94-24637. Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area  

  • [Federal Register Volume 59, Number 192 (Wednesday, October 5, 1994)]
    [Unknown Section]
    [Page 0]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 94-24637]
    
    
    [[Page Unknown]]
    
    [Federal Register: October 5, 1994]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
    
    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    
    50 CFR Parts 672 and 675
    
    [Docket No. 921058-4257; I.D. 090892B]
    RIN 0648-AD44
    
     
    
    Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Groundfish Fishery of the 
    Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area
    
    AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
    Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: NMFS implements a regulatory amendment to establish standard 
    groundfish product types and standard product recovery rates (PRRs) for 
    purposes of managing the groundfish fisheries off Alaska and specify 
    certain product types and PRRs that may be used to calculate round-
    weight equivalents of pollock for purposes of calculating amounts of 
    pollock roe that may be retained onboard a vessel during the pollock 
    fishery. These actions are necessary to facilitate enforcement of 
    existing regulatory measures and to implement a statutory prohibition 
    against the wasteful use of pollock by stripping roe (eggs) from female 
    pollock and discarding female and male pollock carcasses without 
    further processing, commonly known as pollock roe stripping. The 
    intended effect of this action is to promote the purposes and policies 
    of the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson Act).
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: November 4, 1994.
    
    ADDRESSES: Copies of the environmental assessment/regulatory impact 
    review/final regulatory flexibility analysis (EA/RIR/FRFA) may be 
    obtained from the Alaska Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, 
    P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802 (Attn: Lori Gravel).
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronald J. Berg, 907-586-7228.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    Background
    
        Fishing for groundfish by U.S. vessels in the exclusive economic 
    zone of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) and the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
    Islands management area (BSAI) is managed by the Secretary of Commerce 
    (Secretary) according to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for 
    Groundfish of the GOA and the FMP for the Groundfish Fishery of the 
    BSAI. The FMPs were prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management 
    Council (Council) under the Magnuson Act and are implemented by 
    regulations governing the U.S. groundfish fisheries at 50 CFR parts 672 
    and 675. General regulations that also pertain to U.S. fisheries appear 
    at 50 CFR part 620.
        An explanation of, and reasons for, the establishment and 
    specifications of standard product types and standard PRRs are 
    contained in the notice of proposed rulemaking (58 FR 44643, August 24, 
    1993). The notice invited comments through September 23, 1993. It also 
    proposed a regulatory amendment to reduce the proportion of pollock roe 
    that may be retained onboard a vessel while participating in the 
    directed pollock fishery. That regulatory amendment has already been 
    implemented by a final rule (59 FR 14121, March 25, 1994). Six letters 
    of comments were received that addressed standard product types and 
    standard PRRs. They are summarized and responded to in the Comments 
    Received section, below.
    
    Changes in the Final Rule From the Proposed Rule
    
        Table 2 is redesignated as Table 1 in 50 CFR 672.20(j)(1), (2) and 
    (3)(i) and (3)(ii).
        The newly designated Table 1 in 50 CFR 672.20(j)(2) is revised as 
    follows.
        1. Product codes and standard PRRs are established for rex sole in 
    the GOA to accommodate a new target species category at 50 CFR 
    672.20(a) resulting from 1994 groundfish specifications.
        2. The standard PRR for rockfish fillets/no skin (code 22) is 
    changed from 0.35 to 0.33, and the standard PRR for sculpins, headed & 
    gutted with roe (code 4) is changed from 0.88 to 0.87. These changes 
    are insignificant and are made to reflect information contained in the 
    literature for these product types.
        3. A standard PRR for pollock surimi of 0.14 was proposed. That 
    rate does not reflect seasonal variations experienced in this product. 
    Seasonal variations are caused by changes in the physical condition of 
    pollock flesh during the spawning season. This season generally occurs 
    from January through June, followed by a recuperation period. Starting 
    in July, the condition of pollock flesh improves, becoming optimum 
    during the late summer months. For this reason, the BSAI pollock non-
    roe season was changed by regulation from June 1 to August 15, 
    beginning in 1993.
        To investigate seasonal differences in pollock products, NMFS 
    reviewed data from the 1993 pollock roe and non-roe seasons, which 
    occurred January 20-March 8 and August 15-September 22, respectively, 
    for the ``offshore component.'' NMFS also reviewed data from the 
    ``offshore component'' from the 1994 pollock roe season, which occurred 
    January 20-February 18. These data contained estimates of total 
    retained pollock catches as reported by NMFS observers and amounts of 
    surimi produced from the retained pollock as reported by vessels. 
    During the 1993 roe season, 20,934 metric tons (mt) of surimi were 
    produced from a retained pollock catch of 134,558 mt resulting in a 
    average PRR of 0.155. During the 1994 roe season, 23,267 mt of surimi 
    were produced from a retained pollock catch of 144,134 mt, resulting in 
    an average recovery rate of 0.161. During the non-roe season, 29,878 mt 
    of surimi were produced from a retained pollock catch of 171,320 mt, 
    resulting in an average recovery rate of 0.17.
        From these data, NMFS has determined that sufficient information 
    exists to demonstrate seasonal differences in surimi recovery rates. 
    Therefore, NMFS is establishing a standard PRR of 0.16 for the period 
    January through June and a standard PRR of 0.17 for the period July 
    through December.
        4. The standard PRR for pollock skinless/boneless fillets (product 
    code 23) is revised from 0.22 to 0.21. This revision is based on 
    results of recovery tests conducted by NMFS observers.
        5. The target species category ``flathead sole'' had been proposed 
    to be referenced in Sec. 675.20(a), which was an error. It is now 
    correctly referenced in Sec. 672.20(a).
        6. The target species category ``other flatfish'' had been proposed 
    to be referenced in Sec. 672.20(a), which was an error. It is now 
    correctly referenced in Sec. 675.20(a).
        7. The standard PRR for Atka mackerel, headed and gutted western 
    cut (code 7) is changed from 0.61 to 0.64, and the standard PRR for 
    Atka mackerel, headed & gutted eastern cut (code 8) is changed from 
    0.64 to 0.61 to correct a transposition error in the proposed rule.
        8. The product codes 95 for discards and 99 for dockside discards 
    have been removed, because they serve no useful purpose.
        Section 672.20(j)(3) is revised to limit the aggregate adjustments 
    of any standard PRR during a calendar year that the Regional Director 
    may make without providing opportunity for prior public comment to no 
    more than 15 percent of the standard PRR specified for a preceding 
    calendar year. Aggregate adjustments greater than 15 percent may be 
    made after providing notice and opportunity for prior public comment.
    
