Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Several Groundfish Species in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 57653-57654 [2019-23469]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 208 / Monday, October 28, 2019 / Rules and Regulations Announcement of a valid specified fishing agreement. ACTION: NMFS announces a valid specified fishing agreement that allocates up to 1,000 metric tons (t) of the 2019 bigeye tuna limit for the Territory of American Samoa to U.S. longline fishing vessels. The agreement supports the long-term sustainability of fishery resources of the U.S. Pacific Islands, and fisheries development in American Samoa. DATES: The specified fishing agreement was valid as of September 15, 2019. The start date for attributing 2019 bigeye tuna catch to American Samoa is October 28, 2019. ADDRESSES: The Fishery Ecosystem Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific (Pelagic FEP) describes specified fishing agreements and is available from the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, tel 808–522–8220, fax 808–522– 8226, or https://www.wpcouncil.org. NMFS prepared environmental analyses that describe the potential impacts on the human environment that would result from the action. The analyses, identified by NOAA–NMFS– 2019–0028, are available from https:// www.regulations.gov/docket?D=NOAANMFS-2019-0028, or from Michael D. Tosatto, Regional Administrator, NMFS Pacific Islands Region (PIR), 1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg. 176, Honolulu, HI 96818. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jarad Makaiau, NMFS PIRO Sustainable Fisheries, 808–725–5176. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a final rule published on July 18, 2019, NMFS specified a 2019 limit of 2,000 t of longline-caught bigeye tuna for the U.S. Pacific Island territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) (84 FR 34321). NMFS allows each territory to allocate up to 1,000 t of the 2,000 t limit to U.S. longline fishing vessels identified in a valid specified fishing agreement. On August 15, 2019, NMFS received from the Council a specified fishing agreement between the Territory of American Samoa and the Hawaii Longline Association (HLA). The Council’s Executive Director advised that the specified fishing agreement was consistent with the criteria set forth in 50 CFR 665.819(c)(1). On September 15, 2019, NMFS reviewed the agreement and determined that it is consistent with the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:06 Oct 25, 2019 Jkt 250001 implementing regulations, and other applicable laws. However, because at that time, vessels identified in a previous agreement between the CNMI and HLA only attained about a third of the 1,000 t CNMI allocation limit, NMFS decided to await a more accurate projection to determine the date for attributing catch to the 2019 American Samoa limit. Based on logbook data submitted by U.S. longline vessels operating under the CNMI/HLA agreement, NMFS now forecasts the CNMI allocation limit of 1,000 t will be reached by November 4, 2019. In accordance with 50 CFR 300.224(d) and 50 CFR 665.819(c)(9), vessels in the agreement may retain and land bigeye tuna in the western and central Pacific Ocean under the American Samoa attribution limit. NMFS will begin attributing bigeye tuna caught by vessels in the agreement to American Samoa starting October 28, 2019. If NMFS determines that the fishery will reach the 1,000 t allocation limit, we will restrict the retention of bigeye tuna caught by vessels in the agreement, unless the vessels are included in a subsequent specified fishing agreement with another U.S. territory. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: October 23, 2019. Jennifer M. Wallace, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2019–23470 Filed 10–25–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 180713633–9174–02] RIN 0648–XY049 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Several Groundfish Species in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; apportionment of reserves; request for comments. AGENCY: NMFS apportions amounts of the non-specified reserve, to the initial total allowable catch (ITAC) of Bering Sea (BS) Pacific ocean perch, Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Alaska plaice, and BSAI Kamchatka flounder; and to the to the total allowable catch SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 57653 (TAC) of BSAI arrowtooth flounder, BSAI northern rockfish, BSAI sharks, and Bering Sea and Eastern Aleutian Islands (BS/EAI) blackspotted/rougheye rockfish. This action is necessary to allow the fisheries to continue operating. It is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the fishery management plan for the BSAI management area. DATES: Effective October 23, 2019, through 2400 hrs, Alaska local time, December 31, 2019. Comments must be received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., Alaska local time, November 7, 2019. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by docket number NOAA– NMFS–2018–0089, by either of the following methods: • Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/ docket?D=NOAA-NMFS-2018-0089, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. • Mail: Submit written comments to Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region NMFS. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668. Instructions: NMFS may not consider comments if they are sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the comment period ends. All comments received are a part of the public record and NMFS will post the comments for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender is publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the (BSAI) exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council 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. E:\FR\FM\28OCR1.SGM 28OCR1 57654 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 208 / Monday, October 28, 2019 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES The 2019 ITAC of BS Pacific ocean perch was established as 12,474 mt, the 2019 ITAC of BSAI Alaska plaice was established as 15,300 mt, the 2019 ITAC of BSAI Kamchatka flounder was established as 4,250 mt, the 2019 TAC of BSAI arrowtooth flounder was established as 9,000 mt, the 2019 TAC of BSAI northern rockfish was established as 8,525 mt, the 2019 TAC of BSAI sharks was established as 125 mt, and the 2019 TAC of BS/EAI blackspotted/rougheye rockfish was established as 75 mt by the final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications for groundfish of the BSAI (84 FR 9000, March 13, 2019) and reserve release (84 FR 49678, September 23, 2019). In accordance with § 679.20(a)(3) the Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has reviewed the most current available data and finds that the ITACs and TACS for BS Pacific ocean perch, and BSAI Alaska plaice, BSAI arrowtooth flounder, BSAI Kamchatka flounder, BSAI northern rockfish, BSAI sharks, and BS/EAI blackspotted/ rougheye rockfish need to be supplemented from the non-specified reserve to promote efficiency in the utilization of fishery resources in the BSAI and allow fishing operations to continue. Therefore, in accordance with § 679.20(b)(3), NMFS apportions from the non-specified reserve of groundfish to ITACs and TACs in the BSAI management area as follows: 2,201 mt to BS Pacific ocean perch, 1,000 mt to BSAI Alaska plaice, 1,200 mt to BSAI arrowtooth flounder, 300 mt to BSAI VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:06 Oct 25, 2019 Jkt 250001 Kamchatka flounder, 600 mt to BSAI northern rockfish, 20 mt to BSAI sharks, and 20 mt to BS/EAI blackspotted/ rougheye rockfish. These apportionments are consistent with § 679.20(b)(1)(i) and do not result in overfishing of any target species because the revised ITACs and TACs are equal to or less than the specifications of the acceptable biological catch in the final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (84 FR 9000, March 13, 2019). The harvest specification for the 2019 ITACs and TACs included in the harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI are revised as follows: 14,675 mt for BS Pacific ocean perch, 16,300 mt for BSAI Alaska plaice, 10,200 mt for BSAI arrowtooth flounder, 4,550 mt for BSAI Kamchatka flounder, 9,125 mt for BSAI northern rockfish, 145 mt for BSAI sharks, and 95 mt for BS/EAI blackspotted/rougheye rockfish. 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) and § 679.20(b)(3)(iii)(A) as such a 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 PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 timely fashion and would delay the apportionment of the non-specified reserves of groundfish to the BS Pacific ocean perch, the BSAI Alaska plaice, the BSAI arrowtooth flounder, the BSAI Kamchakta flounder, the BSAI northern rockfish, the BSAI sharks, and the BS/ EAI blackspotted/rougheye rockfish ITACs and TACs. 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 and processors. NMFS was unable to publish a notification providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of October 18, 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. Under § 679.20(b)(3)(iii), interested persons are invited to submit written comments on this action (see ADDRESSES) until November 7, 2019. This action is required by § 679.20 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: October 23, 2019. Jennifer M. Wallace, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2019–23469 Filed 10–23–19; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\28OCR1.SGM 28OCR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 208 (Monday, October 28, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57653-57654]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-23469]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 180713633-9174-02]
RIN 0648-XY049


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Several 
Groundfish Species 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; apportionment of reserves; request for 
comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS apportions amounts of the non-specified reserve, to the 
initial total allowable catch (ITAC) of Bering Sea (BS) Pacific ocean 
perch, Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Alaska plaice, and BSAI 
Kamchatka flounder; and to the to the total allowable catch (TAC) of 
BSAI arrowtooth flounder, BSAI northern rockfish, BSAI sharks, and 
Bering Sea and Eastern Aleutian Islands (BS/EAI) blackspotted/rougheye 
rockfish. This action is necessary to allow the fisheries to continue 
operating. It is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the 
fishery management plan for the BSAI management area.

DATES: Effective October 23, 2019, through 2400 hrs, Alaska local time, 
December 31, 2019. Comments must be received at the following address 
no later than 4:30 p.m., Alaska local time, November 7, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by docket number NOAA-NMFS-
2018-0089, by either of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=NOAA-NMFS-2018-0089, click the ``Comment 
Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your 
comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to Glenn Merrill, Assistant 
Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region 
NMFS. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668.
    Instructions: NMFS may not consider comments if they are sent by 
any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after 
the comment period ends. All comments received are a part of the public 
record and NMFS will post the comments for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender is publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
(BSAI) exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan 
for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area 
(FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council 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.

[[Page 57654]]

    The 2019 ITAC of BS Pacific ocean perch was established as 12,474 
mt, the 2019 ITAC of BSAI Alaska plaice was established as 15,300 mt, 
the 2019 ITAC of BSAI Kamchatka flounder was established as 4,250 mt, 
the 2019 TAC of BSAI arrowtooth flounder was established as 9,000 mt, 
the 2019 TAC of BSAI northern rockfish was established as 8,525 mt, the 
2019 TAC of BSAI sharks was established as 125 mt, and the 2019 TAC of 
BS/EAI blackspotted/rougheye rockfish was established as 75 mt by the 
final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications for groundfish of the BSAI 
(84 FR 9000, March 13, 2019) and reserve release (84 FR 49678, 
September 23, 2019). In accordance with Sec.  679.20(a)(3) the Regional 
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has reviewed the most current 
available data and finds that the ITACs and TACS for BS Pacific ocean 
perch, and BSAI Alaska plaice, BSAI arrowtooth flounder, BSAI Kamchatka 
flounder, BSAI northern rockfish, BSAI sharks, and BS/EAI blackspotted/
rougheye rockfish need to be supplemented from the non-specified 
reserve to promote efficiency in the utilization of fishery resources 
in the BSAI and allow fishing operations to continue.
    Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  679.20(b)(3), NMFS apportions 
from the non-specified reserve of groundfish to ITACs and TACs in the 
BSAI management area as follows: 2,201 mt to BS Pacific ocean perch, 
1,000 mt to BSAI Alaska plaice, 1,200 mt to BSAI arrowtooth flounder, 
300 mt to BSAI Kamchatka flounder, 600 mt to BSAI northern rockfish, 20 
mt to BSAI sharks, and 20 mt to BS/EAI blackspotted/rougheye rockfish. 
These apportionments are consistent with Sec.  679.20(b)(1)(i) and do 
not result in overfishing of any target species because the revised 
ITACs and TACs are equal to or less than the specifications of the 
acceptable biological catch in the final 2019 and 2020 harvest 
specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (84 FR 9000, March 13, 2019).
    The harvest specification for the 2019 ITACs and TACs included in 
the harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI are revised as 
follows: 14,675 mt for BS Pacific ocean perch, 16,300 mt for BSAI 
Alaska plaice, 10,200 mt for BSAI arrowtooth flounder, 4,550 mt for 
BSAI Kamchatka flounder, 9,125 mt for BSAI northern rockfish, 145 mt 
for BSAI sharks, and 95 mt for BS/EAI blackspotted/rougheye rockfish.

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) and Sec.  679.20(b)(3)(iii)(A) as such a 
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 apportionment of the non-specified 
reserves of groundfish to the BS Pacific ocean perch, the BSAI Alaska 
plaice, the BSAI arrowtooth flounder, the BSAI Kamchakta flounder, the 
BSAI northern rockfish, the BSAI sharks, and the BS/EAI blackspotted/
rougheye rockfish ITACs and TACs. 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 and processors. NMFS 
was unable to publish a notification providing time for public comment 
because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of 
October 18, 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.
    Under Sec.  679.20(b)(3)(iii), interested persons are invited to 
submit written comments on this action (see ADDRESSES) until November 
7, 2019.
    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: October 23, 2019.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-23469 Filed 10-23-19; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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