Home/Federal/Federal Register/2022-03844

Rule2022-03844

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska; Final 2022 and 2023 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish

Primary source

Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.

Published

March 2, 2022

Effective

March 2, 2022

Issuing agencies

Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Abstract

NMFS announces final 2022 and 2023 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 remainder of the 2022 and the start of the 2023 fishing years and to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP). The 2022 harvest specifications supersede those previously set in the final 2021 and 2022 harvest specifications, and the 2023 harvest specifications will be superseded in early 2023 when the final 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications are published. 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 (Magnuson-Stevens Act).

Full Text

<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 41 (Wednesday, March 2, 2022)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 41 (Wednesday, March 2, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11599-11626]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-03844]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 220216-0049; RTID 0648-XY118]

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of
Alaska; Final 2022 and 2023 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish

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

ACTION: Final rule; harvest specifications and closures.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS announces final 2022 and 2023 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
remainder of the 2022 and the start of the 2023 fishing years and to
accomplish the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for
Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP). The 2022 harvest specifications
supersede those previously set in the final 2021 and 2022 harvest
specifications, and the 2023 harvest specifications will be superseded
in early 2023 when the final 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications are
published. 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 (Magnuson-Stevens Act).

DATES: Harvest specifications and closures are effective at 1200 hours,
Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 2, 2022, through 2400 hours, A.l.t.,
December 31, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the Final Alaska Groundfish Harvest
Specifications Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Record of Decision
(ROD), and the annual Supplementary Information Reports (SIRs) to the
EIS prepared for this action are available from <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. The 2021 Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation
(SAFE) report for the groundfish resources of the GOA, dated November
2021, and SAFE reports for previous years are available from the North
Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) at 1007 West Third Avenue,
Suite 400, Anchorage, AK 99501, phone 907-271-2809, or from the
Council's website at <a href="https://www.npfmc.org">https://www.npfmc.org</a>.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the GOA groundfish fisheries in
the exclusive economic zone of the GOA under the FMP. The Council
prepared the FMP under the authority of the 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 that NMFS, after
consultation with the Council, 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) (50 CFR
679.20(a)(1)(i)(B)). Section 679.20(c)(1) further requires that NMFS
publish and solicit public comment on proposed annual TACs and
apportionments thereof, Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC)
limits, and seasonal allowances of pollock and 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 TACs and apportionments, Pacific halibut PSC
limits, and seasonal allowances of pollock and Pacific cod, per Sec.
679.20(c)(3)(ii). The final harvest specifications set forth in Tables
1 through 29 of this rule reflect the outcome of this process, as
required at Sec. 679.20(c).
The proposed 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications for groundfish of
the GOA and Pacific halibut PSC limits were published in the Federal
Register on December 6, 2021 (86 FR 68982). Comments were invited and
accepted through January 5, 2022. NMFS did not receive any comments on
the proposed harvest specifications. In December 2021, NMFS consulted
with the Council regarding the 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications.
After considering public comment at public meetings, as well as
biological and socioeconomic data that were available at the Council's
December 2021 meeting, NMFS is implementing the final 2022 and 2023
harvest specifications, as recommended by the Council. For 2022, the
sum of the TAC amounts is 448,118 mt. For 2023, the sum of the TAC
amounts is 443,615 mt.

Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) and TAC Specifications

In December 2021, the Council's Scientific and Statistical
Committee

[[Page 11600]]

(SSC), its Advisory Panel (AP), and the Council reviewed the most
recent biological and harvest information about the condition of the
GOA groundfish stocks. The Council's GOA Groundfish Plan Team (Plan
Team) compiled and presented this information in the 2021 SAFE report
for the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated November 2021 (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 recommends, and the SSC sets, an
overfishing level (OFL) and ABC for each species or species group. The
2021 SAFE report was made available for public review during the public
comment period for the proposed harvest specifications.
In previous years, the greatest changes from the proposed to the
final harvest specifications have been based on recent NMFS stock
surveys, which provide updated estimates of stock biomass and spatial
distribution, and changes to the models used for producing stock
assessments. At the November 2021 Plan Team meeting, NMFS scientists
presented updated and new survey results, changes to stock assessment
models, and accompanying stock assessment estimates for groundfish
species and species groups that are included in the 2021 SAFE report
per the stock assessment schedule found in the 2021 SAFE report
introduction. The SSC reviewed this information at the December 2021
Council meeting. Changes from the proposed to the final 2022 and 2023
harvest specifications are discussed below.
The final 2022 and 2023 OFLs and ABCs are based on the best
available biological information, including projected biomass trends,
information on assumed distribution of stock biomass, and revised
methods used to calculate stock biomass, and the final 2022 and 2023
TACs are based on the best available biological and socioeconomic
information. The FMP specifies the formulas, or tiers, to be used to
compute OFLs and ABCs. The formulas applicable to a particular stock or
stock complex are determined by the level of reliable information
available to fisheries scientists. This information is categorized into
a successive series of six tiers to define OFL and ABC amounts, with
Tier 1 representing the highest level of information quality available
and Tier 6 representing the lowest level of information quality
available. The Plan Team used the FMP tier structure to calculate OFL
and ABC amounts for each groundfish species. The SSC adopted the final
2022 and 2023 OFLs and ABCs recommended by the Plan Team for most
groundfish species, with the exception of Pacific cod and demersal
shelf rockfish.
For Pacific cod, the SSC did not accept the Plan Team's recommended
model for the 2021 stock assessment. The Plan Team recommended the 2021
stock assessment use a model that incorporated additional complexity
over the model used in the 2020 stock assessment. However, the SSC
recommended continuing to use the model that was used for the 2020
Pacific cod stock assessment (model 19.1), which resulted in higher
Pacific cod 2022 and 2023 ABCs than those that resulted from the Plan
Team's recommended model. The SSC concluded that the additional
complexity included in the Plan Team's recommended model is premature
at this time without further explanation and exploration of the
individual changes incorporated into it. Each change should be
supported with a sufficient rationale and an assessment of model
improvements.
For demersal shelf rockfish, the SSC did not agree with the
methodology used in the stock assessment for estimating the biomass for
the demersal shelf rockfish complex. The SSC recommended that the
assessment incorporate more standard methodology for estimating
biomass, which resulted in higher 2022 and 2023 ABCs than recommended
by the Plan Team.
The Council adopted the SSC's OFLs and ABCs and the AP's TAC
recommendations. The final TAC recommendations are based on the ABCs
and are 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 2022 and 2023 TACs that are equal to ABCs
for pollock in the Southeast Outside (SEO) District, sablefish,
shallow-water flatfish in the Central GOA and the West Yakutat and SEO
Districts, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, arrowtooth flounder in the
Central GOA and the West Yakutat District, flathead sole in the West
Yakutat and SEO Districts, Pacific ocean perch (a rockfish species),
northern rockfish, shortraker rockfish, dusky rockfish, rougheye and
blackspotted rockfish, demersal shelf rockfish, thornyhead rockfish,
``other rockfish'' in the Western/Central GOA and West Yakutat
District, big skate, longnose skate, other skates, sharks, and
octopuses in the GOA. The Council recommended TACs for 2022 and 2023
that are less than the ABCs for pollock for the combined Western and
Central GOA and West Yakutat District area, Pacific cod, shallow-water
flatfish in the Western GOA, arrowtooth flounder in the Western GOA and
the SEO District, flathead sole in the Western and Central GOA, Atka
mackerel, and ``other rockfish'' in the SEO District.
The combined Western, Central, and West Yakutat pollock TAC and the
GOA Pacific cod TACs are set to accommodate the State of Alaska's
(State's) guideline harvest levels (GHLs) so that the ABCs for pollock
and Pacific cod are not exceeded. The Western GOA shallow-water
flatfish, Western GOA arrowtooth flounder, and Western GOA flathead
sole TACs are set to allow for increased harvest opportunities for
these target species while conserving the halibut PSC limit for use in
other, more fully utilized fisheries. Similarly, the SEO District
arrowtooth flounder TAC and the Central GOA flathead sole TAC are set
lower than ABC to conserve halibut PSC limit for use in other fisheries
or because there is limited commercial interest and participation in
these fisheries. The Atka mackerel TAC is set to accommodate incidental
catch amounts in other fisheries. The ``other rockfish'' TAC in the SEO
District is set to reduce the amount of discards of the species in that
complex.
The final 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications approved by the
Secretary of Commerce are unchanged from those recommended by the
Council, and are consistent with the preferred harvest strategy
alternative outlined in the FMP and 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 2021 SAFE report. NMFS also finds that the
Council's recommendations for TACs are consistent with the biological
condition of groundfish stocks as adjusted for other biological and
socioeconomic considerations, including maintaining the sum of all TACs
within the OY range. NMFS reviewed the Council's recommended TACs and
apportionments, and NMFS approves these harvest specifications under 50
CFR 679.20(c)(3)(ii). The apportionment of TAC amounts among gear types
and sectors, processing sectors, and seasons is discussed below.
Tables 1 and 2 list the final 2022 and 2023 OFLs, ABCs, TACs, and
area apportionments of groundfish in the GOA. The 2022 harvest
specifications set in this final action supersede the

[[Page 11601]]

2022 harvest specifications previously set in the final 2021 and 2022
harvest specifications (86 FR 10184, February 19, 2021). The 2023
harvest specifications will be superseded in early 2023 when the final
2023 and 2024 harvest specifications are published. Pursuant to this
final action, the 2022 harvest specifications therefore will apply for
the remainder of the current year (2022), while the 2023 harvest
specifications are projected only for the following year (2023) and
will be superseded in early 2023 by the final 2023 and 2024 harvest
specifications. Because this final action (published in early 2022)
will be superseded in early 2023 by the publication of the final 2023
and 2024 harvest specifications, it is projected that this final action
will implement the harvest specifications for the Gulf of Alaska for
approximately one year.

Specification and Apportionment of TAC Amounts

NMFS's apportionment of groundfish species is based on the
distribution of biomass among the regulatory areas over which NMFS
manages the species. Additional regulations govern the apportionment of
pollock, Pacific cod, and sablefish and are described below.
The ABC for the pollock stock in the combined Western and Central
Regulatory Areas and the West Yakutat (WYK) District of the Eastern
Regulatory Area (the W/C/WYK) includes the amount for the GHL
established by the State for the Prince William Sound (PWS) pollock
fishery. The Plan Team, SSC, AP, and Council have recommended that the
sum of all State water and Federal water pollock removals from the GOA
not exceed ABC recommendations. For 2022 and 2023, the SSC recommended
and the Council approved the W/C/WYK pollock ABC, including the amount
to account for the State's PWS GHL. At the November 2021 Plan Team
meeting, State fisheries managers recommended setting the PWS pollock
GHL at 2.5 percent of the annual W/C/WYK pollock ABC. For 2022, this
yields a PWS pollock GHL of 3,327 mt, an increase of 684 mt from the
2021 PWS pollock GHL of 2,643 mt. For 2023, the PWS pollock GHL is
3,298 mt, an increase of 655 mt from the 2021 PWS pollock GHL of 2,643
mt. After the GHL reductions, the 2022 and 2023 pollock ABCs for the
combined W/C/WYK areas are then apportioned between four statistical
areas (Areas 610, 620, 630, and 640) as both ABCs and TACs, as
described below and detailed in Tables 1 and 2. The total ABCs and TACs
for the four statistical areas, plus the State PWS GHL, do not exceed
the combined W/C/WYK ABC.
Apportionments of pollock to the W/C/WYK areas are considered to be
``apportionments of annual catch limits (ACLs)'' rather than ``ABCs.''
This more accurately reflects that such apportionments address
management, rather than biological or conservation, concerns. In
addition, apportionments of the ACL in this manner allow NMFS to
balance any transfer of TAC among Areas 610, 620, and 630 pursuant to
Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B) to ensure that the combined W/C/WYK ACL, ABC,
and TAC are not exceeded.
NMFS establishes pollock TACs in the Western (Area 610) and Central
(Areas 620 and 630) Regulatory Areas and the West Yakutat (Area 640)
and the SEO (Area 650) Districts of the GOA (see Tables 1 and 2). NMFS
also establishes seasonal apportionments of the annual pollock TACs in
the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA among Statistical
Areas 610, 620, and 630. Additional detail on area apportionments and
seasonal allowances is provided in a subsequent section in this rule,
titled ``Apportionments of Pollock TAC Among Seasons and Regulatory
Areas, and Allocations for Processing by Inshore and Offshore
Components;'' Tables 3 and 4 list these amounts.
The 2022 and 2023 Pacific cod TACs are set to accommodate the
State's GHLs for Pacific cod in State waters in the Western and Central
Regulatory Areas, as well as in PWS. The Plan Team, SSC, AP, and
Council recommended that the sum of all State water and Federal water
Pacific cod removals from the GOA not exceed ABC recommendations. The
Council set the 2022 and 2023 Pacific cod TACs in the Western, Central,
and Eastern Regulatory Areas to account for State GHLs. Therefore, the
2022 Pacific cod TACs are less than the ABCs by the following amounts:
(1) Western GOA, 2,983 mt; (2) Central GOA, 4,938 mt; and (3) Eastern
GOA, 779 mt. The 2023 Pacific cod TACs are less than the ABCs by the
following amounts: (1) Western GOA, 2,610 mt; (2) Central GOA, 4,321
mt; and (3) Eastern GOA, 682 mt. These amounts reflect the State's 2022
and 2023 GHLs in these areas, which are 30 percent of the Western GOA
ABC and 25 percent of the Eastern and Central GOA ABCs.
The Western and Central GOA Pacific cod TACs are allocated among
various gear and operational sectors. NMFS also establishes seasonal
apportionments of the annual Pacific cod TACs in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas. The Pacific cod sector and seasonal
apportionments are discussed in detail in a subsequent section, titled
``Annual and Seasonal Apportionments of Pacific Cod TAC,'' and in
Tables 5 and 6 of this rule.
The Council's recommendation for sablefish area apportionments
takes into account the prohibition on the use of trawl gear in the SEO
District of the Eastern Regulatory Area (Sec. 679.7(b)(1)) and makes
available 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area TACs to
vessels using trawl gear for use as incidental catch in other trawl
groundfish fisheries in the WYK District (Sec. 679.20(a)(4)(i)).
Tables 7 and 8 list the final 2022 and 2023 allocations of sablefish
TAC to fixed gear and trawl gear in the GOA.

Changes From the Proposed 2022 and 2023 Harvest Specifications in the
GOA

In October 2021, the Council's recommendations for the proposed
2022 and 2023 harvest specifications (86 FR 68982, December 6, 2021)
were based largely on information contained in the final 2020 SAFE
report for the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated November 2020. The final
2020 SAFE report for the GOA is available from the Council (see
ADDRESSES). The Council proposed that the final OFLs, ABCs, and TACs
established for the 2022 groundfish fisheries (86 FR 10184, February
19, 2021) be used for the proposed 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications
(86 FR 68982, December 6, 2021), pending completion and review of the
2021 SAFE report at the Council's December 2021 meeting.
As described previously, the SSC recommended the final 2022 and
2023 OFLs and ABCs as recommended by the Plan Team, with the exception
of the Pacific cod and demersal shelf rockfish OFLs and ABCs. The
Council adopted as its recommendations the SSC's OFL and ABC
recommendations and the AP's TAC recommendations for 2022 and 2023.
The final 2022 ABCs are higher than the proposed 2022 ABCs
published in the proposed 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications (86 FR
68982, December 6, 2021) for pollock, rex sole, flathead sole, Pacific
ocean perch, northern rockfish, dusky rockfish, demersal shelf
rockfish, longnose skate, and other skates. The final 2022 ABCs are
lower than the proposed 2022 ABCs for Pacific cod, sablefish, shallow-
water flatfish, deep-water flatfish, arrowtooth flounder, shortraker
rockfish, rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, and big skate.
The final 2023 ABCs are higher than the proposed 2023 ABCs for
pollock, rex sole, flathead sole, Pacific ocean perch, demersal shelf
rockfish, longnose skate, and other skates. The final 2023 ABCs

[[Page 11602]]

are lower than the proposed 2023 ABCs for Pacific cod, sablefish,
shallow-water flatfish, deep-water flatfish, arrowtooth flounder,
northern rockfish, shortraker rockfish, dusky rockfish, rougheye and
blackspotted rockfish, and big skate. For the remaining target species
(thornyhead rockfish, other rockfish, Atka mackerel, sharks, and
octopuses), the Council recommended the final 2022 and 2023 ABCs that
are the same as the proposed 2022 and 2023 ABCs.
Additional information explaining the changes between the proposed
and final ABCs is included in the final 2021 SAFE report, which was not
completed and available when the Council made its proposed ABC and TAC
recommendations in October 2021. At that time, the most recent stock
assessment information was contained in the final 2020 SAFE report. The
final 2021 SAFE report contains the best and most recent scientific
information on the condition of the groundfish stocks, as previously
discussed in this preamble, and is available for review (see
ADDRESSES). The Council considered the 2021 SAFE report in December
2021 when it made recommendations for the final 2022 and 2023 harvest
specifications. In the GOA, the total final 2022 TAC amount is 448,118
mt, an increase of 9.6 percent from the total proposed 2022 TAC amount
of 409,039 mt. The total final 2023 TAC amount is 443,615 mt, an
increase of 8.5 percent from the total proposed 2023 TAC amount of
409,039 mt. Table 1a summarizes the difference between the proposed and
final TACs.
Annual stock assessments incorporate a variety of new or revised
inputs, such as survey data or catch information, as well as changes to
the statistical models used to estimate a species' biomass and
population trend. Changes to biomass and ABC estimates are primarily
based on fishery catch updates to species' assessment models. Some
species, such as pollock and sablefish, have additional surveys
conducted on an annual basis, which resulted in additional data being
available for the 2021 assessments for these stocks.
The changes for individual species or species groups from the
proposed 2022 TACs to the final 2022 TACs are within a range of plus 42
percent or minus 35 percent, and the changes from the proposed 2023
TACs to the final 2023 TACs are within a range of plus 42 percent or
minus 36 percent. Based on changes in the estimates of overall biomass
in the stock assessment for 2022 and 2023, as compared to the estimates
previously made for 2021 and 2022, the species or species group with
the greatest TAC percentage increases are pollock, rex sole, Pacific
ocean perch, demersal shelf rockfish, and other skates. Based on
changes in the estimates of biomass, the species or species group with
the greatest TAC percentage decreases are Pacific cod, sablefish,
rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, and big skate. For all other
species and species groups, changes from the proposed 2022 TACs to the
final 2022 TACs and changes from the proposed 2023 TACs to the final
2023 TACs are less than a 10 percent change (either increase or
decrease). These TAC changes correspond to associated changes in the
ABCs and TACs, as recommended by the SSC, AP, and Council.
Detailed information providing the basis for the changes described
above is contained in the final 2021 SAFE report. The final TACs are
based on the best scientific information available, including
biological and socioeconomic information. These TACs are specified in
compliance with the harvest strategy described in the proposed and
final rules for the 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications.

Table 1a--Comparison of Proposed and Final 2022 and 2023 GOA Total Allowable Catch Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentage]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2022 final 2023 final
Species 2022 and 2023 2022 final TAC minus 2022 Percentage 2023 final TAC minus 2023 Percentage
proposed TAC proposed TAC difference proposed TAC difference
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock................................. 99,784 141,117 41,333 41 139,977 40,193 40
Pacific cod............................. 27,961 24,111 -3,850 -14 21,096 -6,865 -25
Sablefish............................... 25,231 22,794 -2,437 -10 22,003 -3,228 -13
Shallow-water flatfish.................. 45,673 42,604 -3,069 -7 44,272 -1,401 -3
Deep-water flatfish..................... 5,926 5,908 -18 0 5,818 -108 -2
Rex sole................................ 15,416 19,141 3,725 24 20,594 5,178 34
Arrowtooth flounder..................... 95,454 96,501 1,047 1 95,512 58 0
Flathead sole........................... 28,445 27,437 -1,008 -4 27,426 -1,019 -4
Pacific ocean perch..................... 34,602 38,268 3,666 11 37,104 2,502 7
Northern rockfish....................... 5,099 5,146 47 1 4,920 -179 -4
Shortraker rockfish..................... 708 705 -3 0 705 -3 0
Dusky rockfish.......................... 5,295 5,372 77 1 5,181 -114 -2
Rougheye/blackspotted rockfish.......... 1,221 788 -433 -35 781 -440 -36
Demersal shelf rockfish................. 257 365 108 42 365 108 42
Thornyhead rockfish..................... 1,953 1,953 0 0 1,953 0 0
Other rockfish.......................... 1,609 1,610 1 0 1,610 1 0
Atka mackerel........................... 3,000 3,000 0 0 3,000 0 0
Big skate............................... 3,208 2,867 -341 -11 2,867 -341 -11
Longnose skate.......................... 2,587 2,712 125 5 2,712 125 5
Other skates............................ 875 984 109 12 984 109 12
Sharks.................................. 3,755 3,755 0 0 3,755 0 0
Octopuses............................... 980 980 0 0 980 0 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................... 409,039 448,118 39,079 9.6 443,615 34,576 8.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The final 2022 and 2023 TAC amounts for the GOA are within the OY
range established for the GOA and do not exceed the ABC for any species
or species group. Tables 1 and 2 list the final OFL, ABC, and TAC
amounts for GOA groundfish for 2022 and 2023, respectively.

[[Page 11603]]

Table 1--Final 2022 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs of Groundfish for the Western/Central/West Yakutat, Western, Central,
Eastern Regulatory Areas, the West Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts of the Eastern Regulatory Area, and
Gulfwide 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 23,714 23,714
Chirikof (620).......... n/a 69,250 69,250
Kodiak (630)............ n/a 30,068 30,068
WYK (640)............... n/a 6,722 6,722
-----------------------------------------------
W/C/WYK (subtotal) 154,983 133,081 129,754
\2\.
SEO (650)............... 15,150 11,363 11,363
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 170,133 144,444 141,117
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod \3\....................... W....................... n/a 9,942 6,959
C....................... n/a 19,752 14,814
E....................... n/a 3,117 2,338
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 39,555 32,811 24,111
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish \4\......................... W....................... n/a 3,727 3,727
C....................... n/a 9,965 9,965
WYK..................... n/a 3,437 3,437
SEO..................... n/a 5,665 5,665
-----------------------------------------------
Subtotal TAC......... n/a n/a 22,794
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 40,432 34,521 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shallow-water flatfish \5\............ W....................... n/a 21,256 13,250
C....................... n/a 25,305 25,305
WYK..................... n/a 2,531 2,531
SEO..................... n/a 1,518 1,518
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 62,273 50,610 42,604
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deep-water flatfish \6\............... W....................... n/a 256 256
C....................... n/a 2,139 2,139
WYK..................... n/a 1,431 1,431
SEO..................... n/a 2,082 2,082
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 7,026 5,908 5,908
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rex sole.............................. W....................... n/a 2,981 2,981
C....................... n/a 12,076 12,076
WYK..................... n/a 1,361 1,361
SEO..................... n/a 2,723 2,723
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 23,302 19,141 19,141
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth flounder................... W....................... n/a 33,658 14,500
C....................... n/a 68,394 68,394
WYK..................... n/a 6,707 6,707
SEO..................... n/a 11,020 6,900
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 143,100 119,779 96,501
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead sole......................... W....................... n/a 14,755 8,650
C....................... n/a 22,033 15,400
WYK..................... n/a 1,511 1,511
SEO..................... n/a 1,876 1,876
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 48,928 40,175 27,437
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch \7\............... W....................... n/a 2,602 2,602
C....................... n/a 30,806 30,806
WYK..................... n/a 1,409 1,409
-----------------------------------------------
W/C/WYK subtotal..... 41,470 34,817 34,817
SEO..................... 4,110 3,451 3,451
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 45,580 38,268 38,268
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern rockfish \8\................. W....................... n/a 1,944 1,944

[[Page 11604]]

C....................... n/a 3,202 3,202
E....................... n/a .............. ..............
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 6,143 5,146 5,146
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortraker rockfish \9\............... W....................... n/a 51 51
C....................... n/a 280 280
E....................... n/a 374 374
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 940 705 705
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dusky rockfish \10\................... W....................... n/a 269 269
C....................... n/a 4,534 4,534
WYK..................... n/a 427 427
SEO..................... n/a 142 142
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 8,614 5,372 5,372
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rougheye and Blackspotted rockfish W....................... n/a 184 184
\11\.
C....................... n/a 235 235
E....................... n/a 369 369
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 947 788 788
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demersal shelf rockfish \12\.......... SEO..................... 579 365 365
Thornyhead rockfish \13\.............. W....................... n/a 352 352
C....................... n/a 910 910
E....................... n/a 691 691
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 2,604 1,953 1,953
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other rockfish \14\ \15\.............. W and C................. n/a 940 940
WYK..................... n/a 370 370
SEO..................... n/a 2,744 300
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 5,320 4,054 1,610
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel......................... GW...................... 6,200 4,700 3,000
Big skate \16\........................ W....................... n/a 591 591
C....................... n/a 1,482 1,482
E....................... n/a 794 794
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 3,822 2,867 2,867
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longnose skate \17\................... W....................... n/a 151 151
C....................... n/a 2,044 2,044
E....................... n/a 517 517
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 3,616 2,712 2,712
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other skates \18\..................... GW...................... 1,311 984 984
Sharks................................ GW...................... 5,006 3,755 3,755
Octopus............................... GW...................... 1,307 980 980
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................. ........................ 626,738 520,038 448,118
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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\ The total for the W/C/WYK Regulatory Areas pollock ABC is 133,081 mt. After deducting 2.5 percent (3,327 mt)
of that ABC for the State's pollock GHL fishery, the remaining pollock ABC of 129,754 mt (for the W/C/WYK
Regulatory Areas) is apportioned among four statistical areas (Areas 610, 620, 630, and 640). These
apportionments are considered subarea ACLs, rather than ABCs, for specification and reapportionment purposes.
The ACLs in Areas 610, 620, and 630 are further divided by season, as detailed in Table 3 (final 2022 seasonal
biomass distribution of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, area apportionments, and seasonal
allowances). In the West Yakutat (Area 640) and Southeast Outside (Area 650) Districts of the Eastern
Regulatory Area, pollock is not divided into seasonal allowances.
\3\ The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned, after seasonal apportionment to the jig sector, as follows: (1)
63.84 percent to the A season and 36.16 percent to the B season and (2) 64.16 percent to the A season and
35.84 percent to the B season in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA, respectively. Pacific
cod TAC in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA is allocated 90 percent to vessels harvesting Pacific cod
for processing by the inshore component and 10 percent to vessels harvesting Pacific cod for processing by the
offshore component. Table 5 lists the final 2022 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments and sector allocations.
\4\ The sablefish OFL and ABC are set Alaska-wide (40,432 mt and 34,521 mt, respectively). Additionally,
sablefish is allocated to trawl and fixed gear in 2022 and trawl gear in 2023. Table 7 lists the final 2022
allocations of sablefish TACs.

[[Page 11605]]

\5\ ``Shallow-water flatfish'' means flatfish not including ``deep-water flatfish,'' flathead sole, rex sole, or
arrowtooth flounder.
\6\ ``Deep-water flatfish'' means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, and deepsea sole.
\7\ ``Pacific ocean perch'' means Sebastes alutus.
\8\ ``Northern rockfish'' means Sebastes polyspinis. For management purposes, the 1 mt apportionment of ABC to
the WYK District of the Eastern Gulf of Alaska has been included in the ``other rockfish'' species group.
\9\ ``Shortraker rockfish'' means Sebastes borealis.
\10\ ``Dusky rockfish'' means Sebastes variabilis.
\11\ ``Rougheye and blackspotted rockfish'' mean Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and S. melanostictus
(blackspotted).
\12\ ``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).
\13\ ``Thornyhead rockfish'' means Sebastolobus species.
\14\ ``Other 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), S. reedi (yellowmouth), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus (yellowtail). In the Eastern GOA
only, other rockfish also includes northern rockfish, S. polyspinis.
\15\ ``Other rockfish'' in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat District means other
rockfish and demersal shelf rockfish. The ``other rockfish'' species group in the SEO District only includes
other rockfish.
\16\ ``Big skate'' means Raja binoculata.
\17\ ``Longnose skate'' means Raja rhina.
\18\ ``Other skates'' mean Bathyraja and Raja spp.

Table 2--Final 2023 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs of Groundfish for the Western/Central/West Yakutat, Western, Central,
Eastern Regulatory Areas, the West Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts of the Eastern Regulatory Area, and
Gulfwide 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 23,506 23,506
Chirikof (620).......... n/a 68,642 68,642
Kodiak (630)............ n/a 29,803 29,803
WYK (640)............... n/a 6,663 6,663
W/C/WYK (subtotal) 153,097 131,912 128,614
\2\.
-----------------------------------------------
SEO (650)............... 15,150 11,363 11,363
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 168,247 143,275 139,977
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod \3\....................... W....................... n/a 8,699 6,089
C....................... n/a 17,282 12,962
E....................... n/a 2,727 2,045
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 34,673 28,708 21,096
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish \4\......................... W....................... n/a 3,951 3,951
C....................... n/a 9,495 9,495
WYK..................... n/a 3,159 3,159
SEO..................... n/a 5,398 5,398
-----------------------------------------------
Subtotal TAC......... n/a n/a 22,003
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 42,520 36,318 n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shallow-water flatfish \5\............ W....................... n/a 22,464 13,250
C....................... n/a 26,743 26,743
WYK..................... n/a 2,674 2,674
SEO..................... n/a 1,605 1,605
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 65,676 53,486 44,272
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deep-water flatfish \6\............... W....................... n/a 256 256
C....................... n/a 2,105 2,105
WYK..................... n/a 1,408 1,408
SEO..................... n/a 2,049 2,049
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 6,920 5,818 5,818
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rex sole.............................. W....................... n/a 3,222 3,222
C....................... n/a 13,054 13,054
WYK..................... n/a 1,439 1,439
SEO..................... n/a 2,879 2,879
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 25,049 20,594 20,594
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrowtooth flounder................... W....................... n/a 33,214 14,500
C....................... n/a 67,493 67,493
WYK..................... n/a 6,619 6,619

[[Page 11606]]

SEO..................... n/a 10,875 6,900
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 141,231 118,201 95,512
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead sole......................... W....................... n/a 14,708 8,650
C....................... n/a 21,962 15,400
WYK..................... n/a 1,506 1,506
SEO..................... n/a 1,870 1,870
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 48,757 40,046 27,426
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch \7\............... W....................... n/a 2,523 2,523
C....................... n/a 29,869 29,869
WYK..................... n/a 1,366 1,366
W/C/WYK................. 40,211 33,758 33,758
SEO..................... 3,985 3,346 3,346
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 44,196 37,104 37,104
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern rockfish \8\................. W....................... n/a 1,859 1,859
C....................... n/a 3,061 3,061
E....................... n/a .............. ..............
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 5,874 4,920 4,920
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortraker rockfish \9\............... W....................... n/a 51 51
C....................... n/a 280 280
E....................... n/a 374 374
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 940 705 705
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dusky rockfish \10\................... W....................... n/a 259 259
C....................... n/a 4,373 4,373
WYK..................... n/a 412 412
SEO..................... n/a 137 137
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 8,146 5,181 5,181
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rougheye and Blackspotted rockfish W....................... n/a 182 182
\11\.
C....................... n/a 234 234
E....................... n/a 365 365
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 937 781 781
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demersal shelf rockfish \12\.......... SEO..................... 579 365 365
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thornyhead rockfish \13\.............. W....................... n/a 352 352
C....................... n/a 910 910
E....................... n/a 691 691
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 2,604 1,953 1,953
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other rockfish \14\ \15\.............. W and C................. n/a 940 940
WYK..................... n/a 370 370
SEO..................... n/a 2,744 300
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 5,320 4,054 1,610
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel......................... GW...................... 6,200 4,700 3,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big skate \16\........................ W....................... n/a 591 591
C....................... n/a 1,482 1,482
E....................... n/a 794 794
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 3,822 2,867 2,867
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longnose skate \17\................... W....................... n/a 151 151
C....................... n/a 2,044 2,044
E....................... n/a 517 517
-----------------------------------------------

[[Page 11607]]

Total................ 3,616 2,712 2,712
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other skates \18\..................... GW...................... 1,311 984 984
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sharks................................ GW...................... 5,006 3,755 3,755
Octopus............................... GW...................... 1,307 980 980
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................. ........................ 622,931 517,507 443,615
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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\ The total for the W/C/WYK Regulatory Areas pollock ABC is 131,912 mt. After deducting 2.5 percent (3,298 mt)
of that ABC for the State's pollock GHL fishery, the remaining pollock ABC of 128,614 mt (for the W/C/WYK
Regulatory Areas) is apportioned among four statistical areas (Areas 610, 620, 630, and 640). These
apportionments are considered subarea ACLs, rather than ABCs, for specification and reapportionment purposes.
The ACLs in Areas 610, 620, and 630 are further divided by season, as detailed in Table 4 (final 2023 seasonal
biomass distribution of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, area apportionments, and seasonal
allowances). In the West Yakutat (Area 640) and Southeast Outside (Area 650) Districts of the Eastern
Regulatory Area, pollock is not divided into seasonal allowances.
\3\ The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned, after seasonal apportionment to the jig sector, as follows: (1)
63.84 percent to the A season and 36.16 percent to the B season and (2) 64.16 percent to the A season and
35.84 percent to the B season in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA, respectively. Pacific
cod TAC in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA is allocated 90 percent to vessels harvesting Pacific cod
for processing by the inshore component and 10 percent to vessels harvesting Pacific cod for processing by the
offshore component. Table 6 lists the final 2023 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments and sector allocations.
\4\ The sablefish OFL and ABC are set Alaska-wide (42,520 mt and 36,318 mt, respectively). Additionally,
sablefish is allocated only to trawl gear for 2023. Table 8 lists the final 2023 allocation of sablefish TACs
to trawl gear.
\5\ ``Shallow-water flatfish'' means flatfish not including ``deep-water flatfish,'' flathead sole, rex sole, or
arrowtooth flounder.
\6\ ``Deep-water flatfish'' means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, and deepsea sole.
\7\ ``Pacific ocean perch'' means Sebastes alutus.
\8\ ``Northern rockfish'' means Sebastes polyspinis. For management purposes, the 1 mt apportionment of ABC to
the WYK District of the Eastern Gulf of Alaska has been included in the ``other rockfish'' species group.
\9\ ``Shortraker rockfish'' means Sebastes borealis.
\10\ ``Dusky rockfish'' means Sebastes variabilis.
\11\ ``Rougheye and blackspotted rockfish'' mean Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and S. melanostictus
(blackspotted).
\12\ ``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).
\13\ ``Thornyhead rockfish'' means Sebastolobus species.
\14\ ``Other 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), S. reedi (yellowmouth), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus (yellowtail). In the Eastern GOA
only, other rockfish also includes northern rockfish, S. polyspinis.
\15\ ``Other rockfish'' in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat District means other
rockfish and demersal shelf rockfish. The ``other rockfish'' species group in the SEO District only includes
other rockfish.
\16\ ``Big skate'' means Raja binoculata.
\17\ ``Longnose skate'' means Raja rhina.
\18\ ``Other skates'' mean Bathyraja and Raja spp.

Apportionment of Reserves

Section 679.20(b)(2) requires NMFS to set aside 20 percent of each
TAC for pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, sharks, and octopuses in
reserve for possible apportionment at a later date during the fishing
year. For 2022 and 2023, NMFS proposed reapportionment of all the
reserves in the proposed 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications published
in the Federal Register on December 6, 2021 (86 FR 68982). NMFS did not
receive any public comments on the proposed reapportionments. For the
final 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications, NMFS reapportions, as
proposed, all the reserves for pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, sharks,
and octopuses back to the original TAC limit from which the reserve was
derived (Sec. 679.20(b)(3)). This is being done because NMFS expects,
based on recent harvest patterns, that such reserves are not necessary
or that the entire TAC for each of these species will be caught. The
TACs listed in Tables 1 and 2 reflect reapportionments of reserve
amounts to the original TAC limit for these species and species groups,
i.e., each final TAC for the above mentioned species or species groups
contains the full TAC recommended by the Council.

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.
The pollock TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA
are apportioned among Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630. These
apportionments are divided into two equal seasonal allowances of 50
percent to the A season (January 20 through May 31) and 50 percent to
the B season (September 1 through November 1) (Sec. Sec.
679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B) and 679.23(d)(2)).
Regulatory changes that were effective in 2021 revised the number
of GOA pollock seasons to two seasons from four seasons (85 FR 38093,
June 25, 2020). The GOA pollock stock assessment continues to use a
four-season methodology to determine pollock distribution in the
Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA to maintain continuity
in the historical pollock apportionment time-series. Pollock TACs in
the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA are apportioned
among Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630 in proportion to the
distribution of pollock biomass determined by the most recent NMFS

[[Page 11608]]

surveys, pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A). The pollock chapter of
the 2021 SAFE report (see ADDRESSES) contains a comprehensive
description of the apportionment and reasons for the minor changes from
past apportionments. For purposes of specifying pollock TAC between two
seasons for the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA, NMFS
has summed the A and B season apportionments and the C and D season
apportionments as calculated in the 2021 GOA pollock assessment. This
yields the seasonal amounts specified for the A season and the B
season, respectively.
Within any fishing year, the amount by which a pollock seasonal
allowance is underharvested or overharvested may be added to, or
subtracted from, subsequent seasonal allowances for the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas 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 subsequent seasonal TAC 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 and in an amount no more than 20 percent of the
seasonal TAC apportionment in those statistical areas (Sec.
679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The pollock TACs in the WYK and the SEO Districts
of 6,722 mt and 11,363 mt, respectively, in 2022, and 6,663 mt and
11,363 mt, respectively, in 2023, are not allocated by season.
Tables 3 and 4 list the final 2022 and 2023 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.
Section 679.20(a)(6)(i) requires the allocation of 100 percent of the
pollock TAC in all GOA regulatory areas and all seasonal allowances to
vessels catching pollock for processing by the inshore component after
subtraction of pollock 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.

Table 3--Final 2022 Distribution of Pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska;
Area Apportionments; and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton \1\]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shumigan Chirikof Kodiak (Area
Season \2\ (Area 610) (Area 620) 630) Total \3\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A (January 20-May 31)........................... 1,132 52,304 8,080 61,516
B (September 1-November 1)...................... 22,582 16,946 21,988 61,516
---------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Total................................ 23,714 69,250 30,068 123,032
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Area apportionments and seasonal allowances may not total precisely due to rounding.
\2\ As established by Sec. 679.23(d)(2), the A and B season allowances are available from January 20 through
May 31 and September 1 through November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore
and offshore components are not shown in this table.
\3\ The West Yakutat and Southeast Outside District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not
included in the total pollock TACs shown in this table.

Table 4--Final 2023 Distribution of Pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska;
Area Apportionments; and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton \1\]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shumigan Chirikof Kodiak (Area
Season \2\ (Area 610) (Area 620) 630) Total \3\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A (January 20-May 31)........................... 1,122 51,845 8,009 60,976
B (September 1-November 1)...................... 22,384 16,797 21,795 60,976
---------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Total................................ 23,506 68,642 29,803 121,952
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Area apportionments and seasonal allowances may not total precisely due to rounding.
\2\ As established by Sec. 679.23(d)(2), the A and B season allowances are available from January 20 through
May 31 and September 1 through November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore
and offshore components are not shown in this table.
\3\ The West Yakutat and Southeast Outside District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not
included in the total pollock TACs shown in this table.

Annual and Seasonal Apportionments of Pacific Cod TAC

Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i), NMFS seasonally allocates the
2022 and 2023 Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory
Areas of the GOA among gear and operational sectors. In the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas, a portion 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,
and a portion of the annual TAC is apportioned to the B season for jig
gear from June 10 through December 31, for hook-and-line and pot gear
from September 1 through December 31, and for trawl gear from September
1 through November 1 (Sec. Sec. 679.20(a)(12) and 679.23(d)(3)). NMFS
also allocates the Pacific cod TACs annually between the inshore (90
percent) and offshore (10 percent) components in the Eastern Regulatory
Area of the GOA (Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(ii)).
In the Central GOA, the Pacific cod TAC is apportioned seasonally
first to

[[Page 11609]]

vessels using jig gear, and then among catcher vessels (CVs) less than
50 feet in length overall using hook-and-line gear, CVs equal to or
greater than 50 feet in length overall using hook-and-line gear,
catcher/processors (CPs) using hook-and-line gear, CVs using trawl
gear, CPs using trawl gear, and vessels using pot gear (Sec.
679.20(a)(12)(i)(B)). In the Western GOA, the Pacific cod TAC is
apportioned seasonally first to vessels using jig gear, and then among
CVs using hook-and-line gear, CPs using hook-and-line gear, CVs using
trawl gear, CPs using trawl gear, and vessels using pot gear (Sec.
679.20(a)(12)(i)(A)). Excluding seasonal apportionments to the jig
sector, NMFS seasonally apportions the remainder of the annual Pacific
cod TACs in the Western GOA as 63.84 percent to the A season and 36.16
percent to the B season, and in the Central GOA as 64.16 percent to the
A season and 35.84 percent to the B season.
Under Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(ii), any overage or underage of the
Pacific cod season allowance from the A season may be subtracted from,
or added to, the subsequent B season allowance. In addition, any
portion of the hook-and-line, trawl, pot, or jig sector allocations
that is determined by NMFS as likely to go unharvested by a sector may
be reallocated to other sectors for harvest during the remainder of the
fishery year.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A) and (B), a portion of the
annual Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central GOA will be
allocated to vessels with a Federal fisheries permit that use jig gear
before the TACs are apportioned among other non-jig sectors. In
accordance with the FMP, the annual jig sector allocations may increase
to up to 6 percent of the annual Western and Central GOA Pacific cod
TACs, depending on the annual performance of the jig sector (see Table
1 of the rulemaking to implement Amendment 83 to the FMP for a detailed
discussion of the jig sector allocation process (76 FR 74670, December
1, 2011)). Jig sector allocation increases are established for a
minimum of two years.
NMFS has evaluated the historical harvest performance of the jig
sector in the Western and Central GOA, and is establishing the 2022 and
2023 Pacific cod apportionments to this sector based on its historical
harvest performance through 2021. NMFS did not evaluate the 2020
performance of the jig sectors in the Western and Central GOA; since
NMFS prohibited directed fishing for all Pacific cod sectors in 2020,
the catch for the jig sectors could not reach 90 percent of the annual
allocation that is required for a performance increase in the following
year's allocation (86 FR 68982, December 6, 2021; 84 FR 70438, December
23, 2019). For 2022 and 2023, NMFS allocates the jig sector 3.5 percent
of the annual Pacific cod TAC in the Western GOA. The 2022 and 2023
allocations consist of a base allocation of 1.5 percent of the Western
GOA Pacific cod TAC, and prior additional performance increases of 2.0
percent. For 2022 and 2023, NMFS allocates the jig sector 1.0 percent
of the annual Pacific cod TAC in the Central GOA. The 2022 and 2023
allocations consist of a base allocation of 1.0 percent of the Central
GOA Pacific cod TAC, and no additional performance increase in the
Central GOA.
For 2022 and 2023, NMFS is apportioning the jig sector allocations
for the Western and Central GOA between the A season (60 percent) and
the B season (40 percent), pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i). This is
the same jig sector seasonal apportionments implemented in prior
groundfish harvest specifications for the GOA and is consistent with
Amendment 83 to the FMP (76 FR 44700, July 26, 2011).
Tables 5 And 6 list the seasonal apportionments and allocation of
the 2022 and 2023 Pacific Catch TACs.

Table 5--Final 2022 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocation of Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch (TAC) Amounts in
the GOA; Allocations in the Western GOA and Central GOA Sectors, and the Eastern GOA Inshore and Offshore
Processing Components
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Season B Season
---------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Sector Sector
Regulatory area and sector allocation percentage of Seasonal percentage of Seasonal
(mt) annual non-jig allowances annual non-jig allowances
TAC (mt) TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA:
Jig (3.5% of TAC)........... 244 N/A 146 N/A 97
Hook-and-line CV............ 94 0.70 47 0.70 47
Hook-and-line CP............ 1,330 10.90 732 8.90 598
Trawl CV.................... 2,579 31.54 2,118 6.86 461
Trawl CP.................... 161 0.90 60 1.50 101
All Pot CV and Pot CP....... 2,552 19.80 1,330 18.20 1,222
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 6,959 63.84 4,433 36.16 2,526
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central GOA:
Jig (1.0% of TAC)........... 148 N/A 89 N/A 59
Hook-and-line < 50 CV....... 2,142 9.32 1,366 5.29 775
Hook-and-line >= 50 CV...... 984 5.61 823 1.10 161
Hook-and-line CP............ 749 4.11 602 1.00 146
Trawl CV \1\................ 6,099 25.29 3,710 16.29 2,389
Trawl CP.................... 616 2.00 294 2.19 322
All Pot CV and Pot CP....... 4,078 17.83 2,615 9.97 1,463
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 14,814 64.16 9,498 35.84 5,316
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern GOA..................... .............. Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
---------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 11610]]

2,338 2,104
234
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Trawl catcher vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 564 mt, of the
annual Central GOA TAC, which is deducted from the Trawl CV B season allowance (see Table 12. Final 2022
Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA and Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679).

Table 6--Final 2023 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocation of Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch (TAC) Amounts in
the GOA; Allocations in the Western GOA and Central GOA Sectors, and the Eastern GOA Inshore and Offshore
Processing Components
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Season B Season
---------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Sector Sector
Regulatory area and sector allocation percentage of Seasonal percentage of Seasonal
(mt) annual non-jig allowances annual non-jig allowances
TAC (mt) TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA:
Jig (3.5% of TAC)........... 213 N/A 128 N/A 85
Hook-and-line CV............ 82 0.70 41 0.70 41
Hook-and-line CP............ 1,163 10.90 641 8.90 523
Trawl CV.................... 2,256 31.54 1,853 6.86 403
Trawl CP.................... 141 0.90 53 1.50 88
All Pot CV and Pot CP....... 2,233 19.80 1,163 18.20 1,069
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 6,089 63.84 3,879 36.16 2,210
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central GOA:
Jig (1.0% of TAC)........... 130 N/A 78 N/A 52
Hook-and-line < 50 CV....... 1,874 9.32 1,195 5.29 678
Hook-and-line >= 50 CV...... 861 5.61 720 1.10 141
Hook-and-line CP............ 655 4.11 527 1.00 128
Trawl CV \1\................ 5,336 25.29 3,246 16.29 2,090
Trawl CP.................... 539 2.00 257 2.19 282
All Pot CV and Pot CP....... 3,568 17.83 2,288 9.97 1,280
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 12,962 64.16 8,311 35.84 4,651
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern GOA..................... .............. Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
---------------------------------------------------------------
2,045 1,841
205
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Trawl catcher vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperation receive 3.81 percet, or 494 mt, of the
annual Central GOA TAC, which is deducted from the Trawl CV B season allowance (see Table 13. Final 2023
Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA and Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679).

Allocations of the Sablefish TAC Amounts to Vessels Using Fixed 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 fixed and trawl
gear. In the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, 80 percent of each
TAC is allocated to fixed 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 fixed gear, and 5 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 using trawl gear while
directed fishing for other target species (Sec. 679.20(a)(4)(i)).
In recognition of the prohibition against trawl gear in the SEO
District of the Eastern Regulatory Area, the Council recommended and
NMFS approves specifying for incidental catch the allocation of 5
percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area sablefish TAC to trawl
gear in the WYK District of the Eastern Regulatory Area. The remainder
of the WYK District sablefish TAC is allocated to vessels using fixed
gear. NMFS allocates 100 percent of the sablefish TAC in the SEO
District to vessels using fixed gear. This action results in 2022
allocations of 455 mt to trawl gear and 2,982 mt to fixed gear in the
WYK District, a 2022 allocation of 5,665 mt to fixed gear in the SEO
District, and a 2023 allocation of 428 mt to trawl gear in the WYK
District. Table 7 lists the allocations of the 2022 sablefish TACs to
fixed and trawl gear.

[[Page 11611]]

Table 8 lists the allocations of the 2023 sablefish TACs to trawl gear.
The Council recommended that 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. Both the 2022 and 2023 trawl
allocations are specified in these final harvest specifications, in
Tables 7 and 8, respectively.
The Council also recommended that the fixed gear sablefish TAC be
established annually to ensure that this Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ)
fishery is conducted concurrently with the halibut IFQ fishery and is
based on the most recent survey information. Since there is an annual
assessment for sablefish and since the final harvest specifications are
expected to be published before the IFQ season begins in March 2022,
the Council recommended that the fixed gear sablefish TAC be set
annually, rather than for two years, so that the best scientific
information available could be considered in establishing the sablefish
TACs. Accordingly, Table 7 lists the 2022 fixed gear allocations, and
the 2023 fixed gear allocations will be specified in the 2023 and 2024
harvest specifications.
With the exception of the trawl allocations that are provided to
the Rockfish Program (see Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679), directed
fishing for sablefish with trawl gear in the GOA is closed during the
fishing year. Also, fishing for groundfish with trawl gear is
prohibited prior to January 20 (Sec. 679.23(c)). Therefore, it is not
likely that the sablefish allocation to trawl gear would be reached
before the effective date of these final 2022 and 2023 harvest
specifications.

Table 7--Final 2022 Sablefish TAC Amounts in the Gulf of Alaska and Allocations to Fixed and Trawl Gear
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed gear Trawl gear
Area/district TAC allocation allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western......................................................... 3,727 2,982 745
Central \1\..................................................... 9,965 7,972 1,993
West Yakutat \2\................................................ 3,437 2,982 455
Southeast Outside............................................... 5,665 5,665 0
-----------------------------------------------
Total....................................................... 22,794 19,601 3,194
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The trawl allocation of sablefish in the Central Regulatory Area is further apportioned to the Rockfish
Program cooperatives (1,025 mt). See Table 12: Final 2022 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the
Central GOA. This results in 968 mt being available for the non-Rockfish Program trawl fisheries.
\2\ The trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat
and Southeast Outside Districts) sablefish TAC as incidental catch to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.

Table 8--Final 2023 Sablefish TAC Amounts in the Gulf of Alaska and Allocations to Trawl Gear \1\
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed gear Trawl gear
Area/district TAC allocation allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western......................................................... 3,951 n/a 790
Central \2\..................................................... 9,495 n/a 1,899
West Yakutat \3\................................................ 3,159 n/a 428
Southeast Outside............................................... 5,398 n/a 0
-----------------------------------------------
Total....................................................... 22,003 n/a 3,117
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Council recommended that the final 2023 harvest specifications for the fixed gear sablefish Individual
Fishing Quota fisheries not be specified in the final 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications.
\2\ The trawl allocation of sablefish in the Central Regulatory Area is further apportioned to the Rockfish
Program cooperatives (977 mt). See Table 13: Final 2023 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the
Central GOA. This results in 922 mt being available for the non-Rockfish Program trawl fisheries.
\3\ The trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat
and Southeast Outside Districts) sablefish TAC as incidental catch to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District.

Allocations, Apportionments, and Sideboard Limits for the Rockfish
Program

These final 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications for the GOA
include the fishery cooperative allocations and sideboard limitations
established by the Rockfish Program. Rockfish Program participants are
primarily trawl CVs and trawl CPs, with limited participation by
vessels using longline gear. The Rockfish Program assigns quota share
and cooperative quota to participants for primary species (Pacific
ocean perch, northern rockfish, and dusky rockfish) and secondary
species (Pacific cod, rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, sablefish,
shortraker rockfish, and thornyhead rockfish), allows a participant
holding a license limitation program (LLP) license with rockfish quota
share to form a rockfish cooperative with other persons, and allows
holders of CP LLP licenses to opt out of the fishery. The Rockfish
Program also has an entry level fishery for rockfish primary species
for vessels using longline gear. Longline gear includes hook-and-line,
jig, troll, and handline gear.
Under the Rockfish Program, rockfish primary species in the Central
GOA are allocated to participants after deducting for incidental catch
needs in other directed groundfish fisheries (Sec. 679.81(a)(2)).
Participants in the Rockfish Program also receive a portion of the
Central GOA TAC of specific secondary species. In addition to
groundfish species, the Rockfish Program allocates a portion of the
halibut PSC limit (191 mt) from the

[[Page 11612]]

third season deep-water species fishery allowance for the GOA trawl
fisheries to Rockfish Program participants (Sec. 679.81(d) and Table
28d to 50 CFR part 679). The Rockfish Program also establishes
sideboard limits to restrict the ability of harvesters operating under
the Rockfish Program to increase their participation in other, non-
Rockfish Program fisheries. These restrictions and halibut PSC limits
are discussed in a subsequent section in this rule titled ``Rockfish
Program Groundfish Sideboard and Halibut PSC Limitations.''
Section 679.81(a)(2)(ii) and Table 28e to 50 CFR part 679 require
allocations of 5 mt of Pacific ocean perch, 5 mt of northern rockfish,
and 50 mt of dusky rockfish to the entry level longline fishery in 2022
and 2023. The allocations for the entry level longline fishery may
increase incrementally each year if the catch exceeds 90 percent of the
allocation of a species. The incremental increase in the allocation
would continue each year until it reaches the maximum percent of the
TAC for that species. In 2021, the catch of Pacific ocean perch,
northern rockfish, and dusky rockfish did not attain the 90 percent
threshold, and those final allocations for 2022 remain the same as the
2021 allocations. The remainder of the TACs for the rockfish primary
species are allocated to the CV and CP cooperatives (Sec.
679.81(a)(2)(iii)). Table 9 lists the allocations of the 2022 and 2023
TACs for each rockfish primary species to the entry level longline
fishery, the potential incremental increases for future years, and the
maximum percent of the TACs assigned to the Rockfish Program that may
be allocated to the rockfish entry level longline fishery.

Table 9--Final 2022 and Initial 2023 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species to the Entry Level Longline Fishery
in the Central Gulf of Alaska
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incremental increase in
Rockfish primary species 2022 and 2023 allocations 2023 if > 90% of 2022 Up to maximum
allocation is harvested percent of TAC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch.................... 5 metric tons............. 5 metric tons............ 1
Northern rockfish...................... 5 metric tons............. 5 metric tons............ 2
Dusky rockfish......................... 50 metric tons............ 20 metric tons........... 5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Section 679.81 requires allocations of rockfish primary species
among various sectors of the Rockfish Program. Tables 10 and 11 list
the final 2022 and 2023 allocations of rockfish primary species in the
Central GOA to the entry level longline fishery, and rockfish CV and CP
cooperatives in the Rockfish Program. NMFS also is setting aside
incidental catch amounts (ICAs) for other directed fisheries in the
Central GOA of 2,500 mt of Pacific ocean perch, 300 mt of northern
rockfish, and 250 mt of dusky rockfish. These amounts are based on
recent average incidental catches of these species in the Central GOA
by other groundfish fisheries.
Allocations among vessels belonging to CV or CP cooperatives are
not included in these final harvest specifications. Rockfish Program
applications for CV cooperatives and CP cooperatives are not due to
NMFS until March 1 of each calendar year; therefore, NMFS cannot
calculate 2022 and 2023 allocations in conjunction with these final
harvest specifications (Sec. 679.81(f)). After receiving the Rockfish
Program applications, NMFS will calculate the 2022 allocations for CV
and CP cooperatives, as set forth in Sec. 679.81(b), (c), and (e);
NMFS will post the 2022 allocations on the Alaska Region website at
<a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/sustainable-fisheries/alaska-fisheries-management-reports#central-goa-rockfish">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/sustainable-fisheries/alaska-fisheries-management-reports#central-goa-rockfish</a> when they become
available after March 1.

Table 10--Final 2022 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species in the Central Gulf of Alaska to the Entry Level
Longline Fishery and Rockfish Cooperatives in the Rockfish Program
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allocation to Allocation to
Central GOA Incidental the entry the rockfish
Rockfish primary species annual TAC catch TAC minus ICA level longline cooperatives
allowance \1\ fishery \2\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch............. 30,806 2,500 28,306 5 28,301
Northern rockfish............... 3,202 300 2,902 5 2,897
Dusky rockfish.................. 4,534 250 4,284 50 4,234
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total....................... 38,542 3,050 35,492 60 35,432
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Longline gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear (50 CFR 679.2).
\2\ Rockfish cooperatives include vessels in CV and CP cooperatives (50 CFR 679.81).

Table 11--Final 2023 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species in the Central Gulf of Alaska to the Entry Level
Longline Fishery and Rockfish Cooperatives in the Rockfish Program
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allocation to Allocation to
Central GOA Incidental the entry the rockfish
Rockfish primary species annual TAC catch TAC minus ICA level longline cooperatives
allowance \1\ fishery \2\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch............. 29,869 2,500 27,369 5 27,364
Northern rockfish............... 3,061 300 2,761 5 2,756

[[Page 11613]]

Dusky rockfish.................. 4,373 250 4,123 50 4,073
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total....................... 37,303 3,050 34,253 60 34,193
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Longline gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear (50 CFR 679.2).
\2\ Rockfish cooperatives include vessels in CV and CP cooperatives (50 CFR 679.81).

Section 679.81(c) and Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679 require
allocations of rockfish secondary species to CV and CP cooperatives in
the Central GOA. CV cooperatives receive allocations of Pacific cod,
sablefish from the trawl gear allocation, and thornyhead rockfish. CP
cooperatives receive allocations of sablefish from the trawl gear
allocation, rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, shortraker rockfish,
and thornyhead rockfish. Tables 12 and 13 list the apportionments of
the 2022 and 2023 TACs of rockfish secondary species in the Central GOA
to CV and CP cooperatives.

Table 12--Final 2022 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA to Catcher Vessel and
Catcher/Processor Cooperatives
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher vessel cooperatives Catcher/processor
-------------------------------- cooperatives
Rockfish secondary species Central GOA -------------------------------
annual TAC Percentage of Apportionment Percentage of Apportionment
TAC (mt) TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod..................... 14,814 3.81 564 0.00 0
Sablefish....................... 9,965 6.78 676 3.51 350
Shortraker rockfish............. 280 0.00 - 40.00 112
Rougheye/blackspotted rockfish.. 235 0.00 - 58.87 138
Thornyhead rockfish............. 910 7.84 71 26.50 241
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table 13--Final 2023 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA to Catcher Vessel and
Catcher/Processor Cooperatives
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher vessel cooperatives Catcher/processor
-------------------------------- cooperatives
Rockfish secondary species Central GOA -------------------------------
annual TAC Percentage of Apportionment Percentage of Apportionment
TAC (mt) TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod..................... 12,962 3.81 494 0.00 0
Sablefish....................... 9,495 6.78 644 3.51 333
Shortraker rockfish............. 280 0.00 0 40.00 112
Rougheye/blackspotted rockfish.. 234 0.00 0 58.87 138
Thornyhead rockfish............. 910 7.84 71 26.50 241
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Halibut PSC Limits

Section 679.21(d) establishes annual halibut PSC limit
apportionments to trawl gear and hook-and-line gear, and authorizes the
establishment of apportionments for pot gear. In December 2021, the
Council recommended halibut PSC limits of 1,706 mt for trawl gear, 257
mt for hook-and-line gear, and 9 mt for the demersal shelf (DSR)
rockfish fishery in the SEO District for both 2022 and 2023, consistent
with Sec. 679.21.
The DSR fishery in the SEO District is defined at Sec.
679.21(d)(2)(ii)(A). This fishery is apportioned 9 mt of the halibut
PSC limit in recognition of its small-scale harvests of groundfish
(Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(i)(A)). The separate halibut PSC limit for the DSR
fishery is intended to prevent that fishery from being impacted from
the halibut PSC incurred by other GOA fisheries. NMFS estimates low
halibut bycatch in the DSR fishery because (1) the duration of the DSR
fishery and the gear soak times are short, (2) the DSR fishery occurs
in the winter when there is less overlap in the distribution of DSR and
halibut, and (3) the directed commercial DSR fishery has a low DSR TAC.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game sets the commercial GHL for the
DSR fishery after deducting estimates of DSR incidental catch in all
fisheries (including halibut and subsistence) and allocation to the DSR
sport fishery. In 2021, the commercial fishery for DSR was closed due
to concerns about declining DSR biomass.
The FMP authorizes the Council to exempt specific gear from the
halibut PSC limits. NMFS, after consultation

[[Page 11614]]

with the Council, exempts pot gear, the sablefish IFQ fixed gear
fishery categories, and jig gear from the non-trawl halibut PSC limit
for 2022 and 2023. The Council recommended, and NMFS approves, these
exemptions because: (1) The pot gear fisheries have low annual halibut
bycatch mortality; (2) IFQ program regulations prohibit discard of
halibut if any halibut IFQ permit holder on board a catcher vessel
holds unused halibut IFQ for that vessel category and the IFQ
regulatory area in which the vessel is operating (Sec. 679.7(f)(11));
(3) some sablefish IFQ fishermen hold halibut IFQ permits and are
therefore required to retain the halibut they catch while fishing
sablefish IFQ; and (4) NMFS estimates negligible halibut mortality for
the jig gear fisheries given the small amount of groundfish harvested
by jig gear, the selective nature of jig gear, and the high survival
rates of halibut caught and released with jig gear.
The best available information on estimated halibut bycatch
consists of data collected by fisheries observers during 2021. The
calculated halibut bycatch mortality through December 31, 2021, is 360
mt for trawl gear and 68 mt for hook-and-line gear for a total halibut
mortality of 428 mt. This halibut mortality was calculated using
groundfish and halibut catch data from the NMFS Alaska Region's catch
accounting system. This accounting system contains historical and
recent catch information compiled from each Alaska groundfish fishery.
Section 679.21(d)(4)(i) and (ii) authorize NMFS to seasonally
apportion the halibut PSC limits after consultation with the Council.
The FMP and regulations require that the Council and NMFS 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 considered information from the 2021 SAFE report, NMFS catch
data, State of Alaska catch data, International Pacific Halibut
Commission (IPHC) stock assessment and mortality data, and public
testimony when apportioning the halibut PSC limits. NMFS concurs with
the Council's recommendations listed in Table 14, which shows the final
2022 and 2023 Pacific halibut PSC limits, allowances, and
apportionments.
Section 679.21(d)(4)(iii) and (iv) specify that any unused amounts,
or overages, of a seasonal apportionment of a halibut PSC limit will be
added to or deducted from the next respective seasonal apportionment
within the fishing year.

Table 14--Final 2022 and 2023 Pacific Halibut Prohibited Species Catch (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...................... 30.5 519 January 1-June 10.......... 86 221 January 1-December 31..... 9
April 1-July 1.......................... 20.0 341 June 10-September 1........ 2 5
July 1-August 1......................... 27.0 462 September 1-December 31.... 12 31
August 1-October 1...................... 7.5 128
October 1-December 31................... 15.0 256
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................... 1,706 257 9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limit for hook-and-line gear is allocated to the DSR fishery in the SEO District and to the hook-
and-line fisheries other than the DSR fishery. The fixed gear sablefish IFQ fishery is exempt from halibut PSC limits, as are pot and jig gear for all
groundfish fisheries. Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.

Section 679.21(d)(3)(ii) authorizes further apportionment of the
trawl halibut PSC limit to trawl fishery categories listed in Sec.
679.21(d)(3)(iii). 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 fishery, composed of sablefish, rockfish, deep-water flatfish,
rex sole, and arrowtooth flounder; and (2) a shallow-water species
fishery, composed of pollock, Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish,
flathead sole, Atka mackerel, and ``other species'' (sharks and
octopuses) (Sec. 679.21(d)(3)(iii)). Halibut mortality incurred while
directed fishing for skates with trawl gear accrues towards the
shallow-water species fishery halibut PSC limit (69 FR 26320, May 12,
2004).
NMFS will combine available trawl halibut PSC limit apportionments
during a portion of the second season deep-water and shallow-water
species fisheries for use in either fishery from May 15 through June 30
(Sec. 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(D)). This is intended to maintain groundfish
harvest while minimizing halibut bycatch by these sectors to the extent
practicable. This provides the deep-water and shallow-water species
trawl fisheries additional flexibility and the incentive to participate
in fisheries at times of the year that may have lower halibut PSC rates
relative to other times of the year.
Table 15 lists the final 2022 and 2023 apportionments of trawl
halibut PSC limits between the trawl gear deep-water and shallow-water
species fishery categories.
Table 28d to 50 CFR part 679 specifies the amount of the trawl
halibut PSC limit that is assigned to the CV and CP sectors that are
participating in the Rockfish Program. This includes 117 mt of halibut
PSC limit to the CV sector and 74 mt of halibut PSC limit to the CP
sector. These amounts are allocated from the trawl deep-water species
fishery's halibut PSC third seasonal

[[Page 11615]]

apportionment. After the combined CV and CP halibut PSC limit
allocation of 191 mt to the Rockfish Program, 150 mt remains for the
trawl deep-water species fishery's halibut PSC third seasonal
apportionment.
Section 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(B) limits the amount of the halibut PSC
limit allocated to Rockfish Program participants that could be re-
apportioned to the general GOA trawl fisheries during the current
fishing year to no more than 55 percent of the unused annual halibut
PSC limit apportioned to Rockfish Program participants. The remainder
of the unused Rockfish Program halibut PSC limit is unavailable for use
by any person for the remainder of the fishing year (Sec.
679.21(d)(4)(iii)(C)).

Table 15--Final 2022 and 2023 Apportionment of Pacific Halibut Prohibited Species Catch Limits Between the Trawl
Gear Deep-Water Species Fishery and the Shallow-Water Species Fishery Categories
[Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season Shallow-water Deep-water \1\ Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 20-April 1.............................................. 384 135 519
April 1-July 1.................................................. 85 256 341
July 1-August 1................................................. 121 341 462
August 1-October 1.............................................. 53 75 128
-----------------------------------------------
Subtotal January 20-October 1............................... 643 807 1,450
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
October 1-December 31 \2\....................................... .............. .............. 256
-----------------------------------------------
Total....................................................... .............. .............. 1,706
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Vessels participating in cooperatives in the Central GOA Rockfish Program will receive 191 mt of the third
season (July 1 through August 1) deep-water species fishery halibut PSC apportionment.
\2\ There is no apportionment between trawl shallow-water and deep-water species fishery categories during the
fifth season (October 1 through December 31).

Section 679.21(d)(2)(i)(B) requires that the ``other hook-and-line
fishery'' halibut PSC limit apportionment to vessels using hook-and-
line gear must be apportioned between CVs and CPs in accordance with
Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(iii) in conjunction with these harvest
specifications. A comprehensive description and example of the
calculations necessary to apportion the ``other hook-and-line fishery''
halibut PSC limit between the hook-and-line CV and CP sectors were
included in the proposed rule to implement Amendment 83 to the FMP (76
FR 44700, July 26, 2011) and are not repeated here.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(iii), the hook-and-line halibut PSC
limit for the ``other hook-and-line fishery'' is apportioned between
the CV and CP sectors in proportion to the total Western and Central
GOA Pacific cod allocations, which vary annually based on the
proportion of the Pacific cod biomass between the Western, Central, and
Eastern GOA. Pacific cod is apportioned among these three management
areas based on the percentage of overall biomass per area, as
calculated in the 2021 Pacific cod stock assessment. Updated
information in the final 2021 SAFE report describes this distributional
calculation, which allocates ABC among GOA regulatory areas on the
basis of the three most recent stock surveys. For 2022 and 2023, the
distribution of the total GOA Pacific cod ABC is 29 percent to the
Western GOA, 61 percent to the Central GOA, and 10 percent to the
Eastern GOA. Therefore, the calculations made in accordance with Sec.
679.21(d)(2)(iii) incorporate the most recent information on GOA
Pacific cod distribution and allocations with respect to establishing
the annual halibut PSC limits for the CV and CP hook-and-line sectors.
Additionally, the annual halibut PSC limits for both the CV and CP
sectors of the ``other hook-and-line fishery'' are divided into three
seasonal apportionments, using seasonal percentages of 86 percent, 2
percent, and 12 percent.
For 2022 and 2023, NMFS apportions halibut PSC limits of 150 mt and
107 mt to the hook-and-line CV and hook-and-line CP sectors,
respectively. Table 16 lists the final 2022 and 2023 apportionments of
halibut PSC limits between the hook-and-line CV and the hook-and-line
CP sectors of the ``other hook-and-line fishery.''
No later than November 1 of each year, NMFS will calculate the
projected unused amount of halibut PSC limit by either of the CV or CP
hook-and-line sectors that comprise the two sectors of the ``other
hook-and-line fishery'' for the remainder of the year. The projected
unused amount of halibut PSC limit is made available to the other
sector for the remainder of that fishing year (Sec.
679.21(d)(2)(iii)(C)), if NMFS determines that an additional amount of
halibut PSC is necessary for that sector to continue its directed
fishing operations.

Table 16--Final 2022 and 2023 Apportionments of the ``Other Hook-and-Line Fishery'' Annual Halibut Prohibited
Species Catch Allowance Between the Hook-and-Line Gear Catcher Vessel and Catcher/Processor Sectors
[Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector
``Other than DSR'' allowance Hook-and-line Sector annual Season Seasonal seasonal
sector amount percentage amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
257.......................... Catcher Vessel.. 150 January 1-June 86 129
10.
June 10- 2 3
September 1.
September 1- 12 18
December 31.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 11616]]

Catcher/ 107 January 1-June 86 92
Processor. 10.
June 10- 2 2
September 1.
September 1- 12 13
December 31.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Estimates of Halibut Biomass and Stock Condition

The IPHC annually assesses the abundance and potential yield of the
Pacific halibut stock using all available data from the commercial and
sport fisheries, other removals, and scientific surveys. Additional
information on the Pacific halibut stock assessment may be found in the
IPHC's 2021 Pacific halibut stock assessment (December 2021), available
on the IPHC website at <a href="http://www.iphc.int">www.iphc.int</a>. The IPHC considered the 2021
Pacific halibut stock assessment at its January 2022 annual meeting
when it set the 2022 commercial halibut fishery catch limits.

Halibut Discard Mortality Rates

To monitor halibut bycatch mortality allowances and apportionments,
the Regional Administrator uses observed halibut incidental catch
rates, halibut discard mortality rates (DMRs), and estimates of
groundfish catch to project when a fishery's halibut bycatch mortality
allowance or seasonal apportionment is reached. Halibut incidental
catch rates are based on observers' estimates of halibut incidental
catch in the groundfish fishery. DMRs are estimates of the proportion
of incidentally caught halibut that do not survive after being returned
to the sea. The cumulative halibut mortality that accrues to a
particular halibut PSC limit is the product of a DMR multiplied by the
estimated halibut PSC. DMRs are estimated using the best scientific
information available in conjunction with the annual GOA stock
assessment process. The DMR methodology and findings are included as an
appendix to the annual GOA groundfish SAFE report.
In 2016, the DMR estimation methodology underwent revisions per the
Council's directive. An interagency halibut working group (IPHC,
Council, and NMFS staff) developed improved estimation methods that
have undergone review by the GOA Plan Team, SSC, and the Council. A
summary of the revised methodology is contained in the GOA proposed
2017 and 2018 harvest specifications (81 FR 87881, December 6, 2016),
and the comprehensive discussion of the working group's statistical
methodology is available from the Council (see ADDRESSES). The DMR
working group's revised methodology is intended to improve estimation
accuracy, transparency, and transferability in the methodology used for
calculating DMRs. The working group will continue to consider
improvements to the methodology used to calculate halibut mortality,
including potential changes to the reference period (the period of data
used for calculating the DMRs). Future DMRs may change based on
additional years of observer sampling, which could provide more recent
and accurate data and which could improve the accuracy of estimation
and progress on methodology. The new methodology will continue to
ensure that NMFS is using DMRs that more accurately reflect halibut
mortality, which will inform the different sectors of their estimated
halibut mortality and allow specific sectors to respond with methods
that could reduce mortality and, eventually, the DMR for that sector.
At the December 2021 meeting, the SSC, AP, and the Council
concurred with the revised DMR estimation methodology, and NMFS adopts
for 2022 and 2023 the DMRs calculated under the revised methodology,
which uses an updated 2-year reference period. The final 2022 and 2023
DMRs in this rule are unchanged from the DMRs in the proposed 2022 and
2023 harvest specifications (86 FR 68982, December 6, 2021). Table 17
lists these final 2022 and 2023 DMRs.

Table 17--Final 2022 and 2023 Halibut Discard Mortality Rates for Vessels Fishing in the Gulf of Alaska
[Values are percent of halibut assumed to be dead]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut discard
Gear Sector Groundfish fishery mortality rate
(percent)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pelagic trawl........................ Catcher vessel............... All.................... 100
Catcher/processor............ All.................... 100
Non-pelagic trawl.................... Catcher vessel............... Rockfish Program....... 66
Catcher vessel............... All others............. 69
Mothership and catcher/ All.................... 83
processor.
Hook-and-line........................ Catcher/processor............ All.................... 15
Catcher vessel............... All.................... 12
Pot.................................. Catcher vessel and catcher/ All.................... 29
processor.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chinook Salmon Prohibited Species Catch Limits

Amendment 93 to the FMP (77 FR 42629, July 20, 2012) established
separate Chinook salmon PSC limits in the Western and Central GOA in
the directed pollock trawl fishery. These limits require that NMFS
close the pollock directed fishery in the Western and Central
Regulatory Areas of the GOA if the applicable Chinook salmon PSC limit
in that regulatory area is

[[Page 11617]]

reached (Sec. 679.21(h)(8)). The annual Chinook salmon PSC limits in
the pollock directed fishery of 6,684 salmon in the Western GOA and
18,316 salmon in the Central GOA are set at Sec. 679.21(h)(2)(i) and
(ii).
Amendment 97 to the FMP (79 FR 71350, December 2, 2014) established
an initial annual PSC limit of 7,500 Chinook salmon for the trawl non-
pollock groundfish fisheries in the Western and Central GOA. This limit
is apportioned among the three sectors that conduct directed fishing
for groundfish species other than pollock: 3,600 Chinook salmon to
trawl CPs; 1,200 Chinook salmon to trawl CVs participating in the
Rockfish Program; and 2,700 Chinook salmon to trawl CVs not
participating in the Rockfish Program (Sec. 679.21(h)(4)). NMFS will
monitor the Chinook salmon PSC in the trawl non-pollock groundfish
fisheries and close an applicable sector if it reaches its Chinook
salmon PSC limit.
The Chinook salmon PSC limit for two sectors, trawl CPs and trawl
CVs not participating in the Rockfish Program, may be increased in
subsequent years based on the performance of these two sectors and
their ability to minimize their use of their respective Chinook salmon
PSC limits. If either or both of these two sectors limits its use of
Chinook salmon PSC to a specified threshold amount in 2021 (3,120 for
trawl CPs and 2,340 for Non-Rockfish Program trawl CVs), that sector
will receive an incremental increase to its 2022 Chinook salmon PSC
limit (Sec. 679.21(h)(4)). In 2021, the trawl CP sector did not exceed
3,120 Chinook salmon PSC; therefore, the 2022 trawl CP sector Chinook
salmon PSC limit will be 4,080 Chinook salmon. In 2021, the Non-
Rockfish Program trawl CV sector exceeded 2,340 Chinook salmon PSC;
therefore, the 2022 Non-Rockfish Program trawl CV sector Chinook salmon
PSC limit will be 2,700 Chinook salmon.

American Fisheries Act (AFA) Catcher/Processor and Catcher Vessel
Groundfish Harvest Limits

Section 679.64 establishes groundfish harvesting and processing
sideboard limitations on AFA CPs 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 as compared to
those fishermen and processors who receive exclusive harvesting and
processing privileges under the AFA. Section 679.7(k)(1)(ii) prohibits
listed AFA CPs and CPs designated on a listed AFA CP permit from
harvesting any species of groundfish in the GOA. Additionally, Sec.
679.7(k)(1)(iv) prohibits listed AFA CPs and CPs designated on a listed
AFA CP permit 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 feet (38.1 meters) length overall,
have annual landings of pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
(BSAI) less than 5,100 mt, and have made at least 40 GOA groundfish
landings from 1995 through 1997 are exempt from GOA CV groundfish
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)(iv) establishes the CV groundfish sideboard limitations in
the GOA based on the aggregate retained catch of non-exempt AFA CVs of
each sideboard species or species group from 1995 through 1997 divided
by the sum of the TACs for that species or species group available to
CVs over the same period. NMFS published a final rule (84 FR 2723,
February 8, 2019) that implemented regulations to prohibit non-exempt
AFA CVs from directed fishing for specific groundfish species or
species groups subject to sideboard limits (Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iv)(D)
and Table 56 to 50 CFR part 679). Sideboard limits not subject to the
final rule (84 FR 2723, February 8, 2019) continue to be calculated and
included in the GOA annual harvest specifications.
Tables 18 and 19 list the final 2022 and 2023 groundfish sideboard
limits for non-exempt AFA CVs. NMFS will deduct all targeted or
incidental catch of sideboard species made by non-exempt AFA CVs from
the sideboard limits listed in Tables 18 and 19.

Table 18--Final 2022 GOA Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel (CV) Groundfish Sideboard Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1995-
1997 non- Final 2022 non-
Species Apportionments by season Area exempt AFA CV Final 2022 exempt AFA CV
catch to 1995- TACs \3\ sideboard
1997 TAC limit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock.................................. A Season--January 20-May 31..... Shumagin (610)............. 0.6047 1,132 685
Chirikof (620)............. 0.1167 52,304 6,104
Kodiak (630)............... 0.2028 8,080 1,639
B Season--September 1-November 1 Shumagin (610)............. 0.6047 22,582 13,655
Chirikof (620)............. 0.1167 16,946 1,978
Kodiak (630)............... 0.2028 21,988 4,459
Annual.......................... WYK (640).................. 0.3495 6,722 2,349
SEO (650).................. 0.3495 11,363 3,971
Pacific cod.............................. A Season \1\--January 1-June 10. W.......................... 0.1331 4,433 590
C.......................... 0.0692 9,498 657
B Season \2\--September 1- W.......................... 0.1331 2,526 336
December 31.
C.......................... 0.0692 5,316 368
Flatfish, shallow-water.................. Annual.......................... W.......................... 0.0156 13,250 207
C.......................... 0.0587 25,305 1,485
Flatfish, deep-water..................... Annual.......................... C.......................... 0.0647 2,139 138
E.......................... 0.0128 3,513 45
Rex sole................................. Annual.......................... C.......................... 0.0384 12,076 464
Arrowtooth flounder...................... Annual.......................... C.......................... 0.0280 68,394 1,915
Flathead sole............................ Annual.......................... C.......................... 0.0213 15,400 328
Pacific ocean perch...................... Annual.......................... C.......................... 0.0748 30,806 2,304

[[Page 11618]]

E.......................... 0.0466 4,860 226
Northern rockfish........................ Annual.......................... C.......................... 0.0277 3,202 89
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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.
\3\ The Western and Central GOA and WYK District area apportionments of pollock are considered ACLs.

Table 19--Final 2023 GOA Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel (CV) Groundfish Sideboard Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1995-
1997 non- Final 2023 non-
Species Apportionments by season Area exempt AFA CV Final 2023 exempt AFA CV
catch to 1995- TACs \3\ sideboard
1997 TAC limit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock.................................. A Season--January 20-May 31..... Shumagin (610)............. 0.6047 1,122 679
Chirikof (620)............. 0.1167 51,845 6,050
Kodiak (630)............... 0.2028 8,009 1,624
B Season--September 1-November 1 Shumagin (610)............. 0.6047 22,384 13,535
Chirikof (620)............. 0.1167 16,797 1,960
Kodiak (630)............... 0.2028 21,795 4,420
Annual.......................... WYK (640).................. 0.3495 6,663 2,329
SEO (650).................. 0.3495 11,363 3,971
Pacific cod.............................. A Season \1\--January 1-June 10. W.......................... 0.1331 3,879 516
C.......................... 0.0692 8,311 575
B Season \2\--September 1- W.......................... 0.1331 2,210 294
December 31. C.......................... 0.0692 4,651 322
Flatfish, shallow-water.................. Annual.......................... W.......................... 0.0156 13,250 207
C.......................... 0.0587 26,743 1,570
Flatfish, deep-water..................... Annual.......................... C.......................... 0.0647 2,105 136
E.......................... 0.0128 3,457 44
Rex sole................................. Annual.......................... C.......................... 0.0384 13,054 501
Arrowtooth flounder...................... Annual.......................... C.......................... 0.0280 67,493 1,890
Flathead sole............................ Annual.......................... C.......................... 0.0213 15,400 328
Pacific ocean perch...................... Annual.......................... C.......................... 0.0748 29,869 2,234
E.......................... 0.0466 4,712 220
Northern rockfish........................ Annual.......................... C.......................... 0.0277 3,061 85
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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.
\3\ The Western and Central GOA and WYK District area apportionments of pollock are considered ACLs.

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)(ii)). Table 20 lists the final 2022 and 2023 non-
exempt AFA CV halibut PSC sideboard limits for vessels using trawl gear
in the GOA.

Table 20--Final 2022 and 2023 Non-Exempt AFA CV Halibut Prohibited Species Catch (PSC) Sideboard Limits for Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the GOA
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1995-
1997 non-exempt 2022 and 2023
AFA CV retained 2022 and 2023 non-exempt AFA
Season Season dates Target fishery catch to total Halibut PSC CV Halibut PSC
retained catch limit limit

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1....................................... January 20-April 1............. shallow-water............. 0.340 384 131
............................... deep-water................ 0.070 135 9

[[Page 11619]]

2....................................... April 1-July 1................. shallow-water............. 0.340 85 29
............................... deep-water................ 0.070 256 18
3....................................... July 1-August 1................ shallow-water............. 0.340 121 41
............................... deep-water................ 0.070 341 24
4....................................... August 1-October 1............. shallow-water............. 0.340 53 18
............................... deep-water................ 0.070 75 5
5....................................... October 1-December 31.......... all targets............... 0.205 256 52
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual................................................................... Total shallow-water....... ................ .............. 219
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total deep-water.......... ................ .............. 56
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, all season and categories 1,706 328
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 (CR) 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 an LLP
license derived from the history of a restricted vessel, even if that
LLP license is used on another vessel.
The basis for these sideboard limits is described in detail in the
final rules implementing the major provisions of the CR Program,
including Amendments 18 and 19 to the Fishery Management Plan for
Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs (Crab FMP) (70 FR
10174, March 2, 2005), Amendment 34 to the Crab FMP (76 FR 35772, June
20, 2011), Amendment 83 to the GOA FMP (76 FR 74670, December 1, 2011),
and Amendment 45 to the Crab FMP (80 FR 28539, May 19, 2015). Also,
NMFS published a final rule (84 FR 2723, February 8, 2019) that
implemented regulations to prohibit non-AFA crab vessels from directed
fishing for all groundfish species or species groups subject to
sideboard limits, except for Pacific cod apportioned to CVs using pot
gear in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas (Sec.
680.22(e)(1)(iii)). Accordingly, the GOA annual harvest specifications
will include the non-AFA crab vessel groundfish sideboard limits for
only Pacific cod apportioned to CVs using pot gear in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas.
Tables 21 and 22 list the final 2022 and 2023 groundfish sideboard
limitations for non-AFA crab vessels. All targeted or incidental catch
of sideboard species made by non-AFA crab vessels or associated LLP
licenses will be deducted from these sideboard limits.

Table 21--Final 2022 GOA Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessel Groundfish Sideboard Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1996-
2000 non-AFA Final 2022 non-
crab vessel Final 2022 AFA crab
Species Season Area/gear catch to 1996- TACs vessel
2000 total sideboard
harvest limit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod............................. A Season--January 1-June 10..... Western Pot CV............ 0.0997 4,433 442
Central Pot CV............ 0.0474 9,498 450
B Season--September 1-December Western Pot CV............ 0.0997 2,526 252
31.
Central Pot CV............ 0.0474 5,316 252
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table 22--Final 2023 GOA Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessel Groundfish Sideboard Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1996-
2000 non-AFA Final 2023 non-
crab vessel Final 2023 AFA crab
Species Season Area/gear catch to 1996- TACs vessel
2000 total sideboard
harvest limit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod............................. A Season--January 1-June 10..... Western Pot CV............ 0.0997 3,879 387
Central Pot CV............ 0.0474 8,311 394
B Season--September 1-December Western Pot CV............ 0.0997 2,210 220
31.

[[Page 11620]]

Central Pot CV............ 0.0474 4,651 220
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rockfish Program Groundfish Sideboard and Halibut PSC Limitations

The Rockfish Program establishes three classes of sideboard
provisions: CV groundfish sideboard restrictions, CP rockfish sideboard
restrictions, and CP opt-out vessel sideboard restrictions (Sec.
679.82(c)(1)). These sideboards are intended to limit the ability of
rockfish harvesters to expand into other GOA groundfish fisheries.
CVs participating in the Rockfish Program may not participate in
directed fishing for dusky rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, and northern
rockfish in the West Yakutat District and Western GOA from July 1
through July 31. Also, CVs may not participate in directed fishing for
arrowtooth flounder, deep-water flatfish, and rex sole in the GOA from
July 1 through July 31 (Sec. 679.82(d)).
CPs participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives are restricted
by rockfish and halibut PSC sideboard limits. These CPs are prohibited
from directed fishing for dusky rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, and
northern rockfish in the West Yakutat District and Western GOA from
July 1 through July 31 (Sec. 679.82(e)(2)). Holders of CP-designated
LLP licenses that opt out of participating in a Rockfish Program
cooperative will be able to access that portion of each rockfish
sideboard limit that is not assigned to rockfish cooperatives (Sec.
679.82(e)(7)). The sideboard ratio for each fishery in the West Yakutat
District and the Western GOA is set forth in Sec. 679.82(e)(3) and
(4). Tables 23 and 24 list the final 2022 and 2023 Rockfish Program CP
sideboard limits in the West Yakutat District and the Western GOA. Due
to confidentiality requirements associated with fisheries data, the
sideboard limits for the West Yakutat District are not displayed.

Table 23--Final 2022 Rockfish Program Sideboard Limits for the Western GOA and West Yakutat District by Fishery
for the Catcher/Processor Sector
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CP sector Final 2022
Area Fishery (percent of TAC) TACs Final 2022 CP limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA................... Dusky rockfish... 72.3............. 269 194
Pacific ocean 50.6............. 2,602 1,317
perch.
Northern rockfish 74.3............. 1,944 1,444
West Yakutat District......... Dusky rockfish... Confidential \1\. 427 Confidential.\1\
Pacific ocean Confidential.\1\. 1,409 Confidential.\1\
perch.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Not released due to confidentiality requirements associated with fish ticket data, as established by NMFS
and the State of Alaska.

Table 24--Final 2023 Rockfish Program Sideboard Limits for the Western GOA and West Yakutat District by Fishery
for the Catcher/Processor Sector
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CP sector Final 2023
Area Fishery (percent of TAC) TACs Final 2023 CP limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA................... Dusky rockfish... 72.3............. 259 187.
Pacific ocean 50.6............. 2,523 1,277.
perch.
Northern rockfish 74.3............. 1,859 1,381.
West Yakutat District......... Dusky rockfish... Confidential \1\. 412 Confidential.\1\
Pacific ocean Confidential \1\. 1,366 Confidential.\1\
perch.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Not released due to confidentiality requirements associated with fish ticket data, as established by NMFS
and the State of Alaska.

Under the Rockfish Program, the CP sector is subject to halibut PSC
sideboard limits for the trawl deep-water and shallow-water species
fisheries from July 1 through July 31 (Sec. 679.82(e)(3) and (5)).
Halibut PSC sideboard ratios by fishery are set forth in Sec.
679.82(e)(5). No halibut PSC sideboard limits apply to the CV sector,
as CVs participating in cooperatives receive a portion of the annual
halibut PSC limit. CPs that opt out of the Rockfish Program are able to
access that portion of the deep-water and shallow-water halibut PSC
sideboard limit not assigned to CP rockfish cooperatives. The sideboard
provisions for CPs that elect to opt out of participating in a rockfish
cooperative are described in Sec. 679.82(c), (e), and (f). Sideboard
limits are linked to the catch history of specific vessels that may
choose to opt out. After March 1, NMFS will determine which CPs have
opted-out of the Rockfish Program in 2022, and NMFS will know the
ratios and amounts used to calculate opt-out sideboard ratios. NMFS
will then calculate any applicable opt-out sideboards for 2022 and post
these limits on the Alaska Region website at https://
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/sustainable-fisheries/alaska-fisheries-
management-

[[Page 11621]]

reports#central-goa-rockfish. Table 25 lists the final 2022 and 2023
Rockfish Program halibut PSC sideboard limits for the CP sector.

Table 25--Final 2022 and 2023 Rockfish Program Halibut PSC Sideboard Limits for the Catcher/Processor Sector
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shallow-water Deep-water Annual shallow- Annual deep-water
species fishery species fishery 2022 and 2023 water species species fishery
Sector halibut PSC halibut PSC halibut mortality fishery halibut halibut PSC
sideboard ratio sideboard ratio limit (mt) PSC sideboard sideboard limit
(percent) (percent) limit (mt) (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher/processor................................... 0.10 2.50 1,706 2 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Amendment 80 Program Groundfish and PSC Sideboard 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 CP
sector. The Amendment 80 Program established groundfish and halibut PSC
catch limits for Amendment 80 Program participants to limit the ability
of participants eligible for the Amendment 80 Program to expand their
harvest efforts in the GOA.
Section 679.92 establishes groundfish harvesting sideboard limits
on all Amendment 80 program vessels, other than the fishing vessel (F/
V) Golden Fleece, to amounts no greater than the limits listed in Table
37 to 50 CFR part 679. Under Sec. 679.92(d), the F/V Golden Fleece is
prohibited from directed fishing for pollock, Pacific cod, Pacific
ocean perch, dusky 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 through 2004 (72 FR 52668, September 14, 2007). Tables 26 and 27
list the final 2022 and 2023 groundfish sideboard limits for Amendment
80 Program vessels. NMFS will deduct all targeted or incidental catch
of sideboard species made by Amendment 80 Program vessels from the
sideboard limits in Tables 26 and 27.

Table 26--Final 2022 GOA Groundfish Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of
Amendment 80 2022 Amendment
Species Apportionments and Area sector vessels 2022 TAC (mt) 80 vessel
allocations by season 1998-2004 catch sideboard limit
to TAC (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock.................................. A Season--January 20-May 31. Shumagin (610).............. 0.003 1,132 3
Chirikof (620).............. 0.002 52,304 105
Kodiak (630)................ 0.002 8,080 16
B Season--September 1-- Shumagin (610).............. 0.003 22,582 68
November 1. Chirikof (620).............. 0.002 16,946 34
Kodiak (630)................ 0.002 21,988 44
Annual...................... WYK (640)................... 0.002 6,722 13
Pacific cod.............................. A Season \1\--January 1-June W........................... 0.020 4,433 89
10. C........................... 0.044 9,498 418
B Season \2\--September 1- W........................... 0.020 2,526 51
December 31. C........................... 0.044 5,316 234
Annual...................... WYK......................... 0.034 2,338 79
Pacific ocean perch...................... Annual...................... W........................... 0.994 2,602 2,586
WYK......................... 0.961 1,409 1,354
Northern rockfish........................ Annual...................... W........................... 1.000 1,944 1,944
Dusky rockfish........................... Annual...................... W........................... 0.764 269 206
WYK......................... 0.896 427 383
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 27--Final 2023 GOA Groundfish Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of
Amendment 80 2023 Amendment
Species Apportionments and Area sector vessels 2023 TAC (mt) 80 vessel
allocations by season 1998-2004 catch sideboard limit
to TAC (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock.................................. A Season--January 20-May 31. Shumagin (610).............. 0.003 1,122 3
Chirikof (620).............. 0.002 51,845 104
Kodiak (630)................ 0.002 8,009 16
............................

[[Page 11622]]

B Season--September 1- Shumagin (610).............. 0.003 22,384 67
November 1. Chirikof (620).............. 0.002 16,797 34
Kodiak (630)................ 0.002 21,795 44
Annual...................... WYK (640)................... 0.002 6,663 13
Pacific cod.............................. A Season \1\--January 1-June W........................... 0.020 3,879 78
10. C........................... 0.044 8,311 366
B Season \2\--September 1- W........................... 0.020 2,210 44
December 31. C........................... 0.044 4,651 205
Annual...................... WYK......................... 0.034 2,045 70
Pacific ocean perch...................... Annual...................... W........................... 0.994 2,523 2,508
WYK......................... 0.961 1,366 1,313
Northern rockfish........................ Annual...................... W........................... 1.000 1,859 1,859
Dusky rockfish........................... Annual...................... W........................... 0.764 259 198
WYK......................... 0.896 412 369
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 Rockfish Program and the exemption of the F/V Golden Fleece
from this restriction (Sec. 679.92(b)(2)). Table 28 lists the final
2022 and 2023 halibut PSC sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program
vessels. These tables incorporate the maximum percentages of the
halibut PSC sideboard limits that may be used by Amendment 80 Program
vessels as contained in Table 38 to 50 CFR part 679. Any residual
amount of a seasonal Amendment 80 halibut PSC sideboard limit may carry
forward to the next season limit (Sec. 679.92(b)(2)).

Table 28--Final 2022 and 2023 Halibut PSC Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels in the GOA
[Values are rounded to nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Historic
Amendment 80 2022 and 2023
use of the 2022 and 2023 Amendment 80
Season Season dates Target fishery annual halibut annual halibut vessel halibut
PSC limit PSC limit (mt) PSC limit
catch (ratio)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............................ January 20-April shallow-water.. 0.0048 1,706 8
1. deep-water..... 0.0115 1,706 20
2............................ April 1-July 1.. shallow-water.. 0.0189 1,706 32
deep-water..... 0.1072 1,706 183
3............................ July 1-August 1. shallow-water.. 0.0146 1,706 25
deep-water..... 0.0521 1,706 89
4............................ August 1-October shallow-water.. 0.0074 1,706 13
1. deep-water..... 0.0014 1,706 2
5............................ October 1- shallow-water.. 0.0227 1,706 39
December 31. deep-water..... 0.0371 1,706 63
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total:................... ................ ............... .............. .............. 474
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 or sector allocation
will be reached, then the Regional Administrator may establish a
directed fishing allowance (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 season or year, NMFS will
prohibit directed fishing for that species or species group in the
specified GOA subarea, regulatory area, or district (Sec.
679.20(d)(1)(iii)).
The Regional Administrator has determined that the TACs for the
species listed in Table 29 are necessary to account for the incidental
catch of these species in other anticipated groundfish fisheries for
the 2022 and 2023 fishing years.

[[Page 11623]]

Table 29--2022 and 2023 Directed Fishing Closures in the GOA
[Amounts for incidental catch in other directed fisheries are in metric
tons]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incidental catch
Area/component/ amount and year
Target gear (if amounts differ
by year)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock......................... all/offshore...... not applicable.\1\
Sablefish \2\................... all/trawl......... 3,194 (2022).
3,117 (2023).
Pacific cod..................... Western, CP, trawl 161 (2022), 141
Central, CP, trawl (2023).
616 (2022), 539
(2023).
Shortraker rockfish \2\......... all............... 705.
Rougheye/blackspotted rockfish all............... 788 (2022).
\2\. 781 (2023).
Thornyhead rockfish \2\......... all............... 1,953.
Other rockfish.................. all............... 1,610.
Atka mackerel................... all............... 3,000.
Big skate....................... all............... 2,867.
Longnose skate.................. all............... 2,712.
Other skates.................... all............... 984.
Sharks.......................... all............... 3,755.
Octopuses....................... all............... 980.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Pollock is closed to directed fishing in the GOA by the offshore
component under Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(i).
\2\ Closures are not applicable to participants in cooperatives
conducted under the Central GOA Rockfish Program because cooperatives
are prohibited from exceeding their allocations (Sec.
679.7(n)(6)(viii)).

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 29 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
29 effective at 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 2, 2022, through 2400 hours,
A.l.t., December 31, 2023.
Closures implemented under the 2021 and 2022 GOA harvest
specifications for groundfish (86 FR 10184, February 19, 2021) remain
effective under authority of these final 2022 and 2023 harvest
specifications and until the date specified in those closure notices.
Closures are posted at the following website under the Alaska filter
for Management Areas: <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/rules-and-announcements/bulletins">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/rules-and-announcements/bulletins</a>.
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 at 50 CFR part 679. NMFS may implement other
closures during the 2022 and 2023 fishing years as necessary for
effective conservation and management.

Comments and Responses

NMFS did not receive any comments during the public comment period
for the proposed groundfish harvest specifications.

Classification

NMFS has determined that the final harvest specifications are
consistent with the FMP and with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act and other applicable laws.
This final rule is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
NMFS prepared an EIS for the Alaska groundfish harvest
specifications and alternative harvest strategies (see ADDRESSES) and
made it available to the public on January 12, 2007 (72 FR 1512). On
February 13, 2007, NMFS issued the ROD for the EIS. In January 2022,
NMFS prepared a SIR for this action to provide a subsequent assessment
of the action and to address the need to prepare a Supplemental EIS
(SEIS; 40 CFR 1501.11(b); Sec. 1502.9(d)(1)). Copies of the EIS, ROD,
and annual SIRs for this action are available from NMFS (see
ADDRESSES). The Final EIS analyzes the environmental, social, and
economic consequences of the groundfish harvest specifications and
alternative harvest strategies on resources in the action area. Based
on the analysis in the Final EIS, NMFS concluded that the preferred
Alternative (Alternative 2) provides the best balance among relevant
environmental, social, and economic considerations and allows for
continued management of the groundfish fisheries based on the most
recent, best scientific information. The preferred alternative is a
harvest strategy in which TACs are set at a level within the range of
ABCs recommended by the Council's SSC; the sum of the TACs must achieve
the OY specified in the FMP. While the specific numbers that the
harvest strategy produces may vary from year to year, the methodology
used for the preferred harvest strategy remains constant.
The annual SIR evaluates the need to prepare a SEIS for the 2022
and 2023 groundfish harvest specifications. An 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(d)(1)). After reviewing the information contained in the SIR and
SAFE report, the Regional Administrator has determined that (1)
approval of the 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications, which were set
according to the preferred harvest strategy in the EIS, does not
constitute a substantial 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
2022 and 2023 harvest specifications will result in environmental,
social, and economic impacts within the scope of those analyzed and
disclosed in the EIS. Therefore, an SEIS is not necessary to implement
the 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications.
Section 604 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 604)
requires that, when an agency promulgates a final rule under 5 U.S.C.
553, after being required by that section, or any other law, to publish
a general notice of proposed rulemaking, the agency shall prepare a
final regulatory flexibility analysis (FRFA). The

[[Page 11624]]

following constitutes the FRFA prepared in the final action.
Section 604 of the RFA describes the required contents of a FRFA:
(1) A statement of the need for, and objectives of, the rule; (2) a
statement of the significant issues raised by the public comments in
response to the initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA), a
statement of the assessment of the agency of such issues, and a
statement of any changes made in the proposed rule as a result of such
comments; (3) the response of the agency to any comments filed by the
Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration in
response to the proposed rule, and a detailed statement of any change
made to the proposed rule in the final rule as a result of the
comments; (4) a description of and an estimate of the number of small
entities to which the rule will apply or an explanation of why no such
estimate is available; (5) a description of the projected reporting,
recordkeeping, and other compliance requirements of the rule, including
an estimate of the classes of small entities which will be subject to
the requirement and the type of professional skills necessary for
preparation of the report or record; and (6) a description of the steps
the agency has taken to minimize the significant economic impact on
small entities consistent with the stated objectives of applicable
statutes, including a statement of the factual, policy, and legal
reasons for selecting the alternative adopted in the final rule and why
each one of the other significant alternatives to the rule considered
by the agency that affect the impact on small entities was rejected.
A description of this action, its purpose, and its legal basis are
contained at the beginning of the preamble to this final rule and are
not repeated here.
NMFS published the proposed rule on December 6, 2021 (86 FR 68982).
NMFS prepared an IRFA to accompany the proposed action, and included
the IRFA in the proposed rule. The comment period closed on January 5,
2022. No comments were received on the IRFA or on the economic impacts
of the rule more generally. The Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small
Business Administration did not file any comments on the proposed rule.
The entities directly regulated by this action are: (1) Entities
operating vessels with groundfish Federal fishing permits (FFPs)
catching FMP groundfish in Federal waters; (2) all entities operating
vessels, regardless of whether they hold groundfish FFPs, catching FMP
groundfish in the State-waters parallel fisheries; and (3) all entities
operating vessels fishing for halibut inside 3 miles (5.6 km) of the
shore (whether or not they have FFPs).
For RFA purposes only, NMFS has established a small business size
standard for businesses, including their affiliates, whose primary
industry is commercial fishing (see 50 CFR 200.2). A business primarily
engaged in commercial fishing (NAICS code 11411) is classified as a
small business if it is independently owned and operated, is not
dominant in its field of operation (including its affiliates), and has
combined annual gross receipts not in excess of $11 million for all its
affiliated operations worldwide.
Using the most recent data available (2020), the estimated number
of directly regulated small entities includes approximately 699
individual catcher vessel and CP entities with gross revenues meeting
small entity criteria. This estimate does not account for corporate
affiliations among vessels, and for cooperative affiliations among
fishing entities, since some of the fishing vessels operating in the
GOA are members of AFA inshore pollock cooperatives, GOA rockfish
cooperatives, or BSAI CR Program cooperatives. Vessels that participate
in these cooperatives are considered to be large entities within the
meaning of the RFA because the aggregate gross receipts of all
participating members exceed the $11 million threshold. After
accounting for membership in these cooperatives, there are an estimated
696 small CV entities and 3 small CP entities remaining in the GOA
groundfish sector. However, the estimate of these 696 CVs may be an
overstatement of the number of small entities. This latter group of
vessels had average gross revenues that varied by gear type. Average
gross revenues for hook-and-line CVs, pot gear CVs, and trawl gear CVs,
are estimated to be $340,000, $650,000, and $1.71 million,
respectively. Average gross revenues for CP entities are confidential.
This final rule contains no information collection requirements
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
This action implements the final 2022 and 2023 harvest
specifications, apportionments, and halibut PSC limits for the
groundfish fishery of the GOA. This action is necessary to establish
harvest limits for groundfish during the 2022 and 2023 fishing years
and is taken in accordance with the FMP prepared by the Council
pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The establishment of the final
harvest specifications is governed by the Council's harvest strategy
for the catch of groundfish in the GOA. The harvest strategy was
selected previously from among five alternatives, with the preferred
alternative harvest strategy being one in which the TACs fall within
the range of ABCs recommended by the SSC. Under this preferred
alternative harvest strategy, TACs are set within the range of ABCs
recommended by the SSC; the sum of the TACs must achieve the OY
specified in the FMP; and while the specific TAC numbers that the
harvest strategy produces may vary from year to year, the methodology
used for the preferred harvest strategy remains constant. This final
action implements the preferred alternative harvest strategy previously
chosen by the Council to set TACs that fall within the range of ABCs
recommended through the Council harvest specifications process and as
recommended by the Council. This is the method for determining TACs
that has been used in the past.
The final 2022 and 2023 TACs associated with preferred harvest
strategy are those recommended by the Council in December 2021. OFLs
and ABCs for the species were based on recommendations prepared by the
Council's Plan Team, and reviewed by the Council's SSC. The Council
based its TAC recommendations on those of its AP, which were consistent
with the SSC's OFL and ABC recommendations. The sum of all TACs remains
within the OY for the GOA consistent with Sec. 679.20(a)(1)(i)(B).
The final 2022 and 2023 OFLs and ABCs are based on the best
available biological information, including projected biomass trends,
information on assumed distribution of stock biomass, and revised
technical methods to calculate stock biomass. The final 2022 and 2023
TACs are based on the best available biological and socioeconomic
information. The final 2022 and 2023 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs are
consistent with the biological condition of groundfish stocks as
described in the 2021 SAFE report, which is the most recent, completed
SAFE report. Accounting for the most recent biological information to
set the final OFLs, ABCs, and TACs is consistent with the objectives
for this action, as well as National Standard 2 of the Magnuson-Stevens
Act (16 U.S.C. 1851(a)(2)) that actions shall be based on the best
scientific information available.
Under this action, the final ABCs reflect harvest amounts that are
less than the specified overfishing levels. The final TACs are within
the range of final ABCs recommended by the SSC and do not exceed the
biological limits

[[Page 11625]]

recommended by the SSC (the ABCs and overfishing levels). For most
species and species groups in the GOA, the Council recommended, and
NMFS sets, final TACs equal to final ABCs, which is intended to
maximize harvest opportunities in the GOA, unless other conservation or
management reasons support setting TAC amounts less than the ABCs.
For the following species and species groups, the Council
recommended and NMFS sets TACs that are less than the ABCs: For pollock
for the combined Western and Central GOA and West Yakutat District
area; Pacific cod; shallow-water flatfish in the Western GOA;
arrowtooth flounder in the Western GOA and the SEO District; flathead
sole in the Western and Central GOA, Atka mackerel; and ``other
rockfish'' in the SEO District. These specific reductions were reviewed
and recommended by the Council's AP, and the Council in turn adopted
the AP's recommendations for the final 2022 and 2023 TACs.
Moreover, increasing TACs for some species may not result in
increased harvest opportunities for those species. This is due to a
variety of reasons. There may be a lack of commercial or market
interest in some species. Additionally, there are fixed, and therefore
constraining, PSC limits associated with the harvest of the GOA
groundfish species that can lead to an underharvest of flatfish TACs.
For this reason, the shallow-water flatfish, arrowtooth flounder, and
flathead sole TACs are set to allow for increased harvest opportunities
for these target species while conserving the halibut PSC limit for use
in other fisheries. The Atka mackerel TAC is set to accommodate
incidental catch amounts in other fisheries. The ``other rockfish'' TAC
in the SEO District is set to reduce the amount of discards of the
species in that complex. Finally, the TACs for two species (pollock and
Pacific cod) cannot be set equal to ABC, as the TAC must be reduced to
account for the State's GHLs in these fisheries. The W/C/WYK Regulatory
Area pollock TAC and the GOA Pacific cod TACs are therefore set to
account for the State's GHLs for the State water pollock and Pacific
cod fisheries so that the ABCs are not exceeded.
Based upon the best available scientific data, and in consideration
of the Council's objectives of this action, there are no significant
alternatives to the final rule that have the potential to accomplish
the stated objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and any other
applicable statutes and that have the potential to minimize any
significant adverse economic impact of the final rule on small
entities. This action is economically beneficial to entities operating
in the GOA, including small entities. The action specifies TACs for
commercially-valuable species in the GOA and allows for the continued
prosecution of the fishery, thereby creating the opportunity for
fishery revenue. After public process, during which the Council
solicited input from stakeholders, the Council concluded that these
final harvest specifications would best accomplish the stated
objectives articulated in the preamble for this final rule and in
applicable statutes and would minimize to the extent practicable
adverse economic impacts on the universe of directly regulated small
entities.
Adverse impacts on marine mammals, or endangered or threatened
species, resulting from fishing activities conducted under this rule
are discussed in the Final EIS and its accompanying annual SIRs (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 the date
of effectiveness for this rule because delaying this rule is contrary
to the public interest. The Plan Team review of the 2021 SAFE report
occurred in November 2021, and, based on the 2021 SAFE report, the
Council considered and recommended the final harvest specifications in
December 2021. Accordingly, NMFS's review of the final 2022 and 2023
harvest specifications could not begin until after the December 2021
Council meeting, and after the public had time to comment on the
proposed action. Thus, some affected fisheries could close soon, as
they are already close to reaching their TACs, and such closures would
cause unnecessary economic harm to the fisheries in the cases where
this final rule increases some of the groundfish TACs.
For all fisheries not currently closed because the TACs established
under the final 2021 and 2022 harvest specifications (86 FR 10184,
Feb

[…truncated; see source link]

View on FederalRegister.gov →Plain-text source

Indexed from Federal Register on March 2, 2022.

This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.