Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Central Gulf of Alaska Rockfish Program; Amendment 111, 55243-55251 [2020-18055]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 173 (Friday, September 4, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55243-55251]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-18055]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Parts 679 and 680

[Docket No.: 200811-0214]
RIN 0648-BJ73


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Central Gulf 
of Alaska Rockfish Program; Amendment 111

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS issues a proposed rule to implement Amendment 111 to the 
Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska Management 
Area (GOA FMP) and a regulatory amendment to reauthorize the Central 
Gulf of Alaska (CGOA) Rockfish Program. This proposed rule would retain 
the conservation, management, safety, and economic gains realized under 
the existing Rockfish Program and make minor revisions to improve 
administration of the Rockfish Program. This proposed rule is necessary 
to continue the conservation benefits, improve efficiency, and provide 
economic benefits of the Rockfish Program that will expire on December 
31, 2021 without this proposed rule. This proposed rule is intended to 
promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act, the GOA FMP, and other applicable 
laws.

DATES: Submit comments on or before October 5, 2020.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2020-0086, 
by any of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2020-0086, 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: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted 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).
    Electronic copies of the Environmental Assessment and the 
Regulatory Impact Review (collectively referred to as the 
``Analysis''), the Social Impact Analysis, and the Finding of No 
Significant Impact prepared for this proposed rule may be obtained from 
https://www.regulations.gov or from the NMFS Alaska Region website at 
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/region/alaska.
    Written comments regarding the burden-hour estimates or other 
aspects of the collection-of-information requirements contained in this 
proposed rule may be submitted via mail to NMFS Alaska Region, P.O. Box 
21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668, Attn: Glenn Merrill; in person at NMFS 
Alaska Region, 709 West 9th Street, Room 401, Juneau, AK; via internet 
on www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information 
collection by selecting ``Currently under Review--Open for Public 
Comments'' or by using the search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Warpinski, 907-586-7228 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Authority for Action

    NMFS manages U.S. groundfish fisheries of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) 
under the GOA FMP. NMFS manages vessels and License Limitation Program 
(LLP) licenses subject to sideboard limits under the Crab 
Rationalization Program under the Fishery Management Plan for Bering 
Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs (Crab FMP). The North 
Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) prepared, and the 
Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) approved, these FMPs under the 
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens

[[Page 55244]]

Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), 16 
U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Regulations implementing the GOA FMP are located at 
50 CFR part 679. Regulations implementing the Crab FMP are located at 
50 CFR part 680. General regulations governing U.S. fisheries also 
appear at 50 CFR part 600. The Council is authorized to prepare and 
recommend an FMP amendment for the conservation and management of a 
fishery managed under the FMP. NMFS conducts rulemaking to implement 
FMP amendments and regulatory amendments.
    The Council recommended Amendment 111 to the GOA FMP to reauthorize 
the existing Rockfish Program that is scheduled to expire on December 
31, 2021. The proposed reauthorized Rockfish Program would retain the 
net national conservation, management, safety, and economic benefits 
realized under the existing Rockfish Program as well as modify 
regulations to improve the management of the Rockfish Program.
    The Rockfish Program is a type of limited access privilege program 
(LAPP) developed to enhance resource conservation and improve economic 
efficiency in the CGOA rockfish fisheries. LAPPs, also called catch 
share programs, are limited access systems in which Federal permits are 
issued to harvest a quantity of fish representing a portion of the 
total allowable catch (TAC). Under the Rockfish Program, participants 
exercise their exclusive harvest privileges when they join a rockfish 
cooperative. The Rockfish Program benefits CGOA fishermen, shoreside 
processors, catcher/processors, and communities by (1) providing 
greater security to harvesters in rockfish cooperatives, (2) allowing a 
slower-paced fishery to provide harvesters the ability to choose when 
to fish, (3) providing greater stability for processors by spreading 
production over a longer period of time, (4) allowing for a more stable 
workforce, (5) increasing product quality and diversity, and (6) 
allowing catcher/processors greater spatial and temporal flexibility to 
reduce bycatch and develop more stable markets. The proposed 
reauthorized Rockfish Program would continue LAPP management, and would 
seek to provide the same benefits established under the existing 
Rockfish Program.
    A notice of availability (NOA) for Amendment 111 was published in 
the Federal Register on July 28, 2020 (85 FR 45367), with comments 
invited through September 28, 2020. All relevant written comments 
received by September 28, 2020, whether specifically directed to the 
NOA or this proposed rule will be considered by NMFS in the approval/
disapproval decision for Amendment 111 and addressed in the response to 
comments in the final rule. Commenters do not need to submit the same 
comments on both the NOA and this proposed rule. Comments submitted on 
this proposed rule by the end of the comment period for this proposed 
rule (See DATES) will be considered by NMFS in our decision to 
implement measures proposed by the Council and addressed in the 
response to comments in the final rule.

Background

    The following background sections describe the Rockfish Program and 
the need for this proposed rule.

