Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska; Final 2018 and 2019 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish, 8768-8801 [2018-04124]

Download as PDF 8768 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES catch estimate would have substantially changed the projected butterfish ABCs. Comment 9: One individual indicated that NMFS is not recognizing shifts in economic, governmental, and ecological trends in setting future catch levels. The individual suggested that changes in tax law, economic booms, the impacts of offshore drilling, relative profitability between small and large operations, technological innovation, and demand may all affect future estimates of fish stocks and the appropriate levels of catch in future years. Response: Each year, Council staff develop a fishery information document summarizing trends in fishery landings, revenues, and participation. In addition, the Council’s Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Advisory Panel meets to develop and discuss a fishery performance report. This report describes the factors that influence fishing effort and landings, including markets, environmental/ecological issues (weather, temperature, availability), management measures, or other issues relevant to the fishery’s operations (see ADDRESSES). This input is used to provide context to fishery operations and help the Council and its SSC understand catch patterns when setting ABCs in each fishery. Therefore, we are considering many of the factors identified by the commenter when setting catch levels. Further, the profitability of affected entities, including both large and small operations, are explicitly considered in the National Environmental Policy Act and associated economic analyses conducted in support of this action and included in the EA prepared by Council staff (see ADDRESSES). Classification Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that this final rule is consistent with the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish FMP, other provisions of the MagnusonStevens Act, and other applicable law. This final rule has been determined to be not significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866. This final rule is not an Executive Order 13771 regulatory action because it is not significant under Executive Order 12866. The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration during the proposed rule stage that this action would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The factual basis for the certification was published in the VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 proposed rule and is not repeated here. No comments were received regarding this certification and no other information has been obtained that suggests any other conclusion. As a result, a regulatory flexibility analysis was not required and none was prepared. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: February 23, 2018. Samuel D. Rauch III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018–04123 Filed 2–28–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 170816769–8162–02] RIN 0648–XF633 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska; Final 2018 and 2019 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 2018 and 2019 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 2018 and 2019 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.), March 1, 2018, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2019. ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the Final Alaska Groundfish Harvest Specifications Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Record of Decision (ROD), the Supplementary Information Report (SIR) to the EIS, and the Initial DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) prepared for this action are available from https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. The final 2017 Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) report for the groundfish resources of the GOA, dated November 2017, 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 website 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 and apportionments thereof, 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 and apportionments, Pacific halibut PSC limits, and seasonal allowances of pollock and Pacific cod, per § 679.20(c)(3)(ii). The final harvest specifications set forth in Tables 1 through 30 of this rule reflect the outcome of this process, as required at § 679.20(c). The proposed 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA and Pacific halibut PSC limits were published in the Federal Register on December 8, 2017 (82 FR 57924). Comments were invited and accepted through January 8, 2018. NMFS received two letters of comment on the proposed harvest specifications; the comments are summarized and responded to in the ‘‘Response to Comments’’ section of this rule. In December 2017, NMFS consulted with the Council regarding E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations the 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications. After considering public testimony, as well as biological and socioeconomic data that were available at the Council’s December 2017 meeting, NMFS is implementing the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications, as recommended by the Council. For 2018, the sum of the TAC amounts is 427,512 mt. For 2019, the sum of the TAC amounts is 376,417 mt. Other Actions Potentially Affecting the 2018 and 2019 Harvest Specifications amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES Amendment 106: Reclassify Squid as an Ecosystem Species In June 2017, the Council recommended for Secretarial review Amendment 106 to the FMP. Amendment 106 would reclassify squid in the FMP as an ‘‘Ecosystem Component Species,’’ which is a category of non-target species that are not in need of conservation and management. Currently, NMFS annually sets an Overfishing Level (OFL), Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC), and TAC for squid in the GOA groundfish harvest specifications. Under Amendment 106, OFL, ABC, and TAC specifications would no longer be required. Proposed regulations to implement Amendment 106 would prohibit directed fishing for squid, require recordkeeping and reporting to monitor and report catch of squid species annually, and establish a squid maximum retainable amount when directed fishing for groundfish species at 20 percent to discourage retention, while allowing flexibility to prosecute groundfish fisheries. Further details will be available on publication of the proposed rule for Amendment 106. If Amendment 106 and its implementing regulations are approved by the Secretary of Commerce, Amendment 106 and its implementing regulations are anticipated to be effective by 2019. Until Amendment 106 is effective, NMFS will continue to publish OFLs, ABCs, and TACs for squid in the GOA groundfish harvest specifications. ABC and TAC Specifications In December 2017, 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 2017 SAFE report for the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated November 2017 (see ADDRESSES). The SAFE report contains a review of the latest scientific analyses VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 and estimates of each species’ biomass and other biological parameters, as well as summaries of the available information on the GOA ecosystem and the economic condition of the groundfish fisheries off Alaska. From these data and analyses, the Plan Team recommends an OFL and ABC for each species or species group. The 2017 SAFE 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 2017 Plan Team meeting, NMFS scientists presented updated and new survey results, changes to stock assessment models, and accompanying stock assessment estimates for groundfish species and species groups that are included in the final 2017 SAFE report per the stock assessment schedule found in the 2017 SAFE report introduction. The SSC reviewed this information at the December 2017 Council meeting. Changes from the proposed to the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications are discussed below. The final 2018 and 2019 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 2018 and 2019 OFLs and ABCs recommended by the Plan Team for all groundfish species. The Council adopted the SSC’s OFL and ABC recommendations and the AP’s TAC recommendations, with one exception for the arrowtooth flounder TAC, discussed below. The final TAC recommendations were based on the ABCs as adjusted for other biological and socioeconomic considerations, PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 8769 including maintaining the sum of all TACs within the required OY range of 116,000 to 800,000 mt. The Council recommended 2018 and 2019 TACs that are equal to ABCs for pollock in the Southeast Outside (SEO) District, sablefish, shallow-water flatfish in the Central GOA and the West Yakutat and SEO Districts, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, flathead sole in the West Yakutat and SEO Districts, Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish, shortraker rockfish, dusky rockfish, rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish, thornyhead rockfish, ‘‘other rockfish’’ in the Western and Central GOA and the West Yakutat District, big skate, longnose skate, other skates, sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopuses in the GOA. The Council recommended TACs for 2018 and 2019 that are less than the ABCs for pollock in the Western and Central GOA and the West Yakutat District, Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish in the Western GOA, arrowtooth flounder, flathead sole in the Western and Central GOA, ‘‘other rockfish’’ in the SEO District, and Atka mackerel. The combined Western, Central, and West Yakutat pollock TACs and the GOA 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. As noted in the proposed 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for the GOA, the 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod OFL, ABC, and TAC is significantly lower than the 2018 Pacific cod OFL, ABC, and TAC published in the final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017). Based on the final 2017 Pacific cod stock assessment, the 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod OFL and ABC is much lower than previously estimated. The final 2018 Pacific cod ABC and TAC is 18,000 mt and 13,096 mt, respectively, and the final 2019 Pacific cod ABC and TAC is 17,000 mt and 12,368 mt, respectively. The TACs are the basis for numerous seasonal and sector apportionments of Pacific cod, and such apportionments are significantly decreased as well. The final seasonal and sector E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 8770 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES apportionments of Pacific cod TACs are provided in Tables 5 and 6 in this rule. The final 2018 and 2019 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 2017 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 2018 and 2019 OFLs, ABCs, TACs, and area apportionments of groundfish in the GOA. The sums of the 2018 and 2019 ABCs are 536,921 mt and 480,187 mt, respectively, which are lower than the 2017 ABC sum of 667,877 mt (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017). The 2018 harvest specifications set in this final action will supersede the 2018 harvest specifications previously set in the final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017). The 2019 harvest specifications will be superseded in early 2019 when the final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications are published. Pursuant to this final action, the 2018 harvest specifications therefore will apply for the remainder of the current year (2018), while the 2019 harvest specifications are projected only for the following year (2019) and will be superseded in early 2019 by the final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications. Because this final action (published in early 2018) will be superseded in early 2019 by the publication of the final 2019 and 2020 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 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 2018 and 2019, 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 2017 Plan Team meeting, State fisheries managers recommended setting the PWS GHL at 2.5 percent of the annual W/C/WYK pollock ABC. For 2018, this yields a PWS pollock GHL of 4,037 mt, a decrease of 1,057 mt from the 2017 PWS GHL of 5,094 mt. For 2019, the PWS pollock GHL is 2,664 mt, a decrease of 2,430 mt from the 2017 PWS pollock GHL of 5,094 mt. After the GHL reductions, the 2018 and 2019 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 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 among Areas 610, 620, and 630 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 (Area 610) and Central (Areas 620 and 630) GOA and the West Yakutat (Area 640) and the SEO (Area 650) Districts 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 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 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 in this rule; Tables 3 and 4 list these amounts. The 2018 and 2019 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 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod TACs in the Western, Central, and Eastern Regulatory Areas to account for State GHLs. Therefore, the 2018 Pacific cod TACs are less than the ABCs by the following amounts: (1) Western GOA, 2,425 mt; (2) Central GOA, 2,030 mt; and (3) Eastern GOA, 450 mt. The 2019 Pacific cod TACs are less than the ABCs by the following amounts: (1) Western GOA, 2,290 mt; (2) Central GOA, 1,917 mt; and (3) Eastern GOA, 425 mt. These amounts reflect the State’s 2018 and 2019 GHLs in these areas, which are 30 percent of the Western GOA ABC and 25 percent of the Eastern and Central GOA 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 jig gear from June 10 through December 31, for hook-and-line and pot gear from September 1 through December 31, and for trawl gear from September 1 through November 1 (§§ 679.23(d)(3) and 679.20(a)(12)). The Western and Central GOA Pacific cod TACs are allocated among various gear and operational sectors. The Pacific cod sector apportionments are discussed in detail in a subsequent section and in Tables 5 and 6 of this rule. 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 (§ 679.7(b)(1)) and makes available five percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area TACs to vessels using 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 2018 and 2019 allocations of sablefish TAC to fixed gear and trawl gear in the GOA. E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 8771 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations Changes From the Proposed 2018 and 2019 Harvest Specifications in the GOA In October 2017, the Council’s recommendations for the proposed 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications (82 FR 57924, December 8, 2017) were based largely on information contained in the final 2016 SAFE report for the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated November 2016. The final 2016 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 2018 groundfish fisheries (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017) be used for the proposed 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications (82 FR 57924, December 8, 2017), pending completion and review of the final 2017 SAFE report at its December 2017 meeting. As described previously, the SSC adopted the final 2018 and 2019 OFLs and ABCs recommended by the Plan Team. The Council adopted the SSC’s OFL and ABC recommendations and the AP’s TAC recommendations for 2018 and 2019, with one exception for the Central GOA arrowtooth flounder TAC. The AP recommended 2018 and 2019 arrowtooth flounder TACs of 73,480 mt and 70,700 mt, respectively. The Council revised this TAC recommendation to 48,000 mt for both 2018 and 2019. The Council’s rationale included a concern that a higher arrowtooth flounder TAC would result in bycatch concerns, and that lower arrowtooth flounder TACs than those recommended by the AP are appropriate because catch rarely, if ever, approach the proposed ABCs or TACs. Also, the Council set this TAC to allow for increased harvest opportunities while conserving the halibut PSC limit for use in other, more fully utilized fisheries. The final 2018 ABCs are higher than the proposed 2018 ABCs published in the proposed 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications (82 FR 57924, December 8, 2017) for pollock, sablefish, shallowwater flatfish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish, dusky rockfish, rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish, thornyhead rockfish, and longnose skate. The final 2018 ABCs are lower than the proposed 2018 ABCs for Pacific cod, arrowtooth flounder, flathead sole, shortraker rockfish, other rockfish, big skate, other skates, sculpins, squids, and octopuses. The final 2019 ABCs are higher than the proposed ABCs for sablefish, shallow-water flatfish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, flathead sole, Pacific ocean perch, rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish, thornyhead rockfish, and longnose skate. The final 2019 ABCs are lower than the proposed 2019 ABCs for pollock, Pacific cod, arrowtooth flounder, northern rockfish, shortraker rockfish, dusky rockfish, other rockfish, big skates, other skates, sculpins, squids, and octopuses. For the remaining target species (Atka mackerel and sharks), the Council recommended the final 2018 and 2019 ABCs that are the same as the proposed 2018 and 2019 ABCs. Additional information explaining the changes between the proposed and final ABCs is included in the final 2017 SAFE report, which was not available when the Council made its proposed ABC and TAC recommendations in October 2017. At that time, the most recent stock assessment information was contained in the final 2016 SAFE report. The final 2017 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 2017 SAFE report in December 2017 when it made recommendations for the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications. In the GOA, the total final 2018 TAC amount is 427,512 mt, a decrease of 8 percent from the total proposed 2018 TAC amount of 465,832 mt. The total final 2019 TAC amount is 376,417 mt, a decrease of 19 percent from the total proposed 2019 TAC amount of 465,832 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. The biennial GOA trawl survey was conducted in 2017. Thus, changes to biomass and ABC estimates are based on survey biomass information, as well as 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. The changes from the proposed 2018 TACs to the final 2018 TACs are within a range of plus 83 percent or minus 80 percent, and the changes from the proposed 2019 TACs to the final 2019 TACs are within a range of plus 73 percent or minus 80 percent. Based on changes in the estimates of overall biomass made by stock assessment scientists for 2018 and 2019, as compared to the estimates previously made for 2017 and 2018, the species or species group with the greatest TAC percentage increases are sablefish, shallow-water flatfish, rex sole, Pacific ocean perch, rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish, and longnose skates. Based on changes in the estimates of biomass, the species or species group with the greatest decreases in TACs are Pacific cod, arrowtooth flounder, shortraker rockfish, big skate, other skates, and octopuses. For all other species and species groups, changes from the proposed 2018 TACs to the final 2018 TACs and changes from the proposed 2019 TACs to the final 2019 TACs are less than a 10 percent change (either increase or decrease). 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 2017 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 2018 and 2019 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 2018 AND 2019 GOA TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH LIMITS amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentage] Species 2018 and 2019 Proposed TAC Pollock .......................... Pacific cod .................... Sablefish ...................... Shallow-water flatfish ... VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Feb 28, 2018 163,479 40,069 10,207 36,979 Jkt 244001 2018 Final TAC 2018 Final minus 2018 proposed TAC 166,228 13,096 11,505 42,732 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Percentage difference 2,749 ¥26,973 1,298 5,753 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 2 ¥67 13 16 2019 Final TAC 2019 Final minus 2019 proposed TAC 112,678 12,368 16,194 43,128 E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 ¥50,801 ¥27,701 5,987 6,149 Percentage difference ¥31 ¥69 59 17 8772 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 1A—COMPARISON OF PROPOSED AND FINAL 2018 AND 2019 GOA TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH LIMITS—Continued [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentage] 2018 and 2019 Proposed TAC Species 2018 Final TAC 2018 Final minus 2018 proposed TAC Percentage difference 2019 Final TAC 2019 Final minus 2019 proposed TAC Percentage difference 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 .................... 9,382 8,421 103,300 27,920 23,454 3,508 1,286 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 9,385 15,373 76,300 26,388 29,236 3,681 863 3,957 1,444 250 2,038 2,305 3,000 2,848 3,572 1,384 5,301 4,514 1,137 975 3 6,952 ¥27,000 ¥1,532 5,782 173 ¥423 3 126 23 77 ¥3 0 ¥966 366 ¥535 ¥290 0 0 ¥3,903 0 83 ¥26 ¥5 25 5 ¥33 0 10 10 4 0 0 ¥25 11 ¥28 ¥5 0 0 ¥80 9,499 14,529 76,300 26,487 28,605 3,347 864 3,668 1,427 250 2,038 2,305 3,000 2,848 3,572 1,384 5,301 4,514 1,137 975 117 6,108 ¥27,000 ¥1,433 5,151 ¥161 ¥422 ¥286 109 23 77 ¥3 0 ¥966 366 ¥535 ¥290 0 0 ¥3,903 1 73 ¥26 ¥5 22 ¥5 ¥33 ¥7 8 10 4 0 0 ¥25 11 ¥28 ¥5 0 0 ¥80 Total ...................... 465,832 427,512 ¥38,320 ¥8 376,418 ¥89,414 ¥19 The final 2018 and 2019 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 2018 and 2019, respectively. TABLE 1—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 amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 198,756 170,265 166,228 W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... E ..................................................................... n/a n/a n/a 8,082 8,118 1,800 5,657 6,089 1,350 23,565 18,000 13,096 W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... WYK ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ E (WYK and SEO) (subtotal) ......................... n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 1,544 5,158 1,829 2,974 4,803 1,544 5,158 1,829 2,974 4,803 22,703 11,505 11,505 W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... WYK ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ n/a n/a n/a n/a 25,206 25,315 2,242 1,925 13,250 25,315 2,242 1,925 Total ........................................................ Deep-water flatfish 6 ........................................ 30,188 79,495 40,939 6,833 157,455 8,773 Total ........................................................ Shallow-water flatfish 5 .................................... 30,188 79,495 40,939 6,833 161,492 8,773 Total ........................................................ Sablefish 4 ....................................................... n/a n/a n/a n/a 187,059 11,697 Total ........................................................ Pacific cod 3 .................................................... Shumagin (610) .............................................. Chirikof (620) .................................................. Kodiak (630) ................................................... WYK (640) ...................................................... W/C/WYK (subtotal) 2 ..................................... SEO (650) ...................................................... 67,240 54,688 42,732 W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... n/a n/a 413 3,400 413 3,400 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 8773 TABLE 1—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 ................................................................ amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES Other rockfish 13 14 .......................................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 18,706 15,373 15,373 W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... WYK ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ n/a n/a n/a ........................ 37,253 73,480 16,468 23,744 14,500 48,000 6,900 6,900 180,697 150,945 76,300 W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... WYK ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ n/a n/a n/a n/a 12,690 20,238 1,932 406 8,650 15,400 1,932 406 43,011 35,266 26,388 W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... WYK ............................................................... W/C/WYK subtotal ......................................... SEO ................................................................ n/a n/a n/a 31,860 2,902 3,312 20,112 3,371 26,795 2,441 3,312 20,112 3,371 26,795 2,441 34,762 29,236 29,236 W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... E ..................................................................... n/a n/a n/a 420 3,261 4 420 3,261 ........................ 4,380 3,685 3,681 W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... E ..................................................................... n/a n/a n/a 44 305 514 44 305 514 1,151 863 863 W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... WYK ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ n/a n/a n/a n/a 146 3,502 232 77 146 3,502 232 77 4,841 3,957 3,957 W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... E ..................................................................... n/a n/a n/a 176 556 712 176 556 712 1,735 1,444 1,444 SEO ................................................................ W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... E ..................................................................... 394 n/a n/a n/a 250 344 921 773 250 344 921 773 Total ........................................................ Demersal shelf ............................... Thornyhead rockfish ....................................... 3,086 8,739 1,737 1,811 Total ........................................................ rockfish 12 3,086 8,739 1,737 1,811 Total ........................................................ Rougheye and Blackspotted rockfish 11 .......... n/a n/a n/a n/a Total ........................................................ Dusky rockfish 10 ............................................. W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... WYK ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ Total ........................................................ Shortraker rockfish 9 ........................................ 9,385 Total ........................................................ Northern rockfish 8 .......................................... 9,385 Total ........................................................ Pacific ocean perch 7 ...................................... 11,294 Total ........................................................ Flathead sole .................................................. 3,239 2,332 Total ........................................................ Arrowtooth flounder ......................................... 3,239 2,332 Total ........................................................ Rex sole .......................................................... n/a n/a 2,717 2,038 2,038 W and C ......................................................... WYK ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ n/a n/a n/a 1,737 368 3,489 1,737 368 200 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 8774 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 1—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 Total ........................................................ Other skates 17 ................................................ Sculpins ........................................................... Sharks ............................................................. Squids ............................................................. Octopus ........................................................... Total ......................................................... 2,305 GW ................................................................. W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... E ..................................................................... 6,200 n/a n/a n/a 4,700 504 1,774 570 3,000 504 1,774 570 3,797 2,848 2,848 W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... E ..................................................................... n/a n/a n/a 149 2,804 619 149 2,804 619 Total ........................................................ Longnose skate 16 ........................................... 5,594 Total ........................................................ Atka mackerel ................................................. Big skate 15 ...................................................... 7,356 4,763 3,572 3,572 ................................................................. ................................................................. ................................................................. ................................................................. ................................................................. 1,845 6,958 6,020 1,516 1,300 1,384 5,301 4,514 1,137 975 1,384 5,301 4,514 1,137 975 ......................................................................... 655,707 536,921 427,512 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 161,492 mt. After deducting 2.5 percent (4,037 mt) of that ABC for the State’s pollock GHL fishery, the remaining pollock ABC of 157,455 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 (final 2018 seasonal biomass distribution of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, area apportionments, and seasonal allowances). 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 TAC 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 2018 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments. 4 Sablefish is allocated to trawl and fixed gear in 2018. Table 7 lists the final 2018 allocations of sablefish TACs. 5 ‘‘Shallow-water flatfish’’ means flatfish not including ‘‘deep-water flatfish,’’ flathead sole, rex sole, or arrowtooth flounder. 6 ‘‘Deep-water flatfish’’ means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, and 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 and Raja spp. TABLE 2—FINAL 2019 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] amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES Species Area 1 Pollock 2 .......................................................... Shumagin (610) .............................................. Chirikof (620) .................................................. Kodiak (630) ................................................... WYK (640) ...................................................... W/C/WYK (subtotal) 2 ..................................... SEO (650) ...................................................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4700 OFL Sfmt 4700 ABC n/a n/a n/a n/a 131,170 11,697 E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 19,921 52,459 27,016 4,509 106,569 8,773 TAC 19,921 52,459 27,016 4,509 103,905 8,773 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 8775 TABLE 2—FINAL 2019 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 ........................................................ amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES .......................................... Shortraker rockfish 9 ........................................ VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 12,368 W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... WYK ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ E (WYK and SEO) (subtotal) ......................... n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 2,174 7,260 2,573 4,187 6,760 2,174 7,260 2,573 4,187 6,760 35,989 16,194 16,194 W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... WYK ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ n/a n/a n/a n/a 25,544 25,655 2,272 1,951 13,250 25,655 2,272 1,951 68,114 55,422 43,128 W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... WYK ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ n/a n/a n/a n/a 416 3,442 3,279 2,361 416 3,442 3,279 2,361 11,431 9,499 9,499 W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... WYK ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ n/a n/a n/a n/a 2,909 8,236 1,657 1,727 2,909 8,236 1,657 1,727 17,692 14,529 14,529 W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... WYK ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ n/a n/a n/a n/a 35,844 70,700 15,845 22,845 14,500 48,000 6,900 6,900 173,872 145,234 76,300 W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... WYK ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ n/a n/a n/a n/a 13,222 21,087 2,013 424 8,650 15,400 2,013 424 44,822 36,746 26,487 W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... WYK ............................................................... W/C/WYK ....................................................... SEO ................................................................ n/a n/a n/a 31,170 2,840 3,240 19,678 3,298 26,216 2,389 3,240 19,678 3,298 26,216 2,389 34,010 28,605 28,605 W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... E ..................................................................... n/a n/a n/a 382 2,965 3 382 2,965 ........................ Total ........................................................ Northern rockfish 8 17,000 Total ........................................................ Pacific ocean perch 7 ...................................... 21,412 Total ........................................................ Flathead sole .................................................. 5,343 5,750 1,275 Total ........................................................ Arrowtooth flounder ......................................... 7,633 7,667 1,700 Total ........................................................ Rex sole .......................................................... n/a n/a n/a Total ........................................................ Deep-water flatfish 6 ........................................ W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... E ..................................................................... Total ........................................................ Shallow-water flatfish 5 .................................... 112,678 Total ........................................................ Sablefish 4 ....................................................... 115,341 Total ........................................................ Pacific cod 3 .................................................... 142,867 3,984 3,350 3,347 W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... E ..................................................................... n/a n/a n/a 44 305 514 44 305 514 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 8776 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 2—FINAL 2019 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 ........................................................ 1,151 863 863 W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... WYK ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ n/a n/a n/a n/a 135 3,246 215 72 135 3,246 215 72 Total ........................................................ 4,488 3,668 3,668 W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... E ..................................................................... n/a n/a n/a 174 550 703 174 550 703 Total ........................................................ 1,715 1,427 1,427 Demersal shelf rockfish 12 ............................... SEO ................................................................ 394 250 250 Thornyhead rockfish ....................................... W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... E ..................................................................... n/a n/a n/a 344 921 773 344 921 773 Total ........................................................ 2,717 2,038 2,038 W and C ......................................................... WYK ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ n/a n/a n/a 1,737 368 3,488 1,737 368 200 Total ........................................................ 7,356 5,593 2,305 GW ................................................................. 6,200 4,700 3,000 W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... E ..................................................................... n/a n/a n/a 504 1,774 570 504 1,774 570 Total ........................................................ 3,797 2,848 2,848 W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... E ..................................................................... n/a n/a n/a 149 2,804 619 149 2,804 619 Total ........................................................ 4,763 3,572 3,572 Other skates 17 ................................................ GW ................................................................. 1,845 1,384 1,384 Sculpins ........................................................... GW ................................................................. 6,958 5,301 5,301 Sharks ............................................................. GW ................................................................. 6,020 4,514 4,514 Squids ............................................................. GW ................................................................. 1,516 1,137 1,137 Octopus ........................................................... GW ................................................................. 1,300 975 975 Total ......................................................... ......................................................................... 604,413 480,187 376,417 Dusky rockfish 10 ............................................. Rougheye and Blackspotted rockfish 11 .......... Other rockfish 13 14 .......................................... Atka mackerel ................................................. Big skate 15 ...................................................... Longnose skate 16 ........................................... amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES 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 106,569 mt. After deducting 2.5 percent (2,664 mt) of that ABC for the State’s pollock GHL fishery, the remaining pollock ABC of 103,905 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 4 (final 2019 seasonal biomass distribution of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, area apportionments, and seasonal allowances). 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 2019 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments. 4 Sablefish is only allocated to trawl gear for 2019. Table 8 lists the final 2019 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 3 mt apportionment of ABC to the WYK District of the Eastern Gulf of Alaska has been included in the ‘‘other rockfish’’ species group. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 8777 9 ‘‘Shortraker rockfish’’ means Sebastes borealis. rockfish’’ means Sebastes variabilis. 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 and Raja spp. 10 ‘‘Dusky 11 ‘‘Rougheye 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 2018 and 2019, NMFS proposed reapportionment of all the reserves in the proposed 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications published in the Federal Register on December 8, 2017 (82 FR 57924). NMFS did not receive any public comments on the proposed reapportionments. For the final 2018 and 2019 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 or species groups contains the full TAC recommended by the Council. amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES 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. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 Pollock TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA are apportioned among Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630 in proportion to the distribution of the pollock biomass, pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A). In the A and B seasons, the apportionments previously 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 2018 and 2019, the Council recommended, and NMFS approved, following the apportionment methodology that was used previously for the 2017 and 2018 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 2018 and 2019 fishing years. For the A season, the apportionment is based on an adjusted estimate of the relative distribution of pollock biomass of approximately 3 percent, 73 percent, and 24 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 4 percent, 85 percent, and 11 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 37 percent, 27 percent, and 37 percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. The pollock chapter of the 2017 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 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 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 TAC apportionment for the statistical area. Any unharvested pollock above the 20percent 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 in those statistical areas (§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The pollock TACs in the WYK and the SEO Districts of 6,833 mt and 8,773 mt, respectively, in 2018, and 4,509 mt and 8,773 mt, respectively, in 2019, are not allocated by season. Section 679.20(a)(6)(i) requires the allocation of 100 percent of the pollock TAC in all GOA regulatory areas and all seasonal allowances to vessels harvesting 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 to 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. Therefore, amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and offshore components are not shown in Tables 3 and 4. Tables 3 and 4 list the final 2018 and 2019 seasonal biomass distribution of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, area apportionments, and seasonal allowances. E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 8778 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 3—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) ........... 1,317 1,317 13,777 13,777 3.50% 4.50% 36.59% 36.59% 27,314 32,155 10,013 10,013 72.54% 85.39% 26.59% 26.59% 9,025 4,184 13,865 13,865 23.97% 11.11% 36.82% 36.82% 37,656 37,656 37,656 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 District 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 2019 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) ........... 869 869 9,091 9,091 3.50% 4.50% 36.59% 36.59% 18,025 21,219 6,608 6,608 72.54% 85.39% 26.59% 26.59% 5,955 2,761 9,150 9,150 23.97% 11.11% 36.82% 36.82% 24,849 24,849 24,849 24,849 Annual Total .......... 19,921 ........................ 52,459 ........................ 27,016 ........................ 99,395 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 District and SEO District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock TACs shown in this table. amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES Annual and Seasonal Apportionments of Pacific Cod TAC Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(12)(i), NMFS seasonally allocates the Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA among gear and operational sectors. NMFS also allocates the Pacific cod TACs annually between the inshore (90 percent) and offshore (10 percent) components in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the 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 hook-and-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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 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 harvest by each sector from the A season will be subtracted from, or added to, the subsequent B season allowance. In addition, any portion of the hook-andline, trawl, pot, or jig sector allocations that NMFS determines is likely to go unharvested by a sector may be reallocated to other sectors for harvest during the remainder of the fishery year. Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A) and (B), a portion of the annual Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central GOA will be allocated to vessels with a Federal Fisheries Permit (FFP) that use jig gear before the remaining Western and Central GOA Pacific cod TACs are 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 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 of two years. NMFS has evaluated the 2017 harvest performance of the jig sector in the Western and Central GOA, and is establishing the 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod apportionments to this sector as follows. NMFS allocates the jig sector 1.5 percent of the annual Pacific cod TAC in the Western GOA. This is a decrease from the 2017 jig sector allocation of 2.5 percent because in 2016 and 2017 this sector harvested less than 90 percent of its initial annual allocation, thus triggering the deduction of the 1.0 percent performance increase that the Western GOA jig sector received in 2017. The 2018 and 2019 allocations consist of a base allocation of 1.5 percent of the Western GOA Pacific cod TAC, and no additional performance increase in the Western GOA. 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 2017 jig sector allocation because in 2017 this sector harvested less than 90 percent of its initial annual allocation. The 2018 and 2019 allocations consist of a base allocation of 1.0 percent of the Central GOA Pacific cod TAC, and no additional performance increase in the Central GOA. E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 8779 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations Tables 5 and 6 list the seasonal apportionments and allocations of the 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod TACs. TABLE 5—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 (1.5% of TAC) ......................................................... Hook-and-line CV ......................................................... Hook-and-line C/P ........................................................ Trawl CV ....................................................................... Trawl C/P ...................................................................... All Pot CV and Pot C/P ................................................ 85 78 1,103 2,140 134 2,117 N/A 0.70 10.90 27.70 0.90 19.80 51 39 607 1,543 50 1,103 N/A 0.70 8.90 10.70 1.50 18.20 34 39 496 596 84 1,014 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: ........................ 1,350 Inshore (90% of Annual TAC) 1,215 Offshore (10% of Annual TAC) 135 1 Trawl vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 232 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. Final 2018 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA and Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679). TABLE 6—FINAL 2019 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) 134 73 1,031 2,000 125 1,980 N/A 0.70 10.90 27.70 0.90 19.80 80 36 568 1,443 47 1,031 N/A 0.70 8.90 10.70 1.50 18.20 53 36 464 557 78 948 Total ....................................................................... amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES Western GOA: Jig (1.5% of TAC) ......................................................... Hook-and-line CV ......................................................... Hook-and-line C/P ........................................................ Trawl CV ....................................................................... Trawl C/P ...................................................................... All Pot CV and Pot C/P ................................................ 5,343 60.00 3,206 40.00 2,137 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 ...................................................................... 58 831 382 291 2,367 239 N/A 9.32 5.61 4.11 21.14 2.00 35 530 319 234 1,203 114 N/A 5.29 1.10 1.00 20.45 2.19 23 301 62 57 1,164 125 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 8780 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 6—FINAL 2019 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 B season Seasonal allowances (mt) Sector percentage of annual non-jig TAC Seasonal allowances (mt) All Pot CV and Pot C/P ................................................ 1,583 17.83 1,015 9.97 568 Total ....................................................................... 5,750 60.00 3,450 40.00 2,300 Eastern GOA: ........................ 1,275 Inshore (90% of Annual TAC) 1,148 Offshore (10% of Annual TAC) 128 1 Trawl vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 219 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. Final 2019 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA and Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679). Allocations of the Sablefish TACs Amounts to Vessels Using Fixed 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 fixed and trawl gear. In the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, 80 percent of each TAC is allocated to fixed 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 fixed 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 fixed gear. NMFS allocates 100 percent of the sablefish TAC in the SEO District to vessels using fixed gear. This action results in a 2018 allocation of 240 mt to trawl gear and 1,589 mt to fixed gear in the WYK District, a 2018 allocation of 2,974 mt to fixed gear in the SEO District, and a 2019 allocation of 338 mt to trawl gear in the WYK District. Table 7 lists the allocations of the 2018 sablefish TACs to fixed and trawl gear. Table 8 lists the allocations of the 2019 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 2018 and 2019 trawl allocations are specified in these final harvest specifications, in Tables 7 and 8, respectively. The Council also recommended that the fixed gear sablefish TAC be established annually to ensure that this IFQ fishery is conducted concurrently with the halibut IFQ fishery and is based on the most 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 24, 2018, the Council recommended that the fixed gear 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 2018 fixed gear allocations are specified in Table 7, the 2019 fixed gear allocations are not specified in Table 8 and will be specified in the 2019 and 2020 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 in the GOA is closed during the fishing year. Also, fishing for groundfish with trawl gear is prohibited prior to January 20 (§ 679.23(c)). Therefore, it is not likely that the sablefish allocation to trawl gear would be reached before the effective date of the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications. TABLE 7—FINAL 2018 SABLEFISH TAC SPECIFICATIONS IN THE GOA AND ALLOCATIONS TO FIXED AND TRAWL GEAR [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES Area/district Fixed gear allocation TAC Trawl gear allocation Western ........................................................................................................................................ Central ......................................................................................................................................... West Yakutat 1 ............................................................................................................................. Southeast Outside ....................................................................................................................... 1,544 5,158 1,829 2,974 1,235 4,126 1,589 2,974 309 1,032 240 0 Total ...................................................................................................................................... 11,505 9,924 1,581 1 The trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts) sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 8781 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 8—FINAL 2019 SABLEFISH TAC SPECIFICATIONS IN THE GOA AND ALLOCATION TO TRAWL GEAR 1 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Area/district Fixed gear allocation TAC Trawl gear allocation Western ........................................................................................................................................ Central ......................................................................................................................................... West Yakutat 2 ............................................................................................................................. Southeast Outside ....................................................................................................................... 2,174 7,260 2,573 4,187 n/a n/a n/a n/a 435 1,452 338 0 Total ............................................................................................................................................. 16,194 n/a 2,225 1 The Council recommended that the 2018 (but not the 2019) harvest specifications for the fixed 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 Districts) sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District. Demersal Shelf Rockfish (DSR) The recommended 2018 and 2019 DSR TAC is 250 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 2018 and 2019 allocations of 204 mt to the commercial fishery and 39 mt to the sport fishery. amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES 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. For example, in 2017, this resulted in 27 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). For 2018 and 2019, the State will determine from the available DSR TAC of 250 mt the allocation available for the directed commercial DSR fishery in the DSR districts. Federally permitted CVs using hookand-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)). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 Apportionments to the Rockfish Program These final 2018 and 2019 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 and blackspotted 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 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 part 679). 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, as well as halibut PSC limits, are discussed in a subsequent section in this rule titled ‘‘Rockfish Program Groundfish Sideboard and Halibut PSC Limitations.’’ Section 679.81(a)(2)(ii) and Table 28e to 50 CFR part 679 require 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 2018 and 2019. The allocation of each primary species for the entry level longline fishery may increase incrementally each year if the catch exceeds 90 percent of the allocation of that species. The incremental increase in the allocation would continue each year until it reaches the maximum percent of the TAC that may be allocated to the rockfish entry level longline fishery for that species. In 2017, the catch of Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish, and dusky rockfish did not attain the 90 percent threshold, and those allocations for 2018 do not increase above the 2017 allocations. 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 2018 and 2019 TACs for each rockfish primary species to the entry level longline fishery, the potential incremental increases for future years, and the maximum percent of the TACs assigned to the Rockfish Program that may be allocated to the rockfish entry level longline fishery. E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 8782 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 9—FINAL 2018 AND INITIAL 2019 ALLOCATIONS OF ROCKFISH PRIMARY SPECIES TO THE ENTRY LEVEL LONGLINE FISHERY IN THE CENTRAL GULF OF ALASKA Rockfish primary species 2018 and 2019 allocations Incremental increase in 2019 if >90% of 2018 allocation is harvested Up to maximum % of TAC Pacific ocean perch .................................. Northern rockfish ...................................... Dusky rockfish .......................................... 5 metric tons ........................................... 5 metric tons ........................................... 50 metric tons ......................................... 5 metric tons ........................................... 5 metric tons ........................................... 20 metric tons ......................................... 1 2 5 Section 679.81 requires allocations of the rockfish primary species among various sectors of the Rockfish Program. Tables 10 and 11 list the final 2018 and 2019 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 4,000 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 2018 and 2019 allocations in conjunction with these final harvest specifications. NMFS will post these allocations on the Alaska Region website at https://alaska fisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/central-goarockfish-program when they become available after March 1. TABLE 10—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 ...................................................................... 20,112 3,261 3,502 4,000 300 250 16,112 2,961 3,252 5 5 50 16,107 2,956 3,202 Total .............................................................................. 26,875 4,050 22,825 60 22,265 1 Longline 2 Rockfish gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear (50 CFR 679.2). cooperatives include vessels in CV and C/P cooperatives (50 CFR 679.81). TABLE 11—FINAL 2019 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 ...................................................................... 19,678 2,965 3,246 4,000 300 250 15,678 2,665 2,996 5 5 50 15,673 2,660 2,946 Total .............................................................................. 25,889 4,050 21,839 60 21,279 1 Longline amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear (50 CFR 679.2). 2 Rockfish cooperatives include vessels in CV and C/P cooperatives (50 CFR 679.81). 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:18 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 allocation, and thornyhead rockfish. C/P cooperatives receive allocations of sablefish from the trawl gear allocation, rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, shortraker rockfish, and thornyhead rockfish. Tables 12 and 13 list the PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 apportionments of the 2018 and 2019 TACs of rockfish secondary species in the Central GOA to CV and C/P cooperatives. E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 8783 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 12—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 ............................................................ Percentage of TAC 6,089 5,158 305 556 921 Apportionment (mt) 3.81 6.78 0.00 0.00 7.84 232 350 0 0 72 Catcher/processor cooperatives Percentage of TAC Apportionment (mt) 0.00 3.51 40.00 58.87 26.50 0 181 122 327 244 TABLE 13—FINAL 2019 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 ............................................................ amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES Halibut PSC Limits Section 679.21(d) establishes the annual halibut PSC limit apportionments for trawl gear and hookand-line gear, and authorizes the establishment of apportionments for pot gear. In December 2017, 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 2018 and 2019. 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)). The separate halibut PSC limit for the DSR fishery is intended to prevent that fishery from being impacted from the halibut PSC incurred by other GOA fisheries. 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 there is less overlap in the distribution of DSR and halibut, and (3) the directed commercial DSR fishery has a low DSR TAC. 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 Percentage of TAC 5,750 7,260 305 550 921 3.81 6.78 0.00 0.00 7.84 non-trawl halibut PSC limit for 2018 and 2019. 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 for that vessel category and the IFQ regulatory area in which the vessel is operating (§ 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 2017. The calculated halibut bycatch mortality through December 9, 2017, is 1,214 mt for trawl gear and 169 mt for hook-and-line gear for a total halibut mortality of 1,383 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 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Apportionment (mt) 219 492 0 0 72 Catcher/processor cooperatives Percentage of TAC 0.00 3.51 40.00 58.87 26.50 Apportionment (mt) 0 255 122 324 244 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 2017 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 Table 14, which show the final 2018 and 2019 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 halibut E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 8784 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations PSC limit will be added to or deducted from the next respective seasonal apportionment within the fishing year. TABLE 14—FINAL 2018 AND 2019 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 January 20–April 1 ... 27.5 469 January 1–June 10 ... April 1–July 1 ............ 20 341 July 1–September 1 30 512 June 10–September 1. September 1–December 31. September 1–October 1. October 1–December 31. 7.5 .................... 1,706 ................................... 86 221 2 5 12 31 .................... 257 Amount 256 Total ................... Season 128 15 Amount January 1–December 31. 9 ................................... 9 1 The Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limit for hook-and-line gear is allocated to the demersal shelf rockfish (DSR) fishery in the SEO District and to the hook-and-line fisheries other than the DSR fishery. 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, and ‘‘other species’’ (sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopuses) (§ 679.21(d)(3)(iii)). Halibut mortality incurred while directed fishing for skates with trawl gear accrues towards the shallow-water fishery halibut PSC limit (69 FR 26320, May 12, 2004). NMFS will combine available trawl halibut PSC limit apportionments on May 15 during the second season deepwater and shallow-water 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 deepwater 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 2018 and 2019 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. After the combined CV and C/P halibut PSC limit allocation of 191 mt to the Rockfish Program, 150 mt remains for 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 limit apportioned to Rockfish Program participants. The remainder of the unused Rockfish Program halibut PSC limit is unavailable for use by any person for the remainder of the fishing year (§ 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(C)). TABLE 15—FINAL 2018 AND 2019 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] amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES Season Shallow-water Deep-water 1 January 20–April 1 ....................................................................................................................... April 1–July 1 ............................................................................................................................... July 1–September 1 ..................................................................................................................... September 1–October 1 .............................................................................................................. Subtotal January 20–October 1 ................................................................................................... October 1–December 31 2 ........................................................................................................... 384 85 171 128 768 ........................ 85 256 341 (*) 682 ........................ VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 Total 469 341 512 128 1,450 256 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 8785 TABLE 15—FINAL 2018 AND 2019 APPORTIONMENT OF PACIFIC HALIBUT PSC TRAWL LIMITS BETWEEN THE TRAWL GEAR DEEP-WATER SPECIES FISHERY AND THE SHALLOW-WATER SPECIES FISHERY CATEGORIES—Continued [Values are in metric tons] Shallow-water Season Total ...................................................................................................................................... Deep-water 1 ........................ ........................ 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). * Any remainder. 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 for the ‘‘other hook-and-line fishery’’ 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 between the Western, Central, and Eastern GOA. 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 2017 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 2018 and 2019, the distribution of the total GOA Pacific cod ABC is 45 percent to the Western GOA, 45 percent to the Central GOA, and 10 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 for both the CV and C/P sectors of the ‘‘other hook-and-line fishery’’ are divided into three seasonal apportionments, using seasonal percentages of 86 percent, 2 percent, and 12 percent. For 2018 and 2019, NMFS apportions halibut PSC limits of 120 mt and 137 mt to the hook-and-line CV and hook-andline C/P sectors, respectively. Table 16 lists the final 2018 and 2019 apportionments of halibut PSC limits between the hook-and-line CV and the hook-and-line C/P sectors of the ‘‘other hook-and-line fishery.’’ No later than November 1 of each year, NMFS will calculate the projected unused amount of halibut PSC limit by either of the CV or C/P hook-and-line sectors of the ‘‘other hook-and-line fishery’’ 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 (§ 679.21(d)(2)(iii)(C)), if NMFS determines that an additional amount of halibut PSC is necessary for that sector to continue its directed fishing operations. TABLE 16—FINAL 2018 AND 2019 APPORTIONMENTS OF THE ‘‘OTHER HOOK-AND-LINE FISHERY’’ 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-andline sector Sector annual amount 257 ............ Catcher Vessel ........... 120 ............................. Catcher/Processor ...... 137 ............................. amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES 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 2017 Pacific halibut stock assessment (December 2017), available on the IPHC website at VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 January 1–June 10 ......................................... June 10–September 1 .................................... September 1–December 31 ............................ January 1–June 10 ......................................... June 10–September 1 .................................... September 1–December 31 ............................ www.iphc.int. The IPHC considered the 2017 Pacific halibut stock assessment at its January 2018 annual meeting when it set the 2018 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 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Seasonal percentage Season Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 86 2 12 86 2 12 Sector seasonal amount 103 2 14 118 3 16 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 E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 8786 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations particular halibut PSC limit is the product of a DMR multiplied by the estimated halibut PSC. DMRs are estimated using the best scientific 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). 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, including potential changes to the reference period (the period of data used for calculating the DMRs). Future DMRs, including the 2019 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. The new methodology will continue to ensure that NMFS is using DMRs that more accurately reflect halibut mortality, which will inform the different sectors of their estimated halibut mortality and allow specific sectors to respond with methods that could reduce mortality and, eventually, the DMR for that sector. At the December 2017 meeting, the SSC, AP, and Council concurred with the revised DMR estimation methodology, and NMFS adopted for 2018 and 2019 the DMRs calculated under the revised methodology. The final 2018 and 2019 DMRs in this rule are unchanged from the DMRs in the proposed 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications (82 FR 57924, December 8, 2017). Table 17 lists these final 2018 and 2019 DMRs. TABLE 17—FINAL 2018 AND 2019 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 .......................................................... amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES 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 trawl fishery. These limits require NMFS to close the pollock directed fishery in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA if the applicable Chinook salmon PSC limit in that regulatory area 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). Amendment 97 to the FMP (79 FR 71350, December 2, 2014) established an initial annual PSC limit of 7,500 Chinook salmon for the trawl nonpollock groundfish fisheries in the Western and Central GOA. This limit is apportioned among three sectors directed fishing for groundfish species other than pollock: 3,600 Chinook salmon to trawl C/Ps; 1,200 Chinook salmon to trawl CVs participating in the Rockfish Program; and 2,700 Chinook VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 salmon to trawl CVs not participating in the Rockfish Program (§ 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 2017 (3,120 for trawl C/Ps and 2,340 for trawl CVs), that sector will receive an incremental increase to its 2018 Chinook salmon PSC limit (§ 679.21(h)(4)). In 2017, the trawl C/P sector did not exceed 3,120 Chinook salmon PSC; therefore, the 2018 trawl C/ P sector Chinook salmon PSC limit will be 4,080 Chinook salmon. In 2017, the Non-Rockfish Program CV sector did not exceed 2,340 Chinook salmon PSC; therefore, the 2018 Non-Rockfish PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Halibut discard mortality rate (percent) 100 100 62 67 84 10 17 7 Program CV sector limit will be 3,060 Chinook salmon. 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 feet (38.1 meters) length overall, have annual landings of pollock in the Bering E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 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 CV groundfish 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 CV groundfish sideboard limitations in the GOA based on the aggregate retained catch of non-exempt AFA CVs of each sideboard species or species group from 1995 through 1997 divided by the sum of the TACs for that species or species group available to CVs over the same period. 8787 Tables 18 and 19 list the final 2018 and 2019 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 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 .................................. W ................................. C .................................. W ................................. C .................................. E .................................. W ................................. C .................................. E .................................. W ................................. C .................................. E .................................. SEO ............................. B Season—March 10–May 31 ................. C Season—August 25–October 1 ............ D Season—October 1–November 1 ........ Annual ...................................................... Pacific cod ................... A Season 1—January 1–June 10 ............. B Season 2—September 1–December 31 Annual ...................................................... Annual, trawl gear .................................... 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 ...... amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES Sablefish ...................... Annual ...................................................... Dusky rockfish ............. Annual ...................................................... Rougheye rockfish ...... Annual ...................................................... Demersal shelf rockfish Annual ...................................................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Ratio of 1995–1997 non-exempt AFA CV catch to 1995–1997 TAC 0.6047 0.1167 0.2028 0.6047 0.1167 0.2028 0.6047 0.1167 0.2028 0.6047 0.1167 0.2028 0.3495 0.3495 0.1331 0.0692 0.1331 0.0692 0.0079 0.0078 0.0000 0.0642 0.0433 0.0156 0.0587 0.0126 0.0000 0.0647 0.0128 0.0007 0.0384 0.0029 0.0021 0.0280 0.0002 0.0036 0.0213 0.0009 0.0023 0.0748 0.0466 0.0003 0.0277 0.0000 0.0218 0.0110 0.0001 0.0000 0.0067 0.0000 0.0237 0.0124 0.0020 E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 Final 2018 TACs 1,317 27,314 9,025 1,317 32,155 4,184 13,777 10,013 13,865 13,777 10,013 13,865 6,833 8,773 3,394 3,653 2,263 2,436 1,215 135 309 1,032 240 13,250 25,315 4,167 413 3,400 5,571 3,086 8,739 3,548 14,500 48,000 13,800 8,650 15,400 2,338 3,312 20,112 5,812 420 3,261 44 305 515 146 3,502 309 176 556 712 250 Final 2018 non-exempt AFA CV sideboard limit 796 3,188 1,830 796 3,752 848 8,331 1,169 2,812 8,331 1,169 2,812 2,388 3,066 452 253 301 169 10 1 ........................ 66 10 207 1,486 53 ........................ 220 71 2 336 10 30 1,344 3 31 328 2 8 1,504 271 0 90 ........................ 7 6 0 ........................ 2 ........................ 13 9 1 8788 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 18—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 Thornyhead rockfish .... Annual ...................................................... Other rockfish .............. Annual ...................................................... Atka mackerel ............. Big skates .................... Annual ...................................................... Annual ...................................................... Longnose skates ......... Annual ...................................................... Other skates ................ Sculpins ....................... Sharks ......................... Squids ......................... Octopuses ................... Annual Annual Annual Annual Annual W ................................. C .................................. E .................................. C .................................. E .................................. Gulfwide ...................... W ................................. C .................................. E .................................. W ................................. C .................................. E .................................. Gulfwide ...................... Gulfwide ...................... Gulfwide ...................... Gulfwide ...................... Gulfwide ...................... 1 The 2 The ...................................................... ...................................................... ...................................................... ...................................................... ...................................................... Ratio of 1995–1997 non-exempt AFA CV catch to 1995–1997 TAC 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 344 921 773 1,737 568 3,000 504 1,774 570 149 2,804 619 1,384 5,301 4,514 1,137 975 Final 2018 non-exempt AFA CV sideboard limit 10 26 22 295 ........................ 93 3 11 4 1 18 4 9 33 28 7 6 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 2019 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV) GROUNDFISH HARVEST SIDEBOARD LIMITS [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Species Pollock .................................... Apportionments by season/ gear A Season—January 20– March 10. B Season—March 10–May 31. C Season—August 25–October 1. D Season—October 1–November 1. Annual .................................. A Season 1—January 1– June 10. B Season 2—September 1– December 31. Annual .................................. Sablefish ................................. Annual, trawl gear ................ Shallow-water flatfish ............. amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES Pacific cod .............................. Annual .................................. Deep-water flatfish ................. Annual .................................. Rex sole ................................. Annual .................................. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Area/component Shumagin (610) ................... Chirikof (620) ....................... Kodiak (630) ......................... Shumagin (610) ................... Chirikof (620) ....................... Kodiak (630) ......................... Shumagin (610) ................... Chirikof (620) ....................... Kodiak (630) ......................... Shumagin (610) ................... Chirikof (620) ....................... Kodiak (630) ......................... WYK (640) ........................... SEO (650) ............................ W .......................................... C ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E inshore .............................. E offshore ............................. W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Ratio of 1995–1997 non-exempt AFA CV catch to 1995–1997 TAC 0.6047 0.1167 0.2028 0.6047 0.1167 0.2028 0.6047 0.1167 0.2028 0.6047 0.1167 0.2028 0.3495 0.3495 0.1331 0.0692 0.1331 0.0692 0.0079 0.0078 0.0000 0.0642 0.0433 0.0156 0.0587 0.0126 0.0000 0.0647 0.0128 0.0007 0.0384 0.0029 E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 Final 2019 TACs 869 18,025 5,955 869 21,219 2,761 9,091 6,608 9,150 9,091 6,608 9,150 4,509 8,773 3,206 3,450 2,137 2,300 1,148 128 435 1,452 338 13,250 25,655 4,223 416 3,442 5,640 2,909 8,236 3,384 Final 2019 non-exempt AFA CV sideboard limit 525 2,103 1,208 525 2,476 560 5,498 771 1,856 5,498 771 1,856 1,576 3,066 427 239 284 159 9 1 ........................ 93 15 207 1,506 53 ........................ 223 72 2 316 10 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 8789 TABLE 19—FINAL 2019 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 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 ............... 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 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 ........................................... Gulfwide ............................... Gulfwide ............................... Gulfwide ............................... Gulfwide ............................... Gulfwide ............................... 1 The 2 The .................................. .................................. .................................. .................................. .................................. Ratio of 1995–1997 non-exempt AFA CV catch to 1995–1997 TAC 0.0021 0.0280 0.0002 0.0036 0.0213 0.0009 0.0023 0.0748 0.0466 0.0003 0.0277 0.0000 0.0218 0.0110 0.0001 0.0000 0.0067 0.0000 0.0237 0.0124 0.0020 0.0280 0.0280 0.0280 0.1699 0.0000 0.0309 0.0063 0.0063 0.0063 0.0063 0.0063 0.0063 0.0063 0.0063 0.0063 0.0063 0.0063 Final 2019 TACs 14,500 48,000 13,800 8,650 15,400 2,437 3,240 19,678 5,687 382 2,965 44 305 515 135 3,246 287 174 550 703 250 344 921 773 1,737 568 3,000 504 1,774 570 149 2,804 619 1,384 5,301 4,514 1,137 975 Final 2019 non-exempt AFA CV sideboard limit 30 1,344 3 31 328 2 7 1,472 265 0 82 ........................ 7 6 0 ........................ 2 ........................ 13 9 1 10 26 22 295 ........................ 93 3 11 4 1 18 4 9 33 28 7 6 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 2018 and 2019 non-exempt AFA CV halibut PSC limits for vessels using trawl gear in the GOA, respectively. TABLE 20—FINAL 2018 AND 2019 NON-EXEMPT AFA CV HALIBUT PROHIBITED SPECIES CATCH (PSC) LIMITS FOR VESSELS USING TRAWL GEAR IN THE GOA amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton] Season Season dates Target fishery 1 .................................. January 20–April 1 ................................... Ratio of 1995–1997 non-exempt AFA CV retained catch to total retained catch shallow-water .............. deep-water .................. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 0.340 0.070 01MRR1 2018 and 2019 PSC limit 384 85 2018 and 2019 non-exempt AFA CV PSC limit 131 6 8790 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 20—FINAL 2018 AND 2019 NON-EXEMPT AFA CV HALIBUT PROHIBITED SPECIES CATCH (PSC) LIMITS FOR VESSELS USING TRAWL GEAR IN THE GOA—Continued [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton] Ratio of 1995–1997 non-exempt AFA CV retained catch to total retained catch 2018 and 2019 PSC limit 2018 and 2019 non-exempt AFA CV PSC limit Season Season dates Target fishery 2 .................................. April 1–July 1 ............................................ 3 .................................. July 1–September 1 ................................. 4 .................................. September 1–October 1 ........................... 5 .................................. October 1–December 31 .......................... shallow-water .............. deep-water .................. shallow-water .............. deep-water .................. shallow-water .............. deep-water .................. all targets .................... 0.340 0.070 0.340 0.070 0.340 0.070 0.205 85 256 171 341 128 0 256 29 18 58 24 44 0 52 Total shallow-water ..... ........................ ........................ 262 Total deep-water ......... ........................ ........................ 48 1,706 362 Annual: Grand Total, all season and categories 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 2018 and 2019 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 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 WG Pot CV ................. WG Pot C/P ................ WG Trawl CV .............. CG Jig ......................... B Season—March 10–May 31 ................. C Season—August 25–October 1 ............ amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES D Season—October 1–November 1 ........ Annual ...................................................... Pacific cod ................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 A Season 1—January 1–June 10 ............. 18:03 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Ratio of 1996– 2000 non-AFA crab vessel catch to 1996–2000 total harvest 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 E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 Final 2018 TACs 1,317 27,314 9,025 1,317 32,155 4,184 13,777 10,013 13,865 13,777 10,013 13,865 6,833 8,773 3,394 3,394 3,394 3,394 3,394 3,653 Final 2018 non-AFA crab vessel sideboard limit 13 85 2 13 100 1 135 31 3 135 31 3 ........................ ........................ ........................ 1 338 26 2 ........................ Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 8791 TABLE 21—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—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 .... Annual ...................................................... Annual ...................................................... Other rockfish .............. Annual ...................................................... Atka mackerel ............. Big skate ..................... amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES Sablefish ...................... Annual ...................................................... Annual ...................................................... Longnose skate ........... Annual ...................................................... Other skates ................ Sculpins ....................... Sharks ......................... Squids ......................... Annual Annual Annual Annual VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Feb 28, 2018 ...................................................... ...................................................... ...................................................... ...................................................... Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00049 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 .................................. E .................................. W ................................. C .................................. E .................................. W ................................. C .................................. 0.0000 ......................... 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 ...................... Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Ratio of 1996– 2000 non-AFA crab vessel catch to 1996–2000 total harvest 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 5,812 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 E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM Final 2018 TACs 3,653 3,653 3,653 3,653 2,263 2,263 2,263 2,263 2,263 2,436 2,436 2,436 2,436 2,436 1,215 135 309 1,032 240 13,250 25,315 4,167 413 3,400 5,571 3,086 8,739 3,548 14,500 48,000 13,800 8,650 15,400 2,338 3,312 20,112 ........................ 420 3,261 44 305 515 146 3,502 309 176 556 712 250 344 921 773 1,737 568 3,000 504 1,774 570 149 2,804 619 1,384 5,301 4,514 1,137 01MRR1 Final 2018 non-AFA crab vessel sideboard limit 0 173 50 4 ........................ 1 226 18 2 ........................ 0 115 33 3 13 ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ 78 3 ........................ 1 ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ 6 5 ........................ 2 6 ........................ ........................ ........................ 0 ........................ 0 0 0 0 ........................ ........................ 1 3 1 ........................ 2 6 3 6 ........................ ........................ 20 28 ........................ 6 45 ........................ 24 93 79 20 8792 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 21—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 Octopuses ................... Annual ...................................................... Gulfwide ...................... 1 The 2 The Ratio of 1996– 2000 non-AFA crab vessel catch to 1996–2000 total harvest Final 2018 TACs 0.0176 975 Final 2018 non-AFA crab vessel sideboard limit 17 Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20. Pacific cod B season for jig gear opens June 10. The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1. TABLE 22—FINAL 2019 GOA NON-AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL GROUNDFISH HARVEST SIDEBOARD LIMITS [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Species Pollock ................................... Season/gear Area/component/gear A Season—January 20– March 10. B Season—March 10–May 31. C Season—August 25–October 1. D Season—October 1–November 1. Annual ................................... Pacific cod ............................. A Season 1—January 1–June 10. B Season 2—September 1– December 31. Annual ................................... amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES Sablefish ................................ Annual, trawl gear ................ Shallow-water flatfish ............. Annual ................................... Deep-water flatfish ................ Annual ................................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:03 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00050 Ratio of 1996– 2000 non-AFA crab vessel catch to 1996–2000 total harvest Final 2019 TACs Final 2019 non-AFA crab vessel sideboard limit Shumagin (610) .................... 0.0098 869 9 Chirikof (620) ........................ Kodiak (630) ......................... Shumagin (610) .................... 0.0031 0.0002 0.0098 18,025 5,955 869 56 1 9 Chirikof (620) ........................ Kodiak (630) ......................... Shumagin (610) .................... 0.0031 0.0002 0.0098 21,219 2,761 9,091 66 1 89 Chirikof (620) ........................ Kodiak (630) ......................... Shumagin (610) .................... 0.0031 0.0002 0.0098 6,608 9,150 9,091 20 2 89 Chirikof (620) ........................ Kodiak (630) ......................... WYK (640) ............................ SEO (650) ............................. WG Jig .................................. 0.0031 0.0002 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 6,608 9,150 4,509 8,773 3,206 20 2 ........................ ........................ ........................ 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 ........................ E inshore .............................. E offshore ............................. W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... 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 3,206 3,206 3,206 3,206 3,450 3,450 3,450 3,450 3,450 2,137 2,137 2,137 2,137 2,137 2,300 2,300 2,300 2,300 2,300 1,148 128 435 1,452 338 13,250 25,655 4,223 416 3,442 5,640 1 320 25 2 ........................ 0 164 47 4 ........................ 1 213 17 1 ........................ 0 109 31 3 13 ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ 78 3 ........................ 1 ........................ ........................ Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 8793 TABLE 22—FINAL 2019 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 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 .............. 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 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 ........................................... Gulfwide ................................ Gulfwide ................................ Gulfwide ................................ Gulfwide ................................ Gulfwide ................................ 1 The amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES 2 The ................................... ................................... ................................... ................................... ................................... Ratio of 1996– 2000 non-AFA crab vessel catch to 1996–2000 total harvest Final 2019 TACs 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 0.0176 0.0176 0.0176 0.0176 0.0176 2,909 8,236 3,384 14,500 48,000 13,800 8,650 15,400 2,437 3,240 19,678 5,687 382 2,965 44 305 515 135 3,246 287 174 550 703 250 344 921 773 1,737 568 3,000 504 1,774 570 149 2,804 619 1,384 5,301 4,514 1,137 975 Final 2019 non-AFA crab vessel sideboard limit ........................ ........................ ........................ 6 5 ........................ 2 6 ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ 0 ........................ 0 0 0 0 ........................ ........................ 1 3 1 ........................ 2 6 3 6 ........................ ........................ 20 28 ........................ 6 45 ........................ 24 93 79 20 17 Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20. Pacific cod B season for jig gear opens June 10. 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 (§ 679.82(c)(1)). 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:03 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 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 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 portion of each rockfish sideboard limit that is not assigned to rockfish cooperatives (§ 679.82(e)(3) and (e)(7)). The sideboard ratio for each fishery in the West Yakutat District and the Western GOA is set forth in § 679.82(e)(4). Tables 23 and 24 list the final 2018 and 2019 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. E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 8794 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 23—FINAL 2018 ROCKFISH PROGRAM SIDEBOARD LIMITS FOR THE WESTERN GOA AND WEST YAKUTAT DISTRICT BY FISHERY FOR THE CATCHER/PROCESSOR SECTOR [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Area Fishery C/P sector (% of TAC) Western GOA ..................................... Dusky rockfish .................................... Pacific ocean perch ........................... Northern rockfish ................................ Dusky rockfish .................................... Pacific ocean perch ........................... 72.3 ........................ 50.6 ........................ 74.3 ........................ Confidential 1 .......... Confidential 1 .......... West Yakutat District ......................... 1 Not Final 2018 TACs 146 3,312 420 232 3,371 Final 2018 C/P limit 106. 1,676. 312. 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 2019 ROCKFISH PROGRAM SIDEBOARD LIMITS FOR THE WESTERN GOA AND WEST YAKUTAT DISTRICT GOA BY FISHERY FOR THE CATCHER/PROCESSOR SECTOR [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Area Fishery C/P sector (% of TAC) Western GOA ..................................... Dusky rockfish .................................... Pacific ocean perch ........................... Northern rockfish ................................ Dusky rockfish .................................... Pacific ocean perch ........................... 72.3 ........................ 50.6 ........................ 74.3 ........................ Confidential 1 .......... Confidential 1 .......... West Yakutat District ......................... 1 Not Final 2019 TACs 135 3,240 382 215 3,298 Final 2019 C/P limit 98. 1,639. 284. 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 (§ 679.82(e)(3) and (e)(5)). Halibut PSC sideboard ratios by fishery are set forth in § 679.82(e)(5). 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 shallowwater halibut PSC sideboard limit not assigned to C/P rockfish cooperatives. The sideboard provisions for C/Ps that elect to opt out of participating in a rockfish cooperative are described in § 679.82(c), (e), and (f). Sideboard limits are linked to the catch history of specific vessels that may choose to opt out. After March 1, NMFS will determine which C/Ps have opted-out of the Rockfish Program in 2018, 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 limits on the Alaska Region website at https:// alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/ sustainablefisheries/rockfish/. Table 25 lists the final 2018 and 2019 Rockfish Program halibut PSC limits for the C/P sector. TABLE 25—FINAL 2018 AND 2019 ROCKFISH PROGRAM HALIBUT PSC LIMITS FOR THE CATCHER/PROCESSOR SECTOR [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Shallow-water species fishery halibut PSC sideboard ratio (percent) Sector Deep-water species fishery halibut PSC sideboard ratio (percent) 0.10 2.50 Catcher/processor ................................................................ amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 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 PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 2018 and 2019 halibut mortality limit (mt) Annual shallow-water species fishery halibut PSC sideboard limit (mt) Annual deep-water species fishery halibut PSC sideboard limit (mt) 2 43 1,706 operating in the GOA are based on their average aggregate harvests from 1998 through 2004 (72 FR 52668, September 14, 2007). Tables 26 and 27 list the final 2018 and 2019 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. E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 8795 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 26—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–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) .................. W ................................. C .................................. W ................................. C .................................. WYK ............................ W ................................. WYK ............................ W ................................. W ................................. WYK ............................ B Season—March 10–May 31 ................. C Season—August 25–October 1 ............ D Season—October 1–November 1 ........ Pacific cod ................... Annual ...................................................... A Season 1—January 1–June 10 ............. B Season 2—September 1–December 31 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 2018 TAC (mt) 2018 Amendment 80 vessel sideboards (mt) 1,317 27,314 9,025 1,317 32,155 4,184 13,777 10,013 13,865 13,777 10,013 13,865 6,833 3,394 3,653 2,263 2,436 1,350 3,312 3,371 420 146 232 4 55 18 4 64 8 41 20 28 41 20 28 14 68 161 45 107 46 3,292 3,240 420 112 208 Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20. Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1. TABLE 27—FINAL 2019 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–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) .................. W ................................. C .................................. W ................................. C .................................. WYK ............................ W ................................. WYK ............................ W ................................. W ................................. WYK ............................ B Season—March 10–May 31 ................. C Season—August 25–October 1 ............ D Season—October 1–November 1 ........ Pacific cod ................... Annual ...................................................... A Season 1—January 1–June 10 ............. amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES B Season 2—September 1–December 31 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. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 2019 TAC (mt) 869 18,025 5,955 869 21,219 2,761 9,091 6,608 9,150 9,091 6,608 9,150 4,509 3,206 3,450 2,137 2,300 1,275 3,240 3,298 382 135 215 2019 Amendment 80 vessel sideboards (mt) 3 36 12 3 42 6 27 13 18 27 13 18 9 64 152 43 101 43 3,221 3,169 382 103 193 8796 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations The halibut PSC sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels in the GOA are based on the historic use of halibut PSC by Amendment 80 Program vessels in each PSC target category from 1998 through 2004. These values are slightly lower than the average historic use to accommodate two factors: Allocation of halibut PSC cooperative 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 2018 and 2019 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 2018 AND 2019 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) 2018 and 2019 annual PSC limit (mt) 2018 and 2019 Amendment 80 vessel PSC limit Season 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 .................................. October 1–December 31 .......................... .............................................................. shallow-water .............. deep-water .................. shallow-water .............. deep-water .................. shallow-water .............. deep-water .................. shallow-water .............. deep-water .................. shallow-water .............. deep-water .................. 0.0048 0.0115 0.0189 0.1072 0.0146 0.0521 0.0074 0.0014 0.0227 0.0371 1,706 1,706 1,706 1,706 1,706 1,706 1,706 1,706 1,706 1,706 8 20 32 183 25 89 13 2 39 63 Total ..................... ................................................................... ..................................... ........................ ........................ 474 Directed Fishing Closures Pursuant to § 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 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 species listed in Table 29 are necessary to account for the incidental catch of these species in other anticipated groundfish fisheries for the 2018 and 2019 fishing years. TABLE 29—2018 AND 2019 DIRECTED FISHING CLOSURES IN THE GOA [Amounts for incidental catch in other directed fisheries are in metric tons] Area/component/gear Incidental catch amount and year (if amounts differ by year) Pollock .............................................................................. Sablefish 2 ......................................................................... Pacific cod ........................................................................ amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES Target all/offshore ....................................................................... all/trawl ............................................................................ Western, catcher/processor, trawl .................................. Central, catcher/processor, trawl .................................... all ..................................................................................... all ..................................................................................... all ..................................................................................... all ..................................................................................... all ..................................................................................... all ..................................................................................... all ..................................................................................... all ..................................................................................... all ..................................................................................... all ..................................................................................... all ..................................................................................... not applicable.1 1,581 (2018), 2,225 (2019). 134 (2018), 125 (2019). 253 (2018), 239 (2019). 864. 1,444 (2018), 1,427 (2019). 2,038. 2,305. 3,000. 2,848. 3,572. 1,384. 4,514. 1,137. 975. Shortraker rockfish 2 .......................................................... Rougheye rockfish 2 .......................................................... Thornyhead rockfish 2 ....................................................... Other rockfish ................................................................... Atka mackerel ................................................................... Big skate ........................................................................... Longnose skate ................................................................ Other skates ..................................................................... Sharks ............................................................................... Squids ............................................................................... Octopuses ......................................................................... 1 Pollock 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, as cooperatives are prohibited from exceeding their allocations (§ 679.7(n)(6)(viii)). 2 Closures VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:03 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 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 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2019. 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 8797 fisheries for the 2018 and 2019 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 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2019. TABLE 30—2018 AND 2019 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 .......................................................... 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 ................................................................. amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES Species Eastern .............................................................. Western ............................................................. Western and Eastern ........................................ Western and Eastern ........................................ Western and Eastern ........................................ Western ............................................................. Western ............................................................. Entire GOA ....................................................... SEO District ...................................................... Entire GOA ....................................................... Entire GOA ....................................................... Section 680.22 provides for the management of non-AFA crab vessel sideboards using directed fishing closures in accordance with § 680.22(e)(2) and (3). The Regional Administrator has determined that the 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 2017 and 2018 GOA harvest specifications for groundfish (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017) remain effective under authority of these final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications and until the date specified in those notices. Closures are posted at the following website: https://alaskafisheries.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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 addition to closures and prohibitions found at 50 CFR part 679. NMFS may implement other closures during the 2018 and 2019 fishing years as necessary for effective conservation and management. Comments and Responses NMFS received two letters during the public comment period for the proposed GOA groundfish harvest specifications. No changes were made to the final rule in response to the comment letters received. NMFS’ response to public comments on the proposed GOA groundfish harvest specifications is provided below. Comment 1: The proposed harvest specifications are based on stock assessment information from the 2016 SAFE. That information is not the most up-to-date, and may not be sufficient to support the Council’s recommendations for the 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications, as contained in the proposed rule. Response: NMFS noted in the proposed 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications that, while the proposed specifications were based on information from the 2016 SAFE report, the final 2017 SAFE report would be available to support the Council’s recommendations and NMFS’ determinations for the final GOA 2018 PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Incidental catch amount 10 (inshore) and 9 (offshore) [2018]. 1 (inshore) and 1 (offshore) [2019]. 53. 0. 2 and 10. 30 and 3. 31 and 2. 8. 0. 2. 1. 33. 7. and 2019 harvest specifications. The final 2017 SAFE report, which contains the most recent GOA groundfish stock assessment information on the biological condition of groundfish stocks as well as other biological and socioeconomic information, became available in November 2017. The Council reviewed the final 2017 SAFE report during its December 2017 meeting and based its recommendations for appropriate 2018 and 2019 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs on information provided in the final 2017 SAFE report. NMFS also considered the information in the final 2017 SAFE report in adopting the Council’s recommendations and in setting the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications. The 2017 SAFE is available from the Council (see ADDRESSES). Comment 2: NOAA has done an adequate job protecting baby longnose skates in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska and should keep doing what it is doing. Response: NMFS acknowledges this comment. Classification NMFS has determined that these final harvest specifications are consistent with the FMP and with the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES 8798 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations Management Act and other applicable laws. This action is authorized under 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. 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 ROD for the EIS. In January 2017, NMFS prepared a 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 2018 and 2019 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 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications, which were set according to the preferred harvest strategy in the EIS, does 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 2018 and 2019 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 2018 and 2019 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). The VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 following constitutes the FRFA prepared in the final action. 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 8, 2017 (82 FR 57924). 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 8, 2018. No comments were received on the IRFA or on 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 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 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 gross receipts not in excess of $11 million for all its affiliated operations worldwide. Based on data from 2016 fishing activity, there were 920 individual catcher vessel entities with gross revenues meeting small entity criteria. Of these entities, 841 used hook-andline gear, 114 used pot gear, and 31 used trawl gear (some of these entities used more than one gear type, thus the counts of entities using the different gear types 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, small hook-and-line entities had average gross revenues of $340,000, small pot entities had average gross revenues of $720,000, and small trawl entities had average gross revenues of $1.83 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: E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations • 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: Set TACs for rockfish species in Tier 3 at F75%; set TACs for rockfish species in Tier 5 at F=0.5M; and set spatially explicit TACs for shortraker and rougheye rockfish in the GOA. Second, 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. 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 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 2018 and 2019 are 536,921 mt and 480,187 mt, respectively. The sums of the TACs in 2018 and 2019 are 427,512 mt and 376,417 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 PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 8799 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 1 selects harvest rates that would allow fishermen to harvest stocks at the level of the ABCs, unless total harvests were constrained by the upper bound of the GOA OY of 800,000 mt. Although Alternative 1 may be consistent with the preferred alternative (Alternative 2), meet the objectives of the action, and have small entity impacts equivalent to the preferred alternative, it is not likely that Alternative 1 would result in reduced adverse economic impacts to directlyregulated small entities relative to Alternative 2. The selection of Alternative 1, which could increase all TACs up to the sum of ABCs, would not reflect the practical implications that increased TACs for some species probably would not be fully harvested. This could be due to a variety of reasons, which are addressed in the preamble to this rule and are summarized briefly here. There may be a lack of commercial or market interest in some species. Additionally, an underharvest of flatfish TACs could result due to constraints such as the fixed, and therefore constraining, PSC limits associated with the harvest of the GOA groundfish species. Furthermore, TACs may be set lower than ABC for conservation purposes, as is the case with other rockfish in the Eastern GOA. Finally, the TACs for two species (pollock and Pacific cod) cannot be set equal to ABC, as the TAC must be reduced to account for the State of Alaska’s guideline harvest levels in these fisheries. Alternative 3 selects harvest rates based on the most recent 5 years of harvest rates (for species in Tiers 1 through 3) or based on the most recent 5 years of harvests (for species in Tiers E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES 8800 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 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. NMFS annually conducts at-sea surveys for different species, as well as statistical modeling, to estimate stock sizes and permissible harvest levels. Actual harvest rates or harvest amounts are a component of these estimates, but in and of themselves may not accurately portray stock sizes and conditions. Harvest rates are listed for each species or species group for each year in the SAFE report (see ADDRESSES). 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 2018 TACs by about 69 percent. This would lead to significant reductions in harvests of species by small entities. While production declines in the GOA likely would be associated with offsetting price increases in the GOA, the size of these increases is very uncertain. Price increases would still be constrained by the availability of substitutes, and there are close substitutes for GOA groundfish species available in significant quantities from the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. In addition, price increases 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 2017, and the Council considered and recommended the final harvest specifications in December 2017. Accordingly, NMFS’ review could not begin until after the December 2017 Council meeting, and after the public had time to comment on the proposed action. For all fisheries not currently closed because the TACs established under the final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017) were not reached, it is possible that they would be closed prior VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 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 fishing because some of the new TACs implemented by this rule are higher than the TACs under which they are currently fishing. In addition, 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 pertinent for those species that have lower 2018 ABCs and TACs than those established in the 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017). If implemented immediately, this rule would ensure that NMFS can properly manage those fisheries for which this rule sets lower 2018 ABCs and TACs, which are based on the most recent biological information on the condition of stocks, rather than managing species under the higher TACs set in the previous year’s harvest specifications. 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 2018 TACs (set under the 2017 and 2018 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. PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 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 24, 2018, which is the start of the 2018 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 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications will allow the sablefish IFQ fishery to begin concurrently with the Pacific halibut IFQ season. Finally, immediate effectiveness also would provide 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 2018 and 2019 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 2018 and 2019 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 OFL, ABC, TAC, and PSC amounts 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. E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 41 / Thursday, March 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations Dated: February 23, 2018. Samuel D. Rauch III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018–04124 Filed 2–28–18; 8:45 am] amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES BILLING CODE 3510–22–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 8801

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 41 (Thursday, March 1, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8768-8801]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-04124]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 170816769-8162-02]
RIN 0648-XF633

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of
Alaska; Final 2018 and 2019 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 2018 and 2019 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 2018
and 2019 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.), March 1, 2018, through 2400 hours, A.l.t.,
December 31, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the Final Alaska Groundfish Harvest
Specifications Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Record of Decision
(ROD), the Supplementary Information Report (SIR) to the EIS, and the
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) prepared for this action
are available from https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. The final 2017
Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) report for the
groundfish resources of the GOA, dated November 2017, 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 website 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 and
apportionments thereof, 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 and apportionments, Pacific halibut PSC
limits, and seasonal allowances of pollock and Pacific cod, per Sec.
679.20(c)(3)(ii). The final harvest specifications set forth in Tables
1 through 30 of this rule reflect the outcome of this process, as
required at Sec. 679.20(c).
The proposed 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for groundfish of
the GOA and Pacific halibut PSC limits were published in the Federal
Register on December 8, 2017 (82 FR 57924). Comments were invited and
accepted through January 8, 2018. NMFS received two letters of comment
on the proposed harvest specifications; the comments are summarized and
responded to in the ``Response to Comments'' section of this rule. In
December 2017, NMFS consulted with the Council regarding

[[Page 8769]]

the 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications. After considering public
testimony, as well as biological and socioeconomic data that were
available at the Council's December 2017 meeting, NMFS is implementing
the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications, as recommended by the
Council. For 2018, the sum of the TAC amounts is 427,512 mt. For 2019,
the sum of the TAC amounts is 376,417 mt.

