80 FR 52204 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Several Groundfish Species in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 167 (August 28, 2015)

Page Range		52204-52205
FR Document		2015-21272

NMFS apportions amounts of the non-specified reserve to the initial total allowable catch (ITAC) of Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) northern rockfish, BSAI squids, Bering Sea (BS) Greenland turbot, and BS Pacific ocean perch in the BSAI management area. This action is necessary to allow the fisheries to continue operating. It is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the fishery management plan for the BSAI management area.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 167 (Friday, August 28, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 167 (Friday, August 28, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52204-52205]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-21272]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 141021887-5172-02]
RIN 0648-XE144


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Several 
Groundfish Species in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management 
Area

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; apportionment of reserves; request for 
comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS apportions amounts of the non-specified reserve to the 
initial total allowable catch (ITAC) of Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
(BSAI) northern rockfish, BSAI squids, Bering

[[Page 52205]]

Sea (BS) Greenland turbot, and BS Pacific ocean perch in the BSAI 
management area. This action is necessary to allow the fisheries to 
continue operating. It is intended to promote the goals and objectives 
of the fishery management plan for the BSAI management area.

DATES: Effective August 27, 2015, through 2400 hrs, Alaska local time, 
December 31, 2015. Comments must be received at the following address 
no later than 4:30 p.m., Alaska local time, September 11, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by FDMS 
Docket Number NOAA-NMFS-2014-0134 by any of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to, http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2014-0134, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to Glenn Merrill, Assistant 
Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region 
NMFS, Attn: Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, 
AK 99802-1668.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous).

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 under 
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act. Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with 
the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
    The 2015 ITAC of BSAI northern rockfish was established as 2,763 
metric tons (mt), the 2015 ITAC of BSAI squids was established as 340 
mt, the 2015 ITAC of BS Greenland turbot was established as 2,081 mt, 
and the 2015 ITAC of BS Pacific ocean perch was established as 6,818 mt 
by the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for groundfish of the 
BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015). In accordance with Sec.  
679.20(a)(3) the Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has 
reviewed the most current available data and finds that the ITACs for 
BSAI northern rockfish, BSAI squids, BS Greenland turbot, and BS 
Pacific ocean perch need to be supplemented from the non-specified 
reserve to promote efficiency in the utilization of fishery resources 
in the BSAI and allow fishing operations to continue.
    Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  679.20(b)(3), NMFS apportions 
from the non-specified reserve of groundfish 3,500 mt to the BSAI 
northern rockfish ITAC, 1,630 mt to the BSAI squids ITAC, 105 mt to the 
BS Greenland turbot ITAC, and 1,203 mt to the BS Pacific ocean perch 
ITAC. These apportionments are consistent with Sec.  679.20(b)(1)(i) 
and do not result in overfishing of any target species because the 
revised ITACs and total allowable catch (TAC) are equal to or less than 
the specifications of the acceptable biological catch in the final 2015 
and 2016 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (80 FR 
11919, March 5, 2015).
    The harvest specification for the 2015 ITACs and TACs included in 
the harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI are revised as 
follows: The ITAC and TAC is increased to 6,263 mt for BSAI northern 
rockfish and 1,970 mt for BSAI squids. The ITAC is increased to the 
full TAC of 2,448 mt for BS Greenland turbot, including 262 tons of 
Community Development Quota. And, the ITAC is increased to the full TAC 
of 8,021 mt for BS Pacific ocean perch.

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) and Sec.  679.20(b)(3)(iii)(A) as such a 
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 apportionment of the non-specified 
reserves of groundfish to the BSAI northern rockfish, BSAI squids, BS 
Greenland turbot, and BS Pacific ocean perch fisheries in the BSAI. 
Immediate notification is necessary to allow for the orderly conduct 
and efficient operation of this fishery, to allow the industry to plan 
for the fishing season, and to avoid potential disruption to the 
fishing fleet and processors. NMFS was unable to publish a notice 
providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant 
data only became available as of August 21, 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.
    Under Sec.  679.20(b)(3)(iii), interested persons are invited to 
submit written comments on this action (see ADDRESSES) until September 
11, 2015.
    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: August 24, 2015.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-21272 Filed 8-27-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

52204 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 167 / Friday, August 28, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

(a)(7)(ii) of this section. The size class migration patterns of bluefin tuna, This amount is in addition to the
subquotas for bluefin tuna are further cumulative and projected landings in amounts specified in paragraph (a)(7)(i)
subdivided as follows: other commercial fishing categories, the of this section. Consistent with
(i) After adjustment for the school potential for gear conflicts on the fishing paragraph (a)(8) of this section, NMFS
bluefin tuna quota held in reserve grounds, or market impacts due to may allocate any portion of the school
(under paragraph (a)(7)(ii) of this oversupply. NMFS will start the bluefin bluefin tuna Angling category quota
section), 52.8 percent (46.6 mt) of the tuna purse seine season between June 1 held in reserve for inseason or annual
school bluefin tuna Angling category and August 15, by filing an action with adjustments to the Angling category.
quota may be caught, retained, the Office of the Federal Register, and * * * * *
possessed, or landed south of 39°18′ N. notifying the public. The Purse Seine ■ 3. In § 635.29, revise paragraph (c) to
lat. The remaining school bluefin tuna category fishery closes on December 31
Angling category quota (41.7 mt) may be read as follows:
of each year.
caught, retained, possessed or landed (ii) Allocation of bluefin quota to § 635.29 Transfer at sea and
north of 39°18′ N. lat. Purse Seine category participants. transshipment.
(ii) An amount equal to 52.8 percent Annually, NMFS will make equal * * * * *
(43.5 mt) of the large school/small allocations of the baseline Purse Seine (c) An owner or operator of a vessel
medium bluefin tuna Angling category category quota described under for which an Atlantic Tunas Purse Seine
quota may be caught, retained, paragraph (a)(4)(i) of this section to category permit has been issued under
possessed, or landed south of 39°18′ N. individual Purse Seine participants (i.e., § 635.4 may use an auxiliary vessel (i.e.,
lat. The remaining large school/small 36.9 mt each), then make further a skiff) associated with the permitted
medium bluefin tuna Angling category determinations regarding the allocations vessel to assist in routine purse seine
quota (38.9 mt) may be caught, retained, per paragraph (a)(4)(v) of this section. fishery operations, provided that the
possessed or landed north of 39°18′ N. Allocations of individual bluefin quota auxiliary vessel has not been issued an
lat. to individual Purse Seine participants Atlantic Tunas or HMS vessel permit
(iii) One third (1.5 mt) of the large may only be transferred through leasing and functions only in an auxiliary
medium and giant bluefin tuna Angling
in accordance with procedures and capacity during routine purse seine
category quota may be caught retained,
requirements at § 635.15(c) and other operations (i.e., it conducts limited
possessed, or landed, in each of the
requirements under this paragraph assistance activities such as assistance
three following geographic areas: North
(a)(4). with purse seine deployment and
of 39°18′ N. lat.; south of 39°18′ N. lat.,
and outside of the Gulf of Mexico; and * * * * * removal of BFT from the purse seine).
in the Gulf of Mexico. For the purposes (5) Harpoon category quota. The total The auxiliary vessel may transfer large
of this section, the Gulf of Mexico amount of large medium and giant medium and giant Atlantic BFT to its
region includes all waters of the U.S. bluefin tuna that may be caught, associated purse seine vessel during
EEZ west and north of the boundary retained, possessed, landed, or sold by routine purse seine operations, provided
stipulated at 50 CFR 600.105(c). vessels that possess Harpoon category that the amount transferred does not
(3) Longline category quota. Pursuant Atlantic Tunas permits is 38.6 mt. The cause the receiving vessel to exceed its
to paragraph (a) of this section, the total Harpoon category fishery commences on currently authorized vessel allocation,
amount of large medium and giant June 1 of each year, and closes on including incidental catch limits.
bluefin tuna that may be caught, November 15 of each year. [FR Doc. 2015–21147 Filed 8–27–15; 8:45 am]
discarded dead, or retained, possessed, (6) Trap category quota. The total BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
or landed by vessels that possess amount of large medium and giant
Atlantic Tunas Longline category bluefin tuna that may be caught,
permits is 148.3 mt. In addition, 25 mt retained, possessed, or landed by DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
shall be allocated for incidental catch by vessels that possess Trap category
pelagic longline vessels fishing in the Atlantic Tunas permits is 1.0 mt. National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Northeast Distant gear restricted area, (7) * * * Administration
and subject to the restrictions under (i) The total amount of bluefin tuna
§ 635.15(b)(8). that is held in reserve for inseason or 50 CFR Part 679
(4) Purse Seine category quota—(i) annual adjustments and research using [Docket No. 141021887–5172–02]
Baseline Purse Seine quota. Pursuant to quota or subquotas is 24.8 mt, which
paragraph (a) of this section, the may be augmented by allowable RIN 0648–XE144
baseline amount of large medium and underharvest from the previous year, or
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
giant bluefin tuna that may be caught, annual reallocation of Purse Seine
Zone Off Alaska; Several Groundfish
retained, possessed, or landed by category quota as described under
Species in the Bering Sea and Aleutian
vessels that possess Atlantic Tunas paragraph (a)(4)(v) of this section.
Islands Management Area
Purse Seine category permits is 184.3 Consistent with paragraphs (a)(8)
mt, unless adjusted as a result of through (10) of this section, NMFS may AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
inseason and/or annual adjustments to allocate any portion of the Reserve Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
quotas as specified in paragraphs (a)(9) category quota for inseason or annual Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
and (10) of this section; or adjusted adjustments to any fishing category Commerce.
(prior to allocation to individual quota. ACTION: Temporary rule; apportionment
participants) based on the previous (ii) The total amount of school bluefin of reserves; request for comments.
Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES

year’s catch as described under tuna that is held in reserve for inseason
paragraph (a)(4)(v) of this section. or annual adjustments and fishery- SUMMARY: NMFS apportions amounts of
Annually, NMFS will make a independent research is 18.5 percent the non-specified reserve to the initial
determination when the Purse Seine (20.1 mt) of the total school bluefin tuna total allowable catch (ITAC) of Bering
fishery will start, based on variations in Angling category quota as described Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI)
seasonal distribution, abundance or under paragraph (a)(2) of this section. northern rockfish, BSAI squids, Bering

VerDate Sep<11>2014 12:56 Aug 27, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\28AUR1.SGM 28AUR1

Document Created: 2015-12-15 11:04:56
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 11:04:56

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; apportionment of reserves; request for comments.
Dates		Effective August 27, 2015, through 2400 hrs, Alaska local time,
Contact		Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation		80 FR 52204
RIN Number		0648-XE14

80 FR 52204 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Several Groundfish Species in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 167 (August 28, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration