80 FR 8816 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Vessels Using Pot Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 33 (February 19, 2015)

Page Range		8816-8816
FR Document		2015-03447

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2015 Pacific cod total allowable catch apportioned to vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 33 (Thursday, February 19, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 33 (Thursday, February 19, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 8816]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-03447]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 130925836-4174-02]
RIN 0648-XD714


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Vessels Using Pot Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of 
Alaska

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of 
Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A 
season allowance of the 2015 Pacific cod total allowable catch 
apportioned to vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of 
the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 16, 
2015, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 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 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 A season allowance of the 2015 Pacific cod total allowable 
catch (TAC) apportioned to vessels using pot gear in the Central 
Regulatory Area of the GOA is 8,036 metric tons (mt), as established by 
the final 2014 and 2015 harvest specifications for groundfish of the 
GOA (79 FR 12890, March 6, 2014) and inseason adjustment (80 FR 192, 
January 5, 2015).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has determined that the A season 
allowance of the 2015 Pacific cod TAC apportioned to vessels using pot 
gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon be reached. 
Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed 
fishing allowance of 8,026 mt and is setting aside the remaining 10 mt 
as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In 
accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator 
finds that this directed fishing allowance has been reached. 
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. After 
the effective date of this closure the maximum retainable amounts at 
Sec.  679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip.

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 directed fishing closure of Pacific cod for vessels 
using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. NMFS was 
unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because 
the most recent, relevant data only became available as of February 12, 
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: February 13, 2015.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-03447 Filed 2-13-15; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

8816 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 33 / Thursday, February 19, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

take reasonable steps for its safe release, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NMFS (Regional Administrator) has
without compromising the safety of any determined that the A season allowance
persons. This paragraph does not apply National Oceanic and Atmospheric of the 2015 Pacific cod TAC
to the territorial seas or archipelagic Administration apportioned to vessels using pot gear in
waters of any nation, as defined by the the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA
domestic laws and regulations of that 50 CFR Part 679 will soon be reached. Therefore, the
nation and recognized by the United [Docket No. 130925836–4174–02] Regional Administrator is establishing a
States. directed fishing allowance of 8,026 mt
RIN 0648–XD714 and is setting aside the remaining 10 mt
■ 6. Section 300.226 is added to read as as bycatch to support other anticipated
follows: Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic groundfish fisheries. In accordance with
Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional
§ 300.226 Oceanic whitetip shark and silky Vessels Using Pot Gear in the Central Administrator finds that this directed
shark. Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska fishing allowance has been reached.
(a) The crew, operator, and owner of AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting
a fishing vessel of the United States Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and directed fishing for Pacific cod by
used for commercial fishing for HMS Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), vessels using pot gear in the Central
cannot retain on board, transship, store, Commerce. Regulatory Area of the GOA. After the
or land any part or whole carcass of an ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. effective date of this closure the
oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus maximum retainable amounts at
longimanus) or silky shark SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time
(Carcharhinus falciformis) that is caught fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using during a trip.
in the Convention Area, unless subject pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area Classification
to the provisions of paragraph (c) of this of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action
is necessary to prevent exceeding the A This action responds to the best
section.
season allowance of the 2015 Pacific available information recently obtained
(b) The crew, operator, and owner of cod total allowable catch apportioned to from the fishery. The Assistant
a fishing vessel of the United States vessels using pot gear in the Central Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA
used for commercial fishing for HMS Regulatory Area of the GOA. (AA), finds good cause to waive the
must release any oceanic whitetip shark DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska requirement to provide prior notice and
or silky shark caught in the Convention local time (A.l.t.), February 16, 2015, opportunity for public comment
Area as soon as possible after the shark through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
is caught and brought alongside the 2015. U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is
vessel, and take reasonable steps for its impracticable and contrary to the public
safe release, without compromising the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: interest. This requirement is
safety of any persons, unless subject to Obren Davis, 907–586–7228. impracticable and contrary to the public
the provisions of paragraph (c) of this SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS interest as it would prevent NMFS from
section. manages the groundfish fishery in the responding to the most recent fisheries
GOA exclusive economic zone data in a timely fashion and would
(c) Paragraphs (a) and (b) of this according to the Fishery Management delay the directed fishing closure of
section do not apply in the event that a Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Pacific cod for vessels using pot gear in
WCPFC observer collects, or requests Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
the assistance of the vessel crew, Pacific Fishery Management Council NMFS was unable to publish a notice
operator, or owner in the observer’s under authority of the Magnuson- providing time for public comment
collection of, samples of oceanic Stevens Fishery Conservation and because the most recent, relevant data
whitetip shark or silky shark in the Management Act. Regulations governing only became available as of February 12,
Convention Area. fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance 2015.
(d) The crew, operator, and owner of with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 The AA also finds good cause to
a fishing vessel of the United States CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. waive the 30-day delay in the effective
used for commercial fishing for HMS in Regulations governing sideboard date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
the Convention Area must allow and protections for GOA groundfish 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
assist a WCPFC observer to collect fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR the reasons provided above for waiver of
samples of oceanic whitetip shark or part 680. prior notice and opportunity for public
The A season allowance of the 2015 comment.
silky shark in the Convention Area, if
Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) This action is required by § 679.20
requested to do so by the WCPFC
apportioned to vessels using pot gear in and is exempt from review under
observer. the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA Executive Order 12866.
[FR Doc. 2015–03388 Filed 2–18–15; 8:45 am] is 8,036 metric tons (mt), as established Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P by the final 2014 and 2015 harvest
specifications for groundfish of the GOA Dated: February 13, 2015.
(79 FR 12890, March 6, 2014) and Alan D. Risenhoover,
inseason adjustment (80 FR 192, January Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES

5, 2015). National Marine Fisheries Service.
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), [FR Doc. 2015–03447 Filed 2–13–15; 4:15 pm]
the Administrator, Alaska Region, BILLING CODE 3510–22–P

VerDate Sep<11>2014 13:41 Feb 18, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\19FER1.SGM 19FER1

Document Created: 2018-02-16 11:12:47
Document Modified: 2018-02-16 11:12:47

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; closure.
Dates		Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 16, 2015, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2015.
Contact		Obren Davis, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation		80 FR 8816
RIN Number		0648-XD71

80 FR 8816 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Vessels Using Pot Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 33 (February 19, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration