Fisheries Off West Coast States; Coastal Pelagic Species Fisheries; Annual Specifications, 60586 [E7-20927]
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60586
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 206 / Thursday, October 25, 2007 / Rules and Regulations
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 660
[Docket No. 070607119–7119–01]
RIN 0648–AV11
Fisheries Off West Coast States;
Coastal Pelagic Species Fisheries;
Annual Specifications
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: NMFS issues this final rule to
implement the annual harvest guideline
(HG) for Pacific sardine in the U.S.
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off the
Pacific coast (California, Oregon, and
Washington) for the fishing season of
January 1, 2007, through December 31,
2007. This HG has been calculated
according to the regulations
implementing the Coastal Pelagic
Species (CPS) Fishery Management Plan
(FMP) and establishes allowable harvest
levels for Pacific sardine off the Pacific
coast.
DATES: Effective November 26, 2007
through December 31. 2007.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the report
Assessment of Pacific Sardine Stock for
U.S. Management in 2007 may be
obtained from the Southwest Regional
Office by contacting Rodney R. McInnis,
Regional Administrator, Southwest
Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd.,
Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802–
4213.
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with RULES
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Joshua Lindsay, Southwest Region,
NMFS, (562) 980–4034.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The CPS
FMP, which was implemented by
publication of the final rule in the
Federal Register on December 15, 1999
(64 FR 69888), divides management unit
species into two categories: actively
managed and monitored. The HG for
actively managed species (Pacific
sardine and Pacific mackerel) is based
on formulas applied to current biomass
estimates. Biomass estimates are not
calculated for species that are only
monitored (jack mackerel, northern
anchovy, and market squid).
During public meetings each year, the
biomass for each actively managed
species within the CPS FMP is
presented to the Pacific Fishery
Management Council’s (Council) CPS
Management Team (Team) and the
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:00 Oct 24, 2007
Jkt 214001
Council’s CPS Advisory Subpanel
(Subpanel). At that time, the biomass,
the HG, and the status of the fisheries
are reviewed and discussed. This
information is then presented to the
Council along with recommendations
and comments from the Team and
Subpanel. Following review by the
Council and after hearing public
comments, the Council makes its
recommendation to NMFS.
Public meetings of the Team,
Subpanel and CPS Subcommitee of the
Scientific and Statistical Committee
(SSC) were held in October 2006.
During these meetings the current stock
assessment update for Pacific sardine,
which included a preliminary biomass
estimate and HG, was presented and
reviewed in accordance with the
procedures of the FMP. In November,
the Council held a public meeting in
San Diego, California (71 FR 62998)
during which time the Council reviewed
the current stock assessment, biomass
numbers and proposed HG. Following
the Team and Subpanel reports and
hearing public comments, the Council
adopted the Team’s recommended HG
for the 2007 Pacific sardine fishing
season (January 1, 2007 through
December 31, 2007) of 152,564 metric
tons (mt). Although this HG is 28
percent higher than the HG for 2006, it
is over 50,000 mt greater than the largest
recent harvest by U.S. west coast
fisheries. The Council also adopted the
Subpanel recommendation of an
incidental catch allowance for Pacific
sardine of up to 45 percent by weight in
other CPS fisheries in the event that the
coastwide harvest of Pacific sardine
exceeds a seasonal allocation prior to
the next scheduled reallocation.
The Pacific sardine HG is apportioned
based on the following allocation
scheme established by Amendment 11
(71 FR 36999) to the CPS FMP: 35
percent (53,397 mt) is allocated
coastwide on January 1; 40 percent
(61,025 mt), plus any portion not
harvested from the initial allocation is
reallocated coastwide on July 1; and on
September 15 the remaining 25 percent
(38,141 mt), plus any portion not
harvested from earlier allocations is
released.
If the total harvest guideline or these
apportionment levels for Pacific sardine
are reached at any time, the Pacific
sardine fishery shall be closed until
either it re-opens per the allocation
scheme or the beginning of the next
fishing season. The Regional
Administrator shall publish in the
Federal Register, through appropriate
rulemaking procedures, the date of the
closure of the directed fishery for Pacific
sardine.
PO 00000
Frm 00054
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
Classification
The Administrator, Southwest Region,
NMFS, determined that this final rule is
necessary for the conservation and
management of the CPS fishery and that
it is consistent with the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act and other applicable
laws.
This final rule is exempt from OMB
review under Executive Order 12866.
The Chief Counsel for Regulation of
the Department of Commerce certified
to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the
Small Business Administration during
the proposed rule stage that this action
would not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small
entities. The factual basis for the
certification was published in the
proposed rule (72 FR 35419) and is not
repeated here. No comments were
received regarding this certification. As
a result, a regulatory flexibility analysis
was not required and none was
prepared.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: October 18, 2007.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7–20927 Filed 10–24–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 070213032–7032–01]
RIN 0648–XD59
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Trawl Gear in the Gulf
of Alaska
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of
a closure.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed
fishing for groundfish by vessels using
trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA),
effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time,
October 22, 2007. This action is
necessary to fully use the 2007 Pacific
halibut prohibited species catch (PSC)
limit specified for vessels using trawl
gear in the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local
time (A.l.t.), October 22, 2007, through
E:\FR\FM\25OCR1.SGM
25OCR1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 206 (Thursday, October 25, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 60586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-20927]
[[Page 60586]]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 660
[Docket No. 070607119-7119-01]
RIN 0648-AV11
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Coastal Pelagic Species
Fisheries; Annual Specifications
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS issues this final rule to implement the annual harvest
guideline (HG) for Pacific sardine in the U.S. exclusive economic zone
(EEZ) off the Pacific coast (California, Oregon, and Washington) for
the fishing season of January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2007. This
HG has been calculated according to the regulations implementing the
Coastal Pelagic Species (CPS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and
establishes allowable harvest levels for Pacific sardine off the
Pacific coast.
DATES: Effective November 26, 2007 through December 31. 2007.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the report Assessment of Pacific Sardine Stock
for U.S. Management in 2007 may be obtained from the Southwest Regional
Office by contacting Rodney R. McInnis, Regional Administrator,
Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach,
CA 90802-4213.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joshua Lindsay, Southwest Region,
NMFS, (562) 980-4034.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The CPS FMP, which was implemented by
publication of the final rule in the Federal Register on December 15,
1999 (64 FR 69888), divides management unit species into two
categories: actively managed and monitored. The HG for actively managed
species (Pacific sardine and Pacific mackerel) is based on formulas
applied to current biomass estimates. Biomass estimates are not
calculated for species that are only monitored (jack mackerel, northern
anchovy, and market squid).
During public meetings each year, the biomass for each actively
managed species within the CPS FMP is presented to the Pacific Fishery
Management Council's (Council) CPS Management Team (Team) and the
Council's CPS Advisory Subpanel (Subpanel). At that time, the biomass,
the HG, and the status of the fisheries are reviewed and discussed.
This information is then presented to the Council along with
recommendations and comments from the Team and Subpanel. Following
review by the Council and after hearing public comments, the Council
makes its recommendation to NMFS.
Public meetings of the Team, Subpanel and CPS Subcommitee of the
Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) were held in October 2006.
During these meetings the current stock assessment update for Pacific
sardine, which included a preliminary biomass estimate and HG, was
presented and reviewed in accordance with the procedures of the FMP. In
November, the Council held a public meeting in San Diego, California
(71 FR 62998) during which time the Council reviewed the current stock
assessment, biomass numbers and proposed HG. Following the Team and
Subpanel reports and hearing public comments, the Council adopted the
Team's recommended HG for the 2007 Pacific sardine fishing season
(January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007) of 152,564 metric tons
(mt). Although this HG is 28 percent higher than the HG for 2006, it is
over 50,000 mt greater than the largest recent harvest by U.S. west
coast fisheries. The Council also adopted the Subpanel recommendation
of an incidental catch allowance for Pacific sardine of up to 45
percent by weight in other CPS fisheries in the event that the
coastwide harvest of Pacific sardine exceeds a seasonal allocation
prior to the next scheduled reallocation.
The Pacific sardine HG is apportioned based on the following
allocation scheme established by Amendment 11 (71 FR 36999) to the CPS
FMP: 35 percent (53,397 mt) is allocated coastwide on January 1; 40
percent (61,025 mt), plus any portion not harvested from the initial
allocation is reallocated coastwide on July 1; and on September 15 the
remaining 25 percent (38,141 mt), plus any portion not harvested from
earlier allocations is released.
If the total harvest guideline or these apportionment levels for
Pacific sardine are reached at any time, the Pacific sardine fishery
shall be closed until either it re-opens per the allocation scheme or
the beginning of the next fishing season. The Regional Administrator
shall publish in the Federal Register, through appropriate rulemaking
procedures, the date of the closure of the directed fishery for Pacific
sardine.
Classification
The Administrator, Southwest Region, NMFS, determined that this
final rule is necessary for the conservation and management of the CPS
fishery and that it is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act and other applicable laws.
This final rule is exempt from OMB review under Executive Order
12866.
The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business
Administration during the proposed rule stage that this action would
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities. The factual basis for the certification was published in the
proposed rule (72 FR 35419) and is not repeated here. No comments were
received regarding this certification. As a result, a regulatory
flexibility analysis was not required and none was prepared.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: October 18, 2007.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7-20927 Filed 10-24-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
