82 FR 27238 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Prohibited Species Donation Program
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 113 (June 14, 2017)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 113 (June 14, 2017)
| Page Range | 27238-27240 | |
| FR Document | 2017-12313 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 113 (Wednesday, June 14, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 27238-27240] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-12313] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XF320 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Prohibited Species Donation Program AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; selection of an authorized distributor. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS announces the renewal of two prohibited species donation (PSD) permits to SeaShare, authorizing this organization to distribute Pacific salmon and Pacific halibut to economically disadvantaged individuals under the PSD program. Salmon and halibut are caught incidentally during directed fishing for groundfish with trawl gear off Alaska. This action is necessary to comply with provisions of the PSD program and is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. DATES: The permits are effective from June 14, 2017 through June 15, 2020. ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the PSD permits for salmon and halibut prepared for this action may be obtained from the Alaska Region Web site at http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Megan Mackey, 907-586-7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Fishing for groundfish by U.S. vessels in the exclusive economic zone of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) and Gulf of Alaska (GOA) is managed by NMFS in accordance with the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI FMP) and the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA FMP). These fishery management plans (FMPs) were prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Regulations governing the Alaska groundfish fisheries and implementing the FMPs appear at 50 CFR parts 600 and 679. Fishing for halibut in waters in and off Alaska is governed by the Convention between the United States and Canada for the Preservation of the Halibut Fishery of the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea (Convention). The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) promulgates regulations pursuant to the Convention. The IPHC's regulations are subject to approval by the Secretary of State with concurrence from the Secretary of Commerce. After approval by the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce, the IPHC regulations are published in the Federal Register as annual management measures pursuant to 50 CFR 300.62. Retention of incidentally caught prohibited species is prohibited in the groundfish fisheries except for salmon and halibut for the purposes of the PSD program. Amendments 26 and 29 to the BSAI and GOA FMPs, respectively, authorize a salmon donation program and were approved by NMFS on July 10, 1996; a final rule implementing this program was published in the Federal Register on July 24, 1996 (61 FR 38358). The salmon donation program was expanded to include halibut as part of the PSD program under Amendments 50 and 50 to the FMPs that were approved by NMFS on May 6, 1998. A final rule implementing Amendments 50 and 50 was published in the Federal Register on June 12, 1998 (63 FR 32144). Although that final rule contained a sunset provision for the halibut PSD program of December 31, 2000, the halibut PSD program was permanently extended under a final rule published in the Federal Register on December 14, [[Page 27239]] 2000 (65 FR 78119). A full description of, and background information on, the PSD program may be found in the preambles to the proposed rules for Amendments 26 and 29, and Amendments 50 and 50 (61 FR 24750, May 16, 1996, and 63 FR 10583, March 4, 1998, respectively). Section 679.26 authorizes the voluntary distribution of salmon and halibut taken incidentally in the groundfish trawl fisheries off Alaska to economically disadvantaged individuals by tax-exempt organizations through an authorized distributor. The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), may select one or more tax-exempt organizations to be authorized distributors, as defined by Sec. 679.2, based on the information submitted by applicants under Sec. 679.26. After review of qualified applicants, NMFS must announce the selection of each authorized distributor in the Federal Register and issue one or more PSD permits to each selected distributor. Renewal of Permits to SeaShare Currently, SeaShare, a tax-exempt organization founded to help the seafood industry donate to U.S. hunger relief efforts, is the sole authorized distributor of salmon and halibut taken incidentally in the groundfish trawl fisheries off Alaska. SeaShare's current salmon and halibut PSD permits became effective June 11, 2014, and authorize SeaShare to participate in the PSD program through June 12, 2017 (79 FR 33526, June 11, 2014). On April 17, 2017, the Regional Administrator received an application from SeaShare to renew its salmon and halibut PSD permits. The Regional Administrator reviewed the application and determined that it is complete and that SeaShare continues to meet the requirements for an authorized distributor under the PSD program. As required by Sec. 679.26(b)(2), the Regional Administrator based his selection on the following criteria: 1. The number and qualifications of applicants for PSD permits. SeaShare is the only applicant for PSD permits at this time. NMFS has previously approved applications submitted by SeaShare. As of the date of this notice, no other applications have been approved by NMFS. SeaShare has been coordinating the distribution of salmon taken incidentally in trawl fisheries since 1993, and of halibut taken incidentally in trawl fisheries since 1998, under exempted fishing permits from 1993 to 1996 and under the PSD program since 1996. SeaShare employs independent seafood quality control experts to ensure product quality is maintained by cold storage facilities and common carriers servicing the areas where salmon and halibut donations would take place. 2. The number of harvesters and the quantity of fish that applicants can effectively administer. Current participants in the salmon donation program administered by SeaShare include 13 shoreside processors and 138 catcher vessels delivering to shoreside processors; 35 catcher/processors; and 3 motherships and 15 catcher vessels delivering to motherships, with all 15 vessels delivering to both shoreside and motherships. Thirteen shoreside processors and 138 catcher vessels participate in the halibut donation program administered by SeaShare. Two reprocessing plants that generate steaked salmon and halibut participate in the PSD program. SeaShare has the capacity to receive and distribute salmon and halibut from up to 60 processors and the associated catcher vessels. Therefore, it is anticipated that SeaShare has more than adequate capacity for any foreseeable expansion of donations. In 2011, participation in the PSD program expanded beyond the BSAI to include GOA processors and vessels. Table 1 shows the total pounds of headed-and-gutted and steaked salmon and halibut donated to food bank organizations from 2014 through 2016. NMFS does not have information to convert accurately the net weights of salmon and halibut to numbers of salmon and numbers of halibut. Table 1--Headed-and-Gutted (H&G) and Steaked Salmon and Halibut Donated to Food Bank Organizations [pounds] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2014 2015 2016 Total ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Salmon H&G...................................... 0 0 536 536 Salmon steaked.................................. 398,587 449,865 436,700 1,285,152 Halibut H&G..................................... 13,050 26,605 13,144 52,799 Halibut steaked................................. 45,988 21,680 37,240 104,908 --------------------------------------------------------------- Total Inventory............................. 457,625 498,150 487,620 1,443,395 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. The anticipated level of salmon and halibut incidental catch based on salmon and halibut incidental catch from previous years. The incidental catch of salmon and incidental catch mortality of halibut in the GOA and BSAI trawl fisheries are shown in Table 2. Table 2--Incidental Catch of Salmon and Incidental Catch Mortality of Halibut in the GOA and BSAI Trawl Fisheries [in number of fish or metric tons] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Area fishery 2014 2015 2016 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BSAI Trawl Chinook Salmon 18,096 fish.............. 25,253 fish............. 32,560 fish. Incidental Catch \1\. BSAI Trawl Other Salmon 223,853 fish............. 243,343 fish............ 347,138 fish. Incidental Catch \2\. GOA Trawl Chinook Salmon 15,702 fish \3\.......... 18,946 fish \4\......... 21,896 fish. \5\ Incidental Catch. GOA Trawl Other Salmon Incidental 2,319 fish \6\........... 1,319 fish \7\.......... 2,775 fish. \8\ Catch. BSAI Trawl Halibut Mortality..... 2,824 mt \9\............. 1,889 mt \10\........... 1,982 mt. \11\ GOA Trawl Halibut Mortality...... 1,392 mt \12\............ 1,413 mt \13\........... 1,336 mt. \14\ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- mt = metric tons [[Page 27240]] Halibut incidental catch amounts are constrained by an annual prohibited species catch (PSC) limit in the BSAI and GOA. Future halibut incidental catch levels likely will be similar to those experienced from 2014 through 2016 with some reductions possible relative to 2014 and 2015 incidental catch levels. Amendment 111 to the BSAI FMP reduced BSAI halibut PSC limits in 2016 and incidental catch decreased beginning that year (81 FR 24714, April 27, 2016). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/reports/chinook_salmon_mortality2017.pdf accessed on 04/17/17. \2\ https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/reports/chum_salmon_mortality2017.pdf accessed on 04/17/17. \3\ https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/reports/car120_psc_goa2014.pdf accessed on 04/17/17. \4\ https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/reports/car120_psc_goa2015.pdf accessed on 04/17/17. \5\ https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/reports/car120_psc_goa2016.pdf accessed on 04/17/17. \6\ https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/reports/car120_psc_goa2014.pdf accessed on 04/17/17. \7\ https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/reports/car120_psc_goa2015.pdf accessed on 04/17/17. \8\ https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/reports/car120_psc_goa2016.pdf accessed on 04/17/17. \9\ https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/reports/car120_psc_bsai_with_cdq2014.pdf accessed on 04/17/17. \10\ https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/reports/car120_psc_bsai_with_cdq2015.pdf accessed on 04/17/17. \11\ https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/reports/car120_psc_bsai_with_cdq2016.pdf accessed on 04/17/17. \12\ https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/reports/car120_psc_goa2014.pdf accessed on 04/17/17. \13\ https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/reports/car120_psc_goa2015.pdf accessed on 04/17/17. \14\ https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/reports/car120_psc_goa2016.pdf accessed on 04/17/17. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chinook salmon PSC limits are established for the Bering Sea and central and western GOA pollock fisheries that, when attained, result in the closure of pollock fishing. The Chinook salmon PSC limits for the Bering Sea pollock fisheries were originally established by Amendment 91 to the BSAI FMP (75 FR 53026, August 30, 2010) and established for the central and western GOA pollock fisheries by Amendment 93 to the GOA FMP (77 FR 42629, July 20, 2012). In 2016, Amendment 110 to the BSAI FMP was implemented to improve the management of Chinook and chum salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea pollock fishery by creating a comprehensive salmon bycatch avoidance program (81 FR 37534, June 10, 2016). In 2015, Amendment 97 to the GOA FMP established annual Chinook salmon PSC limits for the groundfish trawl fisheries, except for pollock trawl fisheries, in the Western and Central GOA (79 FR 71350, December 2, 2014). While salmon incidental catch amounts tend to vary between years, making it difficult to accurately predict future incidental take amounts, the total, or maximum, amount of annual Chinook salmon incidental catch in the Bering Sea and GOA pollock fisheries is constrained by the PSC limits. 4. The number of vessels and processors participating in the PSD program. For the 2017 permit renewal, shoreside processors will decrease slightly from 15 to 13, and vessels delivering to shoreside processors will increase slightly from 137 to 138. Catcher/processors participating in the PSD program for salmon will decrease slightly from 36 to 35 under the 2017 permit renewal. Catcher vessels delivering to motherships will remain at 15 vessels. NMFS issues PSD permits to SeaShare for a 3-year period unless the permits are suspended or revoked under Sec. 679.26. The permits may not be transferred; however, they may be renewed following the application procedures in Sec. 679.26. If the authorized distributor modifies the list of participants in the PSD program or delivery locations, the authorized distributor must submit a modified list of participants or a modified list of delivery locations to the Regional Administrator. These permits may be suspended, modified, or revoked under 15 CFR part 904 for violation of Sec. 679.26 or other regulations in 50 CFR part 679. Classification This action is taken under Sec. 679.26. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 1801 et seq.; 3631 et seq.; Pub. L. 108-447; Pub. L. 111-281. Dated: June 9, 2017. Margo B. Schulze-Haugen, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017-12313 Filed 6-13-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![27238 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 113 / Wednesday, June 14, 2017 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE group for discussion, those issues may FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
not be the subject of formal action Megan Mackey, 907–586–7228.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric during this meeting. Actions will be SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Administration restricted to those issues specifically
listed in this notice and any issues Background
RIN 0648–XF478
arising after publication of this notice Fishing for groundfish by U.S. vessels
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management that require emergency action under in the exclusive economic zone of the
Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting Section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Fishery Conservation and Management management area (BSAI) and Gulf of
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Act, provided the public has been Alaska (GOA) is managed by NMFS in
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and notified of the Council’s intent to take accordance with the Fishery
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), final action to address the emergency. Management Plan for Groundfish of the
Commerce.
Special Accommodations Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
ACTION: Notice; public meeting. Management Area (BSAI FMP) and the
The meeting is physically accessible Fishery Management Plan for
SUMMARY: The Mid-Atlantic Fishery to people with disabilities. Requests for
Management Council’s (Council’s) Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA
sign language interpretation or other FMP). These fishery management plans
Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea auxiliary aid should be directed to M.
Bass Advisory Panel (AP) will hold a (FMPs) were prepared by the North
Jan Saunders, (302) 526–5251, at least 5 Pacific Fishery Management Council
public meeting, jointly with the Atlantic days prior to the meeting date.
States Marine Fisheries Commission’s under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
(ASMFC) Summer Flounder, Scup, and Dated: June 8, 2017. Conservation and Management Act, 16
Black Sea Bass Advisory Panel. Tracey L. Thompson, U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Regulations
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable governing the Alaska groundfish
DATES: The meeting will be held on
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. fisheries and implementing the FMPs
Wednesday, June 28, 2017, from 10 a.m.
[FR Doc. 2017–12254 Filed 6–13–17; 8:45 am] appear at 50 CFR parts 600 and 679.
until 4:30 p.m.
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
Fishing for halibut in waters in and off
ADDRESSES: Alaska is governed by the Convention
Meeting address: The meeting will be between the United States and Canada
held at the Double Tree by Hilton for the Preservation of the Halibut
Baltimore –BWI Airport, 890 Elkridge DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Fishery of the North Pacific Ocean and
Landing Road, Linthicum, MD 21090; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Bering Sea (Convention). The
telephone: (410) 859–8400. Administration International Pacific Halibut
Council address: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Commission (IPHC) promulgates
Management Council, 800 N. State regulations pursuant to the Convention.
RIN 0648–XF320
Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901; The IPHC’s regulations are subject to
telephone: (302) 674–2331; Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic approval by the Secretary of State with
www.mafmc.org. Zone Off Alaska; Prohibited Species concurrence from the Secretary of
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donation Program Commerce. After approval by the
Christopher M. Moore, Ph.D., Executive Secretary of State and the Secretary of
Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
Commerce, the IPHC regulations are
Management Council; telephone: (302) Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
published in the Federal Register as
526–5255. Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
annual management measures pursuant
Commerce.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The to 50 CFR 300.62.
Council’s Summer Flounder, Scup, and ACTION: Notice; selection of an Retention of incidentally caught
Black Sea Bass AP will meet jointly authorized distributor. prohibited species is prohibited in the
with the ASMFC’s Summer Flounder, SUMMARY: NMFS announces the renewal groundfish fisheries except for salmon
Scup, and Black Sea Bass AP. The of two prohibited species donation and halibut for the purposes of the PSD
purpose of this meeting is to discuss (PSD) permits to SeaShare, authorizing program. Amendments 26 and 29 to the
recent performance of the commercial this organization to distribute Pacific BSAI and GOA FMPs, respectively,
and recreational fisheries for summer salmon and Pacific halibut to authorize a salmon donation program
flounder, scup, and black sea bass, and economically disadvantaged individuals and were approved by NMFS on July 10,
develop annual Fishery Performance under the PSD program. Salmon and 1996; a final rule implementing this
Reports for these fisheries. The Council halibut are caught incidentally during program was published in the Federal
and the ASMFC will consider the directed fishing for groundfish with Register on July 24, 1996 (61 FR 38358).
Fishery Performance Reports later in trawl gear off Alaska. This action is The salmon donation program was
2017 when reviewing previously necessary to comply with provisions of expanded to include halibut as part of
implemented 2018 fishery specifications the PSD program and is intended to the PSD program under Amendments 50
(i.e., catch and landings limits and promote the goals and objectives of the and 50 to the FMPs that were approved
management measures) for all three North Pacific Fishery Management by NMFS on May 6, 1998. A final rule
species, and possibly recommending Council. implementing Amendments 50 and 50
2019 specifications for scup. The AP was published in the Federal Register
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
will also discuss commercial summer DATES: The permits are effective from on June 12, 1998 (63 FR 32144).
flounder management alternatives under June 14, 2017 through June 15, 2020. Although that final rule contained a
development for the Council and ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the PSD sunset provision for the halibut PSD
ASMFC’s ongoing Comprehensive permits for salmon and halibut prepared program of December 31, 2000, the
Summer Flounder Amendment. for this action may be obtained from the halibut PSD program was permanently
Although other non-emergency issues Alaska Region Web site at http:// extended under a final rule published in
not on the agenda may come before this www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. the Federal Register on December 14,
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 113 / Wednesday, June 14, 2017 / Notices 27239
2000 (65 FR 78119). A full description effective June 11, 2014, and authorize 2. The number of harvesters and the
of, and background information on, the SeaShare to participate in the PSD quantity of fish that applicants can
PSD program may be found in the program through June 12, 2017 (79 FR effectively administer. Current
preambles to the proposed rules for 33526, June 11, 2014). participants in the salmon donation
Amendments 26 and 29, and On April 17, 2017, the Regional program administered by SeaShare
Amendments 50 and 50 (61 FR 24750, Administrator received an application include 13 shoreside processors and 138
May 16, 1996, and 63 FR 10583, March from SeaShare to renew its salmon and catcher vessels delivering to shoreside
4, 1998, respectively). halibut PSD permits. The Regional processors; 35 catcher/processors; and 3
Section 679.26 authorizes the Administrator reviewed the application motherships and 15 catcher vessels
voluntary distribution of salmon and and determined that it is complete and delivering to motherships, with all 15
halibut taken incidentally in the that SeaShare continues to meet the vessels delivering to both shoreside and
groundfish trawl fisheries off Alaska to requirements for an authorized motherships. Thirteen shoreside
economically disadvantaged individuals distributor under the PSD program. As processors and 138 catcher vessels
by tax-exempt organizations through an required by § 679.26(b)(2), the Regional participate in the halibut donation
authorized distributor. The Administrator based his selection on the program administered by SeaShare. Two
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS following criteria: reprocessing plants that generate
(Regional Administrator), may select 1. The number and qualifications of
steaked salmon and halibut participate
one or more tax-exempt organizations to applicants for PSD permits. SeaShare is
in the PSD program. SeaShare has the
be authorized distributors, as defined by the only applicant for PSD permits at
capacity to receive and distribute
§ 679.2, based on the information this time. NMFS has previously
salmon and halibut from up to 60
submitted by applicants under § 679.26. approved applications submitted by
processors and the associated catcher
After review of qualified applicants, SeaShare. As of the date of this notice,
vessels. Therefore, it is anticipated that
NMFS must announce the selection of no other applications have been
approved by NMFS. SeaShare has been SeaShare has more than adequate
each authorized distributor in the capacity for any foreseeable expansion
Federal Register and issue one or more coordinating the distribution of salmon
taken incidentally in trawl fisheries of donations.
PSD permits to each selected
distributor. since 1993, and of halibut taken In 2011, participation in the PSD
incidentally in trawl fisheries since program expanded beyond the BSAI to
Renewal of Permits to SeaShare 1998, under exempted fishing permits include GOA processors and vessels.
Currently, SeaShare, a tax-exempt from 1993 to 1996 and under the PSD Table 1 shows the total pounds of
organization founded to help the program since 1996. SeaShare employs headed-and-gutted and steaked salmon
seafood industry donate to U.S. hunger independent seafood quality control and halibut donated to food bank
relief efforts, is the sole authorized experts to ensure product quality is organizations from 2014 through 2016.
distributor of salmon and halibut taken maintained by cold storage facilities and NMFS does not have information to
incidentally in the groundfish trawl common carriers servicing the areas convert accurately the net weights of
fisheries off Alaska. SeaShare’s current where salmon and halibut donations salmon and halibut to numbers of
salmon and halibut PSD permits became would take place. salmon and numbers of halibut.
TABLE 1—HEADED-AND-GUTTED (H&G) AND STEAKED SALMON AND HALIBUT DONATED TO FOOD BANK ORGANIZATIONS
[pounds]
2014 2015 2016 Total
Salmon H&G .................................................................................................... 0 0 536 536
Salmon steaked ............................................................................................... 398,587 449,865 436,700 1,285,152
Halibut H&G ..................................................................................................... 13,050 26,605 13,144 52,799
Halibut steaked ................................................................................................ 45,988 21,680 37,240 104,908
Total Inventory .......................................................................................... 457,625 498,150 487,620 1,443,395
3. The anticipated level of salmon from previous years. The incidental BSAI trawl fisheries are shown in Table
and halibut incidental catch based on catch of salmon and incidental catch 2.
salmon and halibut incidental catch mortality of halibut in the GOA and
TABLE 2—INCIDENTAL CATCH OF SALMON AND INCIDENTAL CATCH MORTALITY OF HALIBUT IN THE GOA AND BSAI TRAWL
FISHERIES
[in number of fish or metric tons]
Area fishery 2014 2015 2016
BSAI Trawl Chinook Salmon Incidental Catch 1 ................................................................ 18,096 fish ........ 25,253 fish ........ 32,560 fish.
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
BSAI Trawl Other Salmon Incidental Catch 2 ..................................................................... 223,853 fish ...... 243,343 fish ...... 347,138 fish.
GOA Trawl Chinook Salmon Incidental Catch ................................................................... 15,702 fish 3 ...... 18,946 fish 4 ...... 21,896 fish. 5
GOA Trawl Other Salmon Incidental Catch ....................................................................... 2,319 fish 6 ........ 1,319 fish 7 ........ 2,775 fish. 8
BSAI Trawl Halibut Mortality ............................................................................................... 2,824 mt 9 ......... 1,889 mt 10 ........ 1,982 mt. 11
GOA Trawl Halibut Mortality ............................................................................................... 1,392 mt 12 ........ 1,413 mt 13 ........ 1,336 mt. 14
mt = metric tons
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![27240 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 113 / Wednesday, June 14, 2017 / Notices
Halibut incidental catch amounts are 10, 2016). In 2015, Amendment 97 to DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
constrained by an annual prohibited the GOA FMP established annual
species catch (PSC) limit in the BSAI Chinook salmon PSC limits for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
and GOA. Future halibut incidental groundfish trawl fisheries, except for Administration
catch levels likely will be similar to pollock trawl fisheries, in the Western RIN 0648–XF246
those experienced from 2014 through and Central GOA (79 FR 71350,
2016 with some reductions possible December 2, 2014). While salmon Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to
relative to 2014 and 2015 incidental incidental catch amounts tend to vary Specified Activities; Taking Marine
catch levels. Amendment 111 to the between years, making it difficult to Mammals Incidental to the Chevron
BSAI FMP reduced BSAI halibut PSC Richmond Refinery Long Wharf
accurately predict future incidental take
limits in 2016 and incidental catch Maintenance and Efficiency Project in
amounts, the total, or maximum,
decreased beginning that year (81 FR San Francisco Bay, California
24714, April 27, 2016). amount of annual Chinook salmon
Chinook salmon PSC limits are incidental catch in the Bering Sea and AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
established for the Bering Sea and GOA pollock fisheries is constrained by Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
central and western GOA pollock the PSC limits. Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
fisheries that, when attained, result in 4. The number of vessels and Commerce.
the closure of pollock fishing. The processors participating in the PSD ACTION: Notice; issuance of an incidental
Chinook salmon PSC limits for the program. For the 2017 permit renewal, harassment authorization.
