[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 93 (Thursday, May 14, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27588-27600]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-11607]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 660
[Docket No. 141219999-5432-02]
RIN 0648-BE74
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States;
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Annual Specifications and Management
Measures for the 2015 Tribal and Non-Tribal Fisheries for Pacific
Whiting
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: NMFS issues this final rule for the 2015 Pacific whiting
fishery under the authority of the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery
Management Plan (FMP), the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), and the Pacific Whiting Act of
2006. This final rule announces the 2015 U.S. Total Allowable Catch
(TAC) of 325,072 metric tons, establishes the tribal allocation of
56,888 metric tons of Pacific whiting for 2015, authorizes NMFS to
reapportion unused tribal allocation to the non-tribal sectors earlier
in the fishing season, establishes a set-aside for research and bycatch
of 1,500 metric tons, and announces the allocations of Pacific whiting
to the non-tribal fishery for 2015. This rule will ensure that the 2015
Pacific whiting fishery is managed in accordance with the goals and
objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the FMP, the Pacific Whiting
Act of 2006, and other applicable laws.
DATES: Effective May 14, 2015.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Miako Ushio (West Coast Region, NMFS),
phone: 206-526-4644, and email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Electronic Access
This final rule is accessible via the Internet at the Office of the
Federal Register Web site at https://www.federalregister.gov.
Background information and documents are available at the NMFS West
Coast Region Web site at http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/management/whiting/pacific_whiting.html and at the Pacific
Fishery Management Council's Web site at http://www.pcouncil.org/.
The final environmental impact statement (FEIS) regarding Harvest
Specifications and Management Measures for 2015-2016 and Biennial
Periods Thereafter is available on the NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region
Web site at: www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/publications/nepa/groundfish/groundfish_nepa_documents.html and copies are available from
Donald McIsaac, Executive Director, Pacific Fishery Management Council
(Council), 7700 NE Ambassador Place, Portland, OR 97220, phone: 503-
820-2280.
Background
This final rule announces the TAC for Pacific whiting, expressed in
metric tons (mt). This is the fourth year that the TAC for Pacific
whiting has been determined under the terms of the Agreement with
Canada on Pacific Hake/Whiting (the Agreement) and the Pacific Whiting
Act of 2006 (the Whiting Act), 16 U.S.C. 7001-7010. The Agreement and
the Whiting Act establish bilateral bodies to implement the terms of
the Agreement, each with various responsibilities, including: The Joint
Management Committee (JMC), which is the decision-making body; the
Joint Technical Committee (JTC), which conducts the stock assessment;
the Scientific Review Group (SRG), which reviews the stock assessment;
and the Advisory Panel (AP), which provides stakeholder input to the
JMC (The Agreement, Art. II-IV; 16 U.S.C. 7001-7005). The Agreement
establishes a default harvest policy (F-40 percent with a 40/10
adjustment) and allocates 73.88 percent of the TAC to the United States
and 26.12 percent of the TAC to Canada. The JMC is primarily
responsible for developing a TAC recommendation to the Parties (United
States and Canada). The Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the
Secretary of State, has the authority to accept or reject this
recommendation.
2015 Pacific Whiting Stock Assessment
The JTC prepared the stock assessment document ``Status of Pacific
hake (whiting) stock in U.S. and Canadian waters in 2015,'' which was
completed on March 4, 2015. The assessment presents a model that
depends primarily upon 10 years of an acoustic survey biomass index and
catches for information on the scale of the current Pacific whiting
stock. No survey was conducted in 2014. Therefore the most recent
survey information remains the survey conducted in 2013, which resulted
in a survey biomass estimate of approximately 2.4 million tons. The
stock is estimated to be near its highest biomass level since the early
1990s as a result of an above average 2008 cohort and a very large 2010
cohort. Recruitment in 2011 is estimated to have been below average.
Cohorts from the years 2012-2014 have not been observed long enough to
estimate their size or even if they are likely to be above or below
average. The spawning biomass in 2015 is estimated to have declined
from 2014 due to fishing and natural mortality of the 2008 and 2010
cohorts which are now fully mature and no longer growing as rapidly as
in previous years. The median of the estimated 2015 spawning biomass is
over 70 percent of unfished equilibrium biomass, but is highly
uncertain (with 95 percent confidence intervals from 34 percent to 150
percent).
As with past estimates, there is a high level of uncertainty.
However, both age-composition data from the aggregated fisheries (1975-
2014) and the acoustic survey indicate a strong 2008 cohort (age-6
whiting), and an exceptionally strong 2010 cohort (age-4 whiting)
contributing to recent increases in the survey index. Coast-wide
catches in recent years have depended on the 2008 and 2010 year-
classes, with the 2008 cohort being 70 percent of the 2011 catch and 33
percent of the 2012 catch, while the 2010 cohort accounted for 40
percent of the 2012 catch, 70 percent of the 2013 catch, and 64 percent
of the 2014 catch. This is despite the fact that catches in Canada have
had relatively small proportions of these two cohorts.
The JTC provided tables showing catch alternatives for 2015. Using
the default F-40 percent harvest rate identified in the Agreement
(Paragraph 1 of Article III), the coastwide TAC for 2015 would be
804,576 mt. The stock assessment model predicts that the probability of
the spawning stock biomass dropping below 40 percent under the default
harvest rate catch scenario, is 21 percent, and the probability of
dropping below 10 percent of unfished biomass in 2015 is less than 1
percent. Spawning biomass in 2016 is likely to be less than in 2015
under any catch level. This is because the dominant 2010 cohort is
projected to lose biomass due to natural mortality occurring at a
faster rate than biomass will increase due to growth. Until cohorts are
five or six years old, the model's ability to resolve cohort strength
is poor. For many of the recent above average cohorts (2005, 2006, and
2008), the size of the year class was overestimated when it was age
two, compared to updated estimates as the
[[Page 27589]]
cohort aged and more observations have been made in the fishery and
survey. Given this trend and an uncertain 2010 year class, additional
forecast decision tables were presented last year and a conservative
estimate of the 2010 year class (the lowest 10 percent of the model-
estimated recruitment) was used to set the 2014 coastwide TAC. Survey
and fishery dependent data from 2013 indicate a strong likelihood that
the 2010 year class is of above average size, but there is still some
uncertainty about how much above average.
The SRG met in Vancouver, B.C., on February 24-27, 2015, to review
the draft stock assessment document prepared by the JTC. The SRG noted
that there was no acoustic survey in 2014 and that the 2015 assessment
base model has the same structure as the 2014 model, with the addition
of new catch and age composition data for 2014 and minor refinements to
catch estimates for earlier years in the time series. They also noted
that uncertainty in current stock status and projections is likely
underestimated.
The SRG noted that the 2013 survey biomass estimate (age 2+) in the
base assessment model included biomass extrapolated outside the
surveyed area as approximately 32 percent of its total, much greater
than the 12 percent in the 2012 survey estimate. Sensitivity analyses
conducted by the survey team showed that the 2013 survey biomass
estimate was highly sensitive to changes in the area of extrapolation.
Therefore, the SRG requested the inclusion of additional analysis
results in which the extrapolated biomass in the 2012 and 2013 surveys
was removed. The SRG believed that the two analyses (the base model and
the alternative analysis with 2012 and 2013 extrapolated biomass
removed) likely bracketed the range of uncertainty due to
extrapolation. Applying the default harvest rate to the sensitivity
analysis with zero extrapolated biomass would bring the coastwide catch
down from 804,576 mt to 628,361 mt.
The base assessment model forecasts that catches of 730,000 mt in
2015 and 650,000 mt in 2016 could be achievable when fishing at the F-
40 target fishing intensity, with an equal probability of being above
or below the target fishing intensity. In contrast, the sensitivity
analysis recommended by the SRG using un-extrapolated 2012 and 2013
survey index values forecasts that slightly lower catches of 580,000 mt
in 2015 and 520,000 mt in 2016 may be achievable when fishing at the
same F40[percnt] target. The 2015 median stock
biomass estimate is well above the B40[percnt]
(target) biomass threshold, and fishing intensity is well below the
F40[percnt] target, in both the base and
alternative models. The SRG concluded that the coastal Pacific whiting
stock is not overfished and that overfishing is not occurring in either
scenario.
The AP met on March 17, 2015, and recommended a 2015 TAC to the JMC
on March 18, 2015. At its March 18-19, 2015, meeting, the JMC reviewed
the advice of the JTC, the SRG, and the AP, and agreed on a TAC
recommendation for transmittal to the Parties. Paragraph 1 of Article
III of the Agreement directs the default harvest rate to be used unless
scientific evidence demonstrates that a different rate is necessary to
sustain the offshore whiting resource. The JMC noted that there is
still some uncertainty about the strength of the 2010 year class,
acknowledged the overall stock is dominated by the 2010 year class, and
that there is currently no evidence of large recruitments in more
recent year classes. Because of these factors, the JMC did not apply
the default harvest rate under the Agreement to determine a TAC for
2015. Instead, the JMC recommended an unadjusted TAC of 383,365 mt for
2015, which is less than half of what the TAC would be by using the
default harvest rate. This conservative approach that focused on
uncertainty of the 2010 year class strength, coupled with no evidence
of large recruitments in more recent year classes, was endorsed by the
AP. Both the United States and Canada caught less than their individual
TAC in 2014. Therefore, the equivalent of 15 percent of the 2014 TAC is
added to each Party's TAC in accordance with Article II of the
Agreement, resulting in a 2015 adjusted coastwide TAC of 440,000 mt.
The recommendation for an unadjusted 2015 United States TAC of
283,230 mt, plus 41,842 mt carryover of uncaught quota from 2014
(equivalent to 15 percent of the 2014 TAC) results in an adjusted
United States TAC of 325,072 mt for 2015 (73.88 percent of the
coastwide TAC). This recommendation is consistent with the best
available science, provisions of the Agreement, and the Whiting Act.
The recommendation was transmitted via letter to the Parties on March
19, 2015. NMFS, under delegation of authority from the Secretary of
Commerce, approved the adjusted TAC recommendation of 325,072 mt for
U.S. fisheries on April 2, 2015.
Tribal Fishery Allocation and Reapportionment
This final rule establishes the tribal allocation of Pacific
whiting for 2015 and modifies the timing of potential reapportionment
from the tribal to the non-tribal sectors. NMFS issued a proposed rule
regarding this allocation and change to management of the 2015 tribal
Pacific whiting fishery on March 10, 2015 (80 FR 12611). This action
finalizes the tribal allocation and reapportionment management
measures.
Since 1996, NMFS has been allocating a portion of the U.S. TAC of
Pacific whiting to the tribal fishery using the process described in
Sec. 660.50(d)(1). According to Sec. 660.55(b), the tribal allocation
is subtracted from the total U.S. Pacific whiting TAC. The tribal
Pacific whiting fishery is managed separately from the non-tribal
Pacific whiting fishery, and is not governed by limited entry or open
access regulations or allocations.
The proposed rule described the tribal allocation as 17.5 percent
of the U.S. TAC, and projected a range of potential tribal allocations
for 2015 based on a range of U.S. TACs over the last 10 years, 2005
through 2014 (plus or minus 25 percent to capture variability in stock
abundance). As described in the proposed rule, the resulting range of
potential tribal allocations was 17,842 mt to 63,635 mt.
As described earlier in this preamble, the U.S. TAC for 2015 is
325,072 mt. Applying the approach described in the proposed rule, NMFS
is establishing the 2015 tribal allocation of 56,888 mt (17.5 percent
of the U.S. TAC) at Sec. 660.50(f)(4) by this final rule. While the
total amount of Pacific whiting to which the Tribes are entitled under
their treaty right has not yet been determined, and new scientific
information or discussions with the relevant parties may impact that
decision, the best available scientific information to date suggests
that 56,888 mt is within the likely range of potential treaty right
amounts.
As with prior tribal Pacific whiting allocations, this final rule
is not intended to establish precedent for future Pacific whiting
seasons, or for the determination of the total amount of whiting to
which the Tribes are entitled under their treaty right. Rather, this
rule adopts an interim allocation, pending the determination of the
total treaty amount. That amount will be based on further development
of scientific information and additional coordination and discussion
with and among the coastal tribes and States of Washington and Oregon.
This final rule would also revise the regulation authorizing NMFS
to reapportion unused allocation from the tribal sector to the non-
tribal sectors. The change would allow NMFS to take reapportionment
action earlier in the
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fishing season than was previously allowed. As described in the
proposed rule (March 10, 2015, 80 FR 12611), NMFS is revising
regulations at Sec. 660.131(h) to allow, in specific circumstances,
reapportionment of Pacific whiting from the tribal fishery to the non-
tribal Pacific whiting fisheries prior to September 15. In some years,
the participating tribes may determine, prior to September 15, that
they will not use a portion of the tribal allocation. Regulations at
Sec. 660.131(h) are revised by this final rule to allow NMFS to
reapportion whiting earlier under these circumstances.
Harvest Guidelines and Allocations
This final rule establishes the fishery harvest guideline (HG) and
allocates it between the three sectors of the Pacific whiting fishery.
The fishery harvest guideline, sometimes called the non-tribal
allocation, was not included in the tribal whiting proposed rule
published on March 10, 2015 (80 FR 12611), for two reasons related to
timing and process. First, a recommendation on the coastwide TAC for
Pacific whiting for 2015, under the terms of the Agreement with Canada,
was not available until March 29, 2015. This recommendation for a U.S.
TAC was approved by NMFS, under delegation of authority from the
Secretary of Commerce, on April 2, 2015. Second, the fishery harvest
guideline is established following deductions from the U.S. TAC for the
tribal allocation (56,888 mt), mortality in scientific research
activities, and fishing mortality in non-groundfish fisheries (1,500
mt). The Council establishes the amounts deducted from the U.S. TAC for
scientific research and non-groundfish fisheries on an annual basis at
its April meeting, based on estimates of scientific research catch and
estimated bycatch mortality in non-groundfish fisheries. For 2015, the
Council recommended and the West Coast Region approves a research and
bycatch set-aside of 1,500 mt. These amounts are not set until the TAC
is available. The fishery HG is therefore being finalized with this
rule.
The 2015 fishery harvest guideline (HG), sometimes referred to as
the non-tribal allocation, for Pacific whiting is 266,684 mt. This
amount was determined by deducting from the total U.S. TAC of 325,072
mt, the 56,888 mt tribal allocation, along with 1,500 mt for scientific
research catch and fishing mortality in non-groundfish fisheries.
Regulations at Sec. 660.55(i)(2) allocate the fishery HG among the
non-tribal catcher/processor, mothership, and shorebased sectors of the
Pacific whiting fishery. The Catcher/Processor Coop Program is
allocated 34 percent (90,673 mt for 2015), the Mothership Coop Program
is allocated 24 percent (64,004 mt for 2015), and the Shorebased IFQ
Program is allocated 42 percent (112,007 mt for 2015). The fishery
south of 42[deg] N. lat. may not take more than 5,600 mt (5 percent of
the Shorebased IFQ Program allocation) prior to the start of the
primary Pacific whiting season north of 42[deg] N. lat.
The 2015 allocations of canary rockfish, darkblotched rockfish,
Pacific ocean perch and widow rockfish to the Pacific whiting fishery
were published in a final rule on March 10, 2015 (80 FR 12567). The
allocations to the Pacific whiting fishery for these species are
described in the footnotes to Table 1.b to Part 660, Subpart C and are
not changed via this rulemaking.
Comments and Responses
On March 10, 2015, NMFS issued a proposed rule for the allocation
and management of the 2015 tribal Pacific whiting fishery. The comment
period on the proposed rule closed on April 9, 2015. Two comment
letters were received: Department of the Interior submitted a letter of
``no comments'' and a member of the public submitted a comment letter
supporting the proposed action. Specifically, they spoke in favor of
the proposed tribal allocation and suggested that the proposed action
mitigates potential negative effects to non-tribal industry from that
tribal allocation.
Classification
The Annual Specifications and Management Measures for the 2015
Tribal and non-Tribal Fisheries for Pacific Whiting are issued under
the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and the Pacific Whiting Act
of 2006, and are in accordance with 50 CFR part 660, subparts C through
G, the regulations implementing the FMP. NMFS has determined that this
rule is consistent with the national standards of the Magnuson-Stevens
Act and other applicable laws. NMFS, in making the final determination,
took into account the data, views, and comments received during the
comment period.
NMFS has determined that the tribal Pacific whiting fishery
conducted off the coast of the State of Washington is consistent, to
the maximum extent practicable, with the approved coastal zone
management program of the States of Washington and Oregon. NMFS has
also determined that the Pacific whiting fishery, both tribal and non-
tribal, is consistent, to the maximum extent practicable, with approved
coastal zone management programs for the States of Washington and
Oregon. NMFS sent letters to the State of Washington and the State of
Oregon describing its determination of consistency dated February 3,
2015. The State of Washington responded indicating agreement with the
determination, and Oregon did not respond to the letters; therefore,
consistency is inferred.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the NMFS Assistant Administrator
finds good cause to waive prior public notice and comment and delay in
effectiveness those provisions of this final rule that were not
included in 80 FR 12611, e.g., the U.S. TAC, as delaying this rule
would be contrary to the public interest. The annual harvest
specifications for Pacific whiting must be implemented by the start of
the primary Pacific whiting season, which begins on May 15, 2015, or
the primary Pacific whiting season will effectively remain closed.
Every year, NMFS conducts a Pacific whiting stock assessment in
which U.S. and Canadian scientists cooperate. The 2015 stock assessment
for Pacific whiting was prepared in early 2015, and included updated
total catch, length and age data from the U.S. and Canadian fisheries
from 2014, and biomass indices from the 2013 Joint U.S.-Canadian
acoustic/midwater trawl surveys. Because of this late availability of
the most recent data for the assessment, and the need for time to
conduct the treaty process for determining the TAC using the most
recent assessment, it would not be possible to allow for notice and
comment before the start of the primary Pacific whiting season on May
15.
A delay in implementing the Pacific whiting harvest specifications
to allow for notice and comment would be contrary to the public
interest because it would require either a shorter primary whiting
season or development of a TAC without the most recent data. A shorter
season could prevent the tribal and non-tribal fisheries from attaining
their 2015 allocations, which would result in unnecessary short-term
adverse economic effects for the Pacific whiting fishing vessels and
the associated fishing communities. A TAC determined without the most
recent data could fail to account for significant fluctuations in the
biomass of this relatively short-lived species. To prevent these
adverse effects and to allow the Pacific whiting season to commence, it
is in the public interest to waive prior notice and comment.
In addition, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the NMFS Assistant
Administrator finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in
effectiveness. Waiving the 30-day delay in
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effectiveness will not have a negative impact on any entities, as there
are no new compliance requirements or other burdens placed on the
fishing community with this rule. Failure to make this final rule
effective at the start of the fishing year will undermine the intent of
the rule, which is to promote the optimal utilization and conservation
of Pacific whiting. Making this rule effective immediately would also
serve the best interests of the public because it will allow for the
longest possible Pacific whiting fishing season and therefore the best
possible economic outcome for those whose livelihoods depend on this
fishery. Because the 30-day delay in effectiveness would potentially
cause significant financial harm without providing any corresponding
benefits, this final rule is effective upon publication in the Federal
Register.
The preamble to the proposed rule and this final rule serve as the
small entity compliance guide required by Section 212 of the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. This action does
not require any additional compliance from small entities that is not
described in the preamble. Copies of this final rule are available from
NMFS at the following Web site: http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/management/whiting/pacific_whiting.html
The Office of Management and Budget has determined that this final
rule is not significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866.
When an agency proposes regulations, the Regulatory Flexibility Act
(RFA) requires the agency to prepare and make available for public
comment an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) document that
describes the impact on small businesses, non-profit enterprises, local
governments, and other small entities. The IRFA is to aid the agency in
considering all reasonable regulatory alternatives that would minimize
the economic impact on affected small entities. After the public
comment period, the agency prepares a Final Regulatory Flexibility
Analysis (FRFA) that takes into consideration any new information and
public comments. This FRFA incorporates the IRFA and a summary of the
analyses completed to support the action. NMFS published a proposed
rule on March 10, 2015 (80 FR 12611) for the allocation and management
of the 2015 tribal Pacific whiting fishery. The comment period on the
proposed rule closed on April 9, 2015, and neither for the two comments
received by NMFS related to the IRFA.
An IRFA was prepared and summarized in the Classification section
of the preamble to the proposed rule. The description of this action,
its purpose, and its legal basis are described in the preamble to the
proposed rule and are not repeated here. The FRFA describes the impacts
on small entities, which are defined in the IRFA for this action and
not repeated here. Analytical requirements for the FRFA are described
in Regulatory Flexibility Act, section 604(a)(1) through (5), and
summarized below. The FRFA must contain: (1) A succinct statement of
the need for, and objectives of, the rule; (2) A summary of the
significant issues raised by the public comments in response to the
initial regulatory flexibility analysis, a summary of the assessment of
the agency of such issues, and a statement of any changes made in the
proposed rule as a result of such comments; (3) A description and an
estimate of the number of small entities to which the rule will apply,
or an explanation of why no such estimate is available; (4) A
description of the projected reporting, recordkeeping and other
compliance requirements of the rule, including an estimate of the
classes of small entities which will be subject to the requirement and
the type of professional skills necessary for preparation of the report
or record; and (5) A description of the steps the agency has taken to
minimize the significant economic impact on small entities consistent
with the stated objectives of applicable statutes, including a
statement of the factual, policy, and legal reasons for selecting the
alternative adopted in the final rule and why each one of the other
significant alternatives to the rule considered by the agency which
affect the impact on small entities was rejected.
This final rule establishes the initial 2015 Pacific whiting
allocations for the tribal fishery, the fishery HG, the allocations for
the non-tribal sectors (catcher/processor, mothership, and shoreside),
and the amount of Pacific whiting deducted from the TAC for scientific
research and fishing mortality in non-groundfish fisheries. The amount
of Pacific whiting allocated to these sectors is based on the U.S. TAC.
From the U.S. TAC, the tribal allocation and small amounts of whiting
that account for scientific research catch and for fishing mortality in
non-groundfish fisheries are deducted. The remainder is the fishery HG.
This fishery HG is then allocated among the other three sectors as
follows: 34 percent for the C/P Coop Program; 24 percent for the MS
Coop Program; and 42 percent for the Shorebased IFQ Program.
There are four tribes that can participate in the tribal whiting
fishery: The Hoh, Makah, Quileute, and Quinault. The current tribal
fleet is composed of 5 trawlers but in recent years, there have been
fewer vessels actually fishing. Based on groundfish ex-vessel revenues
and on tribal enrollments (the population size of each tribe), the four
tribes and their fleets are considered ``small'' entities. This rule
would impact vessels in the non-tribal fishery that fish for Pacific
whiting. Currently, there are three non-tribal sectors in the Pacific
whiting fishery: Shorebased Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program--
Trawl Fishery; Mothership Coop (MS) Program--Whiting At-sea Trawl
Fishery; and C/P Coop Program--Whiting At-sea Trawl Fishery.
Currently, the Shorebased IFQ Program is composed of 149 quota
share (QS) permits/accounts, 152 vessel accounts, and 43 first
receivers. The MS Program is currently composed of a single coop, with
six mothership processor permits, and 34 Mothership/Catcher-Vessel (MS/
CV) endorsed permits, with three permits each having two catch history
assignments. The C/P Program is composed of 10 C/P permits owned by
three companies that have formed a single coop.
Many companies participate in two sectors and some participate in
all three sectors. After accounting for cross participation, multiple
QS account holders, and for affiliation through ownership, NMFS
estimates that there are 103 non-tribal entities directly affected by
these proposed regulations, 89 of which are considered to be ``small''
businesses. These numbers do not include affiliation via the two coops.
All of the 34 mothership catch history assignments are associated with
a single Mothership Coop and all ten of the C/P permits, these coops
are considered large entities. These coops are considered large
entities from several perspectives. They have participants that are
large entities, whiting coop revenues exceed or have exceeded the $20.5
million, or coop members are connected to American Fishing Act permits
or coops where the NMFS Alaska Region has determined they are all large
entities (79 FR 54597 (September 12, 2014)). Therefore, there are 17
large entities and 89 small entities affected by this rule.
There are no significant alternatives to the rule that accomplish
the stated objectives of applicable statutes and that minimize any of
the significant economic impact of the proposed rule
[[Page 27592]]
on small entities. NMFS believes this rule will not adversely affect
small entities. There are no significant alternatives to the rule that
accomplish the stated objectives of applicable statutes and the
treaties with the affected tribes that minimize any of the significant
economic impact of the proposed rule on small entities.
For the years 2010 to 2014, the total Pacific whiting fishery
(tribal and non-tribal) averaged harvests of approximately 183,000 mt
annually, worth over $43 million in ex-vessel revenues. As the U.S.
Pacific whiting TAC has been highly variable during this time, so have
harvests. In the past five years, harvests have ranged from 160,000 mt
(2012) to 264,000 mt (2014). Ex-vessel revenues have also varied.
Annual ex-vessel revenues have ranged from $30 million (2010) to $65
million (2013). Total Pacific whiting harvest in 2013 was approximately
233,000 mt worth $65 million, at an ex-vessel price of $280 per mt. Ex-
vessel revenues in 2014 were over $64 million with a harvest of
approximately 264,000 tons and ex-vessel price of $240 per mt. The
prices for Pacific whiting are largely determined by the world market
for groundfish, because most of the Pacific whiting harvested is
exported. Note that the use of ex-vessel values does not take into
account the wholesale or export value of the fishery or the costs of
harvesting and processing Pacific whiting into a finished product. NMFS
does not have sufficient information to make a complete assessment of
these values. In 2014, the total estimated catch of Pacific whiting by
tribal and non-tribal fishermen was 264,000 mt, or 84 percent of the
U.S. TAC (316,206 mt). There were two fall reapportionments totaling
45,000 mt of Pacific whiting from the tribal to non-tribal sectors
(September 12 and October 23, 2014). Using the average 2014 ex-vessel
price of $240, these reapportionments were valued at approximately
$10.8 million. The 2014 tribal harvest was less than 1,000 mt, of the
final tribal allocation of 10,336 mt. In total, non-tribal sectors
harvested 98 percent of the final non-tribal allocation of 234,040 mt.
The revised Pacific whiting allocations for 2014 were: Tribal 10,336
mt, C/P Coop 103,486 mt; MS Coop 73,049 mt; and Shorebased IFQ Program
127,835 mt. This rule increases the U.S. adjusted TAC for 2015 to
325,072 mt, and the tribal allocation of 17.5 percent of the U.S. TAC
is 56,888 mt. After setting aside 1,500 mt for scientific research
catch and fishing mortality in non-groundfish fisheries, the U.S.
fishery HG for 2015 is 266,684 mt. Sector allocations are higher than
sector catches in 2014, so this rule will be beneficial to both large
and small entities. The initial 2015 allocations to these non-tribal
sectors are 3% higher than their 2014 initial allocations. This rule
will be beneficial to both large and small entities.
The RFA can be found at http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/laws/regulatory-flexibility/. The NMFS Economic Guidelines that
describe the RFA and EO 12866 can be found at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/domes_fish/EconomicGuidelines.pdf.
There are no recordkeeping requirements associated with this final
rule. No Federal rules have been identified that duplicate, overlap, or
conflict with this action.
NMFS issued Biological Opinions under the Endangered Species Act
(ESA) on August 10, 1990, November 26, 1991, August 28, 1992, September
27, 1993, May 14, 1996, and December 15, 1999, pertaining to the
effects of the Groundfish FMP fisheries on Chinook salmon (Puget Sound,
Snake River spring/summer, Snake River fall, upper Columbia River
spring, lower Columbia River, upper Willamette River, Sacramento River
winter, Central Valley spring, California coastal), coho salmon
(Central California coastal, southern Oregon/northern California
coastal), chum salmon (Hood Canal summer, Columbia River), sockeye
salmon (Snake River, Ozette Lake), and steelhead (upper, middle and
lower Columbia River, Snake River Basin, upper Willamette River,
central California coast, California Central Valley, south/central
California, northern California, southern California). These biological
opinions have concluded that implementation of the FMP is not expected
to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered or threatened
species under the jurisdiction of NMFS, or result in the destruction or
adverse modification of critical habitat.
NMFS issued a Supplemental Biological Opinion on March 11, 2006,
concluding that neither the higher observed bycatch of Chinook in the
2005 whiting fishery nor new data regarding salmon bycatch in the
groundfish bottom trawl fishery required a reconsideration of its prior
``no jeopardy'' conclusion. NMFS also reaffirmed its prior
determination that implementation of the FMP is not likely to
jeopardize the continued existence of any of the affected ESUs. Lower
Columbia River coho (70 FR 37160, June 28, 2005) and Oregon Coastal
coho (73 FR 7816, February 11, 2008) were relisted as threatened under
the ESA. The 1999 biological opinion concluded that the bycatch of
salmonids in the Pacific whiting fishery were almost entirely Chinook
salmon, with little or no bycatch of coho, chum, sockeye, and
steelhead.
NMFS has reinitiated section 7 consultation on the Pacific Coast
Groundfish FMP with respect to its effects on listed salmonids. In the
event the consultation identifies either reasonable and prudent
alternatives to address jeopardy concerns, or reasonable and prudent
measures to minimize incidental take, NMFS would coordinate with the
Council to put additional alternatives or measures into place, as
required. After reviewing the available information, NMFS has concluded
that, consistent with sections 7(a)(2) and 7(d) of the ESA, this action
will not jeopardize any listed species, would not adversely modify any
designated critical habitat, and will not result in any irreversible or
irretrievable commitment of resources that would have the effect of
foreclosing the formulation or implementation of any reasonable and
prudent alternative measures.
On December 7, 2012, NMFS completed a biological opinion concluding
that the groundfish fishery is not likely to jeopardize non-salmonid
marine species, including listed eulachon, the southern distinct
population segment (DPS) of green sturgeon, humpback whales, the
eastern DPS of Steller sea lions, and leatherback sea turtles. The
opinion also concluded that the fishery is not likely to adversely
modify critical habitat for green sturgeon and leatherback sea turtles.
An analysis included in the same document as the opinion concludes that
the fishery is not likely to adversely affect green sea turtles, olive
ridley sea turtles, loggerhead sea turtles, sei whales, North Pacific
right whales, blue whales, fin whales, sperm whales, Southern Resident
killer whales, Guadalupe fur seals, or the critical habitat for Steller
sea lions. Since that biological opinion, the eastern DPS of Steller
sea lions was delisted on November 4, 2013 (78 FR 66140); however, this
delisting did not change the designation of the codified critical
habitat for the eastern DPS of Steller sea lions. On January 21, 2013,
NMFS informally consulted on the fishery's effects on eulachon to
consider whether the 2012 opinion should be reconsidered for eulachon
in light of new information from the 2011 fishery and the proposed
chafing gear modifications. NMFS determined that information about
bycatch of eulachon in 2011 and chafing gear regulations did not change
the effects that were
[[Page 27593]]
analyzed in the December 7, 2012, biological opinion, or provide any
other basis to reinitiate consultation.
On November 21, 2012, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
issued a biological opinion concluding that the groundfish fishery will
not jeopardize the continued existence of the short-tailed albatross.
The FWS also concurred that the fishery is not likely to adversely
affect the marbled murrelet, California least tern, southern sea otter,
bull trout, nor bull trout critical habitat.
West Coast pot fisheries for sablefish are considered Category II
fisheries under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), indicating
occasional interactions. All other West Coast groundfish fisheries,
including the trawl fishery, are considered Category III fisheries
under the MMPA, indicating a remote likelihood of or no known serious
injuries or mortalities to marine mammals. MMPA section 101(a)(5)(E)
requires that NMFS authorize the taking of ESA-listed marine mammals
incidental to U.S. commercial fisheries if it makes the requisite
findings, including a finding that the incidental mortality and serious
injury from commercial fisheries will have a negligible impact on the
affected species or stock. As noted above, NMFS concluded in its
biological opinion for the 2012 groundfish fisheries that these
fisheries were not likely to jeopardize Steller sea lions or humpback
whales. The eastern distinct population segment of Steller sea lions
was delisted under the ESA on November 4, 2013 (78 FR 66140). On
September 4, 2013, based on its negligible impact determination dated
August 28, 2013, NMFS issued a permit for a period of 3 years to
authorize the incidental taking of humpback whales by the sablefish pot
fishery (78 FR 54553).
Pursuant to Executive Order 13175, this final rule was developed
after meaningful consultation and collaboration with tribal officials
from the area covered by the FMP. Consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens
Act at 16 U.S.C. 1852(b)(5), one of the voting members of the Pacific
Council is a representative of an Indian tribe with federally
recognized fishing rights from the area of the Council's jurisdiction.
In addition, NMFS has coordinated specifically with the tribes
interested in the whiting fishery regarding the issues addressed by
this final rule.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660
Fisheries, Fishing, Indian fisheries.
Dated: May 8, 2015.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 660 is amended
as follows:
PART 660--FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES
0
1. The authority citation for part 660 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq., 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq., and 16
U.S.C. 7001 et seq.
0
2. In Sec. 660.50, revise paragraph (f)(4) to read as follows:
Sec. 660.50 Pacific Coast treaty Indian fisheries.
* * * * *
(f) * * *
(4) Pacific whiting. The tribal allocation for 2015 is 56,888 mt.
* * * * *
0
3. Tables 1a and 1b to part 660, subpart C, are revised to read as
follows:
[[Page 27594]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR14MY15.003
\a\ Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs) and
harvest guidelines (HGs) are specified as total catch values.
\b\ Fishery harvest guidelines means the harvest guideline or
quota after subtracting Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribes
allocations and projected catch, projected research catch,
deductions for fishing mortality in non-
[[Page 27595]]
groundfish fisheries, and deductions for EFPs from the ACL or ACT.
\c\ Bocaccio. A bocaccio stock assessment update was conducted
in 2013 for the bocaccio stock between the U.S.-Mexico border and
Cape Blanco. The stock is managed with stock-specific harvest
specifications south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. and within the Minor
Shelf Rockfish complex north of 40[deg]10 N. lat. A historical catch
distribution of approximately 6 percent was used to apportion the
assessed stock to the area north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. The bocaccio
stock was estimated to be at 31.4 percent of its unfished biomass in
2013. The OFL of 1,444 mt is projected in the 2013 stock assessment
using an FMSY proxy of F50[percnt].
The ABC of 1,380 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL
([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 stock. The 349 mt ACL is
based on the current rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild
of 2022 and an SPR harvest rate of 77.7 percent. 8.3 mt is deducted
from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (0.7
mt), EFP catch (3.0 mt) and research catch (4.6 mt), resulting in a
fishery HG of 340.7 mt. The California recreational fishery has an
HG of 178.8 mt.
\d\ Canary rockfish. A canary rockfish stock assessment update
was conducted in 2011 and the stock was estimated to be at 23.2
percent of its unfished biomass coastwide in 2011. The coastwide OFL
of 733 mt is projected in the 2011 rebuilding analysis using an
FMSY proxy of F50[percnt]. The ABC
of 701 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/
P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 stock. The ACL of 122 mt is based on
the current rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild of 2030
and an SPR harvest rate of 88.7 percent. 15.2 mt is deducted from
the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (7.7 mt), the incidental
open access fishery (2 mt), EFP catch (1.0 mt) and research catch
(4.5 mt) resulting in a fishery HG of 106.8 mt. Recreational HGs
are: 3.4 mt (Washington); 11.7 mt (Oregon); and 24.3 mt
(California).
\e\ Cowcod. A stock assessment for the Conception Area was
conducted in 2013 and the stock was estimated to be at 33.9 percent
of its unfished biomass in 2013. The Conception Area OFL of 55.0 mt
is projected in the 2013 rebuilding analysis using an
FMSY proxy of F50[percnt]. The OFL
contribution of 11.6 mt for the unassessed portion of the stock in
the Monterey area is based on depletion-based stock reduction
analysis. The OFLs for the Monterey and Conception areas were summed
to derive the south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. OFL of 66.6 mt. The ABC
for the area south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. is 59.9 mt. The assessed
portion of the stock in the Conception Area is considered category
2, with a Conception area contribution to the ABC of 50.2 mt, which
is an 8.7 percent reduction from the Conception area OFL
([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.45). The unassessed portion of the stock in the
Monterey area is considered a category 3 stock, with a contribution
to the ABC of 9.7 mt, which is a 16.6 percent reduction from the
Monterey area OFL ([sigma]=1.44/P*=0.45). A single ACL of 10.0 mt is
being set for both areas combined. The ACL of 10.0 mt is based on
the rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild of 2020 and an SPR
harvest rate of 82.7 percent, which is equivalent to an exploitation
rate (catch over age 11+ biomass) of 0.007. 2.0 mt is deducted from
the ACL to accommodate EFP fishing (less than 0.02 mt) and research
activity (2.0 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 8.0 mt. Any
additional mortality in research activities will be deducted from
the ACL. A single ACT of 4.0 mt is being set for both areas
combined.
\f\ Darkblotched rockfish. A 2013 stock assessment estimated the
stock to be at 36 percent of its unfished biomass in 2013. The OFL
of 574 mt is projected in the 2013 stock assessment using an
FMSY proxy of F50[percnt]. The ABC
of 549 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/
P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 stock. The ACL of 338 mt is based on
the current rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild of 2025
and an SPR harvest rate of 64.9 percent. 20.8 mt is deducted from
the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (0.2 mt), the incidental
open access fishery (18.4 mt), EFP catch (0.1 mt) and research catch
(2.1 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 317.2 mt.
\g\ Pacific Ocean Perch. A POP stock assessment was conducted in
2011 and the stock was estimated to be at 19.1 percent of its
unfished biomass in 2011. The OFL of 842 mt for the area north of
40[deg]10' N. lat. is projected in the 2011 rebuilding analysis
using an F50[percnt] FMSY proxy.
The ABC of 805 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL
([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 stock. The ACL of 158 mt
is based on the current rebuilding plan with a target year to
rebuild of 2051 and an SPR harvest rate of 86.4 percent. 15 mt is
deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (9.2 mt),
the incidental open access fishery (0.6 mt), and research catch (5.2
mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 143.0 mt.
\h\ Petrale sole. A 2013 stock assessment estimated the stock to
be at 22.3 percent of its unfished biomass in 2013. The OFL of 2,946
mt is projected in the 2013 assessment using an
F30[percnt] FMSY proxy. The ABC of
2,816 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/
P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 stock. The ACL is based on the 25-5
harvest control rule specified in the current rebuilding plan; since
the stock is projected to be rebuilt at the start of 2014, the ACL
is set equal to the ABC. 236.6 mt is deducted from the ACL to
accommodate the Tribal fishery (220 mt), the incidental open access
fishery (2.4 mt), and research catch (14.2 mt), resulting in a
fishery HG of 2,579.4 mt.
\i\ Yelloweye rockfish. A stock assessment update was conducted
in 2011. The stock was estimated to be at 21.4 percent of its
unfished biomass in 2011. The 52 mt coastwide OFL was projected in
the 2011 rebuilding analysis using an FMSY proxy of
F50[percnt]. The ABC of 43 mt is a 16.7
percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.40) as it's a
category 2 stock. The 18 mt ACL is based on the current rebuilding
plan with a target year to rebuild of 2074 and an SPR harvest rate
of 76.0 percent. 5.8 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the
Tribal fishery (2.3 mt), the incidental open access fishery (0.2
mt), EFP catch (0.03 mt) and research catch (3.3 mt) resulting in a
fishery HG of 12.2 mt. Recreational HGs are: 2.9 mt (Washington);
2.6 mt (Oregon); and 3.4 mt (California).
\j\ Arrowtooth flounder. The arrowtooth flounder stock was last
assessed in 2007 and was estimated to be at 79 percent of its
unfished biomass in 2007. The OFL of 6,599 mt is derived from the
2007 assessment using an F30[percnt]
FMSY proxy. The ABC of 5,497 mt is a 16.7 percent
reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.40) as it's a category 2
stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above
its target biomass of B25[percnt]. 2,087 mt is
deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (2,041 mt),
the incidental open access fishery (30 mt), and research catch (16.4
mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 3,410 mt.
\k\ Black rockfish south (Oregon and California). A stock
assessment was conducted for black rockfish south of 45[deg]46' N.
lat. (Cape Falcon, Oregon) to Central California (i.e., the
southern-most extent of black rockfish, Love et al. 2002) in 2007.
The biomass in the south was estimated to be at 70 percent of its
unfished biomass in 2007. The OFL from the assessed area is derived
from the 2007 assessment using an FMSY harvest rate proxy
of F50[percnt] plus 3 percent of the OFL from
the stock assessment conducted for black rockfish north of
45[deg]46' N. lat., to cover the portion of the stock occurring off
Oregon north of Cape Falcon (the 3% adjustment is based on
historical catch distribution). The resulting OFL for the area south
of 46[deg]16' N. lat. is 1,176 mt. The ABC of 1,124 mt is a 4.4
percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a
category 1 stock. The 2015 ACL is 1,000 mt, which maintains the
constant catch strategy designed to keep the stock above its target
biomass of B40[percnt]. 1 mt is deducted from
the ACL to accommodate EFP catch, resulting in a fishery HG of 999
mt. The black rockfish ACL, in the area south of 46[deg]16' N. lat.
(Columbia River), is subdivided with separate HGs for waters off
Oregon (579 mt/58 percent) and for waters off California (420 mt/42
percent).
\l\ Black rockfish north (Washington). A stock assessment was
conducted for black rockfish north of 45[deg]46' N. lat. (Cape
Falcon, Oregon) in 2007. The biomass in the north was estimated to
be at 53 percent of its unfished biomass in 2007. The OFL from the
assessed area is derived from the 2007 assessment using an
FMSY harvest rate proxy of
F50[percnt]. The resulting OFL for the area
north of 46[deg]16' N. lat. is 421 mt and is 97 percent of the OFL
from the assessed area based on the area distribution of historical
catch. The ABC of 402 mt for the north is a 4.4 percent reduction
from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 stock. The
ACL is set equal to the ABC since the stock is above its target
biomass of B40[percnt]. 14 mt is deducted from
the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery, resulting in a fishery HG
of 388 mt.
\m\ Cabezon (California). A cabezon stock assessment was
conducted in 2009. The cabezon spawning biomass in waters off
California was estimated to be at 48.3 percent of its unfished
biomass in 2009. The OFL of 161 mt is calculated using an
FMSY proxy of F45[percnt]. The ABC
of 154 mt is based on a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL
([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 stock. The ACL is set
equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of
B40[percnt]. There are no
[[Page 27596]]
deductions from the ACL so the fishery HG is equal to the ACL of 154
mt.
\n\ Cabezon (Oregon). A cabezon stock assessment was conducted
in 2009. The cabezon spawning biomass in waters off Oregon was
estimated to be at 52 percent of its unfished biomass in 2009. The
OFL of 49 mt is calculated using an FMSY proxy of
F45[percnt]. The ABC of 47 mt is based on a
4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a
category 1 species. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the
stock is above its target biomass of
B40[percnt]. There are no deductions from the
ACL so the fishery HG is also equal to the ACL of 47 mt.
\o\ California scorpionfish was assessed in 2005 and was
estimated to be at 79.8 percent of its unfished biomass in 2005. The
OFL of 119 mt is projected in the 2005 assessment using an
FMSY harvest rate proxy of
F50[percnt]. The ABC of 114 mt is a 4.4
percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a
category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock
is above its target biomass of B40[percnt]. 2
mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open
access fishery, resulting in a fishery HG of 112 mt.
\p\ Chilipepper. The coastwide chilipepper stock was assessed in
2007 and estimated to be at 70 percent of its unfished biomass in
2006. Chilipepper are managed with stock-specific harvest
specifications south of 40[deg]10 N. lat. and within the Minor Shelf
Rockfish complex north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. Projected OFLs are
stratified north and south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. based on the
average 1998-2008 assessed area catch, which is 93 percent for the
area south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. and 7 percent for the area north of
40[deg]10' N. lat. The OFL of 1,703 mt for the area south of
40[deg]10' N. lat. is projected in the 2007 assessment using an
FMSY proxy of F50[percnt]. The ABC
of 1,628 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/
P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC
because the stock is above its target biomass of
B40[percnt]. 24 mt is deducted from the ACL to
accommodate the incidental open access fishery (5 mt), EFP fishing
(10 mt), and research catch (9 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of
1,604 mt.
\q\ Dover sole. A 2011 Dover sole assessment estimated the stock
to be at 83.7 percent of its unfished biomass in 2011. The OFL of
66,871 mt is projected in the 2011 stock assessment using an
FMSY proxy of F30[percnt]. The ABC
of 63,929 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/
P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 stock. The ACL could be set equal to
the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of
B25[percnt]. However, the ACL of 50,000 mt is
set at a level below the ABC and higher than the maximum historical
landed catch. 1,594 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the
Tribal fishery (1,497 mt), the incidental open access fishery (55
mt), and research catch (41.9 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of
48,406 mt.
\r\ English sole. A 2013 stock assessment was conducted, which
estimated the stock to be at 88 percent of its unfished biomass in
2013. The OFL of 10,792 mt is projected in the 2013 assessment using
an FMSY proxy of F30[percnt]. The
ABC of 9,853 mt is an 8.7 percent reduction from the OFL
([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.45) as it is a category 2 stock. The ACL is set
equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of
B25[percnt]. 213 mt is deducted from the ACL
to accommodate the Tribal fishery (200 mt), the incidental open
access fishery (7 mt) and research catch (5.8 mt), resulting in a
fishery HG of 9,640 mt.
\s\ Lingcod north. A lingcod stock assessment was conducted in
2009. The lingcod spawning biomass off Washington and Oregon was
estimated to be at 62 percent of its unfished biomass in 2009. The
OFL for Washington and Oregon of 1,898 mt is calculated using an
FMSY proxy of F45[percnt]. The OFL
is re-apportioned by adding 48% of the OFL from California,
resulting in an OFL of 3,010 mt for the area north of 40[deg]10' N.
lat. The ABC of 2,830 mt is based on a 4.4 percent reduction from
the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) for the area north of 42[deg] N. lat.
as it's a category 1 stock, and an 8.7 percent reduction from the
OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.45) for the area between 42[deg] N. lat. and
40[deg]10' N. lat. as it's a category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal
to the ABC. 278 mt is deducted from the ACL for the Tribal fishery
(250 mt), the incidental open access fishery (16 mt), EFP catch (0.5
mt) and research catch (11.7 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 2,552
mt.
\t\ Lingcod south. A lingcod stock assessment was conducted in
2009. The lingcod spawning biomass off California was estimated to
be at 74 percent of its unfished biomass in 2009. The OFL for
California of 2,317 mt is projected in the assessment using an
FMSY proxy of F45%. The OFL is re-apportioned by
subtracting 48% of the OFL, resulting in an OFL of 1,205 mt for the
area south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. The ABC of 1,004 mt is based on a
16.7 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.40) as it's a
category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC since the stock is
above its target biomass of B40[percnt]. 9 mt
is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access
fishery (7 mt), EFP fishing (1 mt), and research catch (1.1 mt),
resulting in a fishery HG of 995 mt.
\u\ Longnose skate. A stock assessment was conducted in 2007 and
the stock was estimated to be at 66 percent of its unfished biomass.
The OFL of 2,449 mt is derived from the 2007 stock assessment using
an FMSY proxy of F50[percnt]. The
ABC of 2,341 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL
([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 stock. The ACL of 2,000
mt is a fixed harvest level that provides greater access to the
stock and is less than the ABC. 73 mt is deducted from the ACL to
accommodate the Tribal fishery (56 mt), incidental open access
fishery (3.8 mt), and research catch (13.2 mt), resulting in a
fishery HG of 1,927 mt.
\v\ Longspine thornyhead. A 2013 longspine thornyhead coastwide
stock assessment estimated the stock to be at 75 percent of its
unfished biomass in 2013. A coastwide OFL of 5,007 mt is projected
in the 2013 stock assessment using an F50[percnt]
FMSY proxy. The ABC of 4,171 mt is a 16.7 percent
reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.40) as it's a category 2
stock. For the portion of the stock that is north of 34[deg]27' N.
lat., the ACL is 3,170 mt, and is 76 percent of the coastwide ABC
based on the average swept-area biomass estimates (2003-2012) from
the NMFS NWFSC trawl survey. 47 mt is deducted from the ACL to
accommodate the Tribal fishery (30 mt), the incidental open access
fishery (3 mt), and research catch (13.5 mt) resulting in a fishery
HG of 3,124 mt. For that portion of the stock south of 34[deg]27' N.
lat. the ACL is 1,001 mt and is 24 percent of the coastwide ABC
based on the average swept-area biomass estimates (2003-2012) from
the NMFS NWFSC trawl survey. 3 mt is deducted from the ACL to
accommodate the incidental open access fishery (2 mt), and research
catch (1 mt) resulting in a fishery HG of 998 mt.
\w\ Pacific cod. The 3,200 mt OFL is based on the maximum level
of historic landings. The ABC of 2,221 mt is a 30.6 percent
reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=1.44/P*=0.40) as it's a category 3
stock. The 1,600 mt ACL is the OFL reduced by 50 percent as a
precautionary adjustment. 509 mt is deducted from the ACL to
accommodate the Tribal fishery (500 mt), research catch (7 mt), and
the incidental open access fishery (2.0 mt), resulting in a fishery
HG of 1,091 mt.
\x\ Pacific whiting. The coastwide stock assessment was
conducted in 2015 and estimated the stock to be at 74 percent of its
unfished biomass. The 2015 OFL of 804,576 mt is based on the 2015
assessment with an F40[percnt] FMSY
proxy. The 2015 coastwide, unadjusted Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of
383,365 mt is based on the 2015 stock assessment. Consistent with
the provisions of the Pacific Hake/Whiting Agreement, up to 15
percent of each party's unadjusted 2014 TAC (41,842 mt for the U.S.
and 14,793 mt for Canada) is added to the 2015 unadjusted TAC,
resulting in an adjusted coastwide 2015 TAC of 440,000 mt. The U.S.
TAC is 73.88 percent of the coastwide TAC. The U.S. adjusted 2015
TAC is 325,072 mt. From the adjusted U.S. TAC, 56,888 mt is deducted
to accommodate the Tribal fishery, and 1,500 mt is deducted to
accommodate research and bycatch in other fisheries, resulting in a
fishery HG of 266,684 mt. The TAC for Pacific whiting is established
under the provisions of the Pacific Hake/Whiting Agreement with
Canada and the Pacific Whiting Act of 2006, 16 U.S.C. 7001-2010, and
the international exception applies. Therefore, no ABC or ACL values
are provided for Pacific whiting.
\y\ Sablefish north. A coastwide sablefish stock assessment was
conducted in 2011. The coastwide sablefish biomass was estimated to
be at 33 percent of its unfished biomass in 2011. The coastwide OFL
of 7,857 mt is projected in the 2011 stock assessment using an
FMSY proxy of F45[percnt]. The ABC
of 7,173 mt is an 8.7 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/
P*=0.40). The 40-10 adjustment is applied to the ABC to derive a
coastwide ACL value because the stock is in the precautionary zone.
This coastwide ACL value is not specified in regulations. The
coastwide ACL value is apportioned north and south of 36[deg] N.
lat., using the 2003-2010 average estimated swept area biomass from
the NMFS NWFSC trawl survey, with 73.6 percent apportioned north of
36[deg] N. lat. and 26.4 percent apportioned south of 36[deg] N.
lat. The northern ACL is 4,793 mt and is reduced by 479 mt for the
tribal allocation (10 percent of the ACL north of 36[deg] N. lat.).
The 479 mt
[[Page 27597]]
Tribal allocation is reduced by 1.6 percent to account for discard
mortality. Detailed sablefish allocations are shown in Table 1c.
\z\ Sablefish south. The ACL for the area south of 36[deg] N.
lat. is 1,719 mt (26.4 percent of the calculated coastwide ACL
value). 5 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental
open access fishery (2 mt) and research catch (3 mt), resulting in a
fishery HG of 1,714 mt.
\aa\ Shortbelly rockfish. A non-quantitative shortbelly rockfish
assessment was conducted in 2007. The spawning stock biomass of
shortbelly rockfish was estimated to be 67 percent of its unfished
biomass in 2005. The OFL of 6,950 mt is based on the estimated MSY
in the 2007 stock assessment. The ABC of 5,789 mt is a 16.7 percent
reduction of the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.40) as it's a category 2
stock. The 500 mt ACL is set to accommodate incidental catch when
fishing for co-occurring healthy stocks and in recognition of the
stock's importance as a forage species in the California Current
ecosystem. 2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate research
catch, resulting in a fishery HG of 498 mt.
\bb\ Shortspine thornyhead. A 2013 coastwide shortspine
thornyhead stock assessment estimated the stock to be at 74.2
percent of its unfished biomass in 2013. A coastwide OFL of 3,203 mt
is projected in the 2013 stock assessment using an
F50[percnt] FMSY proxy. The
coastwide ABC of 2,668 mt is a 16.7 percent reduction from the OFL
([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.40) as it's a category 2 stock. For the portion
of the stock that is north of 34[deg]27' N. lat., the ACL is 1,745
mt. The northern ACL is 65.4 percent of the coastwide ABC based on
the average swept-area biomass estimates (2003-2012) from the NMFS
NWFSC trawl survey. 59 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate
the Tribal fishery (50 mt), the incidental open access fishery (2
mt), and research catch (7 mt) resulting in a fishery HG of 1,686 mt
for the area north of 34[deg]27' N. lat. For that portion of the
stock south of 34[deg]27' N. lat. the ACL is 923 mt. The southern
ACL is 35.6 percent of the coastwide ABC based on the average swept-
area biomass estimates (2003-2012) from the NMFS NWFSC trawl survey.
42 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open
access fishery (41 mt) and research catch (1 mt), resulting in a
fishery HG of 881 mt for the area south of 34[deg]27' N. lat.
\cc\ Spiny dogfish. A coastwide spiny dogfish stock assessment
was conducted in 2011. The coastwide spiny dogfish biomass was
estimated to be at 63 percent of its unfished biomass in 2011. The
coastwide OFL of 2,523 mt is derived from the 2011 assessment using
an FMSY proxy of F50[percnt]. The
coastwide ABC of 2,101 mt is a 16.7 percent reduction from the OFL
([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.40) as it's a category 2 stock. The ACL is set
equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of
B40[percnt]. 338 mt is deducted from the ACL
to accommodate the Tribal fishery (275 mt), the incidental open
access fishery (49.5 mt), EFP catch (1 mt), and research catch (12.5
mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,763 mt.
\dd\ Splitnose rockfish. A splitnose rockfish coastwide
assessment was conducted in 2009 that estimated the stock to be at
66 percent of its unfished biomass in 2009. Splitnose rockfish in
the north is managed in the Minor Slope Rockfish complex and with
species-specific harvest specifications south of 40[deg]10' N. lat.
The coastwide OFL is projected in the 2009 assessment using an
FMSY proxy of F50[percnt]. The
coastwide OFL is apportioned north and south of 40[deg]10' N. lat.
based on the average 1916-2008 assessed area catch resulting in 64.2
percent of the coastwide OFL apportioned south of 40[deg]10' N.
lat., and 35.8 percent apportioned for the contribution of splitnose
rockfish to the northern Minor Slope Rockfish complex. The southern
OFL of 1,794 mt results from the apportionment described above. The
southern ABC of 1,715 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the
southern OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 stock. The
ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is estimated to be
above its target biomass of B40[percnt]. 10.5
mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate research catch (9 mt) and
EFP catch (1.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,705 mt.
\ee\ Starry Flounder. The stock was assessed in 2005 and was
estimated to be above 40 percent of its unfished biomass in 2005 (44
percent in Washington and Oregon, and 62 percent in California). The
coastwide OFL of 1,841 mt is derived from the 2005 assessment using
an FMSY proxy of F30[percnt]. The
ABC of 1,534 mt is a 16.7 percent reduction from the OFL
([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.40) as it's a category 2 stock. The ACL is set
equal to the ABC because the stock is estimated to be above its
target biomass of B25[percnt]. 10.3 mt is
deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (2 mt), and
the incidental open access fishery (8.3 mt), resulting in a fishery
HG of 1,524 mt.
\ff\ Widow rockfish. The widow rockfish stock was assessed in
2011 and was estimated to be at 51.1 percent of its unfished biomass
in 2011. The OFL of 4,137 mt is projected in the 2011 stock
assessment using an F50[percnt]
FMSY proxy. The ABC of 3,929 mt is a 5 percent reduction
from the OFL ([sigma]=0.41/P*=0.45). A unique sigma of 0.41 was
calculated for widow rockfish since the variance in estimated
biomass was greater than the 0.36 used as a proxy for other category
1 stocks. The ACL could be set equal to the ABC because the stock is
above its target biomass of B40[percnt].
However, the ACL of 2,000 mt is less than the ABC due to high
uncertainty in estimated biomass, yet this level of allowable
harvest will allow access to healthy co-occurring species, such as
yellowtail rockfish. 120.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to
accommodate the Tribal fishery (100 mt), the incidental open access
fishery (3.3 mt), EFP catch (9 mt), and research catch (7.9 mt),
resulting in a fishery HG of 1,880 mt.
\gg\ Yellowtail rockfish. A 2013 yellowtail rockfish stock
assessment was conducted for the portion of the population north of
40[deg]10' N. lat. The estimated stock depletion is 69 percent of
its unfished biomass in 2013. The OFL of 7,218 mt is projected in
the 2013 stock assessment using an FMSY proxy of
F50[percnt]. The ABC of 6,590 mt is an 8.7
percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.45) as it is a
category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock
is above its target biomass of B40[percnt].
1,029.6 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal
fishery (1,000 mt), the incidental open access fishery (3 mt), EFP
catch (10 mt), and research catch (16.6 mt), resulting in a fishery
HG of 5,560 mt.
\hh\ Minor Nearshore Rockfish north. The OFL for Minor Nearshore
Rockfish north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. of 88 mt is the sum of the OFL
contributions for the component species managed in the complex. The
ABCs for the minor rockfish complexes are based on a sigma value of
0.72 for category 2 stocks (i.e., blue rockfish in California, brown
rockfish, China rockfish, and copper rockfish) and a sigma value of
1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others) with a P* of 0.45. The
resulting ABC of 77 mt is the summed contribution of the ABCs for
the component species. The ACL of 69 mt is the sum of contributing
ABCs of healthy assessed stocks and unassessed stocks plus the ACL
contributions for blue rockfish in California and China rockfish
where the 40-10 adjustment was applied to the ABC contributions for
these two stocks, because those stocks are in the precautionary
zone. No deductions are made to the ACL, thus the fishery HG is
equal to the ACL, which is 69 mt. Between 40[deg]10' N. lat. and
42[deg] N. lat. the Minor Nearshore Rockfish complex north has a
harvest guideline of 23.7 mt. Blue rockfish south of 42[deg] N. lat.
has a species-specific HG, described in footnote kk.
\ii\ Minor Shelf Rockfish north. The OFL for Minor Shelf
Rockfish north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. of 2,209 mt is the sum of the
OFL contributions for the component species within the complex. The
ABCs for the minor rockfish complexes are based on a sigma value of
0.72 for category 2 stocks (i.e., greenspotted rockfish between
40[deg]10' and 42[deg] N. lat. and greenstriped rockfish) and a
sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others) with a P* of
0.45. The resulting ABC of 1,944 mt is the summed contribution of
the ABCs for the component species. The ACL of 1,944 mt is the sum
of contributing ABCs of healthy assessed stocks and unassessed
stocks, plus the ACL contribution of greenspotted rockfish in
California where the 40-10 adjustment was applied to the ABC
contribution because the stock is in the precautionary zone (the ACL
is slightly less than the ABC but rounds to the ABC value). 72 mt is
deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (30 mt), the
incidental open access fishery (26 mt), EFP catch (3 mt), and
research catch (13.4 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,872 mt.
\jj\ Minor Slope Rockfish north. The OFL for Minor Slope
Rockfish north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. of 1,831 mt is the sum of the
OFL contributions for the component species within the complex. The
ABCs for the Minor Slope Rockfish complexes are based on a sigma
value of 0.39 for aurora rockfish, a sigma value of 0.36 for other
category 1 stocks (i.e., splitnose rockfish), a sigma value of 0.72
for category 2 stocks (i.e., rougheye rockfish, blackspotted
rockfish and sharpchin rockfish), and a sigma value of 1.44 for
category 3 stocks (all others) with a P* of 0.45. A unique sigma of
0.39 was calculated for aurora rockfish since the variance in
estimated spawning biomass was greater than the 0.36 used as a proxy
for other category
[[Page 27598]]
1 stocks. The resulting ABC of 1,693 mt is the summed contribution
of the ABCs for the component species. The ACL is set equal to the
ABC because all the assessed component stocks are above the target
biomass of B40[percnt]. 64 mt is deducted from
the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (36 mt), the incidental
open access fishery (19 mt), EFP catch (1 mt), and research catch
(8.1 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,629 mt.
\kk\ Minor Nearshore Rockfish south. The OFL for the Minor
Nearshore Rockfish complex south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. of 1,313 mt
is the sum of the OFL contributions for the component species within
the complex. The ABC for the southern Minor Nearshore Rockfish
complex is based on a sigma value of 0.36 for category 1 stocks
(i.e., gopher rockfish north of 34[deg]27' N. lat.), a sigma value
of 0.72 for category 2 stocks (i.e., blue rockfish north of
34[deg]27' N. lat., brown rockfish, China rockfish, and copper
rockfish), and a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all
others) with a P* of 0.45. The resulting ABC of 1,169 mt is the
summed contribution of the ABCs for the component species. The ACL
of 1,114 mt is the sum of contributing ABCs of healthy assessed
stocks and unassessed stocks, plus the ACL contribution for blue
rockfish north of 34[deg]27' N. lat. where the 40-10 adjustment was
applied to the ABC contribution for this stock because it is in the
precautionary zone. 4 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the
incidental open access fishery (1.4 mt) and research catch (2.6 mt),
resulting in a fishery HG of 1,110 mt. Blue rockfish south of
42[deg] N. lat. has a species-specific HG set equal to the 40-10-
adjusted ACL for the portion of the stock north of 34[deg]27' N.
lat. (133.6 mt) plus the ABC contribution for the unassessed portion
of the stock south of 34[deg]27' N. lat. (60.8 mt). The California
(i.e., south of 42[deg] N. lat.) blue rockfish HG is 194.4 mt.
\ll\ Minor Shelf Rockfish south. The OFL for the Minor Shelf
Rockfish complex south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. of 1,918 mt is the sum
of the OFL contributions for the component species within the
complex. The ABCs for the southern Minor Shelf Rockfish complex is
based on a sigma value of 0.72 for category 2 stocks (i.e.,
greenspotted and greenstriped rockfish) and a sigma value of 1.44
for category 3 stocks (all others) with a P* of 0.45. The resulting
ABC of 1,625 mt is the summed contribution of the ABCs for the
component species. The ACL of 1,624 mt is the sum of contributing
ABCs of healthy assessed stocks and unassessed stocks, plus the ACL
contribution of greenspotted rockfish in California where the 40-10
adjustment was applied to the ABC contribution for this stock
because it is in the precautionary zone. 49 mt is deducted from the
ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (9 mt), EFP
catch (30 mt), and research catch (9.6 mt), resulting in a fishery
HG of 1,575 mt.
\mm\ Minor Slope Rockfish south. The OFL for the Minor Slope
Rockfish complex south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. of 813 mt is the sum of
the OFL contributions for the component species within the complex.
The ABC for the southern Minor Slope Rockfish complex is based on a
sigma value of 0.39 for aurora rockfish, a sigma value of 0.72 for
category 2 stocks (i.e., blackgill rockfish, rougheye rockfish,
blackspotted rockfish, and sharpchin rockfish), and a sigma value of
1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others) with a P* of 0.45. A unique
sigma of 0.39 was calculated for aurora rockfish since the variance
in estimated biomass was greater than the 0.36 used as a proxy for
other category 1 stocks. The resulting ABC of 705 mt is the summed
contribution of the ABCs for the component species. The ACL of 693
mt is the sum of contributing ABCs of healthy assessed stocks and
unassessed stocks, plus the ACL contribution of blackgill rockfish
where the 40-10 adjustment was applied to the ABC contribution for
this stock because it is in the precautionary zone. 20 mt is
deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access
fishery (17 mt), EFP catch (1 mt), and research catch (2 mt),
resulting in a fishery HG of 673 mt. Blackgill rockfish has a
species-specific HG set equal to the species' contribution to 40-10-
adjusted ACL. The blackgill rockfish HG is 114 mt.
\nn\ Other Flatfish. The Other Flatfish complex is comprised of
flatfish species managed in the PCGFMP that are not managed with
species-specific OFLs/ABCs/ACLs. Most of the species in the Other
Flatfish complex are unassessed and include butter sole, curlfin
sole, flathead sole, Pacific sanddab (assessed in 2013 but the
assessment results were too uncertain to inform harvest
specifications), rock sole, sand sole, and rex sole (assessed in
2013). The Other Flatfish OFL of 11,453 mt is based on the sum of
the OFL contributions of the component stocks. The ABC of 8,749 mt
is based on a sigma value of 0.72 for category 2 stocks (i.e., rex
sole) and a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others)
with a P* of 0.40. The ACL is set equal to the ABC since all of the
assessed stocks (i.e., Pacific sanddabs and rex sole) were above
their target biomass of B25[percnt]. 204 mt is
deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (60 mt), the
incidental open access fishery (125 mt), and research catch (19 mt),
resulting in a fishery HG of 8,545 mt.
\oo\ Other Fish. The Other Fish complex is comprised of kelp
greenling coastwide, cabezon off Washington, and leopard shark
coastwide. These species are unassessed. The OFL of 291 mt is the
sum of the OFL contributions for kelp greenling off California (the
SSC has not approved methods for calculating the OFL contributions
for kelp greenling off Oregon and Washington), cabezon off
Washington, and leopard shark coastwide. The ABC of 242 mt is the
sum of ABC contributions for kelp greenling off California, cabezon
off Washington and leopard shark coastwide calculated by applying a
P* of 0.45 and a sigma of 1.44 to the OFL contributions for those
stocks. The ACL is set equal to the ABC. There are no deductions
from the ACL so the fishery HG is equal to the ACL of 242 mt.
[[Page 27599]]
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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR14MY15.005
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0
4. In Sec. 660.131, revise paragraph (h) to read as follows:
Sec. 660.131 Pacific whiting fishery management measures.
* * * * *
(h) Reapportionment of Pacific whiting. (1) Upon receipt of written
notice to the Regional Administrator from the tribe(s) participating in
the fishery that they do not intend to use a portion of the tribal
allocation, the Regional Administrator may, no earlier than 7 days
following notice to other treaty tribes with rights to whiting,
reapportion any remainder to the other sectors of the trawl fishery as
soon as practicable after receiving such notice. If no such
reapportionment has occurred prior to September 15 of the fishing year,
the Regional Administrator will, based on discussions with
representatives of the tribes participating in the Pacific whiting
fishery for that fishing year, consider the tribal harvests to date and
catch projections for the remainder of the year relative to the tribal
allocation of Pacific whiting, as specified at Sec. 660.50. That
portion of the tribal allocation that the Regional Administrator
determines will not be used by the end of the fishing year may be
reapportioned to the other sectors of the trawl fishery on September 15
or as soon as practicable thereafter. Subsequent reapportionments may
be made based on subsequent determinations by the Regional
Administrator based on the factors described above in order to ensure
full utilization of the resource. However, no reapportionments will
occur after December 1 of the fishing year.
(2) NMFS will reapportion unused tribal allocation to the other
sectors of the trawl fishery in proportion to their initial
allocations.
(3) The reapportionment of surplus whiting will be made effective
immediately by actual notice under the automatic action authority
provided at Sec. 660.60(d)(1).
(4) Estimates of the portion of the tribal allocation that will not
be used by the end of the fishing year will be based on the best
information available to the Regional Administrator.
0
5. In Sec. 660.140, revise paragraph (d)(1)(ii)(D) to read as follows:
Sec. 660.140 Shorebased IFQ Program.
* * * * *
(d) * * *
(1) * * *
(ii) * * *
(D) For the trawl fishery, NMFS will issue QP based on the
following shorebased trawl allocations:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2015 shorebased 2016 shorebased
IFQ species Management area trawl allocation trawl allocation
(mt) (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth flounder........................ ............................. 3,193.93 3,033.38
BOCACCIO................................... South of 40[deg]10' N. lat... 81.89 85.02
CANARY ROCKFISH............................ ............................. 43.26 44.48
Chilipepper................................ South of 40[deg]10' N. lat... 1,203.00 1,196.25
COWCOD..................................... South of 40[deg]10' N. lat... 1.44 1.44
DARKBLOTCHED ROCKFISH...................... ............................. 285.61 292.81
Dover sole................................. ............................. 45,980.80 45,980.80
English sole............................... ............................. 9,153.19 6,636.64
Lingcod.................................... North of 40[deg]10' N. lat... 1,133.32 1,083.37
Lingcod.................................... South of 40[deg]10' N. lat... 447.71 421.61
Longspine thornyhead....................... North of 34[deg]27' N. lat... 2,962.33 2,815.08
Minor Shelf Rockfish complex............... North of 40[deg]10' N. lat... 1,091.70 1,096.52
Minor Shelf Rockfish complex............... South of 40[deg]10' N. lat... 192.20 192.32
Minor Slope Rockfish complex............... North of 40[deg]10' N. lat... 1,219.41 1,229.94
Minor Slope Rockfish complex............... South of 40[deg]10' N. lat... 423.99 425.25
Other Flatfish complex..................... ............................. 7,670.50 6,315.10
Pacific cod................................ ............................. 1,031.41 1,031.41
PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH........................ North of 40[deg]10' N. lat... 118.45 124.15
Pacific Whiting............................ ............................. 112,007.45 .................
PETRALE SOLE............................... ............................. 2,539.40 2,633.40
Sablefish.................................. North of 36[deg] N. lat...... 2,199.37 2,411.24
Sablefish.................................. South of 36[deg] N. lat...... 719.88 787.50
Shortspine thornyhead...................... North of 34[deg]27' N. lat... 1,581.49 1,563.44
Shortspine thornyhead...................... South of 34[deg]27' N. lat... 50.00 50.00
Splitnose rockfish......................... South of 40[deg]10' N. lat... 1,619.28 1,648.73
Starry flounder............................ ............................. 756.85 759.35
Widow rockfish............................. ............................. 1,420.62 1,420.62
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH......................... ............................. 1.00 1.08
Yellowtail rockfish........................ North of 40[deg]10' N. lat... 4,593.15 4,376.67
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2015-11607 Filed 5-13-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P