82 FR 57924 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska; 2018 and 2019 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 235 (December 8, 2017)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 235 (December 8, 2017)
| Page Range | 57924-57946 | |
| FR Document | 2017-26473 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 235 (Friday, December 8, 2017)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 57924-57946] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-26473] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 170816769-7769-01] RIN 0648-XF633 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska; 2018 and 2019 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS proposes 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications, apportionments, and Pacific halibut prohibited species catch limits for the groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to establish harvest limits for groundfish during the 2018 and 2019 fishing years and to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska. The intended effect of this action is to conserve and manage the groundfish resources in the GOA in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. DATES: Comments must be received by January 8, 2018. ADDRESSES: Submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA-NMFS- 2017-0107, by either of the following methods:Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-0107, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. [[Page 57925]] Mail: Submit written comments to Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn: Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668. Instructions: NMFS may not consider comments if they are sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the comment period ends. All comments received are a part of the public record, and NMFS will post the comments for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender is publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ``N/ A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). Electronic copies of the Alaska Groundfish Harvest Specifications Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS), Record of Decision (ROD) for the Final EIS, Supplementary Information Report (SIR) to the Final EIS, and the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) prepared for this action may be obtained from http://www.regulations.gov or from the Alaska Region Web site at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. The final 2016 Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) report for the groundfish resources of the GOA, dated November 2016, is available from the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) at 605 West 4th Avenue, Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 99501, phone 907-271-2809, or from the Council's Web site at http://www.npfmc.org. The draft 2017 SAFE report for the GOA will be available from the same source. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907-586-7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the GOA groundfish fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the GOA under the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP). The Council prepared the FMP under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), 16 U.S.C. 1801, et seq. Regulations governing U.S. fisheries and implementing the FMP appear at 50 CFR parts 600, 679, and 680. The FMP and its implementing regulations require NMFS, after consultation with the Council, to specify the total allowable catch (TAC) for each target species, the sum of which must be within the optimum yield (OY) range of 116,000 to 800,000 metric tons (mt) (Sec. 679.20(a)(1)(i)(B)). Section 679.20(c)(1) further requires NMFS to publish and solicit public comment on proposed annual TACs and apportionments thereof, Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limits, and seasonal allowances of pollock and Pacific cod. The proposed harvest specifications in Tables 1 through 19 of this document satisfy these requirements. For 2018 and 2019, the sum of the proposed TAC amounts is 465,832 mt. Under Sec. 679.20(c)(3), NMFS will publish the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications after (1) considering comments received within the comment period (see DATES), (2) consulting with the Council at its December 2017 meeting, (3) considering information presented in the 2017 SIR that assesses the need to prepare a Supplemental EIS (see ADDRESSES), and (4) considering information presented in the final 2017 SAFE report prepared for the 2018 and 2019 groundfish fisheries. Other Actions Potentially Affecting the 2018 and 2019 Harvest Specifications Amendment 106: Reclassify Squid as an Ecosystem Species In June 2017, the Council recommended for Secretarial review Amendment 106 to the FMP. Amendment 106 would reclassify squid in the FMP as an ``Ecosystem Component Species'' which is a category of non- target species that are not in need of conservation and management. Currently, NMFS annually sets an Overfishing Level (OFL), Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC), and TAC for squid in the GOA groundfish harvest specifications. Under Amendment 106, OFL, ABC, and TAC specifications would no longer be required. Proposed regulations to implement Amendment 106 would prohibit directed fishing for squid, require recordkeeping and reporting to monitor and report catch of squid species annually, and establish a squid maximum retainable amount when directed fishing for groundfish species at 20 percent to discourage retention, while allowing flexibility to prosecute groundfish fisheries. Further details will be available on publication of the proposed rule for Amendment 106. If Amendment 106 and its implementing regulations are approved by the Secretary of Commerce, this action is anticipated to be effective in 2019. Until Amendment 106 is effective, NMFS will continue to publish OFLs, ABCs, and TACs for squid in the GOA groundfish harvest specifications. Proposed ABC and TAC Specifications In October 2017, the Council, its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), and its Advisory Panel (AP) reviewed the most recent biological and harvest information about the condition of groundfish stocks in the GOA. This information was compiled by the GOA Groundfish Plan Team (Plan Team) and presented in the final 2016 SAFE report for the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated November 2016 (see ADDRESSES). The SAFE report contains a review of the latest scientific analyses and estimates of each species' biomass and other biological parameters, as well as summaries of the available information on the GOA ecosystem and the economic condition of the groundfish fisheries off Alaska. From these data and analyses, the Plan Team estimates--and the SSC sets--an OFL and ABC for each species or species group. The amounts proposed for the 2018 and 2019 OFLs and ABCs are based on the 2016 SAFE report. The AP and Council recommended that the proposed 2018 and 2019 TACs be set equal to proposed ABCs for all species and species groups, with the exception of the species categories further discussed below. The proposed OFLs, ABCs, and TACs could be changed in the final harvest specifications depending on the most recent scientific information contained in the final 2017 SAFE report. The draft stock assessments that will comprise, in part, the 2017 SAFE report are available at http://legistar2.granicus.com/npfmc/meetings/2017/9/962_A_Groundfish_Plan_Team_17-09-12_Meeting_Agenda.pdf. The Council recommends and NMFS proposes a reduction in the Pacific cod OFL, ABC, and TAC levels as compared to those levels implemented for Pacific cod in the 2017 and 2018 final GOA groundfish harvest specifications. The Council concurred with its SSC's recommendation to reduce the Pacific cod OFL and ABC, as well as its AP's recommendation for a corresponding reduction in the Pacific cod TAC. The reductions to the Pacific cod OFL, ABC, and TAC are the result of preliminary 2017 GOA bottom trawl survey data, as well as other data, that recently became available to stock assessment scientists. Based on the results of the 2017 GOA bottom trawl survey estimates and preliminary modeling for the Pacific cod stock assessment, the Pacific cod biomass and abundance has decreased significantly since the 2015 GOA bottom trawl survey. This decrease is corroborated by additional data sets that appear to support the trawl survey results associated with a decrease in the [[Page 57926]] Pacific cod biomass. This information led to the recommended reduction in the proposed 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod OFL and ABC. The SSC opted to recommend a proposed 2018 OFL and ABC based on the average of the current 2018 OFL and ABC amounts and preliminary Tier 5 OFL and ABC amounts provided by the Pacific cod stock assessment author. This precautionary approach provides a strong indication of decreases in the OFL and ABC amounts for the final harvest specifications. However, this was a temporary approach used only for these proposed specifications, and Pacific cod remains in Tier 3a. The SSC also strongly noted that the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for Pacific cod could be even lower than those recommended in the proposed 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications once the stock assessment process has been completed and reviewed by December 2017.The proposed Pacific cod OFL, ABC, and TAC amounts likely will further change once the Pacific cod stock assessment is finalized, reviewed by the Council's groundfish Plan Team in November, and then subsequently reviewed by the SSC, AP, and Council in December 2017. In addition, as discussed later in this preamble, decreases in Pacific cod OFL, ABC, and TAC could affect seasonal and sector apportionments of Pacific cod TAC and, potentially, apportionments of halibut PSC limit among fisheries. In November 2017, the Plan Team will update the 2016 SAFE report to include new information collected during 2017, such as NMFS stock surveys, revised stock assessments, and catch data. The Plan Team will compile this information and produce the draft 2017 SAFE report for presentation at the December 2017 Council meeting. At that meeting, the Council will consider information in the draft 2017 SAFE report, recommendations from the November 2017 Plan Team meeting and December 2017 SSC and AP meetings, public testimony, and relevant written public comments in making its recommendations for the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications. Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(2) and (3), the Council could recommend adjusting the TACs if warranted on the biological condition of groundfish stocks or a variety of socioeconomic considerations, or if required in order to cause the sum to fall within the optimum yield range. In previous years, the OFLs and ABCs that have had the most significant changes (relative to the amount of assessed tonnage of fish) from the proposed to the final harvest specifications have been for OFLs and ABCs that are based on the most recent NMFS stock surveys. These surveys provide updated estimates of stock biomass and spatial distribution, and changes to the models used for producing stock assessments. NMFS scientists presented updated and new survey results, changes to assessment models, and accompanying stock estimates at the September 2017 Plan Team meeting, and the SSC reviewed this information at the October 2017 Council meeting. The species with possible significant model changes are arrowtooth flounder, Pacific cod, Pacific ocean perch, pollock, and rex sole. Model changes can result in changes to OFLs, ABCs, and TACs. In November 2017, the Plan Team will consider updated stock assessments for groundfish, which will be included in the draft 2017 SAFE report. If the draft 2017 SAFE report indicates that the stock biomass trend is increasing for a species, then the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for that species may reflect an increase from the proposed harvest specifications. Conversely, if the draft 2017 SAFE report indicates that the stock biomass trend is decreasing for a species, then the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications may reflect a decrease from the proposed harvest specifications. The proposed 2018 and 2019 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs are based on the best available biological and socioeconomic information, including projected biomass trends, information on assumed distribution of stock biomass, and revised methods used to calculate stock biomass. The FMP specifies the formulas, or tiers, to be used to compute OFLs and ABCs. The formulas applicable to a particular stock or stock complex are determined by the level of reliable information available to the fisheries scientists. This information is categorized into a successive series of six tiers to define OFL and ABC amounts, with Tier 1 representing the highest level of information quality available and Tier 6 representing the lowest level of information quality available. The Plan Team used the FMP tier structure to calculate OFLs and ABCs for each groundfish species. The SSC adopted the proposed 2018 and 2019 OFLs and ABCs recommended by the Plan Team for all groundfish species, with the exception of Pacific cod. The Council adopted the SSC's OFL and ABC recommendations and the AP's TAC recommendations. These amounts have changed from the final 2018 harvest specifications published in the Federal Register on February 27, 2017 (82 FR 12032) as a result of the recommended decreases to the Pacific cod OFL, ABC, and TAC, as previously discussed. Specification and Apportionment of TAC Amounts The Council recommended proposed 2018 and 2019 TACs that are equal to proposed ABCs for all species and species groups, with the exception of the Western, Central, and West Yakutat pollock ABC, Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish in the Western GOA, arrowtooth flounder, flathead sole in the Western and Central GOA, ``other rockfish'' in Southeast Outside (SEO) District, and Atka mackerel. The combined Western, Central, and West Yakutat pollock TAC is set to account for the State of Alaska's (State) guideline harvest levels (GHLs) for the State water pollock fishery. Similarly, the Pacific cod TACs are reduced from ABC levels to account for the State's GHLs for Pacific cod so that the ABCs are not exceeded. The shallow-water flatfish, arrowtooth flounder, and flathead sole TACs are set to allow for increased harvest opportunities for these target species while conserving the halibut PSC limit for use in other fisheries. The ``other rockfish'' TAC is set to reduce the potential amount of discards of the species in that complex. The Atka mackerel TAC is set to accommodate incidental catch amounts in other fisheries. These reductions are described below. The proposed 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod TACs are set to accommodate the State's GHLs for Pacific cod in State waters in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, as well as in Prince William Sound (PWS). The Plan Team, SSC, AP, and Council recommended that the sum of all State and Federal water Pacific cod removals from the GOA not exceed ABC recommendations. Therefore, the proposed 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod TACs are less than the proposed ABCs by the following amounts: (1) Western GOA, 6,770 mt; (2) Central GOA, 6,868 mt; and (3) Eastern GOA, 1,224 mt. These amounts reflect the sum of the State's 2018 and 2019 GHLs in these areas, which are 30 percent of the Western GOA proposed ABC, and 25 percent of the Eastern and Central GOA proposed ABCs. The ABC for the pollock stock in the combined Western, Central, and West Yakutat Regulatory Areas (W/C/WYK) includes the amount for the GHL established by the State for the PWS pollock fishery. The Plan Team, SSC, AP, and Council recommended that the sum of all State and Federal water pollock removals from the GOA not exceed ABC recommendations. For 2018 [[Page 57927]] and 2019, the SSC recommended and the Council approved the W/C/WYK pollock ABC, including the amount to account for the State's PWS GHL. At the November 2016 Plan Team meeting, State fisheries managers recommended setting the PWS GHL at 2.5 percent of the annual W/C/WYK pollock ABC. For 2018, this yields a PWS pollock GHL of 3,937 mt, a decrease from the 2017 PWS GHL of 5,094 mt. After accounting for PWS GHL, the 2018 and 2019 pollock ABC for the combined W/C/WYK areas is then apportioned between four statistical areas (Areas 610, 620, 630, and 640) as both ABCs and TACs, as described below and detailed in Table 1. The total ABCs and TACs for the four statistical areas, plus the State GHL, do not exceed the combined W/C/WYK ABC. The proposed W/ C/WYK 2018 and 2019 pollock ABC is 157,496 mt, and the proposed TAC is 153,559 mt. Apportionments of pollock to the W/C/WYK management areas are considered to be ``apportionments of annual catch limit (ACLs)'' rather than ``ABCs.'' This more accurately reflects that such apportionments address management, rather than biological or conservation, concerns. In addition, apportionments of the ACL in this manner allow NMFS to balance any transfer of TAC among Areas 610, 620, and 630 pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B) to ensure that the area-wide ACL, ABC, and TAC are not exceeded. NMFS' proposed apportionments of groundfish species are based on the distribution of biomass among the regulatory areas under which NMFS manages the species. Additional regulations govern the apportionment of pollock, Pacific cod, and sablefish. Additional detail on these apportionments are described below, and briefly summarized here. NMFS proposes pollock TACs in the W/C/WYK and the SEO District of the GOA (see Table 1). NMFS also proposes seasonal apportionment of the annual pollock TAC in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA between Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630. These apportionments are divided equally among each of the following four seasons: The A season (January 20 through March 10), the B season (March 10 through May 31), the C season (August 25 through October 1), and the D season (October 1 through November 1) (Sec. 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), and Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A) and (B)). Additional detail is provided below; Table 2 lists these amounts. NMFS proposes Pacific cod TACs in the Western, Central, and Eastern GOA (see Table 1). NMFS also proposes seasonal apportionment of the Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas. Sixty percent of the annual TAC is apportioned to the A season for hook-and- line, pot, and jig gear from January 1 through June 10, and for trawl gear from January 20 through June 10. Forty percent of the annual TAC is apportioned to the B season for jig gear from June 10 through December 31, for hook-and-line and pot gear from September 1 through December 31, and for trawl gear from September 1 through November 1 (Sec. Sec. 679.23(d)(3) and 679.20(a)(12)). The Western and Central GOA Pacific cod TACs are allocated among various gear and operational sectors. Additional detail is provided below; Table 3 lists the amounts apportioned to each sector. The Council's recommendation for sablefish area apportionments takes into account the prohibition on the use of trawl gear in the SEO District of the Eastern Regulatory Area (Sec. 679.7(b)(1)) and makes available 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area TACs to trawl gear for use as incidental catch in other groundfish fisheries in the WYK District (Sec. 679.20(a)(4)(i)). Additional detail is provided below. Tables 4 and 5 list the proposed 2018 and 2019 allocations of the sablefish TAC to fixed gear and trawl gear in the GOA. For 2018 and 2019, the Council recommends and NMFS proposes the OFLs, ABCs, and TACs listed in Table 1. The proposed ABCs reflect harvest amounts that are less than the specified overfishing levels. Table 1 lists the proposed 2018 and 2019 OFLs, ABCs, TACs, and area apportionments of groundfish in the GOA. These amounts are consistent with the biological condition of groundfish stocks as described in the 2016 SAFE report, and adjusted for other biological and socioeconomic considerations, including maintaining the total TAC within the required OY range. The sum of the proposed TACs for all GOA groundfish is 465,832 mt for 2018 and 2019, which is within the OY range specified by the FMP. These proposed amounts and apportionments by area, season, and sector are subject to change pending consideration of the draft 2017 SAFE report and the Council's recommendations for the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications during its December 2017 meeting. Table 1--Proposed 2018 and 2019 ABCs, TACs, and OFLs of Groundfish for the Western/Central/West Yakutat, Western, Central, and Eastern Regulatory Areas, and in the West Yakutat, Southeast Outside, and Gulfwide Districts of the Gulf of Alaska [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Area \1\ OFL ABC TAC \2\ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pollock \2\........................... Shumagin (610).......... n/a 33,701 33,701 Chirikof (620).......... n/a 76,249 76,249 Kodiak (630)............ n/a 37,818 37,818 WYK (640)............... n/a 5,791 5,791 W/C/WYK (subtotal)...... 182,204 157,496 153,559 SEO (650)............... 13,226 9,920 9,920 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total................ 195,430 167,416 163,479 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pacific cod \3\....................... W....................... n/a 22,565 15,796 C....................... n/a 27,471 20,603 E....................... n/a 4,894 3,671 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total................ 67,486 54,930 40,069 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sablefish \4\......................... W....................... n/a 1,367 1,367 C....................... n/a 4,574 4,574 WYK..................... n/a 1,626 1,626 SEO..................... n/a 2,640 2,640 [[Page 57928]] E (WYK and SEO) n/a 4,266 4,266 (subtotal). ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total................ 12,045 10,207 10,207 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shallow-water flatfish \5\............ W....................... n/a 21,042 13,250 C....................... n/a 19,418 19,418 WYK..................... n/a 3,206 3,206 SEO..................... n/a 1,105 1,105 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total................ 54,893 44,771 36,979 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deep-water flatfish \6\............... W....................... n/a 257 257 C....................... n/a 3,488 3,488 WYK..................... n/a 3,047 3,047 SEO..................... n/a 2,590 2,590 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total................ 11,290 9,382 9,382 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rex sole.............................. W....................... n/a 1,478 1,478 C....................... n/a 4,995 4,995 WYK..................... n/a 861 861 SEO..................... n/a 1,087 1,087 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total................ 11,004 8,421 8,421 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arrowtooth flounder................... W....................... n/a 25,747 14,500 C....................... n/a 98,895 75,000 WYK..................... n/a 34,273 6,900 SEO..................... n/a 11,595 6,900 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total................ 196,635 170,510 103,300 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Flathead sole......................... W....................... n/a 11,282 8,650 C....................... n/a 20,677 15,400 WYK..................... n/a 2,998 2,998 SEO..................... n/a 872 872 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total................ 43,872 35,829 27,920 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pacific ocean perch \7\............... W....................... n/a 2,627 2,627 C....................... n/a 16,347 16,347 WYK..................... n/a 2,733 2,733 W/C/WYK................. 25,252 21,707 21,707 SEO..................... 2,032 1,747 1,747 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total................ 27,284 23,454 23,454 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Northern rockfish \8\................. W....................... n/a 400 400 C....................... n/a 3,108 3,108 E....................... n/a 4 .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total................ 4,175 3,512 3,508 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shortraker rockfish \9\............... W....................... n/a 38 38 C....................... n/a 301 301 E....................... n/a 947 947 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total................ 1,715 1,286 1,286 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dusky rockfish \10\................... W....................... n/a 146 146 C....................... n/a 3,499 3,499 WYK..................... n/a 232 232 SEO..................... n/a 77 77 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total................ 4,837 3,954 3,954 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rougheye and blackspotted rockfish W....................... n/a 104 104 \11\. C....................... n/a 702 702 E....................... n/a 512 512 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 57929]] Total................ 1,583 1,318 1,318 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Demersal shelf rockfish \12\.......... SEO..................... 357 227 227 Thornyhead rockfish \13\.............. W....................... n/a 291 291 C....................... n/a 988 988 E....................... n/a 682 682 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total................ 2,615 1,961 1,961 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other rockfish 14 15.................. W/C combined............ n/a 1,534 1,534 WYK..................... n/a 574 574 SEO..................... n/a 3,665 200 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total................ 7,424 5,773 2,308 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Atka mackerel......................... GW...................... 6,200 4,700 3,000 Big skates \16\....................... W....................... n/a 908 908 C....................... n/a 1,850 1,850 E....................... n/a 1,056 1,056 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total................ 5,086 3,814 3,814 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Longnose skates \17\.................. W....................... n/a 61 61 C....................... n/a 2,513 2,513 E....................... n/a 632 632 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total................ 4,274 3,206 3,206 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other skates \18\..................... GW...................... 2,558 1,919 1,919 Sculpins.............................. GW...................... 7,338 5,591 5,591 Sharks................................ GW...................... 6,020 4,514 4,514 Squids................................ GW...................... 1,516 1,137 1,137 Octopuses............................. GW...................... 6,504 4,878 4,878 ----------------------------------------------- Total............................. ........................ 682,141 572,710 465,832 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ Regulatory areas and districts are defined at Sec. 679.2. (W=Western Gulf of Alaska; C=Central Gulf of Alaska; E=Eastern Gulf of Alaska; WYK=West Yakutat District; SEO=Southeast Outside District; GW=Gulf-wide). \2\ The total for the W/C/WYK Regulatory Areas pollock ABC is 157,496 mt. After deducting 2.5 percent (3,937 mt) of that ABC for the State's pollock GHL fishery, the remaining pollock ABC of 153,559 mt (for the W/C/WYK Regulatory Areas) is apportioned among four statistical areas (Areas 610, 620, 630, and 640). These apportionments are considered subarea ACLs, rather than ABCs, for specification and reapportionment purposes. The ACLs in Areas 610, 620, and 630 are further divided by season, as detailed in Table 2. In the West Yakutat (Area 640) and Southeast Outside (Area 650) Districts of the Eastern Regulatory Area, pollock is not divided into seasonal allowances. \3\ The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned 60 percent to the A season and 40 percent to the B season in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA. Pacific cod TAC in the Eastern Regulatory Area is allocated 90 percent for processing by the inshore component and 10 percent for processing by the offshore component. Table 3 lists the proposed 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments. \4\ Sablefish is allocated to fixed and trawl gear in 2018 and trawl gear in 2019. Tables 4 and 5 list the proposed 2018 and 2019 allocations of sablefish TACs. \5\ ``Shallow-water flatfish'' means flatfish not including ``deep-water flatfish,'' flathead sole, rex sole, or arrowtooth flounder. \6\ ``Deep-water flatfish'' means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, and deep-sea sole. \7\ ``Pacific ocean perch'' means Sebastes alutus. \8\ ``Northern rockfish'' means Sebastes polyspinous. For management purposes the 3 mt apportionment of ABC to the WYK District of the Eastern Gulf of Alaska has been included in the other rockfish species group. \9\ ``Shortraker rockfish'' means Sebastes borealis. \10\ ``Dusky rockfish'' means Sebastes variabilis. \11\ ``Rougheye and blackspotted rockfish'' means Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and Sebastes melanostictus (blackspotted). \12\ ``Demersal shelf rockfish'' means Sebastes pinniger (canary), S. nebulosus (china), S. caurinus (copper), S. maliger (quillback), S. helvomaculatus (rosethorn), S. nigrocinctus (tiger), and S. ruberrimus (yelloweye). \13\ ``Thornyhead rockfish'' means Sebastes species. \14\ ``Other rockfish means Sebastes aurora (aurora), S. melanostomus (blackgill), S. paucispinis (bocaccio), S. goodei (chilipepper), S. crameri (darkblotch), S. elongatus (greenstriped), S. variegatus (harlequin), S. wilsoni (pygmy), S. babcocki (redbanded), S. proriger (redstripe), S. zacentrus (sharpchin), S. jordani (shortbelly), S. brevispinis (silvergray), S. diploproa (splitnose), S. saxicola (stripetail), S. miniatus (vermilion), S. reedi (yellowmouth), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus (yellowtail). In the Eastern GOA only, ``other rockfish'' also includes northern rockfish (S. polyspinous). \15\ ``Other rockfish'' in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat District means all rockfish species included in the ``other rockfish'' and demersal shelf rockfish categories. The ``other rockfish'' species group in the SEO District only includes other rockfish. \16\ ``Big skates'' means Raja binoculata. \17\ ``Longnose skates'' means Raja rhina. \18\ ``Other skates'' means Bathyraja and Raja spp. [[Page 57930]] Proposed Apportionment of Reserves Section 679.20(b)(2) requires NMFS to set aside 20 percent of each TAC for pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopuses in reserves for possible apportionment at a later date during the fishing year. In 2017, NMFS reapportioned all of the reserves in the final harvest specifications. For 2018 and 2019, NMFS proposes reapportionment of each of the reserves for pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopuses back into the original TAC from which the reserve was derived. NMFS expects, based on recent harvest patterns, that such reserves are not necessary and the entire TAC for each of these species will be caught. The TACs in Table 1 reflect this proposed reapportionment of reserve amounts for these species and species groups, i.e., each proposed TAC for the above mentioned species categories contains the full TAC recommended by the Council. Proposed Apportionments of Pollock TAC Among Seasons and Regulatory Areas, and Allocations for Processing by Inshore and Offshore Components In the GOA, pollock is apportioned by season and area, and is further allocated for processing by inshore and offshore components. Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B), the annual pollock TAC specified for the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA is apportioned into four equal seasonal allowances of 25 percent. As established by Sec. 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season allowances are available from January 20 through March 10, March 10 through May 31, August 25 through October 1, and October 1 through November 1, respectively. Pollock TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA are apportioned among Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A). In the A and B seasons, the apportionments had historically, since 2000, been based on the proportional distribution of pollock biomass based on the four most recent NMFS winter surveys. In the C and D seasons, the apportionments were in proportion to the distribution of pollock biomass based on the four most recent NMFS summer surveys. For 2018 and 2019, the Council recommends, and NMFS proposes, following the methodology that was used for the 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications. This methodology averages the winter and summer distribution of pollock in the Central Regulatory Area for the A season instead of using the distribution based on only the winter surveys. The average is intended to reflect the best available information about migration patterns, distribution of pollock, and the performance of the fishery in the area during the A season. For the A season, the apportionment is based on the proposed adjusted estimate of the relative distribution of pollock biomass of approximately 5 percent, 72 percent, and 23 percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. For the B season, the apportionment is based on the relative distribution of pollock biomass of approximately 5 percent, 82 percent, and 13 percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. For the C and D seasons, the apportionment is based on the relative distribution of pollock biomass of approximately 41 percent, 26 percent, and 33 percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. The pollock chapter of the 2016 SAFE report (see ADDRESSES) contains a comprehensive description of the apportionment process and reasons for the minor changes from past apportionments. Within any fishing year, the amount by which a seasonal allowance is underharvested or overharvested may be added to, or subtracted from, subsequent seasonal allowances in a manner to be determined by the Regional Administrator (Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The rollover amount is limited to 20 percent of the seasonal TAC apportionment for the statistical area. Any unharvested pollock above the 20-percent limit could be further distributed to the subsequent season in other statistical areas, in proportion to the estimated biomass and in an amount no more than 20 percent of the seasonal TAC apportionment in those statistical areas (Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The proposed 2018 and 2019 pollock TACs in the WYK District of 5,791 mt and the SEO District of 9,920 mt are not allocated by season. Section 679.20(a)(6)(i) requires the allocation of 100 percent of the pollock apportionments in all regulatory areas and all seasonal allowances to vessels catching pollock for processing by the inshore component after subtraction of pollock amounts projected by the Regional Administrator to be caught by, or delivered to, the offshore component incidental to directed fishing for other groundfish species. Thus, the amount of pollock available for harvest by vessels harvesting pollock for processing by the offshore component is that amount that will be taken as incidental catch during directed fishing for groundfish species other than pollock, up to the maximum retainable amounts allowed under Sec. 679.20(e) and (f). At this time, these incidental catch amounts of pollock are unknown and will be determined as fishing activity occurs during the fishing year by the offshore component. Table 2 lists the proposed 2018 and 2019 seasonal biomass distribution of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, area apportionments, and seasonal allowances. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and offshore components are not shown. Section 679.20(a)(6)(i) requires the allocation of 100 percent of the pollock TAC in all regulatory areas and all seasonal allowances to vessels catching pollock for processing by the inshore component after subtraction of amounts projected by the Regional Administrator to be caught by, or delivered to, the offshore component incidental to directed fishing for other groundfish species. Thus, the amount of pollock available for harvest by vessels harvesting pollock for processing by the offshore component is that amount that will be taken as incidental catch during directed fishing for groundfish species other than pollock, up to the maximum retainable amounts allowed by Sec. [thinsp]679.20(e) and (f). The incidental catch amounts of pollock are unknown at this time and will be determined during the 2018 fishing year during the course of fishing activities by the offshore component. [[Page 57931]] Table 2--Proposed 2018 and 2019 Distribution of Pollock in the Central and Western Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska; Seasonal Biomass Distribution, Area Apportionments; and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC \1\ [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Season \2\ Shumagin (area 610) Chirikof (Area 620) Kodiak (area 630) Total \3\ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A (Jan 20-Mar 10)....................... 1,725 (4.67%) 26,704 (72.29%) 8,513 (23.04%) 36,942 B (Mar 10-May 31)....................... 1,725 (4.67%) 30,469 (82.48%) 4,748 (12.85%) 36,942 C (Aug 25-Oct 1)........................ 15,125 (40.94%) 9,538 (25.82%) 12,278 (33.24%) 36,942 D (Oct 1-Nov 1)......................... 15,125 (40.94%) 9,538 (25.82%) 12,278 (33.24%) 36,942 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Annual Total........................ 33,701 .............. 76,249 .............. 37,818 .............. 147,768 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ Area apportionments and seasonal allowances may not total precisely due to rounding. \2\ As established by Sec. 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season allowances are available from January 20 through March 10, March 10 through May 31, August 25 through October 1, and October 1 through November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and offshore components are not shown in this table. \3\ The West Yakutat and Southeast Outside District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock TACs shown in this table. Proposed Annual and Seasonal Apportionments of Pacific Cod TAC As explained earlier in the section on ``Proposed ABC and TAC Specifications,'' the Council recommended reduced Pacific cod OFL, ABC, and TAC amounts as a result of preliminary data indicating a decrease in biomass. The proposed amounts could likely change, including a further decrease, once the 2017 Pacific cod stock assessment is finalized, reviewed by the Council's groundfish Plan Team in November, and then subsequently reviewed by the SSC, AP, and Council in December 2017. Reductions could impact seasonal and sector apportionments of Pacific cod TAC. Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i), NMFS proposes allocations for the 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA among gear and operational sectors. NMFS also proposes allocating the 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod TACs annually between the inshore and offshore components in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA (Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(ii)). In the Central GOA, the Pacific cod TAC is apportioned seasonally first to vessels using jig gear, and then among catcher vessels (CVs) less than 50 feet in length overall using hook-and-line gear, CVs equal to or greater than 50 feet in length overall using hook-and-line gear, catcher/processors (C/Ps) using hook-and-line gear, CVs using trawl gear, C/Ps using trawl gear, and vessels using pot gear (Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)(B)). In the Western GOA, the Pacific cod TAC is apportioned seasonally first to vessels using jig gear, and then among CVs using hook-and-line gear, C/Ps using hook-and-line gear, CVs using trawl gear, C/Ps using trawl gear, and vessels using pot gear (Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A)). The overall seasonal apportionments in the Western and Central GOA are 60 percent of the annual TAC to the A season and 40 percent of the annual TAC to the B season. All of these apportionments proposed for 2018 and 2019 incorporate the proposed reduction to the 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod TAC that was recommended by the Council and discussed earlier in the preamble. Under Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(ii), any overage or underage of the Pacific cod allowance from the A season will be subtracted from, or added to, the subsequent B season allowance. In addition, any portion of the hook-and-line, trawl, pot, or jig sector allocations that is determined by NMFS as likely to go unharvested by a sector may be reallocated to other sectors for harvest during the remainder of the fishing year. Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A) and (B), a portion of the annual Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central GOA will be allocated to vessels with a Federal fisheries permit that use jig gear before TAC is apportioned among other non-jig sectors. In accordance with the FMP, the annual jig sector allocations may increase to up to 6 percent of the annual Western and Central GOA Pacific cod TACs, depending on the annual performance of the jig sector (see Table 1 of Amendment 83 to the FMP for a detailed discussion of the jig sector allocation process (76 FR 74670, December 1, 2011). Jig sector allocation increases are established for a minimum of 2 years. NMFS has evaluated the historical harvest performance of the jig sector in the Western and Central GOA, and is establishing the proposed 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod apportionments to this sector based on its historical harvest performance through 2016. For 2018 and 2019, NMFS proposes that the jig sector receive 2.5 percent of the annual Pacific cod TAC in the Western GOA. This includes a base allocation of 1.5 percent and an additional 1.0 percent because this sector harvested greater than 90 percent of its initial allocations in 2012 and 2014 in the Western GOA. NMFS also proposes that the jig sector receive 1.0 percent of the annual Pacific cod TAC in the Central GOA. This includes a base allocation of 1.0 percent and no additional performance increase. These historical Pacific cod jig allocations, catch, and percent allocation changes are listed in Figure 1. Figure 1--Summary of Western GOA and Central GOA Management Area Pacific Cod Catch by Jig Gear in 2012 Through 2016, and Corresponding Percent Allocation Changes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Initial Percent of >90% of Area Year percent of Initial TAC Catch (mt) initial initial Change to percent TAC allocation allocation allocation? allocation -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WGOA............................ 2012 1.5 315 322 102 Y Increase 1. 2013 2.5 530 273 52 N None. 2014 2.5 573 785 137 Y Increase 1. 2015 3.5 948 55 6 N None. [[Page 57932]] 2016 3.5 992 52 5 N Decrease 1. CGOA............................ 2012 1.0 427 400 94 Y Increase 1. 2013 2.0 740 202 27 N None. 2014 2.0 797 262 33 N None. 2015 1.0 460 355 77 N Decrease 1. 2016 1.0 370 267 72 N None. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NMFS will re-evaluate the annual 2017 harvest performance of jig sector in the Western and Central Management areas when the 2017 fishing year is complete to determine whether to change the jig sector allocations proposed by this action in conjunction with the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications. The current catch through November 2017 by the Western GOA jig sector indicates that the Pacific cod allocation percentage to this sector would probably decrease by 1 percent in 2018 (from 2.5 percent to 1.5 percent). Also, the current catch by the Central GOA jig sector indicates that this sector's Pacific cod allocation percentage would not change in 2018, and would remain at 1 percent. The jig sector allocations for the Western and Central GOA are further apportioned between the A (60 percent) and B (40 percent) seasons (Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i) and Sec. 679.23(d)(3)(iii)). Table 3 lists the seasonal apportionments and allocations of the proposed 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod TACs. Table 3--Proposed 2018 and 2019 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocations of Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts in the GOA; Allocations in the Western GOA and Central GOA Sectors, and the Eastern GOA for Processing by the Inshore and Offshore Components [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A season B season --------------------------------------------------------------- Annual Sector Sector Regulatory area and sector allocation percentage of Seasonal percentage of Seasonal (mt) annual non- allowances annual non- allowances jig TAC (mt) jig TAC (mt) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Western GOA: Jig (2.5% of TAC)........... 395 N/A 237 N/A 158 Hook-and-line CV............ 216 0.70 108 0.70 108 Hook-and-line C/P........... 3,049 10.90 1,679 8.90 1,371 Trawl CV.................... 5,914 27.70 4,266 10.70 1,648 Trawl C/P................... 370 0.90 139 1.50 231 Pot CV and Pot C/P.......... 5,852 19.80 3,049 18.20 2,803 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total................... 15,796 60.00 9,477 40.00 6,318 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Central GOA: Jig (1.0% of TAC)........... 206 N/A 124 N/A 82 Hook-and-line <50 CV........ 2,978 9.32 1,900 5.29 1,078 Hook-and-line >=50 CV....... 1,368 5.61 1,144 1.10 224 Hook-and-line C/P........... 1,041 4.11 838 1.00 203 Trawl CV \1\................ 8,482 21.13 4,311 20.45 4,171 Trawl C/P................... 856 2.00 409 2.19 448 Pot CV and Pot C/P.......... 5,671 17.83 3,637 9.97 2,035 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total................... 20,603 60.00 12,362 40.00 8,241 --------------------------------------------------------------- Eastern GOA: .............. Inshore (90% of Annual TAC) Offshore (10% of Annual TAC) --------------------------------------------------------------- 3,671 3,303 367 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ Trawl vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 785 mt, of the annual Central GOA Pacific cod TAC. This apportionment percentage is specified in Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679. This apportionment is deducted from the Trawl CV B season allowance (see Table 8: Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA). [[Page 57933]] Proposed Allocations of the Sablefish TACs Amounts to Vessels Using Fixed Gear and Trawl Gear Sections 679.20(a)(4)(i) and (ii) require allocations of sablefish TACs for each of the regulatory areas and districts to fixed and trawl gear. In the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, 80 percent of each TAC is allocated to fixed gear, and 20 percent of each TAC is allocated to trawl gear. In the Eastern Regulatory Area, 95 percent of the TAC is allocated to fixed gear and 5 percent is allocated to trawl gear. The trawl gear allocation in the Eastern Regulatory Area may only be used to support incidental catch of sablefish in directed fisheries for other target species (Sec. 679.20(a)(4)(i)). In recognition of the prohibition against trawl gear in the SEO District of the Eastern Regulatory Area, the Council recommended and NMFS proposes the allocation of 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the WYK District, making the remainder of the WYK sablefish TAC available to vessels using fixed gear. NMFS proposes to allocate 100 percent of the sablefish TAC in the SEO District to vessels using fixed gear. This action results in a proposed 2018 allocation of 213 mt to trawl gear and 1,413 mt to fixed gear in the WYK District, a proposed 2018 allocation of 2,640 mt to fixed gear in the SEO District, and a 2019 allocation of 213 mt to trawl gear in the WYK District. Table 4 lists the allocations of the proposed 2018 sablefish TACs to fixed and trawl gear. Table 5 lists the allocations of the proposed 2019 sablefish TACs to trawl gear. The Council recommended that the trawl sablefish TAC be established for 2 years so that retention of incidental catch of sablefish by trawl gear could commence in January in the second year of the groundfish harvest specifications. Tables 4 and 5 list the 2018 and 2019 trawl allocations, respectively. The Council recommended that the fixed gear sablefish TAC be established annually to ensure that the sablefish IFQ fishery is conducted concurrently with the halibut IFQ fishery and is based on the most recent survey information. Since there is an annual assessment for sablefish and the final harvest specifications are expected to be published before the IFQ season begins (typically, in early March), the Council recommended that the fixed gear sablefish TAC be set annually, rather than for 2 years, so that the best available scientific information could be considered in establishing the sablefish ABCs and TACs. Accordingly, Table 4 lists the 2018 fixed gear allocations, and the 2019 fixed gear allocations will be in the proposed 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications. With the exception of the trawl allocations that are provided to the Rockfish Program cooperatives (see Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679), directed fishing for sablefish with trawl gear is closed during the fishing year. Also, fishing for groundfish with trawl gear is prohibited prior to January 20. Therefore, it is not likely that the sablefish allocation to trawl gear would be reached before the effective date of the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications. Table 4--Proposed 2018 Sablefish Total Allowable Catch (TAC) in the Gulf of Alaska and Allocations to Fixed and Trawl Gear [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fixed gear Trawl Area/district TAC allocation allocation ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Western......................................................... 1,367 1,094 273 Central \1\..................................................... 4,574 3,659 915 West Yakutat \2\................................................ 1,626 1,413 213 Southeast Outside............................................... 2,640 2,640 0 ----------------------------------------------- Total....................................................... 10,207 8,806 1,402 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ The trawl allocation to the Central Regulatory Area is further reduced by the sablefish apportioned to the Rockfish Program cooperatives (471 mt). See Table 8: Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA. This results in 444 mt being available for the non-Rockfish Program trawl fisheries. \2\ The proposed trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts combined) sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District. Table 5--Proposed 2019 Sablefish Total Allowable Catch (TAC) in the Gulf of Alaska and Allocation to Trawl Gear \1\ [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton.] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Trawl Area/district TAC Fixed gear allocation allocation ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Western..................................... 1,367 n/a............................... 273 Central \2\................................. 4,574 n/a............................... 915 West Yakutat \3\............................ 1,626 n/a............................... 213 Southeast Outside........................... 2,640 n/a............................... 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Total................................... 10,207 n/a............................... 1,402 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ The Council recommended that harvest specifications for the fixed gear sablefish Individual Fishing Quota fisheries be limited to 1 year. \2\ The trawl allocation to the Central Regulatory Area is further reduced by the sablefish apportioned to the Rockfish Program cooperatives (471mt). See Table 8: Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA. This results in 444 mt being available for the non-Rockfish Program trawl fisheries. \3\ The proposed trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts combined) sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District. [[Page 57934]] Proposed Apportionments to the Rockfish Program These proposed 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for the GOA include the fishery cooperative allocations and sideboard limitations established by the Rockfish Program. Program participants are primarily trawl CVs and trawl C/Ps, with limited participation by vessels using longline gear. The Rockfish Program assigns quota share and cooperative quota to participants for primary (Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish, and dusky rockfish) and secondary species (Pacific cod, rougheye rockfish, sablefish, shortraker rockfish, and thornyhead rockfish), allows a participant holding a license limitation program (LLP) license with rockfish quota share to form a rockfish cooperative with other persons, and allows holders of C/P LLP licenses to opt out of the fishery. The Rockfish Program also has an entry level fishery for rockfish primary species for vessels using longline gear. Longline gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear. Under the Rockfish Program, rockfish primary species in the Central GOA are allocated to participants after deducting for incidental catch needs in other directed groundfish fisheries (Sec. 679.81(a)(2)). Participants in the Rockfish Program also receive a portion of the Central GOA TAC of specific secondary species. Besides groundfish species, the Rockfish Program allocates a portion of the halibut PSC limit (191 mt) from the third season deep-water species fishery allowance for the GOA trawl fisheries to Rockfish Program participants (Sec. 679.81(d) and Table 28d to 50 CFR part 679). Rockfish Program sideboards and halibut PSC limits are discussed later in this rule. Also, the Rockfish Program establishes sideboard limits to restrict the ability of harvesters that operate under the Rockfish Program to increase their participation in other, non-Rockfish Program fisheries. These restrictions are discussed in a subsequent section titled ``Rockfish Program Groundfish Sideboard and Halibut PSC Limitations.'' Section 679.81(a)(2)(ii) and Table 28e to 50 CFR part 679 requires allocations of 5 mt of Pacific ocean perch, 5 mt of northern rockfish, and 50 mt of dusky rockfish to the entry level longline fishery in 2018 and 2019. The allocation for the entry level longline fishery may increase incrementally each year if the catch exceeds 90 percent of the allocation of a species. The incremental increase in the allocation would continue each year until it is the maximum percentage of the TAC for that species. In 2017, the allocation for dusky rockfish increased by 20 mt, from 30 mt, to 50 mt. In 2017, the catch for all three primary species did not exceed 90 percent of any allocated rockfish species. Therefore, NMFS is not proposing any increases to the entry level longline fishery 2018 and 2019 allocations in the Central GOA. The remainder of the TACs for the rockfish primary species would be allocated to the CV and C/P cooperatives. Table 6 lists the allocations of the proposed 2018 and 2019 TACs for each rockfish primary species to the entry level longline fishery, the incremental increase for future years, and the maximum percentage of the TAC for the entry level longline fishery. Table 6--Proposed 2018 and 2019 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species to the Entry Level Longline Fishery in the Central Gulf of Alaska ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Incremental increase in 2019 if >=90 percent of Up to maximum Rockfish primary species 2018 and 2019 allocations 2018 allocation is percent of each harvested TAC of: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pacific ocean perch.................... 5 metric tons............ 5 metric tons............ 1 Northern rockfish...................... 5 metric tons............ 5 metric tons............ 2 Dusky rockfish......................... 50 metric tons........... 20 metric tons........... 5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section 679.81 requires allocations of rockfish primary species among various sectors of the Rockfish Program. Table 7 lists the proposed 2018 and 2019 allocations of rockfish primary species in the Central GOA to the entry level longline fishery, and rockfish CV and C/ P cooperatives in the Rockfish Program. NMFS also proposes setting aside incidental catch amounts (ICAs) for other directed fisheries in the Central GOA of 3,500 mt of Pacific ocean perch, 300 mt of northern rockfish, and 250 mt of dusky rockfish. These amounts are based on recent average incidental catches in the Central GOA by other groundfish fisheries. Allocations among vessels belonging to CV or C/P cooperatives are not included in these proposed harvest specifications. Rockfish Program applications for CV cooperatives and C/P cooperatives are not due to NMFS until March 1 of each calendar year; therefore, NMFS cannot calculate 2018 and 2019 allocations in conjunction with these proposed harvest specifications. NMFS will post these allocations on the Alaska Region Web site at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/central-goa-rockfish-program when they become available after March 1. Table 7--Proposed 2018 and 2019 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species in the Central Gulf of Alaska to the Entry Level Longline Fishery and Rockfish Cooperatives in the Rockfish Program [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Allocation to Incidental the entry Allocation to Rockfish primary species TAC catch TAC minus ICA level the Rockfish allowance longline \1\ Cooperatives (ICA) fishery \2\ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pacific ocean perch............. 16,347 3,500 12,847 5 12,842 Northern rockfish............... 3,108 300 2,808 5 2,803 Dusky rockfish.................. 3,499 250 3,249 50 3,199 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 57935]] Total....................... 22,954 4,050 18,904 60 18,844 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ Longline gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear (Sec. 679.2). \2\ Rockfish cooperatives include vessels in CV and C/P cooperatives (Sec. 679.81). Section 679.81(c) and Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679 requires allocations of rockfish secondary species to CV and C/P cooperatives in the Central GOA. CV cooperatives receive allocations of Pacific cod, sablefish from the trawl gear allocation, and thornyhead rockfish. C/P cooperatives receive allocations of sablefish from the trawl allocation, rougheye rockfish, shortraker rockfish, and thornyhead rockfish. Table 8 lists the apportionments of the proposed 2018 and 2019 TACs of rockfish secondary species in the Central GOA to CV and C/ P cooperatives. Table 8--Proposed 2018 and 2019 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA to Catcher Vessel and Catcher/Processor Cooperatives [Values are in metric tons] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Catcher Vessel cooperatives Catcher/Processor cooperatives Central GOA --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rockfish secondary species annual TAC Percentage of Apportionment Percentage of Apportionment TAC (mt) TAC (mt) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pacific cod.............................................. 20,603 3.81 785 0.0 0.0 Sablefish................................................ 4,574 6.78 310 3.51 161 Shortraker rockfish...................................... 301 0.0 0 40.00 120 Rougheye rockfish........................................ 702 0.0 0 58.87 413 Thornyhead rockfish...................................... 988 7.84 77 26.50 262 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Halibut PSC Limits Section 679.21(d) establishes annual halibut PSC limit apportionments to trawl and hook-and-line gear, and authorizes the establishment of apportionments for pot gear. In October 2017, the Council recommended halibut PSC limits of 1,706 mt for trawl gear, 257 mt for hook-and-line gear, and 9 mt for the demersal shelf rockfish (DSR) fishery in the SEO District. The DSR fishery in the SEO District is defined at Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(ii)(A). This fishery is apportioned 9 mt of the halibut PSC limit in recognition of its small-scale harvests of groundfish. NMFS estimates low halibut bycatch in the DSR fishery because (1) the duration of the DSR fisheries and the gear soak times are short, (2) the DSR fishery occurs in the winter when there is less overlap in the distribution of DSR and halibut, and (3) the directed commercial DSR fishery has a low DSR TAC. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game sets the commercial GHL for the DSR fishery after deducting (1) estimates of DSR incidental catch in all fisheries (including halibut and subsistence); and (2) the allocation to the DSR sport fish fishery. Of the 227 mt TAC for DSR in 2017, 77 mt were available for the DSR commercial directed fishery, of which 36 mt were harvested. The FMP authorizes the Council to exempt specific gear from the halibut PSC limits. NMFS, after consultation with the Council, proposes to exempt pot gear, jig gear, and the sablefish IFQ hook-and-line gear fishery categories from the non-trawl halibut PSC limit for 2018 and 2019. The Council recommended, and NMFS is proposing, these exemptions because (1) pot gear fisheries have low annual halibut bycatch mortality; (2) IFQ program regulations prohibit discard of halibut if any halibut IFQ permit holder on board a CV holds unused halibut IFQ for that vessel category and the IFQ regulatory area in which the vessel is operating (Sec. 679.7(f)(11)); 3) some sablefish IFQ permit holders hold halibut IFQ permits and are therefore required to retain the halibut they catch while fishing sablefish IFQ; and 4) NMFS estimates negligible halibut mortality for the jig gear fisheries. NMFS estimates halibut mortality is negligible in the jig gear fisheries given the small amount of groundfish harvested by jig gear, the selective nature of jig gear, and the high survival rates of halibut caught and released with jig gear. The best available information on estimated halibut bycatch consists of data collected by fisheries observers during 2017. The calculated halibut bycatch mortality through October 12, 2017, is 1,018 mt for trawl gear and 119 mt for hook-and-line gear for a total halibut mortality of 1,137 mt. This halibut mortality was calculated using groundfish and halibut catch data from the NMFS Alaska Region's catch accounting system. This accounting system contains historical and recent catch information compiled from each Alaska groundfish fishery. Section 679.21(d)(4)(i) and (ii) authorizes NMFS to seasonally apportion the halibut PSC limits after consultation with the Council. The FMP and regulations require that the Council and NMFS consider the following information in seasonally apportioning halibut PSC limits: (1) Seasonal distribution of halibut, (2) seasonal distribution of target groundfish species relative to halibut distribution, (3) expected halibut bycatch needs on a seasonal basis relative to changes in halibut biomass and expected catch of target groundfish species, (4) expected bycatch rates on a seasonal basis, (5) expected changes in directed groundfish fishing seasons, (6) expected actual start of fishing effort, and (7) economic effects of establishing seasonal halibut allocations on segments of the target [[Page 57936]] groundfish industry. Based on public comment and the information presented in the final 2017 SAFE report, the Council may recommend or NMFS may make changes to the seasonal, gear-type, or fishery category apportionments of halibut PSC limits for the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications. The final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017) summarized the Council's and NMFS' findings with respect to halibut PSC for each of these FMP considerations. The Council's and NMFS' findings for 2018 are unchanged from 2017. Table 9 lists the proposed 2018 and 2019 Pacific halibut PSC limits, allowances, and apportionments. The halibut PSC limits in these tables reflect the halibut PSC limits set forth at Sec. 679.21(d)(2) and Sec. 679.21(d)(3). Sections 679.21(d)(4)(iii) and (iv) specify that any underages or overages of a seasonal apportionment of a halibut PSC limit will be added to or deducted from the next respective seasonal apportionment within the fishing year. Table 9--Proposed 2018 and 2019 Pacific Halibut PSC Limits, Allowances, and Apportionments [Values are in metric tons] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Trawl gear Hook-and-line gear \1\ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other than DSR DSR Season Percent Amount ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Season Percent Amount Season Amount -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- January 20-April 1...................... 27.5 469 January 1-June 10.......... 86 221 January 1-December 31..... 9 April 1-July 1.......................... 20 341 June 10-September 1........ 2 5 .......................... ......... July 1-September 1...................... 30 512 September 1-December 31.... 12 31 .......................... ......... September 1-October 1................... 7.5 128 ........................... ......... ......... .......................... ......... October 1-December 31................... 15 256 ........................... ......... ......... .......................... ......... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total............................... ......... 1,706 ........................... ......... 257 .......................... 9 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ The Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limit for hook-and-line gear is allocated to the demersal shelf rockfish (DSR) fishery and fisheries other than DSR. The hook-and-line sablefish fishery is exempt from halibut PSC limits, as are pot and jig gear for all groundfish fisheries. Section 679.21(d)(3)(ii) authorizes further apportionment of the trawl halibut PSC limit as bycatch allowances to trawl fishery categories listed in Sec. 679.21(d)(3)(iii). The annual apportionments are based on each category's proportional share of the anticipated halibut bycatch mortality during a fishing year and optimization of the total amount of groundfish harvest under the halibut PSC limit. The fishery categories for the trawl halibut PSC limits are (1) a deep- water species fishery, composed of sablefish, rockfish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, and arrowtooth flounder; and (2) a shallow-water species fishery, composed of pollock, Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish, flathead sole, Atka mackerel, and ``other species'' (sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopuses) (Sec. 679.21(d)(3)(iii)). Halibut mortality incurred while directed fishing for skates with trawl gear accrues towards the shallow-water fishery halibut PSC limit (69 FR 26320, May 12, 2004). As discussed previously in this preamble, the proposed Pacific cod TAC recommended by the Council is substantially less than the 2018 TAC published in the final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017). If the proposed TAC or a lower TAC is adopted as the final TAC for 2018 and 2019, this reduced TAC could result in the Council adjusting the apportionment of halibut PSC limits between the shallow-water and deep-water species fisheries to reflect the potential for decreased effort in the shallow-water fisheries in 2018 and 2019 due the decrease in the Pacific cod TAC. The potential for decreased effort in the shallow-water species fishery could allow the deep-water species fishery to receive additional apportionments of the trawl halibut PSC limit. This adjustment could be made during the final harvest specifications process, pending any public comment, Council discussion, and Council recommendations for a change during the December 2017 Council meeting. NMFS will combine available trawl halibut PSC limit apportionments in part of the second season deep-water and shallow-water fisheries for use in either fishery from May 15 through June 30 (Sec. 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(D)). This is intended to maintain groundfish harvest while minimizing halibut bycatch by these sectors to the extent practicable. This provides the deep-water and shallow-water trawl fisheries additional flexibility and the incentive to participate in fisheries at times of the year that may have lower halibut PSC rates relative to other times of the year. Table 10 lists the proposed 2018 and 2019 seasonal apportionments of trawl halibut PSC limits between the trawl gear deep-water and the shallow-water species fisheries. Table 28d to 50 CFR part 679 specifies the amount of the trawl halibut PSC limit that is assigned to the CV and C/P sectors that are participating in the Central GOA Rockfish Program. This includes 117 mt of halibut PSC limit to the CV sector and 74 mt of halibut PSC limit to the C/P sector. These amounts are allocated from the trawl deep-water species fishery's halibut PSC third seasonal apportionment. Section 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(B) limits the amount of the halibut PSC limit allocated to Rockfish Program participants that could be re- apportioned to the general GOA trawl fisheries to no more than 55 percent of the unused annual halibut PSC apportioned to Rockfish Program participants. The remainder of the unused Rockfish Program halibut PSC limit is unavailable for use by any person for the remainder of the fishing year (Sec. 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(C)). [[Page 57937]] Table 10--Proposed 2018 and 2019 Seasonal Apportionments of the Pacific Halibut PSC Limit Apportioned Between the Trawl Gear Shallow-Water and Deep-Water Species Fisheries [Values are in metric tons] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Season Shallow-water Deep-water \1\ Total ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- January 20-April 1..................... 384 85............................... 469 April 1-July 1......................... 85 256.............................. 341 July 1-September 1..................... 171 341.............................. 512 September 1-October 1.................. 128 Any remainder.................... 128 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Subtotal, January 20-October 1..... 768 682.............................. 1,450 October 1-December 31 \2\.............. ................. ................................. 256 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total.......................... ................. ................................. 1,706 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ Vessels participating in cooperatives in the Rockfish Program will receive 191 mt of the third season (July 1 through September 1) deep-water species fishery halibut PSC apportionment. \2\ There is no apportionment between trawl shallow-water and deep-water species fisheries during the fifth season (October 1 through December 31). Section 679.21(d)(2) requires that the ``other hook-and-line fishery'' halibut PSC limit apportionment to vessels using hook-and- line gear must be divided between CVs and C/Ps. NMFS must calculate the halibut PSC limit apportionments for the entire GOA to hook-and-line CVs and C/Ps in accordance with Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(iii) in conjunction with these harvest specifications. A comprehensive description and example of the calculations necessary to apportion the ``other hook- and-line fishery'' halibut PSC limit between the hook-and-line CV and C/P sectors were included in the proposed rule to implement Amendment 83 to the FMP (76 FR 44700, July 26, 2011) and are not repeated here. For 2018 and 2019, NMFS proposes annual halibut PSC limit apportionments of 129 mt and 128 mt to the hook-and-line CV and hook- and-line C/P sectors, respectively. The 2018 and 2019 annual halibut PSC limits are divided into three seasonal apportionments, using seasonal percentages of 86 percent, 2 percent, and 12 percent. Table 11 lists the proposed 2018 and 2019 annual halibut PSC limits and seasonal apportionments between the hook-and-line CV and hook-and-line C/P sectors in the GOA. No later than November 1 year, any halibut PSC limit allocated under Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(ii)(B) not projected by the Regional Administrator to be used by one of the hook-and-line sectors during the remainder of the fishing year will be made available to the other sector. NMFS calculates the projected unused amount of halibut PSC limit by either the CV hook-and-line or the C/P hook-and-line sectors of the ``other hook-and-line fishery'' for the remainder of the year. The projected unused amount of halibut PSC limit is made available to the other hook-and-line sector for the remainder of that fishing year if NMFS determines that an additional amount of halibut PSC limit is necessary for that sector to continue its directed fishing operations (Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(iii)(C)). Table 11--Proposed 2018 and 2019 Apportionments of the ``Other Hook-and-Line Fisheries'' Halibut PSC Allowance Between the Hook-and-Line Gear Catcher Vessel and Catcher/Processor Sectors [Values are in metric tons] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sector ``Other than DSR'' allowance Hook-and- line sector Sector annual Season Seasonal seasonal amount percentage amount -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 257........................... Catcher Vessel.............................. 129 January 1-June 10......... 86 111 June 10-September 1....... 2 3 September 1-December 31... 12 15 Catcher/Processor........................... 128 January 1--June 10........ 86 110 June 10-September 1....... 2 3 September 1-December 31... 12 15 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Halibut Discard Mortality Rates To monitor halibut bycatch mortality allowances and apportionments, the Regional Administrator uses observed halibut incidental catch rates, halibut discard mortality rates (DMRs), and estimates of groundfish catch to project when a fishery's halibut bycatch mortality allowance or seasonal apportionment is reached. Halibut incidental catch rates are based on observers' estimates of halibut incidental catch in the groundfish fishery. DMRs are estimates of the proportion of incidentally caught halibut that do not survive after being returned to the sea. The cumulative halibut mortality that accrues to a particular halibut PSC limit is the product of a DMR multiplied by the estimated halibut PSC. DMRs are estimated using the best scientific information available in conjunction with the annual GOA stock assessment process. The DMR methodology and findings are included as an appendix to the annual GOA groundfish SAFE report. In 2016, the DMR estimation methodology underwent revisions per the Council's directive. An interagency halibut working group (International Pacific Halibut Commission, Council, and NMFS staff) developed improved estimation methods that have undergone review by the Plan Team, SSC, and the Council. A summary of the revised methodology is contained in the GOA proposed 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications (81 FR 87881, December 6, 2016), and the comprehensive discussion of the working group's [[Page 57938]] statistical methodology is available from the Council (see ADDRESSES). The DMR working group's revised methodology is intended to improve estimation accuracy, as well as transparency and transferability in the methodology used for calculating DMRs. The working group will continue to consider improvements to the methodology used to calculate halibut mortality, including potential changes to the reference period (the period of data used for calculating the DMRs). Future DMRs may change based on additional years of observer sampling, which could provide more recent and accurate data and which could improve the accuracy of estimation and progress on methodology. The new methodology will continue to ensure that NMFS is using DMRs that more accurately reflect halibut mortality, which will inform the different sectors of their estimated halibut mortality and allow specific sectors to respond with methods that could reduce mortality and, eventually, the DMR for that sector. At the December 2016 meeting, the SSC, AP, and Council concurred with the revised DMR estimation methodology, and NMFS adopted the DMRs calculated under the revised methodology for the 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications. In October 2017, the Council recommended adopting the halibut DMRs derived from the 2016 process for the proposed 2018 and 2019 DMRs. The proposed 2018 and 2019 DMRs maintain the 2016 process using an updated 3-year reference period of 2014 through 2016. The proposed DMR for catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear increased to 17 percent from 12 percent, and the proposed DMR for trawl catcher vessels operating in the Rockfish Program decreased to 62 percent from 67 percent. Other sectors had minor increases of 3 percent or less. Table 12 lists the proposed 2018 and 2019 DMRs. Table 12--Proposed 2018 and 2019 Halibut Discard Mortality Rates for Vessels Fishing in the Gulf of Alaska [Values are percent of halibut assumed to be dead] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Halibut discard Gear Sector Groundfish fishery mortality rate (percent) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pelagic trawl.......................... Catcher vessel........... All...................... 100 Catcher/processor........ All...................... 100 Non-pelagic trawl...................... Catcher vessel........... Rockfish Program......... 62 Catcher vessel........... All others............... 67 Mothership and catcher/ All...................... 84 processor. Hook-and-line.......................... Catcher/processor........ All...................... 10 Catcher vessel........... All...................... 17 Pot.................................... Catcher vessel and All...................... 7 catcher/processor. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chinook Salmon Prohibited Species Catch Limit Amendment 93 to the FMP (77 FR 42629, July 20, 2012) established separate Chinook salmon PSC limits in the Western and Central GOA in the directed pollock trawl fishery. These limits require NMFS to close the pollock directed fishery in the Western and Central regulatory areas of the GOA if the applicable Chinook salmon PSC limit is reached (Sec. 679.21(h)(8)). The annual Chinook salmon PSC limits in the pollock directed fishery of 6,684 salmon in the Western GOA and 18,316 salmon in the Central GOA are set in Sec. 679.21(h)(2)(i) and (ii). Amendment 97 to the FMP (79 FR 71350, December 2, 2014) established an initial annual PSC limit of 7,500 Chinook salmon for the non-pollock groundfish trawl fisheries in the Western and Central GOA. This limit is apportioned among three sectors: 3,600 Chinook salmon to trawl C/Ps; 1,200 Chinook salmon to trawl CVs participating in the Rockfish Program; and 2,700 Chinook salmon to trawl CVs not participating in the Rockfish Program (Sec. 679.21(h)(4)). NMFS will monitor the Chinook salmon PSC in the non-pollock GOA groundfish fisheries and close an applicable sector if it reaches its Chinook salmon PSC limit. The Chinook salmon PSC limit for two sectors, trawl C/Ps and trawl CVs not participating in the Rockfish Program, may be increased in subsequent years based on the performance of these two sectors and their ability to minimize their use of their respective Chinook salmon PSC limits. If either or both of these two sectors limit its use of Chinook salmon PSC to a certain threshold amount in 2017 (3,120 for trawl C/Ps and 2,340 for trawl CVs), that sector will receive an incremental increase to its 2018 Chinook salmon PSC limit (4,080 for trawl C/Ps and 3,060 for trawl CVs) (Sec. 679.21(h)(4)). NMFS will evaluate the annual Chinook salmon PSC by trawl C/Ps and non-Rockfish Program CVs when the 2017 fishing year is complete to determine whether to increase the Chinook salmon PSC limits for these two sectors. Based on preliminary 2017 Chinook salmon PSC data, the trawl C/P sector and the non-Rockfish Program CV sector may receive an incremental increase of Chinook salmon PSC limit in 2018. This evaluation will be completed in conjunction with the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications. American Fisheries Act (AFA) Catcher/Processor and Catcher Vessel Groundfish Sideboard Limits Section 679.64 establishes groundfish harvesting and processing sideboard limits on AFA C/Ps and CVs in the GOA. These sideboard limits are necessary to protect the interests of fishermen and processors who do not directly benefit from the AFA from those fishermen and processors who receive exclusive harvesting and processing privileges under the AFA. Section 679.7(k)(1)(ii) prohibits listed AFA C/Ps from harvesting any species of fish in the GOA. Additionally, Sec. 679.7(k)(1)(iv) prohibits listed AFA C/Ps from processing any pollock harvested in a directed pollock fishery in the GOA and any groundfish harvested in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA. AFA CVs that are less than 125 ft (38.1 meters) length overall, have annual landings of pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands of less than 5,100 mt, and have made at least 40 landings of GOA groundfish from 1995 through 1997 are exempt from GOA CV groundfish sideboard limits under Sec. 679.64(b)(2)(ii). Sideboard limits for non-exempt AFA CVs in the GOA are based on their traditional harvest levels [[Page 57939]] of TAC in groundfish fisheries covered by the FMP. Section 679.64(b)(3)(iv) establishes for CVs the groundfish sideboard limitations in the GOA based on the retained catch of non-exempt AFA CVs of each sideboard species from 1995 through 1997 divided by the TAC for that species over the same period. Table 13 lists the proposed 2018 and 2019 groundfish sideboard limits for non-exempt AFA CVs. NMFS will deduct all targeted or incidental catch of sideboard species made by non-exempt AFA CVs from the sideboard limits listed in Table 13. Table 13--Proposed 2018 and 2019 GOA Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel (CV) Groundfish Sideboard Limits [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio of 1995- Proposed 2018 1997 non- Proposed 2018 and 2019 non- Species Apportionments Area/component exempt AFA CV and 2019 TACs exempt AFA CV by season/gear catch to 1995- \3\ sideboard 1997 TAC limit ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pollock...................... A Season January Shumagin (610). 0.6047 1,725 1,043 20-March 10. Chirikof (620). 0.1167 26,704 3,116 Kodiak (630)... 0.2028 8,513 1,726 B Season March Shumagin (610). 0.6047 1,725 1,043 10-May 31. Chirikof (620). 0.1167 30,469 3,556 Kodiak (630)... 0.2028 4,748 963 C Season August Shumagin (610). 0.6047 15,125 9,146 25-October 1. Chirikof (620). 0.1167 9,538 1,113 Kodiak (630)... 0.2028 12,278 2,490 D Season October Shumagin (610). 0.6047 15,125 9,146 1-November 1. Chirikof (620). 0.1167 9,538 1,113 Kodiak (630)... 0.2028 12,278 2,490 Annual.......... WYK (640)...... 0.3495 5,791 2,024 SEO (650)...... 0.3495 9,920 3,467 Pacific cod.................. A Season \1\ W.............. 0.1331 9,477 1,261 January 1-June C.............. 0.0692 12,362 855 10. B Season \2\.... W.............. 0.1331 6,318 841 September 1- C.............. 0.0692 8,241 570 December 31. Annual.......... E inshore...... 0.0079 3,303 26 E offshore..... 0.0078 367 3 Sablefish.................... Annual, trawl W.............. 0.0000 273 0 gear. C.............. 0.0642 915 59 E.............. 0.0433 213 9 Flatfish, shallow-water...... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0156 13,250 207 C.............. 0.0587 19,418 1,140 E.............. 0.0126 4,311 54 Flatfish, deep-water......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0000 257 0 C.............. 0.0647 3,488 226 E.............. 0.0128 5,637 72 Rex sole..................... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0007 1,478 1 C.............. 0.0384 4,995 192 E.............. 0.0029 1,948 6 Arrowtooth flounder.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0021 14,500 30 C.............. 0.0280 75,000 2,100 E.............. 0.0002 13,800 3 Flathead sole................ Annual.......... W.............. 0.0036 8,650 31 C.............. 0.0213 15,400 328 E.............. 0.0009 3,870 3 Pacific ocean perch.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0023 2,627 6 C.............. 0.0748 16,347 1,223 E.............. 0.0466 4,480 209 Northern rockfish............ Annual.......... W.............. 0.0003 400 0 C.............. 0.0277 3,108 86 Shortraker rockfish.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0000 38 0 C.............. 0.0218 301 7 E.............. 0.0110 947 10 Dusky Rockfish............... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0001 146 0 C.............. 0.0000 3,499 0 E.............. 0.0067 309 2 Rougheye rockfish............ Annual.......... W.............. 0.0000 104 0 C.............. 0.0237 702 17 E.............. 0.0124 512 6 Demersal shelf rockfish...... Annual.......... SEO............ 0.0020 227 0 Thornyhead rockfish.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0280 291 8 C.............. 0.0280 988 28 E.............. 0.0280 682 19 [[Page 57940]] Other Rockfish............... Annual.......... W/C............ 0.1699 1,534 261 E.............. 0.0000 774 0 Atka mackerel................ Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0309 3,000 93 Big skates................... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0063 908 6 C.............. 0.0063 1,850 12 E.............. 0.0063 1,056 7 Longnose skates.............. Annual.......... W.............. 0.0063 61 0 C.............. 0.0063 2,513 16 E.............. 0.0063 632 4 Other skates................. Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0063 1,919 12 Sculpins..................... Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0063 5,591 35 Sharks....................... Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0063 4,514 28 Squids....................... Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0063 1,137 7 Octopuses.................... Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0063 4,878 31 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20. \2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1. \3\ The Western and Central GOA area apportionments of pollock are considered ACLs. Non-Exempt AFA Catcher Vessel Halibut PSC Sideboard Limits The halibut PSC sideboard limits for non-exempt AFA CVs in the GOA are based on the aggregate retained groundfish catch by non-exempt AFA CVs in each PSC target category from 1995 through 1997 divided by the retained catch of all vessels in that fishery from 1995 through 1997 (Sec. 679.64(b)(4)(ii)). Table 14 lists the proposed 2018 and 2019 non-exempt AFA CV halibut PSC limits for vessels using trawl gear in the GOA. Table 14--Proposed 2018 and 2019 Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel Halibut Prohibited Species Catch (PSC) Sideboard Limits for Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the GOA [PSC limits are rounded to the nearest metric ton] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio of 1995- 1997 non-exempt Proposed 2018 Proposed 2018 Season Season dates Fishery category AFA CV retained and 2019 PSC and 2019 non- catch to total limit exempt AFA CV retained catch PSC limit -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1...................................... January 20-April 1........ shallow-water............. 0.340 384 131 deep-water................ 0.070 85 6 2...................................... April 1-July 1............ shallow-water............. 0.340 85 29 deep-water................ 0.070 256 18 3...................................... July 1-September 1........ shallow-water............. 0.340 171 58 deep-water................ 0.070 341 24 4...................................... September 1-October 1..... shallow-water............. 0.340 128 44 deep-water................ 0.070 0 0 5...................................... October 1-December 31..... all targets............... 0.205 256 52 Annual: Total shallow-water................ .......................... .......................... ................. ................. 262 -------------------------------------------------------- Total deep-water................... .......................... .......................... ................. ................. 48 -------------------------------------------------------- Grand Total, all seasons and .......................... .......................... ................. 1,706 362 categories. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Non-AFA Crab Vessel Groundfish Sideboard Limits Section 680.22 establishes groundfish sideboard limits for vessels with a history of participation in the Bering Sea snow crab fishery to prevent these vessels from using the increased flexibility provided by the Crab Rationalization Program to expand their level of participation in the GOA groundfish fisheries. Sideboard harvest limits restrict these vessels' catch to their collective historical landings in each GOA groundfish fishery (except the fixed-gear sablefish fishery). Sideboard limits also apply to landings made using an LLP license derived from the history of a restricted vessel, even if that LLP license is used on another vessel. [[Page 57941]] The basis for these sideboard harvest limits is described in detail in the final rules implementing the major provisions of the Crab Rationalization Program, including Amendments 18 and 19 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs (Crab FMP) (70 FR 10174, March 2, 2005), Amendment 34 to the Crab FMP (76 FR 35772, June 20, 2011), Amendment 83 to the GOA FMP (76 FR 74670, December 1, 2011), and Amendment 45 to the Crab FMP (80 FR 28539, May 19, 2015). Table 15 lists the proposed 2018 and 2019 groundfish sideboard limitations for non-AFA crab vessels. All targeted or incidental catch of sideboard species made by non-AFA crab vessels or associated LLP licenses will be deducted from these sideboard limits. Table 15--Proposed 2018 and 2019 GOA Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessel Groundfish Sideboard Limits [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio of 1996- 2000 non-AFA Proposed 2018 crab vessel Proposed 2018 and 2019 non-AFA Species Season/gear Area/component/gear catch to 1996- and 2019 TACs crab vessel 2000 total sideboard limit harvest -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pollock................................ A Season.................. Shumagin (610)............ 0.0098 1,725 17 January 20-March 10....... Chirikof (620)............ 0.0031 26,704 83 Kodiak (630).............. 0.0002 8,513 2 B Season.................. Shumagin (610)............ 0.0098 1,725 17 March 10-May 31........... Chirikof (620)............ 0.0031 30,469 94 Kodiak (630).............. 0.0002 4,748 1 C Season.................. Shumagin (610)............ 0.0098 15,125 148 August 25-October 1....... Chirikof (620)............ 0.0031 9,538 30 Kodiak (630).............. 0.0002 12,278 2 D Season.................. Shumagin (610)............ 0.0098 15,125 148 October 1-November 1...... Chirikof (620)............ 0.0031 9,538 30 Kodiak (630).............. 0.0002 12,278 2 Annual.................... WYK (640)................. 0.0000 5,791 ................. SEO (650)................. 0.0000 9,920 ................. Pacific cod............................ A Season \1\.............. W Jig CV.................. 0.0000 9,477 ................. W Hook-and-line CV........ 0.0004 9,477 4 January 1-June 10......... W Pot CV.................. 0.0997 9,477 945 W Pot C/P................. 0.0078 9,477 74 W Trawl CV................ 0.0007 9,477 7 C Jig CV.................. 0.0000 12,362 C Hook-and-line CV........ 0.0001 12,362 1 C Pot CV.................. 0.0474 12,362 586 C Pot C/P................. 0.0136 12,362 168 C Trawl CV................ 0.0012 12,362 15 B Season \2\.............. W Jig CV.................. 0.0000 6,318 ................. W Hook-and-line CV........ 0.0004 6,318 3 September 1-December 31... W Pot CV.................. 0.0997 6,318 630 W Pot C/P................. 0.0078 6,318 49 W Trawl CV................ 0.0007 6,318 4 C Jig CV.................. 0.0000 8,241 C Hook-and-line CV........ 0.0001 8,241 1 C Pot CV.................. 0.0474 8,241 391 C Pot C/P................. 0.0136 8,241 112 C Trawl CV................ 0.0012 8,241 10 Annual.................... E inshore................. 0.0110 3,303 36 E offshore................ 0.0000 367 ................. Sablefish.............................. Annual, trawl gear........ W......................... 0.0000 273 ................. C......................... 0.0000 915 ................. E......................... 0.0000 213 ................. Flatfish, shallow-water................ Annual.................... W......................... 0.0059 13,250 78 C......................... 0.0001 19,418 2 E......................... 0.0000 4,311 ................. Flatfish, deep-water................... Annual.................... W......................... 0.0035 257 1 C......................... 0.0000 3,488 ................. E......................... 0.0000 5,637 ................. Rex sole............................... Annual.................... W......................... 0.0000 1,478 ................. C......................... 0.0000 4,995 ................. E......................... 0.0000 1,948 ................. Arrowtooth flounder.................... Annual.................... W......................... 0.0004 14,500 6 C......................... 0.0001 75,000 8 E......................... 0.0000 13,800 ................. Flathead sole.......................... Annual.................... W......................... 0.0002 8,650 2 C......................... 0.0004 15,400 6 E......................... 0.0000 3,870 ................. [[Page 57942]] Pacific ocean perch.................... Annual.................... W......................... 0.0000 2,627 ................. C......................... 0.0000 16,347 ................. E......................... 0.0000 4,480 ................. Northern rockfish...................... Annual.................... W......................... 0.0005 400 0 C......................... 0.0000 3,108 ................. Shortraker rockfish.................... Annual.................... W......................... 0.0013 38 0 C......................... 0.0012 301 0 E......................... 0.0009 947 1 Dusky rockfish......................... Annual.................... W......................... 0.0017 146 0 C......................... 0.0000 3,499 ................. E......................... 0.0000 309 ................. Rougheye rockfish...................... Annual.................... W......................... 0.0067 104 1 C......................... 0.0047 702 3 E......................... 0.0008 512 0 Demersal shelf rockfish................ Annual.................... SEO....................... 0.0000 227 ................. Thornyhead rockfish.................... Annual.................... W......................... 0.0047 291 1 C......................... 0.0066 988 7 E......................... 0.0045 682 3 Other Rockfish......................... Annual.................... W/C....................... 0.0033 1,534 5 E......................... 0.0000 774 ................. Atka mackerel.......................... Annual.................... Gulfwide.................. 0.0000 3,000 ................. Big skate.............................. Annual.................... W......................... 0.0392 908 36 C......................... 0.0159 1,850 29 E......................... 0.0000 1,056 ................. Longnose skate......................... Annual.................... W......................... 0.0392 61 2 C......................... 0.0159 2,513 40 E......................... 0.0000 632 ................. Other skates........................... Annual.................... Gulfwide.................. 0.0176 1,919 34 Sculpins............................... Annual.................... Gulfwide.................. 0.0176 5,591 98 Sharks................................. Annual.................... Gulfwide.................. 0.0176 4,514 79 Squids................................. Annual.................... Gulfwide.................. 0.0176 1,137 20 Octopuses.............................. Annual.................... Gulfwide.................. 0.0176 4,878 86 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20. \2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1. Rockfish Program Groundfish Sideboard and Halibut PSC Limitations The Rockfish Program establishes three classes of sideboard provisions: CV groundfish sideboard restrictions, C/P rockfish sideboard restrictions, and C/P opt-out vessel sideboard restrictions (Sec. 679.82(c)(1)). These sideboards are intended to limit the ability of rockfish harvesters to expand into other fisheries. CVs participating in the Rockfish Program may not participate in directed fishing for dusky rockfish, northern rockfish, and Pacific ocean perch in the Western GOA and West Yakutat Districts from July 1 through July 31. Also, CVs may not participate in directed fishing for arrowtooth flounder, deep-water flatfish, and rex sole in the GOA from July 1 through July 31 (Sec. 679.82(d)). C/Ps participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives are restricted by rockfish and halibut PSC sideboard limits. These C/Ps are prohibited from directed fishing for northern rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, and dusky rockfish in the Western GOA and West Yakutat District from July 1 through July 31. Holders of C/P-designated LLP licenses that opt out of participating in a Rockfish Program cooperative will be able to access those sideboard limits that are not assigned to Rockfish Program cooperatives (Sec. 679.82(e)(2) and (e)(7)). The sideboard ratio for each rockfish fishery in the Western GOA and WYK District is set forth in Sec. 679.82(e)(4). Table 16 lists the proposed 2018 and 2019 Rockfish Program C/P rockfish sideboard limits in the Western GOA and West Yakutat District. Due to confidentiality requirements associated with fisheries data, the sideboard limits for the West Yakutat District are not displayed. [[Page 57943]] Table 16--Proposed 2018 and 2019 Rockfish Program Sideboard Limits for the Western GOA and West Yakutat District by Fishery for the Catcher/Processor (C/P) Sector [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Proposed 2018 and Area Fishery C/P sector (% of TAC) Proposed 2018 2019 C/P sideboard and 2019 TACs limit ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Western GOA................. Dusky rockfish. 72.3.................. 146 106 Pacific ocean 50.6.................. 2,627 1,329 perch. Northern 74.3.................. 400 297. rockfish. West Yakutat District....... Dusky rockfish. Confidential \1\...... 232 Confidential.\1\ Pacific ocean Confidential \1\...... 2,733 Confidential.\1\ perch. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ Not released due to confidentiality requirements associated with fish ticket data, as established by NMFS and the State of Alaska. Under the Rockfish Program, the C/P sector is subject to halibut PSC sideboard limits for the trawl deep-water and shallow-water species fisheries from July 1 through July 31 (Sec. 679.82(e)(3) and (e)(5)). Halibut PSC sideboard ratios by fishery are set forth in Sec. 679.82(e)(5). No halibut PSC sideboard limits apply to the CV sector, as vessels participating in a rockfish cooperative receive a portion of the annual halibut PSC limit. C/Ps that opt out of the Rockfish Program would be able to access that portion of the deep-water and shallow- water halibut PSC sideboard limit not assigned to C/P rockfish cooperatives. The sideboard provisions for C/Ps that elect to opt out of participating in a rockfish cooperative are described in Sec. 679.82(c), (e), and (f). Sideboard limits are linked to the catch history of specific vessels that may choose to opt out. After March 1, NMFS will determine which C/Ps have opted-out of the Rockfish Program in 2018, and will know the ratios and amounts used to calculate opt-out sideboard ratios. NMFS will then calculate any applicable opt-out sideboard limits and post these limits on the Alaska Region Web site at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/central-goa-rockfish-program. Table 17 lists the 2018 and 2019 proposed Rockfish Program halibut PSC limits for the C/P sector. Table 17--Proposed 2018 and 2019 Rockfish Program Halibut Mortality Limits for the Catcher/Processor Sector [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shallow-water Deep-water Annual shallow- Annual deep-water species fishery species fishery Annual halibut water species species fishery Sector halibut PSC halibut PSC mortality limit fishery halibut halibut PSC sideboard ratio sideboard ratio (mt) PSC sideboard sideboard limit (percent) (percent) limit (mt) (mt) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Catcher/processor................................... 0.10 2.50 1,706 2 43 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amendment 80 Program Groundfish and PSC Sideboard Limits Amendment 80 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (Amendment 80 Program) established a limited access privilege program for the non-AFA trawl C/ P sector. The Amendment 80 Program established groundfish and halibut PSC limits for Amendment 80 Program participants to limit the ability of participants eligible for the Amendment 80 Program to expand their harvest efforts in the GOA. Section 679.92 establishes groundfish harvesting sideboard limits on all Amendment 80 Program vessels, other than the F/V Golden Fleece, to amounts no greater than the limits shown in Table 37 to 50 CFR part 679. Under Sec. 679.92(d), the F/V Golden Fleece is prohibited from directed fishing for pollock, Pacific cod, Pacific ocean perch, dusky rockfish, and northern rockfish in the GOA. Groundfish sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels operating in the GOA are based on their average aggregate harvests from 1998 through 2004 (72 FR 52668, September 14, 2007). Table 18 lists the proposed 2018 and 2019 sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels. NMFS will deduct all targeted or incidental catch of sideboard species made by Amendment 80 Program vessels from the sideboard limits in Table 18. [[Page 57944]] Table 18--Proposed 2018 and 2019 GOA Groundfish Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio of Proposed 2018 Amendment 80 Proposed 2018 and 2019 Species Season Area sector vessels and 2019 TAC Amendment 80 1998-2004 catch (mt) vessel sideboard to TAC limits (mt) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pollock................................ A Season January 20-March Shumagin (610)............ 0.003 1,725 5 10. Chirikof (620)............ 0.002 26,704 53 Kodiak (630).............. 0.002 8,513 17 B Season March 10-May 31.. Shumagin (610)............ 0.003 1,725 5 Chirikof (620)............ 0.002 30,469 61 Kodiak (630).............. 0.002 4,748 9 C Season August 25-October Shumagin (610)............ 0.003 15,125 45 1. Chirikof (620)............ 0.002 9,538 19 Kodiak (630).............. 0.002 12,278 25 D Season October 1- Shumagin (610)............ 0.003 15,125 45 November 1. Chirikof (620)............ 0.002 9,538 19 Kodiak (630).............. 0.002 12,278 25 Annual.................... WYK (640)................. 0.002 5,791 12 Pacific cod............................ A Season \1\ January 1- W......................... 0.020 9,477 190 June 10. C......................... 0.044 12,362 544 B Season \2\ September 1- W......................... 0.020 6,318 126 December 31. C......................... 0.044 8,241 363 Annual.................... WYK....................... 0.034 3,671 125 Pacific ocean perch.................... Annual.................... W......................... 0.994 2,627 2,611 WYK....................... 0.961 2,733 2,626 Northern rockfish...................... Annual.................... W......................... 1.000 400 400 Dusky rockfish......................... Annual.................... W......................... 0.764 146 112 WYK....................... 0.896 232 208 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20. \2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1. The halibut PSC sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels in the GOA are based on the historic use of halibut PSC by Amendment 80 Program vessels in each PSC target category from 1998 through 2004. These values are slightly lower than the average historic use to accommodate two factors: Allocation of halibut PSC cooperative quota under the Rockfish Program and the exemption of the F/V Golden Fleece from this restriction (Sec. 679.92(b)(2)). Table 19 lists the proposed 2018 and 2019 halibut PSC sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels. These tables incorporate the maximum percentages of the halibut PSC sideboard limits that may be used by Amendment 80 Program vessels, as contained in Table 38 to 50 CFR part 679. Any residual amount of a seasonal Amendment 80 sideboard halibut PSC limit may carry forward to the next season limit (Sec. 679.92(b)(2)). Table 19--Proposed 2018 and 2019 Halibut PSC Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels in the GOA [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Proposed 2018 Historic and 2019 Amendment 80 use Proposed 2018 Amendment 80 Season Season dates Fishery category of the annual and 2019 annual vessel PSC halibut PSC limit PSC limit (mt) sideboard limit (ratio) (mt) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1...................................... January 20 -April 1....... shallow-water............. 0.0048 1,706 8 deep-water................ 0.0115 1,706 20 2...................................... April 1-July 1............ shallow-water............. 0.0189 1,706 32 deep-water................ 0.1072 1,706 183 3...................................... July 1-September 1........ shallow-water............. 0.0146 1,706 25 deep-water................ 0.0521 1,706 89 4...................................... September 1-October 1..... shallow-water............. 0.0074 1,706 13 deep-water................ 0.0014 1,706 2 5...................................... October 1-December 31..... shallow-water............. 0.0227 1,706 39 deep-water................ 0.0371 1,706 63 -------------------------------------------------------- Annual: Total shallow-water................ .......................... .......................... ................. ................. 117 Total deep-water................... .......................... .......................... ................. ................. 357 -------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 57945]] Grand Total, all seasons and .......................... .......................... ................. ................. 474 categories. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classification NMFS has determined that the proposed harvest specifications are consistent with the FMP and preliminarily determined that the proposed harvest specifications are consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable laws, subject to further review after public comment. This action is authorized under 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from review under Executive Orders 12866 and 13563. NMFS prepared an EIS for this action and made it available to the public on January 12, 2007 (72 FR 1512). On February 13, 2007, NMFS issued the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Final EIS. A Supplemental Information Report (SIR) that assesses the need to prepare a Supplemental EIS is being prepared for the final action. Copies of the Final EIS, ROD, and SIR for this action are available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES). The Final EIS analyzes the environmental consequences of the proposed groundfish harvest specifications and alternative harvest strategies on resources in the action area. The Final EIS found no significant environmental consequences from the proposed action or its alternatives. NMFS prepared an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) as required by section 603 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), analyzing the methodology for establishing the relevant TACs. The IRFA evaluated the impacts on small entities of alternative harvest strategies for the groundfish fisheries in the EEZ off Alaska. As set forth in the methodology, TACs are set to a level that fall within the range of ABCs recommended by the SSC; the sum of the TACs must achieve the OY specified in the FMP. While the specific numbers that the methodology produces may vary from year to year, the methodology itself remains constant. A description of the proposed action, why it is being considered, and the legal basis for this proposed action are contained in the preamble above. A copy of the IRFA is available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES). A summary of the IRFA follows. The action under consideration is a harvest strategy to govern the catch of groundfish in the GOA. The preferred alternative is the existing harvest strategy in which TACs fall within the range of ABCs recommended by the SSC. This action is taken in accordance with the FMP prepared by the Council pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The entities directly regulated by this action are those that harvest groundfish in the EEZ of the GOA and in parallel fisheries within State of Alaska waters. These include entities operating CVs and C/Ps within the action area and entities receiving direct allocations of groundfish. For RFA purposes only, NMFS has established a small business size standard for businesses, including their affiliates, whose primary industry is commercial fishing (see 50 CFR 200.2). A business primarily engaged in commercial fishing (NAICS code 11411) is classified as a small business if it is independently owned and operated, is not dominant in its field of operation (including its affiliates), and has combined annual gross receipts not in excess of $11 million for all its affiliated operations worldwide. The IRFA shows that, in 2016, there were 920 individual CVs with gross revenues less than or equal to $11 million. This estimate accounts for corporate affiliations among vessels, and for cooperative affiliations among fishing entities, since some of the fishing vessels operating in the GOA are members of AFA inshore pollock cooperatives, GOA rockfish cooperatives, or BSAI Crab Rationalization Program cooperatives. Therefore, under the RFA, it is the aggregate gross receipts of all participating members of the cooperative that must meet the ``under $11 million'' threshold. Vessels that participate in these cooperatives are considered to be large entities within the meaning of the RFA. After accounting for membership in these cooperatives, there are an estimated 920 small CV entities remaining in the GOA groundfish sector. This latter group of vessels had average gross revenues that varied by gear type. Average gross revenues for hook-and-line CVs, pot gear vessels, and trawl gear vessels are estimated to be $340,000, $720,000, and $1.83 million, respectively. Revenue data for the three C/Ps considered to be small entities are confidential. The preferred alternative (Alternative 2) was compared to four other alternatives. Alternative 1 would have set TACs to generate fishing rates equal to the maximum permissible ABC (if the full TAC were harvested), unless the sum of TACs exceeded the GOA OY, in which case TACs would be limited to the OY. Alternative 3 would have set TACs to produce fishing rates equal to the most recent 5-year average fishing rate. Alternative 4 would have set TACs to equal the lower limit of the GOA OY range. Alternative 5, the ``no action alternative,'' would have set TACs equal to zero. The TACs associated with the preferred harvest strategy are those adopted by the Council in October 2017, as per Alternative 2. OFLs and ABCs for the species were based on recommendations prepared by the Council's Plan Team in September 2017, and reviewed by the Council's SSC in October 2017. The Council based its TAC recommendations on those of its AP, which were consistent with the SSC's OFL and ABC recommendations. Alternative 1 selects harvest rates that would allow fishermen to harvest stocks at the level of ABCs, unless total harvests were constrained by the upper bound of the GOA OY of 800,000 mt. As shown in Table 1 of the preamble, the sum of ABCs in 2018 and 2019 would be 572,710 mt, which falls below the upper bound of the OY range. The sum of TACs is 465,832 mt, which is less than the sum of ABCs. In this instance, Alternative 1 is consistent with the [[Page 57946]] preferred alternative (Alternative 2), meets the objectives of that action, and has small entity impacts that may be equivalent to the preferred alternative. However, it is not likely that Alternative 1 would result in reduced adverse economic impacts to directly-regulated small entities relative to Alternative 2. The selection of Alternative 1, which could increase all TACs up to the sum of ABCs, would not reflect the practical implications that increased TACs for some species probably would not be fully harvested. This could be due to a variety of reasons, including the lack of commercial or market interest in some species. Additionally, an underharvest of flatfish TACs could result due to constraints such as the fixed, and therefore constraining, PSC limits associated with the harvest of the GOA groundfish species. Furthermore, TACs may be set lower than ABC for conservation purposes, as is the case with other rockfish in the Eastern GOA. Finally, the TACs for two species (pollock and Pacific cod) cannot be set equal to ABC, as the ABC must be reduced to account for the State of Alaska's guideline harvest levels in these fisheries. Alternative 3 selects harvest rates based on the most recent 5 years of harvest rates (for species in Tiers 1 through 3) or based on the most recent 5 years of harvests (for species in Tiers 4 through 6). This alternative is inconsistent with the objectives of this action, the Council's preferred harvest strategy, because it does not take account of the most recent biological information for this fishery. NMFS annually conducts at-sea stock surveys for different species, as well as statistical modeling, to estimate stock sizes and permissible harvest levels. Actual harvest rates or harvest amounts are a component of these estimates, but in and of themselves may not accurately portray stock sizes and conditions. Harvest rates are listed for each species category for each year in the SAFE report (see ADDRESSES). Alternative 4 would lead to significantly lower harvests of all species and reduce the TACs from the upper end of the OY range in the GOA, to its lower end of 116,000 mt. Overall, this would reduce 2018 TACs by about 80 percent and would lead to significant reductions in harvests of species harvested by small entities. While reductions of this size would be associated with offsetting price increases, the size of these increases is very uncertain. There are close substitutes for GOA groundfish species available in significant quantities from the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. While production declines in the GOA would undoubtedly be associated with significant price increases in the GOA, these increases would still be constrained by production of substitutes, and are very unlikely to offset revenue declines from smaller production. Thus, this alternative would have a detrimental impact on small entities. Alternative 5, which sets all harvests equal to zero, would have a significant adverse economic impact on small entities and would be contrary to obligations to achieve OY on a continuing basis, as mandated by the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Under Alternative 5, all 920 individual CVs impacted by this rule would have gross revenues of $0. Additionally, the three small C/Ps impacted by this rule also would have gross revenues of $0. The proposed harvest specifications (Alternative 2) extend the current 2018 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs to 2018 and 2019, with the exception of Pacific cod, as explained in the preamble. As noted in the IRFA, the Council may modify these OFLs, ABCs, and TACs in December 2017, when it reviews the November 2017 SAFE report from its Groundfish Plan Team, and the December 2017 Council meeting reports of its SSC and AP. Because the 2018 TACs in the proposed 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications are unchanged from the 2018 TACs, with the sole exception of modifications to Pacific cod harvest amounts, and because the sum of all TACs remains within OY for the GOA, NMFS does not expect adverse impacts on small entities. Also, NMFS does not expect any changes made by the Council in December 2017 to have significant adverse impacts on small entities. This action does not modify recordkeeping or reporting requirements, or duplicate, overlap, or conflict with any Federal rules. Adverse impacts on marine mammals or endangered species resulting from fishing activities conducted under this rule are discussed in the Final EIS and its accompanying annual SIRs (see ADDRESSES). Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1540(f); 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 3631 et seq.; Pub. L. 105-277; Pub. L. 106- 31; Pub. L. 106-554; Pub. L. 108-199; Pub. L. 108-447; Pub. L. 109- 241; Pub. L. 109-479. Dated: December 4, 2017. Alan D. Risenhoover, Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017-26473 Filed 12-6-17; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![57924 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 235 / Friday, December 8, 2017 / Proposed Rules
to the maximum permissible ABC (if the Alternative 4 would lead to SIR (https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/
full TAC were harvested), unless the significantly lower harvests of all sites/default/files/sir-2017-18.pdf).
sum of TACs exceeded the BSAI OY, in species and reduce TACs from the Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 16 U.S.C.
which case TACs would have been upper end of the OY range in the BSAI, 1540(f); 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C.
limited to the OY. Alternative 3 would to its lower end of 1.4 million mt. 3631 et seq.; Pub. L. 105–277; Pub. L. 106–
have set TACs to produce fishing rates Overall, this would reduce 2018 TACs 31; Pub. L. 106–554; Pub. L. 108–199;
equal to the most recent 5-year average by about 30 percent, which would lead Pub. L. 108–447; Pub. L. 109–241; Pub. L.
fishing rates. Alternative 4 would have to significant reductions in harvests of 109–479.
set TACs equal to the lower limit of the species by small entities. While Dated: December 4, 2017.
BSAI OY range. Alternative 5, the ‘‘no reductions of this size would alter the Alan D. Risenhoover,
action’’ alternative, would have set supply, and, therefore, would be Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for
TACs equal to zero. associated with offsetting price Regulatory Programs, National Marine
The TACs associated with Alternative increases, the size of these associated Fisheries Service.
2, the preferred harvest strategy, are price increases is uncertain. While [FR Doc. 2017–26477 Filed 12–6–17; 4:15 pm]
those adopted by the Council in October production declines in the BSAI would BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
2017. OFLs and ABCs for the species undoubtedly be associated with price
were based on recommendations increases in the BSAI, these increases
prepared by the Council’s BSAI would be constrained by production of DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Groundfish Plan Team in September substitutes, and are unlikely to
2017, and reviewed and modified by the completely offset revenue declines National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Council’s SSC in October 2017. The resulting from reductions in harvests of Administration
Council based its TAC these species by small entities. Thus,
recommendations on those of its AP, this alternative action would have a 50 CFR Part 679
which were consistent with the SSC’s detrimental impact on small entities.
OFL and ABC recommendations. Alternative 5, which sets all harvests [Docket No. 170816769–7769–01]
Alternative 1 selects harvest rates that equal to zero, would have a significant
would allow fishermen to harvest stocks RIN 0648–XF633
adverse impact on small entities and
at the level of ABCs, unless total
would be contrary to the requirement Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
harvests were constrained by the upper
for achieving OY on a continuing basis, Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska; 2018
bound of the BSAI OY of two million
as mandated by the Magnuson-Stevens and 2019 Harvest Specifications for
mt. As shown in Table 1 of the
Act. Groundfish
preamble, the sum of ABCs in 2018 and
2019 would be about 4,214,648 mt, The proposed harvest specifications
(Alternative 2) extend the current 2018 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
which falls above the upper bound of Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
the OY range. Under Alternative 1, the OFLs, ABCs, and TACs to 2018 and
2019, with the exceptions for decreases Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
sum of TACs is equal to the sum of Commerce.
ABCs. In this instance, Alternative 1 is of Pacific cod OFL, ABC, and TAC in
the BS and related increases in Atka ACTION: Proposed rule; request for
consistent with the preferred alternative comments.
(Alternative 2), meets the objectives of mackerel, Pacific ocean perch, pollock,
that action, and has small entity impacts and rock sole TAC amounts. As noted
SUMMARY: NMFS proposes 2018 and
that are equivalent to small entity in the IRFA, the Council may modify
2019 harvest specifications,
impacts of the preferred alternative. these OFLs, ABCs, and TACs in
apportionments, and Pacific halibut
However, NMFS cannot set TACs equal December 2017, when it reviews the
prohibited species catch limits for the
to the sum of ABCs in the BSAI due to November 2017 SAFE report from its
groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska
the constraining OY limit of 2.0 million groundfish Plan Team, and the reports
(GOA). This action is necessary to
mt, which Alternative 1 would exceed. of the SSC and AP at the December
establish harvest limits for groundfish
Alternative 3 selects harvest rates Council meeting. Because most of the
during the 2018 and 2019 fishing years
based on the most recent 5 years of TACs in the proposed 2018 and 2019
and to accomplish the goals and
harvest rates (for species in Tiers 1 harvest specifications are unchanged
objectives of the Fishery Management
through 3) or based on the most recent from the 2018 harvest specification
Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of
5 years of harvests (for species in Tiers TACs, with the exception of
Alaska. The intended effect of this
4 through 6). This alternative is modifications for TACs for five species,
action is to conserve and manage the
inconsistent with the objectives of this and because the sum of all TACs
groundfish resources in the GOA in
action (as reflected in Alternative 2, the remains within the upper limit of OY
accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens
Council’s preferred harvest strategy) for the BSAI of 2.0 million mt, NMFS
Fishery Conservation and Management
because it does not take account of the does not expect adverse impacts on
Act.
most recent biological information for small entities. Also, NMFS does not
this fishery. NMFS annually conducts expect any changes made by the Council DATES: Comments must be received by
at-sea stock surveys for different in December 2017 to be large enough to January 8, 2018.
species, as well as statistical modeling, have an impact on small entities. ADDRESSES: Submit comments on this
to estimate stock sizes and permissible This action does not modify document, identified by NOAA–NMFS–
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
harvest levels. Actual harvest rates or recordkeeping or reporting 2017–0107, by either of the following
harvest amounts are a component of requirements, or duplicate, overlap, or methods:
these estimates, but in and of conflict with any Federal rules. • Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: Go to
themselves may not accurately portray Adverse impacts on marine mammals www.regulations.gov/
stock sizes and conditions. Harvest rates resulting from fishing activities #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-
are listed for each species category for conducted under these harvest 0107, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon,
each year in the SAFE report (see specifications are discussed in the Final complete the required fields, and enter
ADDRESSES). EIS (see ADDRESSES), and in the 2017 or attach your comments.
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:45 Dec 07, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\08DEP1.SGM 08DEP1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_58159/page/1.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 235 / Friday, December 8, 2017 / Proposed Rules 57927
and 2019, the SSC recommended and Additional detail on these The Council’s recommendation for
the Council approved the W/C/WYK apportionments are described below, sablefish area apportionments takes into
pollock ABC, including the amount to and briefly summarized here. account the prohibition on the use of
account for the State’s PWS GHL. At the NMFS proposes pollock TACs in the trawl gear in the SEO District of the
November 2016 Plan Team meeting, W/C/WYK and the SEO District of the Eastern Regulatory Area (§ 679.7(b)(1))
State fisheries managers recommended GOA (see Table 1). NMFS also proposes and makes available 5 percent of the
setting the PWS GHL at 2.5 percent of seasonal apportionment of the annual combined Eastern Regulatory Area
the annual W/C/WYK pollock ABC. For pollock TAC in the Western and Central TACs to trawl gear for use as incidental
2018, this yields a PWS pollock GHL of Regulatory Areas of the GOA between catch in other groundfish fisheries in
3,937 mt, a decrease from the 2017 PWS Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630. the WYK District (§ 679.20(a)(4)(i)).
GHL of 5,094 mt. After accounting for These apportionments are divided
Additional detail is provided below.
PWS GHL, the 2018 and 2019 pollock equally among each of the following
Tables 4 and 5 list the proposed 2018
ABC for the combined W/C/WYK areas four seasons: The A season (January 20
through March 10), the B season (March and 2019 allocations of the sablefish
is then apportioned between four
10 through May 31), the C season TAC to fixed gear and trawl gear in the
statistical areas (Areas 610, 620, 630,
and 640) as both ABCs and TACs, as (August 25 through October 1), and the GOA.
described below and detailed in Table 1. D season (October 1 through November For 2018 and 2019, the Council
The total ABCs and TACs for the four 1) (§ 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), and recommends and NMFS proposes the
statistical areas, plus the State GHL, do § 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A) and (B)). Additional OFLs, ABCs, and TACs listed in Table
not exceed the combined W/C/WYK detail is provided below; Table 2 lists 1. The proposed ABCs reflect harvest
ABC. The proposed W/C/WYK 2018 and these amounts. amounts that are less than the specified
2019 pollock ABC is 157,496 mt, and NMFS proposes Pacific cod TACs in overfishing levels. Table 1 lists the
the proposed TAC is 153,559 mt. the Western, Central, and Eastern GOA proposed 2018 and 2019 OFLs, ABCs,
Apportionments of pollock to the (see Table 1). NMFS also proposes TACs, and area apportionments of
W/C/WYK management areas are seasonal apportionment of the Pacific groundfish in the GOA. These amounts
considered to be ‘‘apportionments of cod TACs in the Western and Central are consistent with the biological
annual catch limit (ACLs)’’ rather than Regulatory Areas. Sixty percent of the condition of groundfish stocks as
‘‘ABCs.’’ This more accurately reflects annual TAC is apportioned to the A
described in the 2016 SAFE report, and
that such apportionments address season for hook-and-line, pot, and jig
adjusted for other biological and
management, rather than biological or gear from January 1 through June 10,
and for trawl gear from January 20 socioeconomic considerations,
conservation, concerns. In addition,
through June 10. Forty percent of the including maintaining the total TAC
apportionments of the ACL in this
manner allow NMFS to balance any annual TAC is apportioned to the B within the required OY range. The sum
transfer of TAC among Areas 610, 620, season for jig gear from June 10 through of the proposed TACs for all GOA
and 630 pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B) December 31, for hook-and-line and pot groundfish is 465,832 mt for 2018 and
to ensure that the area-wide ACL, ABC, gear from September 1 through 2019, which is within the OY range
and TAC are not exceeded. December 31, and for trawl gear from specified by the FMP. These proposed
NMFS’ proposed apportionments of September 1 through November 1 amounts and apportionments by area,
groundfish species are based on the (§§ 679.23(d)(3) and 679.20(a)(12)). The season, and sector are subject to change
distribution of biomass among the Western and Central GOA Pacific cod pending consideration of the draft 2017
regulatory areas under which NMFS TACs are allocated among various gear SAFE report and the Council’s
manages the species. Additional and operational sectors. Additional recommendations for the final 2018 and
regulations govern the apportionment of detail is provided below; Table 3 lists 2019 harvest specifications during its
pollock, Pacific cod, and sablefish. the amounts apportioned to each sector. December 2017 meeting.
TABLE 1—PROPOSED 2018 AND 2019 ABCS, TACS, AND OFLS OF GROUNDFISH FOR THE WESTERN/CENTRAL/WEST
YAKUTAT, WESTERN, CENTRAL, AND EASTERN REGULATORY AREAS, AND IN THE WEST YAKUTAT, SOUTHEAST OUT-
SIDE, AND GULFWIDE DISTRICTS OF THE GULF OF ALASKA
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Species Area 1 OFL ABC TAC 2
Pollock 2 .......................................................... Shumagin (610) .............................................. n/a 33,701 33,701
Chirikof (620) .................................................. n/a 76,249 76,249
Kodiak (630) ................................................... n/a 37,818 37,818
WYK (640) ...................................................... n/a 5,791 5,791
W/C/WYK (subtotal) ....................................... 182,204 157,496 153,559
SEO (650) ...................................................... 13,226 9,920 9,920
Total ........................................................ 195,430 167,416 163,479
Pacific cod 3 .................................................... W .................................................................... n/a 22,565 15,796
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
C ..................................................................... n/a 27,471 20,603
E ..................................................................... n/a 4,894 3,671
Total ........................................................ 67,486 54,930 40,069
Sablefish 4 ....................................................... W .................................................................... n/a 1,367 1,367
C ..................................................................... n/a 4,574 4,574
WYK ............................................................... n/a 1,626 1,626
SEO ................................................................ n/a 2,640 2,640
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![57928 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 235 / Friday, December 8, 2017 / Proposed Rules
TABLE 1—PROPOSED 2018 AND 2019 ABCS, TACS, AND OFLS OF GROUNDFISH FOR THE WESTERN/CENTRAL/WEST
YAKUTAT, WESTERN, CENTRAL, AND EASTERN REGULATORY AREAS, AND IN THE WEST YAKUTAT, SOUTHEAST OUT-
SIDE, AND GULFWIDE DISTRICTS OF THE GULF OF ALASKA—Continued
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Species Area 1 OFL ABC TAC 2
E (WYK and SEO) (subtotal) ......................... n/a 4,266 4,266
Total ........................................................ 12,045 10,207 10,207
Shallow-water flatfish 5 .................................... W .................................................................... n/a 21,042 13,250
C ..................................................................... n/a 19,418 19,418
WYK ............................................................... n/a 3,206 3,206
SEO ................................................................ n/a 1,105 1,105
Total ........................................................ 54,893 44,771 36,979
Deep-water flatfish 6 ........................................ W .................................................................... n/a 257 257
C ..................................................................... n/a 3,488 3,488
WYK ............................................................... n/a 3,047 3,047
SEO ................................................................ n/a 2,590 2,590
Total ........................................................ 11,290 9,382 9,382
Rex sole .......................................................... W .................................................................... n/a 1,478 1,478
C ..................................................................... n/a 4,995 4,995
WYK ............................................................... n/a 861 861
SEO ................................................................ n/a 1,087 1,087
Total ........................................................ 11,004 8,421 8,421
Arrowtooth flounder ......................................... W .................................................................... n/a 25,747 14,500
C ..................................................................... n/a 98,895 75,000
WYK ............................................................... n/a 34,273 6,900
SEO ................................................................ n/a 11,595 6,900
Total ........................................................ 196,635 170,510 103,300
Flathead sole .................................................. W .................................................................... n/a 11,282 8,650
C ..................................................................... n/a 20,677 15,400
WYK ............................................................... n/a 2,998 2,998
SEO ................................................................ n/a 872 872
Total ........................................................ 43,872 35,829 27,920
Pacific ocean perch 7 ...................................... W .................................................................... n/a 2,627 2,627
C ..................................................................... n/a 16,347 16,347
WYK ............................................................... n/a 2,733 2,733
W/C/WYK ....................................................... 25,252 21,707 21,707
SEO ................................................................ 2,032 1,747 1,747
Total ........................................................ 27,284 23,454 23,454
Northern rockfish 8 .......................................... W .................................................................... n/a 400 400
C ..................................................................... n/a 3,108 3,108
E ..................................................................... n/a 4 ........................
Total ........................................................ 4,175 3,512 3,508
Shortraker rockfish 9 ........................................ W .................................................................... n/a 38 38
C ..................................................................... n/a 301 301
E ..................................................................... n/a 947 947
Total ........................................................ 1,715 1,286 1,286
Dusky rockfish 10 ............................................. W .................................................................... n/a 146 146
C ..................................................................... n/a 3,499 3,499
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
WYK ............................................................... n/a 232 232
SEO ................................................................ n/a 77 77
Total ........................................................ 4,837 3,954 3,954
Rougheye and blackspotted rockfish 11 .......... W .................................................................... n/a 104 104
C ..................................................................... n/a 702 702
E ..................................................................... n/a 512 512
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 235 / Friday, December 8, 2017 / Proposed Rules 57929
TABLE 1—PROPOSED 2018 AND 2019 ABCS, TACS, AND OFLS OF GROUNDFISH FOR THE WESTERN/CENTRAL/WEST
YAKUTAT, WESTERN, CENTRAL, AND EASTERN REGULATORY AREAS, AND IN THE WEST YAKUTAT, SOUTHEAST OUT-
SIDE, AND GULFWIDE DISTRICTS OF THE GULF OF ALASKA—Continued
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Species Area 1 OFL ABC TAC 2
Total ........................................................ 1,583 1,318 1,318
Demersal shelf rockfish 12 ............................... SEO ................................................................ 357 227 227
Thornyhead rockfish 13 .................................... W .................................................................... n/a 291 291
C ..................................................................... n/a 988 988
E ..................................................................... n/a 682 682
Total ........................................................ 2,615 1,961 1,961
Other rockfish 14 15 .......................................... W/C combined ................................................ n/a 1,534 1,534
WYK ............................................................... n/a 574 574
SEO ................................................................ n/a 3,665 200
Total ........................................................ 7,424 5,773 2,308
Atka mackerel ................................................. GW ................................................................. 6,200 4,700 3,000
Big skates 16 .................................................... W .................................................................... n/a 908 908
C ..................................................................... n/a 1,850 1,850
E ..................................................................... n/a 1,056 1,056
Total ........................................................ 5,086 3,814 3,814
Longnose skates 17 ......................................... W .................................................................... n/a 61 61
C ..................................................................... n/a 2,513 2,513
E ..................................................................... n/a 632 632
Total ........................................................ 4,274 3,206 3,206
Other skates 18 ................................................ GW ................................................................. 2,558 1,919 1,919
Sculpins ........................................................... GW ................................................................. 7,338 5,591 5,591
Sharks ............................................................. GW ................................................................. 6,020 4,514 4,514
Squids ............................................................. GW ................................................................. 1,516 1,137 1,137
Octopuses ....................................................... GW ................................................................. 6,504 4,878 4,878
Total ......................................................... ......................................................................... 682,141 572,710 465,832
1 Regulatory areas and districts are defined at § 679.2. (W=Western Gulf of Alaska; C=Central Gulf of Alaska; E=Eastern Gulf of Alaska;
WYK=West Yakutat District; SEO=Southeast Outside District; GW=Gulf-wide).
2 The total for the W/C/WYK Regulatory Areas pollock ABC is 157,496 mt. After deducting 2.5 percent (3,937 mt) of that ABC for the State’s
pollock GHL fishery, the remaining pollock ABC of 153,559 mt (for the W/C/WYK Regulatory Areas) is apportioned among four statistical areas
(Areas 610, 620, 630, and 640). These apportionments are considered subarea ACLs, rather than ABCs, for specification and reapportionment
purposes. The ACLs in Areas 610, 620, and 630 are further divided by season, as detailed in Table 2. In the West Yakutat (Area 640) and
Southeast Outside (Area 650) Districts of the Eastern Regulatory Area, pollock is not divided into seasonal allowances.
3 The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned 60 percent to the A season and 40 percent to the B season in the Western and Central Regu-
latory Areas of the GOA. Pacific cod TAC in the Eastern Regulatory Area is allocated 90 percent for processing by the inshore component and
10 percent for processing by the offshore component. Table 3 lists the proposed 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments.
4 Sablefish is allocated to fixed and trawl gear in 2018 and trawl gear in 2019. Tables 4 and 5 list the proposed 2018 and 2019 allocations of
sablefish TACs.
5 ‘‘Shallow-water flatfish’’ means flatfish not including ‘‘deep-water flatfish,’’ flathead sole, rex sole, or arrowtooth flounder.
6 ‘‘Deep-water flatfish’’ means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, and deep-sea sole.
7 ‘‘Pacific ocean perch’’ means Sebastes alutus.
8 ‘‘Northern rockfish’’ means Sebastes polyspinous. For management purposes the 3 mt apportionment of ABC to the WYK District of the East-
ern Gulf of Alaska has been included in the other rockfish species group.
9 ‘‘Shortraker rockfish’’ means Sebastes borealis.
10 ‘‘Dusky rockfish’’ means Sebastes variabilis.
11 ‘‘Rougheye and blackspotted rockfish’’ means Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and Sebastes melanostictus (blackspotted).
12 ‘‘Demersal shelf rockfish’’ means Sebastes pinniger (canary), S. nebulosus (china), S. caurinus (copper), S. maliger (quillback), S.
helvomaculatus (rosethorn), S. nigrocinctus (tiger), and S. ruberrimus (yelloweye).
13 ‘‘Thornyhead rockfish’’ means Sebastes species.
14 ‘‘Other rockfish means Sebastes aurora (aurora), S. melanostomus (blackgill), S. paucispinis (bocaccio), S. goodei (chilipepper), S. crameri
(darkblotch), S. elongatus (greenstriped), S. variegatus (harlequin), S. wilsoni (pygmy), S. babcocki (redbanded), S. proriger (redstripe), S.
zacentrus (sharpchin), S. jordani (shortbelly), S. brevispinis (silvergray), S. diploproa (splitnose), S. saxicola (stripetail), S. miniatus (vermilion), S.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
reedi (yellowmouth), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus (yellowtail). In the Eastern GOA only, ‘‘other rockfish’’ also includes northern rockfish
(S. polyspinous).
15 ‘‘Other rockfish’’ in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat District means all rockfish species included in the
‘‘other rockfish’’ and demersal shelf rockfish categories. The ‘‘other rockfish’’ species group in the SEO District only includes other rockfish.
16 ‘‘Big skates’’ means Raja binoculata.
17 ‘‘Longnose skates’’ means Raja rhina.
18 ‘‘Other skates’’ means Bathyraja and Raja spp.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 235 / Friday, December 8, 2017 / Proposed Rules 57931
TABLE 2—PROPOSED 2018 AND 2019 DISTRIBUTION OF POLLOCK IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN REGULATORY AREAS
OF THE GULF OF ALASKA; SEASONAL BIOMASS DISTRIBUTION, AREA APPORTIONMENTS; AND SEASONAL ALLOWANCES
OF ANNUAL TAC 1
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Season 2 Shumagin (area 610) Chirikof (Area 620) Kodiak (area 630) Total 3
A (Jan 20–Mar 10) ....... 1,725 (4.67%) 26,704 (72.29%) 8,513 (23.04%) 36,942
B (Mar 10–May 31) ...... 1,725 (4.67%) 30,469 (82.48%) 4,748 (12.85%) 36,942
C (Aug 25–Oct 1) ......... 15,125 (40.94%) 9,538 (25.82%) 12,278 (33.24%) 36,942
D (Oct 1–Nov 1) ........... 15,125 (40.94%) 9,538 (25.82%) 12,278 (33.24%) 36,942
Annual Total .......... 33,701 ........................ 76,249 ........................ 37,818 ........................ 147,768
1 Areaapportionments and seasonal allowances may not total precisely due to rounding.
2 Asestablished by § 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season allowances are available from January 20 through March 10,
March 10 through May 31, August 25 through October 1, and October 1 through November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for proc-
essing by the inshore and offshore components are not shown in this table.
3 The West Yakutat and Southeast Outside District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock TACs
shown in this table.
Proposed Annual and Seasonal gear, CVs using trawl gear, C/Ps using before TAC is apportioned among other
Apportionments of Pacific Cod TAC trawl gear, and vessels using pot gear non-jig sectors. In accordance with the
As explained earlier in the section on (§ 679.20(a)(12)(i)(B)). In the Western FMP, the annual jig sector allocations
‘‘Proposed ABC and TAC GOA, the Pacific cod TAC is may increase to up to 6 percent of the
Specifications,’’ the Council apportioned seasonally first to vessels annual Western and Central GOA
recommended reduced Pacific cod OFL, using jig gear, and then among CVs Pacific cod TACs, depending on the
ABC, and TAC amounts as a result of using hook-and-line gear, C/Ps using annual performance of the jig sector (see
preliminary data indicating a decrease hook-and-line gear, CVs using trawl Table 1 of Amendment 83 to the FMP
in biomass. The proposed amounts gear, C/Ps using trawl gear, and vessels for a detailed discussion of the jig sector
could likely change, including a further using pot gear (§ 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A)). allocation process (76 FR 74670,
decrease, once the 2017 Pacific cod The overall seasonal apportionments in December 1, 2011). Jig sector allocation
stock assessment is finalized, reviewed the Western and Central GOA are 60 increases are established for a minimum
by the Council’s groundfish Plan Team percent of the annual TAC to the A of 2 years.
in November, and then subsequently season and 40 percent of the annual
TAC to the B season. All of these NMFS has evaluated the historical
reviewed by the SSC, AP, and Council harvest performance of the jig sector in
in December 2017. Reductions could apportionments proposed for 2018 and
2019 incorporate the proposed the Western and Central GOA, and is
impact seasonal and sector establishing the proposed 2018 and
apportionments of Pacific cod TAC. reduction to the 2018 and 2019 Pacific
Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(12)(i), NMFS cod TAC that was recommended by the 2019 Pacific cod apportionments to this
proposes allocations for the 2018 and Council and discussed earlier in the sector based on its historical harvest
2019 Pacific cod TACs in the Western preamble. performance through 2016. For 2018
and Central Regulatory Areas of the Under § 679.20(a)(12)(ii), any overage and 2019, NMFS proposes that the jig
GOA among gear and operational or underage of the Pacific cod allowance sector receive 2.5 percent of the annual
sectors. NMFS also proposes allocating from the A season will be subtracted Pacific cod TAC in the Western GOA.
the 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod TACs from, or added to, the subsequent B This includes a base allocation of 1.5
annually between the inshore and season allowance. In addition, any percent and an additional 1.0 percent
offshore components in the Eastern portion of the hook-and-line, trawl, pot, because this sector harvested greater
Regulatory Area of the GOA or jig sector allocations that is than 90 percent of its initial allocations
(§ 679.20(a)(6)(ii)). In the Central GOA, determined by NMFS as likely to go in 2012 and 2014 in the Western GOA.
the Pacific cod TAC is apportioned unharvested by a sector may be NMFS also proposes that the jig sector
seasonally first to vessels using jig gear, reallocated to other sectors for harvest receive 1.0 percent of the annual Pacific
and then among catcher vessels (CVs) during the remainder of the fishing year. cod TAC in the Central GOA. This
less than 50 feet in length overall using Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A) and includes a base allocation of 1.0 percent
hook-and-line gear, CVs equal to or (B), a portion of the annual Pacific cod and no additional performance increase.
greater than 50 feet in length overall TACs in the Western and Central GOA These historical Pacific cod jig
using hook-and-line gear, catcher/ will be allocated to vessels with a allocations, catch, and percent
processors (C/Ps) using hook-and-line Federal fisheries permit that use jig gear allocation changes are listed in Figure 1.
FIGURE 1—SUMMARY OF WESTERN GOA AND CENTRAL GOA MANAGEMENT AREA PACIFIC COD CATCH BY JIG GEAR IN
2012 THROUGH 2016, AND CORRESPONDING PERCENT ALLOCATION CHANGES
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
Initial Percent of >90% of Change to
Initial TAC Catch
Area Year percent of initial initial percent
allocation (mt)
TAC allocation allocation? allocation
WGOA .......................... 2012 1.5 315 322 102 Y Increase 1.
2013 2.5 530 273 52 N None.
2014 2.5 573 785 137 Y Increase 1.
2015 3.5 948 55 6 N None.
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![57932 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 235 / Friday, December 8, 2017 / Proposed Rules
FIGURE 1—SUMMARY OF WESTERN GOA AND CENTRAL GOA MANAGEMENT AREA PACIFIC COD CATCH BY JIG GEAR IN
2012 THROUGH 2016, AND CORRESPONDING PERCENT ALLOCATION CHANGES—Continued
Initial Percent of >90% of Change to
Initial TAC Catch
Area Year percent of initial initial percent
allocation (mt)
TAC allocation allocation? allocation
2016 3.5 992 52 5 N Decrease 1.
CGOA .......................... 2012 1.0 427 400 94 Y Increase 1.
2013 2.0 740 202 27 N None.
2014 2.0 797 262 33 N None.
2015 1.0 460 355 77 N Decrease 1.
2016 1.0 370 267 72 N None.
NMFS will re-evaluate the annual GOA jig sector indicates that the Pacific Central GOA are further apportioned
2017 harvest performance of jig sector in cod allocation percentage to this sector between the A (60 percent) and B (40
the Western and Central Management would probably decrease by 1 percent in percent) seasons (§ 679.20(a)(12)(i) and
areas when the 2017 fishing year is 2018 (from 2.5 percent to 1.5 percent). § 679.23(d)(3)(iii)).
complete to determine whether to Also, the current catch by the Central Table 3 lists the seasonal
change the jig sector allocations GOA jig sector indicates that this
apportionments and allocations of the
proposed by this action in conjunction sector’s Pacific cod allocation
proposed 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod
with the final 2018 and 2019 harvest percentage would not change in 2018,
specifications. The current catch and would remain at 1 percent. The jig TACs.
through November 2017 by the Western sector allocations for the Western and
TABLE 3—PROPOSED 2018 AND 2019 SEASONAL APPORTIONMENTS AND ALLOCATIONS OF PACIFIC COD TOTAL ALLOW-
ABLE CATCH AMOUNTS IN THE GOA; ALLOCATIONS IN THE WESTERN GOA AND CENTRAL GOA SECTORS, AND THE
EASTERN GOA FOR PROCESSING BY THE INSHORE AND OFFSHORE COMPONENTS
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
A season B season
Annual Sector Sector
Regulatory area and sector allocation percentage Seasonal percentage Seasonal
(mt) of annual allowances of annual allowances
non-jig (mt) non-jig (mt)
TAC TAC
Western GOA:
Jig (2.5% of TAC) ......................................................... 395 N/A 237 N/A 158
Hook-and-line CV ......................................................... 216 0.70 108 0.70 108
Hook-and-line C/P ........................................................ 3,049 10.90 1,679 8.90 1,371
Trawl CV ....................................................................... 5,914 27.70 4,266 10.70 1,648
Trawl C/P ...................................................................... 370 0.90 139 1.50 231
Pot CV and Pot C/P ..................................................... 5,852 19.80 3,049 18.20 2,803
Total ....................................................................... 15,796 60.00 9,477 40.00 6,318
Central GOA:
Jig (1.0% of TAC) ......................................................... 206 N/A 124 N/A 82
Hook-and-line <50 CV .................................................. 2,978 9.32 1,900 5.29 1,078
Hook-and-line ≥50 CV .................................................. 1,368 5.61 1,144 1.10 224
Hook-and-line C/P ........................................................ 1,041 4.11 838 1.00 203
Trawl CV 1 ..................................................................... 8,482 21.13 4,311 20.45 4,171
Trawl C/P ...................................................................... 856 2.00 409 2.19 448
Pot CV and Pot C/P ..................................................... 5,671 17.83 3,637 9.97 2,035
Total ....................................................................... 20,603 60.00 12,362 40.00 8,241
Eastern GOA: ........................ Inshore (90% of Annual TAC) Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
.......................................................................................... 3,671 3,303 367
1 Trawl
vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 785 mt, of the annual Central GOA Pacific cod TAC.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
This apportionment percentage is specified in Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679. This apportionment is deducted from the Trawl CV B season allow-
ance (see Table 8: Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA).
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 235 / Friday, December 8, 2017 / Proposed Rules 57933
Proposed Allocations of the Sablefish fixed gear. NMFS proposes to allocate Since there is an annual assessment for
TACs Amounts to Vessels Using Fixed 100 percent of the sablefish TAC in the sablefish and the final harvest
Gear and Trawl Gear SEO District to vessels using fixed gear. specifications are expected to be
This action results in a proposed 2018 published before the IFQ season begins
Sections 679.20(a)(4)(i) and (ii)
allocation of 213 mt to trawl gear and (typically, in early March), the Council
require allocations of sablefish TACs for 1,413 mt to fixed gear in the WYK
each of the regulatory areas and districts recommended that the fixed gear
District, a proposed 2018 allocation of sablefish TAC be set annually, rather
to fixed and trawl gear. In the Western 2,640 mt to fixed gear in the SEO
and Central Regulatory Areas, 80 than for 2 years, so that the best
District, and a 2019 allocation of 213 mt available scientific information could be
percent of each TAC is allocated to fixed to trawl gear in the WYK District. Table
gear, and 20 percent of each TAC is considered in establishing the sablefish
4 lists the allocations of the proposed ABCs and TACs. Accordingly, Table 4
allocated to trawl gear. In the Eastern 2018 sablefish TACs to fixed and trawl
Regulatory Area, 95 percent of the TAC lists the 2018 fixed gear allocations, and
gear. Table 5 lists the allocations of the the 2019 fixed gear allocations will be
is allocated to fixed gear and 5 percent proposed 2019 sablefish TACs to trawl
is allocated to trawl gear. The trawl gear in the proposed 2019 and 2020 harvest
gear. specifications.
allocation in the Eastern Regulatory The Council recommended that the
Area may only be used to support trawl sablefish TAC be established for 2 With the exception of the trawl
incidental catch of sablefish in directed years so that retention of incidental allocations that are provided to the
fisheries for other target species catch of sablefish by trawl gear could Rockfish Program cooperatives (see
(§ 679.20(a)(4)(i)). commence in January in the second year Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679), directed
In recognition of the prohibition of the groundfish harvest specifications. fishing for sablefish with trawl gear is
against trawl gear in the SEO District of Tables 4 and 5 list the 2018 and 2019 closed during the fishing year. Also,
the Eastern Regulatory Area, the Council trawl allocations, respectively. fishing for groundfish with trawl gear is
recommended and NMFS proposes the The Council recommended that the prohibited prior to January 20.
allocation of 5 percent of the combined fixed gear sablefish TAC be established Therefore, it is not likely that the
Eastern Regulatory Area sablefish TAC annually to ensure that the sablefish IFQ sablefish allocation to trawl gear would
to trawl gear in the WYK District, fishery is conducted concurrently with be reached before the effective date of
making the remainder of the WYK the halibut IFQ fishery and is based on the final 2018 and 2019 harvest
sablefish TAC available to vessels using the most recent survey information. specifications.
TABLE 4—PROPOSED 2018 SABLEFISH TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH (TAC) IN THE GULF OF ALASKA
AND ALLOCATIONS TO FIXED AND TRAWL GEAR
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Fixed gear Trawl
Area/district TAC allocation allocation
Western ........................................................................................................................................ 1,367 1,094 273
Central 1 ....................................................................................................................................... 4,574 3,659 915
West Yakutat 2 ............................................................................................................................. 1,626 1,413 213
Southeast Outside ....................................................................................................................... 2,640 2,640 0
Total ...................................................................................................................................... 10,207 8,806 1,402
1 The trawl allocation to the Central Regulatory Area is further reduced by the sablefish apportioned to the Rockfish Program cooperatives (471
mt). See Table 8: Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA. This results in 444 mt being available for the non-Rockfish
Program trawl fisheries.
2 The proposed trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat and Southeast Out-
side Districts combined) sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.
TABLE 5—PROPOSED 2019 SABLEFISH TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH (TAC) IN THE GULF OF ALASKA
AND ALLOCATION TO TRAWL GEAR 1
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton.]
Fixed gear Trawl
Area/district TAC allocation allocation
Western ....................................................................................................................................... 1,367 n/a .................. 273
Central 2 ....................................................................................................................................... 4,574 n/a .................. 915
West Yakutat 3 ............................................................................................................................. 1,626 n/a .................. 213
Southeast Outside ....................................................................................................................... 2,640 n/a .................. 0
Total ...................................................................................................................................... 10,207 n/a .................. 1,402
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
1 The Council recommended that harvest specifications for the fixed gear sablefish Individual Fishing Quota fisheries be limited to 1 year.
2 The trawl allocation to the Central Regulatory Area is further reduced by the sablefish apportioned to the Rockfish Program cooperatives
(471mt). See Table 8: Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA. This results in 444 mt being available for the non-
Rockfish Program trawl fisheries.
3 The proposed trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat and Southeast Out-
side Districts combined) sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.
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![57934 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 235 / Friday, December 8, 2017 / Proposed Rules
Proposed Apportionments to the allocated to participants after deducting rockfish to the entry level longline
Rockfish Program for incidental catch needs in other fishery in 2018 and 2019. The allocation
These proposed 2018 and 2019 directed groundfish fisheries for the entry level longline fishery may
harvest specifications for the GOA (§ 679.81(a)(2)). Participants in the increase incrementally each year if the
include the fishery cooperative Rockfish Program also receive a portion catch exceeds 90 percent of the
allocations and sideboard limitations of the Central GOA TAC of specific allocation of a species. The incremental
established by the Rockfish Program. secondary species. Besides groundfish increase in the allocation would
Program participants are primarily trawl species, the Rockfish Program allocates continue each year until it is the
CVs and trawl C/Ps, with limited a portion of the halibut PSC limit (191 maximum percentage of the TAC for
participation by vessels using longline mt) from the third season deep-water that species. In 2017, the allocation for
gear. The Rockfish Program assigns species fishery allowance for the GOA dusky rockfish increased by 20 mt, from
quota share and cooperative quota to trawl fisheries to Rockfish Program 30 mt, to 50 mt. In 2017, the catch for
participants for primary (Pacific ocean participants (§ 679.81(d) and Table 28d
all three primary species did not exceed
perch, northern rockfish, and dusky to 50 CFR part 679). Rockfish Program
90 percent of any allocated rockfish
rockfish) and secondary species (Pacific sideboards and halibut PSC limits are
discussed later in this rule. species. Therefore, NMFS is not
cod, rougheye rockfish, sablefish, proposing any increases to the entry
shortraker rockfish, and thornyhead Also, the Rockfish Program
establishes sideboard limits to restrict level longline fishery 2018 and 2019
rockfish), allows a participant holding a
the ability of harvesters that operate allocations in the Central GOA. The
license limitation program (LLP) license
with rockfish quota share to form a under the Rockfish Program to increase remainder of the TACs for the rockfish
rockfish cooperative with other persons, their participation in other, non- primary species would be allocated to
and allows holders of C/P LLP licenses Rockfish Program fisheries. These the CV and C/P cooperatives. Table 6
to opt out of the fishery. The Rockfish restrictions are discussed in a lists the allocations of the proposed
Program also has an entry level fishery subsequent section titled ‘‘Rockfish 2018 and 2019 TACs for each rockfish
for rockfish primary species for vessels Program Groundfish Sideboard and primary species to the entry level
using longline gear. Longline gear Halibut PSC Limitations.’’ longline fishery, the incremental
includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and Section 679.81(a)(2)(ii) and Table 28e increase for future years, and the
handline gear. to 50 CFR part 679 requires allocations maximum percentage of the TAC for the
Under the Rockfish Program, rockfish of 5 mt of Pacific ocean perch, 5 mt of entry level longline fishery.
primary species in the Central GOA are northern rockfish, and 50 mt of dusky
TABLE 6—PROPOSED 2018 AND 2019 ALLOCATIONS OF ROCKFISH PRIMARY SPECIES TO THE ENTRY LEVEL LONGLINE
FISHERY IN THE CENTRAL GULF OF ALASKA
Up to maximum
Incremental increase in 2019 if ≥90
Rockfish primary species 2018 and 2019 allocations percent of
percent of 2018 allocation is harvested each TAC of:
Pacific ocean perch ................................ 5 metric tons ......................................... 5 metric tons ......................................... 1
Northern rockfish .................................... 5 metric tons ......................................... 5 metric tons ......................................... 2
Dusky rockfish ........................................ 50 metric tons ....................................... 20 metric tons ....................................... 5
Section 679.81 requires allocations of Central GOA of 3,500 mt of Pacific C/P cooperatives are not due to NMFS
rockfish primary species among various ocean perch, 300 mt of northern until March 1 of each calendar year;
sectors of the Rockfish Program. Table 7 rockfish, and 250 mt of dusky rockfish. therefore, NMFS cannot calculate 2018
lists the proposed 2018 and 2019 These amounts are based on recent and 2019 allocations in conjunction
allocations of rockfish primary species average incidental catches in the Central with these proposed harvest
in the Central GOA to the entry level GOA by other groundfish fisheries. specifications. NMFS will post these
longline fishery, and rockfish CV and Allocations among vessels belonging allocations on the Alaska Region Web
C/P cooperatives in the Rockfish to CV or C/P cooperatives are not site at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/
Program. NMFS also proposes setting included in these proposed harvest fisheries/central-goa-rockfish-program
aside incidental catch amounts (ICAs) specifications. Rockfish Program when they become available after March
for other directed fisheries in the applications for CV cooperatives and 1.
TABLE 7—PROPOSED 2018 AND 2019 ALLOCATIONS OF ROCKFISH PRIMARY SPECIES IN THE CENTRAL GULF OF ALASKA
TO THE ENTRY LEVEL LONGLINE FISHERY AND ROCKFISH COOPERATIVES IN THE ROCKFISH PROGRAM
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Incidental Allocation to
catch TAC minus the entry level Allocation to
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Rockfish primary species TAC the Rockfish
allowance ICA longline 1
(ICA) Cooperatives 2
fishery
Pacific ocean perch ............................................................. 16,347 3,500 12,847 5 12,842
Northern rockfish .................................................................. 3,108 300 2,808 5 2,803
Dusky rockfish ...................................................................... 3,499 250 3,249 50 3,199
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TABLE 7—PROPOSED 2018 AND 2019 ALLOCATIONS OF ROCKFISH PRIMARY SPECIES IN THE CENTRAL GULF OF ALASKA
TO THE ENTRY LEVEL LONGLINE FISHERY AND ROCKFISH COOPERATIVES IN THE ROCKFISH PROGRAM—Continued
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Incidental Allocation to Allocation to
catch TAC minus the entry level
Rockfish primary species TAC the Rockfish
allowance ICA longline 1 Cooperatives 2
(ICA) fishery
Total .............................................................................. 22,954 4,050 18,904 60 18,844
1 Longline gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear (§ 679.2).
2 Rockfish cooperatives include vessels in CV and C/P cooperatives (§ 679.81).
Section 679.81(c) and Table 28c to 50 Pacific cod, sablefish from the trawl gear and thornyhead rockfish. Table 8 lists
CFR part 679 requires allocations of allocation, and thornyhead rockfish. the apportionments of the proposed
rockfish secondary species to CV and C/P cooperatives receive allocations of 2018 and 2019 TACs of rockfish
C/P cooperatives in the Central GOA. sablefish from the trawl allocation, secondary species in the Central GOA to
CV cooperatives receive allocations of rougheye rockfish, shortraker rockfish, CV and C/P cooperatives.
TABLE 8—PROPOSED 2018 AND 2019 APPORTIONMENTS OF ROCKFISH SECONDARY SPECIES IN THE CENTRAL GOA TO
CATCHER VESSEL AND CATCHER/PROCESSOR COOPERATIVES
[Values are in metric tons]
Catcher Vessel cooperatives Catcher/Processor cooperatives
Central GOA
Rockfish secondary species annual TAC Percentage of Apportionment Percentage of Apportionment
TAC (mt) TAC (mt)
Pacific cod ............................................. 20,603 3.81 785 0.0 0.0
Sablefish ................................................ 4,574 6.78 310 3.51 161
Shortraker rockfish ................................. 301 0.0 0 40.00 120
Rougheye rockfish ................................. 702 0.0 0 58.87 413
Thornyhead rockfish .............................. 988 7.84 77 26.50 262
Halibut PSC Limits commercial directed fishery, of which data collected by fisheries observers
36 mt were harvested. during 2017. The calculated halibut
Section 679.21(d) establishes annual The FMP authorizes the Council to bycatch mortality through October 12,
halibut PSC limit apportionments to exempt specific gear from the halibut 2017, is 1,018 mt for trawl gear and 119
trawl and hook-and-line gear, and PSC limits. NMFS, after consultation mt for hook-and-line gear for a total
authorizes the establishment of with the Council, proposes to exempt halibut mortality of 1,137 mt. This
apportionments for pot gear. In October pot gear, jig gear, and the sablefish IFQ halibut mortality was calculated using
2017, the Council recommended halibut hook-and-line gear fishery categories groundfish and halibut catch data from
PSC limits of 1,706 mt for trawl gear, from the non-trawl halibut PSC limit for the NMFS Alaska Region’s catch
257 mt for hook-and-line gear, and 9 mt 2018 and 2019. The Council accounting system. This accounting
for the demersal shelf rockfish (DSR) recommended, and NMFS is proposing, system contains historical and recent
fishery in the SEO District. these exemptions because (1) pot gear catch information compiled from each
fisheries have low annual halibut Alaska groundfish fishery.
The DSR fishery in the SEO District
bycatch mortality; (2) IFQ program Section 679.21(d)(4)(i) and (ii)
is defined at § 679.21(d)(2)(ii)(A). This authorizes NMFS to seasonally
regulations prohibit discard of halibut if
fishery is apportioned 9 mt of the any halibut IFQ permit holder on board apportion the halibut PSC limits after
halibut PSC limit in recognition of its a CV holds unused halibut IFQ for that consultation with the Council. The FMP
small-scale harvests of groundfish. vessel category and the IFQ regulatory and regulations require that the Council
NMFS estimates low halibut bycatch in area in which the vessel is operating and NMFS consider the following
the DSR fishery because (1) the duration (§ 679.7(f)(11)); 3) some sablefish IFQ information in seasonally apportioning
of the DSR fisheries and the gear soak permit holders hold halibut IFQ permits halibut PSC limits: (1) Seasonal
times are short, (2) the DSR fishery and are therefore required to retain the distribution of halibut, (2) seasonal
occurs in the winter when there is less halibut they catch while fishing distribution of target groundfish species
overlap in the distribution of DSR and sablefish IFQ; and 4) NMFS estimates relative to halibut distribution, (3)
halibut, and (3) the directed commercial negligible halibut mortality for the jig expected halibut bycatch needs on a
DSR fishery has a low DSR TAC. The gear fisheries. NMFS estimates halibut seasonal basis relative to changes in
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Alaska Department of Fish and Game mortality is negligible in the jig gear halibut biomass and expected catch of
sets the commercial GHL for the DSR fisheries given the small amount of target groundfish species, (4) expected
fishery after deducting (1) estimates of groundfish harvested by jig gear, the bycatch rates on a seasonal basis, (5)
DSR incidental catch in all fisheries selective nature of jig gear, and the high expected changes in directed groundfish
(including halibut and subsistence); and survival rates of halibut caught and fishing seasons, (6) expected actual start
(2) the allocation to the DSR sport fish released with jig gear. of fishing effort, and (7) economic
fishery. Of the 227 mt TAC for DSR in The best available information on effects of establishing seasonal halibut
2017, 77 mt were available for the DSR estimated halibut bycatch consists of allocations on segments of the target
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groundfish industry. Based on public 27, 2017) summarized the Council’s and reflect the halibut PSC limits set forth at
comment and the information presented NMFS’ findings with respect to halibut § 679.21(d)(2) and § 679.21(d)(3).
in the final 2017 SAFE report, the PSC for each of these FMP Sections 679.21(d)(4)(iii) and (iv)
Council may recommend or NMFS may considerations. The Council’s and specify that any underages or overages
make changes to the seasonal, gear-type, NMFS’ findings for 2018 are unchanged of a seasonal apportionment of a halibut
or fishery category apportionments of from 2017. Table 9 lists the proposed PSC limit will be added to or deducted
halibut PSC limits for the final 2018 and 2018 and 2019 Pacific halibut PSC from the next respective seasonal
2019 harvest specifications. limits, allowances, and apportionments. apportionment within the fishing year.
The final 2017 and 2018 harvest
The halibut PSC limits in these tables
specifications (82 FR 12032, February
TABLE 9—PROPOSED 2018 AND 2019 PACIFIC HALIBUT PSC LIMITS, ALLOWANCES, AND APPORTIONMENTS
[Values are in metric tons]
Trawl gear Hook-and-line gear 1
Other than DSR DSR
Season Percent Amount
Season Percent Amount Season Amount
January 20–April 1 ........... 27.5 469 January 1–June 10 ......... 86 221 January 1–December 31 9
April 1–July 1 .................... 20 341 June 10–September 1 ..... 2 5 .......................................... ................
July 1–September 1 ......... 30 512 September 1–December 12 31 .......................................... ................
31.
September 1–October 1 ... 7.5 128 .......................................... ................ ................ .......................................... ................
October 1–December 31 .. 15 256 .......................................... ................ ................ .......................................... ................
Total .......................... ................ 1,706 .......................................... ................ 257 .......................................... 9
1 The Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limit for hook-and-line gear is allocated to the demersal shelf rockfish (DSR) fishery and
fisheries other than DSR. The hook-and-line sablefish fishery is exempt from halibut PSC limits, as are pot and jig gear for all groundfish
fisheries.
