83 FR 50036 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 193 (October 4, 2018)

Page Range		50036-50037
FR Document		2018-21600

NMFS is exchanging allocations of Amendment 80 cooperative quota (CQ) for Amendment 80 acceptable biological catch (ABC) reserves and Community Development Quota (CDQ) reserves in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to allow the 2018 total allowable catch of flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area to be harvested.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 193 (Thursday, October 4, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 193 (Thursday, October 4, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50036-50037]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-21600]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 170817779-8186-02]
RIN 0648-XG508

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of
Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is exchanging allocations of Amendment 80 cooperative
quota (CQ) for Amendment 80 acceptable biological catch (ABC) reserves
and Community Development Quota (CDQ) reserves in the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to allow the
2018 total allowable catch of flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin
sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area to be
harvested.

DATES: Effective October 4, 2018 through December 31, 2018.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) 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 flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole Amendment 80
allocations of the total allowable catch (TAC) specified in the BSAI
are 8,949 metric tons (mt), 36,060 mt, and 115,171 mt as established by
the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for groundfish in the
BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27, 2018). The 2018 flathead sole, rock
sole, and yellowfin sole Amendment 80 ABC reserves are 46,680 mt,
85,728 mt, and 110,286 mt as established by the final 2018 and 2019
harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (83 FR 8365, February
27, 2018). The 2018 flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole CDQ
reserves specified in the BSAI are 1,552 mt, 5,040 mt, and 16,478 mt as
established by the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27, 2018). The 2018
flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves are 5,593
mt, 10,272 mt, and 13,215 mt as established by the final 2018 and 2019
harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (83 FR 8365, February
27, 2018).
The Alaska Seafood Cooperative has requested that NMFS exchange
3,650 mt of rock sole Amendment 80 allocations of the TAC for 2,650 mt
of flathead sole and 1,000 mt of yellowfin sole Amendment 80 ABC
reserves under Sec. 679.91(i). Therefore, in accordance with Sec.
679.91(i), NMFS exchanges 3,650 mt of rock sole Amendment 80
allocations of the TAC for 2,650 mt of flathead sole and 1,000 mt of
yellowfin sole Amendment 80 ABC reserves in the BSAI. This action also
decreases and increases the TACs and Amendment 80 ABC reserves by the
corresponding amounts.
The Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association has
requested that NMFS exchange 250 mt of rock sole CDQ reserves for 250
mt of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves under Sec. 679.31(d). Therefore,
in accordance with Sec. 679.31(d), NMFS exchanges 250 mt of rock sole
CDQ reserves for 250 mt of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves in the BSAI.
This action also decreases and increases the TACs and CDQ ABC reserves
by the corresponding amounts.
The Coastal Villages Regional Fund has requested that NMFS exchange
45 mt of flathead sole CDQ reserves and 250 mt of rock sole CDQ
reserves for 295 mt of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves under Sec.
679.31(d). Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.31(d), NMFS
exchanges 45 mt of flathead sole CDQ reserves and 250 mt of rock sole
CDQ reserves for 295 mt of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves in the BSAI.
This action also decreases and increases the TACs and CDQ ABC reserves
by the corresponding amounts.
Tables 11 and 13 of the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications
for groundfish in the BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27, 2018), are revised
as follows:

[[Page 50037]]

Table 11--Final 2018 Community Development Quota (CDQ) Reserves, Incidental Catch Amounts (ICAS), and Amendment 80 Allocations of the Aleutian Islands
Pacific Ocean Perch, and BSAI Flathead Sole, Rock Sole, and Yellowfin Sole TACs
[Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch Flathead sole Rock sole Yellowfin sole
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector Eastern Central Western
Aleutian Aleutian Aleutian BSAI BSAI BSAI
district district district
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAC..................................................... 9,000 7,500 9,000 17,105 42,950 155,545
CDQ..................................................... 963 803 963 1,507 4,540 17,023
ICA..................................................... 100 120 10 4,000 6,000 4,000
BSAI trawl limited access............................... 794 658 161 0 0 18,351
Amendment 80............................................ 7,143 5,920 7,866 11,599 32,410 116,171
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.

Table 13--Final 2018 and 2019 ABC Surplus, ABC Reserves, Community Development Quota (CDQ) ABC Reserves, and Amendment 80 ABC Reserves in the BSAI for
Flathead Sole, Rock Sole, and Yellowfin Sole
[Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2018 Flathead 2018 Yellowfin 2019 \1\ 2019 \1\ Rock 2019 \1\
Sector sole 2018 Rock sole sole Flathead sole sole Yellowfin sole
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABC..................................................... 66,773 143,100 277,500 65,227 132,000 267,500
TAC..................................................... 17,105 42,950 155,545 16,500 49,100 156,000
ABC surplus............................................. 49,668 100,150 121,955 48,727 82,900 111,500
ABC reserve............................................. 49,668 100,150 121,955 48,727 82,900 111,500
CDQ ABC reserve......................................... 5,638 10,772 12,670 5,214 8,870 11,931
Amendment 80 ABC reserve................................ 44,030 89,378 109,286 43,513 74,030 99,570
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\1\ The 2019 allocations for Amendment 80 species between Amendment 80 cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited access sector will not be known until
eligible participants apply for participation in the program by November 1, 2018.

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 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 flatfish exchange by the Alaska Seafood Cooperative,
the Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association, and the
Coastal Villages Regional Fund in the BSAI. Since these fisheries are
currently open, it is important to immediately inform the industry as
to the revised allocations. Immediate notification is necessary to
allow for the orderly conduct and efficient operation of this fishery,
to allow the industry to plan for the fishing season, and to avoid
potential disruption to the fishing fleet as well as processors. NMFS
was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment
because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of
September 21, 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 required by Sec. 679.20 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.

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

Dated: September 28, 2018.
Margo B. Schulze-Haugen,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-21600 Filed 10-3-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

50036 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 193 / Thursday, October 4, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

large print, computer diskettes, or audio DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE harvest specifications for groundfish in
recordings), please send an email to the BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27,
FCC504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & National Oceanic and Atmospheric 2018). The 2018 flathead sole, rock sole,
Government Affairs Bureau at (202) Administration and yellowfin sole CDQ reserves
418–0530 (VOICE), (202) 418–0432 specified in the BSAI are 1,552 mt,
(TTY). 50 CFR Part 679 5,040 mt, and 16,478 mt as established
[Docket No. 170817779–8186–02] by the final 2018 and 2019 harvest
This document does not contain
specifications for groundfish in the
information collection requirements RIN 0648–XG508 BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27, 2018).
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act The 2018 flathead sole, rock sole, and
of 1995, Public Law 104–13. In addition, Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves are
therefore, it does not contain any Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish
5,593 mt, 10,272 mt, and 13,215 mt as
proposed information collection burden in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
established by the final 2018 and 2019
‘‘for small business concerns with fewer Management Area
harvest specifications for groundfish in
than 25 employees,’’ pursuant to the AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries the BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27,
Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 2018).
2002, Public Law 107–198, see 44 U.S.C. Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), The Alaska Seafood Cooperative has
3506(c)(4). Provisions of the Regulatory Commerce. requested that NMFS exchange 3,650 mt
Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 601– ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation. of rock sole Amendment 80 allocations
612, do not apply to this proceeding. of the TAC for 2,650 mt of flathead sole
SUMMARY: NMFS is exchanging and 1,000 mt of yellowfin sole
The Commission will send a copy of allocations of Amendment 80
this Report and Order in a report to be Amendment 80 ABC reserves under
cooperative quota (CQ) for Amendment § 679.91(i). Therefore, in accordance
sent to Congress and the Government 80 acceptable biological catch (ABC)
Accountability Office pursuant to the with § 679.91(i), NMFS exchanges 3,650
reserves and Community Development mt of rock sole Amendment 80
Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. Quota (CDQ) reserves in the Bering Sea allocations of the TAC for 2,650 mt of
801(a)(1)(A). and Aleutian Islands management area. flathead sole and 1,000 mt of yellowfin
List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 73 This action is necessary to allow the sole Amendment 80 ABC reserves in the
2018 total allowable catch of flathead BSAI. This action also decreases and
Television. sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole in the increases the TACs and Amendment 80
Federal Communications Commission.
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands ABC reserves by the corresponding
management area to be harvested. amounts.
Barbara Kreisman,
DATES: Effective October 4, 2018 The Aleutian Pribilof Island
Chief, Video Division, Media Bureau. through December 31, 2018. Community Development Association
Final Rule FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: has requested that NMFS exchange 250
Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. mt of rock sole CDQ reserves for 250 mt
For the reasons discussed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves
preamble, the Federal Communications manages the groundfish fishery in the under § 679.31(d). Therefore, in
Commission amends 47 CFR part 73 as Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands accordance with § 679.31(d), NMFS
follows: management area (BSAI) according to exchanges 250 mt of rock sole CDQ
the Fishery Management Plan for reserves for 250 mt of yellowfin sole
■ 1. The authority citation for part 73
Groundfish of the Bering Sea and CDQ ABC reserves in the BSAI. This
continues to read as follows:
Aleutian Islands Management Area action also decreases and increases the
Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, 336, (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific TACs and CDQ ABC reserves by the
and 339. Fishery Management Council under corresponding amounts.
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens The Coastal Villages Regional Fund
§ 73.622 [Amended]
Fishery Conservation and Management has requested that NMFS exchange 45
■ 2. Amend § 73.622(i) in the Post- Act. Regulations governing fishing by mt of flathead sole CDQ reserves and
Transition Table of DTV Allotments U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP 250 mt of rock sole CDQ reserves for 295
under Rhode Island by removing Block appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 mt of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves
Island, channel 17, and adding, in and 50 CFR part 679. under § 679.31(d). Therefore, in
alphabetical order, Newport, channel The 2018 flathead sole, rock sole, and accordance with § 679.31(d), NMFS
yellowfin sole Amendment 80 exchanges 45 mt of flathead sole CDQ
17.
allocations of the total allowable catch reserves and 250 mt of rock sole CDQ
[FR Doc. 2018–21071 Filed 10–3–18; 8:45 am] (TAC) specified in the BSAI are 8,949 reserves for 295 mt of yellowfin sole
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P metric tons (mt), 36,060 mt, and 115,171 CDQ ABC reserves in the BSAI. This
mt as established by the final 2018 and action also decreases and increases the
2019 harvest specifications for TACs and CDQ ABC reserves by the
groundfish in the BSAI (83 FR 8365, corresponding amounts.
February 27, 2018). The 2018 flathead Tables 11 and 13 of the final 2018 and
sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole 2019 harvest specifications for
Amendment 80 ABC reserves are 46,680 groundfish in the BSAI (83 FR 8365,
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES

mt, 85,728 mt, and 110,286 mt as February 27, 2018), are revised as
established by the final 2018 and 2019 follows:

VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:25 Oct 03, 2018 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\04OCR1.SGM 04OCR1

$Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 193 / Thursday, October 4, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 50037 TABLE 11—FINAL 2018 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT QUOTA (CDQ) RESERVES, INCIDENTAL CATCH AMOUNTS (ICAS), AND AMENDMENT 80 ALLOCATIONS OF THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH, AND BSAI FLATHEAD SOLE, ROCK SOLE, AND YELLOWFIN SOLE TACS [Amounts are in metric tons] Pacific ocean perch Flathead sole Rock sole Yellowfin sole Sector Eastern Central Western Aleutian Aleutian Aleutian BSAI BSAI BSAI district district district TAC .......................................................... 9,000 7,500 9,000 17,105 42,950 155,545 CDQ ......................................................... 963 803 963 1,507 4,540 17,023 ICA ........................................................... 100 120 10 4,000 6,000 4,000 BSAI trawl limited access ........................ 794 658 161 0 0 18,351 Amendment 80 ......................................... 7,143 5,920 7,866 11,599 32,410 116,171 Note: Sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding. TABLE 13—FINAL 2018 AND 2019 ABC SURPLUS, ABC RESERVES, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT QUOTA (CDQ) ABC RESERVES, AND AMENDMENT 80 ABC RESERVES IN THE BSAI FOR FLATHEAD SOLE, ROCK SOLE, AND YELLOWFIN SOLE [Amounts are in metric tons] 2018 2018 2018 2019 1 2019 1 2019 1 Sector Flathead sole Rock sole Yellowfin sole Flathead sole Rock sole Yellowfin sole ABC .......................................................... 66,773 143,100 277,500 65,227 132,000 267,500 TAC .......................................................... 17,105 42,950 155,545 16,500 49,100 156,000 ABC surplus ............................................. 49,668 100,150 121,955 48,727 82,900 111,500 ABC reserve ............................................. 49,668 100,150 121,955 48,727 82,900 111,500 CDQ ABC reserve ................................... 5,638 10,772 12,670 5,214 8,870 11,931 Amendment 80 ABC reserve ................... 44,030 89,378 109,286 43,513 74,030 99,570 1 The 2019 allocations for Amendment 80 species between Amendment 80 cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited access sector will not be known until eligible participants apply for participation in the program by November 1, 2018. Classification Aleutian Pribilof Island Community The AA also finds good cause to This action responds to the best Development Association, and the waive the 30-day delay in the effective available information recently obtained Coastal Villages Regional Fund in the date of this action under 5 U.S.C. from the fishery. The Assistant BSAI. Since these fisheries are currently 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA open, it is important to immediately the reasons provided above for waiver of (AA), finds good cause to waive the inform the industry as to the revised prior notice and opportunity for public requirement to provide prior notice and allocations. Immediate notification is comment. opportunity for public comment necessary to allow for the orderly This action is required by § 679.20 pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 conduct and efficient operation of this and is exempt from review under U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is fishery, to allow the industry to plan for Executive Order 12866. impracticable and contrary to the public the fishing season, and to avoid Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. interest. This requirement is potential disruption to the fishing fleet impracticable and contrary to the public Dated: September 28, 2018. as well as processors. NMFS was unable interest as it would prevent NMFS from Margo B. Schulze-Haugen, to publish a notice providing time for responding to the most recent fisheries Acting Director, Office of Sustainable public comment because the most Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. data in a timely fashion and would recent, relevant data only became delay the flatfish exchange by the [FR Doc. 2018–21600 Filed 10–3–18; 8:45 am] available as of September 21, 2018. Alaska Seafood Cooperative, the BILLING CODE 3510–22–P daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:25 Oct 03, 2018 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\04OCR1.SGM 04OCR1$

Document Created: 2018-10-04 02:03:21
Document Modified: 2018-10-04 02:03:21

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 October 4, 2018 through December 31, 2018.
Contact		Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation		83 FR 50036
RIN Number		0648-XG50

83 FR 50036 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 193 (October 4, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration