Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska; 2017 and 2018 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish, 87881-87901 [2016-29150]
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 234 / Tuesday, December 6, 2016 / Proposed Rules
This action does not modify
recordkeeping or reporting
requirements, or duplicate, overlap, or
conflict with any Federal rules.
Adverse impacts on marine mammals
resulting from fishing activities
conducted under these harvest
specifications are discussed in the Final
EIS (see ADDRESSES), and in the 2016
SIR (https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/
sites/default/files/sir-2016-17.pdf).
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 16 U.S.C.
1540(f); 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C.
3631 et seq.; Pub. L. 105–277; Pub. L. 106–
31; Pub. L. 106–554; Pub. L. 108–199; Pub.
L. 108–447; Pub. L. 109–241; Pub. L. 109–
479.
Dated: November 30, 2016.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–29152 Filed 12–5–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 160920866–6999–01]
RIN 0648–XE904
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska; 2017
and 2018 Harvest Specifications for
Groundfish
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule; request for
comments.
AGENCY:
NMFS proposes 2017 and
2018 harvest specifications,
apportionments, and Pacific halibut
prohibited species catch limits for the
groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska
(GOA). This action is necessary to
establish harvest limits for groundfish
during the 2017 and 2018 fishing years
and to accomplish the goals and
objectives of the Fishery Management
Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of
Alaska. The intended effect of this
action is to conserve and manage the
groundfish resources in the GOA in
accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management
Act.
DATES: Comments must be received by
January 5, 2017.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
on this document, identified by NOAA–
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SUMMARY:
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NMFS–2016–0127, by any one of the
following methods:
• Electronic Submission: Submit all
electronic public comments via the
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=
NOAA-NMFS-2016-0127, click the
‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the
required fields, and enter or attach your
comments.
• Mail: Submit written comments to
Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries
Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn:
Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O.
Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668.
Instructions: Comments sent by any
other method, to any other address or
individual, or received after the end of
the comment period, may not be
considered by NMFS. All comments
received are a part of the public record
and will generally be posted for public
viewing on www.regulations.gov
without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address),
confidential business information, or
otherwise sensitive information
submitted voluntarily by the sender will
be publicly accessible. NMFS will
accept anonymous comments (enter
‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish
to remain anonymous).
Electronic copies of the Alaska
Groundfish Harvest Specifications Final
Environmental Impact Statement (Final
EIS), Record of Decision (ROD) for the
Final EIS, Supplementary Information
Report (SIR) to the Final EIS, and the
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
(IRFA) prepared for this action may be
obtained from https://
www.regulations.gov or from the Alaska
Region Web site at https://alaska
fisheries.noaa.gov. The final 2015 Stock
Assessment and Fishery Evaluation
(SAFE) report for the groundfish
resources of the GOA, dated November
2015, is available from the North Pacific
Fishery Management Council (Council)
at 605 West 4th Avenue, Suite 306,
Anchorage, AK 99501, phone 907–271–
2809, or from the Council’s Web site at
https://www.npfmc.org. The draft 2016
SAFE report for the GOA will be
available from the same source.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Obren Davis, 907–586–7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
manages the GOA groundfish fisheries
in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of
the GOA under the Fishery Management
Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of
Alaska (FMP). The Council prepared the
FMP under the authority of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act
(Magnuson-Stevens Act), 16 U.S.C.
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1801, et seq. Regulations governing U.S.
fisheries and implementing the FMP
appear at 50 CFR parts 600, 679, and
680.
The FMP and its implementing
regulations require NMFS, after
consultation with the Council, to
specify the total allowable catch (TAC)
for each target species, the sum of which
must be within the optimum yield (OY)
range of 116,000 to 800,000 metric tons
(mt) (§ 679.20(a)(1)(i)(B)). Section
679.20(c)(1) further requires NMFS to
publish and solicit public comment on
proposed annual TACs, Pacific halibut
prohibited species catch (PSC) limits,
and seasonal allowances of pollock and
Pacific cod. The proposed harvest
specifications in Tables 1 through 19 of
this document satisfy these
requirements. For 2017 and 2018, the
sum of the proposed TAC amounts is
573,872 mt.
Under § 679.20(c)(3), NMFS will
publish the final 2017 and 2018 harvest
specifications after (1) considering
comments received within the comment
period (see DATES), (2) consulting with
the Council at its December 2016
meeting, (3) considering information
presented in the 2016 SIR that assesses
the need to prepare a Supplemental EIS
(see ADDRESSES), and (4) considering
information presented in the final 2016
SAFE report prepared for the 2017 and
2018 groundfish fisheries.
Other Actions Potentially Affecting the
2017 and 2018 Harvest Specifications
Amendment 103: Chinook Salmon
Prohibited Species Catch Limit
Reapportionment Provisions for Trawl
Sectors in the Western and Central GOA
In December 2015, the Council
recommended for Secretarial review
Amendment 103 to the FMP to
reapportion unused Chinook salmon
PSC limits among the GOA pollock and
non-pollock trawl sectors. Amendment
103 allows NMFS to reapportion the
Chinook salmon PSC limits established
by Amendments 93 and 97 to prevent or
limit fishery closures due to attainment
of sector-specific Chinook salmon PSC
limits, while maintaining the annual,
combined 32,500 Chinook salmon PSC
limit for all sectors. The Secretary
approved Amendment 103 on August
24, 2016. The final rule implementing
Amendment 103 published on
September 12, 2016, (81 FR 62659) and
became effective on October 12, 2016.
Amendment 101: Authorize Longline
Pot Gear for Use in the Sablefish IFQ
Fishery in the GOA
NMFS issued a proposed rule to
implement Amendment 101 to the FMP
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for the sablefish individual fishing
quota (IFQ) fisheries in the GOA on
August 19, 2016 (81 FR 55408). That
proposed action would authorize the
use of longline pot gear in the GOA
sablefish IFQ fishery. The Secretary
approved Amendment 101 on
November 4, 2016. If NMFS approves
the final rule, NMFS expects it would be
effective for the 2017 GOA sablefish IFQ
fishery.
Proposed Acceptable Biological Catch
(ABC) and TAC Specifications
In October 2016, the Council, its
Scientific and Statistical Committee
(SSC), and its Advisory Panel (AP)
reviewed the most recent biological and
harvest information about the condition
of groundfish stocks in the GOA. This
information was compiled by the GOA
Groundfish Plan Team (Plan Team) and
presented in the final 2015 SAFE report
for the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated
November 2015 (see ADDRESSES). The
SAFE report contains a review of the
latest scientific analyses and estimates
of each species’ biomass and other
biological parameters, as well as
summaries of the available information
on the GOA ecosystem and the
economic condition of the groundfish
fisheries off Alaska. From these data and
analyses, the Plan Team estimates and
the SSC sets an overfishing level (OFL)
and ABC for each species or species
group. The amounts proposed for the
2017 and 2018 OFLs and ABCs are
based on the 2015 SAFE report. The AP
and Council recommended that the
proposed 2017 and 2018 TACs be set
equal to proposed ABCs for all species
and species groups, with the exception
of the species categories further
discussed below. The proposed OFLs,
ABCs, and TACs could be changed in
the final harvest specifications
depending on the most recent scientific
information contained in the final 2016
SAFE report. The draft stock
assessments that will comprise, in part,
the 2016 SAFE report are available at
https://www.afsc.noaa.gov/REFM/stocks/
plan_team/draft_assessments.htm.
In November 2016, the Plan Team
will update the 2015 SAFE report to
include new information collected
during 2016, such as NMFS stock
surveys, revised stock assessments, and
catch data. The Plan Team will compile
this information and produce the draft
2016 SAFE report for presentation at the
December 2016 Council meeting. At that
meeting, the Council will consider
information in the draft 2016 SAFE
report, recommendations from the
November 2016 Plan Team meeting and
December 2016 SSC and AP meetings,
public testimony, and relevant written
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public comments in making its
recommendations for the final 2017 and
2018 harvest specifications. Pursuant to
§ 679.20(a)(2) and (3), the Council could
recommend adjusting the TACs if
warranted on the biological condition of
groundfish stocks or a variety of
socioeconomic considerations; or if
required in order to cause the sum to
fall within the optimum yield range.
In previous years, the OFLs and ABCs
that have had the most significant
changes (relative to the amount of
assessed tonnage of fish) from the
proposed to the final harvest
specifications have been for OFLs and
ABCs that are based on the most recent
NMFS stock surveys. These surveys
provide updated estimates of stock
biomass and spatial distribution, and
changes to the models used for
producing stock assessments. NMFS
scientists presented updated and new
survey results, changes to assessment
models, and accompanying stock
estimates at the September 2016 Plan
Team meeting, and the SSC reviewed
this information at the October 2016
Council meeting. The species with
possible significant model changes are
Pacific cod, pollock, sablefish, and
sharks. In November 2016, the Plan
Team considered updated stock
assessments for groundfish, which will
be included in the draft 2016 SAFE
report.
If the draft 2016 SAFE report
indicates that the stock biomass trend is
increasing for a species, then the final
2017 and 2018 harvest specifications for
that species may reflect an increase from
the proposed harvest specifications.
Conversely, if the draft 2016 SAFE
report indicates that the stock biomass
trend is decreasing for a species, then
the final 2017 and 2018 harvest
specifications may reflect a decrease
from the proposed harvest
specifications.
The proposed 2017 and 2018 OFLs,
ABCs, and TACs are based on the best
available biological and socioeconomic
information, including projected
biomass trends, information on assumed
distribution of stock biomass, and
revised methods used to calculate stock
biomass. The FMP specifies the
formulas, or tiers, to be used to compute
OFLs and ABCs. The formulas
applicable to a particular stock or stock
complex are determined by the level of
reliable information available to the
fisheries scientists. This information is
categorized into a successive series of
six tiers to define OFL and ABC
amounts, with Tier 1 representing the
highest level of information quality
available and Tier 6 representing the
lowest level of information quality
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available. The Plan Team used the FMP
tier structure to calculate OFLs and
ABCs for each groundfish species. The
SSC adopted the proposed 2017 and
2018 OFLs and ABCs recommended by
the Plan Team for all groundfish
species. The Council adopted the SSC’s
OFL and ABC recommendations and the
AP’s TAC recommendations. These
amounts are unchanged from the final
2017 harvest specifications published in
the Federal Register on March 18, 2016
(81 FR 14740).
Specification and Apportionment of
TAC Amounts
The Council recommended proposed
2017 and 2018 TACs that are equal to
proposed ABCs for all species and
species groups, with the exception of
shallow-water flatfish in the Western
GOA, arrowtooth flounder, flathead sole
in the Western and Central GOA, ‘‘other
rockfish’’ in Southeast Outside (SEO)
District, Atka mackerel, and Pacific cod.
The shallow-water flatfish, arrowtooth
flounder, and flathead sole TACs are set
to allow for harvest opportunities while
conserving the halibut PSC limit for use
in other fisheries. The ‘‘other rockfish’’
TAC is set to reduce the potential
amount of discards in the SEO District.
The Atka mackerel TAC is set to
accommodate incidental catch amounts
of this species in other directed
fisheries. The Pacific cod TACs are
reduced from ABC amounts to
accommodate the State waters Pacific
cod fisheries. Similarly, the combined
Western, Central, and West Yakutat
pollock ABC is reduced to account for
the State water pollock fishery. These
reductions are described below.
The proposed 2017 and 2018 Pacific
cod TACs are set to accommodate the
State’s guideline harvest levels (GHLs)
for Pacific cod in State waters in the
Western and Central Regulatory Areas,
as well as in Prince William Sound
(PWS). The Plan Team, SSC, AP, and
Council recommended that the sum of
all State and Federal water Pacific cod
removals from the GOA not exceed ABC
recommendations. Accordingly, the
Council reduced the proposed 2017 and
2018 Pacific cod TACs in the Eastern,
Central, and Western Regulatory Areas
to account for State GHLs. Therefore,
the proposed 2017 and 2018 Pacific cod
TACs are less than the proposed ABCs
by the following amounts: (1) Eastern
GOA, 1,898 mt; (2) Central GOA, 10,653
mt; and (3) Western GOA, 10,499 mt.
These amounts reflect the sum of the
State’s 2017 and 2018 GHLs in these
areas, which are 25 percent of the
Eastern and Central, and 30 percent of
the Western GOA proposed ABCs.
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The ABC for the pollock stock in the
combined Western, Central, and West
Yakutat Regulatory Areas (W/C/WYK)
includes the amount for the GHL
established by the State for the PWS
pollock fishery. The Plan Team, SSC,
AP, and Council recommended that the
sum of all State and Federal water
pollock removals from the GOA not
exceed ABC recommendations. For 2017
and 2018, the SSC recommended and
the Council approved the W/C/WYK
pollock ABC, including the amount to
account for the State’s PWS GHL. At the
November 2016 Plan Team meeting,
State fisheries managers recommended
setting the PWS GHL at 2.5 percent of
the annual W/C/WYK pollock ABC. For
2017, this yields a PWS pollock GHL of
6,264 mt, a slight decrease from the
2016 PWS GHL of 6,358 mt. The
proposed W/C/WYK 2017 and 2018
pollock ABC is 250,544 mt, and the
proposed TAC is 244,280 mt.
Apportionments of pollock to the W/
C/WYK management areas are
considered to be ‘‘apportionments of
annual catch limit (ACLs)’’ rather than
‘‘ABCs.’’ This more accurately reflects
that such apportionments address
management, rather than biological or
conservation, concerns. In addition,
apportioning ACLs in this manner allow
NMFS to balance any transfer of TAC
from one area to another pursuant to
§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B) to ensure that the
area-wide ACL and ABC are not
exceeded.
NMFS’ proposed apportionments for
groundfish species are based on the
distribution of biomass among the
regulatory areas under which NMFS
manages the species. Additional
regulations govern the apportionment of
pollock, Pacific cod, and sablefish.
Additional detail on these
apportionments are described below,
and briefly summarized here.
NMFS proposes pollock TACs in the
W/C/WYK and the SEO District of the
GOA (see Table 1). NMFS also proposes
seasonal apportionment of the annual
pollock TAC in the Western and Central
Regulatory Areas of the GOA among
Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630.
These apportionments are divided
equally among each of the following
four seasons: The A season (January 20
through March 10), the B season (March
10 through May 31), the C season
(August 25 through October 1), and the
D season (October 1 through November
1) (§ 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), and
§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A) and (B)). Additional
detail is provided below; Table 2 lists
these amounts.
NMFS proposes Pacific cod TACs in
the Western, Central, and Eastern GOA
(see Table 1). NMFS also proposes
seasonal apportionment of the Pacific
cod TACs in the Western and Central
Regulatory Areas. Sixty percent of the
annual TAC is apportioned to the A
season for hook-and-line, pot, or jig gear
from January 1 through June 10, and for
trawl gear from January 20 through June
10. Forty percent of the annual TAC is
apportioned to the B season for jig gear
from June 10 through December 31, for
hook-and-line or pot gear from
September 1 through December 31, and
for trawl gear from September 1 through
November 1 (§§ 679.23(d)(3) and
679.20(a)(12)). The Western and Central
GOA Pacific cod TACs are allocated
among various gear and operational
87883
sectors. Table 3 lists the amounts
apportioned to each sector.
The Council’s recommendation for
sablefish area apportionments takes into
account the prohibition on the use of
trawl gear in the SEO District of the
Eastern Regulatory Area and makes
available 5 percent of the combined
Eastern Regulatory Area ABCs to trawl
gear for use as incidental catch in other
groundfish fisheries in the WYK District
(§ 679.20(a)(4)(i)). Additional detail is
provided below; Tables 4 and 5 list
these amounts.
For 2017 and 2018, the Council
recommends and NMFS proposes the
OFLs, ABCs, and TACs listed in Table
1. The proposed ABCs reflect harvest
amounts that are less than the specified
overfishing levels. Table 1 lists the
proposed 2017 and 2018 OFLs, ABCs,
TACs, and area apportionments of
groundfish in the GOA. These amounts
are consistent with the biological
condition of groundfish stocks as
described in the 2015 SAFE report, and
adjusted for other biological and
socioeconomic considerations,
including maintaining the total TAC
within the required OY range. The sum
of the proposed TACs for all GOA
groundfish is 573,872 mt for 2017 and
2018, which is within the OY range
specified by the FMP. These proposed
amounts and apportionments by area,
season, and sector are subject to change
pending consideration of the draft 2016
SAFE report and the Council’s
recommendations for the final 2017 and
2018 harvest specifications during its
December 2016 meeting.
TABLE 1—PROPOSED 2017 AND 2018 ABCS, TACS, AND OFLS OF GROUNDFISH FOR THE WESTERN/CENTRAL/WEST
YAKUTAT, WESTERN, CENTRAL, AND EASTERN REGULATORY AREAS, AND IN THE WEST YAKUTAT, SOUTHEAST OUTSIDE, AND GULFWIDE DISTRICTS OF THE GULF OF ALASKA
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Area 1
Pollock 2 ...................................................................................
Shumagin (610) .....................
Chirikof (620) .........................
Kodiak (630) ..........................
WYK (640) .............................
W/C/WYK (subtotal) ...............
SEO (650) ..............................
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
289,937
13,226
55,657
123,078
56,336
9,209
250,544
9,920
55,657
123,078
56,336
9,209
244,280
9,920
Total ................................
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Species
303,163
260,464
254,200
W ............................................
C ............................................
E .............................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
34,998
42,610
7,592
24,499
31,958
5,693
Total ................................
100,800
85,200
62,150
W ............................................
C ............................................
WYK .......................................
SEO .......................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
1,163
3,678
1,348
2,118
1,163
3,678
1,348
2,118
Pacific cod 3 .............................................................................
Sablefish 4 ................................................................................
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OFL
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ABC
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TABLE 1—PROPOSED 2017 AND 2018 ABCS, TACS, AND OFLS OF GROUNDFISH FOR THE WESTERN/CENTRAL/WEST
YAKUTAT, WESTERN, CENTRAL, AND EASTERN REGULATORY AREAS, AND IN THE WEST YAKUTAT, SOUTHEAST OUTSIDE, AND GULFWIDE DISTRICTS OF THE GULF OF ALASKA—Continued
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Area 1
Species
OFL
E (WYK and SEO) (subtotal)
TAC 2
ABC
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Rougheye and blackspotted rockfish 11 ..................................
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50,220
40,764
34,855
W ............................................
C ............................................
WYK .......................................
SEO .......................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
187
3,516
3,015
2,563
187
3,516
3,015
2,563
11,168
9,281
9,281
W ............................................
C ............................................
WYK .......................................
SEO .......................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
1,318
4,453
767
969
1,318
4,453
767
969
9,810
7,507
7,507
W ............................................
C ............................................
WYK .......................................
SEO .......................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
28,659
109,804
37,999
12,870
14,500
75,000
6,900
6,900
196,714
189,332
103,300
W ............................................
C ............................................
WYK .......................................
SEO .......................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
11,080
20,307
2,944
856
8,650
15,400
2,944
856
43,060
35,187
27,850
W ............................................
C ............................................
WYK .......................................
W/C/WYK ...............................
SEO .......................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
26,045
2,096
2,709
16,860
2,818
22,387
1,802
2,709
16,860
2,818
22,387
1,802
28,141
24,189
24,189
W ............................................
C ............................................
E .............................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
430
3,338
4
430
3,338
........................
4,501
3,768
3,768
W ............................................
C ............................................
E .............................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
38
301
947
38
301
947
1,715
1,286
1,286
W ............................................
C ............................................
WYK .......................................
SEO .......................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
159
3,791
251
83
159
3,791
251
83
Total ................................
Dusky
13,250
17,680
2,919
1,006
Total ................................
rockfish 10
19,159
17,680
2,919
1,006
Total ................................
Shortraker rockfish 9 ................................................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Total ................................
Northern rockfish 8 ...................................................................
W ............................................
C ............................................
WYK .......................................
SEO .......................................
Total ................................
Pacific ocean perch 7 ...............................................................
8,307
Total ................................
Flathead sole ...........................................................................
8,307
Total ................................
Arrowtooth flounder .................................................................
9,825
Total ................................
Rex sole ..................................................................................
3,466
Total ................................
Deep-water flatfish 6 ................................................................
3,466
Total ................................
Shallow-water flatfish 5 ............................................................
n/a
5,253
4,284
4,284
W ............................................
C ............................................
E .............................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
105
705
515
105
705
515
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TABLE 1—PROPOSED 2017 AND 2018 ABCS, TACS, AND OFLS OF GROUNDFISH FOR THE WESTERN/CENTRAL/WEST
YAKUTAT, WESTERN, CENTRAL, AND EASTERN REGULATORY AREAS, AND IN THE WEST YAKUTAT, SOUTHEAST OUTSIDE, AND GULFWIDE DISTRICTS OF THE GULF OF ALASKA—Continued
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Area 1
Species
OFL
TAC 2
ABC
Total ................................
1,592
1,325
1,325
Demersal shelf rockfish 12 .......................................................
SEO .......................................
364
231
231
Thornyhead rockfish 13 ............................................................
W ............................................
C ............................................
E .............................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
291
988
682
291
988
682
Total ................................
2,615
1,961
1,961
W/C combined .......................
WYK .......................................
SEO .......................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
1,534
574
3,665
1,534
574
200
Total ................................
7,424
5,773
2,308
Atka mackerel ..........................................................................
GW .........................................
6,200
4,700
2,000
Big skates 16 ............................................................................
W ............................................
C ............................................
E .............................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
908
1,850
1,056
908
1,850
1,056
Total ................................
5,086
3,814
3,814
W ............................................
C ............................................
E .............................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
61
2,513
632
61
2,513
632
Total ................................
4,274
3,206
3,206
.........................................
.........................................
.........................................
.........................................
.........................................
2,558
7,338
6,020
1,530
6,504
1,919
5,591
4,514
1,148
4,878
1,919
5,591
4,514
1,148
4,878
................................................
815,875
708,629
573,872
Other rockfish 14 15 ...................................................................
Longnose
skates 17
.................................................................
Other skates 18 ........................................................................
Sculpins ...................................................................................
Sharks .....................................................................................
Squids ......................................................................................
Octopuses ...............................................................................
Total .................................................................................
GW
GW
GW
GW
GW
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS
1 Regulatory
areas and districts are defined at § 679.2. (W = Western Gulf of Alaska; C = Central Gulf of Alaska; E = Eastern Gulf of Alaska;
WYK = West Yakutat District; SEO = Southeast Outside District; GW = Gulf-wide).
2 The combined pollock ABC for the Western, Central, and West Yakutat areas is apportioned in the Western/Central Regulatory Areas among
four statistical areas. These apportionments are considered subarea ACLs, rather than ABCs, for specification and reapportionment purposes.
Table 2 lists the proposed 2017 and 2018 seasonal apportionments. In the West Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts of the Eastern Regulatory Area, pollock is not divided into seasonal allowances.
3 Section 679.20(a)(12)(i) requires the allocation of the Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA among gear
and operational sectors. The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned among various sectors, 60 percent to the A season and 40 percent to the B
season in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA. In the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA, Pacific cod is allocated 90 percent
for processing by the inshore component and 10 percent for processing by the offshore component. Table 3 lists the proposed 2017 and 2018
Pacific cod seasonal apportionments.
4 Sablefish is allocated to hook-and-line and trawl gear in 2017 and trawl gear in 2018. Tables 4 and 5 list the proposed 2017 and 2018 allocations of sablefish TACs.
5 ‘‘Shallow-water flatfish’’ means flatfish not including ‘‘deep-water flatfish,’’ flathead sole, rex sole, or arrowtooth flounder.
6 ‘‘Deep-water flatfish’’ means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, and deep-sea sole.
7 ‘‘Pacific ocean perch’’ means Sebastes alutus.
8 ‘‘Northern rockfish’’ means Sebastes polyspinous. For management purposes the 3 mt apportionment of ABC to the WYK District of the Eastern Gulf of Alaska has been included in the other rockfish (slope rockfish) species group.
9 ‘‘Shortraker rockfish’’ means Sebastes borealis.
10 ‘‘Dusky rockfish’’ means Sebastes variabilis.
11 ‘‘Rougheye rockfish’’ means Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and Sebastes melanostictus (blackspotted).
12 ‘‘Demersal shelf rockfish’’ means Sebastes pinniger (canary), S. nebulosus (china), S. caurinus (copper), S. maliger (quillback), S.
helvomaculatus (rosethorn), S. nigrocinctus (tiger), and S. ruberrimus (yelloweye).
13 ‘‘Thornyhead rockfish’’ means Sebastes species.
14 ‘‘Other rockfish (slope rockfish)’’ means Sebastes aurora (aurora), S. melanostomus (blackgill), S. paucispinis (bocaccio), S. goodei
(chilipepper), S. crameri (darkblotch), S. elongatus (greenstriped), S. variegatus (harlequin), S. wilsoni (pygmy), S. babcocki (redbanded), S.
proriger (redstripe), S. zacentrus (sharpchin), S. jordani (shortbelly), S. brevispinis (silvergray), S. diploproa (splitnose), S. saxicola (stripetail), S.
miniatus (vermilion), S. reedi (yellowmouth), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus (yellowtail). In the Eastern GOA only, ‘‘other rockfish’’ also includes northern rockfish (S. polyspinous).
15 ‘‘Other rockfish’’ in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat District means all rockfish species included in the
‘‘other rockfish’’ and demersal shelf rockfish categories.
16 ‘‘Big skates’’ means Raja binoculata.
17 ‘‘Longnose skates’’ means Raja rhina.
18 ‘‘Other skates’’ means Bathyraja and Raja spp.
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87886
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 234 / Tuesday, December 6, 2016 / Proposed Rules
Proposed Apportionment of Reserves
Section 679.20(b)(2) requires NMFS to
set aside 20 percent of each TAC for
pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, sculpins,
sharks, squids, and octopuses in
reserves for possible apportionment at a
later date during the fishing year. In
2016, NMFS reapportioned all of the
reserves in the final harvest
specifications. For 2017 and 2018,
NMFS proposes reapportionment of
each of the reserves for pollock, Pacific
cod, flatfish, sculpins, sharks, squids,
and octopuses back into the original
TAC from which the reserve was
derived. NMFS anticipates, based on
recent harvest patterns, that such
reserves are not necessary and the entire
TAC for each of these species will be
caught. The TACs in Table 1 reflect this
proposed reapportionment of reserve
amounts for these species and species
groups, i.e., each proposed TAC for the
above mentioned species categories
contains the full TAC recommended by
the Council.
Proposed Apportionments of Pollock
TAC Among Seasons and Regulatory
Areas, and Allocations for Processing by
Inshore and Offshore Components
In the GOA, pollock is apportioned by
season and area, and is further allocated
for processing by inshore and offshore
components. Pursuant to
§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B), the annual pollock
TAC specified for the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA is
apportioned into four equal seasonal
allowances of 25 percent. As established
by § 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A,
B, C, and D season allowances are
available from January 20 through
March 10, March 10 through May 31,
August 25 through October 1, and
October 1 through November 1,
respectively.
Pollock TACs in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA are
apportioned among Statistical Areas
610, 620, and 630, pursuant to
§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A). In the A and B
seasons, the apportionments have
historically been based on the
proportional distribution of pollock
biomass based on the four most recent
NMFS winter surveys. In the C and D
seasons, the apportionments are in
proportion to the distribution of pollock
biomass based on the four most recent
NMFS summer surveys. For 2017 and
2018, the Council recommends, and
NMFS proposes, following the
methodology used for the 2016 and
2017 harvest specifications. This
methodology averages the winter and
summer distribution of pollock in the
Central Regulatory Area for the A season
instead of using the distribution based
on only the winter surveys. The average
is intended to reflect the best available
information about migration patterns,
distribution of pollock, and the
performance of the fishery in the area
during the A season. For the A season,
the apportionment is based on the
proposed adjusted estimate of the
relative distribution of pollock biomass
of approximately 6 percent, 73 percent,
and 21 percent in Statistical Areas 610,
620, and 630, respectively. For the B
season, the apportionment is based on
the relative distribution of pollock
biomass of approximately 6 percent, 85
percent, and 9 percent in Statistical
Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively.
For the C and D seasons, the
apportionment is based on the relative
distribution of pollock biomass of
approximately 41 percent, 26 percent,
and 33 percent in Statistical Areas 610,
620, and 630, respectively.
Within any fishing year, the amount
by which a seasonal allowance is
underharvested or overharvested may be
added to, or subtracted from,
subsequent seasonal allowances in a
manner to be determined by the
Regional Administrator
(§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The rollover
amount is limited to 20 percent of the
unharvested seasonal apportionment for
the statistical area. Any unharvested
pollock above the 20-percent limit could
be further distributed to the other
statistical areas, in proportion to the
estimated biomass in the subsequent
season in those statistical areas
(§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The proposed
2017 and 2018 pollock TACs in the
WYK District of 9,209 mt and SEO
District of 9,920 mt are not allocated by
season.
Section 679.20(a)(6)(i) requires the
allocation of 100 percent of the pollock
apportionments in all regulatory areas
and all seasonal allowances to vessels
catching pollock for processing by the
inshore component after subtraction of
pollock amounts projected by the
Regional Administrator to be caught by,
or delivered to, the offshore component
incidental to directed fishing for other
groundfish species. Thus, the amount of
pollock available for harvest by vessels
harvesting pollock for processing by the
offshore component is that amount that
will be taken as incidental catch during
directed fishing for groundfish species
other than pollock, up to the maximum
retainable amounts allowed under
§ 679.20(e) and (f). At this time, these
incidental catch amounts of pollock are
unknown and will be determined as
fishing activity occurs during the fishing
year by the offshore component.
Table 2 lists the proposed 2017 and
2018 seasonal biomass distribution of
pollock in the Western and Central
Regulatory Areas, area apportionments,
and seasonal allowances. The amounts
of pollock for processing by the inshore
and offshore components are not shown.
TABLE 2—PROPOSED 2017 AND 2018 DISTRIBUTION OF POLLOCK IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN REGULATORY AREAS
OF THE GULF OF ALASKA; SEASONAL BIOMASS DISTRIBUTION, AREA APPORTIONMENTS; AND SEASONAL ALLOWANCES
OF ANNUAL TAC 1
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Season 2
Shumagin (Area 610)
Chirikof (Area 620)
Kodiak (Area 630)
Total 3
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS
A (Jan 20–Mar 10) .......
B (Mar 10–May 31) ......
C (Aug 25–Oct 1) .........
D (Oct 1–Nov 1) ...........
3,769
3,769
24,060
24,060
(6.41%)
(6.41%)
(40.94%)
(40.94%)
42,732
49,996
15,176
15,175
(72.71%)
(85.07%)
(25.82%)
(25.82%)
12,272
5,007
19,529
19,529
(20.88%)
(8.52%)
(33.23%)
(33.23%)
58,768
58,768
58,768
58,768
Annual Total ..........
55,657
........................
123,078
........................
56,336
........................
235,071
1 Area
apportionments and seasonal allowances may not total precisely due to rounding.
established by § 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season allowances are available from January 20 through March 10,
March 10 through May 31, August 25 through October 1, and October 1 through November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and offshore components are not shown in this table.
3 The West Yakutat and Southeast Outside District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock TACs
shown in this table.
2 As
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 234 / Tuesday, December 6, 2016 / Proposed Rules
Proposed Annual and Seasonal
Apportionments of Pacific Cod TAC
Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(12)(i), NMFS
proposes allocations for the 2017 and
2018 Pacific cod TACs in the Western
and Central Regulatory Areas of the
GOA among gear and operational
sectors. NMFS also proposes allocating
the 2017 and 2018 Pacific cod TACs
annually between the inshore and
offshore components in the Eastern
GOA (§ 679.20(a)(6)(ii)). In the Central
GOA, the Pacific cod TAC is
apportioned seasonally first to vessels
using jig gear, and then among catcher
vessels (CVs) less than 50 feet in length
overall using hook-and-line gear, CVs
equal to or greater than 50 feet in length
overall using hook-and-line gear,
catcher/processors (C/Ps) using hookand-line gear, CVs using trawl gear, C/
Ps using trawl gear, and vessels using
pot gear (§ 679.20(a)(12)(i)(B)). In the
Western GOA, the Pacific cod TAC is
apportioned seasonally first to vessels
using jig gear, and then among CVs
using hook-and-line gear, C/Ps using
hook-and-line gear, CVs using trawl
gear, C/Ps using trawl gear, and vessels
using pot gear (§ 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A)).
The overall seasonal apportionments in
the Western and Central GOA are 60
percent of the annual TAC to the A
season and 40 percent of the annual
TAC to the B season.
Under § 679.20(a)(12)(ii), any overage
or underage of the Pacific cod allowance
from the A season will be subtracted
from, or added to, the subsequent B
season allowance. In addition, any
portion of the hook-and-line, trawl, pot,
or jig sector allocations that is
determined by NMFS as likely to go
unharvested by a sector may be
reapportioned to other sectors for
harvest during the remainder of the
fishing year.
Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A) and
(B), a portion of the annual Pacific cod
TACs in the Western and Central GOA
will be allocated to vessels with a
Federal fisheries permit that use jig gear
before TAC is apportioned among other
non-jig sectors. In accordance with the
FMP, the annual jig sector allocations
may increase to up to 6 percent of the
annual Western and Central GOA
Pacific cod TACs, depending on the
annual performance of the jig sector (see
87887
Table 1 of Amendment 83 to the FMP
for a detailed discussion of the jig sector
allocation process (76 FR 74670,
December 1, 2011)). Jig sector allocation
increases are established for a minimum
of 2 years.
NMFS has evaluated the historical
harvest performance of the jig sector in
the Western and Central GOA, and is
establishing the proposed 2017 and
2018 Pacific cod apportionments to this
sector based on the jig performance
through 2015. NMFS proposes that the
jig sector receive 3.5 percent of the
annual Pacific cod TAC in the Western
GOA. This includes a base allocation of
1.5 percent and an additional 2.0
percent because this sector harvested
greater than 90 percent of its initial 2012
and 2014 allocations in the Western
GOA. NMFS also proposes that the jig
sector would receive 1.0 percent of the
annual Pacific cod TAC in the Central
GOA. This includes a base allocation of
1.0 percent and no additional
performance increase. These historical
Pacific cod jig allocations, catch, and
percent allocation changes are listed in
Example 1.
EXAMPLE 1—SUMMARY OF WESTERN GOA AND CENTRAL GOA MANAGEMENT AREA PACIFIC COD CATCH BY JIG GEAR
IN 2012 THROUGH 2015, AND CORRESPONDING PERCENT ALLOCATION CHANGES
Area
Initial
percent of
TAC
Year
WGOA .........................
CGOA ..........................
2012
2013
2014
2015
2012
2013
2014
2015
1.5
2.5
2.5
3.5
1.0
2.0
2.0
1.0
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS
NMFS will re-evaluate the annual
2015 and 2016 harvest performance of
each jig sector when the 2016 fishing
year is complete to determine whether
to change the jig sector allocations
proposed by this action in conjunction
with the final 2017 and 2018 harvest
specifications. The current catch
through November 2016 by the Western
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Initial TAC
allocation
Percent of
initial
allocation
Catch
(mt)
315
530
573
948
427
740
797
460
322
273
785
55
400
202
262
355
GOA jig sector indicates that the Pacific
cod allocation percentage to this sector
would probably decrease by 1 percent in
2017. Also, the current catch by the
Central GOA jig sector indicates that
this sector’s Pacific cod allocation
percentage would not change in 2017.
The jig sector allocations are further
apportioned between the A (60 percent)
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102
52
137
6
94
27
33
77
>90% of
initial
allocation?
Y
N
Y
N
Y
N
N
N
..................
.................
..................
..................
..................
.................
.................
.................
Change to
percent
allocation
Increase 1%
None
Increase 1%
None
Increase 1%
None
None
Decrease 1%
and B (40 percent) seasons
(§ 679.20(a)(12)(i) and
§ 679.23(d)(3)(iii)).
Table 3 lists the seasonal
apportionments and allocations of the
proposed 2017 and 2018 Pacific cod
TACs.
E:\FR\FM\06DEP1.SGM
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87888
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 234 / Tuesday, December 6, 2016 / Proposed Rules
TABLE 3—PROPOSED 2017 AND 2018 SEASONAL APPORTIONMENTS AND ALLOCATIONS OF PACIFIC COD TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH AMOUNTS IN THE GOA; ALLOCATIONS IN THE WESTERN GOA AND CENTRAL GOA SECTORS, AND THE
EASTERN GOA FOR PROCESSING BY THE INSHORE AND OFFSHORE COMPONENTS
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
A season
Annual
allocation
(mt)
Regulatory area and sector
Sector
percentage of
annual
non-jig
TAC
B season
Seasonal
allowances
(mt)
Sector
percentage of
annual
non-jig
TAC
Seasonal
allowances
(mt)
Western GOA:
Jig (3.5% of TAC) .........................................................
Hook-and-line CV .........................................................
Hook-and-line C/P ........................................................
Trawl CV .......................................................................
Trawl C/P ......................................................................
Pot CV and Pot C/P .....................................................
857
331
4,681
9,078
567
8,984
N/A
0.70
10.90
27.70
0.90
19.80
514
165
2,577
6,549
213
4,681
N/A
0.70
8.90
10.70
1.50
18.20
343
165
2,104
2,530
355
4,303
Total .......................................................................
24,499
60.00
14,699
40.00
9,799
Central GOA:
Jig (1.0% of TAC) .........................................................
Hook-and-line <50 CV ..................................................
Hook-and-line ≥50 CV ..................................................
Hook-and-line C/P ........................................................
Trawl CV 1 .....................................................................
Trawl C/P ......................................................................
Pot CV and Pot C/P .....................................................
320
4,620
2,122
1,615
13,156
1,328
8,797
N/A
9.32
5.61
4.11
21.13
2.00
17.83
192
2,947
1,775
1,299
6,687
634
5,641
N/A
5.29
1.10
1.00
20.45
2.19
9.97
128
1,673
347
316
6,470
694
3,156
Total .......................................................................
31,958
60.00
19,175
40.00
12,783
Eastern GOA:
........................
Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
5,124
569
5,693
1 Trawl
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS
vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 1,409 mt, of the annual Central GOA TAC (see Table
28c to 50 CFR part 679), which is deducted from the Trawl CV B season allowance (see Table 8).
Proposed Allocations of the Sablefish
TACs Amounts to Vessels Using Hookand-Line and Trawl Gear
Sections 679.20(a)(4)(i) and (ii)
require allocations of sablefish TACs for
each of the regulatory areas and districts
to hook-and-line and trawl gear. In the
Western and Central Regulatory Areas,
80 percent of each TAC is allocated to
hook-and-line gear, and 20 percent of
each TAC is allocated to trawl gear. In
the Eastern Regulatory Area, 95 percent
of the TAC is allocated to hook-and-line
gear and 5 percent is allocated to trawl
gear. The trawl gear allocation in the
Eastern GOA may only be used to
support incidental catch of sablefish in
directed fisheries for other target species
(§ 679.20(a)(4)(i)).
In recognition of the prohibition
against trawl gear in the SEO District of
the Eastern Regulatory Area, the Council
recommended and NMFS proposes the
allocation of 5 percent of the combined
Eastern Regulatory Area sablefish TAC
to trawl gear in the WYK District,
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making the remainder of the WYK
sablefish TAC available to vessels using
hook-and-line gear. NMFS proposes to
allocate 100 percent of the sablefish
TAC in the SEO District to vessels using
hook-and-line gear. This action results
in a proposed 2017 allocation of 173 mt
to trawl gear and 1,175 mt to hook-andline gear in the WYK District, a 2,118 mt
to hook-and-line gear in the SEO
District, and a 2018 allocation of 173 mt
to trawl gear in the WYK District. Table
4 lists the allocations of the proposed
2017 sablefish TACs to hook-and-line
and trawl gear. Table 5 lists the
allocations of the proposed 2018
sablefish TACs to trawl gear.
The Council recommended that the
hook-and-line sablefish TAC be
established annually to ensure that the
sablefish IFQ fishery is conducted
concurrently with the halibut IFQ
fishery and is based on recent survey
information. The Council also
recommended that only the trawl
sablefish TAC be established for 2 years
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so that retention of incidental catch of
sablefish by trawl gear could commence
in January in the second year of the
groundfish harvest specifications. Since
there is an annual assessment for
sablefish and the final harvest
specifications are expected to be
published before the IFQ season begins
(typically, in early March), the Council
recommended that the sablefish TAC be
set annually, rather than for 2 years, so
that the best available scientific
information could be considered in
establishing the ABCs and TACs. With
the exception of the trawl allocations
that are provided to the Rockfish
Program cooperatives (see Table 28c to
part 679), directed fishing for sablefish
with trawl gear is closed during the
fishing year. Also, fishing for groundfish
with trawl gear is prohibited prior to
January 20. Therefore, it is not likely
that the sablefish allocation to trawl gear
would be reached before the effective
date of the final 2017 and 2018 harvest
specifications.
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87889
TABLE 4—PROPOSED 2017 SABLEFISH TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH (TAC) IN THE GULF OF ALASKA AND ALLOCATIONS TO
HOOK-AND-LINE AND TRAWL GEAR
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Area/district
Hook-and-line
allocation
TAC
Trawl allocation
Western ............................................................................................................................
Central 1 ...........................................................................................................................
West Yakutat 2 .................................................................................................................
Southeast Outside ...........................................................................................................
1,163
3,678
1,348
2,118
930
2,942
1,175
2,118
233
736
173
0
Total ..........................................................................................................................
8,307
7,166
1,142
1 The trawl allocation to the Central Regulatory Area is further reduced by the sablefish apportioned to the Rockfish Program cooperatives (378
mt). See Table 8. This results in 358 mt being available for the non-Rockfish Program trawl fisheries.
2 The proposed trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts combined) sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.
TABLE 5—PROPOSED 2018 SABLEFISH TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH (TAC) IN THE GULF OF ALASKA AND ALLOCATION TO
TRAWL GEAR 1
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Area/district
Hook-and-line
allocation
TAC
Trawl allocation
Western ............................................................................................................................
Central 2 ...........................................................................................................................
West Yakutat 3 .................................................................................................................
Southeast Outside ...........................................................................................................
1,163
3,678
1,348
2,118
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
233
736
173
0
Total ..........................................................................................................................
8,307
n/a
1,142
1 The
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS
trawl allocation to the Central Regulatory Area is further reduced by the sablefish apportioned to the Rockfish Program cooperatives (378
mt). See Table 8. This results in 358 mt being available for the non-Rockfish Program trawl fisheries.
2 The Council recommended that harvest specifications for the hook-and-line gear sablefish Individual Fishing Quota fisheries be limited to 1
year.
3 The proposed trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts combined) sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.
Proposed Apportionments to the
Rockfish Program
These proposed 2017 and 2018
harvest specifications for the GOA
include the fishery cooperative
allocations and sideboard limitations
established by the Rockfish Program.
Program participants are primarily trawl
CVs and trawl C/Ps, with limited
participation by vessels using longline
gear. The Rockfish Program assigns
quota share and cooperative quota to
participants for primary (Pacific ocean
perch, northern rockfish, and dusky
rockfish) and secondary species (Pacific
cod, rougheye rockfish, sablefish,
shortraker rockfish, and thornyhead
rockfish), allows a participant holding a
license limitation program (LLP) license
with rockfish quota share to form a
rockfish cooperative with other persons,
and allows holders of C/P LLP licenses
to opt out of the fishery. The Rockfish
Program also has an entry level fishery
for rockfish primary species for vessels
using longline gear.
Under the Rockfish Program, rockfish
primary species in the Central GOA are
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allocated to participants after deducting
for incidental catch needs in other
directed groundfish fisheries.
Participants in the Rockfish Program
also receive a portion of the Central
GOA TAC of specific secondary species.
Besides groundfish species, the Rockfish
Program allocates a portion of the
halibut PSC limit (191 mt) from the
third season deep-water species fishery
allowance for the GOA trawl fisheries to
Rockfish Program participants
(§ 679.81(d)). Rockfish Program
sideboards and halibut PSC limits are
discussed below.
Additionally, the Rockfish Program
establishes sideboard limits to restrict
the ability of harvesters that operate
under the Rockfish Program to increase
their participation in other, nonRockfish Program fisheries. These
restrictions are discussed in a
subsequent section titled ‘‘Rockfish
Program Groundfish Sideboard and
Halibut PSC Limitations.’’
Section 679.81(a)(2)(ii) requires
allocations of 5 mt of Pacific ocean
perch, 5 mt of northern rockfish, and 30
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mt of dusky rockfish to the entry level
longline fishery in 2017 and 2018. The
allocation for the entry level longline
fishery would increase incrementally
each year if the catch exceeds 90
percent of the allocation of a species.
The incremental increase in the
allocation would continue each year
until it is the maximum percentage of
the TAC for that species. In 2016, the
catch did not exceed 90 percent of any
allocated rockfish species. Therefore,
NMFS is not proposing an increase to
the entry level longline fishery 2017 and
2018 allocations in the Central GOA.
The remainder of the TACs for the
rockfish primary species would be
allocated to the CV and C/P
cooperatives. Table 6 lists the
allocations of the proposed 2017 and
2018 TACs for each rockfish primary
species to the entry level longline
fishery, the incremental increase for
future years, and the maximum
percentage of the TAC for the entry level
longline fishery.
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TABLE 6—PROPOSED 2017 AND 2018 ALLOCATIONS OF ROCKFISH PRIMARY SPECIES TO THE ENTRY LEVEL LONGLINE
FISHERY IN THE CENTRAL GULF OF ALASKA
Rockfish primary species
2017 and 2018 allocations
Incremental increase in 2018 if ≥90
percent of 2017 allocation is harvested
Pacific ocean perch ................................
Northern rockfish ....................................
Dusky rockfish ........................................
5 metric tons ..........................................
5 metric tons ..........................................
30 metric tons ........................................
Up to maximum
percent of each
TAC of:
5 metric tons ..........................................
5 metric tons ..........................................
20 metric tons ........................................
Section 679.81(a)(2) requires
allocations of rockfish primary species
among various components of the
Rockfish Program. Table 7 lists the
proposed 2017 and 2018 allocations of
rockfish in the Central GOA to the entry
level longline fishery, and Rockfish CV
and C/P Cooperatives in the Rockfish
Program. NMFS also proposes setting
aside incidental catch amounts (ICAs)
for other directed fisheries in the
Central GOA of 1,500 mt of Pacific
ocean perch, 300 mt of northern
rockfish, and 250 mt of dusky rockfish.
These amounts are based on recent
average incidental catches in the Central
GOA by other groundfish fisheries.
Allocations among vessels belonging
to CV or C/P cooperatives are not
included in these proposed harvest
specifications. Rockfish Program
applications for CV cooperatives and C/
1
2
5
P cooperatives are not due to NMFS
until March 1 of each calendar year;
therefore, NMFS cannot calculate 2017
and 2018 allocations in conjunction
with these proposed harvest
specifications. NMFS will post these
allocations on the Alaska Region Web
site at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/
sustainablefisheries/rockfish/ when
they become available after March 1.
TABLE 7—PROPOSED 2017 AND 2018 ALLOCATIONS OF ROCKFISH PRIMARY SPECIES IN THE CENTRAL GULF OF ALASKA
TO THE ENTRY LEVEL LONGLINE FISHERY AND ROCKFISH COOPERATIVES IN THE ROCKFISH PROGRAM
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Rockfish primary species
Incidental catch
allowance
(ICA)
TAC
Allocation to
the entry level
longline 1 fishery
TAC minus ICA
Allocation to
the Rockfish
Cooperatives 2
Pacific ocean perch .........................................
Northern rockfish ..............................................
Dusky rockfish ..................................................
16,860
3,338
3,791
1,500
300
250
15,360
3,038
3,541
5
5
30
15,535
3,033
3,511
Total ..........................................................
23,989
2,050
21,939
40
21,899
1 Longline
2 Rockfish
gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear.
cooperatives include vessels in CV and C/P cooperatives.
Section 679.81(c) requires allocations
of rockfish secondary species to CV and
C/P cooperatives in the GOA. CV
cooperatives receive allocations of
Pacific cod, sablefish from the trawl gear
allocation, and thornyhead rockfish. C/
P cooperatives receive allocations of
sablefish from the trawl allocation,
rougheye rockfish, shortraker rockfish,
and thornyhead rockfish. Table 8 lists
the apportionments of the proposed
2017 and 2018 TACs of rockfish
secondary species in the Central GOA to
CV and C/P cooperatives.
TABLE 8—PROPOSED 2017 AND 2018 APPORTIONMENTS OF ROCKFISH SECONDARY SPECIES IN THE CENTRAL GOA TO
CATCHER VESSEL AND CATCHER/PROCESSOR COOPERATIVES
[Values are in metric tons]
Catcher vessel cooperatives
Central GOA
annual TAC
Rockfish secondary species
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS
Pacific cod ............................................................................
Sablefish ..............................................................................
Shortraker rockfish ...............................................................
Rougheye rockfish ...............................................................
Thornyhead rockfish ............................................................
Halibut PSC Limits
Section 679.21(d) establishes annual
halibut PSC limit apportionments to
trawl and hook-and-line gear, and
authorizes the establishment of
apportionments for pot gear. In October
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Percentage of
TAC
Apportionment
(mt)
Percentage of
TAC
Apportionment
(mt)
3.81
6.78
0.0
0.0
7.84
1,218
249
0
0
77
0.0
3.51
40.00
58.87
26.50
0.0
129
120
415
262
31,958
3,678
301
705
988
2016, the Council recommended halibut
PSC limits of 1,706 mt for trawl gear,
257 mt for hook-and-line gear, and 9 mt
for the demersal shelf rockfish (DSR)
fishery in the SEO District.
The DSR fishery in the SEO District
is defined at § 679.21(d)(2)(ii)(A). This
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Catcher/processor
cooperatives
Sfmt 4702
fishery is apportioned 9 mt of the
halibut PSC limit in recognition of its
small-scale harvests of groundfish.
NMFS estimates low halibut bycatch in
the DSR fishery because (1) the duration
of the DSR fisheries and the gear soak
times are short, (2) the DSR fishery
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occurs in the winter when less overlap
occurs in the distribution of DSR and
halibut, and (3) the directed commercial
DSR fishery has a low DSR TAC. The
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
sets the commercial GHL for the DSR
fishery after deducting (1) estimates of
DSR incidental catch in all fisheries
(including halibut and subsistence) and
(2) the allocation to the DSR sport fish
fishery. Of the 231 mt TAC for DSR in
2016, 188 mt were available for the DSR
commercial directed fishery, of which 8
mt were harvested.
The FMP authorizes the Council to
exempt specific gear from the halibut
PSC limits. NMFS, after consultation
with the Council, proposes to exempt
pot gear, jig gear, and the sablefish IFQ
hook-and-line gear fishery categories
from the non-trawl halibut PSC limit for
2017 and 2018. The Council
recommended, and NMFS is proposing,
these exemptions because (1) pot gear
fisheries have low annual halibut
bycatch mortality, (2) IFQ program
regulations prohibit discard of halibut if
any halibut IFQ permit holder on board
a CV holds unused halibut IFQ
(§ 679.7(f)(11)), (3) some sablefish IFQ
permit holders hold halibut IFQ permits
and are therefore required to retain the
halibut they catch while fishing
sablefish IFQ, and (4) NMFS estimates
negligible halibut mortality for the jig
gear fisheries. NMFS estimates halibut
mortality is negligible in the jig gear
fisheries given the small amount of
groundfish harvested by jig gear, the
selective nature of jig gear, and the high
survival rates of halibut caught and
released with jig gear.
The best available information on
estimated halibut bycatch consists of
data collected by fisheries observers
during 2016. The calculated halibut
bycatch mortality through November 8,
2016, is 1,321 mt for trawl gear and 206
mt for hook-and-line gear for a total
halibut mortality of 1,527 mt. This
halibut mortality was calculated using
groundfish and halibut catch data from
the NMFS Alaska Region’s catch
accounting system. This accounting
system contains historical and recent
catch information compiled from each
Alaska groundfish fishery.
Section 679.21(d)(4)(i) and (ii)
authorizes NMFS to seasonally
apportion the halibut PSC limits after
consultation with the Council. The FMP
and regulations require that the Council
and NMFS consider the following
information in seasonally apportioning
halibut PSC limits: (1) Seasonal
distribution of halibut, (2) seasonal
distribution of target groundfish species
relative to halibut distribution, (3)
expected halibut bycatch needs on a
seasonal basis relative to changes in
87891
halibut biomass and expected catch of
target groundfish species, (4) expected
bycatch rates on a seasonal basis, (5)
expected changes in directed groundfish
fishing seasons, (6) expected actual start
of fishing effort, and (7) economic
effects of establishing seasonal halibut
allocations on segments of the target
groundfish industry. Based on public
comment and the information presented
in the final 2016 SAFE report, the
Council may recommend or NMFS may
make changes to the seasonal, gear-type,
or fishery category apportionments of
halibut PSC limits for the final 2017 and
2018 harvest specifications.
The final 2016 and 2017 harvest
specifications (81 FR 14740, March 18,
2016) summarized the Council’s and
NMFS’ findings with respect to halibut
PSC for each of these FMP
considerations. The Council’s and
NMFS’ findings for 2017 are unchanged
from 2016. Table 9 lists the proposed
2017 and 2018 Pacific halibut PSC
limits, allowances, and apportionments.
The halibut PSC limits in these tables
reflect the halibut PSC limits set forth at
§ 679.21(d)(2) and § 679.21(d)(3).
Sections 679.21(d)(4)(iii) and (iv)
specify that any underages or overages
of a seasonal apportionment of a PSC
limit will be deducted from or added to
the next respective seasonal
apportionment within the fishing year.
TABLE 9—PROPOSED 2017 AND 2018 PACIFIC HALIBUT PSC LIMITS, ALLOWANCES, AND APPORTIONMENTS
[Values are in metric tons]
Hook-and-line gear 1
Trawl gear
Other than DSR
Season
Percent
DSR
Amount
Season
Percent
Amount
Season
Amount
January 20–April 1 ..............
April 1–July 1 .......................
July 1–September 1 ............
September 1–October 1 ......
October 1–December 31 .....
27.5
20
30
7.5
15
469
341
512
128
256
January 1–June 10 .............
June 10–September 1 ........
September 1–December 31
86
2
12
221
5
31
January 1–December 31 ....
9
Total .............................
..............
1,706
.............................................
..............
257
.............................................
9
1 The
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS
Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limit for hook-and-line gear is allocated to the demersal shelf rockfish (DSR) fishery and
fisheries other than DSR. The hook-and-line sablefish fishery is exempt from halibut PSC limits, as are pot and jig gear for all groundfish
fisheries.
Section 679.21(d)(3)(ii) authorizes
further apportionment of the trawl
halibut PSC limit as bycatch allowances
to trawl fishery categories. The annual
apportionments are based on each
category’s proportional share of the
anticipated halibut bycatch mortality
during a fishing year and optimization
of the total amount of groundfish
harvest under the halibut PSC limit. The
fishery categories for the trawl halibut
PSC limits are (1) a deep-water species
fishery, composed of sablefish, rockfish,
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deep-water flatfish, rex sole, and
arrowtooth flounder; and (2) a shallowwater species fishery, composed of
pollock, Pacific cod, shallow-water
flatfish, flathead sole, Atka mackerel,
skates and ‘‘other species’’ (sculpins,
sharks, squids, and octopuses)
(§ 679.21(d)(3)(iii)). Table 10 lists the
proposed 2017 and 2018 seasonal
apportionments of trawl halibut PSC
limits between the trawl gear deepwater and the shallow-water species
fisheries.
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Table 28d to 50 CFR part 679 specifies
the amount of the trawl halibut PSC
limit that is assigned to the CV and
C/P sectors that are participating in the
Central GOA Rockfish Program. This
includes 117 mt of halibut PSC limit to
the CV sector and 74 mt of halibut PSC
limit to the C/P sector. These amounts
are allocated from the trawl deep-water
species fishery’s halibut PSC third
seasonal apportionment.
Section 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(B) limits the
amount of the halibut PSC limit
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 234 / Tuesday, December 6, 2016 / Proposed Rules
allocated to Rockfish Program
participants that could be reapportioned to the general GOA trawl
fisheries to no more than 55 percent of
the unused annual halibut PSC
apportioned to Rockfish Program
participants. The remainder of the
unused Rockfish Program halibut PSC
limit is unavailable for use by vessels
directed fishing with trawl gear for the
remainder of the fishing year
(§ 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(C)).
TABLE 10—PROPOSED 2017 AND 2018 SEASONAL APPORTIONMENTS OF THE PACIFIC HALIBUT PSC LIMIT APPORTIONED
BETWEEN THE TRAWL GEAR SHALLOW-WATER AND DEEP-WATER SPECIES FISHERIES
[Values are in metric tons]
Season
Shallow-water
Deep-water 1
Total
January 20–April 1 ...........................................................................................................
April 1–July 1 ...................................................................................................................
July 1–September 1 .........................................................................................................
September 1–October 1 ..................................................................................................
384
85
171
128
85
256
341
(3)
469
341
512
128
Subtotal, January 20–October 1 ..............................................................................
October 1–December 31 2 ...............................................................................................
768
............................
682
............................
1,450
256
Total ...................................................................................................................
............................
............................
1,706
1 Vessels
participating in cooperatives in the Rockfish Program will receive 191 mt of the third season (July 1 through September 1) deepwater species fishery halibut PSC apportionment.
2 There is no apportionment between trawl shallow-water and deep-water species fisheries during the fifth season (October 1 through December 31).
3 Any remainder.
Section 679.21(d)(2) requires that the
‘‘other hook-and-line fishery’’ halibut
PSC apportionment to vessels using
hook-and-line gear must be divided
between CVs and C/Ps. NMFS must
calculate the halibut PSC limit
apportionments for the entire GOA to
hook-and-line CVs and C/Ps in
accordance with § 679.21(d)(2)(iii) in
conjunction with these harvest
specifications. A comprehensive
description and example of the
calculations necessary to apportion the
‘‘other hook-and-line fishery’’ halibut
PSC limit between the hook-and-line CV
and C/P sectors were included in the
proposed rule to implement
Amendment 83 to the FMP (76 FR
44700, July 26, 2011) and is not
repeated here.
For 2017 and 2018, NMFS proposes
annual halibut PSC limit
apportionments of 129 mt and 128 mt to
the hook-and-line CV and hook-and-line
C/P sectors, respectively. The 2017 and
2018 annual halibut PSC limits are
divided into three seasonal
apportionments, using seasonal
percentages of 86 percent, 2 percent,
and 12 percent. Table 11 lists the
proposed 2017 and 2018 annual halibut
PSC limits and seasonal apportionments
between the hook-and-line CV and
hook-and-line C/P sectors in the GOA.
No later than November 1 of each
year, NMFS calculates the projected
unused amount of halibut PSC limit by
either of the hook-and-line sectors for
the remainder of the year. The projected
unused amount of halibut PSC limit is
made available to the other hook-andline sector for the remainder of that
fishing year if NMFS determines that an
additional amount of halibut PSC limit
is necessary for that sector to continue
its directed fishing operations
(§ 679.21(d)(2)(iii)(C)).
TABLE 11—PROPOSED 2017 AND 2018 APPORTIONMENTS OF THE ‘‘OTHER HOOK-AND-LINE FISHERIES’’ HALIBUT PSC
ALLOWANCE BETWEEN THE HOOK-AND-LINE GEAR CATCHER VESSEL AND CATCHER/PROCESSOR SECTORS
[Values are in metric tons]
‘‘Other than
DSR’’
allowance
Hook-and-line sector
257 ..................
Catcher Vessel .............
129
Catcher/Processor ........
128
Sector annual
amount
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS
Halibut Discard Mortality Rates
To monitor halibut bycatch mortality
allowances and apportionments, the
Regional Administrator uses observed
halibut incidental catch rates, halibut
discard mortality rates (DMRs), and
estimates of groundfish catch to project
when a fishery’s halibut bycatch
mortality allowance or seasonal
apportionment is reached. Halibut
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January 1–June 10 ..............................................
June 10–September 1 .........................................
September 1–December 31 ................................
January 1–June 10 ..............................................
June 10–September 1 .........................................
September 1–December 31 ................................
incidental catch rates are based on
observers’ estimates of halibut
incidental catch in the groundfish
fishery. DMRs are estimates of the
proportion of incidentally caught
halibut that do not survive after being
returned to the sea. The cumulative
halibut mortality that accrues to a
particular halibut PSC limit is the
product of a DMR multiplied by the
estimated halibut PSC. DMRs are
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percentage
Season
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86
2
12
86
2
12
Sector
seasonal
amount
111
3
15
110
3
15
estimated using the best information
available in conjunction with the annual
GOA stock assessment process. The
DMR methodology and findings are
included as an appendix to the annual
GOA groundfish SAFE report.
Historically, DMRs consisted of longterm averages of annual DMRs within
target fisheries that were defined by
management area, gear, and target
species. Since the late 1990s, halibut
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DMRs were calculated by the
International Pacific Halibut
Commission (IPHC), which then
provided the estimates to the NMFS for
application in managing halibut bycatch
limits. DMRs specified through the
Council process and used for catch
accounting by NMFS have consisted of
long-term averages of annual estimates
within target fisheries that are defined
by region, gear, and target species. Longterm averages are taken from annual
estimates for the most recent 10-year
period with the number of years with
data to support annual DMR estimates
varying among fisheries. Fisheryspecific DMRs, once calculated, have
generally been put in place for 3-year
increments.
NMFS proposes to revise methods for
estimating DMRs consistent with those
methods developed by the halibut DMR
working group and recommended by the
Council at its October 2016 meeting.
NMFS proposes for the 2017 and 2018
GOA groundfish harvest specifications
revised DMRs consistent with modified
DMR estimation methodology. The
proposed change will make the DMR
process transparent, transferable, and
allow for review by all agencies/entities
involved. The Alaska Region will
program the revised DMRs into its
groundfish catch accounting system to
monitor the 2017 and 2018 halibut
bycatch allowances (see Tables 9, 10,
and 11). The DMRs proposed for 2017
and 2018 GOA groundfish harvest
specifications reflect an ongoing effort
by the Council to improve the
estimation of DMRs in the Alaska
groundfish fisheries.
The halibut DMR working group,
consisting of the IPHC, Council, and
NMFS Alaska Region staff,
recommended the following broad
changes to the DMR estimation method:
Implementation of sampling design
consistent with sampling protocols used
under the Observer Restructuring
Program; categorization of data of
halibut viability based on vessel
operations (sorting and handling
practices, gear type, and processing
sector) rather than target fisheries; and
revision of reference timeframes to
obtain estimates that are more
responsive to changes in how the
groundfish fisheries are observed and
managed. These recommendations, and
others, are described below.
• Revise the DMR estimation
methodology for consistency with the
sampling protocols instituted in 2013
through the restructured Observer
Program. The Observer Program
randomizes sampling of fishing trips
within operational groupings, sampling
of hauls within fishing trips, and
sampling of biological data within
hauls. Basing halibut DMR estimation
on a sampling design consistent with
Observer Program sampling protocols
should reduce the potential for
sampling bias, improve data on
operational causes of variation in postcapture halibut viability, and promote
the ability for NMFS to make timely
improvements to halibut DMR
estimation in the future.
• Incorporate the use of vessel
operations into DMR estimation
methodology. This incorporates data
about the viability (likelihood to
survive) of discarded halibut into DMR
calculations. Data based on different
vessel operational categories, such as
sorting practices, handling practices,
gear type, and processing sectors (i.e.
CVs, CPs, and CVs delivering to
motherships), provide better
information on halibut viability. NMFS
expects that incorporating this
information into the DMR estimation
methodology will yield a more precise
estimate of actual mortality.
• Remove the use of target fishery.
Fishery targets do not necessarily
characterize statistical and/or vessel
operational differences in the sampling
or handling of halibut PSC. Using
fishery target aggregations may have
reduced the quality of DMR estimates
due to small sample sizes or by
combining vessel operations with very
important differences in sampling and
handling characteristics.
87893
• Change the reference time-frame for
DMR calculations. Rather than using 10year average rates, the revised
methodology estimates DMRs based on
and initial 3-year average rates. Using
2013 as the starting year is more
responsive to, and better aligns DMR
calculation methodology with, the 2013
restructured Observer Program’s
sampling protocols. Using 2013 as the
base year, NMFS and the Council will
evaluate the time frame each year.
Evaluating the time frame each year will
enable NMFS and the Council to update
the methodology and the halibut DMRs
based on the best available information.
The working group’s discussion paper
also included a comparison of the total
amount of halibut mortality that accrues
using current DMRs versus the working
group’s recommended DMRs.
Calculating the 2015 halibut mortality
using specified DMRs yielded 1,620 mt
of halibut mortality, whereas using the
recommended DMRs yielded 1,688 mt
of halibut morality (a four percent
increase). Calculating the 2016 halibut
mortality (through September 2016)
yielded 1,243 mt of halibut mortality,
versus 1,256 mt of halibut mortality
when applying the recommended DMRs
(a one percent increase).
These proposed estimation methods,
and recommendations for 2017 and
2018 halibut DMRs, were presented to
the Plan Team in September 2016. The
Plan Team concurred with the revised
methodology, as well as the working
group’s halibut DMR recommendations
for 2017 and 2018. The Council agreed
with these recommendations at the
Council’s October 2016 meeting.
Additionally, in April 2016 the SSC
reviewed the methodology and made a
number of suggestions for improving
and refining it. The working group has
incorporated those suggestions into its
DMR estimation methodology. The
working group’s discussion of the
revised halibut DMR methodology,
including the comparative assessment,
is available from the Council (see
ADDRESSES). Table 12 lists the proposed
2017 and 2018 DMRs.
TABLE 12—PROPOSED 2017 AND 2018 HALIBUT DISCARD MORTALITY RATES FOR VESSELS FISHING IN THE GULF OF
ALASKA
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS
[Values are percent of halibut assumed to be dead]
Gear
Sector
Program
Hook-and-line ..........................................
Hook-and-line ..........................................
Pot ...........................................................
Pelagic trawl ............................................
Non-pelagic trawl .....................................
Pelagic trawl ............................................
C/P ...........................................................
CV ............................................................
CV and C/P .............................................
CV ............................................................
CV ............................................................
CV ............................................................
non-Rockfish Program .............................
non-Rockfish Program .............................
non-Rockfish Program .............................
Rockfish Program ....................................
Rockfish Program ....................................
non-Rockfish Program .............................
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Discard
mortality rate
(percent)
11
12
10
100
85
100
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 234 / Tuesday, December 6, 2016 / Proposed Rules
TABLE 12—PROPOSED 2017 AND 2018 HALIBUT DISCARD MORTALITY RATES FOR VESSELS FISHING IN THE GULF OF
ALASKA—Continued
[Values are percent of halibut assumed to be dead]
Gear
Sector
Program
Non-pelagic trawl .....................................
Non-pelagic trawl .....................................
Non-pelagic trawl .....................................
Pelagic trawl ............................................
Pelagic trawl ............................................
CV ............................................................
C/P and Mothership ................................
C/P ...........................................................
C/P ...........................................................
C/P ...........................................................
non-Rockfish Program .............................
non-Rockfish Program .............................
Rockfish Program ....................................
Rockfish Program ....................................
non-Rockfish Program .............................
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS
Chinook Salmon Prohibited Species
Catch Limit
Amendment 93 to the FMP (77 FR
42629, July 20, 2012) established
separate Chinook salmon PSC limits in
the Western and Central GOA in the
directed pollock trawl fishery. These
limits require NMFS to close the pollock
directed fishery in the Western and
Central regulatory areas of the GOA if
the applicable limit is reached
(§ 679.21(h)(8)). The annual Chinook
salmon PSC limits in the pollock
directed fishery of 6,684 salmon in the
Western GOA and 18,316 salmon in the
Central GOA are set in § 679.21(h)(2)(i)
and (ii). In addition, all salmon
(regardless of species), taken in the
pollock directed fisheries in the Western
and Central GOA must be retained until
an observer at the processing facility
that takes delivery of the catch is
provided an opportunity to count the
number of salmon and to collect any
scientific data or biological samples
from the salmon (§ 679.21(h)(6)).
Amendment 97 to the FMP (79 FR
71350, December 2, 2014) established an
initial annual PSC limit of 7,500
Chinook salmon for the non-pollock
groundfish fisheries. This limit is
apportioned among three sectors: 3,600
Chinook salmon to trawl C/Ps; 1,200
Chinook salmon to trawl CVs
participating in the Rockfish Program;
and 2,700 Chinook salmon to trawl CVs
not participating in the Rockfish
Program that are fishing for groundfish
species other than pollock
(§ 679.21(h)(4)). NMFS will monitor the
Chinook salmon PSC in the non-pollock
GOA groundfish fisheries and close an
applicable sector if it reaches its
Chinook salmon PSC limit.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:00 Dec 05, 2016
Jkt 241001
The Chinook salmon PSC limit for
two sectors, trawl C/Ps and trawl CVs
not participating in the Rockfish
Program, may be increased in
subsequent years based on the
performance of these two sectors and
their ability to minimize their use of
their respective Chinook salmon PSC
limits. If either or both of these two
sectors limits its use of Chinook salmon
PSC to a certain threshold amount in
2016, that sector will receive an
incremental increase to its 2017
Chinook salmon PSC limit
(§ 679.21(h)(4)). NMFS will evaluate the
annual Chinook salmon PSC by trawl
C/Ps and non-Rockfish Program CVs
when the 2016 fishing year is complete
to determine whether to increase the
Chinook salmon PSC limits for these
two sectors. Based on preliminary 2016
Chinook salmon PSC data, the trawl
C/P sector will receive an incremental
increase of its Chinook salmon PSC
limit, as will the non-Rockfish Program
CV sector. This evaluation will be
completed in conjunction with the final
2017 and 2018 harvest specifications.
As described earlier in this preamble,
Amendment 103 to the FMP became
effective in 2016. The regulations
associated with Amendment 103
authorize NMFS to use inseason
management actions to reapportion
unused Chinook salmon PSC among the
pollock and non-pollock sectors. As of
November 15, 2016, NMFS has not
exercised this authority, as none of the
trawl sectors have needed such
reapportionments.
American Fisheries Act (AFA) Catcher/
Processor and Catcher Vessel
Groundfish Sideboard Limits
Section 679.64 establishes groundfish
harvesting and processing sideboard
PO 00000
Frm 00046
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Discard
mortality rate
(percent)
63
85
85
100
100
limits on AFA C/Ps and CVs in the
GOA. These sideboard limits are
necessary to protect the interests of
fishermen and processors who do not
directly benefit from the AFA from
those fishermen and processors who
receive exclusive harvesting and
processing privileges under the AFA.
Section 679.7(k)(1)(ii) prohibits listed
AFA C/Ps from harvesting any species
of fish in the GOA. Additionally,
§ 679.7(k)(1)(iv) prohibits listed AFA
C/Ps from processing any pollock
harvested in a directed pollock fishery
in the GOA and any groundfish
harvested in Statistical Area 630 of the
GOA.
AFA CVs that are less than 125 ft
(38.1 meters) length overall, have
annual landings of pollock in the Bering
Sea and Aleutian Islands of less than
5,100 mt, and have made at least 40
landings of GOA groundfish from 1995
through 1997 are exempt from GOA
sideboard limits under § 679.64(b)(2)(ii).
Sideboard limits for non-exempt AFA
CVs operating in the GOA are based on
their traditional harvest levels of TAC in
groundfish fisheries covered by the
FMP. Section 679.64(b)(3)(iv)
establishes the groundfish sideboard
limitations in the GOA based on the
retained catch of non-exempt AFA CVs
of each sideboard species from 1995
through 1997 divided by the TAC for
that species over the same period.
Table 13 lists the proposed 2017 and
2018 groundfish sideboard limits for
non-exempt AFA CVs. NMFS will
deduct all targeted or incidental catch of
sideboard species made by non-exempt
AFA CVs from the sideboard limits
listed in Table 13.
E:\FR\FM\06DEP1.SGM
06DEP1
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 234 / Tuesday, December 6, 2016 / Proposed Rules
87895
TABLE 13—PROPOSED 2017 AND 2018 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV)
GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD LIMITS
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Species
Pollock ...................................
Apportionments by
season/gear
A Season—January 20–
March 10.
B Season—March 10–May
31.
C Season—August 25–October 1.
D Season—October 1–November 1.
Annual ...................................
A Season 1—January 1–June
10.
B Season 2—September 1–
December 31.
Annual ...................................
Sablefish ................................
Annual, trawl gear ................
Flatfish, shallow-water ...........
Annual ...................................
Flatfish, deep-water ...............
Annual ...................................
Rex sole ................................
Annual ...................................
Arrowtooth flounder ...............
Annual ...................................
Flathead sole .........................
Annual ...................................
Pacific ocean perch ...............
Annual ...................................
Northern rockfish ...................
Annual ...................................
Shortraker rockfish ................
Annual ...................................
Dusky Rockfish ......................
Annual ...................................
Rougheye rockfish .................
Annual ...................................
Demersal shelf rockfish .........
Thornyhead rockfish ..............
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS
Pacific cod .............................
Annual ...................................
Annual ...................................
Other Rockfish .......................
Annual ...................................
Atka mackerel ........................
Big skates ..............................
Annual ...................................
Annual ...................................
Longnose skates ...................
Annual ...................................
VerDate Sep<11>2014
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Jkt 241001
PO 00000
Frm 00047
Area/component
Shumagin (610) ....................
Chirikof (620) ........................
Kodiak (630) .........................
Shumagin (610) ....................
Chirikof (620) ........................
Kodiak (630) .........................
Shumagin (610) ....................
Chirikof (620) ........................
Kodiak (630) .........................
Shumagin (610) ....................
Chirikof (620) ........................
Kodiak (630) .........................
WYK (640) ............................
SEO (650) .............................
W ..........................................
C ...........................................
W ..........................................
C ...........................................
E inshore ..............................
E offshore .............................
W ..........................................
C ...........................................
E ...........................................
W ..........................................
C ...........................................
E ...........................................
W ..........................................
C ...........................................
E ...........................................
W ..........................................
C ...........................................
E ...........................................
W ..........................................
C ...........................................
E ...........................................
W ..........................................
C ...........................................
E ...........................................
W ..........................................
C ...........................................
E ...........................................
W ..........................................
C ...........................................
W ..........................................
C ...........................................
E ...........................................
W ..........................................
C ...........................................
E ...........................................
W ..........................................
C ...........................................
E ...........................................
SEO ......................................
W ..........................................
C ...........................................
E ...........................................
W/C .......................................
E ...........................................
Gulfwide ................................
W ..........................................
C ...........................................
E ...........................................
W ..........................................
C ...........................................
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Ratio of
1995–1997
non-exempt
AFA
CV catch
to 1995–
1997 TAC
0.6047
0.1167
0.2028
0.6047
0.1167
0.2028
0.6047
0.1167
0.2028
0.6047
0.1167
0.2028
0.3495
0.3495
0.1331
0.0692
0.1331
0.0692
0.0079
0.0078
0.0000
0.0642
0.0433
0.0156
0.0587
0.0126
0.0000
0.0647
0.0128
0.0007
0.0384
0.0029
0.0021
0.0280
0.0002
0.0036
0.0213
0.0009
0.0023
0.0748
0.0466
0.0003
0.0277
0.0000
0.0218
0.0110
0.0001
0.0000
0.0067
0.0000
0.0237
0.0124
0.0020
0.0280
0.0280
0.0280
0.1699
0.0000
0.0309
0.0063
0.0063
0.0063
0.0063
0.0063
E:\FR\FM\06DEP1.SGM
06DEP1
Proposed
2017 and
2018 TACs 3
3,769
42,732
12,272
3,769
49,996
5,007
24,060
15,176
19,529
24,060
15,175
19,529
9,209
9,920
14,699
19,175
9,799
12,783
5,124
569
233
736
173
13,250
17,680
3,925
187
3,516
5,578
1,318
4,453
1,736
14,500
75,000
13,800
8,650
15,400
3,800
2,709
16,860
4,620
430
3,338
38
301
947
159
3,791
334
105
705
515
231
291
988
682
1,534
774
2,000
908
1,850
1,056
61
2,513
Proposed
2017 and
2018 nonexempt AFA
CV sideboard
limit
2,279
4,987
2,489
2,279
5,835
1,015
14,549
1,771
3,960
14,549
1,771
3,960
3,219
3,467
1,956
1,327
1,304
885
40
4
0
47
8
207
1,038
49
0
227
71
1
171
5
30
2,100
3
31
328
3
6
1,261
215
0
92
0
7
10
0
0
2
0
17
6
0
8
28
19
261
0
62
6
12
7
0
16
87896
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 234 / Tuesday, December 6, 2016 / Proposed Rules
TABLE 13—PROPOSED 2017 AND 2018 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV)
GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD LIMITS—Continued
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Apportionments by
season/gear
Species
Other skates ..........................
Sculpins .................................
Sharks ...................................
Squids ....................................
Octopuses .............................
1
2
3
Annual
Annual
Annual
Annual
Annual
Ratio of
1995–1997
non-exempt
AFA
CV catch
to 1995–
1997 TAC
Area/component
...................................
...................................
...................................
...................................
...................................
E ...........................................
Gulfwide ................................
Gulfwide ................................
Gulfwide ................................
Gulfwide ................................
Gulfwide ................................
Proposed
2017 and
2018 TACs 3
0.0063
0.0063
0.0063
0.0063
0.0063
0.0063
Proposed
2017 and
2018 nonexempt AFA
CV sideboard
limit
632
1,919
5,591
4,514
1,148
4,878
4
12
35
28
7
31
The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
The Western and Central GOA area apportionments of pollock are considered ACLs.
Non-Exempt AFA Catcher Vessel
Halibut PSC Limits
The halibut PSC sideboard limits for
non-exempt AFA CVs in the GOA are
based on the aggregate retained
groundfish catch by non-exempt AFA
CVs in each PSC target category from
1995 through 1997 divided by the
retained catch of all vessels in that
fishery from 1995 through 1997
(§ 679.64(b)(4)). Table 14 lists the
proposed 2017 and 2018 non-exempt
AFA CV halibut PSC limits for vessels
using trawl gear in the GOA.
TABLE 14—PROPOSED 2017 AND 2018 NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL HALIBUT PROHIBITED
SPECIES CATCH (PSC) LIMITS FOR VESSELS USING TRAWL GEAR IN THE GOA
[PSC limits are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Ratio of
1995–1997
non-exempt AFA
CV retained
catch to total
retained catch
Proposed
2017 and 2018
PSC limit
Proposed
2017 and 2018
non-exempt AFA
CV PSC limit
Season
Season dates
Fishery category
1 .....................
January 20–April 1 .....................
2 .....................
April 1–July 1 ..............................
3 .....................
July 1–September 1 ...................
4 .....................
September 1–October 1 .............
5 .....................
October 1–December 31 ............
shallow-water ..............................
deep-water ..................................
shallow-water ..............................
deep-water ..................................
shallow-water ..............................
deep-water ..................................
shallow-water ..............................
deep-water ..................................
all targets ....................................
0.340
0.070
0.340
0.070
0.340
0.070
0.340
0.070
0.205
384
85
85
256
171
341
128
0
256
131
6
29
18
58
24
44
0
52
Annual .....
.....................................................
Total shallow-water ....................
Total deep-water ........................
............................
............................
............................
............................
262
48
Grand Total, all seasons and
categories.
............................
1,706
362
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS
Non-AFA Crab Vessel Groundfish
Sideboard Limits
Section 680.22 establishes groundfish
sideboard limits for vessels with a
history of participation in the Bering
Sea snow crab fishery to prevent these
vessels from using the increased
flexibility provided by the Crab
Rationalization Program to expand their
level of participation in the GOA
groundfish fisheries. Sideboard harvest
limits restrict these vessels’ catch to
their collective historical landings in
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:00 Dec 05, 2016
Jkt 241001
each GOA groundfish fishery (except
the fixed-gear sablefish fishery).
Sideboard limits also apply to landings
made using an LLP license derived from
the history of a restricted vessel, even if
that LLP license is used on another
vessel.
The basis for these sideboard harvest
limits is described in detail in the final
rules implementing the major
provisions of the Crab Rationalization
Program, including Amendments 18 and
19 to the Fishery Management Plan for
Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and
PO 00000
Frm 00048
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Tanner Crabs (Crab FMP) (70 FR 10174,
March 2, 2005), Amendment 34 to the
Crab FMP (76 FR 35772, June 20, 2011),
Amendment 83 to the GOA FMP (76 FR
74670, December 1, 2011), and
Amendment 45 to the Crab FMP (80 FR
28539, May 19, 2015).
Table 15 lists the proposed 2017 and
2018 groundfish sideboard limitations
for non-AFA crab vessels. All targeted
or incidental catch of sideboard species
made by non-AFA crab vessels or
associated LLP licenses will be
deducted from these sideboard limits.
E:\FR\FM\06DEP1.SGM
06DEP1
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 234 / Tuesday, December 6, 2016 / Proposed Rules
87897
TABLE 15—PROPOSED 2017 AND 2018 GOA NON-AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD
LIMITS
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Species
Pollock ...............................
Season/gear
Area/component/gear
A Season—January 20–
March 10.
B Season—March 10–May
31.
C Season—August 25–
October 1.
D Season—October 1–November 1.
Annual ..............................
Pacific cod .........................
A Season 1—January 1–
June 10.
B Season 2—September
1–December 31
Annual ..............................
Annual, trawl gear ............
Flatfish, shallow-water .......
Annual ..............................
Flatfish, deep-water ...........
Annual ..............................
Rex sole .............................
Annual ..............................
Arrowtooth flounder ...........
Annual ..............................
Flathead sole .....................
Annual ..............................
Pacific ocean perch ...........
Annual ..............................
Northern rockfish ...............
Annual ..............................
Shortraker rockfish ............
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS
Sablefish ............................
Annual ..............................
Dusky rockfish ...................
Annual ..............................
Rougheye rockfish .............
Annual ..............................
Demersal shelf rockfish .....
Thornyhead rockfish ..........
Annual ..............................
Annual ..............................
Other rockfish ....................
Annual ..............................
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:00 Dec 05, 2016
Jkt 241001
PO 00000
Ratio of
1996–2000
non-AFA crab
vessel catch to
1996–2000
total harvest
Shumagin (610) ................
Chirikof (620) ....................
Kodiak (630) .....................
Shumagin (610) ................
Chirikof (620) ....................
Kodiak (630) .....................
Shumagin (610) ................
Chirikof (620) ....................
Kodiak (630) .....................
Shumagin (610) ................
Chirikof (620) ....................
Kodiak (630) .....................
WYK (640) ........................
SEO (650) ........................
W Jig CV ..........................
W Hook-and-line CV .........
W Pot CV .........................
W Pot C/P ........................
W Trawl CV ......................
C Jig CV ...........................
C Hook-and-line CV .........
C Pot CV ..........................
C Pot C/P .........................
C Trawl CV .......................
W Jig CV ..........................
W Hook-and-line CV .........
W Pot CV .........................
W Pot C/P ........................
W Trawl CV ......................
C Jig CV ...........................
C Hook-and-line CV .........
C Pot CV ..........................
C Pot C/P .........................
C Trawl CV .......................
E inshore ..........................
E offshore .........................
W ......................................
C .......................................
E .......................................
W ......................................
C .......................................
E .......................................
W ......................................
C .......................................
E .......................................
W ......................................
C .......................................
E .......................................
W ......................................
C .......................................
E .......................................
W ......................................
C .......................................
E .......................................
W ......................................
C .......................................
E .......................................
W ......................................
C .......................................
W ......................................
C .......................................
E .......................................
W ......................................
C .......................................
E .......................................
W ......................................
C .......................................
E .......................................
SEO ..................................
W ......................................
C .......................................
E .......................................
W ......................................
Frm 00049
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Proposed 2017
and 2018 TACs
0.0098
0.0031
0.0002
0.0098
0.0031
0.0002
0.0098
0.0031
0.0002
0.0098
0.0031
0.0002
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0004
0.0997
0.0078
0.0007
0.0000
0.0001
0.0474
0.0136
0.0012
0.0000
0.0004
0.0997
0.0078
0.0007
0.0000
0.0001
0.0474
0.0136
0.0012
0.0110
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0059
0.0001
0.0000
0.0035
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0004
0.0001
0.0000
0.0002
0.0004
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0005
0.0000
0.0013
0.0012
0.0009
0.0017
0.0000
0.0000
0.0067
0.0047
0.0008
0.0000
0.0047
0.0066
0.0045
0.0035
E:\FR\FM\06DEP1.SGM
3,769
42,732
12,272
3,769
49,996
5,007
24,060
15,176
19,529
24,060
15,175
19,529
9,209
9,920
14,699
14,699
14,699
14,699
14,699
19,175
19,175
19,175
19,175
19,175
9,799
9,799
9,799
9,799
9,799
12,783
12,783
12,783
12,783
12,783
5,124
569
233
736
173
13,250
17,680
3,925
187
3,516
5,578
1,318
4,453
1,736
14,500
75,000
13,800
8,650
15,400
3,800
2,709
16,860
4,620
430
3,338
38
301
947
159
3,791
334
105
705
515
231
291
988
682
1,534
06DEP1
Proposed 2017
and 2018 nonAFA crab vessel
sideboard limit
37
132
2
37
155
1
236
47
4
236
47
4
6
1,466
115
10
............................
2
909
261
23
4
977
76
7
............................
1
606
174
15
56
............................
............................
............................
............................
78
2
............................
1
............................
............................
............................
............................
............................
6
8
............................
2
6
............................
............................
............................
............................
0
............................
0
0
1
0
............................
............................
1
3
0
............................
1
7
3
5
87898
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 234 / Tuesday, December 6, 2016 / Proposed Rules
TABLE 15—PROPOSED 2017 AND 2018 GOA NON-AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD
LIMITS—Continued
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Species
Season/gear
Area/component/gear
Atka mackerel ....................
Big skate ............................
Annual ..............................
Annual ..............................
Longnose skate .................
Annual ..............................
Other skates ......................
Sculpins .............................
Sharks ................................
Squids ................................
Octopuses ..........................
Annual
Annual
Annual
Annual
Annual
1 The
2 The
Ratio of
1996–2000
non-AFA crab
vessel catch to
1996–2000
total harvest
..............................
..............................
..............................
..............................
..............................
C .......................................
E .......................................
Gulfwide ............................
W ......................................
C .......................................
E .......................................
W ......................................
C .......................................
E .......................................
Gulfwide ............................
Gulfwide ............................
Gulfwide ............................
Gulfwide ............................
Gulfwide ............................
Proposed 2017
and 2018 TACs
0.0033
0.0000
0.0000
0.0392
0.0159
0.0000
0.0392
0.0159
0.0000
0.0176
0.0176
0.0176
0.0176
0.0176
774
2,000
908
1,850
1,056
61
2,513
632
1,919
5,591
4,514
1,148
4,878
38
Proposed 2017
and 2018 nonAFA crab vessel
sideboard limit
............................
............................
36
29
............................
2
40
............................
34
98
79
20
86
0
Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
Rockfish Program Groundfish Sideboard
and Halibut PSC Limitations
The Rockfish Program establishes
three classes of sideboard provisions:
CV groundfish sideboard restrictions,
C/P rockfish sideboard restrictions, and
C/P opt-out vessel sideboard
restrictions. These sideboards are
intended to limit the ability of rockfish
harvesters to expand into other
fisheries.
CVs participating in the Rockfish
Program may not participate in directed
fishing for dusky rockfish, northern
rockfish, and Pacific ocean perch in the
Western GOA and West Yakutat
Districts from July 1 through July 31.
Also, CVs may not participate in
directed fishing for arrowtooth flounder,
deep-water flatfish, and rex sole in the
GOA from July 1 through July 31
(§ 679.82(d)).
C/Ps participating in Rockfish
Program cooperatives are restricted by
rockfish and halibut PSC sideboard
limits. These C/Ps are prohibited from
directed fishing for northern rockfish,
Pacific ocean perch, and dusky rockfish
in the Western GOA and West Yakutat
District from July 1 through July 31.
Holders of C/P-designated LLP licenses
that opt out of participating in a
Rockfish Program cooperative will be
able to access those sideboard limits
that are not assigned to Rockfish
Program cooperatives. Table 16 lists the
proposed 2017 and 2018 Rockfish
Program C/P rockfish sideboard limits
in the Western GOA and West Yakutat
District. Due to confidentiality
requirements associated with fisheries
data, the sideboard limits for the West
Yakutat District are not displayed.
TABLE 16—PROPOSED 2017 AND 2018 ROCKFISH PROGRAM SIDEBOARD LIMITS FOR THE WESTERN GOA AND WEST
YAKUTAT DISTRICT BY FISHERY FOR THE CATCHER/PROCESSOR (C/P) SECTOR
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Area
Fishery
C/P sector
(% of TAC)
Western GOA ...........................................
Dusky rockfish .........................................
Pacific ocean perch .................................
Northern rockfish .....................................
Dusky rockfish .........................................
Pacific ocean perch .................................
72.3 ....................
50.6 ....................
74.3 ....................
Confidential 1
Confidential 1
West Yakutat District ................................
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS
1 Not
Proposed 2017
and 2018 TACs
159
2,709
430
251
2,818
Proposed 2017
and 2018 C/P
sideboard
limit
115
1,371
319
Confidential 1
Confidential 1
released due to confidentiality requirements associated with fish ticket data, as established by NMFS and the State of Alaska.
Under the Rockfish Program, the C/P
sector is subject to halibut PSC
sideboard limits for the trawl deepwater and shallow-water species
fisheries from July 1 through July 31. No
halibut PSC sideboard limits apply to
the CV sector, as vessels participating in
a rockfish cooperative receive a portion
of the annual halibut PSC limit. C/Ps
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that opt out of the Rockfish Program
would be able to access that portion of
the deep-water and shallow-water
halibut PSC sideboard limit not
assigned to C/P rockfish cooperatives.
The sideboard provisions for C/Ps that
elect to opt out of participating in a
rockfish cooperative are described in
§ 679.82(c), (e), and (f). Sideboard limits
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Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
are linked to the catch history of
specific vessels that may choose to opt
out. After March 1, NMFS will
determine which C/Ps have opted-out of
the Rockfish Program in 2017, and will
know the ratios and amounts used to
calculate opt-out sideboard ratios.
NMFS will then calculate any
applicable opt-out sideboard limits and
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 234 / Tuesday, December 6, 2016 / Proposed Rules
post these limits on the Alaska Region
Web site at https://alaska
fisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/
rockfish/. Table 17 lists the 2017 and
87899
2018 proposed Rockfish Program
halibut PSC limits for the C/P sector.
TABLE 17—PROPOSED 2017 AND 2018 ROCKFISH PROGRAM HALIBUT MORTALITY LIMITS FOR THE CATCHER/PROCESSOR
SECTOR
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Deep-water
species
fishery
halibut PSC
sideboard ratio
(percent)
Catcher/processor ............................................
0.10
2.50
Amendment 80 Program Groundfish
and PSC Sideboard Limits
Amendment 80 to the Fishery
Management Plan for Groundfish of the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area (Amendment 80
Program) established a limited access
privilege program for the non-AFA trawl
C/P sector. The Amendment 80 Program
established groundfish and halibut PSC
limits for Amendment 80 Program
participants to limit the ability of
participants eligible for the Amendment
Annual halibut
mortality limit
(mt)
Annual shallowwater species
fishery halibut
PSC sideboard
limit
(mt)
Annual deepwater species
fishery
halibut PSC
sideboard
limit
(mt)
1,706
Sector
Shallow-water
species
fishery
halibut PSC
sideboard ratio
(percent)
2
43
80 Program to expand their harvest
efforts in the GOA.
Section 679.92 establishes groundfish
harvesting sideboard limits on all
Amendment 80 Program vessels, other
than the F/V Golden Fleece, to amounts
no greater than the limits shown in
Table 37 to part 679. Under § 679.92(d),
the F/V Golden Fleece is prohibited
from directed fishing for pollock, Pacific
cod, Pacific ocean perch, dusky
rockfish, and northern rockfish in the
GOA.
Groundfish sideboard limits for
Amendment 80 Program vessels
operating in the GOA are based on their
average aggregate harvests from 1998
through 2004. Table 18 lists the
proposed 2017 and 2018 sideboard
limits for Amendment 80 Program
vessels. NMFS will deduct all targeted
or incidental catch of sideboard species
made by Amendment 80 Program
vessels from the sideboard limits in
Table 18.
TABLE 18—PROPOSED 2017 AND 2018 GOA GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD LIMITS FOR AMENDMENT 80 PROGRAM VESSELS
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Species
Pollock ...............................
Season
Area
A Season—January 20–
February 25.
B Season—March 10–May
31.
C Season—August 25–
September 15.
D Season—October 1–November 1.
Pacific ocean perch ...........
Annual ..............................
A Season 1—January 1–
June 10.
B Season 2—September
1–December 31.
Annual ..............................
Annual ..............................
Northern rockfish ...............
Dusky rockfish ...................
Annual ..............................
Annual ..............................
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS
Pacific cod .........................
1 The
2 The
Ratio of
Amendment 80
sector vessels
1998–2004
catch to TAC
Shumagin (610) ................
Chirikof (620) ....................
Kodiak (630) .....................
Shumagin (610) ................
Chirikof (620) ....................
Kodiak (630) .....................
Shumagin (610) ................
Chirikof (620) ....................
Kodiak (630) .....................
Shumagin (610) ................
Chirikof (620) ....................
Kodiak (630) .....................
WYK (640) ........................
W ......................................
C .......................................
W ......................................
C .......................................
WYK .................................
W ......................................
WYK .................................
W ......................................
W ......................................
WYK .................................
Proposed 2017
and 2018 TAC
(mt)
0.003
0.002
0.002
0.003
0.002
0.002
0.003
0.002
0.002
0.003
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.020
0.044
0.020
0.044
0.034
0.994
0.961
1.000
0.764
0.896
3,769
42,732
12,272
3,769
49,996
5,007
24,060
15,176
19,529
24,060
15,175
19,529
9,209
14,699
19,175
9,799
12,783
5,693
2,709
2,818
430
159
251
Proposed
2017 and 2018
Amendment 80
vessel sideboard
limits
(mt)
11
85
25
11
100
10
72
30
39
72
30
39
18
294
844
196
562
194
2,693
2,708
430
121
225
Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
The halibut PSC sideboard limits for
Amendment 80 Program vessels in the
GOA are based on the historic use of
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17:00 Dec 05, 2016
Jkt 241001
halibut PSC by Amendment 80 Program
vessels in each PSC target category from
1998 through 2004. These values are
PO 00000
Frm 00051
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
slightly lower than the average historic
use to accommodate two factors:
Allocation of halibut PSC cooperative
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06DEP1
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 234 / Tuesday, December 6, 2016 / Proposed Rules
quota under the Rockfish Program and
the exemption of the F/V Golden Fleece
from this restriction (§ 679.92(b)(2)).
Table 19 lists the proposed 2017 and
2018 halibut PSC sideboard limits for
Amendment 80 Program vessels. These
tables incorporate the maximum
percentages of the halibut PSC
sideboard limits that may be used by
Amendment 80 Program vessels, as
contained in Table 38 to 50 CFR part
679.
TABLE 19—PROPOSED 2017 AND 2018 HALIBUT PSC SIDEBOARD LIMITS FOR AMENDMENT 80 PROGRAM VESSELS IN
THE GOA
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Historic
Amendment 80
use of the
annual halibut
PSC limit
(ratio)
Proposed 2017
and 2018 annual
PSC limit
(mt)
Proposed
2017 and 2018
Amendment 80
vessel PSC
sideboard limit
(mt)
Season dates
Fishery category
1 .....................
January 20–April 1 .....................
2 .....................
April 1–July 1 ..............................
3 .....................
July 1–September 1 ...................
4 .....................
September 1–October 1 .............
5 .....................
October 1–December 31 ............
shallow-water ..............................
deep-water ..................................
shallow-water ..............................
deep-water ..................................
shallow-water ..............................
deep-water ..................................
shallow-water ..............................
deep-water ..................................
shallow-water ..............................
deep-water ..................................
0.0048
0.0115
0.0189
0.1072
0.0146
0.0521
0.0074
0.0014
0.0227
0.0371
1,706
1,706
1,706
1,706
1,706
1,706
1,706
1,706
1,706
1,706
8
20
32
183
25
89
13
2
39
63
Annual .....
.....................................................
Total shallow-water ....................
Total deep-water ........................
............................
............................
............................
............................
117
357
Grand Total, all seasons and
categories.
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS
Season
............................
............................
474
Classification
NMFS has determined that the
proposed harvest specifications are
consistent with the FMP and
preliminarily determined that the
proposed harvest specifications are
consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens
Act and other applicable laws, subject to
further review after public comment.
This action is authorized under 50
CFR 679.20 and is exempt from review
under Executive Orders 12866 and
13563.
NMFS prepared an EIS for this action
and made it available to the public on
January 12, 2007 (72 FR 1512). On
February 13, 2007, NMFS issued the
Record of Decision (ROD) for the Final
EIS. A Supplemental Information Report
(SIR) that assesses the need to prepare
a Supplemental EIS is being prepared
for the final action. Copies of the Final
EIS, ROD, and SIR for this action are
available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES).
The Final EIS analyzes the
environmental consequences of the
proposed groundfish harvest
specifications and alternative harvest
strategies on resources in the action
area. The Final EIS found no significant
environmental consequences from the
proposed action or its alternatives.
NMFS prepared an Initial Regulatory
Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) as required
by section 603 of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (RFA), analyzing the
methodology for establishing the
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17:00 Dec 05, 2016
Jkt 241001
relevant TACs. The IRFA evaluated the
impacts on small entities of alternative
harvest strategies for the groundfish
fisheries in the EEZ off Alaska. As set
forth in the methodology, TACs are set
to a level that fall within the range of
ABCs recommended by the SSC; the
sum of the TACs must achieve the OY
specified in the FMP. While the specific
numbers that the methodology produces
may vary from year to year, the
methodology itself remains constant.
A description of the proposed action,
why it is being considered, and the legal
basis for this proposed action are
contained in the preamble above. A
copy of the analysis is available from
NMFS (see ADDRESSES). A summary of
the IRFA follows.
The action under consideration is a
harvest strategy to govern the catch of
groundfish in the GOA. The preferred
alternative is the existing harvest
strategy in which TACs fall within the
range of ABCs recommended by the
SSC. This action is taken in accordance
with the FMP prepared by the Council
pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
The entities directly regulated by this
action are those that harvest groundfish
in the EEZ of the GOA and in parallel
fisheries within State of Alaska waters.
These include entities operating CVs
and C/Ps within the action area and
entities receiving direct allocations of
groundfish.
PO 00000
Frm 00052
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
For RFA purposes only, NMFS has
established a small business size
standard for businesses, including their
affiliates, whose primary industry is
commercial fishing (see 50 CFR 200.2).
A business primarily engaged in
commercial fishing (NAICS code 11411)
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 receipts not in excess
of $11 million for all its affiliated
operations worldwide.
The IRFA shows that, in 2015, there
were 969 individual CVs with gross
revenues less than or equal to $11
million. This estimate accounts for
corporate affiliations among vessels, and
for cooperative affiliations among
fishing entities, since some of the
fishing vessels operating in the GOA are
members of AFA inshore pollock
cooperatives, GOA rockfish
cooperatives, or BSAI Crab
Rationalization Program cooperatives.
Therefore, under the RFA, it is the
aggregate gross receipts of all
participating members of the
cooperative that must meet the ‘‘under
$11 million’’ threshold. Vessels that
participate in these cooperatives are
considered to be large entities within
the meaning of the RFA. After
accounting for membership in these
cooperatives, there are an estimated 969
small CV entities remaining in the GOA
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 234 / Tuesday, December 6, 2016 / Proposed Rules
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS
groundfish sector. This latter group of
vessels had average gross revenues that
varied by gear type. Average gross
revenues for hook-and-line CVs, pot
gear vessels, and trawl gear vessels are
estimated to be $350,000, $760,000, and
$1.85 million, respectively. Revenue
data for the three C/Ps considered to be
small entities are confidential. There are
three C/Ps that are considered to be
small entities; however, their revenue
data is confidential.
The preferred alternative (Alternative
2) was compared to four other
alternatives. Alternative 1 would have
set TACs to generate fishing rates equal
to the maximum permissible ABC (if the
full TAC were harvested), unless the
sum of TACs exceeded the GOA OY, in
which case TACs would be limited to
the OY. Alternative 3 would have set
TACs to produce fishing rates equal to
the most recent 5-year average fishing
rate. Alternative 4 would have set TACs
to equal the lower limit of the GOA OY
range. Alternative 5, the ‘‘no action
alternative,’’ would have set TACs equal
to zero.
The TACs associated with the
preferred harvest strategy are those
adopted by the Council in October 2016,
as per Alternative 2. OFLs and ABCs for
the species were based on
recommendations prepared by the
Council’s GOA Plan Team in September
2016, and reviewed by the Council’s
SSC in October 2016. The Council based
its TAC recommendations on those of
its AP, which were consistent with the
SSC’s OFL and ABC recommendations.
Alternative 1 selects harvest rates that
would allow fishermen to harvest stocks
at the level of ABCs, unless total
harvests were constrained by the upper
bound of the GOA OY of 800,000 mt. As
shown in Table 1 of the preamble, the
sum of ABCs in 2017 and 2018 would
be 708,629 mt, which falls below the
upper bound of the OY range. The sum
of TACs is 573,872 mt, which is less
than the sum of ABCs. In this instance,
Alternative 1 is consistent with the
preferred alternative (Alternative 2),
meets the objectives of that action, and
has small entity impacts that are
equivalent to the preferred alternative.
In some instances, the selection of
Alternative 1 would not reflect the
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17:00 Dec 05, 2016
Jkt 241001
practical implications that increased
TACs (where the sum of TACs equals
the sum of ABCs) for some species
probably would not be fully harvested.
This could be due to a lack of
commercial or market interest in such
species. Additionally, an underharvest
of some TACs could result due to
constraints such as the fixed, and
therefore constraining, PSC limits
associated with the harvest of the GOA
groundfish species.
Alternative 3 selects harvest rates
based on the most recent 5 years of
harvest rates (for species in Tiers 1
through 3) or for the most recent 5 years
of harvests (for species in Tiers 4
through 6). This alternative is
inconsistent with the objectives of this
action, the Council’s preferred harvest
strategy, because it does not take
account of the most recent biological
information for this fishery. NMFS
annually conducts at-sea stock surveys
for different species, as well as
statistical modeling, to estimate stock
sizes and permissible harvest levels.
Actual harvest rates or harvest amounts
are a component of these estimates, but
in and of themselves may not accurately
portray stock sizes and conditions.
Harvest rates are listed for each species
category for each year in the SAFE
report (see ADDRESSES).
Alternative 4 would lead to
significantly lower harvests of all
species and reduce the TACs from the
upper end of the OY range in the GOA,
to its lower end of 116,000 mt. Overall,
this would reduce 2017 TACs by about
80 percent and would lead to significant
reductions in harvests of species
harvested by small entities. While
reductions of this size would be
associated with offsetting price
increases, the size of these increases is
very uncertain. There are close
substitutes for GOA groundfish species
available in significant quantities from
the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
management area. While production
declines in the GOA would
undoubtedly be associated with
significant price increases in the GOA,
these increases would still be
constrained by production of
substitutes, and are very unlikely to
offset revenue declines from smaller
PO 00000
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Fmt 4702
Sfmt 9990
87901
production. Thus, this alternative would
have a detrimental impact on small
entities.
Alternative 5, which sets all harvests
equal to zero, would have a significant
adverse economic impact on small
entities and would be contrary to
obligations to achieve OY on a
continuing basis, as mandated by the
Magnuson-Stevens Act. Under
Alternative 5, all 969 individual CVs
impacted by this rule would have gross
revenues of $0. Additionally, the three
small C/Ps impacted by this rule also
would have gross revenues of $0.
The proposed harvest specifications
(Alternative 2) extend the current 2017
OFLs, ABCs, and TACs to 2017 and
2018. As noted in the IRFA, the Council
may modify these OFLs, ABCs, and
TACs in December 2016, when it
reviews the November 2016 SAFE
report from its Groundfish Plan Team,
and the December 2016 Council meeting
reports of its SSC and AP. Because the
2017 TACs in the proposed 2017 and
2018 harvest specifications are
unchanged from the 2017 TACs, NMFS
does not expect adverse impacts on
small entities. Also, NMFS does not
expect any changes made by the Council
in December 2016 to have significant
adverse impacts on small entities.
This action does not modify
recordkeeping or reporting
requirements, or duplicate, overlap, or
conflict with any Federal rules.
Adverse impacts on marine mammals
or endangered species resulting from
fishing activities conducted under this
rule are discussed in the Final EIS and
its accompanying annual SIRs (see
ADDRESSES).
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 16 U.S.C.
1540(f); 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C.
3631 et seq.; Pub. L. 105–277; Pub. L. 106–
31; Pub. L. 106–554; Pub. L. 108–199; Pub.
L. 108–447; Pub. L. 109–241; Pub. L. 109–
479.
Dated: November 30, 2016.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–29150 Filed 12–5–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
E:\FR\FM\06DEP1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 234 (Tuesday, December 6, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 87881-87901]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-29150]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 160920866-6999-01]
RIN 0648-XE904
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of
Alaska; 2017 and 2018 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS proposes 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications,
apportionments, and Pacific halibut prohibited species catch limits for
the groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to establish harvest limits for groundfish during the 2017
and 2018 fishing years and to accomplish the goals and objectives of
the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska. The
intended effect of this action is to conserve and manage the groundfish
resources in the GOA in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act.
DATES: Comments must be received by January 5, 2017.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by
NOAA-NMFS-2016-0127, by any one of the following methods:
Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2016-0127, click the
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or
attach your comments.
Mail: Submit written comments to Glenn Merrill, Assistant
Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region
NMFS, Attn: Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau,
AK 99802-1668.
Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period,
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address), confidential business information,
or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender
will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter
``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).
Electronic copies of the Alaska Groundfish Harvest Specifications
Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS), Record of Decision
(ROD) for the Final EIS, Supplementary Information Report (SIR) to the
Final EIS, and the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA)
prepared for this action may be obtained from https://www.regulations.gov or from the Alaska Region Web site at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. The final 2015 Stock Assessment and Fishery
Evaluation (SAFE) report for the groundfish resources of the GOA, dated
November 2015, is available from the North Pacific Fishery Management
Council (Council) at 605 West 4th Avenue, Suite 306, Anchorage, AK
99501, phone 907-271-2809, or from the Council's Web site at https://www.npfmc.org. The draft 2016 SAFE report for the GOA will be available
from the same source.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the GOA groundfish fisheries in
the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the GOA under the Fishery
Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP). The Council
prepared the FMP under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), 16 U.S.C. 1801,
et seq. Regulations governing U.S. fisheries and implementing the FMP
appear at 50 CFR parts 600, 679, and 680.
The FMP and its implementing regulations require NMFS, after
consultation with the Council, to specify the total allowable catch
(TAC) for each target species, the sum of which must be within the
optimum yield (OY) range of 116,000 to 800,000 metric tons (mt) (Sec.
679.20(a)(1)(i)(B)). Section 679.20(c)(1) further requires NMFS to
publish and solicit public comment on proposed annual TACs, Pacific
halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limits, and seasonal allowances
of pollock and Pacific cod. The proposed harvest specifications in
Tables 1 through 19 of this document satisfy these requirements. For
2017 and 2018, the sum of the proposed TAC amounts is 573,872 mt.
Under Sec. 679.20(c)(3), NMFS will publish the final 2017 and 2018
harvest specifications after (1) considering comments received within
the comment period (see DATES), (2) consulting with the Council at its
December 2016 meeting, (3) considering information presented in the
2016 SIR that assesses the need to prepare a Supplemental EIS (see
ADDRESSES), and (4) considering information presented in the final 2016
SAFE report prepared for the 2017 and 2018 groundfish fisheries.
Other Actions Potentially Affecting the 2017 and 2018 Harvest
Specifications
Amendment 103: Chinook Salmon Prohibited Species Catch Limit
Reapportionment Provisions for Trawl Sectors in the Western and Central
GOA
In December 2015, the Council recommended for Secretarial review
Amendment 103 to the FMP to reapportion unused Chinook salmon PSC
limits among the GOA pollock and non-pollock trawl sectors. Amendment
103 allows NMFS to reapportion the Chinook salmon PSC limits
established by Amendments 93 and 97 to prevent or limit fishery
closures due to attainment of sector-specific Chinook salmon PSC
limits, while maintaining the annual, combined 32,500 Chinook salmon
PSC limit for all sectors. The Secretary approved Amendment 103 on
August 24, 2016. The final rule implementing Amendment 103 published on
September 12, 2016, (81 FR 62659) and became effective on October 12,
2016.
Amendment 101: Authorize Longline Pot Gear for Use in the Sablefish IFQ
Fishery in the GOA
NMFS issued a proposed rule to implement Amendment 101 to the FMP
[[Page 87882]]
for the sablefish individual fishing quota (IFQ) fisheries in the GOA
on August 19, 2016 (81 FR 55408). That proposed action would authorize
the use of longline pot gear in the GOA sablefish IFQ fishery. The
Secretary approved Amendment 101 on November 4, 2016. If NMFS approves
the final rule, NMFS expects it would be effective for the 2017 GOA
sablefish IFQ fishery.
Proposed Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) and TAC Specifications
In October 2016, the Council, its Scientific and Statistical
Committee (SSC), and its Advisory Panel (AP) reviewed the most recent
biological and harvest information about the condition of groundfish
stocks in the GOA. This information was compiled by the GOA Groundfish
Plan Team (Plan Team) and presented in the final 2015 SAFE report for
the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated November 2015 (see ADDRESSES). The
SAFE report contains a review of the latest scientific analyses and
estimates of each species' biomass and other biological parameters, as
well as summaries of the available information on the GOA ecosystem and
the economic condition of the groundfish fisheries off Alaska. From
these data and analyses, the Plan Team estimates and the SSC sets an
overfishing level (OFL) and ABC for each species or species group. The
amounts proposed for the 2017 and 2018 OFLs and ABCs are based on the
2015 SAFE report. The AP and Council recommended that the proposed 2017
and 2018 TACs be set equal to proposed ABCs for all species and species
groups, with the exception of the species categories further discussed
below. The proposed OFLs, ABCs, and TACs could be changed in the final
harvest specifications depending on the most recent scientific
information contained in the final 2016 SAFE report. The draft stock
assessments that will comprise, in part, the 2016 SAFE report are
available at https://www.afsc.noaa.gov/REFM/stocks/plan_team/draft_assessments.htm.
In November 2016, the Plan Team will update the 2015 SAFE report to
include new information collected during 2016, such as NMFS stock
surveys, revised stock assessments, and catch data. The Plan Team will
compile this information and produce the draft 2016 SAFE report for
presentation at the December 2016 Council meeting. At that meeting, the
Council will consider information in the draft 2016 SAFE report,
recommendations from the November 2016 Plan Team meeting and December
2016 SSC and AP meetings, public testimony, and relevant written public
comments in making its recommendations for the final 2017 and 2018
harvest specifications. Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(2) and (3), the
Council could recommend adjusting the TACs if warranted on the
biological condition of groundfish stocks or a variety of socioeconomic
considerations; or if required in order to cause the sum to fall within
the optimum yield range.
In previous years, the OFLs and ABCs that have had the most
significant changes (relative to the amount of assessed tonnage of
fish) from the proposed to the final harvest specifications have been
for OFLs and ABCs that are based on the most recent NMFS stock surveys.
These surveys provide updated estimates of stock biomass and spatial
distribution, and changes to the models used for producing stock
assessments. NMFS scientists presented updated and new survey results,
changes to assessment models, and accompanying stock estimates at the
September 2016 Plan Team meeting, and the SSC reviewed this information
at the October 2016 Council meeting. The species with possible
significant model changes are Pacific cod, pollock, sablefish, and
sharks. In November 2016, the Plan Team considered updated stock
assessments for groundfish, which will be included in the draft 2016
SAFE report.
If the draft 2016 SAFE report indicates that the stock biomass
trend is increasing for a species, then the final 2017 and 2018 harvest
specifications for that species may reflect an increase from the
proposed harvest specifications. Conversely, if the draft 2016 SAFE
report indicates that the stock biomass trend is decreasing for a
species, then the final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications may
reflect a decrease from the proposed harvest specifications.
The proposed 2017 and 2018 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs are based on the
best available biological and socioeconomic information, including
projected biomass trends, information on assumed distribution of stock
biomass, and revised methods used to calculate stock biomass. The FMP
specifies the formulas, or tiers, to be used to compute OFLs and ABCs.
The formulas applicable to a particular stock or stock complex are
determined by the level of reliable information available to the
fisheries scientists. This information is categorized into a successive
series of six tiers to define OFL and ABC amounts, with Tier 1
representing the highest level of information quality available and
Tier 6 representing the lowest level of information quality available.
The Plan Team used the FMP tier structure to calculate OFLs and ABCs
for each groundfish species. The SSC adopted the proposed 2017 and 2018
OFLs and ABCs recommended by the Plan Team for all groundfish species.
The Council adopted the SSC's OFL and ABC recommendations and the AP's
TAC recommendations. These amounts are unchanged from the final 2017
harvest specifications published in the Federal Register on March 18,
2016 (81 FR 14740).
Specification and Apportionment of TAC Amounts
The Council recommended proposed 2017 and 2018 TACs that are equal
to proposed ABCs for all species and species groups, with the exception
of shallow-water flatfish in the Western GOA, arrowtooth flounder,
flathead sole in the Western and Central GOA, ``other rockfish'' in
Southeast Outside (SEO) District, Atka mackerel, and Pacific cod. The
shallow-water flatfish, arrowtooth flounder, and flathead sole TACs are
set to allow for harvest opportunities while conserving the halibut PSC
limit for use in other fisheries. The ``other rockfish'' TAC is set to
reduce the potential amount of discards in the SEO District. The Atka
mackerel TAC is set to accommodate incidental catch amounts of this
species in other directed fisheries. The Pacific cod TACs are reduced
from ABC amounts to accommodate the State waters Pacific cod fisheries.
Similarly, the combined Western, Central, and West Yakutat pollock ABC
is reduced to account for the State water pollock fishery. These
reductions are described below.
The proposed 2017 and 2018 Pacific cod TACs are set to accommodate
the State's guideline harvest levels (GHLs) for Pacific cod in State
waters in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, as well as in
Prince William Sound (PWS). The Plan Team, SSC, AP, and Council
recommended that the sum of all State and Federal water Pacific cod
removals from the GOA not exceed ABC recommendations. Accordingly, the
Council reduced the proposed 2017 and 2018 Pacific cod TACs in the
Eastern, Central, and Western Regulatory Areas to account for State
GHLs. Therefore, the proposed 2017 and 2018 Pacific cod TACs are less
than the proposed ABCs by the following amounts: (1) Eastern GOA, 1,898
mt; (2) Central GOA, 10,653 mt; and (3) Western GOA, 10,499 mt. These
amounts reflect the sum of the State's 2017 and 2018 GHLs in these
areas, which are 25 percent of the Eastern and Central, and 30 percent
of the Western GOA proposed ABCs.
[[Page 87883]]
The ABC for the pollock stock in the combined Western, Central, and
West Yakutat Regulatory Areas (W/C/WYK) includes the amount for the GHL
established by the State for the PWS pollock fishery. The Plan Team,
SSC, AP, and Council recommended that the sum of all State and Federal
water pollock removals from the GOA not exceed ABC recommendations. For
2017 and 2018, the SSC recommended and the Council approved the W/C/WYK
pollock ABC, including the amount to account for the State's PWS GHL.
At the November 2016 Plan Team meeting, State fisheries managers
recommended setting the PWS GHL at 2.5 percent of the annual W/C/WYK
pollock ABC. For 2017, this yields a PWS pollock GHL of 6,264 mt, a
slight decrease from the 2016 PWS GHL of 6,358 mt. The proposed W/C/WYK
2017 and 2018 pollock ABC is 250,544 mt, and the proposed TAC is
244,280 mt.
Apportionments of pollock to the W/C/WYK management areas are
considered to be ``apportionments of annual catch limit (ACLs)'' rather
than ``ABCs.'' This more accurately reflects that such apportionments
address management, rather than biological or conservation, concerns.
In addition, apportioning ACLs in this manner allow NMFS to balance any
transfer of TAC from one area to another pursuant to Sec.
679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B) to ensure that the area-wide ACL and ABC are not
exceeded.
NMFS' proposed apportionments for groundfish species are based on
the distribution of biomass among the regulatory areas under which NMFS
manages the species. Additional regulations govern the apportionment of
pollock, Pacific cod, and sablefish. Additional detail on these
apportionments are described below, and briefly summarized here.
NMFS proposes pollock TACs in the W/C/WYK and the SEO District of
the GOA (see Table 1). NMFS also proposes seasonal apportionment of the
annual pollock TAC in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the
GOA among Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630. These apportionments are
divided equally among each of the following four seasons: The A season
(January 20 through March 10), the B season (March 10 through May 31),
the C season (August 25 through October 1), and the D season (October 1
through November 1) (Sec. 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), and Sec.
679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A) and (B)). Additional detail is provided below;
Table 2 lists these amounts.
NMFS proposes Pacific cod TACs in the Western, Central, and Eastern
GOA (see Table 1). NMFS also proposes seasonal apportionment of the
Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas. Sixty
percent of the annual TAC is apportioned to the A season for hook-and-
line, pot, or jig gear from January 1 through June 10, and for trawl
gear from January 20 through June 10. Forty percent of the annual TAC
is apportioned to the B season for jig gear from June 10 through
December 31, for hook-and-line or pot gear from September 1 through
December 31, and for trawl gear from September 1 through November 1
(Sec. Sec. 679.23(d)(3) and 679.20(a)(12)). The Western and Central
GOA Pacific cod TACs are allocated among various gear and operational
sectors. Table 3 lists the amounts apportioned to each sector.
The Council's recommendation for sablefish area apportionments
takes into account the prohibition on the use of trawl gear in the SEO
District of the Eastern Regulatory Area and makes available 5 percent
of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area ABCs to trawl gear for use as
incidental catch in other groundfish fisheries in the WYK District
(Sec. 679.20(a)(4)(i)). Additional detail is provided below; Tables 4
and 5 list these amounts.
For 2017 and 2018, the Council recommends and NMFS proposes the
OFLs, ABCs, and TACs listed in Table 1. The proposed ABCs reflect
harvest amounts that are less than the specified overfishing levels.
Table 1 lists the proposed 2017 and 2018 OFLs, ABCs, TACs, and area
apportionments of groundfish in the GOA. These amounts are consistent
with the biological condition of groundfish stocks as described in the
2015 SAFE report, and adjusted for other biological and socioeconomic
considerations, including maintaining the total TAC within the required
OY range. The sum of the proposed TACs for all GOA groundfish is
573,872 mt for 2017 and 2018, which is within the OY range specified by
the FMP. These proposed amounts and apportionments by area, season, and
sector are subject to change pending consideration of the draft 2016
SAFE report and the Council's recommendations for the final 2017 and
2018 harvest specifications during its December 2016 meeting.
Table 1--Proposed 2017 and 2018 ABCs, TACs, and OFLs of Groundfish for the Western/Central/West Yakutat,
Western, Central, and Eastern Regulatory Areas, and in the West Yakutat, Southeast Outside, and Gulfwide
Districts of the Gulf of Alaska
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Area \1\ OFL ABC TAC \2\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock \2\........................... Shumagin (610).......... n/a 55,657 55,657
Chirikof (620).......... n/a 123,078 123,078
Kodiak (630)............ n/a 56,336 56,336
WYK (640)............... n/a 9,209 9,209
W/C/WYK (subtotal)...... 289,937 250,544 244,280
SEO (650)............... 13,226 9,920 9,920
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 303,163 260,464 254,200
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod \3\....................... W....................... n/a 34,998 24,499
C....................... n/a 42,610 31,958
E....................... n/a 7,592 5,693
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 100,800 85,200 62,150
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish \4\......................... W....................... n/a 1,163 1,163
C....................... n/a 3,678 3,678
WYK..................... n/a 1,348 1,348
SEO..................... n/a 2,118 2,118
[[Page 87884]]
E (WYK and SEO) n/a 3,466 3,466
(subtotal).
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 9,825 8,307 8,307
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shallow-water flatfish \5\............ W....................... n/a 19,159 13,250
C....................... n/a 17,680 17,680
WYK..................... n/a 2,919 2,919
SEO..................... n/a 1,006 1,006
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 50,220 40,764 34,855
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deep-water flatfish \6\............... W....................... n/a 187 187
C....................... n/a 3,516 3,516
WYK..................... n/a 3,015 3,015
SEO..................... n/a 2,563 2,563
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 11,168 9,281 9,281
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rex sole.............................. W....................... n/a 1,318 1,318
C....................... n/a 4,453 4,453
WYK..................... n/a 767 767
SEO..................... n/a 969 969
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 9,810 7,507 7,507
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth flounder................... W....................... n/a 28,659 14,500
C....................... n/a 109,804 75,000
WYK..................... n/a 37,999 6,900
SEO..................... n/a 12,870 6,900
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 196,714 189,332 103,300
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead sole......................... W....................... n/a 11,080 8,650
C....................... n/a 20,307 15,400
WYK..................... n/a 2,944 2,944
SEO..................... n/a 856 856
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 43,060 35,187 27,850
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch \7\............... W....................... n/a 2,709 2,709
C....................... n/a 16,860 16,860
WYK..................... n/a 2,818 2,818
W/C/WYK................. 26,045 22,387 22,387
SEO..................... 2,096 1,802 1,802
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 28,141 24,189 24,189
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern rockfish \8\................. W....................... n/a 430 430
C....................... n/a 3,338 3,338
E....................... n/a 4 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 4,501 3,768 3,768
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortraker rockfish \9\............... W....................... n/a 38 38
C....................... n/a 301 301
E....................... n/a 947 947
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 1,715 1,286 1,286
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dusky rockfish \10\................... W....................... n/a 159 159
C....................... n/a 3,791 3,791
WYK..................... n/a 251 251
SEO..................... n/a 83 83
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 5,253 4,284 4,284
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rougheye and blackspotted rockfish W....................... n/a 105 105
\11\.
C....................... n/a 705 705
E....................... n/a 515 515
-----------------------------------------------
[[Page 87885]]
Total................ 1,592 1,325 1,325
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demersal shelf rockfish \12\.......... SEO..................... 364 231 231
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thornyhead rockfish \13\.............. W....................... n/a 291 291
C....................... n/a 988 988
E....................... n/a 682 682
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 2,615 1,961 1,961
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other rockfish 14 15.................. W/C combined............ n/a 1,534 1,534
WYK..................... n/a 574 574
SEO..................... n/a 3,665 200
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 7,424 5,773 2,308
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel......................... GW...................... 6,200 4,700 2,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big skates \16\....................... W....................... n/a 908 908
C....................... n/a 1,850 1,850
E....................... n/a 1,056 1,056
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 5,086 3,814 3,814
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longnose skates \17\.................. W....................... n/a 61 61
C....................... n/a 2,513 2,513
E....................... n/a 632 632
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 4,274 3,206 3,206
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other skates \18\..................... GW...................... 2,558 1,919 1,919
Sculpins.............................. GW...................... 7,338 5,591 5,591
Sharks................................ GW...................... 6,020 4,514 4,514
Squids................................ GW...................... 1,530 1,148 1,148
Octopuses............................. GW...................... 6,504 4,878 4,878
-----------------------------------------------
Total............................. ........................ 815,875 708,629 573,872
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Regulatory areas and districts are defined at Sec. 679.2. (W = Western Gulf of Alaska; C = Central Gulf of
Alaska; E = Eastern Gulf of Alaska; WYK = West Yakutat District; SEO = Southeast Outside District; GW = Gulf-
wide).
\2\ The combined pollock ABC for the Western, Central, and West Yakutat areas is apportioned in the Western/
Central Regulatory Areas among four statistical areas. These apportionments are considered subarea ACLs,
rather than ABCs, for specification and reapportionment purposes. Table 2 lists the proposed 2017 and 2018
seasonal apportionments. In the West Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts of the Eastern Regulatory Area,
pollock is not divided into seasonal allowances.
\3\ Section 679.20(a)(12)(i) requires the allocation of the Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central
Regulatory Areas of the GOA among gear and operational sectors. The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned
among various sectors, 60 percent to the A season and 40 percent to the B season in the Western and Central
Regulatory Areas of the GOA. In the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA, Pacific cod is allocated 90 percent
for processing by the inshore component and 10 percent for processing by the offshore component. Table 3 lists
the proposed 2017 and 2018 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments.
\4\ Sablefish is allocated to hook-and-line and trawl gear in 2017 and trawl gear in 2018. Tables 4 and 5 list
the proposed 2017 and 2018 allocations of sablefish TACs.
\5\ ``Shallow-water flatfish'' means flatfish not including ``deep-water flatfish,'' flathead sole, rex sole, or
arrowtooth flounder.
\6\ ``Deep-water flatfish'' means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, and deep-sea sole.
\7\ ``Pacific ocean perch'' means Sebastes alutus.
\8\ ``Northern rockfish'' means Sebastes polyspinous. For management purposes the 3 mt apportionment of ABC to
the WYK District of the Eastern Gulf of Alaska has been included in the other rockfish (slope rockfish)
species group.
\9\ ``Shortraker rockfish'' means Sebastes borealis.
\10\ ``Dusky rockfish'' means Sebastes variabilis.
\11\ ``Rougheye rockfish'' means Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and Sebastes melanostictus (blackspotted).
\12\ ``Demersal shelf rockfish'' means Sebastes pinniger (canary), S. nebulosus (china), S. caurinus (copper),
S. maliger (quillback), S. helvomaculatus (rosethorn), S. nigrocinctus (tiger), and S. ruberrimus (yelloweye).
\13\ ``Thornyhead rockfish'' means Sebastes species.
\14\ ``Other rockfish (slope rockfish)'' means Sebastes aurora (aurora), S. melanostomus (blackgill), S.
paucispinis (bocaccio), S. goodei (chilipepper), S. crameri (darkblotch), S. elongatus (greenstriped), S.
variegatus (harlequin), S. wilsoni (pygmy), S. babcocki (redbanded), S. proriger (redstripe), S. zacentrus
(sharpchin), S. jordani (shortbelly), S. brevispinis (silvergray), S. diploproa (splitnose), S. saxicola
(stripetail), S. miniatus (vermilion), S. reedi (yellowmouth), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus
(yellowtail). In the Eastern GOA only, ``other rockfish'' also includes northern rockfish (S. polyspinous).
\15\ ``Other rockfish'' in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat District means all
rockfish species included in the ``other rockfish'' and demersal shelf rockfish categories.
\16\ ``Big skates'' means Raja binoculata.
\17\ ``Longnose skates'' means Raja rhina.
\18\ ``Other skates'' means Bathyraja and Raja spp.
[[Page 87886]]
Proposed Apportionment of Reserves
Section 679.20(b)(2) requires NMFS to set aside 20 percent of each
TAC for pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, sculpins, sharks, squids, and
octopuses in reserves for possible apportionment at a later date during
the fishing year. In 2016, NMFS reapportioned all of the reserves in
the final harvest specifications. For 2017 and 2018, NMFS proposes
reapportionment of each of the reserves for pollock, Pacific cod,
flatfish, sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopuses back into the
original TAC from which the reserve was derived. NMFS anticipates,
based on recent harvest patterns, that such reserves are not necessary
and the entire TAC for each of these species will be caught. The TACs
in Table 1 reflect this proposed reapportionment of reserve amounts for
these species and species groups, i.e., each proposed TAC for the above
mentioned species categories contains the full TAC recommended by the
Council.
Proposed Apportionments of Pollock TAC Among Seasons and Regulatory
Areas, and Allocations for Processing by Inshore and Offshore
Components
In the GOA, pollock is apportioned by season and area, and is
further allocated for processing by inshore and offshore components.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B), the annual pollock TAC specified
for the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA is apportioned
into four equal seasonal allowances of 25 percent. As established by
Sec. 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season
allowances are available from January 20 through March 10, March 10
through May 31, August 25 through October 1, and October 1 through
November 1, respectively.
Pollock TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA
are apportioned among Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, pursuant to
Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A). In the A and B seasons, the apportionments
have historically been based on the proportional distribution of
pollock biomass based on the four most recent NMFS winter surveys. In
the C and D seasons, the apportionments are in proportion to the
distribution of pollock biomass based on the four most recent NMFS
summer surveys. For 2017 and 2018, the Council recommends, and NMFS
proposes, following the methodology used for the 2016 and 2017 harvest
specifications. This methodology averages the winter and summer
distribution of pollock in the Central Regulatory Area for the A season
instead of using the distribution based on only the winter surveys. The
average is intended to reflect the best available information about
migration patterns, distribution of pollock, and the performance of the
fishery in the area during the A season. For the A season, the
apportionment is based on the proposed adjusted estimate of the
relative distribution of pollock biomass of approximately 6 percent, 73
percent, and 21 percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630,
respectively. For the B season, the apportionment is based on the
relative distribution of pollock biomass of approximately 6 percent, 85
percent, and 9 percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630,
respectively. For the C and D seasons, the apportionment is based on
the relative distribution of pollock biomass of approximately 41
percent, 26 percent, and 33 percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and
630, respectively.
Within any fishing year, the amount by which a seasonal allowance
is underharvested or overharvested may be added to, or subtracted from,
subsequent seasonal allowances in a manner to be determined by the
Regional Administrator (Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The rollover amount
is limited to 20 percent of the unharvested seasonal apportionment for
the statistical area. Any unharvested pollock above the 20-percent
limit could be further distributed to the other statistical areas, in
proportion to the estimated biomass in the subsequent season in those
statistical areas (Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The proposed 2017 and
2018 pollock TACs in the WYK District of 9,209 mt and SEO District of
9,920 mt are not allocated by season.
Section 679.20(a)(6)(i) requires the allocation of 100 percent of
the pollock apportionments in all regulatory areas and all seasonal
allowances to vessels catching pollock for processing by the inshore
component after subtraction of pollock amounts projected by the
Regional Administrator to be caught by, or delivered to, the offshore
component incidental to directed fishing for other groundfish species.
Thus, the amount of pollock available for harvest by vessels harvesting
pollock for processing by the offshore component is that amount that
will be taken as incidental catch during directed fishing for
groundfish species other than pollock, up to the maximum retainable
amounts allowed under Sec. 679.20(e) and (f). At this time, these
incidental catch amounts of pollock are unknown and will be determined
as fishing activity occurs during the fishing year by the offshore
component.
Table 2 lists the proposed 2017 and 2018 seasonal biomass
distribution of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas,
area apportionments, and seasonal allowances. The amounts of pollock
for processing by the inshore and offshore components are not shown.
Table 2--Proposed 2017 and 2018 Distribution of Pollock in the Central and Western Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska; Seasonal Biomass
Distribution, Area Apportionments; and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC \1\
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season \2\ Shumagin (Area 610)
Chirikof (Area 620)
Kodiak (Area 630) Total \3\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A (Jan 20-Mar 10)....................... 3,769 (6.41%) 42,732 (72.71%) 12,272 (20.88%) 58,768
B (Mar 10-May 31)....................... 3,769 (6.41%) 49,996 (85.07%) 5,007 (8.52%) 58,768
C (Aug 25-Oct 1)........................ 24,060 (40.94%) 15,176 (25.82%) 19,529 (33.23%) 58,768
D (Oct 1-Nov 1)......................... 24,060 (40.94%) 15,175 (25.82%) 19,529 (33.23%) 58,768
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Total........................ 55,657 .............. 123,078 .............. 56,336 .............. 235,071
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Area apportionments and seasonal allowances may not total precisely due to rounding.
\2\ As established by Sec. 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season allowances are available from January 20 through March 10, March 10
through May 31, August 25 through October 1, and October 1 through November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and
offshore components are not shown in this table.
\3\ The West Yakutat and Southeast Outside District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock TACs shown in
this table.
[[Page 87887]]
Proposed Annual and Seasonal Apportionments of Pacific Cod TAC
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i), NMFS proposes allocations for
the 2017 and 2018 Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central
Regulatory Areas of the GOA among gear and operational sectors. NMFS
also proposes allocating the 2017 and 2018 Pacific cod TACs annually
between the inshore and offshore components in the Eastern GOA (Sec.
679.20(a)(6)(ii)). In the Central GOA, the Pacific cod TAC is
apportioned seasonally first to vessels using jig gear, and then among
catcher vessels (CVs) less than 50 feet in length overall using hook-
and-line gear, CVs equal to or greater than 50 feet in length overall
using hook-and-line gear, catcher/processors (C/Ps) using hook-and-line
gear, CVs using trawl gear, C/Ps using trawl gear, and vessels using
pot gear (Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)(B)). In the Western GOA, the Pacific
cod TAC is apportioned seasonally first to vessels using jig gear, and
then among CVs using hook-and-line gear, C/Ps using hook-and-line gear,
CVs using trawl gear, C/Ps using trawl gear, and vessels using pot gear
(Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A)). The overall seasonal apportionments in the
Western and Central GOA are 60 percent of the annual TAC to the A
season and 40 percent of the annual TAC to the B season.
Under Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(ii), any overage or underage of the
Pacific cod allowance from the A season will be subtracted from, or
added to, the subsequent B season allowance. In addition, any portion
of the hook-and-line, trawl, pot, or jig sector allocations that is
determined by NMFS as likely to go unharvested by a sector may be
reapportioned to other sectors for harvest during the remainder of the
fishing year.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A) and (B), a portion of the
annual Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central GOA will be
allocated to vessels with a Federal fisheries permit that use jig gear
before TAC is apportioned among other non-jig sectors. In accordance
with the FMP, the annual jig sector allocations may increase to up to 6
percent of the annual Western and Central GOA Pacific cod TACs,
depending on the annual performance of the jig sector (see Table 1 of
Amendment 83 to the FMP for a detailed discussion of the jig sector
allocation process (76 FR 74670, December 1, 2011)). Jig sector
allocation increases are established for a minimum of 2 years.
NMFS has evaluated the historical harvest performance of the jig
sector in the Western and Central GOA, and is establishing the proposed
2017 and 2018 Pacific cod apportionments to this sector based on the
jig performance through 2015. NMFS proposes that the jig sector receive
3.5 percent of the annual Pacific cod TAC in the Western GOA. This
includes a base allocation of 1.5 percent and an additional 2.0 percent
because this sector harvested greater than 90 percent of its initial
2012 and 2014 allocations in the Western GOA. NMFS also proposes that
the jig sector would receive 1.0 percent of the annual Pacific cod TAC
in the Central GOA. This includes a base allocation of 1.0 percent and
no additional performance increase. These historical Pacific cod jig
allocations, catch, and percent allocation changes are listed in
Example 1.
Example 1--Summary of Western GOA and Central GOA Management Area Pacific Cod Catch by Jig Gear in 2012 Through 2015, and Corresponding Percent
Allocation Changes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percent of
Area Year Initial Initial TAC Catch (mt) initial >90% of initial Change to percent
percent of TAC allocation allocation allocation? allocation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WGOA.......................... 2012 1.5 315 322 102 Y................ Increase 1%
2013 2.5 530 273 52 N................ None
2014 2.5 573 785 137 Y................ Increase 1%
2015 3.5 948 55 6 N................ None
CGOA.......................... 2012 1.0 427 400 94 Y................ Increase 1%
2013 2.0 740 202 27 N................ None
2014 2.0 797 262 33 N................ None
2015 1.0 460 355 77 N................ Decrease 1%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NMFS will re-evaluate the annual 2015 and 2016 harvest performance
of each jig sector when the 2016 fishing year is complete to determine
whether to change the jig sector allocations proposed by this action in
conjunction with the final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications. The
current catch through November 2016 by the Western GOA jig sector
indicates that the Pacific cod allocation percentage to this sector
would probably decrease by 1 percent in 2017. Also, the current catch
by the Central GOA jig sector indicates that this sector's Pacific cod
allocation percentage would not change in 2017. The jig sector
allocations are further apportioned between the A (60 percent) and B
(40 percent) seasons (Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i) and Sec.
679.23(d)(3)(iii)).
Table 3 lists the seasonal apportionments and allocations of the
proposed 2017 and 2018 Pacific cod TACs.
[[Page 87888]]
Table 3--Proposed 2017 and 2018 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocations of Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch
Amounts in the GOA; Allocations in the Western GOA and Central GOA Sectors, and the Eastern GOA for Processing
by the Inshore and Offshore Components
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A season B season
---------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Sector Sector
Regulatory area and sector allocation percentage of Seasonal percentage of Seasonal
(mt) annual non- allowances annual non- allowances
jig TAC (mt) jig TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA:
Jig (3.5% of TAC)........... 857 N/A 514 N/A 343
Hook-and-line CV............ 331 0.70 165 0.70 165
Hook-and-line C/P........... 4,681 10.90 2,577 8.90 2,104
Trawl CV.................... 9,078 27.70 6,549 10.70 2,530
Trawl C/P................... 567 0.90 213 1.50 355
Pot CV and Pot C/P.......... 8,984 19.80 4,681 18.20 4,303
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 24,499 60.00 14,699 40.00 9,799
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central GOA:
Jig (1.0% of TAC)........... 320 N/A 192 N/A 128
Hook-and-line <50 CV........ 4,620 9.32 2,947 5.29 1,673
Hook-and-line >=50 CV....... 2,122 5.61 1,775 1.10 347
Hook-and-line C/P........... 1,615 4.11 1,299 1.00 316
Trawl CV \1\................ 13,156 21.13 6,687 20.45 6,470
Trawl C/P................... 1,328 2.00 634 2.19 694
Pot CV and Pot C/P.......... 8,797 17.83 5,641 9.97 3,156
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 31,958 60.00 19,175 40.00 12,783
---------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern GOA: .............. Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
---------------------------------------------------------------
5,693 5,124
569
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Trawl vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 1,409 mt, of the
annual Central GOA TAC (see Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679), which is deducted from the Trawl CV B season
allowance (see Table 8).
Proposed Allocations of the Sablefish TACs Amounts to Vessels Using
Hook-and-Line and Trawl Gear
Sections 679.20(a)(4)(i) and (ii) require allocations of sablefish
TACs for each of the regulatory areas and districts to hook-and-line
and trawl gear. In the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, 80 percent
of each TAC is allocated to hook-and-line gear, and 20 percent of each
TAC is allocated to trawl gear. In the Eastern Regulatory Area, 95
percent of the TAC is allocated to hook-and-line gear and 5 percent is
allocated to trawl gear. The trawl gear allocation in the Eastern GOA
may only be used to support incidental catch of sablefish in directed
fisheries for other target species (Sec. 679.20(a)(4)(i)).
In recognition of the prohibition against trawl gear in the SEO
District of the Eastern Regulatory Area, the Council recommended and
NMFS proposes the allocation of 5 percent of the combined Eastern
Regulatory Area sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the WYK District, making
the remainder of the WYK sablefish TAC available to vessels using hook-
and-line gear. NMFS proposes to allocate 100 percent of the sablefish
TAC in the SEO District to vessels using hook-and-line gear. This
action results in a proposed 2017 allocation of 173 mt to trawl gear
and 1,175 mt to hook-and-line gear in the WYK District, a 2,118 mt to
hook-and-line gear in the SEO District, and a 2018 allocation of 173 mt
to trawl gear in the WYK District. Table 4 lists the allocations of the
proposed 2017 sablefish TACs to hook-and-line and trawl gear. Table 5
lists the allocations of the proposed 2018 sablefish TACs to trawl
gear.
The Council recommended that the hook-and-line sablefish TAC be
established annually to ensure that the sablefish IFQ fishery is
conducted concurrently with the halibut IFQ fishery and is based on
recent survey information. The Council also recommended that only the
trawl sablefish TAC be established for 2 years so that retention of
incidental catch of sablefish by trawl gear could commence in January
in the second year of the groundfish harvest specifications. Since
there is an annual assessment for sablefish and the final harvest
specifications are expected to be published before the IFQ season
begins (typically, in early March), the Council recommended that the
sablefish TAC be set annually, rather than for 2 years, so that the
best available scientific information could be considered in
establishing the ABCs and TACs. With the exception of the trawl
allocations that are provided to the Rockfish Program cooperatives (see
Table 28c to part 679), directed fishing for sablefish with trawl gear
is closed during the fishing year. Also, fishing for groundfish with
trawl gear is prohibited prior to January 20. Therefore, it is not
likely that the sablefish allocation to trawl gear would be reached
before the effective date of the final 2017 and 2018 harvest
specifications.
[[Page 87889]]
Table 4--Proposed 2017 Sablefish Total Allowable Catch (TAC) in the Gulf of Alaska and Allocations to Hook-and-
Line and Trawl Gear
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hook-and-line
Area/district TAC allocation Trawl allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western................................................... 1,163 930 233
Central \1\............................................... 3,678 2,942 736
West Yakutat \2\.......................................... 1,348 1,175 173
Southeast Outside......................................... 2,118 2,118 0
-----------------------------------------------------
Total................................................. 8,307 7,166 1,142
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The trawl allocation to the Central Regulatory Area is further reduced by the sablefish apportioned to the
Rockfish Program cooperatives (378 mt). See Table 8. This results in 358 mt being available for the non-
Rockfish Program trawl fisheries.
\2\ The proposed trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West
Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts combined) sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.
Table 5--Proposed 2018 Sablefish Total Allowable Catch (TAC) in the Gulf of Alaska and Allocation to Trawl Gear
1
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hook-and-line
Area/district TAC allocation Trawl allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western................................................... 1,163 n/a 233
Central \2\............................................... 3,678 n/a 736
West Yakutat \3\.......................................... 1,348 n/a 173
Southeast Outside......................................... 2,118 n/a 0
-----------------------------------------------------
Total................................................. 8,307 n/a 1,142
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The trawl allocation to the Central Regulatory Area is further reduced by the sablefish apportioned to the
Rockfish Program cooperatives (378 mt). See Table 8. This results in 358 mt being available for the non-
Rockfish Program trawl fisheries.
\2\ The Council recommended that harvest specifications for the hook-and-line gear sablefish Individual Fishing
Quota fisheries be limited to 1 year.
\3\ The proposed trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West
Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts combined) sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.
Proposed Apportionments to the Rockfish Program
These proposed 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications for the GOA
include the fishery cooperative allocations and sideboard limitations
established by the Rockfish Program. Program participants are primarily
trawl CVs and trawl C/Ps, with limited participation by vessels using
longline gear. The Rockfish Program assigns quota share and cooperative
quota to participants for primary (Pacific ocean perch, northern
rockfish, and dusky rockfish) and secondary species (Pacific cod,
rougheye rockfish, sablefish, shortraker rockfish, and thornyhead
rockfish), allows a participant holding a license limitation program
(LLP) license with rockfish quota share to form a rockfish cooperative
with other persons, and allows holders of C/P LLP licenses to opt out
of the fishery. The Rockfish Program also has an entry level fishery
for rockfish primary species for vessels using longline gear.
Under the Rockfish Program, rockfish primary species in the Central
GOA are allocated to participants after deducting for incidental catch
needs in other directed groundfish fisheries. Participants in the
Rockfish Program also receive a portion of the Central GOA TAC of
specific secondary species. Besides groundfish species, the Rockfish
Program allocates a portion of the halibut PSC limit (191 mt) from the
third season deep-water species fishery allowance for the GOA trawl
fisheries to Rockfish Program participants (Sec. 679.81(d)). Rockfish
Program sideboards and halibut PSC limits are discussed below.
Additionally, the Rockfish Program establishes sideboard limits to
restrict the ability of harvesters that operate under the Rockfish
Program to increase their participation in other, non-Rockfish Program
fisheries. These restrictions are discussed in a subsequent section
titled ``Rockfish Program Groundfish Sideboard and Halibut PSC
Limitations.''
Section 679.81(a)(2)(ii) requires allocations of 5 mt of Pacific
ocean perch, 5 mt of northern rockfish, and 30 mt of dusky rockfish to
the entry level longline fishery in 2017 and 2018. The allocation for
the entry level longline fishery would increase incrementally each year
if the catch exceeds 90 percent of the allocation of a species. The
incremental increase in the allocation would continue each year until
it is the maximum percentage of the TAC for that species. In 2016, the
catch did not exceed 90 percent of any allocated rockfish species.
Therefore, NMFS is not proposing an increase to the entry level
longline fishery 2017 and 2018 allocations in the Central GOA. The
remainder of the TACs for the rockfish primary species would be
allocated to the CV and C/P cooperatives. Table 6 lists the allocations
of the proposed 2017 and 2018 TACs for each rockfish primary species to
the entry level longline fishery, the incremental increase for future
years, and the maximum percentage of the TAC for the entry level
longline fishery.
[[Page 87890]]
Table 6--Proposed 2017 and 2018 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species to the Entry Level Longline Fishery in
the Central Gulf of Alaska
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incremental increase in
2018 if >=90 percent of Up to maximum
Rockfish primary species 2017 and 2018 allocations 2017 allocation is percent of each
harvested TAC of:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch.................... 5 metric tons............. 5 metric tons............ 1
Northern rockfish...................... 5 metric tons............. 5 metric tons............ 2
Dusky rockfish......................... 30 metric tons............ 20 metric tons........... 5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 679.81(a)(2) requires allocations of rockfish primary
species among various components of the Rockfish Program. Table 7 lists
the proposed 2017 and 2018 allocations of rockfish in the Central GOA
to the entry level longline fishery, and Rockfish CV and C/P
Cooperatives in the Rockfish Program. NMFS also proposes setting aside
incidental catch amounts (ICAs) for other directed fisheries in the
Central GOA of 1,500 mt of Pacific ocean perch, 300 mt of northern
rockfish, and 250 mt of dusky rockfish. These amounts are based on
recent average incidental catches in the Central GOA by other
groundfish fisheries.
Allocations among vessels belonging to CV or C/P cooperatives are
not included in these proposed harvest specifications. Rockfish Program
applications for CV cooperatives and C/P cooperatives are not due to
NMFS until March 1 of each calendar year; therefore, NMFS cannot
calculate 2017 and 2018 allocations in conjunction with these proposed
harvest specifications. NMFS will post these allocations on the Alaska
Region Web site at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/rockfish/ when they become available after March
1.
Table 7--Proposed 2017 and 2018 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species in the Central Gulf of Alaska to the Entry Level Longline Fishery and Rockfish
Cooperatives in the Rockfish Program
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allocation to
Incidental catch the entry level Allocation to
Rockfish primary species TAC allowance (ICA) TAC minus ICA longline \1\ the Rockfish
fishery Cooperatives \2\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch........................................... 16,860 1,500 15,360 5 15,535
Northern rockfish............................................. 3,338 300 3,038 5 3,033
Dusky rockfish................................................ 3,791 250 3,541 30 3,511
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total..................................................... 23,989 2,050 21,939 40 21,899
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Longline gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear.
\2\ Rockfish cooperatives include vessels in CV and C/P cooperatives.
Section 679.81(c) requires allocations of rockfish secondary
species to CV and C/P cooperatives in the GOA. CV cooperatives receive
allocations of Pacific cod, sablefish from the trawl gear allocation,
and thornyhead rockfish. C/P cooperatives receive allocations of
sablefish from the trawl allocation, rougheye rockfish, shortraker
rockfish, and thornyhead rockfish. Table 8 lists the apportionments of
the proposed 2017 and 2018 TACs of rockfish secondary species in the
Central GOA to CV and C/P cooperatives.
Table 8--Proposed 2017 and 2018 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA to Catcher
Vessel and Catcher/Processor Cooperatives
[Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher vessel cooperatives Catcher/processor
-------------------------------- cooperatives
Rockfish secondary species Central GOA -------------------------------
annual TAC Percentage of Apportionment Percentage of Apportionment
TAC (mt) TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod..................... 31,958 3.81 1,218 0.0 0.0
Sablefish....................... 3,678 6.78 249 3.51 129
Shortraker rockfish............. 301 0.0 0 40.00 120
Rougheye rockfish............... 705 0.0 0 58.87 415
Thornyhead rockfish............. 988 7.84 77 26.50 262
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut PSC Limits
Section 679.21(d) establishes annual halibut PSC limit
apportionments to trawl and hook-and-line gear, and authorizes the
establishment of apportionments for pot gear. In October 2016, the
Council recommended halibut PSC limits of 1,706 mt for trawl gear, 257
mt for hook-and-line gear, and 9 mt for the demersal shelf rockfish
(DSR) fishery in the SEO District.
The DSR fishery in the SEO District is defined at Sec.
679.21(d)(2)(ii)(A). This fishery is apportioned 9 mt of the halibut
PSC limit in recognition of its small-scale harvests of groundfish.
NMFS estimates low halibut bycatch in the DSR fishery because (1) the
duration of the DSR fisheries and the gear soak times are short, (2)
the DSR fishery
[[Page 87891]]
occurs in the winter when less overlap occurs in the distribution of
DSR and halibut, and (3) the directed commercial DSR fishery has a low
DSR TAC. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game sets the commercial GHL
for the DSR fishery after deducting (1) estimates of DSR incidental
catch in all fisheries (including halibut and subsistence) and (2) the
allocation to the DSR sport fish fishery. Of the 231 mt TAC for DSR in
2016, 188 mt were available for the DSR commercial directed fishery, of
which 8 mt were harvested.
The FMP authorizes the Council to exempt specific gear from the
halibut PSC limits. NMFS, after consultation with the Council, proposes
to exempt pot gear, jig gear, and the sablefish IFQ hook-and-line gear
fishery categories from the non-trawl halibut PSC limit for 2017 and
2018. The Council recommended, and NMFS is proposing, these exemptions
because (1) pot gear fisheries have low annual halibut bycatch
mortality, (2) IFQ program regulations prohibit discard of halibut if
any halibut IFQ permit holder on board a CV holds unused halibut IFQ
(Sec. 679.7(f)(11)), (3) some sablefish IFQ permit holders hold
halibut IFQ permits and are therefore required to retain the halibut
they catch while fishing sablefish IFQ, and (4) NMFS estimates
negligible halibut mortality for the jig gear fisheries. NMFS estimates
halibut mortality is negligible in the jig gear fisheries given the
small amount of groundfish harvested by jig gear, the selective nature
of jig gear, and the high survival rates of halibut caught and released
with jig gear.
The best available information on estimated halibut bycatch
consists of data collected by fisheries observers during 2016. The
calculated halibut bycatch mortality through November 8, 2016, is 1,321
mt for trawl gear and 206 mt for hook-and-line gear for a total halibut
mortality of 1,527 mt. This halibut mortality was calculated using
groundfish and halibut catch data from the NMFS Alaska Region's catch
accounting system. This accounting system contains historical and
recent catch information compiled from each Alaska groundfish fishery.
Section 679.21(d)(4)(i) and (ii) authorizes NMFS to seasonally
apportion the halibut PSC limits after consultation with the Council.
The FMP and regulations require that the Council and NMFS consider the
following information in seasonally apportioning halibut PSC limits:
(1) Seasonal distribution of halibut, (2) seasonal distribution of
target groundfish species relative to halibut distribution, (3)
expected halibut bycatch needs on a seasonal basis relative to changes
in halibut biomass and expected catch of target groundfish species, (4)
expected bycatch rates on a seasonal basis, (5) expected changes in
directed groundfish fishing seasons, (6) expected actual start of
fishing effort, and (7) economic effects of establishing seasonal
halibut allocations on segments of the target groundfish industry.
Based on public comment and the information presented in the final 2016
SAFE report, the Council may recommend or NMFS may make changes to the
seasonal, gear-type, or fishery category apportionments of halibut PSC
limits for the final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications.
The final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications (81 FR 14740, March
18, 2016) summarized the Council's and NMFS' findings with respect to
halibut PSC for each of these FMP considerations. The Council's and
NMFS' findings for 2017 are unchanged from 2016. Table 9 lists the
proposed 2017 and 2018 Pacific halibut PSC limits, allowances, and
apportionments. The halibut PSC limits in these tables reflect the
halibut PSC limits set forth at Sec. 679.21(d)(2) and Sec.
679.21(d)(3). Sections 679.21(d)(4)(iii) and (iv) specify that any
underages or overages of a seasonal apportionment of a PSC limit will
be deducted from or added to the next respective seasonal apportionment
within the fishing year.
Table 9--Proposed 2017 and 2018 Pacific Halibut PSC Limits, Allowances, and Apportionments
[Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trawl gear Hook-and-line gear \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other than DSR DSR
Season Percent Amount ---------------------------------------------------------------
Season Percent Amount Season Amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 20-April 1.......... 27.5 469 January 1-June 86 221 January 1- 9
10. December 31.
April 1-July 1.............. 20 341 June 10- 2 5
September 1.
July 1-September 1.......... 30 512 September 1- 12 31
December 31.
September 1-October 1....... 7.5 128
October 1-December 31....... 15 256
-------------------- -------------------- ---------
Total................... ........ 1,706 ............... ........ 257 ............... 9
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limit for hook-and-line gear is allocated to the demersal
shelf rockfish (DSR) fishery and fisheries other than DSR. The hook-and-line sablefish fishery is exempt from
halibut PSC limits, as are pot and jig gear for all groundfish fisheries.
Section 679.21(d)(3)(ii) authorizes further apportionment of the
trawl halibut PSC limit as bycatch allowances to trawl fishery
categories. The annual apportionments are based on each category's
proportional share of the anticipated halibut bycatch mortality during
a fishing year and optimization of the total amount of groundfish
harvest under the halibut PSC limit. The fishery categories for the
trawl halibut PSC limits are (1) a deep-water species fishery, composed
of sablefish, rockfish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, and arrowtooth
flounder; and (2) a shallow-water species fishery, composed of pollock,
Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish, flathead sole, Atka mackerel,
skates and ``other species'' (sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopuses)
(Sec. 679.21(d)(3)(iii)). Table 10 lists the proposed 2017 and 2018
seasonal apportionments of trawl halibut PSC limits between the trawl
gear deep-water and the shallow-water species fisheries.
Table 28d to 50 CFR part 679 specifies the amount of the trawl
halibut PSC limit that is assigned to the CV and C/P sectors that are
participating in the Central GOA Rockfish Program. This includes 117 mt
of halibut PSC limit to the CV sector and 74 mt of halibut PSC limit to
the C/P sector. These amounts are allocated from the trawl deep-water
species fishery's halibut PSC third seasonal apportionment.
Section 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(B) limits the amount of the halibut PSC
limit
[[Page 87892]]
allocated to Rockfish Program participants that could be re-apportioned
to the general GOA trawl fisheries to no more than 55 percent of the
unused annual halibut PSC apportioned to Rockfish Program participants.
The remainder of the unused Rockfish Program halibut PSC limit is
unavailable for use by vessels directed fishing with trawl gear for the
remainder of the fishing year (Sec. 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(C)).
Table 10--Proposed 2017 and 2018 Seasonal Apportionments of the Pacific Halibut PSC Limit Apportioned Between
the Trawl Gear Shallow-Water and Deep-Water Species Fisheries
[Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season Shallow-water Deep-water \1\ Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 20-April 1........................................ 384 85 469
April 1-July 1............................................ 85 256 341
July 1-September 1........................................ 171 341 512
September 1-October 1..................................... 128 (\3\) 128
-----------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, January 20-October 1........................ 768 682 1,450
October 1-December 31 \2\................................. ................ ................ 256
-----------------------------------------------------
Total............................................. ................ ................ 1,706
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Vessels participating in cooperatives in the Rockfish Program will receive 191 mt of the third season (July
1 through September 1) deep-water species fishery halibut PSC apportionment.
\2\ There is no apportionment between trawl shallow-water and deep-water species fisheries during the fifth
season (October 1 through December 31).
\3\ Any remainder.
Section 679.21(d)(2) requires that the ``other hook-and-line
fishery'' halibut PSC apportionment to vessels using hook-and-line gear
must be divided between CVs and C/Ps. NMFS must calculate the halibut
PSC limit apportionments for the entire GOA to hook-and-line CVs and C/
Ps in accordance with Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(iii) in conjunction with these
harvest specifications. A comprehensive description and example of the
calculations necessary to apportion the ``other hook-and-line fishery''
halibut PSC limit between the hook-and-line CV and C/P sectors were
included in the proposed rule to implement Amendment 83 to the FMP (76
FR 44700, July 26, 2011) and is not repeated here.
For 2017 and 2018, NMFS proposes annual halibut PSC limit
apportionments of 129 mt and 128 mt to the hook-and-line CV and hook-
and-line C/P sectors, respectively. The 2017 and 2018 annual halibut
PSC limits are divided into three seasonal apportionments, using
seasonal percentages of 86 percent, 2 percent, and 12 percent. Table 11
lists the proposed 2017 and 2018 annual halibut PSC limits and seasonal
apportionments between the hook-and-line CV and hook-and-line C/P
sectors in the GOA.
No later than November 1 of each year, NMFS calculates the
projected unused amount of halibut PSC limit by either of the hook-and-
line sectors for the remainder of the year. The projected unused amount
of halibut PSC limit is made available to the other hook-and-line
sector for the remainder of that fishing year if NMFS determines that
an additional amount of halibut PSC limit is necessary for that sector
to continue its directed fishing operations (Sec.
679.21(d)(2)(iii)(C)).
Table 11--Proposed 2017 and 2018 Apportionments of the ``Other Hook-and-Line Fisheries'' Halibut PSC Allowance
Between the Hook-and-Line Gear Catcher Vessel and Catcher/Processor Sectors
[Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector
``Other than DSR'' Hook-and-line Sector annual Season Seasonal seasonal
allowance sector amount percentage amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
257.................. Catcher Vessel... 129 January 1-June 10..... 86 111
.............. June 10-September 1... 2 3
.............. September 1-December 12 15
31.
Catcher/Processor 128 January 1-June 10..... 86 110
.............. June 10-September 1... 2 3
.............. September 1-December 12 15
31.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut Discard Mortality Rates
To monitor halibut bycatch mortality allowances and apportionments,
the Regional Administrator uses observed halibut incidental catch
rates, halibut discard mortality rates (DMRs), and estimates of
groundfish catch to project when a fishery's halibut bycatch mortality
allowance or seasonal apportionment is reached. Halibut incidental
catch rates are based on observers' estimates of halibut incidental
catch in the groundfish fishery. DMRs are estimates of the proportion
of incidentally caught halibut that do not survive after being returned
to the sea. The cumulative halibut mortality that accrues to a
particular halibut PSC limit is the product of a DMR multiplied by the
estimated halibut PSC. DMRs are estimated using the best information
available in conjunction with the annual GOA stock assessment process.
The DMR methodology and findings are included as an appendix to the
annual GOA groundfish SAFE report.
Historically, DMRs consisted of long-term averages of annual DMRs
within target fisheries that were defined by management area, gear, and
target species. Since the late 1990s, halibut
[[Page 87893]]
DMRs were calculated by the International Pacific Halibut Commission
(IPHC), which then provided the estimates to the NMFS for application
in managing halibut bycatch limits. DMRs specified through the Council
process and used for catch accounting by NMFS have consisted of long-
term averages of annual estimates within target fisheries that are
defined by region, gear, and target species. Long-term averages are
taken from annual estimates for the most recent 10-year period with the
number of years with data to support annual DMR estimates varying among
fisheries. Fishery-specific DMRs, once calculated, have generally been
put in place for 3-year increments.
NMFS proposes to revise methods for estimating DMRs consistent with
those methods developed by the halibut DMR working group and
recommended by the Council at its October 2016 meeting. NMFS proposes
for the 2017 and 2018 GOA groundfish harvest specifications revised
DMRs consistent with modified DMR estimation methodology. The proposed
change will make the DMR process transparent, transferable, and allow
for review by all agencies/entities involved. The Alaska Region will
program the revised DMRs into its groundfish catch accounting system to
monitor the 2017 and 2018 halibut bycatch allowances (see Tables 9, 10,
and 11). The DMRs proposed for 2017 and 2018 GOA groundfish harvest
specifications reflect an ongoing effort by the Council to improve the
estimation of DMRs in the Alaska groundfish fisheries.
The halibut DMR working group, consisting of the IPHC, Council, and
NMFS Alaska Region staff, recommended the following broad changes to
the DMR estimation method: Implementation of sampling design consistent
with sampling protocols used under the Observer Restructuring Program;
categorization of data of halibut viability based on vessel operations
(sorting and handling practices, gear type, and processing sector)
rather than target fisheries; and revision of reference timeframes to
obtain estimates that are more responsive to changes in how the
groundfish fisheries are observed and managed. These recommendations,
and others, are described below.
Revise the DMR estimation methodology for consistency with
the sampling protocols instituted in 2013 through the restructured
Observer Program. The Observer Program randomizes sampling of fishing
trips within operational groupings, sampling of hauls within fishing
trips, and sampling of biological data within hauls. Basing halibut DMR
estimation on a sampling design consistent with Observer Program
sampling protocols should reduce the potential for sampling bias,
improve data on operational causes of variation in post-capture halibut
viability, and promote the ability for NMFS to make timely improvements
to halibut DMR estimation in the future.
Incorporate the use of vessel operations into DMR
estimation methodology. This incorporates data about the viability
(likelihood to survive) of discarded halibut into DMR calculations.
Data based on different vessel operational categories, such as sorting
practices, handling practices, gear type, and processing sectors (i.e.
CVs, CPs, and CVs delivering to motherships), provide better
information on halibut viability. NMFS expects that incorporating this
information into the DMR estimation methodology will yield a more
precise estimate of actual mortality.
Remove the use of target fishery. Fishery targets do not
necessarily characterize statistical and/or vessel operational
differences in the sampling or handling of halibut PSC. Using fishery
target aggregations may have reduced the quality of DMR estimates due
to small sample sizes or by combining vessel operations with very
important differences in sampling and handling characteristics.
Change the reference time-frame for DMR calculations.
Rather than using 10-year average rates, the revised methodology
estimates DMRs based on and initial 3-year average rates. Using 2013 as
the starting year is more responsive to, and better aligns DMR
calculation methodology with, the 2013 restructured Observer Program's
sampling protocols. Using 2013 as the base year, NMFS and the Council
will evaluate the time frame each year. Evaluating the time frame each
year will enable NMFS and the Council to update the methodology and the
halibut DMRs based on the best available information.
The working group's discussion paper also included a comparison of the
total amount of halibut mortality that accrues using current DMRs
versus the working group's recommended DMRs. Calculating the 2015
halibut mortality using specified DMRs yielded 1,620 mt of halibut
mortality, whereas using the recommended DMRs yielded 1,688 mt of
halibut morality (a four percent increase). Calculating the 2016
halibut mortality (through September 2016) yielded 1,243 mt of halibut
mortality, versus 1,256 mt of halibut mortality when applying the
recommended DMRs (a one percent increase).
These proposed estimation methods, and recommendations for 2017 and
2018 halibut DMRs, were presented to the Plan Team in September 2016.
The Plan Team concurred with the revised methodology, as well as the
working group's halibut DMR recommendations for 2017 and 2018. The
Council agreed with these recommendations at the Council's October 2016
meeting. Additionally, in April 2016 the SSC reviewed the methodology
and made a number of suggestions for improving and refining it. The
working group has incorporated those suggestions into its DMR
estimation methodology. The working group's discussion of the revised
halibut DMR methodology, including the comparative assessment, is
available from the Council (see ADDRESSES). Table 12 lists the proposed
2017 and 2018 DMRs.
Table 12--Proposed 2017 and 2018 Halibut Discard Mortality Rates for Vessels Fishing in the Gulf of Alaska
[Values are percent of halibut assumed to be dead]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discard
Gear Sector Program mortality rate
(percent)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hook-and-line........................... C/P....................... non-Rockfish Program...... 11
Hook-and-line........................... CV........................ non-Rockfish Program...... 12
Pot..................................... CV and C/P................ non-Rockfish Program...... 10
Pelagic trawl........................... CV........................ Rockfish Program.......... 100
Non-pelagic trawl....................... CV........................ Rockfish Program.......... 85
Pelagic trawl........................... CV........................ non-Rockfish Program...... 100
[[Page 87894]]
Non-pelagic trawl....................... CV........................ non-Rockfish Program...... 63
Non-pelagic trawl....................... C/P and Mothership........ non-Rockfish Program...... 85
Non-pelagic trawl....................... C/P....................... Rockfish Program.......... 85
Pelagic trawl........................... C/P....................... Rockfish Program.......... 100
Pelagic trawl........................... C/P....................... non-Rockfish Program...... 100
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinook Salmon Prohibited Species Catch Limit
Amendment 93 to the FMP (77 FR 42629, July 20, 2012) established
separate Chinook salmon PSC limits in the Western and Central GOA in
the directed pollock trawl fishery. These limits require NMFS to close
the pollock directed fishery in the Western and Central regulatory
areas of the GOA if the applicable limit is reached (Sec.
679.21(h)(8)). The annual Chinook salmon PSC limits in the pollock
directed fishery of 6,684 salmon in the Western GOA and 18,316 salmon
in the Central GOA are set in Sec. 679.21(h)(2)(i) and (ii). In
addition, all salmon (regardless of species), taken in the pollock
directed fisheries in the Western and Central GOA must be retained
until an observer at the processing facility that takes delivery of the
catch is provided an opportunity to count the number of salmon and to
collect any scientific data or biological samples from the salmon
(Sec. 679.21(h)(6)).
Amendment 97 to the FMP (79 FR 71350, December 2, 2014) established
an initial annual PSC limit of 7,500 Chinook salmon for the non-pollock
groundfish fisheries. This limit is apportioned among three sectors:
3,600 Chinook salmon to trawl C/Ps; 1,200 Chinook salmon to trawl CVs
participating in the Rockfish Program; and 2,700 Chinook salmon to
trawl CVs not participating in the Rockfish Program that are fishing
for groundfish species other than pollock (Sec. 679.21(h)(4)). NMFS
will monitor the Chinook salmon PSC in the non-pollock GOA groundfish
fisheries and close an applicable sector if it reaches its Chinook
salmon PSC limit.
The Chinook salmon PSC limit for two sectors, trawl C/Ps and trawl
CVs not participating in the Rockfish Program, may be increased in
subsequent years based on the performance of these two sectors and
their ability to minimize their use of their respective Chinook salmon
PSC limits. If either or both of these two sectors limits its use of
Chinook salmon PSC to a certain threshold amount in 2016, that sector
will receive an incremental increase to its 2017 Chinook salmon PSC
limit (Sec. 679.21(h)(4)). NMFS will evaluate the annual Chinook
salmon PSC by trawl C/Ps and non-Rockfish Program CVs when the 2016
fishing year is complete to determine whether to increase the Chinook
salmon PSC limits for these two sectors. Based on preliminary 2016
Chinook salmon PSC data, the trawl C/P sector will receive an
incremental increase of its Chinook salmon PSC limit, as will the non-
Rockfish Program CV sector. This evaluation will be completed in
conjunction with the final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications.
As described earlier in this preamble, Amendment 103 to the FMP
became effective in 2016. The regulations associated with Amendment 103
authorize NMFS to use inseason management actions to reapportion unused
Chinook salmon PSC among the pollock and non-pollock sectors. As of
November 15, 2016, NMFS has not exercised this authority, as none of
the trawl sectors have needed such reapportionments.
American Fisheries Act (AFA) Catcher/Processor and Catcher Vessel
Groundfish Sideboard Limits
Section 679.64 establishes groundfish harvesting and processing
sideboard limits on AFA C/Ps and CVs in the GOA. These sideboard limits
are necessary to protect the interests of fishermen and processors who
do not directly benefit from the AFA from those fishermen and
processors who receive exclusive harvesting and processing privileges
under the AFA. Section 679.7(k)(1)(ii) prohibits listed AFA C/Ps from
harvesting any species of fish in the GOA. Additionally, Sec.
679.7(k)(1)(iv) prohibits listed AFA C/Ps from processing any pollock
harvested in a directed pollock fishery in the GOA and any groundfish
harvested in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA.
AFA CVs that are less than 125 ft (38.1 meters) length overall,
have annual landings of pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
of less than 5,100 mt, and have made at least 40 landings of GOA
groundfish from 1995 through 1997 are exempt from GOA sideboard limits
under Sec. 679.64(b)(2)(ii). Sideboard limits for non-exempt AFA CVs
operating in the GOA are based on their traditional harvest levels of
TAC in groundfish fisheries covered by the FMP. Section
679.64(b)(3)(iv) establishes the groundfish sideboard limitations in
the GOA based on the retained catch of non-exempt AFA CVs of each
sideboard species from 1995 through 1997 divided by the TAC for that
species over the same period.
Table 13 lists the proposed 2017 and 2018 groundfish sideboard
limits for non-exempt AFA CVs. NMFS will deduct all targeted or
incidental catch of sideboard species made by non-exempt AFA CVs from
the sideboard limits listed in Table 13.
[[Page 87895]]
Table 13--Proposed 2017 and 2018 GOA Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel (CV) Groundfish Sideboard
Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1995- Proposed 2017
1997 non- Proposed 2017 and 2018 non-
Species Apportionments Area/component exempt AFA CV and 2018 TACs exempt AFA CV
by season/gear catch to 1995- \3\ sideboard
1997 TAC limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock...................... A Season-- Shumagin (610). 0.6047 3,769 2,279
January 20- Chirikof (620). 0.1167 42,732 4,987
March 10.
Kodiak (630)... 0.2028 12,272 2,489
B Season--March Shumagin (610). 0.6047 3,769 2,279
10-May 31. Chirikof (620). 0.1167 49,996 5,835
Kodiak (630)... 0.2028 5,007 1,015
C Season--August Shumagin (610). 0.6047 24,060 14,549
25-October 1. Chirikof (620). 0.1167 15,176 1,771
Kodiak (630)... 0.2028 19,529 3,960
D Season-- Shumagin (610). 0.6047 24,060 14,549
October 1- Chirikof (620). 0.1167 15,175 1,771
November 1.
Kodiak (630)... 0.2028 19,529 3,960
Annual.......... WYK (640)...... 0.3495 9,209 3,219
SEO (650)...... 0.3495 9,920 3,467
Pacific cod.................. A Season \1\-- W.............. 0.1331 14,699 1,956
January 1-June C.............. 0.0692 19,175 1,327
10.
B Season \2\-- W.............. 0.1331 9,799 1,304
September 1- C.............. 0.0692 12,783 885
December 31.
Annual.......... E inshore...... 0.0079 5,124 40
E offshore..... 0.0078 569 4
Sablefish.................... Annual, trawl W.............. 0.0000 233 0
gear.
C.............. 0.0642 736 47
E.............. 0.0433 173 8
Flatfish, shallow-water...... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0156 13,250 207
C.............. 0.0587 17,680 1,038
E.............. 0.0126 3,925 49
Flatfish, deep-water......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0000 187 0
C.............. 0.0647 3,516 227
E.............. 0.0128 5,578 71
Rex sole..................... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0007 1,318 1
C.............. 0.0384 4,453 171
E.............. 0.0029 1,736 5
Arrowtooth flounder.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0021 14,500 30
C.............. 0.0280 75,000 2,100
E.............. 0.0002 13,800 3
Flathead sole................ Annual.......... W.............. 0.0036 8,650 31
C.............. 0.0213 15,400 328
E.............. 0.0009 3,800 3
Pacific ocean perch.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0023 2,709 6
C.............. 0.0748 16,860 1,261
E.............. 0.0466 4,620 215
Northern rockfish............ Annual.......... W.............. 0.0003 430 0
C.............. 0.0277 3,338 92
Shortraker rockfish.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0000 38 0
C.............. 0.0218 301 7
E.............. 0.0110 947 10
Dusky Rockfish............... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0001 159 0
C.............. 0.0000 3,791 0
E.............. 0.0067 334 2
Rougheye rockfish............ Annual.......... W.............. 0.0000 105 0
C.............. 0.0237 705 17
E.............. 0.0124 515 6
Demersal shelf rockfish...... Annual.......... SEO............ 0.0020 231 0
Thornyhead rockfish.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0280 291 8
C.............. 0.0280 988 28
E.............. 0.0280 682 19
Other Rockfish............... Annual.......... W/C............ 0.1699 1,534 261
E.............. 0.0000 774 0
Atka mackerel................ Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0309 2,000 62
Big skates................... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0063 908 6
C.............. 0.0063 1,850 12
E.............. 0.0063 1,056 7
Longnose skates.............. Annual.......... W.............. 0.0063 61 0
C.............. 0.0063 2,513 16
[[Page 87896]]
E.............. 0.0063 632 4
Other skates................. Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0063 1,919 12
Sculpins..................... Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0063 5,591 35
Sharks....................... Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0063 4,514 28
Squids....................... Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0063 1,148 7
Octopuses.................... Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0063 4,878 31
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
\3\ The Western and Central GOA area apportionments of pollock are considered ACLs.
