Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/10/04/2018-21600/fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-exchange-of-flatfish-in-the-bering-sea-and
Timestamp: 2019-02-21 05:38:37
Document Index: 132002509

Matched Legal Cases: ['§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679']

A Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 10/04/2018
Effective October 4, 2018 through December 31, 2018.
Docket No. 170817779-8186-02
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2018-21600 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2018-21600
The 2018 flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole Amendment 80 allocations of the total allowable catch (TAC) specified in the BSAI are 8,949 metric tons (mt), 36,060 mt, and 115,171 mt as established by the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27, 2018). The 2018 flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole Amendment 80 ABC reserves are 46,680 mt, 85,728 mt, and 110,286 mt as established by the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27, 2018). The 2018 flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole CDQ reserves specified in the BSAI are 1,552 mt, 5,040 mt, and 16,478 mt as established by the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27, 2018). The 2018 flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves are 5,593 mt, 10,272 mt, and 13,215 mt as established by the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27, 2018).
The Alaska Seafood Cooperative has requested that NMFS exchange 3,650 mt of rock sole Amendment 80 allocations of the TAC for 2,650 mt of flathead sole and 1,000 mt of yellowfin sole Amendment 80 ABC reserves under § 679.91(i). Therefore, in accordance with § 679.91(i), NMFS exchanges 3,650 mt of rock sole Amendment 80 allocations of the TAC for 2,650 mt of flathead sole and 1,000 mt of yellowfin sole Amendment 80 ABC reserves in the BSAI. This action also decreases and increases the TACs and Amendment 80 ABC reserves by the corresponding amounts.
The Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association has requested that NMFS exchange 250 mt of rock sole CDQ reserves for 250 mt of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves under § 679.31(d). Therefore, in accordance with § 679.31(d), NMFS exchanges 250 mt of rock sole CDQ reserves for 250 mt of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves in the BSAI. This action also decreases and increases the TACs and CDQ ABC reserves by the corresponding amounts.
The Coastal Villages Regional Fund has requested that NMFS exchange 45 mt of flathead sole CDQ reserves and 250 mt of rock sole CDQ reserves for 295 mt of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves under § 679.31(d). Therefore, in accordance with § 679.31(d), NMFS exchanges 45 mt of flathead sole CDQ reserves and 250 mt of rock sole CDQ reserves for 295 mt of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves in the BSAI. This action also decreases and increases the TACs and CDQ ABC reserves by the corresponding amounts.
Tables 11 and 13 of the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27, 2018), are revised as follows:Start Printed Page 50037
Table 11—Final 2018 Community Development Quota (CDQ) Reserves, Incidental Catch Amounts (ICAS), and Amendment 80 Allocations of the Aleutian Islands Pacific Ocean Perch, and BSAI Flathead Sole, Rock Sole, and Yellowfin Sole TACs
TAC 9,000 7,500 9,000 17,105 42,950 155,545
CDQ 963 803 963 1,507 4,540 17,023
ICA 100 120 10 4,000 6,000 4,000
BSAI trawl limited access 794 658 161 0 0 18,351
Amendment 80 7,143 5,920 7,866 11,599 32,410 116,171
Table 13—Final 2018 and 2019 ABC Surplus, ABC Reserves, Community Development Quota (CDQ) ABC Reserves, and Amendment 80 ABC Reserves in the BSAI for Flathead Sole, Rock Sole, and Yellowfin Sole
2019 1 Flathead sole
2019 1 Rock sole
2019 1 Yellowfin sole
ABC 66,773 143,100 277,500 65,227 132,000 267,500
TAC 17,105 42,950 155,545 16,500 49,100 156,000
ABC surplus 49,668 100,150 121,955 48,727 82,900 111,500
ABC reserve 49,668 100,150 121,955 48,727 82,900 111,500
CDQ ABC reserve 5,638 10,772 12,670 5,214 8,870 11,931
Amendment 80 ABC reserve 44,030 89,378 109,286 43,513 74,030 99,570
1 The 2019 allocations for Amendment 80 species between Amendment 80 cooperatives and the Amendment 80 limited access sector will not be known until eligible participants apply for participation in the program by November 1, 2018.
This action responds to the best available information recently obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. This requirement is impracticable and contrary to the public interest as it would prevent NMFS from responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and would delay the flatfish exchange by the Alaska Seafood Cooperative, the Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association, and the Coastal Villages Regional Fund in the BSAI. Since these fisheries are currently open, it is important to immediately inform the industry as to the revised allocations. Immediate notification is necessary to allow for the orderly conduct and efficient operation of this fishery, to allow the industry to plan for the fishing season, and to avoid potential disruption to the fishing fleet as well as processors. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of September 21, 2018.