83 FR 42802 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pollock in the Bering Sea Subarea

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 165 (August 24, 2018)

Page Range		42802-42804
FR Document		2018-18348

NMFS is reallocating projected unused amounts of Bering Sea subarea pollock from the incidental catch allowance to the directed fisheries. This action is necessary to allow the 2018 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock to be harvested.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 165 (Friday, August 24, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 165 (Friday, August 24, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42802-42804]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18348]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 170817779-8161-02]
RIN 0648-XG444


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation 
of Pollock in the Bering Sea Subarea

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating projected unused amounts of Bering Sea 
subarea pollock from the incidental catch allowance to the directed 
fisheries. This action is necessary to allow the 2018 total allowable 
catch (TAC) of pollock to be harvested.

DATES: Effective August 21, 2018, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 
2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
BSAI exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan 
for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area 
(FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under 
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act. Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with 
the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
    The 2018 pollock incidental catch allowance in the Bering Sea 
subarea was established as 47,888 metric tons (mt) by the 2018 and 2019 
final harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (83 FR 8365, 
February 27, 2018), and as adjusted by reallocations (83 FR 9235, March 
5, 2018), in accordance with Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(1) and the 
American Fisheries Act (AFA) (Pub. L. 105-277, Division C, Title II).
    As of August 16, 2018, the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has 
determined that approximately 19,700 (mt) of pollock remain in the 
incidental catch allowance. Based on projected harvest rates of other 
groundfish species and the expected incidental catch of pollock in 
those fisheries, the Regional Administrator has determined that 2,500 
mt of pollock specified in the incidental catch allowance will not be 
necessary as incidental catch. Therefore, NMFS is

[[Page 42803]]

apportioning the projected unused amount, 2,500 mt, of pollock from the 
incidental catch allowance to the directed fishing allowances 
established pursuant to Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(i)(A). Pursuant to the 
pollock allocation requirements set forth in Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(i), 
this transfer will increase the allocation to catcher vessels 
harvesting pollock for processing by the inshore component by 1,250 mt, 
to catcher/processors and catcher vessels harvesting pollock for 
processing by catcher/processors in the offshore component by 1,000 mt, 
and to catcher vessels harvesting pollock for processing by motherships 
in the offshore component by 250 mt. Pursuant to Sec.  
679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4)(ii), 8.5 percent of the 915 mt allocated to 
catcher/processors in the offshore component, 85 mt, will be available 
for harvest only by eligible catcher vessels delivering to listed 
catcher/processors. Pursuant to Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4)(iii), an 
additional 5 mt or 0.5 percent of the catcher/processor sector 
allocation of pollock will be available to unlisted AFA catcher/
processors.
    Pursuant to Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), Table 5 of the 2018 and 2019 
final harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI are revised as 
follows:

    Table 5--Final 2018 Allocations of Pollock TACs to the Directed Pollock Fisheries and to the CDQ Directed
                                          Fishing Allowances (DFA) \1\
                                          [Amounts are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     2018 A season \1\            2018 B season
                                                           ------------------------------------        \1\
             Area and sector              2018 Allocations                       SCA harvest   -----------------
                                                              A season DFA        limit \2\       B season DFA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bering Sea subarea TAC \1\..............         1,378,441               n/a               n/a               n/a
CDQ DFA.................................           138,334            62,250            38,734            76,084
ICA \1\.................................            45,388               n/a               n/a               n/a
Total Bering Sea non-CDQ DFA............         1,194,719           537,624           334,521           657,095
AFA Inshore.............................           597,359           268,812           167,261           328,548
AFA Catcher/Processors \3\..............           477,888           215,049           133,809           262,838
    Catch by C/Ps.......................           437,267           196,770               n/a           240,497
    Catch by CVs \3\....................            40,620            18,279               n/a            22,341
    Unlisted C/P Limit \4\..............             2,389             1,075               n/a             1,314
AFA Motherships.........................           119,472            53,762            33,452            65,710
Excessive Harvesting Limit \5\..........           209,076               n/a               n/a               n/a
Excessive Processing Limit \6\..........           358,416               n/a               n/a               n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aleutian Islands subarea ABC............            40,788               n/a               n/a               n/a
Aleutian Islands subarea TAC \1\........             4,900               n/a               n/a               n/a
CDQ DFA.................................                 0                 0               n/a                 0
ICA.....................................             2,400             1,200               n/a             1,200
Aleut Corporation.......................             2,500             2,500               n/a                 0
Area harvest limit \7\..................               n/a               n/a               n/a               n/a
    541.................................            12,236               n/a               n/a               n/a
    542.................................             6,118               n/a               n/a               n/a
    543.................................             2,039               n/a               n/a               n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bogoslof District ICA \8\...............               450               n/a               n/a               n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Pursuant to Sec.   679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), the Bering Sea subarea pollock, after subtracting the CDQ DFA (10
  percent) and the ICA (45,388 mt), is allocated as a DFA as follows: Inshore sector--50 percent, catcher/
  processor sector (C/P)--40 percent, and mothership sector--10 percent. In the Bering Sea subarea, 45 percent
  of the DFA is allocated to the A season (January 20-June 10) and 55 percent of the DFA is allocated to the B
  season (June 10-November 1). Pursuant to Sec.   679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2)(i) through (iii), the annual Aleutian
  Islands pollock TAC, after subtracting first for the CDQ directed fishing allowance (10 percent) and second
  for the ICA (2,400 mt), is allocated to the Aleut Corporation for a pollock directed fishery. In the Aleutian
  Islands subarea, the A season is allocated up to 40 percent of the ABC and the B season is allocated the
  remainder of the pollock directed fishery.
\2\ In the Bering Sea subarea, pursuant to Sec.   679.20(a)(5)(i)(C), no more than 28 percent of each sector's
  annual DFA may be taken from the SCA before noon, April 1.
\3\ Pursuant to Sec.   679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4), not less than 8.5 percent of the DFA allocated to listed catcher/
  processors shall be available for harvest only by eligible catcher vessels delivering to listed catcher/
  processors.
\4\ Pursuant to Sec.   679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4)(iii), the AFA unlisted catcher/processors are limited to harvesting
  not more than 0.5 percent of the catcher/processors sector's allocation of pollock.
\5\ Pursuant to Sec.   679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(6), NMFS establishes an excessive harvesting share limit equal to 17.5
  percent of the sum of the non-CDQ pollock DFAs.
\6\ Pursuant to Sec.   679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(7), NMFS establishes an excessive processing share limit equal to 30.0
  percent of the sum of the non-CDQ pollock DFAs.
\7\ Pursuant to Sec.   679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(6), NMFS establishes harvest limits for pollock in the A season in
  Area 541 of no more than 30 percent, in Area 542 of no more than 15 percent, and in Area 543 of no more than 5
  percent of the Aleutian Islands pollock ABC.
\8\ Pursuant to Sec.   679.22(a)(7)(i)(B), the Bogoslof District is closed to directed fishing for pollock. The
  amounts specified are for ICA only and are not apportioned by season or sector.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, 
NOAA, (AA) finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior 
notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set 
forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such a requirement is impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest. This requirement is impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest as it would prevent NMFS from 
responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and 
would delay the reallocation of projected unused amounts of Bering Sea 
subarea

[[Page 42804]]

pollock from the incidental catch allowance to the directed fisheries. 
NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment 
because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of 
August 16, 2018.
    The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the 
effective date of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This finding is 
based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and 
opportunity for public comment.
    This action is taken under 50 CFR 679.20, and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: August 21, 2018.
Margo B. Schulze-Haugen,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-18348 Filed 8-21-18; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

42802 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 165 / Friday, August 24, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

