, NMFS Person ID, social security number or Tax ID, permanent business mailing address, business telephone, business facsimile, and business e-mail. If transferee is an ECCO, name of the community (ECC) represented by the ECCO. The transferee may also provide a temporary address for each transaction in addition to the permanent business mailing address.

(iv) Identification of QS/IFQ to be transferred. Complete the following information if QS and IFQ are to be transferred together or if transferring only QS:

(A) QS species;

(B) QS type;

(C) Number of QS or IFQ units to be transferred;

(D) Total QS units;

(E) Number of IFQ pounds;

(F) Range of serial numbers to be transferred (shown on QS certificate) numbered to and from;

(G) Name of community to which QS are currently assigned; and

(H) Indicate (YES or NO) whether remaining IFQ pounds for the current fishing year should be transferred; if NO, specify the number of pounds to be transferred.

(v) Transfer of IFQ only. (A) IFQ permit number and year of permit, and

(B) Actual number of IFQ pounds to be transferred.

(vi) Transferor Information, if an ECCO. Reason(s) for transfer:

(A) ECCO management and administration;

(B) Fund additional QS purchase;

(C) Participation by community residents;

(D) Dissolution of ECCO; and

(E) Other (specify).

(vii) Price paid for QS, PQS, and/or IFQ, IPQ (Transferor). The transferor must provide the following information:

(A) Whether (YES or NO) a broker was used for this transaction; If YES, provide dollar amount paid in brokerage fees or percentage of total price;

(B) Provide the total amount paid for the QS/IFQ in this transaction, including all fees;

(C) Provide the price per unit of QS (price divided by QS units) and the price per pound (price divided by IFQ) of IFQ; and

(D) Indicate all reasons that apply for transferring the QS/IFQ.

(viii) Price paid for QS, PQS, and/or IFQ, IPQ (Transferee). The transferee must provide the following information:

(A) Indicate (YES or NO) whether QS/IFQ purchase will have a lien attached; if YES, provide the name of lien holder;

(B) Indicate one primary source of financing for this transfer;

(C) Indicate the sources used to locate the QS or IFQ being transferred;

(D) Indicate the relationship, if any, between the transferor and the transferee;

(E) Indicate (YES or NO) whether an agreement exists to return the QS or IFQ to the transferor or any other person, or with a condition placed on resale; If YES, explain; and

(F) Attach a copy of the terms of agreement for the transfer, the bill of sale for QS, or lease agreement for IFQ.

(ix) Certification information—(A) Certification of transferor. (1) Printed name and signature of transferor or authorized agent and date signed. If authorized agent, proof of authorization to act on behalf of the transferor must be provided with the application.

(2) [Reserved]

(B) Certification of transferee. (1) Printed name and signature of transferee or authorized agent and date signed. If authorized agent, proof of authorization to act on behalf of the transferee must be provided with the application.

(2) [Reserved]

(C) Certification of authorized representative of community. (1) Printed name, title and signature of authorized community representative, date signed, and printed name of community.

(2) [Reserved]

(4) Attachments to the application and other conditions to be met. (i) Indicate whether the person applying to make or receive the QS, PQS, IFQ or IPQ transfer has submitted an EDR, if required to do so under § 680.6, and paid all fees, as required by § 680.44.

(ii) A copy of the terms of agreement for the transfer, the bill of sale for QS or PQS, or lease agreement for IFQ or IPQ.

(iii) An affirmation that the individual receiving IFQ from an ECCO has been a permanent resident in the ECC for a period of 12 months prior to the submission of the Application for Transfer QS/IFQ to or from an ECCO on whose behalf the ECCO holds QS.

(5) Approval criteria for an application for transfer of crab QS/IFQ to or from an ECCO. In addition to the criteria required for approval under paragraph (i) of this section, the following criteria are also required:

(i) The ECCO applying to receive or transfer crab QS has submitted a complete annual report(s) required by § 680.5;

(ii) The ECCO applying to transfer crab QS has provided information on the reasons for the transfer as described in paragraph (e) of this section; and

(iii) An individual applying to receive IFQ from an ECCO is a permanent resident of the ECC in whose name the ECCO is holding QS.

(l) Eligible crab community right of first refusal (ROFR)—(1) Applicability—(i) Exempt Fisheries. PQS and IPQ issued for the EBT, WBT, WAG, or WAI crab QS fisheries are exempt from ROFR provisions.

(ii) Eligible Crab Communities (ECCs). The ROFR extends to the ECCs, other than Adak, and their associated governing bodies. The ROFR may be exercised by the ECC entity representing that ECC.

(2) Community representation—(i) CDQ Communities. ECC entity for purposes of exercise of ROFR for any ECC that is also a CDQ community shall be the CDQ group to which the ECC is a member.

(ii) Non-CDQ communities. (A) Any ECC, other than Adak, that is a non-CDQ community may designate an ECC entity that will represent the community in the exercise of ROFR at least 30 days prior to the ending date for the initial application period for the crab QS program specified in the Federal Register.

(B) The ECC entity eligible to exercise the right of first refusal on behalf of an ECC will be identified by the governing body(s) of the ECC. If the ECC is incorporated under the laws of the State of Alaska, and not within an incorporated borough, then the municipality is the governing body; if the ECC is incorporated and within an incorporated borough, then the municipality and borough are the governing bodies and must agree to designate the same ECC entity; if the ECC is not incorporated and in an incorporated borough, then the borough is the governing body.

(C) Each ECC may designate only one ECC entity to represent that community in the exercise of ROFR at any one time through a statement of support from the governing body of the ECC. That statement of support identifying the ECC entity must be submitted to the Regional Administrator, NMFS, Post Office Box 21668, Juneau, Alaska 99802, at least 30 days prior to the ending date of the initial application period for the crab QS program under § 680.40.

(D) The ECC ROFR is not assignable by the ECC entity.

(3) Restrictions on transfer of PQS or IPQ out of North Gulf of Alaska communities—(i) Applicability. Any community in the Gulf of Alaska north of a line at 56°20′ N. lat.

(ii) Notification of PQS or IPQ transfer. A PQS holder submitting an application to transfer PQS or IPQ for use in processing outside any community identified under paragraph (l)(3)(i) must notify the ECC entity designated by the City of Kodiak and Kodiak Island Borough under paragraph (l)(2) of this section 10 days prior to the intended transfer of PQS or IPQ for use outside the community. At the end of that time period, the application will be approved pending meeting the criteria set forth in paragraph (i) of this section.

[70 FR 10241, Mar. 2, 2005, as amended at 71 FR 32864, June 7, 2006; 73 FR 29983, May 23, 2008; 74 FR 51520, Oct. 7, 2009; 80 FR 15898, Mar. 26, 2015; 81 FR 1561, Jan. 13, 2016; 81 FR 24518, Apr. 26, 2016; 86 FR 70754, Dec. 13, 2021]

(a) QS and IFQ use caps—(1) General. Separate and distinct QS and IFQ use caps apply to all QS and IFQ categories pertaining to a given crab QS fishery with the following provisions:

(i) A person who receives an initial allocation of QS that exceeds the use cap listed in paragraph (a)(2) of this section may not receive QS by transfer unless and until that person's holdings are reduced to an amount below the use cap.

(ii) A person will not be issued QS in excess of the use cap established in this section based on QS derived from landings attributed to an LLP license obtained via transfer after June 10, 2002 unless;

(A) The person applies to receive QS based on an LLP transferred after June 10, 2002 but prior to November 24, 2004, and

(B) The person will receive the amount of QS associated with that transferred LLP in excess of the use cap established in this section for a crab QS fishery solely because of the adjustment to legal landings available for QS allocation resulting from the BSAI Crab Capacity Reduction Program.

(iii) QS and IFQ use caps shall be based on the initial QS pools used to determine initial allocations of QS.

(2) Except for non-individual persons who hold PQS, as provided for in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section, or a CDQ group, as provided for in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, a person, individually or collectively, may not:

(i) Hold QS in amounts in excess of the amounts specified in the following table, unless that person's QS was received in the initial allocation:

(ii) Use IFQ in excess of the amount of IFQ that results from the QS caps in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section, unless that IFQ results from QS that was received by that person in the initial allocation of QS for that crab QS fishery.

(3) A CDQ Group, individually or collectively, may not:

(i) Hold QS in excess of more than the amounts of QS specified in the following table:

(ii) Use IFQ in excess of the amount of IFQ that results from the QS caps in paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section, unless that IFQ results from QS that was received by that person in the initial allocation of QS for that crab QS fishery.

(4) A person who is not an individual and who holds PQS may not:

(i) Hold QS in excess of the amounts specified in the following table:

(ii) Use IFQ in excess of the amount of IFQ that results from the QS caps in paragraph (a)(4)(i) of this section, unless that IFQ results from QS that was received by that person in the initial allocation of QS for that crab QS fishery.

(iii) A non-individual person that holds PQS, and all affiliates of that person, is limited to a QS and IFQ use cap that is calculated based on the sum of all QS or IFQ held by that PQS holder and all QS or IFQ held by any affiliate of the PQS holder.

(5) IFQ that is used by a crab harvesting cooperative is not subject to the use caps in this paragraph (a) except as provided for in paragraph (a)(7) of this section.

(6) Non-individual persons holding QS will be required to provide, on an annual basis, a list of persons with an ownership interest in the non-individual QS holder. This list of owners shall be provided to the individual level and will include the percentage of ownership held by each individual. This annual submission of information must be submitted as part of the complete annual application for crab IFQ/IPQ permit.

(7) In a calendar year, an entity as described in § 680.40(c)(5)(ii), (c)(5)(iii), or (c)(5)(iv), may not use more than 1,000,000 lb (453.6 mt) of IFQ derived from converted CPO QS in the BBR or BSS crab QS fisheries.

(b) PQS and IPQ Use Caps. (1) A person may not:

(i) Hold more than 30 percent of the initial PQS pool in any crab QS fishery unless that person received an initial allocation of PQS in excess of this limit. A person will not be issued PQS in excess of the use caps established in this section based on PQS derived from the transfer of legal processing history after June 10, 2002.

(ii) Use IPQ in excess of the amount of IPQ that results from the PQS caps in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, unless that IPQ is:

(A) Derived from PQS that was received by that person in the initial allocation of PQS for that crab QS fishery, or

(B) Subject to an exemption for that IPQ pursuant to § 680.4(p).

(2) A person may not use more than 60 percent of the IPQ issued in the BSS crab QS fishery with a North region designation during a crab fishing year except that a person who:

(i) Holds IPQ; and

(ii) Has a 10 percent or greater direct or indirect ownership interest in the shoreside crab processor or stationary floating crab processor where that IPQ crab is processed will not be considered to use any IPQ in the BSS crab QS fishery with a North region designation if that IPQ meets the requirements described in paragraph (b)(7) of this section.

(3) Non-individual persons holding PQS will be required to provide, on an annual basis, a list of persons with an ownership interest in the non-individual PQS holder. This list of owners shall be provided to the individual level and will include the percentage of ownership held by each individual. This annual submission of information must be submitted as part of the complete annual application for crab IFQ/IPQ permit. A person will be considered to be a holder of PQS for purposes of applying the PQS use caps in this paragraph if that person:

(i) Is the sole proprietor of an entity that holds PQS; or

(ii) Is not a CDQ group and directly or indirectly owns a 10 percent or greater interest in an entity that holds PQS.

