Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands, 4280-4281 [2014-01457]
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 17 / Monday, January 27, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
inseason adjustment (79 FR 601, January
6, 2014).
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i),
the Administrator, Alaska Region,
NMFS (Regional Administrator) has
determined that the A season allowance
of the 2014 Pacific cod TAC
apportioned to vessels using pot gear in
the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA
will soon be reached. Therefore, the
Regional Administrator is establishing a
directed fishing allowance of 4,415 mt
and is setting aside the remaining 10 mt
as bycatch to support other anticipated
groundfish fisheries. In accordance with
§ 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional
Administrator finds that this directed
fishing allowance has been reached.
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting
directed fishing for Pacific cod by
vessels using pot gear in the Western
Regulatory Area of the GOA. After the
effective date of this closure the
maximum retainable amounts at
§ 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time
during a trip.
pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES
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 directed fishing closure of
Pacific cod for vessels using pot gear in
the Western Regulatory Area of the
GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a
notice providing time for public
comment because the most recent,
relevant data only became available as
of January 21, 2014.
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.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:20 Jan 24, 2014
Jkt 232001
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: January 22, 2014.
Sean F. Corson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–01459 Filed 1–22–14; 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–XD093
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of
Pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule.
AGENCY:
NMFS is reallocating the
projected unused amounts of the Aleut
Corporation’s and the Community
Development Quota pollock directed
fishing allowances from the Aleutian
Islands subarea to the Bering Sea
subarea directed fisheries. These actions
are necessary to provide opportunity for
harvest of the 2014 total allowable catch
of pollock, consistent with the goals and
objectives of the Fishery Management
Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea
and Aleutian Islands Management Area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local
time (A.l.t.), January 27, 2014, until the
effective date of the final 2014 and 2015
harvest specifications for Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands (BSAI) groundfish,
unless otherwise modified or
superseded through publication of a
notification in the Federal Register.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steve Whitney, 907–586–7269.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
BSAI exclusive economic zone
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 (Council)
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
under authority of the MagnusonStevens 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.
In the Aleutian Islands subarea, the
portion of the 2014 pollock total
allowable catch (TAC) allocated to the
Aleut Corporation’s directed fishing
allowance (DFA) is 15,100 metric tons
(mt) and the Community Development
Quota (CDQ) DFA is 1,900 mt as
established by the final 2013 and 2014
harvest specifications for groundfish in
the BSAI (78 FR 13813, March 1, 2013),
and as adjusted by an inseason
adjustment (79 FR 758, January 7, 2014).
As of January 15, 2014, the
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS,
(Regional Administrator) has
determined that 7,750 mt of Aleut
Corporation’s DFA and 1,900 mt of
pollock CDQ DFA in the Aleutian
Islands subarea will not be harvested.
Therefore, in accordance with
§ 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(4), NMFS
reallocates 7,750 mt of Aleut
Corporation’s DFA and 1,900 mt of
pollock CDQ DFA from the Aleutian
Islands subarea to the 2014 Bering Sea
subarea allocations. The 1,900 mt of
pollock CDQ DFA is added to the 2014
Bering Sea CDQ DFA. The remaining
7,750 mt of pollock is apportioned to
the AFA Inshore sector (50 percent),
AFA catcher/processor sector (40
percent), and the AFA mothership
sector (10 percent). The 2014 Bering Sea
subarea pollock incidental catch
allowance remains at 38,770 mt. As a
result, the 2014 harvest specifications
for pollock in the Aleutian Islands
subarea included in the final 2013 and
2014 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (78 FR 13813,
March 1, 2013) are revised as follows:
7,350 mt to Aleut Corporation’s DFA
and 0 mt to CDQ DFA. Furthermore,
pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5), Table 3 of the
final 2013 and 2014 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the
BSAI (78 FR 13813, March 1, 2013), as
adjusted by the inseason adjustment (79
FR 758, January 7, 2014), is revised to
make 2014 pollock allocations
consistent with this reallocation. This
reallocation results in adjustments to
the 2014 Aleut Corporation and CDQ
pollock allocations established at
§ 679.20(a)(5).
