Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area

Federal RegisterOct 5, 1994

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Parts 672 and 675

[Docket No. 921058-4257; I.D. 090892B]

RIN 0648-AD44

Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Groundfish Fishery of the

Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: NMFS implements a regulatory amendment to establish standard

groundfish product types and standard product recovery rates (PRRs) for

purposes of managing the groundfish fisheries off Alaska and specify

certain product types and PRRs that may be used to calculate round-

weight equivalents of pollock for purposes of calculating amounts of

pollock roe that may be retained onboard a vessel during the pollock

fishery. These actions are necessary to facilitate enforcement of

existing regulatory measures and to implement a statutory prohibition

against the wasteful use of pollock by stripping roe (eggs) from female

pollock and discarding female and male pollock carcasses without

further processing, commonly known as pollock roe stripping. The

intended effect of this action is to promote the purposes and policies

of the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson Act).

EFFECTIVE DATE: November 4, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the environmental assessment/regulatory impact

review/final regulatory flexibility analysis (EA/RIR/FRFA) may be

obtained from the Alaska Region, National Marine Fisheries Service,

P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802 (Attn: Lori Gravel).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronald J. Berg, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Fishing for groundfish by U.S. vessels in the exclusive economic

zone of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) and the Bering Sea and Aleutian

Islands management area (BSAI) is managed by the Secretary of Commerce

(Secretary) according to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for

Groundfish of the GOA and the FMP for the Groundfish Fishery of the

BSAI. The FMPs were prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management

Council (Council) under the Magnuson Act and are implemented by

regulations governing the U.S. groundfish fisheries at 50 CFR parts 672

and 675. General regulations that also pertain to U.S. fisheries appear

at 50 CFR part 620.

An explanation of, and reasons for, the establishment and

specifications of standard product types and standard PRRs are

contained in the notice of proposed rulemaking (58 FR 44643, August 24,

1993). The notice invited comments through September 23, 1993. It also

proposed a regulatory amendment to reduce the proportion of pollock roe

that may be retained onboard a vessel while participating in the

directed pollock fishery. That regulatory amendment has already been

implemented by a final rule (59 FR 14121, March 25, 1994). Six letters

of comments were received that addressed standard product types and

standard PRRs. They are summarized and responded to in the Comments

Received section, below.

Changes in the Final Rule From the Proposed Rule

Table 2 is redesignated as Table 1 in 50 CFR 672.20(j)(1), (2) and

(3)(i) and (3)(ii).

The newly designated Table 1 in 50 CFR 672.20(j)(2) is revised as

follows.

1. Product codes and standard PRRs are established for rex sole in

the GOA to accommodate a new target species category at 50 CFR

672.20(a) resulting from 1994 groundfish specifications.

2. The standard PRR for rockfish fillets/no skin (code 22) is

changed from 0.35 to 0.33, and the standard PRR for sculpins, headed &

gutted with roe (code 4) is changed from 0.88 to 0.87. These changes

are insignificant and are made to reflect information contained in the

literature for these product types.

3. A standard PRR for pollock surimi of 0.14 was proposed. That

rate does not reflect seasonal variations experienced in this product.

Seasonal variations are caused by changes in the physical condition of

pollock flesh during the spawning season. This season generally occurs

from January through June, followed by a recuperation period. Starting

in July, the condition of pollock flesh improves, becoming optimum

during the late summer months. For this reason, the BSAI pollock non-

roe season was changed by regulation from June 1 to August 15,

beginning in 1993.

To investigate seasonal differences in pollock products, NMFS

reviewed data from the 1993 pollock roe and non-roe seasons, which

occurred January 20-March 8 and August 15-September 22, respectively,

for the ``offshore component.'' NMFS also reviewed data from the

``offshore component'' from the 1994 pollock roe season, which occurred

January 20-February 18. These data contained estimates of total

retained pollock catches as reported by NMFS observers and amounts of

surimi produced from the retained pollock as reported by vessels.

During the 1993 roe season, 20,934 metric tons (mt) of surimi were

produced from a retained pollock catch of 134,558 mt resulting in a

average PRR of 0.155. During the 1994 roe season, 23,267 mt of surimi

were produced from a retained pollock catch of 144,134 mt, resulting in

an average recovery rate of 0.161. During the non-roe season, 29,878 mt

of surimi were produced from a retained pollock catch of 171,320 mt,

resulting in an average recovery rate of 0.17.

From these data, NMFS has determined that sufficient information

exists to demonstrate seasonal differences in surimi recovery rates.

Therefore, NMFS is establishing a standard PRR of 0.16 for the period

January through June and a standard PRR of 0.17 for the period July

through December.

4. The standard PRR for pollock skinless/boneless fillets (product

code 23) is revised from 0.22 to 0.21. This revision is based on

results of recovery tests conducted by NMFS observers.

5. The target species category ``flathead sole'' had been proposed

to be referenced in Sec. 675.20(a), which was an error. It is now

correctly referenced in Sec. 672.20(a).

6. The target species category ``other flatfish'' had been proposed

to be referenced in Sec. 672.20(a), which was an error. It is now

correctly referenced in Sec. 675.20(a).

7. The standard PRR for Atka mackerel, headed and gutted western

cut (code 7) is changed from 0.61 to 0.64, and the standard PRR for

Atka mackerel, headed & gutted eastern cut (code 8) is changed from

0.64 to 0.61 to correct a transposition error in the proposed rule.

8. The product codes 95 for discards and 99 for dockside discards

have been removed, because they serve no useful purpose.

Section 672.20(j)(3) is revised to limit the aggregate adjustments

of any standard PRR during a calendar year that the Regional Director

may make without providing opportunity for prior public comment to no

more than 15 percent of the standard PRR specified for a preceding

calendar year. Aggregate adjustments greater than 15 percent may be

made after providing notice and opportunity for prior public comment.

Comments Received

NMFS received six letters of comments on the proposed rule. Some

comments addressed standard PRRs for specific products (e.g., surimi

and deep-skin fillets made from pollock). Other comments focused on

concerns about being accountable for the standard PRRs that would be

different from actual recovery rates.

Comment 1. A vessel that achieves an actual recovery rate for a

product that varies from the standard PRR could be prosecuted for

violating a directed fishing closure or Vessel Incentive Program (VIP)

rate, or be subject to higher fees under the North Pacific Fisheries

Research Plan (Research Plan), even though irrefutable evidence existed

to demonstrate that the vessel's actual recovery rate was real.

Response. NMFS concurs that a vessel could be prosecuted as stated

in the comment. A vessel may have to adjust the amounts of products

retained onboard to comply with the regulations that depend on round-

weight equivalents calculated from processed products. A vessel would

not be in violation if it has amounts of products onboard that are

consistent with standard PRRs. Although NMFS considered means by which

a vessel could claim it was achieving a recovery rate that differed

from a standard PRR at any particular time, NMFS does not have the

ability to determine whether a vessel's claimed recovery rate was

representative of its processing operations or whether it had claimed a

particular recovery rate as a means of justifying amounts of fish

onboard to avoid violations of directed fishing closures or VIP

definitions, or being charged higher fees under the Research Plan.

Comment 2. A vessel that achieves a higher recovery rate for a

particular product receives no benefit under a program that uses

standard PRRs, thereby discouraging the use of more efficient and

productive equipment.

Response. Standard PRRs are used to determine the amount of fish

caught because their use is the best practicable method of doing so

available at this time. Economic incentives outside the regulatory

management scheme exist for vessels to increase their product recovery

efficiency. As overall fleet efficiency in producing any particular

product increases, NMFS will revise the standard PRR for that product.

Comment 3. By establishing one standard PRR for each product form,

the rule ignores seasonal, area, and vessel-by-vessel variation in

actual recovery rates.

Response. NMFS has considered variation in determining that

standard PRRs are necessary to enforce certain management measures.

Where NMFS has been able to determine a variation in a PRR over a wide

area or season, as in pollock used for surimi (See response to Comment

4, below.), a separate PRR is specified. NMFS does not have the means

to account for vessel-by-vessel, seasonal, and area variations from a

standard PRR that may occur at any particular time.

Comment 4. Proposed standard PRRs for certain products are

inaccurate. These are listed as follows:

1. The standard PRR for pollock surimi of 0.14 is too low, given

that data used by NMFS during the 1992 non-roe season reflected product

recovery from small-sized pollock and that actual recovery rates

achieved by vessels, by season, shows product recoveries that range

from 0.12 to 0.30. Data from the 1993 fishery should be a more reliable

source of information;

2. The standard PRR for deep skin pollock is too low, given that

data submitted to NMFS suggest that the standard PRR is closer to 0.16

or even 0.18;

3. The standard PRR for headed-and-gutted Pacific cod is too low,

given that other sources of published information indicate that the

standard PRR should be in the range of 0.56-0.75 or 0.58-0.64; and

4. Other standard PRRs may be in error as well.

Response. With respect to the standard PRR for pollock surimi, NMFS

has reviewed 1993 production information on a seasonal basis and notes

that the average recovery rate for the period January through June is

0.16 (see discussion under the section on Changes In the Final Rule

From the Proposed Rule). The average recovery rate for the period July

through December is 0.17. The final rule establishes these two recovery

rates to accommodate seasonal differences.

NMFS has reviewed information with respect to PRRs for deep skin

pollock and headed-and-gutted Pacific cod. Deep skin pollock is such a

new product that few data exist to demonstrate the extent of annual

variation. On the basis of information available, NMFS concludes that

0.13 is an appropriate standard PRR. With respect to headed-and-gutted

Pacific cod, many independent observers' tests onboard vessels have

demonstrated PRRs averaging 0.47 and 0.57, respectively, for eastern

and western cut products made from Pacific cod. Other changes made to

PRRs are as noted in the section on Changes In the Final Rule From the

Proposed Rule for the reasons given. NMFS does not have information

that indicates any of the other proposed standard PRRs are in error;

therefore, NMFS is establishing them as proposed.

Comment 5. The 15 percent leeway provided to the Regional Director

to make adjustments in standard PRRs without further rulemaking is

inadequate.

Response. Changes in management measures sometimes have effects

that are not anticipated. Notice-and-comment procedures provide the

agency and the public the opportunity to determine what such effects

might be. There is no limit to the change in a PRR that may be made in

any one year. The Regional Director may make changes to a PRR without

providing opportunity for prior public comment as long as the aggregate

change in any one year does not exceed 15 percent. Changes to a PRR

which, when aggregated with all other changes made during that same

calendar year, are greater than 15 percent require notice and

opportunity for prior public comment to ensure that all data and all

possible effects are considered.

NMFS, having reviewed the purpose of this rule and comments

received, has determined that it is necessary for fishery conservation

and management. Standard PRRs, rather than recovery rates provided by

vessel operators, are necessary to estimate the round-weight equivalent

of retained species: (1) To assign vessels to fisheries for purposes of

monitoring fishery specific bycatch allowances of prohibited species;

(2) to monitor vessel compliance with fishery specific bycatch rate

standards set forth under the VIP to reduce prohibited species bycatch

rates; and (3) to calculate round-weight equivalents for purposes of

assessing fees under the Research Plan. This rule is also necessary to

promote compliance with regulations that prohibit pollock roe stripping

as intended by the Magnuson Act.

Classification

The Alaska Region, NMFS, prepared a final regulatory flexibility

analysis as part of the EA/RIR/FRFA, which concludes that this rule

will have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of

small entities. A copy of the EA/RIR/FRFA may be obtained from the

Regional Director (see ADDRESSES).

This final rule has been determined to be not significant for

purposes of E.O. 12866.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Parts 672 and 675

Fisheries, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Dated: September 29, 1994.

Gary Matlock,

Program Management Officer, National Marine Fisheries Service.

For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR parts 672 and 675

are amended as follows:

PART 672--GROUNDFISH OF THE GULF OF ALASKA

1. The authority citation for 50 CFR part 672 continues to read as

follows:

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

2. In Sec. 672.2, a new definition of ``Round-weight equivalent''

is added to read as follows:

Sec. 672.2 Definitions.

* * * * *

Round-weight equivalent means the weight of fish calculated by

dividing the weight of the primary product made from that fish by the

standard product recovery rate for that primary product as listed in

Sec. 672.20(j), or, if not listed, the weight of fish calculated by

dividing the weight of a primary product by the standard product

recovery rate as determined using the best available evidence on a

case-by-case basis.

* * * * *

Sec. 672.20 General limitations.

* * * * *

(i) * * *

(3) Only the following product types and standard product recovery

rates may be used to calculate round-weight equivalents for pollock for

purposes of this subparagraph:

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Standard

Product product

code Product description recovery

rate

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07..... Headed and gutted, western cut....................... 0.65

08..... Headed and gutted, eastern cut....................... .56

10..... Headed and gutted, without tail...................... .50

20..... Fillets with skin & ribs............................. .35

21..... Fillets with skin on, no ribs........................ .30

22..... Fillets with ribs no skin............................ .30

23..... Fillets, skinless, boneless.......................... .21

24..... Deep skin fillets.................................... .13

30..... Surimi............................................... .16

31..... Mince................................................ .22

32..... Meal................................................. .17

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* * * * *

(j) Standard product types and standard product recovery rates

(PRRs)--(1) Calculating round-weight equivalents from standard PRRs.

Round-weight equivalents for groundfish products shall be calculated

using the product codes and standard PRRs specified in Table 1 of this

section.

(2) Adjustments to Table 1 of this section. The Regional Director

may adjust standard PRRs and product types specified in Table 1 of this

section if he determines that existing standard PRRs are inaccurate or

if new product types are developed.

(3) Procedure. Adjustments to any standard PRR listed in Table 1

that are within and including 15 percent of that standard PRR may be

made without providing notice and opportunity for prior public comment.

Adjustments of any standard PRR during a calendar year, when aggregated

with all other adjustments made during that year, may not exceed 15

percent of the standard PRR listed in Table 1 of this section at the

beginning of that calendar year and no new product type may be

announced until NMFS has published notice of the proposed adjustment

and/or new product type in the Federal Register and provided the public

with at least 30 days opportunity for public comment. Any adjustment of

a PRR that acts to further restrict the fishery shall not be effective

until 30 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register. If

NMFS makes any adjustment or announcement without providing notice and

opportunity for prior public comment, the Regional Director will

receive public comments on the adjustment or announcement for a period

of 15 days after its publication in the Federal Register.

Table 1 to Sec. 672.20.--Target Species Categories, Product Codes and Descriptions, and Standard Product Recovery Rates for Groundfish Species

Referenced in 50 CFR 672.20(a)(1) and/or 50 CFR 675.20(a)(1)

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Product Code

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6 7 8 10

Species 1 2 Headed Headed Headed Headed 12

FMP species code Whole Whole 4 and and and and 11 Salted 13

food bait 3 Bled Gutted gutted gutted gutted gutted Kirimi and Wings 14 Roe

fish fish with western eastern w/o split

roe cut cut tail

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Pacific cod.................................. 110 1.00 1.00 0.98 0.85 0.63 0.57 0.47 0.44 ...... 0.45 ...... 0.05

Arrowtooth flounder.......................... 121 1.00 1.00 0.98 0.90 0.80 0.72 0.65 0.62 0.48 ...... ...... 0.08

Rockfish\1\.................................. ....... 1.00 1.00 0.98 0.88 ...... 0.60 0.50 ...... ...... ...... ...... ......

Sculpins..................................... 160 1.00 1.00 0.98 0.87 ...... 0.50 0.40 ...... ...... ...... ...... ......

Atka mackerel................................ 193 1.00 1.00 0.98 0.87 0.67 0.64 0.61 ...... ...... ...... ...... ......

Pollock...................................... 270 1.00 1.00 0.98 0.80 0.70 0.65 0.56 0.50 ...... ...... ...... 0.04

Smelts....................................... 510 1.00 1.00 0.98 0.82 ...... 0.71 ....... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......

Eulachon..................................... 511 1.00 1.00 0.98 0.82 ...... 0.71 ....... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......

Capelin...................................... 516 1.00 1.00 0.98 0.89 ...... 0.78 ....... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......

Sharks....................................... 689 1.00 1.00 0.98 0.83 ...... 0.72 ....... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......

Skates....................................... 700 1.00 1.00 0.98 0.90 ...... ....... 0.32 ...... ...... ...... 0.32 ......

Sablefish.................................... 710 1.00 1.00 0.98 0.89 ...... 0.68 0.63 0.50 ...... ...... ...... ......

Octopus...................................... 870 1.00 1.00 0.98 0.69 ...... ....... ....... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......

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Target Species Categories Only at 50 CFR 672.20(a)

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Deep water flatfish.......................... 118 1.00 1.00 0.98 0.90 0.80 0.72 0.65 0.62 0.48 ...... ...... 0.08

Flathead sole................................ 122 1.00 1.00 0.98 0.90 0.80 0.72 0.65 0.62 0.48 ...... ...... 0.08

Rex sole..................................... 125 1.00 1.00 0.98 0.90 0.80 0.72 0.65 0.62 0.48 ...... ...... 0.08

Shallow water flatfish....................... 119 1.00 1.00 0.98 0.90 0.80 0.72 0.65 0.62 0.48 ...... ...... 0.08

Thornyhead rockfish.......................... 143 1.00 1.00 0.98 0.88 0.55 0.60 0.50 ...... ...... ...... ...... ......

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Target Species Categories Only at 50 CFR 675.20(a)

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Other flatfish............................... 120 1.00 1.00 0.98 0.90 0.80 0.72 0.65 0.62 0.48 ...... ...... 0.08

Rock sole.................................... 123 1.00 1.00 0.98 0.90 0.80 0.72 0.65 0.62 0.48 ...... ...... 0.08

Yellowfin sole............................... 127 1.00 1.00 0.98 0.90 0.80 0.72 0.65 0.62 0.48 ...... ...... 0.08

Greenland turbot............................. 134 1.00 1.00 0.98 0.90 0.80 0.72 0.65 0.62 0.48 ...... ...... 0.08

Squid........................................ 875 1.00 1.00 0.98 0.69 ...... ....... ....... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......

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\1\Rockfish means all species of Sebastes and Sebastolobus.

Table 1 to Sec. 672.20 (continued).--Target Species Categories, Product Codes and Descriptions, and Standard Product Recovery Rates for Groundfish

Species Referenced in 50 CFR 672.20(a)(1) and/or 675.20(a)(1)

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Product code

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20 22

FMP species Species 15 17 Fillets: 21 Fillets: 23 24 30

code Pectoral 16 Cheeks 18 19 With Fillets: With Fillets: Fillets: Surimi 31 32

girdle Heads Chins Belly skin and Skin on ribs no Skinless/ Deep Mince Meal

ribs no ribs skin boneless skin

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Pacific cod............... 110 0.05 ...... 0.05 ...... 0.01 0.45 0.35 0.25 0.25 ........ 0.15 0.50 0.17

Arrowtooth flounder....... 121 ........ ...... ...... ...... ...... 0.32 0.27 0.27 0.22 ........ ...... ...... 0.17

Rockfish.................. ....... ........ 0.15 0.05 0.05 0.10 0.40 0.30 0.33 0.25 ........ ...... ...... 0.17

Sculpins.................. 160 ........ ...... ...... ...... ...... ........ ........ ........ ......... ........ ...... ...... 0.17

Atka mackerel............. 193 ........ ...... ...... ...... ...... ........ ........ ........ ......... ........ 0.15 ...... 0.17

Pollock................... 270 ........ 0.15 ...... ...... ...... 0.35 0.30 0.30 0.21 0.13 \1\0.1

\2\0.1

7 0.22 0.17

Smelts.................... 510 ........ ...... ...... ...... ...... ........ 0.38 ........ ......... ........ ...... ...... 0.22

Eulachon.................. 511 ........ ...... ...... ...... ...... ........ 0.38 ........ ......... ........ ...... ...... 0.22

Capelin................... 516 ........ ...... ...... ...... ...... ........ ........ ........ ......... ........ ...... ...... 0.22

Sharks.................... 689 ........ ...... ...... ...... ...... ........ 0.30 0.30 0.25 ........ ...... ...... 0.17

Skates.................... 700 ........ ...... ...... ...... ...... ........ ........ ........ ......... ........ ...... ...... 0.17

Sablefish................. 710 ........ ...... 0.05 ...... ...... 0.35 0.30 0.30 0.25 ........ ...... ...... 0.22

Octopus................... 870 ........ ...... ...... ...... ...... ........ ........ ........ ......... ........ ...... ...... 0.17

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Target Species Categories Only at 50 CFR 672.20(a)

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Deep water flatfish....... 118 ........ ...... ...... ...... ...... 0.32 0.27 0.27 0.22 ........ ...... ...... 0.17

Flathead sole............. 122 ........ ...... ...... ...... ...... 0.32 0.27 0.27 0.22 ........ ...... ...... 0.17

Rex sole.................. 125 ........ ...... ...... ...... ...... 0.32 0.27 0.27 0.22 ........ ...... ...... 0.17

Shallow water flatfish.... 119 ........ ...... ...... ...... ...... 0.32 0.27 0.27 0.22 ........ ...... ...... 0.17

Thornyhead rockfish....... 143 ........ 0.20 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.40 0.30 0.35 0.25 ........ ...... ...... 0.17

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Target Species Categories Only at 50 CFR 675.20(a)

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Other flatfish............ 120 ........ ...... ...... ...... ...... 0.32 0.27 0.27 0.22 ........ ...... ...... 0.17

Rock sole................. 123 ........ ...... ...... ...... ...... 0.32 0.27 0.27 0.22 ........ ...... ...... 0.17

Yellowfin sole............ 127 ........ ...... ...... ...... ...... 0.32 0.27 0.27 0.22 ........ 0.18 ...... 0.17

Greenland Turbot.......... 134 ........ ...... ...... ...... ...... 0.32 0.27 0.27 0.22 ........ ...... ...... 0.17

Squid..................... 875 ........ ...... ...... ...... ...... ........ ........ ........ ......... ........ ...... ...... 0.17

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\1\Standard pollock surimi rate during January through June.

\2\Standard pollock surimi rate during July through December.

Table 1 to Sec. 672.20 (continued).--Target Species Categories, Product Codes and Descriptions, and Standard Product Recovery Rates for Groundfish

Species Referenced in 50 CFR 672.20(a)(1) and 50 CFR 675.20(a)(1)

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Product code

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Species 37

FMP species code 34 35 36 Butterfly 96 98 At-

33 Oil Milt Stomachs Mantles backbone Decomposed sea

removed fish discards

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Pacific cod........... 110 ...... ...... ........ ....... 0.43 0.00 1.00

Arrowtooth flounder... 121 ...... ...... ........ ....... ......... 0.00 1.00

Rockfish.............. ....... ...... ...... ........ ....... ......... 0.00 1.00

Sculpins.............. 160 ...... ...... ........ ....... ......... 0.00 1.00

Atka mackerel......... 193 ...... ...... ........ ....... ......... 0.00 1.00

Pollock............... 270 ...... ...... ........ ....... 0.43 0.00 1.00

Smelts................ 510 ...... ...... ........ ....... ......... 0.00 1.00

Eulachon.............. 511 ...... ...... ........ ....... ......... 0.00 1.00

Capelin............... 516 ...... ...... ........ ....... ......... 0.00 1.00

Sharks................ 689 ...... ...... ........ ....... ......... 0.00 1.00

Skates................ 700 ...... ...... ........ ....... ......... 0.00 1.00

Sablefish............. 710 ...... ...... ........ ....... ......... 0.00 1.00

Octopus............... 870 ...... ...... ........ 0.85 1.00 0.00 1.00

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Target Species Categories Only at 50 CFR 672.20(a)

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Deep water flatfish... 118 ...... ...... ........ ....... ......... 0.00 1.00

Flathead sole......... 122 ...... ...... ........ ....... ......... 0.00 1.00

Rex sole.............. 125 ...... ...... ........ ....... ......... 0.00 1.00

Shallow water flatfish 119 ...... ...... ........ ....... ......... 0.00 1.00

Thornyhead rockfish... 143 ...... ...... ........ ....... ......... 0.00 1.00

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Target Species Categories Only at 50 CFR 675.20(a)

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Other flatfish........ 120 ...... ...... ........ ....... ......... 0.00 1.00

Rock sole............. 123 ...... ...... ........ ....... ......... 0.00 1.00

Yellowfin sole........ 127 ...... ...... ........ ....... ......... 0.00 1.00

Greenland turbot...... 134 ...... ...... ........ ....... ......... 0.00 1.00

Squid................. 875 ...... ...... ........ 0.75 1.00 0.00 1.00

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PART 675--GROUNDFISH OF THE BERING SEA AND ALEUTIAN ISLANDS AREA

4. The authority citation for 50 CFR part 675 continues to read as

follows:

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

5. In Sec. 675.2, a new definition of ``Round-weight equivalent''

is added to read as follows:

Sec. 675.2 Definitions.

* * * * *

Round-weight equivalent means the weight of fish calculated by

dividing the weight of the primary product made from that fish by the

standard product recovery rate for that primary product as listed in

Sec. 672.20(j), or, if not listed, the weight of fish calculated by

dividing the weight of a primary product by the standard product

recovery rate as determined using the best available evidence on a

case-by-case basis.

* * * * *

6. In Sec. 675.20, paragraph (j)(4) is removed, paragraphs (j)(5)-

(j)(7) are redesignated as paragraphs (j)(4)-(j)(6), paragraph (j)(3)

is revised, and a new paragraph (k) is added to read as follows:

Sec. 675.20 General limitations.

* * * * *

(j) * * *