Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 93 / Wednesday, May 14, 2014 / Proposed Rules 27557

Fishing from $4.0 to 19.0 million, Swordfish general commercial permit added to, the following year’s quota for Shellfish Fishing from $4.0 to 5.0 holders would likely experience lower that area. As necessary to meet million, and Other Marine Fishing from than average per-vessel ex-vessel management objectives, such $4.0 to 7.0 million. NMFS has reviewed revenues, despite higher ex-vessel adjustments may be apportioned to the analyses prepared for this action in prices and lower fishing expenses. fishing categories and/or to the reserve. light of the new size standards. Under Historically, U.S. fishermen do not often Carryover adjustments for the North the former, lower size standards, all harvest the full North Atlantic Atlantic shall be limited to 25 percent entities subject to this action were swordfish quota. In addition, the 2014 of the baseline quota allocation for that considered small entities, thus they all proposed quota is the same as the 2013 year. Starting in the 2015 fishing year, would continue to be considered small quota for North Atlantic swordfish, carryover adjustments shall be limited under the new standards. The new size therefore there are no economic impacts to 15 percent of the annual baseline standards do not affect analyses expected due to this proposed quota allocation. Carryover adjustments prepared for this action. rulemaking setting the 2014 quota. For for the South Atlantic shall be limited As of November 2013, there were South Atlantic swordfish, only directed to 100 mt ww (75.2 mt dw) for that year. approximately 179 vessels with a swordfish permit holders can land these Any adjustments to the 12-month directed swordfish LAP, 67 vessels with ; therefore, potential revenue per directed fishery quota will be an incidental swordfish LAP, 76 vessels vessel is higher than the average for apportioned equally between the two with a handgear LAP for swordfish, and these directed swordfish permit holders semiannual fishing seasons. NMFS will 203 vessels that held a swordfish since the other permit types land no file with the Office of the Federal general commercial permit. swordfish. Additionally, U.S. fishermen Register for publication any adjustment Additionally, there were approximately rarely catch South Atlantic swordfish. or apportionment made under this 74 HMS incidental squid trawl permit Over the past 5 years, only 0.3 mt dw paragraph. holders, which allow vessels in the Illex of South Atlantic swordfish catch has * * * * * squid fishery to retain up to 15 been reported. [FR Doc. 2014–11052 Filed 5–13–14; 8:45 am] incidentally-caught swordfish while Because the United States’ BILLING CODE 3510–22–P trawling for squid. Based on the 2013 commercial swordfish fishery is not average price for swordfish of $4.69/lb expected to catch its entire quota in (based on 2013 eDealer data), the 2014 2014, the adjustments to the quota and DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE North and South Atlantic swordfish management measures proposed in this baseline quotas could result in gross rule will not have a significant impact National Oceanic and Atmospheric revenues of $30,373,533 (2,937.6 mt dw on a substantial number of small Administration (6,476,233 lbs dw) * $4.69/lb) and entities. As a result, no initial regulatory 50 CFR Part 679 $776,927 (75.1 mt dw (165,565 lbs dw) flexibility analysis is required, and none * $4.69/lb), respectively, if the quotas has been prepared. [Docket No. 140218151–4151–01] were fully utilized. Under the adjusted quotas of 3,653.2 mt dw (8,053,845 lbs List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 635 RIN 0648–BD98 dw) for North Atlantic swordfish and Fisheries, Fishing, Fishing vessels, Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic 75.1 mt dw (165,565 lbs dw) for South Foreign relations, Imports, Penalties, Atlantic swordfish, the gross revenues Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish of the Reporting and recordkeeping Gulf of Alaska; Groundfish of the could be $37,772,533 and $776,927, requirements, Treaties. respectively, for fully utilized quotas. Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Dated: May 9, 2014. Potential revenues per vessel resulting AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Samuel D. Rauch III, from full utilization of the adjusted Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and quotas, could be $59,295 for the North Deputy Assistant Administrator for Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Atlantic swordfish fishery and $4,340 Regulatory Programs, National Marine Commerce. Fisheries Service. for the South Atlantic swordfish fishery, ACTION: Proposed rule; request for considering a total of 599 swordfish For reasons set out in the preamble, comments. permit holders in the North Atlantic and 50 CFR part 635 is proposed to be 179 directed permit holders in the amended as follows: SUMMARY: NMFS proposes regulations to South Atlantic. The North Atlantic implement Amendment 100 to the estimate, however, represents an PART 635—ATLANTIC HIGHLY Fishery Management Plan for average across all permit types, despite MIGRATORY Groundfish of the Bering Sea and permit differences in retention limits, Aleutian Islands Management Area target species, and geographical range. ■ 1. The authority citation for part 635 (BSAI FMP) and Amendment 91 to the For North Atlantic swordfish, directed continues to read as follows: Fishery Management Plan for swordfish permit holders would likely Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA experience higher than average per- 1801 et seq. FMP). This proposed action would add vessel ex-vessel revenues due to the use ■ 2. In § 635.27, paragraph (c)(3)(ii) is regulations to improve reporting of of pelagic longline gear and the lack of revised to read as follows: grenadiers, limit retention of grenadiers, a retention limit per trip, although trip and prevent direct fishing for grenadiers expenses are likely to be fairly high. § 635.27 Quotas. by federally permitted groundfish HMS incidental squid trawl permit * * * * * fishermen and is necessary to limit and holders would likely experience per (c) * * * monitor the incidental catch of vessel ex-vessel revenues well below (3) * * * grenadiers in the groundfish fisheries. those received by pelagic longline (ii) If consistent with applicable This action is intended to promote the vessels due to the low retention limit ICCAT recommendations, total landings goals and objectives of the Magnuson- per trip (15 swordfish) and because above or below the specific North Stevens Fishery Conservation and these vessels do not target swordfish Atlantic or South Atlantic swordfish Management Act, the FMPs, and other and only catch them incidentally. annual quota will be subtracted from, or applicable law.

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DATES: Comments must be received no Stevens Fishery Conservation and species in an FMP: ‘‘stocks in the later than June 13, 2014. Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens fishery’’ and ‘‘ecosystem component ADDRESSES: You may submit comments Act), 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Regulations (EC) species.’’ on this document, identified by NOAA– implementing the FMPs appear at 50 ‘‘Stocks in the fishery’’ are defined in NMFS–2014–0023, by any of the CFR part 679. General regulations the National Standard 1 guidelines following methods: governing U.S. fisheries also appear at (§ 600.310(d)(2)). ‘‘Stocks in the fishery’’ • Electronic Submission: Submit all 50 CFR part 600. include (1) stocks that are targeted, and electronic public comments via the The Council has submitted retained for sale or personal use; (2) Federal e Rulemaking Portal. Go to Amendment 100 to the BSAI FMP and stocks that are not directly targeted but www.regulations.gov/ Amendment 91 to the GOA FMP for are taken incidentally in other directed #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2014- review by the Secretary of Commerce, fisheries, and are retained for sale or 0023, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, and a Notice of Availability of this personal use; or (3) stocks not targeted complete the required fields, and enter amendment was published in the or retained but are taken as incidental or attach your comments. Federal Register on May 5, 2014) 79 FR catch and for which overfishing or • Mail: Submit written comments to 25558) with comments invited through overfished status may be a concern. Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional July 7, 2014. All relevant written NMFS created the EC species category Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries comments received by the end of the to encourage ecosystem approaches to Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn: applicable comment period, whether management and to incorporate Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. specifically directed to the FMP ecosystem considerations for species Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668. amendments, this proposed rule, or that are not ‘‘stocks in the fishery’’ (74 Instructions: Comments sent by any both, will be considered in the FR 3178, January 16, 2009). EC species other method, to any other address or approval/disapproval decision for these are defined in the National Standard 1 individual, or received after the end