Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 241 / Tuesday, December 16, 2014 / Notices 74695 

maintain population viability now and 

into the foreseeable future; (5) stock 

assessment projections and trends in 

catch data and updated fisheryindependent time series indicate 

increasing abundance of the NWA DPS, 

with spawning stock biomass stabilizing 

through the foreseeable future; (6) while 

the main threat to the species is fisheryrelated mortality from bycatch in U.S. 

commercial and recreational fisheries 

and Mexican landings, U.S. bycatch and 

Mexican harvest under existing 

management measures has decreased 

and/or stabilized at low levels in recent 

years, with current levels deemed 

sustainable through the foreseeable 

future; (7) existing regulatory 

mechanisms throughout the DPS’ range, 

including the U.S. retention prohibition 

as well as time and area closures in both 

U.S. and Mexican waters and strict 

management of the U.S. line fisheries, 

appear effective in addressing the most 

important threat to the species (i.e., 

exploitation through bycatch mortality 

and harvest); and (8) while the NWA 

DPS has declined from historical 

numbers, there is no evidence that the 

species is currently suffering from 

depensatory processes (such as reduced 

likelihood of finding a mate or mate 

choice or diminished fertilization and 

recruitment success) or is at risk of 

extinction due to environmental 

variation or anthropogenic 

perturbations. Accordingly, the NWA 

DPS of dusky shark does not meet the 

definition of a threatened or endangered 

species, and our listing determination is 

that the NWA DPS of dusky shark does 

not warrant listing as threatened or 

endangered at this time. 

Significant Portion of Its Range 

Because we find that the species does 

not warrant listing as threatened or 

endangered throughout its range, we 

must evaluate whether there is 

substantial information indicating that a 

portion of the species’ range is both 

significant and either threatened or 

endangered per the Significant Portion 

of its Range Policy (79 FR 37577; July 

1, 2014). However, after a review of the 

best available information, we could not 

identify a portion of the NWA DPS 

range where its contribution to the 

viability of the species is so important 

that, without the members in that 

portion, the NWA DPS would be at risk 

of extinction, or likely to become so in 

the foreseeable future, throughout all of 

its range. The NWA DPS is highly 

mobile throughout its range. Loss of any 

portion of its range would not likely 

isolate the species to the point where 

the remaining portions would be at risk 

of extinction from demographic 

processes. Similarly, we did not find 

that loss of any portion would severely 

fragment and isolate the NWA DPS to 

the point where individuals would be 

precluded from moving to suitable 

habitats or have an increased 

vulnerability to threats. In fact, we 

found no information that would 

suggest that the remaining populations 

could not repopulate the lost portion. 

There are very few restrictions 

governing their movements, with 

individuals of the DPS commonly 

moving between the U.S. Atlantic, U.S. 

GOM and Mexican Gulf waters based on 

mark/recapture studies (Kohler and 

Tuner 2010; Carlson and Gulak, 2012; 

NMFS, unpublished data). Individuals 

of the species also tend to travel the 

extent of their range during their 

seasonal migrations (Compango, 1984; 

Musick and Colvocoresses, 1986; Kohler 

et al., 1998; Kohler and Turner, 2010). 

Areas exhibiting source-sink dynamics, 

which could affect the survival of the 

species, were not evident in any part of 

the NWA DPS range. 

There is no information that the loss 

of genetic diversity from one portion 

(such as the Atlantic Ocean) would 

result in the remaining population 

lacking enough genetic diversity to 

allow for adaptations to changing 

environmental conditions. Dusky sharks 

from all regions show remarkable 

similar allelic richness and gene 

diversity, and within the NWA there 

was no evidence of genetic 

differentiation between dusky sharks 

from waters off the U.S. east coast and 

the GOM (Benavides et al., 2011; Gray 

et al., 2012). 

There is also no evidence of a portion 

that encompasses aspects that are 

important to specific life history events 

but another portion that does not, where 

loss of the former portion would 

severely impact the growth, 

reproduction, or survival of the entire 

species. EFH areas, which could provide 

important nursery, breeding, and 

feeding grounds, have been identified 

along the length of the U.S. east coast, 

with smaller localized areas in the 

central GOM, southern Texas, the 

Florida Panhandle, mid-west coast of 

Florida, and Florida Keys (NMFS, 2009). 

Given that the environmental 

characteristics that constitute this EFH, 

such as warm waters with reduced 

salinities, nearshore coastal waters, and 

waters associated with the continental 

shelf edge, can be found throughout the 

species’ range, we do not consider them 

to be limiting factors for the species’ 

survival. In other words, the viability of 

the species does not appear to depend 

on the productivity of the population or 

the environmental characteristics in any 

one portion. 

Additionally, in our evaluation of the 

potential threats to the species, 

including the likelihood of fisheryrelated mortality, we did not find 

information to show that these threats 

are significantly concentrated or 

substantially greater in any specific 

portion of the species’ range. The dusky 

shark is susceptible to being caught as 

bycatch in U.S. commercial and 

recreational fisheries throughout the 

entire extent of its range and is landed 

in Gulf waters by Mexican fishermen; 

however, we found no information to 

suggest that increased effort in a certain 

area is leading to a higher risk of 

extinction for that portion. Again, there 

are no barriers to the shark’s movement 

and existing management measures 

appear adequate in protecting the NWA 

DPS from extinction throughout all 

portions of its range. 

In conclusion, we find that there is no 

portion of the NWA DPS range that can 

be considered significant under the SPR 

Policy. Therefore, we find that the NWA 

DPS is not presently in danger of 

extinction throughout all or a significant 

portion of its range, nor is it likely to 

become so in the foreseeable future, 

and, as such, does not warrant listing at 

this time. 

References 

A complete list of all references cited 

herein is available upon request (see FOR

FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). 

Authority 

The authority for this action is the 

Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 

amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). 

Dated: December 9, 2014. 

Samuel D. Rauch III, 

Deputy Assistant Administrator for 

Regulatory Programs, National Marine 

Fisheries Service. 

[FR Doc. 2014–29318 Filed 12–15–14; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

RIN 0648–XD611 

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic 

Zone Off Alaska; North Pacific 

Groundfish and Halibut Observer 

Program Standard Ex-Vessel Prices 

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries 

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 

Commerce. 

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74696 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 241 / Tuesday, December 16, 2014 / Notices 

ACTION: Notification of standard exvessel prices. 

SUMMARY: NMFS publishes standard exvessel prices for groundfish and halibut 

for the calculation of the observer fee 

under the North Pacific Groundfish and 

Halibut Observer Program (Observer 

Program). This notice is intended to 

provide information to vessel owners, 

processors, registered buyers, and other 

participants about the standard exvessel prices that will be used to 

calculate the observer fee liability for 

landings of groundfish and halibut 

made in 2015. NMFS will send invoices 

to processors and registered buyers 

subject to the fee by January 15, 2016. 

Fees are due to NMFS on or before 

February 15, 2016. 

DATES: Effective January 1, 2015. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For 

general questions about the observer fee 

and standard ex-vessel prices, contact 

Sally Bibb at 907–586–7389. For 

questions about the fee billing process, 

contact Troie Zuniga, Fee Coordinator, 

907–586–7105. Additional information 

about the Observer Program is available 

on NMFS Alaska Region’s Web site at 

http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/

sustainablefisheries/observers/. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

The Observer Program deploys 

NMFS-certified observers (observers) 

who collect information necessary for 

the conservation and management of the 

Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) 

and Gulf of Alaska (GOA) groundfish 

and halibut fisheries. Fishery managers 

use information collected by observers 

to monitor quotas, manage groundfish 

and prohibited species catch, and 

document and reduce fishery 

interactions with protected resources. 

Scientists use observer-collected 

information for stock assessments and 

marine ecosystem research. 

The Observer Program is divided into 

two observer coverage categories— 

partial and full. All groundfish and 

halibut vessels and processors are 

included in one of these two categories. 

The partial observer coverage category 

includes vessels and processors that are 

not required to have an observer at all 

times; the full observer coverage 

category includes vessels and processors 

required to have all of their fishing and 

processing operations off Alaska 

observed. Vessels and processors in the 

full coverage category arrange and pay 

for observer services from a permitted 

observer provider. Observer coverage for 

the partial coverage category is funded 

through a system of fees based on the 

ex-vessel value of groundfish and 

halibut. 

Landings Subject to Observer Coverage 

Fee 

The objective of the observer fee 

assessment is to levy a fee on all 

landings accruing against a Federal total 

allowable catch (TAC) for groundfish or 

a commercial halibut quota made by 

vessels that are subject to Federal 

regulations and not included in the full 

coverage category. A fee is only assessed 

on landings of groundfish from vessels 

designated on a Federal Fisheries Permit 

or from vessels landing individual 

fishing quota (IFQ) or community 

development quota (CDQ) halibut or 

IFQ sablefish. Within the subset of 

vessels subject to the observer fee, only 

landings accruing against the Federal 

TAC are included in the fee assessment. 

A table with additional information 

about which landings are and are not 

subject to the observer fee is in NMFS 

regulations at § 679.55(c) and is on page 

2 of an informational bulletin titled 

‘‘Observer Fee Collection’’ on the NMFS 

Alaska Region Web page at https://

alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainable

fisheries/observers/observerfees.pdf. 

Fee Determination 

A fee equal to 1.25 percent of the exvessel value is assessed on the landings 

of groundfish and halibut subject to the 

fee. Ex-vessel value is determined by 

multiplying the standard price for 

groundfish by the round weight 

equivalent for each species, gear, and 

port combination, and the standard 

price for halibut by the headed and 

gutted weight equivalent. NMFS will 

assess each landing report submitted via 

eLandings and each manual landing 

entered into the IFQ landing database 

and determine if the landing is subject 

to the observer fee and, if it is, which 

groundfish in the landing are subject to 

the observer fee. All IFQ or CDQ halibut 

in a landing subject to the observer fee 

will be assessed as part of the fee 

liability. For any groundfish or halibut 

subject to the observer fee, NMFS will 

apply the appropriate standard ex-vessel 

prices for the species, gear type, and 

port, and calculate the observer fee 

liability associated with the landing. 

Processors and registered buyers 

access the landing-specific, observer fee 

liability information through NMFS 

Web Application (https://alaska

fisheries.noaa.gov/webapps/efish/login) 

or eLandings (https://elandings.

alaska.gov/). For IFQ halibut, CDQ 

halibut, and IFQ sablefish, this 

information is available as soon as the 

IFQ report is submitted. For groundfish 

and sablefish that accrue against the 

fixed gear sablefish CDQ reserve, the 

observer fee liability information is 

generally available within 24 hours of 

receipt of the report. The time lag on the 

groundfish and sablefish CDQ fee 

information is necessary because NMFS 

must process the landings report 

through the catch accounting system 

computer programs to determine if all of 

the groundfish in the landings are 

subject to the observer fee. Information 

about which groundfish in a landing 

accrues against a Federal TAC is not 

immediately available from the 

processor’s data entry into eLandings. 

The intent of the North Pacific 

Fishery Management Council and 

NMFS is for vessel owners to split the 

fee liability 50/50 with the processor or 

registered buyer. While vessels and 

processors are responsible for their 

portion of the fee, the owner of a 

shoreside processor or a stationary 

floating processor and the registered 

buyer are responsible for collecting the 

fee, including the vessel’s portion of the 

fee, and remitting the full fee liability to 

NMFS. 

NMFS will send invoices to 

processors and registered buyers for 

their total fee liability, which is 

determined by the sum of the fees 

reported for each landing for that 

processor or registered buyer for the 

prior calendar year, by January 15, 2016. 

Processors and registered buyers must 

pay the fees to NMFS using NMFS Web 

Application by February 15, 2016. 

Processors and registered buyers have 

access to this system through a User ID 

and password issued by NMFS. 

Instructions for electronic payment will 

be provided on the NMFS Alaska 

Region Web site at https://alaska

fisheries.noaa.gov and on the observer 

fee liability invoice to be mailed to each 

permit holder. 

Standard Prices 

This notice provides the standard exvessel prices for groundfish and halibut 

species subject to the observer fee in 

2015. Data sources for ex-vessel prices 

are: 

• For groundfish other than sablefish 

IFQ and sablefish accruing against the 

fixed gear sablefish CDQ reserve, the 

State of Alaska’s Commercial Fishery 

Entry Commission’s (CFEC) gross 

revenue data, which are based on the 

Commercial Operator Annual Report 

(COAR) and Alaska Department of Fish 

and Game fish tickets; and 

• For halibut IFQ, halibut CDQ, 

sablefish IFQ, and sablefish accruing 

against the fixed gear sablefish CDQ 

reserve, the IFQ Buyer Report that is 

submitted annually to NMFS under 

§ 679.5(l)(7)(i). 

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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 241 / Tuesday, December 16, 2014 / Notices 74697 

The standard prices in this notice 

were calculated using applicable 

guidance for protecting confidentiality 

of data submitted to or collected by 

NMFS. NMFS does not publish any 

price information that would permit the 

identification of an individual or 

business. At least four persons must 

make landings of a species with a 

particular gear type at a particular port 

in order for NMFS to publish that price 

data for that species-gear-port 

combination. Similarly, at least four 

processors in a particular port must 

purchase a species harvested with a 

particular gear type in order for NMFS 

to publish a price for that species-gearport combination. Price data that is 

confidential because fewer than four 

persons contributed data to a particular 

species-gear-port combination has been 

aggregated to protect confidential data. 

Groundfish Standard Ex-Vessel Prices 

Table 1 shows the groundfish species 

standard ex-vessel prices for 2015. 

These prices are based on the CFEC 

gross revenue data, which are based on 

landings data from Alaska Department 

of Fish and Game fish tickets and 

information from the COAR. The COAR 

contains statewide buying and 

production information, and is 

considered the most accurate routinely 

collected information to determine the 

ex-vessel value of groundfish harvested 

from waters off Alaska. 

The standard ex-vessel prices for 

groundfish were calculated by adding 

ex-vessel value from the CFEC gross 

revenue files for 2011, 2012, and 2013 

by species, port, and gear category, and 

adding the volume (weight) the CFEC 

gross revenue files for 2011, 2012, and 

2013 by species, port, and gear category, 

and then dividing total ex-vessel value 

over the 3-year period in each category 

by total volume over the 3-year period 

in each category. This calculation 

results in a weighted average ex-vessel 

price per pound by species, port, and 

gear category. Three gear categories 

were used for the standard ex-vessel 

prices: pelagic trawl gear, non-pelagic 

trawl gear, and other gear (hook-andline, pot, and jig). 

CFEC ex-vessel value data are 

available in the fall of the year following 

the year the fishing occurred. Thus, it is 

not possible to base ex-vessel fee 

liabilities on standard prices that are 

less than 2 years old. 

If a particular species is not listed in 

Table 1, the standard ex-vessel price for 

a species group, if it exists in the 

management area, will be used. If price 

data for a particular species remained 

confidential once aggregated to the ALL 

level, data is aggregated by species 

group (Flathead Sole, GOA Deep-water 

Flatfish; GOA Shallow-water Flatfish; 

GOA Skate, Other; and Other Rockfish). 

Standard prices for the species groups 

are shown in Table 2. 

If a port-level price does not meet the 

confidentiality requirements, the data 

are aggregated by port-group. Port-group 

data is first aggregated by regulatory 

area in the GOA (Eastern GOA, Central 

GOA, and Western GOA) and by subarea 

in the BSAI (BS subarea and AI 

subarea). Port-group data for Southeast 

Alaska (SEAK) and the Eastern GOA 

excluding Southeast Alaska (EGOAxSE) 

also are presented separately when price 

data are available. If confidentiality 

requirements are still not met by 

aggregating prices across ports at these 

levels, the prices are aggregated at the 

level of BSAI or GOA, then statewide 

(AK) and ports outside of Alaska 

(OTAK), and finally all ports, including 

those outside of Alaska (‘‘ALL’’). 

Standard prices are presented 

separately for non-pelagic trawl and 

pelagic trawl when non-confidential 

data is available. NMFS also calculated 

prices for a ‘‘Pelagic Trawl/Non-pelagic 

Trawl Combined’’ category that can be 

used when combining trawl price data 

for landings of a species in a particular 

port or port group will not violate 

confidentiality requirements. Creating 

this standard price category allows 

NMFS to assess a fee on 2015 landings 

of some of the species with pelagic trawl 

gear based on a combined trawl gear 

price for the port or port group. 

If no standard ex-vessel price is listed 

for the species or species group and gear 

category combination, no fee will be 

assessed on that landing. Volume and 

value data for that species will be added 

to the standard ex-vessel prices in future 

years, if that data becomes available and 

display of a standard ex-vessel price 

meets confidentiality requirements. 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–P 

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Table 1. Standard Ex-vessel Prices for Groundfish Species for 2015 Observer Coverage 

Fee Liability (based on volume and value from 2011, 2012, and 2013). 

Species 1

'

1 !Port/ HAL/ NPT PTR PTR/NPT 

!Area3

,4 POT/JIG 

!Alaska Plaice Flounder Kodiak ---- $0.08 ---- $0.08 

(133) CGOA ---- $0.08 ---- $0.08 

GOA ---- $0.08 ---- $0.08 

AK ---- $0.08 ---- $0.08 

ALL ---- $0.08 ---- $0.08 

IArrowtooth Flounder (121) Kodiak ---- $0.06 $0.06 ----

CGOA ---- $0.06 $0.06 ----

GOA $0.07 $0.06 $0.06 ----

AK $0.07 $0.06 $0.06 ---- ALL $0.07 $0.06 $0.06 ---- tBiack Rockfish (142) AK $0.46 $0.28 ---- $0.28 

Bocaccio Rockfish ( 13 7) Sitka $0.54 ---- ---- ----

SEAK $0.42 ---- ---- ----

EGOA $0.42 ---- ---- ----

GOA $0.42 ---- ---- ---- AK $0.42 ---- ---- ----

ALL $0.42 ---- ---- ----

Butter Sole (126) Kodiak ---- $0.15 $0.15 ----

CGOA ---- $0.15 $0.15 ----

GOA ---- $0.15 $0.15 ----

AK ---- $0.15 $0.15 ----

ALL ---- $0.15 $0.15 ----

Canary Rockfish ( 146) Sitka $0.56 ---- ---- ----

SEAK $0.49 ---- ---- ----

EGOA $0.49 ---- ---- ----

Seward $0.40 ---- ---- ----

CGOA $0.40 ---- ---- ----

GOA $0.48 ---- ---- ----

AK $0.48 ---- ---- ----

ALL $0.48 ---- ---- ---- China Rockfish (149) SEAK $0.55 ---- ---- ----

EGOAxSE $0.27 ---- ---- ----

Homer $0.45 ---- ---- ---- Seward $0.72 ---- ---- ----

CGOA $0.64 ---- ---- ----

GOA $0.37 ---- ---- ---- AK $0.37 ---- ---- ----

ALL $0.37 ---- ---- ----
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Copper Rockfish (138) Sitka $0.57 ---- ---- ----

SEAK $0.56 ---- ---- ---- EGOA $0.35 ---- ---- ----

]-Jomer $0.51 ---- ---- ----

CGOA $0.51 ---- ---- ---- GOA $0.37 ---- ---- ----

AK $0.37 ---- ---- ----

ALL $0.37 ---- ---- ---- !Dover Sole (124) Kodiak ---- $0.10 $0.10 ----

CGOA ---- $0.10 $0.10 ---- GOA ---- $0.10 $0.10 ---- AK ---- $0.10 $0.10 ----

ALL ---- $0.10 $0.10 ---- Dusky Rockfish (172) Sitka $0.47 ---- ---- ----

SEAK $0.45 ---- ---- ----

EGOAxSE $0.28 ---- ---- ---- Homer $0.35 ---- ---- ----

Kodiak $0.32 $0.19 $0.17 ----

Seward $0.41 ---- ---- ---- CGOA $0.32 $0.19 $0.33 ---- GOA $0.35 $0.19 $0.33 ----

AK $0.35 $0.19 $0.33 ---- ALL $0.35 $0.19 $0.33 ----

English Sole (128) Kodiak ---- $0.16 ---- $0.16 

CGOA ---- $0.16 ---- $0.16 

GOA ---- $0.16 ---- $0.16 

AK ---- $0.16 ---- $0.16 

ALL ---- $0.16 ---- $0.16 

Flathead Sole (122) Kodiak ---- $0.15 $0.15 ----

CGOA ---- $0.15 $0.15 ----

GOA ---- $0.15 $0.08 ----

AK ---- $0.15 $0.07 ---- ALL ---- $0.15 $0.07 ----

~orthem Rockfish (136) Kodiak ---- $0.19 $0.18 ----

CGOA ---- $0.19 $0.18 ---- GOA ---- $0.19 $0.18 ----

AK ---- $0.19 $0.18 ----

ALL ---- $0.19 $0.18 ----

Octopus (870) Homer $0.77 ---- ---- ----

Kodiak $0.51 $0.54 $0.50 ----

CGOA $0.53 $0.54 $0.50 ----
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GOA $0.49 $0.54 $0.49 ----

DB/Unalaska $0.25 ---- ---- ---- BS $0.23 ---- ---- ----

[BSAI $0.24 ---- ---- ----

AK $0.48 $0.54 $0.49 ---- ALL $0.48 $0.54 $0.49 ----

Pacific Cod (110) Craig $0.17 ---- ---- ----

Hoonah $0.57 ---- ---- ----

Juneau $0.62 ---- ---- ----

Ketchikan $0.44 ---- ---- ----

Petersburg $0.26 ---- ---- ----

Sitka $0.54 ---- ---- ----

SEAK $0.58 ---- ---- ---- Cordova $0.42 ---- ---- ----

Whittier $0.31 ---- ---- ----

EGOAxSE $0.39 ---- ---- ---- Homer $0.37 ---- ---- ----

Kodiak $0.34 $0.30 $0.28 ----

Seward $0.35 ---- ---- ----

CGOA $0.34 $0.30 $0.28 ---- King Cove $0.30 ---- ---- ----

WGOA $0.29 ---- ---- ---- GOA ---- $0.30 $0.20 ---- Adak $0.27 ---- ---- ----

AI $0.27 ---- ---- ---- DB/Unalaska $0.33 $0.30 ---- $0.30 

BS $0.33 $0.29 ---- $0.29 

BSAI ---- $0.29 ---- $0.29 

AK $0.32 $0.29 $0.19 ---- ALL $0.32 $0.29 $0.19 ----

Pacific Ocean Perch (141) Kodiak ---- $0.19 $0.18 ----

CGOA ---- $0.19 $0.19 ---- GOA $0.15 $0.19 $0.20 ----

AK $0.17 $0.19 $0.20 ---- ALL $0.17 $0.19 $0.20 ---- Pollock (270) Homer $0.35 ---- ---- ----

Kodiak $0.14 $0.18 $0.18 ----

CGOA $0.15 $0.18 $0.18 ----

GOA $0.15 $0.18 $0.17 ----

DB/Unalaska $0.08 $0.16 ---- $0.16 

BS $0.07 $0.16 ---- $0.15 
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BSAI $0.07 $0.16 ---- $0.15 

AK $0.15 $0.17 $0.17 ---- ALL $0.15 $0.17 $0.17 ----

Quillback Rockfish (147) J-Ioonah $0.51 ---- ---- ----

Ketchikan $0.45 ---- ---- ---- Sitka $0.82 ---- ---- ----

SEAK $0.89 ---- ---- ----

Cordova $0.29 ---- ---- ---- EGOAxSE $0.28 ---- ---- ----

Homer $0.33 ---- ---- ---- Seward $0.37 ---- ---- ---- CGOA $0.37 ---- ---- ----

GOA $0.62 ---- ---- ---- AK $0.62 ---- ---- ---- ALL $0.62 ---- ---- ----

Redbanded Rockfish (153) Ketchikan $0.31 ---- ---- ----

Petersburg $0.21 ---- ---- ----

Sitka $0.50 ---- ---- ----

SEAK $0.35 ---- ---- ---- EGOAxSE $0.30 ---- ---- ---- Homer $0.31 ---- ---- ----

Kodiak $0.21 $0.18 ---- $0.18 

Seward $0.38 ---- ---- ---- CGOA $0.31 $0.18 ---- $0.18 

GOA $0.34 $0.18 ---- $0.18 

AK $0.34 $0.18 ---- $0.18 

ALL $0.34 $0.18 ---- $0.18 

Redstripe Rockfish (158) EGOA $0.48 ---- ---- ----

Homer $0.28 ---- ---- ---- CGOA $0.28 ---- ---- ----

GOA $0.30 ---- ---- ----

AK $0.30 ---- ---- ---- ALL $0.30 ---- ---- ----

Rex Sole (125) Kodiak ---- $0.29 $0.29 ---- CGOA ---- $0.29 $0.29 ---- GOA ---- $0.29 $0.28 ----

AK ---- $0.29 $0.28 ----

ALL ---- $0.29 $0.28 ----

~ock Sole (123) Kodiak ---- $0.25 $0.25 ----

CGOA ---- $0.25 $0.25 ---- GOA ---- $0.25 $0.25 ----
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AK ---- $0.25 $0.25 ----

ALL ---- $0.25 $0.25 ----

~osethom Rockfish (150) SEAK $0.45 ---- ---- ----

EGOA $0.51 ---- ---- ----

GOA $0.48 ---- ---- ---- AK $0.48 ---- ---- ----

ALL $0.48 ---- ---- ----

Rough eye Rockfish ( 151) Hoonah $0.30 ---- ---- ----

Ketchikan $0.31 ---- ---- ----

Petersburg $0.25 ---- ---- ---- Sitka $0.49 ---- ---- ---- SEAK $0.39 ---- ---- ----

Cordova $0.26 ---- ---- ----

EGOAxSE $0.27 ---- ---- ----

Homer $0.32 ---- ---- ----

Kodiak $0.35 $0.21 $0.21 ---- Seward $0.37 ---- ---- ---- CGOA $0.35 $0.21 $0.21 ----

GOA $0.35 $0.22 $0.21 ---- DH/Unalaska $0.29 ---- ---- ----

BS $0.29 ---- ---- ----

BSAI $0.29 ---- ---- ---- AK $0.34 $0.22 $0.21 ----

ALL $0.35 $0.22 $0.21 ----

Sablefish (blackcod) (71 0) Kodiak n/a) $3.68 $3.43 ---- CGOA n/a $3.68 $4.03 ---- GOA n/a $3.68 $4.03 ----

AK nla $3.68 $4.03 ----

ALL n/a $3.68 $4.03 ---- Shortraker Rockfish (152) Ketchikan $0.31 ---- ---- ----

Petersburg $0.25 ---- ---- ----

Sitka $0.49 ---- ---- ---- SEAK $0.37 ---- ---- ----

Cordova $0.34 ---- ---- ---- Whittier $0.32 ---- ---- ---- EGOAxSE $0.48 ---- ---- ----

Homer $0.34 ---- ---- ----

Kodiak $0.32 $0.22 $0.23 ---- Seward $0.38 ---- ---- ----

CGOA $0.37 $0.22 $0.22 ---- GOA $0.38 $0.26 $0.22 ----
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DB/Unalaska $0.13 ---- ---- ----

BS $0.20 ---- ---- ---- BSAI $0.21 ---- ---- ----

AK $0.37 $0.26 $0.22 ----

ALL $0.37 $0.26 $0.22 ---- Silvergray Rockfish (157) Craig $0.31 ---- ---- ----

Ketchikan $0.33 ---- ---- ----

Sitka $0.49 ---- ---- ---- SEAK $0.40 ---- ---- ----

EGOA $0.40 ---- ---- ---- Homer $0.37 ---- ---- ---- Seward $0.38 ---- ---- ----

CGOA $0.38 ---- ---- ---- GOA $0.40 ---- ---- ---- AK $0.40 ---- ---- ----

ALL $0.40 ---- ---- ---- Skate, Alaska (703) EGOA $0.40 ---- ---- ---- GOA $0.40 ---- ---- ----

AK $0.40 ---- ---- ----

ALL $0.40 ---- ---- ---- Skate, Aleutian (704) AK $0.39 ---- ---- ----

ALL $0.39 ---- ---- ---- Skate, Big (702) EGOAxSE $0.41 ---- ---- ---- EGOA $0.41 ---- ---- ----

Homer $0.40 ---- ---- ---- Kodiak $0.43 $0.44 $0.44 ---- Seward $0.38 ---- ---- ----

CGOA $0.42 $0.44 $0.44 ----

GOA $0.42 $0.44 $0.44 ---- AK $0.42 $0.44 $0.44 ----

ALL $0.42 $0.44 $0.44 ----

Skate, Longnose (701) SEAK $0.40 ---- ---- ---- EGOAxSE $0.40 ---- ---- ----

Homer $0.37 ---- ---- ---- Kodiak $0.44 $0.45 $0.45 ---- Seward $0.41 ---- ---- ----

CGOA $0.43 $0.45 $0.45 ----

GOA $0.43 $0.45 $0.45 ---- AK $0.43 $0.44 $0.45 ----

ALL $0.43 $0.44 $0.45 ---- Skate, Other (700) Kodiak $0.45 ---- ---- ----
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CGOA $0.47 ---- ---- ----

GOA $0.42 ---- ---- ---- AK $0.34 ---- ---- $0.05 

ALL $0.34 ---- ---- $0.05 

Squid (875) Kodiak ---- ---- $0.06 $0.06 

CGOA ---- ---- $0.06 $0.06 

GOA ---- ---- $0.06 $0.06 

AK ---- $0.04 $0.06 ----

ALL ---- $0.04 $0.06 ----

Starry Flounder (129) Kodiak ---- $0.07 ---- $0.07 

CGOA ---- $0.07 ---- $0.07 

GOA ---- $0.07 ---- $0.07 

AK ---- $0.07 ---- $0.07 

ALL ---- $0.07 ---- $0.07 

Thomyhead Rockfish Hoonah $1.00 ---- ---- ----

(Idiots) (143) Ketchikan $1.21 ---- ---- ----

Petersburg $0.99 ---- ---- ---- Sitka $1.17 ---- ---- ----

SEAK $1.11 ---- ---- ---- Cordova $0.52 ---- ---- ---- EGOAxSE $0.85 ---- ---- ----

Homer $0.81 ---- ---- ---- Kodiak $0.65 $0.48 ---- $0.48 

Seward $0.84 ---- ---- ----

CGOA $0.77 $0.48 ---- $0.48 

WGOA $0.73 ---- ---- ---- GOA ---- $0.49 ---- $0.49 

Adak $0.43 ---- ---- ----

AI $0.56 ---- ---- ----

Dutch $0.74 ---- ---- ----

Harbor/ 

Unalaska 

BS $0.71 ---- ---- ----

AK $0.86 $0.49 ---- $0.49 

ALL $0.86 $0.49 ---- $0.49 

Tiger Rockfish ( 148) SEAK $0.42 ---- ---- ----

EGOAxSE $0.26 ---- ---- ---- Homer $0.28 ---- ---- ----

Seward $0.38 ---- ---- ----

CGOA $0.36 ---- ---- ---- GOA $0.36 ---- ---- ----

AK $0.36 ---- ---- ----
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~LL $0.36 ---- ---- ----

Vermilion Rockfish (184) ~LL $0.33 ---- ---- ---- Widow Rockfish (156) Sitka $0.46 ---- ---- ----

SEAK $0.30 ---- ---- ----

EGOA $0.30 ---- ---- ----

GOA $0.31 ---- ---- ----

~K $0.31 ---- ---- ----

~LL $0.31 ---- ---- ---- Yelloweye Rockfish (145) Craig $1.45 ---- ---- ----

~oonah $0.53 ---- ---- ---- Ketchikan $1.21 ---- ---- ---- !Petersburg $1.13 ---- ---- ----

Sitka $1.67 ---- ---- ---- SEAK $1.51 ---- ---- ----

Cordova $0.97 ---- ---- ----

!Whittier $0.82 ---- ---- ----

EGOAxSE $0.95 ---- ---- ---- ~omer $0.76 ---- ---- ----

Kodiak $0.40 $0.24 ---- $0.24 

Seward $0.65 ---- ---- ---- CGOA $0.63 $0.24 ---- $0.24 

WGOA $0.47 ---- ---- ---- GOA ---- $0.24 ---- $0.24 

DH/Unalaska $0.21 ---- ---- ----

~s $0.19 ---- ---- ----

~SAl $0.19 ---- ---- ----

~K $1.30 $0.24 ---- $0.24 

~LL $1.29 $0.24 ---- $0.24 

Yellowtail Rockfish (155) Sitka $0.52 ---- ---- ---- SEAK $0.52 ---- ---- ----

EGOA $0.51 ---- ---- ----

CGOA $0.23 ---- ---- ----

GOA $0.33 ---- ---- ----

~K $0.33 ---- ---- ----

~LL $0.33 ---- ---- ----

---- = no landings in last 3 years or the data is confidential 

1 If species is not listed, use price for the species group in Table 2 if it exists in the management area. If no 

price is available for the species or species group, no fee will be assessed on that landing. That species will 

come into standard ex-vessel prices in future years. 

2 For species codes, see Table 2a to 50 CFR part 679. 
74706 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 241 / Tuesday, December 16, 2014 / Notices 


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3 Regulatory areas are defined at§ 679.2. (AI= Aleutian Islands subarea; AK =Alaska; ALL= all ports 

including those outside Alaska; BS = Bering Sea subarea; BSAI = Bering Sea/ Aleutian Islands; CGOA = 

Central Gulf of Alaska; EGOA =Eastern Gulf of Alaska; EGOAxSE = Eastern Gulf of Alaska except 

Southeast Alaska; GOA= Gulf of Alaska; SEAK =Southeast Alaska; WGOA =Western Gulf of Alaska) 

4 If a price is listed for the species, port, and gear type combination, that price will be applied to the round 

weight equivalent for groundfish landings. If no price is listed for the port and gear type combination, use 

port group and gear type combination. 

5 n/a =ex-vessel prices for sablefish landed with hook-and-line, pot, or jig gear are listed in Table 3 with 

the prices for IFQ and CDQ landings. 
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Table 2. Standard Ex-vessel Prices for Groundfish Species Groups for 2015 Observer 

Coverage Fee Liability (based on volume and value from 2011, 2012, and 2013). 

Species Group 1 Port/ HAL/ NPT PTR 

Area2

' 

3 POT/JIG 

Flathead Sole (FSOL) CGOA ---- $0.15 $0.15 

GOA ---- $0.15 $0.08 

AK ---- $0.15 $0.08 

GOA Deep-water Flatfish 4 CGOA ---- $0.10 $0.10 

(DFL4) GOA ---- $0.10 $0.10 

GOA Shallow-water Flatfish5 CGOA ---- $0.23 $0.24 

(SFLl) GOA ---- $0.23 $0.24 

GOA Skate, Other (USKT) SEAK $0.38 ---- ---- EGOA $0.38 ---- ----

CGOA $0.47 ---- ---- GOA $0.41 ---- ----

Other Rockfish6

'

1 (ROCK) SEAK $0.36 ---- ---- EGOAxSE $0.85 ---- ----

CGOA $0.57 $0.21 $0.23 

WGOA $0.47 ---- ----

GOA ---- $0.21 $0.24 

AI $0.56 ---- ----

BS $0.69 ---- ----

AK ---- $0.21 $0.24 

---- = no landings in last 3 years or the data is confidential 

1 If species is not listed in Table 1, use price for the species group if it exists in the management area. If no 

price is available for the species or species group, no fee will be assessed on that landing. That species will 

come into standard ex-vessel prices in future years. 

2 Regulatory areas are defined at§ 679.2. (AI= Aleutian Islands subarea; AK =Alaska; BS =Bering Sea 

subarea; CGOA = Central Gulf of Alaska; EGOA = Eastern Gulf of Alaska; EGOAxSE = Eastern Gulf of 

Alaska except Southeast Alaska; GOA= Gulf of Alaska; SEAK =Southeast Alaska; WGOA =Western 

Gulf of Alaska) 

3 If a price is listed for the species, port, and gear type combination, that price will be applied to the round 

weight equivalent for groundfish landings. If no price is listed for the port and gear type combination, use 

port group and gear type combination. 

4 "Deep-water flatfish" in the GOA means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, and deepsea 

sole. 

5 "Shallow-water flatfish" in the GOA means flatfish not including "deep-water flatfish," flathead sole, rex 

sole, or arrowtooth flounder. 

6 In the GOA: 
74708 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 241 / Tuesday, December 16, 2014 / Notices 

Halibut and Sablefish IFQ and CDQ 

Standard Ex-vessel Prices 

Table 3 shows the observer fee 

standard ex-vessel prices for halibut and 

sablefish. These standard prices are 

calculated as a single annual average 

price, by port or port group. Volume and 

ex-vessel value data collected on the 

2014 IFQ Buyer Report for landings 

made from October 1, 2013, through 

September 30, 2014, were used to 

calculate the standard ex-vessel prices 

for the 2015 observer fee liability for 

halibut IFQ, halibut CDQ, sablefish IFQ, 

and sablefish landings that accrue 

against the fixed gear sablefish CDQ 

reserve. 


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Table 3. Standard Ex-vessel Prices for Halibut IFQ, Halibut CDQ, Sablefish IFQ, and 

Sablefish Accruing Against the Fixed Gear Sablefish CDQ Reserve for the 2015 

Observer Fee Liability (based on 2014 IFQ Buyer Report). 

Species Port/Area1 Price2 

Halibut (200) Ketchikan $6.35 

Petersburg $6.53 

SEAK $6.14 

Cordova $6.53 

Yakutat $6.28 

EGOAxSE $6.14 

Homer $6.45 

Kenai $6.65 

Kodiak $6.04 

Seward $6.41 

CGOA $6.14 

WGOA $6.14 

AI $6.14 

Dutch Harbor/ Unalaska $5.50 

BS $6.14 

AK $6.14 

OTAK $6.14 

ALL $6.14 

Sablefish (71 0) SEAK $3.50 

EGOAxSE $3.50 

Homer $3.35 

Kodiak $3.42 

CGOA $3.50 

WGOA $3.50 

AI $3.50 

Dutch Harbor/ Unalaska $4.79 

BS $3.50 

AK $3.50 

OTAK $3.50 

ALL $3.50 

1 Regulatory areas are defined at§ 679.2. (AI= Aleutian Islands subarea; AK =Alaska; ALL= all ports 

including those outside Alaska; BS = Bering Sea subarea; CGOA = Central Gulf of Alaska; EGOAxSE = 

Eastern Gulf of Alaska except Southeast Alaska; OTAK =Outside Alaska; SEAK =Southeast Alaska; 

WGOA =Western Gulf of Alaska) 

2 If a price is listed for the species and port combination, that price will be applied to the round weight 

equivalent for sablefish landings and the headed and gutted weight equivalent for halibut landings. If no 

price is listed for the port, use port group. 
74710 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 241 / Tuesday, December 16, 2014 / Notices 

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

Dated: December 10, 2014. 

Emily H. Menashes, 

Acting Director, Office of Sustainable 

Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. 

[FR Doc. 2014–29348 Filed 12–15–14; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–C 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

RIN 0648–XD646 

Notice of Intent To Issue Guidelines 

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries 

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 

Commerce. 

ACTION: Notice, request for public 

comment. 

SUMMARY: The Marine Mammal 

Protection Act (MMPA) allows for 

persons to employ measures to deter 

marine mammals from damaging fishing 

gear and catch, damaging personal or 

public property, or endangering 

personal safety, as long as these 

measures do not result in death or 

serious injury of marine mammals. The 

MMPA also allows the Secretary of 

Commerce, through NOAA’s National 

Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), to 

develop national guidelines on safely 

deterring marine mammals under 

NOAA’s jurisdiction (e.g., whales, 

dolphins, seals, and sea lions). To 

inform development of these national 

guidelines, NMFS requests input on 

which deterrents the public would like 

NMFS to evaluate and consider for 

approval. Any subsequent national 

guidelines for safely deterring marine 

mammals would then be released for 

public notice and comment as required 

by the MMPA. Such national guidelines 

would likely be tailored to each species 

group (pinnipeds, large cetaceans, and 

small cetaceans) as differences in 

physiology and behavior would affect 

whether a deterrent is appropriate for 

one or more species group. National 

guidelines would also address relevant 

implementation considerations. 

Deterrents could be considered 

‘‘passive’’ or ‘‘active’’ in nature. 

Deterrents may include physical 

barriers, acoustic deterrent and 

harassment devices, visual repellents, 

boat hazing, noisemakers, and physical 

contact. For each deterrent device or 

technique submitted to NMFS for 

consideration and evaluation, NMFS 

requests information on the 

specifications (e.g., source and 

frequency levels, pulse rate, type of 

fencing, size of flags, etc.) for each 

deterrent or technique, which marine 

mammal species or species group (large 

cetaceans, small cetaceans, pinnipeds) 

would be deterred, how a deterrent 

would be employed (e.g., attached to 

fishing gear, launched some distance 

from a marine mammal), any evidence 

that the deterrent will not result in 

mortality or serious injury, and any 

other implementation considerations. 

This information will help NMFS 

determine which devices or techniques 

are appropriate for the development of 

guidelines and specific measures for 

safely deterring both non-ESA listed and 

ESA listed marine mammals. 

DATES: Written comments from 

interested parties on the non-lethal 

deterrents for NMFS’ consideration 

must be received at the appropriate 

address or fax number (see ADDRESSES) 

no later than 5 p.m. Eastern daylight 

time on January 15, 2015. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, 

identified by NOAA–NMFS–2014–0146, 

by any of the following methods during 

the 30-day comment period: 

• Electronic Submission: Submit all 

electronic public comments via the 

Federal e-Rulemaking Portal 

www.regulations.gov. To submit 

comments via the e-Rulemaking Portal, 

first click the ‘‘submit a comment’’ icon, 

then enter NOAA–NMFS–2014–0146 in 

the keyword search. Locate the 

document you wish to comment on 

from the resulting list and click on the 

‘‘Submit a Comment’’ icon on the right 

of that line. 

• Mail: Submit written comments to 

Kristy Long, Office of Protected 

Resources, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., 

Building 4, Room 2122–4, Seattle, WA 

98115. 

• Fax: 301–713–0376; Attn: Kristy 

Long. 

Instructions: Comments must be 

submitted by one of the above methods 

to ensure that the comments are 

received, documented, and considered 

by NMFS. 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. 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, etc.) submitted 

voluntarily by the sender will be 

publicly accessible. Do not submit 

confidential business information, or 

otherwise sensitive or protected 

information. 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 or Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe 

PDF file formats only. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Kristy Long (ph. 206–526–4792, email 

Kristy.Long@noaa.gov). 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

The deterrence provisions of the 

Marine Mammal Protection Act (16 

U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) provide an 

exception to otherwise prohibited acts, 

allowing the use of measures that may 

deter a marine mammal from, among 

other things, damaging private property 

or endangering personal safety, so long 

as those deterrents do not result in the 

death or serious injury of a marine 

mammal. NMFS has defined ‘‘serious 

injury’’ as any injury that will likely 

result in death (50 CFR 229.2) and has 

further interpreted that definition and 

developed a process to distinguish 

serious from non-serious injuries 

(www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/serious_

injury_policy.pdf). 

Specifically, MMPA section 

101(a)(4)(A) allows for the owner of 

fishing gear or catch or private property, 

or an employee or agent of such owner, 

to deter marine mammals from 

damaging fishing gear and catch or 

private property, respectively. 

Additionally, it allows any person to 

deter a marine mammal from 

endangering personal safety and any 

government employee to deter a marine 

mammal from damaging public 

property, so long as such measures do 

not result in mortality or serious injury 

of a marine mammal. 

MMPA section 101(a)(4)(B) directs the 

Secretary of Commerce, through NMFS, 

to publish guidelines for safely deterring 

marine mammals and recommend 

specific measures to non-lethally deter 

marine mammals listed as endangered 

or threatened under the Endangered 

Species Act (ESA). Deterring marine 

mammals consistent with such 

guidelines or approved measures would 

not be a violation of the MMPA. 

MMPA section 101(a)(4)(C) provides 

for the prohibition of certain forms of 

deterrence if NMFS determines, using 

the best scientific information available, 

and subsequent to public comment, that 

the deterrence measure has a significant 

adverse effect on marine mammals. 

Types of Deterrents 

Passive Deterrents 

‘‘Passive’’ deterrence measures are 

those that prevent marine mammals 

from gaining access to fishing gear, 

property, or people. The proper use of 

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