    Comments Received
    
        NMFS received six letters of comments on the proposed rule. Some 
    comments addressed standard PRRs for specific products (e.g., surimi 
    and deep-skin fillets made from pollock). Other comments focused on 
    concerns about being accountable for the standard PRRs that would be 
    different from actual recovery rates.
        Comment 1. A vessel that achieves an actual recovery rate for a 
    product that varies from the standard PRR could be prosecuted for 
    violating a directed fishing closure or Vessel Incentive Program (VIP) 
    rate, or be subject to higher fees under the North Pacific Fisheries 
    Research Plan (Research Plan), even though irrefutable evidence existed 
    to demonstrate that the vessel's actual recovery rate was real.
        Response. NMFS concurs that a vessel could be prosecuted as stated 
    in the comment. A vessel may have to adjust the amounts of products 
    retained onboard to comply with the regulations that depend on round-
    weight equivalents calculated from processed products. A vessel would 
    not be in violation if it has amounts of products onboard that are 
    consistent with standard PRRs. Although NMFS considered means by which 
    a vessel could claim it was achieving a recovery rate that differed 
    from a standard PRR at any particular time, NMFS does not have the 
    ability to determine whether a vessel's claimed recovery rate was 
    representative of its processing operations or whether it had claimed a 
    particular recovery rate as a means of justifying amounts of fish 
    onboard to avoid violations of directed fishing closures or VIP 
    definitions, or being charged higher fees under the Research Plan.
        Comment 2. A vessel that achieves a higher recovery rate for a 
    particular product receives no benefit under a program that uses 
    standard PRRs, thereby discouraging the use of more efficient and 
    productive equipment.
        Response. Standard PRRs are used to determine the amount of fish 
    caught because their use is the best practicable method of doing so 
    available at this time. Economic incentives outside the regulatory 
    management scheme exist for vessels to increase their product recovery 
    efficiency. As overall fleet efficiency in producing any particular 
    product increases, NMFS will revise the standard PRR for that product.
        Comment 3. By establishing one standard PRR for each product form, 
    the rule ignores seasonal, area, and vessel-by-vessel variation in 
    actual recovery rates.
        Response. NMFS has considered variation in determining that 
    standard PRRs are necessary to enforce certain management measures. 
    Where NMFS has been able to determine a variation in a PRR over a wide 
    area or season, as in pollock used for surimi (See response to Comment 
    4, below.), a separate PRR is specified. NMFS does not have the means 
    to account for vessel-by-vessel, seasonal, and area variations from a 
    standard PRR that may occur at any particular time.
        Comment 4. Proposed standard PRRs for certain products are 
    inaccurate. These are listed as follows:
        1. The standard PRR for pollock surimi of 0.14 is too low, given 
    that data used by NMFS during the 1992 non-roe season reflected product 
    recovery from small-sized pollock and that actual recovery rates 
    achieved by vessels, by season, shows product recoveries that range 
    from 0.12 to 0.30. Data from the 1993 fishery should be a more reliable 
    source of information;
        2. The standard PRR for deep skin pollock is too low, given that 
    data submitted to NMFS suggest that the standard PRR is closer to 0.16 
    or even 0.18;
        3. The standard PRR for headed-and-gutted Pacific cod is too low, 
    given that other sources of published information indicate that the 
    standard PRR should be in the range of 0.56-0.75 or 0.58-0.64; and
        4. Other standard PRRs may be in error as well.
        Response. With respect to the standard PRR for pollock surimi, NMFS 
    has reviewed 1993 production information on a seasonal basis and notes 
    that the average recovery rate for the period January through June is 
    0.16 (see discussion under the section on Changes In the Final Rule 
    From the Proposed Rule). The average recovery rate for the period July 
    through December is 0.17. The final rule establishes these two recovery 
    rates to accommodate seasonal differences.
        NMFS has reviewed information with respect to PRRs for deep skin 
    pollock and headed-and-gutted Pacific cod. Deep skin pollock is such a 
    new product that few data exist to demonstrate the extent of annual 
    variation. On the basis of information available, NMFS concludes that 
    0.13 is an appropriate standard PRR. With respect to headed-and-gutted 
    Pacific cod, many independent observers' tests onboard vessels have 
    demonstrated PRRs averaging 0.47 and 0.57, respectively, for eastern 
    and western cut products made from Pacific cod. Other changes made to 
    PRRs are as noted in the section on Changes In the Final Rule From the 
    Proposed Rule for the reasons given. NMFS does not have information 
    that indicates any of the other proposed standard PRRs are in error; 
    therefore, NMFS is establishing them as proposed.
        Comment 5. The 15 percent leeway provided to the Regional Director 
    to make adjustments in standard PRRs without further rulemaking is 
    inadequate.
        Response. Changes in management measures sometimes have effects 
    that are not anticipated. Notice-and-comment procedures provide the 
    agency and the public the opportunity to determine what such effects 
    might be. There is no limit to the change in a PRR that may be made in 
    any one year. The Regional Director may make changes to a PRR without 
    providing opportunity for prior public comment as long as the aggregate 
    change in any one year does not exceed 15 percent. Changes to a PRR 
    which, when aggregated with all other changes made during that same 
    calendar year, are greater than 15 percent require notice and 
    opportunity for prior public comment to ensure that all data and all 
    possible effects are considered.
        NMFS, having reviewed the purpose of this rule and comments 
    received, has determined that it is necessary for fishery conservation 
    and management. Standard PRRs, rather than recovery rates provided by 
    vessel operators, are necessary to estimate the round-weight equivalent 
    of retained species: (1) To assign vessels to fisheries for purposes of 
    monitoring fishery specific bycatch allowances of prohibited species; 
    (2) to monitor vessel compliance with fishery specific bycatch rate 
    standards set forth under the VIP to reduce prohibited species bycatch 
    rates; and (3) to calculate round-weight equivalents for purposes of 
    assessing fees under the Research Plan. This rule is also necessary to 
    promote compliance with regulations that prohibit pollock roe stripping 
    as intended by the Magnuson Act.
    
    Classification
    
        The Alaska Region, NMFS, prepared a final regulatory flexibility 
    analysis as part of the EA/RIR/FRFA, which concludes that this rule 
    will have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
    small entities. A copy of the EA/RIR/FRFA may be obtained from the 
    Regional Director (see ADDRESSES).
        This final rule has been determined to be not significant for 
    purposes of E.O. 12866.
    
    List of Subjects in 50 CFR Parts 672 and 675
    
        Fisheries, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
    
        Dated: September 29, 1994.
    Gary Matlock,
    Program Management Officer, National Marine Fisheries Service.
    
        For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR parts 672 and 675 
    are amended as follows:
    
    PART 672--GROUNDFISH OF THE GULF OF ALASKA
    
        1. The authority citation for 50 CFR part 672 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    
        2. In Sec. 672.2, a new definition of ``Round-weight equivalent'' 
    is added to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 672.2  Definitions.
    
    * * * * *
        Round-weight equivalent means the weight of fish calculated by 
    dividing the weight of the primary product made from that fish by the 
    standard product recovery rate for that primary product as listed in 
    Sec. 672.20(j), or, if not listed, the weight of fish calculated by 
    dividing the weight of a primary product by the standard product 
    recovery rate as determined using the best available evidence on a 
    case-by-case basis.
    * * * * *
    
    
    Sec. 672.20  General limitations.
    
    * * * * *
        (i) * * *
        (3) Only the following product types and standard product recovery 
    rates may be used to calculate round-weight equivalents for pollock for 
    purposes of this subparagraph: 
    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Standard
    Product                                                          product
     code                     Product description                   recovery
                                                                      rate  
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    07.....  Headed and gutted, western cut.......................      0.65
    08.....  Headed and gutted, eastern cut.......................       .56
    10.....  Headed and gutted, without tail......................       .50
    20.....  Fillets with skin & ribs.............................       .35
    21.....  Fillets with skin on, no ribs........................       .30
    22.....  Fillets with ribs no skin............................       .30
    23.....  Fillets, skinless, boneless..........................       .21
    24.....  Deep skin fillets....................................       .13
    30.....  Surimi...............................................       .16
    31.....  Mince................................................       .22
    32.....  Meal.................................................      .17 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    * * * * *
        (j) Standard product types and standard product recovery rates 
    (PRRs)--(1) Calculating round-weight equivalents from standard PRRs. 
    Round-weight equivalents for groundfish products shall be calculated 
    using the product codes and standard PRRs specified in Table 1 of this 
    section.
        (2) Adjustments to Table 1 of this section. The Regional Director 
    may adjust standard PRRs and product types specified in Table 1 of this 
    section if he determines that existing standard PRRs are inaccurate or 
    if new product types are developed.
        (3) Procedure. Adjustments to any standard PRR listed in Table 1 
    that are within and including 15 percent of that standard PRR may be 
    made without providing notice and opportunity for prior public comment. 
    Adjustments of any standard PRR during a calendar year, when aggregated 
    with all other adjustments made during that year, may not exceed 15 
    percent of the standard PRR listed in Table 1 of this section at the 
    beginning of that calendar year and no new product type may be 
    announced until NMFS has published notice of the proposed adjustment 
    and/or new product type in the Federal Register and provided the public 
    with at least 30 days opportunity for public comment. Any adjustment of 
    a PRR that acts to further restrict the fishery shall not be effective 
    until 30 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register. If 
    NMFS makes any adjustment or announcement without providing notice and 
    opportunity for prior public comment, the Regional Director will 
    receive public comments on the adjustment or announcement for a period 
    of 15 days after its publication in the Federal Register.
    
