Groundfish Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off the Coast of Alaska; Recordkeeping and Reporting, 75080-75084 [05-24203]
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[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 242 (Monday, December 19, 2005)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 75080-75084] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 05-24203] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 050628170-5328-02; I.D. 062105B] RIN 0648--AR67 Groundfish Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off the Coast of Alaska; Recordkeeping and Reporting AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS issues this final rule amending Table 2 to 50 CFR part 679. Table 2 is the source for species codes used in data collection, analysis, and [[Page 75081]] monitoring of the Federal groundfish fisheries. This action is necessary to standardize collection of species information with the State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), increase effectiveness of rockfish management, reflect current fisheries management interest in skates, and promote better enforcement of rockfish regulations. This final rule is intended to meet the conservation and management requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) with respect to groundfish and to further the goals and objectives of the Alaska groundfish fishery management plans. DATES: Effective January 18, 2006. ADDRESSES: Copies of the Categorical Exclusion and the Regulatory Impact Review (RIR) prepared for this action may be obtained by mail from the Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802 1668, Attn: Lori Durall, or from the NMFS Alaska Region website at www.fakr.noaa.gov. Written comments regarding the burden-hour estimates or other aspects of the collection-of- information requirements contained in this final rule may be submitted to NMFS Alaska Region and by e-mail to David--Rostker@omb.eop.gov, or fax to (202) 395-7285. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patsy A. Bearden, (907) 586 7008 or patsy.bearden@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fisheries in the EEZ off the coast of Alaska according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska and the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. These fishery management plans (FMPs) were prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and approved by the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) under authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. The FMPs are implemented by regulations at 50 CFR part 679. General provisions governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMPs appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600. Background and Need for Action The management background and explanation of the need for this action were described in the preamble to the proposed rule published in the Federal Register on September 1, 2005 (70 FR 52060). Table 2 to Part 679 provides a list of FMP species and non-FMP species on which ADF&G and NMFS Alaska Region have agreed for use on ADF&G fish tickets as well as NMFS logbooks and forms. The FMP species are those which are managed under the FMPs and which must be recorded and reported in logbooks and forms. The non-FMP species are species that are frequently caught in association with FMP species, but that are not actively managed under the FMPs. These non-FMP species may be recorded and reported in logbooks and forms. This action may require a few participants to learn to identify individual species of rockfish. An identification guide for rockfish of the Northeastern Pacific Ocean is available from NMFS, Alaska Region (see ADDRESSES) or at: https://www.afsc.noaa.gov/race/media/ publications/archives/pubs2000/techmemo117.pdf. The proposed rule to implement these changes was published in the Federal Register on September 1, 2005, for a 30-day comment period that ended October 3, 2005 (70 FR 52060). No written comments were received. Elements of the Final Rule Table 2 to Part 679 1. The table is reformatted from one table into four separate tables (Tables 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d). 2. The following rockfish group codes are removed from Table 2 to part 679: 144, slope rockfish; 168, demersal shelf rockfish; 169, pelagic shelf rockfish; and 171, shortraker/rougheye rockfish. Removal of these group codes does not alter the use of the terms, ''slope rockfish,'' ''demersal shelf rockfish,'' ''pelagic shelf rockfish,'' or ''shortraker/rougheye rockfish'' in Tables 10 and 11 to 50 CFR part 679. These terms are still valid for calculation of maximum retainable percentages for basis species. 3. In Sec. 679.2, the definition for ''Groundfish product or fish product'' is revised by removing ``Tables 1 and 2 to this part, excluding the prohibited species listed in Table 2 to this part'' and adding in its place ''Tables 1, 2a, 2c, and 2d to this part.'' 4. In Sec. 679.5, paragraph (m)(3)(v) is revised by removing reference to group codes 144, 168, 169, and 171. Table 2a to Part 679 1. The table is entitled ''Species Codes: FMP Groundfish Species.'' This table contains the names and species codes of groundfish that are managed under the FMPs and that must be recorded and reported in NMFS logbooks and forms. 2. A species code, 702, is added to Table 2a to describe the species ``big skates.'' NMFS has implemented separate management and harvest specifications for the species ``big skates'' that require a new species code (69 FR 26313, May 12, 2004). An identification guide of big skates and longnose skates is available from NMFS, Alaska Region (see ADDRESSES) or at https://www.fakr.noaa.gov/infobulletins/2003/ Rajalposter.jpg. 3. The description ''skates general,'' code 700 in Table 2a, is revised to read ''Other (if longnose or big skates - use specific species code).'' 4. The description ''sharks general,'' code 689 in Table 2a, is revised to read ''Other (if salmon, spiny dogfish or Pacific sleeper shark - use specific species code).'' 5. The description ''miscellaneous flatfish,'' code 120, is removed from the group codes and added to the FMP species in Table 2a as ''Flatfish, miscellaneous (flatfish species without separate codes).'' 6. The Latin name for all individual rockfish species is added to Table 2a. 7. In Sec. 679.2, paragraph (1) of the definition for ''Groundfish'' is revised by removing ''Table 2'' and adding in its place ''Table 2a.'' Table 2b to Part 679 1. The table is entitled ''Species Codes: FMP Prohibited Species.'' This table contains the names and species codes of species that are identified as prohibited species in the FMPs and that must be recorded and reported in NMFS logbooks and forms. 2. The species name for prohibited species code 932 in Table 2b, is changed from ''Opilio tanner crab'' to read ''Tanner, snow (C. opilio).'' 3. The species name for prohibited species code 923 in Table 2b, is changed from ''Gold/brown king crab'' to read ''King, golden (brown).'' 4. In Sec. 679.2, the definition for ''Prohibited species'' is revised by adding a reference to ''Table 2b.'' 5. In Sec. 679.5, paragraph (n)(2)(iv)(D) is revised by removing ''Table 2'' and adding in its place ''Table 2b.'' 6. In Sec. 679.21, paragraph (b)(1) is revised by removing ''see Sec. 679.2'' and adding in its place ''see Sec. 679.2 and Table 2b to this part.'' Table 2c to Part 679 1. The table is entitled ''Species Codes: FMP Forage Fish Species.'' This table contains the names and species codes of species that are identified as forage fish in the FMPs and that must be recorded and reported in NMFS logbooks and forms. 2. In Sec. 679.2, the definition for ''Forage fish'' is revised by removing [[Page 75082]] ''see Table 2 to this part'' and adding in its place ''see Table 2c to this part and Sec. 679.20(i).'' 3. In Sec. 679.20, paragraph (i)(1) is revised by removing ''see Sec. 679.2'' and adding in its place ''See Table 2c to this part.'' Table 2d to Part 679 1. The table is entitled ''Species Codes: Non-FMP Species.'' This table contains the names and species codes of species that may be recorded in NMFS logbooks and forms but which recording is not required by regulations at 50 CFR part 679. 2. A species code, 112, is added to Table 2d for the species, Pacific hake. Fishermen increasingly are reporting catch of Pacific hake in the EEZ off Alaska. This creates the need for a new species code to record the catch. 3. The species name for non-FMP species code 961 in Table 2d, is changed from ''Pink shrimp'' to read ''Northern (pink).'' 4. The species name for non-FMP species code 951 in Table 2d, is amended by adding the Latin name ``Paralomis multispina.'' 5. The species name for non-FMP species code 953 in Table 2d, is amended by adding the Latin name ``Paralomis verilli.'' Additional Changes In Sec. 679.5, the headings for paragraphs (a)(1)(ii)(A), (B), and (C) are revised by removing ``groundfish and prohibited species'' and by adding in its place ''groundfish, prohibited species, and forage fish.'' In Sec. 679.5, paragraphs (a)(1)(ii)(A), (B), and (C) are revised by removing ``all groundfish and prohibited species'' and adding in its place ``all groundfish (see Table 2a to this part), prohibited species (see Table 2b to this part), and forage fish (see Table 2c to this part).'' Classification This rule has been determined to be not significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866. The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration during the proposed rule stage that this action would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. No comments were received regarding this certification or the economic impacts of the rule. As a result, a regulatory flexibility analysis was not required and none was prepared. This rule contains collection-of-information requirements that are subject to review and approval by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) and which have been approved by OMB. The collections are listed below by OMB Control Number. OMB Control Number 0648 0213 Total public reporting burden for this collection is 41,219 hours. Species codes are recorded and reported in this collection. OMB Control Number 0648 0401 Total public reporting burden for this collection is 1,024 hours. Species codes are recorded and reported in this collection. Send comments regarding this burden estimate, or any other aspect of this data collection, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to NMFS (see ADDRESSEES) and by e-mail to David--Rostker@omb.eop.gov, or fax to (202) 395 7285. Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the PRA, unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. This rule does not duplicate, overlap, or conflict with other Federal regulations. List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 679 Alaska, Fisheries, Recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Dated: December 13, 2005. James W. Balsiger, Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. 0 For reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 679 is amended as follows: PART 679--FISHERIES OF THE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE OFF ALASKA 0 1. The authority citation for part 679 continues to read as follows: Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 1540(f); 1801 et seq.; 1851 note; 3631 et seq. Sec. Sec. 679.2, 679.5, 679.20, and 679.21 [Amended] 0 2. In the table below, for each of the paragraphs shown in the ``Location'' column, remove the phrase indicated in the ``Remove'' column and replace it with the phrase indicated in the ``Add'' column for the number of times indicated in the ``Frequency'' column. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Location Remove Add Frequency ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sec. 679.2 (see Table 2 to (see Table 2c to 1 definition for this part) this part and ``Forage fish'' Sec. 679.20(i)) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sec. 679.2 Table 2 Table 2a 1 definition for paragraph (1) ``Groundfish'' ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sec. 679.2 Tables 1 and 2 to Tables 1, 2a, 2c, 1 definition for this part, and 2d to this ``Groundfish excluding the part product or fish prohibited product'' species listed in Table 2 to this part ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sec. 679.2 Tanner crab Tanner crab (see 1 definition for Table 2b to this ``Prohibited part) species'' ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sec. Groundfish and Groundfish, 1 679.5(a)(1)(ii)(A) prohibited prohibited , (B), and (C) species species, and paragraph heading forage fish ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sec. all groundfish and all groundfish 1 679.5(a)(1)(ii)(A) prohibited (see Table 2a to , (B), and (C) species this part), prohibited species (see Table 2b to this part), and forage fish (see Table 2c to this part) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [[Page 75083]] Sec. code for each code for each 1 679.5(m)(3)(v) species from species from Table 2 to this Tables 2a though part, except 2d to this part, species codes except species 120, 144, 168, code 120 169, or 171; ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sec. Table 2 Table 2b 1 679.5(n)(2)(iv)(D) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sec. 679.20(i)(1) See Sec. 679.2 See Table 2c to 1 this part ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sec. 679.21(b)(1) See Sec. 679.2 See Sec. 679.2 1 and Table 2b to this part ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 0 3. Table 2 to Part 679--Species Codes for FMP Species and non-FMP Species is removed, and Tables 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d to Part 679 are added to read as follows: Table 2a to Part 679--Species Codes: FMP Groundfish ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Species Description Code ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Atka mackerel (greenling) 193 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Flatfish, miscellaneous (flatfish species 120 without separate codes) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ FLOUNDER ....................... ------------------------ Alaska plaice 133 ------------------------ Arrowtooth and/or Kamchatka 121 ------------------------ Starry 129 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Octopus 870 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pacific cod 110 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pollock 270 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ROCKFISH ....................... ------------------------ Aurora (S. aurora) 185 ------------------------ Black (BSAI) (S. melanops) 142 ------------------------ Blackgill (S. melanostomus) 177 ------------------------ Blue (BSAI) (S. mystinus) 167 ------------------------ Bocaccio (S. paucispinis) 137 ------------------------ Canary (S. pinniger) 146 ------------------------ Chilipepper (S. goodei) 178 ------------------------ China (S. nebulosus) 149 ------------------------ Copper (S. caurinus) 138 ------------------------ Darkblotched (S. crameri) 159 ------------------------ Dusky (S. ciliatus) 154 ------------------------ Greenstriped (S. elongatus) 135 ------------------------ Harlequin (S. variegatus) 176 ------------------------ Northern (S. polyspinis) 136 ------------------------ Pacific ocean perch (S. alutus) 141 ------------------------ Pygmy (S. wilsoni) 179 ------------------------ Quillback (S. maliger) 147 ------------------------ Redbanded (S. babcocki) 153 ------------------------ Redstripe (S. proriger) 158 ------------------------ Rosethorn (S. helvomaculatus) 150 ------------------------ Rougheye (S. aleutianus) 151 ------------------------ Sharpchin (S. zacentrus) 166 ------------------------ Shortbelly (S. jordani) 181 ------------------------ Shortraker (S. borealis) 152 ------------------------ Silvergray (S. brevispinis) 157 ------------------------ Splitnose (S. diploproa) 182 ------------------------ Stripetail (S. saxicola) 183 ------------------------ Thornyhead (all Sebastolobus species) 143 ------------------------ Tiger (S. nigrocinctus) 148 ------------------------ Vermilion (S. miniatus) 184 ------------------------ Widow (S. entomelas) 156 ------------------------ Yelloweye (S. ruberrimus) 145 ------------------------ Yellowmouth (S. reedi) 175 ------------------------ Yellowtail (S. flavidus) 155 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sablefish (blackcod) 710 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sculpins 160 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SHARKS ....................... ------------------------ Other (if salmon, spiny dogfish or Pacific 689 sleeper shark - use specific species code) ------------------------ Pacific sleeper 692 ------------------------ Salmon 690 ------------------------ Spiny dogfish 691 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SKATES ....................... ------------------------ Big 702 ------------------------ Longnose 701 ------------------------ Other (if longnose or big skate - use specific 700 species code) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SOLE ....................... ------------------------ Butter 126 ------------------------ Dover 124 ------------------------ English 128 ------------------------ Flathead 122 ------------------------ Petrale 131 ------------------------ Rex 125 ------------------------ Rock 123 ------------------------ Sand 132 ------------------------ Yellowfin 127 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Squid 875 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Turbot, Greenland 134 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Table 2b to Part 679--Species Code: FMP Prohibited Species ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Species Description Code ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CRAB ....................... ------------------------ King, blue 922 ------------------------ King, golden (brown) 923 ------------------------ King, red 921 ------------------------ King, scarlet 924 ------------------------ Tanner, Bairdi (C. bairdi) 931 ------------------------ [[Page 75084]] Tanner, grooved 933 ------------------------ Tanner, snow (C. opilio) 932 ------------------------ Tanner, triangle 934 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pacific halibut 200 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pacific herring (family Clupeidae) 235 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SALMON ....................... ------------------------ Chinook 410 ------------------------ Chum 450 ------------------------ Coho 430 ------------------------ Pink 440 ------------------------ Sockeye 420 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Steelhead trout 540 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Table 2c to Part 679--Species Codes: FMP Forage Fish Species (all species of the following families) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Species Description Code ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bristlemouths, lightfishes, and anglemouths 209 (family Gonostomatidae) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Capelin smelt (family Osmeridae) 516 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Deep-sea smelts (family Bathylagidae) 773 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Eulachon smelt (family Osmeridae) 511 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gunnels (family Pholidae) 207 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Krill (order Euphausiacea) 800 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Laternfishes (family Myctophidae) 772 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pacific sandfish (family Trichodontidae) 206 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pacific sand lance (family Ammodytidae) 774 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pricklebacks, war-bonnets, eelblennys, 208 cockscombs and shannys (family Stichaeidae) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Surf smelt (family Osmeridae) 515 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Table 2d to Part 679--Species Codes--Non-FMP Species ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Species Description Code ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Abalone 860 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Albacore 720 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Arctic char, anadromous 521 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLAMS ....................... ------------------------ Butter 810 ------------------------ Cockle 820 ------------------------ Eastern softshell 842 ------------------------ Geoduck 815 ------------------------ Little-neck 840 ------------------------ Razor 830 ------------------------ Surf 812 ------------------------ Coral 899 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CRAB ....................... ------------------------ Box 900 ------------------------ Dungeness 910 ------------------------ Korean horsehair 940 ------------------------ Multispina (Paralomis multispina) 951 ------------------------ Verrilli (Paralomis verillii) 953 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dolly varden, anadromous 531 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Eels or eel-like fish 210 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Giant grenadier 214 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ GREENLING ....................... ------------------------ Kelp 194 ------------------------ Rock 191 ------------------------ Whitespot 192 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Grenadier (rattail) 213 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jellyfish 625 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lamprey, Pacific 600 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lingcod 130 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lumpsucker 216 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mussel, blue 855 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pacific flatnose 260 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pacific hagfish 212 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pacific hake 112 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pacific saury 220 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pacific tomcod 250 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Prowfish 215 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rockfish, black (GOA) 142 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rockfish, blue (GOA) 167 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sardine, Pacific (pilchard) 170 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scallop, weathervane 850 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scallop, pink (or calico) 851 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sea cucumber 895 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sea urchin, green 893 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sea urchin, red 892 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Shad 180 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SHRIMP ....................... ------------------------ Coonstripe 964 ------------------------ Humpy 963 ------------------------ Northern (pink) 961 ------------------------ Sidestripe 962 ------------------------ Spot 965 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Skilfish 715 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Smelt, surf 515 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Snails 890 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sturgeon, general 680 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [FR Doc. 05-24203 Filed 12-16-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
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