Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska; Final 2023 and 2024 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish, 13238-13264 [2023-04315]
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 41 / Thursday, March 2, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
the Council’s website at https://
www.npfmc.org.
Other Actions Affecting the 2023 and
2024 Harvest Specifications
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Amendment 112 to the FMP: Sablefish
Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program
Revisions
On November 23, 2022, NMFS
published a proposed rule (87 FR
71559) to implement Amendment 112 to
the FMP, which, if approved, would
allow jig gear as an authorized fishing
gear type in the GOA sablefish
Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ)
fisheries. The Council’s intent in
recommending Amendment 112 is to
increase entry-level opportunities and
increase flexibility for IFQ holders. This
is because jig gear is a smaller
investment than other gear types and
does not require significant vessel
retrofits as with other gear.
Additionally, jig gear is already an
authorized gear type for the harvest of
halibut IFQ and this action would
further align the authorized gear types
in the halibut and sablefish IFQ
fisheries. Additionally, the proposed
rule includes a variety of other
provisions, which, if approved, would
revise regulations associated with
requirements or exemptions for the use
of collapsible pot gear. It would also
revise regulatory specifications for gear
marking, pot limits, and other pot use
restrictions in the GOA. Further details
are available in the proposed rule to
implement Amendment 112. If the FMP
amendment and its implementing
regulations are approved by the
Secretary of Commerce, the action is
anticipated to be effective for the 2023
IFQ season.
Obren Davis, 907–586–7228.
50 CFR Part 679
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska; Final
2023 and 2024 Harvest Specifications
for Groundfish
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule; harvest specifications
and closures.
AGENCY:
NMFS announces final 2023
and 2024 harvest specifications,
apportionments, and Pacific halibut
prohibited species catch limits for the
groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska
(GOA). This action is necessary to
establish harvest limits for groundfish
during the remainder of the 2023 and
the start of the 2024 fishing years and
to accomplish the goals and objectives
of the Fishery Management Plan for
Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP).
The 2023 harvest specifications
supersede those previously set in the
final 2022 and 2023 harvest
specifications, and the 2024 harvest
specifications will be superseded in
early 2024 when the final 2024 and
2025 harvest specifications are
published. The intended effect of this
action is to conserve and manage the
groundfish resources in the GOA in
accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management
Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
DATES: Harvest specifications and
closures are effective at 1200 hours,
Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 2, 2023,
through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31,
2024.
ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the
Final Alaska Groundfish Harvest
Specifications Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS), Record of Decision
(ROD), and the annual Supplementary
Information Reports (SIRs) to the EIS
prepared for this action are available
from https://www.regulations.gov. The
2022 Stock Assessment and Fishery
Evaluation (SAFE) report for the
groundfish resources of the GOA, dated
November 2022, and SAFE reports for
previous years are available from the
North Pacific Fishery Management
Council (Council) at 1007 West Third
Avenue, Suite 400, Anchorage, AK
99501, phone 907–271–2809, or from
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SUMMARY:
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NMFS
manages the GOA groundfish fisheries
in the exclusive economic zone of the
GOA under the FMP. The Council
prepared the FMP under the authority of
the Magnuson-Stevens Act (16 U.S.C.
1801 et seq.). Regulations governing
U.S. fisheries and implementing the
FMP appear at 50 CFR parts 600, 679,
and 680.
The FMP and its implementing
regulations require that NMFS, after
consultation with the Council, specify
the total allowable catch (TAC) for each
target species, the sum of which must be
within the optimum yield (OY) range of
116,000 to 800,000 metric tons (mt) (50
CFR 679.20(a)(1)(i)(B) and 679.20(a)(2)).
Section 679.20(c)(1) further requires that
NMFS publish and solicit public
comment on proposed annual TACs and
apportionments thereof, Pacific halibut
prohibited species catch (PSC) limits,
and seasonal allowances of pollock and
Pacific cod. Upon consideration of
public comment received under
§ 679.20(c)(1), NMFS must publish a
notification of final harvest
specifications for up to 2 fishing years
as annual TACs and apportionments,
Pacific halibut PSC limits, and seasonal
allowances of pollock and Pacific cod,
per § 679.20(c)(3)(ii). The final harvest
specifications set forth in Tables 1
through 27 of this rule reflect the
outcome of this process, as required at
§ 679.20(c).
The proposed 2023 and 2024 harvest
specifications for groundfish of the GOA
and Pacific halibut PSC limits were
published in the Federal Register on
December 2, 2022 (87 FR 74102).
Comments were invited and accepted
through January 3, 2023. NMFS did not
receive any comments on the proposed
harvest specifications. In December
2022, NMFS consulted with the Council
regarding the 2023 and 2024 harvest
specifications. After considering public
comment at public meetings, as well as
biological and socioeconomic data that
were available at the Council’s
December 2022 meeting, NMFS is
implementing the final 2023 and 2024
harvest specifications, as recommended
by the Council. For 2023, the sum of the
TAC amounts is 468,796 mt. For 2024,
the sum of the TAC amounts is 476,537
mt.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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Amendment 122 to the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands FMP: Pacific Cod
Cooperative Program
NMFS is developing a proposed rule
to implement Amendment 122 to the
FMP for Groundfish of the Bering Sea
and Aleutian Islands Management Area
(BSAI), which, if approved, would
establish the Pacific Cod Trawl
Cooperative Program (PCTC Program) to
allocate BSAI Pacific cod harvest quota
to qualifying groundfish License
Limitation Program (LLP) license
holders and qualifying processors. The
PCTC Program would be a limited
access privilege program (LAPP) for the
harvest of Pacific cod in the BSAI trawl
catcher vessel (CV) sector. One of the
elements of the proposed PCTC Program
is to revise the GOA groundfish
sideboard limits and halibut PSC limits
for LLP licenses that receive allocations
of PCTC quota share. The Program
would change the American Fisheries
Act (AFA) non-exempt GOA groundfish
sideboard and halibut PSC limits for all
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non-exempt AFA LLP licenses and CVs
based on the GOA fishing activity of
these vessels in the aggregate during the
PCTC Program qualifying years. If
approved by the Secretary of Commerce,
Amendment 122 and its implementing
regulations would affect the calculation
and establishment of the groundfish
sideboard limits and halibut PSC limits
discussed in the subsequent American
Fisheries Act (AFA) Catcher/Processor
and Catcher Vessel Groundfish Harvest
Limits and Non-Exempt AFA Catcher
Vessel Halibut PSC Limits sections of
this rule.
Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) and
TAC Specifications
In December 2022, the Council’s
Scientific and Statistical Committee
(SSC), its Advisory Panel (AP), and the
Council reviewed the most recent
biological and harvest information about
the condition of the GOA groundfish
stocks. The Council’s GOA Groundfish
Plan Team (Plan Team) compiled and
presented this information in the 2022
SAFE report for the GOA groundfish
fisheries, dated November 2022 (see
ADDRESSES). The SAFE report contains a
review of the latest scientific analyses
and estimates of each species’ biomass
and other biological parameters, as well
as summaries of the available
information on the GOA ecosystem and
the economic condition of the
groundfish fisheries off Alaska. From
these data and analyses, the Plan Team
recommends, and the SSC sets, an
overfishing level (OFL) and ABC for
each species and species group. The
2022 SAFE report was made available
for public review during the public
comment period for the proposed
harvest specifications.
In previous years, the greatest changes
from the proposed to the final harvest
specifications have been based on recent
NMFS stock surveys, which provide
updated estimates of stock biomass and
spatial distribution, and changes to the
models used for producing stock
assessments. At the November 2022
Plan Team meeting, NMFS scientists
presented updated and new survey
results, changes to stock assessment
models, and accompanying stock
assessment estimates for groundfish
species and species groups that are
included in the 2022 SAFE report per
the stock assessment schedule found in
the 2022 SAFE report introduction. The
SSC reviewed this information at the
December 2022 Council meeting.
Changes from the proposed to the final
2023 and 2024 harvest specifications are
discussed below.
The final 2023 and 2024 OFLs and
ABCs are based on the best available
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biological information, including
projected biomass trends, information
on assumed distribution of stock
biomass, and revised methods used to
calculate stock biomass, and the final
2023 and 2024 TACs are based on the
best available biological and
socioeconomic information. The FMP
specifies the formulas, or tiers, to be
used to compute OFLs and ABCs. The
formulas applicable to a particular stock
or stock complex are determined by the
level of reliable information available to
fisheries scientists. This information is
categorized into a successive series of
six tiers to define OFL and ABC
amounts, with Tier 1 representing the
highest level of information quality
available and Tier 6 representing the
lowest level of information quality
available. The Plan Team used the FMP
tier structure to calculate OFL and ABC
amounts for each groundfish species.
The SSC adopted the final 2023 and
2024 OFLs and ABCs recommended by
the Plan Team.
The Council adopted the SSC’s OFLs
and ABCs and the AP’s TAC
recommendations. The final TAC
recommendations are based on the
ABCs and are adjusted for other
biological and socioeconomic
considerations, including maintaining
the sum of all TACs within the required
OY range of 116,000 to 800,000 mt.
The Council recommended 2023 and
2024 TACs that are equal to ABCs for
pollock in the Southeast Outside (SEO)
District, sablefish, shallow-water flatfish
in the Central GOA and the West
Yakutat and SEO Districts, deep-water
flatfish, rex sole, arrowtooth flounder in
the Central GOA and the West Yakutat
District, flathead sole in the Central
GOA and the West Yakutat and SEO
Districts, Pacific ocean perch (a rockfish
species), northern rockfish, shortraker
rockfish, dusky rockfish, rougheye and
blackspotted rockfish, demersal shelf
rockfish, thornyhead rockfish, ‘‘other
rockfish’’ in the Western/Central GOA
and West Yakutat District, big skate,
longnose skate, other skates, sharks, and
octopuses in the GOA. The Council
recommended TACs for 2023 and 2024
that are less than the ABCs for pollock
for the combined Western and Central
GOA and West Yakutat District area,
Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish in the
Western GOA, arrowtooth flounder in
the Western GOA and the SEO District,
flathead sole in the Western GOA, Atka
mackerel, and ‘‘other rockfish’’ in the
SEO District.
The combined Western, Central, and
West Yakutat pollock TAC and the GOA
Pacific cod TACs are set to
accommodate the State of Alaska’s
(State’s) guideline harvest levels (GHLs)
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13239
so that the ABCs for pollock and Pacific
cod are not exceeded. The Western GOA
shallow-water flatfish, Western GOA
arrowtooth flounder, and Western GOA
flathead sole TACs are set to allow for
increased harvest opportunities for
these target species while conserving
the halibut PSC limit for use in other,
more fully utilized fisheries. Similarly,
the SEO District arrowtooth flounder
TAC is set lower than ABC to conserve
halibut PSC limit for use in other
fisheries or because there is limited
commercial interest and participation in
this fishery. The Atka mackerel TAC is
set to accommodate incidental catch
amounts in other fisheries. The ‘‘other
rockfish’’ TAC in the SEO District is set
to reduce the amount of discards of the
species in that complex.
The final 2023 and 2024 harvest
specifications approved by the Secretary
of Commerce are unchanged from those
recommended by the Council, and are
consistent with the preferred harvest
strategy alternative outlined in the FMP
and EIS (see ADDRESSES).
NMFS finds that the Council’s
recommended OFLs, ABCs, and TACs
are consistent with the biological
condition of the groundfish stocks as
described in the final 2022 SAFE report.
NMFS also finds that the Council’s
recommendations for TACs are
consistent with the biological condition
of groundfish stocks as adjusted for
other biological and socioeconomic
considerations, including maintaining
the sum of all TACs within the OY
range. NMFS reviewed the Council’s
recommended TACs and
apportionments, and NMFS approves
these harvest specifications under 50
CFR 679.20(c)(3)(ii). The apportionment
of TAC amounts among gear types and
sectors, processing sectors, and seasons
is discussed below.
Tables 1 and 2 list the final 2023 and
2024 OFLs, ABCs, TACs, and area
apportionments of groundfish in the
GOA. The 2023 harvest specifications
set in this final action supersede the
2023 harvest specifications previously
set in the final 2022 and 2023 harvest
specifications (87 FR 11599, March 2,
2022). The 2024 harvest specifications
will be superseded in early 2024 when
the final 2024 and 2025 harvest
specifications are published. Pursuant
to this final action, the 2023 harvest
specifications therefore will apply for
the remainder of the current year (2023),
while the 2024 harvest specifications
are projected only for the following year
(2024) and will be superseded in early
2024 by the final 2024 and 2025 harvest
specifications. Because this final action
(published in early 2023) will be
superseded in early 2024 by the
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publication of the final 2024 and 2025
harvest specifications, it is projected
that this final action will implement the
harvest specifications for the GOA for
approximately 1 year.
Specification and Apportionment of
TAC Amounts
NMFS’s apportionment of groundfish
species is based on the distribution of
biomass among the regulatory areas over
which NMFS manages the species.
Additional regulations govern the
apportionment of pollock, Pacific cod,
and sablefish and are described below.
The ABC for the pollock stock in the
combined Western and Central
Regulatory Areas and the West Yakutat
(WYK) District of the Eastern Regulatory
Area (the W/C/WYK) includes the
amount for the GHL established by the
State for the Prince William Sound
(PWS) pollock fishery. The Plan Team,
SSC, AP, and Council have
recommended that the sum of all State
waters and Federal waters pollock
removals from the GOA not exceed ABC
recommendations. For 2023 and 2024,
the SSC recommended and the Council
approved the W/C/WYK pollock ABC,
including the amount to account for the
State’s PWS GHL. At the November
2022 Plan Team meeting, State fisheries
managers recommended setting the
PWS pollock GHL at 2.5 percent of the
annual W/C/WYK pollock ABC. For
2023, this yields a PWS pollock GHL of
3,723 mt, an increase of 396 mt from the
2022 PWS pollock GHL of 3,327 mt. For
2024, the PWS pollock GHL is 4,027 mt,
an increase of 700 mt from the 2022
PWS pollock GHL of 3,327 mt. After the
GHL reductions, the 2023 and 2024
pollock ABCs for the combined W/C/
WYK areas are then apportioned
between four statistical areas (Areas
610, 620, 630, and 640) as both ABCs
and TACs, as described below and
detailed in Tables 1 and 2. The total
ABCs and TACs for the four statistical
areas, plus the State PWS GHL, do not
exceed the combined W/C/WYK ABC.
Apportionments of pollock to the W/
C/WYK areas are considered to be
‘‘apportionments of annual catch limits
(ACLs)’’ rather than ‘‘ABCs.’’ This more
accurately reflects that such
apportionments address management,
rather than biological or conservation,
concerns. In addition, apportionments
of the ACL in this manner allow NMFS
to balance any transfer of TAC among
Areas 610, 620, and 630 pursuant to
§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B) to ensure that the
combined W/C/WYK ACL, ABC, and
TAC are not exceeded.
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NMFS establishes pollock TACs in
the Western (Area 610) and Central
(Areas 620 and 630) Regulatory Areas
and the West Yakutat (Area 640) and the
SEO (Area 650) Districts of the GOA (see
Tables 1 and 2). NMFS also establishes
seasonal apportionments of the annual
pollock TACs in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA
among Statistical Areas 610, 620, and
630. Additional detail on area
apportionments and seasonal
allowances is provided in the
Apportionments of Pollock TAC Among
Seasons and Regulatory Areas, and
Allocations for Processing by Inshore
and Offshore Components section of
this rule; Tables 3 and 4 list these
amounts.
The 2023 and 2024 Pacific cod TACs
are set to accommodate the State’s GHLs
for Pacific cod in State waters in the
Western and Central Regulatory Areas,
as well as in PWS (in the Eastern
Regulatory Area). The Plan Team, SSC,
AP, and Council recommended that the
sum of all State waters and Federal
waters Pacific cod removals from the
GOA not exceed ABC recommendations.
The Council recommended setting the
2023 and 2024 Pacific cod TACs in the
Western, Central, and Eastern
Regulatory Areas to account for State
GHLs. Therefore, the 2023 Pacific cod
TACs are less than the ABCs by the
following amounts: (1) Western GOA,
2,239 mt; (2) Central GOA, 3,708 mt;
and (3) Eastern GOA, 585 mt. The 2024
Pacific cod TACs are less than the ABCs
by the following amounts: (1) Western
GOA, 2,062 mt; (2) Central GOA, 3,414
mt; and (3) Eastern GOA, 539 mt. These
amounts reflect the State’s 2023 and
2024 GHLs in these areas, which are 30
percent of the Western GOA ABC and
25 percent of the Eastern and Central
GOA ABCs.
The Western and Central GOA Pacific
cod TACs are allocated among various
gear and operational sectors. NMFS also
establishes seasonal apportionments of
the annual Pacific cod TACs in the
Western and Central Regulatory Areas.
The Pacific cod sector and seasonal
apportionments are discussed in detail
in the Annual and Seasonal
Apportionments of Pacific Cod TAC
section and in Tables 5 and 6 of this
rule.
The Council’s recommendation for
sablefish area apportionments takes into
account the prohibition on the use of
trawl gear in the SEO District of the
Eastern Regulatory Area (§ 679.7(b)(1))
and makes available 5 percent of the
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combined Eastern Regulatory Area
TACs to vessels using trawl gear for use
as incidental catch in other trawl
groundfish fisheries in the WYK District
(§ 679.20(a)(4)(i)). Tables 7 and 8 list the
final 2023 and 2024 allocations of
sablefish TAC to fixed gear and trawl
gear in the GOA.
Changes From the Proposed 2023 and
2024 Harvest Specifications in the GOA
In October 2022, the Council’s
recommendations for the proposed 2023
and 2024 harvest specifications (87 FR
74102, December 2, 2022) were based
largely on information contained in the
final 2021 SAFE report for the GOA
groundfish fisheries, dated November
2021. The final 2021 SAFE report for the
GOA is available from the Council (see
ADDRESSES). The Council proposed that
the final OFLs, ABCs, and TACs
established for the 2023 groundfish
fisheries (87 FR 11599, March 2, 2022)
be used for the proposed 2023 and 2024
harvest specifications (87 FR 74102,
December 2, 2022), pending completion
and review of the 2022 SAFE report at
the Council’s December 2022 meeting.
As described previously, the SSC
recommended the final 2023 and 2024
OFLs and ABCs as recommended by the
Plan Team, with the exception of the
Pacific cod and demersal shelf rockfish
OFLs and ABCs. The Council adopted
as its recommendations the SSC’s OFL
and ABC recommendations and the
AP’s TAC recommendations for 2023
and 2024.
The final 2023 ABCs are higher than
the proposed 2023 ABCs published in
the proposed 2023 and 2024 harvest
specifications (87 FR 74102, December
2, 2022) for pollock, sablefish, shallowwater flatfish, rex sole, arrowtooth
flounder, Pacific ocean perch, northern
rockfish, dusky rockfish, and sharks.
The final 2023 ABCs are lower than the
proposed 2023 ABCs for Pacific cod,
deep-water flatfish, flathead sole,
demersal shelf rockfish, thornyhead
rockfish, and rougheye and blackspotted
rockfish.
The final 2024 ABCs are higher than
the proposed 2024 ABCs for pollock,
sablefish, shallow-water flatfish, rex
sole, flathead sole, dusky rockfish, and
sharks. The final 2024 ABCs are lower
than the proposed 2024 ABCs for Pacific
cod, deep-water flatfish, arrowtooth
flounder, Pacific ocean perch, northern
rockfish, rougheye and blackspotted
rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish, and
thornyhead rockfish. For the remaining
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target species (shortraker rockfish,
‘‘other rockfish,’’ Atka mackerel, big
skates, longnose skates, other skates,
and octopus), the Council recommended
the final 2023 and 2024 ABCs that are
the same as the proposed 2023 and 2024
ABCs.
Additional information explaining the
changes between the proposed and final
ABCs is included in the final 2022
SAFE report, which was not completed
and available when the Council made
its proposed ABC and TAC
recommendations in October 2022. At
that time, the most recent stock
assessment information was contained
in the final 2021 SAFE report. The final
2022 SAFE report contains the best and
most recent scientific information on
the condition of the groundfish stocks,
as previously discussed in this
preamble, and is available for review
(see ADDRESSES). The Council
considered the 2022 SAFE report in
December 2022 when it made
recommendations for the final 2023 and
2024 harvest specifications. In the GOA,
the total final 2023 TAC amount is
468,796 mt, an increase of 5.7 percent
from the total proposed 2023 TAC
amount of 443,615 mt. The total final
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2023, the species or species group with
the greatest TAC percentage increases
are pollock, flathead sole, dusky
rockfish, and sharks. Based on changes
in the estimates of biomass, the species
or species group with the greatest TAC
percentage decreases are Pacific cod,
demersal shelf rockfish, and thornyhead
rockfish. For all other species and
species groups, changes from the
proposed 2023 TACs to the final 2023
TACs and changes from the proposed
2024 TACs to the final 2024 TACs are
less than a 10 percent change (either
increase or decrease). These TAC
changes correspond to associated
changes in the OFLs and ABCs, as
recommended by the SSC, AP, and
Council.
Detailed information providing the
basis for the changes described above is
contained in the final 2022 SAFE report.
The final TACs are based on the best
scientific information available,
including biological and socioeconomic
information. These TACs are specified
in compliance with the harvest strategy
described in the proposed and final
rules for the 2023 and 2024 harvest
specifications.
2024 TAC amount is 476,537 mt, an
increase of 7.4 percent from the total
proposed 2024 TAC amount of 443,615
mt. Table 1a summarizes the difference
between the proposed and final TACs.
Annual stock assessments incorporate
a variety of new or revised inputs, such
as survey data or catch information, as
well as changes to the statistical models
used to estimate a species’ biomass and
population trend. Changes to biomass
and ABC estimates are primarily based
on fishery catch updates to species’
assessment models. Some species, such
as pollock and sablefish, have
additional surveys conducted on an
annual basis, which resulted in
additional data being available for the
2022 assessments for these stocks.
The changes for individual species or
species groups from the proposed 2023
TACs to the final 2023 TACs are within
a range of plus 53 percent or minus 22
percent, and the changes from the
proposed 2024 TACs to the final 2024
TACs are within a range of plus 45
percent or minus 22 percent. Based on
changes in the estimates of overall
biomass in the stock assessment for
2023 and 2024, as compared to the
estimates previously made for 2022 and
TABLE 1a—COMPARISON OF PROPOSED AND FINAL 2023 AND 2024 GOA TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH LIMITS
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentage]
2023 and
2024
Proposed TAC
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Species
2023 Final
TAC
2023 Final
minus 2023
Proposed TAC
Percentage
difference
2024
Final TAC
2024 Final
minus 2024
Proposed TAC
Percentage
difference
Pollock ...........................................................
Pacific cod .....................................................
Sablefish ........................................................
Shallow-water flatfish ....................................
Deep-water flatfish ........................................
Rex sole ........................................................
Arrowtooth flounder .......................................
Flathead sole .................................................
Pacific ocean perch .......................................
Northern rockfish ...........................................
Shortraker rockfish ........................................
Dusky rockfish ...............................................
Rougheye/blackspotted rockfish ...................
Demersal shelf rockfish .................................
Thornyhead rockfish ......................................
Other rockfish ................................................
Atka mackerel ...............................................
Big skate .......................................................
Longnose skate .............................................
Other skates ..................................................
Sharks ...........................................................
Octopuses .....................................................
139,977
21,096
22,003
44,272
5,818
20,594
95,512
27,426
37,104
4,920
705
5,181
781
365
1,953
1,610
3,000
2,867
2,712
984
3,755
980
156,578
18,103
23,201
44,302
5,816
20,664
94,286
35,337
37,193
4,964
705
7,917
775
283
1,628
1,610
3,000
2,867
2,712
984
4,891
980
16,601
¥2,994
1,198
30
¥2
70
¥1,226
7,911
89
44
0
2,736
¥6
¥82
¥325
0
0
0
0
0
1,136
0
12
¥14
5
0
0
0
¥1
29
0
1
0
53
¥1
¥22
¥17
0
0
0
0
0
30
0
168,416
16,668
21,095
45,425
5,719
21,097
93,389
35,839
36,196
4,741
705
7,520
772
283
1,628
1,610
3,000
2,867
2,712
984
4,891
980
28,439
¥4,428
¥908
1,153
¥99
503
¥2,123
8,413
¥908
¥179
0
2,339
¥9
¥82
¥325
0
0
0
0
0
1,136
0
20
¥21
¥4
3
¥2
2
¥2
31
¥2
¥4
0
45
¥1
¥22
¥17
0
0
0
0
0
30
0
Total .......................................................
443,615
468,796
25,181
5.7
476,537
32,922
7.4
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 41 / Thursday, March 2, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
The final 2023 and 2024 TAC
amounts for the GOA are within the OY
range established for the GOA and do
not exceed the ABC for any species or
species group. Tables 1 and 2 list the
final OFL, ABC, and TAC amounts for
GOA groundfish for 2023 and 2024,
respectively.
TABLE 1—FINAL 2023 OFLS, ABCS, AND TACS OF GROUNDFISH FOR THE WESTERN/CENTRAL/WEST YAKUTAT, WESTERN, CENTRAL, EASTERN REGULATORY AREAS, THE WEST YAKUTAT AND SOUTHEAST OUTSIDE DISTRICTS OF THE
EASTERN REGULATORY AREA, AND GULFWIDE DISTRICTS OF THE GULF OF ALASKA
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Species
Area 1
Pollock 2 ..........................................................
Shumagin (610) ..............................................
Chirikof (620) ..................................................
Kodiak (630) ...................................................
WYK (640) ......................................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
26,958
77,005
33,729
7,523
26,958
77,005
33,729
7,523
W/C/WYK (subtotal) 2 ..............................
SEO (650) ......................................................
173,470
15,150
148,938
11,363
145,215
11,363
Total
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
E .....................................................................
188,620
n/a
n/a
n/a
160,301
7,464
14,830
2,340
156,578
5,225
11,123
1,755
Total
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
WYK ...............................................................
SEO ................................................................
29,737
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
24,634
4,473
9,921
3,205
5,602
18,103
4,473
9,921
3,205
5,602
Pacific cod 3 ....................................................
Sablefish 4 .......................................................
OFL
Subtotal TAC
Shallow-water flatfish 5 ....................................
Deep-water flatfish 6 ........................................
Rex sole ..........................................................
Arrowtooth flounder .........................................
Flathead sole ..................................................
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES2
Pacific ocean perch 7 ......................................
Northern rockfish 8 ..........................................
n/a
19:47 Mar 01, 2023
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23,201
Total
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
WYK ...............................................................
SEO ................................................................
47,390
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
40,502
22,485
26,769
2,677
1,606
n/a
13,250
26,769
2,677
1,606
Total
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
WYK ...............................................................
SEO ................................................................
65,736
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
53,537
256
2,105
1,407
2,048
44,302
256
2,105
1,407
2,048
Total
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
WYK ...............................................................
SEO ................................................................
6,918
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
5,816
3,236
13,110
1,439
2,879
5,816
3,236
13,110
1,439
2,879
Total
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
WYK ...............................................................
SEO ................................................................
25,135
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
20,664
30,469
65,000
7,886
16,130
20,664
14,500
65,000
7,886
6,900
Total
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
WYK ...............................................................
SEO ................................................................
142,749
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
119,485
12,793
21,487
2,320
2,880
94,286
8,650
21,487
2,320
2,880
Total
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
WYK ...............................................................
48,161
n/a
n/a
n/a
39,480
2,529
29,940
1,370
35,337
2,529
29,940
1,370
W/C/WYK subtotal ..................................
SEO ................................................................
40,308
3,994
33,839
3,354
33,839
3,354
Total
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
E .....................................................................
44,302
n/a
n/a
n/a
37,193
2,614
2,350
........................
37,193
2,614
2,350
........................
5,927
4,964
4,964
Total
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13243
TABLE 1—FINAL 2023 OFLS, ABCS, AND TACS OF GROUNDFISH FOR THE WESTERN/CENTRAL/WEST YAKUTAT, WESTERN, CENTRAL, EASTERN REGULATORY AREAS, THE WEST YAKUTAT AND SOUTHEAST OUTSIDE DISTRICTS OF THE
EASTERN REGULATORY AREA, AND GULFWIDE DISTRICTS OF THE GULF OF ALASKA—Continued
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Species
Area 1
Shortraker rockfish 9 ........................................
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
E .....................................................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
51
280
374
51
280
374
Total
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
WYK ...............................................................
SEO ................................................................
940
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
705
149
7,647
90
31
705
149
7,647
90
31
Total
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
E .....................................................................
9,638
n/a
n/a
n/a
7,917
180
232
363
7,917
180
232
363
Total
SEO ................................................................
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
E .....................................................................
930
376
n/a
n/a
n/a
775
283
314
693
621
775
283
314
693
621
Total
W and C .........................................................
WYK ...............................................................
SEO ................................................................
2,170
n/a
n/a
n/a
1,628
940
370
2,744
1,628
940
370
300
Total
GW .................................................................
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
E .....................................................................
5,320
6,200
n/a
n/a
n/a
4,054
4,700
591
1,482
794
1,610
3,000
591
1,482
794
Total
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
E .....................................................................
3,822
n/a
n/a
n/a
2,867
151
2,044
517
2,867
151
2,044
517
Total
GW .................................................................
GW .................................................................
GW .................................................................
3,616
1,311
6,521
1,307
2,712
984
4,891
980
2,712
984
4,891
980
646,826
539,072
468,796
Dusky rockfish 10 .............................................
Rougheye and Blackspotted rockfish 11 ..........
Demersal shelf rockfish 12 ...............................
Thornyhead rockfish 13 ....................................
Other rockfish 14 15 ..........................................
Atka mackerel .................................................
Big skate 16 ......................................................
Longnose skate 17 ...........................................
Other skates 18 ................................................
Sharks .............................................................
Octopus ...........................................................
OFL
Total
ABC
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES2
1 Regulatory
TAC
areas and districts are defined at § 679.2. (W=Western Gulf of Alaska; C=Central Gulf of Alaska; E=Eastern Gulf of Alaska;
WYK=West Yakutat District; SEO=Southeast Outside District; GW=Gulf-wide).
2 The total for the W/C/WYK Regulatory Areas pollock ABC is 148,938 mt. After deducting 2.5 percent (3,723 mt) of that ABC for the State’s
pollock GHL fishery, the remaining pollock ABC of 145,215 mt (for the W/C/WYK Regulatory Areas) is apportioned among four statistical areas
(Areas 610, 620, 630, and 640). These apportionments are considered subarea ACLs, rather than ABCs, for specification and reapportionment
purposes. The ACLs in Areas 610, 620, and 630 are further divided by season, as detailed in Table 3 (final 2023 seasonal biomass distribution
of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, area apportionments, and seasonal allowances). In the West Yakutat (Area 640) and
Southeast Outside (Area 650) Districts of the Eastern Regulatory Area, pollock is not divided into seasonal allowances.
3 The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned, after seasonal apportionment to the jig sector, as follows: (1) 63.84 percent to the A season and
36.16 percent to the B season and (2) 64.16 percent to the A season and 35.84 percent to the B season in the Western and Central Regulatory
Areas of the GOA, respectively. Pacific cod TAC in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA is allocated 90 percent to vessels harvesting Pacific
cod for processing by the inshore component and 10 percent to vessels harvesting Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component. Table
5 lists the final 2023 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments and sector allocations.
4 The sablefish OFL and ABC are set Alaska-wide (47,390 mt and 40,502 mt, respectively), and the Alaska-wide totals are included in the total
OFL and ABC in Table 1. Additionally, sablefish is allocated to trawl and fixed gear in 2023 and trawl gear in 2024. Table 7 lists the final 2023 allocations of sablefish TACs.
5 ‘‘Shallow-water flatfish’’ means flatfish not including ‘‘deep-water flatfish,’’ flathead sole, rex sole, or arrowtooth flounder.
6 ‘‘Deep-water flatfish’’ means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, and deepsea sole.
7 ‘‘Pacific ocean perch’’ means Sebastes alutus.
8 ‘‘Northern rockfish’’ means Sebastes polyspinis. For management purposes, the 1 mt apportionment of ABC to the WYK District of the Eastern Gulf of Alaska has been included in the ‘‘other rockfish’’ species group.
9 ‘‘Shortraker rockfish’’ means Sebastes borealis.
10 ‘‘Dusky rockfish’’ means Sebastes variabilis.
11 ‘‘Rougheye and blackspotted rockfish’’ mean Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and S. melanostictus (blackspotted).
12 ‘‘Demersal shelf rockfish’’ means Sebastes pinniger (canary), S. nebulosus (china), S. caurinus (copper), S. maliger (quillback), S.
helvomaculatus (rosethorn), S. nigrocinctus (tiger), and S. ruberrimus (yelloweye).
13 ‘‘Thornyhead rockfish’’ means Sebastolobus species.
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14 ‘‘Other rockfish’’ means Sebastes aurora (aurora), S. melanostomus (blackgill), S. paucispinis (bocaccio), S. goodei (chilipepper), S. crameri
(darkblotch), S. elongatus (greenstriped), S. variegatus (harlequin), S. wilsoni (pygmy), S. babcocki (redbanded), S. proriger (redstripe), S.
zacentrus (sharpchin), S. jordani (shortbelly), S. brevispinis (silvergrey), S. diploproa (splitnose), S. saxicola (stripetail), S. miniatus (vermilion), S.
reedi (yellowmouth), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus (yellowtail). In the Eastern GOA only, ‘‘other rockfish’’ also includes northern rockfish,
S. polyspinis.
15 ‘‘Other rockfish’’ in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat District means other rockfish and demersal shelf
rockfish. The ‘‘other rockfish’’ species group in the SEO District only includes ‘‘other rockfish.’’
16 ‘‘Big skate’’ means Raja binoculata.
17 ‘‘Longnose skate’’ means Raja rhina.
18 ‘‘Other skates’’ mean Bathyraja and Raja spp.
TABLE 2—FINAL 2024 OFLS, ABCS, AND TACS OF GROUNDFISH FOR THE WESTERN/CENTRAL/WEST YAKUTAT, WESTERN, CENTRAL, EASTERN REGULATORY AREAS, THE WEST YAKUTAT AND SOUTHEAST OUTSIDE DISTRICTS OF THE
EASTERN REGULATORY AREA, AND GULFWIDE DISTRICTS OF THE GULF OF ALASKA
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Species
Area 1
Pollock 2 ..........................................................
Shumagin (610) ..............................................
Chirikof (620) ..................................................
Kodiak (630) ...................................................
WYK (640) ......................................................
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
29,156
83,283
36,478
8,136
29,156
83,283
36,478
8,136
W/C/WYK (subtotal) 2 ..............................
SEO (650) ......................................................
186,101
15,150
161,080
11,363
157,053
11,363
Total .................................................
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
E .....................................................................
201,251
n/a
n/a
n/a
172,443
6,873
13,655
2,155
168,416
4,811
10,241
1,616
Total ........................................................
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
WYK ...............................................................
SEO ................................................................
27,507
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
22,683
4,626
8,819
2,669
4,981
16,668
4,626
8,819
2,669
4,981
Subtotal TAC ...........................................
n/a
n/a
21,095
Total .................................................
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
WYK ...............................................................
SEO ................................................................
48,561
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
41,539
23,299
27,737
2,774
1,664
n/a
13,250
27,737
2,774
1,664
Total ........................................................
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
WYK ...............................................................
SEO ................................................................
68,015
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
55,474
255
2,068
1,383
2,013
45,425
255
2,068
1,383
2,013
Total ........................................................
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
WYK ...............................................................
SEO ................................................................
6,802
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
5,719
3,314
13,425
1,453
2,905
5,719
3,314
13,425
1,453
2,905
Total ........................................................
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
WYK ...............................................................
SEO ................................................................
25,652
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
21,097
30,093
64,200
7,789
15,932
21,097
14,500
64,200
7,789
6,900
Total ........................................................
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
WYK ...............................................................
SEO ................................................................
141,008
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
118,014
13,033
21,892
2,363
2,934
93,389
8,650
21,892
2,363
2,934
Total ........................................................
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
WYK ...............................................................
W/C/WYK .......................................................
SEO ................................................................
49,073
n/a
n/a
n/a
39,229
3,888
40,222
2,461
29,138
1,333
32,932
3,264
35,839
2,461
29,138
1,333
32,932
3,264
Total ........................................................
43,117
36,196
36,196
Pacific cod 3 ....................................................
Sablefish 4 .......................................................
Shallow-water flatfish 5 ....................................
Deep-water flatfish 6 ........................................
Rex sole ..........................................................
Arrowtooth flounder .........................................
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES2
Flathead sole ..................................................
Pacific ocean perch 7 ......................................
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 41 / Thursday, March 2, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
13245
TABLE 2—FINAL 2024 OFLS, ABCS, AND TACS OF GROUNDFISH FOR THE WESTERN/CENTRAL/WEST YAKUTAT, WESTERN, CENTRAL, EASTERN REGULATORY AREAS, THE WEST YAKUTAT AND SOUTHEAST OUTSIDE DISTRICTS OF THE
EASTERN REGULATORY AREA, AND GULFWIDE DISTRICTS OF THE GULF OF ALASKA—Continued
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Species
Area 1
Northern rockfish 8 ..........................................
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
E .....................................................................
Shortraker rockfish 9 ........................................
Dusky rockfish 10 .............................................
Rougheye and Blackspotted rockfish 11 ..........
Demersal shelf rockfish 12 ...............................
Thornyhead rockfish 13 ....................................
Other rockfish 14 15 ..........................................
Atka mackerel .................................................
Big skate 16 ......................................................
Longnose skate 17 ...........................................
Other skates 18 ................................................
Sharks .............................................................
Octopus ...........................................................
OFL
ABC
TAC
n/a
n/a
n/a
2,497
2,244
........................
2,497
2,244
........................
Total ........................................................
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
E .....................................................................
5,661
n/a
n/a
n/a
4,741
51
280
374
4,741
51
280
374
Total ........................................................
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
WYK ...............................................................
SEO ................................................................
940
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
705
141
7,264
85
30
705
141
7,264
85
30
Total ........................................................
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
E .....................................................................
9,154
n/a
n/a
n/a
7,520
180
231
361
7,520
180
231
361
Total ........................................................
SEO ................................................................
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
E .....................................................................
927
376
n/a
n/a
n/a
772
283
314
693
621
772
283
314
693
621
Total ........................................................
W and C .........................................................
WYK ...............................................................
SEO ................................................................
2,170
n/a
n/a
n/a
1,628
940
370
2,744
1,628
940
370
300
Total ........................................................
GW .................................................................
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
E .....................................................................
5,320
6,200
n/a
n/a
n/a
4,054
4,700
591
1,482
794
1,610
3,000
591
1,482
794
Total ........................................................
W ....................................................................
C .....................................................................
E .....................................................................
3,822
n/a
n/a
n/a
2,867
151
2,044
517
2,867
151
2,044
517
Total ........................................................
GW .................................................................
GW .................................................................
GW .................................................................
3,616
1,311
6,521
1,307
2,712
984
4,891
980
2,712
984
4,891
980
Total .................................................
658,311
550,224
476,537
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES2
1 Regulatory
areas and districts are defined at § 679.2. (W=Western Gulf of Alaska; C=Central Gulf of Alaska; E=Eastern Gulf of Alaska;
WYK=West Yakutat District; SEO=Southeast Outside District; GW=Gulf-wide).
2 The total for the W/C/WYK Regulatory Areas pollock ABC is 161,080 mt. After deducting 2.5 percent (4,027 mt) of that ABC for the State’s
pollock GHL fishery, the remaining pollock ABC of 157,053 mt (for the W/C/WYK Regulatory Areas) is apportioned among four statistical areas
(Areas 610, 620, 630, and 640). These apportionments are considered subarea ACLs, rather than ABCs, for specification and reapportionment
purposes. The ACLs in Areas 610, 620, and 630 are further divided by season, as detailed in Table 4 (final 2024 seasonal biomass distribution
of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, area apportionments, and seasonal allowances). In the West Yakutat (Area 640) and
Southeast Outside (Area 650) Districts of the Eastern Regulatory Area, pollock is not divided into seasonal allowances.
3 The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned, after seasonal apportionment to the jig sector, as follows: 1) 63.84 percent to the A season and
36.16 percent to the B season and 2) 64.16 percent to the A season and 35.84 percent to the B season in the Western and Central Regulatory
Areas of the GOA, respectively. Pacific cod TAC in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA is allocated 90 percent to vessels harvesting Pacific
cod for processing by the inshore component and 10 percent to vessels harvesting Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component. Table
6 lists the final 2024 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments and sector allocations.
4 The sablefish OFL and ABC are set Alaska-wide (48,561 mt and 41,539 mt, respectively), and the Alaska-wide totals are included in the total
OFL and ABC in Table 2. Additionally, sablefish is allocated only to trawl gear for 2024. Table 8 lists the final 2024 allocation of sablefish TACs
to trawl gear.
5 ‘‘Shallow-water flatfish’’ means flatfish not including ‘‘deep-water flatfish,’’ flathead sole, rex sole, or arrowtooth flounder.
6 ‘‘Deep-water flatfish’’ means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, and deepsea sole.
7 ‘‘Pacific ocean perch’’ means Sebastes alutus.
8 ‘‘Northern rockfish’’ means Sebastes polyspinis. For management purposes, the 1 mt apportionment of ABC to the WYK District of the Eastern Gulf of Alaska has been included in the ‘‘other rockfish’’ species group.
9 ‘‘Shortraker rockfish’’ means Sebastes borealis.
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10 ‘‘Dusky
rockfish’’ means Sebastes variabilis.
and blackspotted rockfish’’ mean Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and S. melanostictus (blackspotted).
shelf rockfish’’ means Sebastes pinniger (canary), S. nebulosus (china), S. caurinus (copper), S. maliger (quillback), S.
helvomaculatus (rosethorn), S. nigrocinctus (tiger), and S. ruberrimus (yelloweye).
13 ‘‘Thornyhead rockfish’’ means Sebastolobus species.
14 ‘‘Other rockfish’’ means Sebastes aurora (aurora), S. melanostomus (blackgill), S. paucispinis (bocaccio), S. goodei (chilipepper), S. crameri
(darkblotch), S. elongatus (greenstriped), S. variegatus (harlequin), S. wilsoni (pygmy), S. babcocki (redbanded), S. proriger (redstripe), S.
zacentrus (sharpchin), S. jordani (shortbelly), S. brevispinis (silvergrey), S. diploproa (splitnose), S. saxicola (stripetail), S. miniatus (vermilion), S.
reedi (yellowmouth), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus (yellowtail). In the Eastern GOA only, ‘‘other rockfish’’ also includes northern rockfish,
S. polyspinis.
15 ‘‘Other rockfish’’ in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat District means other rockfish and demersal shelf
rockfish. The ‘‘other rockfish’’ species group in the SEO District only includes ‘‘other rockfish.’’
16 ‘‘Big skate’’ means Raja binoculata.
17 ‘‘Longnose skate’’ means Raja rhina.
18 ‘‘Other skates’’ mean Bathyraja and Raja spp.
11 ‘‘Rougheye
12 ‘‘Demersal
Apportionment of Reserves
Section 679.20(b)(2) requires NMFS to
set aside 20 percent of each TAC for
pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, sharks, and
octopuses in reserve for possible
apportionment at a later date during the
fishing year. For 2023 and 2024, NMFS
proposed reapportionment of all the
reserves in the proposed 2023 and 2024
harvest specifications published in the
Federal Register on December 2, 2022
(87 FR 74102). NMFS did not receive
any public comments on the proposed
reapportionments. For the final 2023
and 2024 harvest specifications, NMFS
reapportions, as proposed, all the
reserves for pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish,
sharks, and octopuses back to the
original TAC limit from which the
reserve was derived (§ 679.20(b)(3)).
This is being done because NMFS
expects, based on recent harvest
patterns, that such reserves are not
necessary or that the entire TAC for
each of these species will be caught. The
TACs listed in Tables 1 and 2 reflect
reapportionments of reserve amounts to
the original TAC limit for these species
and species groups, i.e., each final TAC
for the above-mentioned species or
species groups contains the full TAC
recommended by the Council.
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES2
Apportionments of Pollock TAC Among
Seasons and Regulatory Areas, and
Allocations for Processing by Inshore
and Offshore Components
In the GOA, pollock is apportioned by
season and area, and is further allocated
for processing by inshore and offshore
components. The pollock TACs in the
Western and Central Regulatory Areas of
the GOA are apportioned among
Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630.
These apportionments are divided into
two equal seasonal allowances of 50
percent to the A season (January 20
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through May 31) and 50 percent to the
B season (September 1 through
November 1) (§§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B) and
679.23(d)(2)).
Effective in 2021, regulatory changes
revised the number of GOA pollock
seasons to two seasons from four
seasons (85 FR 38093, June 25, 2020).
The GOA pollock stock assessment
continues to use a four-season
methodology to determine pollock
distribution in the Western and Central
Regulatory Areas of the GOA to
maintain continuity in the historical
pollock apportionment time-series.
Pollock TACs in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA are
apportioned among Statistical Areas
610, 620, and 630 in proportion to the
distribution of pollock biomass
determined by the most recent NMFS
surveys, pursuant to
§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A). The pollock
chapter of the 2022 SAFE report (see
ADDRESSES) contains a comprehensive
description of the apportionment and
reasons for the minor changes from past
apportionments. For purposes of
specifying pollock TAC between two
seasons for the Western and Central
Regulatory Areas of the GOA, NMFS has
summed the A and B season
apportionments and the C and D season
apportionments, using the four-season
methodology, as calculated in the 2022
GOA pollock assessment. This yields
the seasonal amounts specified for the A
season and the B season, respectively.
Within any fishing year, the amount
by which a pollock seasonal allowance
is underharvested or overharvested may
be added to, or subtracted from, the
subsequent seasonal allowance for the
Western and Central Regulatory Areas
in a manner to be determined by the
Regional Administrator
(§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The rollover
amount is limited to 20 percent of the
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subsequent seasonal TAC
apportionment for the statistical area.
Any unharvested pollock above the 20percent limit could be further
distributed to the other statistical areas,
in proportion to the estimated biomass
in the subsequent season in those
statistical areas and in an amount no
more than 20 percent of the seasonal
TAC apportionment in those statistical
areas (§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The pollock
TACs in the WYK and the SEO Districts
of 7,523 mt and 11,363 mt, respectively,
in 2023, and 8,136 mt and 11,363 mt,
respectively, in 2024, are not allocated
by season.
Tables 3 and 4 list the final 2023 and
2024 seasonal biomass distribution of
pollock in the Western and Central
Regulatory Areas, area apportionments,
and seasonal allowances. The amounts
of pollock for processing by the inshore
and offshore components are not shown.
Section 679.20(a)(6)(i) requires the
allocation of 100 percent of the pollock
TAC in all GOA regulatory areas and all
seasonal allowances to vessels catching
pollock for processing by the inshore
component after subtraction of pollock
amounts projected by the Regional
Administrator to be caught by, or
delivered to, the offshore component
incidental to directed fishing for other
groundfish species. Thus, the amount of
pollock available for harvest by vessels
harvesting pollock for processing by the
offshore component is that amount that
will be taken as incidental catch during
directed fishing for groundfish species
other than pollock, up to the maximum
retainable amounts allowed by
§ 679.20(e) and (f). At this time, these
incidental catch amounts of pollock are
unknown and will be determined
during the fishing year during the
course of fishing activities by the
offshore component.
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13247
TABLE 3—FINAL 2023 DISTRIBUTION OF POLLOCK IN THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL REGULATORY AREAS OF THE GULF OF
ALASKA; AREA APPORTIONMENTS; AND SEASONAL ALLOWANCES OF ANNUAL TAC
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton 1]
Shumigan
(Area 610)
Season 2
Chirikof
(Area 620)
Kodiak
(Area 630)
Total 3
A (January 20–May 31) ...................................................................................
B (September 1–November 1) ........................................................................
1,685
25,272
58,039
18,965
9,121
24,608
68,846
68,846
Annual Total .............................................................................................
26,958
77,005
33,729
137,691
1 Area
apportionments and seasonal allowances may not total precisely due to rounding.
established by § 679.23(d)(2), directed fishing for pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas is authorized only during the following two seasons: 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.
2 As
TABLE 4—FINAL 2024 DISTRIBUTION OF POLLOCK IN THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL REGULATORY AREAS OF THE GULF OF
ALASKA; AREA APPORTIONMENTS; AND SEASONAL ALLOWANCES OF ANNUAL TAC
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton 1]
Shumigan
(Area 610)
Season 2
Chirikof
(Area 620)
Kodiak
(Area 630)
Total 3
A (January 20–May 31) ...................................................................................
B (September 1–November 1) ........................................................................
1,823
27,333
62,771
20,511
9,864
26,614
74,459
74,459
Annual Total .............................................................................................
29,156
83,283
36,478
148,917
1 Area
apportionments and seasonal allowances may not total precisely due to rounding.
established by § 679.23(d)(2), directed fishing for pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas is authorized only during the following two seasons: 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.
2 As
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES2
Annual and Seasonal Apportionments
of Pacific Cod TAC
Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(12)(i), NMFS
seasonally allocates the 2023 and 2024
Pacific cod TACs in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA
among gear and operational sectors. In
the Western and Central Regulatory
Areas, a portion of the annual TAC is
apportioned to the A season for hookand-line, pot, and jig gear from January
1 through June 10, and for trawl gear
from January 20 through June 10, and a
portion of the annual TAC is
apportioned to the B season for jig gear
from June 10 through December 31, for
hook-and-line and pot gear from
September 1 through December 31, and
for trawl gear from September 1 through
November 1 (§§ 679.20(a)(12) and
679.23(d)(3)). NMFS also allocates the
Pacific cod TACs annually between the
inshore (90 percent) and offshore (10
percent) components in the Eastern
Regulatory Area of the GOA
(§ 679.20(a)(6)(ii)).
In the Central GOA, the Pacific cod
TAC is apportioned seasonally first to
vessels using jig gear, and then among
catcher vessels (CVs) less than 50 feet
(15.2 meters (m)) in length overall using
hook-and-line gear, CVs equal to or
greater than 50 feet (15.2 m) in length
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overall using hook-and-line gear,
catcher/processors (CPs) using hookand-line gear, CVs using trawl gear, CPs
using trawl gear, and vessels using pot
gear (§ 679.20(a)(12)(i)(B)). In the
Western GOA, the Pacific cod TAC is
apportioned seasonally first to vessels
using jig gear, and then among CVs
using hook-and-line gear, CPs using
hook-and-line gear, CVs using trawl
gear, CPs using trawl gear, and vessels
using pot gear (§ 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A)).
Excluding seasonal apportionments to
the jig sector, NMFS seasonally
apportions the remainder of the annual
Pacific cod TACs in the Western GOA
as 63.84 percent to the A season and
36.16 percent to the B season, and in the
Central GOA as 64.16 percent to the A
season and 35.84 percent to the B
season.
Under § 679.20(a)(12)(ii), any overage
or underage of the Pacific cod season
allowance from the A season may be
subtracted from, or added to, the
subsequent B season allowance. In
addition, any portion of the hook-andline, trawl, pot, or jig sector allocations
that is determined by NMFS as likely to
go unharvested by a sector may be
reallocated to other sectors for harvest
during the remainder of the fishing year.
Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A) and
(B), a portion of the annual Pacific cod
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TACs in the Western and Central GOA
will be allocated to vessels with a
Federal fisheries permit that use jig gear
before the TACs are apportioned among
other non-jig sectors. In accordance with
the FMP, the annual jig sector
allocations may increase to up to 6
percent of the annual Western and
Central GOA Pacific cod TACs,
depending on the annual performance
of the jig sector (see Table 1 of the
rulemaking to implement Amendment
83 to the FMP for a detailed discussion
of the jig sector allocation process (76
FR 74670, December 1, 2011)). Jig sector
allocation increases are established for a
minimum of 2 years.
NMFS has evaluated the historical
harvest performance of the jig sector in
the Western and Central GOA, and is
establishing the 2023 and 2024 Pacific
cod apportionments to this sector based
on its historical harvest performance
through 2022. NMFS did not evaluate
the 2020 performance of the jig sectors
in the Western and Central GOA. Since
NMFS prohibited directed fishing for all
Pacific cod sectors in 2020, the catch for
the jig sectors could not reach 90
percent of the annual allocation that is
required for a performance increase in
the following year’s allocation (87 FR
74102, December 2, 2022; 84 FR 70438,
December 23, 2019). For 2023 and 2024,
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 41 / Thursday, March 2, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
NMFS allocates the jig sector 2.5
percent of the annual Pacific cod TAC
in the Western GOA. The 2023 and 2024
allocations consist of a base allocation
of 1.5 percent of the Western GOA
Pacific cod TAC, and prior additional
performance increases of 1.0 percent.
For 2023 and 2024, NMFS allocates the
jig sector 1.0 percent of the annual
Pacific cod TAC in the Central GOA.
The 2023 and 2024 allocations consist
of a base allocation of 1.0 percent of the
Central GOA Pacific cod TAC, and no
additional performance increase in the
Central GOA.
For 2023 and 2024, NMFS is
apportioning the jig sector allocations
for the Western and Central GOA
between the A season (60 percent) and
the B season (40 percent), pursuant to
§ 679.20(a)(12)(i). This is the same jig
sector seasonal apportionment
implemented in prior groundfish
harvest specifications for the GOA and
is consistent with Amendment 83 to the
FMP (76 FR 44700, July 26, 2011).
Tables 5 and 6 list the seasonal
apportionments and allocations of the
2023 and 2024 Pacific cod TACs.
TABLE 5—FINAL 2023 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
Sector
percentage of
annual non-jig
TAC
B Season
Seasonal
allowances
(mt)
Sector
percentage of
annual non-jig
TAC
Seasonal
allowances
(mt)
Western GOA:
Jig (2.5% of TAC) .........................................................
Hook-and-line CV .........................................................
Hook-and-line CP .........................................................
Trawl CV .......................................................................
Trawl CP .......................................................................
All Pot CV and Pot CP .................................................
131
71
1,009
1,956
122
1,936
2.50
0.70
10.90
31.54
0.90
19.80
78
36
555
1,607
46
1,009
N/A
0.70
8.90
6.86
1.50
18.20
52
36
453
349
76
927
Total .......................................................................
5,225
63.84
3,331
36.16
1,894
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 .................................................
111
1,608
738
562
4,579
462
3,062
1.00
9.32
5.61
4.11
25.29
2.00
17.83
67
1,026
618
452
2,785
221
1,963
N/A
5.29
1.10
1.00
16.29
2.19
9.97
44
582
121
110
1,794
242
1,098
Total .......................................................................
11,123
64.16
7,131
35.84
3,991
Eastern GOA ........................................................................
........................
Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
1,755
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
1,580
176
1 Trawl catcher vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 424 mt, of the annual Central GOA TAC, which
is deducted from the Trawl CV B season allowance (see Table 12. Final 2023 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central
GOA and Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679).
TABLE 6—FINAL 2024 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)
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES2
Regulatory area and sector
Sector
percentage of
annual non-jig
TAC
B Season
Seasonal
allowances
(mt)
Sector
percentage of
annual non-jig
TAC
Seasonal
allowances
(mt)
Western GOA:
Jig (2.5% of TAC) .........................................................
Hook-and-line CV .........................................................
Hook-and-line CP .........................................................
Trawl CV .......................................................................
Trawl CP .......................................................................
All Pot CV and Pot CP .................................................
120
66
929
1,801
113
1,783
2.50
0.70
10.90
31.54
0.90
19.80
72
33
511
1,479
42
929
N/A
0.70
8.90
6.86
1.50
18.20
48
33
417
322
70
854
Total .......................................................................
4,811
63.84
3,067
36.16
1,744
Central GOA:
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E:\FR\FM\02MRR2.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 41 / Thursday, March 2, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 6—FINAL 2024 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—Continued
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
A Season
Annual
allocation
(mt)
Regulatory area and sector
Sector
percentage of
annual non-jig
TAC
B Season
Seasonal
allowances
(mt)
Sector
percentage of
annual non-jig
TAC
Seasonal
allowances
(mt)
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 .................................................
102
1,481
680
518
4,216
426
2,819
1.00
9.32
5.61
4.11
25.29
2.00
17.83
61
944
569
416
2,564
203
1,808
N/A
5.29
1.10
1.00
16.29
2.19
9.97
41
536
111
101
1,652
222
1,011
Total .......................................................................
10,241
64.16
6,566
35.84
3,675
Eastern GOA ........................................................................
........................
Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
1,616
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
1,455
162
1 Trawl
catcher vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 390 mt, of the annual Central GOA TAC, which
is deducted from the Trawl CV B season allowance (see Table 13. Final 2024 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central
GOA and Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679).
Allocations of the Sablefish TAC
Amounts to Vessels Using Fixed and
Trawl Gear
Section 679.20(a)(4)(i) and (ii) require
allocations of sablefish TACs for each of
the regulatory areas and districts to
fixed and trawl gear. In the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas, 80 percent of
each TAC is allocated to fixed gear, and
20 percent of each TAC is allocated to
trawl gear. In the Eastern Regulatory
Area, 95 percent of the TAC is allocated
to fixed gear, and 5 percent is allocated
to trawl gear. The trawl gear allocation
in the Eastern Regulatory Area may only
be used to support incidental catch of
sablefish using trawl gear while directed
fishing for other target species
(§ 679.20(a)(4)(i)).
In recognition of the prohibition
against trawl gear in the SEO District of
the Eastern Regulatory Area, the Council
recommended, and NMFS approves,
specifying for incidental catch the
allocation of 5 percent of the combined
Eastern Regulatory Area sablefish TAC
to trawl gear in the WYK District of the
Eastern Regulatory Area. The remainder
of the WYK District sablefish TAC is
allocated to vessels using fixed gear.
NMFS allocates 100 percent of the
sablefish TAC in the SEO District to
vessels using fixed gear. This action
results in 2023 allocations of 440 mt to
trawl gear and 2,765 mt to fixed gear in
the WYK District, a 2023 allocation of
5,602 mt to fixed gear in the SEO
District, and a 2024 allocation of 383 mt
to trawl gear in the WYK District. Table
7 lists the allocations of the 2023
sablefish TACs to fixed and trawl gear.
Table 8 lists the allocations of the 2024
sablefish TACs to trawl gear.
The Council recommended that a
trawl sablefish TAC be established for 2
years so that retention of incidental
catch of sablefish by trawl gear could
commence in January in the second year
of the groundfish harvest specifications.
Both the 2023 and 2024 trawl
allocations are specified in these final
harvest specifications in Tables 7 and 8,
respectively.
The Council also recommended that
the fixed gear sablefish TAC be
established annually to ensure that this
IFQ fishery is conducted concurrently
with the halibut IFQ fishery and is
based on the most recent survey
information. Since there is an annual
assessment for sablefish and since the
final harvest specifications are expected
to be published before the IFQ season
begins in March 2023, the Council
recommended that the fixed gear
sablefish TAC be set annually, rather
than for 2 years, so that the best
scientific information available could be
considered in establishing the sablefish
TACs. Accordingly, Table 7 lists the
2023 fixed gear allocations, and the
2024 fixed gear allocations will be
specified in the 2024 and 2025 harvest
specifications.
With the exception of the trawl
allocations that are provided to the
Rockfish Program (see Table 28c to 50
CFR part 679), directed fishing for
sablefish with trawl gear in the GOA is
closed during the fishing year. Also,
fishing for groundfish with trawl gear is
prohibited prior to January 20
(§ 679.23(c)). Therefore, it is not likely
that the sablefish allocation to trawl gear
will be reached before the effective date
of these final 2023 and 2024 harvest
specifications.
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES2
TABLE 7—FINAL 2023 SABLEFISH TAC AMOUNTS IN THE GULF OF ALASKA AND ALLOCATIONS TO FIXED AND TRAWL
GEAR
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Area/district
Western ........................................................................................................................................
Central 1 .......................................................................................................................................
West Yakutat 2 .............................................................................................................................
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Fixed gear
allocation
TAC
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E:\FR\FM\02MRR2.SGM
4,473
9,921
3,205
02MRR2
3,578
7,936
2,765
Trawl gear
allocation
895
1,985
440
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TABLE 7—FINAL 2023 SABLEFISH TAC AMOUNTS IN THE GULF OF ALASKA AND ALLOCATIONS TO FIXED AND TRAWL
GEAR—Continued
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Area/district
Fixed gear
allocation
TAC
Trawl gear
allocation
Southeast Outside .......................................................................................................................
5,602
5,602
0
Total ......................................................................................................................................
23,201
19,881
3,320
1 The
trawl allocation of sablefish in the Central Regulatory Area is further apportioned to the Rockfish Program cooperatives (1,021 mt). See
Table 12: Final 2023 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA. This results in 964 mt being available for the nonRockfish Program trawl fisheries.
2 The trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts) sablefish TAC as incidental catch to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.
TABLE 8—FINAL 2024 SABLEFISH TAC AMOUNTS IN THE GULF OF ALASKA AND ALLOCATIONS TO TRAWL GEAR 1
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Area/district
Fixed gear
allocation
TAC
Trawl gear
allocation
Western ........................................................................................................................................
Central 2 .......................................................................................................................................
West Yakutat 3 .............................................................................................................................
Southeast Outside .......................................................................................................................
4,626
8,819
2,669
4,981
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
925
1,764
383
0
Total ......................................................................................................................................
21,095
0
3,072
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES2
1 The Council recommended that the final 2024 harvest specifications for the fixed gear sablefish Individual Fishing Quota fisheries not be
specified in the final 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications. The final 2024 harvest specifications for fixed gear will be specified in the 2024 and
2025 harvest specifications.
2 The trawl allocation of sablefish in the Central Regulatory Area is further apportioned to the Rockfish Program cooperatives (907 mt). See
Table 13: Final 2024 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA. This results in 857 mt being available for the nonRockfish Program trawl fisheries.
3 The trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts) sablefish TAC as incidental catch to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.
Allocations, Apportionments, and
Sideboard Limits for the Rockfish
Program
These final 2023 and 2024 harvest
specifications for the GOA include the
fishery cooperative allocations and
sideboard limitations established by the
Rockfish Program. Rockfish Program
participants are primarily trawl CVs and
trawl CPs, with limited participation by
vessels using longline gear. The
Rockfish Program assigns quota share
and cooperative quota to participants for
primary species (Pacific ocean perch,
northern rockfish, and dusky rockfish)
and secondary species (Pacific cod,
rougheye and blackspotted rockfish,
sablefish, shortraker rockfish, and
thornyhead rockfish), allows a
participant holding a license limitation
program (LLP) license with rockfish
quota share to form a rockfish
cooperative with other persons, and
allows holders of CP LLP licenses to opt
out of the fishery. The Rockfish Program
also has an entry-level fishery for
rockfish primary species for vessels
using longline gear. Longline gear
includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and
handline gear.
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Under the Rockfish Program, rockfish
primary species in the Central GOA are
allocated to participants after deducting
for incidental catch needs in other
directed groundfish fisheries
(§ 679.81(a)(2)). Participants in the
Rockfish Program also receive a portion
of the Central GOA TAC of specific
secondary species. In addition to
groundfish species, the Rockfish
Program allocates a portion of the
halibut PSC limit (191 mt) from the
third season deep-water species fishery
allowance for the GOA trawl fisheries to
Rockfish Program participants
(§ 679.81(d) and Table 28d to 50 CFR
part 679). The Rockfish Program also
establishes sideboard limits to restrict
the ability of harvesters operating under
the Rockfish Program to increase their
participation in other, non-Rockfish
Program fisheries. These restrictions
and halibut PSC limits are discussed in
the Rockfish Program Groundfish
Sideboard and Halibut PSC Limitations
section of this rule.
Section 679.81(a)(2)(ii) and Table 28e
to 50 CFR part 679 require allocations
of 5 mt of Pacific ocean perch, 5 mt of
northern rockfish, and 50 mt of dusky
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rockfish to the entry-level longline
fishery in 2023 and 2024. The
allocations for the entry-level longline
fishery may increase incrementally each
year if the catch in the previous year
exceeds 90 percent of the allocation of
a species. The incremental increase in
the allocation would continue each year
until it reaches the maximum percent of
the TAC assigned to the Rockfish
Program for that species. In 2022, the
catch of Pacific ocean perch, northern
rockfish, and dusky rockfish did not
attain the 90 percent threshold, and the
final allocations for 2023 therefore
remain the same as the 2022 allocations.
The remainder of the TACs for the
rockfish primary species are allocated to
the CV and CP cooperatives
(§ 679.81(a)(2)(iii)). Table 9 lists the
allocations of the 2023 and 2024 TACs
for each rockfish primary species to the
entry-level longline fishery, the
potential incremental increases for
future years, and the maximum percent
of the TACs assigned to the Rockfish
Program that may be allocated to the
rockfish entry-level longline fishery.
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13251
TABLE 9—FINAL 2023 AND INITIAL 2024 ALLOCATIONS OF ROCKFISH PRIMARY SPECIES TO THE ENTRY LEVEL LONGLINE
FISHERY IN THE CENTRAL GULF OF ALASKA
Rockfish primary species
2023 and 2024 allocations
Incremental increase in 2024 if >90%
of 2023 allocation is harvested
Pacific ocean perch ..............................
Northern rockfish ...................................
Dusky rockfish .......................................
5 metric tons .........................................
5 metric tons .........................................
50 metric tons .......................................
5 metric tons .........................................
5 metric tons .........................................
20 metric tons .......................................
Section 679.81 requires allocations of
rockfish primary species among various
sectors of the Rockfish Program. Tables
10 and 11 list the final 2023 and 2024
allocations of rockfish primary species
in the Central GOA to the entry-level
longline fishery, and rockfish CV and
CP cooperatives in the Rockfish
Program. NMFS also is setting aside
incidental catch amounts (ICAs) for
other directed fisheries in the Central
GOA of 3,000 mt of Pacific ocean perch,
300 mt of northern rockfish, and 250 mt
of dusky rockfish. These amounts are
based on recent average incidental
catches of these species in the Central
GOA by other groundfish fisheries.
Allocations among vessels belonging
to CV or CP cooperatives are not
included in these final harvest
specifications. Rockfish Program
applications for CV cooperatives and CP
cooperatives are not due to NMFS until
March 1 of each calendar year;
therefore, NMFS cannot calculate 2023
and 2024 allocations in conjunction
Up to maximum
percent of TAC
1
2
5
with these final harvest specifications
(§ 679.81(f)). After receiving the
Rockfish Program applications, NMFS
will calculate the 2023 allocations for
CV and CP cooperatives, as set forth in
§ 679.81(b), (c), and (e); NMFS will post
the 2023 allocations on the Alaska
Region website at https://
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/
sustainable-fisheries/alaska-fisheriesmanagement-reports#central-goarockfish when they become available
after March 1, 2023.
TABLE 10—FINAL 2023 ALLOCATIONS OF ROCKFISH PRIMARY SPECIES IN THE CENTRAL GULF OF ALASKA TO THE ENTRY
LEVEL LONGLINE FISHERY AND ROCKFISH COOPERATIVES IN THE ROCKFISH PROGRAM
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Central GOA
annual TAC
Rockfish primary species
Incidental
catch
allowance
TAC minus
ICA
Allocation to
the entry level
longline 1
fishery
Allocation to
the Rockfish
cooperatives 2
Pacific ocean perch .............................................................
Northern rockfish ..................................................................
Dusky rockfish ......................................................................
29,940
2,350
7,647
3,000
300
250
26,940
2,050
7,397
5
5
50
26,935
2,045
7,347
Total ..............................................................................
39,937
3,550
36,387
60
36,327
1 Longline
2 Rockfish
gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear (50 CFR 679.2).
cooperatives include vessels in CV and CP cooperatives (50 CFR 679.81).
TABLE 11—FINAL 2024 ALLOCATIONS OF ROCKFISH PRIMARY SPECIES IN THE CENTRAL GULF OF ALASKA TO THE ENTRY
LEVEL LONGLINE FISHERY AND ROCKFISH COOPERATIVES IN THE ROCKFISH PROGRAM
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Central GOA
annual TAC
Rockfish primary species
Incidental
catch
allowance
TAC minus
ICA
Allocation to
the entry level
longline 1
fishery
Allocation to
the Rockfish
cooperatives 2
Pacific ocean perch .............................................................
Northern rockfish ..................................................................
Dusky rockfish ......................................................................
29,138
2,244
7,264
3,000
300
250
26,138
1,944
7,014
5
5
50
26,133
1,939
6,964
Total ..............................................................................
38,646
3,550
35,096
60
35,036
1 Longline
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES2
gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear (50 CFR 679.2).
2 Rockfish cooperatives include vessels in CV and CP cooperatives (50 CFR 679.81).
Section 679.81(c) and Table 28c to 50
CFR part 679 require allocations of
rockfish secondary species to CV and CP
cooperatives in the Central GOA. CV
cooperatives receive allocations of
Pacific cod, sablefish from the trawl gear
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allocation, and thornyhead rockfish. CP
cooperatives receive allocations of
sablefish from the trawl gear allocation,
rougheye and blackspotted rockfish,
shortraker rockfish, and thornyhead
rockfish. Tables 12 and 13 list the
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apportionments of the 2023 and 2024
TACs of rockfish secondary species in
the Central GOA to CV and CP
cooperatives.
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TABLE 12—FINAL 2023 APPORTIONMENTS OF ROCKFISH SECONDARY SPECIES IN THE CENTRAL GOA TO CATCHER
VESSEL AND CATCHER/PROCESSOR COOPERATIVES
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Catcher vessel cooperatives
Central GOA
annual TAC
Rockfish secondary species
Pacific cod ..................................................................
Sablefish ....................................................................
Shortraker rockfish .....................................................
Rougheye/blackspotted rockfish ................................
Thornyhead rockfish ..................................................
Percentage of
TAC
11,123
9,921
280
232
693
Catcher/processor cooperatives
Apportionment
(mt)
3.81
6.78
0.00
0.00
7.84
Percentage of
TAC
424
673
0
0
54
Apportionment
(mt)
0.00
3.51
40.00
58.87
26.50
0
348
112
137
184
TABLE 13—FINAL 2024 APPORTIONMENTS OF ROCKFISH SECONDARY SPECIES IN THE CENTRAL GOA TO CATCHER
VESSEL AND CATCHER/PROCESSOR COOPERATIVES
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Catcher vessel cooperatives
Central GOA
annual TAC
Rockfish secondary species
Pacific cod ..................................................................
Sablefish ....................................................................
Shortraker rockfish .....................................................
Rougheye/blackspotted rockfish ................................
Thornyhead rockfish ..................................................
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES2
Halibut PSC Limits
Section 679.21(d) establishes annual
halibut PSC limit apportionments to
trawl gear and hook-and-line gear, and
authorizes the establishment of
apportionments for pot gear. In
December 2022, the Council
recommended and NMFS approves
halibut PSC limits of 1,705 mt for trawl
gear, 257 mt for hook-and-line gear, and
9 mt for the demersal shelf (DSR)
rockfish fishery in the SEO District for
both 2023 and 2024, consistent with
§ 679.21.
The DSR fishery in the SEO District
is defined at § 679.21(d)(2)(ii)(A). This
fishery is apportioned 9 mt of the
halibut PSC limit in recognition of its
small-scale harvests of groundfish
(§ 679.21(d)(2)(i)(A)). The separate
halibut PSC limit for the DSR fishery is
intended to prevent that fishery from
being impacted from the halibut PSC
incurred by other GOA fisheries. NMFS
estimates low halibut bycatch in the
DSR fishery because: (1) the duration of
the DSR fishery and the gear soak times
are short; (2) the DSR fishery occurs in
the winter when there is less overlap in
the distribution of DSR and halibut;
and, (3) the directed commercial DSR
fishery has a low DSR TAC. The Alaska
Department of Fish and Game sets the
commercial GHL for the DSR fishery
after deducting estimates of DSR
incidental catch in all fisheries
(including halibut and subsistence) and
allocation to the sport DSR fishery. In
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Percentage of
TAC
10,241
8,819
280
231
693
Apportionment
(mt)
3.81
6.78
0.00
0.00
7.84
2022, the commercial fishery for DSR
was closed due to concerns about
declining DSR biomass.
The FMP authorizes the Council and
NMFS to exempt specific gear from the
halibut PSC limits. NMFS, after
consultation with the Council, exempts
pot gear, the sablefish IFQ fixed gear
fishery categories, and jig gear from the
non-trawl halibut PSC limit for 2023
and 2024. The Council recommended,
and NMFS approves, these exemptions
because: (1) the pot gear fisheries have
low annual halibut bycatch mortality;
(2) IFQ program regulations prohibit
discard of halibut if any halibut IFQ
permit holder on board a catcher vessel
holds unused halibut IFQ for that vessel
category and the IFQ regulatory area in
which the vessel is operating
(§ 679.7(f)(11)); (3) some sablefish IFQ
fishermen hold halibut IFQ permits and
are therefore required to retain the
halibut they catch while fishing
sablefish IFQ; and (4) NMFS estimates
negligible halibut mortality for the jig
gear fisheries given the small amount of
groundfish harvested by jig gear, the
selective nature of jig gear, and the high
survival rates of halibut caught and
released with jig gear.
The best available information on
estimated halibut bycatch consists of
data collected by fisheries observers
during 2022. The calculated halibut
bycatch mortality through December 31,
2022, is 355 mt for trawl gear and 43 mt
for hook-and-line gear for a total halibut
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Catcher/processor cooperatives
Percentage of
TAC
390
598
0
0
54
0.00
3.51
40.00
58.87
26.50
Apportionment
(mt)
0
310
112
136
184
mortality of 398 mt. This halibut
mortality was calculated using
groundfish and halibut catch data from
the NMFS Alaska Region’s catch
accounting system. This accounting
system contains historical and recent
catch information compiled from each
Alaska groundfish fishery.
Section 679.21(d)(4)(i) and (ii)
authorize NMFS to seasonally apportion
the halibut PSC limits after consultation
with the Council. The FMP and
regulations require that the Council and
NMFS consider the following
information in seasonally apportioning
halibut PSC limits: (1) seasonal
distribution of halibut; (2) seasonal
distribution of target groundfish species
relative to halibut distribution; (3)
expected halibut bycatch needs on a
seasonal basis relative to changes in
halibut biomass and expected catch of
target groundfish species; (4) expected
bycatch rates on a seasonal basis; (5)
expected changes in directed groundfish
fishing seasons; (6) expected actual start
of fishing effort; and (7) economic
effects of establishing seasonal halibut
allocations on segments of the target
groundfish industry. The Council
considered information from the 2022
SAFE report, NMFS catch data, State of
Alaska catch data, International Pacific
Halibut Commission (IPHC) stock
assessment and mortality data, and
public testimony when apportioning the
halibut PSC limits. NMFS concurs with
the Council’s recommendations listed in
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Table 14, which shows the final 2023
and 2024 Pacific halibut PSC limits,
allowances, and apportionments.
Section 679.21(d)(4)(iii) and (iv)
specify that any unused amounts, or
overages, of a seasonal apportionment of
a halibut PSC limit will be added to, or
deducted from, the next respective
seasonal apportionment within the
fishing year.
TABLE 14—FINAL 2023 AND 2024 PACIFIC HALIBUT PROHIBITED SPECIES CATCH (PSC) LIMITS, ALLOWANCES, AND
APPORTIONMENTS
[Values are in metric tons]
Hook-and-line gear 1
Trawl gear
Other than DSR
Season
Percent
DSR
Amount
Season
Percent
Amount
Season
Amount
January 20–April 1 ................
April 1–July 1 .........................
July 1–August 1 ....................
August 1–October 1 ..............
October 1–December 31 .......
30.5
20.0
27.0
7.5
15.0
519
341
462
128
256
January 1–June 10 ..............
June 10–September 1 .........
September 1–December 31
86
2
12
221
5
31
January 1–December 31 .....
9
Total ...............................
..............
1,705
..............................................
..............
257
..............................................
9
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
1 The Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limit for hook-and-line gear is allocated to the DSR fishery in the SEO District and to the
hook-and-line fisheries other than the DSR fishery. The fixed gear sablefish IFQ fishery is exempt from halibut PSC limits, as are pot and jig gear
for all groundfish fisheries.
Section 679.21(d)(3)(ii) authorizes
further apportionment of the trawl
halibut PSC limit to trawl fishery
categories listed in § 679.21(d)(3)(iii).
The annual apportionments are based
on each category’s proportional share of
the anticipated halibut bycatch
mortality during the fishing year and
optimization of the total amount of
groundfish harvest under the halibut
PSC limit. The fishery categories for the
trawl halibut PSC limits are: (1) a deepwater species fishery, composed of
sablefish, rockfish, deep-water flatfish,
rex sole, and arrowtooth flounder; and
(2) a shallow-water species fishery,
composed of pollock, Pacific cod,
shallow-water flatfish, flathead sole,
Atka mackerel, and ‘‘other species’’
(sharks and octopuses)
(§ 679.21(d)(3)(iii)). Halibut mortality
incurred while directed fishing for
skates with trawl gear accrues towards
the shallow-water species fishery
halibut PSC limit (69 FR 26320, May 12,
2004).
NMFS will combine available trawl
halibut PSC limit apportionments
during a portion of the second season
deep-water and shallow-water species
fisheries for use in either fishery from
May 15 through June 30
(§ 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(D)). This is intended
to maintain groundfish harvest while
minimizing halibut bycatch by these
sectors to the extent practicable. This
provides the deep-water and shallowwater species trawl fisheries additional
flexibility and the incentive to
participate in fisheries at times of the
year that may have lower halibut PSC
rates relative to other times of the year.
Table 15 lists the final 2023 and 2024
apportionments of trawl halibut PSC
limits between the trawl gear deepwater and shallow-water species fishery
categories.
Table 28d to 50 CFR part 679 specifies
the amount of the trawl halibut PSC
limit that is assigned to the CV and CP
sectors that are participating in the
Rockfish Program. This includes 117 mt
of halibut PSC limit to the CV sector and
74 mt of halibut PSC limit to the CP
sector. These amounts are allocated
from the trawl deep-water species
fishery’s halibut PSC third seasonal
apportionment. After the combined CV
and CP halibut PSC limit allocation of
191 mt to the Rockfish Program, 150 mt
remains for the trawl deep-water species
fishery’s halibut PSC third seasonal
apportionment.
Section 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(B) limits the
amount of the halibut PSC limit
allocated to Rockfish Program
participants that could be reapportioned to the last seasonal
apportionment for the general GOA
trawl fisheries during the current fishing
year to no more than 55 percent of the
unused annual halibut PSC limit
apportioned to Rockfish Program
participants. The remainder of the
unused Rockfish Program halibut PSC
limit is unavailable for use by any
person for the remainder of the fishing
year (§ 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(C)).
TABLE 15—FINAL 2023 AND 2024 APPORTIONMENT OF PACIFIC HALIBUT PROHIBITED SPECIES CATCH LIMITS BETWEEN
THE TRAWL GEAR DEEP-WATER SPECIES FISHERY AND THE SHALLOW-WATER SPECIES FISHERY CATEGORIES
[Values are in metric tons]
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES2
Season
Shallow-water
Deep-water 1
Total
January 20–April 1 .....................................................................................................
April 1–July 1 .............................................................................................................
July 1–August 1 .........................................................................................................
August 1–October 1 ...................................................................................................
384
85
121
53
135
256
341
75
519
341
462
128
Subtotal January 20–October 1 .........................................................................
643
807
1,450
October 1–December 31 2 .........................................................................................
..............................
..............................
256
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TABLE 15—FINAL 2023 AND 2024 APPORTIONMENT OF PACIFIC HALIBUT PROHIBITED SPECIES CATCH LIMITS BETWEEN
THE TRAWL GEAR DEEP-WATER SPECIES FISHERY AND THE SHALLOW-WATER SPECIES FISHERY CATEGORIES—Continued
[Values are in metric tons]
Shallow-water
Deep-water 1
..............................
..............................
Season
Total ....................................................................................................................
Total
1,705
1 Vessels
participating in cooperatives in the Central GOA Rockfish Program will receive 191 mt of the third season (July 1 through August 1)
deep-water species fishery halibut PSC apportionment.
2 There is no apportionment between trawl shallow-water and deep-water species fishery categories during the fifth season (October 1 through
December 31).
Section 679.21(d)(2)(i)(B) requires that
the ‘‘other hook-and-line fishery’’
halibut PSC limit apportionment to
vessels using hook-and-line gear must
be apportioned between CVs and CPs in
accordance with § 679.21(d)(2)(iii) in
conjunction with these harvest
specifications. A comprehensive
description and example of the
calculations necessary to apportion the
‘‘other hook-and-line fishery’’ halibut
PSC limit between the hook-and-line CV
and CP sectors were included in the
proposed rule to implement
Amendment 83 to the FMP (76 FR
44700, July 26, 2011) and are not
repeated here.
Pursuant to § 679.21(d)(2)(iii), the
hook-and-line halibut PSC limit for the
‘‘other hook-and-line fishery’’ is
apportioned between the CV and CP
sectors in proportion to the total
Western and Central GOA Pacific cod
allocations, which vary annually based
on the proportion of the Pacific cod
biomass between the Western, Central,
and Eastern GOA. Pacific cod is
apportioned among these three
management areas based on the
percentage of overall biomass per area,
as calculated in the 2022 Pacific cod
stock assessment. Updated information
in the final 2022 SAFE report describes
this distributional calculation, which
allocates ABC among GOA regulatory
areas on the basis of the three most
recent stock surveys. For 2023 and 2024,
the distribution of the total GOA Pacific
cod ABC is 29 percent to the Western
GOA, 61 percent to the Central GOA,
and 10 percent to the Eastern GOA.
Therefore, the calculations made in
accordance with § 679.21(d)(2)(iii)
incorporate the most recent information
on GOA Pacific cod distribution and
allocations with respect to establishing
the annual halibut PSC limits for the CV
and CP hook-and-line sectors of the
‘‘other hook-and-line fishery.’’
Additionally, the annual halibut PSC
limits for both the CV and CP sectors of
the ‘‘other hook-and-line fishery’’ are
divided into three seasonal
apportionments, using seasonal
percentages of 86 percent, 2 percent,
and 12 percent.
For 2023 and 2024, NMFS apportions
halibut PSC limits of 150 mt and 107 mt
to the hook-and-line CV and hook-andline CP sectors, respectively. Table 16
lists the final 2023 and 2024
apportionments of halibut PSC limits
between the hook-and-line CV and the
hook-and-line CP sectors of the ‘‘other
hook-and-line fishery.’’
No later than November 1 of each
year, NMFS will calculate the projected
unused amount of halibut PSC limit by
either of the CV or CP hook-and-line
sectors that comprise the two sectors of
the ‘‘other hook-and-line fishery’’ for the
remainder of the year. The projected
unused amount of halibut PSC limit is
made available to the other sector for
the remainder of that fishing year
(§ 679.21(d)(2)(iii)(C)), if NMFS
determines that an additional amount of
halibut PSC is necessary for that sector
to continue its directed fishing
operations.
TABLE 16—FINAL 2023 AND 2024 APPORTIONMENTS OF THE ‘‘OTHER HOOK-AND-LINE FISHERY’’ ANNUAL HALIBUT PROHIBITED SPECIES CATCH ALLOWANCE BETWEEN THE HOOK-AND-LINE GEAR CATCHER VESSEL AND CATCHER/PROCESSOR SECTORS
[Values are in metric tons]
‘‘Other than DSR’’
allowance
Hook-and-line sector
257 ......................
Catcher Vessel ...................
150
Catcher/Processor ..............
107
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES2
Estimates of Halibut Biomass and Stock
Condition
The IPHC annually assesses the
abundance and potential yield of the
Pacific halibut stock using all available
data from the commercial and sport
fisheries, other removals, and scientific
surveys. Additional information on the
Pacific halibut stock assessment may be
found in the IPHC’s 2022 Pacific halibut
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Sector annual
amount
January 1–June 10 ....................................
June 10–September 1 ...............................
September 1–December 31 ......................
January 1–June 10 ....................................
June 10–September 1 ...............................
September 1–December 31 ......................
stock assessment (December 2022),
available on the IPHC website at https://
www.iphc.int. The IPHC considered the
2022 Pacific halibut stock assessment at
its January 2023 annual meeting when
it set the 2023 commercial halibut
fishery catch limits.
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Seasonal
percentage
Season
Fmt 4701
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Sector
seasonal
amount
86
2
12
86
2
12
129
3
18
92
2
13
Halibut Discard Mortality Rates
To monitor halibut bycatch mortality
allowances and apportionments, the
Regional Administrator uses observed
halibut incidental catch rates, halibut
discard mortality rates (DMRs), and
estimates of groundfish catch to project
when a fishery’s halibut bycatch
mortality allowance or seasonal
apportionment is reached. Halibut
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incidental catch rates are based on
observed estimates of halibut incidental
catch in the groundfish fishery. DMRs
are estimates of the proportion of
incidentally caught halibut that do not
survive after being returned to the sea.
The cumulative halibut mortality that
accrues to a particular halibut PSC limit
is the product of a DMR multiplied by
the estimated halibut PSC. DMRs are
estimated using the best scientific
information available in conjunction
with the annual GOA stock assessment
process. The DMR methodology and
findings are included as an appendix to
the annual GOA groundfish SAFE
report.
In 2016, the DMR estimation
methodology underwent revisions per
the Council’s directive. An interagency
halibut working group (IPHC, Council,
and NMFS staff) developed improved
estimation methods that have
undergone review by the GOA Plan
Team, SSC, and the Council. A
summary of the revised methodology is
contained in the GOA proposed 2017
and 2018 harvest specifications (81 FR
87881, December 6, 2016), and the
comprehensive discussion of the
working group’s statistical methodology
is available from the Council (see
ADDRESSES). The DMR working group’s
revised methodology is intended to
improve estimation accuracy,
transparency, and transferability in the
methodology used for calculating DMRs.
The working group will continue to
consider improvements to the
methodology used to calculate halibut
mortality, including potential changes
to the reference period (the period of
data used for calculating the DMRs).
The new methodology continues to
13255
ensure that NMFS is using DMRs that
accurately reflect halibut mortality,
which will inform the sectors of their
estimated halibut mortality and allow
sectors to respond with methods that
could reduce mortality and, eventually,
the DMR for that sector.
At the December 2022 meeting, the
SSC, AP, and the Council concurred
with the revised DMR estimation
methodology, and NMFS adopts for
2023 and 2024 the DMRs calculated
under the revised methodology, which
uses an updated 2-year reference period.
The final 2023 and 2024 DMRs in this
rule are unchanged from the DMRs in
the proposed 2023 and 2024 harvest
specifications (87 FR 74102, December
2, 2022). Table 17 lists these final 2023
and 2024 DMRs.
TABLE 17—FINAL 2023 AND 2024 HALIBUT DISCARD MORTALITY RATES FOR VESSELS FISHING IN THE GULF OF ALASKA
[Values are percent of halibut assumed to be dead]
Gear
Sector
Groundfish fishery
Pelagic trawl ............................................
Catcher vessel .........................................
Catcher/processor ...................................
Catcher vessel .........................................
Catcher vessel .........................................
Mothership and catcher/processor ..........
Catcher/processor ...................................
Catcher vessel .........................................
Catcher vessel and catcher/processor ....
All .............................................................
All .............................................................
Rockfish Program ....................................
All others .................................................
All .............................................................
All .............................................................
All .............................................................
All .............................................................
Non-pelagic trawl .....................................
Hook-and-line ..........................................
Pot ...........................................................
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES2
Chinook Salmon Prohibited Species
Catch Limits
Amendment 93 to the FMP (77 FR
42629, July 20, 2012) established
separate Chinook salmon PSC limits in
the Western and Central GOA in the
directed pollock trawl fishery. NMFS is
required to close the directed pollock
fishery in the Western and Central
Regulatory Areas of the GOA if the
applicable Chinook salmon PSC limit in
that regulatory area will be reached
(§ 679.21(h)(8)). The annual Chinook
salmon PSC limits in the directed
pollock fishery of 6,684 salmon in the
Western GOA and 18,316 salmon in the
Central GOA are set at § 679.21(h)(2).
Amendment 97 to the FMP (79 FR
71350, December 2, 2014) established an
initial annual PSC limit of 7,500
Chinook salmon for the trawl nonpollock groundfish fisheries in the
Western and Central GOA. This limit is
apportioned among the three sectors
that conduct directed fishing for
groundfish species other than pollock:
3,600 Chinook salmon to trawl CPs;
1,200 Chinook salmon to trawl CVs
participating in the Rockfish Program;
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:47 Mar 01, 2023
Jkt 259001
and 2,700 Chinook salmon to trawl CVs
not participating in the Rockfish
Program (§ 679.21(h)(4)). NMFS will
monitor the Chinook salmon PSC in the
trawl non-pollock groundfish fisheries
and close an applicable sector if it will
reach its Chinook salmon PSC limit.
The Chinook salmon PSC limit for
two sectors, trawl CPs and trawl CVs not
participating in the Rockfish Program,
may be increased in subsequent years
based on the performance of these two
sectors and their ability to minimize
their use of their respective Chinook
salmon PSC limits during a calendar
year. If either or both of these two
sectors limited its use of Chinook
salmon PSC to a specified threshold
amount in 2022 (3,120 for trawl CPs and
2,340 for Non-Rockfish Program trawl
CVs), that sector will receive an
incremental increase to its 2023
Chinook salmon PSC limit
(§ 679.21(h)(4)). In 2022, the trawl CP
sector did not exceed 3,120 Chinook
salmon PSC; therefore, the 2023 trawl
CP sector Chinook salmon PSC limit
will be 4,080 Chinook salmon. In 2022,
the Non-Rockfish Program trawl CV
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
Halibut discard
mortality rate
(percent)
100
100
55
74
83
13
9
27
sector did not exceed 2,340 Chinook
salmon PSC; therefore, the 2023 NonRockfish Program trawl CV sector
Chinook salmon PSC limit will be 3,060
Chinook salmon.
American Fisheries Act (AFA) Catcher/
Processor and Catcher Vessel
Groundfish Harvest Limits
Section 679.64 establishes groundfish
harvesting and processing sideboard
limitations on AFA CPs and CVs in the
GOA. These sideboard limits are
necessary to protect the interests of
fishermen and processors who do not
directly benefit from the AFA as
compared to those fishermen and
processors who receive exclusive
harvesting and processing privileges
under the AFA. Section 679.7(k)(1)(ii)
prohibits listed AFA CPs and CPs
designated on a listed AFA CP permit
from harvesting any species of
groundfish in the GOA. Additionally,
§ 679.7(k)(1)(iv) prohibits listed AFA
CPs and CPs designated on a listed AFA
CP permit from processing any pollock
harvested in a directed pollock fishery
in the GOA and any groundfish
E:\FR\FM\02MRR2.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 41 / Thursday, March 2, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
harvested in Statistical Area 630 of the
GOA.
AFA CVs that are less than 125 feet
(38.1 m) length overall, have annual
landings of pollock in the Bering Sea
and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) less than
5,100 mt, and have made at least 40
GOA groundfish landings from 1995
through 1997 are exempt from GOA CV
groundfish sideboard limits under
§ 679.64(b)(2)(ii). Sideboard limits for
non-exempt AFA CVs in the GOA are
based on their traditional harvest levels
of TAC in groundfish fisheries covered
by the FMP. Section 679.64(b)(3)(iv)
establishes the CV groundfish sideboard
limitations in the GOA based on the
aggregate retained catch of non-exempt
AFA CVs of each sideboard species or
species group from 1995 through 1997
divided by the sum of the TACs for that
species or species group available to
CVs over the same period. NMFS
published a final rule (84 FR 2723,
February 8, 2019) that implemented
regulations to prohibit non-exempt AFA
CVs from directed fishing for specific
groundfish species or species groups
subject to sideboard limits
(§ 679.20(d)(1)(iv)(D) and Table 56 to 50
CFR part 679). Sideboard limits not
subject to the final rule (84 FR 2723,
February 8, 2019) continue to be
calculated and included in the GOA
annual harvest specifications.
Tables 18 and 19 list the final 2023
and 2024 groundfish sideboard limits
for non-exempt AFA CVs. NMFS will
deduct all targeted or incidental catch of
sideboard species made by non-exempt
AFA CVs from the sideboard limits
listed in Tables 18 and 19.
TABLE 18—FINAL 2023 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV) GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD
LIMITS
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Species
Apportionments by season
Area
Pollock ................................
A Season January 20–May 31 ...............
Shumagin (610) .....
Chirikof (620) .........
Kodiak (630) ...........
Shumagin (610) .....
Chirikof (620) .........
Kodiak (630) ...........
WYK (640) .............
SEO (650) ..............
W ............................
C .............................
W ............................
C .............................
W ............................
C .............................
C .............................
E .............................
C .............................
C .............................
C .............................
C .............................
E .............................
C .............................
B Season September 1–November 1 ....
Annual .....................................................
Pacific cod ..........................
A Season 1 January 1–June 10 ..............
B Season 2 September 1–December 31
Flatfish, shallow-water .......
Annual .....................................................
Flatfish, deep-water ...........
Annual .....................................................
Rex sole .............................
Arrowtooth flounder ............
Flathead sole .....................
Pacific ocean Perch ...........
Annual
Annual
Annual
Annual
Northern rockfish ................
Annual .....................................................
.....................................................
.....................................................
.....................................................
.....................................................
Ratio of
1995–1997
non-exempt
AFA CV
catch to
1995–1997
TAC
0.6047
0.1167
0.2028
0.6047
0.1167
0.2028
0.3495
0.3495
0.1331
0.0692
0.1331
0.0692
0.0156
0.0587
0.0647
0.0128
0.0384
0.0280
0.0213
0.0748
0.0466
0.0277
Final 2023
TACs 3
1,685
58,039
9,121
25,272
18,965
24,608
7,523
11,363
3,331
7,131
1,894
3,991
13,250
26,769
2,105
3,455
13,110
65,000
21,487
29,940
4,724
2,350
Final 2023
non-exempt
AFA CV
sideboard limit
1,019
6,773
1,850
15,282
2,213
4,990
2,629
3,971
443
493
252
276
207
1,571
136
44
503
1,820
458
2,240
220
65
1 The
Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
2 The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
3 The Western and Central GOA and WYK District area apportionments of pollock are considered ACLs.
TABLE 19—FINAL 2024 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV) GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD
LIMITS
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES2
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Species
Apportionments by season
Area
Pollock ................................
A Season January 20–May 31 ...............
Shumagin (610) .....
Chirikof (620) .........
Kodiak (630) ...........
Shumagin (610) .....
Chirikof (620) .........
Kodiak (630) ...........
WYK (640) .............
SEO (650) ..............
W ............................
B Season September 1–November 1 ....
Annual .....................................................
Pacific cod ..........................
VerDate Sep<11>2014
A Season 1 January 1–June 10 ..............
19:47 Mar 01, 2023
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PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
Ratio of
1995–1997
non-exempt
AFA CV
catch to
1995–1997
TAC
0.6047
0.1167
0.2028
0.6047
0.1167
0.2028
0.3495
0.3495
0.1331
E:\FR\FM\02MRR2.SGM
02MRR2
Final 2024
TACs 3
1,823
62,771
9,864
27,333
20,511
26,614
8,136
11,363
3,067
Final 2024
non-exempt
AFA CV
sideboard limit
1,102
7,325
2,000
16,528
2,394
5,397
2,844
3,971
408
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 41 / Thursday, March 2, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 19—FINAL 2024 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV) GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD
LIMITS—Continued
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Species
Apportionments by season
Area
B Season 2 September 1–December 31
Flatfish, shallow-water .......
Annual .....................................................
Flatfish, deep-water ...........
Annual .....................................................
Rex sole .............................
Arrowtooth flounder ............
Flathead sole .....................
Pacific ocean perch ...........
Annual
Annual
Annual
Annual
Northern rockfish ................
Annual .....................................................
1 The
2 The
3 The
Ratio of
1995–1997
non-exempt
AFA CV
catch to
1995–1997
TAC
.....................................................
.....................................................
.....................................................
.....................................................
C .............................
W ............................
C .............................
W ............................
C .............................
C .............................
E .............................
C .............................
C .............................
C .............................
C .............................
E .............................
C .............................
Final 2024
non-exempt
AFA CV
sideboard limit
Final 2024
TACs 3
0.0692
0.1331
0.0692
0.0156
0.0587
0.0647
0.0128
0.0384
0.0280
0.0213
0.0748
0.0466
0.0277
6,566
1,744
3,675
13,250
27,737
2,068
3,396
13,425
64,200
21,892
29,138
4,597
2,244
454
232
254
207
1,628
134
43
516
1,798
466
2,180
214
62
Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
Western and Central GOA and WYK District area apportionments of pollock are considered ACLs.
Non-Exempt AFA Catcher Vessel
Halibut PSC Limits
The halibut PSC sideboard limits for
non-exempt AFA CVs in the GOA are
based on the aggregate retained
groundfish catch by non-exempt AFA
CVs in each PSC target category from
1995 through 1997 divided by the
retained catch of all vessels in that
fishery from 1995 through 1997
(§ 679.64(b)(4)(ii)). Table 20 lists the
final 2023 and 2024 non-exempt AFA
CV halibut PSC sideboard limits for
vessels using trawl gear in the GOA.
TABLE 20—FINAL 2023 AND 2024 NON-EXEMPT AFA CV HALIBUT PROHIBITED SPECIES CATCH (PSC) SIDEBOARD
LIMITS FOR VESSELS USING TRAWL GEAR IN THE GOA
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
Ratio of
1995–1997
non-exempt
AFA CV
retained catch
to total
retained catch
2023 and
2024 halibut
PSC limit
Season
Season dates
Target fishery
1 ........................................
January 20–April 1 ...........
2 ........................................
April 1–July 1 ...................
3 ........................................
July 1–August 1 ...............
4 ........................................
August 1–October 1 .........
5 ........................................
October 1–December 31
shallow-water ..............................
deep-water ..................................
shallow-water ..............................
deep-water ..................................
shallow-water ..............................
deep-water ..................................
shallow-water ..............................
deep-water ..................................
all targets ....................................
0.340
0.070
0.340
0.070
0.340
0.070
0.340
0.070
0.205
384
135
85
256
121
341
53
75
256
131
9
29
18
41
24
18
5
52
Total shallow-water ....................
........................
........................
............................
Total deep-water ........................
........................
........................
56
1,705
328
Annual .............................................................................
Total, all season and categories
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES2
2023 and 2024
non-exempt
AFA CV
halibut PSC
limit
Non-AFA Crab Vessel Groundfish
Harvest Limitations
Section 680.22 establishes groundfish
catch limits for vessels with a history of
participation in the Bering Sea snow
crab fishery to prevent these vessels
from using the increased flexibility
provided by the Crab Rationalization
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19:47 Mar 01, 2023
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(CR) Program to expand their level of
participation in the GOA groundfish
fisheries. Sideboard limits restrict these
vessels’ catch to their collective
historical landings in each GOA
groundfish fishery (except the fixed-gear
sablefish fishery). Sideboard limits also
apply to catch made using an LLP
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
license derived from the history of a
restricted vessel, even if that LLP
license is used on another vessel.
The basis for these sideboard limits is
described in detail in the final rules
implementing the major provisions of
the CR Program, including Amendments
18 and 19 to the Fishery Management
E:\FR\FM\02MRR2.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 41 / Thursday, March 2, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands
King and Tanner Crabs (Crab FMP) (70
FR 10174, March 2, 2005), Amendment
34 to the Crab FMP (76 FR 35772, June
20, 2011), Amendment 83 to the GOA
FMP (76 FR 74670, December 1, 2011),
and Amendment 45 to the Crab FMP (80
FR 28539, May 19, 2015).
NMFS published a final rule (84 FR
2723, February 8, 2019) that
implemented regulations to prohibit
non-AFA crab vessels from directed
fishing for all groundfish species or
species groups subject to sideboard
limits, except for Pacific cod
apportioned to CVs using pot gear in the
Western and Central Regulatory Areas
(§ 680.22(e)(1)(iii)). Accordingly, the
GOA annual harvest specifications will
include the non-AFA crab vessel
groundfish sideboard limits for only
Pacific cod apportioned to CVs using
pot gear in the Western and Central
Regulatory Areas.
Tables 21 and 22 list the final 2023
and 2024 groundfish sideboard
limitations for non-AFA crab vessels.
All targeted or incidental catch of
sideboard species made by non-AFA
crab vessels or associated LLP licenses
will be deducted from these sideboard
limits.
TABLE 21—FINAL 2023 GOA NON-AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD LIMITS
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Species
Season
Area/gear
Pacific cod ............
A Season January 1–June 10 .............
Western Pot CV ...
Central Pot CV .....
Western Pot CV ...
Central Pot CV .....
B Season September 1–December 31
Ratio of 1996–
2000 non-AFA
crab vessel catch
to 1996–2000 total
harvest
Final 2023 TACs
0.0997
0.0474
0.0997
0.0474
Final 2023 nonAFA crab vessel
sideboard limit
3,331
7,131
1,894
3,991
332
338
189
189
TABLE 22—FINAL 2024 GOA NON-AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD LIMITS
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Species
Season
Area/gear
Pacific cod ............
A Season January 1–June 10 .............
Western Pot CV ...
Central Pot CV .....
Western Pot CV ...
Central Pot CV .....
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES2
B Season September 1–December 31
Rockfish Program Groundfish Sideboard
and Halibut PSC Limitations
The Rockfish Program establishes
three classes of sideboard provisions:
CV groundfish sideboard restrictions,
CP rockfish sideboard restrictions, and
CP opt-out vessel sideboard restrictions
(§ 679.82(c)(1)). These sideboards are
intended to limit the ability of rockfish
harvesters to expand into other GOA
groundfish fisheries.
CVs participating in the Rockfish
Program may not participate in directed
fishing for dusky rockfish, Pacific ocean
perch, and northern rockfish in the West
Yakutat District and Western GOA from
July 1 through July 31. Also, CVs may
not participate in directed fishing for
arrowtooth flounder, deep-water
flatfish, and rex sole in the GOA from
July 1 through July 31 (§ 679.82(d)).
CPs participating in Rockfish Program
cooperatives are restricted by rockfish
and halibut PSC sideboard limits. These
CPs are prohibited from directed fishing
for dusky rockfish, Pacific ocean perch,
and northern rockfish in the West
Yakutat District and Western GOA from
July 1 through July 31 (§ 679.82(e)(2)).
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:47 Mar 01, 2023
Jkt 259001
Ratio of 1996–
2000 non-AFA
crab vessel catch
to 1996–2000 total
harvest
0.0997
0.0474
0.0997
0.0474
Prior to 2021, CPs participating in
Rockfish Program cooperatives were
restricted by rockfish sideboard limits in
the Western GOA. A final rule that
implemented Amendment 111 to the
FMP (86 FR 11895, March 1, 2021)
removed from regulation the Western
GOA rockfish sideboard limits for
Rockfish Program CPs. That rule also
revised and clarified the establishment
of the West Yakutat District rockfish
sideboard ratios in regulation. 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 dusky rockfish and
Pacific ocean perch (§ 679.82(e)(4)).
These percentages are confidential.
Holders of CP-designated LLP licenses
that opt out of participating in a
Rockfish Program cooperative will be
able to access that portion of each
rockfish sideboard limit that is not
assigned to rockfish cooperatives
(§ 679.82(e)(7)).
Under the Rockfish Program, the CP
sector is subject to halibut PSC
sideboard limits for the trawl deep-
PO 00000
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Fmt 4701
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Final 2024 TACs
3,067
6,566
1,744
3,675
Final 2024 nonAFA crab vessel
sideboard limit
306
311
174
174
water and shallow-water species
fisheries (§ 679.82(e)(3) and (5)). Halibut
PSC sideboard ratios by fishery are set
forth in § 679.82(e)(5). The CP sector
halibut PSC sideboard limits are in
effective from July 1 through July 31
(§ 679.82(e)(6)). No halibut PSC
sideboard limits apply to the CV sector,
as CVs participating in cooperatives
receive a portion of the annual halibut
PSC limit. CPs that opt out of the
Rockfish Program are able to access that
portion of the deep-water and shallowwater species fishery halibut PSC
sideboard limit not assigned to CP
rockfish cooperatives. The sideboard
provisions for CPs that elect to opt out
of participating in a rockfish cooperative
are described in § 679.82(c), (e), and (f).
Sideboard limits are linked to the catch
history of specific vessels, however,
some of these vessels may choose to opt
out of the Rockfish Program. After
March 1, NMFS will determine which
CPs have opted-out of the Rockfish
Program in 2023, and NMFS will know
the ratios and amounts used to calculate
opt-out sideboard ratios. NMFS will
then calculate any applicable opt-out
E:\FR\FM\02MRR2.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 41 / Thursday, March 2, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
sideboards for 2023 and post these
limits on the Alaska Region website at
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/
sustainable-fisheries/alaska-fisheriesmanagement-reports#central-goarockfish. Table 23 lists the final 2023
and 2024 Rockfish Program halibut PSC
sideboard limits for the CP sector.
TABLE 23—FINAL 2023 AND 2024 ROCKFISH PROGRAM HALIBUT PSC SIDEBOARD LIMITS FOR THE CATCHER/PROCESSOR
SECTOR
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Sector
Shallow-water
species fishery
halibut PSC
sideboard ratio
(percent)
Deep-water
species fishery
halibut PSC
sideboard ratio
(percent)
2023 and
2024 halibut
mortality limit
(mt)
Annual
shallow-water
species fishery
halibut PSC
sideboard limit
(mt)
Annual
deep-water
species fishery
halibut PSC
sideboard limit
(mt)
Catcher/processor ................................................................
0.10
2.50
1,705
2
43
Amendment 80 Program Groundfish
and PSC Sideboard Limits
Amendment 80 to the Fishery
Management Plan for Groundfish of the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area (Amendment 80
Program) established a limited access
privilege program for the non-AFA trawl
CP sector. The Amendment 80 Program
established groundfish and halibut PSC
catch limits for Amendment 80 Program
participants to limit the ability of
participants eligible for the Amendment
80 Program to expand their harvest
efforts in the GOA.
Section 679.92 establishes groundfish
harvesting sideboard limits on all
Amendment 80 program vessels, other
than the fishing vessel (F/V) Golden
Fleece, to amounts no greater than the
limits listed in Table 37 to 50 CFR part
679. Under § 679.92(d), the F/V Golden
Fleece is prohibited from directed
fishing for pollock, Pacific cod, Pacific
ocean perch, dusky rockfish, and
northern rockfish in the GOA.
Groundfish sideboard limits for
Amendment 80 Program vessels
operating in the GOA are based on their
average aggregate harvests from 1998
through 2004 (72 FR 52668, September
14, 2007). Tables 24 and 25 list the final
2023 and 2024 groundfish sideboard
limits for Amendment 80 Program
vessels. NMFS will deduct all targeted
or incidental catch of sideboard species
made by Amendment 80 Program
vessels from the sideboard limits in
Tables 24 and 25.
TABLE 24—FINAL 2023 GOA GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD LIMITS FOR AMENDMENT 80 PROGRAM VESSELS
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
Area
Pollock ..................
A Season January 20–May 31 ............
Shumagin (610) ....
Chirikof (620) ........
Kodiak (630) .........
Shumagin (610) ....
Chirikof (620) ........
Kodiak (630) .........
WYK (640) ............
W ..........................
C ...........................
W ..........................
0.003
0.002
0.002
0.003
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.020
0.044
0.020
1,685
58,039
9,121
25,272
18,965
24,608
7,523
3,331
7,131
1,894
5
116
18
76
38
49
15
67
314
38
C ...........................
WYK .....................
W ..........................
0.044
0.034
0.994
3,991
1,755
2,529
176
60
2,514
WYK .....................
W ..........................
W ..........................
WYK .....................
0.961
1.000
0.764
0.896
1,370
2,614
149
90
1,317
2,614
114
81
Pacific cod ............
Annual .................................................
A Season 1 January 1–June 10 ..........
B Season 2 September 1–December
31.
Annual .................................................
Annual .................................................
Pacific ocean
perch.
Northern rockfish ..
Dusky rockfish ......
1 The
2 The
Annual .................................................
Annual .................................................
2023 TAC
(mt)
2023 Amendment
80 vessel
sideboard limit
(mt)
Species
B Season September 1–November 1
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES2
Ratio of
amendment 80
sector vessels
1998–2004 catch
to TAC
Apportionments and allocations by
season
Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
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02MRR2
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 41 / Thursday, March 2, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 25—FINAL 2024 GOA GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD LIMITS FOR AMENDMENT 80 PROGRAM VESSELS
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
Ratio of
amendment 80
sector vessels
1998–2004 catch
to TAC
Area
Pollock ..................
A Season January 20–May 31 ............
Shumagin (610) ....
Chirikof (620) ........
Kodiak (630) .........
Shumagin (610) ....
Chirikof (620) ........
Kodiak (630) .........
WYK (640) ............
W ..........................
C ...........................
W ..........................
0.003
0.002
0.002
0.003
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.020
0.044
0.020
1,823
62,771
9,864
27,333
20,511
26,614
8,136
3,067
6,566
1,744
5
126
20
82
41
53
16
61
289
35
C ...........................
WYK .....................
W ..........................
0.044
0.034
0.994
3,675
1,616
2,461
162
55
2,446
WYK .....................
W ..........................
W ..........................
WYK .....................
0.961
1.000
0.764
0.896
1,333
2,497
141
85
1,281
2,497
108
76
B Season September 1–November 1
Pacific cod ............
Annual .................................................
A Season 1 January 1–June 10 ..........
B Season 2 September 1–December
31.
Annual .................................................
Annual .................................................
Pacific ocean
perch.
Northern rockfish ..
Dusky rockfish ......
1 The
2 The
Annual .................................................
Annual .................................................
2024 TAC
(mt)
2024 Amendment
80 vessel
sideboard limit
(mt)
Species
Apportionments and allocations by
season
Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
The halibut PSC sideboard limits for
Amendment 80 Program vessels in the
GOA are based on the historic use of
halibut PSC by Amendment 80 Program
vessels in each PSC target category from
1998 through 2004. These values are
slightly lower than the average historic
use to accommodate two factors:
allocation of halibut PSC cooperative
quota under the Rockfish Program and
the exemption of the F/V Golden Fleece
from this restriction (§ 679.92(b)(2)).
Table 26 lists the final 2023 and 2024
halibut PSC sideboard limits for
Amendment 80 Program vessels. These
tables incorporate the maximum
percentages of the halibut PSC
sideboard limits that may be used by
Amendment 80 Program vessels as
contained in Table 38 to 50 CFR part
679. Any residual amount of a seasonal
Amendment 80 halibut PSC sideboard
limit may carry forward to the next
season limit (§ 679.92(b)(2)).
TABLE 26—FINAL 2023 AND 2024 HALIBUT PSC SIDEBOARD LIMITS FOR AMENDMENT 80 PROGRAM VESSELS IN THE
GOA
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES2
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
Historic
amendment 80
use of the
annual halibut
PSC limit catch
(ratio)
2023 and 2024
Annual halibut
PSC limit
(mt)
2023 and 2024
Amendment 80
vessel halibut
PSC limit
Season
Season dates
Target fishery
1 ............................
January 20–April 1 ..............................
2 ............................
April 1–July 1 .......................................
3 ............................
July 1–August 1 ...................................
4 ............................
August 1–October 1 ............................
5 ............................
October 1–December 31 .....................
shallow-water ........
deep-water ............
shallow-water ........
deep-water ............
shallow-water ........
deep-water ............
shallow-water ........
deep-water ............
shallow-water ........
deep-water ............
0.0048
0.0115
0.0189
0.1072
0.0146
0.0521
0.0074
0.0014
0.0227
0.0371
1,705
1,705
1,705
1,705
1,705
1,705
1,705
1,705
1,705
1,705
8
20
32
183
25
89
13
2
39
63
Total ...............
..............................................................
...............................
..............................
..............................
474
Directed Fishing Closures
Pursuant to § 679.20(d)(1)(i), if the
Regional Administrator determines (1)
that any allocation or apportionment of
a target species or species group
allocated or apportioned to a fishery
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will be reached; or (2) with respect to
pollock and Pacific cod, that an
allocation or apportionment to an
inshore or offshore component or sector
allocation will be reached, then the
Regional Administrator may establish a
directed fishing allowance (DFA) for
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Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
that species or species group. If the
Regional Administrator establishes a
DFA and that allowance is or will be
reached before the end of the fishing
season or year, NMFS will prohibit
directed fishing for that species or
species group in the specified GOA
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 41 / Thursday, March 2, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
subarea, regulatory area, or district
(§ 679.20(d)(1)(iii)).
The Regional Administrator has
determined that the TACs for the
species listed in Table 27 are necessary
to account for the incidental catch of
these species in other anticipated
13261
groundfish fisheries for the 2023 and
2024 fishing years.
TABLE 27—2023 AND 2024 DIRECTED FISHING CLOSURES IN THE GOA
[Amounts for incidental catch in other directed fisheries are in metric tons]
Incidental catch amount and year
(if amounts differ by year)
Target
Area/component/gear
Pollock .....................................................................................
Sablefish 2 ...............................................................................
all/offshore .............................................
all/trawl ...................................................
Pacific cod ...............................................................................
Western, CV, HAL .................................
Western, CP, trawl ................................
Central, CP, trawl ..................................
all ...........................................................
all ...........................................................
all ...........................................................
all ...........................................................
all ...........................................................
all ...........................................................
all ...........................................................
all ...........................................................
all ...........................................................
all ...........................................................
Shortraker rockfish 2 ................................................................
Rougheye/blackspotted rockfish 2 ...........................................
Thornyhead rockfish 2 .............................................................
Other rockfish ..........................................................................
Atka mackerel .........................................................................
Big skate .................................................................................
Longnose skate .......................................................................
Other skates ............................................................................
Sharks .....................................................................................
Octopuses ...............................................................................
not applicable.1
3,320 (2023).
3,072 (2024).
71 (2023), 66 (2024).
122 (2023, 113 (2024).
462 (2023), 426 (2024).
705
775 (2023) 772 (2024).
1,628.
1,610.
3,000.
2,867.
2,712.
984.
4,891.
980.
1 Pollock
is closed to directed fishing in the GOA by the offshore component under § 679.20(a)(6)(i).
are not applicable to participants in cooperatives conducted under the Central GOA Rockfish Program because cooperatives are
prohibited from exceeding their allocations (§ 679.7(n)(6)(viii)).
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES2
2 Closures
Consequently, in accordance with
§ 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional
Administrator establishes the DFA for
the species or species groups listed in
Table 27 as zero mt. Therefore, in
accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii),
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for
those species, areas, gear types, and
components in the GOA listed in Table
27 effective at 1200 hours, A.l.t., March
2, 2023, through 2400 hours, A.l.t.,
December 31, 2024.
Closures implemented under the 2022
and 2023 GOA harvest specifications for
groundfish (87 FR 11599, March 2,
2022) remain effective under authority
of these final 2023 and 2024 harvest
specifications and until the date
specified in those closure notifications.
Closures are posted at the following
website under the Alaska filter for
Management Areas: https://
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/rules-andannouncements/bulletins.
While these closures are in effect, the
maximum retainable amounts at
§ 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time
during a fishing trip. These closures to
directed fishing are in addition to
closures and prohibitions found at 50
CFR part 679. NMFS may implement
other closures during the 2023 and 2024
fishing years as necessary for effective
conservation and management.
Comments and Responses
NMFS did not receive any comments
during the public comment period for
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the proposed groundfish harvest
specifications.
Classification
NMFS is issuing this final rule
pursuant to section 305(d) of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act. Through
previous actions, the FMP and
regulations are designed to authorize
NMFS to take this action. See 50 CFR
part 679. The NMFS Assistant
Administrator has determined that the
final harvest specifications are
consistent with the FMP and with the
Magnuson-Stevens Act and other
applicable laws.
This final rule is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866 because it
only implements annual catch limits in
the GOA.
NMFS prepared an EIS for the Alaska
groundfish harvest specifications and
alternative harvest strategies (see
ADDRESSES) and made it available to the
public on January 12, 2007 (72 FR
1512). On February 13, 2007, NMFS
issued the ROD for the EIS. In JanuaryFebruary 2023, NMFS prepared a SIR
for this action to provide a subsequent
assessment of the action and to address
the need to prepare a Supplemental EIS
(SEIS; 40 CFR 1501.11(b);
§ 1502.9(d)(1)). Copies of the EIS, ROD,
and annual SIRs for this action are
available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES).
The Final EIS analyzes the
environmental, social, and economic
consequences of the groundfish harvest
specifications and alternative harvest
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Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
strategies on resources in the action
area. Based on the analysis in the Final
EIS, NMFS concluded that the preferred
Alternative (Alternative 2) provides the
best balance among relevant
environmental, social, and economic
considerations and allows for continued
management of the groundfish fisheries
based on the most recent, best scientific
information. The preferred alternative is
a harvest strategy in which TACs are set
at a level within the range of ABCs
recommended by the Council’s SSC; the
sum of the TACs must achieve the OY
specified in the FMP. While the specific
numbers that the harvest strategy
produces may vary from year to year,
the methodology used for the preferred
harvest strategy remains constant.
The annual SIR evaluates the need to
prepare a SEIS for the 2023 and 2024
groundfish harvest specifications. An
SEIS must be prepared if (1) the agency
makes substantial changes in the
proposed action that are relevant to
environmental concerns; or (2)
significant new circumstances or
information exist relevant to
environmental concerns and bearing on
the proposed action or its impacts (40
CFR 1502.9(d)(1)). After reviewing the
information contained in the SIR and
SAFE report, the Regional
Administrator has determined that (1)
approval of the 2023 and 2024 harvest
specifications, which were set according
to the preferred harvest strategy in the
EIS, does not constitute a substantial
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 41 / Thursday, March 2, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
change in the action; and (2) there are
no significant new circumstances or
information relevant to environmental
concerns and bearing on the action or its
impacts. The 2023 and 2024 harvest
specifications will result in
environmental, social, and economic
impacts within the scope of those
analyzed and disclosed in the EIS.
Therefore, a SEIS is not necessary to
implement the 2023 and 2024 harvest
specifications.
Section 604 of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 604)
requires that, when an agency
promulgates a final rule under 5 U.S.C.
553, after being required by that section
or any other law, to publish a general
notice of proposed rulemaking, the
agency shall prepare a final regulatory
flexibility analysis (FRFA). The
following constitutes the FRFA
prepared for these final 2023 and 2024
harvest specifications.
Section 604 of the RFA describes the
required contents of a FRFA: (1) a
statement of the need for, and objectives
of, the rule; (2) a statement of the
significant issues raised by the public
comments in response to the initial
regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA), a
statement of the assessment of the
agency of such issues, and a statement
of any changes made in the proposed
rule as a result of such comments; (3)
the response of the agency to any
comments filed by the Chief Counsel for
Advocacy of the Small Business
Administration in response to the
proposed rule, and a detailed statement
of any change made to the proposed rule
in the final rule as a result of the
comments; (4) a description of and an
estimate of the number of small entities
to which the rule will apply or an
explanation of why no such estimate is
available; (5) a description of the
projected reporting, recordkeeping, and
other compliance requirements of the
rule, including an estimate of the classes
of small entities which will be subject
to the requirement and the type of
professional skills necessary for
preparation of the report or record; and
(6) a description of the steps the agency
has taken to minimize the significant
economic impact on small entities
consistent with the stated objectives of
applicable statutes, including a
statement of the factual, policy, and
legal reasons for selecting the alternative
adopted in the final rule and why each
one of the other significant alternatives
to the rule considered by the agency that
affect the impact on small entities was
rejected.
A description of this action, its
purpose, and its legal basis are
contained at the beginning of the
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preamble to this final rule and are not
repeated here.
NMFS published the proposed rule on
December 2, 2022 (87 FR 74102). NMFS
prepared an IRFA to accompany the
proposed action, and included the IRFA
in the proposed rule. The comment
period closed on January 3, 2023. No
comments were received on the IRFA or
on the economic impacts of the rule
more generally. The Chief Counsel for
Advocacy of the Small Business
Administration did not file any
comments on the proposed rule.
The entities directly regulated by this
action are: (1) entities operating vessels
with groundfish Federal fishing permits
(FFPs) catching FMP groundfish in
Federal waters; (2) all entities operating
vessels, regardless of whether they hold
groundfish FFPs, catching FMP
groundfish in the State-waters parallel
fisheries; and (3) all entities operating
vessels fishing for halibut inside 3 miles
(5.6 km) of the shore (whether or not
they have FFPs).
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 gross receipts not in
excess of $11 million for all its affiliated
operations worldwide.
Using the most recent data available
(2021), the estimated number of directly
regulated small entities includes
approximately 671 individual catcher
vessel and CP entities with gross
revenues meeting the small entity
criteria. This includes an estimated 668
small CV entities and 3 small CP entities
in the GOA groundfish sector. The
determination of entity size is based on
vessel revenues and affiliated group
revenues. This determination also
includes an assessment of fisheries
cooperative affiliations, although actual
vessel ownership affiliations have not
been completely established. However,
the estimate of these 671 CVs and CPs
may be an overstatement of the number
of small entities because of the
complexity of analyzing the linkages
and affiliations across these vessels,
particularly since many of them conduct
operations in Federal and State
fisheries. The CVs had average gross
revenues that varied by gear type.
Average gross revenues for hook-andline CVs, pot gear CVs, and trawl gear
CVs are estimated to be $390,000,
$720,000, and $1.96 million,
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Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
respectively. Average gross revenues for
CP entities are confidential.
This final rule contains no
information collection requirements
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995.
This action implements the final 2023
and 2024 harvest specifications,
apportionments, and halibut PSC limits
for the groundfish fishery of the GOA.
This action is necessary to establish
harvest limits for groundfish during the
2023 and 2024 fishing years and is taken
in accordance with the FMP prepared
by the Council pursuant to the
Magnuson-Stevens Act. The
establishment of the final harvest
specifications is governed by the
Council’s harvest strategy for the catch
of groundfish in the GOA. The harvest
strategy was selected previously from
among five alternatives, with the
preferred alternative harvest strategy
being one in which the TACs fall within
the range of ABCs recommended by the
SSC. Under this preferred alternative
harvest strategy, TACs are set within the
range of ABCs recommended by the
SSC; the sum of the TACs must achieve
the OY specified in the FMP; and while
the specific TAC numbers that the
harvest strategy produces may vary from
year to year, the methodology used for
the preferred harvest strategy remains
constant. This final action implements
the preferred alternative harvest strategy
previously chosen by the Council to set
TACs that fall within the range of ABCs
recommended through the Council
harvest specifications process and as
recommended by the Council. This is
the method for determining TACs that
has been used in the past.
The final 2023 and 2024 TACs
associated with preferred harvest
strategy are those recommended by the
Council in December 2022. OFLs and
ABCs for the species were based on
recommendations prepared by the
Council’s Plan Team, and reviewed by
the Council’s SSC. The Council based
its TAC recommendations on those of
its AP, which were consistent with the
SSC’s OFL and ABC recommendations.
The sum of all TACs remains within the
OY for the GOA consistent with
§ 679.20(a)(1)(i)(B).
The final 2023 and 2024 OFLs and
ABCs are based on the best available
biological information, including
projected biomass trends, information
on assumed distribution of stock
biomass, and revised technical methods
to calculate stock biomass. The final
2023 and 2024 TACs are based on the
best available biological and
socioeconomic information. The final
2023 and 2024 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs
are consistent with the biological
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 41 / Thursday, March 2, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
condition of groundfish stocks as
described in the 2022 SAFE report,
which is the most recent, completed
SAFE report. Accounting for the most
recent biological information to set the
final OFLs, ABCs, and TACs is
consistent with the objectives for this
action, as well as National Standard 2 of
the Magnuson-Stevens Act (16 U.S.C.
1851(a)(2)) that actions shall be based
on the best scientific information
available.
Under this action, the final ABCs
reflect harvest amounts that are less
than the specified overfishing levels.
The final TACs are within the range of
final ABCs recommended by the SSC
and do not exceed the biological limits
recommended by the SSC (the ABCs
and overfishing levels). For most species
and species groups in the GOA, the
Council recommended, and NMFS sets,
final TACs equal to final ABCs, which
is intended to maximize harvest
opportunities in the GOA, unless other
conservation or management reasons
support setting TAC amounts less than
the ABCs.
For the following species and species
groups, the Council recommended, and
NMFS sets, TACs that are less than the
ABCs: for pollock for the combined
Western and Central GOA and West
Yakutat District area; Pacific cod;
shallow-water flatfish in the Western
GOA; arrowtooth flounder in the
Western GOA and the SEO District;
flathead sole in the Western GOA, Atka
mackerel; and ‘‘other rockfish’’ in the
SEO District. These specific reductions
were reviewed and recommended by the
Council’s AP, and the Council in turn
adopted the AP’s recommendations for
the final 2023 and 2024 TACs.
Increasing TACs for some species may
not result in increased harvest
opportunities for those species. This is
due to a variety of reasons. There may
be a lack of commercial or market
interest in some species. Additionally,
there are fixed, and therefore
constraining, PSC limits associated with
the harvest of the GOA groundfish
species that can lead to an underharvest
of flatfish TACs. For this reason, the
shallow-water flatfish, arrowtooth
flounder, and flathead sole TACs are set
to allow for increased harvest
opportunities for these target species
while conserving the halibut PSC limit
for use in other fisheries. Similarly, the
SEO District arrowtooth flounder TAC is
set lower than ABC to conserve halibut
PSC limit for use in other fisheries or
because there is limited commercial
interest in this fishery. The Atka
mackerel TAC is set to accommodate
incidental catch amounts in other
fisheries. The ‘‘other rockfish’’ TAC in
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Jkt 259001
the SEO District is set to reduce the
amount of discards of the species in that
complex. Finally, the TACs for two
species (pollock and Pacific cod) cannot
be set equal to ABC, as the TAC must
be reduced to account for the State’s
GHLs in these fisheries. The W/C/WYK
Regulatory Area pollock TAC and the
GOA Pacific cod TACs are therefore set
to account for the State’s GHLs for the
State waters pollock and Pacific cod
fisheries so that the ABCs are not
exceeded.
Based upon the best available
scientific data, and in consideration of
the Council’s objectives of this action,
there are no significant alternatives to
the final 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 final
rule on small entities. This action is
economically beneficial to entities
operating in the GOA, including small
entities. The action specifies TACs for
commercially valuable species in the
GOA and allows for the continued
prosecution of the fishery, thereby
creating the opportunity for fishery
revenue. After public process, during
which the Council solicited input from
stakeholders, the Council concluded
that these final harvest specifications
would best accomplish the stated
objectives articulated in the preamble
for this final rule and in applicable
statutes and would minimize to the
extent practicable adverse economic
impacts on the universe of directly
regulated small entities.
Adverse impacts on marine mammals,
or endangered or threatened species,
resulting from fishing activities
conducted under this rule are discussed
in the Final EIS and its accompanying
annual SIRs (see ADDRESSES).
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,
NOAA, finds good cause to waive the
30-day delay in the date of effectiveness
for this rule because delaying this rule
is contrary to the public interest. The
Plan Team review of the 2022 SAFE
report occurred in November 2022, and,
based on the 2022 SAFE report, the
Council considered and recommended
the final harvest specifications in
December 2022. Accordingly, NMFS’s
review of the final 2023 and 2024
harvest specifications could not begin
until after the December 2022 Council
meeting, and after the public had time
to comment on the proposed action.
For all fisheries not currently closed
because the TACs established under the
final 2022 and 2023 harvest
specifications (87 FR 11599, March 2,
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13263
2022) have not yet been reached, it is
possible that they would be closed prior
to the expiration of a 30-day delayed
effectiveness period, because those
fisheries have nearly reached those
previously set TACs. Some affected
fisheries therefore could close soon, as
they are already close to reaching their
TACs, and such closures would cause
unnecessary economic harm to the
fisheries in the cases where this final
rule increases some of the groundfish
TACs. If implemented immediately, this
final rule would allow these fisheries to
continue fishing, because some of the
new TACs implemented by this rule are
higher than the TACs under which they
are currently fishing.
In addition, immediate effectiveness
of this action is required to provide
consistent management and
conservation of fishery resources based
on the best available scientific
information. This is particularly
pertinent for those species that have
lower 2023 ABCs and TACs than those
established in the 2022 and 2023
harvest specifications (87 FR 11599,
March 2, 2022), including target species
such as Pacific cod. If implemented
immediately, this rule would ensure
that NMFS can properly manage those
fisheries for which this rule sets lower
2023 ABCs and TACs, which are based
on the most recent biological
information on the condition of stocks.
The changes between the proposed 2023
ABCs and TACs are discussed earlier in
the Changes from the Proposed 2023
and 2024 Harvest Specifications in the
GOA section of this rule.
Certain fisheries, such as those for
pollock, are intensive, fast-paced
fisheries. Other fisheries, such as those
for sablefish, flatfish, rockfish, Atka
mackerel, skates, sharks, and octopuses,
are critical either as directed fisheries or
as incidental catch in other fisheries.
Thus, for those species that have higher
2023 TACs than under the final 2022
and 2023 harvest specifications (87 FR
11599, March 2, 2022) than the TACs
established by this final rule, there is
some risk of exceeding these TAC
limits. U.S. fishing vessels have
demonstrated the capacity to catch the
TAC allocations in many of these
fisheries. If the date of effectiveness of
this rule were to be delayed 30 days and
a TAC was reached during those 30
days, NMFS would be required to close
directed fishing or prohibit retention for
the applicable species. Such closures
and unnecessary discards would cause
confusion to the industry and potential
economic harm to fishermen,
undermining the intent of this rule.
Waiving the 30-day delay in the date of
effectiveness allows NMFS to prevent
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this potential economic harm that could
occur, should the previously set 2023
TACs (as set under the 2022 and 2023
harvest specifications) be reached
during such a delay. In addition,
determining which fisheries may close
in advance is nearly impossible because
these fisheries are affected by several
factors, including fishing effort,
weather, movement of fishery stocks
and market price, which cannot be
predicted. Furthermore, the closure of
one fishery has a cascading effect on
other fisheries; the closure would free
up fishing vessels, allowing them to
move from closed fisheries to open
fisheries, thereby increasing the fishing
capacity in those open fisheries, and
potentially causing them to close
sooner.
In fisheries subject to declining
sideboard limits, a failure to implement
the updated sideboard limits before the
initial season’s end could deny the
intended economic protection to the
non-sideboarded sectors. Conversely, in
fisheries with increasing sideboard
limits, economic benefit could be
denied to the sideboard-limited sectors.
If the final harvest specifications are
not effective by March 10, 2023, which
is the start of the 2023 Pacific halibut
season as specified by the IPHC, the
fixed gear sablefish fishery will not
begin concurrently with the Pacific
halibut IFQ season. This would result in
confusion for the industry and
economic harm from unnecessary
discard of sablefish that are caught
along with Pacific halibut, as both fixed
gear sablefish and Pacific halibut are
managed under the same IFQ program.
Immediate effectiveness of these final
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:47 Mar 01, 2023
Jkt 259001
2023 and 2024 harvest specifications
will allow the sablefish IFQ fishery to
begin concurrently with the Pacific
halibut IFQ season.
Finally, immediate effectiveness also
provides the fishing industry the earliest
possible opportunity to plan and
conduct its fishing operations with
respect to new information about TACs.
Therefore, in accordance with 5 U.S.C.
553(d)(3), NMFS finds good cause to
waive the 30-day delay in the date of
effectiveness for this rule.
Small Entity Compliance Guide
Section 212 of the Small Business
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of
1996 states that, for each rule or group
of related rules for which an agency is
required to prepare a FRFA, the agency
shall publish one or more guides to
assist small entities in complying with
the rule, and shall designate such
publications as ‘‘small entity
compliance guides.’’ The tables
contained in this final rule are provided
online and serve as the plain language
guide to assist small entities in
complying with this final rule as
required by the Small Business
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of
1996. This final rule’s primary purpose
is to announce the final 2023 and 2024
harvest specifications and prohibited
species bycatch allowances for the
groundfish fisheries of the GOA. This
action is necessary to establish harvest
limits and associated management
measures for groundfish during the 2023
and 2024 fishing years, and to
accomplish the goals and objectives of
the FMP. This action affects all
fishermen who participate in the GOA
fisheries. The specific OFL, ABC, TAC,
PO 00000
Frm 00028
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 9990
and PSC amounts are provided in tables
in this final rule to assist the reader.
This final rule also contains plain
language summaries of the underlying
relevant regulations supporting the
harvest specifications and the harvest of
groundfish in the GOA that the reader
may find helpful.
Information to assist small entities in
complying with this final rule is
provided online. The OFL, ABC, TAC,
and PSC tables are individually
available online at https://
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/
sustainable-fisheries/alaska-groundfishharvest-specifications. Explanatory
information on the relevant regulations
supporting the harvest specifications is
also found in footnotes to the tables.
Harvest specification changes are also
available from the same online source,
which includes applicable Federal
Register notices, information bulletins,
and other supporting materials. NMFS
will announce closures of directed
fishing in the Federal Register and
information bulletins released by the
Alaska Region. Affected fishermen
should keep themselves informed of
such closures.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 16 U.S.C.
1540 (f), 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 3631 et seq.;
Pub. L. 105–277; Pub. L. 106–31; Pub. L.
106–554; Pub. L. 108–199; Pub. L. 108–447;
Pub. L. 109–241; Pub. L 109–479.
Dated: February 27, 2023.
Samuel D. Rauch, III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–04315 Filed 3–1–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 41 (Thursday, March 2, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13238-13264]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-04315]
[[Page 13237]]
Vol. 88
Thursday,
No. 41
March 2, 2023
Part II
Department of Commerce
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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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50 CFR Part 679
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska;
Final 2023 and 2024 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish; Final Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 88 , No. 41 / Thursday, March 2, 2023 / Rules
and Regulations
[[Page 13238]]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 230224-0053; RTID 0648-XC347]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of
Alaska; Final 2023 and 2024 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule; harvest specifications and closures.
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SUMMARY: NMFS announces final 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications,
apportionments, and Pacific halibut prohibited species catch limits for
the groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to establish harvest limits for groundfish during the
remainder of the 2023 and the start of the 2024 fishing years and to
accomplish the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for
Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP). The 2023 harvest specifications
supersede those previously set in the final 2022 and 2023 harvest
specifications, and the 2024 harvest specifications will be superseded
in early 2024 when the final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications are
published. The intended effect of this action is to conserve and manage
the groundfish resources in the GOA in accordance with the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
DATES: Harvest specifications and closures are effective at 1200 hours,
Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 2, 2023, through 2400 hours, A.l.t.,
December 31, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the Final Alaska Groundfish Harvest
Specifications Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Record of Decision
(ROD), and the annual Supplementary Information Reports (SIRs) to the
EIS prepared for this action are available from https://www.regulations.gov. The 2022 Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation
(SAFE) report for the groundfish resources of the GOA, dated November
2022, and SAFE reports for previous years are available from the North
Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) at 1007 West Third Avenue,
Suite 400, Anchorage, AK 99501, phone 907-271-2809, or from the
Council's website at https://www.npfmc.org.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the GOA groundfish fisheries in
the exclusive economic zone of the GOA under the FMP. The Council
prepared the FMP under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act (16
U.S.C. 1801 et seq.). Regulations governing U.S. fisheries and
implementing the FMP appear at 50 CFR parts 600, 679, and 680.
The FMP and its implementing regulations require that NMFS, after
consultation with the Council, specify the total allowable catch (TAC)
for each target species, the sum of which must be within the optimum
yield (OY) range of 116,000 to 800,000 metric tons (mt) (50 CFR
679.20(a)(1)(i)(B) and 679.20(a)(2)). Section 679.20(c)(1) further
requires that NMFS publish and solicit public comment on proposed
annual TACs and apportionments thereof, Pacific halibut prohibited
species catch (PSC) limits, and seasonal allowances of pollock and
Pacific cod. Upon consideration of public comment received under Sec.
679.20(c)(1), NMFS must publish a notification of final harvest
specifications for up to 2 fishing years as annual TACs and
apportionments, Pacific halibut PSC limits, and seasonal allowances of
pollock and Pacific cod, per Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(ii). The final harvest
specifications set forth in Tables 1 through 27 of this rule reflect
the outcome of this process, as required at Sec. 679.20(c).
The proposed 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications for groundfish of
the GOA and Pacific halibut PSC limits were published in the Federal
Register on December 2, 2022 (87 FR 74102). Comments were invited and
accepted through January 3, 2023. NMFS did not receive any comments on
the proposed harvest specifications. In December 2022, NMFS consulted
with the Council regarding the 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications.
After considering public comment at public meetings, as well as
biological and socioeconomic data that were available at the Council's
December 2022 meeting, NMFS is implementing the final 2023 and 2024
harvest specifications, as recommended by the Council. For 2023, the
sum of the TAC amounts is 468,796 mt. For 2024, the sum of the TAC
amounts is 476,537 mt.
Other Actions Affecting the 2023 and 2024 Harvest Specifications
Amendment 112 to the FMP: Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ)
Program Revisions
On November 23, 2022, NMFS published a proposed rule (87 FR 71559)
to implement Amendment 112 to the FMP, which, if approved, would allow
jig gear as an authorized fishing gear type in the GOA sablefish
Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) fisheries. The Council's intent in
recommending Amendment 112 is to increase entry-level opportunities and
increase flexibility for IFQ holders. This is because jig gear is a
smaller investment than other gear types and does not require
significant vessel retrofits as with other gear. Additionally, jig gear
is already an authorized gear type for the harvest of halibut IFQ and
this action would further align the authorized gear types in the
halibut and sablefish IFQ fisheries. Additionally, the proposed rule
includes a variety of other provisions, which, if approved, would
revise regulations associated with requirements or exemptions for the
use of collapsible pot gear. It would also revise regulatory
specifications for gear marking, pot limits, and other pot use
restrictions in the GOA. Further details are available in the proposed
rule to implement Amendment 112. If the FMP amendment and its
implementing regulations are approved by the Secretary of Commerce, the
action is anticipated to be effective for the 2023 IFQ season.
Amendment 122 to the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands FMP: Pacific Cod
Cooperative Program
NMFS is developing a proposed rule to implement Amendment 122 to
the FMP for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area (BSAI), which, if approved, would establish the Pacific
Cod Trawl Cooperative Program (PCTC Program) to allocate BSAI Pacific
cod harvest quota to qualifying groundfish License Limitation Program
(LLP) license holders and qualifying processors. The PCTC Program would
be a limited access privilege program (LAPP) for the harvest of Pacific
cod in the BSAI trawl catcher vessel (CV) sector. One of the elements
of the proposed PCTC Program is to revise the GOA groundfish sideboard
limits and halibut PSC limits for LLP licenses that receive allocations
of PCTC quota share. The Program would change the American Fisheries
Act (AFA) non-exempt GOA groundfish sideboard and halibut PSC limits
for all
[[Page 13239]]
non-exempt AFA LLP licenses and CVs based on the GOA fishing activity
of these vessels in the aggregate during the PCTC Program qualifying
years. If approved by the Secretary of Commerce, Amendment 122 and its
implementing regulations would affect the calculation and establishment
of the groundfish sideboard limits and halibut PSC limits discussed in
the subsequent American Fisheries Act (AFA) Catcher/Processor and
Catcher Vessel Groundfish Harvest Limits and Non-Exempt AFA Catcher
Vessel Halibut PSC Limits sections of this rule.
Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) and TAC Specifications
In December 2022, the Council's Scientific and Statistical
Committee (SSC), its Advisory Panel (AP), and the Council reviewed the
most recent biological and harvest information about the condition of
the GOA groundfish stocks. The Council's GOA Groundfish Plan Team (Plan
Team) compiled and presented this information in the 2022 SAFE report
for the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated November 2022 (see ADDRESSES).
The SAFE report contains a review of the latest scientific analyses and
estimates of each species' biomass and other biological parameters, as
well as summaries of the available information on the GOA ecosystem and
the economic condition of the groundfish fisheries off Alaska. From
these data and analyses, the Plan Team recommends, and the SSC sets, an
overfishing level (OFL) and ABC for each species and species group. The
2022 SAFE report was made available for public review during the public
comment period for the proposed harvest specifications.
In previous years, the greatest changes from the proposed to the
final harvest specifications have been based on recent NMFS stock
surveys, which provide updated estimates of stock biomass and spatial
distribution, and changes to the models used for producing stock
assessments. At the November 2022 Plan Team meeting, NMFS scientists
presented updated and new survey results, changes to stock assessment
models, and accompanying stock assessment estimates for groundfish
species and species groups that are included in the 2022 SAFE report
per the stock assessment schedule found in the 2022 SAFE report
introduction. The SSC reviewed this information at the December 2022
Council meeting. Changes from the proposed to the final 2023 and 2024
harvest specifications are discussed below.
The final 2023 and 2024 OFLs and ABCs are based on the best
available biological information, including projected biomass trends,
information on assumed distribution of stock biomass, and revised
methods used to calculate stock biomass, and the final 2023 and 2024
TACs are based on the best available biological and socioeconomic
information. The FMP specifies the formulas, or tiers, to be used to
compute OFLs and ABCs. The formulas applicable to a particular stock or
stock complex are determined by the level of reliable information
available to fisheries scientists. This information is categorized into
a successive series of six tiers to define OFL and ABC amounts, with
Tier 1 representing the highest level of information quality available
and Tier 6 representing the lowest level of information quality
available. The Plan Team used the FMP tier structure to calculate OFL
and ABC amounts for each groundfish species. The SSC adopted the final
2023 and 2024 OFLs and ABCs recommended by the Plan Team.
The Council adopted the SSC's OFLs and ABCs and the AP's TAC
recommendations. The final TAC recommendations are based on the ABCs
and are adjusted for other biological and socioeconomic considerations,
including maintaining the sum of all TACs within the required OY range
of 116,000 to 800,000 mt.
The Council recommended 2023 and 2024 TACs that are equal to ABCs
for pollock in the Southeast Outside (SEO) District, sablefish,
shallow-water flatfish in the Central GOA and the West Yakutat and SEO
Districts, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, arrowtooth flounder in the
Central GOA and the West Yakutat District, flathead sole in the Central
GOA and the West Yakutat and SEO Districts, Pacific ocean perch (a
rockfish species), northern rockfish, shortraker rockfish, dusky
rockfish, rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish,
thornyhead rockfish, ``other rockfish'' in the Western/Central GOA and
West Yakutat District, big skate, longnose skate, other skates, sharks,
and octopuses in the GOA. The Council recommended TACs for 2023 and
2024 that are less than the ABCs for pollock for the combined Western
and Central GOA and West Yakutat District area, Pacific cod, shallow-
water flatfish in the Western GOA, arrowtooth flounder in the Western
GOA and the SEO District, flathead sole in the Western GOA, Atka
mackerel, and ``other rockfish'' in the SEO District.
The combined Western, Central, and West Yakutat pollock TAC and the
GOA Pacific cod TACs are set to accommodate the State of Alaska's
(State's) guideline harvest levels (GHLs) so that the ABCs for pollock
and Pacific cod are not exceeded. The Western GOA shallow-water
flatfish, Western GOA arrowtooth flounder, and Western GOA flathead
sole TACs are set to allow for increased harvest opportunities for
these target species while conserving the halibut PSC limit for use in
other, more fully utilized fisheries. Similarly, the SEO District
arrowtooth flounder TAC is set lower than ABC to conserve halibut PSC
limit for use in other fisheries or because there is limited commercial
interest and participation in this fishery. The Atka mackerel TAC is
set to accommodate incidental catch amounts in other fisheries. The
``other rockfish'' TAC in the SEO District is set to reduce the amount
of discards of the species in that complex.
The final 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications approved by the
Secretary of Commerce are unchanged from those recommended by the
Council, and are consistent with the preferred harvest strategy
alternative outlined in the FMP and EIS (see ADDRESSES).
NMFS finds that the Council's recommended OFLs, ABCs, and TACs are
consistent with the biological condition of the groundfish stocks as
described in the final 2022 SAFE report. NMFS also finds that the
Council's recommendations for TACs are consistent with the biological
condition of groundfish stocks as adjusted for other biological and
socioeconomic considerations, including maintaining the sum of all TACs
within the OY range. NMFS reviewed the Council's recommended TACs and
apportionments, and NMFS approves these harvest specifications under 50
CFR 679.20(c)(3)(ii). The apportionment of TAC amounts among gear types
and sectors, processing sectors, and seasons is discussed below.
Tables 1 and 2 list the final 2023 and 2024 OFLs, ABCs, TACs, and
area apportionments of groundfish in the GOA. The 2023 harvest
specifications set in this final action supersede the 2023 harvest
specifications previously set in the final 2022 and 2023 harvest
specifications (87 FR 11599, March 2, 2022). The 2024 harvest
specifications will be superseded in early 2024 when the final 2024 and
2025 harvest specifications are published. Pursuant to this final
action, the 2023 harvest specifications therefore will apply for the
remainder of the current year (2023), while the 2024 harvest
specifications are projected only for the following year (2024) and
will be superseded in early 2024 by the final 2024 and 2025 harvest
specifications. Because this final action (published in early 2023)
will be superseded in early 2024 by the
[[Page 13240]]
publication of the final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications, it is
projected that this final action will implement the harvest
specifications for the GOA for approximately 1 year.
Specification and Apportionment of TAC Amounts
NMFS's apportionment of groundfish species is based on the
distribution of biomass among the regulatory areas over which NMFS
manages the species. Additional regulations govern the apportionment of
pollock, Pacific cod, and sablefish and are described below.
The ABC for the pollock stock in the combined Western and Central
Regulatory Areas and the West Yakutat (WYK) District of the Eastern
Regulatory Area (the W/C/WYK) includes the amount for the GHL
established by the State for the Prince William Sound (PWS) pollock
fishery. The Plan Team, SSC, AP, and Council have recommended that the
sum of all State waters and Federal waters pollock removals from the
GOA not exceed ABC recommendations. For 2023 and 2024, the SSC
recommended and the Council approved the W/C/WYK pollock ABC, including
the amount to account for the State's PWS GHL. At the November 2022
Plan Team meeting, State fisheries managers recommended setting the PWS
pollock GHL at 2.5 percent of the annual W/C/WYK pollock ABC. For 2023,
this yields a PWS pollock GHL of 3,723 mt, an increase of 396 mt from
the 2022 PWS pollock GHL of 3,327 mt. For 2024, the PWS pollock GHL is
4,027 mt, an increase of 700 mt from the 2022 PWS pollock GHL of 3,327
mt. After the GHL reductions, the 2023 and 2024 pollock ABCs for the
combined W/C/WYK areas are then apportioned between four statistical
areas (Areas 610, 620, 630, and 640) as both ABCs and TACs, as
described below and detailed in Tables 1 and 2. The total ABCs and TACs
for the four statistical areas, plus the State PWS GHL, do not exceed
the combined W/C/WYK ABC.
Apportionments of pollock to the W/C/WYK areas are considered to be
``apportionments of annual catch limits (ACLs)'' rather than ``ABCs.''
This more accurately reflects that such apportionments address
management, rather than biological or conservation, concerns. In
addition, apportionments of the ACL in this manner allow NMFS to
balance any transfer of TAC among Areas 610, 620, and 630 pursuant to
Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B) to ensure that the combined W/C/WYK ACL, ABC,
and TAC are not exceeded.
NMFS establishes pollock TACs in the Western (Area 610) and Central
(Areas 620 and 630) Regulatory Areas and the West Yakutat (Area 640)
and the SEO (Area 650) Districts of the GOA (see Tables 1 and 2). NMFS
also establishes seasonal apportionments of the annual pollock TACs in
the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA among Statistical
Areas 610, 620, and 630. Additional detail on area apportionments and
seasonal allowances is provided in the Apportionments of Pollock TAC
Among Seasons and Regulatory Areas, and Allocations for Processing by
Inshore and Offshore Components section of this rule; Tables 3 and 4
list these amounts.
The 2023 and 2024 Pacific cod TACs are set to accommodate the
State's GHLs for Pacific cod in State waters in the Western and Central
Regulatory Areas, as well as in PWS (in the Eastern Regulatory Area).
The Plan Team, SSC, AP, and Council recommended that the sum of all
State waters and Federal waters Pacific cod removals from the GOA not
exceed ABC recommendations. The Council recommended setting the 2023
and 2024 Pacific cod TACs in the Western, Central, and Eastern
Regulatory Areas to account for State GHLs. Therefore, the 2023 Pacific
cod TACs are less than the ABCs by the following amounts: (1) Western
GOA, 2,239 mt; (2) Central GOA, 3,708 mt; and (3) Eastern GOA, 585 mt.
The 2024 Pacific cod TACs are less than the ABCs by the following
amounts: (1) Western GOA, 2,062 mt; (2) Central GOA, 3,414 mt; and (3)
Eastern GOA, 539 mt. These amounts reflect the State's 2023 and 2024
GHLs in these areas, which are 30 percent of the Western GOA ABC and 25
percent of the Eastern and Central GOA ABCs.
The Western and Central GOA Pacific cod TACs are allocated among
various gear and operational sectors. NMFS also establishes seasonal
apportionments of the annual Pacific cod TACs in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas. The Pacific cod sector and seasonal
apportionments are discussed in detail in the Annual and Seasonal
Apportionments of Pacific Cod TAC section and in Tables 5 and 6 of this
rule.
The Council's recommendation for sablefish area apportionments
takes into account the prohibition on the use of trawl gear in the SEO
District of the Eastern Regulatory Area (Sec. 679.7(b)(1)) and makes
available 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area TACs to
vessels using trawl gear for use as incidental catch in other trawl
groundfish fisheries in the WYK District (Sec. 679.20(a)(4)(i)).
Tables 7 and 8 list the final 2023 and 2024 allocations of sablefish
TAC to fixed gear and trawl gear in the GOA.
Changes From the Proposed 2023 and 2024 Harvest Specifications in the
GOA
In October 2022, the Council's recommendations for the proposed
2023 and 2024 harvest specifications (87 FR 74102, December 2, 2022)
were based largely on information contained in the final 2021 SAFE
report for the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated November 2021. The final
2021 SAFE report for the GOA is available from the Council (see
ADDRESSES). The Council proposed that the final OFLs, ABCs, and TACs
established for the 2023 groundfish fisheries (87 FR 11599, March 2,
2022) be used for the proposed 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications (87
FR 74102, December 2, 2022), pending completion and review of the 2022
SAFE report at the Council's December 2022 meeting.
As described previously, the SSC recommended the final 2023 and
2024 OFLs and ABCs as recommended by the Plan Team, with the exception
of the Pacific cod and demersal shelf rockfish OFLs and ABCs. The
Council adopted as its recommendations the SSC's OFL and ABC
recommendations and the AP's TAC recommendations for 2023 and 2024.
The final 2023 ABCs are higher than the proposed 2023 ABCs
published in the proposed 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications (87 FR
74102, December 2, 2022) for pollock, sablefish, shallow-water
flatfish, rex sole, arrowtooth flounder, Pacific ocean perch, northern
rockfish, dusky rockfish, and sharks. The final 2023 ABCs are lower
than the proposed 2023 ABCs for Pacific cod, deep-water flatfish,
flathead sole, demersal shelf rockfish, thornyhead rockfish, and
rougheye and blackspotted rockfish.
The final 2024 ABCs are higher than the proposed 2024 ABCs for
pollock, sablefish, shallow-water flatfish, rex sole, flathead sole,
dusky rockfish, and sharks. The final 2024 ABCs are lower than the
proposed 2024 ABCs for Pacific cod, deep-water flatfish, arrowtooth
flounder, Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish, rougheye and
blackspotted rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish, and thornyhead
rockfish. For the remaining
[[Page 13241]]
target species (shortraker rockfish, ``other rockfish,'' Atka mackerel,
big skates, longnose skates, other skates, and octopus), the Council
recommended the final 2023 and 2024 ABCs that are the same as the
proposed 2023 and 2024 ABCs.
Additional information explaining the changes between the proposed
and final ABCs is included in the final 2022 SAFE report, which was not
completed and available when the Council made its proposed ABC and TAC
recommendations in October 2022. At that time, the most recent stock
assessment information was contained in the final 2021 SAFE report. The
final 2022 SAFE report contains the best and most recent scientific
information on the condition of the groundfish stocks, as previously
discussed in this preamble, and is available for review (see
ADDRESSES). The Council considered the 2022 SAFE report in December
2022 when it made recommendations for the final 2023 and 2024 harvest
specifications. In the GOA, the total final 2023 TAC amount is 468,796
mt, an increase of 5.7 percent from the total proposed 2023 TAC amount
of 443,615 mt. The total final 2024 TAC amount is 476,537 mt, an
increase of 7.4 percent from the total proposed 2024 TAC amount of
443,615 mt. Table 1a summarizes the difference between the proposed and
final TACs.
Annual stock assessments incorporate a variety of new or revised
inputs, such as survey data or catch information, as well as changes to
the statistical models used to estimate a species' biomass and
population trend. Changes to biomass and ABC estimates are primarily
based on fishery catch updates to species' assessment models. Some
species, such as pollock and sablefish, have additional surveys
conducted on an annual basis, which resulted in additional data being
available for the 2022 assessments for these stocks.
The changes for individual species or species groups from the
proposed 2023 TACs to the final 2023 TACs are within a range of plus 53
percent or minus 22 percent, and the changes from the proposed 2024
TACs to the final 2024 TACs are within a range of plus 45 percent or
minus 22 percent. Based on changes in the estimates of overall biomass
in the stock assessment for 2023 and 2024, as compared to the estimates
previously made for 2022 and 2023, the species or species group with
the greatest TAC percentage increases are pollock, flathead sole, dusky
rockfish, and sharks. Based on changes in the estimates of biomass, the
species or species group with the greatest TAC percentage decreases are
Pacific cod, demersal shelf rockfish, and thornyhead rockfish. For all
other species and species groups, changes from the proposed 2023 TACs
to the final 2023 TACs and changes from the proposed 2024 TACs to the
final 2024 TACs are less than a 10 percent change (either increase or
decrease). These TAC changes correspond to associated changes in the
OFLs and ABCs, as recommended by the SSC, AP, and Council.
Detailed information providing the basis for the changes described
above is contained in the final 2022 SAFE report. The final TACs are
based on the best scientific information available, including
biological and socioeconomic information. These TACs are specified in
compliance with the harvest strategy described in the proposed and
final rules for the 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications.
Table 1a--Comparison of Proposed and Final 2023 and 2024 GOA Total Allowable Catch Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentage]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2023 Final 2024 Final
Species 2023 and 2024 2023 Final TAC minus 2023 Percentage 2024 Final TAC minus 2024 Percentage
Proposed TAC Proposed TAC difference Proposed TAC difference
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock................................. 139,977 156,578 16,601 12 168,416 28,439 20
Pacific cod............................. 21,096 18,103 -2,994 -14 16,668 -4,428 -21
Sablefish............................... 22,003 23,201 1,198 5 21,095 -908 -4
Shallow-water flatfish.................. 44,272 44,302 30 0 45,425 1,153 3
Deep-water flatfish..................... 5,818 5,816 -2 0 5,719 -99 -2
Rex sole................................ 20,594 20,664 70 0 21,097 503 2
Arrowtooth flounder..................... 95,512 94,286 -1,226 -1 93,389 -2,123 -2
Flathead sole........................... 27,426 35,337 7,911 29 35,839 8,413 31
Pacific ocean perch..................... 37,104 37,193 89 0 36,196 -908 -2
Northern rockfish....................... 4,920 4,964 44 1 4,741 -179 -4
Shortraker rockfish..................... 705 705 0 0 705 0 0
Dusky rockfish.......................... 5,181 7,917 2,736 53 7,520 2,339 45
Rougheye/blackspotted rockfish.......... 781 775 -6 -1 772 -9 -1
Demersal shelf rockfish................. 365 283 -82 -22 283 -82 -22
Thornyhead rockfish..................... 1,953 1,628 -325 -17 1,628 -325 -17
Other rockfish.......................... 1,610 1,610 0 0 1,610 0 0
Atka mackerel........................... 3,000 3,000 0 0 3,000 0 0
Big skate............................... 2,867 2,867 0 0 2,867 0 0
Longnose skate.......................... 2,712 2,712 0 0 2,712 0 0
Other skates............................ 984 984 0 0 984 0 0
Sharks.................................. 3,755 4,891 1,136 30 4,891 1,136 30
Octopuses............................... 980 980 0 0 980 0 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................... 443,615 468,796 25,181 5.7 476,537 32,922 7.4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 13242]]
The final 2023 and 2024 TAC amounts for the GOA are within the OY
range established for the GOA and do not exceed the ABC for any species
or species group. Tables 1 and 2 list the final OFL, ABC, and TAC
amounts for GOA groundfish for 2023 and 2024, respectively.
Table 1--Final 2023 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs of Groundfish for the Western/Central/West Yakutat, Western, Central,
Eastern Regulatory Areas, the West Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts of the Eastern Regulatory Area, and
Gulfwide Districts of the Gulf of Alaska
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Area \1\ OFL ABC TAC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock \2\........................... Shumagin (610).......... n/a 26,958 26,958
Chirikof (620).......... n/a 77,005 77,005
Kodiak (630)............ n/a 33,729 33,729
WYK (640)............... n/a 7,523 7,523
-----------------------------------------------
W/C/WYK (subtotal) 173,470 148,938 145,215
\2\.
SEO (650)............... 15,150 11,363 11,363
-----------------------------------------------
Total.............. 188,620 160,301 156,578
Pacific cod \3\....................... W....................... n/a 7,464 5,225
C....................... n/a 14,830 11,123
E....................... n/a 2,340 1,755
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 29,737 24,634 18,103
Sablefish \4\......................... W....................... n/a 4,473 4,473
C....................... n/a 9,921 9,921
WYK..................... n/a 3,205 3,205
SEO..................... n/a 5,602 5,602
-----------------------------------------------
Subtotal TAC......... n/a 23,201
-----------------------------------------------
Total.............. 47,390 40,502 n/a
Shallow-water flatfish \5\............ W....................... n/a 22,485 13,250
C....................... n/a 26,769 26,769
WYK..................... n/a 2,677 2,677
SEO..................... n/a 1,606 1,606
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 65,736 53,537 44,302
Deep-water flatfish \6\............... W....................... n/a 256 256
C....................... n/a 2,105 2,105
WYK..................... n/a 1,407 1,407
SEO..................... n/a 2,048 2,048
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 6,918 5,816 5,816
Rex sole.............................. W....................... n/a 3,236 3,236
C....................... n/a 13,110 13,110
WYK..................... n/a 1,439 1,439
SEO..................... n/a 2,879 2,879
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 25,135 20,664 20,664
Arrowtooth flounder................... W....................... n/a 30,469 14,500
C....................... n/a 65,000 65,000
WYK..................... n/a 7,886 7,886
SEO..................... n/a 16,130 6,900
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 142,749 119,485 94,286
Flathead sole......................... W....................... n/a 12,793 8,650
C....................... n/a 21,487 21,487
WYK..................... n/a 2,320 2,320
SEO..................... n/a 2,880 2,880
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 48,161 39,480 35,337
Pacific ocean perch \7\............... W....................... n/a 2,529 2,529
C....................... n/a 29,940 29,940
WYK..................... n/a 1,370 1,370
-----------------------------------------------
W/C/WYK subtotal..... 40,308 33,839 33,839
SEO..................... 3,994 3,354 3,354
-----------------------------------------------
Total.............. 44,302 37,193 37,193
Northern rockfish \8\................. W....................... n/a 2,614 2,614
C....................... n/a 2,350 2,350
E....................... n/a .............. ..............
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 5,927 4,964 4,964
[[Page 13243]]
Shortraker rockfish \9\............... W....................... n/a 51 51
C....................... n/a 280 280
E....................... n/a 374 374
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 940 705 705
Dusky rockfish \10\................... W....................... n/a 149 149
C....................... n/a 7,647 7,647
WYK..................... n/a 90 90
SEO..................... n/a 31 31
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 9,638 7,917 7,917
Rougheye and Blackspotted rockfish W....................... n/a 180 180
\11\.
C....................... n/a 232 232
E....................... n/a 363 363
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 930 775 775
Demersal shelf rockfish \12\.......... SEO..................... 376 283 283
Thornyhead rockfish \13\.............. W....................... n/a 314 314
C....................... n/a 693 693
E....................... n/a 621 621
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 2,170 1,628 1,628
Other rockfish \14\ \15\.............. W and C................. n/a 940 940
WYK..................... n/a 370 370
SEO..................... n/a 2,744 300
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 5,320 4,054 1,610
Atka mackerel......................... GW...................... 6,200 4,700 3,000
Big skate \16\........................ W....................... n/a 591 591
C....................... n/a 1,482 1,482
E....................... n/a 794 794
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 3,822 2,867 2,867
Longnose skate \17\................... W....................... n/a 151 151
C....................... n/a 2,044 2,044
E....................... n/a 517 517
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 3,616 2,712 2,712
Other skates \18\..................... GW...................... 1,311 984 984
Sharks................................ GW...................... 6,521 4,891 4,891
Octopus............................... GW...................... 1,307 980 980
-----------------------------------------------
Total.............. 646,826 539,072 468,796
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Regulatory areas and districts are defined at Sec. 679.2. (W=Western Gulf of Alaska; C=Central Gulf of
Alaska; E=Eastern Gulf of Alaska; WYK=West Yakutat District; SEO=Southeast Outside District; GW=Gulf-wide).
\2\ The total for the W/C/WYK Regulatory Areas pollock ABC is 148,938 mt. After deducting 2.5 percent (3,723 mt)
of that ABC for the State's pollock GHL fishery, the remaining pollock ABC of 145,215 mt (for the W/C/WYK
Regulatory Areas) is apportioned among four statistical areas (Areas 610, 620, 630, and 640). These
apportionments are considered subarea ACLs, rather than ABCs, for specification and reapportionment purposes.
The ACLs in Areas 610, 620, and 630 are further divided by season, as detailed in Table 3 (final 2023 seasonal
biomass distribution of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, area apportionments, and seasonal
allowances). In the West Yakutat (Area 640) and Southeast Outside (Area 650) Districts of the Eastern
Regulatory Area, pollock is not divided into seasonal allowances.
\3\ The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned, after seasonal apportionment to the jig sector, as follows: (1)
63.84 percent to the A season and 36.16 percent to the B season and (2) 64.16 percent to the A season and
35.84 percent to the B season in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA, respectively. Pacific
cod TAC in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA is allocated 90 percent to vessels harvesting Pacific cod
for processing by the inshore component and 10 percent to vessels harvesting Pacific cod for processing by the
offshore component. Table 5 lists the final 2023 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments and sector allocations.
\4\ The sablefish OFL and ABC are set Alaska-wide (47,390 mt and 40,502 mt, respectively), and the Alaska-wide
totals are included in the total OFL and ABC in Table 1. Additionally, sablefish is allocated to trawl and
fixed gear in 2023 and trawl gear in 2024. Table 7 lists the final 2023 allocations of sablefish TACs.
\5\ ``Shallow-water flatfish'' means flatfish not including ``deep-water flatfish,'' flathead sole, rex sole, or
arrowtooth flounder.
\6\ ``Deep-water flatfish'' means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, and deepsea sole.
\7\ ``Pacific ocean perch'' means Sebastes alutus.
\8\ ``Northern rockfish'' means Sebastes polyspinis. For management purposes, the 1 mt apportionment of ABC to
the WYK District of the Eastern Gulf of Alaska has been included in the ``other rockfish'' species group.
\9\ ``Shortraker rockfish'' means Sebastes borealis.
\10\ ``Dusky rockfish'' means Sebastes variabilis.
\11\ ``Rougheye and blackspotted rockfish'' mean Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and S. melanostictus
(blackspotted).
\12\ ``Demersal shelf rockfish'' means Sebastes pinniger (canary), S. nebulosus (china), S. caurinus (copper),
S. maliger (quillback), S. helvomaculatus (rosethorn), S. nigrocinctus (tiger), and S. ruberrimus (yelloweye).
\13\ ``Thornyhead rockfish'' means Sebastolobus species.
[[Page 13244]]
\14\ ``Other rockfish'' means Sebastes aurora (aurora), S. melanostomus (blackgill), S. paucispinis (bocaccio),
S. goodei (chilipepper), S. crameri (darkblotch), S. elongatus (greenstriped), S. variegatus (harlequin), S.
wilsoni (pygmy), S. babcocki (redbanded), S. proriger (redstripe), S. zacentrus (sharpchin), S. jordani
(shortbelly), S. brevispinis (silvergrey), S. diploproa (splitnose), S. saxicola (stripetail), S. miniatus
(vermilion), S. reedi (yellowmouth), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus (yellowtail). In the Eastern GOA
only, ``other rockfish'' also includes northern rockfish, S. polyspinis.
\15\ ``Other rockfish'' in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat District means other
rockfish and demersal shelf rockfish. The ``other rockfish'' species group in the SEO District only includes
``other rockfish.''
\16\ ``Big skate'' means Raja binoculata.
\17\ ``Longnose skate'' means Raja rhina.
\18\ ``Other skates'' mean Bathyraja and Raja spp.
Table 2--Final 2024 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs of Groundfish for the Western/Central/West Yakutat, Western, Central,
Eastern Regulatory Areas, the West Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts of the Eastern Regulatory Area, and
Gulfwide Districts of the Gulf of Alaska
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Area \1\ OFL ABC TAC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock \2\........................... Shumagin (610).......... n/a 29,156 29,156
Chirikof (620).......... n/a 83,283 83,283
Kodiak (630)............ n/a 36,478 36,478
WYK (640)............... n/a 8,136 8,136
-----------------------------------------------
W/C/WYK (subtotal) 186,101 161,080 157,053
\2\.
SEO (650)............... 15,150 11,363 11,363
-----------------------------------------------
Total.............. 201,251 172,443 168,416
Pacific cod \3\....................... W....................... n/a 6,873 4,811
C....................... n/a 13,655 10,241
E....................... n/a 2,155 1,616
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 27,507 22,683 16,668
Sablefish \4\......................... W....................... n/a 4,626 4,626
C....................... n/a 8,819 8,819
WYK..................... n/a 2,669 2,669
SEO..................... n/a 4,981 4,981
-----------------------------------------------
Subtotal TAC......... n/a n/a 21,095
-----------------------------------------------
Total.............. 48,561 41,539 n/a
Shallow-water flatfish \5\............ W....................... n/a 23,299 13,250
C....................... n/a 27,737 27,737
WYK..................... n/a 2,774 2,774
SEO..................... n/a 1,664 1,664
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 68,015 55,474 45,425
Deep-water flatfish \6\............... W....................... n/a 255 255
C....................... n/a 2,068 2,068
WYK..................... n/a 1,383 1,383
SEO..................... n/a 2,013 2,013
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 6,802 5,719 5,719
Rex sole.............................. W....................... n/a 3,314 3,314
C....................... n/a 13,425 13,425
WYK..................... n/a 1,453 1,453
SEO..................... n/a 2,905 2,905
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 25,652 21,097 21,097
Arrowtooth flounder................... W....................... n/a 30,093 14,500
C....................... n/a 64,200 64,200
WYK..................... n/a 7,789 7,789
SEO..................... n/a 15,932 6,900
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 141,008 118,014 93,389
Flathead sole......................... W....................... n/a 13,033 8,650
C....................... n/a 21,892 21,892
WYK..................... n/a 2,363 2,363
SEO..................... n/a 2,934 2,934
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 49,073 40,222 35,839
Pacific ocean perch \7\............... W....................... n/a 2,461 2,461
C....................... n/a 29,138 29,138
WYK..................... n/a 1,333 1,333
W/C/WYK................. 39,229 32,932 32,932
SEO..................... 3,888 3,264 3,264
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 43,117 36,196 36,196
[[Page 13245]]
Northern rockfish \8\................. W....................... n/a 2,497 2,497
C....................... n/a 2,244 2,244
E....................... n/a .............. ..............
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 5,661 4,741 4,741
Shortraker rockfish \9\............... W....................... n/a 51 51
C....................... n/a 280 280
E....................... n/a 374 374
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 940 705 705
Dusky rockfish \10\................... W....................... n/a 141 141
C....................... n/a 7,264 7,264
WYK..................... n/a 85 85
SEO..................... n/a 30 30
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 9,154 7,520 7,520
Rougheye and Blackspotted rockfish W....................... n/a 180 180
\11\.
C....................... n/a 231 231
E....................... n/a 361 361
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 927 772 772
Demersal shelf rockfish \12\.......... SEO..................... 376 283 283
Thornyhead rockfish \13\.............. W....................... n/a 314 314
C....................... n/a 693 693
E....................... n/a 621 621
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 2,170 1,628 1,628
Other rockfish \14\ \15\.............. W and C................. n/a 940 940
WYK..................... n/a 370 370
SEO..................... n/a 2,744 300
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 5,320 4,054 1,610
Atka mackerel......................... GW...................... 6,200 4,700 3,000
Big skate \16\........................ W....................... n/a 591 591
C....................... n/a 1,482 1,482
E....................... n/a 794 794
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 3,822 2,867 2,867
Longnose skate \17\................... W....................... n/a 151 151
C....................... n/a 2,044 2,044
E....................... n/a 517 517
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 3,616 2,712 2,712
Other skates \18\..................... GW...................... 1,311 984 984
Sharks................................ GW...................... 6,521 4,891 4,891
Octopus............................... GW...................... 1,307 980 980
-----------------------------------------------
Total.............. 658,311 550,224 476,537
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Regulatory areas and districts are defined at Sec. 679.2. (W=Western Gulf of Alaska; C=Central Gulf of
Alaska; E=Eastern Gulf of Alaska; WYK=West Yakutat District; SEO=Southeast Outside District; GW=Gulf-wide).
\2\ The total for the W/C/WYK Regulatory Areas pollock ABC is 161,080 mt. After deducting 2.5 percent (4,027 mt)
of that ABC for the State's pollock GHL fishery, the remaining pollock ABC of 157,053 mt (for the W/C/WYK
Regulatory Areas) is apportioned among four statistical areas (Areas 610, 620, 630, and 640). These
apportionments are considered subarea ACLs, rather than ABCs, for specification and reapportionment purposes.
The ACLs in Areas 610, 620, and 630 are further divided by season, as detailed in Table 4 (final 2024 seasonal
biomass distribution of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, area apportionments, and seasonal
allowances). In the West Yakutat (Area 640) and Southeast Outside (Area 650) Districts of the Eastern
Regulatory Area, pollock is not divided into seasonal allowances.
\3\ The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned, after seasonal apportionment to the jig sector, as follows: 1)
63.84 percent to the A season and 36.16 percent to the B season and 2) 64.16 percent to the A season and 35.84
percent to the B season in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA, respectively. Pacific cod TAC
in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA is allocated 90 percent to vessels harvesting Pacific cod for
processing by the inshore component and 10 percent to vessels harvesting Pacific cod for processing by the
offshore component. Table 6 lists the final 2024 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments and sector allocations.
\4\ The sablefish OFL and ABC are set Alaska-wide (48,561 mt and 41,539 mt, respectively), and the Alaska-wide
totals are included in the total OFL and ABC in Table 2. Additionally, sablefish is allocated only to trawl
gear for 2024. Table 8 lists the final 2024 allocation of sablefish TACs to trawl gear.
\5\ ``Shallow-water flatfish'' means flatfish not including ``deep-water flatfish,'' flathead sole, rex sole, or
arrowtooth flounder.
\6\ ``Deep-water flatfish'' means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, and deepsea sole.
\7\ ``Pacific ocean perch'' means Sebastes alutus.
\8\ ``Northern rockfish'' means Sebastes polyspinis. For management purposes, the 1 mt apportionment of ABC to
the WYK District of the Eastern Gulf of Alaska has been included in the ``other rockfish'' species group.
\9\ ``Shortraker rockfish'' means Sebastes borealis.
[[Page 13246]]
\10\ ``Dusky rockfish'' means Sebastes variabilis.
\11\ ``Rougheye and blackspotted rockfish'' mean Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and S. melanostictus
(blackspotted).
\12\ ``Demersal shelf rockfish'' means Sebastes pinniger (canary), S. nebulosus (china), S. caurinus (copper),
S. maliger (quillback), S. helvomaculatus (rosethorn), S. nigrocinctus (tiger), and S. ruberrimus (yelloweye).
\13\ ``Thornyhead rockfish'' means Sebastolobus species.
\14\ ``Other rockfish'' means Sebastes aurora (aurora), S. melanostomus (blackgill), S. paucispinis (bocaccio),
S. goodei (chilipepper), S. crameri (darkblotch), S. elongatus (greenstriped), S. variegatus (harlequin), S.
wilsoni (pygmy), S. babcocki (redbanded), S. proriger (redstripe), S. zacentrus (sharpchin), S. jordani
(shortbelly), S. brevispinis (silvergrey), S. diploproa (splitnose), S. saxicola (stripetail), S. miniatus
(vermilion), S. reedi (yellowmouth), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus (yellowtail). In the Eastern GOA
only, ``other rockfish'' also includes northern rockfish, S. polyspinis.
\15\ ``Other rockfish'' in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat District means other
rockfish and demersal shelf rockfish. The ``other rockfish'' species group in the SEO District only includes
``other rockfish.''
\16\ ``Big skate'' means Raja binoculata.
\17\ ``Longnose skate'' means Raja rhina.
\18\ ``Other skates'' mean Bathyraja and Raja spp.
Apportionment of Reserves
Section 679.20(b)(2) requires NMFS to set aside 20 percent of each
TAC for pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, sharks, and octopuses in
reserve for possible apportionment at a later date during the fishing
year. For 2023 and 2024, NMFS proposed reapportionment of all the
reserves in the proposed 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications published
in the Federal Register on December 2, 2022 (87 FR 74102). NMFS did not
receive any public comments on the proposed reapportionments. For the
final 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications, NMFS reapportions, as
proposed, all the reserves for pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, sharks,
and octopuses back to the original TAC limit from which the reserve was
derived (Sec. 679.20(b)(3)). This is being done because NMFS expects,
based on recent harvest patterns, that such reserves are not necessary
or that the entire TAC for each of these species will be caught. The
TACs listed in Tables 1 and 2 reflect reapportionments of reserve
amounts to the original TAC limit for these species and species groups,
i.e., each final TAC for the above-mentioned species or species groups
contains the full TAC recommended by the Council.
Apportionments of Pollock TAC Among Seasons and Regulatory Areas, and
Allocations for Processing by Inshore and Offshore Components
In the GOA, pollock is apportioned by season and area, and is
further allocated for processing by inshore and offshore components.
The pollock TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA
are apportioned among Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630. These
apportionments are divided into two equal seasonal allowances of 50
percent to the A season (January 20 through May 31) and 50 percent to
the B season (September 1 through November 1) (Sec. Sec.
679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B) and 679.23(d)(2)).
Effective in 2021, regulatory changes revised the number of GOA
pollock seasons to two seasons from four seasons (85 FR 38093, June 25,
2020). The GOA pollock stock assessment continues to use a four-season
methodology to determine pollock distribution in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA to maintain continuity in the
historical pollock apportionment time-series. Pollock TACs in the
Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA are apportioned among
Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630 in proportion to the distribution
of pollock biomass determined by the most recent NMFS surveys, pursuant
to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A). The pollock chapter of the 2022 SAFE
report (see ADDRESSES) contains a comprehensive description of the
apportionment and reasons for the minor changes from past
apportionments. For purposes of specifying pollock TAC between two
seasons for the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA, NMFS
has summed the A and B season apportionments and the C and D season
apportionments, using the four-season methodology, as calculated in the
2022 GOA pollock assessment. This yields the seasonal amounts specified
for the A season and the B season, respectively.
Within any fishing year, the amount by which a pollock seasonal
allowance is underharvested or overharvested may be added to, or
subtracted from, the subsequent seasonal allowance for the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas in a manner to be determined by the Regional
Administrator (Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The rollover amount is
limited to 20 percent of the subsequent seasonal TAC apportionment for
the statistical area. Any unharvested pollock above the 20-percent
limit could be further distributed to the other statistical areas, in
proportion to the estimated biomass in the subsequent season in those
statistical areas and in an amount no more than 20 percent of the
seasonal TAC apportionment in those statistical areas (Sec.
679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The pollock TACs in the WYK and the SEO Districts
of 7,523 mt and 11,363 mt, respectively, in 2023, and 8,136 mt and
11,363 mt, respectively, in 2024, are not allocated by season.
Tables 3 and 4 list the final 2023 and 2024 seasonal biomass
distribution of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas,
area apportionments, and seasonal allowances. The amounts of pollock
for processing by the inshore and offshore components are not shown.
Section 679.20(a)(6)(i) requires the allocation of 100 percent of the
pollock TAC in all GOA regulatory areas and all seasonal allowances to
vessels catching pollock for processing by the inshore component after
subtraction of pollock amounts projected by the Regional Administrator
to be caught by, or delivered to, the offshore component incidental to
directed fishing for other groundfish species. Thus, the amount of
pollock available for harvest by vessels harvesting pollock for
processing by the offshore component is that amount that will be taken
as incidental catch during directed fishing for groundfish species
other than pollock, up to the maximum retainable amounts allowed by
Sec. 679.20(e) and (f). At this time, these incidental catch amounts
of pollock are unknown and will be determined during the fishing year
during the course of fishing activities by the offshore component.
[[Page 13247]]
Table 3--Final 2023 Distribution of Pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska;
Area Apportionments; and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton \1\]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shumigan (Area Chirikof (Area Kodiak (Area
Season \2\ 610) 620) 630) Total \3\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A (January 20-May 31)........................... 1,685 58,039 9,121 68,846
B (September 1-November 1)...................... 25,272 18,965 24,608 68,846
---------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Total................................ 26,958 77,005 33,729 137,691
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Area apportionments and seasonal allowances may not total precisely due to rounding.
\2\ As established by Sec. 679.23(d)(2), directed fishing for pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory
Areas is authorized only during the following two seasons: 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.
Table 4--Final 2024 Distribution of Pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska;
Area Apportionments; and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton \1\]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shumigan (Area Chirikof (Area Kodiak (Area
Season \2\ 610) 620) 630) Total \3\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A (January 20-May 31)........................... 1,823 62,771 9,864 74,459
B (September 1-November 1)...................... 27,333 20,511 26,614 74,459
---------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Total................................ 29,156 83,283 36,478 148,917
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Area apportionments and seasonal allowances may not total precisely due to rounding.
\2\ As established by Sec. 679.23(d)(2), directed fishing for pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory
Areas is authorized only during the following two seasons: 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.
Annual and Seasonal Apportionments of Pacific Cod TAC
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i), NMFS seasonally allocates the
2023 and 2024 Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory
Areas of the GOA among gear and operational sectors. In the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas, a portion of the annual TAC is apportioned to
the A season for hook-and-line, pot, and jig gear from January 1
through June 10, and for trawl gear from January 20 through June 10,
and a portion of the annual TAC is apportioned to the B season for jig
gear from June 10 through December 31, for hook-and-line and pot gear
from September 1 through December 31, and for trawl gear from September
1 through November 1 (Sec. Sec. 679.20(a)(12) and 679.23(d)(3)). NMFS
also allocates the Pacific cod TACs annually between the inshore (90
percent) and offshore (10 percent) components in the Eastern Regulatory
Area of the GOA (Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(ii)).
In the Central GOA, the Pacific cod TAC is apportioned seasonally
first to vessels using jig gear, and then among catcher vessels (CVs)
less than 50 feet (15.2 meters (m)) in length overall using hook-and-
line gear, CVs equal to or greater than 50 feet (15.2 m) in length
overall using hook-and-line gear, catcher/processors (CPs) using hook-
and-line gear, CVs using trawl gear, CPs using trawl gear, and vessels
using pot gear (Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)(B)). In the Western GOA, the
Pacific cod TAC is apportioned seasonally first to vessels using jig
gear, and then among CVs using hook-and-line gear, CPs using hook-and-
line gear, CVs using trawl gear, CPs using trawl gear, and vessels
using pot gear (Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A)). Excluding seasonal
apportionments to the jig sector, NMFS seasonally apportions the
remainder of the annual Pacific cod TACs in the Western GOA as 63.84
percent to the A season and 36.16 percent to the B season, and in the
Central GOA as 64.16 percent to the A season and 35.84 percent to the B
season.
Under Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(ii), any overage or underage of the
Pacific cod season allowance from the A season may be subtracted from,
or added to, the subsequent B season allowance. In addition, any
portion of the hook-and-line, trawl, pot, or jig sector allocations
that is determined by NMFS as likely to go unharvested by a sector may
be reallocated to other sectors for harvest during the remainder of the
fishing year.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A) and (B), a portion of the
annual Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central GOA will be
allocated to vessels with a Federal fisheries permit that use jig gear
before the TACs are apportioned among other non-jig sectors. In
accordance with the FMP, the annual jig sector allocations may increase
to up to 6 percent of the annual Western and Central GOA Pacific cod
TACs, depending on the annual performance of the jig sector (see Table
1 of the rulemaking to implement Amendment 83 to the FMP for a detailed
discussion of the jig sector allocation process (76 FR 74670, December
1, 2011)). Jig sector allocation increases are established for a
minimum of 2 years.
NMFS has evaluated the historical harvest performance of the jig
sector in the Western and Central GOA, and is establishing the 2023 and
2024 Pacific cod apportionments to this sector based on its historical
harvest performance through 2022. NMFS did not evaluate the 2020
performance of the jig sectors in the Western and Central GOA. Since
NMFS prohibited directed fishing for all Pacific cod sectors in 2020,
the catch for the jig sectors could not reach 90 percent of the annual
allocation that is required for a performance increase in the following
year's allocation (87 FR 74102, December 2, 2022; 84 FR 70438, December
23, 2019). For 2023 and 2024,
[[Page 13248]]
NMFS allocates the jig sector 2.5 percent of the annual Pacific cod TAC
in the Western GOA. The 2023 and 2024 allocations consist of a base
allocation of 1.5 percent of the Western GOA Pacific cod TAC, and prior
additional performance increases of 1.0 percent. For 2023 and 2024,
NMFS allocates the jig sector 1.0 percent of the annual Pacific cod TAC
in the Central GOA. The 2023 and 2024 allocations consist of a base
allocation of 1.0 percent of the Central GOA Pacific cod TAC, and no
additional performance increase in the Central GOA.
For 2023 and 2024, NMFS is apportioning the jig sector allocations
for the Western and Central GOA between the A season (60 percent) and
the B season (40 percent), pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i). This is
the same jig sector seasonal apportionment implemented in prior
groundfish harvest specifications for the GOA and is consistent with
Amendment 83 to the FMP (76 FR 44700, July 26, 2011).
Tables 5 and 6 list the seasonal apportionments and allocations of
the 2023 and 2024 Pacific cod TACs.
Table 5--Final 2023 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 (2.5% of TAC)........... 131 2.50 78 N/A 52
Hook-and-line CV............ 71 0.70 36 0.70 36
Hook-and-line CP............ 1,009 10.90 555 8.90 453
Trawl CV.................... 1,956 31.54 1,607 6.86 349
Trawl CP.................... 122 0.90 46 1.50 76
All Pot CV and Pot CP....... 1,936 19.80 1,009 18.20 927
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 5,225 63.84 3,331 36.16 1,894
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central GOA:
Jig (1.0% of TAC)........... 111 1.00 67 N/A 44
Hook-and-line <50 CV........ 1,608 9.32 1,026 5.29 582
Hook-and-line >=50 CV....... 738 5.61 618 1.10 121
Hook-and-line CP............ 562 4.11 452 1.00 110
Trawl CV \1\................ 4,579 25.29 2,785 16.29 1,794
Trawl CP.................... 462 2.00 221 2.19 242
All Pot CV and Pot CP....... 3,062 17.83 1,963 9.97 1,098
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 11,123 64.16 7,131 35.84 3,991
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern GOA..................... .............. Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
---------------------------------------------------------------
1,755 1,580
176
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Trawl catcher vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 424 mt, of the
annual Central GOA TAC, which is deducted from the Trawl CV B season allowance (see Table 12. Final 2023
Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA and Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679).
Table 6--Final 2024 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 (2.5% of TAC)........... 120 2.50 72 N/A 48
Hook-and-line CV............ 66 0.70 33 0.70 33
Hook-and-line CP............ 929 10.90 511 8.90 417
Trawl CV.................... 1,801 31.54 1,479 6.86 322
Trawl CP.................... 113 0.90 42 1.50 70
All Pot CV and Pot CP....... 1,783 19.80 929 18.20 854
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 4,811 63.84 3,067 36.16 1,744
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central GOA:
[[Page 13249]]
Jig (1.0% of TAC)........... 102 1.00 61 N/A 41
Hook-and-line <50 CV........ 1,481 9.32 944 5.29 536
Hook-and-line >=50 CV....... 680 5.61 569 1.10 111
Hook-and-line CP............ 518 4.11 416 1.00 101
Trawl CV \1\................ 4,216 25.29 2,564 16.29 1,652
Trawl CP.................... 426 2.00 203 2.19 222
All Pot CV and Pot CP....... 2,819 17.83 1,808 9.97 1,011
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 10,241 64.16 6,566 35.84 3,675
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern GOA..................... .............. Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
---------------------------------------------------------------
1,616 1,455
162
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Trawl catcher vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 390 mt, of the
annual Central GOA TAC, which is deducted from the Trawl CV B season allowance (see Table 13. Final 2024
Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA and Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679).
Allocations of the Sablefish TAC Amounts to Vessels Using Fixed and
Trawl Gear
Section 679.20(a)(4)(i) and (ii) require allocations of sablefish
TACs for each of the regulatory areas and districts to fixed and trawl
gear. In the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, 80 percent of each
TAC is allocated to fixed gear, and 20 percent of each TAC is allocated
to trawl gear. In the Eastern Regulatory Area, 95 percent of the TAC is
allocated to fixed gear, and 5 percent is allocated to trawl gear. The
trawl gear allocation in the Eastern Regulatory Area may only be used
to support incidental catch of sablefish using trawl gear while
directed fishing for other target species (Sec. 679.20(a)(4)(i)).
In recognition of the prohibition against trawl gear in the SEO
District of the Eastern Regulatory Area, the Council recommended, and
NMFS approves, specifying for incidental catch the allocation of 5
percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area sablefish TAC to trawl
gear in the WYK District of the Eastern Regulatory Area. The remainder
of the WYK District sablefish TAC is allocated to vessels using fixed
gear. NMFS allocates 100 percent of the sablefish TAC in the SEO
District to vessels using fixed gear. This action results in 2023
allocations of 440 mt to trawl gear and 2,765 mt to fixed gear in the
WYK District, a 2023 allocation of 5,602 mt to fixed gear in the SEO
District, and a 2024 allocation of 383 mt to trawl gear in the WYK
District. Table 7 lists the allocations of the 2023 sablefish TACs to
fixed and trawl gear. Table 8 lists the allocations of the 2024
sablefish TACs to trawl gear.
The Council recommended that a trawl sablefish TAC be established
for 2 years so that retention of incidental catch of sablefish by trawl
gear could commence in January in the second year of the groundfish
harvest specifications. Both the 2023 and 2024 trawl allocations are
specified in these final harvest specifications in Tables 7 and 8,
respectively.
The Council also recommended that the fixed gear sablefish TAC be
established annually to ensure that this IFQ fishery is conducted
concurrently with the halibut IFQ fishery and is based on the most
recent survey information. Since there is an annual assessment for
sablefish and since the final harvest specifications are expected to be
published before the IFQ season begins in March 2023, the Council
recommended that the fixed gear sablefish TAC be set annually, rather
than for 2 years, so that the best scientific information available
could be considered in establishing the sablefish TACs. Accordingly,
Table 7 lists the 2023 fixed gear allocations, and the 2024 fixed gear
allocations will be specified in the 2024 and 2025 harvest
specifications.
With the exception of the trawl allocations that are provided to
the Rockfish Program (see Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679), directed
fishing for sablefish with trawl gear in the GOA is closed during the
fishing year. Also, fishing for groundfish with trawl gear is
prohibited prior to January 20 (Sec. 679.23(c)). Therefore, it is not
likely that the sablefish allocation to trawl gear will be reached
before the effective date of these final 2023 and 2024 harvest
specifications.
Table 7--Final 2023 Sablefish TAC Amounts in the Gulf of Alaska and Allocations to Fixed and Trawl Gear
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed gear Trawl gear
Area/district TAC allocation allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western......................................................... 4,473 3,578 895
Central \1\..................................................... 9,921 7,936 1,985
West Yakutat \2\................................................ 3,205 2,765 440
[[Page 13250]]
Southeast Outside............................................... 5,602 5,602 0
-----------------------------------------------
Total....................................................... 23,201 19,881 3,320
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The trawl allocation of sablefish in the Central Regulatory Area is further apportioned to the Rockfish
Program cooperatives (1,021 mt). See Table 12: Final 2023 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the
Central GOA. This results in 964 mt being available for the non-Rockfish Program trawl fisheries.
\2\ The trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat
and Southeast Outside Districts) sablefish TAC as incidental catch to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.
Table 8--Final 2024 Sablefish TAC Amounts in the Gulf of Alaska and Allocations to Trawl Gear \1\
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed gear Trawl gear
Area/district TAC allocation allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western......................................................... 4,626 n/a 925
Central \2\..................................................... 8,819 n/a 1,764
West Yakutat \3\................................................ 2,669 n/a 383
Southeast Outside............................................... 4,981 n/a 0
-----------------------------------------------
Total....................................................... 21,095 0 3,072
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Council recommended that the final 2024 harvest specifications for the fixed gear sablefish Individual
Fishing Quota fisheries not be specified in the final 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications. The final 2024
harvest specifications for fixed gear will be specified in the 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications.
\2\ The trawl allocation of sablefish in the Central Regulatory Area is further apportioned to the Rockfish
Program cooperatives (907 mt). See Table 13: Final 2024 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the
Central GOA. This results in 857 mt being available for the non-Rockfish Program trawl fisheries.
\3\ The trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat
and Southeast Outside Districts) sablefish TAC as incidental catch to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.
Allocations, Apportionments, and Sideboard Limits for the Rockfish
Program
These final 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications for the GOA
include the fishery cooperative allocations and sideboard limitations
established by the Rockfish Program. Rockfish Program participants are
primarily trawl CVs and trawl CPs, with limited participation by
vessels using longline gear. The Rockfish Program assigns quota share
and cooperative quota to participants for primary species (Pacific
ocean perch, northern rockfish, and dusky rockfish) and secondary
species (Pacific cod, rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, sablefish,
shortraker rockfish, and thornyhead rockfish), allows a participant
holding a license limitation program (LLP) license with rockfish quota
share to form a rockfish cooperative with other persons, and allows
holders of CP LLP licenses to opt out of the fishery. The Rockfish
Program also has an entry-level fishery for rockfish primary species
for vessels using longline gear. Longline gear includes hook-and-line,
jig, troll, and handline gear.
Under the Rockfish Program, rockfish primary species in the Central
GOA are allocated to participants after deducting for incidental catch
needs in other directed groundfish fisheries (Sec. 679.81(a)(2)).
Participants in the Rockfish Program also receive a portion of the
Central GOA TAC of specific secondary species. In addition to
groundfish species, the Rockfish Program allocates a portion of the
halibut PSC limit (191 mt) from the third season deep-water species
fishery allowance for the GOA trawl fisheries to Rockfish Program
participants (Sec. 679.81(d) and Table 28d to 50 CFR part 679). The
Rockfish Program also establishes sideboard limits to restrict the
ability of harvesters operating under the Rockfish Program to increase
their participation in other, non-Rockfish Program fisheries. These
restrictions and halibut PSC limits are discussed in the Rockfish
Program Groundfish Sideboard and Halibut PSC Limitations section of
this rule.
Section 679.81(a)(2)(ii) and Table 28e to 50 CFR part 679 require
allocations of 5 mt of Pacific ocean perch, 5 mt of northern rockfish,
and 50 mt of dusky rockfish to the entry-level longline fishery in 2023
and 2024. The allocations for the entry-level longline fishery may
increase incrementally each year if the catch in the previous year
exceeds 90 percent of the allocation of a species. The incremental
increase in the allocation would continue each year until it reaches
the maximum percent of the TAC assigned to the Rockfish Program for
that species. In 2022, the catch of Pacific ocean perch, northern
rockfish, and dusky rockfish did not attain the 90 percent threshold,
and the final allocations for 2023 therefore remain the same as the
2022 allocations. The remainder of the TACs for the rockfish primary
species are allocated to the CV and CP cooperatives (Sec.
679.81(a)(2)(iii)). Table 9 lists the allocations of the 2023 and 2024
TACs for each rockfish primary species to the entry-level longline
fishery, the potential incremental increases for future years, and the
maximum percent of the TACs assigned to the Rockfish Program that may
be allocated to the rockfish entry-level longline fishery.
[[Page 13251]]
Table 9--Final 2023 and Initial 2024 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species to the Entry Level Longline Fishery
in the Central Gulf of Alaska
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incremental increase in
Rockfish primary species 2023 and 2024 allocations 2024 if >90% of 2023 Up to maximum
allocation is harvested percent of TAC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch................... 5 metric tons............ 5 metric tons............ 1
Northern rockfish..................... 5 metric tons............ 5 metric tons............ 2
Dusky rockfish........................ 50 metric tons........... 20 metric tons........... 5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 679.81 requires allocations of rockfish primary species
among various sectors of the Rockfish Program. Tables 10 and 11 list
the final 2023 and 2024 allocations of rockfish primary species in the
Central GOA to the entry-level longline fishery, and rockfish CV and CP
cooperatives in the Rockfish Program. NMFS also is setting aside
incidental catch amounts (ICAs) for other directed fisheries in the
Central GOA of 3,000 mt of Pacific ocean perch, 300 mt of northern
rockfish, and 250 mt of dusky rockfish. These amounts are based on
recent average incidental catches of these species in the Central GOA
by other groundfish fisheries.
Allocations among vessels belonging to CV or CP cooperatives are
not included in these final harvest specifications. Rockfish Program
applications for CV cooperatives and CP cooperatives are not due to
NMFS until March 1 of each calendar year; therefore, NMFS cannot
calculate 2023 and 2024 allocations in conjunction with these final
harvest specifications (Sec. 679.81(f)). After receiving the Rockfish
Program applications, NMFS will calculate the 2023 allocations for CV
and CP cooperatives, as set forth in Sec. 679.81(b), (c), and (e);
NMFS will post the 2023 allocations on the Alaska Region website at
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/sustainable-fisheries/alaska-fisheries-management-reports#central-goa-rockfish when they become
available after March 1, 2023.
Table 10--Final 2023 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species in the Central Gulf of Alaska to the Entry Level
Longline Fishery and Rockfish Cooperatives in the Rockfish Program
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allocation to Allocation to
Central GOA Incidental the entry the Rockfish
Rockfish primary species annual TAC catch TAC minus ICA level longline cooperatives
allowance \1\ fishery \2\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch............. 29,940 3,000 26,940 5 26,935
Northern rockfish............... 2,350 300 2,050 5 2,045
Dusky rockfish.................. 7,647 250 7,397 50 7,347
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total....................... 39,937 3,550 36,387 60 36,327
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Longline gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear (50 CFR 679.2).
\2\ Rockfish cooperatives include vessels in CV and CP cooperatives (50 CFR 679.81).
Table 11--Final 2024 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species in the Central Gulf of Alaska to the Entry Level
Longline Fishery and Rockfish Cooperatives in the Rockfish Program
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allocation to Allocation to
Central GOA Incidental the entry the Rockfish
Rockfish primary species annual TAC catch TAC minus ICA level longline cooperatives
allowance \1\ fishery \2\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch............. 29,138 3,000 26,138 5 26,133
Northern rockfish............... 2,244 300 1,944 5 1,939
Dusky rockfish.................. 7,264 250 7,014 50 6,964
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total....................... 38,646 3,550 35,096 60 35,036
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Longline gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear (50 CFR 679.2).
\2\ Rockfish cooperatives include vessels in CV and CP cooperatives (50 CFR 679.81).
Section 679.81(c) and Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679 require
allocations of rockfish secondary species to CV and CP cooperatives in
the Central GOA. CV cooperatives receive allocations of Pacific cod,
sablefish from the trawl gear allocation, and thornyhead rockfish. CP
cooperatives receive allocations of sablefish from the trawl gear
allocation, rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, shortraker rockfish,
and thornyhead rockfish. Tables 12 and 13 list the apportionments of
the 2023 and 2024 TACs of rockfish secondary species in the Central GOA
to CV and CP cooperatives.
[[Page 13252]]
Table 12--Final 2023 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA to Catcher Vessel and Catcher/Processor Cooperatives
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher vessel cooperatives Catcher/processor cooperatives
Central GOA -------------------------------------------------------------------
Rockfish secondary species annual TAC Percentage of Apportionment Percentage of Apportionment
TAC (mt) TAC (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod........................................................ 11,123 3.81 424 0.00 0
Sablefish.......................................................... 9,921 6.78 673 3.51 348
Shortraker rockfish................................................ 280 0.00 0 40.00 112
Rougheye/blackspotted rockfish..................................... 232 0.00 0 58.87 137
Thornyhead rockfish................................................ 693 7.84 54 26.50 184
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 13--Final 2024 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA to Catcher Vessel and Catcher/Processor Cooperatives
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher vessel cooperatives Catcher/processor cooperatives
Central GOA -------------------------------------------------------------------
Rockfish secondary species annual TAC Percentage of Apportionment Percentage of Apportionment
TAC (mt) TAC (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod........................................................ 10,241 3.81 390 0.00 0
Sablefish.......................................................... 8,819 6.78 598 3.51 310
Shortraker rockfish................................................ 280 0.00 0 40.00 112
Rougheye/blackspotted rockfish..................................... 231 0.00 0 58.87 136
Thornyhead rockfish................................................ 693 7.84 54 26.50 184
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut PSC Limits
Section 679.21(d) establishes annual halibut PSC limit
apportionments to trawl gear and hook-and-line gear, and authorizes the
establishment of apportionments for pot gear. In December 2022, the
Council recommended and NMFS approves halibut PSC limits of 1,705 mt
for trawl gear, 257 mt for hook-and-line gear, and 9 mt for the
demersal shelf (DSR) rockfish fishery in the SEO District for both 2023
and 2024, consistent with Sec. 679.21.
The DSR fishery in the SEO District is defined at Sec.
679.21(d)(2)(ii)(A). This fishery is apportioned 9 mt of the halibut
PSC limit in recognition of its small-scale harvests of groundfish
(Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(i)(A)). The separate halibut PSC limit for the DSR
fishery is intended to prevent that fishery from being impacted from
the halibut PSC incurred by other GOA fisheries. NMFS estimates low
halibut bycatch in the DSR fishery because: (1) the duration of the DSR
fishery and the gear soak times are short; (2) the DSR fishery occurs
in the winter when there is less overlap in the distribution of DSR and
halibut; and, (3) the directed commercial DSR fishery has a low DSR
TAC. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game sets the commercial GHL for
the DSR fishery after deducting estimates of DSR incidental catch in
all fisheries (including halibut and subsistence) and allocation to the
sport DSR fishery. In 2022, the commercial fishery for DSR was closed
due to concerns about declining DSR biomass.
The FMP authorizes the Council and NMFS to exempt specific gear
from the halibut PSC limits. NMFS, after consultation with the Council,
exempts pot gear, the sablefish IFQ fixed gear fishery categories, and
jig gear from the non-trawl halibut PSC limit for 2023 and 2024. The
Council recommended, and NMFS approves, these exemptions because: (1)
the pot gear fisheries have low annual halibut bycatch mortality; (2)
IFQ program regulations prohibit discard of halibut if any halibut IFQ
permit holder on board a catcher vessel holds unused halibut IFQ for
that vessel category and the IFQ regulatory area in which the vessel is
operating (Sec. 679.7(f)(11)); (3) some sablefish IFQ fishermen hold
halibut IFQ permits and are therefore required to retain the halibut
they catch while fishing sablefish IFQ; and (4) NMFS estimates
negligible halibut mortality for the jig gear fisheries given the small
amount of groundfish harvested by jig gear, the selective nature of jig
gear, and the high survival rates of halibut caught and released with
jig gear.
The best available information on estimated halibut bycatch
consists of data collected by fisheries observers during 2022. The
calculated halibut bycatch mortality through December 31, 2022, is 355
mt for trawl gear and 43 mt for hook-and-line gear for a total halibut
mortality of 398 mt. This halibut mortality was calculated using
groundfish and halibut catch data from the NMFS Alaska Region's catch
accounting system. This accounting system contains historical and
recent catch information compiled from each Alaska groundfish fishery.
Section 679.21(d)(4)(i) and (ii) authorize NMFS to seasonally
apportion the halibut PSC limits after consultation with the Council.
The FMP and regulations require that the Council and NMFS consider the
following information in seasonally apportioning halibut PSC limits:
(1) seasonal distribution of halibut; (2) seasonal distribution of
target groundfish species relative to halibut distribution; (3)
expected halibut bycatch needs on a seasonal basis relative to changes
in halibut biomass and expected catch of target groundfish species; (4)
expected bycatch rates on a seasonal basis; (5) expected changes in
directed groundfish fishing seasons; (6) expected actual start of
fishing effort; and (7) economic effects of establishing seasonal
halibut allocations on segments of the target groundfish industry. The
Council considered information from the 2022 SAFE report, NMFS catch
data, State of Alaska catch data, International Pacific Halibut
Commission (IPHC) stock assessment and mortality data, and public
testimony when apportioning the halibut PSC limits. NMFS concurs with
the Council's recommendations listed in
[[Page 13253]]
Table 14, which shows the final 2023 and 2024 Pacific halibut PSC
limits, allowances, and apportionments.
Section 679.21(d)(4)(iii) and (iv) specify that any unused amounts,
or overages, of a seasonal apportionment of a halibut PSC limit will be
added to, or deducted from, the next respective seasonal apportionment
within the fishing year.
Table 14--Final 2023 and 2024 Pacific Halibut Prohibited Species Catch (PSC) Limits, Allowances, and
Apportionments
[Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trawl gear Hook-and-line gear \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other than DSR DSR
Season Percent Amount ---------------------------------------------------------------
Season Percent Amount Season Amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 20-April 1........... 30.5 519 January 1-June 86 221 January 1- 9
10. December 31.
April 1-July 1............... 20.0 341 June 10- 2 5
September 1.
July 1-August 1.............. 27.0 462 September 1- 12 31
December 31.
August 1-October 1........... 7.5 128
October 1-December 31........ 15.0 256
------------------- ------------------- --------
Total.................... ........ 1,705 ................ ........ 257 ................ 9
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
\1\ The Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limit for hook-and-line gear is allocated to the DSR
fishery in the SEO District and to the hook-and-line fisheries other than the DSR fishery. The fixed gear
sablefish IFQ fishery is exempt from halibut PSC limits, as are pot and jig gear for all groundfish fisheries.
Section 679.21(d)(3)(ii) authorizes further apportionment of the
trawl halibut PSC limit to trawl fishery categories listed in Sec.
679.21(d)(3)(iii). The annual apportionments are based on each
category's proportional share of the anticipated halibut bycatch
mortality during the fishing year and optimization of the total amount
of groundfish harvest under the halibut PSC limit. The fishery
categories for the trawl halibut PSC limits are: (1) a deep-water
species fishery, composed of sablefish, rockfish, deep-water flatfish,
rex sole, and arrowtooth flounder; and (2) a shallow-water species
fishery, composed of pollock, Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish,
flathead sole, Atka mackerel, and ``other species'' (sharks and
octopuses) (Sec. 679.21(d)(3)(iii)). Halibut mortality incurred while
directed fishing for skates with trawl gear accrues towards the
shallow-water species fishery halibut PSC limit (69 FR 26320, May 12,
2004).
NMFS will combine available trawl halibut PSC limit apportionments
during a portion of the second season deep-water and shallow-water
species fisheries for use in either fishery from May 15 through June 30
(Sec. 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(D)). This is intended to maintain groundfish
harvest while minimizing halibut bycatch by these sectors to the extent
practicable. This provides the deep-water and shallow-water species
trawl fisheries additional flexibility and the incentive to participate
in fisheries at times of the year that may have lower halibut PSC rates
relative to other times of the year.
Table 15 lists the final 2023 and 2024 apportionments of trawl
halibut PSC limits between the trawl gear deep-water and shallow-water
species fishery categories.
Table 28d to 50 CFR part 679 specifies the amount of the trawl
halibut PSC limit that is assigned to the CV and CP sectors that are
participating in the Rockfish Program. This includes 117 mt of halibut
PSC limit to the CV sector and 74 mt of halibut PSC limit to the CP
sector. These amounts are allocated from the trawl deep-water species
fishery's halibut PSC third seasonal apportionment. After the combined
CV and CP halibut PSC limit allocation of 191 mt to the Rockfish
Program, 150 mt remains for the trawl deep-water species fishery's
halibut PSC third seasonal apportionment.
Section 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(B) limits the amount of the halibut PSC
limit allocated to Rockfish Program participants that could be re-
apportioned to the last seasonal apportionment for the general GOA
trawl fisheries during the current fishing year to no more than 55
percent of the unused annual halibut PSC limit apportioned to Rockfish
Program participants. The remainder of the unused Rockfish Program
halibut PSC limit is unavailable for use by any person for the
remainder of the fishing year (Sec. 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(C)).
Table 15--Final 2023 and 2024 Apportionment of Pacific Halibut Prohibited Species Catch Limits Between the Trawl
Gear Deep-Water Species Fishery and the Shallow-Water Species Fishery Categories
[Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season Shallow-water Deep-water \1\ Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 20-April 1..................................... 384 135 519
April 1-July 1......................................... 85 256 341
July 1-August 1........................................ 121 341 462
August 1-October 1..................................... 53 75 128
--------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal January 20-October 1...................... 643 807 1,450
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
October 1-December 31 \2\.............................. ................. ................. 256
--------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 13254]]
Total.............................................. ................. ................. 1,705
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Vessels participating in cooperatives in the Central GOA Rockfish Program will receive 191 mt of the third
season (July 1 through August 1) deep-water species fishery halibut PSC apportionment.
\2\ There is no apportionment between trawl shallow-water and deep-water species fishery categories during the
fifth season (October 1 through December 31).
Section 679.21(d)(2)(i)(B) requires that the ``other hook-and-line
fishery'' halibut PSC limit apportionment to vessels using hook-and-
line gear must be apportioned between CVs and CPs in accordance with
Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(iii) in conjunction with these harvest
specifications. A comprehensive description and example of the
calculations necessary to apportion the ``other hook-and-line fishery''
halibut PSC limit between the hook-and-line CV and CP sectors were
included in the proposed rule to implement Amendment 83 to the FMP (76
FR 44700, July 26, 2011) and are not repeated here.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(iii), the hook-and-line halibut PSC
limit for the ``other hook-and-line fishery'' is apportioned between
the CV and CP sectors in proportion to the total Western and Central
GOA Pacific cod allocations, which vary annually based on the
proportion of the Pacific cod biomass between the Western, Central, and
Eastern GOA. Pacific cod is apportioned among these three management
areas based on the percentage of overall biomass per area, as
calculated in the 2022 Pacific cod stock assessment. Updated
information in the final 2022 SAFE report describes this distributional
calculation, which allocates ABC among GOA regulatory areas on the
basis of the three most recent stock surveys. For 2023 and 2024, the
distribution of the total GOA Pacific cod ABC is 29 percent to the
Western GOA, 61 percent to the Central GOA, and 10 percent to the
Eastern GOA. Therefore, the calculations made in accordance with Sec.
679.21(d)(2)(iii) incorporate the most recent information on GOA
Pacific cod distribution and allocations with respect to establishing
the annual halibut PSC limits for the CV and CP hook-and-line sectors
of the ``other hook-and-line fishery.'' Additionally, the annual
halibut PSC limits for both the CV and CP sectors of the ``other hook-
and-line fishery'' are divided into three seasonal apportionments,
using seasonal percentages of 86 percent, 2 percent, and 12 percent.
For 2023 and 2024, NMFS apportions halibut PSC limits of 150 mt and
107 mt to the hook-and-line CV and hook-and-line CP sectors,
respectively. Table 16 lists the final 2023 and 2024 apportionments of
halibut PSC limits between the hook-and-line CV and the hook-and-line
CP sectors of the ``other hook-and-line fishery.''
No later than November 1 of each year, NMFS will calculate the
projected unused amount of halibut PSC limit by either of the CV or CP
hook-and-line sectors that comprise the two sectors of the ``other
hook-and-line fishery'' for the remainder of the year. The projected
unused amount of halibut PSC limit is made available to the other
sector for the remainder of that fishing year (Sec.
679.21(d)(2)(iii)(C)), if NMFS determines that an additional amount of
halibut PSC is necessary for that sector to continue its directed
fishing operations.
Table 16--Final 2023 and 2024 Apportionments of the ``Other Hook-and-Line Fishery'' Annual Halibut Prohibited
Species Catch Allowance Between the Hook-and-Line Gear Catcher Vessel and Catcher/Processor Sectors
[Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector
``Other than DSR'' allowance Hook-and-line Sector annual Season Seasonal seasonal
sector amount percentage amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
257.......................... Catcher Vessel.. 150 January 1-June 86 129
10.
June 10- 2 3
September 1.
September 1- 12 18
December 31.
Catcher/ 107 January 1-June 86 92
Processor. 10.
June 10- 2 2
September 1.
September 1- 12 13
December 31.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimates of Halibut Biomass and Stock Condition
The IPHC annually assesses the abundance and potential yield of the
Pacific halibut stock using all available data from the commercial and
sport fisheries, other removals, and scientific surveys. Additional
information on the Pacific halibut stock assessment may be found in the
IPHC's 2022 Pacific halibut stock assessment (December 2022), available
on the IPHC website at https://www.iphc.int. The IPHC considered the
2022 Pacific halibut stock assessment at its January 2023 annual
meeting when it set the 2023 commercial halibut fishery catch limits.
Halibut Discard Mortality Rates
To monitor halibut bycatch mortality allowances and apportionments,
the Regional Administrator uses observed halibut incidental catch
rates, halibut discard mortality rates (DMRs), and estimates of
groundfish catch to project when a fishery's halibut bycatch mortality
allowance or seasonal apportionment is reached. Halibut
[[Page 13255]]
incidental catch rates are based on observed estimates of halibut
incidental catch in the groundfish fishery. DMRs are estimates of the
proportion of incidentally caught halibut that do not survive after
being returned to the sea. The cumulative halibut mortality that
accrues to a particular halibut PSC limit is the product of a DMR
multiplied by the estimated halibut PSC. DMRs are estimated using the
best scientific information available in conjunction with the annual
GOA stock assessment process. The DMR methodology and findings are
included as an appendix to the annual GOA groundfish SAFE report.
In 2016, the DMR estimation methodology underwent revisions per the
Council's directive. An interagency halibut working group (IPHC,
Council, and NMFS staff) developed improved estimation methods that
have undergone review by the GOA Plan Team, SSC, and the Council. A
summary of the revised methodology is contained in the GOA proposed
2017 and 2018 harvest specifications (81 FR 87881, December 6, 2016),
and the comprehensive discussion of the working group's statistical
methodology is available from the Council (see ADDRESSES). The DMR
working group's revised methodology is intended to improve estimation
accuracy, transparency, and transferability in the methodology used for
calculating DMRs. The working group will continue to consider
improvements to the methodology used to calculate halibut mortality,
including potential changes to the reference period (the period of data
used for calculating the DMRs). The new methodology continues to ensure
that NMFS is using DMRs that accurately reflect halibut mortality,
which will inform the sectors of their estimated halibut mortality and
allow sectors to respond with methods that could reduce mortality and,
eventually, the DMR for that sector.
At the December 2022 meeting, the SSC, AP, and the Council
concurred with the revised DMR estimation methodology, and NMFS adopts
for 2023 and 2024 the DMRs calculated under the revised methodology,
which uses an updated 2-year reference period. The final 2023 and 2024
DMRs in this rule are unchanged from the DMRs in the proposed 2023 and
2024 harvest specifications (87 FR 74102, December 2, 2022). Table 17
lists these final 2023 and 2024 DMRs.
Table 17--Final 2023 and 2024 Halibut Discard Mortality Rates for Vessels Fishing in the Gulf of Alaska
[Values are percent of halibut assumed to be dead]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut
discard
Gear Sector Groundfish fishery mortality rate
(percent)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pelagic trawl........................... Catcher vessel............ All....................... 100
Catcher/processor......... All....................... 100
Non-pelagic trawl....................... Catcher vessel............ Rockfish Program.......... 55
Catcher vessel............ All others................ 74
Mothership and catcher/ All....................... 83
processor.
Hook-and-line........................... Catcher/processor......... All....................... 13
Catcher vessel............ All....................... 9
Pot..................................... Catcher vessel and catcher/ All....................... 27
processor.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinook Salmon Prohibited Species Catch Limits
Amendment 93 to the FMP (77 FR 42629, July 20, 2012) established
separate Chinook salmon PSC limits in the Western and Central GOA in
the directed pollock trawl fishery. NMFS is required to close the
directed pollock fishery in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of
the GOA if the applicable Chinook salmon PSC limit in that regulatory
area will be reached (Sec. 679.21(h)(8)). The annual Chinook salmon
PSC limits in the directed pollock fishery of 6,684 salmon in the
Western GOA and 18,316 salmon in the Central GOA are set at Sec.
679.21(h)(2).
Amendment 97 to the FMP (79 FR 71350, December 2, 2014) established
an initial annual PSC limit of 7,500 Chinook salmon for the trawl non-
pollock groundfish fisheries in the Western and Central GOA. This limit
is apportioned among the three sectors that conduct directed fishing
for groundfish species other than pollock: 3,600 Chinook salmon to
trawl CPs; 1,200 Chinook salmon to trawl CVs participating in the
Rockfish Program; and 2,700 Chinook salmon to trawl CVs not
participating in the Rockfish Program (Sec. 679.21(h)(4)). NMFS will
monitor the Chinook salmon PSC in the trawl non-pollock groundfish
fisheries and close an applicable sector if it will reach its Chinook
salmon PSC limit.
The Chinook salmon PSC limit for two sectors, trawl CPs and trawl
CVs not participating in the Rockfish Program, may be increased in
subsequent years based on the performance of these two sectors and
their ability to minimize their use of their respective Chinook salmon
PSC limits during a calendar year. If either or both of these two
sectors limited its use of Chinook salmon PSC to a specified threshold
amount in 2022 (3,120 for trawl CPs and 2,340 for Non-Rockfish Program
trawl CVs), that sector will receive an incremental increase to its
2023 Chinook salmon PSC limit (Sec. 679.21(h)(4)). In 2022, the trawl
CP sector did not exceed 3,120 Chinook salmon PSC; therefore, the 2023
trawl CP sector Chinook salmon PSC limit will be 4,080 Chinook salmon.
In 2022, the Non-Rockfish Program trawl CV sector did not exceed 2,340
Chinook salmon PSC; therefore, the 2023 Non-Rockfish Program trawl CV
sector Chinook salmon PSC limit will be 3,060 Chinook salmon.
American Fisheries Act (AFA) Catcher/Processor and Catcher Vessel
Groundfish Harvest Limits
Section 679.64 establishes groundfish harvesting and processing
sideboard limitations on AFA CPs and CVs in the GOA. These sideboard
limits are necessary to protect the interests of fishermen and
processors who do not directly benefit from the AFA as compared to
those fishermen and processors who receive exclusive harvesting and
processing privileges under the AFA. Section 679.7(k)(1)(ii) prohibits
listed AFA CPs and CPs designated on a listed AFA CP permit from
harvesting any species of groundfish in the GOA. Additionally, Sec.
679.7(k)(1)(iv) prohibits listed AFA CPs and CPs designated on a listed
AFA CP permit from processing any pollock harvested in a directed
pollock fishery in the GOA and any groundfish
[[Page 13256]]
harvested in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA.
AFA CVs that are less than 125 feet (38.1 m) length overall, have
annual landings of pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
(BSAI) less than 5,100 mt, and have made at least 40 GOA groundfish
landings from 1995 through 1997 are exempt from GOA CV groundfish
sideboard limits under Sec. 679.64(b)(2)(ii). Sideboard limits for
non-exempt AFA CVs in the GOA are based on their traditional harvest
levels of TAC in groundfish fisheries covered by the FMP. Section
679.64(b)(3)(iv) establishes the CV groundfish sideboard limitations in
the GOA based on the aggregate retained catch of non-exempt AFA CVs of
each sideboard species or species group from 1995 through 1997 divided
by the sum of the TACs for that species or species group available to
CVs over the same period. NMFS published a final rule (84 FR 2723,
February 8, 2019) that implemented regulations to prohibit non-exempt
AFA CVs from directed fishing for specific groundfish species or
species groups subject to sideboard limits (Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iv)(D)
and Table 56 to 50 CFR part 679). Sideboard limits not subject to the
final rule (84 FR 2723, February 8, 2019) continue to be calculated and
included in the GOA annual harvest specifications.
Tables 18 and 19 list the final 2023 and 2024 groundfish sideboard
limits for non-exempt AFA CVs. NMFS will deduct all targeted or
incidental catch of sideboard species made by non-exempt AFA CVs from
the sideboard limits listed in Tables 18 and 19.
Table 18--Final 2023 GOA Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel (CV) Groundfish Sideboard Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1995-
1997 non- Final 2023 non-
Species Apportionments Area exempt AFA CV Final 2023 exempt AFA CV
by season catch to TACs \3\ sideboard
1995-1997 TAC limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock...................... A Season January Shumagin (610). 0.6047 1,685 1,019
20-May 31.
Chirikof (620). 0.1167 58,039 6,773
Kodiak (630)... 0.2028 9,121 1,850
B Season Shumagin (610). 0.6047 25,272 15,282
September 1-
November 1.
Chirikof (620). 0.1167 18,965 2,213
Kodiak (630)... 0.2028 24,608 4,990
Annual.......... WYK (640)...... 0.3495 7,523 2,629
SEO (650)...... 0.3495 11,363 3,971
Pacific cod.................. A Season \1\ W.............. 0.1331 3,331 443
January 1-June
10.
C.............. 0.0692 7,131 493
B Season \2\ W.............. 0.1331 1,894 252
September 1-
December 31.
C.............. 0.0692 3,991 276
Flatfish, shallow-water...... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0156 13,250 207
C.............. 0.0587 26,769 1,571
Flatfish, deep-water......... Annual.......... C.............. 0.0647 2,105 136
E.............. 0.0128 3,455 44
Rex sole..................... Annual.......... C.............. 0.0384 13,110 503
Arrowtooth flounder.......... Annual.......... C.............. 0.0280 65,000 1,820
Flathead sole................ Annual.......... C.............. 0.0213 21,487 458
Pacific ocean Perch.......... Annual.......... C.............. 0.0748 29,940 2,240
E.............. 0.0466 4,724 220
Northern rockfish............ Annual.......... C.............. 0.0277 2,350 65
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
\3\ The Western and Central GOA and WYK District area apportionments of pollock are considered ACLs.
Table 19--Final 2024 GOA Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel (CV) Groundfish Sideboard Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1995-
1997 non- Final 2024 non-
Species Apportionments Area exempt AFA CV Final 2024 exempt AFA CV
by season catch to TACs \3\ sideboard
1995-1997 TAC limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock...................... A Season January Shumagin (610). 0.6047 1,823 1,102
20-May 31.
Chirikof (620). 0.1167 62,771 7,325
Kodiak (630)... 0.2028 9,864 2,000
B Season Shumagin (610). 0.6047 27,333 16,528
September 1-
November 1.
Chirikof (620). 0.1167 20,511 2,394
Kodiak (630)... 0.2028 26,614 5,397
Annual.......... WYK (640)...... 0.3495 8,136 2,844
SEO (650)...... 0.3495 11,363 3,971
Pacific cod.................. A Season \1\ W.............. 0.1331 3,067 408
January 1-June
10.
[[Page 13257]]
C.............. 0.0692 6,566 454
B Season \2\ W.............. 0.1331 1,744 232
September 1-
December 31.
C.............. 0.0692 3,675 254
Flatfish, shallow-water...... Annual.......... W.............. 0.0156 13,250 207
C.............. 0.0587 27,737 1,628
Flatfish, deep-water......... Annual.......... C.............. 0.0647 2,068 134
E.............. 0.0128 3,396 43
Rex sole..................... Annual.......... C.............. 0.0384 13,425 516
Arrowtooth flounder.......... Annual.......... C.............. 0.0280 64,200 1,798
Flathead sole................ Annual.......... C.............. 0.0213 21,892 466
Pacific ocean perch.......... Annual.......... C.............. 0.0748 29,138 2,180
E.............. 0.0466 4,597 214
Northern rockfish............ Annual.......... C.............. 0.0277 2,244 62
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
\3\ The Western and Central GOA and WYK District area apportionments of pollock are considered ACLs.
Non-Exempt AFA Catcher Vessel Halibut PSC Limits
The halibut PSC sideboard limits for non-exempt AFA CVs in the GOA
are based on the aggregate retained groundfish catch by non-exempt AFA
CVs in each PSC target category from 1995 through 1997 divided by the
retained catch of all vessels in that fishery from 1995 through 1997
(Sec. 679.64(b)(4)(ii)). Table 20 lists the final 2023 and 2024 non-
exempt AFA CV halibut PSC sideboard limits for vessels using trawl gear
in the GOA.
Table 20--Final 2023 and 2024 Non-Exempt AFA CV Halibut Prohibited Species Catch (PSC) Sideboard Limits for
Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the GOA
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1995-
1997 non-
exempt AFA CV 2023 and 2024 2023 and 2024
Season Season dates Target fishery retained halibut PSC non-exempt AFA
catch to limit CV halibut PSC
total limit
retained catch
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1........................... January 20- shallow-water.. 0.340 384 131
April 1.
deep-water..... 0.070 135 9
2........................... April 1-July 1. shallow-water.. 0.340 85 29
deep-water..... 0.070 256 18
3........................... July 1-August 1 shallow-water.. 0.340 121 41
deep-water..... 0.070 341 24
4........................... August 1- shallow-water.. 0.340 53 18
October 1.
deep-water..... 0.070 75 5
5........................... October 1- all targets.... 0.205 256 52
December 31.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual....................................... Total shallow- .............. .............. ................
water.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total deep- .............. .............. 56
water.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, all season and categories 1,705 328
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-AFA Crab Vessel Groundfish Harvest Limitations
Section 680.22 establishes groundfish catch limits for vessels with
a history of participation in the Bering Sea snow crab fishery to
prevent these vessels from using the increased flexibility provided by
the Crab Rationalization (CR) Program to expand their level of
participation in the GOA groundfish fisheries. Sideboard limits
restrict these vessels' catch to their collective historical landings
in each GOA groundfish fishery (except the fixed-gear sablefish
fishery). Sideboard limits also apply to catch made using an LLP
license derived from the history of a restricted vessel, even if that
LLP license is used on another vessel.
The basis for these sideboard limits is described in detail in the
final rules implementing the major provisions of the CR Program,
including Amendments 18 and 19 to the Fishery Management
[[Page 13258]]
Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs (Crab FMP)
(70 FR 10174, March 2, 2005), Amendment 34 to the Crab FMP (76 FR
35772, June 20, 2011), Amendment 83 to the GOA FMP (76 FR 74670,
December 1, 2011), and Amendment 45 to the Crab FMP (80 FR 28539, May
19, 2015).
NMFS published a final rule (84 FR 2723, February 8, 2019) that
implemented regulations to prohibit non-AFA crab vessels from directed
fishing for all groundfish species or species groups subject to
sideboard limits, except for Pacific cod apportioned to CVs using pot
gear in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas (Sec.
680.22(e)(1)(iii)). Accordingly, the GOA annual harvest specifications
will include the non-AFA crab vessel groundfish sideboard limits for
only Pacific cod apportioned to CVs using pot gear in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas.
Tables 21 and 22 list the final 2023 and 2024 groundfish sideboard
limitations for non-AFA crab vessels. All targeted or incidental catch
of sideboard species made by non-AFA crab vessels or associated LLP
licenses will be deducted from these sideboard limits.
Table 21--Final 2023 GOA Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessel Groundfish Sideboard Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1996-
2000 non-AFA crab Final 2023 non-
Species Season Area/gear vessel catch to Final 2023 TACs AFA crab vessel
1996-2000 total sideboard limit
harvest
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod........................... A Season January 1-June 10... Western Pot CV.......... 0.0997 3,331 332
Central Pot CV.......... 0.0474 7,131 338
B Season September 1-December Western Pot CV.......... 0.0997 1,894 189
31.
Central Pot CV.......... 0.0474 3,991 189
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 22--Final 2024 GOA Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessel Groundfish Sideboard Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1996-
2000 non-AFA crab Final 2024 non-
Species Season Area/gear vessel catch to Final 2024 TACs AFA crab vessel
1996-2000 total sideboard limit
harvest
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod........................... A Season January 1-June 10... Western Pot CV.......... 0.0997 3,067 306
Central Pot CV.......... 0.0474 6,566 311
B Season September 1-December Western Pot CV.......... 0.0997 1,744 174
31.
Central Pot CV.......... 0.0474 3,675 174
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rockfish Program Groundfish Sideboard and Halibut PSC Limitations
The Rockfish Program establishes three classes of sideboard
provisions: CV groundfish sideboard restrictions, CP rockfish sideboard
restrictions, and CP opt-out vessel sideboard restrictions (Sec.
679.82(c)(1)). These sideboards are intended to limit the ability of
rockfish harvesters to expand into other GOA groundfish fisheries.
CVs participating in the Rockfish Program may not participate in
directed fishing for dusky rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, and northern
rockfish in the West Yakutat District and Western GOA from July 1
through July 31. Also, CVs may not participate in directed fishing for
arrowtooth flounder, deep-water flatfish, and rex sole in the GOA from
July 1 through July 31 (Sec. 679.82(d)).
CPs participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives are restricted
by rockfish and halibut PSC sideboard limits. These CPs are prohibited
from directed fishing for dusky rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, and
northern rockfish in the West Yakutat District and Western GOA from
July 1 through July 31 (Sec. 679.82(e)(2)). Prior to 2021, CPs
participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives were restricted by
rockfish sideboard limits in the Western GOA. A final rule that
implemented Amendment 111 to the FMP (86 FR 11895, March 1, 2021)
removed from regulation the Western GOA rockfish sideboard limits for
Rockfish Program CPs. That rule also revised and clarified the
establishment of the West Yakutat District rockfish sideboard ratios in
regulation. 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 dusky rockfish and
Pacific ocean perch (Sec. 679.82(e)(4)). These percentages are
confidential.
Holders of CP-designated LLP licenses that opt out of participating
in a Rockfish Program cooperative will be able to access that portion
of each rockfish sideboard limit that is not assigned to rockfish
cooperatives (Sec. 679.82(e)(7)).
Under the Rockfish Program, the CP sector is subject to halibut PSC
sideboard limits for the trawl deep-water and shallow-water species
fisheries (Sec. 679.82(e)(3) and (5)). Halibut PSC sideboard ratios by
fishery are set forth in Sec. 679.82(e)(5). The CP sector halibut PSC
sideboard limits are in effective from July 1 through July 31 (Sec.
679.82(e)(6)). No halibut PSC sideboard limits apply to the CV sector,
as CVs participating in cooperatives receive a portion of the annual
halibut PSC limit. CPs that opt out of the Rockfish Program are able to
access that portion of the deep-water and shallow-water species fishery
halibut PSC sideboard limit not assigned to CP rockfish cooperatives.
The sideboard provisions for CPs that elect to opt out of participating
in a rockfish cooperative are described in Sec. 679.82(c), (e), and
(f). Sideboard limits are linked to the catch history of specific
vessels, however, some of these vessels may choose to opt out of the
Rockfish Program. After March 1, NMFS will determine which CPs have
opted-out of the Rockfish Program in 2023, and NMFS will know the
ratios and amounts used to calculate opt-out sideboard ratios. NMFS
will then calculate any applicable opt-out
[[Page 13259]]
sideboards for 2023 and post these limits on the Alaska Region website
at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/sustainable-fisheries/alaska-fisheries-management-reports#central-goa-rockfish. Table 23 lists the
final 2023 and 2024 Rockfish Program halibut PSC sideboard limits for
the CP sector.
Table 23--Final 2023 and 2024 Rockfish Program Halibut PSC Sideboard Limits for the Catcher/Processor Sector
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual shallow- Annual deep-
Shallow-water Deep-water 2023 and 2024 water species water species
species fishery species fishery halibut fishery fishery
Sector halibut PSC halibut PSC mortality limit halibut PSC halibut PSC
sideboard ratio sideboard ratio (mt) sideboard limit sideboard limit
(percent) (percent) (mt) (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher/processor.................................................. 0.10 2.50 1,705 2 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amendment 80 Program Groundfish and PSC Sideboard Limits
Amendment 80 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (Amendment 80 Program)
established a limited access privilege program for the non-AFA trawl CP
sector. The Amendment 80 Program established groundfish and halibut PSC
catch limits for Amendment 80 Program participants to limit the ability
of participants eligible for the Amendment 80 Program to expand their
harvest efforts in the GOA.
Section 679.92 establishes groundfish harvesting sideboard limits
on all Amendment 80 program vessels, other than the fishing vessel (F/
V) Golden Fleece, to amounts no greater than the limits listed in Table
37 to 50 CFR part 679. Under Sec. 679.92(d), the F/V Golden Fleece is
prohibited from directed fishing for pollock, Pacific cod, Pacific
ocean perch, dusky rockfish, and northern rockfish in the GOA.
Groundfish sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels
operating in the GOA are based on their average aggregate harvests from
1998 through 2004 (72 FR 52668, September 14, 2007). Tables 24 and 25
list the final 2023 and 2024 groundfish sideboard limits for Amendment
80 Program vessels. NMFS will deduct all targeted or incidental catch
of sideboard species made by Amendment 80 Program vessels from the
sideboard limits in Tables 24 and 25.
Table 24--Final 2023 GOA Groundfish Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of
amendment 80 2023 Amendment 80
Species Apportionments and Area sector vessels 2023 TAC (mt) vessel sideboard
allocations by season 1998-2004 catch limit (mt)
to TAC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock............................... A Season January 20-May 31... Shumagin (610).......... 0.003 1,685 5
Chirikof (620).......... 0.002 58,039 116
Kodiak (630)............ 0.002 9,121 18
B Season September 1-November Shumagin (610).......... 0.003 25,272 76
1.
Chirikof (620).......... 0.002 18,965 38
Kodiak (630)............ 0.002 24,608 49
Annual....................... WYK (640)............... 0.002 7,523 15
Pacific cod........................... A Season \1\ January 1-June W....................... 0.020 3,331 67
10.
C....................... 0.044 7,131 314
B Season \2\ September 1- W....................... 0.020 1,894 38
December 31.
C....................... 0.044 3,991 176
Annual....................... WYK..................... 0.034 1,755 60
Pacific ocean perch................... Annual....................... W....................... 0.994 2,529 2,514
WYK..................... 0.961 1,370 1,317
Northern rockfish..................... Annual....................... W....................... 1.000 2,614 2,614
Dusky rockfish........................ Annual....................... W....................... 0.764 149 114
WYK..................... 0.896 90 81
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
[[Page 13260]]
Table 25--Final 2024 GOA Groundfish Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of
amendment 80 2024 Amendment 80
Species Apportionments and Area sector vessels 2024 TAC (mt) vessel sideboard
allocations by season 1998-2004 catch limit (mt)
to TAC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock............................... A Season January 20-May 31... Shumagin (610).......... 0.003 1,823 5
Chirikof (620).......... 0.002 62,771 126
Kodiak (630)............ 0.002 9,864 20
B Season September 1-November Shumagin (610).......... 0.003 27,333 82
1.
Chirikof (620).......... 0.002 20,511 41
Kodiak (630)............ 0.002 26,614 53
Annual....................... WYK (640)............... 0.002 8,136 16
Pacific cod........................... A Season \1\ January 1-June W....................... 0.020 3,067 61
10.
C....................... 0.044 6,566 289
B Season \2\ September 1- W....................... 0.020 1,744 35
December 31.
C....................... 0.044 3,675 162
Annual....................... WYK..................... 0.034 1,616 55
Pacific ocean perch................... Annual....................... W....................... 0.994 2,461 2,446
WYK..................... 0.961 1,333 1,281
Northern rockfish..................... Annual....................... W....................... 1.000 2,497 2,497
Dusky rockfish........................ Annual....................... W....................... 0.764 141 108
WYK..................... 0.896 85 76
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
The halibut PSC sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels
in the GOA are based on the historic use of halibut PSC by Amendment 80
Program vessels in each PSC target category from 1998 through 2004.
These values are slightly lower than the average historic use to
accommodate two factors: allocation of halibut PSC cooperative quota
under the Rockfish Program and the exemption of the F/V Golden Fleece
from this restriction (Sec. 679.92(b)(2)). Table 26 lists the final
2023 and 2024 halibut PSC sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program
vessels. These tables incorporate the maximum percentages of the
halibut PSC sideboard limits that may be used by Amendment 80 Program
vessels as contained in Table 38 to 50 CFR part 679. Any residual
amount of a seasonal Amendment 80 halibut PSC sideboard limit may carry
forward to the next season limit (Sec. 679.92(b)(2)).
Table 26--Final 2023 and 2024 Halibut PSC Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels in the GOA
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Historic
amendment 80 use 2023 and 2024
of the annual 2023 and 2024 Amendment 80
Season Season dates Target fishery halibut PSC Annual halibut vessel halibut
limit catch PSC limit (mt) PSC limit
(ratio)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1..................................... January 20-April 1........... shallow-water........... 0.0048 1,705 8
deep-water.............. 0.0115 1,705 20
2..................................... April 1-July 1............... shallow-water........... 0.0189 1,705 32
deep-water.............. 0.1072 1,705 183
3..................................... July 1-August 1.............. shallow-water........... 0.0146 1,705 25
deep-water.............. 0.0521 1,705 89
4..................................... August 1-October 1........... shallow-water........... 0.0074 1,705 13
deep-water.............. 0.0014 1,705 2
5..................................... October 1-December 31........ shallow-water........... 0.0227 1,705 39
deep-water.............. 0.0371 1,705 63
--------------------------------------------------------
Total............................. ............................. ........................ ................. ................. 474
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Directed Fishing Closures
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), if the Regional Administrator
determines (1) that any allocation or apportionment of a target species
or species group allocated or apportioned to a fishery will be reached;
or (2) with respect to pollock and Pacific cod, that an allocation or
apportionment to an inshore or offshore component or sector allocation
will be reached, then the Regional Administrator may establish a
directed fishing allowance (DFA) for that species or species group. If
the Regional Administrator establishes a DFA and that allowance is or
will be reached before the end of the fishing season or year, NMFS will
prohibit directed fishing for that species or species group in the
specified GOA
[[Page 13261]]
subarea, regulatory area, or district (Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii)).
The Regional Administrator has determined that the TACs for the
species listed in Table 27 are necessary to account for the incidental
catch of these species in other anticipated groundfish fisheries for
the 2023 and 2024 fishing years.
Table 27--2023 and 2024 Directed Fishing Closures in the GOA
[Amounts for incidental catch in other directed fisheries are in metric
tons]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incidental catch
Area/component/ amount and year
Target gear (if amounts differ
by year)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock......................... all/offshore...... not applicable.\1\
Sablefish \2\................... all/trawl......... 3,320 (2023).
3,072 (2024).
Pacific cod..................... Western, CV, HAL.. 71 (2023), 66
(2024).
Western, CP, trawl 122 (2023, 113
(2024).
Central, CP, trawl 462 (2023), 426
(2024).
Shortraker rockfish \2\......... all............... 705
Rougheye/blackspotted rockfish all............... 775 (2023) 772
\2\. (2024).
Thornyhead rockfish \2\......... all............... 1,628.
Other rockfish.................. all............... 1,610.
Atka mackerel................... all............... 3,000.
Big skate....................... all............... 2,867.
Longnose skate.................. all............... 2,712.
Other skates.................... all............... 984.
Sharks.......................... all............... 4,891.
Octopuses....................... all............... 980.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Pollock is closed to directed fishing in the GOA by the offshore
component under Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(i).
\2\ Closures are not applicable to participants in cooperatives
conducted under the Central GOA Rockfish Program because cooperatives
are prohibited from exceeding their allocations (Sec.
679.7(n)(6)(viii)).
Consequently, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the
Regional Administrator establishes the DFA for the species or species
groups listed in Table 27 as zero mt. Therefore, in accordance with
Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for those
species, areas, gear types, and components in the GOA listed in Table
27 effective at 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 2, 2023, through 2400 hours,
A.l.t., December 31, 2024.
Closures implemented under the 2022 and 2023 GOA harvest
specifications for groundfish (87 FR 11599, March 2, 2022) remain
effective under authority of these final 2023 and 2024 harvest
specifications and until the date specified in those closure
notifications. Closures are posted at the following website under the
Alaska filter for Management Areas: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/rules-and-announcements/bulletins.
While these closures are in effect, the maximum retainable amounts
at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a fishing trip.
These closures to directed fishing are in addition to closures and
prohibitions found at 50 CFR part 679. NMFS may implement other
closures during the 2023 and 2024 fishing years as necessary for
effective conservation and management.
Comments and Responses
NMFS did not receive any comments during the public comment period
for the proposed groundfish harvest specifications.
Classification
NMFS is issuing this final rule pursuant to section 305(d) of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act. Through previous actions, the FMP and regulations
are designed to authorize NMFS to take this action. See 50 CFR part
679. The NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that the final
harvest specifications are consistent with the FMP and with the
Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable laws.
This final rule is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866
because it only implements annual catch limits in the GOA.
NMFS prepared an EIS for the Alaska groundfish harvest
specifications and alternative harvest strategies (see ADDRESSES) and
made it available to the public on January 12, 2007 (72 FR 1512). On
February 13, 2007, NMFS issued the ROD for the EIS. In January-February
2023, NMFS prepared a SIR for this action to provide a subsequent
assessment of the action and to address the need to prepare a
Supplemental EIS (SEIS; 40 CFR 1501.11(b); Sec. 1502.9(d)(1)). Copies
of the EIS, ROD, and annual SIRs for this action are available from
NMFS (see ADDRESSES). The Final EIS analyzes the environmental, social,
and economic consequences of the groundfish harvest specifications and
alternative harvest strategies on resources in the action area. Based
on the analysis in the Final EIS, NMFS concluded that the preferred
Alternative (Alternative 2) provides the best balance among relevant
environmental, social, and economic considerations and allows for
continued management of the groundfish fisheries based on the most
recent, best scientific information. The preferred alternative is a
harvest strategy in which TACs are set at a level within the range of
ABCs recommended by the Council's SSC; the sum of the TACs must achieve
the OY specified in the FMP. While the specific numbers that the
harvest strategy produces may vary from year to year, the methodology
used for the preferred harvest strategy remains constant.
The annual SIR evaluates the need to prepare a SEIS for the 2023
and 2024 groundfish harvest specifications. An SEIS must be prepared if
(1) the agency makes substantial changes in the proposed action that
are relevant to environmental concerns; or (2) significant new
circumstances or information exist relevant to environmental concerns
and bearing on the proposed action or its impacts (40 CFR
1502.9(d)(1)). After reviewing the information contained in the SIR and
SAFE report, the Regional Administrator has determined that (1)
approval of the 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications, which were set
according to the preferred harvest strategy in the EIS, does not
constitute a substantial
[[Page 13262]]
change in the action; and (2) there are no significant new
circumstances or information relevant to environmental concerns and
bearing on the action or its impacts. The 2023 and 2024 harvest
specifications will result in environmental, social, and economic
impacts within the scope of those analyzed and disclosed in the EIS.
Therefore, a SEIS is not necessary to implement the 2023 and 2024
harvest specifications.
Section 604 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 604)
requires that, when an agency promulgates a final rule under 5 U.S.C.
553, after being required by that section or any other law, to publish
a general notice of proposed rulemaking, the agency shall prepare a
final regulatory flexibility analysis (FRFA). The following constitutes
the FRFA prepared for these final 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications.
Section 604 of the RFA describes the required contents of a FRFA:
(1) a statement of the need for, and objectives of, the rule; (2) a
statement of the significant issues raised by the public comments in
response to the initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA), a
statement of the assessment of the agency of such issues, and a
statement of any changes made in the proposed rule as a result of such
comments; (3) the response of the agency to any comments filed by the
Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration in
response to the proposed rule, and a detailed statement of any change
made to the proposed rule in the final rule as a result of the
comments; (4) a description of and an estimate of the number of small
entities to which the rule will apply or an explanation of why no such
estimate is available; (5) a description of the projected reporting,
recordkeeping, and other compliance requirements of the rule, including
an estimate of the classes of small entities which will be subject to
the requirement and the type of professional skills necessary for
preparation of the report or record; and (6) a description of the steps
the agency has taken to minimize the significant economic impact on
small entities consistent with the stated objectives of applicable
statutes, including a statement of the factual, policy, and legal
reasons for selecting the alternative adopted in the final rule and why
each one of the other significant alternatives to the rule considered
by the agency that affect the impact on small entities was rejected.
A description of this action, its purpose, and its legal basis are
contained at the beginning of the preamble to this final rule and are
not repeated here.
NMFS published the proposed rule on December 2, 2022 (87 FR 74102).
NMFS prepared an IRFA to accompany the proposed action, and included
the IRFA in the proposed rule. The comment period closed on January 3,
2023. No comments were received on the IRFA or on the economic impacts
of the rule more generally. The Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small
Business Administration did not file any comments on the proposed rule.
The entities directly regulated by this action are: (1) entities
operating vessels with groundfish Federal fishing permits (FFPs)
catching FMP groundfish in Federal waters; (2) all entities operating
vessels, regardless of whether they hold groundfish FFPs, catching FMP
groundfish in the State-waters parallel fisheries; and (3) all entities
operating vessels fishing for halibut inside 3 miles (5.6 km) of the
shore (whether or not they have FFPs).
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 gross receipts not in excess of $11 million for all its
affiliated operations worldwide.
Using the most recent data available (2021), the estimated number
of directly regulated small entities includes approximately 671
individual catcher vessel and CP entities with gross revenues meeting
the small entity criteria. This includes an estimated 668 small CV
entities and 3 small CP entities in the GOA groundfish sector. The
determination of entity size is based on vessel revenues and affiliated
group revenues. This determination also includes an assessment of
fisheries cooperative affiliations, although actual vessel ownership
affiliations have not been completely established. However, the
estimate of these 671 CVs and CPs may be an overstatement of the number
of small entities because of the complexity of analyzing the linkages
and affiliations across these vessels, particularly since many of them
conduct operations in Federal and State fisheries. The CVs had average
gross revenues that varied by gear type. Average gross revenues for
hook-and-line CVs, pot gear CVs, and trawl gear CVs are estimated to be
$390,000, $720,000, and $1.96 million, respectively. Average gross
revenues for CP entities are confidential.
This final rule contains no information collection requirements
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
This action implements the final 2023 and 2024 harvest
specifications, apportionments, and halibut PSC limits for the
groundfish fishery of the GOA. This action is necessary to establish
harvest limits for groundfish during the 2023 and 2024 fishing years
and is taken in accordance with the FMP prepared by the Council
pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The establishment of the final
harvest specifications is governed by the Council's harvest strategy
for the catch of groundfish in the GOA. The harvest strategy was
selected previously from among five alternatives, with the preferred
alternative harvest strategy being one in which the TACs fall within
the range of ABCs recommended by the SSC. Under this preferred
alternative harvest strategy, TACs are set within the range of ABCs
recommended by the SSC; the sum of the TACs must achieve the OY
specified in the FMP; and while the specific TAC numbers that the
harvest strategy produces may vary from year to year, the methodology
used for the preferred harvest strategy remains constant. This final
action implements the preferred alternative harvest strategy previously
chosen by the Council to set TACs that fall within the range of ABCs
recommended through the Council harvest specifications process and as
recommended by the Council. This is the method for determining TACs
that has been used in the past.
The final 2023 and 2024 TACs associated with preferred harvest
strategy are those recommended by the Council in December 2022. OFLs
and ABCs for the species were based on recommendations prepared by the
Council's Plan Team, and reviewed by the Council's SSC. The Council
based its TAC recommendations on those of its AP, which were consistent
with the SSC's OFL and ABC recommendations. The sum of all TACs remains
within the OY for the GOA consistent with Sec. 679.20(a)(1)(i)(B).
The final 2023 and 2024 OFLs and ABCs are based on the best
available biological information, including projected biomass trends,
information on assumed distribution of stock biomass, and revised
technical methods to calculate stock biomass. The final 2023 and 2024
TACs are based on the best available biological and socioeconomic
information. The final 2023 and 2024 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs are
consistent with the biological
[[Page 13263]]
condition of groundfish stocks as described in the 2022 SAFE report,
which is the most recent, completed SAFE report. Accounting for the
most recent biological information to set the final OFLs, ABCs, and
TACs is consistent with the objectives for this action, as well as
National Standard 2 of the Magnuson-Stevens Act (16 U.S.C. 1851(a)(2))
that actions shall be based on the best scientific information
available.
Under this action, the final ABCs reflect harvest amounts that are
less than the specified overfishing levels. The final TACs are within
the range of final ABCs recommended by the SSC and do not exceed the
biological limits recommended by the SSC (the ABCs and overfishing
levels). For most species and species groups in the GOA, the Council
recommended, and NMFS sets, final TACs equal to final ABCs, which is
intended to maximize harvest opportunities in the GOA, unless other
conservation or management reasons support setting TAC amounts less
than the ABCs.
For the following species and species groups, the Council
recommended, and NMFS sets, TACs that are less than the ABCs: for
pollock for the combined Western and Central GOA and West Yakutat
District area; Pacific cod; shallow-water flatfish in the Western GOA;
arrowtooth flounder in the Western GOA and the SEO District; flathead
sole in the Western GOA, Atka mackerel; and ``other rockfish'' in the
SEO District. These specific reductions were reviewed and recommended
by the Council's AP, and the Council in turn adopted the AP's
recommendations for the final 2023 and 2024 TACs.
Increasing TACs for some species may not result in increased
harvest opportunities for those species. This is due to a variety of
reasons. There may be a lack of commercial or market interest in some
species. Additionally, there are fixed, and therefore constraining, PSC
limits associated with the harvest of the GOA groundfish species that
can lead to an underharvest of flatfish TACs. For this reason, the
shallow-water flatfish, arrowtooth flounder, and flathead sole TACs are
set to allow for increased harvest opportunities for these target
species while conserving the halibut PSC limit for use in other
fisheries. Similarly, the SEO District arrowtooth flounder TAC is set
lower than ABC to conserve halibut PSC limit for use in other fisheries
or because there is limited commercial interest in this fishery. The
Atka mackerel TAC is set to accommodate incidental catch amounts in
other fisheries. The ``other rockfish'' TAC in the SEO District is set
to reduce the amount of discards of the species in that complex.
Finally, the TACs for two species (pollock and Pacific cod) cannot be
set equal to ABC, as the TAC must be reduced to account for the State's
GHLs in these fisheries. The W/C/WYK Regulatory Area pollock TAC and
the GOA Pacific cod TACs are therefore set to account for the State's
GHLs for the State waters pollock and Pacific cod fisheries so that the
ABCs are not exceeded.
Based upon the best available scientific data, and in consideration
of the Council's objectives of this action, there are no significant
alternatives to the final 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 final rule on small
entities. This action is economically beneficial to entities operating
in the GOA, including small entities. The action specifies TACs for
commercially valuable species in the GOA and allows for the continued
prosecution of the fishery, thereby creating the opportunity for
fishery revenue. After public process, during which the Council
solicited input from stakeholders, the Council concluded that these
final harvest specifications would best accomplish the stated
objectives articulated in the preamble for this final rule and in
applicable statutes and would minimize to the extent practicable
adverse economic impacts on the universe of directly regulated small
entities.
Adverse impacts on marine mammals, or endangered or threatened
species, resulting from fishing activities conducted under this rule
are discussed in the Final EIS and its accompanying annual SIRs (see
ADDRESSES).
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Assistant Administrator for
Fisheries, NOAA, finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the date
of effectiveness for this rule because delaying this rule is contrary
to the public interest. The Plan Team review of the 2022 SAFE report
occurred in November 2022, and, based on the 2022 SAFE report, the
Council considered and recommended the final harvest specifications in
December 2022. Accordingly, NMFS's review of the final 2023 and 2024
harvest specifications could not begin until after the December 2022
Council meeting, and after the public had time to comment on the
proposed action.
For all fisheries not currently closed because the TACs established
under the final 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications (87 FR 11599,
March 2, 2022) have not yet been reached, it is possible that they
would be closed prior to the expiration of a 30-day delayed
effectiveness period, because those fisheries have nearly reached those
previously set TACs. Some affected fisheries therefore could close
soon, as they are already close to reaching their TACs, and such
closures would cause unnecessary economic harm to the fisheries in the
cases where this final rule increases some of the groundfish TACs. If
implemented immediately, this final rule would allow these fisheries to
continue fishing, because some of the new TACs implemented by this rule
are higher than the TACs under which they are currently fishing.
In addition, immediate effectiveness of this action is required to
provide consistent management and conservation of fishery resources
based on the best available scientific information. This is
particularly pertinent for those species that have lower 2023 ABCs and
TACs than those established in the 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications
(87 FR 11599, March 2, 2022), including target species such as Pacific
cod. If implemented immediately, this rule would ensure that NMFS can
properly manage those fisheries for which this rule sets lower 2023
ABCs and TACs, which are based on the most recent biological
information on the condition of stocks. The changes between the
proposed 2023 ABCs and TACs are discussed earlier in the Changes from
the Proposed 2023 and 2024 Harvest Specifications in the GOA section of
this rule.
Certain fisheries, such as those for pollock, are intensive, fast-
paced fisheries. Other fisheries, such as those for sablefish,
flatfish, rockfish, Atka mackerel, skates, sharks, and octopuses, are
critical either as directed fisheries or as incidental catch in other
fisheries. Thus, for those species that have higher 2023 TACs than
under the final 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications (87 FR 11599,
March 2, 2022) than the TACs established by this final rule, there is
some risk of exceeding these TAC limits. U.S. fishing vessels have
demonstrated the capacity to catch the TAC allocations in many of these
fisheries. If the date of effectiveness of this rule were to be delayed
30 days and a TAC was reached during those 30 days, NMFS would be
required to close directed fishing or prohibit retention for the
applicable species. Such closures and unnecessary discards would cause
confusion to the industry and potential economic harm to fishermen,
undermining the intent of this rule. Waiving the 30-day delay in the
date of effectiveness allows NMFS to prevent
[[Page 13264]]
this potential economic harm that could occur, should the previously
set 2023 TACs (as set under the 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications)
be reached during such a delay. In addition, determining which
fisheries may close in advance is nearly impossible because these
fisheries are affected by several factors, including fishing effort,
weather, movement of fishery stocks and market price, which cannot be
predicted. Furthermore, the closure of one fishery has a cascading
effect on other fisheries; the closure would free up fishing vessels,
allowing them to move from closed fisheries to open fisheries, thereby
increasing the fishing capacity in those open fisheries, and
potentially causing them to close sooner.
In fisheries subject to declining sideboard limits, a failure to
implement the updated sideboard limits before the initial season's end
could deny the intended economic protection to the non-sideboarded
sectors. Conversely, in fisheries with increasing sideboard limits,
economic benefit could be denied to the sideboard-limited sectors.
If the final harvest specifications are not effective by March 10,
2023, which is the start of the 2023 Pacific halibut season as
specified by the IPHC, the fixed gear sablefish fishery will not begin
concurrently with the Pacific halibut IFQ season. This would result in
confusion for the industry and economic harm from unnecessary discard
of sablefish that are caught along with Pacific halibut, as both fixed
gear sablefish and Pacific halibut are managed under the same IFQ
program. Immediate effectiveness of these final 2023 and 2024 harvest
specifications will allow the sablefish IFQ fishery to begin
concurrently with the Pacific halibut IFQ season.
Finally, immediate effectiveness also provides the fishing industry
the earliest possible opportunity to plan and conduct its fishing
operations with respect to new information about TACs. Therefore, in
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), NMFS finds good cause to waive the
30-day delay in the date of effectiveness for this rule.
Small Entity Compliance Guide
Section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness
Act of 1996 states that, for each rule or group of related rules for
which an agency is required to prepare a FRFA, the agency shall publish
one or more guides to assist small entities in complying with the rule,
and shall designate such publications as ``small entity compliance
guides.'' The tables contained in this final rule are provided online
and serve as the plain language guide to assist small entities in
complying with this final rule as required by the Small Business
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. This final rule's primary
purpose is to announce the final 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications
and prohibited species bycatch allowances for the groundfish fisheries
of the GOA. This action is necessary to establish harvest limits and
associated management measures for groundfish during the 2023 and 2024
fishing years, and to accomplish the goals and objectives of the FMP.
This action affects all fishermen who participate in the GOA fisheries.
The specific OFL, ABC, TAC, and PSC amounts are provided in tables in
this final rule to assist the reader. This final rule also contains
plain language summaries of the underlying relevant regulations
supporting the harvest specifications and the harvest of groundfish in
the GOA that the reader may find helpful.
Information to assist small entities in complying with this final
rule is provided online. The OFL, ABC, TAC, and PSC tables are
individually available online at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/sustainable-fisheries/alaska-groundfish-harvest-specifications.
Explanatory information on the relevant regulations supporting the
harvest specifications is also found in footnotes to the tables.
Harvest specification changes are also available from the same online
source, which includes applicable Federal Register notices, information
bulletins, and other supporting materials. NMFS will announce closures
of directed fishing in the Federal Register and information bulletins
released by the Alaska Region. Affected fishermen should keep
themselves informed of such closures.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1540 (f), 1801 et
seq.; 16 U.S.C. 3631 et seq.; Pub. L. 105-277; Pub. L. 106-31; Pub.
L. 106-554; Pub. L. 108-199; Pub. L. 108-447; Pub. L. 109-241; Pub.
L 109-479.
Dated: February 27, 2023.
Samuel D. Rauch, III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-04315 Filed 3-1-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
