Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment to the 2020 Gulf of Alaska Pollock and Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts, 70436-70438 [2019-27539]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
70436
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 246 / Monday, December 23, 2019 / Rules and Regulations
Additionally, this final guidance
document incorporates the Radiological
Emergency Preparedness Program
guidance into the NPS, thus ensuring
that it is risk- and threat-informed and
appropriate for the whole community.
The contents of this final guidance
document do not have the force and
effect of law and are not meant to bind
the public in any way. This final
guidance document is intended only to
provide clarity to the public regarding
existing requirements under the law or
agency policies.
Implementation: The timeframe for
transition to the final guidance
document, ‘‘Criteria for Preparation and
Evaluation of Radiological Emergency
Response Plans and Preparedness in
Support of Nuclear Power Plants’’
(NUREG–0654/FEMA–REP–1, Rev. 2),
will vary amongst State, local, and
Tribal governments and will be tied to
their individual exercise cycle. FEMA
intends to work with each jurisdiction
to determine the best timeframe for
transition, taking both the level of effort
and where each is within their exercise
cycle into account.
Authority: NRC Authorization Acts of
1980 (Pub. L. 96–295) and 1982–1983 (Pub.
L. 97–415); Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief
and Emergency Assistance Act, as amended,
Titles II and VI, Sections 201 and 611, 42
U.S.C. 5131 and 5196; Homeland Security
Act of 2002, as amended, Title VI, Chapter
1, Subchapter V, Sections 503 and 504, 6
U.S.C. 313 and 314; Security and
Accountability for Every Port Act of 2006,
Title V, Section 612, 6 U.S.C. 314a;
Department of Veterans Affairs and Housing
and Urban Development, and Independent
Agencies Appropriations for 1999, 42 U.S.C.
5196e; Post-Katrina Emergency Management
Reform Act of 2006, Title VI, Sections 602,
642, 643, and 644, 6 U.S.C. 701, 742, 743,
and 744; Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1978;
E.O. 12241, as amended; E.O. 12127, as
amended. E.O. 12148, as amended; E.O.
12657, as amended; FEMA’s regulations in
title 44, chapter I, parts 350–354 of the CFR.
Dated: November 27, 2019.
Pete Gaynor,
Acting Administrator, Federal Emergency
Management Agency.
[FR Doc. 2019–27384 Filed 12–20–19; 8:45 am]
lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with RULES
BILLING CODE 9111–46–P
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:18 Dec 20, 2019
Jkt 250001
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 180831813–9170–02; RTID
0648–XY058]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment
to the 2020 Gulf of Alaska Pollock and
Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch
Amounts
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason
adjustment; request for comments.
AGENCY:
NMFS is adjusting the 2020
total allowable catch (TAC) amounts for
the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) pollock and
Pacific cod fishery. This action is
necessary because NMFS has
determined these TACs are incorrectly
specified, and will ensure the GOA
pollock and Pacific cod TACs are the
appropriate amount based on the best
available scientific information for
pollock and Pacific cod in the GOA.
This action is consistent with the goals
and objectives of the Fishery
Management Plan for Groundfish of the
Gulf of Alaska.
DATES: Effective 0001 hours, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), January 1, 2020, until
the effective date of the final 2020 and
2021 harvest specifications for GOA
groundfish, unless otherwise modified
or superseded through publication of a
notification in the Federal Register.
Comments must be received at the
following address no later than 4:30
p.m., A.l.t., January 7, 2020.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by NOAA–NMFS–2018–0103
by any of the following methods:
• Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: Go to
www.regulations.gov/
#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2018–
0103, 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, Attn:
Records. 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
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00044
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
public viewing on www.regulations.gov
without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address),
confidential business information, or
otherwise sensitive information
submitted voluntarily by the sender will
be publicly accessible. NMFS will
accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/
A’’ in the required fields if you wish to
remain anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Obren Davis, 907–586–7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
GOA exclusive economic zone
according to the Fishery Management
Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of
Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North
Pacific Fishery Management Council
(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 final 2019 and 2020 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA
(84 FR 9416, March 14, 2019) set the
2020 pollock TAC at 114,943 metric
tons (mt) in the GOA. In December
2019, the North Pacific Fishery
Management Council (Council)
recommended a 2020 pollock TAC of
115,930 mt for the GOA, which is more
than the 114,943 mt established by the
final 2019 and 2020 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the
GOA. The Council’s recommended 2020
TAC, and the area and seasonal
apportionments, is based on the Stock
Assessment and Fishery Evaluation
report (SAFE), dated November 2019.
