Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska; Final 2015 and 2016 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish, 10249-10282 [2015-03896]

Download as PDF Vol. 80 Wednesday, No. 37 February 25, 2015 Part III Department of Commerce mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska; Final 2015 and 2016 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish; Final Rule VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Feb 24, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4717 Sfmt 4717 E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM 25FER2 10250 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 140918791–4999–02] RIN 0648–XD516 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska; Final 2015 and 2016 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Final rule; harvest specifications and closures. AGENCY: NMFS announces final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications, apportionments, and Pacific halibut prohibited species catch limits for the groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to establish harvest limits for groundfish during the 2015 and 2016 fishing years and to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the GOA. The intended effect of this action is to conserve and manage the groundfish resources in the GOA in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. DATES: Harvest specifications and closures are effective at 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 25, 2015, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2016. SUMMARY: Electronic copies of the Final Alaska Groundfish Harvest Specifications Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Record of Decision (ROD), and the Supplementary Information Report (SIR) to the EIS prepared for this action are available from https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. The final 2014 Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) report for the groundfish resources of the GOA, dated November 2014, is available from the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) at 605 West 4th Avenue, Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 99510–2252, phone 907–271–2809, or from the Council’s Web site at https:// www.npfmc.org. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907–586–7228. NMFS manages the GOA groundfish fisheries in the exclusive economic zone of the GOA under the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Feb 24, 2015 Jkt 235001 Alaska (FMP). The Council prepared the FMP under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Regulations governing U.S. fisheries and implementing the FMP appear at 50 CFR parts 600, 679, and 680. The FMP and its implementing regulations require NMFS, after consultation with the Council, to specify the total allowable catch (TAC) for each target species, the sum of which must be within the optimum yield (OY) range of 116,000 to 800,000 metric tons (mt). Section 679.20(c)(1) further requires NMFS to publish and solicit public comment on proposed annual TACs, Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limits, and seasonal allowances of pollock and Pacific cod. Upon consideration of public comment received under § 679.20(c)(1), NMFS must publish notice of final harvest specifications for up to two fishing years as annual target TAC, per § 679.20(c)(3)(ii). The final harvest specifications set forth in Tables 1 through 36 of this document reflect the outcome of this process, as required at § 679.20(c). The proposed 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA and Pacific halibut PSC limits were published in the Federal Register on December 8, 2014 (79 FR 72593). Comments were invited and accepted through January 7, 2015. NMFS did not receive any comments on the proposed harvest specifications. In December 2014, NMFS consulted with the Council regarding the 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications. After considering public testimony, as well as biological and economic data that were available at the Council’s December 2014 meeting, NMFS is implementing the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications, as recommended by the Council. For 2015, the sum of the TAC amounts is 536,158 mt. For 2016, the sum of the TAC amounts is 590,161 mt. sectors of trawl catcher/processors, trawl catcher vessels participating in the Central GOA Rockfish Program, and trawl catcher vessels not participating in the Central GOA Rockfish Program fishing for groundfish species other than pollock. The pollock directed fishery is not included in the Council’s recommended action, as that fishery is already subject to Chinook salmon PSC limits (§ 679.21(h)). NMFS published a notice of availability for Amendment 97 on June 5, 2014 (79 FR 32525). On September 3, 2014, the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) approved Amendment 97. The proposed rule that would implement Amendment 97 published on June 25, 2014 (79 FR 35971), with public comments accepted through July 25, 2014. The proposed rule contains a description of the affected management areas and groundfish fisheries, the nonpollock trawl groundfish fisheries and associated sectors, the history and goals of Amendment 97, and the provisions of the proposed action. Those provisions include proposed Chinook salmon PSC limits by sector, seasonal allocations, and other aspects associated with the implementation of Chinook salmon PSC limits for the non-pollock trawl groundfish fisheries in the Western and Central GOA. One provision that could affect the 2016 Chinook salmon PSC limits is the ‘‘incentive buffer.’’ This mechanism provides for an increased annual Chinook salmon PSC limit if sectors catch less than their limit of Chinook salmon in the previous year. The final rule to implement Amendment 97 published on December 2, 2014 (79 FR 71350). The Chinook salmon PSC limits implemented by Amendment 97 were effective on January 1, 2015. Specific sector limits for the non-pollock groundfish fisheries are described later in this preamble. NMFS will monitor the Chinook salmon PSC in the non-pollock GOA groundfish fisheries and close an applicable sector if it reaches its 2015 Chinook salmon PSC limit. Other Actions Affecting the 2015 and 2016 Harvest Specifications Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) and TAC Specifications In December 2014, the Council, its Advisory Panel (AP), and its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) reviewed the most recent biological and harvest information about the condition of groundfish stocks in the GOA. This information was compiled by the Council’s GOA Groundfish Plan Team and was presented in the draft 2014 SAFE report for the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated November 2014 (see ADDRESSES). The SAFE report contains a review of the latest scientific analyses Amendment 97 to the FMP: Chinook Salmon Prohibited Species Catch Limits in the Non-Pollock Trawl Groundfish Fisheries In June 2013, the Council took final action to implement measures to control Chinook salmon PSC in all non-pollock trawl groundfish fisheries in the Western and Central GOA. This action, Amendment 97 to the FMP, would set an initial annual PSC limit of 7,500 Chinook salmon apportioned among the PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM 25FER2 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations and estimates of each species’ biomass and other biological parameters, as well as summaries of the available information on the GOA ecosystem and the economic condition of the groundfish fisheries off Alaska. From these data and analyses, the Plan Team estimates an overfishing level (OFL) and ABC for each species or species group. The 2014 report was made available for public review during the public comment period for the proposed harvest specifications. In previous years, the largest changes from the proposed to the final harvest specifications have been based on recent NMFS stock surveys, which provide updated estimates of stock biomass and spatial distribution, and changes to the models used for producing stock assessments. At the November 2014 Plan Team meeting, NMFS scientists presented updated and new survey results, changes to stock assessment models, and accompanying stock assessment estimates for all groundfish species and species groups that are included in the final 2014 SAFE report. The SSC reviewed this information at the December 2014 Council meeting. Changes from the proposed to the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications are discussed below. The final 2015 and 2016 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs are based on the best available biological and socioeconomic information, including projected biomass trends, information on assumed distribution of stock biomass, and revised methods used to calculate stock biomass. The FMP specifies the formulas, or tiers, to be used to compute OFLs and ABCs. The formulas applicable to a particular stock or stock complex are determined by the level of reliable information available to fisheries scientists. This information is categorized into a successive series of six tiers to define OFL and ABC amounts, with Tier 1 representing the highest level of information quality available and Tier 6 representing the lowest level of information quality available. The Plan Team used the FMP tier structure to calculate OFL and ABC amounts for each groundfish species. The SSC adopted the final 2015 and 2016 OFLs and ABCs recommended by the Plan Team for all groundfish species. The Council adopted the SSC’s OFL and ABC recommendations and the AP’s TAC recommendations. The final TAC recommendations were based on the ABCs as adjusted for other biological and socioeconomic considerations, including maintaining the sum of all TACs within the required OY range of 116,000 to 800,000 mt. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Feb 24, 2015 Jkt 235001 The Council recommended 2015 and 2016 TACs that are equal to ABCs for sablefish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish, shortraker rockfish, dusky rockfish, rougheye rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish, thornyhead rockfish, ‘‘other rockfish,’’ big skates, longnose skates, other skates, sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopuses in the GOA. The Council recommended TACs for 2015 and 2016 that are less than the ABCs for pollock, Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish in the Western GOA, arrowtooth flounder, flathead sole in the Western and Central GOA, ‘‘other rockfish’’ in the Southeast Outside district, and Atka mackerel. The Pacific cod TACs are set to accommodate the State’s guideline harvest levels (GHLs) for Pacific cod so that the ABCs are not exceeded. The shallow-water flatfish, arrowtooth flounder, and flathead sole TACs are set to allow for increased harvest opportunities for these target species while conserving the halibut PSC limit for use in other, more fully utilized fisheries. The ‘‘other rockfish’’ TAC in the Southeast Outside District (SEO) is set to reduce the amount of discards. The Atka mackerel TAC is set to accommodate incidental catch amounts in other fisheries. The final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications approved by the Secretary are unchanged from those recommended by the Council and are consistent with the preferred harvest strategy alternative in the EIS (see ADDRESSES). NMFS finds that the Council’s recommended OFLs, ABCs, and TACs are consistent with the biological condition of the groundfish stocks as described in the final 2014 SAFE report. NMFS also finds that the Council’s recommendations for OFLs, ABCs, and TACs are consistent with the biological condition of groundfish stocks as adjusted for other biological and socioeconomic considerations, including maintaining the total TAC within the OY range. NMFS reviewed the Council’s recommended TAC specifications and apportionments, and approves these harvest specifications under 50 CFR 679.20(c)(3)(ii). The apportionment of TAC amounts among gear types and sectors, processing sectors, and seasons is discussed below. Tables 1 and 2 list the final 2015 and 2016 OFLs, ABCs, TACs, and area apportionments of groundfish in the GOA. The sums of the 2015 and 2016 ABCs are 685,597 mt and 731,049 mt, respectively, which are higher in 2015 and 2016 than the 2014 ABC sum of 640,675 mt (79 FR 12890, March 6, 2014). PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 10251 Specification and Apportionment of TAC Amounts NMFS’ apportionment of groundfish species is based on the distribution of biomass among the regulatory areas over which NMFS manages the species. Additional regulations govern the apportionment of pollock, Pacific cod, and sablefish. Additional detail on the apportionment of pollock, Pacific cod, and sablefish are described below. The ABC for the pollock stock in the combined Western, Central, and West Yakutat Regulatory Areas (W/C/WYK) includes the amount for the GHL established by the State for the Prince William Sound (PWS) pollock fishery. The Plan Team, SSC, AP, and Council recommended that the sum of all State and Federal water pollock removals from the GOA not exceed ABC recommendations. Based on genetic studies, fisheries scientists believe that the pollock in PWS is not a separate stock from the combined W/C/WYK population. Since 1996, the Plan Team has had a protocol of recommending that the GHL amount be deducted from the GOA-wide ABC. For 2015 and 2016, the SSC recommended and the Council approved the W/C/WYK pollock ABC including the amount to account for the State’s PWS GHL. At the November 2014 Plan Team meeting, State fisheries managers recommended setting the PWS GHL at 2.5 percent of the annual W/C/WYK pollock ABC. For 2015, this yields a PWS pollock GHL of 4,783 mt, an increase of 620 mt from the 2014 PWS GHL of 4,163 mt. For 2016, the PWS pollock GHL is 6,271 mt, an increase of 2,108 mt from the 2014 PWS pollock GHL. The Council also adopted the SSC’s recommendation to revise the terminology used when apportioning pollock in the Western, Central, and West Yakutat Regulatory Areas. The SSC recommended describing apportionments of pollock to the Western, Central, and West Yakutat Regulatory Areas as ‘‘apportionments of annual catch limit (ACLs)’’ rather than ‘‘ABCs.’’ The SSC annually recommends a combined pollock ABC for the Western, Central, and West Yakutat Regulatory Areas based on factors such as scientific uncertainty in the estimate of the area-wide OFL, data uncertainty, and recruitment variability. Section 3.2.3.3.2 of FMP specifies that the ACL is equal to the ABC. Historically, the SSC has recommended apportioning the combined Western, Central, and West Yakutat ABC between these three individual Regulatory Areas. However, the subarea ABCs have not been based on scientific uncertainty in the OFL, E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM 25FER2 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 10252 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations data uncertainty, or other conservation or biological concerns, but rather on seasonal and spatial apportionment procedures established under the Steller sea lion protection measures for pollock TAC in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas. The SSC noted that describing subarea apportionments as ‘‘apportionments of the ACL’’ more accurately reflects that such apportionments address management, rather than biological or conservation, concerns. In addition, apportioning the ACL in this manner allow NMFS to balance any transfer of TAC from one area to another pursuant to regulations at § 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B) to ensure that the area-wide ACL and ABC are not exceeded. The SSC noted that this terminology change is acceptable for pollock in the Western, Central, and West Yakutat Regulatory Areas only. There is one aggregate pollock OFL in these areas, and Steller sea lion protection measures provide a spatial and seasonal apportionment procedure for the pollock TAC in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas. This change is not applicable for pollock in the Southeast Outside GOA Regulatory Area, which is managed as a separate stock. NMFS establishes pollock TACs in the Western, Central, West Yakutat Regulatory Areas, and the Southeast Outside District of the GOA (see Tables 1 and 2). NMFS also establishes seasonal apportionments of the annual pollock TAC in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA among Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630. These apportionments are divided equally among each of the following four seasons: The A season (January 20 through March 10), the B season (March 10 through May 31), the C season (August 25 through October 1), and the D season (October 1 through November 1) (§ 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), and § 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A) and (B)). Additional detail is provided below; Tables 3 and 4 list these amounts. The 2015 and 2016 Pacific cod TACs are set to accommodate the State’s GHL for Pacific cod in State waters in the Central and Western Regulatory Areas, as well as in PWS. The Plan Team, SSC, AP, and Council recommended that the sum of all State and Federal water Pacific cod removals from the GOA not exceed ABC recommendations. Accordingly, the Council set the 2015 and 2016 Pacific cod TACs in the Eastern, Central, and Western Regulatory Areas to account for State GHLs. Therefore, the 2015 and 2016 Pacific cod TACs are less than the ABCs by the following amounts: (1) Eastern GOA, 707 mt; (2) Central GOA, 15,330 VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Feb 24, 2015 Jkt 235001 mt; and (3) Western GOA, 11,611 mt. These amounts reflect the sum of the State’s 2015 and 2016 GHLs in these areas, which are 25 percent of the Eastern and Central ABCs, and 30 percent of the Western GOA ABC. NMFS establishes seasonal apportionments of the annual Pacific cod TAC in the Central and Western Regulatory Areas. Sixty percent of the annual TAC is apportioned to the A season for hook-and-line, pot, and jig gear from January 1 through June 10, and for trawl gear from January 20 through June 10. Forty percent of the annual TAC is apportioned to the B season for hook-and-line, pot, and jig gear from September 1 through December 31, and for trawl gear from September 1 through November 1 (§§ 679.23(d)(3) and 679.20(a)(12)). The Central and Western GOA Pacific cod TACs are allocated among various gear and operational sectors. The Pacific cod sector apportionments are discussed in detail in a subsequent section of this preamble. The Council’s recommendation for sablefish area apportionments takes into account the prohibition on the use of trawl gear in the SEO District of the Eastern Regulatory Area and makes available 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area ABCs to trawl gear for use as incidental catch in other groundfish fisheries in the WYK District (§ 679.20(a)(4)(i)). Tables 7 and 8 list the final 2015 and 2016 allocations of sablefish TAC to hook-and-line and trawl gear in the GOA. Changes From the Proposed 2015 and 2016 Harvest Specifications in the GOA In October 2014, the Council’s recommendations for the proposed 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications (79 FR 72593, December 8, 2014) were based largely on information contained in the final 2013 SAFE report for the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated November 2013 (see ADDRESSES). The Council proposed that the final OFLs, ABCs, and TACs established for the 2015 groundfish fisheries (79 FR 12890, March 6, 2014) be used for the proposed 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications, pending completion and review of the 2014 SAFE report at its December 2014 meeting. As described previously, the SSC adopted the final 2015 and 2016 OFLs and ABCs recommended by the Plan Team. The Council adopted the SSC’s OFL and ABC recommendations and the AP’s TAC recommendations for 2015 and 2016. The final 2015 ABCs are higher than the proposed 2015 ABCs published in the proposed 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications (79 FR PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 72593, December 8, 2014) for pollock, Pacific cod, sablefish, shallow-water flatfish, deep-water flatfish, arrowtooth flounder, flathead sole, Pacific ocean perch, dusky rockfish, longnose skate, and ‘‘other skates.’’ The final 2015 ABCs are lower than the proposed 2015 ABCs for northern rockfish, rougheye rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish, and big skates. The final 2016 ABCs are higher than the proposed 2016 ABCs for pollock, Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish, flathead sole, Pacific ocean perch, longnose skate, and ‘‘other skates.’’ The final 2016 ABCs are lower than the proposed 2016 ABCs for deep-water flatfish, rex sole, arrowtooth flounder, northern rockfish, dusky rockfish, rougheye rockfish, and big skates. For the remaining target species—Atka mackerel, sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopus—the Council recommended, and the Secretary approved, the final 2015 and 2016 ABCs that are the same as the proposed 2015 and 2016 ABCs. Additional information explaining the changes between the proposed and final ABCs is included in the final 2014 SAFE report, which was not available when the Council made its proposed ABC and TAC recommendations in October 2014. At that time, the most recent stock assessment information was contained in the final 2013 SAFE report. The final 2014 SAFE report contains the best and most recent scientific information on the condition of the groundfish stocks, as previously discussed in this preamble, and is available for review (see ADDRESSES). The Council considered the final 2014 SAFE report in December 2014 when it made recommendations for the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications. In the GOA, the total final 2015 TAC amount is 536,158 mt, an increase of 5 percent from the total proposed 2015 TAC amount of 511,599 mt. The total final 2016 TAC amount is 590,161 mt, an increase of 15 percent from the total proposed 2016 TAC amount of 511,599 mt. The following table in this preamble summarizes the principle reason for the difference between the proposed and final TACs. Based on changes to the assessment method (model) used by stock assessment scientists, for 2015 and 2016 the greatest TAC increase is for Pacific cod. Based on changes in the estimates of overall biomass, the greatest TAC increases are for shallow-water flatfish, longnose skate, other skates, and Pacific ocean perch. Based upon changes in the estimates of biomass, the greatest decreases in TACs are for rougheye rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish, and big skate. For all other species and species groups, changes from the E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM 25FER2 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations proposed to the final TACs are within plus or minus five percent of the proposed TACs. These TAC changes correspond to associated changes in the ABCs and TACs, as recommended by the SSC, AP, and Council. Additionally, based upon the Council’s recommended changes in setting the TACs at amounts below ABCs, the greatest decreases in TACs are for shallow-water flatfish, arrowtooth flounder, flathead sole, and ‘‘other rockfish.’’ The Council believed, and NMFS concurs, that setting TACs for the three preceding flatfish species equal to ABCs would not reflect anticipated harvest levels accurately, as the Council and NMFS expect halibut PSC limits to constrain these fisheries in 2015 and 2016. Detailed information providing the basis for the changes described above is 10253 contained in the final 2014 SAFE report. The final TACs are based on the best scientific information available. These TACs are specified in compliance with the harvest strategy described in the proposed and final rules for the 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications. The changes in TACs between the proposed rule and this final rule are compared in the following table. COMPARISON OF PROPOSED AND FINAL 2015 AND 2016 GOA TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH LIMITS [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentage] 2015 and 2016 proposed TAC Species 2015 Final TAC 2015 Final minus 2015 Proposed TAC Percentage difference 2016 final minus 2016 proposed TAC 2016 final TAC Percentage difference Pollock .............................................................. Pacific cod ........................................................ Sablefish ........................................................... Shallow-water flatfish ........................................ Deep-water flatfish ............................................ Rex sole ............................................................ Arrowtooth flounder .......................................... Flathead sole .................................................... Pacific ocean perch .......................................... Northern rockfish .............................................. Shortraker rockfish ........................................... Dusky rockfish .................................................. Rougheye rockfish ............................................ Demersal shelf rockfish .................................... Thornyhead rockfish ......................................... Other rockfish ................................................... Atka mackerel ................................................... Big skate ........................................................... Longnose skate ................................................ Other skates ..................................................... Sculpins ............................................................ Sharks ............................................................... Squids ............................................................... Octopuses ......................................................... 193,809 61,519 9,554 32,027 13,303 9,155 103,300 27,726 19,764 5,010 1,323 5,081 1,262 274 1,841 1,811 2,000 3,762 2,876 1,989 5,569 5,989 1,148 1,507 199,151 75,202 10,522 35,381 13,334 9,150 103,300 27,756 21,012 4,998 1,323 5,109 1,122 225 1,841 1,811 2,000 3,255 3,218 2,235 5,569 5,989 1,148 1,507 5,342 13,683 968 3,354 31 ¥5 0 30 1,248 ¥12 0 28 ¥140 ¥49 0 0 0 ¥507 342 246 0 0 0 0 3 22 10 10 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 1 ¥11 ¥18 0 0 0 ¥13 12 12 0 0 0 0 257,178 75,202 9,558 32,877 13,177 8,979 103,300 27,759 21,436 4,721 1,323 4,711 1,142 225 1,841 1,811 2,000 3,255 3,218 2,235 5,569 5,989 1,148 1,507 63,369 13,683 4 850 ¥126 ¥176 0 33 1,672 ¥289 0 ¥370 ¥120 ¥49 0 0 0 ¥507 342 246 0 0 0 0 33 22 0 3 ¥1 ¥2 0 0 8 ¥6 0 ¥7 ¥10 ¥18 0 0 0 ¥13 12 12 0 0 0 0 Total ........................................................... 511,599 536,158 24,559 5 590,161 78,562 Principle reason for difference Model 1 Model N/A Biomass 2 Biomass Biomass N/A N/A Biomass Biomass N/A Biomass Biomass Biomass N/A N/A N/A Biomass Biomass Biomass N/A N/A N/A N/A 15 1 Model—Change in assessment methodology. 2 Biomass—Change in estimate of biomass. The final 2015 and 2016 TAC recommendations for the GOA are within the OY range established for the GOA and do not exceed the ABC for any species or species group. Tables 1 and 2 list the final OFL, ABC, and TAC amounts for GOA groundfish for 2015 and 2016, respectively. TABLE 1—FINAL 2015 ABCS, TACS, AND OFLS OF GROUNDFISH FOR THE WESTERN/CENTRAL/WEST YAKUTAT, WESTERN, CENTRAL, EASTERN REGULATORY AREAS, AND IN THE WEST YAKUTAT, SOUTHEAST OUTSIDE, AND GULFWIDE DISTRICTS OF THE GULF OF ALASKA [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Area 1 Pollock 2 ................................................................ mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Species Shumagin (610) .................................................... Chirikof (620) ........................................................ Kodiak (630) ......................................................... WYK (640) ............................................................ W/C/WYK (subtotal) ............................................. SEO (650) ............................................................ Total ...................................................................... W .......................................................................... C ........................................................................... E ........................................................................... Total ...................................................................... W .......................................................................... C ........................................................................... WYK ..................................................................... SEO ...................................................................... E (WYK and SEO) (subtotal) ............................... Pacific cod 3 .......................................................... Sablefish 4 ............................................................. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Feb 24, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 OFL E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM ABC TAC n/a n/a n/a n/a 256,545 16,833 273,378 n/a n/a n/a 140,300 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 31,634 97,579 52,594 4,719 191,309 12,625 203,934 38,702 61,320 2,828 102,850 1,474 4,658 1,708 2,682 4,390 31,634 97,579 52,594 4,719 186,526 12,625 199,151 27,091 45,990 2,121 75,202 1,474 4,658 1,708 2,682 4,390 25FER2 10254 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 1—FINAL 2015 ABCS, TACS, AND OFLS OF GROUNDFISH FOR THE WESTERN/CENTRAL/WEST YAKUTAT, WESTERN, CENTRAL, EASTERN REGULATORY AREAS, AND IN THE WEST YAKUTAT, SOUTHEAST OUTSIDE, AND GULFWIDE DISTRICTS OF THE GULF OF ALASKA—Continued [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Area 1 Species Shallow-water flatfish 5 .......................................... Deep-water flatfish 6 .............................................. Rex sole ................................................................ Arrowtooth flounder .............................................. Flathead sole ........................................................ Pacific ocean perch 7 ............................................ Northern rockfish 8 ................................................ Shortraker rockfish 9 ............................................. Dusky rockfish 10 ................................................... Rougheye and Blackspotted rockfish 11 ............... Demersal shelf rockfish 12 .................................... Thornyhead rockfish ............................................. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Other rockfish 13 14 ................................................. Atka mackerel ....................................................... Big skate 15 ........................................................... Longnose skate 16 ................................................. Other skates 17 ...................................................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Feb 24, 2015 Jkt 235001 OFL Total ...................................................................... W .......................................................................... C ........................................................................... WYK ..................................................................... SEO ...................................................................... Total ...................................................................... W .......................................................................... C ........................................................................... WYK ..................................................................... SEO ...................................................................... Total ...................................................................... W .......................................................................... C ........................................................................... WYK ..................................................................... SEO ...................................................................... Total ...................................................................... W .......................................................................... C ........................................................................... WYK ..................................................................... SEO ...................................................................... Total ...................................................................... W .......................................................................... C ........................................................................... WYK ..................................................................... SEO ...................................................................... Total ...................................................................... W .......................................................................... C ........................................................................... WYK ..................................................................... W/C/WYK subtotal ................................................ SEO ...................................................................... Total ...................................................................... W .......................................................................... C ........................................................................... E ........................................................................... Total ...................................................................... W .......................................................................... C ........................................................................... E ........................................................................... Total ...................................................................... W .......................................................................... C ........................................................................... WYK ..................................................................... SEO ...................................................................... Total ...................................................................... W .......................................................................... C ........................................................................... E ........................................................................... Total ...................................................................... SEO ...................................................................... W .......................................................................... C ........................................................................... E ........................................................................... Total ...................................................................... W and C ............................................................... WYK ..................................................................... SEO ...................................................................... Total ...................................................................... GW ....................................................................... W .......................................................................... C ........................................................................... E ........................................................................... Total ...................................................................... W .......................................................................... C ........................................................................... E ........................................................................... Total ...................................................................... GW ....................................................................... PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM ABC TAC 12,425 n/a n/a n/a n/a 54,207 n/a n/a n/a n/a 15,993 n/a n/a n/a n/a 11,957 n/a n/a n/a n/a 226,390 n/a n/a n/a n/a 50,792 n/a n/a n/a 23,406 954 24,360 n/a n/a n/a 5,961 n/a n/a n/a 1,764 n/a n/a n/a n/a 6,246 n/a n/a n/a 1,345 361 n/a n/a n/a 2,454 n/a n/a n/a 5,347 6,200 n/a n/a n/a 4,340 n/a n/a n/a 4,291 2,980 10,522 22,074 19,297 2,209 625 44,205 301 3,689 5,474 3,870 13,334 1,258 5,816 772 1,304 9,150 30,752 114,170 36,771 11,228 192,921 12,767 24,876 3,535 171 41,349 2,302 15,873 2,014 20,189 823 21,012 1,226 3,772 n/a 4,998 92 397 834 1,323 296 3,336 1,288 189 5,109 115 632 375 1,122 225 235 875 731 1,841 1,031 580 2,469 4,080 4,700 731 1,257 1,267 3,255 152 2,090 976 3,218 2,235 10,522 13,250 19,297 2,209 625 35,381 301 3,689 5,474 3,870 13,334 1,258 5,816 772 1,304 9,150 14,500 75,000 6,900 6,900 103,300 8,650 15,400 3,535 171 27,756 2,302 15,873 2,014 20,189 823 21,012 1,226 3,772 n/a 4,998 92 397 834 1,323 296 3,336 1,288 189 5,109 115 632 375 1,122 225 235 875 731 1,841 1,031 580 200 1,811 2,000 731 1,257 1,267 3,255 152 2,090 976 3,218 2,235 25FER2 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 10255 TABLE 1—FINAL 2015 ABCS, TACS, AND OFLS OF GROUNDFISH FOR THE WESTERN/CENTRAL/WEST YAKUTAT, WESTERN, CENTRAL, EASTERN REGULATORY AREAS, AND IN THE WEST YAKUTAT, SOUTHEAST OUTSIDE, AND GULFWIDE DISTRICTS OF THE GULF OF ALASKA—Continued [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Area 1 Species Sculpins ................................................................ Sharks ................................................................... Squids ................................................................... Octopus ................................................................. Total ............................................................... GW GW GW GW OFL ABC TAC ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... 7,448 7,986 1,530 2,009 5,569 5,989 1,148 1,507 5,569 5,989 1,148 1,507 ............................................................................... 870,064 685,597 536,158 1 Regulatory areas and districts are defined at § 679.2. (W = Western Gulf of Alaska; C = Central Gulf of Alaska; E = Eastern Gulf of Alaska; WYK = West Yakutat District; SEO = Southeast Outside District; GW = Gulf-wide). 2 The aggregate pollock ABC for the Western, Central, and West Yakutat Regulatory Areas is apportioned among four statistical areas after deducting 2.5 percent of the ABC for the State’s pollock GHL fishery. These apportionments are considered subarea ACLs, rather than ABCs, for specification and reapportionment purposes. The ACLs in Areas 610, 620, and 630 are further divided by season, as detailed in Table 3. In the West Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts of the Eastern Regulatory Area, pollock is not divided into seasonal allowances. 3 The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned 60 percent to the A season and 40 percent to the B season in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA. Pacific cod in the Eastern Regulatory Area is allocated 90 percent for processing by the inshore component and 10 percent for processing by the offshore component. Table 5 lists the final 2015 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments. 4 Sablefish is allocated to trawl and hook-and-line gear in 2015. Table 7 lists the final 2015 allocations of sablefish TACs. 5 ‘‘Shallow-water flatfish’’ means flatfish not including ‘‘deep-water flatfish,’’ flathead sole, rex sole, or arrowtooth flounder. 6 ‘‘Deep-water flatfish’’ means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, and deepsea sole. 7 ‘‘Pacific ocean perch’’ means Sebastes alutus. 8 ‘‘Northern rockfish’’ means Sebastes polyspinis. For management purposes the 2 mt apportionment of ABC to the WYK District of the Eastern Gulf of Alaska has been included in the other rockfish species group. 9 ‘‘Shortraker rockfish’’ means Sebastes borealis. 10 ‘‘Dusky rockfish’’ means Sebastes variabilis. 11 ‘‘Rougheye rockfish’’ means Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and Sebastes melanostictus (blackspotted). 12 ‘‘Demersal shelf rockfish’’ means Sebastes pinniger (canary), S. nebulosus (china), S. caurinus (copper), S. maliger (quillback), S. helvomaculatus (rosethorn), S. nigrocinctus (tiger), and S. ruberrimus (yelloweye). 13 ‘‘Other rockfish’’ means Sebastes aurora (aurora), S. melanostomus (blackgill), S. paucispinis (bocaccio), S. goodei (chilipepper), S. crameri (darkblotch), S. elongatus (greenstriped), S. variegatus (harlequin), S. wilsoni (pygmy), S. babcocki (redbanded), S. proriger (redstripe), S. zacentrus (sharpchin), S. jordani (shortbelly), S. brevispinis (silvergrey), S. diploproa (splitnose), S. saxicola (stripetail), S. miniatus (vermilion), S. reedi (yellowmouth), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus (yellowtail). In the Eastern GOA only, other rockfish also includes northern rockfish, S. polyspinis. 14 ‘‘Other rockfish’’ in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat District means other rockfish and demersal shelf rockfish. The ‘‘other rockfish’’ species group in the SEO District only includes other rockfish. 15 ‘‘Big skate’’ means Raja binoculata. 16 ‘‘Longnose skate’’ means Raja rhina. 17 ‘‘Other skates’’ means Bathyraja spp. TABLE 2—FINAL 2016 ABCS, TACS, AND OFLS OF GROUNDFISH FOR THE WESTERN/CENTRAL/WEST YAKUTAT, WESTERN, CENTRAL, EASTERN REGULATORY AREAS, AND IN THE WEST YAKUTAT, SOUTHEAST OUTSIDE, AND GULFWIDE DISTRICTS OF THE GULF OF ALASKA [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Species Area 1 Pollock 2 ................................................................ Shumagin (610) .................................................... Chirikof (620) ........................................................ Kodiak (630) ......................................................... WYK (640) ............................................................ W/C/WYK (subtotal) ............................................. SEO (650) ............................................................ Total ...................................................................... W .......................................................................... C ........................................................................... E ........................................................................... Total ...................................................................... W .......................................................................... C ........................................................................... WYK ..................................................................... SEO ...................................................................... E (WYK and SEO) (subtotal) ............................... Total ...................................................................... W .......................................................................... C ........................................................................... WYK ..................................................................... SEO ...................................................................... Total ...................................................................... W .......................................................................... C ........................................................................... WYK ..................................................................... SEO ...................................................................... Pacific cod 3 .......................................................... mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Sablefish 4 ............................................................. Shallow-water flatfish 5 .......................................... Deep-water flatfish 6 .............................................. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Feb 24, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 OFL E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM ABC TAC n/a n/a n/a n/a 321,067 16,833 337,900 n/a n/a n/a 133,100 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 11,293 n/a n/a n/a n/a 48,407 n/a n/a n/a n/a 41,472 127,936 68,958 6,187 250,824 12,625 263,449 38,702 61,320 2,828 102,850 1,338 4,232 1,552 2,436 3,988 9,558 19,577 17,114 1,959 554 39,204 299 3,645 5,409 3,824 41,472 127,936 68,958 6,187 244,553 12,625 257,178 27,091 45,990 2,121 75,202 1,338 4,232 1,552 2,436 3,988 9,558 13,250 17,114 1,959 554 32,877 299 3,645 5,409 3,824 25FER2 10256 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 2—FINAL 2016 ABCS, TACS, AND OFLS OF GROUNDFISH FOR THE WESTERN/CENTRAL/WEST YAKUTAT, WESTERN, CENTRAL, EASTERN REGULATORY AREAS, AND IN THE WEST YAKUTAT, SOUTHEAST OUTSIDE, AND GULFWIDE DISTRICTS OF THE GULF OF ALASKA—Continued [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Area 1 OFL ABC TAC Other skates 17 ...................................................... Sculpins ................................................................ Sharks ................................................................... Squids ................................................................... Octopus ................................................................. Total ...................................................................... W .......................................................................... C ........................................................................... WYK ..................................................................... SEO ...................................................................... Total ...................................................................... W .......................................................................... C ........................................................................... WYK ..................................................................... SEO ...................................................................... Total ...................................................................... W .......................................................................... C ........................................................................... WYK ..................................................................... SEO ...................................................................... Total ...................................................................... W .......................................................................... C ........................................................................... WYK ..................................................................... W/C/WYK ............................................................. SEO ...................................................................... Total ...................................................................... W .......................................................................... C ........................................................................... E ........................................................................... Total ...................................................................... W .......................................................................... C ........................................................................... E ........................................................................... Total ...................................................................... W .......................................................................... C ........................................................................... WYK ..................................................................... SEO ...................................................................... Total ...................................................................... W .......................................................................... C ........................................................................... E ........................................................................... Total ...................................................................... SEO ...................................................................... W .......................................................................... C ........................................................................... E ........................................................................... Total ...................................................................... W and C ............................................................... WYK ..................................................................... SEO ...................................................................... Total ...................................................................... GW ....................................................................... W .......................................................................... C ........................................................................... E ........................................................................... Total ...................................................................... W .......................................................................... C ........................................................................... E ........................................................................... Total ...................................................................... GW ....................................................................... GW ....................................................................... GW ....................................................................... GW ....................................................................... GW ....................................................................... 15,803 n/a n/a n/a n/a 11,733 n/a n/a n/a n/a 217,522 n/a n/a n/a n/a 50,818 n/a n/a n/a 23,876 973 24,849 n/a n/a n/a 5,631 n/a n/a n/a 1,764 n/a n/a n/a n/a 5,759 n/a n/a n/a 1,370 361 n/a n/a n/a 2,454 n/a n/a n/a 5,347 6,200 n/a n/a n/a 4,340 n/a n/a n/a 4,291 2,980 7,448 7,986 1,530 2,009 13,177 1,234 5,707 758 1,280 8,979 29,545 109,692 35,328 10,787 185,352 12,776 24,893 3,538 171 41,378 2,358 16,184 2,055 20,597 839 21,436 1,158 3,563 n/a 4,721 92 397 834 1,323 273 3,077 1,187 174 4,711 117 643 382 1,142 225 235 875 731 1,841 1,031 580 2,469 4,080 4,700 731 1,257 1,267 3,255 152 2,090 976 3,218 2,235 5,569 5,989 1,148 1,507 13,177 1,234 5,707 758 1,280 8,979 14,500 75,000 6,900 6,900 103,300 8,650 15,400 3,538 171 27,759 2,358 16,184 2,055 20,597 839 21,436 1,158 3,563 n/a 4,721 92 397 834 1,323 273 3,077 1,187 174 4,711 117 643 382 1,142 225 235 875 731 1,841 1,031 580 200 1,811 2,000 731 1,257 1,267 3,255 152 2,090 976 3,218 2,235 5,569 5,989 1,148 1,507 Total ............................................................... ............................................................................... 910,895 731,049 590,161 Species Rex sole ................................................................ Arrowtooth flounder .............................................. Flathead sole ........................................................ Pacific ocean perch 7 ............................................ Northern rockfish 8 ................................................ Shortraker rockfish 9 ............................................. Dusky rockfish 10 ................................................... Rougheye and Blackspotted rockfish 11 ............... Demersal shelf rockfish 12 .................................... Thornyhead rockfish ............................................. Other rockfish 13 14 ................................................. Atka mackerel ....................................................... Big skate 15 ........................................................... mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Longnose skate 16 ................................................. 1 Regulatory areas and districts are defined at § 679.2. (W = Western Gulf of Alaska; C = Central Gulf of Alaska; E = Eastern Gulf of Alaska; WYK = West Yakutat District; SEO = Southeast Outside District; GW = Gulf-wide). VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Feb 24, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM 25FER2 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 10257 2 The aggregate pollock ABC for the Western, Central, and West Yakutat Regulatory Areas is apportioned among four statistical areas after deducting 2.5 percent of the ABC for the State’s pollock GHL fishery. These apportionments are considered subarea ACLs, rather than ABCs, for specification and reapportionment purposes. The ACLs in Areas 610, 620, and 630 are further divided by season, as detailed in Table 4. In the West Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts of the Eastern Regulatory Area, pollock is not divided into seasonal allowances. 3 The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned 60 percent to the A season and 40 percent to the B season in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA. Pacific cod in the Eastern Regulatory Area is allocated 90 percent for processing by the inshore component and 10 percent for processing by the offshore component. Table 6 lists the final 2016 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments. 4 Sablefish is only allocated to trawl gear for 2016. Table 8 lists the final 2016 allocation of sablefish TACs to trawl gear. 5 ‘‘Shallow-water flatfish’’ means flatfish not including ‘‘deep-water flatfish,’’ flathead sole, rex sole, or arrowtooth flounder. 6 ‘‘Deep-water flatfish’’ means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, and deepsea sole. 7 ‘‘Pacific ocean perch’’ means Sebastes alutus. 8 ‘‘Northern rockfish’’ means Sebastes polyspinis. For management purposes the 2 mt apportionment of ABC to the WYK District of the Eastern Gulf of Alaska has been included in the other rockfish species group. 9 ‘‘Shortraker rockfish’’ means Sebastes borealis. 10 ‘‘Dusky rockfish’’ means Sebastes variabilis. 11 ‘‘Rougheye rockfish’’ means Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and Sebastes melanostictus (blackspotted). 12 ‘‘Demersal shelf rockfish’’ means Sebastes pinniger (canary), S. nebulosus (china), S. caurinus (copper), S. maliger (quillback), S. helvomaculatus (rosethorn), S. nigrocinctus (tiger), and S. ruberrimus (yelloweye). 13 ‘‘Other rockfish’’ means Sebastes aurora (aurora), S. melanostomus (blackgill), S. paucispinis (bocaccio), S. goodei (chilipepper), S. crameri (darkblotch), S. elongatus (greenstriped), S. variegatus (harlequin), S. wilsoni (pygmy), S. babcocki (redbanded), S. proriger (redstripe), S. zacentrus (sharpchin), S. jordani (shortbelly), S. brevispinis (silvergrey), S. diploproa (splitnose), S. saxicola (stripetail), S. miniatus (vermilion), S. reedi (yellowmouth), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus (yellowtail). In the Eastern GOA only, other rockfish also includes northern rockfish, S. polyspinis. 14 ‘‘Other rockfish’’ in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat District means other rockfish and demersal shelf rockfish. The ‘‘other rockfish’’ species group in the SEO District only includes other rockfish. 15 ‘‘Big skate’’ means Raja binoculata. 16 ‘‘Longnose skate’’ means Raja rhina. 17 ‘‘Other skates’’ means Bathyraja spp. Apportionment of Reserves Section 679.20(b)(2) requires NMFS to set aside 20 percent of each TAC for pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopuses in reserve for possible apportionment at a later date during the fishing year. For 2015 and 2016, NMFS proposed reapportionment of all the reserves in the proposed 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications published in the Federal Register on December 8, 2014 (79 FR 72593). NMFS did not receive any public comments on the proposed reapportionments. For the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications, NMFS reapportioned, as proposed, all the reserves for pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopuses. The TACs listed in Tables 1 and 2 reflect reapportionments of reserve amounts for these species and species groups. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Apportionments of Pollock TAC Among Seasons and Regulatory Areas, and Allocations for Processing by Inshore and Offshore Components In the GOA, pollock is apportioned by season and area, and is further allocated for processing by inshore and offshore components. Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B), the annual pollock TAC specified for the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA is apportioned into four equal seasonal allowances of 25 percent. As established by § 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season allowances are available from January 20 to March 10, March 10 to May 31, August 25 to October 1, and October 1 to November 1, respectively. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Feb 24, 2015 Jkt 235001 Pollock TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA are apportioned among Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A). In the A and B seasons, the apportionments are in proportion to the distribution of pollock biomass based on the four most recent NMFS winter surveys. In the C and D seasons, the apportionments are in proportion to the distribution of pollock biomass based on the four most recent NMFS summer surveys. However, for 2015 and 2016, the Council recommended, and NMFS approves, averaging the winter and summer distribution of pollock in the Central Regulatory Area for the A season instead of using the distribution based on only the winter surveys. The average is intended to reflect the migration patterns and distribution of pollock, and the anticipated performance of the fishery, in that area during the A season for the 2015 and 2016 fishing years. For the A season, the apportionment is based on an adjusted estimate of the relative distribution of pollock biomass of approximately 8 percent, 67 percent, and 25 percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. For the B season, the apportionment is based on the relative distribution of pollock biomass at 8 percent, 83 percent, and 9 percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. For the C and D seasons, the apportionment is based on the relative distribution of pollock biomass at 27 percent, 32 percent, and 41 percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. Within any fishing year, the amount by which a seasonal allowance is underharvested or overharvested may be PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 added to, or subtracted from, subsequent seasonal allowances in a manner to be determined by the Regional Administrator (§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The rollover amount is limited to 20 percent of the subsequent seasonal apportionment for the statistical area. Any unharvested pollock above the 20-percent limit could be further distributed to the other statistical areas, in proportion to the estimated biomass in the subsequent season in those statistical areas (§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The pollock TACs in the WYK and SEO District of 4,719 mt and 12,625 mt, respectively, in 2015, and 6,187 mt and 12,625 mt, respectively, in 2016, are not allocated by season. Section 679.20(a)(6)(i) requires the allocation of 100 percent of the pollock TAC in all regulatory areas and all seasonal allowances to vessels catching pollock for processing by the inshore component after subtraction of amounts projected by the Regional Administrator to be caught by, or delivered to, the offshore component incidental to directed fishing for other groundfish species. Thus, the amount of pollock available for harvest by vessels harvesting pollock for processing by the offshore component is that amount that will be taken as incidental catch during directed fishing for groundfish species other than pollock, up to the maximum retainable amounts allowed by § 679.20(e) and (f). At this time, these incidental catch amounts of pollock are unknown and will be determined during the fishing year during the course of fishing activities by the offshore component. E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM 25FER2 10258 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations Tables 3 and 4 list the final 2015 and 2016 seasonal biomass distribution of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, area apportionments, and seasonal allowances. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and offshore components are not shown. TABLE 3—FINAL 2015 DISTRIBUTION OF POLLOCK IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN REGULATORY AREAS OF THE GOA; SEASONAL BIOMASS DISTRIBUTION, AREA APPORTIONMENTS; AND SEASONAL ALLOWANCES OF ANNUAL TAC [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages are rounded to the nearest 0.01] Season 1 Shumagin (Area 610) Chirikof (Area 620) Kodiak (Area 630) Total 2 A (Jan 20–Mar 10) ................................... B (Mar 10–May 31) .................................. C (Aug 25–Oct 1) ..................................... D (Oct 1–Nov 1) ....................................... 3,632 3,632 12,185 12,185 (7.99%) (7.99%) (26.81%) (26.81%) 30,503 37,820 14,628 14,628 (67.11%) (83.21%) (32.18%) (32.18%) 11,316 4,000 18,639 18,639 (24.90%) (8.80%) (41.01%) (41.01%) 45,452 45,452 45,452 45,452 Annual Total ...................................... 31,634 .................... 97,579 .................... 52,594 .................... 181,806 1 As established by § 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season allowances are available from January 20 to March 10, March 10 to May 31, August 25 to October 1, and October 1 to November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and offshore components are not shown in this table. 2 The WYK and SEO District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock TACs shown in this table. TABLE 4—FINAL 2016 DISTRIBUTION OF POLLOCK IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN REGULATORY AREAS OF THE GOA; SEASONAL BIOMASS DISTRIBUTION, AREA APPORTIONMENTS; AND SEASONAL ALLOWANCES OF ANNUAL TAC [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages are rounded to the nearest 0.01] Season 1 Shumagin (Area 610) Chirikof (Area 620) Kodiak (Area 630) Total 2 A (Jan 20–Mar 10) ................................... B (Mar 10–May 31) .................................. C (Aug 25–Oct 1) ..................................... D (Oct 1–Nov 1) ....................................... 4,760 4,760 15,975 15,975 (7.99%) (7.99%) (26.81%) (26.81%) 39,992 49,586 19,179 19,179 (67.11%) (83.21%) (32.18%) (32.18%) 14,839 5,245 24,437 24,437 (24.90%) (8.80%) (41.01%) (41.01%) 59,592 59,592 59,592 59,592 Annual Total ...................................... 41,472 .................... 127,936 .................... 68,958 .................... 238,366 1 As established by § 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season allowances are available from January 20 to March 10, March 10 to May 31, August 25 to October 1, and October 1 to November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and offshore components are not shown in this table. 2 The WYK and SEO District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock TACs shown in this table. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Annual and Seasonal Apportionments of Pacific Cod TAC Section 679.20(a)(12)(i) requires the allocation of the Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA among gear and operational sectors. Section 679.20(a)(6)(ii) requires the allocation of the Pacific cod TACs in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA between the inshore and offshore components. NMFS allocates the 2015 and 2016 Pacific cod TAC based on these sector allocations annually between the inshore and offshore components in the Eastern GOA; seasonally between vessels using jig gear, catcher vessels (CVs) using hookand-line gear, catcher/processors (C/Ps) using hook-and-line gear, CVs using trawl gear, and vessels using pot gear in the Western GOA; seasonally between vessels using jig gear, CVs less than 50 feet in length overall using hook-andline gear, CVs equal to or greater than 50 feet in length overall using hook-andline gear, C/Ps using hook-and-line gear, CVs using trawl gear, C/Ps using trawl gear, and vessels using pot gear in the Central GOA. The overall seasonal apportionments in the Western and VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Feb 24, 2015 Jkt 235001 Central GOA are 60 percent of the annual TAC to the A season and 40 percent of the annual TAC to the B season. Under § 679.20(a)(12)(ii), any overage or underage of the Pacific cod allowance from the A season will be subtracted from, or added to, the subsequent B season allowance. In addition, any portion of the hook-and-line, trawl, pot, or jig sector allocations that NMFS determines is likely to go unharvested by a sector may be reapportioned to other sectors for harvest during the remainder of the fishery year. Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A) and (B), a portion of the annual Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central GOA will be allocated to vessels with an FFP that use jig gear before TAC is apportioned among other non-jig sectors. In accordance with the FMP, the annual jig sector allocations may increase to up to 6 percent of the annual Western and Central GOA Pacific cod TACs, depending on the annual performance of the jig sector (See Table 1 of Amendment 83 to the FMP for a detailed discussion of the jig sector allocation process (76 FR 74670, December 1, 2011)). Jig sector allocation PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 increases are established for a minimum of 2 years. NMFS has evaluated the 2014 harvest performance of the jig sector in the Western and Central GOA, and is revising the 2015 and 2016 Pacific cod apportionments to this sector as follows. NMFS allocates the jig sector 3.5 percent of the annual Pacific cod TAC in the Western GOA, a 1.0 percent increase from the 2014 jig sector allocation. The 2015 and 2016 allocations include a base allocation of 1.5 percent, an addition of 1.0 percent and an additional 2.0 percent because this sector harvested greater than 90 percent of its initial 2012 and 2014 allocations in the Western GOA. NMFS also allocates the jig sector 1.0 percent of the annual Pacific cod TAC in the Central GOA, a 1.0 percent decrease from the 2014 jig sector allocation. The 2015 and 2016 allocations consist of a base allocation of 1.0 percent. The Central GOA jig sector harvested greater than 90 percent of its initial 2012 allocation in the Central GOA and received an additional 1.0 percent of the Central GOA Pacific cod TAC in 2013 and 2014. However, in both 2013 and 2014, the jig sector harvested less than 90 percent of the annual Central GOA E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM 25FER2 10259 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations Pacific cod allocation, resulting in the loss of this sector’s performance-based 1.0 percent increase. Tables 5 and 6 list the seasonal apportionments and allocations of the 2015 and 2016 Pacific cod TACs. TABLE 5—FINAL 2015 SEASONAL APPORTIONMENTS AND ALLOCATION OF PACIFIC COD TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH AMOUNTS IN THE GOA; ALLOCATIONS FOR THE WESTERN GOA AND CENTRAL GOA SECTORS AND THE EASTERN GOA INSHORE AND OFFSHORE PROCESSING COMPONENTS [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages to the nearest 0.01. Seasonal allowances may not total precisely to annual allocation amount] A Season Annual allocation (mt) Regulatory area and sector Sector percentage of annual non-jig TAC B Season Seasonal allowances (mt) Sector percentage of annual non-jig TAC Seasonal allowances (mt) Western GOA: Jig (3.5% of TAC) ......................................................... Hook-and-line CV ......................................................... Hook-and-line C/P ........................................................ Trawl CV ....................................................................... Trawl C/P ...................................................................... All Pot CV and Pot C/P ................................................ 948 366 5,176 10,039 627 9,934 N/A 0.70 10.90 27.70 0.90 19.80 569 183 2,850 7,242 235 5,176 N/A 0.70 8.90 10.70 1.50 18.20 379 183 2,327 2,797 392 4,758 Total ....................................................................... 27,091 60.00 16,255 40.00 10,837 Central GOA: Jig (1.0% of TAC) ......................................................... Hook-and-line <50 CV .................................................. Hook-and-line ≥50 CV .................................................. Hook-and-line C/P ........................................................ Trawl CV 1 ..................................................................... Trawl C/P ...................................................................... All Pot CV and Pot C/P ................................................ 460 6,648 3,054 2,324 18,933 1,911 12,660 N/A 9.32 5.61 4.11 21.14 2.00 17.83 276 4,241 2,554 1,870 9,623 912 8,118 N/A 5.29 1.10 1.00 20.45 2.19 9.97 184 2,407 500 454 9,310 999 4,542 Total ....................................................................... 45,990 60.00 27,594 40.00 18,396 Eastern GOA ........................................................................ ........................ Inshore (90% of Annual TAC) Offshore (10% of Annual TAC) 1,909 212 2,121 1 Trawl vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent of the annual Central GOA TAC (see Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679), which is deducted from the Trawl CV B season allowance (see Table 12). TABLE 6—FINAL 2016 SEASONAL APPORTIONMENTS AND ALLOCATION OF PACIFIC COD TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH AMOUNTS IN THE GOA; ALLOCATIONS FOR THE WESTERN GOA AND CENTRAL GOA SECTORS AND THE EASTERN GOA INSHORE AND OFFSHORE PROCESSING COMPONENTS [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages to the nearest 0.01. Seasonal allowances may not total precisely to annual allocation amount.] A Season Annual allocation (mt) Regulatory area and sector Sector percentage of annual non-jig TAC B Season Seasonal allowances (mt) Sector percentage of annual non-jig TAC Seasonal allowances (mt) mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Western GOA: Jig (3.5% of TAC) ......................................................... Hook-and-line CV ......................................................... Hook-and-line C/P ........................................................ Trawl CV ....................................................................... Trawl C/P ...................................................................... All Pot CV and Pot C/P ................................................ 948 366 5,176 10,039 627 9,934 N/A 0.70 10.90 27.70 0.90 19.80 569 183 2,850 7,242 235 5,176 N/A 0.70 8.90 10.70 1.50 18.20 379 183 2,327 2,797 392 4,758 Total ....................................................................... 27,091 60.00 16,255 40.00 10,837 Central GOA: Jig (1.0% of TAC) ......................................................... Hook-and-line <50 CV .................................................. Hook-and-line ≥50 CV .................................................. Hook-and-line C/P ........................................................ Trawl CV 1 ..................................................................... Trawl C/P ...................................................................... All Pot CV and Pot C/P ................................................ 460 6,648 3,054 2,324 18,933 1,911 12,660 N/A 9.32 5.61 4.11 21.14 2.00 17.83 276 4,241 2,554 1,870 9,623 912 8,118 N/A 5.29 1.10 1.00 20.45 2.19 9.97 184 2,407 500 454 9,310 999 4,542 VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Feb 24, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM 25FER2 10260 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 6—FINAL 2016 SEASONAL APPORTIONMENTS AND ALLOCATION OF PACIFIC COD TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH AMOUNTS IN THE GOA; ALLOCATIONS FOR THE WESTERN GOA AND CENTRAL GOA SECTORS AND THE EASTERN GOA INSHORE AND OFFSHORE PROCESSING COMPONENTS—Continued [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages to the nearest 0.01. Seasonal allowances may not total precisely to annual allocation amount.] A Season Annual allocation (mt) Regulatory area and sector Total ....................................................................... Sector percentage of annual non-jig TAC 45,990 Eastern GOA ........................................................................ 60.00 B Season Seasonal allowances (mt) 27,594 Sector percentage of annual non-jig TAC 40.00 Seasonal allowances (mt) 18,396 Inshore (90% of Annual TAC) Offshore (10% of Annual TAC) 1,909 212 2,121 1 Trawl vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent of the annual Central GOA TAC (see Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679), which is deducted from the Trawl CV B season allowance (see Table 13). Allocations of the Sablefish TACs Section 679.20(a)(4)(i) and (ii) require allocations of sablefish TACs for each of the regulatory areas and districts to hook-and-line and trawl gear. In the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, 80 percent of each TAC is allocated to hook-and-line gear, and 20 percent of each TAC is allocated to trawl gear. In the Eastern Regulatory Area, 95 percent of the TAC is allocated to hook-and-line gear, and 5 percent is allocated to trawl gear. The trawl gear allocation in the Eastern Regulatory Area may only be used to support incidental catch of sablefish in directed fisheries for other target species (§ 679.20(a)(4)(i)). In recognition of the prohibition against trawl gear in the SEO District of the Eastern Regulatory Area, the Council recommended and NMFS approves the allocation of 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the WYK District, making the remainder of the WYK sablefish TAC available to vessels using hook-and-line gear. NMFS allocates 100 percent of the sablefish TAC in the SEO District to vessels using hook-and-line gear. This action results in a 2015 allocation of 220 mt to trawl gear and 1,489 mt to hook-and-line gear in the WYK District, a 2015 allocation of 2,682 mt to hook-and-line gear in the SEO District, and a 2016 allocation of 199 mt to trawl gear in the WYK District. Table 7 lists the allocations of the 2015 sablefish TACs to hook-and-line and trawl gear. Table 8 lists the allocations of the 2016 sablefish TACs to trawl gear. The Council recommended that the hook-and-line sablefish TAC be established annually to ensure that this Individual Fishery Quota (IFQ) fishery is conducted concurrently with the halibut IFQ fishery and is based on recent sablefish survey information. The Council also recommended that only a trawl sablefish TAC be established for two years so that retention of incidental catch of sablefish by trawl gear could commence in January in the second year of the groundfish harvest specifications. Since there is an annual assessment for sablefish and the final harvest specifications are expected to be published before the IFQ season begins March 14, 2015, the Council recommended that the hook-and-line sablefish TAC be set on an annual basis, rather than for two years, so that the best scientific information available could be considered in establishing the sablefish ABCs and TACs. With the exception of the trawl allocations that were provided to the Rockfish Program cooperatives, directed fishing for sablefish with trawl gear is closed during the fishing year. Also, fishing for groundfish with trawl gear is prohibited prior to January 20. Therefore, it is not likely that the sablefish allocation to trawl gear would be reached before the effective date of the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications. TABLE 7—FINAL 2015 SABLEFISH TAC SPECIFICATIONS IN THE GOA AND ALLOCATIONS TO HOOK-AND-LINE AND TRAWL GEAR [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Area/district Hook-and-line allocation TAC Trawl allocation 1,474 4,658 1,708 2,682 1,179 3,726 1,489 2,682 295 932 220 0 Total ...................................................................................................................................... mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Western ........................................................................................................................................ Central ......................................................................................................................................... West Yakutat 1 ............................................................................................................................. Southeast Outside ....................................................................................................................... 10,522 9,076 1,446 1 The trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat and Southeast Outside combined) sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Feb 24, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM 25FER2 10261 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 8—FINAL 2016 SABLEFISH TAC SPECIFICATIONS IN THE GOA AND ALLOCATION TO TRAWL GEAR 1 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Area/district Hook-and-line allocation TAC Trawl allocation Western ........................................................................................................................................ Central ......................................................................................................................................... West Yakutat 2 ............................................................................................................................. Southeast Outside ....................................................................................................................... 1,338 4,232 1,552 2,436 n/a n/a n/a n/a 268 846 199 0 Total ...................................................................................................................................... 9,558 n/a 1,313 1 The Council recommended that harvest specifications for the hook-and-line gear sablefish Individual Fishing Quota fisheries be limited to 1 year. 2 The trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat and Southeast Outside combined) sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District. Demersal Shelf Rockfish (DSR) The recommended 2015 and 2016 DSR TAC is 225 mt, and management of DSR is delegated to the State. The Alaska Board of Fish has apportioned the annual SEO District DSR TACs between the commercial fishery (84 percent) and the sport fishery (16 percent) after deductions were made for anticipated subsistence harvests (7 mt). This results in 2015 and 2016 allocations of 183 mt to the commercial fishery and 35 mt to the sport fishery. The State deducts estimates of incidental catch of DSR in the commercial halibut fishery and test fishery mortality from the DSR commercial fishery allocation. In 2014, this resulted in 32 mt being available for the directed commercial DSR fishery apportioned in one DSR district. The State estimated that there was not sufficient DSR quota available to have orderly fisheries in the three other DSR districts. DSR harvest in the halibut fishery is linked to the annual halibut catch limits; therefore the State can only estimate potential DSR incidental catch because halibut catch limits are established by the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC). Federally permitted CVs using hook-and-line or jig gear fishing for groundfish and Pacific halibut in the SEO District of the GOA are required to retain all DSR (§ 679.20(j)). Apportionments to the Central GOA Rockfish Program These final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for the GOA include the various fishery cooperative allocations and sideboard limitations established by the Central GOA Rockfish Program. Program participants are primarily trawl CVs and trawl C/Ps, with limited participation by vessels using longline gear. The Rockfish Program assigns quota share and cooperative quota to participants for primary and secondary species, allows participants holding a license limitation program (LLP) license with rockfish quota share to form a rockfish cooperative, and allows holders of C/P LLP licenses to opt out of the fishery. The Rockfish Program also has an entry level fishery for rockfish primary species for vessels using longline gear. Under the Rockfish Program, rockfish primary species (Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish, and dusky rockfish) in the Central GOA are allocated to participants after deducting for incidental catch needs in other directed groundfish fisheries. Participants in the Rockfish Program also receive a portion of the Central GOA TAC of specific secondary species (Pacific cod, rougheye rockfish, sablefish, shortraker rockfish, and thornyhead rockfish). Additionally, the Rockfish Program establishes sideboard limits to restrict the ability of harvesters operating under the Rockfish Program to increase their participation in other, non-Rockfish Program fisheries. Besides groundfish species, the Rockfish Program allocates a portion of the trawl halibut PSC limit (191 mt) from the third season deepwater species fishery allowance for the GOA trawl fisheries to Rockfish Program participants (§ 679.81(d)), which includes 117 mt to the trawl CV sector and 74 mt to the trawl C/P sector. Section 679.81(a)(2)(ii) requires allocations of 5 mt of Pacific ocean perch, 5 mt of northern rockfish, and 30 mt of dusky rockfish to the entry level longline fishery in 2015 and 2016. The allocation for the entry level longline fishery would increase incrementally each year if the catch exceeds 90 percent of the allocation of a species. The incremental increase in the allocation would continue each year until it is the maximum percent of the TAC for that species. In 2014, the catch did not exceed 90 percent of any allocated rockfish species. Therefore, NMFS is not increasing the entry level longline fishery 2015 and 2016 allocations in the Central GOA. Longline gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear. The remainder of the TACs for the rockfish primary species would be allocated to the CV and C/P cooperatives. Table 9 lists the allocations of the 2015 and initial 2016 TACs for each rockfish primary species to the entry level longline fishery, the incremental increase for future years, and the maximum percent of the TAC for the entry level longline fishery. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 TABLE 9—FINAL 2015 AND INITIAL 2016 ALLOCATIONS OF ROCKFISH PRIMARY SPECIES TO THE ENTRY LEVEL LONGLINE FISHERY IN THE CENTRAL GULF OF ALASKA Rockfish primary species 2015 and 2016 allocations Incremental increase in 2016 if ≥90% of 2015 allocation is harvested Pacific ocean perch ................................. Northern rockfish ..................................... Dusky rockfish ......................................... 5 metric tons ............................................ 5 metric tons ............................................ 30 metric tons .......................................... 5 metric tons ............................................ 5 metric tons ............................................ 20 metric tons .......................................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Feb 24, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM 25FER2 Up to maximum % of TAC 1 2 5 10262 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations Section 679.81(a)(2) requires allocations of the rockfish primary species among various sectors of the Rockfish Program. Tables 10 and 11 list the final 2015 and 2016 allocations of rockfish primary species in the Central GOA to the entry level longline fishery and Rockfish CV and C/P Cooperatives in the Rockfish Program. NMFS also is setting aside incidental catch amounts (ICAs) for other directed fisheries in the Central GOA of 2,000 mt of Pacific ocean perch, 200 mt of northern rockfish, and 250 mt of dusky rockfish. These amounts are based on recent average incidental catches in the Central GOA by other groundfish fisheries. Allocations between vessels belonging to CV or C/P cooperatives are not included in these final harvest specifications. Rockfish Program applications for CV cooperatives and C/P cooperatives are not due to NMFS until March 1 of each calendar year, therefore, NMFS cannot calculate 2015 and 2016 allocations in conjunction with these final harvest specifications. NMFS will post these allocations on the Alaska Region Web site at (https:// alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/ sustainablefisheries/rockfish/) when they become available after March 1. TABLE 10—FINAL 2015 ALLOCATIONS OF ROCKFISH PRIMARY SPECIES IN THE CENTRAL GULF OF ALASKA TO THE ENTRY LEVEL LONGLINE FISHERY AND ROCKFISH COOPERATIVES IN THE ROCKFISH PROGRAM [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Rockfish primary species Incidental catch allowance TAC TAC minus ICA Allocation to the entry level longline 1 fishery Allocation to the Rockfish Cooperatives 2 Pacific ocean perch ............................................................. Northern rockfish .................................................................. Dusky rockfish ...................................................................... 15,873 3,772 3,336 2,000 200 250 13,873 3,572 3,086 5 5 30 13,868 3,567 3,056 Total .............................................................................. 22,981 2,450 20,531 40 20,491 1 Longline 2 Rockfish gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear. Cooperatives include vessels in CV and C/P cooperatives. TABLE 11—FINAL 2016 ALLOCATIONS OF ROCKFISH PRIMARY SPECIES IN THE CENTRAL GULF OF ALASKA TO THE ENTRY LEVEL LONGLINE FISHERY AND ROCKFISH COOPERATIVES IN THE ROCKFISH PROGRAM [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Rockfish primary species Incidental catch allowance TAC TAC minus ICA Allocation to the entry level longline 1 fishery Allocation to the Rockfish Cooperatives 2 Pacific ocean perch ............................................................. Northern rockfish .................................................................. Dusky rockfish ...................................................................... 16,184 3,563 3,077 2,000 200 250 14,184 3,363 2,827 5 5 30 14,179 3,358 2,797 Total .............................................................................. 22,824 2,450 20,374 40 20,334 1 Longline gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear. 2 Rockfish Cooperatives include vessels in CV and C/P cooperatives. Section 679.81(c) requires allocations of rockfish secondary species to CV and C/P cooperatives in the Central GOA. CV cooperatives receive allocations of Pacific cod, sablefish from the trawl gear allocation, and thornyhead rockfish. C/ P cooperatives receive allocations of sablefish from the trawl allocation, rougheye rockfish, shortraker rockfish, and thornyhead rockfish. Tables 12 and 13 list the apportionments of the 2015 and 2016 TACs of rockfish secondary species in the Central GOA to CV and C/P cooperatives. TABLE 12—FINAL 2015 APPORTIONMENTS OF ROCKFISH SECONDARY SPECIES IN THE CENTRAL GOA TO CATCHER VESSEL AND CATCHER/PROCESSOR COOPERATIVES [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Catcher vessel cooperatives Annual central GOA TAC mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Rockfish secondary species Pacific cod ............................................................................ Sablefish .............................................................................. Shortraker rockfish ............................................................... Rougheye rockfish ............................................................... Thornyhead rockfish ............................................................ VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Feb 24, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Percentage of TAC Apportionment (mt) Percentage of TAC Apportionment (mt) 3.81 6.78 0.00 0.00 7.84 1,752 316 ........................ ........................ 69 0.00 3.51 40.00 58.87 26.50 ........................ 163 159 372 232 45,990 4,658 397 632 875 Fmt 4701 Catcher/processor cooperatives Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM 25FER2 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 10263 TABLE 13—FINAL 2016 APPORTIONMENTS OF ROCKFISH SECONDARY SPECIES IN THE CENTRAL GOA TO CATCHER VESSEL AND CATHER/PROCESSOR COOPERATIVES [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Catcher vessel cooperatives Annual central GOA TAC Rockfish secondary species Pacific cod ............................................................................ Sablefish .............................................................................. Shortraker rockfish ............................................................... Rougheye rockfish ............................................................... Thornyhead rockfish ............................................................ mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Halibut PSC Limits Section 679.21(d) establishes the annual halibut PSC limit apportionments to trawl and hook-andline gear, and authorizes the establishment of apportionments for pot gear. Amendment 95 to the FMP (79 FR 9625, February 20, 2014) implemented measures establishing GOA halibut PSC limits in Federal regulations and reducing the halibut PSC limits in the GOA trawl and hook-and-line groundfish fisheries. These reductions are incorporated into the final 2015 and 2016 halibut PSC limits. For most gear and operational types, the halibut PSC limit reductions are phased-in over 3 years, beginning in 2014 and ending in 2016. In December 2014, the Council incorporated these reductions into its recommended final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications. The Council recommended 2015 halibut PSC limits of 1,759 mt for trawl gear, 261 mt for hook-and-line gear, and 9 mt for the DSR fishery. The Council also recommended 2016 halibut PSC limits of 1,706 mt for the trawl sector, 256 mt for the hook-and-line sector, and 9 mt for the DSR fishery. The DSR fishery in the SEO District is defined at § 679.21(d)(2)(ii)(A). This fishery is apportioned 9 mt of the halibut PSC limit in recognition of its small-scale harvests of groundfish. NMFS estimates low halibut bycatch in the DSR fishery because 1) the duration of the DSR fisheries and the gear soak times are short, 2) the DSR fishery occurs in the winter when less overlap occurs in the distribution of DSR and Catcher/processor cooperatives Percentage of TAC Apportionment (mt) Percentage of TAC Apportionment (mt) 3.81 6.78 0.00 0.00 7.84 1,752 287 ........................ ........................ 69 0.00 3.51 40.00 58.87 26.50 ........................ 149 159 379 232 45,990 4,232 397 643 875 halibut, and 3) the directed commercial DSR fishery has a low DSR TAC. The FMP authorizes the Council to exempt specific gear from the halibut PSC limits. NMFS, after consultation with the Council, exempts pot gear, jig gear, and the sablefish IFQ hook-andline gear fishery categories from the non-trawl halibut PSC limit for 2015 and 2016. The Council recommended, and NMFS approves, these exemptions because 1) the pot gear fisheries have low annual halibut bycatch mortality; 2) IFQ program regulations prohibit discard of halibut if any halibut IFQ permit holder on board a catcher vessel holds unused halibut IFQ (§ 679.7(f)(11)); 3) sablefish IFQ fishermen typically hold halibut IFQ permits and are therefore required to retain the halibut they catch while fishing sablefish IFQ; and 4) NMFS estimates negligible halibut mortality for the jig gear fisheries. NMFS estimates that halibut mortality is negligible in the jig gear fisheries given the small amount of groundfish harvested by jig gear, the selective nature of jig gear, and the high survival rates of halibut caught and released with jig gear. The best available information on estimated halibut bycatch consists of data collected by fisheries observers during 2014. The calculated halibut bycatch mortality through December 20, 2014, is 1,394 mt for trawl gear and 199 mt for hook-and-line gear for a total halibut mortality of 1,593 mt. This halibut mortality was calculated using groundfish and halibut catch data from the NMFS Alaska Region’s catch accounting system. This accounting system contains historical and recent catch information compiled from each Alaska groundfish fishery. Section 679.21(d)(4)(i) and (ii) authorizes NMFS to seasonally apportion the halibut PSC limits after consultation with the Council. The FMP and regulations require the Council and NMFS to consider the following information in seasonally apportioning halibut PSC limits: 1) Seasonal distribution of halibut; 2) seasonal distribution of target groundfish species relative to halibut distribution; 3) expected halibut bycatch needs on a seasonal basis relative to changes in halibut biomass and expected catch of target groundfish species; 4) expected bycatch rates on a seasonal basis; 5) expected changes in directed groundfish fishing seasons; 6) expected actual start of fishing effort; and 7) economic effects of establishing seasonal halibut allocations on segments of the target groundfish industry. The Council considered information from the 2014 SAFE report, NMFS catch data, State of Alaska catch data, IPHC stock assessment and mortality data, and public testimony when apportioning the halibut PSC limits. NMFS concurs with the Council’s recommendations listed in Tables 14 and 15, which respectively shows the final 2015 and 2016 Pacific halibut PSC limits, allowances, and apportionments. Sections 679.21(d)(4)(iii) and (iv) specify that any underages or overages of a seasonal apportionment of a PSC limit will be deducted from or added to the next respective seasonal apportionment within the fishing year. TABLE 14—FINAL 2015 PACIFIC HALIBUT PSC LIMITS, ALLOWANCES, AND APPORTIONMENTS [Values are in metric tons] Hook-and-line gear 1 Trawl gear Other than DSR Season Percent Season January 20–April 1 ........... VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Feb 24, 2015 27.5 Jkt 235001 DSR Amount 484 PO 00000 Percent January 1–June 10 ......... Frm 00015 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 86 Amount 225 E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM Season January 1–December 31 25FER2 Amount 9 10264 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 14—FINAL 2015 PACIFIC HALIBUT PSC LIMITS, ALLOWANCES, AND APPORTIONMENTS—Continued [Values are in metric tons] Hook-and-line gear 1 Trawl gear Other than DSR Season Percent DSR Amount Season April 1–July 1 .................... July 1–September 1 ......... 20 30 352 528 September 1–October 1 ... October 1–December 31 .. 7.5 15 Total .......................... ................ Percent Amount Season Amount 2 12 5 31 .......................................... .......................................... ................ ................ 132 264 June 10–September 1 ..... September 1–December 31. .......................................... .......................................... ................ ................ ................ ................ .......................................... .......................................... ................ ................ 1,759 .......................................... ................ 261 .......................................... 9 1 The Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limit for hook-and-line gear is allocated to the demersal shelf rockfish (DSR) fishery and fisheries other than DSR. The hook-and-line sablefish fishery is exempt from halibut PSC limits, as are pot and jig gear for all groundfish fisheries. Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding. TABLE 15—FINAL 2016 PACIFIC HALIBUT PSC LIMITS, ALLOWANCES, AND APPORTIONMENTS [Values are in metric tons] Hook-and-line gear 1 Trawl gear Other than DSR Season Percent DSR Amount Season January 20–April 1 ........... April 1–July 1 .................... July 1–September 1 ......... 27.5 20 30 469 341 512 September 1–October 1 ... October 1–December 31 .. 7.5 15 Total .......................... ................ Percent Amount Season Amount 86 2 12 220 5 31 January 1–December 31 .......................................... .......................................... 9 ................ ................ 128 256 January 1–June 10 ......... June 10–September 1 ..... September 1–December 31. .......................................... .......................................... ................ ................ ................ ................ .......................................... .......................................... ................ ................ 1,706 .......................................... ................ 256 .......................................... 9 1 The Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limit for hook-and-line gear is allocated to the demersal shelf rockfish (DSR) fishery and fisheries other than DSR. The hook-and-line sablefish fishery is exempt from halibut PSC limits, as are pot and jig gear for all groundfish fisheries. Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding. Section 679.21(d)(3)(ii) authorizes further apportionment of the trawl halibut PSC limit to trawl fishery categories. The annual apportionments are based on each category’s proportional share of the anticipated halibut bycatch mortality during the fishing year and optimization of the total amount of groundfish harvest under the halibut PSC limit. The fishery categories for the trawl halibut PSC limits are 1) a deep-water species fishery, composed of sablefish, rockfish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, and arrowtooth flounder; and 2) a shallowwater species fishery, composed of pollock, Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish, flathead sole, Atka mackerel, skates, and ‘‘other species’’ (sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopuses) (§ 679.21(d)(3)(iii)). Tables 16 and 17 list, respectively, the final 2015 and 2016 apportionments of halibut PSC trawl limits between the trawl gear deep-water and the shallow-water species fishery categories. Table 28d to 50 CFR part 679 specifies the amount of the trawl halibut PSC limit that is assigned to the CV and C/ P sectors that are participating in the Central GOA Rockfish Program. This includes 117 mt of halibut PSC limit to the CV sector and 74 mt of halibut PSC limit to the C/P sector. These amounts are allocated from the trawl deep-water species fishery’s halibut PSC third seasonal apportionment. Section 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(B) limits the amount of the halibut PSC limit allocated to Rockfish Program participants that could be reapportioned to the general GOA trawl fisheries to no more than 55 percent of the unused annual halibut PSC apportioned to Rockfish Program participants. The remainder of the unused Rockfish Program halibut PSC limit is unavailable for use by vessels directed fishing with trawl gear for the remainder of the fishing year. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 TABLE 16—FINAL 2015 APPORTIONMENT OF PACIFIC HALIBUT PSC TRAWL LIMITS BETWEEN THE TRAWL GEAR DEEPWATER SPECIES FISHERY AND THE SHALLOW-WATER SPECIES FISHERY CATEGORIES [Values are in metric tons] Season Shallow-water January 20–April 1 ..................................................................................... April 1–July 1 ............................................................................................. July 1–September 1 ................................................................................... September 1–October 1 ............................................................................ Subtotal January 20–October 1 ................................................................. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Feb 24, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4701 396 88 176 132 792 Sfmt 4700 Deep-water 1 88 ..................................................... 264 ................................................... 352 ................................................... Any remainder ................................. 704 ................................................... E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM 25FER2 Total 484 352 528 132 1,496 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 10265 TABLE 16—FINAL 2015 APPORTIONMENT OF PACIFIC HALIBUT PSC TRAWL LIMITS BETWEEN THE TRAWL GEAR DEEPWATER SPECIES FISHERY AND THE SHALLOW-WATER SPECIES FISHERY CATEGORIES—Continued [Values are in metric tons] Season Shallow-water Deep-water 1 October 1–December 31 2 ......................................................................... ........................ .......................................................... 264 Total .................................................................................................... ........................ .......................................................... 1,760 Total 1 Vessels participating in cooperatives in the Central GOA Rockfish Program will receive 191 mt of the third season (July 1 through September 1) deep-water species fishery halibut PSC apportionment. 2 There is no apportionment between trawl shallow-water and deep-water species fishery categories during the fifth season (October 1 through December 31). TABLE 17—FINAL 2016 APPORTIONMENT OF PACIFIC HALIBUT PSC TRAWL LIMITS BETWEEN THE TRAWL GEAR DEEPWATER SPECIES FISHERY AND THE SHALLOW-WATER SPECIES FISHERY CATEGORIES [Values are in metric tons] Season Shallow-water Deep-water 1 January 20–April 1 ..................................................................................... April 1–July 1 ............................................................................................. July 1–September 1 ................................................................................... September 1–October 1 ............................................................................ Subtotal January 20–October 1 ................................................................. October 1–December 31 2 ......................................................................... 384 85 171 128 768 ........................ 85 ..................................................... 256 ................................................... 341 ................................................... Any remainder ................................. 682 ................................................... .......................................................... 469 341 512 128 1,450 256 Total .................................................................................................... ........................ .......................................................... 1,706 Total 1 Vessels participating in cooperatives in the Central GOA Rockfish Program will receive 191 mt of the third season (July 1 through September 1) deep-water species fishery halibut PSC apportionment. 2 There is no apportionment between trawl shallow-water and deep-water species fishery categories during the fifth season (October 1 through December 31). mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Section 679.21(d)(2)(B) requires that the ‘‘other hook-and-line fishery’’ halibut PSC limit apportionment to vessels using hook-and-line gear must be apportioned between CVs and C/Ps in accordance with § 679.21(d)(2)(iii) in conjunction with these harvest specifications. A comprehensive description and example of the calculations necessary to apportion the ‘‘other hook-and-line fishery’’ halibut PSC limit between the hook-and-line CV and C/P sectors were included in the proposed rule to implement Amendment 83 (76 FR 44700, July 26, 2011) and are not repeated here. For 2015, NMFS apportions halibut PSC limits of 145 mt and 116 mt to the hook-and-line CV and hook-and-line C/ P sectors, respectively. For 2016, NMFS apportions halibut PSC limits of 140 mt and 116 mt to the hook-and-line CV and hook-and-line C/P sectors, respectively. Tables 18 and 19 list, respectively, the final 2015 and 2016 apportionments of halibut PSC limits between the hookand-line CV and hook-and-line C/P sectors. Pursuant to § 679.21(d)(2)(iii), the hook-and-line halibut PSC limit is apportioned between the CV and C/P sectors in proportion to the total Western and Central GOA Pacific cod allocations, which vary annually based on the proportion of the Pacific cod biomass. Pacific cod is apportioned among these two management areas based on the percentage of overall biomass per area, as calculated in the 2014 Pacific cod stock assessment. Updated information in the final 2014 SAFE report describes this distributional change, which is based on allocating ABC among regulatory areas on the basis of the three most recent stock surveys. The distribution of the total GOA Pacific cod ABC has changed to 36 percent Western GOA, 61 percent Central GOA, and 3 percent Eastern GOA. Therefore, the calculations made in accordance with § 679.21(d)(2)(iii) incorporate the most recent change in GOA Pacific cod distribution with respect to establishing the annual halibut PSC limits for the CV and C/P hook-and-line sectors. The annual halibut PSC limits are divided into three seasonal apportionments, using seasonal percentages of 86 percent, 2 percent, and 12 percent. No later than November 1 of each year, NMFS will calculate the projected unused amount of halibut PSC limit by either of the hook-and-line sectors for the remainder of the year. The projected unused amount of halibut PSC limit is made available to the other hook-andline sector for the remainder of that fishing year if NMFS determines that an additional amount of halibut PSC is necessary for that sector to continue its directed fishing operations (§ 679.21(d)(2)(iii)(C)). TABLE 18—FINAL 2015 APPORTIONMENTS OF THE ‘‘OTHER HOOK-AND-LINE FISHERIES’’ ANNUAL HALIBUT PSC ALLOWANCE BETWEEN THE HOOK-AND-LINE GEAR CATCHER VESSEL AND CATCHER/PROCESSOR SECTORS [Values are in metric tons] ‘‘Other than DSR’’ allowance Hook-and-line sector Sector annual amount Season 261 .................. Catcher Vessel ................................. .......................................................... 145 ........................ January 1–June 10 .......................... June 10–September 1 ..................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Feb 24, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM Seasonal percentage 25FER2 86 2 Sector seasonal amount 125 3 10266 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 18—FINAL 2015 APPORTIONMENTS OF THE ‘‘OTHER HOOK-AND-LINE FISHERIES’’ ANNUAL HALIBUT PSC ALLOWANCE BETWEEN THE HOOK-AND-LINE GEAR CATCHER VESSEL AND CATCHER/PROCESSOR SECTORS—Continued [Values are in metric tons] ‘‘Other than DSR’’ allowance Hook-and-line sector Sector annual amount Season Seasonal percentage .......................................................... Catcher/Processor ........................... .......................................................... .......................................................... ........................ 116 ........................ ........................ September 1–December 31 ............. January 1–June 10 .......................... June 10–September 1 ..................... September 1–December 31 ............. Sector seasonal amount 12 86 2 12 17 100 2 14 TABLE 19—FINAL 2016 APPORTIONMENTS OF THE ‘‘OTHER HOOK-AND-LINE FISHERIES’’ ANNUAL HALIBUT PSC ALLOWANCE BETWEEN THE HOOK-AND-LINE GEAR CATCHER VESSEL AND CATCHER/PROCESSOR SECTORS [Values are in metric tons] ‘‘Other than DSR’’ allowance Hook-and-line sector 256 .................. Sector annual amount Season Catcher Vessel ................................. .......................................................... .......................................................... Catcher/Processor ........................... .......................................................... .......................................................... 140 ........................ ........................ 116 ........................ ........................ January 1–June 10 .......................... June 10–September 1 ..................... September 1–December 31 ............. January 1–June 10 .......................... June 10–September 1 ..................... September 1–December 31 ............. Estimates of Halibut Biomass and Stock Condition The IPHC annually assesses the abundance and potential yield of the Pacific halibut using all available data from the commercial and sport fisheries, other removals, and scientific surveys. Additional information on the Pacific halibut stock assessment may be found in the IPHC’s 2014 Pacific halibut stock assessment (December 2014), available on the IPHC Web site at www.iphc.int. The IPHC considered the 2014 Pacific halibut stock assessment at its January 2015 annual meeting when it set the 2015 commercial halibut fishery catch limits. Halibut Discard Mortality Rates To monitor halibut bycatch mortality allowances and apportionments, the Regional Administrator uses observed halibut incidental catch rates, discard mortality rates (DMRs), and estimates of groundfish catch to project when a fishery’s halibut bycatch mortality allowance or seasonal apportionment is reached. The DMRs are based on the best information available, including information contained in the annual SAFE report. NMFS is implementing the Council’s recommendation that the halibut DMRs developed and recommended by the IPHC for the 2013 through 2015 GOA groundfish fisheries be used for monitoring the final 2015 and 2016 halibut bycatch mortality allowances (see Tables 14 through 19). The IPHC developed the DMRs for the 2013 through 2015 GOA groundfish fisheries using the 10-year mean DMRs for those Seasonal percentage 86 2 12 86 2 12 Sector seasonal amount 120 3 17 100 2 14 fisheries. Long-term average DMRs were not available for some fisheries, so rates from the most recent years were used. For the skate, sculpin, shark, squid, and octopus target fisheries, where not enough halibut mortality data are available, the mortality rate of halibut caught in the Pacific cod fishery for that gear type was recommended as a default rate. The IPHC will analyze observer data annually and recommend changes to the DMRs when a fishery DMR shows large variation from the mean. A discussion of the DMRs and how the IPHC establishes them is available from the Council (see ADDRESSES). Table 20 lists the final 2015 and 2016 DMRs. These DMRs are unchanged from the proposed 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications (79 FR 72593, December 8, 2014). TABLE 20—FINAL 2015 AND 2016 HALIBUT DISCARD MORTALITY RATES FOR VESSELS FISHING IN THE GULF OF ALASKA [Values are percent of halibut assumed to be dead] Mortality rate (%) Target fishery Hook-and-line .............................................................................. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Gear Other fisheries 1 ......................................................................... Skates ........................................................................................ Pacific cod .................................................................................. Rockfish ..................................................................................... Arrowtooth flounder .................................................................... Deep-water flatfish ..................................................................... Flathead sole ............................................................................. Non-pelagic pollock .................................................................... Other fisheries 1 ......................................................................... Pacific cod .................................................................................. Pelagic pollock ........................................................................... Rex sole ..................................................................................... Rockfish ..................................................................................... Trawl ........................................................................................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Feb 24, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM 25FER2 11 11 11 9 73 43 65 60 62 62 71 69 66 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 10267 TABLE 20—FINAL 2015 AND 2016 HALIBUT DISCARD MORTALITY RATES FOR VESSELS FISHING IN THE GULF OF ALASKA—Continued [Values are percent of halibut assumed to be dead] Mortality rate (%) Gear Target fishery Pot ............................................................................................... Sablefish .................................................................................... Shallow-water flatfish ................................................................. Other fisheries 1 ......................................................................... Pacific cod .................................................................................. 1 Other 71 67 17 17 fisheries includes all gear types for skates, sculpins, sharks, squids, octopuses, and hook-and-line sablefish. Chinook Salmon Prohibited Species Catch Limits In 2012, NMFS issued a final rule to implement Amendment 93 to the GOA FMP (77 FR 42629, July 20, 2012). Amendment 93 established separate Chinook salmon PSC limits in the Western and Central GOA in the directed pollock fishery. These limits require NMFS to close the pollock directed fishery in the Western and Central regulatory areas of the GOA if the applicable limit is reached (§ 679.21(h)(6)). The annual Chinook salmon PSC limits in the pollock directed fishery of 6,684 salmon in the Western GOA and 18,316 salmon in the Central GOA are set in regulation at § 679.21(h)(2)(i) and (ii). In addition, all salmon (regardless of species) taken in the pollock directed fisheries in the Western and Central GOA must be retained until an observer at the processing facility that takes delivery of the catch is provided an opportunity to count the number of salmon and to collect any scientific data or biological samples from the salmon (§ 679.21(h)(4)). As described earlier in this preamble, NMFS issued a final rule to implement Amendment 97 to the FMP (79 FR 71350, December 2, 2014). That action established an initial annual PSC limit of 7,500 Chinook salmon for the nonpollock groundfish fisheries. This limit is apportioned among three sectors: 3,600 Chinook salmon to trawl catcher/ processors, 1,200 Chinook salmon to trawl catcher vessels participating in the Central GOA Rockfish Program, and 2,700 Chinook salmon to trawl catcher vessels not participating in the Central GOA Rockfish Program that are fishing for groundfish species other than pollock (§ 679.21(i)(3)). NMFS will monitor the Chinook salmon PSC in the non-pollock GOA groundfish fisheries and close an applicable sector if it reaches its Chinook salmon PSC limit. The Chinook salmon PSC limit for two sectors, trawl catcher/processors and trawl catcher vessels not participating in the Central GOA Rockfish Program, may be increased in subsequent years based on the performance of these two sectors and their ability to minimize their use of their respective Chinook salmon PSC limits. If either or both of these two sectors limits its use of Chinook salmon PSC to a certain threshold amount in 2015, that sector will receive an incremental increase to its 2016 Chinook salmon PSC limit (§ 679.21(i)(3)). American Fisheries Act (AFA) C/P and CV Groundfish Harvest and PSC Limits Section 679.64 establishes groundfish harvesting and processing sideboard limitations on AFA C/Ps and CVs in the GOA. These sideboard limits are necessary to protect the interests of fishermen and processors who do not directly benefit from the AFA from those fishermen and processors who receive exclusive harvesting and processing privileges under the AFA. Section 679.7(k)(1)(ii) prohibits listed AFA C/Ps from harvesting any species of groundfish in the GOA. Additionally, § 679.7(k)(1)(iv) prohibits listed AFA C/ Ps from processing any pollock harvested in a directed pollock fishery in the GOA and any groundfish harvested in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA. AFA CVs that are less than 125 ft (38.1 meters) length overall, have annual landings of pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands less than 5,100 mt, and have made at least 40 groundfish landings from 1995 through 1997 are exempt from GOA sideboard limits under § 679.64(b)(2)(ii). Sideboard limits for non-exempt AFA CVs in the GOA are based on their traditional harvest levels of TAC in groundfish fisheries covered by the FMP. Section 679.64(b)(3)(iii) establishes the groundfish sideboard limitations in the GOA based on the retained catch of non-exempt AFA CVs of each sideboard species from 1995 through 1997 divided by the TAC for that species over the same period. Tables 21 and 22 list the final 2015 and 2016 groundfish sideboard limits for non-exempt AFA CVs. NMFS will deduct all targeted or incidental catch of sideboard species made by non-exempt AFA CVs from the sideboard limits listed in Tables 21 and 22. TABLE 21—FINAL 2015 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV) GROUNDFISH HARVEST SIDEBOARD LIMITS mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Species Pollock ................................... Apportionments by season/ gear A Season, January 20– March 10. B Season, March 10–May 31 VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Feb 24, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Area/component Shumagin (610) .................... Chirikof (620) ........................ Kodiak (630) ......................... Shumagin (610) .................... Chirikof (620) ........................ Kodiak (630) ......................... Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 Ratio of 1995– 1997 non-exempt AFA CV catch to 1995– 1997 TAC 0.6047 0.1167 0.2028 0.6047 0.1167 0.2028 E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM 25FER2 Final 2015 TACs 3,632 30,503 11,316 3,632 37,820 4,000 Final 2015 non-exempt AFA CV sideboard limit 2,196 3,560 2,295 2,196 4,414 811 10268 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 21—FINAL 2015 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV) GROUNDFISH HARVEST SIDEBOARD LIMITS—Continued [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Area/component C Season, August 25–October 1. Species Apportionments by season/ gear Shumagin (610) .................... Chirikof (620) ........................ Kodiak (630) ......................... Shumagin (610) .................... Chirikof (620) ........................ Kodiak (630) ......................... WYK (640) ............................ SEO (650) ............................. W ........................................... C ........................................... W ........................................... C ........................................... E inshore ............................... E offshore ............................. W ........................................... C ........................................... E ............................................ W ........................................... C ........................................... E ............................................ W ........................................... C ........................................... E ............................................ W ........................................... C ........................................... E ............................................ W ........................................... C ........................................... E ............................................ W ........................................... C ........................................... E ............................................ W ........................................... C ........................................... E ............................................ W ........................................... C ........................................... W ........................................... C ........................................... E ............................................ W ........................................... C ........................................... E ............................................ W ........................................... C ........................................... E ............................................ SEO ...................................... W ........................................... C ........................................... E ............................................ W ........................................... C ........................................... E ............................................ Gulfwide ................................ W ........................................... C ........................................... E ............................................ W ........................................... C ........................................... E ............................................ Gulfwide ................................ Gulfwide ................................ Gulfwide ................................ Gulfwide ................................ D Season, October 1–November 1. Annual ................................... A Season, 1 January 1–June 10. B Season, 2 September 1– December 31. Annual ................................... Sablefish ............................... Annual, trawl gear ................. Flatfish, Shallow-water .......... Annual ................................... Flatfish, deep-water .............. Annual ................................... Rex sole ................................ Annual ................................... Arrowtooth flounder ............... Annual ................................... Flathead sole ........................ Annual ................................... Pacific ocean perch .............. Annual ................................... Northern rockfish ................... Annual ................................... Shortraker rockfish ................ Annual ................................... Dusky rockfish ....................... Annual ................................... Rougheye rockfish ................ Annual ................................... Demersal shelf rockfish ........ Thornyhead rockfish ............. Annual ................................... Annual ................................... Other rockfish ........................ mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Pacific cod ............................. Annual ................................... Atka mackerel ....................... Big skates ............................. Annual ................................... Annual ................................... Longnose skates ................... Annual ................................... Other skates .......................... Sculpins ................................. Sharks ................................... Squids ................................... Annual Annual Annual Annual VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Feb 24, 2015 ................................... ................................... ................................... ................................... Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 Ratio of 1995– 1997 non-exempt AFA CV catch to 1995– 1997 TAC 0.6047 0.1167 0.2028 0.6047 0.1167 0.2028 0.3495 0.3495 0.1331 0.0692 0.1331 0.0692 0.0079 0.0078 0.0000 0.0642 0.0433 0.0156 0.0587 0.0126 0.0000 0.0647 0.0128 0.0007 0.0384 0.0029 0.0021 0.0280 0.0002 0.0036 0.0213 0.0009 0.0023 0.0748 0.0466 0.0003 0.0277 0.0000 0.0218 0.0110 0.0001 0.0000 0.0067 0.0000 0.0237 0.0124 0.0020 0.0280 0.0280 0.0280 0.0034 0.1699 0.0000 0.0309 0.0063 0.0063 0.0063 0.0063 0.0063 0.0063 0.0063 0.0063 0.0063 0.0063 E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM 25FER2 Final 2015 TACs 12,185 14,628 18,639 12,185 14,628 18,639 4,719 12,625 16,255 27,594 10,837 18,396 1,909 212 295 932 220 13,250 19,297 2,834 301 3,689 9,344 1,258 5,816 2,076 14,500 75,000 13,800 8,650 15,400 3,706 2,302 15,873 2,837 1,226 3,772 92 397 834 296 3,336 1,477 115 632 375 225 235 875 731 ........................ 1,031 780 2,000 731 1,257 1,267 152 2,090 976 2,235 5,569 5,989 1,148 Final 2015 non-exempt AFA CV sideboard limit 7,368 1,707 3,780 7,368 1,707 3,780 1,649 4,412 2,164 1,910 1,442 1,273 15 2 ........................ 60 10 207 1,133 36 ........................ 239 120 1 223 6 30 2,100 3 31 328 3 5 1,187 132 ........................ 104 ........................ 9 9 ........................ ........................ 10 ........................ 15 5 ........................ 7 25 20 . 175 62 5 8 8 1 13 6 14 35 38 7 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 10269 TABLE 21—FINAL 2015 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV) GROUNDFISH HARVEST SIDEBOARD LIMITS—Continued [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Species Apportionments by season/ gear Area/component Octopuses ............................. Annual ................................... Gulfwide ................................ 1 The 2 The Ratio of 1995– 1997 non-exempt AFA CV catch to 1995– 1997 TAC 0.0063 Final 2015 TACs Final 2015 non-exempt AFA CV sideboard limit 1,507 9 Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20. Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1. TABLE 22—FINAL 2016 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV) GROUNDFISH HARVEST SIDEBOARD LIMITS [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Ratio of 1995– 1997 non-exempt AFA CV catch to 1995– 1997 TAC Final 2016 TACs Final 2016 non-exempt AFA CV sideboard limit Species Apportionments by season/gear Area/component Pollock ................................ A Season, January 20–March 10 Shumagin (610) ................. Chirikof (620) ..................... Kodiak (630) ...................... Shumagin (610) ................. Chirikof (620) ..................... Kodiak (630) ...................... Shumagin (610) ................. Chirikof (620) ..................... Kodiak (630) ...................... Shumagin (610) ................. 0.6047 0.1167 0.2028 0.6047 0.1167 0.2028 0.6047 0.1167 0.2028 0.6047 4,760 39,992 14,839 4,760 49,586 5,245 15,975 19,179 24,437 15,975 2,879 4,667 3,009 2,879 5,787 1,064 9,660 2,238 4,956 9,660 Chirikof (620) ..................... Kodiak (630) ...................... WYK (640) ......................... SEO (650) .......................... W ........................................ C ........................................ W ........................................ 0.1167 0.2028 0.3495 0.3495 0.1331 0.0692 0.1331 19,179 24,437 6,187 12,625 16,255 27,594 10,837 2,238 4,956 2,162 4,412 2,164 1,910 1,442 C ........................................ E inshore ............................ E offshore .......................... W ........................................ C ........................................ E ......................................... W ........................................ C ........................................ E ......................................... W ........................................ C ........................................ E ......................................... W ........................................ C ........................................ E ......................................... W ........................................ C ........................................ E ......................................... W ........................................ C ........................................ E ......................................... W ........................................ C ........................................ E ......................................... W ........................................ C ........................................ W ........................................ C ........................................ E ......................................... W ........................................ C ........................................ E ......................................... 0.0692 0.0079 0.0078 0.0000 0.0642 0.0433 0.0156 0.0587 0.0126 0.0000 0.0647 0.0128 0.0007 0.0384 0.0029 0.0021 0.0280 0.0002 0.0036 0.0213 0.0009 0.0023 0.0748 0.0466 0.0003 0.0277 0.0000 0.0218 0.0110 0.0001 0.0000 0.0067 18,396 1,909 212 268 846 199 13,250 17,114 2,513 299 3,645 9,233 1,234 5,707 2,038 14,500 75,000 13,800 8,650 15,400 3,709 2,358 16,184 2,894 1,158 3,563 92 397 834 273 3,077 1,361 1,273 15 2 ........................ 54 9 207 1,005 32 ........................ 236 118 1 219 6 30 2,100 3 31 328 3 5 1,211 135 ........................ 99 ........................ 9 9 ........................ ........................ 9 B Season, March 10–May 31 ..... C Season, August 25–October 1 D Season, October 1–November 1. Annual Pacific cod .......................... A Season 1, January 1–June 10 B Season 2, September 1–December 31. Annual ......................................... Annual, trawl gear ....................... Flatfish, Shallow-water ....... Annual ......................................... Flatfish, deep-water ........... Annual ......................................... Rex sole ............................. Annual ......................................... Arrowtooth flounder ............ Annual ......................................... Flathead sole ..................... mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Sablefish ............................ Annual ......................................... Pacific ocean perch ........... Annual ......................................... Northern rockfish ................ Annual ......................................... Shortraker rockfish ............. Annual ......................................... Dusky rockfish .................... Annual ......................................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Feb 24, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM 25FER2 10270 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 22—FINAL 2016 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV) GROUNDFISH HARVEST SIDEBOARD LIMITS—Continued [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Ratio of 1995– 1997 non-exempt AFA CV catch to 1995– 1997 TAC Species Apportionments by season/gear Area/component Rougheye rockfish ............. Annual ......................................... Demersal shelf rockfish ..... Thornyhead rockfish .......... Annual ......................................... Annual ......................................... Other rockfish ..................... Annual ......................................... Atka mackerel .................... Big skates .......................... Annual ......................................... Annual ......................................... Longnose skates ................ Annual ......................................... Other skates ....................... Sculpins .............................. Sharks ................................ Squids ................................ Octopuses .......................... Annual Annual Annual Annual Annual W ........................................ C ........................................ E ......................................... SEO ................................... W ........................................ C ........................................ E ......................................... W ........................................ C ........................................ E ......................................... Gulfwide ............................. W ........................................ C ........................................ E ......................................... W ........................................ C ........................................ E ......................................... Gulfwide ............................. Gulfwide ............................. Gulfwide ............................. Gulfwide ............................. Gulfwide ............................. 1 The 2 The ......................................... ......................................... ......................................... ......................................... ......................................... 0.0000 0.0237 0.0124 0.0020 0.0280 0.0280 0.0280 0.0034 0.1699 0.0000 0.0309 0.0063 0.0063 0.0063 0.0063 0.0063 0.0063 0.0063 0.0063 0.0063 0.0063 0.0063 Final 2016 TACs Final 2016 non-exempt AFA CV sideboard limit 117 643 382 225 235 875 731 ........................ 1,031 780 2,000 731 1,257 1,267 152 2,090 976 2,235 5,569 5,989 1,148 1,507 ........................ 15 5 ........................ 7 25 20 ........................ 175 62 5 8 8 1 13 6 14 35 38 7 9 Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20. Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1. Non-Exempt AFA Catcher Vessel Halibut PSC Limits The halibut PSC sideboard limits for non-exempt AFA CVs in the GOA are based on the aggregate retained groundfish catch by non-exempt AFA CVs in each PSC target category from 1995 through 1997 divided by the retained catch of all vessels in that fishery from 1995 through 1997 (§ 679.64(b)(4)). Tables 23 and 24 list the final 2015 and 2016 non-exempt AFA CV halibut PSC limits for vessels using trawl gear in the GOA, respectively. The 2015 and 2016 seasonal apportionments of trawl halibut PSC limits between the deep-water and shallow-water species fisheries categories proportionately incorporate reductions made to the annual trawl halibut PSC limits and associated seasonal apportionments (see Tables 14 and 15). TABLE 23—FINAL 2015 NON-EXEMPT AFA CV HALIBUT PROHIBITED SPECIES CATCH (PSC) LIMITS FOR VESSELS USING TRAWL GEAR IN THE GOA [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton] Ratio of 1995–1997 non-exempt AFA CV retained catch to total retained catch 2015 PSC limit 2015 non-exempt AFA CV PSC limit .................................. .................................. .................................. .................................. .................................. .................................. .................................. .................................. .................................. 396 88 88 264 176 352 132 0 264 135 6 30 18 60 25 45 0 54 ............................................. 1,760 373 Season dates Target fishery 1 ............................ January 20–April 1 ............. 2 ............................ April 1–July 1 ..................... 3 ............................ July 1–September 1 ........... 4 ............................ September 1–October 1 ..... 5 ............................ mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Season October 1–December 31 .... shallow-water ..................... deep-water ......................... shallow-water ..................... deep-water ......................... shallow-water ..................... deep-water ......................... shallow-water ..................... deep-water ......................... all targets ............................ 0.340 0.070 0.340 0.070 0.340 0.070 0.340 0.070 0.205 Total ............... ............................................. ............................................. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Feb 24, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM 25FER2 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 10271 TABLE 24—FINAL 2016 NON-EXEMPT AFA CV HALIBUT PROHIBITED SPECIES CATCH (PSC) LIMITS FOR VESSELS USING TRAWL GEAR IN THE GOA [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton] Ratio of 1995–1997 nonexempt AFA CV retained catch to total retained catch Season dates Target fishery 1 ....................................... January 20–April 1 ......... 2 ....................................... April 1–July 1 .................. 3 ....................................... July 1–September 1 ....... 4 ....................................... September 1–October 1 5 ....................................... October 1–December 31 shallow-water .................. deep-water ...................... shallow-water .................. deep-water ...................... shallow-water .................. deep-water ...................... shallow-water .................. deep-water ...................... all targets ........................ 0.340 0.070 0.340 0.070 0.340 0.070 0.340 0.070 0.205 ............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... 384 85 85 256 171 341 128 0 256 131 6 29 18 58 24 44 0 52 ......................................... ......................................... ......................................... 1,706 361 Total .......................... Non-AFA Crab Vessel Groundfish Harvest Limitations Section 680.22 establishes groundfish catch limits for vessels with a history of participation in the Bering Sea snow crab fishery to prevent these vessels from using the increased flexibility provided by the Crab Rationalization Program to expand their level of participation in the GOA groundfish fisheries. Sideboard limits restrict these vessels’ catch to their collective historical landings in each GOA groundfish fishery (except the fixed-gear sablefish fishery). Sideboard limits also apply to catch made using an LLP license derived from the history of a restricted vessel, even if that LLP license is used on another vessel. The basis for these sideboard limits is described in detail in the final rules implementing the major provisions of Amendments 18 and 19 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/ Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs (70 FR 10174, March 2, 2005), Amendment 34 to the Fishery 2016 PSC limit 2016 non-exempt AFA CV PSC limit Season Management Plan for Bering Sea/ Aleutian Island King and Tanner Crabs (76 FR 35772, June 20, 2011), and Amendment 83 to the GOA FMP (76 FR 74670, December 1, 2011). Tables 25 and 26 list the final 2015 and 2016 groundfish sideboard limitations for non-AFA crab vessels. All targeted or incidental catch of sideboard species made by non-AFA crab vessels or associated LLP licenses will be deducted from these sideboard limits. TABLE 25—FINAL 2015 GOA NON-AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL GROUNDFISH HARVEST SIDEBOARD LIMITS [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Species Pollock ................................... Season/gear Area/component/gear Ratio of 1996– 2000 non-AFA crab vessel catch to 1996– 2000 total harvest Final 2015 TACs Final 2015 non-AFA crab vessel sideboard limit A Season, January 20– March 10. Shumagin (610) .................... 0.0098 3,632 36 B Season, March 10–May 31 Chirikof (620) ........................ Kodiak (630) ......................... Shumagin (610) .................... Chirikof (620) ........................ Kodiak (630) ......................... Shumagin (610) .................... 0.0031 0.0002 0.0098 0.0031 0.0002 0.0098 30,503 11,316 3,632 37,820 4,000 12,185 95 2 36 117 1 119 Chirikof (620) ........................ Kodiak (630) ......................... Shumagin (610) .................... 0.0031 0.0002 0.0098 14,628 18,639 12,185 45 4 119 Chirikof (620) ........................ Kodiak (630) ......................... WYK (640) ............................ SEO (650) ............................. W Jig ..................................... 0.0031 0.0002 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 14,628 18,639 4,719 12,625 16,255 45 4 ........................ ........................ ........................ W Hook-and-line CV ............. W Hook-and-line C/P ............ W Pot CV .............................. W Pot C/P ............................. W Trawl CV .......................... C Jig ..................................... C Hook-and-line CV ............. C Hook-and-line C/P ............ 0.0004 0.0018 0.0997 0.0078 0.0007 0.0000 0.0001 0.0012 16,255 16,255 16,255 16,255 16,255 27,594 27,594 27,594 7 29 1,621 127 11 ........................ 3 33 C Season, August 25–October 1. D Season, October 1–November 1. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Annual ................................... Pacific cod ............................. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Feb 24, 2015 A Season 1, January 1–June 10. Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM 25FER2 10272 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 25—FINAL 2015 GOA NON-AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL GROUNDFISH HARVEST SIDEBOARD LIMITS— Continued [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Species Season/gear Area/component/gear B Season 2 ............................ Jig Gear: June 10–December 31. All other gears: ..................... September 1–December 31 Annual ................................... Annual, trawl gear ................ Flatfish, shallow-water ........... Annual ................................... Flatfish, deep-water ............... Annual ................................... Rex sole ................................ Annual ................................... Arrowtooth flounder ............... Annual ................................... Flathead sole ......................... Annual ................................... Pacific ocean perch ............... Annual ................................... Northern rockfish ................... Annual ................................... Shortraker rockfish ................ Annual ................................... Dusky rockfish ....................... Annual ................................... Rougheye rockfish ................. Annual ................................... Demersal shelf rockfish ......... Thornyhead rockfish .............. Annual ................................... Annual ................................... Other rockfish ........................ mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Sablefish ................................ Annual ................................... Atka mackerel ........................ Big skate ................................ Annual ................................... Annual ................................... Longnose skate ..................... Annual ................................... Other skates .......................... Annual ................................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Feb 24, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Ratio of 1996– 2000 non-AFA crab vessel catch to 1996– 2000 total harvest Final 2015 TACs Final 2015 non-AFA crab vessel sideboard limit C Pot CV .............................. C Pot C/P ............................. C Trawl CV ........................... W Jig ..................................... W Hook-and-line CV ............. 0.0474 0.0136 0.0012 0.0000 0.0004 27,594 27,594 27,594 10,837 10,837 1,308 375 33 ........................ 4 W Hook-and-line C/P ............ W Pot CV .............................. W Pot C/P ............................. W Trawl CV .......................... C Jig ..................................... C Hook-and-line CV ............. C Hook-and-line C/P ............ C Pot CV .............................. C Pot C/P ............................. C Trawl CV ........................... E inshore .............................. E offshore ............................. W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... SEO ...................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... Gulfwide ................................ W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... Gulfwide ................................ 0.0001 0.0997 0.0078 0.0007 0.0000 0.0001 0.0012 0.0474 0.0136 0.0012 0.0110 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0059 0.0001 0.0000 0.0035 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0004 0.0001 0.0000 0.0002 0.0004 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0005 0.0000 0.0013 0.0012 0.0009 0.0017 0.0000 0.0000 0.0067 0.0047 0.0008 0.0000 0.0047 0.0066 0.0045 0.0035 0.0033 0.0000 0.0000 0.0392 0.0159 0.0000 0.0392 0.0159 0.0000 0.0176 10,837 10,837 10,837 10,837 18,396 18,396 18,396 18,396 18,396 18,396 1,909 212 295 932 220 13,250 19,297 2,834 301 3,689 9,344 1,258 5,816 2,076 14,500 75,000 13,800 8,650 15,400 3,706 2,302 15,873 2,837 1,226 3,772 92 397 834 296 3,336 1,477 115 632 375 225 235 875 731 ........................ 1,031 780 2,000 731 1,257 1,267 152 2,090 976 2,235 20 1,080 85 8 ........................ 2 22 872 250 22 21 ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ 78 2 ........................ 1 ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ 6 8 ........................ 2 6 ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ 1 ........................ 0 0 1 1 ........................ ........................ 1 3 0 ........................ 1 6 3 ........................ 3 ........................ ........................ 29 20 ........................ 6 33 ........................ 39 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM 25FER2 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 10273 TABLE 25—FINAL 2015 GOA NON-AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL GROUNDFISH HARVEST SIDEBOARD LIMITS— Continued [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Species Sculpins ................................. Sharks ................................... Squids .................................... Octopuses ............................. 1 The 2 The Season/gear Annual Annual Annual Annual Area/component/gear ................................... ................................... ................................... ................................... Gulfwide Gulfwide Gulfwide Gulfwide ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ Ratio of 1996– 2000 non-AFA crab vessel catch to 1996– 2000 total harvest 0.0176 0.0176 0.0176 0.0176 Final 2015 TACs 5,569 5,989 1,148 1,507 Final 2015 non-AFA crab vessel sideboard limit 98 105 20 27 Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20. Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1. TABLE 26—FINAL 2016 GOA NON-AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL GROUNDFISH HARVEST SIDEBOARD LIMITS [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Species Pollock ................................... Season/gear Area/component/gear Ratio of 1996– 2000 non-AFA crab vessel catch to 1996– 2000 total harvest Final 2016 TACs Final 2016 non-AFA crab vessel sideboard limit A Season, January 20– March 10. Shumagin (610) .................... 0.0098 4,760 47 B Season, March 10–May 31 Chirikof (620) ........................ Kodiak (630) ......................... Shumagin (610) .................... Chirikof (620) ........................ Kodiak (630) ......................... Shumagin (610) .................... 0.0031 0.0002 0.0098 0.0031 0.0002 0.0098 39,992 14,839 4,760 49,586 5,245 15,975 124 3 47 154 1 157 Chirikof (620) ........................ Kodiak (630) ......................... Shumagin (610) .................... 0.0031 0.0002 0.0098 19,179 24,437 15,975 59 5 157 Chirikof (620) ........................ Kodiak (630) ......................... WYK (640) ............................ SEO (650) ............................. W Jig ..................................... 0.0031 0.0002 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 19,179 24,437 6,187 12,625 16,255 59 5 ........................ ........................ ........................ W Hook-and-line CV ............. W Hook-and-line C/P ............ W Pot CV .............................. W Pot C/P ............................. W Trawl CV .......................... C Jig ..................................... C Hook-and-line CV ............. C Hook-and-line C/P ............ C Pot CV .............................. C Pot C/P ............................. C Trawl CV ........................... W Jig ..................................... W Hook-and-line CV ............. 0.0004 0.0018 0.0997 0.0078 0.0007 0.0000 0.0001 0.0012 0.0474 0.0136 0.0012 0.0000 0.0004 16,255 16,255 16,255 16,255 16,255 27,594 27,594 27,594 27,594 27,594 27,594 10,837 10,837 7 29 1,621 127 11 ........................ 3 33 1,308 375 33 ........................ 4 W Hook-and-line C/P ............ W Pot CV .............................. 0.0018 0.0997 10,837 10,837 20 1,080 W Pot C/P ............................. W Trawl CV .......................... C Jig ..................................... C Hook-and-line CV ............. C Hook-and-line C/P ............ C Pot CV .............................. C Pot C/P ............................. C Trawl CV ........................... E inshore .............................. E offshore ............................. W .......................................... 0.0078 0.0007 0.0000 0.0001 0.0012 0.0474 0.0136 0.0012 0.0110 0.0000 0.0000 10,837 10,837 18,396 18,396 18,396 18,396 18,396 18,396 1,909 212 268 85 8 ........................ 2 22 872 250 22 21 ........................ ........................ C Season, August 25–October 1. D Season, October 1–November 1. Annual ................................... Pacific cod ............................. A Season 1, January 1–June 10. B Season 2 ............................ Jig Gear: June 10–December 31. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 All other gears: September 1–December 31. Annual ................................... Sablefish ................................ VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Feb 24, 2015 Annual, trawl gear ................ Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM 25FER2 10274 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 26—FINAL 2016 GOA NON-AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL GROUNDFISH HARVEST SIDEBOARD LIMITS— Continued [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Species Season/gear Area/component/gear Flatfish, shallow-water ........... Annual ................................... Flatfish, deep-water ............... Annual ................................... Rex sole ................................ Annual ................................... Arrowtooth flounder ............... Annual ................................... Flathead sole ......................... Annual ................................... Pacific ocean perch ............... Annual ................................... Northern rockfish ................... Annual ................................... Shortraker rockfish ................ Annual ................................... Dusky rockfish ....................... Annual ................................... Rougheye rockfish ................. Annual ................................... Demersal shelf rockfish ......... Thornyhead rockfish .............. Annual ................................... Annual ................................... Other rockfish ........................ Annual ................................... Atka mackerel ........................ Big skate ................................ Annual ................................... Annual ................................... Longnose skate ..................... Annual ................................... Other skates .......................... Sculpins ................................. Sharks ................................... Squids .................................... Octopuses ............................. Annual Annual Annual Annual Annual 1 The mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 2 The ................................... ................................... ................................... ................................... ................................... Ratio of 1996– 2000 non-AFA crab vessel catch to 1996– 2000 total harvest C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... SEO ...................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... Gulfwide ................................ W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... Gulfwide ................................ Gulfwide ................................ Gulfwide ................................ Gulfwide ................................ Gulfwide ................................ 0.0000 0.0000 0.0059 0.0001 0.0000 0.0035 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0004 0.0001 0.0000 0.0002 0.0004 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0005 0.0000 0.0013 0.0012 0.0009 0.0017 0.0000 0.0000 0.0067 0.0047 0.0008 0.0000 0.0047 0.0066 0.0045 0.0035 0.0033 0.0000 0.0000 0.0392 0.0159 0.0000 0.0392 0.0159 0.0000 0.0176 0.0176 0.0176 0.0176 0.0176 Final 2016 TACs Final 2016 non-AFA crab vessel sideboard limit 846 199 13,250 17,114 2,513 299 3,645 9,233 1,234 5,707 2,038 14,500 75,000 13,800 8,650 15,400 3,709 2,358 16,184 2,894 1,158 3,563 92 397 834 273 3,077 1,361 117 643 382 225 235 875 731 ........................ 1,031 780 2,000 731 1,257 1,267 152 2,090 976 2,235 5,569 5,989 1,148 1,507 ........................ ........................ 78 2 ........................ 1 ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ 6 8 ........................ 2 6 ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ 1 ........................ 0 0 1 0 ........................ ........................ 1 3 0 ........................ 1 6 3 ........................ 3 ........................ ........................ 29 20 ........................ 6 33 ........................ 39 98 105 20 27 Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20. Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1. Rockfish Program Groundfish Sideboard and Halibut PSC Limitations The Rockfish Program establishes three classes of sideboard provisions: CV groundfish sideboard restrictions, C/ P rockfish sideboard restrictions, and C/ P opt-out vessel sideboard restrictions. These sideboards are intended to limit VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Feb 24, 2015 Jkt 235001 the ability of rockfish harvesters to expand into other fisheries. CVs participating in the Rockfish Program may not participate in directed fishing for dusky rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, and northern rockfish in the West Yakutat district and Western GOA from July 1 through July 31. Also, CVs may not participate in directed fishing for PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 arrowtooth flounder, deep-water flatfish, and rex sole in the GOA from July 1 through July 31 (§ 679.82(d)). Catcher/processors participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives are restricted by rockfish and halibut PSC sideboard limits. These C/Ps are prohibited from directed fishing for dusky rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, and E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM 25FER2 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations northern rockfish in the West Yakutat district and Western GOA from July 1 through July 31. Holders of C/Pdesignated LLP licenses that opt out of participating in a Rockfish Program cooperative will be able to access that portion of each sideboard limit that is not assigned to rockfish cooperatives. Tables 27 and 28 list the final 2015 and 2016 Rockfish Program C/P sideboard 10275 limits in the West Yakutat district and the Western GOA. Due to confidentiality requirements associated with fisheries data, the sideboard limits for the West Yakutat district are not displayed. TABLE 27—FINAL 2015 ROCKFISH PROGRAM HARVEST LIMITS BY SECTOR FOR WEST YAKUTAT DISTRICT AND WESTERN GOA BY THE CATCHER/PROCESSOR SECTOR [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Area Fishery C/P sector (% of TAC) West Yakutat District .............. Dusky rockfish ....................... Pacific ocean perch ............... Dusky rockfish ....................... Pacific ocean perch ............... Northern rockfish ................... Confidential 1 .......................... Confidential 1 .......................... 72.3 ........................................ 50.6 ........................................ 74.3 ........................................ Western GOA ......................... 1 Not Final 2015 TACs 1,288 2,014 296 2,302 1,226 Final 2015 C/P limit Confidential.1 Confidential.1 214. 1,165. 911. released due to confidentiality requirements associated with fish ticket data, as established by NMFS and the State of Alaska. TABLE 28—FINAL 2016 ROCKFISH PROGRAM HARVEST LIMITS BY SECTOR FOR WEST YAKUTAT DISTRICT AND WESTERN GOA BY THE CATCHER/PROCESSOR SECTOR [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Area Fishery C/P sector (% of TAC) West Yakutat District .............. Dusky rockfish ....................... Pacific ocean perch ............... Dusky rockfish ....................... Pacific ocean perch ............... Northern rockfish ................... Confidential 1 .......................... Confidential 1 .......................... 72.3 ........................................ 50.6 ........................................ 74.3 ........................................ Western GOA ......................... 1 Not Final 2016 TACs 1,187 2,055 273 2,358 1,158 Final 2016 C/P limit Confidential.1 Confidential.1 197. 1,193. 860. released due to confidentiality requirements associated with fish ticket data, as established by NMFS and the State of Alaska. Under the Rockfish Program, the C/P sector is subject to halibut PSC sideboard limits for the trawl deepwater and shallow-water species fisheries from July 1 through July 31. No halibut PSC sideboard limits apply to the CV sector, as vessels participating in cooperatives receive a portion of the annual halibut PSC limit. C/Ps that opt out of the Rockfish Program would be able to access that portion of the deepwater and shallow-water halibut PSC sideboard limit not assigned to C/P rockfish cooperatives. The sideboard provisions for C/Ps that elect to opt out of participating in a rockfish cooperative are described in § 679.82(c), (e), and (f). Sideboard limits are linked to the catch history of specific vessels that may choose to opt out. After March 1, NMFS will determine which C/Ps have optedout of the Rockfish Program in 2015, and will know the ratios and amounts used to calculate opt-out sideboard ratios. NMFS will then calculate any applicable opt-out sideboards and post these allocations on the Alaska Region Web site at https:// alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/ sustainablefisheries/rockfish/. Tables 29 and 30 list the 2015 and 2016 Rockfish Program halibut PSC limits for the catcher/processor sector. These halibut PSC limits proportionately incorporate reductions made to the annual trawl halibut PSC limits and associated season apportionments (see Tables 14 and 15). TABLE 29—FINAL 2015 ROCKFISH PROGRAM HALIBUT MORTALITY LIMITS FOR THE CATCHER/PROCESSOR SECTOR [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Deep-water species fishery halibut PSC sideboard ratio (percent) 2015 halibut mortality limit (mt) Annual shallow-water species fishery halibut PSC sideboard limit (mt) Annual deep-water species fishery halibut PSC sideboard limit (mt) Catcher/processor ................................................................ mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Sector Shallow-water species fishery halibut PSC sideboard ratio (percent) 0.10 2.50 1,759 2 44 VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Feb 24, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM 25FER2 10276 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 30—FINAL 2016 ROCKFISH PROGRAM HALIBUT MORTALITY LIMITS FOR THE CATCHER/PROCESSOR SECTOR [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Sector Shallow-water species fishery halibut PSC sideboard ratio (percent) Deep-water species fishery halibut PSC sideboard ratio (percent) 2016 halibut mortality limit (mt) Annual shallow-water species fishery halibut PSC sideboard limit (mt) Annual deep-water species fishery halibut PSC sideboard limit (mt) Catcher/processor ................................................................ 0.10 2.50 1,706 2 43 Amendment 80 Program Groundfish and PSC Sideboard Limits Amendment 80 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (Amendment 80 Program) established a limited access privilege program for the non-AFA trawl C/P sector. The Amendment 80 Program established groundfish and halibut PSC catch limits for Amendment 80 Program participants to limit the ability of participants eligible for the Amendment 80 Program to expand their harvest efforts in the GOA. Section 679.92 establishes groundfish harvesting sideboard limits on all Amendment 80 program vessels, other than the F/V GOLDEN FLEECE, to amounts no greater than the limits listed in Table 37 to 50 CFR part 679. Under regulations at § 679.92(d), the F/V GOLDEN FLEECE is prohibited from directed fishing for pollock, Pacific cod, Pacific ocean perch, dusky rockfish, and northern rockfish in the GOA. Groundfish sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels operating in the GOA are based on their average aggregate harvests from 1998 through 2004. Tables 31 and 32 list the final 2015 and 2016 sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels. NMFS will deduct all targeted or incidental catch of sideboard species made by Amendment 80 Program vessels from the sideboard limits in Tables 31 and 32. TABLE 31—FINAL 2015 GOA GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD LIMITS FOR AMENDMENT 80 PROGRAM VESSELS [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton] Ratio of Amendment 80 sector vessels 1998– 2004 catch to TAC Species Area Pollock ................................... A Season, January 20–February 25. Shumagin (610) .................... 0.003 3,632 11 B Season, March 10–May 31 Chirikof (620) ........................ Kodiak (630) ......................... Shumagin (610) .................... Chirikof (620) ........................ Kodiak (630) ......................... Shumagin (610) .................... 0.002 0.002 0.003 0.002 0.002 0.003 30,503 11,316 3,632 37,820 4,000 12,185 61 23 11 76 8 37 Chirikof (620) ........................ Kodiak (630) ......................... Shumagin (610) .................... 0.002 0.002 0.003 14,628 18,639 12,185 29 37 37 Chirikof (620) ........................ Kodiak (630) ......................... WYK (640) ............................ W .......................................... 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.020 14,628 18,639 4,719 16,255 29 37 9 325 C ........................................... W .......................................... 0.044 0.020 27,594 10,837 1,214 217 C ........................................... WYK ...................................... W .......................................... WYK ...................................... W .......................................... W .......................................... WYK ...................................... 0.044 0.034 0.994 0.961 1.000 0.764 0.896 18,396 2,121 2,302 2,014 1,226 296 1,288 809 72 2,288 1,935 1,226 226 1,154 C Season, August 25–September 15. D Season, October 1–November 1. Pacific cod ............................. Annual ................................... A Season 1, January 1–June 10. B Season 2, September 1– December 31. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Pacific ocean perch ............... Annual ................................... Annual ................................... Northern rockfish ................... Dusky rockfish ....................... Annual ................................... Annual ................................... 1 The 2 The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20. Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Feb 24, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM 25FER2 2015 TAC (mt) 2015 Amendment 80 vessel sideboards (mt) Apportionments and allocations by season 10277 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 32—FINAL 2016 GOA GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD LIMITS FOR AMENDMENT 80 PROGRAM VESSELS [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton] Ratio of Amendment 80 sector vessels 1998– 2004 catch to TAC Species Apportionments and allocations by season Area Pollock ................................ A Season, January 20–February 25. Shumagin (610) ................. 0.003 4,760 14 B Season, March 10–May 31 ..... Chirikof (620) ..................... Kodiak (630) ...................... Shumagin (610) ................. Chirikof (620) ..................... Kodiak (630) ...................... Shumagin (610) ................. 0.002 0.002 0.003 0.002 0.002 0.003 39,992 14,839 4,760 49,586 5,245 15,975 80 30 14 99 10 48 Chirikof (620) ..................... Kodiak (630) ...................... Shumagin (610) ................. 0.002 0.002 0.003 19,179 24,437 15,975 38 49 48 Chirikof (620) ..................... Kodiak (630) ...................... WYK (640) ......................... W ........................................ C ........................................ W ........................................ 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.020 0.044 0.020 19,179 24,437 6,187 16,255 27,594 10,837 38 49 12 325 1,214 217 C ........................................ WYK ................................... W ........................................ WYK ................................... W ........................................ W ........................................ WYK ................................... 0.044 0.034 0.994 0.961 1.000 0.764 0.896 18,396 2,121 2,358 2,055 1,158 273 1,187 809 72 2,344 1,975 1,158 209 1,064 C Season, August tember 15. 25–Sep- D Season, October 1–November 1. Pacific cod .......................... Annual ......................................... A Season 1, January 1–June 10 B Season 2, September 1–December 31. Pacific ocean perch ........... Annual ......................................... Annual ......................................... Northern rockfish ................ Dusky rockfish .................... Annual ......................................... Annual ......................................... 1 The 2 The 2016 TAC (mt) 2016 Amendment 80 vessel sideboards (mt) Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20. Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1. The PSC sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels in the GOA are based on the historic use of halibut PSC by Amendment 80 Program vessels in each PSC target category from 1998 through 2004. These values are slightly lower than the average historic use to accommodate two factors: Allocation of halibut PSC cooperative quota under the Central GOA Rockfish Program and the exemption of the F/V GOLDEN FLEECE from this restriction (§ 679.92(b)(2)). Tables 33 and 34 list the final 2015 and 2016 halibut PSC limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels, respectively. These tables incorporate the maximum percentages of the halibut PSC sideboard limits that may be used by Amendment 80 Program vessels as contained in Table 38 to 50 CFR part 679. These halibut PSC limits proportionately incorporate the reductions made to the annual trawl halibut PSC limits and associated seasonal apportionments (see Tables 14 and 15). Additionally, residual amounts of a seasonal Amendment 80 sideboard halibut PSC limit may carry forward to the next season limit (§ 679.92(b)(2)). TABLE 33—FINAL 2015 HALIBUT PSC LIMITS FOR AMENDMENT 80 PROGRAM VESSELS IN THE GOA [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton] Historic Amendment 80 use of the annual halibut PSC limit catch (ratio) Season dates Target fishery 1 ..................... mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Season January 20–April 1 ............... 2 ..................... April 1–July 1 ........................ 3 ..................... July 1–September 1 ............. 4 ..................... September 1–October 1 ....... 5 ..................... October 1–December 31 ...... shallow-water ........................ deep-water ............................ shallow-water ........................ deep-water ............................ shallow-water ........................ deep-water ............................ shallow-water ........................ deep-water ............................ shallow-water ........................ deep-water ............................ VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Feb 24, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 0.0048 0.0115 0.0189 0.1072 0.0146 0.0521 0.0074 0.0014 0.0227 0.0371 2015 annual PSC limit (mt) 1,759 1,759 1,759 1,759 1,759 1,759 1,759 1,759 1,759 1,759 E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM ..................................... ..................................... ..................................... ..................................... ..................................... ..................................... ..................................... ..................................... ..................................... ..................................... 25FER2 2015 Amendment 80 vessel PSC limit 8 20 33 189 26 92 13 2 40 65 10278 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 33—FINAL 2015 HALIBUT PSC LIMITS FOR AMENDMENT 80 PROGRAM VESSELS IN THE GOA—Continued [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton] Season Season dates Historic Amendment 80 use of the annual halibut PSC limit catch (ratio) Target fishery 2015 annual PSC limit (mt) 2015 Amendment 80 vessel PSC limit Total: ..................................... 488 TABLE 34—FINAL 2016 HALIBUT PSC LIMITS FOR AMENDMENT 80 PROGRAM VESSELS IN THE GOA [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton] Historic Amendment 80 use of the annual halibut PSC limit catch (ratio) Season Season dates Target fishery 1 ..................... January 20–April 1 ............... 2 ..................... April 1–July 1 ........................ 3 ..................... July 1–September 1 ............. 4 ..................... September 1–October 1 ....... 5 ..................... October 1–December 31 ...... shallow-water ........................ deep-water ............................ shallow-water ........................ deep-water ............................ shallow-water ........................ deep-water ............................ shallow-water ........................ deep-water ............................ shallow-water ........................ deep-water ............................ Pursuant to § 679.20(d)(1)(i), if the Regional Administrator determines (1) that any allocation or apportionment of a target species or species group allocated or apportioned to a fishery will be reached; or (2) with respect to pollock and Pacific cod, that an allocation or apportionment to an inshore or offshore component or sector allocation will be reached, the Regional Administrator may establish a directed fishing allowance (DFA) for that species or species group. If the Regional Administrator establishes a DFA and that allowance is or will be reached before the end of the fishing year, NMFS will prohibit directed fishing for that species or species group in the specified 1,706 1,706 1,706 1,706 1,706 1,706 1,706 1,706 1,706 1,706 2016 Amendment 80 vessel PSC limit ..................................... ..................................... ..................................... ..................................... ..................................... ..................................... ..................................... ..................................... ..................................... ..................................... 8 20 32 183 25 89 13 2 39 63 Total: ..................................... Directed Fishing Closures 0.0048 0.0115 0.0189 0.1072 0.0146 0.0521 0.0074 0.0014 0.0227 0.0371 2016 annual PSC limit (mt) 474 GOA regulatory area or district (§ 679.20(d)(1)(iii)). The Regional Administrator has determined that the TACs for the species listed in Table 35 are necessary to account for the incidental catch of these species in other anticipated groundfish fisheries for the 2015 and 2016 fishing years. TABLE 35—2015 AND 2016 DIRECTED FISHING CLOSURES IN THE GOA [Amounts for incidental catch in other directed fisheries are in metric tons] Incidental catch amount and year (if amounts differ by year) Area/component/gear Pollock ..................................................................................................... Sablefish 2 ................................................................................................ all/offshore ..................................... all/trawl ........................................... Pacific cod ............................................................................................... Shortraker rockfish 2 ................................................................................ Rougheye rockfish 2 ................................................................................ mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Target Western, catcher/processor, trawl Central, catcher/processor, trawl ... all ................................................... all ................................................... Thornyhead rockfish ................................................................................ Other rockfish .......................................................................................... Atka mackerel .......................................................................................... Big skate .................................................................................................. Longnose skate ....................................................................................... Other skates ............................................................................................ Sharks ..................................................................................................... Squids ...................................................................................................... Octopuses ............................................................................................... all all all all all all all all all 1 Pollock ................................................... ................................................... ................................................... ................................................... ................................................... ................................................... ................................................... ................................................... ................................................... not applicable 1. 1,446 (2015). 1,313 (2016). 627. 1,911. 1,323. 1,122 (2015) 1,142 (2016). 1,841. 1,811. 2,000. 3,255. 3,218. 2,235. 5,989. 1,148. 1,507. is closed to directed fishing in the GOA by the offshore component under § 679.20(a)(6)(i). not applicable to participants in cooperatives conducted under the Central GOA Rockfish Program. 2 Closures VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:00 Feb 24, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM 25FER2 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations Consequently, in accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional Administrator establishes the DFA for the species or species groups listed in Table 35 as zero mt. Therefore, in accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for those species, areas, gear types, and components in the GOA listed in Table 35. These closures will remain in effect through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2016. Section 679.64(b)(5) provides for management of AFA CV groundfish harvest limits and PSC bycatch limits using directed fishing closures and PSC closures according to procedures set out at §§ 679.20(d)(1)(iv), 679.21(d)(6), and 679.21(e)(3)(v). The Regional Administrator has determined that, in addition to the closures listed above, many of the non-exempt AFA CV sideboard limits listed in Tables 21 and 22 are necessary as incidental catch to support other anticipated groundfish 10279 fisheries for the 2015 and 2016 fishing years. In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iv), the Regional Administrator sets the DFAs for the species and species groups in Table 36 at zero mt. Therefore, in accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing by nonexempt AFA CVs in the GOA for the species and specified areas listed in Table 36. These closures will remain in effect through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2016. TABLE 36—2015 AND 2016 NON-EXEMPT AFA CV SIDEBOARD DIRECTED FISHING CLOSURES FOR ALL GEAR TYPES IN THE GOA [Amounts for incidental catch in other directed fisheries are in metric tons] Species Regulatory area/district Pacific cod .............................................................. Shallow-water flatfish ............................................. Deep-water flatfish ................................................. Rex sole ................................................................. Arrowtooth flounder ................................................ Flathead sole .......................................................... Pacific ocean perch ................................................ Northern rockfish .................................................... Dusky rockfish ........................................................ Demersal shelf rockfish .......................................... Sculpins .................................................................. Squids ..................................................................... Eastern .................................................................. Eastern .................................................................. Western ................................................................. Eastern and Western ............................................. Eastern and Western ............................................. Eastern and Western ............................................. Western ................................................................. Western ................................................................. Entire GOA ............................................................ SEO District ........................................................... Entire GOA ............................................................ Entire GOA ............................................................ mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Section 680.22 provides for the management of non-AFA crab vessel sideboards using directed fishing closures in accordance with § 680.22(e)(2) and (3). The Regional Administrator has determined that the non-AFA crab vessel sideboards listed in Tables 25 and 26 are insufficient to support a directed fishery and has set the sideboard DFA at zero mt, with the exception of Pacific cod pot CV sector apportionments in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas. Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing by non-AFA crab vessels in the GOA for all species and species groups listed in Tables 25 and 26, with the exception of the Pacific cod pot CV sector apportionments in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas. Closures implemented under the 2014 and 2015 GOA harvest specifications for groundfish (79 FR 12890, March 6, 2014) remain effective under authority of these final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications, and are posted at the following Web site: https:// www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/cm/info_ bulletins/. While these closures are in effect, the maximum retainable amounts at § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a fishing trip. These closures to directed fishing are in addition to closures and prohibitions found in VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:00 Feb 24, 2015 Jkt 235001 regulations at 50 CFR part 679. NMFS may implement other closures during the 2015 and 2016 fishing years as necessary for effective conservation and management. Comments and Response NMFS did not receive any comments in response to the proposed 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications (79 FR 72593, December 8, 2014). Classification NMFS has determined that these final harvest specifications are consistent with the FMP and with the MagnusonStevens Act and other applicable laws. This action is authorized under 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from review under Executive Orders 12866 and 13563. NMFS prepared an EIS for this action (see ADDRESSES) and made it available to the public on January 12, 2007 (72 FR 1512). On February 13, 2007, NMFS issued the Record of Decision (ROD) for the EIS. In January 2015, NMFS prepared a Supplemental Information Report (SIR) for this action. Copies of the EIS, ROD, and SIR for this action are available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES). The EIS analyzes the environmental consequences of the groundfish harvest specifications and alternative harvest strategies on resources in the action PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 Incidental catch amount 15 (inshore) and 2 (offshore). 36 in 2015, 32 in 2016. 0. 6 and 1 (2015), 5 and 1 (2016). 3 and 30. 3 and 31. 5. 0. 10 in 2015, 9 in 2016. 0. 35. 7. area. The EIS found no significant environmental consequences of this action and its alternatives. The preferred alternative is a harvest strategy in which TACs are set at a level that falls within the range of ABCs recommended by the Council’s SSC; the sum of the TACs must achieve the OY specified in the FMP. The SIR evaluates the need to prepare a Supplemental EIS (SEIS) for the 2015 and 2016 groundfish harvest specifications. An SEIS should be prepared if 1) the agency makes substantial changes in the proposed action that are relevant to environmental concerns, or 2) significant new circumstances or information exist relevant to environmental concerns and bearing on the proposed action or its impacts (40 CFR 1502.9(c)(1)). After reviewing the information contained in the SIR and SAFE reports, the Regional Administrator has determined that 1) approval of the 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications, which were set according to the preferred harvest strategy in the EIS, do not constitute a substantial change in the action; and 2) there are no significant new circumstances or information relevant to environmental concerns and bearing on the action or its E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM 25FER2 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 10280 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations impacts. Additionally, the 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications will result in environmental impacts within the scope of those analyzed and disclosed in the EIS. Therefore, supplemental National Environmental Policy Act documentation is not necessary to implement the 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications. Section 604 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act requires that, when an agency promulgates a final rule under section 553 of Title 5 of the United States Code, after being required by that section, or any other law, to publish a general notice of proposed rulemaking, the agency shall prepare a final regulatory flexibility analysis (FRFA). Section 604 describes the required contents of a FRFA: 1) A statement of the need for, and objectives of, the rule; 2) a statement of the significant issues raised by the public comments in response to the initial regulatory flexibility analysis, a statement of the assessment of the agency of such issues, and a statement of any changes made in the proposed rule as a result of such comments; 3) the response of the agency to any comments filed by the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration in response to the proposed rule, and a detailed statement of any change made to the proposed rule in the final rule as a result of the comments; 4) a description of and an estimate of the number of small entities to which the rule will apply or an explanation of why no such estimate is available; 5) a description of the projected reporting, recordkeeping and other compliance requirements of the rule, including an estimate of the classes of small entities which will be subject to the requirement and the type of professional skills necessary for preparation of the report or record; 6) a description of the steps the agency has taken to minimize the significant economic impact on small entities consistent with the stated objectives of applicable statutes, including a statement of the factual, policy, and legal reasons for selecting the alternative adopted in the final rule and why each one of the other significant alternatives to the rule considered by the agency which affect the impact on small entities was rejected. A description of this action, its purpose, and its legal basis are contained at the beginning of the preamble to this final rule and are not repeated here. NMFS published the proposed rule on December 8, 2014 (79 FR 72593). NMFS prepared an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) to accompany this action, and included a VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:00 Feb 24, 2015 Jkt 235001 summary in the proposed rule. The comment period closed on January 7, 2015. No comments were received on the IRFA or the economic impacts of the rule more generally. The entities directly regulated by this action include a) entities operating vessels with groundfish FFPs catching FMP groundfish in Federal waters; b) all entities operating vessels, regardless of whether they hold groundfish FFPs, catching FMP groundfish in the statewaters parallel fisheries; and c) all entities operating vessels fishing for halibut inside three miles of the shore (whether or not they have FFPs). On June 12, 2014, the Small Business Administration issued an interim final rule revising the small business size standards for several industries effective July 14, 2014 (79 FR 33647, June 12, 2014). The rule increased the size standard for Finfish Fishing from $19.0 million to $20.5 million, Shellfish Fishing from $ 5.0 million to $5.5 million, and Other Marine Fishing from $7.0 million to $7.5 million. Based on data from 2013 fishing activity, there were 1,156 individual catcher vessel entities with gross revenues meeting small entity criteria. Of these entities, 1,075 used hook-andline gear, 116 used pot gear, and 33 used trawl gear (some of these entities used more than one gear type, thus the counts of entities using the different gear types do not sum to the total number of entities above). Three individual catcher/processors met the small entity criterion; two used hook-and-line gear, and one used trawl gear. Catcher/ processor gross revenues were not reported for confidentiality reasons, however hook-and-line small entities had average gross revenues of $380,000, small pot entities had average gross revenues of $960,000, and small trawl entities had average gross revenues of $2.8 million. Some of these vessels are members of AFA inshore pollock cooperatives, of GOA rockfish cooperatives, or of BSAI crab rationalization cooperatives and, therefore, under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) it is the aggregate gross receipts of all participating members of the cooperative that must meet the threshold. Vessels that participate in these cooperatives are considered to be large entities within the meaning of the RFA. These relationships are accounted for, along with corporate affiliations among vessels, to the extent that they are known, in the estimated number of small entities. If affiliations exist of which NMFS is unaware, or if entities had non-fishing revenue sources, the estimates above may overstate the PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 number of directly regulated small entities. This action does not modify recordkeeping or reporting requirements. NMFS considered other, alternative harvest strategies when choosing the preferred harvest strategy (Alternative 2) in December 2006. These included the following: • Alternative 1: Set TACs to produce fishing mortality rates, F, that are equal to maxFABC, unless the sum of the TACs is constrained by the OY established in the FMPs. This is equivalent to setting TACs to produce harvest levels equal to the maximum permissible ABCs, as constrained by OY. The term ‘‘maxFABC’’ refers to the maximum permissible value of FABC under Amendment 56 to the groundfish FMPs. Historically, the TAC has been set at or below the ABC, therefore, this alternative represents a likely upper limit for setting the TAC within the OY and ABC limits. • Alternative 3: For species in Tiers 1, 2, and 3, set TAC to produce F equal to the most recent 5-year average actual F. For species in Tiers 4, 5, and 6, set TAC equal to the most recent 5-year average actual catch. For stocks with a high level of scientific information, TACs would be set to produce harvest levels equal to the most recent 5-year average actual fishing mortality rates. For stocks with insufficient scientific information, TACs would be set equal to the most recent 5-year average actual catch. This alternative recognizes that for some stocks, catches may fall well below ABCs, and recent average F may provide a better indicator of actual F than FABC does. • Alternative 4: 1) Set TACs for rockfish species in Tier 3 at F75%. Set TACs for rockfish species in Tier 5 at F = 0.5M. Set spatially explicit TACs for shortraker and rougheye rockfish in the GOA. 2) Taking the rockfish TACs as calculated above, reduce all other TACs by a proportion that does not vary across species, so that the sum of all TACs, including rockfish TACs, is equal to the lower bound of the area OY (116,000 mt in the GOA). This alternative sets conservative and spatially explicit TACs for rockfish species that are long-lived and late to mature and sets conservative TACs for the other groundfish species. • Alternative 5: (No Action) Set TACs at zero. These four alternatives do not meet the objectives of this action although they have a smaller adverse economic impact on small entities than the E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM 25FER2 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations preferred alternative. The Council rejected these alternatives as harvest strategies in 2006, and the Secretary did so in 2007. Alternative 1 selected harvest rates that will allow fishermen to harvest stocks at the level of ABCs, unless total harvests are constrained by the upper bound of the GOA OY of 800,000 metric tons. The sums of ABCs in 2015 and 2016 are 685,597 mt and 731,049 mt, respectively. The sums of the TACs in 2015 and 2016 are 536,158 mt and 590,161 mt, respectively. Thus, although the sum of ABCs in each year is less than 800,000 metric tons, the sums of the TACs in each year are less than the sums of the ABCs. In most cases, the Council has set TACs equal to ABCs. The divergence between aggregate TACs and aggregate ABCs reflects a variety of special species- and fishery-specific circumstances: • Pacific cod TACs are set equal to 70 percent in the Western GOA and 75 percent in the Central GOA of the Pacific cod ABCs in each year to account for the guideline harvest levels (GHL) set by the State of Alaska for its GHL Pacific cod fisheries (30 and 25 percent, respectively, of the Western and Central GOA ABCs). Thus, the difference between the Federal TACs and ABCs does not actually reflect a Pacific cod harvest below the Pacific cod ABC, as the balance is available for the State’s cod GHL fisheries. • Shallow-water flatfish and flathead sole TACs are set below ABCs in the Western and Central GOA regulatory areas. Arrowtooth flounder TACs are set below ABC in all GOA regulatory areas. Catches of these flatfish species rarely, if ever, approach the proposed ABCs or TACs. Important trawl fisheries in the GOA take halibut PSC, and are constrained by limits on the allowable halibut PSC mortality. These limits routinely force the closure of trawl fisheries before they have harvested the available groundfish ABC. Thus, actual harvests of groundfish in the GOA routinely fall short of some ABCs and TACs. Markets can also constrain harvests below the TACs, as has been the case with arrowtooth flounder, in the past. These TACs are set to allow for increased harvest opportunities for these targets while conserving the halibut PSC limit for use in other, more fully utilized, fisheries. • The other rockfish TAC is set below the ABC in the Southeast Outside district based on several factors. In addition to conservation concerns for the rockfish species in this group, there is a regulatory prohibition against using trawl gear east of 140° W. longitude. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Feb 24, 2015 Jkt 235001 Because most species of other rockfish are caught exclusively with trawl gear, the catch of such species with other gear types, such as hook-and-line, is low. The commercial catch of other rockfish in the Eastern regulatory area, which includes the West Yakutat and Southeast Outside districts, has ranged from approximately 70 mt to 248 mt per year over the last decade. • The GOA-wide Atka mackerel TAC is set below the ABC. The estimates of survey biomass continue to be unreliable in the GOA. Therefore, the Council recommended and NMFS agrees that the Atka mackerel TAC in the GOA be set at an amount to support incidental catch in other directed fisheries. Alternative 3 selects harvest rates based on the most recent 5 years of harvest rates (for species in Tiers 1 through 3) or for the most recent 5 years of harvests (for species in Tiers 4 through 6). This alternative is inconsistent with the objectives of this action, because it does not take account of the most recent biological information for this fishery. Alternative 4 would lead to significantly lower harvests of all species to reduce TACs from the upper end of the OY range in the GOA to its lower end of 116,000 mt. Overall, this would reduce 2015 TACs by about 78 percent. This would lead to significant reductions in harvests of species by small entities. While production declines in the GOA would undoubtedly be associated with price increases in the GOA, these increases would still be constrained by the availability of substitutes, and are very unlikely to offset revenue declines from smaller production. Thus, this action would have a detrimental economic impact on small entities. Alternative 5, which sets all harvests equal to zero, may also address conservation issues, but would have a significant adverse economic impact on small entities. Impacts on marine mammals resulting from fishing activities conducted under this rule are discussed in the EIS and SIR (see ADDRESSES). Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness for this rule because delaying this rule would be contrary to the public interest. The Plan Team review occurred in November 2014, and Council consideration and recommendations occurred in December 2014. Accordingly, NMFS’ review could not begin until January 2015. For all fisheries not currently closed because the TACs established under the final PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 10281 2014 and 2015 harvest specifications (79 FR 12890, March 6, 2014) were not reached, it is possible that they would be closed prior to the expiration of a 30day delayed effectiveness period, because their TACs could be reached within that period. If implemented immediately, this rule would allow these fisheries to continue because the new TACs implemented by this rule are higher than the ones under which they are currently fishing. Certain fisheries, such as those for pollock and Pacific cod, are intensive, fast-paced fisheries. Other fisheries, such as those for sablefish, flatfish, rockfish, Atka mackerel, skates, sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopuses, are critical as directed fisheries and as incidental catch in other fisheries. U.S. fishing vessels have demonstrated the capacity to catch the TAC allocations in many of these fisheries. If this rule allowed for a 30-day delay in effectiveness and if a TAC were reached during those 30 days, NMFS would close directed fishing or prohibit retention for the applicable species. Any delay in allocating the final TACs in these fisheries would cause confusion to the industry and potential economic harm through unnecessary discards, thus undermining the intent of the rule. Waiving the 30-day delay allows NMFS to prevent economic loss to fishermen that could otherwise occur should the 2015 TACs be reached. Determining which fisheries may close is impossible because these fisheries are affected by several factors that cannot be predicted in advance, including fishing effort, weather, movement of fishery stocks, and market price. Furthermore, the closure of one fishery has a cascading effect on other fisheries by freeing-up fishing vessels, allowing them to move from closed fisheries to open ones, increasing the fishing capacity in those open fisheries, and causing them to close at an accelerated pace. In fisheries subject to declining sideboard limits, a failure to implement the updated sideboard limits before initial season’s end could deny the intended economic protection to the non-sideboarded sectors. Conversely, in fisheries with increasing sideboard limits, economic benefit could be denied to the sideboard limited sectors. If the final harvest specifications are not effective by March 14, 2015, which is the start of the 2015 Pacific halibut season as specified by the IPHC, the hook-and-line sablefish fishery will not begin concurrently with the Pacific halibut IFQ season. This would result in confusion for the industry and economic harm from unnecessary discard of sablefish that are caught E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM 25FER2 10282 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 along with Pacific halibut, as both hookand-line sablefish and Pacific halibut are managed under the same IFQ program. Immediate effectiveness of the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications will allow the sablefish IFQ fishery to begin concurrently with the Pacific halibut IFQ season. In addition, the immediate effectiveness of this action is required to provide consistent management and conservation of fishery resources based on the best available scientific information. This is particularly true for those species that have lower 2015 ABCs and TACs than those established in the 2014 and 2015 harvest specifications (79 FR 12890, March 6, 2014). Immediate effectiveness also would give the fishing industry the earliest possible opportunity to plan and conduct its fishing operations with VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Feb 24, 2015 Jkt 235001 respect to new information about TACs. Therefore, NMFS finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). Small Entity Compliance Guide This final rule is a plain language guide to assist small entities in complying with this final rule as required by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. This final rule’s primary purpose is to announce the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications and prohibited species bycatch allowances for the groundfish fisheries of the GOA. This action is necessary to establish harvest limits and associated management measures for groundfish during the 2015 and 2016 fishing years, and to accomplish the goals and objectives of the FMP. This action affects all PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 9990 fishermen who participate in the GOA fisheries. The specific amounts of OFL, ABC, TAC, and PSC are provided in tables to assist the reader. NMFS will announce closures of directed fishing in the Federal Register and information bulletins released by the Alaska Region. Affected fishermen should keep themselves informed of such closures. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1540 (f), 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 3631 et seq.; Pub. L. 105–277; Pub. L. 106–31; Pub. L. 106–554; Pub. L. 108–199; Pub. L. 108–447; Pub. L. 109–241; Pub. L 109–479. Dated: February 17, 2015. Samuel D. Rauch III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015–03896 Filed 2–24–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\25FER2.SGM 25FER2

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 37 (Wednesday, February 25, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10249-10282]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-03896]

[[Page 10249]]

Vol. 80

Wednesday,

No. 37

February 25, 2015

Part III

Department of Commerce

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

50 CFR Part 679

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska;
Final 2015 and 2016 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish; Final Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 80 , No. 37 / Wednesday, February 25, 2015 /
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 10250]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 140918791-4999-02]
RIN 0648-XD516

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of
Alaska; Final 2015 and 2016 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Final rule; harvest specifications and closures.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS announces final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications,
apportionments, and Pacific halibut prohibited species catch limits for
the groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to establish harvest limits for groundfish during the 2015
and 2016 fishing years and to accomplish the goals and objectives of
the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the GOA. The intended
effect of this action is to conserve and manage the groundfish
resources in the GOA in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act.

DATES: Harvest specifications and closures are effective at 1200 hrs,
Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 25, 2015, through 2400 hrs,
A.l.t., December 31, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the Final Alaska Groundfish Harvest
Specifications Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Record of Decision
(ROD), and the Supplementary Information Report (SIR) to the EIS
prepared for this action are available from https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. The final 2014 Stock Assessment and Fishery
Evaluation (SAFE) report for the groundfish resources of the GOA, dated
November 2014, is available from the North Pacific Fishery Management
Council (Council) at 605 West 4th Avenue, Suite 306, Anchorage, AK
99510-2252, phone 907-271-2809, or from the Council's Web site at
https://www.npfmc.org.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the GOA groundfish fisheries in
the exclusive economic zone of the GOA under the Fishery Management
Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP). The Council prepared
the FMP under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), 16 U.S.C. 1801
et seq. Regulations governing U.S. fisheries and implementing the FMP
appear at 50 CFR parts 600, 679, and 680.
The FMP and its implementing regulations require NMFS, after
consultation with the Council, to specify the total allowable catch
(TAC) for each target species, the sum of which must be within the
optimum yield (OY) range of 116,000 to 800,000 metric tons (mt).
Section 679.20(c)(1) further requires NMFS to publish and solicit
public comment on proposed annual TACs, Pacific halibut prohibited
species catch (PSC) limits, and seasonal allowances of pollock and
Pacific cod. Upon consideration of public comment received under Sec.
679.20(c)(1), NMFS must publish notice of final harvest specifications
for up to two fishing years as annual target TAC, per Sec.
679.20(c)(3)(ii). The final harvest specifications set forth in Tables
1 through 36 of this document reflect the outcome of this process, as
required at Sec. 679.20(c).
The proposed 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for groundfish of
the GOA and Pacific halibut PSC limits were published in the Federal
Register on December 8, 2014 (79 FR 72593). Comments were invited and
accepted through January 7, 2015. NMFS did not receive any comments on
the proposed harvest specifications. In December 2014, NMFS consulted
with the Council regarding the 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications.
After considering public testimony, as well as biological and economic
data that were available at the Council's December 2014 meeting, NMFS
is implementing the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications, as
recommended by the Council. For 2015, the sum of the TAC amounts is
536,158 mt. For 2016, the sum of the TAC amounts is 590,161 mt.

Other Actions Affecting the 2015 and 2016 Harvest Specifications

Amendment 97 to the FMP: Chinook Salmon Prohibited Species Catch Limits
in the Non-Pollock Trawl Groundfish Fisheries

In June 2013, the Council took final action to implement measures
to control Chinook salmon PSC in all non-pollock trawl groundfish
fisheries in the Western and Central GOA. This action, Amendment 97 to
the FMP, would set an initial annual PSC limit of 7,500 Chinook salmon
apportioned among the sectors of trawl catcher/processors, trawl
catcher vessels participating in the Central GOA Rockfish Program, and
trawl catcher vessels not participating in the Central GOA Rockfish
Program fishing for groundfish species other than pollock. The pollock
directed fishery is not included in the Council's recommended action,
as that fishery is already subject to Chinook salmon PSC limits (Sec.
679.21(h)).
NMFS published a notice of availability for Amendment 97 on June 5,
2014 (79 FR 32525). On September 3, 2014, the Secretary of Commerce
(Secretary) approved Amendment 97. The proposed rule that would
implement Amendment 97 published on June 25, 2014 (79 FR 35971), with
public comments accepted through July 25, 2014. The proposed rule
contains a description of the affected management areas and groundfish
fisheries, the non-pollock trawl groundfish fisheries and associated
sectors, the history and goals of Amendment 97, and the provisions of
the proposed action. Those provisions include proposed Chinook salmon
PSC limits by sector, seasonal allocations, and other aspects
associated with the implementation of Chinook salmon PSC limits for the
non-pollock trawl groundfish fisheries in the Western and Central GOA.
One provision that could affect the 2016 Chinook salmon PSC limits is
the ``incentive buffer.'' This mechanism provides for an increased
annual Chinook salmon PSC limit if sectors catch less than their limit
of Chinook salmon in the previous year. The final rule to implement
Amendment 97 published on December 2, 2014 (79 FR 71350). The Chinook
salmon PSC limits implemented by Amendment 97 were effective on January
1, 2015. Specific sector limits for the non-pollock groundfish
fisheries are described later in this preamble. NMFS will monitor the
Chinook salmon PSC in the non-pollock GOA groundfish fisheries and
close an applicable sector if it reaches its 2015 Chinook salmon PSC
limit.

Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) and TAC Specifications

In December 2014, the Council, its Advisory Panel (AP), and its
Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) reviewed the most recent
biological and harvest information about the condition of groundfish
stocks in the GOA. This information was compiled by the Council's GOA
Groundfish Plan Team and was presented in the draft 2014 SAFE report
for the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated November 2014 (see ADDRESSES).
The SAFE report contains a review of the latest scientific analyses

[[Page 10251]]

and estimates of each species' biomass and other biological parameters,
as well as summaries of the available information on the GOA ecosystem
and the economic condition of the groundfish fisheries off Alaska. From
these data and analyses, the Plan Team estimates an overfishing level
(OFL) and ABC for each species or species group. The 2014 report was
made available for public review during the public comment period for
the proposed harvest specifications.
In previous years, the largest changes from the proposed to the
final harvest specifications have been based on recent NMFS stock
surveys, which provide updated estimates of stock biomass and spatial
distribution, and changes to the models used for producing stock
assessments. At the November 2014 Plan Team meeting, NMFS scientists
presented updated and new survey results, changes to stock assessment
models, and accompanying stock assessment estimates for all groundfish
species and species groups that are included in the final 2014 SAFE
report. The SSC reviewed this information at the December 2014 Council
meeting. Changes from the proposed to the final 2015 and 2016 harvest
specifications are discussed below.
The final 2015 and 2016 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs are based on the best
available biological and socioeconomic information, including projected
biomass trends, information on assumed distribution of stock biomass,
and revised methods used to calculate stock biomass. The FMP specifies
the formulas, or tiers, to be used to compute OFLs and ABCs. The
formulas applicable to a particular stock or stock complex are
determined by the level of reliable information available to fisheries
scientists. This information is categorized into a successive series of
six tiers to define OFL and ABC amounts, with Tier 1 representing the
highest level of information quality available and Tier 6 representing
the lowest level of information quality available. The Plan Team used
the FMP tier structure to calculate OFL and ABC amounts for each
groundfish species. The SSC adopted the final 2015 and 2016 OFLs and
ABCs recommended by the Plan Team for all groundfish species. The
Council adopted the SSC's OFL and ABC recommendations and the AP's TAC
recommendations. The final TAC recommendations were based on the ABCs
as adjusted for other biological and socioeconomic considerations,
including maintaining the sum of all TACs within the required OY range
of 116,000 to 800,000 mt.
The Council recommended 2015 and 2016 TACs that are equal to ABCs
for sablefish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, Pacific ocean perch,
northern rockfish, shortraker rockfish, dusky rockfish, rougheye
rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish, thornyhead rockfish, ``other
rockfish,'' big skates, longnose skates, other skates, sculpins,
sharks, squids, and octopuses in the GOA. The Council recommended TACs
for 2015 and 2016 that are less than the ABCs for pollock, Pacific cod,
shallow-water flatfish in the Western GOA, arrowtooth flounder,
flathead sole in the Western and Central GOA, ``other rockfish'' in the
Southeast Outside district, and Atka mackerel. The Pacific cod TACs are
set to accommodate the State's guideline harvest levels (GHLs) for
Pacific cod so that the ABCs are not exceeded. The shallow-water
flatfish, arrowtooth flounder, and flathead sole TACs are set to allow
for increased harvest opportunities for these target species while
conserving the halibut PSC limit for use in other, more fully utilized
fisheries. The ``other rockfish'' TAC in the Southeast Outside District
(SEO) is set to reduce the amount of discards. The Atka mackerel TAC is
set to accommodate incidental catch amounts in other fisheries.
The final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications approved by the
Secretary are unchanged from those recommended by the Council and are
consistent with the preferred harvest strategy alternative in the EIS
(see ADDRESSES). NMFS finds that the Council's recommended OFLs, ABCs,
and TACs are consistent with the biological condition of the groundfish
stocks as described in the final 2014 SAFE report. NMFS also finds that
the Council's recommendations for OFLs, ABCs, and TACs are consistent
with the biological condition of groundfish stocks as adjusted for
other biological and socioeconomic considerations, including
maintaining the total TAC within the OY range. NMFS reviewed the
Council's recommended TAC specifications and apportionments, and
approves these harvest specifications under 50 CFR 679.20(c)(3)(ii).
The apportionment of TAC amounts among gear types and sectors,
processing sectors, and seasons is discussed below.
Tables 1 and 2 list the final 2015 and 2016 OFLs, ABCs, TACs, and
area apportionments of groundfish in the GOA. The sums of the 2015 and
2016 ABCs are 685,597 mt and 731,049 mt, respectively, which are higher
in 2015 and 2016 than the 2014 ABC sum of 640,675 mt (79 FR 12890,
March 6, 2014).

Specification and Apportionment of TAC Amounts

NMFS' apportionment of groundfish species is based on the
distribution of biomass among the regulatory areas over which NMFS
manages the species. Additional regulations govern the apportionment of
pollock, Pacific cod, and sablefish. Additional detail on the
apportionment of pollock, Pacific cod, and sablefish are described
below.
The ABC for the pollock stock in the combined Western, Central, and
West Yakutat Regulatory Areas (W/C/WYK) includes the amount for the GHL
established by the State for the Prince William Sound (PWS) pollock
fishery. The Plan Team, SSC, AP, and Council recommended that the sum
of all State and Federal water pollock removals from the GOA not exceed
ABC recommendations. Based on genetic studies, fisheries scientists
believe that the pollock in PWS is not a separate stock from the
combined W/C/WYK population. Since 1996, the Plan Team has had a
protocol of recommending that the GHL amount be deducted from the GOA-
wide ABC. For 2015 and 2016, the SSC recommended and the Council
approved the W/C/WYK pollock ABC including the amount to account for
the State's PWS GHL. At the November 2014 Plan Team meeting, State
fisheries managers recommended setting the PWS GHL at 2.5 percent of
the annual W/C/WYK pollock ABC. For 2015, this yields a PWS pollock GHL
of 4,783 mt, an increase of 620 mt from the 2014 PWS GHL of 4,163 mt.
For 2016, the PWS pollock GHL is 6,271 mt, an increase of 2,108 mt from
the 2014 PWS pollock GHL.
The Council also adopted the SSC's recommendation to revise the
terminology used when apportioning pollock in the Western, Central, and
West Yakutat Regulatory Areas. The SSC recommended describing
apportionments of pollock to the Western, Central, and West Yakutat
Regulatory Areas as ``apportionments of annual catch limit (ACLs)''
rather than ``ABCs.'' The SSC annually recommends a combined pollock
ABC for the Western, Central, and West Yakutat Regulatory Areas based
on factors such as scientific uncertainty in the estimate of the area-
wide OFL, data uncertainty, and recruitment variability. Section
3.2.3.3.2 of FMP specifies that the ACL is equal to the ABC.
Historically, the SSC has recommended apportioning the combined
Western, Central, and West Yakutat ABC between these three individual
Regulatory Areas. However, the subarea ABCs have not been based on
scientific uncertainty in the OFL,

[[Page 10252]]

data uncertainty, or other conservation or biological concerns, but
rather on seasonal and spatial apportionment procedures established
under the Steller sea lion protection measures for pollock TAC in the
Western and Central Regulatory Areas. The SSC noted that describing
subarea apportionments as ``apportionments of the ACL'' more accurately
reflects that such apportionments address management, rather than
biological or conservation, concerns. In addition, apportioning the ACL
in this manner allow NMFS to balance any transfer of TAC from one area
to another pursuant to regulations at Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B) to
ensure that the area-wide ACL and ABC are not exceeded. The SSC noted
that this terminology change is acceptable for pollock in the Western,
Central, and West Yakutat Regulatory Areas only. There is one aggregate
pollock OFL in these areas, and Steller sea lion protection measures
provide a spatial and seasonal apportionment procedure for the pollock
TAC in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas. This change is not
applicable for pollock in the Southeast Outside GOA Regulatory Area,
which is managed as a separate stock.
NMFS establishes pollock TACs in the Western, Central, West Yakutat
Regulatory Areas, and the Southeast Outside District of the GOA (see
Tables 1 and 2). NMFS also establishes seasonal apportionments of the
annual pollock TAC in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the
GOA among Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630. These apportionments are
divided equally among each of the following four seasons: The A season
(January 20 through March 10), the B season (March 10 through May 31),
the C season (August 25 through October 1), and the D season (October 1
through November 1) (Sec. 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), and Sec.
679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A) and (B)). Additional detail is provided below;
Tables 3 and 4 list these amounts.
The 2015 and 2016 Pacific cod TACs are set to accommodate the
State's GHL for Pacific cod in State waters in the Central and Western
Regulatory Areas, as well as in PWS. The Plan Team, SSC, AP, and
Council recommended that the sum of all State and Federal water Pacific
cod removals from the GOA not exceed ABC recommendations. Accordingly,
the Council set the 2015 and 2016 Pacific cod TACs in the Eastern,
Central, and Western Regulatory Areas to account for State GHLs.
Therefore, the 2015 and 2016 Pacific cod TACs are less than the ABCs by
the following amounts: (1) Eastern GOA, 707 mt; (2) Central GOA, 15,330
mt; and (3) Western GOA, 11,611 mt. These amounts reflect the sum of
the State's 2015 and 2016 GHLs in these areas, which are 25 percent of
the Eastern and Central ABCs, and 30 percent of the Western GOA ABC.
NMFS establishes seasonal apportionments of the annual Pacific cod
TAC in the Central and Western Regulatory Areas. Sixty percent of the
annual TAC is apportioned to the A season for hook-and-line, pot, and
jig gear from January 1 through June 10, and for trawl gear from
January 20 through June 10. Forty percent of the annual TAC is
apportioned to the B season for hook-and-line, pot, and jig gear from
September 1 through December 31, and for trawl gear from September 1
through November 1 (Sec. Sec. 679.23(d)(3) and 679.20(a)(12)). The
Central and Western GOA Pacific cod TACs are allocated among various
gear and operational sectors. The Pacific cod sector apportionments are
discussed in detail in a subsequent section of this preamble.
The Council's recommendation for sablefish area apportionments
takes into account the prohibition on the use of trawl gear in the SEO
District of the Eastern Regulatory Area and makes available 5 percent
of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area ABCs to trawl gear for use as
incidental catch in other groundfish fisheries in the WYK District
(Sec. 679.20(a)(4)(i)). Tables 7 and 8 list the final 2015 and 2016
allocations of sablefish TAC to hook-and-line and trawl gear in the
GOA.

Changes From the Proposed 2015 and 2016 Harvest Specifications in the
GOA

In October 2014, the Council's recommendations for the proposed
2015 and 2016 harvest specifications (79 FR 72593, December 8, 2014)
were based largely on information contained in the final 2013 SAFE
report for the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated November 2013 (see
ADDRESSES). The Council proposed that the final OFLs, ABCs, and TACs
established for the 2015 groundfish fisheries (79 FR 12890, March 6,
2014) be used for the proposed 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications,
pending completion and review of the 2014 SAFE report at its December
2014 meeting.
As described previously, the SSC adopted the final 2015 and 2016
OFLs and ABCs recommended by the Plan Team. The Council adopted the
SSC's OFL and ABC recommendations and the AP's TAC recommendations for
2015 and 2016. The final 2015 ABCs are higher than the proposed 2015
ABCs published in the proposed 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications (79
FR 72593, December 8, 2014) for pollock, Pacific cod, sablefish,
shallow-water flatfish, deep-water flatfish, arrowtooth flounder,
flathead sole, Pacific ocean perch, dusky rockfish, longnose skate, and
``other skates.'' The final 2015 ABCs are lower than the proposed 2015
ABCs for northern rockfish, rougheye rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish,
and big skates. The final 2016 ABCs are higher than the proposed 2016
ABCs for pollock, Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish, flathead sole,
Pacific ocean perch, longnose skate, and ``other skates.'' The final
2016 ABCs are lower than the proposed 2016 ABCs for deep-water
flatfish, rex sole, arrowtooth flounder, northern rockfish, dusky
rockfish, rougheye rockfish, and big skates. For the remaining target
species--Atka mackerel, sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopus--the
Council recommended, and the Secretary approved, the final 2015 and
2016 ABCs that are the same as the proposed 2015 and 2016 ABCs.
Additional information explaining the changes between the proposed
and final ABCs is included in the final 2014 SAFE report, which was not
available when the Council made its proposed ABC and TAC
recommendations in October 2014. At that time, the most recent stock
assessment information was contained in the final 2013 SAFE report. The
final 2014 SAFE report contains the best and most recent scientific
information on the condition of the groundfish stocks, as previously
discussed in this preamble, and is available for review (see
ADDRESSES). The Council considered the final 2014 SAFE report in
December 2014 when it made recommendations for the final 2015 and 2016
harvest specifications. In the GOA, the total final 2015 TAC amount is
536,158 mt, an increase of 5 percent from the total proposed 2015 TAC
amount of 511,599 mt. The total final 2016 TAC amount is 590,161 mt, an
increase of 15 percent from the total proposed 2016 TAC amount of
511,599 mt. The following table in this preamble summarizes the
principle reason for the difference between the proposed and final
TACs.
Based on changes to the assessment method (model) used by stock
assessment scientists, for 2015 and 2016 the greatest TAC increase is
for Pacific cod. Based on changes in the estimates of overall biomass,
the greatest TAC increases are for shallow-water flatfish, longnose
skate, other skates, and Pacific ocean perch. Based upon changes in the
estimates of biomass, the greatest decreases in TACs are for rougheye
rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish, and big skate. For all other species
and species groups, changes from the

[[Page 10253]]

proposed to the final TACs are within plus or minus five percent of the
proposed TACs. These TAC changes correspond to associated changes in
the ABCs and TACs, as recommended by the SSC, AP, and Council.
Additionally, based upon the Council's recommended changes in
setting the TACs at amounts below ABCs, the greatest decreases in TACs
are for shallow-water flatfish, arrowtooth flounder, flathead sole, and
``other rockfish.'' The Council believed, and NMFS concurs, that
setting TACs for the three preceding flatfish species equal to ABCs
would not reflect anticipated harvest levels accurately, as the Council
and NMFS expect halibut PSC limits to constrain these fisheries in 2015
and 2016.
Detailed information providing the basis for the changes described
above is contained in the final 2014 SAFE report. The final TACs are
based on the best scientific information available. These TACs are
specified in compliance with the harvest strategy described in the
proposed and final rules for the 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications.
The changes in TACs between the proposed rule and this final rule are
compared in the following table.

Comparison of Proposed and Final 2015 and 2016 GOA Total Allowable Catch Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentage]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2015 and 2015 Final 2016 final
2016 2015 Final minus 2015 Percentage 2016 final minus 2016 Percentage Principle reason for
Species proposed TAC Proposed difference TAC proposed difference difference
TAC TAC TAC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock.............................. 193,809 199,151 5,342 3 257,178 63,369 33 Model \1\
Pacific cod.......................... 61,519 75,202 13,683 22 75,202 13,683 22 Model
Sablefish............................ 9,554 10,522 968 10 9,558 4 0 N/A
Shallow-water flatfish............... 32,027 35,381 3,354 10 32,877 850 3 Biomass \2\
Deep-water flatfish.................. 13,303 13,334 31 0 13,177 -126 -1 Biomass
Rex sole............................. 9,155 9,150 -5 0 8,979 -176 -2 Biomass
Arrowtooth flounder.................. 103,300 103,300 0 0 103,300 0 0 N/A
Flathead sole........................ 27,726 27,756 30 0 27,759 33 0 N/A
Pacific ocean perch.................. 19,764 21,012 1,248 6 21,436 1,672 8 Biomass
Northern rockfish.................... 5,010 4,998 -12 0 4,721 -289 -6 Biomass
Shortraker rockfish.................. 1,323 1,323 0 0 1,323 0 0 N/A
Dusky rockfish....................... 5,081 5,109 28 1 4,711 -370 -7 Biomass
Rougheye rockfish.................... 1,262 1,122 -140 -11 1,142 -120 -10 Biomass
Demersal shelf rockfish.............. 274 225 -49 -18 225 -49 -18 Biomass
Thornyhead rockfish.................. 1,841 1,841 0 0 1,841 0 0 N/A
Other rockfish....................... 1,811 1,811 0 0 1,811 0 0 N/A
Atka mackerel........................ 2,000 2,000 0 0 2,000 0 0 N/A
Big skate............................ 3,762 3,255 -507 -13 3,255 -507 -13 Biomass
Longnose skate....................... 2,876 3,218 342 12 3,218 342 12 Biomass
Other skates......................... 1,989 2,235 246 12 2,235 246 12 Biomass
Sculpins............................. 5,569 5,569 0 0 5,569 0 0 N/A
Sharks............................... 5,989 5,989 0 0 5,989 0 0 N/A
Squids............................... 1,148 1,148 0 0 1,148 0 0 N/A
Octopuses............................ 1,507 1,507 0 0 1,507 0 0 N/A
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................ 511,599 536,158 24,559 5 590,161 78,562 15 ......................
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Model--Change in assessment methodology.
\2\ Biomass--Change in estimate of biomass.

The final 2015 and 2016 TAC recommendations for the GOA are within
the OY range established for the GOA and do not exceed the ABC for any
species or species group. Tables 1 and 2 list the final OFL, ABC, and
TAC amounts for GOA groundfish for 2015 and 2016, respectively.

Table 1--Final 2015 ABCs, TACs, and OFLs of Groundfish for the Western/Central/West Yakutat, Western, Central,
Eastern Regulatory Areas, and in the West Yakutat, Southeast Outside, and Gulfwide Districts of the Gulf of
Alaska
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Area \1\ OFL ABC TAC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock \2\............................... Shumagin (610)............... n/a 31,634 31,634
Chirikof (620)............... n/a 97,579 97,579
Kodiak (630)................. n/a 52,594 52,594
WYK (640).................... n/a 4,719 4,719
W/C/WYK (subtotal)........... 256,545 191,309 186,526
SEO (650).................... 16,833 12,625 12,625
Total........................ 273,378 203,934 199,151
Pacific cod \3\........................... W............................ n/a 38,702 27,091
C............................ n/a 61,320 45,990
E............................ n/a 2,828 2,121
Total........................ 140,300 102,850 75,202
Sablefish \4\............................. W............................ n/a 1,474 1,474
C............................ n/a 4,658 4,658
WYK.......................... n/a 1,708 1,708
SEO.......................... n/a 2,682 2,682
E (WYK and SEO) (subtotal)... n/a 4,390 4,390

[[Page 10254]]

Total........................ 12,425 10,522 10,522
Shallow-water flatfish \5\................ W............................ n/a 22,074 13,250
C............................ n/a 19,297 19,297
WYK.......................... n/a 2,209 2,209
SEO.......................... n/a 625 625
Total........................ 54,207 44,205 35,381
Deep-water flatfish \6\................... W............................ n/a 301 301
C............................ n/a 3,689 3,689
WYK.......................... n/a 5,474 5,474
SEO.......................... n/a 3,870 3,870
Total........................ 15,993 13,334 13,334
Rex sole.................................. W............................ n/a 1,258 1,258
C............................ n/a 5,816 5,816
WYK.......................... n/a 772 772
SEO.......................... n/a 1,304 1,304
Total........................ 11,957 9,150 9,150
Arrowtooth flounder....................... W............................ n/a 30,752 14,500
C............................ n/a 114,170 75,000
WYK.......................... n/a 36,771 6,900
SEO.......................... n/a 11,228 6,900
Total........................ 226,390 192,921 103,300
Flathead sole............................. W............................ n/a 12,767 8,650
C............................ n/a 24,876 15,400
WYK.......................... n/a 3,535 3,535
SEO.......................... n/a 171 171
Total........................ 50,792 41,349 27,756
Pacific ocean perch \7\................... W............................ n/a 2,302 2,302
C............................ n/a 15,873 15,873
WYK.......................... n/a 2,014 2,014
W/C/WYK subtotal............. 23,406 20,189 20,189
SEO.......................... 954 823 823
Total........................ 24,360 21,012 21,012
Northern rockfish \8\..................... W............................ n/a 1,226 1,226
C............................ n/a 3,772 3,772
E............................ n/a n/a n/a
Total........................ 5,961 4,998 4,998
Shortraker rockfish \9\................... W............................ n/a 92 92
C............................ n/a 397 397
E............................ n/a 834 834
Total........................ 1,764 1,323 1,323
Dusky rockfish \10\....................... W............................ n/a 296 296
C............................ n/a 3,336 3,336
WYK.......................... n/a 1,288 1,288
SEO.......................... n/a 189 189
Total........................ 6,246 5,109 5,109
Rougheye and Blackspotted rockfish \11\... W............................ n/a 115 115
C............................ n/a 632 632
E............................ n/a 375 375
Total........................ 1,345 1,122 1,122
Demersal shelf rockfish \12\.............. SEO.......................... 361 225 225
Thornyhead rockfish....................... W............................ n/a 235 235
C............................ n/a 875 875
E............................ n/a 731 731
Total........................ 2,454 1,841 1,841
Other rockfish 13 14...................... W and C...................... n/a 1,031 1,031
WYK.......................... n/a 580 580
SEO.......................... n/a 2,469 200
Total........................ 5,347 4,080 1,811
Atka mackerel............................. GW........................... 6,200 4,700 2,000
Big skate \15\............................ W............................ n/a 731 731
C............................ n/a 1,257 1,257
E............................ n/a 1,267 1,267
Total........................ 4,340 3,255 3,255
Longnose skate \16\....................... W............................ n/a 152 152
C............................ n/a 2,090 2,090
E............................ n/a 976 976
Total........................ 4,291 3,218 3,218
Other skates \17\......................... GW........................... 2,980 2,235 2,235

[[Page 10255]]

Sculpins.................................. GW........................... 7,448 5,569 5,569
Sharks.................................... GW........................... 7,986 5,989 5,989
Squids.................................... GW........................... 1,530 1,148 1,148
Octopus................................... GW........................... 2,009 1,507 1,507
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................................. ............................. 870,064 685,597 536,158
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Regulatory areas and districts are defined at Sec. 679.2. (W = Western Gulf of Alaska; C = Central Gulf of
Alaska; E = Eastern Gulf of Alaska; WYK = West Yakutat District; SEO = Southeast Outside District; GW = Gulf-
wide).
\2\ The aggregate pollock ABC for the Western, Central, and West Yakutat Regulatory Areas is apportioned among
four statistical areas after deducting 2.5 percent of the ABC for the State's pollock GHL fishery. These
apportionments are considered subarea ACLs, rather than ABCs, for specification and reapportionment purposes.
The ACLs in Areas 610, 620, and 630 are further divided by season, as detailed in Table 3. In the West Yakutat
and Southeast Outside Districts of the Eastern Regulatory Area, pollock is not divided into seasonal
allowances.
\3\ The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned 60 percent to the A season and 40 percent to the B season in the
Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA. Pacific cod in the Eastern Regulatory Area is allocated 90
percent for processing by the inshore component and 10 percent for processing by the offshore component. Table
5 lists the final 2015 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments.
\4\ Sablefish is allocated to trawl and hook-and-line gear in 2015. Table 7 lists the final 2015 allocations of
sablefish TACs.
\5\ ``Shallow-water flatfish'' means flatfish not including ``deep-water flatfish,'' flathead sole, rex sole, or
arrowtooth flounder.
\6\ ``Deep-water flatfish'' means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, and deepsea sole.
\7\ ``Pacific ocean perch'' means Sebastes alutus.
\8\ ``Northern rockfish'' means Sebastes polyspinis. For management purposes the 2 mt apportionment of ABC to
the WYK District of the Eastern Gulf of Alaska has been included in the other rockfish species group.
\9\ ``Shortraker rockfish'' means Sebastes borealis.
\10\ ``Dusky rockfish'' means Sebastes variabilis.
\11\ ``Rougheye rockfish'' means Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and Sebastes melanostictus (blackspotted).
\12\ ``Demersal shelf rockfish'' means Sebastes pinniger (canary), S. nebulosus (china), S. caurinus (copper),
S. maliger (quillback), S. helvomaculatus (rosethorn), S. nigrocinctus (tiger), and S. ruberrimus (yelloweye).
\13\ ``Other rockfish'' means Sebastes aurora (aurora), S. melanostomus (blackgill), S. paucispinis (bocaccio),
S. goodei (chilipepper), S. crameri (darkblotch), S. elongatus (greenstriped), S. variegatus (harlequin), S.
wilsoni (pygmy), S. babcocki (redbanded), S. proriger (redstripe), S. zacentrus (sharpchin), S. jordani
(shortbelly), S. brevispinis (silvergrey), S. diploproa (splitnose), S. saxicola (stripetail), S. miniatus
(vermilion), S. reedi (yellowmouth), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus (yellowtail). In the Eastern GOA
only, other rockfish also includes northern rockfish, S. polyspinis.
\14\ ``Other rockfish'' in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat District means other
rockfish and demersal shelf rockfish. The ``other rockfish'' species group in the SEO District only includes
other rockfish.
\15\ ``Big skate'' means Raja binoculata.
\16\ ``Longnose skate'' means Raja rhina.
\17\ ``Other skates'' means Bathyraja spp.

Table 2--Final 2016 ABCs, TACs, and OFLs of Groundfish for the Western/Central/West Yakutat, Western, Central,
Eastern Regulatory Areas, and in the West Yakutat, Southeast Outside, and Gulfwide Districts of the Gulf of
Alaska
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Area \1\ OFL ABC TAC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock \2\............................... Shumagin (610)............... n/a 41,472 41,472
Chirikof (620)............... n/a 127,936 127,936
Kodiak (630)................. n/a 68,958 68,958
WYK (640).................... n/a 6,187 6,187
W/C/WYK (subtotal)........... 321,067 250,824 244,553
SEO (650).................... 16,833 12,625 12,625
Total........................ 337,900 263,449 257,178
Pacific cod \3\........................... W............................ n/a 38,702 27,091
C............................ n/a 61,320 45,990
E............................ n/a 2,828 2,121
Total........................ 133,100 102,850 75,202
Sablefish \4\............................. W............................ n/a 1,338 1,338
C............................ n/a 4,232 4,232
WYK.......................... n/a 1,552 1,552
SEO.......................... n/a 2,436 2,436
E (WYK and SEO) (subtotal)... n/a 3,988 3,988
Total........................ 11,293 9,558 9,558
Shallow-water flatfish \5\................ W............................ n/a 19,577 13,250
C............................ n/a 17,114 17,114
WYK.......................... n/a 1,959 1,959
SEO.......................... n/a 554 554
Total........................ 48,407 39,204 32,877
Deep-water flatfish \6\................... W............................ n/a 299 299
C............................ n/a 3,645 3,645
WYK.......................... n/a 5,409 5,409
SEO.......................... n/a 3,824 3,824

[[Page 10256]]

Total........................ 15,803 13,177 13,177
Rex sole.................................. W............................ n/a 1,234 1,234
C............................ n/a 5,707 5,707
WYK.......................... n/a 758 758
SEO.......................... n/a 1,280 1,280
Total........................ 11,733 8,979 8,979
Arrowtooth flounder....................... W............................ n/a 29,545 14,500
C............................ n/a 109,692 75,000
WYK.......................... n/a 35,328 6,900
SEO.......................... n/a 10,787 6,900
Total........................ 217,522 185,352 103,300
Flathead sole............................. W............................ n/a 12,776 8,650
C............................ n/a 24,893 15,400
WYK.......................... n/a 3,538 3,538
SEO.......................... n/a 171 171
Total........................ 50,818 41,378 27,759
Pacific ocean perch \7\................... W............................ n/a 2,358 2,358
C............................ n/a 16,184 16,184
WYK.......................... n/a 2,055 2,055
W/C/WYK...................... 23,876 20,597 20,597
SEO.......................... 973 839 839
Total........................ 24,849 21,436 21,436
Northern rockfish \8\..................... W............................ n/a 1,158 1,158
C............................ n/a 3,563 3,563
E............................ n/a n/a n/a
Total........................ 5,631 4,721 4,721
Shortraker rockfish \9\................... W............................ n/a 92 92
C............................ n/a 397 397
E............................ n/a 834 834
Total........................ 1,764 1,323 1,323
Dusky rockfish \10\....................... W............................ n/a 273 273
C............................ n/a 3,077 3,077
WYK.......................... n/a 1,187 1,187
SEO.......................... n/a 174 174
Total........................ 5,759 4,711 4,711
Rougheye and Blackspotted rockfish \11\... W............................ n/a 117 117
C............................ n/a 643 643
E............................ n/a 382 382
Total........................ 1,370 1,142 1,142
Demersal shelf rockfish \12\.............. SEO.......................... 361 225 225
Thornyhead rockfish....................... W............................ n/a 235 235
C............................ n/a 875 875
E............................ n/a 731 731
Total........................ 2,454 1,841 1,841
Other rockfish 13 14...................... W and C...................... n/a 1,031 1,031
WYK.......................... n/a 580 580
SEO.......................... n/a 2,469 200
Total........................ 5,347 4,080 1,811
Atka mackerel............................. GW........................... 6,200 4,700 2,000
Big skate \15\............................ W............................ n/a 731 731
C............................ n/a 1,257 1,257
E............................ n/a 1,267 1,267
Total........................ 4,340 3,255 3,255
Longnose skate \16\....................... W............................ n/a 152 152
C............................ n/a 2,090 2,090
E............................ n/a 976 976
Total........................ 4,291 3,218 3,218
Other skates \17\......................... GW........................... 2,980 2,235 2,235
Sculpins.................................. GW........................... 7,448 5,569 5,569
Sharks.................................... GW........................... 7,986 5,989 5,989
Squids.................................... GW........................... 1,530 1,148 1,148
Octopus................................... GW........................... 2,009 1,507 1,507
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................................. ............................. 910,895 731,049 590,161
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Regulatory areas and districts are defined at Sec. 679.2. (W = Western Gulf of Alaska; C = Central Gulf of
Alaska; E = Eastern Gulf of Alaska; WYK = West Yakutat District; SEO = Southeast Outside District; GW = Gulf-
wide).

[[Page 10257]]

\2\ The aggregate pollock ABC for the Western, Central, and West Yakutat Regulatory Areas is apportioned among
four statistical areas after deducting 2.5 percent of the ABC for the State's pollock GHL fishery. These
apportionments are considered subarea ACLs, rather than ABCs, for specification and reapportionment purposes.
The ACLs in Areas 610, 620, and 630 are further divided by season, as detailed in Table 4. In the West Yakutat
and Southeast Outside Districts of the Eastern Regulatory Area, pollock is not divided into seasonal
allowances.
\3\ The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned 60 percent to the A season and 40 percent to the B season in the
Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA. Pacific cod in the Eastern Regulatory Area is allocated 90
percent for processing by the inshore component and 10 percent for processing by the offshore component. Table
6 lists the final 2016 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments.
\4\ Sablefish is only allocated to trawl gear for 2016. Table 8 lists the final 2016 allocation of sablefish
TACs to trawl gear.
\5\ ``Shallow-water flatfish'' means flatfish not including ``deep-water flatfish,'' flathead sole, rex sole, or
arrowtooth flounder.
\6\ ``Deep-water flatfish'' means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, and deepsea sole.
\7\ ``Pacific ocean perch'' means Sebastes alutus.
\8\ ``Northern rockfish'' means Sebastes polyspinis. For management purposes the 2 mt apportionment of ABC to
the WYK District of the Eastern Gulf of Alaska has been included in the other rockfish species group.
\9\ ``Shortraker rockfish'' means Sebastes borealis.
\10\ ``Dusky rockfish'' means Sebastes variabilis.
\11\ ``Rougheye rockfish'' means Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and Sebastes melanostictus (blackspotted).
\12\ ``Demersal shelf rockfish'' means Sebastes pinniger (canary), S. nebulosus (china), S. caurinus (copper),
S. maliger (quillback), S. helvomaculatus (rosethorn), S. nigrocinctus (tiger), and S. ruberrimus (yelloweye).
\13\ ``Other rockfish'' means Sebastes aurora (aurora), S. melanostomus (blackgill), S. paucispinis (bocaccio),
S. goodei (chilipepper), S. crameri (darkblotch), S. elongatus (greenstriped), S. variegatus (harlequin), S.
wilsoni (pygmy), S. babcocki (redbanded), S. proriger (redstripe), S. zacentrus (sharpchin), S. jordani
(shortbelly), S. brevispinis (silvergrey), S. diploproa (splitnose), S. saxicola (stripetail), S. miniatus
(vermilion), S. reedi (yellowmouth), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus (yellowtail). In the Eastern GOA
only, other rockfish also includes northern rockfish, S. polyspinis.
\14\ ``Other rockfish'' in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat District means other
rockfish and demersal shelf rockfish. The ``other rockfish'' species group in the SEO District only includes
other rockfish.
\15\ ``Big skate'' means Raja binoculata.
\16\ ``Longnose skate'' means Raja rhina.
\17\ ``Other skates'' means Bathyraja spp.

Apportionment of Reserves

Section 679.20(b)(2) requires NMFS to set aside 20 percent of each
TAC for pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, sculpins, sharks, squids, and
octopuses in reserve for possible apportionment at a later date during
the fishing year. For 2015 and 2016, NMFS proposed reapportionment of
all the reserves in the proposed 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications
published in the Federal Register on December 8, 2014 (79 FR 72593).
NMFS did not receive any public comments on the proposed
reapportionments. For the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications,
NMFS reapportioned, as proposed, all the reserves for pollock, Pacific
cod, flatfish, sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopuses. The TACs listed
in Tables 1 and 2 reflect reapportionments of reserve amounts for these
species and species groups.

Apportionments of Pollock TAC Among Seasons and Regulatory Areas, and
Allocations for Processing by Inshore and Offshore Components

In the GOA, pollock is apportioned by season and area, and is
further allocated for processing by inshore and offshore components.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B), the annual pollock TAC specified
for the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA is apportioned
into four equal seasonal allowances of 25 percent. As established by
Sec. 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season
allowances are available from January 20 to March 10, March 10 to May
31, August 25 to October 1, and October 1 to November 1, respectively.
Pollock TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA
are apportioned among Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, pursuant to
Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A). In the A and B seasons, the apportionments
are in proportion to the distribution of pollock biomass based on the
four most recent NMFS winter surveys. In the C and D seasons, the
apportionments are in proportion to the distribution of pollock biomass
based on the four most recent NMFS summer surveys. However, for 2015
and 2016, the Council recommended, and NMFS approves, averaging the
winter and summer distribution of pollock in the Central Regulatory
Area for the A season instead of using the distribution based on only
the winter surveys. The average is intended to reflect the migration
patterns and distribution of pollock, and the anticipated performance
of the fishery, in that area during the A season for the 2015 and 2016
fishing years. For the A season, the apportionment is based on an
adjusted estimate of the relative distribution of pollock biomass of
approximately 8 percent, 67 percent, and 25 percent in Statistical
Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. For the B season, the
apportionment is based on the relative distribution of pollock biomass
at 8 percent, 83 percent, and 9 percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620,
and 630, respectively. For the C and D seasons, the apportionment is
based on the relative distribution of pollock biomass at 27 percent, 32
percent, and 41 percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630,
respectively.
Within any fishing year, the amount by which a seasonal allowance
is underharvested or overharvested may be added to, or subtracted from,
subsequent seasonal allowances in a manner to be determined by the
Regional Administrator (Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The rollover amount
is limited to 20 percent of the subsequent seasonal apportionment for
the statistical area. Any unharvested pollock above the 20-percent
limit could be further distributed to the other statistical areas, in
proportion to the estimated biomass in the subsequent season in those
statistical areas (Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The pollock TACs in the
WYK and SEO District of 4,719 mt and 12,625 mt, respectively, in 2015,
and 6,187 mt and 12,625 mt, respectively, in 2016, are not allocated by
season.
Section 679.20(a)(6)(i) requires the allocation of 100 percent of
the pollock TAC in all regulatory areas and all seasonal allowances to
vessels catching pollock for processing by the inshore component after
subtraction of amounts projected by the Regional Administrator to be
caught by, or delivered to, the offshore component incidental to
directed fishing for other groundfish species. Thus, the amount of
pollock available for harvest by vessels harvesting pollock for
processing by the offshore component is that amount that will be taken
as incidental catch during directed fishing for groundfish species
other than pollock, up to the maximum retainable amounts allowed by
Sec. 679.20(e) and (f). At this time, these incidental catch amounts
of pollock are unknown and will be determined during the fishing year
during the course of fishing activities by the offshore component.

[[Page 10258]]

Tables 3 and 4 list the final 2015 and 2016 seasonal biomass
distribution of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas,
area apportionments, and seasonal allowances. The amounts of pollock
for processing by the inshore and offshore components are not shown.

Table 3--Final 2015 Distribution of Pollock in the Central and Western Regulatory Areas of the GOA; Seasonal Biomass Distribution, Area Apportionments;
and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages are rounded to the nearest 0.01]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season \1\ Shumagin (Area 610)
Chirikof (Area 620)
Kodiak (Area 630) Total \2\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A (Jan 20-Mar 10)............................................ 3,632 (7.99%) 30,503 (67.11%) 11,316 (24.90%) 45,452
B (Mar 10-May 31)............................................ 3,632 (7.99%) 37,820 (83.21%) 4,000 (8.80%) 45,452
C (Aug 25-Oct 1)............................................. 12,185 (26.81%) 14,628 (32.18%) 18,639 (41.01%) 45,452
D (Oct 1-Nov 1).............................................. 12,185 (26.81%) 14,628 (32.18%) 18,639 (41.01%) 45,452
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Total............................................. 31,634 ........... 97,579 ........... 52,594 ........... 181,806
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ As established by Sec. 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season allowances are available from January 20 to March 10, March 10 to
May 31, August 25 to October 1, and October 1 to November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and offshore
components are not shown in this table.
\2\ The WYK and SEO District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock TACs shown in this table.

Table 4--Final 2016 Distribution of Pollock in the Central and Western Regulatory Areas of the GOA; Seasonal Biomass Distribution, Area Apportionments;
and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages are rounded to the nearest 0.01]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season \1\ Shumagin (Area 610)
Chirikof (Area 620)
Kodiak (Area 630) Total \2\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A (Jan 20-Mar 10)............................................ 4,760 (7.99%) 39,992 (67.11%) 14,839 (24.90%) 59,592
B (Mar 10-May 31)............................................ 4,760 (7.99%) 49,586 (83.21%) 5,245 (8.80%) 59,592
C (Aug 25-Oct 1)............................................. 15,975 (26.81%) 19,179 (32.18%) 24,437 (41.01%) 59,592
D (Oct 1-Nov 1).............................................. 15,975 (26.81%) 19,179 (32.18%) 24,437 (41.01%) 59,592
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Total............................................. 41,472 ........... 127,936 ........... 68,958 ........... 238,366
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ As established by Sec. 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season allowances are available from January 20 to March 10, March 10 to
May 31, August 25 to October 1, and October 1 to November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and offshore
components are not shown in this table.
\2\ The WYK and SEO District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock TACs shown in this table.

Annual and Seasonal Apportionments of Pacific Cod TAC

Section 679.20(a)(12)(i) requires the allocation of the Pacific cod
TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA among gear
and operational sectors. Section 679.20(a)(6)(ii) requires the
allocation of the Pacific cod TACs in the Eastern Regulatory Area of
the GOA between the inshore and offshore components. NMFS allocates the
2015 and 2016 Pacific cod TAC based on these sector allocations
annually between the inshore and offshore components in the Eastern
GOA; seasonally between vessels using jig gear, catcher vessels (CVs)
using hook-and-line gear, catcher/processors (C/Ps) using hook-and-line
gear, CVs using trawl gear, and vessels using pot gear in the Western
GOA; seasonally between vessels using jig gear, CVs less than 50 feet
in length overall using hook-and-line gear, CVs equal to or greater
than 50 feet in length overall using hook-and-line gear, C/Ps using
hook-and-line gear, CVs using trawl gear, C/Ps using trawl gear, and
vessels using pot gear in the Central GOA. The overall seasonal
apportionments in the Western and Central GOA are 60 percent of the
annual TAC to the A season and 40 percent of the annual TAC to the B
season.
Under Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(ii), any overage or underage of the
Pacific cod allowance from the A season will be subtracted from, or
added to, the subsequent B season allowance. In addition, any portion
of the hook-and-line, trawl, pot, or jig sector allocations that NMFS
determines is likely to go unharvested by a sector may be reapportioned
to other sectors for harvest during the remainder of the fishery year.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A) and (B), a portion of the
annual Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central GOA will be
allocated to vessels with an FFP that use jig gear before TAC is
apportioned among other non-jig sectors. In accordance with the FMP,
the annual jig sector allocations may increase to up to 6 percent of
the annual Western and Central GOA Pacific cod TACs, depending on the
annual performance of the jig sector (See Table 1 of Amendment 83 to
the FMP for a detailed discussion of the jig sector allocation process
(76 FR 74670, December 1, 2011)). Jig sector allocation increases are
established for a minimum of 2 years. NMFS has evaluated the 2014
harvest performance of the jig sector in the Western and Central GOA,
and is revising the 2015 and 2016 Pacific cod apportionments to this
sector as follows.
NMFS allocates the jig sector 3.5 percent of the annual Pacific cod
TAC in the Western GOA, a 1.0 percent increase from the 2014 jig sector
allocation. The 2015 and 2016 allocations include a base allocation of
1.5 percent, an addition of 1.0 percent and an additional 2.0 percent
because this sector harvested greater than 90 percent of its initial
2012 and 2014 allocations in the Western GOA. NMFS also allocates the
jig sector 1.0 percent of the annual Pacific cod TAC in the Central
GOA, a 1.0 percent decrease from the 2014 jig sector allocation. The
2015 and 2016 allocations consist of a base allocation of 1.0 percent.
The Central GOA jig sector harvested greater than 90 percent of its
initial 2012 allocation in the Central GOA and received an additional
1.0 percent of the Central GOA Pacific cod TAC in 2013 and 2014.
However, in both 2013 and 2014, the jig sector harvested less than 90
percent of the annual Central GOA

[[Page 10259]]

Pacific cod allocation, resulting in the loss of this sector's
performance-based 1.0 percent increase. Tables 5 and 6 list the
seasonal apportionments and allocations of the 2015 and 2016 Pacific
cod TACs.

Table 5--Final 2015 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocation of Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts in the
GOA; Allocations for the Western GOA and Central GOA Sectors and the Eastern GOA Inshore and Offshore Processing
Components
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages to the nearest 0.01. Seasonal allowances may not
total precisely to annual allocation amount]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Season B Season
---------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Sector Sector
Regulatory area and sector allocation percentage of Seasonal percentage of Seasonal
(mt) annual non-jig allowances annual non-jig allowances
TAC (mt) TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA:
Jig (3.5% of TAC)........... 948 N/A 569 N/A 379
Hook-and-line CV............ 366 0.70 183 0.70 183
Hook-and-line C/P........... 5,176 10.90 2,850 8.90 2,327
Trawl CV.................... 10,039 27.70 7,242 10.70 2,797
Trawl C/P................... 627 0.90 235 1.50 392
All Pot CV and Pot C/P...... 9,934 19.80 5,176 18.20 4,758
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 27,091 60.00 16,255 40.00 10,837
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central GOA:
Jig (1.0% of TAC)........... 460 N/A 276 N/A 184
Hook-and-line <50 CV........ 6,648 9.32 4,241 5.29 2,407
Hook-and-line >=50 CV....... 3,054 5.61 2,554 1.10 500
Hook-and-line C/P........... 2,324 4.11 1,870 1.00 454
Trawl CV \1\................ 18,933 21.14 9,623 20.45 9,310
Trawl C/P................... 1,911 2.00 912 2.19 999
All Pot CV and Pot C/P...... 12,660 17.83 8,118 9.97 4,542
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 45,990 60.00 27,594 40.00 18,396
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern GOA..................... .............. Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,121 1,909
212
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Trawl vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent of the annual Central GOA
TAC (see Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679), which is deducted from the Trawl CV B season allowance (see Table 12).

Table 6--Final 2016 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocation of Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts in the
GOA; Allocations for the Western GOA and Central GOA Sectors and the Eastern GOA Inshore and Offshore Processing
Components
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages to the nearest 0.01. Seasonal allowances may not
total precisely to annual allocation amount.]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Season B Season
---------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Sector Sector
Regulatory area and sector allocation percentage of Seasonal percentage of Seasonal
(mt) annual non-jig allowances annual non-jig allowances
TAC (mt) TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA:
Jig (3.5% of TAC)........... 948 N/A 569 N/A 379
Hook-and-line CV............ 366 0.70 183 0.70 183
Hook-and-line C/P........... 5,176 10.90 2,850 8.90 2,327
Trawl CV.................... 10,039 27.70 7,242 10.70 2,797
Trawl C/P................... 627 0.90 235 1.50 392
All Pot CV and Pot C/P...... 9,934 19.80 5,176 18.20 4,758
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 27,091 60.00 16,255 40.00 10,837
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central GOA:
Jig (1.0% of TAC)........... 460 N/A 276 N/A 184
Hook-and-line <50 CV........ 6,648 9.32 4,241 5.29 2,407
Hook-and-line >=50 CV....... 3,054 5.61 2,554 1.10 500
Hook-and-line C/P........... 2,324 4.11 1,870 1.00 454
Trawl CV \1\................ 18,933 21.14 9,623 20.45 9,310
Trawl C/P................... 1,911 2.00 912 2.19 999
All Pot CV and Pot C/P...... 12,660 17.83 8,118 9.97 4,542
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 10260]]

Total................... 45,990 60.00 27,594 40.00 18,396
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern GOA..................... .............. Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,121 1,909
212
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Trawl vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent of the annual Central GOA
TAC (see Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679), which is deducted from the Trawl CV B season allowance (see Table 13).

Allocations of the Sablefish TACs

Section 679.20(a)(4)(i) and (ii) require allocations of sablefish
TACs for each of the regulatory areas and districts to hook-and-line
and trawl gear. In the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, 80 percent
of each TAC is allocated to hook-and-line gear, and 20 percent of each
TAC is allocated to trawl gear. In the Eastern Regulatory Area, 95
percent of the TAC is allocated to hook-and-line gear, and 5 percent is
allocated to trawl gear. The trawl gear allocation in the Eastern
Regulatory Area may only be used to support incidental catch of
sablefish in directed fisheries for other target species (Sec.
679.20(a)(4)(i)).
In recognition of the prohibition against trawl gear in the SEO
District of the Eastern Regulatory Area, the Council recommended and
NMFS approves the allocation of 5 percent of the combined Eastern
Regulatory Area sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the WYK District, making
the remainder of the WYK sablefish TAC available to vessels using hook-
and-line gear. NMFS allocates 100 percent of the sablefish TAC in the
SEO District to vessels using hook-and-line gear. This action results
in a 2015 allocation of 220 mt to trawl gear and 1,489 mt to hook-and-
line gear in the WYK District, a 2015 allocation of 2,682 mt to hook-
and-line gear in the SEO District, and a 2016 allocation of 199 mt to
trawl gear in the WYK District. Table 7 lists the allocations of the
2015 sablefish TACs to hook-and-line and trawl gear. Table 8 lists the
allocations of the 2016 sablefish TACs to trawl gear.
The Council recommended that the hook-and-line sablefish TAC be
established annually to ensure that this Individual Fishery Quota (IFQ)
fishery is conducted concurrently with the halibut IFQ fishery and is
based on recent sablefish survey information. The Council also
recommended that only a trawl sablefish TAC be established for two
years so that retention of incidental catch of sablefish by trawl gear
could commence in January in the second year of the groundfish harvest
specifications. Since there is an annual assessment for sablefish and
the final harvest specifications are expected to be published before
the IFQ season begins March 14, 2015, the Council recommended that the
hook-and-line sablefish TAC be set on an annual basis, rather than for
two years, so that the best scientific information available could be
considered in establishing the sablefish ABCs and TACs. With the
exception of the trawl allocations that were provided to the Rockfish
Program cooperatives, directed fishing for sablefish with trawl gear is
closed during the fishing year. Also, fishing for groundfish with trawl
gear is prohibited prior to January 20. Therefore, it is not likely
that the sablefish allocation to trawl gear would be reached before the
effective date of the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications.

Table 7--Final 2015 Sablefish TAC Specifications in the GOA and Allocations to Hook-and-Line and Trawl Gear
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hook-and-line Trawl
Area/district TAC allocation allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western......................................................... 1,474 1,179 295
Central......................................................... 4,658 3,726 932
West Yakutat \1\................................................ 1,708 1,489 220
Southeast Outside............................................... 2,682 2,682 0
-----------------------------------------------
Total....................................................... 10,522 9,076 1,446
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat
and Southeast Outside combined) sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.

[[Page 10261]]

Table 8--Final 2016 Sablefish TAC Specifications in the GOA and Allocation to Trawl Gear \1\
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hook-and-line Trawl
Area/district TAC allocation allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western......................................................... 1,338 n/a 268
Central......................................................... 4,232 n/a 846
West Yakutat \2\................................................ 1,552 n/a 199
Southeast Outside............................................... 2,436 n/a 0
-----------------------------------------------
Total....................................................... 9,558 n/a 1,313
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Council recommended that harvest specifications for the hook-and-line gear sablefish Individual Fishing
Quota fisheries be limited to 1 year.
\2\ The trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat
and Southeast Outside combined) sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.

Demersal Shelf Rockfish (DSR)

The recommended 2015 and 2016 DSR TAC is 225 mt, and management of
DSR is delegated to the State. The Alaska Board of Fish has apportioned
the annual SEO District DSR TACs between the commercial fishery (84
percent) and the sport fishery (16 percent) after deductions were made
for anticipated subsistence harvests (7 mt). This results in 2015 and
2016 allocations of 183 mt to the commercial fishery and 35 mt to the
sport fishery.
The State deducts estimates of incidental catch of DSR in the
commercial halibut fishery and test fishery mortality from the DSR
commercial fishery allocation. In 2014, this resulted in 32 mt being
available for the directed commercial DSR fishery apportioned in one
DSR district. The State estimated that there was not sufficient DSR
quota available to have orderly fisheries in the three other DSR
districts. DSR harvest in the halibut fishery is linked to the annual
halibut catch limits; therefore the State can only estimate potential
DSR incidental catch because halibut catch limits are established by
the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC). Federally
permitted CVs using hook-and-line or jig gear fishing for groundfish
and Pacific halibut in the SEO District of the GOA are required to
retain all DSR (Sec. 679.20(j)).

Apportionments to the Central GOA Rockfish Program

These final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for the GOA
include the various fishery cooperative allocations and sideboard
limitations established by the Central GOA Rockfish Program. Program
participants are primarily trawl CVs and trawl C/Ps, with limited
participation by vessels using longline gear. The Rockfish Program
assigns quota share and cooperative quota to participants for primary
and secondary species, allows participants holding a license limitation
program (LLP) license with rockfish quota share to form a rockfish
cooperative, and allows holders of C/P LLP licenses to opt out of the
fishery. The Rockfish Program also has an entry level fishery for
rockfish primary species for vessels using longline gear.
Under the Rockfish Program, rockfish primary species (Pacific ocean
perch, northern rockfish, and dusky rockfish) in the Central GOA are
allocated to participants after deducting for incidental catch needs in
other directed groundfish fisheries. Participants in the Rockfish
Program also receive a portion of the Central GOA TAC of specific
secondary species (Pacific cod, rougheye rockfish, sablefish,
shortraker rockfish, and thornyhead rockfish).
Additionally, the Rockfish Program establishes sideboard limits to
restrict the ability of harvesters operating under the Rockfish Program
to increase their participation in other, non-Rockfish Program
fisheries. Besides groundfish species, the Rockfish Program allocates a
portion of the trawl halibut PSC limit (191 mt) from the third season
deep-water species fishery allowance for the GOA trawl fisheries to
Rockfish Program participants (Sec. 679.81(d)), which includes 117 mt
to the trawl CV sector and 74 mt to the trawl C/P sector.
Section 679.81(a)(2)(ii) requires allocations of 5 mt of Pacific
ocean perch, 5 mt of northern rockfish, and 30 mt of dusky rockfish to
the entry level longline fishery in 2015 and 2016. The allocation for
the entry level longline fishery would increase incrementally each year
if the catch exceeds 90 percent of the allocation of a species. The
incremental increase in the allocation would continue each year until
it is the maximum percent of the TAC for that species. In 2014, the
catch did not exceed 90 percent of any allocated rockfish species.
Therefore, NMFS is not increasing the entry level longline fishery 2015
and 2016 allocations in the Central GOA. Longline gear includes hook-
and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear. The remainder of the TACs for
the rockfish primary species would be allocated to the CV and C/P
cooperatives. Table 9 lists the allocations of the 2015 and initial
2016 TACs for each rockfish primary species to the entry level longline
fishery, the incremental increase for future years, and the maximum
percent of the TAC for the entry level longline fishery.

Table 9--Final 2015 and Initial 2016 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species to the Entry Level Longline Fishery
in the Central Gulf of Alaska
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incremental increase in
Rockfish primary species 2015 and 2016 allocations 2016 if >=90% of 2015 Up to maximum
allocation is harvested % of TAC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch..................... 5 metric tons............. 5 metric tons............. 1
Northern rockfish....................... 5 metric tons............. 5 metric tons............. 2
Dusky rockfish.......................... 30 metric tons............ 20 metric tons............ 5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 10262]]

Section 679.81(a)(2) requires allocations of the rockfish primary
species among various sectors of the Rockfish Program. Tables 10 and 11
list the final 2015 and 2016 allocations of rockfish primary species in
the Central GOA to the entry level longline fishery and Rockfish CV and
C/P Cooperatives in the Rockfish Program. NMFS also is setting aside
incidental catch amounts (ICAs) for other directed fisheries in the
Central GOA of 2,000 mt of Pacific ocean perch, 200 mt of northern
rockfish, and 250 mt of dusky rockfish. These amounts are based on
recent average incidental catches in the Central GOA by other
groundfish fisheries.
Allocations between vessels belonging to CV or C/P cooperatives are
not included in these final harvest specifications. Rockfish Program
applications for CV cooperatives and C/P cooperatives are not due to
NMFS until March 1 of each calendar year, therefore, NMFS cannot
calculate 2015 and 2016 allocations in conjunction with these final
harvest specifications. NMFS will post these allocations on the Alaska
Region Web site at (https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/rockfish/) when they become available after March
1.

Table 10--Final 2015 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species in the Central Gulf of Alaska to the Entry Level
Longline Fishery and Rockfish Cooperatives in the Rockfish Program
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allocation to Allocation to
Incidental the entry the Rockfish
Rockfish primary species TAC catch TAC minus ICA level longline Cooperatives
allowance \1\ fishery \2\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch............. 15,873 2,000 13,873 5 13,868
Northern rockfish............... 3,772 200 3,572 5 3,567
Dusky rockfish.................. 3,336 250 3,086 30 3,056
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total....................... 22,981 2,450 20,531 40 20,491
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Longline gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear.
\2\ Rockfish Cooperatives include vessels in CV and C/P cooperatives.

Table 11--Final 2016 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species in the Central Gulf of Alaska to the Entry Level
Longline Fishery and Rockfish Cooperatives in the Rockfish Program
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allocation to Allocation to
Incidental the entry the Rockfish
Rockfish primary species TAC catch TAC minus ICA level longline Cooperatives
allowance \1\ fishery \2\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch............. 16,184 2,000 14,184 5 14,179
Northern rockfish............... 3,563 200 3,363 5 3,358
Dusky rockfish.................. 3,077 250 2,827 30 2,797
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total....................... 22,824 2,450 20,374 40 20,334
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Longline gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear.
\2\ Rockfish Cooperatives include vessels in CV and C/P cooperatives.

Section 679.81(c) requires allocations of rockfish secondary
species to CV and C/P cooperatives in the Central GOA. CV cooperatives
receive allocations of Pacific cod, sablefish from the trawl gear
allocation, and thornyhead rockfish. C/P cooperatives receive
allocations of sablefish from the trawl allocation, rougheye rockfish,
shortraker rockfish, and thornyhead rockfish. Tables 12 and 13 list the
apportionments of the 2015 and 2016 TACs of rockfish secondary species
in the Central GOA to CV and C/P cooperatives.

Table 12--Final 2015 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA to Catcher Vessel and
Catcher/Processor Cooperatives
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher vessel cooperatives Catcher/processor cooperatives
Annual central ---------------------------------------------------------------
Rockfish secondary species GOA TAC Percentage of Apportionment Percentage of Apportionment
TAC (mt) TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod..................... 45,990 3.81 1,752 0.00 ..............
Sablefish....................... 4,658 6.78 316 3.51 163
Shortraker rockfish............. 397 0.00 .............. 40.00 159
Rougheye rockfish............... 632 0.00 .............. 58.87 372
Thornyhead rockfish............. 875 7.84 69 26.50 232
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 10263]]

Table 13--Final 2016 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA to Catcher Vessel and
Cather/Processor Cooperatives
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher vessel cooperatives Catcher/processor cooperatives
Annual central ---------------------------------------------------------------
Rockfish secondary species GOA TAC Percentage of Apportionment Percentage of Apportionment
TAC (mt) TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod..................... 45,990 3.81 1,752 0.00 ..............
Sablefish....................... 4,232 6.78 287 3.51 149
Shortraker rockfish............. 397 0.00 .............. 40.00 159
Rougheye rockfish............... 643 0.00 .............. 58.87 379
Thornyhead rockfish............. 875 7.84 69 26.50 232
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Halibut PSC Limits

Section 679.21(d) establishes the annual halibut PSC limit
apportionments to trawl and hook-and-line gear, and authorizes the
establishment of apportionments for pot gear. Amendment 95 to the FMP
(79 FR 9625, February 20, 2014) implemented measures establishing GOA
halibut PSC limits in Federal regulations and reducing the halibut PSC
limits in the GOA trawl and hook-and-line groundfish fisheries. These
reductions are incorporated into the final 2015 and 2016 halibut PSC
limits. For most gear and operational types, the halibut PSC limit
reductions are phased-in over 3 years, beginning in 2014 and ending in
2016.
In December 2014, the Council incorporated these reductions into
its recommended final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications. The Council
recommended 2015 halibut PSC limits of 1,759 mt for trawl gear, 261 mt
for hook-and-line gear, and 9 mt for the DSR fishery. The Council also
recommended 2016 halibut PSC limits of 1,706 mt for the trawl sector,
256 mt for the hook-and-line sector, and 9 mt for the DSR fishery.
The DSR fishery in the SEO District is defined at Sec.
679.21(d)(2)(ii)(A). This fishery is apportioned 9 mt of the halibut
PSC limit in recognition of its small-scale harvests of groundfish.
NMFS estimates low halibut bycatch in the DSR fishery because 1) the
duration of the DSR fisheries and the gear soak times are short, 2) the
DSR fishery occurs in the winter when less overlap occurs in the
distribution of DSR and halibut, and 3) the directed commercial DSR
fishery has a low DSR TAC.
The FMP authorizes the Council to exempt specific gear from the
halibut PSC limits. NMFS, after consultation with the Council, exempts
pot gear, jig gear, and the sablefish IFQ hook-and-line gear fishery
categories from the non-trawl halibut PSC limit for 2015 and 2016. The
Council recommended, and NMFS approves, these exemptions because 1) the
pot gear fisheries have low annual halibut bycatch mortality; 2) IFQ
program regulations prohibit discard of halibut if any halibut IFQ
permit holder on board a catcher vessel holds unused halibut IFQ (Sec.
679.7(f)(11)); 3) sablefish IFQ fishermen typically hold halibut IFQ
permits and are therefore required to retain the halibut they catch
while fishing sablefish IFQ; and 4) NMFS estimates negligible halibut
mortality for the jig gear fisheries. NMFS estimates that halibut
mortality is negligible in the jig gear fisheries given the small
amount of groundfish harvested by jig gear, the selective nature of jig
gear, and the high survival rates of halibut caught and released with
jig gear.
The best available information on estimated halibut bycatch
consists of data collected by fisheries observers during 2014. The
calculated halibut bycatch mortality through December 20, 2014, is
1,394 mt for trawl gear and 199 mt for hook-and-line gear for a total
halibut mortality of 1,593 mt. This halibut mortality was calculated
using groundfish and halibut catch data from the NMFS Alaska Region's
catch accounting system. This accounting system contains historical and
recent catch information compiled from each Alaska groundfish fishery.
Section 679.21(d)(4)(i) and (ii) authorizes NMFS to seasonally
apportion the halibut PSC limits after consultation with the Council.
The FMP and regulations require the Council and NMFS to consider the
following information in seasonally apportioning halibut PSC limits: 1)
Seasonal distribution of halibut; 2) seasonal distribution of target
groundfish species relative to halibut distribution; 3) expected
halibut bycatch needs on a seasonal basis relative to changes in
halibut biomass and expected catch of target groundfish species; 4)
expected bycatch rates on a seasonal basis; 5) expected changes in
directed groundfish fishing seasons; 6) expected actual start of
fishing effort; and 7) economic effects of establishing seasonal
halibut allocations on segments of the target groundfish industry. The
Council considered information from the 2014 SAFE report, NMFS catch
data, State of Alaska catch data, IPHC stock assessment and mortality
data, and public testimony when apportioning the halibut PSC limits.
NMFS concurs with the Council's recommendations listed in Tables 14 and
15, which respectively shows the final 2015 and 2016 Pacific halibut
PSC limits, allowances, and apportionments.
Sections 679.21(d)(4)(iii) and (iv) specify that any underages or
overages of a seasonal apportionment of a PSC limit will be deducted
from or added to the next respective seasonal apportionment within the
fishing year.

Table 14--Final 2015 Pacific Halibut PSC Limits, Allowances, and Apportionments
[Values are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trawl gear Hook-and-line gear \1\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other than DSR DSR
Season Percent Amount -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season Percent Amount Season Amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 20-April 1...................... 27.5 484 January 1-June 10.......... 86 225 January 1-December 31..... 9

[[Page 10264]]

April 1-July 1.......................... 20 352 June 10-September 1........ 2 5 .......................... .........
July 1-September 1...................... 30 528 September 1-December 31.... 12 31 .......................... .........
September 1-October 1................... 7.5 132 ........................... ......... ......... .......................... .........
October 1-December 31................... 15 264 ........................... ......... ......... .......................... .........
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................... ......... 1,759 ........................... ......... 261 .......................... 9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limit for hook-and-line gear is allocated to the demersal shelf rockfish (DSR) fishery and
fisheries other than DSR. The hook-and-line sablefish fishery is exempt from halibut PSC limits, as are pot and jig gear for all groundfish fisheries.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.

Table 15--Final 2016 Pacific Halibut PSC Limits, Allowances, and Apportionments
[Values are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trawl gear Hook-and-line gear \1\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other than DSR DSR
Season Percent Amount -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season Percent Amount Season Amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 20-April 1...................... 27.5 469 January 1-June 10.......... 86 220 January 1-December 31..... 9
April 1-July 1.......................... 20 341 June 10-September 1........ 2 5 .......................... .........
July 1-September 1...................... 30 512 September 1-December 31.... 12 31 .......................... .........
September 1-October 1................... 7.5 128 ........................... ......... ......... .......................... .........
October 1-December 31................... 15 256 ........................... ......... ......... .......................... .........
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................... ......... 1,706 ........................... ......... 256 .......................... 9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limit for hook-and-line gear is allocated to the demersal shelf rockfish (DSR) fishery and
fisheries other than DSR. The hook-and-line sablefish fishery is exempt from halibut PSC limits, as are pot and jig gear for all groundfish fisheries.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.

Section 679.21(d)(3)(ii) authorizes further apportionment of the
trawl halibut PSC limit to trawl fishery categories. The annual
apportionments are based on each category's proportional share of the
anticipated halibut bycatch mortality during the fishing year and
optimization of the total amount of groundfish harvest under the
halibut PSC limit. The fishery categories for the trawl halibut PSC
limits are 1) a deep-water species fishery, composed of sablefish,
rockfish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, and arrowtooth flounder; and
2) a shallow-water species fishery, composed of pollock, Pacific cod,
shallow-water flatfish, flathead sole, Atka mackerel, skates, and
``other species'' (sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopuses) (Sec.
679.21(d)(3)(iii)). Tables 16 and 17 list, respectively, the final 2015
and 2016 apportionments of halibut PSC trawl limits between the trawl
gear deep-water and the shallow-water species fishery categories.
Table 28d to 50 CFR part 679 specifies the amount of the trawl
halibut PSC limit that is assigned to the CV and C/P sectors that are
participating in the Central GOA Rockfish Program. This includes 117 mt
of halibut PSC limit to the CV sector and 74 mt of halibut PSC limit to
the C/P sector. These amounts are allocated from the trawl deep-water
species fishery's halibut PSC third seasonal apportionment.
Section 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(B) limits the amount of the halibut PSC
limit allocated to Rockfish Program participants that could be re-
apportioned to the general GOA trawl fisheries to no more than 55
percent of the unused annual halibut PSC apportioned to Rockfish
Program participants. The remainder of the unused Rockfish Program
halibut PSC limit is unavailable for use by vessels directed fishing
with trawl gear for the remainder of the fishing year.

Table 16--Final 2015 Apportionment of Pacific Halibut PSC Trawl Limits Between the Trawl Gear Deep-Water Species
Fishery and the Shallow-Water Species Fishery Categories
[Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season Shallow-water Deep-water \1\ Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 20-April 1............................ 396 88.............................. 484
April 1-July 1................................ 88 264............................. 352
July 1-September 1............................ 176 352............................. 528
September 1-October 1......................... 132 Any remainder................... 132
Subtotal January 20-October 1................. 792 704............................. 1,496

[[Page 10265]]

October 1-December 31 \2\..................... .............. ................................ 264
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Total..................................... .............. ................................ 1,760
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Vessels participating in cooperatives in the Central GOA Rockfish Program will receive 191 mt of the third
season (July 1 through September 1) deep-water species fishery halibut PSC apportionment.
\2\ There is no apportionment between trawl shallow-water and deep-water species fishery categories during the
fifth season (October 1 through December 31).

Table 17--Final 2016 Apportionment of Pacific Halibut PSC Trawl Limits Between the Trawl Gear Deep-Water Species
Fishery and the Shallow-Water Species Fishery Categories
[Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season Shallow-water Deep-water \1\ Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 20-April 1............................ 384 85.............................. 469
April 1-July 1................................ 85 256............................. 341
July 1-September 1............................ 171 341............................. 512
September 1-October 1......................... 128 Any remainder................... 128
Subtotal January 20-October 1................. 768 682............................. 1,450
October 1-December 31 \2\..................... .............. ................................ 256
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Total..................................... .............. ................................ 1,706
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Vessels participating in cooperatives in the Central GOA Rockfish Program will receive 191 mt of the third
season (July 1 through September 1) deep-water species fishery halibut PSC apportionment.
\2\ There is no apportionment between trawl shallow-water and deep-water species fishery categories during the
fifth season (October 1 through December 31).

Section 679.21(d)(2)(B) requires that the ``other hook-and-line
fishery'' halibut PSC limit apportionment to vessels using hook-and-
line gear must be apportioned between CVs and C/Ps in accordance with
Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(iii) in conjunction with these harvest
specifications. A comprehensive description and example of the
calculations necessary to apportion the ``other hook-and-line fishery''
halibut PSC limit between the hook-and-line CV and C/P sectors were
included in the proposed rule to implement Amendment 83 (76 FR 44700,
July 26, 2011) and are not repeated here.
For 2015, NMFS apportions halibut PSC limits of 145 mt and 116 mt
to the hook-and-line CV and hook-and-line C/P sectors, respectively.
For 2016, NMFS apportions halibut PSC limits of 140 mt and 116 mt to
the hook-and-line CV and hook-and-line C/P sectors, respectively.
Tables 18 and 19 list, respectively, the final 2015 and 2016
apportionments of halibut PSC limits between the hook-and-line CV and
hook-and-line C/P sectors.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(iii), the hook-and-line halibut PSC
limit is apportioned between the CV and C/P sectors in proportion to
the total Western and Central GOA Pacific cod allocations, which vary
annually based on the proportion of the Pacific cod biomass. Pacific
cod is apportioned among these two management areas based on the
percentage of overall biomass per area, as calculated in the 2014
Pacific cod stock assessment. Updated information in the final 2014
SAFE report describes this distributional change, which is based on
allocating ABC among regulatory areas on the basis of the three most
recent stock surveys. The distribution of the total GOA Pacific cod ABC
has changed to 36 percent Western GOA, 61 percent Central GOA, and 3
percent Eastern GOA. Therefore, the calculations made in accordance
with Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(iii) incorporate the most recent change in GOA
Pacific cod distribution with respect to establishing the annual
halibut PSC limits for the CV and C/P hook-and-line sectors. The annual
halibut PSC limits are divided into three seasonal apportionments,
using seasonal percentages of 86 percent, 2 percent, and 12 percent.
No later than November 1 of each year, NMFS will calculate the
projected unused amount of halibut PSC limit by either of the hook-and-
line sectors for the remainder of the year. The projected unused amount
of halibut PSC limit is made available to the other hook-and-line
sector for the remainder of that fishing year if NMFS determines that
an additional amount of halibut PSC is necessary for that sector to
continue its directed fishing operations (Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(iii)(C)).

Table 18--Final 2015 Apportionments of the ``Other Hook-and-Line Fisheries'' Annual Halibut PSC Allowance
Between the Hook-and-Line Gear Catcher Vessel and Catcher/Processor Sectors
[Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector
``Other than DSR'' Hook-and-line Sector annual Season Seasonal seasonal
allowance sector amount percentage amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
261................... Catcher Vessel..... 145 January 1-June 10.. 86 125
................... .............. June 10-September 1 2 3

[[Page 10266]]

................... .............. September 1- 12 17
December 31.
Catcher/Processor.. 116 January 1-June 10.. 86 100
................... .............. June 10-September 1 2 2
................... .............. September 1- 12 14
December 31.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table 19--Final 2016 Apportionments of the ``Other Hook-and-Line Fisheries'' Annual Halibut PSC Allowance
Between the Hook-and-Line Gear Catcher Vessel and Catcher/Processor Sectors
[Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector
``Other than DSR'' Hook-and-line Sector annual Season Seasonal seasonal
allowance sector amount percentage amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
256................... Catcher Vessel..... 140 January 1-June 10.. 86 120
................... .............. June 10-September 1 2 3
................... .............. September 1- 12 17
December 31.
Catcher/Processor.. 116 January 1-June 10.. 86 100
................... .............. June 10-September 1 2 2
................... .............. September 1- 12 14
December 31.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Estimates of Halibut Biomass and Stock Condition

The IPHC annually assesses the abundance and potential yield of the
Pacific halibut using all available data from the commercial and sport
fisheries, other removals, and scientific surveys. Additional
information on the Pacific halibut stock assessment may be found in the
IPHC's 2014 Pacific halibut stock assessment (December 2014), available
on the IPHC Web site at www.iphc.int. The IPHC considered the 2014
Pacific halibut stock assessment at its January 2015 annual meeting
when it set the 2015 commercial halibut fishery catch limits.

Halibut Discard Mortality Rates

To monitor halibut bycatch mortality allowances and apportionments,
the Regional Administrator uses observed halibut incidental catch
rates, discard mortality rates (DMRs), and estimates of groundfish
catch to project when a fishery's halibut bycatch mortality allowance
or seasonal apportionment is reached. The DMRs are based on the best
information available, including information contained in the annual
SAFE report.
NMFS is implementing the Council's recommendation that the halibut
DMRs developed and recommended by the IPHC for the 2013 through 2015
GOA groundfish fisheries be used for monitoring the final 2015 and 2016
halibut bycatch mortality allowances (see Tables 14 through 19). The
IPHC developed the DMRs for the 2013 through 2015 GOA groundfish
fisheries using the 10-year mean DMRs for those fisheries. Long-term
average DMRs were not available for some fisheries, so rates from the
most recent years were used. For the skate, sculpin, shark, squid, and
octopus target fisheries, where not enough halibut mortality data are
available, the mortality rate of halibut caught in the Pacific cod
fishery for that gear type was recommended as a default rate. The IPHC
will analyze observer data annually and recommend changes to the DMRs
when a fishery DMR shows large variation from the mean. A discussion of
the DMRs and how the IPHC establishes them is available from the
Council (see ADDRESSES). Table 20 lists the final 2015 and 2016 DMRs.
These DMRs are unchanged from the proposed 2015 and 2016 harvest
specifications (79 FR 72593, December 8, 2014).

Table 20--Final 2015 and 2016 Halibut Discard Mortality Rates for
Vessels Fishing in the Gulf of Alaska
[Values are percent of halibut assumed to be dead]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mortality rate
Gear Target fishery (%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hook-and-line.................. Other fisheries \1\.... 11
Skates................. 11
Pacific cod............ 11
Rockfish............... 9
Trawl.......................... Arrowtooth flounder.... 73
Deep-water flatfish.... 43
Flathead sole.......... 65
Non-pelagic pollock.... 60
Other fisheries \1\.... 62
Pacific cod............ 62
Pelagic pollock........ 71
Rex sole............... 69
Rockfish............... 66

[[Page 10267]]

Sablefish.............. 71
Shallow-water flatfish. 67
Pot............................ Other fisheries \1\.... 17
Pacific cod............ 17
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Other fisheries includes all gear types for skates, sculpins,
sharks, squids, octopuses, and hook-and-line sablefish.

Chinook Salmon Prohibited Species Catch Limits

In 2012, NMFS issued a final rule to implement Amendment 93 to the
GOA FMP (77 FR 42629, July 20, 2012). Amendment 93 established separate
Chinook salmon PSC limits in the Western and Central GOA in the
directed pollock fishery. These limits require NMFS to close the
pollock directed fishery in the Western and Central regulatory areas of
the GOA if the applicable limit is reached (Sec. 679.21(h)(6)). The
annual Chinook salmon PSC limits in the pollock directed fishery of
6,684 salmon in the Western GOA and 18,316 salmon in the Central GOA
are set in regulation at Sec. 679.21(h)(2)(i) and (ii). In addition,
all salmon (regardless of species) taken in the pollock directed
fisheries in the Western and Central GOA must be retained until an
observer at the processing facility that takes delivery of the catch is
provided an opportunity to count the number of salmon and to collect
any scientific data or biological samples from the salmon (Sec.
679.21(h)(4)).
As described earlier in this preamble, NMFS issued a final rule to
implement Amendment 97 to the FMP (79 FR 71350, December 2, 2014). That
action established an initial annual PSC limit of 7,500 Chinook salmon
for the non-pollock groundfish fisheries. This limit is apportioned
among three sectors: 3,600 Chinook salmon to trawl catcher/processors,
1,200 Chinook salmon to trawl catcher vessels participating in the
Central GOA Rockfish Program, and 2,700 Chinook salmon to trawl catcher
vessels not participating in the Central GOA Rockfish Program that are
fishing for groundfish species other than pollock (Sec. 679.21(i)(3)).
NMFS will monitor the Chinook salmon PSC in the non-pollock GOA
groundfish fisheries and close an applicable sector if it reaches its
Chinook salmon PSC limit.
The Chinook salmon PSC limit for two sectors, trawl catcher/
processors and trawl catcher vessels not participating in the Central
GOA Rockfish Program, may be increased in subsequent years based on the
performance of these two sectors and their ability to minimize their
use of their respective Chinook salmon PSC limits. If either or both of
these two sectors limits its use of Chinook salmon PSC to a certain
threshold amount in 2015, that sector will receive an incremental
increase to its 2016 Chinook salmon PSC limit (Sec. 679.21(i)(3)).

American Fisheries Act (AFA) C/P and CV Groundfish Harvest and PSC
Limits

Section 679.64 establishes groundfish harvesting and processing
sideboard limitations on AFA C/Ps and CVs in the GOA. These sideboard
limits are necessary to protect the interests of fishermen and
processors who do not directly benefit from the AFA from those
fishermen and processors who receive exclusive harvesting and
processing privileges under the AFA. Section 679.7(k)(1)(ii) prohibits
listed AFA C/Ps from harvesting any species of groundfish in the GOA.
Additionally, Sec. 679.7(k)(1)(iv) prohibits listed AFA C/Ps from
processing any pollock harvested in a directed pollock fishery in the
GOA and any groundfish harvested in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA.
AFA CVs that are less than 125 ft (38.1 meters) length overall,
have annual landings of pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
less than 5,100 mt, and have made at least 40 groundfish landings from
1995 through 1997 are exempt from GOA sideboard limits under Sec.
679.64(b)(2)(ii). Sideboard limits for non-exempt AFA CVs in the GOA
are based on their traditional harvest levels of TAC in groundfish
fisheries covered by the FMP. Section 679.64(b)(3)(iii) establishes the
groundfish sideboard limitations in the GOA based on the retained catch
of non-exempt AFA CVs of each sideboard species from 1995 through 1997
divided by the TAC for that species over the same period.
Tables 21 and 22 list the final 2015 and 2016 groundfish sideboard
limits for non-exempt AFA CVs. NMFS will deduct all targeted or
incidental catch of sideboard species made by non-exempt AFA CVs from
the sideboard limits listed in Tables 21 and 22.

Table 21--Final 2015 GOA Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel (CV) Groundfish Harvest Sideboard
Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1995-
1997 non- Final 2015 non-
Species Apportionments Area/component exempt AFA CV Final 2015 exempt AFA CV
by season/gear catch to 1995- TACs sideboard
1997 TAC limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock...................... A Season, Shumagin (610). 0.6047 3,632 2,196
January 20- Chirikof (620). 0.1167 30,503 3,560
March 10. Kodiak (630)... 0.2028 11,316 2,295
B Season, March Shumagin (610). 0.6047 3,632 2,196
10-May 31. Chirikof (620). 0.1167 37,820 4,414
Kodiak (630)... 0.2028 4,000 811

[[Page 10268]]

C Season, August Shumagin (610). 0.6047 12,185 7,368
25-October 1. Chirikof (620). 0.1167 14,628 1,707
Kodiak (630)... 0.2028 18,639 3,780
D Season, Shumagin (610). 0.6047 12,185 7,368
October 1- Chirikof (620). 0.1167 14,628 1,707
November 1. Kodiak (630)... 0.2028 18,639 3,780
Annual.......... WYK (640)...... 0.3495 4,719 1,649
SEO (650)...... 0.3495 12,625 4,412
Pacific cod.................. A Season, \1\ W.............. 0.1331 16,255 2,164
January 1-June C.............. 0.0692 27,594 1,910
10.
B Season, \2\ W.............. 0.1331 10,837 1,442
September 1- C.............. 0.0692 18,396 1,273
December 31.
Annual.......... E inshore...... 0.0079 1,909 15
E offshore..... 0.0078 212 2
Sablefish.................... Annual, trawl W.............. 0.0000 295 ..............
gear. C.............. 0.0642 932 60
E.............. 0.0433 220 10
Flatfish, Shallow-water...... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0156 13,250 207
C.............. 0.0587 19,297 1,133
E.............. 0.0126 2,834 36
Flatfish, deep-water......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0000 301 ..............
C.............. 0.0647 3,689 239
E.............. 0.0128 9,344 120
Rex sole..................... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0007 1,258 1
C.............. 0.0384 5,816 223
E.............. 0.0029 2,076 6
Arrowtooth flounder.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0021 14,500 30
C.............. 0.0280 75,000 2,100
E.............. 0.0002 13,800 3
Flathead sole................ Annual.......... W.............. 0.0036 8,650 31
C.............. 0.0213 15,400 328
E.............. 0.0009 3,706 3
Pacific ocean perch.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0023 2,302 5
C.............. 0.0748 15,873 1,187
E.............. 0.0466 2,837 132
Northern rockfish............ Annual.......... W.............. 0.0003 1,226 ..............
C.............. 0.0277 3,772 104
Shortraker rockfish.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0000 92 ..............
C.............. 0.0218 397 9
E.............. 0.0110 834 9
Dusky rockfish............... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0001 296 ..............
C.............. 0.0000 3,336 ..............
E.............. 0.0067 1,477 10
Rougheye rockfish............ Annual.......... W.............. 0.0000 115 ..............
C.............. 0.0237 632 15
E.............. 0.0124 375 5
Demersal shelf rockfish...... Annual.......... SEO............ 0.0020 225 ..............
Thornyhead rockfish.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0280 235 7
C.............. 0.0280 875 25
E.............. 0.0280 731 20
Other rockfish............... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0034 .............. ..............
C.............. 0.1699 1,031 175
E.............. 0.0000 780
Atka mackerel................ Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0309 2,000 62
Big skates................... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0063 731 5
C.............. 0.0063 1,257 8
E.............. 0.0063 1,267 8
Longnose skates.............. Annual.......... W.............. 0.0063 152 1
C.............. 0.0063 2,090 13
E.............. 0.0063 976 6
Other skates................. Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0063 2,235 14
Sculpins..................... Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0063 5,569 35
Sharks....................... Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0063 5,989 38
Squids....................... Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0063 1,148 7

[[Page 10269]]

Octopuses.................... Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0063 1,507 9
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.

Table 22--Final 2016 GOA Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel (CV) Groundfish Harvest Sideboard
Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1995-
1997 non- Final 2016 non-
Species Apportionments Area/component exempt AFA CV Final 2016 exempt AFA CV
by season/gear catch to 1995- TACs sideboard
1997 TAC limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock...................... A Season, Shumagin (610). 0.6047 4,760 2,879
January 20-
March 10.
Chirikof (620). 0.1167 39,992 4,667
Kodiak (630)... 0.2028 14,839 3,009
B Season, March Shumagin (610). 0.6047 4,760 2,879
10-May 31.
Chirikof (620). 0.1167 49,586 5,787
Kodiak (630)... 0.2028 5,245 1,064
C Season, August Shumagin (610). 0.6047 15,975 9,660
25-October 1.
Chirikof (620). 0.1167 19,179 2,238
Kodiak (630)... 0.2028 24,437 4,956
D Season, Shumagin (610). 0.6047 15,975 9,660
October 1-
November 1.
Chirikof (620). 0.1167 19,179 2,238
Kodiak (630)... 0.2028 24,437 4,956
Annual WYK (640)...... 0.3495 6,187 2,162
SEO (650)...... 0.3495 12,625 4,412
Pacific cod.................. A Season \1\, W.............. 0.1331 16,255 2,164
January 1-June
10.
C.............. 0.0692 27,594 1,910
B Season \2\, W.............. 0.1331 10,837 1,442
September 1-
December 31.
C.............. 0.0692 18,396 1,273
Annual.......... E inshore...... 0.0079 1,909 15
E offshore..... 0.0078 212 2
Sablefish.................... Annual, trawl W.............. 0.0000 268 ..............
gear.
C.............. 0.0642 846 54
E.............. 0.0433 199 9
Flatfish, Shallow-water...... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0156 13,250 207
C.............. 0.0587 17,114 1,005
E.............. 0.0126 2,513 32
Flatfish, deep-water......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0000 299 ..............
C.............. 0.0647 3,645 236
E.............. 0.0128 9,233 118
Rex sole..................... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0007 1,234 1
C.............. 0.0384 5,707 219
E.............. 0.0029 2,038 6
Arrowtooth flounder.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0021 14,500 30
C.............. 0.0280 75,000 2,100
E.............. 0.0002 13,800 3
Flathead sole................ Annual.......... W.............. 0.0036 8,650 31
C.............. 0.0213 15,400 328
E.............. 0.0009 3,709 3
Pacific ocean perch.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0023 2,358 5
C.............. 0.0748 16,184 1,211
E.............. 0.0466 2,894 135
Northern rockfish............ Annual.......... W.............. 0.0003 1,158 ..............
C.............. 0.0277 3,563 99
Shortraker rockfish.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0000 92 ..............
C.............. 0.0218 397 9
E.............. 0.0110 834 9
Dusky rockfish............... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0001 273 ..............
C.............. 0.0000 3,077 ..............
E.............. 0.0067 1,361 9

[[Page 10270]]

Rougheye rockfish............ Annual.......... W.............. 0.0000 117 ..............
C.............. 0.0237 643 15
E.............. 0.0124 382 5
Demersal shelf rockfish...... Annual.......... SEO............ 0.0020 225 ..............
Thornyhead rockfish.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0280 235 7
C.............. 0.0280 875 25
E.............. 0.0280 731 20
Other rockfish............... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0034 .............. ..............
C.............. 0.1699 1,031 175
E.............. 0.0000 780 -
Atka mackerel................ Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0309 2,000 62
Big skates................... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0063 731 5
C.............. 0.0063 1,257 8
E.............. 0.0063 1,267 8
Longnose skates.............. Annual.......... W.............. 0.0063 152 1
C.............. 0.0063 2,090 13
E.............. 0.0063 976 6
Other skates................. Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0063 2,235 14
Sculpins..................... Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0063 5,569 35
Sharks....................... Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0063 5,989 38
Squids....................... Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0063 1,148 7
Octopuses.................... Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0063 1,507 9
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.

Non-Exempt AFA Catcher Vessel Halibut PSC Limits

The halibut PSC sideboard limits for non-exempt AFA CVs in the GOA
are based on the aggregate retained groundfish catch by non-exempt AFA
CVs in each PSC target category from 1995 through 1997 divided by the
retained catch of all vessels in that fishery from 1995 through 1997
(Sec. 679.64(b)(4)). Tables 23 and 24 list the final 2015 and 2016
non-exempt AFA CV halibut PSC limits for vessels using trawl gear in
the GOA, respectively. The 2015 and 2016 seasonal apportionments of
trawl halibut PSC limits between the deep-water and shallow-water
species fisheries categories proportionately incorporate reductions
made to the annual trawl halibut PSC limits and associated seasonal
apportionments (see Tables 14 and 15).

Table 23--Final 2015 Non-Exempt AFA CV Halibut Prohibited Species Catch (PSC) Limits for Vessels Using Trawl
Gear in the GOA
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1995-
1997 non-exempt
AFA CV retained 2015 non-
Season Season dates Target fishery catch to total 2015 PSC limit exempt AFA CV
retained catch PSC limit

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............................ January 20- shallow-water.. 0.340.......... 396 135
April 1.
deep-water..... 0.070.......... 88 6
2............................ April 1-July 1. shallow-water.. 0.340.......... 88 30
deep-water..... 0.070.......... 264 18
3............................ July 1- shallow-water.. 0.340.......... 176 60
September 1.
deep-water..... 0.070.......... 352 25
4............................ September 1- shallow-water.. 0.340.......... 132 45
October 1.
deep-water..... 0.070.......... 0 0
5............................ October 1- all targets.... 0.205.......... 264 54
December 31.
-------------------------------
Total.................... ............... ............... ............... 1,760 373
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 10271]]

Table 24--Final 2016 Non-Exempt AFA CV Halibut Prohibited Species Catch (PSC) Limits for Vessels Using Trawl
Gear in the GOA
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1995-
1997 non-exempt
AFA CV retained 2016 non-
Season Season dates Target fishery catch to total 2016 PSC limit exempt AFA CV
retained catch PSC limit

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............................ January 20- shallow-water.. 0.340.......... 384 131
April 1.
deep-water..... 0.070.......... 85 6
2............................ April 1-July 1. shallow-water.. 0.340.......... 85 29
deep-water..... 0.070.......... 256 18
3............................ July 1- shallow-water.. 0.340.......... 171 58
September 1.
deep-water..... 0.070.......... 341 24
4............................ September 1- shallow-water.. 0.340.......... 128 44
October 1.
deep-water..... 0.070.......... 0 0
5............................ October 1- all targets.... 0.205.......... 256 52
December 31.
-------------------------------
Total.................... ............... ............... ............... 1,706 361
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Non-AFA Crab Vessel Groundfish Harvest Limitations

Section 680.22 establishes groundfish catch limits for vessels with
a history of participation in the Bering Sea snow crab fishery to
prevent these vessels from using the increased flexibility provided by
the Crab Rationalization Program to expand their level of participation
in the GOA groundfish fisheries. Sideboard limits restrict these
vessels' catch to their collective historical landings in each GOA
groundfish fishery (except the fixed-gear sablefish fishery). Sideboard
limits also apply to catch made using an LLP license derived from the
history of a restricted vessel, even if that LLP license is used on
another vessel.
The basis for these sideboard limits is described in detail in the
final rules implementing the major provisions of Amendments 18 and 19
to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and
Tanner Crabs (70 FR 10174, March 2, 2005), Amendment 34 to the Fishery
Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Island King and Tanner Crabs
(76 FR 35772, June 20, 2011), and Amendment 83 to the GOA FMP (76 FR
74670, December 1, 2011).
Tables 25 and 26 list the final 2015 and 2016 groundfish sideboard
limitations for non-AFA crab vessels. All targeted or incidental catch
of sideboard species made by non-AFA crab vessels or associated LLP
licenses will be deducted from these sideboard limits.

Table 25--Final 2015 GOA Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessel Groundfish Harvest Sideboard Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1996-
2000 non-AFA Final 2015 non-
Area/component/ crab vessel Final 2015 AFA crab
Species Season/gear gear catch to 1996- TACs vessel
2000 total sideboard
harvest limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock...................... A Season, Shumagin (610). 0.0098 3,632 36
January 20-
March 10.
Chirikof (620). 0.0031 30,503 95
Kodiak (630)... 0.0002 11,316 2
B Season, March Shumagin (610). 0.0098 3,632 36
10-May 31.
Chirikof (620). 0.0031 37,820 117
Kodiak (630)... 0.0002 4,000 1
C Season, August Shumagin (610). 0.0098 12,185 119
25-October 1.
Chirikof (620). 0.0031 14,628 45
Kodiak (630)... 0.0002 18,639 4
D Season, Shumagin (610). 0.0098 12,185 119
October 1-
November 1.
Chirikof (620). 0.0031 14,628 45
Kodiak (630)... 0.0002 18,639 4
Annual.......... WYK (640)...... 0.0000 4,719 ..............
SEO (650)...... 0.0000 12,625 ..............
Pacific cod.................. A Season \1\, W Jig.......... 0.0000 16,255 ..............
January 1-June
10.
W Hook-and-line 0.0004 16,255 7
CV.
W Hook-and-line 0.0018 16,255 29
C/P.
W Pot CV....... 0.0997 16,255 1,621
W Pot C/P...... 0.0078 16,255 127
W Trawl CV..... 0.0007 16,255 11
C Jig.......... 0.0000 27,594 ..............
C Hook-and-line 0.0001 27,594 3
CV.
C Hook-and-line 0.0012 27,594 33
C/P.

[[Page 10272]]

C Pot CV....... 0.0474 27,594 1,308
C Pot C/P...... 0.0136 27,594 375
C Trawl CV..... 0.0012 27,594 33
B Season \2\.... W Jig.......... 0.0000 10,837 ..............
Jig Gear: June W Hook-and-line 0.0004 10,837 4
10-December 31. CV.
W Hook-and-line 0.0001 10,837 20
C/P.
All other gears: W Pot CV....... 0.0997 10,837 1,080
September 1- W Pot C/P...... 0.0078 10,837 85
December 31.
W Trawl CV..... 0.0007 10,837 8
C Jig.......... 0.0000 18,396 ..............
C Hook-and-line 0.0001 18,396 2
CV.
C Hook-and-line 0.0012 18,396 22
C/P.
C Pot CV....... 0.0474 18,396 872
C Pot C/P...... 0.0136 18,396 250
C Trawl CV..... 0.0012 18,396 22
Annual.......... E inshore...... 0.0110 1,909 21
E offshore..... 0.0000 212 ..............
Sablefish.................... Annual, trawl W.............. 0.0000 295 ..............
gear.
C.............. 0.0000 932 ..............
E.............. 0.0000 220 ..............
Flatfish, shallow-water...... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0059 13,250 78
C.............. 0.0001 19,297 2
E.............. 0.0000 2,834 ..............
Flatfish, deep-water......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0035 301 1
C.............. 0.0000 3,689 ..............
E.............. 0.0000 9,344 ..............
Rex sole..................... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0000 1,258 ..............
C.............. 0.0000 5,816 ..............
E.............. 0.0000 2,076 ..............
Arrowtooth flounder.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0004 14,500 6
C.............. 0.0001 75,000 8
E.............. 0.0000 13,800 ..............
Flathead sole................ Annual.......... W.............. 0.0002 8,650 2
C.............. 0.0004 15,400 6
E.............. 0.0000 3,706 ..............
Pacific ocean perch.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0000 2,302 ..............
C.............. 0.0000 15,873 ..............
E.............. 0.0000 2,837 ..............
Northern rockfish............ Annual.......... W.............. 0.0005 1,226 1
C.............. 0.0000 3,772 ..............
Shortraker rockfish.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0013 92 0
C.............. 0.0012 397 0
E.............. 0.0009 834 1
Dusky rockfish............... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0017 296 1
C.............. 0.0000 3,336 ..............
E.............. 0.0000 1,477 ..............
Rougheye rockfish............ Annual.......... W.............. 0.0067 115 1
C.............. 0.0047 632 3
E.............. 0.0008 375 0
Demersal shelf rockfish...... Annual.......... SEO............ 0.0000 225 ..............
Thornyhead rockfish.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0047 235 1
C.............. 0.0066 875 6
E.............. 0.0045 731 3
Other rockfish............... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0035 .............. ..............
C.............. 0.0033 1,031 3
E.............. 0.0000 780 ..............
Atka mackerel................ Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0000 2,000 ..............
Big skate.................... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0392 731 29
C.............. 0.0159 1,257 20
E.............. 0.0000 1,267 ..............
Longnose skate............... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0392 152 6
C.............. 0.0159 2,090 33
E.............. 0.0000 976 ..............
Other skates................. Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0176 2,235 39

[[Page 10273]]

Sculpins..................... Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0176 5,569 98
Sharks....................... Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0176 5,989 105
Squids....................... Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0176 1,148 20
Octopuses.................... Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0176 1,507 27
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.

Table 26--Final 2016 GOA Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessel Groundfish Harvest Sideboard Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1996-
2000 non-AFA Final 2016 non-
Area/component/ crab vessel Final 2016 AFA crab
Species Season/gear gear catch to 1996- TACs vessel
2000 total sideboard
harvest limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock...................... A Season, Shumagin (610). 0.0098 4,760 47
January 20-
March 10.
Chirikof (620). 0.0031 39,992 124
Kodiak (630)... 0.0002 14,839 3
B Season, March Shumagin (610). 0.0098 4,760 47
10-May 31.
Chirikof (620). 0.0031 49,586 154
Kodiak (630)... 0.0002 5,245 1
C Season, August Shumagin (610). 0.0098 15,975 157
25-October 1.
Chirikof (620). 0.0031 19,179 59
Kodiak (630)... 0.0002 24,437 5
D Season, Shumagin (610). 0.0098 15,975 157
October 1-
November 1.
Chirikof (620). 0.0031 19,179 59
Kodiak (630)... 0.0002 24,437 5
Annual.......... WYK (640)...... 0.0000 6,187 ..............
SEO (650)...... 0.0000 12,625 ..............
Pacific cod.................. A Season \1\, W Jig.......... 0.0000 16,255 ..............
January 1-June
10.
W Hook-and-line 0.0004 16,255 7
CV.
W Hook-and-line 0.0018 16,255 29
C/P.
W Pot CV....... 0.0997 16,255 1,621
W Pot C/P...... 0.0078 16,255 127
W Trawl CV..... 0.0007 16,255 11
C Jig.......... 0.0000 27,594 ..............
C Hook-and-line 0.0001 27,594 3
CV.
C Hook-and-line 0.0012 27,594 33
C/P.
C Pot CV....... 0.0474 27,594 1,308
C Pot C/P...... 0.0136 27,594 375
C Trawl CV..... 0.0012 27,594 33
B Season \2\.... W Jig.......... 0.0000 10,837 ..............
Jig Gear: June W Hook-and-line 0.0004 10,837 4
10-December 31. CV.
W Hook-and-line 0.0018 10,837 20
C/P.
All other gears: W Pot CV....... 0.0997 10,837 1,080
September 1-
December 31.
W Pot C/P...... 0.0078 10,837 85
W Trawl CV..... 0.0007 10,837 8
C Jig.......... 0.0000 18,396 ..............
C Hook-and-line 0.0001 18,396 2
CV.
C Hook-and-line 0.0012 18,396 22
C/P.
C Pot CV....... 0.0474 18,396 872
C Pot C/P...... 0.0136 18,396 250
C Trawl CV..... 0.0012 18,396 22
Annual.......... E inshore...... 0.0110 1,909 21
E offshore..... 0.0000 212 ..............
Sablefish.................... Annual, trawl W.............. 0.0000 268 ..............
gear.

[[Page 10274]]

C.............. 0.0000 846 ..............
E.............. 0.0000 199 ..............
Flatfish, shallow-water...... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0059 13,250 78
C.............. 0.0001 17,114 2
E.............. 0.0000 2,513 ..............
Flatfish, deep-water......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0035 299 1
C.............. 0.0000 3,645 ..............
E.............. 0.0000 9,233 ..............
Rex sole..................... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0000 1,234 ..............
C.............. 0.0000 5,707 ..............
E.............. 0.0000 2,038 ..............
Arrowtooth flounder.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0004 14,500 6
C.............. 0.0001 75,000 8
E.............. 0.0000 13,800 ..............
Flathead sole................ Annual.......... W.............. 0.0002 8,650 2
C.............. 0.0004 15,400 6
E.............. 0.0000 3,709 ..............
Pacific ocean perch.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0000 2,358 ..............
C.............. 0.0000 16,184 ..............
E.............. 0.0000 2,894 ..............
Northern rockfish............ Annual.......... W.............. 0.0005 1,158 1
C.............. 0.0000 3,563 ..............
Shortraker rockfish.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0013 92 0
C.............. 0.0012 397 0
E.............. 0.0009 834 1
Dusky rockfish............... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0017 273 0
C.............. 0.0000 3,077 ..............
E.............. 0.0000 1,361 ..............
Rougheye rockfish............ Annual.......... W.............. 0.0067 117 1
C.............. 0.0047 643 3
E.............. 0.0008 382 0
Demersal shelf rockfish...... Annual.......... SEO............ 0.0000 225 ..............
Thornyhead rockfish.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0047 235 1
C.............. 0.0066 875 6
E.............. 0.0045 731 3
Other rockfish............... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0035 .............. ..............
C.............. 0.0033 1,031 3
E.............. 0.0000 780 ..............
Atka mackerel................ Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0000 2,000 ..............
Big skate.................... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0392 731 29
C.............. 0.0159 1,257 20
E.............. 0.0000 1,267 ..............
Longnose skate............... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0392 152 6
C.............. 0.0159 2,090 33
E.............. 0.0000 976 ..............
Other skates................. Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0176 2,235 39
Sculpins..................... Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0176 5,569 98
Sharks....................... Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0176 5,989 105
Squids....................... Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0176 1,148 20
Octopuses.................... Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0176 1,507 27
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.

Rockfish Program Groundfish Sideboard and Halibut PSC Limitations

The Rockfish Program establishes three classes of sideboard
provisions: CV groundfish sideboard restrictions, C/P rockfish
sideboard restrictions, and C/P opt-out vessel sideboard restrictions.
These sideboards are intended to limit the ability of rockfish
harvesters to expand into other fisheries.
CVs participating in the Rockfish Program may not participate in
directed fishing for dusky rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, and northern
rockfish in the West Yakutat district and Western GOA from July 1
through July 31. Also, CVs may not participate in directed fishing for
arrowtooth flounder, deep-water flatfish, and rex sole in the GOA from
July 1 through July 31 (Sec. 679.82(d)).
Catcher/processors participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives
are restricted by rockfish and halibut PSC sideboard limits. These C/Ps
are prohibited from directed fishing for dusky rockfish, Pacific ocean
perch, and

[[Page 10275]]

northern rockfish in the West Yakutat district and Western GOA from
July 1 through July 31. Holders of C/P-designated LLP licenses that opt
out of participating in a Rockfish Program cooperative will be able to
access that portion of each sideboard limit that is not assigned to
rockfish cooperatives. Tables 27 and 28 list the final 2015 and 2016
Rockfish Program C/P sideboard limits in the West Yakutat district and
the Western GOA. Due to confidentiality requirements associated with
fisheries data, the sideboard limits for the West Yakutat district are
not displayed.

Table 27--Final 2015 Rockfish Program Harvest Limits by Sector for West Yakutat District and Western GOA by the
Catcher/Processor Sector
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C/P sector (% of Final 2015 Final 2015 C/P
Area Fishery TAC) TACs limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
West Yakutat District............ Dusky rockfish..... Confidential \1\... 1,288 Confidential.\1\
Pacific ocean perch Confidential \1\... 2,014 Confidential.\1\
Western GOA...................... Dusky rockfish..... 72.3............... 296 214.
Pacific ocean perch 50.6............... 2,302 1,165.
Northern rockfish.. 74.3............... 1,226 911.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Not released due to confidentiality requirements associated with fish ticket data, as established by NMFS
and the State of Alaska.

Table 28--Final 2016 Rockfish Program Harvest Limits by Sector for West Yakutat District and Western GOA by the
Catcher/Processor Sector
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C/P sector (% of Final 2016 Final 2016 C/P
Area Fishery TAC) TACs limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
West Yakutat District............ Dusky rockfish..... Confidential \1\... 1,187 Confidential.\1\
Pacific ocean perch Confidential \1\... 2,055 Confidential.\1\
Western GOA...................... Dusky rockfish..... 72.3............... 273 197.
Pacific ocean perch 50.6............... 2,358 1,193.
Northern rockfish.. 74.3............... 1,158 860.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Not released due to confidentiality requirements associated with fish ticket data, as established by NMFS
and the State of Alaska.

Under the Rockfish Program, the C/P sector is subject to halibut
PSC sideboard limits for the trawl deep-water and shallow-water species
fisheries from July 1 through July 31. No halibut PSC sideboard limits
apply to the CV sector, as vessels participating in cooperatives
receive a portion of the annual halibut PSC limit. C/Ps that opt out of
the Rockfish Program would be able to access that portion of the deep-
water and shallow-water halibut PSC sideboard limit not assigned to C/P
rockfish cooperatives. The sideboard provisions for C/Ps that elect to
opt out of participating in a rockfish cooperative are described in
Sec. 679.82(c), (e), and (f). Sideboard limits are linked to the catch
history of specific vessels that may choose to opt out. After March 1,
NMFS will determine which C/Ps have opted-out of the Rockfish Program
in 2015, and will know the ratios and amounts used to calculate opt-out
sideboard ratios. NMFS will then calculate any applicable opt-out
sideboards and post these allocations on the Alaska Region Web site at
https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/rockfish/. Tables
29 and 30 list the 2015 and 2016 Rockfish Program halibut PSC limits
for the catcher/processor sector. These halibut PSC limits
proportionately incorporate reductions made to the annual trawl halibut
PSC limits and associated season apportionments (see Tables 14 and 15).

Table 29--Final 2015 Rockfish Program Halibut Mortality Limits for the Catcher/Processor Sector
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shallow-water Deep-water Annual shallow- Annual deep-
species fishery species fishery 2015 halibut water species water species
Sector halibut PSC halibut PSC mortality limit fishery halibut fishery halibut
sideboard ratio sideboard ratio (mt) PSC sideboard PSC sideboard
(percent) (percent) limit (mt) limit (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher/processor.................................................. 0.10 2.50 1,759 2 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 10276]]

Table 30--Final 2016 Rockfish Program Halibut Mortality Limits for the Catcher/Processor Sector
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shallow-water Deep-water Annual shallow- Annual deep-
species fishery species fishery 2016 halibut water species water species
Sector halibut PSC halibut PSC mortality limit fishery halibut fishery halibut
sideboard ratio sideboard ratio (mt) PSC sideboard PSC sideboard
(percent) (percent) limit (mt) limit (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher/processor.................................................. 0.10 2.50 1,706 2 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Amendment 80 Program Groundfish and PSC Sideboard Limits

Amendment 80 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (Amendment 80 Program)
established a limited access privilege program for the non-AFA trawl C/
P sector. The Amendment 80 Program established groundfish and halibut
PSC catch limits for Amendment 80 Program participants to limit the
ability of participants eligible for the Amendment 80 Program to expand
their harvest efforts in the GOA.
Section 679.92 establishes groundfish harvesting sideboard limits
on all Amendment 80 program vessels, other than the F/V GOLDEN FLEECE,
to amounts no greater than the limits listed in Table 37 to 50 CFR part
679. Under regulations at Sec. 679.92(d), the F/V GOLDEN FLEECE is
prohibited from directed fishing for pollock, Pacific cod, Pacific
ocean perch, dusky rockfish, and northern rockfish in the GOA.
Groundfish sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels
operating in the GOA are based on their average aggregate harvests from
1998 through 2004. Tables 31 and 32 list the final 2015 and 2016
sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels. NMFS will deduct all
targeted or incidental catch of sideboard species made by Amendment 80
Program vessels from the sideboard limits in Tables 31 and 32.

Table 31--Final 2015 GOA Groundfish Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of
Apportionments Amendment 80 2015 Amendment
Species and allocations Area sector vessels 2015 TAC (mt) 80 vessel
by season 1998-2004 sideboards
catch to TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock...................... A Season, Shumagin (610). 0.003 3,632 11
January 20-
February 25.
Chirikof (620). 0.002 30,503 61
Kodiak (630)... 0.002 11,316 23
B Season, March Shumagin (610). 0.003 3,632 11
10-May 31.
Chirikof (620). 0.002 37,820 76
Kodiak (630)... 0.002 4,000 8
C Season, August Shumagin (610). 0.003 12,185 37
25-September 15.
Chirikof (620). 0.002 14,628 29
Kodiak (630)... 0.002 18,639 37
D Season, Shumagin (610). 0.003 12,185 37
October 1-
November 1.
Chirikof (620). 0.002 14,628 29
Kodiak (630)... 0.002 18,639 37
Annual.......... WYK (640)...... 0.002 4,719 9
Pacific cod.................. A Season \1\, W.............. 0.020 16,255 325
January 1-June
10.
C.............. 0.044 27,594 1,214
B Season \2\, W.............. 0.020 10,837 217
September 1-
December 31.
C.............. 0.044 18,396 809
Annual.......... WYK............ 0.034 2,121 72
Pacific ocean perch.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.994 2,302 2,288
WYK............ 0.961 2,014 1,935
Northern rockfish............ Annual.......... W.............. 1.000 1,226 1,226
Dusky rockfish............... Annual.......... W.............. 0.764 296 226
WYK............ 0.896 1,288 1,154
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.

[[Page 10277]]

Table 32--Final 2016 GOA Groundfish Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of
Apportionments Amendment 80 2016 Amendment
Species and allocations Area sector vessels 2016 TAC (mt) 80 vessel
by season 1998-2004 sideboards
catch to TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock...................... A Season, Shumagin (610). 0.003 4,760 14
January 20-
February 25.
Chirikof (620). 0.002 39,992 80
Kodiak (630)... 0.002 14,839 30
B Season, March Shumagin (610). 0.003 4,760 14
10-May 31.
Chirikof (620). 0.002 49,586 99
Kodiak (630)... 0.002 5,245 10
C Season, August Shumagin (610). 0.003 15,975 48
25-September 15.
Chirikof (620). 0.002 19,179 38
Kodiak (630)... 0.002 24,437 49
D Season, Shumagin (610). 0.003 15,975 48
October 1-
November 1.
Chirikof (620). 0.002 19,179 38
Kodiak (630)... 0.002 24,437 49
Annual.......... WYK (640)...... 0.002 6,187 12
Pacific cod.................. A Season \1\, W.............. 0.020 16,255 325
January 1-June
10.
C.............. 0.044 27,594 1,214
B Season \2\, W.............. 0.020 10,837 217
September 1-
December 31.
C.............. 0.044 18,396 809
Annual.......... WYK............ 0.034 2,121 72
Pacific ocean perch.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.994 2,358 2,344
WYK............ 0.961 2,055 1,975
Northern rockfish............ Annual.......... W.............. 1.000 1,158 1,158
Dusky rockfish............... Annual.......... W.............. 0.764 273 209
WYK............ 0.896 1,187 1,064
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.

The PSC sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels in the
GOA are based on the historic use of halibut PSC by Amendment 80
Program vessels in each PSC target category from 1998 through 2004.
These values are slightly lower than the average historic use to
accommodate two factors: Allocation of halibut PSC cooperative quota
under the Central GOA Rockfish Program and the exemption of the F/V
GOLDEN FLEECE from this restriction (Sec. 679.92(b)(2)). Tables 33 and
34 list the final 2015 and 2016 halibut PSC limits for Amendment 80
Program vessels, respectively. These tables incorporate the maximum
percentages of the halibut PSC sideboard limits that may be used by
Amendment 80 Program vessels as contained in Table 38 to 50 CFR part
679. These halibut PSC limits proportionately incorporate the
reductions made to the annual trawl halibut PSC limits and associated
seasonal apportionments (see Tables 14 and 15). Additionally, residual
amounts of a seasonal Amendment 80 sideboard halibut PSC limit may
carry forward to the next season limit (Sec. 679.92(b)(2)).

Table 33--Final 2015 Halibut PSC Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels in the GOA
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Historic
Amendment 80
use of the 2015 annual PSC 2015 Amendment
Season Season dates Target fishery annual halibut limit (mt) 80 vessel PSC
PSC limit limit
catch (ratio)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............................ January 20- shallow-water.. 0.0048 1,759.......... 8
April 1.
deep-water..... 0.0115 1,759.......... 20
2............................ April 1-July 1. shallow-water.. 0.0189 1,759.......... 33
deep-water..... 0.1072 1,759.......... 189
3............................ July 1- shallow-water.. 0.0146 1,759.......... 26
September 1.
deep-water..... 0.0521 1,759.......... 92
4............................ September 1- shallow-water.. 0.0074 1,759.......... 13
October 1.
deep-water..... 0.0014 1,759.......... 2
5............................ October 1- shallow-water.. 0.0227 1,759.......... 40
December 31.
deep-water..... 0.0371 1,759.......... 65
---------------

[[Page 10278]]

Total:......... 488
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table 34--Final 2016 Halibut PSC Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels in the GOA
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Historic
Amendment 80
use of the 2016 annual PSC 2016 Amendment
Season Season dates Target fishery annual halibut limit (mt) 80 vessel PSC
PSC limit limit
catch (ratio)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............................ January 20- shallow-water.. 0.0048 1,706.......... 8
April 1.
deep-water..... 0.0115 1,706.......... 20
2............................ April 1-July 1. shallow-water.. 0.0189 1,706.......... 32
deep-water..... 0.1072 1,706.......... 183
3............................ July 1- shallow-water.. 0.0146 1,706.......... 25
September 1.
deep-water..... 0.0521 1,706.......... 89
4............................ September 1- shallow-water.. 0.0074 1,706.......... 13
October 1.
deep-water..... 0.0014 1,706.......... 2
5............................ October 1- shallow-water.. 0.0227 1,706.......... 39
December 31.
deep-water..... 0.0371 1,706.......... 63
---------------
Total:......... 474
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Directed Fishing Closures

Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), if the Regional Administrator
determines (1) that any allocation or apportionment of a target species
or species group allocated or apportioned to a fishery will be reached;
or (2) with respect to pollock and Pacific cod, that an allocation or
apportionment to an inshore or offshore component or sector allocation
will be reached, the Regional Administrator may establish a directed
fishing allowance (DFA) for that species or species group. If the
Regional Administrator establishes a DFA and that allowance is or will
be reached before the end of the fishing year, NMFS will prohibit
directed fishing for that species or species group in the specified GOA
regulatory area or district (Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii)).
The Regional Administrator has determined that the TACs for the
species listed in Table 35 are necessary to account for the incidental
catch of these species in other anticipated groundfish fisheries for
the 2015 and 2016 fishing years.

Table 35--2015 and 2016 Directed Fishing Closures in the GOA
[Amounts for incidental catch in other directed fisheries are in metric
tons]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incidental catch
Area/component/ amount and year
Target gear (if amounts differ
by year)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock......................... all/offshore...... not applicable
\1\.
Sablefish \2\................... all/trawl......... 1,446 (2015).
1,313 (2016).
Pacific cod..................... Western, catcher/ 627.
processor, trawl.
Central, catcher/ 1,911.
processor, trawl.
Shortraker rockfish \2\......... all............... 1,323.
Rougheye rockfish \2\........... all............... 1,122 (2015)
1,142 (2016).
Thornyhead rockfish............. all............... 1,841.
Other rockfish.................. all............... 1,811.
Atka mackerel................... all............... 2,000.
Big skate....................... all............... 3,255.
Longnose skate.................. all............... 3,218.
Other skates.................... all............... 2,235.
Sharks.......................... all............... 5,989.
Squids.......................... all............... 1,148.
Octopuses....................... all............... 1,507.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Pollock is closed to directed fishing in the GOA by the offshore
component under Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(i).
\2\ Closures not applicable to participants in cooperatives conducted
under the Central GOA Rockfish Program.

[[Page 10279]]

Consequently, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the
Regional Administrator establishes the DFA for the species or species
groups listed in Table 35 as zero mt. Therefore, in accordance with
Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for those
species, areas, gear types, and components in the GOA listed in Table
35. These closures will remain in effect through 2400 hrs, A.l.t.,
December 31, 2016.
Section 679.64(b)(5) provides for management of AFA CV groundfish
harvest limits and PSC bycatch limits using directed fishing closures
and PSC closures according to procedures set out at Sec. Sec.
679.20(d)(1)(iv), 679.21(d)(6), and 679.21(e)(3)(v). The Regional
Administrator has determined that, in addition to the closures listed
above, many of the non-exempt AFA CV sideboard limits listed in Tables
21 and 22 are necessary as incidental catch to support other
anticipated groundfish fisheries for the 2015 and 2016 fishing years.
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iv), the Regional Administrator
sets the DFAs for the species and species groups in Table 36 at zero
mt. Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is
prohibiting directed fishing by non-exempt AFA CVs in the GOA for the
species and specified areas listed in Table 36. These closures will
remain in effect through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2016.

Table 36--2015 and 2016 Non-Exempt AFA CV Sideboard Directed Fishing Closures for All Gear Types in the GOA
[Amounts for incidental catch in other directed fisheries are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regulatory area/
Species district Incidental catch amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod....................... Eastern.............. 15 (inshore) and 2 (offshore).
Shallow-water flatfish............ Eastern.............. 36 in 2015, 32 in 2016.
Deep-water flatfish............... Western.............. 0.
Rex sole.......................... Eastern and Western.. 6 and 1 (2015), 5 and 1 (2016).
Arrowtooth flounder............... Eastern and Western.. 3 and 30.
Flathead sole..................... Eastern and Western.. 3 and 31.
Pacific ocean perch............... Western.............. 5.
Northern rockfish................. Western.............. 0.
Dusky rockfish.................... Entire GOA........... 10 in 2015, 9 in 2016.
Demersal shelf rockfish........... SEO District......... 0.
Sculpins.......................... Entire GOA........... 35.
Squids............................ Entire GOA........... 7.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Section 680.22 provides for the management of non-AFA crab vessel
sideboards using directed fishing closures in accordance with Sec.
680.22(e)(2) and (3). The Regional Administrator has determined that
the non-AFA crab vessel sideboards listed in Tables 25 and 26 are
insufficient to support a directed fishery and has set the sideboard
DFA at zero mt, with the exception of Pacific cod pot CV sector
apportionments in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas. Therefore,
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing by non-AFA crab vessels in the GOA
for all species and species groups listed in Tables 25 and 26, with the
exception of the Pacific cod pot CV sector apportionments in the
Western and Central Regulatory Areas.
Closures implemented under the 2014 and 2015 GOA harvest
specifications for groundfish (79 FR 12890, March 6, 2014) remain
effective under authority of these final 2015 and 2016 harvest
specifications, and are posted at the following Web site: https://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/cm/info_bulletins/. While these closures
are in effect, the maximum retainable amounts at Sec. 679.20(e) and
(f) apply at any time during a fishing trip. These closures to directed
fishing are in addition to closures and prohibitions found in
regulations at 50 CFR part 679. NMFS may implement other closures
during the 2015 and 2016 fishing years as necessary for effective
conservation and management.

Comments and Response

NMFS did not receive any comments in response to the proposed 2015
and 2016 harvest specifications (79 FR 72593, December 8, 2014).

Classification

NMFS has determined that these final harvest specifications are
consistent with the FMP and with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other
applicable laws.
This action is authorized under 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from
review under Executive Orders 12866 and 13563.
NMFS prepared an EIS for this action (see ADDRESSES) and made it
available to the public on January 12, 2007 (72 FR 1512). On February
13, 2007, NMFS issued the Record of Decision (ROD) for the EIS. In
January 2015, NMFS prepared a Supplemental Information Report (SIR) for
this action. Copies of the EIS, ROD, and SIR for this action are
available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES). The EIS analyzes the environmental
consequences of the groundfish harvest specifications and alternative
harvest strategies on resources in the action area. The EIS found no
significant environmental consequences of this action and its
alternatives. The preferred alternative is a harvest strategy in which
TACs are set at a level that falls within the range of ABCs recommended
by the Council's SSC; the sum of the TACs must achieve the OY specified
in the FMP. The SIR evaluates the need to prepare a Supplemental EIS
(SEIS) for the 2015 and 2016 groundfish harvest specifications.
An SEIS should be prepared if 1) the agency makes substantial
changes in the proposed action that are relevant to environmental
concerns, or 2) significant new circumstances or information exist
relevant to environmental concerns and bearing on the proposed action
or its impacts (40 CFR 1502.9(c)(1)). After reviewing the information
contained in the SIR and SAFE reports, the Regional Administrator has
determined that 1) approval of the 2015 and 2016 harvest
specifications, which were set according to the preferred harvest
strategy in the EIS, do not constitute a substantial change in the
action; and 2) there are no significant new circumstances or
information relevant to environmental concerns and bearing on the
action or its

[[Page 10280]]

impacts. Additionally, the 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications will
result in environmental impacts within the scope of those analyzed and
disclosed in the EIS. Therefore, supplemental National Environmental
Policy Act documentation is not necessary to implement the 2015 and
2016 harvest specifications.
Section 604 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act requires that, when
an agency promulgates a final rule under section 553 of Title 5 of the
United States Code, after being required by that section, or any other
law, to publish a general notice of proposed rulemaking, the agency
shall prepare a final regulatory flexibility analysis (FRFA).
Section 604 describes the required contents of a FRFA: 1) A
statement of the need for, and objectives of, the rule; 2) a statement
of the significant issues raised by the public comments in response to
the initial regulatory flexibility analysis, a statement of the
assessment of the agency of such issues, and a statement of any changes
made in the proposed rule as a result of such comments; 3) the response
of the agency to any comments filed by the Chief Counsel for Advocacy
of the Small Business Administration in response to the proposed rule,
and a detailed statement of any change made to the proposed rule in the
final rule as a result of the comments; 4) a description of and an
estimate of the number of small entities to which the rule will apply
or an explanation of why no such estimate is available; 5) a
description of the projected reporting, recordkeeping and other
compliance requirements of the rule, including an estimate of the
classes of small entities which will be subject to the requirement and
the type of professional skills necessary for preparation of the report
or record; 6) a description of the steps the agency has taken to
minimize the significant economic impact on small entities consistent
with the stated objectives of applicable statutes, including a
statement of the factual, policy, and legal reasons for selecting the
alternative adopted in the final rule and why each one of the other
significant alternatives to the rule considered by the agency which
affect the impact on small entities was rejected.
A description of this action, its purpose, and its legal basis are
contained at the beginning of the preamble to this final rule and are
not repeated here.
NMFS published the proposed rule on December 8, 2014 (79 FR 72593).
NMFS prepared an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) to
accompany this action, and included a summary in the proposed rule. The
comment period closed on January 7, 2015. No comments were received on
the IRFA or the economic impacts of the rule more generally.
The entities directly regulated by this action include a) entities
operating vessels with groundfish FFPs catching FMP groundfish in
Federal waters; b) all entities operating vessels, regardless of
whether they hold groundfish FFPs, catching FMP groundfish in the
state-waters parallel fisheries; and c) all entities operating vessels
fishing for halibut inside three miles of the shore (whether or not
they have FFPs).
On June 12, 2014, the Small Business Administration issued an
interim final rule revising the small business size standards for
several industries effective July 14, 2014 (79 FR 33647, June 12,
2014). The rule increased the size standard for Finfish Fishing from
$19.0 million to $20.5 million, Shellfish Fishing from $ 5.0 million to
$5.5 million, and Other Marine Fishing from $7.0 million to $7.5
million.
Based on data from 2013 fishing activity, there were 1,156
individual catcher vessel entities with gross revenues meeting small
entity criteria. Of these entities, 1,075 used hook-and-line gear, 116
used pot gear, and 33 used trawl gear (some of these entities used more
than one gear type, thus the counts of entities using the different
gear types do not sum to the total number of entities above). Three
individual catcher/processors met the small entity criterion; two used
hook-and-line gear, and one used trawl gear. Catcher/processor gross
revenues were not reported for confidentiality reasons, however hook-
and-line small entities had average gross revenues of $380,000, small
pot entities had average gross revenues of $960,000, and small trawl
entities had average gross revenues of $2.8 million.
Some of these vessels are members of AFA inshore pollock
cooperatives, of GOA rockfish cooperatives, or of BSAI crab
rationalization cooperatives and, therefore, under the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (RFA) it is the aggregate gross receipts of all
participating members of the cooperative that must meet the threshold.
Vessels that participate in these cooperatives are considered to be
large entities within the meaning of the RFA. These relationships are
accounted for, along with corporate affiliations among vessels, to the
extent that they are known, in the estimated number of small entities.
If affiliations exist of which NMFS is unaware, or if entities had non-
fishing revenue sources, the estimates above may overstate the number
of directly regulated small entities.
This action does not modify recordkeeping or reporting
requirements.
NMFS considered other, alternative harvest strategies when choosing
the preferred harvest strategy (Alternative 2) in December 2006. These
included the following:
Alternative 1: Set TACs to produce fishing mortality
rates, F, that are equal to maxFABC, unless the sum of the TACs is
constrained by the OY established in the FMPs. This is equivalent to
setting TACs to produce harvest levels equal to the maximum permissible
ABCs, as constrained by OY. The term ``maxFABC'' refers to the maximum
permissible value of FABC under Amendment 56 to the groundfish FMPs.
Historically, the TAC has been set at or below the ABC, therefore, this
alternative represents a likely upper limit for setting the TAC within
the OY and ABC limits.
Alternative 3: For species in Tiers 1, 2, and 3, set TAC
to produce F equal to the most recent 5-year average actual F. For
species in Tiers 4, 5, and 6, set TAC equal to the most recent 5-year
average actual catch. For stocks with a high level of scientific
information, TACs would be set to produce harvest levels equal to the
most recent 5-year average actual fishing mortality rates. For stocks
with insufficient scientific information, TACs would be set equal to
the most recent 5-year average actual catch. This alternative
recognizes that for some stocks, catches may fall well below ABCs, and
recent average F may provide a better indicator of actual F than FABC
does.
Alternative 4: 1) Set TACs for rockfish species in Tier 3
at F75%. Set TACs for rockfish species in Tier 5 at F = 0.5M. Set
spatially explicit TACs for shortraker and rougheye rockfish in the
GOA. 2) Taking the rockfish TACs as calculated above, reduce all other
TACs by a proportion that does not vary across species, so that the sum
of all TACs, including rockfish TACs, is equal to the lower bound of
the area OY (116,000 mt in the GOA). This alternative sets conservative
and spatially explicit TACs for rockfish species that are long-lived
and late to mature and sets conservative TACs for the other groundfish
species.
Alternative 5: (No Action) Set TACs at zero.
These four alternatives do not meet the objectives of this action
although they have a smaller adverse economic impact on small entities
than the

[[Page 10281]]

preferred alternative. The Council rejected these alternatives as
harvest strategies in 2006, and the Secretary did so in 2007.
Alternative 1 selected harvest rates that will allow fishermen to
harvest stocks at the level of ABCs, unless total harvests are
constrained by the upper bound of the GOA OY of 800,000 metric tons.
The sums of ABCs in 2015 and 2016 are 685,597 mt and 731,049 mt,
respectively. The sums of the TACs in 2015 and 2016 are 536,158 mt and
590,161 mt, respectively. Thus, although the sum of ABCs in each year
is less than 800,000 metric tons, the sums of the TACs in each year are
less than the sums of the ABCs.
In most cases, the Council has set TACs equal to ABCs. The
divergence between aggregate TACs and aggregate ABCs reflects a variety
of special species- and fishery-specific circumstances:
Pacific cod TACs are set equal to 70 percent in the
Western GOA and 75 percent in the Central GOA of the Pacific cod ABCs
in each year to account for the guideline harvest levels (GHL) set by
the State of Alaska for its GHL Pacific cod fisheries (30 and 25
percent, respectively, of the Western and Central GOA ABCs). Thus, the
difference between the Federal TACs and ABCs does not actually reflect
a Pacific cod harvest below the Pacific cod ABC, as the balance is
available for the State's cod GHL fisheries.
Shallow-water flatfish and flathead sole TACs are set
below ABCs in the Western and Central GOA regulatory areas. Arrowtooth
flounder TACs are set below ABC in all GOA regulatory areas. Catches of
these flatfish species rarely, if ever, approach the proposed ABCs or
TACs. Important trawl fisheries in the GOA take halibut PSC, and are
constrained by limits on the allowable halibut PSC mortality. These
limits routinely force the closure of trawl fisheries before they have
harvested the available groundfish ABC. Thus, actual harvests of
groundfish in the GOA routinely fall short of some ABCs and TACs.
Markets can also constrain harvests below the TACs, as has been the
case with arrowtooth flounder, in the past. These TACs are set to allow
for increased harvest opportunities for these targets while conserving
the halibut PSC limit for use in other, more fully utilized, fisheries.
The other rockfish TAC is set below the ABC in the
Southeast Outside district based on several factors. In addition to
conservation concerns for the rockfish species in this group, there is
a regulatory prohibition against using trawl gear east of 140[deg] W.
longitude. Because most species of other rockfish are caught
exclusively with trawl gear, the catch of such species with other gear
types, such as hook-and-line, is low. The commercial catch of other
rockfish in the Eastern regulatory area, which includes the West
Yakutat and Southeast Outside districts, has ranged from approximately
70 mt to 248 mt per year over the last decade.
The GOA-wide Atka mackerel TAC is set below the ABC. The
estimates of survey biomass continue to be unreliable in the GOA.
Therefore, the Council recommended and NMFS agrees that the Atka
mackerel TAC in the GOA be set at an amount to support incidental catch
in other directed fisheries.
Alternative 3 selects harvest rates based on the most recent 5
years of harvest rates (for species in Tiers 1 through 3) or for the
most recent 5 years of harvests (for species in Tiers 4 through 6).
This alternative is inconsistent with the objectives of this action,
because it does not take account of the most recent biological
information for this fishery.
Alternative 4 would lead to significantly lower harvests of all
species to reduce TACs from the upper end of the OY range in the GOA to
its lower end of 116,000 mt. Overall, this would reduce 2015 TACs by
about 78 percent. This would lead to significant reductions in harvests
of species by small entities. While production declines in the GOA
would undoubtedly be associated with price increases in the GOA, these
increases would still be constrained by the availability of
substitutes, and are very unlikely to offset revenue declines from
smaller production. Thus, this action would have a detrimental economic
impact on small entities.
Alternative 5, which sets all harvests equal to zero, may also
address conservation issues, but would have a significant adverse
economic impact on small entities.
Impacts on marine mammals resulting from fishing activities
conducted under this rule are discussed in the EIS and SIR (see
ADDRESSES).
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Assistant Administrator for
Fisheries, NOAA, finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in
effectiveness for this rule because delaying this rule would be
contrary to the public interest. The Plan Team review occurred in
November 2014, and Council consideration and recommendations occurred
in December 2014. Accordingly, NMFS' review could not begin until
January 2015. For all fisheries not currently closed because the TACs
established under the final 2014 and 2015 harvest specifications (79 FR
12890, March 6, 2014) were not reached, it is possible that they would
be closed prior to the expiration of a 30-day delayed effectiveness
period, because their TACs could be reached within that period. If
implemented immediately, this rule would allow these fisheries to
continue because the new TACs implemented by this rule are higher than
the ones under which they are currently fishing.
Certain fisheries, such as those for pollock and Pacific cod, are
intensive, fast-paced fisheries. Other fisheries, such as those for
sablefish, flatfish, rockfish, Atka mackerel, skates, sculpins, sharks,
squids, and octopuses, are critical as directed fisheries and as
incidental catch in other fisheries. U.S. fishing vessels have
demonstrated the capacity to catch the TAC allocations in many of these
fisheries. If this rule allowed for a 30-day delay in effectiveness and
if a TAC were reached during those 30 days, NMFS would close directed
fishing or prohibit retention for the applicable species. Any delay in
allocating the final TACs in these fisheries would cause confusion to
the industry and potential economic harm through unnecessary discards,
thus undermining the intent of the rule. Waiving the 30-day delay
allows NMFS to prevent economic loss to fishermen that could otherwise
occur should the 2015 TACs be reached. Determining which fisheries may
close is impossible because these fisheries are affected by several
factors that cannot be predicted in advance, including fishing effort,
weather, movement of fishery stocks, and market price. Furthermore, the
closure of one fishery has a cascading effect on other fisheries by
freeing-up fishing vessels, allowing them to move from closed fisheries
to open ones, increasing the fishing capacity in those open fisheries,
and causing them to close at an accelerated pace.
In fisheries subject to declining sideboard limits, a failure to
implement the updated sideboard limits before initial season's end
could deny the intended economic protection to the non-sideboarded
sectors. Conversely, in fisheries with increasing sideboard limits,
economic benefit could be denied to the sideboard limited sectors.
If the final harvest specifications are not effective by March 14,
2015, which is the start of the 2015 Pacific halibut season as
specified by the IPHC, the hook-and-line sablefish fishery will not
begin concurrently with the Pacific halibut IFQ season. This would
result in confusion for the industry and economic harm from unnecessary
discard of sablefish that are caught

[[Page 10282]]

along with Pacific halibut, as both hook-and-line sablefish and Pacific
halibut are managed under the same IFQ program. Immediate effectiveness
of the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications will allow the
sablefish IFQ fishery to begin concurrently with the Pacific halibut
IFQ season.
In addition, the immediate effectiveness of this action is required
to provide consistent management and conservation of fishery resources
based on the best available scientific information. This is
particularly true for those species that have lower 2015 ABCs and TACs
than those established in the 2014 and 2015 harvest specifications (79
FR 12890, March 6, 2014). Immediate effectiveness also would give the
fishing industry the earliest possible opportunity to plan and conduct
its fishing operations with respect to new information about TACs.
Therefore, NMFS finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in
effectiveness under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).

Small Entity Compliance Guide

This final rule is a plain language guide to assist small entities
in complying with this final rule as required by the Small Business
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. This final rule's primary
purpose is to announce the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications
and prohibited species bycatch allowances for the groundfish fisheries
of the GOA. This action is necessary to establish harvest limits and
associated management measures for groundfish during the 2015 and 2016
fishing years, and to accomplish the goals and objectives of the FMP.
This action affects all fishermen who participate in the GOA fisheries.
The specific amounts of OFL, ABC, TAC, and PSC are provided in tables
to assist the reader. NMFS will announce closures of directed fishing
in the Federal Register and information bulletins released by the
Alaska Region. Affected fishermen should keep themselves informed of
such closures.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1540 (f), 1801 et
seq.; 16 U.S.C. 3631 et seq.; Pub. L. 105-277; Pub. L. 106-31; Pub.
L. 106-554; Pub. L. 108-199; Pub. L. 108-447; Pub. L. 109-241; Pub.
L 109-479.

Dated: February 17, 2015.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-03896 Filed 2-24-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.