81 FR 21482 - 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 81, Issue 70 (April 12, 2016)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 70 (April 12, 2016)
| Page Range | 21482-21483 | |
| FR Document | 2016-08419 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 12, 2016)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 21482-21483] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-08419] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 150916863-6211-02] RIN 0648-XE558 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 rock sole Community Development Quota (CDQ) for yellowfin sole CDQ acceptable biological catch (ABC) reserves in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to allow the 2016 total allowable catch of rock sole, and yellowfin sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area to be harvested. DATES: Effective April 12, 2016, through December 31, 2016. 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 2016 rock sole and yellowfin sole CDQ reserves specified in the BSAI are 6,110 mt, and 15,408 mt as established by the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016). The 2016 rock sole and yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves are 11,128 mt and 7,244 mt as established by the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016). The Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation has requested that NMFS exchange 400 mt of rock sole CDQ reserves for 400 mt of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves under Sec. 679.31(d). Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.31(d), NMFS exchanges 400 mt of rock sole CDQ reserves for 400 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 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016) are revised as follows: [[Page 21483]] Table 11--Final 2016 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 Rock sole Yellowfin --------------------------------------- sole ------------- sole Sector Eastern Central Western ------------- ------------ Aleutian Aleutian Aleutian BSAI District District District BSAI BSAI ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TAC............................... 7,900 7,000 9,000 21,000 56,700 144,400 CDQ............................... 845 749 963 2,247 5,710 15,808 ICA............................... 200 75 10 5,000 6,000 3,500 BSAI trawl limited access......... 685 618 161 0 0 14,979 Amendment 80...................... 6,169 5,558 7,866 13,753 44,990 110,113 Alaska Groundfish Cooperative..... 3,271 2,947 4,171 1,411 11,129 43,748 Alaska Seafood Cooperative........ 2,898 2,611 3,695 12,342 33,861 66,365 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Note: Sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding. Table 13--Final 2016 and 2017 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] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2016 2016 2017 2017 Sector Flathead 2016 Rock Yellowfin Flathead 2017 Rock Yellowfin sole sole sole sole sole sole ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ABC............................... 66,250 161,100 211,700 64,580 145,000 203,500 TAC............................... 21,000 56,700 144,400 21,000 57,100 144,000 ABC surplus....................... 45,250 104,400 67,300 43,580 87,900 59,500 ABC reserve....................... 45,250 104,400 67,300 43,580 87,900 59,500 CDQ ABC reserve................... 4,842 11,528 6,844 4,663 9,405 6,367 Amendment 80 ABC reserve.......... 40,408 92,872 60,456 38,917 78,495 53,134 Alaska Groundfish Cooperative for 4,145 22,974 24,019 n/a n/a n/a 2016 \1\......................... Alaska Seafood Cooperative for 36,263 69,898 36,437 n/a n/a n/a 2016 \1\......................... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ The 2017 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, 2016. 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 Norton Sound 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 March 31, 2016. 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: April 7, 2016. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016-08419 Filed 4-11-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![21482 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 70 / Tuesday, April 12, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
category quota, with 1.5 mt allocated for amended, provide for inseason retention Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
each of the following areas: North of limit adjustments and fishery closures Commerce.
39°18′ N. lat. (off Great Egg Inlet, NJ); to respond to the unpredictable nature
south of 39°18′ N. lat. and outside the of BFT availability on the fishing ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation.
Gulf of Mexico; and in the Gulf of grounds, the migratory nature of this
Mexico. Trophy BFT measure 73 inches species, and the regional variations in SUMMARY: NMFS is exchanging unused
(185 cm) curved fork length or greater. the BFT fishery. The closure of the rock sole Community Development
As of April 4, 2016, reported landings southern area Angling category trophy Quota (CDQ) for yellowfin sole CDQ
from the NMFS Automated Catch fishery is necessary to prevent any acceptable biological catch (ABC)
Reporting System and the North further overharvest of the southern area reserves in the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Carolina Tagging Program total trophy fishery subquota. NMFS Islands management area. This action is
approximately 1.6 mt. NMFS has provides notification of closures by necessary to allow the 2016 total
determined that the codified Angling publishing the notice in the Federal allowable catch of rock sole, and
category southern area trophy BFT Register, emailing individuals who have yellowfin sole in the Bering Sea and
subquota has been reached and that a subscribed to the Atlantic HMS News Aleutian Islands management area to be
closure of the southern area trophy BFT electronic newsletter, and updating the harvested.
fishery is warranted at this time. information posted on the Atlantic
Therefore, retaining, possessing, or Tunas Information Line and on Effective April 12, 2016, through
DATES:
landing large medium or giant BFT hmspermits.noaa.gov. December 31, 2016.
south of 39°18′ N. lat. and outside the These fisheries are currently FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gulf of Mexico by persons aboard underway and delaying this action Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228.
vessels permitted in the HMS Angling would be contrary to the public interest
category and the HMS Charter/Headboat as it could result in excessive trophy SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
category must cease at 11:30 p.m. local BFT landings that may result in future manages the groundfish fishery in the
time on April 10, 2016. This closure potential quota reductions for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
will remain effective through December Angling category, depending on the management area (BSAI) according to
31, 2016. This action is intended to magnitude of a potential Angling the Fishery Management Plan for
prevent any further overharvest of the category overharvest. NMFS must close Groundfish of the Bering Sea and
Angling category southern area trophy the southern area trophy BFT fishery Aleutian Islands Management Area
BFT subquota, and is taken consistent before additional landings of these sizes (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific
with the regulations at § 635.28(a)(1). of BFT accumulate. Therefore, the AA Fishery Management Council under
If needed, subsequent Angling finds good cause under 5 U.S.C.
category adjustments will be published authority of the Magnuson-Stevens
553(b)(B) to waive prior notice and the Fishery Conservation and Management
in the Federal Register. Information
opportunity for public comment. For all Act. Regulations governing fishing by
regarding the Angling category fishery
of the above reasons, there is good cause U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP
for Atlantic tunas, including daily
under 5 U.S.C. 553(d) to waive the 30- appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600
retention limits for BFT measuring 27
day delay in effectiveness. and 50 CFR part 679.
inches (68.5 cm) to less than 73 inches
This action is being taken under 50
and any further Angling category The 2016 rock sole and yellowfin sole
CFR 635.28(a)(1), and is exempt from
adjustments, is available at CDQ reserves specified in the BSAI are
review under Executive Order 12866.
hmspermits.noaa.gov or by calling (978) 6,110 mt, and 15,408 mt as established
281–9260. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801
by the final 2016 and 2017 harvest
HMS Angling and HMS Charter/ et seq.
specifications for groundfish in the
Headboat category permit holders may Dated: April 7, 2016. BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016).
catch and release (or tag and release) Emily H. Menashes, The 2016 rock sole and yellowfin sole
BFT of all sizes, subject to the Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
requirements of the catch-and-release CDQ ABC reserves are 11,128 mt and
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. 7,244 mt as established by the final 2016
and tag-and-release programs at [FR Doc. 2016–08386 Filed 4–7–16; 4:15 pm]
§ 635.26. Anglers are also reminded that and 2017 harvest specifications for
all BFT that are released must be
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773,
handled in a manner that will maximize March 18, 2016).
survival, and without removing the fish DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE The Norton Sound Economic
from the water, consistent with Development Corporation has requested
requirements at § 635.21(a)(1). For National Oceanic and Atmospheric that NMFS exchange 400 mt of rock sole
additional information on safe handling, Administration CDQ reserves for 400 mt of yellowfin
see the ‘‘Careful Catch and Release’’ sole CDQ ABC reserves under
brochure available at 50 CFR Part 679 § 679.31(d). Therefore, in accordance
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/. with § 679.31(d), NMFS exchanges 400
[Docket No. 150916863–6211–02]
Classification mt of rock sole CDQ reserves for 400 mt
RIN 0648–XE558 of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves in
The Assistant Administrator for
NMFS (AA) finds that it is impracticable the BSAI. This action also decreases and
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic increases the TACs and CDQ ABC
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with RULES
and contrary to the public interest to Zone off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish
provide prior notice of, and an reserves by the corresponding amounts.
in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
opportunity for public comment on, this Tables 11 and 13 of the final 2016 and
Management Area
action for the following reasons: 2017 harvest specifications for
The regulations implementing the AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773,
2006 Consolidated HMS FMP, as Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and March 18, 2016) are revised as follows:
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 70 / Tuesday, April 12, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 21483
TABLE 11—FINAL 2016 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 Rock Yellowfin
sole sole sole
Sector Eastern Central Western
Aleutian Aleutian Aleutian BSAI BSAI BSAI
District District District
TAC .................................................................................. 7,900 7,000 9,000 21,000 56,700 144,400
CDQ ................................................................................. 845 749 963 2,247 5,710 15,808
ICA ................................................................................... 200 75 10 5,000 6,000 3,500
BSAI trawl limited access ................................................ 685 618 161 0 0 14,979
Amendment 80 ................................................................. 6,169 5,558 7,866 13,753 44,990 110,113
Alaska Groundfish Cooperative ....................................... 3,271 2,947 4,171 1,411 11,129 43,748
Alaska Seafood Cooperative ........................................... 2,898 2,611 3,695 12,342 33,861 66,365
Note: Sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
TABLE 13—FINAL 2016 AND 2017 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]
2016 2016 2016 2017 2017 2017
Sector Flathead Rock Yellowfin Flathead Rock Yellowfin
sole sole sole sole sole sole
ABC .................................................................................. 66,250 161,100 211,700 64,580 145,000 203,500
TAC .................................................................................. 21,000 56,700 144,400 21,000 57,100 144,000
ABC surplus ..................................................................... 45,250 104,400 67,300 43,580 87,900 59,500
ABC reserve ..................................................................... 45,250 104,400 67,300 43,580 87,900 59,500
CDQ ABC reserve ........................................................... 4,842 11,528 6,844 4,663 9,405 6,367
Amendment 80 ABC reserve ........................................... 40,408 92,872 60,456 38,917 78,495 53,134
Alaska Groundfish Cooperative for 2016 1 ...................... 4,145 22,974 24,019 n/a n/a n/a
Alaska Seafood Cooperative for 2016 1 .......................... 36,263 69,898 36,437 n/a n/a n/a
1 The 2017 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, 2016.
Classification Norton Sound 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: April 7, 2016.
impracticable and contrary to the public processors. NMFS was unable to
interest. This requirement is Emily H. Menashes,
publish a notice providing time for
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 March 31, 2016. [FR Doc. 2016–08419 Filed 4–11–16; 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
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with RULES
VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:11 Apr 11, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\12APR1.SGM 12APR1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_21552/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2016-04-12 00:47:16
Document Modified: 2016-04-12 00:47:16
| 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 April 12, 2016, through December 31, 2016. | |
| Contact | Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 21482 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XE55 |
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