83 FR 9257 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Essential Fish Habitat Amendments
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 43 (March 5, 2018)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 43 (March 5, 2018)
| Page Range | 9257-9258 | |
| FR Document | 2018-04351 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 43 (Monday, March 5, 2018)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 9257-9258] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-04351] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 RIN 0648-XF559 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Essential Fish Habitat Amendments AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notification of availability of fishery management plan amendments; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) submitted Amendment 115 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, Amendment 105 to the FMP for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska, Amendment 49 to the FMP for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs, Amendment 13 to the FMP for the Salmon Fisheries in the EEZ Off Alaska, and Amendment 2 to the FMP for Fish Resources of the Arctic Management Area, (collectively Amendments) to the Secretary of Commerce for review. If approved, these Amendments would revise the FMPs by updating the description and identification of essential fish habitat (EFH), and updating information on adverse impacts to EFH based on the best scientific information available. This action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the FMPs, and other applicable laws. DATES: Comments on the amendments must be submitted on or before May 4, 2018. ADDRESSES: You may submit your comments, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2017- 0087, by any of the following methods:Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-0087, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. Mail: Submit written comments to Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn: Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668. Instructions: NMFS may not consider comments if they are sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the comment period ends. All comments received are a part of the public record, [[Page 9258]] and NMFS will post the comments for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). Electronic copies of the Amendments, maps of the EFH areas, the Environmental Assessment (the analysis), and the Final EFH five-year Summary Report prepared for this action may be obtained from www.regulations.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Megan Mackey, 907-586-7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) requires that each regional fishery management council submit any FMP amendment it prepares to NMFS for review and approval, disapproval, or partial approval by the Secretary of Commerce. The Magnuson-Stevens Act also requires that NMFS, upon receiving a FMP amendment, immediately publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing that the amendment is available for public review and comment. This notice announces that Amendment 115 to the FMP for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI Groundfish FMP); Amendment 105 to the FMP for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA Groundfish FMP); Amendment 49 to the FMP for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs (Crab FMP); Amendment 13 to the FMP for the Salmon Fisheries in the EEZ Off Alaska (Salmon FMP); and Amendment 2 to the FMP for Fish Resources of the Arctic Management Area (Arctic FMP) are available for public review and comment. The Council prepared the FMPs under the authority of the Magnuson- Stevens Act, 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Regulations governing U.S. fisheries and implementing the FMPs appear at 50 CFR parts 600, 679, and 680. Section 303(a)(7) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act requires that each FMP describe and identify EFH, minimize to the extent practicable the adverse effects of fishing on EFH, and identify other measures to promote the conservation and enhancement of EFH. The Magnuson-Stevens Act defines EFH as those waters and substrate necessary to fish for spawning, breeding, feeding, or growth to maturity. Implementing regulations at Sec. 600.815 list the EFH contents required in each fishery management plan and direct councils to conduct a complete review of all EFH information at least once every five years (referred to here as ``the 5-year review''). The Council developed the Amendments as a result of a new information available through the 5-year review that began in 2014 (2015 5-year review) and adopted the Amendments in April 2017. The 2015 5-year review is the Council's third review of EFH in the FMPs. Prior 5-year reviews were conducted in 2005 and 2010. The Council recommended amendments to the description and identification of EFH in the FMPs with new information and improved mapping as described in the Final EFH 5-year Summary Report for the 2015 5-year review (Summary Report, see ADDRESSES). The Council also recommended updates to EFH information based on the best available information in the Summary Report (see ADDRESSES). The Council recommended updates to EFH for all FMPs except for the Scallop FMP because no new information is available to update EFH descriptions for scallops. The Amendments would make the following changes to the FMPs: Amendment 115 to the BSAI Groundfish FMP and Amendment 105 to the GOA Groundfish FMP (Amendments 115/105) would update the EFH descriptions for all managed species and update the identification of EFH for those managed species for which new population density or habitat suitability information is available. Sections 4.2.1 and 5.2.1 of the Environmental Assessment (see ADDRESSES) describe which EFH updates would be made for each species and life stage. Amendments 115/ 105 would also update information in Appendix F on adverse impacts to EFH based on the best scientific information available in the Summary Report (see ADDRESSES). Amendment 49 to the Crab FMP would update the EFH descriptions for all managed species and update the identification of EFH for those managed species for which new population density or habitat suitability information is available. Section 6.2.1 of the Environmental Assessment (See ADDRESSES) describes which EFH updates would be made for each species and life stage. Amendment 49 would also update information in Appendix F on adverse impacts to EFH based on the best scientific information available in the Summary Report (see ADDRESSES). Amendment 13 to the Salmon FMP would replace Appendix A, ``Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) and Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPC),'' with a new Appendix A based on the best available information in the Summary Report (see ADDRESSES). Amendment 13 to the Salmon FMP would update the marine EFH descriptions for all salmon species and update the identification of marine EFH for each species and life stage for which new population density or habitat suitability information is available. Section 7.2.1 of the Environmental Assessment (see ADDRESSES) describes which EFH updates would be made for each species and life stage. Amendment 13 would also update information in Appendix A on adverse impacts to EFH based on the best scientific information available in the Summary Report (see ADDRESSES). Amendment 2 to the Arctic FMP would update the EFH descriptions for all managed species for which new information is available, and update the identification of EFH for snow crab. Section 8.2.1 of the Environmental Assessment (See ADDRESSES) describes which EFH updates would be made for each species and life stage. Amendment 2 would also update information in Appendix C on adverse impacts to EFH based on the best scientific information available in the Summary Report (see ADDRESSES). NMFS is soliciting public comments on the Amendments through the end of the comment period (see DATES). All relevant written comments received by the end of the applicable comment period will be considered by NMFS in the approval/disapproval decision for the Amendments and addressed in the response to comments in the final decision. Comments received after end of the applicable comment period will not be considered in the approval/disapproval decision on the Amendments. To be considered, comments must be received, not just postmarked or otherwise transmitted, by the last day of the comment period (see DATES). Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: February 27, 2018. Samuel D. Rauch, III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018-04351 Filed 3-2-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 43 / Monday, March 5, 2018 / Proposed Rules 9257
TABLE 1—TIME AND LOCATIONS OF THE FOUR SCOPING MEETINGS AND CONFERENCE CALL—Continued
Date Time Meeting location Meeting address
April 4, 2018 .............. 2–4 p.m ........... Conference Call ........ To participate in the conference call, please call: (800) 779–3136. Passcode:
9421185.
To participate in the webinar, RSVP at: https://noaaevents2.webex.com/
noaaevents2/onstage/g.php?MTID=e0e45a6863a2dec162452b2b6240ef
3e3, A confirmation email with webinar log-in information will be sent after
RSVP is registered.
April 12, 2018 ............ 4–8 p.m ........... Manahawkin, NJ ........ Stafford Branch Public Library,
129 North Main St.,
Manahawkin, NJ 08050.
April 19, 2018 ............ 5–8 p.m ........... Gloucester, MA .......... National Marine Fisheries Service,
Greater Atlantic Regional Office,
55 Great Republic Dr.,
Gloucester, MA 01930.
The public is reminded that NMFS Regional Fishery Management Councils Aleutian Islands Management Area,
expects participants at public scoping (the New England, Mid-Atlantic, South Amendment 105 to the FMP for
meetings and on conference calls to Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska,
conduct themselves appropriately. At Management Councils) and the Atlantic Amendment 49 to the FMP for Bering
the beginning of the scoping meetings and Gulf States Marine Fisheries Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner
and conference call, a representative of Commissions during the public Crabs, Amendment 13 to the FMP for
NMFS will explain the ground rules comment period. Please see the the Salmon Fisheries in the EEZ Off
(e.g., all comments are to be directed to Councils’ and Commissions’ spring Alaska, and Amendment 2 to the FMP
the Agency; attendees will be called to meeting notices for times and locations. for Fish Resources of the Arctic
give their comments in the order in Based on the 2017 shortfin mako Management Area, (collectively
which they registered to speak; each shark stock assessment, implementation Amendments) to the Secretary of
attendee will have an equal amount of of new management measures via an Commerce for review. If approved, these
time to speak; and attendees should not amendment to the 2006 Consolidated Amendments would revise the FMPs by
interrupt one another). The meeting HMS FMP is necessary to address updating the description and
locations will be physically accessible overfishing and rebuild the stock. NMFS identification of essential fish habitat
to people with disabilities. Requests for anticipates completing this amendment (EFH), and updating information on
sign language interpretation or other and any related documents in early adverse impacts to EFH based on the
auxiliary aids should be directed to Guý 2019. best scientific information available.
DuBeck at 301–427–8503, at least 7 days Dated: February 28, 2018. This action is intended to promote the
prior to the meeting. A NMFS Jennifer M. Wallace, goals and objectives of the Magnuson-
representative will attempt to structure Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Stevens Fishery Conservation and
the meeting so that all attending Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. Management Act, the FMPs, and other
members of the public will be able to applicable laws.
[FR Doc. 2018–04430 Filed 3–1–18; 8:45 am]
comment if they so choose, regardless of DATES: Comments on the amendments
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
the controversial nature of the subject must be submitted on or before May 4,
matter. If attendees do not respect the 2018.
ground rules they will be asked to leave DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
the scoping meeting or conference call. ADDRESSES: You may submit your
Because the rulemakings overlap for comments, identified by NOAA–NMFS–
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
some gear types, the public scoping 2017–0087, by any of the following
Administration
meetings being held in Panama City, FL, methods:
Manteo, NC, and Manahawkin, NJ will • Electronic Submission: Submit all
50 CFR Part 679
be held in conjunction with public electronic public comments via the
scoping meetings for pelagic longline RIN 0648–XF559 Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to
bluefin tuna area-based and weak hook www.regulations.gov/
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-
management. The shortfin mako shark
Zone Off Alaska; Essential Fish Habitat 0087, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon,
management measure presentation will
Amendments complete the required fields, and enter
likely be given first unless polling of the
audience indicates another approach is AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries or attach your comments.
appropriate. After each presentation, Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and • Mail: Submit written comments to
public comment for that issue will be Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional
received. Meeting attendees interested Commerce. Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries
in this issue are encouraged to show up Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn:
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
ACTION: Notification of availability of
at the beginning of the meeting to help fishery management plan amendments; Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O.
determine the order of the request for comments. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668.
presentations. The second presentation Instructions: NMFS may not consider
will not start any later than 6 p.m. SUMMARY: The North Pacific Fishery comments if they are sent by any other
In addition to the four scoping Management Council (Council) method, to any other address or
meetings and conference call, NMFS has submitted Amendment 115 to the individual, or received after the
requested to present the issues and Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for comment period ends. All comments
options document to the five Atlantic Groundfish of the Bering Sea and received are a part of the public record,
VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:41 Mar 02, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\05MRP1.SGM 05MRP1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_9300/page/1.svg)
![9258 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 43 / Monday, March 5, 2018 / Proposed Rules
and NMFS will post the comments for spawning, breeding, feeding, or growth best scientific information available in
public viewing on www.regulations.gov to maturity. Implementing regulations at the Summary Report (see ADDRESSES).
without change. All personal identifying § 600.815 list the EFH contents required • Amendment 13 to the Salmon FMP
information (e.g., name, address), in each fishery management plan and would replace Appendix A, ‘‘Essential
confidential business information, or direct councils to conduct a complete Fish Habitat (EFH) and Habitat Areas of
otherwise sensitive information review of all EFH information at least Particular Concern (HAPC),’’ with a new
submitted voluntarily by the sender will once every five years (referred to here as Appendix A based on the best available
be publicly accessible. NMFS will ‘‘the 5-year review’’). information in the Summary Report (see
accept anonymous comments (enter The Council developed the ADDRESSES). Amendment 13 to the
‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish Amendments as a result of a new Salmon FMP would update the marine
to remain anonymous). information available through the 5-year EFH descriptions for all salmon species
Electronic copies of the Amendments, review that began in 2014 (2015 5-year and update the identification of marine
maps of the EFH areas, the review) and adopted the Amendments EFH for each species and life stage for
Environmental Assessment (the in April 2017. The 2015 5-year review which new population density or
analysis), and the Final EFH five-year is the Council’s third review of EFH in habitat suitability information is
Summary Report prepared for this the FMPs. Prior 5-year reviews were available. Section 7.2.1 of the
action may be obtained from conducted in 2005 and 2010. The
www.regulations.gov. Environmental Assessment (see
Council recommended amendments to ADDRESSES) describes which EFH
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: the description and identification of updates would be made for each species
Megan Mackey, 907–586–7228. EFH in the FMPs with new information and life stage. Amendment 13 would
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The and improved mapping as described in also update information in Appendix A
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery the Final EFH 5-year Summary Report on adverse impacts to EFH based on the
Conservation and Management Act for the 2015 5-year review (Summary best scientific information available in
(Magnuson-Stevens Act) requires that Report, see ADDRESSES). The Council the Summary Report (see ADDRESSES).
each regional fishery management also recommended updates to EFH
information based on the best available • Amendment 2 to the Arctic FMP
council submit any FMP amendment it
information in the Summary Report (see would update the EFH descriptions for
prepares to NMFS for review and
ADDRESSES). The Council recommended all managed species for which new
approval, disapproval, or partial
updates to EFH for all FMPs except for information is available, and update the
approval by the Secretary of Commerce.
the Scallop FMP because no new identification of EFH for snow crab.
The Magnuson-Stevens Act also
information is available to update EFH Section 8.2.1 of the Environmental
requires that NMFS, upon receiving a
FMP amendment, immediately publish descriptions for scallops. Assessment (See ADDRESSES) describes
a notice in the Federal Register The Amendments would make the which EFH updates would be made for
announcing that the amendment is following changes to the FMPs: each species and life stage. Amendment
available for public review and • Amendment 115 to the BSAI 2 would also update information in
comment. This notice announces that Groundfish FMP and Amendment 105 Appendix C on adverse impacts to EFH
Amendment 115 to the FMP for to the GOA Groundfish FMP based on the best scientific information
Groundfish of the Bering Sea and (Amendments 115/105) would update available in the Summary Report (see
Aleutian Islands Management Area the EFH descriptions for all managed ADDRESSES).
(BSAI Groundfish FMP); Amendment species and update the identification of NMFS is soliciting public comments
105 to the FMP for Groundfish of the EFH for those managed species for on the Amendments through the end of
Gulf of Alaska (GOA Groundfish FMP); which new population density or the comment period (see DATES). All
Amendment 49 to the FMP for Bering habitat suitability information is relevant written comments received by
Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner available. Sections 4.2.1 and 5.2.1 of the the end of the applicable comment
Crabs (Crab FMP); Amendment 13 to the Environmental Assessment (see period will be considered by NMFS in
FMP for the Salmon Fisheries in the ADDRESSES) describe which EFH the approval/disapproval decision for
EEZ Off Alaska (Salmon FMP); and updates would be made for each species the Amendments and addressed in the
Amendment 2 to the FMP for Fish and life stage. Amendments 115/105 response to comments in the final
Resources of the Arctic Management would also update information in decision. Comments received after end
Area (Arctic FMP) are available for Appendix F on adverse impacts to EFH of the applicable comment period will
public review and comment. based on the best scientific information not be considered in the approval/
The Council prepared the FMPs under available in the Summary Report (see disapproval decision on the
the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens ADDRESSES). Amendments. To be considered,
Act, 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Regulations • Amendment 49 to the Crab FMP comments must be received, not just
governing U.S. fisheries and would update the EFH descriptions for postmarked or otherwise transmitted, by
implementing the FMPs appear at 50 all managed species and update the the last day of the comment period (see
CFR parts 600, 679, and 680. Section identification of EFH for those managed DATES).
303(a)(7) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act species for which new population
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
requires that each FMP describe and density or habitat suitability
identify EFH, minimize to the extent information is available. Section 6.2.1 of Dated: February 27, 2018.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
practicable the adverse effects of fishing the Environmental Assessment (See Samuel D. Rauch, III,
on EFH, and identify other measures to ADDRESSES) describes which EFH Deputy Assistant Administrator for
promote the conservation and updates would be made for each species Regulatory Programs, National Marine
enhancement of EFH. The Magnuson- and life stage. Amendment 49 would Fisheries Service.
Stevens Act defines EFH as those waters also update information in Appendix F [FR Doc. 2018–04351 Filed 3–2–18; 8:45 am]
and substrate necessary to fish for on adverse impacts to EFH based on the BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:31 Mar 02, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\05MRP1.SGM 05MRP1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_9300/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2018-03-03 02:46:03
Document Modified: 2018-03-03 02:46:03
| 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 | Proposed Rules | |
| Action | Notification of availability of fishery management plan amendments; request for comments. | |
| Dates | Comments on the amendments must be submitted on or before May 4, 2018. | |
| Contact | Megan Mackey, 907-586-7228. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 9257 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF55 |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR