Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment to the 2018 Gulf of Alaska Pollock and Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts, 60327-60329 [2017-27429]
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 243 / Wednesday, December 20, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 160920866–7167–02]
RIN 0648–XF867
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment
to the 2018 Gulf of Alaska Pollock and
Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch
Amounts
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason
adjustment; request for comments.
AGENCY:
NMFS is adjusting the 2018
total allowable catch (TAC) amounts for
the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) pollock and
Pacific cod fisheries. This action is
necessary because NMFS has
determined these TACs are incorrectly
specified, and will ensure the GOA
pollock and Pacific cod TACs are the
appropriate amounts based on the best
available scientific information for
pollock and Pacific cod in the GOA.
This action is consistent with the goals
and objectives of the Fishery
Management Plan for Groundfish of the
Gulf of Alaska.
DATES: Effective 0000 hours, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), January 1, 2018, until
the effective date of the final 2018 and
2019 harvest specifications for GOA
groundfish, unless otherwise modified
or superseded through publication of a
notification in the Federal Register.
Comments must be received at the
following address no later than 4:30
p.m., A.l.t., January 4, 2018.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
on this document, identified by FDMS
Docket Number NOAA–NMFS–2016–
0127 by any of the following methods:
• Electronic Submission: Submit all
electronic public comments via the
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
https://www.regulations.gov/#!
docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-20160127, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon,
SUMMARY:
complete the required fields, and enter
or attach your comments.
• Mail: Address written comments to
Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries
Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn:
Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O.
Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668.
Instructions: Comments sent by any
other method, to any other address or
individual, or received after the end of
the comment period, may not be
considered by NMFS. All comments
received are a part of the public record
and will generally be posted for public
viewing on www.regulations.gov
without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address),
confidential business information, or
otherwise sensitive information
submitted voluntarily by the sender will
be publicly accessible. NMFS will
accept anonymous comments (enter
‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish
to remain anonymous). Attachments to
electronic comments will be accepted in
Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF
file formats only.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Obren Davis, 907–586–7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
GOA exclusive economic zone
according to the Fishery Management
Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of
Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North
Pacific Fishery Management Council
(Council) under authority of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act.
Regulations governing fishing by U.S.
vessels in accordance with the FMP
appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600
and 50 CFR part 679.
The final 2017 and 2018 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA
(82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017) set the
2018 pollock TAC at 163,479 metric
tons (mt) and the 2018 Pacific cod TAC
at 57,825 mt in the GOA. In December
2017, the North Pacific Fishery
Management Council (Council)
recommended a 2018 pollock TAC of
166,228 mt for the GOA, which is more
than the 163,479 mt established by the
final 2017 and 2018 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the
60327
GOA. The Council also recommended a
2018 Pacific cod TAC of 13,096 mt for
the GOA, which is less than the 57,825
mt established by the final 2017 and
2018 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the GOA. The Council’s
recommended 2018 TACs, and the area
and seasonal apportionments, are based
on the Stock Assessment and Fishery
Evaluation report (SAFE), dated
November 2017, which NMFS has
determined is the best available
scientific information for these fisheries.
Steller sea lions occur in the same
location as the pollock and Pacific cod
fisheries and are listed as endangered
under the Endangered Species Act
(ESA). Pollock and Pacific cod are a
principal prey species for Steller sea
lions in the GOA. The seasonal
apportionment of pollock and Pacific
cod harvest is necessary to ensure the
groundfish fisheries are not likely to
cause jeopardy of extinction or adverse
modification of critical habitat for
Steller sea lions. The regulations at
§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv) specify how the
pollock TAC will be apportioned. The
regulations at § 679.20(a)(6)(ii) and
§ 679.20(a)(12)(i) specify how the Pacific
cod TAC will be apportioned.
In accordance with § 679.25(a)(1)(iii),
(a)(2)(i)(B), and (a)(2)(iv) the
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS
(Regional Administrator), has
determined that, based on the November
2017 SAFE report for this fishery, the
current GOA pollock and Pacific cod
TACs are incorrectly specified.
Consequently, pursuant to
§ 679.25(a)(1)(iii), the Regional
Administrator is adjusting the 2018
GOA pollock TAC to 166,228 mt and the
2018 GOA Pacific cod TAC to 13,096
mt. Therefore, Table 2 of the final 2017
and 2018 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the GOA (82 FR 12032,
February 27, 2017) is revised consistent
with this adjustment.
Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iv), Table 4
of the final 2017 and 2018 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA
(82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017) is
revised for the 2018 TACs of pollock in
the Central and Western Regulatory
Area of the GOA.
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
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages are rounded to the nearest 0.01]
Season 1
A (Jan 20–Mar 10) .......
B (Mar 10–May 31) ......
C (Aug 25–Oct 1) .........
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:19 Dec 19, 2017
Shumagin (Area 610)
1,317
1,317
13,777
Jkt 244001
Chirikof (Area 620)
3.497%
3.497%
36.587%
PO 00000
Frm 00047
27,314
32,155
10,013
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
72.537%
85.392%
26.591%
Kodiak (Area 630)
9,025
4,184
13,865
E:\FR\FM\20DER1.SGM
20DER1
23.966%
11.111%
36.821%
Total 2
37,656
37,656
37,656
60328
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 243 / Wednesday, December 20, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
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—Continued
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages are rounded to the nearest 0.01]
Season 1
D (Oct 1–Nov 1) ...........
13,777
36.587%
10,013
26.591%
13,865
36.821%
37,656
Annual Total ..........
30,188
........................
79,495
........................
40,939
........................
150,622
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.
Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(6)(ii) and
§ 679.20(a)(12)(i), Table 6 of the final
2017 and 2018 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the GOA (82 FR 12032,
February 27, 2017) is revised for the
2018 seasonal apportionments and
allocation of Pacific cod TAC in the
GOA consistent with this adjustment.
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
Sector
percentage of
annual
non-jig TAC
B Season
Seasonal
allowances
(mt)
Sector
percentage of
annual
non-jig TAC
Seasonal
allowances
(mt)
Western GOA
Jig (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 .......................................................
141
77
1,092
2,118
132
2,096
N/A
0.70
10.90
27.70
0.90
19.80
85
39
601
1,528
50
1,092
N/A
0.70
8.90
10.70
1.50
18.20
57
39
491
590
83
1,004
Total ..............................................................................
5,657
60.00
3,394
40.00
2,263
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 .......................................................
61
880
404
308
2,507
253
1,676
N/A
9.32
5.61
4.11
21.14
2.00
17.83
37
562
338
248
1,274
121
1,075
N/A
5.29
1.10
1.00
20.45
2.19
9.97
24
319
66
60
1,233
132
601
Total ..............................................................................
6,089
60.00
3,653
40.00
2,436
Eastern GOA
........................
Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
1,350
1,215
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
135
Note: Seasonal apportionments may not total precisely due to due to rounding.
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES
Classification
This action responds to the best
available information recently obtained
from the fishery. The Assistant
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA
(AA), finds good cause to waive the
requirement to provide prior notice and
opportunity for public comment
pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is
impracticable and contrary to the public
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:19 Dec 19, 2017
Jkt 244001
interest. This requirement is
impracticable and contrary to the public
interest as it would prevent NMFS from
responding to the most recent fisheries
data in a timely fashion and would
allow for harvests that exceed the
appropriate allocations for pollock and
Pacific cod based on the best scientific
information available. NMFS was
unable to publish a notice providing
time for public comment because the
PO 00000
Frm 00048
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
most recent, relevant data only became
available as of December 13, 2017, and
additional time for prior public
comment would result in conservation
concerns for the ESA-listed Steller sea
lions.
The AA also finds good cause to
waive the 30-day delay in the effective
date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
the reasons provided above for waiver of
E:\FR\FM\20DER1.SGM
20DER1
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 243 / Wednesday, December 20, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
prior notice and opportunity for public
comment.
Under § 679.25(c)(2), interested
persons are invited to submit written
comments on this action to the above
address until January 4, 2018.
This action is required by § 679.20
and § 679.25 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: December 15, 2017.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017–27429 Filed 12–19–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 161020985–7181–02]
RIN 0648–XF866
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment
to the 2018 Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands Pollock, Atka Mackerel, and
Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch
Amounts
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason
adjustment; request for comments.
AGENCY:
NMFS is adjusting the 2018
total allowable catch (TAC) amounts for
the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
(BSAI) pollock, Atka mackerel, and
Pacific cod fisheries. This action is
necessary because NMFS has
determined these TACs are incorrectly
specified, and will ensure the BSAI
pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific cod
TACs are the appropriate amounts based
on the best available scientific
information. Also, NMFS is announcing
the Aleutian Islands Catcher Vessel (CV)
Harvest Set-Aside and Bering Sea Trawl
CV A-Season Sector Limitation will be
in effect for 2018, and TACs in this
inseason adjustment will apply for
2018. This action is consistent with the
goals and objectives of the Fishery
Management Plan for Groundfish of the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area.
DATES: Effective 0000 hours, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), January 1, 2018, until
the effective date of the final 2018 and
2019 harvest specifications for BSAI
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:19 Dec 19, 2017
Jkt 244001
groundfish, unless otherwise modified
or superseded through publication of a
notification in the Federal Register.
Comments must be received at the
following address no later than 4:30
p.m., A.l.t., January 4, 2018.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
on this document, identified by NOAA–
NMFS–2016–0140, by any of the
following methods:
• Electronic Submission: Submit all
electronic public comments via the
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
www.regulations.gov/
#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-20160140, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon,
complete the required fields, and enter
or attach your comments.
• Mail: Submit written comments to
Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries
Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn:
Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O.
Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668.
Instructions: Comments sent by any
other method, to any other address or
individual, or received after the end of
the comment period, may not be
considered by NMFS. All comments
received are a part of the public record
and will generally be posted for public
viewing on www.regulations.gov
without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address),
confidential business information, or
otherwise sensitive information
submitted voluntarily by the sender will
be publicly accessible. NMFS will
accept anonymous comments (enter
‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish
to remain anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mary Furuness, 907–586–7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
BSAI exclusive economic zone
according to the Fishery Management
Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea
and Aleutian Islands Management Area
(FMP) prepared by the North Pacific
Fishery Management Council under
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management
Act. Regulations governing fishing by
U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP
appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600
and 50 CFR part 679.
The final 2017 and 2018 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the
BSAI (82 FR 11826, February 27, 2017)
set the 2018 Bering Sea (BS) pollock
TAC at 1,345,000 mt, the 2018 BSAI
Atka mackerel TAC at 65,000 mt, the
2018 BS Pacific cod TAC at 223,704 mt,
and the 2018 AI Pacific cod TAC at
15,695 mt. In December 2017, the North
Pacific Fishery Management Council
(Council) recommended a 2018 BS
PO 00000
Frm 00049
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
60329
pollock TAC of 1,364,341 mt, which is
more than the 1,345,000 mt TAC
established by the final 2017 and 2018
harvest specifications for groundfish in
the BSAI. The Council also
recommended a 2018 BSAI Atka
mackerel TAC of 71,000 mt, which is
more than the 65,000 mt TAC
established by the final 2017 and 2018
harvest specifications for groundfish in
the BSAI. The Council recommended a
2018 BS Pacific cod TAC of 188,136 mt,
and an AI Pacific cod TAC of 15,695 mt,
which is less than the BS Pacific cod
TAC of 223,704 mt, and the same as the
AI Pacific cod TAC of 15,695 mt
established by the final 2017 and 2018
harvest specifications for groundfish in
the BSAI. The Council’s recommended
2018 TACs, and the area and seasonal
apportionments, are based on the Stock
Assessment and Fishery Evaluation
report (SAFE), dated November 2017,
which NMFS has determined is the best
available scientific information for these
fisheries.
Amendment 113 to the FMP (81 FR
84434, November 23, 2016) and
regulations at § 679.20(a)(7)(viii) require
NMFS to announce whether the
Aleutian Islands incidental catch
allowance, directed fishing allowance,
CV Harvest Set-Aside, and Unrestricted
Fishery, as well as the Bering Sea Trawl
CV A-Season Sector Limitation will be
in effect for 2018. NMFS received
notification from Adak that a shoreplant
will be processing Aleutian Islands
Pacific cod in 2018. Therefore, the
Pacific cod TACs in Table 9A of this
inseason adjustment will be effective for
2018 and the harvest limits will apply
in 2018.
Steller sea lions occur in the same
location as the pollock, Atka mackerel,
and Pacific cod fisheries and are listed
as endangered under the Endangered
Species Act (ESA). Pollock, Atka
mackerel, and Pacific cod are a
principal prey species for Steller sea
lions in the BSAI. The seasonal
apportionment of pollock, Atka
mackerel, and Pacific cod harvest is
necessary to ensure the groundfish
fisheries are not likely to cause jeopardy
of extinction or adverse modification of
critical habitat for Steller sea lions.
NMFS published regulations and the
revised harvest limit amounts for Atka
mackerel, Pacific cod, and pollock
fisheries to implement Steller sea lion
protection measures to insure that
groundfish fisheries of the BSAI are not
likely to jeopardize the continued
existence of the western distinct
population segment of Steller sea lions
or destroy or adversely modify their
designated critical habitat (79 FR 70286,
November 25, 2014). The regulations at
E:\FR\FM\20DER1.SGM
20DER1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 20, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60327-60329]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-27429]
[[Page 60327]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 160920866-7167-02]
RIN 0648-XF867
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason
Adjustment to the 2018 Gulf of Alaska Pollock and Pacific Cod Total
Allowable Catch Amounts
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason adjustment; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is adjusting the 2018 total allowable catch (TAC) amounts
for the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) pollock and Pacific cod fisheries. This
action is necessary because NMFS has determined these TACs are
incorrectly specified, and will ensure the GOA pollock and Pacific cod
TACs are the appropriate amounts based on the best available scientific
information for pollock and Pacific cod in the GOA. This action is
consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan
for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska.
DATES: Effective 0000 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 1,
2018, until the effective date of the final 2018 and 2019 harvest
specifications for GOA groundfish, unless otherwise modified or
superseded through publication of a notification in the Federal
Register.
Comments must be received at the following address no later than
4:30 p.m., A.l.t., January 4, 2018.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by FDMS
Docket Number NOAA-NMFS-2016-0127 by any of the following methods:
Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2016-0127, click the
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or
attach your comments.
Mail: Address written comments to Glenn Merrill, Assistant
Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region
NMFS, Attn: Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau,
AK 99802-1668.
Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period,
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address), confidential business information,
or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender
will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter
``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).
Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word,
Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
GOA exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan
for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North
Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) under authority of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Regulations
governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at
subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
The final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications for groundfish in
the GOA (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017) set the 2018 pollock TAC at
163,479 metric tons (mt) and the 2018 Pacific cod TAC at 57,825 mt in
the GOA. In December 2017, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council
(Council) recommended a 2018 pollock TAC of 166,228 mt for the GOA,
which is more than the 163,479 mt established by the final 2017 and
2018 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA. The Council also
recommended a 2018 Pacific cod TAC of 13,096 mt for the GOA, which is
less than the 57,825 mt established by the final 2017 and 2018 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA. The Council's recommended
2018 TACs, and the area and seasonal apportionments, are based on the
Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation report (SAFE), dated November
2017, which NMFS has determined is the best available scientific
information for these fisheries.
Steller sea lions occur in the same location as the pollock and
Pacific cod fisheries and are listed as endangered under the Endangered
Species Act (ESA). Pollock and Pacific cod are a principal prey species
for Steller sea lions in the GOA. The seasonal apportionment of pollock
and Pacific cod harvest is necessary to ensure the groundfish fisheries
are not likely to cause jeopardy of extinction or adverse modification
of critical habitat for Steller sea lions. The regulations at Sec.
679.20(a)(5)(iv) specify how the pollock TAC will be apportioned. The
regulations at Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(ii) and Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)
specify how the Pacific cod TAC will be apportioned.
In accordance with Sec. 679.25(a)(1)(iii), (a)(2)(i)(B), and
(a)(2)(iv) the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional
Administrator), has determined that, based on the November 2017 SAFE
report for this fishery, the current GOA pollock and Pacific cod TACs
are incorrectly specified. Consequently, pursuant to Sec.
679.25(a)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator is adjusting the 2018 GOA
pollock TAC to 166,228 mt and the 2018 GOA Pacific cod TAC to 13,096
mt. Therefore, Table 2 of the final 2017 and 2018 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA (82 FR 12032, February 27,
2017) is revised consistent with this adjustment.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv), Table 4 of the final 2017 and
2018 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA (82 FR 12032,
February 27, 2017) is revised for the 2018 TACs of pollock in the
Central and Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
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)....................... 1,317 3.497% 27,314 72.537% 9,025 23.966% 37,656
B (Mar 10-May 31)....................... 1,317 3.497% 32,155 85.392% 4,184 11.111% 37,656
C (Aug 25-Oct 1)........................ 13,777 36.587% 10,013 26.591% 13,865 36.821% 37,656
[[Page 60328]]
D (Oct 1-Nov 1)......................... 13,777 36.587% 10,013 26.591% 13,865 36.821% 37,656
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Total........................ 30,188 .............. 79,495 .............. 40,939 .............. 150,622
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(ii) and Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i),
Table 6 of the final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the GOA (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017) is revised for
the 2018 seasonal apportionments and allocation of Pacific cod TAC in
the GOA consistent with this adjustment.
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)............... 141 N/A 85 N/A 57
Hook-and-line CV................ 77 0.70 39 0.70 39
Hook-and-line C/P............... 1,092 10.90 601 8.90 491
Trawl CV........................ 2,118 27.70 1,528 10.70 590
Trawl C/P....................... 132 0.90 50 1.50 83
All Pot CV and Pot C/P.......... 2,096 19.80 1,092 18.20 1,004
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total....................... 5,657 60.00 3,394 40.00 2,263
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central GOA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jig (1.0% of TAC)............... 61 N/A 37 N/A 24
Hook-and-line <50 CV............ 880 9.32 562 5.29 319
Hook-and-line >=50 CV........... 404 5.61 338 1.10 66
Hook-and-line C/P............... 308 4.11 248 1.00 60
Trawl CV \1\.................... 2,507 21.14 1,274 20.45 1,233
Trawl C/P....................... 253 2.00 121 2.19 132
All Pot CV and Pot C/P.......... 1,676 17.83 1,075 9.97 601
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total....................... 6,089 60.00 3,653 40.00 2,436
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern GOA .............. Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,350 1,215
135
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Seasonal apportionments may not total precisely due to due to rounding.
Classification
This action responds to the best available information recently
obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,
NOAA (AA), finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior
notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set
forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is impracticable and
contrary to the public interest. This requirement is impracticable and
contrary to the public interest as it would prevent NMFS from
responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and
would allow for harvests that exceed the appropriate allocations for
pollock and Pacific cod based on the best scientific information
available. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for
public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became
available as of December 13, 2017, and additional time for prior public
comment would result in conservation concerns for the ESA-listed
Steller sea lions.
The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the
effective date of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This finding is
based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of
[[Page 60329]]
prior notice and opportunity for public comment.
Under Sec. 679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to submit
written comments on this action to the above address until January 4,
2018.
This action is required by Sec. 679.20 and Sec. 679.25 and is
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: December 15, 2017.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-27429 Filed 12-19-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
