Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Atka Mackerel in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 61264-61265 [2014-24160]
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61264
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 197 / Friday, October 10, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
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 2014 TAC of ‘‘other rockfish’’ in
the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI
is 473 metric tons (mt) as established by
the final 2014 and 2015 harvest
specifications for groundfish of the
BSAI (79 FR 12108, March 4, 2014).
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(2), the
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS
(Regional Administrator), has
determined that the 2014 TAC of ‘‘other
rockfish’’ in the Aleutian Islands
subarea of the BSAI has been reached.
Therefore, NMFS is requiring that
‘‘other rockfish’’ caught in the Aleutian
Islands subarea of the BSAI be treated
as prohibited species in accordance
with § 679.21(b).
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 prohibiting the retention of ‘‘other
rockfish’’ in the Aleutian Islands
subarea of the BSAI. NMFS was unable
to publish a notice providing time for
public comment because the most
recent, relevant data only became
available as of October 3, 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 § 679.21 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: October 6, 2014.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–24159 Filed 10–6–14; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 131021878–4158–02]
RIN 0648–XD542
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Atka
Mackerel 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 amount of the 2014
Atka mackerel incidental catch
allowance (ICA) for the Bering Sea
subarea and Eastern Aleutian district
(BS/EAI) to the Amendment 80
cooperatives in the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands management area
(BSAI). This action is necessary to allow
the 2014 total allowable catch of Atka
mackerel in the BSAI to be fully
harvested.
SUMMARY:
Effective October 9, 2014,
through 2400 hrs, Alaska local time
(A.l.t.), December 31, 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steve Whitney, 907–586–7269.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
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 2014 Atka mackerel ICA for the
BS/EAI is 1,000 metric tons (mt) and
2014 Atka mackerel total allowable
catch allocated to the Amendment 80
cooperative is 16,419 mt as established
by the final 2014 and 2015 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the
BSAI (79 FR 12108, March 4, 2014).
The Administrator, Alaska Region,
NMFS, has determined that 750 mt of
the Atka mackerel ICA for the BS/EAI
will not be harvested. Therefore, in
accordance with § 679.91(f), NMFS
reallocates 750 mt of Atka mackerel
from the BS/EAI ICA to the Amendment
80 cooperatives in the BSAI. In
accordance with § 679.91(f), NMFS will
reissue cooperative quota permits for
the reallocated Atka mackerel following
the procedures set forth in § 679.91(f)(3).
The harvest specifications for Atka
mackerel included in the harvest
specifications for groundfish in the
BSAI (79 FR 12108, March 4, 2014) are
revised as follows: 250 mt of Atka
mackerel for the BS/EAI ICA and 17,169
mt of Atka mackerel for the Amendment
80 cooperatives in the BS/EAI. Table 4
is correctly revised and republished in
its entirety as follows:
DATES:
TABLE 4—FINAL 2014 AND 2015 SEASONAL AND SPATIAL ALLOWANCES, GEAR SHARES, CDQ RESERVE, INCIDENTAL
CATCH ALLOWANCE, AND AMENDMENT 80 ALLOCATIONS OF THE BSAI ATKA MACKEREL TAC
[Amounts are in metric tons]
2014 Allocation by area
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES
Sector 1
Season 2 3 4
TAC ...........................
CDQ reserve .............
ICA ............................
Jig 6 ...........................
VerDate Sep<11>2014
Eastern Aleutian District/
Bering Sea
n/a ....................
Total .................
A .......................
Critical Habitat 5
B .......................
Critical Habitat 5
Total .................
Total .................
18:24 Oct 09, 2014
Jkt 235001
21,652
2,317
1,158
n/a
1,158
n/a
250
92
PO 00000
Frm 00050
Central 5
2015 Allocation by area
Western
Aleutian
District
Aleutian
District
9,670
1,035
517
52
517
52
75
0
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
1,000
107
54
n/a
54
n/a
40
0
Eastern Aleutian District/
Bering Sea
21,769
2,329
1,165
n/a
1,165
n/a
1,000
92
E:\FR\FM\10OCR1.SGM
10OCR1
Central 5
Aleutian
District
9,722
1,040
520
52
520
52
75
0
Western
Aleutian
District
1,000
107
54
n/a
54
n/a
40
0
61265
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 197 / Friday, October 10, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 4—FINAL 2014 AND 2015 SEASONAL AND SPATIAL ALLOWANCES, GEAR SHARES, CDQ RESERVE, INCIDENTAL
CATCH ALLOWANCE, AND AMENDMENT 80 ALLOCATIONS OF THE BSAI ATKA MACKEREL TAC—Continued
[Amounts are in metric tons]
2014 Allocation by area
Sector 1
Season 2 3 4
BSAI trawl limited access.
Amendment 80 sectors.
Alaska Groundfish
Cooperative 7.
Alaska Seafood Cooperative 7.
Eastern Aleutian District/
Bering Sea
Total .................
A .......................
B .......................
Total .................
A .......................
B .......................
Total 7 ...............
A .......................
Critical Habitat 5
B .......................
Critical Habitat 5
Total 7 ...............
A .......................
Critical Habitat 5
B .......................
Critical Habitat 5
1,824
912
912
17,169
8,585
8,585
9,931
4,966
n/a
4,966
n/a
7,238
3,619
n/a
3,619
n/a
Central 5
2015 Allocation by area
Western
Aleutian
District
Aleutian
District
856
428
428
7,704
3,852
3,852
4,592
2,296
230
2,296
230
3,112
1,556
156
1,556
156
0
0
0
853
427
427
499
250
n/a
250
n/a
354
177
n/a
177
n/a
Eastern Aleutian District/
Bering Sea
Central 5
Aleutian
District
1,835
917
917
16,513
8,256
8,256
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Western
Aleutian
District
861
430
430
7,746
3,873
3,873
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
0
0
0
853
427
427
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
1 Section 679.20(a)(8)(ii) allocates the Atka mackerel TACs, after subtracting the CDQ reserves, jig gear allocation, and ICAs to the Amendment 80 and BSAI trawl limited access sectors. The allocation of the ITAC for Atka mackerel to the Amendment 80 and BSAI trawl limited access sectors is established in Table 33 to part 679 and § 679.91. The CDQ reserve is 10.7 percent of the TAC for use by CDQ participants (see
§§ 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(C) and 679.31).
2 Regulations at §§ 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(A) and 679.22(a) establish temporal and spatial limitations for the Atka mackerel fishery.
3 The seasonal allowances of Atka mackerel are 50 percent in the A season and 50 percent in the B season.
4 Section 679.23(e)(3) authorizes directed fishing for Atka mackerel with trawl gear during the A season from January 20 to June 10 and the B
season from June 10 to November 1.
5 Section 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C) requires the TAC in area 542 shall be no more than 47% of ABC, and Atka mackerel harvests for Amendment 80
cooperatives and CDQ groups within waters 10 nm to 20 nm of Gramp Rock and Tag Island, as described Table 12 to part 679, in Area 542 are
limited to no more than 10 percent of the Amendment 80 cooperative Atka mackerel allocation or 10 percent of the CDQ Atka mackerel allocation.
6 Section 679.20(a)(8)(i) requires that up to 2 percent of the Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering Sea subarea TAC be allocated to jig gear
after subtracting the CDQ reserve and ICA. The amount of this allocation is 0.5 percent. The jig gear allocation is not apportioned by season.
7 The 2015 allocations for Atka mackerel between Amendment 80 cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited access sector will not be known
until eligible participants apply for participation in the program by November 1, 2014. NMFS will post 2015 Amendment 80 allocations when they
become available in December 2014.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
This will enhance the socioeconomic
well-being of harvesters dependent
upon Atka mackerel in this area. The
Regional Administrator considered the
following factors in reaching this
decision: (1) The current catch of Atka
mackerel ICA in the BS/EAI, (2) the
harvest capacity and stated intent on
future harvesting patterns of the
Amendment 80 cooperatives that
participate in this BS/EAI fishery.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD 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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:24 Oct 09, 2014
Jkt 235001
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 Atka mackerel
from the BS/EAI ICA to the Amendment
80 cooperatives in the BSAI. Since the
fishery is 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
PO 00000
Frm 00051
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
recent, relevant data only became
available as of October 1, 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 § 679.91
and is exempt from review under
Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: October 6, 2014.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–24160 Filed 10–9–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
E:\FR\FM\10OCR1.SGM
10OCR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 197 (Friday, October 10, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61264-61265]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-24160]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 131021878-4158-02]
RIN 0648-XD542
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation
of Atka Mackerel 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 amount of the 2014
Atka mackerel incidental catch allowance (ICA) for the Bering Sea
subarea and Eastern Aleutian district (BS/EAI) to the Amendment 80
cooperatives in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area
(BSAI). This action is necessary to allow the 2014 total allowable
catch of Atka mackerel in the BSAI to be fully harvested.
DATES: Effective October 9, 2014, through 2400 hrs, Alaska local time
(A.l.t.), December 31, 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7269.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
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 2014 Atka mackerel ICA for the BS/EAI is 1,000 metric tons (mt)
and 2014 Atka mackerel total allowable catch allocated to the Amendment
80 cooperative is 16,419 mt as established by the final 2014 and 2015
harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (79 FR 12108, March
4, 2014).
The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that 750 mt
of the Atka mackerel ICA for the BS/EAI will not be harvested.
Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.91(f), NMFS reallocates 750 mt
of Atka mackerel from the BS/EAI ICA to the Amendment 80 cooperatives
in the BSAI. In accordance with Sec. 679.91(f), NMFS will reissue
cooperative quota permits for the reallocated Atka mackerel following
the procedures set forth in Sec. 679.91(f)(3).
The harvest specifications for Atka mackerel included in the
harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (79 FR 12108, March
4, 2014) are revised as follows: 250 mt of Atka mackerel for the BS/EAI
ICA and 17,169 mt of Atka mackerel for the Amendment 80 cooperatives in
the BS/EAI. Table 4 is correctly revised and republished in its
entirety as follows:
Table 4--Final 2014 and 2015 Seasonal and Spatial Allowances, Gear Shares, CDQ Reserve, Incidental Catch Allowance, and Amendment 80 Allocations of the
BSAI Atka Mackerel TAC
[Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2014 Allocation by area 2015 Allocation by area
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern Eastern
Sector \1\ Season 2 3 4 Aleutian Central \5\ Western Aleutian Central \5\ Western
District/ Aleutian Aleutian District/ Aleutian Aleutian
Bering Sea District District Bering Sea District District
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAC............................ n/a.................... 21,652 9,670 1,000 21,769 9,722 1,000
CDQ reserve.................... Total.................. 2,317 1,035 107 2,329 1,040 107
A...................... 1,158 517 54 1,165 520 54
Critical Habitat \5\... n/a 52 n/a n/a 52 n/a
B...................... 1,158 517 54 1,165 520 54
Critical Habitat \5\... n/a 52 n/a n/a 52 n/a
ICA............................ Total.................. 250 75 40 1,000 75 40
Jig \6\........................ Total.................. 92 0 0 92 0 0
[[Page 61265]]
BSAI trawl limited access...... Total.................. 1,824 856 0 1,835 861 0
A...................... 912 428 0 917 430 0
B...................... 912 428 0 917 430 0
Amendment 80 sectors........... Total.................. 17,169 7,704 853 16,513 7,746 853
A...................... 8,585 3,852 427 8,256 3,873 427
B...................... 8,585 3,852 427 8,256 3,873 427
Alaska Groundfish Cooperative Total \7\.............. 9,931 4,592 499 n/a n/a n/a
\7\. A...................... 4,966 2,296 250 n/a n/a n/a
Critical Habitat \5\... n/a 230 n/a n/a n/a n/a
B...................... 4,966 2,296 250 n/a n/a n/a
Critical Habitat \5\... n/a 230 n/a n/a n/a n/a
Alaska Seafood Cooperative \7\. Total \7\.............. 7,238 3,112 354 n/a n/a n/a
A...................... 3,619 1,556 177 n/a n/a n/a
Critical Habitat \5\... n/a 156 n/a n/a n/a n/a
B...................... 3,619 1,556 177 n/a n/a n/a
Critical Habitat \5\... n/a 156 n/a n/a n/a n/a
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Section 679.20(a)(8)(ii) allocates the Atka mackerel TACs, after subtracting the CDQ reserves, jig gear allocation, and ICAs to the Amendment 80 and
BSAI trawl limited access sectors. The allocation of the ITAC for Atka mackerel to the Amendment 80 and BSAI trawl limited access sectors is
established in Table 33 to part 679 and Sec. 679.91. The CDQ reserve is 10.7 percent of the TAC for use by CDQ participants (see Sec. Sec.
679.20(b)(1)(ii)(C) and 679.31).
\2\ Regulations at Sec. Sec. 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(A) and 679.22(a) establish temporal and spatial limitations for the Atka mackerel fishery.
\3\ The seasonal allowances of Atka mackerel are 50 percent in the A season and 50 percent in the B season.
\4\ Section 679.23(e)(3) authorizes directed fishing for Atka mackerel with trawl gear during the A season from January 20 to June 10 and the B season
from June 10 to November 1.
\5\ Section 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C) requires the TAC in area 542 shall be no more than 47% of ABC, and Atka mackerel harvests for Amendment 80 cooperatives
and CDQ groups within waters 10 nm to 20 nm of Gramp Rock and Tag Island, as described Table 12 to part 679, in Area 542 are limited to no more than
10 percent of the Amendment 80 cooperative Atka mackerel allocation or 10 percent of the CDQ Atka mackerel allocation.
\6\ Section 679.20(a)(8)(i) requires that up to 2 percent of the Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering Sea subarea TAC be allocated to jig gear after
subtracting the CDQ reserve and ICA. The amount of this allocation is 0.5 percent. The jig gear allocation is not apportioned by season.
\7\ The 2015 allocations for Atka mackerel between Amendment 80 cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited access sector will not be known until eligible
participants apply for participation in the program by November 1, 2014. NMFS will post 2015 Amendment 80 allocations when they become available in
December 2014.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
This will enhance the socioeconomic well-being of harvesters
dependent upon Atka mackerel in this area. The Regional Administrator
considered the following factors in reaching this decision: (1) The
current catch of Atka mackerel ICA in the BS/EAI, (2) the harvest
capacity and stated intent on future harvesting patterns of the
Amendment 80 cooperatives that participate in this BS/EAI fishery.
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 Atka mackerel from the BS/EAI ICA to
the Amendment 80 cooperatives in the BSAI. Since the fishery is
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
October 1, 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. 679.91 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: October 6, 2014.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-24160 Filed 10-9-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P