Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 69442-69443 [2016-24185]

Download as PDF 69442 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 194 / Thursday, October 6, 2016 / Rules and Regulations Authors The primary authors of this document are the staff members of the Unified Listing Team, Ecological Services Program. Authority The authority for this action is section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Dated: September 26, 2016. Stephen Guertin, Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2016–24142 Filed 10–5–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 150916863–6211–02] RIN 0648–XE935 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: Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation. NMFS is exchanging unused flathead 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 yellowfin sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area to be harvested. DATES: Effective October 6, 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 flathead sole and yellowfin sole CDQ reserves specified in the BSAI SUMMARY: are 1,617 metric tons (mt), and 16,933 mt as established by the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016) and following revision (81 FR 64782, September 21, 2016). The 2016 flathead sole and yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves are 5,472 mt and 5,719 mt as established by the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016) and following revision (81 FR 64782, September 21, 2016). The Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association has requested that NMFS exchange 80 mt of flathead sole CDQ reserves for 80 mt of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves under § 679.31(d). Therefore, in accordance with § 679.31(d), NMFS exchanges 80 mt of flathead sole CDQ reserves for 80 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), and following revision (81 FR 64782, September 21, 2016), are revised as follows: 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 ................... Central Aleutian district 7,900 845 200 685 6,169 3,271 2,898 Flathead sole Western Aleutian district 7,000 749 75 618 5,558 2,947 2,611 9,000 963 10 161 7,866 4,171 3,695 Rock sole Yellowfin sole BSAI BSAI BSAI 16,390 1,537 5,000 0 9,853 1,411 8,442 55,180 5,215 6,000 0 43,965 11,129 32,836 150,530 17,013 3,500 14,979 115,038 43,748 71,290 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 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES [Amounts are in metric tons] 2016 Flathead sole Sector ABC .......................................................... TAC .......................................................... ABC surplus ............................................. ABC reserve ............................................. CDQ ABC reserve ................................... Amendment 80 ABC reserve ................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:57 Oct 05, 2016 Jkt 241001 66,250 16,390 49,860 49,860 5,552 44,308 PO 00000 Frm 00058 2016 Rock sole 2016 Yellowfin sole 161,100 55,180 105,920 105,920 12,023 93,897 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 211,700 150,530 61,170 61,170 5,639 55,531 2017 Flathead sole 64,580 21,000 43,580 43,580 4,663 38,917 E:\FR\FM\06OCR1.SGM 06OCR1 2017 Rock sole 145,000 57,100 87,900 87,900 9,405 78,495 2017 Yellowfin sole 203,500 144,000 59,500 59,500 6,367 53,134 69443 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 194 / Thursday, October 6, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 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—Continued [Amounts are in metric tons] 2016 Flathead sole Sector Alaska Groundfish Cooperative for 2016 1 ................................................... Alaska Seafood Cooperative for 2016 1 .. 2016 Rock sole 4,145 40,163 2016 Yellowfin sole 22,974 70,923 2017 Flathead sole 24,019 31,512 n/a n/a 2017 Rock sole 2017 Yellowfin sole n/a n/a 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 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 Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association 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 September 30, 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 § 679.20 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:57 Oct 05, 2016 Jkt 241001 Dated: October 3, 2016. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016–24185 Filed 10–5–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 150916863–6211–02] RIN 0648–XE932 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Atka Mackerel in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation. AGENCY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of the 2016 Atka mackerel incidental catch allowance (ICA) for the Bering Sea subarea and Eastern Aleutian district (BS/EAI) to the Amendment 80 cooperative allocations in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to allow the 2016 total allowable catch of Atka mackerel in the BSAI to be fully harvested. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 3, 2016 through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2016. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 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. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 2016 Atka mackerel ICA for the BS/EAI is 1,000 metric tons (mt) and 2016 Atka mackerel total allowable catch allocated to the Amendment 80 cooperatives is 21,895 mt as established by the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016). The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that 775 mt of the Atka mackerel ICA for the BS/EAI will not be harvested. Therefore, in accordance with § 679.91(f), NMFS reallocates 775 mt of Atka mackerel from the BS/EAI ICA to the Amendment 80 cooperatives in the BSAI. In accordance with § 679.91(f), NMFS will reissue cooperative quota permits for the reallocated Atka mackerel following the procedures set forth in § 679.91(f)(3). The harvest specifications for Atka mackerel included in the harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016) are revised as follows: 225 mt of Atka mackerel for the BS/EAI ICA and 22,670 mt of Atka mackerel for the Amendment 80 cooperative allocations in the BS/ EAI. Table 6 is revised and republished in its entirety as follows: E:\FR\FM\06OCR1.SGM 06OCR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 194 (Thursday, October 6, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 69442-69443]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-24185]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 150916863-6211-02]
RIN 0648-XE935

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 flathead 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
yellowfin sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area
to be harvested.

DATES: Effective October 6, 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 flathead sole and yellowfin sole CDQ reserves specified in
the BSAI are 1,617 metric tons (mt), and 16,933 mt as established by
the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for groundfish in the
BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016) and following revision (81 FR 64782,
September 21, 2016). The 2016 flathead sole and yellowfin sole CDQ ABC
reserves are 5,472 mt and 5,719 mt as established by the final 2016 and
2017 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773,
March 18, 2016) and following revision (81 FR 64782, September 21,
2016).
The Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association has
requested that NMFS exchange 80 mt of flathead sole CDQ reserves for 80
mt of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves under Sec. 679.31(d). Therefore,
in accordance with Sec. 679.31(d), NMFS exchanges 80 mt of flathead
sole CDQ reserves for 80 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), and following revision (81 FR 64782, September
21, 2016), are revised as follows:

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 sole Rock sole Yellowfin sole
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector Eastern Central Western
Aleutian Aleutian Aleutian BSAI BSAI BSAI
district district district
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAC..................................................... 7,900 7,000 9,000 16,390 55,180 150,530
CDQ..................................................... 845 749 963 1,537 5,215 17,013
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 9,853 43,965 115,038
Alaska Groundfish Cooperative........................... 3,271 2,947 4,171 1,411 11,129 43,748
Alaska Seafood Cooperative.............................. 2,898 2,611 3,695 8,442 32,836 71,290
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 2016 Rock 2016 2017 Flathead 2017 Rock 2017
Sector sole sole Yellowfin sole sole sole Yellowfin sole
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABC..................................................... 66,250 161,100 211,700 64,580 145,000 203,500
TAC..................................................... 16,390 55,180 150,530 21,000 57,100 144,000
ABC surplus............................................. 49,860 105,920 61,170 43,580 87,900 59,500
ABC reserve............................................. 49,860 105,920 61,170 43,580 87,900 59,500
CDQ ABC reserve......................................... 5,552 12,023 5,639 4,663 9,405 6,367
Amendment 80 ABC reserve................................ 44,308 93,897 55,531 38,917 78,495 53,134

[[Page 69443]]

Alaska Groundfish Cooperative for 2016 \1\.............. 4,145 22,974 24,019 n/a n/a n/a
Alaska Seafood Cooperative for 2016 \1\................. 40,163 70,923 31,512 n/a 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

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 Aleutian Pribilof Island
Community Development Association 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
September 30, 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: October 3, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-24185 Filed 10-5-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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