80 FR 67346 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment to the 2015 Gulf of Alaska Pollock Seasonal Apportionments
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 211 (November 2, 2015)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 211 (November 2, 2015)
| Page Range | 67346-67347 | |
| FR Document | 2015-27864 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 211 (Monday, November 2, 2015)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 67346-67347] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-27864] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 140918791-4999-02] RIN 0648-XE293 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment to the 2015 Gulf of Alaska Pollock Seasonal Apportionments AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason adjustment ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is adjusting the 2015 seasonal apportionments of the total allowable catch (TAC) for pollock in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) by re-apportioning unharvested pollock TAC in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630 of the GOA. This action is necessary to provide opportunity for harvest of the 2015 pollock TAC, consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska. DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 28, 2015, until 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 (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 annual pollock TACs in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630 of the GOA are apportioned among four seasons, in accordance with Sec. 679.23(d)(2). Regulations at Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B) allow the underharvest of a seasonal apportionment to be added to subsequent seasonal apportionments, provided that any revised seasonal apportionment does not exceed 20 percent of the seasonal apportionment for a given statistical area. Therefore, NMFS is increasing the D season apportionment of pollock in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630 of the GOA to reflect the underharvest of pollock in those areas during the C season. In addition, any underharvest remaining beyond 20 percent of the originally specified seasonal apportionment in a particular area may be further apportioned to other statistical areas. Therefore, NMFS also is increasing the D season apportionment of pollock to Statistical Areas 610 and 630 based on the underharvest of pollock in Statistical Areas 620 of the GOA. These adjustments are described below. The D seasonal apportionment of the 2015 pollock TAC in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA is 12,185 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(a)(5)(iv)(B), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), hereby increases the D season apportionment for Statistical Area 610 by 2,437 mt to account for the underharvest of the TAC in Statistical Areas 610 and 620 in the C season. This increase is in proportion to the estimated pollock biomass and is not greater than 20 percent of the D seasonal apportionment of the TAC in Statistical Area 610. Therefore, the revised D seasonal apportionment of the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 610 is 14,622 mt (12,185 mt plus 2,437 mt). The D seasonal apportionment of the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA is 14,628 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(a)(5)(iv)(B), the Regional Administrator hereby increases the D seasonal apportionment for Statistical Area 620 by 2,926 mt to account for the underharvest of the TAC in Statistical Areas 620 in the C season. This increase is not greater than 20 percent of the D seasonal apportionment of the TAC in Statistical Area 620. Therefore, the revised D seasonal apportionment of the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 620 is 17,554 mt (14,628 mt plus 2,926 mt). The D seasonal apportionment of pollock TAC in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA is 18,639 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(a)(5)(iv)(B), the Regional Administrator hereby increases the D seasonal apportionment for Statistical Area 630 by 3,728 mt to account for the underharvest of the TAC in Statistical Areas 620 and 630 in the C season. This increase is in proportion [[Page 67347]] to the estimated pollock biomass and is not greater than 20 percent of the D seasonal apportionment of the TAC in Statistical Area 630. Therefore, the revised D seasonal apportionment of pollock TAC in Statistical Area 630 is 22,367 mt (18,639 mt plus 3,728mt). 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 provide opportunity to harvest increased pollock seasonal apportionments. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of October 27, 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: October 28, 2015 Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015-27864 Filed 10-28-15; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![67346 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 211 / Monday, November 2, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
Federal Communications Commission. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE apportionment of pollock in Statistical
Marlene H. Dortch, Areas 610, 620, and 630 of the GOA to
Secretary. National Oceanic and Atmospheric reflect the underharvest of pollock in
Administration those areas during the C season. In
Final Rules addition, any underharvest remaining
50 CFR Part 679 beyond 20 percent of the originally
For the reasons discussed in the specified seasonal apportionment in a
preamble, the Federal Communications [Docket No. 140918791–4999–02]
particular area may be further
Commission amends 47 CFR part 73 as RIN 0648–XE293 apportioned to other statistical areas.
follows: Therefore, NMFS also is increasing the
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic D season apportionment of pollock to
PART 73—RADIO BROADCAST Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment Statistical Areas 610 and 630 based on
SERVICES to the 2015 Gulf of Alaska Pollock the underharvest of pollock in
Seasonal Apportionments Statistical Areas 620 of the GOA. These
■ 1. The authority citation for part 73 adjustments are described below.
continues to read as follows: AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries The D seasonal apportionment of the
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 2015 pollock TAC in Statistical Area
Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, 336 Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
and 339. 610 of the GOA is 12,185 metric tons
Commerce. (mt) as established by the final 2015 and
■ 2. Section 73.3700 is amended by ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason 2016 harvest specifications for
revising paragraphs (b)(3) and (b)(4)(ii) adjustment groundfish of the GOA (80 FR 10250,
to read as follows: February 25, 2015). In accordance with
SUMMARY: NMFS is adjusting the 2015 § 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B), the Administrator,
§ 73.3700 Post-incentive auction licensing seasonal apportionments of the total Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional
and operation. allowable catch (TAC) for pollock in the Administrator), hereby increases the D
* * * * ** Gulf of Alaska (GOA) by re-apportioning season apportionment for Statistical
unharvested pollock TAC in Statistical Area 610 by 2,437 mt to account for the
(b) * * *
Areas 610, 620, and 630 of the GOA. underharvest of the TAC in Statistical
(3) License applications for channel This action is necessary to provide Areas 610 and 620 in the C season. This
sharing stations. The licensee of each opportunity for harvest of the 2015 increase is in proportion to the
channel sharee station and channel pollock TAC, consistent with the goals estimated pollock biomass and is not
sharer station must file an application and objectives of the Fishery greater than 20 percent of the D seasonal
for a license for the shared channel Management Plan for Groundfish of the apportionment of the TAC in Statistical
using FCC Form 2100 Schedule B (for a Gulf of Alaska. Area 610. Therefore, the revised D
full power station) or F (for a Class A DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska seasonal apportionment of the pollock
station) within six months of the date local time (A.l.t.), October 28, 2015, TAC in Statistical Area 610 is 14,622 mt
that the channel sharee station licensee until 2400 hours A.l.t., December 31, (12,185 mt plus 2,437 mt).
receives its incentive payment pursuant 2015. The D seasonal apportionment of the
to section 6403(a)(1) of the Spectrum pollock TAC in Statistical Area 620 of
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh
Act. the GOA is 14,628 mt as established by
Keaton, 907–586–7228.
the final 2015 and 2016 harvest
(4) * * * SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS specifications for groundfish of the GOA
(ii) The licensee of a channel sharee manages the groundfish fishery in the (80 FR 10250, February 25, 2015). In
station and a licensee of a license GOA exclusive economic zone accordance with § 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B),
relinquishment station that has according to the Fishery Management the Regional Administrator hereby
indicated in its Form 177 an intent to Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of increases the D seasonal apportionment
enter into a post-auction channel Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North for Statistical Area 620 by 2,926 mt to
sharing agreement must comply with Pacific Fishery Management Council account for the underharvest of the TAC
the notification and cancellation (Council) under authority of the in Statistical Areas 620 in the C season.
procedures in § 73.1750 and terminate Magnuson-Stevens Fishery This increase is not greater than 20
Conservation and Management Act. percent of the D seasonal apportionment
operations on its pre-auction channel
Regulations governing fishing by U.S. of the TAC in Statistical Area 620.
within six months of the date that the
vessels in accordance with the FMP Therefore, the revised D seasonal
licensee receives its incentive payment
appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 apportionment of the pollock TAC in
pursuant to section 6403(a)(1) of the and 50 CFR part 679. Statistical Area 620 is 17,554 mt (14,628
Spectrum Act. The annual pollock TACs in mt plus 2,926 mt).
* * * * * Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630 of The D seasonal apportionment of
[FR Doc. 2015–27632 Filed 10–30–15; 8:45 am] the GOA are apportioned among four pollock TAC in Statistical Area 630 of
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P seasons, in accordance with the GOA is 18,639 mt as established by
§ 679.23(d)(2). Regulations at the final 2015 and 2016 harvest
§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B) allow the specifications for groundfish of the GOA
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES
underharvest of a seasonal (80 FR 10250, February 25, 2015). In
apportionment to be added to accordance with § 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B),
subsequent seasonal apportionments, the Regional Administrator hereby
provided that any revised seasonal increases the D seasonal apportionment
apportionment does not exceed 20 for Statistical Area 630 by 3,728 mt to
percent of the seasonal apportionment account for the underharvest of the TAC
for a given statistical area. Therefore, in Statistical Areas 620 and 630 in the
NMFS is increasing the D season C season. This increase is in proportion
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:39 Oct 30, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00086 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\02NOR1.SGM 02NOR1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_67557/page/1.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 211 / Monday, November 2, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 67347
to the estimated pollock biomass and is U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
not greater than 20 percent of the D impracticable and contrary to the public 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
seasonal apportionment of the TAC in interest. This requirement is the reasons provided above for waiver of
Statistical Area 630. Therefore, the impracticable and contrary to the public prior notice and opportunity for public
revised D seasonal apportionment of interest as it would prevent NMFS from comment.
pollock TAC in Statistical Area 630 is responding to the most recent fisheries This action is required by § 679.20
22,367 mt (18,639 mt plus 3,728mt). data in a timely fashion and would and is exempt from review under
Classification provide opportunity to harvest Executive Order 12866.
increased pollock seasonal
This action responds to the best Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
apportionments. NMFS was unable to
available information recently obtained
publish a notice providing time for Dated: October 28, 2015
from the fishery. The Assistant
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA public comment because the most Emily H. Menashes,
(AA), finds good cause to waive the recent, relevant data only became Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
requirement to provide prior notice and available as of October 27, 2015. Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
opportunity for public comment The AA also finds good cause to [FR Doc. 2015–27864 Filed 10–28–15; 4:15 pm]
pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 waive the 30-day delay in the effective BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:39 Oct 30, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00087 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\02NOR1.SGM 02NOR1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_67557/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2018-03-01 11:30:48
Document Modified: 2018-03-01 11:30:48
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Rules and Regulations | |
| Action | Temporary rule; inseason adjustment | |
| Dates | Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 28, 2015, until 2400 hours A.l.t., December 31, 2015. | |
| Contact | Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 67346 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XE29 |
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