Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 64413-64414 [2020-22548]
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 198 / Tuesday, October 13, 2020 / Rules and Regulations
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
action, is projected to be reached shortly
(i.e., as of October 7, reported landings
total approximately 67.3 mt) and that
the General category should be closed.
Therefore, retaining, possessing, or
landing large medium or giant BFT by
persons aboard vessels permitted in the
Atlantic tunas General category and
HMS Charter/Headboat category (while
fishing commercially) must cease at
11:30 p.m. local time on October 9,
2020. The General category will
automatically reopen December 1, 2020,
for the December 2020 subquota time
period. This action applies to Atlantic
tunas General category (commercial)
permitted vessels and HMS Charter/
Headboat category permitted vessels
with a commercial sale endorsement
when fishing commercially for BFT, and
is taken consistent with the regulations
at § 635.28(a)(1). The intent of this
closure is to prevent overharvest of the
available adjusted October through
November subquota.
Fishermen may catch and release (or
tag and release) BFT of all sizes, subject
to the requirements of the catch-andrelease and tag-and-release programs at
§ 635.26. All BFT that are released must
be handled in a manner that will
maximize their survival, and without
removing the fish from the water,
consistent with requirements at
§ 635.21(a)(1). For additional
information on safe handling, see the
‘‘Careful Catch and Release’’ brochure
available at https://
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/resource/
outreach-and-education/careful-catchand-release-brochure/.
Monitoring and Reporting
NMFS will continue to monitor the
BFT fisheries closely. Dealers are
required to submit landing reports
within 24 hours of a dealer receiving
BFT. Late reporting by dealers
compromises NMFS’ ability to timely
implement actions such as quota and
retention limit adjustment, as well as
closures, and may result in enforcement
actions. Additionally, and separate from
the dealer reporting requirement,
General and HMS Charter/Headboat
category vessel owners are required to
report the catch of all BFT retained or
discarded dead within 24 hours of the
landing(s) or end of each trip, by
accessing hmspermits.noaa.gov, using
the HMS Catch Reporting app, or calling
(888) 872–8862 (Monday through Friday
from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.).
After the fishery reopens on December
1, depending on the level of fishing
effort and catch rates of BFT, NMFS
may determine that additional
adjustments are necessary to ensure
available subquotas are not exceeded or
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15:52 Oct 09, 2020
Jkt 253001
to enhance scientific data collection
from, and fishing opportunities in, all
geographic areas. If needed, subsequent
adjustments will be published in the
Federal Register. In addition, fishermen
may call the Atlantic Tunas Information
Line at (978) 281–9260, or access
hmspermits.noaa.gov, for updates on
quota monitoring and inseason
adjustments.
Classification
NMFS issues this action pursuant to
section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens
Act. This action is required by 50 CFR
part 635, which was issued pursuant to
section 304(c), and is exempt from
review under Executive Order 12866.
The Assistant Administrator for
NMFS finds that pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
553(b)(B), there is good cause to waive
prior notice of, and an opportunity for
public comment on, for the following
reasons: The regulations implementing
the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and
amendments provide for inseason
retention limit adjustments to respond
to the unpredictable nature of BFT
availability on the fishing grounds, the
migratory nature of this species, and the
regional variations in the BFT fishery.
This fishery is currently underway and
delaying this action would be contrary
to the public interest as it could result
in BFT landings exceeding the adjusted
October through November 2020
General category quota. Affording prior
notice and opportunity for public
comment to implement the quota
transfer is impracticable and contrary to
the public interest as such a delay
would likely result in exceedance of the
General category October through
November fishery subquota or earlier
closure of the fishery while fish are
available on the fishing grounds.
Subquota exceedance may result in the
need to reduce quota for the General
category later in the year and thus could
affect later fishing opportunities. This
action does not raise conservation and
management concerns. Transferring
quota from the Reserve category to the
General category does not affect the
overall U.S. BFT quota, and available
data shows the adjustment would have
a minimal risk of exceeding the ICCATallocated quota. NMFS notes that the
public had an opportunity to comment
on the underlying rulemakings that
established the U.S. BFT quota and the
inseason adjustment criteria. For all of
the above reasons, there is good cause
under 5 U.S.C. 553(d) to waive the 30day delay in effectiveness.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801
et seq.
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64413
Dated: October 8, 2020.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020–22659 Filed 10–8–20; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 200227–0066; RTID 0648–
XA553]
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 unused
rock sole Community Development
Quota (CDQ) for yellowfin sole CDQ
acceptable biological catch (ABC)
reserves in the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands management area (BSAI). This
action is necessary to allow the 2020
total allowable catch (TAC) of yellowfin
sole in the BSAI to be harvested.
DATES: Effective October 9, 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.
In the BSAI, the 2020 rock sole and
yellowfin sole CDQ reserves are 4,915
metric tons (mt) and 16,425 mt,
respectively, as established by the final
2020 and 2021 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (85 FR 13553,
March 9, 2020) and as revised (85 FR
61875, October 1, 2020). The 2020 rock
sole and yellowfin sole CDQ ABC
reserves are 11,538 mt and 11,493 mt,
respectively, as established by the final
2020 and 2021 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (85 FR 13553,
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\13OCR1.SGM
13OCR1
64414
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 198 / Tuesday, October 13, 2020 / Rules and Regulations
March 9, 2020) and as revised (85 FR
61875, October 1, 2020).
The Aleutian Pribilof Island
Community Development Association
has requested that NMFS exchange 300
mt of rock sole CDQ reserves for 300 mt
of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves
under § 679.31(d). Therefore, in
accordance with § 679.31(d), NMFS
exchanges 300 mt of rock sole CDQ
reserves for 300 mt of yellowfin sole
CDQ ABC reserves in the BSAI. This
action also decreases and increases the
TACs and CDQ ABC reserves by the
corresponding amounts. Tables 11 and
13 of the final 2020 and 2021 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the
BSAI (85 FR 13553, March 9, 2020 and
85 FR 61875, October 1, 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
Sector
Eastern
Aleutian
district
TAC ..........................................................
CDQ .........................................................
ICA ...........................................................
BSAI trawl limited access ........................
Amendment 80 .........................................
Central
Aleutian
district
10,613
1,136
100
938
8,440
Western
Aleutian
district
8,094
866
60
717
6,451
10,000
1,070
10
178
8,742
Flathead sole
Rock sole
Yellowfin sole
BSAI
BSAI
BSAI
17,845
1,962
3,000
........................
12,884
46,705
4,615
6,000
........................
36,090
152,800
16,725
4,000
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
46,655
106,645
106,645
11,838
94,807
260,918
152,830
108,088
108,088
11,193
96,895
2021 1
Flathead sole
71,079
24,000
47,079
47,079
5,037
42,042
2021 1
Rock sole
2021 1
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.
Classification
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
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
15:52 Oct 09, 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 Aleutian Pribilof Island
Community Development Association
in the BSAI. NMFS was unable to
publish a notice providing time for
public comment because the most
PO 00000
Frm 00040
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
recent, relevant data only became
available as of October 1, 2020.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: October 7, 2020.
Kelly Denit,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020–22548 Filed 10–9–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 198 (Tuesday, October 13, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64413-64414]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-22548]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 200227-0066; RTID 0648-XA553]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of
Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is exchanging unused rock sole Community Development
Quota (CDQ) for yellowfin sole CDQ acceptable biological catch (ABC)
reserves in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI).
This action is necessary to allow the 2020 total allowable catch (TAC)
of yellowfin sole in the BSAI to be harvested.
DATES: Effective October 9, 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.
In the BSAI, the 2020 rock sole and yellowfin sole CDQ reserves are
4,915 metric tons (mt) and 16,425 mt, respectively, as established by
the final 2020 and 2021 harvest specifications for groundfish in the
BSAI (85 FR 13553, March 9, 2020) and as revised (85 FR 61875, October
1, 2020). The 2020 rock sole and yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves are
11,538 mt and 11,493 mt, respectively, as established by the final 2020
and 2021 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (85 FR
13553,
[[Page 64414]]
March 9, 2020) and as revised (85 FR 61875, October 1, 2020).
The Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association has
requested that NMFS exchange 300 mt of rock sole CDQ reserves for 300
mt of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves under Sec. 679.31(d). Therefore,
in accordance with Sec. 679.31(d), NMFS exchanges 300 mt of rock sole
CDQ reserves for 300 mt of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves in the BSAI.
This action also decreases and increases the TACs and CDQ ABC reserves
by the corresponding amounts. Tables 11 and 13 of the final 2020 and
2021 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (85 FR 13553,
March 9, 2020 and 85 FR 61875, October 1, 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 46,705 152,800
CDQ..................................................... 1,136 866 1,070 1,962 4,615 16,725
ICA..................................................... 100 60 10 3,000 6,000 4,000
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 Yellowfin 2021 \1\ 2021 \1\ Rock 2021 \1\
Sector sole 2020 Rock sole sole Flathead sole sole Yellowfin sole
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABC..................................................... 68,134 153,300 260,918 71,079 230,700 261,497
TAC..................................................... 17,845 46,655 152,830 24,000 49,000 168,900
ABC surplus............................................. 50,289 106,645 108,088 47,079 181,700 92,597
ABC reserve............................................. 50,289 106,645 108,088 47,079 181,700 92,597
CDQ ABC reserve......................................... 5,329 11,838 11,193 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
Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association 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
October 1, 2020.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: October 7, 2020.
Kelly Denit,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-22548 Filed 10-9-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
