Source: https://regulations.justia.com/regulations/fedreg/2011/06/15/2011-14853.html
Timestamp: 2019-09-22 03:34:10
Document Index: 233806080

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 622', '§ 622', '§ 622', '§ 622', '§ 622', '§ 622', '§ 622', '§ 622', 'art 648', 'art 660']

Revisions to Framework Adjustment 45 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan and Sector Annual Catch Entitlements; Updated Annual Catch Limits for Sectors and the Common Pool for Fishing Year 2011, 34903-34910 [2011-14853] :: National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration :: Department Of Commerce :: Regulation Tracker :: Justia
Justia Regulation Tracker Department Of Commerce National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration Revisions to Framework Adjustment 45 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan and Sector Annual Catch Entitlements; Updated Annual Catch Limits for Sectors and the Common Pool for Fishing Year 2011, 34903-34910 [2011-14853]
Revisions to Framework Adjustment 45 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan and Sector Annual Catch Entitlements; Updated Annual Catch Limits for Sectors and the Common Pool for Fishing Year 2011, 34903-34910 [2011-14853]
Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 115 / Wednesday, June 15, 2011 / Rules and Regulations (d) * * * (1) * * * (vii) Black sea bass—5. * * * * * ■ 6. In § 622.44, paragraph (c)(5) is revised and paragraphs (c)(6) and (c)(7) are added to read as follows: § 622.44 Commercial trip limits. * * * * * (c) * * * (5) Greater amberjack. Until the quota specified in § 622.42(e)(3) is reached— 1,200 lb (544 kg). See § 622.43(a)(5) for limitations regarding greater amberjack after the quota is reached. (6) Vermilion snapper. Until either quota specified in § 622.42(e)(4)(i) or (ii) is reached—1,500 lb (680 kg). See § 622.43(a)(5) for the limitations regarding vermilion snapper after either quota is reached. (7) Gag. Until the quota specified in § 622.42(e)(7) is reached—1,000 lb (454 kg). See § 622.43(a)(5) for the limitations regarding gag after the quota is reached. * * * * * [FR Doc. 2011–14850 Filed 6–14–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 [Docket No. 100923469–1298–03] RIN 0648–BA27 Revisions to Framework Adjustment 45 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan and Sector Annual Catch Entitlements; Updated Annual Catch Limits for Sectors and the Common Pool for Fishing Year 2011 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary final rule; adjustment to specifications. AGENCY: Based on the final multispecies sector rosters submitted as of May 1, 2011, NMFS announces adjustments to the Northeast (NE) multispecies fishing year (FY) 2011 specification of annual catch limits (ACLs) for common pool vessels (common pool sub-ACLs), ACLs for sector vessels (sector sub-ACLs), and sector Annual Catch Entitlements (ACEs) for groundfish stocks managed under the NE Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This revision WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:05 Jun 14, 2011 Jkt 223001 to FY 2011 catch levels is necessary to account for changes to the number of participants electing to fish in either sectors or the common pool fishery in FY 2011. DATES: Effective June 14, 2011, through April 30, 2012. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Whitmore, Fishery Policy Analyst, (978) 281–9182. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and Amendment 16 to the FMP (75 FR 18262; April 9, 2010), Framework Adjustment (FW) 44 to the FMP, which was published in the Federal Register on April 9, 2010 (75 FR 18356), specified catch levels for 20 NE groundfish stocks for FY 2010–2012. In addition, FW 45 (April 25, 2011; 76 FR 23042) modified the 2011 ACLs for five stocks (Georges Bank (GB) haddock, GB cod, GB yellowtail flounder, white hake, and pollock). FW 45 also specified catch levels for various components of the groundfish fishery, including sub-ACLs for the common pool and sectors. These sub-ACLs were based on the catch history of the vessels enrolled in sectors, as of December 1, 2010. On April 25, 2011, NMFS published an interim final rule approving FY 2011 sector operations plans and allocating ACE to sectors for FY 2011 (76 FR 23076; ‘‘sector rule’’). The sector rule included FY 2011 sector sub-ACL information also reflected in FW 45, where the sum of the ACEs for each sector equals the sector sub-ACL. Unlike FW 45, though, the sector ACEs in the sector rule were derived from February 1, 2011, sector rosters. To provide increased flexibility to the fishing industry, vessels initially enrolled in sectors for FY 2011 were allowed to drop out and join the common pool fishery through April 30, 2011. Additional flexibility was also provided to allow NE multispecies permitted vessels purchased after the sector enrollment deadline of December 1, 2010, to enroll in a sector up through April 30, 2011. Because the sector ACEs, as well as the sector sub-ACLs (sum of ACEs for all sectors) and the common pool sub-ACL (groundfish sub-ACL minus sector sub-ACL), are based upon the specific membership of sectors, any changes in membership since FW 45 and the sector rule were implemented requires that NMFS revise the sector ACEs and sub-ACLs for the common pool and sectors. This rule adjusts the FY 2011 sector ACEs and sub-ACLs for the common pool and sectors based on the members of each sector roster as of May 1, 2011 (‘‘final sector rosters’’). PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 34903 The preamble of the final rule implementing FW 45 informed the public that ‘‘NMFS intends to publish a rule in early May 2011 to modify these [common pool and sector] sub-ACLs and notify the public if these numbers change.’’ Through this temporary final rule, NMFS is revising FY 2011 ACEs for all approved sectors and for FY 2011 sub-ACLs for common pool and sector vessels, based on the final sector rosters. The final number of vessels electing to fish in sectors for FY 2011 is 829 (reduced by 7 vessels since the February 2011, rosters). All ACE and sub-ACL values for sectors assume that each NE multispecies vessel enrolled in a sector has a valid permit for FY 2011. Additionally, this rule implements a revised definition of ‘‘unmarketable fish’’ for the purposes of a sector exemption first introduced in the interim final rule approving FY 2011 sector operations plans. NMFS requested comments on this definition (76 FR 23076), as well as comments on the final sector rosters. However, NMFS received no comments to the notice of final sector rosters, or to the definition of ‘‘unmarketable’’ fish, as included in the interim final rule. Therefore, the definition will remain as stated in the interim final rule. Tables 1, 2, and 3 (below) explain the allocation of the FY 2011 ACE for each sector and stock, as a percentage and absolute amount (in metric tons and pounds), based on the final sector rosters. The regulations provide sectors two weeks following the completion of catch data reconciliation by NMFS to trade FY 2010 ACE in order to account for any overharvesting during that period. After the completion of two week trading window, accountability measures, specifically the reduction in FY 2011 ACE for sectors that exceeded their FY 2010 ACE, will be implemented. In addition, sectors that did not harvest their entire ACE of any particular stock are allowed to carry over up to 10 percent of their initial allocation to the next year. To discourage overfishing of the NE groundfish species, current regulations also require NMFS to reserve 20 percent of each sector’s FY 2011 ACE until FY 2010 landings data are reconciled. Once the reconciliation of FY 2010 sector catch is complete, the remaining 20 percent of ACE withheld from sectors will be allocated, and any sector that still exceeded its FY 2010 after reconciliation will have its share of the withheld ACE reduced accordingly. NMFS will publish a follow-up rule detailing any FY 2011 sector ACE reductions resulting from FY 2010 ACE E:\FR\FM\15JNR1.SGM 15JNR1 34904 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 115 / Wednesday, June 15, 2011 / Rules and Regulations WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with RULES overages, or FY 2011 ACE increases from FY 2010 ACE carryover. Table 4 compares the preliminary FY 2011 sub-ACLs for common pool and VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:05 Jun 14, 2011 Jkt 223001 sector vessels published in the final rule implementing FW 45, with the current PO 00000 revised sub-ACLs based on the final sector rosters as of May 1, 2011. BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Frm 00060 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\15JNR1.SGM 15JNR1 VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:05 Jun 14, 2011 Jkt 223001 PO 00000 Frm 00061 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4725 E:\FR\FM\15JNR1.SGM 15JNR1 34905 ER15JN11.000 WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with RULES Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 115 / Wednesday, June 15, 2011 / Rules and Regulations Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 115 / Wednesday, June 15, 2011 / Rules and Regulations BILLING CODE 3510–22–C VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:05 Jun 14, 2011 Jkt 223001 PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\15JNR1.SGM 15JNR1 ER15JN11.001 WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with RULES 34906 VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:05 Jun 14, 2011 Jkt 223001 PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4725 E:\FR\FM\15JNR1.SGM 15JNR1 34907 ER15JN11.002 WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with RULES Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 115 / Wednesday, June 15, 2011 / Rules and Regulations Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 115 / Wednesday, June 15, 2011 / Rules and Regulations Changes in the sub-ACLs for stocks in sectors range from a decrease of 1.22 VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:05 Jun 14, 2011 Jkt 223001 percent of SNE/MA yellowtail flounder, to an increase of 0.73 percent of GOM PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 winter flounder. Adjustments of the sub-ACLs for stocks in the common pool E:\FR\FM\15JNR1.SGM 15JNR1 ER15JN11.003 WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with RULES 34908 34909 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 115 / Wednesday, June 15, 2011 / Rules and Regulations range between a 37.93 percent decrease in GOM haddock, to a 46.51 percent increase in GB haddock. The changes in the common-pool ACLs are greater because the common-pool has a significantly lower sub-ACL for all stocks, so even small changes appear large when viewed as a percent increase or decrease. There is also a large increase in both the common pool and sector sub-ACLs for GB yellowtail flounder because of a change in the U.S./Canada resource sharing agreement the amount of catch of stocks of concern that can be caught under such programs. Since these incidental catch TACs are also based on the sub-ACLs for the common pool, they have changed based on the revised sub-ACLs. The incidental catch TACs for most stocks were based upon the Council’s FW 44 Environmental Assessment (EA), while the incidental catch TACs for GB haddock, GB cod, GB yellowtail flounder, white hake, and pollock were based upon the Council’s FW 45 EA. from the International Fisheries Agreement Clarification Act (2011) that dramatically increased the U.S. TAC of GB yellowtail flounder. FW 45 specifies incidental catch TACs applicable to the NE multispecies Special Management Programs for FY 2011–2012, based on the ACLs, the FMP, and advice from the Council. Incidental catch TACs are specified for certain stocks of concern for common pool vessels fishing in the Special Management Programs, in order to limit TABLE 5—INCIDENTAL CATCH TACS BY STOCK FOR FY 2011 (MT) Final rule 2011 incidental catch TAC Percentage of sub-ACL Stock GB cod ................................................................................................................... GOM cod ............................................................................................................... GB yellowtail flounder ............................................................................................ CC/GOM yellowtail flounder .................................................................................. SNE/MA yellowtail flounder ................................................................................... American plaice ..................................................................................................... Witch flounder ........................................................................................................ SNE/MA winter flounder ........................................................................................ GB winter flounder ................................................................................................. White hake ............................................................................................................. 2 1 2 1 1 5 5 1 2 2 Revised 2011 incidental catch TAC 2 1.3 0.3 0.3 1.1 3.9 1.2 7.3 0.3 0.7 1.86 1.04 0.4 0.27 1.2 3.5 1.25 7.3 0.28 0.56 TABLE 6—INCIDENTAL CATCH TACS FOR SPECIAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS BY STOCK FOR FY 2011 (MT) Regular B DAS program Stock Final rule 2011 WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with RULES GB cod ........................................................... GOM cod ........................................................ GB yellowtail flounder .................................... CC/GOM yellowtail flounder .......................... SNE/MA yellowtail flounder ........................... American plaice ............................................. Witch flounder ................................................ SNE/MA winter flounder ................................ GB winter flounder ......................................... White hake ..................................................... Classification Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that this final rule is consistent with the NE Multispecies FMP, other provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable law. This final rule has been determined to be not significant for purposes of Executive Orders 12866. Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) and (d)(3), there is good cause to waive prior notice and opportunity for public comment, as well as the delayed effectiveness for this action, because notice, comment, and a delayed effectiveness would be impractical and VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:05 Jun 14, 2011 Jkt 223001 Revised 2011 1.0 1.3 0.15 0.30 1.1 3.9 1.2 7.3 0.1 0.7 0.93 1.04 0.2 0.27 1.2 3.5 1.25 7.3 0.14 0.56 Closed area I hook gear haddock SAP Final rule 2011 Revised 2011 Final rule 2011 Revised 2011 0.3 ...................... ...................... ...................... ...................... ...................... ...................... ...................... ...................... ...................... 0.3 ...................... ...................... ...................... ...................... ...................... ...................... ...................... ...................... ...................... .7 ...................... .1 ...................... ...................... ...................... ...................... ...................... .1 ...................... 0.63 ........................ 0.2 ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ 0.14 ........................ contrary to the public interest. Vessel owners that enroll in sectors could drop out of sectors through April 30 (the day before the beginning of the fishing year and sector enrollment period), and because NMFS allowed NE multispecies permitted vessels purchased after the sector enrollment deadline of December 1, 2010, to enroll in a sector until April 30, 2011, it is necessary to adjust sector ACEs and ACLs for sectors and the common pool to account for membership changes. This action makes those adjustments to the sector and common pool ACEs and ACLs. NMFS discussed and requested public comments on the need to and procedure for adjusting the sector and common pool ACEs and ACLs in FW 45 and the sector rule. The public offered no PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Eastern U.S./Canada haddock SAP comments on these matters, and this rule simply implements the procedures previously set forth to adjust the ACEs and ACLs to account for changes in sector membership. Therefore, it is unnecessary at this point to provide a third opportunity to the public to comment on this adjustment. This issue was discussed in both the FY 2011 sector and FW 45 proposed and final rules. Moreover, allowing public comment on these rules is contrary to the public interest. If the sector ACEs and subACLs are not adjusted immediately, they will operate under incorrect specifications until the adjustments are implemented. The implications of delaying the date on which the specifications are corrected depends E:\FR\FM\15JNR1.SGM 15JNR1 34910 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 115 / Wednesday, June 15, 2011 / Rules and Regulations WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with RULES upon the size of the ACE and sub-ACL, the size of the change in specification relative to the ACE and sub-ACL, and the rate of catch of the particular stock. If, for example, a sector were currently catching a particular stock for which they have a small ACE at a high rate, and that sector’s ACE for that stock is adjusted downward in this rule, then a significant fraction of that sector’s ultimate FY 2011 ACE could be harvested and the sector’s fishing season shortened upon implementation of this rule. In the worst case scenario, excessive catch by sectors could lead to a sector catching more than its ACE for the applicable FY, and having to forego any additional fishing this year. Thus, delaying this rule’s effectiveness and allowing for another round of public comment could cause negative economic impacts to the common pool and to the sectors. Additionally, any delays for an additional public comment period or to the effectiveness of the rule would create uncertainty for the affected entities that would have negative economic implications, which are contrary to the public interest. Until the stock allocations are finally adjusted, the affected fishing entities will not know how many fish of a particular stock they can catch without going over their ultimate limits. Fishermen may make both short- and long-term business decisions based on the ACLs in a given sector or the common pool; thus, it is important to implement adjusted ACEs and sub-ACLs as soon as possible. Any delays in adjusting the ACLs and ACEs may cause the affected fishing entities to curtail, or speed up, their fishing activities during the interim period before the rule’s effectiveness. Both of these reactions could negatively affect the fishery and the businesses and communities that depend on them; the former by delaying profits and potentially reducing harvests, the latter by increasing the potential for exceeding the ultimate fishing limits. Thus, a delay in this rule’s effectiveness creates uncertainty in the fishing market that is contrary to the public’s interest. For these reasons, NMFS is waiving the public comment period and delay in effectiveness for this rule, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(c) and (d). Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: June 9, 2011. John Oliver, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Operations, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2011–14853 Filed 6–14–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:05 Jun 14, 2011 Jkt 223001 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 660 [Docket No. 100804324–1295–03] RIN 0648–BA01 Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Biennial Specifications and Management Measures National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Interim final rule. AGENCY: NMFS issues this interim final rule to revise the sablefish cumulative limits for the limited entry fixed gear primary fishery for the remainder of the 2011 groundfish fishery. This action is necessary to allow the limited entry fixed gear fishery to achieve their fishery harvest guideline, while keeping total impacts of all fisheries within the 2011 sablefish annual catch limit (ACL). DATES: Effective June 10, 2011. Comments must be received no later than July 15, 2011. ADDRESSES: Background information and documents, including the environmental impact statement (EIS) for this action, are available from William W. Stelle, Jr., Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115–0070; or by phone at 206–526–6150. Electronic copies of this final rule are also available at the NMFS Northwest Region Web site: http:// www.nwr.noaa.gov. You may submit comments, identified by 0648–BA01, by any one of the following methods: • Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal http:// www.regulations.gov. • Fax: 206–526–6736, Attn: Sarah Williams. • Mail: 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115. Instructions: All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted to http:// www.regulations.gov without change. All Personal Identifying Information (for example, name, address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 protected information. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter N/A in the required fields, if you wish to remain anonymous). You may submit attachments to electronic comments in Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF file formats only. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gretchen A. Hanshew, 206–526–6147; (fax) 206–526–6736; Gretchen.Hanshew@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 11, 2011, NMFS published a final rule to establish the 2011–2012 harvest specifications for most of the species in the groundfish fishery and management measures for that fishery off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California (76 FR 27508). That rule, in part, established the 2011 sablefish annual catch limit (ACL) for the area north of 36° N. lat. From the sablefish ACL, NMFS calculated the allocations, fishery harvest guidelines, and the sablefish cumulative limits for the limited entry fixed gear primary sablefish fishery. These values are specified in Federal regulations at 50 CFR 660, Subparts C, D and E. Sablefish cumulative limits for the limited entry fixed gear fishery are specified at 50 CFR 660.231(b)(3)(i), subpart E. On May 18, 2011, NMFS was notified by the Executive Director of the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) that there was a mistake in the calculation of the 2011 and 2012 sablefish cumulative limits during the development of the 2011–2012 biennial specifications and management measures. The sablefish primary fishery cumulative limits contained in the November 3, 2010 proposed rule (75 FR 67810), and ultimately implemented through the May 11, 2011 final rule (76 FR 27508) are incorrect. Public comments were accepted during the development of the 2011–2012 groundfish harvest specifications and management measures, and no public comments were received regarding the cumulative limits in the primary sablefish fishery. The error subsequently identified in the Executive Director’s letter overcompensated for discard mortality, and so the pool of fish that is used to calculate the sablefish primary fishery cumulative limits was too low; therefore, the cumulative limits were also too low. The Executive Director requested that NMFS correct the sablefish cumulative limits for the limited entry fixed gear primary fishery as quickly as possible because the 2011 primary fishery season opened on April 1 and some vessels are actively fishing on their cumulative limits. E:\FR\FM\15JNR1.SGM 15JNR1
[Pages 34903-34910]
[FR Doc No: 2011-14853]
[Docket No. 100923469-1298-03]
Revisions to Framework Adjustment 45 to the Northeast
Pool for Fishing Year 2011
SUMMARY: Based on the final multispecies sector rosters submitted as of
May 1, 2011, NMFS announces adjustments to the Northeast (NE)
multispecies fishing year (FY) 2011 specification of annual catch
limits (ACLs) for common pool vessels (common pool sub-ACLs), ACLs for
sector vessels (sector sub-ACLs), and sector Annual Catch Entitlements
(ACEs) for groundfish stocks managed under the NE Multispecies Fishery
Management Plan (FMP). This revision to FY 2011 catch levels is
necessary to account for changes to the number of participants electing
to fish in either sectors or the common pool fishery in FY 2011.
DATES: Effective June 14, 2011, through April 30, 2012.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act and Amendment 16 to the FMP (75 FR
18262; April 9, 2010), Framework Adjustment (FW) 44 to the FMP, which
was published in the Federal Register on April 9, 2010 (75 FR 18356),
specified catch levels for 20 NE groundfish stocks for FY 2010-2012. In
addition, FW 45 (April 25, 2011; 76 FR 23042) modified the 2011 ACLs
for five stocks (Georges Bank (GB) haddock, GB cod, GB yellowtail
flounder, white hake, and pollock). FW 45 also specified catch levels
for various components of the groundfish fishery, including sub-ACLs
for the common pool and sectors. These sub-ACLs were based on the catch
history of the vessels enrolled in sectors, as of December 1, 2010.
On April 25, 2011, NMFS published an interim final rule approving
FY 2011 sector operations plans and allocating ACE to sectors for FY
2011 (76 FR 23076; ``sector rule''). The sector rule included FY 2011
sector sub-ACL information also reflected in FW 45, where the sum of
the ACEs for each sector equals the sector sub-ACL. Unlike FW 45,
though, the sector ACEs in the sector rule were derived from February
1, 2011, sector rosters. To provide increased flexibility to the
fishing industry, vessels initially enrolled in sectors for FY 2011
were allowed to drop out and join the common pool fishery through April
30, 2011. Additional flexibility was also provided to allow NE
multispecies permitted vessels purchased after the sector enrollment
deadline of December 1, 2010, to enroll in a sector up through April
30, 2011. Because the sector ACEs, as well as the sector sub-ACLs (sum
of ACEs for all sectors) and the common pool sub-ACL (groundfish sub-
ACL minus sector sub-ACL), are based upon the specific membership of
sectors, any changes in membership since FW 45 and the sector rule were
implemented requires that NMFS revise the sector ACEs and sub-ACLs for
the common pool and sectors. This rule adjusts the FY 2011 sector ACEs
and sub-ACLs for the common pool and sectors based on the members of
each sector roster as of May 1, 2011 (``final sector rosters'').
The preamble of the final rule implementing FW 45 informed the
public that ``NMFS intends to publish a rule in early May 2011 to
modify these [common pool and sector] sub-ACLs and notify the public if
these numbers change.'' Through this temporary final rule, NMFS is
revising FY 2011 ACEs for all approved sectors and for FY 2011 sub-ACLs
for common pool and sector vessels, based on the final sector rosters.
The final number of vessels electing to fish in sectors for FY 2011 is
829 (reduced by 7 vessels since the February 2011, rosters). All ACE
and sub-ACL values for sectors assume that each NE multispecies vessel
enrolled in a sector has a valid permit for FY 2011.
