Rules and Regulations. Temporary rule; reallocation
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/register/2020/09/21/2020-20654A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 200221-0062; RTID 0648-XA485] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation. SUMMARY: NMFS is exchanging unused flathead sole and rock sole Community Development Quota
(CDQ)for yellowfin sole CDQ acceptable biological catch
(ABC)reserves in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to allow the 2020 total allowable catch
(TAC)of yellowfin sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area to be harvested. DATES: Effective September 17, 2020, through December 31, 2020. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area
(BSAI)according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
(FMP)prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. The 2020 flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole CDQ reserves specified in the BSAI are 2,087 metric tons (mt), 5,040 mt, and 16,125 mt as established by the final 2020 and 2021 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (85 FR 13553, March 9, 2020). The 2020 flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves are 5,204 mt, 11,363 mt, and 11,793 mt as established by the final 2020 and 2021 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (85 FR 13553, March 9, 2020). The Coastal Villages Regional Fund has requested that NMFS exchange 125 mt of flathead sole and 175 mt of rock sole CDQ reserves for 300 mt of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves under § 679.31(d). Therefore, in accordance with § 679.31(d), NMFS exchanges 125 mt of flathead sole and 175 mt of rock sole CDQ reserves for 300 mt of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves in the BSAI. This action also decreases and increases the TACs and CDQ ABC reserves by the corresponding amounts. Tables 11 and 13 of the final 2020 and 2021 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (85 FR 13553, March 9, 2020) are further revised as follows: Table 11—Final 2020 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 [Amounts are in metric tons] Sector Pacific ocean perch Eastern Aleutian District Central Aleutian District Western Aleutian District Flathead sole BSAI Rock sole BSAI Yellowfin sole BSAI TAC 10,613 8,094 10,000 19,375 46,925 151,000 CDQ 1,136 866 1,070 1,962 4,865 16,425 ICA 100 60 10 3,000 6,000 4,000 BSAI trawl limited access 938 717 178 17,172 Amendment 80 8,440 6,451 8,742 14,414 36,060 113,403 Note: Sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding. Table 13—Final 2020 and 2021 ABC Surplus, ABC Reserves, Community Development Quota
(CDQ)ABC Reserves, and Amendment 80 ABC Reserves in the BSAI for Flathead Sole, Rock Sole, and Yellowfin Sole [Amounts are in metric tons] Sector 2020 Flathead sole 2020 Rock sole 2020 Yellowfin sole 2021 1 Flathead sole 2021 1 Rock sole 2021 1 Yellowfin sole ABC 68,134 153,300 260,918 71,079 230,700 261,497 TAC 19,375 46,925 151,000 24,000 49,000 168,900 ABC surplus 48,759 106,375 109,918 47,079 181,700 92,597 ABC reserve 48,759 106,375 109,918 47,079 181,700 92,597 CDQ ABC reserve 5,329 11,538 11,493 5,037 19,442 9,908 Amendment 80 ABC reserve 43,430 94,837 98,425 42,042 162,258 82,689 1 The 2021 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, 2020. Classification NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. This action is required by 50 CFR part 679, which was issued pursuant to section 304(b), and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), there is good cause to waive prior notice and an opportunity for public comment on this action, as notice and comment would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest, as it would prevent NMFS from responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and would delay the flatfish exchange by the Coastal Villages Regional Fund in the BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of September 4, 2020. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 *et seq.* Dated: September 15, 2020. Jennifer M. Wallace, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2020-20654 Filed 9-17-20; 4:15 pm]
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- 50 CFR 679
- 50 CFR 600
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Rules and Regulations
Temporary rule; reallocation
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