80_FR_18849 80 FR 18782 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Less Than 60 Feet (18.3 meters) Length Overall Using Jig or Hook-and-Line Gear in the Bogoslof Pacific Cod Exemption Area in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

80 FR 18782 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Less Than 60 Feet (18.3 meters) Length Overall Using Jig or Hook-and-Line Gear in the Bogoslof Pacific Cod Exemption Area in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 67 (April 8, 2015)

Page Range18782-18783
FR Document2015-08051

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using jig or hook-and-line gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod exemption area of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the limit of Pacific cod for catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using jig or hook-and-line gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod exemption area in the BSAI.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 67 (Wednesday, April 8, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 67 (Wednesday, April 8, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18782-18783]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-08051]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 131021878-4158-02]
RIN 0648-XD886


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Catcher Vessels Less Than 60 Feet (18.3 meters) Length Overall Using 
Jig or Hook-and-Line Gear in the Bogoslof Pacific Cod Exemption Area in 
the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall 
(LOA) using jig or hook-and-line gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod

[[Page 18783]]

exemption area of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area 
(BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the limit of 
Pacific cod for catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using 
jig or hook-and-line gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod exemption area in 
the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 3, 2015, 
through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
BSAI according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (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.
    In accordance with Sec.  679.22(a)(7)(i)(C)(2), the Administrator, 
Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that 113 
metric tons of Pacific cod have been caught by catcher vessels less 
than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using jig or hook-and-line gear in the 
Bogoslof exemption area described at Sec.  679.22(a)(7)(i)(C)(1). 
Consequently, the Regional Administrator is prohibiting directed 
fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) 
LOA using jig or hook-and-line gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod 
exemption area.
    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 fishery closure of Pacific cod by catcher 
vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using jig or hook-and-line gear 
in the Bogoslof Pacific cod exemption area. NMFS was unable to publish 
a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, 
relevant data only became available as of April 2, 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.  679.22 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: April 3, 2015.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-08051 Filed 4-3-15; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P



                                                  18782             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 67 / Wednesday, April 8, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                                  660.409(a)—Fixed inseason                               Inseason Action #2                                    Management Plan (Salmon FMP), and
                                                  management provisions) or upon                             Description of action: Inseason action             regulations implementing the Salmon
                                                  consultation with the Pacific Fishery                   #2 cancelled the pre-May 2015                         FMP, 50 CFR 660.409 and 660.411. Prior
                                                  Management Council (Council) and the                    commercial salmon fishery from Horse                  notice and opportunity for public
                                                  appropriate State Directors (50 CFR                     Mountain, CA, to Point Arena, CA (Fort                comment was impracticable because
                                                  660.409(b)—Flexible inseason                            Bragg subarea), previously scheduled to               NMFS and the state agencies had
                                                  management provisions). The state                       open on April 16, 2015 (79 FR 24580).                 insufficient time to provide for prior
                                                  management agencies that participate in                    Effective dates: Inseason action #2                notice and the opportunity for public
                                                  these consultations are: California                     takes effect on April 16, 2015, and                   comment between the time Chinook
                                                  Department of Fish and Wildlife                         remains in effect until April 30, 2015.               salmon abundance forecasts and catch
                                                  (CDFW), Oregon Department of Fish and                      Reason and authorization for the                   and effort projections were developed
                                                  Wildlife (ODFW), and Washington                         action: This action was taken to limit                and fisheries impacts were calculated,
                                                  Department of Fish and Wildlife                         fishery impacts on age-4 Klamath River                and the time the fishery modifications
                                                  (WDFW).                                                 fall Chinook salmon (KRFC), the                       had to be implemented in order to
                                                     Management of the salmon fisheries is                surrogate for managing impacts on                     ensure that fisheries are managed based
                                                  generally divided into two geographic                   California coastal Chinook salmon,                    on the best available scientific
                                                  areas: North of Cape Falcon (U.S./                      which are listed as threatened under the              information, ensuring that conservation
                                                  Canada border to Cape Falcon, OR) and                   Endangered Species Act (ESA). Inseason                objectives and ESA consultation
                                                  south of Cape Falcon (Cape Falcon, OR,                  action to modify quotas and/or fishing                standards are not exceeded. The AA
                                                  to the U.S./Mexico border). The                         seasons is authorized by 50 CFR                       also finds good cause to waive the 30-
                                                  inseason actions reported in this                       660.409(b)(1)(i).                                     day delay in effectiveness required
                                                  document affect fisheries south of Cape                    Consultation date and participants:                under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), as a delay in
                                                  Falcon. Within the south of Cape Falcon                 Consultation on inseason action #2                    effectiveness of these actions would
                                                  area, the Klamath Management Zone                       occurred at the Council meeting on                    allow fishing at levels inconsistent with
                                                  (KMZ) extends from Humbug Mountain,                     March 11, 2015. The state of California               the goals of the Salmon FMP and the
                                                  OR, to Humboldt South Jetty, CA, and                    recommended the Council adopt this                    current management measures.
                                                                                                          action for recommendation to NMFS.                       These actions are authorized by 50
                                                  is divided at the Oregon/California
                                                                                                             All other restrictions and regulations             CFR 660.409 and 660.411 and are
                                                  border into the Oregon KMZ to the
                                                                                                          remain in effect as announced for the                 exempt from review under Executive
                                                  north and California KMZ to the south.
                                                                                                          2014 ocean salmon fisheries and 2015                  Order 12866.
                                                  All times mentioned refer to Pacific
                                                  daylight time.                                          fisheries opening prior to May 1, 2015                   Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
                                                                                                          (79 FR 24580, May 1, 2014).                             Dated: April 3, 2015.
                                                  Inseason Actions                                           The RA determined that the best                    Emily H. Menashes,
                                                  Inseason Action #1                                      available information indicated that                  Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
                                                                                                          Chinook salmon abundance forecasts                    Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
                                                     Description of action: Inseason action               and estimates of fishery impacts                      [FR Doc. 2015–08054 Filed 4–7–15; 8:45 am]
                                                  #1 modified the dates for the pre-May                   supported the above inseason actions                  BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
                                                  2015 commercial salmon fishery from                     recommended by the states of Oregon
                                                  Cape Falcon, OR, to Humbug Mountain,                    and California. The states manage the
                                                  OR (Newport/Tillamook and Coos Bay                      fisheries in state waters adjacent to the             DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
                                                  subareas) and from Humbug Mountain,                     areas of the U.S. exclusive economic
                                                  OR, to the Oregon/California border                     zone in accordance with these Federal                 National Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                  (Oregon KMZ). These fisheries opened                    actions. As provided by the inseason                  Administration
                                                  on April 1, 2015 rather than March 15,                  notice procedures of 50 CFR 660.411,
                                                  2015, as previously scheduled (79 FR                    actual notice of the described regulatory             50 CFR Part 679
                                                  24580).                                                 actions was given, prior to the time the              [Docket No. 131021878–4158–02]
                                                     Effective dates: Inseason action #1                  action was effective, by telephone
                                                                                                          hotline numbers 206–526–6667 and                      RIN 0648–XD886
                                                  took effect on March 15, 2015, and
                                                  remains in effect through April 30,                     800–662–9825, and by U.S. Coast Guard
                                                                                                          Notice to Mariners broadcasts on                      Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
                                                  2015.                                                                                                         Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by
                                                                                                          Channel 16 VHF–FM and 2182 kHz.
                                                     Reason and authorization for the                                                                           Catcher Vessels Less Than 60 Feet
                                                  action: This action was taken to limit                  Classification                                        (18.3 meters) Length Overall Using Jig
                                                  fishery impacts on age-4 Klamath River                     The Assistant Administrator for                    or Hook-and-Line Gear in the Bogoslof
                                                  fall Chinook salmon (KRFC), the                         Fisheries, NOAA (AA), finds that good                 Pacific Cod Exemption Area in the
                                                  surrogate for managing impacts on                       cause exists for this notification to be              Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
                                                  California coastal Chinook salmon,                      issued without affording prior notice                 Management Area
                                                  which are listed as threatened under the                and opportunity for public comment
                                                  Endangered Species Act (ESA). Inseason                                                                        AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries
                                                                                                          under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) because such                 Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
                                                  action to modify quotas and/or fishing                  notification would be impracticable. As               Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                                  seasons is authorized by 50 CFR                         previously noted, actual notice of the
                                                  660.409(b)(1)(i).                                                                                             Commerce.
                                                                                                          regulatory actions was provided to                    ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
                                                     Consultation date and participants:                  fishers through telephone hotline and
                                                  Consultation on inseason action #1                      radio notification. These actions comply              SUMMARY:   NMFS is prohibiting directed
                                                  occurred at the Council meeting on                      with the requirements of the annual                   fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels
                                                  March 11, 2015. The state of Oregon                     management measures for ocean salmon                  less than 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length
                                                  recommended the Council adopt this                      fisheries (79 FR 24580, May 1, 2014),                 overall (LOA) using jig or hook-and-line
                                                  action for recommendation to NMFS.                      the West Coast Salmon Fishery                         gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod


                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   16:24 Apr 07, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00010   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\08APR1.SGM   08APR1


                                                                    Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 67 / Wednesday, April 8, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                              18783

                                                  exemption area of the Bering Sea and                    (Regional Administrator), has                         interest as it would prevent NMFS from
                                                  Aleutian Islands management area                        determined that 113 metric tons of                    responding to the most recent fisheries
                                                  (BSAI). This action is necessary to                     Pacific cod have been caught by catcher               data in a timely fashion and would
                                                  prevent exceeding the limit of Pacific                  vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA                delay the directed fishery closure of
                                                  cod for catcher vessels less than 60 feet               using jig or hook-and-line gear in the                Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than
                                                  (18.3 m) LOA using jig or hook-and-line                 Bogoslof exemption area described at                  60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using jig or hook-
                                                  gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod                        § 679.22(a)(7)(i)(C)(1). Consequently, the            and-line gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod
                                                  exemption area in the BSAI.                             Regional Administrator is prohibiting                 exemption area. NMFS was unable to
                                                  DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local                 directed fishing for Pacific cod by                   publish a notice providing time for
                                                  time (A.l.t.), April 3, 2015, through 2400              catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m)            public comment because the most
                                                  hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2015.                         LOA using jig or hook-and-line gear in                recent, relevant data only became
                                                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh                   the Bogoslof Pacific cod exemption area.              available as of April 2, 2015.
                                                  Keaton, 907–586–7228.                                     After the effective date of this closure              The AA also finds good cause to
                                                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS                         the maximum retainable amounts at                     waive the 30-day delay in the effective
                                                  manages the groundfish fishery in the                   § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time                 date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
                                                  BSAI according to the Fishery                           during a trip.                                        553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
                                                  Management Plan for Groundfish of the                                                                         the reasons provided above for waiver of
                                                                                                          Classification
                                                  Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands                                                                               prior notice and opportunity for public
                                                  Management Area (FMP) prepared by                          This action responds to the best                   comment.
                                                  the North Pacific Fishery Management                    available information recently obtained                 This action is required by § 679.22
                                                  Council under authority of the                          from the fishery. The Assistant                       and is exempt from review under
                                                  Magnuson-Stevens Fishery                                Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA                     Executive Order 12866.
                                                  Conservation and Management Act.                        (AA), finds good cause to waive the                      Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
                                                  Regulations governing fishing by U.S.                   requirement to provide prior notice and
                                                  vessels in accordance with the FMP                      opportunity for public comment                          Dated: April 3, 2015.
                                                  appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600                  pursuant to the authority set forth at 5              Emily H. Menashes,
                                                  and 50 CFR part 679.                                    U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is               Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
                                                    In accordance with                                    impracticable and contrary to the public              Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
                                                  § 679.22(a)(7)(i)(C)(2), the                            interest. This requirement is                         [FR Doc. 2015–08051 Filed 4–3–15; 4:15 pm]
                                                  Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS                      impracticable and contrary to the public              BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   16:24 Apr 07, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00011   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 9990   E:\FR\FM\08APR1.SGM   08APR1



Document Created: 2018-02-21 10:07:03
Document Modified: 2018-02-21 10:07:03
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 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 3, 2015, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2015.
ContactJosh Keaton, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation80 FR 18782 
RIN Number0648-XD88

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