81 FR 52367 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 152 (August 8, 2016)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 152 (August 8, 2016)
| Page Range | 52367-52368 | |
| FR Document | 2016-18763 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 152 (Monday, August 8, 2016)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 52367-52368] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-18763] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 150916863-6211-02] RIN 0648-XE789 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amounts of the Aleut Corporation pollock directed fishing allowance from the Aleutian Islands subarea to the Bering Sea subarea. This action is necessary to provide opportunity for harvest of the 2016 total allowable catch of pollock, consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 8, 2016, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2016. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the BSAI exclusive economic zone 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 (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. In the Aleutian Islands subarea, the portion of the 2016 pollock total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to the Aleut Corporation directed fishing allowance (DFA) is 9,700 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016), and as adjusted by reallocations (81 FR 16097, March 25, 2016). As of August 1, 2016, the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator) has determined that 8,000 mt of the Aleut Corporation pollock DFA in the Aleutian Islands subarea will not be harvested. Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(4), NMFS reallocates 8,000 mt of A season pollock DFA from the Aleutian Islands subarea to the 2016 Bering Sea subarea DFAs. The 8,000 mt of the Aleut Corporation pollock DFA is added to the 2016 Bering Sea non- CDQ DFAs. As a result, the 2016 harvest specifications for pollock in the Aleutian Islands subarea included in the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016), and as adjusted by reallocations (81 FR 16097, March 25, 2016) are revised as follows: 1,700 mt to the annual Aleut Corporation pollock DFA and 1,700 mt to the A season Aleut Corporation pollock DFA. Furthermore, pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5), Table 5 of the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for groundfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016, and 81 FR 16097, March 25, 2016), is revised to make 2016 pollock allocations consistent with this reallocation. This reallocation results in adjustments to the 2016 pollock allocations established at Sec. 679.20(a)(5). Table 5--Final 2016 Allocations of Pollock TACS to the Directed Pollock Fisheries and to the CDQ Directed Fishing Allowances (DFA) \1\ [Amounts are in metric tons] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2016 A season \1\ 2016 B season 2016 -------------------------------- \1\ Area and sector Allocations SCA harvest --------------- A season DFA limit \2\ B season DFA ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bering Sea subarea TAC \1\...................... 1,354,900 n/a n/a n/a CDQ DFA......................................... 135,900 54,360 38,052 81,540 ICA \1\......................................... 48,240 n/a n/a n/a AFA Inshore..................................... 585,380 234,152 163,906 351,228 AFA Catcher/Processors \3\...................... 468,304 187,322 131,125 280,982 Catch by C/Ps............................... 428,498 171,399 n/a 257,099 Catch by CVs \3\............................ 39,806 15,922 n/a 23,884 Unlisted C/P Limit \4\...................... 2,342 937 n/a 1,405 AFA Motherships................................. 117,076 46,830 32,781 70,246 [[Page 52368]] Excessive Harvesting Limit \5\.................. 205,216 n/a n/a n/a Excessive Processing Limit \6\.................. 351,798 n/a n/a n/a Total Bering Sea DFA............................ 1,170,760 468,304 327,813 702,456 Aleutian Islands subarea ABC.................... 32,227 n/a n/a n/a Aleutian Islands subarea TAC \1\................ 4,100 n/a n/a n/a CDQ DFA......................................... 0 0 n/a 0 ICA............................................. 2,400 1,200 n/a 1,200 Aleut Corporation............................... 1,700 1,700 n/a 0 Area harvest limit \7\ 541......................................... 9,668 n/a n/a n/a 542......................................... 4,834 n/a n/a n/a 543......................................... 1,611 n/a n/a n/a Bogoslof District ICA \8\....................... 500 n/a n/a n/a ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), the BS subarea pollock, after subtracting the CDQ DFA (10 percent) and the ICA (4.0 percent), is allocated as a DFA as follows: inshore sector--50 percent, catcher/processor sector (C/P)--40 percent, and mothership sector--10 percent. In the BS subarea, 40 percent of the DFA is allocated to the A season (January 20-June 10) and 60 percent of the DFA is allocated to the B season (June 10- November 1). Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2)(i) and (ii), the annual AI pollock TAC, after subtracting first for the CDQ directed fishing allowance (10 percent) and second the ICA (2,400 mt), is allocated to the Aleut Corporation for a pollock directed fishery. In the AI subarea, the A season is allocated 40 percent of the ABC and the B season is allocated the remainder of the pollock directed fishery. \2\ In the BS subarea, no more than 28 percent of each sector's annual DFA may be taken from the SCA before April 1. \3\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4), not less than 8.5 percent of the DFA allocated to listed catcher/ processors shall be available for harvest only by eligible catcher vessels delivering to listed catcher/ processors. \4\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4)(iii), the AFA unlisted catcher/processors are limited to harvesting not more than 0.5 percent of the catcher/processors sector's allocation of pollock. \5\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(6), NMFS establishes an excessive harvesting share limit equal to 17.5 percent of the sum of the non-CDQ pollock DFAs. \6\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(7), NMFS establishes an excessive processing share limit equal to 30.0 percent of the sum of the non-CDQ pollock DFAs. \7\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(6), NMFS establishes harvest limits for pollock in the A season in Area 541 no more than 30 percent, in Area 542 no more than 15 percent, and in Area 543 no more than 5 percent of the Aleutian Islands pollock ABC. \8\ The Bogoslof District is closed by the final harvest specifications to directed fishing for pollock. The amounts specified are for ICA only and are not apportioned by season or sector. Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding. 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 reallocation of Aleutian Island subarea pollock. Since the pollock fishery is currently underway, it is important to immediately inform the industry as to the final Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands pollock allocations. Immediate notification is necessary to allow for the orderly conduct and efficient operation of this fishery; allow the industry to plan for the fishing season and avoid potential disruption to the fishing fleet as well as processors; and provide opportunity to harvest increased seasonal pollock allocations while value is optimum. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as August 1, 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: August 3, 2016. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016-18763 Filed 8-5-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 152 / Monday, August 8, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 52367
lb (680 kg) when landings have been DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50
projected to reach or exceed 45 percent CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
of the total allowable landings (TAL). National Oceanic and Atmospheric
In the Aleutian Islands subarea, the
The northern red hake possession limit Administration
portion of the 2016 pollock total
is required to be further reduced to 400
allowable catch (TAC) allocated to the
lb (181 kg) if landings are projected to 50 CFR Part 679
Aleut Corporation directed fishing
reach or exceed 62.5 percent of the TAL,
unless such a reduction would be [Docket No. 150916863–6211–02] allowance (DFA) is 9,700 metric tons
expected to prevent the TAL from being (mt) as established by the final 2016 and
RIN 0648–XE789 2017 harvest specifications for
reached. The setting of these inseason
adjustment thresholds were established Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773,
in the final rule implementing the Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of March 18, 2016), and as adjusted by
small-mesh multispecies specifications Pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian reallocations (81 FR 16097, March 25,
for 2015–2017, published in the Federal Islands 2016).
Register on May 28, 2015 (80 FR 30379). As of August 1, 2016, the
These measures were imposed AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS,
because the annual catch limits (ACL) Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
(Regional Administrator) has
for northern red hake were exceeded for Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
determined that 8,000 mt of the Aleut
the 2012 and 2013 fishing years, and Commerce.
Corporation pollock DFA in the
northern red hake was experiencing ACTION: Temporary rule.
Aleutian Islands subarea will not be
overfishing. To reduce the risk of
continued overfishing on the stock and SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the harvested. Therefore, in accordance
to better constrain catch to the ACL, we projected unused amounts of the Aleut with § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(4), NMFS
implemented this possession limit Corporation pollock directed fishing reallocates 8,000 mt of A season pollock
reduction trigger. allowance from the Aleutian Islands DFA from the Aleutian Islands subarea
Based on commercial landings data subarea to the Bering Sea subarea. This to the 2016 Bering Sea subarea DFAs.
reported through July 23, 2016, the action is necessary to provide The 8,000 mt of the Aleut Corporation
northern red hake fishery is projected to opportunity for harvest of the 2016 total pollock DFA is added to the 2016 Bering
reach 45 percent of the TAL on July 31, allowable catch of pollock, consistent Sea non-CDQ DFAs. As a result, the
2016. Based on this projection, reducing with the goals and objectives of the 2016 harvest specifications for pollock
the commercial northern red hake Fishery Management Plan for in the Aleutian Islands subarea included
possession limit to 1,500 lb (680 kg) is Groundfish of the Bering Sea and in the final 2016 and 2017 harvest
required to prevent the TAL from being Aleutian Islands Management Area. specifications for groundfish in the
exceeded. Upon the effective date of this DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016),
action, no person may possess on board time (A.l.t.), August 8, 2016, through and as adjusted by reallocations (81 FR
or land more than 1,500 lb (680 kg) of 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2016. 16097, March 25, 2016) are revised as
northern red hake, per trip for the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: follows: 1,700 mt to the annual Aleut
remainder of the fishing year. Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. Corporation pollock DFA and 1,700 mt
Classification SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS to the A season Aleut Corporation
manages the groundfish fishery in the pollock DFA. Furthermore, pursuant to
This action is taken under 50 CFR
BSAI exclusive economic zone § 679.20(a)(5), Table 5 of the final 2016
part 648 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866. according to the Fishery Management and 2017 harvest specifications for
Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea groundfish in the Bering Sea and
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Aleutian Islands (81 FR 14773, March
and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Dated: August 2, 2016. (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific 18, 2016, and 81 FR 16097, March 25,
Emily H. Menashes, Fishery Management Council (Council) 2016), is revised to make 2016 pollock
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable under authority of the Magnuson- allocations consistent with this
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. Stevens Fishery Conservation and reallocation. This reallocation results in
[FR Doc. 2016–18715 Filed 8–5–16; 8:45 am] Management Act. Regulations governing adjustments to the 2016 pollock
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance allocations established at § 679.20(a)(5).
TABLE 5—FINAL 2016 ALLOCATIONS OF POLLOCK TACS TO THE DIRECTED POLLOCK FISHERIES AND TO THE CDQ
DIRECTED FISHING ALLOWANCES (DFA) 1
[Amounts are in metric tons]
2016 A season 1 2016
2016 B season 1
Area and sector Allocations A season DFA SCA harvest
limit 2 B season DFA
Bering Sea subarea TAC 1 .............................................................................. 1,354,900 n/a n/a n/a
CDQ DFA ......................................................................................................... 135,900 54,360 38,052 81,540
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ICA 1 ................................................................................................................. 48,240 n/a n/a n/a
AFA Inshore ..................................................................................................... 585,380 234,152 163,906 351,228
AFA Catcher/Processors 3 ............................................................................... 468,304 187,322 131,125 280,982
Catch by C/Ps .......................................................................................... 428,498 171,399 n/a 257,099
Catch by CVs 3 ......................................................................................... 39,806 15,922 n/a 23,884
Unlisted C/P Limit 4 ................................................................................... 2,342 937 n/a 1,405
AFA Motherships ............................................................................................. 117,076 46,830 32,781 70,246
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![52368 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 152 / Monday, August 8, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 5—FINAL 2016 ALLOCATIONS OF POLLOCK TACS TO THE DIRECTED POLLOCK FISHERIES AND TO THE CDQ
DIRECTED FISHING ALLOWANCES (DFA) 1—Continued
[Amounts are in metric tons]
2016 A season 1 2016
2016 B season 1
Area and sector Allocations A season DFA SCA harvest
limit 2 B season DFA
Excessive Harvesting Limit 5 ............................................................................ 205,216 n/a n/a n/a
Excessive Processing Limit 6 ........................................................................... 351,798 n/a n/a n/a
Total Bering Sea DFA ..................................................................................... 1,170,760 468,304 327,813 702,456
Aleutian Islands subarea ABC ......................................................................... 32,227 n/a n/a n/a
Aleutian Islands subarea TAC 1 ....................................................................... 4,100 n/a n/a n/a
CDQ DFA ......................................................................................................... 0 0 n/a 0
ICA ................................................................................................................... 2,400 1,200 n/a 1,200
Aleut Corporation ............................................................................................. 1,700 1,700 n/a 0
Area harvest limit 7
541 ............................................................................................................ 9,668 n/a n/a n/a
542 ............................................................................................................ 4,834 n/a n/a n/a
543 ............................................................................................................ 1,611 n/a n/a n/a
Bogoslof District ICA 8 ...................................................................................... 500 n/a n/a n/a
1 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), the BS subarea pollock, after subtracting the CDQ DFA (10 percent) and the ICA (4.0 percent), is allocated
as a DFA as follows: inshore sector—50 percent, catcher/processor sector (C/P)—40 percent, and mothership sector—10 percent. In the BS
subarea, 40 percent of the DFA is allocated to the A season (January 20–June 10) and 60 percent of the DFA is allocated to the B season (June
10–November 1). Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2)(i) and (ii), the annual AI pollock TAC, after subtracting first for the CDQ directed fishing al-
lowance (10 percent) and second the ICA (2,400 mt), is allocated to the Aleut Corporation for a pollock directed fishery. In the AI subarea, the A
season is allocated 40 percent of the ABC and the B season is allocated the remainder of the pollock directed fishery.
2 In the BS subarea, no more than 28 percent of each sector’s annual DFA may be taken from the SCA before April 1.
3 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4), not less than 8.5 percent of the DFA allocated to listed catcher/processors shall be available for harvest
only by eligible catcher vessels delivering to listed catcher/processors.
4 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4)(iii), the AFA unlisted catcher/processors are limited to harvesting not more than 0.5 percent of the catcher/
processors sector’s allocation of pollock.
5 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(6), NMFS establishes an excessive harvesting share limit equal to 17.5 percent of the sum of the non-CDQ
pollock DFAs.
6 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(7), NMFS establishes an excessive processing share limit equal to 30.0 percent of the sum of the non-CDQ
pollock DFAs.
7 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(6), NMFS establishes harvest limits for pollock in the A season in Area 541 no more than 30 percent, in
Area 542 no more than 15 percent, and in Area 543 no more than 5 percent of the Aleutian Islands pollock ABC.
8 The Bogoslof District is closed by the final harvest specifications to directed fishing for pollock. The amounts specified are for ICA only and
are not apportioned by season or sector.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
Classification subarea pollock. Since the pollock The AA also finds good cause to
fishery is currently underway, it is waive the 30-day delay in the effective
This action responds to the best important to immediately inform the date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
available information recently obtained industry as to the final Bering Sea and 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
from the fishery. The Assistant Aleutian Islands pollock allocations. the reasons provided above for waiver of
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA Immediate notification is necessary to prior notice and opportunity for public
(AA), finds good cause to waive the allow for the orderly conduct and comment.
requirement to provide prior notice and efficient operation of this fishery; allow This action is required by § 679.20
opportunity for public comment the industry to plan for the fishing and is exempt from review under
pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 season and avoid potential disruption to Executive Order 12866.
U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is the fishing fleet as well as processors; Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
impracticable and contrary to the public and provide opportunity to harvest
interest. This requirement is increased seasonal pollock allocations Dated: August 3, 2016.
impracticable and contrary to the public while value is optimum. NMFS was Emily H. Menashes,
interest as it would prevent NMFS from unable to publish a notice providing Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
responding to the most recent fisheries time for public comment because the Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
data in a timely fashion and would most recent, relevant data only became [FR Doc. 2016–18763 Filed 8–5–16; 8:45 am]
delay the reallocation of Aleutian Island available as August 1, 2016. BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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Document Created: 2016-08-06 03:08:37
Document Modified: 2016-08-06 03:08:37
| 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. | |
| Dates | Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 8, 2016, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2016. | |
| Contact | Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 52367 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XE78 |
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