of amendments and addressed in the guidelines (§ 600.310(d)(5)). In order to the comment period, may not be response to comments in the final be designated an EC species, the species considered by NMFS. All comments decision. or species group should be (1) a non- targeted species or species group; (2) not received are a part of the public record Background and will generally be posted for public subject to overfishing, overfished, or The groundfish fisheries in the BSAI viewing on www.regulations.gov approaching an overfished condition; and GOA incidentally catch grenadiers without change. All personal identifying (3) not likely to become subject to (family ) while harvesting information (e.g., name, address), overfishing or overfished in the absence target groundfish. For many years, the confidential business information, or of conservation and management Council has considered how best to measures; and (4) not generally retained otherwise sensitive information classify grenadiers in the FMPs. As for sale or personal use. submitted voluntarily by the sender will explained in the Analysis (see Amendments 96/87 established the be publicly accessible. NMFS will ADDRESSES), from 1980 to 2010, EC category and designated prohibited accept anonymous comments (enter grenadiers were included in the FMPs species (which include salmon, ‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish in the nonspecified species category. steelhead trout, crab, halibut, and to remain anonymous). Attachments to Nonspecified species were defined as a herring) and forage fish (as defined in electronic comments will be accepted in residual category of species and species Table 2c to part 679 and § 679.20(i)) as Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF groups of no current or foreseeable EC species in the FMPs. For EC species, file formats only. economic value or ecological NMFS maintained conservation Electronic copies of Amendment 100 importance, which are taken in the regulations applicable to the specific EC to the BSAI FMP, Amendment 91 to the groundfish fishery as incidental catch species. These include prohibiting the GOA FMP, and the Environmental and are in no apparent danger of retention of prohibited species, Assessment, the Regulatory Impact depletion, and for which virtually no prohibiting directed fishing for forage Review (RIR), and the Initial Regulatory data exists that would allow population fish, and establishing a limit on the Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) (collectively, assessments. incidental harvest of forage fish while Analysis) prepared for this action are In 2010, the Council recommended directed fishing for other groundfish available from www.regulations.gov or and NMFS removed the nonspecified species, known as a maximum from the NMFS Alaska Region Web site species category from the FMPs when retainable amount, of 2 percent. at alaskafisheries.noaa.gov. the FMPs were revised to meet Regulations at 50 CFR 679.2 define the Written comments regarding the Magnuson-Stevens Act requirements for term ‘‘directed fishing.’’ Regulations at burden-hour estimates or other aspects annual catch limits (ACLs) and § 679.20(e) describe the application and of the collection-of-information accountability measures (AMs) under calculation of maximum retainable requirements contained in this proposed Amendment 96 to the BSAI FMP and amounts. rule may be submitted to NMFS and by Amendment 87 to the GOA FMP When the Council recommended email to Amendments 96/87, it recognized that _ (Amendments 96/87, 75 FR 38454, July OIRA [email protected] or fax 2, 2010). The nonspecified species, as information on a nonspecified to (202) 395–7285. including grenadiers, were removed species improves, it would consider FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: from the FMPs because these species moving that species back into the FMP, Gretchen Harrington, 907–586–7228. were too poorly understood to set ACLs either as a ‘‘stock in the fishery’’ or as SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS and AMs or to develop a management an EC species. In 2010, the Council manages the groundfish fisheries in the regime. initiated an analysis to consider moving exclusive economic zone of the GOA Amendments 96/87 also amended the grenadiers back into the FMPs. The and BSAI under the GOA FMP and FMPs to organize the species remaining Council determined that sufficient BSAI FMP (collectively, the FMPs). The in the FMPs according to the National information exists for grenadiers to North Pacific Fishery Management Standard 1 guidelines (50 CFR 600.310). address them in the FMPs, as reflected Council (Council) prepared these FMPs In the National Standard 1 guidelines in the Analysis prepared for this action under the authority of the Magnuson- NMFS recommends two categories for (see ADDRESSES). The Analysis provides

