| Page Range | 50036-50037 | |
| FR Document | 2018-21600 |
[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] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \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
| 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 |