Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2009/02/17/E9-3297/fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-bering-sea-and-aleutian-islands-final-2009-and
Timestamp: 2017-09-20 15:44:09
Document Index: 498023714

Matched Legal Cases: ['§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', 'art 679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', 'art 679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', 'art 679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', 'art 679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', 'art 679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', 'art 679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679']

Federal Register :: Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands; Final 2009 and 2010 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish
Effective from 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 17, 2009, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2010.
7359-7381 (23 pages)
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/E9-3297 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/E9-3297
Copies of the Final Alaska Groundfish Harvest Specifications Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Record of Decision (ROD), Supplementary Information Report (SIR) to the EIS, and Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) prepared for this action are available on the Alaska Region Web site at http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. Printed copies can be obtained from the Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802, Attn: Ellen Sebastian. Copies of the 2008 Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) report for the groundfish resources of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) dated November 2008, are available from the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, West 4th Avenue, Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 99510-2252, phone 907-271-2809, or from its Web site at http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/​npfmc.
Steve Whitney, 907-586-7269, or e-mail steven.whitney@noaa.gov.
The FMP and its implementing regulations require NMFS, after consultation with the Council, to specify the total allowable catch (TAC) for each target species and for the “other species” category, and the sum must be within the optimum yield (OY) range of 1.4 million to 2.0 million metric tons (mt) (see § 679.20(a)(1)(i)). NMFS also must specify apportionments of TACs, prohibited species catch (PSC) Start Printed Page 7360allowances, and prohibited species quota (PSQ) reserves established by § 679.21, seasonal allowances of pollock, Pacific cod, and Atka mackerel TAC, Amendment 80 allocations, and Community Development Quota (CDQ) reserve amounts established by § 679.20(b)(1)(ii). The final harvest specifications set forth in Tables 1 through 16 of this action satisfy these requirements. The sum of TACs for 2009 is 1,681,586 mt and for 2010 is 2,000,000 mt.
Section 679.20(c)(3) further requires NMFS to consider public comment on the proposed annual TACs and apportionments thereof and the proposed PSC allowances, and to publish final harvest specifications in the Federal Register. The proposed 2009 and 2010 harvest specifications and PSC allowances for the groundfish fishery of the BSAI were published in the Federal Register on December 10, 2008 (73 FR 75059). Comments were invited and accepted through January 9, 2009. NMFS received three letters with 30 comments on the proposed harvest specifications. These comments are summarized and responded to in the Response to Comments section of this rule. NMFS consulted with the Council on the final 2009 and 2010 harvest specifications during the December 2008 Council meeting in Anchorage, AK. After considering public comments, as well as biological and economic data that were available at the Council's December meeting, NMFS is implementing the final 2009 and 2010 harvest specifications as recommended by the Council.
In December 2008, the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), Advisory Panel (AP), and Council reviewed current biological information about the condition of the BSAI groundfish stocks. The Council's Plan Team compiled and presented this information in the 2008 SAFE report for the BSAI groundfish fisheries, dated November 2008. The SAFE report contains a review of the latest scientific analyses and estimates of each species' biomass and other biological parameters, as well as summaries of the available information on the BSAI ecosystem and the economic condition of groundfish fisheries off Alaska. The SAFE report is available for public review (see ADDRESSES). From these data and analyses, the Plan Team estimates an OFL and ABC for each species or species category.
The final rule implementing Amendment 73 to the FMP was published in the Federal Register on December 31, 2008 (73 FR 80307). Amendment 73 removes dark rockfish from the “other rockfish” category in the FMP in order to allow the State of Alaska (State) to assume management of dark rockfish. This action is necessary to allow the State to implement more responsive, regionally based management measures than are currently possible under the FMP. Based on the approval of Amendment 73, the Council recommended final 2009 and 2010 harvest specifications for BSAI groundfish.
In October 2008, the Council made its recommendations for the proposed 2009 and 2010 harvest specifications (73 FR 75059, December 10, 2008) based largely on information contained in the 2007 SAFE report for the BSAI groundfish fisheries. The 2008 SAFE report, which was not available when the Council Start Printed Page 7361made its recommendations in October 2008, contains the best and most recent scientific information on the condition of the groundfish stocks. In December 2008, the Council considered the 2008 SAFE report in making its recommendations for the final 2009 and 2010 harvest specifications. Based on the 2008 SAFE report, the sum of the 2009 and 2010 recommended final TACs for the BSAI (1,681,586 mt for 2009 and 2,000,000 mt for 2010) is lower than the sum of the proposed 2009 TACs and higher than the sum of the proposed 2010 TACs (1,824,204 mt each year). Compared to the proposed 2009 TACs, the Council's final TAC recommendations increase for species when sufficient information supports a larger TAC. This increases fishing opportunities for fishermen and adds economic benefits to the nation. These species include BSAI Atka mackerel, flathead sole, Pacific cod, rock sole, and Greenland turbot. The Council reduced TAC levels to provide greater protection for several species including Bering Sea subarea pollock, yellowfin sole, “other flatfish,” and Pacific ocean perch.
Comparison of Final 2009 and 2010 With Proposed 2009 and 2010 Total Allowable Catch in the BSAI
2009 difference from proposed
Pollock BS 815,000 1,000,000 −185,000 1,230,000 1,000,000 230,000
Bogoslof 50 10 40 10 10 0
Pacific cod BSAI 176,540 170,720 5,820 193,030 170,720 22,310
Sablefish BS 2,720 2,610 110 2,520 2,610 −90
AI 2,200 2,230 −30 2,040 2,230 −190
Atka mackerel EAI/BS 27,000 15,300 11,700 22,900 15,300 7,600
CAI 32,500 19,000 13,500 28,500 19,000 9,500
WAI 16,900 13,200 3,700 19,700 13,200 6,500
Yellowfin sole BSAI 210,000 225,000 −15,000 180,000 225,000 −45,000
Rock sole BSAI 90,000 75,000 15,000 75,000 75,000 0
Greenland turbot BS 5,090 1,750 3,340 4,920 1,750 3,170
AI 2,290 790 1,500 2,210 790 1,420
Arrowtooth flounder BSAI 75,000 75,000 0 60,000 75,000 −15,000
Flathead sole BSAI 60,000 50,000 10,000 50,000 50,000 0
Other flatfish BSAI 17,400 21,600 −4,200 17,400 21,600 −4,200
Alaska plaice BSAI 50,000 50,000 0 30,000 50,000 −20,000
Pacific ocean perch BS 3,820 4,100 −280 3,780 4,100 −320
EAI 4,200 4,810 −610 4,160 4,810 −650
CAI 4,260 4,900 −640 4,210 4,900 −690
WAI 6,520 7,490 −970 6,450 7,490 −1,040
Northern rockfish BSAI 7,160 8,130 −970 6,000 8,130 −2,130
Shortraker rockfish BSAI 387 424 −37 387 424 −37
Rougheye rockfish BSAI 539 202 337 552 202 350
Other rockfish BS 485 414 71 485 414 71
AI 555 554 1 555 554 1
Other species BSAI 50,000 50,000 0 34,221 50,000 −15,779
Total BSAI 1,681,586 1,824,204 −142,618 2,000,000 1,824,204 175,796
As mentioned in the proposed 2009 and 2010 harvest specifications, NMFS is apportioning the amounts shown in Table 2 from the non-specified reserve to increase the ITAC of several target species. Start Printed Page 7362
Table 1—Final 2009 and 2010 Overfishing Level (OFL), Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC), Total Allowable Catch (TAC), Initial TAC (ITAC), and CDQ Reserve Allocation of Groundfish in the BSAI 1
Pollock 3 BS 2 977,000 815,000 815,000 733,500 81,500 1,430,000 1,230,000 1,230,000 1,107,000 123,000
AI 2 32,600 26,900 19,000 17,100 1,900 36,800 30,400 19,000 17,100 1,900
Bogoslof 58,400 7,970 50 50 0 58,400 7,970 10 10 0
Pacific cod 4 BSAI 212,000 182,000 176,540 157,650 18,890 235,000 199,000 193,030 172,376 20,654
Sablefish 5 BS 3,210 2,720 2,720 2,244 374 2,980 2,520 2,520 1,071 95
AI 2,600 2,200 2,200 1,788 371 2,410 2,040 2,040 429 38
Atka mackerel BSAI 99,400 83,800 76,400 68,225 8,175 84,400 71,100 71,100 63,492 7,608
EAI/BS n/a 27,000 27,000 24,111 2,889 n/a 22,900 22,900 20,450 2,450
CAI n/a 33,500 32,500 29,023 3,478 n/a 28,500 28,500 25,451 3,050
WAI n/a 23,300 16,900 15,092 1,808 n/a 19,700 19,700 17,592 2,108
Yellowfin sole BSAI 224,000 210,000 210,000 187,530 22,470 210,000 198,000 180,000 160,740 19,260
Rock sole BSAI 301,000 296,000 90,000 80,370 9,630 314,000 310,000 75,000 66,975 8,025
Greenland turbot BSAI 14,800 7,380 7,380 6,273 n/a 14,400 7,130 7,130 6,061 n/a
BS n/a 5,090 5,090 4,327 545 n/a 4,920 4,920 4,182 526
AI n/a 2,290 2,290 1,947 0 n/a 2,210 2,210 1,879 0
Arrowtooth flounder BSAI 190,000 156,000 75,000 63,750 8,025 196,000 161,000 60,000 51,000 6,420
Flathead sole BSAI 83,800 71,400 60,000 53,580 6,420 81,800 69,800 50,000 44,650 5,350
Other flatfish 6 BSAI 23,100 17,400 17,400 14,790 0 23,100 17,400 17,400 14,790 0
Alaska plaice BSAI 298,000 232,000 50,000 42,500 0 354,000 275,000 30,000 25,500 0
Pacific ocean perch BSAI 22,300 18,800 18,800 16,624 n/a 22,100 18,600 18,600 16,447 n/a
BS n/a 3,820 3,820 3,247 0 n/a 3,780 3,780 3,213 0
EAI n/a 4,200 4,200 3,751 449 n/a 4,160 4,160 3,715 445
CAI n/a 4,260 4,260 3,804 456 n/a 4,210 4,210 3,760 450
WAI n/a 6,520 6,520 5,822 698 n/a 6,450 6,450 5,760 690
Northern rockfish BSAI 8,540 7,160 7,160 6,086 0 8,580 7,190 6,000 5,100 0
Rougheye rockfish BSAI 660 539 539 458 0 640 552 552 469 0
Other species 8 BSAI 80,800 63,700 50,000 42,500 0 80,700 63,700 34,221 29,088 0
Total 2,636,726 2,204,366 1,681,586 1,497,906 159,902 3,159,826 2,674,799 2,000,000 1,785,185 194,462
3 Under § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(1), the annual Bering Sea subarea pollock TAC after subtracting first for the CDQ directed fishing allowance (10 percent) and second for the incidental catch allowance (4.0 percent), is further allocated by sector for a directed pollock fishery as follows: inshore—50 percent; catcher/processor—40 percent; and motherships—10 percent. Under § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2)(i) and (ii), the annual Aleutian Islands subarea pollock TAC, after subtracting first for the CDQ directed fishing allowance (10 percent) and second for the incidental catch allowance (1,600 mt) is allocated to the Aleut Corporation for a directed pollock fishery.
