81_FR_13337 81 FR 13288 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

81 FR 13288 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 49 (March 14, 2016)

Page Range13288-13289
FR Document2016-05679

NMFS is opening 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 fully use the A season allowance of the 2016 total allowable catch of Pacific cod apportioned to vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 49 (Monday, March 14, 2016) 
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 49 (Monday, March 14, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13288-13289]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05679]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 140918791-4999-02]
RIN 0648-XE496


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
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; opening; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is opening 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 fully use the A season allowance of 
the 2016 total allowable catch of Pacific cod apportioned to vessels 
using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 12, 
2016, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2016.
    Comments must be received at the following address no later than 
4:30 p.m., A.l.t., March 29, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by FDMS 
Docket Number NOAA-NMFS-2014-0118, by any of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to 
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2014-0118, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: Address written comments to Glenn Merrill, Assistant 
Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region 
NMFS, Attn: Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, 
AK 99802-1668.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address), confidential business information, 
or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender 
will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter 
``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). 
Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word, 
Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only.

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.
    The A season allowance of the 2016 Pacific cod total allowable 
catch (TAC) apportioned to vessels using pot gear in the Central 
Regulatory Area of the GOA is 6,528 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).
    NMFS closed directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using pot 
gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA under Sec.  
679.20(d)(1)(iii) on February 1, 2016 (81 FR 5628, February 3, 2016).
    As of March 8, 2016, NMFS has determined that approximately 525 
metric tons of Pacific cod remain in the A season directed fishing 
allowance for Pacific cod apportioned to vessels using pot gear in the 
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  
679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize 
the A season allowance of the 2016 TAC of Pacific cod in the Central 
Regulatory Area of the GOA, NMFS is terminating the previous closure 
and is reopening directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using pot 
gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. The Administrator, 
Alaska Region (Regional Administrator) considered the following factors 
in reaching this decision: (1) The current catch of Pacific cod in the 
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA and, (2) the harvest capacity and 
stated intent on future harvesting patterns of vessels in participating 
in this fishery.

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 opening of directed fishing for Pacific cod 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 March 8, 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.
    Without this inseason adjustment, NMFS could not allow the fishery 
for Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory 
Area of the GOA to be harvested in an expedient manner and in 
accordance with the regulatory schedule. Under Sec.  679.25(c)(2), 
interested persons are invited to submit written comments on this 
action to the above address until March 29, 2016.
    This action is required by Sec.  679.25 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.


[[Page 13289]]


    Dated: March 9, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-05679 Filed 3-9-16; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

13288 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 49 / Monday, March 14, 2016 / Rules and Regulations following general procedural schedule • Electronic Submission: Submit all Pacific cod apportioned to vessels using will apply in stand-alone cost cases: electronic public comments via the pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area Day 0—Complaint filed, discovery Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to of the GOA. Therefore, in accordance period begins. www.regulations.gov/ with § 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and Day 7 or before—Conference of the #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2014- (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize the A parties convened pursuant to 0118, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, season allowance of the 2016 TAC of § 1111.10(b). complete the required fields, and enter Pacific cod in the Central Regulatory Day 20—Defendant’s answer to or attach your comments. Area of the GOA, NMFS is terminating complaint due. • Mail: Address written comments to Day 150—Discovery completed. the previous closure and is reopening Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional directed fishing for Pacific cod by Day 210—Complainant files opening Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries evidence on absence of intermodal and vessels using pot gear in the Central Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn: Regulatory Area of the GOA. The intramodal competition, variable cost, Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. and stand-alone cost issues. Administrator, Alaska Region (Regional Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668. Administrator) considered the following Day 270—Defendant files reply Instructions: Comments sent by any evidence to complainant’s opening factors in reaching this decision: (1) The other method, to any other address or evidence. current catch of Pacific cod in the Day 305—Complainant files rebuttal individual, or received after the end of Central Regulatory Area of the GOA evidence to defendant’s reply evidence. the comment period, may not be considered by NMFS. All comments and, (2) the harvest capacity and stated Day 335—Complainant and defendant intent on future harvesting patterns of file final briefs. received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public vessels in participating in this fishery. Day 485 or before—The Board issues its decision. viewing on www.regulations.gov Classification * * * * * without change. All personal identifying [FR Doc. 2016–05664 Filed 3–11–16; 8:45 am] information (e.g., name, address), This action responds to the best BILLING CODE 4915–01–P confidential business information, or available information recently obtained otherwise sensitive information from the fishery. The Assistant submitted voluntarily by the sender will Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE be publicly accessible. NMFS will (AA), finds good cause to waive the accept anonymous comments (enter requirement to provide prior notice and National Oceanic and Atmospheric ‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish opportunity for public comment Administration to remain anonymous). Attachments to pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 electronic comments will be accepted in U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is 50 CFR Part 679 Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF impracticable and contrary to the public file formats only. interest. This requirement is [Docket No. 140918791–4999–02] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: impracticable and contrary to the public RIN 0648–XE496 Obren Davis, 907–586–7228. interest as it would prevent NMFS from SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS responding to the most recent fisheries Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic manages the groundfish fishery in the data in a timely fashion and would Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod in the GOA exclusive economic zone delay the opening of directed fishing for Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of according to the Fishery Management Pacific cod in the Central Regulatory Alaska Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Area of the GOA. NMFS was unable to AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North publish a notice providing time for Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Pacific Fishery Management Council public comment because the most Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), under authority of the Magnuson- recent, relevant data only became Commerce. Stevens Fishery Conservation and available as of March 8, 2016. ACTION: Temporary rule; opening; Management Act. Regulations governing The AA also finds good cause to request for comments. fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 waive the 30-day delay in the effective SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. date of this action under 5 U.S.C. fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using The A season allowance of the 2016 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) the reasons provided above for waiver of of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action apportioned to vessels using pot gear in prior notice and opportunity for public is necessary to fully use the A season the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA comment. allowance of the 2016 total allowable is 6,528 metric tons (mt), as established Without this inseason adjustment, catch of Pacific cod apportioned to by the final 2015 and 2016 harvest NMFS could not allow the fishery for vessels using pot gear in the Central specifications for groundfish of the GOA Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in Regulatory Area of the GOA. (80 FR 10250, February 25, 2015) and the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska inseason adjustment (81 FR 188, January to be harvested in an expedient manner local time (A.l.t.), March 12, 2016, 5, 2016). and in accordance with the regulatory through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, NMFS closed directed fishing for schedule. Under § 679.25(c)(2), 2016. Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in interested persons are invited to submit jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with RULES Comments must be received at the the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA written comments on this action to the following address no later than 4:30 under § 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on February 1, above address until March 29, 2016. p.m., A.l.t., March 29, 2016. 2016 (81 FR 5628, February 3, 2016). ADDRESSES: You may submit comments As of March 8, 2016, NMFS has This action is required by § 679.25 on this document, identified by FDMS determined that approximately 525 and is exempt from review under Docket Number NOAA–NMFS–2014– metric tons of Pacific cod remain in the Executive Order 12866. 0118, by any of the following methods: A season directed fishing allowance for Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. VerDate Sep<11>2014 11:39 Mar 11, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\14MRR1.SGM 14MRR1

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 49 / Monday, March 14, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 13289 Dated: March 9, 2016. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Classification Emily H. Menashes, Keaton, 907–586–7228. Acting Director, Office of Sustainable SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS This action responds to the best Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. manages the groundfish fishery in the available information recently obtained [FR Doc. 2016–05679 Filed 3–9–16; 4:15 pm] GOA exclusive economic zone from the fishery. The Assistant according to the Fishery Management Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of (AA), finds good cause to waive the Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North requirement to provide prior notice and DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Pacific Fishery Management Council opportunity for public comment (Council) under authority of the pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Magnuson-Stevens Fishery U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is Administration Conservation and Management Act. impracticable and contrary to the public Regulations governing fishing by U.S. interest. This requirement is 50 CFR Part 679 vessels in accordance with the FMP impracticable and contrary to the public appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 interest as it would prevent NMFS from [Docket No. 140918791–4999–02] responding to the most recent fisheries and 50 CFR part 679. RIN 0648–XE493 The first seasonal apportionment of data in a timely fashion and would the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance delay the closure of other hook-and-line Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic specified for the other hook-and-line fishery by C/Vs in the GOA. NMFS was Zone Off Alaska; Other Hook-and-Line fishery by C/Vs in the GOA is 120 unable to publish a notice providing Fishery by Catcher Vessels in the Gulf metric tons as established by the final time for public comment because the of Alaska 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for most recent, relevant data only became groundfish of the GOA (80 FR 10250, available as of March 7, 2016. AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries February 25, 2015), for the period from The AA also finds good cause to Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 0001 hours, A.l.t., January 1, 2016 waive the 30-day delay in the effective Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, date of this action under 5 U.S.C. Commerce. 2016. 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. In accordance with § 679.21(d)(6)(ii), the reasons provided above for waiver of the Administrator, Alaska Region, prior notice and opportunity for public SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed NMFS, has determined that the first fishing for groundfish, other than comment. seasonal apportionment of the Pacific demersal shelf rockfish, by catcher halibut bycatch allowance specified for This action is required by §§ 679.20 vessels (C/Vs) using hook-and-line gear the other hook-and-line fishery by C/Vs and 679.21 and is exempt from review in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action in the GOA has been reached. under Executive Order 12866. is necessary because the first seasonal Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. apportionment of the Pacific halibut directed fishing for groundfish, other bycatch allowance specified for the Dated: March 8, 2016. than demersal shelf rockfish, by C/Vs other hook-and-line fishery by C/Vs in using hook-and-line gear in the GOA. Emily H. Menashes, the GOA has been reached. After the effective date of this closure Acting Director, Office of Sustainable DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska the maximum retainable amounts at Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. local time (A.l.t.), March 11, 2016, until § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time [FR Doc. 2016–05632 Filed 3–9–16; 4:15 pm] 1200 hours A.l.t., June 10, 2016. during a trip. BILLING CODE 3510–22–P jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with RULES VerDate Sep<11>2014 11:39 Mar 11, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\14MRR1.SGM 14MRR1


Document Created: 2016-03-12 01:01:02
Document Modified: 2016-03-12 01:01:02
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionTemporary rule; opening; request for comments.
DatesEffective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 12, 2016, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2016.
ContactObren Davis, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation81 FR 13288 
RIN Number0648-XE49
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