80_FR_26054 80 FR 25967 - Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish Fishery by Non-Rockfish Program Catcher Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Western and Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

80 FR 25967 - Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish Fishery by Non-Rockfish Program Catcher Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Western and Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 87 (May 6, 2015)

Page Range25967-25968
FR Document2015-10601

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for groundfish, other than pollock, by non-Rockfish Program catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2015 Chinook salmon prohibited species catch limit established for non-Rockfish Program catcher vessels using trawl gear and directed fishing for groundfish, other than pollock, in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 87 (Wednesday, May 6, 2015) 
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 6, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25967-25968]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-10601]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 140918791-4999-02]
RIN 0648-XD929


Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish 
Fishery by Non-Rockfish Program Catcher Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the 
Western and 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 groundfish, other 
than pollock, by non-Rockfish Program catcher vessels using trawl gear 
in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska 
(GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2015 Chinook 
salmon prohibited species catch limit established for non-Rockfish 
Program catcher vessels using trawl gear and directed fishing for 
groundfish, other than pollock, in the Western and Central Regulatory 
Areas of the GOA.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 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.
    The 2015 Chinook salmon prohibited species catch (PSC) limit for 
non-Rockfish Program catcher vessels directed fishing for groundfish, 
other than pollock, using trawl gear in the Western and Central 
Regulatory Areas of the GOA is 2,700 Chinook salmon (Sec.  
679.21(i)(3)(i)(C)).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.21(i)(7), the Regional Administrator 
has determined that the 2015 Chinook salmon PSC limit established for 
non-Rockfish Program catcher vessels directed fishing for groundfish, 
other than pollock, using trawl gear in the Western and Central

[[Page 25968]]

Regulatory Areas of the GOA has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is 
prohibiting directed fishing for groundfish (except for pollock) by 
non-Rockfish Program catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Western 
and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA.

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 a 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 closing directed fishing for groundfish, other than 
pollock, by non-Rockfish Program catcher vessels using trawl gear in 
the Western and Central Regulatory Areas 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 30, 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.  679.21 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: May 1, 2015.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-10601 Filed 5-1-15; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 87 / Wednesday, May 6, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 25967 announces the start of the next fishing triggerfish would apply regardless of DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE season by publishing a document in the whether the fish are harvested in state Federal Register. or Federal waters, as specified in 50 National Oceanic and Atmospheric FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: CFR 622.193(q)(1)(i). Administration Catherine Hayslip, NMFS Southeast Regional Office, telephone: 727–824– Classification 50 CFR Part 679 5305, email: catherine.hayslip@ The Regional Administrator, [Docket No. 140918791–4999–02] noaa.gov. Southeast Region, NMFS, has RIN 0648–XD929 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The determined this temporary rule is snapper-grouper fishery of the South necessary for the conservation and Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Atlantic includes gray triggerfish and is management of gray triggerfish and the Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish Fishery managed under the Fishery South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery by Non-Rockfish Program Catcher Management Plan for the Snapper- and is consistent with the Magnuson- Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Stevens Act and other applicable laws. Western and Central Regulatory Area Region (FMP). The FMP was prepared of the Gulf of Alaska by the South Atlantic Fishery This action is taken under 50 CFR Management Council and is 622.193(q)(1) and is exempt from review AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries implemented by NMFS under the under Executive Order 12866. Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and authority of the Magnuson-Stevens These measures are exempt from the Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Fishery Conservation and Management procedures of the Regulatory Flexibility Commerce. Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by Act because the temporary rule is issued ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. regulations at 50 CFR part 622. without opportunity for prior notice and SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed The commercial ACL for gray comment. fishing for groundfish, other than triggerfish in the South Atlantic is This action responds to the best pollock, by non-Rockfish Program 272,880 lb (123,776 kg), round weight, scientific information available. The catcher vessels using trawl gear in the for the current fishing year, January 1 Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, Western and Central Regulatory Areas of through December 31, 2015, as specified NOAA (AA), finds that the need to the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is in 50 CFR 622.193(q)(1)(i). Under 50 CFR 622.193(q)(1)(i), NMFS immediately implement this action to necessary to prevent exceeding the 2015 is required to close the commercial close the commercial sector for gray Chinook salmon prohibited species sector for gray triggerfish when the triggerfish constitutes good cause to catch limit established for non-Rockfish commercial ACL is reached, or is waive the requirements to provide prior Program catcher vessels using trawl gear projected to be reached, by filing a notice and opportunity for public and directed fishing for groundfish, notification to that effect with the Office comment pursuant to the authority set other than pollock, in the Western and of the Federal Register. NMFS has forth in 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), as such Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA. determined that the commercial ACL for procedures are unnecessary and DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska South Atlantic gray triggerfish will be contrary to the public interest. Such local time (A.l.t.), May 3, 2015, through reached on May 8, 2015. Accordingly, procedures are unnecessary because the 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2015. the commercial sector for South Atlantic rule itself has been subject to notice and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh gray triggerfish is closed effective 12:01 comment, and all that remains is to Keaton, 907–586–7228. a.m., local time, May 8, 2015, until notify the public of the closure. Such SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS NMFS announces the start of the next procedures are contrary to the public manages the groundfish fishery in the fishing season. interest because of the need to GOA exclusive economic zone The operator of a vessel with a valid immediately implement this action to according to the Fishery Management commercial vessel permit for South Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of protect gray triggerfish since the Atlantic snapper-grouper having gray Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North capacity of the fishing fleet allows for triggerfish on board must have landed Pacific Fishery Management Council rapid harvest of the commercial ACL. and bartered, traded, or sold such gray under authority of the Magnuson- triggerfish prior to 12:01 a.m., local Prior notice and opportunity for public Stevens Fishery Conservation and time, May 8, 2015. During the closure, comment would require time and would Management Act. Regulations governing the bag limit specified in 50 CFR potentially result in a harvest well in fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance 622.187(b)(8), applies to all harvest or excess of the established commercial with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 possession of gray triggerfish in or from ACL. CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. the South Atlantic EEZ. During the For the aforementioned reasons, the The 2015 Chinook salmon prohibited closure, the possession limits specified AA also finds good cause to waive the species catch (PSC) limit for non- in 50 CFR 622.187(c), apply to all 30-day delay in the effectiveness of this Rockfish Program catcher vessels harvest or possession of gray triggerfish action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). directed fishing for groundfish, other in or from the South Atlantic EEZ. than pollock, using trawl gear in the Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. During the closure, the sale or purchase Western and Central Regulatory Areas of of gray triggerfish taken from the South Dated: May 1, 2015. the GOA is 2,700 Chinook salmon Atlantic EEZ is prohibited. Emily H. Menashes, (§ 679.21(i)(3)(i)(C)). For a person on board a vessel for In accordance with § 679.21(i)(7), the tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES Acting Director, Office of Sustainable which a Federal commercial or charter Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. Regional Administrator has determined vessel/headboat permit for the South [FR Doc. 2015–10595 Filed 5–1–15; 4:15 pm] that the 2015 Chinook salmon PSC limit Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery has established for non-Rockfish Program BILLING CODE 3510–22–P been issued, the bag and possession catcher vessels directed fishing for limits and sale and purchase provisions groundfish, other than pollock, using of the commercial closure for gray trawl gear in the Western and Central VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:11 May 05, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\06MYR1.SGM 06MYR1

25968 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 87 / Wednesday, May 6, 2015 / Rules and Regulations Regulatory Areas of the GOA has been is impracticable and contrary to the date of this action under 5 U.S.C. reached. Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting public interest. This requirement is 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon directed fishing for groundfish (except impracticable and contrary to the public the reasons provided above for waiver of for pollock) by non-Rockfish Program interest as it would prevent NMFS from prior notice and opportunity for public catcher vessels using trawl gear in the responding to the most recent fisheries comment. Western and Central Regulatory Areas of data in a timely fashion and would This action is required by § 679.21 the GOA. delay closing directed fishing for groundfish, other than pollock, by non- and is exempt from review under Classification Rockfish Program catcher vessels using Executive Order 12866. This action responds to the best trawl gear in the Western and Central Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. available information recently obtained Regulatory Areas of the GOA. NMFS Dated: May 1, 2015. from the fishery. The Assistant was unable to publish a notice Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, Emily H. Menashes, providing time for public comment (AA), finds good cause to waive the because the most recent, relevant data Acting Director, Office of Sustainable requirement to provide prior notice and only became available as of April 30, Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. opportunity for public comment 2015. [FR Doc. 2015–10601 Filed 5–1–15; 4:15 pm] pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 The AA also finds good cause to BILLING CODE 3510–22–P U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such a requirement waive the 30-day delay in the effective tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:11 May 05, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00072 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\06MYR1.SGM 06MYR1


Document Created: 2015-12-16 07:41:01
Document Modified: 2015-12-16 07:41:01
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.), May 3, 2015, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2015.
ContactJosh Keaton, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation80 FR 25967 
RIN Number0648-XD92
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