Additionally, this rule implements a revised definition of
``unmarketable fish'' for the purposes of a sector exemption first
introduced in the interim final rule approving FY 2011 sector
operations plans. NMFS requested comments on this definition (76 FR
23076), as well as comments on the final sector rosters. However, NMFS
received no comments to the notice of final sector rosters, or to the
definition of ``unmarketable'' fish, as included in the interim final
rule. Therefore, the definition will remain as stated in the interim
Tables 1, 2, and 3 (below) explain the allocation of the FY 2011
ACE for each sector and stock, as a percentage and absolute amount (in
metric tons and pounds), based on the final sector rosters. The
regulations provide sectors two weeks following the completion of catch
data reconciliation by NMFS to trade FY 2010 ACE in order to account
for any overharvesting during that period. After the completion of two
week trading window, accountability measures, specifically the
reduction in FY 2011 ACE for sectors that exceeded their FY 2010 ACE,
will be implemented. In addition, sectors that did not harvest their
entire ACE of any particular stock are allowed to carry over up to 10
percent of their initial allocation to the next year. To discourage
overfishing of the NE groundfish species, current regulations also
require NMFS to reserve 20 percent of each sector's FY 2011 ACE until
FY 2010 landings data are reconciled. Once the reconciliation of FY
2010 sector catch is complete, the remaining 20 percent of ACE withheld
from sectors will be allocated, and any sector that still exceeded its
FY 2010 after reconciliation will have its share of the withheld ACE
reduced accordingly. NMFS will publish a follow-up rule detailing any
FY 2011 sector ACE reductions resulting from FY 2010 ACE
overages, or FY 2011 ACE increases from FY 2010 ACE carryover.
Table 4 compares the preliminary FY 2011 sub-ACLs for common pool
and sector vessels published in the final rule implementing FW 45, with
the current revised sub-ACLs based on the final sector rosters as of
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Changes in the sub-ACLs for stocks in sectors range from a decrease
of 1.22 percent of SNE/MA yellowtail flounder, to an increase of 0.73
percent of GOM winter flounder. Adjustments of the sub-ACLs for stocks
[[Page 34909]]
range between a 37.93 percent decrease in GOM haddock, to a 46.51
percent increase in GB haddock. The changes in the common-pool ACLs are
greater because the common-pool has a significantly lower sub-ACL for
all stocks, so even small changes appear large when viewed as a percent
increase or decrease. There is also a large increase in both the common
pool and sector sub-ACLs for GB yellowtail flounder because of a change
in the U.S./Canada resource sharing agreement from the International
Fisheries Agreement Clarification Act (2011) that dramatically
increased the U.S. TAC of GB yellowtail flounder.
FW 45 specifies incidental catch TACs applicable to the NE
multispecies Special Management Programs for FY 2011-2012, based on the
ACLs, the FMP, and advice from the Council. Incidental catch TACs are
specified for certain stocks of concern for common pool vessels fishing
in the Special Management Programs, in order to limit the amount of
catch of stocks of concern that can be caught under such programs.
Since these incidental catch TACs are also based on the sub-ACLs for
the common pool, they have changed based on the revised sub-ACLs. The
incidental catch TACs for most stocks were based upon the Council's FW
44 Environmental Assessment (EA), while the incidental catch TACs for
GB haddock, GB cod, GB yellowtail flounder, white hake, and pollock
were based upon the Council's FW 45 EA.
Table 5--Incidental Catch TACs by Stock for FY 2011 (mt)
Final rule 2011      Revised 2011
Stock                            Percentage of     incidental catch    incidental catch
sub-ACL               TAC                 TAC
GB cod...............................................                  2                 2                  1.86
GOM cod..............................................                  1                 1.3                1.04
GB yellowtail flounder...............................                  2                 0.3                0.4
CC/GOM yellowtail flounder...........................                  1                 0.3                0.27
SNE/MA yellowtail flounder...........................                  1                 1.1                1.2
American plaice......................................                  5                 3.9                3.5
Witch flounder.......................................                  5                 1.2                1.25
SNE/MA winter flounder...............................                  1                 7.3                7.3
GB winter flounder...................................                  2                 0.3                0.28
White hake...........................................                  2                 0.7                0.56
Table 6--Incidental Catch TACs for Special Management Programs by Stock for FY 2011 (mt)
Regular B DAS program       Closed area I hook gear       Eastern U.S./Canada
------------------------------         haddock SAP                 haddock SAP
Stock                                                             --------------------------------------------------------
Final rule   Revised  2011   Final rule      Revised     Final rule
2011                         2011          2011          2011      Revised  2011
GB cod...........................................................           1.0            0.93           0.3           0.3            .7           0.63
GOM cod..........................................................           1.3            1.04  ............  ............  ............  .............
GB yellowtail flounder...........................................           0.15           0.2   ............  ............            .1           0.2
CC/GOM yellowtail flounder.......................................           0.30           0.27  ............  ............  ............  .............
SNE/MA yellowtail flounder.......................................           1.1            1.2   ............  ............  ............  .............
American plaice..................................................           3.9            3.5   ............  ............  ............  .............
Witch flounder...................................................           1.2            1.25  ............  ............  ............  .............
SNE/MA winter flounder...........................................           7.3            7.3   ............  ............  ............  .............
GB winter flounder...............................................           0.1            0.14  ............  ............            .1           0.14
White hake.......................................................           0.7            0.56  ............  ............  ............  .............
delayed effectiveness would be impractical and contrary to the public
interest. Vessel owners that enroll in sectors could drop out of
sectors through April 30 (the day before the beginning of the fishing
year and sector enrollment period), and because NMFS allowed NE
deadline of December 1, 2010, to enroll in a sector until April 30,
2011, it is necessary to adjust sector ACEs and ACLs for sectors and
the common pool to account for membership changes. This action makes
those adjustments to the sector and common pool ACEs and ACLs. NMFS
discussed and requested public comments on the need to and procedure
for adjusting the sector and common pool ACEs and ACLs in FW 45 and the
sector rule. The public offered no comments on these matters, and this
rule simply implements the procedures previously set forth to adjust
the ACEs and ACLs to account for changes in sector membership.
Therefore, it is unnecessary at this point to provide a third
opportunity to the public to comment on this adjustment. This issue was
discussed in both the FY 2011 sector and FW 45 proposed and final
Moreover, allowing public comment on these rules is contrary to the
public interest. If the sector ACEs and sub-ACLs are not adjusted
immediately, they will operate under incorrect specifications until the
adjustments are implemented. The implications of delaying the date on
which the specifications are corrected depends
[[Page 34910]]
upon the size of the ACE and sub-ACL, the size of the change in
specification relative to the ACE and sub-ACL, and the rate of catch of
the particular stock. If, for example, a sector were currently catching
a particular stock for which they have a small ACE at a high rate, and
that sector's ACE for that stock is adjusted downward in this rule,
then a significant fraction of that sector's ultimate FY 2011 ACE could
be harvested and the sector's fishing season shortened upon
implementation of this rule. In the worst case scenario, excessive
catch by sectors could lead to a sector catching more than its ACE for
the applicable FY, and having to forego any additional fishing this
year. Thus, delaying this rule's effectiveness and allowing for another
round of public comment could cause negative economic impacts to the
common pool and to the sectors.
Additionally, any delays for an additional public comment period or
to the effectiveness of the rule would create uncertainty for the
affected entities that would have negative economic implications, which
are contrary to the public interest. Until the stock allocations are
finally adjusted, the affected fishing entities will not know how many
fish of a particular stock they can catch without going over their
ultimate limits. Fishermen may make both short- and long-term business
decisions based on the ACLs in a given sector or the common pool; thus,
it is important to implement adjusted ACEs and sub-ACLs as soon as
possible. Any delays in adjusting the ACLs and ACEs may cause the
affected fishing entities to curtail, or speed up, their fishing
activities during the interim period before the rule's effectiveness.
Both of these reactions could negatively affect the fishery and the
businesses and communities that depend on them; the former by delaying
profits and potentially reducing harvests, the latter by increasing the
potential for exceeding the ultimate fishing limits. Thus, a delay in
this rule's effectiveness creates uncertainty in the fishing market
that is contrary to the public's interest.
For these reasons, NMFS is waiving the public comment period and
delay in effectiveness for this rule, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(c) and