83 FR 5051 - Pacific Island Fisheries; 2017 Hawaii Kona Crab Annual Catch Limit and Accountability Measure
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 24 (February 5, 2018)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 24 (February 5, 2018)
| Page Range | 5051-5052 | |
| FR Document | 2018-02162 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 24 (Monday, February 5, 2018)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 5051-5052] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-02162] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 665 [Docket No. 170915903-8077-02] RIN 0648-XF706 Pacific Island Fisheries; 2017 Hawaii Kona Crab Annual Catch Limit and Accountability Measure AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce. ACTION: Final specification. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In this final rule, NMFS specifies an annual catch limit (ACL) for 2017 of 3,500 lb for Hawaii Kona crab, and an accountability measure (AM) to correct or mitigate any overages of the catch limit. The ACL and AM support the long-term sustainability of fishery resources of the U.S. Pacific Islands. DATES: The final specification is effective March 7, 2018. The final specification is applicable from January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2017. ADDRESSES: The Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the Hawaiian Archipelago is available from the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, tel 808- 522-8220, fax 808-522-8226, or http://www.wpcouncil.org. Copies of the environmental analysis and other supporting documents for this action, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2017-0012, are available at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-0012, or from Michael D. Tosatto, Regional Administrator, NMFS Pacific Islands Region (PIR), 1845 Wasp Blvd. Bldg. 176, Honolulu, HI 96818. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Ellgen, NMFS PIR Sustainable Fisheries, 808-725-5173. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS is specifying an ACL of 3,500 lb of Hawaii Kona crab for fishing year 2017. NMFS proposed this specification on December 20, 2017 (82 FR 60366), and the final specification does not differ from the proposed. The 2017 fishing year began on January 1 and ended on December 31. The Council recommended the ACL based on a recommended acceptable biological catch of 3,500 lb from its Scientific and Statistical Committee, and the results of an October 2015 stock assessment. The stock assessment found that the Hawaii Kona crab stock had reached an overfished status (<50 percent of BMSY , biomass at maximum sustainable yield) in 2006, and was likely still overfished in 2010. The assessment also included biomass projections for 2010-2030 under three commercial landings scenarios: Zero lb, 7,000 lb, and 8,000 lb. At a constant 7,000-lb annual commercial harvest rate, the assessment estimated that Kona crab biomass would increase above 50 percent of BMSY by 2030, but due to uncertainty, there was a chance that stock biomass could potentially decline to zero lb by 2020. In developing the ACL, the Council also considered information indicating a 50:50 male to female landings ratio, and information suggesting that crabs disentangled from Kona crab may have injuries that could result in mortality rates as high as 100 percent if limbs are lost. Therefore, to meet the objective of rebuilding stock biomass to levels >50 percent of BMSY , and limit total fishing mortality to 7,000 lb, the Council recommended an ACL of 3,500 lb. NMFS is planning to complete a benchmark assessment for Hawaii Kona crab in 2019, which could be available for management use in fishing year 2020. As an AM, NMFS will apply a 3-year average catch to evaluate fishery performance against the ACL. Specifically, NMFS will use the average catch of fishing years 2015, 2016, and 2017, to evaluate fishery performance against the 2017 ACL. If, after the end of the fishing year, NMFS and the Council determine that the 3-year average catch exceeded the specified ACL, NMFS and the Council will reduce the ACL for that fishery by the amount of the overage in the subsequent year. The Council recommended an AM based on multi-year average catch data to reduce the influence of inter-annual variability in catch estimates in evaluating fishery performance against the ACL. You may review additional background information on this action in the preamble to the proposed specification (82 FR 60366; December 20, 2017); we do not repeat that information here. Comments and Responses The comment period for the proposed specification ended on January 4, 2018. NMFS received two public comments that were not relevant to this rulemaking. Changes From the Proposed Specification There are no changes in the final specification from the proposed specification. Classification The Regional Administrator, NMFS PIR, determined that this action is necessary for the conservation and management of Pacific Island fisheries, and that it is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and other applicable laws. The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration during the proposed rule stage that this action would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small [[Page 5052]] entities. NMFS published the factual basis for certification in the proposed specification, and does not repeat it here. NMFS did not receive comments regarding the certification and has no reason to think that anything has changed to affect it. As a result, a final regulatory flexibility analysis is not required, and one was not prepared. This action is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: January 30, 2018. Samuel D. Rauch, III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018-02162 Filed 2-2-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 24 / Monday, February 5, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 5051
Scaup ACTION: Final specification. information suggesting that crabs
Season Dates: Open November 4, disentangled from Kona crab may have
SUMMARY: In this final rule, NMFS injuries that could result in mortality
2017, through January 28, 2018. specifies an annual catch limit (ACL) for
Daily Bag Limits: Seven including no rates as high as 100 percent if limbs are
2017 of 3,500 lb for Hawaii Kona crab, lost. Therefore, to meet the objective of
more than two redheads, one pintail, and an accountability measure (AM) to
three scaup (when open), seven rebuilding stock biomass to levels >50
correct or mitigate any overages of the percent of BMSY, and limit total fishing
mallards (including no more than two catch limit. The ACL and AM support
hen mallards), and two canvasback. mortality to 7,000 lb, the Council
the long-term sustainability of fishery recommended an ACL of 3,500 lb.
Possession Limits: Twice the daily bag
resources of the U.S. Pacific Islands. NMFS is planning to complete a
limit.
DATES: The final specification is benchmark assessment for Hawaii Kona
Coots effective March 7, 2018. The final crab in 2019, which could be available
Season Dates: Open October 14, 2017, specification is applicable from January for management use in fishing year
through January 28, 2018. 1, 2017, through December 31, 2017. 2020.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 25 ADDRESSES: The Fishery Ecosystem Plan As an AM, NMFS will apply a 3-year
and 50, respectively. for the Hawaiian Archipelago is average catch to evaluate fishery
available from the Western Pacific performance against the ACL.
Canada Geese Specifically, NMFS will use the average
Fishery Management Council (Council),
Season Dates: Open October 14, 2017, 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, catch of fishing years 2015, 2016, and
through January 28, 2018. HI 96813, tel 808–522–8220, fax 808– 2017, to evaluate fishery performance
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 522–8226, or http://www.wpcouncil.org. against the 2017 ACL. If, after the end
Three and six Canada geese, Copies of the environmental analysis of the fishing year, NMFS and the
respectively. and other supporting documents for this Council determine that the 3-year
General Conditions: All nontribal action, identified by NOAA–NMFS– average catch exceeded the specified
hunters hunting band-tailed pigeons 2017–0012, are available at http:// ACL, NMFS and the Council will reduce
and mourning doves on Reservation www.regulations.gov/ the ACL for that fishery by the amount
lands shall have in their possession a #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017- of the overage in the subsequent year.
valid White Mountain Apache Daily or 0012, or from Michael D. Tosatto, The Council recommended an AM
Yearly Small Game Permit. In addition Regional Administrator, NMFS Pacific based on multi-year average catch data
to a small game permit, all nontribal Islands Region (PIR), 1845 Wasp Blvd. to reduce the influence of inter-annual
hunters hunting band-tailed pigeons Bldg. 176, Honolulu, HI 96818. variability in catch estimates in
must have in their possession a White FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: evaluating fishery performance against
Mountain Special Band-tailed Pigeon Sarah Ellgen, NMFS PIR Sustainable the ACL.
Permit. Other special regulations Fisheries, 808–725–5173. You may review additional
established by the White Mountain background information on this action
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS is
Apache Tribe apply on the reservation. in the preamble to the proposed
Tribal and nontribal hunters will specifying an ACL of 3,500 lb of Hawaii
Kona crab for fishing year 2017. NMFS specification (82 FR 60366; December
comply with all basic Federal migratory 20, 2017); we do not repeat that
bird hunting regulations in 50 CFR part proposed this specification on
December 20, 2017 (82 FR 60366), and information here.
20 regarding shooting hours and manner
of taking. the final specification does not differ Comments and Responses
from the proposed. The 2017 fishing The comment period for the proposed
Dated: January 16, 2018. year began on January 1 and ended on
Jason Larrabee,
specification ended on January 4, 2018.
December 31. NMFS received two public comments
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish The Council recommended the ACL that were not relevant to this
and Wildlife and Parks, Exercising the based on a recommended acceptable
Authority of the Assistant Secretary for Fish rulemaking.
biological catch of 3,500 lb from its
and Wildlife and Parks. Scientific and Statistical Committee, Changes From the Proposed
[FR Doc. 2018–02203 Filed 2–2–18; 8:45 am] and the results of an October 2015 stock Specification
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P assessment. The stock assessment found There are no changes in the final
that the Hawaii Kona crab stock had specification from the proposed
reached an overfished status (<50 specification.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE percent of BMSY, biomass at maximum
sustainable yield) in 2006, and was Classification
National Oceanic and Atmospheric likely still overfished in 2010. The The Regional Administrator, NMFS
Administration assessment also included biomass PIR, determined that this action is
projections for 2010–2030 under three necessary for the conservation and
50 CFR Part 665 commercial landings scenarios: Zero lb, management of Pacific Island fisheries,
[Docket No. 170915903–8077–02] 7,000 lb, and 8,000 lb. and that it is consistent with the
At a constant 7,000-lb annual Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
RIN 0648–XF706 commercial harvest rate, the assessment Conservation and Management Act and
estimated that Kona crab biomass would other applicable laws.
Pacific Island Fisheries; 2017 Hawaii
nshattuck on DSK9F9SC42PROD with RULES
increase above 50 percent of BMSY by The Chief Counsel for Regulation of
Kona Crab Annual Catch Limit and
2030, but due to uncertainty, there was the Department of Commerce certified
Accountability Measure
a chance that stock biomass could to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries potentially decline to zero lb by 2020. Small Business Administration during
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and In developing the ACL, the Council also the proposed rule stage that this action
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), considered information indicating a would not have a significant economic
Department of Commerce. 50:50 male to female landings ratio, and impact on a substantial number of small
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![5052 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 24 / Monday, February 5, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
entities. NMFS published the factual fishing allowances from the Aleutian adjustment (82 FR 60329, December 20,
basis for certification in the proposed Islands subarea to the Bering Sea 2017).
specification, and does not repeat it subarea directed fisheries. These actions As of January 17, 2018, the
here. NMFS did not receive comments are necessary to provide opportunity for Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS,
regarding the certification and has no harvest of the 2018 total allowable catch (Regional Administrator) has
reason to think that anything has of pollock, consistent with the goals and determined that 12,200 mt of Aleut
changed to affect it. As a result, a final objectives of the Fishery Management Corporation’s DFA and 1,900 mt of
regulatory flexibility analysis is not Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea pollock CDQ DFA in the Aleutian
required, and one was not prepared. and Aleutian Islands Management Area. Islands subarea will not be harvested.
This action is exempt from review DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local Therefore, in accordance with
under Executive Order 12866. time (A.l.t.), February 5, 2018, until the § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(4), NMFS
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. effective date of the final 2018 and 2019 reallocates 12,200 mt of Aleut
Dated: January 30, 2018. harvest specifications for Bering Sea and Corporation’s DFA and 1,900 mt of
Samuel D. Rauch, III, Aleutian Islands (BSAI) groundfish, pollock CDQ DFA from the Aleutian
Deputy Assistant Administrator for unless otherwise modified or Islands subarea to the 2018 Bering Sea
Regulatory Programs, National Marine superseded through publication of a subarea allocations. The 1,900 mt of
Fisheries Service. notification in the Federal Register. pollock CDQ DFA is added to the 2018
[FR Doc. 2018–02162 Filed 2–2–18; 8:45 am] Bering Sea CDQ DFA. The remaining
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
12,200 mt of pollock is apportioned to
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. the AFA Inshore sector (50 percent),
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS AFA catcher/processor sector (40
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE manages the groundfish fishery in the percent), and the AFA mothership
BSAI exclusive economic zone sector (10 percent). The 2018 Bering Sea
National Oceanic and Atmospheric according to the Fishery Management subarea pollock incidental catch
Administration Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea allowance remains at 47,888 mt. As a
and Aleutian Islands Management Area result, the 2018 harvest specifications
50 CFR Part 679 (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific for pollock in the Aleutian Islands
Fishery Management Council (Council) subarea included in the final 2017 and
[Docket No. 161020985–7181–02]
under authority of the Magnuson- 2018 harvest specifications for
RIN 0648–XF979 Stevens Fishery Conservation and groundfish in the BSAI (82 FR 11826,
Management Act. Regulations governing February 26, 2017) are revised as
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance follows: 2,500 mt to Aleut Corporation’s
Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 DFA and 0 mt to CDQ DFA.
Pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. Furthermore, pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5),
Islands In the Aleutian Islands subarea, the Table 5 of the final 2017 and 2018
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries portion of the 2018 pollock total harvest specifications for groundfish in
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and allowable catch (TAC) allocated to the the BSAI (82 FR 11826, February 26,
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Aleut Corporation’s directed fishing 2017), as adjusted by the inseason
Commerce. allowance (DFA) is 14,700 metric tons adjustment (82 FR 60329, December 20,
ACTION: Temporary rule. (mt) and the Community Development 2017), is revised to make 2018 pollock
Quota (CDQ) DFA is 1,900 mt as allocations consistent with this
SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the established by the final 2017 and 2018 reallocation. This reallocation results in
projected unused amounts of the Aleut harvest specifications for groundfish in adjustments to the 2018 Aleut
Corporation’s and the Community the BSAI (82 FR 11826, February 26, Corporation and CDQ pollock
Development Quota pollock directed 2017), and as adjusted by an inseason allocations established at § 679.20(a)(5).
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
Area and sector 2018 B season 1
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 ................................................................................................................. 47,888 n/a n/a n/a
Total Bering Sea non-CDQ DFA ..................................................................... 1,192,219 536,499 333,821 655,720
AFA Inshore ..................................................................................................... 596,109 268,249 166,911 327,860
AFA Catcher/Processors 3 ............................................................................... 476,888 214,599 133,529 262,288
Catch by C/Ps .......................................................................................... 436,352 196,358 n/a 239,994
Catch by CVs 3 ......................................................................................... 40,535 18,241 n/a 22,294
nshattuck on DSK9F9SC42PROD with RULES
Unlisted C/P Limit 4 ................................................................................... 2,384 1,073 n/a 1,311
AFA Motherships ............................................................................................. 119,222 53,650 33,382 65,572
Excessive Harvesting Limit 5 ............................................................................ 208,638 n/a n/a n/a
Excessive Processing Limit 6 ........................................................................... 357,666 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
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Document Created: 2018-02-03 01:24:45
Document Modified: 2018-02-03 01:24:45
| 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 | Final specification. | |
| Dates | The final specification is effective March 7, 2018. The final specification is applicable from January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2017. | |
| Contact | Sarah Ellgen, NMFS PIR Sustainable Fisheries, 808-725-5173. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 5051 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF70 |
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