[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 235 (Monday, December 8, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 72593-72620]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-28627]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 140918791-4989-01]
RIN 0648-XD516


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of 
Alaska; Proposed 2015 and 2016 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish

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

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ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS proposes 2015 and 2016 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 2015 
and 2016 fishing years and to accomplish the goals and objectives of 
the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska. This 
action will conserve and manage the groundfish resources in the GOA in 
accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 7, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by 
Docket Number NOAA-NMFS-2014-0118, by any one of the following methods:
    <bullet> Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to 
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2014-0118, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
    <bullet> Mail: Submit written comments to Glenn Merrill, Assistant 
Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region 
NMFS, Attn: Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, 
AK 99802-1668.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address), confidential business information, 
or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender 
will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter 
``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). 
Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word, 
Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only.
    Electronic copies of the Alaska Groundfish Harvest Specifications 
Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS), Record of Decision 
(ROD) for the EIS, Supplementary Information Report (SIR) to the EIS, 
and the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) prepared for 
this action may be obtained from http://www.regulations.gov or from the 
Alaska Region Web site at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. The final 
2013 Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) report for the 
groundfish resources of the GOA, dated November 2013, is available from 
the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) at 605 West 4th 
Avenue, Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 99501, phone 907-271-2809, or from the 
Council's Web site at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/npfmc. The draft 
2014 SAFE report for the GOA will be available from the same source.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the GOA groundfish fisheries in 
the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the GOA under the Fishery 
Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP). The Council 
prepared the FMP under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (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 NMFS, after 
consultation with the Council, to 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). 
Section 679.20(c)(1) further requires NMFS to publish and solicit 
public comment on proposed annual TACs, Pacific halibut prohibited 
species catch (PSC) limits, and seasonal allowances of pollock and 
Pacific cod. The proposed harvest specifications in Tables 1 through 25 
of this document satisfy these requirements. For 2015 and 2016, the sum 
of the proposed TAC amounts is 511,599 mt.
    Under Sec.  679.20(c)(3), NMFS will publish the final 2015 and 2016 
harvest specifications after (1) considering comments received within 
the comment period (see DATES), (2) consulting with the Council at its 
December 2014 meeting, (3) considering information presented in the 
2014 SIR that assesses the need to prepare a Supplemental EIS (see 
ADDRESSES) and, (4) the final 2014 SAFE report prepared for the 2015 
and 2016 groundfish fisheries.

Other Actions Potentially Affecting the 2015 and 2016 Harvest 
Specifications

Amendment 97: Chinook Salmon Prohibited Species Catch Limits in the 
Non-Pollock Trawl Groundfish Fisheries

    In June 2013, the Council took final action to implement measures 
to control Chinook salmon PSC in all non-pollock trawl groundfish 
fisheries in the Western and Central GOA. This proposed action, 
Amendment 97 to the FMP, would set an initial annual PSC limit of 7,500 
Chinook salmon apportioned among the sectors of trawl catcher/
processors, trawl catcher vessels participating in the Central GOA 
Rockfish Program, and trawl catcher vessels not participating in the 
Central GOA Rockfish Program fishing for groundfish species other than 
pollock. The pollock directed fishery is not included in the Council's 
recommended action, as that fishery is already subject to Chinook 
salmon PSC limits (Sec.  679.21(h)). If a sector reached its Chinook 
salmon PSC limit, NMFS would prohibit further fishing for non-pollock 
groundfish by vessels in that sector. NMFS published a notice of 
availability for Amendment 97 on June 5, 2014 (79 FR 32525). The public 
comment period for the notice of availability on Amendment 97 ended on 
August 4, 2014. On September 3, 2014, the Secretary approved Amendment 
97. The proposed rule that would implement Amendment 97 published on 
June 25, 2014 (79 FR 35971), with public comments accepted through July 
25, 2014. The proposed rule contains a description of the affected 
management areas and groundfish fisheries, the non-pollock trawl 
groundfish fisheries and associated sectors, the history and goals of 
Amendment 97, and the provisions of the proposed action. Those 
provisions include proposed Chinook salmon PSC limits by sector, 
seasonal allocations, and other aspects associated with the 
implementation of Chinook salmon PSC limits for the non-pollock trawl 
groundfish fisheries in the Western and Central GOA. One provision that 
could affect the 2016 Chinook salmon PSC limits is the ``incentive 
buffer.'' This mechanism provides for an increased annual Chinook 
salmon PSC limit if sectors catch less than their limit of Chinook 
salmon in the previous year. If NMFS publishes a final rule by December 
1, 2014, these Chinook salmon PSC limits could be in effect January 1, 
2015.

Proposed Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) and TAC Specifications

    In October 2014, the Council, its Scientific and Statistical 
Committee (SSC), and its Advisory Panel (AP) reviewed the most recent 
biological and harvest information about the condition of groundfish 
stocks in the GOA. This information was compiled by the GOA Groundfish 
Plan Team (Plan Team) and presented in the final 2013 SAFE report for 
the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated November 2013 (see ADDRESSES). The

[[Page 72595]]

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 estimates and the SSC sets an 
overfishing level (OFL) and ABC for each species or species group. The 
amounts proposed for the 2015 and 2016 OFLs and ABCs are based on the 
2013 SAFE report. The AP and Council recommended that the proposed 2015 
and 2016 TACs be set equal to proposed ABCs for all species and species 
groups, with the exception of the species categories further discussed 
below. The proposed ABCs and TACs could be changed in the final harvest 
specifications depending on the most recent scientific information 
contained in the final 2014 SAFE report. The draft stock assessments 
that will comprise, in part, the 2014 SAFE report are available at 
http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/REFM/stocks/plan_team/draft_assessments.htm.
    In November 2014, the Plan Team will update the 2013 SAFE report to 
include new information collected during 2014, such as NMFS stock 
surveys, revised stock assessments, and catch data. The Plan Team 
compiles this information and will produce the draft 2014 SAFE report 
for presentation at the December 2014 Council meeting. At that meeting, 
the Council will consider information in the draft 2014 SAFE report, 
recommendations from the November 2014 Plan Team meeting and December 
2014 SSC and AP meetings, public testimony, and relevant written public 
comments in making its recommendations for the final 2015 and 2016 
harvest specifications. Pursuant to Section 3.2.3.4.1 of the FMP, the 
Council could recommend adjusting the TACs if ``warranted on the basis 
of bycatch considerations, management uncertainty, or socioeconomic 
considerations, or if required in order to cause the sum of the TACs to 
fall within the OY range.''
    In previous years, the OFLs and ABCs that have had the most 
significant changes (relative to the amount of assessed tonnage of 
fish) from the proposed to the final harvest specifications have been 
for OFLs and ABCs that are based on the most recent NMFS stock surveys. 
These surveys provide updated estimates of stock biomass and spatial 
distribution, and changes to the models used for producing stock 
assessments. NMFS scientists presented updated and new survey results, 
changes to assessment models, and accompanying stock estimates at the 
September 2014 Plan Team meeting, and the SSC reviewed this information 
at the October 2014 Council meeting. The species with possible model 
changes are demersal shelf rockfish, Pacific cod, Pacific ocean perch, 
and rock sole. In November 2014, the Plan Team will consider updated 
stock assessments for groundfish, which will then be included in the 
draft 2014 SAFE report.
    If the draft 2014 SAFE report indicates that the stock biomass 
trend is increasing for a species, then the final 2015 and 2016 harvest 
specifications for that species may reflect an increase from the 
proposed harvest specifications. Conversely, if the draft 2014 SAFE 
report indicates that the stock biomass trend is decreasing for a 
species, then the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications may 
reflect a decrease from the proposed harvest specifications.
    The proposed 2015 and 2016 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs are based on the 
best available biological and socioeconomic information, including 
projected biomass trends, information on assumed distribution of stock 
biomass, and revised methods used to calculate stock biomass. 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 the 
fisheries scientists. This information is categorized into a successive 
series of six tiers to define OFL and ABC amounts, with Tier one 
representing the highest level of information quality available and 
Tier six representing the lowest level of information quality 
available. The Plan Team used the FMP tier structure to calculate OFLs 
and ABCs for each groundfish species. The SSC adopted the proposed 2015 
and 2016 OFLs and ABCs recommended by the Plan Team for all groundfish 
species. The Council adopted the SSC's OFL and ABC recommendations and 
the AP's TAC recommendations. These amounts are unchanged from the 
final 2015 harvest specifications published in the Federal Register on 
March 6, 2014 (79 FR 12890).
    The Council also adopted the SSC's recommendation to revise the 
terminology used when apportioning pollock in the Western, Central, and 
West Yakutat Regulatory Areas. The SSC recommended describing 
apportionments of pollock to the Western, Central, and West Yakutat 
Regulatory Areas as ``apportionments of annual catch limit (ACLs)'' 
rather than ``ABCs''. The SSC annually recommends a combined pollock 
ABC for the Western, Central, and West Yakutat Regulatory Areas based 
on factors such as scientific uncertainty in the estimate of the area-
wide OFL, data uncertainty, and recruitment variability. Section 
3.2.3.3.2 of Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of 
Alaska specifies that the ACL is equal to the ABC. Historically, the 
SSC has recommended apportioning the combined Western, Central, and 
West Yakutat ABC between these three individual Regulatory Areas. 
However, the subarea ABCs have not been based on scientific uncertainty 
in the OFL, data uncertainty, or other conservation or biological 
concerns, but rather on seasonal and spatial apportionment procedures 
established under the Steller sea lion protection measures for pollock 
TAC in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas. The SSC noted that 
describing subarea apportionments as ``apportionments of the ACL'' 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 
from one area to another pursuant to regulations at Sec.  
679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B) to ensure that the area-wide ACL and ABC are not 
exceeded. The SSC noted that this terminology change is acceptable for 
pollock in the Western, Central, and West Yakutat Regulatory Areas 
only. There is one aggregate pollock OFL in these areas, and Steller 
sea lion protection measures provide a spatial and seasonal 
apportionment procedure for the pollock TAC in the Western and Central 
Regulatory Areas. This change is not applicable for pollock in the 
Southeast Outside GOA Regulatory Area, which is managed as a separate 
stock.

Specification and Apportionment of TAC Amounts

    The Council recommended proposed 2015 and 2016 TACs that are equal 
to proposed ABCs for all species and species groups, with the 
exceptions of Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish in the Western GOA, 
arrowtooth flounder, flathead sole in the Western and Central GOA, 
``other rockfish'' in Southeast Outside, and Atka mackerel. The 
shallow-water flatfish, arrowtooth flounder, and flathead sole TACs are 
set to allow for harvest opportunities while conserving the halibut PSC 
limit for use in other fisheries. The ``other rockfish'' TAC is set to 
reduce the potential amount of discards in the Southeast Outside (SEO) 
District. The Atka mackerel TAC is set to accommodate

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incidental catch amounts of this species in other directed fisheries.
    The 2015 and 2016 Pacific cod TACs are set to accommodate the 
State's guideline harvest levels (GHLs) for Pacific cod in State waters 
in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, as well as in Prince 
William Sound (PWS). The Plan Team, SSC, AP, and Council recommended 
that the sum of all State and Federal water Pacific cod removals from 
the GOA not exceed ABC recommendations. Accordingly, the Council 
reduced the proposed 2015 and 2016 Pacific cod TACs in the Eastern, 
Central, and Western Regulatory Areas to account for State GHLs. 
Therefore, the proposed 2015 and 2016 Pacific cod TACs are less than 
the proposed ABCs by the following amounts: (1) Eastern GOA, 631 mt; 
(2) Central GOA, 12,615 mt; and (3) Western GOA, 9,335 mt. These 
amounts reflect the sum of the State's 2015 and 2016 GHLs in these 
areas, which are 25 percent of the Eastern and Central and 30 percent 
of the Western GOA proposed ABCs.
    The ABC for the pollock stock in the combined Western, Central, and 
West Yakutat Regulatory Areas (W/C/WYK) has been adjusted to reflect 
the GHL established by the State for the PWS pollock fishery since its 
inception in 1995. Based on genetic studies, fisheries scientists 
believe that the pollock in PWS is not a separate stock from the 
combined W/C/WYK population. Thus, the Plan Team calculates the initial 
ABC for the entire stock at the level that accounts for the scientific 
uncertainty in the estimate of the stock's OFL. Since 1996, the Plan 
Team has further reduced the ABC from the level that accounts for 
scientific uncertainty in the estimate of the OFL to account for the 
annual State waters GHL catch in PWS. Thus, the initial, total ABC is 
reduced by the annual GHL amount prior to apportioning the remaining 
ABC by management area and season. Accordingly, the Council recommended 
adopting a W/C/WYK pollock ABC that has been reduced to account for the 
State's PWS GHL. For 2015 and 2016, the proposed PWS pollock GHL is 
4,646 mt, as recommended by State fisheries managers. The proposed 2015 
and 2016 ABC is 181,184 mt, and the proposed TAC is 181,184 mt.
    NMFS proposed apportionment for groundfish species are based on the 
distribution of biomass among the regulatory areas under which NMFS 
manages the species. Additional regulations govern the apportionment of 
Pacific cod, pollock, and sablefish. Additional detail on these 
apportionments are described below, and briefly summarized here.
    NMFS proposes pollock TACs in the Western, Central, West Yakutat 
Regulatory Areas, and the Southeast Outside District of the GOA (see 
Table 1). NMFS also proposes seasonal apportionment of the annual 
pollock TAC in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA 
among Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, and divided equally among 
each of the following four seasons: The A season (January 20 through 
March 10), the B season (March 10 through May 31), the C season (August 
25 through October 1), and the D season (October 1 through November 1) 
(Sec.  679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), and Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A) and 
(B)). Additional detail is provided below; Table 2 lists these amounts.
    NMFS proposes Pacific cod TACs in the Western, Central, and Eastern 
GOA (see Table 1). NMFS also proposes seasonal apportionment of the 
Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas. Sixty 
percent of the annual TAC is apportioned to the A season for hook-and-
line, pot, or jig gear from January 1 through June 10, and for trawl 
gear from January 20 through June 10. Forty percent of the annual TAC 
is apportioned to the B season for jig gear from June 10 through 
December 31, for hook-and-line or pot gear from September 1 through 
December 31, and for trawl gear from September 1 through November 1 
(Sec. Sec.  679.23(d)(3) and 679.20(a)(12)). The Western and Central 
GOA Pacific cod gear and sector apportionments are discussed in detail 
below; Table 3 lists these amounts.
    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 and makes available 5 percent 
of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area TACs to trawl gear for use as 
incidental catch in other directed groundfish fisheries in the WYK 
District (Sec.  679.20(a)(4)(i)). Additional detail is provided below; 
Tables 4 and 5 list these amounts.
    The sum of the proposed TACs for all GOA groundfish is 511,599 mt 
for 2015 and 2016, which is within the OY range specified by the FMP. 
The sums of the proposed 2015 and 2016 TACs are higher than the final 
2014 TACs currently specified for the GOA groundfish fisheries (79 FR 
12890, March 6, 2014). The proposed 2015 and 2016 TACs for pollock, 
Pacific ocean perch, and rougheye rockfish are higher than the final 
2014 TACs for these species. The proposed 2015 and 2016 TACs for 
Pacific cod, sablefish, shallow-water flatfish, deep-water flatfish, 
rex sole, flathead sole, northern rockfish, and dusky rockfish are 
lower than the final 2014 TACs for these species. The proposed 2015 and 
2016 TACs for the remaining species are equal to the final 2014 TACs.
    For 2015 and 2016, the Council recommends and NMFS proposes the 
OFLs, ABCs, and TACs listed in Table 1. The proposed ABCs reflect 
harvest amounts that are less than the specified overfishing levels. 
Table 1 lists the proposed 2015 and 2016 OFLs, ABCs, TACs, and area 
apportionments of groundfish in the GOA. These amounts are consistent 
with the biological condition of groundfish stocks as described in the 
2013 SAFE report, and adjusted for other biological and socioeconomic 
considerations, including maintaining the total TAC within the required 
OY range. These proposed amounts and apportionments by area, season, 
and sector are subject to change pending consideration of the draft 
2014 SAFE report and the Council's recommendations for the final 2015 
and 2016 harvest specifications during its December 2014 meeting.
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Proposed Apportionment of Reserves

    Section 679.20(b)(2) requires NMFS to set aside 20 percent of each 
TAC for pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, sculpins, sharks, squids, and 
octopuses in reserves for possible apportionment at a later date during 
the fishing year. In 2014, NMFS apportioned all of the reserves in the 
final harvest specifications. For 2015 and 2016, NMFS proposes 
reapportionment of all the reserves for pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, 
sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopuses in anticipation of the

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projected annual catch of these species. The TACs in Table 1 reflect 
the apportionment of reserve amounts for these species and species 
groups. Each proposed TAC for the above mentioned species categories 
contains the full TAC recommended by the Council, since none of the 
relevant species and species groups' TACs contributed to a reserve that 
could be used for future reapportionments.

Proposed 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. 
Pursuant to Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B), the annual pollock TAC specified 
for the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA is apportioned 
into four equal seasonal allowances of 25 percent. As established by 
Sec.  679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season 
allowances are available from January 20 through March 10, March 10 
through May 31, August 25 through October 1, and October 1 through 
November 1, respectively.
    Pollock TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA 
are apportioned among Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, pursuant to 
Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A). In the A and B seasons, the apportionments 
have historically been based on the proportional distribution of 
pollock biomass based on the four most recent NMFS winter surveys. In 
the C and D seasons, the apportionments are in proportion to the 
distribution of pollock biomass based on the four most recent NMFS 
summer surveys. However, for 2015 and 2016, the Council recommends, and 
NMFS proposes, averaging the winter and summer distribution of pollock 
in the Central Regulatory Area for the A season instead of using the 
distribution based on only the winter surveys. This combination of 
summer and winter distribution has been used for area apportionments 
since 2002. The average is intended to reflect the best available 
information about migration patterns, distribution of pollock, and the 
performance of the fishery in the area during the A season. For the A 
season, the apportionment is based on the proposed adjusted estimate of 
the relative distribution of pollock biomass of approximately 12 
percent, 66 percent, and 22 percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 
630, respectively. For the B season, the apportionment is based on the 
relative distribution of pollock biomass of approximately 12 percent, 
79 percent, and 9 percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, 
respectively. For the C and D seasons, the apportionment is based on 
the relative distribution of pollock biomass of approximately 34 
percent, 32 percent, and 35 percent in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 
630, respectively.
    Within any fishing year, the amount by which a seasonal allowance 
is underharvested or overharvested may be added to, or subtracted from, 
subsequent seasonal allowances 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 unharvested seasonal 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 (Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The proposed 2015 and 
2016 pollock TACs in the WYK District of 5,291 mt and SEO District of 
12,625 mt are not allocated by season.
    Section 679.20(a)(6)(i) requires the allocation of 100 percent of 
the pollock apportionments in all 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 under Sec.  679.20(e) and (f). At this time, these 
incidental catch amounts of pollock are unknown and will be determined 
as fishing activity occurs during the fishing year by the offshore 
component.
    Table 2 lists the proposed 2015 and 2016 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.

       Table 2--Proposed 2015 and 2016 Distribution of Pollock in the Central and Western Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska; Seasonal Biomass
                                      Distribution, Area Apportionments; and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC \1\
                                                     [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Season \2\                                   Shumagin
                                                                      (Area 610)
                                                                       Chirikof
                                                                      (Area 620)
                                                                        Kodiak                 Total
                                                                      (Area 630)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A (Jan 20-Mar 10)............................................        5,357     (16.06%)       28,932     (61.50%)        9,687     (22.45%)       43,973
B (Mar 10-May 31)............................................        5,356     (16.06%)       34,555     (67.25%)        4,059      (9.80%)       43,973
C (Aug 25-Oct 1).............................................       14,771     (36.47%)       13,892     (28.44%)       15,311     (32.10%)       43,973
D (Oct 1-Nov 1)..............................................       14,771     (36.47%)       13,892     (28.44%)       15,311     (32.10%)       43,973
                                                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Annual Total \3\.........................................       40,254  ...........       91,272  ...........       44,367  ...........      175,893
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Area apportionments and seasonal allowances may not total precisely due to rounding.
\2\ As established by Sec.   679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season allowances are available from January 20 through March 10, March 10
  through May 31, August 25 through October 1, and October 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.


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Proposed Annual and Seasonal Apportionments of Pacific Cod TAC

    Pursuant to Sec.  679.20(a)(12)(i), NMFS proposes allocations for 
the 2015 and 2016 Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central 
Regulatory Areas of the GOA among gear and operational sectors. 
Pursuant Sec.  679.20(a)(6)(ii) NMFS proposes the allocation of the 
Pacific cod TAC between the inshore and offshore components in the 
Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA. In the Central GOA, the Pacific cod 
TAC is apportioned seasonally first to 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 (C/Ps) using hook-
and-line gear, CVs using trawl gear, C/Ps using trawl gear, and vessels 
using pot gear. 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, C/Ps using hook-and-line gear, CVs using trawl 
gear, and vessels using pot gear. The overall seasonal apportionments 
in the Western and Central GOA are 60 percent of the annual TAC to the 
A season and 40 percent of the annual TAC to the B season.
    Under Sec.  679.20(a)(12)(ii), any overage or underage of the 
Pacific cod allowance from the A season will 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 
reapportioned to other sectors for harvest during the remainder of the 
fishery year.
    In accordance with the FMP, the annual jig sector allocations may 
increase up to 6 percent of the annual Western and Central GOA Pacific 
cod TACs depending on the annual performance of the jig sector. If such 
allocation increases are not harvested by the jig sector, then the 
annual jig sector allocations may subsequently be reduced (See Table 1 
of Amendment 83 to the FMP for a detailed discussion of the jig sector 
allocation process (76 FR 74670, December 1, 2011)). NMFS proposes that 
the jig sector receive 2.5 percent of the annual Pacific cod TAC in the 
Western GOA. This includes a base allocation of 1.5 percent and an 
additional 1.0 percent because this sector harvested greater than 90 
percent of its initial 2012 allocation in the Western GOA. NMFS also 
proposes that the jig sector would receive 2.0 percent of the annual 
Pacific cod TAC in the Central GOA. This includes a base allocation of 
1.0 percent and an additional 1.0 percent because this sector harvested 
greater than 90 percent of its initial 2012 allocation in the Central 
GOA. In 2013, neither the Western nor Central GOA jig sectors harvested 
90 percent of their respective 2013 Pacific cod allocations. However, 
allocation increases to the jig sector are established for a minimum of 
2 years. NMFS will re-evaluate the annual 2013 and 2014 harvest 
performance of each jig sector when the 2014 fishing year is complete 
to determine whether to change the jig sector allocations proposed by 
this action in conjunction with the final 2015 and 2016 harvest 
specifications. Based on the current catch (through October 2014) by 
the Western GOA jig sector, the 2015 Pacific cod allocation to this 
sector may increase by an additional 1 percent of the annual Western 
GOA Pacific cod TAC in 2015. Conversely, the current catch by the 
Central GOA jig sector indicates that this sector's 2015 Pacific cod 
allocation may decrease by 1 percent of the annual Central GOA Pacific 
cod TAC. The jig sector allocations are further apportioned between the 
A (60 percent) and B (40 percent) seasons.
    Table 3 lists the seasonal apportionments and allocations of the 
proposed 2015 and 2016 Pacific cod TACs.
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

[[Page 72602]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP08DE14.024

BILLING CODE 3510-22-C

Proposed Allocations of the Sablefish TACs Amounts to Vessels Using 
Hook-and-Line and Trawl Gear

    Sections 679.20(a)(4)(i) and (ii) require allocations of sablefish 
TACs for each of the regulatory areas and districts to hook-and-line 
and trawl gear. In the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, 80 percent 
of each TAC is allocated to hook-and-line 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 hook-and-line gear and 5 percent is 
allocated to trawl gear. The trawl gear allocation in the Eastern GOA 
may only be used to support incidental catch of sablefish in directed 
fisheries 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 proposes the allocation of 5 percent of the combined Eastern 
Regulatory Area sablefish TAC

[[Page 72603]]

to trawl gear in the WYK District, making the remainder of the WYK 
sablefish TAC available to vessels using hook-and-line gear. NMFS 
proposes to allocate 100 percent of the sablefish TAC in the SEO 
District to vessels using hook-and-line gear. This action results in a 
proposed 2015 allocation of 199 mt to trawl gear and 1,352 mt to hook-
and-line gear in the WYK District, and 2,435 mt to hook-and-line gear 
in the SEO District. Table 4 lists the allocations of the proposed 2015 
sablefish TACs to hook-and-line and trawl gear. Table 5 lists the 
allocations of the proposed 2016 sablefish TACs to trawl gear.
    The Council recommended that the hook-and-line sablefish TAC be 
established annually to ensure that the sablefish Individual Fishery 
Quota (IFQ) fishery is conducted concurrent with the halibut IFQ 
fishery and is based on recent survey information. The Council also 
recommended that only the trawl sablefish TAC be established for 2 
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. Since there is an annual assessment for sablefish and 
the final harvest specifications are expected to be published before 
the IFQ season begins (typically, in early March), the Council 
recommended that the sablefish TAC be set on an annual basis, rather 
than for 2 years, so that the best available scientific information 
could be considered in establishing the ABCs and TACs. With the 
exception of the trawl allocations that are provided to the Rockfish 
Program cooperatives (see Table 28c to part 679), directed fishing for 
sablefish with trawl gear is closed during the fishing year. Also, 
fishing for groundfish with trawl gear is prohibited prior to January 
20. Therefore, it is not likely that the sablefish allocation to trawl 
gear would be reached before the effective date of the final 2015 and 
2016 harvest specifications.

 Table 4--Proposed 2015 Sablefish Total Allowable Catch (TAC) in the Gulf of Alaska and Allocations to Hook-and-
                                               Line and Trawl Gear
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   Hook-and-line       Trawl
                          Area/district                                 TAC         allocation      allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western.........................................................           1,338           1,070             268
Central.........................................................           4,230           3,384             846
West Yakutat \1\................................................           1,551           1,352             199
Southeast Outside...............................................           2,435           2,435               0
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................................           9,554           8,241           1,313
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The proposed trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West
  Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts combined) sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.


 Table 5--Proposed 2016 Sablefish Total Allowable Catch (TAC) in the Gulf of Alaska and Allocation to Trawl Gear
                                                       \1\
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   Hook-and-line       Trawl
                          Area/district                                 TAC         allocation      allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western.........................................................           1,338             n/a             268
Central.........................................................           4,230             n/a             846
West Yakutat \2\................................................           1,551             n/a             199
Southeast Outside...............................................           2,435             n/a               0
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................................           9,554             n/a           1,313
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Council recommended that harvest specifications for the hook-and-line gear sablefish Individual Fishing
  Quota fisheries be limited to 1 year.
\2\ The proposed trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West
  Yakutat and Southeast Outside districts combined) sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the West Yakutat district.

Proposed Apportionments to the Rockfish Program

    These proposed 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for the GOA 
include the fishery cooperative allocations and sideboard limitations 
established by the Rockfish Program. Program participants are primarily 
trawl catcher vessels and trawl catcher/processors, with limited 
participation by vessels using longline gear. The Rockfish Program 
assigns quota share and cooperative quota to participants for primary 
and secondary species, 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 C/P 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.
    Under the Rockfish Program, rockfish primary species (Pacific ocean 
perch, northern rockfish, and dusky rockfish) in the Central GOA are 
allocated to participants after deducting for incidental catch needs in 
other directed groundfish fisheries. Participants in the Rockfish 
Program also receive a portion of the Central GOA TAC of specific 
secondary species (Pacific cod, rougheye rockfish, sablefish, 
shortraker rockfish, and thornyhead rockfish).
    Additionally, the Rockfish Program establishes sideboard limits to 
restrict the ability of harvesters operating under the Rockfish Program 
to increase their participation in other, non-Rockfish Program 
fisheries. Besides groundfish species, the Rockfish Program allocates a 
portion of the halibut PSC limit from the third season deep-water 
species fishery allowance for the GOA trawl fisheries to Rockfish 
Program participants. (Rockfish Program

[[Page 72604]]

sideboards and halibut PSC limits are discussed below.)
    Section 679.81(a)(2)(ii) requires allocations of 5 mt of Pacific 
ocean perch, 5 mt of northern rockfish, and 30 mt of dusky rockfish to 
the entry level longline fishery in 2015 and 2016. The allocation for 
the entry level longline fishery would 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 is the maximum percent of the TAC for that species. In 2014, the 
catch did not exceed 90 percent of any allocated rockfish species. 
Therefore, NMFS is not proposing an increase to the entry level 
longline fishery 2015 and 2016 allocations in the Central GOA. The 
remainder of the TACs for the rockfish primary species would be 
allocated to the CV and C/P cooperatives. Table 6 lists the allocations 
of the proposed 2015 and 2016 TACs for each rockfish primary species to 
the entry level longline fishery, the incremental increase for future 
years, and the maximum percent of the TAC for the entry level longline 
fishery.

 Table 6--Proposed 2015 and 2016 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species to the Entry Level Longline Fishery in
                                           the Central Gulf of Alaska
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Incremental increase per year    Up to maximum
    Rockfish primary species       Allocations of  the proposed   if catch  exceeds 90 percent   percent of each
                                        2015 and 2016 TAC            of the allocation of:           TAC of:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch.............  5 metric tons................  5 metric tons................                 1
Northern rockfish...............  5 metric tons................  5 metric tons................                 2
Dusky rockfish..................  30 metric tons...............  20 metric tons...............                 5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 679.81(a)(2)(iii) requires allocations of rockfish primary 
species among various components of the Rockfish Program. Table 7 lists 
the proposed 2015 and 2016 allocations of rockfish in the Central GOA 
to the entry level longline fishery and other participants in the 
Rockfish Program, which include CV and C/P cooperatives. NMFS also 
proposes setting aside incidental catch amounts (ICAs) for other 
directed fisheries in the Central GOA of 2,000 mt of Pacific ocean 
perch, 200 mt of northern rockfish, and 250 mt of dusky rockfish. These 
amounts are based on recent average incidental catches in the Central 
GOA by other groundfish fisheries.
    Allocations between vessels belonging to CV or C/P cooperatives are 
not included in these proposed harvest specifications. Rockfish Program 
applications for CV cooperatives and C/P cooperatives are not due to 
NMFS until March 1 of each calendar year; therefore, NMFS cannot 
calculate 2015 and 2016 allocations in conjunction with these proposed 
harvest specifications. NMFS will post these allocations on the Alaska 
Region Web site at (http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/goarat/default.htm) when they become available 
after March 1.

  Table 7--Proposed 2015 and 2016 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species in the Central Gulf of Alaska to the
                   Entry Level Longline Fishery and Other Participants in the Rockfish Program
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                        Allocation   Allocation
                                                              Incidental                  to the      to other
           Rockfish primary species                 TAC         catch      TAC minus   entry level  participants
                                                              allowance       ICA        longline    in Rockfish
                                                                (ICA)                  \1\ fishery   Program \2\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch...........................       13,158        2,000       11,158            5        11,153
Northern rockfish.............................        3,781          200        3,581            5         3,576
Dusky rockfish................................        3,318          250        3,068           30         3,038
                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.....................................       20,257        2,450       17,807           40        17,767
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Longline gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear.
\2\ Other participants in the Rockfish Program include vessels in CV and C/P cooperatives.

    Section 679.81(c) requires allocations of rockfish secondary 
species to CV and C/P cooperatives in the GOA. CV cooperatives receive 
allocations of Pacific cod, sablefish from the trawl gear allocation, 
and thornyhead rockfish. C/P cooperatives receive allocations of 
sablefish from the trawl allocation, rougheye rockfish, shortraker 
rockfish, and thornyhead rockfish. Table 8 lists the apportionments of 
the proposed 2015 and 2016 TACs of rockfish secondary species in the 
Central GOA to CV and C/P cooperatives.

[[Page 72605]]



  Table 8--Proposed 2015 and 2016 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA to Catcher Vessel and Catcher/Processor Cooperatives
                                                               [Values are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Catcher vessel  cooperatives       Catcher/processor  cooperatives
                                                                   Central GOA   -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Rockfish secondary species                       annual TAC       Percentage of     Apportionment     Percentage of     Apportionment
                                                                                         TAC              (mt)               TAC              (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod...................................................            37,845              3.81             1,442               N/A               N/A
Sablefish.....................................................             4,230              6.78               287              3.51               148
Shortraker rockfish...........................................               397               N/A               N/A             40.00               159
Rougheye rockfish.............................................               877               N/A               N/A             58.87               516
Thornyhead rockfish...........................................               875              7.84                69             26.50               232
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Proposed Halibut PSC Limits
    Section 679.21(d) establishes annual halibut PSC limit 
apportionments to trawl and hook-and-line gear, and authorizes the 
establishment of apportionments for pot gear. Amendment 95 to the FMP 
(79 FR 9625, February 20, 2014) implemented measures establishing GOA 
halibut PSC limits in Federal regulations and reducing the halibut PSC 
limits in the GOA trawl and hook-and-line groundfish fisheries. These 
reductions are incorporated into the halibut PSC limits that are 
proposed by this action. For most gear and operational types, the 
halibut PSC limit reductions are phased-in over 3 years, beginning in 
2014 and ending in 2016.
    In 2014, the trawl halibut PSC limit was reduced by 7 percent from 
the 2013 limit. Under Amendment 95 and regulations at Sec.  
679.21(d)(3)(i), the initial trawl halibut PSC limit is proposed to be 
reduced another 5 percent in 2015, and an additional 3 percent in 2016. 
This results in a total reduction of 15 percent in 2016 as compared to 
the 2013 halibut PSC limit. The reduced PSC limit will remain in effect 
each year thereafter. In addition, under Amendment 95 and regulations 
at Sec.  679.21(d)(2)(iv), the initial hook-and-line PSC for the other 
hook and-line catcher vessel sector was reduced 7 percent in 2014, and 
this action proposes another 5-percent reduction in 2015 and an 
additional 3-percent reduction in 2016. The PSC limit for the hook-and-
line catcher/processor sector was reduced by 7 percent in 2014 and 
thereafter.
    In October 2014, the Council recommended proposed halibut PSC 
limits that reflect the reductions implemented under Amendment 95 of 
1,759 mt for trawl gear, 261 mt for hook-and-line gear, and 9 mt for 
the demersal shelf rockfish (DSR) fishery in the SEO District for the 
2015 groundfish fisheries. The Council also recommended 1,706 mt for 
trawl gear, 256 mt for hook-and-line gear, and 9 mt for the DSR fishery 
for the 2016 groundfish fisheries.
    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. 
NMFS estimates low halibut bycatch in the DSR fishery because (1) the 
duration of the DSR fisheries and the gear soak times are short, (2) 
the DSR fishery occurs in the winter when less overlap occurs 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 (1) estimates of 
DSR incidental catch in all fisheries (including halibut and 
subsistence) and (2) the allocation to the DSR sport fish fishery. Of 
the 274 mt TAC for DSR in 2014, 224 mt were available for the DSR 
commercial directed fishery, of which 56 mt were harvested.
    The FMP authorizes the Council to exempt specific gear from the 
halibut PSC limits. NMFS, after consultation with the Council, proposes 
to exempt pot gear, jig gear, and the sablefish IFQ hook-and-line gear 
fishery categories from the non-trawl halibut PSC limit for 2015 and 
2016. The Council recommended, and NMFS is proposing, these exemptions 
because (1) 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 CV holds unused halibut IFQ 
(Sec.  679.7(f)(11)), (3) sablefish IFQ fishermen typically 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. NMFS estimates 
halibut mortality is negligible in 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 2014. The 
calculated halibut bycatch mortality through October 25, 2014, is 1,303 
mt for trawl gear and 142 mt for hook-and-line gear for a total halibut 
mortality of 1,445 mt. This halibut mortality was calculated using 
groundfish and halibut catch data from the NMFS Alaska Region's catch 
accounting system. This account system contains historical and recent 
catch information compiled from each Alaska groundfish fishery.
    Section 679.21(d)(4) authorizes 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. Based on public comment and 
the information presented in the final 2014 SAFE report, the Council 
may recommend or NMFS may make changes to the seasonal, gear-type, or 
fishery category apportionments of halibut PSC limits for the final 
2015 and 2016 harvest specifications.
    The final 2014 and 2015 harvest specifications (79 FR 12890, March 
6, 2014) summarized the Council's and NMFS' findings with respect to 
halibut PSC for each of these FMP considerations. The Council's and

[[Page 72606]]

NMFS' findings for 2015 are unchanged from 2014. Table 9 lists the 
proposed 2015 Pacific halibut PSC limits, allowances, and 
apportionments. Table 10 lists the proposed 2016 Pacific halibut PSC 
limits, allowances, and apportionments. The halibut PSC limits in these 
tables reflect the halibut PSC reductions implemented in accordance 
with Amendment 95 (79 FR 9625, February 20, 2014) and Sec.  
679.21(d)(3)(i). Sections 679.21(d)(4)(iii) and (iv) specify that any 
underages or overages of a seasonal apportionment of a PSC limit will 
be deducted from or added to the next respective seasonal apportionment 
within the fishing year.

                                    Table 9--Proposed 2015 Pacific Halibut 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......................       27.5        484  January 1-June 10..........         86        225  January 1-December 31.....          9
April 1-July 1..........................         20        352  June 10-September 1........          2          5
July 1-September 1......................         30        528  September 1-December 31....         12         31
September 1-October 1...................        7.5        132
October 1-December 31...................         15        263
                                         ----------------------                             ----------------------                            ----------
    Total...............................  .........      1,759  ...........................  .........        261  ..........................          9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific halibut PSC limit for hook-and-line gear is allocated to the demersal shelf rockfish (DSR) fishery and fisheries other than DSR. The
  hook-and-line IFQ sablefish fishery is exempt from halibut PSC limits, as are pot and jig gear for all groundfish fisheries.


                                   Table 10--Proposed 2016 Pacific Halibut 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......................        27.5        469  January 1-June 10.........         86        220  January 1-December 31.....          9
April 1-July 1..........................        20          341  June 10-September 1.......          2          5
July 1-September 1......................        30          512  September 1-December 31...         12         31
September 1-October 1...................         7.5        128
October 1-December 31...................        15          256
                                         -----------------------                            ----------------------                            ----------
    Total...............................  ..........      1,706  ..........................  .........        256  ..........................          9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific halibut PSC limit for hook-and-line gear is allocated to the demersal shelf rockfish (DSR) fishery and fisheries other than DSR. The
  hook-and-line IFQ sablefish fishery is exempt from halibut PSC limits, as are pot and jig gear for all groundfish fisheries.

    Section 679.21(d)(3)(ii) authorizes further apportionment of the 
trawl halibut PSC limit as bycatch allowances to trawl fishery 
categories. The annual apportionments are based on each category's 
proportional share of the anticipated halibut bycatch mortality during 
a 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, 
skates and ``other species'' (sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopuses) 
(Sec.  679.21(d)(3)(iii)).
    Tables 11 and 12 list, respectively, the proposed 2015 and 2016 
seasonal apportionments of trawl halibut PSC limits between the trawl 
gear deep-water and the shallow-water species fisheries. These limits 
proportionately incorporate the halibut PSC limit reductions 
implemented in accordance with Amendment 95 (79 FR 9625, February 20, 
2014) and Sec.  679.21(d)(3).

 Table 11--Proposed 2015 Seasonal Apportionments of the Pacific Halibut PSC Limit Apportioned Between the Trawl
                               Gear Shallow-Water and Deep-Water Species Fisheries
                                           [Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Season                                Shallow-water    Deep-water \1\     Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 20-April 1...............................................              396               88          484
April 1-July 1...................................................               88              264          352
July 1-September 1...............................................              176              352          528
September 1-October 1............................................              132            (\3\)          132
                                                                  ----------------------------------------------

[[Page 72607]]

 
    Subtotal, January 20-October 1...............................              792              704        1,496
                                                                  ----------------------------------------------
    October 1-December 31 \2\....................................  ...............  ...............          264
                                                                  ==============================================
        Total....................................................  ...............  ...............        1,760
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Vessels participating in cooperatives in the Rockfish Program will receive 191 mt of the third season (July
  1 through September 1) deep-water species fishery halibut PSC apportionment.
\2\ There is no apportionment between trawl shallow-water and deep-water species fisheries during the fifth
  season (October 1 through December 31).


 Table 12--Proposed 2016 Seasonal Apportionments of the Pacific Halibut PSC Limit Apportioned Between the Trawl
                               Gear Shallow-Water and Deep-Water Species Fisheries
                                           [Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Season                                Shallow-water    Deep-water \1\     Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 20-April 1...............................................              384               85          469
April 1-July 1...................................................               85              256          341
July 1-September 1...............................................              171              341          512
September 1-October 1............................................              128            (\3\)          128
                                                                  ----------------------------------------------
    Subtotal, January 20-October 1...............................              768              682        1,450
                                                                  ----------------------------------------------
    October 1-December 31 \2\....................................  ...............  ...............          256
                                                                  ==============================================
        Total....................................................  ...............  ...............        1,706
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Vessels participating in cooperatives in the Rockfish Program will receive 191 mt of the third season (July
  1 through September 1) deep-water species fishery halibut PSC apportionment.
\2\ There is no apportionment between trawl shallow-water and deep-water species fisheries during the fifth
  season (October 1 through December 31).
\3\ Any remainder.

    Section 679.21(d)(2) requires that the ``other hook-and-line 
fishery'' halibut PSC apportionment to vessels using hook-and-line gear 
must be divided between CVs and C/Ps. NMFS must calculate the halibut 
PSC limit apportionments for the entire GOA to hook-and-line CVs and C/
Ps 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 C/P sectors were 
included in the proposed rule to implement Amendment 83 (76 FR 44700, 
July 26, 2011) and is not repeated here.
    For 2015, NMFS proposes annual halibut PSC limit allocations of 146 
mt and 115 mt to the hook-and-line CV and hook-and-line C/P sectors, 
respectively. In addition, NMFS proposes 2016 annual halibut PSC limit 
allocations of 141 mt and 115 mt to the hook-and-line CV and hook-and-
line C/P sectors, respectively. The 2015 and 2016 annual halibut PSC 
limits are divided into three seasonal apportionments, using seasonal 
percentages of 86 percent, 2 percent, and 12 percent. Tables 13 and 14 
list the proposed 2015 and 2016 annual halibut PSC limits and seasonal 
apportionments between the hook-and-line sectors in the GOA.
    No later than November 1 of each year, NMFS calculates the 
projected unused amount of halibut PSC limit by either of the hook-and-
line sectors for the remainder of the year. The projected unused amount 
of halibut PSC limit is made available to the other hook-and-line 
sector for the remainder of that fishing year if NMFS determines that 
an additional amount of halibut PSC limit is necessary for that sector 
to continue its directed fishing operations (Sec.  
679.21(d)(2)(iii)(C)).

  Table 13--Proposed 2015 Apportionments of the ``Other Hook-and-Line Fisheries'' Halibut PSC Allowance Between
                       the Hook-and-Line Gear Catcher Vessel and Catcher/Processor Sectors
                                           [Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Sector                                     Sector
  ``Other than DSR''           Hook-and-line sector          annual         Season        Seasonal     seasonal
       allowance                                             amount                      percentage     amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
261...................  Catcher Vessel...................         146  January 1-June             86         126
                                                                        10.                        2           3
                                                                       June 10-                   12          18
                                                                        September 1.
                                                                       September 1-
                                                                        December 31.
                       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 72608]]

 
                        Catcher/Processor................         115  January 1-June             86          99
                                                                        10.                        2           2
                                                                       June 10-                   12          14
                                                                        September 1.
                                                                       September 1-
                                                                        December 31.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  Table 14--Proposed 2016 Apportionments of the ``Other Hook-and-Line Fisheries'' Halibut PSC Allowance Between
                       the Hook-and-Line Gear Catcher Vessel and Catcher/Processor Sectors
                                           [Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Sector                                     Sector
  ``Other than DSR''          Hook-and- line sector          annual         Season        Seasonal     seasonal
       allowance                                             amount                      percentage     amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
256...................  Catcher Vessel...................         141  January 1-June             86         121
                                                                        10.                        2           3
                                                                       June 10-                   12          17
                                                                        September 1.
                                                                       September 1-
                                                                        December 31.
                       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Catcher/Processor................         115  January 1-June             86          99
                                                                        10.                        2           2
                                                                       June 10-                   12          14
                                                                        September 1.
                                                                       September 1-
                                                                        December 31.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Halibut Discard Mortality Rates

    To monitor halibut bycatch mortality allowances and apportionments, 
the Regional Administrator uses observed halibut incidental catch 
rates, discard mortality rates (DMRs), and estimates of groundfish 
catch to project when a fishery's halibut bycatch mortality allowance 
or seasonal apportionment is reached. The DMRs are based on the best 
information available, including information contained in the annual 
SAFE report.
    NMFS proposes the Council's recommendation that the halibut DMRs 
developed and recommended by the International Pacific Halibut 
Commission (IPHC) for the 2013 through 2015 GOA groundfish fisheries be 
used to monitor the proposed 2015 and 2016 halibut bycatch mortality 
allowances (see Tables 9 through 14). The IPHC developed the DMRs for 
the 2013 through 2015 GOA groundfish fisheries using the 10-year mean 
DMRs for those fisheries. Long-term average DMRs were not available for 
some fisheries, so rates from the most recent years were used. For the 
skate, sculpin, shark, squid, and octopus fisheries, where not enough 
mortality data are available, the mortality rate of halibut caught in 
the Pacific cod fishery for that gear type was recommended as a default 
rate. The IPHC will analyze observer data annually and recommend 
changes to the DMRs when a fishery DMR shows large variation from the 
mean. A discussion of the DMRs and how the IPHC establishes them is 
available from the Council (see ADDRESSES). Table 15 lists the proposed 
2015 and 2016 DMRs.

  Table 15--Proposed 2015 and 2016 Halibut Discard Mortality Rates for
                  Vessels Fishing in the Gulf of Alaska
           [Values are percent of halibut assumed to be dead]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Mortality rate
              Gear                    Target fishery            (%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hook-and-line..................  Other fisheries \1\....              11
                                 Skates.................              11
                                 Pacific cod............              11
                                 Rockfish...............               9
Trawl..........................  Arrowtooth flounder....              73
                                 Deep-water flatfish....              43
                                 Flathead sole..........              65
                                 Non-pelagic pollock....              60
                                 Other fisheries........              62
                                 Pacific cod............              62
                                 Pelagic pollock........              71
                                 Rex sole...............              69
                                 Rockfish...............              66
                                 Sablefish..............              71
                                 Shallow-water flatfish.              67
Pot............................  Other fisheries........              17
                                 Pacific cod............              17
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Other fisheries includes hook-and-line sablefish and all gear types
  for Atka mackerel, skates, sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopuses.


[[Page 72609]]

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 fishery. These limits require NMFS to close the 
pollock directed fishery in the Western and Central regulatory areas of 
the GOA if the applicable limit is reached (Sec.  679.21(h)(6)). 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 in regulation at Sec.  679.21(h)(2)(i) and (ii). In addition, 
all salmon (regardless of species), taken in the pollock directed 
fisheries in the Western and Central GOA must be retained until an 
observer at the processing facility that takes delivery of the catch is 
provided an opportunity to count the number of salmon and to collect 
any scientific data or biological samples from the salmon (Sec.  
679.21(h)(4)).

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

    Section 679.64 establishes groundfish harvesting and processing 
sideboard limits on AFA C/Ps 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 from those fishermen and 
processors who receive exclusive harvesting and processing privileges 
under the AFA. Section 679.7(k)(1)(ii) prohibits listed AFA C/Ps from 
harvesting any species of fish in the GOA. Additionally, Sec.  
679.7(k)(1)(iv) prohibits listed AFA C/Ps 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 ft (38.1 meters) length overall, 
have annual landings of pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
of less than 5,100 mt, and have made at least 40 landings of GOA 
groundfish from 1995 through 1997 are exempt from GOA sideboard limits 
under Sec.  679.64(b)(2)(ii). Sideboard limits for non-exempt AFA CVs 
operating in the GOA are based on their traditional harvest levels of 
TAC in groundfish fisheries covered by the FMP. Section 
679.64(b)(3)(iii) establishes the groundfish sideboard limitations in 
the GOA based on the retained catch of non-exempt AFA CVs of each 
sideboard species from 1995 through 1997 divided by the TAC for that 
species over the same period.
    Table 16 lists the proposed 2015 and 2016 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 Table 16.
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BILLING CODE 3510-22-C

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)). Tables 17 and 18 list the proposed 2015 and 2016, 
respectively, non-exempt AFA CV halibut PSC limits for vessels using 
trawl gear in the GOA.

[[Page 72612]]

The proposed 2015 and 2016 seasonal apportionments of trawl halibut PSC 
limits between the deep-water and shallow-water species fisheries 
categories proportionately incorporate reductions made to the annual 
trawl halibut PSC limits and associated seasonal apportionments (see 
Tables 9 and 10).

 Table 17--Proposed 2015 Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel Halibut Prohibited Species Catch (PSC)
                                 Limits for Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the GOA
                            [PSC limits are rounded to the nearest whole metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Ratio of 1995-
                                                          1997 non-exempt                      Proposed 2015 non-
      Season           Season dates     Target fishery    AFA CV retained   Proposed 2015 PSC  exempt AFA CV PSC
                                                           catch to total         limit              limit
                                                           retained catch
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.................  January 20-April   shallow-water...              0.340                396                135
                     1.                deep-water......              0.070                 88                  6
2.................  April 1-July 1...  shallow-water...              0.340                 88                 30
                                       deep-water......              0.070                264                 18
3.................  July 1-September   shallow-water...              0.340                176                 60
                     1.                deep-water......              0.070                352                 25
4.................  September 1-       shallow-water...              0.340                132                 45
                     October 1.        deep-water......              0.070                  0                  0
5.................  October 1-         all targets.....              0.205                264                 54
                     December 31.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


 Table 18--Proposed 2016 Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel Halibut Prohibited Species Catch (PSC)
                                 Limits for Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the GOA
                            [PSC limits are rounded to the nearest whole metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Ratio of 1995-
                                                          1997 non-exempt                      Proposed 2016 non-
      Season           Season dates     Target fishery    AFA CV retained   Proposed 2016 PSC    exempt AFA  CV
                                                           catch to total         limit            PSC limit
                                                           retained catch
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.................  January 20-April   shallow-water...              0.340                384                131
                     1.                deep-water......              0.070                 85                  6
2.................  April 1-July 1...  shallow-water...              0.340                 85                 29
                                       deep-water......              0.070                256                 18
3.................  July 1-September   shallow-water...              0.340                171                 58
                     1.                deep-water......              0.070                341                 24
4.................  September 1-       shallow-water...              0.340                128                 44
                     October 1.        deep-water......              0.070                  0                  0
5.................  October 1-         all targets.....              0.205                256                 52
                     December 31.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Non-AFA Crab Vessel Groundfish Sideboard Limits

    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 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 landings 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 Crab 
Rationalization 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), and Amendment 83 to the GOA FMP (76 FR 
74670, December 1, 2011).
    Table 19 lists the proposed 2015 and 2016 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.
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[[Page 72614]]


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BILLING CODE 3510-22-C

Rockfish Program Groundfish Sideboard and Halibut PSC Limitations

    The Rockfish Program establishes three classes of sideboard 
provisions: CV groundfish sideboard restrictions, C/P rockfish 
sideboard restrictions, and C/P opt-out vessel sideboard restrictions. 
These sideboards are intended to limit the ability of rockfish 
harvesters to expand into other fisheries.
    CVs participating in the Rockfish Program may not participate in 
directed fishing for dusky rockfish, northern rockfish, and Pacific 
ocean perch in the Western GOA and West Yakutat Districts 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)).
    Catcher/processors participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives 
are restricted by rockfish and halibut PSC sideboard limits. These C/Ps 
are prohibited from directed fishing for northern rockfish, Pacific 
ocean perch, and dusky rockfish in the Western GOA and West Yakutat 
District from July 1 through July 31. Holders of C/P-designated LLP 
licenses that opt-out of participating in a rockfish cooperative will 
receive the portion of each sideboard limit that is not assigned to 
rockfish cooperatives. Table 20 lists the proposed 2015 and 2016 
Rockfish Program C/P rockfish sideboard limits in the Western GOA and 
West Yakutat District. Due to confidentiality requirements associated 
with fisheries data, the sideboard limits for the West Yakutat District 
are not displayed.

 Table 20--Proposed 2015 and 2016 Rockfish Program Harvest Limits for the Western GOA and West Yakutat District
                                by Fishery for the Catcher/Processor (C/P) Sector
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                  Proposed 2015
                Area                          Fishery           C/P sector (%    Proposed 2015     and 2016 C/P
                                                                   of TAC)       and 2016 TACs        limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA.........................  Dusky rockfish.........             72.3              295              213
                                      Pacific ocean perch....             50.6            2,456            1,243
                                      Northern rockfish......             74.3            1,229              913
West Yakutat District...............  Dusky rockfish.........            (\1\)            1,277              N/A
                                      Pacific ocean perch....            (\1\)            1,976              N/A
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Not released due to confidentiality requirements associated with fish ticket data, as established by NMFS
  and the State of Alaska.


[[Page 72616]]

    Under the Rockfish Program, the C/P sector is subject to halibut 
PSC sideboard limits for the trawl deep-water and shallow-water species 
fisheries from July 1 through July 31. No halibut PSC sideboard limits 
apply to the CV sector as vessels participating in a rockfish 
cooperative receive a portion of the annual halibut PSC limit. C/Ps 
that opt-out of the Rockfish Program would be able to access that 
portion of the deep-water and shallow-water halibut PSC sideboard limit 
not assigned to C/P rockfish cooperatives. The sideboard provisions for 
C/Ps 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 C/Ps have opted-out of 
the Rockfish Program in 2015, and will know the ratios and amounts used 
to calculate opt-out sideboard ratios. NMFS will then calculate any 
applicable opt-out sideboard limits and post these limits on the Alaska 
Region Web site at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/goarat/default.htm). Tables 21 and 22 list the 
2015 and 2016, proposed Rockfish Program halibut PSC limits for the C/P 
sector, respectively. These proposed 2015 and 2016 halibut PSC limits 
proportionately incorporate reductions made to the annual trawl halibut 
PSC limits and associated seasonal apportionments (see Tables 9 and 
10).

                           Table 21--Proposed 2015 Rockfish Program Halibut Mortality Limits for the Catcher/Processor Sector
                                                     [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Shallow-water                                                 Annual shallow-     Annual deep- water
                                                   species fishery     Deep-water species     Annual halibut       water species       species fishery
                     Sector                          halibut PSC      fishery halibut PSC    mortality limit    fishery halibut PSC      halibut PSC
                                                   sideboard ratio      sideboard ratio            (mt)           sideboard limit      sideboard limit
                                                      (percent)            (percent)                                    (mt)                 (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher/processor..............................                0.10                 2.50                1,759                    2                   44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                           Table 22--Proposed 2016 Rockfish Program Halibut Mortality Limits for the Catcher/Processor Sector
                                                     [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Shallow-water                                                 Annual shallow-     Annual deep- water
                                                   species fishery     Deep-water species     Annual halibut       water species       species fishery
                     Sector                          halibut PSC      fishery halibut PSC    mortality limit    fishery halibut PSC      halibut PSC
                                                   sideboard ratio      sideboard ratio            (mt)           sideboard limit      sideboard limit
                                                      (percent)            (percent)                                    (mt)                 (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher/processor..............................                0.10                 2.50                1,706                    2                   43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Amendment 80 Program Groundfish Sideboard and PSC 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 C/
P sector. The Amendment 80 Program established groundfish and halibut 
PSC 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 F/V Golden Fleece, 
to amounts no greater than the limits shown in Table 37 to part 679. 
Under regulations at 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. Table 23 lists the proposed 2015 and 2016 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 Table 23.
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[[Page 72617]]

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BILLING CODE 3510-22-C
    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)). Tables 24 and 25 list the 
proposed 2015 and 2016 halibut PSC sideboard limits for Amendment 80 
Program vessels, respectively. These tables incorporate the maximum 
percentages of the halibut PSC sideboard limits that may be used

[[Page 72618]]

by Amendment 80 Program vessels, as contained in Table 38 to 50 CFR 
part 679. These proposed 2015 and 2016 PSC sideboard limits 
proportionately incorporate the reductions made to the annual trawl 
halibut PSC limits and associated seasonal apportionments (see Tables 9 
and 10).

        Table 24--Proposed 2015 Halibut PSC Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels in the GOA
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Historic                           Proposed 2016
                                                          Amendment 80 use    Proposed 2016       Amendment 80
      Season           Season dates    Fishery category    of the annual     annual PSC limit      vessel PSC
                                                         halibut PSC limit         (mt)         sideboard limit
                                                              (ratio)                                 (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.................  January 20-April   shallow-water...             0.0048              1,759                  8
                     1.                deep-water......             0.0115              1,759                 20
2.................  April 1-July 1...  shallow-water...             0.0189              1,759                 33
                                       deep-water......             0.1072              1,759                189
3.................  July 1-September   shallow-water...             0.0146              1,759                 26
                     1.                deep-water......             0.0521              1,759                 92
4.................  September 1-       shallow-water...             0.0074              1,759                 13
                     October 1.        deep-water......             0.0014              1,759                  2
5.................  October 1-         shallow-water...             0.0227              1,759                 40
                     December 31.      deep-water......             0.0371              1,759                 65
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


        Table 25--Proposed 2016 Halibut PSC Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels in the GOA
                                 [Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Historic                           Proposed 2016
                                                          Amendment 80 use    Proposed 2016       Amendment 80
      Season           Season dates    Fishery category    of the annual     annual PSC limit      vessel PSC
                                                         halibut PSC limit         (mt)         sideboard limit
                                                              (ratio)                                 (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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-September   shallow-water...             0.0146              1,706                 25
                     1.                deep-water......             0.0521              1,706                 89
4.................  September 1-       shallow-water...             0.0074              1,706                 13
                     October 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Classification

    NMFS has determined that the proposed harvest specifications are 
consistent with the FMP and preliminarily determined that the proposed 
harvest specifications are consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and 
other applicable laws.
    This action is authorized under 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from 
review under Executive Orders 12866 and 13563.
    NMFS prepared an EIS for this action and made it available to the 
public on January 12, 2007 (72 FR 1512). On February 13, 2007, NMFS 
issued the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Final EIS. A Supplemental 
Information Report (SIR) that assesses the need to prepare a 
Supplemental EIS is being prepared for the final action. Copies of the 
Final EIS, ROD, and SIR for this action are available from NMFS (see 
ADDRESSES). The Final EIS analyzes the environmental consequences of 
the proposed groundfish harvest specifications and alternative harvest 
strategies on resources in the action area. The Final EIS found no 
significant environmental consequences from the proposed action or its 
alternatives.
    NMFS prepared an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) as 
required by section 603 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), 
analyzing the methodology for establishing the relevant TACs. The IRFA 
evaluated the impacts on small entities of alternative harvest 
strategies for the groundfish fisheries in the EEZ off Alaska. As set 
forth in the methodology, TACs are set to a level that fall within the 
range of ABCs recommended by the SSC; the sum of the TACs must achieve 
the OY specified in the FMP. While the specific numbers that the 
methodology produces may vary from year to year, the methodology itself 
remains constant.
    A description of the proposed action, why it is being considered, 
and the legal basis for this proposed action are contained in the 
preamble above. A copy of the analysis is available from NMFS (see 
ADDRESSES). A summary of the IRFA follows.
    The action under consideration is a harvest strategy to govern the 
catch of groundfish in the GOA. The preferred alternative is the 
existing harvest strategy in which TACs fall within the range of ABCs 
recommended by the SSC. This action is taken in accordance with the FMP 
prepared by the Council pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    The entities directly regulated by this action are those that 
harvest groundfish in the EEZ of the GOA and in parallel fisheries 
within State of Alaska waters. These include entities operating CVs and 
C/Ps within the action area and entities receiving direct allocations 
of groundfish. On June 12, 2014, the Small Business Administration 
issued an

[[Page 72619]]

interim final rule revising the small business size standards for 
several industries effective July 14, 2014 (79 FR 33647, June 12, 
2014). The rule increased the size standard for Finfish Fishing from 
$19.0 million to $20.5 million, Shellfish Fishing from $5.0 million to 
$5.5 million, and Other Marine Fishing from $7.0 million to $7.5 
million. The new size standards were used to prepare the IRFA for this 
action. Fishing vessels are considered small entities if their total 
annual gross receipts, from all their activities combined, are less 
than $25.0 million. The IRFA estimates the number of harvesting vessels 
that are considered small entities, but these estimates may overstate 
the number of small entities because (1) some vessels may also be 
active as tender vessels in the salmon fishery, fish in areas other 
than Alaska and the West Coast, or generate revenue from other non-
fishing sources; and (2) all affiliations are not taken into account, 
especially if the vessel has affiliations not tracked in available data 
(i.e., ownership of multiple vessels or affiliation with processors) 
and may be misclassified as a small entity.
    The IRFA shows that, in 2013, there were 1,153 individual catcher 
vessels with gross revenues less than or equal to $20.5 million. This 
estimate accounts 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 crab rationalization 
cooperatives. Therefore, under the RFA, it is the aggregate gross 
receipts of all participating members of the cooperative that must meet 
the ``under $20.5 million'' threshold. Vessels that participate in 
these cooperatives are considered to be large entities within the 
meaning of the RFA. After accounting for membership in these 
cooperatives, there are an estimated 1,153 small catcher vessel 
entities remaining in the GOA groundfish sector. This latter group of 
vessels had average gross revenues that varied by gear type. Average 
gross revenues for hook-and-line catcher vessels, pot gear vessels, and 
trawl gear vessels are estimated to be $380,000, $960,000, and $2.8 
million, respectively. Revenue data for the three catcher/processors 
considered to be small entities are confidential.
    The preferred alternative (Alternative 2) was compared to four 
other alternatives. Alternative 1 would have set TACs to generate 
fishing rates equal to the maximum permissible ABC (if the full TAC 
were harvested), unless the sum of TACs exceeded the GOA OY, in which 
case harvests would be limited to the OY. Alternative 3 would have set 
TACs to produce fishing rates equal to the most recent 5-year average 
fishing rate. Alternative 4 would have set TACs to equal the lower 
limit of the GOA OY range. Alternative 5, the ``no action 
alternative,'' would have set TACs equal to zero.
    The TACs associated with the preferred harvest strategy are those 
adopted by the Council in October 2014, as per Alternative 2. OFLs and 
ABCs for the species were based on recommendations prepared by the 
Council's GOA Plan Team in September 2014, and reviewed by the 
Council's SSC in October 2014. The Council based its TAC 
recommendations on those of its AP, which were consistent with the 
SSC's OFL and ABC recommendations.
    Alternative 1 selects harvest rates that would allow fishermen to 
harvest stocks at the level of ABCs, unless total harvests were 
constrained by the upper bound of the GOA OY of 800,000 mt. As shown in 
Table 1 of the preamble, the sum of ABCs in 2015 and 2016 would be 
644,165 mt, which falls below the upper bound of the OY range. The sum 
of TACs is 511,599 mt, which is less than the sum of ABCs. In this 
instance, Alternative 1 is consistent with the preferred alternative 
(Alternative 2), meets the objectives of that action, and has small 
entity impacts that are equivalent to the preferred alternative. In 
some instances, the selection of Alternative 1 would not reflect the 
practical implications that increased TACs (where the sum of TACs 
equals the sum of ABCs) for some species probably would not be fully 
harvested. This could be due to a lack of commercial or market interest 
in such species. Additionally, an underharvest of some TACs could 
result due to constraints such as the fixed, and therefore 
constraining, PSC limits associated with the harvest of the GOA 
groundfish species.
    Alternative 3 selects harvest rates based on the most recent 5 
years of harvest rates (for species in Tiers 1 through 3) or for the 
most recent 5 years of harvests (for species in Tiers 4 through 6). 
This alternative is inconsistent with the objectives of this action, 
the Council's preferred harvest strategy, because it does not take 
account of the most recent biological information for this fishery. 
NMFS annually conducts at-sea stock surveys for different species, as 
well as statistical modeling, to estimate stock sizes and permissible 
harvest levels. Actual harvest rates or harvest amounts are a component 
of these estimates, but in and of themselves may not accurately portray 
stock sizes and conditions. Harvest rates are listed for each species 
category for each year in the SAFE report (see ADDRESSES).
    Alternative 4 would lead to significantly lower harvests of all 
species and reduce the TACs from the upper end of the OY range in the 
GOA, to its lower end of 116,000 mt. Overall, this would reduce 2015 
TACs by about 73 percent and would lead to significant reductions in 
harvests of species harvested by small entities. While reductions of 
this size would be associated with offsetting price increases, the size 
of these increases is very uncertain. There are close substitutes for 
GOA groundfish species available in significant quantities from the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. While production 
declines in the GOA would undoubtedly be associated with significant 
price increases in the GOA, these increases would still be constrained 
by production of substitutes, and are very unlikely to offset revenue 
declines from smaller production. Thus, this alternative would have a 
detrimental impact on small entities.
    Alternative 5, which sets all harvests equal to zero, would have a 
significant adverse economic impact on small entities and would be 
contrary to obligations to achieve OY on a continuing basis, as 
mandated by the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Under Alternative 5, all 1,153 
individual catcher vessels impacted by this rule would have gross 
revenues of $0. Additionally, the three small catcher/processor 
impacted by this rule also would have gross revenues of $0.
    The proposed harvest specifications (Alternative 2) extend the 
current 2015 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs to 2015 and 2016. As noted in the 
IRFA, the Council may modify these OFLs, ABCs, and TACs in December 
2014, when it reviews the November 2014 SAFE report from its Groundfish 
Plan Team, and the December 2014 Council meeting reports of its SSC and 
AP. Because 2015 TACs in the proposed 2015 and 2016 harvest 
specifications are unchanged from the 2015 TACs, NMFS does not expect 
adverse impacts on small entities. Also, NMFS does not expect any 
changes made by the Council in December 2014 to have significant 
adverse impacts on small entities.
    This action does not modify recordkeeping or reporting 
requirements, or duplicate, overlap, or conflict with any Federal 
rules.
    Adverse impacts on marine mammals or endangered species resulting 
from

[[Page 72620]]

fishing activities conducted under this rule are discussed in the EIS 
and its accompanying annual SIRs (see ADDRESSES).

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1540(f); 16 U.S.C. 
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: November 25, 2014.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-28627 Filed 12-5-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P