Aleutian Islands Fisheries Development.

Sec. 803. Aleutian Islands Fisheries Development. (a) Aleutian Islands Pollock Allocation.—Effective January 1, 2004 and thereafter, the directed pollock fishery in the Aleutian Islands Subarea [AI] of the BSAI (as defined in 50 CFR 679.2) shall be allocated to the Aleut Corporation (incorporated pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.)). Except with the permission of the Aleut Corporation or its authorized agent, the fishing or processing of any part of such allocation shall be prohibited by section 307 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1857), subject to the penalties and sanctions under section 308 of such Act (16 U.S.C. 1858), and subject to the forfeiture of any fish harvested or processed.(b) Eligible Vessels.—Only vessels that are 60 feet or less in length overall and have a valid fishery endorsement, or vessels that are eligible to harvest pollock under section 208 of title II of division C of Public Law 105–277, shall be eligible to form partnerships with the Aleut Corporation (or its authorized agents) to harvest the allocation under subsection (a). During the years 2004 through 2008, up to 25 percent of such allocation may be harvested by vessels 60 feet or less in length overall. During the years 2009 through 2013, up to 50 percent of such allocation may be harvested by vessels 60 feet or less in length overall. After the year 2012, 50 percent of such allocation shall be harvested by vessels 60 feet or less in length overall, and 50 percent shall be harvested by vessels eligible under such section of Public Law 105–277.(c) Groundfish Optimum Yield Limitation.—The optimum yield for groundfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area shall not exceed 2 million metric tons. For the purposes of implementing subsections (a) and (b) without adversely affecting current fishery participants, the allocation under subsection (a) may be in addition to such optimum yield during the years 2004 through 2008 upon recommendation by the North Pacific Council 118 STAT. 111 and approval by the Secretary of Commerce (if consistent with the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.)).(d) Management and Allocation.—For the purposes of this section, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council shall recommend and the Secretary shall approve an allocation under subsection (a) to the Aleut Corporation for the purposes of economic development in Adak, Alaska pursuant to the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.).