Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 69592-69593 [2013-27778]
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 224 / Wednesday, November 20, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 12–FINAL 2013 PROHIBITED SPECIES BYCATCH ALLOWANCES FOR THE BSAI TRAWL LIMITED ACCESS SECTOR—
Continued
Prohibited species and area 1
BSAI trawl limited access fisheries
Halibut
mortality
(mt) BSAI
Red king crab
(animals)
Zone 1
C. opilio
(animals)
COBLZ
C. bairdi (animals)
Zone 1
Zone 2
Rock sole/flathead sole/other flatfish 2 .............
Turbot/arrowtooth/sablefish 3 ...........................
Rockfish April 15—December 31 ....................
Pacific cod ........................................................
Pollock/Atka mackerel/other species 4 .............
0
0
5
333
230
0
0
0
2,954
197
0
0
4,828
120,705
48,282
0
0
0
60,000
5,000
0
0
1,000
50,000
5,000
Total BSAI trawl limited access PSC .......
735
6,489
613,990
111,228
341,500
1 Refer
to § 679.2 for definitions of areas.
flatfish’’ for PSC monitoring includes all flatfish species, except for halibut (a prohibited species), flathead sole, Greenland turbot, rock
sole, yellowfin sole, Kamchatka flounder, and arrowtooth flounder.
3 Arrowtooth flounder for PSC monitoring includes Kamchatka flounder.
4 ‘‘Other species’’ for PSC monitoring includes skates, sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopuses.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
2 ‘‘Other
TABLE 14—FINAL 2013 PROHIBITED SPECIES BYCATCH ALLOWANCE FOR THE BSAI AMENDMENT 80 COOPERATIVES
Prohibited species and zones 1
Cooperative
Halibut
mortality
(mt) BSAI
Alaska Seafood Cooperative ...........................
Alaska Groundfish Cooperative .......................
Red king crab
(animals)
Zone 1
1,701
757
C. opilio
(animals)
COBLZ
43,105
20,188
C. bairdi (animals)
Zone 1
4,525,272
2,483,863
Zone 2
470,617
197,904
1,054,123
473,655
1 Refer to § 679.2 for definitions of zones.
Note: Sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES
This will enhance the socioeconomic
well-being of harvesters of groundfish
dependent upon these PSC allowances.
The Regional Administrator considered
the following factors in reaching this
decision: (1) The current catch and
stated future harvesting intent of BSAI
trawl limited access sector fisheries and,
(2) the harvest capacity and stated intent
on future harvesting patterns of the
Amendment 80 cooperatives that
participates in this BSAI fishery. The
Regional Administrator also has
determined that this action will create
no threats of exceeding TACs for any
species or species group.
Classification
This action responds to the best
available information recently obtained
from the fishery. The Assistant
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA
(AA), finds good cause to waive the
requirement to provide prior notice and
opportunity for public comment
pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is
impracticable and contrary to the public
interest. This requirement is
impracticable and contrary to the public
interest as it would prevent NMFS from
responding to the most recent fisheries
data in a timely fashion and would
delay the reallocation of crab PSC
VerDate Mar<15>2010
13:56 Nov 19, 2013
Jkt 232001
allowances from the BSAI trawl limited
access sector to the Amendment 80
cooperatives in the BSAI. Since the
fisheries are currently open, it is
important to immediately inform the
industry as to the revised allocations.
Immediate notification is necessary to
allow for the orderly conduct and
efficient operation of these fisheries, to
allow the industry to plan for the fishing
season, and to avoid potential
disruption to the fishing fleet as well as
processors. NMFS was unable to
publish a notice providing time for
public comment because the most
recent, relevant data only became
available as of November 12, 2013.
The AA also finds good cause to
waive the 30-day delay in the effective
date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
the reasons provided above for waiver of
prior notice and opportunity for public
comment.
This action is required by § 679.91
and is exempt from review under
Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
PO 00000
Frm 00058
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
Dated: November 15, 2013.
Kelly Denit,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–27779 Filed 11–15–13; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 121018563–3148–02]
RIN 0648–XC971
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of
Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands Management Area
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation.
AGENCY:
NMFS is reallocating the
projected unused amounts of Pacific cod
from catcher vessels using jig gear,
catcher vessels greater than 60 feet (18.3
meters) length overall (LOA) using pot
gear, and catcher vessels using trawl
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\20NOR1.SGM
20NOR1
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 224 / Wednesday, November 20, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES
gear to catcher vessels less than 60 feet
(18.3 meters) LOA using hook-and-line
or pot gear, American Fisheries Act
(AFA) catcher/processors (C/P),
Amendment 80 (A80) C/Ps, C/P vessels
using pot gear, and C/P vessels using
hook-and-line gear in the Bering Sea
and Aleutian Islands management area.
This action is necessary to allow the
2013 total allowable catch of Pacific cod
to be harvested.
DATES: Effective November 15, 2013,
through 2400 hrs, Alaska local time
(A.l.t.), December 31, 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steve Whitney, 907–586–7269.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI)
according to the Fishery Management
Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea
and Aleutian Islands Management Area
(FMP) prepared by the North Pacific
Fishery Management Council under
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management
Act. Regulations governing fishing by
U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP
appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600
and 50 CFR part 679.
The 2013 Pacific cod total allowable
catch (TAC) specified for vessels using
jig gear in the BSAI is 751 metric tons
(mt) as established by the final 2013 and
2014 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (78 FR 13813,
March 1, 2013) and reallocations (78 FR
53076, August 28, 2013). The
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS,
(Regional Administrator) has
determined that jig vessels will not be
able to harvest 700 mt of the remaining
2013 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those
vessels under § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(1).
The 2013 Pacific cod TAC specified
for catcher vessels greater than or equal
to 60 feet LOA using pot gear in the
BSAI is 19,434 mt as established by the
final 2013 and 2014 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the
BSAI (78 FR 13813, March 1, 2013). The
Regional Administrator has determined
that catcher vessels greater than or equal
VerDate Mar<15>2010
13:56 Nov 19, 2013
Jkt 232001
to 60 feet LOA using pot gear will not
be able to harvest 6,000 mt of the
remaining 2013 Pacific cod TAC
allocated to those vessels under
§ 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(5).
The 2013 Pacific cod total allowable
catch (TAC) specified for catcher vessels
using trawl gear in the BSAI is 46,812
metric tons (mt) as established by the
final 2013 and 2014 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the
BSAI (78 FR 13813, March 1, 2013) and
sector reallocations (78 FR 552868,
August 27, 2013, and 78 FR 58955,
September 25, 2013). The Regional
Administrator has determined that
catcher vessels using trawl gear will not
be able to harvest 3,000 mt of the
remaining 2013 Pacific cod TAC
allocated to those vessels under
§ 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(9).
Therefore, in accordance with
§ 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A) and
§ 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(B), NMFS reallocates
9,700 mt of Pacific cod to catcher
vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters)
LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear,
AFA C/P vessels, A80 C/P vessels, C/P
vessels using pot gear, and C/P vessels
using hook-and-line gear in the Bering
Sea and Aleutian Islands management
area.
The harvest specifications for Pacific
cod included in the final 2013 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the
BSAI (78 FR 13813, March 1, 2013) are
revised as follows: 51 mt for catcher
vessels using jig gear, 13,434 mt for
catcher vessels greater than or equal to
60 feet LOA using pot gear, and 43,812
mt for catcher vessels using trawl gear,
9,177 mt for catcher vessels less than 60
feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line
or pot gear, 6,740 mt for AFA C/P
vessels, 37,212 mt to A80 C/P vessels,
6,070 for C/Ps using pot gear, and
115,171 to C/Ps using hook-and-line
gear.
Classification
This action responds to the best
available information recently obtained
from the fishery. The Assistant
PO 00000
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Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
69593
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA
(AA), finds good cause to waive the
requirement to provide prior notice and
opportunity for public comment
pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is
impracticable and contrary to the public
interest. This requirement is
impracticable and contrary to the public
interest as it would prevent NMFS from
responding to the most recent fisheries
data in a timely fashion and would
delay the reallocation of Pacific cod
specified from other sectors to catcher
vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters)
LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear,
AFA C/P vessels, A80 C/P vessels, C/Ps
using pot gear, and C/Ps using hookand-line gear in the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands management area.
Since these fisheries are currently open,
it is important to immediately inform
the industry as to the revised
allocations. Immediate notification is
necessary to allow for the orderly
conduct and efficient operation of this
fishery, to allow the industry to plan for
the fishing season, and to avoid
potential disruption to the fishing fleet
as well as processors. NMFS was unable
to publish a notice providing time for
public comment because the most
recent, relevant data only became
available as of November 12, 2013.
The AA also finds good cause to
waive the 30-day delay in the effective
date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
the reasons provided above for waiver of
prior notice and opportunity for public
comment.
This action is required by § 679.20
and is exempt from review under
Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: November 15, 2013.
Kelly Denit,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–27778 Filed 11–15–13; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
E:\FR\FM\20NOR1.SGM
20NOR1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 224 (Wednesday, November 20, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 69592-69593]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-27778]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 121018563-3148-02]
RIN 0648-XC971
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation
of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amounts of Pacific
cod from catcher vessels using jig gear, catcher vessels greater than
60 feet (18.3 meters) length overall (LOA) using pot gear, and catcher
vessels using trawl
[[Page 69593]]
gear to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) LOA using hook-
and-line or pot gear, American Fisheries Act (AFA) catcher/processors
(C/P), Amendment 80 (A80) C/Ps, C/P vessels using pot gear, and C/P
vessels using hook-and-line gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
management area. This action is necessary to allow the 2013 total
allowable catch of Pacific cod to be harvested.
DATES: Effective November 15, 2013, through 2400 hrs, Alaska local time
(A.l.t.), December 31, 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7269.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) according to the Fishery
Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management
Council under authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation
and Management Act. Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in
accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50
CFR part 679.
The 2013 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) specified for
vessels using jig gear in the BSAI is 751 metric tons (mt) as
established by the final 2013 and 2014 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (78 FR 13813, March 1, 2013) and reallocations
(78 FR 53076, August 28, 2013). The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS,
(Regional Administrator) has determined that jig vessels will not be
able to harvest 700 mt of the remaining 2013 Pacific cod TAC allocated
to those vessels under Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(1).
The 2013 Pacific cod TAC specified for catcher vessels greater than
or equal to 60 feet LOA using pot gear in the BSAI is 19,434 mt as
established by the final 2013 and 2014 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (78 FR 13813, March 1, 2013). The Regional
Administrator has determined that catcher vessels greater than or equal
to 60 feet LOA using pot gear will not be able to harvest 6,000 mt of
the remaining 2013 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under
Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(5).
The 2013 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) specified for
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the BSAI is 46,812 metric tons (mt)
as established by the final 2013 and 2014 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (78 FR 13813, March 1, 2013) and sector
reallocations (78 FR 552868, August 27, 2013, and 78 FR 58955,
September 25, 2013). The Regional Administrator has determined that
catcher vessels using trawl gear will not be able to harvest 3,000 mt
of the remaining 2013 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under
Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(9).
Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A) and Sec.
679.20(a)(7)(iii)(B), NMFS reallocates 9,700 mt of Pacific cod to
catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) LOA using hook-and-line
or pot gear, AFA C/P vessels, A80 C/P vessels, C/P vessels using pot
gear, and C/P vessels using hook-and-line gear in the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands management area.
The harvest specifications for Pacific cod included in the final
2013 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (78 FR 13813,
March 1, 2013) are revised as follows: 51 mt for catcher vessels using
jig gear, 13,434 mt for catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60
feet LOA using pot gear, and 43,812 mt for catcher vessels using trawl
gear, 9,177 mt for catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using
hook-and-line or pot gear, 6,740 mt for AFA C/P vessels, 37,212 mt to
A80 C/P vessels, 6,070 for C/Ps using pot gear, and 115,171 to C/Ps
using hook-and-line gear.
Classification
This action responds to the best available information recently
obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,
NOAA (AA), finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior
notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set
forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is impracticable and
contrary to the public interest. This requirement is impracticable and
contrary to the public interest as it would prevent NMFS from
responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and
would delay the reallocation of Pacific cod specified from other
sectors to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) LOA using
hook-and-line or pot gear, AFA C/P vessels, A80 C/P vessels, C/Ps using
pot gear, and C/Ps using hook-and-line gear in the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands management area. Since these fisheries are currently
open, it is important to immediately inform the industry as to the
revised allocations. Immediate notification is necessary to allow for
the orderly conduct and efficient operation of this fishery, to allow
the industry to plan for the fishing season, and to avoid potential
disruption to the fishing fleet as well as processors. NMFS was unable
to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most
recent, relevant data only became available as of November 12, 2013.
The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the
effective date of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This finding is
based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and
opportunity for public comment.
This action is required by Sec. 679.20 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: November 15, 2013.
Kelly Denit,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-27778 Filed 11-15-13; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