E:\FR\FM\27JAR1.SGM
27JAR1
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 17 / Monday, January 27, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
4281
TABLE 3—FINAL 2013 AND 2014 ALLOCATIONS OF POLLOCK TACS TO THE DIRECTED POLLOCK FISHERIES AND TO THE
CDQ DIRECTED FISHING ALLOWANCES (DFA) 1
[Amounts are in metric tons]
2013 A season 1
Area and sector
2013
Allocations
A season
DFA
2014 A season 1
2013 B
season 1
SCA
harvest
limit 2
B season
DFA
2014
Allocations
A season
DFA
2014 B
season 1
SCA
harvest
limit 2
B season
DFA
Bering Sea subarea .........
CDQ DFA .........................
ICA 1 .................................
AFA Inshore .....................
AFA Catcher/Processors 3
Catch by C/Ps ..................
Catch by CVs 3 .................
Unlisted C/P Limit 4 ..........
AFA Motherships .............
Excessive Harvesting
Limit 5 ............................
Excessive Processing
Limit 6 ............................
1,261,900
126,600
33,699
550,801
440,640
403,186
37,454
2,203
110,160
n/a
50,640
n/a
220,320
176,256
161,274
14,982
881
44,064
n/a
35,448
n/a
154,224
123,379
n/a
n/a
n/a
30,845
n/a
75,960
n/a
330,480
264,384
241,912
22,473
1,322
66,096
1,276,650
128,600
38,770
554,640
443,712
405,996
37,716
2,219
110,928
n/a
51,440
n/a
221,856
177,485
162,399
15,086
887
44,371
n/a
36,008
n/a
155,299
124,239
n/a
n/a
n/a
31,060
n/a
77,160
n/a
332,784
266,227
243,598
22,629
1,331
66,557
192,780
n/a
n/a
n/a
194,124
n/a
n/a
n/a
330,480
n/a
n/a
n/a
332,784
n/a
n/a
n/a
Total Bering Sea DFA ......
Aleutian Islands subarea 1
CDQ DFA .........................
ICA ...................................
Aleut Corporation .............
Bogoslof District ICA 7 ......
1,101,601
4,100
0
1,600
2,500
100
440,640
n/a
0
800
3,500
n/a
308,448
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
660,961
n/a
0
800
0
n/a
1,109,280
9,350
0
2,000
7,350
75
443,712
n/a
0
1,000
7,350
n/a
310,598
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
665,568
n/a
0
1,000
0
n/a
1 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), the BS subarea pollock, after subtracting the CDQ DFA (10 percent) and the ICA (3.0 percent in 2013 and
3.4 percent in 2014), is allocated as a DFA as follows: inshore sector—50 percent, catcher/processor sector (C/P)—40 percent, and mothership
sector—10 percent. In the BS subarea, 40 percent of the DFA is allocated to the A season (January 20-June 10) and 60 percent of the DFA is
allocated to the B season (June 10-November 1). Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2)(i) and (ii), the annual AI pollock TAC, after subtracting first
for the CDQ directed fishing allowance (10 percent) and second the ICA (2,000 mt), is allocated to the Aleut Corporation for a directed pollock
fishery. In the AI subarea, the A season is allocated 40 percent of the ABC and the B season is allocated the remainder of the directed pollock
fishery.
2 In the BS subarea, no more than 28 percent of each sector’s annual DFA may be taken from the SCA before April 1. The remaining 12 percent of the annual DFA allocated to the A season may be taken outside of SCA before April 1 or inside the SCA after April 1. If less than 28 percent of the annual DFA is taken inside the SCA before April 1, the remainder will be available to be taken inside the SCA after April 1.
3 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4), not less than 8.5 percent of the DFA allocated to listed catcher/processors shall be available for harvest
only by eligible catcher vessels delivering to listed catcher/processors.
4 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4)(iii), the AFA unlisted catcher/processors are limited to harvesting not more than 0.5 percent of the catcher/
processors sector’s allocation of pollock.
5 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(6), NMFS establishes an excessive harvesting share limit equal to 17.5 percent of the sum of the non-CDQ
pollock DFAs.
6 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(7), NMFS establishes an excessive processing share limit equal to 30.0 percent of the sum of the non-CDQ
pollock DFAs.
7 The Bogoslof District is closed by the final harvest specifications to directed fishing for pollock. The amounts specified are for ICA only and
are not apportioned by season or sector.
NOTE: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES
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 AI pollock.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:20 Jan 24, 2014
Jkt 232001
Since the pollock fishery opens January
20, 2014, it is important to immediately
inform the industry as to the final
Bering Sea subarea pollock allocations.
Immediate notification is necessary to
allow for the orderly conduct and
efficient operation of this fishery; allow
the industry to plan for the fishing
season and avoid potential disruption to
the fishing fleet as well as processors;
and provide opportunity to harvest
increased seasonal pollock allocations
while value is optimum. NMFS was
unable to publish a notice providing
time for public comment because the
most recent, relevant data only became
available as of January 15, 2014.
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
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: January 22, 2014.
Sean F. Corson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–01457 Filed 1–24–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
E:\FR\FM\27JAR1.SGM
27JAR1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 17 (Monday, January 27, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4280-4281]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-01457]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 121018563-3148-02]
RIN 0648-XD093
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation
of Pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amounts of the Aleut
Corporation's and the Community Development Quota pollock directed
fishing allowances from the Aleutian Islands subarea to the Bering Sea
subarea directed fisheries. These actions are necessary to provide
opportunity for harvest of the 2014 total allowable catch of pollock,
consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan
for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 27,
2014, until the effective date of the final 2014 and 2015 harvest
specifications for Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) groundfish,
unless otherwise modified or superseded through publication of a
notification in the Federal Register.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7269.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
BSAI exclusive economic zone 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
(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.
In the Aleutian Islands subarea, the portion of the 2014 pollock
total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to the Aleut Corporation's
directed fishing allowance (DFA) is 15,100 metric tons (mt) and the
Community Development Quota (CDQ) DFA is 1,900 mt as established by the
final 2013 and 2014 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI
(78 FR 13813, March 1, 2013), and as adjusted by an inseason adjustment
(79 FR 758, January 7, 2014).
As of January 15, 2014, the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS,
(Regional Administrator) has determined that 7,750 mt of Aleut
Corporation's DFA and 1,900 mt of pollock CDQ DFA in the Aleutian
Islands subarea will not be harvested. Therefore, in accordance with
Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(4), NMFS reallocates 7,750 mt of Aleut
Corporation's DFA and 1,900 mt of pollock CDQ DFA from the Aleutian
Islands subarea to the 2014 Bering Sea subarea allocations. The 1,900
mt of pollock CDQ DFA is added to the 2014 Bering Sea CDQ DFA. The
remaining 7,750 mt of pollock is apportioned to the AFA Inshore sector
(50 percent), AFA catcher/processor sector (40 percent), and the AFA
mothership sector (10 percent). The 2014 Bering Sea subarea pollock
incidental catch allowance remains at 38,770 mt. As a result, the 2014
harvest specifications for pollock in the Aleutian Islands subarea
included in the final 2013 and 2014 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (78 FR 13813, March 1, 2013) are revised as
follows: 7,350 mt to Aleut Corporation's DFA and 0 mt to CDQ DFA.
Furthermore, pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5), Table 3 of the final 2013
and 2014 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (78 FR
13813, March 1, 2013), as adjusted by the inseason adjustment (79 FR
758, January 7, 2014), is revised to make 2014 pollock allocations
consistent with this reallocation. This reallocation results in
adjustments to the 2014 Aleut Corporation and CDQ pollock allocations
established at Sec. 679.20(a)(5).
[[Page 4281]]
Table 3--Final 2013 and 2014 Allocations of Pollock Tacs to the Directed Pollock Fisheries and to the CDQ Directed Fishing Allowances (DFA) \1\
[Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2013 A season \1\ 2013 B 2014 A season \1\ 2014 B
-------------------------- season \1\ -------------------------- season \1\
Area and sector 2013 SCA ------------- 2014 SCA ------------
Allocations A season harvest B season Allocations A season harvest B season
DFA limit \2\ DFA DFA limit \2\ DFA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bering Sea subarea.............................. 1,261,900 n/a n/a n/a 1,276,650 n/a n/a n/a
CDQ DFA......................................... 126,600 50,640 35,448 75,960 128,600 51,440 36,008 77,160
ICA \1\......................................... 33,699 n/a n/a n/a 38,770 n/a n/a n/a
AFA Inshore..................................... 550,801 220,320 154,224 330,480 554,640 221,856 155,299 332,784
AFA Catcher/Processors \3\...................... 440,640 176,256 123,379 264,384 443,712 177,485 124,239 266,227
Catch by C/Ps................................... 403,186 161,274 n/a 241,912 405,996 162,399 n/a 243,598
Catch by CVs \3\................................ 37,454 14,982 n/a 22,473 37,716 15,086 n/a 22,629
Unlisted C/P Limit \4\.......................... 2,203 881 n/a 1,322 2,219 887 n/a 1,331
AFA Motherships................................. 110,160 44,064 30,845 66,096 110,928 44,371 31,060 66,557
Excessive Harvesting Limit \5\.................. 192,780 n/a n/a n/a 194,124 n/a n/a n/a
Excessive Processing Limit \6\.................. 330,480 n/a n/a n/a 332,784 n/a n/a n/a
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Bering Sea DFA............................ 1,101,601 440,640 308,448 660,961 1,109,280 443,712 310,598 665,568
Aleutian Islands subarea \1\.................... 4,100 n/a n/a n/a 9,350 n/a n/a n/a
CDQ DFA......................................... 0 0 n/a 0 0 0 n/a 0
ICA............................................. 1,600 800 n/a 800 2,000 1,000 n/a 1,000
Aleut Corporation............................... 2,500 3,500 n/a 0 7,350 7,350 n/a 0
Bogoslof District ICA \7\....................... 100 n/a n/a n/a 75 n/a n/a n/a
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), the BS subarea pollock, after subtracting the CDQ DFA (10 percent) and the ICA (3.0 percent in 2013 and 3.4
percent in 2014), is allocated as a DFA as follows: inshore sector--50 percent, catcher/processor sector (C/P)--40 percent, and mothership sector--10
percent. In the BS subarea, 40 percent of the DFA is allocated to the A season (January 20-June 10) and 60 percent of the DFA is allocated to the B
season (June 10-November 1). Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2)(i) and (ii), the annual AI pollock TAC, after subtracting first for the CDQ
directed fishing allowance (10 percent) and second the ICA (2,000 mt), is allocated to the Aleut Corporation for a directed pollock fishery. In the AI
subarea, the A season is allocated 40 percent of the ABC and the B season is allocated the remainder of the directed pollock fishery.
\2\ In the BS subarea, no more than 28 percent of each sector's annual DFA may be taken from the SCA before April 1. The remaining 12 percent of the
annual DFA allocated to the A season may be taken outside of SCA before April 1 or inside the SCA after April 1. If less than 28 percent of the annual
DFA is taken inside the SCA before April 1, the remainder will be available to be taken inside the SCA after April 1.
\3\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4), not less than 8.5 percent of the DFA allocated to listed catcher/processors shall be available for harvest
only by eligible catcher vessels delivering to listed catcher/processors.
\4\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4)(iii), the AFA unlisted catcher/processors are limited to harvesting not more than 0.5 percent of the
catcher/processors sector's allocation of pollock.
\5\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(6), NMFS establishes an excessive harvesting share limit equal to 17.5 percent of the sum of the non-CDQ
pollock DFAs.
\6\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(7), NMFS establishes an excessive processing share limit equal to 30.0 percent of the sum of the non-CDQ
pollock DFAs.
\7\ The Bogoslof District is closed by the final harvest specifications to directed fishing for pollock. The amounts specified are for ICA only and are
not apportioned by season or sector.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
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 AI pollock. Since the pollock fishery
opens January 20, 2014, it is important to immediately inform the
industry as to the final Bering Sea subarea pollock allocations.
Immediate notification is necessary to allow for the orderly conduct
and efficient operation of this fishery; allow the industry to plan for
the fishing season and avoid potential disruption to the fishing fleet
as well as processors; and provide opportunity to harvest increased
seasonal pollock allocations while value is optimum. NMFS was unable to
publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most
recent, relevant data only became available as of January 15, 2014.
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: January 22, 2014.
Sean F. Corson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-01457 Filed 1-24-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
