2020-06332. Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands  

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    AGENCY:

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

    ACTION:

    Temporary rule.

    SUMMARY:

    NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amounts of the Community Development Quota (CDQ) pollock directed fishing allowance (DFA) from the Aleutian Islands subarea to the Bering Sea subarea. This action is necessary to provide opportunity for harvest of the 2020 total allowable catch of pollock, consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI).

    DATES:

    Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 26, 2020, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2020.

    Start Further Info

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.

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    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the BSAI exclusive economic zone 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 (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.

    In the Aleutian Islands subarea, the portion of the 2020 pollock total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to the CDQ DFA is 1,900 mt as established by the final 2020 and 2021 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (85 FR 13553, March 9, 2020).

    As of March 18, 2020, the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator) has determined that 1,900 mt of pollock CDQ DFA in the Aleutian Islands subarea will not be harvested. Therefore, in accordance with § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(4), NMFS reallocates 1,900 mt of pollock CDQ DFA from the Aleutian Islands subarea to the Bering Sea subarea CDQ DFA. The 2020 Bering Sea subarea pollock incidental catch allowance remains at 47,453 mt. As a result, the 2020 harvest specifications for pollock in the Aleutian Islands subarea included in the final 2020 and 2021 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (85 FR 13553, March 9, 2020) are revised as follows: 0 mt to CDQ DFA. Furthermore, pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5), Table 4 of the final 2020 and 2021 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (85 FR 13553, March 9, 2020) is revised to make 2020 pollock allocations consistent with this reallocation. This reallocation results in an adjustment to the 2020 CDQ pollock allocation established at § 679.20(a)(5).

    Table 4—Final 2020 Allocations of Pollock TACS to the Directed Pollock Fisheries and to the CDQ Directed Fishing Allowances (DFA) 1

    [Amounts are in metric tons]

    Area and sector2020 Allocations2020 A season 12020 B season 1
    A season DFASCA harvest limit 2B season DFA
    Bering Sea subarea TAC 11,426,900n/an/an/a
    CDQ DFA144,40064,98040,43279,420
    ICA 147,453n/an/an/a
    Start Printed Page 17035
    Total Bering Sea non-CDQ DFA1,235,048555,771345,813679,276
    AFA Inshore617,524277,886172,907339,638
    AFA Catcher/Processors 3494,019222,309138,325271,710
    Catch by C/Ps452,027203,412n/a248,615
    Catch by CVs 341,99218,896n/a23,095
    Unlisted C/P Limit 42,4701,112n/a1,359
    AFA Motherships123,50555,57734,58167,928
    Excessive Harvesting Limit 5216,133n/an/an/a
    Excessive Processing Limit 6370,514n/an/an/a
    Aleutian Islands subarea ABC55,120n/an/an/a
    Aleutian Islands subarea TAC 117,100n/an/an/a
    CDQ DFA00n/a0
    ICA2,4001,200n/a1,200
    Aleut Corporation14,70014,700n/a0
    Area harvest limit 7n/an/an/an/a
    54116,536n/an/an/a
    5428,268n/an/an/a
    5432,756n/an/an/a
    Bogoslof District ICA 875n/an/an/a
    1 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), the Bering Sea subarea pollock TAC, after subtracting the CDQ DFA (10 percent) and the ICA (3.7 percent), is allocated as a DFA as follows: inshore sector—50 percent, catcher/processor sector (C/P)—40 percent, and mothership sector—10 percent. In the Bering Sea subarea, 45 percent of the DFA is allocated to the A season (January 20-June 10) and 55 percent of the DFA is allocated to the B season (June 10-November 1). Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2)(i) through (iii), the annual Aleutian Islands pollock TAC, after subtracting first for the CDQ DFA (10 percent) and second for the ICA (2,400 mt), is allocated to the Aleut Corporation for a pollock directed fishery. In the Aleutian Islands subarea, the A season is allocated up to 40 percent of the ABC for AI pollock.
    2 In the Bering Sea subarea, pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(C), no more than 28 percent of each sector's annual DFA may be taken from the SCA before noon, April 1.
    3 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4), 8.5 percent of the DFA allocated to listed C/Ps shall be available for harvest only by eligible catcher vessels with a C/P endorsement delivering to listed C/Ps, unless there is a C/P sector cooperative for the year.
    4 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4)(iii), the AFA unlisted catcher/processors are limited to harvesting not more than 0.5 percent of the catcher/processors sector's allocation of pollock.
    5 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(6), NMFS establishes an excessive harvesting share limit equal to 17.5 percent of the sum of the non-CDQ pollock DFAs.
    6 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(7), NMFS establishes an excessive processing share limit equal to 30.0 percent of the sum of the non-CDQ pollock DFAs.
    7 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(6), NMFS establishes harvest limits for pollock in the A season in Area 541 of no more than 30 percent, in Area 542 of no more than 15 percent, and in Area 543 of no more than 5 percent of the Aleutian Islands pollock ABC.
    8 Pursuant to § 679.22(a)(7)(B), the Bogoslof District is closed to directed fishing for pollock. The amounts specified are for incidental catch only and are not apportioned by season or sector.
    Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.

    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 reallocation of Aleutian Islands pollock. Since the pollock fishery opened January 20, 2020, it is important to immediately inform the industry as to the Bering Sea subarea pollock CDQ DFA. Immediate notification is necessary to allow for the orderly conduct and efficient operation of this fishery; allow the industry to plan for the fishing season and avoid potential disruption to the fishing fleet as well as processors; and provide opportunity to harvest increased seasonal pollock allocations while value is optimum. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of March 19, 2020.

    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.

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    Dated: March 23, 2020.

    Hélène M.N. Scalliet,

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

    End Signature End Supplemental Information

    [FR Doc. 2020-06332 Filed 3-25-20; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Document Information

Effective Date:
3/26/2020
Published:
03/26/2020
Department:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Temporary rule.
Document Number:
2020-06332
Dates:
Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 26, 2020, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2020.
Pages:
17034-17035 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 200227-0066
PDF File:
2020-06332.pdf
Supporting Documents:
» Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska: Reallocation of Atka Mackerel in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area; Reallocation
» Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska: St. Matthew Blue King Crab Rebuilding Plan in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
» Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska: Exchange of Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
» Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska: Pacific Ocean Perch in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
» Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska: Exchange of Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
» Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska: Exchange of Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
» Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska: Pacific Cod by Pot Catcher/Processors in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
» Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska: Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Less Than 60 Feet (18.3 Meters) Length Overall Using Hook-and-Line or Pot Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
» Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska: Blackspotted and Rougheye Rockfish in the Central Aleutian Islands and Western Aleutian Islands Districts of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
» Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska: Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
CFR: (1)
50 CFR 679