1. (a) The department may issue, under the provisions of this section, a permit for the Bering Sea, Eastern Aleutian, and Western Aleutian Districts of Registration Area J to a person or vessel to recover

   1. (1) lost Tanner crab pot gear belonging to another vessel or person; or
   2. (2) Tanner crab pot gear for a vessel that has experienced a major mechanical breakdown.

2. (b) The permit issued under this section may specify

   1. (1) requirements for a vessel area check-in and check-out procedure to be used by the vessel or person;
   2. (2) requirements for the vessel or person to notify the department by radio, telephone, or telex at the beginning and the completion of the pot gear recovery operations;
   3. (3) requirements for vessel tank inspections before, and at the conclusion of, the pot recovery operation at locations specified by the department;
   4. (4) other necessary conditions as determined by the department.
3. (c) Before receiving a permit under this section to recover Tanner crab pot gear belonging to another vessel or person, the permit applicant must furnish to the department written authorization for the requested pot gear recovery from the owner of the lost gear or the owner or operator of the vessel experiencing a major mechanical breakdown. If the recovery permit is being issued to recover lost gear, the authorization must contain the last known location of the Tanner crab pots and specific identification markings. If the recovery permit is being issued due to a major mechanical breakdown of a vessel, the authorization must include the exact location of the Tanner crab pots and specific identification markings and a written explanation by a qualified repair facility detailing the extent of the damage and estimated time for repairs.
4. (d) Pot gear recovery operations under this section may only be performed during a closed season and may not be conducted by or for any vessel or person that, at the time of pot gear recovery operations, is registered for any pot fishery in the Bering Sea, Eastern Aleutian, and Western Aleutian Districts of Registration Area J.
5. (e) All crab remaining in any pot gear recovered under this section must be immediately returned to the sea without further harm.

(Eff. 8/8/99, Register 151)

Authority: AS 16.05.251