Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Revise Maximum Retainable Amounts for Skates in the Gulf of Alaska, 80695-80708 [2015-32577]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 248 (Monday, December 28, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 80695-80708]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-32577]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 150126078-5999-02]
RIN 0648-BE85


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Revise 
Maximum Retainable Amounts for Skates in the Gulf of Alaska

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: NMFS issues regulations to reduce the maximum retainable 
amount (MRA) of skates using groundfish and halibut as basis species in 
the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) from 20 percent to 5 percent. Reducing skate 
MRAs is necessary to decrease the incentive for fishermen to target 
skates and slow the catch rate of skates in these fisheries. This final 
rule will enhance conservation and management of skates and minimize 
skate discards in GOA groundfish and halibut fisheries. This final rule 
is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the 
Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP), and 
other applicable laws.

DATES: Effective January 27, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the following documents may be obtained 
from https://www.regulations.gov or from the NMFS Alaska Region Web site 
at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov:
     The Environmental Assessment/Regulatory Impact Review/
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (EA/RIR/IRFA) prepared for this 
action (collectively referred to as the ``Analysis'');
     The Alaska Groundfish Harvest Specifications Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (Harvest Specifications EIS);
     The Harvest Specifications Supplementary Information 
Report (SIR) prepared for the final 2015 and 2016 harvest 
specifications; and
     The IRFA for the Gulf of Alaska Groundfish Harvest 
Specifications for 2015 and 2016 (Harvest Specifications IRFA).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peggy Murphy, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS published a proposed rule in the

[[Page 80696]]

Federal Register on July 10, 2015 (80 FR 39734), and public comments 
were accepted through August 10, 2015. NMFS received two comment 
letters with 10 unique comments.

Background

    This final rule amends regulations that specify the MRA for skates 
in the GOA. This final rule also implements several minor 
clarifications to MRA regulations applicable to the Central GOA 
Rockfish Program, makes minor corrections to incorrect cross 
references, and adds skate species inadvertently removed by a previous 
rule making. This final rule preamble provides a brief description of 
skate management in the GOA, the purpose of this rule, the affected 
fisheries, and the regulations implemented by this rule.
    A detailed review of the management of GOA skates, the affected 
fisheries, the rationale for these regulations, and the proposed 
regulations are provided in the preamble to the proposed rule (80 FR 
39734, July 10, 2015) and are not repeated here. The proposed rule is 
available from the NMFS Alaska Region Web site (see ADDRESSES).

Management of Skates in the GOA

    NMFS manages skates (Bathyraja and Raja species) in the exclusive 
economic zone of the GOA as a groundfish species under the FMP. The 
North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) prepared the FMP 
under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. 
Regulations governing groundfish fishing in the GOA and implementing 
the FMP are found at 50 CFR parts 600 and 679. The Council and NMFS 
manage big skate (Raja binoculata) and longnose skate (Raja rhina) as 
single species, and all other skate species (Bathyraja and Raja spp.) 
are managed together in the ``other skates'' species group.
    GOA skate catches are managed subject to annual limits on the 
amounts of each species of skate, or group of skate species, that may 
be taken. The overfishing limits (OFLs), acceptable biological catch 
(ABCs), and total allowable catch (TACs) for skates are defined in the 
FMP and specified through the annual ``harvest specification process.'' 
A detailed description of the annual harvest specification process is 
provided in the Final EIS, the SIR, and the final 2015 and 2016 harvest 
specifications for groundfish of the GOA (80 FR 10250, February 25, 
2015). Section 3.2 of the FMP specifies that the ABC is set below the 
OFL and the TAC must be set lower than or equal to the ABC. NMFS 
ensures that OFLs, ABCs, and TACs are not exceeded by requiring vessel 
operators participating in groundfish fisheries in the GOA to comply 
with a range of restrictions, such as area, time, gear, and operation-
specific fishery closures.
    The harvest specification process sets annual skate catch limits in 
the GOA by area. Big skate and longnose skate have OFLs and ABCs 
defined for the GOA management area. Section 3.2 of the FMP clarifies 
that TACs can be apportioned by regulatory area. There are three 
regulatory areas specified in the GOA management area: Western GOA, 
Central GOA, and Eastern GOA. Accordingly, the ABCs for big skate and 
longnose skate are apportioned to each of the regulatory areas in the 
GOA management area based on the proportion of the biomass estimated in 
each regulatory area. NMFS specifies TACs for big skate and longnose 
skate for the Western GOA, Central GOA, and Eastern GOA equal to the 
ABC for each of these regulatory areas. The other skates species group 
has an OFL, ABC, and TAC specified for the GOA management area (i.e., 
NMFS does not establish separate ABCs or TACs for the Western GOA, 
Central GOA, and Eastern GOA). NMFS does not apportion other skates 
species ABCs or TACs to specific regulatory areas because harvest of 
these species is usually broadly dispersed throughout the entire GOA, 
and they are not generally retained. All retained and discarded catch 
of skates accrues to the TACs, ABCs, and OFLs specified for the species 
or species group.
    NMFS, through the annual harvest specification process, implements 
regulations at Sec.  679.20(d) to establish a directed fishing 
allowance (DFA) for a species or species group when any fishery 
allocation or apportionment of that species or species group will be 
reached and the fishery closed. Once the fishery is closed, these 
species are referred to as incidental catch species. When establishing 
a DFA, NMFS must consider the amount of a species or species group 
closed to directed fishing that will be taken as incidental catch in 
directed fishing for other species. NMFS accounts for this amount by 
subtracting the estimated amount of incidental catch of a species or 
species group taken in directed fishing for other species from the TAC 
of that species or species group. If an insufficient amount of TAC is 
available for a directed fishery for that species or species group, 
NMFS establishes the DFA for that species or species group as zero 
metric tons (mt) and prohibits directed fishing for that species or 
species group.
    Directed fishing for groundfish in the GOA is defined at Sec.  
679.2 as any fishing activity that results in the retention of an 
amount of a species or species group onboard a vessel that is greater 
than the MRA for that species or species group. Therefore, when 
directed fishing for a species or species group is prohibited, 
retention of the species or species group is limited to an MRA. NMFS 
established MRAs to allow vessel operators fishing for species or 
species groups open to directed fishing to retain a specified amount of 
incidental catch species.
    An MRA is the maximum amount of a species closed to directed 
fishing (i.e., skate species) that may be retained onboard a vessel. 
MRAs are calculated as a percentage of the weight of catch of each 
species or species group open to directed fishing (basis species) that 
is retained onboard the vessel. The percentage of a species or species 
group closed to directed fishing retained in relation to the basis 
species must not exceed the MRA.
    MRAs assist in limiting catch of a species within its annual TAC. 
NMFS closes a species to directed fishing before the entire TAC is 
taken to leave sufficient amounts of the TAC available for incidental 
catch. The amount of the TAC remaining available for incidental catch 
is typically managed by a species-specific MRA. An MRA applies at all 
times and to all areas for the duration of a fishing trip (see Sec.  
679.20(e)(3)). Vessel operators may retain incidental catch species 
while directed fishing for groundfish species up to the MRA percentage 
of the basis species retained catch until the TAC for the incidental 
catch species is met.
    Regulations at Sec.  679.20(d)(2) and Sec.  679.21(b) specify that 
if the TAC for a species is reached, then retention of that species 
becomes prohibited and all catch of that species must be discarded with 
a minimum of injury, regardless of its condition, for the remainder of 
the year. Therefore, when NMFS prohibits retention of an incidental 
catch species, such as skates, vessel operators must discard all catch 
of that species. Discards that are required by regulation are known as 
regulatory discards. The primary purpose of requiring discards is to 
remove any incentive for vessel operators to increase incidental catch 
of the species as a portion of other fisheries and to minimize the 
catch of that species.
    MRAs are a management tool to slow down the rate of harvest and 
reduce the incentive for targeting a species closed to directed 
fishing. Although MRAs limit the incentive to target on an incidental 
catch species, fishermen can ``top off'' their retained groundfish and 
halibut catch with incidental catch species up to the maximum permitted

[[Page 80697]]

under the MRA. Fishermen are top-off fishing when they deliberately 
target and retain incidental catch species up to the MRA instead of 
harvesting the species incidentally. Thus, MRAs reflect a balance 
between NMFS' need to limit the harvest catch rate of skates and 
minimize regulatory discards of the incidental catch of skates, while 
providing fishermen an opportunity to harvest the available skate TAC 
through limited retention.
    NMFS has determined that the TACs specified for all skate species 
in the GOA are needed to support incidental catch of skates in directed 
fisheries for other groundfish and halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis). 
As a result, there are insufficient TACs for skate species to support 
directed skate fisheries, the DFA for skates is set to zero mt, and 
directed fishing for skates is prohibited at the beginning of the 
fishing year. When directed fishing for skates is prohibited, the catch 
of skates is limited by an MRA.
    The skate MRA is specified by basis species in Table 10 and Table 
30 to 50 CFR part 679. The skate MRA is not specified by skate species. 
Instead, the skate MRA is based on the combined round weight of all 
skate species retained onboard a vessel. A single MRA for all skates 
was established because it was determined that fishermen and processors 
could have difficulty identifying skate species and may not be able to 
easily determine if they have reached an MRA for a specific skate 
species. Therefore, a separate MRA for each species would be difficult 
to manage and enforce. Additional detail on the designation of a single 
skate MRA is provided in Section 1.2 of the Analysis.
    Currently, the skate MRA for all basis species in the GOA is 20 
percent of the basis species round weight retained onboard a vessel. 
This means the maximum amount of skates (i.e., big, longnose, and other 
skates species) that may be retained onboard a vessel must not exceed 
20 percent of the round weight of other groundfish species and halibut 
retained onboard a vessel. Amounts of a skate species onboard the 
vessel that are below or equal to the MRA may be retained. Amounts of a 
skate species in excess of the MRA must be discarded.
    The incidental catch of skates varies by species and by fishing 
gear. NMFS data show that from 2008 through 2014, skates were caught in 
the GOA primarily by vessels directed fishing for groundfish with non-
pelagic trawl gear and by vessels directed fishing for groundfish and 
halibut with hook-and-line gear. Very limited amounts of skates were 
also caught by vessels using pelagic trawl, pot, and jig gear. Big 
skate catch occurs primarily in the Central GOA. Less than one tenth of 
the catch comes from the Western GOA or the Eastern GOA. NMFS' catch 
accounting data show the proportion of big skate catch by vessels using 
non-pelagic trawl is slightly higher than the proportion caught by 
vessels using hook-and-line gear. Longnose skate are caught 
predominantly in the Central GOA, with more limited catch in the 
Eastern GOA, and the least amount of catch in the Western GOA. NMFS 
data show that in recent years the proportion of longnose skate catch 
by vessels using hook-and-line gear is greater than the proportion 
caught by vessels using non-pelagic trawl gear. Other skates species 
are caught primarily in the Central GOA. NMFS data show the proportion 
of other skates species catch by vessels using hook-and-line gear is 
much greater than the proportion caught by vessels using non-pelagic 
trawl gear.
    In December 2013, the Council received public testimony that the 
current MRA for skates in the GOA allows fishermen to deliberately 
target skates while ostensibly directed fishing for other groundfish or 
halibut. NMFS observed this top-off fishing behavior based on 
information from recent years of incidental skate catch of skate 
species in directed groundfish and halibut fisheries. Some fishermen 
maximize their retention of skates and retain skates up to the MRA 
limit of 20 percent of the basis species onboard a vessel early in the 
year by deliberately targeting them while directed fishing for other 
species. This top-off fishing pattern has increased the harvest rate of 
skates. Over a period of years, skate catch has exceeded the TAC in 
some areas. The estimated catch of big skate exceeded the TAC in the 
Central GOA in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013, and the estimated catch of 
longnose skate exceeded the TAC in the Western GOA in 2009, 2010, and 
2013. The catch of other skates species has not exceeded the TACs 
established for the GOA management area; however, in 2013 and 2014, the 
catch of other skates species was estimated at 93 percent and 98 
percent of the 2013 and 2014 TACs, respectively.
    When fishery managers estimated the big or longnose skate TACs in a 
regulatory area would be exceeded, NMFS prohibited retention of big or 
longnose skates in the directed fisheries for groundfish and halibut 
and required discard of all big or longnose skate catch in the 
regulatory area for the remainder of the calendar year. The earlier in 
the year that NMFS prohibits the retention of big or longnose skates in 
the directed fisheries for groundfish and halibut, the greater the 
total amount of regulatory discards of skates, because skates are 
caught in other groundfish and halibut fisheries throughout the entire 
year.

Purpose of This Final Rule

    This final rule reduces the MRA for skates in the GOA from 20 
percent to 5 percent. By reducing the MRA, this final rule further 
limits the amount of skates that could be retained while directed 
fishing for other groundfish and halibut. Under this final rule, the 
round weight of a retained skate species could be no more than 5 
percent of the round weight of the basis species. Reducing the skate 
MRA decreases the incentive for fishermen to engage in top-off fishing 
for skates so that the catch rate of skates more accurately reflects 
the rate of incidental catch of skates in the directed groundfish and 
halibut fisheries in the GOA. The reduction in the MRA will slow 
accrual of skate catch against the TAC and enhance NMFS' ability to 
limit the catch of skates to the skate TACs. This final rule is 
expected to minimize discards of skates by reducing the likelihood that 
NMFS would need to prohibit retention of a skate species in a GOA 
management area during the year to maintain skate catch at or below its 
TAC. This final rule will help NMFS to ensure that skate catch in the 
future does not exceed a TAC, ABC, or OFL.

Regulations Implemented by This Final Rule

    This final rule makes five amendments to regulations. First, this 
final rule revises skate MRAs in Table 10 to 50 CFR part 679, Gulf of 
Alaska Retainable Percentages, and in Table 30 to 50 CFR part 679, 
Rockfish Program Retainable Percentages. Table 10 establishes the MRAs 
applicable to vessels fishing groundfish in the GOA, except for vessels 
fishing under the authority of the Central GOA Rockfish Program. Table 
30 establishes MRAs that are applicable to vessels participating in the 
Central GOA Rockfish Program. NMFS reduces the incidental catch species 
MRAs for skates for each basis species listed in both Tables 10 and 30 
from 20 percent to 5 percent. NMFS notes the basis species termed 
``Aggregated amount of non-groundfish species'' includes all legally 
retained IFQ halibut as explained in footnote 12 to Table 10. The skate 
MRAs will be set equal to 5 percent in Tables 10 and 30 on the 
effective date of this final rule (see DATES).
    Second, this final rule corrects two regulatory cross-reference 
errors. These

[[Page 80698]]

errors resulted from reorganizing and renumbering the Federal Fisheries 
Permit requirements in Sec.  679.4(b) and were implemented in a final 
rule published on October 21, 2014 (79 FR 62885). Current regulations 
at Sec.  679.7(a)(18) and Sec.  679.28(f)(6)(i) incorrectly refer to 
the FFP requirements at Sec.  679.4(b)(5)(vi), a paragraph that no 
longer exists. This final rule corrects those cross references to Sec.  
679.4(b).
    Third, this final rule modifies regulatory text to clarify that a 
vessel fishing under a Rockfish Program cooperative quota (CQ) permit 
may harvest groundfish species not allocated as CQ up to the MRA for 
that species as established in Table 30 to 50 CFR part 679. This final 
rule removes the last sentence in regulations at Sec.  679.20(f)(2), 
because the sentence makes an incorrect statement. The last sentence in 
679.20(f)(2) states that ``only primary rockfish species harvested 
under the Rockfish Program may be used to calculate retainable amounts 
of other species, as provided in Table 30 to this part.'' The heading 
in the last column in Table 30 correctly states that the MRA for 
vessels fishing under the Rockfish Program is calculated as ``a 
percentage of total retained rockfish primary species and rockfish 
secondary species.'' NMFS corrects this discrepancy by removing the 
inaccurate last sentence of Sec.  679.20(f)(2) that refers only to 
rockfish primary species. The current regulations at Sec.  
679.81(h)(4)(i) and (h)(5) use the term ``incidental catch species'' in 
the calculation of an MRA to refer to ``groundfish species not 
allocated as cooperative quota (CQ).'' This final rule adds the 
referenced text to Sec.  679.81(h)(4)(i) and (h)(5) to ensure 
consistent use of terminology in the regulations.
    Fourth, this final rule revises Table 2a to 50 CFR part 679 to add 
Alaska, Aleutian, and whiteblotched skates, as well as the scientific 
names for individual skate species. Adding these individual skate 
species and the scientific names facilitates the reporting of 
individual skate species taken during groundfish harvest and provides 
more detailed information regarding skate harvests for stock 
assessments and fisheries management. This revision supports managing 
skates as a target species group or as individual target species. These 
skate species and scientific names were added to Table 2a in final 
regulations implementing changes to groundfish management in the BSAI 
and GOA on October 6, 2010 (75 FR 61639). Subsequent regulations 
published on July 11, 2011 (76 FR 40628), amended Table 2a to 50 CFR 
part 679 and that revision inadvertently removed the skate species 
codes implemented on October 6, 2010. The addition of these skate 
species and scientific names corrects this error. The addition of 
species codes does not change the management of skates or the other 
provisions of this final rule.
    Fifth, this final rule makes several clarifications and corrections 
to Table 10 and Table 30 to part 679. These clarifications are:
     In Table 10 to part 679, the genus name, common name, and 
numeric species codes for Alaska skate, Aleutian skate, and 
whiteblotched skate are added;
     In Table 10 to part 679, the basis species, pelagic shelf 
rockfish, is replaced with dusky rockfish to be consistent with the 
appropriate species designation in regulation;
     In Table 10 to part 679, the genus name, common name, and 
species codes in the table and in the notes to the table are updated 
for consistency;
     In Note 4 to Table 10 to part 679, the references to 
``slope rockfish'' are removed and replaced with the correct term 
``other rockfish''; and widow rockfish and yellowtail rockfish are 
added to the 17 species that form the ``other rockfish'' group to 
correctly categorize these species;
     Note 5 to Table 10 to part 679 is removed because it is no 
longer applicable, and Notes 6 through 13 are renumbered as Notes 5 
through 12, respectively.
     In Note 6 to Table 10 to part 679, the erroneous 
regulatory reference to Sec.  679.7(b)(4) is deleted and the regulatory 
reference, Sec.  679.20(j), is clarified so as to provide for full 
retention of demersal shelf rockfish by catcher vessels in the 
Southeast Outside District;
     In Note 8 to Table 10 to part 679, the regulatory 
reference, Sec.  679.2, is clarified to exclude the species listed;
     In Table 30 to part 679, grenadier species is added as an 
incidental catch species for the fishery category ``Rockfish 
Cooperative vessels fishing under a Rockfish CQ permit for rockfish 
non-allocated species'' and an MRA of 8 percent is added. This change 
from the proposed rule would correct an oversight from the recently 
published regulations that implemented an MRA for grenadiers for the 
groundfish fisheries in the GOA (80 FR 11897, March 5, 2015). That rule 
added the grenadier MRA of 8 percent to Table 10 to part 679, which 
does not apply to vessels when fishing in the Central GOA Rockfish 
Program. However, it is clear from the preamble to the proposed rule 
(79 FR 27557, May 14, 2014) and the final rule (80 FR 11897, March 5, 
2015) that the intent was to apply the MRA to all groundfish fishing in 
the GOA. Adding a grenadier MRA to Table 30 to part 679 will achieve 
this intent by applying the grenadier MRA to vessels when fishing in 
the Central GOA Rockfish Program; and
     In Table 30 to part 679, a footnote is added to explain 
that the descriptions of different incidental catch species groups 
listed in this table can be found in the notes to Table 10 to part 679.

Changes From the Proposed Rule

    The proposed rule for this action was published in the Federal 
Register on July 10, 2015 (80 FR 39734). There are five categories of 
regulatory changes made from the proposed rule.
    First, this final rule adds a suite of corrections to Table 10 and 
Table 30 to part 679 in response to comment 10 on the proposed rule 
(see Comment and Response). These technical corrections are described 
in the previous section of this preamble as the fifth amendment made to 
the regulations and in comment 10 and are not repeated here.
    Second, this final rule reorders the listing of the skate species 
and the corresponding species codes added to Table 2a to part 679 and 
the listing of skate species and corresponding species codes in Table 
10 to part 679 to follow the formatting convention that lists the 
species description alphabetically. This is not a substantive change.
    Third, this final rule replaces the references to ``numerical 
percentage'' with ``MRA'' in Note 1 and Note 7 to Table 10 to part 679, 
replaces ``retainable percentage'' with ``MRA'' in Note 1 to Table 10 
to part 679, and replaces ``category'' with ``species group'' in Note 7 
to Table 10 to part 679. These changes clarify that the percentages are 
the MRAs established in Table 10, and that DSR and SR/RE represent 
separate species groups. This is not a substantive change.
    Fourth, this final rule revises Note 2 to Table 10 to part 679, to 
add Kamchatka flounder and its species code to the list of species that 
comprise the deep-water flatfish species group to be consistent with 
current harvest specifications. This is not a substantive change.
    Fifth, this final rule revises Table 30 to part 679, to clarify 
that the Rockfish Entry Level Fishery using longline gear, the fishery 
for opt-out vessels, and the fishery for Rockfish Cooperative Vessels 
not fishing under a CQ permit referred to in Table 30 to part 679 are 
to ``use'' Table 10 to part 679 rather than ``see'' Table 10 to part 
679. This is not a substantive change.

[[Page 80699]]

Comment and Response

    During the public comment period, NMFS received two comment letters 
generally expressing support for the proposed rule. The letters contain 
10 unique comments on the proposed rule. A summary of the comments 
received and NMFS' responses follow.
    Comment 1: The commenters support a reduction in the skate MRA from 
20 percent to 5 percent for the following reasons: (1) The reduced MRA 
will remove the incentive to target and top off on skates while fishing 
for other groundfish species; (2) An MRA set at 5 percent will more 
closely reflect the normal encounter rate of skates during fishing; (3) 
Reducing the skate MRA could slow skate retention and thus the catch 
rate of skate species; (4) Reducing the skate MRA will decrease the 
potential for prohibiting skate species retention, allow retention of 
skates throughout the year, and minimize regulatory discard of skates.
    Response: NMFS acknowledges this comment and agrees with the 
commenter's rationale for support.
    Comment 2: The commenter notes that this final rule may avoid 
triggering prohibition of skate harvest when catches approach a skate 
ABC or TAC. However, it is still unknown whether the incidental species 
catch of skates will exceed 5 percent of the catch on an individual 
haul-by-haul basis for vessels in the trawl fishery. The commenter 
recommends the adoption of a comprehensive GOA-wide trawl bycatch 
management program with cooperative target species and prohibited 
species catch allocations to eliminate the race for fish and reduce 
regulatory discards.
    Response: NMFS acknowledges that a vessel may have an incidental 
species catch of skates that exceeds 5 percent of the catch of a given 
haul, but the 5 percent MRA applies to the sum of all basis species on 
board the vessel. This is likely to include catch from many different 
hauls. Therefore, regulatory discard may not be required. The comment 
recommending the adoption of a comprehensive GOA-wide trawl bycatch 
management program is outside of the scope of this action. The Council 
and NMFS are considering measures similar to those recommended by the 
commenter under a separate action. NMFS has prepared a Notice of Intent 
to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement that would consider a 
broad range of alternative management programs for the GOA trawl 
fisheries, including those suggested by the commenter. The Notice of 
Intent published on July 14, 2015, and NMFS requested public comment 
through August 28, 2015 (80 FR 40988, July 14, 2015). NMFS will 
incorporate written comments from the public to identify the issues of 
concern and assist the Council in determining the appropriate range of 
management alternatives for the EIS. Additional information on 
management actions related to the GOA trawl fisheries is available 
through the NMFS Alaska Region Web site at: https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov.
    Comment 3: NMFS should place more emphasis on the assessment of GOA 
skates. The commenters suggest additional research on population 
density, migration, natural mortality, and other factors affecting 
skates would aid in the assessment and management of GOA skate 
resources. The commenters state their willingness to participate in 
cooperative research.
    Response: NMFS acknowledges the comment. The stock assessment 
process used to determine the status of skate biomass is described in 
Section 3.1.1 of the Analysis. Additional information on the research 
NMFS has conducted and is undertaking to improve its understanding of 
GOA skates is available through the Alaska Fishery Science Center's Web 
site at https://www.afsc.noaa.gov/REFM/stocks/assessments.htm. NMFS has 
engaged in cooperative research with the fishing industry to 
investigate sustainable fisheries management. Specific cooperative 
research regarding skates would be conducted with the Alaska Fisheries 
Science Center and are outside of the scope of this action.
    Comment 4: Trawl and hook-and-line gear discard mortality rates 
(DMRs) should be estimated for GOA skates. The current DMR is assumed 
to be 100 percent and is not accurate. This DMR overestimates the 
mortality of skate bycatch and impacts the skate biomass estimate for 
the GOA.
    Response: The 2014 Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation for GOA 
skates states that the highest priority for research is in 
understanding the focus on direct fishing effects on skate populations. 
Scientists consider the most important component of this research to be 
a full evaluation of the catch and discards in all fisheries capturing 
skates. NMFS will continue to explore the effects of fishing, including 
DMRs, in future research.
    Comment 5: Improving the species-specific reporting of skate catch 
delivered to processors would help the stock assessment authors. The 
commenter suggests some outreach by NMFS to educate processor personnel 
about skate identification. The commenter notes that NMFS has aided 
processor personnel in the identification of other species catch, such 
as GOA rockfish, and a similar approach for skates could improve 
species identification.
    Response: NMFS acknowledges the comment and agrees that outreach 
and broad distribution of NMFS' skate identification guide (https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/er/skateguide.pdf) would improve skate harvest 
information for stock assessment. NMFS will forward a recommendation 
for these improvements to the Council plan team responsible for 
management of groundfish under the FMP, and will coordinate with GOA 
processors.
    Comment 6: The commenter suggests that text on page 39735 of the 
preamble to the proposed rule (July 10, 2015; 80 FR 39734) could be 
clarified. The commenter states that when retention of the incidental 
catch of a skate species is prohibited (i.e., placed on prohibited 
species catch (PSC) status), then only the specific skate species or 
species group (e.g., big skate, longnose skate or other skates species) 
must be discarded. For example, if the incidental catch of big skates 
is prohibited, big skates must be discarded but longnose skates and 
other skates species (in aggregate) may be retained up to the MRA.
    Response: NMFS acknowledges the comment and agrees with the 
commenter's clarification. NMFS intends to manage skates as described 
in the comment. This is also consistent with the description of 
management provided in Section 4.10 of the Analysis. No change to the 
regulatory text is required.
    Comment 7: The commenter suggests that text on page 39735 of the 
preamble to the proposed rule (July 10, 2015; 80 FR 39734) could be 
clarified. The commenter states that the reason that other skates 
species are not managed separately or under area-specific ABCs or TACs 
is that the management in this aggregate for the GOA management area is 
adequate to maintain those species at a sustainable level. It should be 
noted, as it is in the 2014 GOA Skate Stock Assessment and Fishery 
Evaluation (available at: https://www.afsc.noaa.gov/refm/stocks/
assessments.htm), that skates are generally difficult for harvesters 
and processors to identify to the species level, especially the less 
common skates defined as other skates species.
    Response: NMFS acknowledges and agrees with the commenter's 
clarification. NMFS recognizes management of skates at the individual 
species and regulatory area level depends on accurate species-specific 
harvest information. Section 4.10 of the

[[Page 80700]]

Analysis states that misidentification of other skates species could 
cause a serious enforcement issue for differing species-specific MRAs. 
No change to the regulatory text is required.
    Comment 8: The commenter suggests that text on page 39735 of the 
preamble to the proposed rule (July 10, 2015; 80 FR 39734) could be 
clarified. The commenter states that NMFS does not have the authority 
to issue in-season management measures to close a commercial fishery 
for individual fishing quota (IFQ) halibut in the GOA should a skate 
OFL be reached in the GOA. The commenter states that the GOA FMP 
groundfish species (Table 2a to part 679) does not include halibut. 
Halibut is included in the FMP only as a prohibited species. Because 
the halibut is not defined as a groundfish species, NMFS in-season 
management measures to close a groundfish fishery to prevent 
overfishing do not include IFQ halibut and apply only to groundfish 
species managed by NMFS under the FMP. The commenter recommends that 
this issue should be addressed in the 10-year review of the halibut and 
sablefish IFQ program which has been initiated by the Council.
    Response: NMFS acknowledges the comment and agrees with the 
commenter's clarification regarding the regulations. Regulations at 
Sec.  679.21 establish the requirements for closing a groundfish 
fishery if an OFL will be reached. Extending in-season management 
authority to the IFQ halibut fishery under Sec.  679.21 is outside of 
the scope of this action and is not addressed further. The final rule 
does not change regulations governing the Pacific halibut fisheries 
implemented by the International Pacific Halibut Commission or NMFS.
    Comment 9: The commenter suggests that text on page 39736 of the 
preamble to the proposed rule (July 10, 2015; 80 FR 39734) could be 
clarified. The commenter states that the incidental catch of skates by 
jig gear, although likely low in volume, are actually unknown because 
the GOA jig fishery was exempt from observer coverage before 2013.
    Response: Overall, NMFS estimates that jig gear catches a small 
amount of skates relative to hook-and-line and trawl gear (Section 5.6 
of Analysis). NMFS uses data submitted electronically by shoreside or 
stationary floating processors to estimate the landed catch of any 
skates delivered by vessels using jig gear. NMFS acknowledges that 
there is not currently observer coverage on vessels in the jig 
fisheries to obtain estimates of the amount of at-sea discards of 
skates. In the future, NMFS could modify deployment of observers on jig 
vessels through its Annual Deployment Plan (ADP) process. NMFS could 
modify the ADP and expand coverage to vessels with jig gear if needed 
for conservation and management. Currently, there is no evidence that 
catch of skates by vessels using jig gear warrants additional observer 
coverage.
    Comment 10: The commenter recommends a number of clarifications and 
corrections to Table 10 to part 679 and Table 30 to part 679 to improve 
their usefulness to the fishing industry. The commenter states that 
these tables are difficult to interpret due to inconsistencies with 
other regulations, revisions over time that have reduced their clarity, 
or references to outdated regulations that are no longer applicable. 
The commenter suggests updating and clarifying these tables as follows:
     In Table 10 to part 679, add the proper genus name, common 
name, and numeric species codes for Alaska skate, Aleutian skate, and 
whiteblotched skate;
     In Table 10 to part 679, replace the basis species, 
pelagic shelf rockfish, with dusky rockfish to be consistent with the 
appropriate species designation in regulation:
     In Table 10 to part 679, consistently use the genus name, 
common name, and species codes in the table and in the notes to the 
table;
     In Note 4 to Table 10 to part 679, remove the reference to 
slope rockfish and replace it with ``rockfish'' so that it is clear 
that this provision applies to all rockfish species except demersal 
shelf rockfish (DSR) and shortraker/rougheye rockfish (SR/RE); and add 
widow rockfish and yellowtail rockfish to the 15 species that form the 
new ``rockfish'' group;
     Delete Note 5 to Table 10 to part 679 because it is no 
longer applicable;
     In Note 6 to Table 10 to part 679, clarify the regulatory 
reference;
     In Note 8 to Table 10 to part 679, replace the reference 
to Sec.  679.2 and instead refer to the list of species already 
contained in the notes to the table;
     In Table 30 to part 679, add grenadier species as an 
incidental catch species for the fishery category for Rockfish 
Cooperative vessels fishing under Rockfish CQ permit for rockfish non-
allocated species and add an MRA of 8 percent to be consistent with 
MRAs for grenadiers that are applicable in Table 10; and
     In Table 30 to part 679, add a footnote to Table 30 to 
explain that the descriptions of different incidental catch species 
groups listed in this table can be found in the notes to Table 10 to 
part 679.
    Response: NMFS agrees with each of the commenter's suggested 
changes to Tables 10 and 30 with one exception. In Table 10 to part 
679, NMFS replaced the references to ``slope rockfish'' with ``other 
rockfish'' instead of ``rockfish'' as suggested by the commenter. The 
commenter also suggested NMFS define ``these rockfish species as all 
rockfish species except DSR and SR/RE.'' NMFS disagrees with this 
definition because: (1) ``all rockfish species'' includes rockfish 
species besides those in the other rockfish species group; and (2) 
excluding DSR conflicts with the explanations of the other rockfish 
species groups in the Western regulatory area, Central regulatory area, 
and West Yakutat District. NMFS uses ``other rockfish'' to correctly 
name this rockfish species group and accurately refers to ``other 
rockfish'' by regulatory area consistent with regulations.
    The changes suggested by the commenter are minor clarifications and 
do not have a substantive effect on the calculation or applicability of 
MRAs. Each of the comments and the rationale for accepting the comment 
follows.
    The change to add Alaska, Aleutian, and whiteblotched skate to 
Table 10 is consistent with NMFS' recommendation in the proposed rule 
to add these species to Table 2a of CFR part 679.
    The change in Table 10 to part 679, to replace ``pelagic shelf 
rockfish'' with ``dusky rockfish'' is consistent with NMFS' intent in 
the final rule implementing the Central GOA Rockfish Program that 
published December 27, 2011 (76 FR 81248). This change corrects the 
species designation to be consistent with existing regulations.
    The change to consistently use the genus name, common name, and 
species codes in Table 10 to part 679 is a minor clerical correction.
    The change to Note 4 to Table 10 to part 679, to remove references 
for ``slope rockfish'' and replace them with ``rockfish'', where 
rockfish means all rockfish species except DSR and SR/RE, was clarified 
by NMFS. Specifically, NMFS determined stated that references to 
``slope rockfish'' should be replaced with ``other rockfish'' because 
other rockfish in the Western regulatory area, Central regulatory area, 
and West Yakutat district means other rockfish and DSR. Therefore, 
explaining the meaning of ``other rockfish'' by using ``rockfish means 
all rockfish species except DSR and SR/RE'', as recommended by the 
commenter, would incorrectly include the universe of rockfish species 
and inaccurately exclude DSR from the Western, Central

[[Page 80701]]

and West Yakutat areas. The correct reference is ``other rockfish.'' 
This change does not modify any of the MRAs that are applicable to the 
specific species, or otherwise modify management.
    The change to delete Note 5 to Table 10 to part 679 provides 
consistency with regulations because Note 5 is no longer applicable.
    The change to Note 6 to Table 10 to part 679, clarifies the 
regulatory reference to Sec.  679.20(j), provides for full retention of 
demersal shelf rockfish by catcher vessels in the Southeast Outside 
District.
    The change to Note 8 to Table 10 to part 679, should provide 
clarity to the reader by explaining the species included and excluded 
in the species group and listed in the regulatory reference at Sec.  
679.2.
    The changes to Table 30 to part 679, to add grenadier species as an 
incidental catch species for the fishery category for Rockfish 
Cooperative vessels fishing under a Rockfish CQ permit for rockfish 
non-allocated species and add an MRA of 8 percent would be consistent 
with recently implemented regulations that established an MRA for 
grenadiers (80 FR 11897, March 5, 2015). This change from the proposed 
rule would correct an oversight in the publication of regulations that 
established an MRA for grenadiers. Currently, the MRA is only described 
in Table 10 to part 679. However, it is clear from the preamble to the 
proposed rule (79 FR 27557, May 14, 2014) and the final rule (80 FR 
11897, March 5, 2015) that the intent was to apply the MRA to all 
groundfish fishing, and not to specifically exclude vessels when 
fishing under the Central GOA Rockfish Program. This change would 
correct that oversight to be consistent with MRAs for grenadiers that 
are applicable in Table 10.
    The last change to Table 30 to part 679 adds a footnote to Table 30 
to explain that the descriptions of different incidental catch species 
groups listed in Table 30 can be found in the notes to Table 10 to part 
679. This change provides a clarification to the reader and does not 
change existing management.

Classification

    The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, determined that this final 
rule is necessary for the conservation and management of the GOA 
groundfish fishery and that it is consistent with the FMP, the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable laws.

Small Entity Compliance Guide

    Section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness 
Act of 1996 states that, for each rule or group of related rules for 
which an agency is required to prepare a final regulatory flexibility 
analysis (FRFA), the agency shall publish one or more guides to assist 
small entities in complying with the rule, and shall designate such 
publications as ``small entity compliance guides.'' The agency shall 
explain the actions a small entity is required to take to comply with a 
rule or group of rules. The preamble to the proposed rule and this 
final rule serve as the small entity compliance guide. This action does 
not require any additional compliance from small entities that is not 
described in the preambles. Copies of the proposed and final rules are 
available from NMFS at the following Web site: https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov.

Executive Order 12866

    This rule has been determined to be not significant for purposes of 
Executive Order 12866.

Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

    Section 604 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) requires that, 
when an agency promulgates a final rule under section 553 of Title 5 of 
the U.S. 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.
    Section 604 describes the 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; 
and (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.

Need for and Objectives of This Action

    A statement of the need for, and objectives of, the rule is 
contained in the preamble to this final rule (see the ``Purpose of this 
Final Rule'' section in this preamble) and is not repeated here.

Summary of Significant Issues Raised During Public Comment

    NMFS published a proposed rule on July 10, 2015 (80 FR 39734). An 
initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA) was prepared and 
summarized in the ``Classification'' section of the preamble to the 
proposed rule. The comment period closed on August 10, 2015. NMFS 
received two letters of public comment on the proposed rule containing 
10 unique comments. No comments were received on the IRFA or the 
economic impacts of the rule on small entities. The Chief Counsel for 
Advocacy of the SBA did not file any comments on the proposed rule.

Number and Description of Small Entities Regulated by This Action

    The Small Business Administration (SBA) establishes the size 
standards for all major industry sectors in the U.S., including 
commercial finfish harvesters (79 FR 33647, June 12, 2014). A business 
primarily involved in finfish harvesting is classified as a small 
business if it is independently owned and operated, is not dominant in 
its field of operation (including its affiliates), and has combined 
annual gross receipts not in excess of $20.5 million, for all its 
affiliated operations worldwide. For purposes of this FRFA, the effects 
of the final rule fall primarily on the distinct segment of the fishery 
industry characterized as commercial finfish harvesters.
    The entities that can reasonably be expected to be directly 
regulated by the final rule include all catcher vessels and catcher/
processors directed fishing for groundfish and halibut in the GOA that 
may harvest any species of skate. Based on data from 2013 (the most 
recent year of complete data), this action is estimated to directly 
regulate 1,153 small entities: 1,073 small catcher vessels fishing with 
hook-and-line gear (including jig gear), 116 small catcher vessels 
fishing with pot gear, and 32 small catcher vessels fishing with trawl

[[Page 80702]]

gear. The average gross revenues estimates for 2013 are $380,000 for 
small hook-and-line catcher vessels, $960,000 for small pot catcher 
vessels, and $2.8 million for small trawl catcher vessels. In addition, 
this action would directly regulate 2 small catcher/processors fishing 
with hook-and-line gear, and one small catcher/processor fishing with 
trawl gear. Specific revenue data for these small catcher/processors 
are confidential but are less than $20.5 million annually.
    The annual revenue at risk for all catcher vessels and catcher/
processors that could be affected by this final rule is estimated at 
$2.4 million. However, the impact relative to each vessel that retains 
skates in the GOA is quite small. Reducing the skate MRA primarily 
affects those vessels whose operators have retained big skate at an 
amount greater than 5 percent of their basis species in the Central 
GOA. In general, vessels that catch and retain skates show relatively 
little dependence on GOA skates for their gross revenues. The actual 
impact on gross revenue for a specific vessel may vary from year to 
year depending on the total abundance of skates, total catch of skates, 
market conditions, and ex-vessel price.

Description of Significant Alternatives That Minimize Adverse Impacts 
on Small Entities

    FRFA also requires a description of the steps the agency has taken 
to minimize the significant impact on directly regulated small entities 
consistent with the stated objectives of applicable statutes, including 
a statement of the factual, policy, and legal reasons for selecting the 
alternative (Alternative 4) adopted in the final rule and why each of 
the other significant alternatives to the rule considered by the agency 
that affect the economic impact on small entities was rejected. NMFS 
and the Council considered four alternative MRAs to reduce the 
incentive for fishermen to pursue top-off fishing for skates and slow 
the catch rate of skates in the GOA groundfish and halibut fisheries. 
In addition to the status quo of an MRA of 20 percent, the Council and 
NMFS evaluated alternatives to reduce skate MRAs to 15, 10, and 5 
percent.
    The analysis examined the rate of big skate catch relative to 
groundfish catch by directed fishery before and after big skate 
retention was prohibited in 2013 and 2014 (Section 4.5.1.1 of the 
Analysis). Comparison of changes in catch rates after retention was 
prohibited show the harvest rate for big skate dropped from as much as 
8.6 percent of the total groundfish and halibut catch to a harvest rate 
that ranged from 6.3 percent to 0.1 percent of the total groundfish and 
halibut catch depending on the year, gear type, and target fishery. 
These data indicate that participants in various target fisheries could 
avoid the incidental catch of big skate when there was not an incentive 
to retain big skates.
    Further analysis used a model to compare the retained skate catch 
of all skate species, in all areas and by vessels using all gear types 
under the alternative percentages of the basis species (Section 4.5.1.4 
of the Analysis). The model indicates that reducing the skate MRA below 
10 percent is expected to reduce the incentive for vessel operators to 
engage in top-off fishing and overall skate catch as fishermen avoid 
areas where skates are encountered. The model indicates that a 5 
percent MRA best ensures that NMFS will not have to prohibit the 
retention of skates and that skate TACs will not be exceeded.
    The Analysis did not identify any other alternatives that more 
effectively meet the RFA criteria to minimize adverse economic impacts 
on directly regulated small entities.
    This action implements Alternative 4, a 5 percent skate MRA. As 
discussed in Section 4.7 and 4.8 of the Analysis, the preferred 
alternative is the only alternative of the alternatives considered that 
is expected to adequately reduce the incentive for fishermen to target 
skates that may be retained as incidental catch species. A 5 percent 
MRA accomplishes the objectives of this final rule to slow the catch 
rate of skates in the GOA groundfish and halibut fisheries to ensure 
that the TACs for skate species are not exceeded.

Reporting, Recordkeeping Requirements, and Other Compliance 
Requirements

    This action does not impose any additional reporting requirements 
on the participants of the GOA groundfish and halibut fisheries.

Duplicate, Overlapping, or Conflicting Federal Rules

    NMFS has not identified other Federal rules that may duplicate, 
overlap, or conflict with this final rule.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 679

    Alaska, Fisheries.

    Dated: December 21, 2015.
Eileen Sobeck,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, NMFS amends 50 CFR part 
679 as follows:

PART 679--FISHERIES OF THE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE OFF ALASKA

0
1. The authority citation for part 679 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 1801 et seq.; 3631 et seq.; 
Pub. L. 108-447; Pub. L. 111-281.

0
2. In Sec.  679.7, revise paragraph (a)(18) to read as follows:


Sec.  679.7  Prohibitions.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (18) Pollock, Pacific Cod, and Atka Mackerel Directed Fishing and 
VMS. Operate a vessel in any Federal reporting area when a vessel is 
authorized under Sec.  679.4(b) to participate in the Atka mackerel, 
Pacific cod, or pollock directed fisheries and the vessel's authorized 
species and gear type is open to directed fishing, unless the vessel 
carries an operable NMFS-approved Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) and 
complies with the requirements in Sec.  679.28(f).
* * * * *
0
3. In Sec.  679.20, revise paragraph (f)(2) to read as follows:


Sec.  679.20  General limitations.

* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (2) Retainable amounts. Any groundfish species for which directed 
fishing is closed may not be used to calculate retainable amounts of 
other groundfish species. Only fish harvested under the CDQ Program may 
be used to calculate retainable amounts of other CDQ species.
* * * * *
0
4. In Sec.  679.28, revise paragraph (f)(6)(i) to read as follows:


Sec.  679.28  Equipment and operational requirements.

* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (6) * * *
    (i) You operate a vessel in any reporting area (see definitions at 
Sec.  679.2) off Alaska while any fishery requiring VMS, for which the 
vessel has a species and gear endorsement on its Federal Fisheries 
Permit under Sec.  679.4(b), is open.
* * * * *

[[Page 80703]]

0
5. In Sec.  679.81, revise paragraphs (h)(4)(i) and (h)(5) introductory 
text to read as follows:


Sec.  679.81  Rockfish Program annual harvester privileges.

* * * * *
    (h) * * *
    (4) * * *
    (i) The MRA for groundfish species not allocated as CQ (incidental 
catch species) for vessels fishing under the authority of a CQ permit 
is calculated as a proportion of the total allocated rockfish primary 
species and rockfish secondary species on board the vessel in round 
weight equivalents using the retainable percentage in Table 30 to this 
part; except that--
* * * * *
    (5) Maximum retainable amount (MRA) calculation and limits--
catcher/processor vessels. The MRA for groundfish species not allocated 
as CQ (incidental catch species) for vessels fishing under the 
authority of a CQ permit is calculated as a proportion of the total 
allocated rockfish primary species and rockfish secondary species on 
board the vessel in round weight equivalents using the retainable 
percentage in Table 30 to this part as determined under Sec.  
679.20(e)(3)(iv).
* * * * *
0
6. Revise Table 2a to part 679 to read as follows:

           Table 2a to Part 679--Species Codes: FMP Groundfish
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Species description                          Code
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel (greenling)............................                193
Flatfish, miscellaneous (flatfish species without                    120
 separate codes).....................................
FLOUNDER:
    Alaska plaice....................................                133
    Arrowtooth.......................................                121
    Bering...........................................                116
    Kamchatka........................................                117
    Starry...........................................                129
Octopus, North Pacific...............................                870
Pacific cod..........................................                110
Pollock..............................................                270
ROCKFISH:
    Aurora (Sebastes aurora).........................                185
    Black (BSAI) (S. melanops).......................                142
    Blackgill (S. melanostomus)......................                177
    Blue (BSAI) (S. mystinus)........................                167
    Bocaccio (S. paucispinis)........................                137
    Canary (S. pinniger).............................                146
    Chilipepper (S. goodei)..........................                178
    China (S. nebulosus).............................                149
    Copper (S. caurinus).............................                138
    Darkblotched (S. crameri)........................                159
    Dusky (S. variabilis)............................                172
    Greenstriped (S. elongatus)......................                135
    Harlequin (S. variegatus)........................                176
    Northern (S. polyspinis).........................                136
    Pacific Ocean Perch (S. alutus)..................                141
    Pygmy (S. wilsoni)...............................                179
    Quillback (S. maliger)...........................                147
    Redbanded (S. babcocki)..........................                153
    Redstripe (S. proriger)..........................                158
    Rosethorn (S. helvomaculatus)....................                150
    Rougheye (S. aleutianus).........................                151
    Sharpchin (S. zacentrus).........................                166
    Shortbelly (S. jordani)..........................                181
    Shortraker (S. borealis).........................                152
    Silvergray (S. brevispinis)......................                157
    Splitnose (S. diploproa).........................                182
    Stripetail (S. saxicola).........................                183
    Thornyhead (all Sebastolobus species)............                143
    Tiger (S. nigrocinctus)..........................                148
    Vermilion (S. miniatus)..........................                184
    Widow (S. entomelas).............................                156
    Yelloweye (S. ruberrimus)........................                145
    Yellowmouth (S. reedi)...........................                175
    Yellowtail (S. flavidus).........................                155
Sablefish (blackcod).................................                710
Sculpins.............................................                160
SHARKS:
    Other (if salmon, spiny dogfish or Pacific                       689
     sleeper shark--use specific species code).......
    Pacific sleeper..................................                692
    Salmon...........................................                690
    Spiny dogfish....................................                691
SKATES:
    Alaska (Bathyraja parmifera).....................                703
    Aleutian (B. aleutica)...........................                704
    Whiteblotched (B. maculata)......................                705
    Big (Raja binoculata)............................                702

[[Page 80704]]

 
    Longnose (R. rhina)..............................                701
    Other (if, Alaska, Aleutian, whiteblotched, big,                 700
     or longnose skate--use specific species code
     listed above)...................................
SOLE:
    Butter...........................................                126
    Dover............................................                124
    English..........................................                128
    Flathead.........................................                122
    Petrale..........................................                131
    Rex..............................................                125
    Rock.............................................                123
    Sand.............................................                132
    Yellowfin........................................                127
Squid, majestic......................................                875
Turbot, Greenland....................................                134
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 80705]]

0
7. Revise Table 10 to part 679 to read as follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR28DE15.017


[[Page 80706]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR28DE15.018


[[Page 80707]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR28DE15.019

 BILLING CODE 3510-22-C

[[Page 80708]]

0
8. Revise Table 30 to part 679 to read as follows:

                          Table 30 to Part 679--Rockfish Program Retainable Percentages
                                            [In round wt. equivalent]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    MRA as a
                                                                                                  percentage of
                                                                                                 total retained
                                       Incidental catch species                                 rockfish primary
               Fishery                            \1\                        Sector                species and
                                                                                                    rockfish
                                                                                                    secondary
                                                                                                     species
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rockfish Cooperative Vessels fishing   Pacific cod.............  Catcher/Processor............               4.0
 under a CQ permit.                    Shortraker/Rougheye       Catcher Vessel...............               2.0
                                        aggregate catch.
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                See rockfish non-allocated species for ``other species''
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rockfish non-allocated Species for     Pollock.................  Catcher/Processor and Catcher              20.0
 Rockfish Cooperative vessels fishing  Deep-water flatfish.....   Vessel.                                   20.0
 under a Rockfish CQ permit.           Rex sole................  Catcher/Processor and Catcher              20.0
                                       Flathead sole...........   Vessel.                                   20.0
                                                                 Catcher/Processor and Catcher
                                                                  Vessel.
                                                                 Catcher/Processor and Catcher
                                                                  Vessel.
                                       Shallow-water flatfish..  Catcher/Processor and Catcher              20.0
                                                                  Vessel.
                                       Arrowtooth flounder.....  Catcher/Processor and Catcher              35.0
                                                                  Vessel.
                                       Other rockfish..........  Catcher/Processor and Catcher              15.0
                                                                  Vessel.
                                       Atka mackerel...........  Catcher/Processor and Catcher              20.0
                                                                  Vessel.
                                       Aggregated forage fish..  Catcher/Processor and Catcher               2.0
                                                                  Vessel.
                                       Skates..................  Catcher/Processor and Catcher               5.0
                                                                  Vessel.
                                       Other species...........  Catcher/Processor and Catcher              20.0
                                                                  Vessel.
                                       Grenadiers..............  Catcher/Processor and Catcher               8.0
                                                                  Vessel.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longline gear Rockfish Entry Level                             Use Table 10 to this part.
 Fishery.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Opt-out vessels......................                          Use Table 10 to this part.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rockfish Cooperative Vessels not                               Use Table 10 to this part.
 fishing under a CQ permit.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ See Notes to Table 10 to Part 679 for descriptions of species groups.

[FR Doc. 2015-32577 Filed 12-24-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P