Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; North Pacific Groundfish and Halibut Observer Program Standard Ex-Vessel Prices, 74695-74710 [2014-29348]
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 241 / Tuesday, December 16, 2014 / Notices
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maintain population viability now and
into the foreseeable future; (5) stock
assessment projections and trends in
catch data and updated fisheryindependent time series indicate
increasing abundance of the NWA DPS,
with spawning stock biomass stabilizing
through the foreseeable future; (6) while
the main threat to the species is fisheryrelated mortality from bycatch in U.S.
commercial and recreational fisheries
and Mexican landings, U.S. bycatch and
Mexican harvest under existing
management measures has decreased
and/or stabilized at low levels in recent
years, with current levels deemed
sustainable through the foreseeable
future; (7) existing regulatory
mechanisms throughout the DPS’ range,
including the U.S. retention prohibition
as well as time and area closures in both
U.S. and Mexican waters and strict
management of the U.S. line fisheries,
appear effective in addressing the most
important threat to the species (i.e.,
exploitation through bycatch mortality
and harvest); and (8) while the NWA
DPS has declined from historical
numbers, there is no evidence that the
species is currently suffering from
depensatory processes (such as reduced
likelihood of finding a mate or mate
choice or diminished fertilization and
recruitment success) or is at risk of
extinction due to environmental
variation or anthropogenic
perturbations. Accordingly, the NWA
DPS of dusky shark does not meet the
definition of a threatened or endangered
species, and our listing determination is
that the NWA DPS of dusky shark does
not warrant listing as threatened or
endangered at this time.
Significant Portion of Its Range
Because we find that the species does
not warrant listing as threatened or
endangered throughout its range, we
must evaluate whether there is
substantial information indicating that a
portion of the species’ range is both
significant and either threatened or
endangered per the Significant Portion
of its Range Policy (79 FR 37577; July
1, 2014). However, after a review of the
best available information, we could not
identify a portion of the NWA DPS
range where its contribution to the
viability of the species is so important
that, without the members in that
portion, the NWA DPS would be at risk
of extinction, or likely to become so in
the foreseeable future, throughout all of
its range. The NWA DPS is highly
mobile throughout its range. Loss of any
portion of its range would not likely
isolate the species to the point where
the remaining portions would be at risk
of extinction from demographic
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processes. Similarly, we did not find
that loss of any portion would severely
fragment and isolate the NWA DPS to
the point where individuals would be
precluded from moving to suitable
habitats or have an increased
vulnerability to threats. In fact, we
found no information that would
suggest that the remaining populations
could not repopulate the lost portion.
There are very few restrictions
governing their movements, with
individuals of the DPS commonly
moving between the U.S. Atlantic, U.S.
GOM and Mexican Gulf waters based on
mark/recapture studies (Kohler and
Tuner 2010; Carlson and Gulak, 2012;
NMFS, unpublished data). Individuals
of the species also tend to travel the
extent of their range during their
seasonal migrations (Compango, 1984;
Musick and Colvocoresses, 1986; Kohler
et al., 1998; Kohler and Turner, 2010).
Areas exhibiting source-sink dynamics,
which could affect the survival of the
species, were not evident in any part of
the NWA DPS range.
There is no information that the loss
of genetic diversity from one portion
(such as the Atlantic Ocean) would
result in the remaining population
lacking enough genetic diversity to
allow for adaptations to changing
environmental conditions. Dusky sharks
from all regions show remarkable
similar allelic richness and gene
diversity, and within the NWA there
was no evidence of genetic
differentiation between dusky sharks
from waters off the U.S. east coast and
the GOM (Benavides et al., 2011; Gray
et al., 2012).
There is also no evidence of a portion
that encompasses aspects that are
important to specific life history events
but another portion that does not, where
loss of the former portion would
severely impact the growth,
reproduction, or survival of the entire
species. EFH areas, which could provide
important nursery, breeding, and
feeding grounds, have been identified
along the length of the U.S. east coast,
with smaller localized areas in the
central GOM, southern Texas, the
Florida Panhandle, mid-west coast of
Florida, and Florida Keys (NMFS, 2009).
Given that the environmental
characteristics that constitute this EFH,
such as warm waters with reduced
salinities, nearshore coastal waters, and
waters associated with the continental
shelf edge, can be found throughout the
species’ range, we do not consider them
to be limiting factors for the species’
survival. In other words, the viability of
the species does not appear to depend
on the productivity of the population or
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74695
the environmental characteristics in any
one portion.
Additionally, in our evaluation of the
potential threats to the species,
including the likelihood of fisheryrelated mortality, we did not find
information to show that these threats
are significantly concentrated or
substantially greater in any specific
portion of the species’ range. The dusky
shark is susceptible to being caught as
bycatch in U.S. commercial and
recreational fisheries throughout the
entire extent of its range and is landed
in Gulf waters by Mexican fishermen;
however, we found no information to
suggest that increased effort in a certain
area is leading to a higher risk of
extinction for that portion. Again, there
are no barriers to the shark’s movement
and existing management measures
appear adequate in protecting the NWA
DPS from extinction throughout all
portions of its range.
In conclusion, we find that there is no
portion of the NWA DPS range that can
be considered significant under the SPR
Policy. Therefore, we find that the NWA
DPS is not presently in danger of
extinction throughout all or a significant
portion of its range, nor is it likely to
become so in the foreseeable future,
and, as such, does not warrant listing at
this time.
References
A complete list of all references cited
herein is available upon request (see FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
Authority
The authority for this action is the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: December 9, 2014.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–29318 Filed 12–15–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XD611
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; North Pacific
Groundfish and Halibut Observer
Program Standard Ex-Vessel Prices
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
AGENCY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 241 / Tuesday, December 16, 2014 / Notices
ACTION:
Notification of standard exvessel prices.
ex-vessel value of groundfish and
halibut.
NMFS publishes standard exvessel prices for groundfish and halibut
for the calculation of the observer fee
under the North Pacific Groundfish and
Halibut Observer Program (Observer
Program). This notice is intended to
provide information to vessel owners,
processors, registered buyers, and other
participants about the standard exvessel prices that will be used to
calculate the observer fee liability for
landings of groundfish and halibut
made in 2015. NMFS will send invoices
to processors and registered buyers
subject to the fee by January 15, 2016.
Fees are due to NMFS on or before
February 15, 2016.
DATES: Effective January 1, 2015.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
general questions about the observer fee
and standard ex-vessel prices, contact
Sally Bibb at 907–586–7389. For
questions about the fee billing process,
contact Troie Zuniga, Fee Coordinator,
907–586–7105. Additional information
about the Observer Program is available
on NMFS Alaska Region’s Web site at
https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/
sustainablefisheries/observers/.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Landings Subject to Observer Coverage
Fee
The objective of the observer fee
assessment is to levy a fee on all
landings accruing against a Federal total
allowable catch (TAC) for groundfish or
a commercial halibut quota made by
vessels that are subject to Federal
regulations and not included in the full
coverage category. A fee is only assessed
on landings of groundfish from vessels
designated on a Federal Fisheries Permit
or from vessels landing individual
fishing quota (IFQ) or community
development quota (CDQ) halibut or
IFQ sablefish. Within the subset of
vessels subject to the observer fee, only
landings accruing against the Federal
TAC are included in the fee assessment.
A table with additional information
about which landings are and are not
subject to the observer fee is in NMFS
regulations at § 679.55(c) and is on page
2 of an informational bulletin titled
‘‘Observer Fee Collection’’ on the NMFS
Alaska Region Web page at https://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainable
fisheries/observers/observerfees.pdf.
SUMMARY:
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Background
The Observer Program deploys
NMFS-certified observers (observers)
who collect information necessary for
the conservation and management of the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI)
and Gulf of Alaska (GOA) groundfish
and halibut fisheries. Fishery managers
use information collected by observers
to monitor quotas, manage groundfish
and prohibited species catch, and
document and reduce fishery
interactions with protected resources.
Scientists use observer-collected
information for stock assessments and
marine ecosystem research.
The Observer Program is divided into
two observer coverage categories—
partial and full. All groundfish and
halibut vessels and processors are
included in one of these two categories.
The partial observer coverage category
includes vessels and processors that are
not required to have an observer at all
times; the full observer coverage
category includes vessels and processors
required to have all of their fishing and
processing operations off Alaska
observed. Vessels and processors in the
full coverage category arrange and pay
for observer services from a permitted
observer provider. Observer coverage for
the partial coverage category is funded
through a system of fees based on the
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Fee Determination
A fee equal to 1.25 percent of the exvessel value is assessed on the landings
of groundfish and halibut subject to the
fee. Ex-vessel value is determined by
multiplying the standard price for
groundfish by the round weight
equivalent for each species, gear, and
port combination, and the standard
price for halibut by the headed and
gutted weight equivalent. NMFS will
assess each landing report submitted via
eLandings and each manual landing
entered into the IFQ landing database
and determine if the landing is subject
to the observer fee and, if it is, which
groundfish in the landing are subject to
the observer fee. All IFQ or CDQ halibut
in a landing subject to the observer fee
will be assessed as part of the fee
liability. For any groundfish or halibut
subject to the observer fee, NMFS will
apply the appropriate standard ex-vessel
prices for the species, gear type, and
port, and calculate the observer fee
liability associated with the landing.
Processors and registered buyers
access the landing-specific, observer fee
liability information through NMFS
Web Application (https://alaska
fisheries.noaa.gov/webapps/efish/login)
or eLandings (https://elandings.
alaska.gov/). For IFQ halibut, CDQ
halibut, and IFQ sablefish, this
information is available as soon as the
IFQ report is submitted. For groundfish
and sablefish that accrue against the
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fixed gear sablefish CDQ reserve, the
observer fee liability information is
generally available within 24 hours of
receipt of the report. The time lag on the
groundfish and sablefish CDQ fee
information is necessary because NMFS
must process the landings report
through the catch accounting system
computer programs to determine if all of
the groundfish in the landings are
subject to the observer fee. Information
about which groundfish in a landing
accrues against a Federal TAC is not
immediately available from the
processor’s data entry into eLandings.
The intent of the North Pacific
Fishery Management Council and
NMFS is for vessel owners to split the
fee liability 50/50 with the processor or
registered buyer. While vessels and
processors are responsible for their
portion of the fee, the owner of a
shoreside processor or a stationary
floating processor and the registered
buyer are responsible for collecting the
fee, including the vessel’s portion of the
fee, and remitting the full fee liability to
NMFS.
NMFS will send invoices to
processors and registered buyers for
their total fee liability, which is
determined by the sum of the fees
reported for each landing for that
processor or registered buyer for the
prior calendar year, by January 15, 2016.
Processors and registered buyers must
pay the fees to NMFS using NMFS Web
Application by February 15, 2016.
Processors and registered buyers have
access to this system through a User ID
and password issued by NMFS.
Instructions for electronic payment will
be provided on the NMFS Alaska
Region Web site at https://alaska
fisheries.noaa.gov and on the observer
fee liability invoice to be mailed to each
permit holder.
Standard Prices
This notice provides the standard exvessel prices for groundfish and halibut
species subject to the observer fee in
2015. Data sources for ex-vessel prices
are:
• For groundfish other than sablefish
IFQ and sablefish accruing against the
fixed gear sablefish CDQ reserve, the
State of Alaska’s Commercial Fishery
Entry Commission’s (CFEC) gross
revenue data, which are based on the
Commercial Operator Annual Report
(COAR) and Alaska Department of Fish
and Game fish tickets; and
• For halibut IFQ, halibut CDQ,
sablefish IFQ, and sablefish accruing
against the fixed gear sablefish CDQ
reserve, the IFQ Buyer Report that is
submitted annually to NMFS under
§ 679.5(l)(7)(i).
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The standard prices in this notice
were calculated using applicable
guidance for protecting confidentiality
of data submitted to or collected by
NMFS. NMFS does not publish any
price information that would permit the
identification of an individual or
business. At least four persons must
make landings of a species with a
particular gear type at a particular port
in order for NMFS to publish that price
data for that species-gear-port
combination. Similarly, at least four
processors in a particular port must
purchase a species harvested with a
particular gear type in order for NMFS
to publish a price for that species-gearport combination. Price data that is
confidential because fewer than four
persons contributed data to a particular
species-gear-port combination has been
aggregated to protect confidential data.
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Groundfish Standard Ex-Vessel Prices
Table 1 shows the groundfish species
standard ex-vessel prices for 2015.
These prices are based on the CFEC
gross revenue data, which are based on
landings data from Alaska Department
of Fish and Game fish tickets and
information from the COAR. The COAR
contains statewide buying and
production information, and is
considered the most accurate routinely
collected information to determine the
ex-vessel value of groundfish harvested
from waters off Alaska.
The standard ex-vessel prices for
groundfish were calculated by adding
ex-vessel value from the CFEC gross
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revenue files for 2011, 2012, and 2013
by species, port, and gear category, and
adding the volume (weight) the CFEC
gross revenue files for 2011, 2012, and
2013 by species, port, and gear category,
and then dividing total ex-vessel value
over the 3-year period in each category
by total volume over the 3-year period
in each category. This calculation
results in a weighted average ex-vessel
price per pound by species, port, and
gear category. Three gear categories
were used for the standard ex-vessel
prices: pelagic trawl gear, non-pelagic
trawl gear, and other gear (hook-andline, pot, and jig).
CFEC ex-vessel value data are
available in the fall of the year following
the year the fishing occurred. Thus, it is
not possible to base ex-vessel fee
liabilities on standard prices that are
less than 2 years old.
If a particular species is not listed in
Table 1, the standard ex-vessel price for
a species group, if it exists in the
management area, will be used. If price
data for a particular species remained
confidential once aggregated to the ALL
level, data is aggregated by species
group (Flathead Sole, GOA Deep-water
Flatfish; GOA Shallow-water Flatfish;
GOA Skate, Other; and Other Rockfish).
Standard prices for the species groups
are shown in Table 2.
If a port-level price does not meet the
confidentiality requirements, the data
are aggregated by port-group. Port-group
data is first aggregated by regulatory
area in the GOA (Eastern GOA, Central
GOA, and Western GOA) and by subarea
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74697
in the BSAI (BS subarea and AI
subarea). Port-group data for Southeast
Alaska (SEAK) and the Eastern GOA
excluding Southeast Alaska (EGOAxSE)
also are presented separately when price
data are available. If confidentiality
requirements are still not met by
aggregating prices across ports at these
levels, the prices are aggregated at the
level of BSAI or GOA, then statewide
(AK) and ports outside of Alaska
(OTAK), and finally all ports, including
those outside of Alaska (‘‘ALL’’).
Standard prices are presented
separately for non-pelagic trawl and
pelagic trawl when non-confidential
data is available. NMFS also calculated
prices for a ‘‘Pelagic Trawl/Non-pelagic
Trawl Combined’’ category that can be
used when combining trawl price data
for landings of a species in a particular
port or port group will not violate
confidentiality requirements. Creating
this standard price category allows
NMFS to assess a fee on 2015 landings
of some of the species with pelagic trawl
gear based on a combined trawl gear
price for the port or port group.
If no standard ex-vessel price is listed
for the species or species group and gear
category combination, no fee will be
assessed on that landing. Volume and
value data for that species will be added
to the standard ex-vessel prices in future
years, if that data becomes available and
display of a standard ex-vessel price
meets confidentiality requirements.
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Table 1. Standard Ex-vessel Prices for Groundfish Species for 2015 Observer Coverage
Fee Liability (based on volume and value from 2011, 2012, and 2013).
Species 1' 1
HAL/
NPT
PTR
PTR/NPT
!Port/
3
!Area ,4
POT/JIG
Kodiak
!Alaska Plaice Flounder
$0.08
$0.08
------(133)
------$0.08
$0.08
CGOA
GOA
$0.08
$0.08
------AK
$0.08
$0.08
------------$0.08
$0.08
ALL
IArrowtooth Flounder (121) Kodiak
---$0.06
---$0.06
CGOA
$0.06
$0.06
---------GOA
$0.07
$0.06
$0.06
$0.07
AK
$0.06
$0.06
---ALL
$0.07
$0.06
$0.06
------tBiack Rockfish (142)
AK
$0.46
$0.28
$0.28
Bocaccio Rockfish ( 13 7)
Sitka
$0.54
------------------SEAK
$0.42
---------EGOA
$0.42
GOA
$0.42
------------------AK
$0.42
ALL
---------$0.42
Butter Sole (126)
Kodiak
---$0.15
$0.15
---------CGOA
$0.15
$0.15
------GOA
$0.15
$0.15
AK
---$0.15
$0.15
---------ALL
$0.15
$0.15
Canary Rockfish ( 146)
Sitka
---------$0.56
SEAK
$0.49
------------------EGOA
$0.49
$0.40
---------Seward
CGOA
$0.40
------------------GOA
$0.48
---------AK
$0.48
---ALL
$0.48
---------------China Rockfish (149)
SEAK
$0.55
EGOAxSE
---------$0.27
Homer
$0.45
------------------Seward
$0.72
$0.64
---------CGOA
GOA
$0.37
------------------AK
$0.37
---------ALL
$0.37
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!Dover Sole (124)
Dusky Rockfish (172)
English Sole (128)
Flathead Sole (122)
~orthem Rockfish (136)
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Octopus (870)
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Sitka
SEAK
EGOA
]-Jomer
CGOA
GOA
AK
ALL
Kodiak
CGOA
GOA
AK
ALL
Sitka
SEAK
EGOAxSE
Homer
Kodiak
Seward
CGOA
GOA
AK
ALL
Kodiak
CGOA
GOA
AK
ALL
Kodiak
CGOA
GOA
AK
ALL
Kodiak
CGOA
GOA
AK
ALL
Homer
Kodiak
CGOA
Frm 00018
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----
----
----
----
----
----
-------
-------
-------
----
----
----
-------
-------
-------
----
----
----
$0.10
$0.10
$0.10
$0.10
$0.10
$0.10
$0.10
$0.10
$0.10
$0.10
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
-------
$0.19
$0.17
----
----
---$0.33
$0.33
$0.33
$0.33
----
$0.77
$0.51
$0.53
$0.19
$0.19
$0.19
$0.19
$0.16
$0.16
$0.16
$0.16
$0.16
$0.15
$0.15
$0.15
$0.15
$0.15
$0.19
$0.19
$0.19
$0.19
$0.19
---$0.54
$0.54
-------
Sfmt 4725
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$0.57
$0.56
$0.35
$0.51
$0.51
$0.37
$0.37
$0.37
----
----
-------
---$0.47
$0.45
$0.28
$0.35
$0.32
$0.41
$0.32
$0.35
$0.35
$0.35
----
-------------
----------
-------
----------
-------
------------$0.15
$0.15
$0.08
$0.07
$0.07
$0.18
$0.18
$0.18
$0.18
$0.18
---$0.50
$0.50
16DEN1
----------
----
----
----
------$0.16
$0.16
$0.16
$0.16
$0.16
----------
-------
----
----------
-------
----
----
EN16DE14.020</GPH>
Copper Rockfish (138)
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Pacific Cod (110)
Pacific Ocean Perch (141)
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Pollock (270)
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GOA
DB/Unalaska
BS
[BSAI
AK
ALL
Craig
Hoonah
Juneau
Ketchikan
Petersburg
Sitka
SEAK
Cordova
Whittier
EGOAxSE
Homer
Kodiak
Seward
CGOA
King Cove
WGOA
GOA
Adak
AI
DB/Unalaska
BS
BSAI
AK
ALL
Kodiak
CGOA
GOA
AK
ALL
Homer
Kodiak
CGOA
GOA
DB/Unalaska
BS
Frm 00019
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$0.49
----
----
----
------$0.49
$0.49
----
-------
$0.49
$0.25
$0.23
$0.24
$0.48
$0.48
$0.17
$0.57
$0.62
$0.44
$0.26
$0.54
$0.58
$0.42
$0.31
$0.39
$0.37
$0.34
$0.35
$0.34
$0.30
$0.29
$0.54
---------$0.54
$0.54
----
----
----
----
----
---$0.27
$0.27
$0.33
$0.33
---$0.32
$0.32
----
-------------
----
----
----
----
-------
----
----
----
----
-------
----
-------
----
----
-------
-------
----
$0.30
$0.28
----
----
----
----
$0.30
----
$0.28
----
----
----
----
$0.30
----
$0.20
----
----
-------
$0.15
$0.17
$0.17
$0.35
$0.14
$0.15
$0.15
$0.08
$0.07
$0.30
$0.29
$0.29
$0.29
$0.29
$0.19
$0.19
$0.19
$0.19
$0.19
---$0.18
$0.18
$0.18
$0.16
$0.16
Sfmt 4725
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----
----
------$0.19
$0.19
$0.18
$0.19
$0.20
$0.20
$0.20
---$0.18
$0.18
$0.17
-------
16DEN1
----
----
-------------
---$0.30
$0.29
$0.29
----------
-------
-------------
------$0.16
$0.15
EN16DE14.021</GPH>
74700
BSAI
AK
ALL
Quillback Rockfish (147)
J-Ioonah
Ketchikan
Sitka
SEAK
Cordova
EGOAxSE
Homer
Seward
CGOA
GOA
AK
ALL
Redbanded Rockfish (153) Ketchikan
Petersburg
Sitka
SEAK
EGOAxSE
Homer
Kodiak
Seward
CGOA
GOA
AK
ALL
Redstripe Rockfish (158)
EGOA
Homer
CGOA
GOA
AK
ALL
Rex Sole (125)
Kodiak
CGOA
GOA
AK
ALL
~ock Sole (123)
Kodiak
CGOA
GOA
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:38 Dec 15, 2014
Jkt 235001
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 4703
$0.07
$0.15
$0.15
$0.51
$0.45
$0.82
$0.89
$0.29
$0.28
$0.33
$0.37
$0.37
$0.62
$0.62
$0.62
$0.31
$0.21
$0.50
$0.35
$0.30
$0.31
$0.21
$0.38
$0.31
$0.34
$0.34
$0.34
$0.48
$0.28
$0.28
$0.30
$0.30
$0.30
$0.16
$0.17
$0.17
----
---$0.17
$0.17
----
$0.15
----
----
----
-------
-------
-------
----
----
----
----
----
----
-------
-------
-------
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
-------
----
----
----
----
----
74701
----------
----
----
-------
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
-------
---$0.18
----
-------
----
----
----
-------
$0.18
$0.18
$0.18
$0.18
----
----
----
----
-------
-------
-------
----
----
----
----
---$0.29
$0.29
$0.29
$0.29
$0.29
$0.25
$0.25
$0.25
---$0.29
$0.29
$0.28
$0.28
$0.28
$0.25
$0.25
$0.25
Sfmt 4725
E:\FR\FM\16DEN1.SGM
----
----------
-------
----
$0.18
$0.18
$0.18
$0.18
----
---$0.18
-------
16DEN1
----
-------------
-------
-------
EN16DE14.022</GPH>
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 241 / Tuesday, December 16, 2014 / Notices
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 241 / Tuesday, December 16, 2014 / Notices
~osethom Rockfish (150)
Rough eye Rockfish ( 151)
Sablefish (blackcod) (71 0)
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Shortraker Rockfish (152)
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:38 Dec 15, 2014
Jkt 235001
PO 00000
AK
ALL
SEAK
EGOA
GOA
AK
ALL
Hoonah
Ketchikan
Petersburg
Sitka
SEAK
Cordova
EGOAxSE
Homer
Kodiak
Seward
CGOA
GOA
DH/Unalaska
BS
BSAI
AK
ALL
Kodiak
CGOA
GOA
AK
ALL
Ketchikan
Petersburg
Sitka
SEAK
Cordova
Whittier
EGOAxSE
Homer
Kodiak
Seward
CGOA
GOA
Frm 00021
Fmt 4703
----
---$0.45
$0.51
$0.48
$0.48
$0.48
$0.30
$0.31
$0.25
$0.49
$0.39
$0.26
$0.27
$0.32
$0.35
$0.37
$0.35
$0.35
$0.29
$0.29
$0.29
$0.34
$0.35
n/a)
n/a
n/a
nla
n/a
$0.31
$0.25
$0.49
$0.37
$0.34
$0.32
$0.48
$0.34
$0.32
$0.38
$0.37
$0.38
Sfmt 4725
$0.25
$0.25
-------
$0.25
$0.25
-------
-------------
----
----
----
-------------
-------
-------
----
----
----
----
----
-------
-------
----
----
----
-------
-------
-------
---$0.21
---$0.21
----
----
-------
----
----
$0.21
$0.22
$0.21
$0.21
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
$0.22
$0.22
$3.68
$3.68
$3.68
$3.68
$3.68
-------
$0.21
$0.21
$3.43
$4.03
$4.03
$4.03
$4.03
-------
----
----
----
----
-------
-------------
----------
----
----
----
----
-------
-------
-------
------$0.22
---$0.22
$0.26
------$0.23
---$0.22
$0.22
-------
E:\FR\FM\16DEN1.SGM
16DEN1
-------
-------
EN16DE14.023</GPH>
74702
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 241 / Tuesday, December 16, 2014 / Notices
Skate, Alaska (703)
Skate, Aleutian (704)
Skate, Big (702)
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Skate, Longnose (701)
Skate, Other (700)
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:38 Dec 15, 2014
Jkt 235001
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 4703
$0.13
$0.20
$0.21
$0.37
$0.37
$0.31
$0.33
$0.49
$0.40
$0.40
$0.37
$0.38
$0.38
$0.40
$0.40
$0.40
$0.40
$0.40
$0.40
$0.40
$0.39
$0.39
$0.41
$0.41
$0.40
$0.43
$0.38
$0.42
$0.42
$0.42
$0.42
$0.40
$0.40
$0.37
$0.44
$0.41
$0.43
$0.43
$0.43
$0.43
$0.45
Sfmt 4725
----
----
----
----
----
----
---$0.26
$0.26
-------------
---$0.22
$0.22
-------
-------
----
----
----
----
----
----
-------
-------
----
-------
----
----
----
-------
-------
-------
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
-------
----
----
----
-------
-------
----
----
----
----
----
-------
-------
-------
----
----
----
----
----
$0.44
---$0.44
$0.44
$0.44
$0.44
$0.44
---$0.44
$0.44
$0.44
$0.44
-------
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
$0.45
---$0.45
$0.45
$0.44
$0.44
$0.45
---$0.45
$0.45
$0.45
$0.45
-------
----
----
E:\FR\FM\16DEN1.SGM
16DEN1
-------
----------
----
-------
-------
-------
EN16DE14.024</GPH>
Silvergray Rockfish (157)
DB/Unalaska
BS
BSAI
AK
ALL
Craig
Ketchikan
Sitka
SEAK
EGOA
Homer
Seward
CGOA
GOA
AK
ALL
EGOA
GOA
AK
ALL
AK
ALL
EGOAxSE
EGOA
Homer
Kodiak
Seward
CGOA
