Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 21482-21483 [2016-08419]
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 70 / Tuesday, April 12, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with RULES
category quota, with 1.5 mt allocated for
each of the following areas: North of
39°18′ N. lat. (off Great Egg Inlet, NJ);
south of 39°18′ N. lat. and outside the
Gulf of Mexico; and in the Gulf of
Mexico. Trophy BFT measure 73 inches
(185 cm) curved fork length or greater.
As of April 4, 2016, reported landings
from the NMFS Automated Catch
Reporting System and the North
Carolina Tagging Program total
approximately 1.6 mt. NMFS has
determined that the codified Angling
category southern area trophy BFT
subquota has been reached and that a
closure of the southern area trophy BFT
fishery is warranted at this time.
Therefore, retaining, possessing, or
landing large medium or giant BFT
south of 39°18′ N. lat. and outside the
Gulf of Mexico by persons aboard
vessels permitted in the HMS Angling
category and the HMS Charter/Headboat
category must cease at 11:30 p.m. local
time on April 10, 2016. This closure
will remain effective through December
31, 2016. This action is intended to
prevent any further overharvest of the
Angling category southern area trophy
BFT subquota, and is taken consistent
with the regulations at § 635.28(a)(1).
If needed, subsequent Angling
category adjustments will be published
in the Federal Register. Information
regarding the Angling category fishery
for Atlantic tunas, including daily
retention limits for BFT measuring 27
inches (68.5 cm) to less than 73 inches
and any further Angling category
adjustments, is available at
hmspermits.noaa.gov or by calling (978)
281–9260.
HMS Angling and HMS Charter/
Headboat category permit holders may
catch and release (or tag and release)
BFT of all sizes, subject to the
requirements of the catch-and-release
and tag-and-release programs at
§ 635.26. Anglers are also reminded that
all BFT that are released must be
handled in a manner that will maximize
survival, and without removing the fish
from the water, consistent with
requirements at § 635.21(a)(1). For
additional information on safe handling,
see the ‘‘Careful Catch and Release’’
brochure available at
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/.
Classification
The Assistant Administrator for
NMFS (AA) finds that it is impracticable
and contrary to the public interest to
provide prior notice of, and an
opportunity for public comment on, this
action for the following reasons:
The regulations implementing the
2006 Consolidated HMS FMP, as
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:11 Apr 11, 2016
Jkt 238001
amended, provide for inseason retention
limit adjustments and fishery closures
to respond to the unpredictable nature
of BFT availability on the fishing
grounds, the migratory nature of this
species, and the regional variations in
the BFT fishery. The closure of the
southern area Angling category trophy
fishery is necessary to prevent any
further overharvest of the southern area
trophy fishery subquota. NMFS
provides notification of closures by
publishing the notice in the Federal
Register, emailing individuals who have
subscribed to the Atlantic HMS News
electronic newsletter, and updating the
information posted on the Atlantic
Tunas Information Line and on
hmspermits.noaa.gov.
These fisheries are currently
underway and delaying this action
would be contrary to the public interest
as it could result in excessive trophy
BFT landings that may result in future
potential quota reductions for the
Angling category, depending on the
magnitude of a potential Angling
category overharvest. NMFS must close
the southern area trophy BFT fishery
before additional landings of these sizes
of BFT accumulate. Therefore, the AA
finds good cause under 5 U.S.C.
553(b)(B) to waive prior notice and the
opportunity for public comment. For all
of the above reasons, there is good cause
under 5 U.S.C. 553(d) to waive the 30day delay in effectiveness.
This action is being taken under 50
CFR 635.28(a)(1), and is exempt from
review under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801
et seq.
Dated: April 7, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–08386 Filed 4–7–16; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 150916863–6211–02]
RIN 0648–XE558
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish
in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
AGENCY:
PO 00000
Frm 00034
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION:
Temporary rule; reallocation.
NMFS is exchanging unused
rock sole Community Development
Quota (CDQ) for yellowfin sole CDQ
acceptable biological catch (ABC)
reserves in the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands management area. This action is
necessary to allow the 2016 total
allowable catch of rock sole, and
yellowfin sole in the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands management area to be
harvested.
SUMMARY:
Effective April 12, 2016, through
December 31, 2016.
DATES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228.
NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
management area (BSAI) according to
the Fishery Management Plan for
Groundfish of the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands Management Area
(FMP) prepared by the North Pacific
Fishery Management Council under
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management
Act. Regulations governing fishing by
U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP
appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600
and 50 CFR part 679.
The 2016 rock sole and yellowfin sole
CDQ reserves specified in the BSAI are
6,110 mt, and 15,408 mt as established
by the final 2016 and 2017 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the
BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016).
The 2016 rock sole and yellowfin sole
CDQ ABC reserves are 11,128 mt and
7,244 mt as established by the final 2016
and 2017 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773,
March 18, 2016).
The Norton Sound Economic
Development Corporation has requested
that NMFS exchange 400 mt of rock sole
CDQ reserves for 400 mt of yellowfin
sole CDQ ABC reserves under
§ 679.31(d). Therefore, in accordance
with § 679.31(d), NMFS exchanges 400
mt of rock sole CDQ reserves for 400 mt
of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves in
the BSAI. This action also decreases and
increases the TACs and CDQ ABC
reserves by the corresponding amounts.
Tables 11 and 13 of the final 2016 and
2017 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773,
March 18, 2016) are revised as follows:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 70 / Tuesday, April 12, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
21483
TABLE 11—FINAL 2016 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT QUOTA (CDQ) RESERVES, INCIDENTAL CATCH AMOUNTS (ICAS), AND
AMENDMENT 80 ALLOCATIONS OF THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH, AND BSAI FLATHEAD SOLE, ROCK
SOLE, AND YELLOWFIN SOLE TACS
[Amounts are in metric tons]
Pacific Ocean perch
Sector
Eastern
Aleutian
District
TAC ..................................................................................
CDQ .................................................................................
ICA ...................................................................................
BSAI trawl limited access ................................................
Amendment 80 .................................................................
Alaska Groundfish Cooperative .......................................
Alaska Seafood Cooperative ...........................................
7,900
845
200
685
6,169
3,271
2,898
Central
Aleutian
District
Flathead
sole
7,000
749
75
618
5,558
2,947
2,611
9,000
963
10
161
7,866
4,171
3,695
Yellowfin
sole
BSAI
Western
Aleutian
District
Rock
sole
BSAI
BSAI
21,000
2,247
5,000
0
13,753
1,411
12,342
56,700
5,710
6,000
0
44,990
11,129
33,861
144,400
15,808
3,500
14,979
110,113
43,748
66,365
Note: Sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
TABLE 13—FINAL 2016 AND 2017 ABC SURPLUS, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT QUOTA (CDQ) ABC RESERVES, AND
AMENDMENT 80 ABC RESERVES IN THE BSAI FOR FLATHEAD SOLE, ROCK SOLE, AND YELLOWFIN SOLE
[Amounts are in metric tons]
2016
Flathead
sole
Sector
ABC ..................................................................................
TAC ..................................................................................
ABC surplus .....................................................................
ABC reserve .....................................................................
CDQ ABC reserve ...........................................................
Amendment 80 ABC reserve ...........................................
Alaska Groundfish Cooperative for 2016 1 ......................
Alaska Seafood Cooperative for 2016 1 ..........................
66,250
21,000
45,250
45,250
4,842
40,408
4,145
36,263
2016
Rock
sole
2016
Yellowfin
sole
161,100
56,700
104,400
104,400
11,528
92,872
22,974
69,898
2017
Flathead
sole
211,700
144,400
67,300
67,300
6,844
60,456
24,019
36,437
64,580
21,000
43,580
43,580
4,663
38,917
n/a
n/a
2017
Rock
sole
145,000
57,100
87,900
87,900
9,405
78,495
n/a
n/a
2017
Yellowfin
sole
203,500
144,000
59,500
59,500
6,367
53,134
n/a
n/a
1 The 2017 allocations for Amendment 80 species between Amendment 80 cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited access sector will not
be known until eligible participants apply for participation in the program by November 1, 2016.
Classification
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with RULES
This action responds to the best
available information recently obtained
from the fishery. The Assistant
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA
(AA), finds good cause to waive the
requirement to provide prior notice and
opportunity for public comment
pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is
impracticable and contrary to the public
interest. This requirement is
impracticable and contrary to the public
interest as it would prevent NMFS from
responding to the most recent fisheries
data in a timely fashion and would
delay the flatfish exchange by the
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:11 Apr 11, 2016
Jkt 238001
Norton Sound Economic Development
Corporation in the BSAI. Since these
fisheries are currently open, it is
important to immediately inform the
industry as to the revised allocations.
Immediate notification is necessary to
allow for the orderly conduct and
efficient operation of this fishery, to
allow the industry to plan for the fishing
season, and to avoid potential
disruption to the fishing fleet as well as
processors. NMFS was unable to
publish a notice providing time for
public comment because the most
recent, relevant data only became
available as of March 31, 2016.
The AA also finds good cause to
waive the 30-day delay in the effective
PO 00000
Frm 00035
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
the reasons provided above for waiver of
prior notice and opportunity for public
comment.
This action is required by § 679.20
and is exempt from review under
Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: April 7, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–08419 Filed 4–11–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
E:\FR\FM\12APR1.SGM
12APR1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 12, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21482-21483]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08419]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 150916863-6211-02]
RIN 0648-XE558
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Exchange of
Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is exchanging unused rock sole Community Development
Quota (CDQ) for yellowfin sole CDQ acceptable biological catch (ABC)
reserves in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This
action is necessary to allow the 2016 total allowable catch of rock
sole, and yellowfin sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
management area to be harvested.
DATES: Effective April 12, 2016, through December 31, 2016.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) according to the
Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands Management Area (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery
Management Council under authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act. Regulations governing fishing by U.S.
vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part
600 and 50 CFR part 679.
The 2016 rock sole and yellowfin sole CDQ reserves specified in the
BSAI are 6,110 mt, and 15,408 mt as established by the final 2016 and
2017 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773,
March 18, 2016). The 2016 rock sole and yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves
are 11,128 mt and 7,244 mt as established by the final 2016 and 2017
harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773, March
18, 2016).
The Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation has requested
that NMFS exchange 400 mt of rock sole CDQ reserves for 400 mt of
yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves under Sec. 679.31(d). Therefore, in
accordance with Sec. 679.31(d), NMFS exchanges 400 mt of rock sole CDQ
reserves for 400 mt of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves in the BSAI.
This action also decreases and increases the TACs and CDQ ABC reserves
by the corresponding amounts. Tables 11 and 13 of the final 2016 and
2017 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773,
March 18, 2016) are revised as follows:
[[Page 21483]]
Table 11--Final 2016 Community Development Quota (CDQ) Reserves, Incidental Catch Amounts (ICAS), and Amendment
80 Allocations of the Aleutian Islands Pacific Ocean Perch, and BSAI Flathead Sole, Rock Sole, and Yellowfin
Sole Tacs
[Amounts are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific Ocean perch Flathead Rock sole Yellowfin
--------------------------------------- sole ------------- sole
Sector Eastern Central Western ------------- ------------
Aleutian Aleutian Aleutian BSAI
District District District BSAI BSAI
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAC............................... 7,900 7,000 9,000 21,000 56,700 144,400
CDQ............................... 845 749 963 2,247 5,710 15,808
ICA............................... 200 75 10 5,000 6,000 3,500
BSAI trawl limited access......... 685 618 161 0 0 14,979
Amendment 80...................... 6,169 5,558 7,866 13,753 44,990 110,113
Alaska Groundfish Cooperative..... 3,271 2,947 4,171 1,411 11,129 43,748
Alaska Seafood Cooperative........ 2,898 2,611 3,695 12,342 33,861 66,365
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
Table 13--Final 2016 and 2017 ABC Surplus, Community Development Quota (CDQ) ABC Reserves, and Amendment 80 ABC
Reserves in the BSAI for Flathead Sole, Rock Sole, and Yellowfin Sole
[Amounts are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2016 2016 2017 2017
Sector Flathead 2016 Rock Yellowfin Flathead 2017 Rock Yellowfin
sole sole sole sole sole sole
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABC............................... 66,250 161,100 211,700 64,580 145,000 203,500
TAC............................... 21,000 56,700 144,400 21,000 57,100 144,000
ABC surplus....................... 45,250 104,400 67,300 43,580 87,900 59,500
ABC reserve....................... 45,250 104,400 67,300 43,580 87,900 59,500
CDQ ABC reserve................... 4,842 11,528 6,844 4,663 9,405 6,367
Amendment 80 ABC reserve.......... 40,408 92,872 60,456 38,917 78,495 53,134
Alaska Groundfish Cooperative for 4,145 22,974 24,019 n/a n/a n/a
2016 \1\.........................
Alaska Seafood Cooperative for 36,263 69,898 36,437 n/a n/a n/a
2016 \1\.........................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The 2017 allocations for Amendment 80 species between Amendment 80 cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited
access sector will not be known until eligible participants apply for participation in the program by November
1, 2016.
Classification
This action responds to the best available information recently
obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,
NOAA (AA), finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior
notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set
forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is impracticable and
contrary to the public interest. This requirement is impracticable and
contrary to the public interest as it would prevent NMFS from
responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and
would delay the flatfish exchange by the Norton Sound Economic
Development Corporation in the BSAI. Since these fisheries are
currently open, it is important to immediately inform the industry as
to the revised allocations. Immediate notification is necessary to
allow for the orderly conduct and efficient operation of this fishery,
to allow the industry to plan for the fishing season, and to avoid
potential disruption to the fishing fleet as well as processors. NMFS
was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment
because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of
March 31, 2016.
The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the
effective date of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This finding is
based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and
opportunity for public comment.
This action is required by Sec. 679.20 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: April 7, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-08419 Filed 4-11-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