Section 679.21(d)(3)(ii) authorizes or a lower TAC is adopted as the final year that may have lower halibut PSC
further apportionment of the trawl TAC for 2018 and 2019, this reduced rates relative to other times of the year.
halibut PSC limit as bycatch allowances TAC could result in the Council Table 10 lists the proposed 2018 and
to trawl fishery categories listed in adjusting the apportionment of halibut 2019 seasonal apportionments of trawl
§ 679.21(d)(3)(iii). The annual PSC limits between the shallow-water halibut PSC limits between the trawl
apportionments are based on each and deep-water species fisheries to
gear deep-water and the shallow-water
category’s proportional share of the reflect the potential for decreased effort
species fisheries.
anticipated halibut bycatch mortality in the shallow-water fisheries in 2018
during a fishing year and optimization and 2019 due the decrease in the Pacific Table 28d to 50 CFR part 679 specifies
of the total amount of groundfish cod TAC. The potential for decreased the amount of the trawl halibut PSC
harvest under the halibut PSC limit. The effort in the shallow-water species limit that is assigned to the CV and
fishery categories for the trawl halibut fishery could allow the deep-water C/P sectors that are participating in the
PSC limits are (1) a deep-water species species fishery to receive additional Central GOA Rockfish Program. This
fishery, composed of sablefish, rockfish, apportionments of the trawl halibut PSC includes 117 mt of halibut PSC limit to
deep-water flatfish, rex sole, and limit. This adjustment could be made the CV sector and 74 mt of halibut PSC
arrowtooth flounder; and (2) a shallow- during the final harvest specifications limit to the C/P sector. These amounts
water species fishery, composed of process, pending any public comment, are allocated from the trawl deep-water
pollock, Pacific cod, shallow-water Council discussion, and Council species fishery’s halibut PSC third
flatfish, flathead sole, Atka mackerel, recommendations for a change during seasonal apportionment.
and ‘‘other species’’ (sculpins, sharks, the December 2017 Council meeting.
squids, and octopuses) NMFS will combine available trawl Section 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(B) limits the
(§ 679.21(d)(3)(iii)). Halibut mortality halibut PSC limit apportionments in amount of the halibut PSC limit
incurred while directed fishing for part of the second season deep-water allocated to Rockfish Program
skates with trawl gear accrues towards and shallow-water fisheries for use in participants that could be re-
the shallow-water fishery halibut PSC either fishery from May 15 through June apportioned to the general GOA trawl
limit (69 FR 26320, May 12, 2004). 30 (§ 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(D)). This is fisheries to no more than 55 percent of
As discussed previously in this intended to maintain groundfish harvest the unused annual halibut PSC
preamble, the proposed Pacific cod TAC while minimizing halibut bycatch by apportioned to Rockfish Program
recommended by the Council is these sectors to the extent practicable. participants. The remainder of the
unused Rockfish Program halibut PSC
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substantially less than the 2018 TAC This provides the deep-water and
published in the final 2017 and 2018 shallow-water trawl fisheries additional limit is unavailable for use by any
harvest specifications (82 FR 12032, flexibility and the incentive to person for the remainder of the fishing
February 27, 2017). If the proposed TAC participate in fisheries at times of the year (§ 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(C)).
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TABLE 10—PROPOSED 2018 AND 2019 SEASONAL APPORTIONMENTS OF THE PACIFIC HALIBUT PSC LIMIT APPORTIONED
BETWEEN THE TRAWL GEAR SHALLOW-WATER AND DEEP-WATER SPECIES FISHERIES
[Values are in metric tons]
Season Shallow-water Deep-water 1 Total
January 20–April 1 .................................................................................................... 384 85 ......................... 469
April 1–July 1 ............................................................................................................ 85 256 ....................... 341
July 1–September 1 .................................................................................................. 171 341 ....................... 512
September 1–October 1 ............................................................................................ 128 Any remainder ...... 128
Subtotal, January 20–October 1 ........................................................................ 768 682 ....................... 1,450
October 1–December 31 2 ........................................................................................ .............................. .............................. 256
Total ............................................................................................................ .............................. .............................. 1,706
1 Vessels participating in cooperatives in the Rockfish Program will receive 191 mt of the third season (July 1 through September 1) deep-
water species fishery halibut PSC apportionment.
2 There is no apportionment between trawl shallow-water and deep-water species fisheries during the fifth season (October 1 through Decem-
ber 31).
Section 679.21(d)(2) requires that the 44700, July 26, 2011) and are not § 679.21(d)(2)(ii)(B) not projected by the
‘‘other hook-and-line fishery’’ halibut repeated here. Regional Administrator to be used by
PSC limit apportionment to vessels For 2018 and 2019, NMFS proposes one of the hook-and-line sectors during
using hook-and-line gear must be annual halibut PSC limit the remainder of the fishing year will be
divided between CVs and C/Ps. NMFS apportionments of 129 mt and 128 mt to made available to the other sector.
must calculate the halibut PSC limit the hook-and-line CV and hook-and-line NMFS calculates the projected unused
apportionments for the entire GOA to C/P sectors, respectively. The 2018 and amount of halibut PSC limit by either
hook-and-line CVs and C/Ps in 2019 annual halibut PSC limits are the CV hook-and-line or the C/P hook-
accordance with § 679.21(d)(2)(iii) in divided into three seasonal and-line sectors of the ‘‘other hook-and-
conjunction with these harvest apportionments, using seasonal line fishery’’ for the remainder of the
specifications. A comprehensive percentages of 86 percent, 2 percent, year. The projected unused amount of
description and example of the and 12 percent. Table 11 lists the halibut PSC limit is made available to
calculations necessary to apportion the proposed 2018 and 2019 annual halibut the other hook-and-line sector for the
‘‘other hook-and-line fishery’’ halibut PSC limits and seasonal apportionments remainder of that fishing year if NMFS
PSC limit between the hook-and-line CV between the hook-and-line CV and determines that an additional amount of
and C/P sectors were included in the hook-and-line C/P sectors in the GOA. halibut PSC limit is necessary for that
proposed rule to implement No later than November 1 year, any sector to continue its directed fishing
Amendment 83 to the FMP (76 FR halibut PSC limit allocated under operations (§ 679.21(d)(2)(iii)(C)).
TABLE 11—PROPOSED 2018 AND 2019 APPORTIONMENTS OF THE ‘‘OTHER HOOK-AND-LINE FISHERIES’’ HALIBUT PSC
ALLOWANCE BETWEEN THE HOOK-AND-LINE GEAR CATCHER VESSEL AND CATCHER/PROCESSOR SECTORS
[Values are in metric tons]
‘‘Other Sector Sector
Hook-and- Seasonal
than DSR’’ annual Season seasonal
line sector percentage
allowance amount amount
257 ................. Catcher Vessel .................. 129 January 1–June 10 .......................................... 86 111
June 10–September 1 ..................................... 2 3
September 1–December 31 ............................ 12 15
Catcher/Processor ............. 128 January 1—June 10 ........................................ 86 110
June 10–September 1 ..................................... 2 3
September 1–December 31 ............................ 12 15
Halibut Discard Mortality Rates proportion of incidentally caught In 2016, the DMR estimation
To monitor halibut bycatch mortality halibut that do not survive after being methodology underwent revisions per
allowances and apportionments, the returned to the sea. The cumulative the Council’s directive. An interagency
Regional Administrator uses observed halibut mortality that accrues to a halibut working group (International
halibut incidental catch rates, halibut particular halibut PSC limit is the Pacific Halibut Commission, Council,
discard mortality rates (DMRs), and product of a DMR multiplied by the and NMFS staff) developed improved
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
estimates of groundfish catch to project estimated halibut PSC. DMRs are estimation methods that have
when a fishery’s halibut bycatch estimated using the best scientific undergone review by the Plan Team,
mortality allowance or seasonal information available in conjunction SSC, and the Council. A summary of the
apportionment is reached. Halibut with the annual GOA stock assessment revised methodology is contained in the
incidental catch rates are based on process. The DMR methodology and GOA proposed 2017 and 2018 harvest
observers’ estimates of halibut findings are included as an appendix to specifications (81 FR 87881, December
incidental catch in the groundfish the annual GOA groundfish SAFE 6, 2016), and the comprehensive
fishery. DMRs are estimates of the report. discussion of the working group’s
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statistical methodology is available from estimation and progress on the Council recommended adopting the
the Council (see ADDRESSES). The DMR methodology. The new methodology halibut DMRs derived from the 2016
working group’s revised methodology is will continue to ensure that NMFS is process for the proposed 2018 and 2019
intended to improve estimation using DMRs that more accurately reflect DMRs. The proposed 2018 and 2019
accuracy, as well as transparency and halibut mortality, which will inform the DMRs maintain the 2016 process using
transferability in the methodology used different sectors of their estimated an updated 3-year reference period of
for calculating DMRs. The working halibut mortality and allow specific 2014 through 2016. The proposed DMR
group will continue to consider sectors to respond with methods that for catcher vessels using hook-and-line
improvements to the methodology used could reduce mortality and, eventually, gear increased to 17 percent from 12
to calculate halibut mortality, including the DMR for that sector. percent, and the proposed DMR for
potential changes to the reference At the December 2016 meeting, the
trawl catcher vessels operating in the
period (the period of data used for SSC, AP, and Council concurred with
Rockfish Program decreased to 62
calculating the DMRs). Future DMRs the revised DMR estimation
may change based on additional years of methodology, and NMFS adopted the percent from 67 percent. Other sectors
observer sampling, which could provide DMRs calculated under the revised had minor increases of 3 percent or less.
more recent and accurate data and methodology for the 2017 and 2018 Table 12 lists the proposed 2018 and
which could improve the accuracy of harvest specifications. In October 2017, 2019 DMRs.
TABLE 12—PROPOSED 2018 AND 2019 HALIBUT DISCARD MORTALITY RATES FOR VESSELS FISHING IN THE GULF OF
ALASKA
[Values are percent of halibut assumed to be dead]
Halibut discard
Gear Sector Groundfish fishery mortality rate
(percent)
Pelagic trawl ........................................... Catcher vessel ...................................... All .......................................................... 100
Catcher/processor ................................. All .......................................................... 100
Non-pelagic trawl ................................... Catcher vessel ...................................... Rockfish Program .................................. 62
Catcher vessel ...................................... All others ............................................... 67
Mothership and catcher/processor ........ All .......................................................... 84
Hook-and-line ......................................... Catcher/processor ................................. All .......................................................... 10
Catcher vessel ...................................... All .......................................................... 17
Pot .......................................................... Catcher vessel and catcher/processor All .......................................................... 7
Chinook Salmon Prohibited Species and close an applicable sector if it American Fisheries Act (AFA) Catcher/
Catch Limit reaches its Chinook salmon PSC limit. Processor and Catcher Vessel
The Chinook salmon PSC limit for Groundfish Sideboard Limits
Amendment 93 to the FMP (77 FR
42629, July 20, 2012) established two sectors, trawl C/Ps and trawl CVs Section 679.64 establishes groundfish
separate Chinook salmon PSC limits in not participating in the Rockfish harvesting and processing sideboard
the Western and Central GOA in the Program, may be increased in limits on AFA C/Ps and CVs in the
directed pollock trawl fishery. These subsequent years based on the GOA. These sideboard limits are
performance of these two sectors and necessary to protect the interests of
limits require NMFS to close the pollock
their ability to minimize their use of fishermen and processors who do not
directed fishery in the Western and
their respective Chinook salmon PSC directly benefit from the AFA from
Central regulatory areas of the GOA if
limits. If either or both of these two those fishermen and processors who
the applicable Chinook salmon PSC
sectors limit its use of Chinook salmon receive exclusive harvesting and
limit is reached (§ 679.21(h)(8)). The
PSC to a certain threshold amount in processing privileges under the AFA.
annual Chinook salmon PSC limits in
2017 (3,120 for trawl C/Ps and 2,340 for Section 679.7(k)(1)(ii) prohibits listed
the pollock directed fishery of 6,684
trawl CVs), that sector will receive an AFA C/Ps from harvesting any species
salmon in the Western GOA and 18,316
incremental increase to its 2018 of fish in the GOA. Additionally,
salmon in the Central GOA are set in
Chinook salmon PSC limit (4,080 for § 679.7(k)(1)(iv) prohibits listed AFA
§ 679.21(h)(2)(i) and (ii).
trawl C/Ps and 3,060 for trawl CVs) C/Ps from processing any pollock
Amendment 97 to the FMP (79 FR (§ 679.21(h)(4)). NMFS will evaluate the harvested in a directed pollock fishery
71350, December 2, 2014) established an annual Chinook salmon PSC by trawl in the GOA and any groundfish
initial annual PSC limit of 7,500 C/Ps and non-Rockfish Program CVs harvested in Statistical Area 630 of the
Chinook salmon for the non-pollock when the 2017 fishing year is complete GOA.
groundfish trawl fisheries in the to determine whether to increase the AFA CVs that are less than 125 ft
Western and Central GOA. This limit is Chinook salmon PSC limits for these (38.1 meters) length overall, have
apportioned among three sectors: 3,600 two sectors. Based on preliminary 2017 annual landings of pollock in the Bering
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Chinook salmon to trawl C/Ps; 1,200 Chinook salmon PSC data, the trawl Sea and Aleutian Islands of less than
Chinook salmon to trawl CVs C/P sector and the non-Rockfish 5,100 mt, and have made at least 40
participating in the Rockfish Program; Program CV sector may receive an landings of GOA groundfish from 1995
and 2,700 Chinook salmon to trawl CVs incremental increase of Chinook salmon through 1997 are exempt from GOA CV
not participating in the Rockfish PSC limit in 2018. This evaluation will groundfish sideboard limits under
Program (§ 679.21(h)(4)). NMFS will be completed in conjunction with the § 679.64(b)(2)(ii). Sideboard limits for
monitor the Chinook salmon PSC in the final 2018 and 2019 harvest non-exempt AFA CVs in the GOA are
non-pollock GOA groundfish fisheries specifications. based on their traditional harvest levels
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of TAC in groundfish fisheries covered AFA CVs of each sideboard species from non-exempt AFA CVs. NMFS will
by the FMP. Section 679.64(b)(3)(iv) 1995 through 1997 divided by the TAC deduct all targeted or incidental catch of
establishes for CVs the groundfish for that species over the same period. sideboard species made by non-exempt
sideboard limitations in the GOA based Table 13 lists the proposed 2018 and AFA CVs from the sideboard limits
on the retained catch of non-exempt 2019 groundfish sideboard limits for listed in Table 13.
TABLE 13—PROPOSED 2018 AND 2019 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV)
GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD LIMITS
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Proposed
Ratio of 2018 and
1995–1997 Proposed 2019
Apportionments by season/ non-exempt 2018 and
Species Area/component non-exempt
gear AFA CV catch 2019 AFA CV
to 1995–1997 TACs 3 sideboard
TAC limit
Pollock ................................... A Season January 20–March Shumagin (610) .................... 0.6047 1,725 1,043
10. Chirikof (620) ........................ 0.1167 26,704 3,116
Kodiak (630) ......................... 0.2028 8,513 1,726
B Season March 10–May 31 Shumagin (610) .................... 0.6047 1,725 1,043
Chirikof (620) ........................ 0.1167 30,469 3,556
Kodiak (630) ......................... 0.2028 4,748 963
C Season August 25–Octo- Shumagin (610) .................... 0.6047 15,125 9,146
ber 1. Chirikof (620) ........................ 0.1167 9,538 1,113
Kodiak (630) ......................... 0.2028 12,278 2,490
D Season October 1–No- Shumagin (610) .................... 0.6047 15,125 9,146
vember 1. Chirikof (620) ........................ 0.1167 9,538 1,113
Kodiak (630) ......................... 0.2028 12,278 2,490
Annual ................................... WYK (640) ............................ 0.3495 5,791 2,024
SEO (650) ............................. 0.3495 9,920 3,467
Pacific cod ............................. A Season 1 January 1–June W .......................................... 0.1331 9,477 1,261
10. C ........................................... 0.0692 12,362 855
B Season 2 ............................ W .......................................... 0.1331 6,318 841
September 1–December 31 C ........................................... 0.0692 8,241 570
Annual ................................... E inshore .............................. 0.0079 3,303 26
E offshore ............................. 0.0078 367 3
Sablefish ................................ Annual, trawl gear ................ W .......................................... 0.0000 273 0
C ........................................... 0.0642 915 59
E ........................................... 0.0433 213 9
Flatfish, shallow-water ........... Annual ................................... W .......................................... 0.0156 13,250 207
C ........................................... 0.0587 19,418 1,140
E ........................................... 0.0126 4,311 54
Flatfish, deep-water ............... Annual ................................... W .......................................... 0.0000 257 0
C ........................................... 0.0647 3,488 226
E ........................................... 0.0128 5,637 72
Rex sole ................................ Annual ................................... W .......................................... 0.0007 1,478 1
C ........................................... 0.0384 4,995 192
E ........................................... 0.0029 1,948 6
Arrowtooth flounder ............... Annual ................................... W .......................................... 0.0021 14,500 30
C ........................................... 0.0280 75,000 2,100
E ........................................... 0.0002 13,800 3
Flathead sole ......................... Annual ................................... W .......................................... 0.0036 8,650 31
C ........................................... 0.0213 15,400 328
E ........................................... 0.0009 3,870 3
Pacific ocean perch ............... Annual ................................... W .......................................... 0.0023 2,627 6
C ........................................... 0.0748 16,347 1,223
E ........................................... 0.0466 4,480 209
Northern rockfish ................... Annual ................................... W .......................................... 0.0003 400 0
C ........................................... 0.0277 3,108 86
Shortraker rockfish ................ Annual ................................... W .......................................... 0.0000 38 0
C ........................................... 0.0218 301 7
E ........................................... 0.0110 947 10
Dusky Rockfish ...................... Annual ................................... W .......................................... 0.0001 146 0
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
C ........................................... 0.0000 3,499 0
E ........................................... 0.0067 309 2
Rougheye rockfish ................. Annual ................................... W .......................................... 0.0000 104 0
C ........................................... 0.0237 702 17
E ........................................... 0.0124 512 6
Demersal shelf rockfish ......... Annual ................................... SEO ...................................... 0.0020 227 0
Thornyhead rockfish .............. Annual ................................... W .......................................... 0.0280 291 8
C ........................................... 0.0280 988 28
E ........................................... 0.0280 682 19
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![57940 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 235 / Friday, December 8, 2017 / Proposed Rules
TABLE 13—PROPOSED 2018 AND 2019 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV)
GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD LIMITS—Continued
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Proposed
Ratio of 2018 and
1995–1997 Proposed 2019
Apportionments by season/ non-exempt 2018 and
Species Area/component non-exempt
gear AFA CV catch 2019 AFA CV
to 1995–1997 TACs 3 sideboard
TAC limit
Other Rockfish ....................... Annual ................................... W/C ....................................... 0.1699 1,534 261
E ........................................... 0.0000 774 0
Atka mackerel ........................ Annual ................................... Gulfwide ................................ 0.0309 3,000 93
Big skates .............................. Annual ................................... W .......................................... 0.0063 908 6
C ........................................... 0.0063 1,850 12
E ........................................... 0.0063 1,056 7
Longnose skates ................... Annual ................................... W .......................................... 0.0063 61 0
C ........................................... 0.0063 2,513 16
E ........................................... 0.0063 632 4
Other skates .......................... Annual ................................... Gulfwide ................................ 0.0063 1,919 12
Sculpins ................................. Annual ................................... Gulfwide ................................ 0.0063 5,591 35
Sharks ................................... Annual ................................... Gulfwide ................................ 0.0063 4,514 28
Squids .................................... Annual ................................... Gulfwide ................................ 0.0063 1,137 7
Octopuses ............................. Annual ................................... Gulfwide ................................ 0.0063 4,878 31
1 The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
2 The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
3 The Western and Central GOA area apportionments of pollock are considered ACLs.
Non-Exempt AFA Catcher Vessel based on the aggregate retained fishery from 1995 through 1997
Halibut PSC Sideboard Limits groundfish catch by non-exempt AFA (§ 679.64(b)(4)(ii)). Table 14 lists the
CVs in each PSC target category from proposed 2018 and 2019 non-exempt
The halibut PSC sideboard limits for 1995 through 1997 divided by the AFA CV halibut PSC limits for vessels
non-exempt AFA CVs in the GOA are retained catch of all vessels in that using trawl gear in the GOA.
TABLE 14—PROPOSED 2018 AND 2019 NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL HALIBUT PROHIBITED
SPECIES CATCH (PSC) SIDEBOARD LIMITS FOR VESSELS USING TRAWL GEAR IN THE GOA
[PSC limits are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Ratio of 1995– Proposed 2018
1997 non-exempt Proposed 2018 and 2019
Season Season dates Fishery category AFA CV retained and 2019 PSC non-exempt
catch to total limit AFA CV PSC
retained catch limit
1 ...................................... January 20–April 1 ......... shallow-water .................. 0.340 384 131
deep-water ...................... 0.070 85 6
2 ...................................... April 1–July 1 .................. shallow-water .................. 0.340 85 29
deep-water ...................... 0.070 256 18
3 ...................................... July 1–September 1 ....... shallow-water .................. 0.340 171 58
deep-water ...................... 0.070 341 24
4 ...................................... September 1–October 1 shallow-water .................. 0.340 128 44
deep-water ...................... 0.070 0 0
5 ...................................... October 1–December 31 all targets ........................ 0.205 256 52
Annual:
Total shallow-water .. ......................................... ......................................... .............................. .............................. 262
Total deep-water ...... ......................................... ......................................... .............................. .............................. 48
Grand Total, all ......................................... ......................................... .............................. 1,706 362
seasons and
categories.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
Non-AFA Crab Vessel Groundfish flexibility provided by the Crab the fixed-gear sablefish fishery).
Sideboard Limits Rationalization Program to expand their Sideboard limits also apply to landings
Section 680.22 establishes groundfish level of participation in the GOA made using an LLP license derived from
sideboard limits for vessels with a groundfish fisheries. Sideboard harvest the history of a restricted vessel, even if
history of participation in the Bering limits restrict these vessels’ catch to that LLP license is used on another
Sea snow crab fishery to prevent these their collective historical landings in vessel.
vessels from using the increased each GOA groundfish fishery (except
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 235 / Friday, December 8, 2017 / Proposed Rules 57941
The basis for these sideboard harvest Tanner Crabs (Crab FMP) (70 FR 10174, Table 15 lists the proposed 2018 and
limits is described in detail in the final March 2, 2005), Amendment 34 to the 2019 groundfish sideboard limitations
rules implementing the major Crab FMP (76 FR 35772, June 20, 2011), for non-AFA crab vessels. All targeted
provisions of the Crab Rationalization Amendment 83 to the GOA FMP (76 FR or incidental catch of sideboard species
Program, including Amendments 18 and 74670, December 1, 2011), and made by non-AFA crab vessels or
19 to the Fishery Management Plan for Amendment 45 to the Crab FMP (80 FR associated LLP licenses will be
Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and 28539, May 19, 2015). deducted from these sideboard limits.
TABLE 15—PROPOSED 2018 AND 2019 GOA NON-AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL
GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD LIMITS
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Ratio of 1996– Proposed
2000 non-AFA 2018 and 2019
Proposed
crab vessel non-AFA crab
Species Season/gear Area/component/gear 2018 and 2019
catch to 1996– vessel
TACs
2000 total sideboard
harvest limit
Pollock ............................. A Season ........................ Shumagin (610) .............. 0.0098 1,725 17
January 20–March 10 ..... Chirikof (620) .................. 0.0031 26,704 83
Kodiak (630) ................... 0.0002 8,513 2
B Season ........................ Shumagin (610) .............. 0.0098 1,725 17
March 10–May 31 ........... Chirikof (620) .................. 0.0031 30,469 94
Kodiak (630) ................... 0.0002 4,748 1
C Season ........................ Shumagin (610) .............. 0.0098 15,125 148
August 25–October 1 ..... Chirikof (620) .................. 0.0031 9,538 30
Kodiak (630) ................... 0.0002 12,278 2
D Season ........................ Shumagin (610) .............. 0.0098 15,125 148
October 1–November 1 .. Chirikof (620) .................. 0.0031 9,538 30
Kodiak (630) ................... 0.0002 12,278 2
Annual ............................. WYK (640) ...................... 0.0000 5,791 ..............................
SEO (650) ....................... 0.0000 9,920 ..............................
Pacific cod ....................... A Season 1 ...................... W Jig CV ........................ 0.0000 9,477 ..............................
W Hook-and-line CV ....... 0.0004 9,477 4
January 1–June 10 ......... W Pot CV ........................ 0.0997 9,477 945
W Pot C/P ....................... 0.0078 9,477 74
W Trawl CV .................... 0.0007 9,477 7
C Jig CV ......................... 0.0000 12,362
C Hook-and-line CV ........ 0.0001 12,362 1
C Pot CV ........................ 0.0474 12,362 586
C Pot C/P ....................... 0.0136 12,362 168
C Trawl CV ..................... 0.0012 12,362 15
B Season 2 ...................... W Jig CV ........................ 0.0000 6,318 ..............................
W Hook-and-line CV ....... 0.0004 6,318 3
September 1–December W Pot CV ........................ 0.0997 6,318 630
31. W Pot C/P ....................... 0.0078 6,318 49
W Trawl CV .................... 0.0007 6,318 4
C Jig CV ......................... 0.0000 8,241
C Hook-and-line CV ........ 0.0001 8,241 1
C Pot CV ........................ 0.0474 8,241 391
C Pot C/P ....................... 0.0136 8,241 112
C Trawl CV ..................... 0.0012 8,241 10
Annual ............................. E inshore ........................ 0.0110 3,303 36
E offshore ....................... 0.0000 367 ..............................
Sablefish .......................... Annual, trawl gear ........... W .................................... 0.0000 273 ..............................
C ..................................... 0.0000 915 ..............................
E ..................................... 0.0000 213 ..............................
Flatfish, shallow-water ..... Annual ............................. W .................................... 0.0059 13,250 78
C ..................................... 0.0001 19,418 2
E ..................................... 0.0000 4,311 ..............................
Flatfish, deep-water ......... Annual ............................. W .................................... 0.0035 257 1
C ..................................... 0.0000 3,488 ..............................
E ..................................... 0.0000 5,637 ..............................
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Rex sole .......................... Annual ............................. W .................................... 0.0000 1,478 ..............................
C ..................................... 0.0000 4,995 ..............................
E ..................................... 0.0000 1,948 ..............................
Arrowtooth flounder ......... Annual ............................. W .................................... 0.0004 14,500 6
C ..................................... 0.0001 75,000 8
E ..................................... 0.0000 13,800 ..............................
Flathead sole ................... Annual ............................. W .................................... 0.0002 8,650 2
C ..................................... 0.0004 15,400 6
E ..................................... 0.0000 3,870 ..............................
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![57942 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 235 / Friday, December 8, 2017 / Proposed Rules
TABLE 15—PROPOSED 2018 AND 2019 GOA NON-AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL—Continued
GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD LIMITS
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Ratio of 1996– Proposed
2000 non-AFA 2018 and 2019
Proposed
crab vessel non-AFA crab
Species Season/gear Area/component/gear 2018 and 2019
catch to 1996– vessel
TACs
2000 total sideboard
harvest limit
Pacific ocean perch ......... Annual ............................. W .................................... 0.0000 2,627 ..............................
C ..................................... 0.0000 16,347 ..............................
E ..................................... 0.0000 4,480 ..............................
Northern rockfish ............. Annual ............................. W .................................... 0.0005 400 0
C ..................................... 0.0000 3,108 ..............................
Shortraker rockfish .......... Annual ............................. W .................................... 0.0013 38 0
C ..................................... 0.0012 301 0
E ..................................... 0.0009 947 1
Dusky rockfish ................. Annual ............................. W .................................... 0.0017 146 0
C ..................................... 0.0000 3,499 ..............................
E ..................................... 0.0000 309 ..............................
Rougheye rockfish .......... Annual ............................. W .................................... 0.0067 104 1
C ..................................... 0.0047 702 3
E ..................................... 0.0008 512 0
Demersal shelf rockfish ... Annual ............................. SEO ................................ 0.0000 227 ..............................
Thornyhead rockfish ........ Annual ............................. W .................................... 0.0047 291 1
C ..................................... 0.0066 988 7
E ..................................... 0.0045 682 3
Other Rockfish ................ Annual ............................. W/C ................................. 0.0033 1,534 5
E ..................................... 0.0000 774 ..............................
Atka mackerel ................. Annual ............................. Gulfwide .......................... 0.0000 3,000 ..............................
Big skate ......................... Annual ............................. W .................................... 0.0392 908 36
C ..................................... 0.0159 1,850 29
E ..................................... 0.0000 1,056 ..............................
Longnose skate ............... Annual ............................. W .................................... 0.0392 61 2
C ..................................... 0.0159 2,513 40
E ..................................... 0.0000 632 ..............................
Other skates .................... Annual ............................. Gulfwide .......................... 0.0176 1,919 34
Sculpins ........................... Annual ............................. Gulfwide .......................... 0.0176 5,591 98
Sharks ............................. Annual ............................. Gulfwide .......................... 0.0176 4,514 79
Squids ............................. Annual ............................. Gulfwide .......................... 0.0176 1,137 20
Octopuses ....................... Annual ............................. Gulfwide .......................... 0.0176 4,878 86
1 The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
2 The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
Rockfish Program Groundfish Sideboard Western GOA and West Yakutat that opt out of participating in a
and Halibut PSC Limitations Districts from July 1 through July 31. Rockfish Program cooperative will be
Also, CVs may not participate in able to access those sideboard limits
The Rockfish Program establishes directed fishing for arrowtooth flounder, that are not assigned to Rockfish
three classes of sideboard provisions: deep-water flatfish, and rex sole in the Program cooperatives (§ 679.82(e)(2) and
CV groundfish sideboard restrictions, GOA from July 1 through July 31 (e)(7)). The sideboard ratio for each
C/P rockfish sideboard restrictions, and (§ 679.82(d)). rockfish fishery in the Western GOA
C/P opt-out vessel sideboard restrictions C/Ps participating in Rockfish and WYK District is set forth in
(§ 679.82(c)(1)). These sideboards are Program cooperatives are restricted by § 679.82(e)(4). Table 16 lists the
intended to limit the ability of rockfish rockfish and halibut PSC sideboard proposed 2018 and 2019 Rockfish
harvesters to expand into other limits. These C/Ps are prohibited from Program C/P rockfish sideboard limits
fisheries. directed fishing for northern rockfish, in the Western GOA and West Yakutat
CVs participating in the Rockfish Pacific ocean perch, and dusky rockfish District. Due to confidentiality
Program may not participate in directed in the Western GOA and West Yakutat requirements associated with fisheries
fishing for dusky rockfish, northern District from July 1 through July 31. data, the sideboard limits for the West
rockfish, and Pacific ocean perch in the Holders of C/P-designated LLP licenses Yakutat District are not displayed.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 235 / Friday, December 8, 2017 / Proposed Rules 57943
TABLE 16—PROPOSED 2018 AND 2019 ROCKFISH PROGRAM SIDEBOARD LIMITS FOR THE WESTERN GOA AND WEST
YAKUTAT DISTRICT BY FISHERY FOR THE CATCHER/PROCESSOR (C/P) SECTOR
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Proposed 2018
C/P sector Proposed 2018
Area Fishery and 2019 C/P
(% of TAC) and 2019 TACs sideboard limit
Western GOA ........................................ Dusky rockfish ...................................... 72.3 ...................... 146 106
Pacific ocean perch .............................. 50.6 ...................... 2,627 1,329
Northern rockfish .................................. 74.3 ...................... 400 297.
West Yakutat District ............................. Dusky rockfish ...................................... Confidential 1 ........ 232 Confidential.1
........................................................... Pacific ocean perch .............................. Confidential 1 ........ 2,733 Confidential.1
1 Not released due to confidentiality requirements associated with fish ticket data, as established by NMFS and the State of Alaska.
Under the Rockfish Program, the C/P out of the Rockfish Program would be out of the Rockfish Program in 2018,
sector is subject to halibut PSC able to access that portion of the deep- and will know the ratios and amounts
sideboard limits for the trawl deep- water and shallow-water halibut PSC used to calculate opt-out sideboard
water and shallow-water species sideboard limit not assigned to C/P ratios. NMFS will then calculate any
fisheries from July 1 through July 31 rockfish cooperatives. The sideboard applicable opt-out sideboard limits and
(§ 679.82(e)(3) and (e)(5)). Halibut PSC provisions for C/Ps that elect to opt out post these limits on the Alaska Region
sideboard ratios by fishery are set forth of participating in a rockfish cooperative Web site at https://alaska
in § 679.82(e)(5). No halibut PSC are described in § 679.82(c), (e), and (f). fisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/central-goa-
sideboard limits apply to the CV sector, Sideboard limits are linked to the catch rockfish-program. Table 17 lists the
as vessels participating in a rockfish history of specific vessels that may 2018 and 2019 proposed Rockfish
cooperative receive a portion of the choose to opt out. After March 1, NMFS Program halibut PSC limits for the C/P
annual halibut PSC limit. C/Ps that opt will determine which C/Ps have opted- sector.
TABLE 17—PROPOSED 2018 AND 2019 ROCKFISH PROGRAM HALIBUT MORTALITY LIMITS FOR THE CATCHER/PROCESSOR
SECTOR
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Annual Annual
shallow-water deep-water
Shallow-water Deep-water species species
species fishery species fishery Annual halibut fishery fishery
Sector halibut PSC halibut PSC mortality limit halibut halibut
sideboard ratio sideboard ratio (mt) PSC PSC
(percent) (percent) sideboard sideboard
limit limit
(mt) (mt)
Catcher/processor .................................. 0.10 2.50 1,706 2 43
Amendment 80 Program Groundfish 80 Program to expand their harvest Groundfish sideboard limits for
and PSC Sideboard Limits efforts in the GOA. Amendment 80 Program vessels
Amendment 80 to the Fishery Section 679.92 establishes groundfish operating in the GOA are based on their
Management Plan for Groundfish of the harvesting sideboard limits on all average aggregate harvests from 1998
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Amendment 80 Program vessels, other through 2004 (72 FR 52668, September
Management Area (Amendment 80 than the F/V Golden Fleece, to amounts 14, 2007). Table 18 lists the proposed
Program) established a limited access no greater than the limits shown in 2018 and 2019 sideboard limits for
privilege program for the non-AFA trawl Table 37 to 50 CFR part 679. Under Amendment 80 Program vessels. NMFS
C/P sector. The Amendment 80 Program § 679.92(d), the F/V Golden Fleece is will deduct all targeted or incidental
established groundfish and halibut PSC prohibited from directed fishing for catch of sideboard species made by
limits for Amendment 80 Program pollock, Pacific cod, Pacific ocean Amendment 80 Program vessels from
participants to limit the ability of perch, dusky rockfish, and northern the sideboard limits in Table 18.
participants eligible for the Amendment rockfish in the GOA.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
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![57944 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 235 / Friday, December 8, 2017 / Proposed Rules
TABLE 18—PROPOSED 2018 AND 2019 GOA GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD LIMITS FOR AMENDMENT 80 PROGRAM VESSELS
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Proposed
Ratio of Proposed 2018 and 2019
Amendment 80 2018 and 2019 Amendment 80
Species Season Area sector vessels TAC vessel sideboard
1998–2004 catch (mt) limits
to TAC (mt)
Pollock ............................. A Season January 20– Shumagin (610) .............. 0.003 1,725 5
March 10. Chirikof (620) .................. 0.002 26,704 53
Kodiak (630) ................... 0.002 8,513 17
B Season March 10–May Shumagin (610) .............. 0.003 1,725 5
31. Chirikof (620) .................. 0.002 30,469 61
Kodiak (630) ................... 0.002 4,748 9
C Season August 25–Oc- Shumagin (610) .............. 0.003 15,125 45
tober 1. Chirikof (620) .................. 0.002 9,538 19
Kodiak (630) ................... 0.002 12,278 25
D Season October 1–No- Shumagin (610) .............. 0.003 15,125 45
vember 1. Chirikof (620) .................. 0.002 9,538 19
Kodiak (630) ................... 0.002 12,278 25
Annual ............................. WYK (640) ...................... 0.002 5,791 12
Pacific cod ....................... A Season 1 January 1– W .................................... 0.020 9,477 190
June 10. C ..................................... 0.044 12,362 544
B Season 2 September W .................................... 0.020 6,318 126
1–December 31. C ..................................... 0.044 8,241 363
Annual ............................. WYK ................................ 0.034 3,671 125
Pacific ocean perch ......... Annual ............................. W .................................... 0.994 2,627 2,611
WYK ................................ 0.961 2,733 2,626
Northern rockfish ............. Annual ............................. W .................................... 1.000 400 400
Dusky rockfish ................. Annual ............................. W .................................... 0.764 146 112
WYK ................................ 0.896 232 208
1 The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
2 The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
The halibut PSC sideboard limits for Allocation of halibut PSC cooperative percentages of the halibut PSC
Amendment 80 Program vessels in the quota under the Rockfish Program and sideboard limits that may be used by
GOA are based on the historic use of the exemption of the F/V Golden Fleece Amendment 80 Program vessels, as
halibut PSC by Amendment 80 Program from this restriction (§ 679.92(b)(2)). contained in Table 38 to 50 CFR part
vessels in each PSC target category from Table 19 lists the proposed 2018 and 679. Any residual amount of a seasonal
1998 through 2004. These values are 2019 halibut PSC sideboard limits for Amendment 80 sideboard halibut PSC
slightly lower than the average historic Amendment 80 Program vessels. These limit may carry forward to the next
use to accommodate two factors: tables incorporate the maximum season limit (§ 679.92(b)(2)).
TABLE 19—PROPOSED 2018 AND 2019 HALIBUT PSC SIDEBOARD LIMITS FOR AMENDMENT 80
PROGRAM VESSELS IN THE GOA
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Proposed
Historic Proposed 2018 and 2019
Amendment 80 2018 and 2019 Amendment 80
Season Season dates Fishery category use of the annual annual PSC limit vessel PSC
halibut PSC limit (mt) sideboard limit
(ratio) (mt)
1 ...................................... January 20 –April 1 ........ shallow-water .................. 0.0048 1,706 8
deep-water ...................... 0.0115 1,706 20
2 ...................................... April 1–July 1 .................. shallow-water .................. 0.0189 1,706 32
deep-water ...................... 0.1072 1,706 183
3 ...................................... July 1–September 1 ....... shallow-water .................. 0.0146 1,706 25
deep-water ...................... 0.0521 1,706 89
4 ...................................... September 1–October 1 shallow-water .................. 0.0074 1,706 13
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deep-water ...................... 0.0014 1,706 2
5 ...................................... October 1–December 31 shallow-water .................. 0.0227 1,706 39
deep-water ...................... 0.0371 1,706 63
Annual:
Total shallow-water .. ......................................... ......................................... .............................. .............................. 117
Total deep-water ...... ......................................... ......................................... .............................. .............................. 357
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 235 / Friday, December 8, 2017 / Proposed Rules 57945
TABLE 19—PROPOSED 2018 AND 2019 HALIBUT PSC SIDEBOARD LIMITS FOR AMENDMENT 80—Continued
PROGRAM VESSELS IN THE GOA
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Proposed
Historic Proposed 2018 and 2019
Amendment 80 2018 and 2019 Amendment 80
Season Season dates Fishery category use of the annual annual PSC limit vessel PSC
halibut PSC limit (mt) sideboard limit
(ratio) (mt)
Grand Total, all ......................................... ......................................... .............................. .............................. 474
seasons and
categories.
Classification copy of the IRFA is available from the meaning of the RFA. After
NMFS has determined that the NMFS (see ADDRESSES). A summary of accounting for membership in these
proposed harvest specifications are the IRFA follows. cooperatives, there are an estimated 920
consistent with the FMP and The action under consideration is a small CV entities remaining in the GOA
preliminarily determined that the harvest strategy to govern the catch of groundfish sector. This latter group of
proposed harvest specifications are groundfish in the GOA. The preferred vessels had average gross revenues that
consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens alternative is the existing harvest varied by gear type. Average gross
Act and other applicable laws, subject to strategy in which TACs fall within the revenues for hook-and-line CVs, pot
further review after public comment. range of ABCs recommended by the gear vessels, and trawl gear vessels are
This action is authorized under 50 SSC. This action is taken in accordance estimated to be $340,000, $720,000, and
CFR 679.20 and is exempt from review with the FMP prepared by the Council $1.83 million, respectively. Revenue
under Executive Orders 12866 and pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Act. data for the three C/Ps considered to be
13563. The entities directly regulated by this small entities are confidential.
NMFS prepared an EIS for this action action are those that harvest groundfish The preferred alternative (Alternative
and made it available to the public on in the EEZ of the GOA and in parallel 2) was compared to four other
January 12, 2007 (72 FR 1512). On fisheries within State of Alaska waters. alternatives. Alternative 1 would have
February 13, 2007, NMFS issued the These include entities operating CVs set TACs to generate fishing rates equal
Record of Decision (ROD) for the Final and C/Ps within the action area and to the maximum permissible ABC (if the
EIS. A Supplemental Information Report entities receiving direct allocations of full TAC were harvested), unless the
(SIR) that assesses the need to prepare groundfish. sum of TACs exceeded the GOA OY, in
a Supplemental EIS is being prepared For RFA purposes only, NMFS has which case TACs would be limited to
for the final action. Copies of the Final established a small business size the OY. Alternative 3 would have set
EIS, ROD, and SIR for this action are standard for businesses, including their TACs to produce fishing rates equal to
available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES). affiliates, whose primary industry is the most recent 5-year average fishing
The Final EIS analyzes the commercial fishing (see 50 CFR 200.2). rate. Alternative 4 would have set TACs
environmental consequences of the A business primarily engaged in to equal the lower limit of the GOA OY
proposed groundfish harvest commercial fishing (NAICS code 11411) range. Alternative 5, the ‘‘no action
specifications and alternative harvest is classified as a small business if it is alternative,’’ would have set TACs equal
strategies on resources in the action independently owned and operated, is to zero.
area. The Final EIS found no significant not dominant in its field of operation The TACs associated with the
environmental consequences from the (including its affiliates), and has preferred harvest strategy are those
proposed action or its alternatives. combined annual gross receipts not in adopted by the Council in October 2017,
NMFS prepared an Initial Regulatory excess of $11 million for all its affiliated as per Alternative 2. OFLs and ABCs for
Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) as required operations worldwide. the species were based on
by section 603 of the Regulatory The IRFA shows that, in 2016, there recommendations prepared by the
Flexibility Act (RFA), analyzing the were 920 individual CVs with gross Council’s Plan Team in September 2017,
methodology for establishing the revenues less than or equal to $11 and reviewed by the Council’s SSC in
relevant TACs. The IRFA evaluated the million. This estimate accounts for October 2017. The Council based its
impacts on small entities of alternative corporate affiliations among vessels, and TAC recommendations on those of its
harvest strategies for the groundfish for cooperative affiliations among AP, which were consistent with the
fisheries in the EEZ off Alaska. As set fishing entities, since some of the SSC’s OFL and ABC recommendations.
forth in the methodology, TACs are set fishing vessels operating in the GOA are Alternative 1 selects harvest rates that
to a level that fall within the range of members of AFA inshore pollock would allow fishermen to harvest stocks
ABCs recommended by the SSC; the cooperatives, GOA rockfish at the level of ABCs, unless total
sum of the TACs must achieve the OY cooperatives, or BSAI Crab harvests were constrained by the upper
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specified in the FMP. While the specific Rationalization Program cooperatives. bound of the GOA OY of 800,000 mt. As
numbers that the methodology produces Therefore, under the RFA, it is the shown in Table 1 of the preamble, the
may vary from year to year, the aggregate gross receipts of all sum of ABCs in 2018 and 2019 would
methodology itself remains constant. participating members of the be 572,710 mt, which falls below the
A description of the proposed action, cooperative that must meet the ‘‘under upper bound of the OY range. The sum
why it is being considered, and the legal $11 million’’ threshold. Vessels that of TACs is 465,832 mt, which is less
basis for this proposed action are participate in these cooperatives are than the sum of ABCs. In this instance,
contained in the preamble above. A considered to be large entities within Alternative 1 is consistent with the
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![57946 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 235 / Friday, December 8, 2017 / Proposed Rules
preferred alternative (Alternative 2), are a component of these estimates, but OFLs, ABCs, and TACs to 2018 and
meets the objectives of that action, and in and of themselves may not accurately 2019, with the exception of Pacific cod,
has small entity impacts that may be portray stock sizes and conditions. as explained in the preamble. As noted
equivalent to the preferred alternative. Harvest rates are listed for each species in the IRFA, the Council may modify
However, it is not likely that Alternative category for each year in the SAFE these OFLs, ABCs, and TACs in
1 would result in reduced adverse report (see ADDRESSES). December 2017, when it reviews the
economic impacts to directly-regulated Alternative 4 would lead to November 2017 SAFE report from its
small entities relative to Alternative 2. significantly lower harvests of all Groundfish Plan Team, and the
The selection of Alternative 1, which species and reduce the TACs from the December 2017 Council meeting reports
could increase all TACs up to the sum upper end of the OY range in the GOA, of its SSC and AP. Because the 2018
of ABCs, would not reflect the practical to its lower end of 116,000 mt. Overall, TACs in the proposed 2018 and 2019
implications that increased TACs for this would reduce 2018 TACs by about harvest specifications are unchanged
some species probably would not be 80 percent and would lead to significant from the 2018 TACs, with the sole
fully harvested. This could be due to a reductions in harvests of species exception of modifications to Pacific
variety of reasons, including the lack of harvested by small entities. While cod harvest amounts, and because the
commercial or market interest in some reductions of this size would be sum of all TACs remains within OY for
species. Additionally, an underharvest associated with offsetting price the GOA, NMFS does not expect
of flatfish TACs could result due to increases, the size of these increases is adverse impacts on small entities. Also,
constraints such as the fixed, and very uncertain. There are close NMFS does not expect any changes
therefore constraining, PSC limits substitutes for GOA groundfish species made by the Council in December 2017
associated with the harvest of the GOA available in significant quantities from to have significant adverse impacts on
groundfish species. Furthermore, TACs the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands small entities.
may be set lower than ABC for management area. While production
declines in the GOA would This action does not modify
conservation purposes, as is the case
with other rockfish in the Eastern GOA. undoubtedly be associated with recordkeeping or reporting
Finally, the TACs for two species significant price increases in the GOA, requirements, or duplicate, overlap, or
(pollock and Pacific cod) cannot be set these increases would still be conflict with any Federal rules.
equal to ABC, as the ABC must be constrained by production of Adverse impacts on marine mammals
reduced to account for the State of substitutes, and are very unlikely to or endangered species resulting from
Alaska’s guideline harvest levels in offset revenue declines from smaller fishing activities conducted under this
these fisheries. production. Thus, this alternative would rule are discussed in the Final EIS and
Alternative 3 selects harvest rates have a detrimental impact on small its accompanying annual SIRs (see
based on the most recent 5 years of entities. ADDRESSES).
harvest rates (for species in Tiers 1 Alternative 5, which sets all harvests Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 16 U.S.C.
through 3) or based on the most recent equal to zero, would have a significant 1540(f); 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C.
5 years of harvests (for species in Tiers adverse economic impact on small 3631 et seq.; Pub. L. 105–277; Pub. L. 106–
4 through 6). This alternative is entities and would be contrary to 31; Pub. L. 106–554; Pub. L. 108–199; Pub.
inconsistent with the objectives of this obligations to achieve OY on a L. 108–447; Pub. L. 109–241; Pub. L. 109–
action, the Council’s preferred harvest continuing basis, as mandated by the 479.
strategy, because it does not take Magnuson-Stevens Act. Under
account of the most recent biological Dated: December 4, 2017.
Alternative 5, all 920 individual CVs
information for this fishery. NMFS impacted by this rule would have gross Alan D. Risenhoover,
annually conducts at-sea stock surveys revenues of $0. Additionally, the three Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for
for different species, as well as small C/Ps impacted by this rule also Regulatory Programs, National Marine
statistical modeling, to estimate stock would have gross revenues of $0. Fisheries Service.
sizes and permissible harvest levels. The proposed harvest specifications [FR Doc. 2017–26473 Filed 12–6–17; 4:15 pm]
Actual harvest rates or harvest amounts (Alternative 2) extend the current 2018 BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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Document Created: 2017-12-08 01:43:54
Document Modified: 2017-12-08 01:43:54
| 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 | Proposed Rules | |
| Action | Proposed rule; request for comments. | |
| Dates | Comments must be received by January 8, 2018. | |
| Contact | Obren Davis, 907-586-7228. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 57924 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF63 |
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