81 FR 10591 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Central Gulf of Alaska Rockfish Program
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 40 (March 1, 2016)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 40 (March 1, 2016)
| Page Range | 10591-10593 | |
| FR Document | 2016-04453 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 1, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 10591-10593] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-04453] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XE458 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Central Gulf of Alaska Rockfish Program AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notification of standard prices and fee percentage. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS publishes the standard ex-vessel prices and fee percentage for cost recovery under the Central Gulf of Alaska Rockfish Program. This action is intended to provide participants in a rockfish cooperative with the standard prices and fee percentage for the 2015 fishing year, which was authorized from May 1 through November 15. The fee percentage is 3.0 percent. The fee liability payments were due from each rockfish cooperative by February 15, 2016. DATES: Effective March 1, 2016. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keeley Kent, 907-586-7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The rockfish fisheries are conducted in Federal waters near Kodiak, AK, by trawl and longline vessels. Regulations implementing the Central Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Rockfish Program (Rockfish Program) are set forth at 50 CFR part 679. Exclusive harvesting privileges are allocated as quota share under the Rockfish Program for rockfish primary and secondary species. The rockfish primary species are northern rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, and dusky rockfish. In 2012, dusky rockfish replaced the pelagic shelf rockfish species group in the GOA Groundfish Harvest Specifications (77 FR 15194, March 14, 2012). The rockfish secondary species include Pacific cod, rougheye rockfish, shortraker rockfish, sablefish, and thornyhead rockfish. Rockfish cooperatives began fishing under the Rockfish Program on May 1, 2012. The Rockfish Program is a limited access privilege program established under the provisions of section 303A of the Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). Sections 303A and 304(d) of the MSA require NMFS to collect fees to recover the actual costs directly related to the management, data collection and [[Page 10592]] analysis, and enforcement of any limited access privilege program. Therefore, NMFS is required to collect fees for the Rockfish Program under sections 303A and 304(d)(2) of the MSA. Section 304(d)(2) of the MSA also limits the cost recovery fee so that it may not exceed 3 percent of the ex-vessel value of the fish harvested under the Rockfish Program. Standard Prices NMFS calculates cost recovery fees based on standard ex-vessel value price, rather than actual price data provided by each rockfish cooperative quota (CQ) holder. Use of a standard ex-vessel price is allowed under sections 303A and 304(d)(2) of the MSA. NMFS generates a standard ex-vessel price for each rockfish primary and secondary species on a monthly basis to determine the average price paid per pound for all shoreside processors receiving rockfish primary and secondary species CQ. Regulations at Sec. 679.85(b)(2) require the Regional Administrator to publish rockfish standard ex-vessel values during the first quarter of each calendar year. The standard prices are described in U.S. dollars per pound for rockfish primary and secondary species CQ landings made during the previous year. Fee Percentage NMFS assesses a fee on the standard ex-vessel value of rockfish primary species and rockfish secondary species CQ harvested by rockfish cooperatives in the Central GOA and waters adjacent to the Central GOA when rockfish primary species caught by a cooperative are deducted from the Federal total allowable catch. The rockfish entry level longline fishery and opt-out vessels are not subject to cost recovery fees because those participants do not receive rockfish CQ. Specific details on the Rockfish Program's cost recovery provision may be found in the implementing regulations set forth at Sec. 679.85. NMFS informs--by letter--each rockfish cooperative of the fee percentage applied to the previous year's landings and the total amount due. Fees are due on February 15 of each year. Failure to pay on time will result in the permit holder's quota share becoming non- transferable and the person will be ineligible to receive any additional quota share by transfer. In addition, cooperative members will not receive any rockfish CQ the following year until full payment of the fee liability is received by NMFS. NMFS calculates and publishes in the Federal Register the fee percentage in the first quarter of each year according to the factors and methods described in Federal regulations at Sec. 679.85(c)(2). NMFS determines the fee percentage that applies to landings made in the previous year by dividing the total Rockfish Program management, data collection and analysis, and enforcement costs (management costs) during the previous year by the total standard ex-vessel value of the rockfish primary species and rockfish secondary species for all rockfish CQ landings made during the previous year (fishery value). NMFS captures the actual management costs through an established accounting system that allows staff to track labor, travel, contracts, rent, and procurement. Fee collections in any given year may be less than, or greater than, the actual management costs and fishery value for that year, because, by regulation, the fee percentage is established in the first quarter of the calendar year based on the management costs and the fishery value of the previous calendar year. Using the fee percentage formula described above, the estimated percentage of management costs to value for the 2015 calendar year is 3.3 percent of the standard ex-vessel value; except the rockfish fee percentage amount must not exceed 3.0 percent pursuant to MSA section 304(d)(2)(B). Therefore, the 2015 fee liability percentage is set at 3.0 percent. The fee liability percentage for 2015 remains the same as the 2014 fee liability percentage (80 FR 6053, February 4, 2015). Management costs were similar between 2014 and 2015, with slightly increased costs attributable to software upgrades needed to maintain the catch accounting system. Table 1--Standard Ex-Vessel Prices by Species for the 2015 Rockfish Program Season in Kodiak, Alaska ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Standard ex- Species Period ending vessel price per pound ($) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dusky rockfish *.................. May 31.............. 0.16 June 30............. 0.18 July 31............. 0.17 August 31........... 0.17 September 30........ 0.17 October 31.......... 0.17 November 30......... 0.17 Northern rockfish................. May 31.............. 0.15 June 30............. 0.17 July 31............. 0.16 August 31........... 0.18 September 30........ 0.16 October 31.......... 0.17 November 30......... 0.26 Pacific cod....................... May 31.............. 0.28 June 30............. 0.27 July 31............. 0.27 August 31........... 0.31 September 30........ 0.27 October 31.......... 0.27 November 30......... 0.30 Pacific ocean perch............... May 31.............. 0.19 June 30............. 0.19 July 31............. 0.18 August 31........... 0.17 [[Page 10593]] September 30........ 0.19 October 31.......... 0.19 November 30......... 0.19 Rougheye rockfish................. May 31.............. 0.23 June 30............. 0.22 July 31............. 0.18 August 31........... 0.17 September 30........ 0.15 October 31.......... 0.15 November 30......... 0.17 Sablefish......................... May 31.............. 2.63 June 30............. 2.68 July 31............. 2.76 August 31........... 3.57 September 30........ 2.67 October 31.......... 4.56 November 30......... 2.96 Shortraker rockfish............... May 31.............. 0.16 June 30............. 0.20 July 31............. 0.15 August 31........... 0.15 September 30........ 0.15 October 31.......... 0.18 November 30......... 0.17 Thornyhead rockfish............... May 31.............. 0.31 June 30............. 0.35 July 31............. 0.35 August 31........... 0.40 September 30........ 0.33 October 31.......... 0.59 November 30......... 0.67 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ * The pelagic shelf rockfish (PSR) species group has been changed to ``dusky rockfish.'' Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 1801 et seq.; 3631 et seq.; Pub. L. 108-447; Pub. L. 111-281. Dated: February 25, 2016. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016-04453 Filed 2-29-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 40 / Tuesday, March 1, 2016 / Notices 10591
include simultaneous exposure to UV A responding organization should not DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
light, temperature, and humidity. To include any confidential information in
accomplish these stages, NIST and its response to this request for National Oceanic and Atmospheric
participants intend to perform the information. NIST will not treat any Administration
following tasks: such information as proprietary. Based RIN 0648–XE458
1. Identify critical polymeric materials on the response received, NIST will
and important chemistries; decide whether the responding Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
2. Establish the characterization organization is eligible to participate in Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish of the
methods for performance tracking; Gulf of Alaska; Central Gulf of Alaska
this Consortium. The eligibility to
3. Generate thermal decomposition Rockfish Program
data and weathering data indoor and participate will be based on the
outdoor; following criteria: (1) The rationality AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
4. Develop thermal decomposition and feasibility of the responding Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
models; and organization’s proposed involvement in Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
5. Develop weathering models based this Consortium; (2) the extent to which Commerce.
on the indoor data and validate the the responding organization is capable ACTION: Notification of standard prices
model against the outdoor data. of contributing its polymer materials and fee percentage.
Leveraging previous accelerated and other contributions needed from
weathering efforts at NIST allows for the each member of this Consortium; and SUMMARY: NMFS publishes the standard
use of standardized characterization (3) the extent to which the responding ex-vessel prices and fee percentage for
methods for photo-oxidation and organization has personnel that has cost recovery under the Central Gulf of
mechanical performance. Performance adequate expertise and technical merit Alaska Rockfish Program. This action is
characterization methods that will be to contribute expertise to this intended to provide participants in a
used in this Consortium will be selected Consortium. rockfish cooperative with the standard
based on consultation with the prices and fee percentage for the 2015
NIST has the sole discretion to
participants. The most time consuming fishing year, which was authorized from
determine the eligibility of a responding
aspect of this project is generating the May 1 through November 15. The fee
validation data from outdoor exposures. organization to participate in this
percentage is 3.0 percent. The fee
Outdoor exposure of polymeric Consortium. Any responding
liability payments were due from each
materials will occur as soon the organization that is debarred from rockfish cooperative by February 15,
materials are identified. NIST’s working with the U.S. Government will 2016.
Consortium Manager will work with the not be eligible to participate in this
Consortium. NIST may contact the DATES: Effective March 1, 2016.
Consortium Members to select outdoor
responding organization for additional FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
locations. A larger number of exposure
sites increases the validation of the information to determine eligibility. Keeley Kent, 907–586–7228.
model predictions for the entire United NIST’s Technology Partnerships Office SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
States. The indoor exposure testing will provide eligible parties with the
Background
using NIST’s existing weathering Cooperative Research and Development
devices (i.e., SPHERE) will continue Agreement (CRADA) for this The rockfish fisheries are conducted
throughout the life of the project. Consortium. Each eligible party will be in Federal waters near Kodiak, AK, by
Participation Process: NIST is required to execute the Consortium’s trawl and longline vessels. Regulations
soliciting responses from all sources, CRADA prior to participation. Each implementing the Central Gulf of Alaska
including State or local governments, CRADA will have terms that are (GOA) Rockfish Program (Rockfish
industrial organizations (including identical to the terms of other Program) are set forth at 50 CFR part
corporations, partnerships, and limited participants’ CRADAs for this 679. Exclusive harvesting privileges are
partnerships, and industrial Consortium. NIST will require each allocated as quota share under the
development organizations), public and participant to contribute $15,000 in Rockfish Program for rockfish primary
private foundations, and nonprofit and secondary species. The rockfish
annual membership fees for funding the
organizations (including universities). primary species are northern rockfish,
activities under this Consortium. NIST
Interested parties should provide the Pacific ocean perch, and dusky rockfish.
intends to establish the Consortium for
following information to the NIST In 2012, dusky rockfish replaced the
a five (5) year period. The terms of the pelagic shelf rockfish species group in
Consortium Manager: CRADA shall be consistent with the
(1) What is your opinion about the the GOA Groundfish Harvest
requirements of Title 15, United States Specifications (77 FR 15194, March 14,
objectives of the Consortium and the
Code, Chapter 63, Section 3710a 2012). The rockfish secondary species
proposed involvement of your
(Cooperative Research and Development include Pacific cod, rougheye rockfish,
organization in this Consortium?
(2) Will your organization be capable Agreements). Although NIST does not shortraker rockfish, sablefish, and
of contributing the polymeric materials guarantee participation in this thornyhead rockfish. Rockfish
necessary to accomplish the research Consortium or future collaboration, any cooperatives began fishing under the
anticipated by this Consortium? member of the public is welcome to Rockfish Program on May 1, 2012.
