Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment to the 2022 Gulf of Alaska Pollock and Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts, 74384-74386 [2021-28361]
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74384
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 248 / Thursday, December 30, 2021 / Rules and Regulations
Dated: December 27, 2021.
Karen Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021–28351 Filed 12–29–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–C
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 210210–0018]
RTID 0648–XB679
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment
to the 2022 Gulf of Alaska Pollock and
Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch
Amounts
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason
adjustment; request for comments.
AGENCY:
NMFS is adjusting the 2022
total allowable catch (TAC) amounts for
the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) pollock and
Pacific cod fishery. This action is
necessary because NMFS has
determined these TACs are incorrectly
specified, and will ensure the GOA
pollock and Pacific cod TACs are the
appropriate amount based on the best
available scientific information for
pollock and Pacific cod in the GOA.
This action is consistent with the goals
and objectives of the Fishery
Management Plan for Groundfish of the
Gulf of Alaska.
DATES: Effective 0001 hours, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), January 1, 2022, until
the effective date of the final 2022 and
2023 harvest specifications for GOA
groundfish, unless otherwise modified
or superseded through publication of a
notification in the Federal Register.
Comments must be received at the
following address no later than 4:30
p.m., A.l.t., January 14, 2022.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by NOAA–NMFS–2020–0140
by any of the following methods:
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
• Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: Go to
www.regulations.gov and enter NOAA–
NMFS–2020–0140. Click the
‘‘Comment’’ icon, complete the required
fields, and enter or attach your
comments.
• Mail: Submit written comments to
Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries
Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn:
Records. Mail comments to P.O. Box
21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668.
Instructions: NMFS may not consider
comments if they are sent by any other
method, to any other address or
individual, or received after the
comment period ends. All comments
received are a part of the public record,
and NMFS will post the comments for
public viewing on www.regulations.gov
without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address),
confidential business information, or
otherwise sensitive information
submitted voluntarily by the sender will
be publicly accessible. NMFS will
accept anonymous comments (enter
‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish
to remain anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Krista Milani, 907–581–2062.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
GOA exclusive economic zone
according to the Fishery Management
Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of
Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North
Pacific Fishery Management Council
(Council) under authority of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act.
Regulations governing fishing by U.S.
vessels in accordance with the FMP
appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600
and 50 CFR part 679.
The final 2021 and 2022 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA
(86 FR 10184, February 19, 2021) set the
2022 pollock TAC at 99,784 metric tons
(mt) in the GOA. In December 2021, the
Council recommended a 2022 pollock
TAC of 141,117 mt for the GOA, which
is greater than the 99,784 mt established
by the final 2021 and 2022 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the
GOA. The Council’s recommended 2022
TAC, and the area and seasonal
apportionments, is based on the Stock
Assessment and Fishery Evaluation
report (SAFE), dated November 2021.
The final 2021 and 2022 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA
(86 FR 10184, February 19, 2021) set the
2022 Pacific cod TAC at 27,961 mt in
the GOA. In December 2021, the
Council recommended a 2022 Pacific
cod TAC of 24,111 mt for the GOA,
which is less than the 27,961 mt
established by the final 2021 and 2022
harvest specifications for groundfish in
the GOA. The Council’s recommended
2022 TAC, and the area and seasonal
apportionments, is based on the SAFE,
dated November 2021.
Steller sea lions occur in the same
location as the pollock and Pacific cod
fisheries and are listed as endangered
under the Endangered Species Act.
Pollock and Pacific cod are principal
prey species for Steller sea lions in the
GOA. The seasonal apportionment of
pollock and Pacific cod harvests are
necessary to ensure the groundfish
fisheries are not likely to cause jeopardy
of extinction or adverse modification of
critical habitat for Steller sea lions. The
regulations at § 679.20(a)(5)(iv) specify
how the pollock TAC will be
apportioned and the regulations at
§ 679.20(a)(6)(ii) and (a)(12)(i) specify
how the Pacific cod TAC will be
apportioned.
In accordance with § 679.25(a)(1)(iii),
(a)(2)(i)(B), and (a)(2)(iv) the
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS
(Regional Administrator), has
determined that, based on the best
available scientific information for this
fishery, the current GOA pollock and
Pacific cod TACs are incorrectly
specified. Consequently, pursuant to
§ 679.25(a)(1)(iii), the Regional
Administrator is adjusting the 2022
GOA pollock TAC to 141,117 mt and the
2022 Pacific cod TAC to 24,111 mt.
Therefore, Tables 4 and 6 of the final
2021 and 2022 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the GOA (86 FR 10184,
February 19, 2021) are revised
consistent with this adjustment.
Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iv), Table 4
of the final 2021 and 2022 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA
(86 FR 10184, February 19, 2021) is
revised for the 2022 TACs of pollock in
the Central and Western Regulatory
Area of the GOA.
TABLE 4—FINAL 2022 DISTRIBUTION OF POLLOCK IN THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL REGULATORY AREAS OF THE GULF OF
ALASKA; AREA APPORTIONMENTS;1 AND SEASONAL ALLOWANCES OF ANNUAL TAC
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Shumigan
(area 610)
Season 2
A (January 20–May 31) ...................................................................................
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1,132
Chirikof
(area 620)
52,304
E:\FR\FM\30DER1.SGM
30DER1
Kodiak
(area 630)
8,080
Total 3
61,516
74385
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 248 / Thursday, December 30, 2021 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 4—FINAL 2022 DISTRIBUTION OF POLLOCK IN THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL REGULATORY AREAS OF THE GULF OF
ALASKA; AREA APPORTIONMENTS;1 AND SEASONAL ALLOWANCES OF ANNUAL TAC—Continued
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Shumigan
(area 610)
Season 2
Chirikof
(area 620)
Kodiak
(area 630)
Total 3
B (September 1–November 1) ........................................................................
22,582
16,946
21,988
61,516
Annual Total .............................................................................................
23,714
69,250
30,068
123,032
1 Area
apportionments and seasonal allowances may not total precisely due to rounding.
2 As established by § 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (ii), the A and B season allowances are available from January 20 through May 31 and September 1 through November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and offshore components are not shown in
this table.
3 The West Yakutat and Southeast Outside District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock TACs
shown in this table.
Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(6)(ii) and
(a)(12)(i), Table 6 of the final 2021 and
2022 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the GOA (86 FR 10184,
February 19, 2021) is revised for the
2022 TACs of Pacific cod in the GOA.
TABLE 6—FINAL 2022 SEASONAL APPORTIONMENTS AND ALLOCATION OF PACIFIC COD TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH (TAC)
AMOUNTS IN THE GOA; ALLOCATIONS IN THE WESTERN GOA AND CENTRAL GOA SECTORS, AND THE EASTERN
GOA INSHORE AND OFFSHORE PROCESSING COMPONENTS
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
A Season
Annual
allocation
(mt)
Regulatory area and sector
Western GOA:
Jig (3.5% of TAC) .........................................................
Hook-and-line CV .........................................................
Hook-and-line CP .........................................................
Trawl CV .......................................................................
Trawl CP .......................................................................
All Pot CV and Pot CP .................................................
Sector
percentage of
annual non-jig
TAC
B Season
Seasonal
allowances
(mt)
Sector
percentage of
annual non-jig
TAC
Seasonal
allowances
(mt)
244
94
1,330
2,579
161
2,552
N/A
0.70
10.90
31.54
0.90
19.80
146
47
732
2,118
60
1,330
N/A
0.70
8.90
10.70
1.50
18.20
97
47
598
461
101
1,222
Total .......................................................................
Central GOA:
Jig (1.0% of TAC) .........................................................
Hook-and-line < 50 CV .................................................
Hook-and-line ≥ 50 CV .................................................
Hook-and-line CP .........................................................
Trawl CV 1 .....................................................................
Trawl CP .......................................................................
All Pot CV and Pot CP .................................................
6,959
63.84
4,433
36.16
2,526
148
2,142
984
749
6,099
616
4,078
N/A
9.32
5.61
4.11
21.14
2.00
17.83
89
1,366
823
602
3,710
294
2,615
N/A
5.29
1.10
1.00
20.45
2.19
9.97
59
775
161
146
2,389
322
1,463
Total .......................................................................
14,814
64.16
9,498
35.84
5,316
Eastern GOA:
Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
2,338
........................
2,104
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
........................
234
1 Trawl
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
catcher vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 564 mt, of the annual Central GOA TAC (see
Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679), which is deducted from the Trawl CV B season allowance (see Table 13. Final 2022 Apportionments of Rockfish
Secondary Species in the Central GOA and Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679).
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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:53 Dec 29, 2021
Jkt 256001
the public interest, as it would prevent
NMFS from responding to the most
recent fisheries data in a timely fashion
and would allow for harvests that
exceed the appropriate allocation for
pollock and Pacific cod based on the
best scientific information available.
NMFS was unable to publish a notice
providing time for public comment
because the most recent, relevant data
only became available as of December
23, 2021.
PO 00000
Frm 00033
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
Without this inseason adjustment,
NMFS could not allow the fishery for
Pollock and Pacific cod in the GOA to
be harvested in an expedient manner
and in accordance with the regulatory
schedule. Under § 679.25(c)(2),
interested persons are invited to submit
written comments on this action to the
above address until January 14, 2022.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
E:\FR\FM\30DER1.SGM
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74386
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 248 / Thursday, December 30, 2021 / Rules and Regulations
Dated: December 27, 2021.
Karen Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021–28361 Filed 12–29–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 211221–0266]
RIN 0648–BL04
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone off Alaska; Reclassifying Sculpin
Species in the Groundfish Fisheries of
the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
and the Gulf of Alaska; Correcting
Amendment
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule; correcting
amendment.
AGENCY:
The National Marine
Fisheries Service is correcting
regulations published in a final rule on
July 10, 2020, which reclassified
sculpins as Ecosystem Component (EC)
category, non-target species in both the
Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands (BSAI)
(Amendment 121) and Gulf of Alaska
(Amendment 110) Groundfish Fishery
Management Plans (FMPs). In the
implementing regulations, footnotes
requiring the full retention of all
rockfish species by catcher vessels (CVs)
using hook-and-line, pot, or jig gear in
the BSAI (Amendment 119) and Gulf of
Alaska (Amendment 107) were
unintentionally omitted from Tables 10
and 11 to 50 CFR part 679. This
correcting amendment is therefore
necessary to restore the footnotes as
published in the final rule
implementing Amendments 119 and
107 and to make other minor
corrections.
DATES: Effective December 30, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mason Smith, 907–586–7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
Need for Correction
The National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) published a rule reclassifying
sculpins as EC category, non-target
species in both the BSAI (Amendment
121) and Gulf of Alaska (Amendment
110) Groundfish FMPs in the Federal
Register on July 10, 2020 (85 FR 41427).
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:33 Dec 29, 2021
Jkt 256001
This rule became effective on August
10, 2020. NMFS has identified footnote
errors in that final rule within Table 10
to 50 CFR part 679 (Gulf of Alaska
Retainable Percentages) and Table 11 to
50 CFR part 679 (BSAI Retainable
Percentage). These tables, associated
errors, and corrections to each table are
discussed below.
Corrections to Table 10 to 50 CFR Part
679—Gulf of Alaska Retainable
Percentages
Table 10 describes the maximum
retainable amount (MRA) of groundfish
in the Gulf of Alaska when NMFS
prohibits directed fishing for those
species. This table was modified in a
rule published on July 10, 2020 (85 FR
41427), which reclassified sculpins in
the Gulf of Alaska (Amendment 110)
Groundfish FMP as EC category, nontarget species. However, the
implementing regulations
unintentionally omitted footnotes from
Table 10, which were added to Table 10
a few months prior in the final rule
implementing Amendment 107 to the
Gulf of Alaska Groundfish FMP.
The final rule implementing
Amendment 107 was published on
February 20, 2020 (85 FR 9687) and
required the full retention of rockfish
that are caught by CVs using hook-andline, pot, or jig gear. Since the majority
of rockfish do not survive capture, this
amendment was intended to decrease
waste in the fishery. In addition,
Amendment 107 was intended to
improve identification of rockfish
species by vessels using electronic
monitoring, reduce overall enforcement
burden, and promote consistency
between State and Federal fisheries.
This correcting amendment is therefore
necessary to restore the footnotes in
Table 10, as published in the final rule
implementing Amendment 107. This
correcting amendment makes the
following corrections to Table 10:
• In the Notes to Table 10 to 50 CFR
part 679, the following statement is
restored under note 1 (Shortraker/
rougheye rockfish): ‘‘Catcher vessels
using hook-and-line, pot, or jig gear are
required to retain all rockfish. See
§ 679.20(j);’’ and
• In the Notes to Table 10 to 50 CFR
part 679, the following statement is
restored under note 7 (Aggregated
rockfish): ‘‘Catcher vessels using hookand-line, pot, or jig gear are required to
retain all rockfish. See § 679.20(j).’’
In addition, after reviewing Table 10,
NMFS determined that there are two
minor additional errors that need to be
corrected in Table 10:
• In Table 10 to 50 CFR part 679,
amend note in header to read as: ‘‘for
PO 00000
Frm 00034
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
DSR caught on catcher vessels in the
SEO, see § 679.20 (j);’’ and
• In Table 10 to 50 CFR part 679, the
reference to note 9 is removed from the
‘‘n/a’’ in the cell at the intersection of
the Pacific cod basis species row and
the Pacific cod incidental catch species
column.
Corrections to Table 11 to 50 CFR Part
679—BSAI Retainable Percentages
Table 11 describes the MRA of
groundfish in the BSAI when NMFS
prohibits directed fishing of those
species. This table was modified in a
rule published on July 10, 2020 (85 FR
41427), which reclassified sculpins in
the BSAI (Amendment 121) Groundfish
FMP as EC category, non-target species.
However, the implementing regulations
unintentionally omitted footnotes from
Table 11, which were added to Table 11
a few months prior in the final rule
implementing Amendment 119 to the
BSAI Groundfish FMP.
Amendment 119 was implemented in
a rule published on February 20, 2020
(85 FR 9687) and required the full
retention of rockfish that are caught by
CVs using hook-and-line, pot, or jig
gear. Since the majority of rockfish do
not survive capture, this amendment
was intended to decrease waste in the
fishery. In addition, Amendment 119
was intended to improve identification
of rockfish species by vessels using
electronic monitoring, reduce overall
enforcement burden, and promote
consistency between State and Federal
fisheries. This correcting amendment is
therefore necessary to restore the
footnotes in Table 11, as published in
the final rule implementing Amendment
119. This correcting amendment makes
the following corrections in Table 11:
• In Table 11 to 50 CFR part 679, a
reference to footnote 9 is restored to the
Shortraker/rougheye column header;
• In Table 11 to 50 CFR part 679, the
following statement is restored to
footnote 6: ‘‘Catcher vessels using hookand-line, pot, or jig gear are required to
retain all rockfish. See § 679.20(j); and
• In Table 11 to 50 CFR part 679, the
following statement is restored to
footnote 9: ‘‘Catcher vessels using hookand-line, pot, or jig gear are required to
retain all rockfish. See § 679.20(j).’’
Classification
The NOAA Assistant Administrator
(AA) for Fisheries finds there is good
cause to waive the requirement to
provide prior notice and opportunity for
public comment on this action pursuant
to the authority set forth at 5 U.S.C.
553(b)(B), as such requirement is
unnecessary and contrary to the public
interest. This correcting amendment
E:\FR\FM\30DER1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 248 (Thursday, December 30, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 74384-74386]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-28361]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 210210-0018]
RTID 0648-XB679
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Inseason
Adjustment to the 2022 Gulf of Alaska Pollock and Pacific Cod Total
Allowable Catch Amounts
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason adjustment; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is adjusting the 2022 total allowable catch (TAC) amounts
for the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) pollock and Pacific cod fishery. This
action is necessary because NMFS has determined these TACs are
incorrectly specified, and will ensure the GOA pollock and Pacific cod
TACs are the appropriate amount based on the best available scientific
information for pollock and Pacific cod in the GOA. This action is
consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan
for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska.
DATES: Effective 0001 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 1,
2022, until the effective date of the final 2022 and 2023 harvest
specifications for GOA groundfish, unless otherwise modified or
superseded through publication of a notification in the Federal
Register.
Comments must be received at the following address no later than
4:30 p.m., A.l.t., January 14, 2022.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2020-0140 by
any of the following methods:
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov and
enter NOAA-NMFS-2020-0140. Click the ``Comment'' icon, complete the
required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
Mail: Submit written comments to Glenn Merrill, Assistant
Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region
NMFS, Attn: Records. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-
1668.
Instructions: NMFS may not consider comments if they are sent by
any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after
the comment period ends. All comments received are a part of the public
record, and NMFS will post the comments for public viewing on
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address), confidential business information,
or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender
will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter
``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Krista Milani, 907-581-2062.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
GOA exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan
for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North
Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) under authority of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Regulations
governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at
subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
The final 2021 and 2022 harvest specifications for groundfish in
the GOA (86 FR 10184, February 19, 2021) set the 2022 pollock TAC at
99,784 metric tons (mt) in the GOA. In December 2021, the Council
recommended a 2022 pollock TAC of 141,117 mt for the GOA, which is
greater than the 99,784 mt established by the final 2021 and 2022
harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA. The Council's
recommended 2022 TAC, and the area and seasonal apportionments, is
based on the Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation report (SAFE),
dated November 2021.
The final 2021 and 2022 harvest specifications for groundfish in
the GOA (86 FR 10184, February 19, 2021) set the 2022 Pacific cod TAC
at 27,961 mt in the GOA. In December 2021, the Council recommended a
2022 Pacific cod TAC of 24,111 mt for the GOA, which is less than the
27,961 mt established by the final 2021 and 2022 harvest specifications
for groundfish in the GOA. The Council's recommended 2022 TAC, and the
area and seasonal apportionments, is based on the SAFE, dated November
2021.
Steller sea lions occur in the same location as the pollock and
Pacific cod fisheries and are listed as endangered under the Endangered
Species Act. Pollock and Pacific cod are principal prey species for
Steller sea lions in the GOA. The seasonal apportionment of pollock and
Pacific cod harvests are necessary to ensure the groundfish fisheries
are not likely to cause jeopardy of extinction or adverse modification
of critical habitat for Steller sea lions. The regulations at Sec.
679.20(a)(5)(iv) specify how the pollock TAC will be apportioned and
the regulations at Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(ii) and (a)(12)(i) specify how
the Pacific cod TAC will be apportioned.
In accordance with Sec. 679.25(a)(1)(iii), (a)(2)(i)(B), and
(a)(2)(iv) the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional
Administrator), has determined that, based on the best available
scientific information for this fishery, the current GOA pollock and
Pacific cod TACs are incorrectly specified. Consequently, pursuant to
Sec. 679.25(a)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator is adjusting the
2022 GOA pollock TAC to 141,117 mt and the 2022 Pacific cod TAC to
24,111 mt. Therefore, Tables 4 and 6 of the final 2021 and 2022 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA (86 FR 10184, February 19,
2021) are revised consistent with this adjustment.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv), Table 4 of the final 2021 and
2022 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA (86 FR 10184,
February 19, 2021) is revised for the 2022 TACs of pollock in the
Central and Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Table 4--Final 2022 Distribution of Pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska;
Area Apportionments;\1\ and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shumigan (area Chirikof (area Kodiak (area
Season \2\ 610) 620) 630) Total \3\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A (January 20-May 31)........................... 1,132 52,304 8,080 61,516
[[Page 74385]]
B (September 1-November 1)...................... 22,582 16,946 21,988 61,516
---------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Total................................ 23,714 69,250 30,068 123,032
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Area apportionments and seasonal allowances may not total precisely due to rounding.
\2\ As established by Sec. 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (ii), the A and B season allowances are available from
January 20 through May 31 and September 1 through November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for
processing by the inshore and offshore components are not shown in this table.
\3\ The West Yakutat and Southeast Outside District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not
included in the total pollock TACs shown in this table.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(ii) and (a)(12)(i), Table 6 of the
final 2021 and 2022 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA
(86 FR 10184, February 19, 2021) is revised for the 2022 TACs of
Pacific cod in the GOA.
Table 6--Final 2022 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocation of Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch (TAC) Amounts in
the GOA; Allocations in the Western GOA and Central GOA Sectors, and the Eastern GOA Inshore and Offshore
Processing Components
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Season B Season
---------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Sector Sector
Regulatory area and sector allocation percentage of Seasonal percentage of Seasonal
(mt) annual non-jig allowances annual non-jig allowances
TAC (mt) TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA:
Jig (3.5% of TAC)........... 244 N/A 146 N/A 97
Hook-and-line CV............ 94 0.70 47 0.70 47
Hook-and-line CP............ 1,330 10.90 732 8.90 598
Trawl CV.................... 2,579 31.54 2,118 10.70 461
Trawl CP.................... 161 0.90 60 1.50 101
All Pot CV and Pot CP....... 2,552 19.80 1,330 18.20 1,222
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Total................... 6,959 63.84 4,433 36.16 2,526
Central GOA:
Jig (1.0% of TAC)........... 148 N/A 89 N/A 59
Hook-and-line < 50 CV....... 2,142 9.32 1,366 5.29 775
Hook-and-line [gteqt] 50 CV. 984 5.61 823 1.10 161
Hook-and-line CP............ 749 4.11 602 1.00 146
Trawl CV \1\................ 6,099 21.14 3,710 20.45 2,389
Trawl CP.................... 616 2.00 294 2.19 322
All Pot CV and Pot CP....... 4,078 17.83 2,615 9.97 1,463
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Total................... 14,814 64.16 9,498 35.84 5,316
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Eastern GOA: .............. Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
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2,338 .............. 2,104 .............. 234
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\1\ Trawl catcher vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 564 mt, of the
annual Central GOA TAC (see Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679), which is deducted from the Trawl CV B season
allowance (see Table 13. Final 2022 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA and Table
28c to 50 CFR part 679).
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 allow for harvests that exceed the
appropriate allocation for pollock and Pacific cod based on the best
scientific information available. NMFS was unable to publish a notice
providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant
data only became available as of December 23, 2021.
Without this inseason adjustment, NMFS could not allow the fishery
for Pollock and Pacific cod in the GOA to be harvested in an expedient
manner and in accordance with the regulatory schedule. Under Sec.
679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to submit written comments
on this action to the above address until January 14, 2022.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
[[Page 74386]]
Dated: December 27, 2021.
Karen Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-28361 Filed 12-29-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
