Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 235 (Friday, December 8, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 235 (Friday, December 8, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57924-57946]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26473]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 170816769-7769-01]
RIN 0648-XF633

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of
Alaska; 2018 and 2019 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS proposes 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications,
apportionments, and Pacific halibut prohibited species catch limits for
the groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to establish harvest limits for groundfish during the 2018
and 2019 fishing years and to accomplish the goals and objectives of
the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska. The
intended effect of this action is to conserve and manage the groundfish
resources in the GOA in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 8, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA-NMFS-
2017-0107, by either of the following methods:
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-0107, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon,
complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.

[[Page 57925]]

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: NMFS may not consider comments if they are sent by
any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after
the comment period ends. All comments received are a part of the public
record, and NMFS will post the comments 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
is publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ``N/
A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).
Electronic copies of the Alaska Groundfish Harvest Specifications
Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS), Record of Decision
(ROD) for the Final EIS, Supplementary Information Report (SIR) to the
Final EIS, and the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA)
prepared for this action may be obtained from http://www.regulations.gov or from the Alaska Region Web site at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. The final 2016 Stock Assessment and Fishery
Evaluation (SAFE) report for the groundfish resources of the GOA, dated
November 2016, is available from the North Pacific Fishery Management
Council (Council) at 605 West 4th Avenue, Suite 306, Anchorage, AK
99501, phone 907-271-2809, or from the Council's Web site at http://www.npfmc.org. The draft 2017 SAFE report for the GOA will be available
from the same source.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the GOA groundfish fisheries in
the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the GOA under the Fishery
Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP). The Council
prepared the FMP under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), 16 U.S.C. 1801,
et seq. Regulations governing U.S. fisheries and implementing the FMP
appear at 50 CFR parts 600, 679, and 680.
The FMP and its implementing regulations require NMFS, after
consultation with the Council, to specify the total allowable catch
(TAC) for each target species, the sum of which must be within the
optimum yield (OY) range of 116,000 to 800,000 metric tons (mt) (Sec.
679.20(a)(1)(i)(B)). Section 679.20(c)(1) further requires NMFS to
publish and solicit public comment on proposed annual TACs and
apportionments thereof, Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC)
limits, and seasonal allowances of pollock and Pacific cod. The
proposed harvest specifications in Tables 1 through 19 of this document
satisfy these requirements. For 2018 and 2019, the sum of the proposed
TAC amounts is 465,832 mt.
Under Sec. 679.20(c)(3), NMFS will publish the final 2018 and 2019
harvest specifications after (1) considering comments received within
the comment period (see DATES), (2) consulting with the Council at its
December 2017 meeting, (3) considering information presented in the
2017 SIR that assesses the need to prepare a Supplemental EIS (see
ADDRESSES), and (4) considering information presented in the final 2017
SAFE report prepared for the 2018 and 2019 groundfish fisheries.

Other Actions Potentially Affecting the 2018 and 2019 Harvest
Specifications

Amendment 106: Reclassify Squid as an Ecosystem Species

In June 2017, the Council recommended for Secretarial review
Amendment 106 to the FMP. Amendment 106 would reclassify squid in the
FMP as an ``Ecosystem Component Species'' which is a category of non-
target species that are not in need of conservation and management.
Currently, NMFS annually sets an Overfishing Level (OFL), Acceptable
Biological Catch (ABC), and TAC for squid in the GOA groundfish harvest
specifications. Under Amendment 106, OFL, ABC, and TAC specifications
would no longer be required. Proposed regulations to implement
Amendment 106 would prohibit directed fishing for squid, require
recordkeeping and reporting to monitor and report catch of squid
species annually, and establish a squid maximum retainable amount when
directed fishing for groundfish species at 20 percent to discourage
retention, while allowing flexibility to prosecute groundfish
fisheries. Further details will be available on publication of the
proposed rule for Amendment 106. If Amendment 106 and its implementing
regulations are approved by the Secretary of Commerce, this action is
anticipated to be effective in 2019. Until Amendment 106 is effective,
NMFS will continue to publish OFLs, ABCs, and TACs for squid in the GOA
groundfish harvest specifications.

Proposed ABC and TAC Specifications

In October 2017, the Council, its Scientific and Statistical
Committee (SSC), and its Advisory Panel (AP) reviewed the most recent
biological and harvest information about the condition of groundfish
stocks in the GOA. This information was compiled by the GOA Groundfish
Plan Team (Plan Team) and presented in the final 2016 SAFE report for
the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated November 2016 (see ADDRESSES). The
SAFE report contains a review of the latest scientific analyses and
estimates of each species' biomass and other biological parameters, as
well as summaries of the available information on the GOA ecosystem and
the economic condition of the groundfish fisheries off Alaska. From
these data and analyses, the Plan Team estimates--and the SSC sets--an
OFL and ABC for each species or species group. The amounts proposed for
the 2018 and 2019 OFLs and ABCs are based on the 2016 SAFE report. The
AP and Council recommended that the proposed 2018 and 2019 TACs be set
equal to proposed ABCs for all species and species groups, with the
exception of the species categories further discussed below. The
proposed OFLs, ABCs, and TACs could be changed in the final harvest
specifications depending on the most recent scientific information
contained in the final 2017 SAFE report. The draft stock assessments
that will comprise, in part, the 2017 SAFE report are available at
http://legistar2.granicus.com/npfmc/meetings/2017/9/962_A_Groundfish_Plan_Team_17-09-12_Meeting_Agenda.pdf.
The Council recommends and NMFS proposes a reduction in the Pacific
cod OFL, ABC, and TAC levels as compared to those levels implemented
for Pacific cod in the 2017 and 2018 final GOA groundfish harvest
specifications. The Council concurred with its SSC's recommendation to
reduce the Pacific cod OFL and ABC, as well as its AP's recommendation
for a corresponding reduction in the Pacific cod TAC. The reductions to
the Pacific cod OFL, ABC, and TAC are the result of preliminary 2017
GOA bottom trawl survey data, as well as other data, that recently
became available to stock assessment scientists.
Based on the results of the 2017 GOA bottom trawl survey estimates
and preliminary modeling for the Pacific cod stock assessment, the
Pacific cod biomass and abundance has decreased significantly since the
2015 GOA bottom trawl survey. This decrease is corroborated by
additional data sets that appear to support the trawl survey results
associated with a decrease in the

[[Page 57926]]

Pacific cod biomass. This information led to the recommended reduction
in the proposed 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod OFL and ABC. The SSC opted to
recommend a proposed 2018 OFL and ABC based on the average of the
current 2018 OFL and ABC amounts and preliminary Tier 5 OFL and ABC
amounts provided by the Pacific cod stock assessment author. This
precautionary approach provides a strong indication of decreases in the
OFL and ABC amounts for the final harvest specifications. However, this
was a temporary approach used only for these proposed specifications,
and Pacific cod remains in Tier 3a. The SSC also strongly noted that
the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for Pacific cod could be
even lower than those recommended in the proposed 2018 and 2019 harvest
specifications once the stock assessment process has been completed and
reviewed by December 2017.The proposed Pacific cod OFL, ABC, and TAC
amounts likely will further change once the Pacific cod stock
assessment is finalized, reviewed by the Council's groundfish Plan Team
in November, and then subsequently reviewed by the SSC, AP, and Council
in December 2017. In addition, as discussed later in this preamble,
decreases in Pacific cod OFL, ABC, and TAC could affect seasonal and
sector apportionments of Pacific cod TAC and, potentially,
apportionments of halibut PSC limit among fisheries.
In November 2017, the Plan Team will update the 2016 SAFE report to
include new information collected during 2017, such as NMFS stock
surveys, revised stock assessments, and catch data. The Plan Team will
compile this information and produce the draft 2017 SAFE report for
presentation at the December 2017 Council meeting. At that meeting, the
Council will consider information in the draft 2017 SAFE report,
recommendations from the November 2017 Plan Team meeting and December
2017 SSC and AP meetings, public testimony, and relevant written public
comments in making its recommendations for the final 2018 and 2019
harvest specifications. Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(2) and (3), the
Council could recommend adjusting the TACs if warranted on the
biological condition of groundfish stocks or a variety of socioeconomic
considerations, or if required in order to cause the sum to fall within
the optimum yield range.
In previous years, the OFLs and ABCs that have had the most
significant changes (relative to the amount of assessed tonnage of
fish) from the proposed to the final harvest specifications have been
for OFLs and ABCs that are based on the most recent NMFS stock surveys.
These surveys provide updated estimates of stock biomass and spatial
distribution, and changes to the models used for producing stock
assessments. NMFS scientists presented updated and new survey results,
changes to assessment models, and accompanying stock estimates at the
September 2017 Plan Team meeting, and the SSC reviewed this information
at the October 2017 Council meeting. The species with possible
significant model changes are arrowtooth flounder, Pacific cod, Pacific
ocean perch, pollock, and rex sole. Model changes can result in changes
to OFLs, ABCs, and TACs.
In November 2017, the Plan Team will consider updated stock
assessments for groundfish, which will be included in the draft 2017
SAFE report. If the draft 2017 SAFE report indicates that the stock
biomass trend is increasing for a species, then the final 2018 and 2019
harvest specifications for that species may reflect an increase from
the proposed harvest specifications. Conversely, if the draft 2017 SAFE
report indicates that the stock biomass trend is decreasing for a
species, then the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications may
reflect a decrease from the proposed harvest specifications.
The proposed 2018 and 2019 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs are based on the
best available biological and socioeconomic information, including
projected biomass trends, information on assumed distribution of stock
biomass, and revised methods used to calculate stock biomass. The FMP
specifies the formulas, or tiers, to be used to compute OFLs and ABCs.
The formulas applicable to a particular stock or stock complex are
determined by the level of reliable information available to the
fisheries scientists. This information is categorized into a successive
series of six tiers to define OFL and ABC amounts, with Tier 1
representing the highest level of information quality available and
Tier 6 representing the lowest level of information quality available.
The Plan Team used the FMP tier structure to calculate OFLs and ABCs
for each groundfish species. The SSC adopted the proposed 2018 and 2019
OFLs and ABCs recommended by the Plan Team for all groundfish species,
with the exception of Pacific cod. The Council adopted the SSC's OFL
and ABC recommendations and the AP's TAC recommendations. These amounts
have changed from the final 2018 harvest specifications published in
the Federal Register on February 27, 2017 (82 FR 12032) as a result of
the recommended decreases to the Pacific cod OFL, ABC, and TAC, as
previously discussed.

Specification and Apportionment of TAC Amounts

The Council recommended proposed 2018 and 2019 TACs that are equal
to proposed ABCs for all species and species groups, with the exception
of the Western, Central, and West Yakutat pollock ABC, Pacific cod,
shallow-water flatfish in the Western GOA, arrowtooth flounder,
flathead sole in the Western and Central GOA, ``other rockfish'' in
Southeast Outside (SEO) District, and Atka mackerel. The combined
Western, Central, and West Yakutat pollock TAC is set to account for
the State of Alaska's (State) guideline harvest levels (GHLs) for the
State water pollock fishery. Similarly, the Pacific cod TACs are
reduced from ABC levels to account for the State's GHLs for Pacific cod
so that the ABCs are not exceeded. The shallow-water flatfish,
arrowtooth flounder, and flathead sole TACs are set to allow for
increased harvest opportunities for these target species while
conserving the halibut PSC limit for use in other fisheries. The
``other rockfish'' TAC is set to reduce the potential amount of
discards of the species in that complex. The Atka mackerel TAC is set
to accommodate incidental catch amounts in other fisheries. These
reductions are described below.
The proposed 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod TACs are set to accommodate
the State's GHLs for Pacific cod in State waters in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas, as well as in Prince William Sound (PWS). The
Plan Team, SSC, AP, and Council recommended that the sum of all State
and Federal water Pacific cod removals from the GOA not exceed ABC
recommendations. Therefore, the proposed 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod TACs
are less than the proposed ABCs by the following amounts: (1) Western
GOA, 6,770 mt; (2) Central GOA, 6,868 mt; and (3) Eastern GOA, 1,224
mt. These amounts reflect the sum of the State's 2018 and 2019 GHLs in
these areas, which are 30 percent of the Western GOA proposed ABC, and
25 percent of the Eastern and Central GOA proposed ABCs.
The ABC for the pollock stock in the combined Western, Central, and
West Yakutat Regulatory Areas (W/C/WYK) includes the amount for the GHL
established by the State for the PWS pollock fishery. The Plan Team,
SSC, AP, and Council recommended that the sum of all State and Federal
water pollock removals from the GOA not exceed ABC recommendations. For
2018

[[Page 57927]]

and 2019, the SSC recommended and the Council approved the W/C/WYK
pollock ABC, including the amount to account for the State's PWS GHL.
At the November 2016 Plan Team meeting, State fisheries managers
recommended setting the PWS GHL at 2.5 percent of the annual W/C/WYK
pollock ABC. For 2018, this yields a PWS pollock GHL of 3,937 mt, a
decrease from the 2017 PWS GHL of 5,094 mt. After accounting for PWS
GHL, the 2018 and 2019 pollock ABC for the combined W/C/WYK areas is
then apportioned between four statistical areas (Areas 610, 620, 630,
and 640) as both ABCs and TACs, as described below and detailed in
Table 1. The total ABCs and TACs for the four statistical areas, plus
the State GHL, do not exceed the combined W/C/WYK ABC. The proposed W/
C/WYK 2018 and 2019 pollock ABC is 157,496 mt, and the proposed TAC is
153,559 mt.
Apportionments of pollock to the W/C/WYK management areas are
considered to be ``apportionments of annual catch limit (ACLs)'' rather
than ``ABCs.'' This more accurately reflects that such apportionments
address management, rather than biological or conservation, concerns.
In addition, apportionments of the ACL in this manner allow NMFS to
balance any transfer of TAC among Areas 610, 620, and 630 pursuant to
Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B) to ensure that the area-wide ACL, ABC, and
TAC are not exceeded.
NMFS' proposed apportionments of groundfish species are based on
the distribution of biomass among the regulatory areas under which NMFS
manages the species. Additional regulations govern the apportionment of
pollock, Pacific cod, and sablefish. Additional detail on these
apportionments are described below, and briefly summarized here.
NMFS proposes pollock TACs in the W/C/WYK and the SEO District of
the GOA (see Table 1). NMFS also proposes seasonal apportionment of the
annual pollock TAC in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the
GOA between Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630. These apportionments
are divided equally among each of the following four seasons: The A
season (January 20 through March 10), the B season (March 10 through
May 31), the C season (August 25 through October 1), and the D season
(October 1 through November 1) (Sec. 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), and
Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A) and (B)). Additional detail is provided
below; Table 2 lists these amounts.
NMFS proposes Pacific cod TACs in the Western, Central, and Eastern
GOA (see Table 1). NMFS also proposes seasonal apportionment of the
Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas. Sixty
percent of the annual TAC is apportioned to the A season for hook-and-
line, pot, and jig gear from January 1 through June 10, and for trawl
gear from January 20 through June 10. Forty percent of the annual TAC
is apportioned to the B season for jig gear from June 10 through
December 31, for hook-and-line and pot gear from September 1 through
December 31, and for trawl gear from September 1 through November 1
(Sec. Sec. 679.23(d)(3) and 679.20(a)(12)). The Western and Central
GOA Pacific cod TACs are allocated among various gear and operational
sectors. Additional detail is provided below; Table 3 lists the amounts
apportioned to each sector.
The Council's recommendation for sablefish area apportionments
takes into account the prohibition on the use of trawl gear in the SEO
District of the Eastern Regulatory Area (Sec. 679.7(b)(1)) and makes
available 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area TACs to
trawl gear for use as incidental catch in other groundfish fisheries in
the WYK District (Sec. 679.20(a)(4)(i)). Additional detail is provided
below. Tables 4 and 5 list the proposed 2018 and 2019 allocations of
the sablefish TAC to fixed gear and trawl gear in the GOA.
For 2018 and 2019, the Council recommends and NMFS proposes the
OFLs, ABCs, and TACs listed in Table 1. The proposed ABCs reflect
harvest amounts that are less than the specified overfishing levels.
Table 1 lists the proposed 2018 and 2019 OFLs, ABCs, TACs, and area
apportionments of groundfish in the GOA. These amounts are consistent
with the biological condition of groundfish stocks as described in the
2016 SAFE report, and adjusted for other biological and socioeconomic
considerations, including maintaining the total TAC within the required
OY range. The sum of the proposed TACs for all GOA groundfish is
465,832 mt for 2018 and 2019, which is within the OY range specified by
the FMP. These proposed amounts and apportionments by area, season, and
sector are subject to change pending consideration of the draft 2017
SAFE report and the Council's recommendations for the final 2018 and
2019 harvest specifications during its December 2017 meeting.

Table 1--Proposed 2018 and 2019 ABCs, TACs, and OFLs of Groundfish for the Western/Central/West Yakutat,
Western, Central, and Eastern Regulatory Areas, and in the West Yakutat, Southeast Outside, and Gulfwide
Districts of the Gulf of Alaska
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
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Species Area \1\ OFL ABC TAC \2\
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Pollock \2\........................... Shumagin (610).......... n/a 33,701 33,701
Chirikof (620).......... n/a 76,249 76,249
Kodiak (630)............ n/a 37,818 37,818
WYK (640)............... n/a 5,791 5,791
W/C/WYK (subtotal)...... 182,204 157,496 153,559
SEO (650)............... 13,226 9,920 9,920
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Total................ 195,430 167,416 163,479
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Pacific cod \3\....................... W....................... n/a 22,565 15,796
C....................... n/a 27,471 20,603
E....................... n/a 4,894 3,671
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Total................ 67,486 54,930 40,069
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Sablefish \4\......................... W....................... n/a 1,367 1,367
C....................... n/a 4,574 4,574
WYK..................... n/a 1,626 1,626
SEO..................... n/a 2,640 2,640

[[Page 57928]]

E (WYK and SEO) n/a 4,266 4,266
(subtotal).
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Total................ 12,045 10,207 10,207
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Shallow-water flatfish \5\............ W....................... n/a 21,042 13,250
C....................... n/a 19,418 19,418
WYK..................... n/a 3,206 3,206
SEO..................... n/a 1,105 1,105
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................ 54,893 44,771 36,979
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Deep-water flatfish \6\............... W....................... n/a 257 257
C....................... n/a 3,488 3,488
WYK..................... n/a 3,047 3,047
SEO..................... n/a 2,590 2,590
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................ 11,290 9,382 9,382
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Rex sole.............................. W....................... n/a 1,478 1,478
C....................... n/a 4,995 4,995
WYK..................... n/a 861 861
SEO..................... n/a 1,087 1,087
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Total................ 11,004 8,421 8,421
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Arrowtooth flounder................... W....................... n/a 25,747 14,500
C....................... n/a 98,895 75,000
WYK..................... n/a 34,273 6,900
SEO..................... n/a 11,595 6,900
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................ 196,635 170,510 103,300
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Flathead sole......................... W....................... n/a 11,282 8,650
C....................... n/a 20,677 15,400
WYK..................... n/a 2,998 2,998
SEO..................... n/a 872 872
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................ 43,872 35,829 27,920
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Pacific ocean perch \7\............... W....................... n/a 2,627 2,627
C....................... n/a 16,347 16,347
WYK..................... n/a 2,733 2,733
W/C/WYK................. 25,252 21,707 21,707
SEO..................... 2,032 1,747 1,747
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................ 27,284 23,454 23,454
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern rockfish \8\................. W....................... n/a 400 400
C....................... n/a 3,108 3,108
E....................... n/a 4 ..............
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................ 4,175 3,512 3,508
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortraker rockfish \9\............... W....................... n/a 38 38
C....................... n/a 301 301
E....................... n/a 947 947
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................ 1,715 1,286 1,286
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dusky rockfish \10\................... W....................... n/a 146 146
C....................... n/a 3,499 3,499
WYK..................... n/a 232 232
SEO..................... n/a 77 77
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................ 4,837 3,954 3,954
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rougheye and blackspotted rockfish W....................... n/a 104 104
\11\.
C....................... n/a 702 702
E....................... n/a 512 512
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 57929]]

Total................ 1,583 1,318 1,318
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demersal shelf rockfish \12\.......... SEO..................... 357 227 227
Thornyhead rockfish \13\.............. W....................... n/a 291 291
C....................... n/a 988 988
E....................... n/a 682 682
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................ 2,615 1,961 1,961
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other rockfish 14 15.................. W/C combined............ n/a 1,534 1,534
WYK..................... n/a 574 574
SEO..................... n/a 3,665 200
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................ 7,424 5,773 2,308
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel......................... GW...................... 6,200 4,700 3,000
Big skates \16\....................... W....................... n/a 908 908
C....................... n/a 1,850 1,850
E....................... n/a 1,056 1,056
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................ 5,086 3,814 3,814
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longnose skates \17\.................. W....................... n/a 61 61
C....................... n/a 2,513 2,513
E....................... n/a 632 632
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................ 4,274 3,206 3,206
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other skates \18\..................... GW...................... 2,558 1,919 1,919
Sculpins.............................. GW...................... 7,338 5,591 5,591
Sharks................................ GW...................... 6,020 4,514 4,514
Squids................................ GW...................... 1,516 1,137 1,137
Octopuses............................. GW...................... 6,504 4,878 4,878
-----------------------------------------------
Total............................. ........................ 682,141 572,710 465,832
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Regulatory areas and districts are defined at Sec. 679.2. (W=Western Gulf of Alaska; C=Central Gulf of
Alaska; E=Eastern Gulf of Alaska; WYK=West Yakutat District; SEO=Southeast Outside District; GW=Gulf-wide).
\2\ The total for the W/C/WYK Regulatory Areas pollock ABC is 157,496 mt. After deducting 2.5 percent (3,937 mt)
of that ABC for the State's pollock GHL fishery, the remaining pollock ABC of 153,559 mt (for the W/C/WYK
Regulatory Areas) is apportioned among four statistical areas (Areas 610, 620, 630, and 640). These
apportionments are considered subarea ACLs, rather than ABCs, for specification and reapportionment purposes.
The ACLs in Areas 610, 620, and 630 are further divided by season, as detailed in Table 2. In the West Yakutat
(Area 640) and Southeast Outside (Area 650) Districts of the Eastern Regulatory Area, pollock is not divided
into seasonal allowances.
\3\ The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned 60 percent to the A season and 40 percent to the B season in the
Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA. Pacific cod TAC in the Eastern Regulatory Area is allocated
90 percent for processing by the inshore component and 10 percent for processing by the offshore component.
Table 3 lists the proposed 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments.
\4\ Sablefish is allocated to fixed and trawl gear in 2018 and trawl gear in 2019. Tables 4 and 5 list the
proposed 2018 and 2019 allocations of sablefish TACs.
\5\ ``Shallow-water flatfish'' means flatfish not including ``deep-water flatfish,'' flathead sole, rex sole, or
arrowtooth flounder.
\6\ ``Deep-water flatfish'' means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, and deep-sea sole.
\7\ ``Pacific ocean perch'' means Sebastes alutus.
\8\ ``Northern rockfish'' means Sebastes polyspinous. For management purposes the 3 mt apportionment of ABC to
the WYK District of the Eastern Gulf of Alaska has been included in the other rockfish species group.
\9\ ``Shortraker rockfish'' means Sebastes borealis.
\10\ ``Dusky rockfish'' means Sebastes variabilis.
\11\ ``Rougheye and blackspotted rockfish'' means Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and Sebastes melanostictus
(blackspotted).
\12\ ``Demersal shelf rockfish'' means Sebastes pinniger (canary), S. nebulosus (china), S. caurinus (copper),
S. maliger (quillback), S. helvomaculatus (rosethorn), S. nigrocinctus (tiger), and S. ruberrimus (yelloweye).
\13\ ``Thornyhead rockfish'' means Sebastes species.
\14\ ``Other rockfish means Sebastes aurora (aurora), S. melanostomus (blackgill), S. paucispinis (bocaccio), S.
goodei (chilipepper), S. crameri (darkblotch), S. elongatus (greenstriped), S. variegatus (harlequin), S.
wilsoni (pygmy), S. babcocki (redbanded), S. proriger (redstripe), S. zacentrus (sharpchin), S. jordani
(shortbelly), S. brevispinis (silvergray), S. diploproa (splitnose), S. saxicola (stripetail), S. miniatus
(vermilion), S. reedi (yellowmouth), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus (yellowtail). In the Eastern GOA
only, ``other rockfish'' also includes northern rockfish (S. polyspinous).
\15\ ``Other rockfish'' in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat District means all
rockfish species included in the ``other rockfish'' and demersal shelf rockfish categories. The ``other
rockfish'' species group in the SEO District only includes other rockfish.
\16\ ``Big skates'' means Raja binoculata.
\17\ ``Longnose skates'' means Raja rhina.
\18\ ``Other skates'' means Bathyraja and Raja spp.

[[Page 57930]]

Proposed Apportionment of Reserves

Section 679.20(b)(2) requires NMFS to set aside 20 percent of each
TAC for pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, sculpins, sharks, squids, and
octopuses in reserves for possible apportionment at a later date during
the fishing year. In 2017, NMFS reapportioned all of the reserves in
the final harvest specifications. For 2018 and 2019, NMFS proposes
reapportionment of each of the reserves for pollock, Pacific cod,
flatfish, sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopuses back into the
original TAC from which the reserve was derived. NMFS expects, based on
recent harvest patterns, that such reserves are not necessary and the
entire TAC for each of these species will be caught. The TACs in Table
1 reflect this proposed reapportionment of reserve amounts for these
species and species groups, i.e., each proposed TAC for the above
mentioned species categories contains the full TAC recommended by the
Council.

Proposed Apportionments of Pollock TAC Among Seasons and Regulatory
Areas, and Allocations for Processing by Inshore and Offshore
Components

In the GOA, pollock is apportioned by season and area, and is
further allocated for processing by inshore and offshore components.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B), the annual pollock TAC specified
for the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA is apportioned
into four equal seasonal allowances of 25 percent. As established by
Sec. 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season
allowances are available from January 20 through March 10, March 10
through May 31, August 25 through October 1, and October 1 through
November 1, respectively.
Pollock TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA
are apportioned among Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, pursuant to
Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A). In the A and B seasons, the apportionments
had historically, since 2000, been based on the proportional
distribution of pollock biomass based on the four most recent NMFS
winter surveys. In the C and D seasons, the apportionments were in
proportion to the distribution of pollock biomass based on the four
most recent NMFS summer surveys. For 2018 and 2019, the Council
recommends, and NMFS proposes, following the methodology that was used
for the 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications. This methodology averages
the winter and summer distribution of pollock in the Central Regulatory
Area for the A season instead of using the distribution based on only
the winter surveys. The average is intended to reflect the best
available information about migration patterns, distribution of
pollock, and the performance of the fishery in the area during the A
season. For the A season, the apportionment is based on the proposed
adjusted estimate of the relative distribution of pollock biomass of
approximately 5 percent, 72 percent, and 23 percent in Statistical
Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. For the B season, the
apportionment is based on the relative distribution of pollock biomass
of approximately 5 percent, 82 percent, and 13 percent in Statistical
Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. For the C and D seasons, the
apportionment is based on the relative distribution of pollock biomass
of approximately 41 percent, 26 percent, and 33 percent in Statistical
Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. The pollock chapter of the 2016
SAFE report (see ADDRESSES) contains a comprehensive description of the
apportionment process and reasons for the minor changes from past
apportionments.
Within any fishing year, the amount by which a seasonal allowance
is underharvested or overharvested may be added to, or subtracted from,
subsequent seasonal allowances in a manner to be determined by the
Regional Administrator (Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The rollover amount
is limited to 20 percent of the seasonal TAC apportionment for the
statistical area. Any unharvested pollock above the 20-percent limit
could be further distributed to the subsequent season in other
statistical areas, in proportion to the estimated biomass and in an
amount no more than 20 percent of the seasonal TAC apportionment in
those statistical areas (Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The proposed 2018
and 2019 pollock TACs in the WYK District of 5,791 mt and the SEO
District of 9,920 mt are not allocated by season.
Section 679.20(a)(6)(i) requires the allocation of 100 percent of
the pollock apportionments in all regulatory areas and all seasonal
allowances to vessels catching pollock for processing by the inshore
component after subtraction of pollock amounts projected by the
Regional Administrator to be caught by, or delivered to, the offshore
component incidental to directed fishing for other groundfish species.
Thus, the amount of pollock available for harvest by vessels harvesting
pollock for processing by the offshore component is that amount that
will be taken as incidental catch during directed fishing for
groundfish species other than pollock, up to the maximum retainable
amounts allowed under Sec. 679.20(e) and (f). At this time, these
incidental catch amounts of pollock are unknown and will be determined
as fishing activity occurs during the fishing year by the offshore
component.
Table 2 lists the proposed 2018 and 2019 seasonal biomass
distribution of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas,
area apportionments, and seasonal allowances. The amounts of pollock
for processing by the inshore and offshore components are not shown.
Section 679.20(a)(6)(i) requires the allocation of 100 percent of the
pollock TAC in all regulatory areas and all seasonal allowances to
vessels catching pollock for processing by the inshore component after
subtraction of amounts projected by the Regional Administrator to be
caught by, or delivered to, the offshore component incidental to
directed fishing for other groundfish species. Thus, the amount of
pollock available for harvest by vessels harvesting pollock for
processing by the offshore component is that amount that will be taken
as incidental catch during directed fishing for groundfish species
other than pollock, up to the maximum retainable amounts allowed by
Sec. [thinsp]679.20(e) and (f). The incidental catch amounts of
pollock are unknown at this time and will be determined during the 2018
fishing year during the course of fishing activities by the offshore
component.

[[Page 57931]]

Table 2--Proposed 2018 and 2019 Distribution of Pollock in the Central and Western Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska; Seasonal Biomass
Distribution, Area Apportionments; and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC \1\
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season \2\ Shumagin (area 610)
Chirikof (Area 620)
Kodiak (area 630) Total \3\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A (Jan 20-Mar 10)....................... 1,725 (4.67%) 26,704 (72.29%) 8,513 (23.04%) 36,942
B (Mar 10-May 31)....................... 1,725 (4.67%) 30,469 (82.48%) 4,748 (12.85%) 36,942
C (Aug 25-Oct 1)........................ 15,125 (40.94%) 9,538 (25.82%) 12,278 (33.24%) 36,942
D (Oct 1-Nov 1)......................... 15,125 (40.94%) 9,538 (25.82%) 12,278 (33.24%) 36,942
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Total........................ 33,701 .............. 76,249 .............. 37,818 .............. 147,768
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Area apportionments and seasonal allowances may not total precisely due to rounding.
\2\ As established by Sec. 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season allowances are available from January 20 through March 10, March 10
through May 31, August 25 through October 1, and October 1 through November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and
offshore components are not shown in this table.
\3\ The West Yakutat and Southeast Outside District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock TACs shown in
this table.

Proposed Annual and Seasonal Apportionments of Pacific Cod TAC

As explained earlier in the section on ``Proposed ABC and TAC
Specifications,'' the Council recommended reduced Pacific cod OFL, ABC,
and TAC amounts as a result of preliminary data indicating a decrease
in biomass. The proposed amounts could likely change, including a
further decrease, once the 2017 Pacific cod stock assessment is
finalized, reviewed by the Council's groundfish Plan Team in November,
and then subsequently reviewed by the SSC, AP, and Council in December
2017. Reductions could impact seasonal and sector apportionments of
Pacific cod TAC.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i), NMFS proposes allocations for
the 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central
Regulatory Areas of the GOA among gear and operational sectors. NMFS
also proposes allocating the 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod TACs annually
between the inshore and offshore components in the Eastern Regulatory
Area of the GOA (Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(ii)). In the Central GOA, the
Pacific cod TAC is apportioned seasonally first to vessels using jig
gear, and then among catcher vessels (CVs) less than 50 feet in length
overall using hook-and-line gear, CVs equal to or greater than 50 feet
in length overall using hook-and-line gear, catcher/processors (C/Ps)
using hook-and-line gear, CVs using trawl gear, C/Ps using trawl gear,
and vessels using pot gear (Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)(B)). In the Western
GOA, the Pacific cod TAC is apportioned seasonally first to vessels
using jig gear, and then among CVs using hook-and-line gear, C/Ps using
hook-and-line gear, CVs using trawl gear, C/Ps using trawl gear, and
vessels using pot gear (Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A)). The overall
seasonal apportionments in the Western and Central GOA are 60 percent
of the annual TAC to the A season and 40 percent of the annual TAC to
the B season. All of these apportionments proposed for 2018 and 2019
incorporate the proposed reduction to the 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod TAC
that was recommended by the Council and discussed earlier in the
preamble.
Under Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(ii), any overage or underage of the
Pacific cod allowance from the A season will be subtracted from, or
added to, the subsequent B season allowance. In addition, any portion
of the hook-and-line, trawl, pot, or jig sector allocations that is
determined by NMFS as likely to go unharvested by a sector may be
reallocated to other sectors for harvest during the remainder of the
fishing year.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A) and (B), a portion of the
annual Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central GOA will be
allocated to vessels with a Federal fisheries permit that use jig gear
before TAC is apportioned among other non-jig sectors. In accordance
with the FMP, the annual jig sector allocations may increase to up to 6
percent of the annual Western and Central GOA Pacific cod TACs,
depending on the annual performance of the jig sector (see Table 1 of
Amendment 83 to the FMP for a detailed discussion of the jig sector
allocation process (76 FR 74670, December 1, 2011). Jig sector
allocation increases are established for a minimum of 2 years.
NMFS has evaluated the historical harvest performance of the jig
sector in the Western and Central GOA, and is establishing the proposed
2018 and 2019 Pacific cod apportionments to this sector based on its
historical harvest performance through 2016. For 2018 and 2019, NMFS
proposes that the jig sector receive 2.5 percent of the annual Pacific
cod TAC in the Western GOA. This includes a base allocation of 1.5
percent and an additional 1.0 percent because this sector harvested
greater than 90 percent of its initial allocations in 2012 and 2014 in
the Western GOA. NMFS also proposes that the jig sector receive 1.0
percent of the annual Pacific cod TAC in the Central GOA. This includes
a base allocation of 1.0 percent and no additional performance
increase. These historical Pacific cod jig allocations, catch, and
percent allocation changes are listed in Figure 1.

Figure 1--Summary of Western GOA and Central GOA Management Area Pacific Cod Catch by Jig Gear in 2012 Through 2016, and Corresponding Percent
Allocation Changes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial Percent of >90% of
Area Year percent of Initial TAC Catch (mt) initial initial Change to percent
TAC allocation allocation allocation? allocation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WGOA............................ 2012 1.5 315 322 102 Y Increase 1.
2013 2.5 530 273 52 N None.
2014 2.5 573 785 137 Y Increase 1.
2015 3.5 948 55 6 N None.

[[Page 57932]]

2016 3.5 992 52 5 N Decrease 1.
CGOA............................ 2012 1.0 427 400 94 Y Increase 1.
2013 2.0 740 202 27 N None.
2014 2.0 797 262 33 N None.
2015 1.0 460 355 77 N Decrease 1.
2016 1.0 370 267 72 N None.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NMFS will re-evaluate the annual 2017 harvest performance of jig
sector in the Western and Central Management areas when the 2017
fishing year is complete to determine whether to change the jig sector
allocations proposed by this action in conjunction with the final 2018
and 2019 harvest specifications. The current catch through November
2017 by the Western GOA jig sector indicates that the Pacific cod
allocation percentage to this sector would probably decrease by 1
percent in 2018 (from 2.5 percent to 1.5 percent). Also, the current
catch by the Central GOA jig sector indicates that this sector's
Pacific cod allocation percentage would not change in 2018, and would
remain at 1 percent. The jig sector allocations for the Western and
Central GOA are further apportioned between the A (60 percent) and B
(40 percent) seasons (Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i) and Sec.
679.23(d)(3)(iii)).
Table 3 lists the seasonal apportionments and allocations of the
proposed 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod TACs.

Table 3--Proposed 2018 and 2019 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocations of Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch
Amounts in the GOA; Allocations in the Western GOA and Central GOA Sectors, and the Eastern GOA for Processing
by the Inshore and Offshore Components
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A season B season
---------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Sector Sector
Regulatory area and sector allocation percentage of Seasonal percentage of Seasonal
(mt) annual non- allowances annual non- allowances
jig TAC (mt) jig TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA:
Jig (2.5% of TAC)........... 395 N/A 237 N/A 158
Hook-and-line CV............ 216 0.70 108 0.70 108
Hook-and-line C/P........... 3,049 10.90 1,679 8.90 1,371
Trawl CV.................... 5,914 27.70 4,266 10.70 1,648
Trawl C/P................... 370 0.90 139 1.50 231
Pot CV and Pot C/P.......... 5,852 19.80 3,049 18.20 2,803
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 15,796 60.00 9,477 40.00 6,318
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central GOA:
Jig (1.0% of TAC)........... 206 N/A 124 N/A 82
Hook-and-line <50 CV........ 2,978 9.32 1,900 5.29 1,078
Hook-and-line >=50 CV....... 1,368 5.61 1,144 1.10 224
Hook-and-line C/P........... 1,041 4.11 838 1.00 203
Trawl CV \1\................ 8,482 21.13 4,311 20.45 4,171
Trawl C/P................... 856 2.00 409 2.19 448
Pot CV and Pot C/P.......... 5,671 17.83 3,637 9.97 2,035
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 20,603 60.00 12,362 40.00 8,241
---------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern GOA: .............. Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
---------------------------------------------------------------
3,671 3,303
367
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Trawl vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 785 mt, of the annual
Central GOA Pacific cod TAC. This apportionment percentage is specified in Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679. This
apportionment is deducted from the Trawl CV B season allowance (see Table 8: Apportionments of Rockfish
Secondary Species in the Central GOA).

[[Page 57933]]

Proposed Allocations of the Sablefish TACs Amounts to Vessels Using
Fixed Gear and Trawl Gear

Sections 679.20(a)(4)(i) and (ii) require allocations of sablefish
TACs for each of the regulatory areas and districts to fixed and trawl
gear. In the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, 80 percent of each
TAC is allocated to fixed gear, and 20 percent of each TAC is allocated
to trawl gear. In the Eastern Regulatory Area, 95 percent of the TAC is
allocated to fixed gear and 5 percent is allocated to trawl gear. The
trawl gear allocation in the Eastern Regulatory Area may only be used
to support incidental catch of sablefish in directed fisheries for
other target species (Sec. 679.20(a)(4)(i)).
In recognition of the prohibition against trawl gear in the SEO
District of the Eastern Regulatory Area, the Council recommended and
NMFS proposes the allocation of 5 percent of the combined Eastern
Regulatory Area sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the WYK District, making
the remainder of the WYK sablefish TAC available to vessels using fixed
gear. NMFS proposes to allocate 100 percent of the sablefish TAC in the
SEO District to vessels using fixed gear. This action results in a
proposed 2018 allocation of 213 mt to trawl gear and 1,413 mt to fixed
gear in the WYK District, a proposed 2018 allocation of 2,640 mt to
fixed gear in the SEO District, and a 2019 allocation of 213 mt to
trawl gear in the WYK District. Table 4 lists the allocations of the
proposed 2018 sablefish TACs to fixed and trawl gear. Table 5 lists the
allocations of the proposed 2019 sablefish TACs to trawl gear.
The Council recommended that the trawl sablefish TAC be established
for 2 years so that retention of incidental catch of sablefish by trawl
gear could commence in January in the second year of the groundfish
harvest specifications. Tables 4 and 5 list the 2018 and 2019 trawl
allocations, respectively.
The Council recommended that the fixed gear sablefish TAC be
established annually to ensure that the sablefish IFQ fishery is
conducted concurrently with the halibut IFQ fishery and is based on the
most recent survey information. Since there is an annual assessment for
sablefish and the final harvest specifications are expected to be
published before the IFQ season begins (typically, in early March), the
Council recommended that the fixed gear sablefish TAC be set annually,
rather than for 2 years, so that the best available scientific
information could be considered in establishing the sablefish ABCs and
TACs. Accordingly, Table 4 lists the 2018 fixed gear allocations, and
the 2019 fixed gear allocations will be in the proposed 2019 and 2020
harvest specifications.
With the exception of the trawl allocations that are provided to
the Rockfish Program cooperatives (see Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679),
directed fishing for sablefish with trawl gear is closed during the
fishing year. Also, fishing for groundfish with trawl gear is
prohibited prior to January 20. Therefore, it is not likely that the
sablefish allocation to trawl gear would be reached before the
effective date of the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications.

Table 4--Proposed 2018 Sablefish Total Allowable Catch (TAC) in the Gulf of Alaska
and Allocations to Fixed and Trawl Gear
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed gear Trawl
Area/district TAC allocation allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western......................................................... 1,367 1,094 273
Central \1\..................................................... 4,574 3,659 915
West Yakutat \2\................................................ 1,626 1,413 213
Southeast Outside............................................... 2,640 2,640 0
-----------------------------------------------
Total....................................................... 10,207 8,806 1,402
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The trawl allocation to the Central Regulatory Area is further reduced by the sablefish apportioned to the
Rockfish Program cooperatives (471 mt). See Table 8: Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the
Central GOA. This results in 444 mt being available for the non-Rockfish Program trawl fisheries.
\2\ The proposed trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West
Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts combined) sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.

Table 5--Proposed 2019 Sablefish Total Allowable Catch (TAC) in the Gulf of Alaska
and Allocation to Trawl Gear \1\
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton.]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trawl
Area/district TAC Fixed gear allocation allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western..................................... 1,367 n/a............................... 273
Central \2\................................. 4,574 n/a............................... 915
West Yakutat \3\............................ 1,626 n/a............................... 213
Southeast Outside........................... 2,640 n/a............................... 0
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................................... 10,207 n/a............................... 1,402
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Council recommended that harvest specifications for the fixed gear sablefish Individual Fishing Quota
fisheries be limited to 1 year.
\2\ The trawl allocation to the Central Regulatory Area is further reduced by the sablefish apportioned to the
Rockfish Program cooperatives (471mt). See Table 8: Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the
Central GOA. This results in 444 mt being available for the non-Rockfish Program trawl fisheries.
\3\ The proposed trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West
Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts combined) sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.

[[Page 57934]]

Proposed Apportionments to the Rockfish Program

These proposed 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for the GOA
include the fishery cooperative allocations and sideboard limitations
established by the Rockfish Program. Program participants are primarily
trawl CVs and trawl C/Ps, with limited participation by vessels using
longline gear. The Rockfish Program assigns quota share and cooperative
quota to participants for primary (Pacific ocean perch, northern
rockfish, and dusky rockfish) and secondary species (Pacific cod,
rougheye rockfish, sablefish, shortraker rockfish, and thornyhead
rockfish), allows a participant holding a license limitation program
(LLP) license with rockfish quota share to form a rockfish cooperative
with other persons, and allows holders of C/P LLP licenses to opt out
of the fishery. The Rockfish Program also has an entry level fishery
for rockfish primary species for vessels using longline gear. Longline
gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear.
Under the Rockfish Program, rockfish primary species in the Central
GOA are allocated to participants after deducting for incidental catch
needs in other directed groundfish fisheries (Sec. 679.81(a)(2)).
Participants in the Rockfish Program also receive a portion of the
Central GOA TAC of specific secondary species. Besides groundfish
species, the Rockfish Program allocates a portion of the halibut PSC
limit (191 mt) from the third season deep-water species fishery
allowance for the GOA trawl fisheries to Rockfish Program participants
(Sec. 679.81(d) and Table 28d to 50 CFR part 679). Rockfish Program
sideboards and halibut PSC limits are discussed later in this rule.
Also, the Rockfish Program establishes sideboard limits to restrict
the ability of harvesters that operate under the Rockfish Program to
increase their participation in other, non-Rockfish Program fisheries.
These restrictions are discussed in a subsequent section titled
``Rockfish Program Groundfish Sideboard and Halibut PSC Limitations.''
Section 679.81(a)(2)(ii) and Table 28e to 50 CFR part 679 requires
allocations of 5 mt of Pacific ocean perch, 5 mt of northern rockfish,
and 50 mt of dusky rockfish to the entry level longline fishery in 2018
and 2019. The allocation for the entry level longline fishery may
increase incrementally each year if the catch exceeds 90 percent of the
allocation of a species. The incremental increase in the allocation
would continue each year until it is the maximum percentage of the TAC
for that species. In 2017, the allocation for dusky rockfish increased
by 20 mt, from 30 mt, to 50 mt. In 2017, the catch for all three
primary species did not exceed 90 percent of any allocated rockfish
species. Therefore, NMFS is not proposing any increases to the entry
level longline fishery 2018 and 2019 allocations in the Central GOA.
The remainder of the TACs for the rockfish primary species would be
allocated to the CV and C/P cooperatives. Table 6 lists the allocations
of the proposed 2018 and 2019 TACs for each rockfish primary species to
the entry level longline fishery, the incremental increase for future
years, and the maximum percentage of the TAC for the entry level
longline fishery.

Table 6--Proposed 2018 and 2019 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species to the Entry Level Longline Fishery in
the Central Gulf of Alaska
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incremental increase in
2019 if >=90 percent of Up to maximum
Rockfish primary species 2018 and 2019 allocations 2018 allocation is percent of each
harvested TAC of:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch.................... 5 metric tons............ 5 metric tons............ 1
Northern rockfish...................... 5 metric tons............ 5 metric tons............ 2
Dusky rockfish......................... 50 metric tons........... 20 metric tons........... 5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Section 679.81 requires allocations of rockfish primary species
among various sectors of the Rockfish Program. Table 7 lists the
proposed 2018 and 2019 allocations of rockfish primary species in the
Central GOA to the entry level longline fishery, and rockfish CV and C/
P cooperatives in the Rockfish Program. NMFS also proposes setting
aside incidental catch amounts (ICAs) for other directed fisheries in
the Central GOA of 3,500 mt of Pacific ocean perch, 300 mt of northern
rockfish, and 250 mt of dusky rockfish. These amounts are based on
recent average incidental catches in the Central GOA by other
groundfish fisheries.
Allocations among vessels belonging to CV or C/P cooperatives are
not included in these proposed harvest specifications. Rockfish Program
applications for CV cooperatives and C/P cooperatives are not due to
NMFS until March 1 of each calendar year; therefore, NMFS cannot
calculate 2018 and 2019 allocations in conjunction with these proposed
harvest specifications. NMFS will post these allocations on the Alaska
Region Web site at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/central-goa-rockfish-program when they become available after March 1.

Table 7--Proposed 2018 and 2019 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species in the Central Gulf of Alaska to the
Entry Level Longline Fishery and Rockfish Cooperatives in the Rockfish Program
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allocation to
Incidental the entry Allocation to
Rockfish primary species TAC catch TAC minus ICA level the Rockfish
allowance longline \1\ Cooperatives
(ICA) fishery \2\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch............. 16,347 3,500 12,847 5 12,842
Northern rockfish............... 3,108 300 2,808 5 2,803
Dusky rockfish.................. 3,499 250 3,249 50 3,199
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 57935]]

Total....................... 22,954 4,050 18,904 60 18,844
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Longline gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear (Sec. 679.2).
\2\ Rockfish cooperatives include vessels in CV and C/P cooperatives (Sec. 679.81).

Section 679.81(c) and Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679 requires
allocations of rockfish secondary species to CV and C/P cooperatives in
the Central GOA. CV cooperatives receive allocations of Pacific cod,
sablefish from the trawl gear allocation, and thornyhead rockfish. C/P
cooperatives receive allocations of sablefish from the trawl
allocation, rougheye rockfish, shortraker rockfish, and thornyhead
rockfish. Table 8 lists the apportionments of the proposed 2018 and
2019 TACs of rockfish secondary species in the Central GOA to CV and C/
P cooperatives.

Table 8--Proposed 2018 and 2019 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA to Catcher Vessel and Catcher/Processor Cooperatives
[Values are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher Vessel cooperatives Catcher/Processor cooperatives
Central GOA ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rockfish secondary species annual TAC Percentage of Apportionment Percentage of Apportionment
TAC (mt) TAC (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod.............................................. 20,603 3.81 785 0.0 0.0
Sablefish................................................ 4,574 6.78 310 3.51 161
Shortraker rockfish...................................... 301 0.0 0 40.00 120
Rougheye rockfish........................................ 702 0.0 0 58.87 413
Thornyhead rockfish...................................... 988 7.84 77 26.50 262
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Halibut PSC Limits

Section 679.21(d) establishes annual halibut PSC limit
apportionments to trawl and hook-and-line gear, and authorizes the
establishment of apportionments for pot gear. In October 2017, the
Council recommended halibut PSC limits of 1,706 mt for trawl gear, 257
mt for hook-and-line gear, and 9 mt for the demersal shelf rockfish
(DSR) fishery in the SEO District.
The DSR fishery in the SEO District is defined at Sec.
679.21(d)(2)(ii)(A). This fishery is apportioned 9 mt of the halibut
PSC limit in recognition of its small-scale harvests of groundfish.
NMFS estimates low halibut bycatch in the DSR fishery because (1) the
duration of the DSR fisheries and the gear soak times are short, (2)
the DSR fishery occurs in the winter when there is less overlap in the
distribution of DSR and halibut, and (3) the directed commercial DSR
fishery has a low DSR TAC. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game sets
the commercial GHL for the DSR fishery after deducting (1) estimates of
DSR incidental catch in all fisheries (including halibut and
subsistence); and (2) the allocation to the DSR sport fish fishery. Of
the 227 mt TAC for DSR in 2017, 77 mt were available for the DSR
commercial directed fishery, of which 36 mt were harvested.
The FMP authorizes the Council to exempt specific gear from the
halibut PSC limits. NMFS, after consultation with the Council, proposes
to exempt pot gear, jig gear, and the sablefish IFQ hook-and-line gear
fishery categories from the non-trawl halibut PSC limit for 2018 and
2019. The Council recommended, and NMFS is proposing, these exemptions
because (1) pot gear fisheries have low annual halibut bycatch
mortality; (2) IFQ program regulations prohibit discard of halibut if
any halibut IFQ permit holder on board a CV holds unused halibut IFQ
for that vessel category and the IFQ regulatory area in which the
vessel is operating (Sec. 679.7(f)(11)); 3) some sablefish IFQ permit
holders hold halibut IFQ permits and are therefore required to retain
the halibut they catch while fishing sablefish IFQ; and 4) NMFS
estimates negligible halibut mortality for the jig gear fisheries. NMFS
estimates halibut mortality is negligible in the jig gear fisheries
given the small amount of groundfish harvested by jig gear, the
selective nature of jig gear, and the high survival rates of halibut
caught and released with jig gear.
The best available information on estimated halibut bycatch
consists of data collected by fisheries observers during 2017. The
calculated halibut bycatch mortality through October 12, 2017, is 1,018
mt for trawl gear and 119 mt for hook-and-line gear for a total halibut
mortality of 1,137 mt. This halibut mortality was calculated using
groundfish and halibut catch data from the NMFS Alaska Region's catch
accounting system. This accounting system contains historical and
recent catch information compiled from each Alaska groundfish fishery.
Section 679.21(d)(4)(i) and (ii) authorizes NMFS to seasonally
apportion the halibut PSC limits after consultation with the Council.
The FMP and regulations require that the Council and NMFS consider the
following information in seasonally apportioning halibut PSC limits:
(1) Seasonal distribution of halibut, (2) seasonal distribution of
target groundfish species relative to halibut distribution, (3)
expected halibut bycatch needs on a seasonal basis relative to changes
in halibut biomass and expected catch of target groundfish species, (4)
expected bycatch rates on a seasonal basis, (5) expected changes in
directed groundfish fishing seasons, (6) expected actual start of
fishing effort, and (7) economic effects of establishing seasonal
halibut allocations on segments of the target

[[Page 57936]]

groundfish industry. Based on public comment and the information
presented in the final 2017 SAFE report, the Council may recommend or
NMFS may make changes to the seasonal, gear-type, or fishery category
apportionments of halibut PSC limits for the final 2018 and 2019
harvest specifications.
The final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications (82 FR 12032,
February 27, 2017) summarized the Council's and NMFS' findings with
respect to halibut PSC for each of these FMP considerations. The
Council's and NMFS' findings for 2018 are unchanged from 2017. Table 9
lists the proposed 2018 and 2019 Pacific halibut PSC limits,
allowances, and apportionments. The halibut PSC limits in these tables
reflect the halibut PSC limits set forth at Sec. 679.21(d)(2) and
Sec. 679.21(d)(3). Sections 679.21(d)(4)(iii) and (iv) specify that
any underages or overages of a seasonal apportionment of a halibut PSC
limit will be added to or deducted from the next respective seasonal
apportionment within the fishing year.

Table 9--Proposed 2018 and 2019 Pacific Halibut PSC Limits, Allowances, and Apportionments
[Values are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trawl gear Hook-and-line gear \1\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other than DSR DSR
Season Percent Amount -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season Percent Amount Season Amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 20-April 1...................... 27.5 469 January 1-June 10.......... 86 221 January 1-December 31..... 9
April 1-July 1.......................... 20 341 June 10-September 1........ 2 5 .......................... .........
July 1-September 1...................... 30 512 September 1-December 31.... 12 31 .......................... .........
September 1-October 1................... 7.5 128 ........................... ......... ......... .......................... .........
October 1-December 31................... 15 256 ........................... ......... ......... .......................... .........
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................... ......... 1,706 ........................... ......... 257 .......................... 9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limit for hook-and-line gear is allocated to the demersal shelf rockfish (DSR) fishery and
fisheries other than DSR. The hook-and-line sablefish fishery is exempt from halibut PSC limits, as are pot and jig gear for all groundfish fisheries.

Section 679.21(d)(3)(ii) authorizes further apportionment of the
trawl halibut PSC limit as bycatch allowances to trawl fishery
categories listed in Sec. 679.21(d)(3)(iii). The annual apportionments
are based on each category's proportional share of the anticipated
halibut bycatch mortality during a fishing year and optimization of the
total amount of groundfish harvest under the halibut PSC limit. The
fishery categories for the trawl halibut PSC limits are (1) a deep-
water species fishery, composed of sablefish, rockfish, deep-water
flatfish, rex sole, and arrowtooth flounder; and (2) a shallow-water
species fishery, composed of pollock, Pacific cod, shallow-water
flatfish, flathead sole, Atka mackerel, and ``other species''
(sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopuses) (Sec. 679.21(d)(3)(iii)).
Halibut mortality incurred while directed fishing for skates with trawl
gear accrues towards the shallow-water fishery halibut PSC limit (69 FR
26320, May 12, 2004).
As discussed previously in this preamble, the proposed Pacific cod
TAC recommended by the Council is substantially less than the 2018 TAC
published in the final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications (82 FR
12032, February 27, 2017). If the proposed TAC or a lower TAC is
adopted as the final TAC for 2018 and 2019, this reduced TAC could
result in the Council adjusting the apportionment of halibut PSC limits
between the shallow-water and deep-water species fisheries to reflect
the potential for decreased effort in the shallow-water fisheries in
2018 and 2019 due the decrease in the Pacific cod TAC. The potential
for decreased effort in the shallow-water species fishery could allow
the deep-water species fishery to receive additional apportionments of
the trawl halibut PSC limit. This adjustment could be made during the
final harvest specifications process, pending any public comment,
Council discussion, and Council recommendations for a change during the
December 2017 Council meeting.
NMFS will combine available trawl halibut PSC limit apportionments
in part of the second season deep-water and shallow-water fisheries for
use in either fishery from May 15 through June 30 (Sec.
679.21(d)(4)(iii)(D)). This is intended to maintain groundfish harvest
while minimizing halibut bycatch by these sectors to the extent
practicable. This provides the deep-water and shallow-water trawl
fisheries additional flexibility and the incentive to participate in
fisheries at times of the year that may have lower halibut PSC rates
relative to other times of the year.
Table 10 lists the proposed 2018 and 2019 seasonal apportionments
of trawl halibut PSC limits between the trawl gear deep-water and the
shallow-water species fisheries.
Table 28d to 50 CFR part 679 specifies the amount of the trawl
halibut PSC limit that is assigned to the CV and C/P sectors that are
participating in the Central GOA Rockfish Program. This includes 117 mt
of halibut PSC limit to the CV sector and 74 mt of halibut PSC limit to
the C/P sector. These amounts are allocated from the trawl deep-water
species fishery's halibut PSC third seasonal apportionment.
Section 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(B) limits the amount of the halibut PSC
limit allocated to Rockfish Program participants that could be re-
apportioned to the general GOA trawl fisheries to no more than 55
percent of the unused annual halibut PSC apportioned to Rockfish
Program participants. The remainder of the unused Rockfish Program
halibut PSC limit is unavailable for use by any person for the
remainder of the fishing year (Sec. 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(C)).

[[Page 57937]]

Table 10--Proposed 2018 and 2019 Seasonal Apportionments of the Pacific Halibut PSC Limit Apportioned Between
the Trawl Gear Shallow-Water and Deep-Water Species Fisheries
[Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season Shallow-water Deep-water \1\ Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 20-April 1..................... 384 85............................... 469
April 1-July 1......................... 85 256.............................. 341
July 1-September 1..................... 171 341.............................. 512
September 1-October 1.................. 128 Any remainder.................... 128
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, January 20-October 1..... 768 682.............................. 1,450
October 1-December 31 \2\.............. ................. ................................. 256
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total.......................... ................. ................................. 1,706
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Vessels participating in cooperatives in the Rockfish Program will receive 191 mt of the third season (July
1 through September 1) deep-water species fishery halibut PSC apportionment.
\2\ There is no apportionment between trawl shallow-water and deep-water species fisheries during the fifth
season (October 1 through December 31).

Section 679.21(d)(2) requires that the ``other hook-and-line
fishery'' halibut PSC limit apportionment to vessels using hook-and-
line gear must be divided between CVs and C/Ps. NMFS must calculate the
halibut PSC limit apportionments for the entire GOA to hook-and-line
CVs and C/Ps in accordance with Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(iii) in conjunction
with these harvest specifications. A comprehensive description and
example of the calculations necessary to apportion the ``other hook-
and-line fishery'' halibut PSC limit between the hook-and-line CV and
C/P sectors were included in the proposed rule to implement Amendment
83 to the FMP (76 FR 44700, July 26, 2011) and are not repeated here.
For 2018 and 2019, NMFS proposes annual halibut PSC limit
apportionments of 129 mt and 128 mt to the hook-and-line CV and hook-
and-line C/P sectors, respectively. The 2018 and 2019 annual halibut
PSC limits are divided into three seasonal apportionments, using
seasonal percentages of 86 percent, 2 percent, and 12 percent. Table 11
lists the proposed 2018 and 2019 annual halibut PSC limits and seasonal
apportionments between the hook-and-line CV and hook-and-line C/P
sectors in the GOA.
No later than November 1 year, any halibut PSC limit allocated
under Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(ii)(B) not projected by the Regional
Administrator to be used by one of the hook-and-line sectors during the
remainder of the fishing year will be made available to the other
sector. NMFS calculates the projected unused amount of halibut PSC
limit by either the CV hook-and-line or the C/P hook-and-line sectors
of the ``other hook-and-line fishery'' for the remainder of the year.
The projected unused amount of halibut PSC limit is made available to
the other hook-and-line sector for the remainder of that fishing year
if NMFS determines that an additional amount of halibut PSC limit is
necessary for that sector to continue its directed fishing operations
(Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(iii)(C)).

Table 11--Proposed 2018 and 2019 Apportionments of the ``Other Hook-and-Line Fisheries'' Halibut PSC Allowance Between the Hook-and-Line Gear Catcher
Vessel and Catcher/Processor Sectors
[Values are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector
``Other than DSR'' allowance Hook-and- line sector Sector annual Season Seasonal seasonal
amount percentage amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
257........................... Catcher Vessel.............................. 129 January 1-June 10......... 86 111
June 10-September 1....... 2 3
September 1-December 31... 12 15
Catcher/Processor........................... 128 January 1--June 10........ 86 110
June 10-September 1....... 2 3
September 1-December 31... 12 15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Halibut Discard Mortality Rates

To monitor halibut bycatch mortality allowances and apportionments,
the Regional Administrator uses observed halibut incidental catch
rates, halibut discard mortality rates (DMRs), and estimates of
groundfish catch to project when a fishery's halibut bycatch mortality
allowance or seasonal apportionment is reached. Halibut incidental
catch rates are based on observers' estimates of halibut incidental
catch in the groundfish fishery. DMRs are estimates of the proportion
of incidentally caught halibut that do not survive after being returned
to the sea. The cumulative halibut mortality that accrues to a
particular halibut PSC limit is the product of a DMR multiplied by the
estimated halibut PSC. DMRs are estimated using the best scientific
information available in conjunction with the annual GOA stock
assessment process. The DMR methodology and findings are included as an
appendix to the annual GOA groundfish SAFE report.
In 2016, the DMR estimation methodology underwent revisions per the
Council's directive. An interagency halibut working group
(International Pacific Halibut Commission, Council, and NMFS staff)
developed improved estimation methods that have undergone review by the
Plan Team, SSC, and the Council. A summary of the revised methodology
is contained in the GOA proposed 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications
(81 FR 87881, December 6, 2016), and the comprehensive discussion of
the working group's

[[Page 57938]]

statistical methodology is available from the Council (see ADDRESSES).
The DMR working group's revised methodology is intended to improve
estimation accuracy, as well as transparency and transferability in the
methodology used for calculating DMRs. The working group will continue
to consider improvements to the methodology used to calculate halibut
mortality, including potential changes to the reference period (the
period of data used for calculating the DMRs). Future DMRs may change
based on additional years of observer sampling, which could provide
more recent and accurate data and which could improve the accuracy of
estimation and progress on methodology. The new methodology will
continue to ensure that NMFS is using DMRs that more accurately reflect
halibut mortality, which will inform the different sectors of their
estimated halibut mortality and allow specific sectors to respond with
methods that could reduce mortality and, eventually, the DMR for that
sector.
At the December 2016 meeting, the SSC, AP, and Council concurred
with the revised DMR estimation methodology, and NMFS adopted the DMRs
calculated under the revised methodology for the 2017 and 2018 harvest
specifications. In October 2017, the Council recommended adopting the
halibut DMRs derived from the 2016 process for the proposed 2018 and
2019 DMRs. The proposed 2018 and 2019 DMRs maintain the 2016 process
using an updated 3-year reference period of 2014 through 2016. The
proposed DMR for catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear increased to
17 percent from 12 percent, and the proposed DMR for trawl catcher
vessels operating in the Rockfish Program decreased to 62 percent from
67 percent. Other sectors had minor increases of 3 percent or less.
Table 12 lists the proposed 2018 and 2019 DMRs.

Table 12--Proposed 2018 and 2019 Halibut Discard Mortality Rates for Vessels Fishing in the Gulf of Alaska
[Values are percent of halibut assumed to be dead]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut discard
Gear Sector Groundfish fishery mortality rate
(percent)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pelagic trawl.......................... Catcher vessel........... All...................... 100
Catcher/processor........ All...................... 100
Non-pelagic trawl...................... Catcher vessel........... Rockfish Program......... 62
Catcher vessel........... All others............... 67
Mothership and catcher/ All...................... 84
processor.
Hook-and-line.......................... Catcher/processor........ All...................... 10
Catcher vessel........... All...................... 17
Pot.................................... Catcher vessel and All...................... 7
catcher/processor.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chinook Salmon Prohibited Species Catch Limit

Amendment 93 to the FMP (77 FR 42629, July 20, 2012) established
separate Chinook salmon PSC limits in the Western and Central GOA in
the directed pollock trawl fishery. These limits require NMFS to close
the pollock directed fishery in the Western and Central regulatory
areas of the GOA if the applicable Chinook salmon PSC limit is reached
(Sec. 679.21(h)(8)). The annual Chinook salmon PSC limits in the
pollock directed fishery of 6,684 salmon in the Western GOA and 18,316
salmon in the Central GOA are set in Sec. 679.21(h)(2)(i) and (ii).
Amendment 97 to the FMP (79 FR 71350, December 2, 2014) established
an initial annual PSC limit of 7,500 Chinook salmon for the non-pollock
groundfish trawl fisheries in the Western and Central GOA. This limit
is apportioned among three sectors: 3,600 Chinook salmon to trawl C/Ps;
1,200 Chinook salmon to trawl CVs participating in the Rockfish
Program; and 2,700 Chinook salmon to trawl CVs not participating in the
Rockfish Program (Sec. 679.21(h)(4)). NMFS will monitor the Chinook
salmon PSC in the non-pollock GOA groundfish fisheries and close an
applicable sector if it reaches its Chinook salmon PSC limit.
The Chinook salmon PSC limit for two sectors, trawl C/Ps and trawl
CVs not participating in the Rockfish Program, may be increased in
subsequent years based on the performance of these two sectors and
their ability to minimize their use of their respective Chinook salmon
PSC limits. If either or both of these two sectors limit its use of
Chinook salmon PSC to a certain threshold amount in 2017 (3,120 for
trawl C/Ps and 2,340 for trawl CVs), that sector will receive an
incremental increase to its 2018 Chinook salmon PSC limit (4,080 for
trawl C/Ps and 3,060 for trawl CVs) (Sec. 679.21(h)(4)). NMFS will
evaluate the annual Chinook salmon PSC by trawl C/Ps and non-Rockfish
Program CVs when the 2017 fishing year is complete to determine whether
to increase the Chinook salmon PSC limits for these two sectors. Based
on preliminary 2017 Chinook salmon PSC data, the trawl C/P sector and
the non-Rockfish Program CV sector may receive an incremental increase
of Chinook salmon PSC limit in 2018. This evaluation will be completed
in conjunction with the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications.

American Fisheries Act (AFA) Catcher/Processor and Catcher Vessel
Groundfish Sideboard Limits

Section 679.64 establishes groundfish harvesting and processing
sideboard limits on AFA C/Ps and CVs in the GOA. These sideboard limits
are necessary to protect the interests of fishermen and processors who
do not directly benefit from the AFA from those fishermen and
processors who receive exclusive harvesting and processing privileges
under the AFA. Section 679.7(k)(1)(ii) prohibits listed AFA C/Ps from
harvesting any species of fish in the GOA. Additionally, Sec.
679.7(k)(1)(iv) prohibits listed AFA C/Ps from processing any pollock
harvested in a directed pollock fishery in the GOA and any groundfish
harvested in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA.
AFA CVs that are less than 125 ft (38.1 meters) length overall,
have annual landings of pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
of less than 5,100 mt, and have made at least 40 landings of GOA
groundfish from 1995 through 1997 are exempt from GOA CV groundfish
sideboard limits under Sec. 679.64(b)(2)(ii). Sideboard limits for
non-exempt AFA CVs in the GOA are based on their traditional harvest
levels

[[Page 57939]]

of TAC in groundfish fisheries covered by the FMP. Section
679.64(b)(3)(iv) establishes for CVs the groundfish sideboard
limitations in the GOA based on the retained catch of non-exempt AFA
CVs of each sideboard species from 1995 through 1997 divided by the TAC
for that species over the same period.
Table 13 lists the proposed 2018 and 2019 groundfish sideboard
limits for non-exempt AFA CVs. NMFS will deduct all targeted or
incidental catch of sideboard species made by non-exempt AFA CVs from
the sideboard limits listed in Table 13.

Table 13--Proposed 2018 and 2019 GOA Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel (CV) Groundfish Sideboard
Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1995- Proposed 2018
1997 non- Proposed 2018 and 2019 non-
Species Apportionments Area/component exempt AFA CV and 2019 TACs exempt AFA CV
by season/gear catch to 1995- \3\ sideboard
1997 TAC limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock...................... A Season January Shumagin (610). 0.6047 1,725 1,043
20-March 10. Chirikof (620). 0.1167 26,704 3,116
Kodiak (630)... 0.2028 8,513 1,726
B Season March Shumagin (610). 0.6047 1,725 1,043
10-May 31. Chirikof (620). 0.1167 30,469 3,556
Kodiak (630)... 0.2028 4,748 963
C Season August Shumagin (610). 0.6047 15,125 9,146
25-October 1. Chirikof (620). 0.1167 9,538 1,113
Kodiak (630)... 0.2028 12,278 2,490
D Season October Shumagin (610). 0.6047 15,125 9,146
1-November 1. Chirikof (620). 0.1167 9,538 1,113
Kodiak (630)... 0.2028 12,278 2,490
Annual.......... WYK (640)...... 0.3495 5,791 2,024
SEO (650)...... 0.3495 9,920 3,467
Pacific cod.................. A Season \1\ W.............. 0.1331 9,477 1,261
January 1-June C.............. 0.0692 12,362 855
10.
B Season \2\.... W.............. 0.1331 6,318 841
September 1- C.............. 0.0692 8,241 570
December 31.
Annual.......... E inshore...... 0.0079 3,303 26
E offshore..... 0.0078 367 3
Sablefish.................... Annual, trawl W.............. 0.0000 273 0
gear. C.............. 0.0642 915 59
E.............. 0.0433 213 9
Flatfish, shallow-water...... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0156 13,250 207
C.............. 0.0587 19,418 1,140
E.............. 0.0126 4,311 54
Flatfish, deep-water......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0000 257 0
C.............. 0.0647 3,488 226
E.............. 0.0128 5,637 72
Rex sole..................... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0007 1,478 1
C.............. 0.0384 4,995 192
E.............. 0.0029 1,948 6
Arrowtooth flounder.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0021 14,500 30
C.............. 0.0280 75,000 2,100
E.............. 0.0002 13,800 3
Flathead sole................ Annual.......... W.............. 0.0036 8,650 31
C.............. 0.0213 15,400 328
E.............. 0.0009 3,870 3
Pacific ocean perch.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0023 2,627 6
C.............. 0.0748 16,347 1,223
E.............. 0.0466 4,480 209
Northern rockfish............ Annual.......... W.............. 0.0003 400 0
C.............. 0.0277 3,108 86
Shortraker rockfish.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0000 38 0
C.............. 0.0218 301 7
E.............. 0.0110 947 10
Dusky Rockfish............... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0001 146 0
C.............. 0.0000 3,499 0
E.............. 0.0067 309 2
Rougheye rockfish............ Annual.......... W.............. 0.0000 104 0
C.............. 0.0237 702 17
E.............. 0.0124 512 6
Demersal shelf rockfish...... Annual.......... SEO............ 0.0020 227 0
Thornyhead rockfish.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0280 291 8
C.............. 0.0280 988 28
E.............. 0.0280 682 19

[[Page 57940]]

Other Rockfish............... Annual.......... W/C............ 0.1699 1,534 261
E.............. 0.0000 774 0
Atka mackerel................ Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0309 3,000 93
Big skates................... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0063 908 6
C.............. 0.0063 1,850 12
E.............. 0.0063 1,056 7
Longnose skates.............. Annual.......... W.............. 0.0063 61 0
C.............. 0.0063 2,513 16
E.............. 0.0063 632 4
Other skates................. Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0063 1,919 12
Sculpins..................... Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0063 5,591 35
Sharks....................... Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0063 4,514 28
Squids....................... Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0063 1,137 7
Octopuses.................... Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0063 4,878 31
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
\3\ The Western and Central GOA area apportionments of pollock are considered ACLs.

Non-Exempt AFA Catcher Vessel Halibut PSC Sideboard Limits

The halibut PSC sideboard limits for non-exempt AFA CVs in the GOA
are based on the aggregate retained groundfish catch by non-exempt AFA
CVs in each PSC target category from 1995 through 1997 divided by the
retained catch of all vessels in that fishery from 1995 through 1997
(Sec. 679.64(b)(4)(ii)). Table 14 lists the proposed 2018 and 2019
non-exempt AFA CV halibut PSC limits for vessels using trawl gear in
the GOA.

Table 14--Proposed 2018 and 2019 Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel Halibut Prohibited Species Catch (PSC) Sideboard Limits for Vessels
Using Trawl Gear in the GOA
[PSC limits are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1995-
1997 non-exempt Proposed 2018 Proposed 2018
Season Season dates Fishery category AFA CV retained and 2019 PSC and 2019 non-
catch to total limit exempt AFA CV
retained catch PSC limit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...................................... January 20-April 1........ shallow-water............. 0.340 384 131
deep-water................ 0.070 85 6
2...................................... April 1-July 1............ shallow-water............. 0.340 85 29
deep-water................ 0.070 256 18
3...................................... July 1-September 1........ shallow-water............. 0.340 171 58
deep-water................ 0.070 341 24
4...................................... September 1-October 1..... shallow-water............. 0.340 128 44
deep-water................ 0.070 0 0
5...................................... October 1-December 31..... all targets............... 0.205 256 52
Annual:
Total shallow-water................ .......................... .......................... ................. ................. 262
--------------------------------------------------------
Total deep-water................... .......................... .......................... ................. ................. 48
--------------------------------------------------------
Grand Total, all seasons and .......................... .......................... ................. 1,706 362
categories.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Non-AFA Crab Vessel Groundfish Sideboard Limits

Section 680.22 establishes groundfish sideboard limits for vessels
with a history of participation in the Bering Sea snow crab fishery to
prevent these vessels from using the increased flexibility provided by
the Crab Rationalization Program to expand their level of participation
in the GOA groundfish fisheries. Sideboard harvest limits restrict
these vessels' catch to their collective historical landings in each
GOA groundfish fishery (except the fixed-gear sablefish fishery).
Sideboard limits also apply to landings made using an LLP license
derived from the history of a restricted vessel, even if that LLP
license is used on another vessel.

[[Page 57941]]

The basis for these sideboard harvest limits is described in detail
in the final rules implementing the major provisions of the Crab
Rationalization Program, including Amendments 18 and 19 to the Fishery
Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs
(Crab FMP) (70 FR 10174, March 2, 2005), Amendment 34 to the Crab FMP
(76 FR 35772, June 20, 2011), Amendment 83 to the GOA FMP (76 FR 74670,
December 1, 2011), and Amendment 45 to the Crab FMP (80 FR 28539, May
19, 2015).
Table 15 lists the proposed 2018 and 2019 groundfish sideboard
limitations for non-AFA crab vessels. All targeted or incidental catch
of sideboard species made by non-AFA crab vessels or associated LLP
licenses will be deducted from these sideboard limits.

Table 15--Proposed 2018 and 2019 GOA Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessel
Groundfish Sideboard Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1996-
2000 non-AFA Proposed 2018
crab vessel Proposed 2018 and 2019 non-AFA
Species Season/gear Area/component/gear catch to 1996- and 2019 TACs crab vessel
2000 total sideboard limit
harvest
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock................................ A Season.................. Shumagin (610)............ 0.0098 1,725 17
January 20-March 10....... Chirikof (620)............ 0.0031 26,704 83
Kodiak (630).............. 0.0002 8,513 2
B Season.................. Shumagin (610)............ 0.0098 1,725 17
March 10-May 31........... Chirikof (620)............ 0.0031 30,469 94
Kodiak (630).............. 0.0002 4,748 1
C Season.................. Shumagin (610)............ 0.0098 15,125 148
August 25-October 1....... Chirikof (620)............ 0.0031 9,538 30
Kodiak (630).............. 0.0002 12,278 2
D Season.................. Shumagin (610)............ 0.0098 15,125 148
October 1-November 1...... Chirikof (620)............ 0.0031 9,538 30
Kodiak (630).............. 0.0002 12,278 2
Annual.................... WYK (640)................. 0.0000 5,791 .................
SEO (650)................. 0.0000 9,920 .................
Pacific cod............................ A Season \1\.............. W Jig CV.................. 0.0000 9,477 .................
W Hook-and-line CV........ 0.0004 9,477 4
January 1-June 10......... W Pot CV.................. 0.0997 9,477 945
W Pot C/P................. 0.0078 9,477 74
W Trawl CV................ 0.0007 9,477 7
C Jig CV.................. 0.0000 12,362
C Hook-and-line CV........ 0.0001 12,362 1
C Pot CV.................. 0.0474 12,362 586
C Pot C/P................. 0.0136 12,362 168
C Trawl CV................ 0.0012 12,362 15
B Season \2\.............. W Jig CV.................. 0.0000 6,318 .................
W Hook-and-line CV........ 0.0004 6,318 3
September 1-December 31... W Pot CV.................. 0.0997 6,318 630
W Pot C/P................. 0.0078 6,318 49
W Trawl CV................ 0.0007 6,318 4
C Jig CV.................. 0.0000 8,241
C Hook-and-line CV........ 0.0001 8,241 1
C Pot CV.................. 0.0474 8,241 391
C Pot C/P................. 0.0136 8,241 112
C Trawl CV................ 0.0012 8,241 10
Annual.................... E inshore................. 0.0110 3,303 36
E offshore................ 0.0000 367 .................
Sablefish.............................. Annual, trawl gear........ W......................... 0.0000 273 .................
C......................... 0.0000 915 .................
E......................... 0.0000 213 .................
Flatfish, shallow-water................ Annual.................... W......................... 0.0059 13,250 78
C......................... 0.0001 19,418 2
E......................... 0.0000 4,311 .................
Flatfish, deep-water................... Annual.................... W......................... 0.0035 257 1
C......................... 0.0000 3,488 .................
E......................... 0.0000 5,637 .................
Rex sole............................... Annual.................... W......................... 0.0000 1,478 .................
C......................... 0.0000 4,995 .................
E......................... 0.0000 1,948 .................
Arrowtooth flounder.................... Annual.................... W......................... 0.0004 14,500 6
C......................... 0.0001 75,000 8
E......................... 0.0000 13,800 .................
Flathead sole.......................... Annual.................... W......................... 0.0002 8,650 2
C......................... 0.0004 15,400 6
E......................... 0.0000 3,870 .................

[[Page 57942]]

Pacific ocean perch.................... Annual.................... W......................... 0.0000 2,627 .................
C......................... 0.0000 16,347 .................
E......................... 0.0000 4,480 .................
Northern rockfish...................... Annual.................... W......................... 0.0005 400 0
C......................... 0.0000 3,108 .................
Shortraker rockfish.................... Annual.................... W......................... 0.0013 38 0
C......................... 0.0012 301 0
E......................... 0.0009 947 1
Dusky rockfish......................... Annual.................... W......................... 0.0017 146 0
C......................... 0.0000 3,499 .................
E......................... 0.0000 309 .................
Rougheye rockfish...................... Annual.................... W......................... 0.0067 104 1
C......................... 0.0047 702 3
E......................... 0.0008 512 0
Demersal shelf rockfish................ Annual.................... SEO....................... 0.0000 227 .................
Thornyhead rockfish.................... Annual.................... W......................... 0.0047 291 1
C......................... 0.0066 988 7
E......................... 0.0045 682 3
Other Rockfish......................... Annual.................... W/C....................... 0.0033 1,534 5
E......................... 0.0000 774 .................
Atka mackerel.......................... Annual.................... Gulfwide.................. 0.0000 3,000 .................
Big skate.............................. Annual.................... W......................... 0.0392 908 36
C......................... 0.0159 1,850 29
E......................... 0.0000 1,056 .................
Longnose skate......................... Annual.................... W......................... 0.0392 61 2
C......................... 0.0159 2,513 40
E......................... 0.0000 632 .................
Other skates........................... Annual.................... Gulfwide.................. 0.0176 1,919 34
Sculpins............................... Annual.................... Gulfwide.................. 0.0176 5,591 98
Sharks................................. Annual.................... Gulfwide.................. 0.0176 4,514 79
Squids................................. Annual.................... Gulfwide.................. 0.0176 1,137 20
Octopuses.............................. Annual.................... Gulfwide.................. 0.0176 4,878 86
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.

Rockfish Program Groundfish Sideboard and Halibut PSC Limitations

The Rockfish Program establishes three classes of sideboard
provisions: CV groundfish sideboard restrictions, C/P rockfish
sideboard restrictions, and C/P opt-out vessel sideboard restrictions
(Sec. 679.82(c)(1)). These sideboards are intended to limit the
ability of rockfish harvesters to expand into other fisheries.
CVs participating in the Rockfish Program may not participate in
directed fishing for dusky rockfish, northern rockfish, and Pacific
ocean perch in the Western GOA and West Yakutat Districts from July 1
through July 31. Also, CVs may not participate in directed fishing for
arrowtooth flounder, deep-water flatfish, and rex sole in the GOA from
July 1 through July 31 (Sec. 679.82(d)).
C/Ps participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives are restricted
by rockfish and halibut PSC sideboard limits. These C/Ps are prohibited
from directed fishing for northern rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, and
dusky rockfish in the Western GOA and West Yakutat District from July 1
through July 31. Holders of C/P-designated LLP licenses that opt out of
participating in a Rockfish Program cooperative will be able to access
those sideboard limits that are not assigned to Rockfish Program
cooperatives (Sec. 679.82(e)(2) and (e)(7)). The sideboard ratio for
each rockfish fishery in the Western GOA and WYK District is set forth
in Sec. 679.82(e)(4). Table 16 lists the proposed 2018 and 2019
Rockfish Program C/P rockfish sideboard limits in the Western GOA and
West Yakutat District. Due to confidentiality requirements associated
with fisheries data, the sideboard limits for the West Yakutat District
are not displayed.

[[Page 57943]]

Table 16--Proposed 2018 and 2019 Rockfish Program Sideboard Limits for the Western GOA and West Yakutat District
by Fishery for the Catcher/Processor (C/P) Sector
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed 2018 and
Area Fishery C/P sector (% of TAC) Proposed 2018 2019 C/P sideboard
and 2019 TACs limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA................. Dusky rockfish. 72.3.................. 146 106
Pacific ocean 50.6.................. 2,627 1,329
perch.
Northern 74.3.................. 400 297.
rockfish.
West Yakutat District....... Dusky rockfish. Confidential \1\...... 232 Confidential.\1\
Pacific ocean Confidential \1\...... 2,733 Confidential.\1\
perch.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Not released due to confidentiality requirements associated with fish ticket data, as established by NMFS
and the State of Alaska.

Under the Rockfish Program, the C/P sector is subject to halibut
PSC sideboard limits for the trawl deep-water and shallow-water species
fisheries from July 1 through July 31 (Sec. 679.82(e)(3) and (e)(5)).
Halibut PSC sideboard ratios by fishery are set forth in Sec.
679.82(e)(5). No halibut PSC sideboard limits apply to the CV sector,
as vessels participating in a rockfish cooperative receive a portion of
the annual halibut PSC limit. C/Ps that opt out of the Rockfish Program
would be able to access that portion of the deep-water and shallow-
water halibut PSC sideboard limit not assigned to C/P rockfish
cooperatives. The sideboard provisions for C/Ps that elect to opt out
of participating in a rockfish cooperative are described in Sec.
679.82(c), (e), and (f). Sideboard limits are linked to the catch
history of specific vessels that may choose to opt out. After March 1,
NMFS will determine which C/Ps have opted-out of the Rockfish Program
in 2018, and will know the ratios and amounts used to calculate opt-out
sideboard ratios. NMFS will then calculate any applicable opt-out
sideboard limits and post these limits on the Alaska Region Web site at
https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/central-goa-rockfish-program. Table 17 lists the 2018 and 2019 proposed Rockfish Program
halibut PSC limits for the C/P sector.

Table 17--Proposed 2018 and 2019 Rockfish Program Halibut Mortality Limits for the Catcher/Processor Sector
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shallow-water Deep-water Annual shallow- Annual deep-water
species fishery species fishery Annual halibut water species species fishery
Sector halibut PSC halibut PSC mortality limit fishery halibut halibut PSC
sideboard ratio sideboard ratio (mt) PSC sideboard sideboard limit
(percent) (percent) limit (mt) (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher/processor................................... 0.10 2.50 1,706 2 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Amendment 80 Program Groundfish and PSC Sideboard Limits

Amendment 80 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (Amendment 80 Program)
established a limited access privilege program for the non-AFA trawl C/
P sector. The Amendment 80 Program established groundfish and halibut
PSC limits for Amendment 80 Program participants to limit the ability
of participants eligible for the Amendment 80 Program to expand their
harvest efforts in the GOA.
Section 679.92 establishes groundfish harvesting sideboard limits
on all Amendment 80 Program vessels, other than the F/V Golden Fleece,
to amounts no greater than the limits shown in Table 37 to 50 CFR part
679. Under Sec. 679.92(d), the F/V Golden Fleece is prohibited from
directed fishing for pollock, Pacific cod, Pacific ocean perch, dusky
rockfish, and northern rockfish in the GOA.
Groundfish sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels
operating in the GOA are based on their average aggregate harvests from
1998 through 2004 (72 FR 52668, September 14, 2007). Table 18 lists the
proposed 2018 and 2019 sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program
vessels. NMFS will deduct all targeted or incidental catch of sideboard
species made by Amendment 80 Program vessels from the sideboard limits
in Table 18.

[[Page 57944]]

Table 18--Proposed 2018 and 2019 GOA Groundfish Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of Proposed 2018
Amendment 80 Proposed 2018 and 2019
Species Season Area sector vessels and 2019 TAC Amendment 80
1998-2004 catch (mt) vessel sideboard
to TAC limits (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock................................ A Season January 20-March Shumagin (610)............ 0.003 1,725 5
10. Chirikof (620)............ 0.002 26,704 53
Kodiak (630).............. 0.002 8,513 17
B Season March 10-May 31.. Shumagin (610)............ 0.003 1,725 5
Chirikof (620)............ 0.002 30,469 61
Kodiak (630).............. 0.002 4,748 9
C Season August 25-October Shumagin (610)............ 0.003 15,125 45
1. Chirikof (620)............ 0.002 9,538 19
Kodiak (630).............. 0.002 12,278 25
D Season October 1- Shumagin (610)............ 0.003 15,125 45
November 1. Chirikof (620)............ 0.002 9,538 19
Kodiak (630).............. 0.002 12,278 25
Annual.................... WYK (640)................. 0.002 5,791 12
Pacific cod............................ A Season \1\ January 1- W......................... 0.020 9,477 190
June 10. C......................... 0.044 12,362 544
B Season \2\ September 1- W......................... 0.020 6,318 126
December 31. C......................... 0.044 8,241 363
Annual.................... WYK....................... 0.034 3,671 125
Pacific ocean perch.................... Annual.................... W......................... 0.994 2,627 2,611
WYK....................... 0.961 2,733 2,626
Northern rockfish...................... Annual.................... W......................... 1.000 400 400
Dusky rockfish......................... Annual.................... W......................... 0.764 146 112
WYK....................... 0.896 232 208
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.

The halibut PSC sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels
in the GOA are based on the historic use of halibut PSC by Amendment 80
Program vessels in each PSC target category from 1998 through 2004.
These values are slightly lower than the average historic use to
accommodate two factors: Allocation of halibut PSC cooperative quota
under the Rockfish Program and the exemption of the F/V Golden Fleece
from this restriction (Sec. 679.92(b)(2)). Table 19 lists the proposed
2018 and 2019 halibut PSC sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program
vessels. These tables incorporate the maximum percentages of the
halibut PSC sideboard limits that may be used by Amendment 80 Program
vessels, as contained in Table 38 to 50 CFR part 679. Any residual
amount of a seasonal Amendment 80 sideboard halibut PSC limit may carry
forward to the next season limit (Sec. 679.92(b)(2)).

Table 19--Proposed 2018 and 2019 Halibut PSC Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80
Program Vessels in the GOA
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed 2018
Historic and 2019
Amendment 80 use Proposed 2018 Amendment 80
Season Season dates Fishery category of the annual and 2019 annual vessel PSC
halibut PSC limit PSC limit (mt) sideboard limit
(ratio) (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...................................... January 20 -April 1....... shallow-water............. 0.0048 1,706 8
deep-water................ 0.0115 1,706 20
2...................................... April 1-July 1............ shallow-water............. 0.0189 1,706 32
deep-water................ 0.1072 1,706 183
3...................................... July 1-September 1........ shallow-water............. 0.0146 1,706 25
deep-water................ 0.0521 1,706 89
4...................................... September 1-October 1..... shallow-water............. 0.0074 1,706 13
deep-water................ 0.0014 1,706 2
5...................................... October 1-December 31..... shallow-water............. 0.0227 1,706 39
deep-water................ 0.0371 1,706 63
--------------------------------------------------------
Annual:
Total shallow-water................ .......................... .......................... ................. ................. 117
Total deep-water................... .......................... .......................... ................. ................. 357
--------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 57945]]

Grand Total, all seasons and .......................... .......................... ................. ................. 474
categories.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Classification

NMFS has determined that the proposed harvest specifications are
consistent with the FMP and preliminarily determined that the proposed
harvest specifications are consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and
other applicable laws, subject to further review after public comment.
This action is authorized under 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from
review under Executive Orders 12866 and 13563.
NMFS prepared an EIS for this action and made it available to the
public on January 12, 2007 (72 FR 1512). On February 13, 2007, NMFS
issued the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Final EIS. A Supplemental
Information Report (SIR) that assesses the need to prepare a
Supplemental EIS is being prepared for the final action. Copies of the
Final EIS, ROD, and SIR for this action are available from NMFS (see
ADDRESSES). The Final EIS analyzes the environmental consequences of
the proposed groundfish harvest specifications and alternative harvest
strategies on resources in the action area. The Final EIS found no
significant environmental consequences from the proposed action or its
alternatives.
NMFS prepared an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) as
required by section 603 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA),
analyzing the methodology for establishing the relevant TACs. The IRFA
evaluated the impacts on small entities of alternative harvest
strategies for the groundfish fisheries in the EEZ off Alaska. As set
forth in the methodology, TACs are set to a level that fall within the
range of ABCs recommended by the SSC; the sum of the TACs must achieve
the OY specified in the FMP. While the specific numbers that the
methodology produces may vary from year to year, the methodology itself
remains constant.
A description of the proposed action, why it is being considered,
and the legal basis for this proposed action are contained in the
preamble above. A copy of the IRFA is available from NMFS (see
ADDRESSES). A summary of the IRFA follows.
The action under consideration is a harvest strategy to govern the
catch of groundfish in the GOA. The preferred alternative is the
existing harvest strategy in which TACs fall within the range of ABCs
recommended by the SSC. This action is taken in accordance with the FMP
prepared by the Council pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
The entities directly regulated by this action are those that
harvest groundfish in the EEZ of the GOA and in parallel fisheries
within State of Alaska waters. These include entities operating CVs and
C/Ps within the action area and entities receiving direct allocations
of groundfish.
For RFA purposes only, NMFS has established a small business size
standard for businesses, including their affiliates, whose primary
industry is commercial fishing (see 50 CFR 200.2). A business primarily
engaged in commercial fishing (NAICS code 11411) is classified as a
small business if it is independently owned and operated, is not
dominant in its field of operation (including its affiliates), and has
combined annual gross receipts not in excess of $11 million for all its
affiliated operations worldwide.
The IRFA shows that, in 2016, there were 920 individual CVs with
gross revenues less than or equal to $11 million. This estimate
accounts for corporate affiliations among vessels, and for cooperative
affiliations among fishing entities, since some of the fishing vessels
operating in the GOA are members of AFA inshore pollock cooperatives,
GOA rockfish cooperatives, or BSAI Crab Rationalization Program
cooperatives. Therefore, under the RFA, it is the aggregate gross
receipts of all participating members of the cooperative that must meet
the ``under $11 million'' threshold. Vessels that participate in these
cooperatives are considered to be large entities within the meaning of
the RFA. After accounting for membership in these cooperatives, there
are an estimated 920 small CV entities remaining in the GOA groundfish
sector. This latter group of vessels had average gross revenues that
varied by gear type. Average gross revenues for hook-and-line CVs, pot
gear vessels, and trawl gear vessels are estimated to be $340,000,
$720,000, and $1.83 million, respectively. Revenue data for the three
C/Ps considered to be small entities are confidential.
The preferred alternative (Alternative 2) was compared to four
other alternatives. Alternative 1 would have set TACs to generate
fishing rates equal to the maximum permissible ABC (if the full TAC
were harvested), unless the sum of TACs exceeded the GOA OY, in which
case TACs would be limited to the OY. Alternative 3 would have set TACs
to produce fishing rates equal to the most recent 5-year average
fishing rate. Alternative 4 would have set TACs to equal the lower
limit of the GOA OY range. Alternative 5, the ``no action
alternative,'' would have set TACs equal to zero.
The TACs associated with the preferred harvest strategy are those
adopted by the Council in October 2017, as per Alternative 2. OFLs and
ABCs for the species were based on recommendations prepared by the
Council's Plan Team in September 2017, and reviewed by the Council's
SSC in October 2017. The Council based its TAC recommendations on those
of its AP, which were consistent with the SSC's OFL and ABC
recommendations.
Alternative 1 selects harvest rates that would allow fishermen to
harvest stocks at the level of ABCs, unless total harvests were
constrained by the upper bound of the GOA OY of 800,000 mt. As shown in
Table 1 of the preamble, the sum of ABCs in 2018 and 2019 would be
572,710 mt, which falls below the upper bound of the OY range. The sum
of TACs is 465,832 mt, which is less than the sum of ABCs. In this
instance, Alternative 1 is consistent with the

[[Page 57946]]

preferred alternative (Alternative 2), meets the objectives of that
action, and has small entity impacts that may be equivalent to the
preferred alternative. However, it is not likely that Alternative 1
would result in reduced adverse economic impacts to directly-regulated
small entities relative to Alternative 2. The selection of Alternative
1, which could increase all TACs up to the sum of ABCs, would not
reflect the practical implications that increased TACs for some species
probably would not be fully harvested. This could be due to a variety
of reasons, including the lack of commercial or market interest in some
species. Additionally, an underharvest of flatfish TACs could result
due to constraints such as the fixed, and therefore constraining, PSC
limits associated with the harvest of the GOA groundfish species.
Furthermore, TACs may be set lower than ABC for conservation purposes,
as is the case with other rockfish in the Eastern GOA. Finally, the
TACs for two species (pollock and Pacific cod) cannot be set equal to
ABC, as the ABC must be reduced to account for the State of Alaska's
guideline harvest levels in these fisheries.
Alternative 3 selects harvest rates based on the most recent 5
years of harvest rates (for species in Tiers 1 through 3) or based on
the most recent 5 years of harvests (for species in Tiers 4 through 6).
This alternative is inconsistent with the objectives of this action,
the Council's preferred harvest strategy, because it does not take
account of the most recent biological information for this fishery.
NMFS annually conducts at-sea stock surveys for different species, as
well as statistical modeling, to estimate stock sizes and permissible
harvest levels. Actual harvest rates or harvest amounts are a component
of these estimates, but in and of themselves may not accurately portray
stock sizes and conditions. Harvest rates are listed for each species
category for each year in the SAFE report (see ADDRESSES).
Alternative 4 would lead to significantly lower harvests of all
species and reduce the TACs from the upper end of the OY range in the
GOA, to its lower end of 116,000 mt. Overall, this would reduce 2018
TACs by about 80 percent and would lead to significant reductions in
harvests of species harvested by small entities. While reductions of
this size would be associated with offsetting price increases, the size
of these increases is very uncertain. There are close substitutes for
GOA groundfish species available in significant quantities from the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. While production
declines in the GOA would undoubtedly be associated with significant
price increases in the GOA, these increases would still be constrained
by production of substitutes, and are very unlikely to offset revenue
declines from smaller production. Thus, this alternative would have a
detrimental impact on small entities.
Alternative 5, which sets all harvests equal to zero, would have a
significant adverse economic impact on small entities and would be
contrary to obligations to achieve OY on a continuing basis, as
mandated by the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Under Alternative 5, all 920
individual CVs impacted by this rule would have gross revenues of $0.
Additionally, the three small C/Ps impacted by this rule also would
have gross revenues of $0.
The proposed harvest specifications (Alternative 2) extend the
current 2018 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs to 2018 and 2019, with the exception
of Pacific cod, as explained in the preamble. As noted in the IRFA, the
Council may modify these OFLs, ABCs, and TACs in December 2017, when it
reviews the November 2017 SAFE report from its Groundfish Plan Team,
and the December 2017 Council meeting reports of its SSC and AP.
Because the 2018 TACs in the proposed 2018 and 2019 harvest
specifications are unchanged from the 2018 TACs, with the sole
exception of modifications to Pacific cod harvest amounts, and because
the sum of all TACs remains within OY for the GOA, NMFS does not expect
adverse impacts on small entities. Also, NMFS does not expect any
changes made by the Council in December 2017 to have significant
adverse impacts on small entities.
This action does not modify recordkeeping or reporting
requirements, or duplicate, overlap, or conflict with any Federal
rules.
Adverse impacts on marine mammals or endangered species resulting
from fishing activities conducted under this rule are discussed in the
Final EIS and its accompanying annual SIRs (see ADDRESSES).

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1540(f); 16 U.S.C.
1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 3631 et seq.; Pub. L. 105-277; Pub. L. 106-
31; Pub. L. 106-554; Pub. L. 108-199; Pub. L. 108-447; Pub. L. 109-
241; Pub. L. 109-479.

Dated: December 4, 2017.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-26473 Filed 12-6-17; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P