83 FR 2964 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Central Gulf of Alaska Rockfish Program
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 14 (January 22, 2018)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 14 (January 22, 2018)
| Page Range | 2964-2966 | |
| FR Document | 2018-01009 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 14 (Monday, January 22, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 2964-2966] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-01009] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XF878 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Central Gulf of Alaska Rockfish Program AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notification of standard prices and fee percentage. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS publishes the standard ex-vessel prices and fee percentage for cost recovery under the Central Gulf of Alaska Rockfish Program. This action is intended to provide participants in a rockfish cooperative with the standard prices and fee percentage for the 2017 fishing year, which was authorized from May 1 through November 15. The fee percentage is 2.04 percent. The fee payments are due from each rockfish cooperative on or before February 15, 2018. DATES: Valid on: January 22, 2018. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carl Greene, 907-586-7105. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The rockfish fisheries are conducted in Federal waters near Kodiak, AK, by trawl and longline vessels. Regulations implementing the Central Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Rockfish Program (Rockfish Program) are set forth at 50 CFR part 679. Exclusive harvesting privileges are allocated as quota share under the Rockfish Program for rockfish primary and secondary species. Each year, NMFS issues rockfish primary and secondary species cooperative quota (CQ) to rockfish quota share holders to authorize harvest of these species. The rockfish primary species are northern rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, and dusky rockfish. In 2012, dusky rockfish replaced the pelagic shelf rockfish species group in the GOA Groundfish Harvest Specifications (77 FR 15194, March 14, 2012). The rockfish secondary species include Pacific cod, rougheye rockfish, shortraker rockfish, sablefish, and thornyhead rockfish. Rockfish cooperatives began fishing under the Rockfish Program on May 1, 2012. The Rockfish Program is a limited access privilege program established under the provisions of section 303A of the Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). Sections 303A and 304(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act require NMFS to collect fees to recover the actual costs directly related to the management, data collection and analysis, and enforcement of any limited access privilege program. Therefore, NMFS is required to collect fees for the Rockfish Program under sections 303A and 304(d)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Section 304(d)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act also limits the cost recovery fee so that it may not exceed 3 percent of the ex-vessel value of the fish harvested under the Rockfish Program. Standard Prices NMFS calculates cost recovery fees based on standard ex-vessel value prices, rather than actual price data provided by each rockfish CQ holder. Use of standard ex-vessel prices is allowed under sections 303A and 304(d)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. NMFS generates a standard ex-vessel price for each rockfish primary and secondary species on a monthly basis to determine the average price paid per pound for all shoreside processors receiving rockfish primary and secondary species CQ. Regulations at Sec. 679.85(b)(2) require the Regional Administrator to publish rockfish standard ex-vessel values during the first quarter of each calendar year. The standard prices are described in U.S. dollars per pound for rockfish primary and secondary species CQ landings made during the previous year. Fee Percentage NMFS assesses a fee on the standard ex-vessel value of rockfish primary species and rockfish secondary species CQ harvested by rockfish cooperatives in the Central GOA and waters adjacent to the Central GOA when rockfish primary species caught by a cooperative are deducted from the Federal total allowable catch. The rockfish entry level longline fishery and trawl vessels that opt out of joining a cooperative are not subject to cost recovery fees because those participants do not receive rockfish CQ. Specific details on the Rockfish Program's cost recovery provision may be found in the implementing regulations set forth at Sec. 679.85. NMFS informs--by letter--each rockfish cooperative of the fee percentage applied to the previous year's landings and the total amount due. Fees are due on or before February 15 of each year. Failure to pay on time will result in the permit holder's rockfish quota share becoming non-transferable, and the person will be ineligible to receive any additional rockfish quota share by transfer. In addition, cooperative members will not receive any rockfish CQ the following year until full payment of the fee is received by NMFS. NMFS calculates and publishes in the Federal Register the fee percentage in the first quarter of each year according to the factors and methods described in Federal regulations at Sec. 679.85(c)(2). NMFS determines the fee percentage that applies to landings made in the previous year by dividing the total Rockfish Program management, data collection and analysis, and enforcement costs (direct program costs) during the previous year by the total standard ex-vessel value of the rockfish primary species and rockfish secondary species for all rockfish CQ landings made during the previous year (fishery value). NMFS captures the direct program costs through an established accounting system that allows staff to track labor, travel, contracts, rent, and procurement. Fee collections in any given year may be less than, or greater than, the direct program costs and fishery value for that year, because, by regulation, the fee percentage is established in the first quarter of the calendar year based on the program [[Page 2965]] costs and the fishery value of the previous calendar year. Using the fee percentage formula described above, the estimated percentage of program costs to value for the 2017 calendar year is 2.04 percent of the standard ex-vessel value. The fee percentage for 2017 is a decrease from the 2016 fee percentage of 2.54 percent (82 FR 5533, January 18, 2017). Program costs for 2017 were 46 percent lower than in 2016, with the majority of the reduction coming from personnel, overhead, and contracting costs. Table 1--Standard Ex-Vessel Prices by Species for the 2017 Rockfish Program Season in Kodiak, Alaska ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Standard ex- Species Period ending vessel price per pound ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dusky rockfish *.................. May 31.............. $0.16 June 30............. 0.16 July 31............. 0.16 August 31........... 0.16 September 30........ 0.16 October 31.......... 0.16 November 30......... 0.16 Northern rockfish................. May 31.............. 0.15 June 30............. 0.14 July 31............. 0.15 August 31........... 0.15 September 30........ 0.15 October 31.......... 0.15 November 30......... 0.15 Pacific cod....................... May 31.............. 0.36 June 30............. 0.35 July 31............. 0.35 August 31........... 0.35 September 30........ 0.35 October 31.......... 0.35 November 30......... 0.35 Pacific ocean perch............... May 31.............. 0.18 June 30............. 0.18 July 31............. 0.18 August 31........... 0.18 September 30........ 0.18 October 31.......... 0.18 November 30......... 0.18 Rougheye rockfish................. May 31.............. 0.20 June 30............. 0.20 July 31............. 0.20 August 31........... 0.20 September 30........ 0.20 October 31.......... 0.20 November 30......... 0.15 Sablefish......................... May 31.............. 3.80 June 30............. 3.27 July 31............. 3.37 August 31........... 3.37 September 30........ 3.61 October 31.......... 3.07 November 30......... 3.12 Shortraker rockfish............... May 31.............. 0.21 June 30............. 0.21 July 31............. 0.21 August 31........... 0.21 September 30........ 0.21 October 31.......... 0.21 November 30......... 0.21 Thornyhead rockfish............... May 31.............. 0.39 June 30............. 0.35 July 31............. 0.36 August 31........... 0.36 September 30........ 0.38 October 31.......... 0.37 November 30......... 0.32 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ * The pelagic shelf rockfish species group has been changed to ``dusky rockfish.'' [[Page 2966]] Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 1801 et seq.; 3631 et seq.; Pub. L. 108-447; Pub. L. 111-281. Dated: January 17, 2018. Alan D. Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018-01009 Filed 1-19-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![2964 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 14 / Monday, January 22, 2018 / Notices
Although non-emergency issues not SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: rockfish standard ex-vessel values
contained in this agenda may come during the first quarter of each calendar
Background
before this group for discussion, those year. The standard prices are described
issues may not be the subject of formal The rockfish fisheries are conducted in U.S. dollars per pound for rockfish
action during this meeting. Action will in Federal waters near Kodiak, AK, by primary and secondary species CQ
be restricted to those issues specifically trawl and longline vessels. Regulations landings made during the previous year.
identified in this notice and any issues implementing the Central Gulf of Alaska
(GOA) Rockfish Program (Rockfish Fee Percentage
arising after publication of this notice
that require emergency action under Program) are set forth at 50 CFR part NMFS assesses a fee on the standard
section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens 679. Exclusive harvesting privileges are ex-vessel value of rockfish primary
Fishery Conservation and Management allocated as quota share under the species and rockfish secondary species
Act, provided the public has been Rockfish Program for rockfish primary CQ harvested by rockfish cooperatives
notified of the intent to take final action and secondary species. Each year, in the Central GOA and waters adjacent
to address the emergency. NMFS issues rockfish primary and to the Central GOA when rockfish
secondary species cooperative quota primary species caught by a cooperative
Special Accommodations (CQ) to rockfish quota share holders to are deducted from the Federal total
These meetings are physically authorize harvest of these species. The allowable catch. The rockfish entry level
accessible to people with disabilities. rockfish primary species are northern longline fishery and trawl vessels that
Requests for auxiliary aids should be rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, and dusky opt out of joining a cooperative are not
directed to the council office (see rockfish. In 2012, dusky rockfish subject to cost recovery fees because
ADDRESSES) at least 10 days prior to the replaced the pelagic shelf rockfish those participants do not receive
meeting. species group in the GOA Groundfish rockfish CQ. Specific details on the
Harvest Specifications (77 FR 15194, Rockfish Program’s cost recovery
Note: The times and sequence specified in
March 14, 2012). The rockfish provision may be found in the
this agenda are subject to change.
secondary species include Pacific cod, implementing regulations set forth at
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. rougheye rockfish, shortraker rockfish, § 679.85.
sablefish, and thornyhead rockfish.
Dated: January 17, 2018. NMFS informs—by letter—each
Rockfish cooperatives began fishing
Tracey L. Thompson, rockfish cooperative of the fee
under the Rockfish Program on May 1,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable percentage applied to the previous
2012.
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. The Rockfish Program is a limited year’s landings and the total amount
[FR Doc. 2018–01001 Filed 1–19–18; 8:45 am] access privilege program established due. Fees are due on or before February
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P under the provisions of section 303A of 15 of each year. Failure to pay on time
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery will result in the permit holder’s
Conservation and Management Act rockfish quota share becoming non-
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (Magnuson-Stevens Act). Sections 303A transferable, and the person will be
and 304(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act ineligible to receive any additional
National Oceanic and Atmospheric rockfish quota share by transfer. In
require NMFS to collect fees to recover
Administration addition, cooperative members will not
the actual costs directly related to the
RIN 0648–XF878 management, data collection and receive any rockfish CQ the following
analysis, and enforcement of any year until full payment of the fee is
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic limited access privilege program. received by NMFS.
Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish of the Therefore, NMFS is required to collect NMFS calculates and publishes in the
Gulf of Alaska; Central Gulf of Alaska fees for the Rockfish Program under Federal Register the fee percentage in
Rockfish Program sections 303A and 304(d)(2) of the the first quarter of each year according
Magnuson-Stevens Act. Section to the factors and methods described in
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Federal regulations at § 679.85(c)(2).
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 304(d)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act
also limits the cost recovery fee so that NMFS determines the fee percentage
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), that applies to landings made in the
Commerce. it may not exceed 3 percent of the ex-
vessel value of the fish harvested under previous year by dividing the total
ACTION: Notification of standard prices Rockfish Program management, data
the Rockfish Program.
and fee percentage. collection and analysis, and
Standard Prices enforcement costs (direct program costs)
SUMMARY: NMFS publishes the standard
NMFS calculates cost recovery fees during the previous year by the total
ex-vessel prices and fee percentage for
based on standard ex-vessel value standard ex-vessel value of the rockfish
cost recovery under the Central Gulf of
prices, rather than actual price data primary species and rockfish secondary
Alaska Rockfish Program. This action is
provided by each rockfish CQ holder. species for all rockfish CQ landings
intended to provide participants in a
Use of standard ex-vessel prices is made during the previous year (fishery
rockfish cooperative with the standard
allowed under sections 303A and value). NMFS captures the direct
prices and fee percentage for the 2017
304(d)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. program costs through an established
fishing year, which was authorized from
NMFS generates a standard ex-vessel accounting system that allows staff to
May 1 through November 15. The fee
price for each rockfish primary and track labor, travel, contracts, rent, and
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
percentage is 2.04 percent. The fee
secondary species on a monthly basis to procurement. Fee collections in any
payments are due from each rockfish
determine the average price paid per given year may be less than, or greater
cooperative on or before February 15,
pound for all shoreside processors than, the direct program costs and
2018.
receiving rockfish primary and fishery value for that year, because, by
DATES: Valid on: January 22, 2018. secondary species CQ. regulation, the fee percentage is
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carl Regulations at § 679.85(b)(2) require established in the first quarter of the
Greene, 907–586–7105. the Regional Administrator to publish calendar year based on the program
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![2966 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 14 / Monday, January 22, 2018 / Notices
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 1801 et The OEAB expects that public DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
seq.; 3631 et seq.; Pub. L. 108–447; Pub. L. statements at its meetings will not be
111–281. [Docket No.: ED–2017–ICCD–0137]
repetitive of previously submitted
Dated: January 17, 2018. verbal or written statements. In general, Agency Information Collection
Alan D. Risenhoover, each individual or group making a Activities; Submission to the Office of
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, verbal presentation will be limited to Management and Budget for Review
National Marine Fisheries Service. three minutes. The Designated Federal and Approval; Comment Request;
[FR Doc. 2018–01009 Filed 1–19–18; 8:45 am] Officer must receive written comments Lender’s Application Process (LAP)
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P by January 27, 2018 to provide sufficient
AGENCY: Federal Student Aid (FSA),
time for OEAB review. Written
Department of Education (ED).
comments received after January 27,
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ACTION: Notice.
2018 will be distributed to the OEAB
National Oceanic and Atmospheric but may not be reviewed prior to the SUMMARY: In accordance with the
Administration meeting date. Seats will be available on Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ED is
a first-come, first-served basis. proposing an extension of an existing
Ocean Exploration Advisory Board Special Accommodations: These information collection.
(OEAB); the OEAB Meeting Is meetings are physically accessible to DATES: Interested persons are invited to
Scheduled for January 30–31, 2018 in people with disabilities. Requests for submit comments on or before February
Seattle, WA sign language interpretation or other 21, 2018.
auxiliary aids should be directed to ADDRESSES: To access and review all the
AGENCY: Office of Ocean Exploration
David McKinnie, Designated Federal documents related to the information
and Research (OER), National Oceanic
Officer (see below) by January 27, 2018. collection listed in this notice, please
and Atmospheric Administration
use http://www.regulations.gov by
(NOAA), Department of Commerce FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. searching the Docket ID number ED–
(DOC). David McKinnie, Designated Federal 2017–ICCD–0137. Comments submitted
ACTION: Notice of public meeting. Officer, Ocean Exploration Advisory in response to this notice should be
Board, National Oceanic and submitted electronically through the
SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the Atmospheric Administration, 7600 Sand Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://
schedule and proposed agenda of a Point Way, NE, Seattle, WA 98115, (206) www.regulations.gov by selecting the
forthcoming meeting of the Ocean 526–6950. Docket ID number or via postal mail,
Exploration Advisory Board (OEAB).
commercial delivery, or hand delivery.
OEAB members will discuss and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NOAA
Please note that comments submitted by
provide advice on Federal ocean established the OEAB under the Federal
fax or email and those submitted after
exploration programs, with a particular Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and the comment period will not be
emphasis on National Oceanic and legislation that gives the agency accepted. Written requests for
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) statutory authority to operate an ocean information or comments submitted by
Office of Ocean Exploration and exploration program and to coordinate a postal mail or delivery should be
Research (OER) activities; discuss national program of ocean exploration. addressed to the Director of the
nontraditional ocean exploration The OEAB advises NOAA leadership on Information Collection Clearance
platforms; discuss National Ocean strategic planning, exploration Division, U.S. Department of Education,
Exploration Forums; and conduct its priorities, competitive ocean 400 Maryland Avenue SW, LBJ, Room
annual review of the OER federal exploration grant programs and other 216–34, Washington, DC 20202–4537.
funding opportunity process; and other matters as the NOAA Administrator FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
matters as described in the agenda requests.
found on the OEAB website at http:// specific questions related to collection
oeab.noaa.gov. OEAB members represent government activities, please contact Beth
agencies, the private sector, academic Grebeldinger, 202–377–4018.
DATES: The announced meeting is institutions, and not-for-profit SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
scheduled for Tuesday, January 30, 2018 institutions involved in all facets of Department of Education (ED), in
from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST and accordance with the Paperwork
ocean exploration—from advanced
Wednesday, January 31, 2018 from 9:00 Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C.
technology to citizen exploration.
to 5:00 p.m. PST. 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at:
In addition to advising NOAA
public and Federal agencies with an
School of Oceanography, University of leadership, NOAA expects the OEAB to opportunity to comment on proposed,
Washington, 1503 NE Boat Street, help to define and develop a national revised, and continuing collections of
Seattle, WA 98105. program of ocean exploration—a information. This helps the Department
Status: The meeting will be open to network of stakeholders and assess the impact of its information
the public with a 15-minute public partnerships advancing national collection requirements and minimize
comment period on Tuesday, January priorities for ocean exploration. the public’s reporting burden. It also
30, 2018 from 11:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Dated: January 11, 2018. helps the public understand the
PST (please check the final agenda on David Holst, Department’s information collection
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
the website to confirm the time). The requirements and provide the requested
Chief Financial Officer, Office of Oceanic and
public may listen to the meeting and Atmospheric Research, National Oceanic and
data in the desired format. ED is
provide comments during the public Atmospheric Administration. soliciting comments on the proposed
comment period via teleconference. information collection request (ICR) that
[FR Doc. 2018–01040 Filed 1–19–18; 8:45 am]
Dial-in information may be found on the is described below. The Department of
BILLING CODE 3510–KA–P
meeting agenda posted to the OEAB Education is especially interested in
website. public comment addressing the
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Document Created: 2018-01-23 21:35:53
Document Modified: 2018-01-23 21:35:53
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notification of standard prices and fee percentage. | |
| Dates | Valid on: January 22, 2018. | |
| Contact | Carl Greene, 907-586-7105. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 2964 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF87 |
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