Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 76875-76876 [2016-26723]
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76875
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 214 / Friday, November 4, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
vessels permitted in the Atlantic tunas
General and HMS Charter/Headboat
categories (while fishing commercially)
must cease at 11:30 p.m. local time on
November 4, 2016. The General category
will reopen automatically on January 1,
2017, for the January through March
2017 subperiod. This action applies to
Atlantic tunas General category
(commercial) permitted vessels and
Highly Migratory Species (HMS)
Charter/Headboat category permitted
vessels when fishing commercially for
BFT, and is taken consistent with the
regulations at § 635.28(a)(1). The intent
of this closure is to prevent any further
overharvest of the available 2016
General category quota.
Fishermen may catch and release (or
tag and release) BFT of all sizes, subject
to the requirements of the catch-andrelease 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
atwww.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 and
amendments 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. These fisheries are
currently underway and delaying this
action would be contrary to the public
interest as it could result in excessive
BFT landings that may result in future
potential quota reductions for the
General category. NMFS must close the
General category fishery for 2016 to
prevent the available quota from being
exceeded any further. 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
§ 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: November 1, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–26718 Filed 11–1–16; 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–XF010
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 Amendment
80 allocations of the total allowable
catch for yellowfin sole Amendment 80
acceptable biological catch (ABC)
reserves. This action is necessary to
allow the 2016 total allowable catch of
flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin
sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands management area to be
harvested.
SUMMARY:
Effective November 4, 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 flathead sole, rock sole, and
yellowfin sole Amendment 80
allocations of the total allowable catch
(TAC) specified in the BSAI are 9,853
metric tons (mt), 43,965 mt, and 115,038
mt as established by the final 2016 and
2017 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773,
March 18, 2016) and as revised (81 FR
75740, November 1, 2016). The 2016
flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin
sole Amendment 80 ABC reserves are
44,308 mt, 93,897 mt, and 55,531 mt as
established by the final 2016 and 2017
harvest specifications for groundfish in
the BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18,
2016).
The Alaska Seafood cooperative has
requested that NMFS exchange 850 mt
of flathead sole and 1,670 mt of rock
sole Amendment 80 allocations of the
TAC for 2,520 mt of yellowfin sole
Amendment 80 ABC reserves under
§ 679.91(i). Therefore, in accordance
with § 679.91(i), NMFS exchanges 850
mt of flathead sole and 1,670 mt of rock
sole Amendment 80 allocations of the
TAC for 2,520 mt of yellowfin sole
Amendment 80 ABC reserves in the
BSAI. This action also decreases and
increases the TACs and Amendment 80
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 as revised (81 FR
75740, November 1, 2016) are further
revised as follows:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES
[Amounts are in metric tons]
Pacific ocean perch
Sector
Eastern
Aleutian
District
TAC ..........................................................
VerDate Sep<11>2014
11:51 Nov 03, 2016
Jkt 241001
7,900
PO 00000
Frm 00033
Central
Aleutian
District
Flathead sole
Western
Aleutian
District
7,000
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
9,000
Rock sole
Yellowfin sole
BSAI
BSAI
BSAI
15,163
E:\FR\FM\04NOR1.SGM
04NOR1
52,659
154,278
76876
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 214 / Friday, November 4, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
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—Continued
[Amounts are in metric tons]
Pacific ocean perch
Sector
Eastern
Aleutian
District
CDQ .........................................................
ICA ...........................................................
BSAI trawl limited access ........................
Amendment 80 .........................................
Alaska Groundfish Cooperative ...............
Alaska Seafood Cooperative ...................
Central
Aleutian
District
845
200
685
6,169
3,271
2,898
Flathead sole
Western
Aleutian
District
749
75
618
5,558
2,947
2,611
Rock sole
Yellowfin sole
BSAI
BSAI
BSAI
963
10
161
7,866
4,171
3,695
1,160
5,000
0
9,003
1,411
7,592
4,364
6,000
0
42,295
11,129
31,166
18,241
3,500
14,979
117,558
43,748
73,810
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 ..
2016 Rock
sole
2016 Yellowfin
sole
2017 Flathead
sole
2017 Rock
sole
2017 Yellowfin
sole
66,250
15,163
51,087
51,087
5,929
45,158
161,100
52,659
108,441
108,441
12,874
95,567
211,700
154,278
57,422
57,422
4,411
53,011
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
41,013
22,974
72,593
24,019
28,992
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.
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES
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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
11:51 Nov 03, 2016
Jkt 241001
Alaska Seafood cooperative 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 25, 2016.
The AA also finds good cause to
waive the 30-day delay in the effective
PO 00000
Frm 00034
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: November 1, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–26723 Filed 11–3–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
E:\FR\FM\04NOR1.SGM
04NOR1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 214 (Friday, November 4, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 76875-76876]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-26723]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 150916863-6211-02]
RIN 0648-XF010
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
Amendment 80 allocations of the total allowable catch for yellowfin
sole Amendment 80 acceptable biological catch (ABC) reserves. This
action is necessary to allow the 2016 total allowable catch of flathead
sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands management area to be harvested.
DATES: Effective November 4, 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 Amendment 80
allocations of the total allowable catch (TAC) specified in the BSAI
are 9,853 metric tons (mt), 43,965 mt, and 115,038 mt as established by
the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for groundfish in the
BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016) and as revised (81 FR 75740,
November 1, 2016). The 2016 flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin
sole Amendment 80 ABC reserves are 44,308 mt, 93,897 mt, and 55,531 mt
as established by the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016).
The Alaska Seafood cooperative has requested that NMFS exchange 850
mt of flathead sole and 1,670 mt of rock sole Amendment 80 allocations
of the TAC for 2,520 mt of yellowfin sole Amendment 80 ABC reserves
under Sec. 679.91(i). Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.91(i),
NMFS exchanges 850 mt of flathead sole and 1,670 mt of rock sole
Amendment 80 allocations of the TAC for 2,520 mt of yellowfin sole
Amendment 80 ABC reserves in the BSAI. This action also decreases and
increases the TACs and Amendment 80 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 as revised (81 FR 75740, November 1, 2016) are further 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 15,163 52,659 154,278
[[Page 76876]]
CDQ..................................................... 845 749 963 1,160 4,364 18,241
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 9,003 42,295 117,558
Alaska Groundfish Cooperative........................... 3,271 2,947 4,171 1,411 11,129 43,748
Alaska Seafood Cooperative.............................. 2,898 2,611 3,695 7,592 31,166 73,810
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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..................................................... 15,163 52,659 154,278 21,000 57,100 144,000
ABC surplus............................................. 51,087 108,441 57,422 43,580 87,900 59,500
ABC reserve............................................. 51,087 108,441 57,422 43,580 87,900 59,500
CDQ ABC reserve......................................... 5,929 12,874 4,411 4,663 9,405 6,367
Amendment 80 ABC reserve................................ 45,158 95,567 53,011 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\................. 41,013 72,593 28,992 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 Alaska Seafood cooperative 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 25, 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: November 1, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-26723 Filed 11-3-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