Section 679.20(b)(1)(i) requires the placement of 15 percent of the TAC for each target species or “other species” category, except for pollock, the hook-and-line and pot gear allocation of sablefish, and the Amendment 80 species, in a non-specified reserve. Section 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(B) requires that 20 percent of the hook-and-line and pot gear allocation of sablefish be allocated to the fixed gear sablefish CDQ reserve. Section 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(D) requires allocation of 7.5 percent of the trawl gear allocations of sablefish and 10.7 percent of the Bering Sea Greenland turbot and arrowtooth flounder TACs to the respective CDQ reserves. Section 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(C) requires allocation of 10.7 percent of the TACs for Atka mackerel, Aleutian Islands Pacific ocean perch, yellowfin sole, rock sole, flathead sole, and Pacific cod be allocated to the CDQ reserves. Sections 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A) and 679.31(a) also require the allocation of 10 percent of the BSAI pollock TACs to the pollock CDQ directed fishing allowance (DFA). The entire Bogoslof District pollock TAC is allocated as an ICA (see § 679.20(a)(5)(ii)). With the exception of the hook-and-line and pot gear sablefish CDQ reserve, the regulations do not further apportion the CDQ allocations by gear. Section 679.21(e)(3)(i)(A) requires withholding 7.5 percent of the Chinook salmon PSC limit, 10.7 percent of the crab and non-Chinook salmon PSC limits, and 343 (mt) of halibut PSC as PSQ reserves for the CDQ fisheries. Sections 679.30 and 679.31 set forth regulations governing the management of the CDQ and PSQ reserves, respectively.
Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(1), NMFS allocates a pollock ICA of 4 percent of the Bering Sea subarea pollock TAC after subtraction of the 10 percent CDQ reserve. This allowance is based on NMFS' examination of the pollock incidental catch, including the incidental catch by CDQ vessels, in target fisheries other than pollock from 1999 through 2008. During this 9-year period, the pollock incidental catch ranged from a low of 2.4 percent in 2006 to a high of 5 percent in 1999, with a 10-year average of 3 percent. Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2)(i) and (ii), NMFS establishes a pollock ICA of 1,600 mt for the AI subarea after subtraction of the 10 percent CDQ DFA. This allowance is based on NMFS' examination of the pollock incidental catch, including the incidental catch by CDQ vessels, in target fisheries other than pollock from 2003 through 2008. During this 6-year period, the incidental catch of pollock ranged from a low of 5 percent in 2006 to a high of 10 percent in 2003, with a 6-year average of 6 percent.
Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(8) and (10), NMFS allocates ICAs of 4,500 mt of flathead sole, 5,000 mt of rock sole, 2,000 mt of yellowfin sole, 10 mt of Western Aleutian District Pacific ocean perch, 10 mt of Central Aleutian District Pacific ocean perch, 100 mt of Eastern Aleutian District Pacific ocean perch, 20 mt of Western Aleutian District Atka mackerel, 20 mt of Central Aleutian District Atka mackerel, and 200 mt of Eastern Aleutian District and Bering Sea subarea Atka mackerel TAC after subtraction of the 10.7 percent CDQ reserve. These allowances are based on NMFS' examination of the incidental catch in other target fisheries from 2003 through 2008.
The regulations do not designate the remainder of the non-specified reserve by species or species group. Any amount of the reserve may be apportioned to a target species or to the “other species” category during the year, providing that such apportionments do not result in overfishing (see § 679.20(b)(1)(ii)). The Regional Administrator has determined that the ITACs specified for the species listed in Table 2 need to be supplemented from the non-specified reserve because U.S. fishing vessels have demonstrated the capacity to catch the full TAC allocations. Therefore, in accordance with § 679.20(b)(3), NMFS is apportioning the amounts shown in Table 2 from the non-specified reserve to increase the ITAC for northern rockfish, shortraker rockfish, rougheye rockfish, and Bering Sea “other rockfish” by 15 percent of the TAC in 2009 and 2010.
Table 2—Final 2009 Apportionment of Reserves to ITAC Categories
Shortraker rockfish—BSAI 329 58 387 329 58 387
Rougheye rockfish—BSAI 458 81 539 469 83 552
Northern rockfish—BSAI 6,086 1,074 7,160 5,100 900 6,000
Other rockfish—Bering Sea subarea 412 73 485 412 73 485
Total 7,285 1,286 8,571 6,310 1,114 7,424
Section 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4) also includes several specific requirements regarding Bering Sea pollock allocations. First, 8.5 percent of the pollock allocated to the catcher/processor sector will be available for harvest by AFA catcher vessels with catcher/processor sector endorsements, unless the Regional Administrator receives a cooperative contract that provides for the distribution of harvest among AFA catcher/processors and AFA catcher vessels in a manner agreed to by all members. Second, AFA Start Printed Page 7364catcher/processors not listed in the AFA are limited to harvesting not more than 0.5 percent of the pollock allocated to the catcher/processor sector. Table 3 lists the 2009 and 2010 allocations of pollock TAC. Tables 11 through 15 list the AFA catcher/processor and catcher vessel harvesting sideboard limits. The tables for the pollock allocations to the Bering Sea subarea inshore pollock cooperatives and open access sector will be posted on the Alaska Region Web site at http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov.
Table 3 also lists seasonal apportionments of pollock and harvest limits within the Steller Sea Lion Conservation Area (SCA). The harvest within the SCA, as defined at § 679.22(a)(7)(vii), is limited to 28 percent of the annual DFA until April 1. The remaining 12 percent of the 40 percent annual DFA allocated to the A season may be taken outside the SCA before April 1 or inside the SCA after April 1. If less than 28 percent of the annual DFA is taken inside the SCA before April 1, the remainder will be available to be taken inside the SCA after April 1. The A season pollock SCA harvest limit will be apportioned to each sector in proportion to each sector's allocated percentage of the DFA. Table 3 lists by sector these 2009 and 2010 amounts.
Table 3—Final 2009 and 2010 Allocations of Pollock TACS to the Directed Pollock Fisheries and to the CDQ Directed Fishing Allowances (DFA) 1
Bering Sea subarea 815,000 n/a n/a n/a 1,230,000 n/a n/a n/a
CDQ DFA 81,500 32,600 22,820 48,900 123,000 49,200 34,440 73,800
ICA 1 29,340 n/a n/a n/a 44,280 n/a n/a n/a
AFA Inshore 352,080 140,832 98,582 211,248 531,360 212,544 148,781 318,816
AFA Catcher/Processors 3 281,664 112,666 78,866 168,998 425,088 170,035 119,025 255,053
Catch by C/Ps 257,723 103,089 n/a 154,634 388,956 155,582 n/a 233,373
Catch by CVs 3 23,941 9,577 n/a 14,365 36,132 14,453 n/a 21,679
Unlisted C/P Limit 4 1,408 563 n/a 845 2,125 850 n/a 1,275
AFA Motherships 70,416 28,166 19,716 42,250 106,272 42,509 29,756 63,763
Excessive Harvesting Limit 5 123,228 n/a n/a n/a 185,976 n/a n/a n/a
Excessive Processing Limit 6 211,248 n/a n/a n/a 318,816 n/a n/a n/a
Total Bering Sea DFA 704,160 281,664 197,165 422,495 1,062,721 425,087 297,562 637,632
Bogoslof District ICA 7 50 n/a n/a n/a 10 n/a n/a n/a
1 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), the Bering Sea subarea pollock, after subtraction for the CDQ DFA (10 percent) and the ICA (4 percent), is allocated as a DFA as follows: inshore sector—50 percent, catcher/processor sector (C/P)—40 percent, and mothership sector—10 percent. In the Bering Sea subarea, 40 percent of the DFA is allocated to the A season (January 20-June 10) and 60 percent of the DFA is allocated to the B season (June 10-November 1). Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2)(i) and (ii), the annual AI pollock TAC, after subtracting first for the CDQ directed fishing allowance (10 percent) and second the ICA (1,600 mt), is allocated to the Aleut Corporation for a directed pollock fishery. In the AI subarea, the A season is allocated 40 percent of the ABC and the B season is allocated the remainder of the directed pollock fishery.
Section 679.20(a)(8)(ii) allocates the Atka mackerel TACs, after subtraction of the CDQ reserves, jig gear allocation, and ICAs for the BSAI trawl limited access sector and non-trawl gear, to the Amendment 80 and BSAI trawl limited access sectors. The allocation of the ITAC for Atka mackerel to the Amendment 80 and BSAI trawl limited access sectors is established in Table 33 to part 679 and § 679.91.
Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(8)(i), up to 2 percent of the Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering Sea subarea Atka mackerel ITAC may be allocated to jig gear. The amount of this allocation is determined annually by the Council based on several criteria, including the anticipated harvest capacity of the jig gear fleet. The Council recommended, and NMFS approves, a 0.5 percent allocation of the Atka mackerel ITAC in the Eastern Aleutian District and Bering Sea subarea to the jig gear in 2009 and 2010. Based on the 2009 TAC of 27,000 mt after subtractions of the CDQ reserve and ICA, the jig gear allocation would be 120 mt for 2009. Based on the 2010 TAC of 22,900 mt after subtractions of the CDQ reserve and ICA, the jig gear allocation would be 101 mt for 2010. Start Printed Page 7365
NMFS will establish HLA limits for the CDQ reserve and each of the three non-CDQ trawl sectors: the BSAI trawl limited access sector, the Amendment 80 limited access fishery, and an aggregate HLA limit applicable to all Amendment 80 cooperatives. NMFS will assign vessels in each of the three non-CDQ sectors that apply to fish for Atka mackerel in the HLA to an HLA fishery based on a random lottery of the vessels that apply (see § 679.20(a)(8)(iii)). There is no allocation of Atka mackerel to the BSAI trawl limited access sector in the Western Aleutian District. Therefore, no vessels in the BSAI trawl limited access sector will be assigned to the Western Aleutian District HLA fishery.
Table 4—Final 2009 and 2010 Seasonal and Spatial Allowances, Gear Shares, CDQ Reserve, Incidental Catch Allowance, and Amendment 80 Allocations of the BSAI ATKA Mackerel TAC
Season 3 4
TAC n/a 27,000 32,500 16,900 22,900 28,500 19,700
CDQ reserve Total 2,889 3,478 1,808 2,450 3,050 2,108
HLA 5 n/a 2,087 1,085 n/a 1,830 1,265
Jig 6 Total 120 0 0 101 0 0
BSAI trawl limited access Total 952 1,160 0 1,209 1,526 0
A 476 580 0 604 763 0
HLA 4 n/a 348 0 n/a 458 0
B 476 580 0 604 763 0
HLA4 n/a 348 0 n/a 458 0
Amendment 80 sectors Total 22,840 27,842 15,072 18,940 23,905 17,572
A 11,420 13,921 7,536 9,470 11,952 8,786
HLA 4 n/a 8,353 4,522 n/a 7,171 5,272
B 11,420 13,921 7,536 9,470 11,952 8,786
HLA4 n/a 8,353 4,522 n/a 7,171 5,272
Amendment 80 limited access Total 12,328 16,795 9,275 n/a n/a n/a
A 6,164 8,398 4,638 n/a n/a n/a
HLA4 n/a 5,039 2,783 n/a n/a n/a
B 6,164 8,398 4,638 n/a n/a n/a
Amendment 80 cooperatives Total 10,512 11,047 5,797 n/a n/a n/a
A 5,256 5,524 2,899 n/a n/a n/a
HLA4 n/a 3,314 1,739 n/a n/a n/a
B 5,256 5,524 2,899 n/a n/a n/a
5 Harvest Limit Area (HLA) limit refers to the amount of each seasonal allowance that is available for fishing inside the HLA (see § 679.2). In 2009 and 2010, 60 percent of each seasonal allowance is available for fishing inside the HLA in the Western and Central Aleutian Districts.
Section 679.20(a)(7)(i) and (ii) allocates the Pacific cod TAC in the BSAI, after subtraction of 10.7 percent for the CDQ reserve, as follows: 1.4 percent to vessels using jig gear, 2.0 percent to hook-and-line and pot catcher vessels less than 60 ft (18.3 m) length overall (LOA), 0.2 percent to hook-and-line catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA, 48.7 percent to hook-and-line catcher/processors, 8.4 percent to pot catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA, 1.5 percent to pot catcher/processors, 2.3 percent to American Fisheries Act (AFA) trawl catcher/processors, 13.4 percent to non-AFA trawl catcher/processors, and 22.1 percent to trawl catcher vessels. The ICA for the hook-and-line and pot sectors will be deducted from the aggregate portion of Pacific cod TAC allocated to the hook-and-line and pot sectors. For 2009 and 2010, the Regional Administrator establishes an ICA of 500 mt based on anticipated incidental catch by these sectors in other fisheries. The allocation of the ITAC for Pacific cod to the Amendment 80 sector is established in Table 33 to part 679 and § 679.91. The 2010 allocations for Pacific cod 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, 2009.
Pursuant to §§ 679.20(a)(7)(i)(B) and 679.23(e)(5), the CDQ season allowances by gear are as follows: For hook-and-line catcher/processors and hook-and-line catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA harvesting CDQ Pacific cod, the first seasonal allowance of 60 percent of the ITAC is available for directed fishing from January 1 to June 10, and the second seasonal allowance of 40 percent of the ITAC is available from June 10 to December 31. No seasonal harvest constraints are imposed on the CDQ Pacific cod fishery for pot gear or hook-and-line catcher vessels less than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA. For vessels harvesting CDQ Pacific cod with trawl gear, the first seasonal allowance of 60 percent of the ITAC is available January 20 to April 1. The second seasonal allowance, April 1 to June 10, and the third seasonal allowance, June 10 to November 1, are each allocated 20 percent of the ITAC. The CDQ Pacific cod trawl catcher vessel allocation is further allocated as 70 percent of the first seasonal allowance, 10 percent in the second seasonal allowance, and 20 percent in the third seasonal allowance. The CDQ Pacific cod trawl catcher/processor allocation is 50 percent in the first seasonal allowance, 30 percent in the second seasonal allowance, and 20 percent in the third seasonal allowance. For jig gear, the first and third seasonal allowances are each allocated 40 percent of the ITAC and the second seasonal allowance is allocated 20 percent of the ITAC.
Pursuant to §§ 679.20(a)(7)(iv)(A) and 679.23(e)(5), the non-CDQ season allowances by gear are as follows. For hook-and-line and pot catcher/processors and hook-and-line and pot catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA, the first seasonal allowance of 51 percent of the ITAC is available for directed fishing from January 1 to June 10, and the second seasonal allowance of 49 percent of the ITAC is available from June 10 (September 1 for pot gear) to December 31. No seasonal harvest constraints are imposed on the Pacific cod fishery for catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear. For trawl gear, the first seasonal allowance is January 20 to April 1, the second seasonal allowance is April 1 to June 10, and the third seasonal allowance is June 10 to November 1. The trawl catcher vessel allocation is further allocated as 74 percent in the first seasonal allowance, 11 percent in the second seasonal allowance, and 15 percent in the third seasonal allowance. The trawl catcher/processor allocation is allocated 75 percent in the first seasonal allowance, 25 percent in the second seasonal allowance, and zero percent in the third seasonal allowance. For jig gear, the first seasonal allowance is allocated 60 percent of the ITAC, and the second and third seasonal allowances are each allocated 20 percent of the ITAC. Table 5 lists the 2009 and 2010 allocations and seasonal apportionments of the Pacific cod TAC.
Table 5a—Final 2009 Gear Shares and Seasonal Allowances of the BSAI Pacific Cod TAC
2009 share of gear sector total
2009 share of sector total
2009 seasonal apportionment
Total TAC 100 176,540 n/a n/a n/a
CDQ 10.7 18,890 n/a see § 679.20(a)(7)(i)(B) n/a
Total hook-and-line/pot gear 60.8 95,851 n/a 0 n/a
Hook-and-line/pot sub-total n/a 95,351 n/a n/a n/a
Hook-and-line catcher/processor 48.7 n/a 76,375 Jan 1-Jun 10 38,951
Jun 10-Dec 31 37,424
Hook-and-line catcher vessel ≥ 60 ft LOA 0.2 n/a 314 Jan 1-Jun 10 160
Jun 10-Dec 31 154
Pot catcher/processor 1.5 n/a 2,352 Jan 1-Jun 10 1,200
Sept 1-Dec 31 1,152
Pot catcher vessel ≥ 60 ft LOA 8.4 n/a 13,173 Jan 1-Jun 10 6,718
Sept 1-Dec 31 6,455
Catcher vessel < 60 ft LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear 2.0 n/a 3,137 n/a n/a
Trawl catcher vessel 22.1 34,841 n/a Jan 20-Apr 1 25,782
Apr 1-Jun 10 3,832
Jun 10-Nov 1 5,226
AFA trawl catcher/processor 2.3 3,626 n/a Jan 20-Apr 1 2,719
Apr 1-Jun 10 906
Amendment 80 13.4 21,125 n/a Jan 20-Apr 1 15,844
Apr 1-Jun 10 5,281
Amendment 80 limited access n/a n/a 3,471 Jan 20-Apr 1 2,603
Apr 1-Jun 10 868
Amendment 80 cooperatives n/a n/a 17,654 Jan 20-Apr 1 13,241
Apr 1-Jun 10 4,414
Jig 1.4 2,207 n/a Jan 1-Apr 30 1,324
Apr 30-Aug 31 441
Aug 31-Dec 31 441
1 The ICA for the hook-and-line and pot sectors will be deducted from the aggregate portion of Pacific cod TAC allocated to the hook-and-line and pot sectors. The Regional Administrator approves an ICA of 500 mt for 2009 based on anticipated incidental catch in these fisheries.
Table 5b—Final 2010 Gear Shares and Seasonal Allowances of the BSAI Pacific Cod TAC
2010 seasonal apportionment 2
Hook-and-line catcher/processor 48.7 n/a 83,547 Jan 1-Jun 10 42,609
Jun 10-Dec 31 40,938
Hook-and-line catcher vessel ≥ 60 ft LOA 0.2 n/a 343 Jan 1-Jun 10 175
Jun 10-Dec 31 168
Pot catcher/processor 1.5 n/a 2,573 Jan 1-Jun 10 1,312
Sept 1-Dec 31 1,261
Pot catcher vessel ≥ 60 ft LOA 8.4 n/a 14,410 Jan 1-Jun 10 7,349
Sept 1-Dec 31 7,061
Catcher vessel < 60 ft LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear 2.0 3,431 3,431 n/a n/a
Trawl catcher vessel 22.1 38,095 n/a Jan 20-Apr 1 28,190
Apr 1-Jun 10 4,190
Jun 10-Nov 1 5,714
AFA trawl catcher/processor 2.3 3,965 n/a Jan 20-Apr 1 2,973
Apr 1-Jun 10 991
Amendment 80 13.4 23,098 n/a Jan 20-Apr 1 17,324
Apr 1-Jun 10 5,775
Jig 1.4 2,413 n/a Jan 1-Apr 30 1,448
Apr 30-Aug 31 483
Aug 31-Dec 31 483
2 The 2010 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, 2009.
Sections 679.20(a)(4)(iii) and (iv) require the allocation of sablefish TACs for the Bering Sea and AI subareas between trawl and hook-and-line or pot gear. Gear allocations of the TACs for the Bering Sea subarea are 50 percent for trawl gear and 50 percent for hook-and-line or pot gear and for the AI subarea are 25 percent for trawl gear and 75 percent for hook-and-line or pot gear. Section 679.20(b)(1)(iii)(B) requires apportionment of 20 percent of the hook-and-line and pot gear allocation of sablefish to the CDQ reserve. Additionally, § 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(D) requires apportionment of 7.5 percent of the trawl gear allocation of sablefish to the CDQ reserve. The Council recommended that only trawl sablefish TAC be established biennially. The Start Printed Page 7368harvest specifications for the hook-and-line gear and pot gear sablefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) fisheries will be limited to the 2009 fishing year to ensure those fisheries are conducted concurrently with the halibut IFQ fishery. Concurrent sablefish and halibut IFQ fisheries reduces the potential for discards of halibut and sablefish in those fisheries. The sablefish IFQ fisheries will remain closed at the beginning of each fishing year until the final specifications for the sablefish IFQ fisheries are in effect. Table 6 lists the 2009 and 2010 gear allocations of the sablefish TAC and CDQ reserve amounts.
Table 6—Final 2009 and 2010 Gear Shares and CDQ Reserve of BSAI Sablefish TACS
Trawl 1 50 1,360 1,156 102 1,260 1,071 95
Hook-and-line/pot gear 2 50 1,360 1,088 272 n/a n/a n/a
TOTAL 100 2,720 2,244 374 1,260 1,071 95
Trawl 1 25 550 468 41 505 429 38
Hook-and-line/pot gear 2 75 1,650 1,320 330 n/a n/a n/a
TOTAL 100 2,200 1,788 371 505 429 38
Sections 679.20(a)(10)(i) and (ii) require the allocation between the Amendment 80 sector and BSAI trawl limited access sector for Aleutian Islands Pacific ocean perch, and BSAI flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole TACs, after subtraction of 10.7 percent for the CDQ reserve and an ICA for the BSAI trawl limited access sector and vessels using non-trawl gear. The allocation of the ITAC for Aleutian Islands Pacific ocean perch, and BSAI flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole to the Amendment 80 sector is established in Tables 33 and 34 to part 679 and § 679.91. The 2010 allocations for Amendment 80 species between Amendment 80 cooperatives and limited access sector will not be known until eligible participants apply for participation in the program by November 1, 2009. Table 7 lists the 2009 and 2010 allocations of the Aleutian Islands Pacific ocean perch, and BSAI flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole TACs.
Table 7a—Final 2009 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 4,200 4,260 6,520 60,000 90,000 210,000
CDQ 449 456 698 6,420 9,630 22,470
ICA 100 10 10 4,500 5,000 2,000
BSAI trawl limited access 365 379 116 0 0 39,154
Amendment 80 3,286 3,415 5,696 49,080 75,370 146,376
Amendment 80 limited access 1,742 1,811 3,020 5,729 18,559 58,389
Amendment 80 cooperatives 1,543 1,604 2,676 43,351 56,811 87,987
Table 7b—Final 2010 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
BSAI trawl limited access 361 375 115 0 0 28,438
Amendment 80 3,253 3,375 5,635 40,150 61,975 130,302
1 The 2010 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, 2009.
Section 679.21(e) sets forth the BSAI PSC limits. Pursuant to § 679.21(e)(1)(iv) and (e)(2), the 2009 and 2010 BSAI halibut mortality limits are 3,675 mt for trawl fisheries and 900 mt for the non-trawl fisheries. Sections 679.21(e)(3)(i)(A)(2) and (e)(4)(i)(A) allocates 276 mt in 2009 and 326 mt in 2010 of the trawl halibut mortality limit and 7.5 percent, or 67 mt, of the non-trawl halibut mortality limit as the PSQ reserve for use by the groundfish CDQ program. Section 679.21(e)(1)(vii) specifies 29,000 fish as the 2009 and 2010 Chinook salmon PSC limit for the Bering Sea subarea pollock fishery. Section 679.21(e)(3)(i)(A)(3)(i) allocates 7.5 percent, or 2,175 Chinook salmon, as the PSQ reserve for the CDQ program and allocates the remaining 26,825 Chinook salmon to the non-CDQ fisheries. Section 679.21(e)(1)(ix) specifies 700 fish as the 2009 and 2010 Chinook salmon PSC limit for the AI subarea pollock fishery. Section 679.21(e)(3)(i)(A)(3)(i) allocates 7.5 percent, or 53 Chinook salmon, as the AI subarea PSQ for the CDQ program and allocates the remaining 647 Chinook salmon to the non-CDQ fisheries. Section 679.21(e)(1)(viii) specifies 42,000 fish as the 2009 and 2010 non-Chinook salmon PSC limit. Section 679.21(e)(3)(i)(A)(3)(ii) allocates 10.7 percent, or 4,494 non-Chinook salmon, as the PSQ for the CDQ program and allocates the remaining 37,506 non-Chinook salmon to the non-CDQ fisheries.
PSC limits for crab and herring are specified annually based on abundance and spawning biomass.
The red king crab mature female abundance is estimated from the 2008 survey data at 35 million red king crabs, and the effective spawning biomass is estimated at 75 million lb (34,020 mt). Based on the criteria set out at § 679.21(e)(1)(ii), the 2009 and 2010 PSC limit of red king crab in Zone 1 for trawl gear is 197,000 animals. This limit derives from the mature female abundance of more than 8.4 million king crab and the effective spawning biomass estimate of more than 55 million lb (24,948 mt).
Section 679.21(e)(3)(ii)(B)(2) establishes criteria under which NMFS must specify an annual red king crab bycatch limit for the Red King Crab Savings Subarea (RKCSS). The regulations limit the RKCSS to up to 25 percent of the red king crab PSC limit based on the need to optimize the groundfish harvest relative to red king crab bycatch. In December 2008, the Council recommended, and NMFS approves, that the red king crab bycatch limit be equal to 25 percent of the red king crab PSC limit within the RKCSS (Table 8b).
Based on 2008 survey data, Tanner crab (Chionoecetes bairdi) abundance is estimated at 435 million animals. Given the criteria set out at § 679.21(e)(1)(iii), the calculated 2009 and 2010 C. bairdi crab PSC limit for trawl gear is 980,000 animals in Zone 1 and 2,970,000 animals in Zone 2. These limits are derived from the C. bairdi crab abundance estimate being in excess of the 400 million animal threshold specified in § 679.21(e)(1)(ii).
Pursuant to § 679.21(e)(1)(iv), the PSC limit for snow crab C. opilio) is based on total abundance as indicated by the NMFS annual bottom trawl survey. The C. opilio crab PSC limit is set at 0.1133 percent of the Bering Sea abundance index. Based on the 2008 survey estimate of 2.6 billion animals, the calculated limit is 4,350,000 animals.
Pursuant to § 679.21(e)(1)(vi), the PSC limit of Pacific herring caught while conducting any trawl operation for BSAI groundfish is 1 percent of the annual eastern Bering Sea herring biomass. The best estimate of 2009 and 2010 herring biomass is 169,675 mt. This amount was derived using 2008 survey data and an age-structured biomass projection model developed by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Therefore, the herring PSC limit for 2009 and 2010 is 1,697 mt for all trawl gear as presented in Tables 8a and b.
Section 679.21(e)(3) requires, after subtraction of PSQ reserves, that crab and halibut trawl PSC be apportioned between the BSAI trawl limited access and Amendment 80 sectors as presented in Table 8a. The amount of 2009 PSC limits assigned to the Amendment 80 sector is specified in Table 35 to part 679. Pursuant to § 679.21(e)(1)(iv) and § 679.91(d) through (f), crab and halibut trawl PSC assigned to the Amendment 80 sector is then sub-allocated to Amendment 80 cooperatives as PSC cooperative quota (CQ) and to the Amendment 80 limited access fishery as presented in Tables 8d and 8e. PSC CQ assigned to Amendment 80 cooperatives is not allocated to specific fishery categories. The 2010 PSC allocations 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, 2009. Section 679.21(e)(3)(i)(B) requires the apportionment of each trawl PSC limit not assigned to Amendment 80 cooperatives into PSC bycatch allowances for seven specified fishery categories.
Section 679.21(e)(4)(ii) authorizes the exemption of specified non-trawl Start Printed Page 7370fisheries from the halibut PSC limit. As in past years after consultation with the Council, NMFS exempts pot gear, jig gear, and the sablefish IFQ hook-and-line gear fishery categories from halibut bycatch restrictions because (1) The pot gear fisheries have low halibut bycatch mortality, (2) halibut mortality for the jig gear fleet is assumed to be negligible, and (3) the sablefish and halibut IFQ fisheries have low halibut bycatch mortality because the IFQ program requires legal-size halibut to be retained by vessels using hook-and-line gear if a halibut IFQ permit holder or a hired master is aboard and is holding unused halibut IFQ (subpart D of 50 CFR part 679). In 2008, total groundfish catch for the pot gear fishery in the BSAI was approximately 22,160 mt, with an associated halibut bycatch mortality of about 6 mt. The 2008 jig gear fishery harvested about 228 mt of groundfish. Most vessels in the jig gear fleet are less than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA and thus are exempt from observer coverage requirements. As a result, observer data are not available on halibut bycatch in the jig gear fishery. However, a negligible amount of halibut bycatch mortality is assumed because of the selective nature of jig gear and the low mortality rate of halibut caught with jig gear and released.
Table 8a—Final 2009 and 2010 Apportionment of Prohibited Species Catch Allowances to Non-Trawl Gear, the CDQ Program, Amendment 80, and the BSAI Trawl Limited Access Sectors
Halibut mortality (mt) BSAI 900 832 3,675 3,400 in 2009, and 3,282 in 2010 343 in 2009, and 393 in 2010 2,475 2,425 875
Red king crab (animals) Zone 1 2 n/a n/a 197,000 175,921 21,079 104,427 98,920 53,797
C. opilio (animals) COBLZ 2 n/a n/a 4,350,000 3,884,550 465,450 2,267,412 2,148,156 1,248,494
C. bairdi crab (animals) Zone 1 2 n/a n/a 980,000 875,140 104,860 437,658 414,641 411,228
C. bairdi crab (animals) Zone 2 2 n/a n/a 2,970,000 2,652,210 317,790 745,536 706,284 1,241,500
1 Sections 679.21(e)(3)(i)(A)(2) and (e)(4)(i)(A) allocate 276 mt in 2009 and 326 mt in 2010 of the trawl halibut mortality limit and 7.5 percent, or 67 mt, of the non-trawl halibut mortality limit as the PSQ reserve for use by the groundfish CDQ program. The PSQ reserve for crab species is 10.7 percent of each crab PSC limit.
2 Refer to 50 CFR 679.2 for definitions of areas.
Table 8b—Final 2009 and 2010 Herring and Red King Crab Savings Subarea Prohibited Species Catch Allowances for All Trawl Sectors
Pollock/Atka mackerel/other species 3 184 n/a
4 In December 2008 the Council recommended that the red king crab bycatch limit for non-pelagic trawl fisheries within the RKCSS be limited to 25 percent of the red king crab PSC limit (see § 679.21(e)(3)(ii)(B)(2)).
Rockfish 5 0 2,000 60,000 1,000
Pollock/Atka mackerel/other species 4 175 400 20,000 5,000 5,000
Table 8d—Final 2009 Prohibited Species Bycatch Allowances for the BSAI Amendment 80 Cooperatives
2009 1,793 74,351 1,544,825 321,922 548,443
Table 8e—Final 2009 Prohibited Species Bycatch Allowances for the BSAI Amendment 80 Limited Access Fisheries
Yellowfin sole 370 6,286 634,639 61,785 151,133
Jan 20-Jul 1 223 6,096 618,505 55,778 119,056
Jul 1-Dec 31 147 190 16,134 6,007 32,077
Rock sole/other flat/flathead sole 2 217 23,750 87,848 53,851 45,860
Jan 20-Apr 1 177 23,400 84,877 47,510 40,060
Apr 1-Jul 1 20 175 1,561 3,320 2,900
July 1-Dec 31 20 175 1,410 3,021 2,900
Turbot/arrowtooth/sablefish 3 5 50 100 100 100
Pacific cod 0 0 0 0 0
Pollock/Atka mackerel/other species 4 45 0 0 0 0
Total Amendment 80 trawl limited access PSC 682 30,086 722,587 115,736 197,093
2 “Other flatfish” for PSC monitoring includes all flatfish species, except for halibut (a prohibited species), flathead sole, Greenland turbot, rock sole, yellowfin sole, and arrowtooth flounder.Start Printed Page 7372
4 Pollock other than pelagic trawl pollock, Atka mackerel, and ”other species” fishery category. “Other species” for PSC monitoring includes sculpins, sharks, skates, and octopus.
NMFS approves the halibut DMRs developed and recommended by the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) and the Council for the 2009 and 2010 BSAI groundfish fisheries for use in monitoring the 2009 and 2010 halibut bycatch allowances (see Tables 8a-e). The IPHC developed these DMRs for the 2009 and 2010 BSAI non-CDQ fisheries using the 10-year mean DMRs for those fisheries. The IPHC changed the DMRs for the 2009 and 2010 BSAI CDQ fisheries using the 1998 to 2007 DMRs for those fisheries. The IPHC will analyze observer data annually and recommend changes to the DMRs when a fishery DMR shows large variation from the mean. A copy of the document justifying these DMRs is available from the Council (see ADDRESSES), and the DMRs are discussed in the final 2008 SAFE report dated November 2008. Table 9 lists the 2009 and 2010 DMRs.
Table 9—Final 2009 and 2010 Pacific Halibut Discard Mortality Rates for the BSAI
Non-CDQ hook-and-line Greenland turbot 13 13
Other species 11 11
Pacific cod 11 11
Rockfish 17 17
Non-CDQ trawl Arrowtooth flounder 75 75
Atka mackerel 76 76
Flathead sole 70 70
Greenland turbot 70 70
Non-pelagic pollock 74 74
Pelagic pollock 88 88
Other flatfish 74 74
Other species 70 70
Pacific cod 70 70
Rockfish 76 76
Rock sole 80 80
Sablefish 75 75
Yellowfin sole 80 80
Non-CDQ pot Other species 7 7
Pacific cod 7 7
CDQ trawl Atka mackerel 85 85
Flathead sole 87 84
Non-pelagic pollock 86 85
Pelagic pollock 90 90
Rockfish 82 82
Rock sole 86 88
Yellowfin sole 84 84
CDQ hook-and-line Greenland turbot 4 4
Pacific cod 10 10
CDQ pot Pacific cod 7 7
Sablefish 35 34
The Regional Administrator has determined that the groundfish allocation amounts in Table 10 will be necessary as incidental catch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries for the 2009 and 2010 fishing years. Consequently, in accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional Administrator establishes the DFA for the species and species groups in Table 10 as zero. Therefore, in accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for these sectors and species in the specified areas effective at 1200 hrs, A.l.t., February 17, 2009, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2010. Also, the Start Printed Page 7373BSAI trawl limited access and Amendment 80 limited access sectors bycatch allowances of halibut in Table 10 are zero mt and the bycatch allowances of red king crab, C. bairdi crab, and C. opilio crab in Table 10 are 0 animals. Therefore, in accordance with § 679.21(e)(7), NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for these sectors and fishery categories in the specified areas effective at 1200 hrs, A.l.t., February 17, 2009, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2010.
Table 10—2009 and 2010 Directed Fishing Closures 1
Bogoslof District All Pollock 50 10
Eastern Aleutian District/Bering Sea Non-amendment 80 and BSAI trawl limited access ICA Atka mackerel 200 200
Central Aleutian District/Bering Sea Non-amendment 80 and BSAI trawl limited access ICA Atka mackerel 20 20
Western Aleutian District/Bering Sea Non-amendment 80 and BSAI trawl limited access ICA Atka mackerel 20 20
Bering Sea subarea All Pacific ocean perch 3,247 3,213
ICA pollock 29,340 44,280
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands All Northern rockfish 7,160 6,000
Rougheye rockfish 539 552
“Other species” 42,500 29,088
Closures implemented under the 2008 and 2009 Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands harvest specifications for groundfish (73 FR 10160, February 26, 2008) remain effective under authority of these final 2009 and 2010 harvest specifications, and are posted at the following Web sites: http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/​index/​infobulletins/​infobulletins.asp?​Yr=​2009, and http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/​2009/​status.htm. While these closures are in effect, the maximum retainable amounts at § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a fishing trip. These closures to directed fishing are in addition to closures and prohibitions found in regulations at 50 CFR part 679.
On June 6, 2005, the Council adopted the Rockfish Program to meet the requirements of Section 802 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2004 (Pub. L. 108-199). The basis for the BSAI fishing prohibitions and the catcher vessel BSAI Pacific cod sideboard limits of the Rockfish Program are discussed in detail in the final rule to Amendment 68 to the Fishery Management Plan for groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (71 FR 67210, November 20, 2006). Pursuant to § 679.82(d)(6)(i), the catcher vessel BSAI Pacific cod sideboard limit is 0.0 mt. Therefore, in accordance with § 679.82(d)(7)(ii), NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for BSAI Pacific cod in July for catcher vessels under the Rockfish Program sideboard limitations. Start Printed Page 7374
Pursuant to § 679.64(a), the Regional Administrator is responsible for restricting the ability of listed AFA catcher/processors to engage in directed fishing for groundfish species other than pollock to protect participants in other groundfish fisheries from adverse effects resulting from the AFA and from fishery cooperatives in the directed pollock fishery. The basis for these sideboard limits is described in detail in the final rules implementing the major provisions of the AFA (67 FR 79692, December 30, 2002) and Amendment 80 (72 FR 52668, September 14, 2007). Table 11 lists the 2009 and 2010 catcher/processor sideboard limits.
All catch of groundfish sideboard species by listed AFA catcher/processors, whether as targeted catch or incidental catch, will be deducted from the sideboard limits in Table 11. However, groundfish sideboard species that are delivered to listed catcher/processors by catcher vessels will not be deducted from the 2009 and 2010 sideboard limits for the listed AFA catcher/processors.
Table 11—Final 2009 and 2010 Listed BSAI American Fisheries Act Catcher/Processor Groundfish Sideboard Limits
2009 AFA C/P side board limit
2010 AFA C/P side board limit
Sablefish trawl BS 8 497 0.016 1,156 18 1,071 17
AI 0 145 0.000 468 0 429 0
Atka mackerel Central AI A season 2 n/a n/a 0.115 14,512 1,669 12,726 1,463
HLA limit 3 n/a n/a n/a 8,707 1,001 7,636 878
B season 2 n/a n/a 0.115 14,512 1,669 12,726 1,463
Western AI A season 2 n/a n/a 0.200 7,546 1,509 8,796 1,759
HLA limit 3 n/a n/a n/a 4,528 906 5,278 1,056
B season 2 n/a n/a 0.200 7,546 1,509 8,796 1,759
Yellowfin sole 4 BSAI 100,192 435,788 0.230 187,530 n/a 160,740 n/a
Rock sole BSAI 6,317 169,362 0.037 80,370 2,974 66,975 2,478
Greenland turbot BS 121 17,305 0.007 4,327 30 4,182 29
AI 23 4,987 0.005 1,947 10 1,879 9
Arrowtooth flounder BSAI 76 33,987 0.002 63,750 128 51,000 102
Flathead sole BSAI 1,925 52,755 0.036 53,580 1,929 44,650 1,607
Alaska plaice BSAI 14 9,438 0.001 42,500 43 25,500 26
Other flatfish BSAI 3,058 52,298 0.058 14,790 858 14,790 858
Pacific ocean perch BS 12 4,879 0.002 3,247 6 3,213 6
Eastern AI 125 6,179 0.020 3,751 75 3,715 74
Central AI 3 5,698 0.001 3,804 4 3,760 4
Western AI 54 13,598 0.004 5,822 23 5,760 23
Northern rockfish BSAI 91 13,040 0.007 7,160 50 6,000 42
Rougheye rockfish BSAI 50 2,811 0.018 539 10 552 10
Other species BSAI 553 68,672 0.008 42,500 340 29,088 233
3 Harvest Limit Area (HLA) limit refers to the amount of each seasonal allowance that is available for fishing inside the HLA (see § 679.2). In 2009 and 2010, 60 percent of each seasonal allowance is available for fishing inside the HLA in the Western and Central Aleutian Districts.
4 Section 679.64(a)(1)(v) exempts AFA catcher/processors from a yellowfin sole sideboard limit because the 2009 and 2010 aggregate ITAC of yellowfin sole assigned to the Amendment 80 sector and BSAI trawl limited access sector (187,530 mt in 2009 and 160,740 mt in 2010) is greater than 125,000 mt.
PSC species listed in Table 12 that are caught by listed AFA catcher/processors participating in any groundfish fishery other than pollock will accrue against the 2009 and 2010 PSC sideboard limits for the listed AFA catcher/processors. Section 679.21(e)(3)(v) authorizes NMFS to close directed fishing for groundfish other than pollock for listed AFA catcher/processors once a 2009 or 2010 Start Printed Page 7375PSC sideboard limit listed in Table 12 is reached.
Table 12—Final 2009 and 2010 BSAI American Fisheries Act Listed Catcher/Processor Prohibited Species Sideboard Limits
2009 and 2010 PSC available to trawl vessels after subtraction of PSQ 1
2009 and 2010 C/P sideboard limit 1
Pursuant to § 679.64(a), the Regional Administrator is responsible for restricting the ability of AFA catcher vessels to engage in directed fishing for groundfish species other than pollock to protect participants in other groundfish fisheries from adverse effects resulting from the AFA and from fishery cooperatives in the directed pollock fishery. Section 679.64(b) establishes a formula for setting AFA catcher vessel groundfish and PSC sideboard limits for the BSAI. The basis for these sideboard limits is described in detail in the final rules implementing the major provisions of the AFA (67 FR 79692, December 30, 2002) and Amendment 80 (72 FR 52668, September 14, 2007). Tables 13 and 14 list the 2009 and 2010 AFA catcher vessel sideboard limits.
All catch of groundfish sideboard species made by non-exempt AFA catcher vessels, whether as targeted catch or incidental catch, will be deducted from the 2009 and 2010 sideboard limits listed in Table 13.
Table 13—Final 2009 and 2010 American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel BSAI Groundfish Sideboard Limits
Fishery by area/gear/ season
Jig gear 0.0000 2,207 0 2,413 0
Jan 1-Jun 10 0.0006 160 0 175 0
Jun 10-Dec 31 0.0006 154 0 168 0
Jan 1-Jun 10 0.0006 6,719 4 7,349 4
Sept 1-Dec 31 0.0006 6,455 4 7,061 4
CV < 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear 0.0006 3,137 2 3,431 2
Jan 20-Apr 1 0.8609 25,782 22,196 28,190 24,269
Apr 1-Jun 10 0.8609 3,832 3,299 4,190 3,607
Jun 10-Nov 1 0.8609 5,226 4,499 5,714 4,919
Sablefish BS trawl gear 0.0906 1,156 105 1,071 97
AI trawl gear 0.0645 468 30 429 28
Jan 1-Apr 15 0.0032 12,056 39 10,225 33
Sept 1-Nov 1 0.0032 12,056 39 10,225 33
Jan-Apr 15 0.0001 14,512 1 12,726 1
HLA limit 0.0001 8,707 1 7,636 1
Sept 1-Nov 1 0.0001 14,512 1 12,726 1
Jan-Apr 15 0.0000 7,546 0 8,796 0
HLA limit n/a 4,528 0 5,278 0
Sept 1-Nov 1 0.0000 7,546 0 8,796 0
Yellowfin sole 2 BSAI 0.0647 187,530 n/a 160,740 n/a
Rock sole BSAI 0.0341 80,370 2,741 66,975 2,284
Greenland turbot BS 0.0645 4,327 279 4,182 270
AI 0.0205 1,947 40 1,879 39
Arrowtooth flounder BSAI 0.0690 63,750 4,399 51,000 3,519
Alaska plaice BSAI 0.0441 42,500 1,874 25,500 1,125
Other flatfish BSAI 0.0441 14,790 652 14,790 652
Pacific ocean perch BS 0.1000 3,247 325 3,213 321
Eastern AI 0.0077 3,751 29 3,715 29
Central AI 0.0025 3,804 10 3,760 9
Western AI 0.0000 5,822 0 5,760 0
Northern rockfish BSAI 0.0084 7,160 60 6,000 50
Rougheye rockfish BSAI 0.0037 539 2 552 2
Other species BSAI 0.0541 42,500 2,299 29,088 1,574
Flathead sole BS trawl gear 0.0505 53,580 2,706 44,650 2,255
2 Section 679.64(b)(6) exempts AFA catcher vessels from a yellowfin sole sideboard limit because the 2009 and 2010 aggregate ITAC of yellowfin sole assigned to the Amendment 80 sector and BSAI trawl limited access sector (187,530 mt in 2009 and 160,740 mt in 2010) is greater than 125,000 mt.
Halibut and crab PSC limits listed in Table 14 that are caught by AFA catcher vessels participating in any groundfish fishery for groundfish other than pollock will accrue against the 2009 and 2010 PSC sideboard limits for the AFA catcher vessels. Sections 679.21(d)(8) and (e)(3)(v) authorize NMFS to close directed fishing for groundfish other than pollock for AFA catcher vessels once a 2009 or 2010 PSC sideboard limit listed in Table 14 is reached. The PSC that is caught by AFA catcher vessels while fishing for pollock in the BSAI will accrue against the bycatch allowances annually specified for either the midwater pollock or the pollock/Atka mackerel/“other species” fishery categories under regulations at § 679.21(e)(3)(iv).