GOA
AK
ALL
SEAK
EGOAxSE
Homer
Kodiak
Seward
CGOA
GOA
AK
ALL
Kodiak
74703
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 241 / Tuesday, December 16, 2014 / Notices
CGOA
GOA
AK
ALL
Kodiak
CGOA
GOA
AK
ALL
Kodiak
CGOA
GOA
AK
ALL
Hoonah
Ketchikan
Petersburg
Sitka
SEAK
Cordova
EGOAxSE
Homer
Kodiak
Seward
CGOA
WGOA
GOA
Adak
AI
Dutch
Harbor/
Unalaska
BS
AK
ALL
SEAK
EGOAxSE
Homer
Seward
CGOA
GOA
AK
Squid (875)
Starry Flounder (129)
Thomyhead Rockfish
(Idiots) (143)
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Tiger Rockfish ( 148)
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:38 Dec 15, 2014
Jkt 235001
PO 00000
Frm 00023
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$0.47
$0.42
$0.34
$0.34
----
----------
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
-------
----
----
-------
----
----
----
----
-------
----
-------------
------$0.04
$0.04
$0.07
$0.07
$0.07
$0.07
$0.07
----
----
----
---$1.00
$1.21
$0.99
$1.17
$1.11
$0.52
$0.85
$0.81
$0.65
$0.84
$0.77
$0.73
---$0.43
$0.56
$0.74
----
----
----
----
---$0.05
$0.05
$0.06
$0.06
$0.06
------$0.07
$0.07
$0.07
$0.07
$0.07
----
----
----
------------$0.06
$0.06
$0.06
$0.06
$0.06
$0.48
---$0.48
---$0.49
----
----------
-------
----
----------
$0.48
---$0.48
---$0.49
----
----
-------
----
----
----
$0.71
$0.86
$0.86
$0.42
$0.26
$0.28
$0.38
$0.36
$0.36
$0.36
---$0.49
$0.49
----------
---$0.49
$0.49
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
-------
----
----
-------
-------
Sfmt 4725
E:\FR\FM\16DEN1.SGM
-------------
----
----
16DEN1
----
EN16DE14.025</GPH>
74704
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 241 / Tuesday, December 16, 2014 / Notices
Vermilion Rockfish (184)
Widow Rockfish (156)
~LL
~LL
Sitka
SEAK
EGOA
GOA
~K
~LL
Yelloweye Rockfish (145)
Craig
~oonah
Ketchikan
!Petersburg
Sitka
SEAK
Cordova
!Whittier
EGOAxSE
~omer
Kodiak
Seward
CGOA
WGOA
GOA
DH/Unalaska
~s
~SAl
~K
~LL
Yellowtail Rockfish (155)
Sitka
SEAK
EGOA
CGOA
GOA
~K
~LL
---- =
$0.36
$0.33
$0.46
$0.30
$0.30
$0.31
$0.31
$0.31
$1.45
$0.53
$1.21
$1.13
$1.67
$1.51
$0.97
$0.82
$0.95
$0.76
$0.40
$0.65
$0.63
$0.47
---$0.21
$0.19
$0.19
$1.30
$1.29
$0.52
$0.52
$0.51
$0.23
$0.33
$0.33
$0.33
----
----
----
----
----
----
-------
-------
-------
----
----
----
-------------
-------------
-------
-------
----
74705
-------
-------
----
-------
-------
-------
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
---$0.24
----
---$0.24
----
----
----
-------
$0.24
----
$0.24
----
----
----
$0.24
----
-------
$0.24
----
-------
-------
----
$0.24
$0.24
-------
$0.24
$0.24
----
----
----
-------
-------
-------
----
----
----
----
----
----
-------
-------
-------
----
----
no landings in last 3 years or the data is confidential
1
2
VerDate Sep<11>2014
For species codes, see Table 2a to 50 CFR part 679.
19:38 Dec 15, 2014
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16DEN1
EN16DE14.026</GPH>
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
If species is not listed, use price for the species group in Table 2 if it exists in the management area. If no
price is available for the species or species group, no fee will be assessed on that landing. That species will
come into standard ex-vessel prices in future years.
74706
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 241 / Tuesday, December 16, 2014 / Notices
3
Regulatory areas are defined at§ 679.2. (AI= Aleutian Islands subarea; AK =Alaska; ALL= all ports
including those outside Alaska; BS = Bering Sea subarea; BSAI = Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands; CGOA =
Central Gulf of Alaska; EGOA =Eastern Gulf of Alaska; EGOAxSE = Eastern Gulf of Alaska except
Southeast Alaska; GOA= Gulf of Alaska; SEAK =Southeast Alaska; WGOA =Western Gulf of Alaska)
4
If a price is listed for the species, port, and gear type combination, that price will be applied to the round
weight equivalent for groundfish landings. If no price is listed for the port and gear type combination, use
port group and gear type combination.
5
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:38 Dec 15, 2014
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16DEN1
EN16DE14.027</GPH>
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
n/a =ex-vessel prices for sablefish landed with hook-and-line, pot, or jig gear are listed in Table 3 with
the prices for IFQ and CDQ landings.
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 241 / Tuesday, December 16, 2014 / Notices
74707
Table 2. Standard Ex-vessel Prices for Groundfish Species Groups for 2015 Observer
Coverage Fee Liability (based on volume and value from 2011, 2012, and 2013).
HAL/
Species Group 1
Port/
NPT
PTR
2 3
Area '
POT/JIG
Flathead Sole (FSOL)
---$0.15
$0.15
CGOA
$0.15
$0.08
GOA
------AK
$0.15
$0.08
4
---GOA Deep-water Flatfish
CGOA
$0.10
$0.10
(DFL4)
---GOA
$0.10
$0.10
5
CGOA
$0.23
$0.24
GOA Shallow-water Flatfish
---(SFLl)
---GOA
$0.23
$0.24
GOA Skate, Other (USKT)
SEAK
$0.38
------------EGOA
$0.38
CGOA
$0.47
------$0.41
------GOA
Other Rockfish6 ' 1 (ROCK)
SEAK
$0.36
------EGOAxSE
------$0.85
CGOA
$0.21
$0.23
$0.57
------WGOA
$0.47
$0.24
---GOA
$0.21
---AI
$0.56
---------BS
$0.69
---$0.24
AK
$0.21
---- = no landings in last 3 years or the data is confidential
1
If species is not listed in Table 1, use price for the species group if it exists in the management area. If no
price is available for the species or species group, no fee will be assessed on that landing. That species will
come into standard ex-vessel prices in future years.
2
Regulatory areas are defined at§ 679.2. (AI= Aleutian Islands subarea; AK =Alaska; BS =Bering Sea
subarea; CGOA = Central Gulf of Alaska; EGOA = Eastern Gulf of Alaska; EGOAxSE = Eastern Gulf of
Alaska except Southeast Alaska; GOA= Gulf of Alaska; SEAK =Southeast Alaska; WGOA =Western
Gulf of Alaska)
3
If a price is listed for the species, port, and gear type combination, that price will be applied to the round
weight equivalent for groundfish landings. If no price is listed for the port and gear type combination, use
port group and gear type combination.
4
"Deep-water flatfish" in the GOA means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, and deepsea
sole.
5
"Shallow-water flatfish" in the GOA means flatfish not including "deep-water flatfish," flathead sole, rex
sole, or arrowtooth flounder.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
In the GOA:
19:38 Dec 15, 2014
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PO 00000
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EN16DE14.028</GPH>
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
6
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 241 / Tuesday, December 16, 2014 / Notices
Halibut and Sablefish IFQ and CDQ
Standard Ex-vessel Prices
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Table 3 shows the observer fee
standard ex-vessel prices for halibut and
sablefish. These standard prices are
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:38 Dec 15, 2014
Jkt 235001
calculated as a single annual average
price, by port or port group. Volume and
ex-vessel value data collected on the
2014 IFQ Buyer Report for landings
made from October 1, 2013, through
September 30, 2014, were used to
PO 00000
Frm 00027
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
calculate the standard ex-vessel prices
for the 2015 observer fee liability for
halibut IFQ, halibut CDQ, sablefish IFQ,
and sablefish landings that accrue
against the fixed gear sablefish CDQ
reserve.
E:\FR\FM\16DEN1.SGM
16DEN1
EN16DE14.029</GPH>
74708
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 241 / Tuesday, December 16, 2014 / Notices
74709
Table 3. Standard Ex-vessel Prices for Halibut IFQ, Halibut CDQ, Sablefish IFQ, and
Sablefish Accruing Against the Fixed Gear Sablefish CDQ Reserve for the 2015
Observer Fee Liability (based on 2014 IFQ Buyer Report).
Price2
Species
Port/Area 1
Halibut (200)
Ketchikan
$6.35
Petersburg
$6.53
SEAK
$6.14
Cordova
$6.53
Yakutat
$6.28
EGOAxSE
$6.14
Homer
$6.45
Kenai
$6.65
Kodiak
$6.04
Seward
$6.41
CGOA
$6.14
$6.14
WGOA
AI
$6.14
Dutch Harbor/ Unalaska
$5.50
BS
$6.14
$6.14
AK
OTAK
$6.14
ALL
$6.14
SEAK
$3.50
Sablefish (71 0)
EGOAxSE
$3.50
Homer
$3.35
Kodiak
$3.42
CGOA
$3.50
WGOA
$3.50
AI
$3.50
Dutch Harbor/ Unalaska
$4.79
BS
$3.50
AK
$3.50
OTAK
$3.50
ALL
$3.50
1
Regulatory areas are defined at§ 679.2. (AI= Aleutian Islands subarea; AK =Alaska; ALL= all ports
including those outside Alaska; BS = Bering Sea subarea; CGOA = Central Gulf of Alaska; EGOAxSE =
Eastern Gulf of Alaska except Southeast Alaska; OTAK =Outside Alaska; SEAK =Southeast Alaska;
WGOA =Western Gulf of Alaska)
2
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:38 Dec 15, 2014
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16DEN1
EN16DE14.030</GPH>
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
If a price is listed for the species and port combination, that price will be applied to the round weight
equivalent for sablefish landings and the headed and gutted weight equivalent for halibut landings. If no
price is listed for the port, use port group.
74710
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 241 / Tuesday, December 16, 2014 / Notices
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: December 10, 2014.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–29348 Filed 12–15–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–C
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XD646
Notice of Intent To Issue Guidelines
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice, request for public
comment.
AGENCY:
The Marine Mammal
Protection Act (MMPA) allows for
persons to employ measures to deter
marine mammals from damaging fishing
gear and catch, damaging personal or
public property, or endangering
personal safety, as long as these
measures do not result in death or
serious injury of marine mammals. The
MMPA also allows the Secretary of
Commerce, through NOAA’s National
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), to
develop national guidelines on safely
deterring marine mammals under
NOAA’s jurisdiction (e.g., whales,
dolphins, seals, and sea lions). To
inform development of these national
guidelines, NMFS requests input on
which deterrents the public would like
NMFS to evaluate and consider for
approval. Any subsequent national
guidelines for safely deterring marine
mammals would then be released for
public notice and comment as required
by the MMPA. Such national guidelines
would likely be tailored to each species
group (pinnipeds, large cetaceans, and
small cetaceans) as differences in
physiology and behavior would affect
whether a deterrent is appropriate for
one or more species group. National
guidelines would also address relevant
implementation considerations.
Deterrents could be considered
‘‘passive’’ or ‘‘active’’ in nature.
Deterrents may include physical
barriers, acoustic deterrent and
harassment devices, visual repellents,
boat hazing, noisemakers, and physical
contact. For each deterrent device or
technique submitted to NMFS for
consideration and evaluation, NMFS
requests information on the
specifications (e.g., source and
frequency levels, pulse rate, type of
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:38 Dec 15, 2014
Jkt 235001
fencing, size of flags, etc.) for each
deterrent or technique, which marine
mammal species or species group (large
cetaceans, small cetaceans, pinnipeds)
would be deterred, how a deterrent
would be employed (e.g., attached to
fishing gear, launched some distance
from a marine mammal), any evidence
that the deterrent will not result in
mortality or serious injury, and any
other implementation considerations.
This information will help NMFS
determine which devices or techniques
are appropriate for the development of
guidelines and specific measures for
safely deterring both non-ESA listed and
ESA listed marine mammals.
DATES: Written comments from
interested parties on the non-lethal
deterrents for NMFS’ consideration
must be received at the appropriate
address or fax number (see ADDRESSES)
no later than 5 p.m. Eastern daylight
time on January 15, 2015.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
identified by NOAA–NMFS–2014–0146,
by any of the following methods during
the 30-day comment period:
• Electronic Submission: Submit all
electronic public comments via the
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal
www.regulations.gov. To submit
comments via the e-Rulemaking Portal,
first click the ‘‘submit a comment’’ icon,
then enter NOAA–NMFS–2014–0146 in
the keyword search. Locate the
document you wish to comment on
from the resulting list and click on the
‘‘Submit a Comment’’ icon on the right
of that line.
• Mail: Submit written comments to
Kristy Long, Office of Protected
Resources, 7600 Sand Point Way NE.,
Building 4, Room 2122–4, Seattle, WA
98115.
• Fax: 301–713–0376; Attn: Kristy
Long.
Instructions: Comments must be
submitted by one of the above methods
to ensure that the comments are
received, documented, and considered
by NMFS. 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. 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.) submitted
voluntarily by the sender will be
publicly accessible. Do not submit
confidential business information, or
otherwise sensitive or protected
information. NMFS will accept
anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in
the required fields if you wish to remain
PO 00000
Frm 00029
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
anonymous). Attachments to electronic
comments will be accepted in Microsoft
Word or Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe
PDF file formats only.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kristy Long (ph. 206–526–4792, email
Kristy.Long@noaa.gov).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The deterrence provisions of the
Marine Mammal Protection Act (16
U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) provide an
exception to otherwise prohibited acts,
allowing the use of measures that may
deter a marine mammal from, among
other things, damaging private property
or endangering personal safety, so long
as those deterrents do not result in the
death or serious injury of a marine
mammal. NMFS has defined ‘‘serious
injury’’ as any injury that will likely
result in death (50 CFR 229.2) and has
further interpreted that definition and
developed a process to distinguish
serious from non-serious injuries
(www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/serious_
injury_policy.pdf).
Specifically, MMPA section
101(a)(4)(A) allows for the owner of
fishing gear or catch or private property,
or an employee or agent of such owner,
to deter marine mammals from
damaging fishing gear and catch or
private property, respectively.
Additionally, it allows any person to
deter a marine mammal from
endangering personal safety and any
government employee to deter a marine
mammal from damaging public
property, so long as such measures do
not result in mortality or serious injury
of a marine mammal.
MMPA section 101(a)(4)(B) directs the
Secretary of Commerce, through NMFS,
to publish guidelines for safely deterring
marine mammals and recommend
specific measures to non-lethally deter
marine mammals listed as endangered
or threatened under the Endangered
Species Act (ESA). Deterring marine
mammals consistent with such
guidelines or approved measures would
not be a violation of the MMPA.
MMPA section 101(a)(4)(C) provides
for the prohibition of certain forms of
deterrence if NMFS determines, using
the best scientific information available,
and subsequent to public comment, that
the deterrence measure has a significant
adverse effect on marine mammals.
Types of Deterrents
Passive Deterrents
‘‘Passive’’ deterrence measures are
those that prevent marine mammals
from gaining access to fishing gear,
property, or people. The proper use of
E:\FR\FM\16DEN1.SGM
16DEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 241 (Tuesday, December 16, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74695-74710]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-29348]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XD611
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; North
Pacific Groundfish and Halibut Observer Program Standard Ex-Vessel
Prices
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
[[Page 74696]]
ACTION: Notification of standard ex-vessel prices.
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SUMMARY: NMFS publishes standard ex-vessel prices for groundfish and
halibut for the calculation of the observer fee under the North Pacific
Groundfish and Halibut Observer Program (Observer Program). This notice
is intended to provide information to vessel owners, processors,
registered buyers, and other participants about the standard ex-vessel
prices that will be used to calculate the observer fee liability for
landings of groundfish and halibut made in 2015. NMFS will send
invoices to processors and registered buyers subject to the fee by
January 15, 2016. Fees are due to NMFS on or before February 15, 2016.
DATES: Effective January 1, 2015.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general questions about the
observer fee and standard ex-vessel prices, contact Sally Bibb at 907-
586-7389. For questions about the fee billing process, contact Troie
Zuniga, Fee Coordinator, 907-586-7105. Additional information about the
Observer Program is available on NMFS Alaska Region's Web site at
https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/observers/.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Observer Program deploys NMFS-certified observers (observers)
who collect information necessary for the conservation and management
of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) and Gulf of Alaska (GOA)
groundfish and halibut fisheries. Fishery managers use information
collected by observers to monitor quotas, manage groundfish and
prohibited species catch, and document and reduce fishery interactions
with protected resources. Scientists use observer-collected information
for stock assessments and marine ecosystem research.
The Observer Program is divided into two observer coverage
categories--partial and full. All groundfish and halibut vessels and
processors are included in one of these two categories. The partial
observer coverage category includes vessels and processors that are not
required to have an observer at all times; the full observer coverage
category includes vessels and processors required to have all of their
fishing and processing operations off Alaska observed. Vessels and
processors in the full coverage category arrange and pay for observer
services from a permitted observer provider. Observer coverage for the
partial coverage category is funded through a system of fees based on
the ex-vessel value of groundfish and halibut.
Landings Subject to Observer Coverage Fee
The objective of the observer fee assessment is to levy a fee on
all landings accruing against a Federal total allowable catch (TAC) for
groundfish or a commercial halibut quota made by vessels that are
subject to Federal regulations and not included in the full coverage
category. A fee is only assessed on landings of groundfish from vessels
designated on a Federal Fisheries Permit or from vessels landing
individual fishing quota (IFQ) or community development quota (CDQ)
halibut or IFQ sablefish. Within the subset of vessels subject to the
observer fee, only landings accruing against the Federal TAC are
included in the fee assessment. A table with additional information
about which landings are and are not subject to the observer fee is in
NMFS regulations at Sec. 679.55(c) and is on page 2 of an
informational bulletin titled ``Observer Fee Collection'' on the NMFS
Alaska Region Web page at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/observers/observerfees.pdf.
Fee Determination
A fee equal to 1.25 percent of the ex-vessel value is assessed on
the landings of groundfish and halibut subject to the fee. Ex-vessel
value is determined by multiplying the standard price for groundfish by
the round weight equivalent for each species, gear, and port
combination, and the standard price for halibut by the headed and
gutted weight equivalent. NMFS will assess each landing report
submitted via eLandings and each manual landing entered into the IFQ
landing database and determine if the landing is subject to the
observer fee and, if it is, which groundfish in the landing are subject
to the observer fee. All IFQ or CDQ halibut in a landing subject to the
observer fee will be assessed as part of the fee liability. For any
groundfish or halibut subject to the observer fee, NMFS will apply the
appropriate standard ex-vessel prices for the species, gear type, and
port, and calculate the observer fee liability associated with the
landing.
Processors and registered buyers access the landing-specific,
observer fee liability information through NMFS Web Application
(https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/webapps/efish/login) or eLandings
(https://elandings.alaska.gov/). For IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, and IFQ
sablefish, this information is available as soon as the IFQ report is
submitted. For groundfish and sablefish that accrue against the fixed
gear sablefish CDQ reserve, the observer fee liability information is
generally available within 24 hours of receipt of the report. The time
lag on the groundfish and sablefish CDQ fee information is necessary
because NMFS must process the landings report through the catch
accounting system computer programs to determine if all of the
groundfish in the landings are subject to the observer fee. Information
about which groundfish in a landing accrues against a Federal TAC is
not immediately available from the processor's data entry into
eLandings.
The intent of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council and NMFS
is for vessel owners to split the fee liability 50/50 with the
processor or registered buyer. While vessels and processors are
responsible for their portion of the fee, the owner of a shoreside
processor or a stationary floating processor and the registered buyer
are responsible for collecting the fee, including the vessel's portion
of the fee, and remitting the full fee liability to NMFS.
NMFS will send invoices to processors and registered buyers for
their total fee liability, which is determined by the sum of the fees
reported for each landing for that processor or registered buyer for
the prior calendar year, by January 15, 2016. Processors and registered
buyers must pay the fees to NMFS using NMFS Web Application by February
15, 2016. Processors and registered buyers have access to this system
through a User ID and password issued by NMFS. Instructions for
electronic payment will be provided on the NMFS Alaska Region Web site
at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov and on the observer fee liability
invoice to be mailed to each permit holder.
Standard Prices
This notice provides the standard ex-vessel prices for groundfish
and halibut species subject to the observer fee in 2015. Data sources
for ex-vessel prices are:
For groundfish other than sablefish IFQ and sablefish
accruing against the fixed gear sablefish CDQ reserve, the State of
Alaska's Commercial Fishery Entry Commission's (CFEC) gross revenue
data, which are based on the Commercial Operator Annual Report (COAR)
and Alaska Department of Fish and Game fish tickets; and
For halibut IFQ, halibut CDQ, sablefish IFQ, and sablefish
accruing against the fixed gear sablefish CDQ reserve, the IFQ Buyer
Report that is submitted annually to NMFS under Sec. 679.5(l)(7)(i).
[[Page 74697]]
The standard prices in this notice were calculated using applicable
guidance for protecting confidentiality of data submitted to or
collected by NMFS. NMFS does not publish any price information that
would permit the identification of an individual or business. At least
four persons must make landings of a species with a particular gear
type at a particular port in order for NMFS to publish that price data
for that species-gear-port combination. Similarly, at least four
processors in a particular port must purchase a species harvested with
a particular gear type in order for NMFS to publish a price for that
species-gear-port combination. Price data that is confidential because
fewer than four persons contributed data to a particular species-gear-
port combination has been aggregated to protect confidential data.
Groundfish Standard Ex-Vessel Prices
Table 1 shows the groundfish species standard ex-vessel prices for
2015. These prices are based on the CFEC gross revenue data, which are
based on landings data from Alaska Department of Fish and Game fish
tickets and information from the COAR. The COAR contains statewide
buying and production information, and is considered the most accurate
routinely collected information to determine the ex-vessel value of
groundfish harvested from waters off Alaska.
The standard ex-vessel prices for groundfish were calculated by
adding ex-vessel value from the CFEC gross revenue files for 2011,
2012, and 2013 by species, port, and gear category, and adding the
volume (weight) the CFEC gross revenue files for 2011, 2012, and 2013
by species, port, and gear category, and then dividing total ex-vessel
value over the 3-year period in each category by total volume over the
3-year period in each category. This calculation results in a weighted
average ex-vessel price per pound by species, port, and gear category.
Three gear categories were used for the standard ex-vessel prices:
pelagic trawl gear, non-pelagic trawl gear, and other gear (hook-and-
line, pot, and jig).
CFEC ex-vessel value data are available in the fall of the year
following the year the fishing occurred. Thus, it is not possible to
base ex-vessel fee liabilities on standard prices that are less than 2
years old.
If a particular species is not listed in Table 1, the standard ex-
vessel price for a species group, if it exists in the management area,
will be used. If price data for a particular species remained
confidential once aggregated to the ALL level, data is aggregated by
species group (Flathead Sole, GOA Deep-water Flatfish; GOA Shallow-
water Flatfish; GOA Skate, Other; and Other Rockfish). Standard prices
for the species groups are shown in Table 2.
If a port-level price does not meet the confidentiality
requirements, the data are aggregated by port-group. Port-group data is
first aggregated by regulatory area in the GOA (Eastern GOA, Central
GOA, and Western GOA) and by subarea in the BSAI (BS subarea and AI
subarea). Port-group data for Southeast Alaska (SEAK) and the Eastern
GOA excluding Southeast Alaska (EGOAxSE) also are presented separately
when price data are available. If confidentiality requirements are
still not met by aggregating prices across ports at these levels, the
prices are aggregated at the level of BSAI or GOA, then statewide (AK)
and ports outside of Alaska (OTAK), and finally all ports, including
those outside of Alaska (``ALL'').
Standard prices are presented separately for non-pelagic trawl and
pelagic trawl when non-confidential data is available. NMFS also
calculated prices for a ``Pelagic Trawl/Non-pelagic Trawl Combined''
category that can be used when combining trawl price data for landings
of a species in a particular port or port group will not violate
confidentiality requirements. Creating this standard price category
allows NMFS to assess a fee on 2015 landings of some of the species
with pelagic trawl gear based on a combined trawl gear price for the
port or port group.
If no standard ex-vessel price is listed for the species or species
group and gear category combination, no fee will be assessed on that
landing. Volume and value data for that species will be added to the
standard ex-vessel prices in future years, if that data becomes
available and display of a standard ex-vessel price meets
confidentiality requirements.
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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Halibut and Sablefish IFQ and CDQ Standard Ex-vessel Prices
Table 3 shows the observer fee standard ex-vessel prices for
halibut and sablefish. These standard prices are calculated as a single
annual average price, by port or port group. Volume and ex-vessel value
data collected on the 2014 IFQ Buyer Report for landings made from
October 1, 2013, through September 30, 2014, were used to calculate the
standard ex-vessel prices for the 2015 observer fee liability for
halibut IFQ, halibut CDQ, sablefish IFQ, and sablefish landings that
accrue against the fixed gear sablefish CDQ reserve.
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[[Page 74710]]
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: December 10, 2014.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-29348 Filed 12-15-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-C
