Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska; Final 2017 and 2018 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish, 12032-12062 [2017-03697]
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 37 / Monday, February 27, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 160920866–7167–02]
RIN 0648–XE904
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska; Final
2017 and 2018 Harvest Specifications
for Groundfish
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule; harvest specifications
and closures.
AGENCY:
NMFS announces final 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.
SUMMARY:
Harvest specifications and
closures are effective at 1200 hours,
Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 27,
2017, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December
31, 2018.
ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the
Final Alaska Groundfish Harvest
Specifications Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS), Record of Decision
(ROD), and the Supplementary
Information Report (SIR) to the EIS
prepared for this action are available
from https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov.
The final 2016 Stock Assessment and
Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) report for the
groundfish resources of the GOA, dated
November 2016, is available from the
North Pacific Fishery Management
Council (Council) at 605 West 4th
Avenue, Suite 306, Anchorage, AK
99510–2252, phone 907–271–2809, or
from the Council’s Web site at https://
www.npfmc.org.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Obren Davis, 907–586–7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
manages the GOA groundfish fisheries
in the exclusive economic zone of the
GOA under the Fishery Management
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DATES:
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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, 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) (50 CFR 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. Upon consideration of
public comment received under
§ 679.20(c)(1), NMFS must publish
notice of final harvest specifications for
up to two fishing years as annual TACs,
per § 679.20(c)(3)(ii). The final harvest
specifications set forth in Tables 1
through 30 of this document reflect the
outcome of this process, as required at
§ 679.20(c).
The proposed 2017 and 2018 harvest
specifications for groundfish of the GOA
and Pacific halibut PSC limits were
published in the Federal Register on
December 6, 2016 (81 FR 87881).
Comments were invited and accepted
through January 5, 2017. NMFS did not
receive any comments on the proposed
harvest specifications. In December
2016, NMFS consulted with the Council
regarding the 2017 and 2018 harvest
specifications. After considering public
testimony, as well as biological and
economic data that were available at the
Council’s December 2016 meeting,
NMFS is implementing the final 2017
and 2018 harvest specifications, as
recommended by the Council. For 2017,
the sum of the TAC amounts is 535,863
mt. For 2018, the sum of the TAC
amounts is 483,588 mt.
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 Secretary of
Commerce (Secretary) 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
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Chinook salmon PSC limits established
by Amendments 93 and 97 to the FMP
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
In April 2015, the Council
recommended for Secretarial review
Amendment 101 to the FMP for the
sablefish individual fishing quota (IFQ)
fisheries in the GOA. Amendment 101
authorizes the use of longline pot gear
in the GOA sablefish IFQ fishery. The
objective of that amendment is to
increase efficiency in harvesting
sablefish IFQ and decrease the
depredation of sablefish caught on
hook-and-line gear by whales. The
Secretary approved Amendment 101 on
November 4, 2016. NMFS issued a final
rule to implement Amendment 101 to
the FMP for the sablefish individual
fishing quota (IFQ) fisheries in the GOA
on December 28, 2016 (81 FR 95435).
The effective date of this final rule has
been temporarily stayed in accordance
with the memorandum of January 20,
2017, from the Assistant to the President
and Chief of Staff, entitled ‘‘Regulatory
Freeze Pending Review,’’ published in
the Federal Register on January 24,
2017. While the effective date of the
final rule is currently delayed (see 82 FR
8810, January 31, 2017), NMFS advises
the public that the date of the stay, and
therefore the effective date of the final
rule, may change in the future.
Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) and
TAC Specifications
In December 2016, the Council, its
Advisory Panel (AP), and its Scientific
and Statistical Committee (SSC)
reviewed the most recent biological and
harvest information about the condition
of groundfish stocks in the GOA. This
information was compiled by the
Council’s GOA Groundfish Plan Team
and was presented in the draft 2016
SAFE report for the GOA groundfish
fisheries, dated November 2016 (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
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groundfish fisheries off Alaska. From
these data and analyses, the Plan Team
estimates an overfishing level (OFL) and
ABC for each species or species group.
The 2016 report was made available for
public review during the public
comment period for the proposed
harvest specifications.
In previous years, the greatest changes
from the proposed to the final harvest
specifications have been based on recent
NMFS stock surveys, which provide
updated estimates of stock biomass and
spatial distribution, and changes to the
models used for producing stock
assessments. At the November 2016
Plan Team meeting, NMFS scientists
presented updated and new survey
results, changes to stock assessment
models, and accompanying stock
assessment estimates for all groundfish
species and species groups that are
included in the final 2016 SAFE report.
The SSC reviewed this information at
the December 2016 Council meeting.
Changes from the proposed to the final
2017 and 2018 harvest specifications are
discussed below.
The final 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
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 OFL and ABC
amounts for each groundfish species.
The SSC adopted the final 2017 and
2018 OFLs and ABCs recommended by
the Plan Team for all groundfish
species, with the exception of an
adjustment to the sablefish OFLs. The
Council adopted the SSC’s OFL and
ABC recommendations and the AP’s
TAC recommendations. The final TAC
recommendations were based on the
ABCs as adjusted for other biological
and socioeconomic considerations,
including maintaining the sum of all
TACs within the required OY range of
116,000 to 800,000 mt.
The Council recommended 2017 and
2018 TACs that are equal to ABCs for
pollock, sablefish, deep-water flatfish,
rex sole, Pacific ocean perch, northern
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rockfish, shortraker rockfish, dusky
rockfish, rougheye rockfish, demersal
shelf rockfish, thornyhead rockfish, big
skate, longnose skate, other skates,
sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopuses
in the GOA. The Council recommended
TACs for 2017 and 2018 that are less
than the ABCs for Pacific cod, shallowwater flatfish in the Western GOA,
arrowtooth flounder, flathead sole in the
Western and Central GOA, ‘‘other
rockfish’’ in the Southeast Outside
(SEO) District, and Atka mackerel. The
Pacific cod TACs are set to
accommodate the State of Alaska’s
(State’s) guideline harvest levels (GHLs)
for Pacific cod so that the ABCs are not
exceeded. The shallow-water flatfish,
arrowtooth flounder, and flathead sole
TACs are set to allow for increased
harvest opportunities for these target
species while conserving the halibut
PSC limit for use in other, more fully
utilized fisheries. The ‘‘other rockfish’’
TAC in the SEO District is set to reduce
the amount of discards of the species in
that complex. The Atka mackerel TAC
is set to accommodate incidental catch
amounts in other fisheries.
The final 2017 and 2018 harvest
specifications approved by the Secretary
are unchanged from those
recommended by the Council and are
consistent with the preferred harvest
strategy alternative in the EIS (see
ADDRESSES). NMFS finds that the
Council’s recommended OFLs, ABCs,
and TACs are consistent with the
biological condition of the groundfish
stocks as described in the final 2016
SAFE report. NMFS also finds that the
Council’s recommendations for OFLs,
ABCs, and TACs are consistent with the
biological condition of groundfish
stocks as adjusted for other biological
and socioeconomic considerations,
including maintaining the total TAC
within the OY range. NMFS reviewed
the Council’s recommended TAC
specifications and apportionments, and
NMFS approves these harvest
specifications under 50 CFR
679.20(c)(3)(ii). The apportionment of
TAC amounts among gear types and
sectors, processing sectors, and seasons
is discussed below.
Tables 1 and 2 list the final 2017 and
2018 OFLs, ABCs, TACs, and area
apportionments of groundfish in the
GOA. The sums of the 2017 and 2018
ABCs are 667,877 mt and 597,052 mt,
respectively, which are lower in 2017
and 2018 than the 2016 ABC sum of
727,684 mt (81 FR 14740, March 18,
2016). The 2017 harvest specifications
set in this final action will supersede
the 2017 harvest specifications
previously set in the final 2016 and
2017 harvest specifications (81 FR
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14740, March 18, 2016). The 2018
harvest specifications herein will be
superseded in early 2018 when the final
2018 and 2019 harvest specifications are
published. Pursuant to this final action,
the 2017 harvest specifications therefore
will apply for the remainder of the
current year (2017), while the 2018
harvest specifications are projected only
for the following year (2018) and will be
superseded in early 2018 by the final
2018 and 2019 harvest specifications.
Because this final action (published in
early 2017) will be superseded in early
2018 by the publication of the final 2018
and 2019 harvest specifications, it is
projected that this final action will
implement the harvest specifications for
the Gulf of Alaska for approximately
one year.
Specification and Apportionment of
TAC Amounts
NMFS’ apportionment of groundfish
species is based on the distribution of
biomass among the regulatory areas over
which NMFS manages the species.
Additional regulations govern the
apportionment of pollock, Pacific cod,
and sablefish. Additional detail on the
apportionment of pollock, Pacific cod,
and sablefish are described below.
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 Prince
William Sound (PWS) pollock fishery.
The Plan Team, SSC, AP, and Council
have 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 5,094 mt,
a decrease of 1,264 mt from the 2016
PWS GHL of 6,358 mt. For 2018, the
PWS pollock GHL is 3,937 mt, a
decrease of 2,421 mt from the 2016 PWS
pollock GHL. After the GHL reductions,
the 2017 and 2018 pollock ABC for the
combined W/C/WYK areas is then
apportioned between four statistical
areas (Areas 610, 620, 630, and 640) as
both ABCs and TACs, as described
below and detailed in Tables 1 and 2.
The total ABCs and TACs for the four
statistical areas, plus the State GHL, do
not exceed the combined W/C/WYK
ABC.
Apportionments of pollock to the W/
C/WYK management areas are
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considered to be ‘‘apportionments of
annual catch limits (ACLs)’’ rather than
‘‘ABCs.’’ This more accurately reflects
that such apportionments address
management, rather than biological or
conservation, concerns. In addition,
apportionments of the ACL 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 establishes pollock TACs in
the Western, Central, West Yakutat
Regulatory Areas, and the Southeast
Outside District of the GOA (see Tables
1 and 2). NMFS also establishes
seasonal apportionments 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; Tables 3 and
4 list these amounts.
The 2017 and 2018 Pacific cod TACs
are set to accommodate the State’s GHL
for Pacific cod in State waters in the
Western and Central Regulatory Areas,
as well as in 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 set the 2017
and 2018 Pacific cod TACs in the
Western, Central, and Eastern
Regulatory Areas to account for State
GHLs. Therefore, the 2017 Pacific cod
TACs are less than the ABCs by the
following amounts: (1) Western GOA,
10,887 mt; (2) Central GOA, 11,045 mt;
and (3) Eastern GOA, 1,968 mt. The
2018 Pacific cod TACs are less than the
ABCs by the following amounts: (1)
Western GOA, 9,770 mt; (2) Central
GOA, 9,911 mt; and (3) Eastern GOA,
1,766 mt. These amounts reflect the
State’s 2017 and 2018 GHLs in these
areas, which are 30 percent of the
Western GOA ABC and 25 percent of
the Eastern and Central ABCs.
NMFS establishes seasonal
apportionments of the annual Pacific
cod TAC in the Western and Central
Regulatory Areas. Sixty percent of the
annual TAC is apportioned to the A
season for hook-and-line, pot, and 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
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season for hook-and-line, pot, and jig
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 sectors. The Pacific cod
sector apportionments are discussed in
detail in a subsequent section of this
preamble.
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)). Tables 7 and 8 list the
final 2017 and 2018 allocations of
sablefish TAC to hook-and-line and
trawl gear in the GOA.
Changes From the Proposed 2017 and
2018 Harvest Specifications in the GOA
In October 2016, the Council’s
recommendations for the proposed 2017
and 2018 harvest specifications (81 FR
87881, December 6, 2016) were based
largely on information contained in the
final 2015 SAFE report for the GOA
groundfish fisheries, dated November
2015. The final 2015 SAFE report for the
GOA is available from the Council (see
ADDRESSES). The Council proposed
that the final OFLs, ABCs, and TACs
established for the 2017 groundfish
fisheries (81 FR 14740, March 18, 2016)
be used for the proposed 2017 and 2018
harvest specifications, pending
completion and review of the final 2016
SAFE report at its December 2016
meeting.
As described previously, the SSC
adopted the final 2017 and 2018 OFLs
and ABCs recommended by the Plan
Team, except for the sablefish OFL. The
SSC deducted the amount calculated for
whale depredation from the sablefish
OFL. The Council adopted the SSC’s
OFL and ABC recommendations and the
AP’s TAC recommendations for 2017
and 2018. The final 2017 ABCs are
higher than the proposed 2017 ABCs
published in the proposed 2017 and
2018 harvest specifications (81 FR
87881, December 6, 2016) for Pacific
cod, sablefish, shallow-water flatfish,
deep-water flatfish, rex sole, flathead
sole, northern rockfish, and rougheye
rockfish. The final 2017 ABCs are lower
than the proposed 2017 and 2018 ABCs
for pollock, arrowtooth flounder, Pacific
ocean perch, dusky rockfish, demersal
shelf rockfish, and squids.
The final 2018 ABCs are higher than
the proposed ABCs for sablefish,
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shallow-water flatfish, deep-water
flatfish, rex sole, and flathead sole. The
final 2018 ABCs are lower than the
proposed ABCs for pollock, Pacific cod,
arrowtooth flounder, Pacific ocean
perch, northern rockfish, dusky
rockfish, rougheye rockfish, demersal
shelf rockfish, and squids. For the
remaining target species, the Council
recommended the final 2017 and 2018
ABCs that are the same as the proposed
2017 and 2018 ABCs.
Additional information explaining the
changes between the proposed and final
ABCs is included in the final 2016
SAFE report, which was not available
when the Council made its proposed
ABC and TAC recommendations in
October 2016. At that time, the most
recent stock assessment information was
contained in the final 2015 SAFE report.
The final 2016 SAFE report contains the
best and most recent scientific
information on the condition of the
groundfish stocks, as previously
discussed in this preamble, and is
available for review (see ADDRESSES).
The Council considered the final 2016
SAFE report in December 2016 when it
made recommendations for the final
2017 and 2018 harvest specifications. In
the GOA, the total final 2017 TAC
amount is 535,863 mt, a decrease of 7
percent from the total proposed 2017
TAC amount of 573,872 mt. The total
final 2018 TAC amount is 483,588 mt,
a decrease of 16 percent from the total
proposed 2018 TAC amount of 573,872
mt. Table 1a summarizes the difference
between the proposed and final TACs.
Annual stock assessments incorporate a
variety of new or revised inputs, such as
survey data or catch information, as
well as changes to the statistical models
used to estimate a species’ biomass and
population trend. In 2016, most stocks
were not directly surveyed, as the GOA
trawl survey is conducted every other
year. Thus, most changes to biomass
and ABC estimates are based on fishery
catch updates to species’ assessment
models. Some species, such as pollock
and sablefish, have additional surveys
conducted on an annual basis, which
result in additional data being available
for the assessments for these stocks.
Based on changes in the estimates of
overall biomass made by stock
assessment scientists for 2017 and 2018,
as compared to the estimates previously
made for 2015 and 2016, the greatest
TAC percentage increases are for
sablefish, shallow-water flatfish, rex
sole, and Atka mackerel. One notable
increase includes that made for
sablefish. The increase in the sablefish
ABC and TAC is a result of the
inclusion of new catch, abundance, and
age datasets, as well as adjustments to
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the sablefish assessment model. Another
notable increase between the proposed
and final TACs includes the 2017 and
2018 TACs for Atka mackerel, which
increased because of public interest in
additional opportunities to catch and
retain Atka mackerel. The AP
recommended, and the Council
adopted, this increase.
Based on changes in the estimates of
biomass, the greatest decrease in TACs
is for pollock. The pollock assessment
model incorporated 2016 survey data, as
well as changes to the model. A notable
model change included using a random-
effects model to calculate the weight-atage of pollock, rather than a 5-year
average weight-at-age. This change
resulted in a downward calculation of
biomass and ABC, with additional
declines expected in the short-term.
For all other species and species
groups, changes from the proposed 2017
TACs to the final 2017 TACs are within
a range of plus or minus 4 percent. The
changes from the proposed 2018 TACs
to the final 2018 TACs are within a
range of plus or minus 8 percent. These
TAC changes correspond to associated
changes in the ABCs and TACs, as
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recommended by the SSC, AP, and
Council.
Detailed information providing the
basis for the changes described above is
contained in the final 2016 SAFE report.
The final TACs are based on the best
scientific information available. These
TACs are specified in compliance with
the harvest strategy described in the
proposed and final rules for the 2017
and 2018 harvest specifications. The
changes in TACs between the proposed
rule and this final rule are compared in
Table 1a.
TABLE 1a—COMPARISON OF PROPOSED AND FINAL 2017 AND 2018 GOA TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH LIMITS
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentage]
Species
2017 and
2018 proposed
TAC
2017 Final
TAC
2017 Final
minus 2017
proposed TAC
Percentage
difference
2018
Final TAC
2018 Final
minus 2018
proposed TAC
Percentage
difference
Pollock ..........................
Pacific cod ....................
Sablefish ......................
Shallow-water flatfish ...
Deep-water flatfish .......
Rex sole .......................
Arrowtooth flounder ......
Flathead sole ...............
Pacific ocean perch .....
Northern rockfish ..........
Shortraker rockfish .......
Dusky rockfish ..............
Rougheye rockfish .......
Demersal shelf rockfish
Thornyhead rockfish ....
Other rockfish ...............
Atka mackerel ..............
Big skate ......................
Longnose skate ............
Other skates .................
Sculpins ........................
Sharks ..........................
Squids ..........................
Octopuses ....................
254,200
62,150
8,307
34,855
9,281
7,507
103,300
27,850
24,189
3,768
1286
4,284
1,325
231
1,961
2,308
2,000
3,814
3,206
1,919
5,591
4,514
1,148
4,878
208,595
64,442
10,074
36,843
9,292
8,311
103,300
27,856
23,918
3,786
1,286
4,278
1,327
227
1,961
2,308
3,000
3,814
3,206
1,919
5,591
4,514
1,137
4,878
¥45,605
2,292
1,767
1,988
11
804
0
6
¥271
18
0
¥6
2
¥4
0
0
1,000
0
0
0
0
0
¥11
0
¥18
4
21
6
0
11
0
0
¥1
0
0
0
0
¥2
0
0
50
0
0
0
0
0
¥1
0
163,479
57,825
10,207
36,979
9,382
8,421
103,300
27,920
23,454
3,508
1286
3,954
1,318
227
1,961
2,308
3,000
3,814
3,206
1,919
5,591
4,514
1,137
4,878
¥90,721
¥4,325
1,900
2,124
101
914
0
70
¥735
¥260
0
¥330
¥7
¥4
0
0
1,000
0
0
0
0
0
¥11
0
¥36
¥7
23
6
1
12
0
0
¥3
¥7
0
¥8
¥1
¥2
0
0
50
0
0
0
0
0
¥1
0
Total ......................
573,872
535,863
¥38,009
¥7
483,588
¥90,284
¥16
The final 2017 and 2018 TAC
recommendations for the GOA are
within the OY range established for the
GOA and do not exceed the ABC for any
species or species group. Tables 1 and
2 list the final OFL, ABC, and TAC
amounts for GOA groundfish for 2017
and 2018, respectively.
TABLE 1—FINAL 2017 OFLS, ABCS, AND TACS OF GROUNDFISH FOR THE WESTERN/CENTRAL/WEST YAKUTAT, WESTERN, CENTRAL, 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
Species
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2
Pollock 2
ABC
TAC
cod 3
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Shumagin (610) .....................
Chirikof (620) .........................
Kodiak (630) ..........................
WYK (640) .............................
W/C/WYK (subtotal) 2 .............
SEO (650) ..............................
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
235,807
13,226
43,602
98,652
48,929
7,492
203,769
9,920
43,602
98,652
48,929
7,492
198,675
9,920
Total ................................
Pacific
...................................................................................
OFL
249,033
213,689
208,595
W ............................................
C ............................................
n/a
n/a
36,291
44,180
25,404
33,135
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 37 / Monday, February 27, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 1—FINAL 2017 OFLS, ABCS, AND TACS OF GROUNDFISH FOR THE WESTERN/CENTRAL/WEST YAKUTAT, WESTERN, CENTRAL, 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
ABC
TAC
E .............................................
n/a
7,871
5,903
Total ................................
Shortraker rockfish 9 ................................................................
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2
Dusky
rockfish 10
.....................................................................
Rougheye and Blackspotted
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..................................
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20,921
19,306
3,188
1,099
13,250
19,306
3,188
1,099
54,583
44,514
36,843
W ............................................
C ............................................
WYK .......................................
SEO .......................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
256
3,454
3,017
2,565
256
3,454
3,017
2,565
11,182
9,292
9,292
W ............................................
C ............................................
WYK .......................................
SEO .......................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
1,459
4,930
850
1,072
1,459
4,930
850
1,072
10,860
8,311
8,311
W ............................................
C ............................................
WYK .......................................
SEO .......................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
........................
28,100
107,934
37,405
12,654
14,500
75,000
6,900
6,900
219,327
186,093
103,300
W ............................................
C ............................................
WYK .......................................
SEO .......................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
11,098
20,339
2,949
857
8,650
15,400
2,949
857
43,128
35,243
27,856
W ............................................
C ............................................
WYK .......................................
W/C/WYK subtotal .................
SEO .......................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
25,753
2,073
2,679
16,671
2,786
22,136
1,782
2,679
16,671
2,786
22,136
1,782
27,826
23,918
23,918
W ............................................
C ............................................
E .............................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
432
3,354
4
432
3,354
4,522
3,790
3,786
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
158
3,786
251
83
158
3,786
251
83
Total ................................
...................................................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Total ................................
Northern
rockfish 8
...............................................................
W ............................................
C ............................................
WYK .......................................
SEO .......................................
Total ................................
Pacific ocean
perch 7
10,074
Total ................................
Flathead sole ...........................................................................
10,074
Total ................................
Arrowtooth flounder .................................................................
11,885
Total ................................
Rex sole ..................................................................................
1,349
4,514
1,605
2,606
4,211
Total ................................
................................................................
64,442
1,349
4,514
1,605
2,606
4,211
Total ................................
Deep-water
flatfish 6
............................................................
88,342
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Total ................................
Shallow-water
flatfish 5
105,378
W ............................................
C ............................................
WYK .......................................
SEO .......................................
E (WYK and SEO) (subtotal)
Total ................................
Sablefish 4 ................................................................................
5,233
4,278
4,278
W ............................................
C ............................................
E .............................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
105
706
516
105
706
516
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12037
TABLE 1—FINAL 2017 OFLS, ABCS, AND TACS OF GROUNDFISH FOR THE WESTERN/CENTRAL/WEST YAKUTAT, WESTERN, CENTRAL, 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
ABC
TAC
Total ................................
1,594
1,327
1,327
Demersal shelf rockfish 12 .......................................................
SEO .......................................
357
227
227
Thornyhead rockfish ................................................................
W ............................................
C ............................................
E .............................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
291
988
682
291
988
682
Total ................................
2,615
1,961
1,961
W and C .................................
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
3,000
Big skate 15 ..............................................................................
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
1,516
6,504
1,919
5,591
4,514
1,137
4,878
1,919
5,591
4,514
1,137
4,878
................................................
796,158
667,877
535,863
Other
rockfish 13 14
Longnose
skate 16
...................................................................
...................................................................
Other skates 17 ........................................................................
Sculpins ...................................................................................
Sharks .....................................................................................
Squids ......................................................................................
Octopus ...................................................................................
Total .................................................................................
GW
GW
GW
GW
GW
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2
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 total for the W/C/WYK Regulatory Areas pollock ABC is 203,769 mt. After deducting 2.5 percent (5,094 mt) of that ABC for the State’s
pollock GHL fishery, the remaining pollock ABC of 198,675 mt (for the W/C/WYK Regulatory Areas) is apportioned among four statistical areas
(Areas 610, 620, 630, and 640). These apportionments are considered subarea ACLs, rather than ABCs, for specification and reapportionment
purposes. The ACLs in Areas 610, 620, and 630 are further divided by season, as detailed in Table 3. In the West Yakutat (Area 640) and
Southeast Outside (Area 650) Districts of the Eastern Regulatory Area, pollock is not divided into seasonal allowances.
3 The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned 60 percent to the A season and 40 percent to the B season in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA. Pacific cod in the Eastern Regulatory Area is allocated 90 percent for processing by the inshore component and 10
percent for processing by the offshore component. Table 5 lists the final 2017 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments.
4 Sablefish is allocated to trawl and hook-and-line gear in 2017. Table 7 lists the final 2017 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 deepsea sole.
7 ‘‘Pacific ocean perch’’ means Sebastes alutus.
8 ‘‘Northern rockfish’’ means Sebastes polyspinis. For management purposes the 4 mt apportionment of ABC to the WYK District of the Eastern Gulf of Alaska has been included in the ‘‘other 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 ‘‘Other 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 (silvergrey), 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. polyspinis.
14 ‘‘Other rockfish’’ in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat District means other rockfish and demersal shelf
rockfish. The ‘‘other rockfish’’ species group in the SEO District only includes other rockfish.
15 ‘‘Big skate’’ means Raja binoculata.
16 ‘‘Longnose skate’’ means Raja rhina.
17 ‘‘Other skates’’ means Bathyraja spp.
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 37 / Monday, February 27, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 2—FINAL 2018 OFLS, ABCS, AND TACS OF GROUNDFISH FOR THE WESTERN/CENTRAL/WEST YAKUTAT, WESTERN, CENTRAL, 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
Species
Pollock 2
...................................................................................
OFL
ABC
TAC
Shumagin (610) .....................
Chirikof (620) .........................
Kodiak (630) ..........................
WYK (640) .............................
W/C/WYK (subtotal) 2 .............
SEO (650) ..............................
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
182,204
13,226
33,701
76,249
37,818
5,791
157,496
9,920
33,701
76,249
37,818
5,791
153,559
9,920
Total ................................
195,430
167,416
163,479
W ............................................
C ............................................
E .............................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
32,565
39,644
7,063
22,795
29,733
5,297
Total ................................
94,188
79,272
57,825
................................................................................
W ............................................
C ............................................
WYK .......................................
SEO .......................................
E (WYK and SEO) (subtotal)
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
1,367
4,574
1,626
2,640
4,266
1,367
4,574
1,626
2,640
4,266
Total ................................
12,045
10,207
10,207
Shallow-water flatfish 5 ............................................................
W ............................................
C ............................................
WYK .......................................
SEO .......................................
Total ................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
54,893
21,042
19,418
3,206
1,105
44,771
13,250
19,418
3,206
1,105
36,979
Deep-water flatfish 6 ................................................................
W ............................................
C ............................................
WYK .......................................
SEO .......................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
257
3,488
3,047
2,590
257
3,488
3,047
2,590
Total ................................
11,290
9,382
9,382
Rex sole ..................................................................................
W ............................................
C ............................................
WYK .......................................
SEO .......................................
Total ................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
11,004
1,478
4,995
861
1,087
8,421
1,478
4,995
861
1,087
8,421
Arrowtooth flounder .................................................................
W ............................................
C ............................................
WYK .......................................
SEO .......................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
25,747
98,895
34,273
11,595
14,500
75,000
6,900
6,900
Total ................................
196,635
170,510
103,300
W ............................................
C ............................................
WYK .......................................
SEO .......................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
11,282
20,677
2,998
872
8,650
15,400
2,998
872
Total ................................
43,872
35,829
27,920
W ............................................
C ............................................
WYK .......................................
W/C/WYK ...............................
SEO .......................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
25,252
2,032
2,627
16,347
2,733
21,707
1,747
2,627
16,347
2,733
21,707
1,747
Total ................................
27,284
23,454
23,454
W ............................................
C ............................................
E .............................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
400
3,108
4
400
3,108
........................
Total ................................
4,175
3,512
3,508
W ............................................
C ............................................
E .............................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
38
301
947
38
301
947
Total ................................
1,715
1,286
1,286
W ............................................
C ............................................
n/a
n/a
146
3,499
146
3,499
Pacific cod 3 .............................................................................
Sablefish 4
Flathead sole ...........................................................................
Pacific ocean
perch 7
...............................................................
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2
Northern rockfish 8 ...................................................................
Shortraker
Dusky
rockfish 9
rockfish 10
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 37 / Monday, February 27, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
12039
TABLE 2—FINAL 2018 OFLS, ABCS, AND TACS OF GROUNDFISH FOR THE WESTERN/CENTRAL/WEST YAKUTAT, WESTERN, CENTRAL, 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
ABC
TAC
WYK .......................................
SEO .......................................
n/a
n/a
232
77
232
77
Total ................................
4,837
3,954
3,954
W ............................................
C ............................................
E .............................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
104
702
512
104
702
512
Total ................................
1,583
1,318
1,318
SEO .......................................
W ............................................
C ............................................
E .............................................
357
n/a
n/a
n/a
227
291
988
682
227
291
988
682
Total ................................
2,615
1,961
1,961
...................................................................
W and C .................................
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 ..........................................................................
Big skate 15 ..............................................................................
GW .........................................
W ............................................
C ............................................
E .............................................
6,200
n/a
n/a
n/a
4,700
908
1,850
1,056
3,000
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
1,516
6,504
1,919
5,591
4,514
1,137
4,878
1,919
5,591
4,514
1,137
4,878
................................................
708,843
597,052
483,588
Rougheye and Blackspotted
rockfish 11
..................................
rockfish 12
Demersal shelf
.......................................................
Thornyhead rockfish ................................................................
Other
rockfish 13 14
Longnose skate 16 ...................................................................
Other skates 17 ........................................................................
Sculpins
Sharks
Squids
Octopus
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2
Total .................................................................................
GW
GW
GW
GW
GW
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 total for the W/C/WYK Regulatory Areas pollock ABC is 157,496 mt. After deducting 2.5 percent (3,937 mt) of that ABC for the State’s
pollock GHL fishery, the remaining pollock ABC of 153,559 mt (for the W/C/WYK Regulatory Areas) is apportioned among four statistical areas
(Areas 610, 620, 630, and 640). These apportionments are considered subarea ACLs, rather than ABCs, for specification and reapportionment
purposes. The ACLs in Areas 610, 620, and 630 are further divided by season, as detailed in Table 3. In the West Yakutat (Area 640) and
Southeast Outside (Area 650) Districts of the Eastern Regulatory Area, pollock is not divided into seasonal allowances.
3 The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned 60 percent to the A season and 40 percent to the B season in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA. Pacific cod in the Eastern Regulatory Area is allocated 90 percent for processing by the inshore component and 10
percent for processing by the offshore component. Table 6 lists the final 2017 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments.
4 Sablefish is only allocated to trawl gear for 2018. Table 8 lists the final 2018 allocation of sablefish TACs to trawl gear.
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 deepsea sole.
7 ‘‘Pacific ocean perch’’ means Sebastes alutus.
8 ‘‘Northern rockfish’’ means Sebastes polyspinis. For management purposes the 4 mt apportionment of ABC to the WYK District of the Eastern Gulf of Alaska has been included in the ‘‘other 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 ‘‘Other 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 (silvergrey), 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. polyspinis.
14 ‘‘Other rockfish’’ in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat District means other rockfish and demersal shelf
rockfish. The ‘‘other rockfish’’ species group in the SEO District only includes other rockfish.
15 ‘‘Big skate’’ means Raja binoculata.
16 ‘‘Longnose skate’’ means Raja rhina.
17 ‘‘Other skates’’ means Bathyraja spp.
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 37 / Monday, February 27, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
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 reserve
for possible apportionment at a later
date during the fishing year. For 2017
and 2018, NMFS proposed
reapportionment of all the reserves in
the proposed 2017 and 2018 harvest
specifications published in the Federal
Register on December 6, 2016 (81 FR
87881). NMFS did not receive any
public comments on the proposed
reapportionments. For the final 2017
and 2018 harvest specifications, NMFS
reapportioned, as proposed, all the
reserves for pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish,
sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopuses
back into the original TAC limit from
which the reserve was derived. This was
done because NMFS expects, 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 listed in Tables 1 and
2 reflect reapportionments of reserve
amounts to the original TAC limit 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.
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 to March 10,
March 10 to May 31, August 25 to
October 1, and October 1 to 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 were in
proportion to the distribution of pollock
biomass based on the four most recent
NMFS winter surveys. In the C and D
seasons, the apportionments were in
proportion to the distribution of pollock
biomass based on the four most recent
NMFS summer surveys. For 2017 and
2018, the Council recommended, and
NMFS approved, following the
apportionment methodology, which was
used previously 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 2017 and
2018 fishing years. For the A season, the
apportionment is based on an adjusted
estimate of the relative distribution of
pollock biomass of approximately 5
percent, 72 percent, and 23 percent in
Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630,
respectively. For the B season, the
apportionment is based on the relative
distribution of pollock biomass at 5
percent, 82 percent, and 13 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
at 41 percent, 26 percent, and 33
percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620,
and 630, respectively. The pollock
chapter of the 2016 SAFE report (see
ADDRESSES) contains a comprehensive
description of the apportionment
process and reasons for the minor
changes from past apportionments.
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 for the
Western and Central Regulatory Areas
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
subsequent 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 and in
an amount no more than 20 percent of
the seasonal TAC apportionment for the
statistical area (§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)).
The pollock TACs in the WYK and SEO
District of 7,492 mt and 9,920 mt,
respectively, in 2017, and 5,791 mt and
9,920 mt, respectively, in 2018, are not
allocated by season.
Section 679.20(a)(6)(i) requires the
allocation of 100 percent of the pollock
TAC in all regulatory areas and all
seasonal allowances to vessels catching
pollock for processing by the inshore
component after subtraction of 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 by
§ 679.20(e) and (f). At this time, these
incidental catch amounts of pollock are
unknown and will be determined
during the fishing year during the
course of fishing activities by the
offshore component.
Tables 3 and 4 list the final 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 3—FINAL 2017 DISTRIBUTION OF POLLOCK IN THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL REGULATORY AREAS OF THE GOA;
SEASONAL BIOMASS DISTRIBUTION, AREA APPORTIONMENTS; AND SEASONAL ALLOWANCES OF ANNUAL TAC
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages are rounded to the nearest 0.01]
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2
Season 1
A (Jan 20–Mar 10) .......
B (Mar 10–May 31) ......
C (Aug 25–Oct 1) .........
D (Oct 1–Nov 1) ...........
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Shumagin (area 610)
2,232
2,232
19,569
19,569
Jkt 241001
Chirikof (area 620)
4.67%
4.67%
40.94%
40.94%
PO 00000
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34,549
39,420
12,341
12,341
Fmt 4701
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72.29%
82.48%
25.82%
25.82%
Kodiak (area 630)
11,014
6,143
15,886
15,886
E:\FR\FM\27FER2.SGM
27FER2
23.04%
12.85%
33.24%
33.24%
Total 2
47,796
47,796
47,796
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 37 / Monday, February 27, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
12041
TABLE 3—FINAL 2017 DISTRIBUTION OF POLLOCK IN THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL REGULATORY AREAS OF THE GOA;
SEASONAL BIOMASS DISTRIBUTION, AREA APPORTIONMENTS; AND SEASONAL ALLOWANCES OF ANNUAL TAC—Continued
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages are rounded to the nearest 0.01]
Annual Total ..........
43,602
........................
98,652
........................
48,929
........................
191,183
1 As
established by § 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season allowances are available from January 20 to March 10, March 10
to May 31, August 25 to October 1, and October 1 to November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and offshore components are not shown in this table.
2 The WYK and SEO District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock TACs shown in this table.
TABLE 4—FINAL 2018 DISTRIBUTION OF POLLOCK IN THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL REGULATORY AREAS OF THE GOA;
SEASONAL BIOMASS DISTRIBUTION, AREA APPORTIONMENTS; AND SEASONAL ALLOWANCES OF ANNUAL TAC
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages are rounded to the nearest 0.01]
Season 1
Shumagin (area 610)
Chirikof (area 620)
Kodiak (area 630)
Total 2
A (Jan 20–Mar 10) .......
B (Mar 10–May 31) ......
C (Aug 25–Oct 1) .........
D (Oct 1–Nov 1) ...........
1,725
1,725
15,125
15,125
4.67%
4.67%
40.94%
40.94%
26,704
30,469
9,538
9,538
72.29%
82.48%
25.82%
25.82%
8,513
4,748
12,278
12,278
23.04%
12.85%
33.24%
33.24%
36,942
36,942
36,942
36,942
Annual Total ..........
33,701
........................
76,249
........................
37,818
........................
147,768
1 As
established by § 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season allowances are available from January 20 to March 10, March 10
to May 31, August 25 to October 1, and October 1 to November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and offshore components are not shown in this table.
2 The WYK and SEO District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock TACs shown in this table.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2
Annual and Seasonal Apportionments
of Pacific Cod TAC
Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(12)(i), NMFS
allocates the Pacific cod TACs in the
Western and Central Regulatory Areas of
the GOA among gear and operational
sectors. NMFS also allocates the 2017
and 2018 Pacific cod TACs annually
between the inshore (90 percent) and
offshore (10 percent) 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
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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 NMFS
determines is likely to go unharvested
by a sector may be reapportioned to
other sectors for harvest during the
remainder of the fishery year in
accordance with § 679.20(a)(12)(ii).
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 (FFP) 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 2016
harvest performance of the jig sector in
the Western and Central GOA, and is
establishing the 2017 and 2018 Pacific
cod apportionments to this sector as
follows.
NMFS allocates the jig sector 2.5
percent of the annual Pacific cod TAC
in the Western GOA. This is a decrease
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from the 2016 jig sector allocation
because in both 2015 and 2016 this
sector harvested less than its initial
annual allocation. The 2017 and 2018
allocations include a base allocation of
1.5 percent, and an additional 1.0
percent because this sector harvested
greater than 90 percent of its initial 2014
annual allocation. Since 2012, the jig
sector in the Western GOA has received
two separate increases to its annual
allocation, for a total of 3.5 percent. This
percentage is decreased by 1 percent for
2017 and 2018 due to the jig sector’s
2016 harvest performance, in which 5
percent of the Western GOA jig
allocation was harvested. Annual jig
sector allocation increases or decreases
occur in 1 percent increments; so if the
Western GOA jig sector catches less
than 90 percent of its 2017 annual
allocation, it will be subject to another
1 percent decrease in 2018.
NMFS allocates the jig sector 1.0
percent of the annual Pacific cod TAC
in the Central GOA. This is the same
percent as the 2016 jig sector allocation
because in 2016 this sector harvested
less than 90 percent of the initial 2016
allocation. The 2017 and 2018
allocations consist of a base allocation
of 1.0 percent, and no additional
performance increase in the Central
GOA. Tables 5 and 6 list the seasonal
apportionments and allocations of the
2017 and 2018 Pacific cod TACs.
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 37 / Monday, February 27, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 5—FINAL 2017 SEASONAL APPORTIONMENTS AND ALLOCATION OF PACIFIC COD TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH
AMOUNTS IN THE GOA; ALLOCATIONS FOR THE WESTERN GOA AND CENTRAL GOA SECTORS AND THE EASTERN
GOA INSHORE AND OFFSHORE PROCESSING COMPONENTS
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages to the nearest 0.01. Seasonal allowances may not total precisely to annual
allocation amount]
A season
Annual
allocation
(mt)
Regulatory area and sector
Western GOA:
Jig (2.5% of TAC) .........................................................
Hook-and-line CV .........................................................
Hook-and-line C/P ........................................................
Trawl CV .......................................................................
Trawl C/P ......................................................................
All Pot CV and Pot C/P ................................................
Sector
percentage of
annual non-jig
TAC
B season
Seasonal
allowances
(mt)
Sector
percentage of
annual non-jig
TAC
Seasonal
allowances
(mt)
635
347
4,904
9,511
594
9,412
N/A
0.70
10.90
27.70
0.90
19.80
381
173
2,700
6,861
223
4,904
N/A
0.70
8.90
10.70
1.50
18.20
254
173
2,204
2,650
372
4,508
Total .......................................................................
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 ......................................................................
All Pot CV and Pot C/P ................................................
25,404
60.00
15,242
40.00
10,161
331
4,790
2,200
1,674
13,641
1,377
9,121
N/A
9.32
5.61
4.11
21.14
2.00
17.83
199
3,056
1,840
1,347
6,933
657
5,849
N/A
5.29
1.10
1.00
20.45
2.19
9.97
133
1,734
360
327
6,708
720
3,272
Total .......................................................................
33,135
60.00
19,881
40.00
13,254
Eastern GOA ........................................................................
........................
5,903
Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
5,313
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
590
1 Trawl vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 1,262 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 12).
TABLE 6—FINAL 2018 SEASONAL APPORTIONMENTS AND ALLOCATION OF PACIFIC COD TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH
AMOUNTS IN THE GOA; ALLOCATIONS FOR THE WESTERN GOA AND CENTRAL GOA SECTORS AND THE EASTERN
GOA INSHORE AND OFFSHORE PROCESSING COMPONENTS
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages to the nearest 0.01. Seasonal allowances may not total precisely to annual
allocation amount]
A season
Annual
allocation
(mt)
Regulatory area and sector
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2
Western GOA:
Jig (2.5% of TAC) .........................................................
Hook-and-line CV .........................................................
Hook-and-line C/P ........................................................
Trawl CV .......................................................................
Trawl C/P ......................................................................
All Pot CV and Pot C/P ................................................
Sector
percentage of
annual non-jig
TAC
B season
Seasonal
allowances
(mt)
Sector
percentage of
annual non-jig
TAC
Seasonal
allowances
(mt)
570
311
4,400
8,534
533
8,445
N/A
0.70
10.90
27.70
0.90
19.80
342
156
2,422
6,156
200
4,400
N/A
0.70
8.90
10.70
1.50
18.20
228
156
1,978
2,378
333
4,045
Total .......................................................................
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 ......................................................................
All Pot CV and Pot C/P ................................................
22,795
60.00
13,677
40.00
9,118
297
4,298
1,974
1,502
12,241
1,236
8,185
N/A
9.32
5.61
4.11
21.14
2.00
17.83
178
2,742
1,651
1,209
6,221
590
5,248
N/A
5.29
1.10
1.00
20.45
2.19
9.97
119
1,556
323
294
6,019
646
2,936
Total .......................................................................
29,733
60.00
17,840
40.00
11,893
Eastern GOA ........................................................................
........................
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Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
12043
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 37 / Monday, February 27, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 6—FINAL 2018 SEASONAL APPORTIONMENTS AND ALLOCATION OF PACIFIC COD TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH
AMOUNTS IN THE GOA; ALLOCATIONS FOR THE WESTERN GOA AND CENTRAL GOA SECTORS AND THE EASTERN
GOA INSHORE AND OFFSHORE PROCESSING COMPONENTS—Continued
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages to the nearest 0.01. Seasonal allowances may not total precisely to annual
allocation amount]
A season
Annual
allocation
(mt)
Regulatory area and sector
Sector
percentage of
annual non-jig
TAC
5,297
B season
Seasonal
allowances
(mt)
Sector
percentage of
annual non-jig
TAC
4,768
Seasonal
allowances
(mt)
530
1 Trawl
vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 1,133 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 13).
Allocations of the Sablefish TACs
Amounts to Vessels Using Hook-andLine and Trawl Gear
Section 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, which is
comprised of the WYK and SEO
Districts, 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
Regulatory Area may only be used to
support incidental catch of sablefish in
directed trawl 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 approves the
allocation of 5 percent of the 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 allocates 100 percent of the
sablefish TAC in the SEO District to
vessels using hook-and-line gear. This
action results in a 2017 allocation of 211
mt to trawl gear and 1,394 mt to hookand-line gear in the WYK District, a
2017 allocation of 2,606 mt to hook-andline gear in the SEO District, and a 2018
allocation of 213 mt to trawl gear in the
WYK District. Table 7 lists the
allocations of the 2017 sablefish TACs
to hook-and-line and trawl gear. Table 8
lists the allocations of the 2018 sablefish
TACs to trawl gear.
The Council recommended that a
trawl sablefish TAC be established for
two 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.
Both the 2017 and 2018 trawl
allocations are specified in these final
harvest specifications, in Tables 7 and 8,
respectively.
The Council also recommended that
the hook-and-line sablefish TAC be
established annually to ensure that this
IFQ fishery is conducted concurrently
with the halibut IFQ fishery and is
based on recent sablefish survey
information. Since there is an annual
assessment for sablefish and since the
final harvest specifications are expected
to be published before the IFQ season
begins on March 11, 2017, the Council
recommended that the hook-and-line
sablefish TAC be set on an annual basis,
rather than for two years, so that the
best scientific information available
could be considered in establishing the
sablefish ABCs and TACs. Accordingly,
while the 2017 hook-and-line
allocations are specified in Table 7, the
2018 hook-and-line allocations will be
specified in the 2018 and 2019 harvest
specifications.
With the exception of the trawl
allocations that were provided to the
Central GOA Rockfish Program
(Rockfish Program) cooperatives (see
Table 28c to 50 CFR 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.
TABLE 7—FINAL 2017 SABLEFISH TAC SPECIFICATIONS IN THE GOA AND ALLOCATIONS TO
HOOK-AND-LINE AND TRAWL GEAR
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Area/district
TAC
Hook-and-line allocation
Trawl allocation
1,349
4,514
1,605
2,606
1,079
3,611
1,394
2,606
270
903
211
0
Total ......................................................................................
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2
Western ........................................................................................
Central .........................................................................................
West Yakutat1 ..............................................................................
Southeast Outside .......................................................................
10,074
8,691
1,383
1 The
trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat and Southeast Outside combined) sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.
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12044
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 37 / Monday, February 27, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 8—FINAL 2018 SABLEFISH TAC SPECIFICATIONS IN THE GOA AND ALLOCATION TO TRAWL GEAR1
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Area/district
TAC
Hook-and-line allocation
Trawl allocation
Western ........................................................................................
Central .........................................................................................
West Yakutat 2 .............................................................................
Southeast Outside .......................................................................
1,367
4,574
1,626
2,640
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
273
915
213
0
Total ......................................................................................
10,207
n/a
1,402
1 The
Council recommended that 2018 harvest specifications for the hook-and-line gear sablefish Individual Fishing Quota fisheries be specified in the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications.
2 The trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat and Southeast Outside combined) sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.
Demersal Shelf Rockfish (DSR)
The recommended 2017 and 2018
DSR TAC is 227 mt, and management of
DSR is delegated to the State. The
Alaska Board of Fisheries has
apportioned the annual SEO District
DSR TACs between the commercial
fishery (84 percent) and the sport
fishery (16 percent) after deductions
were made for anticipated subsistence
harvests (7 mt). This results in 2017 and
2018 allocations of 185 mt to the
commercial fishery and 35 mt to the
sport fishery.
The State deducts estimates of
incidental catch of DSR in the
commercial halibut fishery and preseason ‘‘test fishery’’ DSR mortality
from the DSR commercial fishery
allocation. In 2016, this resulted in 29
mt being available for the directed
commercial DSR fishery apportioned in
one DSR district. The State estimated
that there was not sufficient DSR TAC
available to have orderly fisheries in the
three other DSR districts. DSR harvest in
the halibut fishery is linked to the
annual halibut catch limits; therefore,
the State can only estimate potential
DSR incidental catch because halibut
catch limits are established by the
International Pacific Halibut
Commission (IPHC). Federally
permitted CVs using hook-and-line or
jig gear fishing for groundfish and
Pacific halibut in the SEO District of the
GOA are required to retain all DSR
(§ 679.20(j)).
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2
Apportionments to the Rockfish
Program
These final 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. Longline gear
includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and
handline 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
(§ 679.81(a)(2)). Participants in the
Rockfish Program also receive a portion
of the Central GOA TAC of specific
secondary species. In addition to
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) and Table 28d to 50 CFR
part 679). Rockfish Program sideboards
and halibut PSC limits are discussed
below.
Also, the Rockfish Program
establishes sideboard limits to restrict
the ability of harvesters operating 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) and Table 28e
to 50 CFR part 679 requires allocations
of 5 mt of Pacific ocean perch, 5 mt of
northern rockfish, and 50 mt of dusky
rockfish to the entry level longline
fishery in 2017 and 2018. The allocation
for the entry level longline fishery may
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 percent of the TAC for that
species. In 2016, the dusky rockfish
catch exceeded 90 percent of that
species’ allocation. Therefore, NMFS is
increasing the entry level longline
fishery 2017 and 2018 allocations of
dusky rockfish to 50 mt in the Central
GOA. The catch of the other two
species, Pacific ocean perch and
northern rockfish, did not attain the 90
percent threshold, and those allocations
remain at 5 mt each. The remainder of
the TACs for the rockfish primary
species would be allocated to the CV
and C/P cooperatives. Table 9 lists the
allocations of the 2017 and 2018 TACs
for each rockfish primary species to the
entry level longline fishery, the
incremental increase for future years,
and the maximum percent of the TAC
for the entry level longline fishery.
TABLE 9—FINAL 2017 AND INITIAL 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% of
2017 allocation is harvested
Pacific ocean perch ................
Northern rockfish ....................
5 metric tons ..........................
5 metric tons ..........................
5 metric tons ...........................................................................
5 metric tons ...........................................................................
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Up to maximum
% of TAC
1
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12045
TABLE 9—FINAL 2017 AND INITIAL 2018 ALLOCATIONS OF ROCKFISH PRIMARY SPECIES TO THE ENTRY LEVEL LONGLINE
FISHERY IN THE CENTRAL GULF OF ALASKA—Continued
Rockfish primary species
2017 and 2018 allocations
Incremental increase in 2018 if > 90% of
2017 allocation is harvested
Dusky rockfish ........................
50 metric tons ........................
20 metric tons .........................................................................
Section 679.81(a)(2) requires
allocations of the rockfish primary
species among various sectors of the
Rockfish Program. Tables 10 and 11 list
the final 2017 and 2018 allocations of
rockfish primary species in the Central
GOA to the entry level longline fishery,
and CV and C/P cooperatives in the
Rockfish Program. NMFS also is setting
aside incidental catch amounts (ICAs)
for other directed fisheries in the
Central GOA of 2,000 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 final harvest
specifications. Rockfish Program
applications for CV cooperatives and C/
Up to maximum
% of TAC
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 final harvest specifications.
NMFS will post these allocations on the
Alaska Region Web site at https://alaska
fisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/central-goarockfish-program when they become
available after March 1.
TABLE 10—FINAL 2017 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
TAC
TAC minus
ICA
Allocation to
the entry level
longline 1
fishery
Allocation to
the rockfish
cooperatives 2
Pacific ocean perch .............................................................
Northern rockfish ..................................................................
Dusky rockfish ......................................................................
16,671
3,354
3,786
2,000
300
250
14,671
3,054
3,536
5
5
50
14,666
3,049
3,486
Total ..............................................................................
23,811
2,550
21,261
60
21,201
1 Longline
2 Rockfish
gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear.
cooperatives include vessels in CV and C/P cooperatives.
TABLE 11—FINAL 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
TAC
TAC minus
ICA
Allocation to
the entry level
longline 1
fishery
Allocation to
the Rockfish
cooperatives 2
Pacific ocean perch .............................................................
Northern rockfish ..................................................................
Dusky rockfish ......................................................................
16,347
3,108
3,499
2,000
300
250
14,347
2,808
3,249
5
5
50
14,342
2,803
3,199
Total ..............................................................................
22,954
2,550
20,404
60
20,344
1 Longline
2 Rockfish
gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear.
cooperatives include vessels in CV and C/P cooperatives.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2
Section 679.81(c) and Table 28c to 50
CFR part 679 requires allocations of
rockfish secondary species to CV and
C/P cooperatives in the Central GOA.
CV cooperatives receive allocations of
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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,
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and thornyhead rockfish. Tables 12 and
13 list the apportionments of the 2017
and 2018 TACs of rockfish secondary
species in the Central GOA to CV and
C/P cooperatives.
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TABLE 12—FINAL 2017 APPORTIONMENTS OF ROCKFISH SECONDARY SPECIES IN THE CENTRAL GOA TO CATCHER
VESSEL AND CATCHER/PROCESSOR COOPERATIVES
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Catcher vessel cooperatives
Annual Central
GOA TAC
Rockfish secondary species
Pacific cod ............................................................................
Sablefish ..............................................................................
Shortraker rockfish ...............................................................
Rougheye rockfish ...............................................................
Thornyhead rockfish ............................................................
Catcher/processor
cooperatives
Percentage of
TAC
Apportionment
(mt)
Percentage of
TAC
Apportionment
(mt)
3.81
6.78
0.00
0.00
7.84
1,262
306
........................
........................
77
0.00
3.51
40.00
58.87
26.50
........................
158
120
416
262
33,135
4,514
301
706
988
TABLE 13—FINAL 2018 APPORTIONMENTS OF ROCKFISH SECONDARY SPECIES IN THE CENTRAL GOA TO CATCHER
VESSEL AND CATCHER/PROCESSOR COOPERATIVES
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Catcher vessel cooperatives
Annual Central
GOA TAC
Rockfish secondary species
Pacific cod ............................................................................
Sablefish ..............................................................................
Shortraker rockfish ...............................................................
Rougheye rockfish ...............................................................
Thornyhead rockfish ............................................................
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2
Halibut PSC Limits
Section 679.21(d) establishes the
annual halibut PSC limit
apportionments to trawl and hook-andline gear, and authorizes the
establishment of apportionments for pot
gear. In December 2016, the Council
recommended halibut PSC limits of
1,706 mt for trawl gear, 257 mt for hookand-line gear, and 9 mt for the DSR
fishery in the SEO District for both 2017
and 2018.
The DSR fishery in the SEO District
is defined at § 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
(§ 679.21(d)(2)(i)(A)). 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 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 the following: (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
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Percentage of
TAC
Apportionment
(mt)
Percentage of
TAC
Apportionment
(mt)
3.81
6.78
0.00
0.00
7.84
1,133
310
........................
........................
77
0.00
3.51
40.00
58.87
26.50
........................
161
120
413
262
29,733
4,574
301
702
988
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, exempts pot gear, jig
gear, and the sablefish IFQ hook-andline gear fishery categories from the
non-trawl halibut PSC limit for 2017
and 2018. The Council recommended,
and NMFS approves, these exemptions
because: (1) The 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 catcher vessel
holds unused halibut IFQ
(§ 679.7(f)(11)), (3) some sablefish IFQ
fishermen 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 that
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 December 31,
2016, is 1,336 mt for trawl gear and 241
mt for hook-and-line gear for a total
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cooperatives
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halibut mortality of 1,577 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 the Council and
NMFS to 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. The Council
considered information from the 2016
SAFE report, NMFS catch data, State of
Alaska catch data, IPHC stock
assessment and mortality data, and
public testimony when apportioning the
halibut PSC limits. NMFS concurs with
the Council’s recommendations listed in
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Table 14, which show the final 2017
and 2018 Pacific halibut PSC limits,
allowances, and apportionments.
Section 679.21(d)(4)(iii) and (iv)
specify that any underages or overages
of a seasonal apportionment of a PSC
12047
limit will be added to or deducted from
the next respective seasonal
apportionment within the fishing year.
TABLE 14—FINAL 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
January 20–April 1 .......
27.5
469
January 1–June 10 ......
86
221
April 1–July 1 ................
July 1–September 1 .....
20
30
341
512
2
12
September 1–October 1
October 1–December
31.
7.5
15
128
256
June 10–September 1
September 1–December 31.
......................................
......................................
Total .......................
..................
1,706
......................................
Season
Amount
5
31
January 1–December
31.
......................................
......................................
9
..................
..................
..................
..................
..................
..................
......................................
......................................
..................
..................
..................
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 IFQ fishery is exempt from halibut PSC limits, as are pot and jig gear for all groundfish
fisheries. Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
Section 679.21(d)(3)(ii) authorizes
further apportionment of the trawl
halibut PSC limit to trawl fishery
categories listed in § 679.21(d)(3)(iii).
The annual apportionments are based
on each category’s proportional share of
the anticipated halibut bycatch
mortality during the 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 deepwater 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).
NMFS will combine available trawl
halibut PSC limit apportionments in the
second season deep-water and shallowwater fisheries for use in either fishery
from May 15 through June 30
(§ 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(D). This is intended
to maintain groundfish harvest while
minimizing halibut bycatch by these
sectors to the extent practicable. This
provides the deep-water and shallowwater trawl fisheries additional
flexibility and the incentive to
participate in fisheries at times of the
year that may have lower halibut PSC
rates relative to other times of the year.
Table 15 lists the final 2017 and 2018
apportionments of halibut PSC trawl
limits between the trawl gear deepwater and shallow-water species fishery
categories.
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
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
allocated to Rockfish Program
participants that could be reapportioned to the general GOA trawl
fisheries during the current fishing year
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 15—FINAL 2017 AND 2018 APPORTIONMENT OF PACIFIC HALIBUT PSC TRAWL LIMITS BETWEEN THE TRAWL GEAR
DEEP-WATER SPECIES FISHERY AND THE SHALLOW-WATER SPECIES FISHERY CATEGORIES
[Values are in metric tons]
Season
Shallow-water
Deep-water 1
Total
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2
January 20–April 1 ......................................................................................................................
April 1–July 1 ...............................................................................................................................
July 1–September 1 ....................................................................................................................
September 1–October 1 ..............................................................................................................
384
85
171
128
85 ...................
256 .................
341 .................
Any remainder
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 Central GOA 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 fishery categories during the fifth season (October 1 through
December 31).
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Section 679.21(d)(2)(i)(B) requires that
the ‘‘other hook-and-line fishery’’
halibut PSC limit apportionment to
vessels using hook-and-line gear must
be apportioned between 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 are not
repeated here.
Pursuant to § 679.21(d)(2)(iii), the
hook-and-line halibut PSC limit is
apportioned between the CV and C/P
sectors in proportion to the total
Western and Central GOA Pacific cod
allocations, which vary annually based
on the proportion of the Pacific cod
biomass. Pacific cod is apportioned
among these two management areas
based on the percentage of overall
biomass per area, as calculated in the
2016 Pacific cod stock assessment.
Updated information in the final 2016
SAFE report describes this
distributional calculation, which is
based on allocating ABC among
regulatory areas on the basis of the three
most recent stock surveys. For 2017 and
2018, the distribution of the total GOA
Pacific cod ABC is 41 percent to the
Western GOA, 50 percent to the Central
GOA, and 9 percent to the Eastern GOA.
Therefore, the calculations made in
accordance with § 679.21(d)(2)(iii)
incorporate the most recent information
on GOA Pacific cod distribution with
respect to establishing the annual
halibut PSC limits for the CV and C/P
hook-and-line sectors. The annual
halibut PSC limits are divided into three
seasonal apportionments, using seasonal
percentages of 86 percent, 2 percent,
and 12 percent.
For 2017 and 2018, NMFS apportions
halibut PSC limits of 129 mt and 128 mt
to the hook-and-line CV and hook-andline C/P sectors, respectively. Table 16
lists the final 2017 and 2018
apportionments of halibut PSC limits
between the hook-and-line CV and
hook-and-line C/P sectors.
No later than November 1 of each
year, NMFS will calculate 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 is
necessary for that sector to continue its
directed fishing operations
(§ 679.21(d)(2)(iii)(C)).
TABLE 16—FINAL 2017 AND 2018 APPORTIONMENTS OF THE ‘‘OTHER HOOK-AND-LINE FISHERIES’’ ANNUAL 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
Sector annual
amount
257 ........................
Catcher Vessel .............................
129
Catcher/Processor ........................
Seasonal
percentage
Sector
seasonal
amount
128
Season
The IPHC annually assesses the
abundance and potential yield of the
Pacific halibut stock using all available
data from the commercial and sport
fisheries, other removals, and scientific
surveys. Additional information on the
Pacific halibut stock assessment may be
found in the IPHC’s 2016 Pacific halibut
stock assessment (December 2016),
available on the IPHC Web site at
www.iphc.int. The IPHC considered the
2016 Pacific halibut stock assessment at
its January 2017 annual meeting when
it set the 2017 commercial halibut
fishery catch limits.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2
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
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86
2
12
111
3
15
January 1–June 10 .......................
June 10–September 1 ..................
September 1–December 31 .........
Estimates of Halibut Biomass and Stock
Condition
January 1–June 10 .......................
June 10–September 1 ..................
September 1–December 31 .........
86
2
12
110
3
15
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.
In 2016, the DMR estimation
methodology underwent revisions per
the Council’s directive. An interagency
halibut working group (IPHC, Council,
and NMFS staff) developed improved
estimation methods that have
undergone review by the GOA Plan
Team, SSC, and the Council. A
summary of the revised methodology is
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contained in the GOA proposed 2017
and 2018 harvest specifications (81 FR
87881, December 6, 2016), and the
comprehensive discussion of the
working group’s statistical methodology
is available from the Council (see
ADDRESSES). While the DMR working
group’s revised methodology is
intended to improve estimation
accuracy, as well as transparency and
transferability in the methodology used,
for calculating DMRs, the working group
will continue to consider improvements
to the methodology used to calculate
halibut mortality. Future DMRs,
including the 2018 DMRs, may change
based on an additional year of observer
sampling, which could provide more
recent and accurate data and which
could improve the accuracy of
estimation and progress on
methodology.
At the December 2016 meeting, the
SSC, AP, and Council concurred with
the revised DMR estimation
methodology. The Council
recommended adopting the halibut
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DMRs derived from that process for
2017 and 2018, with no changes except
a minor increase in the rate assigned to
non-pelagic trawl catcher vessels that do
not participate in the Rockfish Program
(a two percent increase) and a decrease
in the rate assigned to non-pelagic trawl
catcher vessels that do participate in the
Rockfish Program (an eighteen percent
decrease). These changes reflect
12049
corrections that were made in
programming code associated with
calculating the DMRs for the trawl gear
categories. Table 17 lists the proposed
2017 and 2018 DMRs.
TABLE 17—FINAL 2017 AND 2018 HALIBUT DISCARD MORTALITY RATES FOR VESSELS FISHING IN THE GULF OF ALASKA
[Values are percent of halibut assumed to be dead]
Gear
Sector
Groundfish fishery
Pelagic trawl ............................
Catcher vessel .........................................................................
Catcher/processor ....................................................................
Catcher vessel .........................................................................
Catcher vessel .........................................................................
Mothership and catcher/processor ...........................................
Catcher/processor ....................................................................
Catcher vessel .........................................................................
Catcher vessel and catcher/processor ....................................
All ............................................
All ............................................
Rockfish Program ...................
All others .................................
All ............................................
All ............................................
All ............................................
All ............................................
Non-pelagic trawl .....................
Hook-and-line ..........................
Pot ...........................................
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2
Chinook Salmon Prohibited Species
Catch Limits
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 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 at § 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
the manager of a shoreside processor or
stationary floating processor has
accurately recorded the number of
salmon by species in the eLandings atsea production report or eLandings
groundfish landing report. If an observer
is present at the processing facility that
takes delivery of the catch, then the
observer 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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
20:25 Feb 24, 2017
Jkt 241001
(§ 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 specified threshold amount in
2016, that sector will receive an
incremental increase to its 2017
Chinook salmon PSC limit
(§ 679.21(h)(4)). In 2016, the trawl C/P
sector did not exceed 3,120 Chinook
salmon PSC; therefore, the 2017 trawl C/
Ps Chinook salmon PSC limit will be
4,080 Chinook salmon. In 2016, the
Non-Rockfish Program CV sector did not
exceed 2,340 Chinook salmon PSC;
therefore, the 2017 Non-Rockfish
Program CV sector limit will be 3,060
Chinook salmon.
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 limits
among the pollock and non-pollock
sectors. NMFS did not exercise this
authority in 2016, as none of the trawl
sectors needed reapportionments.
NMFS may use this authority in 2017
and 2018 for inseason management
actions if a trawl sector needs
reapportionment of unused Chinook
salmon PSC limits.
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
Halibut discard
mortality rate
(percent)
100
100
67
65
85
11
12
10
American Fisheries Act (AFA) Catcher/
Processor and Catcher Vessel
Groundfish Harvest and PSC Limits
Section 679.64 establishes groundfish
harvesting and processing sideboard
limitations 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 and C/Ps designated on a
listed AFA C/P permit from harvesting
any species of groundfish in the GOA.
Additionally, § 679.7(k)(1)(iv) prohibits
listed AFA C/Ps and C/Ps designated on
a listed AFA C/P permit 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 less than 5,100
mt, and have made at least 40 GOA
groundfish landings from 1995 through
1997 are exempt from GOA sideboard
limits under § 679.64(b)(2)(ii).
Sideboard limits for non-exempt AFA
CVs 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
aggregate retained catch of non-exempt
AFA CVs of each sideboard species from
1995 through 1997 divided by the sum
of the TACs for that species or species
group available to CVs over the same
period.
E:\FR\FM\27FER2.SGM
27FER2
12050
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 37 / Monday, February 27, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
Tables 18 and 19 list the final 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 Tables 18 and 19.
TABLE 18—FINAL 2017 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV) GROUNDFISH HARVEST
SIDEBOARD LIMITS
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Species
Apportionments by season/gear
Area/component
Pollock ...........................
A Season—January 20–March 10 ............
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 ...................................
C ...................................
E ...................................
Gulfwide .......................
W ..................................
C ...................................
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 .......................................................
Sablefish .......................
Annual, trawl gear .....................................
Annual .......................................................
Shallow-water flatfish ....
Annual .......................................................
Deep-water flatfish ........
Rex sole ........................
Annual .......................................................
Arrowtooth flounder .......
Annual .......................................................
Flathead sole ................
Annual .......................................................
Pacific ocean perch ......
Annual .......................................................
Northern rockfish ...........
Annual .......................................................
Shortraker rockfish ........
Annual .......................................................
Dusky rockfish ...............
Annual .......................................................
Rougheye rockfish ........
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2
Ratio of 1995–
1997 nonexempt AFA
CV catch to
1995–1997
TAC
Annual .......................................................
Demersal shelf rockfish
Thornyhead rockfish .....
Annual .......................................................
Annual .......................................................
Other rockfish ................
Annual .......................................................
Atka mackerel ...............
Big skates .....................
Annual .......................................................
Annual .......................................................
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E:\FR\FM\27FER2.SGM
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
27FER2
Final 2017
TACs
2,232
34,549
11,014
2,232
39,420
6,143
19,569
12,341
15,886
19,569
12,341
15,886
7,492
9,920
15,242
19,881
10,161
13,254
5,313
590
270
903
211
13,250
19,306
4,287
256
3,454
5,582
1,459
4,930
1,922
14,500
75,000
13,800
8,650
15,400
3,806
2,679
16,671
4,568
432
3,354
38
301
947
158
3,786
334
105
706
516
227
291
988
682
1,534
774
3,000
908
1,850
Final 2017
non-exempt
AFA CV
sideboard limit
1,350
4,032
2,234
1,350
4,600
1,246
11,834
1,440
3,222
11,834
1,440
3,222
2,618
3,467
2,029
1,376
1,352
917
42
5
........................
58
9
207
1,133
54
........................
223
71
1
189
6
30
2,100
3
31
328
3
6
1,247
213
0
93
........................
7
10
0
........................
2
........................
17
6
0
8
28
19
261
........................
93
6
12
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 37 / Monday, February 27, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
12051
TABLE 18—FINAL 2017 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV) GROUNDFISH HARVEST
SIDEBOARD LIMITS—Continued
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Species
Apportionments by season/gear
Longnose skates ...........
Annual .......................................................
Other skates ..................
Sculpins .........................
Sharks ...........................
Squids ...........................
Octopuses .....................
Annual
Annual
Annual
Annual
Annual
1 The
2 The
Area/component
.......................................................
.......................................................
.......................................................
.......................................................
.......................................................
Ratio of 1995–
1997 nonexempt AFA
CV catch to
1995–1997
TAC
E ...................................
W ..................................
C ...................................
E ...................................
Gulfwide .......................
Gulfwide .......................
Gulfwide .......................
Gulfwide .......................
Gulfwide .......................
0.0063
0.0063
0.0063
0.0063
0.0063
0.0063
0.0063
0.0063
0.0063
Final 2017
TACs
1,056
61
2,513
632
1,919
5,591
4,514
1,137
4,878
Final 2017
non-exempt
AFA CV
sideboard limit
7
0
16
4
12
35
28
7
31
Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
TABLE 19—FINAL 2018 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV) GROUNDFISH HARVEST
SIDEBOARD LIMITS
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Species
Apportionments by season/gear
Area/component
Pollock ...........................
A Season—January 20–March 10 ............
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 ...................................
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 .......................................................
Sablefish .......................
Annual, trawl gear .....................................
Shallow-water flatfish ....
Annual .......................................................
Deep-water flatfish ........
Annual .......................................................
Rex sole ........................
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2
Ratio of 1995–
1997 nonexempt AFA
CV catch to
1995–1997
TAC
Annual .......................................................
Arrowtooth flounder .......
Annual .......................................................
Flathead sole ................
Annual .......................................................
Pacific ocean perch ......
Annual .......................................................
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Fmt 4701
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E:\FR\FM\27FER2.SGM
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
27FER2
Final 2018
TACs
1,725
26,704
8,513
1,725
30,469
4,748
15,125
9,538
12,278
15,125
9,538
12,278
5,791
9,920
13,677
17,840
9,118
11,893
4,768
530
273
915
213
13,250
19,418
4,311
257
3,488
5,637
1,478
4,995
1,948
14,500
75,000
13,800
8,650
15,400
3,870
2,627
16,347
4,480
Final 2018
non-exempt
AFA CV
sideboard limit
1,043
3,116
1,726
1,043
3,556
963
9,146
1,113
2,490
9,146
1,113
2,490
2,024
3,467
1,820
1,235
1,214
823
38
4
........................
59
9
207
1,140
54
........................
226
72
1
192
6
30
2,100
3
31
30
3
6
1,223
209
12052
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 37 / Monday, February 27, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 19—FINAL 2018 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV) GROUNDFISH HARVEST
SIDEBOARD LIMITS—Continued
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Species
Apportionments by season/gear
Area/component
Northern rockfish ...........
Annual .......................................................
Shortraker rockfish ........
Annual .......................................................
Dusky rockfish ...............
Annual .......................................................
Rougheye rockfish ........
Annual .......................................................
Demersal shelf rockfish
Thornyhead rockfish .....
Annual .......................................................
Annual .......................................................
Other rockfish ................
Annual .......................................................
Atka mackerel ...............
Big skates .....................
Annual .......................................................
Annual .......................................................
Longnose skates ...........
Annual .......................................................
Other skates ..................
Sculpins .........................
Sharks ...........................
Squids ...........................
Octopuses .....................
Annual
Annual
Annual
Annual
Annual
Ratio of 1995–
1997 nonexempt AFA
CV catch to
1995–1997
TAC
W ..................................
C ...................................
W ..................................
C ...................................
E ...................................
W ..................................
C ...................................
E ...................................
W ..................................
C ...................................
E ...................................
SEO ..............................
W ..................................
C ...................................
E ...................................
W/C ..............................
E ...................................
Gulfwide .......................
W ..................................
C ...................................
E ...................................
W ..................................
C ...................................
E ...................................
Gulfwide .......................
Gulfwide .......................
Gulfwide .......................
Gulfwide .......................
Gulfwide .......................
1 The
2 The
.......................................................
.......................................................
.......................................................
.......................................................
.......................................................
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
0.0063
0.0063
0.0063
0.0063
0.0063
0.0063
Final 2018
TACs
400
3,108
38
301
947
146
3,499
309
104
702
512
227
291
988
682
1,534
774
3,000
908
1,850
1,056
61
2,513
632
1,919
5,591
4,514
1,137
4,878
Final 2018
non-exempt
AFA CV
sideboard limit
0
86
........................
7
10
0
........................
2
........................
17
6
0
8
28
19
261
........................
93
6
12
7
0
16
4
12
35
28
7
31
Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
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)(ii)). Table 20 lists the
final 2017 and 2018 non-exempt AFA
CV halibut PSC limits for vessels using
trawl gear in the GOA, respectively.
TABLE 20—FINAL 2017 AND 2018 NON-EXEMPT AFA CV HALIBUT PROHIBITED SPECIES CATCH (PSC) LIMITS FOR
VESSELS USING TRAWL GEAR IN THE GOA
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
Ratio of 1995–
1997 nonexempt AFA
CV retained
catch to total
retained catch
2017 and
2018
PSC limit
2017 and
2018
non-exempt
AFA CV PSC
limit
Season dates
Target fishery
1 ....................................
January 20–April 1 ....................................
2 ....................................
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2
Season
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
Total .......................
....................................................................
.......................................
........................
1,706
362
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E:\FR\FM\27FER2.SGM
27FER2
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 37 / Monday, February 27, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
Non-AFA Crab Vessel Groundfish
Harvest Limitations
Section 680.22 establishes groundfish
catch 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 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 catch 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 limits is
described in detail in the final rules
implementing the major provisions of
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
12053
(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).
Tables 21 and 22 list the final 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.
TABLE 21—FINAL 2017 GOA NON-AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL GROUNDFISH HARVEST SIDEBOARD LIMITS
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
Species
Season/gear
Area/component/gear
Pollock ...........................
A Season—January 20–March 10 ............
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) ....................
WG Jig .........................
WG Hook-and-line CV
WG Pot CV ..................
WG Pot C/P .................
WG Trawl CV ...............
CG Jig ..........................
CG Hook-and-line CV ..
CG Pot CV ...................
CG Pot C/P ..................
CG Trawl CV ................
WG Jig .........................
WG Hook-and-line CV
WG Pot CV ..................
WG Pot C/P .................
WG Trawl CV ...............
CG Jig ..........................
CG Hook-and-line CV ..
CG Pot CV ...................
CG Pot C/P ..................
CG Trawl CV ................
EG inshore ...................
EG offshore ..................
W ..................................
C ...................................
E ...................................
W ..................................
C ...................................
E ...................................
W ..................................
C ...................................
E ...................................
W ..................................
C ...................................
E ...................................
W ..................................
C ...................................
B Season—March 10–May 31 ..................
C Season—August 25–October 1 .............
D Season—October 1–November 1 .........
Annual .......................................................
Pacific cod .....................
A Season—January 1–June 10 1 ..............
B Season 2 .................................................
Jig Gear: June 10–December 31 ..............
All other gears: ..........................................
September 1–December 31 ......................
Annual .......................................................
Sablefish .......................
Annual, trawl gear .....................................
Shallow-water flatfish ....
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2
Ratio of
1996–2000
non-AFA crab
vessel catch
to 1996–2000
total harvest
Annual .......................................................
Deep-water flatfish ........
Annual .......................................................
Rex sole ........................
Annual .......................................................
Arrowtooth flounder .......
Annual .......................................................
VerDate Sep<11>2014
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Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
E:\FR\FM\27FER2.SGM
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
27FER2
Final 2017
TACs
2,232
34,549
11,014
2,232
39,420
6,143
19,569
12,341
15,886
19,569
12,341
15,886
7,492
9,920
15,242
15,242
15,242
15,242
15,242
19,881
19,881
19,881
19,881
19,881
10,161
10,161
10,161
10,161
10,161
13,254
13,254
13,254
13,254
13,254
5,313
590
270
903
211
13,250
19,306
4,287
256
3,454
5,582
1,459
4,930
1,922
14,500
75,000
Final 2017
non-AFA
crab vessel
sideboard limit
22
107
2
22
122
1
192
38
3
192
38
3
........................
........................
6
1,520
119
11
........................
2
942
270
24
........................
4
1,013
79
7
........................
1
628
180
16
58
........................
........................
........................
........................
78
2
........................
1
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
6
8
12054
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 37 / Monday, February 27, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 21—FINAL 2017 GOA NON-AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL GROUNDFISH HARVEST SIDEBOARD LIMITS—
Continued
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
Species
Season/gear
Flathead sole ................
Annual .......................................................
Pacific ocean perch ......
Annual .......................................................
Northern rockfish ...........
Annual .......................................................
Shortraker rockfish ........
Annual .......................................................
Dusky rockfish ...............
Annual .......................................................
Rougheye rockfish ........
Annual .......................................................
Demersal shelf rockfish
Thornyhead rockfish .....
Annual .......................................................
Annual .......................................................
Other rockfish ................
Annual .......................................................
Atka mackerel ...............
Big skate .......................
Annual .......................................................
Annual .......................................................
Longnose skate .............
Annual .......................................................
Other skates ..................
Sculpins .........................
Sharks ...........................
Squids ...........................
Octopuses .....................
Annual
Annual
Annual
Annual
Annual
1 The
2 The
Area/component/gear
.......................................................
.......................................................
.......................................................
.......................................................
.......................................................
Ratio of
1996–2000
non-AFA crab
vessel catch
to 1996–2000
total harvest
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 ...................................
E ...................................
Gulfwide .......................
Gulfwide .......................
Gulfwide .......................
Gulfwide .......................
Gulfwide .......................
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
0.0033
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
Final 2017
TACs
13,800
8,650
15,400
3,806
2,679
16,671
4,568
432
3,354
38
301
947
158
3,786
334
105
706
516
227
291
988
682
1,534
774
3,000
908
1,850
1,056
61
2,513
632
1,919
5,591
4,514
1,137
4,878
Final 2017
non-AFA
crab vessel
sideboard limit
........................
2
6
........................
........................
........................
........................
0
........................
0
0
1
0
........................
........................
1
3
0
........................
1
7
3
5
........................
........................
36
29
........................
2
40
........................
34
98
79
20
86
Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
TABLE 22—FINAL 2018 GOA NON-AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL GROUNDFISH HARVEST SIDEBOARD LIMITS
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Species
Season/gear
Area/component/gear
Pollock ...........................
A Season—January 20–March 10 ............
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) ....................
WG Jig .........................
WG Hook-and-line CV
B Season—March 10–May 31 ..................
C Season—August 25–October 1 .............
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2
Ratio of
1996–2000
non-AFA crab
vessel catch to
1996–2000
total harvest
D Season—October 1–November 1 .........
Annual .......................................................
Pacific cod .....................
VerDate Sep<11>2014
A Season 1—January 1–June 10 ..............
21:50 Feb 24, 2017
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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
27FER2
Final 2018
TACs
1,725
26,704
8,513
1,725
30,469
4,748
15,125
9,538
12,278
15,125
9,538
12,278
5,791
9,920
13,677
13,677
Final 2018
non-AFA crab
vessel
sideboard limit
17
83
2
17
94
1
148
30
2
148
30
2
........................
........................
........................
5
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 37 / Monday, February 27, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
12055
TABLE 22—FINAL 2018 GOA NON-AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL GROUNDFISH HARVEST SIDEBOARD LIMITS—
Continued
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Species
Season/gear
Area/component/gear
B Season 2—Jig Gear: June 10–December 31; All other gears: September 1–
December 31.
Annual .......................................................
Annual, trawl gear .....................................
Shallow-water flatfish ....
Annual .......................................................
Deep-water flatfish ........
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 .....
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2
Sablefish .......................
Annual .......................................................
Annual .......................................................
Other rockfish ................
Annual .......................................................
Atka mackerel ...............
Big skate .......................
Annual .......................................................
Annual .......................................................
Longnose skate .............
Annual .......................................................
VerDate Sep<11>2014
20:25 Feb 24, 2017
Jkt 241001
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Frm 00025
Ratio of
1996–2000
non-AFA crab
vessel catch to
1996–2000
total harvest
WG Pot CV ..................
WG Pot C/P .................
WG Trawl CV ...............
CG Jig ..........................
CG Hook-and-line CV ..
CG Pot CV ...................
CG Pot C/P ..................
CG Trawl CV ................
WG Jig .........................
WG Hook-and-line CV
WG Pot CV ..................
WG Pot C/P .................
WG Trawl CV ...............
CG Jig ..........................
CG Hook-and-line CV ..
CG Pot CV ...................
CG Pot C/P ..................
CG 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/C ..............................
E ...................................
Gulfwide .......................
W ..................................
C ...................................
E ...................................
W ..................................
C ...................................
E ...................................
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
E:\FR\FM\27FER2.SGM
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
0.0033
0.0000
0.0000
0.0392
0.0159
0.0000
0.0392
0.0159
0.0000
27FER2
Final 2018
TACs
13,677
13,677
13,677
17,840
17,840
17,840
17,840
17,840
9,118
9,118
9,118
9,118
9,118
11,893
11,893
11,893
11,893
11,893
4,768
530
273
915
213
13,250
19,418
4,311
257
3,488
5,637
1,478
4,995
1,948
14,500
75,000
13,800
8,650
15,400
3,870
2,627
16,347
4,480
400
3,108
38
301
947
146
3,499
309
104
702
512
227
291
988
682
1,534
774
3,000
908
1,850
1,056
61
2,513
632
Final 2018
non-AFA crab
vessel
sideboard limit
1,364
107
10
........................
2
846
243
21
........................
4
909
71
6
........................
1
564
162
14
52
........................
........................
........................
........................
78
2
........................
1
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
6
8
........................
2
6
........................
........................
........................
........................
0
........................
0
0
1
0
........................
........................
1
3
0
........................
1
7
3
5
........................
........................
36
29
........................
2
40
........................
12056
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 37 / Monday, February 27, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 22—FINAL 2018 GOA NON-AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL GROUNDFISH HARVEST SIDEBOARD LIMITS—
Continued
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Species
Season/gear
Other skates ..................
Sculpins .........................
Sharks ...........................
Squids ...........................
Octopuses .....................
1 The
2 The
Annual
Annual
Annual
Annual
Annual
Area/component/gear
.......................................................
.......................................................
.......................................................
.......................................................
.......................................................
Gulfwide
Gulfwide
Gulfwide
Gulfwide
Gulfwide
Ratio of
1996–2000
non-AFA crab
vessel catch to
1996–2000
total harvest
.......................
.......................
.......................
.......................
.......................
0.0176
0.0176
0.0176
0.0176
0.0176
Final 2018
TACs
Final 2018
non-AFA crab
vessel
sideboard limit
1,919
5,591
4,514
1,137
4,878
34
98
79
20
86
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, Pacific ocean
perch, and northern rockfish in the West
Yakutat District and Western GOA 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)(3)–
(4)).
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 dusky rockfish,
Pacific ocean perch, and northern
rockfish in the West Yakutat District
and Western GOA from July 1 through
July 31 (§ 679.82(e)(2)). Holders of C/Pdesignated LLP licenses that opt out of
participating in a Rockfish Program
cooperative will be able to access that
portion of each sideboard limit that is
not assigned to rockfish cooperatives.
Tables 23 and 24 list the final 2017 and
2018 Rockfish Program C/P sideboard
limits in the West Yakutat District and
the Western GOA. Due to confidentiality
requirements associated with fisheries
data, the sideboard limits for the West
Yakutat District are not displayed.
TABLE 23—FINAL 2017 ROCKFISH PROGRAM SIDEBOARD LIMITS FOR THE WEST YAKUTAT DISTRICT AND WESTERN GOA
BY FISHERY FOR THE CATCHER/PROCESSOR SECTOR
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Area
Fishery
C/P sector
(% of TAC)
Final 2017 TACs
Western GOA .............................................
Dusky rockfish ............................................
Pacific ocean perch ....................................
Northern rockfish ........................................
Dusky rockfish ............................................
Pacific ocean perch ....................................
72.3 ..................
50.6 ..................
74.3 ..................
Confidential 1 ....
Confidential 1 ....
158 ...................
2,679 ................
432 ...................
251 ...................
2,786 ................
West Yakutat District ..................................
1 Not
Final 2017 C/P
limit
114.
1,356.
321.
Confidential.1
Confidential.1
released due to confidentiality requirements associated with fish ticket data, as established by NMFS and the State of Alaska.
TABLE 24—FINAL 2018 ROCKFISH PROGRAM SIDEBOARD LIMITS FOR THE WEST YAKUTAT DISTRICT AND WESTERN GOA
BY FISHERY FOR THE CATCHER/PROCESSOR SECTOR
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Area
Fishery
C/P sector
(% of TAC)
Final 2018 TACs
Western GOA .............................................
Dusky rockfish ............................................
Pacific ocean perch ....................................
Northern rockfish ........................................
Dusky rockfish ............................................
Pacific ocean perch ....................................
72.3 ..................
50.6 ..................
74.3 ..................
Confidential 1 ....
Confidential 1 ....
146 ...................
2,627 ................
400 ...................
232 ...................
2,733 ................
West Yakutat District ..................................
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2
1 Not
Final 2018 C/P
limit
106.
1,329.
297.
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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
20:25 Feb 24, 2017
Jkt 241001
the CV sector, as vessels participating in
cooperatives receive a portion of the
annual halibut PSC limit. C/Ps that opt
out of the Rockfish Program are able to
access that portion of the deep-water
and shallow-water halibut PSC
PO 00000
Frm 00026
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
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 are linked to the catch
E:\FR\FM\27FER2.SGM
27FER2
12057
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 37 / Monday, February 27, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
history of specific vessels that may
choose to opt out. After March 1, NMFS
will determine which C/Ps have optedout of the Rockfish Program in 2017,
and NMFS will know the ratios and
amounts used to calculate opt-out
sideboard ratios. NMFS will then
calculate any applicable opt-out
sideboards and post these allocations on
the Alaska Region Web site at https://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainable
fisheries/rockfish/. Table 25 lists the
2017 and 2018 Rockfish Program halibut
PSC limits for the C/P sector.
TABLE 25—FINAL 2017 AND 2018 ROCKFISH PROGRAM HALIBUT MORTALITY LIMITS FOR THE CATCHER/PROCESSOR
SECTOR
(Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton)
Sector
Shallow-water
species fishery
halibut PSC
sideboard ratio
(percent)
Deep-water
species fishery
halibut PSC
sideboard ratio
(percent)
2017 and
2018 halibut
mortality limit
(mt)
Annual shallow-water species fishery
halibut PSC
sideboard limit
(mt)
Annual deepwater species
fishery halibut
PSC
sideboard 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
catch 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 listed in Table
37 to 50 CFR 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. Tables 26 and 27 list the
final 2017 and 2018 groundfish
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 Tables 26 and 27.
TABLE 26—FINAL 2017 GOA GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD LIMITS FOR AMENDMENT 80 PROGRAM VESSELS
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
Species
Apportionments and
allocations by season
Area
Pollock ...........................
A Season—January 20–February 25 ........
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 .............................
B Season—March 10–May 31 ..................
C Season—August 25–September 15 ......
D Season—October 1–November 1 .........
Pacific cod .....................
Annual .......................................................
A Season 1—January 1–June 10 ..............
B Season 2—September 1–December 31
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2
Ratio of
Amendment
80 sector
vessels 1998–
2004 catch to
TAC
Pacific ocean perch ......
Annual .......................................................
Annual .......................................................
Northern rockfish ...........
Dusky rockfish ...............
Annual .......................................................
Annual .......................................................
1 The
2 The
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
Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
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Fmt 4701
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E:\FR\FM\27FER2.SGM
27FER2
2017 TAC
(mt)
2,232
34,549
11,014
2,232
39,420
6,143
19,569
12,341
15,886
19,569
12,341
15,886
7,492
15,242
19,881
10,161
13,254
5,903
2,679
2,786
432
158
251
2017
Amendment
80 vessel
sideboards
(mt)
7
69
22
7
79
12
59
25
32
59
25
32
15
305
875
203
583
201
2,663
2,677
432
121
225
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TABLE 27—FINAL 2018 GOA GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD LIMITS FOR AMENDMENT 80 PROGRAM VESSELS
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
Ratio of
Amendment
80 sector
vessels
1998–2004
catch to TAC
Species
Apportionments and
allocations by season
Area
Pollock ...................................
A Season—January 20–February 25.
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 ......................................
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 ...................................
Pacific cod .............................
1 The
2 The
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
2018 TAC
(mt)
2018
Amendment
80 vessel
sideboards
(mt)
1,725
26,704
8,513
1,725
30,469
4,748
15,125
9,538
12,278
15,125
9,538
12,278
5,791
13,677
17,840
9,118
11,893
5,297
2,627
2,733
400
146
232
5
53
17
5
61
9
45
19
25
45
19
25
12
274
785
182
523
180
2,611
2,626
400
112
208
Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
The 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
quota under the Rockfish Program and
the exemption of the F/V Golden Fleece
from this restriction (§ 679.92(b)(2)).
Table 28 lists the final 2017 and 2018
halibut PSC 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. Any residual amount of
a seasonal Amendment 80 sideboard
halibut PSC limit may carry forward to
the next season limit (§ 679.92(b)(2)).
TABLE 28—FINAL 2017 AND 2018 HALIBUT PSC LIMITS FOR AMENDMENT 80 PROGRAM VESSELS IN THE GOA
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
Historic Amendment 80 use of
the annual halibut PSC limit
catch
(ratio)
Season dates
Target fishery
1 ........................
January 20–April 1 ....................
2 ........................
April 1–July 1 ............................
3 ........................
July 1–September 1 ..................
4 ........................
September 1–October 1 ...........
5 ........................
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Season
October 1–December 31 ..........
...................................................
...................................................
2017 and 2018
Amendment 80
vessel PSC limit
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
............................
............................
474
shallow-water ............................
deep-water ................................
shallow-water ............................
deep-water ................................
shallow-water ............................
deep-water ................................
shallow-water ............................
deep-water ................................
shallow-water ............................
deep-water ................................
Total ..........
2017 and 2018
annual PSC limit
(mt)
Directed Fishing Closures
Pursuant to § 679.20(d)(1)(i), if the
Regional Administrator determines (1)
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that any allocation or apportionment of
a target species or species group
allocated or apportioned to a fishery
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will be reached; or (2) with respect to
pollock and Pacific cod, that an
allocation or apportionment to an
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inshore or offshore component or sector
allocation will be reached, then the
Regional Administrator may establish a
directed fishing allowance (DFA) for
that species or species group. If the
Regional Administrator establishes a
DFA and that allowance is or will be
reached before the end of the fishing
year, NMFS will prohibit directed
fishing for that species or species group
in the specified GOA subarea, regulatory
area, or district (§ 679.20(d)(1)(iii)).
The Regional Administrator has
determined that the TACs for the
12059
species listed in Table 29 are necessary
to account for the incidental catch of
these species in other anticipated
groundfish fisheries for the 2017 and
2018 fishing years.
TABLE 29—2017 AND 2018 DIRECTED FISHING CLOSURES IN THE GOA
[Amounts for incidental catch in other directed fisheries are in metric tons]
Incidental catch amount
and year
(if amounts differ by year)
Target
Area/component/gear
Pollock ............................................................................
Sablefish 2 ......................................................................
Pacific cod ......................................................................
all/offshore .....................................................................
all/trawl ..........................................................................
Western, catcher/processor, trawl .................................
Central, catcher/processor, trawl ..................................
all ...................................................................................
all ...................................................................................
all ...................................................................................
all ...................................................................................
all ...................................................................................
all ...................................................................................
all ...................................................................................
all ...................................................................................
all ...................................................................................
all ...................................................................................
all ...................................................................................
Shortraker rockfish 2 .......................................................
Rougheye rockfish 2 .......................................................
Thornyhead rockfish 2 ....................................................
Other rockfish .................................................................
Atka mackerel ................................................................
Big skate ........................................................................
Longnose skate ..............................................................
Other skates ...................................................................
Sharks ............................................................................
Squids ............................................................................
Octopuses ......................................................................
1 Pollock
not applicable.1
1,383 (2017), 1,402 (2018).
594 (2017), 528 (2018).
1,377 (2017), 1,236 (2018).
1,286.
1,327 (2017), 1,318 (2018).
1,961.
2,308.
3,000.
3,814.
3,206.
1,919.
4,514.
1,137.
4,878.
is closed to directed fishing in the GOA by the offshore component under § 679.20(a)(6)(i).
not applicable to participants in cooperatives conducted under the Central GOA Rockfish Program.
2 Closures
Consequently, in accordance with
§ 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional
Administrator establishes the DFA for
the species or species groups listed in
Table 29 as zero mt. Therefore, in
accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii),
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for
those species, areas, gear types, and
components in the GOA listed in Table
29. These closures will remain in effect
through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31,
2018.
Section 679.64(b)(5) provides for
management of AFA CV groundfish
harvest limits and PSC bycatch limits
using directed fishing closures and PSC
closures according to procedures set out
at §§ 679.20(d)(1)(iv), 679.21(d)(6), and
679.21(e)(3)(v). The Regional
Administrator has determined that, in
addition to the closures listed above,
many of the non-exempt AFA CV
sideboard limits listed in Tables 18 and
19 are necessary as incidental catch to
support other anticipated groundfish
fisheries for the 2017 and 2018 fishing
years. In accordance with
§ 679.20(d)(1)(iv), the Regional
Administrator sets the DFAs for the
species and species groups in Table 30
at zero mt. Therefore, in accordance
with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is
prohibiting directed fishing by nonexempt AFA CVs in the GOA for the
species and specified areas listed in
Table 30. These closures will remain in
effect through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December
31, 2018.
TABLE 30—2017 AND 2018 NON-EXEMPT AFA CV SIDEBOARD DIRECTED FISHING CLOSURES FOR ALL GEAR TYPES IN
THE GOA
[Amounts for incidental catch in other directed fisheries are in metric tons]
Regulatory area/district
Pacific cod ...........................................................
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Species
Eastern ...............................................................
Shallow-water flatfish ..........................................
Deep-water flatfish ..............................................
Rex sole ..............................................................
Arrowtooth flounder .............................................
Flathead sole .......................................................
Pacific ocean perch .............................................
Northern rockfish .................................................
Dusky rockfish .....................................................
Demersal shelf rockfish .......................................
Sculpins ...............................................................
Squids ..................................................................
Eastern ...............................................................
Western ..............................................................
Eastern and Western .........................................
Eastern and Western .........................................
Eastern and Western .........................................
Western ..............................................................
Western ..............................................................
Entire GOA ........................................................
SEO District .......................................................
Entire GOA ........................................................
Entire GOA ........................................................
Section 680.22 provides for the
management of non-AFA crab vessel
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sideboards using directed fishing
closures in accordance with
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Incidental catch amount
42 (inshore) and 5 (offshore) [2017].
38 (inshore) and 4 (offshore) [2018].
54 in 2017, 49 in 2018.
0.
6 and 1 (2017), 5 and 1 (2018).
3 and 30.
3 and 31.
6.
0.
2.
0.
35.
7.
§ 680.22(e)(2) and (3). The Regional
Administrator has determined that the
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non-AFA crab vessel sideboards listed
in Tables 21 and 22 are insufficient to
support a directed fishery and has set
the sideboard DFA at zero mt, with the
exception of Pacific cod pot CV sector
apportionments in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas. Therefore,
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing by
non-AFA crab vessels in the GOA for all
species and species groups listed in
Tables 21 and 22, with the exception of
the Pacific cod pot CV sector
apportionments in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas.
Closures implemented under the 2016
and 2017 GOA harvest specifications for
groundfish (81 FR 14740, March 18,
2016) remain effective under authority
of these final 2017 and 2018 harvest
specifications, and are posted at the
following Web site: https://alaska
fisheries.noaa.gov/infobulletins/search.
While these closures are in effect, the
maximum retainable amounts at
§ 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time
during a fishing trip. These closures to
directed fishing are in addition to
closures and prohibitions found at 50
CFR part 679. NMFS may implement
other closures during the 2017 and 2018
fishing years as necessary for effective
conservation and management.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2
Comments and Responses
NMFS did not receive any comments
about the proposed harvest
specifications.
Classification
NMFS has determined that these final
harvest specifications are consistent
with the FMP and with the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act and other applicable
laws.
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
(see ADDRESSES) 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 EIS. In January 2017, NMFS
prepared a Supplemental Information
Report (SIR) for this action. Copies of
the EIS, ROD, and SIR for this action are
available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES).
The EIS analyzes the environmental
consequences of the groundfish harvest
specifications and alternative harvest
strategies on resources in the action
area. The EIS found no significant
environmental consequences of this
action and its alternatives. The preferred
alternative is a harvest strategy in which
TACs are set at a level that falls within
the range of ABCs recommended by the
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Council’s SSC; the sum of the TACs
must achieve the OY specified in the
FMP. The SIR evaluates the need to
prepare a Supplemental EIS (SEIS) for
the 2017 and 2018 groundfish harvest
specifications.
An SEIS should be prepared if (1) the
agency makes substantial changes in the
proposed action that are relevant to
environmental concerns, or (2)
significant new circumstances or
information exist relevant to
environmental concerns and bearing on
the proposed action or its impacts (40
CFR 1502.9(c)(1)). After reviewing the
information contained in the SIR and
SAFE reports, the Regional
Administrator has determined that (1)
approval of the 2017 and 2018 harvest
specifications, which were set according
to the preferred harvest strategy in the
EIS, do not constitute a substantial
change in the action; and (2) there are
no significant new circumstances or
information relevant to environmental
concerns and bearing on the action or its
impacts. Additionally, the 2017 and
2018 harvest specifications will result in
environmental impacts within the scope
of those analyzed and disclosed in the
EIS. Therefore, supplemental National
Environmental Policy Act
documentation is not necessary to
implement the 2017 and 2018 harvest
specifications.
Section 604 of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 604)
requires that, when an agency
promulgates a final rule under section
553 of Title 5 of the United States Code,
after being required by that section, or
any other law, to publish a general
notice of proposed rulemaking, the
agency shall prepare a final regulatory
flexibility analysis (FRFA).
Section 604 describes the required
contents of a FRFA: (1) A statement of
the need for, and objectives of, the rule;
(2) a statement of the significant issues
raised by the public comments in
response to the initial regulatory
flexibility analysis, a statement of the
assessment of the agency of such issues,
and a statement of any changes made in
the proposed rule as a result of such
comments; (3) the response of the
agency to any comments filed by the
Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small
Business Administration in response to
the proposed rule, and a detailed
statement of any change made to the
proposed rule in the final rule as a
result of the comments; (4) a description
of and an estimate of the number of
small entities to which the rule will
apply or an explanation of why no such
estimate is available; (5) a description of
the projected reporting, recordkeeping,
and other compliance requirements of
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the rule, including an estimate of the
classes of small entities which will be
subject to the requirement and the type
of professional skills necessary for
preparation of the report or record; and
(6) a description of the steps the agency
has taken to minimize the significant
economic impact on small entities
consistent with the stated objectives of
applicable statutes, including a
statement of the factual, policy, and
legal reasons for selecting the alternative
adopted in the final rule and why each
one of the other significant alternatives
to the rule considered by the agency that
affect the impact on small entities was
rejected.
A description of this action, its
purpose, and its legal basis are
contained at the beginning of the
preamble to this final rule and are not
repeated here.
NMFS published the proposed rule on
December 6, 2016 (81 FR 87881). NMFS
prepared an Initial Regulatory
Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) to
accompany this action, and included a
summary in the proposed rule. The
comment period closed on January 5,
2017. No comments were received on
the IRFA or the economic impacts of the
rule more generally. The Chief Counsel
for Advocacy of the Small Business
Administration did not file any
comments on the proposed rule.
The entities directly regulated by this
action include: (1) Entities operating
vessels with groundfish FFPs catching
FMP groundfish in Federal waters; (2)
all entities operating vessels, regardless
of whether they hold groundfish FFPs,
catching FMP groundfish in the Statewaters parallel fisheries; and (3) all
entities operating vessels fishing for
halibut inside three miles of the shore
(whether or not they have FFPs).
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.
Based on data from 2015 fishing
activity, there were 969 individual
catcher vessel entities with gross
revenues meeting small entity criteria.
Of these entities, 827 used hook-andline gear, 115 used pot gear, and 30 used
trawl gear (some of these entities used
more than one gear type, thus the counts
of entities using the different gear types
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do not sum to the total number of
entities above). Three individual
catcher/processors met the small entity
criterion; two used hook-and-line gear,
and one used trawl gear. Catcher/
processor gross revenues were not
reported for confidentiality reasons;
however, hook-and-line small entities
had average gross revenues of $350,000,
small pot entities had average gross
revenues of $760,000, and small trawl
entities had average gross revenues of
$1.85 million.
Some of these vessels are members of
AFA inshore pollock cooperatives, of
GOA rockfish cooperatives, or of Bering
Sea and Aleutian Islands crab
rationalization cooperatives, and,
therefore, under the RFA it is the
aggregate gross receipts of all
participating members of the
cooperative that must meet the
threshold. Vessels that participate in
these cooperatives are considered to be
large entities within the meaning of the
RFA. These relationships are accounted
for, along with corporate affiliations
among vessels, to the extent that they
are known, in the estimated number of
small entities. If affiliations exist of
which NMFS is unaware, or if entities
had non-fishing revenue sources, the
estimates above may overstate the
number of directly regulated small
entities.
This action does not modify
recordkeeping or reporting
requirements.
NMFS considered alternative harvest
strategies when choosing the preferred
harvest strategy (Alternative 2) in
December 2006. These included the
following:
• Alternative 1: Set TACs to produce
fishing mortality rates, F, that are equal
to maxFABC, unless the sum of the
TACs is constrained by the OY
established in the fishery management
plans. This is equivalent to setting TACs
to produce harvest levels equal to the
maximum permissible ABCs, as
constrained by OY. The term
‘‘maxFABC’’ refers to the maximum
permissible value of FABC under
Amendment 56 to the BSAI and GOA
groundfish fishery management plans.
Historically, the TAC has been set at or
below the ABC; therefore, this
alternative represents a likely upper
limit for setting the TAC within the OY
and ABC limits.
• Alternative 3: For species in Tiers 1,
2, and 3, set TAC to produce F equal to
the most recent 5-year average actual F.
For species in Tiers 4, 5, and 6, set TAC
equal to the most recent 5-year average
actual catch. For stocks with a high
level of scientific information, TACs
would be set to produce harvest levels
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equal to the most recent 5-year average
actual fishing mortality rates. For stocks
with insufficient scientific information,
TACs would be set equal to the most
recent 5-year average actual catch. This
alternative recognizes that for some
stocks, catches may fall well below
ABCs, and recent average F may provide
a better indicator of actual F than FABC
does.
• Alternative 4: (1) Set TACs for
rockfish species in Tier 3 at F75%. Set
TACs for rockfish species in Tier 5 at F
= 0.5M. Set spatially explicit TACs for
shortraker and rougheye rockfish in the
GOA. (2) Taking the rockfish TACs as
calculated above, reduce all other TACs
by a proportion that does not vary
across species, so that the sum of all
TACs, including rockfish TACs, is equal
to the lower bound of the area OY
(116,000 mt in the GOA). This
alternative sets conservative and
spatially explicit TACs for rockfish
species that are long-lived and late to
mature and sets conservative TACs for
the other groundfish species.
• Alternative 5: (No Action) Set TACs
at zero.
These four alternatives (1, 3, 4, and 5)
do not meet the objectives of this action,
and although Alternatives 1 and 3 may
have a smaller adverse economic impact
on small entities than the preferred
alternative, Alternatives 4 and 5 would
have a significant adverse economic
impact on small entities. The Council
rejected these alternatives as harvest
strategies in 2006, and the Secretary did
so in 2007.
Alternative 2 is the preferred
alternative chosen by the Council: Set
TACs that fall within the range of ABCs
recommended through the Council
harvest specifications process and TACs
recommended by the Council. Under
this scenario, F is set equal to a constant
fraction of maxFABC. The
recommended fractions of maxFABC
may vary among species or stocks, based
on other considerations unique to each.
This is the method for determining
TACs that has been used in the past.
Alternative 2 selected harvest rates
that will allow fishermen to harvest
stocks at the level of ABCs, unless total
harvests are constrained by the upper
bound of the GOA OY of 800,000 mt.
The sums of ABCs in 2017 and 2018 are
667,877 mt and 597,052 mt,
respectively. The sums of the TACs in
2017 and 2018 are 535,863 mt and
483,588 mt, respectively. Thus,
although the sum of ABCs in each year
is less than 800,000 mt, the sums of the
TACs in each year are less than the
sums of the ABCs.
In most cases, the Council has set
TACs equal to ABCs. The divergence
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between aggregate TACs and aggregate
ABCs reflects a variety of special
species- and fishery-specific
circumstances:
• Pacific cod TACs are set equal to 70
percent in the Western GOA and 75
percent in the Central and Eastern GOA
of the Pacific cod ABCs in each year to
account for the GHL set by the State for
its GHL Pacific cod fisheries (30 percent
of the Western GOA ABC and 25
percent of the Central and Eastern GOA
ABCs). Thus, the difference between the
Federal TACs and ABCs does not
actually reflect a Pacific cod harvest
below the Pacific cod ABC, as the
balance is available for the State’s cod
GHL fisheries.
• Shallow-water flatfish and flathead
sole TACs are set below ABCs in the
Western Regulatory Area. Arrowtooth
flounder TACs are set below ABC in all
GOA regulatory areas. Catches of these
flatfish species rarely, if ever, approach
the proposed ABCs or TACs. Important
trawl fisheries in the GOA take halibut
PSC, and are constrained by limits on
the allowable halibut PSC mortality.
These limits may force the closure of
trawl fisheries before they have
harvested the available groundfish ABC.
Thus, actual harvests of groundfish in
the GOA routinely fall short of some
ABCs and TACs. Markets can also
constrain harvests below the TACs, as
has been the case with arrowtooth
flounder, in the past. These TACs are set
to allow for increased harvest
opportunities for these targets while
conserving the halibut PSC limit for use
in other, more fully utilized, fisheries.
• The other rockfish TAC is set below
the ABC in the Southeast Outside
District based on several factors. In
addition to conservation concerns for
the rockfish species in this group, there
is a regulatory prohibition against using
trawl gear east of 140° W. longitude.
Because most species of other rockfish
are caught exclusively with trawl gear,
the catch of such species with other gear
types, such as hook-and-line, is low.
The commercial catch of other rockfish
in the Eastern Regulatory Area, which
includes the West Yakutat and
Southeast Outside Districts, has ranged
from approximately 70 mt to 248 mt per
year over the last decade.
• The GOA-wide Atka mackerel TAC
is set below the ABC. The estimates of
survey biomass continue to be
unreliable in the GOA. Therefore, the
Council recommended and NMFS
agrees that the Atka mackerel TAC in
the GOA be set at an amount to support
incidental catch in other directed
fisheries.
Alternative 3 selects harvest rates
based on the most recent 5 years of
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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 because it does not take account
of the most recent biological
information for this fishery.
Alternative 4 would lead to
significantly lower harvests of all
species to reduce TACs from the upper
end of the OY range in the GOA to its
lower end of 116,000 mt. Overall, this
alternative would reduce 2017 TACs by
about 80 percent. This would lead to
significant reductions in harvests of
species by small entities. While
production declines in the GOA would
undoubtedly be associated with price
increases in the GOA, these increases
would still be constrained by the
availability of substitutes, and are very
unlikely to offset revenue declines from
smaller production. Thus, this action
would have a detrimental economic
impact on small entities.
Alternative 5, which sets all harvests
equal to zero, may also address
conservation issues, but would have a
significant adverse economic impact on
small entities.
Impacts on marine mammals resulting
from fishing activities conducted under
this rule are discussed in the EIS and
SIR (see ADDRESSES).
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,
NOAA, finds good cause to waive the
30-day delay in effectiveness for this
rule because delaying this rule would be
contrary to the public interest. The Plan
Team review occurred in November
2016, and the Council considered and
recommended the final harvest
specifications in December 2016.
Accordingly, NMFS’ review could not
begin until January 2017. For all
fisheries not currently closed because
the TACs established under the final
2016 and 2017 harvest specifications (81
FR 14740, March 18, 2016) were not
reached, it is possible that they would
be closed prior to the expiration of a 30day delayed effectiveness period
because their TACs could be reached
within that period. If implemented
immediately, this rule would allow
these fisheries to continue because some
of the new TACs implemented by this
rule are higher than the ones under
which they are currently fishing.
Certain fisheries, such as those for
pollock and Pacific cod, are intensive,
VerDate Sep<11>2014
20:25 Feb 24, 2017
Jkt 241001
fast-paced fisheries. Other fisheries,
such as those for sablefish, flatfish,
rockfish, Atka mackerel, skates,
sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopuses,
are critical as directed fisheries and as
incidental catch in other fisheries. U.S.
fishing vessels have demonstrated the
capacity to catch the TAC allocations in
many of these fisheries. If this rule
allowed for a 30-day delay in
effectiveness and if a TAC were reached
during those 30 days, NMFS would
close directed fishing or prohibit
retention for the applicable species. Any
delay in allocating the final TACs in
these fisheries would cause confusion to
the industry and potential economic
harm through unnecessary discards,
thus undermining the intent of this rule.
Waiving the 30-day delay allows NMFS
to prevent economic loss to fishermen
that could otherwise occur should the
2017 TACs (set under the 2016 and 2017
harvest specifications) be reached.
Determining which fisheries may close
is impossible because these fisheries are
affected by several factors that cannot be
predicted in advance, including fishing
effort, weather, movement of fishery
stocks, and market price. Furthermore,
the closure of one fishery has a
cascading effect on other fisheries by
freeing-up fishing vessels, allowing
them to move from closed fisheries to
open ones, increasing the fishing
capacity in those open fisheries, and
causing them to close at an accelerated
pace.
In fisheries subject to declining
sideboard limits, a failure to implement
the updated sideboard limits before
initial season’s end could deny the
intended economic protection to the
non-sideboarded sectors. Conversely, in
fisheries with increasing sideboard
limits, economic benefit could be
denied to the sideboard limited sectors.
If the final harvest specifications are
not effective by March 11, 2017, which
is the start of the 2017 Pacific halibut
season as specified by the IPHC, the
hook-and-line sablefish fishery will not
begin concurrently with the Pacific
halibut IFQ season. This would result in
confusion for the industry and
economic harm from unnecessary
discard of sablefish that are caught
along with Pacific halibut, as both hookand-line sablefish and Pacific halibut
are managed under the same IFQ
program. Immediate effectiveness of the
final 2017 and 2018 harvest
PO 00000
Frm 00032
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 9990
specifications will allow the sablefish
IFQ fishery to begin concurrently with
the Pacific halibut IFQ season.
In addition, the immediate
effectiveness of this action is required to
provide consistent management and
conservation of fishery resources based
on the best available scientific
information. This is particularly true for
those species that have lower 2017
ABCs and TACs than those established
in the 2016 and 2017 harvest
specifications (81 FR 14740, March 18,
2016). Immediate effectiveness also
would give the fishing industry the
earliest possible opportunity to plan and
conduct its fishing operations with
respect to new information about TACs.
Therefore, NMFS finds good cause to
waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness
under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).
Small Entity Compliance Guide
This final rule is a plain language
guide to assist small entities in
complying with this final rule as
required by the Small Business
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of
1996. This final rule’s primary purpose
is to announce the final 2017 and 2018
harvest specifications and prohibited
species bycatch allowances for the
groundfish fisheries of the GOA. This
action is necessary to establish harvest
limits and associated management
measures for groundfish during the 2017
and 2018 fishing years, and to
accomplish the goals and objectives of
the FMP. This action affects all
fishermen who participate in the GOA
fisheries. The specific amounts of OFL,
ABC, TAC, and PSC are provided in
tables to assist the reader. NMFS will
announce closures of directed fishing in
the Federal Register and information
bulletins released by the Alaska Region.
Affected fishermen should keep
themselves informed of such closures.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 16 U.S.C.
1540 (f), 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: February 21, 2017.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017–03697 Filed 2–24–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 37 (Monday, February 27, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12032-12062]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-03697]
[[Page 12031]]
Vol. 82
Monday,
No. 37
February 27, 2017
Part II
Department of Commerce
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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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50 CFR Part 679
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska;
Final 2017 and 2018 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish; Final Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 82 , No. 37 / Monday, February 27, 2017 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 12032]]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 160920866-7167-02]
RIN 0648-XE904
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of
Alaska; Final 2017 and 2018 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule; harvest specifications and closures.
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SUMMARY: NMFS announces final 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: Harvest specifications and closures are effective at 1200 hours,
Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 27, 2017, through 2400 hrs,
A.l.t., December 31, 2018.
ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the Final Alaska Groundfish Harvest
Specifications Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Record of Decision
(ROD), and the Supplementary Information Report (SIR) to the EIS
prepared for this action are available from https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. The final 2016 Stock Assessment and Fishery
Evaluation (SAFE) report for the groundfish resources of the GOA, dated
November 2016, is available from the North Pacific Fishery Management
Council (Council) at 605 West 4th Avenue, Suite 306, Anchorage, AK
99510-2252, phone 907-271-2809, or from the Council's Web site at
https://www.npfmc.org.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the GOA groundfish fisheries in
the exclusive economic zone 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, 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) (50 CFR
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. Upon consideration of public comment
received under Sec. 679.20(c)(1), NMFS must publish notice of final
harvest specifications for up to two fishing years as annual TACs, per
Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(ii). The final harvest specifications set forth in
Tables 1 through 30 of this document reflect the outcome of this
process, as required at Sec. 679.20(c).
The proposed 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications for groundfish of
the GOA and Pacific halibut PSC limits were published in the Federal
Register on December 6, 2016 (81 FR 87881). Comments were invited and
accepted through January 5, 2017. NMFS did not receive any comments on
the proposed harvest specifications. In December 2016, NMFS consulted
with the Council regarding the 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications.
After considering public testimony, as well as biological and economic
data that were available at the Council's December 2016 meeting, NMFS
is implementing the final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications, as
recommended by the Council. For 2017, the sum of the TAC amounts is
535,863 mt. For 2018, the sum of the TAC amounts is 483,588 mt.
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 Secretary of Commerce
(Secretary) 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 the FMP 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
In April 2015, the Council recommended for Secretarial review
Amendment 101 to the FMP for the sablefish individual fishing quota
(IFQ) fisheries in the GOA. Amendment 101 authorizes the use of
longline pot gear in the GOA sablefish IFQ fishery. The objective of
that amendment is to increase efficiency in harvesting sablefish IFQ
and decrease the depredation of sablefish caught on hook-and-line gear
by whales. The Secretary approved Amendment 101 on November 4, 2016.
NMFS issued a final rule to implement Amendment 101 to the FMP for the
sablefish individual fishing quota (IFQ) fisheries in the GOA on
December 28, 2016 (81 FR 95435). The effective date of this final rule
has been temporarily stayed in accordance with the memorandum of
January 20, 2017, from the Assistant to the President and Chief of
Staff, entitled ``Regulatory Freeze Pending Review,'' published in the
Federal Register on January 24, 2017. While the effective date of the
final rule is currently delayed (see 82 FR 8810, January 31, 2017),
NMFS advises the public that the date of the stay, and therefore the
effective date of the final rule, may change in the future.
Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) and TAC Specifications
In December 2016, the Council, its Advisory Panel (AP), and its
Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) reviewed the most recent
biological and harvest information about the condition of groundfish
stocks in the GOA. This information was compiled by the Council's GOA
Groundfish Plan Team and was presented in the draft 2016 SAFE report
for the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated November 2016 (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
[[Page 12033]]
groundfish fisheries off Alaska. From these data and analyses, the Plan
Team estimates an overfishing level (OFL) and ABC for each species or
species group. The 2016 report was made available for public review
during the public comment period for the proposed harvest
specifications.
In previous years, the greatest changes from the proposed to the
final harvest specifications have been based on recent NMFS stock
surveys, which provide updated estimates of stock biomass and spatial
distribution, and changes to the models used for producing stock
assessments. At the November 2016 Plan Team meeting, NMFS scientists
presented updated and new survey results, changes to stock assessment
models, and accompanying stock assessment estimates for all groundfish
species and species groups that are included in the final 2016 SAFE
report. The SSC reviewed this information at the December 2016 Council
meeting. Changes from the proposed to the final 2017 and 2018 harvest
specifications are discussed below.
The final 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 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 OFL and ABC amounts for each
groundfish species. The SSC adopted the final 2017 and 2018 OFLs and
ABCs recommended by the Plan Team for all groundfish species, with the
exception of an adjustment to the sablefish OFLs. The Council adopted
the SSC's OFL and ABC recommendations and the AP's TAC recommendations.
The final TAC recommendations were based on the ABCs as adjusted for
other biological and socioeconomic considerations, including
maintaining the sum of all TACs within the required OY range of 116,000
to 800,000 mt.
The Council recommended 2017 and 2018 TACs that are equal to ABCs
for pollock, sablefish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, Pacific ocean
perch, northern rockfish, shortraker rockfish, dusky rockfish, rougheye
rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish, thornyhead rockfish, big skate,
longnose skate, other skates, sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopuses
in the GOA. The Council recommended TACs for 2017 and 2018 that are
less than the ABCs for Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish in the
Western GOA, arrowtooth flounder, flathead sole in the Western and
Central GOA, ``other rockfish'' in the Southeast Outside (SEO)
District, and Atka mackerel. The Pacific cod TACs are set to
accommodate the State of Alaska's (State's) guideline harvest levels
(GHLs) for Pacific cod so that the ABCs are not exceeded. The shallow-
water flatfish, arrowtooth flounder, and flathead sole TACs are set to
allow for increased harvest opportunities for these target species
while conserving the halibut PSC limit for use in other, more fully
utilized fisheries. The ``other rockfish'' TAC in the SEO District is
set to reduce the amount of discards of the species in that complex.
The Atka mackerel TAC is set to accommodate incidental catch amounts in
other fisheries.
The final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications approved by the
Secretary are unchanged from those recommended by the Council and are
consistent with the preferred harvest strategy alternative in the EIS
(see ADDRESSES). NMFS finds that the Council's recommended OFLs, ABCs,
and TACs are consistent with the biological condition of the groundfish
stocks as described in the final 2016 SAFE report. NMFS also finds that
the Council's recommendations for OFLs, ABCs, and TACs are consistent
with the biological condition of groundfish stocks as adjusted for
other biological and socioeconomic considerations, including
maintaining the total TAC within the OY range. NMFS reviewed the
Council's recommended TAC specifications and apportionments, and NMFS
approves these harvest specifications under 50 CFR 679.20(c)(3)(ii).
The apportionment of TAC amounts among gear types and sectors,
processing sectors, and seasons is discussed below.
Tables 1 and 2 list the final 2017 and 2018 OFLs, ABCs, TACs, and
area apportionments of groundfish in the GOA. The sums of the 2017 and
2018 ABCs are 667,877 mt and 597,052 mt, respectively, which are lower
in 2017 and 2018 than the 2016 ABC sum of 727,684 mt (81 FR 14740,
March 18, 2016). The 2017 harvest specifications set in this final
action will supersede the 2017 harvest specifications previously set in
the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications (81 FR 14740, March 18,
2016). The 2018 harvest specifications herein will be superseded in
early 2018 when the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications are
published. Pursuant to this final action, the 2017 harvest
specifications therefore will apply for the remainder of the current
year (2017), while the 2018 harvest specifications are projected only
for the following year (2018) and will be superseded in early 2018 by
the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications. Because this final
action (published in early 2017) will be superseded in early 2018 by
the publication of the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications, it
is projected that this final action will implement the harvest
specifications for the Gulf of Alaska for approximately one year.
Specification and Apportionment of TAC Amounts
NMFS' apportionment of groundfish species is based on the
distribution of biomass among the regulatory areas over which NMFS
manages the species. Additional regulations govern the apportionment of
pollock, Pacific cod, and sablefish. Additional detail on the
apportionment of pollock, Pacific cod, and sablefish are described
below.
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 Prince William Sound (PWS) pollock
fishery. The Plan Team, SSC, AP, and Council have 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 5,094 mt, a decrease of 1,264 mt from the 2016 PWS
GHL of 6,358 mt. For 2018, the PWS pollock GHL is 3,937 mt, a decrease
of 2,421 mt from the 2016 PWS pollock GHL. After the GHL reductions,
the 2017 and 2018 pollock ABC for the combined W/C/WYK areas is then
apportioned between four statistical areas (Areas 610, 620, 630, and
640) as both ABCs and TACs, as described below and detailed in Tables 1
and 2. The total ABCs and TACs for the four statistical areas, plus the
State GHL, do not exceed the combined W/C/WYK ABC.
Apportionments of pollock to the W/C/WYK management areas are
[[Page 12034]]
considered to be ``apportionments of annual catch limits (ACLs)''
rather than ``ABCs.'' This more accurately reflects that such
apportionments address management, rather than biological or
conservation, concerns. In addition, apportionments of the ACL 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 establishes pollock TACs in the Western, Central, West Yakutat
Regulatory Areas, and the Southeast Outside District of the GOA (see
Tables 1 and 2). NMFS also establishes seasonal apportionments 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;
Tables 3 and 4 list these amounts.
The 2017 and 2018 Pacific cod TACs are set to accommodate the
State's GHL for Pacific cod in State waters in the Western and Central
Regulatory Areas, as well as in 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 set the 2017 and 2018 Pacific cod TACs in the Western,
Central, and Eastern Regulatory Areas to account for State GHLs.
Therefore, the 2017 Pacific cod TACs are less than the ABCs by the
following amounts: (1) Western GOA, 10,887 mt; (2) Central GOA, 11,045
mt; and (3) Eastern GOA, 1,968 mt. The 2018 Pacific cod TACs are less
than the ABCs by the following amounts: (1) Western GOA, 9,770 mt; (2)
Central GOA, 9,911 mt; and (3) Eastern GOA, 1,766 mt. These amounts
reflect the State's 2017 and 2018 GHLs in these areas, which are 30
percent of the Western GOA ABC and 25 percent of the Eastern and
Central ABCs.
NMFS establishes seasonal apportionments of the annual Pacific cod
TAC in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas. Sixty percent of the
annual TAC is apportioned to the A season for hook-and-line, pot, and
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 hook-and-line, pot, and jig 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. The Pacific cod sector apportionments are
discussed in detail in a subsequent section of this preamble.
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)). Tables 7 and 8 list the final 2017 and 2018
allocations of sablefish TAC to hook-and-line and trawl gear in the
GOA.
Changes From the Proposed 2017 and 2018 Harvest Specifications in the
GOA
In October 2016, the Council's recommendations for the proposed
2017 and 2018 harvest specifications (81 FR 87881, December 6, 2016)
were based largely on information contained in the final 2015 SAFE
report for the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated November 2015. The final
2015 SAFE report for the GOA is available from the Council (see
ADDRESSES). The Council proposed that the final OFLs, ABCs, and TACs
established for the 2017 groundfish fisheries (81 FR 14740, March 18,
2016) be used for the proposed 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications,
pending completion and review of the final 2016 SAFE report at its
December 2016 meeting.
As described previously, the SSC adopted the final 2017 and 2018
OFLs and ABCs recommended by the Plan Team, except for the sablefish
OFL. The SSC deducted the amount calculated for whale depredation from
the sablefish OFL. The Council adopted the SSC's OFL and ABC
recommendations and the AP's TAC recommendations for 2017 and 2018. The
final 2017 ABCs are higher than the proposed 2017 ABCs published in the
proposed 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications (81 FR 87881, December 6,
2016) for Pacific cod, sablefish, shallow-water flatfish, deep-water
flatfish, rex sole, flathead sole, northern rockfish, and rougheye
rockfish. The final 2017 ABCs are lower than the proposed 2017 and 2018
ABCs for pollock, arrowtooth flounder, Pacific ocean perch, dusky
rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish, and squids.
The final 2018 ABCs are higher than the proposed ABCs for
sablefish, shallow-water flatfish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, and
flathead sole. The final 2018 ABCs are lower than the proposed ABCs for
pollock, Pacific cod, arrowtooth flounder, Pacific ocean perch,
northern rockfish, dusky rockfish, rougheye rockfish, demersal shelf
rockfish, and squids. For the remaining target species, the Council
recommended the final 2017 and 2018 ABCs that are the same as the
proposed 2017 and 2018 ABCs.
Additional information explaining the changes between the proposed
and final ABCs is included in the final 2016 SAFE report, which was not
available when the Council made its proposed ABC and TAC
recommendations in October 2016. At that time, the most recent stock
assessment information was contained in the final 2015 SAFE report. The
final 2016 SAFE report contains the best and most recent scientific
information on the condition of the groundfish stocks, as previously
discussed in this preamble, and is available for review (see
ADDRESSES). The Council considered the final 2016 SAFE report in
December 2016 when it made recommendations for the final 2017 and 2018
harvest specifications. In the GOA, the total final 2017 TAC amount is
535,863 mt, a decrease of 7 percent from the total proposed 2017 TAC
amount of 573,872 mt. The total final 2018 TAC amount is 483,588 mt, a
decrease of 16 percent from the total proposed 2018 TAC amount of
573,872 mt. Table 1a summarizes the difference between the proposed and
final TACs. Annual stock assessments incorporate a variety of new or
revised inputs, such as survey data or catch information, as well as
changes to the statistical models used to estimate a species' biomass
and population trend. In 2016, most stocks were not directly surveyed,
as the GOA trawl survey is conducted every other year. Thus, most
changes to biomass and ABC estimates are based on fishery catch updates
to species' assessment models. Some species, such as pollock and
sablefish, have additional surveys conducted on an annual basis, which
result in additional data being available for the assessments for these
stocks.
Based on changes in the estimates of overall biomass made by stock
assessment scientists for 2017 and 2018, as compared to the estimates
previously made for 2015 and 2016, the greatest TAC percentage
increases are for sablefish, shallow-water flatfish, rex sole, and Atka
mackerel. One notable increase includes that made for sablefish. The
increase in the sablefish ABC and TAC is a result of the inclusion of
new catch, abundance, and age datasets, as well as adjustments to
[[Page 12035]]
the sablefish assessment model. Another notable increase between the
proposed and final TACs includes the 2017 and 2018 TACs for Atka
mackerel, which increased because of public interest in additional
opportunities to catch and retain Atka mackerel. The AP recommended,
and the Council adopted, this increase.
Based on changes in the estimates of biomass, the greatest decrease
in TACs is for pollock. The pollock assessment model incorporated 2016
survey data, as well as changes to the model. A notable model change
included using a random-effects model to calculate the weight-at-age of
pollock, rather than a 5-year average weight-at-age. This change
resulted in a downward calculation of biomass and ABC, with additional
declines expected in the short-term.
For all other species and species groups, changes from the proposed
2017 TACs to the final 2017 TACs are within a range of plus or minus 4
percent. The changes from the proposed 2018 TACs to the final 2018 TACs
are within a range of plus or minus 8 percent. These TAC changes
correspond to associated changes in the ABCs and TACs, as recommended
by the SSC, AP, and Council.
Detailed information providing the basis for the changes described
above is contained in the final 2016 SAFE report. The final TACs are
based on the best scientific information available. These TACs are
specified in compliance with the harvest strategy described in the
proposed and final rules for the 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications.
The changes in TACs between the proposed rule and this final rule are
compared in Table 1a.
Table 1a--Comparison of Proposed and Final 2017 and 2018 GOA Total Allowable Catch Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentage]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2017 Final 2018 Final
Species 2017 and 2018 2017 Final TAC minus 2017 Percentage 2018 Final TAC minus 2018 Percentage
proposed TAC proposed TAC difference proposed TAC difference
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock................................. 254,200 208,595 -45,605 -18 163,479 -90,721 -36
Pacific cod............................. 62,150 64,442 2,292 4 57,825 -4,325 -7
Sablefish............................... 8,307 10,074 1,767 21 10,207 1,900 23
Shallow-water flatfish.................. 34,855 36,843 1,988 6 36,979 2,124 6
Deep-water flatfish..................... 9,281 9,292 11 0 9,382 101 1
Rex sole................................ 7,507 8,311 804 11 8,421 914 12
Arrowtooth flounder..................... 103,300 103,300 0 0 103,300 0 0
Flathead sole........................... 27,850 27,856 6 0 27,920 70 0
Pacific ocean perch..................... 24,189 23,918 -271 -1 23,454 -735 -3
Northern rockfish....................... 3,768 3,786 18 0 3,508 -260 -7
Shortraker rockfish..................... 1286 1,286 0 0 1286 0 0
Dusky rockfish.......................... 4,284 4,278 -6 0 3,954 -330 -8
Rougheye rockfish....................... 1,325 1,327 2 0 1,318 -7 -1
Demersal shelf rockfish................. 231 227 -4 -2 227 -4 -2
Thornyhead rockfish..................... 1,961 1,961 0 0 1,961 0 0
Other rockfish.......................... 2,308 2,308 0 0 2,308 0 0
Atka mackerel........................... 2,000 3,000 1,000 50 3,000 1,000 50
Big skate............................... 3,814 3,814 0 0 3,814 0 0
Longnose skate.......................... 3,206 3,206 0 0 3,206 0 0
Other skates............................ 1,919 1,919 0 0 1,919 0 0
Sculpins................................ 5,591 5,591 0 0 5,591 0 0
Sharks.................................. 4,514 4,514 0 0 4,514 0 0
Squids.................................. 1,148 1,137 -11 -1 1,137 -11 -1
Octopuses............................... 4,878 4,878 0 0 4,878 0 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................... 573,872 535,863 -38,009 -7 483,588 -90,284 -16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The final 2017 and 2018 TAC recommendations for the GOA are within
the OY range established for the GOA and do not exceed the ABC for any
species or species group. Tables 1 and 2 list the final OFL, ABC, and
TAC amounts for GOA groundfish for 2017 and 2018, respectively.
Table 1--Final 2017 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs of Groundfish for the Western/Central/West Yakutat, Western, Central,
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock \2\........................... Shumagin (610).......... n/a 43,602 43,602
Chirikof (620).......... n/a 98,652 98,652
Kodiak (630)............ n/a 48,929 48,929
WYK (640)............... n/a 7,492 7,492
W/C/WYK (subtotal) \2\.. 235,807 203,769 198,675
SEO (650)............... 13,226 9,920 9,920
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 249,033 213,689 208,595
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod \3\....................... W....................... n/a 36,291 25,404
C....................... n/a 44,180 33,135
[[Page 12036]]
E....................... n/a 7,871 5,903
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 105,378 88,342 64,442
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish \4\......................... W....................... n/a 1,349 1,349
C....................... n/a 4,514 4,514
WYK..................... n/a 1,605 1,605
SEO..................... n/a 2,606 2,606
E (WYK and SEO) n/a 4,211 4,211
(subtotal).
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 11,885 10,074 10,074
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shallow-water flatfish \5\............ W....................... n/a 20,921 13,250
C....................... n/a 19,306 19,306
WYK..................... n/a 3,188 3,188
SEO..................... n/a 1,099 1,099
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 54,583 44,514 36,843
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deep-water flatfish \6\............... W....................... n/a 256 256
C....................... n/a 3,454 3,454
WYK..................... n/a 3,017 3,017
SEO..................... n/a 2,565 2,565
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 11,182 9,292 9,292
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rex sole.............................. W....................... n/a 1,459 1,459
C....................... n/a 4,930 4,930
WYK..................... n/a 850 850
SEO..................... n/a 1,072 1,072
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 10,860 8,311 8,311
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth flounder................... W....................... n/a 28,100 14,500
C....................... n/a 107,934 75,000
WYK..................... n/a 37,405 6,900
SEO..................... .............. 12,654 6,900
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 219,327 186,093 103,300
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead sole......................... W....................... n/a 11,098 8,650
C....................... n/a 20,339 15,400
WYK..................... n/a 2,949 2,949
SEO..................... n/a 857 857
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 43,128 35,243 27,856
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch \7\............... W....................... n/a 2,679 2,679
C....................... n/a 16,671 16,671
WYK..................... n/a 2,786 2,786
W/C/WYK subtotal........ 25,753 22,136 22,136
SEO..................... 2,073 1,782 1,782
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 27,826 23,918 23,918
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern rockfish \8\................. W....................... n/a 432 432
C....................... n/a 3,354 3,354
E....................... n/a 4
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 4,522 3,790 3,786
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 158 158
C....................... n/a 3,786 3,786
WYK..................... n/a 251 251
SEO..................... n/a 83 83
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 5,233 4,278 4,278
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rougheye and Blackspotted rockfish W....................... n/a 105 105
\11\.
