Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment to the 2015 Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Pollock, Atka Mackerel, and Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 2 (Monday, January 5, 2015)

Federal Register Volume 80, Number 2 (Monday, January 5, 2015)

Rules and Regulations

Pages 188-192

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office www.gpo.gov

FR Doc No: 2014-30819

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

Docket No. 131021878-4158-02

RIN 0648-XD693

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment to the 2015 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.

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ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason adjustment; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is adjusting the 2015 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 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 1, 2015, until the effective date of the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for BSAI groundfish, unless otherwise modified or superseded through publication of a notification in the Federal Register.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 16, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by FDMS Docket Number NOAA-NMFS-2013-0152 by any of the following methods:

Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2013-0152, 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: Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668.

Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted 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). Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only.

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 2014 and 2015 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (79 FR 12108, March 4, 2014) set the 2015 BSAI pollock TAC at 1,277,075 metric tons (mt), the 2015 BSAI Atka mackerel TAC at 32,491 mt, the 2015 Bering Sea Pacific cod TAC at 251,712 mt, and the Aleutian Islands Pacific cod TAC at 6,487 mt. In December 2014, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) recommended a 2015 BSAI pollock TAC of 1,310,000 mt, which is more than the 1,277,075 mt TAC established by the final 2014 and 2015 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI. The Council also recommended a 2015 BSAI Atka mackerel TAC of 54,500 mt, which is more than the 32,491 mt TAC established by the final 2014 and 2015 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI. Furthermore, the Council recommended a 2015 Bering Sea Pacific cod TAC of 240,000 mt, and an Aleutian Islands Pacific cod TAC of 9,422 mt, which is less than the Bering Sea Pacific cod TAC of 251,712 mt, and more than the Aleutian Islands Pacific cod TAC of 6,487 mt established by the final 2014 and 2015 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI. The Council's recommended 2015 TACs, and the area and seasonal apportionments, are based on the Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation report (SAFE), dated November 2014, 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 Atka mackerel, Pacific cod, and pollock 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) specify how the Bering Sea 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 2014 SAFE report for this fishery, the current BSAI pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific cod TACs are incorrectly specified. Pursuant to Sec. 679.25(a)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator is adjusting the 2015 BSAI pollock TAC to 1,310,000 mt, the 2015 BSAI Atka mackerel TAC to 54,500, the 2015 Bering Sea Pacific cod TAC to 240,000 mt, and the Aleutian Islands Pacific cod TAC to 9,422 mt. Therefore, Table 1 of the final 2014 and 2015 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (79 FR 12108, March 4, 2014) is revised consistent with this adjustment.

Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i), Table 3 of the final 2014 and 2015 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (79 FR 12108, March 4, 2014) is revised for the 2015 BSAI allocations of pollock TAC to the directed pollock fisheries and to the Community Development Quota (CDQ) directed fishing allowances consistent with this adjustment. The Steller sea lion protection measure final rule (79 FR 70286, November 25, 2014), sets harvest limits 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 2015 A season pollock harvest limit is no more than 30 percent, or 8,898 mt, of the Aleutian Islands ABC of 29,659 mt. In Area 542, the 2015 A season pollock harvest limit is no more than 15 percent, or 4,449 mt, of the Aleutian Islands ABC of 29,659 mt. In Area 543, the 2015 A season pollock harvest limit is no more than 5 percent, or 1,483 mt, of the Aleutian Islands pollock ABC of 29,659 mt.

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Table 3--Final 2015 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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2015 A season \1\ 2015 B season \1\

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Area and sector 2015 Allocations SCA harvest limit

A season DFA \2\ B season DFA

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Bering Sea subarea TAC \1\.......... 1,310,000 n/a n/a n/a

CDQ DFA............................. 131,000 52,400 36,680 78,600

ICA \1\............................. 47,160 n/a n/a n/a

AFA Inshore......................... 565,920 226,368 158,458 339,552

AFA Catcher/Processors \3\.......... 452,736 181,094 126,766 271,642

Catch by C/Ps..................... 414,253 165,701 n/a 248,552

Catch by CVs \3\.................. 38,483 15,393 n/a 23,090

Unlisted C/P Limit \4\............ 2,264 905 n/a 1,358

AFA Motherships..................... 113,184 45,274 31,692 67,910

Excessive Harvesting Limit \5\...... 198,072 n/a n/a n/a

Excessive Processing Limit \6\...... 339,552 n/a n/a n/a

Total Bering Sea DFA................ 1,131,840 452,736 316,915 679,104

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Aleutian Islands subarea ABC........ 29,659 n/a n/a n/a

Aleutian Islands subarea TAC \1\.... 19,000 n/a n/a n/a

CDQ DFA............................. 1,900 760 n/a 1,140

ICA................................. 2,400 1,200 n/a 1,200

Aleut Corporation................... 15,100 12,259 n/a 2,841

Area harvest limit:

541. 1,483 n/a n/a n/a

542. 4,449 n/a n/a n/a

543. 8,898 n/a n/a n/a

Bogoslof District ICA \7\........... 100 n/a n/a n/a

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\1\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), the BS subarea pollock, after subtracting the CDQ DFA (10 percent)

and the ICA (4.0 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 BS subarea, 40 percent of the DFA is

allocated to the A season (January 20-June 10) and 60 percent of the DFA is allocated to the B season (June 10-

November 1). Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2)(i) and (ii), the annual AI pollock TAC, after

subtracting first for the CDQ directed fishing allowance (10 percent) and second the ICA (2,400 mt), is

allocated to the Aleut Corporation for a pollock directed fishery. In the AI subarea, the A season is

allocated 40 percent of the ABC and the B season is allocated the remainder of the pollock directed fishery.

\2\ In the BS subarea, no more than 28 percent of each sector's annual DFA may be taken from the SCA before

April 1.

\3\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4), not less than 8.5 percent of the DFA allocated to listed catcher/

processors shall be available for harvest only by eligible catcher vessels delivering to listed catcher/

processors.

\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 no more than 30 percent, in Area 542 no more than 15 percent, and in Area 543 no more than 5 percent

of the Aleutian Islands pollock ABC.

\8\ The Bogoslof District is closed by the final harvest specifications to directed fishing for pollock. The

amounts specified are for ICA 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 4 of the final 2014 and 2015 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (79 FR 12108, March 4, 2014) is revised for the 2015 seasonal and spatial allowances, gear shares, CDQ reserve, incidental catch allowance, and Amendment 80 allocation of the BSAI Atka mackerel TAC consistent with this adjustment.

Table 4--Final 2015 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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2015 allocation by area

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Sector \1\ Season 2 3 4 Eastern Aleutian

District/Bering Central Aleutian Western Aleutian

Sea District \5\ District

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TAC.............................. n/a................. 27,000 17,000 10,500

CDQ reserve...................... Total............... 2,889 1,819 1,124

A................... 1,445 910 562

Critical Habitat.... n/a 546 337

B................... 1,445 910 562

Critical Habitat.... n/a 546 337

ICA.............................. Total............... 1,000 75 40

Jig \6\.......................... Total............... 116 0 0

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BSAI trawl limited access........ Total............... 2,300 1,511 0

A................... 1,150 755 0

Critical Habitat.... n/a 453 0

B................... 1,150 755 0

Critical Habitat.... n/a 453 0

Amendment 80 sectors............. Total............... 20,696 13,595 9,337

A................... 10,348 6,798 4,668

B................... 10,348 6,798 4,668

Alaska Groundfish Cooperative.... Total \6\........... 11,616 8,116 5,742

A................... 5,808 4,058 2,871

Critical Habitat.... n/a 2,435 1,723

B................... 5,808 4,058 2,871

Critical Habitat.... n/a 2,435 1,723

Alaska Seafood Cooperative....... Total \6\........... 9,080 5,479 3,594

A................... 4,540 2,740 1,797

Critical Habitat.... n/a 1,644 1,078

B................... 4,540 2,740 1,797

Critical Habitat.... n/a 1,644 1,078

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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 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\ Regulations at Sec. Sec. 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 and 542 and 543

to be caught inside of critical habitat; and Sec. 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(1)(ii) equally divided between the A

and B seasons as defined at Sec. 679.23(e)(3) and (2) requires the TAC in area 543 shall be no more than 65%

of ABC.

\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 ICA. The amount of this allocation

is 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 6 of the final 2014 and 2015 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (79 FR 12108, March 4, 2014) is revised for the 2015 gear shares and seasonal allowances of the BSAI Pacific cod TAC consistent with this adjustment.

Table 6--Final 2015 Gear Shares and Seasonal Allowances of the BSAI Pacific Cod TAC

Amounts are in metric tons

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2015 share of 2015 seasonal apportionment

Gear sector Percent gear sector 2015 share of --------------------------------------------------------------

total sector total Seasons Amount

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BS TAC................................... n/a 240,000 n/a n/a.......................................... n/a

BS CDQ................................... n/a 25,680 n/a see Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(i)(B)................ n/a

BS non-CDQ TAC........................... n/a 214,320 n/a n/a.......................................... n/a

AI TAC................................... n/a 9,422 n/a n/a.......................................... n/a

AI CDQ................................... n/a 1,008 n/a see Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(i)(B)................ n/a

AI non-CDQ TAC........................... n/a 8,414 n/a n/a.......................................... n/a

Western Aleutian Island Limit............ n/a 2,478 n/a n/a.......................................... n/a

Total BSAI non-CDQ TAC \1\............... 100 222,734 n/a n/a.......................................... n/a

Total hook-and-line/pot gear............. 60.8 135,422 n/a n/a.......................................... n/a

Hook-and-line/pot ICA \2\................ n/a 500 n/a see Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(B)............... n/a

Hook-and-line/pot sub-total.............. n/a 134,922 n/a n/a.......................................... n/a

Hook-and-line catcher/processor.......... 48.7 n/a 108,071 Jan 1-Jun 10................................. 55,116

Jun 10-Dec 31................................ 52,955

Hook-and-line catcher vessel >=60 ft LOA. 0.2 n/a 444 Jan 1-Jun 10................................. 226

Jun 10-Dec 31................................ 217

Pot catcher/processor.................... 1.5 n/a 3,329 Jan 1-Jun 10................................. 1,698

Sept 1-Dec 31................................ 1,631

Pot catcher vessel >=60 ft LOA........... 8.4 n/a 18,641 Jan 1-Jun 10................................. 9,507

Sept 1-Dec 31................................ 9,134

Catcher vessel