80 FR 15695 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 57 (March 25, 2015)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 57 (March 25, 2015)
| Page Range | 15695-15696 | |
| FR Document | 2015-06851 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 57 (Wednesday, March 25, 2015)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 15695-15696] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-06851] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 141021887-5172-02] RIN 0648-XD846 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amounts of the Aleut Corporation pollock directed fishing allowance from the Aleutian Islands subarea to the Bering Sea subarea. This action is necessary to provide opportunity for harvest of the 2015 total allowable catch of pollock, consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 25, 2015, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the BSAI exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) under authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. In the Aleutian Islands subarea, the portion of the 2015 pollock total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to the Aleut Corporation directed fishing allowance (DFA) is 14,700 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015). As of March 17, 2015, the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator) has determined that 2,554 mt of the A season allowance of the Aleut Corporation pollock DFA in the Aleutian Islands subarea will not be harvested. Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(4), NMFS reallocates 2,554 mt of A season pollock DFA from the Aleutian Islands subarea to the 2015 Bering Sea subarea DFAs. The 2,554 mt of the A season Aleut Corporation pollock DFA is added to the 2015 Bering Sea non-CDQ DFA. As a result, the 2015 harvest specifications for pollock in the Aleutian Islands subarea included in the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015, and 80 FR 12781, March 11, 2015) are revised as follows: 12,146 mt to the annual Aleut Corporation pollock DFA and 7,350 mt to the A season Aleut Corporation pollock DFA. Furthermore, pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5), Table 4 of the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for groundfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015, and 80 FR 12781, March 11, 2015), is revised to make 2015 pollock allocations consistent with this reallocation. This reallocation results in adjustments to the 2015 pollock allocations established at Sec. 679.20(a)(5). [[Page 15696]] Table 4--Final 2015 Allocations of Pollock TACS to the Directed Pollock Fisheries and to the CDQ Directed Fishing Allowances (DFA) \1\ [Amounts are in metric tons] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2015 A season \1\ 2015 B season 2015 -------------------------------- \1\ Area and sector Allocations SCA harvest --------------- A season DFA limit \2\ B season DFA ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bering Sea subarea TAC \1\...................... 1,314,454 n/a n/a n/a CDQ DFA......................................... 132,900 53,160 37,212 79,740 ICA \1\......................................... 47,160 n/a n/a n/a AFA Inshore..................................... 567,197 226,879 158,815 340,318 AFA Catcher/Processors \3\...................... 453,758 181,503 127,052 272,255 Catch by C/Ps............................... 415,188 166,075 n/a 249,113 Catch by CVs \3\............................ 38,569 15,428 n/a 23,142 Unlisted C/P Limit \4\...................... 2,269 908 n/a 1,361 AFA Motherships................................. 113,439 45,376 31,763 68,064 Excessive Harvesting Limit \5\.................. 198,519 n/a n/a n/a Excessive Processing Limit \6\.................. 340,318 n/a n/a n/a Total Bering Sea DFA........................ 1,134,394 453,758 317,630 680,636 Aleutian Islands subarea ABC.................... 29,659 n/a n/a n/a Aleutian Islands subarea TAC \1\................ 14,546 n/a n/a n/a CDQ DFA......................................... 0 0 n/a 0 ICA............................................. 2,400 1,200 n/a 1,200 Aleut Corporation............................... 12,146 7,350 n/a 4,796 Area harvest limit 541.......................... 8,898 n/a n/a n/a 542......................................... 4,449 n/a n/a n/a 543......................................... 1,483 n/a n/a n/a Bogoslof District ICA \7\....................... 100 n/a n/a n/a ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), the BS subarea pollock, after subtracting the CDQ DFA (10 percent) and the ICA (4.0 percent), is allocated as a DFA as follows: inshore sector--50 percent, catcher/processor sector (C/P)--40 percent, and mothership sector--10 percent. In the BS subarea, 40 percent of the DFA is allocated to the A season (January 20-June 10) and 60 percent of the DFA is allocated to the B season (June 10- November 1). Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2)(i) and (ii), the annual AI pollock TAC, after subtracting first for the CDQ directed fishing allowance (10 percent) and second the ICA (2,400 mt), is allocated to the Aleut Corporation for a pollock directed fishery. In the AI subarea, the A season is allocated 40 percent of the ABC and the B season is allocated the remainder of the pollock directed fishery. \2\ In the BS subarea, no more than 28 percent of each sector's annual DFA may be taken from the SCA before April 1. \3\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4), not less than 8.5 percent of the DFA allocated to listed catcher/ processors shall be available for harvest only by eligible catcher vessels delivering to listed catcher/ processors. \4\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4)(iii), the AFA unlisted catcher/processors are limited to harvesting not more than 0.5 percent of the catcher/processors sector's allocation of pollock. \5\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(6), NMFS establishes an excessive harvesting share limit equal to 17.5 percent of the sum of the non-CDQ pollock DFAs. \6\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(7), NMFS establishes an excessive processing share limit equal to 30.0 percent of the sum of the non-CDQ pollock DFAs. \7\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(6), NMFS establishes harvest limits for pollock in the A season in Area 541 no more than 30 percent, in Area 542 no more than 15 percent, and in Area 543 no more than 5 percent of the Aleutian Islands pollock ABC. \8\ The Bogoslof District is closed by the final harvest specifications to directed fishing for pollock. The amounts specified are for ICA only and are not apportioned by season or sector. Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding. Classification This action responds to the best available information recently obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. This requirement is impracticable and contrary to the public interest as it would prevent NMFS from responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and would delay the reallocation of Aleutian Island subarea pollock. Since the pollock fishery is currently underway, it is important to immediately inform the industry as to the final Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands pollock allocations. Immediate notification is necessary to allow for the orderly conduct and efficient operation of this fishery; allow the industry to plan for the fishing season and avoid potential disruption to the fishing fleet as well as processors; and provide opportunity to harvest increased seasonal pollock allocations while value is optimum. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as March 17, 2015. The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the effective date of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and opportunity for public comment. This action is required by Sec. 679.20 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: March 20, 2015. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015-06851 Filed 3-24-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 57 / Wednesday, March 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 15695
proposed rule and does not repeat it § 665.932 Definitions. BSAI exclusive economic zone
here. NMFS received no comments * * * * * according to the Fishery Management
regarding this certification. As a result, Monument means the waters and Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea
a regulatory flexibility analysis was not submerged and emergent lands of the and Aleutian Islands Management Area
required and none was prepared. Pacific Remote Islands Marine National (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 665 Monument and the Pacific Remote Fishery Management Council (Council)
Islands Marine National Monument under authority of the Magnuson-
Administrative practice and Expansion, as defined in § 665.931. Stevens Fishery Conservation and
procedure, Commercial fishing, Proclamations means Presidential
Fisheries, Monuments and memorials, Management Act. Regulations governing
Proclamation 8336 of January 6, 2009, fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance
Pacific Remote Islands. ‘‘Establishment of the Pacific Remote with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50
Dated: March 13, 2015. Islands Marine National Monument,’’
CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
Samuel D. Rauch III, and Presidential Proclamation 9173 of
Deputy Assistant Administrator for September 29, 2014, ‘‘Pacific Remote In the Aleutian Islands subarea, the
Regulatory Programs, National Marine Islands Marine National Monument portion of the 2015 pollock total
Fisheries Service. Expansion.’’ allowable catch (TAC) allocated to the
For the reasons set out in the Aleut Corporation directed fishing
[FR Doc. 2015–06402 Filed 3–24–15; 8:45 am]
preamble, NMFS amends 50 CFR part allowance (DFA) is 14,700 metric tons
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
665 as follows: (mt) as established by the final 2015 and
2016 harvest specifications for
PART 665—FISHERIES IN THE groundfish in the BSAI (80 FR 11919,
WESTERN PACIFIC DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
March 5, 2015).
■ 1. The authority citation for 50 CFR National Oceanic and Atmospheric As of March 17, 2015, the
part 665 continues to read as follows: Administration Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS,
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. (Regional Administrator) has
50 CFR Part 679 determined that 2,554 mt of the A
■ 2. Revise § 665.930 to read as follows:
[Docket No. 141021887–5172–02] season allowance of the Aleut
§ 665.930 Scope and purpose. Corporation pollock DFA in the
RIN 0648–XD846
The regulations in this subpart codify Aleutian Islands subarea will not be
certain provisions of the Proclamations, Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic harvested. Therefore, in accordance
and govern the administration of fishing Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of with § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(4), NMFS
in the Monument. Pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian reallocates 2,554 mt of A season pollock
■ 3. In § 665.931, revise paragraphs (a), Islands DFA from the Aleutian Islands subarea
(c), and (d) to read as follows: to the 2015 Bering Sea subarea DFAs.
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
§ 665.931 Boundaries. The 2,554 mt of the A season Aleut
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Corporation pollock DFA is added to the
* * * * * Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
(a) Wake Island. The Wake Island unit Commerce. 2015 Bering Sea non-CDQ DFA. As a
of the Monument includes the waters result, the 2015 harvest specifications
ACTION: Temporary rule.
and submerged and emergent lands for pollock in the Aleutian Islands
around Wake Island to the seaward limit SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the subarea included in the final 2015 and
of the U.S. EEZ. projected unused amounts of the Aleut 2016 harvest specifications for
* * * * * Corporation pollock directed fishing groundfish in the BSAI (80 FR 11919,
(c) Jarvis Island. The Jarvis Island unit allowance from the Aleutian Islands March 5, 2015, and 80 FR 12781, March
of the Monument includes the waters subarea to the Bering Sea subarea. This 11, 2015) are revised as follows: 12,146
and submerged and emergent lands action is necessary to provide mt to the annual Aleut Corporation
around Jarvis Island to the seaward limit opportunity for harvest of the 2015 total pollock DFA and 7,350 mt to the A
of the U.S. EEZ. allowable catch of pollock, consistent season Aleut Corporation pollock DFA.
(d) Johnston Atoll. The Johnston Atoll with the goals and objectives of the Furthermore, pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5),
unit of the Monument includes the Fishery Management Plan for Table 4 of the final 2015 and 2016
waters and submerged and emergent Groundfish of the Bering Sea and harvest specifications for groundfish in
lands around Johnston Atoll to the Aleutian Islands Management Area. the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (80
seaward limit of the U.S. EEZ. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local FR 11919, March 5, 2015, and 80 FR
* * * * * time (A.l.t.), March 25, 2015, through 12781, March 11, 2015), is revised to
■ 4. In § 665.932, revise the definition of 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2015. make 2015 pollock allocations
‘‘Monument’’, remove the definition of FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: consistent with this reallocation. This
‘‘Proclamation’’, and add the definition Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. reallocation results in adjustments to
of ‘‘Proclamations’’ in alphabetical order SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS the 2015 pollock allocations established
to read as follows: manages the groundfish fishery in the at § 679.20(a)(5).
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![15696 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 57 / Wednesday, March 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 4—FINAL 2015 ALLOCATIONS OF POLLOCK TACS TO THE DIRECTED POLLOCK FISHERIES AND TO THE CDQ
DIRECTED FISHING ALLOWANCES (DFA) 1
[Amounts are in metric tons]
2015 A season 1 2015 B
2015 season 1
Area and sector Allocations A season DFA SCA harvest
limit 2 B season DFA
Bering Sea subarea TAC 1 .............................................................................. 1,314,454 n/a n/a n/a
CDQ DFA ......................................................................................................... 132,900 53,160 37,212 79,740
ICA 1 ................................................................................................................. 47,160 n/a n/a n/a
AFA Inshore ..................................................................................................... 567,197 226,879 158,815 340,318
AFA Catcher/Processors 3 ............................................................................... 453,758 181,503 127,052 272,255
Catch by C/Ps .......................................................................................... 415,188 166,075 n/a 249,113
Catch by CVs 3 ......................................................................................... 38,569 15,428 n/a 23,142
Unlisted C/P Limit 4 ................................................................................... 2,269 908 n/a 1,361
AFA Motherships ............................................................................................. 113,439 45,376 31,763 68,064
Excessive Harvesting Limit 5 ............................................................................ 198,519 n/a n/a n/a
Excessive Processing Limit 6 ........................................................................... 340,318 n/a n/a n/a
Total Bering Sea DFA .............................................................................. 1,134,394 453,758 317,630 680,636
Aleutian Islands subarea ABC ......................................................................... 29,659 n/a n/a n/a
Aleutian Islands subarea TAC 1 ....................................................................... 14,546 n/a n/a n/a
CDQ DFA ......................................................................................................... 0 0 n/a 0
ICA ................................................................................................................... 2,400 1,200 n/a 1,200
Aleut Corporation ............................................................................................. 12,146 7,350 n/a 4,796
Area harvest limit 541 ...................................................................................... 8,898 n/a n/a n/a
542 ............................................................................................................ 4,449 n/a n/a n/a
543 ............................................................................................................ 1,483 n/a n/a n/a
Bogoslof District ICA 7 ...................................................................................... 100 n/a n/a n/a
1 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), the BS subarea pollock, after subtracting the CDQ DFA (10 percent) and the ICA (4.0 percent), is allocated
as a DFA as follows: inshore sector—50 percent, catcher/processor sector (C/P)—40 percent, and mothership sector—10 percent. In the BS
subarea, 40 percent of the DFA is allocated to the A season (January 20–June 10) and 60 percent of the DFA is allocated to the B season (June
10–November 1). Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2)(i) and (ii), the annual AI pollock TAC, after subtracting first for the CDQ directed fishing al-
lowance (10 percent) and second the ICA (2,400 mt), is allocated to the Aleut Corporation for a pollock directed fishery. In the AI subarea, the A
season is allocated 40 percent of the ABC and the B season is allocated the remainder of the pollock directed fishery.
2 In the BS subarea, no more than 28 percent of each sector’s annual DFA may be taken from the SCA before April 1.
3 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4), not less than 8.5 percent of the DFA allocated to listed catcher/processors shall be available for harvest
only by eligible catcher vessels delivering to listed catcher/processors.
4 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4)(iii), the AFA unlisted catcher/processors are limited to harvesting not more than 0.5 percent of the catcher/
processors sector’s allocation of pollock.
5 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(6), NMFS establishes an excessive harvesting share limit equal to 17.5 percent of the sum of the non-CDQ
pollock DFAs.
6 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(7), NMFS establishes an excessive processing share limit equal to 30.0 percent of the sum of the non-CDQ
pollock DFAs.
7 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(6), NMFS establishes harvest limits for pollock in the A season in Area 541 no more than 30 percent, in
Area 542 no more than 15 percent, and in Area 543 no more than 5 percent of the Aleutian Islands pollock ABC.
8 The Bogoslof District is closed by the final harvest specifications to directed fishing for pollock. The amounts specified are for ICA only and
are not apportioned by season or sector.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
Classification subarea pollock. Since the pollock The AA also finds good cause to
fishery is currently underway, it is waive the 30-day delay in the effective
This action responds to the best important to immediately inform the date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
available information recently obtained industry as to the final Bering Sea and 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
from the fishery. The Assistant Aleutian Islands pollock allocations. the reasons provided above for waiver of
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA Immediate notification is necessary to prior notice and opportunity for public
(AA), finds good cause to waive the allow for the orderly conduct and comment.
requirement to provide prior notice and efficient operation of this fishery; allow This action is required by § 679.20
opportunity for public comment the industry to plan for the fishing and is exempt from review under
pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 season and avoid potential disruption to Executive Order 12866.
U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is the fishing fleet as well as processors; Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
impracticable and contrary to the public and provide opportunity to harvest
interest. This requirement is increased seasonal pollock allocations Dated: March 20, 2015.
impracticable and contrary to the public while value is optimum. NMFS was Emily H. Menashes,
interest as it would prevent NMFS from unable to publish a notice providing Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES
responding to the most recent fisheries time for public comment because the Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
data in a timely fashion and would most recent, relevant data only became [FR Doc. 2015–06851 Filed 3–24–15; 8:45 am]
delay the reallocation of Aleutian Island available as March 17, 2015. BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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Document Created: 2018-02-21 09:48:54
Document Modified: 2018-02-21 09:48:54
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Rules and Regulations | |
| Action | Temporary rule. | |
| Dates | Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 25, 2015, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2015. | |
| Contact | Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 15695 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XD84 |
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