Table 14—Final 2009 and 2010 American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel Prohibited Species Catch Sideboard Limits for the BSAI 1
2009 and 2010 PSC limit after subtraction of PSQ reserves
2009 and 2010 AFA catcher vessel PSC sideboard limit
Rock sole/flathead sole/other flatfish total 4 n/a n/a 228
Red king crab Zone 1 3 n/a 0.299 175,921 52,600
4 “Other flatfish” for PSC monitoring includes all flatfish species, except for halibut (a prohibited species), flathead sole, Greenland turbot, rock sole, yellowfin sole, and arrowtooth flounder.
The Regional Administrator has determined that many of the AFA catcher/processor and catcher vessel sideboard limits listed in Tables 15 and 16 are necessary as incidental catch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries for the 2009 fishing year. In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iv), the Regional Administrator establishes the sideboard limits listed in Tables 15 and 16 as DFAs. The Regional Administrator finds that many of these DFAs will be reached before the end of the year. Therefore, in accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing by listed AFA catcher/processors for the species in the specified areas set out in Table 15 and directed fishing by non-exempt AFA catcher vessels for the species in the specified areas set out in Table 16.
Table 15—Final 2009 and 2010 American Fisheries Act Listed Catcher/Processor Sideboard Directed Fishing Closures 1
Sablefish trawl BS trawl 18 17
Rock sole BSAI all 2,974 2,478
Greenland turbot BS all 30 29
AI all 10 9
Arrowtooth flounder BSAI all 128 102
Flathead sole BSAI all 1,929 1,607
Pacific ocean perch BS all 6 6
Eastern AI all 75 74
Northern rockfish BSAI all 50 42
“Other species” BSAI all 340 233
Table 16—Final 2009 and 2010 American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel Sideboard Directed Fishing Closures 1
Sablefish BS trawl 105 97
AI trawl 30 28
Atka mackerel Eastern AI/BS all 78 66
Greenland turbot BS all 279 270
AI all 40 39
Arrowtooth flounder BSAI all 4,399 3,519
Flathead sole BSAI all 2,706 2,255
Rock sole BSAI all 2,741 2,284
Pacific ocean perch BS all 325 321
Northern rockfish BSAI all 60 50
“Other species” BSAI all 2,299 1,574
Start Printed Page 7378
NMFS received two letters of comment in support and one letter of comment opposed to the proposed 2009 and 2010 harvest specifications. NMFS has organized these letters into 30 comments. These comments are summarized and responded to below.
Comment 1: Adopt tier 3 designation for Eastern Bering Sea pollock.
Response: Groundfish fisheries are managed at tiers 1 through 6 based on the level of information available for determining maximum sustainable yield and biomass. Fisheries with more reliable information are managed at lower tier numbers. In November 2008, the Council's BSAI Plan Team reviewed the information available for the Bering Sea pollock fishery and recommended that the fishery should be managed at the tier 1b level. At the December 2008, Council meeting, the SSC concurred with the BSAI Plan Team and the stock assessment authors that the appropriate designation is tier 1b. The SSC further noted that there is sufficient information to determine Bmsy and the probability density function for Fmsy. Because of this, NMFS believes that it is appropriate for the Council to adopt an OFL and TAC based on tier 1b status for Eastern Bering Sea pollock.
Comment 2: Suspend fishing on spawning aggregations and restore Winter Halibut Savings Area closure.
Response: The Winter Halibut Savings Area (located to the north of the eastern Aleutian Islands) was established to protect juvenile halibut from the effects of trawling during the winter months. It was one of the earliest measures to implement fishing restrictions in the Alaska groundfish fisheries following passage of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act in 1976. This savings area was in effect as the Alaska groundfish fishery transitioned from a foreign fishery to a domestic fishery, but was superseded by more applicable management protection areas and fisheries closures as the domestic groundfish fisheries matured, including PSC limits for halibut. Current stock assessment models account for fishing mortality. Whether the fish is harvested in or out of the spawning season yields the same mortality upon the stock.
Comment 3: Develop proposals for creation of no-take marine reserves in order to serve as experimental control areas which will increase the understanding of climate impacts and fulfill the Council's obligations under the Steller sea lion (SSL) Recovery Plan.
Response: This comment is beyond the scope of the annual harvest specifications for groundfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. No-take reserves are not warranted absent specific research projects. NMFS has and continues to fund, conduct, and coordinate numerous scientific studies and research projects in the Bering Sea, including ones associated with climate and ecosystem changes. We believe the SSL recovery plan has been appropriately implemented, and NMFS continues to assess the recovery status of the western SSL population.
Ongoing research efforts such as that undertaken by the Alaska Fisheries Science Center and the Bering Sea Integrated Ecosystem Research Program (http://bsierp.nprb.org) are studying many focal areas of this ecosystem, including a range of oceanographic, climate, and atmospheric studies. As additional data about the effects of climate or other ecosystem changes on fish becomes available, it will be integrated into NMFS' stock assessment efforts.
Comment 4: A council member dismissed the significance of a letter from the public. This indicates a greater need for NMFS oversight.
Response: NMFS is not responsible for, and does not have the authority to regulate the opinions of individual Council members who are not NMFS employees. However, the Secretary of Commerce does have the responsibility to review Council actions to ensure compliance with the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) and other applicable public laws. NMFS carries out these reviews on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce. The opinion of an individual Council member will not influence the Secretary of Commerce in conducting the required and appropriate oversight of Council actions.
Comment 5: Pollock catch limits may have effects upon other species (including pinnipeds) and the ecosystem as a whole.
Response: NMFS agrees that the removal of pollock from the marine ecosystem may have impacts on parts of the ecosystem dependent on pollock (e.g., marine mammals), and includes ecosystem considerations in the annual stock assessments used for determining catch limits. NMFS analyzed the impacts of the federal groundfish fisheries on the North Pacific ecosystem in the Alaska Groundfish Harvest Specifications Final Environmental Impact Statement (January 2007). NMFS is also involved in comprehensive Bering Sea ecosystem studies (see comment 3). Furthermore, in the 2008 SAFE, a large section is devoted to ecosystem considerations. As these endeavors produce scientifically valid information, it is applied to catch limits, and other applicable management measures.
Comment 6: Eastern Bering Sea pollock stocks declined about 20 percent per year between 2003 and 2007.
Response: NMFS concurs that this is true between 2004 and 2007 for estimates of biomass for age 3+ fish. This has resulted in a reduction of OFL and ABC levels in recent years. It should be noted that when the 2006 recruitment year of pollock reaches the age of 3, the age 3+ biomass estimate is expected to rapidly increase.
Comment 7: The 2008 hydroacoustic survey showed a roughly 50 percent drop in Eastern Bering Sea pollock from 2007.
Response: NMFS agrees with this statement. This is one factor in the models that produced lower OFL and ABC levels in 2009 compared to previous years. However, as the 2006 year class matures, the biomass, OFLs, and ABCs are expected to increase (see comment 6).
Comment 8: The 2008 bottom trawl survey has the second lowest catch of Eastern Bering Sea pollock on record.
Response: NMFS agrees with this statement (see comments 6 and 7).
Comment 9: The 2009 spawning stock biomass for Eastern Bering Sea pollock is predicted to be 26 percent below Bmsy.
Response: NMFS agrees with this statement. Despite the current low Eastern Bering Sea pollock spawning stock biomass, models suggest that the spawning stock will exceed Bmsy in 2010. This is because the 2006 year class will begin to enter the spawning stock biomass at that time.
Comment 10: Recruitment of Eastern Bering Sea pollock was below average for most recent years.
Response: Recruitment in the Eastern Bering Sea pollock stock is characterized by periodic individual high recruitment years. Because of this, most aggregations of consecutive years throughout the available time series will result in below average recruitment for most years. Therefore, this is not an appropriate measure of the health of the stock. It should be noted that 2006 was a year of high pollock recruitment, and that this year class should recruit into the fishery in 2010.
Comment 11: The most recent Biological Opinions concluded that groundfish fisheries jeopardize the survival and recovery of Steller sea lions when pollock abundance was higher than current levels.
Response: The most recent biological opinion was completed in 2001 and analyzed the effects of the Alaska Start Printed Page 7379groundfish fisheries on Steller sea lions and their designated critical habitat. This opinion concluded that the groundfish fisheries conducted within the Steller sea lion protection measures would not likely jeopardize the Steller sea lion's existence or result in adverse modification or destruction of critical habitat. NMFS implemented numerous measures to protect SSL in 2003. This includes the establishment of large fishery closures areas, harvest limits, and seasonal distribution of harvest for the pollock, Pacific cod, and Atka mackerel fisheries. Because the protection measures include a harvest control rule that reduces fishing effort with falling pollock abundance, the current measures take into account the potential for falling biomass and the need to reduce fishing as pollock abundance drops.
Comment 12: Northern fur seal populations have dropped from 2 million to about 0.6 million during the course of the pollock fishery.
Response: While there are not specific protection measures in place for northern fur seals with respect to the Bering Sea groundfish fisheries, NMFS has implemented several protection measures associated with the Pribilof Islands and surrounding waters. This includes, the Pribilof Island Habitat Conservation Zone, which is closed to trawling, a three nautical mile no groundfish fishing site around Walrus Island (east of St. Paul Island) and five pollock fishing closure areas in and around the Pribilof Islands.
Comment 13: Other pollock fisheries are at low levels and the Bogoslof fishery is closed.
Response: The Bogoslof pollock fishery remains closed resulting from an international agreement to prohibit fishing in the international waters of the Bering Sea until stocks reach 1 million mt. The Aleutian Island pollock fishery is open to directed fishing. However, fishing remains light due to the fact that most of the productive fishing areas remain closed to fishing in order to protect Steller sea lions. Despite this lack of fishing pressure, NMFS acknowledges that these stocks remain at levels lower than historic highs, and that the OFLs and ABCs for these stocks have been set accordingly.
Comment 14: Climate change has been proposed as a cause of declining stocks through a mechanism of pollock migrating to Russian waters, but recent years have been cold.
Response: The current models used to calculate OFL and ABC are largely based upon survey data, and do not incorporate migration of stocks to Russian waters. However, NMFS does believe that it is important to explore alternative hypotheses, and to incorporate climate change and ecosystem factors into fisheries management whenever it is appropriate and scientifically sound. These considerations are included in the ecosystems chapter to the SAFE reports and are considered in the development of the stock assessments.
Comment 15: Climate driven change will increase the margin of error, thus more conservative estimates should be adopted.
Response: NMFS believes that the harvest specification process has been developed using precautionary principles. While NMFS believes that climate change may in fact reduce the certainty of stock assessments, NMFS also believes that this uncertainty will be apparent in the surveys and models used to estimate the health of fish stocks. Thus, this uncertainty will be included in models and the OFLs and ABCs will be set accordingly.
Comment 16: From 1998 to 2007, 49 percent of the A season pollock catch was concentrated in the Steller Sea Lion conservation area, which puts fishing pressure on the spawning stock.
Response: NMFS agrees with this statement. Any harvest of mature fish will apply fishing pressure to the spawning stock. This is true in both the A and B fishing seasons (see comment 2). Fishing mortality is an integral part of the Eastern Bering Sea pollock stock assessment and is a major factor considered when setting OFL and ABC limits. NMFS believes that the recommendations produced by the SAFE report authors and the BSAI Plan Team minimize danger to the stocks from excessive fishing pressure. This process is reviewed by the SSC and the Center for Independent Experts.
Comment 17: Incidental catch of juvenile pollock should be considered.
Response: NMFS fisheries observers during 2008 recorded that the incidental catch of small, i.e., juvenile pollock was low. However, the fishing mortality of juvenile pollock is incorporated into models used to project OFL, ABC, and the future health of pollock stocks.
Comment 18: Bycatch of other species such as Chinook and non-chinook salmon should be considered.
Response: NMFS and the Council have taken and are taking action to reduce salmon bycatch in the pollock trawl fishery because of the potential for negative impacts on salmon stocks, and bycatch in general for all fisheries. Existing measures have reduced salmon bycatch rates in the pollock fishery compared with what they would have been without the measures. NMFS and the Council are engaged in a comprehensive process to evaluate these existing measures and develop alternative measures that may be necessary to further reduce salmon bycatch. Applicable Federal law requires that bycatch be minimized to the extent practicable and establishes processes for assessment and responsive implementation of appropriate management measures if and when warranted.
Comment 19: The rigorous scientific process used to develop the Council recommendations should be acknowledged.
Response: NMFS agrees. NMFS also believes that this has been acknowledged, and that the practices used by the Council have been codified in the MSA to require regional fishery management councils to not exceed recommendations of their SSCs.
Comment 20: The process is open, transparent, and the related information is widely available to the public.
Response: NMFS agrees with this statement.
Comment 21: The Council recommendation of Eastern Bering Sea pollock ABC and TAC of 815,000 mt is consistent with the recommendations of the SSC, the BSAI Plan Team, and the stock assessment author.
Response: NMFS agrees with this statement (see comment 1).
Comment 22: The 2009 Eastern Bering Sea pollock assessment is supported by three consecutive years of benthic trawl and hydroacoustic trawl survey data.
Comment 23: The assessment concludes that the probability of the Eastern Bering Sea pollock stock falling below B20 percent is very low.
Response: NMFS agrees that this is consistent with the findings of the stock assessment authors and the review of the SSC, and that as the 2006 year class enters the fishery, the stocks are likely to return to Bmsy (see comment 9).
Comment 24: The SSC concluded that the Eastern Bering Sea pollock stock should be considered tier 1b because there is sufficient data to determine the Bmsy, and the probability density function for Fmsy.
Response: NMFS agrees that this is consistent with the findings of the SSC.
Comment 25: The Eastern Bering Sea pollock stock assessment authors, the SAFE, and the SSC cite strong scientific evidence that the 2006 year class appears to be strong, and that there is a strong likelihood that the Eastern Bering Sea pollock stock will approach Bmsy by 2010. Start Printed Page 7380
Response: NMFS agrees with this statement (see comment 9).
Comment 26: The Eastern Aleutian Island subarea is the only region with consistently increasing Steller sea lion counts.
Response: NMFS agrees with this statement. However, NMFS also believes that one sub-area is an insufficient indicator of the western Steller sea lion stock abundance trend overall, as other subarea counts have consistently declined or remained unchanged over time.
Comment 27: The precautionary approach used to determine the 2009 harvest specifications provide protection for Steller sea lions consistent with existing mitigation requirements.
Comment 28: The Bogoslof pollock stocks are large enough to allow a directed fishery. However by international agreement, this stock will remain closed until there is enough fish to also support a fishery in the international waters of the Bering Sea.
Response: NMFS agrees (see comment 13).
Comment 29: The Aleutian Island pollock fishery is large enough to support a directed fishery, but that this fishery is effectively limited through closure areas intended to protect Steller sea lions.
Response: NMFS agrees that very little of the Aleutian Island pollock TAC is likely to be harvested due to Steller sea lion protection measures and the location of pollock.
Comment 30: New large Marine Protection Areas are not needed to protect Bering Sea pollock stocks.
Response: NMFS agrees that these new areas are not currently warranted (see comment 3).
NMFS prepared a Final 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. In January 2009, NMFS prepared a Supplemental Information Report (SIR) for this 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 groundfish harvest specifications and alternative harvest strategies on resources in the action area. The SIR evaluates the need to prepare a Supplemental EIS (SEIS) for the 2009 and 2010 groundfish harvest specifications.
The proposed harvest specifications were published in the Federal Register on December 10, 2008 (73 FR 75059). An Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) was prepared to evaluate the impacts on small entities of alternative harvest strategies for the groundfish fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off Alaska on small entities. The public comment period ended on January 9, 2009. No comments were received regarding the IRFA or the economic impacts of this action. A Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) was prepared that meets the statutory requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, as amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (5 U.S.C. 601-612). Copies of the IRFA and FRFA prepared for this action are available from NMFS, Alaska Region (see ADDRESSES).
The action analyzed in the IRFA is the adoption of a harvest strategy to govern the catch of groundfish in the BSAI. The preferred alternative is the status quo harvest strategy in which TACs fall within the range of ABCs recommended by the Council's harvest specification process and TACs recommended by the Council. This action is taken in accordance with the FMP prepared by the Council pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens. Significant issues raised by public comment are addressed in the preamble and not repeated here.
The preferred alternative (Alternative 2) was compared to four other alternatives. These included Alternative 1, which 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 BSAI optimum yield, in which case TACs would have been limited to the optimum yield. Alternative 3 would have set TACs to produce fishing rates equal to the most recent five-year average fishing rates. Alternative 4 would have set TACs to equal the lower limit of the BSAI optimum yield range. Alternative 5 would have set TACs equal to zero. Start Printed Page 7381Alternative 5 is the “no action” alternative.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness for this rule. Plan Team review occurred in November 2008, and Council consideration and recommendations occurred in December 2008. Accordingly, NMFS review could not begin until January 2009. For all fisheries not currently closed because the TACs established under the 2008 and 2009 final harvest specifications (73 FR 10160, February 26, 2008) were not reached, the likely possibility exists that they will be closed prior to the expiration of a 30-day delayed effectiveness period because their TACs could be reached. Certain fisheries, such as those for pollock and Pacific cod are intensive, fast-paced fisheries. Other fisheries, such as those for flatfish, rockfish, and “other species,” are critical as directed fisheries and as incidental catch in other fisheries. U.S. fishing vessels have demonstrated the capacity to catch the TAC allocations in these fisheries. Any delay in allocating the final TACs in these fisheries would cause disruption to the industry and potential economic harm through unnecessary discards. Determining which fisheries may close is impossible because these fisheries are affected by several factors that cannot be predicted in advance, including fishing effort, weather, movement of fishery stocks, and market price. Furthermore, the closure of one fishery has a cascading effect on other fisheries by freeing-up fishing vessels, allowing them to move from closed fisheries to open ones, increasing the fishing capacity in those open fisheries and causing them to close at an accelerated pace.
The following information is a plain language guide to assist small entities in complying with this final rule as required by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. This final rule's primary purpose is to announce the final 2009 and 2010 harvest specifications and prohibited species bycatch allowances for the groundfish fisheries of the BSAI. This action is necessary to establish harvest limits and associated management measures for groundfish during the 2009 and 2010 fishing years and to accomplish the goals and objectives of the FMP. This action affects all fishermen who participate in the BSAI fisheries. The specific amounts of OFL, ABC, TAC, and PSC are provided in tables to assist the reader. NMFS will announce closures of directed fishing in the Federal Register and information bulletins released by the Alaska Region. Affected fishermen should keep themselves informed of such closures.
[FR Doc. E9-3297 Filed 2-13-09; 8:45 am]