         Table 1 to Sec. 672.20.--Target Species Categories, Product Codes and Descriptions, and Standard Product Recovery Rates for Groundfish Species     
                                                  Referenced in 50 CFR 672.20(a)(1) and/or 50 CFR 675.20(a)(1)                                              
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                                                                                                      Product Code                                          
                                                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               6       7        8       10                                  
                                                   Species     1       2                    Headed   Headed   Headed  Headed            12                  
                     FMP species                     code    Whole   Whole             4      and     and      and      and     11    Salted    13          
                                                             food    bait   3 Bled  Gutted  gutted   gutted   gutted  gutted  Kirimi    and    Wings  14 Roe
                                                             fish    fish                    with   western  eastern    w/o            split                
                                                                                              roe     cut      cut     tail                                 
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Pacific cod..................................      110    1.00    1.00    0.98    0.85    0.63     0.57     0.47    0.44  ......    0.45  ......    0.05
    Arrowtooth flounder..........................      121    1.00    1.00    0.98    0.90    0.80     0.72     0.65    0.62    0.48  ......  ......    0.08
    Rockfish\1\..................................  .......    1.00    1.00    0.98    0.88  ......     0.60     0.50  ......  ......  ......  ......  ......
    Sculpins.....................................      160    1.00    1.00    0.98    0.87  ......     0.50     0.40  ......  ......  ......  ......  ......
    Atka mackerel................................      193    1.00    1.00    0.98    0.87    0.67     0.64     0.61  ......  ......  ......  ......  ......
    Pollock......................................      270    1.00    1.00    0.98    0.80    0.70     0.65     0.56    0.50  ......  ......  ......    0.04
    Smelts.......................................      510    1.00    1.00    0.98    0.82  ......     0.71  .......  ......  ......  ......  ......  ......
    Eulachon.....................................      511    1.00    1.00    0.98    0.82  ......     0.71  .......  ......  ......  ......  ......  ......
    Capelin......................................      516    1.00    1.00    0.98    0.89  ......     0.78  .......  ......  ......  ......  ......  ......
    Sharks.......................................      689    1.00    1.00    0.98    0.83  ......     0.72  .......  ......  ......  ......  ......  ......
    Skates.......................................      700    1.00    1.00    0.98    0.90  ......  .......     0.32  ......  ......  ......    0.32  ......
    Sablefish....................................      710    1.00    1.00    0.98    0.89  ......     0.68     0.63    0.50  ......  ......  ......  ......
    Octopus......................................      870    1.00    1.00    0.98    0.69  ......  .......  .......  ......  ......  ......  ......  ......
                                                                                                                                                            
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Target Species Categories Only at 50 CFR 672.20(a)                                                   
                                                                                                                                                            
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Deep water flatfish..........................      118    1.00    1.00    0.98    0.90    0.80     0.72     0.65    0.62    0.48  ......  ......    0.08
    Flathead sole................................      122    1.00    1.00    0.98    0.90    0.80     0.72     0.65    0.62    0.48  ......  ......    0.08
    Rex sole.....................................      125    1.00    1.00    0.98    0.90    0.80     0.72     0.65    0.62    0.48  ......  ......    0.08
    Shallow water flatfish.......................      119    1.00    1.00    0.98    0.90    0.80     0.72     0.65    0.62    0.48  ......  ......    0.08
    Thornyhead rockfish..........................      143    1.00    1.00    0.98    0.88    0.55     0.60     0.50  ......  ......  ......  ......  ......
                                                                                                                                                            
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Target Species Categories Only at 50 CFR 675.20(a)                                                   
                                                                                                                                                            
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Other flatfish...............................      120    1.00    1.00    0.98    0.90    0.80     0.72     0.65    0.62    0.48  ......  ......    0.08
    Rock sole....................................      123    1.00    1.00    0.98    0.90    0.80     0.72     0.65    0.62    0.48  ......  ......    0.08
    Yellowfin sole...............................      127    1.00    1.00    0.98    0.90    0.80     0.72     0.65    0.62    0.48  ......  ......    0.08
    Greenland turbot.............................      134    1.00    1.00    0.98    0.90    0.80     0.72     0.65    0.62    0.48  ......  ......    0.08
    Squid........................................      875    1.00    1.00    0.98    0.69  ......  .......  .......  ......  ......  ......  ......  ......
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\Rockfish means all species of Sebastes and Sebastolobus.                                                                                             
    
    
       Table 1 to Sec. 672.20 (continued).--Target Species Categories, Product Codes and Descriptions, and Standard Product Recovery Rates for Groundfish   
                                                  Species Referenced in 50 CFR 672.20(a)(1) and/or 675.20(a)(1)                                             
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                             Product code                                                   
                                        --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      20                  22                                                
           FMP species          Species     15               17                    Fillets:     21     Fillets:      23        24       30                  
                                 code    Pectoral    16    Cheeks    18      19      With    Fillets:    With     Fillets:  Fillets:  Surimi    31      32  
                                          girdle   Heads           Chins   Belly   skin and   Skin on   ribs no  Skinless/    Deep            Mince    Meal 
                                                                                     ribs    no ribs     skin    boneless     skin                          
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Pacific cod...............      110     0.05   ......    0.05  ......    0.01     0.45      0.35      0.25       0.25   ........    0.15    0.50    0.17
    Arrowtooth flounder.......      121  ........  ......  ......  ......  ......     0.32      0.27      0.27       0.22   ........  ......  ......    0.17
    Rockfish..................  .......  ........    0.15    0.05    0.05    0.10     0.40      0.30      0.33       0.25   ........  ......  ......    0.17
    Sculpins..................      160  ........  ......  ......  ......  ......  ........  ........  ........  .........  ........  ......  ......    0.17
    Atka mackerel.............      193  ........  ......  ......  ......  ......  ........  ........  ........  .........  ........    0.15  ......    0.17
    Pollock...................      270  ........    0.15  ......  ......  ......     0.35      0.30      0.30       0.21      0.13   \1\0.1                
                                                                                                                                           6                
                                                                                                                                      \2\0.1                
                                                                                                                                           7    0.22    0.17
    Smelts....................      510  ........  ......  ......  ......  ......  ........     0.38   ........  .........  ........  ......  ......    0.22
    Eulachon..................      511  ........  ......  ......  ......  ......  ........     0.38   ........  .........  ........  ......  ......    0.22
    Capelin...................      516  ........  ......  ......  ......  ......  ........  ........  ........  .........  ........  ......  ......    0.22
    Sharks....................      689  ........  ......  ......  ......  ......  ........     0.30      0.30       0.25   ........  ......  ......    0.17
    Skates....................      700  ........  ......  ......  ......  ......  ........  ........  ........  .........  ........  ......  ......    0.17
    Sablefish.................      710  ........  ......    0.05  ......  ......     0.35      0.30      0.30       0.25   ........  ......  ......    0.22
    Octopus...................      870  ........  ......  ......  ......  ......  ........  ........  ........  .........  ........  ......  ......    0.17
                                                                                                                                                            
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Target Species Categories Only at 50 CFR 672.20(a)                                                   
                                                                                                                                                            
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Deep water flatfish.......      118  ........  ......  ......  ......  ......     0.32      0.27      0.27       0.22   ........  ......  ......    0.17
    Flathead sole.............      122  ........  ......  ......  ......  ......     0.32      0.27      0.27       0.22   ........  ......  ......    0.17
    Rex sole..................      125  ........  ......  ......  ......  ......     0.32      0.27      0.27       0.22   ........  ......  ......    0.17
    Shallow water flatfish....      119  ........  ......  ......  ......  ......     0.32      0.27      0.27       0.22   ........  ......  ......    0.17
    Thornyhead rockfish.......      143  ........    0.20    0.05    0.05    0.05     0.40      0.30      0.35       0.25   ........  ......  ......    0.17
                                                                                                                                                            
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Target Species Categories Only at 50 CFR 675.20(a)                                                   
                                                                                                                                                            
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Other flatfish............      120  ........  ......  ......  ......  ......     0.32      0.27      0.27       0.22   ........  ......  ......    0.17
    Rock sole.................      123  ........  ......  ......  ......  ......     0.32      0.27      0.27       0.22   ........  ......  ......    0.17
    Yellowfin sole............      127  ........  ......  ......  ......  ......     0.32      0.27      0.27       0.22   ........    0.18  ......    0.17
    Greenland Turbot..........      134  ........  ......  ......  ......  ......     0.32      0.27      0.27       0.22   ........  ......  ......    0.17
    Squid.....................      875  ........  ......  ......  ......  ......  ........  ........  ........  .........  ........  ......  ......    0.17
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\Standard pollock surimi rate during January through June.                                                                                            
    \2\Standard pollock surimi rate during July through December.                                                                                           
    
    
       Table 1 to Sec. 672.20 (continued).--Target Species Categories, Product Codes and Descriptions, and Standard Product Recovery Rates for Groundfish   
                                                Species Referenced in 50 CFR 672.20(a)(1) and 50 CFR 675.20(a)(1)                                           
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Product code                                                                                
                                    --------------------------------------------------------------------                                                    
                            Species                                         37                                                                              
          FMP species         code             34       35        36    Butterfly      96       98 At-                                                      
                                     33 Oil   Milt   Stomachs  Mantles   backbone  Decomposed     sea                                                       
                                                                         removed      fish     discards                                                     
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Pacific cod...........      110  ......  ......  ........  .......      0.43       0.00       1.00                                                      
    Arrowtooth flounder...      121  ......  ......  ........  .......  .........      0.00       1.00                                                      
    Rockfish..............  .......  ......  ......  ........  .......  .........      0.00       1.00                                                      
    Sculpins..............      160  ......  ......  ........  .......  .........      0.00       1.00                                                      
    Atka mackerel.........      193  ......  ......  ........  .......  .........      0.00       1.00                                                      
    Pollock...............      270  ......  ......  ........  .......      0.43       0.00       1.00                                                      
    Smelts................      510  ......  ......  ........  .......  .........      0.00       1.00                                                      
    Eulachon..............      511  ......  ......  ........  .......  .........      0.00       1.00                                                      
    Capelin...............      516  ......  ......  ........  .......  .........      0.00       1.00                                                      
    Sharks................      689  ......  ......  ........  .......  .........      0.00       1.00                                                      
    Skates................      700  ......  ......  ........  .......  .........      0.00       1.00                                                      
    Sablefish.............      710  ......  ......  ........  .......  .........      0.00       1.00                                                      
    Octopus...............      870  ......  ......  ........     0.85      1.00       0.00       1.00                                                      
                                                                                                                                                            
