[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 1 (Thursday, January 2, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19-22]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-27757]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 180713633-9174-02; RTID 0648-XY059]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason 
Adjustment to the 2020 Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Pollock, Atka 
Mackerel, and Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts

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

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

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SUMMARY: NMFS is adjusting the 2020 total allowable catch (TAC) amounts 
for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) pollock, Atka mackerel, 
and Pacific cod fisheries. This action is necessary because NMFS has 
determined these TACs are incorrectly specified, and will ensure the 
BSAI pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific cod TACs are the appropriate 
amounts based on the best available scientific information. This action 
is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management 
Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management 
Area.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 31, 
2019, until the effective date of the final 2020 and 2021 harvest 
specifications for BSAI groundfish, unless otherwise modified or 
superseded through publication of a notification in the Federal 
Register.
    Comments must be received at the following address no later than 
4:30 p.m., A.l.t., January 17, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2018-0089, by 
either of the following methods:
     Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2018-0089, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, 
complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to Glenn Merrill, Assistant 
Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region 
NMFS, Attn: Records. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-
1668.
    Instructions: NMFS may not consider comments if they are sent by 
any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after 
the comment period ends. All comments received are a part of the public 
record, and NMFS will post the comments for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address), confidential business information, 
or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender 
will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter 
``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
BSAI exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan 
for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area 
(FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under 
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act. Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with 
the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
    The final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications for groundfish in 
the BSAI (84 FR 9000, March 13, 2019) set the 2020 Aleutian Islands 
(AI) pollock TAC at 19,000 metric tons (mt), the 2020 Bering Sea (BS) 
pollock TAC at 1,420,000 mt, the 2020 BSAI Atka mackerel TAC at 53,635 
mt, the 2019 BS Pacific cod TAC at 124,625 mt, and the 2019 AI Pacific 
cod TAC at 14,214 mt. Also set was a 2020 AI pollock ABC of 55,125 mt 
and a Western Aleutian Islands limit for Pacific cod at 15.7 percent of 
the AI Pacific cod ABC minus the State of Alaska's guideline harvest 
level. In December 2019, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council 
(Council) recommended a 2020 BS pollock TAC of 1,425,000 mt, which is 
more than the 1,420,000 mt TAC established by the final 2019 and 2020 
harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI. The Council also 
recommended decreasing the AI pollock ABC to 55,120 mt from 55,125 mt. 
This decreases some 2020 area and seasonal limits for AI pollock. The 
Council also recommended a 2020 BSAI Atka mackerel TAC of 59,305 mt, 
which is more than the 53,635 mt TAC established by the final 2019 and 
2020 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI. Furthermore, 
the Council recommended a 2020 BS Pacific cod TAC of 141,799 mt, and an 
AI Pacific cod TAC of 13,796 mt, which is more than the BS Pacific cod 
TAC of 124,625 mt, and less than the AI Pacific cod TAC of 14,214 mt 
established by the final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications for 
groundfish in the BSAI. In addition to changes in TACs, the Council 
recommended the same percentage limit of Western Aleutian Islands 
Pacific cod of 15.7 percent of the AI Pacific cod ABC minus the State 
of Alaska's guideline harvest level. The Council's recommended 2020 
TACs, and the area and seasonal apportionments, are based on the Stock 
Assessment and Fishery Evaluation report (SAFE), dated November 2019, 
which NMFS has determined is the best available scientific information 
for these fisheries.
    Steller sea lions occur in the same location as the pollock, Atka 
mackerel, and Pacific cod fisheries and are listed as endangered under 
the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific 
cod are a principal prey species for Steller sea lions in the BSAI. The 
seasonal apportionment of pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific cod 
harvest is necessary to ensure the groundfish fisheries are not likely 
to cause jeopardy of extinction or adverse modification of critical 
habitat for Steller sea lions. NMFS published regulations and the 
revised harvest limit amounts for pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific 
cod fisheries to implement Steller sea lion protection measures to 
insure that groundfish fisheries of the BSAI are not likely to 
jeopardize the continued existence of the western distinct population 
segment of Steller sea lions or destroy or adversely modify their 
designated critical habitat (79 FR 70286, November 25, 2014). The 
regulations at Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(i) and (iii) specify how the BS and 
AI pollock TAC will be apportioned. The regulations at Sec.  
679.20(a)(7) specify how the BSAI Pacific cod TAC will be apportioned. 
The regulations at Sec.  679.20(a)(8) specify how the BSAI Atka 
mackerel TAC will be apportioned.
    In accordance with Sec.  679.25(a)(1)(iii), (a)(2)(i)(B), and 
(a)(2)(iv), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional 
Administrator), has determined that, based on the November 2019 SAFE 
report for this fishery, the current BSAI pollock, Atka mackerel, and 
Pacific cod TACs are incorrectly

[[Page 20]]

specified. Pursuant to Sec.  679.25(a)(1)(iii), the Regional 
Administrator is adjusting the 2020 BS pollock TAC to 1,425,000 mt, the 
2020 BSAI Atka mackerel TAC to 59,305 mt, the 2020 BS Pacific cod TAC 
to 141,799 mt, and the 2020 AI Pacific cod TAC to 13,796 mt. Therefore, 
Table 2 of the final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications for 
groundfish in the BSAI (843 FR 9000, March 13, 2019) is revised 
consistent with this adjustment.
    Pursuant to Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(i) and (iii), Table 5 of the final 
2019 and 2020 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (84 FR 
9000, March 13, 2019) is revised for the 2020 BS and AI allocations of 
pollock TAC to the directed pollock fisheries and to the Community 
Development Quota (CDQ) directed fishing allowances consistent with 
this adjustment. For AI pollock, harvest limits are set for pollock in 
the A season (January 20 to June 10) in Areas 543, 542, and 541, see 
Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(6). In Area 541, the 2020 A season pollock 
harvest limit is no more than 30 percent, or 16,536 mt, of the AI ABC 
of 55,120 mt. In Area 542, the 2020 A season pollock harvest limit is 
no more than 15 percent, or 8,268 mt, of the AI ABC of 55,120 mt. In 
Area 543, the 2020 A season pollock harvest limit is no more than 5 
percent, or 2,756 mt, of the AI pollock ABC of 55,120 mt.

    Table 5--Final 2020 Allocations of Pollock TACS to the Directed Pollock Fisheries and to the CDQ Directed
                                          Fishing Allowances (DFA) \1\
                                          [amounts are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               2020 A season \1\
                                                           --------------------------------------------------------
             Area and sector              2020 allocations                                                     B
                                                             A season DFA     SCA harvest   2020 B  season  season
                                                                               limit \2\          \1\         DFA
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------
Bering Sea subarea TAC \1\..............         1,425,000             n/a             n/a             n/a
CDQ DFA.................................           142,500          64,125          39,900          78,375
ICA \1\.................................            47,453             n/a             n/a             n/a
Total Bering Sea non-CDQ DFA............         1,235,048         555,771         345,813         679,276
AFA Inshore.............................           617,524         277,886         172,907         339,638
AFA Catcher/Processors \3\..............           494,019         222,309         138,325         271,710
    Catch by C/Ps.......................           452,027         203,412             n/a         248,615
    Catch by CVs \3\....................            41,992          18,896             n/a          23,095
    Unlisted C/P Limit \4\..............             2,470           1,112             n/a           1,359
AFA Motherships.........................           123,505          55,577          34,581          67,928
Excessive Harvesting Limit \5\..........           216,133             n/a             n/a             n/a
Excessive Processing Limit \6\..........           370,514             n/a             n/a             n/a
Aleutian Islands subarea ABC............            55,120             n/a             n/a             n/a
Aleutian Islands subarea TAC \1\........            19,000             n/a             n/a             n/a
CDQ DFA.................................             1,900           1,900             n/a
ICA.....................................             2,400           1,200             n/a           1,200
Aleut Corporation.......................            14,700          14,700             n/a
Area harvest limit \7\..................               n/a             n/a             n/a             n/a
    541.................................            16,536             n/a             n/a             n/a
    542.................................             8,268             n/a             n/a             n/a
    543.................................             2,756             n/a             n/a             n/a
Bogoslof District ICA \8\...............                75             n/a             n/a             n/a
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\1\ Pursuant to Sec.   679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), the Bering Sea subarea pollock TAC, after subtracting the CDQ DFA (10
  percent) and the ICA (3.7 percent), is allocated as a DFA as follows: Inshore sector--50 percent, catcher/
  processor sector (C/P)--40 percent, and mothership sector--10 percent. In the Bering Sea subarea, 45 percent
  of the DFA is allocated to the A season (January 20-June 10) and 55 percent of the DFA is allocated to the B
  season (June 10-November 1). Pursuant to Sec.   679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2), the annual Aleutian Islands pollock
  TAC, after subtracting first for the CDQ DFA (10 percent) and second for the ICA (2,400 mt), is allocated to
  the Aleut Corporation for a pollock directed fishery. In the Aleutian Islands subarea, the A season is
  allocated up to 40 percent of the ABC for AI pollock.
\2\ In the Bering Sea subarea, pursuant to Sec.   679.20(a)(5)(i)(C), no more than 28 percent of each sector's
  annual DFA may be taken from the SCA before noon, April 1.
\3\ Pursuant to Sec.   679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4), 8.5 percent of the DFA allocated to listed C/Ps shall be available
  for harvest only by eligible catcher vessels with a C/P endorsement delivering to listed C/Ps, unless there is
  a C/P sector cooperative for the year.
\4\ Pursuant to Sec.   679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4)(iii), the AFA unlisted catcher/processors are limited to harvesting
  not more than 0.5 percent of the catcher/processors sector's allocation of pollock.
\5\ Pursuant to Sec.   679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(6), NMFS establishes an excessive harvesting share limit equal to 17.5
  percent of the sum of the non-CDQ pollock DFAs.
\6\ Pursuant to Sec.   679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(7), NMFS establishes an excessive processing share limit equal to 30.0
  percent of the sum of the non-CDQ pollock DFAs.
\7\ Pursuant to Sec.   679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(6), NMFS establishes harvest limits for pollock in the A season in
  Area 541 of no more than 30 percent, in Area 542 of no more than 15 percent, and in Area 543 of no more than 5
  percent of the Aleutian Islands pollock ABC.
\8\ Pursuant to Sec.   679.22(a)(7)(B), the Bogoslof District is closed to directed fishing for pollock. The
  amounts specified are for incidental catch only and are not apportioned by season or sector.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.

    Pursuant to Sec.  679.20(a)(8), Table 7 of the final 2019 and 2020 
harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (84 FR 9000, March 
13, 2019) is revised for the 2020 seasonal and spatial allowances, gear 
shares, CDQ reserve, incidental catch allowance, jig, BSAI trawl 
limited access, and Amendment 80 allocations of the BSAI Atka mackerel 
TAC consistent with this adjustment.

[[Page 21]]



 TABLE 7--Final 2020 Seasonal and Spatial Allowances, Gear Shares, CDQ Reserve, Incidental Catch Allowance, and
                             Amendment 80 Allocations of the BSAI ATKA Mackerel TAC
                                          [Amounts are in metric tons]
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                                                                              2020 allocation by area
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                                                      Eastern
              Sector \1\                      Season 2 3 4           Aleutian         Central         Western
                                                                     District        Aleutian        Aleutian
                                                                    Bering Sea     District \5\      District
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAC...................................  n/a.....................          24,535          14,721          20,049
CDQ reserve...........................  Total...................           2,625           1,575           2,145
                                        A.......................           1,313             788           1,073
                                        Critical Habitat........             n/a             473             644
                                        B.......................           1,313             788           1,073
                                        Critical Habitat........             n/a             473             644
Non-CDQ TAC...........................  n/a.....................          21,910          13,146          17,904
ICA...................................  Total...................             800              75              20
Jig \6\...............................  Total...................             106
BSAI trawl limited access.............  Total...................           2,100           1,307
                                        A.......................           1,050             654
                                        Critical Habitat........             n/a             392
                                        B.......................           1,050             654
                                        Critical Habitat........             n/a             392
Amendment 80 sector...................  Total...................          18,904          11,764          17,884
                                        A.......................           9,452           5,882           8,942
                                        Critical Habitat........             n/a           3,529           5,365
                                        B.......................           9,452           5,882           8,942
                                        Critical Habitat........             n/a           3,529           5,365
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Section 679.20(a)(8)(ii) allocates the Atka mackerel TACs, after subtracting the CDQ reserves, jig gear
  allocation, and ICAs, to the Amendment 80 and BSAI trawl limited access sectors. The allocation of the ITAC
  for Atka mackerel to the Amendment 80 and BSAI trawl limited access sectors is established in Table 33 to 50
  CFR part 679 and Sec.   679.91. The CDQ reserve is 10.7 percent of the TAC for use by CDQ participants (see
  Sec.  Sec.   679.20(b)(1)(ii)(C) and 679.31).
\2\ Sections 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(A) and 679.22(a) establish temporal and spatial limitations for the Atka mackerel
  fishery.
\3\ The seasonal allowances of Atka mackerel are 50 percent in the A season and 50 percent in the B season.
\4\ Section 679.23(e)(3) authorizes directed fishing for Atka mackerel with trawl gear during the A season from
  January 20 to June 10 and the B season from June 10 to December 31.
\5\ Section 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(1)(i) limits no more than 60 percent of the annual TACs in Areas 542 and 543 to
  be caught inside of Steller sea lion critical habitat; section 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(1)(ii) equally divides the
  annual TACs between the A and B seasons as defined at Sec.   679.23(e)(3); and section 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(2)
  requires the TAC in Area 543 shall be no more than 65 percent of ABC in Area 543.
\6\ Section 679.20(a)(8)(i) requires that up to 2 percent of the Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering Sea
  subarea TAC be allocated to jig gear after subtracting the CDQ reserve and the ICA. NMFS sets the amount of
  this allocation for 2020 at 0.5 percent. The jig gear allocation is not apportioned by season.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.

    Pursuant to Sec.  679.20(a)(7), Table 9 of the final 2019 and 2020 
harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (84 FR 9000, March 
13, 2019) is revised for the 2020 gear shares and seasonal allowances 
of the BSAI Pacific cod TAC consistent with this adjustment.

               Table 9--FINAl 2020 Gear Shares and Seasonal Allowances of the BSAI Pacific Cod TAC
                                          [Amounts are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                2020 share  of                     2020 seasonal apportionment
          Gear sector               Percent       gear sector    2020 share of ---------------------------------
                                                     total       sector total        Seasons          Amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BS TAC........................             n/a         141,799             n/a  n/a.............             n/a
BS CDQ........................             n/a          15,172             n/a  see Sec.                     n/a
                                                                                 679.20(a)(7)(i)
                                                                                 (B).
BS non-CDQ TAC................             n/a         126,627             n/a  n/a.............             n/a
AI TAC........................             n/a          13,796             n/a  n/a.............             n/a
AI CDQ........................             n/a           1,476             n/a  see Sec.                     n/a
                                                                                 679.20(a)(7)(i)
                                                                                 (B).
AI non-CDQ TAC................             n/a          12,320             n/a  n/a.............             n/a
Western Aleutian Island Limit.             n/a           2,166             n/a  n/a.............             n/a
Total BSAI non-CDQ TAC \1\....             100         138,946             n/a  n/a.............             n/a
Total hook-and-line/pot gear..            60.8          84,479             n/a  n/a.............             n/a
Hook-and-line/pot ICA \2\.....             n/a             400             n/a  see Sec.                     n/a
                                                                                 679.20(a)(7)(ii
                                                                                 )(B).
Hook-and-line/pot sub-total...             n/a          84,079             n/a  n/a.............             n/a
Hook-and-line catcher/                    48.7             n/a          67,346  Jan 1-Jun 10....          34,347
 processor.
                                                                                Jun 10-Dec 31...          33,000
Hook-and-line catcher vessel               0.2             n/a             277  Jan 1-Jun 10....             141
 >=60 ft LOA.
                                                                                Jun 10-Dec 31...             136
Pot catcher/processor.........             1.5             n/a           2,074  Jan 1-Jun 10....           1,058
                                                                                Sept 1-Dec 31...           1,016
Pot catcher vessel >=60 ft LOA             8.4             n/a          11,616  Jan 1-Jun 10....           5,924
                                                                                Sept 1-Dec 31...           5,692
Catcher vessel <60 ft LOA                  2.0             n/a           2,766  n/a.............             n/a
 using hook-and-line or pot
 gear.
Trawl catcher vessel..........            22.1          30,707             n/a  Jan 20-Apr 1....          22,723
                                                                                Apr 1-Jun 10....           3,378
                                                                                Jun 10-Nov 1....           4,606
AFA trawl catcher/processor...             2.3           3,196             n/a  Jan 20-Apr 1....           2,397
                                                                                Apr-Jun 10......             799
Jun 10-Nov 1..................

[[Page 22]]

 
Amendment 80..................            13.4          18,619             n/a  Jan 20-Apr 1....          13,964
                                                                                Apr 1-Jun 10....           4,655
                                                                                Jun 10-Nov 1....
Jig...........................             1.4           1,945             n/a  Jan 1-Apr 30....           1,167
                                                                                Apr 30-Aug 31...             389
                                                                                Aug 31-Dec 31...             389
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The gear shares and seasonal allowances for BSAI Pacific cod TAC are based on the sum of the BS and AI
  Pacific cod TACs, after the subtraction of CDQ. If the TAC for Pacific cod in either the AI or BS is reached,
  then directed fishing for Pacific cod in that subarea will be prohibited, even if a BSAI allowance remains.
\2\ The ICA for the hook-and-line and pot sectors will be deducted from the aggregate portion of Pacific cod TAC
  allocated to the hook-and-line and pot sectors. The Regional Administrator approves an ICA of 400 mt for 2020
  based on anticipated incidental catch in these fisheries.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, 
NOAA (AA), finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior 
notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set 
forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest. This requirement is impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest as it would prevent NMFS from 
responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and 
would allow for harvests that exceed the appropriate allocations for 
pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific cod in the BSAI based on the best 
scientific information available. NMFS was unable to publish a notice 
providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant 
data only became available as of December 9, 2019, and additional time 
for prior public comment would result in conservation concerns for the 
ESA-listed Steller sea lions.
    The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the 
effective date of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This finding is 
based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and 
opportunity for public comment.
    Under Sec.  679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to submit 
written comments on this action to the above address until January 17, 
2020.
    This action is required by Sec.  679.20 and Sec.  679.25 and is 
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: December 19, 2019.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-27757 Filed 12-31-19; 8:45 am]
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