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71 FR 184 pgs. 55347-55353 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Adjustment of Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amount in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

Type: RULEVolume: 71Number: 184Pages: 55347 - 55353
Docket number: [Docket No. 060216045-6045-01; I.D. 091806A]
FR document: [FR Doc. 06-8074 Filed 9-19-06; 1:45 pm]
Agency: Commerce Department
Sub Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Official PDF Version:  PDF Version

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 060216045-6045-01; I.D. 091806A]

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Adjustment of Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amount in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Temporary rule; inseason adjustment; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

NMFS is adjusting the 2006 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) amount in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI). This action is necessary to allow harvest of Pacific cod that will not be harvested under the State of Alaska's guideline harvest level (GHL) for the Aleutian Islands subarea state waters Pacific cod fishery. This action is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the BSAI (FMP).

DATES:

Effective September 19, 2006, through 2400 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 31, 2007.

Comments must be received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., October 4, 2006.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments to Sue Salveson, Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, Attn: Ellen Walsh. Comments may be submitted by:

• Mail to: P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802;

• Hand delivery to the Federal Building, 709 West 9th Street, Room 420A, Juneau, Alaska;

• FAX to 907-586-7557;

• E-mail to statepcodrelb@noaa.gov and include in the subject line of the e-mail comment the document identifier: statepcodrelb (E-mail comments, with or without attachments, are limited to 5 megabytes); or

• Webform at the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov . Follow the instructions at that site for submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the BSAI according to the 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 2006 and 2007 final harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (71 FR 10894, March 3, 2006) established the 2006 and 2007 Pacific cod acceptable biological catches (ABC) as 194,000 metric tons (mt) and 148,000 mt, respectively. The TACs were set equal to the ABCs for Pacific cod in the BSAI. On March 14, 2006, NMFS reduced the Pacific cod TAC in the BSAI after the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) announced by emergency regulation a Pacific cod GHL, west of 170 degrees west longitude in the Aleutian Islands subarea, equal to three percent of the Pacific cod ABC in the BSAI (71 FR 13777, March 17, 2006).

On August 28, 2006, ADFG announced the closure of the 2006 state waters Pacific cod fishery, west of 170 degrees west longitude in the Aleutian Islands subarea, effective 11:59 a.m. A.l.t., September 1, 2006. As of September 1, 2006, the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator) has determined that ADFG is making available 1,588 mt of unharvested Pacific cod from the Aleutian Islands state waters Pacific cod fishery to the federal Pacific cod fisheries. As a result, the Regional Administrator has determined, using the best scientific information available, that the current 2006 TAC is incorrectly specified because the transfer of unharvested state waters GHL in the Aleutian Islands subarea to the federally managed fisheries requires an increase to the 2006 TAC of Pacific cod in the BSAI. This action will not exceed the 2006 ABC of Pacific cod in the BSAI established in the 2006 and 2007 final harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (71 FR 10894, March 3, 2006). Therefore, in accordance with § 679.25(a)(1)(iii), (a)(2)(i)(B) and (a)(2)(iv), the Regional Administrator adjusts the 2006 Pacific cod TAC in the BSAI.

Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(7), Tables 1, 2, 5, 12, and 14 of the 2006 and 2007 final harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (71 FR 10894, March 3, 2006) and adjustment (71 FR 13777, March 17, 2006) are revised for the 2006 Pacific cod TAC consistent with this adjustment.

Species Area 2006 OFL ABC TAC ITAC2 CDQ3 2007 OFL ABC TAC ITAC2 CDQ3
Pollock4 BS2 2,090,000 1,930,000 1,485,000 1,336,500 148,500 1,930,000 1,790,000 1,500,000 1,350,000 150,000
AI2 39,100 29,400 19,000 17,100 1,900 39,100 29,400 19,000 17,100 1,900
Bogoslof 50,600 5,500 10 10 n/a 50,600 5,500 10 10 n/a
Pacific cod BSAI 230,000 194,000 189,768 161,302 14,233 176,000 148,000 143,560 122,026 10,767
Sablefish5 BS 3,680 3,060 2,820 2,327 388 3,260 2,700 2,700 1,148 101
AI 3,740 3,100 3,000 2,438 499 3,300 2,740 2,740 582 51
Atka mackerel BSAI 130,000 110,000 63,000 53,550 4,725 107,000 91,000 63,000 53,550 4,725
EAI/BS n/a 21,780 7,500 6,375 563 n/a 18,020 7,500 6,375 563
CAI n/a 46,860 40,000 34,000 3,000 n/a 38,760 38,000 32,300 2,850
WAI n/a 41,360 15,500 13,175 1,163 n/a 34,220 17,500 14,875 1,313
Yellowfin sole BSAI 144,000 121,000 95,701 81,346 7,178 137,000 116,000 107,641 91,495 8,073
Rock sole BSAI 150,000 126,000 41,500 35,275 3,113 145,000 122,000 44,000 37,400 3,300
Greenland turbot BSAI 14,200 2,740 2,740 2,329 206 13,400 2,630 2,630 2,236 197
BS n/a 1,890 1,890 1,607 142 n/a 1,815 1,815 1,543 136
AI n/a 850 850 723 64 n/a 815 815 693 61
Arrowtooth flounder BSAI 166,000 136,000 13,000 11,050 975 174,000 142,000 18,000 15,300 1,350
Flathead sole BSAI 71,800 59,800 19,500 16,575 1,463 67,900 56,600 22,000 18,700 1,650
Other flatfish6 BSAI 24,200 18,100 3,500 2,975 263 24,200 18,100 5,000 4,250 375
Alaska plaice BSAI 237,000 188,000 8,000 6,800 600 231,000 183,000 15,000 12,750 1,125
Pacific ocean perch BSAI 17,600 14,800 12,600 10,710 945 17,600 14,800 14,800 12,580 1,110
BS n/a 2,960 1,400 1,190 105 n/a 2,960 2,960 2,516 222
EAI n/a 3,256 3,080 2,618 231 n/a 3,256 3,256 2,768 244
CAI n/a 3,212 3,035 2,580 228 n/a 3,212 3,212 2,730 241
WAI n/a 5,372 5,085 4,322 381 n/a 5,375 5,372 4,566 403
Northern rockfish BSAI 10,100 8,530 4,500 3,825 338 9,890 8,320 5,000 4,250 375
Shortraker rockfish BSAI 774 580 580 493 44 774 580 580 493 44
Rougheye rockfish BSAI 299 224 224 190 17 299 224 224 190 17
Other rockfish7 BSAI 1,870 1,400 1,050 893 79 1,870 1,400 1,400 1,190 105
BS n/a 810 460 391 35 n/a 810 810 689 61
AI n/a 590 590 502 44 n/a 590 590 502 44
Squid BSAI 2,620 1,970 1,275 1,084 n/a 2,620 1,970 1,275 1,084 n/a
Other species8 BSAI 89,404 58,882 29,000 24,650 2,175 89,404 62,950 27,000 22,950 2,025
TOTAL 3,476,987 3,013,086 1,995,768 1,771,423 187,641 3,224,217 2,799,914 1,995,560 1,769,284 187,290
1 These amounts apply to the entire BSAI management area unless otherwise specified. With the exception of pollock, and for the purpose of these harvest specifications, the Bering Sea (BS) subarea includes the Bogoslof District.
2 Except for pollock and the portion of the sablefish TAC allocated to hook-and-line and pot gear, 15 percent of each TAC is put into a reserve. The ITAC for each species is the remainder of the TAC after the subtraction of these reserves.
3 Except for pollock, squid and the hook-and-line or pot gear allocation of sablefish, one half of the amount of the TACs placed in reserve, or 7.5 percent of the TACs, is designated as a CDQ reserve for use by CDQ participants (see §§ 679.20(b)(1)(iii) and 679.31).
4 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)( 1 ), the annual Bering Sea pollock TAC after subtraction for the CDQ directed fishing allowance - 10 percent and the ICA - 3.35 percent, is further allocated by sector for a directed pollock fishery as follows: inshore - 50 percent; catcher/processor - 40 percent; and motherships - 10 percent. Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)( 2 )( i ) and ( ii ), the annual AI pollock TAC, after subtracting first for the CDQ directed fishing allowance - 10 percent and second for the ICA - 1,800 mt, is allocated to the Aleut Corporation for a directed pollock fishery.
5 Twenty percent of the sablefish TAC allocated to hook-and-line gear or pot gear and 7.5 percent of the sablefish TAC allocated to trawl gear is reserved for use by CDQ participants (see § 679.20(b)(1)(iii)).
6 "Other flatfish" includes all flatfish species, except for halibut (a prohibited species), flathead sole, Greenland turbot, rock sole, yellowfin sole, arrowtooth flounder and Alaska plaice.
7 "Other rockfish" includes all Sebastes and Sebastolobus species except for Pacific ocean perch, northern, shortraker, and rougheye rockfish.
8 "Other species" includes sculpins, sharks, skates and octopus. Forage fish, as defined at § 679.2, are not included in the "other species" category.

Species-area or subarea 2006 Reserve amount 2006 Final ITAC 2007 Reserve amount 2007 Final ITAC
Atka mackerel--Eastern Aleutian District and Bering Sea subarea 563 6,938 563 6,938
Atka mackerel--Central Aleutian District 3,000 37,000 2,850 35,150
Atka mackerel--Western Aleutian District 1,163 14,338 1,313 16,188
Pacific ocean perch--Eastern Aleutian District 231 2,849 244 3,012
Pacific ocean perch--Central Aleutian District 228 2,808 241 2,971
Pacific ocean perch--Western Aleutian District 381 4,703 403 4,969
Pacific cod--BSAI 14,233 175,535 10,767 132,793
Shortraker rockfish BSAI 44 537 44 537
Rougheye rockfish BSAI 17 207 17 207
Northern rockfish-BSAI 338 4,163 375 4,625
Other rockfish--Bering Sea subarea 35 426 61 750
Total 20,233 249,504 16,878 208,140

Gear Sector Percent 2006 Share of gear sector total 2006 Subtotal percentages for gear sectors 2006 Share of gear sector total 2006 Seasonal apportionment1 Date Amount 2007 Share of gear sector total 2007 Subtotal percentages for gear sectors 2007 Share of gear sector total 2007 Seasonal apportionment1 Date Amount
Total hook-and-line/pot gear 51 89,523 n/a n/a n/a n/a 67,724 n/a n/a n/a n/a
Hook-and-line/pot ICA n/a n/a n/a 500 n/a n/a n/a n/a 500 n/a n/a
Hook-and-line/pot sub-total n/a 89,023 n/a n/a n/a n/a 67,224 n/a n/a n/a n/a
Hook-and-line C/P n/a n/a 80 71,218 Jan 1-Jun 10 Jun 10-Dec 31 42,731 28,487 n/a 80 53,780 Jan 1-Jun 10 Jun 10-Dec 31 32,268 21,512
Hook-and-line CV n/a n/a 0.3 267 Jan 1-Jun 10 Jun 10-Dec 31 160 107 n/a 0.3 202 Jan 1-Jun 10 Jun 10-Dec 31 121 81
Pot C/P n/a n/a 3.3 2,938 Jan 1-Jun 10 Sept 1-Dec 31 1,763 1,175 n/a 3.3 2,218 Jan 1-Jun 10 Sept 1-Dec 31 1,331 887
Pot CV n/a n/a 15 13,354 Jan 1-Jun 10 Sept 1-Dec 31 8,012 5,342 n/a 15 10,084 Jan 1-Jun 10 Sept 1-Dec 31 6,050 4,033
CV 60 feet LOA using Hook-and-line or Pot gear n/a n/a 1.4 1,246 n/a n/a n/a 1.4 941 n/a n/a
Total Trawl Gear 47 82,502 n/a n/a n/a n/a 62,413 n/a n/a n/a n/a
Trawl CV 50 41,251 Jan 20-Apr 1 28,876 50 31,206 Jan 20-Apr 1 21,844
n/a Apr 1-Jun 10 4,125 n/a Apr 1-Jun 10 3,121
n/a Jun 10-Nov 1 8,250 n/a Jun 10-Nov 1 6,241
Trawl CP 50 41,251 Jan 20-Apr 1 20,626 50 31,206 Jan 20-Apr 1 15,603
n/a Apr 1-Jun 10 12,375 n/a Apr 1-Jun 10 9,362
n/a Jun 10-Nov 1 8,250 n/a Jun 10-Nov 1 6,241
Jig 2 3,510 n/a n/a Jan 1-Apr 30 1,405 2,656 n/a n/a Jan 1-Apr 30 1,062
n/a n/a Apr 30-Aug 31 701 n/a n/a Apr 30-Aug 31 531
n/a n/a Aug 31-Dec 31 1,404 n/a n/a Aug 31-Dec 31 1,062
Total 100 175,535 n/a n/a n/a n/a 132,793 n/a n/a n/a n/a
1 For most non-trawl gear the first season is allocated 60 percent of the ITAC and the second season is allocated 40 percent of the ITAC. For jig gear, the first season and third seasons are each allocated 40 percent of the ITAC and the second season is allocated 20 percent of the ITAC. No seasonal harvest constraints are imposed for the Pacific cod fishery by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear. For trawl gear, the first season is allocated 60 percent of the ITAC and the second and third seasons are each allocated 20 percent of the ITAC. The trawl catcher vessels' allocation is further allocated as 70 percent in the first season, 10 percent in the second season and 20 percent in the third season. The trawl catcher/processors' allocation is allocated 50 percent in the first season, 30 percent in the second season and 20 percent in the third season. Any unused portion of a seasonal Pacific cod allowance will be reapportioned to the next seasonal allowance.

