[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 249 (Thursday, December 29, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 80090-80094]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-28343]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 220223-0054; RTID 0648-XC635]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason 
Adjustment to the 2023 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 2023 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 0001 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 1, 
2023, until the effective date of the final 2023 and 2024 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superseded through publication of a notification in the Federal 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 13, 2023.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by 
docket number NOAA-NMFS-2022-0076, by any of the following methods:
    Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via 
the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and 
enter NOAA-NMFS-2022-0076 in the Search

[[Page 80091]]

box. Click on the ``Comment'' icon, complete the required fields, and 
enter or attach your comments.
    Mail: Submit written comments to Gretchen Harrington, Assistant 
Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region 
NMFS. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), 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: Krista Milani, 907-581-2062.

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 
(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 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications for groundfish in 
the BSAI (87 FR 11626, March 2, 2022) set the 2023 Aleutian Islands 
(AI) pollock TAC at 19,000 metric tons (mt), the 2023 Bering Sea (BS) 
pollock TAC at 1,289,000 mt, the 2023 BSAI Atka mackerel TAC at 60,958 
mt, the 2023 BS Pacific cod TAC at 133,459 mt, and the 2023 AI Pacific 
cod TAC at 13,796 mt. In December 2022, the Council recommended a 2023 
BS pollock TAC of 1,300,000 mt, which is more than the 1,289,000 mt TAC 
established by the final 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications for 
groundfish in the BSAI. The Council also recommended a 2023 BSAI Atka 
mackerel TAC of 69,282 mt, which is more than the 60,958 mt TAC 
established by the final 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications for 
groundfish in the BSAI. Furthermore, the Council recommended a 2023 BS 
Pacific cod TAC of 127,409 mt, and an AI Pacific cod TAC of 8,425 mt, 
which is less than the BS Pacific cod TAC of 133,459 mt, and less than 
the AI Pacific cod TAC of 13,796 mt established by the final 2022 and 
2023 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI. The Council's 
recommended 2023 TACs, and the area and seasonal apportionments, are 
based on the Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation report (SAFE), 
dated November 2022, 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).
    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 2022 SAFE 
report for this fishery, the current BSAI pollock, Atka mackerel, and 
Pacific cod TACs are incorrectly specified. Pursuant to Sec.  
679.25(a)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator is adjusting the 2023 BS 
pollock TAC to 1,300,000 mt, the 2023 BSAI Atka mackerel TAC to 69,282 
mt, the 2023 BS Pacific cod TAC to 127,409 mt, and the 2023 AI Pacific 
cod TAC to 8,425 mt. Therefore, Table 2 of the final 2022 and 2023 
harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (87 FR 11626, March 
2, 2022) is revised consistent with this adjustment.
    Pursuant to Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(i) and (iii), Table 5 of the final 
2022 and 2023 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (87 FR 
11626, March 2, 2022) is revised for the 2023 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.

    Table 5--Final 2023 Allocations of Pollock TACS to the Directed Pollock Fisheries and to the CDQ Directed
                                          Fishing Allowances (DFA) \1\
                                          [Amounts are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         2023 A season \1\        2023  B season
                                                       2023      --------------------------------       \1\
                 Area and sector                    Allocations                     SCA harvest  ---------------
                                                                   A season DFA      limit \2\     B season DFA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bering Sea subarea TAC \1\......................       1,300,000             n/a             n/a             n/a
CDQ DFA.........................................         130,000          58,500          36,400          71,500
ICA \1\.........................................          50,000             n/a             n/a             n/a
Total Bering Sea non-CDQ DFA....................       1,120,000         504,000         313,600         616,000
AFA Inshore.....................................         560,000         252,000         156,800         308,000
AFA Catcher/Processors \3\......................         448,000         201,600         125,440         246,400
    Catch by CPs................................         409,920         184,464             n/a         225,456
    Catch by CVs \3\............................          38,080          17,136             n/a          20,944
    Unlisted CP Limit \4\.......................           2,240           1,008             n/a           1,232
AFA Motherships.................................         112,000          50,400          31,360          61,600
Excessive Harvesting Limit \5\..................         196,000             n/a             n/a             n/a
Excessive Processing Limit \6\..................         336,000             n/a             n/a             n/a
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Aleutian Islands subarea ABC....................          43,413             n/a             n/a             n/a
Aleutian Islands subarea TAC \1\................          19,000             n/a             n/a             n/a

[[Page 80092]]

 
CDQ DFA.........................................           1,900           1,856             n/a              44
ICA.............................................           2,500           1,250             n/a           1,250
Aleut Corporation...............................          14,600          14,260             n/a             340
Area harvest limit \7\..........................             n/a             n/a             n/a             n/a
    541.........................................          13,024             n/a             n/a             n/a
    542.........................................           6,512             n/a             n/a             n/a
    543.........................................           2,171             n/a             n/a             n/a
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Bogoslof District ICA \8\.......................             300             n/a             n/a             n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 incidental catch allowance (ICA, 4 percent), is allocated as a DFA as follows: inshore
  sector--50 percent, catcher/processor sector (CP)--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)(i)
  through (iii), the annual Aleutian Islands subarea pollock TAC, after subtracting first for the CDQ DFA (10
  percent) and second for the ICA (2,500 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 Aleutian Islands
  pollock ABC.
\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 CPs shall be available
  for harvest only by eligible catcher vessels with a CP endorsement delivering to listed CPs, unless there is a
  CP 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/processor 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 2022 and 2023 
harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (87 FR 11626, March 
2, 2022) is revised for the 2023 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.

 Table 7--Final 2023 Seasonal and Spatial Allowances, Gear Shares, CDQ Reserve, Incidental Catch Allowance, and
                             Amendment 80 Allocations of the BSAI Atka Mackeral TAC
                                          [Amounts are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              2023 allocation by area
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                                   Season 2 3 4       Eastern
                   Sector \1\                                        Aleutian         Central         Western
                                                                     District/       Aleutian        Aleutian
                                                                    Bering Sea     District \5\      District
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAC.............................................             n/a          27,260          17,351          24,671
CDQ reserve.....................................           Total           2,917           1,857           2,640
                                                               A           1,458             928           1,320
                                                        Critical             n/a             557             792
                                                         Habitat
                                                               B           1,458             928           1,320
                                                        Critical             n/a             557             792
                                                         Habitat
Non-CDQ TAC.....................................             n/a          24,343          15,494          22,031
ICA.............................................           Total             800              75              20
Jig \6\.........................................           Total             118  ..............  ..............
BSAI trawl limited access.......................           Total           2,343           1,542  ..............
                                                               A           1,171             771  ..............
                                                        Critical             n/a             463  ..............
                                                         Habitat
                                                               B           1,171             771  ..............
                                                        Critical             n/a             463  ..............
                                                         Habitat
Amendment 80 sector.............................           Total          21,083          13,877          22,011
                                                               A          10,541           6,939          11,006
                                                        Critical             n/a           4,163           6,603
                                                         Habitat
                                                               B          10,541           6,939          11,006

[[Page 80093]]

 
                                                        Critical             n/a           4,163           6,603
                                                         Habitat
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 initial
  TAC (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 that the TAC in Area 543 shall be no more than 65 percent of ABC in Area 543.
\6\ Sections 679.2 and 679.20(a)(8)(i) require 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 2023 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 2022 and 2023 
harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (87 FR 11626, March 
2, 2022) is revised for the 2023 gear shares and seasonal allowances of 
the BSAI Pacific cod TAC consistent with this adjustment.

           Table 9--Final 2023 Sector Allocations and Seasonal Allowances of the BSAI Pacific Cod TAC
                                          [Amounts are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   2023 seasonal apportionment
            Sector                  Percent      2023 share of   2023 share of ---------------------------------
                                                     total       sector total        Season           Amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BS TAC........................             n/a         127,409             n/a  n/a.............             n/a
BS CDQ........................             n/a          13,633             n/a  see Sec.                     n/a
                                                                                 679.20(a)(7)(i)
                                                                                 (B).
BS non-CDQ TAC................             n/a         113,776             n/a  n/a.............             n/a
AI TAC........................             n/a           8,425             n/a  n/a.............             n/a
AI CDQ........................             n/a             901             n/a  see Sec.                     n/a
                                                                                 679.20(a)(7)(i)
                                                                                 (B).
AI non-CDQ TAC................             n/a           7,524             n/a  n/a.............             n/a
Western Aleutian Island Limit.             n/a           2,233             n/a  n/a.............             n/a
Total BSAI non-CDQ TAC \1\....             100         121,300             n/a  n/a.............             n/a
Total hook-and-line/pot gear..            60.8          73,750             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          73,350             n/a  n/a.............             n/a
Hook-and-line catcher/                    48.7             n/a          58,753  Jan 1-Jun 10....          29,964
 processor.                                                                     Jun 10-Dec 31...          28,789
Hook-and-line catcher vessel               0.2             n/a             241  Jan 1-Jun 10....             123
 <=60 ft LOA.                                                                   Jun 10-Dec 31...             118
Pot catcher/processor.........             1.5             n/a           1,810  Jan 1-Jun 10....             923
                                                                                Sept 1-Dec 31...             887
Pot catcher vessel <=60 ft LOA             8.4             n/a          10,134  Jan 1-Jun 10....           5,168
                                                                                Sept 1-Dec 31...           4,966
Catcher vessel <60 ft LOA                  2.0             n/a           2,413  n/a.............             n/a
 using hook-and-line or pot
 gear.
Trawl catcher vessel..........            22.1          26,807             n/a  Jan 20-Apr 1....          19,837
                                                                                Apr 1-Jun 10....           2,949
                                                                                Jun 10-Nov 1....           4,021
AFA trawl catcher/processor...             2.3           2,790             n/a  Jan 20-Apr 1....           2,092
                                                                                Apr 1-Jun 10....             697
                                                                                Jun 10-Nov 1....
Amendment 80..................            13.4          16,254             n/a  Jan 20-Apr 1....          12,191
                                                                                Apr 1-Jun 10....           4,064
                                                                                Jun 10-Dec 31...
Jig...........................             1.4           1,698             n/a  Jan 1-Apr 30....           1,019
                                                                                Apr 30-Aug 31...             340
                                                                                Aug 31-Dec 31...             340
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The sector allocations 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 the reserves for the CDQ Program. If the TAC for Pacific cod in
  either the AI or BS is or will be reached, then directed fishing for Pacific cod in that subarea will be
  prohibited, even if a BSAI allowance remains (Sec.   679.20(d)(1)(iii)).

[[Page 80094]]

 
\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 2023
  based on anticipated incidental catch in these fisheries.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.

Classification

    NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act. This action is required by 50 CFR part 679, which was 
issued pursuant to section 304(b), and is exempt from review under 
Executive Order 12866.
    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), there is good cause to waive prior 
notice and an opportunity for public comment on this action, as notice 
and comment would be 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 21, 
2022.
    Without this inseason adjustment, NMFS could not allow the fishery 
for pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific cod in the BSAI to be harvested 
in an expedient manner and in accordance with the regulatory schedule. 
Under Sec.  679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to submit 
written comments on this action to the above address until January 13, 
2023.

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

    Dated: December 23, 2022.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-28343 Filed 12-23-22; 4:15 pm]
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