[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 41 (Thursday, March 1, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8768-8801]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-04124]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 170816769-8162-02]
RIN 0648-XF633


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of 
Alaska; Final 2018 and 2019 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish

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

ACTION: Final rule; harvest specifications and closures.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications, 
apportionments, and Pacific halibut prohibited species catch limits for 
the groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is 
necessary to establish harvest limits for groundfish during the 2018 
and 2019 fishing years and to accomplish the goals and objectives of 
the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska. The 
intended effect of this action is to conserve and manage the groundfish 
resources in the GOA in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act.

DATES: Harvest specifications and closures are effective at 1200 hours, 
Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 1, 2018, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., 
December 31, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the Final Alaska Groundfish Harvest 
Specifications Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Record of Decision 
(ROD), the Supplementary Information Report (SIR) to the EIS, and the 
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) prepared for this action 
are available from http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. The final 2017 
Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) report for the 
groundfish resources of the GOA, dated November 2017, is 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 website at http://www.npfmc.org.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the GOA groundfish fisheries in 
the exclusive economic zone of the GOA under the Fishery Management 
Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP). The Council prepared 
the FMP under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act, 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Regulations 
governing U.S. fisheries and implementing the FMP appear at 50 CFR 
parts 600, 679, and 680.
    The FMP and its implementing regulations require NMFS, after 
consultation with the Council, to specify the total allowable catch 
(TAC) for each target species, the sum of which must be within the 
optimum yield (OY) range of 116,000 to 800,000 metric tons (mt) (50 CFR 
679.20(a)(1)(i)(B)). Section 679.20(c)(1) further requires NMFS to 
publish and solicit public comment on proposed annual TACs and 
apportionments thereof, Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) 
limits, and seasonal allowances of pollock and Pacific cod. Upon 
consideration of public comment received under Sec.  679.20(c)(1), NMFS 
must publish notice of final harvest specifications for up to two 
fishing years as annual TACs and apportionments, Pacific halibut PSC 
limits, and seasonal allowances of pollock and Pacific cod, per Sec.  
679.20(c)(3)(ii). The final harvest specifications set forth in Tables 
1 through 30 of this rule reflect the outcome of this process, as 
required at Sec.  679.20(c).
    The proposed 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for groundfish of 
the GOA and Pacific halibut PSC limits were published in the Federal 
Register on December 8, 2017 (82 FR 57924). Comments were invited and 
accepted through January 8, 2018. NMFS received two letters of comment 
on the proposed harvest specifications; the comments are summarized and 
responded to in the ``Response to Comments'' section of this rule. In 
December 2017, NMFS consulted with the Council regarding

[[Page 8769]]

the 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications. After considering public 
testimony, as well as biological and socioeconomic data that were 
available at the Council's December 2017 meeting, NMFS is implementing 
the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications, as recommended by the 
Council. For 2018, the sum of the TAC amounts is 427,512 mt. For 2019, 
the sum of the TAC amounts is 376,417 mt.

Other Actions Potentially Affecting the 2018 and 2019 Harvest 
Specifications

Amendment 106: Reclassify Squid as an Ecosystem Species

    In June 2017, the Council recommended for Secretarial review 
Amendment 106 to the FMP. Amendment 106 would reclassify squid in the 
FMP as an ``Ecosystem Component Species,'' which is a category of non-
target species that are not in need of conservation and management. 
Currently, NMFS annually sets an Overfishing Level (OFL), Acceptable 
Biological Catch (ABC), and TAC for squid in the GOA groundfish harvest 
specifications. Under Amendment 106, OFL, ABC, and TAC specifications 
would no longer be required. Proposed regulations to implement 
Amendment 106 would prohibit directed fishing for squid, require 
recordkeeping and reporting to monitor and report catch of squid 
species annually, and establish a squid maximum retainable amount when 
directed fishing for groundfish species at 20 percent to discourage 
retention, while allowing flexibility to prosecute groundfish 
fisheries. Further details will be available on publication of the 
proposed rule for Amendment 106. If Amendment 106 and its implementing 
regulations are approved by the Secretary of Commerce, Amendment 106 
and its implementing regulations are anticipated to be effective by 
2019. Until Amendment 106 is effective, NMFS will continue to publish 
OFLs, ABCs, and TACs for squid in the GOA groundfish harvest 
specifications.

ABC and TAC Specifications

    In December 2017, the Council, its Advisory Panel (AP), and its 
Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) reviewed the most recent 
biological and harvest information about the condition of groundfish 
stocks in the GOA. This information was compiled by the Council's GOA 
Groundfish Plan Team and was presented in the draft 2017 SAFE report 
for the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated November 2017 (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 GOA ecosystem and 
the economic condition of the groundfish fisheries off Alaska. From 
these data and analyses, the Plan Team recommends an OFL and ABC for 
each species or species group. The 2017 SAFE report was made available 
for public review during the public comment period for the proposed 
harvest specifications.
    In previous years, the greatest changes from the proposed to the 
final harvest specifications have been based on recent NMFS stock 
surveys, which provide updated estimates of stock biomass and spatial 
distribution, and changes to the models used for producing stock 
assessments. At the November 2017 Plan Team meeting, NMFS scientists 
presented updated and new survey results, changes to stock assessment 
models, and accompanying stock assessment estimates for groundfish 
species and species groups that are included in the final 2017 SAFE 
report per the stock assessment schedule found in the 2017 SAFE report 
introduction. The SSC reviewed this information at the December 2017 
Council meeting. Changes from the proposed to the final 2018 and 2019 
harvest specifications are discussed below.
    The final 2018 and 2019 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs are based on the best 
available biological and socioeconomic information, including projected 
biomass trends, information on assumed distribution of stock biomass, 
and revised methods used to calculate stock biomass. The FMP specifies 
the formulas, or tiers, to be used to compute OFLs and ABCs. The 
formulas applicable to a particular stock or stock complex are 
determined by the level of reliable information available to fisheries 
scientists. This information is categorized into a successive series of 
six tiers to define OFL and ABC amounts, with Tier 1 representing the 
highest level of information quality available and Tier 6 representing 
the lowest level of information quality available. The Plan Team used 
the FMP tier structure to calculate OFL and ABC amounts for each 
groundfish species. The SSC adopted the final 2018 and 2019 OFLs and 
ABCs recommended by the Plan Team for all groundfish species. The 
Council adopted the SSC's OFL and ABC recommendations and the AP's TAC 
recommendations, with one exception for the arrowtooth flounder TAC, 
discussed below. The final TAC recommendations were based on the ABCs 
as adjusted for other biological and socioeconomic considerations, 
including maintaining the sum of all TACs within the required OY range 
of 116,000 to 800,000 mt.
    The Council recommended 2018 and 2019 TACs that are equal to ABCs 
for pollock in the Southeast Outside (SEO) District, sablefish, 
shallow-water flatfish in the Central GOA and the West Yakutat and SEO 
Districts, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, flathead sole in the West 
Yakutat and SEO Districts, Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish, 
shortraker rockfish, dusky rockfish, rougheye and blackspotted 
rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish, thornyhead rockfish, ``other 
rockfish'' in the Western and Central GOA and the West Yakutat 
District, big skate, longnose skate, other skates, sculpins, sharks, 
squids, and octopuses in the GOA. The Council recommended TACs for 2018 
and 2019 that are less than the ABCs for pollock in the Western and 
Central GOA and the West Yakutat District, Pacific cod, shallow-water 
flatfish in the Western GOA, arrowtooth flounder, flathead sole in the 
Western and Central GOA, ``other rockfish'' in the SEO District, and 
Atka mackerel. The combined Western, Central, and West Yakutat pollock 
TACs and the GOA Pacific cod TACs are set to accommodate the State of 
Alaska's (State's) guideline harvest levels (GHLs) for Pacific cod so 
that the ABCs are not exceeded. The shallow-water flatfish, arrowtooth 
flounder, and flathead sole TACs are set to allow for increased harvest 
opportunities for these target species while conserving the halibut PSC 
limit for use in other, more fully utilized fisheries. The ``other 
rockfish'' TAC in the SEO District is set to reduce the amount of 
discards of the species in that complex. The Atka mackerel TAC is set 
to accommodate incidental catch amounts in other fisheries.
    As noted in the proposed 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for 
the GOA, the 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod OFL, ABC, and TAC is 
significantly lower than the 2018 Pacific cod OFL, ABC, and TAC 
published in the final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications (82 FR 
12032, February 27, 2017). Based on the final 2017 Pacific cod stock 
assessment, the 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod OFL and ABC is much lower 
than previously estimated. The final 2018 Pacific cod ABC and TAC is 
18,000 mt and 13,096 mt, respectively, and the final 2019 Pacific cod 
ABC and TAC is 17,000 mt and 12,368 mt, respectively. The TACs are the 
basis for numerous seasonal and sector apportionments of Pacific cod, 
and such apportionments are significantly decreased as well. The final 
seasonal and sector

[[Page 8770]]

apportionments of Pacific cod TACs are provided in Tables 5 and 6 in 
this rule.
    The final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications approved by the 
Secretary are unchanged from those recommended by the Council and are 
consistent with the preferred harvest strategy alternative in the EIS 
(see ADDRESSES). NMFS finds that the Council's recommended OFLs, ABCs, 
and TACs are consistent with the biological condition of the groundfish 
stocks as described in the final 2017 SAFE report. NMFS also finds that 
the Council's recommendations for OFLs, ABCs, and TACs are consistent 
with the biological condition of groundfish stocks as adjusted for 
other biological and socioeconomic considerations, including 
maintaining the total TAC within the OY range. NMFS reviewed the 
Council's recommended TAC specifications and apportionments, and NMFS 
approves these harvest specifications under 50 CFR 679.20(c)(3)(ii). 
The apportionment of TAC amounts among gear types and sectors, 
processing sectors, and seasons is discussed below.
    Tables 1 and 2 list the final 2018 and 2019 OFLs, ABCs, TACs, and 
area apportionments of groundfish in the GOA. The sums of the 2018 and 
2019 ABCs are 536,921 mt and 480,187 mt, respectively, which are lower 
than the 2017 ABC sum of 667,877 mt (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017). 
The 2018 harvest specifications set in this final action will supersede 
the 2018 harvest specifications previously set in the final 2017 and 
2018 harvest specifications (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017). The 2019 
harvest specifications will be superseded in early 2019 when the final 
2019 and 2020 harvest specifications are published. Pursuant to this 
final action, the 2018 harvest specifications therefore will apply for 
the remainder of the current year (2018), while the 2019 harvest 
specifications are projected only for the following year (2019) and 
will be superseded in early 2019 by the final 2019 and 2020 harvest 
specifications. Because this final action (published in early 2018) 
will be superseded in early 2019 by the publication of the final 2019 
and 2020 harvest specifications, it is projected that this final action 
will implement the harvest specifications for the Gulf of Alaska for 
approximately one year.

Specification and Apportionment of TAC Amounts

    NMFS' apportionment of groundfish species is based on the 
distribution of biomass among the regulatory areas over which NMFS 
manages the species. Additional regulations govern the apportionment of 
pollock, Pacific cod, and sablefish. Additional detail on the 
apportionment of pollock, Pacific cod, and sablefish are described 
below.
    The ABC for the pollock stock in the combined Western, Central, and 
West Yakutat Regulatory Areas (W/C/WYK) includes the amount for the GHL 
established by the State for the Prince William Sound (PWS) pollock 
fishery. The Plan Team, SSC, AP, and Council have recommended that the 
sum of all State and Federal water pollock removals from the GOA not 
exceed ABC recommendations. For 2018 and 2019, the SSC recommended and 
the Council approved the W/C/WYK pollock ABC, including the amount to 
account for the State's PWS GHL. At the November 2017 Plan Team 
meeting, State fisheries managers recommended setting the PWS GHL at 
2.5 percent of the annual W/C/WYK pollock ABC. For 2018, this yields a 
PWS pollock GHL of 4,037 mt, a decrease of 1,057 mt from the 2017 PWS 
GHL of 5,094 mt. For 2019, the PWS pollock GHL is 2,664 mt, a decrease 
of 2,430 mt from the 2017 PWS pollock GHL of 5,094 mt. After the GHL 
reductions, the 2018 and 2019 pollock ABC for the combined W/C/WYK 
areas is then apportioned between four statistical areas (Areas 610, 
620, 630, and 640) as both ABCs and TACs, as described below and 
detailed in Tables 1 and 2. The total ABCs and TACs for the four 
statistical areas, plus the State GHL, do not exceed the combined W/C/
WYK ABC.
    Apportionments of pollock to the W/C/WYK management areas are 
considered to be ``apportionments of annual catch limits (ACLs)'' 
rather than ``ABCs.'' This more accurately reflects that such 
apportionments address management, rather than biological or 
conservation, concerns. In addition, apportionments of the ACL in this 
manner allow NMFS to balance any transfer of TAC among Areas 610, 620, 
and 630 pursuant to Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B) to ensure that the area-
wide ACL and ABC are not exceeded.
    NMFS establishes pollock TACs in the Western (Area 610) and Central 
(Areas 620 and 630) GOA and the West Yakutat (Area 640) and the SEO 
(Area 650) Districts of the GOA (see Tables 1 and 2). NMFS also 
establishes seasonal apportionments of the annual pollock TAC in the 
Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA among Statistical Areas 
610, 620, and 630. These apportionments are divided equally among each 
of the following four seasons: The A season (January 20 through March 
10), the B season (March 10 through May 31), the C season (August 25 
through October 1), and the D season (October 1 through November 1) 
(Sec. Sec.  679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), and 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A) and 
(B)). Additional detail is provided in this rule; Tables 3 and 4 list 
these amounts.
    The 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod TACs are set to accommodate the 
State's GHL for Pacific cod in State waters in the Western and Central 
Regulatory Areas, as well as in PWS. The Plan Team, SSC, AP, and 
Council recommended that the sum of all State and Federal water Pacific 
cod removals from the GOA not exceed ABC recommendations. Accordingly, 
the Council set the 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod TACs in the Western, 
Central, and Eastern Regulatory Areas to account for State GHLs. 
Therefore, the 2018 Pacific cod TACs are less than the ABCs by the 
following amounts: (1) Western GOA, 2,425 mt; (2) Central GOA, 2,030 
mt; and (3) Eastern GOA, 450 mt. The 2019 Pacific cod TACs are less 
than the ABCs by the following amounts: (1) Western GOA, 2,290 mt; (2) 
Central GOA, 1,917 mt; and (3) Eastern GOA, 425 mt. These amounts 
reflect the State's 2018 and 2019 GHLs in these areas, which are 30 
percent of the Western GOA ABC and 25 percent of the Eastern and 
Central GOA ABCs.
    NMFS establishes seasonal apportionments of the annual Pacific cod 
TAC in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas. Sixty percent of the 
annual TAC is apportioned to the A season for hook-and-line, pot, and 
jig gear from January 1 through June 10, and for trawl gear from 
January 20 through June 10. Forty percent of the annual TAC is 
apportioned to the B season for jig gear from June 10 through December 
31, for hook-and-line and pot gear from September 1 through December 
31, and for trawl gear from September 1 through November 1 (Sec. Sec.  
679.23(d)(3) and 679.20(a)(12)). The Western and Central GOA Pacific 
cod TACs are allocated among various gear and operational sectors. The 
Pacific cod sector apportionments are discussed in detail in a 
subsequent section and in Tables 5 and 6 of this rule.
    The Council's recommendation for sablefish area apportionments 
takes into account the prohibition on the use of trawl gear in the SEO 
District of the Eastern Regulatory Area (Sec.  679.7(b)(1)) and makes 
available five percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area TACs to 
vessels using trawl gear for use as incidental catch in other 
groundfish fisheries in the WYK District (Sec.  679.20(a)(4)(i)). 
Tables 7 and 8 list the final 2018 and 2019 allocations of sablefish 
TAC to fixed gear and trawl gear in the GOA.

[[Page 8771]]

Changes From the Proposed 2018 and 2019 Harvest Specifications in the 
GOA

    In October 2017, the Council's recommendations for the proposed 
2018 and 2019 harvest specifications (82 FR 57924, December 8, 2017) 
were based largely on information contained in the final 2016 SAFE 
report for the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated November 2016. The final 
2016 SAFE report for the GOA is available from the Council (see 
ADDRESSES). The Council proposed that the final OFLs, ABCs, and TACs 
established for the 2018 groundfish fisheries (82 FR 12032, February 
27, 2017) be used for the proposed 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications 
(82 FR 57924, December 8, 2017), pending completion and review of the 
final 2017 SAFE report at its December 2017 meeting.
    As described previously, the SSC adopted the final 2018 and 2019 
OFLs and ABCs recommended by the Plan Team. The Council adopted the 
SSC's OFL and ABC recommendations and the AP's TAC recommendations for 
2018 and 2019, with one exception for the Central GOA arrowtooth 
flounder TAC. The AP recommended 2018 and 2019 arrowtooth flounder TACs 
of 73,480 mt and 70,700 mt, respectively. The Council revised this TAC 
recommendation to 48,000 mt for both 2018 and 2019. The Council's 
rationale included a concern that a higher arrowtooth flounder TAC 
would result in bycatch concerns, and that lower arrowtooth flounder 
TACs than those recommended by the AP are appropriate because catch 
rarely, if ever, approach the proposed ABCs or TACs. Also, the Council 
set this TAC to allow for increased harvest opportunities while 
conserving the halibut PSC limit for use in other, more fully utilized 
fisheries.
    The final 2018 ABCs are higher than the proposed 2018 ABCs 
published in the proposed 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications (82 FR 
57924, December 8, 2017) for pollock, sablefish, shallow-water 
flatfish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, Pacific ocean perch, northern 
rockfish, dusky rockfish, rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, demersal 
shelf rockfish, thornyhead rockfish, and longnose skate. The final 2018 
ABCs are lower than the proposed 2018 ABCs for Pacific cod, arrowtooth 
flounder, flathead sole, shortraker rockfish, other rockfish, big 
skate, other skates, sculpins, squids, and octopuses.
    The final 2019 ABCs are higher than the proposed ABCs for 
sablefish, shallow-water flatfish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, 
flathead sole, Pacific ocean perch, rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, 
demersal shelf rockfish, thornyhead rockfish, and longnose skate. The 
final 2019 ABCs are lower than the proposed 2019 ABCs for pollock, 
Pacific cod, arrowtooth flounder, northern rockfish, shortraker 
rockfish, dusky rockfish, other rockfish, big skates, other skates, 
sculpins, squids, and octopuses. For the remaining target species (Atka 
mackerel and sharks), the Council recommended the final 2018 and 2019 
ABCs that are the same as the proposed 2018 and 2019 ABCs.
    Additional information explaining the changes between the proposed 
and final ABCs is included in the final 2017 SAFE report, which was not 
available when the Council made its proposed ABC and TAC 
recommendations in October 2017. At that time, the most recent stock 
assessment information was contained in the final 2016 SAFE report. The 
final 2017 SAFE report contains the best and most recent scientific 
information on the condition of the groundfish stocks, as previously 
discussed in this preamble, and is available for review (see 
ADDRESSES). The Council considered the final 2017 SAFE report in 
December 2017 when it made recommendations for the final 2018 and 2019 
harvest specifications. In the GOA, the total final 2018 TAC amount is 
427,512 mt, a decrease of 8 percent from the total proposed 2018 TAC 
amount of 465,832 mt. The total final 2019 TAC amount is 376,417 mt, a 
decrease of 19 percent from the total proposed 2019 TAC amount of 
465,832 mt. Table 1a summarizes the difference between the proposed and 
final TACs.
    Annual stock assessments incorporate a variety of new or revised 
inputs, such as survey data or catch information, as well as changes to 
the statistical models used to estimate a species' biomass and 
population trend. The biennial GOA trawl survey was conducted in 2017. 
Thus, changes to biomass and ABC estimates are based on survey biomass 
information, as well as fishery catch updates to species' assessment 
models. Some species, such as pollock and sablefish, have additional 
surveys conducted on an annual basis, which result in additional data 
being available for the assessments for these stocks.
    The changes from the proposed 2018 TACs to the final 2018 TACs are 
within a range of plus 83 percent or minus 80 percent, and the changes 
from the proposed 2019 TACs to the final 2019 TACs are within a range 
of plus 73 percent or minus 80 percent. Based on changes in the 
estimates of overall biomass made by stock assessment scientists for 
2018 and 2019, as compared to the estimates previously made for 2017 
and 2018, the species or species group with the greatest TAC percentage 
increases are sablefish, shallow-water flatfish, rex sole, Pacific 
ocean perch, rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, demersal shelf 
rockfish, and longnose skates. Based on changes in the estimates of 
biomass, the species or species group with the greatest decreases in 
TACs are Pacific cod, arrowtooth flounder, shortraker rockfish, big 
skate, other skates, and octopuses. For all other species and species 
groups, changes from the proposed 2018 TACs to the final 2018 TACs and 
changes from the proposed 2019 TACs to the final 2019 TACs are less 
than a 10 percent change (either increase or decrease). These TAC 
changes correspond to associated changes in the ABCs and TACs, as 
recommended by the SSC, AP, and Council.
    Detailed information providing the basis for the changes described 
above is contained in the final 2017 SAFE report. The final TACs are 
based on the best scientific information available. These TACs are 
specified in compliance with the harvest strategy described in the 
proposed and final rules for the 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications. 
The changes in TACs between the proposed rule and this final rule are 
compared in Table 1a.

                                Table 1a--Comparison of Proposed and Final 2018 and 2019 GOA Total Allowable Catch Limits
                                              [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentage]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            2018 Final                                      2019 Final
                 Species                   2018 and 2019  2018 Final TAC    minus 2018      Percentage    2019 Final TAC    minus 2019      Percentage
                                           Proposed TAC                    proposed TAC     difference                     proposed TAC     difference
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock.................................         163,479         166,228           2,749               2         112,678         -50,801             -31
Pacific cod.............................          40,069          13,096         -26,973             -67          12,368         -27,701             -69
Sablefish...............................          10,207          11,505           1,298              13          16,194           5,987              59
Shallow-water flatfish..................          36,979          42,732           5,753              16          43,128           6,149              17

[[Page 8772]]

 
Deep-water flatfish.....................           9,382           9,385               3               0           9,499             117               1
Rex sole................................           8,421          15,373           6,952              83          14,529           6,108              73
Arrowtooth flounder.....................         103,300          76,300         -27,000             -26          76,300         -27,000             -26
Flathead sole...........................          27,920          26,388          -1,532              -5          26,487          -1,433              -5
Pacific ocean perch.....................          23,454          29,236           5,782              25          28,605           5,151              22
Northern rockfish.......................           3,508           3,681             173               5           3,347            -161              -5
Shortraker rockfish.....................           1,286             863            -423             -33             864            -422             -33
Dusky rockfish..........................           3,954           3,957               3               0           3,668            -286              -7
Rougheye rockfish.......................           1,318           1,444             126              10           1,427             109               8
Demersal shelf rockfish.................             227             250              23              10             250              23              10
Thornyhead rockfish.....................           1,961           2,038              77               4           2,038              77               4
Other rockfish..........................           2,308           2,305              -3               0           2,305              -3               0
Atka mackerel...........................           3,000           3,000               0               0           3,000               0               0
Big skate...............................           3,814           2,848            -966             -25           2,848            -966             -25
Longnose skate..........................           3,206           3,572             366              11           3,572             366              11
Other skates............................           1,919           1,384            -535             -28           1,384            -535             -28
Sculpins................................           5,591           5,301            -290              -5           5,301            -290              -5
Sharks..................................           4,514           4,514               0               0           4,514               0               0
Squids..................................           1,137           1,137               0               0           1,137               0               0
Octopuses...............................           4,878             975          -3,903             -80             975          -3,903             -80
                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total...............................         465,832         427,512         -38,320              -8         376,418         -89,414             -19
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The final 2018 and 2019 TAC recommendations for the GOA are within 
the OY range established for the GOA and do not exceed the ABC for any 
species or species group. Tables 1 and 2 list the final OFL, ABC, and 
TAC amounts for GOA groundfish for 2018 and 2019, respectively.

 Table 1--Final 2018 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs of Groundfish for the Western/Central/West Yakutat, Western, Central,
   Eastern Regulatory Areas, and in the West Yakutat, Southeast Outside, and Gulfwide Districts of the Gulf of
                                                     Alaska
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Species                               Area \1\                    OFL             ABC       TAC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock \2\..............................  Shumagin (610)..................             n/a          30,188  30,
                                                                                                             188
                                           Chirikof (620)..................             n/a          79,495  79,
                                                                                                             495
                                           Kodiak (630)....................             n/a          40,939  40,
                                                                                                             939
                                           WYK (640).......................             n/a           6,833  6,8
                                                                                                             33
                                           W/C/WYK (subtotal) \2\..........         187,059         161,492  157
                                                                                                             ,45
                                                                                                              5
                                           SEO (650).......................          11,697           8,773  8,7
                                                                                                             73
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Total........................         198,756         170,265  166
                                                                                                             ,22
                                                                                                              8
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod \3\..........................  W...............................             n/a           8,082  5,6
                                                                                                             57
                                           C...............................             n/a           8,118  6,0
                                                                                                             89
                                           E...............................             n/a           1,800  1,3
                                                                                                             50
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Total........................          23,565          18,000  13,
                                                                                                             096
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish \4\............................  W...............................             n/a           1,544  1,5
                                                                                                             44
                                           C...............................             n/a           5,158  5,1
                                                                                                             58
                                           WYK.............................             n/a           1,829  1,8
                                                                                                             29
                                           SEO.............................             n/a           2,974  2,9
                                                                                                             74
                                           E (WYK and SEO) (subtotal)......             n/a           4,803  4,8
                                                                                                             03
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Total........................          22,703          11,505  11,
                                                                                                             505
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shallow-water flatfish \5\...............  W...............................             n/a          25,206  13,
                                                                                                             250
                                           C...............................             n/a          25,315  25,
                                                                                                             315
                                           WYK.............................             n/a           2,242  2,2
                                                                                                             42
                                           SEO.............................             n/a           1,925  1,9
                                                                                                             25
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Total........................          67,240          54,688  42,
                                                                                                             732
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deep-water flatfish \6\..................  W...............................             n/a             413  413
                                           C...............................             n/a           3,400  3,4
                                                                                                             00

[[Page 8773]]

 
                                           WYK.............................             n/a           3,239  3,2
                                                                                                             39
                                           SEO.............................             n/a           2,332  2,3
                                                                                                             32
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Total........................          11,294           9,385  9,3
                                                                                                             85
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rex sole.................................  W...............................             n/a           3,086  3,0
                                                                                                             86
                                           C...............................             n/a           8,739  8,7
                                                                                                             39
                                           WYK.............................             n/a           1,737  1,7
                                                                                                             37
                                           SEO.............................             n/a           1,811  1,8
                                                                                                             11
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Total........................          18,706          15,373  15,
                                                                                                             373
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth flounder......................  W...............................             n/a          37,253  14,
                                                                                                             500
                                           C...............................             n/a          73,480  48,
                                                                                                             000
                                           WYK.............................             n/a          16,468  6,9
                                                                                                             00
                                           SEO.............................  ..............          23,744  6,9
                                                                                                             00
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Total........................         180,697         150,945  76,
                                                                                                             300
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead sole............................  W...............................             n/a          12,690  8,6
                                                                                                             50
                                           C...............................             n/a          20,238  15,
                                                                                                             400
                                           WYK.............................             n/a           1,932  1,9
                                                                                                             32
                                           SEO.............................             n/a             406  406
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Total........................          43,011          35,266  26,
                                                                                                             388
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch \7\..................  W...............................             n/a           3,312  3,3
                                                                                                             12
                                           C...............................             n/a          20,112  20,
                                                                                                             112
                                           WYK.............................             n/a           3,371  3,3
                                                                                                             71
                                           W/C/WYK subtotal................          31,860          26,795  26,
                                                                                                             795
                                           SEO.............................           2,902           2,441  2,4
                                                                                                             41
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Total........................          34,762          29,236  29,
                                                                                                             236
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern rockfish \8\....................  W...............................             n/a             420  420
                                           C...............................             n/a           3,261  3,2
                                                                                                             61
                                           E...............................             n/a               4  ...
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Total........................           4,380           3,685  3,6
                                                                                                             81
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortraker rockfish \9\..................  W...............................             n/a              44  44
                                           C...............................             n/a             305  305
                                           E...............................             n/a             514  514
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Total........................           1,151             863  863
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dusky rockfish \10\......................  W...............................             n/a             146  146
                                           C...............................             n/a           3,502  3,5
                                                                                                             02
                                           WYK.............................             n/a             232  232
                                           SEO.............................             n/a              77  77
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Total........................           4,841           3,957  3,9
                                                                                                             57
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rougheye and Blackspotted rockfish \11\..  W...............................             n/a             176  176
                                           C...............................             n/a             556  556
                                           E...............................             n/a             712  712
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Total........................           1,735           1,444  1,4
                                                                                                             44
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demersal shelf rockfish \12\.............  SEO.............................             394             250  250
Thornyhead rockfish......................  W...............................             n/a             344  344
                                           C...............................             n/a             921  921
                                           E...............................             n/a             773  773
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Total........................           2,717           2,038  2,0
                                                                                                             38
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other rockfish 13 14.....................  W and C.........................             n/a           1,737  1,7
                                                                                                             37
                                           WYK.............................             n/a             368  368
                                           SEO.............................             n/a           3,489  200
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 8774]]

 
                                              Total........................           7,356           5,594  2,3
                                                                                                             05
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel............................  GW..............................           6,200           4,700  3,0
                                                                                                             00
Big skate \15\...........................  W...............................             n/a             504  504
                                           C...............................             n/a           1,774  1,7
                                                                                                             74
                                           E...............................             n/a             570  570
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Total........................           3,797           2,848  2,8
                                                                                                             48
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longnose skate \16\......................  W...............................             n/a             149  149
                                           C...............................             n/a           2,804  2,8
                                                                                                             04
                                           E...............................             n/a             619  619
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Total........................           4,763           3,572  3,5
                                                                                                             72
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other skates \17\........................  GW..............................           1,845           1,384  1,3
                                                                                                             84
Sculpins.................................  GW..............................           6,958           5,301  5,3
                                                                                                             01
Sharks...................................  GW..............................           6,020           4,514  4,5
                                                                                                             14
Squids...................................  GW..............................           1,516           1,137  1,1
                                                                                                             37
Octopus..................................  GW..............................           1,300             975  975
                                                                            ------------------------------------
     Total...............................  ................................         655,707         536,921  427
                                                                                                             ,51
                                                                                                              2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Regulatory areas and districts are defined at Sec.   679.2. (W = Western Gulf of Alaska; C = Central Gulf of
  Alaska; E = Eastern Gulf of Alaska; WYK = West Yakutat District; SEO = Southeast Outside District; GW = Gulf-
  wide).
\2\ The total for the W/C/WYK Regulatory Areas pollock ABC is 161,492 mt. After deducting 2.5 percent (4,037 mt)
  of that ABC for the State's pollock GHL fishery, the remaining pollock ABC of 157,455 mt (for the W/C/WYK
  Regulatory Areas) is apportioned among four statistical areas (Areas 610, 620, 630, and 640). These
  apportionments are considered subarea ACLs, rather than ABCs, for specification and reapportionment purposes.
  The ACLs in Areas 610, 620, and 630 are further divided by season, as detailed in Table 3 (final 2018 seasonal
  biomass distribution of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, area apportionments, and seasonal
  allowances). In the West Yakutat (Area 640) and Southeast Outside (Area 650) Districts of the Eastern
  Regulatory Area, pollock is not divided into seasonal allowances.
\3\ The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned 60 percent to the A season and 40 percent to the B season in the
  Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA. Pacific cod TAC in the Eastern Regulatory Area is allocated
  90 percent for processing by the inshore component and 10 percent for processing by the offshore component.
  Table 5 lists the final 2018 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments.
\4\ Sablefish is allocated to trawl and fixed gear in 2018. Table 7 lists the final 2018 allocations of
  sablefish TACs.
\5\ ``Shallow-water flatfish'' means flatfish not including ``deep-water flatfish,'' flathead sole, rex sole, or
  arrowtooth flounder.
\6\ ``Deep-water flatfish'' means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, and deepsea sole.
\7\ ``Pacific ocean perch'' means Sebastes alutus.
\8\ ``Northern rockfish'' means Sebastes polyspinis. For management purposes, the 4 mt apportionment of ABC to
  the WYK District of the Eastern Gulf of Alaska has been included in the ``other rockfish'' species group.
\9\ ``Shortraker rockfish'' means Sebastes borealis.
\10\ ``Dusky rockfish'' means Sebastes variabilis.
\11\ ``Rougheye rockfish'' means Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and Sebastes melanostictus (blackspotted).
\12\ ``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).
\13\ ``Other 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 (silvergrey), S. diploproa (splitnose), S. saxicola (stripetail), S. miniatus
  (vermilion), S. reedi (yellowmouth), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus (yellowtail). In the Eastern GOA
  only, other rockfish also includes northern rockfish, S. polyspinis.
\14\ ``Other rockfish'' in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat District means other
  rockfish and demersal shelf rockfish. The ``other rockfish'' species group in the SEO District only includes
  other rockfish.
\15\ ``Big skate'' means Raja binoculata.
\16\ ``Longnose skate'' means Raja rhina.
\17\ ``Other skates'' means Bathyraja and Raja spp.


 Table 2--Final 2019 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs of Groundfish for the Western/Central/West Yakutat, Western, Central,
   Eastern Regulatory Areas, and in the West Yakutat, Southeast Outside, and Gulfwide Districts of the Gulf of
                                                     Alaska
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Species                          Area \1\                 OFL             ABC             TAC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock \2\........................  Shumagin (610).............             n/a          19,921          19,921
                                     Chirikof (620).............             n/a          52,459          52,459
                                     Kodiak (630)...............             n/a          27,016          27,016
                                     WYK (640)..................             n/a           4,509           4,509
                                     W/C/WYK (subtotal) \2\.....         131,170         106,569         103,905
                                     SEO (650)..................          11,697           8,773           8,773
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------

[[Page 8775]]

 
                                        Total...................         142,867         115,341         112,678
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod \3\....................  W..........................             n/a           7,633           5,343
                                     C..........................             n/a           7,667           5,750
                                     E..........................             n/a           1,700           1,275
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                        Total...................          21,412          17,000          12,368
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish \4\......................  W..........................             n/a           2,174           2,174
                                     C..........................             n/a           7,260           7,260
                                     WYK........................             n/a           2,573           2,573
                                     SEO........................             n/a           4,187           4,187
                                     E (WYK and SEO) (subtotal).             n/a           6,760           6,760
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                        Total...................          35,989          16,194          16,194
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shallow-water flatfish \5\.........  W..........................             n/a          25,544          13,250
                                     C..........................             n/a          25,655          25,655
                                     WYK........................             n/a           2,272           2,272
                                     SEO........................             n/a           1,951           1,951
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                        Total...................          68,114          55,422          43,128
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deep-water flatfish \6\............  W..........................             n/a             416             416
                                     C..........................             n/a           3,442           3,442
                                     WYK........................             n/a           3,279           3,279
                                     SEO........................             n/a           2,361           2,361
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                        Total...................          11,431           9,499           9,499
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rex sole...........................  W..........................             n/a           2,909           2,909
                                     C..........................             n/a           8,236           8,236
                                     WYK........................             n/a           1,657           1,657
                                     SEO........................             n/a           1,727           1,727
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                        Total...................          17,692          14,529          14,529
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth flounder................  W..........................             n/a          35,844          14,500
                                     C..........................             n/a          70,700          48,000
                                     WYK........................             n/a          15,845           6,900
                                     SEO........................             n/a          22,845           6,900
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                        Total...................         173,872         145,234          76,300
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead sole......................  W..........................             n/a          13,222           8,650
                                     C..........................             n/a          21,087          15,400
                                     WYK........................             n/a           2,013           2,013
                                     SEO........................             n/a             424             424
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                        Total...................          44,822          36,746          26,487
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch \7\............  W..........................             n/a           3,240           3,240
                                     C..........................             n/a          19,678          19,678
                                     WYK........................             n/a           3,298           3,298
                                     W/C/WYK....................          31,170          26,216          26,216
                                     SEO........................           2,840           2,389           2,389
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                        Total...................          34,010          28,605          28,605
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern rockfish \8\..............  W..........................             n/a             382             382
                                     C..........................             n/a           2,965           2,965
                                     E..........................             n/a               3  ..............
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                        Total...................           3,984           3,350           3,347
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortraker rockfish \9\............  W..........................             n/a              44              44
                                     C..........................             n/a             305             305
                                     E..........................             n/a             514             514
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------

[[Page 8776]]

 
                                        Total...................           1,151             863             863
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dusky rockfish \10\................  W..........................             n/a             135             135
                                     C..........................             n/a           3,246           3,246
                                     WYK........................             n/a             215             215
                                     SEO........................             n/a              72              72
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                        Total...................           4,488           3,668           3,668
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rougheye and Blackspotted rockfish   W..........................             n/a             174             174
 \11\.
                                     C..........................             n/a             550             550
                                     E..........................             n/a             703             703
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                        Total...................           1,715           1,427           1,427
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demersal shelf rockfish \12\.......  SEO........................             394             250             250
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thornyhead rockfish................  W..........................             n/a             344             344
                                     C..........................             n/a             921             921
                                     E..........................             n/a             773             773
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                        Total...................           2,717           2,038           2,038
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other rockfish 13 14...............  W and C....................             n/a           1,737           1,737
                                     WYK........................             n/a             368             368
                                     SEO........................             n/a           3,488             200
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                        Total...................           7,356           5,593           2,305
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel......................  GW.........................           6,200           4,700           3,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big skate \15\.....................  W..........................             n/a             504             504
                                     C..........................             n/a           1,774           1,774
                                     E..........................             n/a             570             570
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                        Total...................           3,797           2,848           2,848
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longnose skate \16\................  W..........................             n/a             149             149
                                     C..........................             n/a           2,804           2,804
                                     E..........................             n/a             619             619
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                        Total...................           4,763           3,572           3,572
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other skates \17\..................  GW.........................           1,845           1,384           1,384
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sculpins...........................  GW.........................           6,958           5,301           5,301
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sharks.............................  GW.........................           6,020           4,514           4,514
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Squids.............................  GW.........................           1,516           1,137           1,137
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Octopus............................  GW.........................           1,300             975             975
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total..........................  ...........................         604,413         480,187         376,417
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Regulatory areas and districts are defined at Sec.   679.2. (W = Western Gulf of Alaska; C = Central Gulf of
  Alaska; E = Eastern Gulf of Alaska; WYK = West Yakutat District; SEO = Southeast Outside District; GW = Gulf-
  wide).
\2\ The total for the W/C/WYK Regulatory Areas pollock ABC is 106,569 mt. After deducting 2.5 percent (2,664 mt)
  of that ABC for the State's pollock GHL fishery, the remaining pollock ABC of 103,905 mt (for the W/C/WYK
  Regulatory Areas) is apportioned among four statistical areas (Areas 610, 620, 630, and 640). These
  apportionments are considered subarea ACLs, rather than ABCs, for specification and reapportionment purposes.
  The ACLs in Areas 610, 620, and 630 are further divided by season, as detailed in Table 4 (final 2019 seasonal
  biomass distribution of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, area apportionments, and seasonal
  allowances). In the West Yakutat (Area 640) and Southeast Outside (Area 650) Districts of the Eastern
  Regulatory Area, pollock is not divided into seasonal allowances.
\3\ The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned 60 percent to the A season and 40 percent to the B season in the
  Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA. Pacific cod in the Eastern Regulatory Area is allocated 90
  percent for processing by the inshore component and 10 percent for processing by the offshore component. Table
  6 lists the final 2019 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments.
\4\ Sablefish is only allocated to trawl gear for 2019. Table 8 lists the final 2019 allocation of sablefish
  TACs to trawl gear.
\5\ ``Shallow-water flatfish'' means flatfish not including ``deep-water flatfish,'' flathead sole, rex sole, or
  arrowtooth flounder.
\6\ ``Deep-water flatfish'' means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, and deepsea sole.
\7\ ``Pacific ocean perch'' means Sebastes alutus.
\8\ ``Northern rockfish'' means Sebastes polyspinis. For management purposes the 3 mt apportionment of ABC to
  the WYK District of the Eastern Gulf of Alaska has been included in the ``other rockfish'' species group.

[[Page 8777]]

 
\9\ ``Shortraker rockfish'' means Sebastes borealis.
\10\ ``Dusky rockfish'' means Sebastes variabilis.
\11\ ``Rougheye rockfish'' means Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and Sebastes melanostictus (blackspotted).
\12\ ``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).
\13\ ``Other 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 (silvergrey), S. diploproa (splitnose), S. saxicola (stripetail), S. miniatus
  (vermilion), S. reedi (yellowmouth), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus (yellowtail). In the Eastern GOA
  only, other rockfish also includes northern rockfish, S. polyspinis.
\14\ ``Other rockfish'' in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat District means other
  rockfish and demersal shelf rockfish. The ``other rockfish'' species group in the SEO District only includes
  other rockfish.
\15\ ``Big skate'' means Raja binoculata.
\16\ ``Longnose skate'' means Raja rhina.
\17\ ``Other skates'' means Bathyraja and Raja spp.

Apportionment of Reserves

    Section 679.20(b)(2) requires NMFS to set aside 20 percent of each 
TAC for pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, sculpins, sharks, squids, and 
octopuses in reserve for possible apportionment at a later date during 
the fishing year. For 2018 and 2019, NMFS proposed reapportionment of 
all the reserves in the proposed 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications 
published in the Federal Register on December 8, 2017 (82 FR 57924). 
NMFS did not receive any public comments on the proposed 
reapportionments. For the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications, 
NMFS reapportioned, as proposed, all the reserves for pollock, Pacific 
cod, flatfish, sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopuses back into the 
original TAC limit from which the reserve was derived. This was done 
because NMFS expects, based on recent harvest patterns, that such 
reserves are not necessary and the entire TAC for each of these species 
will be caught. The TACs listed in Tables 1 and 2 reflect 
reapportionments of reserve amounts to the original TAC limit for these 
species and species groups; i.e., each proposed TAC for the above 
mentioned species or species groups contains the full TAC recommended 
by the Council.

Apportionments of Pollock TAC Among Seasons and Regulatory Areas, and 
Allocations for Processing by Inshore and Offshore Components

    In the GOA, pollock is apportioned by season and area, and is 
further allocated for processing by inshore and offshore components. 
Pursuant to Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B), the annual pollock TAC specified 
for the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA is apportioned 
into four equal seasonal allowances of 25 percent. As established by 
Sec.  679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season 
allowances are available from January 20 to March 10, March 10 to May 
31, August 25 to October 1, and October 1 to November 1, respectively.
    Pollock TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA 
are apportioned among Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630 in proportion 
to the distribution of the pollock biomass, pursuant to Sec.  
679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A). In the A and B seasons, the apportionments 
previously were in proportion to the distribution of pollock biomass 
based on the four most recent NMFS winter surveys. In the C and D 
seasons, the apportionments were in proportion to the distribution of 
pollock biomass based on the four most recent NMFS summer surveys. For 
2018 and 2019, the Council recommended, and NMFS approved, following 
the apportionment methodology that was used previously for the 2017 and 
2018 harvest specifications. This methodology averages the winter and 
summer distribution of pollock in the Central Regulatory Area for the A 
season instead of using the distribution based on only the winter 
surveys. The average is intended to reflect the best available 
information about migration patterns, distribution of pollock, and the 
performance of the fishery in the area during the A season for the 2018 
and 2019 fishing years. For the A season, the apportionment is based on 
an adjusted estimate of the relative distribution of pollock biomass of 
approximately 3 percent, 73 percent, and 24 percent in Statistical 
Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. For the B season, the 
apportionment is based on the relative distribution of pollock biomass 
at 4 percent, 85 percent, and 11 percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, 
and 630, respectively. For the C and D seasons, the apportionment is 
based on the relative distribution of pollock biomass at 37 percent, 27 
percent, and 37 percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, 
respectively. The pollock chapter of the 2017 SAFE report (see 
ADDRESSES) contains a comprehensive description of the apportionment 
process and reasons for the minor changes from past apportionments.
    Within any fishing year, the amount by which a seasonal allowance 
is underharvested or overharvested may be added to, or subtracted from, 
subsequent seasonal allowances for the Western and Central Regulatory 
Areas in a manner to be determined by the Regional Administrator (Sec.  
679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The rollover amount is limited to 20 percent of 
the subsequent seasonal TAC apportionment for the statistical area. Any 
unharvested pollock above the 20-percent limit could be further 
distributed to the other statistical areas, in proportion to the 
estimated biomass in the subsequent season in those statistical areas 
and in an amount no more than 20 percent of the seasonal TAC 
apportionment in those statistical areas (Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). 
The pollock TACs in the WYK and the SEO Districts of 6,833 mt and 8,773 
mt, respectively, in 2018, and 4,509 mt and 8,773 mt, respectively, in 
2019, are not allocated by season.
    Section 679.20(a)(6)(i) requires the allocation of 100 percent of 
the pollock TAC in all GOA regulatory areas and all seasonal allowances 
to vessels harvesting pollock for processing by the inshore component 
after subtraction of amounts projected by the Regional Administrator to 
be caught by, or delivered to, the offshore component incidental to 
directed fishing for other groundfish species. Thus, the amount of 
pollock available to vessels harvesting pollock for processing by the 
offshore component is that amount that will be taken as incidental 
catch during directed fishing for groundfish species other than 
pollock, up to the maximum retainable amounts allowed by Sec.  
679.20(e) and (f). At this time, these incidental catch amounts of 
pollock are unknown and will be determined during the fishing year 
during the course of fishing activities by the offshore component. 
Therefore, amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and 
offshore components are not shown in Tables 3 and 4. Tables 3 and 4 
list the final 2018 and 2019 seasonal biomass distribution of pollock 
in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, area apportionments, and 
seasonal allowances.

[[Page 8778]]



 Table 3--Final 2018 Distribution of Pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA; Seasonal Biomass Distribution; Area Apportionments;
                                                          and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC
                             [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages are rounded to the nearest 0.01]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season \1\                                      Shumagin (Area 610)
                                                Chirikof (Area 620)
                                                 Kodiak (Area 630)             Total \2\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A (Jan 20-Mar 10).......................           1,317           3.50%          27,314          72.54%           9,025          23.97%          37,656
B (Mar 10-May 31).......................           1,317           4.50%          32,155          85.39%           4,184          11.11%          37,656
C (Aug 25-Oct 1)........................          13,777          36.59%          10,013          26.59%          13,865          36.82%          37,656
D (Oct 1-Nov 1).........................          13,777          36.59%          10,013          26.59%          13,865          36.82%          37,656
                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Annual Total........................          30,188  ..............          79,495  ..............          40,939  ..............         150,622
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ As established by Sec.   679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season allowances are available from January 20 to March 10, March 10 to
  May 31, August 25 to October 1, and October 1 to November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and offshore
  components are not shown in this table.
\2\ The WYK District and SEO District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock TACs shown in this table.


 Table 4--Final 2019 Distribution of Pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA; Seasonal Biomass Distribution; Area Apportionments;
                                                          and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC
                             [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages are rounded to the nearest 0.01]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season \1\                                      Shumagin (Area 610)
                                                Chirikof (Area 620)
                                                 Kodiak (Area 630)             Total \2\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A (Jan 20-Mar 10).......................             869           3.50%          18,025          72.54%           5,955          23.97%          24,849
B (Mar 10-May 31).......................             869           4.50%          21,219          85.39%           2,761          11.11%          24,849
C (Aug 25-Oct 1)........................           9,091          36.59%           6,608          26.59%           9,150          36.82%          24,849
D (Oct 1-Nov 1).........................           9,091          36.59%           6,608          26.59%           9,150          36.82%          24,849
                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Annual Total........................          19,921  ..............          52,459  ..............          27,016  ..............          99,395
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ As established by Sec.   679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season allowances are available from January 20 to March 10, March 10 to
  May 31, August 25 to October 1, and October 1 to November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and offshore
  components are not shown in this table.
\2\ The WYK District and SEO District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock TACs shown in this table.

Annual and Seasonal Apportionments of Pacific Cod TAC

    Pursuant to Sec.  679.20(a)(12)(i), NMFS seasonally allocates the 
Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA 
among gear and operational sectors. NMFS also allocates the Pacific cod 
TACs annually between the inshore (90 percent) and offshore (10 
percent) components in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA (Sec.  
679.20(a)(6)(ii)). In the Central GOA, the Pacific cod TAC is 
apportioned seasonally first to vessels using jig gear, and then among 
catcher vessels (CVs) less than 50 feet in length overall using hook-
and-line gear, CVs equal to or greater than 50 feet in length overall 
using hook-and-line gear, catcher/processors (C/Ps) using hook-and-line 
gear, CVs using trawl gear, C/Ps using trawl gear, and vessels using 
pot gear (Sec.  679.20(a)(12)(i)(B)). In the Western GOA, the Pacific 
cod TAC is apportioned seasonally first to vessels using jig gear, and 
then among CVs using hook-and-line gear, C/Ps using hook-and-line gear, 
CVs using trawl gear, C/Ps using trawl gear, and vessels using pot gear 
(Sec.  679.20(a)(12)(i)(A)). The overall seasonal apportionments in the 
Western and Central GOA are 60 percent of the annual TAC to the A 
season and 40 percent of the annual TAC to the B season.
    Under Sec.  679.20(a)(12)(ii), any overage or underage of the 
Pacific cod harvest by each sector from the A season will be subtracted 
from, or added to, the subsequent B season allowance. In addition, any 
portion of the hook-and-line, trawl, pot, or jig sector allocations 
that NMFS determines is likely to go unharvested by a sector may be 
reallocated to other sectors for harvest during the remainder of the 
fishery year.
    Pursuant to Sec.  679.20(a)(12)(i)(A) and (B), a portion of the 
annual Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central GOA will be 
allocated to vessels with a Federal Fisheries Permit (FFP) that use jig 
gear before the remaining Western and Central GOA Pacific cod TACs are 
apportioned among other non-jig sectors. In accordance with the FMP, 
the annual jig sector allocations may increase to up to 6 percent of 
the annual Western and Central GOA Pacific cod TACs, depending on the 
annual performance of the jig sector (see Table 1 of Amendment 83 to 
the FMP for a detailed discussion of the jig sector allocation process 
(76 FR 74670, December 1, 2011)). Jig sector allocation increases are 
established for a minimum of two years. NMFS has evaluated the 2017 
harvest performance of the jig sector in the Western and Central GOA, 
and is establishing the 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod apportionments to 
this sector as follows.
    NMFS allocates the jig sector 1.5 percent of the annual Pacific cod 
TAC in the Western GOA. This is a decrease from the 2017 jig sector 
allocation of 2.5 percent because in 2016 and 2017 this sector 
harvested less than 90 percent of its initial annual allocation, thus 
triggering the deduction of the 1.0 percent performance increase that 
the Western GOA jig sector received in 2017. The 2018 and 2019 
allocations consist of a base allocation of 1.5 percent of the Western 
GOA Pacific cod TAC, and no additional performance increase in the 
Western GOA.
    NMFS allocates the jig sector 1.0 percent of the annual Pacific cod 
TAC in the Central GOA. This is the same percent as the 2017 jig sector 
allocation because in 2017 this sector harvested less than 90 percent 
of its initial annual allocation. The 2018 and 2019 allocations consist 
of a base allocation of 1.0 percent of the Central GOA Pacific cod TAC, 
and no additional performance increase in the Central GOA.

[[Page 8779]]

    Tables 5 and 6 list the seasonal apportionments and allocations of 
the 2018 and 2019 Pacific cod TACs.

 Table 5--Final 2018 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocation of Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts in the
GOA; Allocations for the Western GOA and Central GOA Sectors and the Eastern GOA Inshore and Offshore Processing
                                                   Components
 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages to the nearest 0.01. Seasonal allowances may not
                                  total precisely to annual allocation amount]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             A season                        B season
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Annual          Sector                          Sector
   Regulatory area and sector       allocation     percentage of     Seasonal      percentage of     Seasonal
                                       (mt)       annual non-jig    allowances    annual non-jig    allowances
                                                        TAC            (mt)             TAC            (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA:
    Jig (1.5% of TAC)...........              85             N/A              51             N/A              34
    Hook-and-line CV............              78            0.70              39            0.70              39
    Hook-and-line C/P...........           1,103           10.90             607            8.90             496
    Trawl CV....................           2,140           27.70           1,543           10.70             596
    Trawl C/P...................             134            0.90              50            1.50              84
    All Pot CV and Pot C/P......           2,117           19.80           1,103           18.20           1,014
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total...................           5,657           60.00           3,394           40.00           2,263
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central GOA:
    Jig (1.0% of TAC)...........              61             N/A              37             N/A              24
    Hook-and-line <50 CV........             880            9.32             562            5.29             319
    Hook-and-line >=50 CV.......             404            5.61             338            1.10              66
    Hook-and-line C/P...........             308            4.11             248            1.00              60
    Trawl CV \1\................           2,507           21.14           1,274           20.45           1,233
    Trawl C/P...................             253            2.00             121            2.19             132
    All Pot CV and Pot C/P......           1,676           17.83           1,075            9.97             601
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total...................           6,089           60.00           3,653           40.00           2,436
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern GOA:                      ..............    Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
                                   Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
                                           1,350               1,215
                                                135
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Trawl vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 232 mt, of the annual
  Central GOA TAC (see Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679), which is deducted from the Trawl CV B season allowance
  (see Table 12. Final 2018 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA and Table 28c to 50
  CFR part 679).


 Table 6--Final 2019 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocation of Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts in the
GOA; Allocations for the Western GOA and Central GOA Sectors and the Eastern GOA Inshore and Offshore Processing
                                                   Components
 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages to the nearest 0.01. Seasonal allowances may not
                                  total precisely to annual allocation amount]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             A season                        B season
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Annual          Sector                          Sector
   Regulatory area and sector       allocation     percentage of     Seasonal      percentage of     Seasonal
                                       (mt)       annual non-jig    allowances    annual non-jig    allowances
                                                        TAC            (mt)             TAC            (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA:
    Jig (1.5% of TAC)...........             134             N/A              80             N/A              53
    Hook-and-line CV............              73            0.70              36            0.70              36
    Hook-and-line C/P...........           1,031           10.90             568            8.90             464
    Trawl CV....................           2,000           27.70           1,443           10.70             557
    Trawl C/P...................             125            0.90              47            1.50              78
    All Pot CV and Pot C/P......           1,980           19.80           1,031           18.20             948
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total...................           5,343           60.00           3,206           40.00           2,137
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central GOA:
    Jig (1.0% of TAC)...........              58             N/A              35             N/A              23
    Hook-and-line <50 CV........             831            9.32             530            5.29             301
    Hook-and-line >=50 CV.......             382            5.61             319            1.10              62
    Hook-and-line C/P...........             291            4.11             234            1.00              57
    Trawl CV \1\................           2,367           21.14           1,203           20.45           1,164
    Trawl C/P...................             239            2.00             114            2.19             125

[[Page 8780]]

 
    All Pot CV and Pot C/P......           1,583           17.83           1,015            9.97             568
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total...................           5,750           60.00           3,450           40.00           2,300
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern GOA:                      ..............    Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
                                   Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
                                           1,275               1,148
                                                128
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Trawl vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 219 mt, of the annual
  Central GOA TAC (see Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679), which is deducted from the Trawl CV B season allowance
  (see Table 13. Final 2019 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA and Table 28c to 50
  CFR part 679).

Allocations of the Sablefish TACs Amounts to Vessels Using Fixed and 
Trawl Gear

    Section 679.20(a)(4)(i) and (ii) require allocations of sablefish 
TACs for each of the regulatory areas and districts to fixed and trawl 
gear. In the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, 80 percent of each 
TAC is allocated to fixed gear, and 20 percent of each TAC is allocated 
to trawl gear. In the Eastern Regulatory Area, which is comprised of 
the WYK and SEO Districts, 95 percent of the TAC is allocated to fixed 
gear, and 5 percent is allocated to trawl gear. The trawl gear 
allocation in the Eastern Regulatory Area may only be used to support 
incidental catch of sablefish in directed trawl fisheries for other 
target species (Sec.  679.20(a)(4)(i)).
    In recognition of the prohibition against trawl gear in the SEO 
District of the Eastern Regulatory Area, the Council recommended and 
NMFS approves the allocation of 5 percent of the Eastern Regulatory 
Area sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the WYK District, making the 
remainder of the WYK sablefish TAC available to vessels using fixed 
gear. NMFS allocates 100 percent of the sablefish TAC in the SEO 
District to vessels using fixed gear. This action results in a 2018 
allocation of 240 mt to trawl gear and 1,589 mt to fixed gear in the 
WYK District, a 2018 allocation of 2,974 mt to fixed gear in the SEO 
District, and a 2019 allocation of 338 mt to trawl gear in the WYK 
District. Table 7 lists the allocations of the 2018 sablefish TACs to 
fixed and trawl gear. Table 8 lists the allocations of the 2019 
sablefish TACs to trawl gear.
    The Council recommended that a trawl sablefish TAC be established 
for two years so that retention of incidental catch of sablefish by 
trawl gear could commence in January in the second year of the 
groundfish harvest specifications. Both the 2018 and 2019 trawl 
allocations are specified in these final harvest specifications, in 
Tables 7 and 8, respectively.
    The Council also recommended that the fixed gear sablefish TAC be 
established annually to ensure that this IFQ fishery is conducted 
concurrently with the halibut IFQ fishery and is based on the most 
recent sablefish survey information. Since there is an annual 
assessment for sablefish and since the final harvest specifications are 
expected to be published before the IFQ season begins on March 24, 
2018, the Council recommended that the fixed gear sablefish TAC be set 
on an annual basis, rather than for two years, so that the best 
scientific information available could be considered in establishing 
the sablefish ABCs and TACs. Accordingly, while the 2018 fixed gear 
allocations are specified in Table 7, the 2019 fixed gear allocations 
are not specified in Table 8 and will be specified in the 2019 and 2020 
harvest specifications.
    With the exception of the trawl allocations that were provided to 
the Central GOA Rockfish Program (Rockfish Program) cooperatives (see 
Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679), directed fishing for sablefish with 
trawl gear in the GOA is closed during the fishing year. Also, fishing 
for groundfish with trawl gear is prohibited prior to January 20 (Sec.  
679.23(c)). Therefore, it is not likely that the sablefish allocation 
to trawl gear would be reached before the effective date of the final 
2018 and 2019 harvest specifications.

       Table 7--Final 2018 Sablefish TAC Specifications in the GOA and Allocations to Fixed and Trawl Gear
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Fixed gear      Trawl gear
                          Area/district                                 TAC         allocation      allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western.........................................................           1,544           1,235             309
Central.........................................................           5,158           4,126           1,032
West Yakutat \1\................................................           1,829           1,589             240
Southeast Outside...............................................           2,974           2,974               0
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................................          11,505           9,924           1,581
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat
  and Southeast Outside Districts) sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.


[[Page 8781]]


          Table 8--Final 2019 Sablefish TAC Specifications in the GOA and Allocation to Trawl Gear \1\
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Fixed gear      Trawl gear
                          Area/district                                 TAC         allocation      allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western.........................................................           2,174             n/a             435
Central.........................................................           7,260             n/a           1,452
West Yakutat \2\................................................           2,573             n/a             338
Southeast Outside...............................................           4,187             n/a               0
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
Total...........................................................          16,194             n/a           2,225
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Council recommended that the 2018 (but not the 2019) harvest specifications for the fixed gear sablefish
  Individual Fishing Quota fisheries be specified in the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications.
\2\ The trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat
  and Southeast Outside Districts) sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.

Demersal Shelf Rockfish (DSR)

    The recommended 2018 and 2019 DSR TAC is 250 mt, and management of 
DSR is delegated to the State. The Alaska Board of Fisheries has 
apportioned the annual SEO District DSR TACs between the commercial 
fishery (84 percent) and the sport fishery (16 percent) after 
deductions were made for anticipated subsistence harvests (7 mt). This 
results in 2018 and 2019 allocations of 204 mt to the commercial 
fishery and 39 mt to the sport fishery.
    The State deducts estimates of incidental catch of DSR in the 
commercial halibut fishery and pre-season ``test fishery'' DSR 
mortality from the DSR commercial fishery allocation. For example, in 
2017, this resulted in 27 mt being available for the directed 
commercial DSR fishery apportioned in one DSR district. The State 
estimated that there was not sufficient DSR TAC available to have 
orderly fisheries in the three other DSR districts. DSR harvest in the 
halibut fishery is linked to the annual halibut catch limits; 
therefore, the State can only estimate potential DSR incidental catch 
because halibut catch limits are established by the International 
Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC). For 2018 and 2019, the State will 
determine from the available DSR TAC of 250 mt the allocation available 
for the directed commercial DSR fishery in the DSR districts.
    Federally permitted CVs using hook-and-line or jig gear fishing for 
groundfish and Pacific halibut in the SEO District of the GOA are 
required to retain all DSR (Sec.  679.20(j)).

Apportionments to the Rockfish Program

    These final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for the GOA 
include the fishery cooperative allocations and sideboard limitations 
established by the Rockfish Program. Program participants are primarily 
trawl CVs and trawl C/Ps, with limited participation by vessels using 
longline gear. The Rockfish Program assigns quota share and cooperative 
quota to participants for primary (Pacific ocean perch, northern 
rockfish, and dusky rockfish) and secondary species (Pacific cod, 
rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, sablefish, shortraker rockfish, and 
thornyhead rockfish); allows a participant holding a license limitation 
program (LLP) license with rockfish quota share to form a rockfish 
cooperative with other persons; and allows holders of C/P LLP licenses 
to opt out of the fishery. The Rockfish Program also has an entry level 
fishery for rockfish primary species for vessels using longline gear. 
Longline gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear.
    Under the Rockfish Program, rockfish primary species in the Central 
GOA are allocated to participants after deducting for incidental catch 
needs in other directed groundfish fisheries (Sec.  679.81(a)(2)). 
Participants in the Rockfish Program also receive a portion of the 
Central GOA TAC of specific secondary species. In addition to 
groundfish species, the Rockfish Program allocates a portion of the 
halibut PSC limit (191 mt) from the third season deep-water species 
fishery allowance for the GOA trawl fisheries to Rockfish Program 
participants (Sec.  679.81(d) and Table 28d to 50 CFR part 679). Also, 
the Rockfish Program establishes sideboard limits to restrict the 
ability of harvesters operating under the Rockfish Program to increase 
their participation in other, non-Rockfish Program fisheries. These 
restrictions, as well as halibut PSC limits, are discussed in a 
subsequent section in this rule titled ``Rockfish Program Groundfish 
Sideboard and Halibut PSC Limitations.''
    Section 679.81(a)(2)(ii) and Table 28e to 50 CFR part 679 require 
allocations of 5 mt of Pacific ocean perch, 5 mt of northern rockfish, 
and 50 mt of dusky rockfish to the entry level longline fishery in 2018 
and 2019. The allocation of each primary species for the entry level 
longline fishery may increase incrementally each year if the catch 
exceeds 90 percent of the allocation of that species. The incremental 
increase in the allocation would continue each year until it reaches 
the maximum percent of the TAC that may be allocated to the rockfish 
entry level longline fishery for that species. In 2017, the catch of 
Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish, and dusky rockfish did not 
attain the 90 percent threshold, and those allocations for 2018 do not 
increase above the 2017 allocations. The remainder of the TACs for the 
rockfish primary species would be allocated to the CV and C/P 
cooperatives. Table 9 lists the allocations of the 2018 and 2019 TACs 
for each rockfish primary species to the entry level longline fishery, 
the potential incremental increases for future years, and the maximum 
percent of the TACs assigned to the Rockfish Program that may be 
allocated to the rockfish entry level longline fishery.

[[Page 8782]]



Table 9--Final 2018 and Initial 2019 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species to the Entry Level Longline Fishery
                                          in the Central Gulf of Alaska
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Incremental increase in 2019
      Rockfish primary species          2018 and 2019 allocations    if >90% of 2018 allocation    Up to maximum
                                                                            is harvested             % of TAC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch.................  5 metric tons...............  5 metric tons...............               1
Northern rockfish...................  5 metric tons...............  5 metric tons...............               2
Dusky rockfish......................  50 metric tons..............  20 metric tons..............               5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 679.81 requires allocations of the rockfish primary species 
among various sectors of the Rockfish Program. Tables 10 and 11 list 
the final 2018 and 2019 allocations of rockfish primary species in the 
Central GOA to the entry level longline fishery, and CV and C/P 
cooperatives in the Rockfish Program. NMFS also is setting aside 
incidental catch amounts (ICAs) for other directed fisheries in the 
Central GOA of 4,000 mt of Pacific ocean perch, 300 mt of northern 
rockfish, and 250 mt of dusky rockfish. These amounts are based on 
recent average incidental catches in the Central GOA by other 
groundfish fisheries.
    Allocations among vessels belonging to CV or C/P cooperatives are 
not included in these final harvest specifications. Rockfish Program 
applications for CV cooperatives and C/P cooperatives are not due to 
NMFS until March 1 of each calendar year; therefore, NMFS cannot 
calculate 2018 and 2019 allocations in conjunction with these final 
harvest specifications. NMFS will post these allocations on the Alaska 
Region website at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/central-goa-rockfish-program when they become available after March 1.

  Table 10--Final 2018 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species in the Central Gulf of Alaska to the Entry Level
                       Longline Fishery and Rockfish Cooperatives in the Rockfish Program
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Allocation  to  Allocation  to
                                                    Incidental                       the entry     the Rockfish
    Rockfish primary species            TAC            catch       TAC minus ICA  level longline   cooperatives
                                                     allowance                      \1\ fishery         \2\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch.............          20,112           4,000          16,112               5          16,107
Northern rockfish...............           3,261             300           2,961               5           2,956
Dusky rockfish..................           3,502             250           3,252              50           3,202
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................          26,875           4,050          22,825              60          22,265
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Longline gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear (50 CFR 679.2).
\2\ Rockfish cooperatives include vessels in CV and C/P cooperatives (50 CFR 679.81).


  Table 11--Final 2019 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species in the Central Gulf of Alaska to the Entry Level
                       Longline Fishery and Rockfish Cooperatives in the Rockfish Program
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Allocation  to  Allocation  to
                                                    Incidental                       the entry     the Rockfish
    Rockfish primary species            TAC            catch       TAC minus ICA  level longline   cooperatives
                                                     allowance                      \1\ fishery         \2\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch.............          19,678           4,000          15,678               5          15,673
Northern rockfish...............           2,965             300           2,665               5           2,660
Dusky rockfish..................           3,246             250           2,996              50           2,946
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................          25,889           4,050          21,839              60          21,279
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Longline gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear (50 CFR 679.2).
\2\ Rockfish cooperatives include vessels in CV and C/P cooperatives (50 CFR 679.81).

    Section 679.81(c) and Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679 requires 
allocations of rockfish secondary species to CV and C/P cooperatives in 
the Central GOA. CV cooperatives receive allocations of Pacific cod, 
sablefish from the trawl gear allocation, and thornyhead rockfish. C/P 
cooperatives receive allocations of sablefish from the trawl gear 
allocation, rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, shortraker rockfish, 
and thornyhead rockfish. Tables 12 and 13 list the apportionments of 
the 2018 and 2019 TACs of rockfish secondary species in the Central GOA 
to CV and C/P cooperatives.

[[Page 8783]]



   Table 12--Final 2018 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA to Catcher Vessel and
                                         Catcher/Processor Cooperatives
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Catcher vessel cooperatives   Catcher/processor cooperatives
                                      Annual     ---------------------------------------------------------------
   Rockfish secondary species       central GOA   Percentage  of   Apportionment  Percentage  of   Apportionment
                                        TAC             TAC            (mt)             TAC            (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod.....................           6,089            3.81             232            0.00               0
Sablefish.......................           5,158            6.78             350            3.51             181
Shortraker rockfish.............             305            0.00               0           40.00             122
Rougheye rockfish...............             556            0.00               0           58.87             327
Thornyhead rockfish.............             921            7.84              72           26.50             244
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


   Table 13--Final 2019 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA to Catcher Vessel and
                                         Catcher/Processor Cooperatives
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Catcher vessel cooperatives   Catcher/processor cooperatives
                                      Annual     ---------------------------------------------------------------
   Rockfish secondary species       central GOA   Percentage  of   Apportionment  Percentage  of   Apportionment
                                        TAC             TAC            (mt)             TAC            (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod.....................           5,750            3.81             219            0.00               0
Sablefish.......................           7,260            6.78             492            3.51             255
Shortraker rockfish.............             305            0.00               0           40.00             122
Rougheye rockfish...............             550            0.00               0           58.87             324
Thornyhead rockfish.............             921            7.84              72           26.50             244
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Halibut PSC Limits

    Section 679.21(d) establishes the annual halibut PSC limit 
apportionments for trawl gear and hook-and-line gear, and authorizes 
the establishment of apportionments for pot gear. In December 2017, the 
Council recommended halibut PSC limits of 1,706 mt for trawl gear, 257 
mt for hook-and-line gear, and 9 mt for the DSR fishery in the SEO 
District for both 2018 and 2019.
    The DSR fishery in the SEO District is defined at Sec.  
679.21(d)(2)(ii)(A). This fishery is apportioned 9 mt of the halibut 
PSC limit in recognition of its small-scale harvests of groundfish 
(Sec.  679.21(d)(2)(i)(A)). The separate halibut PSC limit for the DSR 
fishery is intended to prevent that fishery from being impacted from 
the halibut PSC incurred by other GOA fisheries. NMFS estimates low 
halibut bycatch in the DSR fishery because (1) the duration of the DSR 
fisheries and the gear soak times are short, (2) the DSR fishery occurs 
in the winter when there is less overlap in the distribution of DSR and 
halibut, and (3) the directed commercial DSR fishery has a low DSR TAC.
    The FMP authorizes the Council to exempt specific gear from the 
halibut PSC limits. NMFS, after consultation with the Council, exempts 
pot gear, jig gear, and the sablefish IFQ hook-and-line gear fishery 
categories from the non-trawl halibut PSC limit for 2018 and 2019. The 
Council recommended, and NMFS approves, these exemptions because: (1) 
The pot gear fisheries have low annual halibut bycatch mortality, (2) 
IFQ program regulations prohibit discard of halibut if any halibut IFQ 
permit holder on board a catcher vessel holds unused halibut IFQ for 
that vessel category and the IFQ regulatory area in which the vessel is 
operating (Sec.  679.7(f)(11)), (3) some sablefish IFQ fishermen hold 
halibut IFQ permits and are therefore required to retain the halibut 
they catch while fishing sablefish IFQ, and (4) NMFS estimates 
negligible halibut mortality for the jig gear fisheries. NMFS estimates 
that halibut mortality is negligible in the jig gear fisheries given 
the small amount of groundfish harvested by jig gear, the selective 
nature of jig gear, and the high survival rates of halibut caught and 
released with jig gear.
    The best available information on estimated halibut bycatch 
consists of data collected by fisheries observers during 2017. The 
calculated halibut bycatch mortality through December 9, 2017, is 1,214 
mt for trawl gear and 169 mt for hook-and-line gear for a total halibut 
mortality of 1,383 mt. This halibut mortality was calculated using 
groundfish and halibut catch data from the NMFS Alaska Region's catch 
accounting system. This accounting system contains historical and 
recent catch information compiled from each Alaska groundfish fishery.
    Section 679.21(d)(4)(i) and (ii) authorizes NMFS to seasonally 
apportion the halibut PSC limits after consultation with the Council. 
The FMP and regulations require the Council and NMFS to consider the 
following information in seasonally apportioning halibut PSC limits: 
(1) Seasonal distribution of halibut; (2) seasonal distribution of 
target groundfish species relative to halibut distribution; (3) 
expected halibut bycatch needs on a seasonal basis relative to changes 
in halibut biomass and expected catch of target groundfish species; (4) 
expected bycatch rates on a seasonal basis; (5) expected changes in 
directed groundfish fishing seasons; (6) expected actual start of 
fishing effort; and (7) economic effects of establishing seasonal 
halibut allocations on segments of the target groundfish industry. The 
Council considered information from the 2017 SAFE report, NMFS catch 
data, State of Alaska catch data, IPHC stock assessment and mortality 
data, and public testimony when apportioning the halibut PSC limits. 
NMFS concurs with the Council's recommendations listed in Table 14, 
which show the final 2018 and 2019 Pacific halibut PSC limits, 
allowances, and apportionments.
    Section 679.21(d)(4)(iii) and (iv) specify that any underages or 
overages of a seasonal apportionment of a halibut

[[Page 8784]]

PSC limit will be added to or deducted from the next respective 
seasonal apportionment within the fishing year.

                                Table 14--Final 2018 and 2019 Pacific Halibut PSC Limits, Allowances, and Apportionments
                                                               [Values are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Trawl gear                                                             Hook-and-line gear \1\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   Other than DSR                                    DSR
               Season                   Percent       Amount    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          Season            Percent       Amount             Season             Amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 20-April 1..................         27.5          469   January 1-June 10......           86          221   January 1-December 31.            9
April 1-July 1......................           20          341   June 10-September 1....            2            5
July 1-September 1..................           30          512   September 1-December 31           12           31
September 1-October 1...............          7.5          128
October 1-December 31...............           15          256
                                     ---------------------------                         ---------------------------                        ------------
    Total...........................  ...........        1,706   .......................  ...........          257   ......................            9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limit for hook-and-line gear is allocated to the demersal shelf rockfish (DSR) fishery in the SEO
  District and to the hook-and-line fisheries other than the DSR fishery. The hook-and-line sablefish IFQ fishery is exempt from halibut PSC limits, as
  are pot and jig gear for all groundfish fisheries.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.

    Section 679.21(d)(3)(ii) authorizes further apportionment of the 
trawl halibut PSC limit to trawl fishery categories listed in Sec.  
679.21(d)(3)(iii). The annual apportionments are based on each 
category's proportional share of the anticipated halibut bycatch 
mortality during the fishing year and optimization of the total amount 
of groundfish harvest under the halibut PSC limit. The fishery 
categories for the trawl halibut PSC limits are: (1) A deep-water 
species fishery, composed of sablefish, rockfish, deep-water flatfish, 
rex sole, and arrowtooth flounder; and (2) a shallow-water species 
fishery, composed of pollock, Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish, 
flathead sole, Atka mackerel, and ``other species'' (sculpins, sharks, 
squids, and octopuses) (Sec.  679.21(d)(3)(iii)). Halibut mortality 
incurred while directed fishing for skates with trawl gear accrues 
towards the shallow-water fishery halibut PSC limit (69 FR 26320, May 
12, 2004).
    NMFS will combine available trawl halibut PSC limit apportionments 
on May 15 during the second season deep-water and shallow-water 
fisheries for use in either fishery from May 15 through June 30 (Sec.  
679.21(d)(4)(iii)(D)). This is intended to maintain groundfish harvest 
while minimizing halibut bycatch by these sectors to the extent 
practicable. This provides the deep-water and shallow-water trawl 
fisheries additional flexibility and the incentive to participate in 
fisheries at times of the year that may have lower halibut PSC rates 
relative to other times of the year.
    Table 15 lists the final 2018 and 2019 apportionments of halibut 
PSC trawl limits between the trawl gear deep-water and shallow-water 
species fishery categories.
    Table 28d to 50 CFR part 679 specifies the amount of the trawl 
halibut PSC limit that is assigned to the CV and C/P sectors that are 
participating in the Rockfish Program. This includes 117 mt of halibut 
PSC limit to the CV sector and 74 mt of halibut PSC limit to the C/P 
sector. These amounts are allocated from the trawl deep-water species 
fishery's halibut PSC third seasonal apportionment. After the combined 
CV and C/P halibut PSC limit allocation of 191 mt to the Rockfish 
Program, 150 mt remains for the trawl deep-water species fishery's 
halibut PSC third seasonal apportionment.
    Section 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(B) limits the amount of the halibut PSC 
limit allocated to Rockfish Program participants that could be re-
apportioned to the general GOA trawl fisheries during the current 
fishing year to no more than 55 percent of the unused annual halibut 
PSC limit apportioned to Rockfish Program participants. The remainder 
of the unused Rockfish Program halibut PSC limit is unavailable for use 
by any person for the remainder of the fishing year (Sec.  
679.21(d)(4)(iii)(C)).

  Table 15--Final 2018 and 2019 Apportionment of Pacific Halibut PSC Trawl Limits Between the Trawl Gear Deep-
                     Water Species Fishery and the Shallow-Water Species Fishery Categories
                                           [Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Season                                Shallow-water  Deep-water \1\       Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 20-April 1..............................................             384              85             469
April 1-July 1..................................................              85             256             341
July 1-September 1..............................................             171             341             512
September 1-October 1...........................................             128             (*)             128
Subtotal January 20-October 1...................................             768             682           1,450
October 1-December 31 \2\.......................................  ..............  ..............             256
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------

[[Page 8785]]

 
    Total.......................................................  ..............  ..............           1,706
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Vessels participating in cooperatives in the Central GOA Rockfish Program will receive 191 mt of the third
  season (July 1 through September 1) deep-water species fishery halibut PSC apportionment.
\2\ There is no apportionment between trawl shallow-water and deep-water species fishery categories during the
  fifth season (October 1 through December 31).
* Any remainder.

    Section 679.21(d)(2)(i)(B) requires that the ``other hook-and-line 
fishery'' halibut PSC limit apportionment to vessels using hook-and-
line gear must be apportioned between CVs and C/Ps in accordance with 
Sec.  679.21(d)(2)(iii) in conjunction with these harvest 
specifications. A comprehensive description and example of the 
calculations necessary to apportion the ``other hook-and-line fishery'' 
halibut PSC limit between the hook-and-line CV and C/P sectors were 
included in the proposed rule to implement Amendment 83 to the FMP (76 
FR 44700, July 26, 2011) and are not repeated here.
    Pursuant to Sec.  679.21(d)(2)(iii), the hook-and-line halibut PSC 
limit for the ``other hook-and-line fishery'' is apportioned between 
the CV and C/P sectors in proportion to the total Western and Central 
GOA Pacific cod allocations, which vary annually based on the 
proportion of the Pacific cod biomass between the Western, Central, and 
Eastern GOA. Pacific cod is apportioned among these two management 
areas based on the percentage of overall biomass per area, as 
calculated in the 2016 Pacific cod stock assessment. Updated 
information in the final 2017 SAFE report describes this distributional 
calculation, which is based on allocating ABC among regulatory areas on 
the basis of the three most recent stock surveys. For 2018 and 2019, 
the distribution of the total GOA Pacific cod ABC is 45 percent to the 
Western GOA, 45 percent to the Central GOA, and 10 percent to the 
Eastern GOA. Therefore, the calculations made in accordance with Sec.  
679.21(d)(2)(iii) incorporate the most recent information on GOA 
Pacific cod distribution with respect to establishing the annual 
halibut PSC limits for the CV and C/P hook-and-line sectors. The annual 
halibut PSC limits for both the CV and C/P sectors of the ``other hook-
and-line fishery'' are divided into three seasonal apportionments, 
using seasonal percentages of 86 percent, 2 percent, and 12 percent.
    For 2018 and 2019, NMFS apportions halibut PSC limits of 120 mt and 
137 mt to the hook-and-line CV and hook-and-line C/P sectors, 
respectively. Table 16 lists the final 2018 and 2019 apportionments of 
halibut PSC limits between the hook-and-line CV and the hook-and-line 
C/P sectors of the ``other hook-and-line fishery.''
    No later than November 1 of each year, NMFS will calculate the 
projected unused amount of halibut PSC limit by either of the CV or C/P 
hook-and-line sectors of the ``other hook-and-line fishery'' for the 
remainder of the year. The projected unused amount of halibut PSC limit 
is made available to the other hook-and-line sector for the remainder 
of that fishing year (Sec.  679.21(d)(2)(iii)(C)), if NMFS determines 
that an additional amount of halibut PSC is necessary for that sector 
to continue its directed fishing operations.

 Table 16--Final 2018 and 2019 Apportionments of the ``Other Hook-and-Line Fishery'' Annual Halibut PSC Allowance Between the Hook-and-Line Gear Catcher
                                                          Vessel and Catcher/Processor Sectors
                                                               [Values are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                              Sector
    ``Other than  DSR''  allowance       Hook-and- line sector    Sector  annual  amount               Season                Seasonal        seasonal
                                                                                                                            percentage        amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
257..................................  Catcher Vessel..........  120.....................  January 1-June 10............              86             103
                                                                                           June 10-September 1..........               2               2
                                                                                           September 1-December 31......              12              14
                                       Catcher/Processor.......  137.....................  January 1-June 10............              86             118
                                                                                           June 10-September 1..........               2               3
                                                                                           September 1-December 31......              12              16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Estimates of Halibut Biomass and Stock Condition

    The IPHC annually assesses the abundance and potential yield of the 
Pacific halibut stock using all available data from the commercial and 
sport fisheries, other removals, and scientific surveys. Additional 
information on the Pacific halibut stock assessment may be found in the 
IPHC's 2017 Pacific halibut stock assessment (December 2017), available 
on the IPHC website at www.iphc.int. The IPHC considered the 2017 
Pacific halibut stock assessment at its January 2018 annual meeting 
when it set the 2018 commercial halibut fishery catch limits.

Halibut Discard Mortality Rates

    To monitor halibut bycatch mortality allowances and apportionments, 
the Regional Administrator uses observed halibut incidental catch 
rates, halibut discard mortality rates (DMRs), and estimates of 
groundfish catch to project when a fishery's halibut bycatch mortality 
allowance or seasonal apportionment is reached. Halibut incidental 
catch rates are based on observers' estimates of halibut incidental 
catch in the groundfish fishery. DMRs are estimates of the proportion 
of incidentally caught halibut that do not survive after being returned 
to the sea. The cumulative halibut mortality that accrues to a

[[Page 8786]]

particular halibut PSC limit is the product of a DMR multiplied by the 
estimated halibut PSC. DMRs are estimated using the best scientific 
information available in conjunction with the annual GOA stock 
assessment process. The DMR methodology and findings are included as an 
appendix to the annual GOA groundfish SAFE report.
    In 2016, the DMR estimation methodology underwent revisions per the 
Council's directive. An interagency halibut working group (IPHC, 
Council, and NMFS staff) developed improved estimation methods that 
have undergone review by the GOA Plan Team, SSC, and the Council. A 
summary of the revised methodology is contained in the GOA proposed 
2017 and 2018 harvest specifications (81 FR 87881, December 6, 2016), 
and the comprehensive discussion of the working group's statistical 
methodology is available from the Council (see ADDRESSES). The DMR 
working group's revised methodology is intended to improve estimation 
accuracy, as well as transparency and transferability in the 
methodology used, for calculating DMRs. The working group will continue 
to consider improvements to the methodology used to calculate halibut 
mortality, including potential changes to the reference period (the 
period of data used for calculating the DMRs). Future DMRs, including 
the 2019 DMRs, may change based on an additional year of observer 
sampling, which could provide more recent and accurate data and which 
could improve the accuracy of estimation and progress on methodology. 
The new methodology will continue to ensure that NMFS is using DMRs 
that more accurately reflect halibut mortality, which will inform the 
different sectors of their estimated halibut mortality and allow 
specific sectors to respond with methods that could reduce mortality 
and, eventually, the DMR for that sector.
    At the December 2017 meeting, the SSC, AP, and Council concurred 
with the revised DMR estimation methodology, and NMFS adopted for 2018 
and 2019 the DMRs calculated under the revised methodology. The final 
2018 and 2019 DMRs in this rule are unchanged from the DMRs in the 
proposed 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications (82 FR 57924, December 8, 
2017). Table 17 lists these final 2018 and 2019 DMRs.

     Table 17--Final 2018 and 2019 Halibut Discard Mortality Rates for Vessels Fishing in the Gulf of Alaska
                               [Values are percent of halibut assumed to be dead]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                Halibut discard
                Gear                            Sector                Groundfish fishery        mortality rate
                                                                                                   (percent)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pelagic trawl......................  Catcher vessel.............  All.......................                 100
                                     Catcher/processor..........  All.......................                 100
Non-pelagic trawl..................  Catcher vessel.............  Rockfish Program..........                  62
                                     Catcher vessel.............  All others................                  67
                                     Mothership and catcher/      All.......................                  84
                                      processor.
Hook-and-line......................  Catcher/processor..........  All.......................                  10
                                     Catcher vessel.............  All.......................                  17
Pot................................  Catcher vessel and catcher/  All.......................                   7
                                      processor.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chinook Salmon Prohibited Species Catch Limits

    Amendment 93 to the FMP (77 FR 42629, July 20, 2012) established 
separate Chinook salmon PSC limits in the Western and Central GOA in 
the directed pollock trawl fishery. These limits require NMFS to close 
the pollock directed fishery in the Western and Central Regulatory 
Areas of the GOA if the applicable Chinook salmon PSC limit in that 
regulatory area is reached (Sec.  679.21(h)(8)). The annual Chinook 
salmon PSC limits in the pollock directed fishery of 6,684 salmon in 
the Western GOA and 18,316 salmon in the Central GOA are set at Sec.  
679.21(h)(2)(i) and (ii).
    Amendment 97 to the FMP (79 FR 71350, December 2, 2014) established 
an initial annual PSC limit of 7,500 Chinook salmon for the trawl non-
pollock groundfish fisheries in the Western and Central GOA. This limit 
is apportioned among three sectors directed fishing for groundfish 
species other than pollock: 3,600 Chinook salmon to trawl C/Ps; 1,200 
Chinook salmon to trawl CVs participating in the Rockfish Program; and 
2,700 Chinook salmon to trawl CVs not participating in the Rockfish 
Program (Sec.  679.21(h)(4)). NMFS will monitor the Chinook salmon PSC 
in the non-pollock GOA groundfish fisheries and close an applicable 
sector if it reaches its Chinook salmon PSC limit.
    The Chinook salmon PSC limit for two sectors, trawl C/Ps and trawl 
CVs not participating in the Rockfish Program, may be increased in 
subsequent years based on the performance of these two sectors and 
their ability to minimize their use of their respective Chinook salmon 
PSC limits. If either or both of these two sectors limits its use of 
Chinook salmon PSC to a specified threshold amount in 2017 (3,120 for 
trawl C/Ps and 2,340 for trawl CVs), that sector will receive an 
incremental increase to its 2018 Chinook salmon PSC limit (Sec.  
679.21(h)(4)). In 2017, the trawl C/P sector did not exceed 3,120 
Chinook salmon PSC; therefore, the 2018 trawl C/P sector Chinook salmon 
PSC limit will be 4,080 Chinook salmon. In 2017, the Non-Rockfish 
Program CV sector did not exceed 2,340 Chinook salmon PSC; therefore, 
the 2018 Non-Rockfish Program CV sector limit will be 3,060 Chinook 
salmon.

American Fisheries Act (AFA) Catcher/Processor and Catcher Vessel 
Groundfish Harvest and PSC Limits

    Section 679.64 establishes groundfish harvesting and processing 
sideboard limitations on AFA C/Ps and CVs in the GOA. These sideboard 
limits are necessary to protect the interests of fishermen and 
processors who do not directly benefit from the AFA from those 
fishermen and processors who receive exclusive harvesting and 
processing privileges under the AFA. Section 679.7(k)(1)(ii) prohibits 
listed AFA C/Ps and C/Ps designated on a listed AFA C/P permit from 
harvesting any species of groundfish in the GOA. Additionally, Sec.  
679.7(k)(1)(iv) prohibits listed AFA C/Ps and C/Ps designated on a 
listed AFA C/P permit from processing any pollock harvested in a 
directed pollock fishery in the GOA and any groundfish harvested in 
Statistical Area 630 of the GOA.
    AFA CVs that are less than 125 feet (38.1 meters) length overall, 
have annual landings of pollock in the Bering

[[Page 8787]]

Sea and Aleutian Islands less than 5,100 mt, and have made at least 40 
GOA groundfish landings from 1995 through 1997 are exempt from GOA CV 
groundfish sideboard limits under Sec.  679.64(b)(2)(ii). Sideboard 
limits for non-exempt AFA CVs in the GOA are based on their traditional 
harvest levels of TAC in groundfish fisheries covered by the FMP. 
Section 679.64(b)(3)(iv) establishes the CV groundfish sideboard 
limitations in the GOA based on the aggregate retained catch of non-
exempt AFA CVs of each sideboard species or species group from 1995 
through 1997 divided by the sum of the TACs for that species or species 
group available to CVs over the same period.
    Tables 18 and 19 list the final 2018 and 2019 groundfish sideboard 
limits for non-exempt AFA CVs. NMFS will deduct all targeted or 
incidental catch of sideboard species made by non-exempt AFA CVs from 
the sideboard limits listed in Tables 18 and 19.

                   Table 18--Final 2018 GOA Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel (CV) Groundfish Harvest Sideboard Limits
                                                     [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                          Ratio of  1995-
                                                                                                            1997  non-                      Final 2018
                Species                 Apportionments by season/              Area/component             exempt  AFA CV    Final 2018    non-exempt AFA
                                                   gear                                                   catch  to 1995-      TACs        CV sideboard
                                                                                                             1997  TAC                         limit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock...............................  A Season--January 20-      Shumagin (610).......................          0.6047           1,317             796
                                         March 10.                 Chirikof (620).......................          0.1167          27,314           3,188
                                                                   Kodiak (630).........................          0.2028           9,025           1,830
                                        B Season--March 10-May 31  Shumagin (610).......................          0.6047           1,317             796
                                                                   Chirikof (620).......................          0.1167          32,155           3,752
                                                                   Kodiak (630).........................          0.2028           4,184             848
                                        C Season--August 25-       Shumagin (610).......................          0.6047          13,777           8,331
                                         October 1.                Chirikof (620).......................          0.1167          10,013           1,169
                                                                   Kodiak (630).........................          0.2028          13,865           2,812
                                        D Season--October 1-       Shumagin (610).......................          0.6047          13,777           8,331
                                         November 1.               Chirikof (620).......................          0.1167          10,013           1,169
                                                                   Kodiak (630).........................          0.2028          13,865           2,812
                                        Annual...................  WYK (640)............................          0.3495           6,833           2,388
                                                                   SEO (650)............................          0.3495           8,773           3,066
Pacific cod...........................  A Season \1\--January 1-   W....................................          0.1331           3,394             452
                                         June 10.                  C....................................          0.0692           3,653             253
                                        B Season \2\--September 1- W....................................          0.1331           2,263             301
                                         December 31.              C....................................          0.0692           2,436             169
                                        Annual...................  E inshore............................          0.0079           1,215              10
                                                                   E offshore...........................          0.0078             135               1
Sablefish.............................  Annual, trawl gear.......  W....................................          0.0000             309  ..............
                                                                   C....................................          0.0642           1,032              66
                                                                   E....................................          0.0433             240              10
Shallow-water flatfish................  Annual...................  W....................................          0.0156          13,250             207
                                                                   C....................................          0.0587          25,315           1,486
                                                                   E....................................          0.0126           4,167              53
Deep-water flatfish...................  Annual...................  W....................................          0.0000             413  ..............
                                                                   C....................................          0.0647           3,400             220
                                                                   E....................................          0.0128           5,571              71
Rex sole..............................  Annual...................  W....................................          0.0007           3,086               2
                                                                   C....................................          0.0384           8,739             336
                                                                   E....................................          0.0029           3,548              10
Arrowtooth flounder...................  Annual...................  W....................................          0.0021          14,500              30
                                                                   C....................................          0.0280          48,000           1,344
                                                                   E....................................          0.0002          13,800               3
Flathead sole.........................  Annual...................  W....................................          0.0036           8,650              31
                                                                   C....................................          0.0213          15,400             328
                                                                   E....................................          0.0009           2,338               2
Pacific ocean perch...................  Annual...................  W....................................          0.0023           3,312               8
                                                                   C....................................          0.0748          20,112           1,504
                                                                   E....................................          0.0466           5,812             271
Northern rockfish.....................  Annual...................  W....................................          0.0003             420               0
                                                                   C....................................          0.0277           3,261              90
Shortraker rockfish...................  Annual...................  W....................................          0.0000              44  ..............
                                                                   C....................................          0.0218             305               7
                                                                   E....................................          0.0110             515               6
Dusky rockfish........................  Annual...................  W....................................          0.0001             146               0
                                                                   C....................................          0.0000           3,502  ..............
                                                                   E....................................          0.0067             309               2
Rougheye rockfish.....................  Annual...................  W....................................          0.0000             176  ..............
                                                                   C....................................          0.0237             556              13
                                                                   E....................................          0.0124             712               9
Demersal shelf rockfish...............  Annual...................  SEO..................................          0.0020             250               1

[[Page 8788]]

 
Thornyhead rockfish...................  Annual...................  W....................................          0.0280             344              10
                                                                   C....................................          0.0280             921              26
                                                                   E....................................          0.0280             773              22
Other rockfish........................  Annual...................  C....................................          0.1699           1,737             295
                                                                   E....................................          0.0000             568  ..............
Atka mackerel.........................  Annual...................  Gulfwide.............................          0.0309           3,000              93
Big skates............................  Annual...................  W....................................          0.0063             504               3
                                                                   C....................................          0.0063           1,774              11
                                                                   E....................................          0.0063             570               4
Longnose skates.......................  Annual...................  W....................................          0.0063             149               1
                                                                   C....................................          0.0063           2,804              18
                                                                   E....................................          0.0063             619               4
Other skates..........................  Annual...................  Gulfwide.............................          0.0063           1,384               9
Sculpins..............................  Annual...................  Gulfwide.............................          0.0063           5,301              33
Sharks................................  Annual...................  Gulfwide.............................          0.0063           4,514              28
Squids................................  Annual...................  Gulfwide.............................          0.0063           1,137               7
Octopuses.............................  Annual...................  Gulfwide.............................          0.0063             975               6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.


                   Table 19--Final 2019 GOA Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel (CV) Groundfish Harvest Sideboard Limits
                                                     [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                          Ratio of  1995-
                                                                                                             1997 non-                      Final 2019
                Species                   Apportionments by season/gear           Area/component          exempt  AFA CV    Final 2019    non-exempt AFA
                                                                                                          catch  to 1995-      TACs        CV sideboard
                                                                                                             1997  TAC                         limit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock................................  A Season--January 20-March 10..  Shumagin (610)................          0.6047             869             525
                                                                          Chirikof (620)................          0.1167          18,025           2,103
                                                                          Kodiak (630)..................          0.2028           5,955           1,208
                                         B Season--March 10-May 31......  Shumagin (610)................          0.6047             869             525
                                                                          Chirikof (620)................          0.1167          21,219           2,476
                                                                          Kodiak (630)..................          0.2028           2,761             560
                                         C Season--August 25-October 1..  Shumagin (610)................          0.6047           9,091           5,498
                                                                          Chirikof (620)................          0.1167           6,608             771
                                                                          Kodiak (630)..................          0.2028           9,150           1,856
                                         D Season--October 1-November 1.  Shumagin (610)................          0.6047           9,091           5,498
                                                                          Chirikof (620)................          0.1167           6,608             771
                                                                          Kodiak (630)..................          0.2028           9,150           1,856
                                         Annual.........................  WYK (640).....................          0.3495           4,509           1,576
                                                                          SEO (650).....................          0.3495           8,773           3,066
Pacific cod............................  A Season \1\--January 1-June 10  W.............................          0.1331           3,206             427
                                                                          C.............................          0.0692           3,450             239
                                         B Season \2\--September 1-       W.............................          0.1331           2,137             284
                                          December 31.                    C.............................          0.0692           2,300             159
                                         Annual.........................  E inshore.....................          0.0079           1,148               9
                                                                          E offshore....................          0.0078             128               1
Sablefish..............................  Annual, trawl gear.............  W.............................          0.0000             435  ..............
                                                                          C.............................          0.0642           1,452              93
                                                                          E.............................          0.0433             338              15
Shallow-water flatfish.................  Annual.........................  W.............................          0.0156          13,250             207
                                                                          C.............................          0.0587          25,655           1,506
                                                                          E.............................          0.0126           4,223              53
Deep-water flatfish....................  Annual.........................  W.............................          0.0000             416  ..............
                                                                          C.............................          0.0647           3,442             223
                                                                          E.............................          0.0128           5,640              72
Rex sole...............................  Annual.........................  W.............................          0.0007           2,909               2
                                                                          C.............................          0.0384           8,236             316
                                                                          E.............................          0.0029           3,384              10

[[Page 8789]]

 
Arrowtooth flounder....................  Annual.........................  W.............................          0.0021          14,500              30
                                                                          C.............................          0.0280          48,000           1,344
                                                                          E.............................          0.0002          13,800               3
Flathead sole..........................  Annual.........................  W.............................          0.0036           8,650              31
                                                                          C.............................          0.0213          15,400             328
                                                                          E.............................          0.0009           2,437               2
Pacific ocean perch....................  Annual.........................  W.............................          0.0023           3,240               7
                                                                          C.............................          0.0748          19,678           1,472
                                                                          E.............................          0.0466           5,687             265
Northern rockfish......................  Annual.........................  W.............................          0.0003             382               0
                                                                          C.............................          0.0277           2,965              82
Shortraker rockfish....................  Annual.........................  W.............................          0.0000              44  ..............
                                                                          C.............................          0.0218             305               7
                                                                          E.............................          0.0110             515               6
Dusky rockfish.........................  Annual.........................  W.............................          0.0001             135               0
                                                                          C.............................          0.0000           3,246  ..............
                                                                          E.............................          0.0067             287               2
Rougheye rockfish......................  Annual.........................  W.............................          0.0000             174  ..............
                                                                          C.............................          0.0237             550              13
                                                                          E.............................          0.0124             703               9
Demersal shelf rockfish................  Annual.........................  SEO...........................          0.0020             250               1
Thornyhead rockfish....................  Annual.........................  W.............................          0.0280             344              10
                                                                          C.............................          0.0280             921              26
                                                                          E.............................          0.0280             773              22
Other rockfish.........................  Annual.........................  W/C...........................          0.1699           1,737             295
                                                                          E.............................          0.0000             568  ..............
Atka mackerel..........................  Annual.........................  Gulfwide......................          0.0309           3,000              93
Big skates.............................  Annual.........................  W.............................          0.0063             504               3
                                                                          C.............................          0.0063           1,774              11
                                                                          E.............................          0.0063             570               4
Longnose skates........................  Annual.........................  W.............................          0.0063             149               1
                                                                          C.............................          0.0063           2,804              18
                                                                          E.............................          0.0063             619               4
Other skates...........................  Annual.........................  Gulfwide......................          0.0063           1,384               9
Sculpins...............................  Annual.........................  Gulfwide......................          0.0063           5,301              33
Sharks.................................  Annual.........................  Gulfwide......................          0.0063           4,514              28
Squids.................................  Annual.........................  Gulfwide......................          0.0063           1,137               7
Octopuses..............................  Annual.........................  Gulfwide......................          0.0063             975               6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.

Non-Exempt AFA Catcher Vessel Halibut PSC Limits

    The halibut PSC sideboard limits for non-exempt AFA CVs in the GOA 
are based on the aggregate retained groundfish catch by non-exempt AFA 
CVs in each PSC target category from 1995 through 1997 divided by the 
retained catch of all vessels in that fishery from 1995 through 1997 
(Sec.  679.64(b)(4)(ii)). Table 20 lists the final 2018 and 2019 non-
exempt AFA CV halibut PSC limits for vessels using trawl gear in the 
GOA, respectively.

          Table 20--Final 2018 and 2019 Non-Exempt AFA CV Halibut Prohibited Species Catch (PSC) Limits for Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the GOA
                                                       [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                          Ratio of 1995-
                                                                                                             1997 non-
                                                                                                           exempt AFA CV   2018 and 2019   2018 and 2019
                Season                         Season dates                    Target fishery             retained catch     PSC limit    non-exempt AFA
                                                                                                             to total                      CV PSC limit
                                                                                                          retained catch
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.....................................  January 20-April 1.......  shallow-water........................           0.340             384             131
                                                                   deep-water...........................           0.070              85               6

[[Page 8790]]

 
2.....................................  April 1-July 1...........  shallow-water........................           0.340              85              29
                                                                   deep-water...........................           0.070             256              18
3.....................................  July 1-September 1.......  shallow-water........................           0.340             171              58
                                                                   deep-water...........................           0.070             341              24
4.....................................  September 1-October 1....  shallow-water........................           0.340             128              44
                                                                   deep-water...........................           0.070               0               0
5.....................................  October 1-December 31....  all targets..........................           0.205             256              52
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual:
                                                                   Total shallow-water..................  ..............  ..............             262
                                       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Total deep-water.....................  ..............  ..............              48
                                       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Grand Total, all season and categories                        1,706             362
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Non-AFA Crab Vessel Groundfish Harvest Limitations

    Section 680.22 establishes groundfish catch limits for vessels with 
a history of participation in the Bering Sea snow crab fishery to 
prevent these vessels from using the increased flexibility provided by 
the Crab Rationalization Program to expand their level of participation 
in the GOA groundfish fisheries. Sideboard limits restrict these 
vessels' catch to their collective historical landings in each GOA 
groundfish fishery (except the fixed-gear sablefish fishery). Sideboard 
limits also apply to catch made using an LLP license derived from the 
history of a restricted vessel, even if that LLP license is used on 
another vessel.
    The basis for these sideboard limits is described in detail in the 
final rules implementing the major provisions of Amendments 18 and 19 
to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and 
Tanner Crabs (Crab FMP) (70 FR 10174, March 2, 2005), Amendment 34 to 
the Crab FMP (76 FR 35772, June 20, 2011), Amendment 83 to the GOA FMP 
(76 FR 74670, December 1, 2011), and Amendment 45 to the Crab FMP (80 
FR 28539, May 19, 2015).
    Tables 21 and 22 list the final 2018 and 2019 groundfish sideboard 
limitations for non-AFA crab vessels. All targeted or incidental catch 
of sideboard species made by non-AFA crab vessels or associated LLP 
licenses will be deducted from these sideboard limits.

                           Table 21--Final 2018 GOA Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessel Groundfish Harvest Sideboard Limits
                                                     [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                          Ratio of 1996-
                                                                                                           2000 non-AFA                   Final 2018 non-
                                                                                                            crab vessel     Final 2018       AFA crab
                Species                        Season/gear                  Area/component/gear           catch to 1996-       TACs           vessel
                                                                                                            2000 total                       sideboard
                                                                                                              harvest                          limit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock...............................  A Season--January 20-      Shumagin (610).......................          0.0098           1,317              13
                                         March 10.
                                                                   Chirikof (620).......................          0.0031          27,314              85
                                                                   Kodiak (630).........................          0.0002           9,025               2
                                        B Season--March 10-May 31  Shumagin (610).......................          0.0098           1,317              13
                                                                   Chirikof (620).......................          0.0031          32,155             100
                                                                   Kodiak (630).........................          0.0002           4,184               1
                                        C Season--August 25-       Shumagin (610).......................          0.0098          13,777             135
                                         October 1.
                                                                   Chirikof (620).......................          0.0031          10,013              31
                                                                   Kodiak (630).........................          0.0002          13,865               3
                                        D Season--October 1-       Shumagin (610).......................          0.0098          13,777             135
                                         November 1.
                                                                   Chirikof (620).......................          0.0031          10,013              31
                                                                   Kodiak (630).........................          0.0002          13,865               3
                                        Annual...................  WYK (640)............................          0.0000           6,833  ..............
                                                                   SEO (650)............................          0.0000           8,773  ..............
Pacific cod...........................  A Season \1\--January 1-   WG Jig...............................          0.0000           3,394  ..............
                                         June 10.
                                                                   WG Hook-and-line CV..................          0.0004           3,394               1
                                                                   WG Pot CV............................          0.0997           3,394             338
                                                                   WG Pot C/P...........................          0.0078           3,394              26
                                                                   WG Trawl CV..........................          0.0007           3,394               2
                                                                   CG Jig...............................          0.0000           3,653  ..............

[[Page 8791]]

 
                                                                   CG Hook-and-line CV..................          0.0001           3,653               0
                                                                   CG Pot CV............................          0.0474           3,653             173
                                                                   CG Pot C/P...........................          0.0136           3,653              50
                                                                   CG Trawl CV..........................          0.0012           3,653               4
                                        B Season \2\--September 1- WG Jig...............................          0.0000           2,263  ..............
                                         December 31.
                                                                   WG Hook-and-line CV..................          0.0004           2,263               1
                                                                   WG Pot CV............................          0.0997           2,263             226
                                                                   WG Pot C/P...........................          0.0078           2,263              18
                                                                   WG Trawl CV..........................          0.0007           2,263               2
                                                                   CG Jig...............................          0.0000           2,436  ..............
                                                                   CG Hook-and-line CV..................          0.0001           2,436               0
                                                                   CG Pot CV............................          0.0474           2,436             115
                                                                   CG Pot C/P...........................          0.0136           2,436              33
                                                                   CG Trawl CV..........................          0.0012           2,436               3
                                        Annual...................  EG inshore...........................          0.0110           1,215              13
                                                                   EG offshore..........................          0.0000             135  ..............
Sablefish.............................  Annual, trawl gear.......  W....................................          0.0000             309  ..............
                                                                   C....................................          0.0000           1,032  ..............
                                                                   E....................................          0.0000             240  ..............
Shallow-water flatfish................  Annual...................  W....................................          0.0059          13,250              78
                                                                   C....................................          0.0001          25,315               3
                                                                   E....................................          0.0000           4,167  ..............
Deep-water flatfish...................  Annual...................  W....................................          0.0035             413               1
                                                                   C....................................          0.0000           3,400  ..............
                                                                   E....................................          0.0000           5,571  ..............
Rex sole..............................  Annual...................  W....................................          0.0000           3,086  ..............
                                                                   C....................................          0.0000           8,739  ..............
                                                                   E....................................          0.0000           3,548  ..............
Arrowtooth flounder...................  Annual...................  W....................................          0.0004          14,500               6
                                                                   C....................................          0.0001          48,000               5
                                                                   E....................................          0.0000          13,800  ..............
Flathead sole.........................  Annual...................  W....................................          0.0002           8,650               2
                                                                   C....................................          0.0004          15,400               6
                                                                   E....................................          0.0000           2,338  ..............
Pacific ocean perch...................  Annual...................  W....................................          0.0000           3,312  ..............
                                                                   C....................................          0.0000          20,112  ..............
                                                                   0.0000...............................           5,812  ..............
Northern rockfish.....................  Annual...................  W....................................          0.0005             420               0
                                                                   C....................................          0.0000           3,261  ..............
Shortraker rockfish...................  Annual...................  W....................................          0.0013              44               0
                                                                   C....................................          0.0012             305               0
                                                                   E....................................          0.0009             515               0
Dusky rockfish........................  Annual...................  W....................................          0.0017             146               0
                                                                   C....................................          0.0000           3,502  ..............
                                                                   E....................................          0.0000             309  ..............
Rougheye rockfish.....................  Annual...................  W....................................          0.0067             176               1
                                                                   C....................................          0.0047             556               3
                                                                   E....................................          0.0008             712               1
Demersal shelf rockfish...............  Annual...................  SEO..................................          0.0000             250  ..............
Thornyhead rockfish...................  Annual...................  W....................................          0.0047             344               2
                                                                   C....................................          0.0066             921               6
                                                                   E....................................          0.0045             773               3
Other rockfish........................  Annual...................  W/C..................................          0.0033           1,737               6
                                                                   E....................................          0.0000             568  ..............
Atka mackerel.........................  Annual...................  Gulfwide.............................          0.0000           3,000  ..............
Big skate.............................  Annual...................  W....................................          0.0392             504              20
                                                                   C....................................          0.0159           1,774              28
                                                                   E....................................          0.0000             570  ..............
Longnose skate........................  Annual...................  W....................................          0.0392             149               6
                                                                   C....................................          0.0159           2,804              45
                                                                   E....................................          0.0000             619  ..............
Other skates..........................  Annual...................  Gulfwide.............................          0.0176           1,384              24
Sculpins..............................  Annual...................  Gulfwide.............................          0.0176           5,301              93
Sharks................................  Annual...................  Gulfwide.............................          0.0176           4,514              79
Squids................................  Annual...................  Gulfwide.............................          0.0176           1,137              20

[[Page 8792]]

 
Octopuses.............................  Annual...................  Gulfwide.............................          0.0176             975              17
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for jig gear opens June 10. The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.


       Table 22--Final 2019 GOA Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessel Groundfish Harvest Sideboard Limits
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Ratio of 1996-
                                                                   2000 non-AFA                   Final 2019 non-
                                                 Area/component/    crab vessel     Final 2019       AFA crab
           Species                Season/gear          gear       catch to 1996-       TACs           vessel
                                                                    2000 total                       sideboard
                                                                      harvest                          limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock......................  A Season--        Shumagin (610).          0.0098             869               9
                                January 20-
                                March 10.
                                                 Chirikof (620).          0.0031          18,025              56
                                                 Kodiak (630)...          0.0002           5,955               1
                               B Season--March   Shumagin (610).          0.0098             869               9
                                10-May 31.
                                                 Chirikof (620).          0.0031          21,219              66
                                                 Kodiak (630)...          0.0002           2,761               1
                               C Season--August  Shumagin (610).          0.0098           9,091              89
                                25-October 1.
                                                 Chirikof (620).          0.0031           6,608              20
                                                 Kodiak (630)...          0.0002           9,150               2
                               D Season--        Shumagin (610).          0.0098           9,091              89
                                October 1-
                                November 1.
                                                 Chirikof (620).          0.0031           6,608              20
                                                 Kodiak (630)...          0.0002           9,150               2
                               Annual..........  WYK (640)......          0.0000           4,509  ..............
                                                 SEO (650)......          0.0000           8,773  ..............
Pacific cod..................  A Season \1\--    WG Jig.........          0.0000           3,206  ..............
                                January 1-June
                                10.
                                                 WG Hook-and-             0.0004           3,206               1
                                                  line CV.
                                                 WG Pot CV......          0.0997           3,206             320
                                                 WG Pot C/P.....          0.0078           3,206              25
                                                 WG Trawl CV....          0.0007           3,206               2
                                                 CG Jig.........          0.0000           3,450  ..............
                                                 CG Hook-and-             0.0001           3,450               0
                                                  line CV.
                                                 CG Pot CV......          0.0474           3,450             164
                                                 CG Pot C/P.....          0.0136           3,450              47
                                                 CG Trawl CV....          0.0012           3,450               4
                               B Season \2\--    WG Jig.........          0.0000           2,137  ..............
                                September 1-     WG Hook-and-             0.0004           2,137               1
                                December 31.      line CV.
                                                 WG Pot CV......          0.0997           2,137             213
                                                 WG Pot C/P.....          0.0078           2,137              17
                                                 WG Trawl CV....          0.0007           2,137               1
                                                 CG Jig.........          0.0000           2,300  ..............
                                                 CG Hook-and-             0.0001           2,300               0
                                                  line CV.
                                                 CG Pot CV......          0.0474           2,300             109
                                                 CG Pot C/P.....          0.0136           2,300              31
                                                 CG Trawl CV....          0.0012           2,300               3
                               Annual..........  E inshore......          0.0110           1,148              13
                                                 E offshore.....          0.0000             128  ..............
Sablefish....................  Annual, trawl     W..............          0.0000             435  ..............
                                gear.
                                                 C..............          0.0000           1,452  ..............
                                                 E..............          0.0000             338  ..............
Shallow-water flatfish.......  Annual..........  W..............          0.0059          13,250              78
                                                 C..............          0.0001          25,655               3
                                                 E..............          0.0000           4,223  ..............
Deep-water flatfish..........  Annual..........  W..............          0.0035             416               1
                                                 C..............          0.0000           3,442  ..............
                                                 E..............          0.0000           5,640  ..............

[[Page 8793]]

 
Rex sole.....................  Annual..........  W..............          0.0000           2,909  ..............
                                                 C..............          0.0000           8,236  ..............
                                                 E..............          0.0000           3,384  ..............
Arrowtooth flounder..........  Annual..........  W..............          0.0004          14,500               6
                                                 C..............          0.0001          48,000               5
                                                 E..............          0.0000          13,800  ..............
Flathead sole................  Annual..........  W..............          0.0002           8,650               2
                                                 C..............          0.0004          15,400               6
                                                 E..............          0.0000           2,437  ..............
Pacific ocean perch..........  Annual..........  W..............          0.0000           3,240  ..............
                                                 C..............          0.0000          19,678  ..............
                                                 E..............          0.0000           5,687  ..............
Northern rockfish............  Annual..........  W..............          0.0005             382               0
                                                 C..............          0.0000           2,965  ..............
Shortraker rockfish..........  Annual..........  W..............          0.0013              44               0
                                                 C..............          0.0012             305               0
                                                 E..............          0.0009             515               0
Dusky rockfish...............  Annual..........  W..............          0.0017             135               0
                                                 C..............          0.0000           3,246  ..............
                                                 E..............          0.0000             287  ..............
Rougheye rockfish............  Annual..........  W..............          0.0067             174               1
                                                 C..............          0.0047             550               3
                                                 E..............          0.0008             703               1
Demersal shelf rockfish......  Annual..........  SEO............          0.0000             250  ..............
Thornyhead rockfish..........  Annual..........  W..............          0.0047             344               2
                                                 C..............          0.0066             921               6
                                                 E..............          0.0045             773               3
Other rockfish...............  Annual..........  W/C............          0.0033           1,737               6
                                                 E..............          0.0000             568  ..............
Atka mackerel................  Annual..........  Gulfwide.......          0.0000           3,000  ..............
Big skate....................  Annual..........  W..............          0.0392             504              20
                                                 C..............          0.0159           1,774              28
                                                 E..............          0.0000             570  ..............
Longnose skate...............  Annual..........  W..............          0.0392             149               6
                                                 C..............          0.0159           2,804              45
                                                 E..............          0.0000             619  ..............
Other skates.................  Annual..........  Gulfwide.......          0.0176           1,384              24
Sculpins.....................  Annual..........  Gulfwide.......          0.0176           5,301              93
Sharks.......................  Annual..........  Gulfwide.......          0.0176           4,514              79
Squids.......................  Annual..........  Gulfwide.......          0.0176           1,137              20
Octopuses....................  Annual..........  Gulfwide.......          0.0176             975              17
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for jig gear opens June 10. The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November
  1.

Rockfish Program Groundfish Sideboard and Halibut PSC Limitations

    The Rockfish Program establishes three classes of sideboard 
provisions: CV groundfish sideboard restrictions, C/P rockfish 
sideboard restrictions, and C/P opt-out vessel sideboard restrictions 
(Sec.  679.82(c)(1)). These sideboards are intended to limit the 
ability of rockfish harvesters to expand into other fisheries.
    CVs participating in the Rockfish Program may not participate in 
directed fishing for dusky rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, and northern 
rockfish in the West Yakutat District and Western GOA from July 1 
through July 31. Also, CVs may not participate in directed fishing for 
arrowtooth flounder, deep-water flatfish, and rex sole in the GOA from 
July 1 through July 31 (Sec.  679.82(d)(3)-(4)).
    C/Ps participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives are restricted 
by rockfish and halibut PSC sideboard limits. These C/Ps are prohibited 
from directed fishing for dusky rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, and 
northern rockfish in the West Yakutat District and Western GOA from 
July 1 through July 31 (Sec.  679.82(e)(2)). Holders of C/P-designated 
LLP licenses that opt out of participating in a Rockfish Program 
cooperative will be able to access that portion of each rockfish 
sideboard limit that is not assigned to rockfish cooperatives (Sec.  
679.82(e)(3) and (e)(7)). The sideboard ratio for each fishery in the 
West Yakutat District and the Western GOA is set forth in Sec.  
679.82(e)(4). Tables 23 and 24 list the final 2018 and 2019 Rockfish 
Program C/P sideboard limits in the West Yakutat District and the 
Western GOA. Due to confidentiality requirements associated with 
fisheries data, the sideboard limits for the West Yakutat District are 
not displayed.

[[Page 8794]]



    Table 23--Final 2018 Rockfish Program Sideboard Limits for the Western GOA and West Yakutat District by Fishery for the Catcher/Processor Sector
                                                     [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Area                        Fishery              C/P sector (% of TAC)              Final 2018 TACs              Final 2018 C/P limit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA.......................  Dusky rockfish.......  72.3..........................  146...........................  106.
                                    Pacific ocean perch..  50.6..........................  3,312.........................  1,676.
                                    Northern rockfish....  74.3..........................  420...........................  312.
West Yakutat District.............  Dusky rockfish.......  Confidential \1\..............  232...........................  Confidential.\1\
                                    Pacific ocean perch..  Confidential \1\..............  3,371.........................  Confidential.\1\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Not released due to confidentiality requirements associated with fish ticket data, as established by NMFS and the State of Alaska.


  Table 24--Final 2019 Rockfish Program Sideboard Limits for the Western GOA and West Yakutat District GOA by Fishery for the Catcher/Processor Sector
                                                     [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Area                        Fishery              C/P sector (% of TAC)              Final 2019 TACs              Final 2019 C/P limit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA.......................  Dusky rockfish.......  72.3..........................  135...........................  98.
                                    Pacific ocean perch..  50.6..........................  3,240.........................  1,639.
                                    Northern rockfish....  74.3..........................  382...........................  284.
West Yakutat District.............  Dusky rockfish.......  Confidential \1\..............  215...........................  Confidential.\1\
                                    Pacific ocean perch..  Confidential \1\..............  3,298.........................  Confidential.\1\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Not released due to confidentiality requirements associated with fish ticket data, as established by NMFS and the State of Alaska.

    Under the Rockfish Program, the C/P sector is subject to halibut 
PSC sideboard limits for the trawl deep-water and shallow-water species 
fisheries from July 1 through July 31 (Sec.  679.82(e)(3) and (e)(5)). 
Halibut PSC sideboard ratios by fishery are set forth in Sec.  
679.82(e)(5). No halibut PSC sideboard limits apply to the CV sector, 
as vessels participating in cooperatives receive a portion of the 
annual halibut PSC limit. C/Ps that opt out of the Rockfish Program are 
able to access that portion of the deep-water and shallow-water halibut 
PSC sideboard limit not assigned to C/P rockfish cooperatives. The 
sideboard provisions for C/Ps that elect to opt out of participating in 
a rockfish cooperative are described in Sec.  679.82(c), (e), and (f). 
Sideboard limits are linked to the catch history of specific vessels 
that may choose to opt out. After March 1, NMFS will determine which C/
Ps have opted-out of the Rockfish Program in 2018, and NMFS will know 
the ratios and amounts used to calculate opt-out sideboard ratios. NMFS 
will then calculate any applicable opt-out sideboards and post these 
limits on the Alaska Region website at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/rockfish/. Table 25 lists the final 2018 and 2019 
Rockfish Program halibut PSC limits for the C/P sector.

       Table 25--Final 2018 and 2019 Rockfish Program Halibut PSC Limits for the Catcher/Processor Sector
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Shallow-water    Deep-water
                                      species         species                     Annual shallow-  Annual deep-
                                      fishery         fishery      2018 and 2019   water species   water species
             Sector                 halibut PSC     halibut PSC       halibut         fishery         fishery
                                     sideboard       sideboard       mortality      halibut PSC     halibut PSC
                                       ratio           ratio        limit (mt)       sideboard       sideboard
                                     (percent)       (percent)                      limit (mt)      limit (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher/processor...............            0.10            2.50           1,706               2              43
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Amendment 80 Program Groundfish and PSC Sideboard Limits

    Amendment 80 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (Amendment 80 Program) 
established a limited access privilege program for the non-AFA trawl C/
P sector. The Amendment 80 Program established groundfish and halibut 
PSC catch limits for Amendment 80 Program participants to limit the 
ability of participants eligible for the Amendment 80 Program to expand 
their harvest efforts in the GOA.
    Section 679.92 establishes groundfish harvesting sideboard limits 
on all Amendment 80 program vessels, other than the F/V Golden Fleece, 
to amounts no greater than the limits listed in Table 37 to 50 CFR part 
679. Under Sec.  679.92(d), the F/V Golden Fleece is prohibited from 
directed fishing for pollock, Pacific cod, Pacific ocean perch, dusky 
rockfish, and northern rockfish in the GOA.
    Groundfish sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels 
operating in the GOA are based on their average aggregate harvests from 
1998 through 2004 (72 FR 52668, September 14, 2007). Tables 26 and 27 
list the final 2018 and 2019 groundfish sideboard limits for Amendment 
80 Program vessels. NMFS will deduct all targeted or incidental catch 
of sideboard species made by Amendment 80 Program vessels from the 
sideboard limits in Tables 26 and 27.

[[Page 8795]]



                                  Table 26--Final 2018 GOA Groundfish Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels
                                                       [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                             Ratio of
                                                                                                           Amendment 80                   2018 Amendment
                Species                     Apportionments and                      Area                  sector vessels   2018 TAC (mt)     80 vessel
                                          allocations by season                                              1998-2004                      sideboards
                                                                                                           catch to TAC                        (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock...............................  A Season--January 20-      Shumagin (610).......................           0.003           1,317               4
                                         March 10.
                                                                   Chirikof (620).......................           0.002          27,314              55
                                                                   Kodiak (630).........................           0.002           9,025              18
                                        B Season--March 10-May 31  Shumagin (610).......................           0.003           1,317               4
                                                                   Chirikof (620).......................           0.002          32,155              64
                                                                   Kodiak (630).........................           0.002           4,184               8
                                        C Season--August 25-       Shumagin (610).......................           0.003          13,777              41
                                         October 1.
                                                                   Chirikof (620).......................           0.002          10,013              20
                                                                   Kodiak (630).........................           0.002          13,865              28
                                        D Season--October 1-       Shumagin (610).......................           0.003          13,777              41
                                         November 1.
                                                                   Chirikof (620).......................           0.002          10,013              20
                                                                   Kodiak (630).........................           0.002          13,865              28
                                        Annual...................  WYK (640)............................           0.002           6,833              14
Pacific cod...........................  A Season \1\--January 1-   W....................................           0.020           3,394              68
                                         June 10.
                                                                   C....................................           0.044           3,653             161
                                        B Season \2\--September 1- W....................................           0.020           2,263              45
                                         December 31.
                                                                   C....................................           0.044           2,436             107
                                        Annual...................  WYK..................................           0.034           1,350              46
Pacific ocean perch...................  Annual...................  W....................................           0.994           3,312           3,292
                                                                   WYK..................................           0.961           3,371           3,240
Northern rockfish.....................  Annual...................  W....................................           1.000             420             420
Dusky rockfish........................  Annual...................  W....................................           0.764             146             112
                                                                   WYK..................................           0.896             232             208
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.


                                  Table 27--Final 2019 GOA Groundfish Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels
                                                       [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                             Ratio of
                                                                                                           Amendment 80                   2019 Amendment
                Species                     Apportionments and                      Area                  sector vessels   2019 TAC (mt)     80 vessel
                                          allocations by season                                              1998-2004                      sideboards
                                                                                                           catch to TAC                        (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock...............................  A Season--January 20-      Shumagin (610).......................           0.003             869               3
                                         March 10.
                                                                   Chirikof (620).......................           0.002          18,025              36
                                                                   Kodiak (630).........................           0.002           5,955              12
                                        B Season--March 10-May 31  Shumagin (610).......................           0.003             869               3
                                                                   Chirikof (620).......................           0.002          21,219              42
                                                                   Kodiak (630).........................           0.002           2,761               6
                                        C Season--August 25-       Shumagin (610).......................           0.003           9,091              27
                                         October 1.
                                                                   Chirikof (620).......................           0.002           6,608              13
                                                                   Kodiak (630).........................           0.002           9,150              18
                                        D Season--October 1-       Shumagin (610).......................           0.003           9,091              27
                                         November 1.
                                                                   Chirikof (620).......................           0.002           6,608              13
                                                                   Kodiak (630).........................           0.002           9,150              18
                                        Annual...................  WYK (640)............................           0.002           4,509               9
Pacific cod...........................  A Season \1\--January 1-   W....................................           0.020           3,206              64
                                         June 10.
                                                                   C....................................           0.044           3,450             152
                                        B Season \2\--September 1- W....................................           0.020           2,137              43
                                         December 31.
                                                                   C....................................           0.044           2,300             101
                                        Annual...................  WYK..................................           0.034           1,275              43
Pacific ocean perch...................  Annual...................  W....................................           0.994           3,240           3,221
                                                                   WYK..................................           0.961           3,298           3,169
Northern rockfish.....................  Annual...................  W....................................           1.000             382             382
Dusky rockfish........................  Annual...................  W....................................           0.764             135             103
                                                                   WYK..................................           0.896             215             193
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.


[[Page 8796]]

    The halibut PSC sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels 
in the GOA are based on the historic use of halibut PSC by Amendment 80 
Program vessels in each PSC target category from 1998 through 2004. 
These values are slightly lower than the average historic use to 
accommodate two factors: Allocation of halibut PSC cooperative quota 
under the Rockfish Program and the exemption of the F/V Golden Fleece 
from this restriction (Sec.  679.92(b)(2)). Table 28 lists the final 
2018 and 2019 halibut PSC limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels. 
These tables incorporate the maximum percentages of the halibut PSC 
sideboard limits that may be used by Amendment 80 Program vessels as 
contained in Table 38 to 50 CFR part 679. Any residual amount of a 
seasonal Amendment 80 sideboard halibut PSC limit may carry forward to 
the next season limit (Sec.  679.92(b)(2)).

                              Table 28--Final 2018 and 2019 Halibut PSC Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels in the GOA
                                                       [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                             Historic
                                                                                                           Amendment 80                    2018 and 2019
                                                                                                            use of the     2018 and 2019   Amendment 80
                Season                         Season dates                    Target fishery             annual halibut    annual PSC      vessel PSC
                                                                                                             PSC limit      limit (mt)         limit
                                                                                                           catch (ratio)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.....................................  January 20-April 1.......  shallow-water........................          0.0048           1,706               8
                                                                   deep-water...........................          0.0115           1,706              20
2.....................................  April 1-July 1...........  shallow-water........................          0.0189           1,706              32
                                                                   deep-water...........................          0.1072           1,706             183
3.....................................  July 1-September 1.......  shallow-water........................          0.0146           1,706              25
                                                                   deep-water...........................          0.0521           1,706              89
4.....................................  September 1-October 1....  shallow-water........................          0.0074           1,706              13
                                                                   deep-water...........................          0.0014           1,706               2
5.....................................  October 1-December 31....  shallow-water........................          0.0227           1,706              39
                                        .........................  deep-water...........................          0.0371           1,706              63
                                                                                                         -----------------------------------------------
    Total.............................  .........................  .....................................  ..............  ..............             474
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Directed Fishing Closures

    Pursuant to Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), if the Regional Administrator 
determines (1) that any allocation or apportionment of a target species 
or species group allocated or apportioned to a fishery will be reached; 
or (2) with respect to pollock and Pacific cod, that an allocation or 
apportionment to an inshore or offshore component or sector allocation 
will be reached, then the Regional Administrator may establish a 
directed fishing allowance (DFA) for that species or species group. 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 GOA 
subarea, regulatory area, or district (Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii)).
    The Regional Administrator has determined that the TACs for the 
species listed in Table 29 are necessary to account for the incidental 
catch of these species in other anticipated groundfish fisheries for 
the 2018 and 2019 fishing years.

                          Table 29--2018 and 2019 Directed Fishing Closures in the GOA
                  [Amounts for incidental catch in other directed fisheries are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Incidental catch amount and year (if
                Target                      Area/component/gear                 amounts differ by year)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock..............................  all/offshore.................  not applicable.\1\
Sablefish \2\........................  all/trawl....................  1,581 (2018), 2,225 (2019).
Pacific cod..........................  Western, catcher/processor,    134 (2018), 125 (2019).
                                        trawl.
                                       Central, catcher/processor,    253 (2018), 239 (2019).
                                        trawl.
Shortraker rockfish \2\..............  all..........................  864.
Rougheye rockfish \2\................  all..........................  1,444 (2018), 1,427 (2019).
Thornyhead rockfish \2\..............  all..........................  2,038.
Other rockfish.......................  all..........................  2,305.
Atka mackerel........................  all..........................  3,000.
Big skate............................  all..........................  2,848.
Longnose skate.......................  all..........................  3,572.
Other skates.........................  all..........................  1,384.
Sharks...............................  all..........................  4,514.
Squids...............................  all..........................  1,137.
Octopuses............................  all..........................  975.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Pollock is closed to directed fishing in the GOA by the offshore component under Sec.   679.20(a)(6)(i).
\2\ Closures not applicable to participants in cooperatives conducted under the Central GOA Rockfish Program, as
  cooperatives are prohibited from exceeding their allocations (Sec.   679.7(n)(6)(viii)).


[[Page 8797]]

    Consequently, in accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the 
Regional Administrator establishes the DFA for the species or species 
groups listed in Table 29 as zero mt. Therefore, in accordance with 
Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for those 
species, areas, gear types, and components in the GOA listed in Table 
29. These closures will remain in effect through 2400 hours, A.l.t., 
December 31, 2019.
    Section 679.64(b)(5) provides for management of AFA CV groundfish 
harvest limits and PSC bycatch limits using directed fishing closures 
and PSC closures according to procedures set out at Sec. Sec.  
679.20(d)(1)(iv), 679.21(d)(6), and 679.21(e)(3)(v). The Regional 
Administrator has determined that, in addition to the closures listed 
above, many of the non-exempt AFA CV sideboard limits listed in Tables 
18 and 19 are necessary as incidental catch to support other 
anticipated groundfish fisheries for the 2018 and 2019 fishing years. 
In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iv), the Regional Administrator 
sets the DFAs for the species and species groups in Table 30 at zero 
mt. Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is 
prohibiting directed fishing by non-exempt AFA CVs in the GOA for the 
species and specified areas listed in Table 30. These closures will 
remain in effect through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2019.

   Table 30--2018 and 2019 Non-Exempt AFA CV Sideboard Directed Fishing Closures for All Gear Types in the GOA
                  [Amounts for incidental catch in other directed fisheries are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Regulatory area/
            Species                    district                          Incidental catch amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod...................  Eastern...............  10 (inshore) and 9 (offshore) [2018].
                                                        1 (inshore) and 1 (offshore) [2019].
Shallow-water flatfish........  Eastern...............  53.
Deep-water flatfish...........  Western...............  0.
Rex sole......................  Western and Eastern...  2 and 10.
Arrowtooth flounder...........  Western and Eastern...  30 and 3.
Flathead sole.................  Western and Eastern...  31 and 2.
Pacific ocean perch...........  Western...............  8.
Northern rockfish.............  Western...............  0.
Dusky rockfish................  Entire GOA............  2.
Demersal shelf rockfish.......  SEO District..........  1.
Sculpins......................  Entire GOA............  33.
Squids........................  Entire GOA............  7.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 680.22 provides for the management of non-AFA crab vessel 
sideboards using directed fishing closures in accordance with Sec.  
680.22(e)(2) and (3). The Regional Administrator has determined that 
the non-AFA crab vessel sideboards listed in Tables 21 and 22 are 
insufficient to support a directed fishery and has set the sideboard 
DFA at zero mt, with the exception of Pacific cod pot CV sector 
apportionments in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas. Therefore, 
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing by non-AFA crab vessels in the GOA 
for all species and species groups listed in Tables 21 and 22, with the 
exception of the Pacific cod pot CV sector apportionments in the 
Western and Central Regulatory Areas.
    Closures implemented under the 2017 and 2018 GOA harvest 
specifications for groundfish (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017) remain 
effective under authority of these final 2018 and 2019 harvest 
specifications and until the date specified in those notices. Closures 
are posted at the following website: http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/infobulletins/search. 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. NMFS may implement 
other closures during the 2018 and 2019 fishing years as necessary for 
effective conservation and management.

Comments and Responses

    NMFS received two letters during the public comment period for the 
proposed GOA groundfish harvest specifications. No changes were made to 
the final rule in response to the comment letters received. NMFS' 
response to public comments on the proposed GOA groundfish harvest 
specifications is provided below.
    Comment 1: The proposed harvest specifications are based on stock 
assessment information from the 2016 SAFE. That information is not the 
most up-to-date, and may not be sufficient to support the Council's 
recommendations for the 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications, as 
contained in the proposed rule.
    Response: NMFS noted in the proposed 2018 and 2019 harvest 
specifications that, while the proposed specifications were based on 
information from the 2016 SAFE report, the final 2017 SAFE report would 
be available to support the Council's recommendations and NMFS' 
determinations for the final GOA 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications. 
The final 2017 SAFE report, which contains the most recent GOA 
groundfish stock assessment information on the biological condition of 
groundfish stocks as well as other biological and socioeconomic 
information, became available in November 2017. The Council reviewed 
the final 2017 SAFE report during its December 2017 meeting and based 
its recommendations for appropriate 2018 and 2019 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs 
on information provided in the final 2017 SAFE report. NMFS also 
considered the information in the final 2017 SAFE report in adopting 
the Council's recommendations and in setting the final 2018 and 2019 
harvest specifications. The 2017 SAFE is available from the Council 
(see ADDRESSES).
    Comment 2: NOAA has done an adequate job protecting baby longnose 
skates in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska and should 
keep doing what it is doing.
    Response: NMFS acknowledges this comment.

Classification

    NMFS has determined that these final harvest specifications are 
consistent with the FMP and with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and

[[Page 8798]]

Management Act and other applicable laws.
    This action is authorized under 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from 
review under Executive Order 12866.
    NMFS prepared an EIS for 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 ROD for the EIS. In January 2017, NMFS 
prepared a 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 preferred alternative is a harvest strategy in 
which TACs are set at a level that falls within the range of ABCs 
recommended by the Council's SSC; the sum of the TACs must achieve the 
OY specified in the FMP. The SIR evaluates the need to prepare a 
Supplemental EIS (SEIS) for the 2018 and 2019 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 2018 and 2019 harvest 
specifications, which were set according to the preferred harvest 
strategy in the EIS, does not constitute a substantial 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 2018 and 2019 harvest 
specifications will result in environmental impacts within the scope of 
those analyzed and disclosed in the EIS. Therefore, supplemental 
National Environmental Policy Act documentation is not necessary to 
implement the 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications.
    Section 604 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 604) 
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). The following constitutes the FRFA prepared in the 
final action.
    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 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; and (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 that 
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 8, 2017 (82 FR 57924). 
NMFS prepared an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) to 
accompany this action, and included a summary in the proposed rule. The 
comment period closed on January 8, 2018. No comments were received on 
the IRFA or on the economic impacts of the rule more generally. The 
Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration did not 
file any comments on the proposed rule.
    The entities directly regulated by this action include: (1) 
Entities operating vessels with groundfish FFPs catching FMP groundfish 
in Federal waters; (2) all entities operating vessels, regardless of 
whether they hold groundfish FFPs, catching FMP groundfish in the 
State-waters parallel fisheries; and (3) all entities operating vessels 
fishing for halibut inside three miles of the shore (whether or not 
they have FFPs).
    For RFA purposes only, NMFS has established a small business size 
standard for businesses, including their affiliates, whose primary 
industry is commercial fishing (see 50 CFR 200.2). A business primarily 
engaged in commercial fishing (NAICS code 11411) 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 $11 million for all its 
affiliated operations worldwide.
    Based on data from 2016 fishing activity, there were 920 individual 
catcher vessel entities with gross revenues meeting small entity 
criteria. Of these entities, 841 used hook-and-line gear, 114 used pot 
gear, and 31 used trawl gear (some of these entities used more than one 
gear type, thus the counts of entities using the different gear types 
do not sum to the total number of entities above). Three individual 
catcher/processors met the small entity criterion; two used hook-and-
line gear, and one used trawl gear. Catcher/processor gross revenues 
were not reported for confidentiality reasons; however, small hook-and-
line entities had average gross revenues of $340,000, small pot 
entities had average gross revenues of $720,000, and small trawl 
entities had average gross revenues of $1.83 million.
    Some of these vessels are members of AFA inshore pollock 
cooperatives, of GOA rockfish cooperatives, or of Bering Sea and 
Aleutian Islands crab rationalization cooperatives, and, therefore, 
under the RFA it is the aggregate gross receipts of all participating 
members of the cooperative that must meet the threshold. Vessels that 
participate in these cooperatives are considered to be large entities 
within the meaning of the RFA. These relationships are accounted for, 
along with corporate affiliations among vessels, to the extent that 
they are known, in the estimated number of small entities. If 
affiliations exist of which NMFS is unaware, or if entities had non-
fishing revenue sources, the estimates above may overstate the number 
of directly regulated small entities.
    This action does not modify recordkeeping or reporting 
requirements.
    NMFS considered alternative harvest strategies when choosing the 
preferred harvest strategy (Alternative 2) in December 2006. These 
included the following:

[[Page 8799]]

     Alternative 1: Set TACs to produce fishing mortality 
rates, F, that are equal to maxFABC, unless the sum of the TACs is 
constrained by the OY established in the fishery management plans. This 
is equivalent to setting TACs to produce harvest levels equal to the 
maximum permissible ABCs, as constrained by OY. The term ``maxFABC'' 
refers to the maximum permissible value of FABC under Amendment 56 to 
the BSAI and GOA groundfish fishery management plans. 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, TACs 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, TACs 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 ABCs, and 
recent average F may provide a better indicator of actual F than FABC 
does.
     Alternative 4: Set TACs for rockfish species in Tier 3 at 
F75%; set TACs for rockfish species in Tier 5 at F=0.5M; and set 
spatially explicit TACs for shortraker and rougheye rockfish in the 
GOA. Second, taking the rockfish TACs as calculated above, reduce all 
other TACs by a proportion that does not vary across species, so that 
the sum of all TACs, including rockfish TACs, is equal to the lower 
bound of the area OY (116,000 mt in the GOA). This alternative sets 
conservative and spatially explicit TACs for rockfish species that are 
long-lived and late to mature and sets conservative TACs for the other 
groundfish species.
     Alternative 5: (No Action) Set TACs at zero.
    Alternatives 1, 3, 4, and 5 do not meet the objectives of this 
action, and although Alternatives 1 and 3 may have a smaller adverse 
economic impact on small entities than the preferred alternative, 
Alternatives 4 and 5 would have a significant adverse economic impact 
on small entities. The Council rejected these alternatives as harvest 
strategies in 2006, and the Secretary did so in 2007.
    Alternative 2 is the preferred alternative chosen by the Council: 
Set TACs that fall within the range of ABCs 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 TACs that has been used in the past.
    Alternative 2 selected harvest rates that will allow fishermen to 
harvest stocks at the level of ABCs, unless total harvests are 
constrained by the upper bound of the GOA OY of 800,000 mt. The sums of 
ABCs in 2018 and 2019 are 536,921 mt and 480,187 mt, respectively. The 
sums of the TACs in 2018 and 2019 are 427,512 mt and 376,417 mt, 
respectively. Thus, although the sum of ABCs in each year is less than 
800,000 mt, the sums of the TACs in each year are less than the sums of 
the ABCs.
    In most cases, the Council has set TACs equal to ABCs. The 
divergence between aggregate TACs and aggregate ABCs reflects a variety 
of special species- and fishery-specific circumstances:
     Pacific cod TACs are set equal to 70 percent in the 
Western GOA and 75 percent in the Central and Eastern GOA of the 
Pacific cod ABCs in each year to account for the GHL set by the State 
for its GHL Pacific cod fisheries (30 percent of the Western GOA ABC 
and 25 percent of the Central and Eastern GOA ABCs). Thus, the 
difference between the Federal TACs and ABCs does not actually reflect 
a Pacific cod harvest below the Pacific cod ABC, as the balance is 
available for the State's cod GHL fisheries.
     Shallow-water flatfish and flathead sole TACs are set 
below ABCs in the Western Regulatory Area. Arrowtooth flounder TACs are 
set below ABC in all GOA regulatory areas. Catches of these flatfish 
species rarely, if ever, approach the proposed ABCs or TACs. Important 
trawl fisheries in the GOA take halibut PSC, and are constrained by 
limits on the allowable halibut PSC mortality. These limits may force 
the closure of trawl fisheries before they have harvested the available 
groundfish ABC. Thus, actual harvests of groundfish in the GOA 
routinely fall short of some ABCs and TACs. Markets can also constrain 
harvests below the TACs, as has been the case with arrowtooth flounder, 
in the past. These TACs are set to allow for increased harvest 
opportunities for these targets while conserving the halibut PSC limit 
for use in other, more fully utilized fisheries.
     The other rockfish TAC is set below the ABC in the 
Southeast Outside District based on several factors. In addition to 
conservation concerns for the rockfish species in this group, there is 
a regulatory prohibition against using trawl gear east of 140[deg] W 
longitude. Because most species of other rockfish are caught 
exclusively with trawl gear, the catch of such species with other gear 
types, such as hook-and-line, is low. The commercial catch of other 
rockfish in the Eastern Regulatory Area, which includes the West 
Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts, has ranged from approximately 
70 mt to 248 mt per year over the last decade.
     The GOA-wide Atka mackerel TAC is set below the ABC. The 
estimates of survey biomass continue to be unreliable in the GOA. 
Therefore, the Council recommended and NMFS agrees that the Atka 
mackerel TAC in the GOA be set at an amount to support incidental catch 
in other directed fisheries.
    Alternative 1 selects harvest rates that would allow fishermen to 
harvest stocks at the level of the ABCs, unless total harvests were 
constrained by the upper bound of the GOA OY of 800,000 mt. Although 
Alternative 1 may be consistent with the preferred alternative 
(Alternative 2), meet the objectives of the action, and have small 
entity impacts equivalent to the preferred alternative, it is not 
likely that Alternative 1 would result in reduced adverse economic 
impacts to directly-regulated small entities relative to Alternative 2. 
The selection of Alternative 1, which could increase all TACs up to the 
sum of ABCs, would not reflect the practical implications that 
increased TACs for some species probably would not be fully harvested. 
This could be due to a variety of reasons, which are addressed in the 
preamble to this rule and are summarized briefly here. There may be a 
lack of commercial or market interest in some species. Additionally, an 
underharvest of flatfish TACs could result due to constraints such as 
the fixed, and therefore constraining, PSC limits associated with the 
harvest of the GOA groundfish species. Furthermore, TACs may be set 
lower than ABC for conservation purposes, as is the case with other 
rockfish in the Eastern GOA. Finally, the TACs for two species (pollock 
and Pacific cod) cannot be set equal to ABC, as the TAC must be reduced 
to account for the State of Alaska's guideline harvest levels in these 
fisheries.
    Alternative 3 selects harvest rates based on the most recent 5 
years of harvest rates (for species in Tiers 1 through 3) or based on 
the most recent 5 years of harvests (for species in Tiers

[[Page 8800]]

4 through 6). This alternative is inconsistent with the objectives of 
this action because it does not take account of the most recent 
biological information for this fishery. NMFS annually conducts at-sea 
surveys for different species, as well as statistical modeling, to 
estimate stock sizes and permissible harvest levels. Actual harvest 
rates or harvest amounts are a component of these estimates, but in and 
of themselves may not accurately portray stock sizes and conditions. 
Harvest rates are listed for each species or species group for each 
year in the SAFE report (see ADDRESSES).
    Alternative 4 would lead to significantly lower harvests of all 
species to reduce TACs from the upper end of the OY range in the GOA to 
its lower end of 116,000 mt. Overall, this alternative would reduce 
2018 TACs by about 69 percent. This would lead to significant 
reductions in harvests of species by small entities. While production 
declines in the GOA likely would be associated with offsetting price 
increases in the GOA, the size of these increases is very uncertain. 
Price increases would still be constrained by the availability of 
substitutes, and there are close substitutes for GOA groundfish species 
available in significant quantities from the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands management area. In addition, price increases are very unlikely 
to offset revenue declines from smaller production. Thus, this action 
would have a detrimental economic impact on small entities.
    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 and SIR (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 would be 
contrary to the public interest. The Plan Team review occurred in 
November 2017, and the Council considered and recommended the final 
harvest specifications in December 2017. Accordingly, NMFS' review 
could not begin until after the December 2017 Council meeting, and 
after the public had time to comment on the proposed action. For all 
fisheries not currently closed because the TACs established under the 
final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications (82 FR 12032, February 27, 
2017) were not reached, it is possible that they would be closed prior 
to the expiration of a 30-day delayed effectiveness period because 
their TACs could be reached within that period. If implemented 
immediately, this rule would allow these fisheries to continue fishing 
because some of the new TACs implemented by this rule are higher than 
the TACs under which they are currently fishing.
    In addition, 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 pertinent for those species that have lower 2018 ABCs and 
TACs than those established in the 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications 
(82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017). If implemented immediately, this rule 
would ensure that NMFS can properly manage those fisheries for which 
this rule sets lower 2018 ABCs and TACs, which are based on the most 
recent biological information on the condition of stocks, rather than 
managing species under the higher TACs set in the previous year's 
harvest specifications.
    Certain fisheries, such as those for pollock and Pacific cod, are 
intensive, fast-paced fisheries. Other fisheries, such as those for 
sablefish, flatfish, rockfish, Atka mackerel, skates, sculpins, sharks, 
squids, 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 many of these 
fisheries. If this rule allowed for a 30-day delay in effectiveness and 
if a TAC were reached during those 30 days, NMFS would close directed 
fishing or prohibit retention for the applicable species. Any delay in 
allocating the final TACs in these fisheries would cause confusion to 
the industry and potential economic harm through unnecessary discards, 
thus undermining the intent of this rule. Waiving the 30-day delay 
allows NMFS to prevent economic loss to fishermen that could otherwise 
occur should the 2018 TACs (set under the 2017 and 2018 harvest 
specifications) be reached. 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.
    In fisheries subject to declining sideboard limits, a failure to 
implement the updated sideboard limits before initial season's end 
could deny the intended economic protection to the non-sideboarded 
sectors. Conversely, in fisheries with increasing sideboard limits, 
economic benefit could be denied to the sideboard-limited sectors.
    If the final harvest specifications are not effective by March 24, 
2018, which is the start of the 2018 Pacific halibut season as 
specified by the IPHC, the hook-and-line sablefish fishery will not 
begin concurrently with the Pacific halibut IFQ season. This would 
result in confusion for the industry 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 2018 and 2019 
harvest specifications will allow the sablefish IFQ fishery to begin 
concurrently with the Pacific halibut IFQ season.
    Finally, immediate effectiveness also would provide the fishing 
industry the earliest possible opportunity to plan and conduct its 
fishing operations with respect to new information about TACs. 
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 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications 
and prohibited species bycatch allowances for the groundfish fisheries 
of the GOA. This action is necessary to establish harvest limits and 
associated management measures for groundfish during the 2018 and 2019 
fishing years, and to accomplish the goals and objectives of the FMP. 
This action affects all fishermen who participate in the GOA fisheries. 
The specific OFL, ABC, TAC, and PSC amounts 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), 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.


[[Page 8801]]


    Dated: February 23, 2018.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-04124 Filed 2-28-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P