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Home , Atlantic spotted dolphin, Bottlenose dolphin, Clymene dolphin, False killer whale, Spotted dolphin

Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 229 / Wednesday, November 27, 2019 / Notices 65353

consideration during the meeting, and reports--stock#cetaceans---large- Background to ensure transmission to the Committee . Section 117 of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. prior to the meeting, comments must be Copies of the Alaska Regional SARs 1361 et seq.) requires NMFS and the received no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on may be requested from Marcia Muto, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to Monday, December 16, 2019. Comments Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NMFS, prepare stock assessments for each stock received after that date will be 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA of marine occurring in waters distributed to the members but may not 98115–6349. under the jurisdiction of the United be considered at the meeting. Copies of the Atlantic, , States, including the U.S. Exclusive Copies of CINTAC meeting minutes and Regional SARs may be Economic Zone. These reports must will be available within 90 days of the requested from Elizabeth Josephson, contain information regarding the meeting. Northeast Fisheries Science Center, 166 distribution and abundance of the stock, Dated: November 14, 2019. Water St., Woods Hole, MA 02543. population growth rates and trends, Devin Horne, Copies of the Pacific Regional SARs estimates of annual -caused Designated Federal Officer, Office of Energy may be requested from Jim Carretta, mortality and serious injury (M/SI) from and Environmental Industries. Southwest Fisheries Science Center, all sources, descriptions of the fisheries [FR Doc. 2019–25786 Filed 11–26–19; 8:45 am] 8604 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA with which the stock interacts, and the BILLING CODE 3510–DR–P 92037–1508. status of the stock. Initial reports were You may submit comments or new completed in 1995. The MMPA requires NMFS and FWS information, identified by NOAA– to review the SARs at least annually for DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NMFS–2019–0090, by either of the strategic stocks and stocks for which following methods: National Oceanic and Atmospheric significant new information is available, Administration Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: Go to and at least once every three for www.regulations.gov/ non-strategic stocks. The term ‘‘strategic #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2019- [RTID 0648–XV011] stock’’ means a marine stock: 0090, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, (A) For which the level of direct human- Draft 2019 Stock complete the required fields, and enter caused mortality exceeds the potential Assessment Reports or attach your comments. biological removal level or PBR (defined Mail: Send comments, new by the MMPA as the maximum number AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries information, or requests for copies of of , not including natural Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and reports to: Dr. Zachary Schakner, mortalities, that may be removed from a Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Protected Species Science Branch, marine mammal stock while allowing Commerce. Office of Science and Technology, that stock to reach or maintain its ACTION: Notice; request for comments National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 optimum sustainable population); (B) and new information. East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD which, based on the best available 20910–3226, Attn: Stock Assessments. scientific information, is declining and SUMMARY: NMFS reviewed the Alaska, is likely to be listed as a threatened Atlantic, and Pacific regional marine Instructions: NMFS may not consider species under the mammal stock assessment reports comments if they are sent by any other Act (ESA) within the foreseeable future; (SARs) in accordance with the Marine method, to any other address or or (C) which is listed as a threatened Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). SARs individual, or received after the end of species or endangered species under the for marine mammals in the Alaska, the comment period. All comments ESA. NMFS and the FWS are required Atlantic, and Pacific regions were received are a part of the public record to revise a SAR if the status of the stock revised according to new information. and will generally be posted for public has changed or can be more accurately NMFS solicits public comments on the viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying determined. draft 2019 SARs. In addition to releasing Prior to public review, the updated draft 2019 Pacific SARs for public information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or SARs under NMFS’ jurisdiction are comment, NMFS is also providing an peer-reviewed within NMFS Fisheries opportunity to comment on the final otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will Science Centers and by members of 2018 Western North Pacific (WNP) gray three regional independent Scientific SAR previously published in the be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/ Review Groups, established under the Federal Register on June 19, 2019 (84 MMPA to independently advise NMFS FR 28489). NMFS is also requesting new A’’ in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). on information and uncertainties related information for strategic stocks that to the status of marine mammals. were not updated in 2019. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. The period covered by the 2019 draft DATES: Comments must be received by Zachary Schakner, Office of Science and SARs is 2013–2017. NMFS reviewed the February 25, 2020. Technology, 301–427–8106, status of all marine mammal strategic ADDRESSES: The 2019 draft SARs are [email protected]; Marcia stocks as required and considered available in electronic form via the Muto, 206–526–4026, Marcia.Muto@ whether significant new information internet at https:// noaa.gov, regarding Alaska regional was available for all other stocks under www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/ stock assessments; Elizabeth Josephson, NMFS’ jurisdiction. As a result of this marine-mammal-protection/draft- 508–495–2362, Elizabeth.Josephson@ review, NMFS revised a total of 65 marine-mammal-stock-assessment- noaa.gov, regarding Atlantic, Gulf of reports representing 76 stocks in the reports. The 2018 final Mexico, and Caribbean regional stock Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific regions to Western North Pacific SAR is available assessments; or Jim Carretta, 858–546– incorporate new information. The 2019 at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/ 7171, [email protected], regarding revisions consist primarily of updated national/marine-mammal-protection/ Pacific regional stock assessments. or revised M/SI estimate, updated marine-mammal-stock-assessment- SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: abundance estimates, including the

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application of an established capture- public comment, NMFS is also into the SARs, and other information on mark-recapture method to estimate the providing an opportunity to comment emerging concerns for a strategic stock. abundance of Gulf of Maine humpback on the final 2018 WNP gray whale SAR Alaska Reports whales, and the introduction of a new previously published in the Federal method for estimating cryptic mortality Register on June 19, 2019 (84 FR 28489). In 2019, NMFS reviewed all 45 stocks for Gulf of Maine humpback whales and NMFS is providing this opportunity in the Alaska region for new North Atlantic right whales. One stock because of the difference in abundance information, and revised 18 SARs under (Alaska ringed seal) changed in status reported in the draft and final reports. NMFS jurisdiction representing 29 from non-strategic to strategic, and four To ensure NMFS is aware of new stocks (15 strategic and 14 non- stocks (Western North Atlantic false information relevant to all strategic strategic). The Alaska ringed seal stock and St. Andrew Bay, St. stocks, NMFS requests new information changed from non-strategic to strategic Joseph Bay, and West Bay common for strategic stocks that were not status because the stock is now bottlenose stocks) changed in updated in 2019. Specifically, new considered threatened under the ESA status from strategic to non-strategic. relevant information could include (see below). A list of the 29 stocks Substantive revisions to the SARs are peer-reviewed information on human- revised in 2019 for the Alaska region discussed below. caused serious injury and mortality, (contained in 18 reports) is presented in NMFS solicits public comments on fishery interactions, abundance, Table 1. Information on the remaining the draft 2019 SARs. In addition to distribution, stock structure and habitat Alaska region stocks can be found in the releasing draft 2019 Pacific SARs for concerns, which could be incorporated final 2018 reports (Muto et al., 2019).

TABLE 1—LIST OF MARINE MAMMAL STOCKS IN THE ALASKA REGION REVISED IN 2019

Strategic stocks Non-strategic stocks

• Steller sea lion, Western U.S ...... • Steller sea lion, Eastern U.S. • Northern fur seal, Eastern Pacific ...... • Harbor seals (12 stocks): • Bearded seal, Alaska ...... Æ Aleutian Islands. • Ringed seal, Alaska ...... Æ Pribilof Islands. • , Cook Inlet ...... Æ Bristol Bay. • Killer whale, AT1 Transient ...... Æ N Kodiak. • Harbor , Southeast Alaska ...... Æ S Kodiak. • Harbor porpoise, Gulf of Alaska ...... Æ Prince William Sound. • Harbor porpoise, Bering Sea ...... Æ Cook Inlet/Shelikof Strait. • , North Pacific ...... Æ Glacier Bay/Icy Strait. • , Western North Pacific ...... Æ Lynn Canal/Stephens Passage. • Humpback whale, Central North Pacific ...... Æ Sitka/Chatham Strait. • , Northeast Pacific ...... Æ Dixon/Cape Decision. • North Pacific , Eastern North Pacific ...... Æ Clarence Strait. • , Western Arctic ...... • Killer whale, Eastern North Pacific Northern Resident.

Revisions to the Alaska SARs decision vacating NMFS’ listing in a Atlantic Reports included updates of abundance and/or lawsuit that challenged listing ringed M/SI estimates. New abundance seals under the ESA (Alaska Oil and In 2019, NMFS reviewed all 116 estimates are available for the Western Gas Association v. Pritzker, Case No. stocks in the Atlantic region for new and Eastern U.S. Steller sea lion, harbor 4:14–cv–00029–RPB). Consequently, it information (including the Atlantic seal (12 stocks), Alaska ringed seal, AT1 was also no longer designated as Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and U.S. Transient and Eastern North Pacific depleted or classified as a strategic territories in the Caribbean) under Northern Resident killer whale, stock. In 2018, the 9th Circuit Court of NMFS jurisdiction. This , NMFS Southeast Alaska and Gulf of Alaska Appeals overturned the decision and revised 35 reports, created 1 new harbor porpoise, North Pacific sperm approved the agency’s protection of the common report (St. whale, Northeast Pacific fin whale, and seals, and the ESA listing was Andrew Bay) and resubmitted 1 new Western Arctic bowhead whale stocks. reinstated. Because of its threatened common bottlenose dolphin report Alaska Ringed Seal status under the ESA, this ringed seal (West Bay). These updated reports represent 37 stocks (5 strategic and 32 In 2012, NMFS listed the Arctic stock is considered depleted under the non-strategic). The Western North ringed seals (Pusa hispida hispida), and MMPA and is now classified as a thus the Alaska stock of ringed seals, as strategic stock. NMFS did not revise the Atlantic (WNA) stock threatened under the ESA (77 FR 76706, Alaska ringed seal report in 2018 and three common bottlenose dolphin December 28, 2012). The primary because at the time the draft 2018 SARs stocks (St. Andrew Bay, St. Joseph Bay, concern for this population is the were prepared, this stock was not and West Bay) changed from strategic to ongoing and projected loss of sea-ice considered to be depleted or strategic non-strategic status because they do not and snow cover stemming from climate under the MMPA. The change in status meet the criteria to qualify as strategic. change, which is expected to pose a from non-strategic to strategic was A list of the 37 stocks in the Atlantic significant threat to the persistence of notated in the final 2018 Alaska Marine region is presented in Table 2. these seals in the foreseeable future. On Mammal Stock Assessments stock Information on the remaining Atlantic March 11, 2016, the U.S. District Court summary table (Appendix 2, Muto et al., region stocks can be found in the final for the District of Alaska issued a 2019). 2018 reports (Hayes et al., 2019).

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TABLE 2—LIST OF MARINE MAMMAL STOCKS IN THE ATLANTIC REGION REVISED IN 2019

Strategic stocks Non-strategic stocks

• North Atlantic right whale, Western Atlantic ...... • Humpback whale, Gulf of Maine. • Fin whale, WNA ...... • , Canadian East Coast. • , Nova Scotia ...... • , WNA. • , WNA ...... • , WNA. • Sperm whale ...... • , WNA. • False killer whale, WNA. • Cuvier’s , WNA. • Blainville’s beaked whale, WNA. • Gervais beaked whale, WNA. • Sowerby’s beaked whale, WNA. • True’s beaked whale, WNA. • -headed whale, WNA. • Risso’s dolphin, WNA. • , long-finned, WNA. • Pilot whale, short-finned, WNA. • Atlantic white-sided dolphin, WNA. • White-beaked dolphin, WNA. • , WNA. • Atlantic , WNA. • Pantropical spotted dolphin, WNA. • , WNA. • Fraser’s dolphin, WNA. • , WNA. • , WNA. • Common bottlenose dolphin, WNA offshore. • Harbor porpoise, Gulf of Maine/Bay of Fundy. • Harbor seal, WNA. • Gray seal, WNA. • Harp seal, WNA. • Bottlenose dolphin, West Bay. • Bottlenose dolphin, St. Andrew Bay. • Bottlenose dolphin, St. Joseph Bay.

Revisions to the Atlantic SARs apportion unseen mortality to various Therefore, it is estimated the decline in included updates of abundance and/or sources while considering detection the right whale population will M/SI estimates. New abundance bias. The cryptic mortality estimate is continue for at least an additional 2 estimates are available for the North calculated by taking the annual years. Atlantic right whale, WNA fin whale, population estimate generated from the Humpback Whale, Gulf of Maine Nova Scotia sei whale, WNA blue Pace et al. (2017) approach and whale, North Atlantic sperm whale, applying a basic population dynamic For the Gulf of Maine humpback Gulf of Maine humpback whale, formula. A method to assign cause to whale report, two new independent Canadian East Coast minke whale, WNA these unseen mortalities is still being abundance estimates are available from dwarf and pygmy sperm whale ( established, as such these additions are different methods—one based upon ship spp.), WNA false killer whale, WNA not counted towards PBR at this time. and aerial line-transect surveys, and a beaked whale (Ziphius and Mesoplodon second from applying mark and spp.), WNA Risso’s dolphin, Long- North Atlantic Right Whale, Western Atlantic recapture methods to photo finned pilot whale, WNA Atlantic identification records from the J. white-sided dolphin, WNA White- The western North Atlantic right Robbins studies (Robbins and Pace beaked dolphin, WNA common whale stock size is based on a state- 2018). The best abundance estimate for dolphin, WNA , space model of the sighting histories of the Gulf of Maine humpback whale WNA pantropical spotted dolphin, individual whales identified using stock is 1,396 (based upon the mark and WNA striped dolphin, WNA Clymene photo-identification techniques (Pace et recapture method). The minimum dolphin, WNA spinner dolphin, WNA al. 2017). Using a hierarchical, state- abundance estimate is 1,380 (previously common bottlenose dolphin, Gulf of space Bayesian open population model 896 in 2018 SAR) and PBR for the Gulf Maine/Bay of Fundy harbor porpoise, of these histories produced a median of Maine humpback whale stock is 22 and the West Bay, St. Andrew Bay, and abundance value. The best abundance whales (previously 14.6). This stock is St. Joseph Bay common bottlenose estimate available for the North Atlantic not considered strategic, but if the dolphin stocks. right whale stock is 428 individuals newly estimated cryptic mortality were Estimating Cryptic Mortality for North (95% credible intervals 406 to 447). The included, the estimated annual Atlantic Right Whale and Gulf of Maine previous best abundance estimate in the anthropogenic mortality would be over Humpback Whale 2018 SAR was 451 (95% credible PBR. intervals 434 to 464). As a result of the False Killer Whale, Western North The North Atlantic right whale and lower abundance estimate, the PBR Atlantic Gulf of Maine humpback whale reports decreased from 0.9 (in the 2018 SAR) to include the presentation of cryptic 0.8. Only 5 and 0 calves were detected The WNA false killer whale WNA mortality estimates and attempt to in 2017 and 2018, respectively. stock changed from strategic to non-

