82 FR 10964 - 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 82, Issue 32 (February 17, 2017)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 32 (February 17, 2017)
| Page Range | 10964-10965 | |
| FR Document | 2017-03177 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 32 (Friday, February 17, 2017)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 10964-10965] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-03177] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 150916863-6211-02] RIN 0648-XF229 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 2017 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.), February 17, 2017, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2017. 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 2017 pollock total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to the Aleut Corporation directed fishing allowance (DFA) is 14,700 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 an inseason adjustment (82 FR 2916, January 10, 2017). As of February 10, 2017, the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator) has determined that 9,000 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 6,764 mt of A season pollock DFA and 2,236 mt of B season pollock DFA from the Aleutian Islands subarea to the 2017 Bering Sea subarea DFAs. The 9,000 mt of the Aleut Corporation pollock DFA is added to the 2017 Bering Sea non-CDQ DFAs. As a result, the 2017 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 an inseason adjustment (82 FR 2916, January 10, 2017) are revised as follows: 5,700 mt to the annual Aleut Corporation pollock DFA and 5,700 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 82 FR 2916, January 10, 2017), is revised to make 2017 pollock allocations consistent with this reallocation. This reallocation results in adjustments to the 2017 pollock allocations established at Sec. 679.20(a)(5). Table 5--Final 2017 Allocations of Pollock TACS to the Directed Pollock Fisheries and to the CDQ Directed Fishing Allowances (DFA) \1\ [Amounts are in metric tons] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2017 A season \1\ 2017 B season \1\ ----------------------------------------------------------- Area and sector 2017 allocations SCA harvest limit A season DFA \2\ B season DFA ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bering Sea subarea TAC \1\...... 1,355,900 n/a n/a n/a CDQ DFA......................... 136,400 61,380 38,192 75,020 ICA \1\......................... 47,210 n/a n/a n/a Total Bering Sea non-CDQ DFA.... 1,172,291 527,531 328,241 644,760 AFA Inshore..................... 586,145 263,765 164,121 322,380 AFA Catcher/Processors \3\...... 468,916 211,012 131,297 257,904 Catch by C/Ps............... 429,058 193,076 n/a 235,982 Catch by CVs \3\............ 39,858 17,936 n/a 21,922 Unlisted C/P Limit \4\...... 2,345 1,055 n/a 1,290 AFA Motherships................. 117,229 52,753 32,824 64,476 Excessive Harvesting Limit \5\.. 205,151 n/a n/a n/a Excessive Processing Limit \6\.. 351,687 n/a n/a n/a Aleutian Islands subarea ABC.... 36,061 n/a n/a n/a Aleutian Islands subarea TAC \1\ 8,100 n/a n/a n/a CDQ DFA......................... 0 0 n/a 0 ICA............................. 2,400 1,200 n/a 1,200 Aleut Corporation............... 5,700 5,700 n/a 0 Area harvest limit:\7\ 541......................... 10,818 n/a n/a n/a 542......................... 5,409 n/a n/a n/a 543......................... 1,803 n/a n/a n/a [[Page 10965]] Bogoslof District ICA \8\....... 500 n/a n/a n/a ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), the Bering Sea subarea pollock, after subtracting the CDQ DFA (10 percent) and the ICA (3.9 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 Bering Sea subarea, 45 percent of the DFA is allocated to the A season (January 20-June 10) and 55 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)--(iii), the annual Aleutian Islands 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 Aleutian Islands subarea, the A season is allocated less than or equal to 40 percent of the ABC and the B season is allocated the remainder of the pollock directed fishery. \2\ In the Bering Sea subarea, pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(C), 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 of no more than 30 percent, in Area 542 of no more than 15 percent, and in Area 543 of 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 February 10, 2017. 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: February 13, 2017. Karen H. Abrams, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017-03177 Filed 2-14-17; 11:15 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![10964 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 32 / Friday, February 17, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
Dated: February 13, 2017. opportunity for harvest of the 2017 total As of February 10, 2017, the
Michael M. Grimm, allowable catch of pollock, consistent Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS,
Assistant Administrator for Mitigation, with the goals and objectives of the (Regional Administrator) has
Federal Insurance and Mitigation Fishery Management Plan for determined that 9,000 mt of the Aleut
Administration, Department of Homeland Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Corporation pollock DFA in the
Security, Federal Emergency Management Aleutian Islands Management Area. Aleutian Islands subarea will not be
Agency. harvested. Therefore, in accordance
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local
[FR Doc. 2017–03211 Filed 2–16–17; 8:45 am] with § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(4), NMFS
time (A.l.t.), February 17, 2017, through
BILLING CODE 9110–12–P
2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2017. reallocates 6,764 mt of A season pollock
DFA and 2,236 mt of B season pollock
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
DFA from the Aleutian Islands subarea
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. to the 2017 Bering Sea subarea DFAs.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS The 9,000 mt of the Aleut Corporation
National Oceanic and Atmospheric manages the groundfish fishery in the pollock DFA is added to the 2017 Bering
Administration BSAI exclusive economic zone Sea non-CDQ DFAs. As a result, the
according to the Fishery Management 2017 harvest specifications for pollock
50 CFR Part 679 Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea in the Aleutian Islands subarea included
[Docket No. 150916863–6211–02] and Aleutian Islands Management Area in the final 2016 and 2017 harvest
(FMP) prepared by the North Pacific specifications for groundfish in the
RIN 0648–XF229 Fishery Management Council (Council) BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016),
under authority of the Magnuson- and as adjusted by an inseason
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Stevens Fishery Conservation and adjustment (82 FR 2916, January 10,
Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Management Act. Regulations governing 2017) are revised as follows: 5,700 mt to
Pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance the annual Aleut Corporation pollock
Islands with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 DFA and 5,700 mt to the A season Aleut
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. Corporation pollock DFA. Furthermore,
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and In the Aleutian Islands subarea, the pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5), Table 5 of the
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), portion of the 2017 pollock total final 2016 and 2017 harvest
Commerce. allowable catch (TAC) allocated to the specifications for groundfish in the
ACTION: Temporary rule. Aleut Corporation directed fishing Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (81 FR
allowance (DFA) is 14,700 metric tons 14773, March 18, 2016, and 82 FR 2916,
SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the (mt) as established by the final 2016 and January 10, 2017), is revised to make
projected unused amounts of the Aleut 2017 harvest specifications for 2017 pollock allocations consistent with
Corporation pollock directed fishing groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773, this reallocation. This reallocation
allowance from the Aleutian Islands March 18, 2016), and as adjusted by an results in adjustments to the 2017
subarea to the Bering Sea subarea. This inseason adjustment (82 FR 2916, pollock allocations established at
action is necessary to provide January 10, 2017). § 679.20(a)(5).
TABLE 5—FINAL 2017 ALLOCATIONS OF POLLOCK TACS TO THE DIRECTED POLLOCK FISHERIES AND TO THE CDQ
DIRECTED FISHING ALLOWANCES (DFA) 1
[Amounts are in metric tons]
2017 A season 1 2017 B season 1
Area and sector 2017 allocations
A season DFA SCA harvest limit 2 B season DFA
Bering Sea subarea TAC 1 .............................................. 1,355,900 n/a n/a n/a
CDQ DFA ......................................................................... 136,400 61,380 38,192 75,020
ICA 1 ................................................................................. 47,210 n/a n/a n/a
Total Bering Sea non-CDQ DFA ..................................... 1,172,291 527,531 328,241 644,760
AFA Inshore ..................................................................... 586,145 263,765 164,121 322,380
AFA Catcher/Processors 3 ............................................... 468,916 211,012 131,297 257,904
Catch by C/Ps .......................................................... 429,058 193,076 n/a 235,982
Catch by CVs 3 ......................................................... 39,858 17,936 n/a 21,922
Unlisted C/P Limit 4 ................................................... 2,345 1,055 n/a 1,290
AFA Motherships ............................................................. 117,229 52,753 32,824 64,476
Excessive Harvesting Limit 5 ............................................ 205,151 n/a n/a n/a
Excessive Processing Limit 6 ........................................... 351,687 n/a n/a n/a
Aleutian Islands subarea ABC ......................................... 36,061 n/a n/a n/a
Aleutian Islands subarea TAC 1 ....................................... 8,100 n/a n/a n/a
CDQ DFA ......................................................................... 0 0 n/a 0
ICA ................................................................................... 2,400 1,200 n/a 1,200
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Aleut Corporation ............................................................. 5,700 5,700 n/a 0
Area harvest limit:7
541 ............................................................................ 10,818 n/a n/a n/a
542 ............................................................................ 5,409 n/a n/a n/a
543 ............................................................................ 1,803 n/a n/a n/a
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 32 / Friday, February 17, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 10965
TABLE 5—FINAL 2017 ALLOCATIONS OF POLLOCK TACS TO THE DIRECTED POLLOCK FISHERIES AND TO THE CDQ
DIRECTED FISHING ALLOWANCES (DFA) 1—Continued
[Amounts are in metric tons]
2017 A season 1 2017 B season 1
Area and sector 2017 allocations
A season DFA SCA harvest limit 2 B season DFA
Bogoslof District ICA 8 ...................................................... 500 n/a n/a n/a
1 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), the Bering Sea subarea pollock, after subtracting the CDQ DFA (10 percent) and the ICA (3.9 percent), is al-
located as a DFA as follows: Inshore sector—50 percent, catcher/processor sector (C/P)—40 percent, and mothership sector—10 percent. In the
Bering Sea subarea, 45 percent of the DFA is allocated to the A season (January 20–June 10) and 55 percent of the DFA is allocated to the B
season (June 10–November 1). Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2)(i)—(iii), the annual Aleutian Islands 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 Aleutian Islands subarea, the A season is allocated less than or equal to 40 percent of the ABC and the B season is allocated the remain-
der of the pollock directed fishery.
2 In the Bering Sea subarea, pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(C), 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 of no more than 30 percent, in
Area 542 of no more than 15 percent, and in Area 543 of 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: February 13, 2017.
impracticable and contrary to the public while value is optimum. NMFS was Karen H. Abrams,
interest as it would prevent NMFS from unable to publish a notice providing Acting Deputy 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. 2017–03177 Filed 2–14–17; 11:15 am]
delay the reallocation of Aleutian Island available as February 10, 2017. BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES
VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:06 Feb 16, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\17FER1.SGM 17FER1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_10996/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2017-02-17 00:29:03
Document Modified: 2017-02-17 00:29:03
| 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.), February 17, 2017, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2017. | |
| Contact | Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 10964 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF22 |
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