Non-Exempt AFA Catcher Vessel Halibut PSC Limits
The halibut PSC sideboard limits for non-exempt AFA CVs in the GOA
are based on the aggregate retained groundfish catch by non-exempt AFA
CVs in each PSC target category from 1995 through 1997 divided by the
retained catch of all vessels in that fishery from 1995 through 1997
(Sec. 679.64(b)(4)). Table 14 lists the proposed 2017 and 2018 non-
exempt AFA CV halibut PSC limits for vessels using trawl gear in the
GOA.
Table 14--Proposed 2017 and 2018 Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel Halibut Prohibited Species
Catch (PSC) Limits for Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the GOA
[PSC limits are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1995-
1997 non-exempt Proposed 2017
AFA CV retained Proposed 2017 and 2018 non-
Season Season dates Fishery category catch to total and 2018 PSC exempt AFA CV
retained catch limit PSC limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1................... January 20-April shallow-water.... 0.340 384 131
1.
deep-water....... 0.070 85 6
2................... April 1-July 1... shallow-water.... 0.340 85 29
deep-water....... 0.070 256 18
3................... July 1-September shallow-water.... 0.340 171 58
1.
deep-water....... 0.070 341 24
4................... September 1- shallow-water.... 0.340 128 44
October 1.
deep-water....... 0.070 0 0
5................... October 1- all targets...... 0.205 256 52
December 31.
-----------------------------------------------------
Annual.......... ................. Total shallow- ................ ................ 262
water.
Total deep-water. ................ ................ 48
-----------------------------------------------------
Grand Total, all ................ 1,706 362
seasons and
categories.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-AFA Crab Vessel Groundfish Sideboard Limits
Section 680.22 establishes groundfish sideboard limits for vessels
with a history of participation in the Bering Sea snow crab fishery to
prevent these vessels from using the increased flexibility provided by
the Crab Rationalization Program to expand their level of participation
in the GOA groundfish fisheries. Sideboard harvest limits restrict
these vessels' catch to their collective historical landings in each
GOA groundfish fishery (except the fixed-gear sablefish fishery).
Sideboard limits also apply to landings made using an LLP license
derived from the history of a restricted vessel, even if that LLP
license is used on another vessel.
The basis for these sideboard harvest limits is described in detail
in the final rules implementing the major provisions of the Crab
Rationalization Program, including Amendments 18 and 19 to the Fishery
Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs
(Crab FMP) (70 FR 10174, March 2, 2005), Amendment 34 to the Crab FMP
(76 FR 35772, June 20, 2011), Amendment 83 to the GOA FMP (76 FR 74670,
December 1, 2011), and Amendment 45 to the Crab FMP (80 FR 28539, May
19, 2015).
Table 15 lists the proposed 2017 and 2018 groundfish sideboard
limitations for non-AFA crab vessels. All targeted or incidental catch
of sideboard species made by non-AFA crab vessels or associated LLP
licenses will be deducted from these sideboard limits.
[[Page 87897]]
Table 15--Proposed 2017 and 2018 GOA Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessel Groundfish Sideboard Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1996-
2000 non-AFA Proposed 2017
crab vessel Proposed 2017 and 2018 non-AFA
Species Season/gear Area/component/gear catch to 1996- and 2018 TACs crab vessel
2000 total sideboard limit
harvest
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock................................. A Season--January 20-March Shumagin (610)............. 0.0098 3,769 37
10. Chirikof (620)............. 0.0031 42,732 132
Kodiak (630)............... 0.0002 12,272 2
B Season--March 10-May 31.. Shumagin (610)............. 0.0098 3,769 37
Chirikof (620)............. 0.0031 49,996 155
Kodiak (630)............... 0.0002 5,007 1
C Season--August 25-October Shumagin (610)............. 0.0098 24,060 236
1. Chirikof (620)............. 0.0031 15,176 47
Kodiak (630)............... 0.0002 19,529 4
D Season--October 1- Shumagin (610)............. 0.0098 24,060 236
November 1. Chirikof (620)............. 0.0031 15,175 47
Kodiak (630)............... 0.0002 19,529 4
Annual..................... WYK (640).................. 0.0000 9,209
SEO (650).................. 0.0000 9,920
Pacific cod............................. A Season \1\--January 1- W Jig CV................... 0.0000 14,699 ................
June 10. W Hook-and-line CV......... 0.0004 14,699 6
W Pot CV................... 0.0997 14,699 1,466
W Pot C/P.................. 0.0078 14,699 115
W Trawl CV................. 0.0007 14,699 10
C Jig CV................... 0.0000 19,175 ................
C Hook-and-line CV......... 0.0001 19,175 2
C Pot CV................... 0.0474 19,175 909
C Pot C/P.................. 0.0136 19,175 261
C Trawl CV................. 0.0012 19,175 23
B Season \2\--September 1- W Jig CV................... 0.0000 9,799 ................
December 31 W Hook-and-line CV......... 0.0004 9,799 4
W Pot CV................... 0.0997 9,799 977
W Pot C/P.................. 0.0078 9,799 76
W Trawl CV................. 0.0007 9,799 7
C Jig CV................... 0.0000 12,783 ................
C Hook-and-line CV......... 0.0001 12,783 1
C Pot CV................... 0.0474 12,783 606
C Pot C/P.................. 0.0136 12,783 174
C Trawl CV................. 0.0012 12,783 15
Annual..................... E inshore.................. 0.0110 5,124 56
E offshore................. 0.0000 569 ................
Sablefish............................... Annual, trawl gear......... W.......................... 0.0000 233 ................
C.......................... 0.0000 736 ................
E.......................... 0.0000 173 ................
Flatfish, shallow-water................. Annual..................... W.......................... 0.0059 13,250 78
C.......................... 0.0001 17,680 2
E.......................... 0.0000 3,925 ................
Flatfish, deep-water.................... Annual..................... W.......................... 0.0035 187 1
C.......................... 0.0000 3,516 ................
E.......................... 0.0000 5,578 ................
Rex sole................................ Annual..................... W.......................... 0.0000 1,318 ................
C.......................... 0.0000 4,453 ................
E.......................... 0.0000 1,736 ................
Arrowtooth flounder..................... Annual..................... W.......................... 0.0004 14,500 6
C.......................... 0.0001 75,000 8
E.......................... 0.0000 13,800 ................
Flathead sole........................... Annual..................... W.......................... 0.0002 8,650 2
C.......................... 0.0004 15,400 6
E.......................... 0.0000 3,800 ................
Pacific ocean perch..................... Annual..................... W.......................... 0.0000 2,709 ................
C.......................... 0.0000 16,860 ................
E.......................... 0.0000 4,620 ................
Northern rockfish....................... Annual..................... W.......................... 0.0005 430 0
C.......................... 0.0000 3,338 ................
Shortraker rockfish..................... Annual..................... W.......................... 0.0013 38 0
C.......................... 0.0012 301 0
E.......................... 0.0009 947 1
Dusky rockfish.......................... Annual..................... W.......................... 0.0017 159 0
C.......................... 0.0000 3,791 ................
E.......................... 0.0000 334 ................
Rougheye rockfish....................... Annual..................... W.......................... 0.0067 105 1
C.......................... 0.0047 705 3
E.......................... 0.0008 515 0
Demersal shelf rockfish................. Annual..................... SEO........................ 0.0000 231 ................
Thornyhead rockfish..................... Annual..................... W.......................... 0.0047 291 1
C.......................... 0.0066 988 7
E.......................... 0.0045 682 3
Other rockfish.......................... Annual..................... W.......................... 0.0035 1,534 5
[[Page 87898]]
C.......................... 0.0033 774 ................
E.......................... 0.0000 2,000 ................
Atka mackerel........................... Annual..................... Gulfwide................... 0.0000 908 36
Big skate............................... Annual..................... W.......................... 0.0392 1,850 29
C.......................... 0.0159 1,056 ................
E.......................... 0.0000 61 2
Longnose skate.......................... Annual..................... W.......................... 0.0392 2,513 40
C.......................... 0.0159 632 ................
E.......................... 0.0000 1,919 34
Other skates............................ Annual..................... Gulfwide................... 0.0176 5,591 98
Sculpins................................ Annual..................... Gulfwide................... 0.0176 4,514 79
Sharks.................................. Annual..................... Gulfwide................... 0.0176 1,148 20
Squids.................................. Annual..................... Gulfwide................... 0.0176 4,878 86
Octopuses............................... Annual..................... Gulfwide................... 0.0176 38 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
Rockfish Program Groundfish Sideboard and Halibut PSC Limitations
The Rockfish Program establishes three classes of sideboard
provisions: CV groundfish sideboard restrictions, C/P rockfish
sideboard restrictions, and C/P opt-out vessel sideboard restrictions.
These sideboards are intended to limit the ability of rockfish
harvesters to expand into other fisheries.
CVs participating in the Rockfish Program may not participate in
directed fishing for dusky rockfish, northern rockfish, and Pacific
ocean perch in the Western GOA and West Yakutat Districts from July 1
through July 31. Also, CVs may not participate in directed fishing for
arrowtooth flounder, deep-water flatfish, and rex sole in the GOA from
July 1 through July 31 (Sec. 679.82(d)).
C/Ps participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives are restricted
by rockfish and halibut PSC sideboard limits. These C/Ps are prohibited
from directed fishing for northern rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, and
dusky rockfish in the Western GOA and West Yakutat District from July 1
through July 31. Holders of C/P-designated LLP licenses that opt out of
participating in a Rockfish Program cooperative will be able to access
those sideboard limits that are not assigned to Rockfish Program
cooperatives. Table 16 lists the proposed 2017 and 2018 Rockfish
Program C/P rockfish sideboard limits in the Western GOA and West
Yakutat District. Due to confidentiality requirements associated with
fisheries data, the sideboard limits for the West Yakutat District are
not displayed.
Table 16--Proposed 2017 and 2018 Rockfish Program Sideboard Limits for the Western GOA and West Yakutat District
by Fishery for the Catcher/Processor (C/P) Sector
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed 2017 and
Area Fishery C/P sector (% of TAC) Proposed 2017 2018 C/P sideboard
and 2018 TACs limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA.................. Dusky rockfish.. 72.3.................. 159 115
Pacific ocean 50.6.................. 2,709 1,371
perch.
Northern 74.3.................. 430 319
rockfish.
West Yakutat District........ Dusky rockfish.. Confidential \1\ 251 Confidential \1\
Pacific ocean Confidential \1\ 2,818 Confidential \1\
perch.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Not released due to confidentiality requirements associated with fish ticket data, as established by NMFS
and the State of Alaska.
Under the Rockfish Program, the C/P sector is subject to halibut
PSC sideboard limits for the trawl deep-water and shallow-water species
fisheries from July 1 through July 31. No halibut PSC sideboard limits
apply to the CV sector, as vessels participating in a rockfish
cooperative receive a portion of the annual halibut PSC limit. C/Ps
that opt out of the Rockfish Program would be able to access that
portion of the deep-water and shallow-water halibut PSC sideboard limit
not assigned to C/P rockfish cooperatives. The sideboard provisions for
C/Ps that elect to opt out of participating in a rockfish cooperative
are described in Sec. 679.82(c), (e), and (f). Sideboard limits are
linked to the catch history of specific vessels that may choose to opt
out. After March 1, NMFS will determine which C/Ps have opted-out of
the Rockfish Program in 2017, and will know the ratios and amounts used
to calculate opt-out sideboard ratios. NMFS will then calculate any
applicable opt-out sideboard limits and
[[Page 87899]]
post these limits on the Alaska Region Web site at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/rockfish/. Table 17 lists
the 2017 and 2018 proposed Rockfish Program halibut PSC limits for the
C/P sector.
Table 17--Proposed 2017 and 2018 Rockfish Program Halibut Mortality Limits for the Catcher/Processor Sector
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shallow-water Deep-water Annual shallow- Annual deep-
species fishery species fishery Annual halibut water species water species
Sector halibut PSC halibut PSC mortality limit fishery halibut fishery halibut
sideboard ratio sideboard ratio (mt) PSC sideboard PSC sideboard
(percent) (percent) limit (mt) limit (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher/processor........................................ 0.10 2.50 1,706 2 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amendment 80 Program Groundfish and PSC Sideboard Limits
Amendment 80 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (Amendment 80 Program)
established a limited access privilege program for the non-AFA trawl C/
P sector. The Amendment 80 Program established groundfish and halibut
PSC limits for Amendment 80 Program participants to limit the ability
of participants eligible for the Amendment 80 Program to expand their
harvest efforts in the GOA.
Section 679.92 establishes groundfish harvesting sideboard limits
on all Amendment 80 Program vessels, other than the F/V Golden Fleece,
to amounts no greater than the limits shown in Table 37 to part 679.
Under Sec. 679.92(d), the F/V Golden Fleece is prohibited from
directed fishing for pollock, Pacific cod, Pacific ocean perch, dusky
rockfish, and northern rockfish in the GOA.
Groundfish sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels
operating in the GOA are based on their average aggregate harvests from
1998 through 2004. Table 18 lists the proposed 2017 and 2018 sideboard
limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels. NMFS will deduct all targeted
or incidental catch of sideboard species made by Amendment 80 Program
vessels from the sideboard limits in Table 18.
Table 18--Proposed 2017 and 2018 GOA Groundfish Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of Proposed 2017
Amendment 80 Proposed 2017 and 2018
Species Season Area sector vessels and 2018 TAC Amendment 80
1998-2004 catch (mt) vessel sideboard
to TAC limits (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock................................. A Season--January 20- Shumagin (610)............. 0.003 3,769 11
February 25. Chirikof (620)............. 0.002 42,732 85
Kodiak (630)............... 0.002 12,272 25
B Season--March 10-May 31.. Shumagin (610)............. 0.003 3,769 11
Chirikof (620)............. 0.002 49,996 100
Kodiak (630)............... 0.002 5,007 10
C Season--August 25- Shumagin (610)............. 0.003 24,060 72
September 15. Chirikof (620)............. 0.002 15,176 30
Kodiak (630)............... 0.002 19,529 39
D Season--October 1- Shumagin (610)............. 0.003 24,060 72
November 1. Chirikof (620)............. 0.002 15,175 30
Kodiak (630)............... 0.002 19,529 39
Annual..................... WYK (640).................. 0.002 9,209 18
Pacific cod............................. A Season \1\--January 1- W.......................... 0.020 14,699 294
June 10. C.......................... 0.044 19,175 844
B Season \2\--September 1- W.......................... 0.020 9,799 196
December 31. C.......................... 0.044 12,783 562
Annual..................... WYK........................ 0.034 5,693 194
Pacific ocean perch..................... Annual..................... W.......................... 0.994 2,709 2,693
WYK........................ 0.961 2,818 2,708
Northern rockfish....................... Annual..................... W.......................... 1.000 430 430
Dusky rockfish.......................... Annual..................... W.......................... 0.764 159 121
WYK........................ 0.896 251 225
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
The halibut PSC sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels
in the GOA are based on the historic use of halibut PSC by Amendment 80
Program vessels in each PSC target category from 1998 through 2004.
These values are slightly lower than the average historic use to
accommodate two factors: Allocation of halibut PSC cooperative
[[Page 87900]]
quota under the Rockfish Program and the exemption of the F/V Golden
Fleece from this restriction (Sec. 679.92(b)(2)). Table 19 lists the
proposed 2017 and 2018 halibut PSC sideboard limits for Amendment 80
Program vessels. These tables incorporate the maximum percentages of
the halibut PSC sideboard limits that may be used by Amendment 80
Program vessels, as contained in Table 38 to 50 CFR part 679.
Table 19--Proposed 2017 and 2018 Halibut PSC Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels in the GOA
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed 2017
Historic and 2018
Amendment 80 use Proposed 2017 Amendment 80
Season Season dates Fishery category of the annual and 2018 annual vessel PSC
halibut PSC PSC limit (mt) sideboard limit
limit (ratio) (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1................... January 20-April shallow-water.... 0.0048 1,706 8
1.
deep-water....... 0.0115 1,706 20
2................... April 1-July 1... shallow-water.... 0.0189 1,706 32
deep-water....... 0.1072 1,706 183
3................... July 1-September shallow-water.... 0.0146 1,706 25
1.
deep-water....... 0.0521 1,706 89
4................... September 1- shallow-water.... 0.0074 1,706 13
October 1.
deep-water....... 0.0014 1,706 2
5................... October 1- shallow-water.... 0.0227 1,706 39
December 31.
deep-water....... 0.0371 1,706 63
-----------------------------------------------------
Annual.......... ................. Total shallow- ................ ................ 117
water.
Total deep-water. ................ ................ 357
-----------------------------------------------------
Grand Total, all ................ ................ 474
seasons and
categories.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Classification
NMFS has determined that the proposed harvest specifications are
consistent with the FMP and preliminarily determined that the proposed
harvest specifications are consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and
other applicable laws, subject to further review after public comment.
This action is authorized under 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from
review under Executive Orders 12866 and 13563.
NMFS prepared an EIS for this action and made it available to the
public on January 12, 2007 (72 FR 1512). On February 13, 2007, NMFS
issued the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Final EIS. A Supplemental
Information Report (SIR) that assesses the need to prepare a
Supplemental EIS is being prepared for the final action. Copies of the
Final EIS, ROD, and SIR for this action are available from NMFS (see
ADDRESSES). The Final EIS analyzes the environmental consequences of
the proposed groundfish harvest specifications and alternative harvest
strategies on resources in the action area. The Final EIS found no
significant environmental consequences from the proposed action or its
alternatives.
NMFS prepared an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) as
required by section 603 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA),
analyzing the methodology for establishing the relevant TACs. The IRFA
evaluated the impacts on small entities of alternative harvest
strategies for the groundfish fisheries in the EEZ off Alaska. As set
forth in the methodology, TACs are set to a level that fall within the
range of ABCs recommended by the SSC; the sum of the TACs must achieve
the OY specified in the FMP. While the specific numbers that the
methodology produces may vary from year to year, the methodology itself
remains constant.
A description of the proposed action, why it is being considered,
and the legal basis for this proposed action are contained in the
preamble above. A copy of the analysis is available from NMFS (see
ADDRESSES). A summary of the IRFA follows.
The action under consideration is a harvest strategy to govern the
catch of groundfish in the GOA. The preferred alternative is the
existing harvest strategy in which TACs fall within the range of ABCs
recommended by the SSC. This action is taken in accordance with the FMP
prepared by the Council pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
The entities directly regulated by this action are those that
harvest groundfish in the EEZ of the GOA and in parallel fisheries
within State of Alaska waters. These include entities operating CVs and
C/Ps within the action area and entities receiving direct allocations
of groundfish.
For RFA purposes only, NMFS has established a small business size
standard for businesses, including their affiliates, whose primary
industry is commercial fishing (see 50 CFR 200.2). A business primarily
engaged in commercial fishing (NAICS code 11411) 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 receipts not in excess of $11 million for all its
affiliated operations worldwide.
The IRFA shows that, in 2015, there were 969 individual CVs with
gross revenues less than or equal to $11 million. This estimate
accounts for corporate affiliations among vessels, and for cooperative
affiliations among fishing entities, since some of the fishing vessels
operating in the GOA are members of AFA inshore pollock cooperatives,
GOA rockfish cooperatives, or BSAI Crab Rationalization Program
cooperatives. Therefore, under the RFA, it is the aggregate gross
receipts of all participating members of the cooperative that must meet
the ``under $11 million'' threshold. Vessels that participate in these
cooperatives are considered to be large entities within the meaning of
the RFA. After accounting for membership in these cooperatives, there
are an estimated 969 small CV entities remaining in the GOA
[[Page 87901]]
groundfish sector. This latter group of vessels had average gross
revenues that varied by gear type. Average gross revenues for hook-and-
line CVs, pot gear vessels, and trawl gear vessels are estimated to be
$350,000, $760,000, and $1.85 million, respectively. Revenue data for
the three C/Ps considered to be small entities are confidential. There
are three C/Ps that are considered to be small entities; however, their
revenue data is confidential.
The preferred alternative (Alternative 2) was compared to four
other alternatives. Alternative 1 would have set TACs to generate
fishing rates equal to the maximum permissible ABC (if the full TAC
were harvested), unless the sum of TACs exceeded the GOA OY, in which
case TACs would be limited to the OY. Alternative 3 would have set TACs
to produce fishing rates equal to the most recent 5-year average
fishing rate. Alternative 4 would have set TACs to equal the lower
limit of the GOA OY range. Alternative 5, the ``no action
alternative,'' would have set TACs equal to zero.
The TACs associated with the preferred harvest strategy are those
adopted by the Council in October 2016, as per Alternative 2. OFLs and
ABCs for the species were based on recommendations prepared by the
Council's GOA Plan Team in September 2016, and reviewed by the
Council's SSC in October 2016. The Council based its TAC
recommendations on those of its AP, which were consistent with the
SSC's OFL and ABC recommendations.
Alternative 1 selects harvest rates that would allow fishermen to
harvest stocks at the level of ABCs, unless total harvests were
constrained by the upper bound of the GOA OY of 800,000 mt. As shown in
Table 1 of the preamble, the sum of ABCs in 2017 and 2018 would be
708,629 mt, which falls below the upper bound of the OY range. The sum
of TACs is 573,872 mt, which is less than the sum of ABCs. In this
instance, Alternative 1 is consistent with the preferred alternative
(Alternative 2), meets the objectives of that action, and has small
entity impacts that are equivalent to the preferred alternative. In
some instances, the selection of Alternative 1 would not reflect the
practical implications that increased TACs (where the sum of TACs
equals the sum of ABCs) for some species probably would not be fully
harvested. This could be due to a lack of commercial or market interest
in such species. Additionally, an underharvest of some TACs could
result due to constraints such as the fixed, and therefore
constraining, PSC limits associated with the harvest of the GOA
groundfish species.
Alternative 3 selects harvest rates based on the most recent 5
years of harvest rates (for species in Tiers 1 through 3) or for the
most recent 5 years of harvests (for species in Tiers 4 through 6).
This alternative is inconsistent with the objectives of this action,
the Council's preferred harvest strategy, because it does not take
account of the most recent biological information for this fishery.
NMFS annually conducts at-sea stock surveys for different species, as
well as statistical modeling, to estimate stock sizes and permissible
harvest levels. Actual harvest rates or harvest amounts are a component
of these estimates, but in and of themselves may not accurately portray
stock sizes and conditions. Harvest rates are listed for each species
category for each year in the SAFE report (see ADDRESSES).
Alternative 4 would lead to significantly lower harvests of all
species and reduce the TACs from the upper end of the OY range in the
GOA, to its lower end of 116,000 mt. Overall, this would reduce 2017
TACs by about 80 percent and would lead to significant reductions in
harvests of species harvested by small entities. While reductions of
this size would be associated with offsetting price increases, the size
of these increases is very uncertain. There are close substitutes for
GOA groundfish species available in significant quantities from the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. While production
declines in the GOA would undoubtedly be associated with significant
price increases in the GOA, these increases would still be constrained
by production of substitutes, and are very unlikely to offset revenue
declines from smaller production. Thus, this alternative would have a
detrimental impact on small entities.
Alternative 5, which sets all harvests equal to zero, would have a
significant adverse economic impact on small entities and would be
contrary to obligations to achieve OY on a continuing basis, as
mandated by the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Under Alternative 5, all 969
individual CVs impacted by this rule would have gross revenues of $0.
Additionally, the three small C/Ps impacted by this rule also would
have gross revenues of $0.
The proposed harvest specifications (Alternative 2) extend the
current 2017 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs to 2017 and 2018. As noted in the
IRFA, the Council may modify these OFLs, ABCs, and TACs in December
2016, when it reviews the November 2016 SAFE report from its Groundfish
Plan Team, and the December 2016 Council meeting reports of its SSC and
AP. Because the 2017 TACs in the proposed 2017 and 2018 harvest
specifications are unchanged from the 2017 TACs, NMFS does not expect
adverse impacts on small entities. Also, NMFS does not expect any
changes made by the Council in December 2016 to have significant
adverse impacts on small entities.
This action does not modify recordkeeping or reporting
requirements, or duplicate, overlap, or conflict with any Federal
rules.
Adverse impacts on marine mammals or endangered species resulting
from fishing activities conducted under this rule are discussed in the
Final EIS and its accompanying annual SIRs (see ADDRESSES).
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1540(f); 16 U.S.C.
1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 3631 et seq.; Pub. L. 105-277; Pub. L. 106-
31; Pub. L. 106-554; Pub. L. 108-199; Pub. L. 108-447; Pub. L. 109-
241; Pub. L. 109-479.
Dated: November 30, 2016.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-29150 Filed 12-5-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