(bb) Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head, Daily Bag Limit for Ducks: 10 ducks, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Aquinnah, Massachusetts (Tribal including no more than 2 female
Members Only). mallards, 2 pintail, and 2 canvasback. National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Teal Mergansers
Season Dates: Open October 8, 2018, 50 CFR Part 679
through February 16, 2019. Season Dates: Open September 8
Daily Bag Limits: 10 teal. through December 16, 2018. [Docket No. 170817779–8161–02]
Daily Bag Limit for Mergansers: Five RIN 0648–XG444
Ducks
mergansers, including no more than two
Season Dates: Open October 8, 2018, hooded mergansers. Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
through February 16, 2019. Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of
Daily Bag Limits: Six ducks, including Geese Pollock in the Bering Sea Subarea
no more than four hen mallards, six
black ducks, four mottled ducks, one Season Dates: Open September 1 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
fulvous whistling duck, four through December 15, 2018. Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
mergansers, three scaup, two hooded Daily Bag Limit: 10 geese through Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
merganser, three wood ducks, one September 221, and 5 thereafter. Commerce.
canvasback, two redheads, and two ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation.
pintail. The season is closed for Coots
SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating
harlequin ducks. Season Dates: Open September 1 projected unused amounts of Bering Sea
Sea Ducks through November 30, 2018. subarea pollock from the incidental
Season Dates: Open October 1, 2018, Daily Bag Limit: 20 coots. catch allowance to the directed
through February 16, 2019. fisheries. This action is necessary to
Daily Bag Limits: Seven ducks Snipe allow the 2018 total allowable catch
including no more than four of any one (TAC) of pollock to be harvested.
Season Dates: Open September 1
species (only one of which may be a hen DATES: Effective August 21, 2018, until
through November 30, 2018.
eider). 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2018.
Daily Bag Limit: 10 snipe. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Woodcock
Mourning Dove Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228.
Season Dates: Open October 8 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
through November 24, 2018. Season Dates: Open September 1 manages the groundfish fishery in the
Daily Bag Limits: Three woodcock. through November 30, 2018. BSAI exclusive economic zone
Canada Geese Daily Bag Limit: 25 mourning dove. according to the Fishery Management
Season Dates: Open September 3 Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea
Woodcock and Aleutian Islands Management Area
through 15, 2018, and open October 22,
2018, through February 16, 2019. (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific
Season Dates: Open September 1
Daily Bag Limits: Eight Canada geese. Fishery Management Council under
through November 30, 2018.
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens
Snow Geese Daily Bag Limit: 10 woodcock. Fishery Conservation and Management
Season Dates: Open September 3 Rail Act. Regulations governing fishing by
through 13, 2018, and open November U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP
19, 2018, through February 16, 2019. Season Dates: Open September 1 appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600
Daily Bag Limits: 15 snow geese. through November 30, 2018. and 50 CFR part 679.
The 2018 pollock incidental catch
Sora and Virginia Rails Daily Bag Limit: 25 rail. allowance in the Bering Sea subarea was
Season Dates: Open September 3 General Conditions: Shooting hours established as 47,888 metric tons (mt)
through November 3, 2018. by the 2018 and 2019 final harvest
are one-half hour before sunrise to one-
Daily Bag Limits: 5 sora and 10 specifications for groundfish in the
Virginia rails. half hour after sunset. Nontoxic shot is
required. All other basic Federal BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27, 2018),
Snipe migratory bird hunting regulations and as adjusted by reallocations (83 FR
9235, March 5, 2018), in accordance
Season Dates: Open September 3 contained in 50 CFR part 20 will be
with § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(1) and the
through December 8, 2018. observed.
American Fisheries Act (AFA) (Pub. L.
Daily Bag Limits: Eight snipe. Dated: August 17, 2018. 105–277, Division C, Title II).
General Conditions: Shooting hours Andrea Travnicek, As of August 16, 2018, the
are one-half hour before sunrise to Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary—Water Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS,
sunset. Nontoxic shot is required. All and Science, Exercising the Authority of the has determined that approximately
other basic Federal migratory bird Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and 19,700 (mt) of pollock remain in the
hunting regulations contained in 50 CFR Parks . incidental catch allowance. Based on
part 20 will be observed. [FR Doc. 2018–18382 Filed 8–23–18; 8:45 am] projected harvest rates of other
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES

(cc) White Earth Band of Ojibwe, BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
groundfish species and the expected
White Earth, Minnesota (Tribal incidental catch of pollock in those
Members Only). fisheries, the Regional Administrator
has determined that 2,500 mt of pollock
Ducks specified in the incidental catch
Season Dates: Open September 8 allowance will not be necessary as
through December 16, 2018. incidental catch. Therefore, NMFS is

VerDate Sep<11>2014 00:53 Aug 24, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\24AUR1.SGM 24AUR1

$42804 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 165 / Friday, August 24, 2018 / Rules and Regulations pollock from the incidental catch date of this action under 5 U.S.C. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. allowance to the directed fisheries. 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon Dated: August 21, 2018. NMFS was unable to publish a notice the reasons provided above for waiver of Margo B. Schulze-Haugen, providing time for public comment prior notice and opportunity for public because the most recent, relevant data Acting Director, Office of Sustainable comment. Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. only became available as of August 16, This action is taken under 50 CFR [FR Doc. 2018–18348 Filed 8–21–18; 4:15 pm] 2018. The AA also finds good cause to 679.20, and is exempt from review BILLING CODE 3510–22–P waive the 30-day delay in the effective under Executive Order 12866. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES VerDate Sep<11>2014 00:53 Aug 24, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\24AUR1.SGM 24AUR1$

Document Created: 2018-08-24 04:13:13
Document Modified: 2018-08-24 04:13:13

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Rules and Regulations
Action		Temporary rule; reallocation.
Dates		Effective August 21, 2018, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2018.
Contact		Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation		83 FR 42802
RIN Number		0648-XG44

83 FR 42802 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pollock in the Bering Sea Subarea

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 165 (August 24, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration