Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands, 5052-5053 [2018-02235]
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5052
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 24 / Monday, February 5, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
Dated: January 30, 2018.
Samuel D. Rauch, III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
fishing allowances from the Aleutian
Islands subarea to the Bering Sea
subarea directed fisheries. These actions
are necessary to provide opportunity for
harvest of the 2018 total allowable catch
of pollock, consistent with the goals and
objectives of the Fishery Management
Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea
and Aleutian Islands Management Area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local
time (A.l.t.), February 5, 2018, until the
effective date of the final 2018 and 2019
harvest specifications for Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands (BSAI) groundfish,
unless otherwise modified or
superseded through publication of a
notification in the Federal Register.
[FR Doc. 2018–02162 Filed 2–2–18; 8:45 am]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
Steve Whitney, 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 (Council)
under authority of the MagnusonStevens 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.
In the Aleutian Islands subarea, the
portion of the 2018 pollock total
allowable catch (TAC) allocated to the
Aleut Corporation’s directed fishing
allowance (DFA) is 14,700 metric tons
(mt) and the Community Development
Quota (CDQ) DFA is 1,900 mt as
established by the final 2017 and 2018
harvest specifications for groundfish in
the BSAI (82 FR 11826, February 26,
2017), and as adjusted by an inseason
entities. NMFS published the factual
basis for certification in the proposed
specification, and does not repeat it
here. NMFS did not receive comments
regarding the certification and has no
reason to think that anything has
changed to affect it. As a result, a final
regulatory flexibility analysis is not
required, and one was not prepared.
This action is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 161020985–7181–02]
RIN 0648–XF979
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of
Pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule.
AGENCY:
NMFS is reallocating the
projected unused amounts of the Aleut
Corporation’s and the Community
Development Quota pollock directed
SUMMARY:
adjustment (82 FR 60329, December 20,
2017).
As of January 17, 2018, the
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS,
(Regional Administrator) has
determined that 12,200 mt of Aleut
Corporation’s DFA and 1,900 mt of
pollock CDQ DFA in the Aleutian
Islands subarea will not be harvested.
Therefore, in accordance with
§ 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(4), NMFS
reallocates 12,200 mt of Aleut
Corporation’s DFA and 1,900 mt of
pollock CDQ DFA from the Aleutian
Islands subarea to the 2018 Bering Sea
subarea allocations. The 1,900 mt of
pollock CDQ DFA is added to the 2018
Bering Sea CDQ DFA. The remaining
12,200 mt of pollock is apportioned to
the AFA Inshore sector (50 percent),
AFA catcher/processor sector (40
percent), and the AFA mothership
sector (10 percent). The 2018 Bering Sea
subarea pollock incidental catch
allowance remains at 47,888 mt. As a
result, the 2018 harvest specifications
for pollock in the Aleutian Islands
subarea included in the final 2017 and
2018 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (82 FR 11826,
February 26, 2017) are revised as
follows: 2,500 mt to Aleut Corporation’s
DFA and 0 mt to CDQ DFA.
Furthermore, pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5),
Table 5 of the final 2017 and 2018
harvest specifications for groundfish in
the BSAI (82 FR 11826, February 26,
2017), as adjusted by the inseason
adjustment (82 FR 60329, December 20,
2017), is revised to make 2018 pollock
allocations consistent with this
reallocation. This reallocation results in
adjustments to the 2018 Aleut
Corporation and CDQ pollock
allocations established at § 679.20(a)(5).
TABLE 5—FINAL 2018 ALLOCATIONS OF POLLOCK TACS TO THE DIRECTED POLLOCK FISHERIES AND TO THE CDQ
DIRECTED FISHING ALLOWANCES (DFA) 1
[Amounts are in metric tons]
2018 A season 1
2018
Allocations
nshattuck on DSK9F9SC42PROD with RULES
Area and sector
Bering Sea subarea TAC 1 ..............................................................................
CDQ DFA .........................................................................................................
ICA 1 .................................................................................................................
Total Bering Sea non-CDQ DFA .....................................................................
AFA Inshore .....................................................................................................
AFA Catcher/Processors 3 ...............................................................................
Catch by C/Ps ..........................................................................................
Catch by CVs 3 .........................................................................................
Unlisted C/P Limit 4 ...................................................................................
AFA Motherships .............................................................................................
Excessive Harvesting Limit 5 ............................................................................
Excessive Processing Limit 6 ...........................................................................
Aleutian Islands subarea ABC .........................................................................
Aleutian Islands subarea TAC 1 .......................................................................
CDQ DFA .........................................................................................................
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:20 Feb 02, 2018
Jkt 244001
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
1,378,441
138,334
47,888
1,192,219
596,109
476,888
436,352
40,535
2,384
119,222
208,638
357,666
40,788
4,900
0
A season DFA
n/a
62,250
n/a
536,499
268,249
214,599
196,358
18,241
1,073
53,650
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
0
E:\FR\FM\05FER1.SGM
05FER1
SCA harvest
limit 2
n/a
38,734
n/a
333,821
166,911
133,529
n/a
n/a
n/a
33,382
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
2018
B season 1
B season DFA
n/a
76,084
n/a
655,720
327,860
262,288
239,994
22,294
1,311
65,572
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
0
5053
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 24 / Monday, February 5, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 5—FINAL 2018 ALLOCATIONS OF POLLOCK TACS TO THE DIRECTED POLLOCK FISHERIES AND TO THE CDQ
DIRECTED FISHING ALLOWANCES (DFA) 1—Continued
[Amounts are in metric tons]
2018 A season 1
2018
Allocations
Area and sector
ICA ...................................................................................................................
Aleut Corporation .............................................................................................
Area harvest limit 7 ...........................................................................................
541 ............................................................................................................
542 ............................................................................................................
543 ............................................................................................................
Bogoslof District ICA 8 ......................................................................................
A season DFA
2,400
2,500
n/a
12,236
6,118
2,039
450
2018
B season 1
SCA harvest
limit 2
1,200
2,500
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
B season DFA
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
1,200
0
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
1 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), the Bering Sea subarea pollock, after subtracting the CDQ DFA (10 percent) and the ICA (3.9 percent), is allocated as a DFA as follows: inshore sector—50 percent, catcher/processor sector (C/P)—40 percent, and mothership sector—10 percent. In the
Bering Sea subarea, 45 percent of the DFA is allocated to the A season (January 20–June 10) and 55 percent of the DFA is allocated to the B
season (June 10–November 1). Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2)(i) through (iii), the annual Aleutian Islands pollock TAC, after subtracting first
for the CDQ directed fishing allowance (10 percent) and second for the ICA (2,400 mt), is allocated to the Aleut Corporation for a pollock directed
fishery. In the Aleutian Islands subarea, the A season is allocated up to 40 percent of the ABC and the B season is allocated the remainder of
the pollock directed fishery.
2 In the Bering Sea subarea, pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(C), no more than 28 percent of each sector’s annual DFA may be taken from the
SCA before noon, April 1.
3 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4), not less than 8.5 percent of the DFA allocated to listed catcher/processors shall be available for harvest
only by eligible catcher vessels delivering to listed catcher/processors.
4 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4)(iii), the AFA unlisted catcher/processors are limited to harvesting not more than 0.5 percent of the catcher/
processors sector’s allocation of pollock.
5 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(6), NMFS establishes an excessive harvesting share limit equal to 17.5 percent of the sum of the non-CDQ
pollock DFAs.
6 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(7), NMFS establishes an excessive processing share limit equal to 30.0 percent of the sum of the non-CDQ
pollock DFAs.
7 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(6), NMFS establishes harvest limits for pollock in the A season in Area 541 of no more than 30 percent, in
Area 542 of no more than 15 percent, and in Area 543 of no more than 5 percent of the Aleutian Islands pollock ABC.
8 Pursuant to § 679.22(a)(7)(i)(B), the Bogoslof District is closed to directed fishing for pollock. The amounts specified are for ICA only and are
not apportioned by season or sector.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
nshattuck on DSK9F9SC42PROD with RULES
Classification
This action responds to the best
available information recently obtained
from the fishery. The Assistant
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA
(AA), finds good cause to waive the
requirement to provide prior notice and
opportunity for public comment
pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is
impracticable and contrary to the public
interest. This requirement is
impracticable and contrary to the public
interest as it would prevent NMFS from
responding to the most recent fisheries
data in a timely fashion and would
delay the reallocation of AI pollock.
Since the pollock fishery opened
January 20, 2018, it is important to
immediately inform the industry as to
the final Bering Sea subarea pollock
allocations. Immediate notification is
necessary to allow for the orderly
conduct and efficient operation of this
fishery; allow the industry to plan for
the fishing season and avoid potential
disruption to the fishing fleet as well as
processors; and provide opportunity to
harvest increased seasonal pollock
allocations while value is optimum.
NMFS was unable to publish a notice
providing time for public comment
because the most recent, relevant data
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:20 Feb 02, 2018
Jkt 244001
only became available as of January 26,
2018.
The AA also finds good cause to
waive the 30-day delay in the effective
date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
the reasons provided above for waiver of
prior notice and opportunity for public
comment.
This action is required by § 679.20
and is exempt from review under
Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: January 31, 2018.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018–02235 Filed 2–2–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
PO 00000
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 160920866–7167–02]
RIN 0648–XF941
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by NonAmerican Fisheries Act Crab Vessels
Operating as Catcher Vessels Using
Pot Gear in the Western Regulatory
Area of the Gulf of Alaska
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
AGENCY:
NMFS is prohibiting directed
fishing for Pacific cod by non-American
Fisheries Act (AFA) crab vessels that are
subject to sideboard limits, and
operating as catcher vessels (CVs) using
pot gear, in the Western Regulatory Area
of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action
is necessary to prevent exceeding the A
season allowance of the 2018 Pacific
cod sideboard limit established for nonAFA crab vessels that are operating as
SUMMARY:
Frm 00025
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
E:\FR\FM\05FER1.SGM
05FER1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 24 (Monday, February 5, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5052-5053]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-02235]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 161020985-7181-02]
RIN 0648-XF979
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation
of Pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amounts of the Aleut
Corporation's and the Community Development Quota pollock directed
fishing allowances from the Aleutian Islands subarea to the Bering Sea
subarea directed fisheries. These actions are necessary to provide
opportunity for harvest of the 2018 total allowable catch of pollock,
consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan
for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 5,
2018, until the effective date of the final 2018 and 2019 harvest
specifications for Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) groundfish,
unless otherwise modified or superseded through publication of a
notification in the Federal Register.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 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
(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.
In the Aleutian Islands subarea, the portion of the 2018 pollock
total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to the Aleut Corporation's
directed fishing allowance (DFA) is 14,700 metric tons (mt) and the
Community Development Quota (CDQ) DFA is 1,900 mt as established by the
final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI
(82 FR 11826, February 26, 2017), and as adjusted by an inseason
adjustment (82 FR 60329, December 20, 2017).
As of January 17, 2018, the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS,
(Regional Administrator) has determined that 12,200 mt of Aleut
Corporation's DFA and 1,900 mt of pollock CDQ DFA in the Aleutian
Islands subarea will not be harvested. Therefore, in accordance with
Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(4), NMFS reallocates 12,200 mt of Aleut
Corporation's DFA and 1,900 mt of pollock CDQ DFA from the Aleutian
Islands subarea to the 2018 Bering Sea subarea allocations. The 1,900
mt of pollock CDQ DFA is added to the 2018 Bering Sea CDQ DFA. The
remaining 12,200 mt of pollock is apportioned to the AFA Inshore sector
(50 percent), AFA catcher/processor sector (40 percent), and the AFA
mothership sector (10 percent). The 2018 Bering Sea subarea pollock
incidental catch allowance remains at 47,888 mt. As a result, the 2018
harvest specifications for pollock in the Aleutian Islands subarea
included in the final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (82 FR 11826, February 26, 2017) are revised as
follows: 2,500 mt to Aleut Corporation's DFA and 0 mt to CDQ DFA.
Furthermore, pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5), Table 5 of the final 2017
and 2018 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (82 FR
11826, February 26, 2017), as adjusted by the inseason adjustment (82
FR 60329, December 20, 2017), is revised to make 2018 pollock
allocations consistent with this reallocation. This reallocation
results in adjustments to the 2018 Aleut Corporation and CDQ pollock
allocations established at Sec. 679.20(a)(5).
Table 5--Final 2018 Allocations of Pollock TACS to the Directed Pollock Fisheries and to the CDQ Directed
Fishing Allowances (DFA) \1\
[Amounts are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2018 A season \1\ 2018 B season
2018 -------------------------------- \1\
Area and sector Allocations SCA harvest ---------------
A season DFA limit \2\ B season DFA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bering Sea subarea TAC \1\...................... 1,378,441 n/a n/a n/a
CDQ DFA......................................... 138,334 62,250 38,734 76,084
ICA \1\......................................... 47,888 n/a n/a n/a
Total Bering Sea non-CDQ DFA.................... 1,192,219 536,499 333,821 655,720
AFA Inshore..................................... 596,109 268,249 166,911 327,860
AFA Catcher/Processors \3\...................... 476,888 214,599 133,529 262,288
Catch by C/Ps............................... 436,352 196,358 n/a 239,994
Catch by CVs \3\............................ 40,535 18,241 n/a 22,294
Unlisted C/P Limit \4\...................... 2,384 1,073 n/a 1,311
AFA Motherships................................. 119,222 53,650 33,382 65,572
Excessive Harvesting Limit \5\.................. 208,638 n/a n/a n/a
Excessive Processing Limit \6\.................. 357,666 n/a n/a n/a
Aleutian Islands subarea ABC.................... 40,788 n/a n/a n/a
Aleutian Islands subarea TAC \1\................ 4,900 n/a n/a n/a
CDQ DFA......................................... 0 0 n/a 0
[[Page 5053]]
ICA............................................. 2,400 1,200 n/a 1,200
Aleut Corporation............................... 2,500 2,500 n/a 0
Area harvest limit \7\.......................... n/a n/a n/a n/a
541......................................... 12,236 n/a n/a n/a
542......................................... 6,118 n/a n/a n/a
543......................................... 2,039 n/a n/a n/a
Bogoslof District ICA \8\....................... 450 n/a n/a n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), the Bering Sea subarea pollock, after subtracting the CDQ DFA (10
percent) and the ICA (3.9 percent), is allocated as a DFA as follows: inshore sector--50 percent, catcher/
processor sector (C/P)--40 percent, and mothership sector--10 percent. In the Bering Sea subarea, 45 percent
of the DFA is allocated to the A season (January 20-June 10) and 55 percent of the DFA is allocated to the B
season (June 10-November 1). Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2)(i) through (iii), the annual Aleutian
Islands pollock TAC, after subtracting first for the CDQ directed fishing allowance (10 percent) and second
for the ICA (2,400 mt), is allocated to the Aleut Corporation for a pollock directed fishery. In the Aleutian
Islands subarea, the A season is allocated up to 40 percent of the ABC and the B season is allocated the
remainder of the pollock directed fishery.
\2\ In the Bering Sea subarea, pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(C), no more than 28 percent of each sector's
annual DFA may be taken from the SCA before noon, April 1.
\3\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4), not less than 8.5 percent of the DFA allocated to listed catcher/
processors shall be available for harvest only by eligible catcher vessels delivering to listed catcher/
processors.
\4\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4)(iii), the AFA unlisted catcher/processors are limited to harvesting
not more than 0.5 percent of the catcher/processors sector's allocation of pollock.
\5\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(6), NMFS establishes an excessive harvesting share limit equal to 17.5
percent of the sum of the non-CDQ pollock DFAs.
\6\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(7), NMFS establishes an excessive processing share limit equal to 30.0
percent of the sum of the non-CDQ pollock DFAs.
\7\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(6), NMFS establishes harvest limits for pollock in the A season in
Area 541 of no more than 30 percent, in Area 542 of no more than 15 percent, and in Area 543 of no more than 5
percent of the Aleutian Islands pollock ABC.
\8\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.22(a)(7)(i)(B), the Bogoslof District is closed to directed fishing for pollock. The
amounts specified are for ICA only and are not apportioned by season or sector.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely 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 delay the reallocation of AI pollock. Since the pollock fishery
opened January 20, 2018, it is important to immediately inform the
industry as to the final Bering Sea subarea pollock allocations.
Immediate notification is necessary to allow for the orderly conduct
and efficient operation of this fishery; allow the industry to plan for
the fishing season and avoid potential disruption to the fishing fleet
as well as processors; and provide opportunity to harvest increased
seasonal pollock allocations while value is optimum. NMFS was unable to
publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most
recent, relevant data only became available as of January 26, 2018.
The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the
effective date of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This finding is
based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and
opportunity for public comment.
This action is required by Sec. 679.20 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: January 31, 2018.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-02235 Filed 2-2-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
