81_FR_14068 81 FR 14017 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Trawl Catcher Vessels in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

81 FR 14017 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Trawl Catcher Vessels in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 51 (March 16, 2016)

Page Range14017-14018
FR Document2016-05929

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Western 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 trawl catcher vessels in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 51 (Wednesday, March 16, 2016) 
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 16, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14017-14018]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05929]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 140918791-4999-02]
RIN 0648-XE505


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Trawl Catcher Vessels in the Western 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 
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Western 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 trawl catcher vessels in the Western 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 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

[[Page 14018]]

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 trawl catcher vessels in the Western 
Regulatory Area of the GOA is 7,579 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 trawl catcher 
vessels in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon be reached. 
Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed 
fishing allowance of 7,279 mt and is setting aside the remaining 300 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 
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Western 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 by catcher 
vessels using trawl gear in the Western 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 10, 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 11, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-05929 Filed 3-11-16; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P SGPO Galley End:?>

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 51 / Wednesday, March 16, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 14017 notice and public comment for this rule. the GOA is 5,083 mt as established by the reasons provided above for waiver of Because prior notice and an opportunity the final 2015 and 2016 harvest prior notice and opportunity for public for public comment are not required to specifications for groundfish of the GOA comment. be provided for these portions of this (80 FR 10250, February 25, 2015) and This action is required by § 679.20 rule by 5 U.S.C. 553, or any other law, inseason adjustment (81 FR 188, January and is exempt from review under the analytical requirements of the 5, 2016). In accordance with Executive Order 12866. Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 § 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B), the Regional Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. et seq., are not applicable. Accordingly, Administrator hereby increases the B no Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is seasonal apportionment for Statistical Dated: March 11, 2016. required for this portion of the rule and Area 630 by 1,017 mt to account for the Emily H. Menashes, none has been prepared. underharvest of the TAC in Statistical Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Areas 620 and 630 in the A season. This Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq. increase is in proportion to the [FR Doc. 2016–05923 Filed 3–11–16; 4:15 pm] Dated: March 11, 2016. estimated pollock biomass and is not BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Samuel D. Rauch III, greater than 20 percent of the B seasonal Deputy Assistant Administrator for apportionment of the TAC in Statistical Regulatory Programs, National Marine Area 630. Therefore, the revised B DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Fisheries Service. seasonal apportionment of pollock TAC [FR Doc. 2016–05948 Filed 3–14–16; 4:15 pm] in Statistical Area 630 is 6,100 mt (5,083 National Oceanic and Atmospheric BILLING CODE 3510–22–P mt plus 1,017 mt). Administration In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional Administrator has 50 CFR Part 679 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE determined that the B season allowance of the 2016 TAC of pollock in Statistical [Docket No. 140918791–4999–02] National Oceanic and Atmospheric Area 630 of the GOA will soon be Administration RIN 0648–XE505 reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic 50 CFR Part 679 fishing allowance of 5,600 mt and is Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Trawl [Docket No. 140918791–4999–02] setting aside the remaining 500 mt as Catcher Vessels in the Western bycatch to support other anticipated Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska RIN 0648–XE504 groundfish fisheries. In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Administrator finds that this directed Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), fishing allowance has been reached. Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska Commerce. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries directed fishing for pollock in Statistical ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Area 630 of the GOA. Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), After the effective date of this closure SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed Commerce. the maximum retainable amounts at fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time using trawl gear in the Western ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. during a trip. Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed (GOA). This action is necessary to Classification prevent exceeding the A season fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This This action responds to the best allowance of the 2016 Pacific cod total action is necessary to prevent exceeding available information recently obtained allowable catch apportioned to trawl the B season allowance of the 2016 total from the fishery. The Assistant catcher vessels in the Western allowable catch of pollock for Statistical Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA Regulatory Area of the GOA. Area 630 in the GOA. (AA), finds good cause to waive the DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska requirement to provide prior notice and local time (A.l.t.), March 12, 2016, DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local opportunity for public comment through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, time (A.l.t.), March 13, 2016, through pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 2016. 1200 hrs, A.l.t., May 31, 2016. U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh impracticable and contrary to the public FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 907–586–7228. interest. This requirement is Keaton, 907–586–7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS impracticable and contrary to the public SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the interest as it would prevent NMFS from manages the groundfish fishery in the GOA exclusive economic zone responding to the most recent fisheries GOA exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management data in a timely fashion and would according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of delay the closure of directed fishing for Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the Magnuson- notice providing time for public under authority of the Magnuson- mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES Stevens Fishery Conservation and comment because the most recent, Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Regulations governing relevant data only became available as Management Act. Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance of March 10, 2016. fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 The AA also finds good cause to with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. waive the 30-day delay in the effective CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. The B seasonal apportionment of date of this action under 5 U.S.C. Regulations governing sideboard pollock TAC in Statistical Area 630 of 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon protections for GOA groundfish VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:07 Mar 15, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\16MRR1.SGM 16MRR1

14018 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 51 / Wednesday, March 16, 2016 / Rules and Regulations fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR directed fishing allowance has been Pacific cod by catcher vessels using part 680. reached. Consequently, NMFS is trawl gear in the Western Regulatory The A season allowance of the 2016 prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific Area of the GOA. NMFS was unable to Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear publish a notice providing time for apportioned to trawl catcher vessels in in the Western Regulatory Area of the public comment because the most the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA GOA. After the effective date of this recent, relevant data only became is 7,579 metric tons (mt), as established closure the maximum retainable available as of March 10, 2016. by the final 2015 and 2016 harvest amounts at § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at specifications for groundfish of the GOA any time during a trip. The AA also finds good cause to (80 FR 10250, February 25, 2015) and waive the 30-day delay in the effective inseason adjustment (81 FR 188, January Classification date of this action under 5 U.S.C. 5, 2016). This action responds to the best 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), available information recently obtained the reasons provided above for waiver of the Administrator, Alaska Region, from the fishery. The Assistant prior notice and opportunity for public NMFS (Regional Administrator) has Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA comment. determined that the A season allowance (AA), finds good cause to waive the This action is required by § 679.20 of the 2016 Pacific cod TAC requirement to provide prior notice and and is exempt from review under apportioned to trawl catcher vessels in opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 Executive Order 12866. the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, the U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Regional Administrator is establishing a impracticable and contrary to the public Dated: March 11, 2016. directed fishing allowance of 7,279 mt interest. This requirement is Emily H. Menashes, and is setting aside the remaining 300 impracticable and contrary to the public mt as bycatch to support other interest as it would prevent NMFS from Acting Director, Office of Sustainable anticipated groundfish fisheries. In responding to the most recent fisheries Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the data in a timely fashion and would [FR Doc. 2016–05929 Filed 3–11–16; 4:15 pm] Regional Administrator finds that this delay the directed fishing closure of BILLING CODE 3510–22–P mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:07 Mar 15, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\16MRR1.SGM 16MRR1


Document Created: 2016-03-15 23:44:28
Document Modified: 2016-03-15 23:44:28
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; closure.
DatesEffective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 12, 2016, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2016.
ContactJosh Keaton, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation81 FR 14017 
RIN Number0648-XE50
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