Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska; Proposed 2006 and 2007 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish, 74739-74758 [E5-7463]
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 241 / Friday, December 16, 2005 / Proposed Rules
management because they do not fall
within the scientifically determined
ABC. Moreover, in 2006, the sum of the
TACs contemplated under Alternative 1
would also exceed the statutorily
mandated two million mt optimum
yield for the BSAI (it would exceed this
by only a small amount in 2007).
A copy of the IRFA is available from
NMFS (see ADDRESSES).
This regulation does not impose new
recordkeeping or reporting requirements
on the regulated small entities. This
analysis did not reveal any Federal rules
that duplicate, overlap, or conflict with
the proposed action.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 1540(f);
1801 et seq.; 1851 note; and 3631 et seq.
Dated: December 12, 2005.
James W. Balsiger,
Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05–24168 Filed 12–15–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 051201318–5318–01; I.D.
112805A]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska;
Proposed 2006 and 2007 Harvest
Specifications for Groundfish
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule; apportionment of
reserves; request for comments.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: NMFS proposes 2006 and
2007 harvest specifications, reserves
and apportionments, and Pacific halibut
prohibited species catch (PSC) limits,
for the groundfish fishery of the Gulf of
Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary
to establish harvest limits and
associated management measures for
groundfish during the 2006 and 2007
fishing years. The intended effect of this
action is to conserve and manage the
groundfish resources in the GOA in
accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management
Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
DATES: Comments must be received by
January 17, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Sue
Salveson, Assistant Regional
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries
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Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, Attn:
Lori Durall. Comments may be
submitted by:
• Mail to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK
99802;
• Hand Delivery to the Federal
Building, 709 West 9th Street, Room
420A, Juneau, AK;
• E-mail to
2006AKgroundfish.tacspecs@noaa.gov
and include in the subject line the
document identifier: 2006 Proposed
Specifications (E-mail comments, with
or without attachments, are limited to 5
megabytes);
• Fax to 907–586–7557; or
• Webform at the Federal
eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions at that site for submitting
comments.
Copies of the draft Environmental
Assessment/Initial Regulatory
Flexibility Analysis (EA/IRFA) prepared
for this action are available from NMFS
at the address above or from the Alaska
Region Web site www.fakr.noaa.gov.
Copies of the final 2004 Stock
Assessment and Fishery Evaluation
(SAFE) reports, dated November 2004,
and the October 2005 Council meeting
minutes, are available from the North
Pacific Fishery Management Council,
West 4th Avenue, Suite 306, Anchorage,
AK, 99510 or from its home page at
https://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom
Pearson, Sustainable Fisheries Division,
Alaska Region, 907–481–1780 or e-mail
at tom.pearson@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
NMFS manages the GOA groundfish
fisheries in the exclusive economic zone
off Alaska under the Fishery
Management Plan for Groundfish of the
GOA (FMP). The North Pacific Fishery
Management Council (Council)
prepared the FMP under the authority of
the Magnuson-Stevens Act, 16 U.S.C.
1801, et seq. Regulations governing U.S.
fisheries and implementing the FMP
appear at 50 CFR parts 600, 679, and
680.
These proposed specifications are
based on the 2004 SAFE reports. In
November 2005, the 2005 SAFE reports
will be used to develop the 2006 and
2007 final acceptable biological catch
(ABC) amounts. Any anticipated
changes in the final specifications from
the proposed specification are identified
in this notice for public review.
The FMP and its implementing
regulations require NMFS, after
consultation with the Council, to
specify the total allowable catch (TAC)
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for each target species and for the ‘‘other
species’’ category, the sum of which
must be within the optimum yield (OY)
range of 116,000 metric tons (mt) to
800,000 mt. Section 679.20(c)(1) further
requires NMFS to publish and solicit
public comment on proposed annual
TACs, halibut PSC amounts, and
seasonal allowances of pollock and
inshore/offshore Pacific cod. The
proposed specifications set forth in
Tables 1 through 16 of this document
satisfy these requirements. For 2006, the
sum of the proposed TAC amounts is
301,304 mt. For 2007, the sum of the
proposed TAC amounts is 281,640 mt.
Under § 679.20(c)(3), NMFS will
publish the 2006 and 2007 final
specifications after (1) considering
comments received within the comment
period (see DATES), (2) consulting with
the Council at its December 2005
meeting, and (3) considering new
information presented in the EA and the
final 2005 SAFE report prepared for the
2006 and 2007 fisheries.
Proposed ABC and TAC Specifications
The proposed ABC and TAC for each
species or species group are based on
the best available biological and
socioeconomic information, including
projected biomass trends, information
on assumed distribution of stock
biomass, and revised methods used to
calculate stock biomass. The FMP
specifies the formulas, or tiers, to be
used in computing ABCs and
overfishing levels (OFL). The formulas
applicable to a particular stock or stock
complex are determined by the level of
reliable information available to
fisheries scientists. This information is
categorized into a successive series of
six tiers with tier one representing the
highest level of information and tier six
the lowest level of information.
The Council and its Science and
Statistical Committee (SSC) and
Advisory Panel (AP) reviewed current
biological and harvest information about
the condition of groundfish stocks in the
GOA in October 2005. Most of the
information available to the SSC, AP,
and Council was initially compiled by
the Council’s GOA Groundfish Plan
Team and was presented in the final
2004 SAFE report for the GOA
groundfish fisheries, dated November
2004 (see ADDRESSES). The Plan Team
annually produces the SAFE report as
the first step in the process of specifying
TACs.
The SAFE report contains a review of
the latest scientific analyses, estimates
of each species’ biomass and other
biological parameters, summaries of the
available information on the GOA
ecosystem, and the economic condition
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of the groundfish fisheries off Alaska.
From these data and analyses, the Plan
Team estimates an ABC for each species
category. The 2004 SAFE report will be
updated to include new information
collected during 2005. The Plan Team
will provide revised stock assessments
in November 2005 in the final 2005
SAFE report. The Council will review
the 2005 SAFE report in December
2005. The final 2006 and 2007 harvest
specifications may be adjusted from the
proposed harvest specifications based
on the 2005 SAFE report.
The SSC adopted the OFL and ABC
recommendations from the Plan Team
for all groundfish species. Based on the
recommendations from the SSC for
OFLs and ABCs and the AP
recommendations for TAC amounts, the
Council recommended amending the
2006 OFL, ABC, and TAC amounts for
pollock, Pacific cod, sablefish, flathead
sole, arrowtooth flounder, northern
rockfish, and ‘‘other species’’ as
published in the 2005 and 2006 final
harvest specifications for groundfish in
the GOA on February 24, 2005 (70 FR
8958). These amended amounts were
recommended by the Council based on
new information developed in 2005. For
tier 1–3 stocks listed above, the GOA
Groundfish Plan Team recommended
projected groundfish OFLs and ABCs for
2006 and 2007 at its September 2005
meeting. The projections for tier 1–3
stocks used species-specific Alaska
Fisheries Science Center population
models, which include information on
age structure, growth and reproduction,
and natural and fishing mortality. The
Council recommended that proposed
OFL and ABC levels for those stocks in
tiers 4–6, for which projections cannot
be made, remain unchanged from 2005
levels for 2006 and 2007.
As in 2005, the SSC’s, AP’s and
Council’s recommendation for the
method of apportioning the sablefish
ABC among management areas includes
commercial fishery and survey data.
NMFS stock assessment scientists
believe that the use of unbiased
commercial fishery data reflecting
catch-per-unit effort provides a
desirable input for stock distribution
assessments. The use of commercial
fishery data is evaluated annually to
assure that unbiased information is
included in stock distribution models.
The Council’s recommendation for
sablefish area apportionments also takes
into account the prohibition on the use
of trawl gear in the Southeast Outside
(SEO) District of the Eastern GOA and
makes available 5 percent of the
combined Eastern GOA TACs to trawl
gear for use as incidental catch in other
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directed groundfish fisheries in the
West Yakutat District (WYK).
The AP, SSC, and Council
recommended that the ABC for Pacific
cod in the GOA be apportioned among
regulatory areas based on the three most
recent NMFS summer trawl surveys. As
in previous years, the Plan Team, SSC,
and Council recommended that total
removals of Pacific cod from the GOA
not exceed ABC recommendations.
Accordingly, the Council recommended
adjusting the 2006 and 2007 TACs
downward from the ABCs by amounts
equal to the 2005 guideline harvest
levels (GHL) established for Pacific cod
by the State of Alaska (State) for the
state managed fisheries in the GOA. The
effect of the State’s GHL on the Pacific
cod TAC is discussed in greater detail
below. As in 2005, for 2006 and 2007,
NMFS proposes to establish an A season
directed fishing allowance (DFA) for the
Pacific cod fisheries in the GOA based
on the management area TACs less the
recent average A season incidental catch
of Pacific cod in each management area
before June 10 (§ 679.20(d)(1)). The DFA
and incidental catch before June 10 will
be managed such that total harvest in
the A season will be no more than 60
percent of the annual TAC. Incidental
catch taken after June 10 will continue
to be taken from the B season TAC. This
action meets the intent of the Steller Sea
Lion Protection Measures by achieving
temporal dispersion of the Pacific cod
removals and reducing the likelihood of
harvest exceeding 60 percent of the
annual TAC in the A season (January 1
through June 10).
For 2006 and 2007, the Council
recommends and NMFS proposes the
ABCs listed in Tables 1 and 2. These
amounts reflect harvest amounts that are
less than the proposed 2006 and 2007
overfishing amounts. The sum of the
proposed 2006 ABCs for all target
species TACs is 547,181 mt, which is
higher than the final 2005 ABC total of
539,263 mt and the final 2006 ABC total
of 542,456 mt (70 FR 8958, February 24,
2005). The sum of the proposed 2007
ABCs for all target species TACs is
536,559 mt, which is lower than the
final 2005 ABC total and the final 2006
ABC total of 547,181 mt.
Specification and Apportionment of
TAC Amounts
The Council recommended proposed
TACs for 2006 and 2007 that are equal
to proposed ABCs for pollock, deepwater flatfish, rex sole, sablefish, Pacific
ocean perch, shortraker rockfish,
rougheye rockfish, northern rockfish,
pelagic shelf rockfish, thornyhead
rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish, skates,
and Atka mackerel. The Council
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recommended TACs that are less than
the ABCs for Pacific cod, flathead sole,
shallow-water flatfish, arrowtooth
flounder, and other rockfish.
The apportionment of annual pollock
TAC among the Western and Central
Regulatory Areas of the GOA reflects the
seasonal biomass distribution and is
discussed in greater detail below. The
annual pollock TAC in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA is
divided into four equal seasonal
apportionments. Twenty-five percent of
the annual TAC in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA is
apportioned respectively to the A
season (January 20 through March 10),
the B season (March 10 through May
31), the C season (August 25 through
October 1), and the D season (October 1
through November 1) in Statistical
Areas 610, 620, and 630 of the GOA
(§§ 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv) and
679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)).
The 2006 and 2007 Pacific cod TACs
are affected by the State’s developing
fishery for Pacific cod in State waters in
the Western and Central GOA, and in
Prince William Sound (PWS). The SSC,
AP, and Council recommended that the
sum of all State and Federal water
Pacific cod removals not exceed the
ABC. Accordingly, the Council
recommended that for 2006 and 2007,
the Pacific cod TACs be reduced from
ABC levels to account for State GHLs in
each regulatory area of the GOA.
Therefore, respective 2006 TACs are
reduced from ABCs as follows: (1)
Eastern GOA 386 mt, (2) Central GOA
7,898 mt, and (3) Western GOA 4,988
mt. Respective 2007 TACs are reduced
as follows: (1) Eastern GOA 324 mt, (2)
Central GOA 6,643 mt, and (3) Western
GOA 4,196 mt. These amounts reflect
the sum of the State’s 2006 and 2007
GHLs in these areas, which are 10
percent, 25 percent, and 25 percent of
the Eastern, Central, and Western GOA
ABCs, respectively.
NMFS also is proposing seasonal
apportionments of the annual Pacific
cod TAC in the Western and Central
Regulatory Areas. Sixty percent of the
annual TAC is apportioned to the A
season for hook-and-line, pot or jig gear
from January 1 through June 10, and for
trawl gear from January 20 through June
10. Forty percent of the annual TAC is
apportioned to the B season for hookand-line, pot or jig gear from September
1 through December 31, and for trawl
gear from September 1 through
November 1 (§§ 679.23(d)(3) and
679.20(a)(11)). These seasonal
apportionments of the annual Pacific
cod TAC are discussed in greater detail
below.
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The FMP specifies that the amount for
the ‘‘other species’’ category is
calculated as 5 percent of the combined
TAC amounts for target species. The
2006 GOA-wide ‘‘other species’’ TAC is
14,348 mt and the 2007 TAC is 13,411
mt, which is 5 percent of the sum of the
combined TAC amounts (286,946 mt for
2006 and 268,229 mt for 2007) for the
assessed target species. The sum of the
TACs for all GOA groundfish is 301,304
mt for 2006 and 281,640 mt for 2007,
which is within the OY range specified
by the FMP. The sum of the proposed
2006 TACs are higher than the 2005
TAC sum of 291,298 mt while the sum
of the proposed 2007 TACs are lower
than in 2005.
In June 2005, the Council selected its
preferred alternative for Amendment 69
to the GOA FMP to revise the manner
in which the ‘‘other species’’ complex
TAC is annually established. If
approved, Amendment 69 would allow
the Council, as part of its annual harvest
specification process, to recommend a
TAC amount for the ‘‘other species’’ less
than or equal to 5 percent of the sum of
the combined TAC amounts for target
species. The intent of Amendment 69 is
to better conserve and manage the
species which comprise the ‘‘other
species’’ complex.
If approved by the Secretary of
Commerce, the Central Gulf of Alaska
Rockfish Pilot Program would allocate
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rockfish, associated groundfish, halibut
PSC limits, and groundfish sideboard
limits to a specific group of eligible
harvesters in 2007. These amounts are
expected to be identified in September
2006 and would modify the harvest
specifications for 2007.
NMFS finds that the Council’s
recommendations for proposed OFL,
ABC, and TAC amounts are consistent
with the biological condition of
groundfish stocks as adjusted for other
biological and socioeconomic
considerations, including maintaining
the total TAC within the required OY
range of 116,000 to 800,000 mt. The
proposed 2006 and 2007 ABCs, TACs,
and OFLs are shown in Tables 1 and 2.
TABLE 1.—PROPOSED 2006 ABCS, TACS, AND OVERFISHING LEVELS OF GROUNDFISH FOR THE WESTERN/CENTRAL/
WEST YAKUTAT (W/C/WYK), WESTERN (W), CENTRAL (C), EASTERN (E) REGULATORY AREAS, AND IN THE WEST
YAKUTAT (WYK), SOUTHEAST OUTSIDE (SEO), AND GULFWIDE (GW) DISTRICTS OF THE GULF OF ALASKA.
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Total
Species
Area 1
Pollock 2 ..............................................
Shumagin (610) ..................................
Chirikof (620) ......................................
Kodiak (630) .......................................
WYK (640) ..........................................
W/C/WYK ...........................................
SEO (650) ..........................................
Pacific cod 3 ........................................
W ........................................................
C .........................................................
E .........................................................
Flatfish 4 (deep-water) ........................
W ........................................................
C .........................................................
WYK ...................................................
SEO ....................................................
Rex sole .............................................
W ........................................................
C .........................................................
WYK ...................................................
SEO ....................................................
Flathead sole ......................................
W ........................................................
C .........................................................
WYK ...................................................
SEO ....................................................
Flatfish 5 (shallow-water) ....................
W ........................................................
C .........................................................
WYK ...................................................
SEO ....................................................
Arrowtooth flounder ............................
W ........................................................
C .........................................................
WYK ...................................................
SEO ....................................................
Sablefish 6 ...........................................
W ........................................................
C .........................................................
WYK ...................................................
SEO ....................................................
E .........................................................
Pacific ocean perch 7 ..........................
W ........................................................
C .........................................................
WYK ...................................................
SEO ....................................................
E .........................................................
Subtotal ..............
Total ............
Total ............
Total ............
Total ............
Total ............
Total ............
Total ............
Subtotal ..............
Total ............
Subtotal ..............
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ABC
TAC
35,202
39,865
21,678
1,955
98,700
6,520
105,220
19,952
31,590
3,858
55,400
330
3,340
2,120
1,030
6,820
1,680
7,340
1,340
2,290
12,650
12,316
31,617
3,149
408
47,490
21,580
27,250
2,030
1,210
52,070
25,833
166,275
11,599
9,753
213,460
2,371
6,767
2,409
3,333
5,742
14,880
2,525
8,375
813
1,579
N/A
35,202
39,865
21,678
1,955
98,700
6,520
105,220
14,964
23,692
3,472
42,128
330
3,340
2,120
1,030
6,820
1,680
7,340
1,340
2,290
12,650
2,000
5,000
3,149
408
10,557
4,500
13,000
2,030
1,210
20,740
8,000
25,000
2,500
2,500
38,000
2,371
6,767
2,409
3,333
5,742
14,880
2,525
8,375
813
1,579
N/A
16DEP1
Overfishing
level
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
133,900
8,690
142,590
N/A
N/A
N/A
82,000
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8,490
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
16,480
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
59,240
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
63,840
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
249,140
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
18,000
3,019
10,008
N/A
N/A
2,860
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TABLE 1.—PROPOSED 2006 ABCS, TACS, AND OVERFISHING LEVELS OF GROUNDFISH FOR THE WESTERN/CENTRAL/
WEST YAKUTAT (W/C/WYK), WESTERN (W), CENTRAL (C), EASTERN (E) REGULATORY AREAS, AND IN THE WEST
YAKUTAT (WYK), SOUTHEAST OUTSIDE (SEO), AND GULFWIDE (GW) DISTRICTS OF THE GULF OF ALASKA.—Continued
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Total
Species
Area 1
Shortraker rockfish 8 ...........................
W ........................................................
C .........................................................
E .........................................................
Rougheye rockfish 9 ............................
W ........................................................
C .........................................................
E .........................................................
Other rockfish 10 11 ..............................
W ........................................................
C .........................................................
WYK ...................................................
SEO ....................................................
Northern rockfish 11 12 .........................
W ........................................................
C .........................................................
E .........................................................
Pelagic shelf rockfish 13 ......................
W ........................................................
C .........................................................
WYK ...................................................
SEO ....................................................
Thornyhead rockfish ...........................
W ........................................................
C .........................................................
E .........................................................
Big skates 14 .......................................
W ........................................................
C .........................................................
E .........................................................
Longnose skates 15 .............................
W ........................................................
C .........................................................
E .........................................................
Other skates 16 ....................................
Demersal shelf rockfish 18 ..................
Atka mackerel .....................................
Other species 17 19 ..............................
GW .....................................................
SEO ....................................................
GW .....................................................
GW .....................................................
Total ............
Total ............
Total ............
Total ............
Total ............
Total ............
Total ............
Total ............
Total ............
Total 20 .........
ABC
TAC
13,292
155
324
274
753
188
557
262
1,007
40
300
130
3,430
3,900
752
3,978
0
4,730
366
2,973
205
871
4,415
410
1,010
520
1,940
727
2,463
809
3,999
66
1,972
780
2,818
1,327
410
600
N/A
547,181
13,292
155
324
274
753
188
557
262
1,007
40
300
130
200
670
752
3,978
0
4,730
366
2,973
205
871
4,415
410
1,010
520
1,940
727
2,463
809
3,999
66
1,972
780
2,818
1,327
410
600
14,348
301,304
1 Regulatory
Overfishing
level
15,887
N/A
N/A
N/A
982
N/A
N/A
N/A
1,531
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5,150
N/A
N/A
N/A
5,620
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5,510
N/A
N/A
N/A
2,590
N/A
N/A
N/A
5,332
N/A
N/A
N/A
3,757
1,769
640
6,200
N/A
694,748
areas and districts are defined at § 679.2.
is apportioned in the Western/Central Regulatory Areas among three statistical areas. During the A season, the apportionment is
based on an adjusted estimate of the relative distribution of pollock biomass of approximately 24 percent, 56 percent, and 20 percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. During the B season, the apportionment is based on the relative distribution of pollock biomass at 24
percent, 66 percent, and 10 percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. During the C and D seasons, the apportionment is
based on the relative distribution of pollock biomass at 49 percent, 21 percent, and 30 percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. These proposed seasonal apportionments for 2006 and 2007 are shown in Tables 5 and 6. In the West Yakutat and Southeast Outside
Districts of the Eastern Regulatory Area, pollock is not divided into seasonal allowances.
3 The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned 60 percent to an A season and 40 percent to a B season in the Western and Central Regulatory
Areas of the GOA. Pacific cod is allocated 90 percent for processing by the inshore component and 10 percent for processing by the offshore
component. Proposed seasonal apportionments and component allocations of TAC for 2006 and 2007 are shown in Tables 7 and 8.
4 ‘‘Deep water flatfish’’ means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, and deepsea sole.
5 ‘‘Shallow water flatfish’’ means flatfish not including ‘‘deep water flatfish,’’ flathead sole, rex sole, or arrowtooth flounder.
6 Sablefish is allocated to trawl and hook-and-line gears for 2006 and to trawl gear in 2007 these amounts are shown in Tables 3 and 4.
7 ‘‘Pacific ocean perch’’ means Sebastes alutus.
8 ‘‘Shortraker rockfish’’ means Sebastes borealis.
9 ‘‘Rougheye rockfish’’ means Sebastes aleutianus.
10 ‘‘Other rockfish’’ in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat District means slope rockfish and demersal shelf
rockfish. The category ‘‘other rockfish’’ in the SEO District means slope rockfish.
11 ‘‘Slope rockfish’’ means Sebastes aurora (aurora), S. melanostomus (blackgill), S. paucispinis (bocaccio), S. goodei (chilipepper), S. crameri
(darkblotch), S. elongatus (greenstriped), S. variegatus (harlequin), S. wilsoni (pygmy), S. babcocki (redbanded), S. proriger (redstripe), S.
zacentrus (sharpchin), S. jordani (shortbelly), S. brevispinis (silvergrey), S. diploproa (splitnose), S. saxicola (stripetail), S. miniatus (vermilion),
and S. reedi (yellowmouth). In the Eastern GOA only, slope rockfish also includes northern rockfish, S. polyspinous.
12 ‘‘Northern rockfish’’ means Sebastes polyspinis.
13 ‘‘Pelagic shelf rockfish’’ means Sebastes ciliatus (dark), S. variabilis (dusky), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus (yellowtail).
14 Big skate means Raja binoculata.
15 Longnose skate means Raja rhina.
16 Other skates means Bathyraja spp.
2 Pollock
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17 N/A
means not applicable.
shelf rockfish’’ means Sebastes pinniger (canary), S. nebulosus (china), S. caurinus (copper), S. maliger (quillback), S.
helvomaculatus (rosethorn), S. nigrocinctus (tiger), and S. ruberrimus (yelloweye).
19 ‘‘Other species’’ means sculpins, sharks, squid, and octopus. There is no OFL or ABC for ‘‘other species’’, the TAC for ‘‘other species’’
equals 5 percent of the TACs for assessed target species.
20 The total ABC and OFL is the sum of the ABCs and OFLs for assessed target species.
These footnotes also apply to Table 2.
18 ‘‘Demersal
TABLE 2.—PROPOSED 2007 ABCS, TACS, AND OVERFISHING LEVELS OF GROUNDFISH FOR THE WESTERN/CENTRAL/
WEST YAKUTAT (W/C/WYK), WESTERN (W), CENTRAL (C), EASTERN (E) REGULATORY AREAS, AND IN THE WEST
YAKUTAT (WYK), SOUTHEAST OUTSIDE (SEO), AND GULFWIDE (GW) DISTRICTS OF THE GULF OF ALASKA.
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Species
Area 1
Pollock 2 ..............................................
Shumagin (610) ..................................
Chirikof (620) ......................................
Kodiak (630) .......................................
WYK (640) ..........................................
W/C/WYK ...........................................
SEO (650) ..........................................
Pacific cod 3 ........................................
W ........................................................
C .........................................................
E .........................................................
Flatfish 4 (deep-water) ........................
W ........................................................
C .........................................................
WYK ...................................................
SEO ....................................................
Rex sole .............................................
W ........................................................
C .........................................................
WYK ...................................................
SEO ....................................................
Flathead sole ......................................
W ........................................................
C .........................................................
WYK ...................................................
SEO ....................................................
Flatfish 5 (shallow-water) ....................
W ........................................................
C .........................................................
WYK ...................................................
SEO ....................................................
Arrowtooth flounder ............................
W ........................................................
C .........................................................
WYK ...................................................
SEO ....................................................
Sablefish 6 ...........................................
W ........................................................
C .........................................................
WYK ...................................................
SEO ....................................................
E
Pacific ocean perch 7 ..........................
W ........................................................
C .........................................................
WYK ...................................................
SEO ....................................................
E .........................................................
Shortraker rockfish 8 ...........................
W ........................................................
C .........................................................
E .........................................................
Rougheye rockfish 9 ............................
W ........................................................
C .........................................................
E .........................................................
Other rockfish 10 11 ..............................
W ........................................................
C .........................................................
WYK ...................................................
SEO ....................................................
Total
Subtotal ..............
Total ............
Total ............
Total ............
Total ............
Total ............
Total ............
Total ............
Subtotal ..............
Total ............
Subtotal ..............
Total ............
Total ............
Total ............
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ABC
31,743
35,947
19,547
1,763
89,000
6,520
95,520
16,783
26,572
3,245
46,600
330
3,340
2,120
1,030
6,820
1,680
7,340
1,340
2,290
12,650
12,355
31,721
2,336
308
47,650
21,580
27,250
2,030
1,210
52,070
26,939
173,394
12,096
10,171
222,600
2,215
6,322
2,250
3,113
5,363
13,900
2,494
8,293
803
1,560
N/A
13,150
155
324
274
753
188
557
262
1,007
40
300
130
3,430
16DEP1
TAC
31,743
35,947
19,547
1,763
89,000
6,520
95,520
12,587
19,929
2,920
35,436
330
3,340
2,120
1,030
6,820
1,680
7,340
1,340
2,290
12,650
2,000
5,000
2,336
308
9,644
4,500
13,000
2,030
1,210
20,740
8,000
25,000
2,500
2,500
38,000
2,215
6,322
2,250
3,113
5,363
13,900
2,494
8,293
803
1,560
N/A
13,150
155
324
274
753
188
557
262
1,007
40
300
130
200
Overfishing
level
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
119,800
8,690
128,490
N/A
N/A
N/A
68,900
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8,490
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
16,480
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
59,500
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
63,840
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
260,150
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
16,900
2,985
9,896
N/A
N/A
2,829
15,710
N/A
N/A
N/A
982
N/A
N/A
N/A
1,531
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
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TABLE 2.—PROPOSED 2007 ABCS, TACS, AND OVERFISHING LEVELS OF GROUNDFISH FOR THE WESTERN/CENTRAL/
WEST YAKUTAT (W/C/WYK), WESTERN (W), CENTRAL (C), EASTERN (E) REGULATORY AREAS, AND IN THE WEST
YAKUTAT (WYK), SOUTHEAST OUTSIDE (SEO), AND GULFWIDE (GW) DISTRICTS OF THE GULF OF ALASKA.—Continued
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Species
Area 1
Northern rockfish 11 12 .........................
W ........................................................
C .........................................................
E .........................................................
Pel agic shelf rockfish 13 .....................
W ........................................................
C .........................................................
WYK ...................................................
SEO ....................................................
Thornyhead rockfish ...........................
W ........................................................
C .........................................................
E .........................................................
Big skates 14 .......................................
W ........................................................
C .........................................................
E .........................................................
Longnose skates 15 .............................
W ........................................................
C .........................................................
E .........................................................
Other skates 16 ...................................
Demersal shelf rockfish 18 ..................
Atka mackerel .....................................
Other species 17 19 ..............................
GW .....................................................
SEO ....................................................
GW .....................................................
GW .....................................................
Total
ABC
Total ............
Total ............
Total ............
Total ............
Total ............
Total ............
Total 20 ........
Overfishing
level
TAC
3,900
704
3,726
0
4,430
366
2,973
205
871
4,415
410
1,010
520
1,940
727
2,463
809
3,999
66
1,972
780
2,818
1,327
450
600
21
536,559
670
704
3,726
0
4,430
366
2,973
205
871
4,415
410
1,010
520
1,940
727
2,463
809
3,999
66
1,972
780
2,818
1,327
450
600
13,411
281,640
5,150
N/A
N/A
N/A
5,270
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5,510
N/A
N/A
N/A
2,590
N/A
N/A
N/A
5,332
N/A
N/A
N/A
3,757
1,769
690
6,200
N/A
677,191
The footnotes in Table 2 are identical to those presented above for Table 1.
Proposed Apportionment of Reserves
Regulations at § 679.20(b)(2) require
20 percent of each TAC for pollock,
Pacific cod, flatfish, and the ‘‘other
species’’ category to be set aside in
reserves for possible apportionment at a
later date. In 2005, NMFS reapportioned
all the reserves in the final harvest
specifications. For 2006 and 2007,
NMFS proposes apportionment of all
the reserves for pollock, Pacific cod,
flatfish, and ‘‘other species.’’
Specifications of TAC shown in Tables
1 and 2 reflect apportionment of reserve
amounts for these species and species
groups.
Proposed Apportionments of the
Sablefish TAC Amounts to Vessels
Using Hook-and-Line and Trawl Gear
Under § 679.20(a)(4)(i) and (ii),
sablefish TACs for each of the regulatory
areas and districts are allocated to hookand-line and trawl gear. In the Western
and Central Regulatory Areas, 80
percent of each TAC is allocated to
hook-and-line gear, and 20 percent of
each TAC is allocated to trawl gear. In
the Eastern GOA, 95 percent of the TAC
is allocated to hook-and-line gear and 5
percent is allocated to trawl gear. The
trawl gear allocation in the Eastern GOA
may only be used to support incidental
catch of sablefish in directed fisheries
for other target species (§ 679.20(a)(1)).
In recognition of the trawl ban in the
SEO District of the Eastern GOA, the
Council recommended and NMFS
proposes that 5 percent of the combined
Eastern GOA sablefish TAC be allocated
to trawl gear in the WYK District and
the remainder to vessels using hookand-line gear. In the SEO District, 100
percent of the sablefish TAC is allocated
to vessels using hook-and-line gear. The
Council recommended that only trawl
sablefish TAC be established biennially.
This recommendation results in an
allocation of 287 mt to trawl gear and
2,122 mt to hook-and-line gear in the
WYK District and 3,333 mt to hook-andline gear in the SEO District in 2006.
Table 3 shows the allocations of the
proposed 2006 sablefish TACs between
hook-and-line gear and trawl gear. Table
4 presents the allocation of the proposed
2007 sablefish TACs to trawl gear.
TABLE 3.—PROPOSED 2006 SABLEFISH TAC SPECIFICATIONS IN THE GULF OF ALASKA AND ALLOCATIONS THEREOF TO
HOOK-AND-LINE AND TRAWL GEAR
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Area/District
Western ............................................................................................................................
Central .............................................................................................................................
West Yakutat ...................................................................................................................
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6,767
2,409
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5,414
2,122
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TABLE 3.—PROPOSED 2006 SABLEFISH TAC SPECIFICATIONS IN THE GULF OF ALASKA AND ALLOCATIONS THEREOF TO
HOOK-AND-LINE AND TRAWL GEAR—Continued
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Area/District
Hook-and-line
apportionment
TAC
Trawl apportionment
Southeast Outside ...........................................................................................................
3,333
3,333
0
Total ...................................................................................................................
14,880
12,766
2,114
TABLE 4.—PROPOSED 2007 SABLEFISH TAC SPECIFICATIONS IN THE GULF OF ALASKA AND ALLOCATION THEREOF TO
TRAWL GEAR
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Area/District
Hook-and-line
apportionment 1
TAC
Trawl
apportionment
Western ............................................................................................................................
Central .............................................................................................................................
West Yakutat ...................................................................................................................
Southeast Outside ...........................................................................................................
2,215
6,322
2,250
3,113
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
443
1,264
268
0
Total ......................................................................................................................
13,900
N/A
1,975
1 The
Council recommended that specifications for the hook-and-line gear sablefish IFQ fisheries be limited to 1 year to ensure that those fisheries are conducted concurrently with the halibut IFQ fishery.
Proposed Apportionments of Pollock
TAC Among Seasons and Regulatory
Areas, and Allocations for Processing
by Inshore and Offshore Components
In the GOA, pollock is apportioned by
season and area, and is further divided
between inshore and offshore
processing components. Under
§ 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B), the annual pollock
TAC specified for the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA is
apportioned into four equal seasonal
allowances of 25 percent. As established
by § 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A,
B, C, and D season allowances are
available from January 20 through
March 10, March 10 through May 31,
August 25 through October 1, and
October 1 through November 1,
respectively.
Pollock TACs in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA are
apportioned among statistical areas 610,
620, and 630 in the A and B seasons in
proportion to the distribution of pollock
biomass based on a composite of NMFS
winter surveys and in the C and D
seasons in proportion to the distribution
of pollock biomass based on the four
most recent NMFS summer surveys. As
in 2005, the Council recommended
averaging the winter and summer
distribution of pollock in the Central
Regulatory Area for the A season to
better reflect the distribution of pollock
and the performance of the fishery in
the area during the A season for the
2006 and 2007 fishing years. Within any
fishing year, the underage or overage of
a seasonal allowance may be added to,
or subtracted from, subsequent seasonal
allowances. The rollover amount is
limited to 20 percent of the seasonal
apportionment for the statistical area.
Any unharvested pollock above the 20
percent limit could be further
distributed to the other statistical areas,
in proportion to the estimated biomass
in the subsequent season in those
statistical areas. The WYK District
pollock TAC of 1,955 mt in 2006, and
1,763 mt in 2007, along with the SEO
District pollock TAC of 6,520 mt for
2006 and 2007, are not allocated
seasonally.
Section 679.20(a)(6)(i) requires the
allocation of 100 percent of the pollock
TAC in all regulatory areas and all
seasonal allowances thereof to vessels
catching pollock for processing by the
inshore component after subtraction of
amounts that are projected by the
Regional Administrator to be caught by,
or delivered to, the offshore component
incidental to directed fishing for other
groundfish species. The amount of
pollock available for harvest by vessels
harvesting pollock for processing by the
offshore component is that amount
actually taken as incidental catch during
directed fishing for groundfish species
other than pollock, up to the maximum
retainable amounts allowed under at
§ 679.20(e) and (f). At this time, these
incidental catch amounts are unknown
and will be determined during the
fishing year.
The proposed 2006 and 2007 seasonal
biomass distribution of pollock in the
Western and Central GOA, area
apportionments, and seasonal
apportionments for the A, B, C, and D
seasons are summarized in Tables 5 and
6.
TABLE 5.—PROPOSED 2006 DISTRIBUTION OF POLLOCK IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN REGULATORY AREAS OF THE
GULF OF ALASKA; SEASONAL BIOMASS DISTRIBUTION, AREA APPORTIONMENTS; AND SEASONAL ALLOWANCES OF ANNUAL TAC
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
[Area Apportionments Resulting From Seasonal Distribution of Biomass]
Shumagin
(Area 610)
Season
A .......................................................................................
B .......................................................................................
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16,012 (66.2%)
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Kodiak
(Area 630)
4,805 (19.87%)
2,339 (9.68%)
16DEP1
Total
24,187 (100%)
24,186 (100%)
74746
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TABLE 5.—PROPOSED 2006 DISTRIBUTION OF POLLOCK IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN REGULATORY AREAS OF THE
GULF OF ALASKA; SEASONAL BIOMASS DISTRIBUTION, AREA APPORTIONMENTS; AND SEASONAL ALLOWANCES OF ANNUAL TAC—Continued
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
[Area Apportionments Resulting From Seasonal Distribution of Biomass]
Shumagin
(Area 610)
Season
Chirikof
(Area 620)
Kodiak
(Area 630)
Total
C ......................................................................................
D ......................................................................................
11,766 (48.64%)
11,766 (48.64%)
5,153 (21.3%)
5,153 (21.3%)
7,267 (30.06%)
7,267 (30.06%)
24,186 (100%)
24,186 (100%)
Annual total .......................................................
35,202
39,865
21,678
96,745
TABLE 6.—PROPOSED 2007 DISTRIBUTION OF POLLOCK IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN REGULATORY AREAS OF THE
GULF OF ALASKA; SEASONAL BIOMASS DISTRIBUTION, AREA APPORTIONMENTS; AND SEASONAL ALLOWANCES OF ANNUAL TAC
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
[Area Apportionments Resulting From Seasonal Distribution of Biomass]
Shumagin
(Area 610)
Season
A
B
C
D
.......................................................................................
.......................................................................................
......................................................................................
......................................................................................
5,262
5,261
10,610
10,610
Pacific cod fishing is divided into two
seasons in the Western and Central
Regulatory Areas of the GOA. For hookand-line, pot, and jig gear, the A season
is January 1 through June 10, and the B
season is September 1 through
December 31. For trawl gear, the A
season is January 20 through June 10,
and the B season is September 1 through
November 1 (§ 679.23(d)(3)). After
subtraction of incidental catch, 60
percent and 40 percent of the annual
Kodiak
(Area 630)
Total
(24.12%)
(24.12%)
(48.64%)
(48.64%)
12,216 (56.01%)
14,439 (66.2%)
4,646 (21.3%)
4,646 (21.3%)
4,332 (19.87%)
2,109 (9.68%)
6,553 (30.06%)
6,553 (30.06%)
31,743
Annual total .......................................................
Proposed Seasonal Apportionments of
Pacific Cod TAC and Allocations for
Processing of Pacific Cod TAC Between
Inshore and Offshore Components
Chirikof
(Area 620)
35,947
19,547
TAC will be available for harvest during
the A and B seasons, respectively, and
will be apportioned between the inshore
and offshore processing components, as
provided in § 679.20(a)(6)(ii). Between
the A and the B seasons, directed
fishing for Pacific cod is closed, and
fishermen participating in other
directed fisheries may retain Pacific cod
up to the maximum retainable amounts
allowed under § 679.20(e) and (f). Under
§ 679.20(a)(11)(ii), any overage or
underage of Pacific cod allowance from
the A season may be subtracted from or
added to the subsequent B season
allowance.
21,810
21,809
21,809
21,809
(100%)
(100%)
(100%)
(100%)
87,237
Section 679.20(a)(6)(ii) requires the
allocation of the TAC apportionment of
Pacific cod in all regulatory areas to
vessels catching Pacific cod for
processing by the inshore and offshore
components. Ninety percent of the
Pacific cod TAC in each regulatory area
is allocated to vessels catching Pacific
cod for processing by the inshore
component. The remaining 10 percent
of the TAC is allocated to vessels
catching Pacific cod for processing by
the offshore component. These seasonal
apportionments and allocations of the
proposed 2006 and 2007 Pacific cod
TACs are shown in Tables 7 and 8,
respectively.
TABLE 7.—PROPOSED 2006 SEASONAL APPORTIONMENTS AND ALLOCATION OF PACIFIC COD TAC AMOUNTS IN THE GULF
OF ALASKA; ALLOCATIONS FOR PROCESSING BY THE INSHORE AND OFFSHORE COMPONENTS
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Component allocation
Season
Regulatory area
TAC
Inshore (90%)
Offshore (10%)
Annual .......................................................
A season (60%) ........................................
B season (40%) ........................................
Annual .......................................................
A season (60%) ........................................
B season (40%) ........................................
Annual .......................................................
Western ....................................................
..................................................................
..................................................................
Central ......................................................
..................................................................
..................................................................
Eastern .....................................................
14,964
8,978
5,986
23,692
14,215
9,477
3,472
13,468
8,080
5,388
21,323
12,794
8,529
3,125
1,496
898
598
2,369
1,421
948
347
Total ...................................................
..................................................................
42,128
37,915
4,213
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TABLE 8.—PROPOSED 2007 SEASONAL APPORTIONMENTS AND ALLOCATION OF PACIFIC COD TAC AMOUNTS IN THE GULF
OF ALASKA; ALLOCATIONS FOR PROCESSING BY THE INSHORE AND OFFSHORE COMPONENTS
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Component allocation
Season
Regulatory area
TAC
Inshore (90%)
Offshore (10%)
Annual .......................................................
A season (60%) ........................................
B season (40%) ........................................
Annual .......................................................
A season (60%) ........................................
B season (40%) ........................................
Annual .......................................................
Western ....................................................
..................................................................
..................................................................
Central ......................................................
..................................................................
..................................................................
Eastern .....................................................
12,587
7,552
5,035
19,929
11,957
7,972
2,920
11,328
6,797
4,531
17,936
10,761
7,175
2,628
1,259
755
504
1,993
1,196
797
292
Total ...................................................
..................................................................
35,436
31,892
3,544
Proposed Halibut PSC Limits
Under § 679.21(d), annual halibut PSC
limits are established and apportioned
to trawl and hook-and-line gears and
may be established for pot gear. In
October 2005, the Council
recommended that NMFS maintain the
2005 halibut PSC limits of 2,000 mt for
the trawl fisheries and 300 mt for the
hook-and-line fisheries. Ten mt of the
hook-and-line limit is further allocated
to the demersal shelf rockfish (DSR)
fishery in the SEO District. Historically,
the DSR fishery, defined at
§ 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(A), has been
apportioned this amount in recognition
of its small scale harvests. Most vessels
in the DSR fishery are less than 60 ft
(18.3 m) length overall (LOA) making
them exempt from observer coverage.
Although observer data are not available
to verify actual bycatch amounts, NMFS
assumes the halibut bycatch in the DSR
fishery is low because of the short soak
times for the gear and duration of the
DSR fishery. Also, the DSR fishery
occurs in the winter when less overlap
occurs in the distribution of DSR and
halibut.
Section 679.21(d)(4) authorizes the
exemption of specified non-trawl
fisheries from the halibut PSC limit. The
Council recommended that pot gear, jig
gear, and the hook-and-line sablefish
fishery be exempted from the non-trawl
halibut limit for 2006 and 2007. The
Council recommended these
exemptions because: (1) The pot gear
fisheries experience low halibut bycatch
mortality (averaging 11 mt annually
from 2001 through 2004 and 38 mt
through October 8, 2005); (2) the
Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program
requires legal-sized halibut to be
retained by vessels using hook-and-line
gear if a halibut IFQ permit holder is
aboard and is holding unused halibut
IFQ; and (3) halibut mortality for the jig
gear fleet cannot be estimated because
these vessels do not carry observers.
NMFS assumes halibut mortality is very
low given the small amount of
groundfish harvested by jig gear
(averaging 303 mt annually from 2001
through 2004 and 153 mt through
October 8, 2005) and assumes that
survival rates of any halibut incidentally
caught by jig gear and released are high.
Under § 679.21(d)(5), NMFS
seasonally apportions the halibut PSC
limits based on recommendations from
the Council. The FMP and regulations
require that the Council and NMFS
consider the following information in
seasonally apportioning halibut PSC
limits: (1) Seasonal distribution of
halibut, (2) seasonal distribution of
target groundfish species relative to
halibut distribution, (3) expected
halibut bycatch needs on a seasonal
basis relative to changes in halibut
biomass and expected catch of target
groundfish species, (4) expected bycatch
rates on a seasonal basis, (5) expected
changes in directed groundfish fishing
seasons, (6) expected actual start of
fishing effort, and (7) economic effects
of establishing seasonal halibut
allocations on segments of the target
groundfish industry.
The final 2005 groundfish and PSC
specifications (70 FR 8958, February 24,
2005) summarized the Council and
NMFS findings with respect to each of
these FMP considerations. The
Council’s and NMFS’ findings are
unchanged. The proposed Pacific
halibut PSC limits, and apportionments
thereof for 2006 and 2007, are presented
in Table 9. Sections 679.21(d)(5)(iii) and
(iv) specify that any underages or
overages in a seasonal apportionment of
a PSC limit will be deducted from or
added to the next respective seasonal
apportionment within the 2006 and
2007 fishing years.
TABLE 9.—PROPOSED 2006 AND 2007 PACIFIC HALIBUT PSC LIMITS, ALLOWANCES, AND APPORTIONMENTS. THE PACIFIC HALIBUT PSC LIMIT FOR HOOK-AND-LINE GEAR IS ALLOCATED TO THE DEMERSAL SHELF ROCKFISH (DSR)
FISHERY AND FISHERIES OTHER THAN DSR. THE HOOK-AND-LINE SABLEFISH FISHERY IS EXEMPT FROM HALIBUT
PSC LIMITS.
[Values are in metric tons]
Trawl gear
Hook-and-line gear
Other than DSR
Dates
DSR
Amount
Dates
January 20–April 1 .................
April 1–July 1 ..........................
July 1–September 1 ...............
September 1–October 1 .........
October 1–December 31 ........
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:33 Dec 15, 2005
550 (27.5%)
400 (20%)
600 (30%)
150 (7.5%)
300 (15%)
Jkt 208001
Amount
Dates
Amount
January 1–June 10 ..............
June 10–September 1 .........
September 1–December 31
..............................................
..............................................
250 (86%)
5 (2%)
35 (12%)
........................
........................
January–December 31 .........
..............................................
..............................................
..............................................
..............................................
10 (100%)
........................
........................
........................
........................
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TABLE 9.—PROPOSED 2006 AND 2007 PACIFIC HALIBUT PSC LIMITS, ALLOWANCES, AND APPORTIONMENTS. THE PACIFIC HALIBUT PSC LIMIT FOR HOOK-AND-LINE GEAR IS ALLOCATED TO THE DEMERSAL SHELF ROCKFISH (DSR)
FISHERY AND FISHERIES OTHER THAN DSR. THE HOOK-AND-LINE SABLEFISH FISHERY IS EXEMPT FROM HALIBUT
PSC LIMITS.—Continued
[Values are in metric tons]
Trawl gear
Hook-and-line gear
Other than DSR
Dates
Dates
Total ................................
DSR
Amount
2,000 (100%)
Section 679.21(d)(3)(ii) authorizes the
further apportionment of the trawl
halibut PSC limit to trawl fishery
categories, based on each category’s
proportional share of the anticipated
halibut bycatch mortality during a
fishing year and the need to optimize
the total amount of groundfish harvest
Amount
..............................................
290 (100%)
under the halibut PSC limit. The fishery
categories for the trawl halibut PSC
limits are (1) a deep-water species
complex, comprised of sablefish,
rockfish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole
and arrowtooth flounder; and (2) a
shallow-water species complex,
comprised of pollock, Pacific cod,
Dates
Amount
..............................................
10 (100%)
shallow-water flatfish, flathead sole,
Atka mackerel, skates, and ‘‘other
species’’ (§ 679.21(d)(3)(iii)). The
proposed 2006 and 2007 seasonal
apportionments for these two fishery
complexes are presented in Table 10.
TABLE 10.—PROPOSED 2006 AND 2007 SEASONAL APPORTIONMENTS OF PACIFIC HALIBUT PSC TRAWL LIMITS BETWEEN
THE TRAWL GEAR DEEP-WATER SPECIES COMPLEX AND THE SHALLOW-WATER SPECIES COMPLEX
[Values are in metric tons]
Season
Shallow-water
Deep-water
Total
January 20–April 1 ...........................................................................................................
April 1–July 1 ...................................................................................................................
July 1–September 1 .........................................................................................................
September 1–October 1 ..................................................................................................
450
100
200
150
100
300
400
Any remainder
550
400
600
150
Subtotal January 20–October 1 ...............................................................................
October 1–December 31 .................................................................................................
900
N/A
800
N/A
1,700
300
Total ..........................................................................................................................
N/A
N/A
2,000
No apportionment between shallow-water and deep-water fishery complexes during the 5th season (October 1–December 31).
Based on public comment and
information contained in the final 2005
SAFE report, the Council may
recommend, or NMFS may make,
changes in the seasonal, gear-type, or
fishing-complex apportionments of
halibut PSC limits for the final 2006 and
2007 harvest specifications. NMFS will
consider the following types of
information in setting final halibut PSC
limits.
Estimated Halibut Bycatch in Prior
Years
The best available information on
estimated halibut bycatch is data
collected by observers during 2005. The
calculated halibut bycatch mortality by
trawl, hook-and-line, and pot gears
through October 8, 2005, is 2,005 mt,
187 mt, and 38 mt, respectively, for a
total halibut mortality of 2,230 mt.
Halibut bycatch restrictions
seasonally constrained trawl gear
fisheries during the 2005 fishing year.
Trawling during the first season closed
for the deep-water complex on March 23
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:33 Dec 15, 2005
Jkt 208001
(70 FR 15600, March 28, 2005) and
during the second season on April 8 (70
FR 19339, April 13, 2005). This April 18
closure was modified to open trawling
for the deep-water fishery complex from
April 24 through May 3 (70 FR 21678,
April 27, 2005 and 70 FR 23940, May
6, 2005). Trawling during the third
season closed for the deep-water
complex on July 24 (70 FR 43327, July
27, 2005) and during the fourth season
on September 4 (70 FR 52326,
September 2, 2005). Trawling during the
third season closed for the shallowwater complex on August 19 (70 FR
49507, August 24, 2005) and during the
fourth season on September 4 (70 FR
52325, September 2, 2005). Trawling for
all groundfish targets (with the
exception of pollock by vessels using
pelagic trawl gear) closed for the fifth
season on October 1 (70 FR 57803,
October 4, 2005). The use of hook-andline gear targeting groundfish has
remained open thus far as the first
seasonal allowance of halibut PSC has
not been reached (as of November 8,
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2005). The amount of groundfish that
trawl gear might have harvested if
halibut catch limitations had not
restricted the 2005 season is unknown.
Expected Changes in Groundfish Stocks
and Catch
Proposed 2006 and 2007 ABCs for
pollock, flathead sole, and arrowtooth
flounder (in 2007) are higher than those
established for 2005. However, the
proposed 2006 and 2007 ABCs for
Pacific cod, sablefish, arrowtooth (in
2006), northern rockfish, Pacific ocean
perch, and pelagic shelf rockfish are
lower than those established for 2005.
For the remaining target species, the
Council recommended that ABC levels
remain unchanged from 2005. More
information on these changes is
included in the final SAFE report
(November 2004) and in the Council,
SSC, and AP October 2005 meeting
minutes available from the Council (see
ADDRESSES).
The total TAC amounts for the GOA
are 301,304 mt for 2006, and 281,640 mt
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for 2007, an increase of about 3.4
percent in 2006 and a decrease of about
3.3 percent in 2007 from the 2005 TAC
total of 291,298 mt. Those fisheries for
which the 2006 and 2007 TACs are
lower than in 2005 are Pacific cod
(decreased to 42,128 mt in 2006 and
35,436 mt in 2007 from 44,433 mt in
2005), flathead sole (decreased to 9,644
mt in 2007 from 10,390 mt in 2005),
sablefish (decreased to 14,880 mt in
2006 and 13,900 mt in 2007 from 15,940
mt in 2005), northern rockfish
(decreased to 4,730 mt in 2006 and
4,430 mt in 2007 from 5,091 mt in
2005), Pacific ocean perch (decreased to
13,292 mt in 2006 and 13,150 mt in
2007 from 13,575 mt in 2005), and
‘‘other species’’ (decreased to 13,411 mt
in 2007 from 13,871 mt in 2005). Those
fisheries for which the 2006 and 2007
TACs are higher than in 2005 are
pollock (increased to 105,220 mt in
2006 and 95,520 mt in 2007 from 91,710
mt in 2005), flathead sole (increased to
10,557 mt in 2006 mt from 10,390 mt in
2005), and ‘‘other species’’ (increased to
13,411 mt in 2006 from 13,871 mt in
2005).
Current Estimates of Halibut Biomass
and Stock Condition
The most recent halibut stock
assessment was conducted by the
International Pacific Halibut
Commission (IPHC) in December 2004
for the 2005 commercial fishery. The
2004 assessment contains minor
technical changes from the previous
year. The halibut stock is healthy in the
central and southern portion of its range
(Areas 3A through 2A) but is believed
to have declined in western and
northern portion of its range (Areas 3B
and 4). The current exploitable halibut
biomass in Alaska for 2005 was
estimated to be 149,687 mt, down from
215,912 mt in 2004. Most of this change
is due to revised estimates of biomass in
2004. The female spawning biomass
remains far above the minimum which
occurred in the 1970s.
The exploitable biomass of the Pacific
halibut stock apparently peaked at
326,520 mt in 1988. According to the
IPHC, the long-term average
reproductive biomass for the Pacific
halibut resource was estimated at
118,000 mt. Long-term average yield
was estimated at 26,980 mt, round
weight. The species is fully utilized.
Recent average catches (1994–2004) in
the commercial halibut fisheries in
Alaska have averaged 34,241 mt, round
weight. This catch in Alaska is 27
percent higher than long-term potential
yield for the entire halibut stock
reflecting the good condition of the
Pacific halibut resource. In January
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18:33 Dec 15, 2005
Jkt 208001
74749
2005, the IPHC recommended
commercial catch limits totaling 35,828
mt, round weight, for Alaska in 2005.
Through October 14, 2005, commercial
hook- and line harvests of halibut in
Alaska totaled 34,459 mt, round weight.
In 2004, IPHC staff identified a 25
percent harvest rate as a candidate target
rate for use with the new population
assessment, pending its evaluation
using the sex-specific population model.
This updated evaluation was completed
and indicated that a harvest rate less
than 25 percent would result in a 50
percent lower probability that the stock
biomass would reach a level requiring
reductions in harvest rate. Accordingly,
the IPHC adopted a harvest rate of 22.5
percent for the central and southern
regulatory areas (Areas 3A through 2A)
and a harvest rate of 20 percent for the
western and northern regulatory areas
(Areas 3B and 4) in 2005. The lower rate
for the western and northern areas is
based on a concern that the long term
productivity of these areas may not be
as high as the central and southern
areas.
Additional information on the Pacific
halibut stock assessment may be found
in the IPHC’s 2004 Pacific halibut stock
assessment (December 2004), available
from the IPHC and on its website at
https://www.iphc.washington.edu. The
IPHC will consider the 2005 Pacific
halibut assessment for 2006 at its
January 2006 annual meeting when it
sets the 2006 commercial halibut fishery
quotas.
Other Factors
The allowable commercial catch of
halibut will be adjusted to account for
the overall halibut PSC mortality limit
established for groundfish fisheries. The
2006 and 2007 groundfish fisheries are
expected to use the entire proposed
annual halibut PSC limit of 2,300 mt.
The allowable directed commercial
catch is determined by accounting for
the recreational and subsistence catch,
waste, and bycatch mortality and then
providing the remainder to the directed
fishery. Groundfish fishing is not
expected to adversely affect the halibut
stocks. Methods available for reducing
halibut bycatch include: (1) Publication
of individual vessel bycatch rates on the
NMFS Alaska Region homepage at
https://www.fakr.noaa.gov, (2)
modifications to gear, (3) changes in
groundfish fishing seasons, (4)
individual transferable quota programs,
and (5) time/area closures.
Reductions in groundfish TAC
amounts provide no incentive for
fishermen to reduce bycatch rates. Costs
that would be imposed on fishermen as
a result of reducing TAC amounts
depend on the species and amounts of
groundfish foregone.
Under § 679.2, the definition of
‘‘Authorized fishing gear,’’ paragraph
12, specifies requirements for
biodegradable panels and tunnel
openings for groundfish pots to reduce
halibut bycatch. As a result, low bycatch
and mortality rates of halibut in pot
fisheries have justified exempting pot
gear from PSC limits.
The regulations also define ‘‘Pelagic
trawl gear’’ in a manner intended to
reduce bycatch of halibut by displacing
fishing effort off the bottom of the sea
floor when certain halibut bycatch
levels are reached during the fishing
year. The definition provides standards
for physical conformation (§ 679.2,
‘‘Authorized fishing gear,’’ paragraph
11) and performance of the trawl gear in
terms of crab bycatch (§ 679.7(a)(14)).
Furthermore, all hook-and-line vessel
operators are required to employ careful
release measures when handling halibut
bycatch (§ 679.7(a)(13)). These measures
are intended to reduce handling
mortality, thereby lowering overall
halibut bycatch mortality in the
groundfish fisheries, and to increase the
amount of groundfish harvested under
the available halibut mortality bycatch
limits.
NMFS and the Council will review
the methods available for reducing
halibut bycatch listed here to determine
their effectiveness, and will initiate
changes, as necessary, in response to
this review or to public testimony and
comment.
Halibut Discard Mortality Rates
The Council recommends and NMFS
proposes that the recommended halibut
discard mortality rates (DMRs)
developed by the staff of the IPHC for
the 2005 GOA groundfish fisheries be
used to monitor halibut bycatch
mortality limits established for the 2006
and 2007 GOA groundfish fisheries. The
IPHC recommended use of long-term
average DMRs for the 2004–2006
groundfish fisheries. The IPHC
recommendation also includes a
provision that DMRs could be revised
should analysis indicate that a fishery’s
annual DMR deviates substantially (up
or down) from the long-term average.
Most of the IPHC’s assumed DMRs were
based on an average of mortality rates
determined from NMFS observer data
collected between 1993 and 2002. DMRs
were lacking for some fisheries, so rates
from the most recent years were used.
For the ‘‘other species’’ and skate
fisheries, where insufficient mortality
data are available, the mortality rate of
halibut caught in the Pacific cod fishery
for each gear type was recommended as
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a default rate. The DMRs proposed for
the GOA in 2006 and 2007 are
unchanged from those used in 2005.
The DMRs for hook-and-line targeted
fisheries range from 8 to 13 percent. The
DMRs for trawl targeted fisheries range
from 57 to 75 percent. The DMRs for all
pot targeted fisheries is 17 percent. The
proposed DMRs for 2006 and 2007 are
listed in Table 11. The justification for
these DMRs is discussed in Appendix A
of the final SAFE report dated
November 2004. The IPHC will update
and provide recommendations for
halibut DMRs in 2006 for the 2007
groundfish fisheries.
TABLE 11.—PROPOSED 2006 AND 2007 HALIBUT DISCARD MORTALITY RATES FOR VESSELS FISHING IN THE GULF OF
ALASKA
[Listed values are percent of halibut bycatch assumed to be dead]
Gear
Target
Hook-and-line ............................................................................
Other species ...........................................................................
Skates ......................................................................................
Pacific cod ...............................................................................
Rockfish ...................................................................................
Arrowtooth flounder .................................................................
Atka mackerel ..........................................................................
Deep-water flatfish ...................................................................
Flathead sole ...........................................................................
Non pelagic pollock .................................................................
Other species ...........................................................................
Skates ......................................................................................
Pacific cod ...............................................................................
Pelagic pollock .........................................................................
Rex sole ...................................................................................
Rockfish ...................................................................................
Sablefish ..................................................................................
Shallow-water flatfish ...............................................................
Other species ...........................................................................
Skates ......................................................................................
Pacific cod ...............................................................................
Trawl ..........................................................................................
Pot .............................................................................................
Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act
(AFA) Catcher Vessel Groundfish
Harvest and PSC Limitations
Section 679.64 established groundfish
harvesting and processing sideboard
limitations on AFA catcher/processors
and catcher vessels in the GOA. These
sideboard limitations are necessary to
protect the interests of fishermen and
processors who do not directly benefit
from the AFA from fishermen and
processors who received exclusive
harvesting and processing privileges
under the AFA. In the GOA, listed AFA
catcher/processors are prohibited from
harvesting any species of fish
(§ 679.7(k)(1)(ii)) and from processing
any groundfish harvested in Statistical
Area 630 of the GOA (§ 679.7(k)(1)(iv)).
Section 679.64(b)(2)(ii) exempts from
sideboard limitations AFA catcher
vessels in the GOA less than 125 ft (38.1
m) LOA whose annual Bering Sea and
Aleutians Islands pollock landings
totaled less than 5,100 mt and that made
40 or more GOA groundfish landings
from 1995 through 1997.
For non-exempt AFA catcher vessels
in the GOA, sideboard limitations are
based on their traditional harvest levels
Mortality Rate
13
13
13
8
69
60
57
62
59
61
61
61
75
62
67
62
68
17
17
17
of TAC in groundfish fisheries covered
by the GOA FMP. Section
679.64(b)(3)(iii) establishes the GOA
groundfish sideboard limitations based
on the retained catch of non-exempt
AFA catcher vessels of each sideboard
species from 1995 through 1997 divided
by the TAC for that species over the
same period. These amounts are listed
in Table 12 for 2006 and in Table 13 for
2007. All targeted or incidental catch of
sideboard species made by non-exempt
AFA catcher vessels will be deducted
from the sideboard limits in Tables 12
and 13.
TABLE 12.—PROPOSED 2006 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV) GROUNDFISH
HARVEST SIDEBOARD LIMITATIONS
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
Species
Apportionments and allocations by area/season/processor/gear
Pollock .............................................................
A Season (W/C areas only)
January 20–March 10
Shumagin (610)
Chirikof (620) ..................................................
Kodiak (630) ...................................................
B Season (W/C areas only) ...........................
March 10–May 31
Shumagin (610) ..............................................
Chirikof (620) ..................................................
Kodiak (630) ...................................................
C Season (W/C areas only)
VerDate Aug<31>2005
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Ratio of 1995–
1997 non-exempt AFA CV
catch to 1995–
1997 TAC
2006 TAC
2006 non-exempt AFA
catcher vessel
sideboard
0.6112
0.1427
0.2438
5,835
13,547
4,805
3,566
1,933
1,171
0.6112
0.1427
0.2438
5,835
16,012
2,339
3,566
2,285
570
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74751
TABLE 12.—PROPOSED 2006 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV) GROUNDFISH
HARVEST SIDEBOARD LIMITATIONS—Continued
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
Apportionments and allocations by area/season/processor/gear
Species
Pacific cod .......................................................
Flatfish deep-water .........................................
Rex sole ..........................................................
Flathead sole ..................................................
Flatfish shallow-water .....................................
Arrowtooth flounder .........................................
Sablefish .........................................................
Pacific ocean perch ........................................
Shortraker rockfish ..........................................
Rougheye rockfish ..........................................
Other rockfish ..................................................
Northern rockfish .............................................
Pelagic shelf rockfish ......................................
Thornyhead rockfish .......................................
Big skates .......................................................
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:33 Dec 15, 2005
Jkt 208001
August 25–October 1
Shumagin (610) ..............................................
Chirikof (620) ..................................................
Kodiak (630) ...................................................
D Season (W/C areas only)
October 1–November 1
Shumagin (610) ..............................................
Chirikof (620) ..................................................
Kodiak (630) ...................................................
Annual
WYK (640) ......................................................
SEO (650) ......................................................
A Season1
January 1–June 10
W inshore .......................................................
W offshore ......................................................
C inshore ........................................................
C offshore .......................................................
B Season 2
September 1–December 31.
W inshore .......................................................
W offshore ......................................................
C inshore ........................................................
C offshore .......................................................
Annual
E inshore ........................................................
E offshore .......................................................
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
E .....................................................................
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
E .....................................................................
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
E .....................................................................
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
E .....................................................................
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
E .....................................................................
W trawl gear ...................................................
C trawl gear ....................................................
E trawl gear ....................................................
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
E .....................................................................
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
E .....................................................................
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
E .....................................................................
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
E .....................................................................
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
E .....................................................................
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
E .....................................................................
W ....................................................................
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Ratio of 1995–
1997 non-exempt AFA CV
catch to 1995–
1997 TAC
2006 TAC
2006 non-exempt AFA
catcher vessel
sideboard
0.6112
0.1427
0.2438
11,766
5,153
7,267
7,191
735
1,772
0.6112
0.1427
0.2438
11,766
5,153
7,267
7,191
735
1,772
0.3499
0.3499
1,955
6,520
684
2,281
0.1423
0.1026
0.0722
0.0721
8,080
898
12,794
1,421
1,050
92
924
102
0.1423
0.1026
0.0722
0.0721
5,388
598
8,529
948
767
61
616
68
0.0079
0.0078
0.0000
0.0670
0.0171
0.0010
0.0402
0.0153
0.0036
0.0261
0.0048
0.0156
0.0598
0.0126
0.0021
0.0309
0.0020
0.0000
0.0720
0.0488
0.0623
0.0866
0.0466
0.0000
0.0237
0.0124
0.0000
0.0237
0.0124
0.0034
0.2065
0.0000
0.0003
0.0336
0.0001
0.0000
0.0067
0.0308
0.0308
0.0308
0.0090
3,125
347
330
3,340
3,150
1,680
7,340
3,360
2,000
5,000
3,557
4,500
13,000
3,240
8,000
25,000
5,000
474
1,353
287
2,525
8,357
2,392
155
324
247
188
557
262
40
300
330
752
3,978
366
2,973
1,076
410
1,010
520
727
25
3
0
224
54
2
295
56
7
131
17
70
777
41
17
773
10
0
97
14
157
725
111
0
8
3
0
13
3
0
62
0
0
146
0
0
7
13
31
16
7
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TABLE 12.—PROPOSED 2006 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV) GROUNDFISH
HARVEST SIDEBOARD LIMITATIONS—Continued
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
Apportionments and allocations by area/season/processor/gear
Species
Longnose skates .............................................
Other skates ....................................................
Demersal shelf rockfish ..................................
Atka mackerel .................................................
Other species ..................................................
1 The
2 The
Ratio of 1995–
1997 non-exempt AFA CV
catch to 1995–
1997 TAC
C .....................................................................
E .....................................................................
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
E .....................................................................
GW .................................................................
SEO ................................................................
Gulfwide .........................................................
Gulfwide .........................................................
0.0090
0.0090
0.0090
0.0090
0.0090
0.0090
0.0020
0.0309
0.0090
2006 TAC
2006 non-exempt AFA
catcher vessel
sideboard
2,463
809
66
1,972
780
1,327
410
600
14,348
22
7
1
18
7
12
1
19
129
Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
TABLE 13.—PROPOSED 2007 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV) GROUNDFISH
HARVEST SIDEBOARD LIMITATIONS.
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
Species
Apportionments and allocations by area/season/processor/gear
Pollock ..............................................
A Season (W/C areas only): January 20–March 10
Shumagin (610) ............................................................
Chirikof (620) ................................................................
Kodiak (630) ..................................................................
B Season (W/C areas only)
March 10–May 31
Shumagin (610) ............................................................
Chirikof (620) ................................................................
Kodiak (630) ..................................................................
C Season (W/C areas only)
August 25–October 1
Shumagin (610) ............................................................
Chirikof (620) ................................................................
Kodiak (630) ..................................................................
D Season (W/C areas only)
October 1–November 1
Shumagin (610) ............................................................
Chirikof (620) ................................................................
Kodiak (630) ..................................................................
Annual
WYK (640) ....................................................................
SEO (650) .....................................................................
A Season 1
January 1–June 10
W inshore ......................................................................
W offshore .....................................................................
C inshore .......................................................................
C offshore .....................................................................
B Season 2
September 1–December 31
W inshore ......................................................................
W offshore .....................................................................
C inshore .......................................................................
C offshore .....................................................................
Annual
E inshore .......................................................................
E offshore ......................................................................
Ratio of 1995–
1997 non-exempt AFA CV
catch to 1995–
1997 TAC
2007 TAC
2007 non-exempt AFA
catcher vessel
sideboard
5,262
12,216
4,332
3,216
1,743
1,056
0.6112
0.1427
0.2438
5,261
14,439
2,109
3,216
2,060
514
0.6112
0.1427
0.2438
10,610
4,646
6,553
6,485
633
1,598
0.6112
0.1427
0.2438
10,610
4,646
6,553
6,485
663
1,598
0.3499
0.3499
1,763
6,520
617
2,281
0.1423
0.1026
0.0722
0.0721
6,797
755
10,761
1,197
967
77
777
86
0.1423
0.1026
0.0722
0.0721
4,531
504
7,175
797
645
52
518
57
0.0079
0.0078
2,628
292
21
2
W ...................................................................................
C ....................................................................................
E ....................................................................................
0.0000
0.0670
0.0171
330
3,340
3,150
0
224
54
W ...................................................................................
Pacific cod ........................................
0.6112
0.1427
0.2438
0.0010
1,680
2
Flatfish deep-water.
Rex sole.
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 241 / Friday, December 16, 2005 / Proposed Rules
74753
TABLE 13.—PROPOSED 2007 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV) GROUNDFISH
HARVEST SIDEBOARD LIMITATIONS.—Continued
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
Ratio of 1995–
1997 non-exempt AFA CV
catch to 1995–
1997 TAC
C ....................................................................................
E ....................................................................................
0.0402
0.0153
7,340
3,630
295
56
W ...................................................................................
C ....................................................................................
E ....................................................................................
0.0036
0.0261
0.0048
2,000
5,000
2,664
7
131
13
W ...................................................................................
C ....................................................................................
E ....................................................................................
0.0156
0.0598
0.0126
4,500
13,000
3,240
70
777
41
W ...................................................................................
C ....................................................................................
E ....................................................................................
0.0021
0.0309
0.0020
8,000
25,000
5,000
17
773
10
W trawl gear ..................................................................
C trawl gear ..................................................................
E trawl gear ...................................................................
0.0000
0.0720
0.0488
443
1,264
268
0
91
13
W ...................................................................................
C ....................................................................................
E ....................................................................................
0.0623
0.0866
0.0466
2,494
8,293
2,363
155
718
110
W ...................................................................................
C ....................................................................................
E ....................................................................................
0.0000
0.0237
0.0124
155
324
247
0
8
3
W ...................................................................................
C ....................................................................................
E ....................................................................................
0.0000
0.0237
0.0124
188
557
262
0
13
3
W ...................................................................................
C ....................................................................................
E ....................................................................................
0.0034
0.2065
0.0000
40
300
330
0
62
0
W ...................................................................................
C ....................................................................................
0.0003
0.0336
704
3,726
0
136
W ...................................................................................
C ....................................................................................
E ....................................................................................
0.0001
0.0000
0.0067
366
2,973
1,076
0
0
7
W ...................................................................................
C ....................................................................................
E ....................................................................................
0.0308
0.0308
0.0308
410
1,010
520
13
31
16
W ...................................................................................
C ....................................................................................
E ....................................................................................
0.0090
0.0090
0.0090
727
2,463
809
7
22
7
W ...................................................................................
C ....................................................................................
E ....................................................................................
0.0090
0.0090
0.0090
66
1,972
780
1
18
7
GW ................................................................................
0.0090
1,327
12
SEO ...............................................................................
0.0020
410
1
Gulfwide ........................................................................
0.0309
600
19
Gulfwide ........................................................................
Species
Apportionments and allocations by area/season/processor/gear
0.0090
13,411
121
2007 TAC
2007 non-exempt AFA
catcher vessel
sideboard
Flathead sole.
Flatfish shallow-water.
Arrowtooth flounder.
Sablefish.
Pacific ocean perch.
Shortraker rockfish.
Rougheye rockfish.
Other rockfish.
Northern rockfish.
Pelagic shelf rockfish.
Thornyhead rockfish.
Big skates.
Longnose skates.
Other skates.
Demersal shelf rockfish.
Atka mackerel.
Other species.
1 The
2 The
Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
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74754
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 241 / Friday, December 16, 2005 / Proposed Rules
In accordance with § 679.64(b)(4),
PSC sideboard limitations for nonexempt AFA catcher vessels in the GOA
are based on the ratio of aggregate
retained groundfish catch by nonexempt AFA catcher vessels in each
PSC target category from 1995 through
1997, relative to the retained catch of all
vessels in that fishery from 1995
through 1997. These amounts are shown
in Table 14.
TABLE 14.—PROPOSED 2006 AND 2007 NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL PROHIBITED SPECIES
CATCH (PSC) LIMITS FOR THE GOA.
[Values are in metric tons]
PSC species
Halibut (mortality
in mt).
Ratio of 1995–1997
non-exempt AFA
CV retained catch
to total retained
catch
2006 and 2007
PSC limit
2006 and 2007
non-exempt AFA
catcher vessel PSC
limit
Season
Target fishery
Trawl 1st seasonal allowance January 20–April 1.
shallow water targets ........
0.340
450
153
deep water targets ............
shallow water targets ........
0.070
0.340
100
100
7
34
deep water targets ............
shallow water targets ........
0.070
0.340
300
200
21
68
deep water targets ............
shallow water targets ........
0.070
0.340
400
150
28
51
deep water targets ............
all targets ...........................
0.070
0.205
0
300
0
61
Trawl 2nd seasonal allowance April 1–July 1.
Trawl 3rd seasonal allowance July 1–September
1.
Trawl 4th seasonal allowance September 1–October 1.
Trawl 5th seasonal allowance October 1–December 31.
Non-AFA Crab Vessel Groundfish
Harvest Limitations
Section 680.22 establishes groundfish
catch limitations for vessels with a
history of participation in the Bering
Sea snow crab fishery to prevent these
vessels from using the increased
flexibility provided by the Crab
Rationalization Program to expand their
level of participation in the GOA
groundfish fisheries. Restrictions on
participation in other fisheries, also
called sideboards, will restrict a vessel’s
harvests to its historical landings in all
GOA groundfish fisheries (except the
fixed-gear sablefish fishery). Restrictions
also will apply to landings made using
a License Limitation Program (LLP)
license derived from the history of a
restricted vessel, even if that LLP is
used on another vessel.
For non-AFA crab vessels in the GOA,
sideboards limitations are based on their
traditional harvest levels of TAC in
groundfish fisheries covered by the
GOA FMP. The regulations base the
groundfish sideboard limitations in the
GOA on the retained catch by non-AFA
crab vessels of each sideboard species
from 1996 through 2000 divided by the
total retained harvest of that species
over the same period (§ 680.22 (d) and
(e)). These amounts are listed in Table
15 for 2006 and in Table 16 for 2007. All
harvests of sideboard species made by
non-AFA crab vessels, whether as
targeted catch or incidental catch, will
be deducted from the sideboard limits
in Tables 15 and 16. Vessels exempt
from Pacific cod sideboards are those
that landed less than 45,359 kg of Bering
Sea snow crab and more than 500 mt of
groundfish (in round weight
equivalents) from the GOA between
January 1, 1996 and December 31, 2000,
and any vessel named on an LLP that
was generated in whole or in part by the
fishing history of a vessel meeting the
criteria in § 680.22(a)(3). The ratios of
1996–2000 non-AFA CV catch to 1996–
2000 total harvest in Tables 15 and 16
may be subject to modification pending
changes to named vessels on LLPs as of
December 31, 2005.
TABLE 15.—PROPOSED 2006 GOA NON AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL (CV) GROUNDFISH HARVEST
SIDEBOARD LIMITATIONS
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
Species
Apportionments and allocations by area/season/processor/gear
Pollock ................................
A Season (W/C areas only); January 20–March 10
Shumagin (610) ..............................................................
Chirikof (620) ..................................................................
Kodiak (630) ...................................................................
B Season (W/C areas only); March 10–May 31
Shumagin (610) ..............................................................
Chirikof (620) ..................................................................
Kodiak (630) ...................................................................
C Season (W/C areas only); August 25–October 1
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Ratio of 1996–
2000 non-AFA
CV catch to
1996–2000 total
harvest
2006 TAC
2006 non-AFA
crab vessel
sideboard
0.0325
0.0101
0.0003
5,835
13,547
4,805
190
137
1
0.0325
0.0101
0.0003
5,835
16,012
2,339
190
162
1
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 241 / Friday, December 16, 2005 / Proposed Rules
74755
TABLE 15.—PROPOSED 2006 GOA NON AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL (CV) GROUNDFISH HARVEST
SIDEBOARD LIMITATIONS—Continued
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
Apportionments and allocations by area/season/processor/gear
Species
Pacific cod ..........................
Flatfish deep-water .............
Rex sole ..............................
Flathead sole ......................
Flatfish shallow-water .........
Arrowtooth flounder ............
Sablefish .............................
Pacific ocean perch ............
Shortraker rockfish ..............
Rougheye rockfish ..............
Other rockfish .....................
Northern rockfish ................
Pelagic shelf rockfish ..........
Thornyhead rockfish ...........
Big skate .............................
Longnose skate ..................
VerDate Aug<31>2005
Shumagin (610) ..............................................................
Chirikof (620) ..................................................................
Kodiak (630) ...................................................................
D Season (W/C areas only); October 1–November 1
Shumagin (610) ..............................................................
Chirikof (620) ..................................................................
Kodiak (630) ...................................................................
Annual
WYK (640) ......................................................................
SEO (650) ......................................................................
A Season 1; January 1–June 10
W inshore .......................................................................
W offshore ......................................................................
C inshore ........................................................................
C offshore .......................................................................
B Season 2 September 1–December 31
W inshore .......................................................................
W offshore ......................................................................
C inshore ........................................................................
C offshore .......................................................................
Annual
E inshore ........................................................................
E offshore .......................................................................
W ....................................................................................
C .....................................................................................
E .....................................................................................
W ....................................................................................
C .....................................................................................
E .....................................................................................
W ....................................................................................
C .....................................................................................
E .....................................................................................
W ....................................................................................
C .....................................................................................
E .....................................................................................
W ....................................................................................
C .....................................................................................
E .....................................................................................
W trawl gear ...................................................................
C trawl gear ....................................................................
E trawl gear ....................................................................
W ....................................................................................
C .....................................................................................
E .....................................................................................
W ....................................................................................
C .....................................................................................
E .....................................................................................
W ....................................................................................
C .....................................................................................
E .....................................................................................
W ....................................................................................
C .....................................................................................
E .....................................................................................
W ....................................................................................
C .....................................................................................
W ....................................................................................
C .....................................................................................
E .....................................................................................
W ....................................................................................
C .....................................................................................
E .....................................................................................
W ....................................................................................
C .....................................................................................
E .....................................................................................
W ....................................................................................
C .....................................................................................
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Ratio of 1996–
2000 non-AFA
CV catch to
1996–2000 total
harvest
2006 TAC
2006 non-AFA
crab vessel
sideboard
0.0325
0.0101
0.0003
11,766
5,153
7,267
382
52
2
0.0325
0.0101
0.0003
11,766
5,153
7,267
382
52
2
0.0000
0.0000
1,955
6,520
0
0
0.0976
0.3550
0.0502
0.2659
8,080
898
12,794
1,421
789
319
642
378
0.0976
0.3550
0.0502
0.2659
5,388
598
8,529
948
526
212
428
252
0.0179
0.0000
0.0048
0.0001
0.0000
0.0001
0.0001
0.0000
0.0037
0.0005
0.0000
0.0061
0.0001
0.0000
0.0017
0.0003
0.0000
0.0000
0.0007
0.0000
0.0000
0.0008
0.0000
0.0017
0.0028
0.0012
0.0067
0.0050
0.0011
0.0035
0.0034
0.0001
0.0005
0.0018
0.0017
0.0002
0.0000
0.0051
0.0077
0.0050
0.0200
0.0200
0.0200
0.0200
0.0200
3,125
347
330
3,340
3,150
1,680
7,340
3,630
2,000
5,000
3,557
4,500
13,000
3,240
8,000
25,000
5,000
474
1,353
287
2,525
8,357
2,392
155
324
247
188
557
262
40
300
330
752
3,978
366
2,973
1,076
410
1,010
520
727
2,463
809
66
1,972
56
0
2
0
0
0
1
0
7
3
0
27
1
0
14
8
0
0
1
0
0
7
0
0
1
0
1
3
0
0
1
0
0
7
1
1
0
2
8
3
15
49
16
1
39
E:\FR\FM\16DEP1.SGM
16DEP1
74756
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 241 / Friday, December 16, 2005 / Proposed Rules
TABLE 15.—PROPOSED 2006 GOA NON AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL (CV) GROUNDFISH HARVEST
SIDEBOARD LIMITATIONS—Continued
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
Species
Apportionments and allocations by area/season/processor/gear
Other skates .......................
Demersal shelf rockfish ......
Atka mackerel .....................
Other species ......................
Ratio of 1996–
2000 non-AFA
CV catch to
1996–2000 total
harvest
E .....................................................................................
GW .................................................................................
SEO ................................................................................
Gulfwide ..........................................................................
Gulfwide ..........................................................................
1 The
2 The
2006 non-AFA
crab vessel
sideboard
2006 TAC
0.0200
0.0200
0.0000
0.0000
0.0200
780
1,327
410
600
14,348
16
27
0
0
287
Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
TABLE 16.—PROPOSED 2007 GOA NON AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL (CV) GROUNDFISH HARVEST
SIDEBOARD LIMITATIONS.
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
Species
Apportionments and allocations by area/season/processor/
gear
Pollock ....................................
A Season (W/C areas only)
January 20–March 10
Shumagin (610) ......................................................................
Chirikof (620) ..........................................................................
Kodiak (630) ...........................................................................
B Season (W/C areas only)
March 10–May 31
Shumagin (610)
Chirikof (620)
Kodiak (630)
C Season (W/C areas only)
August 25–October 1
Shumagin (610) ......................................................................
Chirikof (620) ..........................................................................
Kodiak (630) ...........................................................................
D Season (W/C areas only)
October 1–November 1
Shumagin (610)
Chirikof (620)
Kodiak (630)
Annual
WYK (640)
SEO (650)
A Season 1
January 1–June 10
W inshore ...............................................................................
W offshore ..............................................................................
C inshore ................................................................................
C offshore ...............................................................................
B Season 2
September 1–December 31
W inshore ...............................................................................
W offshore ..............................................................................
C inshore ................................................................................
C offshore ...............................................................................
Annual
E inshore ................................................................................
E offshore ...............................................................................
W ............................................................................................
C .............................................................................................
E .............................................................................................
W ............................................................................................
C .............................................................................................
E .............................................................................................
W ............................................................................................
C .............................................................................................
E .............................................................................................
Pacific cod ..............................
Flatfish deep-water .................
Rex sole ..................................
Flathead sole ..........................
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Ratio of 1996–
2000 non-AFA
CV catch to
1996–2000
total harvest
2007 TAC
2007 non-AFA
crab vessel
sideboard
0.0325
0.0101
0.0003
5,262
12,216
4,332
171
123
1
0.0325
0.0101
0.0003
5,261
14,439
2,109
171
146
1
0.0325
0.0101
0.0003
10,610
4,646
6,553
345
47
2
0.0325
0.0101
0.0003
10,610
4,646
6,553
345
47
2
0.0000
0.0000
1,763
6,520
0
0
0.0976
0.3550
0.0502
0.2659
6,797
755
10,761
1,197
663
268
540
318
0.0976
0.3550
0.0502
0.2659
4,531
504
7,175
797
442
179
360
212
0.0179
0.0000
0.0048
0.0001
0.0000
0.0001
0.0001
0.0000
0.0037
0.0005
0.0000
2,628
292
330
3,340
3,150
1,680
7,340
3,630
2,000
5,000
2,664
47
0
2
0
0
0
1
0
7
3
0
E:\FR\FM\16DEP1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 241 / Friday, December 16, 2005 / Proposed Rules
74757
TABLE 16.—PROPOSED 2007 GOA NON AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL (CV) GROUNDFISH HARVEST
SIDEBOARD LIMITATIONS.—Continued
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
Species
Apportionments and allocations by area/season/processor/
gear
Flatfish shallow water .............
W ............................................................................................
C .............................................................................................
E .............................................................................................
W ............................................................................................
C .............................................................................................
E .............................................................................................
W trawl gear ...........................................................................
C trawl gear ............................................................................
E trawl gear ............................................................................
W ............................................................................................
C .............................................................................................
E .............................................................................................
W ............................................................................................
C .............................................................................................
E .............................................................................................
W ............................................................................................
C .............................................................................................
E .............................................................................................
W ............................................................................................
C .............................................................................................
E .............................................................................................
W ............................................................................................
C .............................................................................................
W ............................................................................................
C .............................................................................................
E .............................................................................................
W ............................................................................................
C .............................................................................................
E .............................................................................................
W ............................................................................................
C .............................................................................................
E .............................................................................................
W ............................................................................................
C .............................................................................................
E .............................................................................................
GW .........................................................................................
SEO ........................................................................................
Gulfwide ..................................................................................
Gulfwide ..................................................................................
Arrowtooth flounder ................
Sablefish .................................
Pacific ocean perch ................
Shortraker rockfish ..................
Rougheye rockfish ..................
Other rockfish .........................
Northern rockfish ....................
Pelagic shelf rockfish ..............
Thornyhead rockfish ...............
Big skate .................................
Longnose skate ......................
Other skates ...........................
Demersal shelf rockfish ..........
Atka mackerel .........................
Other species ..........................
1 The
2 The
Ratio of 1996–
2000 non-AFA
CV catch to
1996–2000
total harvest
0.0061
0.0001
0.0000
0.0017
0.0003
0.0000
0.0000
0.0007
0.0000
0.0000
0.0008
0.0000
0.0017
0.0028
0.0012
0.0067
0.0050
0.0011
0.0035
0.0034
0.0001
0.0005
0.0018
0.0017
0.0002
0.0000
0.0051
0.0077
0.0050
0.0200
0.0200
0.0200
0.0200
0.0200
0.0200
0.0200
0.0000
0.0000
0.0200
2007 TAC
4,500
13,000
3,240
8,000
25,000
5,000
443
1,264
268
2,494
8,293
2,363
155
324
247
188
557
262
40
300
330
704
3,726
366
2,973
1,076
410
1,010
520
727
2,463
809
66
1,972
780
1,327
410
600
13,411
2007 non-AFA
crab vessel
sideboard
27
1
0
14
8
0
0
1
0
0
7
0
0
1
0
1
3
0
0
1
0
0
7
1
1
0
2
8
3
15
49
16
1
39
16
27
0
0
268
Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
Classification
An IRFA was prepared to evaluate the
impacts of the 2006 and 2007 proposed
harvest specifications on directly
regulated small entities. This IRFA is
intended to meet the statutory
requirements of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (RFA). A copy of the
IRFA is available from NMFS (See
ADDRESSES). The reason for the action, a
statement of the objective of the action,
and the legal basis are discussed in the
preamble and are not repeated here.
The 2006 and 2007 harvest
specifications establish harvest limits
for the groundfish species and species
groups in the GOA. Entities directly
impacted are those fishing for
groundfish in the Exclusive Economic
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18:33 Dec 15, 2005
Jkt 208001
Zone (EEZ), or in parallel fisheries in
State waters (in which harvests are
counted against the Federal TAC). An
estimated 693 small catcher vessels, 18
small catcher/processors, and 6 small
private non-profit CDQ groups may be
directly regulated by these harvest
specifications in the GOA. The catcher
vessel estimate in particular is subject to
various uncertainties. It may provide an
underestimate since it does not count
vessels that fish only within State
parallel fisheries. This underestimate
may be offset by upward biases
introduced by the use of preliminary
price estimates (which don’t fully
account for post-season price
adjustments) and by a failure to account
for affiliations, other than AFA
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Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
cooperative affiliations, among entities.
For these reasons, the catcher vessel
estimate must be considered an
approximation.
The IRFA examined the impacts of
the preferred alternative on small
entities within fisheries reliant on
species groups whose TACs might be
notably adjusted by the harvest
specifications. The IRFA identified the
potential for adverse impacts on small
fishing operations harvesting Pacific
cod, sablefish, and rockfish species in
the GOA.
GOA Pacific cod revenue decreases
for small entities and were estimated to
be about 1 percent of their revenues
from all sources in 2006 and 3.7 percent
between 2005 and 2007. Sablefish
revenue decreases for small entities and
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 241 / Friday, December 16, 2005 / Proposed Rules
were estimated to be about 3.7 percent
of their revenues from all sources in
2006 and 6.7 percent between 2005 and
2007. TAC declines were expected for
the rockfish species or species groups,
Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish,
and pelagic shelf rockfish. Rockfish
revenue changes for small entities were
estimated to be a maximum of 4.7
percent of their revenues from all
sources in 2006 and a maximum of 4
percent between 2005 and 2007.
This regulation does not impose new
recordkeeping or reporting requirements
on the regulated small entities. This
analysis did not reveal any Federal rules
that duplicate, overlap, or conflict with
the proposed action.
This analysis examined four
alternatives to the preferred alternative.
These included alternatives that set
TACs to produce fishing rates equal to
maxFABC, one half maxFABC, the recent
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:33 Dec 15, 2005
Jkt 208001
5 year average F, and zero. Only one of
these alternatives, setting TACs equal to
maxFABC, would have potentially a
smaller adverse impact on small entities
than the preferred alternative. This
alternative is associated with larger
gross revenues for the GOA fisheries.
Many of the vessels identified above
would share in these gross revenues.
However, the maxFABC is a fishing rate
that may, and often does, exceed
biologically recommended ABCs. For
the pollock, deep-water flatfish, rex
sole, sablefish, Pacific ocean perch,
shortraker rockfish, rougheye rockfish,
northern rockfish, pelagic shelf rockfish,
thornyhead rockfish, demersal shelf
rockfish, skate, and Atka mackerel
fisheries described above, the preferred
alternative, which produces fishing
rates less than maxFABC, sets TACs
equal to projected annual ABCs. In
PO 00000
Frm 00045
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
addition, the preferred alternative TACs
for Pacific cod, when combined with the
State of Alaska guideline harvest levels
for these fisheries, also equals ABC. The
increases in TACs related to producing
fishing rates of maxFABC would not be
consistent with biologically prudent
fishery management because they do not
fall within the scientifically determined
ABC.
This action is authorized under
§ 679.20 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 1540(f);
1801 et seq.; 1851 note; and 3631 et seq.
Dated: December 12, 2005.
James W. Balsiger,
Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E5–7463 Filed 12–15–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 241 (Friday, December 16, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 74739-74758]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-7463]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 051201318-5318-01; I.D. 112805A]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of
Alaska; Proposed 2006 and 2007 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule; apportionment of reserves; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS proposes 2006 and 2007 harvest specifications, reserves
and apportionments, and Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC)
limits, for the groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This
action is necessary to establish harvest limits and associated
management measures for groundfish during the 2006 and 2007 fishing
years. The intended effect of this action is to conserve and manage the
groundfish resources in the GOA in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
DATES: Comments must be received by January 17, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Sue Salveson, Assistant Regional
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region, NMFS,
Attn: Lori Durall. Comments may be submitted by:
Mail to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802;
Hand Delivery to the Federal Building, 709 West 9th
Street, Room 420A, Juneau, AK;
E-mail to 2006AKgroundfish.tacspecs@noaa.gov and include
in the subject line the document identifier: 2006 Proposed
Specifications (E-mail comments, with or without attachments, are
limited to 5 megabytes);
Fax to 907-586-7557; or
Webform at the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions at that site for
submitting comments.
Copies of the draft Environmental Assessment/Initial Regulatory
Flexibility Analysis (EA/IRFA) prepared for this action are available
from NMFS at the address above or from the Alaska Region Web site
www.fakr.noaa.gov. Copies of the final 2004 Stock Assessment and
Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) reports, dated November 2004, and the October
2005 Council meeting minutes, are available from the North Pacific
Fishery Management Council, West 4th Avenue, Suite 306, Anchorage, AK,
99510 or from its home page at https://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Pearson, Sustainable Fisheries
Division, Alaska Region, 907-481-1780 or e-mail at
tom.pearson@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
NMFS manages the GOA groundfish fisheries in the exclusive economic
zone off Alaska under the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the
GOA (FMP). The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council)
prepared the FMP under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, 16
U.S.C. 1801, et seq. Regulations governing U.S. fisheries and
implementing the FMP appear at 50 CFR parts 600, 679, and 680.
These proposed specifications are based on the 2004 SAFE reports.
In November 2005, the 2005 SAFE reports will be used to develop the
2006 and 2007 final acceptable biological catch (ABC) amounts. Any
anticipated changes in the final specifications from the proposed
specification are identified in this notice for public review.
The FMP and its implementing regulations require NMFS, after
consultation with the Council, to specify the total allowable catch
(TAC) for each target species and for the ``other species'' category,
the sum of which must be within the optimum yield (OY) range of 116,000
metric tons (mt) to 800,000 mt. Section 679.20(c)(1) further requires
NMFS to publish and solicit public comment on proposed annual TACs,
halibut PSC amounts, and seasonal allowances of pollock and inshore/
offshore Pacific cod. The proposed specifications set forth in Tables 1
through 16 of this document satisfy these requirements. For 2006, the
sum of the proposed TAC amounts is 301,304 mt. For 2007, the sum of the
proposed TAC amounts is 281,640 mt. Under Sec. 679.20(c)(3), NMFS will
publish the 2006 and 2007 final specifications after (1) considering
comments received within the comment period (see DATES), (2) consulting
with the Council at its December 2005 meeting, and (3) considering new
information presented in the EA and the final 2005 SAFE report prepared
for the 2006 and 2007 fisheries.
Proposed ABC and TAC Specifications
The proposed ABC and TAC for each species or species group are
based on the best available biological and socioeconomic information,
including projected biomass trends, information on assumed distribution
of stock biomass, and revised methods used to calculate stock biomass.
The FMP specifies the formulas, or tiers, to be used in computing ABCs
and overfishing levels (OFL). The formulas applicable to a particular
stock or stock complex are determined by the level of reliable
information available to fisheries scientists. This information is
categorized into a successive series of six tiers with tier one
representing the highest level of information and tier six the lowest
level of information.
The Council and its Science and Statistical Committee (SSC) and
Advisory Panel (AP) reviewed current biological and harvest information
about the condition of groundfish stocks in the GOA in October 2005.
Most of the information available to the SSC, AP, and Council was
initially compiled by the Council's GOA Groundfish Plan Team and was
presented in the final 2004 SAFE report for the GOA groundfish
fisheries, dated November 2004 (see ADDRESSES). The Plan Team annually
produces the SAFE report as the first step in the process of specifying
TACs.
The SAFE report contains a review of the latest scientific
analyses, estimates of each species' biomass and other biological
parameters, summaries of the available information on the GOA
ecosystem, and the economic condition
[[Page 74740]]
of the groundfish fisheries off Alaska. From these data and analyses,
the Plan Team estimates an ABC for each species category. The 2004 SAFE
report will be updated to include new information collected during
2005. The Plan Team will provide revised stock assessments in November
2005 in the final 2005 SAFE report. The Council will review the 2005
SAFE report in December 2005. The final 2006 and 2007 harvest
specifications may be adjusted from the proposed harvest specifications
based on the 2005 SAFE report.
The SSC adopted the OFL and ABC recommendations from the Plan Team
for all groundfish species. Based on the recommendations from the SSC
for OFLs and ABCs and the AP recommendations for TAC amounts, the
Council recommended amending the 2006 OFL, ABC, and TAC amounts for
pollock, Pacific cod, sablefish, flathead sole, arrowtooth flounder,
northern rockfish, and ``other species'' as published in the 2005 and
2006 final harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA on February
24, 2005 (70 FR 8958). These amended amounts were recommended by the
Council based on new information developed in 2005. For tier 1-3 stocks
listed above, the GOA Groundfish Plan Team recommended projected
groundfish OFLs and ABCs for 2006 and 2007 at its September 2005
meeting. The projections for tier 1-3 stocks used species-specific
Alaska Fisheries Science Center population models, which include
information on age structure, growth and reproduction, and natural and
fishing mortality. The Council recommended that proposed OFL and ABC
levels for those stocks in tiers 4-6, for which projections cannot be
made, remain unchanged from 2005 levels for 2006 and 2007.
As in 2005, the SSC's, AP's and Council's recommendation for the
method of apportioning the sablefish ABC among management areas
includes commercial fishery and survey data. NMFS stock assessment
scientists believe that the use of unbiased commercial fishery data
reflecting catch-per-unit effort provides a desirable input for stock
distribution assessments. The use of commercial fishery data is
evaluated annually to assure that unbiased information is included in
stock distribution models. The Council's recommendation for sablefish
area apportionments also takes into account the prohibition on the use
of trawl gear in the Southeast Outside (SEO) District of the Eastern
GOA and makes available 5 percent of the combined Eastern GOA TACs to
trawl gear for use as incidental catch in other directed groundfish
fisheries in the West Yakutat District (WYK).
The AP, SSC, and Council recommended that the ABC for Pacific cod
in the GOA be apportioned among regulatory areas based on the three
most recent NMFS summer trawl surveys. As in previous years, the Plan
Team, SSC, and Council recommended that total removals of Pacific cod
from the GOA not exceed ABC recommendations. Accordingly, the Council
recommended adjusting the 2006 and 2007 TACs downward from the ABCs by
amounts equal to the 2005 guideline harvest levels (GHL) established
for Pacific cod by the State of Alaska (State) for the state managed
fisheries in the GOA. The effect of the State's GHL on the Pacific cod
TAC is discussed in greater detail below. As in 2005, for 2006 and
2007, NMFS proposes to establish an A season directed fishing allowance
(DFA) for the Pacific cod fisheries in the GOA based on the management
area TACs less the recent average A season incidental catch of Pacific
cod in each management area before June 10 (Sec. 679.20(d)(1)). The
DFA and incidental catch before June 10 will be managed such that total
harvest in the A season will be no more than 60 percent of the annual
TAC. Incidental catch taken after June 10 will continue to be taken
from the B season TAC. This action meets the intent of the Steller Sea
Lion Protection Measures by achieving temporal dispersion of the
Pacific cod removals and reducing the likelihood of harvest exceeding
60 percent of the annual TAC in the A season (January 1 through June
10).
For 2006 and 2007, the Council recommends and NMFS proposes the
ABCs listed in Tables 1 and 2. These amounts reflect harvest amounts
that are less than the proposed 2006 and 2007 overfishing amounts. The
sum of the proposed 2006 ABCs for all target species TACs is 547,181
mt, which is higher than the final 2005 ABC total of 539,263 mt and the
final 2006 ABC total of 542,456 mt (70 FR 8958, February 24, 2005). The
sum of the proposed 2007 ABCs for all target species TACs is 536,559
mt, which is lower than the final 2005 ABC total and the final 2006 ABC
total of 547,181 mt.
Specification and Apportionment of TAC Amounts
The Council recommended proposed TACs for 2006 and 2007 that are
equal to proposed ABCs for pollock, deep-water flatfish, rex sole,
sablefish, Pacific ocean perch, shortraker rockfish, rougheye rockfish,
northern rockfish, pelagic shelf rockfish, thornyhead rockfish,
demersal shelf rockfish, skates, and Atka mackerel. The Council
recommended TACs that are less than the ABCs for Pacific cod, flathead
sole, shallow-water flatfish, arrowtooth flounder, and other rockfish.
The apportionment of annual pollock TAC among the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA reflects the seasonal biomass
distribution and is discussed in greater detail below. The annual
pollock TAC in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA is
divided into four equal seasonal apportionments. Twenty-five percent of
the annual TAC in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA
is apportioned respectively to the A season (January 20 through March
10), the B season (March 10 through May 31), the C season (August 25
through October 1), and the D season (October 1 through November 1) in
Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630 of the GOA (Sec. Sec.
679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv) and 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)).
The 2006 and 2007 Pacific cod TACs are affected by the State's
developing fishery for Pacific cod in State waters in the Western and
Central GOA, and in Prince William Sound (PWS). The SSC, AP, and
Council recommended that the sum of all State and Federal water Pacific
cod removals not exceed the ABC. Accordingly, the Council recommended
that for 2006 and 2007, the Pacific cod TACs be reduced from ABC levels
to account for State GHLs in each regulatory area of the GOA.
Therefore, respective 2006 TACs are reduced from ABCs as follows: (1)
Eastern GOA 386 mt, (2) Central GOA 7,898 mt, and (3) Western GOA 4,988
mt. Respective 2007 TACs are reduced as follows: (1) Eastern GOA 324
mt, (2) Central GOA 6,643 mt, and (3) Western GOA 4,196 mt. These
amounts reflect the sum of the State's 2006 and 2007 GHLs in these
areas, which are 10 percent, 25 percent, and 25 percent of the Eastern,
Central, and Western GOA ABCs, respectively.
NMFS also is proposing seasonal apportionments of the annual
Pacific cod TAC in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas. Sixty
percent of the annual TAC is apportioned to the A season for hook-and-
line, pot or jig gear from January 1 through June 10, and for trawl
gear from January 20 through June 10. Forty percent of the annual TAC
is apportioned to the B season for hook-and-line, pot or jig gear from
September 1 through December 31, and for trawl gear from September 1
through November 1 (Sec. Sec. 679.23(d)(3) and 679.20(a)(11)). These
seasonal apportionments of the annual Pacific cod TAC are discussed in
greater detail below.
[[Page 74741]]
The FMP specifies that the amount for the ``other species''
category is calculated as 5 percent of the combined TAC amounts for
target species. The 2006 GOA-wide ``other species'' TAC is 14,348 mt
and the 2007 TAC is 13,411 mt, which is 5 percent of the sum of the
combined TAC amounts (286,946 mt for 2006 and 268,229 mt for 2007) for
the assessed target species. The sum of the TACs for all GOA groundfish
is 301,304 mt for 2006 and 281,640 mt for 2007, which is within the OY
range specified by the FMP. The sum of the proposed 2006 TACs are
higher than the 2005 TAC sum of 291,298 mt while the sum of the
proposed 2007 TACs are lower than in 2005.
In June 2005, the Council selected its preferred alternative for
Amendment 69 to the GOA FMP to revise the manner in which the ``other
species'' complex TAC is annually established. If approved, Amendment
69 would allow the Council, as part of its annual harvest specification
process, to recommend a TAC amount for the ``other species'' less than
or equal to 5 percent of the sum of the combined TAC amounts for target
species. The intent of Amendment 69 is to better conserve and manage
the species which comprise the ``other species'' complex.
If approved by the Secretary of Commerce, the Central Gulf of
Alaska Rockfish Pilot Program would allocate rockfish, associated
groundfish, halibut PSC limits, and groundfish sideboard limits to a
specific group of eligible harvesters in 2007. These amounts are
expected to be identified in September 2006 and would modify the
harvest specifications for 2007.
NMFS finds that the Council's recommendations for proposed OFL,
ABC, and TAC amounts are consistent with the biological condition of
groundfish stocks as adjusted for other biological and socioeconomic
considerations, including maintaining the total TAC within the required
OY range of 116,000 to 800,000 mt. The proposed 2006 and 2007 ABCs,
TACs, and OFLs are shown in Tables 1 and 2.
Table 1.--Proposed 2006 ABCs, TACs, and Overfishing Levels of Groundfish for the Western/Central/West Yakutat (W/
C/WYK), Western (W), Central (C), Eastern (E) Regulatory Areas, and in the West Yakutat (WYK), Southeast Outside
(SEO), and Gulfwide (GW) Districts of the Gulf of Alaska.
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overfishing
Total Species Area 1 ABC TAC level
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock 2........... Shumagin (610)...... 35,202 35,202 N/A
Chirikof (620)...... 39,865 39,865 N/A
Kodiak (630)........ 21,678 21,678 N/A
WYK (640)........... 1,955 1,955 N/A
Subtotal................... W/C/WYK............. 98,700 98,700 133,900
SEO (650)........... 6,520 6,520 8,690
Total.................. 105,220 105,220 142,590
Pacific cod 3....... W................... 19,952 14,964 N/A
C................... 31,590 23,692 N/A
E................... 3,858 3,472 N/A
Total.................. 55,400 42,128 82,000
Flatfish 4 (deep- W................... 330 330 N/A
water).
C................... 3,340 3,340 N/A
WYK................. 2,120 2,120 N/A
SEO................. 1,030 1,030 N/A
Total.................. 6,820 6,820 8,490
Rex sole............ W................... 1,680 1,680 N/A
C................... 7,340 7,340 N/A
WYK................. 1,340 1,340 N/A
SEO................. 2,290 2,290 N/A
Total.................. 12,650 12,650 16,480
Flathead sole....... W................... 12,316 2,000 N/A
C................... 31,617 5,000 N/A
WYK................. 3,149 3,149 N/A
SEO................. 408 408 N/A
Total.................. 47,490 10,557 59,240
Flatfish 5 (shallow- W................... 21,580 4,500 N/A
water).
C................... 27,250 13,000 N/A
WYK................. 2,030 2,030 N/A
SEO................. 1,210 1,210 N/A
Total.................. 52,070 20,740 63,840
Arrowtooth flounder. W................... 25,833 8,000 N/A
C................... 166,275 25,000 N/A
WYK................. 11,599 2,500 N/A
SEO................. 9,753 2,500 N/A
Total.................. 213,460 38,000 249,140
Sablefish 6......... W................... 2,371 2,371 N/A
C................... 6,767 6,767 N/A
WYK................. 2,409 2,409 N/A
SEO................. 3,333 3,333 N/A
Subtotal................... E................... 5,742 5,742 N/A
Total.................. 14,880 14,880 18,000
Pacific ocean perch W................... 2,525 2,525 3,019
7.
C................... 8,375 8,375 10,008
WYK................. 813 813 N/A
SEO................. 1,579 1,579 N/A
Subtotal................... E................... N/A N/A 2,860
[[Page 74742]]
Total.................. 13,292 13,292 15,887
Shortraker rockfish W................... 155 155 N/A
8.
C................... 324 324 N/A
E................... 274 274 N/A
Total.................. 753 753 982
Rougheye rockfish 9. W................... 188 188 N/A
C................... 557 557 N/A
E................... 262 262 N/A
Total.................. 1,007 1,007 1,531
Other rockfish 10 11 W................... 40 40 N/A
C................... 300 300 N/A
WYK................. 130 130 N/A
SEO................. 3,430 200 N/A
Total.................. 3,900 670 5,150
Northern rockfish 11 W................... 752 752 N/A
12.
C................... 3,978 3,978 N/A
E................... 0 0 N/A
Total.................. 4,730 4,730 5,620
Pelagic shelf W................... 366 366 N/A
rockfish 13.
C................... 2,973 2,973 N/A
WYK................. 205 205 N/A
SEO................. 871 871 N/A
Total.................. 4,415 4,415 5,510
Thornyhead rockfish. W................... 410 410 N/A
C................... 1,010 1,010 N/A
E................... 520 520 N/A
Total.................. 1,940 1,940 2,590
Big skates 14....... W................... 727 727 N/A
C................... 2,463 2,463 N/A
E................... 809 809 N/A
Total.................. 3,999 3,999 5,332
Longnose skates 15.. W................... 66 66 N/A
C................... 1,972 1,972 N/A
E................... 780 780 N/A
Total.................. 2,818 2,818 3,757
Other skates 16..... GW.................. 1,327 1,327 1,769
Demersal shelf SEO................. 410 410 640
rockfish 18.
Atka mackerel....... GW.................. 600 600 6,200
Other species 17 19. GW.................. N/A 14,348 N/A
Total 20............... 547,181 301,304 694,748
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Regulatory areas and districts are defined at Sec. 679.2.
2 Pollock is apportioned in the Western/Central Regulatory Areas among three statistical areas. During the A
season, the apportionment is based on an adjusted estimate of the relative distribution of pollock biomass of
approximately 24 percent, 56 percent, and 20 percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively.
During the B season, the apportionment is based on the relative distribution of pollock biomass at 24 percent,
66 percent, and 10 percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. During the C and D seasons,
the apportionment is based on the relative distribution of pollock biomass at 49 percent, 21 percent, and 30
percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. These proposed seasonal apportionments for 2006
and 2007 are shown in Tables 5 and 6. In the West Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts of the Eastern
Regulatory Area, pollock is not divided into seasonal allowances.
3 The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned 60 percent to an A season and 40 percent to a B season in the
Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA. Pacific cod is allocated 90 percent for processing by the
inshore component and 10 percent for processing by the offshore component. Proposed seasonal apportionments
and component allocations of TAC for 2006 and 2007 are shown in Tables 7 and 8.
4 ``Deep water flatfish'' means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, and deepsea sole.
5 ``Shallow water flatfish'' means flatfish not including ``deep water flatfish,'' flathead sole, rex sole, or
arrowtooth flounder.
6 Sablefish is allocated to trawl and hook-and-line gears for 2006 and to trawl gear in 2007 these amounts are
shown in Tables 3 and 4.
7 ``Pacific ocean perch'' means Sebastes alutus.
8 ``Shortraker rockfish'' means Sebastes borealis.
9 ``Rougheye rockfish'' means Sebastes aleutianus.
10 ``Other rockfish'' in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat District means slope
rockfish and demersal shelf rockfish. The category ``other rockfish'' in the SEO District means slope
rockfish.
11 ``Slope rockfish'' means Sebastes aurora (aurora), S. melanostomus (blackgill), S. paucispinis (bocaccio), S.
goodei (chilipepper), S. crameri (darkblotch), S. elongatus (greenstriped), S. variegatus (harlequin), S.
wilsoni (pygmy), S. babcocki (redbanded), S. proriger (redstripe), S. zacentrus (sharpchin), S. jordani
(shortbelly), S. brevispinis (silvergrey), S. diploproa (splitnose), S. saxicola (stripetail), S. miniatus
(vermilion), and S. reedi (yellowmouth). In the Eastern GOA only, slope rockfish also includes northern
rockfish, S. polyspinous.
12 ``Northern rockfish'' means Sebastes polyspinis.
13 ``Pelagic shelf rockfish'' means Sebastes ciliatus (dark), S. variabilis (dusky), S. entomelas (widow), and
S. flavidus (yellowtail).
14 Big skate means Raja binoculata.
15 Longnose skate means Raja rhina.
16 Other skates means Bathyraja spp.
[[Page 74743]]
17 N/A means not applicable.
18 ``Demersal shelf rockfish'' means Sebastes pinniger (canary), S. nebulosus (china), S. caurinus (copper), S.
maliger (quillback), S. helvomaculatus (rosethorn), S. nigrocinctus (tiger), and S. ruberrimus (yelloweye).
19 ``Other species'' means sculpins, sharks, squid, and octopus. There is no OFL or ABC for ``other species'',
the TAC for ``other species'' equals 5 percent of the TACs for assessed target species.
20 The total ABC and OFL is the sum of the ABCs and OFLs for assessed target species.
These footnotes also apply to Table 2.
Table 2.--Proposed 2007 ABCs, TACs, and Overfishing Levels of Groundfish for the Western/Central/West Yakutat (W/
C/WYK), Western (W), Central (C), Eastern (E) Regulatory Areas, and in the West Yakutat (WYK), Southeast Outside
(SEO), and Gulfwide (GW) Districts of the Gulf of Alaska.
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overfishing
Total Species Area \1\ ABC TAC level
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock \2\......... Shumagin (610)...... 31,743 31,743 N/A
Chirikof (620)...... 35,947 35,947 N/A
Kodiak (630)........ 19,547 19,547 N/A
WYK (640)........... 1,763 1,763 N/A
Subtotal................... W/C/WYK............. 89,000 89,000 119,800
SEO (650)........... 6,520 6,520 8,690
Total.................. 95,520 95,520 128,490
Pacific cod \3\..... W................... 16,783 12,587 N/A
C................... 26,572 19,929 N/A
E................... 3,245 2,920 N/A
Total.................. 46,600 35,436 68,900
Flatfish \4\ (deep- W................... 330 330 N/A
water).
C................... 3,340 3,340 N/A
WYK................. 2,120 2,120 N/A
SEO................. 1,030 1,030 N/A
Total.................. 6,820 6,820 8,490
Rex sole............ W................... 1,680 1,680 N/A
C................... 7,340 7,340 N/A
WYK................. 1,340 1,340 N/A
SEO................. 2,290 2,290 N/A
Total.................. 12,650 12,650 16,480
Flathead sole....... W................... 12,355 2,000 N/A
C................... 31,721 5,000 N/A
WYK................. 2,336 2,336 N/A
SEO................. 308 308 N/A
Total.................. 47,650 9,644 59,500
Flatfish \5\ W................... 21,580 4,500 N/A
(shallow-water).
C................... 27,250 13,000 N/A
WYK................. 2,030 2,030 N/A
SEO................. 1,210 1,210 N/A
Total.................. 52,070 20,740 63,840
Arrowtooth flounder. W................... 26,939 8,000 N/A
C................... 173,394 25,000 N/A
WYK................. 12,096 2,500 N/A
SEO................. 10,171 2,500 N/A
Total.................. 222,600 38,000 260,150
Sablefish \6\....... W................... 2,215 2,215 N/A
C................... 6,322 6,322 N/A
WYK................. 2,250 2,250 N/A
SEO................. 3,113 3,113 N/A
Subtotal................... E 5,363 5,363 N/A
Total.................. 13,900 13,900 16,900
Pacific ocean perch W................... 2,494 2,494 2,985
\7\.
C................... 8,293 8,293 9,896
WYK................. 803 803 N/A
SEO................. 1,560 1,560 N/A
Subtotal................... E................... N/A N/A 2,829
Total.................. 13,150 13,150 15,710
Shortraker rockfish W................... 155 155 N/A
\8\.
C................... 324 324 N/A
E................... 274 274 N/A
Total.................. 753 753 982
Rougheye rockfish W................... 188 188 N/A
\9\.
C................... 557 557 N/A
E................... 262 262 N/A
Total.................. 1,007 1,007 1,531
Other rockfish \10\ W................... 40 40 N/A
\11\.
C................... 300 300 N/A
WYK................. 130 130 N/A
SEO................. 3,430 200 N/A
[[Page 74744]]
Total.................. 3,900 670 5,150
Northern rockfish W................... 704 704 N/A
\11\ \12\.
C................... 3,726 3,726 N/A
E................... 0 0 N/A
Total.................. 4,430 4,430 5,270
Pel agic shelf W................... 366 366 N/A
rockfish \13\.
C................... 2,973 2,973 N/A
WYK................. 205 205 N/A
SEO................. 871 871 N/A
Total.................. 4,415 4,415 5,510
Thornyhead rockfish. W................... 410 410 N/A
C................... 1,010 1,010 N/A
E................... 520 520 N/A
Total.................. 1,940 1,940 2,590
Big skates \14\..... W................... 727 727 N/A
C................... 2,463 2,463 N/A
E................... 809 809 N/A
Total.................. 3,999 3,999 5,332
Longnose skates \15\ W................... 66 66 N/A
C................... 1,972 1,972 N/A
E................... 780 780 N/A
Total.................. 2,818 2,818 3,757
Other skates \16\... GW.................. 1,327 1,327 1,769
Demersal shelf SEO................. 450 450 690
rockfish \18\.
Atka mackerel....... GW.................. 600 600 6,200
Other species \17\ GW.................. \21\ 13,411 N/A
\19\.
Total \20\............. 536,559 281,640 677,191
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The footnotes in Table 2 are identical to those presented above for Table 1.
Proposed Apportionment of Reserves
Regulations at Sec. 679.20(b)(2) require 20 percent of each TAC
for pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, and the ``other species'' category
to be set aside in reserves for possible apportionment at a later date.
In 2005, NMFS reapportioned all the reserves in the final harvest
specifications. For 2006 and 2007, NMFS proposes apportionment of all
the reserves for pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, and ``other species.''
Specifications of TAC shown in Tables 1 and 2 reflect apportionment of
reserve amounts for these species and species groups.
Proposed Apportionments of the Sablefish TAC Amounts to Vessels Using
Hook-and-Line and Trawl Gear
Under Sec. 679.20(a)(4)(i) and (ii), sablefish TACs for each of
the regulatory areas and districts are allocated to hook-and-line and
trawl gear. In the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, 80 percent of
each TAC is allocated to hook-and-line gear, and 20 percent of each TAC
is allocated to trawl gear. In the Eastern GOA, 95 percent of the TAC
is allocated to hook-and-line gear and 5 percent is allocated to trawl
gear. The trawl gear allocation in the Eastern GOA may only be used to
support incidental catch of sablefish in directed fisheries for other
target species (Sec. 679.20(a)(1)). In recognition of the trawl ban in
the SEO District of the Eastern GOA, the Council recommended and NMFS
proposes that 5 percent of the combined Eastern GOA sablefish TAC be
allocated to trawl gear in the WYK District and the remainder to
vessels using hook-and-line gear. In the SEO District, 100 percent of
the sablefish TAC is allocated to vessels using hook-and-line gear. The
Council recommended that only trawl sablefish TAC be established
biennially. This recommendation results in an allocation of 287 mt to
trawl gear and 2,122 mt to hook-and-line gear in the WYK District and
3,333 mt to hook-and-line gear in the SEO District in 2006. Table 3
shows the allocations of the proposed 2006 sablefish TACs between hook-
and-line gear and trawl gear. Table 4 presents the allocation of the
proposed 2007 sablefish TACs to trawl gear.
Table 3.--Proposed 2006 Sablefish TAC Specifications in the Gulf of Alaska and Allocations Thereof to Hook-and-
Line and Trawl Gear
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hook-and-line Trawl
Area/District TAC apportionment apportionment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western................................................... 2,371 1,897 474
Central................................................... 6,767 5,414 1,353
West Yakutat.............................................. 2,409 2,122 287
[[Page 74745]]
Southeast Outside......................................... 3,333 3,333 0
-------------------
Total............................................. 14,880 12,766 2,114
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 4.--Proposed 2007 Sablefish TAC Specifications in the Gulf of Alaska and Allocation Thereof to Trawl Gear
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hook-and-line
Area/District TAC apportionment Trawl
\1\ apportionment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western................................................... 2,215 N/A 443
Central................................................... 6,322 N/A 1,264
West Yakutat.............................................. 2,250 N/A 268
Southeast Outside......................................... 3,113 N/A 0
-------------------
Total............................................... 13,900 N/A 1,975
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Council recommended that specifications for the hook-and-line gear sablefish IFQ fisheries be limited to
1 year to ensure that those fisheries are conducted concurrently with the halibut IFQ fishery.
Proposed Apportionments of Pollock TAC Among Seasons and Regulatory
Areas, and Allocations for Processing by Inshore and Offshore
Components
In the GOA, pollock is apportioned by season and area, and is
further divided between inshore and offshore processing components.
Under Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B), the annual pollock TAC specified for
the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA is apportioned into
four equal seasonal allowances of 25 percent. As established by Sec.
679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season allowances are
available from January 20 through March 10, March 10 through May 31,
August 25 through October 1, and October 1 through November 1,
respectively.
Pollock TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA
are apportioned among statistical areas 610, 620, and 630 in the A and
B seasons in proportion to the distribution of pollock biomass based on
a composite of NMFS winter surveys and in the C and D seasons in
proportion to the distribution of pollock biomass based on the four
most recent NMFS summer surveys. As in 2005, the Council recommended
averaging the winter and summer distribution of pollock in the Central
Regulatory Area for the A season to better reflect the distribution of
pollock and the performance of the fishery in the area during the A
season for the 2006 and 2007 fishing years. Within any fishing year,
the underage or overage of a seasonal allowance may be added to, or
subtracted from, subsequent seasonal allowances. The rollover amount is
limited to 20 percent of the seasonal apportionment for the statistical
area. Any unharvested pollock above the 20 percent limit could be
further distributed to the other statistical areas, in proportion to
the estimated biomass in the subsequent season in those statistical
areas. The WYK District pollock TAC of 1,955 mt in 2006, and 1,763 mt
in 2007, along with the SEO District pollock TAC of 6,520 mt for 2006
and 2007, are not allocated seasonally.
Section 679.20(a)(6)(i) requires the allocation of 100 percent of
the pollock TAC in all regulatory areas and all seasonal allowances
thereof to vessels catching pollock for processing by the inshore
component after subtraction of amounts that are projected by the
Regional Administrator to be caught by, or delivered to, the offshore
component incidental to directed fishing for other groundfish species.
The amount of pollock available for harvest by vessels harvesting
pollock for processing by the offshore component is that amount
actually taken as incidental catch during directed fishing for
groundfish species other than pollock, up to the maximum retainable
amounts allowed under at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f). At this time, these
incidental catch amounts are unknown and will be determined during the
fishing year.
The proposed 2006 and 2007 seasonal biomass distribution of pollock
in the Western and Central GOA, area apportionments, and seasonal
apportionments for the A, B, C, and D seasons are summarized in Tables
5 and 6.
Table 5.--Proposed 2006 Distribution of Pollock in the Central and Western Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of
Alaska; Seasonal Biomass Distribution, Area Apportionments; and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
[Area Apportionments Resulting From Seasonal Distribution of Biomass]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shumagin (Area Chirikof (Area
Season 610) 620) Kodiak (Area 630) Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A............................... 5,835 (24.12%) 13,547 (56.01%) 4,805 (19.87%) 24,187 (100%)
B............................... 5,835 (24.12%) 16,012 (66.2%) 2,339 (9.68%) 24,186 (100%)
[[Page 74746]]
C............................... 11,766 (48.64%) 5,153 (21.3%) 7,267 (30.06%) 24,186 (100%)
D............................... 11,766 (48.64%) 5,153 (21.3%) 7,267 (30.06%) 24,186 (100%)
---------------------
Annual total............ 35,202 39,865 21,678 96,745
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 6.--Proposed 2007 Distribution of Pollock in the Central and Western Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of
Alaska; Seasonal Biomass Distribution, Area Apportionments; and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
[Area Apportionments Resulting From Seasonal Distribution of Biomass]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shumagin (Area Chirikof (Area
Season 610) 620) Kodiak (Area 630) Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A............................... 5,262 (24.12%) 12,216 (56.01%) 4,332 (19.87%) 21,810 (100%)
B............................... 5,261 (24.12%) 14,439 (66.2%) 2,109 (9.68%) 21,809 (100%)
C............................... 10,610 (48.64%) 4,646 (21.3%) 6,553 (30.06%) 21,809 (100%)
D............................... 10,610 (48.64%) 4,646 (21.3%) 6,553 (30.06%) 21,809 (100%)
---------------------
Annual total............ 31,743 35,947 19,547 87,237
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed Seasonal Apportionments of Pacific Cod TAC and Allocations for
Processing of Pacific Cod TAC Between Inshore and Offshore Components
Pacific cod fishing is divided into two seasons in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA. For hook-and-line, pot, and jig
gear, the A season is January 1 through June 10, and the B season is
September 1 through December 31. For trawl gear, the A season is
January 20 through June 10, and the B season is September 1 through
November 1 (Sec. 679.23(d)(3)). After subtraction of incidental catch,
60 percent and 40 percent of the annual TAC will be available for
harvest during the A and B seasons, respectively, and will be
apportioned between the inshore and offshore processing components, as
provided in Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(ii). Between the A and the B seasons,
directed fishing for Pacific cod is closed, and fishermen participating
in other directed fisheries may retain Pacific cod up to the maximum
retainable amounts allowed under Sec. 679.20(e) and (f). Under Sec.
679.20(a)(11)(ii), any overage or underage of Pacific cod allowance
from the A season may be subtracted from or added to the subsequent B
season allowance.
Section 679.20(a)(6)(ii) requires the allocation of the TAC
apportionment of Pacific cod in all regulatory areas to vessels
catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore and offshore
components. Ninety percent of the Pacific cod TAC in each regulatory
area is allocated to vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the
inshore component. The remaining 10 percent of the TAC is allocated to
vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component.
These seasonal apportionments and allocations of the proposed 2006 and
2007 Pacific cod TACs are shown in Tables 7 and 8, respectively.
Table 7.--Proposed 2006 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocation of Pacific Cod TAC Amounts in the Gulf of Alaska;
Allocations for Processing by the Inshore and Offshore Components
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Component allocation
Season Regulatory area TAC -----------------------------------
Inshore (90%) Offshore (10%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual............................. Western.............. 14,964 13,468 1,496
A season (60%)..................... ..................... 8,978 8,080 898
B season (40%)..................... ..................... 5,986 5,388 598
Annual............................. Central.............. 23,692 21,323 2,369
A season (60%)..................... ..................... 14,215 12,794 1,421
B season (40%)..................... ..................... 9,477 8,529 948
Annual............................. Eastern.............. 3,472 3,125 347
-------------------
Total.......................... ..................... 42,128 37,915 4,213
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 74747]]
Table 8.--Proposed 2007 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocation of Pacific Cod TAC Amounts in the Gulf of Alaska;
Allocations for Processing by the Inshore and Offshore Components
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Component allocation
Season Regulatory area TAC -----------------------------------
Inshore (90%) Offshore (10%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual............................. Western.............. 12,587 11,328 1,259
A season (60%)..................... ..................... 7,552 6,797 755
B season (40%)..................... ..................... 5,035 4,531 504
Annual............................. Central.............. 19,929 17,936 1,993
A season (60%)..................... ..................... 11,957 10,761 1,196
B season (40%)..................... ..................... 7,972 7,175 797
Annual............................. Eastern.............. 2,920 2,628 292
-------------------
Total.......................... ..................... 35,436 31,892 3,544
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed Halibut PSC Limits
Under Sec. 679.21(d), annual halibut PSC limits are established
and apportioned to trawl and hook-and-line gears and may be established
for pot gear. In October 2005, the Council recommended that NMFS
maintain the 2005 halibut PSC limits of 2,000 mt for the trawl
fisheries and 300 mt for the hook-and-line fisheries. Ten mt of the
hook-and-line limit is further allocated to the demersal shelf rockfish
(DSR) fishery in the SEO District. Historically, the DSR fishery,
defined at Sec. 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(A), has been apportioned this amount
in recognition of its small scale harvests. Most vessels in the DSR
fishery are less than 60 ft (18.3 m) length overall (LOA) making them
exempt from observer coverage. Although observer data are not available
to verify actual bycatch amounts, NMFS assumes the halibut bycatch in
the DSR fishery is low because of the short soak times for the gear and
duration of the DSR fishery. Also, the DSR fishery occurs in the winter
when less overlap occurs in the distribution of DSR and halibut.
Section 679.21(d)(4) authorizes the exemption of specified non-
trawl fisheries from the halibut PSC limit. The Council recommended
that pot gear, jig gear, and the hook-and-line sablefish fishery be
exempted from the non-trawl halibut limit for 2006 and 2007. The
Council recommended these exemptions because: (1) The pot gear
fisheries experience low halibut bycatch mortality (averaging 11 mt
annually from 2001 through 2004 and 38 mt through October 8, 2005); (2)
the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program requires legal-sized halibut
to be retained by vessels using hook-and-line gear if a halibut IFQ
permit holder is aboard and is holding unused halibut IFQ; and (3)
halibut mortality for the jig gear fleet cannot be estimated because
these vessels do not carry observers. NMFS assumes halibut mortality is
very low given the small amount of groundfish harvested by jig gear
(averaging 303 mt annually from 2001 through 2004 and 153 mt through
October 8, 2005) and assumes that survival rates of any halibut
incidentally caught by jig gear and released are high.
Under Sec. 679.21(d)(5), NMFS seasonally apportions the halibut
PSC limits based on recommendations from the Council. The FMP and
regulations require that the Council and NMFS consider the following
information in seasonally apportioning halibut PSC limits: (1) Seasonal
distribution of halibut, (2) seasonal distribution of target groundfish
species relative to halibut distribution, (3) expected halibut bycatch
needs on a seasonal basis relative to changes in halibut biomass and
expected catch of target groundfish species, (4) expected bycatch rates
on a seasonal basis, (5) expected changes in directed groundfish
fishing seasons, (6) expected actual start of fishing effort, and (7)
economic effects of establishing seasonal halibut allocations on
segments of the target groundfish industry.
The final 2005 groundfish and PSC specifications (70 FR 8958,
February 24, 2005) summarized the Council and NMFS findings with
respect to each of these FMP considerations. The Council's and NMFS'
findings are unchanged. The proposed Pacific halibut PSC limits, and
apportionments thereof for 2006 and 2007, are presented in Table 9.
Sections 679.21(d)(5)(iii) and (iv) specify that any underages or
overages in a seasonal apportionment of a PSC limit will be deducted
from or added to the next respective seasonal apportionment within the
2006 and 2007 fishing years.
Table 9.--Proposed 2006 and 2007 Pacific Halibut PSC Limits, Allowances, and Apportionments. The Pacific Halibut PSC Limit for Hook-and-Line Gear Is
Allocated to the Demersal Shelf Rockfish (DSR) Fishery and Fisheries Other Than DSR. The Hook-and-Line Sablefish Fishery Is Exempt From Halibut PSC
Limits.
[Values are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trawl gear Hook-and-line gear
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other than DSR DSR
Dates Amount ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dates Amount Dates Amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 20-April 1..................... 550 (27.5%) January 1-June 10.............. 250 (86%) January-December 31........... 10 (100%)
April 1-July 1......................... 400 (20%) June 10-September 1............ 5 (2%) .............................. ..............
July 1-September 1..................... 600 (30%) September 1-December 31........ 35 (12%) .............................. ..............
September 1-October 1.................. 150 (7.5%) ............................... .............. .............................. ..............
October 1-December 31.................. 300 (15%) ............................... .............. .............................. ..............
-----------------
[[Page 74748]]
Total.............................. 2,000 (100%) ............................... 290 (100%) .............................. 10 (100%)
------------------------------------------------------
