Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska; Proposed 2010 and 2011 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish, 62533-62551 [E9-28544]
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 228 / Monday, November 30, 2009 / Proposed Rules
and Alternative Proposed Disapproval
of Revisions to the Visible Emissions
Rule.’’ The comment period for this
proposed rulemaking was originally
scheduled to close on November 16,
2009; however, EPA published a
subsequent notice in the Federal
Register extending the comment period
for this proposed rulemaking to
December 16, 2009 (74 FR 57978).
ADDRESSES: The hard copy docket is
available at the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Air, Pesticides and
Toxics Management Division, Air
Planning Branch, 61 Forsyth Street,
SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303. The
electronic docket is available at https://
www.regulations.gov. Refer to EPA
docket number: ‘‘EPA–R04–OAR–2005–
AL–0002’’.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Lynorae Benjamin, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Air, Pesticides and
Toxics Management Division, Air
Planning Branch; 61 Forsyth Street,
SW.; Atlanta, Georgia 30303. Ms.
Benjamin can be reached via e-mail at
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On
October 2, 2009, EPA published the
‘‘Proposed Approval of Revisions to the
Visible Emissions Rule and Alternative
Proposed Disapproval of Revisions to
the Visible Emissions Rule,’’ for a 45day public comment period to
November 16, 2009. During this 45-day
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0002–0047. As a result of these requests,
EPA has prepared a memorandum
which provides further information
regarding the two aforementioned
exhibits, and has placed this
memorandum in the docket for this
proposed rulemaking for the
consideration of other reviewers.
Of further note is that EPA received
3 requests for an extension of the public
comment period on the rulemaking
entitled ‘‘Proposed Approval of
Revisions to the Visible Emissions Rule
and Alternative Proposed Disapproval
of Revisions to the Visible Emissions
Rule.’’ The comment period for this
proposed rulemaking was originally
scheduled to close on November 16,
2009; however, EPA published a
subsequent notice in the Federal
Register extending the comment period
for this proposed rulemaking to
December 16, 2009.
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14:57 Nov 27, 2009
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Dated: November 11, 2009.
J. Scott Gordon,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 4.
[FR Doc. E9–28420 Filed 11–27–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 0910131362–91411–01]
RIN 0648–XS43
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska;
Proposed 2010 and 2011 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 2010 and
2011 harvest specifications,
apportionments, and Pacific halibut
prohibited species catch limits for the
groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska
(GOA). This action is necessary to
establish harvest limits for groundfish
during the 2010 and 2011 fishing years
and to accomplish the goals and
objectives of the Fishery Management
Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of
Alaska. 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.
DATES: Comments must be received by
December 30, 2009.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Sue
Salveson, Assistant Regional
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries
Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, Attn:
Ellen Sebastian. You may submit
comments, identified by RIN 0648–
XS43, by any one of the following
methods:
• Electronic Submissions: Submit all
electronic public comments via the
Federal eRulemaking Portal https://
www.regulations.gov.
• Mail: P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK
99802.
• Fax: (907) 586–7557.
• Hand delivery to the Federal
Building: 709 West 9th Street, Room
420A, Juneau, AK.
All comments received are a part of
the public record. No comments will be
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62533
posted to https://www.regulations.gov for
public viewing until after the comment
period has closed. Comments will
generally be posted without change. All
Personal Identifying Information (for
example, name, address, etc.)
voluntarily submitted by the commenter
may be publicly accessible. Do not
submit Confidential Business
Information or otherwise sensitive or
protected information.
NMFS will accept anonymous
comments (enter N/A in the required
fields, if you wish to remain
anonymous). You may submit
attachments to electronic comments in
Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or
Adobe PDF file formats only.
Electronic copies of the Alaska
Groundfish Harvest Specifications Final
Environmental Impact Statement (Final
EIS) and the Initial Regulatory
Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) prepared for
this action may be obtained from
https://www.regulations.gov or from the
Alaska Region Web site at https://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. Copies of the
final 2008 Stock Assessment and
Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) report for the
groundfish resources of the Gulf of
Alaska (GOA), dated November 2008,
are available from the North Pacific
Fishery Management Council (Council)
at 605 West 4th Avenue, Suite 306,
Anchorage, AK 99510–2252, phone
907–271–2809, or from the Council’s
Web site at https://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/npfmc.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom
Pearson, 907–481–1780, or Obren Davis,
907–586–7228.
NMFS
manages the GOA groundfish fisheries
in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of
the GOA under the Fishery Management
Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of
Alaska (FMP). The Council prepared the
FMP under the authority of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act
(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 2008 SAFE
report (see ADDRESSES). In December
2009, the Council will consider the 2009
SAFE report to develop its
recommendations for the final 2010 and
2011 acceptable biological catch (ABC)
amounts and total allowable catch
(TAC) limits. Anticipated changes in the
final specifications from the proposed
specifications are identified in this
notice for public review.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 228 / Monday, November 30, 2009 / Proposed Rules
WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with PROPOSALS
The FMP and its implementing
regulations require NMFS, after
consultation with the Council, to
specify the TACs 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 for target species
and ‘‘other species,’’ halibut prohibited
species catch (PSC) amounts, and
seasonal allowances of pollock and
inshore/offshore Pacific cod. The
proposed specifications in Tables 1
through 18 of this document satisfy
these requirements. For 2010 and 2011,
the sum of the proposed TAC amounts
is 284,688 mt. Under § 679.20(c)(3),
NMFS will publish the final 2010 and
2011 specifications after (1) considering
comments received within the comment
period (see DATES), (2) consulting with
the Council at its December 2009
meeting, and (3) considering
information presented in the Final EIS
(see ADDRESSES) and the final 2009
SAFE report prepared for the 2010 and
2011 groundfish fisheries.
Other Actions Potentially Affecting the
2010 and 2011 Harvest Specifications
The Council is developing an
amendment to the FMP to comply with
Magnuson-Stevens Act requirements
associated with annual catch limits and
accountability measures. That
amendment may result in revisions to
how total annual groundfish mortality is
estimated and accounted for in the
annual SAFE reports, which in turn may
affect the overfishing levels (OFLs) and
ABC amounts for certain groundfish
species. NMFS will attempt to identify
additional sources of mortality to
groundfish stocks not currently reported
or considered by the groundfish stock
assessments in recommending OFL,
ABC, and TAC for certain groundfish
species. These additional sources of
mortality may include recreational
fishing, subsistence fishing, catch of
groundfish during the NMFS trawl and
hook-and-line surveys, catch taken
under experimental fishing permits
issued by NMFS, discarded catch of
groundfish in the commercial halibut
fisheries, use of groundfish as bait in the
crab fisheries, or other sources of
mortality not yet identified.
The Council also is considering a
proposal that would allocate the
Western and Central Gulf of Alaska
Pacific cod TACs among the trawl, pot,
hook-and-line, and jig catcher vessel
and catcher processor sectors. Sector
allocations may provide stability to
long-term participants in the fishery by
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reducing competition among sectors for
access to the GOA Pacific cod resource.
These changes will not be in effect
until 2011 at the earliest, which could
affect the 2011 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs
included in this action.
Proposed ABC and TAC Specifications
In October 2009, the Council, the
Scientific and Statistical Committee
(SSC), and the Advisory Panel (AP),
reviewed current biological and harvest
information about the condition of
groundfish stocks in the GOA. This
information was initially compiled by
the GOA Groundfish Plan Team (Plan
Team) and was presented in the final
2008 SAFE report for the GOA
groundfish fisheries, dated November
2008 (see ADDRESSES). The SAFE report
contains a review of the latest scientific
analyses and 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 Plan Team will update the
2008 SAFE report to include new
information collected during 2009. The
Plan Team will provide revised stock
assessments in November 2009 in the
final 2009 SAFE report. The Council
will review the 2009 SAFE report in
December 2009. The final 2010 and
2011 harvest specifications may be
adjusted from the proposed harvest
specifications based on the 2009 SAFE
report.
The proposed ABCs and TACs are
based on the best available biological
and socioeconomic data, 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 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
highest level of information quality
available and tier six representing the
lowest level of information quality
available.
The SSC adopted the proposed 2010
and 2011 OFLs and ABCs recommended
by the Plan Team for all groundfish
species. These proposed amounts are
unchanged from the final 2010 harvest
specifications published in the Federal
Register on February 17, 2009 (74 FR
7333). The AP and the Council
recommendations for the proposed 2010
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and 2011 OFL, ABC, and TAC amounts
are also based on the final 2010 harvest
specifications published in the Federal
Register on February 17, 2009 (74 FR
7333). For 2010 and 2011, the Council
recommended and NMFS proposes the
OFLs and ABCs listed in Table 1. The
proposed ABCs reflect harvest amounts
that are less than the specified
overfishing amounts. The sum of the
proposed 2010 and 2011 ABCs for all
assessed groundfish is 562,762 mt,
which is higher than the final 2009 ABC
total of 516,055 mt (74 FR 7333,
February 17, 2009).
Specification and Apportionment of
TAC Amounts
The Council recommended proposed
TACs for 2010 and 2011 that are equal
to proposed ABCs for pollock, deepwater flatfish, rex sole, sablefish, Pacific
ocean perch, shortraker rockfish,
rougheye rockfish, northern rockfish,
pelagic shelf rockfish, thornyhead
rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish, and
skates. The Council recommended
proposed TACs for 2010 and 2011 that
are less than the proposed ABCs for
Pacific cod, flathead sole, shallow-water
flatfish, arrowtooth flounder, other
rockfish, Atka mackerel, and the ‘‘other
species’’ category.
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) (50 CFR 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv),
and 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A), (B)).
As in 2009, the SSC and Council
recommended that the method of
apportioning the sablefish ABC among
management areas in 2010 and 2011
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. NMFS annually evaluates
the use of commercial fishery data to
ensure 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; the SEO District, together with the
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West Yakutat District (WYK), comprise
the Eastern Regulatory Area. Separate
sablefish TACs are specified for each
district. The Council continued to
recommend that five percent of the
combined Eastern Regulatory Area TAC
be apportioned to trawl gear for use as
incidental catch in other directed
groundfish fisheries in the WYK District
(§ 679.20(a)(4)(i)).
The AP, SSC, and Council
recommended apportionment of the
ABC for Pacific cod in the GOA among
regulatory areas based on the three most
recent NMFS summer trawl surveys.
The proposed 2010 and 2011 Pacific cod
TACs are affected by the State of
Alaska’s (State) fishery for Pacific cod in
State waters in the Western and Central
Regulatory Areas, as well as in Prince
William Sound. The Plan Team, SSC,
AP, and Council recommended that the
sum of all State and Federal water
Pacific cod removals from the GOA not
exceed ABC recommendations.
Accordingly, the Council recommended
reducing the proposed 2010 and 2011
Pacific cod TACs from the proposed
ABCs in the Western and Central
Regulatory Areas to account for State
guideline harvest levels. Therefore, the
proposed 2010 and 2011 Pacific cod
TACs are less than the proposed ABCs
by the following amounts: (1) Eastern
GOA, 318 mt; (2) Central GOA, 11,329
mt; and (3) Western GOA, 7,751 mt.
These amounts reflect the sum of the
State’s 2010 and 2011 guideline harvest
levels in these areas, which are 10
percent, 25 percent, and 25 percent of
the Eastern, Central, and Western GOA
proposed 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
November 1 (50 CFR 679.23(d)(3) and
679.20(a)(12)).
As in 2009, NMFS proposes to
establish for 2010 and 2011 an A season
directed fishing allowance 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
directed fishing allowance 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
62535
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) (69 FR 75865,
December 20, 2004).
The sum of the proposed TACs for all
GOA groundfish is 284,688 mt for 2010
and 2011, which is within the OY range
specified by the FMP. The sum of the
proposed 2010 TACs and the sum of the
proposed 2011 TACs are each higher
than the sum of the 2009 TACs of
242,727 mt, but are unchanged from the
2010 TACs currently specified for the
GOA groundfish fisheries (74 FR 7333,
February 17, 2009).
Table 1 lists the proposed 2010 and
2011 ABCs, TACs, and OFLs of
groundfish. These amounts are
consistent with the biological condition
of groundfish stocks as described in the
2008 SAFE report, and adjusted for
other biological and socioeconomic
considerations, including maintaining
the total TAC within the required OY
range. These proposed amounts are
subject to change pending the
completion of the 2009 SAFE report and
the Council’s recommendations for the
final 2010 and 2011 harvest
specifications during its December 2009
meeting.
TABLE 1—PROPOSED 2010 AND 2011 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]
Species
Area 1
Pollock 2 ..........................................................................
Shumagin (610) ...........................................
Chirikof (620) ...............................................
Kodiak (630) ................................................
WYK (640) ...................................................
W/C/WYK (subtotal) ....................................
SEO (650) ...................................................
Total ............................................................
W .................................................................
C ..................................................................
E ..................................................................
Total ............................................................
W .................................................................
C ..................................................................
WYK ............................................................
SEO .............................................................
E (WYK and SEO) (subtotal) ......................
Total ............................................................