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the best available information on generally regarded as mushy and giant grenadiers have an important grenadiers and considers two action unpalatable. No current market exists ecological role given their role as apex alternatives: Include grenadiers in the for grenadiers, and it is unlikely that predators. Apex predators reside at the FMP as an EC species, or include one will be developed in the foreseeable top of their food chain and have few to grenadiers in the FMP as a ‘‘stock in the future. no predators of their own. In bottom fishery.’’ Grenadiers are not generally retained trawl surveys conducted by NMFS in for personal use. A small portion of the the Bering Sea and the GOA, giant Amendments 100/91 to the FMPs total catch of grenadiers is known to be grenadiers are the most abundant fish, In February 2014, the Council voted retained for use as bait (e.g., 3 t (6,614 in terms of weight, in depths from 600 unanimously to recommend lb) in the GOA in 2013). Although to 3,000 feet (183–914 meters). Giant Amendments 100/91 to the FMPs to add grenadiers may be retained for use as grenadier extend much deeper than grenadiers to the EC category in the bait in hook-and-line fisheries, there is 3,000 feet (914 meters). There are FMPs. The Council and NMFS no indication that this is a general reports that they have been caught recognized that adding grenadiers to the practice throughout the hook-and-line deeper than 6,000 feet (1,829 meters), FMPs in the EC category would fleets. NMFS notes that existing but little is known about their acknowledge their role in the ecosystem recordkeeping and reporting for the use abundance in waters deeper than 3,000 and limit the groundfish fisheries’ of grenadiers is voluntary, and could feet because neither the NMFS surveys impact on grenadiers. Adding underestimate the amount of grenadiers nor fishing effort presently extend grenadiers to the EC category would used for bait. However, the best below this depth. allow for improved data collection and available information indicates that catch monitoring appropriate for grenadiers are not generally retained for Proposed Rule grenadiers given their abundance, bait. In addition to adding grenadiers as an distribution, and catch. The Council and At the current level of catch, EC in the FMPs under Amendments NMFS determined that grenadiers are grenadiers are not subject to overfishing, 100/91, the Council recommended and not a ‘‘stock in the fishery’’ because (1) overfished, or approaching an NMFS proposes regulations for grenadiers are not a target stock; (2) they overfished condition, and are not likely groundfish fishery participants to limit are not generally retained for sale or to become subject to overfishing or and monitor the catch of grenadiers. personal use; and (3) they are not overfished in the absence of This proposed rule would: overfished, subject to overfishing, or conservation and management • Require recordkeeping and approaching an overfished or measures. Section 3.2 of the Analysis reporting of grenadiers in the BSAI and overfishing status. The following explains that NMFS has been GOA groundfish fisheries; information describes why grenadiers conducting a stock assessment for • Add two grenadier species codes; would be appropriate to include in the grenadiers since 2006. At present, stock • Add grenadier product recovery FMPs as an EC species group based on assessment information for giant rates (PRRs); information summarized from the grenadier is relatively good compared to • Prohibit directed fishing for Analysis. many other non-target species off grenadiers; and Grenadiers are not a targeted species Alaska. Since 2010, the stock • Establish a grenadier maximum group and are not generally retained for assessment has been used to estimate an retainable amount (MRA) of 8 percent. sale or personal use. Grenadiers have no acceptable biological catch (ABC) and To require recordkeeping and current or foreseeable economic value. an overfishing level (OFL), using reporting, this proposed rule would Section 3.3 of the Analysis explains that reliable estimates of biomass and make changes to 50 CFR part 679. This grenadiers are incidentally caught in natural mortality. Giant grenadier proposed rule would add a definition deep water trawl and hook-and-line served as a proxy for the grenadier for grenadiers and revise the definition fisheries, but are not actively targeted or species group and the estimated ABC for non-allocated or nonspecified retained. In 2013, there was almost no and estimated OFL are based on giant species at § 679.2. This proposed rule reported retention of grenadiers in the grenadier ( pectoralis) would also modify regulations at § 679.5 BSAI (only 1 metric ton (t) or 2,205 because relatively few other grenadier to require a vessel operator or manager pounds (lb)), and only 55 t (121,254 lb) species (family Macrouridae) are caught in a BSAI or GOA groundfish fishery to of grenadiers were retained in the GOA. in the groundfish fisheries or are taken record and report retained and This represents a GOA fishery-wide in NMFS surveys. NMFS estimates the discarded grenadier catch. NMFS notes retention rate of less than one half of incidental catch of grenadiers in the that this proposed regulation would be one percent. Of this retention of groundfish fisheries using observer data. expected to improve the collection of grenadiers, 35 t (77,162 lb) was made In the BSAI, the estimated grenadier information on the catch and retention into fish meal, 17 t (37,479 lb) was OFL is 135,236 t (298 million lb) and of grenadiers. Specifically, this discarded at the dock, 3 t (6,614 lb) was the estimated catch is 5,294 t (12 proposed regulation would improve the retained for bait, and less than 1 t (2,205 million lb, mean for 2003–2013). In the ability for NMFS to monitor the lb) was sold. Thus, there is no evidence GOA, the estimated grenadier OFL is retention of grenadiers for use as bait, or that grenadiers are presently being 46,635 t (103 million lb) and the in the unlikely event that grenadiers are targeted or purposely retained. It is estimated catch is 8,707 t (19 million lb, retained for sale. likely that grenadiers are being retained mean for 2003–2013). NMFS would modify regulations in only when mixed with other catch. Additionally, the Council recognized Table 2c to part 679 to add two Grenadiers are not generally retained that adding grenadiers to the FMPs in grenadier species codes so that NMFS for sale or personal consumption. As the EC category would acknowledge could track the retention of giant explained in Section 3.3.4 of the their role in the ecosystem and limit the grenadiers and other grenadier species. Analysis, attempts in Alaska to create a groundfish fisheries’ impact on NMFS would remove grenadiers from marketable product from giant grenadiers. Section 3.6 of the Analysis Table 2d to part 679. Section 2 of the grenadiers have been unsuccessful. describes the current state of research Analysis notes that nearly all grenadiers Grenadiers have very low protein and understanding about the ecological encountered in the groundfish fisheries content, high moisture content, and are importance of grenadiers. For example, are giant grenadiers; therefore, it is not

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necessary to establish more than two fishing trip. The requirement to not Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis species codes for grenadiers (one for exceed MRA proportions at any time (IRFA) giant grenadiers and one for all other during a trip limits the vessel operators’ An IRFA was prepared, as required by grenadier species) to provide the ability to maximize incidental catch of section 603 of the Regulatory Flexibility information necessary to adequately grenadiers. Act. The IRFA describes the economic monitor grenadier catch. Section 2.2 of the Analysis provides impact this proposed rule, if adopted, This proposed rule would modify would have on small entities. A Table 3 to part 679 to include PRRs for additional detail on MRA management. description of the proposed action, why grenadiers of 100 percent for whole fish, The Council and NMFS considered a 50 percent for headed and gutted fish, range of MRA percentages of 2 to 20 it is being considered, and the legal and 24.3 percent for fillets. These PRRs percent for grenadiers. The Council basis for this proposed action are SUPPLEMENTARY are established based on food science recommended and NMFS agrees that an contained in the studies of grenadiers that estimated 8 percent MRA is not likely to INFORMATION section of the preamble and product recovery rates (see Section 3.3.4 substantially increase the incentive for are not repeated here. A summary of the of the Analysis for additional detail). vessels to retain grenadiers relative to a IRFA follows. Copies of the IRFA are These proposed regulatory changes lower MRA percentage (e.g., 2 percent), available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES). would enable NMFS to collect data on but would limit the amount of Number and Description of Small the harvest and disposition of grenadier incidental catch more conservatively Entities Regulated by the Proposed catch retained in the groundfish than a higher MRA percentage (e.g., 20 Action fisheries. The proposed changes in percent). Given the lack of any market recordkeeping and reporting, definition for grenadiers, NMFS has no indication In the GOA, NMFS estimates that of grenadier species codes, and that grenadier retention is likely to there are a total of 1,114 small catcher grenadier PRRs would aid NMFS in increase beyond current levels. Section vessels and 5 small catcher/processors. determining if grenadiers become 2.2 of the Analysis notes that a de The majority of these (581) are catcher vessels in the hook-and-line gear sector. generally retained for sale or personal minimus amount of grenadiers are In the BSAI, NMFS estimates that there use, and would provide the information retained in the BSAI, and only 0.1 are 118 small catcher vessels and 7 needed in any potential future percent of all groundfish fishing trips in small catcher/processors. NMFS consideration to modify the designation the GOA would be expected to exceed estimates that 72 small shoreside of grenadiers in the FMPs as a ‘‘stock in an MRA of 8 percent. Therefore, an the fishery.’’ processors would be directly regulated MRA of 8 percent would be expected to by this action. This number includes This proposed rule would revise accommodate all current fishing regulations at § 679.20(i) and§ 679.22(i) entities located in both the BSAI and practices and, if a market should GOA, as some groundfish may be caught to prohibit directed fishing for develop, this MRA would limit the grenadiers at all times in the BSAI and in one area and delivered to the other. potential retention of grenadiers until GOA groundfish fisheries. NMFS Thus, NMFS estimates that the total the Council and NMFS could develop proposes prohibiting directed fishing as number of small entities that would be measures to manage grenadiers a precautionary measure to prevent directly regulated by this action is 1,316 groundfish fishermen from directed appropriately. small entities (1,232 catcher vessels, 12 fishing for grenadiers without a clear Classification catcher/processors, 72 shoreside and conscious decision by the Council processors). Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the to provide that opportunity. This Description of Significant Alternatives Magnuson-Stevens Act, the NMFS prohibition is consistent with the that Minimize Adverse Impacts on Assistant Administrator has determined regulations for other EC species. NMFS Small Entities prohibits directed fishing for forage fish that this proposed rule is consistent and prohibits retaining or possessing with the FMP amendments, other The two aspects of this proposed rule prohibited species, except as provided provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens that directly regulate small entities are under the Prohibited Species Donation Act, and other applicable law, subject to the requirement to report grenadier Program. As noted in Section 4.6 of the further consideration of comments catch under regulations at § 679.5(a)(3) Analysis, prohibiting directed fishing received during the public comment and the requirement that vessels not would prevent the development of an period. exceed an MRA of 8 percent, under uncontrolled fishery on grenadiers in regulations at Tables 10 and 11 to part This proposed rule has been the absence of applicable management 679. These requirements would have a determined to not be significant for the measures. de minimus economic impact on small This proposed rule would add a purposes of Executive Order 12866. entities, as explained in Section 5.7 of grenadier incidental catch species MRA Regulatory Impact Review (RIR) the Analysis. The reporting of 8 percent to Table 10 to part 679 and requirements were the same under all of Table 11 to part 679. The MRA is the An RIR was prepared to assess all the action alternatives. percentage of the retained catch of a costs and benefits of available regulatory The Council considered an MRA species closed for directed fishing alternatives. The RIR considers all range of 2 percent to 20 percent, (incidental catch species) to the retained quantitative and qualitative measures. A ultimately choosing an 8 percent catch of a species open for directed copy of this analysis is available from grenadier MRA. The Council selected an fishing (basis species). An 8 percent NMFS (see ADDRESSES). The Council 8 percent MRA to accommodate the MRA would allow vessels fishing for recommended Amendments 100/91 current amount of grenadiers groundfish to retain a quantity of based on those measures that incidentally caught. The Council grenadiers equal to but no more than 8 maximized net benefits to the Nation. considered that there are very few percent of the round weight or round Specific aspects of the economic instances when grenadier retention weight equivalent of groundfish species analysis are discussed below in the exceeds 8 percent; however, allowing a open to directed fishing that are initial regulatory flexibility analysis higher MRA of as much as 20 percent retained on board the vessel during a section. may not meet the objectives of

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providing precautionary management Notwithstanding any other provision this section) for non-groundfish (see and placing limits on harvest, as of the law, no person is required to Table 2d to this part): identified in the purpose and need for respond to, nor shall any person be * * * * * the action. subject to a penalty for failure to comply (c) * * * Thus, there are no significant with, a collection of information subject (3) * * * alternatives that would accomplish the to the requirements of the PRA, unless (vi) * * * objectives of accounting for grenadier that collection of information displays a (F) Species codes. The operator must catch or MRA management and currently valid OMB control number. minimize adverse economic impacts on record and report required information small entities. List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 679 for all groundfish (see Table 2a to this part), prohibited species (see Table 2b to Duplicate, Overlapping, or Conflicting Alaska, Fisheries, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. this part), forage fish (see Table 2c to Federal Rules this part), and grenadiers (see Table 2c NMFS has not identified any Dated: May 8, 2014. to this part). The operator may record duplication, overlap, or conflict Samuel D. Rauch III, and report information for non- between this proposed action and Deputy Assistant Administrator for groundfish (see Table 2d to this part). existing Federal rules. Regulatory Programs, National Marine * * * * * Fisheries Service. Recordkeeping and Reporting (4) * * * Requirements For the reasons set out in the (vi) * * * preamble, NMFS proposes to amend 50 (E) Species codes. The operator must The proposed rule would modify the CFR part 679 as follows: recordkeeping and reporting record and report the required information for all groundfish (see Table requirements of the vessels and PART 679—FISHERIES OF THE 2a to this part), prohibited species (see processors participating in the BSAI and EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE OFF Table 2b to this part), forage fish (see GOA groundfish fisheries. ALASKA Presently, NMFS requires catcher Table 2c to this part), and grenadiers vessel operators, catcher/processor ■ 1. The authority citation for 50 CFR (see Table 2c to this part). The operator operators, buying station operators, part 679 continues to read as follows: may also record and report the required mothership operators, shoreside information for non-groundfish (see Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 1801 et Table 2d to this part). processor managers, and stationary seq.; 3631 et seq.; Pub. L. 108–447. floating processor managers to record * * * * * ■ and report all FMP species in logbooks, 2. In § 679.2, add a definition for ■ 4. In § 679.20, revise paragraph (i) to forms, eLandings, and eLogbooks. ‘‘Grenadiers’’ in alphabetical order and read as follows: Recording is optional for non-FMP revise the definition for ‘‘Non-allocated species. Grenadiers are currently listed or nonspecified species’’ to read as § 679.20 General limitations. as non-FMP species. follows: * * * * * The proposed rule would amend § 679.2 Definitions. (i) Forage fish and grenadiers—(1) regulations to change the status of Definition. See Table 2c to this part. grenadiers (giant grenadiers and other * * * * * Grenadiers (see Table 2c to this part (2) Applicability. The provisions of grenadiers) from non-FMP species to and § 679.20(i)). § 679.20(i) apply to all vessels fishing FMP species and require operators to for groundfish in the BSAI or GOA, and record and report grenadier species in * * * * * to all vessels processing groundfish logbooks, forms, eLandings, and Non-allocated or nonspecified species harvested in the BSAI or GOA. means those fish species, other than eLogbooks. If operators retain and land (3) Closure to directed fishing. prohibited species, for which TAC has grenadiers, then landings and Directed fishing for forage fish and not been specified (e.g., prowfish and disposition would be reported on fish grenadiers is prohibited at all times in lingcod). tickets and production reports. the BSAI and GOA. * * * * * (4) Limits on sale, barter, trade, and Collection-of-Information Requirements ■ 3. In § 679.5, revise paragraph (a)(3) processing. The sale, barter, trade, or This rule contains collection-of- introductory text, and paragraphs information requirements subject to the processing of forage fish or grenadiers is (c)(3)(vi)(F) and (c)(4)(vi)(E) to read as prohibited, except as provided in Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), and follows: which have been approved by Office of paragraph (i)(5) of this section. Management and Budget (OMB) under § 679.5 Recordkeeping and reporting (5) Allowable fishmeal production. OMB Control Number 0648–0213 (paper (R&R). Retained catch of forage fish or recordkeeping and reporting) and OMB (a) * * * grenadier not exceeding the maximum Control Number 0648–0515 (electronic (3) Fish to be recorded and reported. retainable amount may be processed recordkeeping and reporting). However, The operator or manager must record into fishmeal for sale, barter, or trade. this rule only mentions these collections and report the following information * * * * * and does not change either collection- (see paragraphs (a)(3)(i) through (iv) of ■ 5. In § 679.22, add paragraph (i) to of-information. this section) for all groundfish (see read as follows: Send comments regarding this burden Table 2a to this part), prohibited species estimate, or any other aspect of this data (see Table 2b to this part), forage fish § 679.22 Closures. collection, including suggestions for (see Table 2c to this part), and * * * * * reducing the burden, to NMFS (see grenadiers (see Table 2c to this part). (i) Forage fish and grenadiers ADDRESSEES) and by email to OIRA_ The operator or manager may record closures. See § 679.20(i)(3). [email protected], or fax to and report the following information ■ 6. Revise Table 2c to part 679 to read (202) 395–7285. (see paragraphs (a)(3)(i) through (iv) of as follows:

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TABLE 2CTOPART 679—SPECIES CODES: FMP FORAGE FISH SPECIES (ALL SPECIES OF THE FOLLOWING FAMILIES) AND GRENADIER SPECIES

Species identification Code

FORAGE FISH: Bristlemouths, lightfishes, and anglemouths (family Gonostomatidae) ...... 209 Capelin smelt (family Osmeridae) ...... 516 Deep-sea smelts (family Bathylagidae) ...... 773 Eulachon smelt (family Osmeridae) ...... 511 Gunnels (family Pholidae) ...... 207 Krill (order Euphausiacea) ...... 800 (family Myctophidae) ...... 772 Pacific Sand fish (family Trichodontidae) ...... 206 Pacific Sand lance (family Ammodytidae) ...... 774 Pricklebacks, war-bonnets, eelblennys, cockscombs and Shannys (family Stichaeidae) ...... 208 Surf smelt (family Osmeridae) ...... 515 GRENADIERS: Giant Grenadiers (Albatrossia pectoralis) ...... 214 Other Grenadiers ...... 213

■ 10. Revise Table 2d to part 679 to read TABLE 2DTOPART 679—SPECIES TABLE 2DTOPART 679—SPECIES as follows: CODES: NON-FMP SPECIES—Con- CODES: NON-FMP SPECIES—Con- tinued tinued TABLE 2DTOPART 679—SPECIES CODES: NON-FMP SPECIES Species description Code Species description Code

Species description Code Poacher (Family Algonidae) ...... 219 Pacific razor ...... 830 Prowfish ...... 215 Washington butter ...... 810 GENERAL USE Ratfish ...... 714 Coral ...... 899 Rockfish, black (GOA) ...... 142 Mussel, blue ...... 855 Arctic char, anadromous ...... 521 Rockfish, blue (GOA) ...... 167 Oyster, Pacific ...... 880 Dolly varden, anadromous ...... 531 Rockfish, dark ...... 173 Scallop, weathervane ...... 850 Eels or eel-like fish ...... 210 Sardine, Pacific (pilchard) ...... 170 Scallop, pink (or calico) ...... 851 Eel, wolf ...... 217 Sea cucumber, red ...... 895 SHRIMP: GREENLING: Shad ...... 180 Coonstripe ...... 864 Kelp ...... 194 Skilfish ...... 715 Rock ...... 191 , general (genus Liparis and Humpy ...... 963 Whitespot ...... 192 genus Careproctus) ...... 218 Northern (pink) ...... 961 Jellyfish (unspecified) ...... 625 Sturgeon, general ...... 680 Sidestripe ...... 962 Lamprey, pacific ...... 600 Wrymouths ...... 211 Spot ...... 965 Lingcod ...... 130 Shellfish: Snails ...... 890 Lumpsucker ...... 216 Abalone, northern (pinto) ...... 860 Urchin, green sea ...... 893 Pacific flatnose ...... 260 Clams: Urchin, red sea ...... 892 Pacific hagfish ...... 212 Arctic surf ...... 812 Pacific hake ...... 112 Cockle ...... 820 ■ Pacific lamprey ...... 600 Eastern softshell ...... 842 11. Revise Table 3 to part 679 to read Pacific saury ...... 220 Pacific geoduck ...... 815 as follows: Pacific tomcod ...... 250 Pacific littleneck ...... 840 BILLING CODE 3510–22–P

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■ 12. Revise Table 10 to part 679 to read as follows:

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■ 13. Revise Table 11 to part 679 to read as follows:

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[FR Doc. 2014–11050 Filed 5–13–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P

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