Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska; Final 2019 and 2020 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish, 9416-9449 [2019-04538]

Download as PDF 9416 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations 99510–2252, phone 907–271–2809, or from the Council’s website at https:// www.npfmc.org. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 50 CFR Part 679 Obren Davis, 907–586–7228. [Docket No. 180831813–9170–02] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: RIN 0648–XG471 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska; Final 2019 and 2020 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 2019 and 2020 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 remainder of the 2019 and the start of the 2020 fishing years and to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska. The 2019 harvest specifications supersede those previously set in the 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications, and the 2020 harvest specifications will be superseded in early 2020 when the final 2020 and 2021 harvest specifications are published. 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 14, 2019, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2020. ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the Final Alaska Groundfish Harvest Specifications Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Record of Decision (ROD), the annual Supplementary Information Reports (SIRs) to the EIS, and the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) prepared for this action are available from https:// alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. The 2018 Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) report for the groundfish resources of the GOA, dated November 2018, and SAFE reports for previous years are available from the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) at 605 West 4th Avenue, Suite 306, Anchorage, AK SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 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 that NMFS, after consultation with the Council, 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 that NMFS 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 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA and Pacific halibut PSC limits were published in the Federal Register on December 6, 2018 (83 FR 62794). Comments were invited and accepted through January 7, 2019. NMFS received five letters of comment on the proposed harvest specifications; the comments are summarized and responded to in the ‘‘Comments and Responses’’ section of this rule. In December 2018, NMFS consulted with the Council regarding the 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications. After considering public comment, as well as biological and socioeconomic data that were available at the Council’s December 2018 meeting, NMFS is implementing the final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications, as recommended by the Council. For 2019, the sum of the TAC PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 amounts is 430,569 mt. For 2020, the sum of the TAC amounts is 408,534 mt. Other Actions Affecting the 2019 and 2020 Harvest Specifications Amendment 106: Reclassify Squid as an Ecosystem Species On July 6, 2018, NMFS published the final rule to implement Amendment 106 to the FMP (83 FR 31460). This rule reclassified 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. Accordingly, NMFS will no longer set an Overfishing Level (OFL), acceptable biological catch (ABC), and TAC for squid in the GOA groundfish harvest specifications, beginning with the proposed 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications. Amendment 106 prohibits directed fishing for squid, while maintaining recordkeeping and reporting requirements for squid. Amendment 106 also establishes a squid maximum retainable amount when directed fishing for groundfish species at 20 percent to discourage targeting squid species. Rulemaking To Prohibit Directed Fishing for American Fisheries Act (AFA) and Crab Rationalization (CR) Program Sideboard Limits On February 8, 2019, NMFS published a final rule (84 FR 2723) that modifies regulations for the AFA Program and CR Program participants subject to limits on the catch of specific species (sideboard limits) in the GOA. Sideboard limits are intended to prevent participants who benefit from receiving exclusive harvesting privileges in a particular fishery from shifting effort to other fisheries. Specifically, the final rule primarily establishes regulations to prohibit directed fishing for sideboard limits for specific groundfish species or species groups, rather than prohibiting directed fishing for AFA Program and CR Program sideboard limits through the GOA annual harvest specifications. The final rule streamlines and simplifies NMFS’s management of applicable groundfish sideboard limits. Currently, NMFS calculates numerous AFA Program and CR Program sideboard limits as part of the annual GOA groundfish harvest specifications process and publishes these limits in the Federal Register. Concurrently, NMFS prohibits directed fishing for the majority of the groundfish sideboard limits because most limits are too small to support directed fishing. Rather than continue this annual process, the final rule revises regulations to prohibit E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 14MRR2 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations directed fishing in regulation for most AFA Program and CR Program groundfish sideboard limits. Once the final rule is effective (effective March 11, 2019), NMFS will no longer publish in the annual GOA harvest specifications the AFA Program and CR Program sideboard limit amounts for groundfish species subject to the final rule (contained in Tables 18, 19, 21, and 22 of this action), and those groundfish species subject to the final rule will be prohibited to directed fishing in regulation (84 FR 2723). ABC and TAC Specifications In December 2018, the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), Advisory Panel (AP), and Council reviewed the most recent biological and harvest information about the condition of groundfish stocks in the GOA. The GOA Groundfish Plan Team compiled and presented this information in the 2018 SAFE report for the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated November 2018 (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 2018 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 2018 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 2018 SAFE report per the stock assessment schedule found in the 2018 SAFE report introduction. The SSC reviewed this information at the December 2018 Council meeting. Changes from the proposed to the final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications are discussed below. The final 2019 and 2020 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 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 2019 and 2020 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. The final TAC recommendations are 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 2019 and 2020 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, arrowtooth flounder in the Central GOA, 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,’’ big skate, longnose skate, other skates, sculpins, sharks, and octopuses in the GOA. The Council recommended TACs for 2019 and 2020 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 in the Western GOA and the West Yakutat and SEO Districts, flathead sole in the Western and Central GOA, 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) so that the ABCs for pollock and Pacific cod are not exceeded. The Western GOA shallow-water flatfish, Western GOA arrowtooth flounder, and Western GOA 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 Atka PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 9417 mackerel TAC is set to accommodate incidental catch amounts in other fisheries. The final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications approved by the Secretary of Commerce are unchanged from those recommended by the Council, with the exception of the 2019 pollock ABCs and TACs for the Central GOA, and are consistent with the preferred harvest strategy alternative in the EIS (see ADDRESSES). Following the December Council meeting, NMFS identified an error in the calculation of the 2019 seasonal apportionment of pollock among the combined Western, Central, and West Yakutat Regulatory Areas (W/C/WYK) management areas. This error does not affect the determination of the OFL or ABC (annual catch limit) for the combined W/C/WYK management areas. This error affects the 2019 seasonal TAC apportionments for the A season for Statistical Areas 620 and 630 (i.e., the Central GOA management area), and the total ABC and TAC for the Central GOA management area. NMFS brought these errors to the Council’s attention at the February 2019 Council meeting, along with NMFS’s intent to make these corrections to the 2019 seasonal TAC apportionments for pollock. The Council did not object to the corrections for 2019. During the next annual harvest specifications process, NMFS will revise the 2020 seasonal TAC apportionments for pollock, which will be based on the Council’s recommendations at the December 2019 meeting for the 2020 and 2021 harvest specifications. Annually, NMFS makes an inseason adjustment to the next year’s pollock specifications (i.e., 2020) if necessary to ensure that the GOA pollock TAC for the upcoming year is the appropriate amount based on the best scientific information for pollock in the GOA. 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 2018 SAFE report. This finding incorporates the corrections to the Council’s recommendations for the pollock ABCs and TACs for the Central GOA management area. 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 TACs and apportionments, and NMFS approves E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 14MRR2 9418 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations 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 2019 and 2020 OFLs, ABCs, TACs, and area apportionments of groundfish in the GOA. The 2019 harvest specifications set in this final action will supersede the 2019 harvest specifications previously set in the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications (83 FR 8768, March 1, 2018). The 2020 harvest specifications will be superseded in early 2020 when the final 2020 and 2021 harvest specifications are published. Pursuant to this final action, the 2019 harvest specifications therefore will apply for the remainder of the current year (2019), while the 2020 harvest specifications are projected only for the following year (2020) and will be superseded in early 2020 by the final 2020 and 2021 harvest specifications. Because this final action (published in early 2019) will be superseded in early 2020 by the publication of the final 2020 and 2021 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’s 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 W/C/WYK Regulatory Areas 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 water and Federal water pollock removals from the GOA not exceed ABC recommendations. For 2019 and 2020, 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 2018 Plan Team meeting, State fisheries managers recommended setting the PWS GHL at 2.5 percent of the annual W/C/WYK pollock ABC. For 2019, this yields a PWS pollock GHL of 3,396 mt, a decrease of 641 mt from the 2018 PWS GHL of 4,037 mt. For 2020, the PWS pollock GHL is 2,722 mt, a decrease of 1,315 mt from the 2018 PWS pollock GHL of 4,037 mt. After the GHL VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 reductions, the 2019 and 2020 pollock ABCs for the combined W/C/WYK areas are 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 combined W/C/WYK ACL, ABC, and TAC are not exceeded. NMFS establishes pollock TACs in the Western (Area 610) and Central (Areas 620 and 630) Regulatory Areas 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) (§§ 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 2019 and 2020 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 water and Federal water Pacific cod removals from the GOA not exceed ABC recommendations. Accordingly, the Council set the 2019 and 2020 Pacific cod TACs in the Western, Central, and Eastern Regulatory Areas to account for State GHLs. Therefore, 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. The 2020 Pacific cod TACs are less than the ABCs by the following amounts: (1) Western GOA, 2,909 mt; (2) Central GOA, 2,435 mt; and (3) Eastern GOA, 540 mt. These amounts reflect the State’s 2019 and 2020 GHLs in these areas, which are 30 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 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 trawl groundfish fisheries in the WYK District (§ 679.20(a)(4)(i)). Tables 7 and 8 list the final 2019 and 2020 allocations of sablefish TAC to fixed gear and trawl gear in the GOA. Changes From the Proposed 2019 and 2020 Harvest Specifications in the GOA In October 2018, the Council’s recommendations for the proposed 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications (83 FR 62794, December 6, 2018) were based largely on information contained in the final 2017 SAFE report for the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated November 2017. The final 2017 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 2019 groundfish fisheries (83 FR 8768, March 1, 2018) be used for the proposed 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications (83 FR 62794, December 6, 2018), pending completion and review of the 2018 SAFE report at the Council’s December 2018 meeting. As described previously, the SSC recommended the final 2019 and 2020 OFLs and ABCs as recommended by the Plan Team. The Council adopted as its recommendations the SSC’s OFL and ABC recommendations and the AP’s TAC recommendations for 2019 and 2020. E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 14MRR2 9419 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations The final 2019 ABCs are higher than the proposed 2019 ABCs published in the proposed 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications (83 FR 62794, December 6, 2018) for pollock, shallow-water flatfish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, arrowtooth flounder, flathead sole, northern rockfish, dusky rockfish, rougheye/blackspotted rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish, other rockfish, and sharks. The final 2019 ABCs are lower than the proposed 2019 ABCs for sablefish, Pacific ocean perch, and thornyhead rockfish. The final 2020 ABCs are higher than the proposed ABCs for pollock, Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, arrowtooth flounder, flathead sole, northern rockfish, dusky rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish, other rockfish, and sharks. The final 2020 ABCs are lower than the proposed 2020 ABCs for sablefish, Pacific ocean perch, rougheye/blackspotted rockfish, and thornyhead rockfish. For the remaining target species, the Council recommended the final 2019 and 2020 ABCs that are the same as the proposed 2019 and 2020 ABCs. Additional information explaining the changes between the proposed and final ABCs is included in the final 2018 SAFE report, which was not available when the Council made its proposed ABC and TAC recommendations in October 2018. At that time, the most recent stock assessment information was contained in the final 2017 SAFE report. The final 2018 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 2018 SAFE report in December 2018 when it made recommendations for the final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications. In the GOA, the total final 2019 TAC amount is 430,569 mt, an increase of 15 percent from the total proposed 2019 TAC amount of 375,280 mt. The total final 2020 TAC amount is 408,534 mt, an increase of 9 percent from the total proposed 2020 TAC amount of 375,280 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. Changes to biomass and ABC estimates are primarily based on fishery catch updates to species’ assessment models. Some species, such as pollock and sablefish, have additional surveys conducted on an annual basis, which resulted in additional data being available for the 2018 assessments for these stocks. The changes from the proposed 2019 TACs to the final 2019 TACs are within a range of plus 143 percent or minus 29 percent, and the changes from the proposed 2020 TACs to the final 2020 TACs are within a range of plus 143 percent or minus 5 percent. Based on changes in the estimates of overall biomass in the stock assessment for 2019 and 2020, as compared to the estimates previously made for 2018 and 2019, the species or species group with the greatest TAC percentage increases are pollock, Pacific cod, arrowtooth flounder, northern rockfish, other rockfish, and sharks. Based on changes in the estimates of biomass, the species or species group with the greatest decreases in TACs is sablefish. For all other species and species groups, changes from the proposed 2019 TACs to the final 2019 TACs and changes from the proposed 2020 TACs to the final 2020 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 2018 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 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications. TABLE 1a—COMPARISON OF PROPOSED AND FINAL 2019 AND 2020 GOA TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH LIMITS [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentage] Species 2019 and 2020 proposed TAC Pollock .......................... Pacific cod .................... Sablefish ...................... Shallow-water flatfish ... Deep-water flatfish ....... Rex sole ....................... Arrowtooth flounder ...... Flathead sole ............... Pacific ocean perch ..... Northern rockfish .......... Shortraker rockfish ....... Dusky rockfish .............. Rougheye/blackspotted rockfish ..................... Demersal shelf rockfish Thornyhead rockfish .... Other rockfish ............... Atka mackerel .............. Big skate ...................... Longnose skate ............ Other skates ................. Sculpins ........................ Sharks .......................... Squids .......................... Octopuses .................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 2019 Final TAC 2019 Final minus 2019 proposed TAC Percentage difference (%) 2020 Final TAC 2020 Final minus 2020 proposed TAC Percentage difference (%) 112,678 12,368 16,194 43,128 9,499 14,529 76,300 26,487 28,605 3,347 863 3,668 141,227 12,368 11,571 43,217 9,501 14,692 99,295 26,489 28,555 4,528 863 3,700 28,549 0 ¥4,623 89 2 163 22,995 2 ¥50 1,181 0 32 25 0 ¥29 0 0 1 30 0 0 35 0 1 114,943 15,709 15,462 43,606 9,624 14,725 96,875 26,587 27,652 4,269 863 3,670 2,265 3,341 ¥732 478 125 196 20,575 100 ¥953 922 0 2 2 27 ¥5 1 1 1 27 0 ¥3 28 0 0 1,427 250 2,038 2,305 3,000 2,848 3,572 1,384 5,301 4,514 0 975 1,428 261 2,016 5,594 3,000 2,848 3,572 1,384 5,301 8,184 0 975 1 11 ¥22 3,289 0 0 0 0 0 3,670 0 0 0 4 ¥1 143 0 0 0 0 0 81 ........................ 0 1,414 261 2,016 5,594 3,000 2,848 3,572 1,384 5,301 8,184 0 975 ¥13 11 ¥22 3,289 0 0 0 0 0 3,670 0 0 ¥1 4 ¥1 143 0 0 0 0 0 81 ........................ 0 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 14MRR2 9420 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 1a—COMPARISON OF PROPOSED AND FINAL 2019 AND 2020 GOA TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH LIMITS—Continued [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentage] 2019 and 2020 proposed TAC Species Total ...................... 2019 Final TAC 375,280 2019 Final minus 2019 proposed TAC 430,569 The final 2019 and 2020 TAC recommendations for the GOA are within the OY range established for the Percentage difference (%) 55,289 15 GOA and do not exceed the ABC for any species or species group. Tables 1 and 2 list the final OFL, ABC, and TAC 2020 Final TAC 2020 Final minus 2020 proposed TAC 408,534 Percentage difference (%) 33,254 9 amounts for GOA groundfish for 2019 and 2020, respectively. TABLE 1—FINAL 2019 OFLS, ABCS, AND TACS OF GROUNDFISH FOR THE WESTERN/CENTRAL/WEST YAKUTAT, WESTERN, CENTRAL, EASTERN REGULATORY AREAS, THE WEST YAKUTAT AND SOUTHEAST OUTSIDE DISTRICTS OF THE EASTERN REGULATORY AREA, AND GULFWIDE DISTRICTS OF THE GULF OF ALASKA [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Species Area 1 Pollock 2 .......................................................... Shumagin (610) .............................................. Chirikof (620) .................................................. Kodiak (630) ................................................... WYK (640) ...................................................... W/C/WYK (subtotal) 2 ..................................... SEO (650) ...................................................... n/a n/a n/a n/a 194,230 11,697 24,875 67,388 34,443 5,748 135,850 8,773 24,875 67,388 34,443 5,748 132,454 8,773 Total ............................................................... W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... E ..................................................................... 205,927 n/a n/a n/a 144,623 7,633 7,667 1,700 141,227 5,343 5,750 1,275 Total ............................................................... W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... WYK ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ E (WYK and SEO) (subtotal) ......................... 23,669 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 17,000 1,581 5,178 1,828 2,984 4,812 12,368 1,581 5,178 1,828 2,984 4,812 Total ............................................................... W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... WYK ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ 25,227 n/a n/a n/a n/a 11,571 25,620 25,731 2,279 1,957 11,571 13,250 25,731 2,279 1,957 Total ............................................................... W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... WYK ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ 68,309 n/a n/a n/a n/a 55,587 416 3,443 3,280 2,362 43,217 416 3,443 3,280 2,362 Total ............................................................... W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... WYK ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ 11,434 n/a n/a n/a n/a 9,501 2,951 8,357 1,657 1,727 9,501 2,951 8,357 1,657 1,727 Total ............................................................... W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... WYK ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ 17,889 n/a n/a n/a ........................ 14,692 35,994 70,995 15,911 22,941 14,692 14,500 70,995 6,900 6,900 Total ............................................................... W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... WYK ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ 174,598 n/a n/a n/a n/a 145,841 13,234 20,238 1,932 406 99,295 8,650 15,400 1,932 406 Total ............................................................... W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... WYK ............................................................... 44,865 n/a n/a n/a 21,109 3,227 19,646 3,296 15,400 3,227 19,646 3,296 Pacific cod 3 .................................................... Sablefish 4 ....................................................... Shallow-water flatfish 5 .................................... Deep-water flatfish 6 ........................................ Rex sole .......................................................... Arrowtooth flounder ......................................... Flathead sole .................................................. Pacific ocean perch 7 ...................................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4701 OFL Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM ABC 14MRR2 TAC Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations 9421 TABLE 1—FINAL 2019 OFLS, ABCS, AND TACS OF GROUNDFISH FOR THE WESTERN/CENTRAL/WEST YAKUTAT, WESTERN, CENTRAL, EASTERN REGULATORY AREAS, THE WEST YAKUTAT AND SOUTHEAST OUTSIDE DISTRICTS OF THE EASTERN REGULATORY AREA, AND GULFWIDE DISTRICTS OF THE GULF OF ALASKA—Continued [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Area 1 Species OFL ABC TAC W/C/WYK subtotal ......................................... SEO ................................................................ 31,113 2,838 26,169 2,386 26,169 2,386 Total ............................................................... W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... E ..................................................................... 33,951 n/a n/a n/a 28,555 1,190 3,338 1 28,555 1,190 3,338 ........................ Total ............................................................... W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... E ..................................................................... 5,402 n/a n/a n/a 4,529 44 305 514 4,528 44 305 514 Total ............................................................... W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... WYK ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ 1,151 n/a n/a n/a n/a 863 781 2,764 95 60 863 781 2,764 95 60 Total ............................................................... W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... E ..................................................................... 4,521 n/a n/a n/a 3,700 174 550 704 3,700 174 550 704 Total ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... E ..................................................................... 1,715 411 n/a n/a n/a 1,428 261 326 911 779 1,428 261 326 911 779 Total ............................................................... W and C ......................................................... WYK ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ 2,688 n/a n/a n/a 2,016 1,737 368 3,489 2,016 1,737 368 3,489 Total ............................................................... GW ................................................................. W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... E ..................................................................... 7,356 6,200 n/a n/a n/a 5,594 4,700 504 1,774 570 5,594 3,000 504 1,774 570 Total ............................................................... W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... E ..................................................................... 3,797 n/a n/a n/a 2,848 149 2,804 619 2,848 149 2,804 619 Other skates 17 ................................................ Sculpins ........................................................... Sharks ............................................................. Octopus ........................................................... Total ............................................................... GW ................................................................. GW ................................................................. GW ................................................................. GW ................................................................. 4,763 1,845 6,958 10,913 1,300 3,572 1,384 5,301 8,184 975 3,572 1,384 5,301 8,184 975 Total ......................................................... ......................................................................... 664,889 509,507 430,569 Northern rockfish 8 .......................................... Shortraker rockfish 9 ........................................ Dusky rockfish 10 ............................................. Rougheye and Blackspotted rockfish 11 .......... Demersal shelf rockfish 12 ............................... Thornyhead rockfish ....................................... Other rockfish 13 14 ........................................... Atka mackerel ................................................. Big skate 15 ...................................................... Longnose skate 16 ........................................... 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 135,850 mt. After deducting 2.5 percent (3,396 mt) of that ABC for the State’s pollock GHL fishery, the remaining pollock ABC of 132,454 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 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 TAC in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA is allocated 90 percent to vessels harvesting Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component and 10 percent to vessels harvesting Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component. Table 5 lists the final 2019 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments. 4 Sablefish is allocated to trawl and fixed gear in 2019 and trawl gear in 2020. Table 7 lists the final 2019 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. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 14MRR2 9422 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations 8 ‘‘Northern rockfish’’ means Sebastes polyspinis. For management purposes, the 1 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 and blackspotted 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 2020 OFLS, ABCS, AND TACS OF GROUNDFISH FOR THE WESTERN/CENTRAL/WEST YAKUTAT, WESTERN, CENTRAL, EASTERN REGULATORY AREAS, THE WEST YAKUTAT AND SOUTHEAST OUTSIDE DISTRICTS OF THE EASTERN REGULATORY AREA, AND GULFWIDE DISTRICTS OF THE GULF OF ALASKA [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Area 1 Species Pollock 2 .......................................................... Pacific cod 3 .................................................... Sablefish 4 ....................................................... Shallow-water flatfish 5 .................................... Deep-water flatfish 6 ........................................ Rex sole .......................................................... Arrowtooth flounder ......................................... Flathead sole .................................................. Pacific ocean perch 7 ...................................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 OFL ABC TAC Shumagin (610) .............................................. Chirikof (620) .................................................. Kodiak (630) ................................................... WYK (640) ...................................................... W/C/WYK (subtotal) 2 ..................................... SEO (650) ...................................................... n/a n/a n/a n/a 148,968 11,697 19,939 57,279 24,345 4,607 108,892 8,773 19,939 57,279 24,345 4,607 106,170 8,773 Total ............................................................... W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... E ..................................................................... 160,665 n/a n/a n/a 117,665 9,695 9,738 2,159 114,943 6,787 7,304 1,619 Total ............................................................... W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... WYK ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ E (WYK and SEO) (subtotal) ......................... 26,078 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 21,592 2,105 6,931 2,433 3,993 6,426 15,709 2,105 6,931 2,433 3,993 6,426 Total ............................................................... W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... WYK ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ 34,872 n/a n/a n/a n/a 15,462 25,952 26,065 2,308 1,983 15,462 13,250 26,065 2,308 1,983 Total ............................................................... W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... WYK ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ 69,167 n/a n/a n/a n/a 56,308 420 3,488 3,323 2,393 43,606 420 3,488 3,323 2,393 Total ............................................................... W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... WYK ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ 11,581 n/a n/a n/a n/a 9,624 2,956 8,371 1,664 1,734 9,624 2,956 8,371 1,664 1,734 Total ............................................................... W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... WYK ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ 17,942 n/a n/a n/a n/a 14,725 34,765 68,575 15,368 22,157 14,725 14,500 68,575 6,900 6,900 Total ............................................................... W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... WYK ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ 168,634 n/a n/a n/a n/a 140,865 13,771 21,965 2,097 440 96,875 8,650 15,400 2,097 440 Total ............................................................... W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... WYK ............................................................... 46,666 n/a n/a n/a 38,273 3,125 19,024 3,192 26,587 3,125 19,024 3,192 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 14MRR2 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations 9423 TABLE 2—FINAL 2020 OFLS, ABCS, AND TACS OF GROUNDFISH FOR THE WESTERN/CENTRAL/WEST YAKUTAT, WESTERN, CENTRAL, EASTERN REGULATORY AREAS, THE WEST YAKUTAT AND SOUTHEAST OUTSIDE DISTRICTS OF THE EASTERN REGULATORY AREA, AND GULFWIDE DISTRICTS OF THE GULF OF ALASKA—Continued [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Area 1 Species OFL ABC TAC W/C/WYK ....................................................... SEO ................................................................ 30,128 2,748 25,341 2,311 25,341 2,311 Total ............................................................... W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... E ..................................................................... 32,876 n/a n/a n/a 27,652 1,122 3,147 1 27,652 1,122 3,147 0 Total ............................................................... W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... E ..................................................................... 5,093 n/a n/a n/a 4,270 44 305 514 4,269 44 305 514 Total ............................................................... W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... WYK ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ 1,151 n/a n/a n/a n/a 863 774 2,742 94 60 863 774 2,742 94 60 Total ............................................................... W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... E ..................................................................... 4,484 n/a n/a n/a 3,670 172 545 697 3,670 172 545 697 Total ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... E ..................................................................... 1,699 411 n/a n/a n/a 1,414 261 326 911 779 1,414 261 326 911 779 Total ............................................................... W and C ......................................................... WYK ............................................................... SEO ................................................................ 2,688 n/a n/a n/a 2,016 1,737 368 3,489 2,016 1,737 368 3,489 Total ............................................................... GW ................................................................. W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... E ..................................................................... 7,356 6,200 n/a n/a n/a 5,594 4,700 504 1,774 570 5,594 3,000 504 1,774 570 Total ............................................................... W .................................................................... C ..................................................................... E ..................................................................... 3,797 n/a n/a n/a 2,848 149 2,804 619 2,848 149 2,804 619 Other skates 17 ................................................ Sculpins ........................................................... Sharks ............................................................. Octopus ........................................................... Total ............................................................... GW ................................................................. GW ................................................................. GW ................................................................. GW ................................................................. 4,763 1,845 6,958 10,913 1,300 3,572 1,384 5,301 8,184 975 3,572 1,384 5,301 8,184 975 Total ......................................................... ......................................................................... 627,049 487,218 408,534 Northern rockfish 8 .......................................... Shortraker rockfish 9 ........................................ Dusky rockfish 10 ............................................. Rougheye and Blackspotted rockfish 11 .......... Demersal shelf rockfish 12 ............................... Thornyhead rockfish ....................................... Other rockfish 13 14 .......................................... Atka mackerel ................................................. Big skate 15 ...................................................... Longnose skate 16 ........................................... 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 108,892 mt. After deducting 2.5 percent (2,722 mt) of that ABC for the State’s pollock GHL fishery, the remaining pollock ABC of 106,170 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 2020 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 of the GOA is allocated 90 percent to vessels harvesting Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component and 10 percent to vessels harvesting Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component. Table 6 lists the final 2020 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments. 4 Sablefish is only allocated to trawl gear for 2020. Table 8 lists the final 2020 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. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 14MRR2 9424 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations 8 ‘‘Northern rockfish’’ means Sebastes polyspinis. For management purposes, the 1 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 and blackspotted 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 that NMFS set aside 20 percent of each TAC for pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, sculpins, sharks, and octopuses in reserve for possible apportionment at a later date during the fishing year. For 2019 and 2020, NMFS proposed reapportionment of all the reserves in the proposed 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications published in the Federal Register on December 6, 2018 (83 FR 62794). NMFS did not receive any public comments on the proposed reapportionments. For the final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications, NMFS reapportioned, as proposed, all the reserves for pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, sculpins, sharks, 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 that 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 final 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 § 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 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 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 2019 and 2020, the Council recommended, and NMFS approved, following the apportionment methodology that was used previously for the 2018 and 2019 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 2019 and 2020 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 of approximately 3 percent, 86 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 of approximately 37 percent, 27 percent, and 37 percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. The pollock chapter of the 2018 SAFE report (see ADDRESSES) contains a comprehensive description of the apportionment process and reasons for the minor changes from past apportionments. PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 Within any fishing year, the amount by which a seasonal allowance is underharvested or overharvested may be added to, or subtracted from, subsequent seasonal allowances for the Western and Central Regulatory Areas in a manner to be determined by the Regional Administrator (§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The rollover amount is limited to 20 percent of the subsequent seasonal 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 5,748 mt and 8,773 mt, respectively, in 2019, and 4,607 mt and 8,773 mt, respectively, in 2020, are not allocated by season. Tables 3 and 4 list the final 2019 and 2020 seasonal biomass distribution of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, area apportionments, and seasonal allowances. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and offshore components are not shown. Section 679.20(a)(6)(i) requires the allocation of 100 percent of the pollock TAC in all regulatory areas and all seasonal allowances to vessels catching pollock for processing by the inshore component after subtraction of pollock amounts projected by the Regional Administrator to be caught by, or delivered to, the offshore component incidental to directed fishing for other groundfish species. Thus, the amount of pollock available for harvest by vessels harvesting pollock for processing by the offshore component is that amount that will be taken as incidental catch during directed fishing for groundfish species other than pollock, up to the maximum retainable amounts allowed by § 679.20(e) and (f). At this time, these incidental catch amounts of pollock are E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 14MRR2 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations unknown and will be determined during the fishing year during the 9425 course of fishing activities by the offshore component. TABLE 3—FINAL 2019 DISTRIBUTION OF POLLOCK IN THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL REGULATORY AREAS OF THE GULF OF ALASKA; 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) ........... 848 848 11,590 11,590 2.68% 2.68% 36.59% 36.59% 23,236 27,306 8,423 8,423 73.35% 86.20% 26.59% 26.59% 7,593 3,522 11,664 11,664 23.97% 11.12% 36.82% 36.82% 31,677 31,677 31,677 31,677 Annual Total .......... 24,875 ........................ 67,388 ........................ 34,443 ........................ 126,706 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 2020 DISTRIBUTION OF POLLOCK IN THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL REGULATORY AREAS OF THE GULF OF ALASKA; 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) ........... 680 680 9,290 9,290 2.68% 2.68% 36.59% 36.59% 21,888 21,888 6,752 6,752 86.20% 86.20% 26.59% 26.59% 2,823 2,823 9,349 9,349 11.12% 11.12% 36.82% 36.82% 25,391 25,391 25,391 25,391 Annual Total .......... 19,939 ........................ 57,279 ........................ 24,345 ........................ 101,564 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. 3 Following the December 2018 Council meeting, NMFS identified an error in the calculation of the seasonal apportionment of pollock. This error affects the A season TAC apportionments for Statistical Areas 620 and 630 (i.e., the Central GOA management area), and the annual total ABC and TAC for the Central GOA management area. NMFS corrects the 2019 seasonal TAC apportionments for pollock in the final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications. During the next annual harvest specifications process, NMFS will revise the 2020 seasonal TAC apportionments for pollock, which will be based on the Council’s recommendations at the December 2019 meeting for the 2020 and 2021 harvest specifications. Annually, NMFS makes an inseason adjustment to the next year’s pollock specifications (i.e., 2020) if necessary to ensure that the GOA pollock TAC for the upcoming year is the appropriate amount based on the best scientific information for pollock in the GOA. Annual and Seasonal Apportionments of Pacific Cod TAC Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(12)(i), NMFS seasonally allocates the 2019 and 2020 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 hookand-line gear, CVs using trawl gear, C/Ps using trawl gear, and vessels using pot gear (§ 679.20(a)(12)(i)(B)). In the Western GOA, the Pacific cod TAC is VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 apportioned seasonally first to vessels using jig gear, and then among CVs using hook-and-line gear, C/Ps using hook-and-line gear, CVs using trawl gear, C/Ps using trawl gear, and vessels using pot gear (§ 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A)). The overall seasonal apportionments in the Western and Central GOA are 60 percent of the annual TAC to the A season and 40 percent of the annual TAC to the B season. Under § 679.20(a)(12)(ii), any overage or underage of the Pacific cod allowance from the A season may 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 is determined by NMFS as 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 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 TACs in the Western and Central GOA will be allocated to vessels with a Federal fisheries permit that use jig gear before the 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 2018 harvest performance of the jig sector in the Western and Central GOA, and is establishing the 2019 and 2020 Pacific cod apportionments to this sector as follows. For 2019 and 2020, NMFS allocates the jig sector 2.5 percent of the E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 14MRR2 9426 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations annual Pacific cod TAC in the Western GOA. This is an increase from the 2018 jig sector allocation of 1.5 percent. The 2019 and 2020 allocations consist of a base allocation of 1.5 percent of the Western GOA Pacific cod TAC, and a 1.0 percent performance increase because in 2018 the jig sector harvested greater than 90 percent of its 2018 Pacific cod allocation. For 2019 and 2020, 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 2018 jig sector allocation because in 2018 this sector harvested less than 90 percent of its 2018 Pacific cod allocation. The 2019 and 2020 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. Tables 5 and 6 list the seasonal apportionments and allocations of the 2019 and 2020 Pacific cod TACs. TABLE 5—FINAL 2019 SEASONAL APPORTIONMENTS AND ALLOCATION OF PACIFIC COD TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH (TAC) AMOUNTS IN THE GOA; ALLOCATIONS IN THE WESTERN GOA AND CENTRAL GOA SECTORS, AND THE EASTERN GOA INSHORE AND OFFSHORE PROCESSING COMPONENTS [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] A Season Annual allocation (mt) Regulatory area and sector Sector percentage of annual non-jig TAC B Season Seasonal allowances (mt) Sector percentage of annual non-jig TAC Seasonal allowances (mt) Western GOA: Jig (2.5% of TAC) ......................................................... Hook-and-line CV ......................................................... Hook-and-line C/P ........................................................ Trawl CV ....................................................................... Trawl C/P ...................................................................... All Pot CV and Pot C/P ................................................ 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 ....................................................................... 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 ...................................................................... All Pot CV and Pot C/P ................................................ 58 831 382 291 2,367 239 1,583 N/A 9.32 5.61 4.11 21.14 2.00 17.83 35 530 319 234 1,203 114 1,015 N/A 5.29 1.10 1.00 20.45 2.19 9.97 23 301 62 57 1,164 125 568 Total ....................................................................... 5,750 60.00 3,450 40.00 2,300 Eastern GOA ........................................................................ ........................ Inshore (90% of Annual TAC) 1,275 Offshore (10% of Annual TAC) 1,148 127 1 Trawl catcher 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 12. Final 2019 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA and Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679). TABLE 6—FINAL 2020 SEASONAL APPORTIONMENTS AND ALLOCATION OF PACIFIC COD TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH (TAC) AMOUNTS IN THE GOA; ALLOCATIONS IN THE WESTERN GOA AND CENTRAL GOA SECTORS, AND THE EASTERN GOA INSHORE AND OFFSHORE PROCESSING COMPONENTS [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] A Season Annual allocation (mt) Regulatory area and sector Sector percentage of annual non-jig TAC B Season Seasonal allowances (mt) Sector percentage of annual non-jig TAC Seasonal allowances (mt) Western GOA: Jig (2.5% of TAC) ......................................................... Hook-and-line CV ......................................................... Hook-and-line C/P ........................................................ Trawl CV ....................................................................... Trawl C/P ...................................................................... All Pot CV and Pot C/P ................................................ 170 93 1,310 2,541 159 2,514 N/A 0.70 10.90 27.70 0.90 19.80 102 46 721 1,833 60 1,310 N/A 0.70 8.90 10.70 1.50 18.20 68 46 589 708 99 1,204 Total ....................................................................... 6,787 60.00 4,072 40.00 2,715 Central GOA: Jig (1.0% of TAC) ......................................................... 73 N/A 44 N/A 29 VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 14MRR2 9427 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 6—FINAL 2020 SEASONAL APPORTIONMENTS AND ALLOCATION OF PACIFIC COD TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH (TAC) AMOUNTS IN THE GOA; ALLOCATIONS IN 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] 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) 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 ................................................ 1,056 485 369 3,007 304 2,010 9.32 5.61 4.11 21.14 2.00 17.83 674 406 297 1,528 145 1,289 5.29 1.10 1.00 20.45 2.19 9.97 382 79 72 1,479 159 721 Total ....................................................................... 7,304 60.00 4,382 40.00 2,921 Eastern GOA ........................................................................ ........................ Inshore (90% of Annual TAC) 1,619 Offshore (10% of Annual TAC) 1,457 162 1 Trawl catcher vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 278 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 2020 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA and Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679). Allocations of the Sablefish TACs 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, 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 using trawl gear while directed fishing 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 specifying for incidental catch the allocation of 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the WYK District. The remainder of the WYK sablefish TAC is allocated 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 2019 allocation of 241 mt to trawl gear and 1,587 mt to fixed gear in the WYK District, a 2019 allocation of 2,984 mt to fixed gear in the SEO District, and a 2020 allocation of 321 mt to trawl gear in the WYK District. Table 7 lists the allocations of the 2019 sablefish TACs to fixed and trawl gear. Table 8 lists the allocations of the 2020 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 2019 and 2020 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 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 15, 2019, the Council recommended that the fixed gear sablefish TAC be set annually, rather than for two years, so that the best scientific information available could be considered in establishing the sablefish ABCs and TACs. Accordingly, Table 7 lists the 2019 fixed gear allocations, and the 2020 fixed gear allocations will be specified in the 2020 and 2021 harvest specifications. With the exception of the trawl allocations that are provided to the Rockfish Program (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 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications. TABLE 7—FINAL 2019 SABLEFISH TAC SPECIFICATIONS IN THE GULF OF ALASKA AND ALLOCATIONS TO FIXED AND TRAWL GEAR [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Area/district Western ........................................................................................................................................ Central 1 ....................................................................................................................................... West Yakutat 2 ............................................................................................................................. Southeast Outside ....................................................................................................................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Fixed gear allocation TAC Frm 00013 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 1,581 5,178 1,828 2,984 14MRR2 1,265 4,142 1,587 2,984 Trawl gear allocation 316 1,036 241 0 9428 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 7—FINAL 2019 SABLEFISH TAC SPECIFICATIONS IN THE GULF OF ALASKA AND ALLOCATIONS TO FIXED AND TRAWL GEAR—Continued [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Area/district Fixed gear allocation TAC Total ...................................................................................................................................... 11,571 9,978 Trawl gear allocation 1,593 1 The trawl allocation of sablefish in the Central Regulatory Area is further apportioned to the Rockfish Program cooperatives (533 mt). See Table 12: Final 2019 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA. This results in 503 mt being available for the nonRockfish Program trawl fisheries. 2 The trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts) sablefish TAC as incidental catch to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District. TABLE 8—FINAL 2020 SABLEFISH TAC SPECIFICATIONS IN THE GULF OF ALASKA 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 2 ....................................................................................................................................... West Yakutat 3 ............................................................................................................................. Southeast Outside ....................................................................................................................... 2,105 6,931 2,433 3,993 n/a n/a n/a n/a 421 1,386 321 0 Total ...................................................................................................................................... 15,462 n/a 2,129 1 The Council recommended that the final 2020 harvest specifications for the fixed gear sablefish Individual Fishing Quota fisheries not be specified in the final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications. 2 The trawl allocation of sablefish in the Central Regulatory Area is further apportioned to the Rockfish Program cooperatives (713 mt). See Table 13: Final 2020 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA. This results in 673 mt being available for the nonRockfish Program trawl fisheries. 3 The trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts) sablefish TAC as incidental catch to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District. Allocations, Apportionments, and Sideboard Limits for the Rockfish Program These final 2019 and 2020 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 species (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. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 Under the Rockfish Program, rockfish primary species in the Central GOA are allocated to participants after deducting for incidental catch needs in other directed groundfish fisheries (§ 679.81(a)(2)). Participants in the Rockfish Program also receive a portion of the Central GOA TAC of specific secondary species. In addition to groundfish species, the Rockfish Program allocates a portion of the halibut PSC limit (191 mt) from the third season deep-water species fishery allowance for the GOA trawl fisheries to Rockfish Program participants (§ 679.81(d) and Table 28d to 50 CFR part 679). The Rockfish Program also 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 and 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 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 northern rockfish, and 50 mt of dusky rockfish to the entry level longline fishery in 2019 and 2020. The allocation for the entry level longline fishery may increase incrementally each year if the catch exceeds 90 percent of the allocation of a species. The incremental increase in the allocation would continue each year until it reaches the maximum percent of the TAC for that species. In 2018, the catch of Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish, and dusky rockfish did not attain the 90 percent threshold, and those allocations for 2019 remain the same as the 2018 allocations. The remainder of the TACs for the rockfish primary species would be allocated to the CV and C/P cooperatives (§ 679.81(a)(2)(iii)). Table 9 lists the allocations of the 2019 and 2020 TACs for each rockfish primary species to the entry level longline fishery, the potential incremental increases for future years, and the maximum percentages of the TACs assigned to the Rockfish Program that may be allocated to the rockfish entry level longline fishery. E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 14MRR2 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations 9429 TABLE 9—FINAL 2019 AND INITIAL 2020 ALLOCATIONS OF ROCKFISH PRIMARY SPECIES TO THE ENTRY LEVEL LONGLINE FISHERY IN THE CENTRAL GULF OF ALASKA Rockfish primary species 2019 and 2020 allocations Incremental increase in 2020 if >90% of 2019 allocation is harvested 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 ....................................... Section 679.81 requires allocations of rockfish primary species among various sectors of the Rockfish Program. Tables 10 and 11 list the final 2019 and 2020 allocations of rockfish primary species in the Central GOA to the entry level longline fishery, and rockfish 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 3,000 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 Up to maximum percent of TAC: 1 2 5 C/P cooperatives are not due to NMFS until March 1 of each calendar year; therefore, NMFS cannot calculate 2019 and 2020 allocations in conjunction with these final harvest specifications. NMFS will post the 2019 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 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] Central GOA annual TAC Rockfish primary species Incidental catch allowance TAC minus ICA Allocation to the entry level longline 1 fishery Allocation to the rockfish cooperatives 2 Pacific ocean perch ............................................................. Northern rockfish .................................................................. Dusky rockfish ...................................................................... 19,646 3,338 2,764 3,000 300 250 16,646 3,038 2,514 5 5 50 16,641 3,033 2,464 Total .............................................................................. 25,748 3,550 22,198 60 22,138 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 2020 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] Central GOA annual TAC Rockfish primary species Incidental catch allowance TAC minus ICA Allocation to the entry level longline 1 fishery Allocation to the rockfish cooperatives 2 Pacific ocean perch ............................................................. Northern rockfish .................................................................. Dusky rockfish ...................................................................... 19,024 3,147 2,742 3,000 300 250 16,024 2,847 2,492 5 5 50 16,019 2,842 2,442 Total .............................................................................. 24,913 3,550 21,363 60 21,303 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 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 00015 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 apportionments of the 2019 and 2020 TACs of rockfish secondary species in the Central GOA to CV and C/P cooperatives. E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 14MRR2 9430 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 12—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 Central GOA annual TAC Rockfish secondary species Pacific cod ............................................................................ Sablefish .............................................................................. Shortraker rockfish ............................................................... Rougheye/blackspotted rockfish .......................................... Thornyhead rockfish ............................................................ Catcher/processor cooperatives Percentage of TAC Apportionment (mt) Percentage of TAC Apportionment (mt) 3.81 6.78 0.00 0.00 7.84 219 351 0 0 71 0.00 3.51 40.00 58.87 26.50 0 182 122 324 241 5,750 5,178 305 550 911 TABLE 13—FINAL 2020 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 Central GOA annual TAC Rockfish secondary species Pacific cod ............................................................................ Sablefish .............................................................................. Shortraker rockfish ............................................................... Rougheye/blackspotted rockfish .......................................... Thornyhead rockfish ............................................................ Halibut PSC Limits Section 679.21(d) establishes annual halibut PSC limit apportionments to trawl gear and hook-and-line gear, and authorizes the establishment of apportionments for pot gear. In December 2018, 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 2019 and 2020. 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 Alaska Department of Fish and Game sets the commercial GHL for the DSR fishery after deducting (1) estimates of DSR incidental catch in all fisheries (including halibut and subsistence); and (2) the allocation to the DSR sport VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 Percentage of TAC Apportionment (mt) Percentage of TAC Apportionment (mt) 3.81 6.78 0.00 0.00 7.84 278 470 0 0 71 0.00 3.51 40.00 58.87 26.50 0 243 122 321 241 7,304 6,931 305 545 911 fishery. Of the 250 mt TAC for DSR in 2018, 58 mt were available for directed fishing by the DSR commercial fishery, of which 26 mt were harvested (through December 17, 2018). The FMP authorizes the Council to exempt specific gear from the halibut PSC limits. NMFS, after consultation with the Council, exempts pot gear, jig gear, and the sablefish IFQ hook-andline gear fishery categories from the non-trawl halibut PSC limit for 2019 and 2020. 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 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 2018. The calculated halibut PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4701 Catcher/processor cooperatives Sfmt 4700 bycatch mortality through December 31, 2018, is 1,103 mt for trawl gear and 51 mt for hook-and-line gear for a total halibut mortality of 1,154 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 that the Council and NMFS 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 2018 SAFE report, NMFS catch data, State of Alaska catch data, IPHC stock assessment and mortality data, and E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 14MRR2 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations public testimony when apportioning the halibut PSC limits. For 2019 and 2020, the Council increased the trawl halibut PSC apportionment in the first season to 519 mt, an increase of 50 mt. The trawl halibut PSC apportionment for the third season was reduced by 50 mt to 462 mt. The 50 mt of halibut PSC that was moved from the third season to the first season was apportioned to the deepwater species fishery, which increased to 135 mt. The trawl halibut PSC apportionment in the fourth season was apportioned between the shallow-water (53 mt) and deep-water (75 mt) species fisheries. The overall trawl halibut PSC limit (of 1,706 mt) is unchanged. In addition, the Council changed the end date of the third season halibut PSC apportionment to August 1 from September 1. The Council also changed the beginning date of the fourth season halibut PSC apportionment to August 1 from September 1. The changes to the apportionment amounts and seasons are intended to better align halibut PSC use in the groundfish fisheries relative to expected halibut PSC needs on a seasonal basis and relative to changes in halibut biomass distribution and the expected catches of target groundfish species and corresponding halibut PSC rates. Also, the changes are intended to ensure that there is more consistent trawl fishing effort throughout the year, with fewer fishery closures due to the attainment of seasonal halibut PSC limits. These changes could result in increased efficiency for the trawl fleet and the GOA seafood processors dependent on 9431 groundfish caught by vessels using trawl gear. These changes are reflected in both Tables 14 and 15. NMFS concurs with and implements the Council’s recommendations listed in Table 14, which show the final 2019 and 2020 Pacific halibut PSC limits, allowances, and apportionments. These halibut PSC limits and seasons differ from those contained in the proposed 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications (83 FR 62794, December 6, 2018), for the reasons discussed above. Section 679.21(d)(4)(iii) and (iv) specifies that any underages or overages of a seasonal apportionment of a halibut PSC limit will be added to or deducted from the next respective seasonal apportionment within the fishing year. TABLE 14—FINAL 2019 AND 2020 PACIFIC HALIBUT PROHIBITED SPECIES CATCH (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 January 20–April 1 ........... April 1–July 1 .................... July 1–August 1 ................ 30.4 20.0 27.0 519 341 462 August 1–October 1 ......... October 1–December 31 .. 7.5 15.0 128 256 Total .......................... ................ 1,706 Percent Amount Season Amount January 1–June 10 ......... June 10–September 1 ..... September 1–December 31. 86 2 12 221 5 31 January 1–December 31 9 .......................................... ................ 257 .......................................... 9 1 The Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limit for hook-and-line gear is allocated to the demersal shelf rockfish (DSR) fishery 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, and octopuses) (§ 679.21(d)(3)(iii)). Halibut mortality incurred while directed fishing for skates with trawl gear accrues towards the shallow-water species fishery VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 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 species fisheries for use in either fishery from May 15 through June 30 (§ 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(D)). This is intended to maintain groundfish harvest while minimizing halibut bycatch by these sectors to the extent practicable. This provides the deep-water and shallowwater species 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 2019 and 2020 apportionments of trawl halibut PSC limits between the trawl gear deepwater and shallow-water species fishery categories. As described above, the Council recommended, and NMFS implements, the changes to the amount PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 of the halibut PSC apportionments between the deep-water and shallowwater species fisheries, along with changes to the season dates for the third and fourth seasons. 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- E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 14MRR2 9432 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations 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 (§ 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(C)). TABLE 15—FINAL 2019 AND 2020 APPORTIONMENT OF TRAWL PACIFIC HALIBUT PROHIBITED SPECIES CATCH LIMITS BETWEEN THE TRAWL GEAR DEEP-WATER SPECIES FISHERY AND THE SHALLOW-WATER SPECIES FISHERY CATEGORIES [Values are in metric tons] Season Deep-water 1 Shallow-water Total January 20–April 1 ....................................................................................................................... April 1–July 1 ............................................................................................................................... July 1–August 1 ........................................................................................................................... August 1–October 1 ..................................................................................................................... 384 85 121 53 135 256 341 75 519 341 462 128 Subtotal January 20–October 1 ........................................................................................... October 1–December 31 2 ........................................................................................................... 643 ........................ 807 ........................ 1,450 256 Total ............................................................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 1,706 1 Vessels participating in cooperatives in the Central GOA Rockfish Program will receive 191 mt of the third season (July 1 through August 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). 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 2018 Pacific cod stock assessment. Updated information in the final 2018 SAFE report describes this distributional calculation, which allocates ABC among regulatory areas on the basis of the three most recent stock surveys. For 2019 and 2020, 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 2019 and 2020, 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 2019 and 2020 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 2019 AND 2020 APPORTIONMENTS OF THE ‘‘OTHER HOOK-AND-LINE FISHERY’’ ANNUAL HALIBUT PROHIBITED SPECIES CATCH ALLOWANCE BETWEEN THE HOOK-AND-LINE GEAR CATCHER VESSEL AND CATCHER/PROCESSOR SECTORS [Values are in metric tons] ‘‘Other than DSR’’ allowance Hook-and-line sector 257 ................ Catcher Vessel .................................. 120 Catcher/Processor ............................. 137 VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Sector annual amount Frm 00018 Fmt 4701 Seasonal percentage Season January 1–June 10 ........................... June 10–September 1 ....................... September 1–December 31 .............. January 1–June 10 ........................... June 10–September 1 ....................... September 1–December 31 .............. Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 14MRR2 86 2 12 86 2 12 Sector seasonal amount 103 2 14 118 3 16 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations 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 2018 Pacific halibut stock assessment (December 2018), available on the IPHC website at www.iphc.int. The IPHC considered the 2018 Pacific halibut stock assessment at its January 2019 annual meeting when it set the 2019 commercial halibut fishery catch limits. Halibut Discard Mortality Rates To monitor halibut bycatch mortality allowances and apportionments, the Regional Administrator uses observed halibut incidental catch rates, halibut discard mortality rates (DMRs), and estimates of groundfish catch to project when a fishery’s halibut bycatch mortality allowance or seasonal apportionment is reached. Halibut incidental catch rates are based on observers’ estimates of halibut incidental catch in the groundfish fishery. DMRs are estimates of the proportion of incidentally caught halibut that do not survive after being returned to the sea. The cumulative halibut mortality that accrues to a particular halibut PSC limit is the product of a DMR multiplied by the estimated halibut PSC. DMRs are estimated using the best 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, transparency, and transferability in the methodology used for calculating DMRs. The working group will continue to 9433 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 2020 DMRs, may change based on additional years 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 2018 meeting, the SSC, AP, and the Council concurred with the revised DMR estimation methodology, and NMFS adopted for 2019 and 2020 the DMRs calculated under the revised methodology, which uses an updated 2-year reference period. The final 2019 and 2020 DMRs in this rule are unchanged from the DMRs in the proposed 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications (83 FR 62794, December 6, 2018). Table 17 lists these final 2019 and 2020 DMRs. TABLE 17—FINAL 2019 AND 2020 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 ........................................................... 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 that NMFS 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 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 salmon to trawl CVs not participating in the Rockfish Program (§ 679.21(h)(4)). NMFS will monitor the Chinook salmon PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 Halibut discard mortality rate (percent) 100 100 49 67 79 11 21 4 PSC in the trawl non-pollock 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 2018 (3,120 for trawl C/Ps and 2,340 for Non-Rockfish Program trawl CVs), that E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 14MRR2 9434 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations sector will receive an incremental increase to its 2019 Chinook salmon PSC limit (§ 679.21(h)(4)). In 2018, the trawl C/P sector did not exceed 3,120 Chinook salmon PSC; therefore, the 2019 trawl C/P sector Chinook salmon PSC limit will be 4,080 Chinook salmon. In 2018, the Non-Rockfish Program trawl CV sector did not exceed 2,340 Chinook salmon PSC; therefore, the 2019 Non-Rockfish Program trawl CV sector Chinook salmon PSC 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 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. As discussed earlier in this preamble, NMFS published a final rule (84 FR 2723, February 8, 2019) that establishes regulations to prohibit directed fishing for sideboard limits for specific groundfish species or species groups, rather than prohibiting directed fishing for non-exempt AFA CV sideboards through the GOA annual harvest specifications. This applies to most, but not all, of the species and area apportionments listed in Table 18 and 19. Beginning with the 2020 and 2021 harvest specifications, NMFS will incorporate such changes into the specification and management of nonexempt AFA CV sideboard limits. Tables 18 and 19 list the final 2019 and 2020 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 2019 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV) GROUNDFISH 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 ................................... Pacific cod ............................. A Season 1—January 1–June 10. B Season 2—September 1– December 31. Annual ................................... Sablefish ................................ Annual, trawl gear ................ Shallow-water flatfish ............. Annual ................................... Deep-water flatfish ................ Annual ................................... Rex sole ................................ Annual ................................... Arrowtooth flounder ............... Annual ................................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:01 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00020 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 ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... Fmt 4701 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 E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 14MRR2 Final 2019 TACs 848 23,236 7,593 848 27,306 3,522 11,590 8,423 11,664 11,590 8,423 11,664 5,748 8,773 3,206 3,450 2,137 2,300 1,148 128 316 1,036 241 13,250 25,731 4,236 416 3,443 5,642 2,951 8,357 3,384 14,500 70,995 Final 2019 non-exempt AFA CV sideboard limit 3 513 2,712 1,540 513 3,187 714 7,008 983 2,365 7,008 983 2,365 2,009 3,066 427 239 284 159 9 1 0 67 10 207 1,510 53 0 223 72 2 321 10 30 1,988 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations 9435 TABLE 18—FINAL 2019 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV) GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD LIMITS—Continued [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Species Apportionments by season/gear Flathead sole ......................... Annual ................................... Pacific ocean perch ............... Annual ................................... Northern rockfish ................... Annual ................................... Shortraker rockfish ................ Annual ................................... Dusky rockfish ....................... Annual ................................... Rougheye and blackspotted 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 ................................... Octopuses ............................. Annual Annual Annual Annual ................................... ................................... ................................... ................................... Area/component E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... SEO ...................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... Gulfwide ................................ W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... Gulfwide ................................ Gulfwide ................................ Gulfwide ................................ Gulfwide ................................ Ratio of 1995– 1997 non-exempt AFA CV catch to 1995– 1997 TAC 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 Final 2019 TACs 13,800 8,650 15,400 2,439 3,227 19,646 5,682 1,190 3,338 44 305 514 781 2,764 155 174 550 704 261 326 911 779 1,737 3,857 3,000 504 1,774 570 149 2,804 619 1,384 5,301 8,184 975 Final 2019 non-exempt AFA CV sideboard limit 3 3 31 328 2 7 1,470 265 0 92 0 7 6 0 0 1 0 13 9 1 9 26 22 295 0 93 3 11 4 1 18 4 9 33 52 6 1 The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20. Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1. February 8, 2019, NMFS published a final rule (84 FR 2723) that modifies regulations for AFA Program and CR Program participants subject to sideboard limits in the GOA. The final rule establishes regulations to prohibit directed fishing for sideboard limits for specific groundfish species or species groups, rather than prohibiting directed fishing for AFA Program and CR Program sideboard limits through the GOA annual harvest specifications. Once the final rule is effective (effective March 11, 2019), NMFS will no longer publish in the annual GOA harvest specifications the AFA Program and CR Program sideboard limit amounts for groundfish species subject to the final rule, and the groundfish species subject to the final rule will be prohibited to directed fishing in regulation (84 FR 2723). 2 The 3 On TABLE 19—FINAL 2020 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV) GROUNDFISH 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. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Area/component Shumagin (610) .................... Chirikof (620) ........................ Kodiak (630) ......................... Shumagin (610) .................... Chirikof (620) ........................ Kodiak (630) ......................... Shumagin (610) .................... Chirikof (620) ........................ Kodiak (630) ......................... Shumagin (610) .................... Chirikof (620) ........................ Fmt 4701 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 E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 14MRR2 Final 2020 TACs 680 21,888 2,823 680 21,888 2,823 9,290 6,752 9,349 9,290 6,752 Final 2020 non-exempt AFA CV sideboard limit 3 411 2,554 573 411 2,554 573 5,617 788 1,896 5,617 788 9436 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 19—FINAL 2020 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV) GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD LIMITS—Continued [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Species Apportionments by season/ gear Annual ................................... Pacific cod ............................. A Season 1—January 1— June 10. B Season 2–September 1— December 31. Annual ................................... Sablefish ................................ Annual, trawl gear ................ Shallow-water flatfish ............. Annual ................................... Deep-water flatfish ................ Annual ................................... Rex sole ................................ Annual ................................... Arrowtooth flounder ............... Annual ................................... Flathead sole ......................... Annual ................................... Pacific ocean perch ............... Annual ................................... Northern rockfish ................... Annual ................................... Shortraker rockfish ................ Annual ................................... Dusky rockfish ....................... Annual ................................... Rougheye and blackspotted 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 ................................... Octopuses ............................. Annual Annual Annual Annual 1 The 2 The ................................... ................................... ................................... ................................... Area/component Ratio of 1995–1997 non-exempt AFA CV catch to 1995–1997 TAC 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Final 2020 non-exempt AFA CV sideboard limit 3 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 .......................................... 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 9,349 4,607 8,773 4,072 4,382 2,715 2,921 1,457 162 421 1,386 321 13,250 26,065 4,291 420 3,488 5,716 2,956 8,371 3,398 14,500 68,575 13,800 8,650 15,400 2,537 3,125 19,024 5,503 1,122 3,147 44 305 514 774 2,742 154 172 1,896 1,610 3,066 542 303 361 202 12 1 0 89 14 207 1,530 54 0 226 73 2 321 10 30 1,920 3 31 328 2 7 1,423 256 0 87 0 7 6 0 0 1 0 C ........................................... E ........................................... SEO ...................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W/C ....................................... E ........................................... Gulfwide ................................ W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... W .......................................... C ........................................... E ........................................... Gulfwide ................................ Gulfwide ................................ Gulfwide ................................ Gulfwide ................................ 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 545 697 261 326 911 779 1,737 3,857 3,000 504 1,774 570 149 2,804 619 1,384 5,301 8,184 975 13 9 1 9 26 22 295 0 93 3 11 4 1 18 4 9 33 52 6 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 Final 2020 TACs Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 14MRR2 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations 9437 3 On February 8, 2019, NMFS published a final rule (84 FR 2723) that modifies regulations for AFA Program and CR Program participants subject to sideboard limits in the GOA. The final rule establishes regulations to prohibit directed fishing for sideboard limits for specific groundfish species or species groups, rather than prohibiting directed fishing for AFA Program and CR Program sideboard limits through the GOA annual harvest specifications. Once the final rule is effective (effective March 11, 2019), NMFS will no longer publish in the annual GOA harvest specifications the AFA Program and CR Program sideboard limit amounts for groundfish species subject to the final rule, and the groundfish species subject to the final rule will be prohibited to directed fishing in regulation (84 FR 2723). Non-Exempt AFA Catcher Vessel Halibut PSC Limits The halibut PSC sideboard limits for non-exempt AFA CVs in the GOA are fishery from 1995 through 1997 (§ 679.64(b)(4)(ii)). Table 20 lists the final 2019 and 2020 non-exempt AFA CV halibut PSC limits for vessels using trawl gear in the GOA, respectively. 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 TABLE 20—FINAL 2019 AND 2020 NON-EXEMPT AFA CV HALIBUT PROHIBITED SPECIES CATCH (PSC) SIDEBOARD LIMITS FOR VESSELS USING TRAWL GEAR IN THE GOA [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton] Ratio of 1995–1997 non-exempt AFA CV retained catch to total retained catch 2019 and 2020 PSC limit 2019 and 2020 non-exempt AFA CV PSC limit 0.340 0.070 0.340 0.070 0.340 0.070 0.340 0.070 0.205 384 135 85 256 121 341 53 75 256 131 9 29 18 41 24 18 5 52 Total shallow-water ......................... .......................... .......................... 219 Total deep-water ............................. .......................... .......................... 56 1,706 328 Season Season dates Target fishery 1 ................. January 20–April 1 .......................... 2 ................. April 1–July 1 ................................... 3 ................. July 1–August 1 ............................... 4 ................. August 1–October 1 ........................ 5 ................. October 1–December 31 ................. shallow-water ................................... deep-water ....................................... shallow-water ................................... deep-water ....................................... shallow-water ................................... deep-water ....................................... shallow-water ................................... deep-water ....................................... all targets ......................................... Annual 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. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 The basis for these sideboard limits is described in detail in the final rules implementing the major provisions of the CR Program, including 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). As discussed earlier in this preamble, NMFS published a final rule (84 FR 2723, February 8, 2019) that establishes regulations to prohibit directed fishing for sideboard limits for specific groundfish species or species groups, rather than prohibiting directed fishing PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 for non-AFA crab vessel sideboards through the GOA annual harvest specifications. This will apply to most, but not all, of the species and area apportionments listed in Tables 21 and 22. Beginning with the 2020 and 2021 harvest specifications, NMFS will incorporate such changes into the specification and the management of non-AFA crab vessel sideboard limits. Tables 21 and 22 list the final 2019 and 2020 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. E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 14MRR2 9438 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 21—FINAL 2019 GOA NON-AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD LIMITS [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Species Season/gear Pollock ........................................ 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 ................................... Sablefish ..................................... 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/blackspotted rockfish Annual ................................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Shumagin (610) ............... Chirikof (620) ................... Kodiak (630) .................... Shumagin (610) ............... Chirikof (620) ................... Kodiak (630) .................... Shumagin (610) ............... Chirikof (620) ................... Kodiak (630) .................... Shumagin (610) ............... Chirikof (620) ................... Kodiak (630) .................... WYK (640) ....................... SEO (650) ....................... WG Jig ............................. WG Hook-and-line CV ..... WG Pot CV ...................... WG Pot C/P ..................... WG Trawl CV .................. CG Jig ............................. CG Hook-and-line CV ..... CG Pot CV ...................... CG Pot C/P ..................... CG Trawl CV ................... WG Jig ............................. WG Hook-and-line CV ..... WG Pot CV ...................... WG Pot C/P ..................... WG Trawl CV .................. CG Jig ............................. CG Hook-and-line CV ..... CG Pot CV ...................... CG Pot C/P ..................... CG Trawl CV ................... EG inshore ...................... EG offshore ..................... W ..................................... C ...................................... E ...................................... W ..................................... C ...................................... E ...................................... W ..................................... C ...................................... E ...................................... W ..................................... C ...................................... E ...................................... W ..................................... C ...................................... E ...................................... W ..................................... C ...................................... E ...................................... W ..................................... C ...................................... E ...................................... W ..................................... C ...................................... W ..................................... C ...................................... E ...................................... W ..................................... C ...................................... E ...................................... W ..................................... Fmt 4701 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 0.0001 0.0474 0.0136 0.0012 0.0000 0.0004 0.0997 0.0078 0.0007 0.0000 0.0001 0.0474 0.0136 0.0012 0.0110 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0059 0.0001 0.0000 0.0035 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0004 0.0001 0.0000 0.0002 0.0004 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0005 0.0000 0.0013 0.0012 0.0009 0.0017 0.0000 0.0000 0.0067 E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 14MRR2 Final 2019 TACs 848 23,236 7,593 848 27,306 3,522 11,590 8,423 11,664 11,590 8,423 11,664 5,748 8,773 3,206 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 1,148 128 316 1,036 241 13,250 25,731 4,236 416 3,443 5,642 2,951 8,357 3,384 14,500 70,995 13,800 8,650 15,400 2,439 3,227 19,646 5,682 1,190 3,338 44 305 514 781 2,764 155 174 Final 2019 non-AFA crab vessel sideboard limit 3 8 72 2 8 85 1 114 26 2 114 26 2 0 0 0 1 320 25 2 0 0 164 47 4 0 1 213 17 1 0 0 109 31 3 13 0 0 0 0 78 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 6 7 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 9439 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 21—FINAL 2019 GOA NON-AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD LIMITS—Continued [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Species Season/gear Area/component/gear Demersal shelf rockfish .............. Thornyhead rockfish ................... Annual ................................... Annual ................................... Other rockfish ............................. Annual ................................... Atka mackerel ............................. Big skate ..................................... Annual ................................... Annual ................................... Longnose skate .......................... Annual ................................... Other skates ............................... Sculpins ...................................... Sharks ......................................... Octopuses ................................... Annual Annual Annual Annual ................................... ................................... ................................... ................................... Ratio of 1996–2000 non-AFA crab vessel catch to 1996–2000 total harvest C ...................................... E ...................................... SEO ................................. W ..................................... C ...................................... E ...................................... W/C .................................. E ...................................... Gulfwide ........................... W ..................................... C ...................................... E ...................................... W ..................................... C ...................................... E ...................................... Gulfwide ........................... Gulfwide ........................... Gulfwide ........................... Gulfwide ........................... 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 Final 2019 TACs Final 2019 non-AFA crab vessel sideboard limit 3 550 704 261 326 911 779 1,737 3,857 3,000 504 1,774 570 149 2,804 619 1,384 5,301 8,184 975 3 1 0 2 6 4 6 0 0 20 28 0 6 45 0 24 93 144 17 1 The 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. 3 On February 8, 2019, NMFS published a final rule (84 FR 2723) that modifies regulations for AFA Program and CR Program participants subject to sideboard limits in the GOA. The final rule establishes regulations to prohibit directed fishing for sideboard limits for specific groundfish species or species groups, rather than prohibiting directed fishing for AFA Program and CR Program sideboard limits through the GOA annual harvest specifications. Once the final rule is effective (effective March 11, 2019), NMFS will no longer publish in the annual GOA harvest specifications the AFA Program and CR Program sideboard limit amounts for groundfish species subject to the final rule, and the groundfish species subject to the final rule will be prohibited to directed fishing in regulation (84 FR 2723). 2 The TABLE 22—FINAL 2020 GOA NON-AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD LIMITS [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Species Season/gear Pollock ........................................ 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. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Shumagin (610) ............... Chirikof (620) ................... Kodiak (630) .................... Shumagin (610) ............... Chirikof (620) ................... Kodiak (630) .................... Shumagin (610) ............... Chirikof (620) ................... Kodiak (630) .................... Shumagin (610) ............... Chirikof (620) ................... Kodiak (630) .................... WYK (640) ....................... SEO (650) ....................... WG Jig ............................. WG Hook-and-line CV ..... WG Pot CV ...................... WG Pot C/P ..................... WG Trawl CV .................. CG Jig ............................. CG Hook-and-line CV ..... CG Pot CV ...................... CG Pot C/P ..................... CG Trawl CV ................... WG Jig ............................. WG Hook-and-line CV ..... WG Pot CV ...................... WG Pot C/P ..................... Fmt 4701 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 0.0001 0.0474 0.0136 0.0012 0.0000 0.0004 0.0997 0.0078 E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 14MRR2 Final 2020 TACs 680 21,888 2,823 680 21,888 2,823 9,290 6,752 9,349 9,290 6,752 9,349 4,607 8,773 4,072 4,072 4,072 4,072 4,072 4,382 4,382 4,382 4,382 4,382 2,715 2,715 2,715 2,715 Final 2020 non-AFA crab vessel sideboard limit 3 7 68 1 7 68 1 91 21 2 91 21 2 0 0 0 2 406 32 3 0 0 208 60 5 0 1 271 21 9440 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 22—FINAL 2020 GOA NON-AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD LIMITS—Continued [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Species Season/gear Area/component/gear Annual ................................... Sablefish ..................................... 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/blackspotted 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 ......................................... Octopuses ................................... Annual Annual Annual Annual ................................... ................................... ................................... ................................... WG Trawl CV .................. CG Jig ............................. CG Hook-and-line CV ..... CG Pot CV ...................... CG Pot C/P ..................... CG Trawl CV ................... E inshore ......................... E offshore ........................ W ..................................... C ...................................... E ...................................... W ..................................... C ...................................... E ...................................... W ..................................... C ...................................... E ...................................... W ..................................... C ...................................... E ...................................... W ..................................... C ...................................... E ...................................... W ..................................... C ...................................... E ...................................... W ..................................... C ...................................... E ...................................... W ..................................... C ...................................... W ..................................... C ...................................... E ...................................... W ..................................... C ...................................... E ...................................... W ..................................... C ...................................... E ...................................... SEO ................................. W ..................................... C ...................................... E ...................................... W/C .................................. E ...................................... Gulfwide ........................... W ..................................... C ...................................... E ...................................... W ..................................... C ...................................... E ...................................... Gulfwide ........................... Gulfwide ........................... Gulfwide ........................... Gulfwide ........................... Ratio of 1996–2000 non-AFA crab vessel catch to 1996–2000 total harvest 0.0007 0.0000 0.0001 0.0474 0.0136 0.0012 0.0110 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0059 0.0001 0.0000 0.0035 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0004 0.0001 0.0000 0.0002 0.0004 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0005 0.0000 0.0013 0.0012 0.0009 0.0017 0.0000 0.0000 0.0067 0.0047 0.0008 0.0000 0.0047 0.0066 0.0045 0.0033 0.0000 0.0000 0.0392 0.0159 0.0000 0.0392 0.0159 0.0000 0.0176 0.0176 0.0176 0.0176 1 The Final 2020 TACs 2,715 2,921 2,921 2,921 2,921 2,921 1,457 162 421 1,386 321 13,250 26,065 4,291 420 3,488 5,716 2,956 8,371 3,398 14,500 68,575 13,800 8,650 15,400 2,537 3,125 19,024 5,503 1,122 3,147 44 305 514 774 2,742 154 172 545 697 261 326 911 779 1,737 3,857 3,000 504 1,774 570 149 2,804 619 1,384 5,301 8,184 975 Final 2020 non-AFA crab vessel sideboard limit 3 2 0 0 138 40 4 16 0 0 0 0 78 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 6 7 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 3 1 0 2 6 4 6 0 0 20 28 0 6 45 0 24 93 144 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. 3 On February 8, 2019, NMFS published a final rule (84 FR 2723) that modifies regulations for AFA Program and CR Program participants subject to sideboard limits in the GOA. The final rule establishes regulations to prohibit directed fishing for sideboard limits for specific groundfish species or species groups, rather than prohibiting directed fishing for AFA Program and CR Program sideboard limits through the GOA annual harvest specifications. Once the final rule is effective (effective March 11, 2019), NMFS will no longer publish in the annual GOA harvest specifications the AFA Program and CR Program sideboard limit amounts for groundfish species subject to the final rule, and the groundfish species subject to the final rule will be prohibited to directed fishing in regulation (84 FR 2723). 2 The VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 14MRR2 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations 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 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)). 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 9441 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 (§ 679.82 (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 2019 and 2020 Rockfish Program C/P sideboard limits in the West Yakutat District and the Western GOA. Due to confidentiality requirements associated with fisheries data, the sideboard limits for the West Yakutat District are not displayed. TABLE 23—FINAL 2019 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 2019 TACs 781 3,227 1,190 95 3,296 Final 2019 C/P limit 565. 1,633. 884. 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 2020 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 2020 TACs 774 3,125 1,122 94 3,192 Final 2020 C/P limit 560. 1,581. 834. 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 CVs 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 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 2019, and NMFS will know the ratios and amounts PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 used to calculate opt-out sideboard ratios. NMFS will then calculate any applicable opt-out sideboards for 2019 and post these limits on the Alaska Region website at https:// alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainable fisheries/rockfish/. Table 25 lists the final 2019 and 2020 Rockfish Program halibut PSC sideboard limits for the C/ P sector. E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 14MRR2 9442 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 25—FINAL 2019 AND 2020 ROCKFISH PROGRAM HALIBUT PSC SIDEBOARD LIMITS FOR THE CATCHER/PROCESSOR SECTOR [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] Sector Shallow-water species fishery halibut PSC sideboard ratio (percent) Deep-water species fishery halibut PSC sideboard ratio (percent) 2019 and 2020 halibut mortality limit (mt) Annual shallow-water species fishery halibut PSC sideboard limit (mt) Annual deepwater species fishery halibut PSC sideboard limit (mt) Catcher/processor ................................................................ 0.10 2.50 1,706 2 43 Amendment 80 Program Groundfish and PSC Sideboard Limits Amendment 80 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (Amendment 80 Program) established a limited access privilege program for the non-AFA trawl C/P sector. The Amendment 80 Program established groundfish and halibut PSC catch limits for Amendment 80 Program participants to limit the ability of participants eligible for the Amendment 80 Program to expand their harvest efforts in the GOA. Section 679.92 establishes groundfish harvesting sideboard limits on all Amendment 80 program vessels, other than the F/V Golden Fleece, to amounts no greater than the limits listed in Table 37 to 50 CFR part 679. Under § 679.92(d), the F/V Golden Fleece is prohibited from directed fishing for pollock, Pacific cod, Pacific ocean perch, dusky rockfish, and northern rockfish in the GOA. Groundfish sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels operating in the GOA are based on their average aggregate harvests from 1998 through 2004 (72 FR 52668, September 14, 2007). Tables 26 and 27 list the final 2019 and 2020 groundfish sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels. NMFS will deduct all targeted or incidental catch of sideboard species made by Amendment 80 Program vessels from the sideboard limits in Tables 26 and 27. TABLE 26—FINAL 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 ocean perch ................. Annual ..................................... A Season 1—January 1–June 10. B Season 2—September 1–December 31. Annual ..................................... Annual ..................................... Northern rockfish ..................... Dusky rockfish ......................... Annual ..................................... Annual ..................................... Pacific cod ............................... 1 The 2 The 0.003 0.002 0.002 0.003 0.002 0.002 0.003 0.002 0.002 0.003 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.020 0.044 0.020 0.044 0.034 0.994 0.961 1.000 0.764 0.896 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 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 14MRR2 2019 TAC (mt) 848 23,236 7,593 848 27,306 3,522 11,590 8,423 11,664 11,590 8,423 11,664 5,748 3,206 3,450 2,137 2,300 1,275 3,227 3,296 1,190 781 95 2019 Amendment 80 vessel sideboards (mt) 3 46 15 3 55 7 35 17 23 35 17 23 11 64 152 43 101 43 3,208 3,167 1,190 597 85 9443 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 27—FINAL 2020 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 ocean perch ................. Annual ..................................... A Season 1—January 1–June 10. B Season 2—September 1–December 31. Annual ..................................... Annual ..................................... Northern rockfish ..................... Dusky rockfish ......................... Annual ..................................... Annual ..................................... Pacific cod ............................... 1 The 2 The 2020 TAC (mt) 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 0.896 680 21,888 2,823 680 21,888 2,823 9,290 6,752 9,349 9,290 6,752 9,349 4,607 4,072 4,382 2,715 2,921 1,619 3,125 3,192 1,122 774 94 2020 Amendment 80 vessel sideboards (mt) 2 44 6 2 44 6 28 14 19 28 14 19 9 81 193 54 129 55 3,106 3,068 1,122 591 84 Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20. Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1. 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 2019 and 2020 halibut PSC sideboard 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 halibut PSC sideboard limit may carry forward to the next season limit (§ 679.92(b)(2)). TABLE 28—FINAL 2019 AND 2020 HALIBUT PSC SIDEBOARD 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) 2019 and 2020 annual PSC limit (mt) 2019 and 2020 Amendment 80 vessel PSC limit Season Season dates Target fishery 1 ................. January 20–April 1 .......................... 2 ................. April 1–July 1 ................................... 3 ................. July 1–August 1 ............................... 4 ................. August 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) VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 that any allocation or apportionment of a target species or species group allocated or apportioned to a fishery PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 will be reached; or (2) with respect to pollock and Pacific cod, that an allocation or apportionment to an E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 14MRR2 9444 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations 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 2019 and 2020 fishing years. TABLE 29—2019 AND 2020 DIRECTED FISHING CLOSURES IN THE GOA [Amounts for incidental catch in other directed fisheries are in metric tons] Incidental catch amount and year (if amounts differ by year) Target Area/component/gear Pollock ............................................................... Sablefish 2 .......................................................... Pacific cod ......................................................... all/offshore ........................................................ all/trawl ............................................................. Western, catcher/processor, trawl .................... Central, catcher/processor, trawl ..................... all ...................................................................... all ...................................................................... all ...................................................................... all ...................................................................... all ...................................................................... All ...................................................................... All ...................................................................... All ...................................................................... All ...................................................................... All ...................................................................... Shortraker rockfish 2 .......................................... Rougheye/blackspotted rockfish 2 ..................... Thornyhead rockfish 2 ........................................ Other rockfish .................................................... Atka mackerel .................................................... Big skate ............................................................ Longnose skate ................................................. Other skates ...................................................... Sharks ................................................................ Octopuses .......................................................... not applicable.1 1,583 (2019), 2,129 (2020). 125 (2019), 159 (2020). 239 (2019), 304 (2020). 863. 1,428 (2019), 1,414 (2020). 5,594. 1,384. 3,000. 2,848. 3,572. 1,384. 8,184. 975. 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 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 effective at 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 14, 2019, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2020. 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) and 679.21(d)(6) and (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 2019 and 2020 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 effective at 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 14, 2019, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2020. TABLE 30—2019 AND 2020 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] Species 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 ............................................................. Eastern ............................................................. Western ............................................................ Western and Eastern ....................................... Western and Eastern ....................................... Western and Eastern ....................................... Western ............................................................ Western ............................................................ Entire GOA ....................................................... SEO District ...................................................... Entire GOA ....................................................... 10 (inshore) and 9 (offshore) [2019], 1 (inshore) and 1 (offshore) [2020]. 53. 0. 2 and 10. 30 and 3. 31 and 2. 7. 0. 0. 0. 33. 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 Incidental catch amount E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 14MRR2 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations 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 2018 and 2019 GOA harvest specifications for groundfish (83 FR 8768, March 1, 2018) remain effective under authority of these final 2019 and 2020 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 addition to closures and prohibitions found at 50 CFR part 679. NMFS may implement other closures during the 2019 and 2020 fishing years as necessary for effective conservation and management. Comments and Responses NMFS received five letters containing six substantive comments 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’s response to public comments on the proposed GOA groundfish harvest specifications is provided below. Comment 1: NMFS should prohibit harvesting for a year to make sure that the population does not decrease to an amount that would prohibit harvesting for another 2 to 3 years. Response 1: The SAFE reports (see ADDRESSES) are intended to summarize the best available scientific information concerning the past, present, and possible future condition of the stocks and fisheries under federal management. The SSC reviews the stock assessments and sets ABC levels for each species and species group managed under the FMP. The ABC recommendations, together with social and economic factors, are considered by the Council in determining TACs and other management strategies for the fisheries. Based on the information provided in the SAFE report, the Council recommended and NMFS implements TACs that do not exceed the ABC and OFL for each groundfish species and species group. The OFL, ABC, and TAC amounts recommended by the Council and approved by NMFS in this final rule are set according to the harvest strategy adopted in the EIS, the management objectives outlined in the VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 FMP, and the statutory requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act to ensure the long-term health of each species and species group and the optimization of yield on a continuing basis. Comment 2: Amendment 106 reclassified squid as an ‘‘Ecosystem Component Species’’ that do not require conservation and management. What warrants the regulation for directed fishing? Response 2: Amendment 106 prohibits directed fishing for squid while allowing limited retention of some squid incidentally caught in other fisheries. Reclassifying squid as an ecosystem component species does not require NMFS to set annual catch limits of an OFL, ABC, or TAC for squid in the GOA groundfish harvest specifications. To monitor the incidental catch of squid in the groundfish fisheries, Amendment 106 maintains recordkeeping and reporting requirements for squid. Additionally, squid may be retained up to a maximum retainable amount in other groundfish fisheries. This allows some squid to be retained for bait or sale, but at a level that discourages fishermen from targeting squid species. More information on Amendment 106 can be found in the final rule to implement Amendment 106 to the FMP (83 FR 31460, July 6, 2018). Comment 3: Would reducing rockfish TAC amounts have substantial economic implications for individuals reliant on the selling of rockfish for food industries? Response 3: Pacific ocean perch is the largest rockfish fishery in the GOA, and the TAC amounts are reached each year. Reduced TAC amounts for Pacific ocean perch and other species of rockfish may result in price increases, but the amount of any potential price increase is unknown. Also, a price increase may not offset revenue declines from lower TACs. Most rockfish fisheries in the GOA are closed because the TAC limits are not larger enough to support directed fishing. However, some retention of rockfish as incidental catch in other fisheries is allowed. Decreased rockfish TAC amounts may require managers to prohibit all retention of rockfish, which would result in no revenue from the incidental catch of rockfish. Each year the SAFE report on the Economic Status of the Groundfish Fisheries off Alaska is updated with the most recent information about groundfish prices and value, including rockfish (see ADDRESSES). Comment 4: NMFS administers the federal fisheries off Alaska for the benefit of a few Alaska fishermen, not for the benefit of all U.S. citizens or the Nation as a whole. There should never PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 9445 be a stock increase, and all quotas should be cut by 50 percent immediately to try to save all stocks, which are being unsustainably fished. Response 4: NMFS manages the GOA groundfish fisheries on behalf of all U.S. citizens, as well as on behalf of the commercial fishing industry, in accordance with the National Standards of the Magnuson-Stevens Act (16 U.S.C. 1851(a)). Participants in this industry reside in other states besides Alaska, and more information about the industry can be found in the SAFE report on the Economic Status of the Groundfish Fisheries off Alaska (see ADDRESSES). NMFS’s primary objective in the harvest specifications process is the conservation and management of fish resources for the Nation as a whole. The annual harvest specifications process is a key element to ensuring that Alaska fisheries are sustainably managed in a controlled and orderly manner. This process incorporates the best available scientific information from the most recent SAFE reports prepared by multi-disciplinary teams of scientists. Such reports contain the most recent scientific information on the condition of various groundfish stocks, as well as the condition of other ecosystem components. Based on the SAFE reports, the Council and NMFS annually respond to new developments in the natural environment as part of the harvest specifications process. The Council and NMFS set for each groundfish species or species group the annual TAC and ABC amounts, and these amounts increase or decrease each year based on the biological condition of the groundfish stock. The Council and NMFS have reduced catch amounts if necessary based on the SAFE reports (such as the recent reductions in Pacific cod). More information on the biological condition of each groundfish species or species groups, including changes in annual TAC and ABC amounts, can be found in the annual SAFE reports. Currently, none of the NMFS-managed groundfish species off Alaska is overfished or subject to overfishing. Comment 5: Pollock is overfished. There is no justification for allowing commercial fishing to catch all the pollock in the ocean, particularly to the detriment of marine mammals that also eat pollock. Response 5: As mentioned in the response to Comment 4, none of the NMFS-managed groundfish species off Alaska, including pollock, is overfished or subject to overfishing, and the Council and NMFS continue to set annual harvest levels for groundfish species, including pollock, based on the best available scientific information on E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 14MRR2 9446 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations the biological condition of the groundfish species, the status of ecosystem, and other socio-economic factors. In addition, there are a broad suite of conservation and management measures in place to protect Steller sea lions that were subject to consultation under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, including those described at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/ species/steller-sea-lion#management. Comment 6: The information contained in the 2018 Pacific cod stock assessment indicates that the GOA Pacific cod spawning biomass will be at or below 20 percent of its unfished biomass at the beginning of 2019. Per applicable federal regulations, directed fishing for the key prey (pollock, Pacific cod, and Atka mackerel) of Steller sea lions should be prohibited in the event that the spawning biomass of such a species is projected in the stock assessment to fall below 20 percent of the projected unfished spawning biomass during a given year. Since 2015, counts of Steller sea lion pups in 2017 were down 33 percent in the Eastern GOA and down 17 percent in the Central GOA. This suggests that the lower birth rates and/or pup survival for Steller sea lions correlate with the decline of Pacific cod. Response 6: The Pacific cod stock in the GOA experienced a decline in biomass and abundance since 2015, as first reported following the 2017 bottom trawl survey. As detailed in the 2018 Ecosystem Status Report (see ADDRESSES), the GOA experienced anomalous warm conditions throughout the water column starting in 2014 and extending through 2016 (an event now characterized in the Ecosystem Status Report as ‘‘marine heat waves’’). This unusual warm event apparently affected the entire ecosystem and, in particular, affected prey availability for upper trophic level predators as was evident in a number of ecosystem indicators including the poor condition of Pacific cod in recent years. These factors led to the current suite of Pacific cod assessment models, which include environmental factors in the assessment including a brief period of high natural mortality (M) and the relationship of longline survey catchability to a temperature index. The 2019 ABC recommended in the stock assessment for Pacific cod (17,000 mt) resulted in a 13.6 percent reduction from the maximum permissible ABC. This reduction was determined based on catch projections that resulted in the spawning biomass estimate (‘‘B’’) being above 20 percent of unfished levels through 2020. The stock assessment’s recommendation for a reduction from VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 the maximum permissible ABC for Pacific cod was explicitly made based on the need to maintain a projected spawning stock biomass above 20 percent of B100% in 2019. This is discussed in the 2018 Pacific cod stock assessment, particularly in the Executive Summary (p. 2) and Harvest Recommendations section (pp. 32–35). Based on the preferred assessment model and the ABC recommendation for 2019 of 17,000 mt, spawning biomass is estimated in 2019 at 34,701 (see the Summary Table at p. 3, the discussion under ‘‘Specification of OFL and Maximum Permissible ABC’’ on p. 33, and Table 2.28), and will remain above B20% in 2019 (see the discussion under ‘‘ABC Recommendation’’ on p. 34). The stock assessment discussion provides the scientific and statistical rationale for the recommended specification of OFL, ABC, and selection of a preferred assessment model to calculate such parameters. The 2018 Pacific cod stock assessment is available from the Council (see ADDRESSES). The SSC concurred with the preferred assessment model and with the reduction in ABC. The SSC noted that the ABC reduction of 13.6 percent is in addition to the buffer incorporated by the sloping harvest control rule that is triggered when a stock, like Pacific cod, falls below B40%, which results in a total buffer of 59 percent from F40%. The SSC supported the 13.6 percent reduction in ABC to provide stability in future levels of spawning biomass, and the SSC noted that the 13.6 percent reduction in ABC to 17,000 mt was determined based on catch projections that resulted in the spawning biomass estimate being above 20% of unfished levels through 2020. The SSC set the Pacific cod ABC at 17,000 mt for 2019, and NMFS adopts the Pacific cod ABC of 17,000 mt for 2019 in these final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications. Regarding the decline in pup counts from 2015 to 2017 in the Eastern and Central GOA by 33 percent and 18 percent, respectively, the SSC noted this information but reiterated that two years do not make a trend and that more years of data are necessary to distinguish these changes from other potential declines. These preliminary data provides important information in light of the recent marine heat-wave impacts on the GOA ecosystem. More detailed information on current population trends of the western Distinct Population Segment (DPS) Steller sea lion can be found in the 2017 Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Report, which reports that there is strong evidence that across Alaska pup and non-pup counts of western DPS Steller PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 sea lions have increased at 2.19 percent and 2.24 percent, respectively, between 2003 and 2016, although there are strong differences across Alaska but generally positive trends in the Gulf of Alaska. In addition, beginning in 2018, NMFS began managing the GOA Pacific cod fisheries with additional scrutiny and caution because of the reductions in the GOA Pacific cod ABCs and corresponding TACs. Beginning in 2018, NMFS closed various sectors to directed fishing for Pacific cod due to small sector allocations, as well as the need to conserve adequate amounts of Pacific cod for incidental catch in other groundfish fisheries. In 2018, approximately 15,132 mt (84 percent) of the 18,000 mt Pacific cod ABC was caught in the GOA. This precautionary management is continuing in 2019. NMFS closed several regulatory areas and sectors to directed fishing for the year, including trawl C/Ps in the Central GOA and Western GOA and trawl CVs in the Western GOA, and some sectors that were open have already closed to directed fishing. More detailed information on these inseason actions can be found in information bulletins posted at https:// alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/infobulletins/ search. Classification NMFS has determined that these final harvest specifications are consistent with the FMP and with the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and other applicable laws. This action is authorized under 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from review under Executive 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 February 2019, NMFS prepared a SIR for this action. Copies of the EIS, ROD, and annual SIRs for this action are available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES). The Final EIS analyzes the environmental, social, and economic consequences of the groundfish harvest specifications and alternative harvest strategies on resources in the action area. Based on the analysis in the Final EIS, NMFS concluded that the preferred Alternative (Alternative 2) provides the best balance among relevant environmental, social, and economic considerations and allows for continued management of the groundfish fisheries based on the most recent, best scientific information. The preferred alternative is a harvest strategy in which TACs are set at a level within E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 14MRR2 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations the range of ABCs recommended by the Council’s SSC; the sum of the TACs must achieve the OY specified in the FMP. The annual SIR evaluates the need to prepare a Supplemental EIS (SEIS) for the 2019 and 2020 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 2019 and 2020-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 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications will result in environmental, social, and economic 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 2019 and 2020 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 5 U.S.C. 553, 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 apply or an explanation of why no such estimate is available; (5) a description of the projected reporting, recordkeeping, and other compliance requirements of the rule, including an estimate of the classes of small entities which will be subject to the requirement and the type of professional skills necessary for preparation of the report or record; and (6) a description of the steps the agency has taken to minimize the significant economic impact on small entities consistent with the stated objectives of applicable statutes, including a statement of the factual, policy, and legal reasons for selecting the alternative adopted in the final rule and why each one of the other significant alternatives to the rule considered by the agency that affect the impact on small entities was rejected. A description of this action, its purpose, and its legal basis are contained at the beginning of the preamble to this final rule and are not repeated here. NMFS published the proposed rule on December 6, 2018 (83 FR 62794). NMFS prepared an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) to accompany the proposed action, and included a summary in the proposed rule. The comment period closed on January 7, 2019. 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 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. Using the most recent data available (2017), the estimated number of directly regulated small entities include approximately 821 individual catcher PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 9447 vessel entities with gross revenues meeting small entity criteria. Of these entities, 745 used hook-and-line gear, 120 used pot gear, and 32 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, in 2017, small hook-and-line entities had average gross revenues of $380,000, small pot entities had average gross revenues of $790,000, and small trawl entities had average gross revenues of $1.97 million. Some of these vessels are members of AFA inshore pollock cooperatives, of GOA rockfish cooperatives, or of Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands crab rationalization cooperatives, and, therefore, under the RFA it is the aggregate gross receipts of all participating members of the cooperative that must meet the threshold. Vessels that participate in these cooperatives are considered to be large entities within the meaning of the RFA. These relationships are accounted for, along with corporate affiliations among vessels, to the extent that they are known, in the estimated number of small entities. If affiliations exist of which NMFS is unaware, or if entities had non-fishing revenue sources, the estimates above may overstate the number of directly regulated small entities. This action does not modify recordkeeping or reporting requirements. NMFS considered alternative harvest strategies when choosing the preferred harvest strategy (Alternative 2) in December 2006. These included the following: • Alternative 1: Set TACs to produce fishing mortality rates, F, that are equal to maxFABC, unless the sum of the TACs is constrained by the OY established in the FMP. 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 GOA groundfish fishery management plan. 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 E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 14MRR2 9448 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations 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: First, 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/ blackspotted 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 of Commerce 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 2019 and 2020 are 509,507 mt and 487,218 mt, respectively. The sums of the TACs in 2019 and 2020 are 430,569 mt and VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 408,534 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 Pacific 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, except the Central GOA. 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 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 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 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. 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 GHLs 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 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, as well as National Standard 2 of the MagnusonStevens Act (16 U.S.C. 1851(a)(2)). 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 2019 TACs by about 73 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 E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 14MRR2 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 / Rules and Regulations smaller production. Thus, this action would have a detrimental economic impact on small entities, compared to the preferred alternative. 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 and would be inconsistent with achieving OY on a continuing basis, as mandated by the MagnusonStevens Act (16 U.S.C. 1851(a)(1)). Adverse impacts on marine mammals or endangered species resulting from fishing activities conducted under this rule are discussed in the Final EIS and its accompanying annual SIRs (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 is contrary to the public interest. The Plan Team review of the 2018 SAFE report occurred in November 2018, and the Council considered and recommended the final harvest specifications in December 2018. Accordingly, NMFS’s review of the final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications could not begin until after the December 2018 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 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications (83 FR 8768, March 1, 2018) 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 2019 ABCs and TACs than those established in the 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications (83 FR 8768, March 1, 2018). If implemented immediately, this rule would ensure that NMFS can properly manage those VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:41 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 fisheries for which this rule sets lower 2019 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, 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 2019 TACs (set under the 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications) be reached. Determining which fisheries may close is nearly 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 15, 2019, which is the start of the 2019 Pacific halibut season as specified by the IPHC, the hook-and-line sablefish fishery will not PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 9990 9449 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 2019 and 2020 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 2019 and 2020 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 2019 and 2020 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. Dated: March 7, 2019. Samuel D. Rauch, III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2019–04538 Filed 3–13–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\14MRR2.SGM 14MRR2

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 50 (Thursday, March 14, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9416-9449]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-04538]

[[Page 9415]]

Vol. 84

Thursday,

No. 50

March 14, 2019

Part II

Department of Commerce

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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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50 CFR Part 679

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska;
Final 2019 and 2020 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish; Final Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 84 , No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2019 /
Rules and Regulations

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 180831813-9170-02]
RIN 0648-XG471

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of
Alaska; Final 2019 and 2020 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 2019 and 2020 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
remainder of the 2019 and the start of the 2020 fishing years and to
accomplish the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for
Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska. The 2019 harvest specifications
supersede those previously set in the 2018 and 2019 harvest
specifications, and the 2020 harvest specifications will be superseded
in early 2020 when the final 2020 and 2021 harvest specifications are
published. 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 14, 2019, through 2400 hours, A.l.t.,
December 31, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the Final Alaska Groundfish Harvest
Specifications Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Record of Decision
(ROD), the annual Supplementary Information Reports (SIRs) to the EIS,
and the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) prepared for
this action are available from https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. The
2018 Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) report for the
groundfish resources of the GOA, dated November 2018, and SAFE reports
for previous years are 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 that NMFS, after
consultation with the Council, 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 that NMFS
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 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications for groundfish of
the GOA and Pacific halibut PSC limits were published in the Federal
Register on December 6, 2018 (83 FR 62794). Comments were invited and
accepted through January 7, 2019. NMFS received five letters of comment
on the proposed harvest specifications; the comments are summarized and
responded to in the ``Comments and Responses'' section of this rule. In
December 2018, NMFS consulted with the Council regarding the 2019 and
2020 harvest specifications. After considering public comment, as well
as biological and socioeconomic data that were available at the
Council's December 2018 meeting, NMFS is implementing the final 2019
and 2020 harvest specifications, as recommended by the Council. For
2019, the sum of the TAC amounts is 430,569 mt. For 2020, the sum of
the TAC amounts is 408,534 mt.

Other Actions Affecting the 2019 and 2020 Harvest Specifications

Amendment 106: Reclassify Squid as an Ecosystem Species

On July 6, 2018, NMFS published the final rule to implement
Amendment 106 to the FMP (83 FR 31460). This rule reclassified 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.
Accordingly, NMFS will no longer set an Overfishing Level (OFL),
acceptable biological catch (ABC), and TAC for squid in the GOA
groundfish harvest specifications, beginning with the proposed 2019 and
2020 harvest specifications. Amendment 106 prohibits directed fishing
for squid, while maintaining recordkeeping and reporting requirements
for squid. Amendment 106 also establishes a squid maximum retainable
amount when directed fishing for groundfish species at 20 percent to
discourage targeting squid species.

Rulemaking To Prohibit Directed Fishing for American Fisheries Act
(AFA) and Crab Rationalization (CR) Program Sideboard Limits

On February 8, 2019, NMFS published a final rule (84 FR 2723) that
modifies regulations for the AFA Program and CR Program participants
subject to limits on the catch of specific species (sideboard limits)
in the GOA. Sideboard limits are intended to prevent participants who
benefit from receiving exclusive harvesting privileges in a particular
fishery from shifting effort to other fisheries.
Specifically, the final rule primarily establishes regulations to
prohibit directed fishing for sideboard limits for specific groundfish
species or species groups, rather than prohibiting directed fishing for
AFA Program and CR Program sideboard limits through the GOA annual
harvest specifications. The final rule streamlines and simplifies
NMFS's management of applicable groundfish sideboard limits. Currently,
NMFS calculates numerous AFA Program and CR Program sideboard limits as
part of the annual GOA groundfish harvest specifications process and
publishes these limits in the Federal Register. Concurrently, NMFS
prohibits directed fishing for the majority of the groundfish sideboard
limits because most limits are too small to support directed fishing.
Rather than continue this annual process, the final rule revises
regulations to prohibit

[[Page 9417]]

directed fishing in regulation for most AFA Program and CR Program
groundfish sideboard limits. Once the final rule is effective
(effective March 11, 2019), NMFS will no longer publish in the annual
GOA harvest specifications the AFA Program and CR Program sideboard
limit amounts for groundfish species subject to the final rule
(contained in Tables 18, 19, 21, and 22 of this action), and those
groundfish species subject to the final rule will be prohibited to
directed fishing in regulation (84 FR 2723).

ABC and TAC Specifications

In December 2018, the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC),
Advisory Panel (AP), and Council reviewed the most recent biological
and harvest information about the condition of groundfish stocks in the
GOA. The GOA Groundfish Plan Team compiled and presented this
information in the 2018 SAFE report for the GOA groundfish fisheries,
dated November 2018 (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 2018 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 2018 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 2018 SAFE report
per the stock assessment schedule found in the 2018 SAFE report
introduction. The SSC reviewed this information at the December 2018
Council meeting. Changes from the proposed to the final 2019 and 2020
harvest specifications are discussed below.
The final 2019 and 2020 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 2019 and 2020 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. The final TAC recommendations are 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 2019 and 2020 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, arrowtooth flounder in the
Central GOA, 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,'' big skate, longnose skate,
other skates, sculpins, sharks, and octopuses in the GOA. The Council
recommended TACs for 2019 and 2020 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 in the Western GOA and the West Yakutat and SEO Districts,
flathead sole in the Western and Central GOA, 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) so that the ABCs for pollock and
Pacific cod are not exceeded. The Western GOA shallow-water flatfish,
Western GOA arrowtooth flounder, and Western GOA 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 Atka mackerel TAC is set to accommodate
incidental catch amounts in other fisheries.
The final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications approved by the
Secretary of Commerce are unchanged from those recommended by the
Council, with the exception of the 2019 pollock ABCs and TACs for the
Central GOA, and are consistent with the preferred harvest strategy
alternative in the EIS (see ADDRESSES).
Following the December Council meeting, NMFS identified an error in
the calculation of the 2019 seasonal apportionment of pollock among the
combined Western, Central, and West Yakutat Regulatory Areas (W/C/WYK)
management areas. This error does not affect the determination of the
OFL or ABC (annual catch limit) for the combined W/C/WYK management
areas. This error affects the 2019 seasonal TAC apportionments for the
A season for Statistical Areas 620 and 630 (i.e., the Central GOA
management area), and the total ABC and TAC for the Central GOA
management area. NMFS brought these errors to the Council's attention
at the February 2019 Council meeting, along with NMFS's intent to make
these corrections to the 2019 seasonal TAC apportionments for pollock.
The Council did not object to the corrections for 2019. During the next
annual harvest specifications process, NMFS will revise the 2020
seasonal TAC apportionments for pollock, which will be based on the
Council's recommendations at the December 2019 meeting for the 2020 and
2021 harvest specifications. Annually, NMFS makes an inseason
adjustment to the next year's pollock specifications (i.e., 2020) if
necessary to ensure that the GOA pollock TAC for the upcoming year is
the appropriate amount based on the best scientific information for
pollock in the GOA.
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 2018 SAFE report. This finding incorporates the
corrections to the Council's recommendations for the pollock ABCs and
TACs for the Central GOA management area. 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
TACs and apportionments, and NMFS approves

[[Page 9418]]

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 2019 and 2020 OFLs, ABCs, TACs, and
area apportionments of groundfish in the GOA. The 2019 harvest
specifications set in this final action will supersede the 2019 harvest
specifications previously set in the final 2018 and 2019 harvest
specifications (83 FR 8768, March 1, 2018). The 2020 harvest
specifications will be superseded in early 2020 when the final 2020 and
2021 harvest specifications are published. Pursuant to this final
action, the 2019 harvest specifications therefore will apply for the
remainder of the current year (2019), while the 2020 harvest
specifications are projected only for the following year (2020) and
will be superseded in early 2020 by the final 2020 and 2021 harvest
specifications. Because this final action (published in early 2019)
will be superseded in early 2020 by the publication of the final 2020
and 2021 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's 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 W/C/WYK Regulatory
Areas 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 water and Federal
water pollock removals from the GOA not exceed ABC recommendations. For
2019 and 2020, 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 2018 Plan Team meeting, State fisheries managers
recommended setting the PWS GHL at 2.5 percent of the annual W/C/WYK
pollock ABC. For 2019, this yields a PWS pollock GHL of 3,396 mt, a
decrease of 641 mt from the 2018 PWS GHL of 4,037 mt. For 2020, the PWS
pollock GHL is 2,722 mt, a decrease of 1,315 mt from the 2018 PWS
pollock GHL of 4,037 mt. After the GHL reductions, the 2019 and 2020
pollock ABCs for the combined W/C/WYK areas are 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
combined W/C/WYK ACL, ABC, and TAC are not exceeded.
NMFS establishes pollock TACs in the Western (Area 610) and Central
(Areas 620 and 630) Regulatory Areas 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 2019 and 2020 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 water and Federal water
Pacific cod removals from the GOA not exceed ABC recommendations.
Accordingly, the Council set the 2019 and 2020 Pacific cod TACs in the
Western, Central, and Eastern Regulatory Areas to account for State
GHLs. Therefore, 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. The 2020 Pacific cod TACs are
less than the ABCs by the following amounts: (1) Western GOA, 2,909 mt;
(2) Central GOA, 2,435 mt; and (3) Eastern GOA, 540 mt. These amounts
reflect the State's 2019 and 2020 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 trawl
groundfish fisheries in the WYK District (Sec. 679.20(a)(4)(i)).
Tables 7 and 8 list the final 2019 and 2020 allocations of sablefish
TAC to fixed gear and trawl gear in the GOA.

Changes From the Proposed 2019 and 2020 Harvest Specifications in the
GOA

In October 2018, the Council's recommendations for the proposed
2019 and 2020 harvest specifications (83 FR 62794, December 6, 2018)
were based largely on information contained in the final 2017 SAFE
report for the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated November 2017. The final
2017 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 2019 groundfish fisheries (83 FR 8768, March 1,
2018) be used for the proposed 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications (83
FR 62794, December 6, 2018), pending completion and review of the 2018
SAFE report at the Council's December 2018 meeting.
As described previously, the SSC recommended the final 2019 and
2020 OFLs and ABCs as recommended by the Plan Team. The Council adopted
as its recommendations the SSC's OFL and ABC recommendations and the
AP's TAC recommendations for 2019 and 2020.

[[Page 9419]]

The final 2019 ABCs are higher than the proposed 2019 ABCs
published in the proposed 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications (83 FR
62794, December 6, 2018) for pollock, shallow-water flatfish, deep-
water flatfish, rex sole, arrowtooth flounder, flathead sole, northern
rockfish, dusky rockfish, rougheye/blackspotted rockfish, demersal
shelf rockfish, other rockfish, and sharks. The final 2019 ABCs are
lower than the proposed 2019 ABCs for sablefish, Pacific ocean perch,
and thornyhead rockfish.
The final 2020 ABCs are higher than the proposed ABCs for pollock,
Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole,
arrowtooth flounder, flathead sole, northern rockfish, dusky rockfish,
demersal shelf rockfish, other rockfish, and sharks. The final 2020
ABCs are lower than the proposed 2020 ABCs for sablefish, Pacific ocean
perch, rougheye/blackspotted rockfish, and thornyhead rockfish. For the
remaining target species, the Council recommended the final 2019 and
2020 ABCs that are the same as the proposed 2019 and 2020 ABCs.
Additional information explaining the changes between the proposed
and final ABCs is included in the final 2018 SAFE report, which was not
available when the Council made its proposed ABC and TAC
recommendations in October 2018. At that time, the most recent stock
assessment information was contained in the final 2017 SAFE report. The
final 2018 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 2018 SAFE report in December
2018 when it made recommendations for the final 2019 and 2020 harvest
specifications. In the GOA, the total final 2019 TAC amount is 430,569
mt, an increase of 15 percent from the total proposed 2019 TAC amount
of 375,280 mt. The total final 2020 TAC amount is 408,534 mt, an
increase of 9 percent from the total proposed 2020 TAC amount of
375,280 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. Changes to biomass and ABC estimates are primarily
based on fishery catch updates to species' assessment models. Some
species, such as pollock and sablefish, have additional surveys
conducted on an annual basis, which resulted in additional data being
available for the 2018 assessments for these stocks.
The changes from the proposed 2019 TACs to the final 2019 TACs are
within a range of plus 143 percent or minus 29 percent, and the changes
from the proposed 2020 TACs to the final 2020 TACs are within a range
of plus 143 percent or minus 5 percent. Based on changes in the
estimates of overall biomass in the stock assessment for 2019 and 2020,
as compared to the estimates previously made for 2018 and 2019, the
species or species group with the greatest TAC percentage increases are
pollock, Pacific cod, arrowtooth flounder, northern rockfish, other
rockfish, and sharks. Based on changes in the estimates of biomass, the
species or species group with the greatest decreases in TACs is
sablefish. For all other species and species groups, changes from the
proposed 2019 TACs to the final 2019 TACs and changes from the proposed
2020 TACs to the final 2020 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 2018 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 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications.

Table 1a--Comparison of Proposed and Final 2019 and 2020 GOA Total Allowable Catch Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentage]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2019 Final 2020 Final
Species 2019 and 2020 2019 Final TAC minus 2019 Percentage 2020 Final TAC minus 2020 Percentage
proposed TAC proposed TAC difference (%) proposed TAC difference (%)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock................................. 112,678 141,227 28,549 25 114,943 2,265 2
Pacific cod............................. 12,368 12,368 0 0 15,709 3,341 27
Sablefish............................... 16,194 11,571 -4,623 -29 15,462 -732 -5
Shallow-water flatfish.................. 43,128 43,217 89 0 43,606 478 1
Deep-water flatfish..................... 9,499 9,501 2 0 9,624 125 1
Rex sole................................ 14,529 14,692 163 1 14,725 196 1
Arrowtooth flounder..................... 76,300 99,295 22,995 30 96,875 20,575 27
Flathead sole........................... 26,487 26,489 2 0 26,587 100 0
Pacific ocean perch..................... 28,605 28,555 -50 0 27,652 -953 -3
Northern rockfish....................... 3,347 4,528 1,181 35 4,269 922 28
Shortraker rockfish..................... 863 863 0 0 863 0 0
Dusky rockfish.......................... 3,668 3,700 32 1 3,670 2 0
Rougheye/blackspotted rockfish.......... 1,427 1,428 1 0 1,414 -13 -1
Demersal shelf rockfish................. 250 261 11 4 261 11 4
Thornyhead rockfish..................... 2,038 2,016 -22 -1 2,016 -22 -1
Other rockfish.......................... 2,305 5,594 3,289 143 5,594 3,289 143
Atka mackerel........................... 3,000 3,000 0 0 3,000 0 0
Big skate............................... 2,848 2,848 0 0 2,848 0 0
Longnose skate.......................... 3,572 3,572 0 0 3,572 0 0
Other skates............................ 1,384 1,384 0 0 1,384 0 0
Sculpins................................ 5,301 5,301 0 0 5,301 0 0
Sharks.................................. 4,514 8,184 3,670 81 8,184 3,670 81
Squids.................................. 0 0 0 .............. 0 0 ..............
Octopuses............................... 975 975 0 0 975 0 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 9420]]

Total............................... 375,280 430,569 55,289 15 408,534 33,254 9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The final 2019 and 2020 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 2019 and 2020, respectively.

Table 1--Final 2019 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs of Groundfish for the Western/Central/West Yakutat, Western, Central,
Eastern Regulatory Areas, the West Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts of the Eastern Regulatory Area, 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 24,875 24,875
Chirikof (620).......... n/a 67,388 67,388
Kodiak (630)............ n/a 34,443 34,443
WYK (640)............... n/a 5,748 5,748
W/C/WYK (subtotal) \2\.. 194,230 135,850 132,454
SEO (650)............... 11,697 8,773 8,773
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 205,927 144,623 141,227
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................... 23,669 17,000 12,368
Sablefish \4\......................... W....................... n/a 1,581 1,581
C....................... n/a 5,178 5,178
WYK..................... n/a 1,828 1,828
SEO..................... n/a 2,984 2,984
E (WYK and SEO) n/a 4,812 4,812
(subtotal).
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 25,227 11,571 11,571
Shallow-water flatfish \5\............ W....................... n/a 25,620 13,250
C....................... n/a 25,731 25,731
WYK..................... n/a 2,279 2,279
SEO..................... n/a 1,957 1,957
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 68,309 55,587 43,217
Deep-water flatfish \6\............... W....................... n/a 416 416
C....................... n/a 3,443 3,443
WYK..................... n/a 3,280 3,280
SEO..................... n/a 2,362 2,362
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 11,434 9,501 9,501
Rex sole.............................. W....................... n/a 2,951 2,951
C....................... n/a 8,357 8,357
WYK..................... n/a 1,657 1,657
SEO..................... n/a 1,727 1,727
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 17,889 14,692 14,692
Arrowtooth flounder................... W....................... n/a 35,994 14,500
C....................... n/a 70,995 70,995
WYK..................... n/a 15,911 6,900
SEO..................... .............. 22,941 6,900
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 174,598 145,841 99,295
Flathead sole......................... W....................... n/a 13,234 8,650
C....................... n/a 20,238 15,400
WYK..................... n/a 1,932 1,932
SEO..................... n/a 406 406
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 44,865 21,109 15,400
Pacific ocean perch \7\............... W....................... n/a 3,227 3,227
C....................... n/a 19,646 19,646
WYK..................... n/a 3,296 3,296

[[Page 9421]]

W/C/WYK subtotal........ 31,113 26,169 26,169
SEO..................... 2,838 2,386 2,386
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 33,951 28,555 28,555
Northern rockfish \8\................. W....................... n/a 1,190 1,190
C....................... n/a 3,338 3,338
E....................... n/a 1 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 5,402 4,529 4,528
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 781 781
C....................... n/a 2,764 2,764
WYK..................... n/a 95 95
SEO..................... n/a 60 60
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 4,521 3,700 3,700
Rougheye and Blackspotted rockfish W....................... n/a 174 174
\11\.
C....................... n/a 550 550
E....................... n/a 704 704
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 1,715 1,428 1,428
Demersal shelf rockfish \12\.......... SEO..................... 411 261 261
Thornyhead rockfish................... W....................... n/a 326 326
C....................... n/a 911 911
E....................... n/a 779 779
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 2,688 2,016 2,016
Other rockfish 13 14.................. W and C................. n/a 1,737 1,737
WYK..................... n/a 368 368
SEO..................... n/a 3,489 3,489
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 7,356 5,594 5,594
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...................... 10,913 8,184 8,184
Octopus............................... GW...................... 1,300 975 975
-----------------------------------------------
Total............................. ........................ 664,889 509,507 430,569
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 135,850 mt. After deducting 2.5 percent (3,396 mt)
of that ABC for the State's pollock GHL fishery, the remaining pollock ABC of 132,454 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 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 TAC in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA is
allocated 90 percent to vessels harvesting Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component and 10 percent
to vessels harvesting Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component. Table 5 lists the final 2019
Pacific cod seasonal apportionments.
\4\ Sablefish is allocated to trawl and fixed gear in 2019 and trawl gear in 2020. Table 7 lists the final 2019
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.

[[Page 9422]]

\8\ ``Northern rockfish'' means Sebastes polyspinis. For management purposes, the 1 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 and blackspotted 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 2020 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs of Groundfish for the Western/Central/West Yakutat, Western, Central,
Eastern Regulatory Areas, the West Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts of the Eastern Regulatory Area, 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 19,939 19,939
Chirikof (620).......... n/a 57,279 57,279
Kodiak (630)............ n/a 24,345 24,345
WYK (640)............... n/a 4,607 4,607
W/C/WYK (subtotal) \2\.. 148,968 108,892 106,170
SEO (650)............... 11,697 8,773 8,773
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 160,665 117,665 114,943
Pacific cod \3\....................... W....................... n/a 9,695 6,787
C....................... n/a 9,738 7,304
E....................... n/a 2,159 1,619
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 26,078 21,592 15,709
Sablefish \4\......................... W....................... n/a 2,105 2,105
C....................... n/a 6,931 6,931
WYK..................... n/a 2,433 2,433
SEO..................... n/a 3,993 3,993
E (WYK and SEO) n/a 6,426 6,426
(subtotal).
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 34,872 15,462 15,462
Shallow-water flatfish \5\............ W....................... n/a 25,952 13,250
C....................... n/a 26,065 26,065
WYK..................... n/a 2,308 2,308
SEO..................... n/a 1,983 1,983
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 69,167 56,308 43,606
Deep-water flatfish \6\............... W....................... n/a 420 420
C....................... n/a 3,488 3,488
WYK..................... n/a 3,323 3,323
SEO..................... n/a 2,393 2,393
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 11,581 9,624 9,624
Rex sole.............................. W....................... n/a 2,956 2,956
C....................... n/a 8,371 8,371
WYK..................... n/a 1,664 1,664
SEO..................... n/a 1,734 1,734
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 17,942 14,725 14,725
Arrowtooth flounder................... W....................... n/a 34,765 14,500
C....................... n/a 68,575 68,575
WYK..................... n/a 15,368 6,900
SEO..................... n/a 22,157 6,900
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 168,634 140,865 96,875
Flathead sole......................... W....................... n/a 13,771 8,650
C....................... n/a 21,965 15,400
WYK..................... n/a 2,097 2,097
SEO..................... n/a 440 440
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 46,666 38,273 26,587
Pacific ocean perch \7\............... W....................... n/a 3,125 3,125
C....................... n/a 19,024 19,024
WYK..................... n/a 3,192 3,192

[[Page 9423]]

W/C/WYK................. 30,128 25,341 25,341
SEO..................... 2,748 2,311 2,311
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 32,876 27,652 27,652
Northern rockfish \8\................. W....................... n/a 1,122 1,122
C....................... n/a 3,147 3,147
E....................... n/a 1 0
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 5,093 4,270 4,269
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 774 774
C....................... n/a 2,742 2,742
WYK..................... n/a 94 94
SEO..................... n/a 60 60
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 4,484 3,670 3,670
Rougheye and Blackspotted rockfish W....................... n/a 172 172
\11\.
C....................... n/a 545 545
E....................... n/a 697 697
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 1,699 1,414 1,414
Demersal shelf rockfish \12\.......... SEO..................... 411 261 261
Thornyhead rockfish................... W....................... n/a 326 326
C....................... n/a 911 911
E....................... n/a 779 779
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 2,688 2,016 2,016
Other rockfish 13 14.................. W and C................. n/a 1,737 1,737
WYK..................... n/a 368 368
SEO..................... n/a 3,489 3,489
-----------------------------------------------
Total................... 7,356 5,594 5,594
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...................... 10,913 8,184 8,184
Octopus............................... GW...................... 1,300 975 975
-----------------------------------------------
Total............................. ........................ 627,049 487,218 408,534
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 108,892 mt. After deducting 2.5 percent (2,722 mt)
of that ABC for the State's pollock GHL fishery, the remaining pollock ABC of 106,170 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 2020 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 of the GOA is
allocated 90 percent to vessels harvesting Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component and 10 percent
to vessels harvesting Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component. Table 6 lists the final 2020
Pacific cod seasonal apportionments.
\4\ Sablefish is only allocated to trawl gear for 2020. Table 8 lists the final 2020 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.

[[Page 9424]]

Apportionment of Reserves

Section 679.20(b)(2) requires that NMFS set aside 20 percent of
each TAC for pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, sculpins, sharks, and
octopuses in reserve for possible apportionment at a later date during
the fishing year. For 2019 and 2020, NMFS proposed reapportionment of
all the reserves in the proposed 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications
published in the Federal Register on December 6, 2018 (83 FR 62794).
NMFS did not receive any public comments on the proposed
reapportionments. For the final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications,
NMFS reapportioned, as proposed, all the reserves for pollock, Pacific
cod, flatfish, sculpins, sharks, 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 that 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 final 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
2019 and 2020, the Council recommended, and NMFS approved, following
the apportionment methodology that was used previously for the 2018 and
2019 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 2019
and 2020 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
of approximately 3 percent, 86 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
of approximately 37 percent, 27 percent, and 37 percent in Statistical
Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. The pollock chapter of the 2018
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 5,748 mt and 8,773
mt, respectively, in 2019, and 4,607 mt and 8,773 mt, respectively, in
2020, are not allocated by season.
Tables 3 and 4 list the final 2019 and 2020 seasonal biomass
distribution of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas,
area apportionments, and seasonal allowances. The amounts of pollock
for processing by the inshore and offshore components are not shown.
Section 679.20(a)(6)(i) requires the allocation of 100 percent of the
pollock TAC in all regulatory areas and all seasonal allowances to
vessels catching pollock for processing by the inshore component after
subtraction of pollock amounts projected by the Regional Administrator
to be caught by, or delivered to, the offshore component incidental to
directed fishing for other groundfish species. Thus, the amount of
pollock available for harvest by vessels harvesting pollock for
processing by the offshore component is that amount that will be taken
as incidental catch during directed fishing for groundfish species
other than pollock, up to the maximum retainable amounts allowed by
Sec. 679.20(e) and (f). At this time, these incidental catch amounts
of pollock are

[[Page 9425]]

unknown and will be determined during the fishing year during the
course of fishing activities by the offshore component.

Table 3--Final 2019 Distribution of Pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska; 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]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table 4--Final 2020 Distribution of Pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska; 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)....................... 680 2.68% 21,888 86.20% 2,823 11.12% 25,391
B (Mar 10-May 31)....................... 680 2.68% 21,888 86.20% 2,823 11.12% 25,391
C (Aug 25-Oct 1)........................ 9,290 36.59% 6,752 26.59% 9,349 36.82% 25,391
D (Oct 1-Nov 1)......................... 9,290 36.59% 6,752 26.59% 9,349 36.82% 25,391
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Total........................ 19,939 .............. 57,279 .............. 24,345 .............. 101,564
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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.
\3\ Following the December 2018 Council meeting, NMFS identified an error in the calculation of the seasonal apportionment of pollock. This error
affects the A season TAC apportionments for Statistical Areas 620 and 630 (i.e., the Central GOA management area), and the annual total ABC and TAC
for the Central GOA management area. NMFS corrects the 2019 seasonal TAC apportionments for pollock in the final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications.
During the next annual harvest specifications process, NMFS will revise the 2020 seasonal TAC apportionments for pollock, which will be based on the
Council's recommendations at the December 2019 meeting for the 2020 and 2021 harvest specifications. Annually, NMFS makes an inseason adjustment to
the next year's pollock specifications (i.e., 2020) if necessary to ensure that the GOA pollock TAC for the upcoming year is the appropriate amount
based on the best scientific information for pollock in the GOA.

Annual and Seasonal Apportionments of Pacific Cod TAC

Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i), NMFS seasonally allocates the
2019 and 2020 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 allowance from the A season may 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 is
determined by NMFS as 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 that use jig gear
before the 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 2018 harvest performance of the jig sector
in the Western and Central GOA, and is establishing the 2019 and 2020
Pacific cod apportionments to this sector as follows. For 2019 and
2020, NMFS allocates the jig sector 2.5 percent of the

[[Page 9426]]

annual Pacific cod TAC in the Western GOA. This is an increase from the
2018 jig sector allocation of 1.5 percent. The 2019 and 2020
allocations consist of a base allocation of 1.5 percent of the Western
GOA Pacific cod TAC, and a 1.0 percent performance increase because in
2018 the jig sector harvested greater than 90 percent of its 2018
Pacific cod allocation.
For 2019 and 2020, 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 2018 jig sector allocation because in 2018 this sector harvested
less than 90 percent of its 2018 Pacific cod allocation. The 2019 and
2020 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.
Tables 5 and 6 list the seasonal apportionments and allocations of
the 2019 and 2020 Pacific cod TACs.

Table 5--Final 2019 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocation of Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch (TAC) Amounts in
the GOA; Allocations in the Western GOA and Central GOA Sectors, and the Eastern GOA Inshore and Offshore
Processing Components
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Season B Season
---------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Sector Sector
Regulatory area and sector allocation percentage of Seasonal percentage of Seasonal
(mt) annual non-jig allowances annual non-jig allowances
TAC (mt) TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA:
Jig (2.5% of TAC)........... 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
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
127
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Trawl catcher 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 12. Final 2019 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA and Table
28c to 50 CFR part 679).

Table 6--Final 2020 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocation of Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch (TAC) Amounts in
the GOA; Allocations in the Western GOA and Central GOA Sectors, and the Eastern GOA Inshore and Offshore
Processing Components
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Season B Season
---------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Sector Sector
Regulatory area and sector allocation percentage of Seasonal percentage of Seasonal
(mt) annual non-jig allowances annual non-jig allowances
TAC (mt) TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA:
Jig (2.5% of TAC)........... 170 N/A 102 N/A 68
Hook-and-line CV............ 93 0.70 46 0.70 46
Hook-and-line C/P........... 1,310 10.90 721 8.90 589
Trawl CV.................... 2,541 27.70 1,833 10.70 708
Trawl C/P................... 159 0.90 60 1.50 99
All Pot CV and Pot C/P...... 2,514 19.80 1,310 18.20 1,204
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 6,787 60.00 4,072 40.00 2,715
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central GOA:
Jig (1.0% of TAC)........... 73 N/A 44 N/A 29

[[Page 9427]]

Hook-and-line <50 CV........ 1,056 9.32 674 5.29 382
Hook-and-line >=50 CV....... 485 5.61 406 1.10 79
Hook-and-line C/P........... 369 4.11 297 1.00 72
Trawl CV \1\................ 3,007 21.14 1,528 20.45 1,479
Trawl C/P................... 304 2.00 145 2.19 159
All Pot CV and Pot C/P...... 2,010 17.83 1,289 9.97 721
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 7,304 60.00 4,382 40.00 2,921
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern GOA..................... .............. Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,619 1,457
162
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Trawl catcher vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 278 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 2020 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA and Table
28c to 50 CFR part 679).

Allocations of the Sablefish TACs 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, 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 using trawl gear while
directed fishing 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 specifying for incidental catch the allocation of 5
percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area sablefish TAC to trawl
gear in the WYK District. The remainder of the WYK sablefish TAC is
allocated 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 2019 allocation of 241 mt to trawl gear and 1,587
mt to fixed gear in the WYK District, a 2019 allocation of 2,984 mt to
fixed gear in the SEO District, and a 2020 allocation of 321 mt to
trawl gear in the WYK District. Table 7 lists the allocations of the
2019 sablefish TACs to fixed and trawl gear. Table 8 lists the
allocations of the 2020 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 2019 and 2020 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 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 15, 2019, the Council
recommended that the fixed gear sablefish TAC be set annually, rather
than for two years, so that the best scientific information available
could be considered in establishing the sablefish ABCs and TACs.
Accordingly, Table 7 lists the 2019 fixed gear allocations, and the
2020 fixed gear allocations will be specified in the 2020 and 2021
harvest specifications.
With the exception of the trawl allocations that are provided to
the Rockfish Program (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 2019 and 2020 harvest
specifications.

Table 7--Final 2019 Sablefish TAC Specifications in the Gulf of Alaska 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......................................................... 1,581 1,265 316
Central \1\..................................................... 5,178 4,142 1,036
West Yakutat \2\................................................ 1,828 1,587 241
Southeast Outside............................................... 2,984 2,984 0
-----------------------------------------------

[[Page 9428]]

Total....................................................... 11,571 9,978 1,593
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The trawl allocation of sablefish in the Central Regulatory Area is further apportioned to the Rockfish
Program cooperatives (533 mt). See Table 12: Final 2019 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the
Central GOA. This results in 503 mt being available for the non-Rockfish Program trawl fisheries.
\2\ The trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat
and Southeast Outside Districts) sablefish TAC as incidental catch to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.

Table 8--Final 2020 Sablefish TAC Specifications in the Gulf of Alaska and Allocation to Trawl Gear \1\
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed gear Trawl gear
Area/district TAC allocation allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western......................................................... 2,105 n/a 421
Central \2\..................................................... 6,931 n/a 1,386
West Yakutat \3\................................................ 2,433 n/a 321
Southeast Outside............................................... 3,993 n/a 0
-----------------------------------------------
Total....................................................... 15,462 n/a 2,129
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Council recommended that the final 2020 harvest specifications for the fixed gear sablefish Individual
Fishing Quota fisheries not be specified in the final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications.
\2\ The trawl allocation of sablefish in the Central Regulatory Area is further apportioned to the Rockfish
Program cooperatives (713 mt). See Table 13: Final 2020 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the
Central GOA. This results in 673 mt being available for the non-Rockfish Program trawl fisheries.
\3\ The trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat
and Southeast Outside Districts) sablefish TAC as incidental catch to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.

Allocations, Apportionments, and Sideboard Limits for the Rockfish
Program

These final 2019 and 2020 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 species (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). The
Rockfish Program also 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 and 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 2019
and 2020. The allocation for the entry level longline fishery may
increase incrementally each year if the catch exceeds 90 percent of the
allocation of a species. The incremental increase in the allocation
would continue each year until it reaches the maximum percent of the
TAC for that species. In 2018, the catch of Pacific ocean perch,
northern rockfish, and dusky rockfish did not attain the 90 percent
threshold, and those allocations for 2019 remain the same as the 2018
allocations. The remainder of the TACs for the rockfish primary species
would be allocated to the CV and C/P cooperatives (Sec.
679.81(a)(2)(iii)). Table 9 lists the allocations of the 2019 and 2020
TACs for each rockfish primary species to the entry level longline
fishery, the potential incremental increases for future years, and the
maximum percentages of the TACs assigned to the Rockfish Program that
may be allocated to the rockfish entry level longline fishery.

[[Page 9429]]

Table 9--Final 2019 and Initial 2020 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species to the Entry Level Longline Fishery
in the Central Gulf of Alaska
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incremental increase in
Rockfish primary species 2019 and 2020 allocations 2020 if >90% of 2019 Up to maximum
allocation is harvested percent 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 rockfish primary species
among various sectors of the Rockfish Program. Tables 10 and 11 list
the final 2019 and 2020 allocations of rockfish primary species in the
Central GOA to the entry level longline fishery, and rockfish 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 3,000 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 2019 and 2020 allocations in conjunction with these final
harvest specifications. NMFS will post the 2019 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 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
Central GOA Incidental the entry the rockfish
Rockfish primary species annual TAC catch TAC minus ICA level longline cooperatives
allowance \1\ fishery \2\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch............. 19,646 3,000 16,646 5 16,641
Northern rockfish............... 3,338 300 3,038 5 3,033
Dusky rockfish.................. 2,764 250 2,514 50 2,464
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total....................... 25,748 3,550 22,198 60 22,138
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 2020 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
Central GOA Incidental the entry the rockfish
Rockfish primary species annual TAC catch TAC minus ICA level longline cooperatives
allowance \1\ fishery \2\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch............. 19,024 3,000 16,024 5 16,019
Northern rockfish............... 3,147 300 2,847 5 2,842
Dusky rockfish.................. 2,742 250 2,492 50 2,442
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total....................... 24,913 3,550 21,363 60 21,303
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 2019 and 2020 TACs of rockfish secondary species in the Central GOA
to CV and C/P cooperatives.

[[Page 9430]]

Table 12--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
Central GOA ---------------------------------------------------------------
Rockfish secondary species annual TAC Percentage of Apportionment Percentage of Apportionment
TAC (mt) TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod..................... 5,750 3.81 219 0.00 0
Sablefish....................... 5,178 6.78 351 3.51 182
Shortraker rockfish............. 305 0.00 0 40.00 122
Rougheye/blackspotted rockfish.. 550 0.00 0 58.87 324
Thornyhead rockfish............. 911 7.84 71 26.50 241
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table 13--Final 2020 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
Central GOA ---------------------------------------------------------------
Rockfish secondary species annual TAC Percentage of Apportionment Percentage of Apportionment
TAC (mt) TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod..................... 7,304 3.81 278 0.00 0
Sablefish....................... 6,931 6.78 470 3.51 243
Shortraker rockfish............. 305 0.00 0 40.00 122
Rougheye/blackspotted rockfish.. 545 0.00 0 58.87 321
Thornyhead rockfish............. 911 7.84 71 26.50 241
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Halibut PSC Limits

Section 679.21(d) establishes annual halibut PSC limit
apportionments to trawl gear and hook-and-line gear, and authorizes the
establishment of apportionments for pot gear. In December 2018, 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 2019 and 2020.
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 Alaska Department of Fish and Game sets the commercial GHL for the
DSR fishery after deducting (1) estimates of DSR incidental catch in
all fisheries (including halibut and subsistence); and (2) the
allocation to the DSR sport fishery. Of the 250 mt TAC for DSR in 2018,
58 mt were available for directed fishing by the DSR commercial
fishery, of which 26 mt were harvested (through December 17, 2018).
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 2019 and 2020. 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 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 2018. The
calculated halibut bycatch mortality through December 31, 2018, is
1,103 mt for trawl gear and 51 mt for hook-and-line gear for a total
halibut mortality of 1,154 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 that the Council and NMFS 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 2018 SAFE report, NMFS catch
data, State of Alaska catch data, IPHC stock assessment and mortality
data, and

[[Page 9431]]

public testimony when apportioning the halibut PSC limits.
For 2019 and 2020, the Council increased the trawl halibut PSC
apportionment in the first season to 519 mt, an increase of 50 mt. The
trawl halibut PSC apportionment for the third season was reduced by 50
mt to 462 mt. The 50 mt of halibut PSC that was moved from the third
season to the first season was apportioned to the deep-water species
fishery, which increased to 135 mt. The trawl halibut PSC apportionment
in the fourth season was apportioned between the shallow-water (53 mt)
and deep-water (75 mt) species fisheries. The overall trawl halibut PSC
limit (of 1,706 mt) is unchanged. In addition, the Council changed the
end date of the third season halibut PSC apportionment to August 1 from
September 1. The Council also changed the beginning date of the fourth
season halibut PSC apportionment to August 1 from September 1.
The changes to the apportionment amounts and seasons are intended
to better align halibut PSC use in the groundfish fisheries relative to
expected halibut PSC needs on a seasonal basis and relative to changes
in halibut biomass distribution and the expected catches of target
groundfish species and corresponding halibut PSC rates. Also, the
changes are intended to ensure that there is more consistent trawl
fishing effort throughout the year, with fewer fishery closures due to
the attainment of seasonal halibut PSC limits. These changes could
result in increased efficiency for the trawl fleet and the GOA seafood
processors dependent on groundfish caught by vessels using trawl gear.
These changes are reflected in both Tables 14 and 15.
NMFS concurs with and implements the Council's recommendations
listed in Table 14, which show the final 2019 and 2020 Pacific halibut
PSC limits, allowances, and apportionments. These halibut PSC limits
and seasons differ from those contained in the proposed 2019 and 2020
harvest specifications (83 FR 62794, December 6, 2018), for the reasons
discussed above.
Section 679.21(d)(4)(iii) and (iv) specifies that any underages or
overages of a seasonal apportionment of a halibut PSC limit will be
added to or deducted from the next respective seasonal apportionment
within the fishing year.

Table 14--Final 2019 and 2020 Pacific Halibut Prohibited Species Catch (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...................... 30.4 519 January 1-June 10.......... 86 221 January 1-December 31..... 9
April 1-July 1.......................... 20.0 341 June 10-September 1........ 2 5
July 1-August 1......................... 27.0 462 September 1-December 31.... 12 31
August 1-October 1...................... 7.5 128
October 1-December 31................... 15.0 256
---------------------- ---------------------- ----------
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,
and octopuses) (Sec. 679.21(d)(3)(iii)). Halibut mortality incurred
while directed fishing for skates with trawl gear accrues towards the
shallow-water species 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 species
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 species
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 2019 and 2020 apportionments of trawl
halibut PSC limits between the trawl gear deep-water and shallow-water
species fishery categories. As described above, the Council
recommended, and NMFS implements, the changes to the amount of the
halibut PSC apportionments between the deep-water and shallow-water
species fisheries, along with changes to the season dates for the third
and fourth seasons.
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-

[[Page 9432]]

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 2019 and 2020 Apportionment of Trawl Pacific Halibut Prohibited Species Catch 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.............................................. 384 135 519
April 1-July 1.................................................. 85 256 341
July 1-August 1................................................. 121 341 462
August 1-October 1.............................................. 53 75 128
-----------------------------------------------
Subtotal January 20-October 1............................... 643 807 1,450
October 1-December 31 \2\....................................... .............. .............. 256
-----------------------------------------------
Total................................................... .............. .............. 1,706
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Vessels participating in cooperatives in the Central GOA Rockfish Program will receive 191 mt of the third
season (July 1 through August 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).

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 2018 Pacific cod stock assessment. Updated
information in the final 2018 SAFE report describes this distributional
calculation, which allocates ABC among regulatory areas on the basis of
the three most recent stock surveys. For 2019 and 2020, 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 2019 and 2020, 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 2019 and 2020 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 2019 and 2020 Apportionments of the ``Other Hook-and-Line Fishery'' Annual Halibut Prohibited
Species Catch Allowance Between the Hook-and-Line Gear Catcher Vessel and Catcher/Processor Sectors
[Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector
``Other than DSR'' Hook-and-line sector Sector annual Season Seasonal seasonal
allowance amount percentage amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
257.................. Catcher Vessel...... 120 January 1-June 10.. 86 103
June 10-September 1 2 2
September 1- 12 14
December 31.
Catcher/Processor... 137 January 1-June 10.. 86 118
June 10-September 1 2 3
September 1- 12 16
December 31.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 9433]]

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 2018 Pacific halibut stock assessment (December 2018), available
on the IPHC website at www.iphc.int. The IPHC considered the 2018
Pacific halibut stock assessment at its January 2019 annual meeting
when it set the 2019 commercial halibut fishery catch limits.

Halibut Discard Mortality Rates

To monitor halibut bycatch mortality allowances and apportionments,
the Regional Administrator uses observed halibut incidental catch
rates, halibut discard mortality rates (DMRs), and estimates of
groundfish catch to project when a fishery's halibut bycatch mortality
allowance or seasonal apportionment is reached. Halibut incidental
catch rates are based on observers' estimates of halibut incidental
catch in the groundfish fishery. DMRs are estimates of the proportion
of incidentally caught halibut that do not survive after being returned
to the sea. The cumulative halibut mortality that accrues to a
particular halibut PSC limit is the product of a DMR multiplied by the
estimated halibut PSC. DMRs are estimated using the best 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, 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 2020 DMRs,
may change based on additional years 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 2018 meeting, the SSC, AP, and the Council
concurred with the revised DMR estimation methodology, and NMFS adopted
for 2019 and 2020 the DMRs calculated under the revised methodology,
which uses an updated 2-year reference period. The final 2019 and 2020
DMRs in this rule are unchanged from the DMRs in the proposed 2019 and
2020 harvest specifications (83 FR 62794, December 6, 2018). Table 17
lists these final 2019 and 2020 DMRs.

Table 17--Final 2019 and 2020 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.......... 49
Catcher vessel............ All others................ 67
Mothership and catcher/ All....................... 79
processor.
Hook-and-line........................... Catcher/processor......... All....................... 11
Catcher vessel............ All....................... 21
Pot..................................... Catcher vessel and catcher/ All....................... 4
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 that NMFS
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 trawl non-pollock 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 2018 (3,120 for
trawl C/Ps and 2,340 for Non-Rockfish Program trawl CVs), that

[[Page 9434]]

sector will receive an incremental increase to its 2019 Chinook salmon
PSC limit (Sec. 679.21(h)(4)). In 2018, the trawl C/P sector did not
exceed 3,120 Chinook salmon PSC; therefore, the 2019 trawl C/P sector
Chinook salmon PSC limit will be 4,080 Chinook salmon. In 2018, the
Non-Rockfish Program trawl CV sector did not exceed 2,340 Chinook
salmon PSC; therefore, the 2019 Non-Rockfish Program trawl CV sector
Chinook salmon PSC 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 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.
As discussed earlier in this preamble, NMFS published a final rule
(84 FR 2723, February 8, 2019) that establishes regulations to prohibit
directed fishing for sideboard limits for specific groundfish species
or species groups, rather than prohibiting directed fishing for non-
exempt AFA CV sideboards through the GOA annual harvest specifications.
This applies to most, but not all, of the species and area
apportionments listed in Table 18 and 19. Beginning with the 2020 and
2021 harvest specifications, NMFS will incorporate such changes into
the specification and management of non-exempt AFA CV sideboard limits.
Tables 18 and 19 list the final 2019 and 2020 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 2019 GOA Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel (CV) Groundfish Sideboard Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1995-
1997 non- Final 2019 non-
Species Apportionments Area/component exempt AFA CV Final 2019 exempt AFA CV
by season/gear catch to 1995- TACs sideboard
1997 TAC limit \3\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock...................... A Season-- Shumagin (610). 0.6047 848 513
January 20- Chirikof (620). 0.1167 23,236 2,712
March 10.
Kodiak (630)... 0.2028 7,593 1,540
B Season--March Shumagin (610). 0.6047 848 513
10-May 31. Chirikof (620). 0.1167 27,306 3,187
Kodiak (630)... 0.2028 3,522 714
C Season--August Shumagin (610). 0.6047 11,590 7,008
25--October 1. Chirikof (620). 0.1167 8,423 983
Kodiak (630)... 0.2028 11,664 2,365
D Season-- Shumagin (610). 0.6047 11,590 7,008
October 1-- Chirikof (620). 0.1167 8,423 983
November 1.
Kodiak (630)... 0.2028 11,664 2,365
Annual.......... WYK (640)...... 0.3495 5,748 2,009
SEO (650)...... 0.3495 8,773 3,066
Pacific cod.................. A Season \1\-- W.............. 0.1331 3,206 427
January 1-June C.............. 0.0692 3,450 239
10.
B Season \2\-- W.............. 0.1331 2,137 284
September 1- C.............. 0.0692 2,300 159
December 31.
Annual.......... E inshore...... 0.0079 1,148 9
E offshore..... 0.0078 128 1
Sablefish.................... Annual, trawl W.............. 0.0000 316 0
gear.
C.............. 0.0642 1,036 67
E.............. 0.0433 241 10
Shallow-water flatfish....... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0156 13,250 207
C.............. 0.0587 25,731 1,510
E.............. 0.0126 4,236 53
Deep-water flatfish.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0000 416 0
C.............. 0.0647 3,443 223
E.............. 0.0128 5,642 72
Rex sole..................... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0007 2,951 2
C.............. 0.0384 8,357 321
E.............. 0.0029 3,384 10
Arrowtooth flounder.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0021 14,500 30
C.............. 0.0280 70,995 1,988

[[Page 9435]]

E.............. 0.0002 13,800 3
Flathead sole................ Annual.......... W.............. 0.0036 8,650 31
C.............. 0.0213 15,400 328
E.............. 0.0009 2,439 2
Pacific ocean perch.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0023 3,227 7
C.............. 0.0748 19,646 1,470
E.............. 0.0466 5,682 265
Northern rockfish............ Annual.......... W.............. 0.0003 1,190 0
C.............. 0.0277 3,338 92
Shortraker rockfish.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0000 44 0
C.............. 0.0218 305 7
E.............. 0.0110 514 6
Dusky rockfish............... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0001 781 0
C.............. 0.0000 2,764 0
E.............. 0.0067 155 1
Rougheye and blackspotted Annual.......... W.............. 0.0000 174 0
rockfish. C.............. 0.0237 550 13
E.............. 0.0124 704 9
Demersal shelf rockfish...... Annual.......... SEO............ 0.0020 261 1
Thornyhead rockfish.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0280 326 9
C.............. 0.0280 911 26
E.............. 0.0280 779 22
Other rockfish............... Annual.......... C.............. 0.1699 1,737 295
E.............. 0.0000 3,857 0
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 8,184 52
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.
\3\ On February 8, 2019, NMFS published a final rule (84 FR 2723) that modifies regulations for AFA Program and
CR Program participants subject to sideboard limits in the GOA. The final rule establishes regulations to
prohibit directed fishing for sideboard limits for specific groundfish species or species groups, rather than
prohibiting directed fishing for AFA Program and CR Program sideboard limits through the GOA annual harvest
specifications. Once the final rule is effective (effective March 11, 2019), NMFS will no longer publish in
the annual GOA harvest specifications the AFA Program and CR Program sideboard limit amounts for groundfish
species subject to the final rule, and the groundfish species subject to the final rule will be prohibited to
directed fishing in regulation (84 FR 2723).

Table 19--Final 2020 GOA Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel (CV) Groundfish Sideboard Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1995-
1997 non- Final 2020 non-
Species Apportionments Area/component exempt AFA CV Final 2020 exempt AFA CV
by season/gear catch to 1995- TACs sideboard
1997 TAC limit \3\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock...................... A Season-- Shumagin (610). 0.6047 680 411
January 20- Chirikof (620). 0.1167 21,888 2,554
March 10.
Kodiak (630)... 0.2028 2,823 573
B Season--March Shumagin (610). 0.6047 680 411
10-May 31. Chirikof (620). 0.1167 21,888 2,554
Kodiak (630)... 0.2028 2,823 573
C Season--August Shumagin (610). 0.6047 9,290 5,617
25--October 1. Chirikof (620). 0.1167 6,752 788
Kodiak (630)... 0.2028 9,349 1,896
D Season-- Shumagin (610). 0.6047 9,290 5,617
October 1-- Chirikof (620). 0.1167 6,752 788
November 1.

[[Page 9436]]

Kodiak (630)... 0.2028 9,349 1,896
Annual.......... WYK (640)...... 0.3495 4,607 1,610
SEO (650)...... 0.3495 8,773 3,066
Pacific cod.................. A Season \1\-- W.............. 0.1331 4,072 542
January 1--June C.............. 0.0692 4,382 303
10.
B Season \2\- W.............. 0.1331 2,715 361
September 1-- C.............. 0.0692 2,921 202
December 31.
Annual.......... E inshore...... 0.0079 1,457 12
E offshore..... 0.0078 162 1
Sablefish.................... Annual, trawl W.............. 0.0000 421 0
gear.
C.............. 0.0642 1,386 89
E.............. 0.0433 321 14
Shallow-water flatfish....... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0156 13,250 207
C.............. 0.0587 26,065 1,530
E.............. 0.0126 4,291 54
Deep-water flatfish.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0000 420 0
C.............. 0.0647 3,488 226
E.............. 0.0128 5,716 73
Rex sole..................... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0007 2,956 2
C.............. 0.0384 8,371 321
E.............. 0.0029 3,398 10
Arrowtooth flounder.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0021 14,500 30
C.............. 0.0280 68,575 1,920
E.............. 0.0002 13,800 3
Flathead sole................ Annual.......... W.............. 0.0036 8,650 31
C.............. 0.0213 15,400 328
E.............. 0.0009 2,537 2
Pacific ocean perch.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0023 3,125 7
C.............. 0.0748 19,024 1,423
E.............. 0.0466 5,503 256
Northern rockfish............ Annual.......... W.............. 0.0003 1,122 0
C.............. 0.0277 3,147 87
Shortraker rockfish.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0000 44 0
C.............. 0.0218 305 7
E.............. 0.0110 514 6
Dusky rockfish............... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0001 774 0
C.............. 0.0000 2,742 0
E.............. 0.0067 154 1
Rougheye and blackspotted Annual.......... W.............. 0.0000 172 0
rockfish.
C.............. 0.0237 545 13
E.............. 0.0124 697 9
Demersal shelf rockfish...... Annual.......... SEO............ 0.0020 261 1
Thornyhead rockfish.......... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0280 326 9
C.............. 0.0280 911 26
E.............. 0.0280 779 22
Other rockfish............... Annual.......... W/C............ 0.1699 1,737 295
E.............. 0.0000 3,857 0
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 8,184 52
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.

[[Page 9437]]

\3\ On February 8, 2019, NMFS published a final rule (84 FR 2723) that modifies regulations for AFA Program and
CR Program participants subject to sideboard limits in the GOA. The final rule establishes regulations to
prohibit directed fishing for sideboard limits for specific groundfish species or species groups, rather than
prohibiting directed fishing for AFA Program and CR Program sideboard limits through the GOA annual harvest
specifications. Once the final rule is effective (effective March 11, 2019), NMFS will no longer publish in
the annual GOA harvest specifications the AFA Program and CR Program sideboard limit amounts for groundfish
species subject to the final rule, and the groundfish species subject to the final rule will be prohibited to
directed fishing in regulation (84 FR 2723).

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 2019 and 2020 non-
exempt AFA CV halibut PSC limits for vessels using trawl gear in the
GOA, respectively.

Table 20--Final 2019 and 2020 Non-Exempt AFA CV Halibut Prohibited Species Catch (PSC) Sideboard Limits for
Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the GOA
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1995-
1997 non-exempt
AFA CV retained 2019 and 2020 2019 and 2020
Season Season dates Target fishery catch to total PSC limit non-exempt AFA
retained catch CV PSC limit

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.................. January 20-April 1. shallow-water...... 0.340 384 131
deep-water......... 0.070 135 9
2.................. April 1-July 1..... shallow-water...... 0.340 85 29
deep-water......... 0.070 256 18
3.................. July 1-August 1.... shallow-water...... 0.340 121 41
deep-water......... 0.070 341 24
4.................. August 1-October 1. shallow-water...... 0.340 53 18
deep-water......... 0.070 75 5
5.................. October 1-December all targets........ 0.205 256 52
31.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Total shallow-water ............... ............... 219
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total deep-water... ............... ............... 56
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, all season and categories 1,706 328
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 the CR Program,
including 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).
As discussed earlier in this preamble, NMFS published a final rule
(84 FR 2723, February 8, 2019) that establishes regulations to prohibit
directed fishing for sideboard limits for specific groundfish species
or species groups, rather than prohibiting directed fishing for non-AFA
crab vessel sideboards through the GOA annual harvest specifications.
This will apply to most, but not all, of the species and area
apportionments listed in Tables 21 and 22. Beginning with the 2020 and
2021 harvest specifications, NMFS will incorporate such changes into
the specification and the management of non-AFA crab vessel sideboard
limits.
Tables 21 and 22 list the final 2019 and 2020 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.

[[Page 9438]]

Table 21--Final 2019 GOA Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessel Groundfish Sideboard Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1996-
2000 non-AFA Final 2019 non-
crab vessel Final 2019 AFA crab
Species Season/gear Area/component/gear catch to 1996- TACs vessel
2000 total sideboard
harvest limit \3\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock............................. A Season--January 20-March 10............. Shumagin (610)........ 0.0098 848 8
Chirikof (620)........ 0.0031 23,236 72
Kodiak (630).......... 0.0002 7,593 2
B Season--March 10-May 31................. Shumagin (610)........ 0.0098 848 8
Chirikof (620)........ 0.0031 27,306 85
Kodiak (630).......... 0.0002 3,522 1
C Season--August 25-October 1............. Shumagin (610)........ 0.0098 11,590 114
Chirikof (620)........ 0.0031 8,423 26
Kodiak (630).......... 0.0002 11,664 2
D Season--October 1-November 1............ Shumagin (610)........ 0.0098 11,590 114
Chirikof (620)........ 0.0031 8,423 26
Kodiak (630).......... 0.0002 11,664 2
Annual.................................... WYK (640)............. 0.0000 5,748 0
SEO (650)............. 0.0000 8,773 0
Pacific cod......................... A Season \1\--January 1-June 10........... WG Jig................ 0.0000 3,206 0
WG Hook-and-line CV... 0.0004 3,206 1
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 0
CG Hook-and-line CV... 0.0001 3,450 0
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\--September 1-December 31..... WG Jig................ 0.0000 2,137 0
WG Hook-and-line CV... 0.0004 2,137 1
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 0
CG Hook-and-line CV... 0.0001 2,300 0
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.................................... EG inshore............ 0.0110 1,148 13
EG offshore........... 0.0000 128 0
Sablefish........................... Annual, trawl gear........................ W..................... 0.0000 316 0
C..................... 0.0000 1,036 0
E..................... 0.0000 241 0
Shallow-water flatfish.............. Annual.................................... W..................... 0.0059 13,250 78
C..................... 0.0001 25,731 3
E..................... 0.0000 4,236 0
Deep-water flatfish................. Annual.................................... W..................... 0.0035 416 1
C..................... 0.0000 3,443 0
E..................... 0.0000 5,642 0
Rex sole............................ Annual.................................... W..................... 0.0000 2,951 0
C..................... 0.0000 8,357 0
E..................... 0.0000 3,384 0
Arrowtooth flounder................. Annual.................................... W..................... 0.0004 14,500 6
C..................... 0.0001 70,995 7
E..................... 0.0000 13,800 0
Flathead sole....................... Annual.................................... W..................... 0.0002 8,650 2
C..................... 0.0004 15,400 6
E..................... 0.0000 2,439 0
Pacific ocean perch................. Annual.................................... W..................... 0.0000 3,227 0
C..................... 0.0000 19,646 0
E..................... 0.0000 5,682 0
Northern rockfish................... Annual.................................... W..................... 0.0005 1,190 1
C..................... 0.0000 3,338 0
Shortraker rockfish................. Annual.................................... W..................... 0.0013 44 0
C..................... 0.0012 305 0
E..................... 0.0009 514 0
Dusky rockfish...................... Annual.................................... W..................... 0.0017 781 1
C..................... 0.0000 2,764 0
E..................... 0.0000 155 0
Rougheye/blackspotted rockfish...... Annual.................................... W..................... 0.0067 174 1

[[Page 9439]]

C..................... 0.0047 550 3
E..................... 0.0008 704 1
Demersal shelf rockfish............. Annual.................................... SEO................... 0.0000 261 0
Thornyhead rockfish................. Annual.................................... W..................... 0.0047 326 2
C..................... 0.0066 911 6
E..................... 0.0045 779 4
Other rockfish...................... Annual.................................... W/C................... 0.0033 1,737 6
E..................... 0.0000 3,857 0
Atka mackerel....................... Annual.................................... Gulfwide.............. 0.0000 3,000 0
Big skate........................... Annual.................................... W..................... 0.0392 504 20
C..................... 0.0159 1,774 28
E..................... 0.0000 570 0
Longnose skate...................... Annual.................................... W..................... 0.0392 149 6
C..................... 0.0159 2,804 45
E..................... 0.0000 619 0
Other skates........................ Annual.................................... Gulfwide.............. 0.0176 1,384 24
Sculpins............................ Annual.................................... Gulfwide.............. 0.0176 5,301 93
Sharks.............................. Annual.................................... Gulfwide.............. 0.0176 8,184 144
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.
\3\ On February 8, 2019, NMFS published a final rule (84 FR 2723) that modifies regulations for AFA Program and CR Program participants subject to
sideboard limits in the GOA. The final rule establishes regulations to prohibit directed fishing for sideboard limits for specific groundfish species
or species groups, rather than prohibiting directed fishing for AFA Program and CR Program sideboard limits through the GOA annual harvest
specifications. Once the final rule is effective (effective March 11, 2019), NMFS will no longer publish in the annual GOA harvest specifications the
AFA Program and CR Program sideboard limit amounts for groundfish species subject to the final rule, and the groundfish species subject to the final
rule will be prohibited to directed fishing in regulation (84 FR 2723).

Table 22--Final 2020 GOA Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessel Groundfish Sideboard Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1996-
2000 non-AFA Final 2020 non-
crab vessel Final 2020 AFA crab
Species Season/gear Area/component/gear catch to 1996- TACs vessel
2000 total sideboard
harvest limit \3\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock............................. A Season--January 20-March 10............. Shumagin (610)........ 0.0098 680 7
Chirikof (620)........ 0.0031 21,888 68
Kodiak (630).......... 0.0002 2,823 1
B Season--March 10-May 31................. Shumagin (610)........ 0.0098 680 7
Chirikof (620)........ 0.0031 21,888 68
Kodiak (630).......... 0.0002 2,823 1
C Season--August 25-October 1............. Shumagin (610)........ 0.0098 9,290 91
Chirikof (620)........ 0.0031 6,752 21
Kodiak (630).......... 0.0002 9,349 2
D Season--October 1-November 1............ Shumagin (610)........ 0.0098 9,290 91
Chirikof (620)........ 0.0031 6,752 21
Kodiak (630).......... 0.0002 9,349 2
Annual.................................... WYK (640)............. 0.0000 4,607 0
SEO (650)............. 0.0000 8,773 0
Pacific cod......................... A Season \1\--January 1-June 10........... WG Jig................ 0.0000 4,072 0
WG Hook-and-line CV... 0.0004 4,072 2
WG Pot CV............. 0.0997 4,072 406
WG Pot C/P............ 0.0078 4,072 32
WG Trawl CV........... 0.0007 4,072 3
CG Jig................ 0.0000 4,382 0
CG Hook-and-line CV... 0.0001 4,382 0
CG Pot CV............. 0.0474 4,382 208
CG Pot C/P............ 0.0136 4,382 60
CG Trawl CV........... 0.0012 4,382 5
B Season \2\--September 1-December 31..... WG Jig................ 0.0000 2,715 0
WG Hook-and-line CV... 0.0004 2,715 1
WG Pot CV............. 0.0997 2,715 271
WG Pot C/P............ 0.0078 2,715 21

[[Page 9440]]

WG Trawl CV........... 0.0007 2,715 2
CG Jig................ 0.0000 2,921 0
CG Hook-and-line CV... 0.0001 2,921 0
CG Pot CV............. 0.0474 2,921 138
CG Pot C/P............ 0.0136 2,921 40
CG Trawl CV........... 0.0012 2,921 4
Annual.................................... E inshore............. 0.0110 1,457 16
E offshore............ 0.0000 162 0
Sablefish........................... Annual, trawl gear........................ W..................... 0.0000 421 0
C..................... 0.0000 1,386 0
E..................... 0.0000 321 0
Shallow-water flatfish.............. Annual.................................... W..................... 0.0059 13,250 78
C..................... 0.0001 26,065 3
E..................... 0.0000 4,291 0
Deep-water flatfish................. Annual.................................... W..................... 0.0035 420 1
C..................... 0.0000 3,488 0
E..................... 0.0000 5,716 0
Rex sole............................ Annual.................................... W..................... 0.0000 2,956 0
C..................... 0.0000 8,371 0
E..................... 0.0000 3,398 0
Arrowtooth flounder................. Annual.................................... W..................... 0.0004 14,500 6
C..................... 0.0001 68,575 7
E..................... 0.0000 13,800 0
Flathead sole....................... Annual.................................... W..................... 0.0002 8,650 2
C..................... 0.0004 15,400 6
E..................... 0.0000 2,537 0
Pacific ocean perch................. Annual.................................... W..................... 0.0000 3,125 0
C..................... 0.0000 19,024 0
E..................... 0.0000 5,503 0
Northern rockfish................... Annual.................................... W..................... 0.0005 1,122 1
C..................... 0.0000 3,147 0
Shortraker rockfish................. Annual.................................... W..................... 0.0013 44 0
C..................... 0.0012 305 0
E..................... 0.0009 514 0
Dusky rockfish...................... Annual.................................... W..................... 0.0017 774 1
C..................... 0.0000 2,742 0
E..................... 0.0000 154 0
Rougheye/blackspotted rockfish...... Annual.................................... W..................... 0.0067 172 1
C..................... 0.0047 545 3
E..................... 0.0008 697 1
Demersal shelf rockfish............. Annual.................................... SEO................... 0.0000 261 0
Thornyhead rockfish................. Annual.................................... W..................... 0.0047 326 2
C..................... 0.0066 911 6
E..................... 0.0045 779 4
Other rockfish...................... Annual.................................... W/C................... 0.0033 1,737 6
E..................... 0.0000 3,857 0
Atka mackerel....................... Annual.................................... Gulfwide.............. 0.0000 3,000 0
Big skate........................... Annual.................................... W..................... 0.0392 504 20
C..................... 0.0159 1,774 28
E..................... 0.0000 570 0
Longnose skate...................... Annual.................................... W..................... 0.0392 149 6
C..................... 0.0159 2,804 45
E..................... 0.0000 619 0
Other skates........................ Annual.................................... Gulfwide.............. 0.0176 1,384 24
Sculpins............................ Annual.................................... Gulfwide.............. 0.0176 5,301 93
Sharks.............................. Annual.................................... Gulfwide.............. 0.0176 8,184 144
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.
\3\ On February 8, 2019, NMFS published a final rule (84 FR 2723) that modifies regulations for AFA Program and CR Program participants subject to
sideboard limits in the GOA. The final rule establishes regulations to prohibit directed fishing for sideboard limits for specific groundfish species
or species groups, rather than prohibiting directed fishing for AFA Program and CR Program sideboard limits through the GOA annual harvest
specifications. Once the final rule is effective (effective March 11, 2019), NMFS will no longer publish in the annual GOA harvest specifications the
AFA Program and CR Program sideboard limit amounts for groundfish species subject to the final rule, and the groundfish species subject to the final
rule will be prohibited to directed fishing in regulation (84 FR 2723).

[[Page 9441]]

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)).
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)(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 2019 and 2020 Rockfish
Program C/P sideboard limits in the West Yakutat District and the
Western GOA. Due to confidentiality requirements associated with
fisheries data, the sideboard limits for the West Yakutat District are
not displayed.

Table 23--Final 2019 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]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C/P sector (% of Final 2019
Area Fishery TAC) TACs Final 2019 C/P limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA................... Dusky rockfish... 72.3............. 781 565.
Pacific ocean 50.6............. 3,227 1,633.
perch.
Northern rockfish 74.3............. 1,190 884.
West Yakutat District......... Dusky rockfish... Confidential \1\. 95 Confidential. \1\
Pacific ocean Confidential \1\. 3,296 Confidential. \1\
perch.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Not released due to confidentiality requirements associated with fish ticket data, as established by NMFS
and the State of Alaska.

Table 24--Final 2020 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]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C/P sector (% of Final 2020
Area Fishery TAC) TACs Final 2020 C/P limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA................... Dusky rockfish... 72.3............. 774 560.
Pacific ocean 50.6............. 3,125 1,581.
perch.
Northern rockfish 74.3............. 1,122 834.
West Yakutat District......... Dusky rockfish... Confidential \1\. 94 Confidential. \1\
Pacific ocean Confidential \1\. 3,192 Confidential. \1\
perch.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Not released due to confidentiality requirements associated with fish ticket data, as established by NMFS
and the State of Alaska.

Under the Rockfish Program, the C/P sector is subject to halibut
PSC sideboard limits for the trawl deep-water and shallow-water species
fisheries from July 1 through July 31 (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 CVs 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 2019, and NMFS will know
the ratios and amounts used to calculate opt-out sideboard ratios. NMFS
will then calculate any applicable opt-out sideboards for 2019 and post
these limits on the Alaska Region website at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/rockfish/. Table 25 lists
the final 2019 and 2020 Rockfish Program halibut PSC sideboard limits
for the C/P sector.

[[Page 9442]]

Table 25--Final 2019 and 2020 Rockfish Program Halibut PSC Sideboard Limits for the Catcher/Processor Sector
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shallow-water Deep-water Annual shallow- Annual deep-
species fishery species fishery 2019 and 2020 water species water species
Sector halibut PSC halibut PSC halibut fishery halibut fishery halibut
sideboard ratio sideboard ratio mortality limit PSC sideboard PSC sideboard
(percent) (percent) (mt) limit (mt) limit (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher/processor.................................................. 0.10 2.50 1,706 2 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Amendment 80 Program Groundfish and PSC Sideboard Limits

Amendment 80 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (Amendment 80 Program)
established a limited access privilege program for the non-AFA trawl C/
P sector. The Amendment 80 Program established groundfish and halibut
PSC catch limits for Amendment 80 Program participants to limit the
ability of participants eligible for the Amendment 80 Program to expand
their harvest efforts in the GOA.
Section 679.92 establishes groundfish harvesting sideboard limits
on all Amendment 80 program vessels, other than the F/V Golden Fleece,
to amounts no greater than the limits listed in Table 37 to 50 CFR part
679. Under Sec. 679.92(d), the F/V Golden Fleece is prohibited from
directed fishing for pollock, Pacific cod, Pacific ocean perch, dusky
rockfish, and northern rockfish in the GOA.
Groundfish sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels
operating in the GOA are based on their average aggregate harvests from
1998 through 2004 (72 FR 52668, September 14, 2007). Tables 26 and 27
list the final 2019 and 2020 groundfish sideboard limits for Amendment
80 Program vessels. NMFS will deduct all targeted or incidental catch
of sideboard species made by Amendment 80 Program vessels from the
sideboard limits in Tables 26 and 27.

Table 26--Final 2019 GOA Groundfish Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of
Apportionments Amendment 80 2019 Amendment
Species and allocations Area sector vessels 2019 TAC (mt) 80 vessel
by season 1998-2004 catch sideboards
to TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock...................... A Season-- Shumagin (610). 0.003 848 3
January 20- Chirikof (620). 0.002 23,236 46
March 10.
Kodiak (630)... 0.002 7,593 15
B Season--March Shumagin (610). 0.003 848 3
10-May 31. Chirikof (620). 0.002 27,306 55
Kodiak (630)... 0.002 3,522 7
C Season-- Shumagin (610). 0.003 11,590 35
August 25- Chirikof (620). 0.002 8,423 17
October 1.
Kodiak (630)... 0.002 11,664 23
D Season-- Shumagin (610). 0.003 11,590 35
October 1- Chirikof (620). 0.002 8,423 17
November 1.
Kodiak (630)... 0.002 11,664 23
Annual......... WYK (640)...... 0.002 5,748 11
Pacific cod.................. A Season \1\-- W.............. 0.020 3,206 64
January 1-June C.............. 0.044 3,450 152
10.
B Season \2\-- W.............. 0.020 2,137 43
September 1- C.............. 0.044 2,300 101
December 31.
Annual......... WYK............ 0.034 1,275 43
Pacific ocean perch.......... Annual......... W.............. 0.994 3,227 3,208
WYK............ 0.961 3,296 3,167
Northern rockfish............ Annual......... W.............. 1.000 1,190 1,190
Dusky rockfish............... Annual......... W.............. 0.764 781 597
WYK............ 0.896 95 85
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 9443]]

Table 27--Final 2020 GOA Groundfish Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of
Apportionments Amendment 80 2020 Amendment
Species and allocations Area sector vessels 2020 TAC (mt) 80 vessel
by season 1998-2004 catch sideboards
to TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock...................... A Season-- Shumagin (610). 0.003 680 2
January 20- Chirikof (620). 0.002 21,888 44
March 10.
Kodiak (630)... 0.002 2,823 6
B Season--March Shumagin (610). 0.003 680 2
10-May 31. Chirikof (620). 0.002 21,888 44
Kodiak (630)... 0.002 2,823 6
C Season-- Shumagin (610). 0.003 9,290 28
August 25- Chirikof (620). 0.002 6,752 14
October 1.
Kodiak (630)... 0.002 9,349 19
D Season-- Shumagin (610). 0.003 9,290 28
October 1- Chirikof (620). 0.002 6,752 14
November 1.
Kodiak (630)... 0.002 9,349 19
Annual......... WYK (640)...... 0.002 4,607 9
Pacific cod.................. A Season \1\-- W.............. 0.020 4,072 81
January 1-June C.............. 0.044 4,382 193
10.
B Season \2\-- W.............. 0.020 2,715 54
September 1- C.............. 0.044 2,921 129
December 31.
Annual......... WYK............ 0.034 1,619 55
Pacific ocean perch.......... Annual......... W.............. 0.994 3,125 3,106
WYK............ 0.961 3,192 3,068
Northern rockfish............ Annual......... W.............. 1.000 1,122 1,122
Dusky rockfish............... Annual......... W.............. 0.764 774 591
WYK............ 0.896 94 84
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.

The 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
2019 and 2020 halibut PSC sideboard 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 halibut PSC sideboard limit may carry
forward to the next season limit (Sec. 679.92(b)(2)).

Table 28--Final 2019 and 2020 Halibut PSC Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels in the GOA
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Historic
Amendment 80 2019 and 2020
use of the 2019 and 2020 Amendment 80
Season Season dates Target fishery annual halibut annual PSC vessel PSC
PSC limit catch limit (mt) limit
(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-August 1.... shallow-water...... 0.0146 1,706 25
deep-water......... 0.0521 1,706 89
4.................. August 1-October 1. shallow-water...... 0.0074 1,706 13
deep-water......... 0.0014 1,706 2
5.................. October 1-December shallow-water...... 0.0227 1,706 39
31.
deep-water......... 0.0371 1,706 63
--------------------------------------------------
Total.......... ................... ................... ............... ............... 474
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Directed Fishing Closures

Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), if the Regional Administrator
determines (1) that any allocation or apportionment of a target species
or species group allocated or apportioned to a fishery will be reached;
or (2) with respect to pollock and Pacific cod, that an allocation or
apportionment to an

[[Page 9444]]

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 2019 and 2020 fishing years.

Table 29--2019 and 2020 Directed Fishing Closures in the GOA
[Amounts for incidental catch in other directed fisheries are in metric
tons]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incidental catch
Area/component/ amount and year
Target gear (if amounts differ
by year)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock......................... all/offshore...... not applicable.\1\
Sablefish \2\................... all/trawl......... 1,583 (2019),
2,129 (2020).
Pacific cod..................... Western, catcher/ 125 (2019), 159
processor, trawl. (2020).
Central, catcher/ 239 (2019), 304
processor, trawl. (2020).
Shortraker rockfish \2\......... all............... 863.
Rougheye/blackspotted rockfish all............... 1,428 (2019),
\2\. 1,414 (2020).
Thornyhead rockfish \2\......... all............... 5,594.
Other rockfish.................. all............... 1,384.
Atka mackerel................... all............... 3,000.
Big skate....................... All............... 2,848.
Longnose skate.................. All............... 3,572.
Other skates.................... All............... 1,384.
Sharks.......................... All............... 8,184.
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)).

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 effective at 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 14, 2019, through 2400 hours,
A.l.t., December 31, 2020.
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) and 679.21(d)(6) and (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 2019 and 2020 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 effective at 1200 hours,
A.l.t., March 14, 2019, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2020.

Table 30--2019 and 2020 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/ Incidental catch
Species district amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod..................... Eastern........... 10 (inshore) and 9
(offshore)
[2019],
1 (inshore) and 1
(offshore)
[2020].
Shallow-water flatfish.......... Eastern........... 53.
Deep-water flatfish............. Western........... 0.
Rex sole........................ Western and 2 and 10.
Eastern.
Arrowtooth flounder............. Western and 30 and 3.
Eastern.
Flathead sole................... Western and 31 and 2.
Eastern.
Pacific ocean perch............. Western........... 7.
Northern rockfish............... Western........... 0.
Dusky rockfish.................. Entire GOA........ 0.
Demersal shelf rockfish......... SEO District...... 0.
Sculpins........................ Entire GOA........ 33.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[[Page 9445]]

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 2018 and 2019 GOA harvest
specifications for groundfish (83 FR 8768, March 1, 2018) remain
effective under authority of these final 2019 and 2020 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 2019 and 2020 fishing years as necessary for
effective conservation and management.

Comments and Responses

NMFS received five letters containing six substantive comments
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's response to public
comments on the proposed GOA groundfish harvest specifications is
provided below.
Comment 1: NMFS should prohibit harvesting for a year to make sure
that the population does not decrease to an amount that would prohibit
harvesting for another 2 to 3 years.
Response 1: The SAFE reports (see ADDRESSES) are intended to
summarize the best available scientific information concerning the
past, present, and possible future condition of the stocks and
fisheries under federal management. The SSC reviews the stock
assessments and sets ABC levels for each species and species group
managed under the FMP. The ABC recommendations, together with social
and economic factors, are considered by the Council in determining TACs
and other management strategies for the fisheries. Based on the
information provided in the SAFE report, the Council recommended and
NMFS implements TACs that do not exceed the ABC and OFL for each
groundfish species and species group. The OFL, ABC, and TAC amounts
recommended by the Council and approved by NMFS in this final rule are
set according to the harvest strategy adopted in the EIS, the
management objectives outlined in the FMP, and the statutory
requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act to ensure the long-term health
of each species and species group and the optimization of yield on a
continuing basis.
Comment 2: Amendment 106 reclassified squid as an ``Ecosystem
Component Species'' that do not require conservation and management.
What warrants the regulation for directed fishing?
Response 2: Amendment 106 prohibits directed fishing for squid
while allowing limited retention of some squid incidentally caught in
other fisheries. Reclassifying squid as an ecosystem component species
does not require NMFS to set annual catch limits of an OFL, ABC, or TAC
for squid in the GOA groundfish harvest specifications. To monitor the
incidental catch of squid in the groundfish fisheries, Amendment 106
maintains recordkeeping and reporting requirements for squid.
Additionally, squid may be retained up to a maximum retainable amount
in other groundfish fisheries. This allows some squid to be retained
for bait or sale, but at a level that discourages fishermen from
targeting squid species. More information on Amendment 106 can be found
in the final rule to implement Amendment 106 to the FMP (83 FR 31460,
July 6, 2018).
Comment 3: Would reducing rockfish TAC amounts have substantial
economic implications for individuals reliant on the selling of
rockfish for food industries?
Response 3: Pacific ocean perch is the largest rockfish fishery in
the GOA, and the TAC amounts are reached each year. Reduced TAC amounts
for Pacific ocean perch and other species of rockfish may result in
price increases, but the amount of any potential price increase is
unknown. Also, a price increase may not offset revenue declines from
lower TACs. Most rockfish fisheries in the GOA are closed because the
TAC limits are not larger enough to support directed fishing. However,
some retention of rockfish as incidental catch in other fisheries is
allowed. Decreased rockfish TAC amounts may require managers to
prohibit all retention of rockfish, which would result in no revenue
from the incidental catch of rockfish. Each year the SAFE report on the
Economic Status of the Groundfish Fisheries off Alaska is updated with
the most recent information about groundfish prices and value,
including rockfish (see ADDRESSES).
Comment 4: NMFS administers the federal fisheries off Alaska for
the benefit of a few Alaska fishermen, not for the benefit of all U.S.
citizens or the Nation as a whole. There should never be a stock
increase, and all quotas should be cut by 50 percent immediately to try
to save all stocks, which are being unsustainably fished.
Response 4: NMFS manages the GOA groundfish fisheries on behalf of
all U.S. citizens, as well as on behalf of the commercial fishing
industry, in accordance with the National Standards of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act (16 U.S.C. 1851(a)). Participants in this industry reside
in other states besides Alaska, and more information about the industry
can be found in the SAFE report on the Economic Status of the
Groundfish Fisheries off Alaska (see ADDRESSES). NMFS's primary
objective in the harvest specifications process is the conservation and
management of fish resources for the Nation as a whole. The annual
harvest specifications process is a key element to ensuring that Alaska
fisheries are sustainably managed in a controlled and orderly manner.
This process incorporates the best available scientific information
from the most recent SAFE reports prepared by multi-disciplinary teams
of scientists. Such reports contain the most recent scientific
information on the condition of various groundfish stocks, as well as
the condition of other ecosystem components. Based on the SAFE reports,
the Council and NMFS annually respond to new developments in the
natural environment as part of the harvest specifications process. The
Council and NMFS set for each groundfish species or species group the
annual TAC and ABC amounts, and these amounts increase or decrease each
year based on the biological condition of the groundfish stock. The
Council and NMFS have reduced catch amounts if necessary based on the
SAFE reports (such as the recent reductions in Pacific cod). More
information on the biological condition of each groundfish species or
species groups, including changes in annual TAC and ABC amounts, can be
found in the annual SAFE reports. Currently, none of the NMFS-managed
groundfish species off Alaska is overfished or subject to overfishing.
Comment 5: Pollock is overfished. There is no justification for
allowing commercial fishing to catch all the pollock in the ocean,
particularly to the detriment of marine mammals that also eat pollock.
Response 5: As mentioned in the response to Comment 4, none of the
NMFS-managed groundfish species off Alaska, including pollock, is
overfished or subject to overfishing, and the Council and NMFS continue
to set annual harvest levels for groundfish species, including pollock,
based on the best available scientific information on

[[Page 9446]]

the biological condition of the groundfish species, the status of
ecosystem, and other socio-economic factors. In addition, there are a
broad suite of conservation and management measures in place to protect
Steller sea lions that were subject to consultation under Section 7 of
the Endangered Species Act, including those described at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/steller-sea-lion#management.
Comment 6: The information contained in the 2018 Pacific cod stock
assessment indicates that the GOA Pacific cod spawning biomass will be
at or below 20 percent of its unfished biomass at the beginning of
2019. Per applicable federal regulations, directed fishing for the key
prey (pollock, Pacific cod, and Atka mackerel) of Steller sea lions
should be prohibited in the event that the spawning biomass of such a
species is projected in the stock assessment to fall below 20 percent
of the projected unfished spawning biomass during a given year. Since
2015, counts of Steller sea lion pups in 2017 were down 33 percent in
the Eastern GOA and down 17 percent in the Central GOA. This suggests
that the lower birth rates and/or pup survival for Steller sea lions
correlate with the decline of Pacific cod.
Response 6: The Pacific cod stock in the GOA experienced a decline
in biomass and abundance since 2015, as first reported following the
2017 bottom trawl survey. As detailed in the 2018 Ecosystem Status
Report (see ADDRESSES), the GOA experienced anomalous warm conditions
throughout the water column starting in 2014 and extending through 2016
(an event now characterized in the Ecosystem Status Report as ``marine
heat waves''). This unusual warm event apparently affected the entire
ecosystem and, in particular, affected prey availability for upper
trophic level predators as was evident in a number of ecosystem
indicators including the poor condition of Pacific cod in recent years.
These factors led to the current suite of Pacific cod assessment
models, which include environmental factors in the assessment including
a brief period of high natural mortality (M) and the relationship of
longline survey catchability to a temperature index.
The 2019 ABC recommended in the stock assessment for Pacific cod
(17,000 mt) resulted in a 13.6 percent reduction from the maximum
permissible ABC. This reduction was determined based on catch
projections that resulted in the spawning biomass estimate (``B'')
being above 20 percent of unfished levels through 2020. The stock
assessment's recommendation for a reduction from the maximum
permissible ABC for Pacific cod was explicitly made based on the need
to maintain a projected spawning stock biomass above 20 percent of
B100% in 2019. This is discussed in the 2018 Pacific cod
stock assessment, particularly in the Executive Summary (p. 2) and
Harvest Recommendations section (pp. 32-35). Based on the preferred
assessment model and the ABC recommendation for 2019 of 17,000 mt,
spawning biomass is estimated in 2019 at 34,701 (see the Summary Table
at p. 3, the discussion under ``Specification of OFL and Maximum
Permissible ABC'' on p. 33, and Table 2.28), and will remain above
B20% in 2019 (see the discussion under ``ABC
Recommendation'' on p. 34). The stock assessment discussion provides
the scientific and statistical rationale for the recommended
specification of OFL, ABC, and selection of a preferred assessment
model to calculate such parameters. The 2018 Pacific cod stock
assessment is available from the Council (see ADDRESSES).
The SSC concurred with the preferred assessment model and with the
reduction in ABC. The SSC noted that the ABC reduction of 13.6 percent
is in addition to the buffer incorporated by the sloping harvest
control rule that is triggered when a stock, like Pacific cod, falls
below B40%, which results in a total buffer of 59 percent
from F40%. The SSC supported the 13.6 percent reduction in
ABC to provide stability in future levels of spawning biomass, and the
SSC noted that the 13.6 percent reduction in ABC to 17,000 mt was
determined based on catch projections that resulted in the spawning
biomass estimate being above 20% of unfished levels through 2020. The
SSC set the Pacific cod ABC at 17,000 mt for 2019, and NMFS adopts the
Pacific cod ABC of 17,000 mt for 2019 in these final 2019 and 2020
harvest specifications.
Regarding the decline in pup counts from 2015 to 2017 in the
Eastern and Central GOA by 33 percent and 18 percent, respectively, the
SSC noted this information but reiterated that two years do not make a
trend and that more years of data are necessary to distinguish these
changes from other potential declines. These preliminary data provides
important information in light of the recent marine heat-wave impacts
on the GOA ecosystem. More detailed information on current population
trends of the western Distinct Population Segment (DPS) Steller sea
lion can be found in the 2017 Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Report,
which reports that there is strong evidence that across Alaska pup and
non-pup counts of western DPS Steller sea lions have increased at 2.19
percent and 2.24 percent, respectively, between 2003 and 2016, although
there are strong differences across Alaska but generally positive
trends in the Gulf of Alaska.
In addition, beginning in 2018, NMFS began managing the GOA Pacific
cod fisheries with additional scrutiny and caution because of the
reductions in the GOA Pacific cod ABCs and corresponding TACs.
Beginning in 2018, NMFS closed various sectors to directed fishing for
Pacific cod due to small sector allocations, as well as the need to
conserve adequate amounts of Pacific cod for incidental catch in other
groundfish fisheries. In 2018, approximately 15,132 mt (84 percent) of
the 18,000 mt Pacific cod ABC was caught in the GOA. This precautionary
management is continuing in 2019. NMFS closed several regulatory areas
and sectors to directed fishing for the year, including trawl C/Ps in
the Central GOA and Western GOA and trawl CVs in the Western GOA, and
some sectors that were open have already closed to directed fishing.
More detailed information on these inseason actions can be found in
information bulletins posted at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/infobulletins/search.

Classification

NMFS has determined that these final harvest specifications are
consistent with the FMP and with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act and other applicable laws.
This action is authorized under 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from
review under Executive 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 February 2019, NMFS
prepared a SIR for this action. Copies of the EIS, ROD, and annual SIRs
for this action are available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES). The Final EIS
analyzes the environmental, social, and economic consequences of the
groundfish harvest specifications and alternative harvest strategies on
resources in the action area. Based on the analysis in the Final EIS,
NMFS concluded that the preferred Alternative (Alternative 2) provides
the best balance among relevant environmental, social, and economic
considerations and allows for continued management of the groundfish
fisheries based on the most recent, best scientific information. The
preferred alternative is a harvest strategy in which TACs are set at a
level within

[[Page 9447]]

the range of ABCs recommended by the Council's SSC; the sum of the TACs
must achieve the OY specified in the FMP.
The annual SIR evaluates the need to prepare a Supplemental EIS
(SEIS) for the 2019 and 2020 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 2019 and 2020-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 2019 and 2020 harvest
specifications will result in environmental, social, and economic
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 2019 and 2020 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 5 U.S.C.
553, 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 6, 2018 (83 FR 62794).
NMFS prepared an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) to
accompany the proposed action, and included a summary in the proposed
rule. The comment period closed on January 7, 2019. 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.
Using the most recent data available (2017), the estimated number
of directly regulated small entities include approximately 821
individual catcher vessel entities with gross revenues meeting small
entity criteria. Of these entities, 745 used hook-and-line gear, 120
used pot gear, and 32 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, in
2017, small hook-and-line entities had average gross revenues of
$380,000, small pot entities had average gross revenues of $790,000,
and small trawl entities had average gross revenues of $1.97 million.
Some of these vessels are members of AFA inshore pollock
cooperatives, of GOA rockfish cooperatives, or of Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands crab rationalization cooperatives, and, therefore,
under the RFA it is the aggregate gross receipts of all participating
members of the cooperative that must meet the threshold. Vessels that
participate in these cooperatives are considered to be large entities
within the meaning of the RFA. These relationships are accounted for,
along with corporate affiliations among vessels, to the extent that
they are known, in the estimated number of small entities. If
affiliations exist of which NMFS is unaware, or if entities had non-
fishing revenue sources, the estimates above may overstate the number
of directly regulated small entities.
This action does not modify recordkeeping or reporting
requirements.
NMFS considered alternative harvest strategies when choosing the
preferred harvest strategy (Alternative 2) in December 2006. These
included the following:
Alternative 1: Set TACs to produce fishing mortality
rates, F, that are equal to maxFABC, unless the sum of the TACs is
constrained by the OY established in the FMP. 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 GOA groundfish
fishery management plan. 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

[[Page 9448]]

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: First, 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/blackspotted
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 of Commerce 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 2019 and 2020 are 509,507 mt and 487,218 mt, respectively. The
sums of the TACs in 2019 and 2020 are 430,569 mt and 408,534 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 Pacific 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, except the Central GOA.
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 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. 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 GHLs 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 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, as well as National Standard 2 of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act (16 U.S.C. 1851(a)(2)). 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
2019 TACs by about 73 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

[[Page 9449]]

smaller production. Thus, this action would have a detrimental economic
impact on small entities, compared to the preferred alternative.
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 and would be inconsistent with
achieving OY on a continuing basis, as mandated by the Magnuson-Stevens
Act (16 U.S.C. 1851(a)(1)).
Adverse impacts on marine mammals or endangered species resulting
from fishing activities conducted under this rule are discussed in the
Final EIS and its accompanying annual SIRs (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 is contrary to
the public interest. The Plan Team review of the 2018 SAFE report
occurred in November 2018, and the Council considered and recommended
the final harvest specifications in December 2018. Accordingly, NMFS's
review of the final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications could not
begin until after the December 2018 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 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications (83 FR 8768, March
1, 2018) 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 2019 ABCs and
TACs than those established in the 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications
(83 FR 8768, March 1, 2018). If implemented immediately, this rule
would ensure that NMFS can properly manage those fisheries for which
this rule sets lower 2019 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,
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 2019 TACs (set under the 2018 and 2019 harvest
specifications) be reached. Determining which fisheries may close is
nearly 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 15,
2019, which is the start of the 2019 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 2019 and 2020
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 2019 and 2020 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 2019 and 2020
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.

Dated: March 7, 2019.
Samuel D. Rauch, III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-04538 Filed 3-13-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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