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Target Species Categories Only at 50 CFR 672.20(a)                                                   
                                                                                                                                                            
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Deep water flatfish...      118  ......  ......  ........  .......  .........      0.00       1.00                                                      
    Flathead sole.........      122  ......  ......  ........  .......  .........      0.00       1.00                                                      
    Rex sole..............      125  ......  ......  ........  .......  .........      0.00       1.00                                                      
    Shallow water flatfish      119  ......  ......  ........  .......  .........      0.00       1.00                                                      
    Thornyhead rockfish...      143  ......  ......  ........  .......  .........      0.00       1.00                                                      
                                                                                                                                                            
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Target Species Categories Only at 50 CFR 675.20(a)                                                   
                                                                                                                                                            
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Other flatfish........      120  ......  ......  ........  .......  .........      0.00       1.00                                                      
    Rock sole.............      123  ......  ......  ........  .......  .........      0.00       1.00                                                      
    Yellowfin sole........      127  ......  ......  ........  .......  .........      0.00       1.00                                                      
    Greenland turbot......      134  ......  ......  ........  .......  .........      0.00       1.00                                                      
    Squid.................      875  ......  ......  ........     0.75      1.00       0.00       1.00                                                      
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    PART 675--GROUNDFISH OF THE BERING SEA AND ALEUTIAN ISLANDS AREA
    
        4. The authority citation for 50 CFR part 675 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    
        5. In Sec. 675.2, a new definition of ``Round-weight equivalent'' 
    is added to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 675.2  Definitions.
    
    * * * * *
        Round-weight equivalent means the weight of fish calculated by 
    dividing the weight of the primary product made from that fish by the 
    standard product recovery rate for that primary product as listed in 
    Sec. 672.20(j), or, if not listed, the weight of fish calculated by 
    dividing the weight of a primary product by the standard product 
    recovery rate as determined using the best available evidence on a 
    case-by-case basis.
    * * * * *
        6. In Sec. 675.20, paragraph (j)(4) is removed, paragraphs (j)(5)-
    (j)(7) are redesignated as paragraphs (j)(4)-(j)(6), paragraph (j)(3) 
    is revised, and a new paragraph (k) is added to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 675.20  General limitations.
    
    * * * * *
        (j) * * *
        (3) Only the following product types and standard product recovery 
    rates may be used to calculate round-weight equivalents for pollock for 
    purposes of this subparagraph: 
    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Standard
    Product                                                          product
     code                     Product description                   recovery
                                                                      rate  
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    07.....  Headed and gutted, western cut.......................      0.65
    08.....  Headed and gutted, eastern cut.......................       .56
    10.....  Headed and gutted, without tail......................       .50
    20.....  Fillets with skin & ribs.............................       .35
    21.....  Fillets with skin on, no ribs........................       .30
    22.....  Fillets with ribs no skin............................       .30
    23.....  Fillets, skinless, boneless..........................       .21
    24.....  Deep skin fillets....................................       .13
    30.....  Surimi...............................................       .16
    31.....  Mince................................................       .22
    32.....  Meal.................................................       .17
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    * * * * *
        (k) Standard product types and standard product recovery rates 
    (PRRs). Standard product types and standard PRRs pertaining to this 
    section are governed by provisions set forth in Sec. 672.20(j).
    
    [FR Doc. 94-24637 Filed 10-4-94; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
10/05/1994
Department:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Entry Type:
Uncategorized Document
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
94-24637
Dates:
November 4, 1994.
Pages:
0-0 (1 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Federal Register: October 5, 1994, Docket No. 921058-4257, I.D. 090892B
RINs:
0648-AD44
CFR: (6)
50 CFR 672.20(j)
50 CFR 672.20(j)
50 CFR 672.2
50 CFR 672.20
50 CFR 675.2
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