[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 27, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 89375-89383]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-28567]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XD569]


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

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

ACTION: Notification of standard ex-vessel prices.

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SUMMARY: NMFS publishes standard ex-vessel prices for groundfish and 
halibut for the calculation of the observer fee under the North Pacific 
Observer Program (Observer Program). This notice is intended to provide 
information to vessel owners, processors, registered buyers, and other 
Observer Program participants about the standard ex-vessel prices that 
will be used to calculate the observer fee for landings of groundfish 
and halibut made in 2024. NMFS will send invoices to processors and 
registered buyers subject to the fee by January 15, 2025. Fees are due 
to NMFS on or before February 15, 2025.

DATES: The standard prices are valid on January 1, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general questions about the 
observer fee and standard ex-vessel prices, contact Amy Hadfield at 
(907) 586-7376. For questions about the fee billing process, contact 
Charmaine Weeks at (907) 586-7231. Additional information about the 
Observer Program is available on NMFS Alaska Region's website at 
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/fisheries-observers/north-pacific-observer-program.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Regulations at 50 CFR part 679, subpart E, governing the Observer 
Program, require the deployment of NMFS-certified observers (observers) 
and electronic monitoring (EM) systems

[[Page 89376]]

to collect information necessary for the conservation and management of 
the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) and Gulf of Alaska (GOA) 
groundfish and halibut fisheries. Fishery managers use information 
collected by observers and EM to monitor quotas, manage groundfish and 
prohibited species catch, and document and reduce fishery interactions 
with protected resources. Scientists use observer-collected information 
for stock assessments and marine ecosystem research.
    The Observer Program includes two observer coverage categories: the 
partial coverage category and the full coverage category. All 
groundfish and halibut vessels and processors subject to observer 
coverage are included in one of these two categories. Defined at Sec.  
679.51, the partial coverage category includes vessels and processors 
that are not required to have an observer or EM at all times, and the 
full coverage category includes vessels and processors required to have 
all of their fishing and processing activity observed. Vessels and 
processors in the full coverage category arrange and pay for observer 
services from a permitted observer provider. Observer coverage and EM 
for the partial coverage category is funded through a system of fees 
based on the ex-vessel value of groundfish and halibut. Throughout this 
notice, the term ``processor'' refers to shoreside processors, 
stationary floating processors, and catcher/processors in the partial 
coverage category.

Landings Subject to Observer Coverage Fee

    Pursuant to section 313 of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, NMFS is 
authorized to assess a fee on all landings accruing against a Federal 
total allowable catch (TAC) for groundfish or commercial halibut quota 
landings made by vessels that are subject to Federal regulations and 
not included in the full coverage category. A fee is only assessed on 
landings of groundfish from vessels designated on a Federal Fisheries 
Permit or from vessels landing individual fishing quota (IFQ) or 
community development quota (CDQ) halibut or IFQ sablefish. Within the 
subset of vessels subject to the observer fee, only landings accruing 
against an IFQ allocation or a Federal TAC for groundfish are included 
in the fee assessment. A table with additional information about which 
landings are subject to the observer fee is at Sec.  679.55(c) and on 
page 2 of an informational bulletin titled ``Observer Fee Collection'' 
that can be downloaded from the NMFS Alaska Region website at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/resource/document/observer-fee-collection-north-pacific-groundfish-and-halibut-fisheries-observer.

Fee Determination

    A fee equal to 1.65 percent of the ex-vessel value is assessed on 
the landings of groundfish and halibut subject to the fee. Ex-vessel 
value is determined by multiplying the standard price for groundfish by 
the round weight equivalent for each species, gear, and port 
combination, and the standard price for halibut by the headed and 
gutted weight equivalent. Standard prices are determined by aggregating 
prices by species, gear, and area grouping to arrive at an average 
price per pound for each grouping. NMFS reviews each vessel landing 
report and determines whether the reported landing is subject to the 
observer fee and, if so, which groundfish species in the landing are 
subject to the observer fee. All IFQ or CDQ halibut in a landing 
subject to the observer fee will be included in the observer fee 
calculation. For any landed groundfish or halibut subject to the 
observer fee, NMFS will apply the appropriate standard ex-vessel prices 
for the species, gear type, and port and calculate the observer fee 
associated with the landing.
    Processors and registered buyers can access the landing-specific, 
observer fee information through the NMFS Web Application (https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/webapps/efish/login) or eLandings (https://elandings.alaska.gov/). Observer fee information is either available 
immediately or within 24 hours after a landing report is submitted 
electronically. A time lag occurs for some landings because NMFS must 
process each landing report through the catch accounting system to 
determine which groundfish in a landing accrues against a Federal TAC 
and are subject to the observer fee.
    Under the fee system, catcher vessel owners split the fee with the 
registered buyers or owners of shoreside or stationary floating 
processors. While the owners of catcher vessels and processors in the 
partial coverage category are each responsible for paying their portion 
of the fee, the owners of shoreside or stationary floating processors 
and registered buyers are responsible for collecting the fees from 
catcher vessels and remitting the full fee to NMFS. Owners of catcher/
processors in the partial coverage category are responsible for 
remitting the full fee to NMFS.
    NMFS sends invoices to processors and registered buyers by January 
15 of each calendar year. The total fee amount is determined by the sum 
of the fees reported for each landing at that processor or registered 
buyer in the prior calendar year. Processors and registered buyers must 
pay the fees to NMFS using eFISH. Payments are due by February 15 of 
each year. Processors and registered buyers have access to this system 
through a User ID and password issued by NMFS. Instructions for 
electronic payment are provided on the NMFS Alaska Region website at 
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/commercial-fishing/observer-fee-collection-and-payment-north-pacific-groundfish-and-halibut and on the 
observer fee invoice to be mailed to each processor and registered 
buyer.

Standard Prices

    This notification provides the standard ex-vessel prices for 
groundfish and halibut species subject to the observer fee in 2024. 
Data sources for ex-vessel prices include the following:
     For groundfish other than sablefish IFQ and sablefish 
accruing against the fixed gear sablefish CDQ reserve, the State of 
Alaska's Commercial Fishery Entry Commission's (CFEC) gross revenue 
data, which are based on the Commercial Operator Annual Report (COAR) 
and Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) fish tickets; and
     For halibut IFQ, halibut CDQ, sablefish IFQ, and sablefish 
accruing against the fixed gear sablefish CDQ reserve, the IFQ Buyer 
Report that is submitted to NMFS annually by each registered buyer that 
operates as a shoreside processor and receives and purchases IFQ 
landings of sablefish and halibut or CDQ landings of halibut under 
Sec.  679.5(l)(7)(i).
    The standard prices in this notification were calculated using the 
following procedures for protecting confidentiality of data submitted 
to or collected by NMFS. NMFS does not publish any price information 
that would permit the identification of an individual or business. For 
NMFS to publish a standard price for a particular species-gear-port 
combination, the price data used to calculate the standard price must 
represent landings from at least four different vessels delivered to at 
least three different processors in a port or port group. Price data 
that are confidential because fewer than four vessels or three 
processors contributed data to a particular species-gear-port 
combination have been aggregated.

Groundfish Standard Ex-Vessel Prices

    Table 1 shows the groundfish species standard ex-vessel prices that 
will be used to calculate the fee for 2024. These prices are based on 
the CFEC gross

[[Page 89377]]

revenue data, which are based on landings data from ADF&G fish tickets 
and information from the COAR. The COAR contains statewide buying and 
production information and is considered the most complete routinely 
collected information to determine the ex-vessel value of groundfish 
harvested from waters off Alaska.
    The standard ex-vessel prices for groundfish were calculated by 
adding ex-vessel value from the CFEC gross revenue files for 2020, 
2021, and 2022 by species, port, and gear category, and adding the 
volume (round weight equivalent) from the CFEC gross revenue files for 
2020, 2021, and 2022 by species, port, and gear category, and then 
dividing total ex-vessel value over the 3 year period in each category 
by total volume over the 3 year period in each category. This 
calculation results in an average ex-vessel price per pound by species, 
port, and gear category for the 3 year period. Three gear categories 
were used for the standard ex-vessel prices: (1) non-trawl gear, 
including hook-and-line, pot, jig, troll, and others (Non-Trawl); (2) 
non-pelagic trawl gear (NPT); and (3) pelagic trawl gear (PTR).
    CFEC ex-vessel value and volume data are available in the fall of 
the year following the year the fishing occurred. Thus, it is not 
possible to base ex-vessel fee liabilities on standard prices that are 
less than 2 years old. For the 2024 groundfish standard ex-vessel 
prices, the most recent ex-vessel value and volume data available are 
from 2022.
    If a particular groundfish species is not listed in table 1, the 
standard ex-vessel price for a species group (if it exists in the 
management area) will be used. If price data for a particular species 
remained confidential once aggregated to the outside of Alaska (ALL) 
level, data are aggregated by species group (Flathead Sole; GOA Deep-
water Flatfish; GOA Shallow-water Flatfish; GOA Skate, Other; and Other 
Rockfish). Standard prices for the groundfish species groups are shown 
in table 2.
    If a port-level price does not meet the confidentiality 
requirements, the data are aggregated by port group. Port-group data 
for Southeast Alaska (SEAK) and the Eastern GOA excluding Southeast 
Alaska (EGOAxSE) also are presented separately when price data are 
available. Port-group data are aggregated by regulatory area in the GOA 
(Eastern GOA, Central GOA, and Western GOA) and by subarea in the BSAI 
(BS subarea and AI subarea). If confidentiality requirements are still 
not met by aggregating prices across ports at these levels, the prices 
are aggregated at the level of BSAI or GOA, then statewide (AK) and 
ports outside of Alaska (OTAK), and finally all ports, including those 
outside of Alaska (ALL).
    Standard prices are presented separately for non-pelagic trawl and 
pelagic trawl when non-confidential data are available. NMFS also 
calculated prices for a ``Pelagic Trawl/Non-pelagic Trawl Combined'' 
(PTR/NPT) category that can be used when combining trawl price data for 
landings of a species in a particular port or port group will not 
violate confidentiality requirements. Creating this standard price 
category allows NMFS to assess a fee on 2024 landings of some of the 
species with pelagic trawl gear based on a combined trawl gear price 
for the port or port group.
    If no standard ex-vessel price is listed for a species or species 
group and gear category combination in table 1, table 2, or table 3, no 
fee will be assessed on that landing. Volume and value data for that 
species will be added to the standard ex-vessel prices in future years, 
if the data become available and display of a standard ex-vessel price 
meets confidentiality requirements.

            Table 1--Standard Ex-Vessel Prices for Groundfish Species for 2024 Observer Coverage Fee
                              [Based on volume and value from 2020, 2021, and 2022]
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                                  Port/area 3 4
  Species (species code) 1 2                         Non-trawl          NPT             PTR           PTR/NPT
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth Flounder (121).....  Kodiak..........            ----            0.06            0.07            ----
Arrowtooth Flounder (121).....  CGOA............            ----            0.06            0.07            ----
Arrowtooth Flounder (121).....  GOA.............            ----            0.06            0.07            ----
Arrowtooth Flounder (121).....  AK..............            ----            0.06            0.07            ----
Arrowtooth Flounder (121).....  ALL.............            ----            0.06            0.07            ----
Black Rockfish (142)..........  AK..............            0.81            0.19            ----            0.19
Bocaccio Rockfish (137).......  Sitka...........            0.43            ----            ----            ----
Bocaccio Rockfish (137).......  SEAK............            0.44            ----            ----            ----
Bocaccio Rockfish (137).......  EGOA............            0.39            ----            ----            ----
Bocaccio Rockfish (137).......  GOA.............            0.39            ----            ----            ----
Bocaccio Rockfish (137).......  AK..............            0.39            ----            ----            ----
Bocaccio Rockfish (137).......  ALL.............            0.36            ----            ----            ----
Butter Sole (126).............  Kodiak..........            ----            0.11            ----            0.11
Butter Sole (126).............  CGOA............            ----            0.11            ----            0.11
Butter Sole (126).............  GOA.............            ----            0.11            ----            0.11
Butter Sole (126).............  AK..............            ----            0.11            ----            0.11
Butter Sole (126).............  ALL.............            ----            0.11            ----            0.11
Canary Rockfish (146).........  Juneau..........            0.34            ----            ----            ----
Canary Rockfish (146).........  Petersburg......            0.26            ----            ----            ----
Canary Rockfish (146).........  Sitka...........            0.42            ----            ----            ----
Canary Rockfish (146).........  SEAK............            0.44            ----            ----            ----
Canary Rockfish (146).........  EGOAxSE.........            0.36            ----            ----            ----
Canary Rockfish (146).........  Seward..........            0.34            ----            ----            ----
Canary Rockfish (146).........  CGOA............            0.35            ----            ----            ----
Canary Rockfish (146).........  GOA.............            0.40            ----            ----            ----
Canary Rockfish (146).........  AK..............            0.40            ----            ----            ----
Canary Rockfish (146).........  ALL.............            0.40            ----            ----            ----
China Rockfish (149)..........  Juneau..........            0.24            ----            ----            ----
China Rockfish (149)..........  SEAK............            0.50            ----            ----            ----
China Rockfish (149)..........  Cordova.........            0.38            ----            ----            ----
China Rockfish (149)..........  EGOAxSE.........            0.36            ----            ----            ----
China Rockfish (149)..........  Homer...........            0.37            ----            ----            ----
China Rockfish (149)..........  Seward..........            0.22            ----            ----            ----

[[Page 89378]]

 
China Rockfish (149)..........  CGOA............            0.30            ----            ----            ----
China Rockfish (149)..........  GOA.............            0.38            ----            ----            ----
China Rockfish (149)..........  AK..............            0.38            ----            ----            ----
China Rockfish (149)..........  ALL.............            0.38            ----            ----            ----
Copper Rockfish (138).........  Sitka...........            0.38            ----            ----            ----
Copper Rockfish (138).........  SEAK............            0.38            ----            ----            ----
Copper Rockfish (138).........  Cordova.........            0.43            ----            ----            ----
Copper Rockfish (138).........  EGOAxSE.........            0.42            ----            ----            ----
Copper Rockfish (138).........  CGOA............            0.52            ----            ----            ----
Copper Rockfish (138).........  GOA.............            0.41            ----            ----            ----
Copper Rockfish (138).........  AK..............            0.41            ----            ----            ----
Copper Rockfish (138).........  ALL.............            0.41            ----            ----            ----
Darkblotched Rockfish (159)...  ALL.............            0.16            ----            ----            ----
Dover Sole (124)..............  Kodiak..........            ----            0.06            ----            0.06
Dover Sole (124)..............  CGOA............            ----            0.06            ----            0.06
Dover Sole (124)..............  GOA.............            ----            0.06            ----            0.06
Dover Sole (124)..............  AK..............            ----            0.06            ----            0.06
Dover Sole (124)..............  ALL.............            ----            0.06            ----            0.06
Dusky Rockfish (172)..........  Juneau..........            0.15            ----            ----            ----
Dusky Rockfish (172)..........  Sitka...........            0.67            ----            ----            ----
Dusky Rockfish (172)..........  Petersburg......            0.52            ----            ----            ----
Dusky Rockfish (172)..........  SEAK............            0.33            ----            ----            ----
Dusky Rockfish (172)..........  Cordova.........            0.46            ----            ----            ----
Dusky Rockfish (172)..........  EGOAxSE.........            0.35            ----            ----            ----
Dusky Rockfish (172)..........  Homer...........            0.32            ----            ----            ----
Dusky Rockfish (172)..........  Kodiak..........            0.82            0.13            0.12            ----
Dusky Rockfish (172)..........  Seward..........            0.27            ----            ----            ----
Dusky Rockfish (172)..........  CGOA............            0.68            0.13            0.12            ----
Dusky Rockfish (172)..........  GOA.............            0.65            0.13            0.12            ----
Dusky Rockfish (172)..........  AK..............            0.65            0.13            0.12            ----
Dusky Rockfish (172)..........  ALL.............            0.65            0.13            0.12            ----
English Sole (128)............  Kodiak..........            ----            0.11            ----            0.11
English Sole (128)............  CGOA............            ----            0.11            ----            0.11
English Sole (128)............  GOA.............            ----            0.11            ----            0.11
English Sole (128)............  AK..............            ----            0.11            ----            0.11
English Sole (128)............  ALL.............            ----            0.11            ----            0.11
Flathead Sole (122)...........  Kodiak..........            ----            0.11            0.09            ----
Flathead Sole (122)...........  CGOA............            ----            0.11            0.09            ----
Flathead Sole (122)...........  GOA.............            ----            0.11            0.09            ----
Flathead Sole (122)...........  AK..............            ----            0.11            0.09            ----
Flathead Sole (122)...........  ALL.............            ----            0.11            0.09            ----
Northern Rockfish (136).......  Kodiak..........            ----            0.13            ----            0.13
Northern Rockfish (136).......  CGOA............            ----            0.13            ----            0.13
Northern Rockfish (136).......  GOA.............            ----            0.13            ----            0.13
Northern Rockfish (136).......  AK..............            ----            0.13            ----            0.13
Northern Rockfish (136).......  ALL.............            ----            0.13            ----            0.13
Octopus (870).................  Kodiak..........            0.45            0.57            ----            0.57
Octopus (870).................  CGOA............            0.45            0.57            ----            0.57
Octopus (870).................  GOA.............            0.72            0.57            ----            0.57
Octopus (870).................  BS..............            0.58            ----            ----            ----
Octopus (870).................  BSAI............            0.55            ----            ----            ----
Octopus (870).................  AK..............            0.60            0.57            ----            0.57
Octopus (870).................  ALL.............            0.60            0.57            ----            0.57
Pacific Cod (110).............  Craig...........            0.25            ----            ----            ----
Pacific Cod (110).............  Juneau..........            0.67            ----            ----            ----
Pacific Cod (110).............  Ketchikan.......            0.37            ----            ----            ----
Pacific Cod (110).............  Petersburg......            0.62            ----            ----            ----
Pacific Cod (110).............  Sitka...........            0.66            ----            ----            ----
Pacific Cod (110).............  SEAK............            0.64            ----            ----            ----
Pacific Cod (110).............  Cordova.........            0.50            ----            ----            ----
Pacific Cod (110).............  Whittier........            0.43            ----            ----            ----
Pacific Cod (110).............  EGOAxSE.........            0.44            ----            ----            ----
Pacific Cod (110).............  Homer...........            0.37            ----            ----            ----
Pacific Cod (110).............  Kodiak..........            0.44            0.39            0.37            ----
Pacific Cod (110).............  Seward..........            0.38            ----            ----            ----
Pacific Cod (110).............  CGOA............            0.43            0.39            0.37            ----
Pacific Cod (110).............  King Cove.......            0.45            ----            ----            ----
Pacific Cod (110).............  WGOA............            0.44            0.42            0.22            ----
Pacific Cod (110).............  GOA.............            ----            0.41            0.30            ----
Pacific Cod (110).............  Dillingham......            ----            ----            ----            ----
Pacific Cod (110).............  Dutch Harbor....            0.44            0.42            ----            0.42

[[Page 89379]]

 
Pacific Cod (110).............  BS..............            0.44            0.42            0.23            ----
Pacific Cod (110).............  BSAI............            0.44            0.42            0.23            ----
Pacific Cod (110).............  Stationary                  0.39            ----            ----            ----
                                 Floating
                                 Processor.
Pacific Cod (110).............  AK..............            0.43            0.41            0.30            ----
Pacific Cod (110).............  Outside AK......            0.36            ----            ----            ----
Pacific Cod (110).............  ALL.............            0.43            0.41            0.30            ----
Pacific Ocean Perch (141).....  EGOA............            0.22            ----            ----            ----
Pacific Ocean Perch (141).....  Kodiak..........            ----            0.13            0.14            ----
Pacific Ocean Perch (141).....  CGOA............            ----            0.13            0.14            ----
Pacific Ocean Perch (141).....  GOA.............            0.18            0.13            0.14            ----
Pacific Ocean Perch (141).....  BSAI............            ----            ----            ----            ----
Pacific Ocean Perch (141).....  AK..............            0.18            0.13            0.14            ----
Pacific Ocean Perch (141).....  ALL.............            0.18            0.13            0.14            ----
Pollock (270).................  Kodiak..........            0.10            0.11            0.14            ----
Pollock (270).................  Homer...........            0.70            ----            ----            ----
Pollock (270).................  CGOA............            0.13            0.11            0.14            ----
Pollock (270).................  WGOA............            ----            ----            0.14            0.14
Pollock (270).................  GOA.............            0.13            0.11            0.14            ----
Pollock (270).................  Dutch Harbor....            ----            ----            0.16            0.16
Pollock (270).................  BS..............            ----            ----            0.17            0.17
Pollock (270).................  BSAI............            ----            ----            0.17            0.17
Pollock (270).................  AK..............            0.13            0.11            0.14            ----
Pollock (270).................  ALL.............            0.13            0.11            0.14            ----
Quillback Rockfish (147)......  Craig...........            0.49            ----            ----            ----
Quillback Rockfish (147)......  Juneau..........            0.38            ----            ----            ----
Quillback Rockfish (147)......  Ketchikan.......            0.41            ----            ----            ----
Quillback Rockfish (147)......  Petersburg......            0.36            ----            ----            ----
Quillback Rockfish (147)......  Sitka...........            0.46            ----            ----            ----
Quillback Rockfish (147)......  SEAK............            0.44            ----            ----            ----
Quillback Rockfish (147)......  Cordova.........            0.42            ----            ----            ----
Quillback Rockfish (147)......  EGOAxSE.........            0.40            ----            ----            ----
Quillback Rockfish (147)......  Homer...........            0.34            ----            ----            ----
Quillback Rockfish (147)......  Kodiak..........            0.56            ----            ----            ----
Quillback Rockfish (147)......  Seward..........            0.28            ----            ----            ----
Quillback Rockfish (147)......  CGOA............            0.28            ----            ----            ----
Quillback Rockfish (147)......  GOA.............            0.35            ----            ----            ----
Quillback Rockfish (147)......  AK..............            0.35            ----            ----            ----
Quillback Rockfish (147)......  ALL.............            0.35            ----            ----            ----
Redbanded Rockfish (153)......  Juneau..........            0.33            ----            ----            ----
Redbanded Rockfish (153)......  Ketchikan.......            0.51            ----            ----            ----
Redbanded Rockfish (153)......  Petersburg......            0.23            ----            ----            ----
Redbanded Rockfish (153)......  Sitka...........            0.42            ----            ----            ----
Redbanded Rockfish (153)......  SEAK............            0.36            ----            ----            ----
Redbanded Rockfish (153)......  Cordova.........            0.38            ----            ----            ----
Redbanded Rockfish (153)......  EGOAxSE.........            0.26            ----            ----            ----
Redbanded Rockfish (153)......  Homer...........            0.23            ----            ----            ----
Redbanded Rockfish (153)......  Kodiak..........            0.18            ----            ----            ----
Redbanded Rockfish (153)......  Seward..........            0.29            ----            ----            ----
Redbanded Rockfish (153)......  CGOA............            0.24            ----            ----            ----
Redbanded Rockfish (153)......  GOA.............            0.34            ----            ----            ----
Redbanded Rockfish (153)......  AK..............            0.43            ----            ----            ----
Redbanded Rockfish (153)......  ALL.............            0.33            ----            ----            ----
Redstripe Rockfish (158)......  EGOA............            0.43            ----            ----            ----
Redstripe Rockfish (158)......  Seward..........            0.18            ----            ----            ----
Redstripe Rockfish (158)......  CGOA............            0.18            ----            ----            ----
Redstripe Rockfish (158)......  GOA.............            0.23            ----            ----            ----
Redstripe Rockfish (158)......  AK..............            0.23            ----            ----            ----
Redstripe Rockfish (158)......  ALL.............            0.23            ----            ----            ----
Rex Sole (125)................  Kodiak..........            ----            0.27            ----            0.27
Rex Sole (125)................  CGOA............            ----            0.27            ----            0.27
Rex Sole (125)................  GOA.............            ----            0.27            ----            0.27
Rex Sole (125)................  AK..............            ----            0.27            0.12            ----
Rex Sole (125)................  ALL.............            ----            0.27            0.12            ----
Rock Sole (123)...............  Kodiak..........            ----            0.16            0.13            ----
Rock Sole (123)...............  CGOA............            ----            0.16            0.13            ----
Rock Sole (123)...............  GOA.............            ----            0.16            0.13            ----
Rock Sole (123)...............  AK..............            ----            0.16            0.13            ----
Rock Sole (123)...............  ALL.............            ----            0.16            0.13            ----
Rosethorn Rockfish (150)......  SEAK............            0.49            ----            ----            ----
Rosethorn Rockfish (150)......  EGOA............            0.49            ----            ----            ----
Rosethorn Rockfish (150)......  Seward..........            0.31            ----            ----            ----

[[Page 89380]]

 
Rosethorn Rockfish (150)......  CGOA............            0.31            ----            ----            ----
Rosethorn Rockfish (150)......  GOA.............            0.45            ----            ----            ----
Rosethorn Rockfish (150)......  AK..............            0.45            ----            ----            ----
Rosethorn Rockfish (150)......  ALL.............            0.45            ----            ----            ----
Rougheye Rockfish (151).......  Juneau..........            0.31            ----            ----            ----
Rougheye Rockfish (151).......  Ketchikan.......            0.59            ----            ----            ----
Rougheye Rockfish (151).......  Petersburg......            0.29            ----            ----            ----
Rougheye Rockfish (151).......  Sitka...........            0.41            ----            ----            ----
Rougheye Rockfish (151).......  SEAK............            0.38            ----            ----            ----
Rougheye Rockfish (151).......  Cordova.........            0.42            ----            ----            ----
Rougheye Rockfish (151).......  Whittier........            0.23            ----            ----            ----
Rougheye Rockfish (151).......  EGOAxSE.........            0.28            ----            ----            ----
Rougheye Rockfish (151).......  Homer...........            0.31            ----            ----            ----
Rougheye Rockfish (151).......  Kodiak..........            0.27            0.25            0.18            ----
Rougheye Rockfish (151).......  Seward..........            0.33            ----            ----            ----
Rougheye Rockfish (151).......  CGOA............            0.31            0.25            0.18            ----
Rougheye Rockfish (151).......  WGOA............            0.30            ----            ----            ----
Rougheye Rockfish (151).......  GOA.............            ----            0.25            0.18            ----
Rougheye Rockfish (151).......  BSAI............            0.22            ----            ----            ----
Rougheye Rockfish (151).......  AK..............            0.34            0.25            0.18            ----
Rougheye Rockfish (151).......  Bellingham......            0.16            ----            ----            ----
Rougheye Rockfish (151).......  OTAK............            0.16            ----            ----            ----
Rougheye Rockfish (151).......  ALL.............            0.34            0.25            0.18            ----
Sablefish (blackcod) (710)....  Kodiak..........         \5\ n/a            0.95            1.71            ----
Sablefish (blackcod) (710)....  CGOA............         \5\ n/a            0.95            1.71            ----
Sablefish (blackcod) (710)....  GOA.............         \5\ n/a            0.95            1.71            ----
Sablefish (blackcod) (710)....  AK..............         \5\ n/a            0.96            1.71            ----
Sablefish (blackcod) (710)....  ALL.............         \5\ n/a            0.96            1.71            ----
Shortraker Rockfish (152).....  Juneau..........            0.36            ----            ----            ----
Shortraker Rockfish (152).....  Ketchikan.......            0.53            ----            ----            ----
Shortraker Rockfish (152).....  Petersburg......            0.29            ----            ----            ----
Shortraker Rockfish (152).....  Sitka...........            0.41            ----            ----            ----
Shortraker Rockfish (152).....  SEAK............            0.40            ----            ----            ----
Shortraker Rockfish (152).....  Cordova.........            0.40            ----            ----            ----
Shortraker Rockfish (152).....  Whittier........            0.18            ----            ----            ----
Shortraker Rockfish (152).....  EGOAxSE.........            0.24            ----            ----            ----
Shortraker Rockfish (152).....  Homer...........            0.17            ----            ----            ----
Shortraker Rockfish (152).....  Kodiak..........            0.26            0.16            0.18            ----
Shortraker Rockfish (152).....  Seward..........            0.35            ----            ----            ----
Shortraker Rockfish (152).....  CGOA............            0.32            0.16            0.18            ----
Shortraker Rockfish (152).....  GOA.............            0.36            0.16            0.18            ----
Shortraker Rockfish (152).....  AK..............            0.36            0.16            0.18            ----
Shortraker Rockfish (152).....  Outside AK......            0.15            ----            ----            ----
Shortraker Rockfish (152).....  ALL.............            0.35            0.16            0.18            ----
Silvergray Rockfish (157).....  Juneau..........            0.33            ----            ----            ----
Silvergray Rockfish (157).....  Petersburg......            0.22            ----            ----            ----
Silvergray Rockfish (157).....  Sitka...........            0.41            ----            ----            ----
Silvergray Rockfish (157).....  SEAK............            0.38            ----            ----            ----
Silvergray Rockfish (157).....  Cordova.........            0.33            ----            ----            ----
Silvergray Rockfish (157).....  EGOAxSE.........            0.33            ----            ----            ----
Silvergray Rockfish (157).....  Homer...........            0.20            ----            ----            ----
Silvergray Rockfish (157).....  Kodiak..........            0.20            0.12            ----            0.12
Silvergray Rockfish (157).....  Seward..........            0.32            ----            ----            ----
Silvergray Rockfish (157).....  CGOA............            0.30            0.12            ----            0.12
Silvergray Rockfish (157).....  GOA.............            0.34            0.12            ----            0.12
Silvergray Rockfish (157).....  AK..............            0.34            0.12            ----            0.12
Silvergray Rockfish (157).....  ALL.............            0.34            0.12            ----            0.12
Skate, Big (702)..............  Kodiak..........            0.45            0.43            0.45            ----
Skate, Big (702)..............  Seward..........            0.31            ----            ----            ----
Skate, Big (702)..............  CGOA............            0.41            0.43            0.45            ----
Skate, Big (702)..............  GOA.............            0.41            0.43            0.45            ----
Skate, Big (702)..............  AK..............            0.41            0.43            0.45            ----
Skate, Big (702)..............  ALL.............            0.41            0.43            0.45            ----
Skate, Longnose (701).........  EGOA............            0.34            ----            ----            ----
Skate, Longnose (701).........  Homer...........            0.13            ----            ----            ----
Skate, Longnose (701).........  Kodiak..........            0.43            0.45            0.45            ----
Skate, Longnose (701).........  Seward..........            0.38            ----            ----            ----
Skate, Longnose (701).........  CGOA............            0.38            0.45            0.45            ----
Skate, Longnose (701).........  GOA.............            0.38            0.45            0.45            ----
Skate, Longnose (701).........  AK..............            0.38            0.45            0.45            ----
Skate, Longnose (701).........  ALL.............            0.36            0.45            0.45            ----

[[Page 89381]]

 
Skate, Other (700)............  GOA.............            0.17            ----            ----            ----
Skate, Other (700)............  AK..............            0.17            ----            ----            ----
Skate, Other (700)............  ALL.............            0.17            ----            ----            ----
Thornyhead Rockfish (143).....  Juneau..........            0.89            ----            ----            ----
Thornyhead Rockfish (143).....  Ketchikan.......            0.94            ----            ----            ----
Thornyhead Rockfish (143).....  Petersburg......            0.88            ----            ----            ----
Thornyhead Rockfish (143).....  Sitka...........            0.78            ----            ----            ----
Thornyhead Rockfish (143).....  SEAK............            0.81            ----            ----            ----
Thornyhead Rockfish (143).....  Cordova.........            0.58            ----            ----            ----
Thornyhead Rockfish (143).....  Whittier........            0.19            ----            ----            ----
Thornyhead Rockfish (143).....  EGOAxSE.........            0.53            ----            ----            ----
Thornyhead Rockfish (143).....  Homer...........            0.53            ----            ----            ----
Thornyhead Rockfish (143).....  Kodiak..........            0.48            0.22            ----            0.22
Thornyhead Rockfish (143).....  Seward..........            0.76            ----            ----            ----
Thornyhead Rockfish (143).....  CGOA............            0.66            0.22            ----            0.22
Thornyhead Rockfish (143).....  GOA.............            ----            0.22            ----            0.24
Thornyhead Rockfish (143).....  WGOA............            0.82            ----            ----            ----
Thornyhead Rockfish (143).....  BS..............            0.61            ----            ----            ----
Thornyhead Rockfish (143).....  BSAI............            0.60            ----            ----            ----
Thornyhead Rockfish (143).....  AK..............            0.74            0.22            ----            0.24
Thornyhead Rockfish (143).....  OTAK............            0.34            ----            ----            ----
Thornyhead Rockfish (143).....  ALL.............            0.74            0.22            ----            0.24
Tiger Rockfish (148)..........  Juneau..........            0.31            ----            ----            ----
Tiger Rockfish (148)..........  Sitka...........            0.38            ----            ----            ----
Tiger Rockfish (148)..........  SEAK............            0.50            ----            ----            ----
Tiger Rockfish (148)..........  Cordova.........            0.35            ----            ----            ----
Tiger Rockfish (148)..........  EGOAxSE.........            0.34            ----            ----            ----
Tiger Rockfish (148)..........  Homer...........            0.15            ----            ----            ----
Tiger Rockfish (148)..........  Seward..........            0.30            ----            ----            ----
Tiger Rockfish (148)..........  CGOA............            0.24            ----            ----            ----
Tiger Rockfish (148)..........  GOA.............            0.32            ----            ----            ----
Tiger Rockfish (148)..........  AK..............            0.32            ----            ----            ----
Tiger Rockfish (148)..........  ALL.............            0.32            ----            ----            ----
Vermilion Rockfish (184)......  SEAK............            0.66            ----            ----            ----
Vermilion Rockfish (184)......  EGOA............            0.66            ----            ----            ----
Vermilion Rockfish (184)......  GOA.............            0.66            ----            ----            ----
Vermilion Rockfish (184)......  AK..............            0.66            ----            ----            ----
Vermilion Rockfish (184)......  ALL.............            0.66            ----            ----            ----
Yelloweye Rockfish (145)......  Craig...........            1.37            ----            ----            ----
Yelloweye Rockfish (145)......  Juneau..........            0.94            ----            ----            ----
Yelloweye Rockfish (145)......  Ketchikan.......            1.11            ----            ----            ----
Yelloweye Rockfish (145)......  Petersburg......            1.02            ----            ----            ----
Yelloweye Rockfish (145)......  Sitka...........            1.38            ----            ----            ----
Yelloweye Rockfish (145)......  Wrangell........            0.83            ----            ----            ----
Yelloweye Rockfish (145)......  SEAK............            1.18            ----            ----            ----
Yelloweye Rockfish (145)......  Cordova.........            0.47            ----            ----            ----
Yelloweye Rockfish (145)......  EGOAxSE.........            0.41            ----            ----            ----
Yelloweye Rockfish (145)......  Homer...........            0.66            ----            ----            ----
Yelloweye Rockfish (145)......  Kodiak..........            0.33            0.29            0.24            ----
Yelloweye Rockfish (145)......  Seward..........            0.69            ----            ----            ----
Yelloweye Rockfish (145)......  CGOA............            0.62            0.29            0.24            ----
Yelloweye Rockfish (145)......  WGOA............            0.36            ----            ----            ----
Yelloweye Rockfish (145)......  GOA.............            ----            0.29            0.24            ----
Yelloweye Rockfish (145)......  AK..............            0.94            0.29            0.24            ----
Yelloweye Rockfish (145)......  ALL.............            0.92            0.29            0.24            ----
Yellowtail Rockfish (155).....  Sitka...........            0.64            ----            ----            ----
Yellowtail Rockfish (155).....  SEAK............            0.65            ----            ----            ----
Yellowtail Rockfish (155).....  EGOA............            0.65            ----            ----            ----
Yellowtail Rockfish (155).....  CGOA............            0.62            ----            ----            ----
Yellowtail Rockfish (155).....  GOA.............            0.63            ----            ----            ----
Yellowtail Rockfish (155).....  AK..............            0.63            ----            ----            ----
Yellowtail Rockfish (155).....  ALL.............            0.53            ----            ----            ----
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---- = no landings in last 3 years or the data is confidential.
\1\ If species is not listed, use price for the species group in table 2 if it exists in the management area. If
  no price is available for the species or species group in table 1, table 2, or table 3, no fee will be
  assessed on that landing. That species will come into standard ex-vessel prices in future years.
\2\ For species codes, see table 2a to 50 CFR part 679.
\3\ Regulatory areas are defined at Sec.   679.2. (AI = Aleutian Islands subarea; AK = Alaska; ALL = all ports
  including those outside Alaska; BS = Bering Sea subarea; BSAI = Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands; CGOA = Central
  Gulf of Alaska; EGOA = Eastern Gulf of Alaska; EGOAxSE = Eastern Gulf of Alaska except Southeast Alaska; GOA =
  Gulf of Alaska; SEAK = Southeast Alaska; WGOA = Western Gulf of Alaska).
\4\ If a price is listed for the species, port, and gear type combination, that price will be applied to the
  round weight equivalent for groundfish landings. If no price is listed for the port and gear type combination,
  use port group and gear type combination, or see table 2 or table 3.

[[Page 89382]]

 
\5\ n/a = ex-vessel prices for sablefish landed with hook-and-line, pot, or jig gear are listed in table 3 with
  the prices for IFQ and CDQ landings.


         Table 2--Standard Ex-Vessel Prices for Groundfish Species Groups for 2024 Observer Coverage Fee
                              [Based on volume and value from 2020, 2021, and 2022]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BSAI Skate and GOA Skate,       GOA.............           $0.17            ----            ----            ----
 Other (USKT \4\).
BSAI Skate and GOA Skate,       AK..............            0.17            ----            ----            ----
 Other (USKT \4\).
Flathead Sole (FSOL \5\)......  Kodiak..........            ----           $0.11           $0.09            ----
Flathead Sole (FSOL \5\)......  CGOA............            ----            0.11            0.09            ----
Flathead Sole (FSOL \5\)......  GOA.............            ----            0.11            0.09            ----
Flathead Sole (FSOL \5\)......  AK..............            ----            0.11            0.09            ----
GOA Deep Water Flatfish (DFL    Kodiak..........            ----            0.06            ----            0.06
 \6\).
GOA Deep Water Flatfish (DFL    CGOA............            ----            0.06            ----            0.06
 \6\).
GOA Deep Water Flatfish (DFL    GOA.............            ----            0.06            ----            0.06
 \6\).
GOA Shallow Water Flatfish      Kodiak..........            ----            0.14            0.13            ----
 (SFL \7\).
GOA Shallow Water Flatfish      CGOA............            ----            0.14            0.13            ----
 (SFL \7\).
GOA Shallow Water Flatfish      GOA.............            ----            0.14            0.13            ----
 (SFL \7\).
Other Rockfish (ROCK \8\).....  Craig...........            0.30            ----            ----            ----
Other Rockfish (ROCK \8\).....  Juneau..........            0.43            ----            ----            ----
Other Rockfish (ROCK \8\).....  Ketchikan.......            0.53            ----            ----            ----
Other Rockfish (ROCK \8\).....  Petersburg......            0.27            ----            ----            ----
Other Rockfish (ROCK \8\).....  Sitka...........            0.43            ----            ----            ----
Other Rockfish (ROCK \8\).....  SEAK............            0.41            ----            ----            ----
Other Rockfish (ROCK \8\).....  Cordova.........            0.45            ----            ----            ----
Other Rockfish (ROCK \8\).....  Whittier........            0.30            ----            ----            ----
Other Rockfish (ROCK \8\).....  EGOAxSE.........            0.38            ----            ----            ----
Other Rockfish (ROCK \8\).....  Homer...........            0.61            ----            ----            ----
Other Rockfish (ROCK \8\).....  Kodiak..........            0.32            0.19            0.24            ----
Other Rockfish (ROCK \8\).....  Seward..........            0.56            ----            ----            ----
Other Rockfish (ROCK \8\).....  CGOA............            0.54            0.19            0.24            ----
Other Rockfish (ROCK \8\).....  WGOA............            0.38            ----            ----            ----
Other Rockfish (ROCK \8\).....  GOA.............            ----            0.19            0.24            ----
Other Rockfish (ROCK \9\).....  BS..............            0.55            ----            ----            ----
Other Rockfish (ROCK \9\).....  BSAI............            0.55            ----            ----            ----
Other Rockfish (ROCK).........  AK..............            ----            0.19            0.24            ----
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---- = no landings in last 3 years or the data is confidential.
\1\ If groundfish species is not listed in table 1, use price for the species group if it exists in the
  management area. If no price is available for the species or species group in table 1, table 2, or table 3, no
  fee will be assessed on that landing. That species will come into standard ex-vessel prices in future years.
\2\ Regulatory areas are defined at Sec.   679.2. (AI = Aleutian Islands subarea; AK = Alaska; BS = Bering Sea
  subarea; CGOA = Central Gulf of Alaska; EGOA = Eastern Gulf of Alaska; EGOAxSE = Eastern Gulf of Alaska except
  Southeast Alaska; GOA = Gulf of Alaska; SEAK = Southeast Alaska)
\3\ If a price is listed for the species, port, and gear type combination, that price will be applied to the
  round weight equivalent for groundfish landings. If no price is listed for the port and gear type combination,
  use port group and gear type combination.
\4\ ``BSAI Skate and GOA Stake, Other'' means all skates with the exception of Raja binoculata (Big), R. rhina
  (Longnose), Bathyraja aleutica (Aleutian) and B. parmifera (Alaska)
\5\ ``Flathead sole'' includes Hippoglossoides elassodon (flathead sole) and H. robustus (Bering flounder).
\6\ ``Deep-water flatfish'' in the GOA means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, and deepsea sole.
\7\ ``Shallow-water flatfish'' in the GOA means flatfish not including ``deep-water flatfish'', flathead sole,
  rex sole, or arrowtooth flounder.
\8\ In the GOA:
``Other rockfish (slope rockfish)'' means Sebastes aurora (aurora), S. melanostomus (blackgill), S. paucispinis
  (bocaccio), S. goodei (chilipepper), S. crameri (darkblotch), S. elongatus (greenstriped), S. variegatus
  (harlequin), S. wilsoni (pygmy), S. babcocki (redbanded), S. proriger (redstripe), S. zacentrus (sharpchin),
  S. jordani (shortbelly), S. brevispinis (silvergray), S. diploproa (splitnose), S. saxicola (stripetail), S.
  miniatus (vermilion), S. reedi (yellowmouth), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus (yellowtail).
``Demersal shelf rockfish'' means Sebastes pinniger (canary), S. nebulosus (china), S. caurinus (copper), S.
  maliger (quillback), S. helvomaculatus (rosethorn), S. nigrocinctus (tiger), and S. ruberrimus (yelloweye).
``Other rockfish'' in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas means ``other rockfish (slope rockfish)'' and
  demersal shelf rockfish.
``Other rockfish'' in the West Yakutat District of the EGOA means ``other rockfish (slope rockfish),'' northern
  rockfish, S. polyspinous, and demersal shelf rockfish.
``Other rockfish'' in the SEO District of the GOA (and SEAK for Table 2) means ``other rockfish (slope rockfish)
  and northern rockfish, S. polyspinous.
\9\ ``Other rockfish'' in the BSAI includes all Sebastes and Sebastolobus species except for Pacific ocean
  perch, northern, shortraker, and rougheye rockfish.

Halibut and Sablefish IFQ and CDQ Standard Ex-Vessel Prices

    Table 3 shows the observer fee standard ex-vessel prices for 
halibut and sablefish. These standard prices are calculated as a single 
annual average price, by species and port or port group. Volume and ex-
vessel value data collected on the 2023 IFQ Buyer Report for landings 
made from October 15, 2022 through September 30, 2023 were used to 
calculate the standard ex-vessel prices for the 2024 observer fee for 
halibut IFQ, halibut CDQ, sablefish IFQ, and sablefish landings that 
accrue against the fixed gear sablefish CDQ reserve.

[[Page 89383]]



    Table 3--Standard Ex-Vessel Prices for Halibut IFQ, Halibut CDQ,
 Sablefish IFQ, and Sablefish Accruing Against the Fixed Gear Sablefish
                  CDQ Reserve for the 2024 Observer Fee
                    [Based on 2023 IFQ buyer reports]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Species                   Port/area \1\        Price \2\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut (200).....................  Craig...............           $6.16
Halibut (200).....................  Ketchikan...........            6.60
Halibut (200).....................  Petersburg..........            5.97
Halibut (200).....................  SEAK................            6.05
Halibut (200).....................  EGOAxSE.............            5.75
Halibut (200).....................  Homer...............            5.73
Halibut (200).....................  Kodiak..............            5.34
Halibut (200).....................  Seward..............            5.89
Halibut (200).....................  CGOA................            5.62
Halibut (200).....................  GOA.................            5.81
Halibut (200).....................  BS..................            5.25
Halibut (200).....................  BSAI................            5.25
Halibut (200).....................  AK..................            5.73
Halibut (200).....................  ALL.................            5.73
Sablefish (710)...................  SEAK................            2.36
Sablefish (710)...................  EGOAxSE.............            1.81
Sablefish (710)...................  Homer...............            2.44
Sablefish (710)...................  Kodiak..............            1.62
Sablefish (710)...................  Seward..............            1.55
Sablefish (710)...................  CGOA................            1.61
Sablefish (710)...................  GOA.................            1.87
Sablefish (710)...................  AK..................            1.78
Sablefish (710)...................  ALL.................            1.78
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Regulatory areas are defined at Sec.   679.2. (AK = Alaska; ALL =
  all ports including those outside Alaska; BS = Bering Sea subarea;
  CGOA = Central Gulf of Alaska; EGOAxSE = Eastern Gulf of Alaska except
  Southeast Alaska; SEAK = Southeast Alaska; WGOA = Western Gulf of
  Alaska)
\2\ If a price is listed for the species and port combination, that
  price will be applied to the round weight equivalent for sablefish
  landings and the headed and gutted weight equivalent for halibut
  landings. If no price is listed for the port, use port group.

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

    Dated: December 21, 2023.
Everett Wayne Baxter,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-28567 Filed 12-26-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P