81 FR 72740 - 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 204 (October 21, 2016)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 204 (October 21, 2016)
| Page Range | 72740-72741 | |
| FR Document | 2016-25446 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 204 (Friday, October 21, 2016)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 72740-72741] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-25446] [[Page 72740]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 150916863-6211-02] RIN 0648-XE969 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 flathead sole and 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 yellowfin sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area to be harvested. DATES: Effective October 21, 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, rock sole, and yellowfin sole CDQ reserves specified in the BSAI are 1,537 metric tons (mt), 5,215 mt, and 17,013 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 69442, October 6, 2016). The 2016 flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves are 5,552 mt, 12,023 mt, and 5,639 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 69442, October 6, 2016). The Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation has requested that NMFS exchange 304 mt of flathead sole and 245 mt of rock sole CDQ reserves for 549 mt of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves under Sec. 679.31(d). Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.31(d), NMFS exchanges 304 mt of flathead sole, 245 mt of rock sole CDQ reserves for 549 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), and following revision (81 FR 69442, October 6, 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 16,086 54,935 151,079 CDQ..................................................... 845 749 963 1,233 4,970 17,562 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 9,853 43,965 115,038 Alaska Groundfish Cooperative........................... 3,271 2,947 4,171 1,411 11,129 43,748 Alaska Seafood Cooperative.............................. 2,898 2,611 3,695 8,442 32,836 71,290 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 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..................................................... 16,086 54,935 151,079 21,000 57,100 144,000 ABC surplus............................................. 50,164 106,165 60,621 43,580 87,900 59,500 ABC reserve............................................. 50,164 106,165 60,621 43,580 87,900 59,500 CDQ ABC reserve......................................... 5,856 12,268 5,090 4,663 9,405 6,367 Amendment 80 ABC reserve................................ 44,308 93,897 55,531 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\................. 40,163 70,923 31,512 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. [[Page 72741]] 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 12, 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: October 17, 2016. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016-25446 Filed 10-20-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![72740 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 204 / Friday, October 21, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands and following revision (81 FR 69442,
management area to be harvested. October 6, 2016). The 2016 flathead
National Oceanic and Atmospheric DATES: Effective October 21, 2016 sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole CDQ
Administration through December 31, 2016. ABC reserves are 5,552 mt, 12,023 mt,
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: and 5,639 mt as established by the final
50 CFR Part 679 Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for
[Docket No. 150916863–6211–02] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773,
manages the groundfish fishery in the March 18, 2016) and following revision
RIN 0648–XE969 Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (81 FR 69442, October 6, 2016).
management area (BSAI) according to The Bristol Bay Economic
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
the Fishery Management Plan for Development Corporation has requested
Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish
Groundfish of the Bering Sea and that NMFS exchange 304 mt of flathead
in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Aleutian Islands Management Area sole and 245 mt of rock sole CDQ
Management Area
(FMP) prepared by the North Pacific reserves for 549 mt of yellowfin sole
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Fishery Management Council under CDQ ABC reserves under § 679.31(d).
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Therefore, in accordance with
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Fishery Conservation and Management § 679.31(d), NMFS exchanges 304 mt of
Commerce. Act. Regulations governing fishing by flathead sole, 245 mt of rock sole CDQ
ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation. U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP reserves for 549 mt of yellowfin sole
appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 CDQ ABC reserves in the BSAI. This
SUMMARY: NMFS is exchanging unused and 50 CFR part 679. action also decreases and increases the
flathead sole and rock sole Community The 2016 flathead sole, rock sole, and TACs and CDQ ABC reserves by the
Development Quota (CDQ) for yellowfin yellowfin sole CDQ reserves specified in corresponding amounts. Tables 11 and
sole CDQ acceptable biological catch the BSAI are 1,537 metric tons (mt), 13 of the final 2016 and 2017 harvest
(ABC) reserves in the Bering Sea and 5,215 mt, and 17,013 mt as established specifications for groundfish in the
Aleutian Islands management area. This by the final 2016 and 2017 harvest BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016),
action is necessary to allow the 2016 specifications for groundfish in the and following revision (81 FR 69442,
total allowable catch of yellowfin sole in BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016) October 6, 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 16,086 54,935 151,079
CDQ ......................................................... 845 749 963 1,233 4,970 17,562
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 9,853 43,965 115,038
Alaska Groundfish Cooperative ............... 3,271 2,947 4,171 1,411 11,129 43,748
Alaska Seafood Cooperative ................... 2,898 2,611 3,695 8,442 32,836 71,290
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 sole Rock sole Yellowfin sole Flathead sole Rock sole Yellowfin sole
ABC .......................................................... 66,250 161,100 211,700 64,580 145,000 203,500
TAC .......................................................... 16,086 54,935 151,079 21,000 57,100 144,000
ABC surplus ............................................. 50,164 106,165 60,621 43,580 87,900 59,500
ABC reserve ............................................. 50,164 106,165 60,621 43,580 87,900 59,500
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
CDQ ABC reserve ................................... 5,856 12,268 5,090 4,663 9,405 6,367
Amendment 80 ABC reserve ................... 44,308 93,897 55,531 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 .. 40,163 70,923 31,512 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.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 204 / Friday, October 21, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 72741
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 17, 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 October 12, 2016. [FR Doc. 2016–25446 Filed 10–20–16; 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
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:30 Oct 20, 2016 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\21OCR1.SGM 21OCR1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_72944/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2018-02-13 16:36:18
Document Modified: 2018-02-13 16:36:18
| 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 21, 2016 through December 31, 2016. | |
| Contact | Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 72740 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XE96 |
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