[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 53 (Friday, March 18, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14773-14800]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-06182]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 150916863-6211-02]
RIN 0648-XE202
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Bering Sea
and Aleutian Islands; 2016 and 2017 Harvest Specifications for
Groundfish
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule; closures.
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SUMMARY: NMFS announces final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications and
prohibited species catch allowances for the groundfish fishery of the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is
necessary to establish harvest limits for groundfish during the 2016
and 2017 fishing years, and to accomplish the goals and objectives of
the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands Management Area (FMP). The intended effect of this
action is to conserve and manage the groundfish resources in the BSAI
in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
DATES: Effective from 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 18,
2016, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2017.
ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the Alaska Groundfish Harvest
Specifications Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Record of
Decision (ROD), Supplementary Information Report (SIR) to the EIS, and
the Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) prepared for this
action are available from http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. The final
2015 Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) report for the
groundfish resources of the BSAI, dated November 2015, as well as the
SAFE reports for previous years, are available from the North Pacific
Fishery Management Council (Council) at 605 West 4th Avenue, Suite 306,
Anchorage, AK 99510-2252, phone 907-271-2809, or from the Council's Web
site at http://www.npfmc.org/.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Federal regulations at 50 CFR part 679
implement the FMP and govern the groundfish fisheries in the BSAI. The
Council prepared the FMP, and NMFS approved it under the Magnuson-
Stevens Act. General regulations governing U.S. fisheries also appear
at 50 CFR part 600.
The FMP and its implementing regulations require NMFS, after
consultation with the Council, to specify the total allowable catch
(TAC) for each target species category. The sum TAC for all groundfish
species must be within the optimum yield (OY) range of 1.4 million to
2.0 million metric tons (mt) (see Sec. 679.20(a)(1)(i)). This final
rule specifies the TAC at 2.0 million mt for both 2016 and 2017. NMFS
also must specify apportionments of TAC, prohibited species catch (PSC)
allowances, and prohibited species quota (PSQ) reserves established by
Sec. 679.21; seasonal allowances of pollock, Pacific cod, and Atka
mackerel TAC; Amendment 80 allocations; and Community Development Quota
(CDQ) reserve amounts established by Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(ii). The final
harvest specifications set forth in Tables 1 through 26 of this action
satisfy these requirements.
Section 679.20(c)(3)(i) further requires NMFS to consider public
comment on the proposed annual TACs (and apportionments thereof) and
PSC allowances, and to publish final harvest specifications in the
Federal Register. The proposed 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications and
PSC allowances for the groundfish fishery of the BSAI were published in
the Federal Register on December 9, 2015 (80 FR 76425). Comments were
invited and accepted through January 8, 2016. NMFS received two letters
of comment on the proposed harvest specifications with fourteen
substantive comments. These comments are summarized and responded to in
the ``Response to Comments'' section of this rule. NMFS consulted with
the Council on the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications during
the December 2015 Council meeting in Anchorage, AK. After considering
public comments, as well as biological and economic data that were
available at the Council's December meeting, NMFS implements the final
2016 and 2017 harvest specifications as recommended by the Council.
Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) and TAC Harvest Specifications
The final ABC levels for Alaska groundfish are based on the best
available biological and socioeconomic information, including projected
biomass trends, information on assumed distribution of stock biomass,
and revised technical methods used to calculate stock biomass. In
general, the development of ABCs and overfishing levels (OFLs) involves
sophisticated statistical analyses of fish populations. The FMP
specifies a series of six tiers to define OFL and ABC amounts based on
the level of reliable information available to fishery scientists. Tier
1 represents the highest level of information quality available while
Tier 6 represents the lowest.
In December 2015, the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC),
Advisory Panel (AP), and Council reviewed current biological and
harvest information about the condition of the BSAI groundfish stocks.
The Council's Plan Team compiled and presented this information in the
final 2015 SAFE report for the BSAI groundfish fisheries, dated
November 2015 (see ADDRESSES). The SAFE report contains a review of the
latest scientific analyses and estimates of each species' biomass and
other biological parameters, as well as summaries of the available
information on the BSAI ecosystem and the economic condition of
groundfish fisheries off Alaska. NMFS notified the public and asked for
review of the 2015 SAFE report in the notice of proposed harvest
specifications. From these data and analyses, the Plan Team recommended
an OFL and ABC for each species or species category at the November
2015 Plan Team meeting.
In December 2015, the SSC, AP, and Council reviewed the Plan Team's
recommendations. The final TAC recommendations were based on the ABCs
as adjusted for other biological and socioeconomic considerations,
including maintaining the sum of the TACs within the required OY range
of 1.4 million to 2.0 million mt. As required by annual catch limit
rules for all fisheries (74 FR 3178, January 16, 2009), none of the
Council's recommended TACs for 2016 or 2017 exceeds the final 2016 or
2017 ABCs for any species category. The Secretary of Commerce
(Secretary) approves the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications as
recommended by the Council. NMFS finds that the Council's recommended
OFLs, ABCs, and TACs are consistent with the preferred harvest strategy
and
[[Page 14774]]
the biological condition of groundfish stocks as described in the 2015
SAFE report that was approved by the Council.
Other Actions Potentially Affecting the 2016 and 2017 Harvest
Specifications
On November 30, 2015, the Alaska Board of Fisheries (BOF), a
regulatory body for the State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game
(State), established a guideline harvest level (GHL) in State waters
between 164 and 167 degrees west longitude in the Bering Sea subarea
(BS) equal to 6.4 percent of the Pacific cod ABC for the BS. The action
by the State required a downward adjustment of the 240,000 mt proposed
2016 and 2017 Bering Sea subarea Pacific cod TAC because the combined
TAC and GHL was greater than the proposed ABC of 255,000 mt. The
maximum permissible TAC after subtraction of the GHL is 238,680 mt for
the BS. The BOF for the State established a GHL in State waters in the
Aleutian Islands subarea (AI) equal to 27 percent of the Pacific cod
ABC for the AI. The action by the State does not require a downward
adjustment of the proposed Aleutian Islands subarea Pacific cod TAC
because the combined TAC and GHL, 17,600 mt, is less than the proposed
ABC.
At its June 2015 meeting, the Council recommended reductions to the
BSAI halibut PSC limits by 21 percent through Amendment 111 to the FMP.
A notice of availability associated with those recommendations was
published on October 29, 2015 (80 FR 66486). The specific reductions
are 25 percent for Amendment 80 cooperatives, 15 percent for BSAI trawl
limited access fisheries, 20 percent for CDQ fisheries, and 15 percent
for non-trawl fisheries. NMFS will publish regulations implementing
trawl and non-trawl BSAI halibut PSC limit reductions in 2016, upon
approval by the Secretary of a final rule to implement Amendment 111.
Upon implementation of the reductions, the 2016 and 2017 halibut PSC
limits under this action will be superseded by Amendment 111 and
reduced.
Changes From the Proposed 2016 and 2017 Harvest Specifications for the
BSAI
The Council's recommendations for the proposed 2016 and 2017
harvest specifications (80 FR 76425, December 9, 2015) were based
largely on information contained in the 2014 SAFE report for the BSAI
groundfish fisheries. Through the proposed harvest specifications, NMFS
notified the public that these harvest specifications could change, as
the Council would consider information contained in the final 2015 SAFE
report, recommendations from the Plan Team, SSC, and AP committees, and
public testimony when making its recommendations for final harvest
specifications at the December 2015 Council meeting. NMFS further
notified the public that, as required by the FMP and its implementing
regulations, the sum of the TACs must be within the OY range of 1.4
million and 2.0 million mt.
Information contained in the 2015 SAFE reports indicates biomass
changes for several groundfish species from the 2014 SAFE reports. The
2015 report was made available for public review during the public
comment period for the proposed harvest specifications. At the December
2015 Council meeting, the SSC recommended the 2016 and 2017 ABCs for
many species based on the best and most recent information contained in
the 2015 SAFE reports. This recommendation resulted in an ABC sum total
for all BSAI groundfish species in excess of 2 million mt for both 2016
and 2017. Based on the SSC ABC recommendations and the 2015 SAFE
reports, the Council recommends increasing Bering Sea pollock by 30,000
mt in 2016 and 30,643 in 2017. In terms of percentage, the largest
increases in TACs were for Bogoslof area pollock and BSAI squid. These
increases were to account for higher incidental catch needs than were
specified in the proposed 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications. The
changes to TAC between the proposed and final harvest specifications
are based on the most recent scientific and economic information and
are consistent with the FMP, regulatory obligations, and harvest
strategy as described in the proposed harvest specifications. These
changes are compared in Table 1A.
Table 1 lists the Council's recommended final 2016 OFL, ABC, TAC,
initial TAC (ITAC), and CDQ reserve amounts of the BSAI groundfish; and
Table 2 lists the Council's recommended final 2017 OFL, ABC, TAC, ITAC,
and CDQ reserve amounts of the BSAI groundfish. NMFS concurs in these
recommendations. The final 2016 and 2017 TAC recommendations for the
BSAI are within the OY range established for the BSAI and do not exceed
the ABC for any species or species group. The apportionment of TAC
amounts among fisheries and seasons is discussed below.
TABLE 1--Final 2016 Overfishing Level (OFL), Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC), Total Allowable Catch (TAC), Initial TAC (ITAC), and CDQ Reserve
Allocation of Groundfish in the BSAI \1\
[Amounts are in metric tons]
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2016
Species Area -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OFL ABC TAC ITAC \2\ CDQ \3\
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Pollock \4\............................... BS.......................... 3,910,000 2,090,000 1,340,000 1,206,000 134,000
AI.......................... 39,075 32,227 19,000 17,100 1,900
Bogoslof.................... 31,906 23,850 500 500 0
Pacific cod \5\........................... BS.......................... 390,000 255,000 238,680 213,141 25,539
AI.......................... 23,400 17,600 12,839 11,465 1,374
Sablefish................................. BS.......................... 1,304 1,151 1,151 950 158
AI.......................... 1,766 1,557 1,557 1,265 263
Yellowfin sole............................ BSAI........................ 228,100 211,700 144,000 128,592 15,408
Greenland turbot.......................... BSAI........................ 4,194 3,462 2,873 2,442 n/a
BS.......................... n/a 2,673 2,673 2,272 286
AI.......................... n/a 789 200 170 0
Arrowtooth flounder....................... BSAI........................ 94,035 80,701 14,000 11,900 1,498
Kamchatka flounder........................ BSAI........................ 11,100 9,500 5,000 4,250 0
Rock sole................................. BSAI........................ 165,900 161,000 57,100 50,990 6,110
Flathead sole \6\......................... BSAI........................ 79,562 66,250 21,000 18,753 2,247
Alaska plaice............................. BSAI........................ 49,000 41,000 14,500 12,325 0
Other flatfish \7\........................ BSAI........................ 17,414 13,061 2,500 2,125 0
Pacific ocean perch....................... BSAI........................ 40,529 33,320 31,900 28,143 n/a
[[Page 14775]]
BS.......................... n/a 8,353 8,000 6,800 0
EAI......................... n/a 7,916 7,900 7,055 845
CAI......................... n/a 7,355 7,000 6,251 749
WAI......................... n/a 9,696 9,000 8,037 963
Northern rockfish......................... BSAI........................ 14,689 11,960 4,500 3,825 0
Rougheye rockfish \8\..................... BSAI........................ 693 561 300 255 0
BS/EAI...................... n/a 179 100 85 0
CAI/WAI..................... n/a 382 200 170 0
Shortraker rockfish....................... BSAI........................ 690 518 200 170 0
Other rockfish \9\........................ BSAI........................ 1,667 1,250 875 744 0
BS.......................... n/a 695 325 276 0
AI.......................... n/a 555 550 468 0
Atka mackerel............................. BSAI........................ 104,749 90,340 55,000 49,115 5,885
BS/EAI...................... n/a 30,832 28,500 25,451 3,050
CAI......................... n/a 27,216 16,000 14,288 1,712
WAI......................... n/a 32,292 10,500 9,377 1,124
Skates.................................... BSAI........................ 50,215 42,134 26,000 22,100 0
Sculpins.................................. BSAI........................ 52,365 39,725 4,500 3,825 0
Sharks.................................... BSAI........................ 1,363 1,022 125 106 0
Squids.................................... BSAI........................ 6,912 5,184 1,500 1,275 0
Octopuses................................. BSAI........................ 3,452 2,589 400 340 0
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TOTAL................................. ............................ 5,324,080 3,236,662 2,000,000 1,791,97 197,225
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\1\ These amounts apply to the entire BSAI management area unless otherwise specified. With the exception of pollock, and for the purpose of these
harvest specifications, the Bering Sea (BS) subarea includes the Bogoslof District.
\2\ Except for pollock, the portion of the sablefish TAC allocated to hook-and-line and pot gear, and Amendment 80 species, 15 percent of each TAC is
put into a reserve. The ITAC for these species is the remainder of the TAC after the subtraction of these reserves. For pollock and Amendment 80
species, ITAC is the non-CDQ allocation of TAC (see footnotes 3 and 5).
\3\ For the Amendment 80 species (Atka mackerel, flathead sole, rock sole, yellowfin sole, Pacific cod, and Aleutian Islands Pacific ocean perch), 10.7
percent of the TAC is reserved for use by CDQ participants (see Sec. Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(C) and 679.31). Twenty percent of the sablefish TAC
allocated to hook-and-line gear or pot gear, 7.5 percent of the sablefish TAC allocated to trawl gear, and 10.7 percent of the TACs for Bering Sea
Greenland turbot and arrowtooth flounder are reserved for use by CDQ participants (see Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(B) and (D)). Aleutian Islands Greenland
turbot, ``other flatfish,'' Alaska plaice, Bering Sea Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish, shortraker rockfish, rougheye rockfish, ``other
rockfish,'' skates, sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopuses are not allocated to the CDQ program.
\4\ Under Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(1), the annual BS subarea pollock TAC after subtracting first for the CDQ directed fishing allowance (10 percent)
and second for the incidental catch allowance (4.0 percent), is further allocated by sector for a pollock directed fishery as follows: inshore--50
percent; catcher/processor--40 percent; and motherships--10 percent. Under Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2)(i) and (ii), the annual Aleutian Islands
subarea pollock TAC, after subtracting first for the CDQ directed fishing allowance (10 percent) and second for the incidental catch allowance (2,400
mt) is allocated to the Aleut Corporation for a pollock directed fishery.
\5\ The BS Pacific cod TAC is reduced by 6.4 percent from the Bering Sea subarea ABC to account for the State of Alaska's (State) guideline harvest
level in State waters of the Bering Sea subarea. The AI Pacific cod TAC is set less than 27 percent of the Aleutian Islands subarea ABC to account for
the State guideline harvest level in State waters of the Aleutian Islands subarea.
\6\ ``Flathead sole'' includes Hippoglossoides elassodon (flathead sole) and Hippoglossoides robustus (Bering flounder).
\7\ ``Other flatfish'' includes all flatfish species, except for halibut (a prohibited species), flathead sole, Greenland turbot, rock sole, yellowfin
sole, arrowtooth flounder, Kamchatka flounder, and Alaska plaice.
\8\ ``Rougheye rockfish'' includes Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and Sebastes melanostictus (blackspotted).
\9\ ``Other rockfish'' includes all Sebastes and Sebastolobus species except for Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish, shortraker rockfish, and
rougheye rockfish.
Note: Regulatory areas and districts are defined at Sec. 679.2 (BS = Bering Sea subarea, AI = Aleutian Islands subarea, EAI = Eastern Aleutian
district, CAI = Central Aleutian district, WAI = Western Aleutian district.)
Table 1A--Comparison of Final 2016 and 2017 With Proposed 2016 and 2017 Total Allowable Catch in the BSAI
[Amounts are in metric tons]
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2016 2017
2016 2016 percentage 2017 2017 percentage
Species Area\1\ 2016 final proposed difference difference 2017 final proposed difference difference
TAC TAC from from TAC TAC from from
proposed proposed proposed proposed
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Pollock....................... BS.............. 1,340,000 1,310,000 30,000 2.3 1,340,643 1,310,000 30,643 2.3
AI.............. 19,000 19,000 0 0.0 19,000 19,000 0 0.0
Bogoslof........ 500 100 400 400.0 500 100 400 400.0
Pacific cod................... BS.............. 238,680 240,000 -1,320 -0.5 238,680 240,000 -1,320 -0.5
AI.............. 12,839 9,422 3,417 36.3 12,839 9,422 3,417 36.3
Sablefish..................... BS.............. 1,151 1,211 -60 -5.0 1,052 1,211 -159 -13.1
AI.............. 1,557 1,637 -80 -4.9 1,423 1,637 -214 -13.1
Yellowfin sole................ BSAI............ 144,000 149,000 -5,000 -3.4 144,000 149,000 -5,000 -3.4
Greenland turbot.............. BS.............. 2,673 2,448 225 9.2 2,673 2,448 225 9.2
AI.............. 200 200 0 0.0 200 200 0 0.0
Arrowtooth flounder........... BSAI............ 14,000 22,000 -8,000 -36.4 14,000 22,000 -8,000 -36.4
[[Page 14776]]
Kamchatka flounder............ BSAI............ 5,000 6,500 -1,500 -23.1 5,000 6,500 -1,500 -23.1
Rock sole..................... BSAI............ 57,100 69,250 -12,150 -17.5 57,100 69,250 -12,150 -17.5
Flathead sole................. BSAI............ 21,000 24,250 -3,250 -13.4 21,000 24,250 -3,250 -13.4
Alaska plaice................. BSAI............ 14,500 18,500 -4,000 -21.6 14,500 18,500 -4,000 -21.6
Other flatfish................ BSAI............ 2,500 3,620 -1,120 -30.9 2,500 3,620 -1,120 -30.9
Pacific ocean perch........... BS.............. 8,000 8,021 -21 -0.3 7,953 8,021 -68 -0.8
EAI............. 7,900 7,970 -70 -0.9 7,537 7,970 -433 -5.4
CAI............. 7,000 7,000 0 0.0 7,000 7,000 0 0.0
WAI............. 9,000 9,000 0 0.0 9,000 9,000 0 0.0
Northern rockfish............. BSAI............ 4,500 3,250 1,250 38.5 4,500 3,250 1,250 38.5
Rougheye rockfish............. BS/EAI.......... 100 149 -49 -32.9 100 149 -49 -32.9
CAI/WAI......... 200 200 0 0.0 200 200 0 0.0
Shortraker rockfish........... BSAI............ 200 250 -50 -20.0 200 250 -50 -20.0
Other rockfish................ BS.............. 325 325 0 0.0 325 325 0 0.0
AI.............. 550 555 -5 -0.9 550 555 -5 -0.9
Atka mackerel................. EAI/BS.......... 28,500 27,317 1,183 4.3 28,500 27,317 1,183 4.3
CAI............. 16,000 17,000 -1,000 -5.9 16,000 17,000 -1,000 -5.9
WAI............. 10,500 10,500 0 0.0 10,500 10,500 0 0.0
Skates........................ BSAI............ 26,000 25,700 300 1.2 26,000 25,700 300 1.2
Sculpins...................... BSAI............ 4,500 4,700 -200 -4.3 4,500 4,700 -200 -4.3
Sharks........................ BSAI............ 125 125 0 0.0 125 125 0 0.0
Squid......................... BSAI............ 1,500 400 1,100 275.0 1,500 400 1,100 275.0
Octopuses..................... BSAI............ 400 400 0 0.0 400 400 0 0.0
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TOTAL..................... BSAI............ 2,000,000 2,000,000 0 0.0 2,000,000 2,000,000 0 0.0
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\1\ Bering Sea subarea (BS), Aleutian Islands subarea (AI), Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI), Eastern Aleutian District (EAI),
Central Aleutian District (CAI), and Western Aleutian District (WAI).
Table 2--Final 2017 Overfishing Level (OFL), Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC), Total Allowable Catch (TAC), Initial TAC (ITAC), and CDQ Reserve
Allocation of Groundfish in the BSAI \1\
[Amounts are in metric tons]
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2017
Species Area -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OFL ABC TAC ITAC \2\ CDQ \3\
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Pollock \4\............................... BS.......................... 3,540,000 2,019,000 1,340,643 1,206,579 134,064
AI.......................... 44,455 36,664 19,000 17,100 1,900
Bogoslof.................... 31,906 23,850 500 500 0
Pacific cod \5\........................... BS.......................... 412,000 255,000 238,680 213,141 25,539
AI.......................... 23,400 17,600 12,839 11,465 1,374
Sablefish................................. BS.......................... 1,241 1,052 1,052 447 39
AI.......................... 1,681 1,423 1,423 302 27
Yellowfin sole............................ BSAI........................ 219,200 203,500 144,000 128,592 15,408
Greenland turbot.......................... BSAI........................ 7,416 6,132 2,873 2,442 n/a
BS.......................... n/a 4,734 2,673 2,272 286
AI.......................... n/a 1,398 200 170 0
Arrowtooth flounder....................... BSAI........................ 84,156 72,216 14,000 11,900 1,498
Kamchatka flounder........................ BSAI........................ 11,700 10,000 5,000 4,250 0
Rock sole................................. BSAI........................ 149,400 145,000 57,100 50,990 6,110
Flathead sole \6\......................... BSAI........................ 77,544 64,580 21,000 18,753 2,247
Alaska plaice............................. BSAI........................ 46,800 39,100 14,500 12,325 0
Other flatfish \7\........................ BSAI........................ 17,414 13,061 2,500 2,125 0
Pacific ocean perch....................... BSAI........................ 38,589 31,724 31,490 27,779 n/a
BS.......................... n/a 7,953 7,953 6,760 0
EAI......................... n/a 7,537 7,537 6,731 806
CAI......................... n/a 7,002 7,000 6,251 749
WAI......................... n/a 9,232 9,000 8,037 963
Northern rockfish......................... BSAI........................ 14,085 11,468 4,500 3,825 0
Rougheye rockfish \8\..................... BSAI........................ 855 694 300 255 0
EBS/EAI..................... n/a 216 100 85 0
CAI/WAI..................... n/a 478 200 170 0
Shortraker rockfish....................... BSAI........................ 690 518 200 170 0
Other rockfish \9\........................ BSAI........................ 1,667 1,250 875 744 0
BS.......................... n/a 695 325 276 0
AI.......................... n/a 555 550 468 0
Atka mackerel............................. BSAI........................ 99,490 85,840 55,000 49,115 5,885
EAI/BS...................... n/a 29,296 28,500 25,451 3,050
CAI......................... n/a 25,860 16,000 14,288 1,712
[[Page 14777]]
WAI......................... n/a 30,684 10,500 9,377 1,124
Skates.................................... BSAI........................ 47,674 39,943 26,000 22,100 0
Sculpins.................................. BSAI........................ 52,365 39,725 4,500 3,825 0
Sharks.................................... BSAI........................ 1,363 1,022 125 106 0
Squids.................................... BSAI........................ 6,912 5,184 1,500 1,275 0
Octopuses................................. BSAI........................ 3,452 2,589 400 340 0
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TOTAL................................. ............................ 4,935,455 3,128,135 2,000,000 1,790,446 196,895
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\1\ These amounts apply to the entire BSAI management area unless otherwise specified. With the exception of pollock, and for the purpose of these
harvest specifications, the Bering Sea (BS) subarea includes the Bogoslof District.
\2\ Except for pollock, the portion of the sablefish TAC allocated to hook-and-line and pot gear, and Amendment 80 species, 15 percent of each TAC is
put into a reserve. The ITAC for these species is the remainder of the TAC after the subtraction of these reserves. For pollock and Amendment 80
species, ITAC is the non-CDQ allocation of TAC (see footnotes 3 and 5).
\3\ For the Amendment 80 species (Atka mackerel, flathead sole, rock sole, yellowfin sole, Pacific cod, and Aleutian Islands Pacific ocean perch), 10.7
percent of the TAC is reserved for use by CDQ participants (see Sec. Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(C) and 679.31). Twenty percent of the sablefish TAC
allocated to hook-and-line gear or pot gear, 7.5 percent of the sablefish TAC allocated to trawl gear, and 10.7 percent of the TACs for Bering Sea
Greenland turbot and arrowtooth flounder are reserved for use by CDQ participants (see Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(B) and (D)). Aleutian Islands Greenland
turbot, ``other flatfish,'' Alaska plaice, Bering Sea Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish, shortraker rockfish, rougheye rockfish, ``other
rockfish,'' skates, sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopuses are not allocated to the CDQ program.
\4\ Under Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(1), the annual BS subarea pollock TAC after subtracting first for the CDQ directed fishing allowance (10 percent)
and second for the incidental catch allowance (4.0 percent), is further allocated by sector for a pollock directed fishery as follows: Inshore--50
percent; catcher/processor--40 percent; and motherships--10 percent. Under Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2)(i) and (ii), the annual Aleutian Islands
subarea pollock TAC, after subtracting first for the CDQ directed fishing allowance (10 percent) and second for the incidental catch allowance (2,400
mt) is allocated to the Aleut Corporation for a pollock directed fishery.
\5\ The BS Pacific cod TAC is reduced by 6.4 percent from the Bering Sea subarea ABC to account for the State of Alaska's (State) guideline harvest
level in State waters of the Bering Sea subarea. The AI Pacific cod TAC is set less than 27 percent of the Aleutian Islands subarea ABC to account for
the State guideline harvest level in State waters of the Aleutian Islands subarea.
\6\ ``Flathead sole'' includes Hippoglossoides elassodon (flathead sole) and Hippoglossoides robustus (Bering flounder).
\7\ ``Other flatfish'' includes all flatfish species, except for halibut (a prohibited species), flathead sole, Greenland turbot, rock sole, yellowfin
sole, arrowtooth flounder, Kamchatka flounder, and Alaska plaice.
\8\ ``Rougheye rockfish'' includes Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and Sebastes melanostictus (blackspotted).
\9\ ``Other rockfish'' includes all Sebastes and Sebastolobus species except for Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish, shortraker rockfish, and
rougheye rockfish.
Note: Regulatory areas and districts are defined at Sec. 679.2 (BS = Bering Sea subarea, AI = Aleutian Islands subarea, EAI = Eastern Aleutian
district, CAI = Central Aleutian district, WAI = Western Aleutian district.)
Groundfish Reserves and the Incidental Catch Allowance (ICA) for
Pollock, Atka Mackerel, Flathead Sole, Rock Sole, Yellowfin Sole, and
Aleutian Islands Pacific Ocean Perch
Section 679.20(b)(1)(i) requires NMFS to reserve 15 percent of the
TAC for each target species, except for pollock, hook-and-line and pot
gear allocation of sablefish, and Amendment 80 species, in a non-
specified reserve. Section 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(B) requires that NMFS
allocate 20 percent of the hook-and-line and pot gear allocation of
sablefish for the fixed-gear sablefish CDQ reserve. Section
679.20(b)(1)(ii)(D) requires that NMFS allocate 7.5 percent of the
trawl gear allocations of sablefish and 10.7 percent of the Bering Sea
Greenland turbot and arrowtooth flounder TACs to the respective CDQ
reserves. Section 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(C) requires that NMFS allocate 10.7
percent of the TAC for Atka mackerel, Aleutian Islands Pacific ocean
perch, yellowfin sole, rock sole, flathead sole, and Pacific cod to the
CDQ reserves. Sections 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A) and 679.31(a) also require
that 10 percent of the BSAI pollock TACs be allocated to the pollock
CDQ directed fishing allowance (DFA). The entire Bogoslof District
pollock TAC is allocated as an ICA (see Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(ii)). With
the exception of the hook-and-line and pot gear sablefish CDQ reserve,
the regulations do not further apportion the CDQ allocations by gear.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(1), NMFS allocates a pollock
ICA of 4.0 percent of the BS subarea pollock TAC after subtracting the
10 percent CDQ reserve. This allowance is based on NMFS' examination of
the pollock incidental catch, including the incidental catch by CDQ
vessels, in target fisheries other than pollock from 2000 through 2015.
During this 16-year period, the pollock incidental catch ranged from a
low of 2.4 percent in 2006 to a high of 4.8 percent in 2014, with a 16-
year average of 3.2 percent. Pursuant to Sec.
679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2)(i) and (ii), NMFS establishes a pollock ICA of
2,400 mt of the AI subarea TAC after subtracting the 10-percent CDQ
DFA. This allowance is based on NMFS' examination of the pollock
incidental catch, including the incidental catch by CDQ vessels, in
target fisheries other than pollock from 2003 through 2015. During this
13-year period, the incidental catch of pollock ranged from a low of 5
percent in 2006 to a high of 17 percent in 2014, with a 13-year average
of 8 percent.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(8) and (10), NMFS allocates ICAs of
5,000 mt of flathead sole, 6,000 mt of rock sole, 3,500 mt of yellowfin
sole, 10 mt of WAI Pacific ocean perch, 75 mt of CAI Pacific ocean
perch, 200 mt of EAI Pacific ocean perch, 40 mt of WAI Atka mackerel,
75 mt of CAI Atka mackerel, and 1,000 mt of EAI and BS subarea Atka
mackerel TAC after subtracting the 10.7 percent CDQ reserve. These ICA
allowances are based on NMFS' examination of the incidental catch in
other target fisheries from 2003 through 2015.
The regulations do not designate the remainder of the non-specified
reserve by species or species group. Any amount of the reserve may be
apportioned to a target species category that contributed to the non-
specified
[[Page 14778]]
reserves during the year, provided that such apportionments do not
result in overfishing (see Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(i)). The Regional
Administrator has determined that the ITACs specified for the species
listed in Table 1 need to be supplemented from the non-specified
reserve because U.S. fishing vessels have demonstrated the capacity to
catch the full TAC allocations. Therefore, in accordance with Sec.
679.20(b)(3), NMFS is apportioning the amounts shown in Table 3 from
the non-specified reserve to increase the ITAC for shortraker rockfish,
rougheye rockfish, ``other rockfish,'' sharks, and octopuses by 15
percent of the TAC in 2016 and 2017.
Table 3--Final 2016 and 2017 Apportionment of Reserves to ITAC Categories
[Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2016 reserve 2016 final 2017 reserve 2017 final
Species-area or subarea 2016 ITAC amount ITAC 2017 ITAC amount ITAC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortraker rockfish-BSAI................................ 170 30 200 170 30 200
Rougheye rockfish-BS/EAI................................ 85 15 100 85 15 100
Rougheye rockfish-CAI/WAI............................... 170 30 200 170 30 200
Other rockfish-Bering Sea subarea....................... 276 49 325 276 49 325
Other rockfish-Aleutian Islands subarea................. 468 82 550 468 82 550
Sharks.................................................. 106 19 125 106 19 125
Octopuses............................................... 340 60 400 340 60 400
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................................... 1,615 285 1,900 1,615 285 1,900
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allocation of Pollock TAC Under the American Fisheries Act (AFA)
Section 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A) requires that the BS subarea pollock TAC
be apportioned, after subtracting 10 percent for the CDQ program and
4.0 percent for the ICA, as a DFA as follows: 50 percent to the inshore
sector, 40 percent to the catcher/processor (C/P) sector, and 10
percent to the mothership sector. 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) (Sec.
679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)). The AI-directed pollock fishery allocation to the
Aleut Corporation is the amount of pollock remaining in the AI subarea
after subtracting 1,900 mt for the CDQ DFA (10 percent) and 2,400 mt
for the ICA (Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2)(ii)). In the AI subarea, the
total A season apportionment of the TAC is less than or equal to 40
percent of the ABC and the remainder of the TAC is allocated to the B
season. Tables 4 and 5 list these 2016 and 2017 amounts.
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 543, the A season pollock harvest
limit is no more than 5 percent of the Aleutian Islands pollock ABC. In
Area 542, the A season pollock harvest limit is no more than 15 percent
of the Aleutian Islands ABC. In Area 541, the A season pollock harvest
limit is no more than 30 percent of the Aleutian Islands ABC.
Section 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4) also includes several specific
requirements regarding BS subarea pollock allocations. First, it
requires that 8.5 percent of the pollock allocated to the C/P sector be
available for harvest by AFA catcher vessels (CVs) with C/P sector
endorsements, unless the Regional Administrator receives a cooperative
contract that allows the distribution of harvest among AFA C/Ps and AFA
CVs in a manner agreed to by all members. Second, AFA C/Ps not listed
in the AFA are limited to harvesting not more than 0.5 percent of the
pollock allocated to the C/P sector. Tables 4 and 5 list the 2016 and
2017 allocations of pollock TAC. Tables 21 through 26 list the AFA C/P
and CV harvesting sideboard limits. The tables for the pollock
allocations to the BS subarea inshore pollock cooperatives and open
access sector will be posted on the Alaska Region Web site at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov.
Tables 4 and 5 also list seasonal apportionments of pollock and
harvest limits within the Steller Sea Lion Conservation Area (SCA). The
harvest within the SCA, as defined at Sec. 679.22(a)(7)(vii), is
limited to no more than 28 percent of the annual DFA before 12:00 noon,
April 1, as provided in Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(C). The A season pollock
SCA harvest limit will be apportioned to each sector in proportion to
each sector's allocated percentage of the DFA. Tables 4 and 5 list
these 2016 and 2017 amounts by sector.
TABLE 4--Final 2016 Allocations of Pollock TACS to the Directed Pollock Fisheries and to the CDQ Directed Fishing Allowances (DFA)\1\
[Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2016 A season\1\ 2016 B season\1\
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Area and sector 2016 Allocations SCA Harvest limit
A season DFA \2\ B season DFA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bering Sea subarea TAC \1\...................................... 1,340,000 n/a n/a n/a
CDQ DFA......................................................... 134,000 53,600 37,520 80,400
ICA \1\......................................................... 48,240 n/a n/a n/a
AFA Inshore..................................................... 578,880 231,552 162,086 347,328
AFA Catcher/Processors \3\...................................... 463,104 185,242 129,669 277,862
Catch by C/Ps............................................... 423,740 169,496 n/a 254,244
Catch by CVs \3\............................................ 39,364 15,746 n/a 23,618
Unlisted C/P Limit \4\...................................... 2,316 926 n/a 1,389
AFA Motherships................................................. 115,776 46,310 32,417 69,466
[[Page 14779]]
Excessive Harvesting Limit \5\.................................. 202,608 n/a n/a n/a
Excessive Processing Limit \6\.................................. 347,328 n/a n/a n/a
Total Bering Sea DFA............................................ 1,157,760 463,104 324,173 694,656
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aleutian Islands subarea ABC.................................... 32,227 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............................................... 14,700 10,931 n/a 3,769
Area harvest limit \7\
541......................................................... 9,668 n/a n/a n/a
542......................................................... 4,834 n/a n/a n/a
543......................................................... 1,611 n/a n/a n/a
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bogoslof District ICA \8\....................................... 500 n/a n/a n/a
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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.
Table 5-Final 2017 Allocations of Pollock TACS to the Directed Pollock Fisheries and to the CDQ Directed Fishing Allowances (DFA) \1\
[Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2017 A season \1\ 2017 B season \1\
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Area and sector 2017 Allocations SCA Harvest limit
A season DFA \2\ B season DFA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bering Sea subarea TAC \1\...................................... 1,340,643 n/a n/a n/a
CDQ DFA......................................................... 134,064 53,626 37,538 80,439
ICA \1\......................................................... 48,263 n/a n/a n/a
AFA Inshore..................................................... 579,158 231,663 162,164 347,495
AFA Catcher/Processors \3\...................................... 463,326 185,330 129,731 277,996
Catch by C/Ps............................................... 423,943 169,577 n/a 254,366
Catch by CVs \3\............................................ 39,383 15,753 n/a 23,630
Unlisted C/P Limit \4\...................................... 2,317 927 n/a 1,390
AFA Motherships................................................. 115,832 46,333 32,433 69,499
Excessive Harvesting Limit \5\.................................. 202,705 n/a n/a n/a
Excessive Processing Limit \6\.................................. 347,495 n/a n/a n/a
Total Bering Sea DFA............................................ 1,158,316 463,326 324,328 694,989
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aleutian Islands subarea ABC.................................... 36,664 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............................................... 14,700 12,706 n/a 1,994
Area harvest limit \7\
541......................................................... 10,999 n/a n/a n/a
542......................................................... 5,500 n/a n/a n/a
543......................................................... 1,833 n/a n/a n/a
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 14780]]
Bogoslof District ICA \8\....................................... 500 n/a n/a n/a
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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.
\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.
Allocation of the Atka Mackerel TACs
Section 679.20(a)(8) allocates the Atka mackerel TACs to the
Amendment 80 and BSAI trawl limited access sectors, after subtracting
the CDQ reserves, jig gear allocation, and ICAs for the BSAI trawl
limited access sector and non-trawl gear sector (Tables 6 and 7). The
percentage of the ITAC for Atka mackerel allocated to the Amendment 80
and BSAI trawl limited access sectors is listed in Table 33 to part 679
and in Sec. 679.91. Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(8)(i), up to 2 percent
of the EAI and the BS subarea Atka mackerel ITAC may be allocated to
vessels using jig gear. The percent of this allocation is recommended
annually by the Council based on several criteria, including the
anticipated harvest capacity of the jig gear fleet. The Council
recommended, and NMFS approves, a 0.5 percent allocation of the Atka
mackerel ITAC in the EAI and BS subarea to the jig gear sector in 2015
and 2016. This percentage is applied to the Atka mackerel TAC after
subtracting the CDQ reserve and the ICA.
Section 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(A) apportions the Atka mackerel TAC into
two equal seasonal allowances. Section 679.23(e)(3) sets the first
seasonal allowance for directed fishing with trawl gear from January 20
through June 10 (A season), and the second seasonal allowance from June
10 through December 31 (B season). Section 679.23(e)(4)(iii) applies
Atka mackerel seasons to CDQ Atka mackerel fishing. The ICA and jig
gear allocations are not apportioned by season.
Sections 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(1)(i) and (ii) limit Atka mackerel
catch within waters 0 nm to 20 nm of Steller sea lion sites listed in
Table 6 to this part and located west of 178[deg] W longitude to no
more than 60 percent of the annual TACs in Areas 542 and 543, and
equally divide the annual TAC between the A and B seasons as defined at
Sec. 679.23(e)(3). Section 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(2) requires that the
annual TAC in Area 543 will be no more than 65 percent of the ABC in
Area 543. Section 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(D) requires that any unharvested
Atka mackerel A season allowance that is added to the B season be
prohibited from being harvested within waters 0 nm to 20 nm of Steller
sea lion sites listed in Table 6 to this part and located in Areas 541,
542, and 543.
Tables 6 and 7 list these 2016 and 2017 Atka mackerel seasons, area
allowances, and the sector allocations. The 2017 allocations for Atka
mackerel between Amendment 80 cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited
access sector will not be known until eligible participants apply for
participation in the program by November 1, 2016.
Table 6--Final 2016 Seasonal and Spatial Allowance, Gear Shares, CDQ Reserve, Incidental Catch Allowance and
Amendment 80 Allocations of the BSAI ATKA Mackerel TAC
[Amounts are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2016 Allocation by area
--------------------------------------
Eastern Central
Sector \1\ Season \2\ \3\ \4\ Aleutian Aleutian Western
District/ District Aleutian
Bering Sea \5\ District
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAC....................................... n/a.......................... 28,500 16,000 10,500
CDQ reserve............................... Total........................ 3,050 1,712 1,124
A............................ 1,525 856 562
Critical Habitat............. n/a 514 337
B............................ 1,525 856 562
Critical Habitat............. n/a 514 337
ICA....................................... Total........................ 1,000 75 40
Jig \6\................................... Total........................ 122 0 0
[[Page 14781]]
BSAI trawl limited access................. Total........................ 2,433 1,421 0
A............................ 1,216 711 0
Critical Habitat............. n/a 426 0
B............................ 1,216 711 0
Critical Habitat............. n/a 426 0
Amendment 80 sectors...................... Total........................ 21,895 12,792 9,337
A............................ 10,948 6,396 4,668
B............................ 10,948 6,396 4,668
Alaska Groundfish Cooperative............. Total \6\.................... 12,349 7,615 5,742
A............................ 6,175 3,808 2,871
Critical Habitat............. n/a 2,285 1,723
B............................ 6,175 3,808 2,871
Critical Habitat............. n/a 2,285 1,723
Alaska Seafood Cooperative................ Total \6\.................... 9,546 5,177 3,595
A............................ 4,773 2,589 1,798
Critical Habitat............. n/a 1,553 1,079
B............................ 4,773 2,589 1,798
Habitat..................... n/a 1,553 1,079
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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\ Sections 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 542 and 543 to
be caught inside of critical habitat; (a)(ii)(C)(1)(ii) equally divides the annual TACs between the A and B
seasons as defined at Sec. 679.23(e)(3); and (a)(8)(ii)(C)(2) requires the TAC in Area 543 shall be no more
than 65 percent 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.
Table 7--Final 2017 Seasonal and Spatial Allowances, Gear Shares, CDQ Reserve, Incidental Catch Allowance, and
Amendment 80 Allocation of the BSAI ATKA Mackerel TAC
[Amounts are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2017 Allocation by area
-----------------------------------------------
Eastern
Sector \1\ Season \2\ \3\ \4\ Aleutian Central Western
District/ Aleutian Aleutian
Bering Sea \5\ District \5\ District \5\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAC................................... n/a..................... 28,500 16,000 10,500
CDQ reserve........................... Total................... 3,050 1,712 1,124
A....................... 1,525 856 562
Critical Habitat........ n/a 514 337
B....................... 1,525 856 562
Critical Habitat........ n/a 514 337
ICA................................... Total................... 1,000 75 40
Jig \6\............................... Total................... 122 0 0
BSAI trawl limited access............. Total................... 2,433 1,421 0
A....................... 1,216 711 0
Critical Habitat........ n/a 426 0
B....................... 1,216 711 0
Critical Habitat........ n/a 426 0
Amendment 80 sectors \7\.............. Total................... 21,895 12,792 9,337
A....................... 10,948 6,396 4,668
B....................... 10,948 6,396 4,668
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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\ Sections 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.
[[Page 14782]]
\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 542 and 543 to
be caught inside of critical habitat; (a)(8)(ii)(C)(1)(ii) equally divides the annual TACs between the A and B
seasons as defined at Sec. 679.23(e)(3); and (a)(8)(ii)(C)(2) requires the TAC in Area 543 shall be no more
than 65 percent 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.
\7\ The 2017 allocations for Atka mackerel between Amendment 80 cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited access
sector will not be known until eligible participants apply for participation in the program by November 1,
2016. NMFS will post 2017 Amendment 80 allocations when they become available in December 2016.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
Allocation of the Pacific Cod TAC
The Council separated BS and AI subarea OFLs, ABCs, and TACs for
Pacific cod in 2014 (79 FR 12108, March 4, 2014). Section
679.20(b)(1)(ii)(C) allocates 10.7 percent of the BS TAC and AI TAC to
the CDQ program. After CDQ allocations have been deducted from the
respective BS and AI Pacific cod TACs, the remaining BS and AI Pacific
cod TACs are combined for calculating further BSAI Pacific cod sector
allocations. However, if the non-CDQ Pacific cod TAC is or will be
reached in either the BS or AI subareas, NMFS will prohibit non-CDQ
directed fishing for Pacific cod in that subarea as provided in Sec.
679.20(d)(1)(iii).
Sections 679.20(a)(7)(i) and (ii) allocate the Pacific cod TAC in
the combined BSAI TAC, after subtracting 10.7 percent for the CDQ
program, as follows: 1.4 percent to vessels using jig gear; 2.0 percent
to hook-and-line and pot CVs less than 60 ft (18.3 m) length overall
(LOA); 0.2 percent to hook-and-line CVs greater than or equal to 60 ft
(18.3 m) LOA; 48.7 percent to hook-and-line C/P; 8.4 percent to pot CVs
greater than or equal to 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA; 1.5 percent to pot C/Ps;
2.3 percent to AFA trawl C/Ps; 13.4 percent to non-AFA trawl C/Ps; and
22.1 percent to trawl CVs. The ICA for the hook-and-line and pot
sectors will be deducted from the aggregate portion of Pacific cod TAC
allocated to the hook-and-line and pot sectors. For 2016 and 2017, the
Regional Administrator establishes an ICA of 500 mt based on
anticipated incidental catch by these sectors in other fisheries.
The ITAC allocation of Pacific cod to the Amendment 80 sector is
established in Table 33 to part 679 and Sec. 679.91. The 2017
allocations for Amendment 80 species between Amendment 80 cooperatives
and the Amendment 80 limited access sector will not be known until
eligible participants apply for participation in the program by
November 1, 2016.
The Pacific cod ITAC is apportioned into seasonal allowances to
disperse the Pacific cod fisheries over the fishing year (see
Sec. Sec. 679.20(a)(7) and 679.23(e)(5)). In accordance with Sec.
679.20(a)(7)(iv)(B) and (C), any unused portion of a seasonal Pacific
cod allowance will become available at the beginning of the next
seasonal allowance.
Section 679.20(a)(7)(vii) requires the Regional Administrator to
establish an Area 543 Pacific cod harvest limit based on Pacific cod
abundance in Area 543. Based on the 2015 stock assessment, the Regional
Administrator determined the Area 543 Pacific cod harvest limit to be
26.3 percent of the AI Pacific cod TAC for 2016 and 2017. NMFS will
first subtract the State GHL Pacific cod amount from the AI Pacific cod
ABC. Then NMFS will determine the harvest limit in Area 543 by
multiplying the percentage of Pacific cod estimated in Area 543 by the
remaining ABC for AI Pacific cod. Based on these calculations, the Area
543 harvest limit is 3,379 mt.
The CDQ and non-CDQ season allowances by gear based on the 2016 and
2017 Pacific cod TACs are listed in Tables 8 and 9, and are based on
the sector allocation percentages of Pacific cod set forth at
Sec. Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(i)(B) and 679.20(a)(7)(iv)(A) and the seasonal
allowances of Pacific cod set forth at Sec. 679.23(e)(5).
Table 8--Final 2016 Gear Shares and Seasonal Allowances of the BSAI Pacific Cod TAC
[Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2016 Seasonal apportionment
Gear sector Percent 2016 Share of gear 2016 Share of sector ---------------------------------------------
sector total total Seasons Amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BS TAC............................. n/a................... 238,680............... n/a.................. n/a.................. n/a
BS CDQ............................. n/a................... 25,539................ n/a.................. see Sec. n/a
679.20(a)(7)(i)(B).
BS non-CDQ TAC..................... n/a................... 213,141............... n/a.................. n/a.................. n/a
AI TAC............................. n/a................... 12,839................ n/a.................. n/a.................. n/a
AI CDQ............................. n/a................... 1,374................. n/a.................. see Sec. n/a
679.20(a)(7)(i)(B).
AI non-CDQ TAC..................... n/a................... 11,465................ n/a.................. n/a.................. n/a
Western Aleutian Island Limit...... n/a................... 3,379................. n/a.................. n/a.................. n/a
Total BSAI non-CDQ TAC \1\......... 100................... 224,606............... n/a.................. n/a.................. n/a
Total hook-and-line/pot gear....... 60.8.................. 136,561............... n/a.................. n/a.................. n/a
Hook-and-line/pot ICA \2\.......... n/a................... 500................... n/a.................. see Sec. n/a
679.20(a)(7)(ii)(B).
Hook-and-line/pot sub-total........ n/a................... 136,061............... n/a.................. n/a.................. n/a
Hook-and-line catcher/processor.... 48.7.................. n/a................... 108,983.............. Jan 1-Jun 10......... 55,581
...................... ...................... ..................... Jun 10-Dec 31........ 53,402
Hook-and-line catcher vessel >= 60 0.2................... n/a................... 448.................. Jan 1-Jun 10......... 228
ft LOA.
...................... ...................... ..................... Jun 10-Dec 31........ 219
Pot catcher/processor.............. 1.5................... n/a................... 3,357................ Jan 1-Jun 10......... 1,712
...................... ...................... ..................... Sept 1-Dec 31........ 1,645
Pot catcher vessel >= 60 ft LOA.... 8.4................... n/a................... 18,798............... Jan 1-Jun 10......... 9,587
...................... ...................... ..................... Sept 1-Dec 31........ 9,211
Catcher vessel < 60 ft LOA using 2..................... n/a................... 4,476................ n/a.................. n/a
hook-and-line or pot gear.
Trawl catcher vessel............... 22.1.................. 49,638................ n/a.................. Jan 20-Apr 1......... 36,732
[[Page 14783]]
...................... ...................... ..................... Apr 1-Jun 10......... 5,460
...................... ...................... ..................... Jun 10-Nov 1......... 7,446
AFA trawl catcher/processor........ 2.3................... 5,166................. n/a.................. Jan 20-Apr 1......... 3,874
...................... ...................... ..................... Apr 1-Jun 10......... 1,291
...................... ...................... ..................... Jun 10-Nov 1......... 0
Amendment 80....................... 13.4.................. 30,097................ n/a.................. Jan 20-Apr 1......... 22,573
...................... ...................... ..................... Apr 1-Jun 10......... 7,524
...................... ...................... ..................... Jun 10-Nov 1......... 0
Alaska Groundfish Cooperative...... n/a................... n/a................... 4,751................ Jan 20-Apr 1......... 3,563
...................... ...................... ..................... Apr 1-Jun 10......... 1,188
...................... ...................... ..................... Jun 10-Dec 31........ 0
Alaska Seafood Cooperative......... n/a................... n/a................... 25,346............... Jan 20-Apr 1......... 19,010
...................... ...................... ..................... Apr 1-Jun 10......... 6,337
...................... ...................... ..................... Jun 10-Dec 31........ 0
Jig................................ 1.4................... 3,144................. n/a.................. Jan 1-Apr 30......... 1,887
...................... ...................... ..................... Apr 30-Aug 31........ 629
...................... ...................... ..................... Aug 31-Dec 31........ 629
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The gear shares and seasonal allowances for BSAI Pacific cod TAC are based on the sum of the BS and AI Pacific cod TACs, after the subtraction of
CDQ. If the TAC for Pacific cod in either the AI or BS is reached, then directed fishing for Pacific cod in that subarea may be prohibited, even if a
BSAI allowance remains.
\2\ The ICA for the hook-and-line and pot sectors will be deducted from the aggregate portion of Pacific cod TAC allocated to the hook-and-line and pot
sectors. The Regional Administrator approves an ICA of 500 mt for 2016 based on anticipated incidental catch in these fisheries.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
Table 9--Final 2017 Gear Shares and Seasonal Allowances of the BSAI Pacific Cod TAC
[Amounts are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2017 Share 2017 Seasonal apportionment
of gear 2017 Share of ---------------------------------
Gear sector Percent sector sector total
total Seasons Amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BS TAC....................... n/a............. 238,680 n/a............. n/a............ n/a
BS CDQ....................... n/a............. 25,539 n/a............. see Sec. n/a
679.20(a)(7)(i
)(B).
BS non-CDQ TAC............... n/a............. 213,141 n/a............. n/a............ n/a
AI TAC....................... n/a............. 12,839 n/a............. n/a............ n/a
AI CDQ....................... n/a............. 1,374 n/a............. see Sec. n/a
679.20(a)(7)(i
)(B).
AI non-CDQ TAC............... n/a............. 11,465 n/a............. n/a............ n/a
Western Aleutian Island Limit n/a............. 3,379 n/a............. n/a............ n/a
Total BSAI non-CDQ TAC \1\... n/a............. 224,606 n/a............. n/a............ n/a
Total hook-and-line/pot gear. 60.8............ 136,561 n/a............. n/a............ n/a
Hook-and-line/pot ICA \2\.... n/a............. 500 n/a............. see Sec. n/a
679.20(a)(7)(i
i)(B).
Hook-and-line/pot sub-total.. n/a............. 136,061 n/a............. n/a............ n/a
Hook-and-line catcher/ 48.7............ n/a 108,983......... Jan 1-Jun 10... 55,581
processor.
................ ........... ................ Jun 10-Dec 31.. 53,402
Hook-and-line catcher vessel 0.2............. n/a 448............. Jan 1-Jun 10... 228
>= 60 ft LOA.
................ ........... ................ Jun 10-Dec 31.. 219
Pot catcher/processor........ 1.5............. n/a 3,357........... Jan 1-Jun 10... 1,712
................ ........... ................ Sept 1-Dec 31.. 1,645
Pot catcher vessel >= 60 ft 8.4............. n/a 18,798.......... Jan 1-Jun 10... 9,587
LOA.
................ ........... ................ Sept 1-Dec 31.. 9,211
Catcher vessel < 60 ft LOA 2............... n/a 4,476........... n/a............ n/a
using hook-and-line or pot
gear.
Trawl catcher vessel......... 22.1............ 49,638 n/a............. Jan 20-Apr 1... 36,732
................ ........... ................ Apr 1-Jun 10... 5,460
................ ........... ................ Jun 10-Nov 1... 7,446
AFA trawl catcher/processor.. 2.3............. 5,166 n/a............. Jan 20-Apr 1... 3,874
................ ........... ................ Apr 1-Jun 10... 1,291
................ ........... ................ Jun 10-Nov 1... 0
Amendment 80................. 13.4............ 30,097 n/a............. Jan 20-Apr 1... 22,573
................ ........... ................ Apr 1-Jun 10... 7,524
................ ........... ................ Jun 10-Dec 31.. 0
Jig.......................... 1.4............. 3,144 n/a............. Jan 1-Apr 30... 1,887
................ ........... ................ Apr 30-Aug 31.. 629
................ ........... ................ Aug 31-Dec 31.. 629
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The gear shares and seasonal allowances for BSAI Pacific cod TAC are based on the sum of the BS and AI
Pacific cod TACs, after the subtraction of CDQ. If the TAC for Pacific cod in either the AI or BS is reached,
then directed fishing for Pacific cod in that subarea may be prohibited, even if a BSAI allowance remains.
[[Page 14784]]
\2\ The ICA for the hook-and-line and pot sectors will be deducted from the aggregate portion of Pacific cod TAC
allocated to the hook-and-line and pot sectors. The Regional Administrator approves an ICA of 500 mt for 2017
based on anticipated incidental catch in these fisheries.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
Sablefish Gear Allocation
Sections 679.20(a)(4)(iii) and (iv) require allocation of the
sablefish TAC for the BS and AI subareas between trawl and hook-and-
line or pot gear sectors. Gear allocations of the TAC for the BS
subarea are 50 percent for trawl gear and 50 percent for hook-and-line
or pot gear. Gear allocations of the TACs for the AI subarea are 25
percent for trawl gear and 75 percent for hook-and-line or pot gear.
Section 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(B) requires NMFS to apportion 20 percent of
the hook-and-line and pot gear allocation of sablefish to the CDQ
reserve. Additionally, Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(D)(1) requires that 7.5
percent of the trawl gear allocation of sablefish from the non-
specified reserves, established under Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(i), be
assigned to the CDQ reserve. The Council recommended that only trawl
sablefish TAC be established biennially. The harvest specifications for
the hook-and-line gear and pot gear sablefish Individual Fishing Quota
(IFQ) fisheries will be limited to the 2016 fishing year to ensure
those fisheries are conducted concurrently with the halibut IFQ
fishery. Concurrent sablefish and halibut IFQ fisheries will reduce the
potential for discards of halibut and sablefish in those fisheries. The
sablefish IFQ fisheries will remain closed at the beginning of each
fishing year until the final harvest specifications for the sablefish
IFQ fisheries are in effect. Table 10 lists the 2016 and 2017 gear
allocations of the sablefish TAC and CDQ reserve amounts.
Table 10--Final 2016 and 2017 Gear Shares and CDQ Reserve of BSAI Sablefish TACS
[Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percent of 2016 Share 2016 CDQ 2017 Share 2017 CDQ
Subarea and gear TAC of TAC 2016 ITAC Reserve of TAC 2017 ITAC Reserve
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bering Sea:
Trawl \1\................................................ 50 576 489 43 526 447 39
Hook-and-line/pot gear \2\............................... 50 576 460 115 n/a n/a n/a
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................................................ 100 1,151 950 158 526 447 39
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aleutian Islands:
Trawl \1\................................................ 25 389 331 29 356 302 27
Hook-and-line/pot gear \2\............................... 75 1,168 934 234 n/a n/a n/a
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................................................ 100 1,557 1,265 263 356 302 27
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Except for the sablefish hook-and-line or pot gear allocation, 15 percent of TAC is apportioned to the reserve. The ITAC is the remainder of the TAC
after the subtracting these reserves.
\2\ For the portion of the sablefish TAC allocated to vessels using hook-and-line or pot gear, 20 percent of the allocated TAC is reserved for use by
CDQ participants. The Council recommended that specifications for the hook-and-line gear sablefish IFQ fisheries be limited to one year.
Note: Sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
Allocation of the AI Pacific Ocean Perch, and BSAI Flathead Sole, Rock
Sole, and Yellowfin Sole TACs
Sections 679.20(a)(10)(i) and (ii) require that NMFS allocate AI
Pacific ocean perch, and BSAI flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin
sole TAC between the Amendment 80 sector and BSAI trawl limited access
sector, after subtracting 10.7 percent for the CDQ reserve and an ICA
for the BSAI trawl limited access sector and vessels using non-trawl
gear. The allocation of the ITAC for AI Pacific ocean perch, and BSAI
flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole to the Amendment 80 sector
is established in accordance with Tables 33 and 34 to part 679 and
Sec. 679.91.
The 2017 allocations for Amendment 80 species between Amendment 80
cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited access sector will not be
known until eligible participants apply for participation in the
program by November 1, 2016. Tables 11 and 12 list the 2016 and 2017
allocations of the AI Pacific ocean perch, and BSAI flathead sole, rock
sole, and yellowfin sole TACs.
Table 11--Final 2016 Community Development Quota (CDQ) Reserves, Incidental Catch Amounts (ICAS), and Amendment
80 Allocations of the Aleutian Islands Pacific Ocean Perch, and BSAI Flathead Sole, Rock Sole, and Yellowfin
Sole TACS
[Amounts are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch Flathead Rock sole Yellowfin
--------------------------------------- sole ------------- sole
Sector Eastern Central Western ------------- ------------
Aleutian Aleutian Aleutian BSAI
District District District BSAI BSAI
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAC............................... 7,900 7,000 9,000 21,000 57,100 144,000
CDQ............................... 845 749 963 2,247 6,110 15,408
ICA............................... 200 75 10 5,000 6,000 3,500
BSAI trawl limited access......... 685 618 161 0 0 14,979
Amendment 80...................... 6,169 5,558 7,866 13,753 44,990 110,113
Alaska Groundfish Cooperative..... 3,271 2,947 4,171 1,411 11,129 43,748
[[Page 14785]]
Alaska Seafood Cooperative........ 2,898 2,611 3,695 12,342 33,861 66,365
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
Table 12--Final 2017 Community Development Quota (CDQ) Reserves, Incidental Catch Amounts (ICAS), and Amendment
80 Allocations of the Aleutian Islands Pacific Ocean Perch, and BSAI Flathead Sole, Rock Sole, and Yellowfin
Sole TACS
[Amounts are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch Flathead Rock sole Yellowfin
--------------------------------------- sole ------------- sole
Sector Eastern Central Western ------------- ------------
Aleutian Aleutian Aleutian BSAI
District District District BSAI BSAI
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAC............................... 7,537 7,002 9,000 21,000 57,100 144,000
CDQ............................... 806 749 963 2,247 6,110 15,408
ICA............................... 200 75 10 5,000 6,000 3,500
BSAI trawl limited access......... 653 618 161 0 0 14,979
Amendment 80 \1\.................. 5,877 5,560 7,866 13,753 44,990 110,113
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The 2017 allocations for Amendment 80 species between Amendment 80 cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited
access sector will not be known until eligible participants apply for participation in the program by November
1, 2016. NMFS will publish 2017 Amendment 80 allocations when they become available in December 2016.
Note: Sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
Section 679.2 defines the ABC surplus for flathead sole, rock sole,
and yellowfin sole as the difference between the annual ABC and TAC for
each species. Section 679.20(b)(1)(iii) establishes ABC reserves for
flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole. The ABC surpluses and the
ABC reserves are necessary to mitigate the operational variability,
environmental conditions, and economic factors that may constrain the
CDQ groups and the Amendment 80 cooperatives from achieving, on a
continuing basis, the optimum yield in the BSAI groundfish fisheries.
NMFS, after consultation with the Council, may set the ABC reserve at
or below the ABC surplus for each species thus maintaining the TAC
below ABC limits. An amount equal to 10.7 percent of the ABC reserves
will be allocated as CDQ reserves for flathead sole, rock sole, and
yellowfin sole. The Amendment 80 ABC reserves shall be the ABC reserves
minus the CDQ ABC reserves. Section 679.91(i)(2) establishes each
Amendment 80 cooperative ABC reserve to be the ratio of each
cooperatives' quota share units and the total Amendment 80 quota share
units, multiplied by the Amendment 80 ABC reserve for each respective
species. Table 13 lists the 2016 and 2017 ABC surplus and ABC reserves
for BSAI flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole.
Table 13--Final 2016 and 2017 ABC Surplus, Community Development Quota (CDQ) ABC Reserves, and Amendment 80 ABC Reserves in the BSAI for Flathead Sole,
Rock Sole, and Yellowfin Sole
[Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2016 Flathead 2016 Yellowfin 2017 Flathead 2017 Yellowfin
Sector sole 2016 Rock sole sole sole 2017 Rock sole sole
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABC..................................................... 66,250 161,100 211,700 64,580 145,000 203,500
TAC..................................................... 21,000 57,100 144,000 21,000 57,100 144,000
ABC surplus............................................. 45,250 104,000 67,700 43,580 87,900 59,500
ABC reserve............................................. 45,250 104,000 67,700 43,580 87,900 59,500
CDQ ABC reserve......................................... 4,842 11,128 7,244 4,663 9,405 6,367
Amendment 80 ABC reserve................................ 40,408 92,872 60,456 38,917 78,495 53,134
Alaska Groundfish Cooperative for 2016 \1\.............. 4,145 22,974 24,019 n/a n/a n/a
Alaska Seafood Cooperative for 2016 \1\................. 36,263 69,898 36,437 n/a n/a n/a
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The 2017 allocations for Amendment 80 species between Amendment 80 cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited access sector will not be known until
eligible participants apply for participation in the program by November 1, 2016.
[[Page 14786]]
PSC Limits for Halibut, Salmon, Crab, and Herring
Section 679.21(e) sets forth the BSAI PSC limits. Reductions to the
BSAI halibut PSC limits are expected to be implemented in 2016, pending
Secretarial approval of Amendment 111 and the effective date of
publication of a final rule. On implementation of the reductions, the
2016 and 2017 halibut PSC limits under this action will be superseded
by Amendment 111 and reduced. Pursuant to Sec. 679.21(e)(1)(iv) and
(e)(2), the 2016 and 2017 BSAI halibut mortality limits are 3,675 mt
for trawl fisheries and 900 mt for the non-trawl fisheries. Sections
679.21(e)(3)(i)(A)(2) and 679.21(e)(4)(i)(A) allocate 326 mt of the
trawl halibut mortality limit and 7.5 percent, or 67 mt, of the non-
trawl halibut mortality limit as the PSQ reserve for use by the
groundfish CDQ program.
Section 679.21(e)(4)(i) authorizes apportioning the non-trawl
halibut PSC limit into PSC bycatch allowances among six fishery
categories. Tables 15 and 16 list the fishery bycatch allowances for
the trawl fisheries, and Table 17 lists the fishery bycatch allowances
for the non-trawl fisheries.
Pursuant to Section 3.6 of the FMP, the Council recommends, and
NMFS agrees, that certain specified non-trawl fisheries be exempt from
the halibut PSC limit. As in past years, after consulting with the
Council, NMFS exempts pot gear, jig gear, and the sablefish IFQ hook-
and-line gear fishery categories from halibut bycatch restrictions for
the following reasons: (1) The pot gear fisheries have low halibut
bycatch mortality; (2) NMFS estimates halibut mortality for the jig
gear fleet to be negligible because of the small size of the fishery
and the selectivity of the gear; and (3) the IFQ program requires
legal-size halibut to be retained by vessels using hook-and-line gear
if a halibut IFQ permit holder or a hired master is aboard and is
holding unused halibut IFQ (subpart D of 50 CFR part 679). In 2015,
total groundfish catch for the pot gear fishery in the BSAI was
approximately 38,149 mt, with an associated halibut bycatch mortality
of about 3 mt.
The 2015 jig gear fishery harvested about 29 mt of groundfish. Most
vessels in the jig gear fleet are exempt from observer coverage
requirements. As a result, observer data are not available on halibut
bycatch in the jig gear fishery. However, as mentioned above, NMFS
estimates the jig gear sector will have a negligible amount of halibut
bycatch mortality because of the selective nature of jig gear and the
low mortality rate of halibut caught with jig gear and released.
Section 679.21(f)(2) annually allocates portions of either 47,591
or 60,000 Chinook salmon PSC limits among the AFA sectors, depending on
past catch performance and on whether Chinook salmon bycatch incentive
plan agreements are formed. If an AFA sector participates in an
approved Chinook salmon bycatch incentive plan agreement, then NMFS
will allocate a portion of the 60,000 PSC limit to that sector as
specified in Sec. 679.21(f)(3)(iii)(A). If no Chinook salmon bycatch
incentive plan agreement is approved, or if the sector has exceeded its
performance standard under Sec. 679.21(f)(6), then NMFS will allocate
a portion of the 47,591 Chinook salmon PSC limit to that sector, as
specified in Sec. 679.21(f)(3)(iii)(B). In 2016, the Chinook salmon
PSC limit is 60,000 and the AFA sector Chinook salmon allocations are
seasonally allocated with 70 percent of the allocation for the A season
pollock fishery, and 30 percent of the allocation for the B season
pollock fishery as stated in Sec. 679.21(f)(3)(iii)(A). The basis for
these PSC limits is described in detail in the final rule implementing
management measures for Amendment 91 (75 FR 53026, August 30, 2010).
NMFS publishes the approved Chinook salmon bycatch incentive plan
agreements, 2016 allocations, and reports at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/bycatch/default.htm when
they become available.
Section 679.21(e)(1)(viii) specifies 700 fish as the 2016 and 2017
Chinook salmon PSC limit for the AI subarea pollock fishery. Section
679.21(e)(3)(i)(A)(3)(i) allocates 7.5 percent, or 53 Chinook salmon,
to the AI subarea PSQ for the CDQ program, and allocates the remaining
647 Chinook salmon to the non-CDQ fisheries.
Section 679.21(e)(1)(vii) specifies 42,000 fish as the 2016 and
2017 non-Chinook salmon PSC limit in the Catcher Vessel Operational
Area (CVOA). Section 679.21(e)(3)(i)(A)(3)(ii) allocates 10.7 percent,
or 4,494 non-Chinook salmon in the CVOA as the PSQ for the CDQ program,
and allocates the remaining 37,506 non-Chinook salmon in the CVOA as
the PSC limit for the non-CDQ fisheries.
PSC limits for crab and herring are specified annually based on
abundance and spawning biomass. Section 679.21(e)(3)(i)(A)(1) allocates
10.7 percent from each trawl gear PSC limit specified for crab as a PSQ
reserve for use by the groundfish CDQ program.
Based on the 2015 survey data, the red king crab mature female
abundance is estimated to be at 18.6 million red king crabs, which is
above the threshold of 8.4 million red king crabs, and the effective
spawning biomass is estimated at 46.5 million lbs (21,092 mt). Based on
the criteria set out at Sec. 679.21(e)(1)(i), the 2016 and 2017 PSC
limit of red king crab in Zone 1 for trawl gear is 97,000 animals. This
limit derives from the mature female abundance of more than 8.4 million
king crab and the effective spawning biomass estimate of less than 55
million lb (24,948 mt).
Section 679.21(e)(3)(ii)(B)(2) establishes criteria under which
NMFS must specify an annual red king crab bycatch limit for the Red
King Crab Savings Subarea (RKCSS). The regulations limit the RKCSS red
king crab bycatch limit to 25 percent of the red king crab PSC limit,
based on the need to optimize the groundfish harvest relative to red
king crab bycatch. In December 2015, the Council recommended and NMFS
concurs that the red king crab bycatch limit be equal to 25 percent of
the red king crab PSC limit within the RKCSS (Table 15).
Based on 2015 survey data, Tanner crab (Chionoecetes bairdi)
abundance is estimated at 329 million animals. Pursuant to criteria set
out at Sec. 679.21(e)(1)(ii), the calculated 2016 and 2017 C. bairdi
crab PSC limit for trawl gear is 830,000 animals in Zone 1, and
2,520,000 animals in Zone 2. In Zone 1, C. bairdi abundance was
estimated to be greater than 270 million and less than 400 million
animals. In Zone 2, C. bairdi abundance was estimated to be greater
than 290 million animals and less than 400 million animals.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.21(e)(1)(iii), the PSC limit for snow crab
(C. opilio) is based on total abundance as indicated by the NMFS annual
bottom trawl survey. The C. opilio crab PSC limit is set at 0.1133
percent of the BS abundance index minus 150,000 crab. Based on the 2015
survey estimate of 4.288 billion animals, the calculated C. opilio crab
PSC limit is 4,708,314 animals.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.21(e)(1)(v), the PSC limit of Pacific herring
caught while conducting any trawl operation for BSAI groundfish is 1
percent of the annual eastern BS herring biomass. The best estimate of
2016 and 2017 herring biomass is 263,098 mt. This amount was developed
by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game based on spawning location
estimates. Therefore, the herring PSC limit for 2016 and 2017 is
[[Page 14787]]
2,361 mt for all trawl gear as listed in Tables 14 and 15.
Section 679.21(e)(3)(i)(A) requires PSQ reserves to be subtracted
from the total trawl PSC limits. The 2015 PSC limits assigned to the
Amendment 80 and BSAI trawl limited access sectors are specified in
Table 35 to part 679. The resulting allocations of PSC limit to CDQ
PSQ, the Amendment 80 sector, and the BSAI trawl limited access
fisheries are listed in Table 10. Pursuant to Sec. 679.21(e)(1)(iv)
and Sec. 679.91(d) through (f), crab and halibut trawl PSC limits
assigned to the Amendment 80 sector are then further allocated to
Amendment 80 cooperatives as PSC cooperative quota as listed in Table
18. PSC cooperative quota assigned to Amendment 80 cooperatives is not
allocated to specific fishery categories. In 2016, there are no vessels
in the Amendment 80 limited access sector. The 2017 PSC allocations
between Amendment 80 cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited access
sector will not be known until eligible participants apply for
participation in the program by November 1, 2016. Section
679.21(e)(3)(i)(B) requires NMFS to apportion each trawl PSC limit not
assigned to Amendment 80 cooperatives into PSC bycatch allowances for
seven specified fishery categories.
Section 679.21(e)(5) authorizes NMFS, after consulting with the
Council, to establish seasonal apportionments of PSC amounts for the
BSAI trawl limited access and Amendment 80 limited access sectors in
order to maximize the ability of the fleet to harvest the available
groundfish TAC and to minimize bycatch. The factors to be considered
are (1) seasonal distribution of prohibited species, (2) seasonal
distribution of target groundfish species, (3) PSC bycatch needs on a
seasonal basis relevant to prohibited species biomass, (4) expected
variations in bycatch rates throughout the year, (5) expected start of
fishing effort, and (6) economic effects of seasonal PSC apportionments
on industry sectors. The Council recommended and NMFS approves the
seasonal PSC apportionments in Tables 15 and 16 to maximize harvest
among gear types, fisheries, and seasons while minimizing bycatch of
PSC based on the above criteria.
Table 14--Final 2016 and 2017 Apportionment of Prohibited Species Catch Allowances to Non-Trawl Gear, The Cdq Program, Amendment 80, and the Bsai Trawl
Limited Access Sectors
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-trawl Non-trawl
PSC PSC Trawl PSC Amendment BSAI trawl
PSC species and area\1\ remaining remaining Total trawl remaining CDQ PSQ 80 limited
after CDQ after CDQ PSC after CDQ reserve\2\ sector\3\ access
PSQ\2\ PSQ\2\ PSQ\2\ fishery
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut mortality (mt) BSAI.................................. 900 832 3,675 3,349 393 2,325 875
Herring (mt) BSAI............................................ n/a n/a 2,631 n/a n/a n/a n/a
Red king crab (animals) Zone 1............................... n/a n/a 97,000 86,621 10,379 43,293 26,489
C. opilio (animals) COBLZ.................................... n/a n/a 4,708,314 4,204,524 503,790 2,066,524 1,351,334
C. bairdi crab (animals) Zone 1.............................. n/a n/a 830,000 741,190 88,810 312,115 348,285
C. bairdi crab (animals) Zone 2.............................. n/a n/a 2,520,000 2,250,360 269,640 532,660 1,053,394
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Refer to Sec. 679.2 for definitions of zones.
\2\ Section 679.21(e)(3)(i)(A)(2) allocates 326 mt of the trawl halibut mortality limit and Sec. 679.21(e)(4)(i)(A) allocates 7.5 percent, or 67 mt,
of the non-trawl halibut mortality limit as the PSQ reserve for use by the groundfish CDQ program. The PSQ reserve for crab species is 10.7 percent of
each crab PSC limit.
\3\ The Amendment 80 program reduced apportionment of the trawl PSC limits by 150 mt for halibut mortality and 20 percent for crab. These reductions are
not apportioned to other gear types or sectors.
Note: Sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
Table 15--Final 2016 and 2017 Herring and Red King Crab Savings Subarea
Prohibited Species Catch Allowances for All Trawl Sectors
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Red king
Herring crab
Fishery Categories (mt) BSAI (animals)
Zone 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yellowfin sole................................ 179 n/a
Rock sole/flathead sole/other flatfish \1\.... 29 n/a
Greenland turbot/arrowtooth flounder/Kamchatka 19 n/a
flounder/sablefish...........................
Rockfish...................................... 13 n/a
Pacific cod................................... 40 n/a
Midwater trawl pollock........................ 2,151 n/a
Pollock/Atka mackerel/other species \2,3\..... 199 n/a
Red king crab savings subarea non-pelagic n/a 24,250
trawl gear \4\...............................
-------------------------
Total trawl PSC........................... 2,631 97,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ ``Other flatfish'' for PSC monitoring includes all flatfish species,
except for halibut (a prohibited species), arrowtooth flounder,
flathead sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, rock sole, and
yellowfin sole.
\2\ Pollock other than pelagic trawl pollock, Atka mackerel, and ``other
species'' fishery category.
\3\ ``Other species'' for PSC monitoring includes skates, sculpins,
sharks, squids, and octopuses.
\4\ In December 2015 the Council recommended that the red king crab
bycatch limit for non-pelagic trawl fisheries within the RKCSS be
limited to 25 percent of the red king crab PSC allowance (see Sec.
679.21(e)(3)(ii)(B)(2)).
Note: Species apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
[[Page 14788]]
Table 16--Final 2016 and 2017 Prohibited Species Bycatch Allowances for the BSAI Trawl Limited Access Sector
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prohibited species and area \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------
Red king C. bairdi (animals)
BSAI trawl limited access fisheries Halibut crab C. opilio -------------------------
mortality (animals) (animals)
(mt) BSAI Zone 1 COBLZ Zone 1 Zone 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yellowfin sole................................. 167 23,338 1,273,886 293,234 1,005,879
Rock sole/flathead sole/other flatfish \2\..... 0 0 0 0 0
Greenland turbot/arrowtooth flounder/Kamchatka 0 0 0 0 0
flounder/sablefish............................
Rockfish April 15-December 31.................. 5 0 2,104 0 849
Pacific cod.................................... 453 2,954 54,298 50,816 42,424
Pollock/Atka mackerel/other species \3\........ 250 197 21,046 4,235 4,242
----------------------------------------------------------------
Total BSAI trawl limited access PSC........ 875 26,489 1,351,334 348,285 1,053,394
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Refer to Sec. 679.2 for definitions of areas.
\2\ ``Other flatfish'' for PSC monitoring includes all flatfish species, except for halibut (a prohibited
species), flathead sole, Greenland turbot, rock sole, yellowfin sole, Kamchatka flounder, and arrowtooth
flounder.
\3\ ``Other species'' for PSC monitoring includes skates, sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopuses.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
Table 17--Final 2016 and 2017 Halibut Prohibited Species by Catch Allowances for Non-Trawl Fisheries
[Halibut mortality (mt) BSAI]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher/ Catcher
Non-trawl fisheries Seasons processor vessel All Non-Trawl
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod........................ Total Pacific cod..... 760 15 n/a
January 1-June 10..... 455 10 n/a
June 10-August 15..... 190 3 n/a
August 15-December 31. 115 2 n/a
Non-Pacific cod non-trawl-Total.... May 1-December 31..... n/a n/a 58
Groundfish pot and jig............. n/a................... n/a n/a Exempt.
Sablefish hook-and-line............ n/a................... n/a n/a Exempt.
----------------------------------------------------
Total for all non-trawl PSC.... n/a................... n/a n/a 833
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
Table 18--Final 2016 Prohibited Species by Catch Allowance for the BSAI Amendment 80 Cooperatives
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prohibited species and zones \1\
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cooperative Halibut Red king crab C. opilio C. bairdi (animals)
mortality (mt) (animals) (animals) -------------------------------
BSAI Zone 1 COBLZ Zone 1 Zone 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alaska Groundfish Cooperative... 632 12,459 650,551 82,136 137,369
Alaska Seafood Cooperative...... 1,693 30,834 1,415,973 229,979 395,291
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Refer to Sec. 679.2 for definitions of zones.
Note: Sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
Halibut Discard Mortality Rates (DMR)
To monitor halibut bycatch mortality allowances and apportionments,
the Regional Administrator uses observed halibut bycatch rates, DMRs,
and estimates of groundfish catch to project when a fishery's halibut
bycatch mortality allowance or seasonal apportionment is reached. The
DMRs are based on the best information available, including information
contained in the annual SAFE report.
NMFS is implementing the halibut DMRs developed and recommended by
the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) and the Council for
the 2016 and 2017 BSAI groundfish fisheries for use in monitoring the
2016 and 2017 halibut bycatch allowances (see Tables 14, 15, 16, 17,
and 18). The IPHC and the Council developed these DMRs for the 2016 and
2017 BSAI fisheries using the 10-year mean DMRs for those fisheries.
Long-term average DMRs were not available for some fisheries, so rates
from the most recent years were used. For the skate, sculpin, shark,
squid, and octopus target fisheries, where not enough halibut mortality
data are available, the mortality rate of halibut caught in the Pacific
cod fishery for that gear type was recommended as a default rate. The
IPHC and Council staff will analyze observer data annually and
recommend changes to the DMRs when a fishery DMR shows large variation
from the mean. A discussion of the DMRs and how they are established is
available from the Council (see ADDRESSES). Table 19 lists the 2016 and
2017 DMRs.
[[Page 14789]]
Table 19--Final 2016 and 2017 Pacific Halibut Discard Mortality Rates
for the BSAI
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut
discard
Gear Fishery mortality rate
(percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-CDQ hook-and-line............. Greenland turbot.... 11
Other species.\1\... 9
Pacific cod......... 9
Rockfish............ 9
Non-CDQ trawl..................... Alaska plaice....... 66
Arrowtooth flounder. 84
Atka mackerel....... 82
Flathead sole....... 72
Greenland turbot.... 82
Kamchatka flounder.. 84
Non-pelagic pollock. 81
Pelagic pollock..... 88
Other flatfish \2\.. 63
Other species.\1\... 66
Pacific cod......... 66
Rockfish............ 83
Rock sole........... 86
Sablefish........... 66
Yellowfin sole...... 84
Non-CDQ Pot....................... Other species.\1\... 9
Pacific cod......... 9
CDQ trawl......................... Atka mackerel....... 82
Arrowtooth flounder. 84
Flathead sole....... 79
Kamchatka flounder.. 84
Non-pelagic pollock. 86
Pelagic pollock..... 90
Pacific cod......... 87
Greenland turbot.... 89
Rockfish............ 70
Rock sole........... 86
Yellowfin sole...... 85
CDQ hook-and-line................. Greenland turbot.... 10
Pacific cod......... 10
CDQ pot........................... Pacific cod......... 1
Sablefish........... 41
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ ``Other species'' includes skates, sculpins, sharks, squids, and
octopuses.
\2\ ``Other flatfish'' includes all flatfish species, except for halibut
(a prohibited species), Alaska plaice, flathead sole, Greenland
turbot, rock sole, yellowfin sole, Kamchatka flounder, and arrowtooth
flounder.
Directed Fishing Closures
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional
Administrator may establish a DFA for a species or species group if the
Regional Administrator determines that any allocation or apportionment
of a target species has been or will be reached. If the Regional
Administrator establishes a DFA, and that allowance is or will be
reached before the end of the fishing year, NMFS will prohibit directed
fishing for that species or species group in the specified subarea or
district (see Sec. 697.20(d)(1)(iii)). Similarly, pursuant to Sec.
679.21(e), if the Regional Administrator determines that a fishery
category's bycatch allowance of halibut, red king crab, C. bairdi crab,
or C. opilio crab for a specified area has been reached, the Regional
Administrator will prohibit directed fishing for each species in that
category in the specified area.
Based on historic catch patterns and anticipated fishing activity,
the Regional Administrator has determined that the groundfish
allocation amounts in Table 20 will be necessary as incidental catch to
support other anticipated groundfish fisheries for the 2016 and 2017
fishing years. Consequently, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i),
the Regional Administrator establishes the DFA for the species and
species groups in Table 20 as zero. Therefore, in accordance with Sec.
679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for these
sectors and species in the specified areas effective at 1200 hrs,
A.l.t., March 18, 2016, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2017.
Also, for the BSAI trawl limited access sector, bycatch allowances of
halibut, red king crab, C. bairdi crab, and C. opilio crab listed in
Table 20 are insufficient to support directed fisheries. Therefore, in
accordance with Sec. 679.21(e)(7), NMFS is prohibiting directed
fishing for these sectors and fishery categories in the specified areas
effective at 1200 hrs, A.l.t., March 18, 2016, through 2400 hrs,
A.l.t., December 31, 2017.
Table 20--2016 and 2017 Directed Fishing Closures \1\
[Groundfish and halibut amounts are in metric tons. Crab amounts are in number of animals]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2016 2017
Incidental Incidental
Area Sector Species catch catch
allowance allowance
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bogoslof District................. All.................. Pollock.............. 500 500
[[Page 14790]]
Aleutian Islands subarea.......... All.................. ICA pollock.......... 2,400 2,400
``Other rockfish'' 550 550
\2\.
Eastern Aleutian District/Bering Non-amendment 80, ICA Atka mackerel.... 1,000 1,000
Sea. CDQ, and BSAI trawl
limited access.
Eastern Aleutian District/Bering All.................. Rougheye rockfish.... 100 100
Sea.
Eastern Aleutian District......... Non-amendment 80, ICA Pacific ocean 200 200
CDQ, and BSAI trawl perch.
limited access.
Central Aleutian District......... Non-amendment 80, ICA Atka mackerel.... 75 75
CDQ, and BSAI trawl
limited access.
ICA Pacific ocean 75 75
perch.
Western Aleutian District......... Non-amendment 80, CDQ ICA Atka mackerel.... 40 40
and BSAI trawl
limited access.
ICA Pacific ocean 10 10
perch.
Western and Central Aleutian All.................. Rougheye rockfish.... 200 200
Districts.
Bering Sea subarea................ All.................. Pacific ocean perch.. 6,800 6,760
``Other rockfish'' 325 325
\2\.
ICA pollock.......... 48,240 48,263
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands... All.................. Northern rockfish.... 3,825 3,825
Shortraker rockfish.. 200 200
Skates............... 22,100 22,100
Sculpins............. 3,825 3,825
Sharks............... 125 125
Squids............... 1,275 1,275
Octopuses............ 400 400
Hook-and-line and pot ICA Pacific cod...... 500 500
gear.
Non-amendment 80 and ICA flathead sole.... 5,000 5,000
CDQ.
ICA rock sole........ 6,000 6,000
Non-amendment 80, ICA yellowfin sole... 3,500 3,500
CDQ, and BSAI trawl
limited access.
BSAI trawl limited Rock sole/flathead 0 0
access. sole/other flatfish--
halibut mortality,
red king crab Zone
1, C. opilio COBLZ,
C. bairdi Zone 1 and
2.
Turbot/arrowtooth/ 0 0
sablefish--halibut
mortality, red king
crab Zone 1, C.
opilio COBLZ, C.
bairdi Zone 1 and 2.
Rockfish--red king 0 0
crab Zone 1.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Maximum retainable amounts may be found in Table 11 to 50 CFR part 679.
\2\ ``Other rockfish'' includes all Sebastes and Sebastolobus species except for Pacific ocean perch, northern
rockfish, shortraker rockfish, and rougheye rockfish.
Closures implemented under the final 2015 and 2016 BSAI harvest
specifications for groundfish (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015) remain
effective under authority of these final 2016 and 2017 harvest
specifications, and are posted at the following Web sites: http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/cm/info_bulletins/ and http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries_reports/reports/. While these
closures are in effect, the maximum retainable amounts at Sec.
679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a fishing trip. These
closures to directed fishing are in addition to closures and
prohibitions found at 50 CFR part 679.
Listed AFA Catcher/Processor Sideboard Limits
Pursuant to Sec. 679.64(a), the Regional Administrator is
responsible for restricting the ability of listed AFA C/Ps to engage in
directed fishing for groundfish species other than pollock to protect
participants in other groundfish fisheries from adverse effects
resulting from the AFA and from fishery cooperatives in the pollock
directed fishery. These restrictions are set out as ``sideboard''
limits on catch. The basis for these sideboard limits is described in
detail in the final rules implementing the major provisions of the AFA
(67 FR 79692, December 30, 2002) and Amendment 80 (72 FR 52668,
September 14, 2007). Table 21 lists the 2016 and 2017 AFA C/P sideboard
limits.
All harvest of groundfish sideboard species by listed AFA C/Ps,
whether as targeted catch or incidental catch, will be deducted from
the sideboard limits in Table 21. However, groundfish sideboard species
that are delivered to listed AFA C/Ps by CVs will not be deducted from
the 2016 and 2017 sideboard limits for the listed AFA C/Ps.
Table 21--Final 2016 and 2017 Listed BSAI American Fisheries Act Catcher/Processor Groundfish Sideboard Limits
[Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1995-1997
--------------------------------------- 2016 ITAC 2017 ITAC
Ratio of available 2016 AFA C/ available 2017 AFA C/
Target species Area/season Retained retained to trawl C/ P side- to trawl C/ P side-
catch Total catch catch to Ps \1\ board limit Ps1 board limit
total catch
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish trawl..................... BS..................... 8 497 0.016 489 8 447 7
AI..................... 0 145 0 331 0 302 0
[[Page 14791]]
Atka mackerel....................... Central AI A season \2\ n/a n/a 0.115 7,144 822 8,000 920
Central AI B season \2\ n/a n/a 0.115 7,144 822 8,000 920
Western AI A season \2\ n/a n/a 0.2 4,688 938 5,250 1,050
Western AI B season \2\ n/a n/a 0.2 4,688 938 5,250 1,050
Rock sole........................... BSAI................... 6,317 169,362 0.037 50,990 1,887 50,990 1,887
Greenland turbot.................... BS..................... 121 17,305 0.007 2,272 16 2,272 16
AI..................... 23 4,987 0.005 170 1 170 1
Arrowtooth flounder................. BSAI................... 76 33,987 0.002 11,900 24 11,900 24
Kamchatka flounder.................. BSAI................... 76 33,987 0.002 4,250 9 4,250 9
Flathead sole....................... BSAI................... 1,925 52,755 0.036 18,753 675 18,753 675
Alaska plaice....................... BSAI................... 14 9,438 0.001 12,325 12 12,325 12
Other flatfish...................... BSAI................... 3,058 52,298 0.058 2,125 123 2,125 123
Pacific ocean perch................. BS..................... 12 4,879 0.002 6,800 14 6,760 14
Eastern AI............. 125 6,179 0.02 7,055 141 6,731 135
Central AI............. 3 5,698 0.001 6,251 6 6,251 6
Western AI............. 54 13,598 0.004 8,037 32 8,037 32
Northern rockfish................... BSAI................... 91 13,040 0.007 3,825 27 3,825 27
Shortraker rockfish................. BSAI................... 50 2,811 0.018 200 4 200 4
Rougheye rockfish................... EBS/EAI................ 50 2,811 0.018 100 2 100 2
CAI/WAI................ 50 2,811 0.018 200 4 200 4
Other rockfish...................... BS..................... 18 621 0.029 325 9 325 9
AI..................... 22 806 0.027 550 15 550 15
Skates.............................. BSAI................... 553 68,672 0.008 22,100 177 22,100 177
Sculpins............................ BSAI................... 553 68,672 0.008 3,825 31 3,825 31
Sharks.............................. BSAI................... 553 68,672 0.008 125 1 125 1
Squids.............................. BSAI................... 73 3,328 0.022 1,275 28 1,275 28
Octopuses........................... BSAI................... 553 68,672 0.008 400 3 400 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Aleutian Islands Pacific ocean perch, and BSAI Atka mackerel, flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole are multiplied by the remainder of the
TAC after the subtraction of the CDQ reserve under Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(C).
\2\ The seasonal apportionment of Atka mackerel in the open access fishery is 50 percent in the A season and 50 percent in the B season. Listed AFA
catcher/processors are limited to harvesting no more than zero in the Eastern Aleutian District and Bering Sea subarea, 20 percent of the annual ITAC
specified for the Western Aleutian District, and 11.5 percent of the annual ITAC specified for the Central Aleutian District.
Section 679.64(a)(2) and Tables 40 and 41 of part 679 establish a
formula for calculating PSC sideboard limits for listed AFA C/Ps. The
basis for these sideboard limits is described in detail in the final
rules implementing the major provisions of the AFA (67 FR 79692,
December 30, 2002) and Amendment 80 (72 FR 52668, September 14, 2007).
PSC species listed in Table 22 that are caught by listed AFA C/Ps
participating in any groundfish fishery other than pollock will accrue
against the 2016 and 2017 PSC sideboard limits for the listed AFA C/Ps.
Section 679.21(e)(3)(v) authorizes NMFS to close directed fishing for
groundfish other than pollock for listed AFA C/Ps once a 2016 or 2017
PSC sideboard limit listed in Table 22 is reached.
Crab or halibut PSC caught by listed AFA C/Ps while fishing for
pollock will accrue against the bycatch allowances annually specified
for either the midwater pollock or the pollock/Atka mackerel/``other
species'' fishery categories under Sec. 679.21(e)(3)(iv).
Table 22--Final 2016 and 2017 BSAI AFA Listed Catcher/Processor Prohibited Species Sideboard Limits
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2016 and 2017
PSC available 2016 and 2017
Ratio of PSC to trawl AFA catcher/
PSC species and area \1\ catch to total vessels after processor
PSC subtraction of sideboard
PSQ \2\ limit \2\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut mortality BSAI.......................................... n/a n/a 286
Red king crab zone 1............................................ 0.007 86,621 606
C. opilio (COBLZ)............................................... 0.153 4,204,524 643,292
C. bairdi Zone 1................................................ 0.14 741,190 103,767
[[Page 14792]]
C. bairdi Zone 2................................................ 0.05 2,250,360 112,518
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Refer to Sec. 679.2 for definitions of areas.
\2\ Halibut amounts are in metric tons of halibut mortality. Crab amounts are in numbers of animals.
AFA Catcher Vessel Sideboard Limits
Pursuant to Sec. 679.64(a), the Regional Administrator is
responsible for restricting the ability of AFA CVs to engage in
directed fishing for groundfish species other than pollock to protect
participants in other groundfish fisheries from adverse effects
resulting from the AFA and from fishery cooperatives in the pollock
directed fishery. Section 679.64(b) establishes a formula for setting
AFA CV groundfish and PSC sideboard limits for the BSAI. The basis for
these sideboard limits is described in detail in the final rules
implementing the major provisions of the AFA (67 FR 79692, December 30,
2002) and Amendment 80 (72 FR 52668, September 14, 2007). Tables 23 and
24 list the 2016 and 2017 AFA CV sideboard limits.
All catch of groundfish sideboard species made by non-exempt AFA
CVs, whether as targeted catch or incidental catch, will be deducted
from the 2016 and 2017 sideboard limits listed in Table 23.
Table 23--Final 2016 and 2017 American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel BSAI Groundfish Sideboard Limits
[Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1995- 2016 AFA 2017 AFA
1997 AFA CV 2016 initial catcher vessel 2017 initial catcher vessel
Species/gear Fishery by area/season catch to 1995- TAC \1\ sideboard TAC \1\ sideboard
1997 TAC limits limits
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod/Jig gear...................... BSAI........................ 0 n/a 0 n/a 0
Pacific cod/Hook-and-line CV >= 60 feet BSAI Jan 1-Jun 10........... 0.0006 228 0 228 0
LOA.
BSAI Jun 10-Dec 31.......... 0.0006 219 0 219 0
Pacific cod pot gear CV................... BSAI Jan 1-Jun 10........... 0.0006 9,587 6 9,587 6
BSAI Sept 1-Dec 31.......... 0.0006 9,211 6 9,211 6
Pacific cod CV < 60 feet LOA using hook- BSAI........................ 0.0006 4,476 3 4,476 3
and-line or pot gear.
Pacific cod trawl gear CV................. BSAI Jan 20-Apr 1........... 0.8609 36,732 31,623 36,732 31,623
BSAI Apr 1-Jun 10........... 0.8609 5,460 4,701 5,460 4,701
BSAI Jun 10-Nov 1........... 0.8609 7,446 6,410 7,446 6,410
Sablefish trawl gear...................... BS.......................... 0.0906 489 44 447 40
AI.......................... 0.0645 331 21 302 19
Atka mackerel............................. Eastern AI/BS Jan 1-Jun 10.. 0.0032 12,725 41 12,725 41
Eastern AI/BS Jun 10-Nov 1.. 0.0032 12,725 41 12,725 41
Central AI Jan 1-Jun 10..... 0.0001 7,144 1 7,144 1
Central AI Jun 10-Nov 1..... 0.0001 7,144 1 7,144 1
Western AI Jan 1-Jun 10..... 0 4,688 0 4,688 0
Western AI Jun 10-Nov 1..... 0 4,688 0 4,688 0
Rock sole................................. BSAI........................ 0.0341 50,990 1,739 50,990 1,739
Greenland turbot.......................... BS.......................... 0.0645 2,272 147 2,272 147
AI.......................... 0.0205 170 3 170 3
Arrowtooth flounder....................... BSAI........................ 0.069 11,900 821 11,900 821
Kamchatka flounder........................ BSAI........................ 0.069 4,250 293 4,250 293
Alaska plaice............................. BSAI........................ 0.0441 12,325 544 12,325 544
Other flatfish............................ BSAI........................ 0.0441 2,125 94 2,125 94
Flathead sole............................. BS.......................... 0.0505 18,753 947 18,753 947
Pacific ocean perch....................... BS.......................... 0.1 6,800 680 6,760 676
Eastern AI.................. 0.0077 7,055 54 6,731 52
Central AI.................. 0.0025 6,251 16 6,251 16
Western AI.................. 0 8,037 0 8,037 0
Northern rockfish......................... BSAI........................ 0.0084 3,825 32 3,825 32
Shortraker rockfish....................... BSAI........................ 0.0037 200 1 200 1
Rougheye rockfish......................... EBS/EAI..................... 0.0037 100 0 100 0
CAI/WAI..................... 0.0037 200 1 200 1
Other rockfish............................ BS.......................... 0.0048 325 2 325 2
AI.......................... 0.0095 550 5 550 5
Skates.................................... BSAI........................ 0.0541 22,100 1,196 22,100 1,196
Sculpins.................................. BSAI........................ 0.0541 3,825 207 3,825 207
Sharks.................................... BSAI........................ 0.0541 125 7 125 7
Squids.................................... BSAI........................ 0.3827 1,275 488 1,275 488
Octopuses................................. BSAI........................ 0.0541 400 22 400 22
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Aleutians Islands Pacific ocean perch, and BSAI Atka mackerel, flathead sole, and rock sole are multiplied by the remainder of the TAC of that
species after the subtraction of the CDQ reserve under Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(C).
[[Page 14793]]
Halibut and crab PSC limits listed in Table 24 that are caught by
AFA CVs participating in any groundfish fishery for groundfish other
than pollock will accrue against the 2016 and 2017 PSC sideboard limits
for the AFA CVs. Sections 679.21(d)(7) and 679.21(e)(3)(v) authorize
NMFS to close directed fishing for groundfish other than pollock for
AFA CVs once a 2016 or 2017 PSC sideboard limit listed in Table 24 is
reached. The PSC that is caught by AFA CVs while fishing for pollock in
the BSAI will accrue against the bycatch allowances annually specified
for either the midwater pollock or the pollock/Atka mackerel/``other
species'' fishery categories under Sec. 679.21(e)(3)(iv).
Table 24--Final 2016 and 2017 American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel Prohibited Species Catch Sideboard Limits
for the BSAI \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2016 and 2017
AFA catcher PSC limit 2016 and 2017
Target fishery category vessel PSC after AFA catcher
PSC species and area \1\ \2\ sideboard subtraction of vessel PSC
limit ratio PSQ reserves sideboard
\3\ limit \3\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut............................... Pacific cod trawl....... n/a n/a 887
Pacific cod hook-and- n/a n/a 2
line or pot.
Yellowfin sole total.... n/a n/a 101
Rock sole/flathead sole/ n/a n/a 228
other flatfish \4\.
Greenland turbot/ n/a n/a 0
arrowtooth/sablefish
\5\.
Rockfish................ n/a n/a 2
Pollock/Atka mackerel/ n/a n/a 5
other species \6\.
Red king crab Zone 1.................. n/a..................... 0.299 86,621 25,900
C. opilio COBLZ....................... n/a..................... 0.168 4,204,524 706,360
C. bairdi Zone 1...................... n/a..................... 0.33 741,190 244,593
C. bairdi Zone 2...................... n/a..................... 0.186 2,250,360 418,567
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Refer to Sec. 679.2 for definitions of areas.
\2\ Target fishery categories are defined at Sec. 679.21(e)(3)(iv).
\3\ Halibut amounts are in metric tons of halibut mortality. Crab amounts are in numbers of animals.
\4\ ``Other flatfish'' for PSC monitoring includes all flatfish species, except for halibut (a prohibited
species), flathead sole, Greenland turbot, rock sole, yellowfin sole, Kamchatka flounder, and arrowtooth
flounder.
\5\ Arrowtooth for PSC monitoring includes Kamchatka flounder.
\6\ ``Other species'' for PSC monitoring includes skates, sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopuses.
AFA Catcher/Processor and Catcher Vessel Sideboard Directed Fishing
Closures
Based on historical catch patterns, the Regional Administrator has
determined that many of the AFA C/P and CV sideboard limits listed in
Tables 25 and 26 are necessary as incidental catch to support other
anticipated groundfish fisheries for the 2016 and 2017 fishing years.
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iv), the Regional Administrator
establishes the sideboard limits listed in Tables 25 and 26 as DFAs.
Because many of these DFAs will be reached before the end of 2016, the
Regional Administrator has determined, in accordance with Sec.
679.20(d)(1)(iii), that NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing by listed
AFA C/Ps for the species in the specified areas set out in Table 25,
and directed fishing by non-exempt AFA CVs for the species in the
specified areas set out in Table 26.
Table 25--Final 2016 and 2017 American Fisheries Act Listed Catcher/Processor Sideboard Directed Fishing
Closures \1\
[Amounts are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2016 Sideboard 2017 Sideboard
Species Area Gear types limit limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish trawl................... BS................... trawl................ 8 7
AI................... trawl................ 0 0
Rock sole......................... BSAI................. all.................. 1,887 1,887
Greenland turbot.................. BS................... all.................. 17 16
AI................... all.................. 1 1
Arrowtooth flounder............... BSAI................. all.................. 24 24
Kamchatka flounder................ BSAI................. all.................. 9 9
Alaska plaice..................... BSAI................. all.................. 12 12
Other flatfish \2\................ BSAI................. all.................. 123 123
Flathead sole..................... BSAI................. all.................. 675 675
Pacific ocean perch............... BS................... all.................. 14 14
Eastern AI........... all.................. 141 135
Central AI........... all.................. 6 6
Western AI........... all.................. 32 32
Northern rockfish................. BSAI................. all.................. 27 27
Shortraker rockfish............... BSAI................. all.................. 4 4
Rougheye rockfish................. EBS/EAI.............. all.................. 2 2
CAI/WAI.............. all.................. 4 4
Other rockfish \3\................ BS................... all.................. 9 9
AI................... all.................. 15 15
Skates............................ BSAI................. all.................. 177 177
[[Page 14794]]
Sculpins.......................... BSAI................. all.................. 31 31
Sharks............................ BSAI................. all.................. 1 1
Squids............................ BSAI................. all.................. 28 28
Octopuses......................... BSAI................. all.................. 3 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Maximum retainable amounts may be found in Table 11 to 50 CFR part 679.
\2\ ``Other flatfish'' includes all flatfish species, except for halibut, Alaska plaice, flathead sole,
Greenland turbot, rock sole, yellowfin sole, Kamchatka flounder, and arrowtooth flounder.
\3\ ``Other rockfish'' includes all Sebastes and Sebastolobus species except for Pacific ocean perch, northern
rockfish, shortraker rockfish, and rougheye rockfish.
Table 26--Final 2016 and 2017 American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel Sideboard Directed Fishing Closures \1\
[Amounts are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2016 Sideboard 2017 Sideboard
Species Area Gear types limit limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BSAI................. hook-and-line CV >= 0 0
60 feet LOA.
BSAI................. pot CV >= 60 feet LOA 12 12
BSAI................. hook-and-line or pot 3 3
CV < 60 feet LOA.
BSAI................. jig.................. 0 0
Sablefish......................... BS................... trawl................ 44 40
AI................... trawl................ 21 19
Atka mackerel..................... Eastern AI/BS........ all.................. 82 82
Central AI........... all.................. 2 2
Western AI........... all.................. 0 0
Greenland turbot.................. BS................... all.................. 147 147
AI................... all.................. 3 3
Arrowtooth flounder............... BSAI................. all.................. 821 821
Kamchatka flounder................ BSAI................. all.................. 293 293
Alaska plaice..................... BSAI................. all.................. 544 544
Other flatfish \2\................ BSAI................. all.................. 94 94
Flathead sole..................... BSAI................. all.................. 947 947
Rock sole......................... BSAI................. all.................. 1,739 1,739
Pacific ocean perch............... BS................... all.................. 680 676
Eastern AI........... all.................. 54 52
Central AI........... all.................. 16 16
Western AI........... all.................. 0 0
Northern rockfish................. BSAI................. all.................. 32 32
Shortraker rockfish............... BSAI................. all.................. 1 1
Rougheye rockfish................. BS/EAI............... all.................. 0 0
CAI/WAI.............. all.................. 1 1
Other rockfish \3\................ BS................... all.................. 2 2
AI................... all.................. 5 5
Skates............................ BSAI................. all.................. 1,196 1,196
Sculpins.......................... BSAI................. all.................. 207 207
Sharks............................ BSAI................. all.................. 7 7
Squids............................ BSAI................. all.................. 488 488
Octopuses......................... BSAI................. all.................. 22 22
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Maximum retainable amounts may be found in Table 11 to 50 CFR part 679.
\2\ ``Other flatfish'' includes all flatfish species, except for halibut, Alaska plaice, flathead sole,
Greenland turbot, rock sole, yellowfin sole, Kamchatka flounder, and arrowtooth flounder.
\3\ ``Other rockfish'' includes all Sebastes and Sebastolobus species except for Pacific ocean perch, northern
rockfish, shortraker rockfish, and rougheye rockfish.
Response to Comments
NMFS received two letters with fourteen substantive comments during
the public comment period for the proposed BSAI groundfish harvest
specifications. No changes were made to the final rule in response to
comment letters received. NMFS' response to the public comments on the
proposed BSAI groundfish harvest specifications is provided below.
[[Page 14795]]
Comment 1: The allocation of the sablefish TAC between trawl gear
and hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea should be revised to
match the allocation percentages used to apportion the Aleutian Islands
sablefish TAC. That would mean that the Bering Sea sablefish TAC would
be allocated 25 percent to trawl gear and 75 percent to hook-and-line
or pot gear, rather than allocating 50 percent of the Bering Sea
sablefish TAC to each gear category. Doing so would decrease the
adverse impacts, such as bycatch and habitat damage, that trawl gear
would have in the Bering Sea sablefish fishery.
Response: The allocation of the BSAI sablefish TACs between trawl
gear and hook-and-line gear or pot gear is required by regulations at
Sec. 679.20(a)(4)(iii) and (iv). Revising these allocations is outside
of the scope of this action.
Comment 2: The use of trawl gear to catch sablefish in the BSAI
results in the bycatch of other species and destruction of habitat.
Response: Trawl gear is a legal gear type in the BSAI for a variety
of groundfish species. Pelagic and non-pelagic trawl gears are
authorized under both the FMP and regulations at 50 CFR part 679.
Additionally, most of the sablefish harvested in the BSAI is caught by
hook-and-line or pot gear, not trawl gear. The catch reports on the
Alaska Region's Web site show that from 2010 through 2015 the highest
trawl catch was 18 percent of the Bering Sea trawl gear TAC compared to
hook-and-line or pot gear at 63 percent of the Bering Sea hook-and-line
or pot gear TAC (see https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries-catch-landings).
The Council and NMFS have taken a variety of measures to control
the use of trawl gear and the impacts of trawl gear on non-target
species and habitat. Examples of the former include prohibiting the use
of trawl gear or certain types of trawl gear in some groundfish
fisheries and requiring that the trawl sweeps of nonpelagic trawl gear
be elevated a minimum distance off the sea floor (75 FR 61642, October
6, 2010). The Council and NMFS have also established a variety of
restrictions and prohibitions associated with bycatch in the BSAI
groundfish fisheries, including prohibitions against directing fishing
for some species, as well as regulations designed to minimize the
bycatch of prohibited species by trawl gear. Examples of habitat
conservation measures include identifying essential fish habitat and
establishing geographic area closures to trawl gear. The use of trawl
gear in the BSAI groundfish fisheries is consistent with the National
Standards 1 and 5 of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, which require the
prevention of overfishing while achieving optimum yield from each
fishery and consideration of efficiency in the use of fish resources.
Comment 3: The Council made a good start toward minimizing halibut
bycatch in the BSAI groundfish fisheries by reducing halibut PSC limits
through the BSAI FMP Amendment 111. However, the Council and NMFS need
to take additional action to achieve further bycatch reduction to
comply with Magnuson-Stevens Act requirements.
Response: The Council and NMFS are committed to minimizing halibut
bycatch in the BSAI consistent with Magnuson-Stevens Act obligations to
minimize bycatch to the extent practicable and to achieve, on a
continuing basis, optimum yield from the groundfish fisheries. Pursuant
to section 3.6.2.1.4 of the FMP, the Secretary, after consultation with
the Council, considers the following information when evaluating
measures to minimize halibut bycatch in the BSAI fisheries:
1. Estimated change in halibut biomass and stock condition;
2. potential impacts on halibut stocks and fisheries;
3. potential impacts on groundfish fisheries;
4. estimated bycatch mortality during prior years;
5. expected halibut bycatch mortality;
6. methods available to reduce halibut bycatch mortality;
7. the cost of reducing halibut bycatch mortality; and
8. other biological and socioeconomic factors that affect the
appropriateness of a specific bycatch mortality limit in terms of
FMP objectives.
Pursuant to section 3.6.2.1.4 of the FMP, annual BSAI-wide Pacific
halibut bycatch mortality limits for trawl and non-trawl gear fisheries
are established in regulations and may be amended by regulatory
amendment. NMFS will publish regulations implementing trawl and non-
trawl BSAI halibut PSC limit reductions in 2016, upon approval by the
Secretary of a final rule to implement Amendment 111.
The Council and NMFS will continue to evaluate the need to
implement additional measures to minimize halibut bycatch in the BSAI
groundfish fisheries consistent with Magnuson-Stevens Act obligations.
In evaluating the need for further halibut bycatch reduction measures,
the Council and NMFS must balance, for example, National Standard 9
obligations to minimize halibut bycatch to the extent practicable with
National Standard 1 obligations to achieve optimum yield from the BSAI
groundfish fisheries on a continuing basis, and National Standard 8
obligations to minimize adverse economic consequences on fishing
communities to the extent practicable.
Comment 4: Halibut bycatch or PSC levels differ among the various
groundfish fisheries. NMFS should take into consideration halibut
bycatch rates associated with the groundfish fisheries when
establishing groundfish harvest limits.
Response: NMFS interprets this comment as requesting NMFS to
establish TACs based on the relative rates of halibut PSC use among the
groundfish fisheries and that groundfish fisheries with higher bycatch
rates should receive lower TAC amounts. NMFS disagrees that setting
TACs based on halibut bycatch rates would necessarily minimize halibut
bycatch to the extent practicable. Annual BSAI-wide Pacific halibut
bycatch mortality limits for trawl and non-trawl gear fisheries are
established in regulations. Therefore, while reducing the TAC in a
particular fishery may limit halibut bycatch in that target fishery,
sectors have the ability to target other species and may encounter
higher halibut bycatch rates in those fisheries. Thus, fishing sectors
may still reach the halibut PSC limit as a result. In addition, it is
important for multispecies trawl fisheries to have several options for
target species to allow this sector to avoid target fisheries with high
halibut bycatch rates. Setting a TAC so low that the directed fishery
cannot open limits the ability of sectors to move between target
fisheries to avoid high halibut bycatch rates. As described previously
in this rule, NMFS will publish regulations implementing trawl and non-
trawl BSAI halibut PSC limit reductions in 2016, upon approval by the
Secretary of a final rule to implement Amendment 111.
Comment 5: The Council approved a TAC for arrowtooth flounder that
was 600% higher than the TAC recommended by the AP. Arrowtooth flounder
has the highest average halibut bycatch mortality rate of all target
groundfish fisheries. Had the Council followed the AP's arrowtooth
flounder TAC recommendation, the TACs could have resulted in higher
overall wholesale values and optimum yield for both the groundfish and
halibut fisheries.
Response: The AP's TAC recommendations were higher than the
Council's for pollock (34,392 mt), yellowfin sole (6,000 mt), Pacific
ocean perch (724 mt), and Atka mackerel (4,500 mt). NMFS has determined
that
[[Page 14796]]
the Council ultimately recommended TACs that more efficiently utilized
fishery resources. The Council considered halibut bycatch in the BSAI
groundfish fisheries and the importance of the fishery resources to the
fishing communities, while also achieving optimum yield in the
groundfish fisheries within the statutory 2 million metric ton limit.
As described in response to Comment 4, a significant reduction in
the arrowtooth flounder TACs would likely have little impact on
minimizing halibut bycatch. Annual BSAI-wide Pacific halibut bycatch
mortality limits for trawl and non-trawl gear fisheries are established
in regulations. While significantly reducing the arrowtooth flounder
TAC would prevent opening the directed fishery for arrowtooth flounder
and would limit halibut bycatch in that fishery, such action would not
necessarily minimize halibut bycatch.
For example, if a reduced arrowtooth flounder TAC prevents this
directed fishery from opening, multispecies trawl sectors that
typically target arrowtooth flounder have the ability to target other
species. However, the multispecies trawl fishery would have fewer
targeting options and a limited ability to move between target
fisheries to avoid high halibut PSC in seasons and areas with higher
halibut bycatch rates. Thus, the multispecies trawl sectors may still
reach the halibut PSC limit notwithstanding significant reductions in
the arrowtooth flounder TAC. Further, eliminating the opportunity to
target arrowtooth flounder may jeopardize continued optimum yield in
the groundfish fisheries because the multispecies trawl fishery may be
closed early if it is unable to avoid halibut bycatch and reaches the
halibut PSC limits during seasons and areas with higher halibut bycatch
rates.
The Council recognized that some of the AP's TAC recommendations,
including arrowtooth flounder, would not be sufficient to allow for a
directed fishery or support incidental catch in other fisheries. In
2015, more than 5,000 mt of arrowtooth flounder was taken in targets
other than arrowtooth flounder in the BSAI. At the AP's arrowtooth
flounder TAC recommendation of 2,000 mt, all of the TAC would be taken
in other fisheries, NMFS would not open directed fishing for
arrowtooth, and would be required to prohibit retention of arrowtooth
flounder. This would require regulatory discards of arrowtooth flounder
when the TAC was reached. Despite prohibiting retention, the incidental
catch of arrowtooth flounder would still exceed 2,000 mt, unless catch
in the target fisheries with the highest arrowtooth flounder incidental
catch (pollock, Pacific cod, and yellowfin sole) were also greatly
curtailed. Curtailment of these fisheries may jeopardize continued
optimum yield in the BSAI groundfish fisheries.
The Council set the arrowtooth TAC at 14,000 mt to acknowledge that
arrowtooth flounder is targeted as part of the annual fishing plan for
some of the fleet. Also, arrowtooth flounder is an important ecosystem
component as a predator and may impact the biomass of other species.
The 2014 arrowtooth flounder stock assessment indicates that nearly
half of the adult diet is comprised of juvenile pollock (47%) followed
by adult pollock (19%), and euphausiids (9%). The Ecosystem
Considerations chapter states predation by arrowtooth flounder has
exceeded cannibalism as the largest source of predation mortality of
age-1 pollock since 2007.
Comment 6: At their October 2015 meeting, the Council stated that
it would consider halibut bycatch in making TAC recommendations for the
final 2016 and 2017 BSAI harvest specifications. However, the Council
failed to consider halibut bycatch in the groundfish fisheries when it
ultimately made TAC recommendations. Therefore, NMFS' acceptance of the
Council's recommended TACs for the 2016 and 2017 BSAI harvest
specifications would be arbitrary, capricious, and irrational.
Response: As stated in responses to Comments 4 and 5, the Council
did consider halibut bycatch in various groundfish fisheries in making
TAC recommendations for the final 2016 and 2017 BSAI groundfish harvest
specifications. Also, the Council considered the potential effects of
groundfish harvest on directed halibut fisheries and the health of the
halibut resource, while also recognizing a shared responsibility to
maintain the viability of halibut commercial, sport, and personal use
fisheries, and the communities dependent on them. Halibut was one of
many bycatch species that the Council balanced with the groundfish
TACs, and the arrowtooth flounder fishery received the greatest
percentage decrease of any species from the proposed harvest
specifications. Also, the Council acknowledged the voluntary efforts in
2015 by the Amendment 80 sector to reduce halibut PSC.
Comment 7: The proposed groundfish harvest specifications stated
that the proposed OFL, ABCs, and TACs are subject to change pending
completion of the final 2015 SAFE report and the Council's
recommendations for final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications during
its December Council meeting. This statement is an admission that the
proposed rule is a placeholder. Therefore, the proposed groundfish
harvest specifications failed to give adequate public notice and an
opportunity for public comment and do not comply with the
Administrative Procedure Act.
Response: The proposed 2016 and 2017 BSAI groundfish harvest
specifications provided adequate notice and opportunity for the public
to comment consistent with obligations under the Administrative
Procedure Act. NMFS published the Council's recommended TACs from the
October 2015 meeting in the proposed harvest specifications. NMFS
explained in the preamble to the proposed harvest specifications that
some of the final harvest specifications could differ from the proposed
specifications. The preamble stated that changes to the proposed BSAI
harvest specifications in the final rule would likely be based on
updated scientific information included in the 2015 SAFE, Groundfish
Plan Team recommendations, information from the December 2015
Scientific and Statistical Committee and Advisory Panel meetings,
public testimony, and relevant written comment. The preamble to the
proposed BSAI groundfish harvest specifications also stated that the
Council could recommend changes to the proposed harvest specifications
if warranted on the basis of bycatch considerations, management
uncertainty, or socioeconomic considerations, or if required in order
to cause the sum of the TACs to fall within the OY range. Finally, the
preamble stated that changes in groundfish biomass trends could affect
the Council's recommended final harvest specifications, but that the
groundfish harvest specifications must comply with governing statutes,
regulations, and the FMP. Based on information provided in the proposed
harvest specifications, interested members of the public were aware of
issues involved in establishing the final harvest specification levels
and therefore had adequate notice of information relevant to the final
harvest specifications. The public has had the opportunity to comment
on all parts of this process.
Comment 8: The 2016 and 2017 BSAI groundfish harvest specifications
are not consistent with Magnuson-Stevens Act National Standard 1
obligations to achieve optimum yield. The AP's groundfish TAC
recommendations would be far more responsive to the Magnuson-Stevens
Act National
[[Page 14797]]
Standard 1 because they could have resulted in higher estimated overall
wholesale values to the groundfish sector, as well as higher quotas and
value in the directed halibut fishery.
Response: As mentioned in the response to Comments 4 and 5, the
AP's TAC recommendations are not guaranteed to lower halibut PSC. Also,
while in a single year it may be more profitable overall to shift the
fisheries to pollock and Atka mackerel, this could significantly reduce
revenues or force out of business those fishermen and vessels from the
flatfish sector. In years of lower pollock and Atka mackerel abundance,
the absence of these vessels could create far smaller groundfish
catches, and on a continuing basis create harvests below the optimum
yield.
Comment 9: The 2016 and 2017 BSAI groundfish harvest specifications
are not consistent with Magnuson-Stevens Act National Standard 3. The
groundfish and halibut stocks are clearly interrelated in the Bering
Sea ecosystem, as is evident by the high bycatch rates in certain
groundfish species, which disproportionately impacts the directed
halibut fishermen.
Response: NMFS interprets this comment as suggesting that NMFS
should manage halibut as a unit or in close coordination with the BSAI
groundfish fisheries. NMFS does not directly manage halibut or halibut
fisheries through the implementation of the 2016 and 2017 BSAI
groundfish harvest specifications. NMFS implements the BSAI groundfish
harvest specifications under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
Actions taken by the Council to manage halibut fisheries are developed
under the authority of the Halibut Act, and National Standard 3 of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act does not apply. Section 5.2.1 of the FMP describes
that the IPHC manages the Pacific halibut stocks in its jurisdiction
through regulations implementing the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of
1982 (16 U.S.C. 773-773k).
Halibut is not managed under the FMP. However the Council and NMFS
manage halibut bycatch limits under the FMP and believe that treatment
of halibut as a prohibited species is appropriate. Under the Magnuson-
Stevens Act, it is the Council's responsibility to recommend management
measures that minimize halibut bycatch in the groundfish fisheries to
the extent practicable. As described previously in this rule, NMFS
expects to publish regulations implementing trawl and non-trawl BSAI
halibut PSC limit reductions in 2016, pending Secretarial approval of a
final rule to implement Amendment 111 and the effective date of the
final rule.
Comment 10: The 2016 and 2017 BSAI groundfish harvest
specifications are not consistent with National Standard 4 obligations
to ensure allocations are fair and equitable. The AP's recommended TACs
would have achieved a far more equitable allocation of the halibut
resource as a whole.
Response: NMFS interprets this comment as suggesting that the BSAI
groundfish harvest specifications are not consistent with National
Standard 4 because lower groundfish TACs for specific fisheries would
have reduced halibut bycatch in the groundfish fisheries and more
fairly reallocated the unused halibut to the directed halibut fishery.
NMFS disagrees. NMFS does not allocate halibut through the groundfish
harvest specifications. As described in response to Comment 3, Section
3.6.2.1.4 of the FMP requires that annual BSAI-wide Pacific halibut
bycatch mortality limits for trawl and non-trawl gear fisheries be
established in regulations and may be amended by regulatory amendment.
The halibut PSC limits are not an allocation of halibut bycatch in the
groundfish fishery. Rather, the halibut PSC limits impose an absolute
limit on the amount of halibut bycatch that may be caught in the trawl
and non-trawl groundfish fisheries. NMFS uses the halibut PSC limits to
minimize the amount of halibut bycatch in the groundfish fisheries to
the extent practicable.
Further, as described in response to Comment 4, a reduction in
groundfish TACs would likely have little impact on reducing halibut
bycatch. For example, while significantly reducing the arrowtooth
flounder TAC might limit halibut bycatch in that fishery, sectors
targeting arrowtooth flounder have the ability to target other species.
These sectors may still reach the halibut PSC limit notwithstanding
reductions in the TACs. Therefore, the AP's recommended TACs would not
likely result in reduced halibut bycatch in the groundfish fisheries or
increase the availability of halibut for directed halibut users.
Comment 11: The 2016 and 2017 BSAI groundfish harvest
specifications are not consistent with Magnuson-Stevens Act National
Standard 5. The AP's recommended TACs optimize harvest by the
groundfish sector and PSC reduction.
Response: NMFS has determined that the 2016 and 2017 groundfish
harvest specifications are consistent with National Standard 5.
National Standard 5 requires the conservation and management measures
shall, where practicable, consider efficiency in the utilization of
fishery resources. The 2016 and 2017 BSAI groundfish harvest
specifications establish groundfish harvest limits that result in as
efficient a fishery as is practicable. The BSAI harvest specifications
allow for the combined groundfish fisheries to harvest up to the
statutory 2 million metric ton OY limit with the least amount of
regulatory discards and economic waste as is practicable.
NMFS interprets this Comment 11 as suggesting that the AP's
recommended TAC reductions for some groundfish species and increases in
TACs for other groundfish species would have resulted in greater
halibut PSC reduction and greater efficiency in the utilization of the
BSAI groundfish and halibut fisheries. NMFS disagrees. While the AP's
recommended TACs would have resulted in different distributions of
gains and burdens among the various BSAI groundfish sectors, the AP's
recommended TACs would not have resulted in an increase in efficiency
of the groundfish and halibut fisheries. Although significant TAC
reductions in some groundfish species would have allowed for increases
in TACs for other groundfish species, the AP's recommended TACs would
likely have increased costs for some fisheries and resulted in
increased regulatory discards.
For example, if NMFS implemented the AP's arrowtooth flounder TAC
recommendation, NMFS would not open directed fishing for arrowtooth and
would reserve the 2,000 mt arrowtooth TAC for incidental take in other
directed fisheries. Incidental take of arrowtooth in other fisheries
would likely reach the 2,000 mt TAC early in the fishing season.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(d)(2), NMFS would require that arrowtooth
flounder be treated as a prohibited species for the remainder of the
year, and incidental catch arrowtooth flounder would be required to be
discarded.
Further, as stated in response to Comments 4 and 5, the AP's
recommended TAC reductions would not contribute to the objective of
reducing halibut bycatch in the groundfish fisheries. While significant
TAC reductions in particular fisheries may limit halibut bycatch in
those target fisheries, sectors have the ability to target other
species and may encounter higher halibut bycatch rates in those
fisheries. Thus, fishing sectors may still reach the halibut PSC limit.
For the forgoing reasons, NMFS has determined that the Council's
recommended BSAI
[[Page 14798]]
groundfish TACs provide for as efficient a fishery as is practicable.
Comment 12: The 2016 and 2017 BSAI groundfish harvest
specifications are not consistent with Magnuson-Stevens Act National
Standard 6 obligations to take into account contingencies in the
fisheries and fishery resources. The BSAI halibut fishery and dependent
halibut fishermen and communities are facing an extraordinary situation
with low halibut quotas that threaten their participation in the
fisheries. National Standard 6 requires an FMP to be flexible and
responsive to such variations. The BSAI groundfish harvest
specifications do not take this contingency into account.
Response: The 2016 and 2017 BSAI groundfish harvest specifications
do take this contingency into account. Some of the largest TAC
reductions from the proposed rule are in the flatfish fisheries, with
arrowtooth flounder having the highest percentage reduction. However,
further reducing flatfish TACs could prevent flatfish fishermen from
adapting to variations in their fisheries. As stated in previous
responses to comments, potentially significantly reducing revenues or
forcing out of business fishermen that are dependent on flatfish could
jeopardize achieving optimum yield if variations in the pollock biomass
produce lower available pollock TACs.
Comment 13: The 2016 and 2017 BSAI groundfish harvest
specifications are not consistent with Magnuson-Stevens Act National
Standard 8 obligations to take into account the importance of fishery
resources to fishing communities, their sustained participation in
those fisheries, and minimization of adverse impacts on such
communities to the extent practicable. The sustained participation of
St. Paul and other Bering Sea communities in the halibut fishery is
clearly in jeopardy. The AP's recommendation demonstrated practicable
allocations of groundfish TACs that would be consistent with National
Standard 8 and could result in higher economic value to the groundfish
sector.
Response: The 2016 and 2017 BSAI harvest specifications are
consistent with National Standard 8. The impact of the BSAI groundfish
fisheries, and in particular the arrowtooth flounder fishery, on
halibut bycatch mortality was one of the many environmental and
socioeconomic considerations that the Council evaluated in making the
TAC recommendations for the 2016 and 2017 BSAI groundfish harvest
specifications. In recommending the final TACs for all groundfish
fisheries, the Council took into account the importance of both the
halibut and groundfish fisheries to communities that depend on them.
The Council evaluated the burdens groundfish fishery communities would
experience from significant TAC reductions with the benefits of such
TAC reductions that would flow to the communities that rely on directed
halibut fisheries. NMFS determined that significant TAC reductions in
some groundfish fisheries would likely adversely impact communities
dependent on groundfish fisheries, potentially increase halibut PSC
use, and would provide little benefit to the communities that depend on
the halibut resources.
Comment 14: The 2016 and 2017 BSAI groundfish harvest
specifications are not consistent with Magnuson-Stevens Act National
Standard 9 obligations to minimize bycatch and to minimize mortality of
such bycatch. The AP's recommended TACs showed a practicable way to
minimize halibut bycatch, resulting in the potential for over 840,000
pounds of savings.
Response: The 2016 and 2017 BSAI groundfish harvest specifications
are consistent with National Standard 9. As described in several
previous comments, NMFS disagrees that the AP's recommended TACs would
have minimized halibut bycatch. The AP's recommended TAC reductions
would have resulted in increased bycatch and regulatory discards of
some groundfish species, and potentially increased halibut PSC use.
For example, the AP's arrowtooth flounder TAC would have required
the regulatory discard of large amounts of arrowtooth flounder and
hindered the ability of some fishermen to reduce halibut bycatch.
Further, the Council also considered bycatch of other prohibited
species such as salmon, crab, and herring in various groundfish
fisheries. The Council and NMFS are committed to minimizing bycatch in
the BSAI groundfish fisheries consistent with Magnuson-Stevens Act
obligations to minimize bycatch to the extent practicable and to
achieve, on a continuing basis, optimum yield from the groundfish
fisheries. As described in responses to previous comments, NMFS will
publish regulations implementing trawl and non-trawl BSAI halibut PSC
limit reductions in 2016, upon approval by the Secretary of a final
rule to implement Amendment 111 and the publication of the final rule.
Classification
NMFS has determined that these final harvest specifications are
consistent with the FMP and with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other
applicable laws.
This action is authorized under 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from
review under Executive Orders 12866 and 13563.
NMFS prepared an EIS that covers this action (see ADDRESSES) and
made it available to the public on January 12, 2007 (72 FR 1512). On
February 13, 2007, NMFS issued the Record of Decision (ROD) for the
EIS. In January 2016, NMFS prepared a Supplemental Information Report
(SIR) for this action. Copies of the EIS, ROD, and SIR for this action
are available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES). The EIS analyzes the
environmental consequences of the groundfish harvest specifications and
alternative harvest strategies on resources in the action area. The EIS
found no significant environmental consequences of this action and its
alternatives. The SIR evaluates the need to prepare a Supplemental EIS
(SEIS) for the 2016 and 2017 groundfish harvest specifications.
An SEIS should be prepared if (1) the agency makes substantial
changes in the proposed action that are relevant to environmental
concerns; or (2) significant new circumstances or information exist
relevant to environmental concerns and bearing on the proposed action
or its impacts (40 CFR 1502.9(c)(1)). After reviewing the information
contained in the SIR and SAFE reports, the Regional Administrator has
determined that (1) approval of the 2016 and 2017 harvest
specifications, which were set according to the preferred harvest
strategy in the EIS, do not constitute a change in the action; and (2)
there are no significant new circumstances or information relevant to
environmental concerns and bearing on the action or its impacts.
Additionally, the 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications will result in
environmental impacts within the scope of those analyzed and disclosed
in the EIS. Therefore, supplemental NEPA documentation is not necessary
to implement the 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications.
Section 604 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act requires that, when
an agency promulgates a final rule under section 553 of Title 5 of the
United States Code, after being required by that section, or any other
law, to publish a general notice of proposed rulemaking, the agency
shall prepare a final regulatory flexibility analysis (FRFA).
Section 604 describes the required contents of a FRFA: (1) A
statement of the need for, and objectives of, the rule; (2) a statement
of the significant issues raised by the public comments in
[[Page 14799]]
response to the initial regulatory flexibility analysis, a statement of
the assessment of the agency of such issues, and a statement of any
changes made in the proposed rule as a result of such comments; (3) the
response of the agency to any comments filed by the Chief Counsel for
Advocacy of the Small Business Administration in response to the
proposed rule, and a detailed statement of any change made to the
proposed rule in the final rule as a result of the comments; (4) a
description of and an estimate of the number of small entities to which
the rule will apply or an explanation of why no such estimate is
available; (5) a description of the projected reporting, recordkeeping
and other compliance requirements of the rule, including an estimate of
the classes of small entities which will be subject to the requirement
and the type of professional skills necessary for preparation of the
report or record; (6) a description of the steps the agency has taken
to minimize the significant economic impact on small entities
consistent with the stated objectives of applicable statutes, including
a statement of the factual, policy, and legal reasons for selecting the
alternative adopted in the final rule and why each one of the other
significant alternatives to the rule considered by the agency which
affect the impact on small entities was rejected.
A description of this action, its purpose, and its legal basis are
contained at the beginning of the preamble to this final rule and are
not repeated here.
NMFS published the proposed rule on December 9, 2015 (80 FR 76425).
The rule was accompanied by an initial regulatory flexibility analysis
(IRFA), which was summarized in the proposed rule. The comment period
closed on January 8, 2016. No comments were received on the IRFA.
The entities directly regulated by this action are those that
receive allocations of groundfish in the exclusive economic zone of the
BSAI, and in parallel fisheries within State of Alaska waters, during
the annual harvest specifications process. These directly regulated
entities include the groundfish CVs and C/Ps active in these areas.
Direct allocations of groundfish are also made to certain
organizations, including the CDQ groups, AFA C/P and inshore CV
sectors, Aleut Corporation, and Amendment 80 cooperatives. These
entities are, therefore, also considered directly regulated.
The Small Business Administration has established size standards
for all major industry sectors in the United States. A business
primarily involved in finfish harvesting is classified as a small
business if it is independently owned and operated, is not dominant in
its field of operation (including its affiliates), and has combined
annual gross receipts not in excess of $20.5 million, for all its
affiliated operations worldwide. The IRFA estimates the number of
harvesting vessels that are considered small entities, but these
estimates may overstate the number of small entities because (1) some
vessels may also be active as tender vessels in the salmon fishery,
fish in areas other than Alaska and the West Coast, or generate revenue
from other non-fishing sources; and (2) all affiliations are not taken
into account, especially if the vessel has affiliations not tracked in
available data (i.e., ownership of multiple vessel or affiliation with
processors) and may be misclassified as a small entity. Because some
catcher vessels and catcher/processors meet this size standard, they
are considered to be small entities for the purposes of this analysis.
The estimated directly regulated small entities include
approximately 190 catcher vessels, two catcher/processors, and six CDQ
groups. Some of these vessels are members of AFA inshore pollock
cooperatives, GOA rockfish cooperatives, or crab rationalization
cooperatives, and, since under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) it
is the aggregate gross receipts of all participating members of the
cooperative that must meet the ``under $20.5 million'' threshold, they
are considered to be large entities within the meaning of the RFA.
Thus, the estimate of 190 catcher vessels may be an overstatement of
the number of small entities. Average gross revenues were $446,000 for
small hook-and-line vessels, $1.31 million for small pot vessels, and
$2.28 million for small trawl vessels. Revenue data for catcher/
processors is confidential; however, in 2014, NMFS estimates that there
are two catcher/processor small entities with gross receipts less than
$20.5.
This action does not modify recordkeeping or reporting
requirements.
The significant alternatives were those considered as alternative
harvest strategies when the Council selected its preferred harvest
strategy (Alternative 2) in December 2006. These included the
following:
Alternative 1: Set TAC to produce fishing mortality rates,
F, that are equal to maxFABC, unless the sum of the TAC is constrained
by the OY established in the FMPs. This is equivalent to setting TAC to
produce harvest levels equal to the maximum permissible ABC, as
constrained by OY. The term ``maxFABC'' refers to the maximum
permissible value of FABC under Amendment 56 to the groundfish FMPs.
Historically, the TAC has been set at or below the ABC; therefore, this
alternative represents a likely upper limit for setting the TAC within
the OY and ABC limits.
Alternative 3: For species in Tiers 1, 2, and 3, set TAC
to produce F equal to the most recent 5-year average actual F. For
species in Tiers 4, 5, and 6, set TAC equal to the most recent 5-year
average actual catch. For stocks with a high level of scientific
information, TAC would be set to produce harvest levels equal to the
most recent 5-year average actual fishing mortality rates. For stocks
with insufficient scientific information, TAC would be set equal to the
most recent 5-year average actual catch. This alternative recognizes
that for some stocks, catches may fall well below ABC, and recent
average F may provide a better indicator of actual F than FABC does.
Alternative 4: (1) Set TAC for rockfish species in Tier 3
at F75%. Set TAC for rockfish species in Tier 5 at F=0.5M. Set
spatially explicit TAC for shortraker and rougheye rockfish in the
BSAI. (2) Taking the rockfish TAC as calculated above, reduce all other
TAC by a proportion that does not vary across species, so that the sum
of all TAC, including rockfish TAC, is equal to the lower bound of the
area OY (1,400,000 mt in the BSAI). This alternative sets conservative
and spatially explicit TAC for rockfish species that are long-lived and
late to mature, and sets conservative TAC for the other groundfish
species.
Alternative 5: Set TAC at zero.
Alternative 2 is the preferred alternative chosen by the Council:
Set TAC that fall within the range of ABC recommended through the
Council harvest specifications process and TACs recommended by the
Council. Under this scenario, F is set equal to a constant fraction of
maxFABC. The recommended fractions of maxFABC may vary among species or
stocks, based on other considerations unique to each. This is the
method for determining TAC that has been used in the past.
Alternatives 1, 3, 4, and 5 do not meet the objectives of this
action, although they have a smaller adverse economic impact on small
entities than the preferred alternative. The Council rejected these
alternatives as harvest strategies in 2006, and the Secretary of
Commerce did so in 2007. Alternative 1 would lead to TAC limits whose
sum exceeds the fishery OY, which is set out in statute and the FMP. As
shown in
[[Page 14800]]
Table 1 and Table 2, the sum of ABCs in 2016 and 2017 would be
3,236,662 and 3,143,135 million mt, respectively. Both of these are
substantially in excess of the fishery OY for the BSAI. This result
would be inconsistent with the objectives of this action, in that it
would violate the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2004, Public Law
108-199, Section 803(c), and the FMP for the BSAI groundfish fishery,
which both set a 2 million mt maximum harvest for BSAI groundfish.
Alternative 3 selects harvest rates based on the most recent 5
years' worth of harvest rates (for species in Tiers 1 through 3) or for
the most recent 5 years' worth of harvests (for species in Tiers 4
through 6). This alternative is also inconsistent with the objectives
of this action, because it does not take into account the most recent
biological information for this fishery.
Alternative 4 would lead to significantly lower harvests of all
species to reduce TAC from the upper end of the OY range in the BSAI,
to its lower end. This result would lead to significant reductions in
harvests of species by small entities. While reductions of this size
could be associated with offsetting price increases, the size of these
increases is very uncertain, and NMFS has no confidence that they would
be sufficient to offset the volume decreases and leave revenues
unchanged. Thus, this action would have an adverse economic impact on
small entities, compared to the preferred alternative.
Alternative 5, which sets all harvests equal to zero, may also
address conservation issues, but would have a significant adverse
economic impact on small entities.
Impacts on marine mammals resulting from fishing activities
conducted under this rule are discussed in the EIS (see ADDRESSES).
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Assistant Administrator for
Fisheries, NOAA, finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in
effectiveness for this rule, because delaying this rule is contrary to
the public interest. Plan Team review occurred in November 2015, and
Council consideration and recommendations occurred in December 2015.
Accordingly, NMFS' review could not begin until after the December 2015
Council meeting, and after the public had time to comment on the
proposed action. If this rule's effectiveness is delayed, fisheries
that might otherwise remain open under these rules may prematurely
close based on the lower TACs established in the final 2015 and 2016
harvest specifications (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015). If implemented
immediately, this rule would allow these fisheries to continue fishing
without worrying about a potential closure because the new TAC limits
are higher than the ones under which they are currently fishing.
Certain fisheries, such as those for pollock and Pacific cod are
intensive, fast-paced fisheries. Other fisheries, such as those for
flatfish, rockfish, skates, sculpins, sharks, and octopuses, are
critical as directed fisheries and as incidental catch in other
fisheries. U.S. fishing vessels have demonstrated the capacity to catch
the TAC allocations in these fisheries. Any delay in allocating the
final TAC limits in these fisheries would cause confusion in the
industry and potential economic harm through unnecessary discards.
Determining which fisheries may close is impossible because these
fisheries are affected by several factors that cannot be predicted in
advance, including fishing effort, weather, movement of fishery stocks,
and market price. Furthermore, the closure of one fishery has a
cascading effect on other fisheries by freeing up fishing vessels,
allowing them to move from closed fisheries to open ones, increasing
the fishing capacity in those open fisheries and causing them to close
at an accelerated pace.
Additionally, in fisheries subject to declining sideboards,
delaying this rule's effectiveness could allow some vessels to
inadvertently reach or exceed their new sideboard levels. Because
sideboards are intended to protect traditional fisheries in other
sectors, allowing one sector to exceed its new sideboards by delaying
this rule's effectiveness would effectively reduce the available catch
for sectors without sideboard limits. Moreover, the new TAC and
sideboard limits protect the fisheries from being overfished. Thus, the
delay is contrary to the public interest in protecting traditional
fisheries and fish stocks.
If the final harvest specifications are not effective by March 19,
2016, which is the start of the 2016 Pacific halibut season as
specified by the IPHC, the hook-and-line sablefish fishery will not
begin concurrently with the Pacific halibut IFQ season. Delayed
effectiveness of this action would result in confusion for sablefish
harvesters and economic harm from unnecessary discard of sablefish that
are caught along with Pacific halibut, as both hook-and-line sablefish
and Pacific halibut are managed under the same IFQ program. Immediate
effectiveness of the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications will
allow the sablefish IFQ fishery to begin concurrently with the Pacific
halibut IFQ season. Also, immediate effectiveness of this action is
required to provide consistent management and conservation of fishery
resources based on the best available scientific information. This is
particularly true of those species that have lower 2016 ABC and TAC
limits than those established in the 2015 and 2016 harvest
specifications (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015). Immediate effectiveness
also would give the fishing industry the earliest possible opportunity
to plan and conduct its fishing operations with respect to new
information about TAC limits. Therefore, NMFS finds good cause to waive
the 30-day delay in effectiveness under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).
Small Entity Compliance Guide
This final rule is a plain language guide to assist small entities
in complying with this final rule as required by the Small Business
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. This final rule's primary
purpose is to announce the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications
and prohibited species bycatch allowances for the groundfish fisheries
of the BSAI. This action is necessary to establish harvest limits and
associated management measures for groundfish during the 2016 and 2017
fishing years and to accomplish the goals and objectives of the FMP.
This action directly affects all fishermen who participate in the BSAI
fisheries. The specific amounts of OFL, ABC, TAC, and PSC are provided
in tables to assist the reader. NMFS will announce closures of directed
fishing in the Federal Register and information bulletins released by
the Alaska Region. Affected fishermen should keep themselves informed
of such closures.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1540(f); 16 U.S.C.
1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 3631 et seq.; Pub. L. 105-277; Pub. L. 106-
31; Pub. L. 106-554; Pub. L. 108-199; Pub. L. 108-447; Pub. L. 109-
241; Pub. L. 109-479.
Dated: March 14, 2016.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-06182 Filed 3-17-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P