80 FR 66839 - 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 210 (October 30, 2015)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 210 (October 30, 2015)
| Page Range | 66839-66840 | |
| FR Document | 2015-27694 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 210 (Friday, October 30, 2015)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 66839-66840] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-27694] [[Page 66839]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 141021887-5172-02] RIN 0648-XE274 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 unused Community Development Quota (CDQ) for CDQ acceptable biological catch (ABC) reserves. This action is necessary to allow the 2015 total allowable catch of rock sole and yellowfin sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area to be harvested. DATES: Effective October 30, 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 rock sole and yellowfin sole CDQ reserves specified in the BSAI are 6,875 metric tons (mt) and 17,321 mt as established by the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015) and following revisions (80 FR 65663, October 27, 2015). The 2015 rock sole, and yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves are 12,567 mt and 9,301 mt as established by the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015) and following revisions (80 FR 65663, October 27, 2015). The Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation has requested that NMFS exchange 600 mt of rock sole CDQ reserves for 600 mt of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves under Sec. 679.31(d). Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.31(d), NMFS exchanges 600 mt of rock sole CDQ reserves for 600 mt of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves in the BSAI. This action also decreases and increases the TACs and CDQ 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 following revisions (80 FR 65663, October 27, 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 17,187 65,315 159,998 CDQ..................................................... 856 749 963 1,752 6,275 17,921 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 10,435 51,040 120,912 Alaska Groundfish Cooperative........................... 3,362 2,947 4,171 1,708 13,318 44,455 Alaska Seafood Cooperative.............................. 2,978 2,611 3,695 8,727 37,722 76,457 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Note: Sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding. 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..................................................... 17,187 65,315 159,998 24,250 69,250 149,000 ABC surplus............................................. 48,943 116,385 88,802 39,461 95,550 96,500 ABC reserve............................................. 48,943 116,385 88,802 39,461 95,550 96,500 CDQ ABC reserve......................................... 5,324 13,167 8,701 4,222 10,224 10,326 Amendment 80 ABC reserve................................ 43,619 103,218 80,101 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\................. 39,783 78,378 44,693 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. [[Page 66840]] 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 Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation in 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 October 20, 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: October 27, 2015. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015-27694 Filed 10-29-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 210 / Friday, October 30, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 66839
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands and following revisions (80 FR 65663,
management area to be harvested. October 27, 2015). The 2015 rock sole,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric DATES: Effective October 30, 2015 and yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves
Administration through December 31, 2015. are 12,567 mt and 9,301 mt as
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: established by the final 2015 and 2016
50 CFR Part 679 Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. harvest specifications for groundfish in
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS the BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015)
[Docket No. 141021887–5172–02] and following revisions (80 FR 65663,
manages the groundfish fishery in the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands October 27, 2015).
RIN 0648–XE274 The Bristol Bay Economic
management area (BSAI) according to
the Fishery Management Plan for Development Corporation has requested
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Groundfish of the Bering Sea and that NMFS exchange 600 mt of rock sole
Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish
Aleutian Islands Management Area CDQ reserves for 600 mt of yellowfin
in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
(FMP) prepared by the North Pacific sole CDQ ABC reserves under
Management Area
Fishery Management Council under § 679.31(d). Therefore, in accordance
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries authority of the Magnuson-Stevens with § 679.31(d), NMFS exchanges 600
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Fishery Conservation and Management mt of rock sole CDQ reserves for 600 mt
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Act. Regulations governing fishing by of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves in
Commerce. U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP the BSAI. This action also decreases and
ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation. appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 increases the TACs and CDQ ABC
and 50 CFR part 679. reserves by the corresponding amounts.
SUMMARY: NMFS is exchanging unused The 2015 rock sole and yellowfin sole Tables 11 and 13 of the final 2015 and
Community Development Quota (CDQ) CDQ reserves specified in the BSAI are 2016 harvest specifications for
for CDQ acceptable biological catch 6,875 metric tons (mt) and 17,321 mt as groundfish in the BSAI (80 FR 11919,
(ABC) reserves. This action is necessary established by the final 2015 and 2016 March 5, 2015) and following revisions
to allow the 2015 total allowable catch harvest specifications for groundfish in (80 FR 65663, October 27, 2015) are
of rock sole and yellowfin sole in the the BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015) 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 17,187 65,315 159,998
CDQ ......................................................... 856 749 963 1,752 6,275 17,921
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 10,435 51,040 120,912
Alaska Groundfish Cooperative ............... 3,362 2,947 4,171 1,708 13,318 44,455
Alaska Seafood Cooperative ................... 2,978 2,611 3,695 8,727 37,722 76,457
Note: Sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
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 .......................................................... 17,187 65,315 159,998 24,250 69,250 149,000
ABC surplus ............................................. 48,943 116,385 88,802 39,461 95,550 96,500
ABC reserve ............................................. 48,943 116,385 88,802 39,461 95,550 96,500
CDQ ABC reserve ................................... 5,324 13,167 8,701 4,222 10,224 10,326
Amendment 80 ABC reserve ................... 43,619 103,218 80,101 35,239 85,326 86,175
Alaska Groundfish Cooperative for
Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES
2015 1 ................................................... 3,836 24,840 35,408 n/a n/a n/a
Alaska Seafood Cooperative for 2015 1 .. 39,783 78,378 44,693 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.
VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:35 Oct 29, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\30OCR1.SGM 30OCR1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_67049/page/1.svg)
![66840 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 210 / Friday, October 30, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
Classification Bristol Bay Economic Development date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
Corporation in the BSAI. Since these 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
This action responds to the best fisheries are currently open, it is the reasons provided above for waiver of
available information recently obtained important to immediately inform the prior notice and opportunity for public
from the fishery. The Assistant industry as to the revised allocations. comment.
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA Immediate notification is necessary to
(AA), finds good cause to waive the This action is required by § 679.20
allow for the orderly conduct and
requirement to provide prior notice and efficient operation of this fishery, to and is exempt from review under
opportunity for public comment allow the industry to plan for the fishing Executive Order 12866.
pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 season, and to avoid potential Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is disruption to the fishing fleet as well as Dated: October 27, 2015.
impracticable and contrary to the public processors. NMFS was unable to
interest. This requirement is publish a notice providing time for Emily H. Menashes,
impracticable and contrary to the public public comment because the most Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
interest as it would prevent NMFS from recent, relevant data only became Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
responding to the most recent fisheries available as of October 20, 2015. [FR Doc. 2015–27694 Filed 10–29–15; 8:45 am]
data in a timely fashion and would The AA also finds good cause to BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
delay the flatfish exchange by the waive the 30-day delay in the effective
Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES
VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:41 Oct 29, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\30OCR1.SGM 30OCR1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_67049/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2015-12-14 15:30:19
Document Modified: 2015-12-14 15:30:19
| 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 October 30, 2015 through December 31, 2015. | |
| Contact | Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 66839 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XE27 |
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