80_FR_64134 80 FR 63930 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Bering Sea Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

80 FR 63930 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Bering Sea Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 204 (October 22, 2015)

Page Range63930-63931
FR Document2015-26871

NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to fully use the 2015 total allowable catch of Pacific ocean perch specified for the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 204 (Thursday, October 22, 2015) 
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 204 (Thursday, October 22, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63930-63931]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-26871]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 141021887-5172-02]
RIN 0648-XE225


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific 
Ocean Perch in the Bering Sea Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands Management Area

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of a closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in 
the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
management area. This action is necessary to fully use the 2015 total 
allowable catch of Pacific ocean perch specified for the Bering Sea 
subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 20, 
2015, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2015. Comments must be 
received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., 
November 3, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by FDMS 
Docket Number 2014-0134, by any of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to 
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2014-0134, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to Glenn Merrill, Assistant 
Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region 
NMFS, Attn: Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, 
AK 99802-1668.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous). Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in 
Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) exclusive 
economic zone 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.
    NMFS closed directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch (POP) in the 
Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI under Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii) (80 FR 
11919, March 5, 2015).
    NMFS has determined that approximately 5,000 metric tons of POP 
remain in the directed fishing allowance. Therefore, in accordance with 
Sec.  679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully 
utilize the 2015 total allowable catch of POP in the Bering Sea subarea 
of the BSAI, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and is opening 
directed fishing for POP in Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI, effective 
1200 hrs, A.l.t., October 20, 2015, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., December 
31, 2015. This will enhance the socioeconomic well-being of harvesters 
dependent on POP in this area.
    The Administrator, Alaska Region considered the following factors 
in reaching this decision: (1) the current catch of POP in the BSAI 
and, (2) the harvest capacity and stated intent on future harvesting 
patterns of vessels participating in this fishery.

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

[[Page 63931]]

responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and 
would delay the opening of POP directed fishing in the Bering Sea 
subarea of the BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time 
for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became 
available as of October 16, 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.
    Without this inseason adjustment, NMFS could not allow the fishery 
for POP in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI to be harvested in an 
expedient manner and in accordance with the regulatory schedule. Under 
Sec.  679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to submit written 
comments on this action to the above address until November 3, 2015.
    This action is required by Sec.  679.20 and Sec.  679.25 and is 
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: October 19, 2015.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-26871 Filed 10-19-15; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

63930 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 204 / Thursday, October 22, 2015 / Rules and Regulations vessels issued All Areas or Areas 2 and DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE be publicly accessible. NMFS will 3 Limited Access herring vessels on a accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/ declared herring trip cannot possess National Oceanic and Atmospheric A’’ in the required fields if you wish to haddock regardless of gear used, unless Administration remain anonymous). Attachments to on a declared NE multispecies trip with electronic comments will be accepted in a NE multispecies permit. Effective 0001 50 CFR Part 679 Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF hr, October 22, 2015, federally [Docket No. 141021887–5172–02] file formats only. permitted dealers may not receive FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: RIN 0648–XE225 Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. herring from federally permitted herring vessels that harvest more than 2,000 lb Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS (907.2 kg) of herring from the Herring Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch manages the groundfish fishery in the GB Haddock AM Area through 2400 hr in the Bering Sea Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands local time, April 30, 2016, unless it is Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) exclusive from a vessel that entered port before Management Area economic zone according to the Fishery 0001 hr on October 22, 2015. Management Plan for Groundfish of the AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Classification Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and management area (FMP) prepared by the Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), North Pacific Fishery Management This action is required by 50 CFR part Commerce. Council under authority of the 648 and is exempt from review under ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Executive Order 12866. a closure. Conservation and Management Act. NMFS finds good cause pursuant to 5 Regulations governing fishing by U.S. U.S.C. 553(b)(B) to waive prior notice SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed vessels in accordance with the FMP and the opportunity for public comment fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 because it would be contrary to the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and 50 CFR part 679. public interest and impracticable. This and Aleutian Islands management area. NMFS closed directed fishing for This action is necessary to fully use the Pacific ocean perch (POP) in the Bering action severely restricts the catch of GB 2015 total allowable catch of Pacific Sea subarea of the BSAI under herring in the GB Haddock AM Area ocean perch specified for the Bering Sea § 679.20(d)(1)(iii) (80 FR 11919, March until May 1, 2016. The regulations at subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian § 648.201(a) require such action to 5, 2015). Islands management area. NMFS has determined that ensure that herring vessels do not DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local approximately 5,000 metric tons of POP exceed the haddock catch allocated to time (A.l.t.), October 20, 2015, through remain in the directed fishing the herring fishery. Data indicating the 1200 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2015. herring fleet will have harvested GB allowance. Therefore, in accordance Comments must be received at the with § 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and Haddock Catch Cap have only recently following address no later than 4:30 (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize the become available. If implementation of p.m., A.l.t., November 3, 2015. 2015 total allowable catch of POP in the this closure is delayed to solicit prior ADDRESSES: You may submit comments Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI, NMFS public comment, the catch of GB on this document, identified by FDMS is terminating the previous closure and haddock allocated to the herring fishery Docket Number 2014–0134, by any of is opening directed fishing for POP in for this fishing year may be exceeded, the following methods: Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI, effective thereby undermining the conservation • Electronic Submission: Submit all 1200 hrs, A.l.t., October 20, 2015, objectives of the FMP. NMFS further electronic public comments via the through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, finds, pursuant to 5 U.S.C 553(d)(3), Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to 2015. This will enhance the good cause to waive the 30-day delayed www.regulations.gov/ socioeconomic well-being of harvesters effectiveness period for the reasons #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2014- dependent on POP in this area. stated above. 0134, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, The Administrator, Alaska Region Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. complete the required fields, and enter considered the following factors in or attach your comments. reaching this decision: (1) the current Dated: October 19, 2015. • Mail: Submit written comments to catch of POP in the BSAI and, (2) the Emily H. Menashes, Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional harvest capacity and stated intent on Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries future harvesting patterns of vessels Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn: participating in this fishery. [FR Doc. 2015–26875 Filed 10–19–15; 4:15 pm] Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668. Classification BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Instructions: Comments sent by any This action responds to the best other method, to any other address or available information recently obtained individual, or received after the end of from the fishery. The Assistant the comment period, may not be Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA considered by NMFS. All comments (AA), finds good cause to waive the asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES received are a part of the public record requirement to provide prior notice and and will generally be posted for public opportunity for public comment viewing on www.regulations.gov pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 without change. All personal identifying U.S.C. 553(b)(B), as such requirement is information (e.g., name, address, etc.), impracticable and contrary to the public confidential business information, or interest. This requirement is otherwise sensitive information impracticable and contrary to the public submitted voluntarily by the sender will interest as it would prevent NMFS from VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:39 Oct 21, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\22OCR1.SGM 22OCR1

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 204 / Thursday, October 22, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 63931 responding to the most recent fisheries the reasons provided above for waiver of This action is required by § 679.20 data in a timely fashion and would prior notice and opportunity for public and § 679.25 and is exempt from review delay the opening of POP directed comment. under Executive Order 12866. fishing in the Bering Sea subarea of the Without this inseason adjustment, Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish a NMFS could not allow the fishery for notice providing time for public POP in the Bering Sea subarea of the Dated: October 19, 2015. comment because the most recent, BSAI to be harvested in an expedient Emily H. Menashes, relevant data only became available as manner and in accordance with the Acting Director, Office of Sustainable of October 16, 2015. regulatory schedule. Under Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. The AA also finds good cause to § 679.25(c)(2), interested persons are [FR Doc. 2015–26871 Filed 10–19–15; 4:15 pm] waive the 30-day delay in the effective invited to submit written comments on BILLING CODE 3510–22–P date of this action under 5 U.S.C. this action to the above address until 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon November 3, 2015. asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:39 Oct 21, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\22OCR1.SGM 22OCR1


Document Created: 2015-12-14 15:34:08
Document Modified: 2015-12-14 15:34:08
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; modification of a closure.
DatesEffective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 20, 2015, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2015. Comments must be
ContactSteve Whitney, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation80 FR 63930 
RIN Number0648-XE22
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