80_FR_18620 80 FR 18554 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher/Processors Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

80 FR 18554 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher/Processors Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 66 (April 7, 2015)

Page Range18554-18555
FR Document2015-07938

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processors using hook-and-line gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2015 Pacific cod total allowable catch apportioned to catcher/processors using hook-and-line gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 66 (Tuesday, April 7, 2015) 
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 7, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18554-18555]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-07938]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 140918791-4999-02]
RIN 0648-XD876


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Catcher/Processors Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Western 
Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
catcher/processors using hook-and-line gear in the Western Regulatory 
Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent 
exceeding the A season allowance of the 2015 Pacific cod total 
allowable catch apportioned to catcher/processors using hook-and-line 
gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 2, 2015, 
through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2015.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
GOA exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan 
for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North 
Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Regulations governing 
fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H 
of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. Regulations governing sideboard 
protections for GOA groundfish fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR 
part 680.
    The A season allowance of the 2015 Pacific cod total allowable 
catch (TAC) apportioned to catcher/processors using hook-and-line gear 
in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA is 2,850 metric tons (mt), as 
established by the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for 
groundfish of the GOA (80 FR 10250, February 25, 2015).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has determined that the A season 
allowance of the 2015 Pacific cod TAC

[[Page 18555]]

apportioned to catcher/processors using hook-and-line gear in the 
Western Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, the 
Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 
2,840 mt and is setting aside the remaining 10 mt as bycatch to support 
other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In accordance with Sec.  
679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator finds that this directed 
fishing allowance has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting 
directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processors using hook-and-
line gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. After the 
effective date of this closure the maximum retainable amounts at Sec.  
679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip.

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. 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 requirement is impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest as it would prevent NMFS from 
responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and 
would delay the directed fishing closure of Pacific cod by catcher/
processors using hook-and-line gear in the Western Regulatory Area of 
the GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public 
comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as 
of April 1, 2015.
    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.
    This action is required by Sec.  679.20 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: April 2, 2015.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-07938 Filed 4-2-15; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE CODE 3510-22-P

18554 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 66 / Tuesday, April 7, 2015 / Rules and Regulations • Mail: Submit written comments to patterns of vessels in participating in DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional this fishery. Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries National Oceanic and Atmospheric Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn: Classification Administration Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. This action responds to the best Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668. 50 CFR Part 679 available information recently obtained Instructions: Comments sent by any from the fishery. The Acting Assistant [Docket No. 140918791–4999–02] other method, to any other address or Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA individual, or received after the end of RIN 0648–XD876 (AA), finds good cause to waive the the comment period, may not be requirement to provide prior notice and Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic considered by NMFS. All comments opportunity for public comment Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by received are a part of the public record Catcher/Processors Using Hook-and- pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 and will generally be posted for public Line Gear in the Western Regulatory U.S.C. 553(b)(B) and § 679.25(c)(1)(ii) as viewing on www.regulations.gov Area of the Gulf of Alaska such requirement is impracticable and without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address), contrary to the public interest. This AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries confidential business information, or requirement is impracticable and Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and otherwise sensitive information contrary to the public interest as it Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), submitted voluntarily by the sender will would prevent NMFS from responding Commerce. be publicly accessible. NMFS will to the most recent fisheries data in a ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/ timely fashion and would delay the A’’ in the required fields if you wish to opening of northern rockfish in the SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed remain anonymous). Attachments to BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish a fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/ electronic comments will be accepted in notice providing time for public processors using hook-and-line gear in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF comment because the most recent, the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf file formats only. relevant data only became available as of Alaska (GOA). This action is of April 1, 2015. necessary to prevent exceeding the A FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: season allowance of the 2015 Pacific Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. The AA also finds good cause to cod total allowable catch apportioned to SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS waive the 30-day delay in the effective catcher/processors using hook-and-line manages the groundfish fishery in the date of this action under 5 U.S.C. gear in the Western Regulatory Area of BSAI according to the Fishery 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon the GOA. Management Plan for Groundfish of the the reasons provided above for waiver of DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands prior notice and opportunity for public local time (A.l.t.), April 2, 2015, through Management Area (FMP) prepared by comment. 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2015. the North Pacific Fishery Management Without this inseason adjustment, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Council under authority of the NMFS could not allow the fishery for Obren Davis, 907–586–7228. Magnuson-Stevens Fishery northern rockfish in the BSAI to be SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS Conservation and Management Act. harvested in an expedient manner and manages the groundfish fishery in the Regulations governing fishing by U.S. in accordance with the regulatory GOA exclusive economic zone vessels in accordance with the FMP schedule. Under § 679.25(c)(2), according to the Fishery Management appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 interested persons are invited to submit Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of and 50 CFR part 679. Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North written comments on this action to the Pursuant to the final 2015 and 2016 above address until April 17, 2015. Pacific Fishery Management Council harvest specifications for groundfish in under authority of the Magnuson- the BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015), This action is required by § 679.20 and § 679.25 and is exempt from review Stevens Fishery Conservation and NMFS closed the directed fishery for Management Act. Regulations governing northern rockfish under under Executive Order 12866. fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance § 679.20(d)(1)(iii). Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 As of April 1, 2015, NMFS has Dated: April 2, 2015. CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. determined that approximately 2,300 Regulations governing sideboard Emily H. Menashes, metric tons of northern rockfish initial protections for GOA groundfish TAC remains unharvested in the BSAI. Acting Director, Office of Sustainable fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR Therefore, in accordance with Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. part 680. § 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and [FR Doc. 2015–07942 Filed 4–2–15; 4:15 pm] The A season allowance of the 2015 (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize the BILLING CODE CODE 3510–22–P Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) 2015 TAC of northern rockfish in the apportioned to catcher/processors using BSAI, NMFS is terminating the previous hook-and-line gear in the Western closure and is opening directed fishing Regulatory Area of the GOA is 2,850 for northern rockfish in the BSAI. This metric tons (mt), as established by the will enhance the socioeconomic well- final 2015 and 2016 harvest rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES being of harvesters in this area. The specifications for groundfish of the GOA Administrator, Alaska Region (Regional (80 FR 10250, February 25, 2015). Administrator) considered the following In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), factors in reaching this decision: (1) The the Administrator, Alaska Region, current catch of northern rockfish in the NMFS (Regional Administrator) has BSAI and, (2) the harvest capacity and determined that the A season allowance stated intent on future harvesting of the 2015 Pacific cod TAC VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:31 Apr 06, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\07APR1.SGM 07APR1

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 66 / Tuesday, April 7, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 18555 apportioned to catcher/processors using Classification time for public comment because the hook-and-line gear in the Western This action responds to the best most recent, relevant data only became Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon available information recently obtained available as of April 1, 2015. be reached. Therefore, the Regional from the fishery. The Assistant The AA also finds good cause to Administrator is establishing a directed Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA waive the 30-day delay in the effective fishing allowance of 2,840 mt and is (AA), finds good cause to waive the date of this action under 5 U.S.C. setting aside the remaining 10 mt as requirement to provide prior notice and 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon bycatch to support other anticipated opportunity for public comment the reasons provided above for waiver of groundfish fisheries. In accordance with pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 prior notice and opportunity for public § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is comment. Administrator finds that this directed impracticable and contrary to the public This action is required by § 679.20 fishing allowance has been reached. interest. This requirement is and is exempt from review under Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting impracticable and contrary to the public Executive Order 12866. directed fishing for Pacific cod by interest as it would prevent NMFS from Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. catcher/processors using hook-and-line responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and would Dated: April 2, 2015. gear in the Western Regulatory Area of Emily H. Menashes, the GOA. After the effective date of this delay the directed fishing closure of Pacific cod by catcher/processors using Acting Director, Office of Sustainable closure the maximum retainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. hook-and-line gear in the Western amounts at § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at Regulatory Area of the GOA. NMFS was [FR Doc. 2015–07938 Filed 4–2–15; 4:15 pm] any time during a trip. unable to publish a notice providing BILLING CODE CODE 3510–22–P rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:31 Apr 06, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\07APR1.SGM 07APR1


Document Created: 2018-02-21 10:04:59
Document Modified: 2018-02-21 10:04:59
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionTemporary rule; closure.
DatesEffective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 2, 2015, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2015.
ContactObren Davis, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation80 FR 18554 
RIN Number0648-XD87
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