80 FR 76250 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod 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 | 76250-76250 | |
| FR Document | 2015-30862 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 235 (Tuesday, December 8, 2015)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 76250] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-30862] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 141021887-5172-02] RIN 0648-XE342 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod 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; reallocation. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amounts of Pacific cod from catcher vessels greater than 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using pot gear, American Fisheries Act (AFA) trawl catcher processors (C/Ps), and catcher vessels using trawl gear to C/Ps using hook-and-line gear and C/Ps using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to allow the 2015 total allowable catch of Pacific cod to be harvested. DATES: Effective December 3, 2015 through 2400 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 31, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) 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 Pacific cod TAC specified for catcher vessels greater than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot gear in the BSAI is 16,641 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015) and reallocations (80 FR 57105, September 22, 2015 and 80 FR 65971, October 28, 2015). The Regional Administrator has determined that catcher vessels greater than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot gear in the BSAI will not be able to harvest 3,000 mt of the remaining 2015 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(5). The 2015 Pacific cod TAC specified for catcher vessels using trawl gear in the BSAI is 39,354 mt as established by the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015) and reallocations (80 FR 57105, September 22, 2015 and 80 FR 65971, October 28, 2015). The Regional Administrator has determined that catcher vessels using trawl gear will not be able to harvest 1,500 mt of the remaining 2015 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(9). The 2015 Pacific cod TAC specified for AFA trawl C/Ps in the BSAI is 4,623 mt as established by the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015) and reallocations (80 FR 57105, September 22, 2015 and 80 FR 65971, October 28, 2015). The Regional Administrator has determined that AFA trawl C/Ps will not be able to harvest 800 mt of the remaining 2015 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(7). Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A) and Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(B), NMFS reallocates 5,300 mt of Pacific cod to C/Ps using hook-and-line gear and C/Ps using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. The harvest specifications for Pacific cod included in the final 2015 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015, 80 FR 51757, August 26, 2015, 80 FR 57105, September 22, 2015 and 80 FR 65971, October 28, 2015) are revised as follows: 13,641 mt for catcher vessels greater than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot gear, 37,854 mt for catcher vessels using trawl gear, 3,823 mt to AFA trawl C/Ps, 115,371 mt for C/Ps using hook-and-line, and 6,829 mt for C/Ps using pot gear. 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 the reallocation of Pacific cod specified from multiple sectors to C/Ps using hook-and-line gear and C/Ps using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. Since these fisheries are currently open, it is important to immediately inform the industry as to the revised allocations. 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 as well as processors. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of December 1, 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: December 3, 2015. Alan D. Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015-30862 Filed 12-3-15; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![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 13:27:27
Document Modified: 2015-12-14 13:27:27
| 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; reallocation. | |
| Dates | Effective December 3, 2015 through 2400 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 31, 2015. | |
| Contact | Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 76250 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XE34 |
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