80 FR 59075 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; “Other Rockfish” in the Central and Western Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 190 (October 1, 2015)

NMFS is prohibiting retention of ``other rockfish'' in the Central and Western Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the 2015 total allowable catch of ``other rockfish'' in the Central and Western Regulatory Areas of the GOA will be reached.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 190 (Thursday, October 1, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59075-59076]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24947]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 140918791-4999-02]
RIN 0648-XE213


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; ``Other 
Rockfish'' in the Central and Western Regulatory Areas 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 retention of ``other rockfish'' in the 
Central and Western Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This 
action is necessary because the 2015 total allowable catch of ``other 
rockfish'' in the Central and Western Regulatory Areas of the GOA will 
be reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 30, 
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

[[Page 59076]]

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 total allowable catch (TAC) of ``other rockfish'' in the 
Central and Western Regulatory Areas of the GOA is 1,031 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)(2), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2015 TAC 
of ``other rockfish'' in the Central and Western Regulatory Areas of 
the GOA will be reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that ``other 
rockfish'' caught in the Central and Western Regulatory Areas of the 
GOA be treated as prohibited species in accordance with Sec.  
679.21(b).

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 prohibiting the retention of ``other rockfish'' in the 
Central and Western 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 September 25, 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. Sec.  679.20 and 679.21 and is 
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

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

Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-24947 Filed 9-29-15; 11:15 am]
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