[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 2 (Monday, January 5, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 188-192]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-30819]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 131021878-4158-02]
RIN 0648-XD693
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason
Adjustment to the 2015 Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Pollock, Atka
Mackerel, and Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
[[Page 189]]
ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason adjustment; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is adjusting the 2015 total allowable catch (TAC) amounts
for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) pollock, Atka mackerel,
and Pacific cod fisheries. This action is necessary because NMFS has
determined these TACs are incorrectly specified, and will ensure the
BSAI pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific cod TACs are the appropriate
amounts based on the best available scientific information. This action
is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management
Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management
Area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 1, 2015,
until the effective date of the final 2015 and 2016 harvest
specifications for BSAI groundfish, unless otherwise modified or
superseded through publication of a notification in the Federal
Register.
Comments must be received at the following address no later than
4:30 p.m., A.l.t., January 16, 2015.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by FDMS
Docket Number NOAA-NMFS-2013-0152 by any of the following methods:
Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2013-0152, click the
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or
attach your comments.
Mail: Submit written comments to Glenn Merrill, Assistant
Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region
NMFS, Attn: Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau,
AK 99802-1668.
Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period,
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address), confidential business information,
or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender
will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter
``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).
Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word,
Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
BSAI exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan
for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
(FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management
Act. Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with
the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
The final 2014 and 2015 harvest specifications for groundfish in
the BSAI (79 FR 12108, March 4, 2014) set the 2015 BSAI pollock TAC at
1,277,075 metric tons (mt), the 2015 BSAI Atka mackerel TAC at 32,491
mt, the 2015 Bering Sea Pacific cod TAC at 251,712 mt, and the Aleutian
Islands Pacific cod TAC at 6,487 mt. In December 2014, the North
Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) recommended a 2015 BSAI
pollock TAC of 1,310,000 mt, which is more than the 1,277,075 mt TAC
established by the final 2014 and 2015 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI. The Council also recommended a 2015 BSAI Atka
mackerel TAC of 54,500 mt, which is more than the 32,491 mt TAC
established by the final 2014 and 2015 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI. Furthermore, the Council recommended a 2015
Bering Sea Pacific cod TAC of 240,000 mt, and an Aleutian Islands
Pacific cod TAC of 9,422 mt, which is less than the Bering Sea Pacific
cod TAC of 251,712 mt, and more than the Aleutian Islands Pacific cod
TAC of 6,487 mt established by the final 2014 and 2015 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the BSAI. The Council's recommended
2015 TACs, and the area and seasonal apportionments, are based on the
Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation report (SAFE), dated November
2014, which NMFS has determined is the best available scientific
information for these fisheries.
Steller sea lions occur in the same location as the pollock, Atka
mackerel, and Pacific cod fisheries and are listed as endangered under
the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific
cod are a principal prey species for Steller sea lions in the BSAI. The
seasonal apportionment of pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific cod
harvest is necessary to ensure the groundfish fisheries are not likely
to cause jeopardy of extinction or adverse modification of critical
habitat for Steller sea lions. NMFS published regulations and the
revised harvest limit amounts for Atka mackerel, Pacific cod, and
pollock fisheries to implement Steller sea lion protection measures to
insure that groundfish fisheries of the BSAI are not likely to
jeopardize the continued existence of the western distinct population
segment of Steller sea lions or destroy or adversely modify their
designated critical habitat (79 FR 70286, November 25, 2014). The
regulations at Sec. 679.20(a)(5) specify how the Bering Sea pollock
TAC will be apportioned. The regulations at Sec. 679.20(a)(7) specify
how the BSAI Pacific cod TAC will be apportioned. The regulations at
Sec. 679.20(a)(8) specify how the BSAI Atka mackerel TAC will be
apportioned.
In accordance with Sec. 679.25(a)(1)(iii), (a)(2)(i)(B), and
(a)(2)(iv), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional
Administrator), has determined that, based on the November 2014 SAFE
report for this fishery, the current BSAI pollock, Atka mackerel, and
Pacific cod TACs are incorrectly specified. Pursuant to Sec.
679.25(a)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator is adjusting the 2015
BSAI pollock TAC to 1,310,000 mt, the 2015 BSAI Atka mackerel TAC to
54,500, the 2015 Bering Sea Pacific cod TAC to 240,000 mt, and the
Aleutian Islands Pacific cod TAC to 9,422 mt. Therefore, Table 1 of the
final 2014 and 2015 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI
(79 FR 12108, March 4, 2014) is revised consistent with this
adjustment.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i), Table 3 of the final 2014 and
2015 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (79 FR 12108,
March 4, 2014) is revised for the 2015 BSAI allocations of pollock TAC
to the directed pollock fisheries and to the Community Development
Quota (CDQ) directed fishing allowances consistent with this
adjustment. The Steller sea lion protection measure final rule (79 FR
70286, November 25, 2014), sets harvest limits for pollock in the A
season (January 20 to June 10) in Areas 543, 542, and 541, see Sec.
679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(6). In Area 541, the 2015 A season pollock harvest
limit is no more than 30 percent, or 8,898 mt, of the Aleutian Islands
ABC of 29,659 mt. In Area 542, the 2015 A season pollock harvest limit
is no more than 15 percent, or 4,449 mt, of the Aleutian Islands ABC of
29,659 mt. In Area 543, the 2015 A season pollock harvest limit is no
more than 5 percent, or 1,483 mt, of the Aleutian Islands pollock ABC
of 29,659 mt.
[[Page 190]]
Table 3--Final 2015 Allocations of Pollock TACs to the Directed Pollock Fisheries and to the CDQ Directed
Fishing Allowances (DFA) \1\
[Amounts are in metric tons]
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2015 A season \1\ 2015 B season \1\
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Area and sector 2015 Allocations SCA harvest limit
A season DFA \2\ B season DFA
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Bering Sea subarea TAC \1\.......... 1,310,000 n/a n/a n/a
CDQ DFA............................. 131,000 52,400 36,680 78,600
ICA \1\............................. 47,160 n/a n/a n/a
AFA Inshore......................... 565,920 226,368 158,458 339,552
AFA Catcher/Processors \3\.......... 452,736 181,094 126,766 271,642
Catch by C/Ps..................... 414,253 165,701 n/a 248,552
Catch by CVs \3\.................. 38,483 15,393 n/a 23,090
Unlisted C/P Limit \4\............ 2,264 905 n/a 1,358
AFA Motherships..................... 113,184 45,274 31,692 67,910
Excessive Harvesting Limit \5\...... 198,072 n/a n/a n/a
Excessive Processing Limit \6\...... 339,552 n/a n/a n/a
Total Bering Sea DFA................ 1,131,840 452,736 316,915 679,104
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Aleutian Islands subarea ABC........ 29,659 n/a n/a n/a
Aleutian Islands subarea TAC \1\.... 19,000 n/a n/a n/a
CDQ DFA............................. 1,900 760 n/a 1,140
ICA................................. 2,400 1,200 n/a 1,200
Aleut Corporation................... 15,100 12,259 n/a 2,841
Area harvest limit:
541............................. 1,483 n/a n/a n/a
542............................. 4,449 n/a n/a n/a
543............................. 8,898 n/a n/a n/a
Bogoslof District ICA \7\........... 100 n/a n/a n/a
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\1\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), the BS subarea pollock, after subtracting the CDQ DFA (10 percent)
and the ICA (4.0 percent), is allocated as a DFA as follows: Inshore sector-50 percent, catcher/processor
sector (C/P)-40 percent, and mothership sector-10 percent. In the BS subarea, 40 percent of the DFA is
allocated to the A season (January 20-June 10) and 60 percent of the DFA is allocated to the B season (June 10-
November 1). Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2)(i) and (ii), the annual AI pollock TAC, after
subtracting first for the CDQ directed fishing allowance (10 percent) and second the ICA (2,400 mt), is
allocated to the Aleut Corporation for a pollock directed fishery. In the AI subarea, the A season is
allocated 40 percent of the ABC and the B season is allocated the remainder of the pollock directed fishery.
\2\ In the BS subarea, no more than 28 percent of each sector's annual DFA may be taken from the SCA before
April 1.
\3\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4), not less than 8.5 percent of the DFA allocated to listed catcher/
processors shall be available for harvest only by eligible catcher vessels delivering to listed catcher/
processors.
\4\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4)(iii), the AFA unlisted catcher/processors are limited to harvesting
not more than 0.5 percent of the catcher/processors sector's allocation of pollock.
\5\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(6), NMFS establishes an excessive harvesting share limit equal to 17.5
percent of the sum of the non-CDQ pollock DFAs.
\6\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(7), NMFS establishes an excessive processing share limit equal to 30.0
percent of the sum of the non-CDQ pollock DFAs.
\7\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(6), NMFS establishes harvest limits for pollock in the A season in
Area 541 no more than 30 percent, in Area 542 no more than 15 percent, and in Area 543 no more than 5 percent
of the Aleutian Islands pollock ABC.
\8\ The Bogoslof District is closed by the final harvest specifications to directed fishing for pollock. The
amounts specified are for ICA only and are not apportioned by season or sector.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(8), Table 4 of the final 2014 and 2015
harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (79 FR 12108, March
4, 2014) is revised for the 2015 seasonal and spatial allowances, gear
shares, CDQ reserve, incidental catch allowance, and Amendment 80
allocation of the BSAI Atka mackerel TAC consistent with this
adjustment.
Table 4--Final 2015 Seasonal and Spatial Allowances, Gear Shares, CDQ Reserve, Incidental Catch Allowance, and
Amendment 80 Allocations of the BSAI Atka Mackerel TAC
[Amounts are in metric tons]
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2015 allocation by area
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Sector \1\ Season 2 3 4 Eastern Aleutian
District/Bering Central Aleutian Western Aleutian
Sea District \5\ District
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TAC.............................. n/a................. 27,000 17,000 10,500
CDQ reserve...................... Total............... 2,889 1,819 1,124
A................... 1,445 910 562
Critical Habitat.... n/a 546 337
B................... 1,445 910 562
Critical Habitat.... n/a 546 337
ICA.............................. Total............... 1,000 75 40
Jig \6\.......................... Total............... 116 0 0
[[Page 191]]
BSAI trawl limited access........ Total............... 2,300 1,511 0
A................... 1,150 755 0
Critical Habitat.... n/a 453 0
B................... 1,150 755 0
Critical Habitat.... n/a 453 0
Amendment 80 sectors............. Total............... 20,696 13,595 9,337
A................... 10,348 6,798 4,668
B................... 10,348 6,798 4,668
Alaska Groundfish Cooperative.... Total \6\........... 11,616 8,116 5,742
A................... 5,808 4,058 2,871
Critical Habitat.... n/a 2,435 1,723
B................... 5,808 4,058 2,871
Critical Habitat.... n/a 2,435 1,723
Alaska Seafood Cooperative....... Total \6\........... 9,080 5,479 3,594
A................... 4,540 2,740 1,797
Critical Habitat.... n/a 1,644 1,078
B................... 4,540 2,740 1,797
Critical Habitat.... n/a 1,644 1,078
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\1\ Section 679.20(a)(8)(ii) allocates the Atka mackerel TACs, after subtracting the CDQ reserves, jig gear
allocation, and ICAs to the Amendment 80 and BSAI trawl limited access sectors. The allocation of the ITAC for
Atka mackerel to the Amendment 80 and BSAI trawl limited access sectors is established in Table 33 to part 679
and Sec. 679.91. The CDQ reserve is 10.7 percent of the TAC for use by CDQ participants (see Sec. Sec.
679.20(b)(1)(ii)(C) and 679.31).
\2\ Regulations at Sec. Sec. 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(A) and 679.22(a) establish temporal and spatial limitations for
the Atka mackerel fishery.
\3\ The seasonal allowances of Atka mackerel are 50 percent in the A season and 50 percent in the B season.
\4\ Section 679.23(e)(3) authorizes directed fishing for Atka mackerel with trawl gear during the A season from
January 20 to June 10 and the B season from June 10 to December 31.
\5\ Section 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(1)(i) limits no more than 60 percent of the annual TACs in Areas and 542 and 543
to be caught inside of critical habitat; and Sec. 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(1)(ii) equally divided between the A
and B seasons as defined at Sec. 679.23(e)(3) and (2) requires the TAC in area 543 shall be no more than 65%
of ABC.
\6\ Section 679.20(a)(8)(i) requires that up to 2 percent of the Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering Sea
subarea TAC be allocated to jig gear after subtracting the CDQ reserve and ICA. The amount of this allocation
is 0.5 percent. The jig gear allocation is not apportioned by season.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(7), Table 6 of the final 2014 and 2015
harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (79 FR 12108, March
4, 2014) is revised for the 2015 gear shares and seasonal allowances of
the BSAI Pacific cod TAC consistent with this adjustment.
Table 6--Final 2015 Gear Shares and Seasonal Allowances of the BSAI Pacific Cod TAC
[Amounts are in metric tons]
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2015 share of 2015 seasonal apportionment
Gear sector Percent gear sector 2015 share of --------------------------------------------------------------
total sector total Seasons Amount
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BS TAC................................... n/a 240,000 n/a n/a.......................................... n/a
BS CDQ................................... n/a 25,680 n/a see Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(i)(B)................ n/a
BS non-CDQ TAC........................... n/a 214,320 n/a n/a.......................................... n/a
AI TAC................................... n/a 9,422 n/a n/a.......................................... n/a
AI CDQ................................... n/a 1,008 n/a see Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(i)(B)................ n/a
AI non-CDQ TAC........................... n/a 8,414 n/a n/a.......................................... n/a
Western Aleutian Island Limit............ n/a 2,478 n/a n/a.......................................... n/a
Total BSAI non-CDQ TAC \1\............... 100 222,734 n/a n/a.......................................... n/a
Total hook-and-line/pot gear............. 60.8 135,422 n/a n/a.......................................... n/a
Hook-and-line/pot ICA \2\................ n/a 500 n/a see Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(B)............... n/a
Hook-and-line/pot sub-total.............. n/a 134,922 n/a n/a.......................................... n/a
Hook-and-line catcher/processor.......... 48.7 n/a 108,071 Jan 1-Jun 10................................. 55,116
Jun 10-Dec 31................................ 52,955
Hook-and-line catcher vessel >=60 ft LOA. 0.2 n/a 444 Jan 1-Jun 10................................. 226
Jun 10-Dec 31................................ 217
Pot catcher/processor.................... 1.5 n/a 3,329 Jan 1-Jun 10................................. 1,698
Sept 1-Dec 31................................ 1,631
Pot catcher vessel >=60 ft LOA........... 8.4 n/a 18,641 Jan 1-Jun 10................................. 9,507
Sept 1-Dec 31................................ 9,134
Catcher vessel <60 ft LOA using hook-and- 2 n/a 4,438 n/a.......................................... n/a
line or pot gear.
Trawl catcher vessel..................... 22.1 49,224 n/a Jan 20-Apr 1................................. 36,426
[[Page 192]]
Apr 1-Jun 10................................. 5,415
Jun 10-Nov 1................................. 7,384
AFA trawl catcher/processor.............. 2.3 5,123 n/a Jan 20-Apr 1................................. 3,842
Apr 1-Jun 10................................. 1,281
Jun 10-Nov 1................................. 0
Amendment 80............................. 13.4 29,846 n/a Jan 20-Apr 1................................. 22,385
Apr 1-Jun 10................................. 7,462
Jun 10-Nov 1................................. 0
Alaska Groundfish Cooperative............ n/a n/a 4,711 Jan 20-Apr 1................................. 3,533
Apr 1-Jun 10................................. 1,178
Jun 10-Dec 31................................ 0
Alaska Seafood Cooperative............... n/a n/a 25,135 Jan 20-Apr 1................................. 18,851
Apr 1-Jun 10................................. 6,284
Jun 10-Dec 31................................ 0
Jig...................................... 1.4 3,118 n/a Jan 1-Apr 30................................. 1,871
Apr 30-Aug 31................................ 624
Aug 31-Dec 31................................ 624
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\1\ The gear shares and seasonal allowances for BSAI Pacific cod TAC are based on the sum of the BS and AI Pacific cod TACs, after the subtraction of
CDQ. If the TAC for Pacific cod in either the AI or BS is reached, then directed fishing for Pacific cod in that subarea may be prohibited, even if a
BSAI allowance remains.
\2\ The ICA for the hook-and-line and pot sectors will be deducted from the aggregate portion of Pacific cod TAC allocated to the hook-and-line and pot
sectors. The Regional Administrator approves an ICA of 500 mt for 2015 based on anticipated incidental catch in these fisheries.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
Classification
This action responds to the best available information recently
obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,
NOAA (AA), finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior
notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set
forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is impracticable and
contrary to the public interest. This requirement is impracticable and
contrary to the public interest as it would prevent NMFS from
responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and
would allow for harvests that exceed the appropriate allocations for
pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific cod in the BSAI based on the best
scientific information available. NMFS was unable to publish a notice
providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant
data only became available as of December 26, 2014, and additional time
for prior public comment would result in conservation concerns for the
ESA-listed Steller sea lions.
The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the
effective date of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This finding is
based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and
opportunity for public comment.
Under Sec. 679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to submit
written comments on this action to the above address until January 16,
2015.
This action is required by Sec. 679.20 and Sec. 679.25 and is
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: December 30, 2014.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-30819 Filed 12-30-14; 4:15 pm]
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