82 FR 24253 - 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 82, Issue 101 (May 26, 2017)

Page Range		24253-24254
FR Document		2017-10861

NMFS is exchanging unused yellowfin 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 2017 total allowable catch of rock sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area to be harvested.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 101 (Friday, May 26, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 101 (Friday, May 26, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24253-24254]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-10861]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 161020985-7181-02]
RIN 0648-XF458

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 yellowfin 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 2017 total allowable catch of rock
sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area to be
harvested.

DATES: Effective May 26, 2017 through December 31, 2017.

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 2017 rock sole and yellowfin sole CDQ reserves specified in the
BSAI are 5,040 metric tons (mt), and 16,478 mt as established by the
final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI
(82 FR 11826; February 27, 2017). The 2017 rock sole and yellowfin sole
CDQ ABC reserves are 11,556 mt and 11,428 mt as established by the
final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI
(82 FR 11826; February 27, 2017).
The Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association has
requested that NMFS exchange 700 mt of yellowfin sole CDQ reserves for
700 mt of rock sole CDQ ABC reserves under Sec. 679.31(d). Therefore,
in accordance with Sec. 679.31(d), NMFS exchanges 700 mt of yellowfin
sole CDQ reserves for 700 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 2017 and
2018 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (82 FR 11826;
February 27, 2017), are revised as follows:

Table 11--Final 2017 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 14,500 47,800 153,300
CDQ..................................................... 845 749 963 1,552 5,740 15,778
ICA..................................................... 100 60 10 4,000 5,000 4,500
BSAI trawl limited access............................... 695 619 161 0 0 18,151
Amendment 80............................................ 6,259 5,572 7,866 8,949 37,060 114,871
Alaska Groundfish Cooperative........................... 3,319 2,954 4,171 918 9,168 45,638
Alaska Seafood Cooperative.............................. 2,940 2,617 3,695 8,031 27,893 69,233
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.

Table 13--Final 2017 and 2018 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]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2017 Flathead 2017 Yellowfin 2018 Flathead 2018 Yellowfin
Sector sole 2017 Rock sole sole sole 2018 Rock sole sole
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABC..................................................... 68,278 155,100 260,800 66,164 143,100 250,800
TAC..................................................... 14,500 47,800 153,300 14,500 47,100 154,000
ABC surplus............................................. 53,778 107,300 107,500 51,664 96,000 96,800
ABC reserve............................................. 53,778 107,300 107,500 51,664 96,000 96,800
CDQ ABC reserve......................................... 5,754 10,856 12,128 5,528 10,272 10,358
Amendment 80 ABC reserve................................ 48,024 96,444 95,372 46,136 85,728 86,442

[[Page 24254]]

Alaska Groundfish Cooperative for 2017 \1\.............. 4,926 23,857 37,891 n/a n/a n/a
Alaska Seafood Cooperative for 2017 \1\................. 43,098 72,587 57,481 n/a n/a n/a
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The 2018 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, 2017.

Classification

This action responds to the best available information recently
obtained from the fishery. The Acting 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 Aleutian Pribilof
Island Community Development Association 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 May 18, 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: May 23, 2017.
Margo B. Schulze-Haugen,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-10861 Filed 5-25-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 101 / Friday, May 26, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 24253

Authority access to such results. Written Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 5,040 metric tons (mt), and 16,478 mt as
authority provided under this paragraph Commerce. established by the final 2017 and 2018
must be signed by: ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation. harvest specifications for groundfish in
(1) An applicant in the international the BSAI (82 FR 11826; February 27,
application who is also an applicant in SUMMARY: NMFS is exchanging unused 2017). The 2017 rock sole and yellowfin
the application preserved in confidence; yellowfin sole Community Development
sole CDQ ABC reserves are 11,556 mt
or Quota (CDQ) for rock sole CDQ
and 11,428 mt as established by the
(2) A person set forth in § 1.14(c) acceptable biological catch (ABC)
reserves in the Bering Sea and Aleutian final 2017 and 2018 harvest
permitted to grant access to the
application preserved in confidence. Islands management area. This action is specifications for groundfish in the
necessary to allow the 2017 total BSAI (82 FR 11826; February 27, 2017).
Dated: May 22, 2017.
allowable catch of rock sole in the The Aleutian Pribilof Island
Michelle K. Lee,
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Community Development Association
Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual
Property and Director of the United States
management area to be harvested. has requested that NMFS exchange 700
Patent and Trademark Office. DATES: Effective May 26, 2017 through mt of yellowfin sole CDQ reserves for
[FR Doc. 2017–10870 Filed 5–25–17; 8:45 am] December 31, 2017. 700 mt of rock sole CDQ ABC reserves
BILLING CODE 3510–16–P FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: under § 679.31(d). Therefore, in
Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. accordance with § 679.31(d), NMFS
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS exchanges 700 mt of yellowfin sole CDQ
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE manages the groundfish fishery in the reserves for 700 mt of rock sole CDQ
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands ABC reserves in the BSAI. This action
National Oceanic and Atmospheric management area (BSAI) according to also decreases and increases the TACs
Administration the Fishery Management Plan for and CDQ ABC reserves by the
Groundfish of the Bering Sea and corresponding amounts. Tables 11 and
50 CFR Part 679 Aleutian Islands Management Area 13 of the final 2017 and 2018 harvest
[Docket No. 161020985–7181–02] (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific specifications for groundfish in the
Fishery Management Council under BSAI (82 FR 11826; February 27, 2017),
RIN 0648–XF458 authority of the Magnuson-Stevens are revised as follows:
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Fishery Conservation and Management
Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish Act. Regulations governing fishing by
in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP
Management Area appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600
and 50 CFR part 679.
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries The 2017 rock sole and yellowfin sole
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and CDQ reserves specified in the BSAI are

TABLE 11—FINAL 2017 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 14,500 47,800 153,300
CDQ ......................................................... 845 749 963 1,552 5,740 15,778
ICA ........................................................... 100 60 10 4,000 5,000 4,500
BSAI trawl limited access ........................ 695 619 161 0 0 18,151
Amendment 80 ......................................... 6,259 5,572 7,866 8,949 37,060 114,871
Alaska Groundfish Cooperative ............... 3,319 2,954 4,171 918 9,168 45,638
Alaska Seafood Cooperative ................... 2,940 2,617 3,695 8,031 27,893 69,233
Note: Sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.

TABLE 13—FINAL 2017 AND 2018 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]

2017 Flathead 2017 Rock 2017 Yellowfin 2018 Flathead 2018 Rock 2018 Yellowfin
Sector sole sole sole sole sole sole
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with RULES

ABC .......................................................... 68,278 155,100 260,800 66,164 143,100 250,800
TAC .......................................................... 14,500 47,800 153,300 14,500 47,100 154,000
ABC surplus ............................................. 53,778 107,300 107,500 51,664 96,000 96,800
ABC reserve ............................................. 53,778 107,300 107,500 51,664 96,000 96,800
CDQ ABC reserve ................................... 5,754 10,856 12,128 5,528 10,272 10,358
Amendment 80 ABC reserve ................... 48,024 96,444 95,372 46,136 85,728 86,442

VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:18 May 25, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\26MYR1.SGM 26MYR1

$24254 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 101 / Friday, May 26, 2017 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 13—FINAL 2017 AND 2018 ABC SURPLUS, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT QUOTA (CDQ) ABC RESERVES, AND AMENDMENT 80 ABC RESERVES IN THE BSAI FOR FLATHEAD SOLE, ROCK SOLE, AND YELLOWFIN SOLE—Continued [Amounts are in metric tons] 2017 Flathead 2017 Rock 2017 Yellowfin 2018 Flathead 2018 Rock 2018 Yellowfin Sector sole sole sole sole sole sole Alaska Groundfish Cooperative for 2017 1 ................................................... 4,926 23,857 37,891 n/a n/a n/a Alaska Seafood Cooperative for 2017 1 .. 43,098 72,587 57,481 n/a n/a n/a 1 The 2018 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, 2017. Classification Aleutian Pribilof Island Community date of this action under 5 U.S.C. Development Association in the BSAI. 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon This action responds to the best Since these fisheries are currently open, the reasons provided above for waiver of available information recently obtained it is important to immediately inform prior notice and opportunity for public from the fishery. The Acting Assistant the industry as to the revised comment. Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA allocations. Immediate notification is (AA), finds good cause to waive the This action is required by § 679.20 necessary to allow for the orderly requirement to provide prior notice and conduct and efficient operation of this and is exempt from review under opportunity for public comment fishery, to allow the industry to plan for Executive Order 12866. pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 the fishing season, and to avoid Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is potential disruption to the fishing fleet Dated: May 23, 2017. impracticable and contrary to the public as well as processors. NMFS was unable interest. This requirement is to publish a notice providing time for Margo B. Schulze-Haugen, impracticable and contrary to the public public comment because the most Acting Deputy 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 May 18, 2017. [FR Doc. 2017–10861 Filed 5–25–17; 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 mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with RULES VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:49 May 25, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\26MYR1.SGM 26MYR1$

Document Created: 2017-05-26 02:24:45
Document Modified: 2017-05-26 02:24:45

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 May 26, 2017 through December 31, 2017.
Contact		Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation		82 FR 24253
RIN Number		0648-XF45

82 FR 24253 - 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 82, Issue 101 (May 26, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration