[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 41 (Wednesday, March 2, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11599-11626]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-03844]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 220216-0049; RTID 0648-XY118]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of 
Alaska; Final 2022 and 2023 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish

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

ACTION: Final rule; harvest specifications and closures.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces final 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications, 
apportionments, and Pacific halibut prohibited species catch limits for 
the groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is 
necessary to establish harvest limits for groundfish during the 
remainder of the 2022 and the start of the 2023 fishing years and to 
accomplish the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for 
Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP). The 2022 harvest specifications 
supersede those previously set in the final 2021 and 2022 harvest 
specifications, and the 2023 harvest specifications will be superseded 
in early 2023 when the final 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications are 
published. The intended effect of this action is to conserve and manage 
the groundfish resources in the GOA in accordance with the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).

DATES: Harvest specifications and closures are effective at 1200 hours, 
Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 2, 2022, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., 
December 31, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the Final Alaska Groundfish Harvest 
Specifications Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Record of Decision 
(ROD), and the annual Supplementary Information Reports (SIRs) to the 
EIS prepared for this action are available from https://www.regulations.gov. The 2021 Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation 
(SAFE) report for the groundfish resources of the GOA, dated November 
2021, and SAFE reports for previous years are available from the North 
Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) at 1007 West Third Avenue, 
Suite 400, Anchorage, AK 99501, phone 907-271-2809, or from the 
Council's website at https://www.npfmc.org.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the GOA groundfish fisheries in 
the exclusive economic zone of the GOA under the FMP. The Council 
prepared the FMP under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, 16 
U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Regulations governing U.S. fisheries and 
implementing the FMP appear at 50 CFR parts 600, 679, and 680.
    The FMP and its implementing regulations require that NMFS, after 
consultation with the Council, specify the total allowable catch (TAC) 
for each target species, the sum of which must be within the optimum 
yield (OY) range of 116,000 to 800,000 metric tons (mt) (50 CFR 
679.20(a)(1)(i)(B)). Section 679.20(c)(1) further requires that NMFS 
publish and solicit public comment on proposed annual TACs and 
apportionments thereof, Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) 
limits, and seasonal allowances of pollock and Pacific cod. Upon 
consideration of public comment received under Sec.  679.20(c)(1), NMFS 
must publish notice of final harvest specifications for up to two 
fishing years as annual TACs and apportionments, Pacific halibut PSC 
limits, and seasonal allowances of pollock and Pacific cod, per Sec.  
679.20(c)(3)(ii). The final harvest specifications set forth in Tables 
1 through 29 of this rule reflect the outcome of this process, as 
required at Sec.  679.20(c).
    The proposed 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications for groundfish of 
the GOA and Pacific halibut PSC limits were published in the Federal 
Register on December 6, 2021 (86 FR 68982). Comments were invited and 
accepted through January 5, 2022. NMFS did not receive any comments on 
the proposed harvest specifications. In December 2021, NMFS consulted 
with the Council regarding the 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications. 
After considering public comment at public meetings, as well as 
biological and socioeconomic data that were available at the Council's 
December 2021 meeting, NMFS is implementing the final 2022 and 2023 
harvest specifications, as recommended by the Council. For 2022, the 
sum of the TAC amounts is 448,118 mt. For 2023, the sum of the TAC 
amounts is 443,615 mt.

Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) and TAC Specifications

    In December 2021, the Council's Scientific and Statistical 
Committee

[[Page 11600]]

(SSC), its Advisory Panel (AP), and the Council reviewed the most 
recent biological and harvest information about the condition of the 
GOA groundfish stocks. The Council's GOA Groundfish Plan Team (Plan 
Team) compiled and presented this information in the 2021 SAFE report 
for the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated November 2021 (see ADDRESSES). 
The SAFE report contains a review of the latest scientific analyses and 
estimates of each species' biomass and other biological parameters, as 
well as summaries of the available information on the GOA ecosystem and 
the economic condition of the groundfish fisheries off Alaska. From 
these data and analyses, the Plan Team recommends, and the SSC sets, an 
overfishing level (OFL) and ABC for each species or species group. The 
2021 SAFE report was made available for public review during the public 
comment period for the proposed harvest specifications.
    In previous years, the greatest changes from the proposed to the 
final harvest specifications have been based on recent NMFS stock 
surveys, which provide updated estimates of stock biomass and spatial 
distribution, and changes to the models used for producing stock 
assessments. At the November 2021 Plan Team meeting, NMFS scientists 
presented updated and new survey results, changes to stock assessment 
models, and accompanying stock assessment estimates for groundfish 
species and species groups that are included in the 2021 SAFE report 
per the stock assessment schedule found in the 2021 SAFE report 
introduction. The SSC reviewed this information at the December 2021 
Council meeting. Changes from the proposed to the final 2022 and 2023 
harvest specifications are discussed below.
    The final 2022 and 2023 OFLs and ABCs are based on the best 
available biological information, including projected biomass trends, 
information on assumed distribution of stock biomass, and revised 
methods used to calculate stock biomass, and the final 2022 and 2023 
TACs are based on the best available biological and socioeconomic 
information. The FMP specifies the formulas, or tiers, to be used to 
compute OFLs and ABCs. The formulas applicable to a particular stock or 
stock complex are determined by the level of reliable information 
available to fisheries scientists. This information is categorized into 
a successive series of six tiers to define OFL and ABC amounts, with 
Tier 1 representing the highest level of information quality available 
and Tier 6 representing the lowest level of information quality 
available. The Plan Team used the FMP tier structure to calculate OFL 
and ABC amounts for each groundfish species. The SSC adopted the final 
2022 and 2023 OFLs and ABCs recommended by the Plan Team for most 
groundfish species, with the exception of Pacific cod and demersal 
shelf rockfish.
    For Pacific cod, the SSC did not accept the Plan Team's recommended 
model for the 2021 stock assessment. The Plan Team recommended the 2021 
stock assessment use a model that incorporated additional complexity 
over the model used in the 2020 stock assessment. However, the SSC 
recommended continuing to use the model that was used for the 2020 
Pacific cod stock assessment (model 19.1), which resulted in higher 
Pacific cod 2022 and 2023 ABCs than those that resulted from the Plan 
Team's recommended model. The SSC concluded that the additional 
complexity included in the Plan Team's recommended model is premature 
at this time without further explanation and exploration of the 
individual changes incorporated into it. Each change should be 
supported with a sufficient rationale and an assessment of model 
improvements.
    For demersal shelf rockfish, the SSC did not agree with the 
methodology used in the stock assessment for estimating the biomass for 
the demersal shelf rockfish complex. The SSC recommended that the 
assessment incorporate more standard methodology for estimating 
biomass, which resulted in higher 2022 and 2023 ABCs than recommended 
by the Plan Team.
    The Council adopted the SSC's OFLs and ABCs and the AP's TAC 
recommendations. The final TAC recommendations are based on the ABCs 
and are adjusted for other biological and socioeconomic considerations, 
including maintaining the sum of all TACs within the required OY range 
of 116,000 to 800,000 mt.
    The Council recommended 2022 and 2023 TACs that are equal to ABCs 
for pollock in the Southeast Outside (SEO) District, sablefish, 
shallow-water flatfish in the Central GOA and the West Yakutat and SEO 
Districts, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, arrowtooth flounder in the 
Central GOA and the West Yakutat District, flathead sole in the West 
Yakutat and SEO Districts, Pacific ocean perch (a rockfish species), 
northern rockfish, shortraker rockfish, dusky rockfish, rougheye and 
blackspotted rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish, thornyhead rockfish, 
``other rockfish'' in the Western/Central GOA and West Yakutat 
District, big skate, longnose skate, other skates, sharks, and 
octopuses in the GOA. The Council recommended TACs for 2022 and 2023 
that are less than the ABCs for pollock for the combined Western and 
Central GOA and West Yakutat District area, Pacific cod, shallow-water 
flatfish in the Western GOA, arrowtooth flounder in the Western GOA and 
the SEO District, flathead sole in the Western and Central GOA, Atka 
mackerel, and ``other rockfish'' in the SEO District.
    The combined Western, Central, and West Yakutat pollock TAC and the 
GOA Pacific cod TACs are set to accommodate the State of Alaska's 
(State's) guideline harvest levels (GHLs) so that the ABCs for pollock 
and Pacific cod are not exceeded. The Western GOA shallow-water 
flatfish, Western GOA arrowtooth flounder, and Western GOA flathead 
sole TACs are set to allow for increased harvest opportunities for 
these target species while conserving the halibut PSC limit for use in 
other, more fully utilized fisheries. Similarly, the SEO District 
arrowtooth flounder TAC and the Central GOA flathead sole TAC are set 
lower than ABC to conserve halibut PSC limit for use in other fisheries 
or because there is limited commercial interest and participation in 
these fisheries. The Atka mackerel TAC is set to accommodate incidental 
catch amounts in other fisheries. The ``other rockfish'' TAC in the SEO 
District is set to reduce the amount of discards of the species in that 
complex.
    The final 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications approved by the 
Secretary of Commerce are unchanged from those recommended by the 
Council, and are consistent with the preferred harvest strategy 
alternative outlined in the FMP and EIS (see ADDRESSES).
    NMFS finds that the Council's recommended OFLs, ABCs, and TACs are 
consistent with the biological condition of the groundfish stocks as 
described in the final 2021 SAFE report. NMFS also finds that the 
Council's recommendations for TACs are consistent with the biological 
condition of groundfish stocks as adjusted for other biological and 
socioeconomic considerations, including maintaining the sum of all TACs 
within the OY range. NMFS reviewed the Council's recommended TACs and 
apportionments, and NMFS approves these harvest specifications under 50 
CFR 679.20(c)(3)(ii). The apportionment of TAC amounts among gear types 
and sectors, processing sectors, and seasons is discussed below.
    Tables 1 and 2 list the final 2022 and 2023 OFLs, ABCs, TACs, and 
area apportionments of groundfish in the GOA. The 2022 harvest 
specifications set in this final action supersede the

[[Page 11601]]

2022 harvest specifications previously set in the final 2021 and 2022 
harvest specifications (86 FR 10184, February 19, 2021). The 2023 
harvest specifications will be superseded in early 2023 when the final 
2023 and 2024 harvest specifications are published. Pursuant to this 
final action, the 2022 harvest specifications therefore will apply for 
the remainder of the current year (2022), while the 2023 harvest 
specifications are projected only for the following year (2023) and 
will be superseded in early 2023 by the final 2023 and 2024 harvest 
specifications. Because this final action (published in early 2022) 
will be superseded in early 2023 by the publication of the final 2023 
and 2024 harvest specifications, it is projected that this final action 
will implement the harvest specifications for the Gulf of Alaska for 
approximately one year.

Specification and Apportionment of TAC Amounts

    NMFS's apportionment of groundfish species is based on the 
distribution of biomass among the regulatory areas over which NMFS 
manages the species. Additional regulations govern the apportionment of 
pollock, Pacific cod, and sablefish and are described below.
    The ABC for the pollock stock in the combined Western and Central 
Regulatory Areas and the West Yakutat (WYK) District of the Eastern 
Regulatory Area (the W/C/WYK) includes the amount for the GHL 
established by the State for the Prince William Sound (PWS) pollock 
fishery. The Plan Team, SSC, AP, and Council have recommended that the 
sum of all State water and Federal water pollock removals from the GOA 
not exceed ABC recommendations. For 2022 and 2023, the SSC recommended 
and the Council approved the W/C/WYK pollock ABC, including the amount 
to account for the State's PWS GHL. At the November 2021 Plan Team 
meeting, State fisheries managers recommended setting the PWS pollock 
GHL at 2.5 percent of the annual W/C/WYK pollock ABC. For 2022, this 
yields a PWS pollock GHL of 3,327 mt, an increase of 684 mt from the 
2021 PWS pollock GHL of 2,643 mt. For 2023, the PWS pollock GHL is 
3,298 mt, an increase of 655 mt from the 2021 PWS pollock GHL of 2,643 
mt. After the GHL reductions, the 2022 and 2023 pollock ABCs for the 
combined W/C/WYK areas are then apportioned between four statistical 
areas (Areas 610, 620, 630, and 640) as both ABCs and TACs, as 
described below and detailed in Tables 1 and 2. The total ABCs and TACs 
for the four statistical areas, plus the State PWS GHL, do not exceed 
the combined W/C/WYK ABC.
    Apportionments of pollock to the W/C/WYK areas are considered to be 
``apportionments of annual catch limits (ACLs)'' rather than ``ABCs.'' 
This more accurately reflects that such apportionments address 
management, rather than biological or conservation, concerns. In 
addition, apportionments of the ACL in this manner allow NMFS to 
balance any transfer of TAC among Areas 610, 620, and 630 pursuant to 
Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B) to ensure that the combined W/C/WYK ACL, ABC, 
and TAC are not exceeded.
    NMFS establishes pollock TACs in the Western (Area 610) and Central 
(Areas 620 and 630) Regulatory Areas and the West Yakutat (Area 640) 
and the SEO (Area 650) Districts of the GOA (see Tables 1 and 2). NMFS 
also establishes seasonal apportionments of the annual pollock TACs in 
the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA among Statistical 
Areas 610, 620, and 630. Additional detail on area apportionments and 
seasonal allowances is provided in a subsequent section in this rule, 
titled ``Apportionments of Pollock TAC Among Seasons and Regulatory 
Areas, and Allocations for Processing by Inshore and Offshore 
Components;'' Tables 3 and 4 list these amounts.
    The 2022 and 2023 Pacific cod TACs are set to accommodate the 
State's GHLs for Pacific cod in State waters in the Western and Central 
Regulatory Areas, as well as in PWS. The Plan Team, SSC, AP, and 
Council recommended that the sum of all State water and Federal water 
Pacific cod removals from the GOA not exceed ABC recommendations. The 
Council set the 2022 and 2023 Pacific cod TACs in the Western, Central, 
and Eastern Regulatory Areas to account for State GHLs. Therefore, the 
2022 Pacific cod TACs are less than the ABCs by the following amounts: 
(1) Western GOA, 2,983 mt; (2) Central GOA, 4,938 mt; and (3) Eastern 
GOA, 779 mt. The 2023 Pacific cod TACs are less than the ABCs by the 
following amounts: (1) Western GOA, 2,610 mt; (2) Central GOA, 4,321 
mt; and (3) Eastern GOA, 682 mt. These amounts reflect the State's 2022 
and 2023 GHLs in these areas, which are 30 percent of the Western GOA 
ABC and 25 percent of the Eastern and Central GOA ABCs.
    The Western and Central GOA Pacific cod TACs are allocated among 
various gear and operational sectors. NMFS also establishes seasonal 
apportionments of the annual Pacific cod TACs in the Western and 
Central Regulatory Areas. The Pacific cod sector and seasonal 
apportionments are discussed in detail in a subsequent section, titled 
``Annual and Seasonal Apportionments of Pacific Cod TAC,'' and in 
Tables 5 and 6 of this rule.
    The Council's recommendation for sablefish area apportionments 
takes into account the prohibition on the use of trawl gear in the SEO 
District of the Eastern Regulatory Area (Sec.  679.7(b)(1)) and makes 
available 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area TACs to 
vessels using trawl gear for use as incidental catch in other trawl 
groundfish fisheries in the WYK District (Sec.  679.20(a)(4)(i)). 
Tables 7 and 8 list the final 2022 and 2023 allocations of sablefish 
TAC to fixed gear and trawl gear in the GOA.

Changes From the Proposed 2022 and 2023 Harvest Specifications in the 
GOA

    In October 2021, the Council's recommendations for the proposed 
2022 and 2023 harvest specifications (86 FR 68982, December 6, 2021) 
were based largely on information contained in the final 2020 SAFE 
report for the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated November 2020. The final 
2020 SAFE report for the GOA is available from the Council (see 
ADDRESSES). The Council proposed that the final OFLs, ABCs, and TACs 
established for the 2022 groundfish fisheries (86 FR 10184, February 
19, 2021) be used for the proposed 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications 
(86 FR 68982, December 6, 2021), pending completion and review of the 
2021 SAFE report at the Council's December 2021 meeting.
    As described previously, the SSC recommended the final 2022 and 
2023 OFLs and ABCs as recommended by the Plan Team, with the exception 
of the Pacific cod and demersal shelf rockfish OFLs and ABCs. The 
Council adopted as its recommendations the SSC's OFL and ABC 
recommendations and the AP's TAC recommendations for 2022 and 2023.
    The final 2022 ABCs are higher than the proposed 2022 ABCs 
published in the proposed 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications (86 FR 
68982, December 6, 2021) for pollock, rex sole, flathead sole, Pacific 
ocean perch, northern rockfish, dusky rockfish, demersal shelf 
rockfish, longnose skate, and other skates. The final 2022 ABCs are 
lower than the proposed 2022 ABCs for Pacific cod, sablefish, shallow-
water flatfish, deep-water flatfish, arrowtooth flounder, shortraker 
rockfish, rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, and big skate.
    The final 2023 ABCs are higher than the proposed 2023 ABCs for 
pollock, rex sole, flathead sole, Pacific ocean perch, demersal shelf 
rockfish, longnose skate, and other skates. The final 2023 ABCs

[[Page 11602]]

are lower than the proposed 2023 ABCs for Pacific cod, sablefish, 
shallow-water flatfish, deep-water flatfish, arrowtooth flounder, 
northern rockfish, shortraker rockfish, dusky rockfish, rougheye and 
blackspotted rockfish, and big skate. For the remaining target species 
(thornyhead rockfish, other rockfish, Atka mackerel, sharks, and 
octopuses), the Council recommended the final 2022 and 2023 ABCs that 
are the same as the proposed 2022 and 2023 ABCs.
    Additional information explaining the changes between the proposed 
and final ABCs is included in the final 2021 SAFE report, which was not 
completed and available when the Council made its proposed ABC and TAC 
recommendations in October 2021. At that time, the most recent stock 
assessment information was contained in the final 2020 SAFE report. The 
final 2021 SAFE report contains the best and most recent scientific 
information on the condition of the groundfish stocks, as previously 
discussed in this preamble, and is available for review (see 
ADDRESSES). The Council considered the 2021 SAFE report in December 
2021 when it made recommendations for the final 2022 and 2023 harvest 
specifications. In the GOA, the total final 2022 TAC amount is 448,118 
mt, an increase of 9.6 percent from the total proposed 2022 TAC amount 
of 409,039 mt. The total final 2023 TAC amount is 443,615 mt, an 
increase of 8.5 percent from the total proposed 2023 TAC amount of 
409,039 mt. Table 1a summarizes the difference between the proposed and 
final TACs.
    Annual stock assessments incorporate a variety of new or revised 
inputs, such as survey data or catch information, as well as changes to 
the statistical models used to estimate a species' biomass and 
population trend. Changes to biomass and ABC estimates are primarily 
based on fishery catch updates to species' assessment models. Some 
species, such as pollock and sablefish, have additional surveys 
conducted on an annual basis, which resulted in additional data being 
available for the 2021 assessments for these stocks.
    The changes for individual species or species groups from the 
proposed 2022 TACs to the final 2022 TACs are within a range of plus 42 
percent or minus 35 percent, and the changes from the proposed 2023 
TACs to the final 2023 TACs are within a range of plus 42 percent or 
minus 36 percent. Based on changes in the estimates of overall biomass 
in the stock assessment for 2022 and 2023, as compared to the estimates 
previously made for 2021 and 2022, the species or species group with 
the greatest TAC percentage increases are pollock, rex sole, Pacific 
ocean perch, demersal shelf rockfish, and other skates. Based on 
changes in the estimates of biomass, the species or species group with 
the greatest TAC percentage decreases are Pacific cod, sablefish, 
rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, and big skate. For all other 
species and species groups, changes from the proposed 2022 TACs to the 
final 2022 TACs and changes from the proposed 2023 TACs to the final 
2023 TACs are less than a 10 percent change (either increase or 
decrease). These TAC changes correspond to associated changes in the 
ABCs and TACs, as recommended by the SSC, AP, and Council.
    Detailed information providing the basis for the changes described 
above is contained in the final 2021 SAFE report. The final TACs are 
based on the best scientific information available, including 
biological and socioeconomic information. These TACs are specified in 
compliance with the harvest strategy described in the proposed and 
final rules for the 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications.

                                Table 1a--Comparison of Proposed and Final 2022 and 2023 GOA Total Allowable Catch Limits
                                              [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentage]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            2022 final                                      2023 final
                 Species                   2022 and 2023  2022 final TAC    minus 2022      Percentage    2023 final TAC    minus 2023      Percentage
                                           proposed TAC                    proposed TAC     difference                     proposed TAC     difference
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock.................................          99,784         141,117          41,333              41         139,977          40,193              40
Pacific cod.............................          27,961          24,111          -3,850             -14          21,096          -6,865             -25
Sablefish...............................          25,231          22,794          -2,437             -10          22,003          -3,228             -13
Shallow-water flatfish..................          45,673          42,604          -3,069              -7          44,272          -1,401              -3
Deep-water flatfish.....................           5,926           5,908             -18               0           5,818            -108              -2
Rex sole................................          15,416          19,141           3,725              24          20,594           5,178              34
Arrowtooth flounder.....................          95,454          96,501           1,047               1          95,512              58               0
Flathead sole...........................          28,445          27,437          -1,008              -4          27,426          -1,019              -4
Pacific ocean perch.....................          34,602          38,268           3,666              11          37,104           2,502               7
Northern rockfish.......................           5,099           5,146              47               1           4,920            -179              -4
Shortraker rockfish.....................             708             705              -3               0             705              -3               0
Dusky rockfish..........................           5,295           5,372              77               1           5,181            -114              -2
Rougheye/blackspotted rockfish..........           1,221             788            -433             -35             781            -440             -36
Demersal shelf rockfish.................             257             365             108              42             365             108              42
Thornyhead rockfish.....................           1,953           1,953               0               0           1,953               0               0
Other rockfish..........................           1,609           1,610               1               0           1,610               1               0
Atka mackerel...........................           3,000           3,000               0               0           3,000               0               0
Big skate...............................           3,208           2,867            -341             -11           2,867            -341             -11
Longnose skate..........................           2,587           2,712             125               5           2,712             125               5
Other skates............................             875             984             109              12             984             109              12
Sharks..................................           3,755           3,755               0               0           3,755               0               0
Octopuses...............................             980             980               0               0             980               0               0
                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total...............................         409,039         448,118          39,079             9.6         443,615          34,576             8.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The final 2022 and 2023 TAC amounts for the GOA are within the OY 
range established for the GOA and do not exceed the ABC for any species 
or species group. Tables 1 and 2 list the final OFL, ABC, and TAC 
amounts for GOA groundfish for 2022 and 2023, respectively.

[[Page 11603]]



 Table 1--Final 2022 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs of Groundfish for the Western/Central/West Yakutat, Western, Central,
 Eastern Regulatory Areas, the West Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts of the Eastern Regulatory Area, and
                                    Gulfwide Districts of the Gulf of Alaska
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Species                         Area \1\                OFL             ABC             TAC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock \2\...........................  Shumagin (610)..........             n/a          23,714          23,714
                                        Chirikof (620)..........             n/a          69,250          69,250
                                        Kodiak (630)............             n/a          30,068          30,068
                                        WYK (640)...............             n/a           6,722           6,722
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           W/C/WYK (subtotal)            154,983         133,081         129,754
                                            \2\.
                                        SEO (650)...............          15,150          11,363          11,363
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................         170,133         144,444         141,117
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod \3\.......................  W.......................             n/a           9,942           6,959
                                        C.......................             n/a          19,752          14,814
                                        E.......................             n/a           3,117           2,338
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................          39,555          32,811          24,111
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish \4\.........................  W.......................             n/a           3,727           3,727
                                        C.......................             n/a           9,965           9,965
                                        WYK.....................             n/a           3,437           3,437
                                        SEO.....................             n/a           5,665           5,665
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Subtotal TAC.........             n/a             n/a          22,794
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................          40,432          34,521             n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shallow-water flatfish \5\............  W.......................             n/a          21,256          13,250
                                        C.......................             n/a          25,305          25,305
                                        WYK.....................             n/a           2,531           2,531
                                        SEO.....................             n/a           1,518           1,518
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................          62,273          50,610          42,604
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deep-water flatfish \6\...............  W.......................             n/a             256             256
                                        C.......................             n/a           2,139           2,139
                                        WYK.....................             n/a           1,431           1,431
                                        SEO.....................             n/a           2,082           2,082
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................           7,026           5,908           5,908
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rex sole..............................  W.......................             n/a           2,981           2,981
                                        C.......................             n/a          12,076          12,076
                                        WYK.....................             n/a           1,361           1,361
                                        SEO.....................             n/a           2,723           2,723
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................          23,302          19,141          19,141
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth flounder...................  W.......................             n/a          33,658          14,500
                                        C.......................             n/a          68,394          68,394
                                        WYK.....................             n/a           6,707           6,707
                                        SEO.....................             n/a          11,020           6,900
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................         143,100         119,779          96,501
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead sole.........................  W.......................             n/a          14,755           8,650
                                        C.......................             n/a          22,033          15,400
                                        WYK.....................             n/a           1,511           1,511
                                        SEO.....................             n/a           1,876           1,876
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................          48,928          40,175          27,437
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch \7\...............  W.......................             n/a           2,602           2,602
                                        C.......................             n/a          30,806          30,806
                                        WYK.....................             n/a           1,409           1,409
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           W/C/WYK subtotal.....          41,470          34,817          34,817
                                        SEO.....................           4,110           3,451           3,451
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................          45,580          38,268          38,268
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern rockfish \8\.................  W.......................             n/a           1,944           1,944

[[Page 11604]]

 
                                        C.......................             n/a           3,202           3,202
                                        E.......................             n/a  ..............  ..............
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................           6,143           5,146           5,146
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortraker rockfish \9\...............  W.......................             n/a              51              51
                                        C.......................             n/a             280             280
                                        E.......................             n/a             374             374
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................             940             705             705
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dusky rockfish \10\...................  W.......................             n/a             269             269
                                        C.......................             n/a           4,534           4,534
                                        WYK.....................             n/a             427             427
                                        SEO.....................             n/a             142             142
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................           8,614           5,372           5,372
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rougheye and Blackspotted rockfish      W.......................             n/a             184             184
 \11\.
                                        C.......................             n/a             235             235
                                        E.......................             n/a             369             369
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................             947             788             788
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demersal shelf rockfish \12\..........  SEO.....................             579             365             365
Thornyhead rockfish \13\..............  W.......................             n/a             352             352
                                        C.......................             n/a             910             910
                                        E.......................             n/a             691             691
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................           2,604           1,953           1,953
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other rockfish \14\ \15\..............  W and C.................             n/a             940             940
                                        WYK.....................             n/a             370             370
                                        SEO.....................             n/a           2,744             300
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................           5,320           4,054           1,610
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel.........................  GW......................           6,200           4,700           3,000
Big skate \16\........................  W.......................             n/a             591             591
                                        C.......................             n/a           1,482           1,482
                                        E.......................             n/a             794             794
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................           3,822           2,867           2,867
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longnose skate \17\...................  W.......................             n/a             151             151
                                        C.......................             n/a           2,044           2,044
                                        E.......................             n/a             517             517
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................           3,616           2,712           2,712
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other skates \18\.....................  GW......................           1,311             984             984
Sharks................................  GW......................           5,006           3,755           3,755
Octopus...............................  GW......................           1,307             980             980
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.............................  ........................         626,738         520,038         448,118
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Regulatory areas and districts are defined at Sec.   679.2. (W = Western Gulf of Alaska; C = Central Gulf of
  Alaska; E = Eastern Gulf of Alaska; WYK = West Yakutat District; SEO = Southeast Outside District; GW = Gulf-
  wide).
\2\ The total for the W/C/WYK Regulatory Areas pollock ABC is 133,081 mt. After deducting 2.5 percent (3,327 mt)
  of that ABC for the State's pollock GHL fishery, the remaining pollock ABC of 129,754 mt (for the W/C/WYK
  Regulatory Areas) is apportioned among four statistical areas (Areas 610, 620, 630, and 640). These
  apportionments are considered subarea ACLs, rather than ABCs, for specification and reapportionment purposes.
  The ACLs in Areas 610, 620, and 630 are further divided by season, as detailed in Table 3 (final 2022 seasonal
  biomass distribution of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, area apportionments, and seasonal
  allowances). In the West Yakutat (Area 640) and Southeast Outside (Area 650) Districts of the Eastern
  Regulatory Area, pollock is not divided into seasonal allowances.
\3\ The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned, after seasonal apportionment to the jig sector, as follows: (1)
  63.84 percent to the A season and 36.16 percent to the B season and (2) 64.16 percent to the A season and
  35.84 percent to the B season in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA, respectively. Pacific
  cod TAC in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA is allocated 90 percent to vessels harvesting Pacific cod
  for processing by the inshore component and 10 percent to vessels harvesting Pacific cod for processing by the
  offshore component. Table 5 lists the final 2022 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments and sector allocations.
\4\ The sablefish OFL and ABC are set Alaska-wide (40,432 mt and 34,521 mt, respectively). Additionally,
  sablefish is allocated to trawl and fixed gear in 2022 and trawl gear in 2023. Table 7 lists the final 2022
  allocations of sablefish TACs.

[[Page 11605]]

 
\5\ ``Shallow-water flatfish'' means flatfish not including ``deep-water flatfish,'' flathead sole, rex sole, or
  arrowtooth flounder.
\6\ ``Deep-water flatfish'' means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, and deepsea sole.
\7\ ``Pacific ocean perch'' means Sebastes alutus.
\8\ ``Northern rockfish'' means Sebastes polyspinis. For management purposes, the 1 mt apportionment of ABC to
  the WYK District of the Eastern Gulf of Alaska has been included in the ``other rockfish'' species group.
\9\ ``Shortraker rockfish'' means Sebastes borealis.
\10\ ``Dusky rockfish'' means Sebastes variabilis.
\11\ ``Rougheye and blackspotted rockfish'' mean Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and S. melanostictus
  (blackspotted).
\12\ ``Demersal shelf rockfish'' means Sebastes pinniger (canary), S. nebulosus (china), S. caurinus (copper),
  S. maliger (quillback), S. helvomaculatus (rosethorn), S. nigrocinctus (tiger), and S. ruberrimus (yelloweye).
\13\ ``Thornyhead rockfish'' means Sebastolobus species.
\14\ ``Other rockfish'' means Sebastes aurora (aurora), S. melanostomus (blackgill), S. paucispinis (bocaccio),
  S. goodei (chilipepper), S. crameri (darkblotch), S. elongatus (greenstriped), S. variegatus (harlequin), S.
  wilsoni (pygmy), S. babcocki (redbanded), S. proriger (redstripe), S. zacentrus (sharpchin), S. jordani
  (shortbelly), S. brevispinis (silvergrey), S. diploproa (splitnose), S. saxicola (stripetail), S. miniatus
  (vermilion), S. reedi (yellowmouth), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus (yellowtail). In the Eastern GOA
  only, other rockfish also includes northern rockfish, S. polyspinis.
\15\ ``Other rockfish'' in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat District means other
  rockfish and demersal shelf rockfish. The ``other rockfish'' species group in the SEO District only includes
  other rockfish.
\16\ ``Big skate'' means Raja binoculata.
\17\ ``Longnose skate'' means Raja rhina.
\18\ ``Other skates'' mean Bathyraja and Raja spp.


 Table 2--Final 2023 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs of Groundfish for the Western/Central/West Yakutat, Western, Central,
 Eastern Regulatory Areas, the West Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts of the Eastern Regulatory Area, and
                                    Gulfwide Districts of the Gulf of Alaska
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Species                         Area \1\                OFL             ABC             TAC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock \2\...........................  Shumagin (610)..........             n/a          23,506          23,506
                                        Chirikof (620)..........             n/a          68,642          68,642
                                        Kodiak (630)............             n/a          29,803          29,803
                                        WYK (640)...............             n/a           6,663           6,663
                                           W/C/WYK (subtotal)            153,097         131,912         128,614
                                            \2\.
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                        SEO (650)...............          15,150          11,363          11,363
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................         168,247         143,275         139,977
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod \3\.......................  W.......................             n/a           8,699           6,089
                                        C.......................             n/a          17,282          12,962
                                        E.......................             n/a           2,727           2,045
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................          34,673          28,708          21,096
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish \4\.........................  W.......................             n/a           3,951           3,951
                                        C.......................             n/a           9,495           9,495
                                        WYK.....................             n/a           3,159           3,159
                                        SEO.....................             n/a           5,398           5,398
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Subtotal TAC.........             n/a             n/a          22,003
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................          42,520          36,318             n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shallow-water flatfish \5\............  W.......................             n/a          22,464          13,250
                                        C.......................             n/a          26,743          26,743
                                        WYK.....................             n/a           2,674           2,674
                                        SEO.....................             n/a           1,605           1,605
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................          65,676          53,486          44,272
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deep-water flatfish \6\...............  W.......................             n/a             256             256
                                        C.......................             n/a           2,105           2,105
                                        WYK.....................             n/a           1,408           1,408
                                        SEO.....................             n/a           2,049           2,049
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................           6,920           5,818           5,818
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rex sole..............................  W.......................             n/a           3,222           3,222
                                        C.......................             n/a          13,054          13,054
                                        WYK.....................             n/a           1,439           1,439
                                        SEO.....................             n/a           2,879           2,879
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................          25,049          20,594          20,594
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth flounder...................  W.......................             n/a          33,214          14,500
                                        C.......................             n/a          67,493          67,493
                                        WYK.....................             n/a           6,619           6,619

[[Page 11606]]

 
                                        SEO.....................             n/a          10,875           6,900
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................         141,231         118,201          95,512
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead sole.........................  W.......................             n/a          14,708           8,650
                                        C.......................             n/a          21,962          15,400
                                        WYK.....................             n/a           1,506           1,506
                                        SEO.....................             n/a           1,870           1,870
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................          48,757          40,046          27,426
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch \7\...............  W.......................             n/a           2,523           2,523
                                        C.......................             n/a          29,869          29,869
                                        WYK.....................             n/a           1,366           1,366
                                        W/C/WYK.................          40,211          33,758          33,758
                                        SEO.....................           3,985           3,346           3,346
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................          44,196          37,104          37,104
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern rockfish \8\.................  W.......................             n/a           1,859           1,859
                                        C.......................             n/a           3,061           3,061
                                        E.......................             n/a  ..............  ..............
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................           5,874           4,920           4,920
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortraker rockfish \9\...............  W.......................             n/a              51              51
                                        C.......................             n/a             280             280
                                        E.......................             n/a             374             374
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................             940             705             705
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dusky rockfish \10\...................  W.......................             n/a             259             259
                                        C.......................             n/a           4,373           4,373
                                        WYK.....................             n/a             412             412
                                        SEO.....................             n/a             137             137
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................           8,146           5,181           5,181
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rougheye and Blackspotted rockfish      W.......................             n/a             182             182
 \11\.
                                        C.......................             n/a             234             234
                                        E.......................             n/a             365             365
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................             937             781             781
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demersal shelf rockfish \12\..........  SEO.....................             579             365             365
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thornyhead rockfish \13\..............  W.......................             n/a             352             352
                                        C.......................             n/a             910             910
                                        E.......................             n/a             691             691
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................           2,604           1,953           1,953
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other rockfish \14\ \15\..............  W and C.................             n/a             940             940
                                        WYK.....................             n/a             370             370
                                        SEO.....................             n/a           2,744             300
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................           5,320           4,054           1,610
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel.........................  GW......................           6,200           4,700           3,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big skate \16\........................  W.......................             n/a             591             591
                                        C.......................             n/a           1,482           1,482
                                        E.......................             n/a             794             794
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                           Total................           3,822           2,867           2,867
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longnose skate \17\...................  W.......................             n/a             151             151
                                        C.......................             n/a           2,044           2,044
                                        E.......................             n/a             517             517
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------

[[Page 11607]]

 
                                           Total................           3,616           2,712           2,712
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other skates \18\.....................  GW......................           1,311             984             984
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sharks................................  GW......................           5,006           3,755           3,755
Octopus...............................  GW......................           1,307             980             980
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.............................  ........................         622,931         517,507         443,615
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Regulatory areas and districts are defined at Sec.   679.2. (W = Western Gulf of Alaska; C = Central Gulf of
  Alaska; E = Eastern Gulf of Alaska; WYK = West Yakutat District; SEO = Southeast Outside District; GW = Gulf-
  wide).
\2\ The total for the W/C/WYK Regulatory Areas pollock ABC is 131,912 mt. After deducting 2.5 percent (3,298 mt)
  of that ABC for the State's pollock GHL fishery, the remaining pollock ABC of 128,614 mt (for the W/C/WYK
  Regulatory Areas) is apportioned among four statistical areas (Areas 610, 620, 630, and 640). These
  apportionments are considered subarea ACLs, rather than ABCs, for specification and reapportionment purposes.
  The ACLs in Areas 610, 620, and 630 are further divided by season, as detailed in Table 4 (final 2023 seasonal
  biomass distribution of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, area apportionments, and seasonal
  allowances). In the West Yakutat (Area 640) and Southeast Outside (Area 650) Districts of the Eastern
  Regulatory Area, pollock is not divided into seasonal allowances.
\3\ The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned, after seasonal apportionment to the jig sector, as follows: (1)
  63.84 percent to the A season and 36.16 percent to the B season and (2) 64.16 percent to the A season and
  35.84 percent to the B season in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA, respectively. Pacific
  cod TAC in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA is allocated 90 percent to vessels harvesting Pacific cod
  for processing by the inshore component and 10 percent to vessels harvesting Pacific cod for processing by the
  offshore component. Table 6 lists the final 2023 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments and sector allocations.
\4\ The sablefish OFL and ABC are set Alaska-wide (42,520 mt and 36,318 mt, respectively). Additionally,
  sablefish is allocated only to trawl gear for 2023. Table 8 lists the final 2023 allocation of sablefish TACs
  to trawl gear.
\5\ ``Shallow-water flatfish'' means flatfish not including ``deep-water flatfish,'' flathead sole, rex sole, or
  arrowtooth flounder.
\6\ ``Deep-water flatfish'' means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, and deepsea sole.
\7\ ``Pacific ocean perch'' means Sebastes alutus.
\8\ ``Northern rockfish'' means Sebastes polyspinis. For management purposes, the 1 mt apportionment of ABC to
  the WYK District of the Eastern Gulf of Alaska has been included in the ``other rockfish'' species group.
\9\ ``Shortraker rockfish'' means Sebastes borealis.
\10\ ``Dusky rockfish'' means Sebastes variabilis.
\11\ ``Rougheye and blackspotted rockfish'' mean Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and S. melanostictus
  (blackspotted).
\12\ ``Demersal shelf rockfish'' means Sebastes pinniger (canary), S. nebulosus (china), S. caurinus (copper),
  S. maliger (quillback), S. helvomaculatus (rosethorn), S. nigrocinctus (tiger), and S. ruberrimus (yelloweye).
\13\ ``Thornyhead rockfish'' means Sebastolobus species.
\14\ ``Other rockfish'' means Sebastes aurora (aurora), S. melanostomus (blackgill), S. paucispinis (bocaccio),
  S. goodei (chilipepper), S. crameri (darkblotch), S. elongatus (greenstriped), S. variegatus (harlequin), S.
  wilsoni (pygmy), S. babcocki (redbanded), S. proriger (redstripe), S. zacentrus (sharpchin), S. jordani
  (shortbelly), S. brevispinis (silvergrey), S. diploproa (splitnose), S. saxicola (stripetail), S. miniatus
  (vermilion), S. reedi (yellowmouth), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus (yellowtail). In the Eastern GOA
  only, other rockfish also includes northern rockfish, S. polyspinis.
\15\ ``Other rockfish'' in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat District means other
  rockfish and demersal shelf rockfish. The ``other rockfish'' species group in the SEO District only includes
  other rockfish.
\16\ ``Big skate'' means Raja binoculata.
\17\ ``Longnose skate'' means Raja rhina.
\18\ ``Other skates'' mean Bathyraja and Raja spp.

Apportionment of Reserves

    Section 679.20(b)(2) requires NMFS to set aside 20 percent of each 
TAC for pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, sharks, and octopuses in 
reserve for possible apportionment at a later date during the fishing 
year. For 2022 and 2023, NMFS proposed reapportionment of all the 
reserves in the proposed 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications published 
in the Federal Register on December 6, 2021 (86 FR 68982). NMFS did not 
receive any public comments on the proposed reapportionments. For the 
final 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications, NMFS reapportions, as 
proposed, all the reserves for pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, sharks, 
and octopuses back to the original TAC limit from which the reserve was 
derived (Sec.  679.20(b)(3)). This is being done because NMFS expects, 
based on recent harvest patterns, that such reserves are not necessary 
or that the entire TAC for each of these species will be caught. The 
TACs listed in Tables 1 and 2 reflect reapportionments of reserve 
amounts to the original TAC limit for these species and species groups, 
i.e., each final TAC for the above mentioned species or species groups 
contains the full TAC recommended by the Council.

Apportionments of Pollock TAC Among Seasons and Regulatory Areas, and 
Allocations for Processing by Inshore and Offshore Components

    In the GOA, pollock is apportioned by season and area, and is 
further allocated for processing by inshore and offshore components. 
The pollock TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA 
are apportioned among Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630. These 
apportionments are divided into two equal seasonal allowances of 50 
percent to the A season (January 20 through May 31) and 50 percent to 
the B season (September 1 through November 1) (Sec. Sec.  
679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B) and 679.23(d)(2)).
    Regulatory changes that were effective in 2021 revised the number 
of GOA pollock seasons to two seasons from four seasons (85 FR 38093, 
June 25, 2020). The GOA pollock stock assessment continues to use a 
four-season methodology to determine pollock distribution in the 
Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA to maintain continuity 
in the historical pollock apportionment time-series. Pollock TACs in 
the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA are apportioned 
among Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630 in proportion to the 
distribution of pollock biomass determined by the most recent NMFS

[[Page 11608]]

surveys, pursuant to Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A). The pollock chapter of 
the 2021 SAFE report (see ADDRESSES) contains a comprehensive 
description of the apportionment and reasons for the minor changes from 
past apportionments. For purposes of specifying pollock TAC between two 
seasons for the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA, NMFS 
has summed the A and B season apportionments and the C and D season 
apportionments as calculated in the 2021 GOA pollock assessment. This 
yields the seasonal amounts specified for the A season and the B 
season, respectively.
    Within any fishing year, the amount by which a pollock seasonal 
allowance is underharvested or overharvested may be added to, or 
subtracted from, subsequent seasonal allowances for the Western and 
Central Regulatory Areas in a manner to be determined by the Regional 
Administrator (Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The rollover amount is 
limited to 20 percent of the subsequent seasonal TAC apportionment for 
the statistical area. Any unharvested pollock above the 20-percent 
limit could be further distributed to the other statistical areas, in 
proportion to the estimated biomass in the subsequent season in those 
statistical areas and in an amount no more than 20 percent of the 
seasonal TAC apportionment in those statistical areas (Sec.  
679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The pollock TACs in the WYK and the SEO Districts 
of 6,722 mt and 11,363 mt, respectively, in 2022, and 6,663 mt and 
11,363 mt, respectively, in 2023, are not allocated by season.
    Tables 3 and 4 list the final 2022 and 2023 seasonal biomass 
distribution of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, 
area apportionments, and seasonal allowances. The amounts of pollock 
for processing by the inshore and offshore components are not shown. 
Section 679.20(a)(6)(i) requires the allocation of 100 percent of the 
pollock TAC in all GOA regulatory areas and all seasonal allowances to 
vessels catching pollock for processing by the inshore component after 
subtraction of pollock amounts projected by the Regional Administrator 
to be caught by, or delivered to, the offshore component incidental to 
directed fishing for other groundfish species. Thus, the amount of 
pollock available for harvest by vessels harvesting pollock for 
processing by the offshore component is that amount that will be taken 
as incidental catch during directed fishing for groundfish species 
other than pollock, up to the maximum retainable amounts allowed by 
Sec.  679.20(e) and (f). At this time, these incidental catch amounts 
of pollock are unknown and will be determined during the fishing year 
during the course of fishing activities by the offshore component.

 Table 3--Final 2022 Distribution of Pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska;
                           Area Apportionments; and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC
                               [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton \1\]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Shumigan        Chirikof      Kodiak  (Area
                   Season \2\                       (Area 610)      (Area 620)         630)          Total \3\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A (January 20-May 31)...........................           1,132          52,304           8,080          61,516
B (September 1-November 1)......................          22,582          16,946          21,988          61,516
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Annual Total................................          23,714          69,250          30,068         123,032
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Area apportionments and seasonal allowances may not total precisely due to rounding.
\2\ As established by Sec.   679.23(d)(2), the A and B season allowances are available from January 20 through
  May 31 and September 1 through November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore
  and offshore components are not shown in this table.
\3\ The West Yakutat and Southeast Outside District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not
  included in the total pollock TACs shown in this table.


 Table 4--Final 2023 Distribution of Pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska;
                           Area Apportionments; and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC
                               [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton \1\]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Shumigan        Chirikof      Kodiak  (Area
                   Season \2\                       (Area 610)      (Area 620)         630)          Total \3\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A (January 20-May 31)...........................           1,122          51,845           8,009          60,976
B (September 1-November 1)......................          22,384          16,797          21,795          60,976
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Annual Total................................          23,506          68,642          29,803         121,952
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Area apportionments and seasonal allowances may not total precisely due to rounding.
\2\ As established by Sec.   679.23(d)(2), the A and B season allowances are available from January 20 through
  May 31 and September 1 through November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore
  and offshore components are not shown in this table.
\3\ The West Yakutat and Southeast Outside District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not
  included in the total pollock TACs shown in this table.

Annual and Seasonal Apportionments of Pacific Cod TAC

    Pursuant to Sec.  679.20(a)(12)(i), NMFS seasonally allocates the 
2022 and 2023 Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory 
Areas of the GOA among gear and operational sectors. In the Western and 
Central Regulatory Areas, a portion of the annual TAC is apportioned to 
the A season for hook-and-line, pot, and jig gear from January 1 
through June 10, and for trawl gear from January 20 through June 10, 
and a portion of the annual TAC is apportioned to the B season for jig 
gear from June 10 through December 31, for hook-and-line and pot gear 
from September 1 through December 31, and for trawl gear from September 
1 through November 1 (Sec. Sec.  679.20(a)(12) and 679.23(d)(3)). NMFS 
also allocates the Pacific cod TACs annually between the inshore (90 
percent) and offshore (10 percent) components in the Eastern Regulatory 
Area of the GOA (Sec.  679.20(a)(6)(ii)).
    In the Central GOA, the Pacific cod TAC is apportioned seasonally 
first to

[[Page 11609]]

vessels using jig gear, and then among catcher vessels (CVs) less than 
50 feet in length overall using hook-and-line gear, CVs equal to or 
greater than 50 feet in length overall using hook-and-line gear, 
catcher/processors (CPs) using hook-and-line gear, CVs using trawl 
gear, CPs using trawl gear, and vessels using pot gear (Sec.  
679.20(a)(12)(i)(B)). In the Western GOA, the Pacific cod TAC is 
apportioned seasonally first to vessels using jig gear, and then among 
CVs using hook-and-line gear, CPs using hook-and-line gear, CVs using 
trawl gear, CPs using trawl gear, and vessels using pot gear (Sec.  
679.20(a)(12)(i)(A)). Excluding seasonal apportionments to the jig 
sector, NMFS seasonally apportions the remainder of the annual Pacific 
cod TACs in the Western GOA as 63.84 percent to the A season and 36.16 
percent to the B season, and in the Central GOA as 64.16 percent to the 
A season and 35.84 percent to the B season.
    Under Sec.  679.20(a)(12)(ii), any overage or underage of the 
Pacific cod season allowance from the A season may be subtracted from, 
or added to, the subsequent B season allowance. In addition, any 
portion of the hook-and-line, trawl, pot, or jig sector allocations 
that is determined by NMFS as likely to go unharvested by a sector may 
be reallocated to other sectors for harvest during the remainder of the 
fishery year.
    Pursuant to Sec.  679.20(a)(12)(i)(A) and (B), a portion of the 
annual Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central GOA will be 
allocated to vessels with a Federal fisheries permit that use jig gear 
before the TACs are apportioned among other non-jig sectors. In 
accordance with the FMP, the annual jig sector allocations may increase 
to up to 6 percent of the annual Western and Central GOA Pacific cod 
TACs, depending on the annual performance of the jig sector (see Table 
1 of the rulemaking to implement Amendment 83 to the FMP for a detailed 
discussion of the jig sector allocation process (76 FR 74670, December 
1, 2011)). Jig sector allocation increases are established for a 
minimum of two years.
    NMFS has evaluated the historical harvest performance of the jig 
sector in the Western and Central GOA, and is establishing the 2022 and 
2023 Pacific cod apportionments to this sector based on its historical 
harvest performance through 2021. NMFS did not evaluate the 2020 
performance of the jig sectors in the Western and Central GOA; since 
NMFS prohibited directed fishing for all Pacific cod sectors in 2020, 
the catch for the jig sectors could not reach 90 percent of the annual 
allocation that is required for a performance increase in the following 
year's allocation (86 FR 68982, December 6, 2021; 84 FR 70438, December 
23, 2019). For 2022 and 2023, NMFS allocates the jig sector 3.5 percent 
of the annual Pacific cod TAC in the Western GOA. The 2022 and 2023 
allocations consist of a base allocation of 1.5 percent of the Western 
GOA Pacific cod TAC, and prior additional performance increases of 2.0 
percent. For 2022 and 2023, NMFS allocates the jig sector 1.0 percent 
of the annual Pacific cod TAC in the Central GOA. The 2022 and 2023 
allocations consist of a base allocation of 1.0 percent of the Central 
GOA Pacific cod TAC, and no additional performance increase in the 
Central GOA.
    For 2022 and 2023, NMFS is apportioning the jig sector allocations 
for the Western and Central GOA between the A season (60 percent) and 
the B season (40 percent), pursuant to Sec.  679.20(a)(12)(i). This is 
the same jig sector seasonal apportionments implemented in prior 
groundfish harvest specifications for the GOA and is consistent with 
Amendment 83 to the FMP (76 FR 44700, July 26, 2011).
    Tables 5 And 6 list the seasonal apportionments and allocation of 
the 2022 and 2023 Pacific Catch TACs.

Table 5--Final 2022 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocation of Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch (TAC) Amounts in
    the GOA; Allocations in the Western GOA and Central GOA Sectors, and the Eastern GOA Inshore and Offshore
                                              Processing Components
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             A Season                        B Season
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Annual          Sector                          Sector
   Regulatory area and sector       allocation     percentage of     Seasonal      percentage of     Seasonal
                                       (mt)       annual non-jig    allowances    annual non-jig    allowances
                                                        TAC            (mt)             TAC            (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA:
    Jig (3.5% of TAC)...........             244             N/A             146             N/A              97
    Hook-and-line CV............              94            0.70              47            0.70              47
    Hook-and-line CP............           1,330           10.90             732            8.90             598
    Trawl CV....................           2,579           31.54           2,118            6.86             461
    Trawl CP....................             161            0.90              60            1.50             101
    All Pot CV and Pot CP.......           2,552           19.80           1,330           18.20           1,222
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total...................           6,959           63.84           4,433           36.16           2,526
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central GOA:
    Jig (1.0% of TAC)...........             148             N/A              89             N/A              59
    Hook-and-line < 50 CV.......           2,142            9.32           1,366            5.29             775
    Hook-and-line >= 50 CV......             984            5.61             823            1.10             161
    Hook-and-line CP............             749            4.11             602            1.00             146
    Trawl CV \1\................           6,099           25.29           3,710           16.29           2,389
    Trawl CP....................             616            2.00             294            2.19             322
    All Pot CV and Pot CP.......           4,078           17.83           2,615            9.97           1,463
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total...................          14,814           64.16           9,498           35.84           5,316
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern GOA.....................  ..............    Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
                                   Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 11610]]

 
                                           2,338                   2,104
                                                     234
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Trawl catcher vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 564 mt, of the
  annual Central GOA TAC, which is deducted from the Trawl CV B season allowance (see Table 12. Final 2022
  Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA and Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679).


Table 6--Final 2023 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocation of Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch (TAC) Amounts in
    the GOA; Allocations in the Western GOA and Central GOA Sectors, and the Eastern GOA Inshore and Offshore
                                              Processing Components
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             A Season                        B Season
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Annual          Sector                          Sector
   Regulatory area and sector       allocation     percentage of     Seasonal      percentage of     Seasonal
                                       (mt)       annual non-jig    allowances    annual non-jig    allowances
                                                        TAC            (mt)             TAC            (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA:
    Jig (3.5% of TAC)...........             213             N/A             128             N/A              85
    Hook-and-line CV............              82            0.70              41            0.70              41
    Hook-and-line CP............           1,163           10.90             641            8.90             523
    Trawl CV....................           2,256           31.54           1,853            6.86             403
    Trawl CP....................             141            0.90              53            1.50              88
    All Pot CV and Pot CP.......           2,233           19.80           1,163           18.20           1,069
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total...................           6,089           63.84           3,879           36.16           2,210
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central GOA:
    Jig (1.0% of TAC)...........             130             N/A              78             N/A              52
    Hook-and-line < 50 CV.......           1,874            9.32           1,195            5.29             678
    Hook-and-line >= 50 CV......             861            5.61             720            1.10             141
    Hook-and-line CP............             655            4.11             527            1.00             128
    Trawl CV \1\................           5,336           25.29           3,246           16.29           2,090
    Trawl CP....................             539            2.00             257            2.19             282
    All Pot CV and Pot CP.......           3,568           17.83           2,288            9.97           1,280
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total...................          12,962           64.16           8,311           35.84           4,651
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern GOA.....................  ..............    Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
                                   Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                           2,045                   1,841
                                                     205
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Trawl catcher vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperation receive 3.81 percet, or 494 mt, of the
  annual Central GOA TAC, which is deducted from the Trawl CV B season allowance (see Table 13. Final 2023
  Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA and Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679).

Allocations of the Sablefish TAC Amounts to Vessels Using Fixed and 
Trawl Gear

    Section 679.20(a)(4)(i) and (ii) require allocations of sablefish 
TACs for each of the regulatory areas and districts to fixed and trawl 
gear. In the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, 80 percent of each 
TAC is allocated to fixed gear, and 20 percent of each TAC is allocated 
to trawl gear. In the Eastern Regulatory Area, 95 percent of the TAC is 
allocated to fixed gear, and 5 percent is allocated to trawl gear. The 
trawl gear allocation in the Eastern Regulatory Area may only be used 
to support incidental catch of sablefish using trawl gear while 
directed fishing for other target species (Sec.  679.20(a)(4)(i)).
    In recognition of the prohibition against trawl gear in the SEO 
District of the Eastern Regulatory Area, the Council recommended and 
NMFS approves specifying for incidental catch the allocation of 5 
percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area sablefish TAC to trawl 
gear in the WYK District of the Eastern Regulatory Area. The remainder 
of the WYK District sablefish TAC is allocated to vessels using fixed 
gear. NMFS allocates 100 percent of the sablefish TAC in the SEO 
District to vessels using fixed gear. This action results in 2022 
allocations of 455 mt to trawl gear and 2,982 mt to fixed gear in the 
WYK District, a 2022 allocation of 5,665 mt to fixed gear in the SEO 
District, and a 2023 allocation of 428 mt to trawl gear in the WYK 
District. Table 7 lists the allocations of the 2022 sablefish TACs to 
fixed and trawl gear.

[[Page 11611]]

Table 8 lists the allocations of the 2023 sablefish TACs to trawl gear.
    The Council recommended that a trawl sablefish TAC be established 
for two years so that retention of incidental catch of sablefish by 
trawl gear could commence in January in the second year of the 
groundfish harvest specifications. Both the 2022 and 2023 trawl 
allocations are specified in these final harvest specifications, in 
Tables 7 and 8, respectively.
    The Council also recommended that the fixed gear sablefish TAC be 
established annually to ensure that this Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) 
fishery is conducted concurrently with the halibut IFQ fishery and is 
based on the most recent survey information. Since there is an annual 
assessment for sablefish and since the final harvest specifications are 
expected to be published before the IFQ season begins in March 2022, 
the Council recommended that the fixed gear sablefish TAC be set 
annually, rather than for two years, so that the best scientific 
information available could be considered in establishing the sablefish 
TACs. Accordingly, Table 7 lists the 2022 fixed gear allocations, and 
the 2023 fixed gear allocations will be specified in the 2023 and 2024 
harvest specifications.
    With the exception of the trawl allocations that are provided to 
the Rockfish Program (see Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679), directed 
fishing for sablefish with trawl gear in the GOA is closed during the 
fishing year. Also, fishing for groundfish with trawl gear is 
prohibited prior to January 20 (Sec.  679.23(c)). Therefore, it is not 
likely that the sablefish allocation to trawl gear would be reached 
before the effective date of these final 2022 and 2023 harvest 
specifications.

     Table 7--Final 2022 Sablefish TAC Amounts in the Gulf of Alaska and Allocations to Fixed and Trawl Gear
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Fixed gear      Trawl gear
                          Area/district                                 TAC         allocation      allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western.........................................................           3,727           2,982             745
Central \1\.....................................................           9,965           7,972           1,993
West Yakutat \2\................................................           3,437           2,982             455
Southeast Outside...............................................           5,665           5,665               0
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................................          22,794          19,601           3,194
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The trawl allocation of sablefish in the Central Regulatory Area is further apportioned to the Rockfish
  Program cooperatives (1,025 mt). See Table 12: Final 2022 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the
  Central GOA. This results in 968 mt being available for the non-Rockfish Program trawl fisheries.
\2\ The trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat
  and Southeast Outside Districts) sablefish TAC as incidental catch to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.


        Table 8--Final 2023 Sablefish TAC Amounts in the Gulf of Alaska and Allocations to Trawl Gear \1\
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Fixed gear      Trawl gear
                          Area/district                                 TAC         allocation      allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western.........................................................           3,951             n/a             790
Central \2\.....................................................           9,495             n/a           1,899
West Yakutat \3\................................................           3,159             n/a             428
Southeast Outside...............................................           5,398             n/a               0
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................................          22,003             n/a           3,117
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Council recommended that the final 2023 harvest specifications for the fixed gear sablefish Individual
  Fishing Quota fisheries not be specified in the final 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications.
\2\ The trawl allocation of sablefish in the Central Regulatory Area is further apportioned to the Rockfish
  Program cooperatives (977 mt). See Table 13: Final 2023 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the
  Central GOA. This results in 922 mt being available for the non-Rockfish Program trawl fisheries.
\3\ The trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat
  and Southeast Outside Districts) sablefish TAC as incidental catch to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.

Allocations, Apportionments, and Sideboard Limits for the Rockfish 
Program

    These final 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications for the GOA 
include the fishery cooperative allocations and sideboard limitations 
established by the Rockfish Program. Rockfish Program participants are 
primarily trawl CVs and trawl CPs, with limited participation by 
vessels using longline gear. The Rockfish Program assigns quota share 
and cooperative quota to participants for primary species (Pacific 
ocean perch, northern rockfish, and dusky rockfish) and secondary 
species (Pacific cod, rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, sablefish, 
shortraker rockfish, and thornyhead rockfish), allows a participant 
holding a license limitation program (LLP) license with rockfish quota 
share to form a rockfish cooperative with other persons, and allows 
holders of CP LLP licenses to opt out of the fishery. The Rockfish 
Program also has an entry level fishery for rockfish primary species 
for vessels using longline gear. Longline gear includes hook-and-line, 
jig, troll, and handline gear.
    Under the Rockfish Program, rockfish primary species in the Central 
GOA are allocated to participants after deducting for incidental catch 
needs in other directed groundfish fisheries (Sec.  679.81(a)(2)). 
Participants in the Rockfish Program also receive a portion of the 
Central GOA TAC of specific secondary species. In addition to 
groundfish species, the Rockfish Program allocates a portion of the 
halibut PSC limit (191 mt) from the

[[Page 11612]]

third season deep-water species fishery allowance for the GOA trawl 
fisheries to Rockfish Program participants (Sec.  679.81(d) and Table 
28d to 50 CFR part 679). The Rockfish Program also establishes 
sideboard limits to restrict the ability of harvesters operating under 
the Rockfish Program to increase their participation in other, non-
Rockfish Program fisheries. These restrictions and halibut PSC limits 
are discussed in a subsequent section in this rule titled ``Rockfish 
Program Groundfish Sideboard and Halibut PSC Limitations.''
    Section 679.81(a)(2)(ii) and Table 28e to 50 CFR part 679 require 
allocations of 5 mt of Pacific ocean perch, 5 mt of northern rockfish, 
and 50 mt of dusky rockfish to the entry level longline fishery in 2022 
and 2023. The allocations for the entry level longline fishery may 
increase incrementally each year if the catch exceeds 90 percent of the 
allocation of a species. The incremental increase in the allocation 
would continue each year until it reaches the maximum percent of the 
TAC for that species. In 2021, the catch of Pacific ocean perch, 
northern rockfish, and dusky rockfish did not attain the 90 percent 
threshold, and those final allocations for 2022 remain the same as the 
2021 allocations. The remainder of the TACs for the rockfish primary 
species are allocated to the CV and CP cooperatives (Sec.  
679.81(a)(2)(iii)). Table 9 lists the allocations of the 2022 and 2023 
TACs for each rockfish primary species to the entry level longline 
fishery, the potential incremental increases for future years, and the 
maximum percent of the TACs assigned to the Rockfish Program that may 
be allocated to the rockfish entry level longline fishery.

Table 9--Final 2022 and Initial 2023 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species to the Entry Level Longline Fishery
                                          in the Central Gulf of Alaska
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      Incremental increase in
        Rockfish primary species          2022 and 2023 allocations    2023 if > 90% of 2022      Up to maximum
                                                                      allocation is harvested    percent of TAC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch....................  5 metric tons.............  5 metric tons............                 1
Northern rockfish......................  5 metric tons.............  5 metric tons............                 2
Dusky rockfish.........................  50 metric tons............  20 metric tons...........                 5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 679.81 requires allocations of rockfish primary species 
among various sectors of the Rockfish Program. Tables 10 and 11 list 
the final 2022 and 2023 allocations of rockfish primary species in the 
Central GOA to the entry level longline fishery, and rockfish CV and CP 
cooperatives in the Rockfish Program. NMFS also is setting aside 
incidental catch amounts (ICAs) for other directed fisheries in the 
Central GOA of 2,500 mt of Pacific ocean perch, 300 mt of northern 
rockfish, and 250 mt of dusky rockfish. These amounts are based on 
recent average incidental catches of these species in the Central GOA 
by other groundfish fisheries.
    Allocations among vessels belonging to CV or CP cooperatives are 
not included in these final harvest specifications. Rockfish Program 
applications for CV cooperatives and CP cooperatives are not due to 
NMFS until March 1 of each calendar year; therefore, NMFS cannot 
calculate 2022 and 2023 allocations in conjunction with these final 
harvest specifications (Sec.  679.81(f)). After receiving the Rockfish 
Program applications, NMFS will calculate the 2022 allocations for CV 
and CP cooperatives, as set forth in Sec.  679.81(b), (c), and (e); 
NMFS will post the 2022 allocations on the Alaska Region website at 
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/sustainable-fisheries/alaska-fisheries-management-reports#central-goa-rockfish when they become 
available after March 1.

  Table 10--Final 2022 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species in the Central Gulf of Alaska to the Entry Level
                       Longline Fishery and Rockfish Cooperatives in the Rockfish Program
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   Allocation to   Allocation to
                                    Central GOA     Incidental                       the entry     the rockfish
    Rockfish primary species        annual TAC         catch       TAC minus ICA  level longline   cooperatives
                                                     allowance                     \1\  fishery         \2\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch.............          30,806           2,500          28,306               5          28,301
Northern rockfish...............           3,202             300           2,902               5           2,897
Dusky rockfish..................           4,534             250           4,284              50           4,234
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................          38,542           3,050          35,492              60          35,432
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Longline gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear (50 CFR 679.2).
\2\ Rockfish cooperatives include vessels in CV and CP cooperatives (50 CFR 679.81).


  Table 11--Final 2023 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species in the Central Gulf of Alaska to the Entry Level
                       Longline Fishery and Rockfish Cooperatives in the Rockfish Program
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   Allocation to   Allocation to
                                    Central GOA     Incidental                       the entry     the rockfish
    Rockfish primary species        annual TAC         catch       TAC minus ICA  level longline   cooperatives
                                                     allowance                     \1\  fishery         \2\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch.............          29,869           2,500          27,369               5          27,364
Northern rockfish...............           3,061             300           2,761               5           2,756

[[Page 11613]]

 
Dusky rockfish..................           4,373             250           4,123              50           4,073
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................          37,303           3,050          34,253              60          34,193
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Longline gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear (50 CFR 679.2).
\2\ Rockfish cooperatives include vessels in CV and CP cooperatives (50 CFR 679.81).

    Section 679.81(c) and Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679 require 
allocations of rockfish secondary species to CV and CP cooperatives in 
the Central GOA. CV cooperatives receive allocations of Pacific cod, 
sablefish from the trawl gear allocation, and thornyhead rockfish. CP 
cooperatives receive allocations of sablefish from the trawl gear 
allocation, rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, shortraker rockfish, 
and thornyhead rockfish. Tables 12 and 13 list the apportionments of 
the 2022 and 2023 TACs of rockfish secondary species in the Central GOA 
to CV and CP cooperatives.

   Table 12--Final 2022 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA to Catcher Vessel and
                                         Catcher/Processor Cooperatives
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Catcher vessel  cooperatives          Catcher/processor
                                                 --------------------------------          cooperatives
   Rockfish secondary species       Central GOA                                  -------------------------------
                                    annual TAC     Percentage of   Apportionment   Percentage of   Apportionment
                                                        TAC            (mt)             TAC            (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod.....................          14,814            3.81             564            0.00               0
Sablefish.......................           9,965            6.78             676            3.51             350
Shortraker rockfish.............             280            0.00               -           40.00             112
Rougheye/blackspotted rockfish..             235            0.00               -           58.87             138
Thornyhead rockfish.............             910            7.84              71           26.50             241
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


   Table 13--Final 2023 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA to Catcher Vessel and
                                         Catcher/Processor Cooperatives
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Catcher vessel  cooperatives          Catcher/processor
                                                 --------------------------------          cooperatives
   Rockfish secondary species       Central GOA                                  -------------------------------
                                    annual TAC     Percentage of   Apportionment   Percentage of   Apportionment
                                                        TAC            (mt)             TAC            (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod.....................          12,962            3.81             494            0.00               0
Sablefish.......................           9,495            6.78             644            3.51             333
Shortraker rockfish.............             280            0.00               0           40.00             112
Rougheye/blackspotted rockfish..             234            0.00               0           58.87             138
Thornyhead rockfish.............             910            7.84              71           26.50             241
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Halibut PSC Limits

    Section 679.21(d) establishes annual halibut PSC limit 
apportionments to trawl gear and hook-and-line gear, and authorizes the 
establishment of apportionments for pot gear. In December 2021, the 
Council recommended halibut PSC limits of 1,706 mt for trawl gear, 257 
mt for hook-and-line gear, and 9 mt for the demersal shelf (DSR) 
rockfish fishery in the SEO District for both 2022 and 2023, consistent 
with Sec.  679.21.
    The DSR fishery in the SEO District is defined at Sec.  
679.21(d)(2)(ii)(A). This fishery is apportioned 9 mt of the halibut 
PSC limit in recognition of its small-scale harvests of groundfish 
(Sec.  679.21(d)(2)(i)(A)). The separate halibut PSC limit for the DSR 
fishery is intended to prevent that fishery from being impacted from 
the halibut PSC incurred by other GOA fisheries. NMFS estimates low 
halibut bycatch in the DSR fishery because (1) the duration of the DSR 
fishery and the gear soak times are short, (2) the DSR fishery occurs 
in the winter when there is less overlap in the distribution of DSR and 
halibut, and (3) the directed commercial DSR fishery has a low DSR TAC. 
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game sets the commercial GHL for the 
DSR fishery after deducting estimates of DSR incidental catch in all 
fisheries (including halibut and subsistence) and allocation to the DSR 
sport fishery. In 2021, the commercial fishery for DSR was closed due 
to concerns about declining DSR biomass.
    The FMP authorizes the Council to exempt specific gear from the 
halibut PSC limits. NMFS, after consultation

[[Page 11614]]

with the Council, exempts pot gear, the sablefish IFQ fixed gear 
fishery categories, and jig gear from the non-trawl halibut PSC limit 
for 2022 and 2023. The Council recommended, and NMFS approves, these 
exemptions because: (1) The pot gear fisheries have low annual halibut 
bycatch mortality; (2) IFQ program regulations prohibit discard of 
halibut if any halibut IFQ permit holder on board a catcher vessel 
holds unused halibut IFQ for that vessel category and the IFQ 
regulatory area in which the vessel is operating (Sec.  679.7(f)(11)); 
(3) some sablefish IFQ fishermen hold halibut IFQ permits and are 
therefore required to retain the halibut they catch while fishing 
sablefish IFQ; and (4) NMFS estimates negligible halibut mortality for 
the jig gear fisheries given the small amount of groundfish harvested 
by jig gear, the selective nature of jig gear, and the high survival 
rates of halibut caught and released with jig gear.
    The best available information on estimated halibut bycatch 
consists of data collected by fisheries observers during 2021. The 
calculated halibut bycatch mortality through December 31, 2021, is 360 
mt for trawl gear and 68 mt for hook-and-line gear for a total halibut 
mortality of 428 mt. This halibut mortality was calculated using 
groundfish and halibut catch data from the NMFS Alaska Region's catch 
accounting system. This accounting system contains historical and 
recent catch information compiled from each Alaska groundfish fishery.
    Section 679.21(d)(4)(i) and (ii) authorize NMFS to seasonally 
apportion the halibut PSC limits after consultation with the Council. 
The FMP and regulations require that the Council and NMFS consider the 
following information in seasonally apportioning halibut PSC limits: 
(1) Seasonal distribution of halibut; (2) seasonal distribution of 
target groundfish species relative to halibut distribution; (3) 
expected halibut bycatch needs on a seasonal basis relative to changes 
in halibut biomass and expected catch of target groundfish species; (4) 
expected bycatch rates on a seasonal basis; (5) expected changes in 
directed groundfish fishing seasons; (6) expected actual start of 
fishing effort; and (7) economic effects of establishing seasonal 
halibut allocations on segments of the target groundfish industry. The 
Council considered information from the 2021 SAFE report, NMFS catch 
data, State of Alaska catch data, International Pacific Halibut 
Commission (IPHC) stock assessment and mortality data, and public 
testimony when apportioning the halibut PSC limits. NMFS concurs with 
the Council's recommendations listed in Table 14, which shows the final 
2022 and 2023 Pacific halibut PSC limits, allowances, and 
apportionments.
    Section 679.21(d)(4)(iii) and (iv) specify that any unused amounts, 
or overages, of a seasonal apportionment of a halibut PSC limit will be 
added to or deducted from the next respective seasonal apportionment 
within the fishing year.

                   Table 14--Final 2022 and 2023 Pacific Halibut Prohibited Species Catch (PSC) Limits, Allowances, and Apportionments
                                                               [Values are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Trawl gear                                                             Hook-and-line gear \1\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Other than DSR                                    DSR
                 Season                    Percent     Amount  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Season             Percent     Amount             Season              Amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 20-April 1......................       30.5        519  January 1-June 10..........         86        221  January 1-December 31.....          9
April 1-July 1..........................       20.0        341  June 10-September 1........          2          5
July 1-August 1.........................       27.0        462  September 1-December 31....         12         31
August 1-October 1......................        7.5        128
October 1-December 31...................       15.0        256
                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total...............................                 1,706                                                257                                      9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limit for hook-and-line gear is allocated to the DSR fishery in the SEO District and to the hook-
  and-line fisheries other than the DSR fishery. The fixed gear sablefish IFQ fishery is exempt from halibut PSC limits, as are pot and jig gear for all
  groundfish fisheries. Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.

    Section 679.21(d)(3)(ii) authorizes further apportionment of the 
trawl halibut PSC limit to trawl fishery categories listed in Sec.  
679.21(d)(3)(iii). The annual apportionments are based on each 
category's proportional share of the anticipated halibut bycatch 
mortality during the fishing year and optimization of the total amount 
of groundfish harvest under the halibut PSC limit. The fishery 
categories for the trawl halibut PSC limits are: (1) A deep-water 
species fishery, composed of sablefish, rockfish, deep-water flatfish, 
rex sole, and arrowtooth flounder; and (2) a shallow-water species 
fishery, composed of pollock, Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish, 
flathead sole, Atka mackerel, and ``other species'' (sharks and 
octopuses) (Sec.  679.21(d)(3)(iii)). Halibut mortality incurred while 
directed fishing for skates with trawl gear accrues towards the 
shallow-water species fishery halibut PSC limit (69 FR 26320, May 12, 
2004).
    NMFS will combine available trawl halibut PSC limit apportionments 
during a portion of the second season deep-water and shallow-water 
species fisheries for use in either fishery from May 15 through June 30 
(Sec.  679.21(d)(4)(iii)(D)). This is intended to maintain groundfish 
harvest while minimizing halibut bycatch by these sectors to the extent 
practicable. This provides the deep-water and shallow-water species 
trawl fisheries additional flexibility and the incentive to participate 
in fisheries at times of the year that may have lower halibut PSC rates 
relative to other times of the year.
    Table 15 lists the final 2022 and 2023 apportionments of trawl 
halibut PSC limits between the trawl gear deep-water and shallow-water 
species fishery categories.
    Table 28d to 50 CFR part 679 specifies the amount of the trawl 
halibut PSC limit that is assigned to the CV and CP sectors that are 
participating in the Rockfish Program. This includes 117 mt of halibut 
PSC limit to the CV sector and 74 mt of halibut PSC limit to the CP 
sector. These amounts are allocated from the trawl deep-water species 
fishery's halibut PSC third seasonal

[[Page 11615]]

apportionment. After the combined CV and CP halibut PSC limit 
allocation of 191 mt to the Rockfish Program, 150 mt remains for the 
trawl deep-water species fishery's halibut PSC third seasonal 
apportionment.
    Section 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(B) limits the amount of the halibut PSC 
limit allocated to Rockfish Program participants that could be re-
apportioned to the general GOA trawl fisheries during the current 
fishing year to no more than 55 percent of the unused annual halibut 
PSC limit apportioned to Rockfish Program participants. The remainder 
of the unused Rockfish Program halibut PSC limit is unavailable for use 
by any person for the remainder of the fishing year (Sec.  
679.21(d)(4)(iii)(C)).

Table 15--Final 2022 and 2023 Apportionment of Pacific Halibut Prohibited Species Catch Limits Between the Trawl
                Gear Deep-Water Species Fishery and the Shallow-Water Species Fishery Categories
                                           [Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Season                                Shallow-water  Deep-water \1\       Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 20-April 1..............................................             384             135             519
April 1-July 1..................................................              85             256             341
July 1-August 1.................................................             121             341             462
August 1-October 1..............................................              53              75             128
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Subtotal January 20-October 1...............................             643             807           1,450
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
October 1-December 31 \2\.......................................  ..............  ..............             256
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................................  ..............  ..............           1,706
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Vessels participating in cooperatives in the Central GOA Rockfish Program will receive 191 mt of the third
  season (July 1 through August 1) deep-water species fishery halibut PSC apportionment.
\2\ There is no apportionment between trawl shallow-water and deep-water species fishery categories during the
  fifth season (October 1 through December 31).

    Section 679.21(d)(2)(i)(B) requires that the ``other hook-and-line 
fishery'' halibut PSC limit apportionment to vessels using hook-and-
line gear must be apportioned between CVs and CPs in accordance with 
Sec.  679.21(d)(2)(iii) in conjunction with these harvest 
specifications. A comprehensive description and example of the 
calculations necessary to apportion the ``other hook-and-line fishery'' 
halibut PSC limit between the hook-and-line CV and CP sectors were 
included in the proposed rule to implement Amendment 83 to the FMP (76 
FR 44700, July 26, 2011) and are not repeated here.
    Pursuant to Sec.  679.21(d)(2)(iii), the hook-and-line halibut PSC 
limit for the ``other hook-and-line fishery'' is apportioned between 
the CV and CP sectors in proportion to the total Western and Central 
GOA Pacific cod allocations, which vary annually based on the 
proportion of the Pacific cod biomass between the Western, Central, and 
Eastern GOA. Pacific cod is apportioned among these three management 
areas based on the percentage of overall biomass per area, as 
calculated in the 2021 Pacific cod stock assessment. Updated 
information in the final 2021 SAFE report describes this distributional 
calculation, which allocates ABC among GOA regulatory areas on the 
basis of the three most recent stock surveys. For 2022 and 2023, the 
distribution of the total GOA Pacific cod ABC is 29 percent to the 
Western GOA, 61 percent to the Central GOA, and 10 percent to the 
Eastern GOA. Therefore, the calculations made in accordance with Sec.  
679.21(d)(2)(iii) incorporate the most recent information on GOA 
Pacific cod distribution and allocations with respect to establishing 
the annual halibut PSC limits for the CV and CP hook-and-line sectors. 
Additionally, the annual halibut PSC limits for both the CV and CP 
sectors of the ``other hook-and-line fishery'' are divided into three 
seasonal apportionments, using seasonal percentages of 86 percent, 2 
percent, and 12 percent.
    For 2022 and 2023, NMFS apportions halibut PSC limits of 150 mt and 
107 mt to the hook-and-line CV and hook-and-line CP sectors, 
respectively. Table 16 lists the final 2022 and 2023 apportionments of 
halibut PSC limits between the hook-and-line CV and the hook-and-line 
CP sectors of the ``other hook-and-line fishery.''
    No later than November 1 of each year, NMFS will calculate the 
projected unused amount of halibut PSC limit by either of the CV or CP 
hook-and-line sectors that comprise the two sectors of the ``other 
hook-and-line fishery'' for the remainder of the year. The projected 
unused amount of halibut PSC limit is made available to the other 
sector for the remainder of that fishing year (Sec.  
679.21(d)(2)(iii)(C)), if NMFS determines that an additional amount of 
halibut PSC is necessary for that sector to continue its directed 
fishing operations.

  Table 16--Final 2022 and 2023 Apportionments of the ``Other Hook-and-Line Fishery'' Annual Halibut Prohibited
       Species Catch Allowance Between the Hook-and-Line Gear Catcher Vessel and Catcher/Processor Sectors
                                           [Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Sector
 ``Other than DSR'' allowance    Hook-and-line    Sector annual       Season         Seasonal        seasonal
                                    sector           amount                         percentage        amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
257..........................  Catcher Vessel..             150  January 1-June               86             129
                                                                  10.
                                                                 June 10-                      2               3
                                                                  September 1.
                                                                 September 1-                 12              18
                                                                  December 31.
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 11616]]

 
                               Catcher/                     107  January 1-June               86              92
                                Processor.                        10.
                                                                 June 10-                      2               2
                                                                  September 1.
                                                                 September 1-                 12              13
                                                                  December 31.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Estimates of Halibut Biomass and Stock Condition

    The IPHC annually assesses the abundance and potential yield of the 
Pacific halibut stock using all available data from the commercial and 
sport fisheries, other removals, and scientific surveys. Additional 
information on the Pacific halibut stock assessment may be found in the 
IPHC's 2021 Pacific halibut stock assessment (December 2021), available 
on the IPHC website at www.iphc.int. The IPHC considered the 2021 
Pacific halibut stock assessment at its January 2022 annual meeting 
when it set the 2022 commercial halibut fishery catch limits.

Halibut Discard Mortality Rates

    To monitor halibut bycatch mortality allowances and apportionments, 
the Regional Administrator uses observed halibut incidental catch 
rates, halibut discard mortality rates (DMRs), and estimates of 
groundfish catch to project when a fishery's halibut bycatch mortality 
allowance or seasonal apportionment is reached. Halibut incidental 
catch rates are based on observers' estimates of halibut incidental 
catch in the groundfish fishery. DMRs are estimates of the proportion 
of incidentally caught halibut that do not survive after being returned 
to the sea. The cumulative halibut mortality that accrues to a 
particular halibut PSC limit is the product of a DMR multiplied by the 
estimated halibut PSC. DMRs are estimated using the best scientific 
information available in conjunction with the annual GOA stock 
assessment process. The DMR methodology and findings are included as an 
appendix to the annual GOA groundfish SAFE report.
    In 2016, the DMR estimation methodology underwent revisions per the 
Council's directive. An interagency halibut working group (IPHC, 
Council, and NMFS staff) developed improved estimation methods that 
have undergone review by the GOA Plan Team, SSC, and the Council. A 
summary of the revised methodology is contained in the GOA proposed 
2017 and 2018 harvest specifications (81 FR 87881, December 6, 2016), 
and the comprehensive discussion of the working group's statistical 
methodology is available from the Council (see ADDRESSES). The DMR 
working group's revised methodology is intended to improve estimation 
accuracy, transparency, and transferability in the methodology used for 
calculating DMRs. The working group will continue to consider 
improvements to the methodology used to calculate halibut mortality, 
including potential changes to the reference period (the period of data 
used for calculating the DMRs). Future DMRs may change based on 
additional years of observer sampling, which could provide more recent 
and accurate data and which could improve the accuracy of estimation 
and progress on methodology. The new methodology will continue to 
ensure that NMFS is using DMRs that more accurately reflect halibut 
mortality, which will inform the different sectors of their estimated 
halibut mortality and allow specific sectors to respond with methods 
that could reduce mortality and, eventually, the DMR for that sector.
    At the December 2021 meeting, the SSC, AP, and the Council 
concurred with the revised DMR estimation methodology, and NMFS adopts 
for 2022 and 2023 the DMRs calculated under the revised methodology, 
which uses an updated 2-year reference period. The final 2022 and 2023 
DMRs in this rule are unchanged from the DMRs in the proposed 2022 and 
2023 harvest specifications (86 FR 68982, December 6, 2021). Table 17 
lists these final 2022 and 2023 DMRs.

     Table 17--Final 2022 and 2023 Halibut Discard Mortality Rates for Vessels Fishing in the Gulf of Alaska
                               [Values are percent of halibut assumed to be dead]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                Halibut discard
                 Gear                              Sector                Groundfish fishery      mortality rate
                                                                                                   (percent)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pelagic trawl........................  Catcher vessel...............  All....................                100
                                       Catcher/processor............  All....................                100
Non-pelagic trawl....................  Catcher vessel...............  Rockfish Program.......                 66
                                       Catcher vessel...............  All others.............                 69
                                       Mothership and catcher/        All....................                 83
                                        processor.
Hook-and-line........................  Catcher/processor............  All....................                 15
                                       Catcher vessel...............  All....................                 12
Pot..................................  Catcher vessel and catcher/    All....................                 29
                                        processor.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chinook Salmon Prohibited Species Catch Limits

    Amendment 93 to the FMP (77 FR 42629, July 20, 2012) established 
separate Chinook salmon PSC limits in the Western and Central GOA in 
the directed pollock trawl fishery. These limits require that NMFS 
close the pollock directed fishery in the Western and Central 
Regulatory Areas of the GOA if the applicable Chinook salmon PSC limit 
in that regulatory area is

[[Page 11617]]

reached (Sec.  679.21(h)(8)). The annual Chinook salmon PSC limits in 
the pollock directed fishery of 6,684 salmon in the Western GOA and 
18,316 salmon in the Central GOA are set at Sec.  679.21(h)(2)(i) and 
(ii).
    Amendment 97 to the FMP (79 FR 71350, December 2, 2014) established 
an initial annual PSC limit of 7,500 Chinook salmon for the trawl non-
pollock groundfish fisheries in the Western and Central GOA. This limit 
is apportioned among the three sectors that conduct directed fishing 
for groundfish species other than pollock: 3,600 Chinook salmon to 
trawl CPs; 1,200 Chinook salmon to trawl CVs participating in the 
Rockfish Program; and 2,700 Chinook salmon to trawl CVs not 
participating in the Rockfish Program (Sec.  679.21(h)(4)). NMFS will 
monitor the Chinook salmon PSC in the trawl non-pollock groundfish 
fisheries and close an applicable sector if it reaches its Chinook 
salmon PSC limit.
    The Chinook salmon PSC limit for two sectors, trawl CPs and trawl 
CVs not participating in the Rockfish Program, may be increased in 
subsequent years based on the performance of these two sectors and 
their ability to minimize their use of their respective Chinook salmon 
PSC limits. If either or both of these two sectors limits its use of 
Chinook salmon PSC to a specified threshold amount in 2021 (3,120 for 
trawl CPs and 2,340 for Non-Rockfish Program trawl CVs), that sector 
will receive an incremental increase to its 2022 Chinook salmon PSC 
limit (Sec.  679.21(h)(4)). In 2021, the trawl CP sector did not exceed 
3,120 Chinook salmon PSC; therefore, the 2022 trawl CP sector Chinook 
salmon PSC limit will be 4,080 Chinook salmon. In 2021, the Non-
Rockfish Program trawl CV sector exceeded 2,340 Chinook salmon PSC; 
therefore, the 2022 Non-Rockfish Program trawl CV sector Chinook salmon 
PSC limit will be 2,700 Chinook salmon.

American Fisheries Act (AFA) Catcher/Processor and Catcher Vessel 
Groundfish Harvest Limits

    Section 679.64 establishes groundfish harvesting and processing 
sideboard limitations on AFA CPs and CVs in the GOA. These sideboard 
limits are necessary to protect the interests of fishermen and 
processors who do not directly benefit from the AFA as compared to 
those fishermen and processors who receive exclusive harvesting and 
processing privileges under the AFA. Section 679.7(k)(1)(ii) prohibits 
listed AFA CPs and CPs designated on a listed AFA CP permit from 
harvesting any species of groundfish in the GOA. Additionally, Sec.  
679.7(k)(1)(iv) prohibits listed AFA CPs and CPs designated on a listed 
AFA CP permit from processing any pollock harvested in a directed 
pollock fishery in the GOA and any groundfish harvested in Statistical 
Area 630 of the GOA.
    AFA CVs that are less than 125 feet (38.1 meters) length overall, 
have annual landings of pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
(BSAI) less than 5,100 mt, and have made at least 40 GOA groundfish 
landings from 1995 through 1997 are exempt from GOA CV groundfish 
sideboard limits under Sec.  679.64(b)(2)(ii). Sideboard limits for 
non-exempt AFA CVs in the GOA are based on their traditional harvest 
levels of TAC in groundfish fisheries covered by the FMP. Section 
679.64(b)(3)(iv) establishes the CV groundfish sideboard limitations in 
the GOA based on the aggregate retained catch of non-exempt AFA CVs of 
each sideboard species or species group from 1995 through 1997 divided 
by the sum of the TACs for that species or species group available to 
CVs over the same period. NMFS published a final rule (84 FR 2723, 
February 8, 2019) that implemented regulations to prohibit non-exempt 
AFA CVs from directed fishing for specific groundfish species or 
species groups subject to sideboard limits (Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iv)(D) 
and Table 56 to 50 CFR part 679). Sideboard limits not subject to the 
final rule (84 FR 2723, February 8, 2019) continue to be calculated and 
included in the GOA annual harvest specifications.
    Tables 18 and 19 list the final 2022 and 2023 groundfish sideboard 
limits for non-exempt AFA CVs. NMFS will deduct all targeted or 
incidental catch of sideboard species made by non-exempt AFA CVs from 
the sideboard limits listed in Tables 18 and 19.

                       Table 18--Final 2022 GOA Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel (CV) Groundfish Sideboard Limits
                                                     [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                          Ratio of 1995-
                                                                                                             1997 non-                    Final 2022 non-
                 Species                       Apportionments by season                  Area              exempt AFA CV    Final 2022     exempt AFA CV
                                                                                                          catch to 1995-     TACs \3\        sideboard
                                                                                                             1997 TAC                          limit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock..................................  A Season--January 20-May 31.....  Shumagin (610).............          0.6047           1,132             685
                                                                             Chirikof (620).............          0.1167          52,304           6,104
                                                                             Kodiak (630)...............          0.2028           8,080           1,639
                                           B Season--September 1-November 1  Shumagin (610).............          0.6047          22,582          13,655
                                                                             Chirikof (620).............          0.1167          16,946           1,978
                                                                             Kodiak (630)...............          0.2028          21,988           4,459
                                           Annual..........................  WYK (640)..................          0.3495           6,722           2,349
                                                                             SEO (650)..................          0.3495          11,363           3,971
Pacific cod..............................  A Season \1\--January 1-June 10.  W..........................          0.1331           4,433             590
                                                                             C..........................          0.0692           9,498             657
                                           B Season \2\--September 1-        W..........................          0.1331           2,526             336
                                            December 31.
                                                                             C..........................          0.0692           5,316             368
Flatfish, shallow-water..................  Annual..........................  W..........................          0.0156          13,250             207
                                                                             C..........................          0.0587          25,305           1,485
Flatfish, deep-water.....................  Annual..........................  C..........................          0.0647           2,139             138
                                                                             E..........................          0.0128           3,513              45
Rex sole.................................  Annual..........................  C..........................          0.0384          12,076             464
Arrowtooth flounder......................  Annual..........................  C..........................          0.0280          68,394           1,915
Flathead sole............................  Annual..........................  C..........................          0.0213          15,400             328
Pacific ocean perch......................  Annual..........................  C..........................          0.0748          30,806           2,304

[[Page 11618]]

 
                                                                             E..........................          0.0466           4,860             226
Northern rockfish........................  Annual..........................  C..........................          0.0277           3,202              89
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
\3\ The Western and Central GOA and WYK District area apportionments of pollock are considered ACLs.


                       Table 19--Final 2023 GOA Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel (CV) Groundfish Sideboard Limits
                                                     [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                          Ratio of 1995-
                                                                                                             1997 non-                    Final 2023 non-
                 Species                       Apportionments by season                  Area              exempt AFA CV    Final 2023     exempt AFA CV
                                                                                                          catch to 1995-     TACs \3\        sideboard
                                                                                                             1997 TAC                          limit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock..................................  A Season--January 20-May 31.....  Shumagin (610).............          0.6047           1,122             679
                                                                             Chirikof (620).............          0.1167          51,845           6,050
                                                                             Kodiak (630)...............          0.2028           8,009           1,624
                                           B Season--September 1-November 1  Shumagin (610).............          0.6047          22,384          13,535
                                                                             Chirikof (620).............          0.1167          16,797           1,960
                                                                             Kodiak (630)...............          0.2028          21,795           4,420
                                           Annual..........................  WYK (640)..................          0.3495           6,663           2,329
                                                                             SEO (650)..................          0.3495          11,363           3,971
Pacific cod..............................  A Season \1\--January 1-June 10.  W..........................          0.1331           3,879             516
                                                                             C..........................          0.0692           8,311             575
                                           B Season \2\--September 1-        W..........................          0.1331           2,210             294
                                            December 31.                     C..........................          0.0692           4,651             322
Flatfish, shallow-water..................  Annual..........................  W..........................          0.0156          13,250             207
                                                                             C..........................          0.0587          26,743           1,570
Flatfish, deep-water.....................  Annual..........................  C..........................          0.0647           2,105             136
                                                                             E..........................          0.0128           3,457              44
Rex sole.................................  Annual..........................  C..........................          0.0384          13,054             501
Arrowtooth flounder......................  Annual..........................  C..........................          0.0280          67,493           1,890
Flathead sole............................  Annual..........................  C..........................          0.0213          15,400             328
Pacific ocean perch......................  Annual..........................  C..........................          0.0748          29,869           2,234
                                                                             E..........................          0.0466           4,712             220
Northern rockfish........................  Annual..........................  C..........................          0.0277           3,061              85
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.
\3\ The Western and Central GOA and WYK District area apportionments of pollock are considered ACLs.

Non-Exempt AFA Catcher Vessel Halibut PSC Limits

    The halibut PSC sideboard limits for non-exempt AFA CVs in the GOA 
are based on the aggregate retained groundfish catch by non-exempt AFA 
CVs in each PSC target category from 1995 through 1997 divided by the 
retained catch of all vessels in that fishery from 1995 through 1997 
(Sec.  679.64(b)(4)(ii)). Table 20 lists the final 2022 and 2023 non-
exempt AFA CV halibut PSC sideboard limits for vessels using trawl gear 
in the GOA.

     Table 20--Final 2022 and 2023 Non-Exempt AFA CV Halibut Prohibited Species Catch (PSC) Sideboard Limits for Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the GOA
                                                       [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                        Ratio of 1995-
                                                                                                        1997 non-exempt                   2022 and 2023
                                                                                                        AFA CV retained   2022 and 2023   non-exempt AFA
                 Season                             Season dates                 Target fishery         catch to total     Halibut PSC    CV Halibut PSC
                                                                                                        retained catch        limit           limit
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................................  January 20-April 1.............  shallow-water.............             0.340             384              131
                                          ...............................  deep-water................             0.070             135                9

[[Page 11619]]

 
2.......................................  April 1-July 1.................  shallow-water.............             0.340              85               29
                                          ...............................  deep-water................             0.070             256               18
3.......................................  July 1-August 1................  shallow-water.............             0.340             121               41
                                          ...............................  deep-water................             0.070             341               24
4.......................................  August 1-October 1.............  shallow-water.............             0.340              53               18
                                          ...............................  deep-water................             0.070              75                5
5.......................................  October 1-December 31..........  all targets...............             0.205             256               52
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual...................................................................  Total shallow-water.......  ................  ..............              219
                                                                          ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Total deep-water..........  ................  ..............               56
                                                                          ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Total, all season and categories                                        1,706             328
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Non-AFA Crab Vessel Groundfish Harvest Limitations

    Section 680.22 establishes groundfish catch limits for vessels with 
a history of participation in the Bering Sea snow crab fishery to 
prevent these vessels from using the increased flexibility provided by 
the Crab Rationalization (CR) Program to expand their level of 
participation in the GOA groundfish fisheries. Sideboard limits 
restrict these vessels' catch to their collective historical landings 
in each GOA groundfish fishery (except the fixed-gear sablefish 
fishery). Sideboard limits also apply to catch made using an LLP 
license derived from the history of a restricted vessel, even if that 
LLP license is used on another vessel.
    The basis for these sideboard limits is described in detail in the 
final rules implementing the major provisions of the CR Program, 
including Amendments 18 and 19 to the Fishery Management Plan for 
Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs (Crab FMP) (70 FR 
10174, March 2, 2005), Amendment 34 to the Crab FMP (76 FR 35772, June 
20, 2011), Amendment 83 to the GOA FMP (76 FR 74670, December 1, 2011), 
and Amendment 45 to the Crab FMP (80 FR 28539, May 19, 2015). Also, 
NMFS published a final rule (84 FR 2723, February 8, 2019) that 
implemented regulations to prohibit non-AFA crab vessels from directed 
fishing for all groundfish species or species groups subject to 
sideboard limits, except for Pacific cod apportioned to CVs using pot 
gear in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas (Sec.  
680.22(e)(1)(iii)). Accordingly, the GOA annual harvest specifications 
will include the non-AFA crab vessel groundfish sideboard limits for 
only Pacific cod apportioned to CVs using pot gear in the Western and 
Central Regulatory Areas.
    Tables 21 and 22 list the final 2022 and 2023 groundfish sideboard 
limitations for non-AFA crab vessels. All targeted or incidental catch 
of sideboard species made by non-AFA crab vessels or associated LLP 
licenses will be deducted from these sideboard limits.

                               Table 21--Final 2022 GOA Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessel Groundfish Sideboard Limits
                                                     [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                         Ratio of 1996-
                                                                                                          2000 non-AFA                    Final 2022 non-
                                                                                                           crab vessel      Final 2022       AFA crab
                 Species                               Season                        Area/gear           catch to 1996-        TACs           vessel
                                                                                                           2000 total                        sideboard
                                                                                                             harvest                           limit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod.............................  A Season--January 1-June 10.....  Western Pot CV............            0.0997           4,433             442
                                                                            Central Pot CV............            0.0474           9,498             450
                                          B Season--September 1-December    Western Pot CV............            0.0997           2,526             252
                                           31.
                                                                            Central Pot CV............            0.0474           5,316             252
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                               Table 22--Final 2023 GOA Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessel Groundfish Sideboard Limits
                                                     [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                         Ratio of 1996-
                                                                                                          2000 non-AFA                    Final 2023 non-
                                                                                                           crab vessel      Final 2023       AFA crab
                 Species                               Season                        Area/gear           catch to 1996-        TACs           vessel
                                                                                                           2000 total                        sideboard
                                                                                                             harvest                           limit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod.............................  A Season--January 1-June 10.....  Western Pot CV............            0.0997           3,879             387
                                                                            Central Pot CV............            0.0474           8,311             394
                                          B Season--September 1-December    Western Pot CV............            0.0997           2,210             220
                                           31.

[[Page 11620]]

 
                                                                            Central Pot CV............            0.0474           4,651             220
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rockfish Program Groundfish Sideboard and Halibut PSC Limitations

    The Rockfish Program establishes three classes of sideboard 
provisions: CV groundfish sideboard restrictions, CP rockfish sideboard 
restrictions, and CP opt-out vessel sideboard restrictions (Sec.  
679.82(c)(1)). These sideboards are intended to limit the ability of 
rockfish harvesters to expand into other GOA groundfish fisheries.
    CVs participating in the Rockfish Program may not participate in 
directed fishing for dusky rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, and northern 
rockfish in the West Yakutat District and Western GOA from July 1 
through July 31. Also, CVs may not participate in directed fishing for 
arrowtooth flounder, deep-water flatfish, and rex sole in the GOA from 
July 1 through July 31 (Sec.  679.82(d)).
    CPs participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives are restricted 
by rockfish and halibut PSC sideboard limits. These CPs are prohibited 
from directed fishing for dusky rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, and 
northern rockfish in the West Yakutat District and Western GOA from 
July 1 through July 31 (Sec.  679.82(e)(2)). Holders of CP-designated 
LLP licenses that opt out of participating in a Rockfish Program 
cooperative will be able to access that portion of each rockfish 
sideboard limit that is not assigned to rockfish cooperatives (Sec.  
679.82(e)(7)). The sideboard ratio for each fishery in the West Yakutat 
District and the Western GOA is set forth in Sec.  679.82(e)(3) and 
(4). Tables 23 and 24 list the final 2022 and 2023 Rockfish Program CP 
sideboard limits in the West Yakutat District and the Western GOA. Due 
to confidentiality requirements associated with fisheries data, the 
sideboard limits for the West Yakutat District are not displayed.

 Table 23--Final 2022 Rockfish Program Sideboard Limits for the Western GOA and West Yakutat District by Fishery
                                        for the Catcher/Processor Sector
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       CP sector        Final 2022
             Area                    Fishery        (percent of TAC)       TACs           Final 2022 CP limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA...................  Dusky rockfish...  72.3.............             269  194
                                Pacific ocean      50.6.............           2,602  1,317
                                 perch.
                                Northern rockfish  74.3.............           1,944  1,444
West Yakutat District.........  Dusky rockfish...  Confidential \1\.             427  Confidential.\1\
                                Pacific ocean      Confidential.\1\.           1,409  Confidential.\1\
                                 perch.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Not released due to confidentiality requirements associated with fish ticket data, as established by NMFS
  and the State of Alaska.


 Table 24--Final 2023 Rockfish Program Sideboard Limits for the Western GOA and West Yakutat District by Fishery
                                        for the Catcher/Processor Sector
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       CP sector        Final 2023
             Area                    Fishery        (percent of TAC)       TACs           Final 2023 CP limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA...................  Dusky rockfish...  72.3.............             259  187.
                                Pacific ocean      50.6.............           2,523  1,277.
                                 perch.
                                Northern rockfish  74.3.............           1,859  1,381.
West Yakutat District.........  Dusky rockfish...  Confidential \1\.             412  Confidential.\1\
                                Pacific ocean      Confidential \1\.           1,366  Confidential.\1\
                                 perch.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Not released due to confidentiality requirements associated with fish ticket data, as established by NMFS
  and the State of Alaska.

    Under the Rockfish Program, the CP sector is subject to halibut PSC 
sideboard limits for the trawl deep-water and shallow-water species 
fisheries from July 1 through July 31 (Sec.  679.82(e)(3) and (5)). 
Halibut PSC sideboard ratios by fishery are set forth in Sec.  
679.82(e)(5). No halibut PSC sideboard limits apply to the CV sector, 
as CVs participating in cooperatives receive a portion of the annual 
halibut PSC limit. CPs that opt out of the Rockfish Program are able to 
access that portion of the deep-water and shallow-water halibut PSC 
sideboard limit not assigned to CP rockfish cooperatives. The sideboard 
provisions for CPs that elect to opt out of participating in a rockfish 
cooperative are described in Sec.  679.82(c), (e), and (f). Sideboard 
limits are linked to the catch history of specific vessels that may 
choose to opt out. After March 1, NMFS will determine which CPs have 
opted-out of the Rockfish Program in 2022, and NMFS will know the 
ratios and amounts used to calculate opt-out sideboard ratios. NMFS 
will then calculate any applicable opt-out sideboards for 2022 and post 
these limits on the Alaska Region website at https://
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/sustainable-fisheries/alaska-fisheries-
management-

[[Page 11621]]

reports#central-goa-rockfish. Table 25 lists the final 2022 and 2023 
Rockfish Program halibut PSC sideboard limits for the CP sector.

                      Table 25--Final 2022 and 2023 Rockfish Program Halibut PSC Sideboard Limits for the Catcher/Processor Sector
                                                     [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Shallow-water        Deep-water                            Annual shallow-    Annual deep-water
                                                        species fishery     species fishery      2022 and 2023       water species     species  fishery
                       Sector                             halibut PSC         halibut PSC      halibut mortality    fishery halibut       halibut PSC
                                                        sideboard ratio     sideboard ratio       limit  (mt)        PSC sideboard      sideboard limit
                                                           (percent)           (percent)                              limit (mt)             (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher/processor...................................               0.10                2.50               1,706                   2                  43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Amendment 80 Program Groundfish and PSC Sideboard Limits

    Amendment 80 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (Amendment 80 Program) 
established a limited access privilege program for the non-AFA trawl CP 
sector. The Amendment 80 Program established groundfish and halibut PSC 
catch limits for Amendment 80 Program participants to limit the ability 
of participants eligible for the Amendment 80 Program to expand their 
harvest efforts in the GOA.
    Section 679.92 establishes groundfish harvesting sideboard limits 
on all Amendment 80 program vessels, other than the fishing vessel (F/
V) Golden Fleece, to amounts no greater than the limits listed in Table 
37 to 50 CFR part 679. Under Sec.  679.92(d), the F/V Golden Fleece is 
prohibited from directed fishing for pollock, Pacific cod, Pacific 
ocean perch, dusky rockfish, and northern rockfish in the GOA.
    Groundfish sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels 
operating in the GOA are based on their average aggregate harvests from 
1998 through 2004 (72 FR 52668, September 14, 2007). Tables 26 and 27 
list the final 2022 and 2023 groundfish sideboard limits for Amendment 
80 Program vessels. NMFS will deduct all targeted or incidental catch 
of sideboard species made by Amendment 80 Program vessels from the 
sideboard limits in Tables 26 and 27.

                                  Table 26--Final 2022 GOA Groundfish Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels
                                                       [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                           Ratio of
                                                                                                         Amendment 80                     2022 Amendment
                 Species                        Apportionments and                   Area               sector vessels   2022 TAC (mt)      80 vessel
                                               allocations by season                                   1998-2004 catch                   sideboard limit
                                                                                                            to TAC                             (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock..................................  A Season--January 20-May 31.  Shumagin (610)..............            0.003            1,132                3
                                                                         Chirikof (620)..............            0.002           52,304              105
                                                                         Kodiak (630)................            0.002            8,080               16
                                           B Season--September 1--       Shumagin (610)..............            0.003           22,582               68
                                            November 1.                  Chirikof (620)..............            0.002           16,946               34
                                                                         Kodiak (630)................            0.002           21,988               44
                                           Annual......................  WYK (640)...................            0.002            6,722               13
Pacific cod..............................  A Season \1\--January 1-June  W...........................            0.020            4,433               89
                                            10.                          C...........................            0.044            9,498              418
                                           B Season \2\--September 1-    W...........................            0.020            2,526               51
                                            December 31.                 C...........................            0.044            5,316              234
                                           Annual......................  WYK.........................            0.034            2,338               79
Pacific ocean perch......................  Annual......................  W...........................            0.994            2,602            2,586
                                                                         WYK.........................            0.961            1,409            1,354
Northern rockfish........................  Annual......................  W...........................            1.000            1,944            1,944
Dusky rockfish...........................  Annual......................  W...........................            0.764              269              206
                                                                         WYK.........................            0.896              427              383
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.


                                  Table 27--Final 2023 GOA Groundfish Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels
                                                       [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                           Ratio of
                                                                                                         Amendment 80                     2023 Amendment
                 Species                        Apportionments and                   Area               sector vessels   2023 TAC (mt)      80 vessel
                                               allocations by season                                   1998-2004 catch                   sideboard limit
                                                                                                            to TAC                             (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock..................................  A Season--January 20-May 31.  Shumagin (610)..............            0.003            1,122                3
                                                                         Chirikof (620)..............            0.002           51,845              104
                                                                         Kodiak (630)................            0.002            8,009               16
                                                                         ............................

[[Page 11622]]

 
                                           B Season--September 1-        Shumagin (610)..............            0.003           22,384               67
                                            November 1.                  Chirikof (620)..............            0.002           16,797               34
                                                                         Kodiak (630)................            0.002           21,795               44
                                           Annual......................  WYK (640)...................            0.002            6,663               13
Pacific cod..............................  A Season \1\--January 1-June  W...........................            0.020            3,879               78
                                            10.                          C...........................            0.044            8,311              366
                                           B Season \2\--September 1-    W...........................            0.020            2,210               44
                                            December 31.                 C...........................            0.044            4,651              205
                                           Annual......................  WYK.........................            0.034            2,045               70
Pacific ocean perch......................  Annual......................  W...........................            0.994            2,523            2,508
                                                                         WYK.........................            0.961            1,366            1,313
Northern rockfish........................  Annual......................  W...........................            1.000            1,859            1,859
Dusky rockfish...........................  Annual......................  W...........................            0.764              259              198
                                                                         WYK.........................            0.896              412              369
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.

    The halibut PSC sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels 
in the GOA are based on the historic use of halibut PSC by Amendment 80 
Program vessels in each PSC target category from 1998 through 2004. 
These values are slightly lower than the average historic use to 
accommodate two factors: Allocation of halibut PSC cooperative quota 
under the Rockfish Program and the exemption of the F/V Golden Fleece 
from this restriction (Sec.  679.92(b)(2)). Table 28 lists the final 
2022 and 2023 halibut PSC sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program 
vessels. These tables incorporate the maximum percentages of the 
halibut PSC sideboard limits that may be used by Amendment 80 Program 
vessels as contained in Table 38 to 50 CFR part 679. Any residual 
amount of a seasonal Amendment 80 halibut PSC sideboard limit may carry 
forward to the next season limit (Sec.  679.92(b)(2)).

     Table 28--Final 2022 and 2023 Halibut PSC Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels in the GOA
                                   [Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Historic
                                                                   Amendment 80                    2022 and 2023
                                                                    use of the     2022 and 2023   Amendment 80
            Season               Season dates     Target fishery  annual halibut  annual halibut  vessel halibut
                                                                     PSC limit    PSC limit (mt)     PSC limit
                                                                   catch (ratio)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............................  January 20-April  shallow-water..          0.0048           1,706               8
                                1.               deep-water.....          0.0115           1,706              20
2............................  April 1-July 1..  shallow-water..          0.0189           1,706              32
                                                 deep-water.....          0.1072           1,706             183
3............................  July 1-August 1.  shallow-water..          0.0146           1,706              25
                                                 deep-water.....          0.0521           1,706              89
4............................  August 1-October  shallow-water..          0.0074           1,706              13
                                1.               deep-water.....          0.0014           1,706               2
5............................  October 1-        shallow-water..          0.0227           1,706              39
                                December 31.     deep-water.....          0.0371           1,706              63
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total:...................  ................  ...............  ..............  ..............             474
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Directed Fishing Closures

    Pursuant to Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), if the Regional Administrator 
determines (1) that any allocation or apportionment of a target species 
or species group allocated or apportioned to a fishery will be reached; 
or (2) with respect to pollock and Pacific cod, that an allocation or 
apportionment to an inshore or offshore component or sector allocation 
will be reached, then the Regional Administrator may establish a 
directed fishing allowance (DFA) for that species or species group. If 
the Regional Administrator establishes a DFA and that allowance is or 
will be reached before the end of the fishing season or year, NMFS will 
prohibit directed fishing for that species or species group in the 
specified GOA subarea, regulatory area, or district (Sec.  
679.20(d)(1)(iii)).
    The Regional Administrator has determined that the TACs for the 
species listed in Table 29 are necessary to account for the incidental 
catch of these species in other anticipated groundfish fisheries for 
the 2022 and 2023 fishing years.

[[Page 11623]]



      Table 29--2022 and 2023 Directed Fishing Closures in the GOA
 [Amounts for incidental catch in other directed fisheries are in metric
                                  tons]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Incidental catch
                                    Area/component/     amount and year
             Target                      gear         (if amounts differ
                                                           by year)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock.........................  all/offshore......  not applicable.\1\
Sablefish \2\...................  all/trawl.........  3,194 (2022).
                                                      3,117 (2023).
Pacific cod.....................  Western, CP, trawl  161 (2022), 141
                                  Central, CP, trawl   (2023).
                                                      616 (2022), 539
                                                       (2023).
Shortraker rockfish \2\.........  all...............  705.
Rougheye/blackspotted rockfish    all...............  788 (2022).
 \2\.                                                 781 (2023).
Thornyhead rockfish \2\.........  all...............  1,953.
Other rockfish..................  all...............  1,610.
Atka mackerel...................  all...............  3,000.
Big skate.......................  all...............  2,867.
Longnose skate..................  all...............  2,712.
Other skates....................  all...............  984.
Sharks..........................  all...............  3,755.
Octopuses.......................  all...............  980.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Pollock is closed to directed fishing in the GOA by the offshore
  component under Sec.   679.20(a)(6)(i).
\2\ Closures are not applicable to participants in cooperatives
  conducted under the Central GOA Rockfish Program because cooperatives
  are prohibited from exceeding their allocations (Sec.
  679.7(n)(6)(viii)).

    Consequently, in accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the 
Regional Administrator establishes the DFA for the species or species 
groups listed in Table 29 as zero mt. Therefore, in accordance with 
Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for those 
species, areas, gear types, and components in the GOA listed in Table 
29 effective at 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 2, 2022, through 2400 hours, 
A.l.t., December 31, 2023.
    Closures implemented under the 2021 and 2022 GOA harvest 
specifications for groundfish (86 FR 10184, February 19, 2021) remain 
effective under authority of these final 2022 and 2023 harvest 
specifications and until the date specified in those closure notices. 
Closures are posted at the following website under the Alaska filter 
for Management Areas: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/rules-and-announcements/bulletins.
    While these closures are in effect, the maximum retainable amounts 
at Sec.  679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a fishing trip. 
These closures to directed fishing are in addition to closures and 
prohibitions found at 50 CFR part 679. NMFS may implement other 
closures during the 2022 and 2023 fishing years as necessary for 
effective conservation and management.

Comments and Responses

    NMFS did not receive any comments during the public comment period 
for the proposed groundfish harvest specifications.

Classification

    NMFS has determined that the final harvest specifications are 
consistent with the FMP and with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act and other applicable laws.
    This final rule is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
    NMFS prepared an EIS for the Alaska groundfish harvest 
specifications and alternative harvest strategies (see ADDRESSES) and 
made it available to the public on January 12, 2007 (72 FR 1512). On 
February 13, 2007, NMFS issued the ROD for the EIS. In January 2022, 
NMFS prepared a SIR for this action to provide a subsequent assessment 
of the action and to address the need to prepare a Supplemental EIS 
(SEIS; 40 CFR 1501.11(b); Sec.  1502.9(d)(1)). Copies of the EIS, ROD, 
and annual SIRs for this action are available from NMFS (see 
ADDRESSES). The Final EIS analyzes the environmental, social, and 
economic consequences of the groundfish harvest specifications and 
alternative harvest strategies on resources in the action area. Based 
on the analysis in the Final EIS, NMFS concluded that the preferred 
Alternative (Alternative 2) provides the best balance among relevant 
environmental, social, and economic considerations and allows for 
continued management of the groundfish fisheries based on the most 
recent, best scientific information. The preferred alternative is a 
harvest strategy in which TACs are set at a level within the range of 
ABCs recommended by the Council's SSC; the sum of the TACs must achieve 
the OY specified in the FMP. While the specific numbers that the 
harvest strategy produces may vary from year to year, the methodology 
used for the preferred harvest strategy remains constant.
    The annual SIR evaluates the need to prepare a SEIS for the 2022 
and 2023 groundfish harvest specifications. An SEIS should be prepared 
if (1) the agency makes substantial changes in the proposed action that 
are relevant to environmental concerns, or (2) significant new 
circumstances or information exist relevant to environmental concerns 
and bearing on the proposed action or its impacts (40 CFR 
1502.9(d)(1)). After reviewing the information contained in the SIR and 
SAFE report, the Regional Administrator has determined that (1) 
approval of the 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications, which were set 
according to the preferred harvest strategy in the EIS, does not 
constitute a substantial change in the action; and (2) there are no 
significant new circumstances or information relevant to environmental 
concerns and bearing on the action or its impacts. Additionally, the 
2022 and 2023 harvest specifications will result in environmental, 
social, and economic impacts within the scope of those analyzed and 
disclosed in the EIS. Therefore, an SEIS is not necessary to implement 
the 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications.
    Section 604 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 604) 
requires that, when an agency promulgates a final rule under 5 U.S.C. 
553, after being required by that section, or any other law, to publish 
a general notice of proposed rulemaking, the agency shall prepare a 
final regulatory flexibility analysis (FRFA). The

[[Page 11624]]

following constitutes the FRFA prepared in the final action.
    Section 604 of the RFA describes the required contents of a FRFA: 
(1) A statement of the need for, and objectives of, the rule; (2) a 
statement of the significant issues raised by the public comments in 
response to the initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA), a 
statement of the assessment of the agency of such issues, and a 
statement of any changes made in the proposed rule as a result of such 
comments; (3) the response of the agency to any comments filed by the 
Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration in 
response to the proposed rule, and a detailed statement of any change 
made to the proposed rule in the final rule as a result of the 
comments; (4) a description of and an estimate of the number of small 
entities to which the rule will apply or an explanation of why no such 
estimate is available; (5) a description of the projected reporting, 
recordkeeping, and other compliance requirements of the rule, including 
an estimate of the classes of small entities which will be subject to 
the requirement and the type of professional skills necessary for 
preparation of the report or record; and (6) a description of the steps 
the agency has taken to minimize the significant economic impact on 
small entities consistent with the stated objectives of applicable 
statutes, including a statement of the factual, policy, and legal 
reasons for selecting the alternative adopted in the final rule and why 
each one of the other significant alternatives to the rule considered 
by the agency that affect the impact on small entities was rejected.
    A description of this action, its purpose, and its legal basis are 
contained at the beginning of the preamble to this final rule and are 
not repeated here.
    NMFS published the proposed rule on December 6, 2021 (86 FR 68982). 
NMFS prepared an IRFA to accompany the proposed action, and included 
the IRFA in the proposed rule. The comment period closed on January 5, 
2022. No comments were received on the IRFA or on the economic impacts 
of the rule more generally. The Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small 
Business Administration did not file any comments on the proposed rule.
    The entities directly regulated by this action are: (1) Entities 
operating vessels with groundfish Federal fishing permits (FFPs) 
catching FMP groundfish in Federal waters; (2) all entities operating 
vessels, regardless of whether they hold groundfish FFPs, catching FMP 
groundfish in the State-waters parallel fisheries; and (3) all entities 
operating vessels fishing for halibut inside 3 miles (5.6 km) of the 
shore (whether or not they have FFPs).
    For RFA purposes only, NMFS has established a small business size 
standard for businesses, including their affiliates, whose primary 
industry is commercial fishing (see 50 CFR 200.2). A business primarily 
engaged in commercial fishing (NAICS code 11411) is classified as a 
small business if it is independently owned and operated, is not 
dominant in its field of operation (including its affiliates), and has 
combined annual gross receipts not in excess of $11 million for all its 
affiliated operations worldwide.
    Using the most recent data available (2020), the estimated number 
of directly regulated small entities includes approximately 699 
individual catcher vessel and CP entities with gross revenues meeting 
small entity criteria. This estimate does not account for corporate 
affiliations among vessels, and for cooperative affiliations among 
fishing entities, since some of the fishing vessels operating in the 
GOA are members of AFA inshore pollock cooperatives, GOA rockfish 
cooperatives, or BSAI CR Program cooperatives. Vessels that participate 
in these cooperatives are considered to be large entities within the 
meaning of the RFA because the aggregate gross receipts of all 
participating members exceed the $11 million threshold. After 
accounting for membership in these cooperatives, there are an estimated 
696 small CV entities and 3 small CP entities remaining in the GOA 
groundfish sector. However, the estimate of these 696 CVs may be an 
overstatement of the number of small entities. This latter group of 
vessels had average gross revenues that varied by gear type. Average 
gross revenues for hook-and-line CVs, pot gear CVs, and trawl gear CVs, 
are estimated to be $340,000, $650,000, and $1.71 million, 
respectively. Average gross revenues for CP entities are confidential.
    This final rule contains no information collection requirements 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
    This action implements the final 2022 and 2023 harvest 
specifications, apportionments, and halibut PSC limits for the 
groundfish fishery of the GOA. This action is necessary to establish 
harvest limits for groundfish during the 2022 and 2023 fishing years 
and is taken in accordance with the FMP prepared by the Council 
pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The establishment of the final 
harvest specifications is governed by the Council's harvest strategy 
for the catch of groundfish in the GOA. The harvest strategy was 
selected previously from among five alternatives, with the preferred 
alternative harvest strategy being one in which the TACs fall within 
the range of ABCs recommended by the SSC. Under this preferred 
alternative harvest strategy, TACs are set within the range of ABCs 
recommended by the SSC; the sum of the TACs must achieve the OY 
specified in the FMP; and while the specific TAC numbers that the 
harvest strategy produces may vary from year to year, the methodology 
used for the preferred harvest strategy remains constant. This final 
action implements the preferred alternative harvest strategy previously 
chosen by the Council to set TACs that fall within the range of ABCs 
recommended through the Council harvest specifications process and as 
recommended by the Council. This is the method for determining TACs 
that has been used in the past.
    The final 2022 and 2023 TACs associated with preferred harvest 
strategy are those recommended by the Council in December 2021. OFLs 
and ABCs for the species were based on recommendations prepared by the 
Council's Plan Team, and reviewed by the Council's SSC. The Council 
based its TAC recommendations on those of its AP, which were consistent 
with the SSC's OFL and ABC recommendations. The sum of all TACs remains 
within the OY for the GOA consistent with Sec.  679.20(a)(1)(i)(B).
    The final 2022 and 2023 OFLs and ABCs are based on the best 
available biological information, including projected biomass trends, 
information on assumed distribution of stock biomass, and revised 
technical methods to calculate stock biomass. The final 2022 and 2023 
TACs are based on the best available biological and socioeconomic 
information. The final 2022 and 2023 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs are 
consistent with the biological condition of groundfish stocks as 
described in the 2021 SAFE report, which is the most recent, completed 
SAFE report. Accounting for the most recent biological information to 
set the final OFLs, ABCs, and TACs is consistent with the objectives 
for this action, as well as National Standard 2 of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1851(a)(2)) that actions shall be based on the best 
scientific information available.
    Under this action, the final ABCs reflect harvest amounts that are 
less than the specified overfishing levels. The final TACs are within 
the range of final ABCs recommended by the SSC and do not exceed the 
biological limits

[[Page 11625]]

recommended by the SSC (the ABCs and overfishing levels). For most 
species and species groups in the GOA, the Council recommended, and 
NMFS sets, final TACs equal to final ABCs, which is intended to 
maximize harvest opportunities in the GOA, unless other conservation or 
management reasons support setting TAC amounts less than the ABCs.
    For the following species and species groups, the Council 
recommended and NMFS sets TACs that are less than the ABCs: For pollock 
for the combined Western and Central GOA and West Yakutat District 
area; Pacific cod; shallow-water flatfish in the Western GOA; 
arrowtooth flounder in the Western GOA and the SEO District; flathead 
sole in the Western and Central GOA, Atka mackerel; and ``other 
rockfish'' in the SEO District. These specific reductions were reviewed 
and recommended by the Council's AP, and the Council in turn adopted 
the AP's recommendations for the final 2022 and 2023 TACs.
    Moreover, increasing TACs for some species may not result in 
increased harvest opportunities for those species. This is due to a 
variety of reasons. There may be a lack of commercial or market 
interest in some species. Additionally, there are fixed, and therefore 
constraining, PSC limits associated with the harvest of the GOA 
groundfish species that can lead to an underharvest of flatfish TACs. 
For this reason, the shallow-water flatfish, arrowtooth flounder, and 
flathead sole TACs are set to allow for increased harvest opportunities 
for these target species while conserving the halibut PSC limit for use 
in other fisheries. The Atka mackerel TAC is set to accommodate 
incidental catch amounts in other fisheries. The ``other rockfish'' TAC 
in the SEO District is set to reduce the amount of discards of the 
species in that complex. Finally, the TACs for two species (pollock and 
Pacific cod) cannot be set equal to ABC, as the TAC must be reduced to 
account for the State's GHLs in these fisheries. The W/C/WYK Regulatory 
Area pollock TAC and the GOA Pacific cod TACs are therefore set to 
account for the State's GHLs for the State water pollock and Pacific 
cod fisheries so that the ABCs are not exceeded.
    Based upon the best available scientific data, and in consideration 
of the Council's objectives of this action, there are no significant 
alternatives to the final rule that have the potential to accomplish 
the stated objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and any other 
applicable statutes and that have the potential to minimize any 
significant adverse economic impact of the final rule on small 
entities. This action is economically beneficial to entities operating 
in the GOA, including small entities. The action specifies TACs for 
commercially-valuable species in the GOA and allows for the continued 
prosecution of the fishery, thereby creating the opportunity for 
fishery revenue. After public process, during which the Council 
solicited input from stakeholders, the Council concluded that these 
final harvest specifications would best accomplish the stated 
objectives articulated in the preamble for this final rule and in 
applicable statutes and would minimize to the extent practicable 
adverse economic impacts on the universe of directly regulated small 
entities.
    Adverse impacts on marine mammals, or endangered or threatened 
species, resulting from fishing activities conducted under this rule 
are discussed in the Final EIS and its accompanying annual SIRs (see 
ADDRESSES).
    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Assistant Administrator for 
Fisheries, NOAA, finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the date 
of effectiveness for this rule because delaying this rule is contrary 
to the public interest. The Plan Team review of the 2021 SAFE report 
occurred in November 2021, and, based on the 2021 SAFE report, the 
Council considered and recommended the final harvest specifications in 
December 2021. Accordingly, NMFS's review of the final 2022 and 2023 
harvest specifications could not begin until after the December 2021 
Council meeting, and after the public had time to comment on the 
proposed action. Thus, some affected fisheries could close soon, as 
they are already close to reaching their TACs, and such closures would 
cause unnecessary economic harm to the fisheries in the cases where 
this final rule increases some of the groundfish TACs.
    For all fisheries not currently closed because the TACs established 
under the final 2021 and 2022 harvest specifications (86 FR 10184, 
February 19, 2021) have not yet been reached, it is possible that they 
would be closed prior to the expiration of a 30-day delayed 
effectiveness period, because those fisheries have nearly reached those 
previously set TACs. If implemented immediately, this final rule would 
allow these fisheries to continue fishing, because some of the new TACs 
implemented by this rule are higher than the TACs under which they are 
currently fishing.
    In addition, immediate effectiveness of this action is required to 
provide consistent management and conservation of fishery resources 
based on the best available scientific information. This is 
particularly pertinent for those species that have lower 2022 ABCs and 
TACs than those established in the 2021 and 2022 harvest specifications 
(86 FR 10184, February 19, 2021), including target species such as 
sablefish. If implemented immediately, this rule would ensure that NMFS 
can properly manage those fisheries for which this rule sets lower 2022 
ABCs and TACs, which are based on the most recent biological 
information on the condition of stocks. The changes between the 
proposed 2022 ABCs and TACs are discussed earlier in the section titled 
``Changes from the Proposed 2022 and 2023 Harvest Specifications in the 
GOA.''
    Certain fisheries, such as those for pollock, are intensive, fast-
paced fisheries. Other fisheries, such as those for sablefish, 
flatfish, rockfish, Atka mackerel, skates, sharks, and octopuses, are 
critical either as directed fisheries or as incidental catch in other 
fisheries. Thus, for those species that have higher 2022 TACs under the 
final 2021 and 2022 harvest specifications (86 FR 10184, February 19, 
2021) than the TACs established by this final rule, there is some risk 
of exceeding some of these TAC limits. U.S. fishing vessels have 
demonstrated the capacity to catch the TAC allocations in many of these 
fisheries. If the date of effectiveness of this rule were to be delayed 
30 days and a TAC was reached during those 30 days, NMFS would be 
required to close directed fishing or prohibit retention for the 
applicable species. Such closures and unnecessary discards would cause 
confusion to the industry and potential economic harm to fishermen, 
undermining the intent of this rule. Waiving the 30-day delay in the 
date of effectiveness allows NMFS to prevent this potential economic 
harm that could occur should the previously set 2022 TACs (as set under 
the 2021 and 2022 harvest specifications) be reached during such a 
delay. In addition, determining which fisheries may close in advance is 
nearly impossible because these fisheries are affected by several 
factors, including fishing effort, weather, movement of fishery stocks 
and market price, which cannot be predicted. Furthermore, the closure 
of one fishery has a cascading effect on other fisheries; the closure 
would free up fishing vessels, allowing them to move from closed 
fisheries to open fisheries, thereby increasing the fishing capacity in 
those open fisheries, and

[[Page 11626]]

potentially causing them to close sooner.
    In fisheries subject to declining sideboard limits, a failure to 
implement the updated sideboard limits before the initial season's end 
could deny the intended economic protection to the non-sideboarded 
sectors. Conversely, in fisheries with increasing sideboard limits, 
economic benefit could be denied to the sideboard-limited sectors.
    If the final harvest specifications are not effective by March 6, 
2022, which is the start of the 2022 Pacific halibut season as 
specified by the IPHC, the fixed gear sablefish fishery will not begin 
concurrently with the Pacific halibut IFQ season. This would result in 
confusion for the industry and economic harm from unnecessary discard 
of sablefish that are caught along with Pacific halibut, as both fixed 
gear sablefish and Pacific halibut are managed under the same IFQ 
program. Immediate effectiveness of these final 2022 and 2023 harvest 
specifications will allow the sablefish IFQ fishery to begin 
concurrently with the Pacific halibut IFQ season.
    Finally, immediate effectiveness also provides the fishing industry 
the earliest possible opportunity to plan and conduct its fishing 
operations with respect to new information about TACs. Therefore, in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), NMFS finds good cause to waive the 
30-day delay in the date of effectiveness.

Small Entity Compliance Guide

    This final rule is a plain language guide to assist small entities 
in complying with this final rule as required by the Small Business 
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. This final rule's primary 
purpose is to announce the final 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications 
and prohibited species bycatch allowances for the groundfish fisheries 
of the GOA. This action is necessary to establish harvest limits and 
associated management measures for groundfish during the 2022 and 2023 
fishing years, and to accomplish the goals and objectives of the FMP. 
This action affects all fishermen who participate in the GOA fisheries. 
The specific OFL, ABC, TAC, and PSC amounts are provided in tables in 
this rule to assist the reader. These tables also are individually 
available online at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/sustainable-fisheries/alaska-groundfish-harvest-specifications. NMFS will announce 
closures of directed fishing in the Federal Register and information 
bulletins released by the Alaska Region. Affected fishermen should keep 
themselves informed of such closures.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1540 (f), 1801 et 
seq.; 16 U.S.C. 3631 et seq.; Pub. L. 105-277; Pub. L. 106-31; Pub. 
L. 106-554; Pub. L. 108-199; Pub. L. 108-447; Pub. L. 109-241; Pub. 
L 109-479.

    Dated: February 17, 2022.
Samuel D. Rauch, III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-03844 Filed 3-1-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P