Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 72740-72741 [2016-25446]
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72740
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 204 / Friday, October 21, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 150916863–6211–02]
RIN 0648–XE969
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
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation.
AGENCY:
NMFS is exchanging unused
flathead sole and 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 yellowfin sole in
SUMMARY:
the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
management area to be harvested.
DATES: Effective October 21, 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, rock sole, and
yellowfin sole CDQ reserves specified in
the BSAI are 1,537 metric tons (mt),
5,215 mt, and 17,013 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 69442,
October 6, 2016). The 2016 flathead
sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole CDQ
ABC reserves are 5,552 mt, 12,023 mt,
and 5,639 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 69442, October 6, 2016).
The Bristol Bay Economic
Development Corporation has requested
that NMFS exchange 304 mt of flathead
sole and 245 mt of rock sole CDQ
reserves for 549 mt of yellowfin sole
CDQ ABC reserves under § 679.31(d).
Therefore, in accordance with
§ 679.31(d), NMFS exchanges 304 mt of
flathead sole, 245 mt of rock sole CDQ
reserves for 549 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 69442,
October 6, 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
16,086
1,233
5,000
0
9,853
1,411
8,442
54,935
4,970
6,000
0
43,965
11,129
32,836
151,079
17,562
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
[Amounts are in metric tons]
2016
Flathead sole
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
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 ..
2016
Rock sole
2016
Yellowfin sole
2017
Flathead sole
2017
Rock sole
2017
Yellowfin sole
66,250
16,086
50,164
50,164
5,856
44,308
161,100
54,935
106,165
106,165
12,268
93,897
211,700
151,079
60,621
60,621
5,090
55,531
64,580
21,000
43,580
43,580
4,663
38,917
145,000
57,100
87,900
87,900
9,405
78,495
203,500
144,000
59,500
59,500
6,367
53,134
4,145
40,163
22,974
70,923
24,019
31,512
n/a
n/a
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.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:30 Oct 20, 2016
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 204 / Friday, October 21, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
Classification
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD 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
16:30 Oct 20, 2016
Jkt 241001
Bristol Bay 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 October 12, 2016.
The AA also finds good cause to
waive the 30-day delay in the effective
PO 00000
Frm 00057
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
72741
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: October 17, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–25446 Filed 10–20–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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21OCR1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 204 (Friday, October 21, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 72740-72741]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-25446]
[[Page 72740]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 150916863-6211-02]
RIN 0648-XE969
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 and 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 yellowfin sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands management area to be harvested.
DATES: Effective October 21, 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, rock sole, and yellowfin sole CDQ reserves
specified in the BSAI are 1,537 metric tons (mt), 5,215 mt, and 17,013
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 69442, October 6, 2016). The 2016 flathead sole, rock
sole, and yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves are 5,552 mt, 12,023 mt, and
5,639 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 69442, October 6, 2016).
The Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation has requested that
NMFS exchange 304 mt of flathead sole and 245 mt of rock sole CDQ
reserves for 549 mt of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves under Sec.
679.31(d). Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.31(d), NMFS
exchanges 304 mt of flathead sole, 245 mt of rock sole CDQ reserves for
549 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 69442, October 6, 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 16,086 54,935 151,079
CDQ..................................................... 845 749 963 1,233 4,970 17,562
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 Yellowfin 2017 Flathead 2017 Yellowfin
Sector sole 2016 Rock sole sole sole 2017 Rock sole sole
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABC..................................................... 66,250 161,100 211,700 64,580 145,000 203,500
TAC..................................................... 16,086 54,935 151,079 21,000 57,100 144,000
ABC surplus............................................. 50,164 106,165 60,621 43,580 87,900 59,500
ABC reserve............................................. 50,164 106,165 60,621 43,580 87,900 59,500
CDQ ABC reserve......................................... 5,856 12,268 5,090 4,663 9,405 6,367
Amendment 80 ABC reserve................................ 44,308 93,897 55,531 38,917 78,495 53,134
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.
[[Page 72741]]
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 Bristol Bay 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
October 12, 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 17, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-25446 Filed 10-20-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