C....................... n/a 706 706
E....................... n/a 516 516
-----------------------------------------------
[[Page 12037]]
Total................ 1,594 1,327 1,327
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demersal shelf rockfish \12\.......... SEO..................... 357 227 227
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thornyhead rockfish................... W....................... n/a 291 291
C....................... n/a 988 988
E....................... n/a 682 682
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 2,615 1,961 1,961
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other rockfish 13 14.................. W and C................. 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 3,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big skate \15\........................ 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 skate \16\................... 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 \17\..................... 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...................... 1,516 1,137 1,137
Octopus............................... GW...................... 6,504 4,878 4,878
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................. ........................ 796,158 667,877 535,863
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 total for the W/C/WYK Regulatory Areas pollock ABC is 203,769 mt. After deducting 2.5 percent (5,094 mt)
of that ABC for the State's pollock GHL fishery, the remaining pollock ABC of 198,675 mt (for the W/C/WYK
Regulatory Areas) is apportioned among four statistical areas (Areas 610, 620, 630, and 640). These
apportionments are considered subarea ACLs, rather than ABCs, for specification and reapportionment purposes.
The ACLs in Areas 610, 620, and 630 are further divided by season, as detailed in Table 3. In the West Yakutat
(Area 640) and Southeast Outside (Area 650) Districts of the Eastern Regulatory Area, pollock is not divided
into seasonal allowances.
\3\ The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned 60 percent to the A season and 40 percent to the B season in the
Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA. Pacific cod in the Eastern Regulatory Area is allocated 90
percent for processing by the inshore component and 10 percent for processing by the offshore component. Table
5 lists the final 2017 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments.
\4\ Sablefish is allocated to trawl and hook-and-line gear in 2017. Table 7 lists the final 2017 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 deepsea sole.
\7\ ``Pacific ocean perch'' means Sebastes alutus.
\8\ ``Northern rockfish'' means Sebastes polyspinis. For management purposes the 4 mt apportionment of ABC to
the WYK District of the Eastern Gulf of Alaska has been included in the ``other 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\ ``Other 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 (silvergrey), 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. polyspinis.
\14\ ``Other rockfish'' in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat District means other
rockfish and demersal shelf rockfish. The ``other rockfish'' species group in the SEO District only includes
other rockfish.
\15\ ``Big skate'' means Raja binoculata.
\16\ ``Longnose skate'' means Raja rhina.
\17\ ``Other skates'' means Bathyraja spp.
[[Page 12038]]
Table 2--Final 2018 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs of Groundfish for the Western/Central/West Yakutat, Western, Central,
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock \2\........................... Shumagin (610).......... n/a 33,701 33,701
Chirikof (620).......... n/a 76,249 76,249
Kodiak (630)............ n/a 37,818 37,818
WYK (640)............... n/a 5,791 5,791
W/C/WYK (subtotal) \2\.. 182,204 157,496 153,559
SEO (650)............... 13,226 9,920 9,920
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 195,430 167,416 163,479
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod \3\....................... W....................... n/a 32,565 22,795
C....................... n/a 39,644 29,733
E....................... n/a 7,063 5,297
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 94,188 79,272 57,825
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish \4\......................... W....................... n/a 1,367 1,367
C....................... n/a 4,574 4,574
WYK..................... n/a 1,626 1,626
SEO..................... n/a 2,640 2,640
E (WYK and SEO) n/a 4,266 4,266
(subtotal).
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 12,045 10,207 10,207
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shallow-water flatfish \5\............ W....................... n/a 21,042 13,250
C....................... n/a 19,418 19,418
WYK..................... n/a 3,206 3,206
SEO..................... n/a 1,105 1,105
Total................ 54,893 44,771 36,979
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deep-water flatfish \6\............... W....................... n/a 257 257
C....................... n/a 3,488 3,488
WYK..................... n/a 3,047 3,047
SEO..................... n/a 2,590 2,590
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 11,290 9,382 9,382
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rex sole.............................. W....................... n/a 1,478 1,478
C....................... n/a 4,995 4,995
WYK..................... n/a 861 861
SEO..................... n/a 1,087 1,087
Total................ 11,004 8,421 8,421
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth flounder................... W....................... n/a 25,747 14,500
C....................... n/a 98,895 75,000
WYK..................... n/a 34,273 6,900
SEO..................... n/a 11,595 6,900
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 196,635 170,510 103,300
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead sole......................... W....................... n/a 11,282 8,650
C....................... n/a 20,677 15,400
WYK..................... n/a 2,998 2,998
SEO..................... n/a 872 872
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 43,872 35,829 27,920
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch \7\............... W....................... n/a 2,627 2,627
C....................... n/a 16,347 16,347
WYK..................... n/a 2,733 2,733
W/C/WYK................. 25,252 21,707 21,707
SEO..................... 2,032 1,747 1,747
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 27,284 23,454 23,454
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern rockfish \8\................. W....................... n/a 400 400
C....................... n/a 3,108 3,108
E....................... n/a 4 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 4,175 3,512 3,508
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 146 146
C....................... n/a 3,499 3,499
[[Page 12039]]
WYK..................... n/a 232 232
SEO..................... n/a 77 77
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 4,837 3,954 3,954
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rougheye and Blackspotted rockfish W....................... n/a 104 104
\11\.
C....................... n/a 702 702
E....................... n/a 512 512
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 1,583 1,318 1,318
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demersal shelf rockfish \12\.......... SEO..................... 357 227 227
Thornyhead rockfish................... W....................... n/a 291 291
C....................... n/a 988 988
E....................... n/a 682 682
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 2,615 1,961 1,961
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other rockfish 13 14.................. W and C................. 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 3,000
Big skate \15\........................ 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 skate \16\................... 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 \17\..................... 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...................... 1,516 1,137 1,137
Octopus GW...................... 6,504 4,878 4,878
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................. ........................ 708,843 597,052 483,588
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 total for the W/C/WYK Regulatory Areas pollock ABC is 157,496 mt. After deducting 2.5 percent (3,937 mt)
of that ABC for the State's pollock GHL fishery, the remaining pollock ABC of 153,559 mt (for the W/C/WYK
Regulatory Areas) is apportioned among four statistical areas (Areas 610, 620, 630, and 640). These
apportionments are considered subarea ACLs, rather than ABCs, for specification and reapportionment purposes.
The ACLs in Areas 610, 620, and 630 are further divided by season, as detailed in Table 3. In the West Yakutat
(Area 640) and Southeast Outside (Area 650) Districts of the Eastern Regulatory Area, pollock is not divided
into seasonal allowances.
\3\ The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned 60 percent to the A season and 40 percent to the B season in the
Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA. Pacific cod in the Eastern Regulatory Area is allocated 90
percent for processing by the inshore component and 10 percent for processing by the offshore component. Table
6 lists the final 2017 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments.
\4\ Sablefish is only allocated to trawl gear for 2018. Table 8 lists the final 2018 allocation of sablefish
TACs to trawl gear.
\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 deepsea sole.
\7\ ``Pacific ocean perch'' means Sebastes alutus.
\8\ ``Northern rockfish'' means Sebastes polyspinis. For management purposes the 4 mt apportionment of ABC to
the WYK District of the Eastern Gulf of Alaska has been included in the ``other 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\ ``Other 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 (silvergrey), 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. polyspinis.
\14\ ``Other rockfish'' in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat District means other
rockfish and demersal shelf rockfish. The ``other rockfish'' species group in the SEO District only includes
other rockfish.
\15\ ``Big skate'' means Raja binoculata.
\16\ ``Longnose skate'' means Raja rhina.
\17\ ``Other skates'' means Bathyraja spp.
[[Page 12040]]
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 reserve for possible apportionment at a later date during
the fishing year. For 2017 and 2018, NMFS proposed reapportionment of
all the reserves in the proposed 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications
published in the Federal Register on December 6, 2016 (81 FR 87881).
NMFS did not receive any public comments on the proposed
reapportionments. For the final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications,
NMFS reapportioned, as proposed, all the reserves for pollock, Pacific
cod, flatfish, sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopuses back into the
original TAC limit from which the reserve was derived. This was done
because NMFS expects, 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 listed in Tables 1 and 2 reflect
reapportionments of reserve amounts to the original TAC limit 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.
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 to March 10, March 10 to May
31, August 25 to October 1, and October 1 to 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
were in proportion to the distribution of pollock biomass based on the
four most recent NMFS winter surveys. In the C and D seasons, the
apportionments were in proportion to the distribution of pollock
biomass based on the four most recent NMFS summer surveys. For 2017 and
2018, the Council recommended, and NMFS approved, following the
apportionment methodology, which was used previously 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 2017
and 2018 fishing years. For the A season, the apportionment is based on
an adjusted estimate of the relative distribution of pollock biomass of
approximately 5 percent, 72 percent, and 23 percent in Statistical
Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. For the B season, the
apportionment is based on the relative distribution of pollock biomass
at 5 percent, 82 percent, and 13 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 at 41 percent, 26
percent, and 33 percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630,
respectively. The pollock chapter of the 2016 SAFE report (see
ADDRESSES) contains a comprehensive description of the apportionment
process and reasons for the minor changes from past apportionments.
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 for the Western and Central Regulatory
Areas 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 subsequent 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
and in an amount no more than 20 percent of the seasonal TAC
apportionment for the statistical area (Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The
pollock TACs in the WYK and SEO District of 7,492 mt and 9,920 mt,
respectively, in 2017, and 5,791 mt and 9,920 mt, respectively, in
2018, are not allocated by season.
Section 679.20(a)(6)(i) requires the allocation of 100 percent of
the pollock TAC in all regulatory areas and all seasonal allowances to
vessels catching pollock for processing by the inshore component after
subtraction of 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 by
Sec. 679.20(e) and (f). At this time, these incidental catch amounts
of pollock are unknown and will be determined during the fishing year
during the course of fishing activities by the offshore component.
Tables 3 and 4 list the final 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 3--Final 2017 Distribution of Pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA; Seasonal Biomass Distribution, Area Apportionments;
and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages are rounded to the nearest 0.01]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season \1\ Shumagin (area 610)
Chirikof (area 620)
Kodiak (area 630) Total \2\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A (Jan 20-Mar 10)....................... 2,232 4.67% 34,549 72.29% 11,014 23.04% 47,796
B (Mar 10-May 31)....................... 2,232 4.67% 39,420 82.48% 6,143 12.85% 47,796
C (Aug 25-Oct 1)........................ 19,569 40.94% 12,341 25.82% 15,886 33.24% 47,796
D (Oct 1-Nov 1)......................... 19,569 40.94% 12,341 25.82% 15,886 33.24% 47,796
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 12041]]
Annual Total........................ 43,602 .............. 98,652 .............. 48,929 .............. 191,183
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ As established by Sec. 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season allowances are available from January 20 to March 10, March 10 to
May 31, August 25 to October 1, and October 1 to November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and offshore
components are not shown in this table.
\2\ The WYK and SEO District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock TACs shown in this table.
Table 4--Final 2018 Distribution of Pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA; Seasonal Biomass Distribution, Area Apportionments;
and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages are rounded to the nearest 0.01]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season \1\ Shumagin (area 610)
Chirikof (area 620)
Kodiak (area 630) Total \2\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A (Jan 20-Mar 10)....................... 1,725 4.67% 26,704 72.29% 8,513 23.04% 36,942
B (Mar 10-May 31)....................... 1,725 4.67% 30,469 82.48% 4,748 12.85% 36,942
C (Aug 25-Oct 1)........................ 15,125 40.94% 9,538 25.82% 12,278 33.24% 36,942
D (Oct 1-Nov 1)......................... 15,125 40.94% 9,538 25.82% 12,278 33.24% 36,942
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Total........................ 33,701 .............. 76,249 .............. 37,818 .............. 147,768
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ As established by Sec. 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season allowances are available from January 20 to March 10, March 10 to
May 31, August 25 to October 1, and October 1 to November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and offshore
components are not shown in this table.
\2\ The WYK and SEO District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock TACs shown in this table.
Annual and Seasonal Apportionments of Pacific Cod TAC
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i), NMFS allocates the Pacific cod
TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA among gear
and operational sectors. NMFS also allocates the 2017 and 2018 Pacific
cod TACs annually between the inshore (90 percent) and offshore (10
percent) 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 NMFS
determines is likely to go unharvested by a sector may be reapportioned
to other sectors for harvest during the remainder of the fishery year
in accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(ii).
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 (FFP) 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 2016 harvest performance of the jig sector in the Western
and Central GOA, and is establishing the 2017 and 2018 Pacific cod
apportionments to this sector as follows.
NMFS allocates the jig sector 2.5 percent of the annual Pacific cod
TAC in the Western GOA. This is a decrease from the 2016 jig sector
allocation because in both 2015 and 2016 this sector harvested less
than its initial annual allocation. The 2017 and 2018 allocations
include a base allocation of 1.5 percent, and an additional 1.0 percent
because this sector harvested greater than 90 percent of its initial
2014 annual allocation. Since 2012, the jig sector in the Western GOA
has received two separate increases to its annual allocation, for a
total of 3.5 percent. This percentage is decreased by 1 percent for
2017 and 2018 due to the jig sector's 2016 harvest performance, in
which 5 percent of the Western GOA jig allocation was harvested. Annual
jig sector allocation increases or decreases occur in 1 percent
increments; so if the Western GOA jig sector catches less than 90
percent of its 2017 annual allocation, it will be subject to another 1
percent decrease in 2018.
NMFS allocates the jig sector 1.0 percent of the annual Pacific cod
TAC in the Central GOA. This is the same percent as the 2016 jig sector
allocation because in 2016 this sector harvested less than 90 percent
of the initial 2016 allocation. The 2017 and 2018 allocations consist
of a base allocation of 1.0 percent, and no additional performance
increase in the Central GOA. Tables 5 and 6 list the seasonal
apportionments and allocations of the 2017 and 2018 Pacific cod TACs.
[[Page 12042]]
Table 5--Final 2017 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocation of Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts in the
GOA; Allocations for the Western GOA and Central GOA Sectors and the Eastern GOA Inshore and Offshore Processing
Components
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages to the nearest 0.01. Seasonal allowances may not
total precisely to annual allocation amount]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A season B season
---------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Sector Sector
Regulatory area and sector allocation percentage of Seasonal percentage of Seasonal
(mt) annual non-jig allowances annual non-jig allowances
TAC (mt) TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA:
Jig (2.5% of TAC)........... 635 N/A 381 N/A 254
Hook-and-line CV............ 347 0.70 173 0.70 173
Hook-and-line C/P........... 4,904 10.90 2,700 8.90 2,204
Trawl CV.................... 9,511 27.70 6,861 10.70 2,650
Trawl C/P................... 594 0.90 223 1.50 372
All Pot CV and Pot C/P...... 9,412 19.80 4,904 18.20 4,508
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 25,404 60.00 15,242 40.00 10,161
Central GOA:
Jig (1.0% of TAC)........... 331 N/A 199 N/A 133
Hook-and-line <50 CV........ 4,790 9.32 3,056 5.29 1,734
Hook-and-line >=50 CV....... 2,200 5.61 1,840 1.10 360
Hook-and-line C/P........... 1,674 4.11 1,347 1.00 327
Trawl CV \1\................ 13,641 21.14 6,933 20.45 6,708
Trawl C/P................... 1,377 2.00 657 2.19 720
All Pot CV and Pot C/P...... 9,121 17.83 5,849 9.97 3,272
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 33,135 60.00 19,881 40.00 13,254
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern GOA..................... .............. Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
5,903 5,313
590
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Trawl vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 1,262 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 12).
Table 6--Final 2018 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocation of Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts in the
GOA; Allocations for the Western GOA and Central GOA Sectors and the Eastern GOA Inshore and Offshore Processing
Components
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages to the nearest 0.01. Seasonal allowances may not
total precisely to annual allocation amount]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A season B season
---------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Sector Sector
Regulatory area and sector allocation percentage of Seasonal percentage of Seasonal
(mt) annual non-jig allowances annual non-jig allowances
TAC (mt) TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA:
Jig (2.5% of TAC)........... 570 N/A 342 N/A 228
Hook-and-line CV............ 311 0.70 156 0.70 156
Hook-and-line C/P........... 4,400 10.90 2,422 8.90 1,978
Trawl CV.................... 8,534 27.70 6,156 10.70 2,378
Trawl C/P................... 533 0.90 200 1.50 333
All Pot CV and Pot C/P...... 8,445 19.80 4,400 18.20 4,045
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 22,795 60.00 13,677 40.00 9,118
Central GOA:
Jig (1.0% of TAC)........... 297 N/A 178 N/A 119
Hook-and-line <50 CV........ 4,298 9.32 2,742 5.29 1,556
Hook-and-line >=50 CV....... 1,974 5.61 1,651 1.10 323
Hook-and-line C/P........... 1,502 4.11 1,209 1.00 294
Trawl CV \1\................ 12,241 21.14 6,221 20.45 6,019
Trawl C/P................... 1,236 2.00 590 2.19 646
All Pot CV and Pot C/P...... 8,185 17.83 5,248 9.97 2,936
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 29,733 60.00 17,840 40.00 11,893
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern GOA..................... .............. Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
---------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 12043]]
5,297 4,768
530
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Trawl vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 1,133 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 13).
Allocations of the Sablefish TACs Amounts to Vessels Using Hook-and-
Line and Trawl Gear
Section 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, which
is comprised of the WYK and SEO Districts, 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 Regulatory Area may only
be used to support incidental catch of sablefish in directed trawl
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 approves the allocation of 5 percent of the 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 allocates 100 percent of the sablefish TAC in the SEO
District to vessels using hook-and-line gear. This action results in a
2017 allocation of 211 mt to trawl gear and 1,394 mt to hook-and-line
gear in the WYK District, a 2017 allocation of 2,606 mt to hook-and-
line gear in the SEO District, and a 2018 allocation of 213 mt to trawl
gear in the WYK District. Table 7 lists the allocations of the 2017
sablefish TACs to hook-and-line and trawl gear. Table 8 lists the
allocations of the 2018 sablefish TACs to trawl gear.
The Council recommended that a trawl sablefish TAC be established
for two 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. Both the 2017 and 2018 trawl
allocations are specified in these final harvest specifications, in
Tables 7 and 8, respectively.
The Council also recommended that the hook-and-line sablefish TAC
be established annually to ensure that this IFQ fishery is conducted
concurrently with the halibut IFQ fishery and is based on recent
sablefish survey information. Since there is an annual assessment for
sablefish and since the final harvest specifications are expected to be
published before the IFQ season begins on March 11, 2017, the Council
recommended that the hook-and-line sablefish TAC be set on an annual
basis, rather than for two years, so that the best scientific
information available could be considered in establishing the sablefish
ABCs and TACs. Accordingly, while the 2017 hook-and-line allocations
are specified in Table 7, the 2018 hook-and-line allocations will be
specified in the 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications.
With the exception of the trawl allocations that were provided to
the Central GOA Rockfish Program (Rockfish Program) cooperatives (see
Table 28c to 50 CFR 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.
Table 7--Final 2017 Sablefish TAC Specifications in the GOA 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.............................. 1,349 1,079 270
Central.............................. 4,514 3,611 903
West Yakutat\1\...................... 1,605 1,394 211
Southeast Outside.................... 2,606 2,606 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................ 10,074 8,691 1,383
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat
and Southeast Outside combined) sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.
[[Page 12044]]
Table 8--Final 2018 Sablefish TAC Specifications in the GOA and Allocation to Trawl Gear\1\
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hook-and-line
Area/district TAC allocation Trawl allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western.............................. 1,367 n/a 273
Central.............................. 4,574 n/a 915
West Yakutat \2\..................... 1,626 n/a 213
Southeast Outside.................... 2,640 n/a 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................ 10,207 n/a 1,402
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Council recommended that 2018 harvest specifications for the hook-and-line gear sablefish Individual
Fishing Quota fisheries be specified in the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications.
\2\ The trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat
and Southeast Outside combined) sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.
Demersal Shelf Rockfish (DSR)
The recommended 2017 and 2018 DSR TAC is 227 mt, and management of
DSR is delegated to the State. The Alaska Board of Fisheries has
apportioned the annual SEO District DSR TACs between the commercial
fishery (84 percent) and the sport fishery (16 percent) after
deductions were made for anticipated subsistence harvests (7 mt). This
results in 2017 and 2018 allocations of 185 mt to the commercial
fishery and 35 mt to the sport fishery.
The State deducts estimates of incidental catch of DSR in the
commercial halibut fishery and pre-season ``test fishery'' DSR
mortality from the DSR commercial fishery allocation. In 2016, this
resulted in 29 mt being available for the directed commercial DSR
fishery apportioned in one DSR district. The State estimated that there
was not sufficient DSR TAC available to have orderly fisheries in the
three other DSR districts. DSR harvest in the halibut fishery is linked
to the annual halibut catch limits; therefore, the State can only
estimate potential DSR incidental catch because halibut catch limits
are established by the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC).
Federally permitted CVs using hook-and-line or jig gear fishing for
groundfish and Pacific halibut in the SEO District of the GOA are
required to retain all DSR (Sec. 679.20(j)).
Apportionments to the Rockfish Program
These final 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. Longline
gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline 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 (Sec. 679.81(a)(2)).
Participants in the Rockfish Program also receive a portion of the
Central GOA TAC of specific secondary species. In addition to
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) and Table 28d to 50 CFR part 679).
Rockfish Program sideboards and halibut PSC limits are discussed below.
Also, the Rockfish Program establishes sideboard limits to restrict
the ability of harvesters operating 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) and Table 28e to 50 CFR part 679 requires
allocations of 5 mt of Pacific ocean perch, 5 mt of northern rockfish,
and 50 mt of dusky rockfish to the entry level longline fishery in 2017
and 2018. The allocation for the entry level longline fishery may
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 percent of the TAC for
that species. In 2016, the dusky rockfish catch exceeded 90 percent of
that species' allocation. Therefore, NMFS is increasing the entry level
longline fishery 2017 and 2018 allocations of dusky rockfish to 50 mt
in the Central GOA. The catch of the other two species, Pacific ocean
perch and northern rockfish, did not attain the 90 percent threshold,
and those allocations remain at 5 mt each. The remainder of the TACs
for the rockfish primary species would be allocated to the CV and C/P
cooperatives. Table 9 lists the allocations of the 2017 and 2018 TACs
for each rockfish primary species to the entry level longline fishery,
the incremental increase for future years, and the maximum percent of
the TAC for the entry level longline fishery.
Table 9--Final 2017 and Initial 2018 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species to the Entry Level Longline Fishery
in the Central Gulf of Alaska
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incremental increase in 2018
Rockfish primary species 2017 and 2018 if > 90% of 2017 allocation Up to maximum %
allocations is harvested of TAC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch.................. 5 metric tons........... 5 metric tons................ 1
Northern rockfish.................... 5 metric tons........... 5 metric tons................ 2
[[Page 12045]]
Dusky rockfish....................... 50 metric tons.......... 20 metric tons............... 5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 679.81(a)(2) requires allocations of the rockfish primary
species among various sectors of the Rockfish Program. Tables 10 and 11
list the final 2017 and 2018 allocations of rockfish primary species in
the Central GOA to the entry level longline fishery, and CV and C/P
cooperatives in the Rockfish Program. NMFS also is setting aside
incidental catch amounts (ICAs) for other directed fisheries in the
Central GOA of 2,000 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 final 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 final
harvest specifications. NMFS will post these allocations on the Alaska
Region Web site at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/central-goa-rockfish-program when they become available after March 1.
Table 10--Final 2017 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 Allocation to
Incidental the entry the rockfish
Rockfish primary species TAC catch TAC minus ICA level longline cooperatives
allowance \1\ fishery \2\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch............. 16,671 2,000 14,671 5 14,666
Northern rockfish............... 3,354 300 3,054 5 3,049
Dusky rockfish.................. 3,786 250 3,536 50 3,486
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total....................... 23,811 2,550 21,261 60 21,201
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Longline gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear.
\2\ Rockfish cooperatives include vessels in CV and C/P cooperatives.
Table 11--Final 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 Allocation to
Incidental the entry the Rockfish
Rockfish primary species TAC catch TAC minus ICA level longline cooperatives
allowance \1\ fishery \2\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch............. 16,347 2,000 14,347 5 14,342
Northern rockfish............... 3,108 300 2,808 5 2,803
Dusky rockfish.................. 3,499 250 3,249 50 3,199
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total....................... 22,954 2,550 20,404 60 20,344
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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) and Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679 requires
allocations of rockfish secondary species to CV and C/P cooperatives in
the Central 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. Tables 12 and 13 list the apportionments of the 2017 and 2018
TACs of rockfish secondary species in the Central GOA to CV and C/P
cooperatives.
[[Page 12046]]
Table 12--Final 2017 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA to Catcher Vessel and
Catcher/Processor Cooperatives
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher vessel cooperatives Catcher/processor cooperatives
Annual Central ---------------------------------------------------------------
Rockfish secondary species GOA TAC Percentage of Apportionment Percentage of Apportionment
TAC (mt) TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod..................... 33,135 3.81 1,262 0.00 ..............
Sablefish....................... 4,514 6.78 306 3.51 158
Shortraker rockfish............. 301 0.00 .............. 40.00 120
Rougheye rockfish............... 706 0.00 .............. 58.87 416
Thornyhead rockfish............. 988 7.84 77 26.50 262
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 13--Final 2018 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA to Catcher Vessel and
Catcher/Processor Cooperatives
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher vessel cooperatives Catcher/processor cooperatives
Annual Central ---------------------------------------------------------------
Rockfish secondary species GOA TAC Percentage of Apportionment Percentage of Apportionment
TAC (mt) TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod..................... 29,733 3.81 1,133 0.00 ..............
Sablefish....................... 4,574 6.78 310 3.51 161
Shortraker rockfish............. 301 0.00 .............. 40.00 120
Rougheye rockfish............... 702 0.00 .............. 58.87 413
Thornyhead rockfish............. 988 7.84 77 26.50 262
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut PSC Limits
Section 679.21(d) establishes the annual halibut PSC limit
apportionments to trawl and hook-and-line gear, and authorizes the
establishment of apportionments for pot gear. In December 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 DSR fishery in the SEO
District for both 2017 and 2018.
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
(Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(i)(A)). 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 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 the following: (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, exempts
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 approves, these exemptions because: (1)
The 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 catcher vessel holds unused halibut IFQ (Sec.
679.7(f)(11)), (3) some sablefish IFQ fishermen 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 that 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 December 31, 2016, is
1,336 mt for trawl gear and 241 mt for hook-and-line gear for a total
halibut mortality of 1,577 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 the Council and NMFS to 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. The
Council considered information from the 2016 SAFE report, NMFS catch
data, State of Alaska catch data, IPHC stock assessment and mortality
data, and public testimony when apportioning the halibut PSC limits.
NMFS concurs with the Council's recommendations listed in
[[Page 12047]]
Table 14, which show the final 2017 and 2018 Pacific halibut PSC
limits, allowances, and apportionments.
Section 679.21(d)(4)(iii) and (iv) specify that any underages or
overages of a seasonal apportionment of a PSC limit will be added to or
deducted from the next respective seasonal apportionment within the
fishing year.
Table 14--Final 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 10........ 86 221 January 1-December 31.... 9
April 1-July 1........................ 20 341 June 10-September 1...... 2 5 ......................... ..........
July 1-September 1.................... 30 512 September 1-December 31.. 12 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 IFQ fishery is exempt from halibut PSC limits, as are pot and jig gear for all groundfish
fisheries. Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
Section 679.21(d)(3)(ii) authorizes further apportionment of the
trawl halibut PSC limit to trawl fishery categories listed in Sec.
679.21(d)(3)(iii). The annual apportionments are based on each
category's proportional share of the anticipated halibut bycatch
mortality during the 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).
NMFS will combine available trawl halibut PSC limit apportionments
in the second season deep-water and shallow-water fisheries for use in
either fishery from May 15 through June 30 (Sec. 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(D).
This is intended to maintain groundfish harvest while minimizing
halibut bycatch by these sectors to the extent practicable. This
provides the deep-water and shallow-water trawl fisheries additional
flexibility and the incentive to participate in fisheries at times of
the year that may have lower halibut PSC rates relative to other times
of the year.
Table 15 lists the final 2017 and 2018 apportionments of halibut
PSC trawl limits between the trawl gear deep-water and shallow-water
species fishery categories.
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 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 allocated to Rockfish Program participants that could be re-
apportioned to the general GOA trawl fisheries during the current
fishing year 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 15--Final 2017 and 2018 Apportionment of Pacific Halibut PSC Trawl Limits Between the Trawl Gear Deep-
Water Species Fishery and the Shallow-Water Species Fishery Categories
[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 Any remainder..................... 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 Central GOA 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 fishery categories during the
fifth season (October 1 through December 31).
[[Page 12048]]
Section 679.21(d)(2)(i)(B) requires that the ``other hook-and-line
fishery'' halibut PSC limit apportionment to vessels using hook-and-
line gear must be apportioned between 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 are not repeated here.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(iii), the hook-and-line halibut PSC
limit is apportioned between the CV and C/P sectors in proportion to
the total Western and Central GOA Pacific cod allocations, which vary
annually based on the proportion of the Pacific cod biomass. Pacific
cod is apportioned among these two management areas based on the
percentage of overall biomass per area, as calculated in the 2016
Pacific cod stock assessment. Updated information in the final 2016
SAFE report describes this distributional calculation, which is based
on allocating ABC among regulatory areas on the basis of the three most
recent stock surveys. For 2017 and 2018, the distribution of the total
GOA Pacific cod ABC is 41 percent to the Western GOA, 50 percent to the
Central GOA, and 9 percent to the Eastern GOA. Therefore, the
calculations made in accordance with Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(iii)
incorporate the most recent information on GOA Pacific cod distribution
with respect to establishing the annual halibut PSC limits for the CV
and C/P hook-and-line sectors. The annual halibut PSC limits are
divided into three seasonal apportionments, using seasonal percentages
of 86 percent, 2 percent, and 12 percent.
For 2017 and 2018, NMFS apportions halibut PSC limits of 129 mt and
128 mt to the hook-and-line CV and hook-and-line C/P sectors,
respectively. Table 16 lists the final 2017 and 2018 apportionments of
halibut PSC limits between the hook-and-line CV and hook-and-line C/P
sectors.
No later than November 1 of each year, NMFS will calculate 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 is necessary for that sector to
continue its directed fishing operations (Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(iii)(C)).
Table 16--Final 2017 and 2018 Apportionments of the ``other hook-and-line fisheries'' Annual 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 2 3
1.
September 1- 12 15
December 31.
Catcher/Processor 128
January 1-June 10 86 110
June 10-September 2 3
1.
September 1- 12 15
December 31.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimates of Halibut Biomass and Stock Condition
The IPHC annually assesses the abundance and potential yield of the
Pacific halibut stock using all available data from the commercial and
sport fisheries, other removals, and scientific surveys. Additional
information on the Pacific halibut stock assessment may be found in the
IPHC's 2016 Pacific halibut stock assessment (December 2016), available
on the IPHC Web site at www.iphc.int. The IPHC considered the 2016
Pacific halibut stock assessment at its January 2017 annual meeting
when it set the 2017 commercial halibut fishery catch limits.
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.
In 2016, the DMR estimation methodology underwent revisions per the
Council's directive. An interagency halibut working group (IPHC,
Council, and NMFS staff) developed improved estimation methods that
have undergone review by the GOA Plan Team, SSC, and the Council. A
summary of the revised methodology is contained in the GOA proposed
2017 and 2018 harvest specifications (81 FR 87881, December 6, 2016),
and the comprehensive discussion of the working group's statistical
methodology is available from the Council (see ADDRESSES). While the
DMR working group's revised methodology is intended to improve
estimation accuracy, as well as transparency and transferability in the
methodology used, for calculating DMRs, the working group will continue
to consider improvements to the methodology used to calculate halibut
mortality. Future DMRs, including the 2018 DMRs, may change based on an
additional year of observer sampling, which could provide more recent
and accurate data and which could improve the accuracy of estimation
and progress on methodology.
At the December 2016 meeting, the SSC, AP, and Council concurred
with the revised DMR estimation methodology. The Council recommended
adopting the halibut
[[Page 12049]]
DMRs derived from that process for 2017 and 2018, with no changes
except a minor increase in the rate assigned to non-pelagic trawl
catcher vessels that do not participate in the Rockfish Program (a two
percent increase) and a decrease in the rate assigned to non-pelagic
trawl catcher vessels that do participate in the Rockfish Program (an
eighteen percent decrease). These changes reflect corrections that were
made in programming code associated with calculating the DMRs for the
trawl gear categories. Table 17 lists the proposed 2017 and 2018 DMRs.
Table 17--Final 2017 and 2018 Halibut Discard Mortality Rates for Vessels Fishing in the Gulf of Alaska
[Values are percent of halibut assumed to be dead]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut
discard
Gear Sector Groundfish fishery mortality rate
(percent)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pelagic trawl......................... Catcher vessel................ All..................... 100
Catcher/processor............. All..................... 100
Non-pelagic trawl..................... Catcher vessel................ Rockfish Program........ 67
Catcher vessel................ All others.............. 65
Mothership and catcher/ All..................... 85
processor.
Hook-and-line......................... Catcher/processor............. All..................... 11
Catcher vessel................ All..................... 12
Pot................................... Catcher vessel and catcher/ All..................... 10
processor.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinook Salmon Prohibited Species Catch Limits
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 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 at 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 the manager of a
shoreside processor or stationary floating processor has accurately
recorded the number of salmon by species in the eLandings at-sea
production report or eLandings groundfish landing report. If an
observer is present at the processing facility that takes delivery of
the catch, then the observer 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 specified threshold amount in 2016, that sector
will receive an incremental increase to its 2017 Chinook salmon PSC
limit (Sec. 679.21(h)(4)). In 2016, the trawl C/P sector did not
exceed 3,120 Chinook salmon PSC; therefore, the 2017 trawl C/Ps Chinook
salmon PSC limit will be 4,080 Chinook salmon. In 2016, the Non-
Rockfish Program CV sector did not exceed 2,340 Chinook salmon PSC;
therefore, the 2017 Non-Rockfish Program CV sector limit will be 3,060
Chinook salmon.
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 limits among the pollock and non-pollock sectors.
NMFS did not exercise this authority in 2016, as none of the trawl
sectors needed reapportionments. NMFS may use this authority in 2017
and 2018 for inseason management actions if a trawl sector needs
reapportionment of unused Chinook salmon PSC limits.
American Fisheries Act (AFA) Catcher/Processor and Catcher Vessel
Groundfish Harvest and PSC Limits
Section 679.64 establishes groundfish harvesting and processing
sideboard limitations 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 and C/Ps designated on a listed AFA C/P permit from
harvesting any species of groundfish in the GOA. Additionally, Sec.
679.7(k)(1)(iv) prohibits listed AFA C/Ps and C/Ps designated on a
listed AFA C/P permit 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
less than 5,100 mt, and have made at least 40 GOA groundfish landings
from 1995 through 1997 are exempt from GOA sideboard limits under Sec.
679.64(b)(2)(ii). Sideboard limits for non-exempt AFA CVs 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 aggregate
retained catch of non-exempt AFA CVs of each sideboard species from
1995 through 1997 divided by the sum of the TACs for that species or
species group available to CVs over the same period.
[[Page 12050]]
Tables 18 and 19 list the final 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 Tables 18 and 19.
Table 18--Final 2017 GOA Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel (CV) Groundfish Harvest Sideboard
Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1995-
1997 non- Final 2017 non-
Species Apportionments by Area/component exempt AFA CV Final 2017 exempt AFA CV
season/gear catch to 1995- TACs sideboard
1997 TAC limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock....................... A Season--January Shumagin (610).. 0.6047 2,232 1,350
20-March 10.
Chirikof (620).. 0.1167 34,549 4,032
Kodiak (630).... 0.2028 11,014 2,234
B Season--March Shumagin (610).. 0.6047 2,232 1,350
10-May 31.
Chirikof (620).. 0.1167 39,420 4,600
Kodiak (630).... 0.2028 6,143 1,246
C Season--August Shumagin (610).. 0.6047 19,569 11,834
25-October 1.
Chirikof (620).. 0.1167 12,341 1,440
Kodiak (630).... 0.2028 15,886 3,222
D Season--October Shumagin (610).. 0.6047 19,569 11,834
1-November 1.
Chirikof (620).. 0.1167 12,341 1,440
Kodiak (630).... 0.2028 15,886 3,222
Annual........... WYK (640)....... 0.3495 7,492 2,618
SEO (650)....... 0.3495 9,920 3,467
Pacific cod................... A Season \1\-- W............... 0.1331 15,242 2,029
January 1-June
10.
C............... 0.0692 19,881 1,376
B Season \2\-- W............... 0.1331 10,161 1,352
September 1-
December 31.
C............... 0.0692 13,254 917
Annual........... E inshore....... 0.0079 5,313 42
E offshore...... 0.0078 590 5
Sablefish..................... Annual, trawl W............... 0.0000 270 ..............
gear.
C............... 0.0642 903 58
E............... 0.0433 211 9
Annual........... W............... 0.0156 13,250 207
Shallow-water flatfish........ C............... 0.0587 19,306 1,133
E............... 0.0126 4,287 54
Annual........... W............... 0.0000 256 ..............
Deep-water flatfish........... C............... 0.0647 3,454 223
E............... 0.0128 5,582 71
Rex sole...................... Annual........... W............... 0.0007 1,459 1
C............... 0.0384 4,930 189
E............... 0.0029 1,922 6
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 3,806 3
Pacific ocean perch........... Annual........... W............... 0.0023 2,679 6
C............... 0.0748 16,671 1,247
E............... 0.0466 4,568 213
Northern rockfish............. Annual........... W............... 0.0003 432 0
C............... 0.0277 3,354 93
Shortraker rockfish........... Annual........... W............... 0.0000 38 ..............
C............... 0.0218 301 7
E............... 0.0110 947 10
Dusky rockfish................ Annual........... W............... 0.0001 158 0
C............... 0.0000 3,786 ..............
E............... 0.0067 334 2
Rougheye rockfish............. Annual........... W............... 0.0000 105 ..............
C............... 0.0237 706 17
E............... 0.0124 516 6
Demersal shelf rockfish....... Annual........... SEO............. 0.0020 227 0
Thornyhead rockfish........... Annual........... W............... 0.0280 291 8
C............... 0.0280 988 28
E............... 0.0280 682 19
Other rockfish................ Annual........... C............... 0.1699 1,534 261
E............... 0.0000 774 ..............
Atka mackerel................. Annual........... Gulfwide........ 0.0309 3,000 93
Big skates.................... Annual........... W............... 0.0063 908 6
C............... 0.0063 1,850 12
[[Page 12051]]
E............... 0.0063 1,056 7
Longnose skates............... Annual........... W............... 0.0063 61 0
C............... 0.0063 2,513 16
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 1,137 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.
Table 19--Final 2018 GOA Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel (CV) Groundfish Harvest Sideboard
Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1995-
1997 non- Final 2018 non-
Species Apportionments by Area/component exempt AFA CV Final 2018 exempt AFA CV
season/gear catch to 1995- TACs sideboard
1997 TAC limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock....................... A Season--January Shumagin (610).. 0.6047 1,725 1,043
20-March 10.
Chirikof (620).. 0.1167 26,704 3,116
Kodiak (630).... 0.2028 8,513 1,726
B--Season March Shumagin (610).. 0.6047 1,725 1,043
10-May 31.
Chirikof (620).. 0.1167 30,469 3,556
Kodiak (630).... 0.2028 4,748 963
C Season--August Shumagin (610).. 0.6047 15,125 9,146
25-October 1.
Chirikof (620).. 0.1167 9,538 1,113
Kodiak (630).... 0.2028 12,278 2,490
D Season--October Shumagin (610).. 0.6047 15,125 9,146
1-November 1.
Chirikof (620).. 0.1167 9,538 1,113
Kodiak (630).... 0.2028 12,278 2,490
Annual........... WYK (640)....... 0.3495 5,791 2,024
SEO (650)....... 0.3495 9,920 3,467
Pacific cod................... A Season \1\-- W............... 0.1331 13,677 1,820
January 1-June
10.
C............... 0.0692 17,840 1,235
B Season \2\-- W............... 0.1331 9,118 1,214
September 1-
December 31.
C............... 0.0692 11,893 823
Annual........... E inshore....... 0.0079 4,768 38
E offshore...... 0.0078 530 4
Sablefish..................... Annual, trawl W............... 0.0000 273 ..............
gear.
C............... 0.0642 915 59
E............... 0.0433 213 9
Shallow-water flatfish........ Annual........... W............... 0.0156 13,250 207
C............... 0.0587 19,418 1,140
E............... 0.0126 4,311 54
Deep-water flatfish........... Annual........... W............... 0.0000 257 ..............
C............... 0.0647 3,488 226
E............... 0.0128 5,637 72
Rex sole...................... Annual........... W............... 0.0007 1,478 1
C............... 0.0384 4,995 192
E............... 0.0029 1,948 6
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 30
E............... 0.0009 3,870 3
Pacific ocean perch........... Annual........... W............... 0.0023 2,627 6
C............... 0.0748 16,347 1,223
E............... 0.0466 4,480 209
[[Page 12052]]
Northern rockfish............. Annual........... W............... 0.0003 400 0
C............... 0.0277 3,108 86
Shortraker rockfish........... Annual........... W............... 0.0000 38 ..............
C............... 0.0218 301 7
E............... 0.0110 947 10
Dusky rockfish................ Annual........... W............... 0.0001 146 0
C............... 0.0000 3,499 ..............
E............... 0.0067 309 2
Rougheye rockfish............. Annual........... W............... 0.0000 104 ..............
C............... 0.0237 702 17
E............... 0.0124 512 6
Demersal shelf rockfish....... Annual........... SEO............. 0.0020 227 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 ..............
Atka mackerel................. Annual........... Gulfwide........ 0.0309 3,000 93
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
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 1,137 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.
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)(ii)). Table 20 lists the final 2017 and 2018 non-
exempt AFA CV halibut PSC limits for vessels using trawl gear in the
GOA, respectively.
Table 20--Final 2017 and 2018 Non-Exempt AFA CV Halibut Prohibited Species Catch (PSC) Limits for Vessels Using
Trawl Gear in the GOA
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1995-
1997 non-
exempt AFA CV 2017 and 2017 and 2018
Season Season dates Target fishery retained 2018 PSC non-exempt
catch to total limit AFA CV PSC
retained limit
catch
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------------------
Total..................... ................. ................ .............. 1,706 362
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 12053]]
Non-AFA Crab Vessel Groundfish Harvest Limitations
Section 680.22 establishes groundfish catch 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 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 catch 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 limits is described in detail in the
final rules implementing the major provisions of 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).
Tables 21 and 22 list the final 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.
Table 21--Final 2017 GOA Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessel Groundfish Harvest Sideboard Limits
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1996-
2000 non-AFA Final 2017
Area/component/ crab vessel Final 2017 non-AFA crab
Species Season/gear gear catch to 1996- TACs vessel
2000 total sideboard
harvest limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock....................... A Season--January Shumagin (610).. 0.0098 2,232 22
20-March 10. Chirikof (620).. 0.0031 34,549 107
Kodiak (630).... 0.0002 11,014 2
B Season--March Shumagin (610).. 0.0098 2,232 22
10-May 31.
Chirikof (620).. 0.0031 39,420 122
Kodiak (630).... 0.0002 6,143 1
C Season--August Shumagin (610).. 0.0098 19,569 192
25-October 1.
Chirikof (620).. 0.0031 12,341 38
Kodiak (630).... 0.0002 15,886 3
D Season--October Shumagin (610).. 0.0098 19,569 192
1-November 1.
Chirikof (620).. 0.0031 12,341 38
Kodiak (630).... 0.0002 15,886 3
Annual........... WYK (640)....... 0.0000 7,492 ..............
SEO (650)....... 0.0000 9,920 ..............
Pacific cod................... A Season--January WG Jig.......... 0.0000 15,242
1-June 10 \1\.
WG Hook-and-line 0.0004 15,242 6
CV.
WG Pot CV....... 0.0997 15,242 1,520
WG Pot C/P...... 0.0078 15,242 119
WG Trawl CV..... 0.0007 15,242 11
CG Jig.......... 0.0000 19,881 ..............
CG Hook-and-line 0.0001 19,881 2
CV.
CG Pot CV....... 0.0474 19,881 942
CG Pot C/P...... 0.0136 19,881 270
CG Trawl CV..... 0.0012 19,881 24
B Season \2\..... WG Jig.......... 0.0000 10,161 ..............
Jig Gear: June 10- WG Hook-and-line 0.0004 10,161 4
December 31. CV.
All other gears:. WG Pot CV....... 0.0997 10,161 1,013
September 1- WG Pot C/P...... 0.0078 10,161 79
December 31.
WG Trawl CV..... 0.0007 10,161 7
CG Jig.......... 0.0000 13,254 ..............
CG Hook-and-line 0.0001 13,254 1
CV.
CG Pot CV....... 0.0474 13,254 628
CG Pot C/P...... 0.0136 13,254 180
CG Trawl CV..... 0.0012 13,254 16
Annual........... EG inshore...... 0.0110 5,313 58
EG offshore..... 0.0000 590 ..............
Sablefish..................... Annual, trawl W............... 0.0000 270 ..............
gear.
C............... 0.0000 903 ..............
E............... 0.0000 211 ..............
Shallow-water flatfish........ Annual........... W............... 0.0059 13,250 78
C............... 0.0001 19,306 2
E............... 0.0000 4,287 ..............
Deep-water flatfish........... Annual........... W............... 0.0035 256 1
C............... 0.0000 3,454 ..............
E............... 0.0000 5,582 ..............
Rex sole...................... Annual........... W............... 0.0000 1,459 ..............
C............... 0.0000 4,930 ..............
E............... 0.0000 1,922 ..............
Arrowtooth flounder........... Annual........... W............... 0.0004 14,500 6
C............... 0.0001 75,000 8
[[Page 12054]]
E............... 0.0000 13,800 ..............
Flathead sole................. Annual........... W............... 0.0002 8,650 2
C............... 0.0004 15,400 6
E............... 0.0000 3,806 ..............
Pacific ocean perch........... Annual........... W............... 0.0000 2,679 ..............
C............... 0.0000 16,671 ..............
E............... 0.0000 4,568 ..............
Northern rockfish............. Annual........... W............... 0.0005 432 0
C............... 0.0000 3,354 ..............
Shortraker rockfish........... Annual........... W............... 0.0013 38 0
C............... 0.0012 301 0
E............... 0.0009 947 1
Dusky rockfish................ Annual........... W............... 0.0017 158 0
C............... 0.0000 3,786 ..............
E............... 0.0000 334 ..............
Rougheye rockfish............. Annual........... W............... 0.0067 105 1
C............... 0.0047 706 3
E............... 0.0008 516 0
Demersal shelf rockfish....... Annual........... SEO............. 0.0000 227 ..............
Thornyhead rockfish........... Annual........... W............... 0.0047 291 1
C............... 0.0066 988 7
E............... 0.0045 682 3
Other rockfish................ Annual........... W/C............. 0.0033 1,534 5
E............... 0.0000 774 ..............
Atka mackerel................. Annual........... Gulfwide........ 0.0000 3,000 ..............
Big skate..................... Annual........... W............... 0.0392 908 36
C............... 0.0159 1,850 29
E............... 0.0000 1,056 ..............
Longnose skate................ Annual........... W............... 0.0392 61 2
C............... 0.0159 2,513 40
E............... 0.0000 632 ..............
Other skates.................. Annual........... Gulfwide........ 0.0176 1,919 34
Sculpins...................... Annual........... Gulfwide........ 0.0176 5,591 98
Sharks........................ Annual........... Gulfwide........ 0.0176 4,514 79
Squids........................ Annual........... Gulfwide........ 0.0176 1,137 20
Octopuses..................... Annual........... Gulfwide........ 0.0176 4,878 86
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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.
Table 22--Final 2018 GOA Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessel Groundfish Harvest Sideboard Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1996-
2000 non-AFA Final 2018 non-
Area/component/ crab vessel Final 2018 AFA crab
Species Season/gear gear catch to 1996- TACs vessel
2000 total sideboard
harvest limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock....................... A Season--January Shumagin (610).. 0.0098 1,725 17
20-March 10. Chirikof (620).. 0.0031 26,704 83
Kodiak (630).... 0.0002 8,513 2
B Season--March Shumagin (610).. 0.0098 1,725 17
10-May 31. Chirikof (620).. 0.0031 30,469 94
Kodiak (630).... 0.0002 4,748 1
C Season--August Shumagin (610).. 0.0098 15,125 148
25-October 1. Chirikof (620).. 0.0031 9,538 30
Kodiak (630).... 0.0002 12,278 2
D Season--October Shumagin (610).. 0.0098 15,125 148
1-November 1. Chirikof (620).. 0.0031 9,538 30
Kodiak (630).... 0.0002 12,278 2
Annual........... WYK (640)....... 0.0000 5,791 ..............
SEO (650)....... 0.0000 9,920 ..............
Pacific cod................... A Season \1\-- WG Jig.......... 0.0000 13,677 ..............
January 1-June WG Hook-and-line 0.0004 13,677 5
10. CV.
[[Page 12055]]
WG Pot CV....... 0.0997 13,677 1,364
WG Pot C/P...... 0.0078 13,677 107
WG Trawl CV..... 0.0007 13,677 10
CG Jig.......... 0.0000 17,840 ..............
CG Hook-and-line 0.0001 17,840 2
CV.
CG Pot CV....... 0.0474 17,840 846
CG Pot C/P...... 0.0136 17,840 243
CG Trawl CV..... 0.0012 17,840 21
B Season \2\--Jig WG Jig.......... 0.0000 9,118 ..............
Gear: June 10- WG Hook-and-line 0.0004 9,118 4
December 31; All CV. 0.0997 9,118 909
other gears: WG Pot CV....... 0.0078 9,118 71
September 1- WG Pot C/P......
December 31.
WG Trawl CV..... 0.0007 9,118 6
CG Jig.......... 0.0000 11,893 ..............
CG Hook-and-line 0.0001 11,893 1
CV.
CG Pot CV....... 0.0474 11,893 564
CG Pot C/P...... 0.0136 11,893 162
CG Trawl CV..... 0.0012 11,893 14
Annual........... E inshore....... 0.0110 4,768 52
E offshore...... 0.0000 530 ..............
Sablefish..................... Annual, trawl W............... 0.0000 273 ..............
gear.
C............... 0.0000 915 ..............
E............... 0.0000 213 ..............
Shallow-water flatfish........ Annual........... W............... 0.0059 13,250 78
C............... 0.0001 19,418 2
E............... 0.0000 4,311 ..............
Deep-water flatfish........... Annual........... W............... 0.0035 257 1
C............... 0.0000 3,488 ..............
E............... 0.0000 5,637 ..............
Rex sole...................... Annual........... W............... 0.0000 1,478 ..............
C............... 0.0000 4,995 ..............
E............... 0.0000 1,948 ..............
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 3,870 ..............
Pacific ocean perch........... Annual........... W............... 0.0000 2,627 ..............
C............... 0.0000 16,347 ..............
E............... 0.0000 4,480 ..............
Northern rockfish............. Annual........... W............... 0.0005 400 0
C............... 0.0000 3,108 ..............
Shortraker rockfish........... Annual........... W............... 0.0013 38 0
C............... 0.0012 301 0
E............... 0.0009 947 1
Dusky rockfish................ Annual........... W............... 0.0017 146 0
C............... 0.0000 3,499 ..............
E............... 0.0000 309 ..............
Rougheye rockfish............. Annual........... W............... 0.0067 104 1
C............... 0.0047 702 3
E............... 0.0008 512 0
Demersal shelf rockfish....... Annual........... SEO............. 0.0000 227 ..............
Thornyhead rockfish........... Annual........... W............... 0.0047 291 1
C............... 0.0066 988 7
E............... 0.0045 682 3
Other rockfish................ Annual........... W/C............. 0.0033 1,534 5
E............... 0.0000 774 ..............
Atka mackerel................. Annual........... Gulfwide........ 0.0000 3,000 ..............
Big skate..................... Annual........... W............... 0.0392 908 36
C............... 0.0159 1,850 29
E............... 0.0000 1,056 ..............
Longnose skate................ Annual........... W............... 0.0392 61 2
C............... 0.0159 2,513 40
E............... 0.0000 632 ..............
[[Page 12056]]
Other skates.................. Annual........... Gulfwide........ 0.0176 1,919 34
Sculpins...................... Annual........... Gulfwide........ 0.0176 5,591 98
Sharks........................ Annual........... Gulfwide........ 0.0176 4,514 79
Squids........................ Annual........... Gulfwide........ 0.0176 1,137 20
Octopuses..................... Annual........... Gulfwide........ 0.0176 4,878 86
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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, Pacific ocean perch, and northern
rockfish in the West Yakutat District and Western GOA 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)(3)-(4)).
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 dusky rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, and
northern rockfish in the West Yakutat District and Western GOA from
July 1 through July 31 (Sec. 679.82(e)(2)). Holders of C/P-designated
LLP licenses that opt out of participating in a Rockfish Program
cooperative will be able to access that portion of each sideboard limit
that is not assigned to rockfish cooperatives. Tables 23 and 24 list
the final 2017 and 2018 Rockfish Program C/P sideboard limits in the
West Yakutat District and the Western GOA. Due to confidentiality
requirements associated with fisheries data, the sideboard limits for
the West Yakutat District are not displayed.
Table 23--Final 2017 Rockfish Program Sideboard Limits for the West Yakutat District and Western GOA by Fishery
for the Catcher/Processor Sector
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C/P sector (% of
Area Fishery TAC) Final 2017 TACs Final 2017 C/P limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA.................. Dusky rockfish. 72.3................ 158................. 114.
Pacific ocean 50.6................ 2,679............... 1,356.
perch.
Northern 74.3................ 432................. 321.
rockfish.
West Yakutat District........ Dusky rockfish. Confidential \1\.... 251................. Confidential.\1\
Pacific ocean Confidential \1\.... 2,786............... Confidential.\1\
perch.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Not released due to confidentiality requirements associated with fish ticket data, as established by NMFS
and the State of Alaska.
Table 24--Final 2018 Rockfish Program Sideboard Limits for the West Yakutat District and Western GOA by Fishery
for the Catcher/Processor Sector
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C/P sector (% of
Area Fishery TAC) Final 2018 TACs Final 2018 C/P limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA.................. Dusky rockfish. 72.3................ 146................. 106.
Pacific ocean 50.6................ 2,627............... 1,329.
perch.
Northern 74.3................ 400................. 297.
rockfish.
West Yakutat District........ Dusky rockfish. Confidential \1\.... 232................. Confidential.\1\
Pacific ocean Confidential \1\.... 2,733............... 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 cooperatives
receive a portion of the annual halibut PSC limit. C/Ps that opt out of
the Rockfish Program are 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
[[Page 12057]]
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 NMFS will know the ratios and amounts used to calculate
opt-out sideboard ratios. NMFS will then calculate any applicable opt-
out sideboards and post these allocations on the Alaska Region Web site
at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/rockfish/.
Table 25 lists the 2017 and 2018 Rockfish Program halibut PSC limits
for the C/P sector.
Table 25--Final 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 2017 and 2018 water species water species
Sector halibut PSC halibut PSC halibut fishery halibut fishery halibut
sideboard ratio sideboard ratio mortality limit PSC sideboard PSC sideboard
(percent) (percent) (mt) 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 catch 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 listed in Table 37 to 50 CFR 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. Tables 26 and 27 list the final 2017 and 2018
groundfish 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 Tables 26 and
27.
Table 26--Final 2017 GOA Groundfish Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of
Apportionments Amendment 80 2017 Amendment
Species and allocations Area sector vessels 2017 TAC 80 vessel
by season 1998-2004 (mt) sideboards
catch to TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock....................... A Season--January Shumagin (610).. 0.003 2,232 7
20-February 25.
Chirikof (620).. 0.002 34,549 69
Kodiak (630).... 0.002 11,014 22
B Season--March Shumagin (610).. 0.003 2,232 7
10-May 31.
Chirikof (620).. 0.002 39,420 79
Kodiak (630).... 0.002 6,143 12
C Season--August Shumagin (610).. 0.003 19,569 59
25-September 15.
Chirikof (620).. 0.002 12,341 25
Kodiak (630).... 0.002 15,886 32
D Season--October Shumagin (610).. 0.003 19,569 59
1-November 1.
Chirikof (620).. 0.002 12,341 25
Kodiak (630).... 0.002 15,886 32
Annual........... WYK (640)....... 0.002 7,492 15
Pacific cod................... A Season \1\-- W............... 0.020 15,242 305
January 1-June
10.
C............... 0.044 19,881 875
B Season \2\-- W............... 0.020 10,161 203
September 1-
December 31.
C............... 0.044 13,254 583
Annual........... WYK............. 0.034 5,903 201
Pacific ocean perch........... Annual........... W............... 0.994 2,679 2,663
WYK............. 0.961 2,786 2,677
Northern rockfish............. Annual........... W............... 1.000 432 432
Dusky rockfish................ Annual........... W............... 0.764 158 121
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.
[[Page 12058]]
Table 27--Final 2018 GOA Groundfish Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of
Apportionments Amendment 80 2018 Amendment
Species and allocations Area sector vessels 2018 TAC (mt) 80 vessel
by season 1998-2004 sideboards
catch to TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock...................... A Season-- Shumagin (610). 0.003 1,725 5
January 20- Chirikof (620). 0.002 26,704 53
February 25. Kodiak (630)... 0.002 8,513 17
B Season--March Shumagin (610). 0.003 1,725 5
10-May 31. Chirikof (620). 0.002 30,469 61
Kodiak (630)... 0.002 4,748 9
C Season--August Shumagin (610). 0.003 15,125 45
25-September 15. Chirikof (620). 0.002 9,538 19
Kodiak (630)... 0.002 12,278 25
D Season-- Shumagin (610). 0.003 15,125 45
October 1- Chirikof (620). 0.002 9,538 19
November 1. Kodiak (630)... 0.002 12,278 25
Annual.......... WYK (640)...... 0.002 5,791 12
Pacific cod.................. A Season \1\-- W.............. 0.020 13,677 274
January 1-June C.............. 0.044 17,840 785
10.
B Season \2\-- W.............. 0.020 9,118 182
September 1- C.............. 0.044 11,893 523
December 31.
Annual.......... WYK............ 0.034 5,297 180
Pacific ocean perch.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.994 2,627 2,611
WYK............ 0.961 2,733 2,626
Northern rockfish............ Annual.......... W.............. 1.000 400 400
Dusky rockfish............... Annual.......... W.............. 0.764 146 112
WYK............ 0.896 232 208
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 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 quota
under the Rockfish Program and the exemption of the F/V Golden Fleece
from this restriction (Sec. 679.92(b)(2)). Table 28 lists the final
2017 and 2018 halibut PSC 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. Any residual amount of a
seasonal Amendment 80 sideboard halibut PSC limit may carry forward to
the next season limit (Sec. 679.92(b)(2)).
Table 28--Final 2017 and 2018 Halibut PSC Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels in the GOA
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Historic
Amendment 80 use
of the annual 2017 and 2018 2017 and 2018
Season Season dates Target fishery halibut PSC annual PSC limit Amendment 80
limit catch (mt) vessel PSC limit
(ratio)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
-----------------------------------------------------
Total............. ................ ................ ................ ................ 474
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Directed Fishing Closures
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), if the Regional Administrator
determines (1) that any allocation or apportionment of a target species
or species group allocated or apportioned to a fishery will be reached;
or (2) with respect to pollock and Pacific cod, that an allocation or
apportionment to an
[[Page 12059]]
inshore or offshore component or sector allocation will be reached,
then the Regional Administrator may establish a directed fishing
allowance (DFA) for that species or species group. If the Regional
Administrator establishes a DFA and that allowance is or will be
reached before the end of the fishing year, NMFS will prohibit directed
fishing for that species or species group in the specified GOA subarea,
regulatory area, or district (Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii)).
The Regional Administrator has determined that the TACs for the
species listed in Table 29 are necessary to account for the incidental
catch of these species in other anticipated groundfish fisheries for
the 2017 and 2018 fishing years.
Table 29--2017 and 2018 Directed Fishing Closures in the GOA
[Amounts for incidental catch in other directed fisheries are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incidental catch amount and year (if amounts
Target Area/component/gear differ by year)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock............................. all/offshore................ not applicable.\1\
Sablefish \2\....................... all/trawl................... 1,383 (2017), 1,402 (2018).
Pacific cod......................... Western, catcher/processor, 594 (2017), 528 (2018).
trawl. 1,377 (2017), 1,236 (2018).
Central, catcher/processor,
trawl.
Shortraker rockfish \2\............. all......................... 1,286.
Rougheye rockfish \2\............... all......................... 1,327 (2017), 1,318 (2018).
Thornyhead rockfish \2\............. all......................... 1,961.
Other rockfish...................... all......................... 2,308.
Atka mackerel....................... all......................... 3,000.
Big skate........................... all......................... 3,814.
Longnose skate...................... all......................... 3,206.
Other skates........................ all......................... 1,919.
Sharks.............................. all......................... 4,514.
Squids.............................. all......................... 1,137.
Octopuses........................... all......................... 4,878.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Pollock is closed to directed fishing in the GOA by the offshore component under Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(i).
\2\ Closures not applicable to participants in cooperatives conducted under the Central GOA Rockfish Program.
Consequently, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the
Regional Administrator establishes the DFA for the species or species
groups listed in Table 29 as zero mt. Therefore, in accordance with
Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for those
species, areas, gear types, and components in the GOA listed in Table
29. These closures will remain in effect through 2400 hrs, A.l.t.,
December 31, 2018.
Section 679.64(b)(5) provides for management of AFA CV groundfish
harvest limits and PSC bycatch limits using directed fishing closures
and PSC closures according to procedures set out at Sec. Sec.
679.20(d)(1)(iv), 679.21(d)(6), and 679.21(e)(3)(v). The Regional
Administrator has determined that, in addition to the closures listed
above, many of the non-exempt AFA CV sideboard limits listed in Tables
18 and 19 are necessary as incidental catch to support other
anticipated groundfish fisheries for the 2017 and 2018 fishing years.
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iv), the Regional Administrator
sets the DFAs for the species and species groups in Table 30 at zero
mt. Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is
prohibiting directed fishing by non-exempt AFA CVs in the GOA for the
species and specified areas listed in Table 30. These closures will
remain in effect through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2018.
Table 30--2017 and 2018 Non-Exempt AFA CV Sideboard Directed Fishing Closures for All Gear Types in the GOA
[Amounts for incidental catch in other directed fisheries are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regulatory area/
Species district Incidental catch amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod.................... Eastern............... 42 (inshore) and 5 (offshore) [2017].
38 (inshore) and 4 (offshore) [2018].
Shallow-water flatfish......... Eastern............... 54 in 2017, 49 in 2018.
Deep-water flatfish............ Western............... 0.
Rex sole....................... Eastern and Western... 6 and 1 (2017), 5 and 1 (2018).
Arrowtooth flounder............ Eastern and Western... 3 and 30.
Flathead sole.................. Eastern and Western... 3 and 31.
Pacific ocean perch............ Western............... 6.
Northern rockfish.............. Western............... 0.
Dusky rockfish................. Entire GOA............ 2.
Demersal shelf rockfish........ SEO District.......... 0.
Sculpins....................... Entire GOA............ 35.
Squids......................... Entire GOA............ 7.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 680.22 provides for the management of non-AFA crab vessel
sideboards using directed fishing closures in accordance with Sec.
680.22(e)(2) and (3). The Regional Administrator has determined that
the
[[Page 12060]]
non-AFA crab vessel sideboards listed in Tables 21 and 22 are
insufficient to support a directed fishery and has set the sideboard
DFA at zero mt, with the exception of Pacific cod pot CV sector
apportionments in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas. Therefore,
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing by non-AFA crab vessels in the GOA
for all species and species groups listed in Tables 21 and 22, with the
exception of the Pacific cod pot CV sector apportionments in the
Western and Central Regulatory Areas.
Closures implemented under the 2016 and 2017 GOA harvest
specifications for groundfish (81 FR 14740, March 18, 2016) remain
effective under authority of these final 2017 and 2018 harvest
specifications, and are posted at the following Web site: https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/infobulletins/search. While these closures are
in effect, the maximum retainable amounts at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f)
apply at any time during a fishing trip. These closures to directed
fishing are in addition to closures and prohibitions found at 50 CFR
part 679. NMFS may implement other closures during the 2017 and 2018
fishing years as necessary for effective conservation and management.
Comments and Responses
NMFS did not receive any comments about the proposed harvest
specifications.
Classification
NMFS has determined that these final harvest specifications are
consistent with the FMP and with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act and other applicable laws.
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 (see ADDRESSES) 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 EIS. In
January 2017, NMFS prepared a Supplemental Information Report (SIR) for
this action. Copies of the EIS, ROD, and SIR for this action are
available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES). The EIS analyzes the environmental
consequences of the groundfish harvest specifications and alternative
harvest strategies on resources in the action area. The EIS found no
significant environmental consequences of this action and its
alternatives. The preferred alternative is a harvest strategy in which
TACs are set at a level that falls within the range of ABCs recommended
by the Council's SSC; the sum of the TACs must achieve the OY specified
in the FMP. The SIR evaluates the need to prepare a Supplemental EIS
(SEIS) for the 2017 and 2018 groundfish harvest specifications.
An SEIS should be prepared if (1) the agency makes substantial
changes in the proposed action that are relevant to environmental
concerns, or (2) significant new circumstances or information exist
relevant to environmental concerns and bearing on the proposed action
or its impacts (40 CFR 1502.9(c)(1)). After reviewing the information
contained in the SIR and SAFE reports, the Regional Administrator has
determined that (1) approval of the 2017 and 2018 harvest
specifications, which were set according to the preferred harvest
strategy in the EIS, do not constitute a substantial change in the
action; and (2) there are no significant new circumstances or
information relevant to environmental concerns and bearing on the
action or its impacts. Additionally, the 2017 and 2018 harvest
specifications will result in environmental impacts within the scope of
those analyzed and disclosed in the EIS. Therefore, supplemental
National Environmental Policy Act documentation is not necessary to
implement the 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications.
Section 604 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 604)
requires that, when an agency promulgates a final rule under section
553 of Title 5 of the United States Code, after being required by that
section, or any other law, to publish a general notice of proposed
rulemaking, the agency shall prepare a final regulatory flexibility
analysis (FRFA).
Section 604 describes the required contents of a FRFA: (1) A
statement of the need for, and objectives of, the rule; (2) a statement
of the significant issues raised by the public comments in response to
the initial regulatory flexibility analysis, a statement of the
assessment of the agency of such issues, and a statement of any changes
made in the proposed rule as a result of such comments; (3) the
response of the agency to any comments filed by the Chief Counsel for
Advocacy of the Small Business Administration in response to the
proposed rule, and a detailed statement of any change made to the
proposed rule in the final rule as a result of the comments; (4) a
description of and an estimate of the number of small entities to which
the rule will apply or an explanation of why no such estimate is
available; (5) a description of the projected reporting, recordkeeping,
and other compliance requirements of the rule, including an estimate of
the classes of small entities which will be subject to the requirement
and the type of professional skills necessary for preparation of the
report or record; and (6) a description of the steps the agency has
taken to minimize the significant economic impact on small entities
consistent with the stated objectives of applicable statutes, including
a statement of the factual, policy, and legal reasons for selecting the
alternative adopted in the final rule and why each one of the other
significant alternatives to the rule considered by the agency that
affect the impact on small entities was rejected.
A description of this action, its purpose, and its legal basis are
contained at the beginning of the preamble to this final rule and are
not repeated here.
NMFS published the proposed rule on December 6, 2016 (81 FR 87881).
NMFS prepared an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) to
accompany this action, and included a summary in the proposed rule. The
comment period closed on January 5, 2017. No comments were received on
the IRFA or the economic impacts of the rule more generally. The Chief
Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration did not file
any comments on the proposed rule.
The entities directly regulated by this action include: (1)
Entities operating vessels with groundfish FFPs catching FMP groundfish
in Federal waters; (2) all entities operating vessels, regardless of
whether they hold groundfish FFPs, catching FMP groundfish in the
State-waters parallel fisheries; and (3) all entities operating vessels
fishing for halibut inside three miles of the shore (whether or not
they have FFPs).
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.
Based on data from 2015 fishing activity, there were 969 individual
catcher vessel entities with gross revenues meeting small entity
criteria. Of these entities, 827 used hook-and-line gear, 115 used pot
gear, and 30 used trawl gear (some of these entities used more than one
gear type, thus the counts of entities using the different gear types
[[Page 12061]]
do not sum to the total number of entities above). Three individual
catcher/processors met the small entity criterion; two used hook-and-
line gear, and one used trawl gear. Catcher/processor gross revenues
were not reported for confidentiality reasons; however, hook-and-line
small entities had average gross revenues of $350,000, small pot
entities had average gross revenues of $760,000, and small trawl
entities had average gross revenues of $1.85 million.
Some of these vessels are members of AFA inshore pollock
cooperatives, of GOA rockfish cooperatives, or of Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands crab rationalization cooperatives, and, therefore,
under the RFA it is the aggregate gross receipts of all participating
members of the cooperative that must meet the threshold. Vessels that
participate in these cooperatives are considered to be large entities
within the meaning of the RFA. These relationships are accounted for,
along with corporate affiliations among vessels, to the extent that
they are known, in the estimated number of small entities. If
affiliations exist of which NMFS is unaware, or if entities had non-
fishing revenue sources, the estimates above may overstate the number
of directly regulated small entities.
This action does not modify recordkeeping or reporting
requirements.
NMFS considered alternative harvest strategies when choosing the
preferred harvest strategy (Alternative 2) in December 2006. These
included the following:
Alternative 1: Set TACs to produce fishing mortality
rates, F, that are equal to maxFABC, unless the sum of the TACs is
constrained by the OY established in the fishery management plans. This
is equivalent to setting TACs to produce harvest levels equal to the
maximum permissible ABCs, as constrained by OY. The term ``maxFABC''
refers to the maximum permissible value of FABC under Amendment 56 to
the BSAI and GOA groundfish fishery management plans. Historically, the
TAC has been set at or below the ABC; therefore, this alternative
represents a likely upper limit for setting the TAC within the OY and
ABC limits.
Alternative 3: For species in Tiers 1, 2, and 3, set TAC
to produce F equal to the most recent 5-year average actual F. For
species in Tiers 4, 5, and 6, set TAC equal to the most recent 5-year
average actual catch. For stocks with a high level of scientific
information, TACs would be set to produce harvest levels equal to the
most recent 5-year average actual fishing mortality rates. For stocks
with insufficient scientific information, TACs would be set equal to
the most recent 5-year average actual catch. This alternative
recognizes that for some stocks, catches may fall well below ABCs, and
recent average F may provide a better indicator of actual F than FABC
does.
Alternative 4: (1) Set TACs for rockfish species in Tier 3
at F75%. Set TACs for rockfish species in Tier 5 at F = 0.5M. Set
spatially explicit TACs for shortraker and rougheye rockfish in the
GOA. (2) Taking the rockfish TACs as calculated above, reduce all other
TACs by a proportion that does not vary across species, so that the sum
of all TACs, including rockfish TACs, is equal to the lower bound of
the area OY (116,000 mt in the GOA). This alternative sets conservative
and spatially explicit TACs for rockfish species that are long-lived
and late to mature and sets conservative TACs for the other groundfish
species.
Alternative 5: (No Action) Set TACs at zero.
These four alternatives (1, 3, 4, and 5) do not meet the objectives
of this action, and although Alternatives 1 and 3 may have a smaller
adverse economic impact on small entities than the preferred
alternative, Alternatives 4 and 5 would have a significant adverse
economic impact on small entities. The Council rejected these
alternatives as harvest strategies in 2006, and the Secretary did so in
2007.
Alternative 2 is the preferred alternative chosen by the Council:
Set TACs that fall within the range of ABCs recommended through the
Council harvest specifications process and TACs recommended by the
Council. Under this scenario, F is set equal to a constant fraction of
maxFABC. The recommended fractions of maxFABC may vary among species or
stocks, based on other considerations unique to each. This is the
method for determining TACs that has been used in the past.
Alternative 2 selected harvest rates that will allow fishermen to
harvest stocks at the level of ABCs, unless total harvests are
constrained by the upper bound of the GOA OY of 800,000 mt. The sums of
ABCs in 2017 and 2018 are 667,877 mt and 597,052 mt, respectively. The
sums of the TACs in 2017 and 2018 are 535,863 mt and 483,588 mt,
respectively. Thus, although the sum of ABCs in each year is less than
800,000 mt, the sums of the TACs in each year are less than the sums of
the ABCs.
In most cases, the Council has set TACs equal to ABCs. The
divergence between aggregate TACs and aggregate ABCs reflects a variety
of special species- and fishery-specific circumstances:
Pacific cod TACs are set equal to 70 percent in the
Western GOA and 75 percent in the Central and Eastern GOA of the
Pacific cod ABCs in each year to account for the GHL set by the State
for its GHL Pacific cod fisheries (30 percent of the Western GOA ABC
and 25 percent of the Central and Eastern GOA ABCs). Thus, the
difference between the Federal TACs and ABCs does not actually reflect
a Pacific cod harvest below the Pacific cod ABC, as the balance is
available for the State's cod GHL fisheries.
Shallow-water flatfish and flathead sole TACs are set
below ABCs in the Western Regulatory Area. Arrowtooth flounder TACs are
set below ABC in all GOA regulatory areas. Catches of these flatfish
species rarely, if ever, approach the proposed ABCs or TACs. Important
trawl fisheries in the GOA take halibut PSC, and are constrained by
limits on the allowable halibut PSC mortality. These limits may force
the closure of trawl fisheries before they have harvested the available
groundfish ABC. Thus, actual harvests of groundfish in the GOA
routinely fall short of some ABCs and TACs. Markets can also constrain
harvests below the TACs, as has been the case with arrowtooth flounder,
in the past. These TACs are set to allow for increased harvest
opportunities for these targets while conserving the halibut PSC limit
for use in other, more fully utilized, fisheries.
The other rockfish TAC is set below the ABC in the
Southeast Outside District based on several factors. In addition to
conservation concerns for the rockfish species in this group, there is
a regulatory prohibition against using trawl gear east of 140[deg] W.
longitude. Because most species of other rockfish are caught
exclusively with trawl gear, the catch of such species with other gear
types, such as hook-and-line, is low. The commercial catch of other
rockfish in the Eastern Regulatory Area, which includes the West
Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts, has ranged from approximately
70 mt to 248 mt per year over the last decade.
The GOA-wide Atka mackerel TAC is set below the ABC. The
estimates of survey biomass continue to be unreliable in the GOA.
Therefore, the Council recommended and NMFS agrees that the Atka
mackerel TAC in the GOA be set at an amount to support incidental catch
in other directed fisheries.
Alternative 3 selects harvest rates based on the most recent 5
years of
[[Page 12062]]
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 because
it does not take account of the most recent biological information for
this fishery.
Alternative 4 would lead to significantly lower harvests of all
species to reduce TACs from the upper end of the OY range in the GOA to
its lower end of 116,000 mt. Overall, this alternative would reduce
2017 TACs by about 80 percent. This would lead to significant
reductions in harvests of species by small entities. While production
declines in the GOA would undoubtedly be associated with price
increases in the GOA, these increases would still be constrained by the
availability of substitutes, and are very unlikely to offset revenue
declines from smaller production. Thus, this action would have a
detrimental economic impact on small entities.
Alternative 5, which sets all harvests equal to zero, may also
address conservation issues, but would have a significant adverse
economic impact on small entities.
Impacts on marine mammals resulting from fishing activities
conducted under this rule are discussed in the EIS and SIR (see
ADDRESSES).
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Assistant Administrator for
Fisheries, NOAA, finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in
effectiveness for this rule because delaying this rule would be
contrary to the public interest. The Plan Team review occurred in
November 2016, and the Council considered and recommended the final
harvest specifications in December 2016. Accordingly, NMFS' review
could not begin until January 2017. For all fisheries not currently
closed because the TACs established under the final 2016 and 2017
harvest specifications (81 FR 14740, March 18, 2016) were not reached,
it is possible that they would be closed prior to the expiration of a
30-day delayed effectiveness period because their TACs could be reached
within that period. If implemented immediately, this rule would allow
these fisheries to continue because some of the new TACs implemented by
this rule are higher than the ones under which they are currently
fishing.
Certain fisheries, such as those for pollock and Pacific cod, are
intensive, fast-paced fisheries. Other fisheries, such as those for
sablefish, flatfish, rockfish, Atka mackerel, skates, sculpins, sharks,
squids, and octopuses, are critical as directed fisheries and as
incidental catch in other fisheries. U.S. fishing vessels have
demonstrated the capacity to catch the TAC allocations in many of these
fisheries. If this rule allowed for a 30-day delay in effectiveness and
if a TAC were reached during those 30 days, NMFS would close directed
fishing or prohibit retention for the applicable species. Any delay in
allocating the final TACs in these fisheries would cause confusion to
the industry and potential economic harm through unnecessary discards,
thus undermining the intent of this rule. Waiving the 30-day delay
allows NMFS to prevent economic loss to fishermen that could otherwise
occur should the 2017 TACs (set under the 2016 and 2017 harvest
specifications) be reached. Determining which fisheries may close is
impossible because these fisheries are affected by several factors that
cannot be predicted in advance, including fishing effort, weather,
movement of fishery stocks, and market price. Furthermore, the closure
of one fishery has a cascading effect on other fisheries by freeing-up
fishing vessels, allowing them to move from closed fisheries to open
ones, increasing the fishing capacity in those open fisheries, and
causing them to close at an accelerated pace.
In fisheries subject to declining sideboard limits, a failure to
implement the updated sideboard limits before initial season's end
could deny the intended economic protection to the non-sideboarded
sectors. Conversely, in fisheries with increasing sideboard limits,
economic benefit could be denied to the sideboard limited sectors.
If the final harvest specifications are not effective by March 11,
2017, which is the start of the 2017 Pacific halibut season as
specified by the IPHC, the hook-and-line sablefish fishery will not
begin concurrently with the Pacific halibut IFQ season. This would
result in confusion for the industry and economic harm from unnecessary
discard of sablefish that are caught along with Pacific halibut, as
both hook-and-line sablefish and Pacific halibut are managed under the
same IFQ program. Immediate effectiveness of the final 2017 and 2018
harvest specifications will allow the sablefish IFQ fishery to begin
concurrently with the Pacific halibut IFQ season.
In addition, the immediate effectiveness of this action is required
to provide consistent management and conservation of fishery resources
based on the best available scientific information. This is
particularly true for those species that have lower 2017 ABCs and TACs
than those established in the 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications (81
FR 14740, March 18, 2016). Immediate effectiveness also would give the
fishing industry the earliest possible opportunity to plan and conduct
its fishing operations with respect to new information about TACs.
Therefore, NMFS finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in
effectiveness under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).
Small Entity Compliance Guide
This final rule is a plain language guide to assist small entities
in complying with this final rule as required by the Small Business
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. This final rule's primary
purpose is to announce the final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications
and prohibited species bycatch allowances for the groundfish fisheries
of the GOA. This action is necessary to establish harvest limits and
associated management measures for groundfish during the 2017 and 2018
fishing years, and to accomplish the goals and objectives of the FMP.
This action affects all fishermen who participate in the GOA fisheries.
The specific amounts of OFL, ABC, TAC, and PSC are provided in tables
to assist the reader. NMFS will announce closures of directed fishing
in the Federal Register and information bulletins released by the
Alaska Region. Affected fishermen should keep themselves informed of
such closures.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1540 (f), 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: February 21, 2017.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-03697 Filed 2-24-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