(iii) A person that is not a CDQ group and holds PQS is limited to a PQS use cap that is calculated based on the sum of all PQS held by that PQS holder and all PQS held by any affiliate of the PQS holder. A CDQ group that holds PQS is limited to a PQS use cap that is calculated based on the sum of all PQS held, individually or collectively, by that CDQ group.

(iv) A person that is not a CDQ group and holds IPQ is limited to an IPQ use cap that is calculated based on the sum of all IPQ held by that IPQ holder and all IPQ held by any affiliate of the IPQ holder. A CDQ group that holds IPQ is limited to an IPQ use cap that is calculated based on the sum of all IPQ held, individually or collectively, by that CDQ group.

(4) Before July 1, 2007, IPQ for the BSS, BBR, PIK, SMB, and EAG crab QS fisheries may not be used to process crab derived from PQS based on activities in an ECC, except in the geographic boundaries established in paragraph (b)(4)(iv) of this section, except that, before July 1, 2007:

(i) Ten percent of the IPQs that are issued for a crab QS fishery or an amount of IPQ that yields up to 500,000 raw crab pounds (226.7 mt) on an annual basis, whichever is less, may be leased for use in processing crab outside that ECC. The amount of IPQ that is issued on an annual basis for use in that ECC and the amount that may be leased outside that ECC will be established annually and will be divided on a pro rata basis among all PQS permit holders issued IPQ for use in that ECC for that year.

(ii) IPQ in excess of the amounts specified in paragraph (c)(7)(i) of this section may be used outside the ECC for which that IPQ is designated if an unavoidable circumstance prevents crab processing within that ECC. For purposes of this section, an unavoidable circumstance exists if the specific intent to conduct processing for a crab QS species in that ECC was thwarted by a circumstance that was:

(A) Unavoidable;

(B) Unique to the IPQ permit holder, or to the processing facility used by the IPQ permit holder in that ECC;

(C) Unforeseen and reasonably unforeseeable to the IPQ permit holder;

(D) The circumstance that prevented the IPQ permit holder from processing crab in that ECC actually occurred; and

(E) The IPQ permit holder took all reasonable steps to overcome the circumstance that prevented the IPQ permit holder from conducting processing for that crab QS fishery in that ECC.

(iii) This provision does not exempt any IPQ permit holder from any regional designation that may apply to that IPQ.

(iv) Geographic boundaries for use of IPQ outside ECCs for purposes of paragraph (b)(4) of this section:

(A) Akutan, False Pass, King Cove, or Port Moller: IPQ may not be used outside of the boundaries of the Aleutians East Borough as those boundaries are established by the State of Alaska;

(B) Kodiak: IPQ may not be used outside of the boundaries of the Kodiak Island Borough as those boundaries are established by the State of Alaska;

(C) Adak: IPQ may not be used outside of the boundaries of the City of Adak as those boundaries are established by the State of Alaska;

(D) Unalaska/Dutch Harbor: IPQ may not be used outside of the boundaries of the City of Unalaska as those boundaries are established by the State of Alaska.

(E) St. George: IPQ may not be used outside of the boundaries of the City of St. George as those boundaries are established by the State of Alaska.

(F) St. Paul: IPQ may not be used outside of the boundaries of the City of St. Paul as those boundaries are established by the State of Alaska.

(5) Any person harvesting crab under a Class A CVO or Class A CVC IFQ Permit, except as provided under paragraph (b)(4) of this section, must deliver that crab:

(i) Only to RCRs with unused IPQ for the same crab QS fishery; and

(ii) Only to an RCR in the region for which the QS and IFQ is designated.

(6) Any person harvesting crab under a Class B IFQ, CPO IFQ, CVC IFQ, or CPC IFQ permit may deliver that crab to any RCR.

(7) Any IPQ crab that is received by an RCR will not be considered use of IPQ by an IPQ holder who has a 10 percent or greater direct or indirect ownership interest in the shoreside crab processor or stationary floating crab processor where that IPQ crab is processed under § 680.7(a)(7) or paragraph (a)(8) of this section if:

(i) That RCR is not affiliated with an IPQ holder who has a 10 percent or greater direct or indirect ownership interest in the shoreside crab processor or stationary floating crab processor where that IPQ crab is processed; and

(ii) The IPQ crab meets the conditions in paragraphs (b)(7)(ii)(A) and (B) of this section or the IPQ crab meets the conditions in paragraph (b)(7)(ii)(C) of this section:

(A) The IPQ crab is:

(1) BSS IPQ crab with a North region designation;

(2) EAG IPQ crab;

(3) EBT IPQ crab;

(4) PIK IPQ crab;

(5) SMB IPQ crab;

(6) WAG IPQ crab provided that IPQ crab is processed west of 174 degrees west longitude;

(7) WAI IPQ crab; or

(8) WBT IPQ crab.

(B) That IPQ crab is processed at:

(1) Any shoreside crab processor located within the boundaries of a home rule, first class, or second class city in the State of Alaska in existence on June 29, 2009; or

(2) Any stationary floating crab processor that is:

(i) Located within the boundaries of a home rule, first class, or second class city in the State of Alaska in existence on June 29, 2009;

(ii) Moored at a dock, docking facility, or at a permanent mooring buoy, unless that stationary floating crab processor is located within the boundaries of the city of Atka in which case that stationary floating crab processor is not required to be moored at a dock, docking facility, or at a permanent mooring buoy; and

(iii) Located within a harbor, unless that stationary floating crab processor is located within the boundaries of the city of Atka on June 29, 2009, in which case that stationary floating crab processor is not required to be located within a harbor.

(C) The IPQ crab is:

(1) Derived from PQS that is, or was, subject to a ROFR as that term is defined at § 680.2;

(2) Derived from PQS that has been transferred from the initial recipient of those PQS to another person under the requirements described at § 680.41;

(3) Received by an RCR who is not the initial recipient of those PQS; and

(4) Received by an RCR within the boundaries of the ECC for which that PQS and IPQ derived from that PQS is, or was, designated in the ROFR.

(8) Any IPQ crab that is received by an RCR will not be considered use of IPQ by an IPQ holder for the purposes of paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this section, if the IPQ is subject to an exemption pursuant to § 680.4(p).

(c) Vessel limitations. (1) Except for vessels that participate solely in a crab harvesting cooperative as described under § 680.21 and under the provisions described in paragraph (c)(4) of this section, no vessel may be used to harvest CVO or CPO IFQ in excess of the following percentages of the TAC for that crab QS fishery for that crab fishing year:

(i) 2.0 percent for BSS;

(ii) 2.0 percent for BBR;

(iii) 2.0 percent for EBT;

(iv) 2.0 percent for WBT;

(v) 4.0 percent for PIK;

(vi) 4.0 percent for SMB;

(vii) 20.0 percent for EAG;

(viii) 20.0 percent for WAG; or

(ix) 20.0 percent for the WAI crab QS fishery west of 179° W. long.

(2) CVC or CPC IFQ used on a vessel will not be included in determining whether a vessel use cap is met.

(3) A single person who receives an initial allocation of QS that results in IFQ that is in excess of the vessel use caps, in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, that person may catch and retain crab harvested with the resulting IFQ with a single vessel. However, this provision does not apply to IFQ resulting from QS derived from transfer of an LLP crab license that occurred after June 10, 2002. Two or more persons may not catch and retain their IFQ with one vessel in excess of these limitations.

(4) A vessel use cap would not apply to a vessel if all of the CVO or CPO IFQ used on that vessel in a crab fishing year is held by a crab harvesting cooperative. This exemption is forfeited if that vessel is used to harvest any amount of CVO or CPO IFQ not held by a crab harvesting cooperative during the same crab fishing year.

(5) A person holding a CVC or CPC IFQ permit is required to be aboard the vessel upon which their IFQ is being harvested.

