[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 51 (Tuesday, March 17, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13009-13012]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6857]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 971124274-8052-02; I.D. 110597A]
RIN 0648-AH67
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Forage Fish
Species Category
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS issues regulations to implement Amendment 36 to the
Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea
and Aleutian Islands Area and Amendment 39 to the Fishery Management
Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMPs). This action creates a
forage fish species category in both FMPs and implements associated
management measures. The intended effect of this action is to prevent
the development of a commercial directed fishery for forage fish, which
are a critical food source for many marine mammal, seabird, and fish
species. This action is necessary to conserve and manage the forage
fish resource off Alaska and to further the goals and objectives of the
FMPs. In addition, this action includes a technical amendment removing
a date that is no longer applicable.
DATES: Effective April 16, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Copies of Amendments 36 and 39 and the Environmental
Assessment/Regulatory Impact Review (EA/RIR) prepared for Amendments 36
and 39 are available from the Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska
Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802, Attn: Lori J. Gravel,
or by calling the Alaska Region, NMFS, at 907-586-7228.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kent Lind, 907-586-7228 or
kent.lind@noaa.gov
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The domestic groundfish fisheries in the
exclusive economic zone of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area (BSAI) and of the Gulf of Alaska
[[Page 13010]]
(GOA) are managed by NMFS under the FMPs. The FMPs were prepared by the
North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) under the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
Regulations governing the groundfish fisheries of the BSAI and GOA
appear at 50 CFR part 679, and general regulations governing U.S.
fisheries appear at 50 CFR part 600.
A notice of availability of amendments 36 and 39 was published on
November 12, 1997 (62 FR 60682), with comments on the FMP amendments
invited through January 12, 1998. A proposed rule to implement
amendments 36 and 39 was published in the Federal Register on December
12, 1997 (62 FR 65402), with comments invited through January 26, 1998.
One letter of comment was received and is summarized and responded to
in the Response to Comments section. Additional information on this
action is contained in the preamble to the proposed rule and in the EA/
RIR (See ADDRESSES). Upon reviewing amendments 36 and 39, the
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that amendments 36
and 39 are necessary for the conservation and management of the
groundfish fisheries of the BSAI and GOA and are consistent with the
Magnuson-Stevens Act and with other applicable laws.
Response to Comments
The following comment summarizes the one letter received on the FMP
amendments and proposed rule:
Comment. The Department of Interior believes that managing forage
fish, by establishing a separate category for these species, will
benefit the marine ecosystems of the North Pacific. The Department of
the Interior supports approval of the amendments as well as issuance of
the implementing regulations which would prohibit directed fishing on
forage fish species, and the sale, barter, trade, or processing of
forage fish.
Response. NMFS agrees with the conclusions of the Department of
Interior and has approved amendments 36 and 39.
Elements of the Final Rule
The following is a summary of the main elements of the final rule.
Forage Fish Species Category
The rule defines forage fish species to mean all species of the
following families:
Osmeridae (eulachon, capelin, and other smelts),
Myctophidae (lanternfishes),
Bathylagidae (deep-sea smelts),
Ammodytidae (Pacific sand lance),
Trichodontidae (Pacific sandfish),
Pholidae (gunnels),
Stichaeidae (pricklebacks, warbonnets, eelblennys, cockscombs and
shannys),
Gonostomatidae (bristlemouths, lightfishes, and anglemouths), and
the Order
Euphausiacea (krill).
These species have been grouped together because they are
considered to be primary food resources for other marine animals and
they have the potential to be the targets of a commercial fishery.
Affected Vessels and Processors
The requirements of the rule apply to all vessels fishing for
groundfish in the Federal waters of the BSAI or GOA or processing
groundfish harvested in the Federal waters of the BSAI or GOA. The rule
does not apply to fishing for forage fish species within State waters.
Prohibition on Directed Fishing
The rule prohibits directed fishing for forage fish at all times in
the Federal waters of the BSAI and GOA. The rule establishes maximum
retainable bycatch (MRB) percentage of 2 percent for forage fish,
meaning that vessels fishing for groundfish may retain a quantity of
forage fish equal to no more than 2 percent of the round weight or
round-weight equivalent of groundfish species open to directed fishing
that are retained on board the vessel during a fishing trip. NMFS data
indicate that the aggregate percentage of forage fish incidentally
caught in current groundfish fisheries rarely exceeds 2 percent, and
many vessels rarely or never encounter catch of forage fish species.
Consequently, bycatch of forage fish species is not considered a
problem in the groundfish fisheries off Alaska, and the 2-percent MRB
is unlikely to result in increased discards of forage fish species.
Harvest Quotas
Insufficient information exists upon which to specify a total
allowable catch amount (TAC) for forage fish species. Therefore, this
action does not establish procedures for specifying an annual TAC for
forage fish species. However, by establishing a new species category
for forage fish, NMFS will be able to collect additional data on forage
fish from vessel logbooks, weekly production reports, and observer
reports. This information may be used to evaluate the need for and
appropriateness of other management measures for forage fish species.
Limits on Sale, Barter, Trade or Processing
The rule prohibits the sale, barter, trade, or processing of forage
fish species by vessels fishing for groundfish in the Federal waters of
the BSAI or GOA or processing groundfish harvested in the BSAI or GOA,
except that retained catch of forage fish species not exceeding the 2-
percent MRB may be processed into fishmeal and sold. The rule allows
fishmeal processing of forage fish retained under the 2-percent MRB
amount to prevent undue burdens on operations that process unsorted
processing waste into fishmeal. Industry representatives have indicated
that separating small quantities of forage fish from the volumes of
fish and fish waste that typically enter fishmeal plants would be
nearly impossible. The small volumes of fishmeal production allowed
under this rule are not expected to provide an incentive for vessels to
target on forage fish through ``topping off'' activity.
This rule does not apply to onshore processors due to limitations
of the authority of the Secretary of Commerce under the Magnuson-
Stevens Act. At the June 1997 Council meeting, the State of Alaska
indicated that it intends to proceed with parallel forage fish
regulations to restrict the harvest of forage fish within State waters
and the processing of forage fish by onshore processors.
Changes From the Proposed Rule
In the proposed change to Table 2 to 50 CFR Part 679, the order
Euphausiacea was incorrectly identified as a family. This error has
been corrected in the final rule. No other changes have been made in
the final rule.
A technical amendment is made to Sec. 679.20(c)(5) by deleting a
date that is no longer applicable.
Classification
At the proposed rule stage, the Assistant General Counsel for
Legislation and Regulation of the Department of Commerce certified to
the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration
that this rule would not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities. No comments were received
regarding this certification. As a result, a regulatory flexibility
analysis was not prepared.
An informal consultation under the Endangered Species Act was
concluded for amendments 36 and 39 on July 11,
[[Page 13011]]
1997. As a result of the informal consultation, the Regional
Administrator determined that fishing activities under this rule are
not likely to adversely affect endangered or threatened species or
critical habitat.
This final rule has been determined to be not significant for the
purposes of E.O. 12866.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 679
Alaska, Fisheries, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: March 10, 1998.
David L. Evans,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 679 is amended
as follows:
PART 679--FISHERIES OF THE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE OFF ALASKA
1. The authority citation for 50 CFR part 679 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq ., 1801 et seq., and 3631 et
seq.
2. In Sec. 679.2, the definition of ``forage fish'' is added in
alphabetical order to read as follows:
Sec. 679.2 Definitions.
* * * * *
Forage fish means all species of the following families:
(1) Osmeridae (eulachon, capelin and other smelts),
(2) Myctophidae (lanternfishes),
(3) Bathylagidae (deep-sea smelts),
(4) Ammodytidae (Pacific sand lance),
(5) Trichodontidae (Pacific sandfish),
(6) Pholidae (gunnels),
(7) Stichaeidae (pricklebacks, warbonnets, eelblennys, cockscombs
and shannys),
(8) Gonostomatidae (bristlemouths, lightfishes, and anglemouths),
and
(9) The Order Euphausiacea (krill).
* * * * *
3. In Sec. 679.20, paragraph (c)(5) is amended by removing the
phrase ``(Applicable through December 31, 1996)'' and a new paragraph
(i) is added as follows:
Sec. 679.20 General limitations.
* * * * *
(i) Forage fish--(1) Definition. See Sec. 679.2.
(2) Applicability. The provisions of Sec. 679.20(i) apply to all
vessels fishing for groundfish in the BSAI or GOA, and to all vessels
processing groundfish harvested in the BSAI or GOA.
(3) Closure to directed fishing. Directed fishing for forage fish
is prohibited at all times in the BSAI and GOA.
(4) Limits on sale, barter, trade, and processing. The sale,
barter, trade, or processing of forage fish is prohibited, except as
provided in paragraph (i)(5) of this section.
(5) Allowable fishmeal production. Retained catch of forage fish
not exceeding the maximum retainable bycatch amount may be processed
into fishmeal for sale, barter, or trade.
4. In Sec. 679.22, paragraph (c) is revised to read as follows:
Sec. 679.22 Closures.
* * * * *
(c) Directed fishing closures. See Sec. 679.20(d) and
Sec. 679.20(i).
* * * * *
Table 2 to Part 679 [Amended]
5. Table 2 to 50 CFR part 679 is amended by adding species codes
207 Gunnels; 208 Pricklebacks, warbonnets, eelblennys, cockscombs and
shannys (family Stichaeidae); 209 Bristlemouths, lightfishes, and
anglemouths (family Gonostomatidae); 210 Pacific sandfish; 772
Lanternfishes; 773 Deep-sea smelts (family Bathylagidae); 774 Pacific
sand lance; and 800 Krill (order Euphausiacea); in numerical order as
follows:
Table 2 to Part 679.--Species Codes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Code Species
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * *
* * *
Group Codes:
* * * *
* * *
207................................... Gunnels.
208................................... Pricklebacks, warbonnets,
eelblennys, cockscombs and
shannys (family
Stichaeidae).
209................................... Bristlemouths, lightfishes,
and anglemouths (family
Gonostomatidae).
210................................... Pacific sandfish.
* * * *
* * *
772................................... Lanternfishes.
773................................... Deep-sea smelts (family
Bathylagidae).
774................................... Pacific sand lance.
800................................... Krill (order Euphausiacea).
* * * *
* * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tables 10 and 11 to Part 679 [Amended]
6. Tables 10 and 11 to 50 CFR part 679 are amended by adding a
column for aggregate forage fish as follows:
In Table 10 to 50 CFR part 679, a column for ``Aggregate Forage
Fish'' is added between columns ``Atka mackerel'' and ``Other
species,'' and footnote 5 is added to read ``Forage fish are defined at
Sec. 679.2.'' Table 10, as revised, reads as follows:
[[Page 13012]]
Table 10.--Gulf of Alaska Retainable Percentages
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bycatch species 1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aggregate
Pollock Pacific Deep Rex Flathead Shallow Arrow- Sablefish Aggregated DSR Atka forage Other
cod flatfish sole sole flatfish tooth rockfish 2 SEEO mackerel fish 5 species
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\4\--------------------------------
Basis Species
Pollock..................................................... 3 na 20 20 20 20 20 35 1 5 10 20 2 20
Pacific cod................................................. 20 3 na 20 20 20 20 35 1 5 10 20 2 20
Deep flatfish............................................... 20 20 3 na 20 20 20 35 7 15 1 20 2 20
Rex sole.................................................... 20 20 20 20 3 na 20 35 7 15 1 20 2 20
Flathead sole............................................... 20 20 20 20 3 na 20 35 7 15 1 20 2 20
Shallow flatfish............................................ 20 20 20 20 20 3 na 35 1 5 10 20 2 20
Arrowtooth.................................................. 5 5 0 0 0 0 3 na 0 0 0 0 2 20
Sablefish................................................... 20 20 20 20 20 20 35 3 na 15 1 20 2 20
Pacific Ocean perch......................................... 20 20 20 20 20 20 35 7 15 1 20 2 20
Shortraker/rougheye......................................... 20 20 20 20 20 20 35 7 15 1 20 2 20
Other rockfish.............................................. 20 20 20 20 20 20 35 7 15 1 20 2 20
Northern rockfish........................................... 20 20 20 20 20 20 35 7 15 1 20 2 20
Pelagic rockfish............................................ 20 20 20 20 20 20 35 7 15 1 20 2 20
DSR-SEEO.................................................... 20 20 20 20 20 20 35 7 15 3 na 20 2 20
Thornyhead.................................................. 20 20 20 20 20 20 35 7 15 1 20 2 20
Atka mackerel............................................... 20 20 20 20 20 20 35 1 5 10 3 na 2 20
Other species............................................... 20 20 20 20 20 20 35 1 5 10 20 2 3 na
Aggregated amount non-groundfish species.................... 20 20 20 20 20 20 35 1 5 10 20 2 20
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For definition of species, see Table 1 of the Gulf of Alaska groundfish specifications.
\2\ Aggregated Rockfish means any rockfish except in the Southeast Outside District where demersal shelf rockfish (DSR) is a separate category.
\3\ na=not applicable.
\4\ SEEO=Southeast Outside District.
\5\ Forage fish are defined at Sec. 679.2.
In Table 11 to 50 CFR part 679, a column for ``Aggregate Forage
Fish'' is added between columns ``Squid'' and ``Other species,''
footnote 3 is redesignated as footnote 4, and a new footnote 3 is added
to read ``Forage fish are defined at Sec. 679.2.'' Table 11, as
revised, reads as follows:
Table 11.--Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area Retainable Percentages
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bycatch species 1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aggregate
Pollock Pacific Atka Arrowtooth Yellowfin Other Rock Flathead Greenland Sablefish Aggregated Squid forage Other
cod mackerel sole flatfish sole sole turbot rockfish 2 fish 3 species
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basis species1
Pollock...................................... 4 na 20 20 35 20 20 20 20 1 1 5 20 2 20
Pacific cod.................................. 20 na 20 35 20 20 20 20 1 1 5 20 2 20
Atka mackerel................................ 20 20 na 35 20 20 20 20 1 1 5 20 2 20
Arrowtooth................................... 0 0 0 na 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Yellowfin sole............................... 20 20 20 35 na 35 35 35 1 1 5 20 2 20
Other flatfish............................... 20 20 20 35 35 na 35 35 1 1 5 20 2 20
Rock sole.................................... 20 20 20 35 35 35 na 35 1 1 5 20 2 20
Flathead sole................................ 20 20 20 35 35 35 35 na 35 15 15 20 2 20
Greenland turbot............................. 20 20 20 35 20 20 20 20 na 15 15 20 2 20
Sablefish.................................... 20 20 20 35 20 20 20 20 35 na 15 20 2 20
Other rockfish............................... 20 20 20 35 20 20 20 20 35 15 15 20 2 20
Other red rockfish-BS........................ 20 20 20 35 20 20 20 20 35 15 15 20 2 20
Pacific Ocean perch.......................... 20 20 20 35 20 20 20 20 35 15 15 20 2 20
Sharpchin/Northern-AI........................ 20 20 20 35 20 20 20 20 35 15 15 20 2 20
Shortraker/Rougheye-AI....................... 20 20 20 35 20 20 20 20 35 15 15 20 2 20
Squid........................................ 20 20 20 35 20 20 20 20 1 1 5 4 na 2 20
Other species................................ 20 20 20 35 20 20 20 20 1 1 5 20 2 4 na
Aggregated amount non-groundfish species..... 20 20 20 35 20 20 20 20 1 1 5 20 2 20
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For definition of species, see Table 1 of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands groundfish specifications.
\2\ Aggregated rockfish of the genera Sebastes and Sebastolobus.
\3\ Forage fish are defined at Sec. 679.2.
\4\ na = not applicable.
[FR Doc. 98-6857 Filed 3-16-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