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strategic because it does not meet the Pacific Reports authors reviewed abundance estimates criteria to qualify as strategic. When this In 2019, NMFS reviewed all 85 stocks by Cooke (2017) and Cooke et al. (2018) stock was last revised in 2014, it was in the Pacific region (waters along the published in November 2017 and considered strategic because the west coast of the United States, within January 2018, respectively. Those abundance of the stock is small and waters surrounding the main and publications estimate WNP abundance NMFS was concerned that relatively few Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, and to be 290 individuals (90% credible mortalities and serious injuries would within waters surrounding U.S. intervals 271 to 311) due to differences exceed PBR. While no fishery-related territories in the Western Pacific) for in the data analyzed. Cooke et al. (2016) mortality or serious injury has been new information, and revised SARs for estimated abundance based on Sakhalin observed in the last five years, there was 10 stocks (6 strategic and 4 non- Island whales only, while Cooke (2017) a recorded interaction with the pelagic strategic). A list of the 10 reports revised and Cooke et al. (2018) estimates longline fishery in 2011. False killer in 2019 is presented in Table 3. included whales from both Sakhalin whale interactions with longline Information on the remaining Pacific and Kamchatka regions. After fisheries in the Pacific are of region stocks can be found in the final considering public comments on the considerable concern, but little is 2018 reports (Carretta et al., 2019). draft 2018 SAR regarding open versus known about interactions in the closed population assumptions on the Atlantic. TABLE 3—LIST OF MARINE MAMMAL combined Sakhalin-Kamchatka feeding aggregation (84 FR 28489, June 19, Common Bottlenose STOCKS IN THE PACIFIC REGION RE- VISED IN 2019 2019), the SAR authors updated the NMFS is in the process of writing abundance estimate in the final 2018 individual stock assessment reports for Strategic stocks Non-strategic stocks report using the values from Cooke 2017 each of the 31 bay, sound, and estuary and Cooke et al. 2018. The WNP stocks of common bottlenose dolphins • Guadalupe fur seal • Harbor porpoise, abundance estimates in the final 2018 in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Two Morro Bay. report are higher than the draft report • • new individual reports, for St. Andrew Hawaiian monk Harbor porpoise, because the final estimates included Bay and West Bay Estuarine System seal Monterey Bay. Kamchatka whales. As a result, PBR • Killer whale, East- • Harbor porpoise, stocks, were completed for the draft ern N Pacific San Francisco-Rus- values changed from 0.07 in the draft 2019 SARs. The West Bay report was Southern Resident sian River. report to 0.12 whales in the final 2018 originally submitted with the draft 2018 • Sperm whale, CA/ • Harbor porpoise, WNP SAR. In light of these changes, SARs but was withdrawn because the OR/WA Northern CA/South- NMFS is now accepting public updated abundance estimate for this ern OR. comment on the abundance estimates stock was based on a publication that • Humpback whale, that appear in the final 2018 Western CA/OR/WA North Pacific Gray Whale SAR. was still under review at the time the • 2018 SARs were finalized. That Blue whale, East- ern N Pacific References publication is now ‘‘in press,’’ so NMFS is resubmitting the West Bay stock as a Cooke, J.G., Weller, D.W., Bradford, A.L., New abundance estimates are Sychenko, O.A., Burdin, A.M., Lang, new draft 2019 report. The reader will available for 8 stocks: Guadalupe fur not see tracked changes in the West Bay A.R. and Brownell, R.L., Jr. 2016. seals, Hawaiian monk seals, four harbor Updated population assessment of the or St. Andrew Bay reports because these porpoise stocks (Morro Bay, Monterey Sakhalin gray whale aggregation based are new reports. To date, NMFS has Bay, San Francisco-Russian River, and on a photo-identification study at Piltun, completed seven individual bottlenose Northern California/Southern ), Sakhalin, 1995–2015. Paper SC/66b/ dolphin stocks reports (St. Andrew Bay, Southern Resident killer whales, and BRG25 presented to the International West Bay, Terrebonne-Timbalier Bay Eastern North Pacific blue whales. Commission Scientific Estuarine System, Barataria Bay Committee. Estuarine System, Mississippi Sound/ 2018 Final Western North Pacific Gray Cooke J.G. 2017. Updated assessment of the Lake Borgne/Bay Boudreau, Whale SAR Sakhalin gray whale population and its Choctawhatchee Bay, and St. Joseph relationship to gray whales in other In addition to releasing draft 2019 areas. IUCN Western Gray Whale Bay), and the remaining 24 stocks are Pacific SARs for public comment, Advisory Panel document 18/24. included in the Northern Gulf of Mexico NMFS is also providing an opportunity Cooke, J.G., Taylor, B.L., Reeves, R. & Bay, Sound, and Estuary Stocks report. to comment on the final 2018 WNP gray Brownell Jr., R.L. 2018. Eschrichtius The West Bay, St. Andrew Bay, and whale SAR previously published in the robustus western subpopulation. The St. Joseph Bay common bottlenose Federal Register on June 19, 2019 (84 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species dolphin stocks changed from strategic to FR 28489). NMFS is providing this 2018: e.T8099A50345475. http:// non-strategic. These stocks were opportunity because of the difference in dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018- 2.RLTS.T8099A50345475.en. previously considered strategic in part abundance reported in the draft and Muto, M.M., V.T. Helker, R.P. Angliss, P.L. due to an Unusual Mortality Event final reports. Boveng, J.M. Breiwick, M.F. Cameron, (UME) of unprecedented size and The draft 2018 WNP gray whale stock P.J. Clapham, S.P. Dahle, M.E. Dahlheim, duration (2010 through 2014) among assessment was prepared during B.S. Fadely, M.C. Ferguson, L.W. Fritz, common bottlenose dolphins along the autumn 2017/ 2018 in advance of R.C. Hobbs, Y.V. Ivashchenko, A.S. northern Gulf of Mexico coast. Although the Pacific Scientific Review Group Kennedy, J.M. London, S.A. Mizroch, these stocks do not meet the criteria to meeting in February 2018. The draft R.R. Ream, E.L. Richmond, K.E.W. qualify as strategic under the GAMMS 2018 report included an abundance Shelden, K.L. Sweeney, R.G. Towell, P.R. (NMFS 2016), NMFS continues to have estimate and calculated PBR based on Wade, J.M. Waite, and A.N. Zerbini. results from Cooke et al. (2016), who 2019. Alaska marine Mammal Stock concerns regarding these stocks due to Assessments, 2018. NOAA Technical their small stock size and the high estimated WNP gray whale stock Memorandum NMFS–AFSC–393, June number of common bottlenose dolphin abundance at 175 whales (95% credible 2019. 390 pp. associated with UMEs in the intervals 158 to 193). Following the Pace, R.M., III, P.J. Corkeron and S.D. Kraus. panhandle since 1999. publication of the draft report, the SAR 2017. State-space mark-recapture

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estimates reveal a recent decline in action is intended to provide the 2019 program is responsible for submitting abundance of North Atlantic right standard prices and fee percentages to the fee payment to NMFS on or before whales. Ecol. and Evol. 7:8730–8741. calculate the required payment for cost the due date of December 31 of the year DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3406. recovery fees due by December 31, 2019. in which the landings were made. The Dated: November 22, 2019. DATES: The standard prices and fee total dollar amount of the fee due is Chris Oliver, percentages are valid on November 27, determined by multiplying the NMFS Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, 2019. published fee percentage by the ex- National Marine Fisheries Service. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carl vessel value of all landings under the [FR Doc. 2019–25809 Filed 11–26–19; 8:45 am] Greene, Fee Coordinator, 907–586–7105. program made during the fishing year. NMFS publishes this notice of the fee BILLING CODE 3510–22–P SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: percentages for the Amendment 80, Background AFA, AIP, and CDQ groundfish and DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Section 304(d) of the Magnuson- halibut fisheries in the Federal Register by December 1 each year. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Stevens Fishery Conservation and Administration Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Standard Prices Act) authorizes and requires the [RTID 0648–XY048] collection of cost recovery fees for The fee liability is based on the ex- limited access privilege programs and vessel value of fish harvested in each Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic the CDQ Program. Cost recovery fees program. For purposes of calculating Zone Off Alaska; Bering Sea and recover the actual costs directly related cost recovery fees, NMFS calculates a Aleutian Islands Management Area; to the management, data collection, and standard ex-vessel price (standard price) Cost Recovery Programs enforcement of the programs. Section for each species. A standard price is AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries 304(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act determined using information on Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and mandates that cost recovery fees not landings purchased (volume) and ex- Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), exceed three percent of the annual ex- vessel value paid (value). For most Commerce. vessel value of fish harvested by a groundfish species, NMFS annually ACTION: Notice of standard prices and program subject to a cost recovery fee, summarizes volume and value fee percentages. and that the fee be collected either at the information for landings of all fishery time of landing, filing of a landing species subject to cost recovery in order SUMMARY: NMFS publishes standard report, or sale of such fish during a to estimate a standard price for each prices and fee percentages for cost fishing season or in the last quarter of species. The standard prices are recovery for the Amendment 80 the calendar year in which the fish is described in U.S. dollars per pound for Program, the American Fisheries Act harvested. landings made during the year. The (AFA) Program, the Aleutian Islands NMFS manages the Amendment 80 standard prices for all species in the Pollock (AIP) Program, and the Western Program, AFA Program, and AIP Amendment 80, AFA, AIP, and CDQ Alaska Community Development Quota Program as limited access privilege groundfish and halibut programs are (CDQ) groundfish and halibut Programs. programs. On January 5, 2016, NMFS listed in Table 1. Each landing made The fee percentage for 2019 is 0.94 published a final rule to implement cost under each program is multiplied by the percent for the Amendment 80 Program, recovery for these three limited access appropriate standard price to arrive at 0.23 percent for the AFA inshore privilege programs and the CDQ an ex-vessel value for each landing. cooperatives, 3.0 percent for the AIP groundfish and halibut programs (81 FR These values are summed together to program, and 0.70 percent for the CDQ 150). The designated representative (for arrive at the ex-vessel value of each groundfish and halibut Programs. This the purposes of cost recovery) for each program (fishery value).

TABLE 1—STANDARD EX-VESSEL PRICES BY SPECIES FOR THE 2019 FISHING YEAR

Standard ex- vessel price Species Gear type Reporting period per pound ($)

Arrowtooth flounder ...... All ...... January 1, 2019–October 31, 2019 ...... 0.21 Atka mackerel ...... All ...... January 1, 2019–October 31, 2019 ...... 0.26 Flathead sole ...... All ...... January 1, 2019–October 31, 2019 ...... 0.22 Greenland turbot ...... All ...... January 1, 2019–October 31, 2019 ...... 0.67 CDQ halibut ...... Fixed gear ...... October 1, 2019–September 30, 2019 ...... 4.30 Pacific cod ...... Fixed gear ...... January 1, 2019–October 31, 2019 ...... 0.45 Trawl gear ...... January 1, 2019–October 31, 2019 ...... 0.39 Pacific ocean perch ...... All ...... January 1, 2019–October 31, 2019 ...... 0.16 Pollock ...... All ...... January 1, 2018–December 31, 2018 ...... 0.14 Rock sole ...... All ...... January 1, 2019–March 31, 2019 ...... 0.28 All ...... April 1, 2019–October 31, 2019 ...... 0.19 Sablefish ...... Fixed gear ...... October 1, 2018–September 30, 2019 ...... 1.98 Trawl gear ...... January 1, 2019–October 31, 2019 ...... 0.72 Yellowfin sole ...... All ...... January 1, 2019–October 31, 2019 ...... 0.20

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