[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 242 (Monday, December 19, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 75080-75084]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-24203]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 050628170-5328-02; I.D. 062105B]
RIN 0648--AR67


Groundfish Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off the Coast 
of Alaska; Recordkeeping and Reporting

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

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS issues this final rule amending Table 2 to 50 CFR part 
679. Table 2 is the source for species codes used in data collection, 
analysis, and

[[Page 75081]]

monitoring of the Federal groundfish fisheries. This action is 
necessary to standardize collection of species information with the 
State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), increase 
effectiveness of rockfish management, reflect current fisheries 
management interest in skates, and promote better enforcement of 
rockfish regulations. This final rule is intended to meet the 
conservation and management requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) with 
respect to groundfish and to further the goals and objectives of the 
Alaska groundfish fishery management plans.

DATES: Effective January 18, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Categorical Exclusion and the Regulatory 
Impact Review (RIR) prepared for this action may be obtained by mail 
from the Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 
21668, Juneau, AK 99802 1668, Attn: Lori Durall, or from the NMFS 
Alaska Region website at www.fakr.noaa.gov. Written comments regarding 
the burden-hour estimates or other aspects of the collection-of-
information requirements contained in this final rule may be submitted 
to NMFS Alaska Region and by e-mail to [email protected], or 
fax to (202) 395-7285.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patsy A. Bearden, (907) 586 7008 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fisheries in the 
EEZ off the coast of Alaska according to the Fishery Management Plan 
for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska and the Fishery Management Plan 
for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. These fishery 
management plans (FMPs) were prepared by the North Pacific Fishery 
Management Council (Council) and approved by the Secretary of Commerce 
(Secretary) under authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, 16 U.S.C. 1801 
et seq. The FMPs are implemented by regulations at 50 CFR part 679. 
General provisions governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with 
the FMPs appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600.

Background and Need for Action

    The management background and explanation of the need for this 
action were described in the preamble to the proposed rule published in 
the Federal Register on September 1, 2005 (70 FR 52060). Table 2 to 
Part 679 provides a list of FMP species and non-FMP species on which 
ADF&G and NMFS Alaska Region have agreed for use on ADF&G fish tickets 
as well as NMFS logbooks and forms. The FMP species are those which are 
managed under the FMPs and which must be recorded and reported in 
logbooks and forms. The non-FMP species are species that are frequently 
caught in association with FMP species, but that are not actively 
managed under the FMPs. These non-FMP species may be recorded and 
reported in logbooks and forms.
    This action may require a few participants to learn to identify 
individual species of rockfish. An identification guide for rockfish of 
the Northeastern Pacific Ocean is available from NMFS, Alaska Region 
(see ADDRESSES) or at: http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/race/media/publications/archives/pubs2000/techmemo117.pdf.
    The proposed rule to implement these changes was published in the 
Federal Register on September 1, 2005, for a 30-day comment period that 
ended October 3, 2005 (70 FR 52060). No written comments were received.

Elements of the Final Rule

Table 2 to Part 679

    1. The table is reformatted from one table into four separate 
tables (Tables 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d).
    2. The following rockfish group codes are removed from Table 2 to 
part 679: 144, slope rockfish; 168, demersal shelf rockfish; 169, 
pelagic shelf rockfish; and 171, shortraker/rougheye rockfish. Removal 
of these group codes does not alter the use of the terms, ''slope 
rockfish,'' ''demersal shelf rockfish,'' ''pelagic shelf rockfish,'' or 
''shortraker/rougheye rockfish'' in Tables 10 and 11 to 50 CFR part 
679. These terms are still valid for calculation of maximum retainable 
percentages for basis species.
    3. In Sec.  679.2, the definition for ''Groundfish product or fish 
product'' is revised by removing ``Tables 1 and 2 to this part, 
excluding the prohibited species listed in Table 2 to this part'' and 
adding in its place ''Tables 1, 2a, 2c, and 2d to this part.''
    4. In Sec.  679.5, paragraph (m)(3)(v) is revised by removing 
reference to group codes 144, 168, 169, and 171.

Table 2a to Part 679

    1. The table is entitled ''Species Codes: FMP Groundfish Species.'' 
This table contains the names and species codes of groundfish that are 
managed under the FMPs and that must be recorded and reported in NMFS 
logbooks and forms.
    2. A species code, 702, is added to Table 2a to describe the 
species ``big skates.'' NMFS has implemented separate management and 
harvest specifications for the species ``big skates'' that require a 
new species code (69 FR 26313, May 12, 2004). An identification guide 
of big skates and longnose skates is available from NMFS, Alaska Region 
(see ADDRESSES) or at http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/infobulletins/2003/Rajalposter.jpg.
    3. The description ''skates general,'' code 700 in Table 2a, is 
revised to read ''Other (if longnose or big skates - use specific 
species code).''
    4. The description ''sharks general,'' code 689 in Table 2a, is 
revised to read ''Other (if salmon, spiny dogfish or Pacific sleeper 
shark - use specific species code).''
    5. The description ''miscellaneous flatfish,'' code 120, is removed 
from the group codes and added to the FMP species in Table 2a as 
''Flatfish, miscellaneous (flatfish species without separate codes).''
    6. The Latin name for all individual rockfish species is added to 
Table 2a.
    7. In Sec.  679.2, paragraph (1) of the definition for 
''Groundfish'' is revised by removing ''Table 2'' and adding in its 
place ''Table 2a.''

Table 2b to Part 679

    1. The table is entitled ''Species Codes: FMP Prohibited Species.'' 
This table contains the names and species codes of species that are 
identified as prohibited species in the FMPs and that must be recorded 
and reported in NMFS logbooks and forms.
    2. The species name for prohibited species code 932 in Table 2b, is 
changed from ''Opilio tanner crab'' to read ''Tanner, snow (C. 
opilio).''
    3. The species name for prohibited species code 923 in Table 2b, is 
changed from ''Gold/brown king crab'' to read ''King, golden (brown).''
    4. In Sec.  679.2, the definition for ''Prohibited species'' is 
revised by adding a reference to ''Table 2b.''
    5. In Sec.  679.5, paragraph (n)(2)(iv)(D) is revised by removing 
''Table 2'' and adding in its place ''Table 2b.''
    6. In Sec.  679.21, paragraph (b)(1) is revised by removing ''see 
Sec.  679.2'' and adding in its place ''see Sec.  679.2 and Table 2b to 
this part.''

Table 2c to Part 679

    1. The table is entitled ''Species Codes: FMP Forage Fish 
Species.'' This table contains the names and species codes of species 
that are identified as forage fish in the FMPs and that must be 
recorded and reported in NMFS logbooks and forms.
    2. In Sec.  679.2, the definition for ''Forage fish'' is revised by 
removing

[[Page 75082]]

''see Table 2 to this part'' and adding in its place ''see Table 2c to 
this part and Sec.  679.20(i).''
    3. In Sec.  679.20, paragraph (i)(1) is revised by removing ''see 
Sec.  679.2'' and adding in its place ''See Table 2c to this part.''

Table 2d to Part 679

    1. The table is entitled ''Species Codes: Non-FMP Species.'' This 
table contains the names and species codes of species that may be 
recorded in NMFS logbooks and forms but which recording is not required 
by regulations at 50 CFR part 679.
    2. A species code, 112, is added to Table 2d for the species, 
Pacific hake. Fishermen increasingly are reporting catch of Pacific 
hake in the EEZ off Alaska. This creates the need for a new species 
code to record the catch.
    3. The species name for non-FMP species code 961 in Table 2d, is 
changed from ''Pink shrimp'' to read ''Northern (pink).''
    4. The species name for non-FMP species code 951 in Table 2d, is 
amended by adding the Latin name ``Paralomis multispina.''
    5. The species name for non-FMP species code 953 in Table 2d, is 
amended by adding the Latin name ``Paralomis verilli.''

Additional Changes

    In Sec.  679.5, the headings for paragraphs (a)(1)(ii)(A), (B), and 
(C) are revised by removing ``groundfish and prohibited species'' and 
by adding in its place ''groundfish, prohibited species, and forage 
fish.''
    In Sec.  679.5, paragraphs (a)(1)(ii)(A), (B), and (C) are revised 
by removing ``all groundfish and prohibited species'' and adding in its 
place ``all groundfish (see Table 2a to this part), prohibited species 
(see Table 2b to this part), and forage fish (see Table 2c to this 
part).''

Classification

    This rule has been determined to be not significant for purposes of 
Executive Order 12866.
    The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce 
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration during the proposed rule stage that this action would 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. No comments were received regarding this certification or the 
economic impacts of the rule. As a result, a regulatory flexibility 
analysis was not required and none was prepared.
    This rule contains collection-of-information requirements that are 
subject to review and approval by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act 
(PRA) and which have been approved by OMB. The collections are listed 
below by OMB Control Number.

OMB Control Number 0648 0213

    Total public reporting burden for this collection is 41,219 hours. 
Species codes are recorded and reported in this collection.

OMB Control Number 0648 0401

    Total public reporting burden for this collection is 1,024 hours. 
Species codes are recorded and reported in this collection.
    Send comments regarding this burden estimate, or any other aspect 
of this data collection, including suggestions for reducing the burden, 
to NMFS (see ADDRESSEES) and by e-mail to [email protected], 
or fax to (202) 395 7285.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is 
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the PRA, unless that collection of information displays 
a currently valid OMB Control Number.
    This rule does not duplicate, overlap, or conflict with other 
Federal regulations.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 679

    Alaska, Fisheries, Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

    Dated: December 13, 2005.
James W. Balsiger,
Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.

0
For reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 679 is amended as 
follows:

PART 679--FISHERIES OF THE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE OFF ALASKA

0
1. The authority citation for part 679 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 1540(f); 1801 et seq.; 1851 
note; 3631 et seq.


Sec. Sec.  679.2, 679.5, 679.20, and 679.21  [Amended]

0
2. In the table below, for each of the paragraphs shown in the 
``Location'' column, remove the phrase indicated in the ``Remove'' 
column and replace it with the phrase indicated in the ``Add'' column 
for the number of times indicated in the ``Frequency'' column.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Location             Remove                Add          Frequency
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sec.   679.2         (see Table 2 to     (see Table 2c to    1
 definition for       this part)          this part and
 ``Forage fish''                          Sec.   679.20(i))
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sec.   679.2         Table 2             Table 2a            1
 definition for
 paragraph (1)
 ``Groundfish''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sec.   679.2         Tables 1 and 2 to   Tables 1, 2a, 2c,   1
 definition for       this part,          and 2d to this
 ``Groundfish         excluding the       part
 product or fish      prohibited
 product''            species listed in
                      Table 2 to this
                      part
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sec.   679.2         Tanner crab         Tanner crab (see    1
 definition for                           Table 2b to this
 ``Prohibited                             part)
 species''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sec.                 Groundfish and      Groundfish,         1
 679.5(a)(1)(ii)(A)   prohibited          prohibited
 , (B), and (C)       species             species, and
 paragraph heading                        forage fish
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sec.                 all groundfish and  all groundfish      1
 679.5(a)(1)(ii)(A)   prohibited          (see Table 2a to
 , (B), and (C)       species             this part),
                                          prohibited
                                          species (see
                                          Table 2b to this
                                          part), and forage
                                          fish (see Table
                                          2c to this part)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 75083]]

 
Sec.                 code for each       code for each       1
 679.5(m)(3)(v)       species from        species from
                      Table 2 to this     Tables 2a though
                      part, except        2d to this part,
                      species codes       except species
                      120, 144, 168,      code 120
                      169, or 171;
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sec.                 Table 2             Table 2b            1
 679.5(n)(2)(iv)(D)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sec.   679.20(i)(1)  See Sec.   679.2    See Table 2c to     1
                                          this part
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sec.   679.21(b)(1)  See Sec.   679.2    See Sec.   679.2    1
                                          and Table 2b to
                                          this part
------------------------------------------------------------------------


0
3. Table 2 to Part 679--Species Codes for FMP Species and non-FMP 
Species is removed, and Tables 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d to Part 679 are added 
to read as follows:

           Table 2a to Part 679--Species Codes: FMP Groundfish
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Species Description                          Code
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel (greenling)                        193
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flatfish, miscellaneous (flatfish species        120
 without separate codes)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FLOUNDER                                         .......................
                                                ------------------------
 Alaska plaice                                   133
                                                ------------------------
 Arrowtooth and/or Kamchatka                     121
                                                ------------------------
 Starry                                          129
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Octopus                                          870
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod                                      110
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock                                          270
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ROCKFISH                                         .......................
                                                ------------------------
 Aurora (S. aurora)                              185
                                                ------------------------
 Black (BSAI) (S. melanops)                      142
                                                ------------------------
 Blackgill (S. melanostomus)                     177
                                                ------------------------
 Blue (BSAI) (S. mystinus)                       167
                                                ------------------------
 Bocaccio (S. paucispinis)                       137
                                                ------------------------
 Canary (S. pinniger)                            146
                                                ------------------------
 Chilipepper (S. goodei)                         178
                                                ------------------------
 China (S. nebulosus)                            149
                                                ------------------------
 Copper (S. caurinus)                            138
                                                ------------------------
 Darkblotched (S. crameri)                       159
                                                ------------------------
 Dusky (S. ciliatus)                             154
                                                ------------------------
 Greenstriped (S. elongatus)                     135
                                                ------------------------
 Harlequin (S. variegatus)                       176
                                                ------------------------
 Northern (S. polyspinis)                        136
                                                ------------------------
 Pacific ocean perch (S. alutus)                 141
                                                ------------------------
 Pygmy (S. wilsoni)                              179
                                                ------------------------
 Quillback (S. maliger)                          147
                                                ------------------------
 Redbanded (S. babcocki)                         153
                                                ------------------------
 Redstripe (S. proriger)                         158
                                                ------------------------
 Rosethorn (S. helvomaculatus)                   150
                                                ------------------------
 Rougheye (S. aleutianus)                        151
                                                ------------------------
 Sharpchin (S. zacentrus)                        166
                                                ------------------------
 Shortbelly (S. jordani)                         181
                                                ------------------------
 Shortraker (S. borealis)                        152
                                                ------------------------
 Silvergray (S. brevispinis)                     157
                                                ------------------------
 Splitnose (S. diploproa)                        182
                                                ------------------------
 Stripetail (S. saxicola)                        183
                                                ------------------------
 Thornyhead (all Sebastolobus species)           143
                                                ------------------------
 Tiger (S. nigrocinctus)                         148
                                                ------------------------
 Vermilion (S. miniatus)                         184
                                                ------------------------
 Widow (S. entomelas)                            156
                                                ------------------------
 Yelloweye (S. ruberrimus)                       145
                                                ------------------------
 Yellowmouth (S. reedi)                          175
                                                ------------------------
 Yellowtail (S. flavidus)                        155
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish (blackcod)                             710
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sculpins                                         160
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHARKS                                           .......................
                                                ------------------------
 Other (if salmon, spiny dogfish or Pacific      689
 sleeper shark - use specific species code)
                                                ------------------------
 Pacific sleeper                                 692
                                                ------------------------
 Salmon                                          690
                                                ------------------------
 Spiny dogfish                                   691
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SKATES                                           .......................
                                                ------------------------
 Big                                             702
                                                ------------------------
 Longnose                                        701
                                                ------------------------
 Other (if longnose or big skate - use specific  700
 species code)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOLE                                             .......................
                                                ------------------------
 Butter                                          126
                                                ------------------------
 Dover                                           124
                                                ------------------------
 English                                         128
                                                ------------------------
 Flathead                                        122
                                                ------------------------
 Petrale                                         131
                                                ------------------------
 Rex                                             125
                                                ------------------------
 Rock                                            123
                                                ------------------------
 Sand                                            132
                                                ------------------------
 Yellowfin                                       127
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Squid                                            875
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Turbot, Greenland                                134
------------------------------------------------------------------------


       Table 2b to Part 679--Species Code: FMP Prohibited Species
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Species Description                          Code
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CRAB                                             .......................
                                                ------------------------
 King, blue                                      922
                                                ------------------------
 King, golden (brown)                            923
                                                ------------------------
 King, red                                       921
                                                ------------------------
 King, scarlet                                   924
                                                ------------------------
 Tanner, Bairdi (C. bairdi)                      931
                                                ------------------------

[[Page 75084]]

 
 Tanner, grooved                                 933
                                                ------------------------
 Tanner, snow (C. opilio)                        932
                                                ------------------------
 Tanner, triangle                                934
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Pacific halibut                                 200
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Pacific herring (family Clupeidae)              235
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SALMON                                           .......................
                                                ------------------------
 Chinook                                         410
                                                ------------------------
 Chum                                            450
                                                ------------------------
 Coho                                            430
                                                ------------------------
 Pink                                            440
                                                ------------------------
 Sockeye                                         420
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Steelhead trout                                 540
------------------------------------------------------------------------


      Table 2c to Part 679--Species Codes: FMP Forage Fish Species
                 (all species of the following families)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Species Description                          Code
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bristlemouths, lightfishes, and anglemouths      209
 (family Gonostomatidae)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capelin smelt (family Osmeridae)                 516
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deep-sea smelts (family Bathylagidae)            773
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eulachon smelt (family Osmeridae)                511
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gunnels (family Pholidae)                        207
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Krill (order Euphausiacea)                       800
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Laternfishes (family Myctophidae)                772
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific sandfish (family Trichodontidae)         206
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific sand lance (family Ammodytidae)          774
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pricklebacks, war-bonnets, eelblennys,           208
 cockscombs and shannys (family Stichaeidae)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Surf smelt (family Osmeridae)                    515
------------------------------------------------------------------------


          Table 2d to Part 679--Species Codes--Non-FMP Species
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Species Description                          Code
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Abalone                                          860
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Albacore                                         720
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arctic char, anadromous                          521
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLAMS                                            .......................
                                                ------------------------
 Butter                                          810
                                                ------------------------
 Cockle                                          820
                                                ------------------------
 Eastern softshell                               842
                                                ------------------------
 Geoduck                                         815
                                                ------------------------
 Little-neck                                     840
                                                ------------------------
 Razor                                           830
                                                ------------------------
 Surf                                            812
                                                ------------------------
 Coral                                           899
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CRAB                                             .......................
                                                ------------------------
 Box                                             900
                                                ------------------------
 Dungeness                                       910
                                                ------------------------
 Korean horsehair                                940
                                                ------------------------
 Multispina (Paralomis multispina)               951
                                                ------------------------
 Verrilli (Paralomis verillii)                   953
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dolly varden, anadromous                         531
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eels or eel-like fish                            210
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Giant grenadier                                  214
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GREENLING                                        .......................
                                                ------------------------
 Kelp                                            194
                                                ------------------------
 Rock                                            191
                                                ------------------------
 Whitespot                                       192
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grenadier (rattail)                              213
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jellyfish                                        625
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lamprey, Pacific                                 600
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lingcod                                          130
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lumpsucker                                       216
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mussel, blue                                     855
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific flatnose                                 260
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific hagfish                                  212
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific hake                                     112
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific saury                                    220
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific tomcod                                   250
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prowfish                                         215
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rockfish, black (GOA)                            142
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rockfish, blue (GOA)                             167
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sardine, Pacific (pilchard)                      170
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scallop, weathervane                             850
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scallop, pink (or calico)                        851
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sea cucumber                                     895
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sea urchin, green                                893
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sea urchin, red                                  892
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shad                                             180
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHRIMP                                           .......................
                                                ------------------------
 Coonstripe                                      964
                                                ------------------------
 Humpy                                           963
                                                ------------------------
 Northern (pink)                                 961
                                                ------------------------
 Sidestripe                                      962
                                                ------------------------
 Spot                                            965
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Skilfish                                         715
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Smelt, surf                                      515
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Snails                                           890
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sturgeon, general                                680
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. 05-24203 Filed 12-16-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S