[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 250 (Friday, December 29, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 78383-78388]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-9917]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 060424108-6204-02; I.D. 121906B]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; North 
Pacific Halibut and Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota Cost Recovery 
Program

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

ACTION: Notification of standard prices and fee percentage.

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SUMMARY: NMFS publishes IFQ standard prices for the individual fishing 
quota (IFQ) cost recovery program in the halibut and sablefish 
fisheries of the North Pacific. This action is intended to provide 
holders of halibut and sablefish IFQ permits with the 2006 standard 
prices and fee percentage to calculate the required payment for IFQ 
cost recovery fees due by January 31, 2007.

DATES: Effective December 29, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Troie Zuniga, Fee Coordinator, 907-
586-7231.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    NMFS Alaska Region administers the halibut and sablefish IFQ 
programs in the North Pacific. The IFQ programs are limited access 
systems authorized by section 303(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) and the Northern 
Pacific Halibut Act of 1982. Fishing under the IFQ programs began in 
March 1995. Regulations implementing the IFQ program are set forth at 
50 CFR part 679.
    In 1996, the Magnuson-Stevens Act was amended (by Public Law 104-
297) to, among other things, require the Secretary of Commerce to 
``collect a fee to recover the actual costs directly related to the 
management and enforcement of any . . . individual fishing quota 
program'' (section 304(d)(2)(A)). Section 304(d)(2) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act specifies an upper limit on these fees, when the fees must 
be collected, and where the fees must be deposited. Section 303(d)(4) 
allows NMFS to reserve up to 25 percent of the fees collected for use 
in an IFQ loan program to aid in financing the purchase of IFQ or quota 
share (QS) by entry-level and small-vessel fishermen.
    On March 20, 2000, NMFS published regulations implementing the IFQ 
cost recovery program (65 FR 14919), which are set forth at Sec.  
679.45. Under the regulations, an IFQ permit holder incurs a cost 
recovery fee liability for every pound of IFQ halibut and IFQ sablefish 
that is landed on his or her IFQ permit(s). The IFQ permit holder is 
responsible for self-collecting the fee liability for all IFQ halibut 
and IFQ sablefish landings on his or her permit(s). The IFQ permit 
holder is also responsible for submitting a fee liability payment to 
NMFS on or before the due date of January 31 following the year in 
which the IFQ landings were made. The dollar amount of the fee due is 
determined by multiplying the annual IFQ fee percentage (3 percent or 
less) by the ex-vessel value of each IFQ landing made on a permit and 
summing the totals of each permit (if more than one).

Standard Prices

    The fee liability is based on the sum of all payments of monetary 
worth made to fishermen for the sale of the fish during the year. This 
includes any retro-payments (e.g., bonuses, delayed partial payments, 
post-season payments) made to the IFQ permit holder for previously 
landed IFQ halibut or sablefish.
    For purposes of calculating IFQ cost recovery fees, NMFS 
distinguishes between two types of ex-vessel value: ``actual'' and 
``standard.'' ``Actual'' ex-vessel value is the amount of all 
compensation, monetary or non-monetary, that an IFQ permit holder 
received as payment for his or her IFQ fish sold. ``Standard'' ex-
vessel value is the default value on which to base fee liability 
calculations. However, IFQ permit holders have the option of using 
actual ex-vessel value if they can satisfactorily document them.
    Regulations at Sec.  679.45(c)(2)(i) require the Regional 
Administrator to publish IFQ standard prices during the last quarter of 
each calendar year. These standard prices are used, along with 
estimates of IFQ halibut and IFQ sablefish landings, to calculate 
standard values. The standard prices are described in U.S. dollars per 
IFQ equivalent pound for IFQ halibut and IFQ sablefish landings made 
during the year. IFQ equivalent pound(s) is the weight (in pounds), for 
an IFQ landing calculated as the round weight for sablefish and headed 
and gutted net weight for halibut. NMFS calculates the standard prices 
to closely reflect the variations in the actual ex-vessel values of IFQ 
halibut and IFQ sablefish landings by month and port or port-group. The 
standard prices for IFQ halibut and IFQ sablefish are listed in the 
following tables. Data from ports are combined as necessary to protect 
confidentiality.

Fee Percentage

    Section 304(d)(2)(B) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act provides for a 
maximum fee of 3 percent of the ex-vessel value of fish harvested under 
an IFQ Program. NMFS annually sets a fee percentage for sablefish and 
halibut IFQ holders that is based on the actual annual costs associated 
with certain management and enforcement functions as well as the 
standard ex-vessel value of the catch subject to the IFQ fee for the 
current year. The method used by NMFS to calculate the IFQ fee 
percentage is described at Sec.  679.45(d)(2)(ii).
    Regulations at Sec.  679.45(d) require NMFS to publish the IFQ fee 
percentage for the halibut and sablefish IFQ fisheries in the Federal 
Register during

[[Page 78384]]

or before the last quarter of each year. For the 2006 sablefish and 
halibut IFQ fishing season, IFQ permit holders are to use a fee 
liability percentage of 1.0 percent to calculate his or her fee for 
landed IFQ in pounds. The IFQ permit holder is responsible for 
submitting the fee liability payment to NMFS on or before January 31, 
2007.

 REGISTERED BUYER STANDARD EX-VESSEL PRICES BY LANDING LOCATION FOR 2006
                               IFQ SEASON
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      HALIBUT STANDARD      SABLEFISH
 LANDING LOCATION    PERIOD ENDING    EX- VESSEL PRICE    STANDARD EX-
                                             ($)        VESSEL PRICE ($)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CORDOVA            February 28        -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   March 31           3.36              -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   April 30           3.16              2.33
                   May 31             3.42              -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   June 30            3.50              2.59
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   July 31            -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   August 31          4.08              -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   September 30       4.20              -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   October 31         4.20              -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   November 30        4.20              -
========================================================================
DUTCH HARBOR       February 28        -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   March 31           -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   April 30           -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   May 31             -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   June 30            3.53              -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   July 31            3.38              2.71
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   August 31          3.81              -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   September 30       -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   October 31         -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   November 30        -                 -
========================================================================
HOMER              February 28        -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   March 31           -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   April 30           -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   May 31             3.64              -
                   June 30            3.64              -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   July 31            4.03              -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   August 31          4.06              -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   September 30       4.17              -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   October 31         4.17              -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   November 30        4.17              -
========================================================================
KETCHIKAN          February 28        -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   March 31           -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   April 30           -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   May 31             -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   June 30            3.82              -
                  ------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 78385]]

 
                   July 31            -                 -
                   August 31          -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   September 30       -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   October 31         -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   November 30        -                 -
========================================================================
KODIAK             February 28        3.40              2.31
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   March 31           3.40              2.31
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   April 30           3.18              2.32
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   May 31             3.37              2.37
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   June 30            3.47              2.48
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   July 31            3.73              2.86
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   August 31          3.89              2.52
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   September 30       4.18              2.68
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   October 31         4.18              2.68
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   November 30        4.18              2.68
========================================================================
PETERSBURG         February 28        -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   March 31           3.45              -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   April 30           3.28              -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   May 31             3.49              -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   June 30            3.55              -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   July 31            3.76              -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   August 31          4.01              -
                   September 30       -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   October 31         -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   November 30        -                 -
========================================================================
SEWARD             February 28        3.57              2.20
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   March 31           3.57              2.20
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   April 30           -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   May 31             -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   June 30            -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   July 31            -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   August 31          4.10              -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   September 30       -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   October 31         -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   November 30        -                 -
========================================================================
SITKA              February 28        3.57              2.37
                  ------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 78386]]

 
                   March 31           3.57              2.37
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   April 30           3.19              2.36
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   May 31             3.59              2.51
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   June 30            3.72              2.64
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   July 31            3.93              2.92
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   August 31          4.02              2.64
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   September 30       4.13              2.73
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   October 31         4.13              2.73
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   November 30        4.13              2.73
========================================================================
YAKUTAT            February 28        -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   March 31           -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   April 30           3.30              -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   May 31             3.29              -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   June 30            -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   July 31            -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   August 31          -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   September 30       -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   October 31         -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   November 30        -                 -
------------------------------------------------------------------------


  REGISTERED BUYER STANDARD EX-VESSEL PRICES BY PORT GROUP FOR 2006 IFQ
                                 SEASON
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      HALIBUT STANDARD      SABLEFISH
    PORT GROUP       PERIOD ENDING    EX -VESSEL PRICE    STANDARD EX-
                                             ($)        VESSEL PRICE ($)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BERING SEA\1\      February 28        -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   March 31           -                 -
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   April 30           -                 2.24
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   May 31             3.28              2.20
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   June 30            3.46              2.34
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   July 31            3.48              2.38
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   August 31          3.78              2.21
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   September 30       3.86              2.26
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   October 31         3.86              2.26
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   November 30        3.86              2.26
========================================================================
CENTRAL GULF\2\    February 28        3.49              2.28
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   March 31           3.49              2.28
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   April 30           3.20              2.45
                  ------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 78387]]

 
                   May 31             3.42              2.44
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   June 30            3.47              2.53
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   July 31            3.81              2.58
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   August 31          3.97              2.52
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   September 30       4.10              2.51
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   October 31         4.10              2.51
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   November 30        4.10              2.51
========================================================================
SOUTHEAST\3\       February 28        3.54              2.34
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   March 31           3.54              2.34
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   April 30           3.34              2.38
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   May 31             3.54              2.38
                   June 30            3.68              2.63
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   July 31            3.77              2.88
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   August 31          4.01              2.67
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   September 30       4.18              2.62
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   October 31         4.18              2.62
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   November 30        4.18              2.62
========================================================================
ALL\4\             February 28        3.50              2.32
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   March 31           3.50              2.32
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   April 30           3.26              2.41
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   May 31             3.45              2.40
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   June 30            3.54              2.53
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   July 31            3.71              2.58
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   August 31          3.92              2.50
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   September 30       4.06              2.51
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   October 31         4.06              2.51
                  ------------------------------------------------------
                   November 30        4.06              2.51
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Landing locations Within Port Group - Bering Sea: Adak, Akutan,
  Akutan Bay, Atka, Bristol Bay, Chefornak, Dillingham, Captains Bay,
  Dutch Harbor, Egegik, Ikatan Bay, Hooper Bay, King Cove, King Salmon,
  Kipnuk, Mekoryuk, Naknek, Nome, Quinhagak, Savoonga, St. George, St.
  Lawrence, St. Paul, Togiak, Toksook Bay, Tununak, Beaver Inlet,
  Ugadaga Bay, Unalaska
\2\Landing Locations Within Port Group - Central Gulf of Alaska: Anchor
  Point, Anchorage, Alitak, Chignik, Cordova, Eagle River, False Pass,
  West Anchor Cove, Girdwood, Chinitna Bay, Halibut Cove, Homer,
  Kasilof, Kenai, Kenai River, Kodiak, Port Bailey, Nikiski, Ninilchik,
  Old Harbor, Palmer, Sand Point, Seldovia, Resurrection Bay, Seward,
  Valdez, Whittier
\3\Landing Locations Within Port Group - Southeast Alaska: Angoon,
  Baranof Warm Springs, Craig, Edna Bay, Elfin Cove, Excursion Inlet,
  Gustavus, Haines, Hollis, Hoonah, Hyder, Auke Bay, Douglas, Tee
  Harbor, Juneau, Kake, Ketchikan, Klawock, Metlakatla, Pelican,
  Petersburg, Portage Bay, Port Alexander, Port Graham, Port Protection,
  Point Baker, Sitka, Skagway, Tenakee Springs, Thorne Bay, Wrangell,
  Yakutat
\4\Landing Locations Within Port Group - All: For Alaska: All landing
  locations included in 1, 2, and 3. For California: Eureka, Fort Bragg,
  Other California. For Oregon: Astoria, Aurora, Lincoln City, Newport,
  Warrenton, Other Oregon. For Washington: Anacortes, Bellevue,
  Bellingham, Nagai Island, Edmonds, Everett, Granite Falls, Ilwaco, La
  Conner, Port Angeles, Port Orchard, Port Townsend, Rainier, Fox
  Island, Mercer Island, Seattle, Standwood, Other Washington. For
  Canada: Port Hardy, Port Edward, Prince Rupert, Vancouver, Haines
  Junction, Other Canada



[[Page 78388]]

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

    Dated: December 21, 2006.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-9917 Filed 12-22-06; 2:59 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S