81 FR 15650 - 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 57 (March 24, 2016)

Page Range		15650-15651
FR Document		2016-06688

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

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 57 (Thursday, March 24, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 57 (Thursday, March 24, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15650-15651]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-06688]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 150818742-6210-02]
RIN 0648-XE519


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.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is opening 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 fully use the A season allowance of 
the 2016 total allowable catch of Pacific cod 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 21, 
2016, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2016.

[[Page 15651]]

    Comments must be received at the following address no later than 
4:30 p.m., A.l.t., April 8, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by FDMS 
Docket Number NOAA-NMFS-2015-0110 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-2015-0110, 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 jig gear in the Central 
Regulatory Area of the GOA is 222 metric tons (mt), as established by 
the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for groundfish of the 
GOA (81 FR 14740, March 18, 2016).
    NMFS closed directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using jig 
gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA under Sec.  
679.20(d)(1)(iii) on March 1, 2016 (81 FR 11452, March 4, 2016).
    As of March 18, 2016, NMFS has determined that approximately 200 mt 
of Pacific cod remain in the A season directed fishing allowance for 
Pacific cod apportioned to vessels using jig 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 jig 
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 18, 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 jig 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 April 8, 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.

    Dated: March 21, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-06688 Filed 3-21-16; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

15650 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 57 / Thursday, March 24, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE harvest specifications for groundfish of specified from catcher vessels using
the GOA (81 FR 14740, March 18, 2016). hook-and-line gear to vessels using pot
National Oceanic and Atmospheric The Administrator, Alaska Region, or jig gear. Since the fishery is currently
Administration NMFS, (Regional Administrator) has open, it is important to immediately
determined that catcher vessels using inform the industry as to the revised
50 CFR Part 679 hook-and-line gear will not be able to allocations. Immediate notification is
harvest 1,700 mt of the A season necessary to allow for the orderly
[Docket No. 150818742–6210–02] apportionment of the 2016 Pacific cod conduct and efficient operation of this
RIN 0648–XE523
TAC allocated to those vessels under fishery, to allow the industry to plan for
§ 679.20(a)(12)(i)(B)(1) and (2). In the fishing season, and to avoid
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic accordance with § 679.20(a)(12)(ii)(B), potential disruption to the fishing fleet
Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of the Regional Administrator has also as well as processors. NMFS was unable
Pacific Cod in the Central Regulatory determined that vessels using pot gear to publish a notice providing time for
Area of the Gulf of Alaska and vessels using jig gear in the Central public comment because the most
Regulatory Area of the GOA currently recent, relevant data only became
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries have the capacity to harvest this excess available as of March 18, 2016.
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and allocation and reallocates 1,500 mt to The AA also finds good cause to
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), vessels using pot gear and 200 mt to waive the 30-day delay in the effective
Commerce. vessels using jig gear. Therefore, NMFS date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation. apportions 1,000 mt of Pacific cod from 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
the A season apportionments for catcher the reasons provided above for waiver of
SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the vessels less than 50 ft. LOA using hook- prior notice and opportunity for public
projected unused amount of Pacific cod and-line gear and 500 mt of Pacific cod comment.
from catcher vessels less than 50 ft. from catcher vessels greater than or This action is required by § 679.20
length overall (LOA) using hook-and equal to 50 ft. LOA using hook-and-line and is exempt from review under
line gear and catcher vessels greater gear to vessels using pot gear in the Executive Order 12866.
than or equal to 50 ft. LOA using hook- Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
and-line gear to vessels using pot gear NMFS also apportions 200 mt of Pacific
and vessels using jig gear in the Central cod from the A season apportionment Dated: March 21, 2016.
Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska for catcher vessels greater than or equal Emily H. Menashes,
(GOA). This action is necessary to allow to 50 ft. LOA using hook-and-line gear Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
the A season apportionment of the 2016 to vessels using jig gear in the Central Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
total allowable catch of Pacific cod to be Regulatory Area of the GOA [FR Doc. 2016–06686 Filed 3–21–16; 4:15 pm]
harvested. The harvest specifications for Pacific BILLING CODE 3510–22–P

DATES: Effective March 21, 2016 through cod included in the final 2016 and 2017
1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), harvest specifications for groundfish of
June 10, 2016. the GOA (81 FR 14740, March 18, 2016) DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
are revised as follows: 2,411 mt to the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: National Oceanic and Atmospheric
A season apportionment and 4,347 mt to
Obren Davis, 907–586–7228. Administration
the annual amount for catcher vessels
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS less than 50 ft. LOA using hook-and-line
manages the groundfish fishery in the gear, 1,354 mt to the A season 50 CFR Part 679
GOA exclusive economic zone apportionment and 1,756 mt to the [Docket No. 150818742–6210–02]
according to the Fishery Management annual amount for catcher vessels equal
Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of to or greater than 50 ft. LOA using hook- RIN 0648–XE519
Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North and-line gear, 8,028 mt to the A season
Pacific Fishery Management Council Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
apportionment and 11,680 mt to the Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod in the
under authority of the Magnuson- annual amount to vessels using pot gear,
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of
and 422 mt to the A season Alaska
Management Act. Regulations governing apportionment and 570 mt to the annual
fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance amount to vessels using jig gear. AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. Classification
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
The A season allowance of the 2016 This action responds to the best Commerce.
Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) available information recently obtained ACTION: Temporary rule; opening.
apportioned to catcher vessels less than from the fishery. The Assistant
50 ft. LOA using hook-and-line gear in Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed
the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA (AA), finds good cause to waive the fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using
is 3,411 metric tons (mt), as established requirement to provide prior notice and jig gear in the Central Regulatory Area
by the final 2016 and 2017 harvest opportunity for public comment of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action
specifications for groundfish of the GOA pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 is necessary to fully use the A season
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES

(81 FR 14740, March 18, 2016). U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is allowance of the 2016 total allowable
The A season allowance of the 2016 impracticable and contrary to the public catch of Pacific cod apportioned to
Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) interest. This requirement is vessels using jig gear in the Central
apportioned to catcher vessels greater impracticable and contrary to the public Regulatory Area of the GOA.
than or equal to 50 ft. LOA using hook- interest as it would prevent NMFS from DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska
and-line gear in the Central Regulatory responding to the most recent fisheries local time (A.l.t.), March 21, 2016,
Area of the GOA is 2,054 mt, as data in a timely fashion and would through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10,
established by the final 2016 and 2017 delay the reallocation of Pacific cod 2016.

VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:15 Mar 23, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\24MRR1.SGM 24MRR1

Document Created: 2016-03-24 00:57:59
Document Modified: 2016-03-24 00:57:59

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; opening.
Dates		Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 21, 2016, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2016.
Contact		Obren Davis, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation		81 FR 15650
RIN Number		0648-XE51

81 FR 15650 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 57 (March 24, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration