[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 193 (Thursday, October 6, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-24685]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 6, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 663

[Docket No. 940254-4104; I.D. 092894A]

 

Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery

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

ACTION: Notice of reserve release; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the release of that portion of the 1994 Pacific 
whiting (whiting) harvest guideline that will not be used by shoreside 
processors by the end of the year. The released amount is available for 
harvest by all U.S. fishing vessels, whether delivering shoreside or at 
sea. This action is intended to assure full utilization of the whiting 
resource, as authorized by the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery 
Management Plan (FMP).

DATES: Effective 0001 hours local time October 1, 1994, through 
December 31, 1994 (2400 hours local time). Comments will be accepted by 
November 7, 1994. The aggregate data upon which this action is based 
are available for public inspection at the Office of the Director, 
Northwest Region (see ADDRESSES) during business hours through November 
7, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to Mr. William Stelle, Jr., 
Director, Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., BIN C15700, 
Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA 98115-0070; or Mr. Rodney McInnis, Acting 
Director, Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, 
Long Beach, CA 90802-4213. Information relevant to this action has been 
compiled in aggregate form and is available for public review during 
business hours at the Office of the Director, Northwest Region, NMFS 
(Regional Director).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William L. Robinson (Northwest Region, 
NMFS) 206-526-6140; or Rodney R. McInnis (Southwest Region, NMFS) 310-
980-4040.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The regulations at 50 CFR 663.23(b)(4) 
allocate whiting in 1994-1996 between fishing vessels that deliver at 
sea (catcher/processors and catcher boats delivering to motherships) 
and those that deliver shoreside (59 FR 17491, April 13, 1994). When 60 
percent of the annual harvest guideline is taken, further at-sea 
processing is prohibited, and the remaining 40 percent is reserved for 
use by vessels delivering shoreside. The portion of the harvest 
guideline that the shoreside sector will not use by the end of the year 
will be made available for harvest by all fishing vessels, whether 
delivering shoreside or at sea, by August 15 or as soon as practicable 
thereafter. Whiting may be released at a later date if it becomes 
apparent that shore-based needs have been substantially over-estimated 
(50 CFR 663.23(b)(4)(ii)).
    The amount of whiting available for release is determined by the 
Regional Director, based on estimates of actual and projected amounts 
of whiting harvested, using state catch and landings data, the survey 
of domestic processing capacity and intent, testimony received at 
Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) meetings, and/or other 
relevant information.
    In 1994, the whiting harvest guideline is 260,000 mt. Of this, 
104,000 mt was set aside as a reserve for shoreside processing. At-sea 
processing of whiting was prohibited on May 13, 1994, when 60 percent 
(156,000 mt) of the harvest guideline was projected to be reached.
    During the last week of July, 1994, the Regional Director reviewed 
catch and landings data provided by the States of Washington, Oregon, 
and California; surveyed shore-based fishing and processing 
representatives; and consulted with the three States in determining the 
amount of whiting expected to be processed shoreside for the remainder 
of the year. Approximately 62,000 mt of whiting were projected to 
remain in the harvest guideline after August 1, 1994. An estimated 
35,500 mt had been delivered shoreside by August 1. Additional shore-
based fishing and processing effort entered the fishery late in July, 
and an additional 41,000-72,000 mt were estimated to be needed by the 
shore-based sector through the end of 1994. Based on this information, 
the Regional Director determined that the shore-based industry could 
use the remainder of the harvest guideline, and no whiting was made 
available for at-sea processing on August 15. The Council concurred 
with this determination, and agreed that progress of the shore-based 
fishery should be reevaluated in September 1994, and any surplus 
whiting released on or near October 1, 1994.
    The States and industry were contacted again in late September, 
1994 to determine the shore-based sector's use of whiting for the 
remainder of 1994. Whiting had become less available to the fishery in 
September and catch rates were lower than in earlier projections. Based 
on the most recent week's catch rate (389 mt/day applied through 
November 15, 1994) and interest of some operations to continue to the 
end of the year, the Regional Director has determined that, of the 
38,000 mt of the harvest guideline remaining after September 25, 1994, 
16,000 mt are available for release to all vessels on October 1, 1994. 
The remaining 22,000 mt are in reserve for shore-based processing.
    After October 1, 1994, shore-based landings of whiting will be 
deducted first from the reserve for shore-based processing. When the 
shoreside reserve is taken, shoreside deliveries will be deducted from 
the portion of the harvest guideline that was released for harvest by 
all vessels. When the released amount is reached, or projected to be 
reached, further at-sea processing will be prohibited. When the harvest 
guideline is reached, a 10,000 lb (4536 kg) trip limit will be imposed, 
allowing landings only of whiting caught incidentally or in the small 
fresh and bait fisheries (as authorized at 50 CFR 663.23(b)(3)(i) and 
(c)(1)(i)(I), and at 59 FR 685 (January 6, 1994)).

Secretarial Action

    For the reasons stated above, the Regional Director announces that, 
at 0001 hours local time October 1, 1994, an additional 16,000 mt of 
Pacific whiting are made available for harvest by all fishing vessels. 
When this amount is reached, further at-sea processing will be 
prohibited, according to the procedures at 50 CFR 663.23(b)(4)(iv).

Classification

    The determination to take this action is based on the most recent 
data available.
    This action is taken under the authority of 50 CFR 663.23(b)(4) and 
is exempt from review under E.O. 12866.

    Dated: September 30, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-24685 Filed 9-30-94; 4:25 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F