80 FR 58220 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 187 (September 28, 2015)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 187 (September 28, 2015)
| Page Range | 58220-58221 | |
| FR Document | 2015-24542 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 187 (Monday, September 28, 2015)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 58220-58221] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-24542] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 141021887-5172-02] RIN 0648-XE210 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish 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; reallocation. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is exchanging allocations of Amendment 80 cooperative quota (CQ) for Amendment 80 acceptable biological catch (ABC) reserves. This action is necessary to allow the 2015 total allowable catch of flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area to be harvested. DATES: Effective September 28, 2015, through December 31, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) 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 flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole Amendment 80 allocations of the total allowable catch (TAC) specified in the BSAI are 16,655 metric tons (mt), 53,840 mt, and 111,892 mt as established by the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015). The 2015 flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole Amendment 80 ABC reserves are 37,399 mt, 100,418 mt, and 89,121 mt as established by the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015). The Alaska Seafood cooperative has requested that NMFS exchange 5,620 mt of flathead sole and 1,450 mt of rock sole Amendment 80 allocations of the TAC for 7,070 mt of yellowfin sole Amendment 80 ABC reserves under Sec. 679.91(i). Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.91(i), NMFS exchanges 5,620 mt of flathead sole and 1,450 mt of rock sole Amendment 80 allocations of the TAC for 7,070 mt of yellowfin sole Amendment 80 ABC reserves in the BSAI. This action also decreases and increases the TACs and Amendment 80 ABC reserves by the corresponding amounts. Tables 11 and 13 of the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015) and as revised (80 FR 55562, September 16, 2015) are further revised as follows: Table 11--Final 2015 Community Development Quota (CDQ) Reserves, Incidental Catch Amounts (ICAS), and Amendment 80 Allocations of the Aleutian Islands Pacific Ocean Perch, and BSAI Flathead Sole, Rock Sole, and Yellowfin Sole TACS [Amounts are in metric tons] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pacific ocean perch Flathead sole Rock sole Yellowfin sole ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sector Eastern Central Western Aleutian Aleutian Aleutian BSAI BSAI BSAI district district district -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TAC..................................................... 8,000 7,000 9,000 18,355 67,475 156,670 CDQ..................................................... 856 749 963 2,320 7,085 16,543 ICA..................................................... 100 75 10 5,000 8,000 5,000 BSAI trawl limited access............................... 704 618 161 0 0 16,165 Amendment 80............................................ 6,340 5,558 7,866 11,035 52,390 118,962 Alaska Groundfish Cooperative........................... 3,362 2,947 4,171 1,708 13,318 44,455 Alaska Seafood Cooperative.............................. 2,978 2,611 3,695 9,327 39,072 74,507 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Note: Sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding. [[Page 58221]] Table 13--Final 2015 and 2016 ABC Surplus, Community Development Quota (CDQ) ABC Reserves, and Amendment 80 ABC Reserves in the BSAI for Flathead Sole, Rock Sole, and Yellowfin Sole [Amounts are in metric tons] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2015 Flathead 2015 Yellowfin 2016 Flathead 2016 Yellowfin Sector sole 2015 Rock sole sole sole 2016 Rock sole sole -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ABC..................................................... 66,130 181,700 248,800 63,711 164,800 245,500 TAC..................................................... 18,355 67,475 156,670 24,250 69,250 149,000 ABC surplus............................................. 47,775 114,225 92,130 39,461 95,550 96,500 ABC reserve............................................. 47,775 114,225 92,130 39,461 95,550 96,500 CDQ ABC reserve......................................... 4,756 12,357 10,079 4,222 10,224 10,326 Amendment 80 ABC reserve................................ 43,019 101,868 82,051 35,239 85,326 86,175 Alaska Groundfish Cooperative for 2015 \1\.............. 3,836 24,840 35,408 n/a n/a n/a Alaska Seafood Cooperative for 2015 \1\................. 39,183 77,028 46,643 n/a n/a n/a -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ The 2016 allocations for Amendment 80 species between Amendment 80 cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited access sector will not be known until eligible participants apply for participation in the program by November 1, 2015. 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 flatfish exchange by the Alaska Seafood cooperative the BSAI. Since these fisheries are currently open, it is important to immediately inform the industry as to the revised allocations. 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 as well as processors. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of September 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: September 22, 2015. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015-24542 Filed 9-25-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![58220 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 187 / Monday, September 28, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
closure or recreational component DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE authority of the Magnuson-Stevens
closure notifications, the bag and Fishery Conservation and Management
possession limit for red snapper or for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Act. Regulations governing fishing by
the respective component is zero. When Administration U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP
the recreational sector or Federal charter appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600
vessel/headboat component is closed, 50 CFR Part 679 and 50 CFR part 679.
