83_FR_22495 83 FR 22401 - Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Annual Specifications and Management Measures for the 2018 Tribal and Non-Tribal Fisheries for Pacific Whiting

83 FR 22401 - Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Annual Specifications and Management Measures for the 2018 Tribal and Non-Tribal Fisheries for Pacific Whiting

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 94 (May 15, 2018)

Page Range22401-22411
FR Document2018-10230

NMFS issues this final rule for the 2018 Pacific whiting fishery under the authority of the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP), the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), and the Pacific Whiting Act of 2006. This final rule announces the 2018 U.S. Total Allowable Catch of 441,433 metric tons (mt) of Pacific whiting, establishes a tribal allocation of 77,251 mt, establishes a set-aside for research and bycatch of 1,500 mt, and announces the allocations of Pacific whiting to the non-tribal fishery for 2018. The catch limits in this rule are intended to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Pacific whiting stock.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 94 (Tuesday, May 15, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 94 (Tuesday, May 15, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22401-22411]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-10230]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 171023999-8440-02]
RIN 0648-BH31


Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; 
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Annual Specifications and Management 
Measures for the 2018 Tribal and Non-Tribal Fisheries for Pacific 
Whiting

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: NMFS issues this final rule for the 2018 Pacific whiting 
fishery under the authority of the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery 
Management Plan (FMP), the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), and the Pacific Whiting Act of 
2006. This final rule announces the 2018 U.S. Total Allowable Catch of 
441,433 metric tons (mt) of Pacific whiting, establishes a tribal 
allocation of 77,251 mt, establishes a set-aside for research and 
bycatch of 1,500 mt, and announces the allocations of Pacific whiting 
to the non-tribal fishery for 2018. The catch limits in this rule are 
intended to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Pacific whiting 
stock.

DATES: Effective May 15, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Lockhart (West Coast Region, 
NMFS), phone: 206-526-6142, and email: [email protected].

Electronic Access

    This final rule is accessible via the internet at the Office of the 
Federal Register website at https://www.federalregister.gov. Background 
information and documents are available at the NMFS West Coast Region 
website at http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/management/whiting/pacific_whiting.html and at the Pacific Fishery 
Management Council's website at http://www.pcouncil.org/.
    The final environmental impact statement regarding Harvest 
Specifications and Management Measures for 2015-2016 and Biennial 
Periods Thereafter, and the Final Environmental Assessment for Pacific 
Coast Groundfish Harvest Specifications and Management Measures for 
2017-2018 and Amendment 27 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery 
Management Plan, are available on the NMFS West Coast Region website 
at: www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/publications/nepa/groundfish/groundfish_nepa_documents.html and copies are available from Chuck 
Tracy, Executive Director, Pacific Fishery Management Council 
(Council), 7700 NE Ambassador Place, Portland, OR 97220, phone: 503-
820-2280.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    This final rule announces the total allowable catch (TAC) for 
Pacific whiting, which was determined under the terms of the Agreement 
with Canada on Pacific Hake/Whiting (Agreement) and the Pacific Whiting 
Act of 2006 (Whiting Act). The Agreement and the Whiting Act establish 
bilateral bodies to implement the terms of the Agreement. The bilateral 
bodies include: The Joint Management Committee (JMC), which recommends 
the annual catch level for Pacific whiting; the Joint Technical 
Committee (JTC), which conducts the Pacific whiting stock assessment; 
the Scientific Review Group (SRG), which reviews the stock assessment; 
and the Advisory Panel (AP), which provides stakeholder input to the 
JMC.
    The Agreement establishes a default harvest policy of F-40 percent, 
which means a fishing mortality rate that would reduce the biomass to 
40 percent of the estimated unfished level (F-40). The Agreement also 
allocates 73.88 percent of the TAC to the United States and 26.12 
percent of the TAC to Canada. The JMC is primarily responsible for 
developing a TAC recommendation to the United States and Canada. The 
Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of State, has 
the authority to accept or reject this recommendation.

[[Page 22402]]

2018 Pacific Whiting Stock Assessment

    The JTC completed a stock assessment for Pacific whiting in March 
2018. The assessment is available at http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/management/whiting/pacific_whiting_treaty.html. The assessment presents a model that 
depends primarily upon an acoustic survey biomass index and catches of 
the transboundary Pacific whiting stock to estimate the biomass of the 
current stock. The most recent survey, conducted collaboratively 
between the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans and NMFS, was 
completed in 2017.
    Pacific whiting spawning stock biomass has been relatively stable 
since 2013. The 2018 spawning biomass estimated to be 1.357 million mt. 
Relative female spawning biomass for 2018 is estimated at 66.7 percent 
of the unfished levels. The stock is currently estimated to be at its 
highest level since the 1980s, as a result of an exceptionally strong 
2010 cohort and above average 2014 cohort. As with past estimates, 
there is a considerable range of uncertainty associated with this 
estimate, because the youngest cohorts that make up a large portion of 
the survey biomass have not been observed for very long.
    The JTC provided tables showing catch alternatives for 2018. Using 
the default F-40 percent harvest rate identified in the Agreement 
(Paragraph 1 of Article III), the coastwide TAC for 2018 would be 
725,984 mt. Projections setting the 2018 and 2019 catch equal to the 
2017 TAC of 597,500 mt show the estimated median relative spawning 
biomass decreasing from 67 percent in 2018 to 59 percent in 2019 and to 
50 percent in 2020, with a 36 percent chance of the spawning biomass 
falling below 40 percent of estimated historic biomass levels in 2020. 
There is an estimated 73 percent chance of the spawning biomass 
declining from 2018 to 2019, and an 82 percent chance of it declining 
from 2019 to 2020 under this constant catch level. However, the 2018 
estimate of median stock biomass is well above the overfished 
threshold, and fishing intensity is below the F-40 percent target. This 
indicates that the coastal Pacific whiting stock is not overfished and 
that overfishing is not occurring.

Scientific and Management Reviews

    The SRG, a bilateral body created under the Agreement, met in 
Lynnwood, Washington on February 26-March 1, 2018, to review the draft 
stock assessment document. The SRG determined that the 2018 Pacific 
whiting assessment report and appendices present the best available 
scientific information for the management of Pacific whiting. During 
the meeting, however, the SRG raised a concern that the model results 
and corresponding estimates of spawning stock biomass are strongly 
affected by the choice of weights-at-age used in estimating fecundity. 
To consider the variability in stock status estimates, the SRG 
requested that the JTC analyze two approaches using different weights-
at-age (Appendix A in the stock assessment report). The first approach 
is consistent with previous assessments, and includes time-invariant 
fecundity-at-age based on the average vector of weights-at-age over all 
years. The second approach is derived from an alternative model using 
time-varying fecundity-at-age calculated with annual estimates of mean 
weights-at-age. The range of uncertainty of each model includes the 
median estimate of current spawning biomass estimated by the other 
model. However, the alternative model estimates that 2018 spawning 
stock biomass is lower and much closer to the reference point (B40) 
than the base-case model. The SRG's analysis suggested that this may be 
because weights-at-age are important to calculating unfished spawning 
biomass (B0), and the alternative model estimates a higher B0 as a 
consequence of using higher mean weights-at-age in the early years of 
the time series (1975-1979). The probability that 2018 spawning biomass 
is below the B40 reference point is estimated as 7 percent by the base-
case model and 48 percent by the alternative model. Despite substantial 
discussion, the SRG was unable to offer advice on which model is more 
plausible, and requested additional work in the coming year from the 
JTC to address the issue.
    The AP and JMC met on March 5-6, 2018, in Lynnwood, Washington, to 
develop advice on a 2018 coastwide TAC. The AP provided its 2018 TAC 
recommendation to the JMC on March 6, 2018. The JMC reviewed the advice 
of the JTC, the SRG, and the AP, and agreed on a TAC recommendation for 
transmittal to the United States and Canadian Governments.
    The Agreement directs the JMC to base the catch limit 
recommendation on the default harvest rate unless scientific evidence 
demonstrates that a different rate is necessary to sustain the offshore 
Pacific whiting resource. After consideration of the 2018 stock 
assessment and other relevant scientific information, the JMC did not 
use the default harvest rate, and instead agreed on a more conservative 
approach, using the same catch limits as 2017. There were three primary 
reasons for choosing a TAC below the default level of F-40 percent. 
First, the growth of the 2010 year class is slowing, which the recent 
historic-high catch has in part depended on, and JMC members wanted to 
extend the harvest available from this year class. Second, the 2018 
stock assessment estimated a lower abundance than last year's 
assessment for the 2014 year class, which comprised more of the 2016 
fall catch than the large 2010 cohort, so the JMC did not want to 
increase mortality on this year class, which is anticipated to be 
important to the fishery over the next several years. Finally, the 
overall abundance of Pacific hake/whiting is projected to begin 
declining from its recent historic high levels, and the JMC did not 
want to accelerate this decline by increasing the TAC. This 
conservative TAC setting process, endorsed by the AP, resulted in a TAC 
that is less than what it would be using the default harvest rate under 
the Agreement.
    The recommendation for an unadjusted 2018 U.S. TAC of 382,532 mt, 
plus 58,901 mt carryover of uncaught quota from 2017 results in an 
adjusted U.S. TAC of 441,433 mt for 2018 (73.88 percent of the 
coastwide TAC). This recommendation is consistent with the best 
available scientific information, provisions of the Agreement, and the 
Whiting Act. The recommendation was transmitted via letter to the 
United States and Canadian Governments on March 6, 2018. NMFS, under 
delegation of authority from the Secretary of Commerce, approved the 
adjusted TAC recommendation of 441,433 mt for U.S. fisheries on April 
23, 2018.

Tribal Fishery Allocation

    This final rule establishes the tribal allocation of Pacific 
whiting for 2018. NMFS issued a proposed rule regarding this allocation 
on January 24, 2018 (83 FR 3291). This action finalizes the tribal 
allocation. Since 1996, NMFS has been allocating a portion of the U.S. 
TAC of Pacific whiting to the tribal fishery. Regulations for the 
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan specify that the 
tribal allocation is subtracted from the total U.S. Pacific whiting 
TAC. The tribal Pacific whiting fishery is managed separately from the 
non-tribal Pacific whiting fishery, and is not governed by limited 
entry or open access regulations or allocations.
    The proposed rule described the tribal allocation as 17.5 percent 
of the U.S. TAC, and projected a range of potential tribal allocations 
for 2018 based on a

[[Page 22403]]

range of U.S. TACs over the last 10 years (plus or minus 25 percent to 
capture variability in stock abundance). As described in the proposed 
rule, the resulting range of potential tribal allocations was 17,842 to 
96,563 mt. Applying the approach described in the proposed rule, NMFS 
is establishing the 2018 tribal allocation of 77,251 mt (17.5 percent 
of the U.S. TAC) in this final rule. In 2009, NMFS, the states of 
Washington and Oregon, and the tribes with treaty rights to harvest 
whiting started a process to determine the long-term tribal allocation 
for Pacific whiting; however, no long-term allocation has been 
determined. While new scientific information or discussions with the 
relevant parties may impact that decision, the best available 
scientific information to date suggests that 77,251 mt is within the 
likely range of potential treaty right amounts.
    As with prior tribal Pacific whiting allocations, this final rule 
is not intended to establish precedent for future Pacific whiting 
seasons, or for the determination of the total amount of whiting to 
which the Tribes are entitled under their treaty right. Rather, this 
rule adopts an interim allocation. The long-term tribal treaty amount 
will be based on further development of scientific information and 
additional coordination and discussion with and among the coastal 
tribes and the states of Washington and Oregon.

Harvest Guidelines and Allocations

    In addition to the tribal allocation described in the proposed 
rule, this final rule establishes the fishery harvest guideline (HG), 
called the non-tribal allocation, which had not yet been determined at 
the time the proposed rule was published. Although this was not part of 
the proposed rule, the environmental assessment for the 2017-2018 
harvest specifications rule (see ELECTRONIC ACCESS) analyzed a range of 
TAC alternatives for 2018, and the final 2018 TAC falls within this 
analyzed range. In addition, via the 2017-2018 specifications 
rulemaking process, the public had an opportunity to comment on the 
2017-2018 TACs for whiting, just as they did for all species in the 
groundfish FMP. NMFS follows this process because, unlike for all other 
groundfish species, the TAC for whiting is decided in a highly 
abbreviated annual process from February through April of every year, 
and the normal rulemaking process would not allow for the fishery to 
open with the new TAC on the annual season opening date of May 15.
    The HG is allocated among the three non-tribal sectors of the 
Pacific whiting fishery. The 2018 fishery HG for Pacific whiting is 
362,682 mt. This amount was determined by deducting the 77,251 mt 
tribal allocation and the 1,500 mt allocation for scientific research 
catch and fishing mortality in non-groundfish fisheries from the total 
U.S. TAC of 441,433 mt.
    NMFS did not include the HG in the tribal whiting proposed rule 
published on January 24, 2018 (83 FR 3291), for two reasons related to 
timing and process. First, a recommendation on the coastwide TAC for 
Pacific whiting for 2018, under the terms of the Agreement with Canada, 
was not available during development of the proposed rule. NMFS, under 
delegation of authority from the Secretary of Commerce, approved a U.S. 
TAC on April 23, 2018. Second, the fishery HG is established following 
deductions from the U.S. TAC for the tribal allocation, mortality in 
scientific research activities, and fishing mortality in non-groundfish 
fisheries. The Council recommends to NMFS the research and bycatch set-
aside on an annual basis, based on estimates of scientific research 
catch and estimated bycatch mortality in non-groundfish fisheries.
    The regulations further allocate the fishery HG among the non-
tribal catcher/processor (C/P) Coop Program, Mothership (MS) Coop 
Program, and Shorebased Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program sectors 
of the Pacific whiting fishery. The C/P Coop Program is allocated 34 
percent (123,312 mt for 2018), the MS Coop Program is allocated 24 
percent (87,044 mt for 2018), and the Shorebased IFQ Program is 
allocated 42 percent (152,326.5 mt for 2018). The fishery south of 
42[deg] N lat. may not take more than 7,616 mt (5 percent of the 
Shorebased IFQ Program allocation) prior to May 15, the start of the 
primary Pacific whiting season north of 42[deg] N lat.

                Table 1--2018 Pacific Whiting Allocations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            2018 Pacific
                                                               whiting
                          Sector                             allocation
                                                                (mt)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tribal....................................................        77,251
Catcher/Processor (C/P) Coop Program......................       123,312
Mothership (MS) Coop Program..............................        87,044
Shorebased IFQ Program....................................     152,326.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In 2018, NMFS published a final rule changing the management of 
darkblotched rockfish and Pacific ocean perch from a total catch limit 
allocation to a set-aside (January 8, 2018; 83 FR 757). These set 
asides as well as the allocations of canary and widow rockfish to the 
Pacific whiting fishery are described in the footnotes to Table 2.b to 
part 660, subpart C and are not changed in this rulemaking.

Comments and Responses

    On January 24, 2018, NMFS issued a proposed rule for the allocation 
and management of the 2018 tribal Pacific whiting fishery (83 FR 3291). 
The comment period on the proposed rule closed on February 23, 2018. No 
relevant comments were received, and no changes were made from the 
proposed allocation and management measures for the 2018 tribal Pacific 
whiting fishery.

Classification

    The Annual Specifications and Management Measures for the 2018 
Tribal and non-Tribal Fisheries for Pacific Whiting are issued under 
the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and the Whiting Act of 2006. 
The measures are in accordance with 50 CFR part 660, subparts C through 
G, the regulations implementing the Pacific Coast Groundfish FMP, and 
NMFS has determined that this rule is consistent with the national 
standards of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable laws.
    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) and (d)(3), the NMFS Assistant 
Administrator finds good cause to waive prior public notice and comment 
and delay in effectiveness for those provisions in this final rule that 
were not included in proposed rule (83 FR 3291), e.g., the U.S. TAC, as 
delaying this rule would be impracticable and contrary to the public 
interest. The annual harvest specifications for Pacific whiting must be 
implemented by the start of the primary Pacific whiting season, which 
begins on May 15, 2018, or the primary Pacific whiting fishery will 
effectively remain closed.
    Every year, NMFS conducts a Pacific whiting stock assessment with 
participation from U.S. and Canadian scientists. The 2018 stock 
assessment for Pacific whiting was prepared in early 2018, and included 
updated total catch, length and age data from the U.S. and Canadian 
fisheries from 2017, and biomass indices from the 2017 Joint U.S.-
Canadian acoustic/midwater trawl surveys. Because of this late 
availability of the most recent data for the assessment, and the need 
for time to conduct the treaty process for determining the TAC using 
the most recent assessment, a determination on

[[Page 22404]]

TAC could not be completed before April 23, 2018. Thus, it is not 
possible to allow for notice and comment before the start of the 
primary Pacific whiting season on May 15.
    A delay in implementing the Pacific whiting harvest specifications 
to allow for notice and comment would be contrary to the public 
interest because it would require either a shorter primary whiting 
season or development of a TAC without the most recent data. A shorter 
season could prevent the tribal and non-tribal fisheries from attaining 
their 2018 allocations, which would result in unnecessary short-term 
adverse economic effects for the Pacific whiting fishing vessels and 
the associated fishing communities. A TAC determined without the most 
recent data could fail to account for significant fluctuations in the 
biomass of this relatively short-lived species. To prevent these 
adverse effects and to allow the Pacific whiting season to commence, it 
is in the best interest of the public to waive prior notice and 
comment.
    In addition, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the NMFS Assistant 
Administrator finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in 
effectiveness. Waiving the 30-day delay in effectiveness will not have 
a negative impact on any entities, as there are no new compliance 
requirements or other burdens placed on the fishing community with this 
rule. Failure to make this final rule effective at the start of the 
fishing year will undermine the intent of the rule, which is to promote 
the optimal utilization and conservation of Pacific whiting. Making 
this rule effective immediately would also serve the best interests of 
the public because it will allow for the longest possible Pacific 
whiting fishing season and therefore the best possible economic outcome 
for those whose livelihoods depend on this fishery. Because the 30-day 
delay in effectiveness would potentially cause significant financial 
harm without providing any corresponding benefits, this final rule is 
effective upon publication in the Federal Register.
    The Office of Management and Budget has determined that this final 
rule is not significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866. This 
rule is not an Executive Order 13771 regulatory action because this 
rule is not significant under Executive Order 12866.

Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

    The description of this action, its purpose, and its legal basis 
are described in the preamble to the proposed rule and are not repeated 
here. A final regulatory flexibility analysis (FRFA) was prepared and 
incorporates the initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA). NMFS 
also prepared a Regulatory Impact Review (RIR) for this action. A copy 
of the RIR/FRFA is available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES). A summary of 
the FRFA, per the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 604 follows.
A Summary of the Significant Issues Raised by the Public in Response to 
the IRFA, a Summary of the Agency's Assessment of Such Issues, and a 
Statement of Any Changes Made in the Final Rule as a Result of Such 
Comments
    NMFS published a proposed rule on January 24, 2018 (83 FR 13291), 
for the allocation of the 2018 tribal Pacific whiting fishery. The 
comment period on the proposed rule closed on February 23, 2018, and no 
comments were received from either the public or the Small Business 
Administration on the initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA) or 
the economic impacts of this action generally.
Description and Estimate of Number of Small Entities To Which the Rule 
Would Apply
    The FRFA describes the impacts on small entities, which are defined 
in the IRFA for this action and not repeated here.
    The current Shorebased IFQ Program is composed of 180 Quota Share 
permits/accounts, 154 vessel accounts, and 47 first receivers, only a 
portion of which participate in the Pacific whiting fishery. These 
regulations also directly affect participants in the MS Coop Program, a 
general term to describe the limited access program that applies to 
eligible harvesters and processors in the MS sector of the Pacific 
whiting at-sea trawl fishery. This program currently consists of six MS 
processor permits, and a catcher vessel fleet currently composed of a 
single coop, with 34 Mothership/Catcher Vessel (MS/CV) endorsed permits 
(with three permits each having two catch history assignments).
    These regulations also directly affect the C/P Coop Program, 
composed of 10 C/P endorsed permits owned by three companies that have 
formed a single coop. These coops are considered large entities from 
several perspectives; they have participants that are large entities, 
and have in total more than 750 employees worldwide including 
affiliates.
    Although there are three non-tribal sectors, many companies 
participate in two sectors and some participate in all three sectors. 
As part of the permit application processes for the non-tribal 
fisheries, based on a review of the Small Business Administration size 
criteria, permit applicants were asked if they considered themselves a 
``small'' business, and to provide detailed ownership information. 
After accounting for cross participation, multiple quota share account 
holders, and affiliation through ownership, NMFS estimates there are 
103 non-tribal entities directly affected by these final regulations, 
89 of which are considered ``small'' businesses.
Description of the Steps the Agency Has Taken To Minimize the 
Significant Economic Impact on Small Entities Consistent With the 
Stated Objectives of Applicable Statutes
    Sector allocations in 2018 are the same as those in 2017. NMFS 
concludes that this rule will have similar outcomes as 2017 for both 
large and small entities, and will not disproportionately affect small 
entities. The U.S. portion of the TAC is divided between tribal, at-sea 
mothership, at-sea catcher processors, and shoreside whiting sectors at 
fixed percentages described above. Within the non-tribal sectors, a 
catch share program allocates whiting to the individual vessel level 
based on history in the shoreside and mothership sectors. The catcher-
processor coop harvests according to a coop agreement with agreed upon 
allocations to each company, which have not changed in the past eight 
years. With allocation determined down to the individual level in each 
sector, the TAC should benefit both large and small entities equal to 
the proportion of the individual level, and small entities would not 
feel disproportionate effects relative to large entities. With the high 
2018 TAC, small entities are expected to benefit, and experience no 
adverse effects from this rule.
    NMFS considered two alternatives for this action: The ``No-Action'' 
and the ``Proposed Action.'' Under the Proposed Action alternative, 
NMFS proposed to set the tribal allocation percentage at 17.5 percent, 
as requested by the tribes. These requests reflect the level of 
participation in the fishery that will allow the tribes to exercise 
their treaty right to fish for Pacific whiting. Consideration of a 
percentage lower than the tribal request of 17.5 percent is not 
appropriate in this instance. As a matter of policy, NMFS has 
historically supported the harvest levels requested by the tribes. 
Based on the information available to NMFS, the tribal request is 
within their tribal treaty rights. A higher percentage would arguably 
also be within the scope of the treaty right.

[[Page 22405]]

However, a higher percentage would unnecessarily limit the non-tribal 
fishery. Under the no-action alternative, NMFS would not make an 
allocation to the tribal sector. This alternative was considered, but 
the regulatory framework provides for a tribal allocation on an annual 
basis only. Therefore, the no-action alternative would result in no 
allocation of Pacific whiting to the tribal sector in 2018, which would 
be inconsistent with NMFS' responsibility to manage the fishery 
consistent with the tribes' treaty rights. Given that there is a tribal 
request for allocation in 2018, this alternative received no further 
consideration.
Description of Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping, and Other Compliance 
Requirements
    There are no reporting or recordkeeping requirements associated 
with this final rule. No federal rules have been identified that 
duplicate, overlap, or conflict with this action.

Small Entity Compliance Guide

    Section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness 
Act of 1996 states that, for each rule or group of related rules for 
which an agency is required to prepare a FRFA, the agency shall publish 
one or more guides to assist small entities in complying with the rule, 
and shall designate such publications as ``small entity compliance 
guides.'' The agency shall explain the actions a small entity is 
required to take to comply with a rule or group of rules. As part of 
this rulemaking process, a small entity compliance guide will be sent 
to stakeholders, and copies of this final rule and guides (i.e., 
information bulletins) are available from NMFS at the following 
website: http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/management/whiting/pacific_whiting.html.

Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments

    Pursuant to Executive Order 13175, this final rule was developed 
after meaningful collaboration with tribal officials from the area 
covered by the FMP. Consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act at 16 
U.S.C. 1852(b)(5), one of the voting members of the Pacific Council is 
a representative of an Indian tribe with federally recognized fishing 
rights from the area of the Council's jurisdiction. In addition, NMFS 
has coordinated specifically with the tribes interested in the whiting 
fishery regarding the issues addressed by this final rule.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660

    Fisheries, Fishing, Indian fisheries.

    Dated: May 9, 2018.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 660 is amended 
as follows:

PART 660--FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES

0
1. The authority citation for part 660 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq., 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq., and 
16 U.S.C. 7001 et seq.


0
2. In Sec.  660.50, revise paragraph (f)(4) to read as follows:


Sec.  660.50   Pacific Coast treaty Indian fisheries.

* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (4) Pacific whiting. The tribal allocation for 2018 is 77,251 mt.
* * * * *

0
3. Table 2a to part 660, subpart C, is revised to read as follows:

                 Table 2a to Part 660, Subpart C--2018, and Beyond, Specifications of OFL, ABC, ACL, ACT and Fishery Harvest Guidelines
                                                                [Weights in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Species                                        Area                         OFL             ABC           ACL \a\     Fishery HG \b\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOCACCIO \c\...................................  S of 40[deg]10' N lat..................           2,013           1,924             741             726
COWCOD \d\.....................................  S of 40[deg]10' N lat..................              71              64              10               8
DARKBLOTCHED ROCKFISH \e\......................  Coastwide..............................             683             653             653             576
PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH \f\........................  N of 40[deg]10' N lat..................             984             941             281             232
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH \g\.........................  Coastwide..............................              58              48              20              14
Arrowtooth flounder \h\........................  Coastwide..............................          16,498          13,743          13,743          11,645
Big skate \i\..................................  Coastwide..............................             541             494             494             437
Black rockfish \j\.............................  California (South of 42[deg] N lat.)...             347             332             332             331
Black rockfish \k\.............................  Oregon (Between 46[deg]16' N lat. and               570             520             520             519
                                                  42[deg] N lat.).
Black rockfish \l\.............................  Washington (N of 46[deg]16' N lat.)....             315             301             301             283
Blackgill rockfish \m\.........................  S of 40[deg]10' N lat..................              NA              NA              NA              NA
Cabezon \n\....................................  California (South of 42[deg] N lat.)...             156             149             149             149
Cabezon \o\....................................  Oregon (Between 46[deg]16' N lat. and                49              47              47              47
                                                  42[deg] N lat.).
California scorpionfish \p\....................  S of 34[deg]27' N lat..................             278             254             150             148
Canary rockfish \q\............................  Coastwide..............................           1,596           1,526           1,526           1,467
Chilipepper \r\................................  S of 40[deg]10' N lat..................           2,623           2,507           2,507           2,461
Dover sole \s\.................................  Coastwide..............................          90,282          86,310          50,000          48,406
English sole \t\...............................  Coastwide..............................           8,255           7,537           7,537           7,324
Lingcod \u\....................................  N of 40[deg]10' N lat..................           3,310           3,110           3,110           2,832
Lingcod \v\....................................  S of 40[deg]10' N lat..................           1,373           1,144           1,144           1,135
Longnose skate \w\.............................  Coastwide..............................           2,526           2,415           2,000           1,853
Longspine thornyhead \x\.......................  Coastwide..............................           4,339           3,614              NA              NA
Longspine thornyhead...........................  N of 34[deg]27' N lat..................              NA              NA           2,747           2,700
Longspine thornyhead...........................  S of 34[deg]27' N lat..................              NA              NA             867             864
Pacific cod \y\................................  Coastwide..............................           3,200           2,221           1,600           1,091
Pacific whiting \z\............................  Coastwide..............................         725,984             \z\             \z\         362,682
Petrale sole \aa\..............................  Coastwide..............................           3,152           3,013           3,013           2,772
Sablefish......................................  Coastwide..............................           8,329           7,604              NA              NA
Sablefish \bb\.................................  N of 36[deg] N lat.....................              NA              NA           5,475    See Table 2c

[[Page 22406]]

 
Sablefish \cc\.................................  S of 36[deg] N lat.....................              NA              NA           1,944           1,939
Shortbelly rockfish \dd\.......................  Coastwide..............................           6,950           5,789             500             489
Shortspine thornyhead \ee\.....................  Coastwide..............................           3,116           2,596              NA              NA
Shortspine thornyhead..........................  N of 34[deg]27' N lat..................              NA              NA           1,698           1,639
Shortspine thornyhead..........................  S of 34[deg]27' N lat..................              NA              NA             898             856
Spiny dogfish \ff\.............................  Coastwide..............................           2,500           2,083           2,083           1,745
Splitnose rockfish \gg\........................  S of 40[deg]10' N lat..................           1,842           1,761           1,761           1,750
Starry flounder \hh\...........................  Coastwide..............................           1,847           1,282           1,282           1,272
Widow rockfish \ii\............................  Coastwide..............................          13,237          12,655          12,655          12,437
Yellowtail rockfish \jj\.......................  N of 40[deg]10' N lat..................           6,574           6,002           6,002           4,972
Minor Nearshore Rockfish \kk\..................  N of 40[deg]10' N lat..................             119             105             105             103
Minor Shelf Rockfish \ll\......................  N of 40[deg]10' N lat..................           2,302           2,048           2,047           1,963
Minor Slope Rockfish \mm\......................  N of 40[deg]10' N lat..................           1,896           1,754           1,754           1,689
Minor Nearshore Rockfish \nn\..................  S of 40[deg]10' N lat..................           1,344           1,180           1,179           1,175
Minor Shelf Rockfish \oo\......................  S of 40[deg]10' N lat..................           1,918           1,625           1,624           1,577
Minor Slope Rockfish \pp\......................  S of 40[deg]10' N lat..................             829             719             709             689
Other Flatfish \qq\............................  Coastwide..............................           9,690           7,281           7,281           7,077
Other Fish \rr\................................  Coastwide..............................             501             441             441             441
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs) and harvest guidelines (HGs) are specified as total catch values.
\b\ Fishery harvest guidelines means the harvest guideline or quota after subtracting Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribes allocations and projected
  catch, projected research catch, deductions for fishing mortality in non-groundfish fisheries, and deductions for EFPs from the ACL or ACT.
\c\ Bocaccio. A stock assessment was conducted in 2015 for the bocaccio stock between the U.S.-Mexico border and Cape Blanco. The stock is managed with
  stock-specific harvest specifications south of 40deg;10' N lat. and within the Minor Shelf Rockfish complex north of 40deg;10' N lat. A historical
  catch distribution of approximately 7.4 percent was used to apportion the assessed stock to the area north of 40deg;10' N lat. The bocaccio stock was
  estimated to be at 36.8 percent of its unfished biomass in 2015. The OFL of 2,013 mt is projected in the 2015 stock assessment using an FMSY proxy of
  F50. The ABC of 1,924 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma] = 0.36/P* = 0.45) because it is a category 1 stock. The 741 mt ACL
  is based on the current rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild of 2022 and an SPR harvest rate of 77.7 percent. 15.4 mt is deducted from the
  ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (0.8 mt), EFP catch (10 mt) and research catch (4.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 725.6 mt.
  The California recreational fishery has an HG of 305.5 mt.
\d\ Cowcod. A stock assessment for the Conception Area was conducted in 2013 and the stock was estimated to be at 33.9 percent of its unfished biomass
  in 2013. The Conception Area OFL of 59 mt is projected in the 2013 rebuilding analysis using an FMSY proxy of F50. The OFL contribution of 12
  mt for the unassessed portion of the stock in the Monterey area is based on depletion-based stock reduction analysis. The OFLs for the Monterey and
  Conception areas were summed to derive the south of 40deg;10' N lat. OFL of 71 mt. The ABC for the area south of 40deg;10' N lat. is 64 mt. The
  assessed portion of the stock in the Conception Area is considered category 2, with a Conception area contribution to the ABC of 54 mt, which is an
  8.7 percent reduction from the Conception area OFL ([sigma] = 0.72/P* = 0.45). The unassessed portion of the stock in the Monterey area is considered
  a category 3 stock, with a contribution to the ABC of 10 mt, which is a 16.6 percent reduction from the Monterey area OFL ([sigma] = 1.44/P* = 0.45).
  A single ACL of 10 mt is being set for both areas combined. The ACL of 10 mt is based on the rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild of 2020 and
  an SPR harvest rate of 82.7 percent, which is equivalent to an exploitation rate (catch over age 11+ biomass) of 0.007. 2 mt is deducted from the ACL
  to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (less than 0.1 mt), EFP fishing (less than 0.1 mt) and research activity (2 mt), resulting in a
  fishery HG of 8 mt. Any additional mortality in research activities will be deducted from the ACL. A single ACT of 4 mt is being set for both areas
  combined.
\e\ Darkblotched rockfish. A 2015 stock assessment estimated the stock to be at 39 percent of its unfished biomass in 2015. The OFL of 683 mt is
  projected in the 2015 stock assessment using an FMSY proxy of F50. The ABC of 653 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma] = 0.36/
  P* = 0.45) because it is a category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC, as the stock is projected to be above its target biomass of B40
  in 2017. 77.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (0.2 mt), the incidental open access fishery (24.5 mt), EFP catch (0.1
  mt), research catch (2.5 mt) and an additional deduction for unforeseen catch events (50 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 575.8 mt.
\f\ Pacific ocean perch. A stock assessment was conducted in 2011 and the stock was estimated to be at 19.1 percent of its unfished biomass in 2011. The
  OFL of 984 mt for the area north of 40deg;10' N lat. is based on an updated catch-only projection of the 2011 rebuilding analysis using an F50
  FMSY proxy. The ABC of 941 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma] = 0.36/P* = 0.45) as it is a category 1 stock. The ACL is based on the
  current rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild of 2051 and a constant catch amount of 281 mt in 2017 and 2018, followed in 2019 and beyond by
  ACLs based on an SPR harvest rate of 86.4 percent. 49.4 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (9.2 mt), the incidental open
  access fishery (10 mt), research catch (5.2 mt) and an additional deduction for unforeseen catch events (25 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 231.6
  mt.
\g\ Yelloweye rockfish. A stock assessment update was conducted in 2011. The stock was estimated to be at 21.4 percent of its unfished biomass in 2011.
  The 58 mt coastwide OFL is based on a catch-only update of the 2011 stock assessment, assuming actual catches since 2011 and using an FMSY proxy of
  F50. The ABC of 48 mt is a 16.7 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma] = 0.72/P* = 0.40) as it is a category 2 stock. The 20 mt ACL is based
  on the current rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild of 2074 and an SPR harvest rate of 76.0 percent. 6 mt is deducted from the ACL to
  accommodate the Tribal fishery (2.3 mt), the incidental open access fishery (0.4 mt), EFP catch (less than 0.1 mt) and research catch (3.27 mt)
  resulting in a fishery HG of 14 mt. Recreational HGs are: 3.3 mt (Washington); 3 mt (Oregon); and 3.9 mt (California).
\h\ Arrowtooth flounder. The arrowtooth flounder stock was last assessed in 2007 and was estimated to be at 79 percent of its unfished biomass in 2007.
  The OFL of 16,498 mt is derived from a catch-only update of the 2007 assessment assuming actual catches since 2007 and using an F30 FMSY
  proxy. The ABC of 13,743 mt is a 16.7 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma] = 0.72/P* = 0.40) as it is a category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal to
  the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B25. 2,098.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (2,041
  mt), the incidental open access fishery (40.8 mt), and research catch (16.4 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 11,644.9 mt.
\i\ Big skate. The OFL of 541 mt is based on an estimate of trawl survey biomass and natural mortality. The ABC of 494 mt is a 8.7 percent reduction
  from the OFL ([sigma] = 0.72/P* = 0.45) as it is a category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC. 57.4 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate
  the Tribal fishery (15 mt), the incidental open access fishery (38.4 mt), and research catch (4 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 436.6 mt.
\j\ Black rockfish (California). A 2015 stock assessment estimated the stock to be at 33 percent of its unfished biomass in 2015. The OFL of 347 mt is
  projected in the 2015 stock assessment using an FMSY proxy of F50. The ABC of 332 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma] = 0.36/
  P* = 0.45) because it is a category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is projected to be above its target biomass of B40 in 2018. 1 mt is deducted from the ACL for EFP catch, resulting in a fishery HG of 331 mt.

[[Page 22407]]

 
\k\ Black rockfish (Oregon). A 2015 stock assessment estimated the stock to be at 60 percent of its unfished biomass in 2015. The OFL of 570 mt is
  projected in the 2015 stock assessment using an FMSY proxy of F50. The ABC of 520 mt is an 8.7 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma] = 0.72/
  P* = 0.45) because it is a category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B40. 0.6 mt is
  deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery, resulting in a fishery HG of 519.4 mt.
\l\ Black rockfish (Washington). A 2015 stock assessment estimated the stock to be at 43 percent of its unfished biomass in 2015. The OFL of 315 mt is
  projected in the 2015 stock assessment using an FMSY proxy of F50. The ABC of 301 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma] = 0.36/
  P* = 0.45) because it is a category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B40. 18 mt is
  deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery, resulting in a fishery HG of 283 mt.
\m\ Blackgill rockfish. Blackgill rockfish contributes to the harvest specifications for the Minor Slope Rockfish South complex. See footnote pp.
\n\ Cabezon (California). A cabezon stock assessment was conducted in 2009. The cabezon spawning biomass in waters off California was estimated to be at
  48.3 percent of its unfished biomass in 2009. The OFL of 156 mt is calculated using an FMSYproxy of F50. The ABC of 149 mt is based on a 4.4
  percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma] = 0.36/P* = 0.45) because it is a category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above
  its target biomass of B40. 0.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (0.3 mt), resulting in a fishery
  HG of 148.7 mt.
\o\ Cabezon (Oregon). A cabezon stock assessment was conducted in 2009. The cabezon spawning biomass in waters off Oregon was estimated to be at 52
  percent of its unfished biomass in 2009. The OFL of 49 mt is calculated using an FMSYproxy of F45. The ABC of 47 mt is based on a 4.4 percent
  reduction from the OFL ([sigma] = 0.36/P* = 0.45) because it is a category 1 species. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its
  target biomass of B40. There are no deductions from the ACL so the fishery HG is also equal to the ACL of 47 mt.
\p\ California scorpionfish. A California scorpionfish assessment was conducted in 2005 and was estimated to be at 79.8 percent of its unfished biomass
  in 2005. The OFL of 278 mt is based on projections from a catch-only update of the 2005 assessment assuming actual catches since 2005 and using an
  FMSY harvest rate proxy of F50. The ABC of 254 mt is an 8.7 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma] = 0.72/P* = 0.45) because it is a category
  2 stock. The ACL is set at a constant catch amount of 150 mt. 2.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (2 mt)
  and research catch (0.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 147.8 mt. An ACT of 111 mt is established.
\q\ Canary rockfish. A stock assessment was conducted in 2015 and the stock was estimated to be at 55.5 percent of its unfished biomass coastwide in
  2015. The coastwide OFL of 1,596 mt is projected in the 2015 assessment using an FMSYharvest rate proxy of F50. The ABC of 1,526 mt is a 4.4
  percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma] = 0.36/P* = 0.45) as it is a category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its
  target biomass of B40. 59.4 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (50 mt), the incidental open access fishery (1.2
  mt), EFP catch (1 mt) and research catch (7.2 mt) resulting in a fishery HG of 1,466.6 mt. Recreational HGs are: 50 mt (Washington); 75 mt (Oregon);
  and 135 mt (California).
\r\ Chilipepper. A coastwide update assessment of the chilipepper stock was conducted in 2015 and estimated to be at 64 percent of its unfished biomass
  in 2015. Chilipepper are managed with stock-specific harvest specifications south of 40deg;10'N lat. and within the Minor Shelf Rockfish complex north
  of 40deg;10' N lat. Projected OFLs are stratified north and south of 40deg;10' N lat. based on the average historical assessed area catch, which is 93
  percent for the area south of 40deg;10' N lat. and 7 percent for the area north of 40deg;10' N lat. The OFL of 2,623 mt for the area south of
  40deg;10' N lat. is projected in the 2015 assessment using an FMSY proxy of F50. The ABC of 2,507 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL
  ([sigma] = 0.36/P* = 0.45) because it is a category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B40. 45.9 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (5 mt), EFP fishing (30 mt), and research catch (10.9 mt),
  resulting in a fishery HG of 2,461.1 mt.
\s\ Dover sole. A 2011 Dover sole assessment estimated the stock to be at 83.7 percent of its unfished biomass in 2011. The OFL of 90,282 mt is based on
  an updated catch-only projection from the 2011 stock assessment assuming actual catches since 2011 and using an FMSY proxy of F30. The ABC of
  86,310 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma] = 0.36/P* = 0.45) because it is a category 1 stock. The ACL could be set equal to the ABC
  because the stock is above its target biomass of B25. However, the ACL of 50,000 mt is set at a level below the ABC and higher than the
  maximum historical landed catch. 1,593.7 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (1,497 mt), the incidental open access fishery
  (54.8 mt), and research catch (41.9 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 48,406.3 mt.
\t\ English sole. A 2013 stock assessment was conducted, which estimated the stock to be at 88 percent of its unfished biomass in 2013. The OFL of 8,255
  mt is projected in the 2013 assessment using an FMSY proxy of F30. The ABC of 7,537 mt is an 8.7 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma] =
  0.72/P* = 0.45) because it is a category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B25. 212.8
  mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (200 mt), the incidental open access fishery (7 mt) and research catch (5.8 mt),
  resulting in a fishery HG of 7,324.2 mt.
\u\ Lingcod north. The 2009 lingcod assessment modeled two populations north and south of the California-Oregon border (42[deg] N lat.). Both
  populations were healthy with stock depletion estimated at 62 and 74 percent for the north and south, respectively in 2009.The OFL is based on an
  updated catch-only projection from the 2009 assessment assuming actual catches since 2009 and using an FMSY proxy of F45. The OFL is
  apportioned by adding 48 percent of the OFL from California, resulting in an OFL of 3,310 mt for the area north of 40deg;10' N lat. The ABC of 3,110
  mt is based on a 4.4 percent reduction ([sigma] = 0.36/P* = 0.45) from the OFL contribution for the area north of 42[deg] N lat. because it is a
  category 1 stock, and an 8.7 percent reduction ([sigma] = 0.72/P* = 0.45) from the OFL contribution for the area between 42[deg] N lat. and 40deg;10'
  N lat. because it is a category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B40. 278.2 mt is
  deducted from the ACL for the Tribal fishery (250 mt), the incidental open access fishery (16 mt), EFP catch (0.5 mt) and research catch (11.7 mt),
  resulting in a fishery HG of 2,831.8 mt.
\v\ Lingcod south. The 2009 lingcod assessment modeled two populations north and south of the California-Oregon border (42[deg] N lat.). Both
  populations were healthy with stock depletion estimated at 62 and 74 percent for the north and south, respectively in 2009. The OFL is based on an
  updated catch-only projection of the 2009 stock assessment assuming actual catches since 2009 and using an FMSY proxy of F45. The OFL is
  apportioned by subtracting 48 percent of the California OFL, resulting in an OFL of 1,373 mt for the area south of 40deg;10' N lat. The ABC of 1,144
  mt is based on a 16.7 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma] = 0.72/P* = 0.40) because it is a category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC
  because the stock is above its target biomass of B40. 9 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (6.9
  mt), EFP fishing (1 mt), and research catch (1.1 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,135 mt.
\w\ Longnose skate. A stock assessment was conducted in 2007 and the stock was estimated to be at 66 percent of its unfished biomass. The OFL of 2,526
  mt is derived from the 2007 stock assessment using an FMSY proxy of F50. The ABC of 2,415 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]
  = 0.36/P* = 0.45) because it is a category 1 stock. The ACL of 2,000 mt is a fixed harvest level that provides greater access to the stock and is less
  than the ABC. 147 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (130 mt), incidental open access fishery (3.8 mt), and research catch
  (13.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,853 mt.
\x\ Longspine thornyhead. A 2013 longspine thornyhead coastwide stock assessment estimated the stock to be at 75 percent of its unfished biomass in
  2013. A coastwide OFL of 4,339 mt is projected in the 2013 stock assessment using an F50FMSY proxy. The coastwide ABC of 3,614 mt is a 16.7
  percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma] = 0.72/P* = 0.40) because it is a category 2 stock. For the portion of the stock that is north of 34[deg]27' N
  lat., the ACL is 2,747 mt, and is 76 percent of the coastwide ABC based on the average swept-area biomass estimates (2003-2012) from the NMFS NWFSC
  trawl survey. 46.8 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (30 mt), the incidental open access fishery (3.3 mt), and research
  catch (13.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 2,700.2 mt. For that portion of the stock south of 34[deg]27' N lat. the ACL is 867 mt and is 24 percent
  of the coastwide ABC based on the average swept-area biomass estimates (2003-2012) from the NMFS NWFSC trawl survey. 3.2 mt is deducted from the ACL
  to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (1.8 mt), and research catch (1.4 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 863.8 mt.
\y\ Pacific cod. The 3,200 mt OFL is based on the maximum level of historic landings. The ABC of 2,221 mt is a 30.6 percent reduction from the OFL
  ([sigma] = 1.44/P* = 0.40) as it is a category 3 stock. The 1,600 mt ACL is the OFL reduced by 50 percent as a precautionary adjustment. 509 mt is
  deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (500 mt), research catch (7 mt), and the incidental open access fishery (2 mt), resulting in a
  fishery HG of 1,091 mt.

[[Page 22408]]

 
\z\ Pacific whiting. The coastwide stock assessment was published in 2018 and estimated the spawning stock to be at 66.7 percent of its unfished
  biomass. The 2018 OFL of 725,984 mt is based on the 2018 assessment with an F40 FMSY proxy. The 2018 coastwide, unadjusted Total Allowable
  Catch (TAC) of 517,775 mt is based on the 2018 stock assessment. The U.S. TAC is 73.88 percent of the coastwide unadjusted TAC. Up to 15 percent of
  each party's unadjusted 2017 TAC (58,901 mt for the U.S. and 20,824 mt for Canada) is added to each party's 2018 unadjusted TAC, resulting in a U.S.
  adjusted 2018 TAC of 441,433 mt. From the adjusted U.S. TAC, 77,251 mt is deducted to accommodate the Tribal fishery, and 1,500 mt is deducted to
  accommodate research and bycatch in other fisheries, resulting in a fishery HG of 362,682 mt. The TAC for Pacific whiting is established under the
  provisions of the Agreement with Canada on Pacific Hake/Whiting and the Pacific Whiting Act of 2006, 16 U.S.C. 7001-7010, and the international
  exception applies. Therefore, no ABC or ACL values are provided for Pacific whiting.
\aa\ Petrale sole. A 2015 stock assessment update was conducted, which estimated the stock to be at 31 percent of its unfished biomass in 2015. The OFL
  of 3,152 mt is projected in the 2015 assessment using an FMSY proxy of F30. The ABC of 3,013 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL
  ([sigma] = 0.36/P* = 0.45) because it is a category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B25. 240.9 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (220 mt), the incidental open access fishery (3.2 mt) and research catch
  (17.7 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 2,772.1 mt.
\bb\ Sablefish north. A coastwide sablefish stock assessment update was conducted in 2015. The coastwide sablefish biomass was estimated to be at 33
  percent of its unfished biomass in 2015. The coastwide OFL of 8,329 mt is projected in the 2015 stock assessment using an FMSY proxy of F45.
  The ABC of 7,604 mt is an 8.7 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma] = 0.36/P* = 0.40). The 40ndash;10 adjustment is applied to the ABC to derive a
  coastwide ACL value because the stock is in the precautionary zone. This coastwide ACL value is not specified in regulations. The coastwide ACL value
  is apportioned north and south of 36[deg] N lat., using the 2003-2014 average estimated swept area biomass from the NMFS NWFSC trawl survey, with 73.8
  percent apportioned north of 36[deg] N lat. and 26.2 percent apportioned south of 36[deg] N lat. The northern ACL is 5,475 mt and is reduced by 548 mt
  for the Tribal allocation (10 percent of the ACL north of 36[deg] N lat.). The 548 mt Tribal allocation is reduced by 1.5 percent to account for
  discard mortality. Detailed sablefish allocations are shown in Table 2c.
\cc\ Sablefish south. The ACL for the area south of 36[deg] N lat. is 1,944 mt (26.2 percent of the calculated coastwide ACL value). 5 mt is deducted
  from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open acrdedseescess fishery (2 mt) and research catch (3 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,939 mt.
\dd\ Shortbelly rockfish. A non-quantitative shortbelly rockfish assessment was conducted in 2007. The spawning stock biomass of shortbelly rockfish was
  estimated to be 67 percent of its unfished biomass in 2005. The OFL of 6,950 mt is based on the estimated MSY in the 2007 stock assessment. The ABC of
  5,789 mt is a 16.7 percent reduction of the OFL ([sigma] = 0.72/P* = 0.40) because it is a category 2 stock. The 500 mt ACL is set to accommodate
  incidental catch when fishing for co-occurring healthy stocks and in recognition of the stock's importance as a forage species in the California
  Current ecosystem. 10.9 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (8.9 mt) and research catch (2 mt), resulting in
  a fishery HG of 489.1 mt.
\ee\ Shortspine thornyhead. A 2013 coastwide shortspine thornyhead stock assessment estimated the stock to be at 74.2 percent of its unfished biomass in
  2013. A coastwide OFL of 3,116 mt is projected in the 2013 stock assessment using an F50FMSY proxy. The coastwide ABC of 2,596 mt is a 16.7
  percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma] = 0.72/P* = 0.40) because it is a category 2 stock. For the portion of the stock that is north of 34[deg]27' N
  lat., the ACL is 1,698 mt. The northern ACL is 65.4 percent of the coastwide ABC based on the average swept-area biomass estimates (2003-2012) from
  the NMFS NWFSC trawl survey. 59 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (50 mt), the incidental open access fishery (1.8 mt),
  and research catch (7.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,639 mt for the area north of 34[deg]27' N lat. For that portion of the stock south of
  34[deg]27' N lat. the ACL is 898 mt. The southern ACL is 34.6 percent of the coastwide ABC based on the average swept-area biomass estimates (2003-
  2012) from the NMFS NWFSC trawl survey. 42.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (41.3 mt) and research
  catch (1 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 855.7 mt for the area south of 34[deg]27' N lat.
\ff\ Spiny dogfish. A coastwide spiny dogfish stock assessment was conducted in 2011. The coastwide spiny dogfish biomass was estimated to be at 63
  percent of its unfished biomass in 2011. The coastwide OFL of 2,500 mt is derived from the 2011 assessment using an FMSY proxy of F50. The
  coastwide ABC of 2,083 mt is a 16.7 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma] = 0.72/P* = 0.40) because it is a category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal
  to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B40. 338 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (275 mt),
  the incidental open access fishery (49.5 mt), EFP catch (1 mt), and research catch (12.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,745 mt.
\gg\ Splitnose rockfish. A coastwide splitnose rockfish assessment was conducted in 2009 that estimated the stock to be at 66 percent of its unfished
  biomass in 2009. Splitnose rockfish in the north is managed in the Minor Slope Rockfish complex and with stock-specific harvest specifications south
  of 40deg;10' N lat. The coastwide OFL is projected in the 2009 assessment using an FMSY proxy of F50. The coastwide OFL is apportioned north
  and south of 40deg;10' N lat. based on the average 1916-2008 assessed area catch resulting in 64.2 percent of the coastwide OFL apportioned south of
  40deg;10' N lat., and 35.8 percent apportioned for the contribution of splitnose rockfish to the northern Minor Slope Rockfish complex. The southern
  OFL of 1,842 mt results from the apportionment described above. The southern ABC of 1,761 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the southern OFL ([sigma]
  = 0.36/P* = 0.45) because it is a category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is estimated to be above its target biomass of
  B40. 10.7 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (0.2 mt), research catch (9 mt) and EFP catch (1.5
  mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,750.3 mt.
\hh\ Starry flounder. The stock was assessed in 2005 and was estimated to be above 40 percent of its unfished biomass in 2005 (44 percent in Washington
  and Oregon, and 62 percent in California). The coastwide OFL of 1,847 mt is set equal to the 2016 OFL, which was derived from the 2005 assessment
  using an FMSY proxy of F30. The ABC of 1,282 mt is a 30.6 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma] = 1.44/P* = 0.40) because it is a category 3
  stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock was estimated to be above its target biomass of B25 in 2018. 10.3 mt is deducted from
  the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (2 mt), and the incidental open access fishery (8.3 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,271.7 mt.
\ii\ Widow rockfish. The widow rockfish stock was assessed in 2015 and was estimated to be at 75 percent of its unfished biomass in 2015. The OFL of
  13,237 mt is projected in the 2015 stock assessment using the F50 FMSY proxy. The ABC of 12,655 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL
  ([sigma] = 0.36/P* = 0.45) because it is a category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B40. 217.7 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (200 mt), the incidental open access fishery (0.5 mt), EFP catch (9 mt) and
  research catch (8.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 12,437.3 mt.
\jj\ Yellowtail rockfish. A 2013 yellowtail rockfish stock assessment was conducted for the portion of the population north of 40deg;10' N. lat. The
  estimated stock depletion is 67 percent of its unfished biomass in 2013. The OFL of 6,574 mt is projected in the 2013 stock assessment using an FMSY
  proxy of F50. The ABC of 6,002 mt is an 8.7 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma] = 0.72/P*= 0.45) because it is a category 2 stock. The ACL
  is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B40. 1,030 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal
  fishery (1,000 mt), the incidental open access fishery (3.4 mt), EFP catch (10 mt) and research catch (16.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 4,972.1
  mt.
\kk\ Minor Nearshore Rockfish north. The OFL for Minor Nearshore Rockfish north of 40deg;10' N lat. of 119 mt is the sum of the OFL contributions for
  the component species managed in the complex. The ABCs for the minor rockfish complexes are based on a sigma value of 0.72 for category 2 stocks (blue/
  deacon rockfish in California, brown rockfish, China rockfish, and copper rockfish) and a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others) with
  a P* of 0.45. The resulting ABC of 105 mt is the summed contribution of the ABCs for the component species. The ACL of 105 mt is the sum of
  contributing ABCs. 1.8 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (1.5 mt), and the incidental open access fishery (0.3 mt),
  resulting in a fishery HG of 103.2 mt. Between 40deg;10' N lat. and 42[deg] N lat. the Minor Nearshore Rockfish complex north has a harvest guideline
  of 40.2 mt. Blue/deacon rockfish south of 42[deg] N lat. has a species-specific HG, described in footnote pp.
\ll\ Minor Shelf Rockfish north. The OFL for Minor Shelf Rockfish north of 40deg;10' N lat. of 2,302 mt is the sum of the OFL contributions for the
  component species within the complex. The ABCs for the minor rockfish complexes are based on a sigma value of 0.36 for a category 1 stock
  (chilipepper), a sigma value of 0.72 for category 2 stocks (greenspotted rockfish between 40deg;10' and 42[deg] N lat. and greenstriped rockfish) and
  a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others) with a P* of 0.45. The resulting ABC of 2,048 mt is the summed contribution of the ABCs for
  the component species. The ACL of 2,047 mt is the sum of contributing ABCs of healthy assessed stocks and unassessed stocks, plus the ACL contribution
  of greenspotted rockfish in California where the 40ndash;10 adjustment was applied to the ABC contribution for this stock because it is in the
  precautionary zone. 83.8 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (30 mt), the incidental open access fishery (26 mt), EFP catch
  (3 mt), and research catch (24.8 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,963.2 mt.

[[Page 22409]]

 
\mm\ Minor Slope Rockfish north. The OFL for Minor Slope Rockfish north of 40deg;10' N. lat. of 1,896 mt is the sum of the OFL contributions for the
  component species within the complex. The ABCs for the Minor Slope Rockfish complexes are based on a sigma value of 0.39 for aurora rockfish, a sigma
  value of 0.36 for the other category 1 stock (splitnose rockfish), a sigma value of 0.72 for category 2 stocks (rougheye rockfish, blackspotted
  rockfish, and sharpchin rockfish), and a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others) with a P* of 0.45. A unique sigma of 0.39 was
  calculated for aurora rockfish because the variance in estimated spawning biomass was greater than the 0.36 used as a proxy for other category 1
  stocks. The resulting ABC of 1,754 mt is the summed contribution of the ABCs for the component species. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because all
  the assessed component stocks (rougheye rockfish, blackspotted rockfish, sharpchin rockfish, and splitnose rockfish) are above the target biomass of
  B40. 65.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (36 mt), the incidental open access fishery (18.6 mt), EFP catch (1
  mt), and research catch (9.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,688.9 mt.
\nn\ Minor Nearshore Rockfish south. The OFL for the Minor Nearshore Rockfish complex south of 40deg;10' N lat. of 1,344 mt is the sum of the OFL
  contributions for the component species within the complex. The ABC for the southern Minor Nearshore Rockfish complex is based on a sigma value of
  0.72 for category 2 stocks (blue/deacon rockfish north of 34[deg]27' N lat., brown rockfish, China rockfish, and copper rockfish) and a sigma value of
  1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others) with a P* of 0.45. The resulting ABC of 1,180 mt is the summed contribution of the ABCs for the component
  species. The ACL of 1,179 mt is the sum of the contributing ABCs of healthy assessed stocks and unassessed stocks, plus the ACL contribution for China
  rockfish where the 40ndash;10 adjustment was applied to the ABC contribution for this stock because it is in the precautionary zone. 4.1 mt is
  deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (1.4 mt) and research catch (2.7 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,174.9 mt.
  Blue/deacon rockfish south of 42[deg] N lat. has a species-specific HG set equal to the 40ndash;10-adjusted ACL for the portion of the stock north of
  34[deg]27' N lat. (250.3 mt) plus the ABC contribution for the unassessed portion of the stock south of 34[deg]27' N lat. (60.8 mt). The California
  (i.e., south of 42[deg] N lat.) blue/deacon rockfish HG is 311.1 mt.
\oo\ Minor Shelf Rockfish south. The OFL for the Minor Shelf Rockfish complex south of 40deg;10' N lat. of 1,918 mt is the sum of the OFL contributions
  for the component species within the complex. The ABC for the southern Minor Shelf Rockfish complex is based on a sigma value of 0.72 for category 2
  stocks (i.e., greenspotted and greenstriped rockfish) and a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others) with a P* of 0.45. The resulting
  ABC of 1,625 mt is the summed contribution of the ABCs for the component species. The ACL of 1,624 mt is the sum of contributing ABCs of healthy
  assessed stocks and unassessed stocks, plus the ACL contribution of greenspotted rockfish in California where the 40ndash;10 adjustment was applied to
  the ABC contribution for this stock because it is in the precautionary zone. 47.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open
  access fishery (8.6 mt), EFP catch (30 mt), and research catch (8.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,576.8 mt.
\pp\ Minor Slope Rockfish south. The OFL of 829 mt is the sum of the OFL contributions for the component species within the complex. The ABC for the
  southern Minor Slope Rockfish complex is based on a sigma value of 0.39 for aurora rockfish, a sigma value of 0.72 for category 2 stocks (blackgill
  rockfish, rougheye rockfish, blackspotted rockfish, and sharpchin rockfish) and a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others) with a P* of
  0.45. A unique sigma of 0.39 was calculated for aurora rockfish because the variance in estimated biomass was greater than the 0.36 used as a proxy
  for other category 1 stocks. The resulting ABC of 719 mt is the summed contribution of the ABCs for the component species. The ACL of 709 mt is the
  sum of the contributing ABCs of healthy assessed stocks and unassessed stocks, plus the ACL contribution of blackgill rockfish where the 40ndash;10
  adjustment was applied to the ABC contribution for this stock because it is in the precautionary zone. 20.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate
  the incidental open access fishery (17.2 mt), EFP catch (1 mt), and research catch (2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 688.8 mt. Blackgill rockfish
  has a stock-specific HG for the entire groundfish fishery south of 40deg;10' N lat. set equal to the species' contribution to the 40ndash;10-adjusted
  ACL. Harvest of blackgill rockfish in all groundfish fisheries counts against this HG of 122.4 mt. Nontrawl fisheries are subject to a blackgill
  rockfish HG of 45.3 mt.
\qq\ Other Flatfish. The Other Flatfish complex is comprised of flatfish species managed in the PCGFMP that are not managed with species-specific OFLs/
  ABCs/ACLs. Most of the species in the Other Flatfish complex are unassessed and include: Butter sole, curlfin sole, flathead sole, Pacific sanddab,
  rock sole, sand sole, and rex sole. The Other Flatfish OFL of 9,690 mt is based on the sum of the OFL contributions of the component stocks. The ABC
  of 7,281 mt is based on a sigma value of 0.72 for a category 2 stock (rex sole) and a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others) with a P*
  of 0.40. The ACL is set equal to the ABC. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because all of the assessed stocks (i.e., Pacific sanddabs and rex sole)
  were above their target biomass of B25. 204 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (60 mt), the incidental open access
  fishery 125 mt), and research catch (19 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 7,077 mt.
\rr\ Other Fish. The Other Fish complex is comprised of kelp greenling coastwide, cabezon off Washington, and leopard shark coastwide. The 2015
  assessment for the kelp greenling stock off of Oregon projected an estimated depletion of 80 percent. All other stocks are unassessed. The OFL of 501
  mt is the sum of the OFL contributions for kelp greenling coastwide, cabezon off Washington, and leopard shark coastwide. The ABC for the Other Fish
  complex is based on a sigma value of 0.44 for kelp greenling off Oregon and a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others) with a P* of
  0.45. A unique sigma of 0.44 was calculated for kelp greenling off Oregon because the variance in estimated spawning biomass was greater than the 0.36
  sigma used as a proxy for other category 1 stocks. The resulting ABC of 441 mt is the summed contribution of the ABCs for the component species. The
  ACL is set equal to the ABC because all of the assessed stocks (kelp greenling off Oregon) were above their target biomass of B40. There are
  no deductions from the ACL so the fishery HG is equal to the ACL of 441 mt.


0
4. Table 2b to part 660, subpart C, is revised to read as follows:

                               Table 2b to Part 660, Subpart C--2018, and Beyond, Allocations by Species or Species Group
                                                                 [Weight in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                       Trawl                         Non-trawl
                  Species                               Area               Fishery HG or ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                ACT           Percent           Mt            Percent           Mt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOCACCIO \a\..............................  S of 40[deg]10' N lat.......           725.6              39           283.3              61           442.3
COWCOD \a\ \b\............................  S of 40[deg]10' N lat.......             4.0              36             1.4              64             2.6
DARKBLOTCHED ROCKFISH \c\.................  Coastwide...................           575.8              95           547.0               5            28.8
PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH \d\...................  N of 40[deg]10' N lat.......           231.6              95           220.0               5            11.6
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH \a\....................  Coastwide...................            14.0              NA             1.1              NA            12.9
Arrowtooth flounder.......................  Coastwide...................        11,644.9              95        11,062.6               5           582.2
Big skate \a\.............................  Coastwide...................           436.6              95           414.8               5            21.8
Canary rockfish \a\ \e\...................  Coastwide...................         1,466.6              NA         1,060.1              NA           406.5
Chilipepper...............................  S of 40[deg]10' N lat.......         2,461.1              75         1,845.8              25           615.3
Dover sole................................  Coastwide...................        48,406.3              95        45,986.0               5         2,420.3
English sole..............................  Coastwide...................         7,324.2              95         6,958.0               5           366.2
Lingcod...................................  N of 40[deg]10' N lat.......         2,831.8              45         1,274.3              55         1,557.5
Lingcod...................................  S of 40[deg]10' N lat.......         1,135.0              45           510.8              55           624.3
Longnose skate \a\........................  Coastwide...................         1,853.0              90         1,667.7              10           185.3
Longspine thornyhead......................  N of 34[deg]27' N lat.......         2,700.2              95         2,565.2               5           135.0

[[Page 22410]]

 
Pacific cod...............................  Coastwide...................         1,091.0              95         1,036.4               5            54.5
Pacific whiting \g\.......................  Coastwide...................       362,682.0             100       362,682.0               0             0.0
Petrale sole..............................  Coastwide...................         2,772.1              95         2,633.5               5           138.6
                                                                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish.................................  N of 36[deg] N lat..........             N/A                           See Table 2c
                                                                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish.................................  S of 36[deg] N lat..........         1,939.0              42           814.4              58         1,124.6
Shortspine thornyhead.....................  N of 34[deg]27' N lat.......         1,639.0              95         1,557.0               5            81.9
Shortspine thornyhead.....................  S of 34[deg]27' N lat.......           855.7              NA            50.0              NA           805.7
Splitnose rockfish........................  S of 40[deg]10' N lat.......         1,750.3              95         1,662.8               5            87.5
Starry flounder...........................  Coastwide...................         1,271.7              50           635.9              50           635.9
Widow rockfish \f\........................  Coastwide...................        12,437.3              91        11,317.9               9         1,119.4
Yellowtail rockfish.......................  N of 40[deg]10' N lat.......         4,972.1              88         4,375.4              12           596.6
Minor Shelf Rockfish \a\..................  N of 40[deg]10' N lat.......         1,963.2              60         1,181.8              40           781.4
Minor Slope Rockfish......................  N of 40[deg]10' N lat.......         1,688.9              81         1,368.0              19           320.9
Minor Shelf Rockfish \a\..................  S of 40[deg]10' N lat.......         1,576.8              12          192.37              88         1,384.4
Minor Slope Rockfish......................  S of 40[deg]10' N lat.......           688.8              63           433.9              37           254.9
Other Flatfish............................  Coastwide...................         7,077.0              90         6,369.3              10           707.7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ Allocations decided through the biennial specification process.
\b\ The cowcod fishery harvest guideline is further reduced to an ACT of 4.0 mt.
\c\ Consistent with regulations at Sec.   660.55(c), 9 percent (49.2 mt) of the total trawl allocation for darkblotched rockfish is allocated to the
  Pacific whiting fishery, as follows: 20.7 mt for the Shorebased IFQ Program, 11.8 mt is managed as a set-aside for the MS sector, and 16.7 mt is
  managed as a set-aside for the C/P sector. The tonnage calculated here for the Pacific whiting IFQ fishery contributes to the total shorebased trawl
  allocation, which is found at Sec.   660.140(d)(1)(ii)(D).
\d\ Consistent with regulations at Sec.   660.55(c), 17 percent (37.4 mt) of the total trawl allocation for POP is allocated to the Pacific whiting
  fishery, as follows: 15.7 mt for the Shorebased IFQ Program, 9.0 mt is managed as a set-aside the MS sector, and 12.7 mt is managed as a set-aside for
  the C/P sector. The tonnage calculated here for the Pacific whiting IFQ fishery contributes to the total shorebased trawl allocation, which is found
  at Sec.   660.140(d)(1)(ii)(D).
\e\ Canary rockfish is allocated approximately 72 percent to trawl and 28 percent to non-trawl. 46 mt of the total trawl allocation of canary rockfish
  is allocated to the MS and C/P sectors, as follows: 30 mt for the MS sector, and 16 mt for the C/P sector.
\f\ Consistent with regulations at Sec.   660.55(c), 10 percent (1,131.8 mt) of the total trawl allocation for widow rockfish is allocated to the
  Pacific whiting fishery, as follows: 475.4 mt for the Shorebased IFQ Program, 271.6 mt for the MS sector, and 384.8 mt for the C/P sector. The tonnage
  calculated here for the Pacific whiting IFQ fishery contributes to the total shorebased trawl allocation, which is found at Sec.
  660.140(d)(1)(ii)(D).
\g\ Consistent with regulations at Sec.   [thinsp]660.55(i)(2), the commercial harvest guideline for Pacific whiting is allocated as follows: 34 percent
  (123,312 mt) for the C/P Coop Program; 24 percent (87,044 mt) for the MS Coop Program; and 42 percent (152,326.5 mt) for the Shorebased IFQ Program.
  No more than 5 percent of the Shore based IFQ Program allocation (7,616 mt) may be taken and retained south of 42[deg] N lat. before the start of the
  primary Pacific whiting season north of 42[deg] N lat.

* * * * *

0
5. In Sec.  660.140, revise paragraph (d)(1)(ii)(D) to read as follows:


Sec.  660.140   Shorebased IFQ Program.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (ii) * * *
    (D) For the trawl fishery, NMFS will issue QP based on the 
following shorebased trawl allocations:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             2017 shorebased    2018 shorebased
               IFQ species                              Area                 trawl allocation   trawl allocation
                                                                                   (mt)               (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth flounder.....................  Coastwide.......................           11,050.6           10,992.6
BOCACCIO................................  South of 40[deg]10' N lat.......              302.4              283.3
Canary rockfish.........................  Coastwide.......................            1,014.1            1,014.1
Chilipepper.............................  South of 40[deg]10' N lat.......            1,920.8            1,845.8
COWCOD..................................  South of 40[deg]10' N lat.......               1.40               1.40
DARKBLOTCHED ROCKFISH...................  Coastwide.......................              507.6              518.4
Dover sole..............................  Coastwide.......................           45,981.0           45,981.0
English sole............................  Coastwide.......................            9,258.6            6,953.0
Lingcod.................................  North of 40[deg]10' N lat.......            1,359.7           1,259.32
Lingcod.................................  South of 40[deg]10' N lat.......              558.9             510.75
Longspine thornyhead....................  North of 34[deg]27' N lat.......            2,699.8            2,560.2
Minor Shelf Rockfish complex............  North of 40[deg]10' N lat.......            1,148.1            1,146.8
Minor Shelf Rockfish complex............  South of 40[deg]10' N lat.......              192.2              192.4
Minor Slope Rockfish complex............  North of 40[deg]10' N lat.......            1,268.8            1,268.0
Minor Slope Rockfish complex............  South of 40[deg]10' N lat.......              432.7              433.9
Other Flatfish complex..................  Coastwide.......................            7,455.4            6,349.3
Pacific cod.............................  Coastwide.......................            1,031.4            1,031.4
PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH.....................  North of 40[deg]10' N lat.......              198.3              198.3
Pacific whiting.........................  Coastwide.......................          152,326.5          152,326.5
Petrale sole............................  Coastwide.......................            2,745.3            2,628.5
Sablefish...............................  North of 36[deg] N lat..........            2,416.4            2,521.9
Sablefish...............................  South of 36[deg] N lat..........              780.8              814.4

[[Page 22411]]

 
Shortspine thornyhead...................  North of 34[deg]27' N lat.......             1551.3            1,537.0
Shortspine thornyhead...................  South of 34[deg]27' N lat.......               50.0               50.0
Splitnose rockfish......................  South of 40[deg]10' N lat.......             1661.8            1,662.8
Starry flounder.........................  Coastwide.......................              630.9              630.9
Widow rockfish..........................  Coastwide.......................           11,392.7           10,661.5
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH......................  Coastwide.......................               1.10               1.10
Yellowtail rockfish.....................  North of 40[deg]10' N lat.......            4,246.1            4,075.4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2018-10230 Filed 5-14-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P



                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 94 / Tuesday, May 15, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                                      22401

                                             and upon request from the Austin                        recordkeeping requirements,                                 Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361–1407; 1531–
                                             Ecological Services Field Office (see FOR               Transportation.                                           1544; and 4201–4245; unless otherwise
                                             FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).                                                                                     noted.
                                                                                                     Regulation Promulgation
                                             Authors                                                                                                           ■ 2. Amend § 17.12(h) by removing the
                                                                                                       Accordingly, we amend part 17,
                                               The primary authors of this final rule                                                                          entry for ‘‘Ancistrocactus tobuschii’’
                                                                                                     subchapter B of chapter I, title 50 of the
                                             are the staff members of the Austin                                                                               and adding the following entry to the
                                                                                                     Code of Federal Regulations, as set forth
                                             Ecological Services Field Office, U.S.                                                                            List of Endangered and Threatened
                                                                                                     below:
                                             Fish and Wildlife Service (see                                                                                    Plants in alphabetical order under
                                             ADDRESSES).                                             PART 17—ENDANGERED AND                                    Flowering Plants:
                                                                                                     THREATENED WILDLIFE AND PLANTS                            § 17.12    Endangered and threatened plants.
                                             List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17
                                               Endangered and threatened species,                    ■ 1. The authority citation for part 17                   *       *    *         *   *
                                             Exports, Imports, Reporting and                         continues to read as follows:                                 (h) * * *

                                                  Scientific name                  Common name                     Where listed                 Status              Listing citations and applicable rules

                                                 FLOWERING PLANTS

                                                      *                       *                  *                           *                           *                  *                   *
                                             Sclerocactus                  Tobusch fishhook cac-             Wherever found ............          T          44 FR 64736, 11/7/1979; 83 FR [Insert Federal
                                               brevihamatus ssp.             tus.                                                                              Register page where the document begins],
                                               tobuschii.                                                                                                      5/15/2018.

                                                       *                      *                          *                      *                        *                        *                  *



                                               Dated: April 20, 2018.                                tribal allocation of 77,251 mt,                           copies are available from Chuck Tracy,
                                             James W. Kurth,                                         establishes a set-aside for research and                  Executive Director, Pacific Fishery
                                             Deputy Director Exercising the Authority of             bycatch of 1,500 mt, and announces the                    Management Council (Council), 7700
                                             the Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.           allocations of Pacific whiting to the non-                NE Ambassador Place, Portland, OR
                                             [FR Doc. 2018–10206 Filed 5–14–18; 8:45 am]             tribal fishery for 2018. The catch limits                 97220, phone: 503–820–2280.
                                             BILLING CODE 4333–15–P                                  in this rule are intended to ensure the                   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                                                                     long-term sustainability of the Pacific
                                                                                                     whiting stock.                                            Background
                                             DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE                                  DATES: Effective May 15, 2018.                               This final rule announces the total
                                                                                                     FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                          allowable catch (TAC) for Pacific
                                             National Oceanic and Atmospheric                                                                                  whiting, which was determined under
                                             Administration                                          Frank Lockhart (West Coast Region,
                                                                                                     NMFS), phone: 206–526–6142, and                           the terms of the Agreement with Canada
                                                                                                     email: Frank.Lockhart@noaa.gov.                           on Pacific Hake/Whiting (Agreement)
                                             50 CFR Part 660                                                                                                   and the Pacific Whiting Act of 2006
                                                                                                     Electronic Access                                         (Whiting Act). The Agreement and the
                                             [Docket No. 171023999–8440–02]
                                                                                                        This final rule is accessible via the                  Whiting Act establish bilateral bodies to
                                             RIN 0648–BH31                                           internet at the Office of the Federal                     implement the terms of the Agreement.
                                                                                                     Register website at https://                              The bilateral bodies include: The Joint
                                             Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions;                                                                                  Management Committee (JMC), which
                                                                                                     www.federalregister.gov. Background
                                             Fisheries Off West Coast States;                                                                                  recommends the annual catch level for
                                                                                                     information and documents are
                                             Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery;                                                                                 Pacific whiting; the Joint Technical
                                                                                                     available at the NMFS West Coast
                                             Annual Specifications and                                                                                         Committee (JTC), which conducts the
                                                                                                     Region website at http://
                                             Management Measures for the 2018                                                                                  Pacific whiting stock assessment; the
                                                                                                     www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/
                                             Tribal and Non-Tribal Fisheries for                                                                               Scientific Review Group (SRG), which
                                                                                                     fisheries/management/whiting/pacific_
                                             Pacific Whiting                                                                                                   reviews the stock assessment; and the
                                                                                                     whiting.html and at the Pacific Fishery
                                             AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries                      Management Council’s website at http://                   Advisory Panel (AP), which provides
                                             Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and                    www.pcouncil.org/.                                        stakeholder input to the JMC.
                                             Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),                         The final environmental impact                            The Agreement establishes a default
                                             Commerce.                                               statement regarding Harvest                               harvest policy of F–40 percent, which
                                             ACTION: Final rule.                                     Specifications and Management                             means a fishing mortality rate that
                                                                                                     Measures for 2015–2016 and Biennial                       would reduce the biomass to 40 percent
                                             SUMMARY:   NMFS issues this final rule                  Periods Thereafter, and the Final                         of the estimated unfished level (F–40).
                                             for the 2018 Pacific whiting fishery                    Environmental Assessment for Pacific                      The Agreement also allocates 73.88
                                             under the authority of the Pacific Coast                Coast Groundfish Harvest Specifications                   percent of the TAC to the United States
                                             Groundfish Fishery Management Plan                      and Management Measures for 2017–                         and 26.12 percent of the TAC to Canada.
                                             (FMP), the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery                     2018 and Amendment 27 to the Pacific                      The JMC is primarily responsible for
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                                             Conservation and Management Act                         Coast Groundfish Fishery Management                       developing a TAC recommendation to
                                             (Magnuson-Stevens Act), and the Pacific                 Plan, are available on the NMFS West                      the United States and Canada. The
                                             Whiting Act of 2006. This final rule                    Coast Region website at:                                  Secretary of Commerce, in consultation
                                             announces the 2018 U.S. Total                           www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/                         with the Secretary of State, has the
                                             Allowable Catch of 441,433 metric tons                  publications/nepa/groundfish/                             authority to accept or reject this
                                             (mt) of Pacific whiting, establishes a                  groundfish_nepa_documents.html and                        recommendation.


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                                             22402               Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 94 / Tuesday, May 15, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                             2018 Pacific Whiting Stock Assessment                   whiting assessment report and                         the same catch limits as 2017. There
                                                The JTC completed a stock assessment                 appendices present the best available                 were three primary reasons for choosing
                                             for Pacific whiting in March 2018. The                  scientific information for the                        a TAC below the default level of F–40
                                             assessment is available at http://                      management of Pacific whiting. During                 percent. First, the growth of the 2010
                                             www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/                       the meeting, however, the SRG raised a                year class is slowing, which the recent
                                             fisheries/management/whiting/pacific_                   concern that the model results and                    historic-high catch has in part depended
                                             whiting_treaty.html. The assessment                     corresponding estimates of spawning                   on, and JMC members wanted to extend
                                             presents a model that depends primarily                 stock biomass are strongly affected by                the harvest available from this year
                                                                                                     the choice of weights-at-age used in                  class. Second, the 2018 stock
                                             upon an acoustic survey biomass index
                                                                                                     estimating fecundity. To consider the                 assessment estimated a lower
                                             and catches of the transboundary Pacific
                                                                                                     variability in stock status estimates, the            abundance than last year’s assessment
                                             whiting stock to estimate the biomass of
                                                                                                     SRG requested that the JTC analyze two                for the 2014 year class, which
                                             the current stock. The most recent
                                                                                                     approaches using different weights-at-                comprised more of the 2016 fall catch
                                             survey, conducted collaboratively
                                                                                                     age (Appendix A in the stock                          than the large 2010 cohort, so the JMC
                                             between the Canadian Department of
                                                                                                     assessment report). The first approach is             did not want to increase mortality on
                                             Fisheries and Oceans and NMFS, was
                                                                                                     consistent with previous assessments,                 this year class, which is anticipated to
                                             completed in 2017.
                                                                                                     and includes time-invariant fecundity-                be important to the fishery over the next
                                                Pacific whiting spawning stock
                                                                                                     at-age based on the average vector of                 several years. Finally, the overall
                                             biomass has been relatively stable since
                                                                                                     weights-at-age over all years. The                    abundance of Pacific hake/whiting is
                                             2013. The 2018 spawning biomass
                                                                                                     second approach is derived from an                    projected to begin declining from its
                                             estimated to be 1.357 million mt.
                                                                                                     alternative model using time-varying                  recent historic high levels, and the JMC
                                             Relative female spawning biomass for                    fecundity-at-age calculated with annual               did not want to accelerate this decline
                                             2018 is estimated at 66.7 percent of the                estimates of mean weights-at-age. The                 by increasing the TAC. This
                                             unfished levels. The stock is currently                 range of uncertainty of each model                    conservative TAC setting process,
                                             estimated to be at its highest level since              includes the median estimate of current               endorsed by the AP, resulted in a TAC
                                             the 1980s, as a result of an exceptionally              spawning biomass estimated by the                     that is less than what it would be using
                                             strong 2010 cohort and above average                    other model. However, the alternative                 the default harvest rate under the
                                             2014 cohort. As with past estimates,                    model estimates that 2018 spawning                    Agreement.
                                             there is a considerable range of                        stock biomass is lower and much closer                   The recommendation for an
                                             uncertainty associated with this                        to the reference point (B40) than the                 unadjusted 2018 U.S. TAC of 382,532
                                             estimate, because the youngest cohorts                  base-case model. The SRG’s analysis                   mt, plus 58,901 mt carryover of
                                             that make up a large portion of the                     suggested that this may be because                    uncaught quota from 2017 results in an
                                             survey biomass have not been observed                   weights-at-age are important to                       adjusted U.S. TAC of 441,433 mt for
                                             for very long.                                          calculating unfished spawning biomass                 2018 (73.88 percent of the coastwide
                                                The JTC provided tables showing                      (B0), and the alternative model                       TAC). This recommendation is
                                             catch alternatives for 2018. Using the                  estimates a higher B0 as a consequence                consistent with the best available
                                             default F–40 percent harvest rate                       of using higher mean weights-at-age in                scientific information, provisions of the
                                             identified in the Agreement (Paragraph                  the early years of the time series (1975–             Agreement, and the Whiting Act. The
                                             1 of Article III), the coastwide TAC for                1979). The probability that 2018                      recommendation was transmitted via
                                             2018 would be 725,984 mt. Projections                   spawning biomass is below the B40                     letter to the United States and Canadian
                                             setting the 2018 and 2019 catch equal to                reference point is estimated as 7 percent             Governments on March 6, 2018. NMFS,
                                             the 2017 TAC of 597,500 mt show the                     by the base-case model and 48 percent                 under delegation of authority from the
                                             estimated median relative spawning                      by the alternative model. Despite                     Secretary of Commerce, approved the
                                             biomass decreasing from 67 percent in                   substantial discussion, the SRG was                   adjusted TAC recommendation of
                                             2018 to 59 percent in 2019 and to 50                    unable to offer advice on which model                 441,433 mt for U.S. fisheries on April
                                             percent in 2020, with a 36 percent                      is more plausible, and requested                      23, 2018.
                                             chance of the spawning biomass falling                  additional work in the coming year from
                                             below 40 percent of estimated historic                                                                        Tribal Fishery Allocation
                                                                                                     the JTC to address the issue.
                                             biomass levels in 2020. There is an                        The AP and JMC met on March 5–6,                      This final rule establishes the tribal
                                             estimated 73 percent chance of the                      2018, in Lynnwood, Washington, to                     allocation of Pacific whiting for 2018.
                                             spawning biomass declining from 2018                    develop advice on a 2018 coastwide                    NMFS issued a proposed rule regarding
                                             to 2019, and an 82 percent chance of it                 TAC. The AP provided its 2018 TAC                     this allocation on January 24, 2018 (83
                                             declining from 2019 to 2020 under this                  recommendation to the JMC on March 6,                 FR 3291). This action finalizes the tribal
                                             constant catch level. However, the 2018                 2018. The JMC reviewed the advice of                  allocation. Since 1996, NMFS has been
                                             estimate of median stock biomass is                     the JTC, the SRG, and the AP, and                     allocating a portion of the U.S. TAC of
                                             well above the overfished threshold,                    agreed on a TAC recommendation for                    Pacific whiting to the tribal fishery.
                                             and fishing intensity is below the F–40                 transmittal to the United States and                  Regulations for the Pacific Coast
                                             percent target. This indicates that the                 Canadian Governments.                                 Groundfish Fishery Management Plan
                                             coastal Pacific whiting stock is not                       The Agreement directs the JMC to                   specify that the tribal allocation is
                                             overfished and that overfishing is not                  base the catch limit recommendation on                subtracted from the total U.S. Pacific
                                             occurring.                                              the default harvest rate unless scientific            whiting TAC. The tribal Pacific whiting
                                                                                                     evidence demonstrates that a different                fishery is managed separately from the
                                             Scientific and Management Reviews
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                                                                                                     rate is necessary to sustain the offshore             non-tribal Pacific whiting fishery, and is
                                               The SRG, a bilateral body created                     Pacific whiting resource. After                       not governed by limited entry or open
                                             under the Agreement, met in                             consideration of the 2018 stock                       access regulations or allocations.
                                             Lynnwood, Washington on February                        assessment and other relevant scientific                 The proposed rule described the tribal
                                             26–March 1, 2018, to review the draft                   information, the JMC did not use the                  allocation as 17.5 percent of the U.S.
                                             stock assessment document. The SRG                      default harvest rate, and instead agreed              TAC, and projected a range of potential
                                             determined that the 2018 Pacific                        on a more conservative approach, using                tribal allocations for 2018 based on a


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                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 94 / Tuesday, May 15, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                               22403

                                             range of U.S. TACs over the last 10 years                  The HG is allocated among the three                perch from a total catch limit allocation
                                             (plus or minus 25 percent to capture                    non-tribal sectors of the Pacific whiting             to a set-aside (January 8, 2018; 83 FR
                                             variability in stock abundance). As                     fishery. The 2018 fishery HG for Pacific              757). These set asides as well as the
                                             described in the proposed rule, the                     whiting is 362,682 mt. This amount was                allocations of canary and widow
                                             resulting range of potential tribal                     determined by deducting the 77,251 mt                 rockfish to the Pacific whiting fishery
                                             allocations was 17,842 to 96,563 mt.                    tribal allocation and the 1,500 mt                    are described in the footnotes to Table
                                             Applying the approach described in the                  allocation for scientific research catch              2.b to part 660, subpart C and are not
                                             proposed rule, NMFS is establishing the                 and fishing mortality in non-groundfish               changed in this rulemaking.
                                             2018 tribal allocation of 77,251 mt (17.5               fisheries from the total U.S. TAC of
                                                                                                                                                           Comments and Responses
                                             percent of the U.S. TAC) in this final                  441,433 mt.
                                             rule. In 2009, NMFS, the states of                         NMFS did not include the HG in the                   On January 24, 2018, NMFS issued a
                                             Washington and Oregon, and the tribes                   tribal whiting proposed rule published                proposed rule for the allocation and
                                             with treaty rights to harvest whiting                   on January 24, 2018 (83 FR 3291), for                 management of the 2018 tribal Pacific
                                             started a process to determine the long-                two reasons related to timing and                     whiting fishery (83 FR 3291). The
                                             term tribal allocation for Pacific                      process. First, a recommendation on the               comment period on the proposed rule
                                             whiting; however, no long-term                          coastwide TAC for Pacific whiting for                 closed on February 23, 2018. No
                                             allocation has been determined. While                   2018, under the terms of the Agreement                relevant comments were received, and
                                             new scientific information or                           with Canada, was not available during                 no changes were made from the
                                             discussions with the relevant parties                   development of the proposed rule.                     proposed allocation and management
                                             may impact that decision, the best                      NMFS, under delegation of authority                   measures for the 2018 tribal Pacific
                                             available scientific information to date                from the Secretary of Commerce,                       whiting fishery.
                                             suggests that 77,251 mt is within the                   approved a U.S. TAC on April 23, 2018.                      Classification
                                             likely range of potential treaty right                  Second, the fishery HG is established
                                                                                                     following deductions from the U.S. TAC                        The Annual Specifications and
                                             amounts.                                                                                                            Management Measures for the 2018
                                                As with prior tribal Pacific whiting                 for the tribal allocation, mortality in
                                                                                                     scientific research activities, and fishing                 Tribal and non-Tribal Fisheries for
                                             allocations, this final rule is not                                                                                 Pacific Whiting are issued under the
                                             intended to establish precedent for                     mortality in non-groundfish fisheries.
                                                                                                                                                                 authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act,
                                             future Pacific whiting seasons, or for the              The Council recommends to NMFS the
                                                                                                                                                                 and the Whiting Act of 2006. The
                                             determination of the total amount of                    research and bycatch set-aside on an
                                                                                                                                                                 measures are in accordance with 50 CFR
                                             whiting to which the Tribes are entitled                annual basis, based on estimates of
                                                                                                                                                                 part 660, subparts C through G, the
                                             under their treaty right. Rather, this rule             scientific research catch and estimated
                                                                                                                                                                 regulations implementing the Pacific
                                             adopts an interim allocation. The long-                 bycatch mortality in non-groundfish
                                                                                                                                                                 Coast Groundfish FMP, and NMFS has
                                             term tribal treaty amount will be based                 fisheries.
                                                                                                        The regulations further allocate the                     determined that this rule is consistent
                                             on further development of scientific                                                                                with the national standards of the
                                             information and additional coordination                 fishery HG among the non-tribal
                                                                                                     catcher/processor (C/P) Coop Program,                       Magnuson-Stevens Act and other
                                             and discussion with and among the                                                                                   applicable laws.
                                             coastal tribes and the states of                        Mothership (MS) Coop Program, and
                                                                                                                                                                   Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) and
                                             Washington and Oregon.                                  Shorebased Individual Fishing Quota
                                                                                                                                                                 (d)(3), the NMFS Assistant
                                                                                                     (IFQ) Program sectors of the Pacific
                                             Harvest Guidelines and Allocations                                                                                  Administrator finds good cause to waive
                                                                                                     whiting fishery. The C/P Coop Program
                                                                                                                                                                 prior public notice and comment and
                                                In addition to the tribal allocation                 is allocated 34 percent (123,312 mt for
                                                                                                                                                                 delay in effectiveness for those
                                             described in the proposed rule, this                    2018), the MS Coop Program is allocated
                                                                                                                                                                 provisions in this final rule that were
                                             final rule establishes the fishery harvest              24 percent (87,044 mt for 2018), and the
                                                                                                                                                                 not included in proposed rule (83 FR
                                             guideline (HG), called the non-tribal                   Shorebased IFQ Program is allocated 42
                                                                                                                                                                 3291), e.g., the U.S. TAC, as delaying
                                             allocation, which had not yet been                      percent (152,326.5 mt for 2018). The
                                                                                                                                                                 this rule would be impracticable and
                                             determined at the time the proposed                     fishery south of 42° N lat. may not take
                                                                                                                                                                 contrary to the public interest. The
                                             rule was published. Although this was                   more than 7,616 mt (5 percent of the
                                                                                                                                                                 annual harvest specifications for Pacific
                                             not part of the proposed rule, the                      Shorebased IFQ Program allocation)
                                                                                                                                                                 whiting must be implemented by the
                                             environmental assessment for the 2017–                  prior to May 15, the start of the primary
                                                                                                                                                                 start of the primary Pacific whiting
                                             2018 harvest specifications rule (see                   Pacific whiting season north of 42° N
                                                                                                                                                                 season, which begins on May 15, 2018,
                                             ELECTRONIC ACCESS) analyzed a                           lat.
                                                                                                                                                                 or the primary Pacific whiting fishery
                                             range of TAC alternatives for 2018, and                                                                             will effectively remain closed.
                                             the final 2018 TAC falls within this                        TABLE 1—2018 PACIFIC WHITING                              Every year, NMFS conducts a Pacific
                                             analyzed range. In addition, via the                                         ALLOCATIONS                            whiting stock assessment with
                                             2017–2018 specifications rulemaking                                                                                 participation from U.S. and Canadian
                                                                                                                                                    2018 Pacific
                                             process, the public had an opportunity                                                                   whiting    scientists. The 2018 stock assessment
                                             to comment on the 2017–2018 TACs for                                    Sector                                      for Pacific whiting was prepared in
                                                                                                                                                     allocation
                                             whiting, just as they did for all species                                                                  (mt)     early 2018, and included updated total
                                             in the groundfish FMP. NMFS follows                                                                                 catch, length and age data from the U.S.
                                             this process because, unlike for all other              Tribal .......................................       77,251 and Canadian fisheries from 2017, and
                                                                                                     Catcher/Processor (C/P) Coop
                                             groundfish species, the TAC for whiting                   Program ..............................            123,312
                                                                                                                                                                 biomass indices from the 2017 Joint
                                             is decided in a highly abbreviated                                                                                  U.S.-Canadian acoustic/midwater trawl
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                                                                                                     Mothership (MS) Coop Pro-
                                             annual process from February through                      gram ....................................          87,044 surveys. Because of this late availability
                                             April of every year, and the normal                     Shorebased IFQ Program ......                     152,326.5 of the most recent data for the
                                             rulemaking process would not allow for                                                                              assessment, and the need for time to
                                             the fishery to open with the new TAC                       In 2018, NMFS published a final rule                     conduct the treaty process for
                                             on the annual season opening date of                    changing the management of                                  determining the TAC using the most
                                             May 15.                                                 darkblotched rockfish and Pacific ocean recent assessment, a determination on


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                                             22404               Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 94 / Tuesday, May 15, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                             TAC could not be completed before                       A final regulatory flexibility analysis               application processes for the non-tribal
                                             April 23, 2018. Thus, it is not possible                (FRFA) was prepared and incorporates                  fisheries, based on a review of the Small
                                             to allow for notice and comment before                  the initial regulatory flexibility analysis           Business Administration size criteria,
                                             the start of the primary Pacific whiting                (IRFA). NMFS also prepared a                          permit applicants were asked if they
                                             season on May 15.                                       Regulatory Impact Review (RIR) for this               considered themselves a ‘‘small’’
                                                A delay in implementing the Pacific                  action. A copy of the RIR/FRFA is                     business, and to provide detailed
                                             whiting harvest specifications to allow                 available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES).                  ownership information. After
                                             for notice and comment would be                         A summary of the FRFA, per the                        accounting for cross participation,
                                             contrary to the public interest because it              requirements of 5 U.S.C. 604 follows.                 multiple quota share account holders,
                                             would require either a shorter primary                                                                        and affiliation through ownership,
                                             whiting season or development of a                      A Summary of the Significant Issues
                                                                                                                                                           NMFS estimates there are 103 non-tribal
                                             TAC without the most recent data. A                     Raised by the Public in Response to the
                                                                                                                                                           entities directly affected by these final
                                             shorter season could prevent the tribal                 IRFA, a Summary of the Agency’s
                                                                                                                                                           regulations, 89 of which are considered
                                             and non-tribal fisheries from attaining                 Assessment of Such Issues, and a
                                                                                                                                                           ‘‘small’’ businesses.
                                             their 2018 allocations, which would                     Statement of Any Changes Made in the
                                             result in unnecessary short-term adverse                Final Rule as a Result of Such                        Description of the Steps the Agency Has
                                             economic effects for the Pacific whiting                Comments                                              Taken To Minimize the Significant
                                             fishing vessels and the associated                         NMFS published a proposed rule on                  Economic Impact on Small Entities
                                             fishing communities. A TAC                              January 24, 2018 (83 FR 13291), for the               Consistent With the Stated Objectives of
                                             determined without the most recent                      allocation of the 2018 tribal Pacific                 Applicable Statutes
                                             data could fail to account for significant              whiting fishery. The comment period on                   Sector allocations in 2018 are the
                                             fluctuations in the biomass of this                     the proposed rule closed on February                  same as those in 2017. NMFS concludes
                                             relatively short-lived species. To                      23, 2018, and no comments were                        that this rule will have similar outcomes
                                             prevent these adverse effects and to                    received from either the public or the                as 2017 for both large and small entities,
                                             allow the Pacific whiting season to                     Small Business Administration on the                  and will not disproportionately affect
                                             commence, it is in the best interest of                 initial regulatory flexibility analysis               small entities. The U.S. portion of the
                                             the public to waive prior notice and                    (IRFA) or the economic impacts of this                TAC is divided between tribal, at-sea
                                             comment.                                                action generally.                                     mothership, at-sea catcher processors,
                                                In addition, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.                                                                          and shoreside whiting sectors at fixed
                                                                                                     Description and Estimate of Number of                 percentages described above. Within the
                                             553(d)(3), the NMFS Assistant
                                             Administrator finds good cause to waive                 Small Entities To Which the Rule                      non-tribal sectors, a catch share program
                                             the 30-day delay in effectiveness.                      Would Apply                                           allocates whiting to the individual
                                             Waiving the 30-day delay in                                The FRFA describes the impacts on                  vessel level based on history in the
                                             effectiveness will not have a negative                  small entities, which are defined in the              shoreside and mothership sectors. The
                                             impact on any entities, as there are no                 IRFA for this action and not repeated                 catcher-processor coop harvests
                                             new compliance requirements or other                    here.                                                 according to a coop agreement with
                                             burdens placed on the fishing                              The current Shorebased IFQ Program                 agreed upon allocations to each
                                             community with this rule. Failure to                    is composed of 180 Quota Share                        company, which have not changed in
                                             make this final rule effective at the start             permits/accounts, 154 vessel accounts,                the past eight years. With allocation
                                             of the fishing year will undermine the                  and 47 first receivers, only a portion of             determined down to the individual level
                                             intent of the rule, which is to promote                 which participate in the Pacific whiting              in each sector, the TAC should benefit
                                             the optimal utilization and conservation                fishery. These regulations also directly              both large and small entities equal to the
                                             of Pacific whiting. Making this rule                    affect participants in the MS Coop                    proportion of the individual level, and
                                             effective immediately would also serve                  Program, a general term to describe the               small entities would not feel
                                             the best interests of the public because                limited access program that applies to                disproportionate effects relative to large
                                             it will allow for the longest possible                  eligible harvesters and processors in the             entities. With the high 2018 TAC, small
                                             Pacific whiting fishing season and                      MS sector of the Pacific whiting at-sea               entities are expected to benefit, and
                                             therefore the best possible economic                    trawl fishery. This program currently                 experience no adverse effects from this
                                             outcome for those whose livelihoods                     consists of six MS processor permits,                 rule.
                                             depend on this fishery. Because the 30-                 and a catcher vessel fleet currently                     NMFS considered two alternatives for
                                             day delay in effectiveness would                        composed of a single coop, with 34                    this action: The ‘‘No-Action’’ and the
                                             potentially cause significant financial                 Mothership/Catcher Vessel (MS/CV)                     ‘‘Proposed Action.’’ Under the Proposed
                                             harm without providing any                              endorsed permits (with three permits                  Action alternative, NMFS proposed to
                                             corresponding benefits, this final rule is              each having two catch history                         set the tribal allocation percentage at
                                             effective upon publication in the                       assignments).                                         17.5 percent, as requested by the tribes.
                                             Federal Register.                                          These regulations also directly affect             These requests reflect the level of
                                                The Office of Management and Budget                  the C/P Coop Program, composed of 10                  participation in the fishery that will
                                             has determined that this final rule is not              C/P endorsed permits owned by three                   allow the tribes to exercise their treaty
                                             significant for purposes of Executive                   companies that have formed a single                   right to fish for Pacific whiting.
                                             Order 12866. This rule is not an                        coop. These coops are considered large                Consideration of a percentage lower
                                             Executive Order 13771 regulatory action                 entities from several perspectives; they              than the tribal request of 17.5 percent is
                                             because this rule is not significant under              have participants that are large entities,            not appropriate in this instance. As a
                                                                                                                                                           matter of policy, NMFS has historically
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                                             Executive Order 12866.                                  and have in total more than 750
                                                                                                     employees worldwide including                         supported the harvest levels requested
                                             Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis                   affiliates.                                           by the tribes. Based on the information
                                               The description of this action, its                      Although there are three non-tribal                available to NMFS, the tribal request is
                                             purpose, and its legal basis are                        sectors, many companies participate in                within their tribal treaty rights. A higher
                                             described in the preamble to the                        two sectors and some participate in all               percentage would arguably also be
                                             proposed rule and are not repeated here.                three sectors. As part of the permit                  within the scope of the treaty right.


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                                                                        Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 94 / Tuesday, May 15, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                                          22405

                                             However, a higher percentage would                                    shall publish one or more guides to                        regarding the issues addressed by this
                                             unnecessarily limit the non-tribal                                    assist small entities in complying with                    final rule.
                                             fishery. Under the no-action alternative,                             the rule, and shall designate such
                                                                                                                                                                              List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660
                                             NMFS would not make an allocation to                                  publications as ‘‘small entity
                                             the tribal sector. This alternative was                               compliance guides.’’ The agency shall                          Fisheries, Fishing, Indian fisheries.
                                             considered, but the regulatory                                        explain the actions a small entity is                        Dated: May 9, 2018.
                                             framework provides for a tribal                                       required to take to comply with a rule                     Samuel D. Rauch III,
                                             allocation on an annual basis only.                                   or group of rules. As part of this                         Deputy Assistant Administrator for
                                             Therefore, the no-action alternative                                  rulemaking process, a small entity                         Regulatory Programs, National Marine
                                             would result in no allocation of Pacific                              compliance guide will be sent to                           Fisheries Service.
                                             whiting to the tribal sector in 2018,                                 stakeholders, and copies of this final                       For the reasons set out in the
                                             which would be inconsistent with                                      rule and guides (i.e., information                         preamble, 50 CFR part 660 is amended
                                             NMFS’ responsibility to manage the                                    bulletins) are available from NMFS at                      as follows:
                                             fishery consistent with the tribes’ treaty                            the following website: http://
                                             rights. Given that there is a tribal                                  www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/                          PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST
                                             request for allocation in 2018, this                                  fisheries/management/whiting/pacific_                      COAST STATES
                                             alternative received no further                                       whiting.html.
                                             consideration.                                                                                                                   ■ 1. The authority citation for part 660
                                                                                                                   Consultation and Coordination With                         continues to read as follows:
                                             Description of Projected Reporting,                                   Indian Tribal Governments
                                             Recordkeeping, and Other Compliance                                                                                                Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq., 16
                                             Requirements                                                             Pursuant to Executive Order 13175,                      U.S.C. 773 et seq., and 16 U.S.C. 7001 et seq.
                                               There are no reporting or                                           this final rule was developed after                        ■ 2. In § 660.50, revise paragraph (f)(4)
                                             recordkeeping requirements associated                                 meaningful collaboration with tribal                       to read as follows:
                                             with this final rule. No federal rules                                officials from the area covered by the
                                                                                                                                                                              § 660.50 Pacific Coast treaty Indian
                                             have been identified that duplicate,                                  FMP. Consistent with the Magnuson-
                                                                                                                                                                              fisheries.
                                             overlap, or conflict with this action.                                Stevens Act at 16 U.S.C. 1852(b)(5), one
                                                                                                                   of the voting members of the Pacific                       *      *     *    *     *
                                             Small Entity Compliance Guide                                         Council is a representative of an Indian                      (f) * * *
                                               Section 212 of the Small Business                                   tribe with federally recognized fishing                       (4) Pacific whiting. The tribal
                                             Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of                                rights from the area of the Council’s                      allocation for 2018 is 77,251 mt.
                                             1996 states that, for each rule or group                              jurisdiction. In addition, NMFS has                        *      *     *    *     *
                                             of related rules for which an agency is                               coordinated specifically with the tribes                   ■ 3. Table 2a to part 660, subpart C, is
                                             required to prepare a FRFA, the agency                                interested in the whiting fishery                          revised to read as follows:

                                                 TABLE 2a TO PART 660, SUBPART C—2018, AND BEYOND, SPECIFICATIONS OF OFL, ABC, ACL, ACT AND FISHERY
                                                                                        HARVEST GUIDELINES
                                                                                                                                   [Weights in metric tons]

                                                                  Species                                                  Area                                  OFL              ABC            ACL a         Fishery HG b

                                             BOCACCIO c .....................................         S of 40°10′ N lat. .............................              2,013            1,924             741               726
                                             COWCOD d ........................................        S of 40°10′ N lat. .............................                 71               64              10                 8
                                             DARKBLOTCHED ROCKFISH e .......                          Coastwide ........................................              683              653             653               576
                                             PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH f ...............                    N of 40°10′ N lat. .............................                984              941             281               232
                                             YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH g ...............                     Coastwide ........................................               58               48              20                14
                                             Arrowtooth flounder h .........................          Coastwide ........................................           16,498           13,743          13,743            11,645
                                             Big skate i ..........................................   Coastwide ........................................              541              494             494               437
                                             Black rockfish j ...................................     California (South of 42° N lat.) ........                       347              332             332               331
                                             Black rockfish k ..................................      Oregon (Between 46°16′ N lat. and                               570              520             520               519
                                                                                                        42° N lat.).
                                             Black rockfish l ...................................     Washington (N of 46°16′ N lat.) ......                           315              301              301              283
                                             Blackgill rockfish m .............................       S of 40°10′ N lat. .............................                  NA               NA               NA               NA
                                             Cabezon n ..........................................     California (South of 42° N lat.) ........                        156              149              149              149
                                             Cabezon o ..........................................     Oregon (Between 46°16′ N lat. and                                 49               47               47               47
                                                                                                        42° N lat.).
                                             California scorpionfish p .....................          S of 34°27′ N lat. .............................                278              254             150             148
                                             Canary rockfish q ...............................        Coastwide ........................................            1,596            1,526           1,526           1,467
                                             Chilipepper r .......................................    S of 40°10′ N lat. .............................              2,623            2,507           2,507           2,461
                                             Dover sole s .......................................     Coastwide ........................................           90,282           86,310          50,000          48,406
                                             English sole t ......................................    Coastwide ........................................            8,255            7,537           7,537           7,324
                                             Lingcod u ............................................   N of 40°10′ N lat. .............................              3,310            3,110           3,110           2,832
                                             Lingcod v ............................................   S of 40°10′ N lat. .............................              1,373            1,144           1,144           1,135
                                             Longnose skate w ..............................          Coastwide ........................................            2,526            2,415           2,000           1,853
                                             Longspine thornyhead x .....................             Coastwide ........................................            4,339            3,614              NA              NA
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                                             Longspine thornyhead .......................             N of 34°27′ N lat. .............................                 NA               NA           2,747           2,700
                                             Longspine thornyhead .......................             S of 34°27′ N lat. .............................                 NA               NA             867             864
                                             Pacific cod y .......................................    Coastwide ........................................            3,200            2,221           1,600           1,091
                                             Pacific whiting z ..................................     Coastwide ........................................          725,984                  z               z       362,682
                                             Petrale sole aa ....................................     Coastwide ........................................            3,152              3,013          3,013          2,772
                                             Sablefish ............................................   Coastwide ........................................            8,329              7,604             NA             NA
                                             Sablefish bb ........................................    N of 36° N lat. ..................................               NA                 NA          5,475    See Table 2c



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                                             22406                     Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 94 / Tuesday, May 15, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                                 TABLE 2a TO PART 660, SUBPART C—2018, AND BEYOND, SPECIFICATIONS OF OFL, ABC, ACL, ACT AND FISHERY
                                                                                   HARVEST GUIDELINES—Continued
                                                                                                                                  [Weights in metric tons]

                                                                 Species                                                  Area                                  OFL            ABC             ACL a       Fishery HG b

                                             Sablefish cc ........................................   S of 36° N lat. ..................................              NA               NA           1,944          1,939
                                             Shortbelly rockfish dd .........................        Coastwide ........................................           6,950            5,789             500            489
                                             Shortspine thornyhead ee ...................            Coastwide ........................................           3,116            2,596              NA             NA
                                             Shortspine thornyhead ......................            N of 34°27′ N lat. .............................                NA               NA           1,698          1,639
                                             Shortspine thornyhead ......................            S of 34°27′ N lat. .............................                NA               NA             898            856
                                             Spiny dogfish ff ...................................    Coastwide ........................................           2,500            2,083           2,083          1,745
                                             Splitnose rockfish gg ...........................       S of 40°10′ N lat. .............................             1,842            1,761           1,761          1,750
                                             Starry flounder hh ...............................      Coastwide ........................................           1,847            1,282           1,282          1,272
                                             Widow rockfish ii ................................      Coastwide ........................................          13,237           12,655          12,655         12,437
                                             Yellowtail rockfish jj ............................     N of 40°10′ N lat. .............................             6,574            6,002           6,002          4,972
                                             Minor Nearshore Rockfish kk .............               N of 40°10′ N lat. .............................               119              105             105            103
                                             Minor Shelf Rockfish ll .......................         N of 40°10′ N lat. .............................             2,302            2,048           2,047          1,963
                                             Minor Slope Rockfish mm ...................             N of 40°10′ N lat. .............................             1,896            1,754           1,754          1,689
                                             Minor Nearshore Rockfish nn .............               S of 40°10′ N lat. .............................             1,344            1,180           1,179          1,175
                                             Minor Shelf Rockfish oo ......................          S of 40°10′ N lat. .............................             1,918            1,625           1,624          1,577
                                             Minor Slope Rockfish pp .....................           S of 40°10′ N lat. .............................               829              719             709            689
                                             Other Flatfish qq .................................     Coastwide ........................................           9,690            7,281           7,281          7,077
                                             Other Fish rr .......................................   Coastwide ........................................             501              441             441            441
                                                a Annual   catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs) and harvest guidelines (HGs) are specified as total catch values.
                                                b Fishery  harvest guidelines means the harvest guideline or quota after subtracting Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribes allocations and projected
                                             catch, projected research catch, deductions for fishing mortality in non-groundfish fisheries, and deductions for EFPs from the ACL or ACT.
                                                c Bocaccio. A stock assessment was conducted in 2015 for the bocaccio stock between the U.S.-Mexico border and Cape Blanco. The stock is
                                             managed with stock-specific harvest specifications south of 40deg;10′ N lat. and within the Minor Shelf Rockfish complex north of 40deg;10′ N
                                             lat. A historical catch distribution of approximately 7.4 percent was used to apportion the assessed stock to the area north of 40deg;10′ N lat.
                                             The bocaccio stock was estimated to be at 36.8 percent of its unfished biomass in 2015. The OFL of 2,013 mt is projected in the 2015 stock as-
                                             sessment using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The ABC of 1,924 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL (s = 0.36/P* = 0.45) because it is a cat-
                                             egory 1 stock. The 741 mt ACL is based on the current rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild of 2022 and an SPR harvest rate of 77.7 per-
                                             cent. 15.4 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (0.8 mt), EFP catch (10 mt) and research catch (4.6
                                             mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 725.6 mt. The California recreational fishery has an HG of 305.5 mt.
                                                d Cowcod. A stock assessment for the Conception Area was conducted in 2013 and the stock was estimated to be at 33.9 percent of its
                                             unfished biomass in 2013. The Conception Area OFL of 59 mt is projected in the 2013 rebuilding analysis using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The
                                             OFL contribution of 12 mt for the unassessed portion of the stock in the Monterey area is based on depletion-based stock reduction analysis.
                                             The OFLs for the Monterey and Conception areas were summed to derive the south of 40deg;10′ N lat. OFL of 71 mt. The ABC for the area
                                             south of 40deg;10′ N lat. is 64 mt. The assessed portion of the stock in the Conception Area is considered category 2, with a Conception area
                                             contribution to the ABC of 54 mt, which is an 8.7 percent reduction from the Conception area OFL (s = 0.72/P* = 0.45). The unassessed portion
                                             of the stock in the Monterey area is considered a category 3 stock, with a contribution to the ABC of 10 mt, which is a 16.6 percent reduction
                                             from the Monterey area OFL (s = 1.44/P* = 0.45). A single ACL of 10 mt is being set for both areas combined. The ACL of 10 mt is based on
                                             the rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild of 2020 and an SPR harvest rate of 82.7 percent, which is equivalent to an exploitation rate
                                             (catch over age 11+ biomass) of 0.007. 2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (less than 0.1 mt),
                                             EFP fishing (less than 0.1 mt) and research activity (2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 8 mt. Any additional mortality in research activities will be
                                             deducted from the ACL. A single ACT of 4 mt is being set for both areas combined.
                                                e Darkblotched rockfish. A 2015 stock assessment estimated the stock to be at 39 percent of its unfished biomass in 2015. The OFL of 683 mt
                                             is projected in the 2015 stock assessment using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The ABC of 653 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL (s = 0.36/
                                             P* = 0.45) because it is a category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC, as the stock is projected to be above its target biomass of B40% in
                                             2017. 77.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (0.2 mt), the incidental open access fishery (24.5 mt), EFP catch (0.1
                                             mt), research catch (2.5 mt) and an additional deduction for unforeseen catch events (50 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 575.8 mt.
                                                f Pacific ocean perch. A stock assessment was conducted in 2011 and the stock was estimated to be at 19.1 percent of its unfished biomass in
                                             2011. The OFL of 984 mt for the area north of 40deg;10′ N lat. is based on an updated catch-only projection of the 2011 rebuilding analysis
                                             using an F50% FMSY proxy. The ABC of 941 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL (s = 0.36/P* = 0.45) as it is a category 1 stock. The ACL
                                             is based on the current rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild of 2051 and a constant catch amount of 281 mt in 2017 and 2018, followed
                                             in 2019 and beyond by ACLs based on an SPR harvest rate of 86.4 percent. 49.4 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fish-
                                             ery (9.2 mt), the incidental open access fishery (10 mt), research catch (5.2 mt) and an additional deduction for unforeseen catch events (25 mt),
                                             resulting in a fishery HG of 231.6 mt.
                                                g Yelloweye rockfish. A stock assessment update was conducted in 2011. The stock was estimated to be at 21.4 percent of its unfished bio-
                                             mass in 2011. The 58 mt coastwide OFL is based on a catch-only update of the 2011 stock assessment, assuming actual catches since 2011
                                             and using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The ABC of 48 mt is a 16.7 percent reduction from the OFL (s = 0.72/P* = 0.40) as it is a category 2 stock.
                                             The 20 mt ACL is based on the current rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild of 2074 and an SPR harvest rate of 76.0 percent. 6 mt is de-
                                             ducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (2.3 mt), the incidental open access fishery (0.4 mt), EFP catch (less than 0.1 mt) and
                                             research catch (3.27 mt) resulting in a fishery HG of 14 mt. Recreational HGs are: 3.3 mt (Washington); 3 mt (Oregon); and 3.9 mt (California).
                                                h Arrowtooth flounder. The arrowtooth flounder stock was last assessed in 2007 and was estimated to be at 79 percent of its unfished biomass
                                             in 2007. The OFL of 16,498 mt is derived from a catch-only update of the 2007 assessment assuming actual catches since 2007 and using an
                                             F30% FMSY proxy. The ABC of 13,743 mt is a 16.7 percent reduction from the OFL (s = 0.72/P* = 0.40) as it is a category 2 stock. The ACL is
                                             set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B25%. 2,098.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal
                                             fishery (2,041 mt), the incidental open access fishery (40.8 mt), and research catch (16.4 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 11,644.9 mt.
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                                                i Big skate. The OFL of 541 mt is based on an estimate of trawl survey biomass and natural mortality. The ABC of 494 mt is a 8.7 percent re-
                                             duction from the OFL (s = 0.72/P* = 0.45) as it is a category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC. 57.4 mt is deducted from the ACL to ac-
                                             commodate the Tribal fishery (15 mt), the incidental open access fishery (38.4 mt), and research catch (4 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 436.6
                                             mt.
                                                j Black rockfish (California). A 2015 stock assessment estimated the stock to be at 33 percent of its unfished biomass in 2015. The OFL of 347
                                             mt is projected in the 2015 stock assessment using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The ABC of 332 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL (s =
                                             0.36/P* = 0.45) because it is a category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is projected to be above its target biomass
                                             of B40% in 2018. 1 mt is deducted from the ACL for EFP catch, resulting in a fishery HG of 331 mt.



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                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 94 / Tuesday, May 15, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                      22407
                                                 k Black rockfish (Oregon). A 2015 stock assessment estimated the stock to be at 60 percent of its unfished biomass in 2015. The OFL of 570
                                             mt is projected in the 2015 stock assessment using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The ABC of 520 mt is an 8.7 percent reduction from the OFL (s =
                                             0.72/P* = 0.45) because it is a category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B40%. 0.6 mt
                                             is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery, resulting in a fishery HG of 519.4 mt.
                                                 l Black rockfish (Washington). A 2015 stock assessment estimated the stock to be at 43 percent of its unfished biomass in 2015. The OFL of
                                             315 mt is projected in the 2015 stock assessment using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The ABC of 301 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL (s =
                                             0.36/P* = 0.45) because it is a category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B40%. 18 mt
                                             is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery, resulting in a fishery HG of 283 mt.
                                                 m Blackgill rockfish. Blackgill rockfish contributes to the harvest specifications for the Minor Slope Rockfish South complex. See footnote pp.
                                                 n Cabezon (California). A cabezon stock assessment was conducted in 2009. The cabezon spawning biomass in waters off California was esti-
                                             mated to be at 48.3 percent of its unfished biomass in 2009. The OFL of 156 mt is calculated using an FMSYproxy of F50%. The ABC of 149 mt is
                                             based on a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL (s = 0.36/P* = 0.45) because it is a category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because
                                             the stock is above its target biomass of B40%. 0.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (0.3 mt), re-
                                             sulting in a fishery HG of 148.7 mt.
                                                 o Cabezon (Oregon). A cabezon stock assessment was conducted in 2009. The cabezon spawning biomass in waters off Oregon was esti-
                                             mated to be at 52 percent of its unfished biomass in 2009. The OFL of 49 mt is calculated using an FMSYproxy of F45%. The ABC of 47 mt is
                                             based on a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL (s = 0.36/P* = 0.45) because it is a category 1 species. The ACL is set equal to the ABC be-
                                             cause the stock is above its target biomass of B40%. There are no deductions from the ACL so the fishery HG is also equal to the ACL of 47 mt.
                                                 p California scorpionfish. A California scorpionfish assessment was conducted in 2005 and was estimated to be at 79.8 percent of its unfished
                                             biomass in 2005. The OFL of 278 mt is based on projections from a catch-only update of the 2005 assessment assuming actual catches since
                                             2005 and using an FMSY harvest rate proxy of F50%. The ABC of 254 mt is an 8.7 percent reduction from the OFL (s = 0.72/P* = 0.45) because
                                             it is a category 2 stock. The ACL is set at a constant catch amount of 150 mt. 2.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental
                                             open access fishery (2 mt) and research catch (0.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 147.8 mt. An ACT of 111 mt is established.
                                                 q Canary rockfish. A stock assessment was conducted in 2015 and the stock was estimated to be at 55.5 percent of its unfished biomass
                                             coastwide in 2015. The coastwide OFL of 1,596 mt is projected in the 2015 assessment using an FMSYharvest rate proxy of F50%. The ABC of
                                             1,526 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL (s = 0.36/P* = 0.45) as it is a category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the
                                             stock is above its target biomass of B40%. 59.4 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (50 mt), the incidental open ac-
                                             cess fishery (1.2 mt), EFP catch (1 mt) and research catch (7.2 mt) resulting in a fishery HG of 1,466.6 mt. Recreational HGs are: 50 mt (Wash-
                                             ington); 75 mt (Oregon); and 135 mt (California).
                                                 r Chilipepper. A coastwide update assessment of the chilipepper stock was conducted in 2015 and estimated to be at 64 percent of its unfished
                                             biomass in 2015. Chilipepper are managed with stock-specific harvest specifications south of 40deg;10′N lat. and within the Minor Shelf Rockfish
                                             complex north of 40deg;10′ N lat. Projected OFLs are stratified north and south of 40deg;10′ N lat. based on the average historical assessed
                                             area catch, which is 93 percent for the area south of 40deg;10′ N lat. and 7 percent for the area north of 40deg;10′ N lat. The OFL of 2,623 mt
                                             for the area south of 40deg;10′ N lat. is projected in the 2015 assessment using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The ABC of 2,507 mt is a 4.4 percent
                                             reduction from the OFL (s = 0.36/P* = 0.45) because it is a category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its
                                             target biomass of B40%. 45.9 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (5 mt), EFP fishing (30 mt), and
                                             research catch (10.9 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 2,461.1 mt.
                                                 s Dover sole. A 2011 Dover sole assessment estimated the stock to be at 83.7 percent of its unfished biomass in 2011. The OFL of 90,282 mt
                                             is based on an updated catch-only projection from the 2011 stock assessment assuming actual catches since 2011 and using an FMSY proxy of
                                             F30%. The ABC of 86,310 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL (s = 0.36/P* = 0.45) because it is a category 1 stock. The ACL could be
                                             set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B25%. However, the ACL of 50,000 mt is set at a level below the ABC and
                                             higher than the maximum historical landed catch. 1,593.7 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (1,497 mt), the inci-
                                             dental open access fishery (54.8 mt), and research catch (41.9 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 48,406.3 mt.
                                                 t English sole. A 2013 stock assessment was conducted, which estimated the stock to be at 88 percent of its unfished biomass in 2013. The
                                             OFL of 8,255 mt is projected in the 2013 assessment using an FMSY proxy of F30%. The ABC of 7,537 mt is an 8.7 percent reduction from the
                                             OFL (s = 0.72/P* = 0.45) because it is a category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of
                                             B25%. 212.8 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (200 mt), the incidental open access fishery (7 mt) and research
                                             catch (5.8 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 7,324.2 mt.
                                                 u Lingcod north. The 2009 lingcod assessment modeled two populations north and south of the California-Oregon border (42° N lat.). Both pop-
                                             ulations were healthy with stock depletion estimated at 62 and 74 percent for the north and south, respectively in 2009.The OFL is based on an
                                             updated catch-only projection from the 2009 assessment assuming actual catches since 2009 and using an FMSY proxy of F45%. The OFL is ap-
                                             portioned by adding 48 percent of the OFL from California, resulting in an OFL of 3,310 mt for the area north of 40deg;10′ N lat. The ABC of
                                             3,110 mt is based on a 4.4 percent reduction (s = 0.36/P* = 0.45) from the OFL contribution for the area north of 42° N lat. because it is a cat-
                                             egory 1 stock, and an 8.7 percent reduction (s = 0.72/P* = 0.45) from the OFL contribution for the area between 42° N lat. and 40deg;10′ N lat.
                                             because it is a category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B40%. 278.2 mt is deducted
                                             from the ACL for the Tribal fishery (250 mt), the incidental open access fishery (16 mt), EFP catch (0.5 mt) and research catch (11.7 mt), result-
                                             ing in a fishery HG of 2,831.8 mt.
                                                 v Lingcod south. The 2009 lingcod assessment modeled two populations north and south of the California-Oregon border (42° N lat.). Both
                                             populations were healthy with stock depletion estimated at 62 and 74 percent for the north and south, respectively in 2009. The OFL is based on
                                             an updated catch-only projection of the 2009 stock assessment assuming actual catches since 2009 and using an FMSY proxy of F45%. The OFL
                                             is apportioned by subtracting 48 percent of the California OFL, resulting in an OFL of 1,373 mt for the area south of 40deg;10′ N lat. The ABC of
                                             1,144 mt is based on a 16.7 percent reduction from the OFL (s = 0.72/P* = 0.40) because it is a category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal to the
                                             ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B40%. 9 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery
                                             (6.9 mt), EFP fishing (1 mt), and research catch (1.1 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,135 mt.
                                                 w Longnose skate. A stock assessment was conducted in 2007 and the stock was estimated to be at 66 percent of its unfished biomass. The
                                             OFL of 2,526 mt is derived from the 2007 stock assessment using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The ABC of 2,415 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from
                                             the OFL (s = 0.36/P* = 0.45) because it is a category 1 stock. The ACL of 2,000 mt is a fixed harvest level that provides greater access to the
                                             stock and is less than the ABC. 147 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (130 mt), incidental open access fishery
                                             (3.8 mt), and research catch (13.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,853 mt.
                                                 x Longspine thornyhead. A 2013 longspine thornyhead coastwide stock assessment estimated the stock to be at 75 percent of its unfished bio-
                                             mass in 2013. A coastwide OFL of 4,339 mt is projected in the 2013 stock assessment using an F50%FMSY proxy. The coastwide ABC of 3,614
                                             mt is a 16.7 percent reduction from the OFL (s = 0.72/P* = 0.40) because it is a category 2 stock. For the portion of the stock that is north of
                                             34°27′ N lat., the ACL is 2,747 mt, and is 76 percent of the coastwide ABC based on the average swept-area biomass estimates (2003–2012)
                                             from the NMFS NWFSC trawl survey. 46.8 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (30 mt), the incidental open access
                                             fishery (3.3 mt), and research catch (13.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 2,700.2 mt. For that portion of the stock south of 34°27′ N lat. the ACL
                                             is 867 mt and is 24 percent of the coastwide ABC based on the average swept-area biomass estimates (2003–2012) from the NMFS NWFSC
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES




                                             trawl survey. 3.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (1.8 mt), and research catch (1.4 mt), result-
                                             ing in a fishery HG of 863.8 mt.
                                                 y Pacific cod. The 3,200 mt OFL is based on the maximum level of historic landings. The ABC of 2,221 mt is a 30.6 percent reduction from the
                                             OFL (s = 1.44/P* = 0.40) as it is a category 3 stock. The 1,600 mt ACL is the OFL reduced by 50 percent as a precautionary adjustment. 509 mt
                                             is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (500 mt), research catch (7 mt), and the incidental open access fishery (2 mt), re-
                                             sulting in a fishery HG of 1,091 mt.




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                                             22408               Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 94 / Tuesday, May 15, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                                 z Pacific whiting. The coastwide stock assessment was published in 2018 and estimated the spawning stock to be at 66.7 percent of its
                                             unfished biomass. The 2018 OFL of 725,984 mt is based on the 2018 assessment with an F40% FMSY proxy. The 2018 coastwide, unadjusted
                                             Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of 517,775 mt is based on the 2018 stock assessment. The U.S. TAC is 73.88 percent of the coastwide unadjusted
                                             TAC. Up to 15 percent of each party’s unadjusted 2017 TAC (58,901 mt for the U.S. and 20,824 mt for Canada) is added to each party’s 2018
                                             unadjusted TAC, resulting in a U.S. adjusted 2018 TAC of 441,433 mt. From the adjusted U.S. TAC, 77,251 mt is deducted to accommodate the
                                             Tribal fishery, and 1,500 mt is deducted to accommodate research and bycatch in other fisheries, resulting in a fishery HG of 362,682 mt. The
                                             TAC for Pacific whiting is established under the provisions of the Agreement with Canada on Pacific Hake/Whiting and the Pacific Whiting Act of
                                             2006, 16 U.S.C. 7001–7010, and the international exception applies. Therefore, no ABC or ACL values are provided for Pacific whiting.
                                                 aa Petrale sole. A 2015 stock assessment update was conducted, which estimated the stock to be at 31 percent of its unfished biomass in
                                             2015. The OFL of 3,152 mt is projected in the 2015 assessment using an FMSY proxy of F30%. The ABC of 3,013 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction
                                             from the OFL (s = 0.36/P* = 0.45) because it is a category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target bio-
                                             mass of B25%. 240.9 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (220 mt), the incidental open access fishery (3.2 mt) and
                                             research catch (17.7 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 2,772.1 mt.
                                                 bb Sablefish north. A coastwide sablefish stock assessment update was conducted in 2015. The coastwide sablefish biomass was estimated to
                                             be at 33 percent of its unfished biomass in 2015. The coastwide OFL of 8,329 mt is projected in the 2015 stock assessment using an FMSY
                                             proxy of F45%. The ABC of 7,604 mt is an 8.7 percent reduction from the OFL (s = 0.36/P* = 0.40). The 40ndash;10 adjustment is applied to the
                                             ABC to derive a coastwide ACL value because the stock is in the precautionary zone. This coastwide ACL value is not specified in regulations.
                                             The coastwide ACL value is apportioned north and south of 36° N lat., using the 2003–2014 average estimated swept area biomass from the
                                             NMFS NWFSC trawl survey, with 73.8 percent apportioned north of 36° N lat. and 26.2 percent apportioned south of 36° N lat. The northern
                                             ACL is 5,475 mt and is reduced by 548 mt for the Tribal allocation (10 percent of the ACL north of 36° N lat.). The 548 mt Tribal allocation is re-
                                             duced by 1.5 percent to account for discard mortality. Detailed sablefish allocations are shown in Table 2c.
                                                 cc Sablefish south. The ACL for the area south of 36° N lat. is 1,944 mt (26.2 percent of the calculated coastwide ACL value). 5 mt is deducted
                                             from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open acrdedseescess fishery (2 mt) and research catch (3 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,939
                                             mt.
                                                 dd Shortbelly rockfish. A non-quantitative shortbelly rockfish assessment was conducted in 2007. The spawning stock biomass of shortbelly
                                             rockfish was estimated to be 67 percent of its unfished biomass in 2005. The OFL of 6,950 mt is based on the estimated MSY in the 2007 stock
                                             assessment. The ABC of 5,789 mt is a 16.7 percent reduction of the OFL (s = 0.72/P* = 0.40) because it is a category 2 stock. The 500 mt ACL
                                             is set to accommodate incidental catch when fishing for co-occurring healthy stocks and in recognition of the stock’s importance as a forage spe-
                                             cies in the California Current ecosystem. 10.9 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (8.9 mt) and re-
                                             search catch (2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 489.1 mt.
                                                 ee Shortspine thornyhead. A 2013 coastwide shortspine thornyhead stock assessment estimated the stock to be at 74.2 percent of its unfished
                                             biomass in 2013. A coastwide OFL of 3,116 mt is projected in the 2013 stock assessment using an F50%FMSY proxy. The coastwide ABC of
                                             2,596 mt is a 16.7 percent reduction from the OFL (s = 0.72/P* = 0.40) because it is a category 2 stock. For the portion of the stock that is north
                                             of 34°27′ N lat., the ACL is 1,698 mt. The northern ACL is 65.4 percent of the coastwide ABC based on the average swept-area biomass esti-
                                             mates (2003–2012) from the NMFS NWFSC trawl survey. 59 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (50 mt), the inci-
                                             dental open access fishery (1.8 mt), and research catch (7.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,639 mt for the area north of 34°27′ N lat. For that
                                             portion of the stock south of 34°27′ N lat. the ACL is 898 mt. The southern ACL is 34.6 percent of the coastwide ABC based on the average
                                             swept-area biomass estimates (2003–2012) from the NMFS NWFSC trawl survey. 42.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the inci-
                                             dental open access fishery (41.3 mt) and research catch (1 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 855.7 mt for the area south of 34°27′ N lat.
                                                 ff Spiny dogfish. A coastwide spiny dogfish stock assessment was conducted in 2011. The coastwide spiny dogfish biomass was estimated to
                                             be at 63 percent of its unfished biomass in 2011. The coastwide OFL of 2,500 mt is derived from the 2011 assessment using an FMSY proxy of
                                             F50%. The coastwide ABC of 2,083 mt is a 16.7 percent reduction from the OFL (s = 0.72/P* = 0.40) because it is a category 2 stock. The ACL
                                             is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B40%. 338 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fish-
                                             ery (275 mt), the incidental open access fishery (49.5 mt), EFP catch (1 mt), and research catch (12.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,745 mt.
                                                 gg Splitnose rockfish. A coastwide splitnose rockfish assessment was conducted in 2009 that estimated the stock to be at 66 percent of its
                                             unfished biomass in 2009. Splitnose rockfish in the north is managed in the Minor Slope Rockfish complex and with stock-specific harvest speci-
                                             fications south of 40deg;10′ N lat. The coastwide OFL is projected in the 2009 assessment using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The coastwide OFL is
                                             apportioned north and south of 40deg;10′ N lat. based on the average 1916–2008 assessed area catch resulting in 64.2 percent of the coastwide
                                             OFL apportioned south of 40deg;10′ N lat., and 35.8 percent apportioned for the contribution of splitnose rockfish to the northern Minor Slope
                                             Rockfish complex. The southern OFL of 1,842 mt results from the apportionment described above. The southern ABC of 1,761 mt is a 4.4 per-
                                             cent reduction from the southern OFL (s = 0.36/P* = 0.45) because it is a category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock
                                             is estimated to be above its target biomass of B40%. 10.7 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (0.2
                                             mt), research catch (9 mt) and EFP catch (1.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,750.3 mt.
                                                 hh Starry flounder. The stock was assessed in 2005 and was estimated to be above 40 percent of its unfished biomass in 2005 (44 percent in
                                             Washington and Oregon, and 62 percent in California). The coastwide OFL of 1,847 mt is set equal to the 2016 OFL, which was derived from
                                             the 2005 assessment using an FMSY proxy of F30%. The ABC of 1,282 mt is a 30.6 percent reduction from the OFL (s = 1.44/P* = 0.40) because
                                             it is a category 3 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock was estimated to be above its target biomass of B25% in 2018. 10.3
                                             mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (2 mt), and the incidental open access fishery (8.3 mt), resulting in a fishery HG
                                             of 1,271.7 mt.
                                                 ii Widow rockfish. The widow rockfish stock was assessed in 2015 and was estimated to be at 75 percent of its unfished biomass in 2015. The
                                             OFL of 13,237 mt is projected in the 2015 stock assessment using the F50% FMSY proxy. The ABC of 12,655 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from
                                             the OFL (s = 0.36/P* = 0.45) because it is a category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of
                                             B40%. 217.7 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (200 mt), the incidental open access fishery (0.5 mt), EFP catch (9
                                             mt) and research catch (8.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 12,437.3 mt.
                                                 jj Yellowtail rockfish. A 2013 yellowtail rockfish stock assessment was conducted for the portion of the population north of 40deg;10′ N. lat. The
                                             estimated stock depletion is 67 percent of its unfished biomass in 2013. The OFL of 6,574 mt is projected in the 2013 stock assessment using
                                             an FMSY proxy of F50%. The ABC of 6,002 mt is an 8.7 percent reduction from the OFL (s = 0.72/P*= 0.45) because it is a category 2 stock. The
                                             ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B40%. 1,030 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the
                                             Tribal fishery (1,000 mt), the incidental open access fishery (3.4 mt), EFP catch (10 mt) and research catch (16.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of
                                             4,972.1 mt.
                                                 kk Minor Nearshore Rockfish north. The OFL for Minor Nearshore Rockfish north of 40deg;10′ N lat. of 119 mt is the sum of the OFL contribu-
                                             tions for the component species managed in the complex. The ABCs for the minor rockfish complexes are based on a sigma value of 0.72 for
                                             category 2 stocks (blue/deacon rockfish in California, brown rockfish, China rockfish, and copper rockfish) and a sigma value of 1.44 for category
                                             3 stocks (all others) with a P* of 0.45. The resulting ABC of 105 mt is the summed contribution of the ABCs for the component species. The ACL
                                             of 105 mt is the sum of contributing ABCs. 1.8 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (1.5 mt), and the incidental open
                                             access fishery (0.3 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 103.2 mt. Between 40deg;10′ N lat. and 42° N lat. the Minor Nearshore Rockfish complex
                                             north has a harvest guideline of 40.2 mt. Blue/deacon rockfish south of 42° N lat. has a species-specific HG, described in footnote pp.
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                                                 ll Minor Shelf Rockfish north. The OFL for Minor Shelf Rockfish north of 40deg;10′ N lat. of 2,302 mt is the sum of the OFL contributions for the
                                             component species within the complex. The ABCs for the minor rockfish complexes are based on a sigma value of 0.36 for a category 1 stock
                                             (chilipepper), a sigma value of 0.72 for category 2 stocks (greenspotted rockfish between 40deg;10′ and 42° N lat. and greenstriped rockfish) and
                                             a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others) with a P* of 0.45. The resulting ABC of 2,048 mt is the summed contribution of the ABCs
                                             for the component species. The ACL of 2,047 mt is the sum of contributing ABCs of healthy assessed stocks and unassessed stocks, plus the
                                             ACL contribution of greenspotted rockfish in California where the 40ndash;10 adjustment was applied to the ABC contribution for this stock be-
                                             cause it is in the precautionary zone. 83.8 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (30 mt), the incidental open access
                                             fishery (26 mt), EFP catch (3 mt), and research catch (24.8 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,963.2 mt.



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                                                                       Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 94 / Tuesday, May 15, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                                   22409
                                                mm Minor Slope Rockfish north. The OFL for Minor Slope Rockfish north of 40deg;10′ N. lat. of 1,896 mt is the sum of the OFL contributions for
                                             the component species within the complex. The ABCs for the Minor Slope Rockfish complexes are based on a sigma value of 0.39 for aurora
                                             rockfish, a sigma value of 0.36 for the other category 1 stock (splitnose rockfish), a sigma value of 0.72 for category 2 stocks (rougheye rockfish,
                                             blackspotted rockfish, and sharpchin rockfish), and a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others) with a P* of 0.45. A unique sigma of
                                             0.39 was calculated for aurora rockfish because the variance in estimated spawning biomass was greater than the 0.36 used as a proxy for
                                             other category 1 stocks. The resulting ABC of 1,754 mt is the summed contribution of the ABCs for the component species. The ACL is set
                                             equal to the ABC because all the assessed component stocks (rougheye rockfish, blackspotted rockfish, sharpchin rockfish, and splitnose rock-
                                             fish) are above the target biomass of B40%. 65.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (36 mt), the incidental open ac-
                                             cess fishery (18.6 mt), EFP catch (1 mt), and research catch (9.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,688.9 mt.
                                                nn Minor Nearshore Rockfish south. The OFL for the Minor Nearshore Rockfish complex south of 40deg;10′ N lat. of 1,344 mt is the sum of the
                                             OFL contributions for the component species within the complex. The ABC for the southern Minor Nearshore Rockfish complex is based on a
                                             sigma value of 0.72 for category 2 stocks (blue/deacon rockfish north of 34°27′ N lat., brown rockfish, China rockfish, and copper rockfish) and a
                                             sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others) with a P* of 0.45. The resulting ABC of 1,180 mt is the summed contribution of the ABCs
                                             for the component species. The ACL of 1,179 mt is the sum of the contributing ABCs of healthy assessed stocks and unassessed stocks, plus
                                             the ACL contribution for China rockfish where the 40ndash;10 adjustment was applied to the ABC contribution for this stock because it is in the
                                             precautionary zone. 4.1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (1.4 mt) and research catch (2.7 mt),
                                             resulting in a fishery HG of 1,174.9 mt. Blue/deacon rockfish south of 42° N lat. has a species-specific HG set equal to the 40ndash;10-adjusted
                                             ACL for the portion of the stock north of 34°27′ N lat. (250.3 mt) plus the ABC contribution for the unassessed portion of the stock south of
                                             34°27′ N lat. (60.8 mt). The California (i.e., south of 42° N lat.) blue/deacon rockfish HG is 311.1 mt.
                                                oo Minor Shelf Rockfish south. The OFL for the Minor Shelf Rockfish complex south of 40deg;10′ N lat. of 1,918 mt is the sum of the OFL con-
                                             tributions for the component species within the complex. The ABC for the southern Minor Shelf Rockfish complex is based on a sigma value of
                                             0.72 for category 2 stocks (i.e., greenspotted and greenstriped rockfish) and a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others) with a P* of
                                             0.45. The resulting ABC of 1,625 mt is the summed contribution of the ABCs for the component species. The ACL of 1,624 mt is the sum of con-
                                             tributing ABCs of healthy assessed stocks and unassessed stocks, plus the ACL contribution of greenspotted rockfish in California where the
                                             40ndash;10 adjustment was applied to the ABC contribution for this stock because it is in the precautionary zone. 47.2 mt is deducted from the
                                             ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (8.6 mt), EFP catch (30 mt), and research catch (8.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of
                                             1,576.8 mt.
                                                pp Minor Slope Rockfish south. The OFL of 829 mt is the sum of the OFL contributions for the component species within the complex. The
                                             ABC for the southern Minor Slope Rockfish complex is based on a sigma value of 0.39 for aurora rockfish, a sigma value of 0.72 for category 2
                                             stocks (blackgill rockfish, rougheye rockfish, blackspotted rockfish, and sharpchin rockfish) and a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all
                                             others) with a P* of 0.45. A unique sigma of 0.39 was calculated for aurora rockfish because the variance in estimated biomass was greater than
                                             the 0.36 used as a proxy for other category 1 stocks. The resulting ABC of 719 mt is the summed contribution of the ABCs for the component
                                             species. The ACL of 709 mt is the sum of the contributing ABCs of healthy assessed stocks and unassessed stocks, plus the ACL contribution
                                             of blackgill rockfish where the 40ndash;10 adjustment was applied to the ABC contribution for this stock because it is in the precautionary zone.
                                             20.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (17.2 mt), EFP catch (1 mt), and research catch (2 mt),
                                             resulting in a fishery HG of 688.8 mt. Blackgill rockfish has a stock-specific HG for the entire groundfish fishery south of 40deg;10′ N lat. set
                                             equal to the species’ contribution to the 40ndash;10-adjusted ACL. Harvest of blackgill rockfish in all groundfish fisheries counts against this HG
                                             of 122.4 mt. Nontrawl fisheries are subject to a blackgill rockfish HG of 45.3 mt.
                                                qq Other Flatfish. The Other Flatfish complex is comprised of flatfish species managed in the PCGFMP that are not managed with species-spe-
                                             cific OFLs/ABCs/ACLs. Most of the species in the Other Flatfish complex are unassessed and include: Butter sole, curlfin sole, flathead sole, Pa-
                                             cific sanddab, rock sole, sand sole, and rex sole. The Other Flatfish OFL of 9,690 mt is based on the sum of the OFL contributions of the com-
                                             ponent stocks. The ABC of 7,281 mt is based on a sigma value of 0.72 for a category 2 stock (rex sole) and a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3
                                             stocks (all others) with a P* of 0.40. The ACL is set equal to the ABC. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because all of the assessed stocks (i.e.,
                                             Pacific sanddabs and rex sole) were above their target biomass of B25%. 204 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (60
                                             mt), the incidental open access fishery 125 mt), and research catch (19 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 7,077 mt.
                                                rr Other Fish. The Other Fish complex is comprised of kelp greenling coastwide, cabezon off Washington, and leopard shark coastwide. The
                                             2015 assessment for the kelp greenling stock off of Oregon projected an estimated depletion of 80 percent. All other stocks are unassessed. The
                                             OFL of 501 mt is the sum of the OFL contributions for kelp greenling coastwide, cabezon off Washington, and leopard shark coastwide. The
                                             ABC for the Other Fish complex is based on a sigma value of 0.44 for kelp greenling off Oregon and a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks
                                             (all others) with a P* of 0.45. A unique sigma of 0.44 was calculated for kelp greenling off Oregon because the variance in estimated spawning
                                             biomass was greater than the 0.36 sigma used as a proxy for other category 1 stocks. The resulting ABC of 441 mt is the summed contribution
                                             of the ABCs for the component species. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because all of the assessed stocks (kelp greenling off Oregon) were
                                             above their target biomass of B40%. There are no deductions from the ACL so the fishery HG is equal to the ACL of 441 mt.


