[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 132 (Tuesday, July 12, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-16745]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: July 12, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 675

[Docket No. 940687-4187; I.D. 062194A]
RIN 0648-AG72

 

Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Emergency interim rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS has determined that an emergency exists in the groundfish 
fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area 
(BSAI). An unusually large number of salmon other than chinook 
(``other'' salmon) were caught incidentally by trawl catcher vessels 
operating in the catcher vessel operational area (CVOA) during the 1993 
pollock non-roe season. In 1993, the number of ``other'' salmon caught 
incidentally in the BSAI groundfish fisheries was 245,000 fish--
approximately six times the bycatch level estimated for each of the 
previous 2 years and triple the previous highest bycatch amount. 
Approximately 95 percent of this catch is chum salmon. If not 
controlled, a large number of chum salmon could be incidentally caught 
again during the 1994 pollock non-roe season, potentially causing 
serious conservation and management problems. NMFS is implementing by 
emergency rule, certain management measures necessary to address this 
problem. These measures are intended to accomplish the goals and 
objectives of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) 
with respect to fisheries management in the BSAI.

DATES: Effective August 15, 1994 through November 12, 1994. Comments 
must be received by July 27, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to Ronald J. Berg, Chief, Fisheries 
Management Division, Alaska Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, 
P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802, Attention: Lori Gravel. Copies of the 
Environmental Assessment (EA) prepared for the emergency rule may be 
obtained from the same address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kaja Brix, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Fishing for groundfish by U.S. vessels in the exclusive economic 
zone of the BSAI is managed by the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) 
according to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Groundfish 
Fishery of the BSAI. The FMP was prepared by the Council under the 
Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et 
seq.) (Magnuson Act), and is implemented by regulations governing the 
U.S. groundfish fisheries at 50 CFR part 675. General regulations that 
also pertain to U.S. fisheries are codified at 50 CFR part 620.
    At times, amendments to an FMP or its implementing regulations are 
necessary to respond to fishery conservation and management problems 
that cannot be addressed within the time frame of the normal procedures 
provided for by the Magnuson Act. Section 305(c) of the Magnuson Act 
authorizes the Secretary to implement emergency regulations necessary 
to address these situations. These emergency regulations may remain in 
effect for not more than 90 days after date of publication in the 
Federal Register, with a possible 90-day extension.
    In 1993, the number of ``other'' salmon caught incidentally in the 
BSAI groundfish fisheries increased significantly over the 1991 and 
1992 amounts of 36,000 and 39,000 fish, respectively. The 1993 total 
``other'' salmon bycatch amount was 245,000 fish--approximately six 
times the bycatch level estimated for each of the previous 2 years and 
triple the previous highest bycatch amount of 72,000 ``other'' salmon 
estimated in the 1984 foreign trawl fishery. ``Other'' salmon bycatch 
was estimated to be below 10,000 fish, both prior to 1983 and between 
1987 and 1990. ``Other'' salmon is defined as salmon other than chinook 
salmon. Historical data indicate that approximately 95 percent of the 
``other'' salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea is chum salmon.
    Poor returns of chum salmon to western Alaska river systems during 
1993 caused the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) to close 
commercial, sport, and subsistence fisheries in several western Alaska 
districts. Projections for 1994 are for below average returns in many 
districts. The salmon caught as bycatch in the 1993 pollock non-roe 
season were primarily in the size range of 3-year-old fish, which would 
have matured in 1994. Little information exists about the potential 
effect the 1993 chum salmon bycatch will have on the 1994 returns in 
western Alaska because stock composition of the chum salmon bycatch 
during the pollock non-roe season is unknown. However, the magnitude of 
the 1993 chum salmon bycatch in the pollock non-roe season is of 
concern, regardless of the origin of these fish.
    To respond to this concern, NMFS, in consultation with the Council, 
implements the following three measures under emergency rulemaking, to 
address the chum salmon bycatch problem in the 1994 BSAI pollock non-
roe season:
    1. Establishment of a 42,000 ``other'' salmon bycatch limit in the 
CVOA which, when reached, closes a portion of the CVOA to vessels using 
trawl gear;
    2. Requirement for two observers on mothership processor vessels 
that receive groundfish caught in the CVOA during the 1994 pollock non-
roe season; and
    3. Requirement for electronic communication capabilities for each 
mothership processor vessel required to carry two observers under this 
emergency rule and for each shoreside facility that receives pollock 
harvested from the CVOA during the 1994 pollock non-roe season that is 
required to have 100 percent observer coverage under 50 CFR 672.27 or 
675.25.
    These measures are described in detail and justified below.

Salmon Savings Area

    At its April 1994 meeting, the Council requested that NMFS prepare 
emergency rulemaking that would provide the authority to close an area 
within the CVOA to all vessels using trawl gear if the ``other'' salmon 
bycatch in the CVOA during 1994 reaches 42,000 fish. This measure is 
intended to prevent 1994 chum salmon bycatch numbers from approaching 
the level experienced in the 1993 fishery. Establishing the bycatch 
limit at 42,000 ``other'' salmon accommodates pre-1993 levels while 
preventing excessive bycatch.
    This closure area (the salmon savings area) is defined by straight 
lines connecting the following coordinates in the order listed:

56 deg.00' N., 167 deg.00' W.;
56 deg.00' N., 165 deg.00' W.;
55 deg.30' N., 165 deg.00' W.;
55 deg.30' N., 164 deg.00' W.;
55 deg.00' N., 164 deg.00' W.;
55 deg.00' N., 167 deg.00' W.;
56 deg.00' N., 167 deg.00' W.

    If the ``other'' salmon bycatch limit established for the CVOA is 
taken, NMFS will close the salmon savings area to all vessels using 
trawl gear through November 12, 1994--the expiration date of this 
emergency rule. The salmon savings area historically has accounted for 
a large proportion of ``other'' salmon bycatch and a relatively small 
proportion of groundfish harvest. The recommended 42,000 ``other'' 
salmon bycatch limit represents 50 percent of the 1991, 1992, and 1993 
average of ``other'' salmon bycatch in the CVOA. The 42,000 ``other'' 
salmon limit approximates the 1991 and 1992 bycatch, while providing 
some buffer to accommodate slight increases in bycatch.
    This action is intended to prevent a recurrence of the high 1993 
chum salmon bycatch experienced during the BSAI pollock non-roe season. 
The bycatch of ``other'' salmon appears to be a function of the time of 
year, distribution of fishing effort, and spatial distribution of 
salmon. Historical data indicate that ``other'' salmon bycatch is 
reduced generally during the winter months and elevated during the 
months of July through October. Approximately 67 percent of all 
``other'' salmon bycatch in observed hauls during 1991 was taken during 
August, and 40 percent and 62 percent of the 1992 and 1993 ``other'' 
salmon bycatch, respectively, was taken during the month of September. 
Starting in 1993, the opening of the pollock non-roe season was delayed 
from June 1 until August 15 (58 FR 30997, May 28, 1993). This delay was 
implemented to achieve increased revenues from the harvest of BSAI 
pollock during the non-roe season and to provide participants in the 
pollock non-roe fishery increased opportunities to fish in other 
groundfish fisheries. Although the delay of the pollock non-roe season 
until August 15 was expected to increase chum salmon bycatch, the 
magnitude of the 1993 bycatch amount was not anticipated. Spatially, 
the number of ``other'' salmon appears to be highest south of 57 deg. 
N. lat. and east of 168 deg. W. long. Consistent with historical data, 
about 80 percent of the 1993 BSAI ``other'' salmon bycatch was taken in 
the CVOA.
    Analysis of historical observer data relative to the 1993 pollock 
non-roe season chum salmon bycatch was not available prior to the 
Council's April 1994 meeting. Therefore, the recently discovered 
circumstances surrounding the 1993 chum salmon bycatch problem provided 
little opportunity for the Council to respond through normal rulemaking 
before the opening of the 1994 pollock non-roe season on August 15.
    The Council considered seven different alternatives for time/area 
closures to limit chum salmon bycatch during the 1994 pollock non-roe 
season. The recommended area was chosen as a minimum closure area that 
would provide the most consistent protection to ``other'' salmon during 
the pollock non-roe season, but would still allow access to productive 
pollock fishing grounds. During the period July through October, the 
recommended salmon savings area accounted for 1.0, 0.8, and 7.0 percent 
of the total annual observed groundfish catch in the BSAI pollock and 
Pacific cod trawl fisheries during 1991, 1992, and 1993, respectively. 
During the period July through October of 1991, 1992, and 1993, this 
area accounted for 38, 40, and 54 percent, respectively, of the total 
annual ``other'' salmon bycatch. During the period July through October 
1993, the salmon savings area had the highest ``other'' salmon bycatch 
rate of the areas analyzed--approximately 1.2 ``other'' salmon per 
metric ton of groundfish.

Increased Observer Coverage and Electronic Transmission of Observer 
Data

    NMFS must rely on data collected by NMFS-certified observers to 
manage the 1994 ``other'' salmon bycatch limit of 42,000 fish. 
Currently, one observer is required on each mothership processor vessel 
participating in either the inshore or offshore component of the 
pollock fishery. Under a regulatory amendment effective May 20, 1994 
(59 FR 18757, April 20, 1994), all salmon taken in BSAI trawl 
operations must be retained until the number of salmon is determined by 
a NMFS-certified observer. NMFS intends to use these observed counts to 
monitor the ``other'' salmon bycatch limit, unless other information 
indicates that these numbers do not provide the best information 
available on salmon bycatch. To monitor the chum salmon bycatch limit 
effectively and to prevent the 42,000 fish bycatch limit from being 
exceeded, NMFS must receive daily reports of salmon bycatch numbers. 
NMFS typically receives weekly reports on groundfish catch and on 
prohibited species bycatch to monitor the fisheries. The time required 
to process these reports results in a delay between the receipt of 
reports and determination of overall catch statistics that provide the 
basis for determining whether a closure is required. If the ``other'' 
salmon bycatch in 1994 were to proceed at the 1993 rate (i.e., 
approximately 39,000 fish in week 1; 26,000 fish in week 2; and 47,000 
fish in week 3), weekly reporting would not be sufficient to prevent 
the 42,000 ``other'' salmon limit from being exceeded.
    Effective monitoring of the bycatch limit requires a second 
observer on each mothership processor vessel that receives fish from 
catcher boats fishing in the CVOA during the pollock non-roe season. 
This is necessary to ensure accurate and timely counts of salmon 
bycatch, without compromising the other groundfish sampling duties of 
the observer. Observers onboard mothership processor vessels currently 
sample approximately two out of every ten hauls. The time required to 
count salmon bycatch under the May 20, 1994, regulatory amendment, and 
to transmit these data on a daily basis, places an extra burden on 
observers stationed on mothership processor vessels. According to 1993 
records, the salmon bycatch rate was greater for mothership processor 
vessels (0.813 ``other'' salmon/mt groundfish) than for shoreside 
plants (0.343 ``other'' salmon/mt groundfish). NMFS will require the 
additional observers to remain onboard the mothership processor vessels 
until either (1) the salmon savings area is closed, or (2) the salmon 
bycatch rates are sufficiently low such that daily observer reports are 
no longer needed to monitor the ``other'' salmon bycatch limit 
established for the CVOA.
    The observer requirements and the requirements for electronic 
communication capabilities are necessary for NMFS to monitor the 
``other'' salmon bycatch limit effectively. The affected mothership 
processing vessels and processors must obtain for observers' use the 
data entry software program provided by the Regional Director. To 
enable the observers to report haul-by-haul statistics and salmon 
bycatch numbers on a daily basis, the operator of each mothership 
processor vessel that receives fish harvested in the CVOA must provide 
INMARSAT Standard A satellite communication capabilities and associated 
software (cc:Mail remote and a data entry program provided by the 
Regional Director) for observers' use. Each mothership processor vessel 
must also have the following equipment or equipment compatible 
therewith and having the ability to operate the NMFS-supplied data 
entry software program: a personal computer (PC) with a 386 or better 
processing chip, a DOS version 3.0 operating system, and 5 megabytes of 
free hard disk storage available for the observers' use. Each shoreside 
facility that receives pollock harvested in the CVOA during the 1994 
pollock non-roe season and that is required to have 100-percent 
observer coverage under 50 CFR 672.27 and 675.25, must have the 
capability to transmit data over telephone lines using a computer 
modem. These processors will make available to observers the following 
equipment or equipment compatible therewith: a PC with a 386 or better 
processing chip, with at least a 9600 baud modem, and a phone line. The 
PC must be equipped with a mouse, Windows version 3.1 or a program 
having the ability to operate the NMFS-supplied data entry software 
program, and have at least 5 megabytes of free hard disk storage.

Economic Considerations

    Pollock harvests during the non-roe season are apportioned between 
the ``inshore'' and the ``offshore'' components. During the 1993 non-
roe season, the inshore component was comprised of seven shoreside 
processing plants, one mothership processor vessel, and five trawl 
catcher/processors. These processors processed approximately 235,000 mt 
of pollock. The offshore component was comprised of three mothership 
processors and 52 trawl catcher/processors. Sixteen of these trawl 
catcher/processors also received pollock deliveries from catcher 
vessels. The offshore component harvested about 414,000 mt of pollock 
during the directed non-roe season fishery.
    Sixty-five trawl catcher vessels delivered pollock to shoreside 
processing plants and 25 trawl catcher vessels delivered pollock to 
mothership processors. These 90 catcher vessels delivered about 233,000 
mt of pollock to shoreside processing plants and 121,000 mt to 
mothership processor vessels, for a total of about 354,000 mt of 
pollock. Therefore, trawl catcher vessels harvested about 55 percent of 
the pollock during the 1993 non-roe season and trawl catcher/processors 
harvested about 45 percent.
    The salmon savings area is completely within the CVOA. Closure of 
this area would affect only the pollock harvest areas available to 
trawl catcher vessels delivering to shoreside processing plants and 
mothership processor vessels. Most of the harvest by these catcher 
vessels during the 1993 non-roe season occurred within the CVOA. 
Preliminary examination of 1993 ADF&G fish tickets indicates that at 
least five out of seven shoreside processing plants received some 
pollock harvested within the salmon savings area during the 1993 
pollock non-roe season. Harvests within the salmon savings area 
represented about 10 percent of the total 1993 non-roe season pollock 
harvests by trawl catcher vessels delivering to shoreside processing 
plants.
    Closure of the salmon savings area would only occur if the salmon 
bycatch limit was reached and would not affect significantly the 
opportunity available to catcher vessels to harvest available pollock 
TAC. Most of the area within the CVOA that is currently available to 
the catcher vessels would remain open to pollock fishing. Based on 1993 
non-roe season fishing patterns, closure of the salmon savings area 
would have resulted in relocation of catcher vessels within the Bering 
Sea for less than 10 percent of their pollock harvests.
    The observer and equipment requirements of this action apply only 
to mothership processing vessels or shoreside processing plants 
receiving fish caught by catcher vessels from the CVOA. Direct costs 
are limited to those participants, estimated to be four mothership 
processing vessels and seven shoreside processing plants.
    Direct costs for observer coverage are estimated to be about $200 
per day per observer. The cost of a second observer on the four 
mothership processor vessels would depend on the number of days the 
additional observer was required. The number of observer days for each 
mothership processor vessel during the 1993 non-roe season ranged from 
39 to 58 days. Based on the observer coverage requirements for 1993, a 
second observer during the 1994 non-roe season could cost from $7,800 
(39 days x $200/day) to $11,600 (58 days x $200/day) per mothership 
processor vessel. Based on the actual number of fishing days, the total 
cost for all four mothership processor vessels would be $37,400 (187 
days x $200/day), if the second observer were required for the same 
amount of observer coverage days as during the 1993 non-roe season. If 
the second observer is required for only a portion of the 1994 non-roe 
season, additional observer costs would be $200 per day per mothership 
processor.
    Costs could also be incurred for the acquisition of electronic mail 
software and a personal computer that satisfies the hardware 
requirements detailed above. The cost for these items could range from 
$200-1200. Mothership processing vessels have the INMARSAT A satellite 
communication capabilities and necessary computer hardware, and most 
shoreside facilities have the necessary computer hardware for 
electronic transmission of data. NMFS will supply the necessary data 
entry software and will provide installation free of charge.
    Closure of the salmon savings area to vessels using trawl gear will 
also affect any trawl vessels that may have otherwise fished in this 
area in non-pollock target fisheries. However, examination of 1993 
catch information indicates that no significant amounts of other 
groundfish fishing or pollock Community Development Quota fishing 
occurred in the salmon savings area subsequent to closure of the 
directed inshore and offshore component pollock fisheries.
    Management measures responding to the information recently 
presented to the Council are necessary to mitigate potentially adverse 
impacts of chum salmon bycatch on western Alaska salmon resources and 
to reduce chum salmon bycatch in 1994. NMFS is implementing this 
emergency action for the 1994 pollock non-roe season because the high 
chum salmon bycatch occurred primarily in the pollock non-roe season in 
1993 and a large proportion of this bycatch occurred in the salmon 
savings area.
    NMFS concurs that the above regulatory measures must be implemented 
by emergency rulemaking to prevent high bycatch of chum salmon by 
catcher vessels fishing for groundfish in the CVOA during the 1994 
pollock non-roe season.

Classification

    This rule is exempt from the requirements of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act to prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis, because 
it is issued without opportunity for prior public comment, and none has 
been prepared.
    This rule has been determined to be not significant for purposes of 
E.O. 12866.
    NMFS finds that the immediate need to protect and conserve the 
``other'' salmon population in the CVOA, as explained in the preamble 
to this rule, constitutes good cause to waive the requirement to 
provide prior notice and an opportunity for public comment, pursuant to 
authority set forth at 5 U.S.C. Sec. 553(b)(B), as such procedures 
would be contrary to the public interest.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 675

    Fisheries, Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

    Dated: July 5, 1994.
Charles Karnella,
Acting Program Management Officer, National Marine Fisheries Service.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 50 CFR part 675 is 
amended effective August 15, 1994 through November 12, 1994, as 
follows:

PART 675--GROUNDFISH OF THE BERING SEA AND ALEUTIAN ISLANDS AREA

    1. The authority citation for part 675 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    2. In section 675.22, paragraph (h) is added to read as follows:


Sec. 675.22  Time and area closures.

* * * * *
    (h) Salmon savings area. When the Regional Director determines that 
42,000 non-chinook salmon have been caught by vessels using trawl gear 
during 1994 in the catcher vessel operational area, defined in 
paragraph (g) of this section, NMFS will prohibit fishing with trawl 
gear, through November 12, 1994, in the area defined by straight lines 
connecting the following coordinates in the order listed:

56 deg.00' N., 167 deg.00' W.;
56 deg.00' N., 165 deg.00' W.;
55 deg.30' N., 165 deg.00' W.;
55 deg.30' N., 164 deg.00' W.;
55 deg.00' N., 164 deg.00' W.;
55 deg.00' N., 167 deg.00' W.;
56 deg.00' N., 167 deg.00' W.

    3. In Sec. 675.25, the existing text is suspended and new 
paragraphs (a) through (d) are added to read as follows:


Sec. 675.25  Observers.

    (a) Observer requirements authorized under the observer plan are 
set out at Sec. 672.27 of this chapter and paragraphs (b) through (d) 
of this section.
    (b) Each mothership processor vessel that receives groundfish 
harvested by catcher vessels in the catcher vessel operational area, 
defined at Sec. 675.22(g), during the 1994 second pollock season that 
starts on August 15 under Sec. 675.23(e), is required to have a second 
NMFS-certified observer onboard, in addition to the observer required 
under Sec. 672.27(c)(1)(iii) (A) and (B) of this chapter. Two observers 
must be onboard for each day of the 1994 second pollock season until 
either the salmon savings area is closed under Sec. 675.22(h) or the 
Regional Director determines that the bycatch rates of non-chinook 
salmon are sufficiently low such that daily observer reports are no 
longer needed to monitor the 1994 non-chinook salmon bycatch amounts.
    (c) Each mothership processor vessel must be equipped with INMARSAT 
Standard A satellite communication capabilities, cc:Mail remote, and 
the data entry software provided by the Regional Director, for use by 
the observers. The operator of each mothership processing vessel shall 
also make available for the observers' use the following equipment or 
equipment compatible therewith and having the ability to operate the 
NMFS-supplied data entry software program: a personal computer with a 
386 or better processing chip, a DOS 3.0 operating system, and 5 
megabytes of free hard disk storage.
    (d) Each shoreside processing facility that is required to have 100 
percent observer coverage under Sec. 672.27(c)(2) of this chapter and 
that receives groundfish harvested in the catcher vessel operational 
area, defined at Sec. 675.22(g), during the second pollock season that 
starts on August 15, under Sec. 675.23(e), must make available to the 
observer the following equipment or equipment compatible therewith: a 
personal computer with a minimum of a 386 processing chip with at least 
a 9600-baud modem and a telephone line. The personal computer must be 
equipped with a mouse, Windows version 3.1 or a program having the 
ability to operate the NMFS-supplied data entry software program, 5 
megabytes of free hard disk storage, and the data entry software 
provided by the Regional Director for use by the observers.

[FR Doc. 94-16745 Filed 7-11-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-W