(6) A person holding CVO or CPO QS does not have to be aboard the vessel being used to harvest their IFQ if they hold at least a 10 percent ownership interest in the vessel upon which the IFQ is to be harvested and are represented on board the vessel by a crab IFQ hired master employed by that QS holder as authorized under § 680.4.

(7) Ownership of a vessel means, for purposes of this section:

(i) A sole proprietor; or

(ii) A person that directly or indirectly owns a 10 percent or greater interest in an entity that owns a vessel.

[70 FR 10241, Mar. 2, 2005, as amended at 70 FR 33395, June 8, 2005; 70 FR 75421, 75422, Dec. 20, 2005; 71 FR 32865, June 7, 2006; 73 FR 29983, May 23, 2008; 73 FR 35088, June 20, 2008; 74 FR 25457, May 28, 2009; 78 FR 28531, May 15, 2013; 81 FR 4212, Jan. 26, 2016; 81 FR 92702, Dec. 20, 2016; 82 FR 52014, Nov. 9, 2017]

(a) Beginning July 1, 2019, the Regional Administrator will revoke all CVC QS and CPC QS held by an individual who has not met the participation requirements set forth in § 680.40(m). The Regional Administrator will revoke an individual's CVC QS or CPC QS in accordance with the procedures set forth in this section.

(b) Notice of C Share QS Inactivity. The Regional Administrator will issue a Notice of C Share QS Inactivity to an individual holding CVC or CPC QS if, after reviewing the CVC or CPC QS holder's Applications for Annual Crab IFQ Permit, the Regional Administrator determines that the CVC or CPC QS holder has failed to meet the participation requirements in § 680.40(m). A CVC or CPC QS holder who receives such a Notice will have 60 days to provide the Regional Administrator with information demonstrating participation as crew that meets the requirements of § 680.40(m).

(c) Initial administrative determination (IAD). The Regional Administrator will prepare and send an IAD to the CVC or CPC QS holder following the expiration of the 60-day evidentiary period if the Regional Administrator determines that the information or evidence provided by the CVC or CPC QS holder fails to demonstrate participation as crew and is insufficient to rebut the information included in the CVC or CPC QS holder's Applications for Annual Crab IFQ Permit, or if the additional information or evidence is not provided within the time period specified in the Notice of C Share QS Inactivity. The IAD will explain the basis for the revocation determination. A CVC or CPC QS holder who receives an IAD for revocation may appeal under the appeals procedures set forth at 15 CFR part 906. A CVC or CPC QS holder who avails himself or herself of the opportunity to appeal an IAD for revocation will not receive crab IFQ or IPQ until after the final resolution of that appeal in the QS holder's favor.

[80 FR 15899, Mar. 26, 2015, as amended at 87 FR 42394, July 15, 2022]

(a) Cost recovery fees—(1) Responsibility. The person documented on the IFQ, IPQ, CDQ, RCR, Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC), or State of Alaska Commissioner's permit as the permit holder at the time of a CR crab landing must comply with the requirements of this section.

(i) Subsequent transfer of IFQ, IPQ, CDQ, or QS does not affect the permit holder's liability for noncompliance with this section.

(ii) Non-renewal of an RCR permit does not affect the permit holder's liability for noncompliance with this section.

(2) Fee liability determination. (i) All CR allocation holders and RCR permit holders will be subject to a fee liability for any CR crab debited from a CR allocation during a crab fishing year, except for crab designated as personal use or deadloss, or crab confiscated by NMFS or the State of Alaska.

(ii) Fee liability must be calculated by multiplying the applicable fee percentage by the ex-vessel value of the CR crab received by the RCR at the time of receipt, except as provided by paragraph (b)(3) of this section.

(iii) NMFS will provide a summary to all RCR permit holders during the last quarter of the crab fishing year. The summary will explain the fee liability determination including the current fee percentage, details of raw crab pounds debited from CR allocations by permit, port or port-group, species, date, and prices.

