[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 29, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52468-52472]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-25240]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 300

[Docket No. 990416100-9256-02; I.D. 031999C]
RIN 0648-AL18


Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Local Area Management Plan for the 
Halibut Fishery in Sitka Sound

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

ACTION: Final rule; response to comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS issues a final rule to implement a Local Area Management 
Plan (LAMP) for the halibut fishery in Sitka Sound in the Gulf of 
Alaska. This rule prohibits a person using a vessel greater than 35 ft 
(10.7 meters(m)) in overall length from fishing for halibut with 
setline gear within Sitka Sound. The rule also prohibits a person using 
a vessel less than or equal to 35 ft (10.7 m) in overall length from 
fishing for halibut with setline gear within Sitka Sound from June 1 
through August 31. Finally, the rule prohibits all charter vessels from 
fishing for halibut within Sitka Sound from June 1 through August 31 
and from retaining halibut caught within Sitka Sound while engaging in 
sport fishing for other species from June 1 through August 31. This 
action is necessary to address the decreased availability of halibut in 
Sitka Sound and is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the 
North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) with respect to 
management of halibut in and off Alaska.

DATES: Effective October 29, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Environmental Assessment/Regulatory Impact 
Review/Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (EA/RIR/FRFA) prepared for 
this action may be obtained from National Marine Fisheries Service, 
Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, 
AK 99802, Attn: Lori J. Gravel, or by calling the Alaska Region, NMFS, 
at 907-586-7228.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gretchen Harrington, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Convention between the United States and 
Canada for the Preservation of the Halibut Fishery of the North Pacific 
Ocean and the Bering Sea (Convention), signed at Ottawa, Ontario, 
Canada, on March 2, 1953, and amended by a Protocol Amending the 
Convention, signed at Washington, D.C., United States of America, on 
March 29, 1979, authorizes the International Pacific Halibut Commission 
(Commission) to promulgate regulations for the conservation and 
management of the Pacific halibut fishery. The Northern Pacific Halibut 
Act (Halibut Act) implements the Convention (16 U.S.C. 773-773k).
    The Halibut Act, in section 5, gives the Secretary of Commerce 
(Secretary) the general responsibility to carry out the Convention and 
requires the Secretary to adopt such regulations as may be necessary to 
carry out the purposes and objectives of the Convention and the Halibut 
Act. The Secretary has delegated this authority to the Assistant 
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA. Section 5 of the Halibut Act also 
provides that the regional fishery management council having authority 
for the geographical area concerned may recommend management measures 
governing Pacific halibut catch in U.S. Convention waters that are in 
addition to, but not in conflict with, regulations of the Commission.
    The Sitka Sound Halibut Task Force (Task Force) determined that too 
many harvesters were targeting halibut in Sitka Sound. The Commission 
has no data that support or refute localized depletion. However, 
information on halibut commercial landings from the Commission and 
Alaska Department of Fish & Game creel survey data indicate a decline 
in non-charter and subsistence halibut harvests for 1992-1996. Local or 
anecdotal information indicates the opportunity for an individual 
fisherman to catch a halibut has greatly decreased due to increased 
competition. This increased competition among users is partially due to 
an increase in the number of guided charter vessels and the Individual 
Fishing Quota (IFQ) fishery that allows commercial fishing vessels to 
operate throughout the summer.
    The Task Force then proposed an LAMP for Sitka Sound and submitted 
it to the Council. The Council approved the Task Force's proposal as 
the preferred alternative in February 1998, and on April 28, 1999, NMFS 
published a proposed rule to implement the LAMP (64 FR 22826). The 
proposed rule provides a detailed description of the regulatory 
amendments and the reasons for their implementation. This final rule 
makes no changes to the proposed rule.

Response to Comments

    NMFS received five letters commenting on the proposed rule during 
the 30-day comment period ending May 28, 1999. Three letters supported 
approving the rule as proposed, and two letters supported approving the 
proposed rule with changes.
     Comment 1. Three comments supported approving the rule as 
proposed.
     Response. NMFS agrees.
    Comment 2. NMFS should approve proposed rule, with the following 
change: Remove the provision that allows charter vessels to retain 
halibut caught outside the Sound while fishing

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for other species within the closed area because it creates a loophole 
that would allow charter vessels to continue catching halibut in the 
Sound.
    Response. NMFS was also concerned that this provision may be 
difficult to enforce. However, in light of reassurances from the U.S 
Coast Guard and public comment, the final rule implements the LAMP as 
created by the task force and adopted by the Council.
    Comment 3. NMFS should approve the proposed rule, including the 
provision to allow charter vessels to retain halibut harvested outside 
the Sound, with the following addition: Reinstate the annual review of 
the LAMP specified in the original task force plan. All participants 
agreed by consensus that an annual review is necessary to fine tune the 
plan.
    Response. Nothing in the proposed rule precludes annual review of 
the LAMP by the Task Force or members of the public. The Council did 
not include an annual review in the preferred alternative because the 
Alaska Board of Fisheries, which will first review all proposed changes 
to the LAMP before recommendations are made to the Council, reviews 
proposals on a 3-year cycle.

Small Entity Compliance Guide

     A quick reference card will be produced as a small entity 
compliance guide to satisfy the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996, which requires a plain language guide to assist 
small entities in complying with this rule. Contact NMFS to request a 
copy of the quick reference card (see ADDRESSES).

Classification

    The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator) 
determined that this final rule is necessary for the management of the 
halibut fisheries in Sitka Sound. The Regional Administrator also 
determined that this final rule is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Halibut Act, and other 
applicable laws.
    The final rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of E.O. 12866. This action does not contain a collection-of-
information requirement for purposes of the Paperwork Reduction Act.
    The Council prepared a final regulatory flexibility analysis 
(FRFA). NMFS received no letters of public comment in response to the 
initial regulatory flexibility analysis. A summary of the FRFA follows.
    This action is being implemented because local residents of Sitka 
Sound are concerned about the decreased availability of halibut. The 
objective is to allocate halibut fishing opportunities in Sitka Sound 
among fishermen fishing with commercial vessels, anglers fishing from 
charter vessels, subsistence/personal use fisheries, and sport 
fishermen. Section 5 of the Halibut Act authorizes the Council to 
recommend management measures governing Pacific halibut catch in Sitka 
Sound.
    In 1996, 74 commercial longline vessels, with allocations of 
halibut in Area 2C, and 192 registered charter vessels fished in in 
Sitka Sound.
    This rule does not contain new reporting or recordkeeping 
requirements and there are no relevant Federal rules which may 
duplicate, overlap, or conflict with this rule.
    The alternative of not having a LAMP for Sitka Sound would not have 
a negative impact on the halibut resource but would increase 
competition for the resource in Sitka Sound. Creation of an alternative 
LAMP for Sitka Sound, which would (1) prohibit halibut commercial 
vessels greater than 35 ft (10.7 m) from harvesting halibut in Sitka 
Sound, (2) prohibit halibut commercial vessels less than or equal to 35 
ft (10.7 m) from harvesting halibut in Sitka Sound during July, July, 
and August with a 1,000 lb (0.45 mt) trip limit during the remainder of 
the IFQ fishing season, and (3) during July, June, and August only 
allow for a subsistence/personal use fishery, and a non-guided sport 
fishery in Sitka Sound, would protect the interests of non-guided 
anglers but restrict the retention of halibut caught outside Sitka 
Sound by charter vessels while fishing inside the Sound.
    None of the alternatives discussed in the EA/RIR/FRFA are likely to 
significantly affect the quality of the human environment, or are 
expected to have significant impacts on endangered or threatened 
species, or marine mammals.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 300

    Fisheries, Fishing, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, 
Treaties.

    Dated: September 23, 1999
Penelope D. Dalton,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
    For reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 300 is amended to 
read as follows:

PART 300--INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES REGULATIONS

    1. The authority citation for 50 CFR part 300, subpart E continues 
to read as follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773-773k

    2. In Sec. 300.61, the definitions for ``Charter vessel'', 
``Fishing'', ``Individual Fishing Quota'', ``IFQ fishing trip'', ``IFQ 
halibut'', ``Overall length'', ``Setline gear'', and ``Sport fishing'' 
are added in alphabetical order to read as follows:


Sec. 300.61  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Charter vessel means a vessel used for hire in sport fishing for 
halibut, but not including a vessel without a hired operator.
* * * * *
    Fishing means the taking, harvesting, or catching of fish, or any 
activity that can reasonably be expected to result in the taking, 
harvesting, or catching of fish, including specifically the deployment 
of any amount or component part of setline gear anywhere in the 
maritime area.
    Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ), for purposes of this subpart, means 
the annual catch limit of halibut that may be harvested by a person who 
is lawfully allocated a harvest privilege for a specific portion of the 
TAC of halibut.
    IFQ fishing trip, for purposes of the subpart, means the period 
beginning when a vessel operator commences harvesting IFQ halibut and 
ending when the vessel operator lands any species.
    IFQ halibut means any halibut that is harvested with fixed gear in 
any IFQ regulatory area.
    Overall length of a vessel means the horizontal distance, rounded 
to the nearest ft/meter, between the foremost part of the stem and the 
aftermost part of the stern (excluding bowsprits, rudders, outboard 
motor brackets, and similar fittings or attachments).
* * * * *
    Setline gear means one or more stationary, buoyed, and anchored 
lines with hooks attached.
    Sport fishing means all fishing other than commercial fishing and 
treaty Indian ceremonial and subsistence fishing.
* * * * *
    3. In Sec. 300.63, the heading and introductory text of Sec. 300.63 
are revised, and paragraph (d) is added to read as follows:


Sec. 300.63  Catch sharing plans, local area management plans, and 
domestic management measures.

    Catch sharing plans (CSP) and local area management plans (LAMP) 
may be developed by the appropriate regional fishery management 
council, and approved by NMFS, for portions of the fishery. Any 
approved CSP or LAMP may be obtained from the

[[Page 52470]]

Administrator, Northwest Region, or the Administrator, Alaska Region.
* * * * *
    (d) The LAMP for Sitka Sound provides guidelines for participation 
in the halibut fishery in Sitka Sound.
    (1) For purposes of Sec. 300.63(d), Sitka Sound means (See Figure 
1) to subpart E of the part:
    (i) With respect to Sec. 300.63(d)(2), that part of the Commission 
regulatory area 2C that is enclosed on the north and east by a line 
from Kruzof Island at 57 deg.20'30'' N. lat., 135 deg.45'10'' W. long. 
to Chichagof Island at 57 deg.22'03'' N. lat., 135 deg.43'00'' W. 
long., and a line from Chichagof Island at 57 deg.22'35'' N. lat., 
135 deg.41'18'' W. long. to Baranof Island at 57 deg.22'17'' N. lat., 
135 deg.40'57'' W. long.; and is enclosed on the south and west by a 
line from Cape Edgecumbe at 57 deg.59'54'' N. lat., 135 deg.51'27'' W. 
long. to Vasilief Rock at 56 deg.48'56'' N. lat., 135 deg.32'30'' W. 
long. to the green day marker in Dorothy Narrows at 56 deg.49'17'' N. 
lat., 135 deg.22'45'' W. long. to Baranof Island at 56 deg.49'17'' N. 
lat., 135 deg.22'36'' W. long.
    (ii) With respect to Sec. 300.63(d)(3) and (4), that part of the 
Commission regulatory area 2C that is enclosed on the north and east by 
a line from Kruzof Island at 57 deg.20'30'' N. lat., 135 deg.45'10'' W. 
long. to Chichagof Island at 57 deg.22'03'' N. lat., 135 deg.43'00'' W. 
long., and a line from Chichagof Island at 57 deg.22'35'' N. lat., 
135 deg.41'18'' W. long. to Baranof Island at 57 deg.22'17'' N. lat., 
135 deg.40'57'' W. lat.; and is enclosed on the south and west by a 
line running from Sitka Point at 56 deg.59'23'' N. lat., 
135 deg.49'34'' W. long., to Hanus Point at 56 deg.51'55'' N. lat., 
135 deg.30'30'' W. long., to the green day marker in Dorothy Narrows at 
56 deg.49'17'' N. lat., 135 deg.22'45'' W. long. to Baranof Island at 
56 deg.49'17'' N. lat., 135 deg.22'36'' W. long.
    (2) A person using a vessel greater than 35 ft (10.7 m) in overall 
length, as defined in Sec. 300.61, is prohibited from fishing for IFQ 
halibut with setline gear, as defined in Sec. 300.61, within Sitka 
Sound as defined in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section.
    (3) A person using a vessel less than or equal to 35 ft (10.7 m) in 
overall length, as defined in Sec. 300.61:
    (i) Is prohibited from fishing for IFQ halibut with setline gear 
within Sitka Sound, as defined in paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this section, 
from June 1 through August 31; and
    (ii) Is prohibited, during the remainder of the designated IFQ 
season, from retaining more than 2,000 lbs. (0.91 mt) of IFQ halibut 
within Sitka Sound, as defined in paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this section, 
per IFQ fishing trip, as defined in 50 CFR 300.61.
    (4) No charter vessel, as defined in Sec. 300.61, shall engage in 
sport fishing, as defined in Sec. 300.61, for halibut within Sitka 
Sound, as defined in paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this section, from June 1 
through August 31.
    (i) No charter vessel shall retain halibut caught while engaged in 
sport fishing, as defined in Sec. 300.61, for other species, within 
Sitka Sound, as defined in paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this section, from 
June 1 through August 31.
    (ii) Notwithstanding paragraphs (d)(4) and (4)(i) of this section, 
halibut harvested outside Sitka Sound, as defined in (d)(1)(ii) of this 
section, may be retained onboard a charter vessel engaged in sport 
fishing, as defined in 50 CFR 300.61, for other species within Sitka 
Sound, as defined in paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this section, from June 1 
through August 31.
    4. In subpart E of part 300, Figure 1 is added following 
Sec. 300.65.

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[FR Doc. 99-25240 Filed 9-28-99; 8:45 am]
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