Revisions to Framework Adjustment 53 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan and Sector Annual Catch Entitlements; Updated Annual Catch Limits for Sectors and the Common Pool for Fishing Year 2015, 49917-49929 [2015-20303]
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 159 / Tuesday, August 18, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
Effective August 17, 2015,
through April 30, 2016.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
DATES:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
50 CFR Part 648
[Docket No. 150623545–5545–01]
RIN 0648–XE015
Revisions to Framework Adjustment
53 to the Northeast Multispecies
Fishery Management Plan and Sector
Annual Catch Entitlements; Updated
Annual Catch Limits for Sectors and
the Common Pool for Fishing Year
2015
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary final rule;
adjustment to specifications.
AGENCY:
Based on the final Northeast
multispecies sector rosters submitted as
of May 1, 2015, we are adjusting the
fishing year 2015 specification of annual
catch limits for commercial groundfish
vessels, as well as sector annual catch
entitlements and common pool
allocations for groundfish stocks. This
revision to fishing year 2015 catch
levels is necessary to account for
changes in the number of participants
electing to fish in either sectors or the
common pool fishery. This action
details unused sector quotas that may be
carried over from fishing year 2014 to
fishing year 2015. This action also
reduces the fishing year 2015 common
pool allocation of Eastern Georges Bank
cod and adjusts common pool
incidental catch limits to account for a
common pool fishing year 2014 overage.
rmajette on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:13 Aug 17, 2015
Jkt 235001
William Whitmore, Fishery Policy
Analyst, (978) 281–9128.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The New
England Fishery Management Council
(Council) developed Amendment 16 to
the Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery
Management Plan (FMP), in part, to
establish a process for setting
groundfish annual catch limits (also
referred to as ACLs or catch limits) and
accountability measures. Framework
Adjustment (Framework) 53 set annual
catch limits for groundfish stocks and
three jointly managed U.S./Canada
stocks for fishing year 2015. We recently
approved Framework 53, which became
effective on May 1, 2015 (80 FR 25110).
We also recently approved fishing
year 2015 sector operations plans and
allocations (80 FR 25143; May 2, 2015;
‘‘sector final rule’’). A sector receives an
allocation of each stock, or annual catch
entitlement (referred to as ACE, or
allocation), based on its members’ catch
histories. State-operated permit banks
also receive an allocation that can be
transferred to qualifying sector vessels.
The sum of all sector and state-operated
permit bank allocations is referred to as
the sector sub-ACL. Whatever
groundfish allocations remain after
sectors and state-operated permit banks
receive their allocations are then
allocated to the common pool (i.e.,
vessels not enrolled in a sector).
This rule adjusts the fishing year 2015
sector and common pool allocations
based on final sector membership as of
May 1, 2015. Since the final rules are
not effective until the beginning of the
fishing year (May 1), permits enrolled in
a sector and the vessels associated with
PO 00000
Frm 00031
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
49917
those permits have until April 30, the
last day prior to the beginning of a new
fishing year, to withdraw from a sector
and fish in the common pool. As a
result, the actual sector enrollment for
the new fishing year is unknown when
the specifications (in this case,
Framework 53) and sector final rules
publish. To address this issue, each year
we publish an adjustment rule
modifying sector and common pool
allocations based on final sector
enrollment. If the sector allocation
increases as a result of sector
membership changes, the common pool
allocation decreases—the opposite is
true as well. The Framework 53 and the
fishing year 2015 sector proposed and
final rules both explained that sector
enrollments may change and that there
would be a need to adjust the sub-ACLs
and ACEs accordingly.
Adjustments to sector ACEs and the
sub-ACLs for sectors and the common
pool are typically minimal as
historically there has been little change
in sector enrollment. Tables 1, 2, and 3
explain the revised fishing year 2015.
Table 4 compares the allocation changes
between the sector final rule and this
adjustment rule. Vessels currently
enrolled in sectors have accounted for
approximately 99 percent of the
historical groundfish landings. This
year’s sector final rule specified sector
ACEs based on the 842 permits enrolled
in sectors on February 25, 2015. As of
May 1, 2015, there are 838 NE
multispecies permits enrolled in sectors,
which means four permits elected to
leave sectors and operate in common
pool for fishing year 2015.
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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Georges Bank Cod Fixed Gear Sector (FGS), Maine Coast Community Sector (MCCS), Maine Permit Bank (MPB), New Hampshire Permit Bank (NHPB),
Northeast Coastal Communities Sector (NCCS), Northeast Fishery Sectors (NEFS), and Sustainable Harvest Sector (SHS)
1All ACE values for sectors outlined in Table 1 assume that each sector permit is valid for fishing year 2015.
ER18AU15.005</GPH>
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 159 / Tuesday, August 18, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
15:22 Aug 17, 2015
Table 1. Final Sector Enrollment and Percentage(%) of ACE for Each Sector, by Stock for Fishing Year 2015 1
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0
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0
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0
0
0
0
0
0
NEFS2
7
95
19
69
12
48
76
98
237
12
38
28
20
1,897
25
947
152
519
801
1,041
2,060
45
427
4
8
86
39
25
110
57
131
77
61
213
34
117
180
234
464
10
158
86
79
17
52
13
71
36
24
5
3
8
0
55
32
52
22
18
12
22
0
2
13
50
15
13
38
24
10
71
7
116
24
30
73
81
28
194
285
748
42
10
17
161
25
64
128
240
10
0
9
0
137
109
8
20
141
11
1,624 1 262 1 1,625
142 I 196 I 830
732 I 350 I 842
2 I 4 I 13
585 I 170 I 452
67 I 38 I 104
58 I 20 I 78
643 I 180 I 580
601401200
219 I 210 I 1,295
439 I 76 I 311
470 I 211 I 541
5,208
NEFS3
NEFS4
NEFS5
NEFS6
NEFS7
NEFS8
NEFS9
NEFS 10
NEFS 11
NEFS 13
5
4
6
7
18
7
0
6
2
0
4
11
28
6
9
2,836
397
24
132
30
324
32
5,813
639
89
1,309
121
1,627
201
17,603
3,964
10
SHS 1
2
SHS3
Sectors Total
2
0
2
4
13
115
29
24
30
2
37
5
7
20
19
52
0
44
17
20
20
48
0
3
60
0
0
9
48
103
38
2
2
373
32
58
12
22
13
52
485
190
288
22
262
946
191
443
437
1,381
596
1,873
371
1,147
46
25
31
4
0
1
2,004
1
4,914
10,970 1 4,311 113,634
157
35
12
4
114
21
27
14
18
159
64 I 32 I 86
21
1All ACE values for sectors outlined in Table 2 assume that each sector permit is valid for fishing year 2015.
2These values do not include any potential ACE carryover or deductions from fishing year 2014 sector ACE underages or overages or common pool overages.
The common pool Eastern GB cod overage adjustment is explained in Tables 5-6. Adjustments for any sector carryover or deductions will be made in a future
action following reconciliation.
Common Pool
3
36
6
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 159 / Tuesday, August 18, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
15:22 Aug 17, 2015
Table 2. Final ACE, for Each Sector, by Stock for Fishing Year 2015 (mt) 1'2
49919
ER18AU15.006</GPH>
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12
2,255
31
29
1
116
545
2,232
76 1,015
508
39
0
5
30
67
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1,146
MCCS
1
8
21
15
3
54
0
8
11
234
68
0
17
6
608
421
MPB
17
4
24
200
158
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5
5
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3
36
10
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510
NHPB
0
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5
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1
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0
1
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5
8
34
54
12
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82
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NCCS
0
7
8
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6
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NEFS 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
NEFS2
16
208
83
4,182
942
347
8
17
190
242
169
134
157
92
3,579
579
3,581
NEFS3
3
41
62
56
13
189
0
5
86
126
38
1
79
22
313
432
1,829
NEFS4
11
152
44
2,089
470
175
29
288
114
29
54
1,614
771
1,857
9
55
37
NEFS5
2
27
0
336
76
3
5
254
2
12
7
18
0
355
5
10
28
1,144
258
81
12
121
1,290
374
NEFS6
8
105
13
65
38
70
63
39
56
996
NEFS7
13
168
4
1,765
397
15
45
53
44
115
49
428
26
140
148
84
229
16
216
1
2,296
517
2
42
44
48
28
628
281
129
44
172
NEFS8
67
9
NEFS9
39
522
8
4,542
1,023
101
115
97
105
257
111
1,648
21
529
1,417
397
1,278
2
27
25
22
132
32
156
21
441
NEFS 10
98
55
0
7
53
0
133
88
NEFS 11
1
15
62
15
26
28
19
1
482
463
2,854
3
68
0
0
65
0
22
291
4
6,252
1,408
20
228
48
160
302
18
311
167
NEFS 13
106
83
968
687
SHS 1
20
197
4
28
179
240
44
24
1,037
466
1,192
5
5
67
875
83
53
SHS3
53
713
70
12,815
2,886
821
71
127
114
1,069
419
635
48
578
11,482
4,417
10,834
Sectors Total 267 3,587 444 38,807 8,738 2,085
422
976
964
3,045 1,314 4,129
817
2,528
24,185
9,505 30,0571
Common Pool 6
79
12
347
78
27
252
46
31
40
47
351
140
8
59
69
191 I
1All ACE values for sectors outlined in Table 3 assume that each sector permit is valid for fishing year 2015.
2These values do not include any potential ACE carryover or deductions from fishing year 2014 sector ACE underages or overages or common pool overages.
The common pool Eastern GB cod overage is explained in Tables 5-6. Adjustments for any sector carryover or deductions will be made in a future action
following reconciliation.
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 159 / Tuesday, August 18, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
15:22 Aug 17, 2015
ER18AU15.007</GPH>
Table 3. Final ACE for Each Sector by Stock for Fishing Year 2015 (1,000 lb) 1' 2
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Total ACE
124
1,663
"'
207
17,760
Common
Pool ACE
from Final
Rule
2
32
5
Adjusted
Common
Pool
Allocation
3
36
Sector ACE
from Final
Rule
122
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 159 / Tuesday, August 18, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
15:22 Aug 17, 2015
Table 4. ACE Comparison Between Final Sector and Adjustment Rules (mt)
49921
ER18AU15.008</GPH>
49922
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 159 / Tuesday, August 18, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
rmajette on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with RULES
We have completed fishing year 2014
data reconciliation with sectors and
determined final fishing year 2014
sector catch and the amount of quota
that sectors may carry from fishing year
2014 into fishing year 2015. A recent
emergency rule (79 FR 36433; June 27,
2014) described changes to carryover
and catch accounting in response to
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:22 Aug 17, 2015
Jkt 235001
litigation by Conservation Law
Foundation (Conservation Law
Foundation v. Pritzker, et al. (Case No.
1:13–CV–0821–JEB)). This rule ensures
that catch does not exceed the allowable
biological catch for any stock. Because
of this, the maximum carryover for
certain stocks may be lower than what
a sector expects. Table 5 includes the
PO 00000
Frm 00036
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
maximum amount of quota that sectors
may carry over from fishing year 2014
into fishing year 2015. Table 6 includes
the de minimis amount of quota that
sectors may carry over from fishing year
2014 into fishing year 2015. Tables 7
and 8 list the final ACE available to
sectors for fishing year 2015, including
carryover.
E:\FR\FM\18AUR1.SGM
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1,774
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6,514
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E:\FR\FM\18AUR1.SGM
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13,962
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7,164
3,410
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22,654
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2,432
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2,904
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17,995
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10,104
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Frm 00037
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 159 / Tuesday, August 18, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
15:22 Aug 17, 2015
Table 5. Maximum Carryover ACE from Fishing Year 2014 to Fishing Year 2015 (lb)
49923
ER18AU15.009</GPH>
rmajette on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with RULES
49924
VerDate Sep<11>2014
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1,632
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25,588
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286
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1,129
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2,320
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6,276
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2,814
1,289
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5,606
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55,641
1,014
0
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1,053
2,566
1,113
16,484
212
5,287
14,168
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290
247
1,206
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0
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1,318
530
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1,564
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1,333
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160
622
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651
279
194
6
4,823
4,625
1
28,543
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3,132
38
76,592 I
197
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2,281
479
1,599
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3,017
178
3,114
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1,671
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198
10,725 I
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53
284
1,785
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2,396
437
237
10,368
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542
76
10,359 I
63
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1,273
636
694
383
599
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1,933
2,351
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1,207
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Frm 00038
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ER18AU15.010</GPH>
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31,368
3,711
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9,097
20,079
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8,133
21,426
127,344
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328,593
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1
12,785
I 4,406
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 159 / Tuesday, August 18, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
15:22 Aug 17, 2015
Table 6. De Minimis Carryover ACE from Fishing Year 2014 to Fishing Year 2015 (lb)
rmajette on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with RULES
VerDate Sep<11>2014
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13
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7
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1,721
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1,455
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1,931
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330 I 834
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 159 / Tuesday, August 18, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
15:22 Aug 17, 2015
Table 7. Total ACE Available to Sectors in Fishing Year 2014 with Maximum Carryover (mt)
49925
ER18AU15.011</GPH>
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49926
Jkt 235001
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2,089
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2
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ER18AU15.012</GPH>
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common pool sub-ACL for any stock is
exceeded in one fishing year, the
E:\FR\FM\18AUR1.SGM
year 2015 due to a fishing year 2014
overage (Tables 9 and 10). When the
PO 00000
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29
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21
508
487 I 3,008
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106
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51
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87
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19
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1,019
176 I 724
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115
I 1,070 I 419 I
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22
309
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6,252
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0
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114
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53
714
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12,815
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267
3,794
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38,807 1 11,301 1 2,179
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2,896 I
124
821
71
129
422
1,051
258
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79
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636
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1,017 1 3,208 1 1,385 1 4,258
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394 I 1,050
419 I 1,347
8
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I 463
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1,838
4,418 110,836
2,679 1 25,466 110,009131,649
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 159 / Tuesday, August 18, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
15:22 Aug 17, 2015
This rule also reduces the Eastern GB
cod common pool sub-ACL for fishing
VerDate Sep<11>2014
Table 8. Total ACE Available to Sectors in Fishing Year 2014 with Maximum Carryover (1,000 lb)
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 159 / Tuesday, August 18, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
VerDate Sep<11>2014
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Jkt 235001
common-pool allocation, they also must
be revised to match current common
pool enrollment allocation and, in this
instance, to account for the Eastern GB
cod accountability measure for fishing
year 2015. Final common pool trimester
quotas (including adjustments for the
Eastern GB cod overage) and incidental
catch limits are included in Tables 11–
15 below.
This is only a temporary final rule.
After we finish reconciling differences
in fishing year 2014 catch accounting
between our data and each sector
manager’s data, each sector will have 2
weeks to trade its fishing year 2014 ACE
to account for any overages. After that
2-week trading window, a sector that
still has exceeded its fishing year 2014
allocation will have its fishing year 2015
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Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4725
allocation reduced, pursuant to
regulatory requirements. Because data
reconciliation and the 2-week trading
window take place after the new fishing
year beings, we reserve 20 percent of
each sector’s fishing year 2015
allocation until fishing year 2014 catch
data are reconciled. Sectors can
carryover up to 10 percent of their
fishing year 2014 ACE, or an amount of
ACE that does not result in exceeding
the allowable biological catch, into
fishing year 2015. We will publish a
final follow-up rule detailing any
carryover of fishing year 2014 sector
allocation or reduction in fishing year
2014 allocation resulting from sectors
under or overharvesting their
allocations.
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accountability measures in the FMP
require us to reduce the common pool
sub-ACL by the amount of the overage
in the next fishing year. The 2.8 mt
fishing year 2014 common pool subACL for Eastern GB cod was exceeded
by 1.3 mt (48 percent). Therefore, this
action reduces the initially allocated 2.7
mt fishing year 2015 Eastern GB cod
common pool sub-ACL by 1.3 mt,
leaving an adjusted allocation of 1.4 mt
for the remainder of the fishing year.
Framework 53 specified incidental
catch limits (or incidental total
allowable catches, ‘‘TACs’’) applicable
to the common pool and groundfish
Special Management Programs for
fishing year 2015, including the B dayat-sea (DAS) Program. Because these
incidental catch limits are based on the
49927
49928
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BILLING CODE 3510–22–C
TABLE 12—FISHING YEAR 2015 COMMON POOL INCIDENTAL CATCH TACS
Percentage of common pool
sub-ACL
Stock
GB cod .............................................................................................
GOM cod .........................................................................................
GB yellowtail flounder ......................................................................
CC/GOM yellowtail flounder ............................................................
American Plaice ...............................................................................
Witch Flounder .................................................................................
SNE/MA winter flounder ..................................................................
Incidental catch TAC
(mt)
2
1
2
1
5
5
1
0.75
0.06
0.08
0.21
1.35
0.7
1.59
TABLE 13—DISTRIBUTION OF COMMON POOL INCIDENTAL CATCH TACS TO EACH SPECIAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
Regular B
DAS program
(%)
Stock
GB cod .....................................................................................
GOM cod .................................................................................
GB yellowtail flounder ..............................................................
CC/GOM yellowtail flounder ....................................................
American Plaice .......................................................................
Witch Flounder .........................................................................
SNE/MA winter flounder ..........................................................
Closed Area I
hook gear
haddock SAP
(%)
50
100
50
100
100
100
100
Eastern U.S./CA
haddock SAP
(%)
16
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Southern closed
Area II haddock
SAP
34
NA
50
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
TABLE 14—FISHING YEAR 2015 COMMON POOL INCIDENTAL CATCH TACS FOR EACH SPECIAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
[(mt)]
Regular B DAS
program
Stock
GB cod .......................................................................................................................
GOM cod ...................................................................................................................
GB yellowtail flounder ................................................................................................
CC/GOM yellowtail flounder ......................................................................................
American Plaice .........................................................................................................
Witch Flounder ...........................................................................................................
SNE/MA winter flounder ............................................................................................
Closed Area I
hook gear
haddock SAP
0.38
0.06
0.04
0.21
1.35
0.70
1.59
0.12
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Eastern
U.S./Canada
haddock SAP
0.26
NA
0.04
NA
NA
NA
NA
TABLE 15—FISHING YEAR 2015 COMMON POOL REGULAR B DAS PROGRAM QUARTERLY INCIDENTAL CATCH TACS
[(mt)]
1st Quarter
(13%)
Stock
GB cod .....................................................................................
GOM cod .................................................................................
GB yellowtail flounder ..............................................................
CC/GOM yellowtail flounder ....................................................
American Plaice .......................................................................
Witch Flounder .........................................................................
SNE/MA winter flounder ..........................................................
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Classification
Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act, the NMFS
Assistant Administrator has determined
that this final rule is consistent with the
FMP, other provisions of the MagnusonStevens Act, and other applicable law.
This final rule has been determined to
be not significant for purposes of
Executive Order 12866.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:13 Aug 17, 2015
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2nd Quarter
(29%)
0.05
0.01
0.01
0.03
0.18
0.09
0.21
0.11
0.02
0.01
0.06
0.39
0.20
0.46
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B), we
find good cause to waive prior public
notice and opportunity for public
comment on the catch limit and
allocation adjustments because allowing
time for notice and comment is
impracticable, unnecessary, and
contrary to the public interest. We also
find good cause to waive the 30-day
delay in effectiveness pursuant to 5
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3rd Quarter
(29%)
0.11
0.02
0.01
0.06
0.39
0.20
0.46
4th Quarter
(29%)
0.11
0.02
0.01
0.06
0.39
0.20
0.46
U.S.C. 553(d)(3), so that this final rule
may become effective upon filing.
There are several reasons that notice
and comment are impracticable,
unnecessary, and contrary to the public
interest. First, the proposed and final
rules for fishing year 2015 sector
operations plans and contracts
explained the need and likelihood for
adjustments of sector and common pool
allocations based on final sector rosters.
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No comments were received on the
potential for these adjustments, which
provide an accurate accounting of a
sector’s or common pool’s allocation at
this time. Furthermore, we have
followed a similar process since
Amendment 16 was implemented in
2010; this annual adjustment action is
anticipated by industry. The
accountability measure and adjustment
process to account for the fishing year
2014 Eastern Georges Bank cod overage
was also already subject to notice and
comment during Amendment 16
development and implementation.
Second, these adjustments are based on
either objective sector enrollment data
or a pre-determined accountability
measure and are not subject to NMFS’
discretion, so there would be no benefit
to allowing time for prior notice and
comment. Third, a delay would
potentially impair achievement of the
management plan’s objectives for the
common pool of preventing overfishing
and achieving optimum yield by staying
within ACLs or allocations. Finally, if
this rule is not effective immediately,
the sector and common pool vessels will
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15:22 Aug 17, 2015
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be operating under incorrect
information on the catch limits for each
stock for sectors and the common pool.
This could cause negative economic
impacts to the both sectors and the
common pool, depending on the size of
the allocation, the degree of change in
the allocation, and the catch rate of a
particular stock.
The catch limit and allocation
adjustments are not controversial and
the need for them was clearly explained
in the proposed and final rules for
fishing year 2015 sector operations
plans and contracts. Adjustments for
overages are also explained in detail in
the Amendment 16 proposed and final
rules. As a result, NE multispecies
permit holders are expecting these
adjustments and awaiting their
implementation. Fishermen may make
both short- and long-term business
decisions based on the catch limits in a
given sector or the common pool. Any
delays in adjusting these limits may
cause the affected fishing entities to
slow down, or speed up, their fishing
activities during the interim period
before this rule becomes effective. Both
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Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
49929
of these reactions could negatively affect
the fishery and the businesses and
communities that depend on them.
Therefore, it is important to implement
adjusted catch limits and allocations as
soon as possible. For these reasons, we
are waiving the public comment period
and delay in effectiveness for this rule,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B) and
(d), respectively.
Because advanced notice and the
opportunity for public comment are not
required under the Administrative
Procedure Act, or any other law, the
analytical requirements of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601,
et seq., do not apply to this rule.
Therefore, no final regulatory flexibility
analysis is required and none has been
prepared.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: August 11, 2015.
Eileen Sobeck,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015–20303 Filed 8–17–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 159 (Tuesday, August 18, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49917-49929]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20303]
[[Page 49917]]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 648
[Docket No. 150623545-5545-01]
RIN 0648-XE015
Revisions to Framework Adjustment 53 to the Northeast
Multispecies Fishery Management Plan and Sector Annual Catch
Entitlements; Updated Annual Catch Limits for Sectors and the Common
Pool for Fishing Year 2015
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary final rule; adjustment to specifications.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Based on the final Northeast multispecies sector rosters
submitted as of May 1, 2015, we are adjusting the fishing year 2015
specification of annual catch limits for commercial groundfish vessels,
as well as sector annual catch entitlements and common pool allocations
for groundfish stocks. This revision to fishing year 2015 catch levels
is necessary to account for changes in the number of participants
electing to fish in either sectors or the common pool fishery. This
action details unused sector quotas that may be carried over from
fishing year 2014 to fishing year 2015. This action also reduces the
fishing year 2015 common pool allocation of Eastern Georges Bank cod
and adjusts common pool incidental catch limits to account for a common
pool fishing year 2014 overage.
DATES: Effective August 17, 2015, through April 30, 2016.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Whitmore, Fishery Policy
Analyst, (978) 281-9128.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The New England Fishery Management Council
(Council) developed Amendment 16 to the Northeast (NE) Multispecies
Fishery Management Plan (FMP), in part, to establish a process for
setting groundfish annual catch limits (also referred to as ACLs or
catch limits) and accountability measures. Framework Adjustment
(Framework) 53 set annual catch limits for groundfish stocks and three
jointly managed U.S./Canada stocks for fishing year 2015. We recently
approved Framework 53, which became effective on May 1, 2015 (80 FR
25110).
We also recently approved fishing year 2015 sector operations plans
and allocations (80 FR 25143; May 2, 2015; ``sector final rule''). A
sector receives an allocation of each stock, or annual catch
entitlement (referred to as ACE, or allocation), based on its members'
catch histories. State-operated permit banks also receive an allocation
that can be transferred to qualifying sector vessels. The sum of all
sector and state-operated permit bank allocations is referred to as the
sector sub-ACL. Whatever groundfish allocations remain after sectors
and state-operated permit banks receive their allocations are then
allocated to the common pool (i.e., vessels not enrolled in a sector).
This rule adjusts the fishing year 2015 sector and common pool
allocations based on final sector membership as of May 1, 2015. Since
the final rules are not effective until the beginning of the fishing
year (May 1), permits enrolled in a sector and the vessels associated
with those permits have until April 30, the last day prior to the
beginning of a new fishing year, to withdraw from a sector and fish in
the common pool. As a result, the actual sector enrollment for the new
fishing year is unknown when the specifications (in this case,
Framework 53) and sector final rules publish. To address this issue,
each year we publish an adjustment rule modifying sector and common
pool allocations based on final sector enrollment. If the sector
allocation increases as a result of sector membership changes, the
common pool allocation decreases--the opposite is true as well. The
Framework 53 and the fishing year 2015 sector proposed and final rules
both explained that sector enrollments may change and that there would
be a need to adjust the sub-ACLs and ACEs accordingly.
Adjustments to sector ACEs and the sub-ACLs for sectors and the
common pool are typically minimal as historically there has been little
change in sector enrollment. Tables 1, 2, and 3 explain the revised
fishing year 2015. Table 4 compares the allocation changes between the
sector final rule and this adjustment rule. Vessels currently enrolled
in sectors have accounted for approximately 99 percent of the
historical groundfish landings. This year's sector final rule specified
sector ACEs based on the 842 permits enrolled in sectors on February
25, 2015. As of May 1, 2015, there are 838 NE multispecies permits
enrolled in sectors, which means four permits elected to leave sectors
and operate in common pool for fishing year 2015.
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
[[Page 49918]]
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[[Page 49919]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR18AU15.006
[[Page 49920]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR18AU15.007
[[Page 49921]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR18AU15.008
[[Page 49922]]
We have completed fishing year 2014 data reconciliation with
sectors and determined final fishing year 2014 sector catch and the
amount of quota that sectors may carry from fishing year 2014 into
fishing year 2015. A recent emergency rule (79 FR 36433; June 27, 2014)
described changes to carryover and catch accounting in response to
litigation by Conservation Law Foundation (Conservation Law Foundation
v. Pritzker, et al. (Case No. 1:13-CV-0821-JEB)). This rule ensures
that catch does not exceed the allowable biological catch for any
stock. Because of this, the maximum carryover for certain stocks may be
lower than what a sector expects. Table 5 includes the maximum amount
of quota that sectors may carry over from fishing year 2014 into
fishing year 2015. Table 6 includes the de minimis amount of quota that
sectors may carry over from fishing year 2014 into fishing year 2015.
Tables 7 and 8 list the final ACE available to sectors for fishing year
2015, including carryover.
[[Page 49923]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR18AU15.009
[[Page 49924]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR18AU15.010
[[Page 49925]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR18AU15.011
[[Page 49926]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR18AU15.012
This rule also reduces the Eastern GB cod common pool sub-ACL for
fishing year 2015 due to a fishing year 2014 overage (Tables 9 and 10).
When the common pool sub-ACL for any stock is exceeded in one fishing
year, the
[[Page 49927]]
accountability measures in the FMP require us to reduce the common pool
sub-ACL by the amount of the overage in the next fishing year. The 2.8
mt fishing year 2014 common pool sub-ACL for Eastern GB cod was
exceeded by 1.3 mt (48 percent). Therefore, this action reduces the
initially allocated 2.7 mt fishing year 2015 Eastern GB cod common pool
sub-ACL by 1.3 mt, leaving an adjusted allocation of 1.4 mt for the
remainder of the fishing year.
Framework 53 specified incidental catch limits (or incidental total
allowable catches, ``TACs'') applicable to the common pool and
groundfish Special Management Programs for fishing year 2015, including
the B day-at-sea (DAS) Program. Because these incidental catch limits
are based on the common-pool allocation, they also must be revised to
match current common pool enrollment allocation and, in this instance,
to account for the Eastern GB cod accountability measure for fishing
year 2015. Final common pool trimester quotas (including adjustments
for the Eastern GB cod overage) and incidental catch limits are
included in Tables 11-15 below.
This is only a temporary final rule. After we finish reconciling
differences in fishing year 2014 catch accounting between our data and
each sector manager's data, each sector will have 2 weeks to trade its
fishing year 2014 ACE to account for any overages. After that 2-week
trading window, a sector that still has exceeded its fishing year 2014
allocation will have its fishing year 2015 allocation reduced, pursuant
to regulatory requirements. Because data reconciliation and the 2-week
trading window take place after the new fishing year beings, we reserve
20 percent of each sector's fishing year 2015 allocation until fishing
year 2014 catch data are reconciled. Sectors can carryover up to 10
percent of their fishing year 2014 ACE, or an amount of ACE that does
not result in exceeding the allowable biological catch, into fishing
year 2015. We will publish a final follow-up rule detailing any
carryover of fishing year 2014 sector allocation or reduction in
fishing year 2014 allocation resulting from sectors under or
overharvesting their allocations.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR18AU15.013
[[Page 49928]]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-C
Table 12--Fishing Year 2015 Common Pool Incidental Catch TACs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock Percentage of common pool sub-ACL Incidental catch TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB cod.................................. 2 0.75
GOM cod................................. 1 0.06
GB yellowtail flounder.................. 2 0.08
CC/GOM yellowtail flounder.............. 1 0.21
American Plaice......................... 5 1.35
Witch Flounder.......................... 5 0.7
SNE/MA winter flounder.................. 1 1.59
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 13--Distribution of Common Pool Incidental Catch TACs to Each Special Management Program
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Closed Area I Southern closed
Stock Regular B DAS hook gear Eastern U.S./CA Area II haddock
program (%) haddock SAP (%) haddock SAP (%) SAP
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB cod.............................. 50 16 34 NA
GOM cod............................. 100 NA NA NA
GB yellowtail flounder.............. 50 NA 50 NA
CC/GOM yellowtail flounder.......... 100 NA NA NA
American Plaice..................... 100 NA NA NA
Witch Flounder...................... 100 NA NA NA
SNE/MA winter flounder.............. 100 NA NA NA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 14--Fishing Year 2015 Common Pool Incidental Catch TACs for Each Special Management Program
[(mt)]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Closed Area I Eastern U.S./
Stock Regular B DAS hook gear haddock Canada haddock
program SAP SAP
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB cod................................................. 0.38 0.12 0.26
GOM cod................................................ 0.06 NA NA
GB yellowtail flounder................................. 0.04 NA 0.04
CC/GOM yellowtail flounder............................. 0.21 NA NA
American Plaice........................................ 1.35 NA NA
Witch Flounder......................................... 0.70 NA NA
SNE/MA winter flounder................................. 1.59 NA NA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 15--Fishing Year 2015 Common Pool Regular B DAS Program Quarterly Incidental Catch TACs
[(mt)]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock 1st Quarter (13%) 2nd Quarter (29%) 3rd Quarter (29%) 4th Quarter (29%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB cod.............................. 0.05 0.11 0.11 0.11
GOM cod............................. 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.02
GB yellowtail flounder.............. 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
CC/GOM yellowtail flounder.......... 0.03 0.06 0.06 0.06
American Plaice..................... 0.18 0.39 0.39 0.39
Witch Flounder...................... 0.09 0.20 0.20 0.20
SNE/MA winter flounder.............. 0.21 0.46 0.46 0.46
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Classification
Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the
NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that this final rule is
consistent with the FMP, other provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act,
and other applicable law.
This final rule has been determined to be not significant for
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B), we find good cause to waive
prior public notice and opportunity for public comment on the catch
limit and allocation adjustments because allowing time for notice and
comment is impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to the public
interest. We also find good cause to waive the 30-day delay in
effectiveness pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), so that this final rule
may become effective upon filing.
There are several reasons that notice and comment are
impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to the public interest. First,
the proposed and final rules for fishing year 2015 sector operations
plans and contracts explained the need and likelihood for adjustments
of sector and common pool allocations based on final sector rosters.
[[Page 49929]]
No comments were received on the potential for these adjustments, which
provide an accurate accounting of a sector's or common pool's
allocation at this time. Furthermore, we have followed a similar
process since Amendment 16 was implemented in 2010; this annual
adjustment action is anticipated by industry. The accountability
measure and adjustment process to account for the fishing year 2014
Eastern Georges Bank cod overage was also already subject to notice and
comment during Amendment 16 development and implementation. Second,
these adjustments are based on either objective sector enrollment data
or a pre-determined accountability measure and are not subject to NMFS'
discretion, so there would be no benefit to allowing time for prior
notice and comment. Third, a delay would potentially impair achievement
of the management plan's objectives for the common pool of preventing
overfishing and achieving optimum yield by staying within ACLs or
allocations. Finally, if this rule is not effective immediately, the
sector and common pool vessels will be operating under incorrect
information on the catch limits for each stock for sectors and the
common pool. This could cause negative economic impacts to the both
sectors and the common pool, depending on the size of the allocation,
the degree of change in the allocation, and the catch rate of a
particular stock.
The catch limit and allocation adjustments are not controversial
and the need for them was clearly explained in the proposed and final
rules for fishing year 2015 sector operations plans and contracts.
Adjustments for overages are also explained in detail in the Amendment
16 proposed and final rules. As a result, NE multispecies permit
holders are expecting these adjustments and awaiting their
implementation. Fishermen may make both short- and long-term business
decisions based on the catch limits in a given sector or the common
pool. Any delays in adjusting these limits may cause the affected
fishing entities to slow down, or speed up, their fishing activities
during the interim period before this rule becomes effective. Both of
these reactions could negatively affect the fishery and the businesses
and communities that depend on them. Therefore, it is important to
implement adjusted catch limits and allocations as soon as possible.
For these reasons, we are waiving the public comment period and delay
in effectiveness for this rule, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B) and
(d), respectively.
Because advanced notice and the opportunity for public comment are
not required under the Administrative Procedure Act, or any other law,
the analytical requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C.
601, et seq., do not apply to this rule. Therefore, no final regulatory
flexibility analysis is required and none has been prepared.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: August 11, 2015.
Eileen Sobeck,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-20303 Filed 8-17-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