The Rockfish Program

    This section provides a brief overview of the existing Rockfish 
Program. A detailed description of the Rockfish Program and its 
development is provided in the preamble to the proposed rule and the 
final rule implementing the Rockfish Program from 2012 through 2021 (76 
FR 52147, August 19, 2011 and 76 FR 81248, December 27, 2011) and in 
Section 1.2 of the Analysis.
    In 2003, Section 802 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2004 
(Section 802, Pub. L. 108-199) provided the Secretary of Commerce, in 
consultation with the Council, direction to establish a rockfish 
``Pilot Program'' to recognize historic participation of fishing 
vessels and processors, a set-aside for participants not eligible to 
participate in the Rockfish Pilot Program, and catch limits of species 
incidentally harvested with northern rockfish, pelagic shelf rockfish 
(since redefined), and Pacific ocean perch. The Secretary of Commerce, 
in consultation with the Council, developed the Rockfish Pilot Program 
to meet the requirements of Section 802. The Council recommended the 
Rockfish Pilot Program to the Secretary on June 6, 2005 and NMFS 
published regulations implementing the Rockfish Pilot Program on 
November 20, 2006 (71 FR 67210).
    Section 802 authorized the Rockfish Pilot Program for 2 years, from 
January 1, 2007, until December 31, 2008. Section 802 states that the 
program shall (1) include the Central GOA rockfish species of Pacific 
ocean perch, northern rockfish, and pelagic shelf rockfish; (2) 
recognize historical participation of fishing vessels in the Central 
GOA rockfish fisheries from 1996 to 2002; (3) recognize historical 
participation of processors in the Central GOA rockfish fisheries from 
1996 to 2000; (4) establish catch limits for non-rockfish species and 
non-target rockfish species harvested with the Central GOA rockfish 
species and base such allocations on historical harvesting of these 
incidentally caught species; (5) set aside up to 5 percent of the TAC 
of the Central GOA rockfish fisheries for catcher vessels that are not 
eligible to participate in the program; and (6) have a 2-year duration. 
The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Reauthorization Act of 2006, which became public law on January 12, 
2007 (Pub. L. 109-479), extended the Rockfish Pilot Program for an 
additional 3 years, until December 31, 2011. NMFS implemented that 
regulatory extension on November 17, 2008 (73 FR 67809).
    On June 14, 2010, the Council adopted the existing Rockfish Program 
to replace the Rockfish Pilot Program that was scheduled to expire on 
December 31, 2011. NMFS published regulations implementing the existing 
Rockfish Program on December 27, 2011 (76 FR 81248). The Council 
designed the Rockfish Program to meet the requirements for limited 
access privileges in section 303A of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    The Rockfish Program provides exclusive harvesting privileges for 
vessels using trawl gear to harvest a specific set of ``primary'' 
rockfish species and associated ``secondary'' species incidentally 
harvested to the primary rockfish in the CGOA, an area from 147[deg] W 
long. to 159[deg] W long. The granting of exclusive harvesting is 
commonly called rationalization. The rockfish primary species 
rationalized under the Rockfish Program are northern rockfish, Pacific 
ocean perch, and dusky rockfish. The secondary species rationalized 
under the Rockfish Program include Pacific cod, rougheye rockfish, 
shortraker rockfish, and sablefish. In addition to these primary and 
secondary species, the Rockfish Program allocates a portion of the 
halibut bycatch mortality limit annually specified for the GOA trawl 
fisheries to Rockfish Program participants.
    The Rockfish Program (1) assigns quota share (QS) and cooperative 
quota (CQ) to participants for primary and secondary species, (2) 
allows a participant holding an LLP license with rockfish QS to form a 
rockfish cooperative with other persons, (3) allows holders of catcher/
processor LLP licenses to opt-out of rockfish cooperatives for a given 
year, (4) establishes a limited access fishery for participants who do 
not participate in a fishery cooperative for a given year, (5) includes 
an entry level longline fishery for persons who do not hold rockfish

[[Page 55245]]

QS, (6) establishes constraints, commonly known as sideboard limits, 
for other non-Rockfish Program fisheries that apply to vessels and LLP 
licenses eligible to participate in the Rockfish Program, and (7) 
includes monitoring and enforcement provisions.
    As summarized in Sections 2 and 3.5 of the Analysis, the Rockfish 
Program provided greater security to harvesters through the formation 
of rockfish cooperatives. Fishing under cooperative management resulted 
in a slower-paced fishery that allows a harvester to choose when to 
fish. The Rockfish Program also provided greater stability for 
processors by spreading out production over a longer period. Overall, 
the Rockfish Program provides greater benefits to shoreside processors, 
catcher/processors, CGOA fishermen, and communities than were realized 
under the previous LLP management scheme.
    For example, during the Rockfish Program, fishermen made more 
rockfish and non-rockfish shoreside deliveries over a more extended 
period of time than under only LLP management. This allowed for a more 
stable workforce and slower processing pace than the previous short 
periods of high volume rockfish processing. With a slower processing 
pace, product quality and diversity increased. CGOA fishermen and 
processors noted fewer conflicts with other fisheries, especially the 
salmon fishery which traditionally overlapped with rockfish efforts. 
Catcher/processors noted greater flexibility in preparation and 
execution of the fishery which resulted in lower bycatch numbers, more 
stable markets, and a more efficient distribution of fishery effort. 
This proposed rule would retain the management structure implemented 
under the Rockfish Program and revise specific provisions of the 
Rockfish Program, as described below, to improve operational 
efficiency. The Pilot Program created a structure for fishery 
participants to form cooperatives to efficiently manage harvesting 
activities, and the existing Rockfish Program continues to rely on 
cooperative formation.

Need for Amendment 111 and This Proposed Rule

    Without this proposed rule, the existing Rockfish Program is 
scheduled to expire on December 31, 2021. This proposed rule would 
continue the conservation benefits, improve efficiency, and provide 
economic benefits of the Rockfish Program that would otherwise expire. 
This proposed rule would reauthorize the Rockfish Program and make 
minor revisions to existing regulations to improve administrative 
provisions of the Rockfish Program. This proposed rule would retain the 
conservation, management, safety, and economic benefits realized under 
the existing Rockfish Program.
    Unless otherwise noted, the proposed reauthorized Rockfish Program 
would retain regulatory provisions established in the existing Rockfish 
Program. These include the current allocation of QS among the fishery 
participants, the process and requirements to fish in a cooperative, 
sideboard limitations, and monitoring and reporting requirements. The 
Council and NMFS considered a range of alternatives and potential 
changes to the existing Rockfish Program, including allowing the 
Rockfish Program to expire. Section 1.7 of the Analysis describes the 
alternatives considered and Section 1.10.2 provides the rationale for 
the reauthorized Rockfish Program proposed in this rule. The reader is 
referred to those sections for additional details.
    Amendment 111 to the FMP and this proposed rule would reauthorize 
the Rockfish Program and address a variety of administrative and 
management issues associated with the existing Rockfish Program. The 
specific regulatory changes to the existing Rockfish Program under this 
proposed rule are discussed in Section 1.6.2 of the Analysis (see 
ADDRESSES) and include:
     Removing the Rockfish Program sunset date of December 31, 
2021, with the effect of allowing the Rockfish Program to continue 
indefinitely;
     Specifying that only shoreside processors receiving 
Rockfish Program CQ must submit the Rockfish Ex-vessel Volume and Value 
Report;
     Modifying cooperative check-in notice timing from 48 to 24 
hours;
     Removing requirements that an annual Rockfish Program 
cooperative report be submitted to NMFS. The Council requested that the 
Rockfish Program cooperatives continue to voluntarily provide annual 
reports to the Council;
     Removing requirements for a fishing plan to be submitted 
with a cooperative application for CQ;
     Requiring annual NMFS cost recovery reports;
     Allowing NMFS to reallocate unharvested Pacific cod 
allocated to Rockfish Program cooperatives to other non-Rockfish 
Program sectors after the Rockfish Program fisheries close on November 
15, consistent with existing regulatory requirements;
     Allowing NMFS to reallocate unused rockfish incidental 
catch allowances (ICA) to Rockfish Program cooperatives;
     Clarifying regulations regarding accounting for inseason 
use caps to specify that any transfer of unused rockfish ICAs or 
catcher/processor CQ to catcher vessel cooperatives does not apply to 
catcher vessel ownership, cooperative, harvester CQ, or shoreside 
processor CQ use caps;
     Exempting vessels from Crab Rationalization Program 
sideboard limits when fishing in the Rockfish Program;
     Removing catcher/processor rockfish program sideboard 
limits in the Western GOA rockfish fisheries;
     Removing the requirement for a trawl catcher vessel that 
has checked into and is participating in the Rockfish Program fishery 
to stand down for three days when transiting from the Bering Sea and 
Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI) to the GOA while Pacific cod or 
pollock is open to directed fishing in the BSAI;
     Removing requirements for shoreside processors under the 
Rockfish Program to provide an observer work station and observer 
communication standards; and
     Making minor technical corrections to clarify the season 
date for directed fishing for Pacific cod under the Rockfish Program, 
and updating references to dusky rockfish (Sebastes variabilis) 
throughout regulations in 50 CFR part 679.
    The following section describes the proposed regulatory changes in 
greater detail.

Proposed Rule

    This section describes the proposed changes to existing regulations 
and the anticipated effects of these changes.
    This proposed rule would modify regulations at Sec.  679.80(a)(2) 
to remove the expiration date for the authorization of the Rockfish 
Program. The existing Rockfish Program had a 10-year authorization to 
require the Council to review the Rockfish Program and make any 
necessary changes to management based on that review, or allow the 
Rockfish Program to expire. Removing the expiration date would allow 
the program to continue indefinitely. As noted in Section 3.7.1 of the 
Analysis, removing the expiration date for the Rockfish Program does 
not preclude the Council or NMFS from revising, revoking, or otherwise 
modifying the Rockfish Program at any point in the future. In addition, 
regular reviews of the Rockfish Program are required under the 
provision of section 303A(i) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Removing the 
expiration date for the Rockfish Program

[[Page 55246]]

would not preclude the regular review of the Rockfish Program. 
Eliminating the finite duration of the Rockfish Program is expected to 
provide a level of stability and predictability that would not be 
achieved by extending the sunset date. Specifically, harvesters and 
processors may not make the same level of investments to fishing 
operations if they anticipate the fishery may not be extended (see 
Section 3.7.1 of the Analysis for additional detail).
    This proposed rule would modify Rockfish Program recordkeeping and 
reporting requirements to: (1) Clarify regulations at Sec.  
679.5(r)(10)(i) to clearly state that only shoreside processors taking 
deliveries of species harvested using Rockfish Program CQ must submit 
the Rockfish Ex-vessel Volume and Value Report; (2) modify cooperative 
check-in times from 48 to 24 hours at Sec.  679.5(r)(8)(i)(A)(1); (3) 
remove the requirement for an annual Rockfish Program cooperative 
report to be submitted to NMFS at Sec. Sec.  679.5(r)(6) and 
679.81(i)(3)(xxv) and (xxvi); (4) remove the requirement for rockfish 
cooperatives to submit a fishing plan with its annual application for 
CQ at Sec.  679.81(f)(4)(i)(D)(3); and (5) add a regulation at Sec.  
679.85(g) that states NMFS will annually publish a Rockfish Program 
cost recovery report.
    These recordkeeping and reporting changes would provide several 
benefits. The requirement for the Rockfish Ex-vessel Volume and Value 
Report would clarify existing provisions to ensure that they are 
applied only to the persons required to meet management requirements; 
the change to cooperative check-in times would provide additional 
flexibility to harvesters while ensuring catch is properly accounted 
for; and removing the annual Rockfish Program cooperative report and 
the fishing plan with the annual application for CQ would remove 
reporting requirements that are not necessary. In addition, the 
proposed rule would add a requirement that NMFS publish a cost recovery 
report in regulations. NMFS already produces an annual cost recovery 
report, so codifying this requirement in regulation does not change the 
existing process. However, industry has requested that it be codified 
so that it is consistently produced annually. Additional detail 
describing the impact of these changes is included in Section 3.7 of 
the Analysis prepared for this proposed rule (See ADDRESSES).
    This proposed rule would add regulations at Sec.  679.81(j) to 
authorize NMFS to reallocate unharvested Pacific cod after directed 
fishing under the Rockfish Program closes on November 15, consistent 
with existing reallocation procedures for Pacific cod in the Gulf of 
Alaska. Regulations at Sec.  679.20(a)(12)(ii) allow NMFS to consider 
reallocation of unused Rockfish Program Pacific cod, first to catcher 
vessels, then to the combined catcher vessel and catcher/processor pot 
sector, and then to all other catcher/processor sectors, taking into 
account the capability of a sector to harvest the reallocation. Section 
3.7.2 of the Analysis notes that on average from 2011 to 2018 (the last 
year of complete data), 55 percent of the Pacific cod allocated to the 
Rockfish Program has remained unharvested. Allowing this reallocation 
could provide additional directed harvest opportunities (e.g., for 
hook-and-line catcher vessels), or could be used to account for the 
incidental catch of Pacific cod in trawl fisheries that occur later in 
the year.
    This proposed rule would, at Sec.  679.81(j)(2), authorize NMFS to 
reallocate unharvested rockfish species ICAs to rockfish cooperatives. 
Annually, NMFS establishes ICAs for the three primary rockfish species 
to account for the catch of those species in other, non-Rockfish 
Program fisheries. NMFS establishes these ICAs conservatively so that 
the ICA amounts can accommodate anticipated incidental catch and the 
TACs will not be exceeded. Section 3.1.10 of the Analysis indicates 
that in some years a substantial portion of that ICA may remain 
unharvested by Rockfish Program participants. This proposed rule would 
provide NMFS with the authority to reallocate unused ICA amounts to 
Rockfish Program cooperatives to allow a more complete harvest of the 
TACs in those years when the ICAs are not fully used. Section 3.7.10 of 
the Analysis notes that, since 2012, the reallocation of ICAs could 
have resulted in substantial additional revenue (e.g., $852,000 in ex-
vessel value in 2016) to harvesters and processors. NMFS would make its 
decision whether to reallocate ICAs after evaluating the anticipated 
ICA use in non-Rockfish Program fisheries and the ability for Rockfish 
Cooperatives to harvest the allocation. If NMFS determines there is not 
sufficient ICA to reallocate, then no reallocation would occur.
    This proposed rule would specify that, if an amount of ICA is 
reallocated, catcher vessel rockfish cooperatives would have priority 
for receiving the reallocation. In most years, participants in the 
catcher vessel cooperatives fish later in the year than participants in 
the catcher/processor cooperatives, and the Council indicated a 
preference to provide additional opportunities to the catcher vessel 
sector first. This proposed rule would specify that, if an ICA is 
rolled over to Rockfish Program cooperatives, each cooperative would 
receive a reallocation that is proportional to the amount of CQ 
initially issued to that cooperative for that sector. For example, if 
NMFS reallocated 100 metric tons (mt) of Pacific ocean perch to the 
catcher vessel sector, and one cooperative was initially issued 20 
percent of the Pacific ocean perch catcher vessel CQ and another 
cooperative was issued 80 percent of the Pacific ocean perch catcher 
vessel CQ, then the first cooperative would receive 20 mt and the 
second cooperative would receive 80 mt. This reallocation process would 
ensure an equitable redistribution among all of the cooperatives.
    This proposed rule would add regulations at Sec.  679.82(a)(1)(vi) 
to clarify that any transfer of reallocated Rockfish Program ICAs or 
catcher/processor CQ to a catcher vessel cooperative does not apply 
when calculating catcher vessel use caps, including CV ownership, 
cooperative CQ, harvester QS, or shoreside processor caps. Use caps are 
established to limit consolidation. Currently, regulations at Sec.  
679.82(a) state that use caps are based on the amount of the CQ 
``initially issued'' to the Rockfish Program catcher vessel sector. The 
proposed regulatory change would clarify the methods that should be 
used to calculate use caps that apply to catcher vessel cooperatives 
and, because these are the methods currently in use, would not modify 
existing annual processes. This proposed regulatory change would 
clarify the regulations consistent with the Council's intended 
application of the use cap provisions under the Rockfish Program. (See 
Section 3.7.11 of the Analysis for additional detail on use cap 
provisions.)
    This proposed rule would make several changes to regulations 
governing the sideboards established to protect other Gulf of Alaska 
fisheries. Sideboards are limitations on the ability of harvesters to 
harvest in fisheries other than the CGOA rockfish fisheries. The 
proposed changes include: (1) Exempting Rockfish Program vessels from 
sideboard limits implemented under the Crab Rationalization Program at 
Sec.  680.22(a)(1); (2) removing both Western GOA directed fishing 
prohibitions specified at Sec.  679.82(e)(2) and rockfish sideboard 
ratios at Sec.  679.82(e)(4) for Rockfish Program catcher/processors; 
and (3) removing the requirement at Sec.  679.23(h)(1) for a trawl 
catcher vessel checked into and participating in the Rockfish Program 
fishery to stand down for three days

[[Page 55247]]

when transiting from the BSAI to the GOA while Pacific cod or pollock 
is open to directed fishing in the BSAI. Because of the proposed 
revisions to Sec.  679.82(e)(4) to remove Western GOA directed fishing 
prohibitions, NMFS also proposes a further clarifying technical 
revision to the remaining information in Sec.  679.82(e)(4) to remove 
the table and reorganize the West Yakutat District rockfish sideboard 
ratios.
    These proposed changes improve the operational efficiency of the 
Rockfish Program by removing operational limitations on vessels 
operating in the Rockfish Program that would be limited by the existing 
sideboards. These proposed changes would not reduce the fishery 
protections in the Rockfish Program but would slightly improve the 
efficiency and harvest flexibility for vessels participating in these 
fisheries. These changes to GOA fishery protections would not be 
expected to result in increased catch in non-Rockfish Program fisheries 
because fishery participants have successfully coordinated harvests 
within existing cooperatives across sideboarded vessels, and removing 
them would provide slight operational efficiency as explained in 
Section 3.7 of the Analysis.
    Section 3.7.3 of the Analysis describes the existing management of 
sideboards established under the Crab Rationalization Program. Rockfish 
Program participants who also hold LLP licenses or own vessels that are 
subject to Crab Rationalization Program sideboard restrictions could be 
limited from harvesting Rockfish Program CQ. The proposed change to 
exempt Rockfish Program vessels from Crab Rationalization Program 
sideboards would apply only when vessels are participating in the 
Rockfish Program. This proposed change would effectively provide 
additional harvest opportunities for vessels and LLP license holders in 
the Rockfish Program but would not remove the sideboard limits when 
participating in non-Rockfish Program fisheries.
    Section 3.7.13 of the Analysis describes the sideboard limits on 
the amount of dusky rockfish, northern rockfish, and Pacific ocean 
perch that may be harvested in the Western GOA by catcher/processors 
that are eligible to participate in the Rockfish Program. Currently, 
catcher/processors harvest more than 98 percent of all of these three 
rockfish species (Section 3.7.13 of the Analysis). All of the catcher/
processors that participate in the Western GOA rockfish fisheries are 
also participants in the Amendment 80 Program and are subject to 
sideboard measures established under the Amendment 80 Program (see 
Table 37 to part 679). Some of the catcher/processors are also subject 
to Rockfish Program sideboard limits in the Western GOA, and this 
limitation can impose operational challenges on vessels that must 
manage harvests within two separate sideboard limits. The Council 
recommended, and NMFS is proposing, relieving the Rockfish Program 
sideboard limits because all of the participants in the Amendment 80 
sector have successfully coordinated fishing operations in the Western 
GOA rockfish fisheries and the Rockfish Program sideboard limits are 
unnecessary and duplicate other restrictions. Given the very limited 
harvests by catcher vessels, this proposed change would not be expected 
to impact other fishery participants.
    Section 3.7.14 of the Analysis describes the existing ``stand 
down'' provisions that apply to catcher vessels that move from the BSAI 
to GOA. Stand down regulations are implemented to slow the flow of 
effort moving from the BSAI into the GOA to help protect participants 
that primarily operated in the GOA by reducing competition on the 
fishing grounds and extending the season length. Removing the 3-day 
stand down would allow vessels to enter the CGOA rockfish fishery 
immediately, since additional protections are not needed in a LAPP 
program. Regulations at Sec.  679.23(h)(1) state that the owner or 
operator of a trawl catcher vessel fishing for groundfish in the BSAI 
while pollock or Pacific cod are open to directed fishing in the BSAI 
are prohibited from deploying trawl gear in the Central and Western GOA 
until the third day after the landing or transfer of all groundfish on 
board the vessel harvested in the BSAI. This regulation can constrain 
vessels that are moving from the BSAI to participate in the Rockfish 
Program. The Council recommended and NMFS proposes modifying Sec.  
679.23(h)(1) to remove the 3-day stand down requirement when a vessel 
moves from the BSAI and is checked-in and participating in a Rockfish 
Program cooperative. This proposed revision would remove a regulatory 
limitation on vessels moving into the Rockfish Program but would not 
increase potential harvests in other non-Rockfish Program fisheries. 
Vessels that participate in the Rockfish Program cooperative would be 
limited by the amount of CQ allocated to the cooperative and would not 
be expected to result in increased competition among Rockfish Program 
participants. Vessels that are not participating in the Rockfish 
Program would still be subject to the 3-day stand down.
    This proposed rule would modify regulations at Sec.  679.84(f)(1) 
to remove unnecessary requirements for shoreside processors to maintain 
an observer workstation and communications equipment. These 
requirements were originally implemented under the Rockfish Pilot 
Program, which required that fisheries observers be stationed at 
shoreside processors participating in the Rockfish Pilot Program. 
Observer requirements for shoreside processors were removed with the 
implementation of the Rockfish Program in 2012, making these equipment 
requirements no longer necessary.
    This proposed rule includes two additional technical corrections to 
regulations to clarify the season date for directed fishing for Pacific 
cod under the Rockfish Program and to update references to dusky 
rockfish throughout the regulations. This proposed rule would clarify 
the season dates for directed fishing for Pacific cod with trawl gear 
at Sec.  679.23(d)(3)(ii) by cross-referencing the Rockfish Program 
season dates in Sec.  679.84(g).
    Currently, existing regulations include conflicting season dates 
for when directed fishing for Pacific cod is authorized in the Western 
and Central Gulf of Alaska regulatory areas. Regulations at 50 CFR 
679.24(d)(3) specify that directed fishing for Pacific cod with trawl 
gear in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas is authorized in the 
Pacific cod B season only until 1200 A.l.t., November 1 each year. 
Regulations at 50 CFR 679.80(a)(3)(ii) specify that fishing by vessels 
participating in a rockfish cooperative is authorized from 1200 hours, 
A.l.t., May 1 through 1200 hours, A.l.t., November 15. Because Pacific 
cod is an allocated species under the Rockfish Program, this creates 
conflicting season dates for authorized directed fishing for Pacific 
cod. To clarify this, NMFS proposes to modify regulations at 50 CFR 
679.24 to reference the specific season dates authorized under the 
Rockfish Program.
    This proposed rule changes references to ``pelagic shelf'' rockfish 
to ``dusky'' rockfish throughout regulations in 50 CFR part 679 to 
update regulations consistent with changes that have occurred to 
species categories since 2012 and the implementation of the Rockfish 
Program. In 2012, the pelagic shelf rockfish assemblage consisted of 
three species: dusky, widow (S. entomelas), and yellowtail rockfish (S. 
flavidus). Following recommendations by rockfish stock assessment 
scientists, the Council's GOA Groundfish Plan

[[Page 55248]]

Team, and the Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee, dusky 
rockfish were assessed separately starting in 2012. The other two 
species that were included in the ``pelagic shelf'' rockfish group 
(widow and yellowtail rockfish) have been included in the ``other 
rockfish'' species category and stock assessment. Revising the 
references from pelagic shelf rockfish to dusky rockfish within the 
regulations and FMP is consistent with existing protocols for the 
annual stock assessment and harvest specifications of dusky rockfish.

Classification

    Pursuant to sections 304(b)(1)(A) and 305(d) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act, the NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that this 
proposed rule is consistent with the GOA FMP, other provisions of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable law, subject to further 
consideration after public comment.
    This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for 
the purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    This proposed rule is expected to be an Executive Order 13771 
deregulatory action.
    A Regulatory Impact Review was prepared to assess costs and 
benefits of available regulatory alternatives. A copy of this analysis 
is available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES). The Council recommended and 
NMFS proposes Amendment 111 and these regulations based on those 
measures that maximize net benefits to the Nation. Specific aspects of 
the economic analysis are discussed below in the Initial Regulatory 
Flexibility Analysis section.

Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

    This Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) was prepared 
for this proposed rule, as required by Section 603 of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 603), to describe the economic impact 
this proposed rule, if adopted, would have on small entities. The IRFA 
describes the action; the reasons why this proposed rule is proposed; 
the objectives and legal basis for this proposed rule; the number and 
description of directly regulated small entities to which this proposed 
rule would apply; the recordkeeping, reporting, and other compliance 
requirements of this proposed rule; and the relevant Federal rules that 
may duplicate, overlap, or conflict with this proposed rule. The IRFA 
also describes significant alternatives to this proposed rule that 
would accomplish the stated objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and 
any other applicable statutes, and that would minimize any significant 
economic impact of this proposed rule on small entities. The 
description of the proposed action, its purpose, and the legal basis 
are explained in the preamble and are not repeated here.
    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 receipts not in excess of $11 million for all its 
affiliated operations worldwide. A shoreside processor primarily 
involved in seafood processing (NAICS code 311710) 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 employment, counting all individuals employed on a 
full-time, part-time, or other basis, not in excess of 750 employees 
for all its affiliated operations worldwide.

Number and Description of Small Entities Regulated by This Proposed 
Rule

    This proposed rule would directly regulate the owners and operators 
of catcher vessels, catcher/processor vessels, and shoreside processors 
eligible to participate in the CGOA Rockfish Program. In 2019 (the most 
recent year of complete data), 54 vessel owners participated in the 
Rockfish Program, 19 of which are considered small entities based on 
the $11 million threshold. No catcher/processor vessels are classified 
as small entities because their combined gross income through 
affiliation with the Amendment 80 cooperative exceeds the $11 million 
first wholesale value threshold. In 2018 and 2019, six shore-based 
cooperatives were associated with a unique shoreside processor under 
the Rockfish Program. Reliable information is not available on 
ownership affiliations between individual processing operations or 
employment for the fish processors directly regulated by this proposed 
rule. Therefore, NMFS assumes that all of the processors directly 
regulated by this proposed rule could be small. Additional detail is 
included in Sections 3.5.5 and 3.9 in the Analysis prepared for this 
proposed rule (see ADDRESSES).
    In addition to the main program, this proposed rule also maintains 
the ``entry level'' fishery for the longline sector. Since 
participation in that fishery is voluntary, the number of small 
entities participating in future years cannot be reliably predicted. 
From 2012 to 2019, an average of 4 vessels targeted CGOA rockfish in 
the entry level longline sector. Participation in this fishery has 
typically included vessels using jig gear and are considered small 
entities. Therefore, it is likely that a substantial portion of the 
entry level longline fishery participants would be small entities.

Description of Significant Alternatives That Minimize Adverse Impacts 
on Small Entities

    The proposed rule builds upon the Rockfish Pilot Program and 
previously implemented Rockfish Program. The Rockfish Pilot Program was 
originally enacted through congressional direction to address economic 
inefficiencies in the fishery which primarily affected small entities. 
In recommending this proposed rule, the Council considered two 
alternatives, with multiple elements as it evaluated the potential for 
the continued rationalization of the CGOA rockfish fisheries, including 
the ``no action'' alternative (Alternative 1) to allow the Rockfish 
Program to expire on December 31, 2021; and an action alternative 
(Alternative 2) to reauthorize the Rockfish Program with numerous 
alternative elements to address a suite of potential management 
revisions. The Council considered alternatives that would modify the 
duration of the Rockfish Program: (1) Remove the sunset date, or (2) 
implement a new sunset date of 10 to 20 years; and select from numerous 
alternative elements to revise administrative provisions of the 
Rockfish Program. The Council selected Alternative 2 with the suite of 
elements included in this proposed rule to remove the sunset date and 
modify specific provisions of the Rockfish Program proposed in this 
proposed rule.
    Based upon the best available scientific data, and in consideration 
of the Council's objectives of this action, it appears that there are 
no significant alternatives to the proposed rule that have the 
potential to accomplish the stated objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act and any other applicable statutes and that have the potential to 
minimize any significant adverse economic impact of the proposed rule 
on small entities. After public process, the Council concluded that the 
proposed Rockfish Program would best accomplish the stated objectives 
articulated in the preamble for this proposed rule, and in applicable 
statutes, and would minimize to the extent practicable adverse economic

[[Page 55249]]

impacts on the universe of directly regulated small entities.

Duplicate, Overlapping, or Conflicting Federal Rules

    NMFS has not identified any duplication, overlap, or conflict 
between this proposed rule and existing Federal rules.

Recordkeeping, Reporting, and Other Compliance Requirements

    This proposed rule would modify recordkeeping and reporting 
requirements under the Rockfish Program to: (1) Clarify that only 
shoreside processors receiving Rockfish Program CQ must submit the 
Rockfish Ex-vessel Volume and Value Report; (2) modify cooperative 
check-in times from 48 to 24 hours; (3) remove the requirement for an 
annual Rockfish Program cooperative report to be submitted to NMFS; (4) 
remove the requirement for rockfish cooperatives to submit a fishing 
plan with its annual application for cooperative quota; and (5) require 
NMFS to annually publish a Rockfish Program cost recovery report. These 
recordkeeping and reporting changes would clarify existing provisions 
of the program and remove unnecessary reporting requirements, slightly 
reducing the reporting burden for all directly regulated entities 
including small entities. The impact of these changes are described in 
more detail in Section 3.7 of the Analysis prepared for this proposed 
rule (See ADDRESSES).

Collection-of-Information Requirements

    This proposed rule contains collection-of-information requirements 
subject to review and approval by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). NMFS has submitted these 
requirements to OMB for approval under Control Numbers 0648-0678 
(Alaska Council Cooperative Annual Reports) and 0648-0545 (Alaska 
Rockfish Program: Permits and Reports).
OMB Control Number 0648-0678
    Due to this rule, this collection is revised to remove the 
requirement for an annual Rockfish Program cooperative report to be 
submitted to NMFS. A second revision, which is not covered by this 
proposed rule, removes the American Fisheries Act (AFA) Catcher Vessel 
Intercooperative Agreement as a separate component of this collection 
because this is already included as an appendix to the AFA Annual 
Catcher Vessel Intercooperative Report, which is approved under OMB 
Control Number 0648-0678.
OMB Control Number 0648-0545
    This rule proposes to revise and extend by three years OMB Control 
Number 0648-0545. This collection contains three applications and 
reports used by Rockfish Program cooperatives to apply for cooperative 
fishing permits, transfer cooperative quota, and manage cooperative 
fishing activity. This collection is necessary for NMFS to effectively 
administer and monitor compliance with the management provisions of the 
Rockfish Program.
    Due to this proposed rule, this collection is revised to remove the 
requirement for a rockfish cooperative to submit a fishing plan with 
its Application for Rockfish Cooperative Fishing Quota. Subject to 
public comment, no change is made to the estimated reporting burden for 
this application as the estimate allows for differences in the time 
needed to complete and submit the application. This collection is also 
revised to reduce the time for a Rockfish Program catcher vessel to 
submit a cooperative check-in report from 48 hours to 24 hours before 
the start of a fishing trip. This does not change the estimated 
reporting burden for this report. These changes are necessary to remove 
unnecessary reporting requirements.
    The respondents are the eight Rockfish Program cooperatives; the 
estimated total annual burden hours are 40 hours; and the estimated 
total annual cost to the public for recordkeeping and reporting costs 
are $40.
    Public reporting burden per individual response is estimated to 
average 2 hours for the Application for Rockfish Cooperative Fishing 
Quota; 10 minutes for the Application for Inter-Cooperative Transfer of 
Rockfish Cooperative Quota; and 10 minutes for the Rockfish Program 
Vessel Check-In/Check-Out and Termination of Fishing Report.
Public Comment
    Public comment is sought regarding whether these proposed 
collections of information are necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall 
have practical utility; the accuracy of the burden estimate; ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collections of 
information, including through the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. Send comments on 
these or any other aspects of the collection of information to NMFS 
Alaska Region (see ADDRESSES), or to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) by visiting www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting 
``Currently under Review--Open for Public Comments'' or by using the 
search function.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is 
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to penalty for 
failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the 
requirement of the PRA, unless that collection of information displays 
a currently valid OMB control number. All currently approved NOAA 
collections of information may be viewed at https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRASearch.

List of Subjects

50 CFR Part 679

    Alaska, Fisheries, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

50 CFR Part 680

    Alaska, Fisheries, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: August 13, 2020.
Samuel D. Rauch, III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR parts 679 and 680 
are proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 679--FISHERIES OF THE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE OFF ALASKA

0
1. The authority citation for 50 CFR part 679 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 1801 et seq.; 3631 et seq.; 
Pub. L. 108-447; Pub. L. 111-281.


Sec.  679.2  [Amended]

0
2. In Sec.  679.2, in paragraph (1) of the definitions for ``Rockfish 
Program species'' and ``Rockfish sideboard limit'', remove the words 
``pelagic shelf rockfish'' and add in their place the words ``dusky 
rockfish''.
0
3. In Sec.  679.5, remove and reserve paragraph (r)(6) and revise 
paragraphs (r)(8)(i)(A)(1) and (r)(10)(i) to read as follows:


Sec.  679.5   Recordkeeping and reporting (R&R).

* * * * *
    (r) * * *
    (8) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (A) * * *

[[Page 55250]]

    (1) At least 24 hours prior to the time the catcher vessel begins a 
fishing trip to fish under a CQ permit; or
* * * * *
    (10) * * *
    (i) Applicability. A rockfish processor (as defined at Sec.  679.2) 
that receives and purchases landings of rockfish CQ groundfish must 
submit annually to NMFS a complete Rockfish Ex-vessel Volume and Value 
Report, as described in this paragraph (r)(10), for each reporting 
period for which the rockfish processor receives rockfish CQ 
groundfish.
* * * * *


Sec.  679.20  [Amended]

0
4. In Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(vi)(C)(1), remove the words ``pelagic shelf 
rockfish'' and add in their place the words ``dusky rockfish.''
0
5. In Sec.  679.23, revise paragraphs (d)(3)(ii) introductory text and 
(h)(1) to read as follows:


Sec.  679.23   Seasons.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (ii) Trawl gear. Subject to other provisions of this part, directed 
fishing for Pacific cod with trawl gear in the Western and Central 
Regulatory Areas is authorized only during the following two seasons 
except as authorized in subpart G of this part under the Rockfish 
Program:
* * * * *
    (h) * * *

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you own or  operate a catcher  vessel    You are prohibited from
   and fish for  groundfish with trawl       subsequently deploying                   Until * * *
            gear in the * * *               trawl  gear in the * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) BSAI while pollock or Pacific cod is  Western and Central GOA      1200 hours A.l.t. on the third day after
 open to directed fishing in the BSAI.     regulatory areas.            the date of landing or transfer of all
                                                                        groundfish on board the vessel harvested
                                                                        in the BSAI, unless you are engaged in
                                                                        directed fishing for Pacific cod in the
                                                                        GOA for processing by the offshore
                                                                        component or if checked-in and
                                                                        participating in a CGOA Rockfish Program
                                                                        cooperative.
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
0
6. In Sec.  679.80, revise paragraph (a) heading and remove and reserve 
paragraph (a)(2) to read as follows:


Sec.  679.80   Allocation and transfer of rockfish QS.

* * * * *
    (a) Applicable areas and seasons * * *
* * * * *
0
7. In Sec.  679.81:
0
a. Add the word ``and'' at the end of paragraph (f)(4)(i)(D)(2);
0
b. Remove and reserve paragraph (f)(4)(i)(D)(3);
0
c. Remove paragraphs (i)(3)(xxv) and (xxvi); and
0
d. Add paragraph (j).
    The addition reads as follows:


Sec.  679.81   Rockfish Program annual harvester privileges.

* * * * *
    (j) Reallocations. Annual reallocation of Central Gulf of Alaska 
rockfish species--
    (1) Pacific cod. After the Rockfish Program fisheries close on 
November 15, the Regional Administrator may reallocate any unused 
amount of Pacific cod from the Rockfish Program to other sectors 
through notification in the Federal Register consistent with 
regulations at Sec.  679.20(a)(12)(ii).
    (2) Rockfish incidental catch allowances (ICAs)--(i) General. The 
Regional Administrator may reallocate a portion of a Central GOA 
rockfish ICAs to rockfish cooperatives if the amounts assigned to the 
Central GOA rockfish ICAs are projected not to be harvested or used. 
The timing of a reallocation will be at the discretion of the Regional 
Administrator.
    (ii) Reallocation of Central Gulf of Alaska rockfish ICA species. 
If, during a fishing year, the Regional Administrator determines that a 
reallocation of a portion of the ICAs of Central Gulf of Alaska 
rockfish species to rockfish cooperatives is appropriate, the Regional 
Administrator will issue a revised CQ permit to reallocate that amount 
of Central Gulf of Alaska rockfish species to rockfish cooperatives 
according to the following:
    (A) Catcher vessel rockfish cooperatives will be given priority for 
reallocation; and
    (B) The amount of additional CQ issued to each rockfish cooperative 
= Amount of Central Gulf of Alaska rockfish species available for 
reallocation to rockfish cooperatives x (Amount of CQ for that Central 
Gulf of Alaska rockfish species initially assigned to that rockfish 
cooperative/[Sigma] CQ for that Central Gulf of Alaska rockfish species 
initially assigned to all rockfish cooperatives in the respective 
sector).
0
8. In Sec.  679.82:
0
a. Add paragraph (a)(1)(vi);
0
b. In paragraph (d)(3), remove the words ``pelagic shelf rockfish'' and 
add in their place the words ``dusky rockfish;'' and
0
c. Revise paragraphs (e)(2) and (4).
    The addition and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  679.82   Rockfish Program use caps and sideboard limits.

    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (vi) Any transfer of reallocated rockfish ICA (as authorized under 
Sec.  679.81(j)(2)) or catcher/processor CQ to a catcher vessel 
cooperative does not apply to catcher vessel ownership, cooperative, 
harvester CQ, or shoreside processor CQ use caps.
* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (2) Prohibition for directed rockfish fishing in the West Yakutat 
District by non-Amendment 80 vessels assigned to the catcher/processor 
sector. Any vessel that meets the criteria established in paragraph 
(e)(1) of this section and that is not an Amendment 80 vessel is 
prohibited from directed fishing for northern rockfish, Pacific ocean 
perch, and dusky rockfish in the West Yakutat District (or in waters 
adjacent to the West Yakutat District when northern rockfish, Pacific 
ocean perch, and dusky rockfish by that vessel is deducted from the 
Federal TAC as specified under Sec.  679.20) from July 1 through July 
31.
* * * * *
    (4) West Yakutat District rockfish sideboard ratios. The rockfish 
sideboard ratio for each rockfish fishery in the West Yakutat District 
is an established percentage of the TAC for catcher/processors in the 
directed fishery for

[[Page 55251]]

dusky rockfish and Pacific ocean perch. These percentages are 
confidential.
* * * * *
0
9. In Sec.  679.84, revise paragraph (f)(1) to read as follows:


Sec.  679.84   Rockfish Program recordkeeping, permits, monitoring, and 
catch accounting.

* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (1) Catch monitoring and control plan (CMCP). The owner or operator 
of a shoreside processor receiving deliveries from a catcher vessel 
described in Sec.  679.51(a)(2) must ensure the shoreside processor 
complies with the CMCP requirements described in Sec.  679.28(g) except 
the requirements for an observer workstation and communication with 
observer as specified in Sec.  679.28(g)(7)(vii) and (viii).
* * * * *
0
10. In Sec.  679.85, add paragraph (g) to read as follows:


Sec.  679.85   Cost recovery.

* * * * *
    (g) Annual report. Each year, NMFS will publish a report describing 
the rockfish program cost recovery fee program.

PART 680--SHELLFISH FISHERIES OF THE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE OFF 
ALASKA

0
11. The authority citation for 50 CFR part 680 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1862; Pub. L. 109-241; Pub. L. 109-479.

0
12. In Sec.  680.22, revise paragraph (a)(1) introductory text to read 
as follows:


Sec.  680.22   Sideboard protections for GOA groundfish fisheries.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (1) Vessels subject to GOA groundfish sideboard directed fishing 
closures. Any vessel that NMFS has determined meets one or both of the 
following criteria is subject to GOA groundfish sideboard directed 
fishing closures issued under paragraph (e) of this section except when 
participating in the Rockfish Program authorized under subpart G of 
part 679 of this chapter.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2020-18055 Filed 9-3-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P