80 FR 76249 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Several Groundfish Species in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 235 (December 8, 2015)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 235 (December 8, 2015)
| Page Range | 76249-76250 | |
| FR Document | 2015-30875 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 235 (Tuesday, December 8, 2015)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 76249-76250] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-30875] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 141021887-5172-02] RIN 0648-XE344 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Several Groundfish Species in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; apportionment of reserves; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS apportions amounts of the non-specified reserve to the initial total allowable catch (ITAC) and total allowable catch (TAC) of Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) northern rockfish, BSAI octopus, BSAI sculpins, and BSAI skates in the BSAI management area. This action is necessary to allow the fisheries to continue operating. It is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the fishery management plan for the BSAI management area. DATES: Effective December 3, 2015 through 2400 hrs, Alaska local time, December 31, 2015. Comments must be received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., Alaska local time, December 18, 2015. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by FDMS Docket Number NOAA-NMFS-2014-0134 by any of the following methods:Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to http://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). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the (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. The 2015 TAC of BSAI northern rockfish was established as 6,263 metric tons (mt), the 2015 TAC of BSAI octopus was established as 400 mt, the 2015 ITAC of BSAI sculpins was established as 3,995 mt, and the 2015 ITAC of BSAI skates was established as 21,845 mt by the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for groundfish of the BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015) and further revisions (80 FR 52204, August 28, 2015). In accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(3) the Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has reviewed the most current available data and finds that the ITACs and TACs for BSAI northern rockfish, BSAI octopus, BSAI sculpins, and BSAI skates need to be supplemented from the non-specified reserve to promote efficiency in the utilization of fishery resources in the BSAI and allow fishing operations to continue. Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(b)(3), NMFS apportions from the non-specified reserve of groundfish 1,000 mt to the BSAI northern rockfish TAC, 100 mt to the BSAI octopus TAC, 800 mt to the BSAI sculpins ITAC, and 3,428 mt to the BSAI skates ITAC. These apportionments are consistent with Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(i) and do not result in overfishing of any target species because the revised ITACs and TACs are equal to or less than the specifications of the acceptable biological catch in the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015). The harvest specification for the 2015 ITACs and TACs included in the harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI are revised as follows: The ITAC and TAC are increased to 7,263 mt for BSAI northern rockfish, 500 mt for BSAI octopuses, 4,795 mt for BSAI sculpins, and 25,273 mt for BSAI skates. 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) and Sec. 679.20(b)(3)(iii)(A) 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 the apportionment of the non-specified reserves of groundfish to the BSAI northern rockfish, BSAI octopus, BSAI sculpins, and BSAI skates ITACS and TACS in the BSAI. Immediate notification is necessary to allow for the orderly conduct and efficient operation of this fishery, to allow the industry to plan for the fishing season, and to avoid potential disruption to the fishing fleet and processors. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of November 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. Under Sec. 679.20(b)(3)(iii), interested persons are invited to submit written comments on this action (see ADDRESSES) until December 18, 2015. This action is required by Sec. 679.20 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. [[Page 76250]] Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801, et seq. Dated: December 3, 2015. Alan D. Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015-30875 Filed 12-3-15; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 235 / Tuesday, December 8, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 76249
§ 17.11 [Amended] the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete 1,000 mt to the BSAI northern rockfish
■ 2. Amend § 17.11(h) by removing the the required fields, and enter or attach TAC, 100 mt to the BSAI octopus TAC,
entry for ‘‘Sucker, Modoc’’ under your comments. 800 mt to the BSAI sculpins ITAC, and
FISHES in the List of Endangered and • Mail: Submit written comments to 3,428 mt to the BSAI skates ITAC. These
Threatened Wildlife. Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional apportionments are consistent with
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries § 679.20(b)(1)(i) and do not result in
§ 17.95 [Amended] Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn: overfishing of any target species because
■ 3. Amend § 17.95(e) by removing the Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. the revised ITACs and TACs are equal
entry for ‘‘Modoc Sucker (Catostomus Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668. to or less than the specifications of the
microps)’’. Instructions: Comments sent by any acceptable biological catch in the final
other method, to any other address or 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for
Dated: November 30, 2015. individual, or received after the end of groundfish in the BSAI (80 FR 11919,
Stephen D. Guertin, the comment period, may not be March 5, 2015).
Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife considered by NMFS. All comments The harvest specification for the 2015
Service. received are a part of the public record ITACs and TACs included in the harvest
[FR Doc. 2015–30915 Filed 12–7–15; 8:45 am] and will generally be posted for public specifications for groundfish in the
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P viewing on www.regulations.gov BSAI are revised as follows: The ITAC
without change. All personal identifying and TAC are increased to 7,263 mt for
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), BSAI northern rockfish, 500 mt for BSAI
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE confidential business information, or octopuses, 4,795 mt for BSAI sculpins,
otherwise sensitive information and 25,273 mt for BSAI skates.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric submitted voluntarily by the sender will
Administration Classification
be publicly accessible. NMFS will
accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/ This action responds to the best
50 CFR Part 679 A’’ in the required fields if you wish to available information recently obtained
remain anonymous). from the fishery. The Assistant
[Docket No. 141021887–5172–02]
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA,
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
RIN 0648–XE344 (AA) finds good cause to waive the
Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. requirement to provide prior notice and
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS opportunity for public comment
Zone Off Alaska; Several Groundfish manages the groundfish fishery in the pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
Species in the Bering Sea and Aleutian (BSAI) exclusive economic zone U.S.C. 553(b)(B) and
Islands Management Area according to the Fishery Management § 679.20(b)(3)(iii)(A) as such a
Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea requirement is impracticable and
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and contrary to the public interest. This
(FMP) prepared by the North Pacific requirement is impracticable and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Fishery Management Council under
Commerce. contrary to the public interest as it
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens would prevent NMFS from responding
ACTION: Temporary rule; apportionment Fishery Conservation and Management to the most recent fisheries data in a
of reserves; request for comments. Act. Regulations governing fishing by timely fashion and would delay the
U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP apportionment of the non-specified
SUMMARY: NMFS apportions amounts of
appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 reserves of groundfish to the BSAI
the non-specified reserve to the initial
and 50 CFR part 679. northern rockfish, BSAI octopus, BSAI
total allowable catch (ITAC) and total The 2015 TAC of BSAI northern
allowable catch (TAC) of Bering Sea and sculpins, and BSAI skates ITACS and
rockfish was established as 6,263 metric TACS in the BSAI. Immediate
Aleutian Islands (BSAI) northern tons (mt), the 2015 TAC of BSAI
rockfish, BSAI octopus, BSAI sculpins, notification is necessary to allow for the
octopus was established as 400 mt, the orderly conduct and efficient operation
and BSAI skates in the BSAI 2015 ITAC of BSAI sculpins was
management area. This action is of this fishery, to allow the industry to
established as 3,995 mt, and the 2015 plan for the fishing season, and to avoid
necessary to allow the fisheries to ITAC of BSAI skates was established as
continue operating. It is intended to potential disruption to the fishing fleet
21,845 mt by the final 2015 and 2016 and processors. NMFS was unable to
promote the goals and objectives of the harvest specifications for groundfish of
fishery management plan for the BSAI publish a notice providing time for
the BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015) public comment because the most
management area. and further revisions (80 FR 52204, recent, relevant data only became
DATES: Effective December 3, 2015 August 28, 2015). In accordance with available as of November 30, 2015.
through 2400 hrs, Alaska local time, § 679.20(a)(3) the Regional The AA also finds good cause to
December 31, 2015. Comments must be Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, waive the 30-day delay in the effective
received at the following address no has reviewed the most current available date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
later than 4:30 p.m., Alaska local time, data and finds that the ITACs and TACs 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
December 18, 2015. for BSAI northern rockfish, BSAI the reasons provided above for waiver of
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments octopus, BSAI sculpins, and BSAI prior notice and opportunity for public
on this document, identified by FDMS skates need to be supplemented from comment.
Docket Number NOAA–NMFS–2014– the non-specified reserve to promote Under § 679.20(b)(3)(iii), interested
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0134 by any of the following methods: efficiency in the utilization of fishery persons are invited to submit written
• Electronic Submission: Submit all resources in the BSAI and allow fishing comments on this action (see
electronic public comments via the operations to continue. ADDRESSES) until December 18, 2015.
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to Therefore, in accordance with This action is required by § 679.20
http://www.regulations.gov/#!docket § 679.20(b)(3), NMFS apportions from and is exempt from review under
Detail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2014-0134, click the non-specified reserve of groundfish Executive Order 12866.
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![76250 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 235 / Tuesday, December 8, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801, et seq. appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 greater than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using
Dated: December 3, 2015. and 50 CFR part 679. pot gear, 37,854 mt for catcher vessels
Alan D. Risenhoover, The 2015 Pacific cod TAC specified using trawl gear, 3,823 mt to AFA trawl
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, for catcher vessels greater than 60 feet C/Ps, 115,371 mt for C/Ps using hook-
National Marine Fisheries Service. (18.3 m) LOA using pot gear in the BSAI and-line, and 6,829 mt for C/Ps using
[FR Doc. 2015–30875 Filed 12–3–15; 4:15 pm]
is 16,641 metric tons (mt) as established pot gear.
by the final 2015 and 2016 harvest
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Classification
specifications for groundfish in the
BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015) and This action responds to the best
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE reallocations (80 FR 57105, September available information recently obtained
22, 2015 and 80 FR 65971, October 28, from the fishery. The Assistant
National Oceanic and Atmospheric 2015). The Regional Administrator has Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA
Administration determined that catcher vessels greater (AA), finds good cause to waive the
than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot gear requirement to provide prior notice and
50 CFR Part 679 in the BSAI will not be able to harvest opportunity for public comment
3,000 mt of the remaining 2015 Pacific pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
[Docket No. 141021887–5172–02] cod TAC allocated to those vessels U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is
RIN 0648–XE342 under § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(5). impracticable and contrary to the public
The 2015 Pacific cod TAC specified interest. This requirement is
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic for catcher vessels using trawl gear in impracticable and contrary to the public
Zone off Alaska; Reallocation of the BSAI is 39,354 mt as established by interest as it would prevent NMFS from
Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and the final 2015 and 2016 harvest responding to the most recent fisheries
Aleutian Islands Management Area specifications for groundfish in the data in a timely fashion and would
BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015) and delay the reallocation of Pacific cod
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
reallocations (80 FR 57105, September specified from multiple sectors to C/Ps
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
22, 2015 and 80 FR 65971, October 28, using hook-and-line gear and C/Ps using
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
2015). The Regional Administrator has pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Commerce.
determined that catcher vessels using Islands management area. Since these
ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation. trawl gear will not be able to harvest fisheries are currently open, it is
1,500 mt of the remaining 2015 Pacific important to immediately inform the
SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the
cod TAC allocated to those vessels industry as to the revised allocations.
projected unused amounts of Pacific cod
under § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(9). Immediate notification is necessary to
from catcher vessels greater than 60 feet
The 2015 Pacific cod TAC specified allow for the orderly conduct and
(18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA)
for AFA trawl C/Ps in the BSAI is 4,623 efficient operation of this fishery, to
using pot gear, American Fisheries Act
mt as established by the final 2015 and allow the industry to plan for the fishing
(AFA) trawl catcher processors (C/Ps),
2016 harvest specifications for season, and to avoid potential
and catcher vessels using trawl gear to
groundfish in the BSAI (80 FR 11919, disruption to the fishing fleet as well as
C/Ps using hook-and-line gear and C/Ps
March 5, 2015) and reallocations (80 FR processors. NMFS was unable to
using pot gear in the Bering Sea and
57105, September 22, 2015 and 80 FR publish a notice providing time for
Aleutian Islands management area. This
65971, October 28, 2015). The Regional public comment because the most
action is necessary to allow the 2015
Administrator has determined that AFA recent, relevant data only became
total allowable catch of Pacific cod to be
trawl C/Ps will not be able to harvest available as of December 1, 2015.
harvested.
800 mt of the remaining 2015 Pacific The AA also finds good cause to
DATES: Effective December 3, 2015
cod TAC allocated to those vessels waive the 30-day delay in the effective
through 2400 hours, Alaska local time under § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(7). date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
(A.l.t.), December 31, 2015. Therefore, in accordance with 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh § 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A) and the reasons provided above for waiver of
Keaton, 907–586–7228. § 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(B), NMFS reallocates prior notice and opportunity for public
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS 5,300 mt of Pacific cod to C/Ps using comment.
manages the groundfish fishery in the hook-and-line gear and C/Ps using pot This action is required by § 679.20
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian and is exempt from review under
according to the Fishery Management Islands management area. Executive Order 12866.
Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea The harvest specifications for Pacific Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
and Aleutian Islands Management Area cod included in the final 2015 harvest
(FMP) prepared by the North Pacific specifications for groundfish in the Dated: December 3, 2015.
Fishery Management Council under BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015, 80 Alan D. Risenhoover,
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens FR 51757, August 26, 2015, 80 FR Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
Fishery Conservation and Management 57105, September 22, 2015 and 80 FR National Marine Fisheries Service.
Act. Regulations governing fishing by 65971, October 28, 2015) are revised as [FR Doc. 2015–30862 Filed 12–3–15; 4:15 pm]
U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP follows: 13,641 mt for catcher vessels BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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Document Created: 2015-12-14 13:27:21
Document Modified: 2015-12-14 13:27:21
| 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; apportionment of reserves; request for comments. | |
| Dates | Effective December 3, 2015 through 2400 hrs, Alaska local time, | |
| Contact | Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 76249 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XE34 |
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