[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 239 (Tuesday, December 13, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 89904-89911]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-29895]



[[Page 89904]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF048


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; North 
Pacific Observer Program Standard Ex-Vessel Prices

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

ACTION: Notification of standard ex-vessel prices.

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SUMMARY: NMFS publishes standard ex-vessel prices for groundfish and 
halibut for the calculation of the observer fee under the North Pacific 
Observer Program (Observer Program). This notice is intended to provide 
information to vessel owners, processors, registered buyers, and other 
participants about the standard ex-vessel prices that will be used to 
calculate the observer fee for landings of groundfish and halibut made 
in 2017. NMFS will send invoices to processors and registered buyers 
subject to the fee by January 15, 2018. Fees are due to NMFS on or 
before February 15, 2018.

DATES: Effective January 1, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general questions about the 
observer fee and standard ex-vessel prices, contact Sally Bibb at 907-
586-7389. For questions about the fee billing process, contact Carl 
Greene at 907-586-7003. Additional information about the Observer 
Program is available on NMFS Alaska Region's Web site at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/observer-program.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The Observer Program deploys NMFS-certified observers (observers) 
who collect information necessary for the conservation and management 
of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) and Gulf of Alaska (GOA) 
groundfish and halibut fisheries. Fishery managers use information 
collected by observers to monitor quotas, manage groundfish and 
prohibited species catch, and document and reduce fishery interactions 
with protected resources. Scientists use observer-collected information 
for stock assessments and marine ecosystem research.
    The Observer Program is divided into two observer coverage 
categories--the partial observer coverage category and the full 
observer coverage category. All groundfish and halibut vessels and 
processors are included in one of these two categories. The partial 
observer coverage category includes vessels and processors that are not 
required to have an observer at all times; the full observer coverage 
category includes vessels and processors required to have all of their 
fishing and processing operations off Alaska observed. Vessels and 
processors in the full coverage category arrange and pay for observer 
services from a permitted observer provider. Observer coverage for the 
partial coverage category is funded through a system of fees based on 
the ex-vessel value of groundfish and halibut.

Landings Subject to Observer Coverage Fee

    The objective of the observer fee assessment is to levy a fee on 
all landings accruing against a Federal total allowable catch (TAC) for 
groundfish or a commercial halibut quota made by vessels that are 
subject to Federal regulations and not included in the full coverage 
category. A fee is only assessed on landings of groundfish from vessels 
designated on a Federal Fisheries Permit or from vessels landing 
individual fishing quota (IFQ) or community development quota (CDQ) 
halibut or IFQ sablefish. Within the subset of vessels subject to the 
observer fee, only landings accruing against an IFQ allocation or a 
Federal TAC for groundfish are included in the fee assessment. A table 
with additional information about which landings are and are not 
subject to the observer fee is in NMFS regulations at Sec.  679.55(c) 
and is on page 2 of an informational bulletin titled ``Observer Fee 
Collection'' on the NMFS Alaska Region Web site at https://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/observerfees.pdf.

Fee Determination

    A fee equal to 1.25 percent of the ex-vessel value is assessed on 
the landings of groundfish and halibut subject to the fee. Ex-vessel 
value is determined by multiplying the standard price for groundfish by 
the round weight equivalent for each species, gear, and port 
combination, and the standard price for halibut by the headed and 
gutted weight equivalent. NMFS will assess each landing report 
submitted via eLandings and each manual landing entered into the IFQ 
landing database and determine if the landing is subject to the 
observer fee and, if it is, which groundfish in the landing are subject 
to the observer fee. All IFQ or CDQ halibut in a landing subject to the 
observer fee will be assessed as part of the fee. For any groundfish or 
halibut subject to the observer fee, NMFS will apply the appropriate 
standard ex-vessel prices for the species, gear type, and port, and 
calculate the observer fee associated with the landing.
    Processors and registered buyers access the landing-specific, 
observer fee information through NMFS Web Application (https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/webapps/efish/login) or eLandings (https://elandings.alaska.gov/). For IFQ halibut, CDQ halibut, and IFQ 
sablefish, this information is available as soon as the IFQ report is 
submitted. For groundfish and sablefish that accrue against the fixed 
gear sablefish CDQ reserve, the observer fee information is generally 
available within 24 hours of receipt of the report. The time lag on the 
groundfish and sablefish CDQ fee information is necessary because NMFS 
must process the landings report through the catch accounting system 
computer programs to determine if all of the groundfish in the landings 
are subject to the observer fee. Information about which groundfish in 
a landing accrues against a Federal TAC is not immediately available 
from the processor's data entry into eLandings.
    The intent of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council and NMFS 
is for vessel owners to split the fee 50/50 with the processor or 
registered buyer. While vessels and processors are responsible for 
their portion of the fee, the owner of a shoreside processor or a 
stationary floating processor and the registered buyer are responsible 
for collecting the fee, including the vessel's portion of the fee, and 
remitting the full fee to NMFS.
    NMFS will send invoices to processors and registered buyers for 
their total fee, which is determined by the sum of the fees reported 
for each landing for that processor or registered buyer for the prior 
calendar year, by January 15, 2018. Processors and registered buyers 
must pay the fees to NMFS using NMFS Web Application by February 15, 
2018. Processors and registered buyers have access to this system 
through a User ID and password issued by NMFS. Instructions for 
electronic payment will be provided on the NMFS Alaska Region Web site 
at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov and on

[[Page 89905]]

the observer fee invoice to be mailed to each permit holder.

Standard Prices

    This notice provides the standard ex-vessel prices for groundfish 
and halibut species subject to the observer fee in 2017. Data sources 
for ex-vessel prices are--
     For groundfish other than sablefish IFQ and sablefish 
accruing against the fixed gear sablefish CDQ reserve, the State of 
Alaska's Commercial Fishery Entry Commission's (CFEC) gross revenue 
data, which are based on the Commercial Operator Annual Report (COAR) 
and Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) fish tickets; and
     For halibut IFQ, halibut CDQ, sablefish IFQ, and sablefish 
accruing against the fixed gear sablefish CDQ reserve, the IFQ Buyer 
Report that is submitted annually to NMFS under Sec.  679.5(l)(7)(i).
    The standard prices in this notice were calculated using applicable 
guidance for protecting confidentiality of data submitted to or 
collected by NMFS. NMFS does not publish any price information that 
would permit the identification of an individual or business. At least 
four different vessels must make landings of a species with a 
particular gear type at a particular port in order for NMFS to publish 
that price data for that species-gear-port combination. Similarly, at 
least three different processors in a particular port must purchase a 
species harvested with a particular gear type in order for NMFS to 
publish a price for that species-gear-port combination. Price data that 
is confidential because fewer than four vessels or three processors 
contributed data to a particular species-gear-port combination has been 
aggregated to protect confidential data.

Groundfish Standard Ex-Vessel Prices

    Table 1 shows the groundfish species standard ex-vessel prices for 
2017. These prices are based on the CFEC gross revenue data, which are 
based on landings data from ADF&G fish tickets and information from the 
COAR. The COAR contains statewide buying and production information, 
and is considered the most complete routinely collected information to 
determine the ex-vessel value of groundfish harvested from waters off 
Alaska.
    The standard ex-vessel prices for groundfish were calculated by 
adding ex-vessel value from the CFEC gross revenue files for 2013, 
2014, and 2015 by species, port, and gear category, and adding the 
volume (weight) from the CFEC gross revenue files for 2013, 2014, and 
2015 by species, port, and gear category, and then dividing total ex-
vessel value over the 3-year period in each category by total volume 
over the 3-year period in each category. This calculation results in an 
average ex-vessel price per pound by species, port, and gear category 
for the 3-year period. Three gear categories were used for the standard 
ex-vessel prices: (1) Non-trawl gear, including hook-and-line, pot, 
jig, troll, and others (Non-Trawl); (2) non-pelagic trawl gear (NPT); 
and (3) pelagic trawl gear (PTR).
    CFEC ex-vessel value and volume data are available in the fall of 
the year following the year the fishing occurred. Thus, it is not 
possible to base ex-vessel fee liabilities on standard prices that are 
less than 2 years old. For the 2017 standard ex-vessel prices, the most 
recent ex-vessel value and volume data available is from 2015.
    If a particular groundfish species is not listed in Table 1, the 
standard ex-vessel price for a species group, if it exists in the 
management area, will be used. If price data for a particular species 
remained confidential once aggregated to the ALL level, data is 
aggregated by species group (Flathead Sole; GOA Deep-water Flatfish; 
GOA Shallow-water Flatfish; GOA Skate, Other; and Other Rockfish). 
Standard prices for the groundfish species groups are shown in Table 2.
    If a port-level price does not meet the confidentiality 
requirements, the data are aggregated by port group. Port-group data 
for Southeast Alaska (SEAK) and the Eastern GOA excluding Southeast 
Alaska (EGOAxSE) also are presented separately when price data are 
available. Port-group data is then aggregated by regulatory area in the 
GOA (Eastern GOA, Central GOA, and Western GOA) and by subarea in the 
BSAI (BS subarea and AI subarea). If confidentiality requirements are 
still not met by aggregating prices across ports at these levels, the 
prices are aggregated at the level of BSAI or GOA, then statewide (AK) 
and ports outside of Alaska (OTAK), and finally all ports, including 
those outside of Alaska (``ALL'').
    Standard prices are presented separately for non-pelagic trawl and 
pelagic trawl when non-confidential data is available. NMFS also 
calculated prices for a ``Pelagic Trawl/Non-pelagic Trawl Combined'' 
(PTR/NPT) category that can be used when combining trawl price data for 
landings of a species in a particular port or port group will not 
violate confidentiality requirements. Creating this standard price 
category allows NMFS to assess a fee on 2017 landings of some of the 
species with pelagic trawl gear based on a combined trawl gear price 
for the port or port group.
    If no standard ex-vessel price is listed for a species or species 
group and gear category combination in Table 1, Table 2, or Table 3, no 
fee will be assessed on that landing. Volume and value data for that 
species will be added to the standard ex-vessel prices in future years, 
if that data becomes available and display of a standard ex-vessel 
price meets confidentiality requirements.

            Table 1--Standard Ex-Vessel Prices for Groundfish Species for 2017 Observer Coverage Fee
                              [Based on volume and value from 2013, 2014, and 2015]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Species\1\ \2\                Port/area \3\ \4\     Non-Trawl       NPT          PTR        PTR/NPT
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alaska Plaice Flounder (133)........  Kodiak................           --        $0.09           --        $0.09
                                      CGOA..................           --         0.09           --         0.09
                                      GOA...................           --         0.09           --         0.09
                                      AK....................           --         0.09           --         0.09
                                      ALL...................           --         0.09           --         0.09
Arrowtooth Flounder (121)...........  Kodiak................           --         0.06        $0.07           --
                                      CGOA..................           --         0.06         0.07           --
                                      GOA...................           --         0.06         0.07           --
                                      AK....................           --         0.06         0.07           --
                                      ALL...................           --         0.06         0.07           --
Black Rockfish (142)................  AK....................        $0.52         0.17           --         0.17
Bocaccio Rockfish (137).............  Sitka.................         0.51           --           --           --
                                      SEAK..................         0.41           --           --           --
                                      EGOA..................         0.41           --           --           --

[[Page 89906]]

 
                                      GOA...................         0.41           --           --           --
                                      AK....................         0.41           --           --           --
                                      ALL...................         0.41           --           --           --
Butter Sole (126)...................  Kodiak................           --         0.16         0.15           --
                                      CGOA..................           --         0.16         0.15           --
                                      GOA...................           --         0.16         0.15           --
                                      AK....................           --         0.16         0.15           --
                                      ALL...................           --         0.16         0.15           --
Canary Rockfish (146)...............  Ketchikan.............         0.36           --           --           --
                                      Sitka.................         0.49           --           --           --
                                      SEAK..................         0.45           --           --           --
                                      EGOA..................         0.44           --           --           --
                                      Seward................         0.41           --           --           --
                                      CGOA..................         0.42           --           --           --
                                      GOA...................         0.43           --           --           --
                                      AK....................         0.43           --           --           --
                                      ALL...................         0.43           --           --           --
China Rockfish (149)................  Sitka.................         0.92           --           --           --
                                      SEAK..................         0.82           --           --           --
                                      Cordova...............         0.45           --           --           --
                                      EGOAxSE...............         0.45           --           --           --
                                      Homer.................         0.65           --           --           --
                                      Seward................         0.61           --           --           --
                                      CGOA..................         0.62           --           --           --
                                      GOA...................         0.59           --           --           --
                                      AK....................         0.59           --           --           --
                                      ALL...................         0.59           --           --           --
Copper Rockfish (138)...............  Sitka.................         1.04           --           --           --
                                      SEAK..................         0.86           --           --           --
                                      EGOA..................         0.74           --           --           --
                                      Homer.................         0.38           --           --           --
                                      CGOA..................         0.40           --           --           --
                                      GOA...................         0.53           --           --           --
                                      AK....................         0.53           --           --           --
                                      ALL...................         0.53           --           --           --
Dover Sole (124)....................  Kodiak................           --         0.10         0.09           --
                                      CGOA..................           --         0.10         0.09           --
                                      GOA...................           --         0.10         0.09           --
                                      AK....................           --         0.10         0.09           --
                                      ALL...................           --         0.10         0.09           --
Dusky Rockfish (172)................  Sitka.................         0.53           --           --           --
                                      SEAK..................         0.52           --           --           --
                                      EGOAxSE...............         0.32           --           --           --
                                      Homer.................         0.52           --           --           --
                                      Kodiak................         0.32         0.18         0.17           --
                                      Seward................         0.54           --           --           --
                                      CGOA..................         0.33         0.18         0.17           --
                                      GOA...................         0.37         0.18         0.17           --
                                      AK....................         0.37         0.18         0.17           --
                                      ALL...................         0.37         0.18         0.17           --
English Sole (128)..................  Kodiak................           --         0.15         0.11           --
                                      CGOA..................           --         0.15         0.11           --
                                      GOA...................           --         0.15         0.11           --
                                      AK....................           --         0.15         0.11           --
                                      ALL...................           --         0.15         0.11           --
Flathead Sole (122).................  Kodiak................           --         0.16         0.16           --
                                      CGOA..................           --         0.16         0.15           --
                                      GOA...................           --         0.16         0.12           --
                                      AK....................           --         0.16         0.12           --
                                      ALL...................           --         0.16         0.12           --
Northern Rockfish (136).............  Kodiak................         0.14         0.17         0.17           --
                                      CGOA..................         0.16         0.17         0.17           --
                                      GOA...................         0.16         0.17         0.17           --
                                      AK....................         0.23         0.17         0.17           --
                                      ALL...................         0.23         0.17         0.17           --
Octopus (870).......................  Homer.................         0.70           --           --           --
                                      Kodiak................         0.55         0.56         0.52           --
                                      CGOA..................         0.56         0.56         0.52           --
                                      WGOA..................         0.41           --           --           --
                                      GOA...................         0.53         0.56         0.52           --
                                      DH/Unalaska...........         0.30           --           --           --

[[Page 89907]]

 
                                      BS....................         0.29           --           --           --
                                      BSAI..................         0.29           --           --           --
                                      AK....................         0.51         0.53         0.52           --
                                      ALL...................         0.51         0.53         0.52           --
Pacific Cod (110)...................  Juneau................         0.59           --           --           --
                                      Ketchikan.............         0.38           --           --           --
                                      Petersburg............         0.14           --           --           --
                                      Sitka.................         0.57           --           --           --
                                      SEAK..................         0.57           --           --           --
                                      Cordova...............         0.32           --           --           --
                                      EGOAxSE...............         0.34           --           --           --
                                      Homer.................         0.34           --           --           --
                                      Kenai.................         0.29           --           --           --
                                      Kodiak................         0.32         0.27         0.27           --
                                      Seward................         0.33           --           --           --
                                      CGOA..................         0.32         0.27         0.27           --
                                      WGOA..................         0.27         0.25           --         0.24
                                      GOA...................           --         0.26         0.21           --
                                      Adak..................         0.29           --           --           --
                                      AI....................         0.29           --           --           --
                                      DH/Unalaska...........         0.29         0.26           --         0.26
                                      BS....................         0.28         0.26           --         0.26
                                      BSAI..................           --         0.26           --         0.26
                                      AK....................         0.29         0.26         0.20           --
                                      ALL...................         0.29         0.26         0.20           --
Pacific Ocean Perch (141)...........  Kodiak................           --         0.19         0.20           --
                                      CGOA..................           --         0.19         0.20           --
                                      GOA...................         0.27         0.19         0.19           --
                                      AK....................         0.35         0.19         0.19           --
                                      ALL...................         0.35         0.19         0.19           --
Pollock (270).......................  Homer.................         0.33           --           --           --
                                      Kodiak................         0.12         0.15         0.14           --
                                      Seward................         0.06           --           --           --
                                      CGOA..................         0.12         0.15         0.14           --
                                      WGOA..................           --         0.13           --         0.12
                                      GOA...................         0.12         0.15         0.14           --
                                      DH/Unalaska...........         0.13         0.16           --         0.16
                                      BS....................         0.08         0.15           --         0.14
                                      BSAI..................         0.08         0.15           --         0.14
                                      AK....................         0.12         0.15         0.14           --
                                      ALL...................         0.12         0.15         0.14           --
Quillback Rockfish (147)............  Ketchikan.............         0.47           --           --           --
                                      Petersburg............         0.25           --           --           --
                                      Sitka.................         0.87           --           --           --
                                      SEAK..................         0.81           --           --           --
                                      Cordova...............         0.31           --           --           --
                                      EGOAxSE...............         0.34           --           --           --
                                      Homer.................         0.45           --           --           --
                                      Seward................         0.39           --           --           --
                                      CGOA..................         0.39           --           --           --
                                      GOA...................         0.54           --           --           --
                                      AK....................         0.54           --           --           --
                                      ALL...................         0.54           --           --           --
Redbanded Rockfish (153)............  Juneau................         0.30           --           --           --
                                      Ketchikan.............         0.32           --           --           --
                                      Sitka.................         0.51           --           --           --
                                      SEAK..................         0.37           --           --           --
                                      EGOAxSE...............         0.34           --           --           --
                                      Homer.................         0.35           --           --           --
                                      Kodiak................         0.20         0.18           --         0.18
                                      Seward................         0.40           --           --           --
                                      CGOA..................         0.34         0.18           --         0.18
                                      GOA...................         0.36         0.18           --         0.18
                                      AK....................         0.36         0.18           --         0.18
                                      ALL...................         0.36         0.18           --         0.18
Redstripe Rockfish (158)............  SEAK..................         0.49           --           --           --
                                      EGOA..................         0.49           --           --           --
                                      Seward................         0.63           --           --           --
                                      CGOA..................         0.48           --           --           --
                                      GOA...................         0.48           --           --           --
                                      AK....................         0.48           --           --           --

[[Page 89908]]

 
                                      ALL...................         0.48           --           --           --
Rex Sole (125)......................  Kodiak................           --         0.31         0.32           --
                                      CGOA..................           --         0.31         0.32           --
                                      GOA...................           --         0.31         0.32           --
                                      AK....................           --         0.31         0.32           --
                                      ALL...................           --         0.31         0.32           --
Rock Sole (123).....................  Kodiak................           --         0.25         0.25           --
                                      CGOA..................           --         0.25         0.25           --
                                      GOA...................         0.21         0.25         0.25           --
                                      AK....................         0.21         0.25         0.25           --
                                      ALL...................         0.21         0.25         0.25           --
Rosethorn Rockfish (150)............  SEAK..................         0.52           --           --           --
                                      EGOA..................         0.52           --           --           --
                                      Seward................         0.42           --           --           --
                                      CGOA..................         0.42           --           --           --
                                      GOA...................         0.45           --           --           --
                                      AK....................         0.45           --           --           --
                                      ALL...................         0.45           --           --           --
Rougheye Rockfish (151).............  Petersburg............         0.26           --           --           --
                                      Sitka.................         0.51           --           --           --
                                      SEAK..................         0.41           --           --           --
                                      Cordova...............         0.29           --           --           --
                                      EGOAxSE...............         0.30           --           --           --
                                      Homer.................         0.35           --           --           --
                                      Kodiak................         0.30         0.23         0.22           --
                                      Seward................         0.40           --           --           --
                                      CGOA..................         0.35         0.23         0.22           --
                                      GOA...................         0.36         0.24         0.22           --
                                      BS....................         0.45           --           --           --
                                      BSAI..................         0.43           --           --           --
                                      AK....................         0.36         0.24         0.22           --
                                      ALL...................         0.36         0.24         0.22           --
Sablefish (blackcod) (710)..........  Kodiak................      \5\ n/a         2.64         2.67           --
                                      CGOA..................      \5\ n/a         2.64         2.66           --
                                      GOA...................      \5\ n/a         2.65         2.66           --
                                      AK....................      \5\ n/a         2.65         2.66           --
                                      ALL...................      \5\ n/a         2.65         2.66           --
Shortraker Rockfish (152)...........  Juneau................         0.32           --           --           --
                                      Ketchikan.............         0.31           --           --           --
                                      Petersburg............         0.27           --           --           --
                                      Sitka.................         0.51           --           --           --
                                      SEAK..................         0.39           --           --           --
                                      EGOAxSE...............         0.46           --           --           --
                                      Homer.................         0.37           --           --           --
                                      Kodiak................         0.30         0.19         0.22           --
                                      Seward................         0.40           --           --           --
                                      CGOA..................         0.39         0.19         0.22           --
                                      GOA...................         0.40         0.24         0.22           --
                                      BS....................         0.44           --           --           --
                                      BSAI..................         0.42           --           --           --
                                      AK....................         0.40         0.24         0.22           --
                                      ALL...................         0.40         0.24         0.22           --
Silvergray Rockfish (157)...........  Juneau................         0.33           --           --           --
                                      Ketchikan.............         0.37           --           --           --
                                      Sitka.................         0.54           --           --           --
                                      SEAK..................         0.44           --           --           --
                                      EGOAxSE...............         0.34           --           --           --
                                      Homer.................         0.65           --           --           --
                                      Seward................         0.43           --           --           --
                                      CGOA..................         0.46           --           --           --
                                      GOA...................         0.44           --           --           --
                                      AK....................         0.44           --           --           --
                                      ALL...................         0.44           --           --           --
Skate, Alaska (703).................  GOA...................         0.41           --           --           --
                                      AK....................         0.41           --           --           --
                                      ALL...................         0.41           --           --           --
Skate, Big (702)....................  EGOAxSE...............         0.41           --           --           --
                                      EGOA..................         0.41           --           --           --
                                      Kodiak................         0.45         0.45         0.45           --
                                      Seward................         0.40           --           --           --
                                      CGOA..................         0.44         0.45         0.45           --

[[Page 89909]]

 
                                      GOA...................         0.44         0.45         0.45           --
                                      AK....................         0.44         0.45         0.45           --
                                      ALL...................         0.44         0.45         0.45           --
Skate, Longnose (701)...............  Petersburg............         0.40           --           --           --
                                      SEAK..................         0.40           --           --           --
                                      EGOAxSE...............         0.40           --           --           --
                                      Homer.................         0.36           --           --           --
                                      Kodiak................         0.45         0.45         0.45           --
                                      Seward................         0.40           --           --           --
                                      CGOA..................         0.43         0.45         0.45           --
                                      GOA...................         0.43         0.45         0.45           --
                                      AK....................         0.43         0.45         0.45           --
                                      ALL...................         0.43         0.45         0.45           --
Skate, Other (700)..................  GOA...................         0.32           --           --           --
                                      AK....................         0.35           --           --           --
                                      ALL...................         0.35           --           --           --
Squid (875).........................  Kodiak................           --           --         0.06         0.06
                                      CGOA..................           --           --         0.08         0.08
                                      GOA...................           --           --         0.08         0.08
                                      AK....................           --         0.03         0.07           --
                                      ALL...................           --         0.03         0.07           --
Starry Flounder (129)...............  Kodiak................           --         0.09           --         0.09
                                      CGOA..................           --         0.09           --         0.09
                                      GOA...................           --         0.09           --         0.09
                                      AK....................           --         0.09           --         0.09
                                      ALL...................           --         0.09           --         0.09
Thornyhead Rockfish (Idiots) (143)..  Juneau................         1.01           --           --           --
                                      Ketchikan.............         1.15           --           --           --
                                      Petersburg............         0.97           --           --           --
                                      SEAK..................         1.07           --           --           --
                                      EGOAxSE...............         0.74           --           --           --
                                      Homer.................         0.78           --           --           --
                                      Kodiak................         0.65         0.67           --         0.70
                                      Seward................         0.82           --           --           --
                                      CGOA..................         0.76         0.67           --         0.70
                                      WGOA..................         0.73           --           --           --
                                      GOA...................           --         0.68           --         0.71
                                      DH/Unalaska...........         0.75           --           --           --
                                      BS....................         0.72           --           --           --
                                      BSAI..................         0.69           --           --           --
                                      AK....................         0.84         0.68           --         0.71
                                      ALL...................         0.84         0.68           --         0.71
Tiger Rockfish (148)................  SEAK..................         0.47           --           --           --
                                      EGOAxSE...............         0.32           --           --           --
                                      Homer.................         0.42           --           --           --
                                      Seward................         0.40           --           --           --
                                      CGOA..................         0.40           --           --           --
                                      GOA...................         0.42           --           --           --
                                      AK....................         0.42           --           --           --
                                      ALL...................         0.42           --           --           --
Widow Rockfish (156)................  Sitka.................         0.46           --           --           --
                                      SEAK..................         0.46           --           --           --
                                      EGOA..................         0.46           --           --           --
                                      GOA...................         0.47           --           --           --
                                      AK....................         0.47           --           --           --
                                      ALL...................         0.47           --           --           --
Yelloweye Rockfish (145)............  Craig.................         1.33           --           --           --
                                      Ketchikan.............         1.40           --           --           --
                                      Petersburg............         1.11           --           --           --
                                      Sitka.................         1.76           --           --           --
                                      SEAK..................         1.58           --           --           --
                                      Cordova...............         1.01           --           --           --
                                      Whittier..............         0.85           --           --           --
                                      EGOAxSE...............         0.94           --           --           --
                                      Homer.................         0.80           --           --           --
                                      Kodiak................         0.40         0.25           --         0.25
                                      Seward................         0.58           --           --           --
                                      CGOA..................         0.60         0.25           --         0.25
                                      WGOA..................         0.45           --           --           --
                                      GOA...................           --         0.25           --         0.25
                                      BS....................         0.31           --           --           --

[[Page 89910]]

 
                                      BSAI..................         0.31           --           --           --
                                      AK....................         1.34         0.25           --         0.25
                                      ALL...................         1.34         0.25           --         0.25
Yellowtail Rockfish (155)...........  Sitka.................         0.48           --           --           --
                                      SEAK..................         0.48           --           --           --
                                      EGOA..................         0.48           --           --           --
                                      Homer.................         0.54           --           --           --
                                      Seward................         0.87           --           --           --
                                      CGOA..................         0.40           --           --           --
                                      GOA...................         0.42           --           --           --
                                      AK....................         0.42           --           --           --
                                      ALL...................         0.42           --           --           --
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- = no landings in last 3 years or the data is confidential.
\1\ If species is not listed, use price for the species group in Table 2 if it exists in the management area. If
  no price is available for the species or species group in Table 1, Table 2, or Table 3, no fee will be
  assessed on that landing. That species will come into standard ex-vessel prices in future years.
\2\ For species codes, see Table 2a to 50 CFR part 679.
\3\ Regulatory areas are defined at Sec.   679.2. (AI = Aleutian Islands subarea; AK = Alaska; ALL = all parts
  including those outside Alaska; BS = Bering Sea subarea; BSAI = Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands; CGOA = Central
  Gulf of Alaska; EGOA = Eastern Gulf of Alaska; EGOAxSE = Eastern Gulf of Alaska except Southeast Alaska; GOA =
  Gulf of Alaska; SEAK = Southeast Alaska; WGOA = Western Gulf of Alaska)
\4\ If a price is listed for the species, port, and gear type combination, that price will be applied to the
  round weight equivalent for groundfish landings. If no price is listed for the port and gear type combination,
  use port group and gear type, or see Table 2 or Table 3.
\5\ n/a = ex-vessel prices for sablefish landed with hook-and-line, pot, or jig gear are listed in Table 3 with
  the prices for IFQ and CDQ landings.


         Table 2--Standard Ex-Vessel Prices for Groundfish Species Groups for 2017 Observer Coverage Fee
                              [Based on volume and value from 2013, 2014, and 2015]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Species group \1\                    Port/area \2\ \3\         Non-trawl       NPT          PTR
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead Sole (FSOL)......................  Kodiak.......................           --        $0.16        $0.16
                                            CGOA.........................           --         0.16         0.15
                                            GOA..........................           --         0.16         0.12
                                            AK...........................           --         0.16         0.12
GOA Deep-water Flatfish \4\ (DFL4)........  Kodiak.......................           --         0.10         0.09
                                            CGOA.........................           --         0.10         0.09
                                            GOA..........................           --         0.10         0.09
GOA Shallow-water Flatfish \5\ (SFL1).....  Kodiak.......................           --         0.23         0.23
                                            CGOA.........................           --         0.23         0.23
                                            GOA..........................        $0.23         0.23         0.23
GOA Skate, Other (USKT)...................  EGOA.........................         0.40           --           --
                                            CGOA.........................         0.39           --           --
                                            GOA..........................         0.39           --           --
Other Rockfish \6\ \7\ (ROCK).............  Juneau.......................         0.42           --           --
                                            Ketchikan....................         0.33           --           --
                                            Petersburg...................         0.36           --           --
                                            Sitka........................         0.55           --           --
                                            SEAK.........................         0.46           --           --
                                            Cordova......................         0.83           --           --
                                            Whittier.....................         0.72           --           --
                                            EGOAxSE......................         0.78           --           --
                                            Homer........................         0.76           --           --
                                            Kodiak.......................         0.38         0.20         0.20
                                            Seward.......................         0.50           --           --
                                            CGOA.........................         0.53         0.20         0.20
                                            WGOA.........................         0.60           --           --
                                            GOA..........................           --         0.20         0.20
                                            DH/Unalaska..................         0.75           --           --
                                            BS...........................         0.72           --           --
                                            BSAI.........................         0.68           --           --
                                            AK...........................           --         0.20         0.20
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- = no landings in last 3 years or the data is confidential.
\1\ If groundfish species is not listed in Table 1, use price for the species group if it exists in the
  management area. If no price is available for the species or species group in Table 1, Table 2, or Table 3, no
  fee will be assessed on that landing. That species will come into standard ex-vessel prices in future years.
\2\ Regulatory areas are defined at Sec.   679.2. (AK = Alaska; BS = Bering Sea subarea; BSAI = Bering Sea/
  Aleutian Islands; CGOA = Central Gulf of Alaska; EGOA = Eastern Gulf of Alaska; EGOAxSE = Eastern Gulf of
  Alaska except Southeast Alaska; GOA = Gulf of Alaska; SEAK = Southeast Alaska; WGOA = Western Gulf of Alaska)
\3\ If a price is listed for the species, port, and gear type combination, that price will be applied to the
  round weight equivalent for groundfish landings. If no price is listed for the port and gear type combination,
  use port group and gear type combination.
\4\ ``Deep-water flatfish'' in the GOA means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, and deepsea sole.
\5\ ``Shallow-water flatfish'' in the GOA means flatfish not including ``deep-water flatfish,'' flathead sole,
  rex sole, or arrowtooth flounder.

[[Page 89911]]

 
\6\ In the GOA:
``Other rockfish (slope rockfish)'' means Sebastes aurora (aurora), S. melanostomus (blackgill), S. paucispinis
  (bocaccio), S. goodei (chilipepper), S. crameri (darkblotch), S. elongatus (greenstriped), S. variegatus
  (harlequin), S. wilsoni (pygmy), S. babcocki (redbanded), S. proriger (redstripe), S. zacentrus (sharpchin),
  S. jordani (shortbelly), S. brevispinis (silvergray), S. diploproa (splitnose), S. saxicola (stripetail), S.
  miniatus (vermilion), S. reedi (yellowmouth), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus (yellowtail).
``Demersal shelf rockfish'' means Sebastes pinniger (canary), S. nebulosus (china), S. caurinus (copper), S.
  maliger (quillback), S. helvomaculatus (rosethorn), S. nigrocinctus (tiger), and S. ruberrimus (yelloweye).
``Other rockfish'' in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas means other rockfish (slope rockfish) and
  demersal shelf rockfish.
``Other rockfish'' in the West Yakutat District of the EGOA means other rockfish (slope rockfish), northern
  rockfish (S. polyspinis), and demersal shelf rockfish.
``Other rockfish'' in the SEO District of the GOA (and SEAK for Table 2) means other rockfish (slope rockfish)
  and northern rockfish (S. polyspinis).
\7\ ``Other rockfish'' in the BSAI includes all Sebastes and Sebastolobus species except for Pacific ocean
  perch, northern, shortraker, and rougheye rockfish.


    Table 3--Standard Ex-Vessel Prices for Halibut IFQ, Halibut CDQ,
 Sablefish IFQ, and Sablefish Accruing Against the Fixed Gear Sablefish
                  CDQ Reserve for the 2017 Observer Fee
                    [Based on 2016 IFQ Buyer Report]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Species                   Port/area \1\        Price \2\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut (200).....................  Juneau..............           $6.75
                                    Ketchikan...........            6.80
                                    Petersburg..........            6.71
                                    Sitka...............            6.51
                                    SEAK................            6.69
                                    Cordova.............            6.87
                                    EGOAxSE.............            6.75
                                    Homer...............            7.19
                                    Kodiak..............            6.63
                                    Seward..............            6.96
                                    CGOA................            6.90
                                    WGOA................            6.18
                                    BS..................            6.02
                                    BSAI................            5.96
                                    AK..................            6.65
                                    ALL.................            6.65
Sablefish (710)...................  Ketchikan...........            4.48
                                    SEAK................            4.42
                                    EGOAxSE.............            3.90
                                    Homer...............            4.25
                                    Kodiak..............            4.15
                                    Seward..............            4.14
                                    CGOA................            4.15
                                    WGOA................            4.10
                                    BS..................            5.11
                                    BSAI................            5.10
                                    AK..................            4.25
                                    ALL.................            4.25
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Regulatory areas are defined at Sec.   679.2. (AK = Alaska; ALL =
  all ports including those outside Alaska; BS = Bering Sea subarea;
  BSAI = Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands; CGOA = Central Gulf of Alaska;
  EGOAxSE = Eastern Gulf of Alaska except Southeast Alaska; SEAK =
  Southeast Alaska; WGOA = Western Gulf of Alaska)
\2\ If a price is listed for the species and port combination, that
  price will be applied to the round weight equivalent for sablefish
  landings and the headed and gutted weight equivalent for halibut
  landings. If no price is listed for the port, use port group.

Halibut and Sablefish IFQ and CDQ Standard Ex-vessel Prices

    Table 3 shows the observer fee standard ex-vessel prices for 
halibut and sablefish. These standard prices are calculated as a single 
annual average price, by species and port or port group. Volume and ex-
vessel value data collected on the 2016 IFQ Buyer Report for landings 
made from October 1, 2015, through September 30, 2016, were used to 
calculate the standard ex-vessel prices for the 2017 observer fee for 
halibut IFQ, halibut CDQ, sablefish IFQ, and sablefish landings that 
accrue against the fixed gear sablefish CDQ reserve.

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

    Dated: December 8, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-29895 Filed 12-12-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P