                                             ■ 4. Table 2b to part 660, subpart C, is
                                             revised to read as follows:

                                                         TABLE 2b TO PART 660, SUBPART C—2018, AND BEYOND, ALLOCATIONS BY SPECIES OR SPECIES GROUP
                                                                                                                                [Weight in metric tons]

                                                                                                                                                                Trawl                           Non-trawl
                                                                                                                                Fishery HG or
                                                           Species                                      Area                        ACT               Percent             Mt              Percent           Mt

                                             BOCACCIO a       .......................   S of 40°10′ N lat .................              725.6                  39              283.3               61           442.3
                                             COWCOD a b .......................         S of 40°10′ N lat .................                4.0                  36                1.4               64             2.6
                                             DARKBLOTCHED ROCK-                         Coastwide ...........................            575.8                  95              547.0                5            28.8
                                               FISH c.
                                             PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH d                      N of 40°10′ N lat ................               231.6                  95           220.0                   5          11.6
                                             YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH a                       Coastwide ...........................             14.0                  NA             1.1                  NA          12.9
                                             Arrowtooth flounder .............          Coastwide ...........................         11,644.9                  95        11,062.6                   5         582.2
                                             Big skate a ...........................    Coastwide ...........................            436.6                  95           414.8                   5          21.8
                                             Canary rockfish a e ...............        Coastwide ...........................          1,466.6                  NA         1,060.1                  NA         406.5
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                                             Chilipepper ..........................     S of 40°10′ N lat .................            2,461.1                  75         1,845.8                  25         615.3
                                             Dover sole ...........................     Coastwide ...........................         48,406.3                  95        45,986.0                   5       2,420.3
                                             English sole .........................     Coastwide ...........................          7,324.2                  95         6,958.0                   5         366.2
                                             Lingcod ................................   N of 40°10′ N lat ................             2,831.8                  45         1,274.3                  55       1,557.5
                                             Lingcod ................................   S of 40°10′ N lat .................            1,135.0                  45           510.8                  55         624.3
                                             Longnose skate a ................          Coastwide ...........................          1,853.0                  90         1,667.7                  10         185.3
                                             Longspine thornyhead ........              N of 34°27′ N lat ................             2,700.2                  95         2,565.2                   5         135.0



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                                             22410                      Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 94 / Tuesday, May 15, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                               TABLE 2b TO PART 660, SUBPART C—2018, AND BEYOND, ALLOCATIONS BY SPECIES OR SPECIES GROUP—Continued
                                                                                                                                        [Weight in metric tons]

                                                                                                                                                                                    Trawl                                   Non-trawl
                                                                                                                                        Fishery HG or
                                                            Species                                        Area                             ACT                       Percent                      Mt               Percent              Mt

                                             Pacific cod ...........................      Coastwide ...........................                  1,091.0                          95               1,036.4                     5               54.5
                                             Pacific whiting g ...................        Coastwide ...........................                362,682.0                         100             362,682.0                     0                0.0
                                             Petrale sole .........................       Coastwide ...........................                  2,772.1                          95               2,633.5                     5              138.6

                                             Sablefish .............................      N of 36° N lat .....................                          N/A                                             See Table 2c

                                             Sablefish .............................      S of 36° N lat .....................                   1,939.0                          42                  814.4                   58          1,124.6
                                             Shortspine thornyhead ........               N of 34°27′ N lat ................                     1,639.0                          95                1,557.0                    5             81.9
                                             Shortspine thornyhead ........               S of 34°27′ N lat .................                      855.7                          NA                   50.0                   NA            805.7
                                             Splitnose rockfish ................          S of 40°10′ N lat .................                    1,750.3                          95                1,662.8                    5             87.5
                                             Starry flounder ....................         Coastwide ...........................                  1,271.7                          50                  635.9                   50            635.9
                                             Widow rockfish f ..................          Coastwide ...........................                 12,437.3                          91               11,317.9                    9          1,119.4
                                             Yellowtail rockfish ...............          N of 40°10′ N lat ................                     4,972.1                          88                4,375.4                   12            596.6
                                             Minor Shelf Rockfish a .........             N of 40°10′ N lat ................                     1,963.2                          60                1,181.8                   40            781.4
                                             Minor Slope Rockfish ..........              N of 40°10′ N lat ................                     1,688.9                          81                1,368.0                   19            320.9
                                             Minor Shelf Rockfish a .........             S of 40°10′ N lat .................                    1,576.8                          12                 192.37                   88          1,384.4
                                             Minor Slope Rockfish ..........              S of 40°10′ N lat .................                      688.8                          63                  433.9                   37            254.9
                                             Other Flatfish ......................        Coastwide ...........................                  7,077.0                          90                6,369.3                   10            707.7
                                                 a Allocationsdecided through the biennial specification process.
                                                 b The cowcod fishery harvest guideline is further reduced to an ACT of 4.0 mt.
                                                c Consistent with regulations at § 660.55(c), 9 percent (49.2 mt) of the total trawl allocation for darkblotched rockfish is allocated to the Pacific
                                             whiting fishery, as follows: 20.7 mt for the Shorebased IFQ Program, 11.8 mt is managed as a set-aside for the MS sector, and 16.7 mt is man-
                                             aged as a set-aside for the C/P sector. The tonnage calculated here for the Pacific whiting IFQ fishery contributes to the total shorebased trawl
                                             allocation, which is found at § 660.140(d)(1)(ii)(D).
                                                d Consistent with regulations at § 660.55(c), 17 percent (37.4 mt) of the total trawl allocation for POP is allocated to the Pacific whiting fishery,
                                             as follows: 15.7 mt for the Shorebased IFQ Program, 9.0 mt is managed as a set-aside the MS sector, and 12.7 mt is managed as a set-aside
                                             for the C/P sector. The tonnage calculated here for the Pacific whiting IFQ fishery contributes to the total shorebased trawl allocation, which is
                                             found at § 660.140(d)(1)(ii)(D).
                                                e Canary rockfish is allocated approximately 72 percent to trawl and 28 percent to non-trawl. 46 mt of the total trawl allocation of canary rock-
                                             fish is allocated to the MS and C/P sectors, as follows: 30 mt for the MS sector, and 16 mt for the C/P sector.
                                                f Consistent with regulations at § 660.55(c), 10 percent (1,131.8 mt) of the total trawl allocation for widow rockfish is allocated to the Pacific
                                             whiting fishery, as follows: 475.4 mt for the Shorebased IFQ Program, 271.6 mt for the MS sector, and 384.8 mt for the C/P sector. The tonnage
                                             calculated here for the Pacific whiting IFQ fishery contributes to the total shorebased trawl allocation, which is found at § 660.140(d)(1)(ii)(D).
                                                g Consistent with regulations at § 660.55(i)(2), the commercial harvest guideline for Pacific whiting is allocated as follows: 34 percent (123,312
                                             mt) for the C/P Coop Program; 24 percent (87,044 mt) for the MS Coop Program; and 42 percent (152,326.5 mt) for the Shorebased IFQ Pro-
                                             gram. No more than 5 percent of the Shore based IFQ Program allocation (7,616 mt) may be taken and retained south of 42° N lat. before the
                                             start of the primary Pacific whiting season north of 42° N lat.


                                             *        *        *         *        *                                  § 660.140         Shorebased IFQ Program.                                   (ii) * * *
                                                                                                                     *         *    *             *        *                                     (D) For the trawl fishery, NMFS will
                                             ■ 5. In § 660.140, revise paragraph
                                                                                                                           (d) * * *                                                          issue QP based on the following
                                             (d)(1)(ii)(D) to read as follows:
                                                                                                                           (1) * * *                                                          shorebased trawl allocations:

                                                                                                                                                                                                        2017 shorebased        2018 shorebased
                                                                         IFQ species                                                                         Area                                        trawl allocation       trawl allocation
                                                                                                                                                                                                               (mt)                   (mt)

                                             Arrowtooth flounder ................................................           Coastwide ...............................................................              11,050.6              10,992.6
                                             BOCACCIO .............................................................         South of 40°10′ N lat ..............................................                      302.4                 283.3
                                             Canary rockfish .......................................................        Coastwide ...............................................................               1,014.1               1,014.1
                                             Chilipepper ..............................................................     South of 40°10′ N lat ..............................................                    1,920.8               1,845.8
                                             COWCOD ...............................................................         South of 40°10′ N lat ..............................................                       1.40                  1.40
                                             DARKBLOTCHED ROCKFISH ...............................                          Coastwide ...............................................................                 507.6                 518.4
                                             Dover sole ...............................................................     Coastwide ...............................................................              45,981.0              45,981.0
                                             English sole ............................................................      Coastwide ...............................................................               9,258.6               6,953.0
                                             Lingcod ...................................................................    North of 40°10′ N lat ..............................................                    1,359.7              1,259.32
                                             Lingcod ...................................................................    South of 40°10′ N lat ..............................................                      558.9                510.75
                                             Longspine thornyhead ............................................              North of 34°27′ N lat ..............................................                    2,699.8               2,560.2
                                             Minor Shelf Rockfish complex ................................                  North of 40°10′ N lat ..............................................                    1,148.1               1,146.8
                                             Minor Shelf Rockfish complex ................................                  South of 40°10′ N lat ..............................................                      192.2                 192.4
                                             Minor Slope Rockfish complex ...............................                   North of 40°10′ N lat ..............................................                    1,268.8               1,268.0
                                             Minor Slope Rockfish complex ...............................                   South of 40°10′ N lat ..............................................                      432.7                 433.9
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                                             Other Flatfish complex ............................................            Coastwide ...............................................................               7,455.4               6,349.3
                                             Pacific cod ..............................................................     Coastwide ...............................................................               1,031.4               1,031.4
                                             PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH ......................................                     North of 40°10′ N lat ..............................................                      198.3                 198.3
                                             Pacific whiting .........................................................      Coastwide ...............................................................             152,326.5             152,326.5
                                             Petrale sole .............................................................     Coastwide ...............................................................               2,745.3               2,628.5
                                             Sablefish .................................................................    North of 36° N lat ...................................................                  2,416.4               2,521.9
                                             Sablefish .................................................................    South of 36° N lat ..................................................                     780.8                 814.4



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                                                                       Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 94 / Tuesday, May 15, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                                                        22411

                                                                                                                                                                                                    2017 shorebased     2018 shorebased
                                                                        IFQ species                                                                      Area                                        trawl allocation    trawl allocation
                                                                                                                                                                                                           (mt)                (mt)

                                             Shortspine thornyhead ............................................         North of 34°27′ N lat ..............................................                   1551.3             1,537.0
                                             Shortspine thornyhead ............................................         South of 34°27′ N lat ..............................................                     50.0                50.0
                                             Splitnose rockfish ....................................................    South of 40°10′ N lat ..............................................                   1661.8             1,662.8
                                             Starry flounder ........................................................   Coastwide ...............................................................               630.9               630.9
                                             Widow rockfish ........................................................    Coastwide ...............................................................            11,392.7            10,661.5
                                             YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH ......................................                  Coastwide ...............................................................                1.10                1.10
                                             Yellowtail rockfish ...................................................    North of 40°10′ N lat ..............................................                  4,246.1             4,075.4



                                             *       *        *        *         *                                Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O.                                  in the second season (April 1 through
                                             [FR Doc. 2018–10230 Filed 5–14–18; 8:45 am]                          Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668.                                       July 1) deep-water and shallow-water
                                             BILLING CODE 3510–22–P                                                  Instructions: Comments sent by any                                   species fishery categories for use in
                                                                                                                  other method, to any other address or                                   either fishery from May 15 through June
                                                                                                                  individual, or received after the end of                                30 of each year. The combined second
                                             DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE                                               the comment period, may not be                                          seasonal apportionment of Pacific
                                                                                                                  considered by NMFS. All comments                                        halibut PSC limit is 702 metric tons
                                             National Oceanic and Atmospheric                                     received are a part of the public record                                (mt). This includes the deep-water and
                                             Administration                                                       and will generally be posted for public                                 shallow water Pacific halibut PSC limits
                                                                                                                  viewing on www.regulations.gov                                          carried forward from the first seasonal
                                             50 CFR Part 679                                                      without change. All personal identifying                                apportionments (January 20 through
                                             [Docket No. 170816769–8162–02]                                       information (e.g., name, address),                                      April 1). The deep-water and shallow-
                                                                                                                  confidential business information, or                                   water Pacific halibut PSC limit
                                             RIN 0648–XG225                                                       otherwise sensitive information                                         apportionments were established by the
                                             Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic                                  submitted voluntarily by the sender will                                final 2018 and 2019 harvest
                                             Zone Off Alaska; Deep-Water Species                                  be publicly accessible. NMFS will                                       specifications for groundfish of the GOA
                                             Fishery by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in                               accept anonymous comments (enter                                        (83 FR 8768, March 1, 2018).
                                             the Gulf of Alaska                                                   ‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish                                 As of May 9, 2018, NMFS has
                                                                                                                  to remain anonymous). Attachments to                                    determined that there is approximately
                                             AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries                                   electronic comments will be accepted in                                 411 mt of the trawl Pacific halibut PSC
                                             Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and                                 Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF                                     limit remaining in the deep-water
                                             Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),                                   file formats only.                                                      fishery and shallow-water fishery
                                             Commerce.                                                            FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                                        second seasonal apportionments.
                                             ACTION: Temporary rule; opening.                                     Obren Davis, 907–586–7228.                                              Therefore, in accordance with
                                                                                                                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS                                         § 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and
                                             SUMMARY:   NMFS is opening directed                                  manages the groundfish fishery in the                                   (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize the
                                             fishing for species that comprise the                                GOA exclusive economic zone                                             2018 groundfish total allowable catch
                                             deep-water species fishery by vessels                                according to the Fishery Management                                     available in the deep-water species
                                             using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska                               Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of                                      fishery category NMFS is terminating
                                             (GOA). This action is necessary to fully                             Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North                                      the previous closure and is reopening
                                             use the 2018 groundfish total allowable                              Pacific Fishery Management Council                                      directed fishing for species comprising
                                             catch specified for the species                                      under authority of the Magnuson-                                        the deep-water fishery category in the
                                             comprising the deep-water species                                    Stevens Fishery Conservation and                                        GOA. The Administrator, Alaska Region
                                             category in the GOA.                                                 Management Act. Regulations governing                                   (Regional Administrator) considered the
                                             DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska                                  fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance                                   following factors in reaching this
                                             local time (A.l.t.), May 15, 2018, through                           with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50                                  decision: (1) The current harvest of
                                             1200 hours, A.l.t., July 1, 2018.                                    CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.                                       Pacific halibut PSC in the deep-water
                                                Comments must be received at the                                     NMFS prohibited directed fishing for                                 species trawl fishery of the GOA and, (2)
                                             following address no later than 4:30                                 species that comprise the deep-water                                    the harvest capacity and stated intent on
                                             p.m., A.l.t., May 29, 2018.                                          species fishery by vessels using trawl                                  future harvesting patterns of vessels in
                                             ADDRESSES: You may submit comments                                   gear in the GOA, effective 1200 hours,                                  participating in this fishery.
                                             on this document, identified by FDMS                                 A.l.t., April 23, 2018 (83 FR 18235,
                                                                                                                                                                                          Classification
                                             Docket Number NOAA–NMFS–2017–                                        April 26, 2018) under § 679.21(d)(6)(i).
                                             0107 by any of the following methods:                                That action was necessary because the                                      This action responds to the best
                                                • Electronic Submission: Submit all                               second seasonal apportionment of the                                    available information recently obtained
                                             electronic public comments via the                                   Pacific halibut catch (PSC) allowance                                   from the fishery. The Assistant
                                             Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to                                   specified for the deep-water species                                    Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA
                                             www.regulations.gov/                                                 fishery in the GOA was reached. The                                     (AA), finds good cause to waive the
                                             #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-                                     species and species groups that                                         requirement to provide prior notice and
                                                                                                                                                                                          opportunity for public comment
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES




                                             0107, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon,                               comprise the deep-water species fishery
                                             complete the required fields, and enter                              include sablefish, rockfish, deep-water                                 pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
                                             or attach your comments.                                             flatfish, rex sole, and arrowtooth                                      U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is
                                                • Mail: Address written comments to                               flounder.                                                               impracticable and contrary to the public
                                             Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional                                       Regulations at § 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(D)                                interest. This requirement is
                                             Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries                                 require NMFS to combine management                                      impracticable and contrary to the public
                                             Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn:                                  of the available trawl halibut PSC limits                               interest as it would prevent NMFS from


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Document Created: 2018-05-15 00:33:52
Document Modified: 2018-05-15 00:33:52
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rule.
DatesEffective May 15, 2018.
ContactFrank Lockhart (West Coast Region, NMFS), phone: 206-526-6142, and email: [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 22401 
RIN Number0648-BH31
CFR AssociatedFisheries; Fishing and Indian Fisheries

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