Other Actions Potentially Affecting the 2018 and 2019 Harvest
Specifications

Amendment 106: Reclassify Squid as an Ecosystem Species

In June 2017, the Council recommended for Secretarial review
Amendment 106 to the FMP. Amendment 106 would reclassify squid in the
FMP as an ``Ecosystem Component Species,'' which is a category of non-
target species that are not in need of conservation and management.
Currently, NMFS annually sets an Overfishing Level (OFL), Acceptable
Biological Catch (ABC), and TAC for squid in the GOA groundfish harvest
specifications. Under Amendment 106, OFL, ABC, and TAC specifications
would no longer be required. Proposed regulations to implement
Amendment 106 would prohibit directed fishing for squid, require
recordkeeping and reporting to monitor and report catch of squid
species annually, and establish a squid maximum retainable amount when
directed fishing for groundfish species at 20 percent to discourage
retention, while allowing flexibility to prosecute groundfish
fisheries. Further details will be available on publication of the
proposed rule for Amendment 106. If Amendment 106 and its implementing
regulations are approved by the Secretary of Commerce, Amendment 106
and its implementing regulations are anticipated to be effective by
2019. Until Amendment 106 is effective, NMFS will continue to publish
OFLs, ABCs, and TACs for squid in the GOA groundfish harvest
specifications.

ABC and TAC Specifications

In December 2017, 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 2017 SAFE report
for the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated November 2017 (see ADDRESSES).
The SAFE report contains a review of the latest scientific analyses and
estimates of each species' biomass and other biological parameters, as
well as summaries of the available information on the GOA ecosystem and
the economic condition of the groundfish fisheries off Alaska. From
these data and analyses, the Plan Team recommends an OFL and ABC for
each species or species group. The 2017 SAFE 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 2017 Plan Team meeting, NMFS scientists
presented updated and new survey results, changes to stock assessment
models, and accompanying stock assessment estimates for groundfish
species and species groups that are included in the final 2017 SAFE
report per the stock assessment schedule found in the 2017 SAFE report
introduction. The SSC reviewed this information at the December 2017
Council meeting. Changes from the proposed to the final 2018 and 2019
harvest specifications are discussed below.
The final 2018 and 2019 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 2018 and 2019 OFLs and
ABCs recommended by the Plan Team for all groundfish species. The
Council adopted the SSC's OFL and ABC recommendations and the AP's TAC
recommendations, with one exception for the arrowtooth flounder TAC,
discussed below. 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 2018 and 2019 TACs that are equal to ABCs
for pollock in the Southeast Outside (SEO) District, sablefish,
shallow-water flatfish in the Central GOA and the West Yakutat and SEO
Districts, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, flathead sole in the West
Yakutat and SEO Districts, Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish,
shortraker rockfish, dusky rockfish, rougheye and blackspotted
rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish, thornyhead rockfish, ``other
rockfish'' in the Western and Central GOA and the West Yakutat
District, big skate, longnose skate, other skates, sculpins, sharks,
squids, and octopuses in the GOA. The Council recommended TACs for 2018
and 2019 that are less than the ABCs for pollock in the Western and
Central GOA and the West Yakutat District, Pacific cod, shallow-water
flatfish in the Western GOA, arrowtooth flounder, flathead sole in the
Western and Central GOA, ``other rockfish'' in the SEO District, and
Atka mackerel. The combined Western, Central, and West Yakutat pollock
TACs and the GOA 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.
As noted in the proposed 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for
the GOA, the 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod OFL, ABC, and TAC is
significantly lower than the 2018 Pacific cod OFL, ABC, and TAC
published in the final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications (82 FR
12032, February 27, 2017). Based on the final 2017 Pacific cod stock
assessment, the 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod OFL and ABC is much lower
than previously estimated. The final 2018 Pacific cod ABC and TAC is
18,000 mt and 13,096 mt, respectively, and the final 2019 Pacific cod
ABC and TAC is 17,000 mt and 12,368 mt, respectively. The TACs are the
basis for numerous seasonal and sector apportionments of Pacific cod,
and such apportionments are significantly decreased as well. The final
seasonal and sector

[[Page 8770]]

apportionments of Pacific cod TACs are provided in Tables 5 and 6 in
this rule.
The final 2018 and 2019 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 2017 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 2018 and 2019 OFLs, ABCs, TACs, and
area apportionments of groundfish in the GOA. The sums of the 2018 and
2019 ABCs are 536,921 mt and 480,187 mt, respectively, which are lower
than the 2017 ABC sum of 667,877 mt (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017).
The 2018 harvest specifications set in this final action will supersede
the 2018 harvest specifications previously set in the final 2017 and
2018 harvest specifications (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017). The 2019
harvest specifications will be superseded in early 2019 when the final
2019 and 2020 harvest specifications are published. Pursuant to this
final action, the 2018 harvest specifications therefore will apply for
the remainder of the current year (2018), while the 2019 harvest
specifications are projected only for the following year (2019) and
will be superseded in early 2019 by the final 2019 and 2020 harvest
specifications. Because this final action (published in early 2018)
will be superseded in early 2019 by the publication of the final 2019
and 2020 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 2018 and 2019, 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 2017 Plan Team
meeting, State fisheries managers recommended setting the PWS GHL at
2.5 percent of the annual W/C/WYK pollock ABC. For 2018, this yields a
PWS pollock GHL of 4,037 mt, a decrease of 1,057 mt from the 2017 PWS
GHL of 5,094 mt. For 2019, the PWS pollock GHL is 2,664 mt, a decrease
of 2,430 mt from the 2017 PWS pollock GHL of 5,094 mt. After the GHL
reductions, the 2018 and 2019 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
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 among Areas 610, 620,
and 630 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 (Area 610) and Central
(Areas 620 and 630) GOA and the West Yakutat (Area 640) and the SEO
(Area 650) Districts 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. Sec. 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), and 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A) and
(B)). Additional detail is provided in this rule; Tables 3 and 4 list
these amounts.
The 2018 and 2019 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 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod TACs in the Western,
Central, and Eastern Regulatory Areas to account for State GHLs.
Therefore, the 2018 Pacific cod TACs are less than the ABCs by the
following amounts: (1) Western GOA, 2,425 mt; (2) Central GOA, 2,030
mt; and (3) Eastern GOA, 450 mt. The 2019 Pacific cod TACs are less
than the ABCs by the following amounts: (1) Western GOA, 2,290 mt; (2)
Central GOA, 1,917 mt; and (3) Eastern GOA, 425 mt. These amounts
reflect the State's 2018 and 2019 GHLs in these areas, which are 30
percent of the Western GOA ABC and 25 percent of the Eastern and
Central GOA 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 jig gear from June 10 through December
31, for hook-and-line and pot gear from September 1 through December
31, and for trawl gear from September 1 through November 1 (Sec. Sec.
679.23(d)(3) and 679.20(a)(12)). The Western and Central GOA Pacific
cod TACs are allocated among various gear and operational sectors. The
Pacific cod sector apportionments are discussed in detail in a
subsequent section and in Tables 5 and 6 of this rule.
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 (Sec. 679.7(b)(1)) and makes
available five percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area TACs to
vessels using 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 2018 and 2019 allocations of sablefish
TAC to fixed gear and trawl gear in the GOA.

[[Page 8771]]

Changes From the Proposed 2018 and 2019 Harvest Specifications in the
GOA

In October 2017, the Council's recommendations for the proposed
2018 and 2019 harvest specifications (82 FR 57924, December 8, 2017)
were based largely on information contained in the final 2016 SAFE
report for the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated November 2016. The final
2016 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 2018 groundfish fisheries (82 FR 12032, February
27, 2017) be used for the proposed 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications
(82 FR 57924, December 8, 2017), pending completion and review of the
final 2017 SAFE report at its December 2017 meeting.
As described previously, the SSC adopted the final 2018 and 2019
OFLs and ABCs recommended by the Plan Team. The Council adopted the
SSC's OFL and ABC recommendations and the AP's TAC recommendations for
2018 and 2019, with one exception for the Central GOA arrowtooth
flounder TAC. The AP recommended 2018 and 2019 arrowtooth flounder TACs
of 73,480 mt and 70,700 mt, respectively. The Council revised this TAC
recommendation to 48,000 mt for both 2018 and 2019. The Council's
rationale included a concern that a higher arrowtooth flounder TAC
would result in bycatch concerns, and that lower arrowtooth flounder
TACs than those recommended by the AP are appropriate because catch
rarely, if ever, approach the proposed ABCs or TACs. Also, the Council
set this TAC to allow for increased harvest opportunities while
conserving the halibut PSC limit for use in other, more fully utilized
fisheries.
The final 2018 ABCs are higher than the proposed 2018 ABCs
published in the proposed 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications (82 FR
57924, December 8, 2017) for pollock, sablefish, shallow-water
flatfish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, Pacific ocean perch, northern
rockfish, dusky rockfish, rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, demersal
shelf rockfish, thornyhead rockfish, and longnose skate. The final 2018
ABCs are lower than the proposed 2018 ABCs for Pacific cod, arrowtooth
flounder, flathead sole, shortraker rockfish, other rockfish, big
skate, other skates, sculpins, squids, and octopuses.
The final 2019 ABCs are higher than the proposed ABCs for
sablefish, shallow-water flatfish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole,
flathead sole, Pacific ocean perch, rougheye and blackspotted rockfish,
demersal shelf rockfish, thornyhead rockfish, and longnose skate. The
final 2019 ABCs are lower than the proposed 2019 ABCs for pollock,
Pacific cod, arrowtooth flounder, northern rockfish, shortraker
rockfish, dusky rockfish, other rockfish, big skates, other skates,
sculpins, squids, and octopuses. For the remaining target species (Atka
mackerel and sharks), the Council recommended the final 2018 and 2019
ABCs that are the same as the proposed 2018 and 2019 ABCs.
Additional information explaining the changes between the proposed
and final ABCs is included in the final 2017 SAFE report, which was not
available when the Council made its proposed ABC and TAC
recommendations in October 2017. At that time, the most recent stock
assessment information was contained in the final 2016 SAFE report. The
final 2017 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 2017 SAFE report in
December 2017 when it made recommendations for the final 2018 and 2019
harvest specifications. In the GOA, the total final 2018 TAC amount is
427,512 mt, a decrease of 8 percent from the total proposed 2018 TAC
amount of 465,832 mt. The total final 2019 TAC amount is 376,417 mt, a
decrease of 19 percent from the total proposed 2019 TAC amount of
465,832 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. The biennial GOA trawl survey was conducted in 2017.
Thus, changes to biomass and ABC estimates are based on survey biomass
information, as well as 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.
The changes from the proposed 2018 TACs to the final 2018 TACs are
within a range of plus 83 percent or minus 80 percent, and the changes
from the proposed 2019 TACs to the final 2019 TACs are within a range
of plus 73 percent or minus 80 percent. Based on changes in the
estimates of overall biomass made by stock assessment scientists for
2018 and 2019, as compared to the estimates previously made for 2017
and 2018, the species or species group with the greatest TAC percentage
increases are sablefish, shallow-water flatfish, rex sole, Pacific
ocean perch, rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, demersal shelf
rockfish, and longnose skates. Based on changes in the estimates of
biomass, the species or species group with the greatest decreases in
TACs are Pacific cod, arrowtooth flounder, shortraker rockfish, big
skate, other skates, and octopuses. For all other species and species
groups, changes from the proposed 2018 TACs to the final 2018 TACs and
changes from the proposed 2019 TACs to the final 2019 TACs are less
than a 10 percent change (either increase or decrease). 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 2017 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 2018 and 2019 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 2018 and 2019 GOA Total Allowable Catch Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentage]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2018 Final 2019 Final
Species 2018 and 2019 2018 Final TAC minus 2018 Percentage 2019 Final TAC minus 2019 Percentage
Proposed TAC proposed TAC difference proposed TAC difference
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock................................. 163,479 166,228 2,749 2 112,678 -50,801 -31
Pacific cod............................. 40,069 13,096 -26,973 -67 12,368 -27,701 -69
Sablefish............................... 10,207 11,505 1,298 13 16,194 5,987 59
Shallow-water flatfish.................. 36,979 42,732 5,753 16 43,128 6,149 17

[[Page 8772]]

Deep-water flatfish..................... 9,382 9,385 3 0 9,499 117 1
Rex sole................................ 8,421 15,373 6,952 83 14,529 6,108 73
Arrowtooth flounder..................... 103,300 76,300 -27,000 -26 76,300 -27,000 -26
Flathead sole........................... 27,920 26,388 -1,532 -5 26,487 -1,433 -5
Pacific ocean perch..................... 23,454 29,236 5,782 25 28,605 5,151 22
Northern rockfish....................... 3,508 3,681 173 5 3,347 -161 -5
Shortraker rockfish..................... 1,286 863 -423 -33 864 -422 -33
Dusky rockfish.......................... 3,954 3,957 3 0 3,668 -286 -7
Rougheye rockfish....................... 1,318 1,444 126 10 1,427 109 8
Demersal shelf rockfish................. 227 250 23 10 250 23 10
Thornyhead rockfish..................... 1,961 2,038 77 4 2,038 77 4
Other rockfish.......................... 2,308 2,305 -3 0 2,305 -3 0
Atka mackerel........................... 3,000 3,000 0 0 3,000 0 0
Big skate............................... 3,814 2,848 -966 -25 2,848 -966 -25
Longnose skate.......................... 3,206 3,572 366 11 3,572 366 11
Other skates............................ 1,919 1,384 -535 -28 1,384 -535 -28
Sculpins................................ 5,591 5,301 -290 -5 5,301 -290 -5
Sharks.................................. 4,514 4,514 0 0 4,514 0 0
Squids.................................. 1,137 1,137 0 0 1,137 0 0
Octopuses............................... 4,878 975 -3,903 -80 975 -3,903 -80
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................... 465,832 427,512 -38,320 -8 376,418 -89,414 -19
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The final 2018 and 2019 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 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Table 1--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 30,188 30,
188
Chirikof (620).................. n/a 79,495 79,
495
Kodiak (630).................... n/a 40,939 40,
939
WYK (640)....................... n/a 6,833 6,8
33
W/C/WYK (subtotal) \2\.......... 187,059 161,492 157
,45
5
SEO (650)....................... 11,697 8,773 8,7
73
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total........................ 198,756 170,265 166
,22
8
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod \3\.......................... W............................... n/a 8,082 5,6
57
C............................... n/a 8,118 6,0
89
E............................... n/a 1,800 1,3
50
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total........................ 23,565 18,000 13,
096
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish \4\............................ W............................... n/a 1,544 1,5
44
C............................... n/a 5,158 5,1
58
WYK............................. n/a 1,829 1,8
29
SEO............................. n/a 2,974 2,9
74
E (WYK and SEO) (subtotal)...... n/a 4,803 4,8
03
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total........................ 22,703 11,505 11,
505
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shallow-water flatfish \5\............... W............................... n/a 25,206 13,
250
C............................... n/a 25,315 25,
315
WYK............................. n/a 2,242 2,2
42
SEO............................. n/a 1,925 1,9
25
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total........................ 67,240 54,688 42,
732
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deep-water flatfish \6\.................. W............................... n/a 413 413
C............................... n/a 3,400 3,4
00

[[Page 8773]]

WYK............................. n/a 3,239 3,2
39
SEO............................. n/a 2,332 2,3
32
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total........................ 11,294 9,385 9,3
85
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rex sole................................. W............................... n/a 3,086 3,0
86
C............................... n/a 8,739 8,7
39
WYK............................. n/a 1,737 1,7
37
SEO............................. n/a 1,811 1,8
11
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total........................ 18,706 15,373 15,
373
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth flounder...................... W............................... n/a 37,253 14,
500
C............................... n/a 73,480 48,
000
WYK............................. n/a 16,468 6,9
00
SEO............................. .............. 23,744 6,9
00
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total........................ 180,697 150,945 76,
300
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead sole............................ W............................... n/a 12,690 8,6
50
C............................... n/a 20,238 15,
400
WYK............................. n/a 1,932 1,9
32
SEO............................. n/a 406 406
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total........................ 43,011 35,266 26,
388
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch \7\.................. W............................... n/a 3,312 3,3
12
C............................... n/a 20,112 20,
112
WYK............................. n/a 3,371 3,3
71
W/C/WYK subtotal................ 31,860 26,795 26,
795
SEO............................. 2,902 2,441 2,4
41
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total........................ 34,762 29,236 29,
236
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern rockfish \8\.................... W............................... n/a 420 420
C............................... n/a 3,261 3,2
61
E............................... n/a 4 ...
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total........................ 4,380 3,685 3,6
81
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortraker rockfish \9\.................. W............................... n/a 44 44
C............................... n/a 305 305
E............................... n/a 514 514
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total........................ 1,151 863 863
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dusky rockfish \10\...................... W............................... n/a 146 146
C............................... n/a 3,502 3,5
02
WYK............................. n/a 232 232
SEO............................. n/a 77 77
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total........................ 4,841 3,957 3,9
57
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rougheye and Blackspotted rockfish \11\.. W............................... n/a 176 176
C............................... n/a 556 556
E............................... n/a 712 712
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total........................ 1,735 1,444 1,4
44
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demersal shelf rockfish \12\............. SEO............................. 394 250 250
Thornyhead rockfish...................... W............................... n/a 344 344
C............................... n/a 921 921
E............................... n/a 773 773
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total........................ 2,717 2,038 2,0
38
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other rockfish 13 14..................... W and C......................... n/a 1,737 1,7
37
WYK............................. n/a 368 368
SEO............................. n/a 3,489 200
----------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 8774]]

Total........................ 7,356 5,594 2,3
05
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel............................ GW.............................. 6,200 4,700 3,0
00
Big skate \15\........................... W............................... n/a 504 504
C............................... n/a 1,774 1,7
74
E............................... n/a 570 570
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total........................ 3,797 2,848 2,8
48
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longnose skate \16\...................... W............................... n/a 149 149
C............................... n/a 2,804 2,8
04
E............................... n/a 619 619
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total........................ 4,763 3,572 3,5
72
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other skates \17\........................ GW.............................. 1,845 1,384 1,3
84
Sculpins................................. GW.............................. 6,958 5,301 5,3
01
Sharks................................... GW.............................. 6,020 4,514 4,5
14
Squids................................... GW.............................. 1,516 1,137 1,1
37
Octopus.................................. GW.............................. 1,300 975 975
------------------------------------
Total............................... ................................ 655,707 536,921 427
,51
2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 161,492 mt. After deducting 2.5 percent (4,037 mt)
of that ABC for the State's pollock GHL fishery, the remaining pollock ABC of 157,455 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 (final 2018 seasonal
biomass distribution of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, area apportionments, and seasonal
allowances). 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 TAC 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 2018 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments.
\4\ Sablefish is allocated to trawl and fixed gear in 2018. Table 7 lists the final 2018 allocations of
sablefish TACs.
\5\ ``Shallow-water flatfish'' means flatfish not including ``deep-water flatfish,'' flathead sole, rex sole, or
arrowtooth flounder.
\6\ ``Deep-water flatfish'' means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, and 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 and Raja spp.

Table 2--Final 2019 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 19,921 19,921
Chirikof (620)............. n/a 52,459 52,459
Kodiak (630)............... n/a 27,016 27,016
WYK (640).................. n/a 4,509 4,509
W/C/WYK (subtotal) \2\..... 131,170 106,569 103,905
SEO (650).................. 11,697 8,773 8,773
-----------------------------------------------

[[Page 8775]]

Total................... 142,867 115,341 112,678
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod \3\.................... W.......................... n/a 7,633 5,343
C.......................... n/a 7,667 5,750
E.......................... n/a 1,700 1,275
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 21,412 17,000 12,368
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish \4\...................... W.......................... n/a 2,174 2,174
C.......................... n/a 7,260 7,260
WYK........................ n/a 2,573 2,573
SEO........................ n/a 4,187 4,187
E (WYK and SEO) (subtotal). n/a 6,760 6,760
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 35,989 16,194 16,194
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shallow-water flatfish \5\......... W.......................... n/a 25,544 13,250
C.......................... n/a 25,655 25,655
WYK........................ n/a 2,272 2,272
SEO........................ n/a 1,951 1,951
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 68,114 55,422 43,128
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deep-water flatfish \6\............ W.......................... n/a 416 416
C.......................... n/a 3,442 3,442
WYK........................ n/a 3,279 3,279
SEO........................ n/a 2,361 2,361
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 11,431 9,499 9,499
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rex sole........................... W.......................... n/a 2,909 2,909
C.......................... n/a 8,236 8,236
WYK........................ n/a 1,657 1,657
SEO........................ n/a 1,727 1,727
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 17,692 14,529 14,529
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth flounder................ W.......................... n/a 35,844 14,500
C.......................... n/a 70,700 48,000
WYK........................ n/a 15,845 6,900
SEO........................ n/a 22,845 6,900
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 173,872 145,234 76,300
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead sole...................... W.......................... n/a 13,222 8,650
C.......................... n/a 21,087 15,400
WYK........................ n/a 2,013 2,013
SEO........................ n/a 424 424
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 44,822 36,746 26,487
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch \7\............ W.......................... n/a 3,240 3,240
C.......................... n/a 19,678 19,678
WYK........................ n/a 3,298 3,298
W/C/WYK.................... 31,170 26,216 26,216
SEO........................ 2,840 2,389 2,389
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 34,010 28,605 28,605
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern rockfish \8\.............. W.......................... n/a 382 382
C.......................... n/a 2,965 2,965
E.......................... n/a 3 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 3,984 3,350 3,347
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortraker rockfish \9\............ W.......................... n/a 44 44
C.......................... n/a 305 305
E.......................... n/a 514 514
-----------------------------------------------

[[Page 8776]]

Total................... 1,151 863 863
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dusky rockfish \10\................ W.......................... n/a 135 135
C.......................... n/a 3,246 3,246
WYK........................ n/a 215 215
SEO........................ n/a 72 72
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 4,488 3,668 3,668
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rougheye and Blackspotted rockfish W.......................... n/a 174 174
\11\.
C.......................... n/a 550 550
E.......................... n/a 703 703
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 1,715 1,427 1,427
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demersal shelf rockfish \12\....... SEO........................ 394 250 250
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thornyhead rockfish................ W.......................... n/a 344 344
C.......................... n/a 921 921
E.......................... n/a 773 773
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 2,717 2,038 2,038
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other rockfish 13 14............... W and C.................... n/a 1,737 1,737
WYK........................ n/a 368 368
SEO........................ n/a 3,488 200
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 7,356 5,593 2,305
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel...................... GW......................... 6,200 4,700 3,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big skate \15\..................... W.......................... n/a 504 504
C.......................... n/a 1,774 1,774
E.......................... n/a 570 570
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 3,797 2,848 2,848
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longnose skate \16\................ W.......................... n/a 149 149
C.......................... n/a 2,804 2,804
E.......................... n/a 619 619
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 4,763 3,572 3,572
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other skates \17\.................. GW......................... 1,845 1,384 1,384
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sculpins........................... GW......................... 6,958 5,301 5,301
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sharks............................. GW......................... 6,020 4,514 4,514
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Squids............................. GW......................... 1,516 1,137 1,137
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Octopus............................ GW......................... 1,300 975 975
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total.......................... ........................... 604,413 480,187 376,417
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 106,569 mt. After deducting 2.5 percent (2,664 mt)
of that ABC for the State's pollock GHL fishery, the remaining pollock ABC of 103,905 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 4 (final 2019 seasonal
biomass distribution of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, area apportionments, and seasonal
allowances). 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 2019 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments.
\4\ Sablefish is only allocated to trawl gear for 2019. Table 8 lists the final 2019 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 3 mt apportionment of ABC to
the WYK District of the Eastern Gulf of Alaska has been included in the ``other rockfish'' species group.

[[Page 8777]]

\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 and Raja spp.

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 2018 and 2019, NMFS proposed reapportionment of
all the reserves in the proposed 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications
published in the Federal Register on December 8, 2017 (82 FR 57924).
NMFS did not receive any public comments on the proposed
reapportionments. For the final 2018 and 2019 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 or species groups 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 in proportion
to the distribution of the pollock biomass, pursuant to Sec.
679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A). In the A and B seasons, the apportionments
previously 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
2018 and 2019, the Council recommended, and NMFS approved, following
the apportionment methodology that was used previously for the 2017 and
2018 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 2018
and 2019 fishing years. For the A season, the apportionment is based on
an adjusted estimate of the relative distribution of pollock biomass of
approximately 3 percent, 73 percent, and 24 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 4 percent, 85 percent, and 11 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 37 percent, 27
percent, and 37 percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630,
respectively. The pollock chapter of the 2017 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 TAC 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 in those statistical areas (Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)).
The pollock TACs in the WYK and the SEO Districts of 6,833 mt and 8,773
mt, respectively, in 2018, and 4,509 mt and 8,773 mt, respectively, in
2019, are not allocated by season.
Section 679.20(a)(6)(i) requires the allocation of 100 percent of
the pollock TAC in all GOA regulatory areas and all seasonal allowances
to vessels harvesting 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 to 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.
Therefore, amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and
offshore components are not shown in Tables 3 and 4. Tables 3 and 4
list the final 2018 and 2019 seasonal biomass distribution of pollock
in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, area apportionments, and
seasonal allowances.

[[Page 8778]]

Table 3--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 3.50% 27,314 72.54% 9,025 23.97% 37,656
B (Mar 10-May 31)....................... 1,317 4.50% 32,155 85.39% 4,184 11.11% 37,656
C (Aug 25-Oct 1)........................ 13,777 36.59% 10,013 26.59% 13,865 36.82% 37,656
D (Oct 1-Nov 1)......................... 13,777 36.59% 10,013 26.59% 13,865 36.82% 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 District 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 2019 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)....................... 869 3.50% 18,025 72.54% 5,955 23.97% 24,849
B (Mar 10-May 31)....................... 869 4.50% 21,219 85.39% 2,761 11.11% 24,849
C (Aug 25-Oct 1)........................ 9,091 36.59% 6,608 26.59% 9,150 36.82% 24,849
D (Oct 1-Nov 1)......................... 9,091 36.59% 6,608 26.59% 9,150 36.82% 24,849
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Total........................ 19,921 .............. 52,459 .............. 27,016 .............. 99,395
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 District 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 seasonally allocates the
Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA
among gear and operational sectors. NMFS also allocates the Pacific cod
TACs annually between the inshore (90 percent) and offshore (10
percent) components in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the 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 harvest by each sector 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
reallocated to other sectors for harvest during the remainder of the
fishery year.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A) and (B), a portion of the
annual Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central GOA will be
allocated to vessels with a Federal Fisheries Permit (FFP) that use jig
gear before the remaining Western and Central GOA Pacific cod TACs are
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 two years. NMFS has evaluated the 2017
harvest performance of the jig sector in the Western and Central GOA,
and is establishing the 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod apportionments to
this sector as follows.
NMFS allocates the jig sector 1.5 percent of the annual Pacific cod
TAC in the Western GOA. This is a decrease from the 2017 jig sector
allocation of 2.5 percent because in 2016 and 2017 this sector
harvested less than 90 percent of its initial annual allocation, thus
triggering the deduction of the 1.0 percent performance increase that
the Western GOA jig sector received in 2017. The 2018 and 2019
allocations consist of a base allocation of 1.5 percent of the Western
GOA Pacific cod TAC, and no additional performance increase in the
Western GOA.
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 2017 jig sector
allocation because in 2017 this sector harvested less than 90 percent
of its initial annual allocation. The 2018 and 2019 allocations consist
of a base allocation of 1.0 percent of the Central GOA Pacific cod TAC,
and no additional performance increase in the Central GOA.

[[Page 8779]]

Tables 5 and 6 list the seasonal apportionments and allocations of
the 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod TACs.

Table 5--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 (1.5% of TAC)........... 85 N/A 51 N/A 34
Hook-and-line CV............ 78 0.70 39 0.70 39
Hook-and-line C/P........... 1,103 10.90 607 8.90 496
Trawl CV.................... 2,140 27.70 1,543 10.70 596
Trawl C/P................... 134 0.90 50 1.50 84
All Pot CV and Pot C/P...... 2,117 19.80 1,103 18.20 1,014
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Trawl vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 232 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. Final 2018 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA and Table 28c to 50
CFR part 679).

Table 6--Final 2019 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 (1.5% of TAC)........... 134 N/A 80 N/A 53
Hook-and-line CV............ 73 0.70 36 0.70 36
Hook-and-line C/P........... 1,031 10.90 568 8.90 464
Trawl CV.................... 2,000 27.70 1,443 10.70 557
Trawl C/P................... 125 0.90 47 1.50 78
All Pot CV and Pot C/P...... 1,980 19.80 1,031 18.20 948
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 5,343 60.00 3,206 40.00 2,137
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central GOA:
Jig (1.0% of TAC)........... 58 N/A 35 N/A 23
Hook-and-line <50 CV........ 831 9.32 530 5.29 301
Hook-and-line >=50 CV....... 382 5.61 319 1.10 62
Hook-and-line C/P........... 291 4.11 234 1.00 57
Trawl CV \1\................ 2,367 21.14 1,203 20.45 1,164
Trawl C/P................... 239 2.00 114 2.19 125

[[Page 8780]]

All Pot CV and Pot C/P...... 1,583 17.83 1,015 9.97 568
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 5,750 60.00 3,450 40.00 2,300
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern GOA: .............. Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
1,275 1,148
128
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Trawl vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 219 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. Final 2019 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA and Table 28c to 50
CFR part 679).

Allocations of the Sablefish TACs Amounts to Vessels Using Fixed 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 fixed and trawl
gear. In the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, 80 percent of each
TAC is allocated to fixed 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 fixed
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 fixed
gear. NMFS allocates 100 percent of the sablefish TAC in the SEO
District to vessels using fixed gear. This action results in a 2018
allocation of 240 mt to trawl gear and 1,589 mt to fixed gear in the
WYK District, a 2018 allocation of 2,974 mt to fixed gear in the SEO
District, and a 2019 allocation of 338 mt to trawl gear in the WYK
District. Table 7 lists the allocations of the 2018 sablefish TACs to
fixed and trawl gear. Table 8 lists the allocations of the 2019
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 2018 and 2019 trawl
allocations are specified in these final harvest specifications, in
Tables 7 and 8, respectively.
The Council also recommended that the fixed gear sablefish TAC be
established annually to ensure that this IFQ fishery is conducted
concurrently with the halibut IFQ fishery and is based on the most
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 24,
2018, the Council recommended that the fixed gear 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 2018 fixed gear
allocations are specified in Table 7, the 2019 fixed gear allocations
are not specified in Table 8 and will be specified in the 2019 and 2020
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 in the GOA is closed during the fishing year. Also, fishing
for groundfish with trawl gear is prohibited prior to January 20 (Sec.
679.23(c)). Therefore, it is not likely that the sablefish allocation
to trawl gear would be reached before the effective date of the final
2018 and 2019 harvest specifications.

Table 7--Final 2018 Sablefish TAC Specifications in the GOA and Allocations to Fixed and Trawl Gear
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed gear Trawl gear
Area/district TAC allocation allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western......................................................... 1,544 1,235 309
Central......................................................... 5,158 4,126 1,032
West Yakutat \1\................................................ 1,829 1,589 240
Southeast Outside............................................... 2,974 2,974 0
-----------------------------------------------
Total....................................................... 11,505 9,924 1,581
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat
and Southeast Outside Districts) sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.

[[Page 8781]]

Table 8--Final 2019 Sablefish TAC Specifications in the GOA and Allocation to Trawl Gear \1\
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed gear Trawl gear
Area/district TAC allocation allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western......................................................... 2,174 n/a 435
Central......................................................... 7,260 n/a 1,452
West Yakutat \2\................................................ 2,573 n/a 338
Southeast Outside............................................... 4,187 n/a 0
-----------------------------------------------
Total........................................................... 16,194 n/a 2,225
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Council recommended that the 2018 (but not the 2019) harvest specifications for the fixed 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 Districts) sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.

Demersal Shelf Rockfish (DSR)

The recommended 2018 and 2019 DSR TAC is 250 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 2018 and 2019 allocations of 204 mt to the commercial
fishery and 39 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. For example, in
2017, this resulted in 27 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). For 2018 and 2019, the State will
determine from the available DSR TAC of 250 mt the allocation available
for the directed commercial DSR fishery in the DSR districts.
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 2018 and 2019 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 and blackspotted 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). 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, as well as halibut PSC limits, are discussed in a
subsequent section in this rule titled ``Rockfish Program Groundfish
Sideboard and Halibut PSC Limitations.''
Section 679.81(a)(2)(ii) and Table 28e to 50 CFR part 679 require
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 2018
and 2019. The allocation of each primary species for the entry level
longline fishery may increase incrementally each year if the catch
exceeds 90 percent of the allocation of that species. The incremental
increase in the allocation would continue each year until it reaches
the maximum percent of the TAC that may be allocated to the rockfish
entry level longline fishery for that species. In 2017, the catch of
Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish, and dusky rockfish did not
attain the 90 percent threshold, and those allocations for 2018 do not
increase above the 2017 allocations. 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 2018 and 2019 TACs
for each rockfish primary species to the entry level longline fishery,
the potential incremental increases for future years, and the maximum
percent of the TACs assigned to the Rockfish Program that may be
allocated to the rockfish entry level longline fishery.

[[Page 8782]]

Table 9--Final 2018 and Initial 2019 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species to the Entry Level Longline Fishery
in the Central Gulf of Alaska
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incremental increase in 2019
Rockfish primary species 2018 and 2019 allocations if >90% of 2018 allocation Up to maximum
is harvested % of TAC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch................. 5 metric tons............... 5 metric tons............... 1
Northern rockfish................... 5 metric tons............... 5 metric tons............... 2
Dusky rockfish...................... 50 metric tons.............. 20 metric tons.............. 5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Section 679.81 requires allocations of the rockfish primary species
among various sectors of the Rockfish Program. Tables 10 and 11 list
the final 2018 and 2019 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 4,000 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 2018 and 2019 allocations in conjunction with these final
harvest specifications. NMFS will post these allocations on the Alaska
Region website at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/central-goa-rockfish-program when they become available after March 1.

Table 10--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............. 20,112 4,000 16,112 5 16,107
Northern rockfish............... 3,261 300 2,961 5 2,956
Dusky rockfish.................. 3,502 250 3,252 50 3,202
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total....................... 26,875 4,050 22,825 60 22,265
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Longline gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear (50 CFR 679.2).
\2\ Rockfish cooperatives include vessels in CV and C/P cooperatives (50 CFR 679.81).

Table 11--Final 2019 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............. 19,678 4,000 15,678 5 15,673
Northern rockfish............... 2,965 300 2,665 5 2,660
Dusky rockfish.................. 3,246 250 2,996 50 2,946
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total....................... 25,889 4,050 21,839 60 21,279
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Longline gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear (50 CFR 679.2).
\2\ Rockfish cooperatives include vessels in CV and C/P cooperatives (50 CFR 679.81).

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 gear
allocation, rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, shortraker rockfish,
and thornyhead rockfish. Tables 12 and 13 list the apportionments of
the 2018 and 2019 TACs of rockfish secondary species in the Central GOA
to CV and C/P cooperatives.

[[Page 8783]]

Table 12--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 ---------------------------------------------------------------
Rockfish secondary species central GOA Percentage of Apportionment Percentage of Apportionment
TAC TAC (mt) TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod..................... 6,089 3.81 232 0.00 0
Sablefish....................... 5,158 6.78 350 3.51 181
Shortraker rockfish............. 305 0.00 0 40.00 122
Rougheye rockfish............... 556 0.00 0 58.87 327
Thornyhead rockfish............. 921 7.84 72 26.50 244
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table 13--Final 2019 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------
Rockfish secondary species central GOA Percentage of Apportionment Percentage of Apportionment
TAC TAC (mt) TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod..................... 5,750 3.81 219 0.00 0
Sablefish....................... 7,260 6.78 492 3.51 255
Shortraker rockfish............. 305 0.00 0 40.00 122
Rougheye rockfish............... 550 0.00 0 58.87 324
Thornyhead rockfish............. 921 7.84 72 26.50 244
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Halibut PSC Limits

Section 679.21(d) establishes the annual halibut PSC limit
apportionments for trawl gear and hook-and-line gear, and authorizes
the establishment of apportionments for pot gear. In December 2017, 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 2018 and 2019.
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)). The separate halibut PSC limit for the DSR
fishery is intended to prevent that fishery from being impacted from
the halibut PSC incurred by other GOA fisheries. 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 there is less overlap in the distribution of DSR and
halibut, and (3) the directed commercial DSR fishery has a low DSR TAC.
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 2018 and 2019. 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 for
that vessel category and the IFQ regulatory area in which the vessel is
operating (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 2017. The
calculated halibut bycatch mortality through December 9, 2017, is 1,214
mt for trawl gear and 169 mt for hook-and-line gear for a total halibut
mortality of 1,383 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 2017 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 Table 14,
which show the final 2018 and 2019 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 halibut

[[Page 8784]]

PSC limit will be added to or deducted from the next respective
seasonal apportionment within the fishing year.

Table 14--Final 2018 and 2019 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 in the SEO
District and to the hook-and-line fisheries other than the DSR fishery. 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, and ``other species'' (sculpins, sharks,
squids, and octopuses) (Sec. 679.21(d)(3)(iii)). Halibut mortality
incurred while directed fishing for skates with trawl gear accrues
towards the shallow-water fishery halibut PSC limit (69 FR 26320, May
12, 2004).
NMFS will combine available trawl halibut PSC limit apportionments
on May 15 during 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 2018 and 2019 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. After the combined
CV and C/P halibut PSC limit allocation of 191 mt to the Rockfish
Program, 150 mt remains for 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 limit apportioned to Rockfish Program participants. The remainder
of the unused Rockfish Program halibut PSC limit is unavailable for use
by any person for the remainder of the fishing year (Sec.
679.21(d)(4)(iii)(C)).

Table 15--Final 2018 and 2019 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 (*) 128
Subtotal January 20-October 1................................... 768 682 1,450
October 1-December 31 \2\....................................... .............. .............. 256
-----------------------------------------------

[[Page 8785]]

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).
* Any remainder.

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 for the ``other hook-and-line fishery'' 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 between the Western, Central, and
Eastern GOA. 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 2017 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 2018 and 2019,
the distribution of the total GOA Pacific cod ABC is 45 percent to the
Western GOA, 45 percent to the Central GOA, and 10 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 for both the CV and C/P sectors of the ``other hook-
and-line fishery'' are divided into three seasonal apportionments,
using seasonal percentages of 86 percent, 2 percent, and 12 percent.
For 2018 and 2019, NMFS apportions halibut PSC limits of 120 mt and
137 mt to the hook-and-line CV and hook-and-line C/P sectors,
respectively. Table 16 lists the final 2018 and 2019 apportionments of
halibut PSC limits between the hook-and-line CV and the hook-and-line
C/P sectors of the ``other hook-and-line fishery.''
No later than November 1 of each year, NMFS will calculate the
projected unused amount of halibut PSC limit by either of the CV or C/P
hook-and-line sectors of the ``other hook-and-line fishery'' 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 (Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(iii)(C)), if NMFS determines
that an additional amount of halibut PSC is necessary for that sector
to continue its directed fishing operations.

Table 16--Final 2018 and 2019 Apportionments of the ``Other Hook-and-Line Fishery'' 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'' allowance Hook-and- line sector Sector annual amount Season Seasonal seasonal
percentage amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
257.................................. Catcher Vessel.......... 120..................... January 1-June 10............ 86 103
June 10-September 1.......... 2 2
September 1-December 31...... 12 14
Catcher/Processor....... 137..................... January 1-June 10............ 86 118
June 10-September 1.......... 2 3
September 1-December 31...... 12 16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 2017 Pacific halibut stock assessment (December 2017), available
on the IPHC website at www.iphc.int. The IPHC considered the 2017
Pacific halibut stock assessment at its January 2018 annual meeting
when it set the 2018 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

[[Page 8786]]

particular halibut PSC limit is the product of a DMR multiplied by the
estimated halibut PSC. DMRs are estimated using the best scientific
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). 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, including potential changes to the reference period (the
period of data used for calculating the DMRs). Future DMRs, including
the 2019 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.
The new methodology will continue to ensure that NMFS is using DMRs
that more accurately reflect halibut mortality, which will inform the
different sectors of their estimated halibut mortality and allow
specific sectors to respond with methods that could reduce mortality
and, eventually, the DMR for that sector.
At the December 2017 meeting, the SSC, AP, and Council concurred
with the revised DMR estimation methodology, and NMFS adopted for 2018
and 2019 the DMRs calculated under the revised methodology. The final
2018 and 2019 DMRs in this rule are unchanged from the DMRs in the
proposed 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications (82 FR 57924, December 8,
2017). Table 17 lists these final 2018 and 2019 DMRs.

Table 17--Final 2018 and 2019 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.......... 62
Catcher vessel............. All others................ 67
Mothership and catcher/ All....................... 84
processor.
Hook-and-line...................... Catcher/processor.......... All....................... 10
Catcher vessel............. All....................... 17
Pot................................ Catcher vessel and catcher/ All....................... 7
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 trawl fishery. These limits require NMFS to close
the pollock directed fishery in the Western and Central Regulatory
Areas of the GOA if the applicable Chinook salmon PSC limit in that
regulatory area 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).
Amendment 97 to the FMP (79 FR 71350, December 2, 2014) established
an initial annual PSC limit of 7,500 Chinook salmon for the trawl non-
pollock groundfish fisheries in the Western and Central GOA. This limit
is apportioned among three sectors directed fishing for groundfish
species other than pollock: 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 (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 2017 (3,120 for
trawl C/Ps and 2,340 for trawl CVs), that sector will receive an
incremental increase to its 2018 Chinook salmon PSC limit (Sec.
679.21(h)(4)). In 2017, the trawl C/P sector did not exceed 3,120
Chinook salmon PSC; therefore, the 2018 trawl C/P sector Chinook salmon
PSC limit will be 4,080 Chinook salmon. In 2017, the Non-Rockfish
Program CV sector did not exceed 2,340 Chinook salmon PSC; therefore,
the 2018 Non-Rockfish Program CV sector limit will be 3,060 Chinook
salmon.

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 feet (38.1 meters) length overall,
have annual landings of pollock in the Bering

[[Page 8787]]

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 CV
groundfish 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 CV groundfish sideboard
limitations in the GOA based on the aggregate retained catch of non-
exempt AFA CVs of each sideboard species or species group from 1995
through 1997 divided by the sum of the TACs for that species or species
group available to CVs over the same period.
Tables 18 and 19 list the final 2018 and 2019 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 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
Species Apportionments by season/ Area/component exempt AFA CV Final 2018 non-exempt AFA
gear catch to 1995- TACs CV sideboard
1997 TAC limit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock............................... A Season--January 20- Shumagin (610)....................... 0.6047 1,317 796
March 10. Chirikof (620)....................... 0.1167 27,314 3,188
Kodiak (630)......................... 0.2028 9,025 1,830
B Season--March 10-May 31 Shumagin (610)....................... 0.6047 1,317 796
Chirikof (620)....................... 0.1167 32,155 3,752
Kodiak (630)......................... 0.2028 4,184 848
C Season--August 25- Shumagin (610)....................... 0.6047 13,777 8,331
October 1. Chirikof (620)....................... 0.1167 10,013 1,169
Kodiak (630)......................... 0.2028 13,865 2,812
D Season--October 1- Shumagin (610)....................... 0.6047 13,777 8,331
November 1. Chirikof (620)....................... 0.1167 10,013 1,169
Kodiak (630)......................... 0.2028 13,865 2,812
Annual................... WYK (640)............................ 0.3495 6,833 2,388
SEO (650)............................ 0.3495 8,773 3,066
Pacific cod........................... A Season \1\--January 1- W.................................... 0.1331 3,394 452
June 10. C.................................... 0.0692 3,653 253
B Season \2\--September 1- W.................................... 0.1331 2,263 301
December 31. C.................................... 0.0692 2,436 169
Annual................... E inshore............................ 0.0079 1,215 10
E offshore........................... 0.0078 135 1
Sablefish............................. Annual, trawl gear....... W.................................... 0.0000 309 ..............
C.................................... 0.0642 1,032 66
E.................................... 0.0433 240 10
Shallow-water flatfish................ Annual................... W.................................... 0.0156 13,250 207
C.................................... 0.0587 25,315 1,486
E.................................... 0.0126 4,167 53
Deep-water flatfish................... Annual................... W.................................... 0.0000 413 ..............
C.................................... 0.0647 3,400 220
E.................................... 0.0128 5,571 71
Rex sole.............................. Annual................... W.................................... 0.0007 3,086 2
C.................................... 0.0384 8,739 336
E.................................... 0.0029 3,548 10
Arrowtooth flounder................... Annual................... W.................................... 0.0021 14,500 30
C.................................... 0.0280 48,000 1,344
E.................................... 0.0002 13,800 3
Flathead sole......................... Annual................... W.................................... 0.0036 8,650 31
C.................................... 0.0213 15,400 328
E.................................... 0.0009 2,338 2
Pacific ocean perch................... Annual................... W.................................... 0.0023 3,312 8
C.................................... 0.0748 20,112 1,504
E.................................... 0.0466 5,812 271
Northern rockfish..................... Annual................... W.................................... 0.0003 420 0
C.................................... 0.0277 3,261 90
Shortraker rockfish................... Annual................... W.................................... 0.0000 44 ..............
C.................................... 0.0218 305 7
E.................................... 0.0110 515 6
Dusky rockfish........................ Annual................... W.................................... 0.0001 146 0
C.................................... 0.0000 3,502 ..............
E.................................... 0.0067 309 2
Rougheye rockfish..................... Annual................... W.................................... 0.0000 176 ..............
C.................................... 0.0237 556 13
E.................................... 0.0124 712 9
Demersal shelf rockfish............... Annual................... SEO.................................. 0.0020 250 1

[[Page 8788]]

Thornyhead rockfish................... Annual................... W.................................... 0.0280 344 10
C.................................... 0.0280 921 26
E.................................... 0.0280 773 22
Other rockfish........................ Annual................... C.................................... 0.1699 1,737 295
E.................................... 0.0000 568 ..............
Atka mackerel......................... Annual................... Gulfwide............................. 0.0309 3,000 93
Big skates............................ Annual................... W.................................... 0.0063 504 3
C.................................... 0.0063 1,774 11
E.................................... 0.0063 570 4
Longnose skates....................... Annual................... W.................................... 0.0063 149 1
C.................................... 0.0063 2,804 18
E.................................... 0.0063 619 4
Other skates.......................... Annual................... Gulfwide............................. 0.0063 1,384 9
Sculpins.............................. Annual................... Gulfwide............................. 0.0063 5,301 33
Sharks................................ Annual................... Gulfwide............................. 0.0063 4,514 28
Squids................................ Annual................... Gulfwide............................. 0.0063 1,137 7
Octopuses............................. Annual................... Gulfwide............................. 0.0063 975 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 2019 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 2019
Species Apportionments by season/gear Area/component exempt AFA CV Final 2019 non-exempt AFA
catch to 1995- TACs CV sideboard
1997 TAC limit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock................................ A Season--January 20-March 10.. Shumagin (610)................ 0.6047 869 525
Chirikof (620)................ 0.1167 18,025 2,103
Kodiak (630).................. 0.2028 5,955 1,208
B Season--March 10-May 31...... Shumagin (610)................ 0.6047 869 525
Chirikof (620)................ 0.1167 21,219 2,476
Kodiak (630).................. 0.2028 2,761 560
C Season--August 25-October 1.. Shumagin (610)................ 0.6047 9,091 5,498
Chirikof (620)................ 0.1167 6,608 771
Kodiak (630).................. 0.2028 9,150 1,856
D Season--October 1-November 1. Shumagin (610)................ 0.6047 9,091 5,498
Chirikof (620)................ 0.1167 6,608 771
Kodiak (630).................. 0.2028 9,150 1,856
Annual......................... WYK (640)..................... 0.3495 4,509 1,576
SEO (650)..................... 0.3495 8,773 3,066
Pacific cod............................ A Season \1\--January 1-June 10 W............................. 0.1331 3,206 427
C............................. 0.0692 3,450 239
B Season \2\--September 1- W............................. 0.1331 2,137 284
December 31. C............................. 0.0692 2,300 159
Annual......................... E inshore..................... 0.0079 1,148 9
E offshore.................... 0.0078 128 1
Sablefish.............................. Annual, trawl gear............. W............................. 0.0000 435 ..............
C............................. 0.0642 1,452 93
E............................. 0.0433 338 15
Shallow-water flatfish................. Annual......................... W............................. 0.0156 13,250 207
C............................. 0.0587 25,655 1,506
E............................. 0.0126 4,223 53
Deep-water flatfish.................... Annual......................... W............................. 0.0000 416 ..............
C............................. 0.0647 3,442 223
E............................. 0.0128 5,640 72
Rex sole............................... Annual......................... W............................. 0.0007 2,909 2
C............................. 0.0384 8,236 316
E............................. 0.0029 3,384 10

[[Page 8789]]

Arrowtooth flounder.................... Annual......................... W............................. 0.0021 14,500 30
C............................. 0.0280 48,000 1,344
E............................. 0.0002 13,800 3
Flathead sole.......................... Annual......................... W............................. 0.0036 8,650 31
C............................. 0.0213 15,400 328
E............................. 0.0009 2,437 2
Pacific ocean perch.................... Annual......................... W............................. 0.0023 3,240 7
C............................. 0.0748 19,678 1,472
E............................. 0.0466 5,687 265
Northern rockfish...................... Annual......................... W............................. 0.0003 382 0
C............................. 0.0277 2,965 82
Shortraker rockfish.................... Annual......................... W............................. 0.0000 44 ..............
C............................. 0.0218 305 7
E............................. 0.0110 515 6
Dusky rockfish......................... Annual......................... W............................. 0.0001 135 0
C............................. 0.0000 3,246 ..............
E............................. 0.0067 287 2
Rougheye rockfish...................... Annual......................... W............................. 0.0000 174 ..............
C............................. 0.0237 550 13
E............................. 0.0124 703 9
Demersal shelf rockfish................ Annual......................... SEO........................... 0.0020 250 1
Thornyhead rockfish.................... Annual......................... W............................. 0.0280 344 10
C............................. 0.0280 921 26
E............................. 0.0280 773 22
Other rockfish......................... Annual......................... W/C........................... 0.1699 1,737 295
E............................. 0.0000 568 ..............
Atka mackerel.......................... Annual......................... Gulfwide...................... 0.0309 3,000 93
Big skates............................. Annual......................... W............................. 0.0063 504 3
C............................. 0.0063 1,774 11
E............................. 0.0063 570 4
Longnose skates........................ Annual......................... W............................. 0.0063 149 1
C............................. 0.0063 2,804 18
E............................. 0.0063 619 4
Other skates........................... Annual......................... Gulfwide...................... 0.0063 1,384 9
Sculpins............................... Annual......................... Gulfwide...................... 0.0063 5,301 33
Sharks................................. Annual......................... Gulfwide...................... 0.0063 4,514 28
Squids................................. Annual......................... Gulfwide...................... 0.0063 1,137 7
Octopuses.............................. Annual......................... Gulfwide...................... 0.0063 975 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 2018 and 2019 non-
exempt AFA CV halibut PSC limits for vessels using trawl gear in the
GOA, respectively.

Table 20--Final 2018 and 2019 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 2018 and 2019 2018 and 2019
Season Season dates Target fishery retained catch PSC limit non-exempt AFA
to total CV PSC limit
retained catch
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1..................................... January 20-April 1....... shallow-water........................ 0.340 384 131
deep-water........................... 0.070 85 6

[[Page 8790]]

2..................................... April 1-July 1........... shallow-water........................ 0.340 85 29
deep-water........................... 0.070 256 18
3..................................... July 1-September 1....... shallow-water........................ 0.340 171 58
deep-water........................... 0.070 341 24
4..................................... September 1-October 1.... shallow-water........................ 0.340 128 44
deep-water........................... 0.070 0 0
5..................................... October 1-December 31.... all targets.......................... 0.205 256 52
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual:
Total shallow-water.................. .............. .............. 262
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total deep-water..................... .............. .............. 48
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grand Total, all season and categories 1,706 362
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 2018 and 2019 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 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-
crab vessel Final 2018 AFA crab
Species Season/gear Area/component/gear catch to 1996- TACs vessel
2000 total sideboard
harvest limit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock............................... A Season--January 20- Shumagin (610)....................... 0.0098 1,317 13
March 10.
Chirikof (620)....................... 0.0031 27,314 85
Kodiak (630)......................... 0.0002 9,025 2
B Season--March 10-May 31 Shumagin (610)....................... 0.0098 1,317 13
Chirikof (620)....................... 0.0031 32,155 100
Kodiak (630)......................... 0.0002 4,184 1
C Season--August 25- Shumagin (610)....................... 0.0098 13,777 135
October 1.
Chirikof (620)....................... 0.0031 10,013 31
Kodiak (630)......................... 0.0002 13,865 3
D Season--October 1- Shumagin (610)....................... 0.0098 13,777 135
November 1.
Chirikof (620)....................... 0.0031 10,013 31
Kodiak (630)......................... 0.0002 13,865 3
Annual................... WYK (640)............................ 0.0000 6,833 ..............
SEO (650)............................ 0.0000 8,773 ..............
Pacific cod........................... A Season \1\--January 1- WG Jig............................... 0.0000 3,394 ..............
June 10.
WG Hook-and-line CV.................. 0.0004 3,394 1
WG Pot CV............................ 0.0997 3,394 338
WG Pot C/P........................... 0.0078 3,394 26
WG Trawl CV.......................... 0.0007 3,394 2
CG Jig............................... 0.0000 3,653 ..............

[[Page 8791]]

CG Hook-and-line CV.................. 0.0001 3,653 0
CG Pot CV............................ 0.0474 3,653 173
CG Pot C/P........................... 0.0136 3,653 50
CG Trawl CV.......................... 0.0012 3,653 4
B Season \2\--September 1- WG Jig............................... 0.0000 2,263 ..............
December 31.
WG Hook-and-line CV.................. 0.0004 2,263 1
WG Pot CV............................ 0.0997 2,263 226
WG Pot C/P........................... 0.0078 2,263 18
WG Trawl CV.......................... 0.0007 2,263 2
CG Jig............................... 0.0000 2,436 ..............
CG Hook-and-line CV.................. 0.0001 2,436 0
CG Pot CV............................ 0.0474 2,436 115
CG Pot C/P........................... 0.0136 2,436 33
CG Trawl CV.......................... 0.0012 2,436 3
Annual................... EG inshore........................... 0.0110 1,215 13
EG offshore.......................... 0.0000 135 ..............
Sablefish............................. Annual, trawl gear....... W.................................... 0.0000 309 ..............
C.................................... 0.0000 1,032 ..............
E.................................... 0.0000 240 ..............
Shallow-water flatfish................ Annual................... W.................................... 0.0059 13,250 78
C.................................... 0.0001 25,315 3
E.................................... 0.0000 4,167 ..............
Deep-water flatfish................... Annual................... W.................................... 0.0035 413 1
C.................................... 0.0000 3,400 ..............
E.................................... 0.0000 5,571 ..............
Rex sole.............................. Annual................... W.................................... 0.0000 3,086 ..............
C.................................... 0.0000 8,739 ..............
E.................................... 0.0000 3,548 ..............
Arrowtooth flounder................... Annual................... W.................................... 0.0004 14,500 6
C.................................... 0.0001 48,000 5
E.................................... 0.0000 13,800 ..............
Flathead sole......................... Annual................... W.................................... 0.0002 8,650 2
C.................................... 0.0004 15,400 6
E.................................... 0.0000 2,338 ..............
Pacific ocean perch................... Annual................... W.................................... 0.0000 3,312 ..............
C.................................... 0.0000 20,112 ..............
0.0000............................... 5,812 ..............
Northern rockfish..................... Annual................... W.................................... 0.0005 420 0
C.................................... 0.0000 3,261 ..............
Shortraker rockfish................... Annual................... W.................................... 0.0013 44 0
C.................................... 0.0012 305 0
E.................................... 0.0009 515 0
Dusky rockfish........................ Annual................... W.................................... 0.0017 146 0
C.................................... 0.0000 3,502 ..............
E.................................... 0.0000 309 ..............
Rougheye rockfish..................... Annual................... W.................................... 0.0067 176 1
C.................................... 0.0047 556 3
E.................................... 0.0008 712 1
Demersal shelf rockfish............... Annual................... SEO.................................. 0.0000 250 ..............
Thornyhead rockfish................... Annual................... W.................................... 0.0047 344 2
C.................................... 0.0066 921 6
E.................................... 0.0045 773 3
Other rockfish........................ Annual................... W/C.................................. 0.0033 1,737 6
E.................................... 0.0000 568 ..............
Atka mackerel......................... Annual................... Gulfwide............................. 0.0000 3,000 ..............
Big skate............................. Annual................... W.................................... 0.0392 504 20
C.................................... 0.0159 1,774 28
E.................................... 0.0000 570 ..............
Longnose skate........................ Annual................... W.................................... 0.0392 149 6
C.................................... 0.0159 2,804 45
E.................................... 0.0000 619 ..............
Other skates.......................... Annual................... Gulfwide............................. 0.0176 1,384 24
Sculpins.............................. Annual................... Gulfwide............................. 0.0176 5,301 93
Sharks................................ Annual................... Gulfwide............................. 0.0176 4,514 79
Squids................................ Annual................... Gulfwide............................. 0.0176 1,137 20

[[Page 8792]]

Octopuses............................. Annual................... Gulfwide............................. 0.0176 975 17
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for jig gear opens June 10. The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.

Table 22--Final 2019 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 2019 non-
Area/component/ crab vessel Final 2019 AFA crab
Species Season/gear gear catch to 1996- TACs vessel
2000 total sideboard
harvest limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock...................... A Season-- Shumagin (610). 0.0098 869 9
January 20-
March 10.
Chirikof (620). 0.0031 18,025 56
Kodiak (630)... 0.0002 5,955 1
B Season--March Shumagin (610). 0.0098 869 9
10-May 31.
Chirikof (620). 0.0031 21,219 66
Kodiak (630)... 0.0002 2,761 1
C Season--August Shumagin (610). 0.0098 9,091 89
25-October 1.
Chirikof (620). 0.0031 6,608 20
Kodiak (630)... 0.0002 9,150 2
D Season-- Shumagin (610). 0.0098 9,091 89
October 1-
November 1.
Chirikof (620). 0.0031 6,608 20
Kodiak (630)... 0.0002 9,150 2
Annual.......... WYK (640)...... 0.0000 4,509 ..............
SEO (650)...... 0.0000 8,773 ..............
Pacific cod.................. A Season \1\-- WG Jig......... 0.0000 3,206 ..............
January 1-June
10.
WG Hook-and- 0.0004 3,206 1
line CV.
WG Pot CV...... 0.0997 3,206 320
WG Pot C/P..... 0.0078 3,206 25
WG Trawl CV.... 0.0007 3,206 2
CG Jig......... 0.0000 3,450 ..............
CG Hook-and- 0.0001 3,450 0
line CV.
CG Pot CV...... 0.0474 3,450 164
CG Pot C/P..... 0.0136 3,450 47
CG Trawl CV.... 0.0012 3,450 4
B Season \2\-- WG Jig......... 0.0000 2,137 ..............
September 1- WG Hook-and- 0.0004 2,137 1
December 31. line CV.
WG Pot CV...... 0.0997 2,137 213
WG Pot C/P..... 0.0078 2,137 17
WG Trawl CV.... 0.0007 2,137 1
CG Jig......... 0.0000 2,300 ..............
CG Hook-and- 0.0001 2,300 0
line CV.
CG Pot CV...... 0.0474 2,300 109
CG Pot C/P..... 0.0136 2,300 31
CG Trawl CV.... 0.0012 2,300 3
Annual.......... E inshore...... 0.0110 1,148 13
E offshore..... 0.0000 128 ..............
Sablefish.................... Annual, trawl W.............. 0.0000 435 ..............
gear.
C.............. 0.0000 1,452 ..............
E.............. 0.0000 338 ..............
Shallow-water flatfish....... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0059 13,250 78
C.............. 0.0001 25,655 3
E.............. 0.0000 4,223 ..............
Deep-water flatfish.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0035 416 1
C.............. 0.0000 3,442 ..............
E.............. 0.0000 5,640 ..............

[[Page 8793]]

Rex sole..................... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0000 2,909 ..............
C.............. 0.0000 8,236 ..............
E.............. 0.0000 3,384 ..............
Arrowtooth flounder.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0004 14,500 6
C.............. 0.0001 48,000 5
E.............. 0.0000 13,800 ..............
Flathead sole................ Annual.......... W.............. 0.0002 8,650 2
C.............. 0.0004 15,400 6
E.............. 0.0000 2,437 ..............
Pacific ocean perch.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0000 3,240 ..............
C.............. 0.0000 19,678 ..............
E.............. 0.0000 5,687 ..............
Northern rockfish............ Annual.......... W.............. 0.0005 382 0
C.............. 0.0000 2,965 ..............
Shortraker rockfish.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0013 44 0
C.............. 0.0012 305 0
E.............. 0.0009 515 0
Dusky rockfish............... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0017 135 0
C.............. 0.0000 3,246 ..............
E.............. 0.0000 287 ..............
Rougheye rockfish............ Annual.......... W.............. 0.0067 174 1
C.............. 0.0047 550 3
E.............. 0.0008 703 1
Demersal shelf rockfish...... Annual.......... SEO............ 0.0000 250 ..............
Thornyhead rockfish.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0047 344 2
C.............. 0.0066 921 6
E.............. 0.0045 773 3
Other rockfish............... Annual.......... W/C............ 0.0033 1,737 6
E.............. 0.0000 568 ..............
Atka mackerel................ Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0000 3,000 ..............
Big skate.................... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0392 504 20
C.............. 0.0159 1,774 28
E.............. 0.0000 570 ..............
Longnose skate............... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0392 149 6
C.............. 0.0159 2,804 45
E.............. 0.0000 619 ..............
Other skates................. Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0176 1,384 24
Sculpins..................... Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0176 5,301 93
Sharks....................... Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0176 4,514 79
Squids....................... Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0176 1,137 20
Octopuses.................... Annual.......... Gulfwide....... 0.0176 975 17
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for jig gear opens June 10. 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
(Sec. 679.82(c)(1)). 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 rockfish
sideboard limit that is not assigned to rockfish cooperatives (Sec.
679.82(e)(3) and (e)(7)). The sideboard ratio for each fishery in the
West Yakutat District and the Western GOA is set forth in Sec.
679.82(e)(4). Tables 23 and 24 list the final 2018 and 2019 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.

[[Page 8794]]

Table 23--Final 2018 Rockfish Program Sideboard Limits for the Western GOA and West Yakutat District 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 Final 2018 C/P limit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA....................... Dusky rockfish....... 72.3.......................... 146........................... 106.
Pacific ocean perch.. 50.6.......................... 3,312......................... 1,676.
Northern rockfish.... 74.3.......................... 420........................... 312.
West Yakutat District............. Dusky rockfish....... Confidential \1\.............. 232........................... Confidential.\1\
Pacific ocean perch.. Confidential \1\.............. 3,371......................... Confidential.\1\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Not released due to confidentiality requirements associated with fish ticket data, as established by NMFS and the State of Alaska.

Table 24--Final 2019 Rockfish Program Sideboard Limits for the Western GOA and West Yakutat District GOA by Fishery for the Catcher/Processor Sector
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area Fishery C/P sector (% of TAC) Final 2019 TACs Final 2019 C/P limit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA....................... Dusky rockfish....... 72.3.......................... 135........................... 98.
Pacific ocean perch.. 50.6.......................... 3,240......................... 1,639.
Northern rockfish.... 74.3.......................... 382........................... 284.
West Yakutat District............. Dusky rockfish....... Confidential \1\.............. 215........................... Confidential.\1\
Pacific ocean perch.. Confidential \1\.............. 3,298......................... Confidential.\1\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 (Sec. 679.82(e)(3) and (e)(5)).
Halibut PSC sideboard ratios by fishery are set forth in Sec.
679.82(e)(5). 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 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 2018, 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
limits on the Alaska Region website at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/rockfish/. Table 25 lists the final 2018 and 2019
Rockfish Program halibut PSC limits for the C/P sector.

Table 25--Final 2018 and 2019 Rockfish Program Halibut PSC Limits for the Catcher/Processor Sector
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shallow-water Deep-water
species species Annual shallow- Annual deep-
fishery fishery 2018 and 2019 water species water species
Sector halibut PSC halibut PSC halibut fishery fishery
sideboard sideboard mortality halibut PSC halibut PSC
ratio ratio limit (mt) sideboard sideboard
(percent) (percent) limit (mt) limit (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher/processor............... 0.10 2.50 1,706 2 43
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Amendment 80 Program Groundfish and PSC Sideboard Limits

Amendment 80 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (Amendment 80 Program)
established a limited access privilege program for the non-AFA trawl C/
P sector. The Amendment 80 Program established groundfish and halibut
PSC 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 (72 FR 52668, September 14, 2007). Tables 26 and 27
list the final 2018 and 2019 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.

[[Page 8795]]

Table 26--Final 2018 GOA Groundfish Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of
Amendment 80 2018 Amendment
Species Apportionments and Area sector vessels 2018 TAC (mt) 80 vessel
allocations by season 1998-2004 sideboards
catch to TAC (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock............................... A Season--January 20- Shumagin (610)....................... 0.003 1,317 4
March 10.
Chirikof (620)....................... 0.002 27,314 55
Kodiak (630)......................... 0.002 9,025 18
B Season--March 10-May 31 Shumagin (610)....................... 0.003 1,317 4
Chirikof (620)....................... 0.002 32,155 64
Kodiak (630)......................... 0.002 4,184 8
C Season--August 25- Shumagin (610)....................... 0.003 13,777 41
October 1.
Chirikof (620)....................... 0.002 10,013 20
Kodiak (630)......................... 0.002 13,865 28
D Season--October 1- Shumagin (610)....................... 0.003 13,777 41
November 1.
Chirikof (620)....................... 0.002 10,013 20
Kodiak (630)......................... 0.002 13,865 28
Annual................... WYK (640)............................ 0.002 6,833 14
Pacific cod........................... A Season \1\--January 1- W.................................... 0.020 3,394 68
June 10.
C.................................... 0.044 3,653 161
B Season \2\--September 1- W.................................... 0.020 2,263 45
December 31.
C.................................... 0.044 2,436 107
Annual................... WYK.................................. 0.034 1,350 46
Pacific ocean perch................... Annual................... W.................................... 0.994 3,312 3,292
WYK.................................. 0.961 3,371 3,240
Northern rockfish..................... Annual................... W.................................... 1.000 420 420
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.

Table 27--Final 2019 GOA Groundfish Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of
Amendment 80 2019 Amendment
Species Apportionments and Area sector vessels 2019 TAC (mt) 80 vessel
allocations by season 1998-2004 sideboards
catch to TAC (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock............................... A Season--January 20- Shumagin (610)....................... 0.003 869 3
March 10.
Chirikof (620)....................... 0.002 18,025 36
Kodiak (630)......................... 0.002 5,955 12
B Season--March 10-May 31 Shumagin (610)....................... 0.003 869 3
Chirikof (620)....................... 0.002 21,219 42
Kodiak (630)......................... 0.002 2,761 6
C Season--August 25- Shumagin (610)....................... 0.003 9,091 27
October 1.
Chirikof (620)....................... 0.002 6,608 13
Kodiak (630)......................... 0.002 9,150 18
D Season--October 1- Shumagin (610)....................... 0.003 9,091 27
November 1.
Chirikof (620)....................... 0.002 6,608 13
Kodiak (630)......................... 0.002 9,150 18
Annual................... WYK (640)............................ 0.002 4,509 9
Pacific cod........................... A Season \1\--January 1- W.................................... 0.020 3,206 64
June 10.
C.................................... 0.044 3,450 152
B Season \2\--September 1- W.................................... 0.020 2,137 43
December 31.
C.................................... 0.044 2,300 101
Annual................... WYK.................................. 0.034 1,275 43
Pacific ocean perch................... Annual................... W.................................... 0.994 3,240 3,221
WYK.................................. 0.961 3,298 3,169
Northern rockfish..................... Annual................... W.................................... 1.000 382 382
Dusky rockfish........................ Annual................... W.................................... 0.764 135 103
WYK.................................. 0.896 215 193
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 8796]]

The halibut PSC sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels
in the GOA are based on the historic use of halibut PSC by Amendment 80
Program vessels in each PSC target category from 1998 through 2004.
These values are slightly lower than the average historic use to
accommodate two factors: Allocation of halibut PSC cooperative 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
2018 and 2019 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 2018 and 2019 Halibut PSC Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels in the GOA
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Historic
Amendment 80 2018 and 2019
use of the 2018 and 2019 Amendment 80
Season Season dates Target fishery annual halibut annual PSC vessel PSC
PSC limit limit (mt) limit
catch (ratio)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1..................................... January 20-April 1....... shallow-water........................ 0.0048 1,706 8
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 1....... shallow-water........................ 0.0146 1,706 25
deep-water........................... 0.0521 1,706 89
4..................................... September 1-October 1.... shallow-water........................ 0.0074 1,706 13
deep-water........................... 0.0014 1,706 2
5..................................... October 1-December 31.... shallow-water........................ 0.0227 1,706 39
......................... 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 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 2018 and 2019 fishing years.

Table 29--2018 and 2019 Directed Fishing Closures in the GOA
[Amounts for incidental catch in other directed fisheries are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incidental catch amount and year (if
Target Area/component/gear amounts differ by year)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock.............................. all/offshore................. not applicable.\1\
Sablefish \2\........................ all/trawl.................... 1,581 (2018), 2,225 (2019).
Pacific cod.......................... Western, catcher/processor, 134 (2018), 125 (2019).
trawl.
Central, catcher/processor, 253 (2018), 239 (2019).
trawl.
Shortraker rockfish \2\.............. all.......................... 864.
Rougheye rockfish \2\................ all.......................... 1,444 (2018), 1,427 (2019).
Thornyhead rockfish \2\.............. all.......................... 2,038.
Other rockfish....................... all.......................... 2,305.
Atka mackerel........................ all.......................... 3,000.
Big skate............................ all.......................... 2,848.
Longnose skate....................... all.......................... 3,572.
Other skates......................... all.......................... 1,384.
Sharks............................... all.......................... 4,514.
Squids............................... all.......................... 1,137.
Octopuses............................ all.......................... 975.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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, as
cooperatives are prohibited from exceeding their allocations (Sec. 679.7(n)(6)(viii)).

[[Page 8797]]

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 hours, A.l.t.,
December 31, 2019.
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 2018 and 2019 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 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2019.

Table 30--2018 and 2019 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............... 10 (inshore) and 9 (offshore) [2018].
1 (inshore) and 1 (offshore) [2019].
Shallow-water flatfish........ Eastern............... 53.
Deep-water flatfish........... Western............... 0.
Rex sole...................... Western and Eastern... 2 and 10.
Arrowtooth flounder........... Western and Eastern... 30 and 3.
Flathead sole................. Western and Eastern... 31 and 2.
Pacific ocean perch........... Western............... 8.
Northern rockfish............. Western............... 0.
Dusky rockfish................ Entire GOA............ 2.
Demersal shelf rockfish....... SEO District.......... 1.
Sculpins...................... Entire GOA............ 33.
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 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 2017 and 2018 GOA harvest
specifications for groundfish (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017) remain
effective under authority of these final 2018 and 2019 harvest
specifications and until the date specified in those notices. Closures
are posted at the following website: 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 2018 and 2019 fishing years as necessary for
effective conservation and management.

Comments and Responses

NMFS received two letters during the public comment period for the
proposed GOA groundfish harvest specifications. No changes were made to
the final rule in response to the comment letters received. NMFS'
response to public comments on the proposed GOA groundfish harvest
specifications is provided below.
Comment 1: The proposed harvest specifications are based on stock
assessment information from the 2016 SAFE. That information is not the
most up-to-date, and may not be sufficient to support the Council's
recommendations for the 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications, as
contained in the proposed rule.
Response: NMFS noted in the proposed 2018 and 2019 harvest
specifications that, while the proposed specifications were based on
information from the 2016 SAFE report, the final 2017 SAFE report would
be available to support the Council's recommendations and NMFS'
determinations for the final GOA 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications.
The final 2017 SAFE report, which contains the most recent GOA
groundfish stock assessment information on the biological condition of
groundfish stocks as well as other biological and socioeconomic
information, became available in November 2017. The Council reviewed
the final 2017 SAFE report during its December 2017 meeting and based
its recommendations for appropriate 2018 and 2019 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs
on information provided in the final 2017 SAFE report. NMFS also
considered the information in the final 2017 SAFE report in adopting
the Council's recommendations and in setting the final 2018 and 2019
harvest specifications. The 2017 SAFE is available from the Council
(see ADDRESSES).
Comment 2: NOAA has done an adequate job protecting baby longnose
skates in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska and should
keep doing what it is doing.
Response: NMFS acknowledges this comment.

Classification

NMFS has determined that these final harvest specifications are
consistent with the FMP and with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and

[[Page 8798]]

Management Act and other applicable laws.
This action is authorized under 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from
review under Executive Order 12866.
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 ROD for the EIS. In January 2017, NMFS
prepared a 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 2018 and 2019 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 2018 and 2019 harvest
specifications, which were set according to the preferred harvest
strategy in the EIS, does 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 2018 and 2019 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 2018 and 2019 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). The following constitutes the FRFA prepared in the
final action.
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 8, 2017 (82 FR 57924).
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 8, 2018. No comments were received on
the IRFA or on 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 gross receipts not in excess of $11 million for all its
affiliated operations worldwide.
Based on data from 2016 fishing activity, there were 920 individual
catcher vessel entities with gross revenues meeting small entity
criteria. Of these entities, 841 used hook-and-line gear, 114 used pot
gear, and 31 used trawl gear (some of these entities used more than one
gear type, thus the counts of entities using the different gear types
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, small hook-and-
line entities had average gross revenues of $340,000, small pot
entities had average gross revenues of $720,000, and small trawl
entities had average gross revenues of $1.83 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:

[[Page 8799]]

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: Set TACs for rockfish species in Tier 3 at
F75%; set TACs for rockfish species in Tier 5 at F=0.5M; and set
spatially explicit TACs for shortraker and rougheye rockfish in the
GOA. Second, 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.
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 2018 and 2019 are 536,921 mt and 480,187 mt, respectively. The
sums of the TACs in 2018 and 2019 are 427,512 mt and 376,417 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 1 selects harvest rates that would allow fishermen to
harvest stocks at the level of the ABCs, unless total harvests were
constrained by the upper bound of the GOA OY of 800,000 mt. Although
Alternative 1 may be consistent with the preferred alternative
(Alternative 2), meet the objectives of the action, and have small
entity impacts equivalent to the preferred alternative, it is not
likely that Alternative 1 would result in reduced adverse economic
impacts to directly-regulated small entities relative to Alternative 2.
The selection of Alternative 1, which could increase all TACs up to the
sum of ABCs, would not reflect the practical implications that
increased TACs for some species probably would not be fully harvested.
This could be due to a variety of reasons, which are addressed in the
preamble to this rule and are summarized briefly here. There may be a
lack of commercial or market interest in some species. Additionally, an
underharvest of flatfish TACs could result due to constraints such as
the fixed, and therefore constraining, PSC limits associated with the
harvest of the GOA groundfish species. Furthermore, TACs may be set
lower than ABC for conservation purposes, as is the case with other
rockfish in the Eastern GOA. Finally, the TACs for two species (pollock
and Pacific cod) cannot be set equal to ABC, as the TAC must be reduced
to account for the State of Alaska's guideline harvest levels in these
fisheries.
Alternative 3 selects harvest rates based on the most recent 5
years of harvest rates (for species in Tiers 1 through 3) or based on
the most recent 5 years of harvests (for species in Tiers

[[Page 8800]]

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. NMFS annually conducts at-sea
surveys for different species, as well as statistical modeling, to
estimate stock sizes and permissible harvest levels. Actual harvest
rates or harvest amounts are a component of these estimates, but in and
of themselves may not accurately portray stock sizes and conditions.
Harvest rates are listed for each species or species group for each
year in the SAFE report (see ADDRESSES).
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
2018 TACs by about 69 percent. This would lead to significant
reductions in harvests of species by small entities. While production
declines in the GOA likely would be associated with offsetting price
increases in the GOA, the size of these increases is very uncertain.
Price increases would still be constrained by the availability of
substitutes, and there are close substitutes for GOA groundfish species
available in significant quantities from the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands management area. In addition, price increases 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 2017, and the Council considered and recommended the final
harvest specifications in December 2017. Accordingly, NMFS' review
could not begin until after the December 2017 Council meeting, and
after the public had time to comment on the proposed action. For all
fisheries not currently closed because the TACs established under the
final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications (82 FR 12032, February 27,
2017) 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 fishing
because some of the new TACs implemented by this rule are higher than
the TACs under which they are currently fishing.
In addition, 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 pertinent for those species that have lower 2018 ABCs and
TACs than those established in the 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications
(82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017). If implemented immediately, this rule
would ensure that NMFS can properly manage those fisheries for which
this rule sets lower 2018 ABCs and TACs, which are based on the most
recent biological information on the condition of stocks, rather than
managing species under the higher TACs set in the previous year's
harvest specifications.
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 2018 TACs (set under the 2017 and 2018 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 24,
2018, which is the start of the 2018 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 2018 and 2019
harvest specifications will allow the sablefish IFQ fishery to begin
concurrently with the Pacific halibut IFQ season.
Finally, immediate effectiveness also would provide 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 2018 and 2019 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 2018 and 2019
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 OFL, ABC, TAC, and PSC amounts 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.

[[Page 8801]]

Dated: February 23, 2018.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-04124 Filed 2-28-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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