# Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands; 2018 and 2019 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish; Correction
**AGENCY:**
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
**ACTION:**
Temporary rule; correction.
**SUMMARY:**
NMFS is correcting the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for groundfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). The amounts of Atka mackerel specified for the Amendment 80 sector in the Central Aleutian District (CAI) and the Western Aleutian District (WAI) were incorrect.
**DATES:**
Effective April 18, 2018, through 2400 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t) December 31, 2019.
**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:**
Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.
**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**
**Need for Correction**
NMFS published the final 2018 and 2019 BSAI groundfish harvest specifications on February 27, 2018 (83 FR 8365). The document contains incorrect amounts of Atka mackerel specified for the Amendment 80 sector in the CAI and the WAI. These corrections are necessary to provide the correct information about the amount of Atka mackerel allocated to the Amendment 80 sector in these districts, and to avoid confusion by the fishery participants.
**Correction**
In the *Federal Register* of February 27, 2018 (83 FR 8365) the Amendment 80 sector allocation in the CAI for 2018 and 2019 did not account for the 75 metric ton incidental catch allowance (ICA), and the Amendment 80 sector allocation in the WAI for 2018 and 2019 did not account for the 20 metric ton ICA. Therefore, Table 6 and Table 7 of the final 2018 and 2019 BSAI groundfish harvest specifications are republished as follows:
| Sector | Season | 2018 Allocation by area | Eastern Aleutian District/Bering Sea | Central Aleutian District | Western Aleutian District |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| TAC | n/a | 36,500 | 21,000 | 13,500 | |
| CDQ reserve | Total | 3,906 | 2,247 | 1,445 | |
| | A | 1,953 | 1,124 | 722 | |
| | Critical Habitat | n/a | 674 | 433 | |
| | B | 1,953 | 1,124 | 722 | |
| | Critical Habitat | n/a | 674 | 433 | |
| Non-CDQ TAC | n/a | 32,595 | 18,753 | 12,056 | |
| ICA | Total | 800 | 75 | 20 | |
| Jig | Total | 159 | 0 | 0 | |
| BSAI trawl limited access | Total | 3,164 | 1,868 | 0 | |
| | A | 1,582 | 934 | 0 | |
| | Critical Habitat | n/a | 560 | 0 | |
| | B | 1,582 | 934 | 0 | |
| | Critical Habitat | n/a | 560 | 0 | |
| Amendment 80 sector | Total | 28,472 | 16,810 | 12,036 | |
| | A | 14,236 | 8,405 | 6,018 | |
| | Critical Habitat | n/a | 5,043 | 3,611 | |
| | B | 14,236 | 8,405 | 6,018 | |
| | Critical Habitat | n/a | 5,043 | 3,611 | |
| Sector | Season | 2019 Allocation by area | Eastern Aleutian District/Bering Sea | Central Aleutian District | Western Aleutian District |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| TAC | n/a | 33,780 | 24,895 | 13,825 | |
| CDQ reserve | Total | 3,614 | 2,664 | 1,479 | |
| | A | 1,807 | 1,332 | 740 | |
| | Critical Habitat | n/a | 799 | 444 | |
| | B | 1,807 | 1,332 | 740 | |
| | Critical Habitat | n/a | 799 | 444 | |
| non-CDQ TAC | n/a | 30,166 | 22,231 | 12,346 | |
| ICA | Total | 800 | 75 | 20 | |
| Jig | Total | 147 | 0 | 0 | |
| BSAI trawl limited access | Total | 2,922 | 2,216 | 0 | |
| | A | 1,461 | 1,108 | 0 | |
| | Critical Habitat | n/a | 665 | 0 | |
| | B | 1,461 | 1,108 | 0 | |
| | Critical Habitat | n/a | 665 | 0 | |
| Amendment 80 sectors | Total | 26,297 | 19,941 | 12,326 | |
| | A | 13,148 | 9,970 | 6,163 | |
| | Critical Habitat | n/a | 5,982 | 3,698 | |
| | B | 13,148 | 9,970 | 6,163 | |
| | Critical Habitat | n/a | 5,982 | 3,698 | |
**Classification**
The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. This action corrects errors made in the allocations to the Amendment 80 sector of Atka mackerel in the CAI and WAI districts of the BSAI. This correction does not change operating practices in the fisheries. Corrections should be made as soon as possible to avoid confusion for participants in the fisheries.
The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the effective date of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and opportunity for public comment.
**Authority:**
16 U.S.C. 1801 *et seq.*
Dated: April 13, 2018.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.