Target species Area 1995 - 1997 Retained catch Total catch Ratio of retained catch to total catch 2006 ITAC available to trawl C/Ps 2006 C/P sideboard limit 2007 ITAC available to trawl C/Ps 2007 C/P sideboard limit
Pacific cod trawl BSAI 12,424 48,177 0.258 41,251 10,643 31,206 8,051
Sablefish trawl BS 8 497 0.016 1,199 19 1,148 18
AI 0 145 0.000 638 0 582 0
Atka mackerel Central AI n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
A season1 n/a n/a 0.115 18,500 2,128 17,575 2,021
HLA limit2 n/a n/a n/a 11,100 1,277 10,545 1,213
B season1 n/a n/a 0.115 18,500 2,128 17,575 2,021
HLA limit2 n/a n/a n/a 11,100 1,277 10,545 1,213
Western AI n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
A season1 n/a n/a 0.200 7,169 1,434 8,094 1,619
HLA limit2 n/a n/a n/a 4,301 860 4,856 971
B season1 n/a n/a 0.200 7,169 1,434 8,094 1,619
HLA limit2 n/a n/a n/a 4,301 860 4,856 971
Yellowfin sole BSAI 100,192 435,788 0.230 81,346 18,710 91,495 21,044
Rock sole BSAI 6,317 169,362 0.037 35,275 1,305 37,400 1,384
Greenland turbot BS 121 17,305 0.007 1,607 11 1,543 11
AI 23 4,987 0.005 723 4 693 3
Arrowtooth flounder BSAI 76 33,987 0.002 11,050 22 15,300 31
Flathead sole BSAI 1,925 52,755 0.036 16,575 597 18,700 673
Alaska plaice BSAI 14 9,438 0.001 6,800 7 12,750 13
Other flatfish BSAI 3,058 52,298 0.058 2,975 173 4,250 247
Pacific ocean perch BS 12 4,879 0.002 1,190 2 2,516 5
Eastern AI 125 6,179 0.020 2,849 57 3,012 60
Central AI 3 5,698 0.001 2,808 3 2,971 3
Western AI 54 13,598 0.004 4,703 19 4,969 20
Northern rockfish BSAI 91 13,040 0.007 4,163 29 4,625 32
Shortraker rockfish BSAI 50 2,811 0.018 537 10 537 10
Rougheye rockfish BSAI 50 2,811 0.018 207 4 207 4
Other rockfish BS 18 621 0.029 426 12 750 22
AI 22 806 0.027 502 14 502 14
Squid BSAI 73 3,328 0.022 1,084 24 1,084 24
Other species BSAI 553 68,672 0.008 24,650 197 22,950 184
1 The seasonal apportionment of Atka mackerel in the open access fishery is 50 percent in the A season and 50 percent in the B season. Listed AFA catcher/processors are limited to harvesting no more than zero in the Eastern Aleutian District and Bering Sea subarea, 20 percent of the annual ITAC specified for the Western Aleutian District, and 11.5 percent of the annual ITAC specified for the Central Aleutian District.
2 Harvest Limit Area (HLA) limit refers to the amount of each seasonal allowance that is available for fishing inside the HLA (see § 679.2). In 2006 and 2007, 60 percent of each seasonal allowance is available for fishing inside the HLA in the Western and Central Aleutian Districts.

