80 FR 80290 - 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 247 (December 24, 2015)

Page Range		80290-80290
FR Document		2015-32444

NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amounts of Pacific cod from catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using pot gear and catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear to catcher/ processors (C/Ps) using hook-and-line 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.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 247 (Thursday, December 24, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 247 (Thursday, December 24, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 80290]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-32444]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 141021887-5172-02]
RIN 0648-XE368


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.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amounts of Pacific 
cod from catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3 meters 
(m)) length overall (LOA) using pot gear and catcher vessels less than 
60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear to catcher/
processors (C/Ps) using hook-and-line 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 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 21, 
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 
or equal to 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot gear in the BSAI is 13,641 
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, 80 FR 65971, 
October 28, 2015, and 80 FR 76250, December 8, 2015). The Regional 
Administrator has determined that catcher vessels greater than or equal 
to 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot gear in the BSAI will not be able to 
harvest 1,750 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 less than 60 
feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI is 12,380 
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 51757, August 26, 2015, and 80 FR 57105, 
September 22, 2015). The Regional Administrator has determined that 
catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or 
pot gear in the BSAI will not be able to harvest 1,750 mt of the 
remaining 2015 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under Sec.  
679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(2).
    Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A) and Sec.  
679.20(a)(7)(iii)(C), NMFS reallocates 3,500 mt of Pacific cod to C/Ps 
using hook-and-line 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, and 80 FR 76250, December 8, 
2015) are revised as follows: 11,891 mt for catcher vessels greater 
than or equal to 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot gear, 10,630 mt for 
catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or 
pot gear, and 118,871 mt for C/Ps using hook-and-line 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 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 15, 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 21, 2015.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-32444 Filed 12-21-15; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

80290 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 247 / Thursday, December 24, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

which to present the party’s or person’s SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS 76250, December 8, 2015) are revised as
position. manages the groundfish fishery in the follows: 11,891 mt for catcher vessels
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3 m)
§ 845.33 Investigation to remain open. according to the Fishery Management LOA using pot gear, 10,630 mt for
The Board never officially closes an Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m)
investigation, but provides for the and Aleutian Islands Management Area LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear,
submission of new and pertinent (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific and 118,871 mt for C/Ps using hook-
evidence by any interested person. If the Fishery Management Council under and-line gear.
Board finds such evidence is relevant authority of the Magnuson-Stevens
and probative, the evidence shall be Fishery Conservation and Management Classification
made a part of the public docket and, Act. Regulations governing fishing by This action responds to the best
where appropriate, the Board will U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP available information recently obtained
provide parties an opportunity to appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 from the fishery. The Assistant
examine such evidence and to comment and 50 CFR part 679. Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA
thereon. The 2015 Pacific cod TAC specified (AA), finds good cause to waive the
for catcher vessels greater than or equal requirement to provide prior notice and
Christopher A. Hart,
to 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot gear opportunity for public comment
Chairman. in the BSAI is 13,641 metric tons (mt)
[FR Doc. 2015–32264 Filed 12–23–15; 8:45 am]
pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
as established by the final 2015 and U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is
BILLING CODE 7533–01–P 2016 harvest specifications for impracticable and contrary to the public
groundfish in the BSAI (80 FR 11919, interest. This requirement is
March 5, 2015) and reallocations (80 FR impracticable and contrary to the public
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 57105, September 22, 2015, 80 FR interest as it would prevent NMFS from
65971, October 28, 2015, and 80 FR responding to the most recent fisheries
National Oceanic and Atmospheric 76250, December 8, 2015). The Regional data in a timely fashion and would
Administration Administrator has determined that delay the reallocation of Pacific cod
catcher vessels greater than or equal to specified from multiple sectors to C/Ps
50 CFR Part 679 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot gear in using hook-and-line gear in the Bering
the BSAI will not be able to harvest Sea and Aleutian Islands management
[Docket No. 141021887–5172–02]
1,750 mt of the remaining 2015 Pacific area. Since these fisheries are currently
RIN 0648–XE368 cod TAC allocated to those vessels open, it is important to immediately
under § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(5). inform the industry as to the revised
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic The 2015 Pacific cod TAC specified
allocations. Immediate notification is
Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of for catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3
necessary to allow for the orderly
Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear
conduct and efficient operation of this
Aleutian Islands Management Area in the BSAI is 12,380 metric tons (mt)
fishery, to allow the industry to plan for
as established by the final 2015 and
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries the fishing season, and to avoid
2016 harvest specifications for
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and potential disruption to the fishing fleet
groundfish in the BSAI (80 FR 11919,
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as well as processors. NMFS was unable
March 5, 2015) and reallocations (80 FR
Commerce. to publish a notice providing time for
51757, August 26, 2015, and 80 FR
ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation. public comment because the most
57105, September 22, 2015). The
recent, relevant data only became
NMFS is reallocating the Regional Administrator has determined
SUMMARY: available as of December 15, 2015.
projected unused amounts of Pacific cod that catcher vessels less than 60 feet
(18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or The AA also finds good cause to
from catcher vessels greater than or waive the 30-day delay in the effective
equal to 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length pot gear in the BSAI will not be able to
harvest 1,750 mt of the remaining 2015 date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
overall (LOA) using pot gear and catcher 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA Pacific cod TAC allocated to those
vessels under § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(2). the reasons provided above for waiver of
using hook-and-line or pot gear to prior notice and opportunity for public
Therefore, in accordance with
catcher/processors (C/Ps) using hook- comment.
§ 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A) and
and-line gear in the Bering Sea and
§ 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(C), NMFS reallocates This action is required by § 679.20
Aleutian Islands management area. This
3,500 mt of Pacific cod to C/Ps using and is exempt from review under
action is necessary to allow the 2015
hook-and-line gear in the Bering Sea Executive Order 12866.
total allowable catch of Pacific cod to be
and Aleutian Islands management area. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
harvested. The harvest specifications for Pacific
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska cod included in the final 2015 harvest Dated: December 21, 2015.
local time (A.l.t.), December 21, 2015, specifications for groundfish in the Alan D. Risenhoover,
through 2400 hours, Alaska local time BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015, 80 Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
(A.l.t.), December 31, 2015. FR 51757, August 26, 2015, 80 FR National Marine Fisheries Service.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh 57105, September 22, 2015 and 80 FR [FR Doc. 2015–32444 Filed 12–21–15; 4:15 pm]
Keaton, 907–586–7228. 65971, October 28, 2015, and 80 FR BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:12 Dec 23, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00084 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\24DER1.SGM 24DER1

Document Created: 2015-12-24 02:24:59
Document Modified: 2015-12-24 02:24:59

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 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 21, 2015, through 2400 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 31, 2015.
Contact		Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation		80 FR 80290
RIN Number		0648-XE36

80 FR 80290 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 247 (December 24, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration