81 FR 11452 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Vessels Using Jig Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 43 (March 4, 2016)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 43 (March 4, 2016)
| Page Range | 11452-11453 | |
| FR Document | 2016-04809 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 43 (Friday, March 4, 2016)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 11452-11453] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-04809] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 140918791-4999-02] RIN 0648-XE482 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Vessels Using Jig 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using jig 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 2016 Pacific cod total allowable catch apportioned to vessels using jig gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 1, 2016, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2016. 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 2016 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned to vessels using jig gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is 222 metric tons (mt), as established by the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (80 FR 10250, February 25, 2015) and inseason adjustment (81 FR 188, January 5, 2016). 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 2016 Pacific cod TAC apportioned to vessels using jig gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 217 mt and is setting aside the remaining 5 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 jig 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 [[Page 11453]] 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 jig 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 29, 2016. 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: March 1, 2016. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016-04809 Filed 3-1-16; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![11452 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 43 / Friday, March 4, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
1,102,896 lb (500,265 kg) for Gulf pursuant to the authority set forth in 5 through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10,
migratory group king mackerel in the U.S.C. 553(b)(B), because prior notice 2016.
Florida east coast subzone (50 CFR and opportunity for public comment on FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
622.384(b)(1)(i)(A)). From November 1 this temporary rule is unnecessary and Obren Davis, 907–586–7228.
through March 31, the Florida east coast contrary to the public interest. Such
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
subzone encompasses an area of the EEZ procedures are unnecessary because the
manages the groundfish fishery in the
south of a line extending due east of the rule establishing the trip limits has
already been subject to notice and GOA exclusive economic zone
boundary between Flagler and Volusia
Counties, FL, and north of a line comment, and all that remains is to according to the Fishery Management
extending due east of the boundary notify the public of the trip limit Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of
between Miami-Dade and Monroe increase. Such procedures are contrary Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North
Counties, FL. From November 1 through to the public interest, because prior Pacific Fishery Management Council
the end of February, king mackerel in or notice and opportunity for public under authority of the Magnuson-
from the subzone may be possessed on comment would require time, thus Stevens Fishery Conservation and
board or landed from a permitted vessel delaying fishermen’s ability to catch Management Act. Regulations governing
in amounts not exceeding 50 fish per more king mackerel than the present fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance
day (50 CFR 622.385(a)(2)(i)(A)). trip limit allows and preventing with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50
However, beginning on March 1, if fishermen from reaping the CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
less than 70 percent of the Florida east socioeconomic benefits associated with Regulations governing sideboard
coast subzone king mackerel this increased trip limit. protections for GOA groundfish
commercial quota has been harvested by As this action allows fishermen to fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR
that date, king mackerel in or from that increase their harvest of king mackerel part 680.
subzone may be possessed on board or from 50 fish to 75 fish per day in or The A season allowance of the 2016
landed from a permitted vessel in from the EEZ of the Florida east coast Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC)
amounts not exceeding 75 fish per day subzone, the AA finds it relieves a apportioned to vessels using jig gear in
(50 CFR 622.385(a)(2)(i)(B)(2)). restriction and may go into effect the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA
NMFS has determined that less than without a 30-day delay in effectiveness, is 222 metric tons (mt), as established by
70 percent of the quota for Gulf pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(1). the final 2015 and 2016 harvest
migratory group king mackerel in the specifications for groundfish of the GOA
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. (80 FR 10250, February 25, 2015) and
Florida east coast subzone will be
harvested by March 1, 2016. Dated: March 1, 2016. inseason adjustment (81 FR 188, January
Accordingly, a 75-fish trip limit applies Emily H. Menashes, 5, 2016).
to vessels fishing for king mackerel in or Acting Director, Office of Sustainable In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i),
from the EEZ in the Florida east coast Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. the Administrator, Alaska Region,
subzone effective 12:01 a.m., local time, [FR Doc. 2016–04798 Filed 3–1–16; 4:15 pm] NMFS (Regional Administrator) has
March 1, 2016. The 75-fish trip limit BILLING CODE 3510–22–P determined that the A season allowance
will remain in effect until the of the 2016 Pacific cod TAC
commercial quota is reached and the apportioned to vessels using jig gear in
subzone closes, or until the end of the DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA
subzone’s current fishing year on March will soon be reached. Therefore, the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Regional Administrator is establishing a
31, 2016.
Administration directed fishing allowance of 217 mt
Classification and is setting aside the remaining 5 mt
The Regional Administrator, 50 CFR Part 679 as bycatch to support other anticipated
Southeast Region, NMFS, has [Docket No. 140918791–4999–02] groundfish fisheries. In accordance with
determined this temporary rule is § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional
RIN 0648–XE482 Administrator finds that this directed
necessary for the conservation and
management of Gulf migratory group fishing allowance has been reached.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
king mackerel and is consistent with the Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting
Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by
Magnuson-Stevens Act and other directed fishing for Pacific cod by
Vessels Using Jig Gear in the Central
applicable laws. vessels using jig gear in the Central
Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
This action is taken under 50 CFR Regulatory Area of the GOA. After the
622.385(a)(2)(i)(B)(2) and is exempt AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries effective date of this closure the
from review under Executive Order Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and maximum retainable amounts at
12866. Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time
These measures are exempt from the Commerce. during a trip.
procedures of the Regulatory Flexibility ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
Act because the temporary rule is issued Classification
without opportunity for prior notice and SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed This action responds to the best
comment. fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using available information recently obtained
This action responds to the best jig gear in the Central Regulatory Area from the fishery. The Assistant
scientific information available. The of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA
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Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, is necessary to prevent exceeding the A (AA), finds good cause to waive the
NOAA (AA), finds that the need to season allowance of the 2016 Pacific requirement to provide prior notice and
immediately implement this cod total allowable catch apportioned to opportunity for public comment
commercial trip limit increase vessels using jig gear in the Central pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
constitutes good cause to waive the Regulatory Area of the GOA. U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is
requirements to provide prior notice DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska impracticable and contrary to the public
and opportunity for public comment local time (A.l.t.), March 1, 2016, interest. This requirement is
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 43 / Friday, March 4, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 11453
impracticable and contrary to the public only became available as of February 29, This action is required by § 679.20
interest as it would prevent NMFS from 2016. and is exempt from review under
responding to the most recent fisheries The AA also finds good cause to Executive Order 12866.
data in a timely fashion and would waive the 30-day delay in the effective Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
delay the directed fishing closure of date of this action under 5 U.S.C. Dated: March 1, 2016.
Pacific cod for vessels using jig gear in 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon Emily H. Menashes,
the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. the reasons provided above for waiver of Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
NMFS was unable to publish a notice prior notice and opportunity for public Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
providing time for public comment comment. [FR Doc. 2016–04809 Filed 3–1–16; 4:15 pm]
because the most recent, relevant data
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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Document Created: 2018-02-02 15:05:22
Document Modified: 2018-02-02 15:05:22
| 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.), March 1, 2016, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2016. | |
| Contact | Obren Davis, 907-586-7228. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 11452 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XE48 |
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