Species Fishery by area/season/ processor/gear Ratio of 1995-1997 AFA CV catch to 1995-1997 TAC 2006 initial TAC 2006 Catcher vessel sideboard limits 2007 initial TAC 2007 Catcher vessel sideboard limits
Pacific cod BSAI n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Jig gear 0.0000 3,510 0 2,656 0
Hook-and-line CV n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Jan 1 - Jun 10 0.0006 160 0 121 0
Jun 10 - Dec 31 0.0006 107 0 81 0
Pot gear CV n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Jan 1 - Jun 10 0.0006 8,013 5 6,050 4
Sept 1 - Dec 31 0.0006 5,341 3 4,033 2
CV 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear 0.0006 1,245 1 941 1
Trawl gear CV n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Jan 20 - Apr 1 0.8609 28,876 24,859 21,844 18,805
Apr 1 - Jun 10 0.8609 4,125 3,551 3,121 2,687
Jun 10 - Nov 1 0.8609 8,250 7,102 6,241 5,373
Sablefish BS trawl gear 0.0906 1,199 109 1,148 104
AI trawl gear 0.0645 638 41 582 38
Atka mackerel Eastern AI/BS n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Jig gear 0.0031 69 0 69 0
Other gear n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Jan 1 - Apr 15 0.0032 3,434 11 3,434 11
Sept 1 - Nov 1 0.0032 3,434 11 3,434 11
Central AI n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Jan - Apr 15 0.0001 18,500 2 17,575 2
HLA limit 0.0001 11,100 1 10,545 1
Sept 1 - Nov 1 0.0001 18,500 2 17,575 2
HLA limit 0.0001 11,100 1 10,545 1
Western AI n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Jan - Apr 15 0.0000 7,169 0 8,094 0
HLA limit n/a 4,301 0 4,856 0
Sept 1 - Nov 1 0.0000 7,169 0 8,094 0
HLA limit n/a 4,301 0 4,856 0
Yellowfin sole BSAI 0.0647 81,346 5,263 91,495 5,920
Rock sole BSAI 0.0341 35,275 1,203 37,400 1,275
Greenland Turbot BS 0.0645 1,607 104 1,543 100
AI 0.0205 723 15 693 14
Arrowtooth flounder BSAI 0.0690 11,050 762 15,300 1,056
Alaska plaice BSAI 0.0441 6,800 300 12,750 562
Other flatfish BSAI 0.0441 2,975 131 4,250 187
Pacific ocean perch BS 0.1000 1,190 119 2,516 252
Eastern AI 0.0077 2,849 22 3,012 23
Central AI 0.0025 2,808 7 2,971 7
Western AI 0.0000 4,703 0 4,969 0
Northern rockfish BSAI 0.0084 4,163 35 4,625 39
Shortraker rockfish BSAI 0.0037 537 2 537 2
Rougheye rockfish BSAI 0.0037 207 1 207 1
Other rockfish BS 0.0048 426 2 750 4
AI 0.0095 502 5 502 5
Squid BSAI 0.3827 1,084 415 1,084 415
Other species BSAI 0.0541 24,650 1,334 22,950 1,242
Flathead Sole BS trawl gear 0.0505 16,575 837 18,700 944

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 delay the adjustment of the 2006 Pacific cod TAC in the BSAI. ADFG announced the closure of the state waters Pacific cod fishery in the Aleutian Islands subarea, effective 11:59 a.m., A.l.t, September 1, 2006. Since the 2006 fisheries are currently underway, it is necessary to immediately adjust the TACs to allow harvest of additional Pacific cod in the BSAI. Immediate adjustment is necessary to allow for the orderly conduct and efficient operation of this fishery, allow the industry to plan for the remainder of the 2006 fishing season, and avoid potential disruption to the fishing fleet and processors.

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 § 679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to submit written comments on this action to the above address until October 4, 2006.

This action is required by § 679.20 and § 679.25 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

Authority:

16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

Dated: September 18, 2006.

James P. Burgess,

Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 06-8074 Filed 9-19-06; 1:45 pm]

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