80_FR_22734 80 FR 22656 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Trawl Catcher Vessels in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

80 FR 22656 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Trawl Catcher Vessels in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 78 (April 23, 2015)

Page Range22656-22657
FR Document2015-09456

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central 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 trawl catcher vessels in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 78 (Thursday, April 23, 2015) 
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 78 (Thursday, April 23, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22656-22657]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-09456]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 140918791-4999-02]
RIN 0648-XD910


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Trawl Catcher Vessels in the Central 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 vessels using trawl gear in the Central 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 trawl catcher vessels in the Central Regulatory Area of 
the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 20, 
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 trawl catcher vessels in the Central 
Regulatory Area of the GOA is 9,623 metric tons (mt), as established

[[Page 22657]]

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 apportioned to trawl catcher 
vessels in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon be reached. 
Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed 
fishing allowance of 8,623 mt and is setting aside the remaining 1,000 
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 vessels using trawl gear in the Central 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 
vessels using trawl gear in the Central 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 17, 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 20, 2015.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-09456 Filed 4-20-15; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

22656 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 78 / Thursday, April 23, 2015 / Rules and Regulations impracticable and contrary to the public SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. interest as it would prevent NMFS from manages the groundfish fishery in the Dated: April 20, 2015. responding to the most recent fisheries BSAI exclusive economic zone Emily H. Menashes, data in a timely fashion and would according to the Fishery Management Acting Director, Office of Sustainable delay the closure of directed fishing for Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the and Aleutian Islands Management Area [FR Doc. 2015–09454 Filed 4–20–15; 4:15 pm] GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific BILLING CODE 3510–22–P notice providing time for public Fishery Management Council under comment because the most recent, authority of the Magnuson-Stevens relevant data only became available as Fishery Conservation and Management DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE of April 17, 2015. Act. Regulations governing fishing by The AA also finds good cause to U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP National Oceanic and Atmospheric waive the 30-day delay in the effective appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 Administration date of this action under 5 U.S.C. and 50 CFR part 679. 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon The 2015 TAC of Pacific ocean perch, 50 CFR Part 679 the reasons provided above for waiver of in the CAI, allocated to vessels prior notice and opportunity for public participating in the BSAI trawl limited [Docket No. 140918791–4999–02] comment. access fishery was established as a RIN 0648–XD910 This action is required by § 679.20 directed fishing allowance of 555 metric and is exempt from review under tons by the final 2014 and 2015 harvest Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Executive Order 12866. specifications for groundfish in the Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Trawl BSAI (79 FR 12108, March 4, 2014). Catcher Vessels in the Central Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska Dated: April 20, 2015. the Regional Administrator finds that Emily H. Menashes, this directed fishing allowance has been AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Acting Director, Office of Sustainable reached. Consequently, NMFS is Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), [FR Doc. 2015–09450 Filed 4–20–15; 4:15 pm] ocean perch in the CAI by vessels Commerce. BILLING CODE 3510–22–P participating in the BSAI trawl limited ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. access fishery. After the effective dates of this SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE closure, the maximum retainable fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels amounts at § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at using trawl gear in the Central National Oceanic and Atmospheric any time during a trip. Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska Administration (GOA). This action is necessary to Classification prevent exceeding the A season 50 CFR Part 679 This action responds to the best allowance of the 2015 Pacific cod total available information recently obtained allowable catch apportioned to trawl [Docket No. 131021878–4158–02] from the fishery. The Acting Assistant catcher vessels in the Central Regulatory RIN 0648–XD909 Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, Area of the GOA. (AA) finds good cause to waive the DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic requirement to provide prior notice and local time (A.l.t.), April 20, 2015, Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch opportunity for public comment through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 2015. Management Area U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such a requirement is impracticable and contrary to the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries public interest. This requirement is Obren Davis, 907–586–7228. Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and impracticable and contrary to the public SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), interest as it would prevent NMFS from manages the groundfish fishery in the Commerce. responding to the most recent fisheries GOA exclusive economic zone ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. data in a timely fashion and would according to the Fishery Management delay the closure of the Pacific ocean Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North perch directed fishery in the CAI for fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the Pacific Fishery Management Council vessels participating in the BSAI trawl Central Aleutian district (CAI) of the under authority of the Magnuson- limited access fishery. NMFS was Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Stevens Fishery Conservation and unable to publish a notice providing management area (BSAI) by vessels Management Act. Regulations governing time for public comment because the participating in the BSAI trawl limited fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance most recent, relevant data only became access fishery. This action is necessary with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 available as of April 17, 2015. The AA to prevent exceeding the 2015 total CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. also finds good cause to waive the 30- allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean Regulations governing sideboard day delay in the effective date of this perch in the CAI allocated to vessels protections for GOA groundfish action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This participating in the BSAI trawl limited rljohnson on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with RULES finding is based upon the reasons fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR access fishery. part 680. provided above for waiver of prior DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local notice and opportunity for public The A season allowance of the 2015 time (A.l.t.), April 20, 2015, through comment. Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2015. This action is required by § 679.20 apportioned to trawl catcher vessels in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: and is exempt from review under the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. Executive Order 12866. is 9,623 metric tons (mt), as established VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:11 Apr 22, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\23APR1.SGM 23APR1

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 78 / Thursday, April 23, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 22657 by the final 2015 and 2016 harvest GOA. After the effective date of this Area of the GOA. NMFS was unable to specifications for groundfish of the GOA closure the maximum retainable publish a notice providing time for (80 FR 10250, February 25, 2015). amounts at § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at public comment because the most In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), any time during a trip. recent, relevant data only became the Administrator, Alaska Region, available as of April 17, 2015. Classification NMFS (Regional Administrator) has The AA also finds good cause to This action responds to the best determined that the A season allowance available information recently obtained waive the 30-day delay in the effective of the 2015 Pacific cod TAC from the fishery. The Assistant date of this action under 5 U.S.C. apportioned to trawl catcher vessels in Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA (AA), finds good cause to waive the the reasons provided above for waiver of will soon be reached. Therefore, the requirement to provide prior notice and prior notice and opportunity for public Regional Administrator is establishing a opportunity for public comment comment. directed fishing allowance of 8,623 mt pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 This action is required by § 679.20 and is setting aside the remaining 1,000 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is and is exempt from review under mt as bycatch to support other impracticable and contrary to the public Executive Order 12866. anticipated groundfish fisheries. In interest. This requirement is Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the impracticable and contrary to the public Regional Administrator finds that this interest as it would prevent NMFS from Dated: April 20, 2015. directed fishing allowance has been responding to the most recent fisheries Emily H. Menashes, reached. Consequently, NMFS is data in a timely fashion and would Acting Director, Office of Sustainable prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific delay the directed fishing closure of Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear Pacific cod by catcher vessels using [FR Doc. 2015–09456 Filed 4–20–15; 4:15 pm] in the Central Regulatory Area of the trawl gear in the Central Regulatory BILLING CODE 3510–22–P rljohnson on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with RULES VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:11 Apr 22, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\23APR1.SGM 23APR1


Document Created: 2015-12-16 08:41:25
Document Modified: 2015-12-16 08:41:25
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 20, 2015, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2015.
ContactObren Davis, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation80 FR 22656 
RIN Number0648-XD91
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