(3) What is your opinion on the needs contact the Technology Partnerships The Rockfish Program is a limited
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
and interest of your organization in Office with information about NIST-led access privilege program established
participating in this Consortium? Consortia or other potential under the provisions of section 303A of
(4) What technical expertise is your collaborations. the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
organization capable of providing to the Conservation and Management Act
Kevin A. Kimball,
research anticipated by this Consortium (MSA). Sections 303A and 304(d) of the
(i.e., what are the technical capabilities Chief of Staff. MSA require NMFS to collect fees to
of the individuals on your [FR Doc. 2016–04385 Filed 2–29–16; 8:45 am] recover the actual costs directly related
organization’s project team)? BILLING CODE 3510–13–P to the management, data collection and
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 40 / Tuesday, March 1, 2016 / Notices 10593
TABLE 1—STANDARD EX-VESSEL PRICES BY SPECIES FOR THE 2015 ROCKFISH PROGRAM SEASON IN KODIAK, ALASKA—
Continued
Standard
ex-vessel
Species Period ending price per
pound
($)
September 30 ............................................................................. 0.19
October 31 .................................................................................. 0.19
November 30 .............................................................................. 0.19
Rougheye rockfish ...................................................................... May 31 ........................................................................................ 0.23
June 30 ....................................................................................... 0.22
July 31 ........................................................................................ 0.18
August 31 ................................................................................... 0.17
September 30 ............................................................................. 0.15
October 31 .................................................................................. 0.15
November 30 .............................................................................. 0.17
Sablefish ..................................................................................... May 31 ........................................................................................ 2.63
June 30 ....................................................................................... 2.68
July 31 ........................................................................................ 2.76
August 31 ................................................................................... 3.57
September 30 ............................................................................. 2.67
October 31 .................................................................................. 4.56
November 30 .............................................................................. 2.96
Shortraker rockfish ..................................................................... May 31 ........................................................................................ 0.16
June 30 ....................................................................................... 0.20
July 31 ........................................................................................ 0.15
August 31 ................................................................................... 0.15
September 30 ............................................................................. 0.15
October 31 .................................................................................. 0.18
November 30 .............................................................................. 0.17
Thornyhead rockfish ................................................................... May 31 ........................................................................................ 0.31
June 30 ....................................................................................... 0.35
July 31 ........................................................................................ 0.35
August 31 ................................................................................... 0.40
September 30 ............................................................................. 0.33
October 31 .................................................................................. 0.59
November 30 .............................................................................. 0.67
* The pelagic shelf rockfish (PSR) species group has been changed to ‘‘dusky rockfish.’’
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 1801 et SUMMARY: The Regional Administrator, www.regulations.gov/
seq.; 3631 et seq.; Pub. L. 108–447; Pub. L. NMFS West Coast Region, has #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2015-
111–281. determined that an application for an 0063, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon,
Dated: February 25, 2016. exempted fishing permit (EFP) warrants complete the required fields, and enter
Emily H. Menashes, further consideration and requests or attach your comments. EFP
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable public comment on the application. The applications will be available under
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. application requests a 2-year exemption Relevant Documents through the same
[FR Doc. 2016–04453 Filed 2–29–16; 8:45 am] from prohibitions under the Fishery link.
Management Plan for U.S. West Coast
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P • Mail: Attn: Chris Fanning, NMFS
Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species
West Coast Region, 501 W. Ocean Blvd.,
(HMS FMP) to test the effects and
Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE efficacy of using modified drift gillnet
Include the identifier ‘‘NOAA–NMFS–
(DGN) gear to fish for swordfish and
National Oceanic and Atmospheric 2015–0063’’ in the comments.
other highly migratory species (HMS)
Administration off the U.S. West Coast in the Pacific Instructions: Comments sent by any
Leatherback Conservation Area (PLCA) other method, to any other address or
RIN 0648–XE298 when environmental conditions are individual, or received after the end of
favorable during the PLCA closure the comment period, may not be
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery period. considered by NMFS. All comments
Conservation and Management Act; received are a part of the public record
General Provisions for Domestic DATES: Comments must be submitted in and will generally be posted for public
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Fisheries; Application for Exempted writing by March 31, 2016. viewing on www.regulations.gov
Fishing Permit ADDRESSES: You may submit comments without change. All personal identifying
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries on this document, identified by NOAA– information (e.g., name, address, etc.),
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and NMFS–2015–0063, by any of the confidential business information, or
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), following methods: otherwise sensitive information
Commerce. • Electronic Submission: Submit all submitted voluntarily by the sender will
electronic public comments via the be publicly accessible. NMFS will
ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to accept anonymous comments (enter
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Document Created: 2018-02-02 14:59:44
Document Modified: 2018-02-02 14:59:44
| 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 | Notices | |
| Action | Notification of standard prices and fee percentage. | |
| Dates | Effective March 1, 2016. | |
| Contact | Keeley Kent, 907-586-7228. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 10591 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XE45 |
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