Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 53344-53345 [2019-21570]
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[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 194 (Monday, October 7, 2019)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 53344-53345] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2019-21570] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 180713633-9174-02] RIN 0648-XY041 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is exchanging unused yellowfin sole Community Development Quota (CDQ) for rock sole CDQ acceptable biological catch (ABC) reserves in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to allow the 2019 total allowable catch of flathead sole and yellowfin sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area to be harvested. DATES: Effective October 7, 2019 through December 31, 2019. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. The 2019 flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole CDQ reserves specified in the BSAI are 1,552 metric tons (mt), 5,440 mt, and 16,078 mt as established by the final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (84 FR 9000, March 13, 2019) and flatfish exchange (84 FR 49067, September 18, 2019). The 2019 flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves are 5,577 mt, 7,283 mt, and 12,084 mt as established by the final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (84 FR 9000, March 13, 2019) and flatfish exchange (84 FR 49067, September 18, 2019). The Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association has requested that NMFS exchange 400 mt of rock sole CDQ reserves for 50 mt of flathead sole CDQ ABC reserves and 350 mt of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves under Sec. 679.31(d). Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.31(d), NMFS exchanges 400 mt of rock sole CDQ reserves for 50 mt of flathead sole CDQ ABC reserves and 350 mt of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves in the BSAI. This action also decreases and increases the TACs and CDQ ABC reserves by the corresponding amounts. Tables 11 and 13 of the final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (84 FR 9000, March 13, 2019) and revised in flatfish exchanges (84 FR 49067, September 18, 2019), are further revised as follows: Table 11--Final 2019 Community Development Quota (CDQ) Reserves, Incidental Catch Amounts (ICAS), and Amendment 80 Allocations of the Aleutian Islands Pacific Ocean Perch, and BSAI Flathead Sole, Rock Sole, and Yellowfin Sole Tacs [Amounts are in metric tons] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pacific ocean perch Flathead sole Rock sole Yellowfin sole -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sector Eastern Central Western Aleutian Aleutian Aleutian BSAI BSAI BSAI District District District -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TAC.............................................................. 11,009 8,385 10,000 21,350 39,000 155,250 CDQ.............................................................. 1,178 897 1,070 1,602 5,040 16,428 ICA.............................................................. 100 60 10 3,000 6,000 4,000 BSAI trawl limited access........................................ 973 743 178 ................ ................ 18,351 Amendment 80..................................................... 8,758 6,685 8,742 16,749 27,960 116,471 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Note: Sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding. Table 13--Final 2019 and 2020 ABC Surplus, ABC Reserves, Community Development Quota (CDQ) ABC Reserves, and Amendment 80 ABC Reserves in the BSAI for Flathead Sole, Rock Sole, and Yellowfin Sole [Amounts are in metric tons] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2019 Flathead 2019 Yellowfin 2020 \1\ 2020 \1\ Rock 2020 \1\ Sector sole 2019 Rock sole sole Flathead sole sole Yellowfin sole -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ABC............................................... 66,625 118,900 263,200 68,448 143,700 257,800 TAC............................................... 21,350 39,000 155,250 14,500 57,100 166,425 ABC surplus....................................... 45,275 79,900 107,950 53,948 86,600 91,375 ABC reserve....................................... 45,275 79,900 107,950 53,948 86,600 91,375 CDQ ABC reserve................................... 5,527 7,683 11,734 5,772 9,266 9,777 Amendment 80 ABC reserve.......................... 39,748 72,217 96,216 48,176 77,334 81,598 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ The 2020 allocations for Amendment 80 species between Amendment 80 cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited access sector will not be known until eligible participants apply for participation in the program by November 1, 2019. [[Page 53345]] Classification This action responds to the best available information recently obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. This requirement is impracticable and contrary to the public interest as it would prevent NMFS from responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and would delay the flatfish exchange by the Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association in the BSAI. Since these fisheries are currently open, it is important to immediately inform the industry as to the revised allocations. Immediate notification is necessary to allow for the orderly conduct and efficient operation of this fishery, to allow the industry to plan for the fishing season, and to avoid potential disruption to the fishing fleet as well as processors. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of September 24, 2019. The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the effective date of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and opportunity for public comment. This action is required by Sec. 679.20 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: September 30, 2019. Alan D. Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2019-21570 Filed 10-4-19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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