The final 2019 and 2020 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA
(84 FR 9416, March 14, 2019) set the
2020 Pacific cod TAC at 15,709 metric
tons (mt) in the GOA. In December
2019, the North Pacific Fishery
Management Council (Council)
recommended a 2020 Pacific cod TAC
of 6,431 mt for the GOA, which is less
than the 15,709 mt established by the
final 2019 and 2020 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the
GOA. The Council’s recommended 2020
TAC, and the area and seasonal
apportionments, is based on the Stock
Assessment and Fishery Evaluation
report (SAFE), dated November 2019.
Steller sea lions occur in the same
location as the pollock and Pacific cod
fisheries and are listed as endangered
under the Endangered Species Act
(ESA). Pollock and Pacific cod are
principal prey species for Steller sea
lions in the GOA. The seasonal
apportionment of pollock and Pacific
E:\FR\FM\23DER1.SGM
23DER1
70437
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 246 / Monday, December 23, 2019 / Rules and Regulations
cod harvests are necessary to ensure the
groundfish fisheries are not likely to
cause jeopardy of extinction or adverse
modification of critical habitat for
Steller sea lions. The regulations at
§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv) specify how the
pollock TAC will be apportioned and
the regulations at § 679.20(a)(6)(ii) and
(a)(12)(i) specify how the Pacific cod
TAC will be apportioned.
In accordance with § 679.25(a)(1)(iii),
(a)(2)(i)(B), and (a)(2)(iv) the
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS
(Regional Administrator), has
determined that, based on the best
available scientific information for this
fishery, the current GOA pollock and
Pacific cod TACs are incorrectly
specified. Consequently, pursuant to
§ 679.25(a)(1)(iii), the Regional
Administrator is adjusting the 2020
GOA pollock TAC to 115,930 mt and the
2020 Pacific cod TAC to 6,431 mt.
Therefore, Tables 4 and 6 of the final
2019 and 2020 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the GOA (84 FR 9416,
March 14, 2019) are revised consistent
with this adjustment.
Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iv), Table 4
of the final 2019 and 2020 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA
(84 FR 9416, March 14, 2019) is revised
for the 2020 TACs of pollock in the
Central and Western Regulatory Area of
the GOA.
TABLE 4—FINAL 2020 DISTRIBUTION OF POLLOCK IN THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL REGULATORY AREAS OF THE GOA;
SEASONAL BIOMASS DISTRIBUTION, AREA APPORTIONMENTS; AND SEASONAL ALLOWANCES OF ANNUAL TAC
Season 1
Shumagin (area 610)
Chirikof (area 620)
Total 2
Kodiak (area 630)
A (Jan 20–Mar 10) ........................................
B (Mar 10–May 31) .......................................
C (Aug 25–Oct 1) ..........................................
D (Oct 1–Nov 1) ............................................
517
517
9,070
9,070
2.06%
2.06%
36.20%
36.20%
18,757
22,222
6,739
6,739
74.86%
88.68%
26.89%
26.89%
5,783
2,318
9,248
9,248
23.08%
9.25%
36.91%
36.91%
25,057
25,057
25,057
25,057
Annual Total ...........................................
19,175
........................
54,456
........................
26,597
........................
100,228
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 and SEO District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock TACs shown in this table.
Note: Seasonal apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding. Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages are
rounded to the nearest 0.01.
Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(6)(ii) and
(a)(12)(i), Table 6 of the final 2019 and
2020 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the GOA (84 FR 9416,
March 14, 2019) is revised for the 2020
TACs of Pacific cod in the GOA.
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
A Season
Annual
allocation
(mt)
lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with RULES
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 ................................................
52
28
401
777
49
769
N/A
0.70
10.90
27.70
0.90
19.80
31
14
221
561
18
401
N/A
0.70
8.90
10.70
1.50
18.20
21
14
180
217
30
368
Total ......................................................................
2,076
60.00
1,246
40.00
830
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 .......................................................
38
550
253
192
1,567
158
1,048
N/A
9.32
5.61
4.11
21.14
2.00
17.83
23
351
211
155
796
75
672
N/A
5.29
1.10
1.00
20.45
2.19
9.97
15
199
41
38
771
83
376
Total ......................................................................
3,806
60.00
2,284
40.00
1,522
Eastern GOA:
Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
549
494
1 Trawl
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
55
catcher vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 145 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 2020 Apportionments of Rockfish
Secondary Species in the Central GOA and Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679).
Note: Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:35 Dec 20, 2019
Jkt 250001
PO 00000
Frm 00045
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
E:\FR\FM\23DER1.SGM
23DER1
70438
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 246 / Monday, December 23, 2019 / Rules and Regulations
Classification
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
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
allow for harvests that exceed the
appropriate allocation for pollock and
Pacific cod based on the best scientific
information available. NMFS was
unable to publish a notice providing
time for public comment because the
most recent, relevant data only became
available as of December 9, 2019, and
additional time for prior public
comment would result in conservation
concerns for the ESA-listed Steller sea
lions.
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 § 679.25(c)(2), interested
persons are invited to submit written
comments on this action to the above
address until January 7, 2020.
This action is required by §§ 679.20
and 679.25 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: December 17, 2019.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019–27539 Filed 12–20–19; 8:45 am]
lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with RULES
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:18 Dec 20, 2019
Jkt 250001
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 180831813–9170–02; RTID
0648–XY057]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod in the
Gulf of Alaska
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
AGENCY:
NMFS is prohibiting directed
fishing for Pacific cod in the Gulf of
Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary
because a biological assessment of stock
condition for Pacific cod in the GOA
projects that the spawning biomass will
be below 20 percent of the projected
unfished spawning biomass during
2020.
DATES: Effective 0001 hours, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), January 1, 2020,
through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31,
2020.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mary Furuness, 907–586–7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
GOA exclusive economic zone
according to the Fishery Management
Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of
Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North
Pacific Fishery Management Council
under authority of the MagnusonStevens 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.
Regulations governing sideboard
protections for GOA groundfish
fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR
part 680.
The most recent biological assessment
available of the stock condition for
Pacific cod in the GOA has determined
that the spawning biomass will be
below 20 percent of the projected
unfished spawning biomass during 2020
(https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00046
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
population-assessments/north-pacificgroundfish-stock-assessment-andfishery-evaluation).
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(4), the
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS
(Regional Administrator) has
determined that a biological assessment
of stock condition for Pacific cod in the
GOA projects that the spawning biomass
will be below 20 percent of the
projected unfished spawning biomass
during 2020. Consequently, NMFS is
prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific
cod in the GOA. While this closure is
effective the maximum retainable
amounts at § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at
any time during a trip.
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 directed fishing closure of
Pacific cod in the GOA. NMFS was
unable to publish a notice providing
time for public comment because the
most recent, relevant data only became
available as of December 6, 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 § 679.20
and is exempt from review under
Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: December 17, 2019.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019–27567 Filed 12–20–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
E:\FR\FM\23DER1.SGM
23DER1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 246 (Monday, December 23, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70436-70438]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-27539]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 180831813-9170-02; RTID 0648-XY058]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason
Adjustment to the 2020 Gulf of Alaska Pollock and Pacific Cod Total
Allowable Catch Amounts
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason adjustment; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is adjusting the 2020 total allowable catch (TAC) amounts
for the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) pollock and Pacific cod fishery. This
action is necessary because NMFS has determined these TACs are
incorrectly specified, and will ensure the GOA pollock and Pacific cod
TACs are the appropriate amount based on the best available scientific
information for pollock and Pacific cod in the GOA. This action is
consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan
for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska.
DATES: Effective 0001 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 1,
2020, until the effective date of the final 2020 and 2021 harvest
specifications for GOA groundfish, unless otherwise modified or
superseded through publication of a notification in the Federal
Register.
Comments must be received at the following address no later than
4:30 p.m., A.l.t., January 7, 2020.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2018-0103 by
any of the following methods:
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2018-0103, 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, Attn: Records. 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), confidential business information,
or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender
will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter
``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
GOA exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan
for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North
Pacific Fishery Management Council (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 final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications for groundfish in
the GOA (84 FR 9416, March 14, 2019) set the 2020 pollock TAC at
114,943 metric tons (mt) in the GOA. In December 2019, the North
Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) recommended a 2020 pollock
TAC of 115,930 mt for the GOA, which is more than the 114,943 mt
established by the final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the GOA. The Council's recommended 2020 TAC, and the area
and seasonal apportionments, is based on the Stock Assessment and
Fishery Evaluation report (SAFE), dated November 2019.
The final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications for groundfish in
the GOA (84 FR 9416, March 14, 2019) set the 2020 Pacific cod TAC at
15,709 metric tons (mt) in the GOA. In December 2019, the North Pacific
Fishery Management Council (Council) recommended a 2020 Pacific cod TAC
of 6,431 mt for the GOA, which is less than the 15,709 mt established
by the final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications for groundfish in the
GOA. The Council's recommended 2020 TAC, and the area and seasonal
apportionments, is based on the Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation
report (SAFE), dated November 2019.
Steller sea lions occur in the same location as the pollock and
Pacific cod fisheries and are listed as endangered under the Endangered
Species Act (ESA). Pollock and Pacific cod are principal prey species
for Steller sea lions in the GOA. The seasonal apportionment of pollock
and Pacific
[[Page 70437]]
cod harvests are necessary to ensure the groundfish fisheries are not
likely to cause jeopardy of extinction or adverse modification of
critical habitat for Steller sea lions. The regulations at Sec.
679.20(a)(5)(iv) specify how the pollock TAC will be apportioned and
the regulations at Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(ii) and (a)(12)(i) specify how
the Pacific cod TAC will be apportioned.
In accordance with Sec. 679.25(a)(1)(iii), (a)(2)(i)(B), and
(a)(2)(iv) the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional
Administrator), has determined that, based on the best available
scientific information for this fishery, the current GOA pollock and
Pacific cod TACs are incorrectly specified. Consequently, pursuant to
Sec. 679.25(a)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator is adjusting the
2020 GOA pollock TAC to 115,930 mt and the 2020 Pacific cod TAC to
6,431 mt. Therefore, Tables 4 and 6 of the final 2019 and 2020 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA (84 FR 9416, March 14, 2019)
are revised consistent with this adjustment.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv), Table 4 of the final 2019 and
2020 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA (84 FR 9416,
March 14, 2019) is revised for the 2020 TACs of pollock in the Central
and Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Table 4--Final 2020 Distribution of Pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA; Seasonal Biomass Distribution, Area Apportionments;
and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season \1\ Shumagin (area 610)
Chirikof (area 620)
Kodiak (area 630) Total \2\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A (Jan 20-Mar 10)....................... 517 2.06% 18,757 74.86% 5,783 23.08% 25,057
B (Mar 10-May 31)....................... 517 2.06% 22,222 88.68% 2,318 9.25% 25,057
C (Aug 25-Oct 1)........................ 9,070 36.20% 6,739 26.89% 9,248 36.91% 25,057
D (Oct 1-Nov 1)......................... 9,070 36.20% 6,739 26.89% 9,248 36.91% 25,057
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Total........................ 19,175 .............. 54,456 .............. 26,597 .............. 100,228
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 and SEO District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock TACs shown in this table.
Note: Seasonal apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding. Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages are rounded to the
nearest 0.01.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(ii) and (a)(12)(i), Table 6 of the
final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA
(84 FR 9416, March 14, 2019) is revised for the 2020 TACs of Pacific
cod in the GOA.
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Season B Season
----------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Sector Sector
Regulatory area and sector allocation percentage of Seasonal percentage of Seasonal
(mt) annual non-jig allowances (mt) annual non-jig allowances
TAC TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA:
Jig (2.5% of TAC).......... 52 N/A 31 N/A 21
Hook-and-line CV........... 28 0.70 14 0.70 14
Hook-and-line C/P.......... 401 10.90 221 8.90 180
Trawl CV................... 777 27.70 561 10.70 217
Trawl C/P.................. 49 0.90 18 1.50 30
All Pot CV and Pot C/P..... 769 19.80 401 18.20 368
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total.................. 2,076 60.00 1,246 40.00 830
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central GOA:
Jig (1.0% of TAC).......... 38 N/A 23 N/A 15
Hook-and-line <50 CV....... 550 9.32 351 5.29 199
Hook-and-line >=50 CV...... 253 5.61 211 1.10 41
Hook-and-line C/P.......... 192 4.11 155 1.00 38
Trawl CV \1\............... 1,567 21.14 796 20.45 771
Trawl C/P.................. 158 2.00 75 2.19 83
All Pot CV and Pot C/P......... 1,048 17.83 672 9.97 376
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total.................. 3,806 60.00 2,284 40.00 1,522
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern GOA: Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
549 494
55
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Trawl catcher vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 145 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 2020 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA and Table
28c to 50 CFR part 679).
Note: Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton.
[[Page 70438]]
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 allow for harvests that exceed the appropriate allocation for
pollock and Pacific cod based on the best scientific information
available. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for
public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became
available as of December 9, 2019, and additional time for prior public
comment would result in conservation concerns for the ESA-listed
Steller sea lions.
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. 679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to submit
written comments on this action to the above address until January 7,
2020.
This action is required by Sec. Sec. 679.20 and 679.25 and is
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: December 17, 2019.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-27539 Filed 12-20-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
