Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 61875-61876 [2020-21751]
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61875
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 191 / Thursday, October 1, 2020 / Rules and Regulations
accept public comment for this action.
There are no new quotas for 2020, and
the quota formulas are the same as in
previous years. NMFS therefore is
issuing this temporary final rule to
adjust the northern albacore, North and
South Atlantic swordfish, and western
Atlantic BFT quotas for 2020 without
prior notice and an additional
opportunity for comment.
There is good cause under 5 U.S.C.
553(d)(3) to waive the 30-day delay in
effective date and to make the rule
effective upon publication in the
Federal Register. The fisheries for
northern albacore, North and South
Atlantic swordfish, and BFT began on
January 1, 2020. NMFS monitors
northern albacore, North and South
Atlantic swordfish, and BFT annual
catch and measures the annual catch
data against the applicable available
quotas. Delaying the effective date of
these quota adjustments would affect
reasonable opportunity to catch the
available quotas. It could also cause
complications for management under
certain circumstances. For example,
under the northern albacore fishery
closure regulations, NMFS must close
the fishery when the annual fishery
quota is reached. Closure of the fishery
based only on the baseline (codified)
quota versus the adjusted northern
albacore quota could preclude the
fishery from harvesting northern
albacore that are legally available
consistent with the ICCAT
recommendations and the 2006
Consolidated HMS FMP, as amended.
Adjusting the North and South Atlantic
swordfish quota allows the United
States to take advantage of the ICCAT
allowance to carry over quota
underharvest and to comply with the
South Atlantic swordfish
recommendation’s obligation to transfer
quota internationally. Adjusting the BFT
Reserve category as soon as possible
provides NMFS the flexibility to transfer
quota from the Reserve to other fishing
categories inseason after considering the
regulatory determination criteria,
including fishery conditions at the time
of the transfer.
This action is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
This action does not contain a
collection-of-information requirement
for purposes of the Paperwork
Reduction Act.
Because prior notice and opportunity
for public comment are not required for
this rule by 5 U.S.C. 553, or any other
law, the analytical requirements of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601
et seq., are inapplicable.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801
et seq.
Dated: September 11, 2020.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020–20399 Filed 9–30–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 200221–0062; RTID 0648–
XA530]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish
in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation.
AGENCY:
NMFS is exchanging
allocations of Amendment 80
cooperative quota (CQ) for Amendment
80 acceptable biological catch (ABC)
reserves. This action is necessary to
allow the 2020 total allowable catch
(TAC) of flathead sole, rock sole, and
yellowfin sole in the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands management area
(BSAI) to be harvested.
DATES: Effective September 28, 2020,
through December 31, 2020.
SUMMARY:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228.
NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
BSAI according to the Fishery
Management Plan for Groundfish of the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area (FMP) prepared by
the North Pacific Fishery Management
Council under authority of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act.
Regulations governing fishing by U.S.
vessels in accordance with the FMP
appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600
and 50 CFR part 679.
The 2020 flathead sole, rock sole, and
yellowfin sole Amendment 80
allocations of the TAC specified in the
BSAI are 14,414 metric tons (mt), 36,060
mt, and 113,403 mt, respectively, as
established by the final 2020 and 2021
harvest specifications for groundfish in
the BSAI (85 FR 13553, March 9, 2020).
The 2020 flathead sole, rock sole, and
yellowfin sole Amendment 80 ABC
reserves are 43,430 mt, 94,837 mt, and
98,425 mt, respectively, as established
by the final 2020 and 2021 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the
BSAI (85 FR 13553, March 9, 2020).
The Alaska Seafood Cooperative has
requested that NMFS exchange 1,530 mt
of flathead sole Amendment 80
allocation of the TAC for 30 mt of rock
sole and 1,500 mt of yellowfin sole
Amendment 80 ABC reserves under
§ 679.91(i). Therefore, in accordance
with § 679.91(i), NMFS exchanges 1,530
mt of flathead sole Amendment 80
allocation of the TAC for 30 mt of rock
sole and 1,500 mt of yellowfin sole
Amendment 80 ABC reserves in the
BSAI. This action also decreases and
increases the TACs and Amendment 80
ABC reserves by the corresponding
amounts. Tables 11 and 13 of the final
2020 and 2021 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (85 FR 13553,
March 9, 2020) and as revised (85 FR
59204, September 21, 2020) are further
revised as follows:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
TABLE 11—FINAL 2020 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT QUOTA (CDQ) RESERVES, INCIDENTAL CATCH AMOUNTS (ICAS), AND
AMENDMENT 80 ALLOCATIONS OF THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH, AND BSAI FLATHEAD SOLE, ROCK
SOLE, AND YELLOWFIN SOLE TACS
[Amounts are in metric tons]
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with RULES
Pacific ocean perch
Sector
Eastern
Aleutian
District
TAC ..........................................................
CDQ .........................................................
ICA ...........................................................
VerDate Sep<11>2014
21:58 Sep 30, 2020
Jkt 253001
10,613
1,136
100
PO 00000
Frm 00071
Central
Aleutian
District
Western
Aleutian
District
8,094
866
60
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
10,000
1,070
10
Flathead sole
Rock sole
Yellowfin sole
BSAI
BSAI
BSAI
17,845
1,962
3,000
E:\FR\FM\01OCR1.SGM
01OCR1
47,005
4,915
6,000
152,500
16,425
4,000
61876
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 191 / Thursday, October 1, 2020 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 11—FINAL 2020 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT QUOTA (CDQ) RESERVES, INCIDENTAL CATCH AMOUNTS (ICAS), AND
AMENDMENT 80 ALLOCATIONS OF THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH, AND BSAI FLATHEAD SOLE, ROCK
SOLE, AND YELLOWFIN SOLE TACS—Continued
[Amounts are in metric tons]
Pacific ocean perch
Sector
Eastern
Aleutian
District
BSAI trawl limited access ........................
Amendment 80 .........................................
Central
Aleutian
District
938
8,440
Western
Aleutian
District
717
6,451
178
8,742
Flathead sole
Rock sole
Yellowfin sole
BSAI
BSAI
BSAI
........................
12,884
........................
36,090
17,172
114,903
Note: Sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
TABLE 13—FINAL 2020 AND 2021 ABC SURPLUS, ABC RESERVES, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT QUOTA (CDQ) ABC
RESERVES, AND AMENDMENT 80 ABC RESERVES IN THE BSAI FOR FLATHEAD SOLE, ROCK SOLE, AND YELLOWFIN SOLE
[Amounts are in metric tons]
2020
Flathead sole
Sector
ABC ..........................................................
TAC ..........................................................
ABC surplus .............................................
ABC reserve .............................................
CDQ ABC reserve ...................................
Amendment 80 ABC reserve ...................
68,134
17,845
50,289
50,289
5,329
44,960
2020
Rock sole
2020
Yellowfin sole
153,300
46,955
106,345
106,345
11,538
94,807
260,918
152,530
108,388
108,388
11,493
96,895
20211
Flathead sole
71,079
24,000
47,079
47,079
5,037
42,042
20211
Rock sole
20211
Yellowfin sole
230,700
49,000
181,700
181,700
19,442
162,258
261,497
168,900
92,597
92,597
9,908
82,689
1 The 2021 allocations for Amendment 80 species between Amendment 80 cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited access sector will not
be known until eligible participants apply for participation in the program by November 1, 2020.
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with RULES
Classification
NMFS issues this action pursuant to
section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens
Act. This action is required by 50 CFR
part 679, which was issued pursuant to
section 304(b), and is exempt from
review under Executive Order 12866.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), there
is good cause to waive prior notice and
an opportunity for public comment on
VerDate Sep<11>2014
21:58 Sep 30, 2020
Jkt 253001
this action, as notice and comment
would be impracticable and contrary to
the public interest, as it would prevent
NMFS from responding to the most
recent fisheries data in a timely fashion
and would delay the flatfish exchange
by the Alaska Seafood Cooperative in
the BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish
a notice providing time for public
comment because the most recent,
PO 00000
Frm 00072
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
relevant data only became available as
of September 23, 2020.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: September 28, 2020.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020–21751 Filed 9–28–20; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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01OCR1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 191 (Thursday, October 1, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61875-61876]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-21751]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 200221-0062; RTID 0648-XA530]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of
Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is exchanging allocations of Amendment 80 cooperative
quota (CQ) for Amendment 80 acceptable biological catch (ABC) reserves.
This action is necessary to allow the 2020 total allowable catch (TAC)
of flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole in the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) to be harvested.
DATES: Effective September 28, 2020, through December 31, 2020.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
BSAI according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (FMP) prepared by the
North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Regulations
governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at
subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
The 2020 flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole Amendment 80
allocations of the TAC specified in the BSAI are 14,414 metric tons
(mt), 36,060 mt, and 113,403 mt, respectively, as established by the
final 2020 and 2021 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI
(85 FR 13553, March 9, 2020). The 2020 flathead sole, rock sole, and
yellowfin sole Amendment 80 ABC reserves are 43,430 mt, 94,837 mt, and
98,425 mt, respectively, as established by the final 2020 and 2021
harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (85 FR 13553, March
9, 2020).
The Alaska Seafood Cooperative has requested that NMFS exchange
1,530 mt of flathead sole Amendment 80 allocation of the TAC for 30 mt
of rock sole and 1,500 mt of yellowfin sole Amendment 80 ABC reserves
under Sec. 679.91(i). Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.91(i),
NMFS exchanges 1,530 mt of flathead sole Amendment 80 allocation of the
TAC for 30 mt of rock sole and 1,500 mt of yellowfin sole Amendment 80
ABC reserves in the BSAI. This action also decreases and increases the
TACs and Amendment 80 ABC reserves by the corresponding amounts. Tables
11 and 13 of the final 2020 and 2021 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (85 FR 13553, March 9, 2020) and as revised (85
FR 59204, September 21, 2020) are further revised as follows:
Table 11--Final 2020 Community Development Quota (CDQ) Reserves, Incidental Catch Amounts (ICAS), and Amendment 80 Allocations of the Aleutian Islands
Pacific Ocean Perch, and BSAI Flathead Sole, Rock Sole, and Yellowfin Sole Tacs
[Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch Flathead sole Rock sole Yellowfin sole
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector Eastern Central Western
Aleutian Aleutian Aleutian BSAI BSAI BSAI
District District District
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAC..................................................... 10,613 8,094 10,000 17,845 47,005 152,500
CDQ..................................................... 1,136 866 1,070 1,962 4,915 16,425
ICA..................................................... 100 60 10 3,000 6,000 4,000
[[Page 61876]]
BSAI trawl limited access............................... 938 717 178 .............. .............. 17,172
Amendment 80............................................ 8,440 6,451 8,742 12,884 36,090 114,903
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
Table 13--Final 2020 and 2021 ABC Surplus, ABC Reserves, Community Development Quota (CDQ) ABC Reserves, and Amendment 80 ABC Reserves in the BSAI for
Flathead Sole, Rock Sole, and Yellowfin Sole
[Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2020 Flathead 2020 Rock 2020 2021\1\ 2021\1\ Rock 2021\1\
Sector sole sole Yellowfin sole Flathead sole sole Yellowfin sole
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABC..................................................... 68,134 153,300 260,918 71,079 230,700 261,497
TAC..................................................... 17,845 46,955 152,530 24,000 49,000 168,900
ABC surplus............................................. 50,289 106,345 108,388 47,079 181,700 92,597
ABC reserve............................................. 50,289 106,345 108,388 47,079 181,700 92,597
CDQ ABC reserve......................................... 5,329 11,538 11,493 5,037 19,442 9,908
Amendment 80 ABC reserve................................ 44,960 94,807 96,895 42,042 162,258 82,689
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The 2021 allocations for Amendment 80 species between Amendment 80 cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited access sector will not be known until
eligible participants apply for participation in the program by November 1, 2020.
Classification
NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act. This action is required by 50 CFR part 679, which was
issued pursuant to section 304(b), and is exempt from review under
Executive Order 12866.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), there is good cause to waive prior
notice and an opportunity for public comment on this action, as notice
and comment would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest,
as it would prevent NMFS from responding to the most recent fisheries
data in a timely fashion and would delay the flatfish exchange by the
Alaska Seafood Cooperative in the BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish a
notice providing time for public comment because the most recent,
relevant data only became available as of September 23, 2020.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: September 28, 2020.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-21751 Filed 9-28-20; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
