2018-25765. Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area  

  • Start Preamble

    AGENCY:

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

    ACTION:

    Temporary rule; reallocation.

    SUMMARY:

    NMFS is exchanging unused rock sole Community Development Quota (CDQ) for yellowfin sole CDQ acceptable biological catch (ABC) reserves in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to allow the 2018 total allowable catch of yellowfin sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area to be harvested.

    DATES:

    Effective November 27, 2018 through December 31, 2018.

    Start Further Info

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.

    End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental Information

    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.

    The 2018 rock sole and yellowfin sole CDQ reserves specified in the BSAI are 4,540 metric tons (mt) and 17,023 mt as established by the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27, 2018) and revised by flatfish exchange (83 FR 50036, October 4, 2018). The 2018 rock sole and yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves are 10,772 mt and 12,670 mt as established by the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27, 2018) and revised by flatfish exchange (83 FR 50036, October 4, 2018).

    The Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation has requested that NMFS exchange 400 mt of rock sole CDQ reserves for 400 mt of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves under § 679.31(d). Therefore, in accordance with § 679.31(d), NMFS exchanges 400 mt of rock sole CDQ reserves for 400 mt of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves in the BSAI. This action also decreases and increases the TACs and CDQ ABC reserves by the corresponding amounts. Tables 11 and 13 of the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27, 2018) and revised by flatfish exchange (83 FR 50036, October 4, 2018), are further revised as follows:Start Printed Page 60785

    Table 11—Final 2018 Community Development Quota (CDQ) Reserves, Incidental Catch Amounts (ICAS), and Amendment 80 Allocations of the Aleutian Islands Pacific Ocean Perch, and BSAI Flathead Sole, Rock Sole, and Yellowfin Sole TACS

    [Amounts are in metric tons]

    SectorPacific ocean perchFlathead soleRock soleYellowfin sole
    Eastern Aleutian DistrictCentral Aleutian DistrictWestern Aleutian DistrictBSAIBSAIBSAI
    TAC9,0007,5009,00017,10542,550155,945
    CDQ9638039631,5074,14017,423
    ICA100120104,0006,0004,000
    BSAI trawl limited access7946581610018,351
    Amendment 807,1435,9207,86611,59932,410116,171
    Note: Sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.

    Table 13—Final 2018 and 2019 ABC Surplus, ABC Reserves, Community Development Quota (CDQ) ABC Reserves, and Amendment 80 ABC Reserves in the BSAI for Flathead Sole, Rock Sole, and Yellowfin Sole

    [Amounts are in metric tons]

    Sector2018 Flathead sole2018 Rock sole2018 Yellowfin sole2019 1 Flathead sole2019 1 Rock sole2019 1 Yellowfin sole
    ABC66,773143,100277,50065,227132,000267,500
    TAC17,10542,550155,94516,50049,100156,000
    ABC surplus49,668100,550121,55548,72782,900111,500
    ABC reserve49,668100,550121,55548,72782,900111,500
    CDQ ABC reserve5,63811,17212,2705,2148,87011,931
    Amendment 80 ABC reserve44,03089,378109,28643,51374,03099,570
    1 The 2019 allocations for Amendment 80 species between Amendment 80 cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited access sector will not be known until eligible participants apply for participation in the program by November 1, 2018.

    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 flatfish exchange by the Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation in the BSAI. Since these fisheries are currently open, it is important to immediately inform the industry as to the revised allocations. Immediate notification is necessary to allow for the orderly conduct and efficient operation of this fishery, to allow the industry to plan for the fishing season, and to avoid potential disruption to the fishing fleet as well as processors. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of November 19, 2018.

    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.

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

    Start Authority

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

    End Authority Start Signature

    Dated: November 20, 2018.

    Karen H. Abrams,

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

    End Signature End Supplemental Information

    [FR Doc. 2018-25765 Filed 11-26-18; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Document Information

Effective Date:
11/27/2018
Published:
11/27/2018
Department:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Temporary rule; reallocation.
Document Number:
2018-25765
Dates:
Effective November 27, 2018 through December 31, 2018.
Pages:
60784-60785 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 170817779-8161-02
RINs:
0648-XG64
PDF File:
2018-25765.pdf
CFR: (1)
50 CFR 679