[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 6 (Tuesday, January 10, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2916-2920]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-00260]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 150916863-6211-02]
RIN 0648-XF108


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason 
Adjustment to the 2017 Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Pollock, Atka 
Mackerel, and Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason adjustment; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is adjusting the 2017 total allowable catch (TAC) amounts 
for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) pollock, Atka mackerel, 
and Pacific cod fisheries. This action is necessary because NMFS has 
determined these TACs are incorrectly specified, and will ensure the 
BSAI pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific cod TACs are the appropriate 
amounts based on the best available scientific information. Also, NMFS 
is announcing the Aleutian Islands Catcher Vessel (CV) Harvest Set-
Aside and Bering Sea Trawl CV A-Season Sector Limitation will not be in 
effect for 2017, and TACs in this inseason adjustment will apply for 
2017. This action is consistent with the goals and objectives of the 
Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands Management Area.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 9, 
2017, until the effective date of the final 2017 and 2018 harvest 
specifications for BSAI groundfish, unless otherwise modified or 
superseded through publication of a notification in the Federal 
Register.
    Comments must be received at the following address no later than 
4:30 p.m., A.l.t., January 25, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by 
NOAA-NMFS-2015-0118, by any of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to 
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2015-0118, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to Glenn Merrill, Assistant 
Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region 
NMFS, Attn: Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, 
AK 99802-1668.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address), confidential business information, 
or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender 
will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter 
``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
BSAI exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan 
for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area 
(FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under 
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act. Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with 
the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
    The final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for groundfish in 
the BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016) set the 2017 Aleutian Island 
(AI) pollock TAC at 19,000 metric tons (mt), the 2017 Bering Sea (BS) 
pollock TAC at 1,340,643 mt, the 2017 BSAI Atka mackerel TAC at 55,000 
mt, the 2017 BS Pacific cod TAC at 238,680 mt, and the AI Pacific cod 
TAC at 12,839 mt. Also set was an AI pollock ABC of 36,664 and a 
Western Aleutian Island limit for Pacific cod at 26.3 percent of the AI 
Pacific cod TAC. In December 2016, the

[[Page 2917]]

North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) recommended a 2017 
BS pollock TAC of 1,345,000 mt, which is more than the 1,340,643 mt TAC 
established by the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for 
groundfish in the BSAI. The Council also recommended decreasing the AI 
pollock ABC to 36,061 mt from 36,664 mt. This in turn reduces some area 
and seasonal limits for AI pollock. The Council also recommended a 2017 
BSAI Atka mackerel TAC of 65,000 mt, which is more than the 55,000 mt 
TAC established by the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for 
groundfish in the BSAI. Furthermore, the Council recommended a 2017 BS 
Pacific cod TAC of 223,704 mt, and an AI Pacific cod TAC of 15,695 mt, 
which is less than the BS Pacific cod TAC of 238,680 mt, and more than 
the AI Pacific cod TAC of 12,839 mt established by the final 2016 and 
2017 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI. In addition to 
changes in TACs, the Council recommended changing the percentage limit 
of Western Aleutian Island Pacific cod to 25.6 percent of the AI 
Pacific cod ABC, from the 26.3 percent of the AI Pacific cod TAC. The 
Council's recommended 2017 TACs, and the area and seasonal 
apportionments, are based on the Stock Assessment and Fishery 
Evaluation report (SAFE), dated November 2016, which NMFS has 
determined is the best available scientific information for these 
fisheries.
    Amendment 113 to the FMP (81 FR 84434, November 23, 2016) and 
regulations at Sec.  679.20(a)(7)(viii) require NMFS to announce 
whether the Aleutian Islands incidental catch allowance, directed 
fishing allowance, CV Harvest Set-Aside, and Unrestricted Fishery, as 
well as the Bering Sea Trawl CV A-Season Sector Limitation will be in 
effect for 2017. NMFS received notification from Adak and Atka that 
neither will be processing Aleutian Islands Pacific cod in 2017. 
Therefore, the Pacific cod TACs in Table 9 of this inseason adjustment 
will be effective for 2017 and the harvest limits in Table 8A (81 FR 
84434, November 23, 2016) will not apply in 2017.
    Steller sea lions occur in the same location as the pollock, Atka 
mackerel, and Pacific cod fisheries and are listed as endangered under 
the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific 
cod are a principal prey species for Steller sea lions in the BSAI. The 
seasonal apportionment of pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific cod 
harvest is necessary to ensure the groundfish fisheries are not likely 
to cause jeopardy of extinction or adverse modification of critical 
habitat for Steller sea lions. NMFS published regulations and the 
revised harvest limit amounts for Atka mackerel, Pacific cod, and 
pollock fisheries to implement Steller sea lion protection measures to 
insure that groundfish fisheries of the BSAI are not likely to 
jeopardize the continued existence of the western distinct population 
segment of Steller sea lions or destroy or adversely modify their 
designated critical habitat (79 FR 70286, November 25, 2014). The 
regulations at Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(i) specify how the BS pollock TAC 
will be apportioned. The regulations at Sec.  679.20(a)(7) specify how 
the BSAI Pacific cod TAC will be apportioned. The regulations at Sec.  
679.20(a)(8) specify how the BSAI Atka mackerel TAC will be 
apportioned.
    In accordance with Sec.  679.25(a)(1)(iii), (a)(2)(i)(B), and 
(a)(2)(iv), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional 
Administrator), has determined that, based on the November 2016 SAFE 
report for this fishery, the current BSAI pollock, Atka mackerel, and 
Pacific cod TACs are incorrectly specified. Pursuant to Sec.  
679.25(a)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator is adjusting the 2017 BS 
pollock TAC to 1,345,000 mt, the 2017 BSAI Atka mackerel TAC to 65,000, 
the 2017 BS Pacific cod TAC to 223,704 mt, and the AI Pacific cod TAC 
to 15,695 mt. Therefore, Table 2 of the final 2016 and 2017 harvest 
specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016) 
is revised consistent with this adjustment.
    Pursuant to Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(i), Table 5 of the final 2016 and 
2017 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773, 
March 18, 2016) is revised for the 2017 BS allocations of pollock TAC 
to the directed pollock fisheries and to the Community Development 
Quota (CDQ) directed fishing allowances consistent with this 
adjustment. 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 541, the 2017 A season pollock harvest 
limit is no more than 30 percent, or 10,818 mt, of the AI ABC of 36,061 
mt. In Area 542, the 2017 A season pollock harvest limit is no more 
than 15 percent, or 5,409 mt, of the AI ABC of 36,061 mt. In Area 543, 
the 2017 A season pollock harvest limit is no more than 5 percent, or 
1,803 mt, of the AI pollock ABC of 36,061 mt.

    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\......           1,345,000                 n/a                 n/a                 n/a
CDQ DFA.........................             134,500              60,525              37,660              73,975
ICA \1\.........................              47,210                 n/a                 n/a                 n/a
Total Bering Sea non-CDQ DFA....           1,163,291             523,481             325,721             639,810
AFA Inshore.....................             581,645             261,740             162,861             319,905
AFA Catcher/Processors \3\......             465,316             209,392             130,289             255,924
    Catch by C/Ps...............             425,764             191,594                 n/a             234,170
    Catch by CVs \3\............              39,552              17,798                 n/a              21,754
    Unlisted C/P Limit \4\......               2,327               1,047                 n/a               1,280
AFA Motherships.................             116,329              52,348              32,572              63,981
Excessive Harvesting Limit \5\..             203,576                 n/a                 n/a                 n/a
Excessive Processing Limit \6\..             348,987                 n/a                 n/a                 n/a
Aleutian Islands subarea ABC....              36,061                 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              12,464                 n/a               2,236

[[Page 2918]]

 
Area harvest limit \7\
    541.........................              10,818                 n/a                 n/a                 n/a
    542.........................               5,409                 n/a                 n/a                 n/a
    543.........................               1,803                 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 (3.9 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, 45 percent of the DFA is
  allocated to the A season (January 20-June 10) and 55 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.

    Pursuant to Sec.  679.20(a)(8), Table 7 of the final 2016 and 2017 
harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 
18, 2016) is revised for the 2017 seasonal and spatial allowances, gear 
shares, CDQ reserve, incidental catch allowance, and Amendment 80 
allocation of the BSAI Atka mackerel TAC consistent with this 
adjustment.

 Table 7--Final 2017 Seasonal and Spatial Allowances, Gear Shares, CDQ Reserve, Incidental Catch Allowance, and
                             Amendment 80 Allocations 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     District \5\      District
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAC...................................  n/a.....................          34,500          18,000          12,500
CDQ reserve...........................  Total...................           3,692           1,926           1,338
                                        A.......................           1,846             963             669
                                        Critical Habitat........             n/a             578             401
                                        B.......................           1,846             963             669
                                        Critical Habitat........             n/a             578             401
Non-CDQ TAC...........................  n/a.....................          30,809          16,074          11,163
ICA...................................  Total...................           1,000              75              20
Jig \6\...............................  Total...................             149               0               0
BSAI trawl limited access.............  Total...................           2,966           1,600               0
                                        A.......................           1,483             800               0
                                        Critical Habitat........             n/a             480               0
                                        B.......................           1,483             800               0
                                        Critical Habitat........             n/a             480               0
Amendment 80 sectors..................  Total...................          26,694          14,399          11,143
                                        A.......................          13,347           7,200           5,571
                                        B.......................          13,347           7,200           5,571
Alaska Groundfish Cooperative.........  Total \6\...............          15,191           8,552           6,853
                                        A.......................           7,596           4,276           3,427
                                        Critical Habitat........             n/a           2,566           2,056
                                        B.......................           7,596           4,276           3,427
                                        Critical Habitat........             n/a           2,566           2,056
Alaska Seafood Cooperative............  Total \6\...............          11,502           5,847           4,290
                                        A.......................           5,751           2,924           2,145
                                        Critical Habitat........             n/a           1,754           1,287
                                        B.......................           5,751           2,924           2,145

[[Page 2919]]

 
                                        Critical Habitat........             n/a           1,754           1,287
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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.

    Pursuant to Sec.  679.20(a)(7), Table 9 of the final 2016 and 2017 
harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 
18, 2016) is revised for the 2017 gear shares and seasonal allowances 
of the BSAI Pacific cod TAC consistent with this adjustment.

               TABLE 9--Final 2017 Gear Shares and Seasonal Allowances of the BSAI Pacific Cod TAC
                                          [Amounts are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 2017 share of                     2017 seasonal apportionment
          Gear sector               Percent       gear sector    2017 share of ---------------------------------
                                                     total       sector total        Seasons          Amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BS TAC........................             n/a         223,704             n/a  n/a.............             n/a
BS CDQ........................             n/a          23,936             n/a  see Sec.                     n/a
                                                                                 679.20(a)(7)(i)
                                                                                 (B).
BS non-CDQ TAC................             n/a         199,768             n/a  n/a.............             n/a
AI TAC........................             n/a          15,695             n/a  n/a.............             n/a
AI CDQ........................             n/a           1,679             n/a  see Sec.                     n/a
                                                                                 679.20(a)(7)(i)
                                                                                 (B).
AI non-CDQ TAC................             n/a          14,016             n/a  n/a.............             n/a
Western Aleutian Island Limit.             n/a           4,018             n/a  n/a.............             n/a
Total BSAI non-CDQ TAC \1\....             100         213,783             n/a  n/a.............             n/a
Total hook-and-line/pot gear..            60.8         129,980             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         129,480             n/a  n/a.............             n/a
Hook-and-line catcher/                    48.7             n/a         103,712  Jan 1-Jun 10....          52,893
 processor.                                                                     Jun 10-Dec 31...          50,819
Hook-and-line catcher vessel               0.2             n/a             426  Jan 1-Jun 10....             217
 >=60 ft LOA.                                                                   Jun 10-Dec 31...             209
Pot catcher/processor.........             1.5             n/a           3,194  Jan 1-Jun 10....           1,629
                                                                                Sept 1-Dec 31...           1,565
Pot catcher vessel >=60 ft LOA             8.4             n/a          17,889  Jan 1-Jun 10....           9,123
                                                                                Sept 1-Dec 31...           8,765
Catcher vessel <60 ft LOA                    2             n/a           4,259  n/a.............             n/a
 using hook-and-line or pot
 gear.
Trawl catcher vessel..........            22.1          47,246             n/a  Jan 20-Apr 1....          34,962
                                                                                Apr 1-Jun 10....           5,197
                                                                                Jun 10-Nov 1....           7,087
AFA trawl catcher/processor...             2.3           4,917             n/a  Jan 20-Apr 1....           3,688
                                                                                Apr 1-Jun 10....           1,229
                                                                                Jun 10-Nov 1....               0
Amendment 80..................            13.4          28,647             n/a  Jan 20-Apr 1....          21,485
                                                                                Apr 1-Jun 10....           7,162
                                                                                Jun 10-Nov 1....               0
Alaska Groundfish Cooperative.             n/a             n/a           4,522  Jan 20-Apr 1....           3,392
                                                                                Apr 1-Jun 10....           1,131
                                                                                Jun 10-Dec 31...               0
Alaska Seafood Cooperative....             n/a             n/a          24,125  Jan 20-Apr 1....          18,094
                                                                                Apr 1-Jun 10....           6,031
                                                                                Jun 10-Dec 31...               0

[[Page 2920]]

 
Jig...........................             1.4           2,993             n/a  Jan 1-Apr 30....           1,796
                                                                                Apr 30-Aug 31...             599
                                                                                Aug 31-Dec 31...             599
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 2017
  based on anticipated incidental catch in these fisheries.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, 
NOAA (AA), finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior 
notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set 
forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest. This requirement is impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest as it would prevent NMFS from 
responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and 
would allow for harvests that exceed the appropriate allocations for 
pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific cod in the BSAI based on the best 
scientific information available. NMFS was unable to publish a notice 
providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant 
data only became available as of December 20, 2016, and additional time 
for prior public comment would result in conservation concerns for the 
ESA-listed Steller sea lions.
    The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the 
effective date of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This finding is 
based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and 
opportunity for public comment.
    Under Sec.  679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to submit 
written comments on this action to the above address until January 25, 
2017.
    This action is required by Sec.  679.20 and Sec.  679.25 and is 
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: January 4, 2017.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-00260 Filed 1-9-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P