Bering Sea pollock fisheries were shoreside processors will decrease
originally established by Amendment 91 slightly from 15 to 13, and vessels SUMMARY: In accordance with the
to the BSAI FMP (75 FR 53026, August delivering to shoreside processors will regulations implementing the Marine
30, 2010) and established for the central Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as
increase slightly from 137 to 138.
and western GOA pollock fisheries by amended, notification is hereby given
Catcher/processors participating in the
Amendment 93 to the GOA FMP (77 FR that NMFS has issued an incidental
PSD program for salmon will decrease harassment authorization (IHA) to
42629, July 20, 2012). In 2016,
Amendment 110 to the BSAI FMP was slightly from 36 to 35 under the 2017 Chevron to incidentally harass, by Level
implemented to improve the permit renewal. Catcher vessels B harassment only, marine mammals
management of Chinook and chum delivering to motherships will remain at during construction activities associated
salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea 15 vessels. with the Richmond Refinery Long
pollock fishery by creating a NMFS issues PSD permits to SeaShare Wharf Maintenance and Efficiency
comprehensive salmon bycatch for a 3-year period unless the permits Project (WMEP) in San Francisco Bay,
avoidance program (81 FR 37534, June are suspended or revoked under California.
§ 679.26. The permits may not be DATES: The Authorization is in effect for
1 https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/
transferred; however, they may be one year beginning January 1, 2018
files/reports/chinook_salmon_mortality2017.pdf
accessed on 04/17/17. renewed following the application through December 31, 2018.
2 https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/ procedures in § 679.26. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
files/reports/chum_salmon_mortality2017.pdf
accessed on 04/17/17. If the authorized distributor modifies Robert Pauline, Office of Protected
3 https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/ the list of participants in the PSD Resources, NMFS, (301) 427–8401.
files/reports/car120_psc_goa2014.pdf accessed on program or delivery locations, the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
04/17/17.
authorized distributor must submit a
4 https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/ Availability
files/reports/car120_psc_goa2015.pdf accessed on modified list of participants or a
04/17/17. modified list of delivery locations to the An electronic copy of Chevron’s
5 https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/
Regional Administrator. application and supporting documents,
files/reports/car120_psc_goa2016.pdf accessed on as well as a list of the references cited
04/17/17. These permits may be suspended,
in this document, may be obtained
6 https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/ modified, or revoked under 15 CFR part online at: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/
files/reports/car120_psc_goa2014.pdf accessed on 904 for violation of § 679.26 or other
04/17/17. permits/incidental/construction.htm. In
7 https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/ regulations in 50 CFR part 679. case of problems accessing these
files/reports/car120_psc_goa2015.pdf accessed on documents, please call the contact listed
04/17/17.
Classification
8 https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/
above (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
files/reports/car120_psc_goa2016.pdf accessed on This action is taken under § 679.26. CONTACT).
04/17/17. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 1801 et
9 https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/
Background
seq.; 3631 et seq.; Pub. L. 108–447; Pub. L.
files/reports/car120_psc_bsai_with_cdq2014.pdf Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the
accessed on 04/17/17. 111–281.
10 https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/
MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct
Dated: June 9, 2017. the Secretary of Commerce to allow,
files/reports/car120_psc_bsai_with_cdq2015.pdf
accessed on 04/17/17. Margo B. Schulze-Haugen, upon request, the incidental, but not
11 https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable intentional, taking of small numbers of
files/reports/car120_psc_bsai_with_cdq2016.pdf Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. marine mammals by U.S. citizens who
accessed on 04/17/17.
engage in a specified activity (other than
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
12 https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/ [FR Doc. 2017–12313 Filed 6–13–17; 8:45 am]
files/reports/car120_psc_goa2014.pdf accessed on BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
commercial fishing) within a specified
04/17/17. geographical region if certain findings
13 https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/
are made and either regulations are
files/reports/car120_psc_goa2015.pdf accessed on issued or, if the taking is limited to
04/17/17.
14 https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/
harassment, a notice of a proposed
files/reports/car120_psc_goa2016.pdf accessed on authorization is provided to the public
04/17/17. for review.
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:36 Jun 13, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\14JNN1.SGM 14JNN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_27351/page/3.svg)
Document Created: 2017-06-14 01:23:58
Document Modified: 2017-06-14 01:23:58
| 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 | Notices | |
| Action | Notice; selection of an authorized distributor. | |
| Dates | The permits are effective from June 14, 2017 through June 15, 2020. | |
| Contact | Megan Mackey, 907-586-7228. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 27238 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF32 |
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