Here are the mechanics of the RQE that the North Pacific Fishery Management Council settled on during final action:

• Element 1: One RQE with two quota pools
• Element 2: Restrictions on Transfers
  • Annual limit on transfers: 1% in 2C and 1.2% in 3A (based on 2015 QS pool)
  • Total (cumulative) limit on amount owned by the RQE quota share held by RQE and leased under GAF:
    • 2C: 10%
    • 3A: 12%
    • This cap will be managed on a sliding scale between RQE and GAF, with GAF transfers restricted to accommodate RQE holdings.
  • QS purchase restrictions:
    • D class is restricted in 3A.
    • In 2C, the RQE may purchase 10% of D class shares and 10% of B class shares. The RQE may purchase any percent of C class shares.
    • Small blocks of quota less than 1,500 lbs. (in 2015 lbs.) are restricted in both sectors.
  • Redistribution if either sector returns to the unguided limit using RQE holdings:
    • 50% equally to all catcher vessel QS holders in the applicable area who hold the amount of QS that yielded 2,000 pounds of IFQ in 2015, and redistributed among qualified QS holders proportionally to their holdings.
    • 50% equally among all CQEs that held halibut QS in the applicable area in the preceding year, unallocated RQE IFQ would be left in the water.
  • Limitation on the use of funds
    • Changed from a requirement for the RQE to reflect the Councils directions for use, aside from purchasing halibut IFQ, such as halibut conservation or research, promotion of halibut, and administrative costs.
  • Organizational structure
    • For final approval to purchase halibut QS, the RQE must submit articles of incorporation and management organization, including bylaws and a list of key personnel, such as board members, officers, representatives, and managers.
    • The RQE must file an annual report, including lists of purchase or sale of QS or CHPs, use of funds, and changes to bylaws or personnel.

The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), and Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADFG) work together to manage halibut catch in Alaska waters.

The IPHC, as its name indicates, is made up of United States and Canadian representatives, following an international treaty the countries signed in 1923. The Council is the United States Federal fishery management group. The Council works with information collected and analyzed by ADFG, as well as stakeholder input, to make recommendations to the IPHC on management for Alaska halibut fisheries.

Each year, the IPHC uses surveys to estimate the number and age of halibut and the number of spawning females. Scientists then calculate how many pounds of these fish can be caught without hurting the overall population.? Below is an example of what this might look like; it is not an example from any given year.

A percentage of the pounds of halibut available to catch are set aside at this point for subsistence fishing, bycatch mortality, and unguided recreational sportfishing. Below is an example of what this might look like; it is not representative of any particular fishing year.

An example from 2015 looks like this:

The remaining pounds are the halibut allocated under the Catch Sharing Plan: commercial halibut fishing and the charter/guided fishing sector. In Southeast Alaska, regulatory area 2C, the guided sector typically receives 18.3% of this number.* That percentage only changes if the pounds available to catch go above or below certain numbers. The chart below shows 18.3% in blue.

Management rules, like no fish over 43 inches or under 80 inches, are based on how many pounds are available within the 18.3%. Even though the percentage remains constant, the number of pounds changes based on the calculation scientists use at each step described above. ADFG and stakeholders, like SEAGO Board members, analyze the pounds available, how many fish that would represent for guided anglers, and different management measures. They then make suggestions to the Council.? The Council considers these suggestions and passes its recommendations up to the IPHC for approval.

*Area 2C is the IPHC region for Southeast Alaska, south of Yakutat. Yakutat is managed as part of the 3A region with some different management measures. The program discussed below would apply to both regions, 2C and 3A, though examples have been limited to 2C for brevity.