W .................................................................
C ..................................................................
WYK ............................................................
SEO .............................................................
Total ............................................................
W .................................................................
C ..................................................................
WYK ............................................................
SEO .............................................................
Total ............................................................
Pacific cod 3 ....................................................................
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Sablefish 4 ......................................................................
Shallow-water flatfish 5 ...................................................
Deep-water flatfish 6 .......................................................
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ABC
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24,199
22,374
17,548
1,929
66,050
8,280
74,330
31,005
45,315
3,180
79,500
1,523
4,625
1,645
2,544
4,189
10,337
26,360
29,873
3,333
1,423
60,989
747
7,405
1,066
575
9,793
30NOP1
TAC
24,199
22,374
17,548
1,929
66,050
8,280
74,330
23,254
33,986
2,862
60,102
1,523
4,625
1,645
2,544
4,189
10,337
4,500
13,000
3,333
1,423
22,256
747
7,405
1,066
575
9,793
OFL
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
90,920
11,040
101,960
n/a
n/a
n/a
126,000
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
12,321
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
74,364
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
12,367
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 228 / Monday, November 30, 2009 / Proposed Rules
TABLE 1—PROPOSED 2010 AND 2011 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]
Species
Area 1
Rex sole .........................................................................
Other skates 17 ...............................................................
Other species 18 .............................................................
W .................................................................
C ..................................................................
WYK ............................................................
SEO .............................................................
Total ............................................................
W .................................................................
C ..................................................................
WYK ............................................................
SEO .............................................................
Total ............................................................
W .................................................................
C ..................................................................
WYK ............................................................
SEO .............................................................
Total ............................................................
W .................................................................
C ..................................................................
WYK ............................................................
SEO .............................................................
E (WYK and SEO) (subtotal) ......................
Total ............................................................
W .................................................................
C ..................................................................
E ..................................................................
Total ............................................................
W .................................................................
C ..................................................................
E ..................................................................
Total ............................................................
W .................................................................
C ..................................................................
E ..................................................................
Total ............................................................
W .................................................................
C ..................................................................
WYK ............................................................
SEO .............................................................
Total ............................................................
W .................................................................
C ..................................................................
WYK ............................................................
SEO .............................................................
Total ............................................................
SEO .............................................................
W .................................................................
C ..................................................................
E ..................................................................
Total ............................................................
GW ..............................................................
W .................................................................
C ..................................................................
E ..................................................................
Total ............................................................
W .................................................................
C ..................................................................
E ..................................................................
Total ............................................................
GW ..............................................................
GW ..............................................................
988
6,506
503
830
8,827
29,843
162,591
14,757
12,082
219,273
13,342
30,021
3,622
667
47,652
3,710
8,239
1,107
2,042
3,149
15,098
1,965
2,208
0
4,173
126
842
329
1,297
120
315
463
898
357
569
604
2,767
4,297
765
3,179
219
302
4,465
362
267
860
783
1,910
4,700
632
2,065
633
3,330
78
2,041
768
2,887
2,104
6,540
988
6,506
503
830
8,827
8,000
30,000
2,500
2,500
43,000
2,000
5,000
3,622
667
11,289
3,710
8,239
1,107
2,042
3,149
15,098
1,965
2,208
0
4,173
126
842
329
1,297
120
315
463
898
357
569
604
200
1,730
765
3,179
219
302
4,465
362
267
860
783
1,910
2,000
632
2,065
633
3,330
78
2,041
768
2,887
2,104
4,500
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
11,535
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
258,397
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
59,349
4,405
9,782
n/a
n/a
3,738
17,925
n/a
n/a
n/a
4,979
n/a
n/a
n/a
1,562
n/a
n/a
n/a
1,197
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
5,624
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
5,420
580
n/a
n/a
n/a
2,540
6,200
n/a
n/a
n/a
4,439
n/a
n/a
n/a
3,849
2,806
8,720
Total ........................................................................
.................................................................
562,762
284,688
722,134
Arrowtooth flounder ........................................................
Flathead sole .................................................................
Pacific ocean perch 7 .....................................................
Northern rockfish 8,9 ........................................................
Rougheye rockfish 10 ......................................................
Shortraker rockfish 11 .....................................................
Other rockfish 9,12 ...........................................................
Pelagic shelf rockfish 13 .................................................
Demersal shelf rockfish 14 ..............................................
Thornyhead rockfish ......................................................
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Atka mackerel ................................................................
Big skate 15 .....................................................................
Longnose skate 16 ..........................................................
ABC
TAC
OFL
1 Regulatory areas and districts are defined at § 679.2. (W = Western Gulf of Alaska; C = Central Gulf of Alaska; E = Eastern Gulf of Alaska;
WYK = West Yakutat District; SEO = Southeast Outside District; GW = Gulf-wide).
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 228 / Monday, November 30, 2009 / Proposed Rules
62537
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 32%, 43%, and 25% in Statistical Areas 610, 620,
and 630, respectively. During the B season, the apportionment is based on the relative distribution of pollock biomass at 32%, 54%, and 14% 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 43%, 21%, and 35% in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. Table 4 lists the proposed 2010 and 2011 pollock 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 the A season and 40% to the 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. Table 5 lists
the proposed 2010 and 2011 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments.
4 Sablefish is allocated to trawl and hook-and-line gears for 2010 and to trawl gear in 2011. Tables 2 and 3 list the proposed 2010 and 2011
sablefish TACs.
5 ‘‘Shallow-water flatfish’’ means flatfish not including ‘‘deep-water flatfish,’’ flathead sole, rex sole, or arrowtooth flounder.
6 ‘‘Deep-water flatfish’’ means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, and deepsea sole.
7 ‘‘Pacific ocean perch’’ means Sebastes alutus.
8 ‘‘Northern rockfish’’ means Sebastes polyspinous.
9 ‘‘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.
10 ‘‘Rougheye rockfish’’ means Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and Sebastes melanostictus (blackspotted).
11 ‘‘Shortraker rockfish’’ means Sebastes borealis.
12 ‘‘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.
13 ‘‘Pelagic shelf rockfish’’ means Sebastes ciliatus (dark), S. variabilis (dusky), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus (yellowtail).
14 ‘‘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).
15 ‘‘Big skate’’ means Raja binoculata.
16 ‘‘Longnose skate’’ means Raja rhina.
17 ‘‘Other skates’’ means Bathyraja spp.
18 ‘‘Other species’’ means sculpins, sharks, squid, and octopus.
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
during the fishing year. In 2009, NMFS
apportioned all the reserves in the final
harvest specifications (74 FR 7340,
February 17, 2009). For 2010 and 2011,
NMFS proposes to reapportion all the
reserves for pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish,
and ‘‘other species.’’ Table 1 reflects the
proposed apportionment of reserve
amounts for these species and species
groups.
Proposed Allocations of the Sablefish
TAC Amounts to Vessels Using Hookand-Line and Trawl Gear
Sections 679.20(a)(4)(i) and (ii)
require allocations 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 Regulatory Area, 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
trawl ban in the SEO District of the
Eastern Regulatory Area, the Council
recommended and NMFS proposes the
allocation of 5 percent of the combined
Eastern Regulatory Area sablefish TAC
to trawl gear in the WYK District and
the allocation of the remainder of the
WYK sablefish TAC be available 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. This recommendation results in a
proposed 2010 allocation of 209 mt to
trawl gear and 3,960 mt to hook-andline gear. Table 2 lists the allocations of
the proposed 2010 sablefish TACs to
hook-and-line and trawl gear. Table 3
lists the allocations of the proposed
2011 sablefish TACs to trawl gear. The
Council recommended that only a trawl
sablefish TAC be established for two
years so that incidental catch of
sablefish by trawl gear could commence
in January in the second year of the
harvest specifications. However, since
there is an annual assessment for
sablefish and the final annual
specifications are expected to be
published before the Individual Fishing
Quota (IFQ) season begins, typically
early March, the industry and Council
recommended that the sablefish TAC for
the IFQ season be set on an annual basis
so that the best and most recent
scientific information could be
considered in recommending the ABCs
and TACs. Since sablefish is on bycatch
status for trawl gear from January 1, it
is not likely that the sablefish allocation
to trawl gear would be reached prior to
the effective date of the final harvest
specifications.
TABLE 2—PROPOSED 2010 SABLEFISH TAC AMOUNTS IN THE GULF OF ALASKA AND ALLOCATIONS TO HOOK-AND-LINE
AND TRAWL GEAR
WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with PROPOSALS
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Area/District
TAC
Western ....................................................................................................................................................
Central .....................................................................................................................................................
West Yakutat 1 .........................................................................................................................................
Southeast Outside ...................................................................................................................................
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1,523
4,625
1,645
2,544
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Hook-andline
allocation
1,218
3,700
1,436
2,544
Trawl
allocation
305
925
209
0
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 228 / Monday, November 30, 2009 / Proposed Rules
TABLE 2—PROPOSED 2010 SABLEFISH TAC AMOUNTS IN THE GULF OF ALASKA AND ALLOCATIONS TO HOOK-AND-LINE
AND TRAWL GEAR—Continued
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Area/District
TAC
Total ..................................................................................................................................................
1 Represents
10,337
Hook-andline
allocation
8,898
Trawl
allocation
1,439
an allocation of 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the WYK District.
TABLE 3—PROPOSED 2011 SABLEFISH TAC AMOUNTS IN THE GULF OF ALASKA AND ALLOCATION TO TRAWL GEAR 1
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Area/District
TAC
Hook-andline
allocation
Trawl
allocation
Western ....................................................................................................................................................
Central .....................................................................................................................................................
West Yakutat 2 .........................................................................................................................................
Southeast Outside ...................................................................................................................................
1,523
4,625
1,645
2,544
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
305
925
209
0
Total ..................................................................................................................................................
10,337
n/a
1,439
1 The
Council recommended that harvest specifications for the hook-and-line gear sablefish Individual Fishing Quota fisheries be limited to 1
year.
2 Represents an allocation of 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the WYK District.
WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with PROPOSALS
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, pursuant to
§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A). In the A and B
seasons, the apportionments are in
proportion to the distribution of pollock
biomass based on the four most recent
NMFS winter surveys. In the C and D
seasons, the apportionments are in
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proportion to the distribution of pollock
biomass based on the four most recent
NMFS summer surveys. For 2010 and
2011, the Council recommends, and
NMFS proposes, 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 amount by which
a seasonal allowance is underharvested
or overharvested may be added to, or
subtracted from, subsequent seasonal
allowances in a manner to be
determined by the Regional
Administrator (§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B). 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 (§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)).
The proposed pollock TACs in the WYK
of 1,929 mt and SEO District of 8,280 mt
for 2010 and 2011 are not allocated by
season.
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Section 679.20(a)(6)(i) requires the
allocation of 100 percent of the pollock
TAC in all regulatory areas (and for each
associated seasonal allowance) 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. Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(6)(i), the
amount of pollock available for 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.
Table 4 lists the proposed 2010 and
2011 seasonal biomass distribution of
pollock in the Western and Central
Regulatory Areas, area apportionments,
and seasonal allowances. The amounts
of pollock for processing by the inshore
and offshore components are not shown.
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 228 / Monday, November 30, 2009 / Proposed Rules
62539
TABLE 4—PROPOSED 2010 AND 2011 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]
Shumagin
(Area 610)
Chirikof
(Area 620)
Kodiak
(Area 630)
A (Jan 20–Mar 10) .............................................................................
5,132 (32.01%)
6,927 (43.21%)
3,972 (24.78%)
B (Mar 10–May 31) ............................................................................
5,131 (32.01%)
8,591 (53.59%)
2,308 (14.40%)
C (Aug 25–Oct 1) ..............................................................................
6,968 (43.47%)
3,428 (21.38%)
5,634 (35.15%)
D (Oct 1–Nov1) ..................................................................................
6,968 (43.47%)
3,428 (21.38%)
5,634 (35.15%)
Annual Total ...............................................................................
24,199
22,374
17,548
Season
1 The
Total 1
16,031
(100%)
16,030
(100%)
16,030
(100%)
16,030
(100%)
64,121
WYK and SEO District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock TACs shown in this table.
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 (§ 679.23(d)(3)(i)). 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)(ii)). After subtraction of
an incidental catch allowance, 60
percent and 40 percent of the remaining
annual TAC will be available for harvest
during the A and B seasons,
respectively, and will be apportioned
between the inshore and offshore
processing components, as provided in
§ 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
must retain Pacific cod up to the
maximum retainable amounts allowed
under § 679.20(e) and (f). Under
§ 679.20(a)(12)(ii), any overage or
underage of the Pacific cod allowance
from the A season may be subtracted
from or added to the subsequent B
season allowance by the Regional
Administrator.
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. Table 5 lists
the proposed 2010 and 2011 seasonal
apportionments and allocations of the
Pacific cod TAC amounts.
TABLE 5—PROPOSED 2010 AND 2011 SEASONAL APPORTIONMENTS AND ALLOCATIONS OF PACIFIC COD TAC AMOUNTS
IN THE GULF OF ALASKA AND ALLOCATIONS FOR PROCESSING BY THE INSHORE AND OFFSHORE COMPONENTS
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Component allocation
Regulatory area
Season
Western .....................................................
Annual ......................................................
A season (60%) .......................................
B season (40%) .......................................
Annual ......................................................
A season (60%) .......................................
B season (40%) .......................................
Annual ......................................................
23,254
13,952
9,302
33,986
20,392
13,594
2,862
20,929
12,557
8,371
30,587
18,352
12,235
2,576
2,325
1,395
930
3,399
2,039
1,359
286
Total .........................................................
60,102
54,092
6,010
Central .......................................................
WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with PROPOSALS
Eastern ......................................................
Proposed Apportionments to the
Central GOA Rockfish Program
Section 679.81(a)(1) and (2) requires
the allocation of the primary rockfish
species TACs in the Central Regulatory
Area, after deducting incidental catch
needs in other directed groundfish
fisheries, to participants in the Central
GOA Rockfish Program (Rockfish
Program). Five percent (2.5 percent to
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TAC
trawl gear and 2.5 percent to fixed gear)
of the remaining proposed TACs for
Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish,
and pelagic shelf rockfish in the Central
Regulatory Area are allocated to the
entry level rockfish fishery and 95
percent of the remaining TAC for those
primary rockfish species to those vessels
eligible to participate in the Rockfish
Program. NMFS proposes 2010 and
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Inshore
(90%)
Offshore
(10%)
2011 incidental catch amounts of 100
mt for northern rockfish, 100 mt for
pelagic shelf rockfish, and 500 mt for
Pacific ocean perch for other directed
groundfish fisheries in the Central
Regulatory Area. These proposed
amounts are based on recent average
incidental catch in the Central
Regulatory Area by other groundfish
fisheries.
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 228 / Monday, November 30, 2009 / Proposed Rules
Section 679.83(a)(1)(i) requires that
allocations to the trawl entry level
fishery must be made first from the
allocation of Pacific ocean perch
available to the rockfish entry level
fishery. If the amount of Pacific ocean
perch available for allocation is less
than the total allocation allowable for
trawl catcher vessels in the rockfish
entry level fishery, then northern
rockfish and pelagic shelf rockfish must
be allocated to trawl catcher vessels.
Allocations of Pacific ocean perch,
northern rockfish, and pelagic shelf
rockfish to longline gear vessels must be
made after the allocations to trawl gear.
Table 6 lists the proposed 2010 and
2011 allocations of rockfish in the
Central GOA to trawl and longline gear
in the entry level rockfish fishery.
Allocations of primary rockfish species
TACs among participants in the
Rockfish Program are not included in
the proposed harvest specifications
because applications for catcher/
processor and catcher vessel
cooperatives are due to NMFS on March
1 of each calendar year, thereby
preventing NMFS from calculating
proposed 2010 allocations. NMFS will
post these allocations on the Alaska
Region Web site at https://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/
sustainablefisheries/goarat/default.htm
when they become available in March
2010.
TABLE 6—PROPOSED 2010 AND 2011 ALLOCATIONS OF ROCKFISH IN THE CENTRAL GULF OF ALASKA TO TRAWL AND
LONGLINE GEAR 1 IN THE ENTRY LEVEL ROCKFISH FISHERY
[Values are rounded to the nearest mt]
Proposed
TAC
Species
Incidental
catch
allowance
TAC minus
ICA
5% TAC
2.5% TAC
Entry level
trawl
allocation
Entry level
longline
allocation
Pacific ocean perch .................................
Northern rockfish ......................................
Pelagic shelf rockfish ...............................
8,239
2,208
3,179
500
100
100
7,739
2,108
3,079
387
105
154
193
53
77
323
0
0
64
105
154
Total ..................................................
13,626
700
12,926
646
323
323
323
WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with PROPOSALS
1 Longline
gear includes jig and hook-and-line gear.
Proposed Halibut Prohibited Species
Catch (PSC) Limits
Section 679.21(d) establishes annual
halibut PSC limit apportionments to
trawl and hook-and-line gear and
permits the establishment of
apportionments for pot gear. In October
2009, the Council recommended that
NMFS maintain the 2009 halibut PSC
limits of 2,000 mt for the trawl fisheries
and 300 mt for the hook-and-line
fisheries for 2010 and 2011. 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 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. Finally,
much of the DSR TAC is not available
to the commercial DSR fishery. The
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
sets the quota for the commercial DSR
fishery after estimates of incidental
catch in all fisheries (including halibut)
and anticipated recreational harvest
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have been deducted from the DSR TAC.
Of the 362 mt TAC for DSR in 2009, 115
mt were available for the commercial
fishery, of which 76 mt were harvested.
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
hook-and-line gear fishery categories
from the non-trawl halibut PSC limit for
2010 and 2011. The Council and NMFS
recommend these exemptions because
(1) the pot gear fisheries have low
halibut bycatch mortality averaging 19
mt annually from 2001 through 2008
(and 7 mt in 2009 through 11/7/2009);
(2) the halibut and sablefish IFQ
fisheries have low halibut bycatch
mortality because the IFQ program
requires retention of legal-sized halibut
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.
Halibut mortality is assumed to be
negligible in the jig gear fisheries given
the low amount of groundfish harvested
by jig gear averaging 268 mt annually
from 2001 through 2008 (and 208 mt
through 10/3/2009), the selective nature
of jig gear, and the likelihood of high
survival rates of halibut caught and
released by jig gear.
Section 679.21(d)(5) provides NMFS
the authority to seasonally apportion the
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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 2009 and 2010 harvest
specifications (74 FR 7333, February 17,
2009) summarized the Council’s and
NMFS’s findings with respect to each of
these FMP considerations. The
Council’s and NMFS’s findings for 2010
and 2011 are unchanged from 2009.
Table 7 lists the proposed 2010 and
2011 Pacific halibut PSC limits,
allowances, and apportionments.
Section 679.21(d)(5)(iii) and (iv),
respectively, specify that any underages
or overages of a seasonal apportionment
of a PSC limit will be added to or
removed from the next respective
seasonal apportionment within the
fishing year.
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 228 / Monday, November 30, 2009 / Proposed Rules
TABLE 7—PROPOSED 2010 AND 2011 PACIFIC HALIBUT PSC LIMITS, ALLOWANCES, AND APPORTIONMENTS
[Values are in metric tons]
Hook-and-line gear1
Trawl gear
Other than DSR
Season
Percent
DSR
Amount
Season
January 20–April 1 ...........
April 1–July 1 ...................
July 1–September 1 .........
27.5%
20%
30%
550
400
600
September 1–October 1 ..
October 1–December 31
7.5%
15%
Percent
86%
2%
12%
2,000
250
5
35
Season
Amount
150
300
Total ..........................
January 1–June 10 ..........
June 10–September 1 .....
September 1–December
31.
Amount
January 1–December 31
10
290
10
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
halibut PSC limit to trawl fishery
categories. The annual apportionments
are based on each category’s
proportional share of the anticipated
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 8
lists the proposed 2010 and 2011
seasonal apportionments of Pacific
halibut PSC trawl limits as apportioned
between the deep-water and shallowwater species categories. Based on
public comment and information
contained in the final 2009 SAFE report,
the Council may recommend or NMFS
may make changes to the seasonal, geartype, or fishery category apportionments
of halibut PSC limits for the final 2010
and 2011 harvest specifications.
TABLE 8—PROPOSED 2010 AND 2011 SEASONAL APPORTIONMENTS OF THE PACIFIC HALIBUT PSC LIMIT APPORTIONED
BETWEEN THE TRAWL GEAR SHALLOW-WATER SPECIES AND DEEP-WATER SPECIES CATEGORIES
[Values are in metric tons]
Season
Shallow-water
Deep-water1
January 20–April 1 .........................................................................
April 1–July 1 .................................................................................
July 1–September 1 .......................................................................
September 1–October 1 ................................................................
Subtotal January 20–October 1 .....................................................
October 1–December 31 2 .............................................................
450
100
200
150
900
............................
100 .......................................................
300 .......................................................
400 .......................................................
Any remainder .....................................
800 .......................................................
..............................................................
550
400
600
150
1,700
300
Total ........................................................................................
............................
..............................................................
2,000
Total
1 Vessels participating in cooperatives in the Central Gulf of Alaska 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
Web site at https://alaskafisheries.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
WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with PROPOSALS
The best available information on
estimated halibut bycatch is data
collected by observers during 2009. The
calculated halibut bycatch mortality by
trawl, hook-and-line, and pot gears
through November 7, 2009, is 1,797 mt,
266 mt, and 7 mt, respectively, for a
total halibut mortality of 2,070 mt.
Halibut bycatch restrictions seasonally
constrained trawl gear fisheries during
the 2009 fishing year. Table 9 displays
the closure dates for fisheries that
resulted from the attainment of seasonal
or annual halibut PSC limits. The
amount of groundfish that trawl gear
might have harvested if halibut PSC
limits had not restricted some 2009
GOA groundfish fisheries is unknown.
TABLE 9—FISHERY CLOSURES DUE TO ATTAINMENT OF PACIFIC HALIBUT PSC LIMITS
Fishery category
Opening date
Closure date
Trawl Deep-water, season 1 ................
Trawl Deep-water, season 2 ................
Trawl Shallow-water, season 4 ............
January 20, 2009 ...................
April 1, 2009 ...........................
September 1, 2009 ................
March 3, 2009 ........................
April 23, 2009 .........................
September 2, 2009 ................
1 With
Federal Register citation
74 FR 9964, March 9, 2009
74 FR 19459, April 29, 2009
74 FR 45378, September 2, 2009
the exception of vessels participating in the Central GOA Rockfish Program.
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 228 / Monday, November 30, 2009 / Proposed Rules
Expected Changes in Groundfish Stocks
and Catch
Proposed 2010 and 2011 ABCs for
pollock, Pacific cod, deep-water flatfish,
and flathead sole are higher than those
established for 2009, while the proposed
2010 and 2011 ABCs for arrowtooth
flounder, rex sole, sablefish, Pacific
ocean perch, northern rockfish, and
pelagic shelf rockfish are lower than
those established for 2009. For the
remaining target species, the Council
recommended that ABC levels remain
unchanged from 2009. More information
on these changes is included in the 2008
SAFE report (see ADDRESSES) and will
be updated with the 2009 SAFE report,
which will be available for Council
approval at its December 2009 meeting.
In the GOA, the total proposed 2010
and 2011 TAC amounts are 284,688 mt,
an increase of 17 percent from the 2009
TAC total of 242,727 mt. Table 10
compares the final 2009 TACs to the
proposed 2010 and 2011 TACs.
TABLE 10—COMPARISON OF FINAL 2009 AND PROPOSED 2010 AND 2011 TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH (TAC) AMOUNTS IN
THE GULF OF ALASKA
[Values are in metric tons]
Species
Final 2009 TACs
Proposed 2010
and 2011 TACs
Pollock .........................................................................................................................................................
Pacific cod ...................................................................................................................................................
Sablefish ......................................................................................................................................................
Shallow water flatfish ...................................................................................................................................
Deep-water flatfish .......................................................................................................................................
Rex sole .......................................................................................................................................................
Arrowtooth flounder .....................................................................................................................................
Flathead sole ...............................................................................................................................................
Pacific ocean perch .....................................................................................................................................
Northern rockfish .........................................................................................................................................
Rougheye rockfish .......................................................................................................................................
Shortraker rockfish .......................................................................................................................................
Other rockfish ..............................................................................................................................................
Pelagic shelf rockfish ...................................................................................................................................
Demersal shelf rockfish ...............................................................................................................................
Thornyhead rockfish ....................................................................................................................................
Atka mackerel ..............................................................................................................................................
Big skates ....................................................................................................................................................
Longnose skates ..........................................................................................................................................
Other skates ................................................................................................................................................
Other species ...............................................................................................................................................
49,900
41,807
11,160
22,256
9,168
8,996
43,000
11,181
15,111
4,362
1,284
898
1,730
4,781
362
1,910
2,000
3,330
2,887
2,104
4,500
74,330
60,102
10,337
22,256
9,793
8,827
43,000
11,289
15,098
4,173
1,297
898
1,730
4,465
362
1,910
2,000
3,330
2,887
2,104
4,500
Total ......................................................................................................................................................
242,727
284,688
WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with PROPOSALS
Current Estimates of Halibut Biomass
and Stock Condition
The most recent halibut stock
assessment was developed by the
International Pacific Halibut
Commission (IPHC) staff in December
2008 for the 2009 commercial fishery;
this assessment was considered by the
IPHC at its annual January 2009
meeting. Information from ongoing
passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag
recoveries, as well as inconsistencies in
the traditional closed-area stock
assessments for some areas, has
prompted the IPHC to reexamine the
stock assessment framework and
corresponding harvest policy.
Historically, the IPHC assumed that
once the halibut reached legal
commercial size there was little
movement between regulatory areas.
More recently, PIT tag recoveries
indicate greater movement between
regulatory areas than previously
believed. In response to this new
information, IPHC staff developed a
coast-wide assessment based on a single
stock. Based on the updated assessment,
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the IPHC recommends a coast-wide
harvest rate of 20 percent of the
exploitable biomass overall, but a lower
harvest rate of 15 percent for Areas 4B,
4C, 4D, and 4E. The current estimate of
coast-wide (United States and Canada)
exploitable biomass for 2009 is 147,419
mt, down from 163,749 mt estimated for
2008. Virtually all the decrease is due to
lower survey and commercial catch
rates of legal-sized halibut. Projections
based on the currently estimated age
compositions suggest that the
exploitable and female spawning
biomass will increase over the next
several years as a sequence of strong
year classes recruit to the legal-sized
component of the population. The
female spawning biomass is estimated
to be 14,288 mt for 2009, an increase of
3 percent from 2008, and approximately
35 percent of the estimated unfished
spawning biomass of 398,258 mt.
The halibut resource is fully utilized.
Recent catches, over the last 15 years
(1994 through 2008) in the commercial
halibut fisheries in Alaska have
averaged 33,338 mt round weight. In
January 2009, the IPHC approved Alaska
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commercial catch limits totaling 27,518
mt round weight for 2009, a 9-percent
decrease from 30,349 mt in 2008.
Through November 12, 2009,
commercial hook-and-line harvests of
halibut off Alaska totaled 21,966 mt
round weight.
Additional information on the Pacific
halibut stock assessment may be found
in the IPHC’s 2008 Pacific halibut stock
assessment (December 2008), available
on the IPHC Web site at https://
www.iphc.washington.edu. The IPHC
considered the 2008 Pacific halibut
assessment for 2009 at its January 2009
annual meeting when the IPHC set the
2009 commercial halibut fishery quotas.
The IPHC will consider the 2009 Pacific
halibut assessment for 2010 at its
January 2010 annual meeting when it
sets the 2010 commercial halibut fishery
quotas.
Other Factors
The IPHC will adjust the allowable
commercial catch of halibut to account
for the overall halibut PSC mortality
limit established for groundfish
fisheries. The 2010 and 2011 groundfish
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‘‘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 (§ 679.2(14)). The definition
provides standards for physical
conformation and performance of the
trawl gear in terms of crab bycatch
(§ 679.7(a)(14)). Furthermore, all hookand-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.
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 Web site at
https://alaskafisheries.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 forgone.
The definition of ‘‘Authorized fishing
gear’’ at § 679.2 specifies requirements
for biodegradable panels and tunnel
openings for groundfish pots to reduce
halibut bycatch. Under this definition,
groundfish pots must comply with gear
specification requirements (§ 679.2(15)).
Compliance with these requirements
reduce halibut bycatch and mortality
rates in groundfish pot fisheries. As a
result, pot gear exemptions from PSC
limits are justified.
The definitions at § 679.2 for
‘‘Authorized fishing gear,’’ defines
Halibut Discard Mortality Rates
To monitor halibut bycatch mortality
allowances and apportionments, the
Regional Administrator uses observed
halibut bycatch rates, discard mortality
rates (DMR), and estimates of
groundfish catch to project when a
fishery’s halibut bycatch mortality
allowance or seasonal apportionment is
reached. The DMRs are based on the
best information available, including
62543
information contained in the annual
SAFE report.
NMFS proposes the Council’s
recommendation that the halibut DMRs
developed and recommended by the
IPHC for the 2009 GOA groundfish
fisheries be used for monitoring the
proposed 2010 and 2011 halibut bycatch
allowances (see Table 11). The IPHC
developed the DMRs for the 2009 GOA
groundfish fisheries using the 10-year
mean DMRs for those fisheries. Longterm 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 that
gear type was recommended as a default
rate. The IPHC will analyze observer
data annually and recommend changes
to the DMRs when a fishery DMR shows
large variation from the mean. A copy
of the document justifying these DMRs
is available from the Council (see
ADDRESSES) and the DMRs are discussed
in the Economic Status Report of the
final 2008 SAFE report, dated November
2008. Table 11 lists the proposed 2010
and 2011 DMRs.
The proposed DMRs listed in Table 11
are subject to change pending the results
of an updated analysis on halibut DMRs
in the groundfish fisheries that IPHC
staff is scheduled to present to the
Council at its December 2009 meeting.
TABLE 11—PROPOSED 2010 AND 2011 HALIBUT DISCARD MORTALITY RATES FOR VESSELS FISHING IN THE GULF OF
ALASKA
[Values are oercent of halibut assumed to be dead]
Mortality rate
(%)
Target fishery
Hook-and-line .....................................................
Other species ......................................................................................................
Skates .................................................................................................................
Pacific cod ...........................................................................................................
Rockfish ...............................................................................................................
14
14
14
10
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WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with PROPOSALS
Gear
Arrowtooth flounder .............................................................................................
Atka mackerel .....................................................................................................
Deep-water flatfish ..............................................................................................
Flathead sole .......................................................................................................
Non-pelagic pollock .............................................................................................
Other species ......................................................................................................
Skates .................................................................................................................
Pacific cod ...........................................................................................................
Pelagic pollock ....................................................................................................
Rex sole ..............................................................................................................
Rockfish ...............................................................................................................
Sablefish ..............................................................................................................
Shallow-water flatfish ..........................................................................................
69
60
53
61
59
63
63
63
76
63
67
65
71
Pot ......................................................................
Other species ......................................................................................................
Skates .................................................................................................................
Pacific cod ...........................................................................................................
16
16
16
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 228 / Monday, November 30, 2009 / Proposed Rules
American Fisheries Act (AFA) Catcher/
Processor and Catcher Vessel
Groundfish Harvest and PSC Limits
Section 679.64 establishes 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 expansion in their
fisheries by those fishermen and
processors who receive exclusive
harvesting and processing privileges
under the AFA. Section 679.7(k)(1)(ii)
prohibits listed AFA catcher/processors
from harvesting any species of fish in
the GOA. Additionally, § 679.7(k)(1)(iv)
prohibits listed AFA catcher/processors
from processing any pollock in the GOA
and any groundfish harvested in
Statistical Area 630 of the GOA.
AFA catcher vessels that are less than
125 ft (38.1 m) length overall, have
annual landings of pollock in the Bering
Sea and Aleutian Islands less than 5,100
mt, and have made at least 40 GOA
groundfish landings from 1995 through
1997 are exempt from GOA sideboard
limits under § 679.64(b)(2)(ii).
Sideboard limits for non-exempt AFA
catcher vessels operating in the GOA are
based on their traditional harvest levels
in groundfish fisheries covered by the
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.
Table 12 lists the proposed 2010 and
2011 groundfish sideboard limits for
non-exempt AFA catcher vessels. All
targeted or incidental catch of sideboard
species made by non-exempt AFA
catcher vessels will be deducted from
the sideboard limits in Table 12.
TABLE 12—PROPOSED 2010 AND 2011 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV)
GROUNDFISH HARVEST SIDEBOARD LIMITS
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Species
Pollock ...................................
Apportionments by season/
gear
A Season: January 20–
March 10.
Area/component
Ratio of 1995–
1997 non-exempt AFA CV
catch to 1995–
1997 TAC
Proposed
2010 and
2011 TACs
Proposed
2010 and
2011 non-exempt AFA CV
sideboard limit
Shumagin (610) ....................
0.6047
5,132
3,103
Chirikof (620) ........................
Kodiak (630) .........................
0.1167
0.2028
6,927
3,972
808
806
B Season: March 10–May 31
Shumagin (610) ....................
Chirikof (620) ........................
Kodiak (630) .........................
0.6047
0.1167
0.2028
5,131
8,591
2,308
3,103
1,003
468
C Season: August 25–October 1.
Shumagin (610) ....................
0.6047
6,968
4,214
Chirikof (620) ........................
Kodiak (630) .........................
0.1167
0.2028
3,428
5,634
400
1,143
Shumagin (610) ....................
0.6047
6,968
4,214
Chirikof (620) ........................
Kodiak (630) .........................
0.1167
0.2028
3,428
5,634
400
1,143
Annual ...................................
WYK (640) ............................
SEO (650) .............................
0.3495
0.3495
1,929
8,280
674
2,894
A Season 1: January 1–June
10.
W inshore ..............................
0.1365
12,557
1,714
W offshore ............................
C inshore ..............................
C offshore .............................
0.1026
0.0689
0.0721
1,395
18,352
2,039
143
1,264
147
W inshore ..............................
0.1365
8,371
1,143
W offshore ............................
C inshore ..............................
C offshore .............................
0.1026
0.0689
0.0721
930
12,235
1,359
95
843
98
Annual ...................................
E inshore ...............................
E offshore .............................
0.0079
0.0078
2,576
286
20
2
Sablefish ...............................
Annual, trawl gear .................
W ...........................................
C ...........................................
E ............................................
0.0000
0.0642
0.0433
305
925
209
0
59
9
Flatfish, shallow-water ..........
Annual ...................................
W ...........................................
C ...........................................
E ............................................
0.0156
0.0587
0.0126
4,500
13,000
4,756
70
763
60
Flatfish, deep-water ..............
Annual ...................................
W ...........................................
C ...........................................
0.0000
0.0647
747
7,405
0
479
D Season: October 1–November 1.
Pacific cod .............................
WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with PROPOSALS
B Season 2: September 1–
December 31.
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62545
TABLE 12—PROPOSED 2010 AND 2011 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV)
GROUNDFISH HARVEST SIDEBOARD LIMITS—Continued
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Species
Apportionments by season/
gear
Area/component
Ratio of 1995–
1997 non-exempt AFA CV
catch to 1995–
1997 TAC
Proposed
2010 and
2011 TACs
Proposed
2010 and
2011 non-exempt AFA CV
sideboard limit
E ............................................
0.0128
1,641
21
Annual ...................................
W ...........................................
C ...........................................
E ............................................
0.0007
0.0384
0.0029
988
6,506
1,333
1
250
4
Arrowtooth flounder ...............
Annual ...................................
W ...........................................
C ...........................................
E ............................................
0.0021
0.0280
0.0002
8,000
30,000
5,000
17
840
1
Flathead sole ........................
Annual ...................................
W ...........................................
C ...........................................
E ............................................
0.0036
0.0213
0.0009
2,000
5,000
4,289
7
107
4
Pacific ocean perch ..............
Annual ...................................
W ...........................................
C ...........................................
E ............................................
0.0023
0.0748
0.0466
3,710
8,239
3,149
9
616
147
Northern rockfish ...................
Annual ...................................
W ...........................................
C ...........................................
0.0003
0.0277
1,965
2,208
1
61
Rougheye rockfish ................
Annual ...................................
W ...........................................
C ...........................................
E ............................................
0.0000
0.0237
0.0124
126
842
329
0
20
4
Shortraker rockfish ................
Annual ...................................
W ...........................................
C ...........................................
E ............................................
0.0000
0.0218
0.0110
120
315
463
0
7
5
Other rockfish ........................
Annual ...................................
W ...........................................
C ...........................................
0.0034
0.1699
357
569
1
97
Pelagic shelf rockfish ............
Annual ...................................
E ............................................
W ...........................................
C ...........................................
E ............................................
0.0000
0.0001
0.0000
0.0067
804
765
3,179
521
0
0
0
3
Demersal shelf rockfish ........
Annual ...................................
SEO ......................................
0.0020
362
1
Thornyhead rockfish .............
Annual ...................................
W ...........................................
C ...........................................
E ............................................
0.0280
0.0280
0.0280
267
860
783
7
24
22
Atka mackerel .......................
Annual ...................................
Gulfwide ................................
0.0309
2,000
62
Big skates .............................
Annual ...................................
W ...........................................
C ...........................................
E ............................................
0.0063
0.0063
0.0063
632
2,065
633
4
13
4
Longnose skates ...................
Annual ...................................
W ...........................................
C ...........................................
E ............................................
0.0063
0.0063
0.0063
78
2,041
768
0
13
5
Other skates ..........................
WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with PROPOSALS
Rex sole ................................
Annual ...................................
Gulfwide ................................
0.0063
2,104
13
Other species ........................
Annual ...................................
Gulfwide ................................
0.0063
4,500
28
1 The
2 The
Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
The halibut PSC sideboard limits for
non-exempt AFA catcher vessels in the
GOA are based on the aggregate retained
groundfish catch by non-exempt AFA
catcher vessels in each PSC target
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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 13
lists the proposed 2010 and 2011
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catcher vessel halibut PSC limits for
non-exempt AFA vessels using trawl
gear in the GOA.
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 228 / Monday, November 30, 2009 / Proposed Rules
TABLE 13—PROPOSED 2010 AND 2011 NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL HALIBUT PROHIBITED
SPECIES CATCH (PSC) LIMITS FOR VESSELS USING TRAWL GEAR IN THE GOA
[Values are in metric tons]
Ratio of 1995–
1997 non-exempt AFA CV
retained catch
to total retained catch
Proposed
2010 and
2011 PSC limit
Proposed
2010 and
2011 non-exempt AFA CV
PSC limit
Season
Season dates
Target fishery
1 ..........................
January 20–April 1 .........................
shallow-water .................................
deep-water .....................................
0.340
0.070
450
100
153
7
2 ..........................
April 1–July 1 .................................
shallow-water .................................
deep-water .....................................
0.340
0.070
100
300
34
21
3 ..........................
July 1–September 1 .......................
shallow-water .................................
deep-water .....................................
0.340
0.070
200
400
68
28
4 ..........................
September 1–October 1 ................
shallow-water .................................
deep-water .....................................
0.340
0.070
150
0
51
0
5 ..........................
October 1–December 31 ...............
all targets .......................................
0.205
300
62
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 these
vessels’ catch to their collective
historical landings in all GOA
groundfish fisheries (except the fixedgear sablefish fishery). Sideboard limits
also apply to landings made using a
License Limitation Program (LLP)
license derived from the history of a
restricted vessel, even if that LLP is
used on another vessel.
Sideboard 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 FMP. Section 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. Table 14 lists
these proposed 2010 and 2011
groundfish sideboard limits for non-
AFA crab vessels. All targeted or
incidental catch of sideboard species
made by non-AFA crab vessels will be
deducted from the sideboard limits in
Table 14.
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 14—PROPOSED 2010 AND 2011 GOA NON-AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL GROUNDFISH HARVEST
SIDEBOARD LIMITS
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Species
Season/gear
A Season: January 20–
March 10.
Proposed
2010 and
2011 TACs
Proposed
2010 and
2011 non-AFA
crab vessel
sideboard limit
Shumagin (610) ........
0.0098
5,132
50
Chirikof (620) ............
Kodiak (630) ..............
0.0031
0.0002
6,927
3,972
21
1
B Season: March 10–May 31
WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with PROPOSALS
Pollock ..............................................
Area/component
Ratio of 1996–
2000 non-AFA
crab vessel
catch to 1996–
2000 total
harvest
Shumagin (610) ........
Chirikof (620) ............
Kodiak (630) ..............
0.0098
0.0031
0.0002
5,131
8,591
2,308
50
27
0
C Season: August 25–October 1.
Shumagin (610) ........
0.0098
6,968
68
Chirikof (620) ............
Kodiak (630) ..............
0.0031
0.0002
3,428
5,634
11
1
Shumagin (610) ........
0.0098
6,968
68
Chirikof (620) ............
Kodiak (630) ..............
0.0031
0.0002
3,428
5,634
11
1
D Season: October 1–November 1.
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62547
TABLE 14—PROPOSED 2010 AND 2011 GOA NON-AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL GROUNDFISH HARVEST
SIDEBOARD LIMITS—Continued
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Species
Ratio of 1996–
2000 non-AFA
crab vessel
catch to 1996–
2000 total
harvest
Proposed
2010 and
2011 TACs
Proposed
2010 and
2011 non-AFA
crab vessel
sideboard limit
Season/gear
Area/component
Annual ...................................
WYK (640) ................
SEO (650) .................
0.0000
0.0000
1,929
8,280
0
0
A Season: 1 January 1–June
10.
W inshore ..................
0.0902
12,557
1,133
W offshore .................
C inshore ...................
C offshore .................
W inshore ..................
0.2046
0.0383
0.2074
0.0902
1,395
18,352
2,039
8,371
285
703
423
755
W offshore .................
C inshore ...................
C offshore .................
0.2046
0.0383
0.2074
930
12,235
1,359
190
469
282
Annual ...................................
E inshore ...................
E offshore ..................
0.0110
0.0000
2,576
286
28
0
Sablefish ...........................................
Annual, trawl gear .................
W ...............................
C ................................
E ................................
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
325
925
209
0
0
0
Flatfish shallow-water .......................
Annual ...................................
W ...............................
C ................................
E ................................
0.0059
0.0001
0.0000
4,500
13,000
4,756
27
1
0
Flatfish, deep-water ..........................
Annual ...................................
W ...............................
C ................................
E ................................
0.0035
0.0000
0.0000
747
7,405
1,641
3
0
0
Rex sole ............................................
Annual ...................................
W ...............................
C ................................
E ................................
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
988
6,506
1,333
0
0
0
Arrowtooth flounder ..........................
Annual ...................................
W ...............................
C ................................
E ................................
0.0004
0.0001
0.0000
8,000
30,000
5,000
3
3
0
Flathead sole ....................................
Annual ...................................
W ...............................
C ................................
E ................................
0.0002
0.0004
0.0000
2,000
5,000
4,289
0
2
0
Pacific ocean perch ..........................
Annual ...................................
W ...............................
C ................................
E ................................
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
3,710
8,239
3,149
0
0
0
Northern rockfish ..............................
Annual ...................................
W ...............................
C ................................
0.0005
0.0000
1,965
2,208
1
0
Rougheye rockfish ............................
Annual ...................................
W ...............................
C ................................
E ................................
0.0067
0.0047
0.0008
126
842
329
1
4
0
Shortraker rockfish ............................
Annual ...................................
W ...............................
C ................................
E ................................
0.0013
0.0012
0.0009
120
315
463
0
0
0
Other rockfish ...................................
Annual ...................................
W ...............................
C ................................
E ................................
0.0035
0.0033
0.0000
357
569
804
1
2
0
Pelagic shelf rockfish ........................
Annual ...................................
W ...............................
C ................................
E ................................
0.0017
0.0000
0.0000
765
3,179
521
1
0
0
Demersal shelf rockfish ....................
Annual ...................................
SEO ...........................
0.0000
362
0
Pacific cod ........................................
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B Season: 2 September 1–
December 31.
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 228 / Monday, November 30, 2009 / Proposed Rules
TABLE 14—PROPOSED 2010 AND 2011 GOA NON-AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL GROUNDFISH HARVEST
SIDEBOARD LIMITS—Continued
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Ratio of 1996–
2000 non-AFA
crab vessel
catch to 1996–
2000 total
harvest
Proposed
2010 and
2011 TACs
Proposed
2010 and
2011 non-AFA
crab vessel
sideboard limit
Species
Season/gear
Area/component
Thornyhead rockfish .........................
Annual ...................................
W ...............................
C ................................
E ................................
0.0047
0.0066
0.0045
267
860
783
1
6
4
Atka mackerel ...................................
Annual ...................................
Gulfwide ....................
0.0000
2,000
0
Big skate ...........................................
Annual ...................................
W ...............................
C ................................
E ................................
0.0392
0.0159
0.0000
632
2,065
633
25
33
0
Longnose skate ................................
Annual ...................................
W ...............................
C ................................
E ................................
0.0392
0.0159
0.0000
78
2,041
768
3
32
0
Other skates .....................................
Annual ...................................
Gulfwide ....................
0.0176
2,104
37
Other species ....................................
Annual ...................................
Gulfwide ....................
0.0176
4,500
79
1 The
2 The
Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
Rockfish Program Groundfish
Sideboard Limitations and Halibut
Mortality Limitations
Section 679.82(d)(7) 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, thus possibly
adversely affecting the participants in
other fisheries. The proposed sideboards
for 2010 and 2011 limit the total amount
of catch 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
opened in July. 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
sideboard provisions are discussed in
detail in the proposed rule (71 FR
33040, June 7, 2006) and the final rule
(71 FR 67210, November 20, 2006, and
72 FR 37678, July 11, 2007) for the
Rockfish Program. Table 15 lists the
proposed 2010 and 2011 Rockfish
Program harvest limits in the WYK
District and the Western GOA. Table 16
lists the proposed 2010 and 2011
Rockfish Program halibut mortality
limits for catcher/processors and catcher
vessels.
TABLE 15—PROPOSED 2010 AND 2011 ROCKFISH PROGRAM HARVEST LIMITS BY SECTOR FOR WEST YAKUTAT DISTRICT
AND WESTERN GOA BY THE CATCHER/PROCESSOR (CP) AND CATCHER VESSEL (CV) SECTORS
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
CP sector
(% of TAC)
Area
Fishery
West Yakutat District ....................
Pelagic shelf rockfish ...................
Pacific ocean perch ......................
Pelagic shelf rockfish ...................
Pacific ocean perch ......................
Northern rockfish ..........................
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Western GOA ................................
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CV sector
(% of TAC)
Proposed
2010 and
2011 TACs
72.4
76.0
63.3
61.1
78.9
1.7
2.9
0
0
0
219
1,107
765
3,710
1,965
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Proposed
2010 and
2011 CP
limit
159
841
484
2,267
1,550
Proposed
2010 and
2011 CV
limit
4
32
0
0
0
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 228 / Monday, November 30, 2009 / Proposed Rules
62549
TABLE 16—PROPOSED 2010 AND 2011 ROCKFISH PROGRAM HALIBUT MORTALITY LIMITS FOR THE CATCHER/PROCESSOR
AND CATCHER VESSEL SECTORS
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Shallow-water
complex
halibut PSC
sideboard ratio
(percent)
Sector
Deep-water
complex
halibut PSC
sideboard ratio
(percent)
Annual halibut
mortality limit
(mt)
Annual shallow-water
complex
halibut PSC
sideboard limit
(mt)
Annual deepwater complex
halibut PSC
sideboard limit
(mt)
0.54
6.32
3.99
1.08
2,000
2,000
11
126
80
22
Catcher/processor ................................................................
Catcher vessel .....................................................................
GOA Amendment 80 Vessel Groundfish
Harvest and PSC Limits
Amendment 80 to the Fishery
Management Plan for Groundfish of the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area, hereinafter referred
to as the ‘‘Amendment 80 program,’’
established a limited access privilege
program for the non-AFA trawl catcher/
processor sector. In order to limit the
ability of participants eligible for the
Amendment 80 program to expand their
harvest efforts in the GOA, the
Amendment 80 program established
groundfish and halibut PSC limits for
Amendment 80 program participants in
the GOA.
Section 679.92 establishes groundfish
harvesting sideboard limits on all
Amendment 80 program vessels, other
than the F/V GOLDEN FLEECE, to
amounts no greater than the limits
shown in Table 37 to part 679.
Sideboard limits in the GOA are
proposed for pollock in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas and in the
WYK District, for Pacific cod gulfwide,
for Pacific ocean perch and pelagic shelf
rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area
and WYK District, and for northern
rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area.
The harvest of Pacific ocean perch,
pelagic shelf rockfish, and northern
rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area
of the GOA is subject to regulation
under the Central GOA Rockfish
Program. Amendment 80 program
vessels not qualified under the Rockfish
Program are excluded from directed
fishing for these rockfish species in the
Central GOA. Pursuant to regulations,
the F/V GOLDEN FLEECE is prohibited
from directed fishing for pollock, Pacific
cod, Pacific ocean perch, pelagic shelf
rockfish, and northern rockfish in the
GOA. These sideboard limits are
necessary to restrict the ability of
participants eligible for the Amendment
80 program to expand their harvest
efforts in the GOA.
Groundfish sideboard limits for
Amendment 80 vessels operating in the
GOA are based on their average
aggregate harvests from 1998 to 2004.
Table 17 lists the proposed 2010 and
2011 sideboard limits for Amendment
80 vessels. All targeted or incidental
catch of sideboard species made by
Amendment 80 vessels will be deducted
from the sideboard limits in Table 17.
TABLE 17—PROPOSED 2010 AND 2011 GOA GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD LIMITS FOR AMENDMENT 80 VESSELS
Apportionments and
allocations by season
Species
Pollock ................................
A Season: January 20–February 25.
Ratio of
Amendment
80 sector vessels 1998–
2004 catch to
TAC
Area
2010 and
2011 TAC
(mt)
2010 and
2011 Amendment 80 vessel sideboards
(mt)
Shumagin (610) ......................
0.003
5,132
15
Chirikof (620) ..........................
Kodiak (630) ...........................
0.002
0.002
6,927
3,972
14
8
B Season: March 10–May 31
Shumagin (610) ......................
Chirikof (620) ..........................
Kodiak (630) ...........................
0.003
0.002
0.002
5,131
8,591
2,308
15
17
5
C Season: August 25–September 15.
Shumagin (610) ......................
0.003
6,968
21
Chirikof (620) ..........................
Kodiak (630) ...........................
0.002
0.002
3,428
5,634
7
11
Shumagin (610) ......................
0.003
6,968
21
Chirikof (620) ..........................
Kodiak (630) ...........................
0.002
0.002
3,428
9,968
7
14
Annual ....................................
WYK (640) ..............................
0.002
1,929
4
A Season 1: January 1–June
10.
W ............................................
0.020
13,952
279
C .............................................
0.044
20,392
897
W ............................................
0.020
9,302
186
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D Season: October 1–November 1.
Pacific cod ..........................
B Season 2: September 1–December 31.
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 228 / Monday, November 30, 2009 / Proposed Rules
TABLE 17—PROPOSED 2010 AND 2011 GOA GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD LIMITS FOR AMENDMENT 80 VESSELS—
Continued
Apportionments and
allocations by season
Species
Ratio of
Amendment
80 sector vessels 1998–
2004 catch to
TAC
Area
2010 and
2011 TAC
(mt)
2010 and
2011 Amendment 80 vessel sideboards
(mt)
C .............................................
0.044
13,594
598
Annual ....................................
WYK .......................................
0.034
2,862
97
Pacific ocean perch ...........
Annual ....................................
W ............................................
WYK .......................................
0.994
0.961
3,710
1,107
3,688
1,064
Northern rockfish ................
Annual ....................................
W ............................................
1.000
1,965
1,965
Pelagic shelf rockfish .........
Annual ....................................
W ............................................
0.764
765
584
WYK .......................................
0.896
219
196
1 The
2 The
Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
The halibut PSC sideboard limits for
Amendment 80 vessels in the GOA are
based on the historic use of halibut PSC
by Amendment 80 vessels in each PSC
target category from 1998 through 2004
(Table 38 to 50 CFR part 679). These
values are slightly lower than the
average historic use to accommodate
two factors: Allocation of halibut PSC
cooperative quota under the Central
GOA Rockfish Program and the
exemption of the F/V GOLDEN FLEECE
from this restriction. Table 18 lists the
proposed 2010 and 2011 halibut PSC
limits for Amendment 80 vessels.
TABLE 18—PROPOSED 2010 AND 2011 HALIBUT PROHIBITED SPECIES CATCH (PSC) LIMITS FOR AMENDMENT 80
VESSELS IN THE GOA
Historic
Amendment
80 use of the
annual halibut
PSC limit
catch (ratio)
2010 and
2011 annual
PSC limit
(mt)
2010 and
2011 Amendment 80 vessel PSC limit
(mt)
Season
Season dates
Target fishery
1 .................
January 20–April 1 .............................
shallow-water ......................................
deep-water ..........................................
0.0048
0.0115
2,000
2,000
10
23
2 .................
April 1–July 1 ......................................
shallow-water ......................................
deep-water ..........................................
0.0189
0.1072
2,000
2,000
38
214
3 .................
July 1–September 1 ...........................
shallow-water ......................................
deep-water ..........................................
0.0146
0.0521
2,000
2,000
29
104
4 .................
September 1–October 1 .....................
shallow-water ......................................
deep-water ..........................................
0.0074
0.0014
2,000
2,000
15
3
5 .................
October 1–December 31 ....................
shallow-water ......................................
deep-water ..........................................
0.0227
0.0371
2,000
2,000
45
74
WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with PROPOSALS
Classification
NMFS has determined that the
proposed harvest specifications are
consistent with the FMP and
preliminarily determined that the
proposed harvest specifications are
consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens
Act and other applicable laws.
This action is authorized under 50
CFR 679.20 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
NMFS prepared a Final EIS for this
action and made it available to the
public on January 12, 2007 (72 FR
1512). On February 13, 2007, NMFS
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issued the Record of Decision for the
Final EIS. Copies of the Final EIS and
Record of Decision for this action are
available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES).
The Final EIS analyzes the
environmental consequences of the
proposed groundfish harvest
specifications and its alternatives on
resources in the action area. The Final
EIS found no significant environmental
consequences from the proposed action
or its alternatives.
NMFS also prepared an Initial
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA)
as required by section 603 of the
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Regulatory Flexibility Act. The IRFA
evaluated the impacts on small entities
of alternative harvest strategies for the
groundfish fisheries in the exclusive
economic zone off of Alaska. While the
specification numbers may change from
year to year, the harvest strategy for
establishing those numbers remains the
same. NMFS therefore is using the same
IRFA prepared in connection with the
EIS. NMFS published a notice of the
availability of the IRFA and its summary
in the classification section of the
proposed harvest specifications for the
groundfish fisheries in the GOA in the
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WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register on December 15, 2006
(71 FR 75460). The comment period on
the GOA proposed harvest
specifications and IRFA ended on
January 16, 2007. NMFS did not receive
any comments on the IRFA or the
economic impacts of the rule generally.
A description of the proposed action,
why it is being considered, and the legal
basis for this proposed action are
contained in the preamble above. A
copy of this analysis is available from
NMFS (see ADDRESSES). A summary of
the IRFA follows.
The action under consideration is a
harvest strategy to govern the catch 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
Council’s harvest specification process
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 directly regulated small entities
include approximately 747 small
catcher vessels and fewer than 20 small
catcher/processors. The entities directly
regulated by this action are those that
harvest groundfish in the exclusive
economic zone 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
of $4 million per year or less from all
economic activities, including the
revenue of their affiliated operations.
Data from 2005 were the most recent
available and were used to determine
the number of small entities.
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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. An index of revenues was
projected to decline under the preferred
alternative due to declines in ABCs for
key species in the GOA. The index of
revenues declined by less than 4 percent
between 2007 and 2008 and by less than
one percent between 2007 and 2009.
The preferred alternative (Alternative
2) was compared to four other
alternatives. These included Alternative
1, which would have set TACs to
generate fishing rates equal to the
maximum permissible ABC (if the full
TAC were harvested), unless the sum of
TACs exceeded the GOA OY, in which
case harvests would be limited to the
OY. Alternative 3 would have set TACs
to produce fishing rates equal to the
most recent five-year average fishing
rate. Alternative 4 would have set TACs
to equal the lower limit of the GOA OY
range. Alternative 5 would have 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 Alternative
2. 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 first wholesale revenue
indices than Alternative 2. Thus,
Alternatives 3, 4, and 5 had greater
adverse impacts on small entities.
Alternative 1 appeared to generate
higher values of the gross revenue index
for fishing operations in the GOA than
Alternative 2. A large part of the
Alternative 1 GOA revenue appeared to
be due to the assumption that the full
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62551
Alternative 1 TAC would be harvested.
Much of the larger revenue was due to
increases in flatfish TACs that were
much greater for Alternative 1 than for
Alternative 2. In recent years, halibut
bycatch constraints in these fisheries
have kept actual flatfish catches from
reaching Alternative 1 levels. Therefore,
a large part of the revenues presumed to
be associated with Alternative 1 are
unlikely to be realized. Also, Alternative
2 TACs are constrained by the ABCs
that the Plan Teams and SSC are likely
to recommend to the Council on the
basis of a full consideration of biological
issues. These ABCs are often less than
the maximum permissible ABCs of
Alternative 1. Therefore 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.
Adverse impacts on marine mammals
resulting from fishing activities
conducted under this rule are discussed
in the Final EIS (see ADDRESSES).
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 16 U.S.C.
1540(f); 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C.
3631 et seq.; Pub. L. 105–277; Pub. L. 106–
31; Pub. L. 106–554; Pub. L. 108–199; Pub.
L. 108–447; Pub. L. 109–241; Pub. L. 109–
479.
Dated: November 23, 2009.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9–28544 Filed 11–27–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 228 (Monday, November 30, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 62533-62551]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-28544]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 0910131362-91411-01]
RIN 0648-XS43
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of
Alaska; Proposed 2010 and 2011 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: NMFS proposes 2010 and 2011 harvest specifications,
apportionments, and Pacific halibut prohibited species catch limits for
the groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to establish harvest limits for groundfish during the 2010
and 2011 fishing years and to accomplish the goals and objectives of
the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska. 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.
DATES: Comments must be received by December 30, 2009.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Sue Salveson, Assistant Regional
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region, NMFS,
Attn: Ellen Sebastian. You may submit comments, identified by RIN 0648-
XS43, by any one of the following methods:
Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public
comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal https://www.regulations.gov.
Mail: P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802.
Fax: (907) 586-7557.
Hand delivery to the Federal Building: 709 West 9th
Street, Room 420A, Juneau, AK.
All comments received are a part of the public record. No comments
will be posted to https://www.regulations.gov for public viewing until
after the comment period has closed. Comments will generally be posted
without change. All Personal Identifying Information (for example,
name, address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be
publicly accessible. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or
otherwise sensitive or protected information.
NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter N/A in the required
fields, if you wish to remain anonymous). You may submit attachments to
electronic comments in Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF
file formats only.
Electronic copies of the Alaska Groundfish Harvest Specifications
Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) and the Initial
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) prepared for this action may be
obtained from https://www.regulations.gov or from the Alaska Region Web
site at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. Copies of the final 2008 Stock
Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) report for the groundfish
resources of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), dated November 2008, are
available from the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council)
at 605 West 4th Avenue, Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 99510-2252, phone 907-
271-2809, or from the Council's Web site at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/npfmc.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Pearson, 907-481-1780, or Obren
Davis, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the GOA groundfish fisheries in
the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the GOA under the Fishery
Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP). The Council
prepared the FMP under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (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 2008
SAFE report (see ADDRESSES). In December 2009, the Council will
consider the 2009 SAFE report to develop its recommendations for the
final 2010 and 2011 acceptable biological catch (ABC) amounts and total
allowable catch (TAC) limits. Anticipated changes in the final
specifications from the proposed specifications are identified in this
notice for public review.
[[Page 62534]]
The FMP and its implementing regulations require NMFS, after
consultation with the Council, to specify the TACs 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 for target species and
``other species,'' halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) amounts, and
seasonal allowances of pollock and inshore/offshore Pacific cod. The
proposed specifications in Tables 1 through 18 of this document satisfy
these requirements. For 2010 and 2011, the sum of the proposed TAC
amounts is 284,688 mt. Under Sec. 679.20(c)(3), NMFS will publish the
final 2010 and 2011 specifications after (1) considering comments
received within the comment period (see DATES), (2) consulting with the
Council at its December 2009 meeting, and (3) considering information
presented in the Final EIS (see ADDRESSES) and the final 2009 SAFE
report prepared for the 2010 and 2011 groundfish fisheries.
Other Actions Potentially Affecting the 2010 and 2011 Harvest
Specifications
The Council is developing an amendment to the FMP to comply with
Magnuson-Stevens Act requirements associated with annual catch limits
and accountability measures. That amendment may result in revisions to
how total annual groundfish mortality is estimated and accounted for in
the annual SAFE reports, which in turn may affect the overfishing
levels (OFLs) and ABC amounts for certain groundfish species. NMFS will
attempt to identify additional sources of mortality to groundfish
stocks not currently reported or considered by the groundfish stock
assessments in recommending OFL, ABC, and TAC for certain groundfish
species. These additional sources of mortality may include recreational
fishing, subsistence fishing, catch of groundfish during the NMFS trawl
and hook-and-line surveys, catch taken under experimental fishing
permits issued by NMFS, discarded catch of groundfish in the commercial
halibut fisheries, use of groundfish as bait in the crab fisheries, or
other sources of mortality not yet identified.
The Council also is considering a proposal that would allocate the
Western and Central Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod TACs among the trawl,
pot, hook-and-line, and jig catcher vessel and catcher processor
sectors. Sector allocations may provide stability to long-term
participants in the fishery by reducing competition among sectors for
access to the GOA Pacific cod resource.
These changes will not be in effect until 2011 at the earliest,
which could affect the 2011 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs included in this
action.
Proposed ABC and TAC Specifications
In October 2009, the Council, the Scientific and Statistical
Committee (SSC), and the Advisory Panel (AP), reviewed current
biological and harvest information about the condition of groundfish
stocks in the GOA. This information was initially compiled by the GOA
Groundfish Plan Team (Plan Team) and was presented in the final 2008
SAFE report for the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated November 2008 (see
ADDRESSES). The SAFE report contains a review of the latest scientific
analyses and 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 Plan Team will update the 2008 SAFE
report to include new information collected during 2009. The Plan Team
will provide revised stock assessments in November 2009 in the final
2009 SAFE report. The Council will review the 2009 SAFE report in
December 2009. The final 2010 and 2011 harvest specifications may be
adjusted from the proposed harvest specifications based on the 2009
SAFE report.
The proposed ABCs and TACs are based on the best available
biological and socioeconomic data, 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 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 highest level of information quality
available and tier six representing the lowest level of information
quality available.
The SSC adopted the proposed 2010 and 2011 OFLs and ABCs
recommended by the Plan Team for all groundfish species. These proposed
amounts are unchanged from the final 2010 harvest specifications
published in the Federal Register on February 17, 2009 (74 FR 7333).
The AP and the Council recommendations for the proposed 2010 and 2011
OFL, ABC, and TAC amounts are also based on the final 2010 harvest
specifications published in the Federal Register on February 17, 2009
(74 FR 7333). For 2010 and 2011, the Council recommended and NMFS
proposes the OFLs and ABCs listed in Table 1. The proposed ABCs reflect
harvest amounts that are less than the specified overfishing amounts.
The sum of the proposed 2010 and 2011 ABCs for all assessed groundfish
is 562,762 mt, which is higher than the final 2009 ABC total of 516,055
mt (74 FR 7333, February 17, 2009).
Specification and Apportionment of TAC Amounts
The Council recommended proposed TACs for 2010 and 2011 that are
equal to proposed ABCs for pollock, deep-water flatfish, rex sole,
sablefish, Pacific ocean perch, shortraker rockfish, rougheye rockfish,
northern rockfish, pelagic shelf rockfish, thornyhead rockfish,
demersal shelf rockfish, and skates. The Council recommended proposed
TACs for 2010 and 2011 that are less than the proposed ABCs for Pacific
cod, flathead sole, shallow-water flatfish, arrowtooth flounder, other
rockfish, Atka mackerel, and the ``other species'' category.
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) (50 CFR 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), and
679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A), (B)).
As in 2009, the SSC and Council recommended that the method of
apportioning the sablefish ABC among management areas in 2010 and 2011
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. NMFS
annually evaluates the use of commercial fishery data to ensure 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; the SEO
District, together with the
[[Page 62535]]
West Yakutat District (WYK), comprise the Eastern Regulatory Area.
Separate sablefish TACs are specified for each district. The Council
continued to recommend that five percent of the combined Eastern
Regulatory Area TAC be apportioned to trawl gear for use as incidental
catch in other directed groundfish fisheries in the WYK District (Sec.
679.20(a)(4)(i)).
The AP, SSC, and Council recommended apportionment of the ABC for
Pacific cod in the GOA among regulatory areas based on the three most
recent NMFS summer trawl surveys. The proposed 2010 and 2011 Pacific
cod TACs are affected by the State of Alaska's (State) fishery for
Pacific cod in State waters in the Western and Central Regulatory
Areas, as well as in Prince William Sound. The Plan Team, SSC, AP, and
Council recommended that the sum of all State and Federal water Pacific
cod removals from the GOA not exceed ABC recommendations. Accordingly,
the Council recommended reducing the proposed 2010 and 2011 Pacific cod
TACs from the proposed ABCs in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas
to account for State guideline harvest levels. Therefore, the proposed
2010 and 2011 Pacific cod TACs are less than the proposed ABCs by the
following amounts: (1) Eastern GOA, 318 mt; (2) Central GOA, 11,329 mt;
and (3) Western GOA, 7,751 mt. These amounts reflect the sum of the
State's 2010 and 2011 guideline harvest levels in these areas, which
are 10 percent, 25 percent, and 25 percent of the Eastern, Central, and
Western GOA proposed 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 (50 CFR 679.23(d)(3) and 679.20(a)(12)).
As in 2009, NMFS proposes to establish for 2010 and 2011 an A
season directed fishing allowance 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 directed fishing allowance 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) (69 FR 75865, December
20, 2004).
The sum of the proposed TACs for all GOA groundfish is 284,688 mt
for 2010 and 2011, which is within the OY range specified by the FMP.
The sum of the proposed 2010 TACs and the sum of the proposed 2011 TACs
are each higher than the sum of the 2009 TACs of 242,727 mt, but are
unchanged from the 2010 TACs currently specified for the GOA groundfish
fisheries (74 FR 7333, February 17, 2009).
Table 1 lists the proposed 2010 and 2011 ABCs, TACs, and OFLs of
groundfish. These amounts are consistent with the biological condition
of groundfish stocks as described in the 2008 SAFE report, and adjusted
for other biological and socioeconomic considerations, including
maintaining the total TAC within the required OY range. These proposed
amounts are subject to change pending the completion of the 2009 SAFE
report and the Council's recommendations for the final 2010 and 2011
harvest specifications during its December 2009 meeting.
Table 1--Proposed 2010 and 2011 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]
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Species Area \1\ ABC TAC OFL
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Pollock \2\............................... Shumagin (610)............... 24,199 24,199 n/a
Chirikof (620)............... 22,374 22,374 n/a
Kodiak (630)................. 17,548 17,548 n/a
WYK (640).................... 1,929 1,929 n/a
W/C/WYK (subtotal)........... 66,050 66,050 90,920
SEO (650).................... 8,280 8,280 11,040
Total........................ 74,330 74,330 101,960
Pacific cod \3\........................... W............................ 31,005 23,254 n/a
C............................ 45,315 33,986 n/a
E............................ 3,180 2,862 n/a
Total........................ 79,500 60,102 126,000
Sablefish \4\............................. W............................ 1,523 1,523 n/a
C............................ 4,625 4,625 n/a
WYK.......................... 1,645 1,645 n/a
SEO.......................... 2,544 2,544 n/a
E (WYK and SEO) (subtotal)... 4,189 4,189 n/a
Total........................ 10,337 10,337 12,321
Shallow-water flatfish \5\................ W............................ 26,360 4,500 n/a
C............................ 29,873 13,000 n/a
WYK.......................... 3,333 3,333 n/a
SEO.......................... 1,423 1,423 n/a
Total........................ 60,989 22,256 74,364
Deep-water flatfish \6\................... W............................ 747 747 n/a
C............................ 7,405 7,405 n/a
WYK.......................... 1,066 1,066 n/a
SEO.......................... 575 575 n/a
Total........................ 9,793 9,793 12,367
[[Page 62536]]
Rex sole.................................. W............................ 988 988 n/a
C............................ 6,506 6,506 n/a
WYK.......................... 503 503 n/a
SEO.......................... 830 830 n/a
Total........................ 8,827 8,827 11,535
Arrowtooth flounder....................... W............................ 29,843 8,000 n/a
C............................ 162,591 30,000 n/a
WYK.......................... 14,757 2,500 n/a
SEO.......................... 12,082 2,500 n/a
Total........................ 219,273 43,000 258,397
Flathead sole............................. W............................ 13,342 2,000 n/a
C............................ 30,021 5,000 n/a
WYK.......................... 3,622 3,622 n/a
SEO.......................... 667 667 n/a
Total........................ 47,652 11,289 59,349
Pacific ocean perch \7\................... W............................ 3,710 3,710 4,405
C............................ 8,239 8,239 9,782
WYK.......................... 1,107 1,107 n/a
SEO.......................... 2,042 2,042 n/a
E (WYK and SEO) (subtotal)... 3,149 3,149 3,738
Total........................ 15,098 15,098 17,925
Northern rockfish 8,9..................... W............................ 1,965 1,965 n/a
C............................ 2,208 2,208 n/a
E............................ 0 0 n/a
Total........................ 4,173 4,173 4,979
Rougheye rockfish \10\.................... W............................ 126 126 n/a
C............................ 842 842 n/a
E............................ 329 329 n/a
Total........................ 1,297 1,297 1,562
Shortraker rockfish \11\.................. W............................ 120 120 n/a
C............................ 315 315 n/a
E............................ 463 463 n/a
Total........................ 898 898 1,197
Other rockfish 9,12....................... W............................ 357 357 n/a
C............................ 569 569 n/a
WYK.......................... 604 604 n/a
SEO.......................... 2,767 200 n/a
Total........................ 4,297 1,730 5,624
Pelagic shelf rockfish \13\............... W............................ 765 765 n/a
C............................ 3,179 3,179 n/a
WYK.......................... 219 219 n/a
SEO.......................... 302 302 n/a
Total........................ 4,465 4,465 5,420
Demersal shelf rockfish \14\.............. SEO.......................... 362 362 580
Thornyhead rockfish....................... W............................ 267 267 n/a
C............................ 860 860 n/a
E............................ 783 783 n/a
Total........................ 1,910 1,910 2,540
Atka mackerel............................. GW........................... 4,700 2,000 6,200
Big skate \15\............................ W............................ 632 632 n/a
C............................ 2,065 2,065 n/a
E............................ 633 633 n/a
Total........................ 3,330 3,330 4,439
Longnose skate \16\....................... W............................ 78 78 n/a
C............................ 2,041 2,041 n/a
E............................ 768 768 n/a
Total........................ 2,887 2,887 3,849
Other skates \17\......................... GW........................... 2,104 2,104 2,806
Other species \18\........................ GW........................... 6,540 4,500 8,720
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Total................................. ............................. 562,762 284,688 722,134
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\1\ Regulatory areas and districts are defined at Sec. 679.2. (W = Western Gulf of Alaska; C = Central Gulf of
Alaska; E = Eastern Gulf of Alaska; WYK = West Yakutat District; SEO = Southeast Outside District; GW = Gulf-
wide).
[[Page 62537]]
\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 32%, 43%, and 25% in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. During the B season, the
apportionment is based on the relative distribution of pollock biomass at 32%, 54%, and 14% 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 43%, 21%, and 35% in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively.
Table 4 lists the proposed 2010 and 2011 pollock 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 the A season and 40% to the 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. Table 5 lists the proposed 2010 and 2011 Pacific cod seasonal
apportionments.
\4\ Sablefish is allocated to trawl and hook-and-line gears for 2010 and to trawl gear in 2011. Tables 2 and 3
list the proposed 2010 and 2011 sablefish TACs.
\5\ ``Shallow-water flatfish'' means flatfish not including ``deep-water flatfish,'' flathead sole, rex sole, or
arrowtooth flounder.
\6\ ``Deep-water flatfish'' means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, and deepsea sole.
\7\ ``Pacific ocean perch'' means Sebastes alutus.
\8\ ``Northern rockfish'' means Sebastes polyspinous.
\9\ ``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.
\10\ ``Rougheye rockfish'' means Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and Sebastes melanostictus (blackspotted).
\11\ ``Shortraker rockfish'' means Sebastes borealis.
\12\ ``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.
\13\ ``Pelagic shelf rockfish'' means Sebastes ciliatus (dark), S. variabilis (dusky), S. entomelas (widow), and
S. flavidus (yellowtail).
\14\ ``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).
\15\ ``Big skate'' means Raja binoculata.
\16\ ``Longnose skate'' means Raja rhina.
\17\ ``Other skates'' means Bathyraja spp.
\18\ ``Other species'' means sculpins, sharks, squid, and octopus.
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 during
the fishing year. In 2009, NMFS apportioned all the reserves in the
final harvest specifications (74 FR 7340, February 17, 2009). For 2010
and 2011, NMFS proposes to reapportion all the reserves for pollock,
Pacific cod, flatfish, and ``other species.'' Table 1 reflects the
proposed 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 allocations 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 Regulatory Area, 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
Regulatory Area, the Council recommended and NMFS proposes the
allocation of 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area
sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the WYK District and the allocation of
the remainder of the WYK sablefish TAC be available 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. This recommendation results in a proposed 2010 allocation of 209
mt to trawl gear and 3,960 mt to hook-and-line gear. Table 2 lists the
allocations of the proposed 2010 sablefish TACs to hook-and-line and
trawl gear. Table 3 lists the allocations of the proposed 2011
sablefish TACs to trawl gear. The Council recommended that only a trawl
sablefish TAC be established for two years so that incidental catch of
sablefish by trawl gear could commence in January in the second year of
the harvest specifications. However, since there is an annual
assessment for sablefish and the final annual specifications are
expected to be published before the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ)
season begins, typically early March, the industry and Council
recommended that the sablefish TAC for the IFQ season be set on an
annual basis so that the best and most recent scientific information
could be considered in recommending the ABCs and TACs. Since sablefish
is on bycatch status for trawl gear from January 1, it is not likely
that the sablefish allocation to trawl gear would be reached prior to
the effective date of the final harvest specifications.
Table 2--Proposed 2010 Sablefish TAC Amounts 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.......................... 1,523 1,218 305
Central.......................... 4,625 3,700 925
West Yakutat \1\................. 1,645 1,436 209
Southeast Outside................ 2,544 2,544 0
--------------------------------------
[[Page 62538]]
Total........................ 10,337 8,898 1,439
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Represents an allocation of 5 percent of the combined Eastern
Regulatory Area sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the WYK District.
Table 3--Proposed 2011 Sablefish TAC Amounts in the Gulf of Alaska and
Allocation to Trawl Gear \1\
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hook-and-
Area/District TAC line Trawl
allocation allocation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western.......................... 1,523 n/a 305
Central.......................... 4,625 n/a 925
West Yakutat \2\................. 1,645 n/a 209
Southeast Outside................ 2,544 n/a 0
--------------------------------------
Total........................ 10,337 n/a 1,439
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Council recommended that harvest specifications for the hook-and-
line gear sablefish Individual Fishing Quota fisheries be limited to 1
year.
\2\ Represents an allocation of 5 percent of the combined Eastern
Regulatory Area sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the WYK District.
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, pursuant to
Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A). In the A and B seasons, the apportionments
are in proportion to the distribution of pollock biomass based on the
four most recent 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 2010 and 2011,
the Council recommends, and NMFS proposes, 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 amount by which a seasonal
allowance is underharvested or overharvested may be added to, or
subtracted from, subsequent seasonal allowances in a manner to be
determined by the Regional Administrator (Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B).
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 proposed pollock TACs in the WYK of 1,929 mt
and SEO District of 8,280 mt for 2010 and 2011 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 for each associated
seasonal allowance) 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. Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(i), the amount of pollock
available for 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.
Table 4 lists the proposed 2010 and 2011 seasonal biomass
distribution of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas,
area apportionments, and seasonal allowances. The amounts of pollock
for processing by the inshore and offshore components are not shown.
[[Page 62539]]
Table 4--Proposed 2010 and 2011 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]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shumagin (Area Chirikof (Area
Season 610) 620) Kodiak (Area 630) Total \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A (Jan 20-Mar 10)......................... 5,132 (32.01%) 6,927 (43.21%) 3,972 (24.78%) 16,031
(100%)
B (Mar 10-May 31)......................... 5,131 (32.01%) 8,591 (53.59%) 2,308 (14.40%) 16,030
(100%)
C (Aug 25-Oct 1).......................... 6,968 (43.47%) 3,428 (21.38%) 5,634 (35.15%) 16,030
(100%)
D (Oct 1-Nov1)............................ 6,968 (43.47%) 3,428 (21.38%) 5,634 (35.15%) 16,030
(100%)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Total.......................... 24,199 22,374 17,548 64,121
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The WYK and SEO District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock
TACs shown in this table.
Proposed Seasonal Apportionments of Pacific Cod TAC and Allocations for
Processing of Pacific Cod TAC Between Inshore and Offshore Components
Pacific cod fishing is divided into two seasons in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA. For hook-and-line, pot, and jig
gear, the A season is January 1 through June 10, and the B season is
September 1 through December 31 (Sec. 679.23(d)(3)(i)). For trawl
gear, the A season is January 20 through June 10, and the B season is
September 1 through November 1 (Sec. 679.23(d)(3)(ii)). After
subtraction of an incidental catch allowance, 60 percent and 40 percent
of the remaining annual TAC will be available for harvest during the A
and B seasons, respectively, and will be apportioned between the
inshore and offshore processing components, as provided in Sec.
679.20(a)(6)(ii). Between the A and the B seasons, directed fishing for
Pacific cod is closed, and fishermen participating in other directed
fisheries must retain Pacific cod up to the maximum retainable amounts
allowed under Sec. 679.20(e) and (f). Under Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(ii),
any overage or underage of the Pacific cod allowance from the A season
may be subtracted from or added to the subsequent B season allowance by
the Regional Administrator.
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. Table 5
lists the proposed 2010 and 2011 seasonal apportionments and
allocations of the Pacific cod TAC amounts.
Table 5--Proposed 2010 and 2011 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocations of Pacific Cod TAC Amounts in the Gulf
of Alaska and Allocations for Processing by the Inshore and Offshore Components
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Component allocation
Regulatory area Season TAC -----------------------------------
Inshore (90%) Offshore (10%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western............................ Annual............... 23,254 20,929 2,325
A season (60%)....... 13,952 12,557 1,395
B season (40%)....... 9,302 8,371 930
Central............................ Annual............... 33,986 30,587 3,399
A season (60%)....... 20,392 18,352 2,039
B season (40%)....... 13,594 12,235 1,359
Eastern............................ Annual............... 2,862 2,576 286
-----------------------------------------------------
Total................ 60,102 54,092 6,010
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed Apportionments to the Central GOA Rockfish Program
Section 679.81(a)(1) and (2) requires the allocation of the primary
rockfish species TACs in the Central Regulatory Area, after deducting
incidental catch needs in other directed groundfish fisheries, to
participants in the Central GOA Rockfish Program (Rockfish Program).
Five percent (2.5 percent to trawl gear and 2.5 percent to fixed gear)
of the remaining proposed TACs for Pacific ocean perch, northern
rockfish, and pelagic shelf rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area are
allocated to the entry level rockfish fishery and 95 percent of the
remaining TAC for those primary rockfish species to those vessels
eligible to participate in the Rockfish Program. NMFS proposes 2010 and
2011 incidental catch amounts of 100 mt for northern rockfish, 100 mt
for pelagic shelf rockfish, and 500 mt for Pacific ocean perch for
other directed groundfish fisheries in the Central Regulatory Area.
These proposed amounts are based on recent average incidental catch in
the Central Regulatory Area by other groundfish fisheries.
[[Page 62540]]
Section 679.83(a)(1)(i) requires that allocations to the trawl
entry level fishery must be made first from the allocation of Pacific
ocean perch available to the rockfish entry level fishery. If the
amount of Pacific ocean perch available for allocation is less than the
total allocation allowable for trawl catcher vessels in the rockfish
entry level fishery, then northern rockfish and pelagic shelf rockfish
must be allocated to trawl catcher vessels. Allocations of Pacific
ocean perch, northern rockfish, and pelagic shelf rockfish to longline
gear vessels must be made after the allocations to trawl gear.
Table 6 lists the proposed 2010 and 2011 allocations of rockfish in
the Central GOA to trawl and longline gear in the entry level rockfish
fishery. Allocations of primary rockfish species TACs among
participants in the Rockfish Program are not included in the proposed
harvest specifications because applications for catcher/processor and
catcher vessel cooperatives are due to NMFS on March 1 of each calendar
year, thereby preventing NMFS from calculating proposed 2010
allocations. NMFS will post these allocations on the Alaska Region Web
site at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/goarat/default.htm when they become available in March 2010.
Table 6--Proposed 2010 and 2011 Allocations of Rockfish in the Central Gulf of Alaska to Trawl and Longline Gear \1\ in the Entry Level Rockfish Fishery
[Values are rounded to the nearest mt]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incidental Entry level Entry level
Species Proposed catch TAC minus 5% TAC 2.5% TAC trawl longline
TAC allowance ICA allocation allocation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch.......................................... 8,239 500 7,739 387 193 323 64
Northern rockfish............................................ 2,208 100 2,108 105 53 0 105
Pelagic shelf rockfish....................................... 3,179 100 3,079 154 77 0 154
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total.................................................... 13,626 700 12,926 646 323 323 323
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Longline gear includes jig and hook-and-line gear.
Proposed Halibut Prohibited Species Catch (PSC) Limits
Section 679.21(d) establishes annual halibut PSC limit
apportionments to trawl and hook-and-line gear and permits the
establishment of apportionments for pot gear. In October 2009, the
Council recommended that NMFS maintain the 2009 halibut PSC limits of
2,000 mt for the trawl fisheries and 300 mt for the hook-and-line
fisheries for 2010 and 2011. 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 Sec. 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 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. Finally, much of the DSR
TAC is not available to the commercial DSR fishery. The Alaska
Department of Fish and Game sets the quota for the commercial DSR
fishery after estimates of incidental catch in all fisheries (including
halibut) and anticipated recreational harvest have been deducted from
the DSR TAC. Of the 362 mt TAC for DSR in 2009, 115 mt were available
for the commercial fishery, of which 76 mt were harvested.
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 hook-and-line gear fishery categories from
the non-trawl halibut PSC limit for 2010 and 2011. The Council and NMFS
recommend these exemptions because (1) the pot gear fisheries have low
halibut bycatch mortality averaging 19 mt annually from 2001 through
2008 (and 7 mt in 2009 through 11/7/2009); (2) the halibut and
sablefish IFQ fisheries have low halibut bycatch mortality because the
IFQ program requires retention of legal-sized halibut 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. Halibut mortality is assumed to
be negligible in the jig gear fisheries given the low amount of
groundfish harvested by jig gear averaging 268 mt annually from 2001
through 2008 (and 208 mt through 10/3/2009), the selective nature of
jig gear, and the likelihood of high survival rates of halibut caught
and released by jig gear.
Section 679.21(d)(5) provides NMFS 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 2009 and 2010 harvest specifications (74 FR 7333,
February 17, 2009) summarized the Council's and NMFS's findings with
respect to each of these FMP considerations. The Council's and NMFS's
findings for 2010 and 2011 are unchanged from 2009. Table 7 lists the
proposed 2010 and 2011 Pacific halibut PSC limits, allowances, and
apportionments. Section 679.21(d)(5)(iii) and (iv), respectively,
specify that any underages or overages of a seasonal apportionment of a
PSC limit will be added to or removed from the next respective seasonal
apportionment within the fishing year.
[[Page 62541]]
Table 7--Proposed 2010 and 2011 Pacific Halibut PSC Limits, Allowances, and Apportionments
[Values are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trawl gear Hook-and-line gear\1\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other than DSR DSR
Season Percent Amount -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season Percent Amount Season Amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 20-April 1...................... 27.5% 550 January 1-June 10.......... 86% 250 January 1-December 31..... 10
April 1-July 1.......................... 20% 400 June 10-September 1........ 2% 5
July 1-September 1...................... 30% 600 September 1-December 31.... 12% 35
September 1-October 1................... 7.5% 150
October 1-December 31................... 15% 300
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................... 2,000 290 10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 halibut PSC limit to trawl fishery categories. The annual
apportionments are based on each category's proportional share of the
anticipated 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'' (Sec. 679.21(d)(3)(iii)). Table 8 lists the proposed
2010 and 2011 seasonal apportionments of Pacific halibut PSC trawl
limits as apportioned between the deep-water and shallow-water species
categories. Based on public comment and information contained in the
final 2009 SAFE report, the Council may recommend or NMFS may make
changes to the seasonal, gear-type, or fishery category apportionments
of halibut PSC limits for the final 2010 and 2011 harvest
specifications.
Table 8--Proposed 2010 and 2011 Seasonal Apportionments of the Pacific Halibut PSC Limit Apportioned Between the
Trawl Gear Shallow-Water Species and Deep-Water Species Categories
[Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season Shallow-water Deep-water\1\ Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 20-April 1.......................... 450 100........................... 550
April 1-July 1.............................. 100 300........................... 400
July 1-September 1.......................... 200 400........................... 600
September 1-October 1....................... 150 Any remainder................. 150
Subtotal January 20-October 1............... 900 800........................... 1,700
October 1-December 31 \2\................... ................ .............................. 300
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................................... ................ .............................. 2,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Vessels participating in cooperatives in the Central Gulf of Alaska 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 Web site at https://alaskafisheries.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 2009. The calculated halibut bycatch
mortality by trawl, hook-and-line, and pot gears through November 7,
2009, is 1,797 mt, 266 mt, and 7 mt, respectively, for a total halibut
mortality of 2,070 mt. Halibut bycatch restrictions seasonally
constrained trawl gear fisheries during the 2009 fishing year. Table 9
displays the closure dates for fisheries that resulted from the
attainment of seasonal or annual halibut PSC limits. The amount of
groundfish that trawl gear might have harvested if halibut PSC limits
had not restricted some 2009 GOA groundfish fisheries is unknown.
Table 9--Fishery Closures Due to Attainment of Pacific Halibut PSC Limits
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fishery category Opening date Closure date Federal Register citation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trawl Deep-water, season 1......... January 20, 2009....... March 3, 2009......... 74 FR 9964, March 9, 2009
Trawl Deep-water, season 2......... April 1, 2009.......... April 23, 2009........ 74 FR 19459, April 29,
2009
Trawl Shallow-water, season 4...... September 1, 2009...... September 2, 2009..... 74 FR 45378, September 2,
2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ With the exception of vessels participating in the Central GOA Rockfish Program.
[[Page 62542]]
Expected Changes in Groundfish Stocks and Catch
Proposed 2010 and 2011 ABCs for pollock, Pacific cod, deep-water
flatfish, and flathead sole are higher than those established for 2009,
while the proposed 2010 and 2011 ABCs for arrowtooth flounder, rex
sole, sablefish, Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish, and pelagic
shelf rockfish are lower than those established for 2009. For the
remaining target species, the Council recommended that ABC levels
remain unchanged from 2009. More information on these changes is
included in the 2008 SAFE report (see ADDRESSES) and will be updated
with the 2009 SAFE report, which will be available for Council approval
at its December 2009 meeting.
In the GOA, the total proposed 2010 and 2011 TAC amounts are
284,688 mt, an increase of 17 percent from the 2009 TAC total of
242,727 mt. Table 10 compares the final 2009 TACs to the proposed 2010
and 2011 TACs.
Table 10--Comparison of Final 2009 and Proposed 2010 and 2011 Total
Allowable Catch (TAC) Amounts in the Gulf of Alaska
[Values are in metric tons]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed 2010 and
Species Final 2009 TACs 2011 TACs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock........................... 49,900 74,330
Pacific cod....................... 41,807 60,102
Sablefish......................... 11,160 10,337
Shallow water flatfish............ 22,256 22,256
Deep-water flatfish............... 9,168 9,793
Rex sole.......................... 8,996 8,827
Arrowtooth flounder............... 43,000 43,000
Flathead sole..................... 11,181 11,289
Pacific ocean perch............... 15,111 15,098
Northern rockfish................. 4,362 4,173
Rougheye rockfish................. 1,284 1,297
Shortraker rockfish............... 898 898
Other rockfish.................... 1,730 1,730
Pelagic shelf rockfish............ 4,781 4,465
Demersal shelf rockfish........... 362 362
Thornyhead rockfish............... 1,910 1,910
Atka mackerel..................... 2,000 2,000
Big skates........................ 3,330 3,330
Longnose skates................... 2,887 2,887
Other skates...................... 2,104 2,104
Other species..................... 4,500 4,500
-------------------------------------
Total......................... 242,727 284,688
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Estimates of Halibut Biomass and Stock Condition
The most recent halibut stock assessment was developed by the
International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) staff in December 2008
for the 2009 commercial fishery; this assessment was considered by the
IPHC at its annual January 2009 meeting. Information from ongoing
passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag recoveries, as well as
inconsistencies in the traditional closed-area stock assessments for
some areas, has prompted the IPHC to reexam