(3) Fee collection. (i) All RCRs who receive CR crab are responsible for submitting the cost recovery payment for all CR crab received.

(ii) All RCRs who receive CR crab in a crab fishing year must maintain and submit records for any crab cost recovery fees collected under the corresponding RCR permit.

(4) Payment—(i) Payment due date. An RCR permit holder must submit any crab cost recovery fee liability payment(s) to NMFS at the address provided in paragraph (a)(4)(iii) of this section no later than July 31 of the crab fishing year following the crab fishing year in which the payment for a CR crab landing was made.

(ii) Payment recipient. Make payment payable to NMFS.

(iii) Payment address. Submit payment and related documents as instructed on the fee submission form. Payments may be made electronically through the NMFS Alaska Region Web site at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. Instructions for electronic payment will be made available on both the payment Web site and a fee liability summary letter mailed to the RCR permit holder.

(iv) Payment method—(A) Prior to June 1, 2020, payment must be made in U.S. dollars by personal check drawn on a U.S. bank account, money order, bank-certified check, or electronically by credit card.

(B) On or after June 1, 2020, payment must be made electronically in U.S. dollars by automated clearing house, credit card, or electronic check drawn on a U.S. bank account.

(b) Ex-vessel value determination and use—(1) General. An RCR permit holder must use either the ex-vessel value determined for shoreside processors or the ex-vessel value determined for at-sea Catcher/Processors (CP), depending on their activity. Ex-vessel value includes all cash, services, or other goods-in-kind exchanged for CR crab.

(2) Shoreside ex-vessel value. Shoreside processing facilities must use the price paid at the time of purchase as ex-vessel value for the purposes of calculating fee liability. Shoreside processing facilities must include any subsequent retroactive payments as adjustments to the initial calculation of fee liability.

(3) Catcher/processor ex-vessel value—(i) General. Catcher/processors must use the corresponding CP standard price(s) for the purposes of calculating fee liability.

(ii) CP standard prices. As part of the summary described in paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section, the Regional Administrator will provide CP standard prices calculated for the current year during the last quarter of each crab fishing year. The CP standard prices will be described in U.S. dollars per raw crab pound, for CR crab debited from CR allocations during the current crab fishing year.

(iii) Effective period. CP standard prices established by NMFS shall apply to all landings made in the same crab fishing year as the CP standard price provided for that year and shall replace any CP standard prices previously provided by NMFS.

(iv) Determination. NMFS will calculate the CP standard prices to reflect, as closely as possible, the current crab fishing year's average shoreside processor price by fishery and by species, and any variations in reported shoreside ex-vessel values of CR crab. The Regional Administrator will base CP standard prices on the following types of information:

(A) Landed pounds by CR crab, port-group, and month;

(B) Total shoreside ex-vessel value by CR crab, port-group, and month; and

(C) Price adjustments, including retroactive payments.

(4) Fee liability calculation. All RCRs must base all fee liability calculations on the ex-vessel value that correlates to CR crab that is debited from a CR allocation and recorded in raw crab pounds.

(c) Crab fee percentage—(1) Established percentage. The crab fee percentage is the amount as determined by the factors and methodology described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section. This amount will be announced by publication in the Federal Register in accordance with paragraph (c)(3) of this section. This amount must not exceed 3 percent pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 1854(d)(2)(B).

(i) The calculated crab fee percentage will be divided equally between the harvesting and processing sectors.

(ii) Catcher/Processors must pay the full crab fee percentage determined by the fee percentage calculation for all CR crab debited from a CR allocation.

(2) Calculating fee percentage value. Each year NMFS shall calculate and publish the fee percentage according to the following factors and methodology:

(i) Factors. NMFS must use the following factors to determine the fee percentage:

(A) The catch to which the crab cost recovery fee will apply;

(B) The ex-vessel value of that catch; and

(C) The costs directly related to the management and enforcement of the Crab Rationalization Program.

(ii) Methodology. NMFS must use the following equations to determine the fee percentage:

Harvesting and Processing Sectors: [100 (DPC/ V)] 0.5 Catcher/Processors: 100 (DPC /V)

where:

“DPC” is the direct program costs for the Crab Rationalization Program for the previous fiscal year, and “V” is the ex-vessel value of the catch subject to the crab cost recovery fee liability for the current year.

(3) Publication—(i) General. During the first quarter of each crab fishing year, NMFS shall calculate the crab fee percentage based on the calculations described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section.

(ii) Effective period. The calculated IFQ fee percentage remains in effect through the end of the crab fishing year in which it was determined.

(4) Applicable percentage. The RCR permit holder must use the crab fee percentage in effect at the time a CR crab is debited from a CR allocation to calculate the crab cost recovery fee liability for such CR crab. The RCR permit holder must use the crab fee percentage in effect at the time a CR crab is debited from a CR allocation to calculate the crab cost recovery fee liability for any retroactive payments for that CR crab.

(d) Underpayment of fee liability. (1) Under § 680.4, an applicant will not receive new IFQ, IPQ, or RCR permits until he or she submits a complete application. A complete application shall include full payment of an applicant's complete crab cost recovery fee liability as reported by the RCR.

(2) If an RCR fails to submit full payment for crab cost recovery fee liability by the date described in paragraph (a)(4) of this section, the Regional Administrator may:

(i) At any time thereafter send an IAD to the RCR permit holder stating that the RCR permit holder's estimated fee liability, as indicated by his or her own submitted information, is the crab cost recovery fee liability due from the RCR permit holder.

(ii) Disapprove any transfer of IFQ, IPQ, QS, or PQS to or from the RCR permit holder in accordance with § 680.41.

(3) If an RCR fails to submit full payment by the application deadline described at § 680.4, no IFQ or IPQ permit will be issued to that RCR for that crab fishing year.

(4) Upon final agency action determining that an RCR permit holder has not paid his or her crab cost recovery fee liability, the Regional Administrator may continue to withhold issuance of any new IFQ, IPQ, or RCR permit for any subsequent crab fishing years. If payment is not received by the 30th day after the final agency action, the matter will be referred to the appropriate authorities for purposes of collection.

(e) Over payment. Upon issuance of final agency action, any amount submitted to NMFS in excess of the crab cost recovery fee liability determined to be due by the final agency action will be returned to the RCR permit holder unless the permit holder requests the agency to credit the excess amount against the permit holder's future crab cost recovery fee liability.

(f) Appeals and requests for reconsideration. An RCR permit holder who receives an IAD may either appeal the IAD pursuant to 50 CFR 679.43 or request reconsideration. Within 60 days from the date of issuance of the IAD, the Regional Administrator may undertake reconsideration of the IAD on his or her own initiative. If a request for reconsideration is submitted or the Regional Administrator initiates reconsideration, the 60-day period for appeal under 50 CFR 679.43 will begin anew upon issuance of the Regional Administrator's reconsidered IAD. The Regional Administrator may undertake only one reconsideration of the IAD, if any. If an RCR permit holder fails to file an appeal of the IAD pursuant to 50 CFR 679.43 or request reconsideration within the time period provided, the IAD will become the final agency action. In any appeal or reconsideration of an IAD made under this section, an RCR permit holder has the burden of proving his or her claim.

(g) Fee submission form. An RCR must submit an RCR permit holder fee submission form according to § 680.5(g).

[70 FR 10241, Mar. 2, 2005, as amended at 71 FR 44232, Aug. 4, 2006; 73 FR 76190, Dec. 15, 2008; 74 FR 51520, Oct. 7, 2009; 81 FR 23649, Apr. 22, 2016]

[71 FR 32866, June 7, 2006]

[71 FR 32867, June 7, 2006]

[71 FR 32867, June 7, 2006]

[80 FR 28545, May 19, 2015]