Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska; Proposed 2007 and 2008 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish, 75437-75460 [E6-21303]
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[Docket No. 061130320–6320–01 ; I.D.
112206B]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska;
Proposed 2007 and 2008 Harvest
Specifications for Groundfish
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule; request for
comments.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: NMFS proposes 2007 and
2008 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 for groundfish
during the 2007 and 2008 fishing years
and to accomplish the goals and
objectives of the Fishery Management
Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of
Alaska (FMP). 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 16, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Sue
Salveson, Assistant Regional
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries
Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, Attn:
Ellen Walsh, Records Officer. 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 2007tacspecs@noaa.gov
and include in the subject line the
document identifier: ‘‘2007 Proposed
Specifications’’ (E-mail comments, with
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75437
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
Impact Statement (DEIS) and the Initial
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA)
prepared for this action are available
from NMFS at the addresses above or
from the Alaska Region website at
https://www.fakr.noaa.gov. Copies of the
final 2005 Stock Assessment and
Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) report for the
groundfish resources of the GOA, dated
November 2005, and the October 2006
North Pacific Fishery Management
Council (Council) meeting minutes are
available from the Council at West 4th
Avenue, Suite 306, Anchorage, AK
99510 or from its website 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: NMFS
manages the GOA groundfish fisheries
in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of
the GOA under the FMP. The 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 in large part on the 2005 SAFE
reports. In November 2006, the 2006
SAFE reports will be used to develop
the 2007 and 2008 final acceptable
biological catch (ABC) amounts.
Anticipated changes in the final
specifications from the proposed
specifications 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 to 800,000 metric tons
(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 in Tables 1
through 20 of this document satisfy
these requirements. For 2007, the sum
of the proposed TAC amounts is
264,367 mt. For 2008, the sum of the
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 241 / Friday, December 15, 2006 / Proposed Rules
proposed TAC amounts is 251,092 mt.
Under § 679.20(c)(3), NMFS will
publish the 2007 and 2008 final
specifications after (1) considering
comments received within the comment
period (see DATES), (2) consulting with
the Council at its December 2006
meeting, and (3) considering new
information presented in the DEIS and
the final 2006 SAFE report prepared for
the 2007 and 2008 fisheries.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
Other Rules Affecting the 2007 and
2008 Harvest Specifications
Congress granted NMFS specific
statutory authority to manage Central
GOA rockfish fisheries in Section 802 of
the Consolidated Appropriations Act of
2004 (Public Law 108–199; Section
802). The Council adopted a proposed
Central Gulf of Alaska Rockfish Pilot
Program (Rockfish Program) to meet the
requirements of Section 802 on June 6,
2005. The elements of the Rockfish
Program are discussed in detail in the
proposed and final rules to Amendment
68 to the FMP (71 FR 33040, June 7,
2006 and 71 FR 67210, November 20,
2006, respectively). The final rule is
effective December 20, 2006. The
Rockfish Program is authorized for two
years, from January 1, 2007, until
December 31, 2008. A brief overview of
major provisions of the Rockfish
Program that have implications for the
2007 and 2008 harvest specifications
follow.
The Rockfish Program allocates
exclusive harvesting and processing
privileges for primary rockfish species
and for associated species harvested
incidentally to those rockfish in the
Central GOA-an area from 147° W.
longitude to 159° W. longitude. The
primary rockfish species are northern
rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, and
pelagic shelf rockfish. Secondary
species are those species incidentally
harvested during the harvest of the
primary rockfish species fisheries and
include Pacific cod, rougheye rockfish,
shortraker rockfish, sablefish, and
thornyhead rockfish. The Rockfish
Program also allocates a portion of the
total GOA halibut mortality limit
annually specified under § 679.21 to
participants based on historic halibut
mortality rates in the primary rockfish
species fisheries. The amounts of
primary rockfish species, secondary
species, and halibut mortality to be
allocated to the Rockfish Program will
not be known until eligible participants
apply for participation in the Program.
These amounts will be posted on the
Alaska Region website at https://
www.fakr.noaa.gov when they become
available early in 2007.
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The Rockfish Program also establishes
catch limits, commonly called
‘‘sideboards,’’ to limit the ability of
participants eligible for this Program to
harvest fish in fisheries other than the
Central GOA rockfish fisheries.
Sideboards limit the total amount of
catch in other groundfish fisheries that
can be taken by eligible harvesters to
historic levels, including harvests made
in the State of Alaska (State) parallel
groundfish fisheries. These are fisheries
authorized by the State in its waters
concurrent with the Federal fishery for
which harvest amounts are deducted
from the Federal TAC. Sideboards limit
harvest in specific rockfish fisheries and
the amount of halibut bycatch that can
be used in certain flatfish fisheries.
Tables 18 and 19 list the proposed 2007
and 2008 groundfish sideboard limits.
Table 20 lists the proposed 2007 and
2008 halibut mortality limits.
Proposed ABC and TAC Specifications
The proposed ABCs and TACs 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 to compute ABCs and
overfishing levels (OFLs). 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
most reliable level of information and
tier six the least reliable level of
information.
In October 2006, the Council, its
Scientific and Statistical Committee
(SSC), and its Advisory Panel (AP),
reviewed current biological and harvest
information about the condition of
groundfish stocks in the GOA. 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
2005 SAFE report for the GOA
groundfish fisheries, dated November
2005 (see ADDRESSES). The SAFE report
contains a review of the latest scientific
analyses, estimates of each species’
biomass and other biological
parameters, as well as summaries of the
available information on the GOA
ecosystem and the economic condition
of the groundfish fisheries off Alaska.
From these data and analyses, the Plan
Team estimates an ABC for each species
category. The 2005 SAFE report will be
updated to include new information
collected during 2006. The Plan Team
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will provide revised stock assessments
in November 2006 in the final 2006
SAFE report. The Council will review
the 2006 SAFE report in December
2006. The final 2007 and 2008 harvest
specifications may be adjusted from the
proposed harvest specifications based
on the 2006 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
2007 OFL, ABC, and TAC amounts for
pollock, Pacific cod, sablefish, rex sole,
flathead sole, arrowtooth flounder,
northern rockfish, Pacific ocean perch,
rougheye rockfish, pelagic shelf
rockfish, and ‘‘other species’’ as
published in the 2006 and 2007 final
harvest specifications for groundfish in
the GOA on March 3, 2006 (71 FR
10870). These amended amounts were
recommended by the Council based on
new information developed in 2006. For
tier 1–3 stocks listed above, the GOA
Groundfish Plan Team recommended
projected groundfish OFLs and ABCs for
2007 and 2008 at its September 2006
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 2006
levels for 2007 and 2008.
For 2007 and 2008, the Council
recommends and NMFS proposes the
OFLs and ABCs listed in Tables 1 and
2. The ABCs reflect harvest amounts
that are less than the specified
overfishing amounts. The sum of the
proposed 2007 ABCs for all assessed
groundfish is 482,764 mt, which is
lower than the final 2006 ABC total of
500,626 mt but higher than the final
2007 ABC total of 472,260 mt (71 FR
10870, March 3, 2006). The sum of the
proposed 2008 ABCs for all assessed
groundfish is 469,755 mt, which is
lower than the final 2006 ABC total of
500,626 mt and the final 2007 ABC total
of 472,260 mt.
Specification and Apportionment of
TAC Amounts
The Council recommended proposed
TACs for 2007 and 2008 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
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 241 / Friday, December 15, 2006 / Proposed Rules
rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish, and
skates. The Council recommended TACs
that are less than the ABCs for Pacific
cod, flathead sole, shallow-water
flatfish, arrowtooth flounder, other
rockfish, and Atka mackerel.
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
apportioned among Statistical Areas
610, 620, and 630, as well as equally
among each of the following four
seasons: 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)(§§ 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv) and
679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)).
As in 2006, the SSC and Council
recommended that the method of
apportioning the sablefish ABC among
management areas in 2007 and 2008
include commercial fishery and survey
data. NMFS stock assessment scientists
believe that unbiased commercial
fishery catch-per-unit effort data are
useful 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 Regulatory
Area and makes available 5 percent of
the combined Eastern Regulatory Area
TACs to trawl gear for use as incidental
catch in other directed groundfish
fisheries in the West Yakutat District
(WYK)(§ 679.20(a)(4)(i)).
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 the sum
of all State and Federal water Pacific
cod removals from the GOA not exceed
ABC recommendations. The 2007 and
2008 Pacific cod TACs are affected by
the State’s fishery for Pacific cod in its
waters in the Western and Central
Regulatory Areas, as well as in Prince
William Sound (PWS). Accordingly, the
Council recommended the 2007 and
2008 proposed Pacific cod TACs be
reduced from ABC amounts to account
for guideline harvest levels (GHL)
established for Pacific cod by the State
for fisheries that occur in State waters
of the GOA. Therefore, the 2007
proposed Pacific cod TACs are less than
the proposed ABCs by the following
amounts: (1) Eastern GOA, 353 mt; (2)
Central GOA, 8,099 mt; and (3) Western
GOA, 5,743 mt. Similarly, the 2008
proposed Pacific cod TACs are less than
the proposed ABCs by the following
amounts: (1) Eastern GOA, 241 mt; (2)
Central GOA, 5,514 mt; and (3) Western
GOA; 3,910 mt. These amounts reflect
the sum of the State’s 2007 and 2008
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 TACs 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
75439
November 1 (§§ 679.23(d)(3) and
679.20(a)(11)).
As in 2006, NMFS proposes to
establish for 2007 and 2008 an A season
directed fishing allowance (DFA) for the
Pacific cod fisheries in the GOA based
on the management area TACs minus
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 catch 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
catch exceeding 60 percent of the
annual TAC in the A season (January 1
through June 10).
The FMP specifies that the amount for
the ‘‘other species’’ category be set at an
amount less than or equal to 5 percent
of the combined TAC amounts for target
species. The proposed 2007 and 2008
‘‘other species’’ TACs of 4,500 mt are
less than 5 percent of the combined
TAC amounts for target species. The
sum of the proposed TACs for all GOA
groundfish is 264,367 mt for 2007 and
251,092 mt for 2008, which is within
the OY range specified by the FMP. The
sums of the proposed 2007 and 2008
TACs are both lower than the sum of the
2006 TACs of 291,950 mt.
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. Tables 1 and 2 list the proposed
2007 and 2008 ABCs, TACs, and OFLs.
TABLE 1 - PROPOSED 2007 ABCS, TACS, AND OFLS 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
Area1
Species
ABC
Pollock2
Shumagin (610)
Chirikof (620)
Kodiak (630)
WYK (640)
W/C/WYK
SEO (650)
Pacific cod3
W
C
E
Flatfish 4(deep-water)
W
C
Subtotal
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Total
Total
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TAC
OFL
23,363
24,635
14,905
1,447
64,350
6,157
70,507
22,971
32,395
3,534
58,900
421
4,145
23,363
24,635
14,905
1,447
64,350
6,157
70,507
17,228
24,296
3,181
44,705
421
4,145
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
90,200
8,209
98,409
n/a
n/a
n/a
70,100
n/a
n/a
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 241 / Friday, December 15, 2006 / Proposed Rules
TABLE 1 - PROPOSED 2007 ABCS, TACS, AND OFLS 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)—Continued
Total
Area1
Species
ABC
WYK
SEO
Total
Rex sole
W
C
WYK
SEO
Flathead sole
W
C
WYK
SEO
Flatfish5 (shallow-water)
W
C
WYK
SEO
Arrowtooth flounder
W
C
WYK
SEO
Sablefish6
W
C
WYK
SEO
E
Pacific ocean perch7
W
C
WYK
SEO
E
Shortraker rockfish8
W
C
E
Rougheye rockfish9
W
C
E
Other rockfish10,11
W
C
WYK
SEO
Northern rockfish11,12
W
C
E
Pelagic shelf rockfish13
W
C
WYK
SEO
Thornyhead rockfish
W
C
E
Big skates14
W
C
E
Longnose skates15
W
C
E
Total
Total
Total
Total
Subtotal of SERO and WYK
Total
Subtotal
Total
Total
Total
Total
Total
Total
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Total
Total
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TAC
2,665
1,446
8,677
1,096
5,207
992
1,405
8,700
10,905
26,047
2,091
57
39,100
24,720
24,258
628
1,844
51,450
20,897
139,881
16,541
7,081
184,400
2,464
5,879
2,103
3,254
5,357
13,700
4,282
7,646
1,135
1,636
n/a
14,699
153
353
337
843
124
557
219
900
577
386
317
2,872
4,152
1,719
4,181
0
5,900
1,452
3,270
302
437
5,461
513
989
707
2,209
695
2,250
599
3,544
65
1,969
861
2,665
1,446
8,677
1,096
5,207
992
1,405
8,700
2,000
5,000
2,091
57
9,148
4,500
13,000
628
1,844
19,972
8,000
30,000
2,500
2,500
43,000
2,464
5,879
2,103
3,254
5,357
13,700
4,282
7,646
1,135
1,636
n/a
14,699
153
353
337
843
124
557
219
900
577
386
317
200
1,480
1,719
4,181
0
5,900
1,452
3,270
302
437
5,461
513
989
707
2,209
695
2,250
599
3,544
65
1,969
861
15DEP1
OFL
n/a
n/a
11,008
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
11,400
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
48,600
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
62,418
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
215,300
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
16,500
5,069
9,052
n/a
n/a
3,279
17,400
n/a
n/a
n/a
1,124
n/a
n/a
n/a
1,100
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
5,394
n/a
n/a
n/a
7,000
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
7,108
n/a
n/a
n/a
2,945
n/a
n/a
n/a
4,726
n/a
n/a
n/a
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 241 / Friday, December 15, 2006 / Proposed Rules
TABLE 1 - PROPOSED 2007 ABCS, TACS, AND OFLS 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)—Continued
Total
Area1
Species
ABC
Total
Other skates16
Demersal shelf rockfish17
Atka mackerel
Other species18
GW
SEO
GW
GW
Total19
TAC
OFL
2,895
1,617
410
4,700
n/a
482,764
2,895
1,617
410
1,500
4,500
264,367
3,860
2,156
650
6,200
n/a
593,398
1. Regulatory areas and districts
2. Pollock is apportioned in the
are defined at § 679.2.
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 22%, 57%, and 21% in Statistical Areas 610, 620,
and 630, respectively. During the B season, the apportionment is based on the relative distribution of pollock biomass at 22%, 69%, and 9% 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 53%, 15%, and 32% in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. Tables 5 and 6 list the 2007and 2008 proposed seasonal
apportionments. 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% to an A season and 40% to a B season in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the
GOA. Pacific cod is allocated 90% for processing by the inshore component and 10% for processing by the offshore component. Tables 7 and 8
list the 2007 and 2008 proposed seasonal apportionments and component allocations of TAC.
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 2007 and to trawl gear in 2008. Tables 3 and 4 list these amounts.
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.
17. ‘‘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).
18. ‘‘Other species’’ means sculpins, sharks, squid, and octopus. There is no OFL or ABC for ‘‘other species.’’ The FMP specifies that the
amount for the ‘‘other species’’ category be set at an amount less than or equal to 5% of the combined TAC amounts for target species.
19. The total ABC and OFL is the sum of the ABCs and OFLs for assessed target species.
TABLE 2 PROPOSED 2008 ABCS, TACS, AND OFLS 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
Area1
Species
Pollock2
ABC
TAC
OFL
Shumagin (610)
23,908
23,908
n/a
Chirikof (620)
25,209
25,209
n/a
Kodiak (630)
15,252
15,252
n/a
WYK (640)
1,481
1,481
n/a
W/C/WYK
65,850
65,850
92,700
SEO (650)
6,157
6,157
8,209
72,007
72,007
100,909
W
15,639
11,729
n/a
C
22,055
16,541
n/a
E
2,406
2,165
n/a
40,100
30,435
48,300
421
421
n/a
Subtotal
Total
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
Pacific cod3
Total
Flatfish4 (deep-water)
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TABLE 2 PROPOSED 2008 ABCS, TACS, AND OFLS 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
Area1
Species
ABC
TAC
OFL
C
4,145
4,145
n/a
WYK
2,665
2,665
n/a
SEO
1,446
1,446
n/a
8,677
8,677
11,008
W
1,084
1,084
n/a
C
5,147
5,147
n/a
WYK
980
980
n/a
SEO
1,389
1,389
n/a
8,600
8,600
11,200
W
11,435
2,000
n/a
C
27,313
5,000
n/a
WYK
2,192
2,192
n/a
SEO
60
60
n/a
41,000
9,242
51,110
W
24,720
4,500
n/a
C
24,258
13,000
n/a
WYK
628
628
n/a
SEO
1,844
1,844
n/a
51,450
19,972
62,418
W
21,237
8,000
n/a
C
142,155
30,000
n/a
WYK
16,811
2,500
n/a
SEO
7,197
2,500
n/a
187,400
43,000
218,800
W
2,213
2,213
n/a
C
5,278
5,278
n/a
WYK
1,888
1,888
n/a
SEO
2,921
2,921
n/a
E
4,809
4,809
n/a
12,300
12,300
14,800
W
4,341
4,341
5,156
C
7,751
7,751
9,208
WYK
1,150
1,150
n/a
SEO
1,658
1,658
n/a
Total
Rex sole
Total
Flathead sole
Total
Flatfish5(shallowwater)
Total
Arrowtooth flounder
Total
Sablefish6
Subtotal
Total
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
Pacific ocean perch7
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TABLE 2 PROPOSED 2008 ABCS, TACS, AND OFLS 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
Area1
Species
Subtotal
ABC
E
TAC
OFL
n/a
n/a
3,336
14,900
14,900
17,700
W
153
153
n/a
C
353
353
n/a
E
337
337
n/a
843
843
1,124
W
124
124
n/a
C
557
557
n/a
E
219
219
n/a
900
900
1,100
W
577
577
n/a
C
386
386
n/a
WYK
317
317
n/a
SEO
2,872
200
n/a
4,152
1,480
5,394
W
1,690
1,690
n/a
C
4,110
4,110
n/a
E
0
0
n/a
5,800
5,800
7,000
W
1,653
1,653
n/a
C
3,751
3,751
n/a
WYK
346
346
n/a
SEO
501
501
n/a
6,251
6,251
8,554
W
513
513
n/a
C
989
989
n/a
E
707
707
n/a
2,209
2,209
2,945
W
695
695
n/a
C
2,250
2,250
n/a
E
599
599
n/a
3,544
3,544
4,726
W
65
65
n/a
C
1,969
1,969
n/a
Total
Shortraker
rockfish8
Total
Rougheye rockfish9
Total
Other rockfish10,11
Total
Northern rockfish11,12
Total
Pelagic shelf rockfish13
Total
Thornyhead rockfish
Total
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
Big skates14
Total
Longnose skates15
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TABLE 2 PROPOSED 2008 ABCS, TACS, AND OFLS 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
Area1
Species
ABC
E
TAC
OFL
861
n/a
2,895
Total
861
2,895
3,860
Other skates16
GW
1,617
1,617
2,156
Demersal shelf rockfish17
SEO
410
410
650
Atka mackerel
GW
4,700
1,500
6,200
GW
n/a
4,500
n/a
469,755
251,092
579,954
Other
species18
TOTAL19
1.
Regulatory areas and districts are defined at § 679.2.
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 22%, 57%, and 21% in Statistical Areas 610, 620,
and 630, respectively. During the B season, the apportionment is based on the relative distribution of pollock biomass at 22%, 69%, and 9% 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 53%, 15%, and 32% in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. Tables 5 and 6 list the proposed 2007 and 2008 seasonal
apportionments. 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% to an A season and 40% to a B season in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the
GOA. Pacific cod is allocated 90% for processing by the inshore component and 10% for processing by the offshore component. Tables 7 and 8
list the 2007 and 2008 proposed seasonal apportionments and component allocations of TAC.
4. ″Deep-water flatfish″ means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, and deepsea sole.
5. ″Shallow-water flatfish″ means flatfish not including ″deep-water flatfish,″ flatheador arrowtooth flounder.
6. Sablefish is allocated to trawl and hook-and-line gears for 2007 and to trawl gear in 2008. Tables 3 and 4 list these amounts.
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.
17. ″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).
18. ″Other species″ means sculpins, sharks, squid, and octopus. There is no OFL or ABC for ″other species.″ The FMP specifies that the
amount for the ″other species″ category be set at an amount less than or equal to 5% of the combined TAC amounts for target species.
19. The total ABC and OFL is the sum of the ABCs and OFLs for assessed target species.
2.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
Proposed Apportionment of Reserves
Section 679.20(b)(2) requires that 20
percent of each TAC for pollock, Pacific
cod, flatfish, and the ‘‘other species’’
category be set aside in reserves for
possible apportionment at a later date.
In 2006, NMFS apportioned all of the
reserves in the final harvest
specifications. For 2007 and 2008,
NMFS proposes apportionment of all of
the reserves for pollock, Pacific cod,
flatfish, and ‘‘other species.’’
Specifications of TAC listed in Tables 1
and 2 reflect apportionment of reserve
amounts for these species and species
groups.
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Proposed Allocations of the Sablefish
TAC Amounts to Vessels Using Hookand-Line and Trawl Gear
Sections 679.20(a)(4)(i) and (ii)
require allocation of sablefish TACs for
each of the regulatory areas and districts
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
(§ 679.20(a)(4)(i)). In recognition of the
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trawl ban in the SEO District of the
Eastern GOA, the Council recommended
and NMFS proposes that the allocation
of 5 percent of the combined Eastern
Regulatory Area sablefish TAC be
available to trawl gear in the WYK
District and the remainder to vessels
using hook-and-line gear. As a result,
NMFS proposes to allocate 100 percent
of the sablefish TAC in the SEO District
to vessels using hook-and-line gear. The
Council recommended that only trawl
sablefish TAC be established biennially.
This recommendation results in a
proposed 2007 allocation of 268 mt to
trawl gear and 1,835 mt to hook-andline gear in the WYK District and 3,254
mt to hook-and-line gear in the SEO
District. Table 3 lists the allocations of
the proposed 2007 sablefish TACs
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between hook-and-line gear and trawl
gear. Table 4 lists the allocations of the
proposed 2008 sablefish TACs to trawl
gear.
TABLE 3 - PROPOSED 2007 SABLEFISH
TAC SPECIFICATIONS IN THE GULF
OF ALASKA AND ALLOCATIONS TO
HOOK-AND-LINE AND TRAWL GEAR
(VALUES ARE ROUNDED TO THE
NEAREST METRIC TON)
Area/district
Hookandline allocation
Trawl
allocation
2,464
5,879
2,103
1,971
4,703
1,835
493
1,176
268
3,254
13,700
3,254
11,763
0
1,937
TAC
Western
Central
West Yakutat
Southeast Outside
Total
TABLE 4 - PROPOSED 2008 SABLEFISH
TAC SPECIFICATIONS IN THE GULF
OF ALASKA AND ALLOCATION TO
TRAWL GEAR(VALUES ARE ROUNDED
TO THE NEAREST METRIC TON)
Area/district
Hookandline allocation1
Trawl
allocation
2,213
5,278
1,888
n/a
n/a
n/a
443
1,056
240
2,921
12,300
n/a
n/a
0
1,739
TAC
Western
Central
West Yakutat
Southeast Outside
Total
1 The Council recommended that harvest
specifications for the hook-and-line gear sablefish Individual Fishing Quota fisheries be limited to 1 year.
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. Pursuant to
§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(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,
the apportionments are in proportion to
the distribution of pollock biomass
based on a composite of NMFS winter
surveys. In the C and D seasons, the
apportionments are in proportion to the
distribution of pollock biomass based on
the four most recent NMFS summer
surveys. For 2007 and 2008, the Council
recommended averaging the winter and
summer distribution of pollock in the
Central Regulatory Area for the A
season. The average is intended to
reflect the distribution of pollock as
indicated by the historic performance of
the fishery during the A season. 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
75445
of the unharvested 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 (§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)).
The WYK and SEO District pollock
TACs of 1,447 mt and 6,157 mt in 2007
and 1,481 mt and 6,157 mt in 2008,
respectively, are not allocated by
season.
Section 679.20(a)(6)(i) requires the
allocation of 100 percent of the pollock
TAC in all regulatory areas and all
seasonal allowances 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
§ 679.20(e) and (f). At this time, these
incidental catch amounts are unknown
and will be determined during the
fishing year.
The proposed 2007 and 2008 seasonal
biomass distribution of pollock in the
Western and Central Regulatory Areas,
area apportionments, and seasonal
apportionments for the A, B, C, and D
seasons are summarized in Tables 5 and
6, except that amounts of pollock for
processing by the inshore and offshore
components are not shown.
TABLE 5 - 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
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
A
B
C
D
Annual Total
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3,402
3,401
8,280
8,280
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(21.63%)
(21.63%)
(52.65%)
(52.65%)
23,363
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Chirikof(area
620)
9,042
10,821
2,386
2,386
(57.50%)
(68.81%)
(15.17%)
(15.17%)
24,635
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Kodiak(area 630)
3,282 (20.87%)
1,503 (9.56%)
5,060 (32.17%)
5,060 (32.17%)
14,905
15DEP1
Total
15,726
15,725
15,726
15,726
(100%)
(100%)
(100%)
(100%)
62,903
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TABLE 6 - PROPOSED 2008 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
Annual Total
3,481
3,481
8,473
8,473
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 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
(21.63%)
(21.63%)
(52.65%)
(52.65%)
23,908
Chirikof(area
620)
9,254
11,073
2,441
2,441
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.
Kodiak(area 630)
(57.50%)
(68.81%)
(15.17%)
(15.17%)
25,209
3,358 (20.87%)
1,538 (9.56%)
5,178 (32.17%)
5,178 (32.17%)
15,252
Total
16,093
16,092
16,092
16,092
(100%)
(100%)
(100%)
(100%)
64,369
Section 679.20(a)(6)(ii) requires the
allocation of the Pacific cod TAC
apportionment in all regulatory areas
between 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 2007 and 2008 Pacific cod
TACs are listed in Tables 7 and 8,
respectively.
TABLE 7 - 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)
Regulatory
area
Season
Western
A season (60%)
B season (40%)
Central
A season (60%)
B season (40%)
Eastern
Total
Component allocation
TAC
Inshore
(90%)
17,228
10,337
6,891
24,296
14,578
9,718
3,181
44,705
15,505
9,303
6,202
21,866
13,120
8,746
2,863
40,234
Offshore
(10%)
1,723
1,034
689
2,430
1,458
972
318
4, 471
TABLE 8 - PROPOSED 2008 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)
Regulatory
area
Season
Western
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
A season (60%)
B season (40%)
Central
A season (60%)
B season (40%)
Eastern
Total
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Component allocation
TAC
Inshore
(90%)
11,729
7,037
4,692
16,541
9,925
6,616
2,165
30,435
10,556
6,334
4,222
14,887
11,019
5,955
1,949
27,392
Offshore
(10%)
1,723
704
469
1,654
992
662
216
3,043
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Proposed Apportionments to the
Central GOA Rockfish Pilot Program
After deducting incidental catch
needs in other directed groundfish
fisheries in the Central Regulatory Area,
5 percent (2.5 percent to trawl gear and
2.5 percent to fixed gear) of the
proposed TACs for Pacific ocean perch,
northern rockfish, and pelagic shelf
rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area
would be allocated to the entry level
rockfish fishery and the remaining 95
percent to those vessels eligible to
participate in the Rockfish Program as
described in the proposed and final
rules for the Rockfish Program (71 FR
33040, June 7, 2006 and 71 FR 67210,
November 20, 2006, respectively).
NMFS proposes the 2007 and 2008
incidental catch amounts of 120 mt for
northern rockfish, 100 mt for pelagic
shelf rockfish, and 330 mt for Pacific
ocean perch for other directed
groundfish fisheries in the Central
Regulatory Area. These proposed
amounts are based on the 2003 through
2006 average incidental catch in the
Central Regulatory Area by these other
groundfish fisheries.
Proposed Halibut PSC Limits
Section 679.21(d) establishes annual
halibut PSC limit apportionments to
trawl and hook-and-line gear and may
establish apportionments for pot gear. In
October 2006, the Council
recommended that NMFS maintain the
2006 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. The DSR
fishery is defined at
§ 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(A). This fishery has
been apportioned 10 mt 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.
Therefore, 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 short duration of the 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. As
in past years, NMFS, after consultation
with the Council, proposes to exempt
pot gear, jig gear, and the sablefish IFQ
(Individual Fishing Quota) hook-andline gear fishery categories from the
non-trawl halibut PSC limit for 2007
and 2008. The Council recommended
these exemptions because: (1) the pot
gear fisheries have low halibut bycatch
mortality (averaging 18 mt annually
from 2001 through 2005 and 21 mt
through November 4, 2006); (2) the
sablefish and halibut IFQ fisheries have
low halibut bycatch mortality because
the 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 fisheries is
assumed to be negligible although it
cannot be estimated because these
vessels do not carry observers. Halibut
mortality is assumed to be very low in
the jig gear fisheries given the small
amount of groundfish harvested by jig
gear (averaging 298 mt annually from
2001 through 2005 and 115 mt through
October 7, 2006), the selective nature of
jig gear, and the likelihood that halibut
caught with jig gear have a high survival
rate when released.
Section 679.21(d)(5) provides NMFS
with the authority to seasonally
apportion the halibut PSC limits after
consultation with 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 2006 and 2007 harvest
specifications (71 FR 10870, March 3,
2006) summarized the Council and
NMFS’ findings with respect to each of
these FMP considerations. The Council
and NMFS’ findings for 2007 and 2008
are unchanged from 2006. Table 9 lists
the 2007 and 2008 proposed Pacific
halibut PSC limits and apportionments.
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 2007 and
2008 fishing years.
TABLE 9 - PROPOSED 2007 AND 2008 PACIFIC HALIBUT PSC LIMITS, ALLOWANCES, AND APPORTIONMENTS
(values are in metric tons)
Hook-and-line gear1
Trawl gear
Other than DSR
Dates
Dates
January 20–April 1
550
(27.5%)
400
(20%)
600 (30%)
April 1–July 1
July 1–September 1
September 1–October 1
October 1–December 31
Total
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
DSR
Amount
January 1–June 10
150 (7.5%)
300 (15%)
2,000
(100%)
June 10–
September 1
September 1–
December 31
..........
..........
Amount
250
(86%)
5 (2%)
35
(12%)
..........
..........
290
(100%)
Dates
January 1–
December 31
Amount
10
(100%)
10
(100%)
1 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.
Section 679.21(d)(3)(ii) authorizes
further apportionment of the trawl
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halibut PSC limit to trawl fishery
categories. The annual apportionments
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proportional share of the anticipated
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halibut bycatch mortality during a
fishing year and optimization of the
total amount of groundfish harvest
under the halibut PSC limit. The fishery
categories for the trawl halibut PSC
limits are (1) a deep-water species
category, comprised of sablefish,
rockfish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole
and arrowtooth flounder; and (2) a
shallow-water species category,
comprised of pollock, Pacific cod,
shallow-water flatfish, flathead sole,
Atka mackerel, skates, and ‘‘other
species’’ (§ 679.21(d)(3)(iii)). Table 10
lists the 2007 and 2008 proposed
seasonal apportionments for the two
fishery categories. Based on public
comment and information contained in
the final 2006 SAFE report, the Council
may recommend, or NMFS may make,
changes in the seasonal, gear-type, or
fishery category apportionments of
halibut PSC limits for the final 2007 and
2008 harvest specifications.
TABLE 10 - PROPOSED 2007 AND 2008 SEASONAL APPORTIONMENTS OF PACIFIC HALIBUT PSC TRAWL LIMITS BETWEEN
THE TRAWL GEAR DEEP-WATER SPECIES CATEGORIES AND THE SHALLOW-WATER SPECIES CATEGORIES
(values are in metric tons)
Shallowwater
Season
January 20–April 1
April 1–July 1
July 1–September 1
September 1–October 1
Subtotal January 20–October 1
October 1–December 312
Total
Deep-water
100
300
4001
Any remainder
800
n/a
n/a
450
100
200
150
900
n/a
n/a
Total
550
400
600
150
1,700
300
2,000
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
1 Vessels participating in coops in the Central Gulf of Alaska Pilot Rockfish Program will receive a portion of the third season (July 1- September 1) deep-water category halibut PSC apportionment. At this time this amount is not known but will be posted later on the Alaska Region
website at https://www.fakr.noaa.gov when it becomes available.
2 There is no apportionment between shallow-water and deep-water trawl fishery categories during the fifth season (October 1 through December 31).
Estimated Halibut Bycatch in Prior
Years
The best available information on
estimated halibut bycatch is data
collected by observers during 2006. The
calculated halibut bycatch mortality by
trawl, hook-and-line, and pot gears
through October 7, 2006, is 1,893 mt,
168 mt, and 16 mt, respectively, for a
total halibut mortality of 2,077 mt.
Halibut bycatch restrictions
seasonally constrained trawl gear
fisheries during the 2006 fishing year.
Trawling during the second season
closed for the deep-water species
category April 27 (71 FR 25781, May 2,
2006) and during the fourth season
September 5 (71 FR 52754, September 7,
2006). Trawling during the first season
closed for the shallow-water species
category from February 23 to February
27 (71 FR 9977, February 28, 2006, and
71 FR 10625, March 2, 2006) and during
the second season on June 10 (71 FR
34021, June 13, 2006). To prevent
exceeding the fourth season halibut PSC
limit for the shallow-water species
category, directed fishing using trawl
gear was limited to four 12-hour open
periods on September 1 (71 FR 51784,
August 31, 2006), September 6 (71 FR
53339, September 11, 2006), September
20 (71 FR 55134, September 21, 2006),
and September 25 (71 FR 56898,
September 28, 2006). Trawling for all
groundfish targets (with the exception of
pollock by vessels using pelagic trawl
gear) closed for the fifth season on
October 8 (71 FR 60078, October 12,
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16:16 Dec 14, 2006
Jkt 211001
2006). Fishing for groundfish using
hook-and-line gear has remained open
in 2006 as the halibut PSC limit has not
been reached (as of October 7, 2006).
The amount of groundfish that trawl
gear might have harvested if halibut PSC
limits had not restricted the 2006 season
is unknown.
Expected Changes in Groundfish Stocks
and Catch
Proposed 2007 and 2008 ABCs for
deep-water flatfish, flathead sole,
arrowtooth flounder, Pacific ocean
perch, northern rockfish, and pelagic
shelf rockfish are higher than those
established for 2006. However, the
proposed 2007 and 2008 ABCs for
pollock, Pacific cod, sablefish, rex sole,
and ‘‘other species’’ are lower than
those established for 2006. For the
remaining target species, the Council
recommended that ABC levels remain
unchanged from 2006. More information
on these changes is included in the final
SAFE report (November 2005) and in
the Council, SSC, and AP minutes from
the October 2006 meeting available from
the Council (see ADDRESSES).
In the GOA, the total proposed TAC
amounts are 264,367 mt for 2007, and
251,092 mt for 2008, a decrease of about
10.5 percent in 2007 and 14.0 percent in
2008 from the 2006 TAC total of 291,950
mt. Table 11 compares the final TACs
for 2006 to the proposed TACs for 2007
and 2008.
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TABLE 11 - COMPARISON OF FINAL
2006 AND PROPOSED 2007 AND
2008 TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH IN
THE GULF OF ALASKA
(values are rounded to the nearest metric ton)
Species
Pollock
Pacific cod
Sablefish
Rex sole
‘‘Other
species’’
Deepwater
flatfish
Flathead
sole
Arrowtooth
flounder
Pacific
ocean
perch
Northern
rockfish
Pelagic
shelf
rockfish
2006
2007
2008
86,807
52,264
14,840
9,200
70,507
44,705
13,700
8,700
72,007
30,435
12,300
8,600
13,856
4,500
4,500
8,665
8,677
8,677
9,077
9,148
9,252
38,000
43,000
43,000
14,261
14,699
14,900
5,091
5,900
5,800
5,436
5,461
6,251
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 2005
for the 2006 commercial fishery. The
2005 assessment methods are
unchanged from the previous year. The
current exploitable halibut biomass in
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 241 / Friday, December 15, 2006 / Proposed Rules
Alaska for 2006 was estimated to be
189,543 mt, down from 192,023 mt in
2005. The female spawning biomass
remains far above the minimum
spawning biomass that 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 is estimated at 118,000
mt. Long-term average yield is estimated
at 26,980 mt, round weight. The species
is fully utilized. Recent average catches
(1994–2005) in the commercial halibut
fisheries off Alaska have averaged
34,169 mt, round weight. Catch in
waters off 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 2006, the IPHC
recommended Alaska commercial catch
limits totaling 33,421 mt, round weight,
in 2006, down from 34,459 mt in 2005.
Through October 12, 2006, commercial
hook-and line harvests of halibut off
Alaska totaled 29,060 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 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. For 2006, the IPHC staff
recommended a harvest rate of 22.5
percent for Areas 2C and 3A, 20 percent
in Areas 3B and 4A, and 15 percent in
Areas 4B and 4CDE. These are the same
rates as used in 2005 except in Areas 4B
and 4CDE, where the rate has been
reduced from 20 percent to 15 percent.
For Area 4B, the continued decline in
biomass relative to the estimated
historical minimum, the lack of
recruitment, and a new analysis of
productivity, prompted the IPHC staff to
recommend the lower harvest rate of 15
percent. Similarly for Area 4CDE, the
sharp decline in survey and commercial
catch rates resulted in the IPHC staff’s
recommendation of a 15 percent harvest
rate.
Additional information on the Pacific
halibut stock assessment may be found
in the IPHC’s 2005 Pacific halibut stock
assessment (December 2005), available
on the IPHC website at https://
www.iphc.washington.edu. The IPHC
will consider the 2006 Pacific halibut
assessment for 2007 at its January 2007
annual meeting when it sets the 2007
commercial halibut fishery quotas.
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Other Factors
Halibut Discard Mortality Rates
The allowable commercial catch of
halibut will be adjusted to account for
the overall halibut PSC mortality limit
established for groundfish fisheries. The
2007 and 2008 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 first accounting
for 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 website 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’’ 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 at § 679.2 under
‘‘Authorized fishing gear,’’ 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 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.
The Council recommends and NMFS
proposes that the halibut discard
mortality rates (DMRs) developed and
recommended by the staff of the IPHC
for the 2007 and 2008 GOA groundfish
fisheries be used to monitor the 2007
and 2008 GOA proposed halibut
bycatch mortality limits. The IPHC
recommended use of long-term average
DMRs for the 2007 and 2008 groundfish
fisheries. The IPHC will analyze
observer data annually and recommend
changes to the DMRs where a fishery
DMR shows large variation from the
mean. Most of the IPHC’s assumed
DMRs were based on an average of
mortality rates determined from NMFS
observer data collected between 1996
and 2005. Long-term average DMRs
were not available 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
a default rate. The GOA DMRs proposed
for 2007 and 2008 are revised from
those used in 2006. The DMRs for hookand-line target fisheries range from 10 to
14 percent. The DMRs for trawl target
fisheries range from 53 to 76 percent.
The DMRs for all pot target fisheries is
16 percent. Table 12 lists the 2007 and
2008 proposed DMRs. A copy of the
document justifying these DMRs is
available from the Council (see
ADDRESSES) and will be discussed in
Appendix A of the final 2006 SAFE
report to be released November 2006.
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TABLE 12 - PROPOSED 2007 AND
2008 HALIBUT DISCARD MORTALITY
RATES FOR VESSELS FISHING IN THE
GULF OF ALASKA
(values are percent of halibut bycatch
assumed to be dead)
Gear
Hook-and-line
Target
Mortality
Rate (%)
14
Rockfish
10
Arrowtooth
flounder
69
Atka mackerel
60
Deep-water flatfish
53
Flathead sole
15DEP1
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Pacific cod
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14
Skates
Trawl
Other species
61
75450
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 241 / Friday, December 15, 2006 / Proposed Rules
TABLE 12 - PROPOSED 2007 AND
2008 HALIBUT DISCARD MORTALITY
RATES FOR VESSELS FISHING IN THE
GULF OF ALASKA—Continued
TABLE 12 - PROPOSED 2007 AND
2008 HALIBUT DISCARD MORTALITY
RATES FOR VESSELS FISHING IN THE
GULF OF ALASKA—Continued
(values are percent of halibut bycatch
assumed to be dead)
Gear
Target
Mortality
Rate (%)
Non-pelagic
pollock
63
Skates
63
Pacific cod
63
Pelagic pollock
76
Rex sole
63
Rockfish
67
Sablefish
65
Shallow-water
flatfish
71
Other species
16
Skates
16
Gear
59
Other species
Pot
(values are percent of halibut bycatch
assumed to be dead)
Target
Pacific cod
Mortality
Rate (%)
16
Non-exempt American Fisheries Act
(AFA) Catcher Vessel Groundfish
Harvest and PSC Limits
Section 679.64 established groundfish
harvesting and processing sideboard
limits on AFA catcher/processors and
catcher vessels in the GOA. These
sideboard limits are necessary to protect
the interests of fishermen and
processors who do not directly benefit
from the AFA from fishermen and
processors who receive exclusive
harvesting and processing privileges
under the AFA. Listed AFA catcher/
processors are prohibited from
harvesting any species of fish in the
GOA (§ 679.7(k)(1)(ii)). The listed AFA
catcher/processors also are prohibited
from processing any pollock in the GOA
and any groundfish harvested in
Statistical Area 630 of the GOA
(§ 679.7(k)(1)(iv)). AFA catcher vessels
that are less than 125 ft (38.1 m) LOA
whose annual Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands pollock landings totaled less
than 5,100 mt and that made 40 or more
GOA groundfish landings from 1995
through 1997 are exempt from these
sideboard limits (§ 679.64(b)(2)(ii)).
Sideboard limits for non-exempt AFA
catcher vessels operating in the GOA are
based on their traditional harvest levels
of TAC in groundfish fisheries covered
by the GOA FMP. Section
679.64(b)(3)(iii) establishes the GOA
groundfish sideboard limits 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 proposed amounts
are listed in Table 13 for 2007 and in
Table 14 for 2008. All targeted or
incidental catch of sideboard species
made by non-exempt AFA catcher
vessels will be deducted from the
sideboard limits in Tables 13 and 14.
TABLE 13 - PROPOSED 2007 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV) GROUNDFISH
HARVEST SIDEBOARD LIMITS
(values are rounded to nearest metric ton)
Species
Ratio of 1995-1997 nonexempt AFA CV catch to
1995-1997 TAC
2007 TAC
2007 non-exempt AFA
CV sideboard limit
A Season (W/C areas only)
January 20 - March 10
Shumagin (610)
Chirikof (620)
Kodiak (630)
0.6112
0.1427
0.2438
3,401
10,821
1,503
2,079
1,544
366
0.6112
0.1427
0.2438
8,280
2,386
5,060
5,061
340
1,234
0.6112
0.1427
0.2438
8,280
2,386
5,060
5,061
340
1,234
Annual
WYK (640)
SEO (650)
0.3499
0.3499
1,447
6,157
506
2,154
A Season1
January 1 - June 10
W inshore
W offshore
C inshore
16:16 Dec 14, 2006
2,079
1,290
800
D Season (W/C areas only)
October 1 - November 1
Shumagin (610)
Chirikof (620)
Kodiak (630)
VerDate Aug<31>2005
3,402
9,042
3,282
C Season (W/C areas only)
August 25 - October 1
Shumagin (610)
Chirikof (620)
Kodiak (630)
Pacific cod
0.6112
0.1427
0.2438
B Season (W/C areas only)
March 10 - May 31
Shumagin (610)
Chirikof (620)
Kodiak (630)
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
Pollock
Area/season/component/gear
0.1423
0.1026
0.0722
9,303
1,034
13,120
1,324
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TABLE 13 - PROPOSED 2007 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV) GROUNDFISH
HARVEST SIDEBOARD LIMITS—Continued
(values are rounded to nearest metric ton)
Species
Area/season/component/gear
Ratio of 1995-1997 nonexempt AFA CV catch to
1995-1997 TAC
0.0721
1,458
105
0.1423
0.1026
0.0722
0.0721
6,202
689
8,746
972
883
71
631
70
Annual
E inshore
E offshore
0.0079
0.0078
2,863
318
23
2
Flatfish
deep-water
W
C
E
0.0000
0.0670
0.0171
421
4,145
4,111
0
278
70
Rex sole
W
C
E
0.0010
0.0402
0.0153
1,096
5,207
2,397
1
209
37
Flathead sole
W
C
E
0.0036
0.0261
0.0048
2,000
5,000
2,148
7
131
10
Flathead shallow-water
W
C
E
0.0156
0.0598
0.0126
4,500
13,000
2,472
70
777
31
Arrowtooth flounder
W
C
E
0.0021
0.0309
0.0020
8,000
30,000
5,000
17
927
10
Sablefish
W trawl gear
C trawl gear
E trawl gear
0.0000
0.0720
0.0488
493
1,176
268
0
85
13
Pacific ocean perch
W
C
E
0.0623
0.0866
0.0466
4,282
7,646
2,771
267
662
129
Shortraker rockfish
W
C
E
0.0000
0.0237
0.0124
153
353
337
0
8
4
Rougheye rockfish
W
C
E
0.0000
0.0237
0.0124
124
557
219
0
13
3
Other rockfish
W
C
E
0.0034
0.2065
0.0000
577
386
517
2
80
0
Northern rockfish
W
C
0.0003
0.0336
1,719
4,181
1
141
Pelagic shelf rockfish
W
C
E
0.0001
0.0000
0.0067
1,452
3,270
739
0
0
5
Thornyhead rockfish
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
C offshore
B Season2
September 1 - December 31
W inshore
W offshore
C inshore
C offshore
2007 non-exempt AFA
CV sideboard limit
2007 TAC
W
C
E
0.0308
0.0308
0.0308
513
989
707
16
30
22
Big skates
W
C
E
0.0090
0.0090
0.0090
695
2,250
599
6
20
5
Longnose skates
W
C
0.0090
0.0090
65
1,969
1
18
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TABLE 13 - PROPOSED 2007 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV) GROUNDFISH
HARVEST SIDEBOARD LIMITS—Continued
(values are rounded to nearest metric ton)
Species
Area/season/component/gear
Ratio of 1995-1997 nonexempt AFA CV catch to
1995-1997 TAC
2007 non-exempt AFA
CV sideboard limit
2007 TAC
E
0.0090
861
8
Other skates
Gulfwide
0.0090
1,617
15
Demersal shelf rockfish
SEO
0,0020
410
1
Atka mackerel
Gulfwide
0.0309
1,500
46
Other species
Gulfwide
0.0090
4,500
41
1
2
The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
TABLE 14 - PROPOSED 2008 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV) GROUNDFISH
HARVEST SIDEBOARD LIMITS
(values are rounded to nearest metric ton)
Species
Pollock
Area/season/component/gear
Ratio of 1995-1997 nonexempt AFA CV catch to
1995-1997 TAC
2008 TAC
2008 non-exempt AFA
CV sideboard limit
A Season (W/C areas only)
January 20 - March 10
Shumagin (610)
Chirikof (620)
Kodiak (630)
2,128
1,321
819
0.6112
0.1427
0.2438
3,481
11,073
1,538
2,128
1,580
375
C Season (W/C areas only)
August 25 - October 1
Shumagin (610)
Chirikof (620)
Kodiak (630)
0.6112
0.1427
0.2438
8,473
2,441
5,178
5,179
348
1,262
D Season (W/C areas only)
October 1 - November 1
Shumagin (610)
Chirikof (620)
Kodiak (630)
0.6112
0.1427
0.2438
8,473
2,441
5,178
5,179
348
1,262
Annual
WYK (640)
SEO (650)
0.3499
0.3499
1,481
6,157
518
2,154
0.1423
0.1026
0.0722
0.0721
6,334
704
11,019
992
901
72
796
72
0.1423
0.1026
0.0722
0.0721
4,222
469
5,955
662
601
48
433
48
Annual
E inshore
E offshore
0.0079
0.0078
1,949
216
15
2
W
C
0.0000
0.0670
421
4,145
0
278
A Season1
January 1 - June 10
W inshore
W offshore
C inshore
C offshore
B Season2
September 1 - December 31
W inshore
W offshore
C inshore
C offshore
Pacific cod
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
3,481
9,254
3,358
B Season (W/C areas only)
March 10 - May 31
Shumagin (610)
Chirikof (620)
Kodiak (630)
Flatfish
deep-water
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0.1427
0.2438
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TABLE 14 - PROPOSED 2008 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV) GROUNDFISH
HARVEST SIDEBOARD LIMITS—Continued
(values are rounded to nearest metric ton)
Species
Area/season/component/gear
Ratio of 1995-1997 nonexempt AFA CV catch to
1995-1997 TAC
2008 non-exempt AFA
CV sideboard limit
2008 TAC
0.0171
4,111
70
Rex sole
W
C
E
0.0010
0.0402
0.0153
1,084
5,147
2,369
1
207
36
Flathead sole
W
C
E
0.0036
0.0261
0.0048
2,000
5,000
2,252
7
131
11
Flathead shallow-water
W
C
E
0.0156
0.0598
0.0126
4,500
13,000
2,472
70
777
31
Arrowtooth flounder
W
C
E
0.0021
0.0309
0.0020
8,000
30,000
5,000
17
927
10
Sablefish
W trawl gear
C trawl gear
E trawl gear
0.0000
0.0720
0.0488
443
1,056
240
0
76
12
Pacific ocean perch
W
C
E
0.0623
0.0866
0.0466
4,341
7,751
2,808
270
671
131
Shortraker rockfish
W
C
E
0.0000
0.0237
0.0124
153
353
337
0
8
4
Rougheye rockfish
W
C
E
0.0000
0.0237
0.0124
124
557
219
0
13
3
Other rockfish
W
C
E
0.0034
0.2065
0.0000
577
386
517
2
80
0
Northern rockfish
W
C
0.0003
0.0336
1,719
4,181
1
141
Pelagic shelf rockfish
W
C
E
0.0001
0.0000
0.0067
1,653
3,571
847
0
0
6
Thornyhead rockfish
W
C
E
0.0308
0.0308
0.0308
513
989
707
16
30
22
Big skates
W
C
E
0.0090
0.0090
0.0090
695
2,250
599
6
20
5
Longnose skates
W
C
E
0.0090
0.0090
0.0090
65
1,969
861
1
18
8
Other skates
Gulfwide
0.0090
1,617
15
Demersal shelf rockfish
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
E
SEO
0,0020
410
1
Atka mackerel
Gulfwide
0.0309
1,500
46
Other species
Gulfwide
0.0090
4,500
41
1
2
The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
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The PSC sideboard limits for nonexempt AFA catcher vessels in the GOA
are based on the aggregate retained
groundfish catch by non-exempt AFA
catcher vessels in each PSC target
category from 1995 through 1997
divided by the retained catch of all
vessels in that fishery from 1995
through 1997 (§ 679.64(b)(4)). Table 15
lists these proposed amounts.
TABLE 15 - PROPOSED 2007 AND 2008 NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL HALIBUT PROHIBITED
SPECIES CATCH (PSC) LIMITS FOR THE GOA
(values are in metric tons)
Season
Ratio of 1995-1997 nonexempt AFA CV retained catch to total retained catch
Target fishery
2007 and 2008
PSC limit
2007 and 2008 non-exempt AFA CV PSC limit
Trawl 1st seasonal allowance
shallow-water
0.340
450
153
January 20 - April 1
deep-water
0.070
100
7
Trawl 2nd seasonal allowance
shallow-water
0.340
100
34
April 1- July 1
deep-water
0.070
300
21
Trawl 3rd seasonal allowance
shallow-water
0.340
200
68
July 1 - September 1
deep-water
0.070
400
28
Trawl 4th seasonal allowance
shallow-water
0.340
150
51
September 1 - October 1
deep-water
0.070
0
0
Trawl 5th seasonal allowance
all targets
0.205
300
61
October 1 - December 31
Non-AFA Crab Vessel Groundfish
Sideboard Limits
Section 680.22 establishes groundfish
catch limits 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. Sideboard limits restrict a
vessel’s harvests to its historical
landings in all GOA groundfish fisheries
(except the fixed-gear sablefish fishery).
Sideboard limits also apply to landings
made using a LLP license derived from
the history of a restricted vessel, even if
that LLP is used on another vessel.
Sideboards limits for non-AFA crab
vessels operating in the GOA are based
on their traditional harvest levels of
TAC in groundfish fisheries covered by
the GOA FMP. Sections 680.22(d) and
(e) base the groundfish sideboard limits
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. These
proposed amounts are listed in Table 16
for 2007 and in Table 17 for 2008. All
targeted or incidental catch of sideboard
species made by non-AFA crab vessels
will be deducted from the sideboard
limits in Tables 16 and 17. Vessels
exempt from Pacific cod sideboards are
those that landed less than 45,359
kilograms 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).
TABLE 16 - PROPOSED 2007 GOA NON-AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL GROUNDFISH HARVEST SIDEBOARD
LIMITS
(values are rounded to nearest metric ton)
Species
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
Pollock
Area/season/component/gear
Ratio of 1996-2000 nonAFA crab vessel catch to
1996-2000 total harvest
Proposed 2007
TAC
Proposed 2007 non-AFA
crab vessel sideboard
limit
A Season (W/C areas only)
January 20 - March 10
Shumagin (610)
Chirikof (620)
Kodiak (630)
0.0098
0.0031
0.0002
3,402
9,042
3,282
33
28
1
B Season (W/C areas only)
March 10 - May 31
Shumagin (610)
Chirikof (620)
Kodiak (630)
0.0098
0.0031
0.0002
3,401
10,821
1,503
33
34
0
C Season (W/C areas only)
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TABLE 16 - PROPOSED 2007 GOA NON-AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL GROUNDFISH HARVEST SIDEBOARD
LIMITS—Continued
(values are rounded to nearest metric ton)
Species
Area/season/component/gear
Ratio of 1996-2000 nonAFA crab vessel catch to
1996-2000 total harvest
Proposed 2007
TAC
Proposed 2007 non-AFA
crab vessel sideboard
limit
August 25 - October 1
Shumagin (610)
Chirikof (620)
Kodiak (630)
0.0098
0.0031
0.0002
8,280
2,386
5,060
81
7
1
D Season (W/C areas only)
October 1 - November 1
Shumagin (610)
Chirikof (620)
Kodiak (630)
0.0098
0.0031
0.0002
8,280
2,386
5,060
81
7
1
Annual
WYK (640)
SEO (650)
0.0000
0.0000
1,447
6,157
0
0
0.0902
0.2046
0.0383
0.2074
9,303
1,034
13,120
1,458
839
212
502
302
0.0902
0.2046
0.0383
0.2074
6,202
689
8,746
972
559
141
335
202
Annual
E inshore
E offshore
0.0110
0.0000
2,863
318
31
0
Flatfish
deep-water
W
C
E
0.0035
0.0000
0.0000
421
4,145
4,111
1
0
0
Rex sole
W
C
E
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
1,096
5,207
2,397
0
0
0
Flathead sole
W
C
E
0.0002
0.0004
0.0000
2,000
5,000
2,148
0
2
0
Flathead shallow-water
W
C
E
0.0059
0.0001
0.0000
4,500
13,000
2,472
27
1
0
Arrowtooth flounder
W
C
E
0.0004
0.0001
0.0000
8,000
30,000
5,000
3
3
0
Sablefish
W trawl gear
C trawl gear
E trawl gear
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
493
1,176
268
0
0
0
Pacific ocean perch
W
C
E
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
4,282
7,646
2,771
0
0
0
Shortraker rockfish
W
C
E
0.0013
0.0012
0.0009
153
353
337
0
0
0
Rougheye rockfish
W
C
E
0.0067
0.0047
0.0008
124
557
219
1
3
0
Other rockfish
W
0.0035
577
2
A Season1
January 1 - June 10
W inshore
W offshore
C inshore
C offshore
B Season2
September 1 - December 31
W inshore
W offshore
C inshore
C offshore
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
Pacific cod
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TABLE 16 - PROPOSED 2007 GOA NON-AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL GROUNDFISH HARVEST SIDEBOARD
LIMITS—Continued
(values are rounded to nearest metric ton)
Species
Area/season/component/gear
Ratio of 1996-2000 nonAFA crab vessel catch to
1996-2000 total harvest
Proposed 2007
TAC
Proposed 2007 non-AFA
crab vessel sideboard
limit
C
E
0.0033
0.0000
386
517
1
0
Northern rockfish
W
C
0.0005
0.0000
1,719
4,181
1
0
Pelagic shelf rockfish
W
C
E
0.0017
0.0000
0.0000
1,452
3,270
739
2
0
0
Thornyhead rockfish
W
C
E
0.0047
0.0066
0.0045
513
989
707
2
7
3
Big skates
W
C
E
0.0392
0.0159
0.0000
695
2,250
599
27
36
0
Longnose skates
W
C
E
0.0392
0.0159
0.0000
65
1,969
861
3
31
0
Other skates
Gulfwide
0.0176
1,617
28
Demersal shelf rockfish
SEO
0,0000
410
0
Atka mackerel
Gulfwide
0.0000
1,500
0
Other species
Gulfwide
0.0176
4,500
79
1
2
The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
TABLE 17- PROPOSED 2008 GOA NON-AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL GROUNDFISH HARVEST SIDEBOARD
LIMITS
(values are rounded to nearest metric ton)
Species
Ratio of 1996-2000 nonAFA crab vessel catch to
1996-2000 total harvest
Proposed 2008
TAC
Proposed 2008 non-AFA
crab vessel sideboard
limit
3,481
9,254
3,358
34
29
1
0.0098
0.0031
0.0002
3,481
11,073
1,538
34
34
0
0.0098
0.0031
0.0002
8,473
2,441
5,178
83
8
1
D Season (W/C areas only)
October 1 - November 1
Shumagin (610)
Chirikof (620)
Kodiak (630)
0.0098
0.0031
0.0002
8,473
2,441
5,178
83
8
1
Annual
WYK (640)
16:16 Dec 14, 2006
0.0098
0.0031
0.0002
C Season (W/C areas only)
August 25 - October 1
Shumagin (610)
Chirikof (620)
Kodiak (630)
VerDate Aug<31>2005
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)
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
Pollock
Area/season/component/gear
0.0000
1,481
0
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TABLE 17- PROPOSED 2008 GOA NON-AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL GROUNDFISH HARVEST SIDEBOARD
LIMITS—Continued
(values are rounded to nearest metric ton)
Species
Area/season/component/gear
Ratio of 1996-2000 nonAFA crab vessel catch to
1996-2000 total harvest
SEO (650)
Proposed 2008
TAC
Proposed 2008 non-AFA
crab vessel sideboard
limit
0.0000
6,157
0
0.0902
0.2046
0.0383
0.2074
6,334
704
11,019
992
571
144
422
206
0.0902
0.2046
0.0383
0.2074
4,222
469
5,955
662
381
96
230
137
Annual
E inshore
E offshore
0.0110
0.0000
1,949
0
21
2
Flatfish
deep-water
W
C
E
0.0035
0.0000
0.0000
421
5,147
2,369
1
0
0
Rex sole
W
C
E
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
1,084
7,340
3,630
0
0
0
Flathead sole
W
C
E
0.0002
0.0004
0.0000
2,000
5,000
2,148
0
2
0
Flathead shallow-water
W
C
E
0.0059
0.0001
0.0000
4,500
13,000
2,472
27
1
0
Arrowtooth flounder
W
C
E
0.0004
0.0001
0.0000
8,000
30,000
5,000
3
3
0
Sablefish
W trawl gear
C trawl gear
E trawl gear
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
443
1,056
240
0
0
0
Pacific ocean perch
W
C
E
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
4,341
7,751
2,808
0
0
0
Shortraker rockfish
W
C
E
0.0013
0.0012
0.0009
153
353
337
0
0
0
Rougheye rockfish
W
C
E
0.0067
0.0047
0.0008
124
557
219
1
3
0
Other rockfish
W
C
E
0.0035
0.0033
0.0000
577
386
517
2
1
0
Northern rockfish
W
C
0.0005
0.0000
1,719
4,181
1
0
Pelagic shelf rockfish
W
C
E
0.0017
0.0000
0.0000
1,653
3,571
847
3
0
0
Thornyhead rockfish
W
C
0.0047
0.0066
513
989
2
7
A Season1
January 1 - June 10
W inshore
W offshore
C inshore
C offshore
B Season2
September 1 - December 31
W inshore
W offshore
C inshore
C offshore
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
Pacific cod
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TABLE 17- PROPOSED 2008 GOA NON-AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL GROUNDFISH HARVEST SIDEBOARD
LIMITS—Continued
(values are rounded to nearest metric ton)
Species
Ratio of 1996-2000 nonAFA crab vessel catch to
1996-2000 total harvest
Area/season/component/gear
Proposed 2008
TAC
Proposed 2008 non-AFA
crab vessel sideboard
limit
E
0.0045
707
3
Big skate
W
C
E
0.0392
0.0159
0.0000
695
2,250
599
27
36
0
Longnose skates
W
C
E
0.0392
0.0159
0.0000
65
1,969
861
3
31
0
Other skates
Gulfwide
0.0176
1,617
28
Demersal shelf rockfish
SEO
0,0000
410
0
Atka mackerel
Gulfwide
0.0000
1,500
0
Other species
Gulfwide
0.0176
4,500
79
1
2
The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
Rockfish Program Groundfish
Sideboard Limitations and Halibut
Mortality Limitations
The Rockfish Program establishes
sideboards to limit the ability of
participants eligible for the Rockfish
Program to harvest fish in fisheries other
than the Central GOA rockfish fisheries.
The Rockfish Program provides certain
economic advantages to harvesters.
Harvesters could use this economic
advantage to increase their participation
in other fisheries, adversely affecting the
participants in other fisheries. These
proposed sideboards limit the total
amount of catch in other groundfish
fisheries that could be taken by eligible
harvesters and limit the amount of
halibut mortality to historic levels. The
sideboard measures are in effect only
during the month of July. Traditionally,
the Central GOA rockfish fisheries were
open in July, and the sideboards are
designed to restrict fishing during the
historical season for the fishery, but
allow eligible rockfish harvesters to
participate in fisheries before or after
the historical rockfish season. The two
categories of sideboard limits are catch
amount constraints and close specific
directed fisheries and regions during
July. The sideboard provisions are
discussed in detail in the proposed rule
(71 FR 33040, June 7, 2006) and final
rule (71 FR 67210, November 20, 2006).
Tables 18 and 19 list the proposed 2007
and 2008 harvest limits for rockfish in
the WYK and the Western Regulatory
Area. Table 20 lists the proposed 2007
and 2008 halibut mortality limits for the
Western and Central Regulatory Areas
and the WYK.
TABLE 18 - PROPOSED 2007 ROCKFISH PROGRAM HARVEST LIMITS BY SECTOR FOR WEST YAKUTAT DISTRICT AND
WESTERN GOA BY THE CATCHER/PROCESSOR (C/P) AND CATCHER VESSEL (CV) SECTORS
(values are rounded to nearest metric ton)
Pelagic shelf rockfish
72.4
1.7
302
219
5
76.0
2.9
1,135
863
33
63.3
0.0
1,452
919
0
Pacific ocean perch
61.1
0.0
4,282
2,616
0
Northern rockfish
Western GOA
CV sector (% of
TAC)
Pelagic shelf rockfish
West Yakutat District
C/P sector (% of
TAC)
Pacific ocean perch
Management Area
78.9
0.0
1,719
1,356
0
Fishery
Proposed 2007
TAC
Proposed 2007
C/P limit
Proposed 2007
CV limit
TABLE 19 - PROPOSED 2008 ROCKFISH PROGRAM HARVEST LIMITS BY SECTOR FOR WEST YAKUTAT DISTRICT AND
WESTERN GOA BY THE CATCHER/PROCESSOR (C/P) AND CATCHER VESSEL (CV) SECTORS
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
(values are rounded to nearest metric ton)
Management Area
West Yakutat District
VerDate Aug<31>2005
C/P sector (% of
TAC)
Fishery
CV sector (% of
TAC)
72.4
1.7
Pelagic shelf rockfish
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TAC
Proposed 2008
C/P limit
346
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4
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 241 / Friday, December 15, 2006 / Proposed Rules
75459
TABLE 19 - PROPOSED 2008 ROCKFISH PROGRAM HARVEST LIMITS BY SECTOR FOR WEST YAKUTAT DISTRICT AND
WESTERN GOA BY THE CATCHER/PROCESSOR (C/P) AND CATCHER VESSEL (CV) SECTORS—Continued
(values are rounded to nearest metric ton)
CV sector (% of
TAC)
76.0
2.9
1,150
874
25
Pelagic shelf rockfish
63.3
0.0
1,653
1,046
0
Pacific ocean perch
61.1
0.0
4,341
2,652
0
Northern rockfish
Western GOA
C/P sector (% of
TAC)
Pacific ocean perch
Management Area
78.9
0.0
1,690
1,333
0
Fishery
Proposed 2008
TAC
Proposed 2008
C/P limit
Proposed 2008
CV limit
TABLE 20 - PROPOSED 2007 AND 2008 ROCKFISH PROGRAM HALIBUT MORTALITY LIMITS FOR THE CATCHER/PROCESSOR
AND CATCHER VESSEL SECTORS
(values are rounded to nearest metric ton)
Shallow-water complex halibut PSC
sideboard ratio
Sector
Deep-water complex
halibut PSC
sideboard ratio
Annual halibut mortality limit (mt)
Annual shallow-water
complex halibut PSC
sideboard limit (mt)
Annual deep-water
complex halibut PSC
sideboard limit (mt)
3.99
0.54
2,000
80
11
Catcher vessel
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
Catcher/processor
1.08
6.32
2,000
22
126
Classification
NMFS has determined that the
proposed specifications are consistent
with the FMP and preliminarily
determined that the proposed
specifications are consistent with the
Magnuson-Stevens Act and other
applicable laws.
NMFS prepared a DEIS for this action;
a notice of availability was published on
September 8, 2006 (71 FR 53093). The
public comment period closed on
October 23, 2006. The DEIS analyzes the
environmental consequences of the
proposed action and its alternatives on
resources in the action area. The DEIS
found no significant environmental
consequences from the proposed action
or its alternatives, however, some
impacts were unknown.
An initial regulatory flexibility
analysis (IRFA) was prepared, as
required by section 603 of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act. The IRFA
describes the economic impact this
proposed rule, if adopted, would have
on small entities. A description of the
action, why it is being considered, and
the legal basis for this action are
contained at the beginning of this
section in the preamble and in the
SUMMARY section of the preamble. A
summary of the analysis follows. A copy
of this analysis is available from NMFS
(see ADDRESSES).
The action under consideration is a
harvest strategy to govern the harvest of
groundfish in the GOA. The preferred
alternative is the status quo harvest
strategy in which TACs fall within the
range of ABCs recommended by the
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:16 Dec 14, 2006
Jkt 211001
Council’s Groundfish Plan Teams and
TACs recommended by the Council.
This action is taken in accordance with
the FMP prepared by the Council
pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
The entities directly regulated by this
action are those that harvest groundfish
in the EEZ of the GOA, and in parallel
fisheries within State of Alaska waters.
These include entities operating catcher
vessels and catcher-processor vessels
within the action area, and entities
receiving direct allocations of
groundfish. Catcher vessels and catcher
processors were considered to be small
entities if they had annual gross
receipts, from all of their economic
activities, and including the revenue of
their affiliated operations, less than or
equal to $4 million per year. Data from
2004 was used because it was the most
recent available.
The directly regulated small entities
include approximately 810 small
catcher vessels and fewer than 20 small
catcher/processors. Estimates of first
wholesale gross revenues for the GOA
were used as indices of the potential
impacts of the alternative harvest
strategies on small entities. Revenues
were projected to decline from 2006
levels in 2007 and 2008 under the
preferred alternative due to declines in
ABCs for economically key groundfish
species.
The preferred alternative (Alternative
2) was compared to four other
alternatives. These included Alternative
1, which would set TACs to generate
fishing rates equal to the maximum
permissible ABC (if the full TAC were
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Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
harvested), unless the sum of TACs
would exceed the GOA OY, in which
case harvests would be limited to the
OY. Alternative 3 would set TACs to
produce fishing rates equal to the most
recent five-year average fishing rate.
Alternative 4 would set TACs to equal
the lower bound of the GOA OY range.
Alternative 5 would set TACs equal to
zero. Alternative 5 is the ‘‘no action’’
alternative.
Alternatives 3, 4, and 5 were all
associated with smaller levels for
important fishery TACs than the
preferred alternative. Estimated total
first wholesale gross revenues were used
as an index of potential adverse impacts
to small entities. As a consequence of
the lower TAC levels, Alternatives 3, 4,
and 5 all had smaller values of these
first wholesale revenue indices than
Alternative 2. Thus, Alternatives 3, 4,
and 5 had greater adverse impacts on
small entities. The projected levels for
some Alternative 1 TACs were greater
than those for Alternative 2. This led to
higher gross revenue projections for
Alternative 1. However, much of the
revenue difference was due to projected
flatfish TACs that were much larger for
Alternative 1 than for Alternative 2. In
recent years, halibut bycatch constraints
in these fisheries have kept actual
flatfish catches from reaching the
Alternative 2 levels. Therefore, much of
this revenue increase is probably an
artifact of the model. Moreover,
Alternative 2 TACs are constrained by
the ABCs the Plan Teams and SSC are
projected to recommend to the Council
on the basis of a full consideration of
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 241 / Friday, December 15, 2006 / Proposed Rules
biological issues. These ABCs can be
less than maximum permissible ABCs.
This is expected to be the case with
GOA pollock. Thus higher TACs, under
Alternative 1 may not be consistent with
prudent biological management of the
resource. For these reasons, Alternative
2 is the preferred alternative.
This action does not modify
recordkeeping or reporting
requirements, or duplicate, overlap, or
conflict with any Federal rules.
This action is authorized under
§ 679.20 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Adverse impacts on marine mammals
resulting from fishing activities
conducted under this rule are discussed
in the DEIS (see ADDRESSES).
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 1540(f);
1801 et seq.; 1851 note; and 3631 et seq.
Dated: December 6, 2006.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
RegulatoryPrograms, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6–21303 Filed 12–14–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 061130318–6318–01; I.D.
112706A]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands; 2007 and 2008
Proposed Harvest Specifications for
Groundfish
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule; request for
comments.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: NMFS proposes 2007 and
2008 harvest specifications and
prohibited species catch (PSC)
allowances for the groundfish fishery of
the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
management area (BSAI). This action is
necessary to establish harvest limits for
groundfish during the 2007 and 2008
fishing years and to accomplish the
goals and objectives of the Fishery
Management Plan for Groundfish of the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area (FMP). The intended
effect of this action is to conserve and
manage the groundfish resources in the
BSAI in accordance with the Magnuson-
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:16 Dec 14, 2006
Jkt 211001
Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (MSA).
DATES: Comments must be received by
January 16, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Sue
Salveson, Assistant Regional
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries
Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, Attn:
Ellen Walsh. 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 2007tacspecs@noaa.gov
and include in the subject line the
document identifier: 2007 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
Impact Statement (DEIS) and the Initial
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA)
prepared for this action are available
from NMFS at the mailing addresses
above or from the Alaska Region website
at https://www.fakr.noaa.gov. Copies of
the final 2005 Stock Assessment and
Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) report for the
groundfish resources of the BSAI, dated
November 2005, are available from the
North Pacific Fishery Management
Council (Council), West 4th Avenue,
Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 99510–2252,
907–271–2809, or from its website at
https://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mary Furuness, 907–586–7228, or email at mary.furuness@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Federal
regulations at 50 CFR part 679
implement the FMP and govern the
groundfish fisheries in the BSAI. The
Council prepared the FMP and NMFS
approved it under the MSA. General
regulations governing U.S. fisheries also
appear at 50 CFR part 600.
The FMP and its implementing
regulations require NMFS, after
consultation with the Council, to
specify annually the total allowable
catch (TAC) for each target species and
the ‘‘other species’’ category, the sum of
which must be within the optimum
yield range of 1.4 million to 2.0 million
metric tons (mt) (see § 679.20(a)(1)(i)).
Regulations at § 679.20(c)(1) further
require NMFS to publish proposed
harvest specifications in the Federal
Register and solicit public comment on
proposed annual TACs and
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Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
apportionments thereof, PSC allowances
and prohibited species quota (PSQ)
reserves established by § 679.21,
seasonal allowances of pollock, Pacific
cod, and Atka mackerel TAC, and
Community Development Quota (CDQ)
reserve amounts established by
§ 679.20(b)(1)(iii). The proposed harvest
specifications set forth in Tables 1
through 11 of this action satisfy these
requirements.
Under § 679.20(c)(3), NMFS will
publish the final harvest specifications
for 2007 and 2008 after (1) considering
comments received within the comment
period (see DATES), (2) consulting with
the Council at its December 2006
meeting, and (3) considering new
information presented in the DEIS and
the final 2006 SAFE reports prepared for
the 2007 and 2008 groundfish fisheries.
Other Actions Potentially Affecting the
2007 and 2008 Harvest Specifications
The following paragraphs identify
actions that are currently under
consideration by the Council and that,
if submitted to and approved by the
Secretary of Commerce (Secretary),
could change the 2007 and 2008 final
harvest specifications. The existing 2007
harvest specifications will be updated in
early 2007 when final harvest
specifications for 2007 and new harvest
specifications for 2008 are
implemented.
In April 2006, the Council adopted
Amendment 85 to the FMP.
Amendment 85 would revise the BSAI
Pacific cod sector allocations. If
approved by the Secretary, final
regulations implementing Amendment
85 are anticipated to be effective for the
2008 fishing year. In June 2006, the
Council adopted Amendment 80 to the
FMP. Amendment 80 would provide
specific groundfish allocations to the
non-American Fisheries Act (AFA)
trawl catcher/processor sector and allow
the formation of cooperatives. If
approved by the Secretary, final
regulations implementing Amendment
80 also are anticipated to be effective for
the 2008 fishing year. The Council also
adopted Amendment 84 that would
modify current regulations for managing
incidental catch of Chinook and chum
salmon and may change the PSC limits.
The Council also is considering two
proposals. One would allocate the
Pacific cod TAC by Bering Sea subarea
and Aleutian Islands (AI) subarea
instead of a combined BSAI TAC. The
other would separate some species from
the ‘‘other rockfish’’ or ‘‘other species’’
categories so individual overfishing
levels (OFLs), acceptable biological
catch (ABCs), and TACs may be
established.
E:\FR\FM\15DEP1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 241 (Friday, December 15, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 75437-75460]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-21303]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 061130320-6320-01 ; I.D. 112206B]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of
Alaska; Proposed 2007 and 2008 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS proposes 2007 and 2008 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 for groundfish during
the 2007 and 2008 fishing years and to accomplish the goals and
objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of
Alaska (FMP). 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 16, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Sue Salveson, Assistant Regional
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region, NMFS,
Attn: Ellen Walsh, Records Officer. 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 2007tacspecs@noaa.gov and include in the subject
line the document identifier: ``2007 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 Impact Statement (DEIS) and the
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) prepared for this action
are available from NMFS at the addresses above or from the Alaska
Region website at https://www.fakr.noaa.gov. Copies of the final 2005
Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) report for the
groundfish resources of the GOA, dated November 2005, and the October
2006 North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) meeting minutes
are available from the Council at West 4th Avenue, Suite 306,
Anchorage, AK 99510 or from its website 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: NMFS manages the GOA groundfish fisheries in
the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the GOA under the FMP. The 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 in large part on the 2005
SAFE reports. In November 2006, the 2006 SAFE reports will be used to
develop the 2007 and 2008 final acceptable biological catch (ABC)
amounts. Anticipated changes in the final specifications from the
proposed specifications 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
to 800,000 metric tons (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 in Tables 1 through 20 of this
document satisfy these requirements. For 2007, the sum of the proposed
TAC amounts is 264,367 mt. For 2008, the sum of the
[[Page 75438]]
proposed TAC amounts is 251,092 mt. Under Sec. 679.20(c)(3), NMFS will
publish the 2007 and 2008 final specifications after (1) considering
comments received within the comment period (see DATES), (2) consulting
with the Council at its December 2006 meeting, and (3) considering new
information presented in the DEIS and the final 2006 SAFE report
prepared for the 2007 and 2008 fisheries.
Other Rules Affecting the 2007 and 2008 Harvest Specifications
Congress granted NMFS specific statutory authority to manage
Central GOA rockfish fisheries in Section 802 of the Consolidated
Appropriations Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-199; Section 802). The
Council adopted a proposed Central Gulf of Alaska Rockfish Pilot
Program (Rockfish Program) to meet the requirements of Section 802 on
June 6, 2005. The elements of the Rockfish Program are discussed in
detail in the proposed and final rules to Amendment 68 to the FMP (71
FR 33040, June 7, 2006 and 71 FR 67210, November 20, 2006,
respectively). The final rule is effective December 20, 2006. The
Rockfish Program is authorized for two years, from January 1, 2007,
until December 31, 2008. A brief overview of major provisions of the
Rockfish Program that have implications for the 2007 and 2008 harvest
specifications follow.
The Rockfish Program allocates exclusive harvesting and processing
privileges for primary rockfish species and for associated species
harvested incidentally to those rockfish in the Central GOA-an area
from 147[deg] W. longitude to 159[deg] W. longitude. The primary
rockfish species are northern rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, and
pelagic shelf rockfish. Secondary species are those species
incidentally harvested during the harvest of the primary rockfish
species fisheries and include Pacific cod, rougheye rockfish,
shortraker rockfish, sablefish, and thornyhead rockfish. The Rockfish
Program also allocates a portion of the total GOA halibut mortality
limit annually specified under Sec. 679.21 to participants based on
historic halibut mortality rates in the primary rockfish species
fisheries. The amounts of primary rockfish species, secondary species,
and halibut mortality to be allocated to the Rockfish Program will not
be known until eligible participants apply for participation in the
Program. These amounts will be posted on the Alaska Region website at
https://www.fakr.noaa.gov when they become available early in 2007.
The Rockfish Program also establishes catch limits, commonly called
``sideboards,'' to limit the ability of participants eligible for this
Program to harvest fish in fisheries other than the Central GOA
rockfish fisheries. Sideboards limit the total amount of catch in other
groundfish fisheries that can be taken by eligible harvesters to
historic levels, including harvests made in the State of Alaska (State)
parallel groundfish fisheries. These are fisheries authorized by the
State in its waters concurrent with the Federal fishery for which
harvest amounts are deducted from the Federal TAC. Sideboards limit
harvest in specific rockfish fisheries and the amount of halibut
bycatch that can be used in certain flatfish fisheries. Tables 18 and
19 list the proposed 2007 and 2008 groundfish sideboard limits. Table
20 lists the proposed 2007 and 2008 halibut mortality limits.
Proposed ABC and TAC Specifications
The proposed ABCs and TACs 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 to compute ABCs and overfishing levels
(OFLs). 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 most reliable level
of information and tier six the least reliable level of information.
In October 2006, the Council, its Scientific and Statistical
Committee (SSC), and its Advisory Panel (AP), reviewed current
biological and harvest information about the condition of groundfish
stocks in the GOA. 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 2005 SAFE report for the GOA
groundfish fisheries, dated November 2005 (see ADDRESSES). The SAFE
report contains a review of the latest scientific analyses, estimates
of each species' biomass and other biological parameters, as well as
summaries of the available information on the GOA ecosystem and the
economic condition of the groundfish fisheries off Alaska. From these
data and analyses, the Plan Team estimates an ABC for each species
category. The 2005 SAFE report will be updated to include new
information collected during 2006. The Plan Team will provide revised
stock assessments in November 2006 in the final 2006 SAFE report. The
Council will review the 2006 SAFE report in December 2006. The final
2007 and 2008 harvest specifications may be adjusted from the proposed
harvest specifications based on the 2006 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 2007 OFL, ABC, and TAC amounts for
pollock, Pacific cod, sablefish, rex sole, flathead sole, arrowtooth
flounder, northern rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, rougheye rockfish,
pelagic shelf rockfish, and ``other species'' as published in the 2006
and 2007 final harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA on
March 3, 2006 (71 FR 10870). These amended amounts were recommended by
the Council based on new information developed in 2006. For tier 1-3
stocks listed above, the GOA Groundfish Plan Team recommended projected
groundfish OFLs and ABCs for 2007 and 2008 at its September 2006
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 2006 levels for 2007 and 2008.
For 2007 and 2008, the Council recommends and NMFS proposes the
OFLs and ABCs listed in Tables 1 and 2. The ABCs reflect harvest
amounts that are less than the specified overfishing amounts. The sum
of the proposed 2007 ABCs for all assessed groundfish is 482,764 mt,
which is lower than the final 2006 ABC total of 500,626 mt but higher
than the final 2007 ABC total of 472,260 mt (71 FR 10870, March 3,
2006). The sum of the proposed 2008 ABCs for all assessed groundfish is
469,755 mt, which is lower than the final 2006 ABC total of 500,626 mt
and the final 2007 ABC total of 472,260 mt.
Specification and Apportionment of TAC Amounts
The Council recommended proposed TACs for 2007 and 2008 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
[[Page 75439]]
rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish, and skates. The Council recommended
TACs that are less than the ABCs for Pacific cod, flathead sole,
shallow-water flatfish, arrowtooth flounder, other rockfish, and Atka
mackerel.
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
apportioned among Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, as well as
equally among each of the following four seasons: 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)(Sec. Sec. 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv) and
679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)).
As in 2006, the SSC and Council recommended that the method of
apportioning the sablefish ABC among management areas in 2007 and 2008
include commercial fishery and survey data. NMFS stock assessment
scientists believe that unbiased commercial fishery catch-per-unit
effort data are useful 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 Regulatory Area and makes
available 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area TACs to
trawl gear for use as incidental catch in other directed groundfish
fisheries in the West Yakutat District (WYK)(Sec. 679.20(a)(4)(i)).
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 the sum of all State and
Federal water Pacific cod removals from the GOA not exceed ABC
recommendations. The 2007 and 2008 Pacific cod TACs are affected by the
State's fishery for Pacific cod in its waters in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas, as well as in Prince William Sound (PWS).
Accordingly, the Council recommended the 2007 and 2008 proposed Pacific
cod TACs be reduced from ABC amounts to account for guideline harvest
levels (GHL) established for Pacific cod by the State for fisheries
that occur in State waters of the GOA. Therefore, the 2007 proposed
Pacific cod TACs are less than the proposed ABCs by the following
amounts: (1) Eastern GOA, 353 mt; (2) Central GOA, 8,099 mt; and (3)
Western GOA, 5,743 mt. Similarly, the 2008 proposed Pacific cod TACs
are less than the proposed ABCs by the following amounts: (1) Eastern
GOA, 241 mt; (2) Central GOA, 5,514 mt; and (3) Western GOA; 3,910 mt.
These amounts reflect the sum of the State's 2007 and 2008 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 TACs 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)).
As in 2006, NMFS proposes to establish for 2007 and 2008 an A
season directed fishing allowance (DFA) for the Pacific cod fisheries
in the GOA based on the management area TACs minus 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 catch 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 catch exceeding 60 percent of the annual TAC in the A
season (January 1 through June 10).
The FMP specifies that the amount for the ``other species''
category be set at an amount less than or equal to 5 percent of the
combined TAC amounts for target species. The proposed 2007 and 2008
``other species'' TACs of 4,500 mt are less than 5 percent of the
combined TAC amounts for target species. The sum of the proposed TACs
for all GOA groundfish is 264,367 mt for 2007 and 251,092 mt for 2008,
which is within the OY range specified by the FMP. The sums of the
proposed 2007 and 2008 TACs are both lower than the sum of the 2006
TACs of 291,950 mt.
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. Tables 1 and 2 list the proposed 2007 and 2008 ABCs, TACs,
and OFLs.
Table 1 - Proposed 2007 ABCs, TACs, and OFLs 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\ ABC TAC OFL
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock\2\ Shumagin (610) 23,363 23,363 n/a
.......................... Chirikof (620) 24,635 24,635 n/a
.......................... Kodiak (630) 14,905 14,905 n/a
.......................... WYK (640) 1,447 1,447 n/a
Subtotal .......................... W/C/WYK 64,350 64,350 90,200
.......................... SEO (650) 6,157 6,157 8,209
Total .......................... .................. 70,507 70,507 98,409
Pacific cod\3\ W 22,971 17,228 n/a
.......................... C 32,395 24,296 n/a
.......................... E 3,534 3,181 n/a
Total .......................... .................. 58,900 44,705 70,100
Flatfish \4\(deep-water) W 421 421 n/a
.......................... C 4,145 4,145 n/a
[[Page 75440]]
.......................... WYK 2,665 2,665 n/a
.......................... SEO 1,446 1,446 n/a
Total .......................... .................. 8,677 8,677 11,008
Rex sole W 1,096 1,096 n/a
.......................... C 5,207 5,207 n/a
.......................... WYK 992 992 n/a
.......................... SEO 1,405 1,405 n/a
Total .......................... .................. 8,700 8,700 11,400
Flathead sole W 10,905 2,000 n/a
.......................... C 26,047 5,000 n/a
.......................... WYK 2,091 2,091 n/a
.......................... SEO 57 57 n/a
Total .......................... .................. 39,100 9,148 48,600
Flatfish\5\ (shallow- W 24,720 4,500 n/a
water)
.......................... C 24,258 13,000 n/a
.......................... WYK 628 628 n/a
.......................... SEO 1,844 1,844 n/a
Total .......................... .................. 51,450 19,972 62,418
Arrowtooth flounder W 20,897 8,000 n/a
.......................... C 139,881 30,000 n/a
.......................... WYK 16,541 2,500 n/a
.......................... SEO 7,081 2,500 n/a
Total .......................... .................. 184,400 43,000 215,300
Sablefish\6\ W 2,464 2,464 n/a
.......................... C 5,879 5,879 n/a
.......................... WYK 2,103 2,103 n/a
.......................... SEO 3,254 3,254 n/a
Subtotal of SERO and WYK .......................... E 5,357 5,357 n/a
Total .......................... .................. 13,700 13,700 16,500
Pacific ocean perch\7\ W 4,282 4,282 5,069
.......................... C 7,646 7,646 9,052
.......................... WYK 1,135 1,135 n/a
.......................... SEO 1,636 1,636 n/a
Subtotal .......................... E n/a n/a 3,279
Total .......................... .................. 14,699 14,699 17,400
Shortraker rockfish\8\ W 153 153 n/a
.......................... C 353 353 n/a
.......................... E 337 337 n/a
Total .......................... .................. 843 843 1,124
Rougheye rockfish\9\ W 124 124 n/a
.......................... C 557 557 n/a
.......................... E 219 219 n/a
Total .......................... .................. 900 900 1,100
Other rockfish\10,11\ W 577 577 n/a
.......................... C 386 386 n/a
.......................... WYK 317 317 n/a
.......................... SEO 2,872 200 n/a
Total .......................... .................. 4,152 1,480 5,394
Northern rockfish\11,12\ W 1,719 1,719 n/a
.......................... C 4,181 4,181 n/a
.......................... E 0 0 n/a
Total .......................... .................. 5,900 5,900 7,000
Pelagic shelf rockfish\13\ W 1,452 1,452 n/a
.......................... C 3,270 3,270 n/a
.......................... WYK 302 302 n/a
.......................... SEO 437 437 n/a
Total .......................... .................. 5,461 5,461 7,108
Thornyhead rockfish W 513 513 n/a
.......................... C 989 989 n/a
.......................... E 707 707 n/a
Total .......................... .................. 2,209 2,209 2,945
Big skates\14\ W 695 695 n/a
.......................... C 2,250 2,250 n/a
.......................... E 599 599 n/a
Total .......................... .................. 3,544 3,544 4,726
Longnose skates\15\ W 65 65 n/a
.......................... C 1,969 1,969 n/a
.......................... E 861 861 n/a
[[Page 75441]]
Total .......................... .................. 2,895 2,895 3,860
Other skates\16\ GW 1,617 1,617 2,156
Demersal shelf SEO 410 410 650
rockfish\17\
Atka mackerel GW 4,700 1,500 6,200
Other species\18\ GW n/a 4,500 n/a
Total\19\ .......................... .................. 482,764 264,367 593,398
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 22%, 57%, and 21% in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. During the B season, the
apportionment is based on the relative distribution of pollock biomass at 22%, 69%, and 9% 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 53%, 15%, and 32% in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively.
Tables 5 and 6 list the 2007and 2008 proposed seasonal apportionments. 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% to an A season and 40% to a B season in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA. Pacific cod is allocated 90% for processing by the inshore component and
10% for processing by the offshore component. Tables 7 and 8 list the 2007 and 2008 proposed seasonal
apportionments and component allocations of TAC.
\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 2007 and to trawl gear in 2008. Tables 3 and 4
list these amounts.
\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.
\17.\ ``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).
\18.\ ``Other species'' means sculpins, sharks, squid, and octopus. There is no OFL or ABC for ``other
species.'' The FMP specifies that the amount for the ``other species'' category be set at an amount less than
or equal to 5% of the combined TAC amounts for target species.
\19.\ The total ABC and OFL is the sum of the ABCs and OFLs for assessed target species.
Table 2 Proposed 2008 ABCs, TACs, and OFLs 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\ ABC TAC OFL
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock\2\ Shumagin (610) 23,908 23,908 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... Chirikof (620) 25,209 25,209 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... Kodiak (630) 15,252 15,252 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... WYK (640) 1,481 1,481 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal ............... W/C/WYK 65,850 65,850 92,700
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... SEO (650) 6,157 6,157 8,209
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total ............... .............. 72,007 72,007 100,909
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod\3\ W 15,639 11,729 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... C 22,055 16,541 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... E 2,406 2,165 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total ............... .............. 40,100 30,435 48,300
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flatfish\4\ W 421 421 n/a
(deep-water)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 75442]]
............... C 4,145 4,145 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... WYK 2,665 2,665 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... SEO 1,446 1,446 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total ............... .............. 8,677 8,677 11,008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rex sole W 1,084 1,084 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... C 5,147 5,147 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... WYK 980 980 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... SEO 1,389 1,389 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total ............... .............. 8,600 8,600 11,200
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead sole W 11,435 2,000 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... C 27,313 5,000 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... WYK 2,192 2,192 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... SEO 60 60 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total ............... .............. 41,000 9,242 51,110
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flatfish\5\(sha W 24,720 4,500 n/a
llow-water)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... C 24,258 13,000 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... WYK 628 628 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... SEO 1,844 1,844 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total ............... .............. 51,450 19,972 62,418
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth W 21,237 8,000 n/a
flounder
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... C 142,155 30,000 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... WYK 16,811 2,500 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... SEO 7,197 2,500 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total ............... .............. 187,400 43,000 218,800
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish\6\ W 2,213 2,213 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... C 5,278 5,278 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... WYK 1,888 1,888 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... SEO 2,921 2,921 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal ............... E 4,809 4,809 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total ............... .............. 12,300 12,300 14,800
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean W 4,341 4,341 5,156
perch\7\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... C 7,751 7,751 9,208
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... WYK 1,150 1,150 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... SEO 1,658 1,658 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 75443]]
Subtotal ............... E n/a n/a 3,336
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total ............... .............. 14,900 14,900 17,700
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortraker W 153 153 n/a
rockfish\8\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... C 353 353 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... E 337 337 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total ............... .............. 843 843 1,124
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rougheye W 124 124 n/a
rockfish\9\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... C 557 557 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... E 219 219 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total ............... .............. 900 900 1,100
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other W 577 577 n/a
rockfish\10,11
\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... C 386 386 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... WYK 317 317 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... SEO 2,872 200 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total ............... .............. 4,152 1,480 5,394
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern W 1,690 1,690 n/a
rockfish\11,12
\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... C 4,110 4,110 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... E 0 0 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total ............... .............. 5,800 5,800 7,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pelagic shelf W 1,653 1,653 n/a
rockfish\13\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... C 3,751 3,751 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... WYK 346 346 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... SEO 501 501 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total ............... .............. 6,251 6,251 8,554
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thornyhead W 513 513 n/a
rockfish
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... C 989 989 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... E 707 707 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total ............... .............. 2,209 2,209 2,945
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big skates\14\ W 695 695 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... C 2,250 2,250 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... E 599 599 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total ............... .............. 3,544 3,544 4,726
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longnose W 65 65 n/a
skates\15\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
............... C 1,969 1,969 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 75444]]
............... E 861 861 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total ............... .............. 2,895 2,895 3,860
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other GW 1,617 1,617 2,156
skates\16\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demersal shelf SEO 410 410 650
rockfish\17\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel GW 4,700 1,500 6,200
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other GW n/a 4,500 n/a
species\18\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL\19\ ............... .............. 469,755 251,092 579,954
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 22%, 57%, and 21% in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. During the B season, the
apportionment is based on the relative distribution of pollock biomass at 22%, 69%, and 9% 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 53%, 15%, and 32% in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively.
Tables 5 and 6 list the proposed 2007 and 2008 seasonal apportionments. 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% to an A season and 40% to a B season in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA. Pacific cod is allocated 90% for processing by the inshore component and
10% for processing by the offshore component. Tables 7 and 8 list the 2007 and 2008 proposed seasonal
apportionments and component allocations of TAC.
\4\. ''Deep-water flatfish'' means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, and deepsea sole.
\5\. ''Shallow-water flatfish'' means flatfish not including ''deep-water flatfish,'' flatheador arrowtooth
flounder.
\6\. Sablefish is allocated to trawl and hook-and-line gears for 2007 and to trawl gear in 2008. Tables 3 and 4
list these amounts.
\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.
\17\. ''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).
\18\. ''Other species'' means sculpins, sharks, squid, and octopus. There is no OFL or ABC for ''other
species.'' The FMP specifies that the amount for the ''other species'' category be set at an amount less than
or equal to 5% of the combined TAC amounts for target species.
\19\. The total ABC and OFL is the sum of the ABCs and OFLs for assessed target species.
Proposed Apportionment of Reserves
Section 679.20(b)(2) requires that 20 percent of each TAC for
pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, and the ``other species'' category be
set aside in reserves for possible apportionment at a later date. In
2006, NMFS apportioned all of the reserves in the final harvest
specifications. For 2007 and 2008, NMFS proposes apportionment of all
of the reserves for pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, and ``other
species.'' Specifications of TAC listed in Tables 1 and 2 reflect
apportionment of reserve amounts for these species and species groups.
Proposed Allocations of the Sablefish TAC Amounts to Vessels Using
Hook-and-Line and Trawl Gear
Sections 679.20(a)(4)(i) and (ii) require allocation of sablefish
TACs for each of the regulatory areas and districts 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)(4)(i)). In recognition of the
trawl ban in the SEO District of the Eastern GOA, the Council
recommended and NMFS proposes that the allocation of 5 percent of the
combined Eastern Regulatory Area sablefish TAC be available to trawl
gear in the WYK District and the remainder to vessels using hook-and-
line gear. As a result, NMFS proposes to allocate 100 percent of the
sablefish TAC in the SEO District to vessels using hook-and-line gear.
The Council recommended that only trawl sablefish TAC be established
biennially. This recommendation results in a proposed 2007 allocation
of 268 mt to trawl gear and 1,835 mt to hook-and-line gear in the WYK
District and 3,254 mt to hook-and-line gear in the SEO District. Table
3 lists the allocations of the proposed 2007 sablefish TACs
[[Page 75445]]
between hook-and-line gear and trawl gear. Table 4 lists the
allocations of the proposed 2008 sablefish TACs to trawl gear.
Table 3 - Proposed 2007 Sablefish TAC Specifications in the Gulf of
Alaska and Allocations to Hook-and-Line and Trawl Gear (values are
rounded to the nearest metric ton)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hook-and-
Area/district TAC line Trawl
allocation allocation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western 2,464 1,971 493
Central 5,879 4,703 1,176
West Yakutat 2,103 1,835 268
Southeast Outside 3,254 3,254 0
Total 13,700 11,763 1,937
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 4 - Proposed 2008 Sablefish TAC Specifications in the Gulf of
Alaska and Allocation to Trawl Gear (values are rounded to the nearest
metric ton)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hook-and-line Trawl
Area/district TAC allocation\1\ allocation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western 2,213 n/a 443
Central 5,278 n/a 1,056
West Yakutat 1,888 n/a 240
Southeast Outside 2,921 n/a 0
Total 12,300 n/a 1,739
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Council recommended that harvest specifications for the hook-and-
line gear sablefish Individual Fishing Quota fisheries be limited to 1
year.
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.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(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, the apportionments are in proportion to the distribution of
pollock biomass based on a composite of NMFS winter surveys. In the C
and D seasons, the apportionments are in proportion to the distribution
of pollock biomass based on the four most recent NMFS summer surveys.
For 2007 and 2008, the Council recommended averaging the winter and
summer distribution of pollock in the Central Regulatory Area for the A
season. The average is intended to reflect the distribution of pollock
as indicated by the historic performance of the fishery during the A
season. 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
unharvested 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
(Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The WYK and SEO District pollock TACs of
1,447 mt and 6,157 mt in 2007 and 1,481 mt and 6,157 mt in 2008,
respectively, are not allocated by season.
Section 679.20(a)(6)(i) requires the allocation of 100 percent of
the pollock TAC in all regulatory areas and all seasonal allowances 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 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 2007 and 2008 seasonal biomass distribution of pollock
in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, area apportionments, and
seasonal apportionments for the A, B, C, and D seasons are summarized
in Tables 5 and 6, except that amounts of pollock for processing by the
inshore and offshore components are not shown.
Table 5 - 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 Kodiak (area
Season 610) 620) 630) Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A 3,402 (21.63%) 9,042 (57.50%) 3,282 (20.87%) 15,726 (100%)
B 3,401 (21.63%) 10,821 (68.81%) 1,503 (9.56%) 15,725 (100%)
C 8,280 (52.65%) 2,386 (15.17%) 5,060 (32.17%) 15,726 (100%)
D 8,280 (52.65%) 2,386 (15.17%) 5,060 (32.17%) 15,726 (100%)
Annual Total 23,363 24,635 14,905 62,903
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 75446]]
Table 6 - Proposed 2008 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 Kodiak (area
Season
