Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment to the 2014 Gulf of Alaska Pollock and Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts, 601-603 [2013-31558]
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 3 / Monday, January 6, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
28. Section 90.549 is revised to read
as follows:
■
§ 90.549
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Transmitter certification.
Transmitters operated in the 758–775
MHz and 788–805 MHz frequency
bands must be of a type that have been
authorized by the Commission under its
certification procedure as required by
§ 90.203.
29. Section 90.555 is amended by
revising paragraph (a) introductory text,
paragraph (b)(1), paragraph (b)(2), and
paragraph (c) to read as follows:
■
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§ 90.555
(a) Prior notification. Public safety
licensees authorized to operate in the
758–775 MHz and 788–805 MHz bands
may notify any licensee authorized to
operate in the 746–757 MHz or 776–787
MHz bands that they wish to receive
prior notification of the activation or
modification of the licensee’s base or
fixed stations in their area. Thereafter,
the 746–757 MHz or 776–787 MHz band
licensee must provide the following
information to the public safety licensee
at least 10 business days before a new
base or fixed station is activated or an
existing base or fixed station is
modified:
*
*
*
*
*
(b) * * *
(1) Allow a public safety licensee to
advise the 746–757 or 776–787 MHz
band licensee whether it believes a
proposed base or fixed station will
generate unacceptable interference;
(2) Permit 746–757 and 776–787 MHz
band licensees to make voluntary
changes in base or fixed station
parameters when a public safety
licensee alerts them to possible
interference; and,
*
*
*
*
*
(c) Public Safety Information
Exchange. (1) Upon request by a 746–
757 or 776–787 MHz band licensee,
public safety licensees authorized to
operate radio systems in the 758–775
and 788–805 MHz bands shall provide
the operating parameters of their radio
system to the 746–757 or 776–787 MHz
band licensee.
(2) Public safety licensees who
perform the information exchange
described in this section must notify the
appropriate 746–757 or 776–787 MHz
band licensees prior to any technical
changes to their radio system.
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Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment
to the 2014 Gulf of Alaska Pollock and
Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch
Amounts
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason
adjustment; request for comments.
AGENCY:
Information exchange.
[FR Doc. 2013–28974 Filed 1–3–14; 8:45 am]
50 CFR Part 679
SUMMARY: NMFS is adjusting the 2014
total allowable catch (TAC) amounts for
the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) pollock and
Pacific cod fisheries. This action is
necessary because NMFS has
determined these TACs are incorrectly
specified, and will ensure the GOA
pollock and Pacific cod TACs are the
appropriate amounts based on the best
available scientific information for
pollock and Pacific cod in the GOA.
This action is consistent with the goals
and objectives of the Fishery
Management Plan for Groundfish of the
Gulf of Alaska.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local
time (A.l.t.), January 1, 2014, until the
effective date of the final 2014 and 2015
harvest specifications for GOA
groundfish, unless otherwise modified
or superseded through publication of a
notification in the Federal Register.
Comments must be received at the
following address no later than 4:30
p.m., A.l.t., January 21, 2014.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
on this document, identified by FDMS
Docket Number NOAA-NMFS-20120252 by any of the following methods:
• Electronic Submission: Submit all
electronic public comments via the
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
www.regulations.gov/
#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-20120252, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon,
complete the required fields, and enter
or attach your comments.
• Mail: Address written comments to
Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries
Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn:
Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O.
Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668.
Instructions: Comments sent by any
other method, to any other address or
individual, or received after the end of
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601
the comment period, may not be
considered by NMFS. All comments
received are a part of the public record
and will generally be posted for public
viewing on www.regulations.gov
without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address, etc.),
confidential business information, or
otherwise sensitive information
submitted voluntarily by the sender will
be publicly accessible. NMFS will
accept anonymous comments (enter
‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish
to remain anonymous). Attachments to
electronic comments will be accepted in
Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF
file formats only.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Obren Davis, 907–586–7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
GOA exclusive economic zone
according to the Fishery Management
Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of
Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North
Pacific Fishery Management Council
(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 final 2013 and 2014 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA
(78 FR 13162, February 26, 2013) set the
2014 pollock TAC at 111,530 metric
tons (mt) and the 2014 Pacific cod TAC
at 63,150 mt in the GOA. In December
2013, the North Pacific Fishery
Management Council (Council)
recommended a 2014 pollock TAC of
174,976 mt for the GOA, which is more
than the 111,530 mt established by the
final 2013 and 2014 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the
GOA. The Council also recommended a
2014 Pacific cod TAC of 64,738 mt for
the GOA, which is more than the 63,150
mt established by the final 2013 and
2014 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the GOA. The Council’s
recommended 2014 TACs, and the area
and seasonal apportionments, are based
on the Stock Assessment and Fishery
Evaluation report (SAFE), dated
November 2013, which NMFS has
determined is the best available
scientific information for these fisheries.
Steller sea lions occur in the same
location as the pollock and Pacific cod
fisheries and are listed as endangered
under the Endangered Species Act
(ESA). Pollock and Pacific cod are a
principal prey species for Steller sea
lions in the GOA. The seasonal
apportionment of pollock and Pacific
cod harvest is necessary to ensure the
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 3 / Monday, January 6, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
groundfish fisheries are not likely to
cause jeopardy of extinction or adverse
modification of critical habitat for
Steller sea lions. The regulations at
§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv) specify how the
pollock TAC will be apportioned. The
regulations at § 679.20(a)(6)(ii) and
§ 679.20(a)(12)(i) specify how the Pacific
cod TAC will be apportioned.
In accordance with § 679.25(a)(1)(iii),
(a)(2)(i)(B), and (a)(2)(iv) the
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS
(Regional Administrator), has
determined that, based on the November
2013 SAFE report for this fishery, the
current GOA pollock and Pacific cod
TACs are incorrectly specified.
Consequently, pursuant to
§ 679.25(a)(1)(iii), the Regional
Administrator is adjusting the 2014
GOA pollock TAC to 174,976 mt and the
2014 GOA Pacific cod TAC to 64,738
mt. Therefore, Table 2 of the final 2013
and 2014 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the GOA (78 FR 13162,
February 26, 2013) is revised consistent
with this adjustment.
Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iv), Table 4
of the final 2013 and 2014 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA
(78 FR 13162, February 26, 2013) is
revised for the 2014 TACs of pollock in
the Central and Western Regulatory
Area of the GOA.
TABLE 4—FINAL 2014 DISTRIBUTION OF POLLOCK IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN REGULATORY AREAS OF THE GOA;
SEASONAL BIOMASS DISTRIBUTION, AREA APPORTIONMENTS; AND SEASONAL ALLOWANCES OF ANNUAL TAC
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages are rounded to the nearest 0.01]
Season 1
Shumagin
(Area 610)
Chirikof
(Area 620)
Total 2
Kodiak
(Area 630)
A (Jan 20–Mar 10) .......
B (Mar 10–May 31) ......
C (Aug 25–Oct 1) .........
D (Oct 1–Nov 1) ...........
4,800
4,799
13,235
13,235
(12.18%)
(12.18%)
(33.59%)
(33.59%)
25,924
30,963
12,448
12,448
(65.79%)
(78.58%)
(31.59%)
(31.59%)
8,680
3,636
13,720
13,720
(22.03%)
(9.23%)
(34.82%)
(34.82%)
39,402
39,402
39,402
39,402
Annual Total ..........
36,070
........................
81,784
........................
39,756
........................
157,610
1 As established by § 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season allowances are available from January 20 to March 10, March 10
to May 31, August 25 to October 1, and October 1 to November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and offshore components are not shown in this table.
2 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.
Note: Seasonal allowances may not total precisely to annual TAC total due to rounding down, rather than up).
Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(6)(ii) and
§ 679.20(a)(12)(i), Table 6 of the final
2013 and 2014 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the GOA (78 FR 13162,
February 26, 2013) is revised for the
2014 seasonal apportionments and
allocation of Pacific cod TAC in the
GOA consistent with this adjustment.
TABLE 6—FINAL 2014 SEASONAL APPORTIONMENTS AND ALLOCATION OF PACIFIC COD TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH
AMOUNTS IN THE GOA; ALLOCATIONS FOR THE WESTERN GOA AND CENTRAL GOA SECTORS AND THE EASTERN
GOA INSHORE AND OFFSHORE PROCESSING COMPONENTS
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages to the nearest 0.01. Seasonal allowances may not total precisely to annual
allocation amount]
A season
B season
Annual allocation (mt)
Sector % of
annual non-jig
TAC
Western GOA:
Jig (1.5% of TAC) .........................................................
Hook-and-line CV .........................................................
Hook-and-line C/P ........................................................
Trawl CV .......................................................................
Trawl C/P ......................................................................
All Pot CV and Pot C/P ................................................
Total .......................................................................
573
313
4,425
8,582
536
8,492
22,922
N/A
0.70
10.90
27.70
0.90
19.80
60.00
344
156
2,436
6,191
201
4,425
13,753
N/A
0.70
8.90
10.70
1.50
18.20
40.00
229
156
1,989
2,391
335
4,067
9,169
Central GOA
Jig (1.0% of TAC) .........................................................
Hook-and-line < 50 CV .................................................
Hook-and-line ≥ 50 CV .................................................
Hook-and-line C/P ........................................................
Trawl CV .......................................................................
Trawl C/P ......................................................................
All Pot CV and Pot C/P ................................................
Total .......................................................................
797
5,699
2,617
1,992
16,230
1,638
10,852
39,825
N/A
9.32
5.61
4.11
21.14
2.00
17.83
60.00
478
3,636
2,189
1,603
8,249
782
6,959
23,895
N/A
5.29
1.10
1.00
20.45
2.19
9.97
40.00
319
2,063
428
389
7,981
856
3,893
15,930
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Regulatory area and sector
Eastern GOA
........................
1,991
Seasonal allowances
(mt)
Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
........................
1,792
Note: Seasonal apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
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Sector % of
annual non-jig
TAC
Seasonal allowances
(mt)
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
........................
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 3 / Monday, January 6, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
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
allow for harvests that exceed the
appropriate allocations for Pacific cod
based on the best scientific information
available. NMFS was unable to publish
a notice providing time for public
comment because the most recent,
relevant data only became available as
of December 30, 2013, and additional
time for prior public comment would
result in conservation concerns for the
ESA-listed Steller sea lions.
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.
Under § 679.25(c)(2), interested
persons are invited to submit written
comments on this action to the above
address until January 21, 2014.
This action is required by § 679.20
and § 679.25 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
ACTION:
Final rule.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
SUMMARY: NMFS publishes regulations
to implement Amendment 99 to the
Fishery Management Plan for
Groundfish of the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands Management Area
(BSAI FMP). Amendment 99 enables the
holders of license limitation program
(LLP) licenses authorizing a designated
vessel to catch and process Pacific cod
in the BSAI hook-and-line fisheries to
use newly built or existing vessels that
are not eligible under current vessel
length and capacity restrictions. This
action is necessary to promote safety-atsea by encouraging the replacement of
older vessels with newer and more
efficient vessels that are able to meet
modern vessel safety standards. This
action is intended to facilitate the
increased retention and utilization of
groundfish by allowing sector
participants to use larger vessels with
increased processing and hold
capabilities. This action is intended to
promote the goals and objectives of the
BSAI FMP, the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management
Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), and other
applicable laws.
DATES: Effective February 6, 2014.
ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the
Regulatory Impact Review (RIR) and the
Categorical Exclusion prepared for this
action may be obtained from https://
www.regulations.gov or from the NMFS
Alaska Region Web site at https://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov.
Written comments regarding the
burden-hour estimates or other aspects
of the collection of information
requirements contained in this final rule
may be submitted by mail to NMFS,
Alaska Region, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau,
AK 99802–1668, Attn: Ellen Sebastian,
Records Officer; in person at NMFS,
Alaska Region, 709 West 9th Street,
Room 420A, Juneau, AK; or by email to
OIRA_submission@omb.eop.gov or fax
to (202) 395–7285.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Seanbob Kelly, 907–586–7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
50 CFR Part 679
Regulatory Authority
[Docket No. 121029593–3999–02]
NMFS establishes regulations to
implement Amendment 99 to the BSAI
FMP. NMFS manages the U.S.
groundfish fisheries of the Exclusive
Economic Zone (EEZ) off Alaska under
the Fishery Management Plan for
Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA
FMP) and the BSAI FMP. The North
Pacific Fishery Management Council
(Council) prepared the GOA FMP and
BSAI FMP pursuant to the MagnusonStevens Act and other applicable laws.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: December 31, 2013.
Sean F. Corson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–31558 Filed 12–31–13; 4:15 pm]
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Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands Management Area;
Amendment 99
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
AGENCY:
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Regulations implementing the GOA
FMP and BSAI FMP appear at 50 CFR
part 679. General regulations that
pertain to U.S. fisheries appear at
subpart H of 50 CFR part 600.
Background
NMFS published the Notice of
Availability for Amendment 99 in the
Federal Register on September 30, 2013
(78 FR 59908), with a 60-day comment
period that ended November 29, 2013.
NMFS published a proposed rule for
Amendment 99 in the Federal Register
on October 25, 2013 (78 FR 63951). The
30-day comment period on the proposed
rule ended November 25, 2013. NMFS
received a total of three comment letters
from the same person during the
comment periods on Amendment 99
and the proposed rule. The letters
contained one substantive comment. A
summary of this comment and NMFS’
response is provided in the Comments
and Responses section of this preamble.
A detailed review of the provisions of
Amendment 99, the proposed
regulations, and the rationale for these
regulations is provided in the preamble
to the proposed rule (78 FR 63951,
October 25, 2013) and is not repeated
here. The proposed rule is available
from the NMFS Alaska Region Web site
(see ADDRESSES). The preamble to this
final rule provides a brief review of the
regulatory changes made by this final
rule.
Amendment 99 amends the BSAI
FMP and this final rule revises Federal
regulations to: (1) Increase the
maximum length overall (MLOA) to 220
feet (67 m) on an LLP license that
authorizes a vessel to catch and process
Pacific cod with hook-and-line gear in
the BSAI; (2) allow a holder of an LLP
license authorized to catch and process
Pacific cod with both hook-and-line and
pot gear in the BSAI to increase the
MLOA on the LLP license to 220 feet (67
m) only if the pot gear endorsement is
surrendered within a specific time
frame; and (3) allow a vessel that
catches and processes Pacific cod with
hook-and-line gear in the BSAI to
exceed length, tonnage, and power
limits established under the American
Fisheries Act (AFA). The following
sections provide background on the
need for, the objectives of, and the
provisions of Amendment 99 and this
final rule.
Under the LLP, which was
implemented by NMFS on January 1,
2000 (63 FR 52642, October 1, 1998), an
LLP license is required for most vessels
directed fishing for groundfish in the
BSAI and GOA. Directed fishing is
defined in regulations at § 679.2. For a
vessel designated on an LLP license, the
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[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 3 (Monday, January 6, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 601-603]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-31558]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 120918468-3111-02]
RIN 0648-XD058
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason
Adjustment to the 2014 Gulf of Alaska Pollock and Pacific Cod Total
Allowable Catch Amounts
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason adjustment; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is adjusting the 2014 total allowable catch (TAC) amounts
for the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) pollock and Pacific cod fisheries. This
action is necessary because NMFS has determined these TACs are
incorrectly specified, and will ensure the GOA pollock and Pacific cod
TACs are the appropriate amounts based on the best available scientific
information for pollock and Pacific cod in the GOA. This action is
consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan
for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 1, 2014,
until the effective date of the final 2014 and 2015 harvest
specifications for GOA groundfish, unless otherwise modified or
superseded through publication of a notification in the Federal
Register.
Comments must be received at the following address no later than
4:30 p.m., A.l.t., January 21, 2014.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by FDMS
Docket Number NOAA-NMFS-2012-0252 by any of the following methods:
Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2012-0252, click the
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or
attach your comments.
Mail: Address written comments to Glenn Merrill, Assistant
Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region
NMFS, Attn: Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau,
AK 99802-1668.
Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period,
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain
anonymous). Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in
Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
GOA exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan
for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North
Pacific Fishery Management Council (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 final 2013 and 2014 harvest specifications for groundfish in
the GOA (78 FR 13162, February 26, 2013) set the 2014 pollock TAC at
111,530 metric tons (mt) and the 2014 Pacific cod TAC at 63,150 mt in
the GOA. In December 2013, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council
(Council) recommended a 2014 pollock TAC of 174,976 mt for the GOA,
which is more than the 111,530 mt established by the final 2013 and
2014 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA. The Council also
recommended a 2014 Pacific cod TAC of 64,738 mt for the GOA, which is
more than the 63,150 mt established by the final 2013 and 2014 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA. The Council's recommended
2014 TACs, and the area and seasonal apportionments, are based on the
Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation report (SAFE), dated November
2013, which NMFS has determined is the best available scientific
information for these fisheries.
Steller sea lions occur in the same location as the pollock and
Pacific cod fisheries and are listed as endangered under the Endangered
Species Act (ESA). Pollock and Pacific cod are a principal prey species
for Steller sea lions in the GOA. The seasonal apportionment of pollock
and Pacific cod harvest is necessary to ensure the
[[Page 602]]
groundfish fisheries are not likely to cause jeopardy of extinction or
adverse modification of critical habitat for Steller sea lions. The
regulations at Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv) specify how the pollock TAC will
be apportioned. The regulations at Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(ii) and Sec.
679.20(a)(12)(i) specify how the Pacific cod TAC will be apportioned.
In accordance with Sec. 679.25(a)(1)(iii), (a)(2)(i)(B), and
(a)(2)(iv) the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional
Administrator), has determined that, based on the November 2013 SAFE
report for this fishery, the current GOA pollock and Pacific cod TACs
are incorrectly specified. Consequently, pursuant to Sec.
679.25(a)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator is adjusting the 2014 GOA
pollock TAC to 174,976 mt and the 2014 GOA Pacific cod TAC to 64,738
mt. Therefore, Table 2 of the final 2013 and 2014 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA (78 FR 13162, February 26,
2013) is revised consistent with this adjustment.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv), Table 4 of the final 2013 and
2014 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA (78 FR 13162,
February 26, 2013) is revised for the 2014 TACs of pollock in the
Central and Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Table 4--Final 2014 Distribution of Pollock in the Central and Western Regulatory Areas of the GOA; Seasonal Biomass Distribution, Area Apportionments;
and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages are rounded to the nearest 0.01]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season \1\ Shumagin
Chirikof
Kodiak Total \2\
(Area 610)
(Area 620)
(Area 630)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A (Jan 20-Mar 10)....................... 4,800 (12.18%) 25,924 (65.79%) 8,680 (22.03%) 39,402
B (Mar 10-May 31)....................... 4,799 (12.18%) 30,963 (78.58%) 3,636 (9.23%) 39,402
C (Aug 25-Oct 1)........................ 13,235 (33.59%) 12,448 (31.59%) 13,720 (34.82%) 39,402
D (Oct 1-Nov 1)......................... 13,235 (33.59%) 12,448 (31.59%) 13,720 (34.82%) 39,402
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Annual Total........................ 36,070 .............. 81,784 .............. 39,756 .............. 157,610
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ As established by Sec. 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season allowances are available from January 20 to March 10, March 10 to
May 31, August 25 to October 1, and October 1 to November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and offshore
components are not shown in this table.
\2\ 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.
Note: Seasonal allowances may not total precisely to annual TAC total due to rounding down, rather than up).
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(ii) and Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i),
Table 6 of the final 2013 and 2014 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the GOA (78 FR 13162, February 26, 2013) is revised for
the 2014 seasonal apportionments and allocation of Pacific cod TAC in
the GOA consistent with this adjustment.
Table 6--Final 2014 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocation of Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts in the
GOA; Allocations for the Western GOA and Central GOA Sectors and the Eastern GOA Inshore and Offshore Processing
Components
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages to the nearest 0.01. Seasonal allowances may not
total precisely to annual allocation amount]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A season B season
Annual ---------------------------------------------------------------
Regulatory area and sector allocation Sector % of Seasonal Sector % of Seasonal
(mt) annual non-jig allowances annual non-jig allowances
TAC (mt) TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA:
Jig (1.5% of TAC)........... 573 N/A 344 N/A 229
Hook-and-line CV............ 313 0.70 156 0.70 156
Hook-and-line C/P........... 4,425 10.90 2,436 8.90 1,989
Trawl CV.................... 8,582 27.70 6,191 10.70 2,391
Trawl C/P................... 536 0.90 201 1.50 335
All Pot CV and Pot C/P...... 8,492 19.80 4,425 18.20 4,067
Total................... 22,922 60.00 13,753 40.00 9,169
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central GOA
Jig (1.0% of TAC)........... 797 N/A 478 N/A 319
Hook-and-line < 50 CV....... 5,699 9.32 3,636 5.29 2,063
Hook-and-line >= 50 CV...... 2,617 5.61 2,189 1.10 428
Hook-and-line C/P........... 1,992 4.11 1,603 1.00 389
Trawl CV.................... 16,230 21.14 8,249 20.45 7,981
Trawl C/P................... 1,638 2.00 782 2.19 856
All Pot CV and Pot C/P...... 10,852 17.83 6,959 9.97 3,893
Total................... 39,825 60.00 23,895 40.00 15,930
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern GOA .............. Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,991 .............. 1,792 .............. 199
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Seasonal apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
[[Page 603]]
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 allow for harvests that exceed the appropriate allocations for
Pacific cod based on the best scientific information available. NMFS
was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment
because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of
December 30, 2013, and additional time for prior public comment would
result in conservation concerns for the ESA-listed Steller sea lions.
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.
Under Sec. 679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to submit
written comments on this action to the above address until January 21,
2014.
This action is required by Sec. 679.20 and Sec. 679.25 and is
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: December 31, 2013.
Sean F. Corson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-31558 Filed 12-31-13; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
