Federal Register, Volume 76 Issue 40 (Tuesday, March 1, 2011)

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 1, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11111-11139]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-4402]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 101126522-0640-02]
RIN 0648-XZ89

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of
Alaska; Final 2011 and 2012 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Final rule; closures.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces final 2011 and 2012 harvest specifications,
apportionments, and Pacific halibut prohibited species catch limits for
the groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to establish harvest limits for groundfish during the 2011
and 2012 fishing years and to accomplish the goals and objectives of
the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the GOA. The intended
effect of this action is to conserve and manage the groundfish
resources in the GOA in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act.

DATES: Effective at 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 1,
2011, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the Final Alaska Groundfish Harvest
Specifications Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Record of Decision
(ROD), Supplementary Information Report (SIR) to the EIS, and the Final
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) prepared for this action are
available from http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. The final 2010 Stock
Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) report for the groundfish
resources of the GOA, dated November 2010, is available from the North
Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) at 605 West 4th Avenue,
Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 99510-2252, phone 907-271-2809, or from the
Council's Web site at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/npfmc.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Pearson, 907-481-1780, or Obren
Davis, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the GOA groundfish fisheries in
the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the GOA under the Fishery
Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP). The Council
prepared the FMP under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), 16 U.S.C. 1801
et seq. Regulations governing U.S. fisheries and implementing the FMP
appear at 50 CFR parts 600, 679, and 680.
The FMP and its implementing regulations require NMFS, after
consultation with the Council, to specify the total allowable catch
(TAC) for each target species, the sum of which must be within the
optimum yield (OY) range of 116,000 to 800,000 metric tons (mt).
Section 679.20(c)(1) further requires NMFS to publish and solicit
public comment on proposed annual TACs, halibut prohibited species
catch (PSC) amounts, and seasonal allowances of pollock and inshore/
offshore Pacific cod. Upon consideration of public comment received
under Sec. 679.20(c)(1), NMFS must publish notice of final harvest
specifications for up to two fishing years as annual target TAC, per
Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(ii). The final harvest specifications set forth in
Tables 1 through 25 of this document reflect the outcome of this
process, as required at Sec. 679.20(c).
The proposed 2011 and 2012 harvest specifications for groundfish of
the GOA and Pacific halibut PSC allowances were published in the
Federal Register on December 8, 2010 (75 FR 76352). Comments were
invited and accepted through January 7, 2011. NMFS did not receive any
comments on the proposed harvest specifications. In December 2010, NMFS
consulted with the Council regarding the 2011 and 2012 harvest
specifications. After considering public testimony, as well as
biological and economic data that were available at the Council's
December 2010 meeting, NMFS is implementing the final 2011 and 2012
harvest specifications, as recommended by the Council. For 2011, the
sum of the TAC amounts is 318,288 mt. For 2012, the sum of the TAC
amounts is 335,078 mt.

Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) and TAC Specifications

In December 2010, the Council, its Advisory Panel (AP), and its
Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), reviewed current biological
and harvest information about the condition of groundfish stocks in the
GOA. This information was compiled by the Council's GOA Plan Team and
was presented in the draft 2010 SAFE report for the GOA groundfish
fisheries, dated November 2010 (see ADDRESSES). 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 GOA ecosystem and the
economic condition of the groundfish fisheries off Alaska. From these
data and analyses, the Plan Team estimates an overfishing level (OFL)
and ABC for each species or species group. The 2010 SAFE report was
made available for public review upon notification of the proposed
harvest specifications.
In previous years the largest changes from the proposed to the
final harvest specifications have been based on the most recent NMFS
stock surveys, which provide updated estimates of stock biomass and
spatial distribution, and changes to the models used for making stock
assessments. NMFS scientists presented updated and new survey results,
changes to assessment models, and accompanying stock estimates at the
November Plan Team meeting, and the SSC reviewed this information at
the December 2010 Council meeting. In November 2010, the Plan Team
considered updated stock assessments for pollock, Pacific cod,
sablefish, sharks, squids, sculpins, and octopuses that are included in
the final 2010 SAFE report. For the other groundfish stocks without
recent surveys or other new scientific information, the final 2010 SAFE
report updates the final 2009 SAFE assessments to include any other
available, recent information, such as 2010 catch information, which
does not result in significant changes from the proposed 2011 and 2012
harvest specifications. Changes from the proposed to the final harvest
specifications in 2011 for newly assessed groundfish stocks are
discussed below. New stock surveys and assessments are scheduled for
2011 and will be considered at the Plan Team and Council meetings in
2011 for the 2012 and 2013 groundfish fisheries.
The final ABCs and TACs are based on the best available biological
and socioeconomic information, including projected biomass trends,
information on assumed distribution of stock biomass, and revised
methods used to calculate stock biomass. The FMP specifies the
formulas, or tiers, to be used to compute ABCs and OFLs. The formulas
applicable to a particular stock or stock complex are determined by the
level of reliable information available to

[[Page 11112]]

fisheries scientists. This information is categorized into a successive
series of six tiers to define OFL and ABC amounts, with tier one
representing the highest level of information quality available and
tier six representing the lowest level of information quality
available.
The SSC adopted the final 2011 and 2012 OFLs and ABCs recommended
by the Plan Team for all groundfish species, with the exception of
sharks. The Plan Team's ABC recommendation for the shark species group
was based on a 0.04 fishing mortality rate. However, the SSC preferred
an ABC based on the tier 5 ABC calculation for spiny dogfish (where the
ABC equals 75 percent of the OFL) and a tier 6 calculation for other
sharks in the group. The Council adopted the SSC's OFL and ABC
recommendations and the AP's TAC recommendations. The final TAC
recommendations were based on the ABCs as adjusted for other biological
and socioeconomic considerations, including maintaining the sum of all
TACs within the required OY range of 116,000 to 800,000 mt.
The Council recommended TACs for 2011 and 2012 that are equal to
ABCs for pollock, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, sablefish, Pacific
ocean perch, shortraker rockfish, rougheye rockfish, northern rockfish,
pelagic shelf rockfish, thornyhead rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish,
big skate, longnose skate, other skates, squids, sharks, octopuses, and
sculpins. The Council recommended TACs for 2011 and 2012 that are less
than the ABCs for Pacific cod, flathead sole, shallow-water flatfish,
arrowtooth flounder, other rockfish, and Atka mackerel. The Pacific cod
TACs are set to accommodate the State of Alaska's (State's) guideline
harvest levels (GHLs) for Pacific cod so that the ABC is not exceeded.
The flathead sole, shallow-water flatfish, and arrowtooth flounder TACs
are set to conserve the halibut PSC limit for use in other fisheries.
The other rockfish TAC is set to reduce the amount of discards in the
Southeast Outside (SEO) District. The Atka mackerel TAC is set to
accommodate incidental catch amounts in other fisheries.
The 2011 and 2012 harvest specifications approved by the Secretary
of Commerce (Secretary) are unchanged from those recommended by the
Council and are consistent with the preferred harvest strategy
alternative in the EIS (see ADDRESSES). NMFS finds that the Council's
recommended OFLs, ABCs, and TACs are consistent with the biological
condition of the groundfish stocks as described in the final 2010 SAFE
report. NMFS also finds that the Council's recommendations for OFLs,
ABCs, and TACs are consistent with the biological condition of
groundfish stocks as adjusted for other biological and socioeconomic
considerations, including maintaining the total TAC within the OY
range. NMFS reviewed the Council's recommended TAC specifications and
apportionments and approves these harvest specifications under 50 CFR
679.20(c)(3)(ii). The apportionment of TAC amounts among gear types,
processing sectors, and seasons is discussed below.
Tables 1 and 2 list the final 2011 and 2012 OFLs, ABCs, TACs, and
area apportionments of groundfish in the GOA. The sums of the 2011 and
2012 ABCs are 590,121 mt and 603,990 mt, respectively, which are higher
in 2011 and 2012 than the 2010 ABC sum of 565,499 mt (75 FR 11749,
March 12, 2010).

Specification and Apportionment of TAC Amounts

The ABC for the pollock stock in the combined Western, Central, and
West Yakutat Regulatory Areas (W/C/WYK) has been adjusted to reflect
the GHL established by the State for the Prince William Sound (PWS)
pollock fishery since its inception in 1995. Genetic studies have led
fisheries scientists to believe that the pollock in PWS is not a
separate stock from the combined W/C/WYK population. Accordingly, the
Council recommended decreasing the W/C/WYK pollock ABC to account for
the State's PWS GHL. For 2011 and 2012, the PWS GHL for pollock is
1,650 mt.
The apportionment of annual pollock TAC among the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA reflects the seasonal biomass
distribution and is discussed in greater detail below. The annual
pollock TAC in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA is
apportioned among Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, as well as
equally among each of the following four seasons: the A season (January
20 through March 10), the B season (March 10 through May 31), the C
season (August 25 through October 1), and the D season (October 1
through November 1) (50 CFR 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), and
679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A) through (B)).
As in 2010, the SSC and Council recommended that the method of
apportioning the sablefish ABC among management areas in 2011 and 2012
include commercial fishery and survey data. NMFS stock assessment
scientists believe the use of unbiased commercial fishery data
reflecting catch-per-unit-effort provides rational input for stock
distribution assessments. NMFS evaluates annually the use of commercial
fishery data to ensure unbiased information is included in stock
distribution models. The Council's recommendation for sablefish area
apportionments also takes into account the prohibition on the use of
trawl gear in the SEO District of the Eastern Regulatory Area and makes
available five percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area ABCs to
trawl gear for use as incidental catch in other directed groundfish
fisheries in the WYK District (Sec. 679.20(a)(4)(i)).
The AP, SSC, and Council recommended apportionment of the ABC for
Pacific cod in the GOA among regulatory areas based on the three most
recent NMFS summer trawl surveys. The 2011 and 2012 Pacific cod TACs
are affected by the State's fishery for Pacific cod in State waters in
the Central and Western Regulatory Areas, as well as in PWS. The Plan
Team, SSC, AP, and Council recommended that the sum of all State and
Federal water Pacific cod removals from the GOA not exceed ABC
recommendations. Accordingly, the Council recommended reducing the 2011
and 2012 Pacific cod TACs from the ABCs in the Eastern, Central and
Western Regulatory Areas to account for State GHLs. Therefore, the 2011
Pacific cod TACs are less than the ABCs by the following amounts: (1)
Eastern GOA, 651 mt; (2) Central GOA, 13,454 mt; and (3) Western GOA,
7,595 mt. The 2012 Pacific cod TACs are less than the ABCs by the
following amounts: (1) Eastern GOA, 587 mt; (2) Central GOA, 12,121 mt;
and (3) Western GOA, 6,842 mt. These amounts reflect the sum of the
State's 2011 and 2012 GHLs in these areas, which are 25 percent of the
Eastern, Central, and Western GOA ABCs, respectively. The percentage of
the ABC used to calculate the 2011 and 2012 GHL for the State-managed
Pacific cod fishery in PWS fisheries has been increased to 25 percent
of the Eastern GOA ABC in 2011 and 2012, an increase from 15 percent in
2010.
NMFS establishes seasonal apportionments of the annual Pacific cod
TAC in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas. Sixty percent of the
annual TAC is apportioned to the A season for hook-and-line, pot, and
jig gear from January 1 through June 10, and for trawl gear from
January 20 through June 10. Forty percent of the annual TAC is
apportioned to the B season for hook-and-line, pot, and jig gear from
September 1 through December 31, and for trawl gear from September 1
through November 1 (Sec. Sec. 679.23(d)(3) and 679.20(a)(12)).
For 2011 and 2012, NMFS establishes an A season directed fishing
allowance

[[Page 11113]]

(DFA) for the Pacific cod fisheries in the GOA based on the management
area TACs minus the recent, average A season incidental catch of
Pacific cod in each management area before June 10 (Sec.
679.20(d)(1)). The DFA and incidental catch before June 10 will be
managed such that total harvest in the A season will be no more than 60
percent of the annual TAC. Incidental catch taken after June 10 will
continue to accrue against the B season TAC. This action meets the
intent of the Steller sea lion protection measures by achieving
temporal dispersion of the Pacific cod removals and by reducing the
likelihood of harvest exceeding 60 percent of the annual TAC in the A
season.

Other Actions Affecting the 2011 and 2012 Harvest Specifications

NMFS published a final rule to implement Amendment 87 to the FMP on
October 6, 2010 (75 FR 61639), effective November 5, 2010. Amendment 87
moved squids, sharks, octopuses, and sculpins from the ``other
species'' category to the ``target species'' category in the GOA and
eliminated the ``other species'' category in the GOA FMP. Amendment 87
revised the FMP to meet the National Standard 1 guidelines for annual
catch limits and accountability measures and requires that OFLs, ABCs,
and TACs be established for squids, sharks, octopuses, and sculpins as
part of the annual groundfish harvest specifications process. Based on
the 2010 final SAFE report, NMFS is establishing ABCs, TACs, and OFLs
for squids, sharks, octopuses, and sculpins for 2011 and 2012 (see
Tables 1 and 2).
In October 2008, the Council adopted Amendment 34 to the Fishery
Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs.
Amendment 34 would amend the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab
Rationalization Program (Crab Rationalization Program) to exempt
additional fishery participants from harvest limits, called sideboards,
which apply to some vessels and license limitation program (LLP)
licenses that are used to participate in GOA Pacific cod and pollock
fisheries. These particular sideboards are discussed under the
subsequent section titled ``Non-AFA Crab Vessel Groundfish Harvest
Limitations.'' Tables 17 and 18 specify the 2011 and 2012 sideboard
amounts. If the Secretary approves Amendment 34, NMFS would revise the
sideboard amounts specified in Tables 17 and 18. Pending completion of
applicable rulemaking, these revisions could be effective as soon as
the latter half of 2011.

Changes From the Proposed 2011 and 2012 Harvest Specifications in the
GOA

In October 2010, the Council's recommendations for the proposed
2011 and 2012 harvest specifications (75 FR 76352, December 8, 2010)
were based largely upon information contained in the final 2009 SAFE
report for the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated November 2009 (see
ADDRESSES). The Council proposed that the OFLs, ABCs, and TACs
established for the 2011 groundfish fisheries (75 FR 11749, March 12,
2010) be rolled over to 2011 and 2012, pending completion and review of
the 2010 SAFE report at its December 2010 meeting.
As described previously, the SSC adopted the final 2011 and 2012
OFLs and ABCs recommended by the Plan Team, with the exception of
sharks. The Council adopted the SSC's OFL and ABC recommendations and
the AP's TAC recommendations for 2011 and 2012. The final 2011 ABCs are
higher than the 2011 ABCs published in the proposed 2011 and 2012
harvest specifications (75 FR 76352, December 8, 2010) for sablefish,
arrowtooth flounder, northern rockfish, other rockfish, pelagic shelf
rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish, squids, sharks, octopuses, and
sculpins. Separate ABCs for squid, sharks, octopuses, and sculpins are
being established for the first time in 2011 and 2012. These four
species were formerly grouped under the ``other species'' category,
with an aggregate OFL, ABC, and TAC. The final 2011 ABCs are lower than
the proposed 2011 ABCs for pollock, Pacific cod, deepwater flatfish,
rex sole, flathead sole, and rougheye rockfish. The final 2012 ABCs are
higher than the proposed 2012 ABCs for pollock, sablefish, deepwater
flatfish, flathead sole, other rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish,
squids, sharks, octopuses, and sculpins. In contrast, the final 2012
ABCs are lower than the proposed 2012 ABCs for Pacific cod, rex sole,
arrowtooth flounder, Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish, pelagic
shelf rockfish, and rougheye rockfish. For the remaining target
species, the Council recommended, and the Secretary approved, final
2011 and 2012 ABC levels that are the same as the proposed 2011 and
2012 ABC levels.
Additional information explaining the changes between the proposed
and final ABCs is included in the final 2010 SAFE report, which was not
available when the Council made its proposed ABC and TAC
recommendations in October 2010. At that time, the most recent stock
assessment information was contained in the final 2009 SAFE report. The
final 2010 SAFE report contains the best and most recent scientific
information on the condition of the groundfish stocks, as previously
discussed in this preamble. This document currently is available from
the Council (see ADDRESSES). The Council considered the final 2010 SAFE
report in December 2010 when it made recommendations for the final 2011
and 2012 harvest specifications, including recommendations for 2011 and
2012 TAC limits. The Council's final 2011 and 2012 TAC recommendations
increase fishing opportunities for species for which the Council had
sufficient information to raise TAC levels. Conversely, the Council
reduced TAC levels to provide greater protection for some species. In
the GOA, the total final 2011 TAC amount is 318,288 mt, a decrease of
four percent from the total proposed 2011 TAC limit of 330,746 mt. The
total final 2012 TAC amount is 335,078 mt, an increase of one percent
from the total proposed 2011 TAC limit of 330,746 mt. For the species
and species groups for which a new assessment was prepared, the
greatest TAC increases were for sablefish, sharks, octopuses, and
sculpins, while the greatest decreases were for pollock and Pacific
cod. These TAC changes corresponded to associated changes in the ABC
levels, as recommended by the SSC.
The largest 2011 decreases in TAC occurred for pollock and Pacific
cod. Pollock decreased from the proposed limit 109,105 mt to the final
limit of 96,215 mt (12 percent decrease). While the 2010 SAFE report
indicates an increase in spawning biomass, the current spawning biomass
level places this stock in Tier 3b. Accordingly, ABC was calculated as
required by the FMP for Tier 3b stocks, and TAC was set equal to ABC.
Although the final TAC for pollock is reduced from the proposed level
by 12 percent, this limit is still an increase over the final 2010
pollock TAC. Pacific cod decreased from 73,426 mt to 65,100 mt (11
percent decrease) in light of a new assessment model that projects a
slight decline of Pacific cod biomass in coming years (rather than a
slight increase as projected in 2009) and a decrease in the biomass
estimates for recent year (2006-2009) classes.
The basis for the increased TACs for sablefish, sharks, octopuses,
and sculpins varied. Sablefish increased from 9,300 mt to 11,290 mt (21
percent increase) due to an increased biomass estimate from the 2010
sablefish hook-and-line survey. Sharks increased from 957 mt to 6,197
mt (548 percent increase) due to the SSC's modification

[[Page 11114]]

of the Plan Team's recommendations for calculating shark ABC. The SSC
recommended estimating the spiny dogfish ABC on a tier 5 approach,
using the best available estimates for biomass and natural mortality
rates for this species. For all other shark species, the SSC
recommended using tier 6, which is based on recent average catch
information. In combination, these recommendations led to the increased
ABC for the shark complex. Octopuses increased from 224 mt to 954 mt
(326 percent increase) due to the adoption of a biomass-based estimate
placing octopuses in tier 5, rather than tier 6. Tier 6 management is
based on the use of average historic catch data, which the Plan Team
and SSC agreed was not an appropriate method to use for setting the OFL
for octopuses. Instead, the octopus OFL was set using a modified tier 5
approach, using the average of the three most recent GOA trawl survey
estimates of biomass as a minimum estimate, and applying a conservative
natural mortality rate to that estimate to establish the OFL. Sculpins
increased from 4,746 mt to 5,496 mt (16 percent increase) due to
revised estimates of natural mortality.
The SSC recommended, and the Council concurred, that sharks and
octopuses be placed on bycatch status. This eliminates the possibility
that these species could be subject to directed fishing, and minimizes
the potential catch of the species in these categories. The SSC
believed that the stock assessment models for these species groups
should be improved before considering allowing any directed fishing to
occur. As such, NMFS is placing sharks and octopuses on bycatch status
for the entire year.
Detailed information providing the basis for the changes described
above is contained in the final 2010 SAFE report. The other TAC
increases or decreases in the final 2011 harvest specifications are
within 2 percent of the proposed 2011 harvest specifications. The final
TACs are based on the most recent scientific information available.
These TACs are specified in compliance with the harvest strategy
described in both the proposed and final rules for the 2011 and 2012
harvest specifications. The changes in TAC limits between the proposed
and this final rule are compared in the following table.

Comparison of Proposed and Final 2011 and 2012 GOA TACs
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2011 2011 2012 2012
Species 2011 final proposed difference 2012 final proposed difference
TAC TAC from proposed TAC TAC from proposed
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock..................... 96,215 109,105 -12,890 121,649 109,105 12,544
Pacific cod................. 65,100 73,426 -8,326 58,650 73,426 -14,776
Sablefish................... 11,290 9,300 1,990 10,345 9,300 1,045
Shallow-water flatfish...... 20,062 20,062 0 20,062 20,062 0
Deep-water flatfish......... 6,305 6,325 -20 6,486 6,325 161
Rex sole.................... 9,565 9,592 -27 9,396 9,592 -196
Arrowtooth flounder......... 43,000 43,000 0 43,000 43,000 0
Flathead sole............... 10,587 10,576 11 10,693 10,576 117
Pacific ocean perch......... 16,997 16,993 4 16,187 16,993 -806
Northern rockfish........... 4,854 4,808 46 4,614 4,808 -194
Shortraker rockfish......... 914 914 0 914 914 0
Other rockfish.............. 1,195 1,192 3 1,914 1,192 2
Pelagic shelf rockfish...... 4,754 4,727 27 4,438 4,727 -289
Rougheye rockfish........... 1,312 1,313 -1 1,312 1,313 -1
Demersal shelf rockfish..... 300 295 5 300 295 5
Thornyhead rockfish......... 1,770 1,770 0 1,770 1,770 0
Atka mackerel............... 2,000 2,000 0 2,000 2,000 0
Big skate................... 3,328 3,328 0 3,328 3,328 0
Longnose skates............. 2,852 2,852 0 2,852 2,852 0
Other skates................ 2,093 2,093 0 2,093 2,093 0
Squids...................... 1,148 1,148 0 1,148 1,148 0
Sharks...................... 6,197 957 5,240 6,197 957 5,240
Octopuses................... 954 224 224 954 224 730
Sculpins.................... 5,496 4,746 750 5,496 4,746 750
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 318,288 330,746 -12,458 335,078 330,746 4,332
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The final 2011 and 2012 TAC recommendations for the GOA are within
the OY range established for the GOA and do not exceed the ABC for any
single species or complex. Tables 1 and 2 list the 2011 and 2012,
respectively, final OFL, ABC, and TAC amounts for GOA groundfish.

Table 1--Final 2011 ABCs, TACs, and OFLs of Groundfish for the Western/Central/West Yakutat (W/C/WYK), Western
(W), Central (C), Eastern (E) Regulatory Areas, and in the West Yakutat (WYK), Southeast Outside (SEO), and
Gulfwide (GW) Districts of the Gulf of Alaska
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Area \1\ OFL ABC TAC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock \2\.................................. Shumagin (610).................. n/a 27,031 27,031
Chirikof (620).................. n/a 37,365 37,365
Kodiak (630).................... n/a 20,235 20,235

[[Page 11115]]

WYK (640)....................... n/a 2,339 2,339
W/C/WYK (subtotal).............. 118,030 86,970 86,970
SEO (650)....................... 12,326 9,245 9,245
Total........................... 130,356 96,215 96,215
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod \3\.............................. W............................... n/a 30,380 22,785
C............................... n/a 53,816 40,362
E............................... n/a 2,604 1,953
Total........................... 102,600 86,800 65,100
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish \4\................................ W............................... n/a 1,620 1,620
C............................... n/a 4,740 4,740
WYK............................. n/a 1,990 1,990
SEO............................. n/a 2,940 2,940
E (WYK and SEO) (subtotal)...... n/a 4,930 4,930
Total........................... 13,340 11,290 11,290
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shallow-water flatfish \6\................... W............................... n/a 23,681 4,500
C............................... n/a 29,999 13,000
WYK............................. n/a 1,228 1,228
SEO............................. n/a 1,334 1,334
Total........................... 67,768 56,242 20,062
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deep-water flatfish \5\...................... W............................... n/a 529 529
C............................... n/a 2,919 2,919
WYK............................. n/a 2,083 2,083
SEO............................. n/a 774 774
Total........................... 7,823 6,305 6,305
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rex sole..................................... W............................... n/a 1,517 1,517
C............................... n/a 6,294 6,294
WYK............................. n/a 868 868
SEO............................. n/a 886 886
Total........................... 12,499 9,565 9,565
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth flounder.......................... W............................... n/a 34,317 8,000
C............................... n/a 144,559 30,000
WYK............................. n/a 22,551 2,500
SEO............................. n/a 11,723 2,500
Total........................... 251,068 213,150 43,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead sole................................ W............................... n/a 17,442 2,000
C............................... n/a 28,104 5,000
WYK............................. n/a 2,064 2,064
SEO............................. n/a 1,523 1,523
Total........................... 61,412 49,133 10,587
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch \7\...................... W............................... 3,221 2,798 2,798
C............................... 11,948 10,379 10,379
WYK............................. n/a 1,937 1,937
SEO............................. n/a 1,883 1,883
E (WYK and SEO) (subtotal)...... 4,397 3,820 3,820
Total........................... 19,566 16,997 16,997
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern rockfish 8, 9....................... W............................... n/a 2,573 2,573
C............................... n/a 2,281 2,281
E............................... n/a 0 0
Total........................... 5,784 4,854 4,854
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortraker rockfish \11\..................... W............................... n/a 134 134
C............................... n/a 325 325
E............................... n/a 455 455
Total........................... 1,219 914 914
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other rockfish 9, 12......................... W............................... n/a 212 212
C............................... n/a 507 507
WYK............................. n/a 276 276
SEO............................. n/a 2,757 200

[[Page 11116]]

Total........................... 4,881 3,752 1,195
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pelagic shelf rockfish \13\.................. W............................... n/a 611 611
C............................... n/a 3,052 3,052
WYK............................. n/a 407 407
SEO............................. n/a 684 684
Total........................... 5,570 4,754 4,754
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rougheye and Blackspotted rockfish \10\...... W............................... n/a 81 81
C............................... n/a 868 868
E............................... n/a 363 363
Total........................... 1,579 1,312 1,312
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demersal shelf rockfish \14\................. SEO............................. 479 300 300
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thornyhead rockfish.......................... W............................... n/a 425 425
C............................... n/a 637 637
E............................... n/a 708 708
Total........................... 2,360 1,770 1,770
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel................................ GW.............................. 6,200 4,700 2,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big skate \15\............................... W............................... n/a 598 598
C............................... n/a 2,049 2,049
E............................... n/a 681 681
Total........................... 4,438 3,328 3,328
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longnose skate \16\.......................... W............................... n/a 81 81
C............................... n/a 2,009 2,009
E............................... n/a 762 762
Total........................... 3,803 2,852 2,852
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other skates \17\............................ GW.............................. 2,791 2,093 2,093
Squids....................................... GW.............................. 1,530 1,148 1,148
Sharks....................................... GW.............................. 8,263 6,197 6,197
Octopuses.................................... GW.............................. 1,273 954 954
Sculpins..................................... GW.............................. 7,328 5,496 5,496
------------------------------------------------------------------
Total.................................... ................................ 723,928 590,121 318,288
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Regulatory areas and districts are defined at Sec. 679.2. (W=Western Gulf of Alaska; C=Central Gulf of
Alaska; E=Eastern Gulf of Alaska; WYK=West Yakutat District; SEO=Southeast Outside District; GW=Gulf-wide).
\2\ Pollock is apportioned in the Western/Central Regulatory Areas among three statistical areas. Table 5 lists
the final 2011 seasonal apportionments. In the West Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts of the Eastern
Regulatory Area, pollock is not divided into seasonal allowances.
\3\ The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned 60% to the A season and 40% to the B season in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA. Pacific cod is allocated 90% for processing by the inshore component and
10% for processing by the offshore component. Table 7 lists the final 2011 Pacific cod seasonal
apportionments.
\4\ Sablefish is allocated to trawl and hook-and-line gears for 2011. Table 3 lists the final 2011 sablefish
TACs.
\5\ ``Deep-water flatfish'' means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, and deepsea sole.
\6\ ``Shallow-water flatfish'' means flatfish not including ``deep-water flatfish,'' flathead sole, rex sole, or
arrowtooth flounder.
\7\ ``Pacific ocean perch'' means Sebastes alutus.
\8\ ``Northern rockfish'' means Sebastes polyspinous. For management purposes the 3 mt apportionment of ABC to
the WYK District of the Eastern Gulf of Alaska has been included in the slope rockfish species group.
\9\ ``Slope rockfish'' means Sebastes aurora (aurora), S. melanostomus (blackgill), S. paucispinis (bocaccio),
S. goodei (chilipepper), S. crameri (darkblotch), S. elongatus (greenstriped), S. variegatus (harlequin), S.
wilsoni (pygmy), S. babcocki (redbanded), S. proriger (redstripe), S. zacentrus (sharpchin), S. jordani
(shortbelly), S. brevispinis (silvergrey), S. diploproa (splitnose), S. saxicola (stripetail), S. miniatus
(vermilion), and S. reedi (yellowmouth). In the Eastern GOA only, slope rockfish also includes northern
rockfish, S. polyspinous.
\10\ ``Rougheye rockfish'' means Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and Sebastes melanostictus (blackspotted).
\11\ ``Shortraker rockfish'' means Sebastes borealis.
\12\ ``Other rockfish'' in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat District means slope
rockfish and demersal shelf rockfish. The ``other rockfish'' species group in the SEO District means slope
rockfish.
\13\ ``Pelagic shelf rockfish'' means, S. variabilis (dusky), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus
(yellowtail).
\14\ ``Demersal shelf rockfish'' means Sebastes pinniger (canary), S. nebulosus (china), S. caurinus (copper),
S. maliger (quillback), S. helvomaculatus (rosethorn), S. nigrocinctus (tiger), and S. ruberrimus (yelloweye).
\15\ ``Big skate'' means Raja binoculata.
\16\ ``Longnose skate'' means Raja rhina.
\17\ ``Other skates'' means Bathyraja spp.

[[Page 11117]]

Table 2--Final 2012 ABCs, TACs, and OFLs of Groundfish for the Western/Central/West Yakutat (W/C/WYK), Western
(W), Central (C), Eastern (E) Regulatory Areas, and in the West Yakutat (WYK), Southeast Outside (SEO), and
Gulfwide (GW) Districts of the Gulf of Alaska
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Area \1\ OFL ABC TAC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock \2\.................................. Shumagin (610).................. n/a 34,932 34,932
Chirikof (620).................. n/a 48,293 48,293
Kodiak (630).................... n/a 26,155 26,155
WYK (640)....................... n/a 3,024 3,024
W/C/WYK (subtotal).............. 151,030 112,404 112,404
SEO (650)....................... 12,326 9,245 9,245
Total........................... 163,356 121,649 121,649
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod \3\.............................. W............................... n/a 27,370 20,528
C............................... n/a 48,484 36,362
E............................... n/a 2,346 1,760
Total........................... 92,300 78,200 58,650
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish \4\................................ W............................... n/a 1,484 1,484
C............................... n/a 4,343 4,343
WYK............................. n/a 1,818 1,818
SEO............................. n/a 2,700 2,700
E (WYK and SEO) (subtotal)...... n/a 4,518 4,518
Total........................... 12,232 10,345 10,345
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shallow-water flatfish \6\................... W............................... n/a 23,681 4,500
C............................... n/a 29,999 13,000
WYK............................. n/a 1,228 1,228
SEO............................. n/a 1,334 1,334
Total........................... 67,768 56,242 20,062
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deep-water flatfish \5\...................... W............................... n/a 541 541
C............................... n/a 3,004 3,004
WYK............................. n/a 2,144 2,144
SEO............................. n/a 797 797
Total........................... 8,046 6,486 6,486
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rex sole..................................... W............................... n/a 1,490 1,490
C............................... n/a 6,184 6,184
WYK............................. n/a 853 853
SEO............................. n/a 889 889
Total........................... 12,279 9,396 9,396
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth flounder.......................... W............................... n/a 33,975 8,000
C............................... n/a 143,119 30,000
WYK............................. n/a 22,327 2,500
SEO............................. n/a 11,606 2,500
Total........................... 248,576 211,027 43,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead sole................................ W............................... n/a 17,960 2,000
C............................... n/a 28,938 5,000
WYK............................. n/a 2,125 2,125
SEO............................. n/a 1,568 1,568
Total........................... 63,202 50,591 10,693
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch \7\...................... W............................... 3,068 2,665 2,665
C............................... 11,379 9,884 9,884
WYK............................. n/a 1,845 1,845
SEO............................. n/a 1,793 1,793
E (WYK and SEO) (subtotal)...... 4,188 3,638 3,638
Total........................... 18,635 16,187 16,187
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern rockfish 8, 9....................... W............................... n/a 2,446 2,446
C............................... n/a 2,168 2,168
E............................... n/a 0 0
Total........................... 5,498 4,614 4,614
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortraker rockfish \11\..................... W............................... n/a 134 134
C............................... n/a 325 325
E............................... n/a 455 455
Total........................... 1,219 914 914
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other rockfish 9, 12......................... W............................... n/a 212 212
C............................... n/a 507 507

[[Page 11118]]

WYK............................. n/a 275 275
SEO............................. n/a 2,757 200
Total........................... 4,881 3,751 1,194
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pelagic shelf rockfish \13\.................. W............................... n/a 570 570
C............................... n/a 2,850 2,850
WYK............................. n/a 380 380
SEO............................. n/a 638 638
Total........................... 5,387 4,438 4,438
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rougheye and Blackspotted rockfish \10\...... W............................... n/a 81 81
C............................... n/a 868 868
E............................... n/a 363 363
Total........................... 1,579 1,312 1,312
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demersal shelf rockfish \14\................. SEO............................. 479 300 300
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thornyhead rockfish.......................... W............................... n/a 425 425
C............................... n/a 637 637
E............................... n/a 708 708
Total........................... 2,360 1,770 1,770
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel................................ GW.............................. 6,200 4,700 2,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big skate \15\............................... W............................... n/a 598 598
C............................... n/a 2,049 2,049
E............................... n/a 681 681
Total........................... 4,438 3,328 3,328
Longnose skate \16\.......................... W............................... n/a 81 81
C............................... n/a 2,009 2,009
E............................... n/a 762 762
Total........................... 3,803 2,852 2,852
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other skates \17\............................ GW.............................. 2,791 2,093 2,093
Squids....................................... GW.............................. 1,530 1,148 1,148
Sharks....................................... GW.............................. 8,263 6,197 6,197
Octopuses.................................... GW.............................. 1,272 954 954
Sculpins..................................... GW.............................. 7,328 5,496 5,496
------------------------------------------------------------------
Total.................................... ................................ 743,421 603,990 335,078
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Regulatory areas and districts are defined at Sec. 679.2. (W=Western Gulf of Alaska; C=Central Gulf of
Alaska; E=Eastern Gulf of Alaska; WYK=West Yakutat District; SEO=Southeast Outside District; GW=Gulf-wide).
\2\ Pollock is apportioned in the Western/Central Regulatory Areas among three statistical areas. Table 6 lists
the final 2012 seasonal apportionments. In the West Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts of the Eastern
Regulatory Area, pollock is not divided into seasonal allowances.
\3\ The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned 60% to the A season and 40% to the B season in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA. Pacific cod is allocated 90% for processing by the inshore component and
10% for processing by the offshore component. Table 8 lists the final 2012 Pacific cod seasonal
apportionments.
\4\ Sablefish is allocated to trawl gear only for 2012. Table 3 lists the final 2012 trawl allocation of
sablefish TACs.
\5\ ``Deep-water flatfish'' means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, and deepsea sole.
\6\ ``Shallow-water flatfish'' means flatfish not including ``deep-water flatfish,'' flathead sole, rex sole, or
arrowtooth flounder.
\7\ ``Pacific ocean perch'' means Sebastes alutus.
\8\ ``Northern rockfish'' means Sebastes polyspinous. For management purposes the 2 mt apportionment of ABC to
the WYK District of the Eastern Gulf of Alaska has been included in the slope rockfish species group.
\9\ ``Slope rockfish'' means Sebastes aurora (aurora), S. melanostomus (blackgill), S. paucispinis (bocaccio),
S. goodei (chilipepper), S. crameri (darkblotch), S. elongatus (greenstriped), S. variegatus (harlequin), S.
wilsoni (pygmy), S. babcocki (redbanded), S. proriger (redstripe), S. zacentrus (sharpchin), S. jordani
(shortbelly), S. brevispinis (silvergrey), S. diploproa (splitnose), S. saxicola (stripetail), S. miniatus
(vermilion), and S. reedi (yellowmouth). In the Eastern GOA only, slope rockfish also includes northern
rockfish, S. polyspinous.
\10\ ``Rougheye rockfish'' means Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and Sebastes melanostictus (blackspotted).
\11\ ``Shortraker rockfish'' means Sebastes borealis.
\12\ ``Other rockfish'' in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat District means slope
rockfish and demersal shelf rockfish. The ``other rockfish'' species group in the SEO District means slope
rockfish.
\13\ ``Pelagic shelf rockfish'' means, S. variabilis (dusky), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus
(yellowtail).
\14\ ``Demersal shelf rockfish'' means Sebastes pinniger (canary), S. nebulosus (china), S. caurinus (copper),
S. maliger (quillback), S. helvomaculatus (rosethorn), S. nigrocinctus (tiger), and S. ruberrimus (yelloweye).
\15\ ``Big skate'' means Raja binoculata.
\16\ ``Longnose skate'' means Raja rhina.
\17\ ``Other skates'' means Bathyraja spp.

[[Page 11119]]

Apportionment of Reserves

Section 679.20(b)(2) requires NMFS to set aside 20 percent of each
TAC for pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, squids, sharks, octopuses, and
sculpins in reserves for possible apportionment at a later date during
the fishing year. In 2010, NMFS reapportioned all the reserves in the
final harvest specifications. For 2011 and 2012, NMFS proposed
reapportionment of all the reserves in the proposed 2011 and 2012
harvest specifications published in the Federal Register on December 8,
2010 (75 FR 76352). NMFS did not receive any public comments on the
proposed reapportionments. For the final 2011 and 2012 harvest
specifications, NMFS reapportioned, as proposed, all the reserves for
pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, squids, sharks, octopuses, and
sculpins. Specifications of TAC shown in Tables 1 and 2 reflect
reapportionment of reserve amounts for these species and species
groups.

Allocations of the Sablefish TAC Amounts to Vessels Using Hook-and-Line
and Trawl Gear

Section 679.20(a)(4)(i) and (ii) require allocations of sablefish
TACs for each of the regulatory areas and districts to hook-and-line
and trawl gear. In the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, 80 percent
of each TAC is allocated to hook-and-line gear, and 20 percent of each
TAC is allocated to trawl gear. In the Eastern Regulatory Area, 95
percent of the TAC is allocated to hook-and-line gear, and five percent
is allocated to trawl gear. The trawl gear allocation in the Eastern
Regulatory Area may only be used to support incidental catch of
sablefish in directed fisheries for other target species (Sec.
679.20(a)(4)(i)). In recognition of the trawl ban in the SEO District
of the Eastern Regulatory Area, the Council recommended allocating five
percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area sablefish TAC to trawl
gear in the WYK District and making the remainder of the WYK sablefish
TAC available to vessels using hook-and-line gear. NMFS concurs with
the Council's recommendation, and, as a result, allocates 100 percent
of the sablefish TAC in the SEO District to vessels using hook-and-line
gear. This recommendation results in an allocation of 247 mt to trawl
gear and 1,744 mt to hook-and-line gear in the WYK District in 2011, an
allocation of 2,940 mt to hook-and-line gear in the SEO District in
2011, and 226 mt to trawl gear in the WYK District in 2012. Table 3
lists the allocations of the 2011 sablefish TACs to hook-and-line and
trawl gear. Table 4 lists the allocations of the 2012 sablefish TACs to
trawl gear.
The Council recommended that the hook-and-line sablefish TAC be
established annually to ensure that this Individual Fishery Quota (IFQ)
fishery is conducted concurrent with the halibut IFQ fishery and is
based on the most recent sablefish survey information. The Council also
recommended that only a trawl sablefish TAC be established for two
years so that retention of incidental catch of sablefish by trawl gear
could commence in January in the second year of the groundfish harvest
specifications. However, since there is an annual assessment for
sablefish and the final harvest specifications are expected to be
published before the IFQ season begins (typically, early March), the
Council recommended that the hook-and-line sablefish TAC be set on an
annual basis, rather than for two years, so that the best and most
recent scientific information could be considered in establishing the
sablefish ABCs and TACs. Since sablefish is on bycatch status for trawl
gear during the entire fishing year, and given that fishing for
groundfish is prohibited prior to January 20, it is not likely that the
trawl allocation of sablefish would be reached before the effective
date of the final harvest specifications.

Table 3--Final 2011 Sablefish TAC Specifications in the GOA and Allocations to Hook-and-Line and Trawl Gear
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hook-and-line Trawl
Area/district TAC allocation allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western......................................................... 1,620 1,296 324
Central......................................................... 4,740 3,792 948
West Yakutat \1\................................................ 1,990 1,744 247
Southeast Outside............................................... 2,940 2,940 0
-----------------------------------------------
Total....................................................... 11,290 9,772 1,519
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The trawl allocation is based on allocating five percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West
Yakutat and Southeast Outside combined) sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.

Table 4--Final 2012 Sablefish TAC Specifications in the GOA and Allocation to Trawl Gear \1\
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hook-and-line Trawl
Area/district TAC allocation allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western......................................................... 1,484 n/a 297
Central......................................................... 4,343 n/a 869
West Yakutat \2\................................................ 1,818 n/a 226
Southeast Outside............................................... 2,700 n/a 0
-----------------------------------------------
Total....................................................... 10,345 n/a 1,391
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Council recommended that harvest specifications for the hook-and-line gear sablefish Individual Fishing
Quota fisheries be limited to one year.
\2\ The trawl allocation is based on allocating five percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West
Yakutat and Southeast Outside combined) sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.

[[Page 11120]]

Apportionments of Pollock TAC Among Seasons and Regulatory Areas, and
Allocations for Processing by Inshore and Offshore Components

In the GOA, pollock is apportioned by season and area, and is
further allocated for processing by inshore and offshore components.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B), the annual pollock TAC specified
for the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA is apportioned
into four equal seasonal allowances of 25 percent. As established by
Sec. 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season
allowances are available from January 20 to March 10, March 10 to May
31, August 25 to October 1, and October 1 to November 1, respectively.
Pollock TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA
are apportioned among Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, pursuant to
Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A). In the A and B seasons, the apportionments
are in proportion to the distribution of pollock biomass based on the
four most recent NMFS winter surveys. In the C and D seasons, the
apportionments are in proportion to the distribution of pollock biomass
based on the four most recent NMFS summer surveys. For 2011 and 2012,
the Council recommends, and NMFS approves, averaging the winter and
summer distribution of pollock in the Central Regulatory Area for the A
season. The average is intended to reflect the distribution of pollock
and the performance of the fishery in the area during the A season for
the 2011 and 2012 fishing years. During the A season, the apportionment
is based on an adjusted estimate of the relative distribution of
pollock biomass of approximately 23 percent, 56 percent, and 21 percent
in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. During the B
season, the apportionment is based on the relative distribution of
pollock biomass at 23 percent, 67 percent, and 10 percent in
Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. During the C and D
seasons, the apportionment is based on the relative distribution of
pollock biomass at 41 percent, 27 percent, and 32 percent in
Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630, respectively. Within any fishing
year, the amount by which a seasonal allowance is underharvested or
overharvested may be added to, or subtracted from, subsequent seasonal
allowances in a manner to be determined by the Regional Administrator
(Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The rollover amount is limited to 20
percent of the unharvested seasonal apportionment for the statistical
area. Any unharvested pollock above the 20 percent limit could be
further distributed to the other statistical areas, in proportion to
the estimated biomass in the subsequent season in those statistical
areas (Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The pollock TACs in the WYK and SEO
District of 2,339 mt and 9,245 mt, respectively, in 2011, and 3,024 mt
and 9,245 mt, respectively, in 2012, are not allocated by season.
Section 679.20(a)(6)(i) requires the allocation of 100 percent of
the pollock TAC in all regulatory areas and all seasonal allowances to
vessels catching pollock for processing by the inshore component after
subtraction of amounts projected by the Regional Administrator to be
caught by, or delivered to, the offshore component incidental to
directed fishing for other groundfish species. Thus, the amount of
pollock available for harvest by vessels harvesting pollock for
processing by the offshore component is that amount that will be taken
as incidental catch during directed fishing for groundfish species
other than pollock, up to the maximum retainable amounts allowed by
Sec. 679.20(e) and (f). At this time, these incidental catch amounts
of pollock are unknown and will be determined during the fishing year
during the course of fishing activities by the offshore component.
Tables 5 and 6 list the seasonal biomass distribution of pollock in
the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, area apportionments, and
seasonal allowances. The amounts of pollock for processing by the
inshore and offshore components are not shown.

Table 5--Final 2011 Distribution of Pollock in the Central and Western Regulatory Areas of the GOA; Seasonal Biomass Distribution, Area Apportionments;
and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season \1\ Shumagin
Chirikof
Kodiak Total \2\
(Area 610)
(Area 620)
(Area 630)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A (Jan 20-Mar 10)....................... 4,787 (22.62%) 11,896 (56.22%) 4,475 (21.15%) 21,159
B (Mar 10-May 31)....................... 4,787 (22.62%) 14,232 (67.26%) 2,139 (10.11%) 21,158
C (Aug 25-Oct 1)........................ 8,729 (41.25%) 5,618 (26.55%) 6,811 (32.19%) 21,158
D (Oct 1-Nov 1)......................... 8,729 (41.25%) 5,618 (26.55%) 6,811 (32.19%) 21,158
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Total \3\.................... 27,031 .............. 37,365 .............. 20,235 .............. 84,631
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ As established by Sec. 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season allowances are available from January 20 to March 10, March 10 to
May 31, August 25 to October 1, and October 1 to November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and offshore
components are not shown in this table.
\2\ The WYK and SEO District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock TACs shown in this table.
\3\ Seasonal apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.

Table 6--Final 2012 Distribution of Pollock in the Central and Western Regulatory Areas of the GOA; Seasonal Biomass Distribution, Area Apportionments;
and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 11121]]

Annual Total \3\.................... 34,932 .............. 48,293 .............. 26,155 .............. 109,380
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ As established by Sec. 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season allowances are available from January 20 to March 10, March 10 to
May 31, August 25 to October 1, and October 1 to November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and offshore
components are not shown in this table.
\2\ The WYK and SEO District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock TACs shown in this table.
\3\ Seasonal apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.

Seasonal Apportionments of Pacific Cod TAC and Allocations for
Processing of Pacific Cod TAC Between Inshore and Offshore Components

Pacific cod fishing is divided into two seasons in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA. For hook-and-line, pot, and jig
gear, the A season is January 1 through June 10, and the B season is
September 1 through December 31. For trawl gear, the A season is
January 20 through June 10, and the B season is September 1 through
November 1 (Sec. 679.23(d)(3)(i)). After subtraction of incidental
catch from the A season, 60 percent of the annual TAC will be available
as a DFA during the A season for the inshore and offshore components.
The remaining 40 percent of the annual TAC will be available for
harvest during the B season. Under Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(ii), any overage
or underage of the Pacific cod allowance from the A season may be
subtracted from or added to the subsequent B season allowance.
Section 679.20(a)(6)(ii) requires allocation of the TAC
apportionments of Pacific cod in all regulatory areas to vessels
catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore and offshore
components. Ninety percent of the Pacific cod TAC in each regulatory
area is allocated to vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the
inshore component. The remaining 10 percent of the TAC is allocated to
vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component.
Tables 7 and 8 list the seasonal apportionments and allocations of the
final 2011 and 2012 Pacific cod TACs, respectively.

Table 7--Final 2011 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocation of Pacific Cod TAC Amounts in the GOA; Allocations
for Processing by the Inshore and Offshore Components
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Component allocation
-------------------------------
Regulatory area Season TAC Offshore
Inshore (90%) (10%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western............................... Annual.................. 22,785 20,507 2,279
A season (60%).......... 13,671 12,304 1,367
B season (40%).......... 9,114 8,203 911
Central............................... Annual.................. 40,362 36,326 4,036
A season (60%).......... 24,217 21,795 2,422
B season (40%).......... 16,145 14,530 1,614
Eastern............................... Annual.................. 1,953 1,758 195
Total................... 65,100 58,590 6,510
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table 8--Final 2012 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocation of Pacific Cod TAC Amounts in the GOA; Allocations
for Processing by the Inshore and Offshore Components
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Component allocation
Regulatory area Season TAC -------------------------------
Inshore (90%) Offshore (10%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western............................... Annual.................. 20,528 18,475 2,053
A season (60%).......... 12,317 11,085 1,232
B season (40%).......... 8,211 7,390 821
Central............................... Annual.................. 36,363 32,727 3,636
A season (60%).......... 21,818 19,636 2,182
B season (40%).......... 14,545 13,091 1,455
Eastern............................... Annual.................. 1,759 1,583 176
Total................... 58,650 52,785 5,865
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Demersal Shelf Rockfish (DSR)

The recommended 2011 and 2012 DSR TAC is 300 mt. Management of DSR
is delegated to the State. In 2006, the Alaska Board of Fish allocated
future SEO District DSR TACs between the commercial fishery (84
percent) and the sport fishery (16 percent) after deductions were made
for anticipated subsistence harvests (8 mt). This results in 2011 and
2012 allocations of 245 mt to the commercial fishery and 47 mt to the
sport fishery. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) deducts
estimates of incidental catch of DSR in the commercial halibut fishery
and test fishery mortality from the DSR commercial fishery allocation.
In 2010,

[[Page 11122]]

this resulted in 100 mt being available for the directed commercial DSR
fishery apportioned between four outer coast areas. Only one of these
areas, the South Southeast Outside area was open to directed commercial
fishery with a GHL of 30 mt and a harvest of 30 mt. DSR harvest in the
halibut fishery is linked to the halibut quota; therefore the ADF&G
cannot estimate potential DSR incidental catch in that fishery until
those quotas are established. Federally permitted catcher vessels using
hook-and-line or jig gear fishing for groundfish and Pacific halibut in
the SEO District of the GOA are required to retain all DSR (Sec.
679.20(j)). The ADF&G will announce the opening of directed fishing for
DSR in 2011 in January following the International Pacific Halibut
Commission's (IPHC) January 2011 annual meeting.

Apportionments to the Central GOA Rockfish Pilot Program

Section 679.81(a)(1) and (2) require the allocation of the primary
rockfish species TACs in the Central Regulatory Area, after deducting
incidental catch needs in other directed groundfish fisheries, to
participants in the Rockfish Program. Five percent (2.5 percent to
trawl gear and 2.5 percent to fixed gear) of the final TACs for Pacific
ocean perch, northern rockfish, and pelagic shelf rockfish in the
Central Regulatory Area are allocated to the entry level rockfish
fishery; the remaining 95 percent are allocated to those vessels
eligible to participate in the Rockfish Program. The Rockfish Program
will expire in December 2011, although the Council has proposed a new
program to supersede the existing Rockfish Program by 2012. NMFS is
developing a proposed rule to implement the Council's revised program
and anticipates that it will be published in the Federal Register for
public review and comment early in 2011.
In 2011, NMFS is setting aside incidental catch amounts (ICAs) of
500 mt of Pacific ocean perch, 100 mt of northern rockfish, and 100 mt
of pelagic shelf rockfish for other directed fisheries in the Central
Regulatory Area. These amounts are based on recent average incidental
catch in the Central Regulatory Area by these other groundfish
fisheries.
Section 679.83(a)(1)(i) requires that allocations to the trawl
entry level fishery must be made first from the allocation of Pacific
ocean perch available to the rockfish entry level fishery. If the
amount of Pacific ocean perch available for allocation is less than the
total allocation allowable for trawl catcher vessels in the rockfish
entry level fishery, then northern rockfish and pelagic shelf rockfish
must be allocated to trawl catcher vessels. Allocations of Pacific
ocean perch, northern rockfish, and pelagic shelf rockfish to longline
catcher vessels must be made after the allocations to trawl gear.
Table 9 lists the final 2011 allocations of rockfish in the Central
GOA to trawl and longline gear in the entry level rockfish fishery.
Allocations of primary rockfish species TACs among participants in the
Rockfish Program are not included in the final harvest specifications
because applications for catcher/processor and catcher vessel
cooperatives are due to NMFS on March 1 of each calendar year, thereby
preventing NMFS from calculating final 2011 allocations. NMFS will post
these allocations on the Alaska Region Web site (http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/goarat/default.htm) when
they become available

Table 9--Final 2011 Allocations of Rockfish in the Central Gulf of Alaska to Trawl and Longline Gear \1\ in the Entry-Level Rockfish Fishery
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incidental Entry-level Entry-level
Species TAC catch TAC minus ICA 5% TAC 2.5% TAC trawl longline
allowance allocation allocation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch..................... 10,379 500 9,879 494 247 375 119
Northern rockfish....................... 2,281 100 2,181 109 55 0 109
Pelagic shelf rockfish.................. 3,052 100 2,952 148 74 0 148
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................... 15,712 700 15,012 751 375 375 375
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Longline gear includes jig and hook-and-line gear.

in March 2011.Halibut PSC Limits

Section 679.21(d) establishes the annual halibut PSC limit
apportionments to trawl and hook-and-line gear and permits the
establishment of apportionments for pot gear. In December 2010, the
Council recommended that NMFS maintain the 2010 halibut PSC limits of
2,000 mt for the trawl fisheries and 300 mt for the hook-and-line
fisheries for the 2011 and 2012 groundfish fisheries. Ten mt of the
hook-and-line limit is further allocated to the DSR fishery in the SEO
District. The DSR fishery is defined at Sec. 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(A).
This fishery has been apportioned 10 mt in recognition of its small-
scale harvests. Most vessels in the DSR fishery are less than 60 ft
(18.3 m) length overall and are exempt from observer coverage.
Therefore, observer data are not available to verify actual bycatch
amounts. NMFS estimates low halibut bycatch in the DSR fishery because:
The duration of the DSR fisheries and the gear soak times are short;
the DSR fishery occurs in the winter when less overlap occurs in the
distribution of DSR and halibut; and, the directed commercial DSR
fishery has a low DSR TAC. Of the 295 mt TAC for DSR in 2010, 100 mt
was available for the commercial fishery, of which 30 mt were
harvested.
The FMP authorizes the Council to exempt specific gear from the
halibut PSC limits. NMFS, after consultation with the Council, exempts
pot gear, jig gear, and the sablefish IFQ hook-and-line gear fishery
from the non-trawl halibut limit for 2011 and 2012. The Council
recommended these exemptions because (1) the pot gear fisheries have
low annual halibut bycatch mortality (averaging 19 mt annually from
2001 through 2010); (2) IFQ program regulations prohibit discard of
halibut if any halibut IFQ permit holder on board a catcher vessel
holds unused halibut IFQ (Sec. 679.7(f)(11)); sablefish IFQ fishermen
typically hold halibut IFQ permits and are therefore required to retain
the halibut they catch while fishing sablefish IFQ; and (3) NMFS
estimates negligible halibut mortality for the jig gear fisheries. NMFS
estimates that halibut mortality is negligible in the jig gear
fisheries given the small amount of groundfish harvested by jig gear

[[Page 11123]]

(averaging 275 mt annually from 2001 through 2010), the selective
nature of jig gear, and the high survival rates of halibut caught (and
subsequently released) with jig gear.
Section 679.21(d)(5) authorizes NMFS to seasonally apportion the
halibut PSC limits after consultation with the Council. The FMP and
regulations require the Council and NMFS to consider the following
information in seasonally apportioning halibut PSC limits: (1) Seasonal
distribution of halibut, (2) seasonal distribution of target groundfish
species relative to halibut distribution, (3) expected halibut bycatch
needs on a seasonal basis relative to changes in halibut biomass and
expected catch of target groundfish species, (4) expected bycatch rates
on a seasonal basis, (5) expected changes in directed groundfish
fishing seasons, (6) expected actual start of fishing effort, and (7)
economic effects of establishing seasonal halibut allocations on
segments of the target groundfish industry. The Council obtained the
information it considered when setting the halibut PSC limits from the
2010 SAFE report, NMFS catch data, ADF&G catch data, IPHC stock
assessment and mortality data, and public testimony.
NMFS concurs in the Council's recommendations listed in Table 10,
which shows the final 2011 and 2012 Pacific halibut PSC limits,
allowances, and apportionments. Sections 679.21(d)(5)(iii) and (iv)
specify that any underages or overages of a seasonal apportionment of a
PSC limit will be deducted from or added to the next respective
seasonal apportionment within the fishing year.

Table 10--Final 2011 and 2012 Pacific Halibut PSC Limits, Allowances, and Apportionments
[Values are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trawl gear Hook-and-line gear \1\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other than DSR DSR
Season Percent Amount -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season Percent Amount Season Amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 20-April 1....................... 27.5 550 January 1-June 10........... 86 250 January 1-December 31....... 10
April 1-July 1........................... 20 400 June 10-September 1......... 2 5
July 1-September 1....................... 30 600 September 1-December 31..... 12 35
September 1-October 1.................... 7.5 150
October 1-December 31.................... 15 300
---------- ---------- ---------
Total................................ 2,000 290 10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific halibut PSC limit for hook-and-line gear is allocated to the DSR fishery and fisheries other than DSR. The hook-and-line sablefish
fishery is exempt from halibut PSC limits.

Section 679.21(d)(3)(ii) authorizes further apportionment of the
trawl halibut PSC limit to trawl fishery categories. The annual
apportionments are based on each category's proportional share of the
anticipated halibut bycatch mortality during the fishing year and
optimization of the total amount of groundfish harvest under the
halibut PSC limit. The fishery categories for the trawl halibut PSC
limits are (1) a deep-water species category, comprised of sablefish,
rockfish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, and arrowtooth flounder; and
(2) a shallow-water species category, comprised of pollock, Pacific
cod, shallow-water flatfish, flathead sole, Atka mackerel, skates, and
``other species'' (Sec. 679.21(d)(3)(iii)). Table 11 lists the final
2011 and 2012 apportionments of Pacific halibut PSC trawl limits
between the trawl gear deep-water and the shallow-water species
complexes.

Table 11--Final 2011 and 2012 Apportionment of Pacific Halibut PSC Trawl Limits Between the Trawl Gear Deep-
Water Species Complex and the Shallow-Water Species Complex
[Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season Shallow-water Deep-water \1\ Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 20-April 1......................... 450 100................................ 550
April 1-July 1............................. 100 300................................ 400
July 1-September 1......................... 200 400................................ 600
September 1-October 1...................... 150 Any remainder...................... 150
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal January 20-October 1.......... 900 800................................ 1,700
October 1-December 31 \2\.................. .............. ................................... 300
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Total.................................. .............. ................................... 2,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Vessels participating in cooperatives in the Central GOA Rockfish Program will receive a portion of the
third season (July 1-September 1) deep-water category halibut PSC apportionment. This amount is not currently
known but will be posted later on the Alaska Region Web site (http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov) when it becomes
available.
\2\ There is no apportionment between shallow-water and deep-water trawl fishery categories during the fifth
season (October 1-December 31).

Estimated Halibut Bycatch in Prior Years

The best available information on estimated halibut bycatch was
data collected by observers during 2010. The calculated halibut bycatch
mortality by trawl and hook-and-line gears in 2010 is 1,637 mt and 232
mt, respectively, for a total halibut mortality of 1,869 mt. This
mortality was calculated using groundfish and halibut catch data from
the NMFS Alaska Region's catch

[[Page 11124]]

accounting system. This system contains historical and recent catch
information compiled from each Alaska groundfish fishery.
Halibut bycatch restrictions seasonally constrained trawl gear
fisheries during the 2010 fishing year. Table 12 displays the closure
dates for fisheries that resulted from the attainment of seasonal or
annual halibut PSC limits. NMFS does not know the amount of groundfish
that trawl gear might have harvested if halibut PSC limits had not
restricted some 2010 GOA groundfish fisheries. The hook-and-line
fishery category was not constrained by halibut bycatch during 2010.

Table 12--2010 Fishery Closures Due to Attainment of Pacific Halibut PSC Limits
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fishery category Opening date Closure date Federal Register citation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trawl Deep-water, season 1......... January 20, 2010...... April 28, 2010........ 75 FR 23189, May 3, 2010.
Trawl Shallow-water, season 4...... September 1, 2010..... September 3, 2010..... 75 FR 54290, September 7,
2010.
Trawl Shallow-water, season 4...... September 11, 2010.... October 1, 2010....... 75 FR 56017, September 15,
2010.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Current Estimates of Halibut Biomass and Stock Condition

The most recent halibut stock assessment was developed by the IPHC
staff in December 2010 for the 2011 commercial fishery; this assessment
was considered by the IPHC at its annual January 2011 meeting. Since
2006, the IPHC stock assessment has been fitted to a coastwide data set
(including the United States and Canada) to estimate total exploitable
biomass. Coastwide exploitable biomass at the beginning of 2011 is
estimated to be 317 million pounds (143,790 mt), down from 334 million
pounds (151,500 mt) in 2010. The coastwide exploitable biomass was
apportioned among regulatory areas in accordance with survey estimates
of relative abundance and other considerations.
The halibut resource is fully utilized. Recent catches in the
commercial halibut fisheries in Alaska over the last 17 years (1994-
2010) have averaged 32,336 mt round weight per year. In December 2010,
IPHC staff recommended Alaska commercial catch limits totaling 19,662
mt round weight for 2011, a 21 percent decrease from 25,008 mt in 2010.
Through December 31, 2010, commercial hook-and-line harvests of halibut
off Alaska totaled 24,095 mt round weight.
The IPHC and its staff have expressed concerns that the IPHC's Slow
Up-Fast Down (SUFD) harvest policy adjustments--which applied a policy
of a 33 percent increase from the previous year's catch limit and a 50
percent decrease in recommended catch--have not achieved target harvest
rate goals due to continued stock declines, decreases in halibut growth
rate, and a recent history of high exploitation rates in some areas.
The IPHC staff has recommended the SUFD policy be modified to a ``Slow
Up-Full Down (SUFullD)'' policy to achieve the necessary reductions in
harvest rate and promote increases in exploitable biomass. The SUFullD
policy incorporates the existing policy of a 33 percent increase from
the previous year's catch limits when stock yields are expected to
increase but would use a 100 percent decrease in recommended catch when
stock yields are projected to decrease.
The largest decreases in the 2011 catch limit recommendations in
Alaska are for Area 2C, down from 2,661 mt round weight in 2010 to
1,409 mt round weight in 2011 (the decline is primarily the result of
the application of the SUFullD harvest policy adjustment), and, for
Areas 3A and 3B, down from 18,077 mt round weight in 2010 to 13,233 mt
round weight in 2011 (the decline is primarily due to a decline in
estimated exploitable biomass).
Additional information on the Pacific halibut stock assessment may
be found in the IPHC's 2010 Pacific halibut stock assessment (December
2010), available on the IPHC Web site at http://www.iphc.washington.edu. The IPHC considered the 2010 Pacific halibut
assessment for 2011 at its January 2011 annual meeting when it set the
2011 commercial halibut fishery catch limits.
The proposed 2011 and 2012 harvest specifications (75 FR 76352,
December 8, 2010) discuss potential impacts of expected fishing for
groundfish on halibut stocks, as well as methods available for reducing
halibut bycatch in the groundfish fisheries.

Halibut Discard Mortality Rates

The Council recommended that the halibut discard mortality rates
(DMRs) developed and recommended by the IPHC for the 2010 through 2012
GOA groundfish fisheries be used to monitor the 2011 and 2012 GOA
halibut bycatch mortality allowances. The IPHC will analyze observer
data annually and recommend changes to the DMRs when a DMR shows large
variation from the mean. Most of the IPHCs assumed DMRs were based on
an average of mortality rates determined from NMFS observer data
collected between 1999 and 2008. Long-term average DMRs were not
available for some fisheries (for example, the deepwater flatfish
fishery has not been prosecuted in recent years), so the IPHC used the
average rates from the available years between 1999 and 2008. For other
fisheries targets (which include Atka mackerel, skates, squids, sharks,
octopuses, and sculpins for all gear types; and for the hook-and-line
sablefish targets), where no data mortality was available, the IPHC
recommended the mortality rate of halibut caught in the Pacific cod
fishery for that gear type as a default rate. Table 13 lists the final
GOA halibut DMRs for 2011 and 2012. These DMRs are unchanged from the
proposed 2011 and 2012 harvest specifications (75 FR 76352, December 8,
2010). A discussion of the DMRs and their justification is presented in
Appendix 2 to the 2010 SAFE report (see ADDRESSES).

Table 13--Final 2011 and 2012 Halibut DMRs for Vessels Fishing in the
GOA
[Values are percent of halibut bycatch assumed to be dead]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final 2011 and
Gear Target fishery 2012 mortality
rate (%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hook-and-line..................... Other fisheries\1\.. 12
Pacific cod......... 12
Rockfish............ 9

[[Page 11125]]

Trawl............................. Arrowtooth flounder. 72
Deep-water flatfish. 48
Flathead sole....... 65
Non-pelagic pollock. 59
Other fisheries\1\.. 62
Pacific cod......... 62
Pelagic pollock..... 76
Rex sole............ 64
Rockfish............ 67
Sablefish........... 65
Shallow-water 71
flatfish.
Pot............................... Other fisheries\1\.. 17
Pacific cod......... 17
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Other fisheries include all gear types for Atka mackerel, skates,
squid, sharks, octopuses, sculpins, and hook-and-line sablefish.

American Fisheries Act (AFA) Catcher/Processor (C/P) and Catcher Vessel
(CV) Groundfish Harvest and PSC Limits

Section 679.64 establishes groundfish harvesting and processing
sideboard limitations on AFA C/Ps and CVs in the GOA. These sideboard
limits are necessary to protect the interests of fishermen and
processors, who do not directly benefit from the AFA, from those
fishermen and processors who receive exclusive harvesting and
processing privileges under the AFA. Section 679.7(k)(1)(ii) prohibits
listed AFA C/Ps from harvesting any species of groundfish in the GOA.
Additionally, Sec. 679.7(k)(1)(iv) prohibits listed AFA C/Ps from
harvesting any species of groundfish in the GOA. Furthermore, Sec.
679.7(k)(1)(iv) prohibits listed AFA C/Ps from processing any pollock
harvested in a directed pollock fishery in the GOA and any groundfish
harvested in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA.
AFA CVs that are less than 125 ft (38.1 m) length overall, have
annual landings of pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands less
than 5,100 mt, and have made at least 40 groundfish landings from 1995
through 1997 are exempt from GOA sideboard limits under Sec.
679.64(b)(2)(ii). Sideboard limits for non-exempt AFA CVs in the GOA
are based on their traditional harvest levels of TAC in groundfish
fisheries covered by the FMP. Section 679.64(b)(3)(iii) establishes the
groundfish sideboard limitations in the GOA based on the retained catch
of non-exempt AFA CVs of each sideboard species from 1995 through 1997
divided by the TAC for that species over the same period. Tables 14 and
15 list the final 2011 and 2012 non-exempt AFA CV groundfish sideboard
limits. NMFS will deduct all targeted or incidental catch of sideboard
species made by non-exempt AFA CVs from the sideboard limits specified
in Tables 14 and 15.

Table 14--Final 2011 GOA Non-Exempt AFA CV Groundfish Harvest Sideboard Limitations
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of
1995-1997 2011 non-
non-exempt exempt AFA
Species Apportionments by Area/component AFA CV 2011 TAC CV
season/gear catch to sideboard
1995-1997 limit
TAC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock......................... A Season........... Shumagin (610).... 0.6047 4,787 2,895
January 20-March 10 Chirikof (620).... 0.1167 11,896 1,388
Kodiak (630)...... 0.2028 4,475 908
B Season........... Shumagin (610).... 0.6047 4,787 2,895
March 10-May 31 Chirikof (620).... 0.1167 14,232 1,661
Kodiak (630)...... 0.2028 2,139 434
C Season........... Shumagin (610).... 0.6047 8,729 5,278
August 25-October 1 Chirikof (620).... 0.1167 5,618 656
Kodiak (630)...... 0.2028 6,811 1,381
D Season........... Shumagin (610).... 0.6047 8,729 5,278
October 1-November Chirikof (620).... 0.1167 5,618 656
1
Kodiak (630)...... 0.2028 6,811 1,381
Annual............. WYK (640)......... 0.3495 2,339 817
SEO (650)......... 0.3495 9,245 3,231
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod..................... A Season \1\....... W inshore......... 0.1365 12,303 1,679
January 1-June 10 W offshore........ 0.1026 1,367 140
C inshore......... 0.0689 21,795 1,502
C offshore........ 0.0721 2,422 175
B Season \2\....... W inshore......... 0.1365 8,202 1,120
September 1-- W offshore........ 0.1026 911 94
December 31

[[Page 11126]]

C inshore......... 0.0689 14,530 1,001
C offshore........ 0.0721 1,614 116
Annual............. E inshore......... 0.0079 1,758 14
E offshore........ 0.0078 195 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish....................... Annual, trawl gear. W................. 0.0000 334 0
C................. 0.0642 948 61
E................. 0.0433 247 11
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flatfish, Shallow-water......... Annual............. W................. 0.0156 4,500 70
C................. 0.0587 13,000 763
E................. 0.0126 1,228 15
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flatfish, deep-water............ Annual............. W................. 0.0000 529 0
C................. 0.0647 2,919 189
E................. 0.0128 2,083 27
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rex sole........................ Annual............. W................. 0.0007 1,517 1
C................. 0.0384 6,294 242
E................. 0.0029 868 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth flounder............. Annual............. W................. 0.0021 8,000 17
C................. 0.0280 30,000 840
E................. 0.0002 2,500 1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead sole................... Annual............. W................. 0.0036 2,000 7
C................. 0.0213 5,000 107
E................. 0.0009 2,064 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch............. Annual............. W................. 0.0023 2,798 6
C................. 0.0748 10,379 776
E................. 0.0466 1,937 90
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern rockfish............... Annual............. W................. 0.0003 2,573 1
C................. 0.0277 2,281 63
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortraker rockfish............. Annual............. W................. 0.0000 134 0
C................. 0.0218 325 7
E................. 0.0100 455 5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other rockfish.................. Annual............. W................. 0.0034 212 1
C................. 0.1699 507 86
E................. 0.0000 276 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pelagic shelf rockfish.......... Annual............. W................. 0.0001 611 0
C................. 0.0000 3,052 0
E................. 0.0067 407 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rougheye rockfish............... Annual............. W................. 0.0000 81 0
C................. 0.0237 868 21
E................. 0.0124 363 5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demersal shelf rockfish......... Annual............. SEO............... 0.0020 300 1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thornyhead rockfish............. Annual............. W................. 0.0280 425 12
C................. 0.0280 637 18
E................. 0.0280 708 20
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel................... Annual............. Gulfwide.......... 0.0309 2,000 62
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big skates...................... Annual............. W................. 0.0063 598 4
C................. 0.0063 2,049 13
E................. 0.0063 681 4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longnose skates................ Annual............. W................. 0.0063 81 1
C................. 0.0063 2,009 13

[[Page 11127]]

E................. 0.0063 762 5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other skates.................... Annual............. Gulfwide.......... 0.0063 2,093 13
Squids.......................... Annual............. Gulfwide.......... 0.0063 1,148 7
Sharks.......................... Annual............. Gulfwide.......... 0.0063 6,197 39
Octopuses....................... Annual............. Gulfwide.......... 0.0063 954 6
Sculpins........................ Annual............. Gulfwide.......... 0.0063 5,496 35
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.

Table 15--Final 2012 GOA Non-Exempt AFA CV Groundfish Harvest Sideboard Limitations
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of
1995-1997 2012 non-
non-exempt exempt AFA
Species Apportionments by Area/component AFA CV 2012 TAC CV
season/gear catch to sideboard
1995-1997 limit
TAC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock A Season........... Shumagin (610).... 0.6047 6,186 3,741
January 20-March 10 Chirikof (620).... 0.1167 15,374 1,794
Kodiak (630)...... 0.2028 5,783 1,173
B Season........... Shumagin (610).... 0.6047 6,185 3,740
March 10-May 31 Chirikof (620).... 0.1167 18,392 2,146
Kodiak (630)...... 0.2028 2,765 561
C Season........... Shumagin (610).... 0.6047 11,280 6,821
August 25-October 1 Chirikof (620).... 0.1167 7,262 847
Kodiak (630)...... 0.2028 8,803 1,785
D Season........... Shumagin (610).... 0.6047 11,280 6,821
October 1-November Chirikof (620).... 0.1167 7,262 847
1
Kodiak (630)...... 0.2028 8,803 1,785
Annual............. WYK (640)......... 0.3495 3,024 1,057
SEO (650)......... 0.3495 9,245 3,231
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod..................... A Season \1\....... W inshore......... 0.1365 18,475 2,522
January 1-June 10 W offshore........ 0.1026 2,053 211
C inshore......... 0.0689 19,636 1,353
C offshore........ 0.0721 2,182 157
B Season \2\....... W inshore......... 0.1365 7,390 1,009
September 1- W offshore........ 0.1026 821 84
December 31
C inshore......... 0.0689 13,091 902
C offshore........ 0.0721 1,455 105
Annual............. E inshore......... 0.0079 1,583 13
E offshore........ 0.0078 176 1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish....................... Annual, trawl gear. W................. 0.0000 297 0
C................. 0.0642 869 56
E................. 0.0433 226 10
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flatfish, Shallow-water......... Annual............. W................. 0.0156 4,500 70
C................. 0.0587 13,000 763
E................. 0.0126 1,228 15
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flatfish, deep-water............ Annual............. W................. 0.0000 541 0
C................. 0.0647 3,004 194
E................. 0.0128 2,144 27
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rex sole........................ Annual............. W................. 0.0007 1,490 1
C................. 0.0384 6,184 237
E................. 0.0029 853 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth flounder............. Annual............. W................. 0.0021 8,000 17
C................. 0.0280 30,000 840

[[Page 11128]]

E................. 0.0002 2,500 1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead sole................... Annual............. W................. 0.0036 2,000 7
C................. 0.0213 5,000 107
E................. 0.0009 2,125 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch............. Annual............. W................. 0.0023 2,665 6
C................. 0.0748 9,884 739
E................. 0.0466 1,845 86
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern rockfish............... Annual............. W................. 0.0003 2,446 1
C................. 0.0277 2,168 60
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortraker rockfish............. Annual............. W................. 0.0000 134 0
C................. 0.0218 325 7
E................. 0.0100 455 5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other rockfish.................. Annual............. W................. 0.0034 212 0
C................. 0.1699 507 86
E................. 0.0000 475 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pelagic shelf rockfish.......... Annual............. W................. 0.0001 570 0
C................. 0.0000 2,850 0
E................. 0.0067 380 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rougheye rockfish............... Annual............. W................. 0.0000 81 0
C................. 0.0237 868 21
E................. 0.0124 363 5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demersal shelf rockfish......... Annual............. SEO............... 0.0020 300 1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thornyhead rockfish............. Annual............. W................. 0.0280 425 12
C................. 0.0280 637 18
E................. 0.0280 708 20
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel................... Annual............. Gulfwide.......... 0.0309 2,000 62
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big skates...................... Annual............. W................. 0.0063 598 4
C................. 0.0063 2,049 13
E................. 0.0063 681 4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longnose skates................. Annual............. W................. 0.0063 81 0
C................. 0.0063 2,009 13
E................. 0.0063 762 5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other skates.................... Annual............. Gulfwide.......... 0.0063 2,093 13
Squids.......................... Annual............. Gulfwide.......... 0.0063 1,148 7
Sharks.......................... Annual............. Gulfwide.......... 0.0063 6,197 39
Octopuses....................... Annual............. Gulfwide.......... 0.0063 954 6
Sculpins........................ Annual............. Gulfwide.......... 0.0063 5,496 35
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.

Non-Exempt AFA Catcher Vessel Halibut PSC Limits

The halibut PSC sideboard limits for non-exempt AFA CVs in the GOA
are based on the aggregate retained groundfish catch by non-exempt AFA
CVs in each PSC target category from 1995 through 1997 divided by the
retained catch of all vessels in that fishery from 1995 through 1997
(Sec. 679.64(b)(4)). Table 16 lists the final 2011 and 2012 non-exempt
AFA CV halibut PSC limits for vessels using trawl gear in the GOA.
These halibut PSC limits are unchanged from the proposed 2011 and 2012
harvest specifications.

[[Page 11129]]

Table 16--Final 2011 and 2012 Non-Exempt AFA CV Halibut Prohibited Species Catch (PSC) Limits for Vessels Using
Trawl Gear in the GOA
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1995-
1997 non-exempt
AFA CV retained 2011 and 2012 PSC 2011 and 2012 non-
Season Season dates Target fishery catch to total limit exempt AFA CV PSC
retained catch limit

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1................. January 20-April shallow-water... 0.340 450 153
1.
deep-water...... 0.070 100 7
2................. April 1-July 1... shallow-water... 0.340 100 34
deep-water...... 0.070 300 21
3................. July 1-September shallow-water... 0.340 200 68
1.
deep-water...... 0.070 400 28
4................. September 1- shallow-water... 0.340 150 51
October 1.
deep-water...... 0.070 0 0
5................. October 1- all targets..... 0.205 300 62
December 31.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Non-AFA Crab Vessel Groundfish Harvest Limitations

Section 680.22 establishes groundfish catch limits for vessels with
a history of participation in the Bering Sea snow crab fishery to
prevent these vessels from using the increased flexibility provided by
the Crab Rationalization Program to expand their level of participation
in the GOA groundfish fisheries. Sideboard limits restrict these
vessels' catch to their collective historical landings in each GOA
groundfish fishery (except the fixed-gear sablefish fishery). Sideboard
limits also apply to catch made using a LLP license derived from the
history of a restricted vessel, even if that LLP license is used on
another vessel.
Sideboard limits for non-AFA crab vessels in the GOA are based on
their traditional harvest levels of TAC in groundfish fisheries covered
by the FMP. Sections 680.22(d) and (e) establish the formulas used to
calculate groundfish sideboard limitations in the GOA. These
limitations are calculated by dividing the non-AFA crab vessels'
retained catch for each sideboard species from 1996-2000 by the total
retained harvest of that species over the same period. The resultant
ratios are applied against annual TAC limits to establish annual
sideboard limits for individual species. Tables 18 and 19 list these
final 2011 and 2012 GOA groundfish sideboard limits for non-AFA crab
vessels. NMFS will deduct all targeted or incidental catch of sideboard
species made by non-AFA crab vessels from the sideboard limits
specified in Tables 17 and 18. The sideboard limits in these tables are
different from those contained in the proposed 2011 and 2012 harvest
specifications, since the TACs in Tables 17 and 18 have been updated to
reflect the final 2011 and 2012 TACs contained in Tables 1 and 2 of
this rule.
Vessels exempt from Pacific cod sideboards are those that landed
less than 45,359 kilograms of Bering Sea snow crab and more than 500 mt
of groundfish (in round weight equivalents) from the GOA between
January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2000, and any vessel named on an LLP
that was generated in whole or in part by the fishing history of a
vessel meeting the criteria in Sec. 680.22(a)(3).

Table 17--Final 2011 GOA Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessel Groundfish Harvest Sideboard Limits
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of
1996-2000
non-AFA 2011 non-
crab vessel AFA crab
Species Season/gear Area/component catch to 2011 TAC vessel
1996-2000 sideboard
total limit
harvest
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock......................... A Season........... Shumagin (610).... 0.0098 4,787 47
January 20-March 10 Chirikof (620).... 0.0031 11,896 37
Kodiak (630)...... 0.0002 4,475 1
B Season........... Shumagin (610).... 0.0098 4,787 47
March 10-May 31 Chirikof (620).... 0.0031 14,232 44
Kodiak (630)...... 0.0002 2,139 0
C Season........... Shumagin (610).... 0.0098 8,729 86
August 25-October 1 Chirikof (620).... 0.0031 5,618 17
Kodiak (630)...... 0.0002 6,811 1
D Season........... Shumagin (610).... 0.0098 8,729 86
October 1-November Chirikof (620).... 0.0031 5,618 17
1
Kodiak (630)...... 0.0002 6,811 1
Annual............. WYK (640)......... 0.0000 2,339 0
SEO (650)......... 0.0000 9,245 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod..................... A Season \1\....... W inshore......... 0.0902 12,303 1,110
January 1-June 10 W offshore........ 0.2046 1,367 280
C inshore......... 0.0383 21,795 835
C offshore........ 0.2074 2,422 502

[[Page 11130]]

B Season \2\....... W inshore......... 0.0902 8,202 740
September 1- W offshore........ 0.2046 911 186
December 31
C inshore......... 0.0383 14,530 557
C offshore........ 0.2074 1,614 335
Annual............. E inshore......... 0.0110 1,758 19
E offshore........ 0.0000 195 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish....................... Annual, trawl gear. W................. 0.0000 334 0
C................. 0.0000 948 0
E................. 0.0000 247 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flatfish, shallow-water......... Annual............. W................. 0.0059 4,500 27
C................. 0.0001 13,000 1
E................. 0.0000 1,228 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flatfish, deep-water............ Annual............. W................. 0.0035 529 2
C................. 0.0000 2,919 0
E................. 0.0000 2,083 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rex sole........................ Annual............. W................. 0.0000 1,517 0
C................. 0.0000 6,294 0
E................. 0.0000 868 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth flounder............. Annual............. W................. 0.0004 8,000 3
C................. 0.0001 30,000 3
E................. 0.0000 2,500 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead sole................... Annual............. W................. 0.0002 2,000 0
C................. 0.0004 5,000 2
E................. 0.0000 2,064 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch............. Annual............. W................. 0.0000 2,798 0
C................. 0.0000 10,379 0
E................. 0.0000 1,937 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern rockfish............... Annual............. W................. 0.0005 2,573 1
C................. 0.0000 2,281 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortraker rockfish............. Annual............. W................. 0.0013 134 0
C................. 0.0012 325 0
E................. 0.0009 455 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other rockfish.................. Annual............. W................. 0.0035 212 1
C................. 0.0033 507 2
E................. 0.0000 276 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pelagic shelf rockfish.......... Annual............. W................. 0.0017 611 1
C................. 0.0000 3,052 0
E................. 0.0000 407 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rougheye rockfish............... Annual............. W................. 0.0067 81 1
C................. 0.0047 868 4
E................. 0.0008 363 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demersal shelf rockfish......... Annual............. SEO............... 0.0000 300 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thornyhead rockfish............. Annual............. W................. 0.0047 425 2
C................. 0.0066 637 4
E................. 0.0045 708 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel................... Annual............. Gulfwide.......... 0.0000 2,000 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big skate....................... Annual............. W................. 0.0392 598 23
C................. 0.0159 2,049 33

[[Page 11131]]

E................. 0.0000 681 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longnose skate.................. Annual............. W................. 0.0392 81 3
C................. 0.0159 2,009 32
E................. 0.0000 762 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other skates.................... Annual............. Gulfwide.......... 0.0176 2,093 37
Squids.......................... Annual............. Gulfwide.......... 0.0176 1,148 20
Sharks.......................... Annual............. Gulfwide.......... 0.0176 6,197 109
Octopuses....................... Annual............. Gulfwide.......... 0.0176 954 17
Sculpins........................ Annual............. Gulfwide.......... 0.0176 5,496 97
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.

Table 18--Final 2012 GOA Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessel Groundfish Harvest Sideboard Limits
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of
1996-2000
non-AFA 2012 non-
crab vessel AFA crab
Species Season/gear Area/component catch to 2012 TAC vessel
1996-2000 sideboard
total limit
harvest
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock......................... A Season........... Shumagin (610).... 0.0098 6,186 61
January 20-March 10 Chirikof (620).... 0.0031 15,374 48
Kodiak (630)...... 0.0002 5,783 1
B Season........... Shumagin (610).... 0.0098 6,185 61
March 10-May 31 Chirikof (620).... 0.0031 18,393 57
Kodiak (630)...... 0.0002 2,765 1
C Season........... Shumagin (610).... 0.0098 11,280 111
August 25-October 1 Chirikof (620).... 0.0031 7,262 23
Kodiak (630)...... 0.0002 8,803 2
D Season........... Shumagin (610).... 0.0098 11,280 111
October 1-November Chirikof (620).... 0.0031 7,262 23
1
Kodiak (630)...... 0.0002 8,803 2
Annual............. WYK (640)......... 0.0000 3,024 0
SEO (650)......... 0.0000 9,245 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod..................... A Season \1\....... W inshore......... 0.0902 11,085 1,000
January 1-June 10 W offshore........ 0.2046 1,232 252
C inshore......... 0.0383 19,636 752
C offshore........ 0.2074 2,182 453
B Season \2\....... W inshore......... 0.0902 7,390 667
September 1- W offshore........ 0.2046 821 168
December 31
C inshore......... 0.0383 13,091 501
C offshore........ 0.2074 1,455 302
Annual............. E inshore......... 0.0110 1,583 17
E offshore........ 0.0000 176 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish....................... Annual, trawl gear. W................. 0.0000 297 0
C................. 0.0000 869 0
E................. 0.0000 226 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flatfish, shallow-water......... Annual............. W................. 0.0059 4,500 27
C................. 0.0001 13,000 1
E................. 0.0000 1,228 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flatfish, deep-water............ Annual............. W................. 0.0035 541 2
C................. 0.0000 3,004 0
E................. 0.0000 2,144 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rex sole........................ Annual............. W................. 0.0000 1,490 0

[[Page 11132]]

C................. 0.0000 6,184 0
E................. 0.0000 853 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth flounder............. Annual............. W................. 0.0004 8,000 3
C................. 0.0001 30,000 3
E................. 0.0000 2,500 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead sole................... Annual............. W................. 0.0002 2,000 0
C................. 0.0004 5,000 2
E................. 0.0000 2,125 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch............. Annual............. W................. 0.0000 2,665 0
C................. 0.0000 9,884 0
E................. 0.0000 1,845 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern rockfish............... Annual............. W................. 0.0005 2,446 1
C................. 0.0000 2,168 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortraker rockfish............. Annual............. W................. 0.0013 134 0
C................. 0.0012 325 0
E................. 0.0009 455 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other rockfish.................. Annual............. W................. 0.0035 212 1
C................. 0.0033 507 2
E................. 0.0000 275 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pelagic shelf rockfish.......... Annual............. W................. 0.0017 570 1
C................. 0.0000 2,850 0
E................. 0.0000 380 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rougheye shelf rockfish......... Annual............. W................. 0.0067 81 1
C................. 0.0047 868 4
E................. 0.0008 363 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demersal shelf rockfish......... Annual............. SEO............... 0.0000 300 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thornyhead rockfish............. Annual............. W................. 0.0047 425 2
C................. 0.0066 637 4
E................. 0.0045 708 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel................... Annual............. Gulfwide.......... 0.0000 2,000 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big skate....................... Annual............. W................. 0.0392 598 23
C................. 0.0159 2,049 33
E................. 0.0000 681 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longnose skate.................. Annual............. W................. 0.0392 81 3
C................. 0.0159 2,009 32
E................. 0.0000 762 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other skates.................... Annual............. Gulfwide.......... 0.0176 2,093 37
Squids.......................... Annual............. Gulfwide.......... 0.0176 1,148 20
Sharks.......................... Annual............. Gulfwide.......... 0.0176 6,197 109
Octopuses....................... Annual............. Gulfwide.......... 0.0176 954 17
Sculpins........................ Annual............. Gulfwide.......... 0.0176 5,496 97
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.

[[Page 11133]]

Rockfish Program Groundfish Sideboard Limitations and Halibut Mortality
Limitations

Section 679.82(d) establishes sideboards to limit the ability of
participants eligible for the Rockfish Program to harvest fish in
fisheries other than the Central GOA rockfish fisheries. The Rockfish
Program provides certain economic advantages, which could be used to
increase their participation in other fisheries and possibly adversely
affect the existing participants in those fisheries. Traditionally, the
Central GOA rockfish fisheries opened in July. The sideboards are
designed to restrict fishing during the historical season for the
fishery, but allow eligible rockfish harvesters to participate in
fisheries before or after the historical rockfish season.
The final sideboards for 2011 limit the total amount of catch that
could be taken by eligible harvesters and limit the amount of halibut
mortality to historic levels. The sideboard measures are in effect only
during the month of July. Table 19 lists the final 2011 Rockfish
Program harvest limits in the WYK District and the Western GOA. These
limits reflect the final 2011 pelagic shelf rockfish, Pacific ocean
perch, and northern rockfish TACs established by this action, including
some changes from the proposed 2011 harvest specifications. Table 20
lists the final 2011 Rockfish Program halibut mortality limits for C/Ps
and CVs. These mortality limits are unchanged from the proposed 2011
harvest specifications.
As discussed earlier in this preamble, the Rockfish Program will
expire in December 2011. The Council has proposed a new, revised
program and associated FMP amendment. NMFS is developing rulemaking to
implement the program, if approved by the Secretary. The proposed rule
and, if approved, the final rule for the new Rockfish Program will
include revised groundfish sideboards and halibut mortality limits for
2012. Since the current Rockfish Program expires at the end of 2011,
these final harvest specifications for groundfish sideboards and
halibut mortality limits are only for 2011.

Table 19--Final 2011 Rockfish Program Harvest Limits by Sector for WYK District and Western Regulatory Area by
the Catcher/Processor (C/P) and Catcher Vessel (CV) Sectors
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C/P CV sector
Area Fishery sector (% (% of 2011 TAC 2011 C/P 2011 CV
of TAC) TAC) limit limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
West Yakutat District............. Pelagic shelf 72.4 1.7 407 295 7
rockfish.
Pacific ocean perch.. 76.0 2.9 1,937 1,472 56
Western GOA....................... Pelagic shelf 63.3 0 611 387 0
rockfish.
Pacific ocean perch.. 61.1 0 2,798 1,710 0
Northern rockfish.... 78.9 0 2,573 2,030 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table 20--Final 2011 Rockfish Program Halibut Mortality Limits for the Catcher/Processor (C/P) and Catcher Vessel (CV) Sectors
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual shallow-
Shallow-water Deep-water Annual halibut water complex Annual deep-water
Sector complex halibut complex halibut mortality limit halibut PSC complex halibut
PSC sideboard PSC sideboard (mt) sideboard limit PSC sideboard
ratio (percent) ratio (percent) (mt) limit (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C/P................................................. 0.54 3.99 2,000 11 80
CV.................................................. 6.32 1.08 2,000 126 22
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GOA Amendment 80 Vessel Groundfish Harvest and PSC Limits

Amendment 80 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (Amendment 80 program)
established a limited access privilege program for the non-AFA trawl C/
P sector. To limit the ability of participants eligible for the
Amendment 80 program to expand their harvest efforts in the GOA, the
Amendment 80 program established groundfish and halibut PSC catch
limits for Amendment 80 program participants.
Section 679.92 establishes groundfish harvesting sideboard limits
on all Amendment 80 program vessels, other than the F/V GOLDEN FLEECE,
to amounts no greater than the limits shown in Table 37 to 50 CFR part
679. Under regulations at Sec. 679.92(d), the F/V GOLDEN FLEECE is
prohibited from directed fishing for pollock, Pacific cod, Pacific
ocean perch, pelagic shelf rockfish, and northern rockfish in the GOA.
Groundfish sideboard limits for Amendment 80 program vessels operating
in the GOA are based on their average aggregate harvests from 1998 to
2004. Tables 21 and 22 list the final 2011 and 2012 sideboard limits
for Amendment 80 program vessels. These limits are based on the final
2011 and 2012 TACs established by this action, and thus may differ
proportionately from the sideboard limits in the proposed 2011 and 2012
harvest specifications. NMFS will deduct all targeted or incidental
catch of sideboard species made by Amendment 80 program vessels from
the sideboard limits in Tables 21 and 22.

[[Page 11134]]

Table 21--Final 2011 GOA Groundfish Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of
Amendment 2011
Apportionments and 80 sector Amendment
Species allocations by Area vessels 2011 TAC 80 vessel
season 1998-2004 (mt) sideboards
catch to (mt)
TAC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock......................... A Season........... Shumagin (610).... 0.003 4,786 14
January 20-February Chirikof (620).... 0.002 11,895 24
25
Kodiak (630)...... 0.002 4,475 9
B Season........... Shumagin (610).... 0.003 4,876 14
March 10-May 31 Chirikof (620).... 0.002 14,231 28
Kodiak (630)...... 0.002 2,139 4
C Season........... Shumagin (610).... 0.003 8,729 26
August 25-September Chirikof (620).... 0.002 5,619 11
15
Kodiak (630)...... 0.002 6,812 14
D Season........... Shumagin (610).... 0.003 8,729 26
October 1-November Chirikof (620).... 0.002 5,619 11
1
Kodiak (630)...... 0.002 6,812 14
Annual............. WYK (640)......... 0.002 2,339 5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod..................... A Season \1\....... W................. 0.020 13,671 273
January 1-June 10 C................. 0.044 24,217 1,066
B Season \2\....... W................. 0.020 9,114 182
September 1- C................. 0.044 16,145 710
December 31
Annual............. WYK............... 0.034 1,953 66
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch............. Annual............. W................. 0.994 2,798 2,781
WYK............... 0.961 1,937 1,861
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern rockfish............... Annual............. W................. 1.000 2,573 2,573
Pelagic shelf rockfish.......... Annual............. W................. 0.764 611 467
WYK............... 0.896 407 365
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.

Table 22--Final 2012 GOA Groundfish Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of
Amendment 2012
Apportionments and 80 sector Amendment
Species allocations by Area vessels 2012 TAC 80 vessel
season 1998-2004 (mt) sideboards
catch to (mt)
TAC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock......................... A Season........... Shumagin (610).... 0.003 6,186 19
January 20-February Chirikof (620).... 0.002 15,375 31
25
Kodiak (630)...... 0.002 5,783 12
B Season........... Shumagin (610).... 0.003 6,186 19
March 10-May 31 Chirikof (620).... 0.002 18,392 37
Kodiak (630)...... 0.002 2,765 6
C Season........... Shumagin (610).... 0.003 11,281 34
August 25-September Chirikof (620).... 0.002 7,261 15
15
Kodiak (630)...... 0.002 8,803 18
D Season........... Shumagin (610).... 0.003 11,281 34
October 1-November Chirikof (620).... 0.002 7,261 15
1
Kodiak (630)...... 0.002 8,803 18
Annual............. WYK (640)......... 0.002 3,024 6
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod..................... A Season \1\....... W................. 0.020 12,317 246
January 1-June 10 C................. 0.044 21,817 960
B Season \2\....... W................. 0.020 8,211 164
September 1- C................. 0.044 14,545 640
December 31
Annual............. WYK............... 0.034 1,759 60
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch............. Annual............. W................. 0.994 2,665 2,649

[[Page 11135]]

WYK............... 0.961 1,845 1,773
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern rockfish............... Annual............. W................. 1.000 2,446 2,446
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pelagic shelf rockfish.......... Annual............. W................. 0.764 570 435
WYK............... 0.896 380 340
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20.
\2\ The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1.

The halibut PSC sideboard limits for Amendment 80 program vessels
in the GOA are based on the historic use of halibut PSC by Amendment 80
program vessels in each PSC target category from 1998 through 2004.
These values are slightly lower than the average historic use to
accommodate two factors: allocation of halibut PSC cooperative quota
under the Central GOA Rockfish Program and the exemption of the F/V
GOLDEN FLEECE from this restriction (Sec. 679.92(b)(2)). Table 23
lists the final 2011 and 2012 halibut PSC limits for Amendment 80
program vessels, as proscribed at Table 38 to 50 CFR part 679. These
PSC limits are unchanged from those listed in the proposed 2011 and
2012 harvest specifications.

Table 23--Final 2011 and 2012 Halibut PSC Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels in the GOA
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Historic
Amendment 2011 and
80 use of 2011 and 2012
Season Season dates Target fishery the annual 2012 annual Amendment
halibut PSC PSC limit 80 vessel
limit catch (mt) PSC limit
(ratio) (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............................... January 20-April 1. shallow-water..... 0.0048 2,000 10
deep-water........ 0.0115 2,000 23
2............................... April 1-July 1..... shallow-water..... 0.0189 2,000 38
deep-water........ 0.1072 2,000 214
3............................... July 1-September 1. shallow-water..... 0.0146 2,000 29
deep-water........ 0.0521 2,000 104
4............................... September 1-October shallow-water..... 0.0074 2,000 15
1.
deep-water........ 0.0014 2,000 3
5............................... October 1-December shallow-water..... 0.0227 2,000 45
31.
deep-water........ 0.0371 2,000 74
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Directed Fishing Closures

Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), if the Regional Administrator
determines (1) that any allocation or apportionment of a target species
or species group allocated or apportioned to a fishery will be reached;
or (2) with respect to pollock and Pacific cod, that an allocation or
apportionment to an inshore or offshore component allocation will be
reached, the Regional Administrator may establish a DFA for that
species or species group. If the Regional Administrator establishes a
DFA and that allowance is or will be reached before the end of the
fishing year, NMFS will prohibit directed fishing for that species or
species group in the specified GOA regulatory area or district (Sec.
679.20(d)(1)(iii)).
The Regional Administrator has determined that the TAC limits for
the species listed in Table 24 are necessary to account for the
incidental catch of these species in other anticipated groundfish
fisheries for the 2011 and 2012 fishing years.

Table 24--2011 and 2012 Directed Fishing Closures in the GOA
[Amounts for incidental catch in other directed fisheries are in metric
tons]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incidental catch
Target Area/component/gear amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock......................... all/offshore........ \1\ unknown
Sablefish\2\.................... all/trawl........... 1,519 (2011)
1,391 (2012)
Shortraker rockfish\2\.......... all................. 914
Other rockfish.................. all................. 1,195 (2011)

[[Page 11136]]

1,194 (2012)
Rougheye rockfish............... all................. 1,312
Thornyhead...................... all................. 1,770
Atka mackerel................... all................. 2,000
Big skate....................... all................. 3,328
Longnose skate.................. all................. 2,852
Other skates.................... all................. 2,093
Squids.......................... all................. 1,148
Sharks.......................... all................. 6,197
Octopuses....................... all................. 954
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Pollock is closed to directed fishing in the GOA by the offshore
component under Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(i).
\2\ Closures not applicable to participants in cooperatives conducted
under the Rockfish Pilot Program.

Consequently, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the
Regional Administrator establishes the DFA for the species or species
groups listed in Table 24 as zero mt. Therefore, in accordance with
Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for those
species, areas, gear types, and components in the GOA listed in Table
24. These closures will remain in effect through 2400 hrs, A.l.t.,
December 31, 2012.
Section 679.64(b)(5) provides for management of AFA CV groundfish
harvest limits and PSC bycatch limits using directed fishing closures
and PSC closures according to procedures set out at Sec. Sec.
679.20(d)(1)(iv), 679.21(d)(8), and 679.21(e)(3)(v). The Regional
Administrator has determined that, in addition to the closures listed
above, many of the non-exempt AFA CV sideboard limits listed in Tables
14 and 15 are necessary as incidental catch to support other
anticipated groundfish fisheries for the 2011 and 2012 fishing years.
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iv), the Regional Administrator
sets the DFAs for the species and species groups in Table 25 at zero.
Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is
prohibiting directed fishing by non-exempt AFA CVs in the GOA for the
species and specified areas listed in Table 25. These closures will
remain in effect through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2012.

Table 25--2011 and 2012 Non-Exempt AFA CV Sideboard Directed Fishing
Closures for All Gear Types in the GOA
[Amounts for incidental catch in other directed fisheries are in metric
tons]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regulatory area/ Incidental catch
Species district amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod..................... Eastern........... 14 (inshore) and 2
(offshore) in
2011.
13 (inshore) and 1
(offshore) in
2012.
Deep-water flatfish............. Western........... 0.
Rex sole........................ Eastern and 1 and 3 in 2011.
Western.
1 and 2 in 2012.
Arrowtooth flounder............. Eastern and 1 and 17.
Western.
Flathead sole................... Eastern and 2 and 7.
Western.
Pacific ocean perch............. Western........... 6.
Northern rockfish............... Western........... 1.
Pelagic shelf rockfish.......... Entire GOA........ 3.
Demersal shelf rockfish......... SEO District...... 1.
Sculpins........................ Entire GOA........ 35.
Squids.......................... Entire GOA........ 7.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Section 680.22 provides for the management of non-AFA crab vessel
sideboards using directed fishing closures in accordance with Sec.
680.22(e)(2) and (3). The Regional Administrator has determined that
the non-AFA crab vessel sideboards listed in Tables 17 and 18 are
insufficient to support a directed fishery and has set the sideboard
DFA at zero, with the exception of Pacific cod in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas. Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting directed
fishing by non-AFA crab vessels in the GOA for all species and species
groups listed in Tables 17 and 18, with the exception of Pacific cod in
the Western and Central Regulatory Areas.
Section 679.82 provides for the management of Rockfish Program
sideboard limits using directed fishing closures in accordance with
Sec. 679.82(d)(7)(i) and (ii). The Regional Administrator has
determined that the CV sideboards listed in Table 19 are insufficient
to support a directed fishery and has set the sideboard DFA at zero.
Therefore, NMFS is closing directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch and
pelagic shelf rockfish in the WYK District and the Western Regulatory
Area and for northern rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area by CVs
participating in the Central GOA Rockfish Program during the month of
July in 2011. These closures will remain in effect through 2400 hrs,
A.l.t., December 31, 2011.
Closures implemented under the 2010 and 2011 Gulf of Alaska harvest
specifications for groundfish (75 FR 11749, March 12, 2010) remain
effective under authority of these final 2011 and 2012 harvest
specifications, and are posted at the following Web sites:

[[Page 11137]]

http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/index/infobulletins/infobulletins.asp?Yr=2010, and http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/2010/status.htm. While these closures are in effect, the maximum retainable
amounts at Sec. 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. NMFS may
implement other closures during the 2011 and 2012 fishing years as
necessary for effective conservation and management.

Response to Comments

NMFS did not receive any comments in response to the proposed 2011
and 2012 harvest specifications (75 FR 76352, December 8, 2010).

Classification

NMFS has determined that these final harvest specifications are
consistent with the FMP and with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other
applicable laws.
This action is authorized under 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from
review under Executive Order 12866.
NMFS prepared an EIS for this action (see ADDRESSES) 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 EIS. In
January 2011, NMFS prepared a Supplemental Information Report (SIR) for
this action. Copies of the EIS, ROD, and SIR for this action are
available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES). The EIS analyzes the environmental
consequences of the groundfish harvest specifications and alternative
harvest strategies on resources in the action area. The EIS found no
significant environmental consequences of this action and its
alternatives. The SIR evaluates the need to prepare a Supplemental EIS
(SEIS) for the 2011 and 2012 groundfish harvest specifications.
A SEIS should be prepared if (1) the agency makes substantial
changes in the proposed action that are relevant to environmental
concerns, or (2) significant new circumstances or information exist
relevant to environmental concerns and bearing on the proposed action
or its impacts (40 CFR 1502.9(c)(1)). After reviewing the information
contained in the SIR and SAFE reports, the Regional Administrator has
determined that (1) approval of the 2011 and 2012 harvest
specifications, which were set according to the preferred harvest
strategy in the EIS, do not constitute a change in the action; and (2)
there are no significant new circumstances or information relevant to
environmental concerns and bearing on the action or its impacts.
Additionally, the 2011 and 2012 harvest specifications will result in
environmental impacts within the scope of those analyzed and disclosed
in the EIS. Therefore, supplemental National Environmental Protection
Act documentation is not necessary to implement the 2011 and 2012
harvest specifications.
NMFS also prepared an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
(IRFA) as required by section 603 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act,
analyzing the methodology for establishing the relevant TACs. The IRFA
evaluated the impacts on small entities of alternative harvest
strategies for the groundfish fisheries in the EEZ off Alaska.
Accordingly, NMFS used the IRFA prepared for the EIS is association
with this action. NMFS published a notice of availability of the IRFA
and its summary in the Classification section of the proposed 2006 and
2007 harvest specifications for the GOA in the Federal Register on
December 15, 2006 (71 FR 75460). No comments were received regarding
the IRFA or on the economic effects of the TAC-setting methodology.
NMFS also prepared a Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA),
as required by section 604 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. Copies of
the FRFA are available from NMFS, Alaska Region (see ADDRESSES). The
FRFA analyzed the methodology for establishing the relevant TACs. As
set forth in the methodology, TACs are set to a level that fall within
the range of ABCs recommended by the SSC; the sum of the TACs must
achieve optimum yield specified in the FMP. While the specific numbers
that the methodology may produce vary from year to year, the
methodology itself remains constant. Accordingly, NMFS is using the
FRFA prepared for the EIS in association with this action. Pursuant to
sections 3.2.3 and 3.2.4 of the FMP, the established methodology
produces ABCs and TACs within specified ranges and the numbers in this
final rule's preferred alternative are within those ranges.
In addition, NMFS considers the annual rulemakings establishing the
harvest specification numbers to be a series of closely-related rules
stemming from the harvest strategy and representing one rule for
purposes of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 605(c)). The need
for, and objectives of, this final rule are described in the preamble.
A summary of the 2007 FRFA follows. This action is taken in accordance
with the FMP prepared by the Council pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens
Act.
The directly regulated small entities include approximately 747
small CVs and fewer than 20 small C/Ps in the GOA. The entities
directly regulated by this action harvest groundfish in the EEZ of the
GOA, and in parallel fisheries within State of Alaska waters. These
include entities operating CVs and C/Ps within the action area, and
entities receiving direct allocations of groundfish. CVs and C/Ps were
considered to be small entities if they had annual gross receipts of $4
million per year or less from all economic activities, including the
revenue of their affiliated operations (see Table 37 to the Economic
Status of the Groundfish Fisheries off Alaska, 2005, in the 2006 SAFE
report, dated February 2007, available from the Council (see
ADDRESSES)).
Estimates of gross product value for the GOA groundfish were used
as an index of revenue and potential impacts of the alternative harvest
strategies on small entities. Revenues were projected to decline from
2006 levels in 2007 and 2008 under the preferred alternative due to
declines in ABCs for key species, but by relatively small amounts. For
example, the 2006 estimated earned revenue for GOA groundfish was 199.4
million dollars, with projected revenues of 192.2 million dollars and
199.2 million dollars in 2007 and 2008, respectively.
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 GOA
OY, in which case harvests would be limited to the OY. Alternative 3
would have set TACs to produce fishing rates equal to the most recent
five-year average fishing rate. Alternative 4 would have set TACs to
equal the lower limit of the GOA OY range. Alternative 5--the ``no
action'' alternative--would have set TACs equal to zero.
Alternatives 3, 4, and 5 were all associated with smaller levels
for important fishery TACs than Alternative 2. Estimated total gross
product values were used as an index of potential adverse impacts to
small entities. As a consequence of the lower TAC levels, Alternatives
3, 4, and 5 all had smaller first wholesale revenue indices than
Alternative 2. Thus, Alternatives 3, 4, and 5 had greater adverse
impacts on small entities. Alternative 1 appeared to generate higher
values of the gross revenue index for fishing operations in the GOA
than Alternative 2. A large part of the Alternative 1 GOA revenue

[[Page 11138]]

appears to be due to the assumption that the full Alternative 1 TAC
would be harvested. Much of the larger revenue was due to increases in
flatfish TACs that were much greater for Alternative 1 than for
Alternative 2. In recent years, halibut bycatch constraints in these
fisheries have kept actual flatfish catches from reaching Alternative 1
levels. Therefore, a large part of the revenues associated with
Alternative 1 are unlikely to occur. Also, Alternative 2 TACs are
constrained by the ABCs the Plan Teams and SSC are likely to recommend
to the Council on the basis of a full consideration of biological
issues. These ABCs are often less than Alternative 1's maximum
permissible ABCs; therefore higher TACs under Alternative 1 may not be
consistent with prudent biological management of the resource. For
these reasons, Alternative 2 is the preferred alternative.
In addition to the IRFA prepared in association with the groundfish
harvest specifications EIS, NMFS prepared a supplemental IRFA (SIRFA)
in conjunction with the proposed harvest specifications (see
ADDRESSES). The SIRFA evaluated the specification of separate OFLs and
TACs for squids, sharks, octopuses, and sculpins in the GOA, consistent
with the previously selected harvest strategy, the tier system used to
set OFL (per the FMP), Amendment 87 to the FMP, the Magnuson-Stevens
Act, and other applicable law (see ADDRESSES). Amendment 87 to the FMP
was published on September 22, 2010, and dissolved the ``other
species'' complex into its component species of squids, sharks,
octopuses, and sculpins.
This supplemental Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (SFRFA)
incorporates the SIRFA, a summary of the significant issues raised by
the public comments in response to the IRFA, NMFS' responses to those
comments, and provides a summary of the analyses completed to support
the action. The SFRFA augments the FRFA prepared in connection with the
2007 Alaska Groundfish Harvest Specification EIS.
NMFS published the proposed harvest specifications on December 8,
2010 (75 FR 76352) with comments invited through January 7, 2011. A
SIRFA was prepared and summarized in the ``Classification'' section of
the proposed rule. The description of this action, its purpose, and its
legal basis are described in the preamble to the proposed rule and are
not repeated here.
No public comments were specifically received on the SIRFA or on
the economic impacts of this action more generally. No changes were
made from the proposed rule to the final rule.
The 2010 Economic Status of Groundfish Fisheries Off Alaska report,
prepared in conjunction with the 2010 SAFE report (see ADDRESSES),
identifies 669 small groundfish entities operating in the GOA, with
average revenues from all sources of about $600,000. Most of these
(660) are C/Vs. A majority of the C/Vs (510), used hook-and-line gear
and had average revenues of about $390,000. There were 73 trawl C/Vs,
with average revenues of about $840,000, and 123 pot C/Vs with average
revenues of $550,000. There were five C/Ps, mostly hook-and-line
vessels, with average gross revenues of about $2.49 million. The 2010
SAFE report may overstate the number of small entities because it
considers individual vessel gross revenues, but does not capture
affiliations among vessels. All of these small entities would be
directly regulated by this action. As described below, however, certain
small entities may be more likely than others to be adversely affected
by this action as a result of potential impacts associated with the
incidental catch of sharks, octopuses, or squids in other target
fisheries.
This action does not modify any recordkeeping or reporting
requirements.
NMFS considered several alternatives to the action to specify
separate OFLs and TACS for GOA sculpins, sharks, octopuses, and squids
species complexes. However, each of these alternatives has been
eliminated from further consideration because it either does not
minimize significant economic impacts on a substantial number of small
entities or does not accomplish the stated objectives of, or is in
conflict with the requirements of, applicable statutes.
This action is intended to fulfill the agency's mandate to
establish catch limits that are based on the best available scientific
information, and to achieve optimum yield while preventing overfishing.
This action adopts the alternative that is both consistent with the
agency's obligations under the Magnuson-Stevens Act and the FMP and
minimizes the likelihood that the specification of TACs and OFLs for
the sculpin, sharks, octopuses, and squid species complexes will
adversely affect small entities.
NMFS considered dividing the TACs for each of the species complexes
among different regulatory areas in the GOA. Any such further division
of the TACs would not change the total TACs for each species complex in
the GOA as a whole. However, the incidental catch of fishing vessels
that operate within each of the regulatory areas would be counted
against a reduced TAC and OFL, which would increase the likelihood that
the TAC or OFL would be reached and that one or more area closures may
be triggered.
NMFS considered excusing small entities from compliance with the
TACs for each of the species complexes evaluated in the SFRFA. However,
the Magnuson-Stevens Act requires NMFS to implement conservation and
management measures that prevent overfishing. Authorizing unlimited
incidental catch of these species complexes by small entities would
present an unacceptable risk of overfishing, and would not be
consistent with the agency's obligations under Magnuson-Stevens Act,
nor with the requirements of the Council's FMP.
In order to minimize the economic impacts of this action, NMFS
considered allocating relatively large portions of the TACs for each of
the species complexes to potentially affected small entities. However,
any such allocation, which would be motivated solely by economic
considerations under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, would not be
consistent with National Standard 5, which states that ``no
[conservation and management measure] shall have economic allocation as
its sole purpose.'' 16 U.S.C. 1851(a)(5).
Finally, NMFS considered establishing a single group TAC for all
four of the species complexes in the GOA, which would substantially
reduce the likelihood that incidental catch would reach or exceed the
TAC or OFL and result in area closures of target fisheries. However,
the establishment of a stock complex comprised of species with such
disparate life histories would not be consistent with the statutory
requirement to establish catch limits that prevent overfishing for
stocks in the fishery, nor with the Council's intent in enacting
Amendment 87.
Adverse impacts on marine mammals resulting from fishing activities
conducted under this rule are discussed in the EIS (see ADDRESSES).
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
2010, and Council consideration and recommendations occurred in
December 2010. Accordingly, NMFS review could not begin until January
2011. For all fisheries not currently closed because the TACs
established under the final 2010 and 2011 harvest specifications (75 FR
11749, March 12, 2010) were not

[[Page 11139]]

reached, the possibility exists that they would be closed prior to the
expiration of a 30-day delayed effectiveness period, if implemented,
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, skates, squids,
sharks, and octopuses 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. If a TAC is reached, NMFS would close directed fishing or
prohibit retention for the applicable species, pending completion of
the 30-day delayed effectiveness period. Any delay in allocating the
final TACs in these fisheries would cause confusion to the industry and
potential economic harm through unnecessary discards. Waiving the 30-
day delay allows NMFS to prevent economic loss to fishermen that could
occur should 2011 TACs be reached prior to the close of the 30 day
delay. 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.
In fisheries subject to declining sideboards, a failure to
implement the updated sideboards before initial season's end could
preclude the intended economic protection to the non-sideboarded
sectors. Conversely, in fisheries with increasing sideboards, economic
benefit could be precluded to the sideboarded sectors.
If the final harvest specifications are not effective by March 12,
2011, which is the start of the 2011 Pacific halibut season as
specified by the IPHC, the hook-and-line sablefish fishery will not
begin concurrently with the Pacific halibut IFQ season. This would
result in confusion for the industry and economic harm from unnecessary
discard of sablefish that are caught along with Pacific halibut, as
both hook-and-line sablefish and Pacific halibut are managed under the
same IFQ program. Immediate effectiveness of the final 2011 and 2012
harvest specifications will allow the sablefish IFQ fishery to begin
concurrently with the Pacific halibut IFQ season. Also, the immediate
effectiveness of this action is required to provide consistent
management and conservation of fishery resources based on the best
available scientific information. This is particularly true of those
species which have lower 2011 ABCs and TACs than those established in
the 2010 and 2011 harvest specifications (75 FR 11749, March 12, 2010).
Immediate effectiveness also would give the fishing industry the
earliest possible opportunity to plan and conduct its fishing
operations with respect to new information about TAC limits. Therefore,
NMFS finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness under
5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).

Small Entity Compliance Guide

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 2011 and 2012 harvest
specifications and prohibited species bycatch allowances for the
groundfish fisheries of the GOA. This action is necessary to establish
harvest limits and associated management measures for groundfish during
the 2011 and 2012 fishing years and to accomplish the goals and
objectives of the FMP. This action affects all fishermen who
participate in the GOA 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.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1540(f), 1801 et
seq.; 16 U.S.C. 3631 et seq.; Pub. L. 105-277; Pub. L. 106-31; Pub.
L. 106-554; Pub. L. 108-199; Pub. L. 108-447; Pub. L. 109-241; Pub.
L. 109-479.

Dated: February 22, 2011.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-4402 Filed 2-28-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P