80 FR 77275 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska Management Area
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 239 (December 14, 2015)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 239 (December 14, 2015)
| Page Range | 77275-77276 | |
| FR Document | 2015-31386 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 239 (Monday, December 14, 2015)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 77275-77276] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-31386] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 140918791-4999-02] RIN 0648-XE354 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska 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 amount of Pacific cod from catcher vessels using trawl gear to vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska management area (GOA). This action is necessary to allow the 2015 total allowable catch of Pacific cod in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA to be harvested. DATES: Effective December 10, 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 Gulf of Alaska 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 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. Regulations governing sideboard protections for GOA groundfish fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR part 680. The 2015 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) specified for catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is 18,933 metric tons (mt), as established by the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA (80 FR 10250, February 25, 2015). The Administrator, Alaska Region (Regional Administrator) has determined that catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA will not be able to harvest 2,000 mt of the 2015 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)(B). In accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(ii)(B), the Regional Administrator has also determined that vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA currently have the capacity to harvest this excess allocation and reallocates 2,000 mt to vessels using pot gear. The harvest specifications for Pacific cod in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA included in the final 2015 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA (80 FR 10250, February 25, 2014) are revised as follows: 16,933 mt for catcher vessels using trawl gear and 14,660 mt for vessels 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 catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA to vessels using pot [[Page 77276]] gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. Since the fishery is currently ongoing, 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 8, 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 9, 2015. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015-31386 Filed 12-9-15; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 239 / Monday, December 14, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 77275
consistent with paragraphs (g)(3)(ii)(A) with equipment requirements at SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
and (B) of this section. No part of any § 660.15(c); manages the groundfish fishery in the
protected species may be retained for (B) All catch (groundfish and non- Gulf of Alaska exclusive economic zone
personal use by a vessel owner or crew groundfish species) in the landing other according to the Fishery Management
member, or by a first receiver or than the single predominant species is Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of
processing crew member. No part of any reweighed on a scale in compliance Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North
protected species may be allowed to with equipment requirements at Pacific Fishery Management Council
reach commercial markets. § 660.15(c) and the reweighed catch is under authority of the Magnuson-
(A) Eulachon and green sturgeon. deducted from the total weight of the Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Must be sorted and reported by species landing; Management Act. Regulations governing
on electronic fish tickets and state (C) The catch is sorted to the species fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance
landing receipts and may not be groups specified at § 660.130(d) prior to with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50
reported in unspecified categories. processing or transport away from the CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
Whole body specimens of green point of landing; and Regulations governing sideboard
sturgeon must be retained, frozen, (D) Prohibited species are sorted by protections for GOA groundfish
stored separately by delivery, and species, counted, and weighed. fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR
labeled with the vessel name, electronic * * * * * part 680.
fish ticket number, and date of landing. ■ 12. In § 660.405, revise paragraph (a)
The 2015 Pacific cod total allowable
Arrangements for transferring the catch (TAC) specified for catcher vessels
introductory text to read as follows:
specimens must be made by contacting using trawl gear in the Central
NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science § 660.405 Prohibitions. Regulatory Area of the GOA is 18,933
Center at 831–420–3903 within 72 hours (a) In addition to the general metric tons (mt), as established by the
after the completion of the offload. prohibitions specified in § 600.725 of final 2015 and 2016 harvest
(B) Seabirds, marine mammals, and this chapter, it is unlawful for any specifications for groundfish in the GOA
sea turtles. Albatross must reported to person to do any of the following, (80 FR 10250, February 25, 2015). The
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 541– except as otherwise authorized under Administrator, Alaska Region (Regional
867–4558 extension 237 or 503–231– this part: Administrator) has determined that
6179) as soon as possible and directions catcher vessels using trawl gear in the
for surrendering must be followed. * * * * *
[FR Doc. 2015–31363 Filed 12–11–15; 8:45 am]
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA will
Marine mammals and sea turtles must not be able to harvest 2,000 mt of the
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
be reported to NMFS as soon as possible 2015 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those
(206–526–6550) and directions for vessels under § 679.20(a)(12)(i)(B).
surrendering or disposal must be In accordance with
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
followed. Whole body specimens must § 679.20(a)(12)(ii)(B), the Regional
labeled with the vessel name, electronic National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrator has also determined that
fish ticket number, and date of landing. Administration vessels using pot gear in the Central
Whole body specimens must be kept Regulatory Area of the GOA currently
frozen or on ice until arrangements for 50 CFR Part 679 have the capacity to harvest this excess
surrendering or disposing are allocation and reallocates 2,000 mt to
completed. Unless directed otherwise, [Docket No. 140918791–4999–02] vessels using pot gear.
after reporting is completed, seabirds, RIN 0648–XE354 The harvest specifications for Pacific
marine mammals, and sea turtles may cod in the Central Regulatory Area of
be disposed by incinerating, rendering, Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic the GOA included in the final 2015
composting, or returning the carcasses Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of harvest specifications for groundfish in
to sea. Pacific Cod in the Central Regulatory the GOA (80 FR 10250, February 25,
* * * * * Area of the Gulf of Alaska Management 2014) are revised as follows: 16,933 mt
(j) * * * Area for catcher vessels using trawl gear and
(2) * * * 14,660 mt for vessels using pot gear.
(viii) Pacific whiting IFQ trips. AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Classification
Immediately following weighing of the
total catch and prior to processing or Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), This action responds to the best
transport away from the point of Commerce. available information recently obtained
landing, the catch must be sorted to the ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation. from the fishery. The Assistant
species groups specified at § 660.130(d) Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA
and all catch other than the target SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the (AA), finds good cause to waive the
species (groundfish and non groundfish projected unused amount of Pacific cod requirement to provide prior notice and
species) must be accurately weighed from catcher vessels using trawl gear to opportunity for public comment
and the weight of non-target species vessels using pot gear in the Central pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
deducted from the total catch weight to Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is
derive the weight of a single management area (GOA). This action is impracticable and contrary to the public
predominant species. Catch from a necessary to allow the 2015 total interest. This requirement is
Pacific whiting IFQ trip may be sorted allowable catch of Pacific cod in the impracticable and contrary to the public
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES
after weighing and the weight of a single Central Regulatory Area of the GOA to interest as it would prevent NMFS from
predominant species determined by be harvested. responding to the most recent fisheries
deducting the weight of all other species DATES: Effective December 10, 2015, data in a timely fashion and would
from the total weight of the landing, through 2400 hours, Alaska local time delay the reallocation of Pacific cod
provided that: (A.l.t.), December 31, 2015. specified from catcher vessels using
(A) The unsorted catch is weighed on FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh trawl gear in the Central Regulatory
a bulk weighing scale in compliance Keaton, 907–586–7228. Area of the GOA to vessels using pot
VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:45 Dec 11, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\14DER1.SGM 14DER1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_77514/page/1.svg)
![77276 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 239 / Monday, December 14, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
gear in the Central Regulatory Area of to publish a notice providing time for This action is required by § 679.20
the GOA. Since the fishery is currently public comment because the most and is exempt from review under
ongoing, it is important to immediately recent, relevant data only became Executive Order 12866.
inform the industry as to the revised available as of December 8, 2015. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
allocations. Immediate notification is The AA also finds good cause to
necessary to allow for the orderly waive the 30-day delay in the effective Dated: December 9, 2015.
conduct and efficient operation of this date of this action under 5 U.S.C. Emily H. Menashes,
fishery, to allow the industry to plan for 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
the fishing season, and to avoid the reasons provided above for waiver of Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
potential disruption to the fishing fleet prior notice and opportunity for public [FR Doc. 2015–31386 Filed 12–9–15; 4:15 pm]
as well as processors. NMFS was unable comment. BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES
VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:45 Dec 11, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\14DER1.SGM 14DER1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_77514/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2015-12-14 13:47:10
Document Modified: 2015-12-14 13:47:10
| 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 10, 2015, through 2400 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 31, 2015. | |
| Contact | Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 77275 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XE35 |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR