81 FR 48722 - 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 143 (July 26, 2016)

Page Range		48722-48723
FR Document		2016-17593

NMFS is exchanging unused flathead sole Community Development Quota (CDQ) for rock 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 flathead sole and rock sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area to be harvested.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 143 (Tuesday, July 26, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 143 (Tuesday, July 26, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48722-48723]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-17593]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 150916863-6211-02]
RIN 0648-XE745

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.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is exchanging unused flathead sole Community Development
Quota (CDQ) for rock 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 flathead
sole and rock sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management
area to be harvested.

DATES: Effective July 26, 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 flathead sole and rock sole CDQ reserves specified in the
BSAI are 2,232 metric tons (mt), and 5,760 mt as established by the
final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI
(81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016) and following revision (81 FR 41253, June
24, 2016). The 2016 flathead sole and rock sole CDQ ABC reserves are
4,857 mt and 11,478 mt as established by the final 2016 and 2017
harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773, March
18, 2016) and following revision (81 FR 41253, June 24, 2016).
The Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation has requested
that NMFS exchange 400 mt of flathead sole CDQ reserves for 400 mt of
rock sole CDQ ABC reserves under Sec. 679.31(d). Therefore, in
accordance with Sec. 679.31(d), NMFS exchanges 400 mt of flathead sole
CDQ reserves for 400 mt of rock 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), and following revision (81 FR 41253, June 24, 2016), are
revised as follows:

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 sole Rock sole Yellowfin sole
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector Eastern Central Western
Aleutian Aleutian Aleutian BSAI BSAI BSAI
District District District
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAC..................................................... 7,900 7,000 9,000 20,585 57,150 144,365
CDQ..................................................... 845 749 963 1,832 6,160 15,773
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.

[[Page 48723]]

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 Flathead 2016 Yellowfin 2017 Flathead 2017 Yellowfin
Sector sole 2016 Rock sole sole sole 2017 Rock sole sole
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABC..................................................... 66,250 161,100 211,700 64,580 145,000 203,500
TAC..................................................... 20,585 57,150 144,365 21,000 57,100 144,000
ABC surplus............................................. 45,665 103,950 67,335 43,580 87,900 59,500
ABC reserve............................................. 45,665 103,950 67,335 43,580 87,900 59,500
CDQ ABC reserve......................................... 5,257 11,078 6,879 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

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 July
14, 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: July 20, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-17593 Filed 7-25-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

48722 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 143 / Tuesday, July 26, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

Dated: July 21, 2016. apportioned equally between the two SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
Samuel D. Rauch III, semiannual fishing seasons. manages the groundfish fishery in the
Deputy Assistant Administrator for (iii) The dressed weight equivalent of Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Regulatory Programs, National Marine the amount by which dead discards management area (BSAI) according to
Fisheries Service. exceed the allowance specified at the Fishery Management Plan for
For reasons set out in the preamble, paragraph (c)(1)(i)(C) of this section will Groundfish of the Bering Sea and
50 CFR part 635 is amended as follows: be subtracted from the landings quota in Aleutian Islands Management Area
the following fishing year or from the (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific
PART 635—ATLANTIC HIGHLY reserve category. Fishery Management Council under
MIGRATORY SPECIES * * * * * authority of the Magnuson-Stevens
[FR Doc. 2016–17630 Filed 7–25–16; 8:45 am] Fishery Conservation and Management
■ 1. The authority citation for part 635
continues to read as follows:
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Act. Regulations governing fishing by
U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600
1801 et seq. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE and 50 CFR part 679.
■ 2. In § 635.27, revise paragraph (c)(3) The 2016 flathead sole and rock sole
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
to read as follows: CDQ reserves specified in the BSAI are
Administration
§ 635.27 Quotas. 2,232 metric tons (mt), and 5,760 mt as
* * * * * 50 CFR Part 679 established by the final 2016 and 2017
(c) * * * harvest specifications for groundfish in
[Docket No. 150916863–6211–02]
(3) Annual adjustments. NMFS will the BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016)
file with the Office of the Federal RIN 0648–XE745 and following revision (81 FR 41253,
Register for publication notice of the June 24, 2016). The 2016 flathead sole
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic and rock sole CDQ ABC reserves are
following adjustments to or Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish
apportionments of the annual quota: 4,857 mt and 11,478 mt as established
in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands by the final 2016 and 2017 harvest
(i) Adjustments to the quota necessary Management Area
to meet the objectives of the specifications for groundfish in the
Consolidated Highly Migratory Species AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016)
Fishery Management Plan consistent Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and and following revision (81 FR 41253,
with the quota provisions of paragraph Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), June 24, 2016).
(c)(1) of this section. Commerce. The Norton Sound Economic
(ii) If consistent with applicable ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation. Development Corporation has requested
ICCAT recommendations, total landings that NMFS exchange 400 mt of flathead
above or below the specific North SUMMARY: NMFS is exchanging unused sole CDQ reserves for 400 mt of rock
Atlantic or South Atlantic swordfish flathead sole Community Development sole CDQ ABC reserves under
annual quota will be subtracted from, or Quota (CDQ) for rock sole CDQ § 679.31(d). Therefore, in accordance
added to, the following year’s quota for acceptable biological catch (ABC) with § 679.31(d), NMFS exchanges 400
that area. As necessary to meet reserves in the Bering Sea and Aleutian mt of flathead sole CDQ reserves for 400
management objectives, such Islands management area. This action is mt of rock sole CDQ ABC reserves in the
adjustments may be apportioned to necessary to allow the 2016 total BSAI. This action also decreases and
fishing categories and/or to the reserve. allowable catch of flathead sole and increases the TACs and CDQ ABC
Carryover adjustments for the North rock sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian reserves by the corresponding amounts.
Atlantic shall be limited to 15 percent Islands management area to be Tables 11 and 13 of the final 2016 and
of the annual baseline quota allocation. harvested. 2017 harvest specifications for
Carryover adjustments for the South DATES: Effective July 26, 2016 through groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773,
Atlantic shall be limited to 100 mt ww December 31, 2016. March 18, 2016), and following revision
(75.2 mt dw). Any adjustments to the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: (81 FR 41253, June 24, 2016), are
12-month directed fishery quota will be Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. revised as follows:

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 sole Rock sole Yellowfin sole

Sector Eastern Central Western
Aleutian Aleutian Aleutian BSAI BSAI BSAI
District District District

TAC .......................................................... 7,900 7,000 9,000 20,585 57,150 144,365
CDQ ......................................................... 845 749 963 1,832 6,160 15,773
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES

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.

VerDate Sep<11>2014 13:45 Jul 25, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\26JYR1.SGM 26JYR1

$Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 143 / Tuesday, July 26, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 48723 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 .......................................................... 20,585 57,150 144,365 21,000 57,100 144,000 ABC surplus ............................................. 45,665 103,950 67,335 43,580 87,900 59,500 ABC reserve ............................................. 45,665 103,950 67,335 43,580 87,900 59,500 CDQ ABC reserve ................................... 5,257 11,078 6,879 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: July 20, 2016. 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 July 14, 2016. [FR Doc. 2016–17593 Filed 7–25–16; 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 rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES VerDate Sep<11>2014 13:45 Jul 25, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\26JYR1.SGM 26JYR1$

Document Created: 2018-02-08 08:00:34
Document Modified: 2018-02-08 08:00:34

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 July 26, 2016 through December 31, 2016.
Contact		Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation		81 FR 48722
RIN Number		0648-XE74

81 FR 48722 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 143 (July 26, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration