[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 1 (Thursday, January 2, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19-22]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-27757]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 180713633-9174-02; RTID 0648-XY059]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason
Adjustment to the 2020 Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Pollock, Atka
Mackerel, and Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason adjustment; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is adjusting the 2020 total allowable catch (TAC) amounts
for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) pollock, Atka mackerel,
and Pacific cod fisheries. This action is necessary because NMFS has
determined these TACs are incorrectly specified, and will ensure the
BSAI pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific cod TACs are the appropriate
amounts based on the best available scientific information. This action
is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management
Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management
Area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 31,
2019, until the effective date of the final 2020 and 2021 harvest
specifications for BSAI groundfish, unless otherwise modified or
superseded through publication of a notification in the Federal
Register.
Comments must be received at the following address no later than
4:30 p.m., A.l.t., January 17, 2020.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2018-0089, by
either of the following methods:
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2018-0089, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon,
complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
Mail: Submit written comments to Glenn Merrill, Assistant
Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region
NMFS, Attn: Records. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-
1668.
Instructions: NMFS may not consider comments if they are sent by
any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after
the comment period ends. All comments received are a part of the public
record, and NMFS will post the comments for public viewing on
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address), confidential business information,
or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender
will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter
``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
BSAI exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan
for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
(FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management
Act. Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with
the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
The final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications for groundfish in
the BSAI (84 FR 9000, March 13, 2019) set the 2020 Aleutian Islands
(AI) pollock TAC at 19,000 metric tons (mt), the 2020 Bering Sea (BS)
pollock TAC at 1,420,000 mt, the 2020 BSAI Atka mackerel TAC at 53,635
mt, the 2019 BS Pacific cod TAC at 124,625 mt, and the 2019 AI Pacific
cod TAC at 14,214 mt. Also set was a 2020 AI pollock ABC of 55,125 mt
and a Western Aleutian Islands limit for Pacific cod at 15.7 percent of
the AI Pacific cod ABC minus the State of Alaska's guideline harvest
level. In December 2019, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council
(Council) recommended a 2020 BS pollock TAC of 1,425,000 mt, which is
more than the 1,420,000 mt TAC established by the final 2019 and 2020
harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI. The Council also
recommended decreasing the AI pollock ABC to 55,120 mt from 55,125 mt.
This decreases some 2020 area and seasonal limits for AI pollock. The
Council also recommended a 2020 BSAI Atka mackerel TAC of 59,305 mt,
which is more than the 53,635 mt TAC established by the final 2019 and
2020 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI. Furthermore,
the Council recommended a 2020 BS Pacific cod TAC of 141,799 mt, and an
AI Pacific cod TAC of 13,796 mt, which is more than the BS Pacific cod
TAC of 124,625 mt, and less than the AI Pacific cod TAC of 14,214 mt
established by the final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI. In addition to changes in TACs, the Council
recommended the same percentage limit of Western Aleutian Islands
Pacific cod of 15.7 percent of the AI Pacific cod ABC minus the State
of Alaska's guideline harvest level. The Council's recommended 2020
TACs, and the area and seasonal apportionments, are based on the Stock
Assessment and Fishery Evaluation report (SAFE), dated November 2019,
which NMFS has determined is the best available scientific information
for these fisheries.
Steller sea lions occur in the same location as the pollock, Atka
mackerel, and Pacific cod fisheries and are listed as endangered under
the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific
cod are a principal prey species for Steller sea lions in the BSAI. The
seasonal apportionment of pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific cod
harvest is necessary to ensure the groundfish fisheries are not likely
to cause jeopardy of extinction or adverse modification of critical
habitat for Steller sea lions. NMFS published regulations and the
revised harvest limit amounts for pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific
cod fisheries to implement Steller sea lion protection measures to
insure that groundfish fisheries of the BSAI are not likely to
jeopardize the continued existence of the western distinct population
segment of Steller sea lions or destroy or adversely modify their
designated critical habitat (79 FR 70286, November 25, 2014). The
regulations at Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i) and (iii) specify how the BS and
AI pollock TAC will be apportioned. The regulations at Sec.
679.20(a)(7) specify how the BSAI Pacific cod TAC will be apportioned.
The regulations at Sec. 679.20(a)(8) specify how the BSAI Atka
mackerel TAC will be apportioned.
In accordance with Sec. 679.25(a)(1)(iii), (a)(2)(i)(B), and
(a)(2)(iv), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional
Administrator), has determined that, based on the November 2019 SAFE
report for this fishery, the current BSAI pollock, Atka mackerel, and
Pacific cod TACs are incorrectly
[[Page 20]]
specified. Pursuant to Sec. 679.25(a)(1)(iii), the Regional
Administrator is adjusting the 2020 BS pollock TAC to 1,425,000 mt, the
2020 BSAI Atka mackerel TAC to 59,305 mt, the 2020 BS Pacific cod TAC
to 141,799 mt, and the 2020 AI Pacific cod TAC to 13,796 mt. Therefore,
Table 2 of the final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (843 FR 9000, March 13, 2019) is revised
consistent with this adjustment.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i) and (iii), Table 5 of the final
2019 and 2020 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (84 FR
9000, March 13, 2019) is revised for the 2020 BS and AI allocations of
pollock TAC to the directed pollock fisheries and to the Community
Development Quota (CDQ) directed fishing allowances consistent with
this adjustment. For AI pollock, harvest limits are set for pollock in
the A season (January 20 to June 10) in Areas 543, 542, and 541, see
Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(6). In Area 541, the 2020 A season pollock
harvest limit is no more than 30 percent, or 16,536 mt, of the AI ABC
of 55,120 mt. In Area 542, the 2020 A season pollock harvest limit is
no more than 15 percent, or 8,268 mt, of the AI ABC of 55,120 mt. In
Area 543, the 2020 A season pollock harvest limit is no more than 5
percent, or 2,756 mt, of the AI pollock ABC of 55,120 mt.
Table 5--Final 2020 Allocations of Pollock TACS to the Directed Pollock Fisheries and to the CDQ Directed
Fishing Allowances (DFA) \1\
[amounts are in metric tons]
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2020 A season \1\
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Area and sector 2020 allocations B
A season DFA SCA harvest 2020 B season season
limit \2\ \1\ DFA
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Bering Sea subarea TAC \1\.............. 1,425,000 n/a n/a n/a
CDQ DFA................................. 142,500 64,125 39,900 78,375
ICA \1\................................. 47,453 n/a n/a n/a
Total Bering Sea non-CDQ DFA............ 1,235,048 555,771 345,813 679,276
AFA Inshore............................. 617,524 277,886 172,907 339,638
AFA Catcher/Processors \3\.............. 494,019 222,309 138,325 271,710
Catch by C/Ps....................... 452,027 203,412 n/a 248,615
Catch by CVs \3\.................... 41,992 18,896 n/a 23,095
Unlisted C/P Limit \4\.............. 2,470 1,112 n/a 1,359
AFA Motherships......................... 123,505 55,577 34,581 67,928
Excessive Harvesting Limit \5\.......... 216,133 n/a n/a n/a
Excessive Processing Limit \6\.......... 370,514 n/a n/a n/a
Aleutian Islands subarea ABC............ 55,120 n/a n/a n/a
Aleutian Islands subarea TAC \1\........ 19,000 n/a n/a n/a
CDQ DFA................................. 1,900 1,900 n/a
ICA..................................... 2,400 1,200 n/a 1,200
Aleut Corporation....................... 14,700 14,700 n/a
Area harvest limit \7\.................. n/a n/a n/a n/a
541................................. 16,536 n/a n/a n/a
542................................. 8,268 n/a n/a n/a
543................................. 2,756 n/a n/a n/a
Bogoslof District ICA \8\............... 75 n/a n/a n/a
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\1\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), the Bering Sea subarea pollock TAC, after subtracting the CDQ DFA (10
percent) and the ICA (3.7 percent), is allocated as a DFA as follows: Inshore sector--50 percent, catcher/
processor sector (C/P)--40 percent, and mothership sector--10 percent. In the Bering Sea subarea, 45 percent
of the DFA is allocated to the A season (January 20-June 10) and 55 percent of the DFA is allocated to the B
season (June 10-November 1). Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2), the annual Aleutian Islands pollock
TAC, after subtracting first for the CDQ DFA (10 percent) and second for the ICA (2,400 mt), is allocated to
the Aleut Corporation for a pollock directed fishery. In the Aleutian Islands subarea, the A season is
allocated up to 40 percent of the ABC for AI pollock.
\2\ In the Bering Sea subarea, pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(C), no more than 28 percent of each sector's
annual DFA may be taken from the SCA before noon, April 1.
\3\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4), 8.5 percent of the DFA allocated to listed C/Ps shall be available
for harvest only by eligible catcher vessels with a C/P endorsement delivering to listed C/Ps, unless there is
a C/P sector cooperative for the year.
\4\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4)(iii), the AFA unlisted catcher/processors are limited to harvesting
not more than 0.5 percent of the catcher/processors sector's allocation of pollock.
\5\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(6), NMFS establishes an excessive harvesting share limit equal to 17.5
percent of the sum of the non-CDQ pollock DFAs.
\6\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(7), NMFS establishes an excessive processing share limit equal to 30.0
percent of the sum of the non-CDQ pollock DFAs.
\7\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(6), NMFS establishes harvest limits for pollock in the A season in
Area 541 of no more than 30 percent, in Area 542 of no more than 15 percent, and in Area 543 of no more than 5
percent of the Aleutian Islands pollock ABC.
\8\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.22(a)(7)(B), the Bogoslof District is closed to directed fishing for pollock. The
amounts specified are for incidental catch only and are not apportioned by season or sector.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(8), Table 7 of the final 2019 and 2020
harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (84 FR 9000, March
13, 2019) is revised for the 2020 seasonal and spatial allowances, gear
shares, CDQ reserve, incidental catch allowance, jig, BSAI trawl
limited access, and Amendment 80 allocations of the BSAI Atka mackerel
TAC consistent with this adjustment.
[[Page 21]]
TABLE 7--Final 2020 Seasonal and Spatial Allowances, Gear Shares, CDQ Reserve, Incidental Catch Allowance, and
Amendment 80 Allocations of the BSAI ATKA Mackerel TAC
[Amounts are in metric tons]
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2020 allocation by area
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Eastern
Sector \1\ Season 2 3 4 Aleutian Central Western
District Aleutian Aleutian
Bering Sea District \5\ District
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TAC................................... n/a..................... 24,535 14,721 20,049
CDQ reserve........................... Total................... 2,625 1,575 2,145
A....................... 1,313 788 1,073
Critical Habitat........ n/a 473 644
B....................... 1,313 788 1,073
Critical Habitat........ n/a 473 644
Non-CDQ TAC........................... n/a..................... 21,910 13,146 17,904
ICA................................... Total................... 800 75 20
Jig \6\............................... Total................... 106
BSAI trawl limited access............. Total................... 2,100 1,307
A....................... 1,050 654
Critical Habitat........ n/a 392
B....................... 1,050 654
Critical Habitat........ n/a 392
Amendment 80 sector................... Total................... 18,904 11,764 17,884
A....................... 9,452 5,882 8,942
Critical Habitat........ n/a 3,529 5,365
B....................... 9,452 5,882 8,942
Critical Habitat........ n/a 3,529 5,365
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\1\ Section 679.20(a)(8)(ii) allocates the Atka mackerel TACs, after subtracting the CDQ reserves, jig gear
allocation, and ICAs, to the Amendment 80 and BSAI trawl limited access sectors. The allocation of the ITAC
for Atka mackerel to the Amendment 80 and BSAI trawl limited access sectors is established in Table 33 to 50
CFR part 679 and Sec. 679.91. The CDQ reserve is 10.7 percent of the TAC for use by CDQ participants (see
Sec. Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(C) and 679.31).
\2\ Sections 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(A) and 679.22(a) establish temporal and spatial limitations for the Atka mackerel
fishery.
\3\ The seasonal allowances of Atka mackerel are 50 percent in the A season and 50 percent in the B season.
\4\ Section 679.23(e)(3) authorizes directed fishing for Atka mackerel with trawl gear during the A season from
January 20 to June 10 and the B season from June 10 to December 31.
\5\ Section 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(1)(i) limits no more than 60 percent of the annual TACs in Areas 542 and 543 to
be caught inside of Steller sea lion critical habitat; section 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(1)(ii) equally divides the
annual TACs between the A and B seasons as defined at Sec. 679.23(e)(3); and section 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(2)
requires the TAC in Area 543 shall be no more than 65 percent of ABC in Area 543.
\6\ Section 679.20(a)(8)(i) requires that up to 2 percent of the Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering Sea
subarea TAC be allocated to jig gear after subtracting the CDQ reserve and the ICA. NMFS sets the amount of
this allocation for 2020 at 0.5 percent. The jig gear allocation is not apportioned by season.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(7), Table 9 of the final 2019 and 2020
harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (84 FR 9000, March
13, 2019) is revised for the 2020 gear shares and seasonal allowances
of the BSAI Pacific cod TAC consistent with this adjustment.
Table 9--FINAl 2020 Gear Shares and Seasonal Allowances of the BSAI Pacific Cod TAC
[Amounts are in metric tons]
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2020 share of 2020 seasonal apportionment
Gear sector Percent gear sector 2020 share of ---------------------------------
total sector total Seasons Amount
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BS TAC........................ n/a 141,799 n/a n/a............. n/a
BS CDQ........................ n/a 15,172 n/a see Sec. n/a
679.20(a)(7)(i)
(B).
BS non-CDQ TAC................ n/a 126,627 n/a n/a............. n/a
AI TAC........................ n/a 13,796 n/a n/a............. n/a
AI CDQ........................ n/a 1,476 n/a see Sec. n/a
679.20(a)(7)(i)
(B).
AI non-CDQ TAC................ n/a 12,320 n/a n/a............. n/a
Western Aleutian Island Limit. n/a 2,166 n/a n/a............. n/a
Total BSAI non-CDQ TAC \1\.... 100 138,946 n/a n/a............. n/a
Total hook-and-line/pot gear.. 60.8 84,479 n/a n/a............. n/a
Hook-and-line/pot ICA \2\..... n/a 400 n/a see Sec. n/a
679.20(a)(7)(ii
)(B).
Hook-and-line/pot sub-total... n/a 84,079 n/a n/a............. n/a
Hook-and-line catcher/ 48.7 n/a 67,346 Jan 1-Jun 10.... 34,347
processor.
Jun 10-Dec 31... 33,000
Hook-and-line catcher vessel 0.2 n/a 277 Jan 1-Jun 10.... 141
>=60 ft LOA.
Jun 10-Dec 31... 136
Pot catcher/processor......... 1.5 n/a 2,074 Jan 1-Jun 10.... 1,058
Sept 1-Dec 31... 1,016
Pot catcher vessel >=60 ft LOA 8.4 n/a 11,616 Jan 1-Jun 10.... 5,924
Sept 1-Dec 31... 5,692
Catcher vessel <60 ft LOA 2.0 n/a 2,766 n/a............. n/a
using hook-and-line or pot
gear.
Trawl catcher vessel.......... 22.1 30,707 n/a Jan 20-Apr 1.... 22,723
Apr 1-Jun 10.... 3,378
Jun 10-Nov 1.... 4,606
AFA trawl catcher/processor... 2.3 3,196 n/a Jan 20-Apr 1.... 2,397
Apr-Jun 10...... 799
Jun 10-Nov 1..................
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Amendment 80.................. 13.4 18,619 n/a Jan 20-Apr 1.... 13,964
Apr 1-Jun 10.... 4,655
Jun 10-Nov 1....
Jig........................... 1.4 1,945 n/a Jan 1-Apr 30.... 1,167
Apr 30-Aug 31... 389
Aug 31-Dec 31... 389
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\1\ The gear shares and seasonal allowances for BSAI Pacific cod TAC are based on the sum of the BS and AI
Pacific cod TACs, after the subtraction of CDQ. If the TAC for Pacific cod in either the AI or BS is reached,
then directed fishing for Pacific cod in that subarea will be prohibited, even if a BSAI allowance remains.
\2\ The ICA for the hook-and-line and pot sectors will be deducted from the aggregate portion of Pacific cod TAC
allocated to the hook-and-line and pot sectors. The Regional Administrator approves an ICA of 400 mt for 2020
based on anticipated incidental catch in these fisheries.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
Classification
This action responds to the best available information recently
obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,
NOAA (AA), finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior
notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set
forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is impracticable and
contrary to the public interest. This requirement is impracticable and
contrary to the public interest as it would prevent NMFS from
responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and
would allow for harvests that exceed the appropriate allocations for
pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific cod in the BSAI based on the best
scientific information available. NMFS was unable to publish a notice
providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant
data only became available as of December 9, 2019, and additional time
for prior public comment would result in conservation concerns for the
ESA-listed Steller sea lions.
The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the
effective date of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This finding is
based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and
opportunity for public comment.
Under Sec. 679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to submit
written comments on this action to the above address until January 17,
2020.
This action is required by Sec. 679.20 and Sec. 679.25 and is
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: December 19, 2019.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-27757 Filed 12-31-19; 8:45 am]
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