Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 60784-60785 [2018-25765]
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60784
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 228 / Tuesday, November 27, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
and hammerhead sharks starting in
January. The opening date and retention
limits finalized in this rule for the
Atlantic region are the same as those for
the current year and similar to those for
the 2016, 2017, and 2018 years.
Based on past public comments, some
Atlantic fishermen in the southern and
northern parts of the region prefer a
January 1 opening for the fishery as long
as the majority of the quota is available
later in the year. Along with the
inseason retention limit adjustment
criteria in § 635.24(a)(8), NMFS
monitors the quota through the HMS
electronic reporting system on a realtime basis. This allows NMFS the
flexibility to further provide equitable
fishing opportunities for fishermen
across all regions, to the extent
practicable. The direct impacts to shark
fishermen in the Atlantic region of
reducing the retention limit depend on
the needed reduction in the retention
limit and the timing of such a reduction.
Therefore, such a reduction in the
retention limit for directed shark limited
access permit holders is only
anticipated to have minor adverse direct
economic impacts to fishermen in the
short-term; long-term impacts are not
anticipated as these reductions would
not be permanent.
In the northern portion of the Atlantic
region, a January 1 opening for the
aggregated LCS and hammerhead shark
management groups, with inseason trip
limit adjustments to ensure quota is
available later in the season, will have
direct, minor, beneficial economic
impacts in the short-term for fishermen
as they will potentially have access to
the aggregated LCS and hammerhead
shark quotas earlier than in past
seasons. Fishermen in this area have
stated that, depending on the weather,
some aggregated LCS species might be
available to retain in January. Thus,
fishermen will be able to target or retain
aggregated LCS while targeting nonblacknose SCS. There will be indirect,
minor, beneficial economic impacts in
the short- and long-term for shark
dealers and other entities that deal with
shark products in this region as they
will also have access to aggregated LCS
products earlier than in past seasons.
Thus, opening the aggregated LCS and
hammerhead shark management groups
in January and using inseason trip limit
adjustments to ensure the fishery is
open later in the year in 2019 will cause
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16:05 Nov 26, 2018
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beneficial cumulative economic
impacts, because it allows for a more
equitable distribution of the quotas
among constituents in this region,
consistent with the 2006 Consolidated
HMS FMP and its amendments.
Section 212 of the Small Business
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of
1996 states that, for each rule or group
of related rules for which an agency is
required to prepare a FRFA, the agency
shall publish one or more guides to
assist small entities in complying with
the rule, and shall designate such
publications as ‘‘small entity
compliance guides.’’ The agency shall
explain the actions a small entity is
required to take to comply with a rule
or group of rules. As part of this
rulemaking process, NMFS has prepared
a listserv summarizing fishery
information and regulations for Atlantic
shark fisheries for 2019. This listserv
also serves as the small entity
compliance guide. Copies of the
compliance guide are available from
NMFS (see ADDRESSES).
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.; 16 U.S.C.
1801 et seq.
Dated: November 20, 2018.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018–25744 Filed 11–26–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 170817779–8161–02]
RIN 0648–XG648
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish
in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation.
AGENCY:
NMFS is exchanging unused
rock sole Community Development
Quota (CDQ) for yellowfin sole CDQ
SUMMARY:
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acceptable biological catch (ABC)
reserves in the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands management area. This action is
necessary to allow the 2018 total
allowable catch of yellowfin sole in the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
management area to be harvested.
Effective November 27, 2018
through December 31, 2018.
DATES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228.
NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
management area (BSAI) according to
the Fishery Management Plan for
Groundfish of the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands Management Area
(FMP) prepared by the North Pacific
Fishery Management Council under
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management
Act. Regulations governing fishing by
U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP
appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600
and 50 CFR part 679.
The 2018 rock sole and yellowfin sole
CDQ reserves specified in the BSAI are
4,540 metric tons (mt) and 17,023 mt as
established by the final 2018 and 2019
harvest specifications for groundfish in
the BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27,
2018) and revised by flatfish exchange
(83 FR 50036, October 4, 2018). The
2018 rock sole and yellowfin sole CDQ
ABC reserves are 10,772 mt and 12,670
mt as established by the final 2018 and
2019 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (83 FR 8365,
February 27, 2018) and revised by
flatfish exchange (83 FR 50036, October
4, 2018).
The Norton Sound Economic
Development Corporation has requested
that NMFS exchange 400 mt of rock sole
CDQ reserves for 400 mt of yellowfin
sole CDQ ABC reserves under
§ 679.31(d). Therefore, in accordance
with § 679.31(d), NMFS exchanges 400
mt of rock sole CDQ reserves for 400 mt
of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves in
the BSAI. This action also decreases and
increases the TACs and CDQ ABC
reserves by the corresponding amounts.
Tables 11 and 13 of the final 2018 and
2019 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (83 FR 8365,
February 27, 2018) and revised by
flatfish exchange (83 FR 50036, October
4, 2018), are further revised as follows:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 228 / Tuesday, November 27, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
60785
TABLE 11—FINAL 2018 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT QUOTA (CDQ) RESERVES, INCIDENTAL CATCH AMOUNTS (ICAS), AND
AMENDMENT 80 ALLOCATIONS OF THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH, AND BSAI FLATHEAD SOLE, ROCK
SOLE, AND YELLOWFIN SOLE TACS
[Amounts are in metric tons]
Pacific ocean perch
Sector
Eastern
Aleutian
District
TAC ..........................................................
CDQ .........................................................
ICA ...........................................................
BSAI trawl limited access ........................
Amendment 80 .........................................
Central
Aleutian
District
9,000
963
100
794
7,143
Western
Aleutian
District
7,500
803
120
658
5,920
9,000
963
10
161
7,866
Flathead sole
Rock sole
Yellowfin sole
BSAI
BSAI
BSAI
17,105
1,507
4,000
0
11,599
42,550
4,140
6,000
0
32,410
155,945
17,423
4,000
18,351
116,171
Note: Sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
TABLE 13—FINAL 2018 AND 2019 ABC SURPLUS, ABC RESERVES, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT QUOTA (CDQ) ABC
RESERVES, AND AMENDMENT 80 ABC RESERVES IN THE BSAI FOR FLATHEAD SOLE, ROCK SOLE, AND YELLOWFIN SOLE
[Amounts are in metric tons]
2018
Flathead sole
Sector
ABC ..........................................................
TAC ..........................................................
ABC surplus .............................................
ABC reserve .............................................
CDQ ABC reserve ...................................
Amendment 80 ABC reserve ...................
66,773
17,105
49,668
49,668
5,638
44,030
2018
Rock sole
2018
Yellowfin sole
143,100
42,550
100,550
100,550
11,172
89,378
277,500
155,945
121,555
121,555
12,270
109,286
2019 1
Flathead sole
65,227
16,500
48,727
48,727
5,214
43,513
2019 1
Rock sole
2019 1
Yellowfin sole
132,000
49,100
82,900
82,900
8,870
74,030
267,500
156,000
111,500
111,500
11,931
99,570
1 The 2019 allocations for Amendment 80 species between Amendment 80 cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited access sector will not
be known until eligible participants apply for participation in the program by November 1, 2018.
Classification
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES
This action responds to the best
available information recently obtained
from the fishery. The Assistant
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA
(AA), finds good cause to waive the
requirement to provide prior notice and
opportunity for public comment
pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is
impracticable and contrary to the public
interest. This requirement is
impracticable and contrary to the public
interest as it would prevent NMFS from
responding to the most recent fisheries
data in a timely fashion and would
delay the flatfish exchange by the
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:05 Nov 26, 2018
Jkt 247001
Norton Sound Economic Development
Corporation in the BSAI. Since these
fisheries are currently open, it is
important to immediately inform the
industry as to the revised allocations.
Immediate notification is necessary to
allow for the orderly conduct and
efficient operation of this fishery, to
allow the industry to plan for the fishing
season, and to avoid potential
disruption to the fishing fleet as well as
processors. NMFS was unable to
publish a notice providing time for
public comment because the most
recent, relevant data only became
available as of November 19, 2018.
The AA also finds good cause to
waive the 30-day delay in the effective
PO 00000
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date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
the reasons provided above for waiver of
prior notice and opportunity for public
comment.
This action is required by § 679.20
and is exempt from review under
Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: November 20, 2018.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018–25765 Filed 11–26–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 228 (Tuesday, November 27, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60784-60785]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-25765]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 170817779-8161-02]
RIN 0648-XG648
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of
Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is exchanging unused rock sole Community Development
Quota (CDQ) for yellowfin sole CDQ acceptable biological catch (ABC)
reserves in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This
action is necessary to allow the 2018 total allowable catch of
yellowfin sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area
to be harvested.
DATES: Effective November 27, 2018 through December 31, 2018.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) according to the
Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands Management Area (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery
Management Council under authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act. Regulations governing fishing by U.S.
vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part
600 and 50 CFR part 679.
The 2018 rock sole and yellowfin sole CDQ reserves specified in the
BSAI are 4,540 metric tons (mt) and 17,023 mt as established by the
final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI
(83 FR 8365, February 27, 2018) and revised by flatfish exchange (83 FR
50036, October 4, 2018). The 2018 rock sole and yellowfin sole CDQ ABC
reserves are 10,772 mt and 12,670 mt as established by the final 2018
and 2019 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (83 FR 8365,
February 27, 2018) and revised by flatfish exchange (83 FR 50036,
October 4, 2018).
The Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation has requested
that NMFS exchange 400 mt of rock sole CDQ reserves for 400 mt of
yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves under Sec. 679.31(d). Therefore, in
accordance with Sec. 679.31(d), NMFS exchanges 400 mt of rock sole CDQ
reserves for 400 mt of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves in the BSAI.
This action also decreases and increases the TACs and CDQ ABC reserves
by the corresponding amounts. Tables 11 and 13 of the final 2018 and
2019 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (83 FR 8365,
February 27, 2018) and revised by flatfish exchange (83 FR 50036,
October 4, 2018), are further revised as follows:
[[Page 60785]]
Table 11--Final 2018 Community Development Quota (CDQ) Reserves, Incidental Catch Amounts (ICAS), and Amendment 80 Allocations of the Aleutian Islands
Pacific Ocean Perch, and BSAI Flathead Sole, Rock Sole, and Yellowfin Sole TACS
[Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch Flathead sole Rock sole Yellowfin sole
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector Eastern Central Western
Aleutian Aleutian Aleutian BSAI BSAI BSAI
District District District
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAC..................................................... 9,000 7,500 9,000 17,105 42,550 155,945
CDQ..................................................... 963 803 963 1,507 4,140 17,423
ICA..................................................... 100 120 10 4,000 6,000 4,000
BSAI trawl limited access............................... 794 658 161 0 0 18,351
Amendment 80............................................ 7,143 5,920 7,866 11,599 32,410 116,171
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
Table 13--Final 2018 and 2019 ABC Surplus, ABC Reserves, Community Development Quota (CDQ) ABC Reserves, and Amendment 80 ABC Reserves in the BSAI for
Flathead Sole, Rock Sole, and Yellowfin Sole
[Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2018 Flathead 2018 Yellowfin 2019 \1\ 2019 \1\ Rock 2019 \1\
Sector sole 2018 Rock sole sole Flathead sole sole Yellowfin sole
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABC..................................................... 66,773 143,100 277,500 65,227 132,000 267,500
TAC..................................................... 17,105 42,550 155,945 16,500 49,100 156,000
ABC surplus............................................. 49,668 100,550 121,555 48,727 82,900 111,500
ABC reserve............................................. 49,668 100,550 121,555 48,727 82,900 111,500
CDQ ABC reserve......................................... 5,638 11,172 12,270 5,214 8,870 11,931
Amendment 80 ABC reserve................................ 44,030 89,378 109,286 43,513 74,030 99,570
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The 2019 allocations for Amendment 80 species between Amendment 80 cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited access sector will not be known until
eligible participants apply for participation in the program by November 1, 2018.
Classification
This action responds to the best available information recently
obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,
NOAA (AA), finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior
notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set
forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is impracticable and
contrary to the public interest. This requirement is impracticable and
contrary to the public interest as it would prevent NMFS from
responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and
would delay the flatfish exchange by the Norton Sound Economic
Development Corporation in the BSAI. Since these fisheries are
currently open, it is important to immediately inform the industry as
to the revised allocations. Immediate notification is necessary to
allow for the orderly conduct and efficient operation of this fishery,
to allow the industry to plan for the fishing season, and to avoid
potential disruption to the fishing fleet as well as processors. NMFS
was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment
because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of
November 19, 2018.
The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the
effective date of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This finding is
based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and
opportunity for public comment.
This action is required by Sec. 679.20 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: November 20, 2018.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-25765 Filed 11-26-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