this bag and possession limit applies in [Docket No. 141021887–5172–02] The 2015 flathead sole, rock sole, and
the Gulf on board a vessel for which a yellowfin sole Amendment 80
valid Federal charter vessel/headboat RIN 0648–XE210
allocations of the total allowable catch
permit for Gulf reef fish has been issued, Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic (TAC) specified in the BSAI are 16,655
without regard to where such species Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish metric tons (mt), 53,840 mt, and 111,892
were harvested, i.e., in state or Federal in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands mt as established by the final 2015 and
waters. Management Area 2016 harvest specifications for
(ii) In addition to the measures groundfish in the BSAI (80 FR 11919,
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
specified in paragraph (q)(2)(i) of this March 5, 2015). The 2015 flathead sole,
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
section, if red snapper recreational rock sole, and yellowfin sole
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
landings, as estimated by the SRD, Amendment 80 ABC reserves are 37,399
Commerce.
exceed the total recreational quota mt, 100,418 mt, and 89,121 mt as
ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation.
specified in § 622.39(a)(2)(i)(A), and red established by the final 2015 and 2016
snapper are overfished, based on the SUMMARY: NMFS is exchanging harvest specifications for groundfish in
most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries allocations of Amendment 80 the BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015).
Report to Congress, the AA will file a cooperative quota (CQ) for Amendment The Alaska Seafood cooperative has
notification with the Office of the 80 acceptable biological catch (ABC) requested that NMFS exchange 5,620 mt
Federal Register to reduce the total reserves. This action is necessary to of flathead sole and 1,450 mt of rock
recreational quota by the amount of the allow the 2015 total allowable catch of sole Amendment 80 allocations of the
quota overage in the prior fishing year, flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin TAC for 7,070 mt of yellowfin sole
and reduce the applicable recreational sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Amendment 80 ABC reserves under
component quota(s) specified in Islands management area to be § 679.91(i). Therefore, in accordance
§ 622.39(a)(2)(i)(B) and (C) and the harvested. with § 679.91(i), NMFS exchanges 5,620
applicable recreational component DATES: Effective September 28, 2015, mt of flathead sole and 1,450 mt of rock
ACT(s) specified in paragraph (q)(2)(iii) through December 31, 2015. sole Amendment 80 allocations of the
of this section (based on the buffer FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: TAC for 7,070 mt of yellowfin sole
between the total recreational ACT and Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. Amendment 80 ABC reserves in the
the total recreational quota specified in BSAI. This action also decreases and
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
the FMP), unless NMFS determines manages the groundfish fishery in the increases the TACs and Amendment 80
based upon the best scientific Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands ABC reserves by the corresponding
information available that a greater, management area (BSAI) according to amounts. Tables 11 and 13 of the final
lesser, or no overage adjustment is the Fishery Management Plan for 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for
necessary. Groundfish of the Bering Sea and groundfish in the BSAI (80 FR 11919,
* * * * * Aleutian Islands Management Area March 5, 2015) and as revised (80 FR
[FR Doc. 2015–24577 Filed 9–25–15; 8:45 am] (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific 55562, September 16, 2015) are further
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Fishery Management Council under revised as follows:
TABLE 11—FINAL 2015 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT QUOTA (CDQ) RESERVES, INCIDENTAL CATCH AMOUNTS (ICAS), AND
AMENDMENT 80 ALLOCATIONS OF THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH, AND BSAI FLATHEAD SOLE, ROCK
SOLE, AND YELLOWFIN SOLE TACS
[Amounts are in metric tons]
Pacific ocean perch Flathead sole Rock sole Yellowfin sole
Sector Eastern Central Western
Aleutian Aleutian Aleutian BSAI BSAI BSAI
district district district
TAC .......................................................... 8,000 7,000 9,000 18,355 67,475 156,670
CDQ ......................................................... 856 749 963 2,320 7,085 16,543
ICA ........................................................... 100 75 10 5,000 8,000 5,000
BSAI trawl limited access ........................ 704 618 161 0 0 16,165
Amendment 80 ......................................... 6,340 5,558 7,866 11,035 52,390 118,962
Alaska Groundfish Cooperative ............... 3,362 2,947 4,171 1,708 13,318 44,455
Alaska Seafood Cooperative ................... 2,978 2,611 3,695 9,327 39,072 74,507
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
Note: Sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:11 Sep 25, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\28SER1.SGM 28SER1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_58407/page/1.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 187 / Monday, September 28, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 58221
TABLE 13—FINAL 2015 AND 2016 ABC SURPLUS, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT QUOTA (CDQ) ABC RESERVES, AND
AMENDMENT 80 ABC RESERVES IN THE BSAI FOR FLATHEAD SOLE, ROCK SOLE, AND YELLOWFIN SOLE
[Amounts are in metric tons]
2015 Flathead 2015 Rock 2015 Yellowfin 2016 Flathead 2016 Rock 2016 Yellowfin
Sector sole sole sole sole sole sole
ABC .......................................................... 66,130 181,700 248,800 63,711 164,800 245,500
TAC .......................................................... 18,355 67,475 156,670 24,250 69,250 149,000
ABC surplus ............................................. 47,775 114,225 92,130 39,461 95,550 96,500
ABC reserve ............................................. 47,775 114,225 92,130 39,461 95,550 96,500
CDQ ABC reserve ................................... 4,756 12,357 10,079 4,222 10,224 10,326
Amendment 80 ABC reserve ................... 43,019 101,868 82,051 35,239 85,326 86,175
Alaska Groundfish Cooperative for
2015 1 ................................................... 3,836 24,840 35,408 n/a n/a n/a
Alaska Seafood Cooperative for 2015 1 .. 39,183 77,028 46,643 n/a n/a n/a
1 The 2016 allocations for Amendment 80 species between Amendment 80 cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited access sector will not
be known until eligible participants apply for participation in the program by November 1, 2015.
Classification Alaska Seafood cooperative the BSAI. date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
This action responds to the best Since these fisheries are currently open, 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
available information recently obtained it is important to immediately inform the reasons provided above for waiver of
from the fishery. The Assistant the industry as to the revised prior notice and opportunity for public
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA allocations. Immediate notification is comment.
(AA), finds good cause to waive the necessary to allow for the orderly
This action is required by § 679.20
requirement to provide prior notice and conduct and efficient operation of this
and is exempt from review under
opportunity for public comment fishery, to allow the industry to plan for
the fishing season, and to avoid Executive Order 12866.
pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is potential disruption to the fishing fleet Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
impracticable and contrary to the public as well as processors. NMFS was unable Dated: September 22, 2015.
interest. This requirement is to publish a notice providing time for
Emily H. Menashes,
impracticable and contrary to the public public comment because the most
recent, relevant data only became Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
interest as it would prevent NMFS from Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
responding to the most recent fisheries available as of September 17, 2015.
[FR Doc. 2015–24542 Filed 9–25–15; 8:45 am]
data in a timely fashion and would The AA also finds good cause to
delay the flatfish exchange by the waive the 30-day delay in the effective BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:11 Sep 25, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\28SER1.SGM 28SER1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_58407/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2018-02-26 10:21:40
Document Modified: 2018-02-26 10:21:40
| 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; reallocation. | |
| Dates | Effective September 28, 2015, through December 31, 2015. | |
| Contact | Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 58220 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XE21 |
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