Gear Changes for the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery's Trawl Catch Share Program

This document evaluates the proposed action to revise and remove trawl gear regulations for the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery’s trawl catch share program, including trawl gear configuration and gear use. Pre-trawl rationalization regulations applied to the entire fleet may no longer be appropriate for managing individuals operating under the incentives provided in the rationalized portion of the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery. Incentives of the catch share program include resources allocated to individuals (individual fishing quota [IFQ]) or to cooperatives, 100 percent at-sea and shoreside monitoring, and individuals or cooperatives held accountable for the consequences of their decisions.