81 FR 16096 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod in the Aleutian Islands Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 58 (March 25, 2016)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 58 (March 25, 2016)
| Page Range | 16096-16097 | |
| FR Document | 2016-06831 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 58 (Friday, March 25, 2016)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 16096-16097] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-06831] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 150916863-6211-02] RIN 0648-XE532 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod in the Aleutian Islands Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area 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, except for the Community Development Quota program (CDQ), in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the non-CDQ allocation of the 2016 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 22, 2016, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2016. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 907-586-7269. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the BSAI according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (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 non-CDQ allocation of the 2016 Pacific cod TAC in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI is 11,465 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016). In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the non-CDQ allocation of the 2016 Pacific cod TAC in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 9,000 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 2,465 mt as [[Page 16097]] incidental catch in directed fishing for other species. 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 in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI. 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 non-CDQ Pacific cod in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of March 21, 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 22, 2016. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016-06831 Filed 3-22-16; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![16096 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 58 / Friday, March 25, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
On February 26, 2016 (81 FR 9786), Classification DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
NMFS published a temporary rule in the
Federal Register to reduce the The Regional Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
commercial trip limit for vermilion Southeast Region, NMFS, has Administration
snapper in or from the EEZ of the South determined this temporary rule is
Atlantic to 500 lb (227 kg), gutted necessary for the conservation and 50 CFR Part 679
weight, effective 12:01 a.m., local time, management of South Atlantic
[Docket No. 150916863–6211–02]
March 2, 2016, until July 1, 2016, or vermilion snapper and is consistent
until the quota was reached and the with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and RIN 0648–XE532
commercial sector closed, whichever other applicable laws.
would occur first. Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
This action is taken under 50 CFR
In accordance with regulations at 50 Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod in the
CFR 622.193(f)(1), NMFS is required to 622.193(f)(1) and is exempt from review
Aleutian Islands Subarea of the Bering
close the commercial sector for under Executive Order 12866.
Sea and Aleutian Islands Management
vermilion snapper when the commercial This action responds to the best Area
quota for that portion of the fishing year scientific information available. The
has been reached, or is projected to be Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
reached, by filing a notification to that NOAA (AA), finds that the need to Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
effect with the Office of the Federal immediately implement this action to Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Register. NMFS has determined that the Commerce.
close the commercial sector for
commercial quota for South Atlantic vermilion snapper constitutes good ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
vermilion snapper for the January cause to waive the requirements to
through June fishing period will be SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed
provide prior notice and opportunity for fishing for Pacific cod, except for the
reached by March 29, 2016. public comment pursuant to the
Accordingly, the commercial sector for Community Development Quota
authority set forth in 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), program (CDQ), in the Aleutian Islands
South Atlantic vermilion snapper is
as such procedures would be subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian
closed effective 12:01 a.m., local time,
unnecessary and contrary to the public Islands management area (BSAI). This
March 29, 2016, until 12:01 a.m., local
time, July 1, 2016. The commercial interest. Such procedures would be action is necessary to prevent exceeding
quota for vermilion snapper in the unnecessary because the rule itself has the non-CDQ allocation of the 2016
South Atlantic is 388,703 lb (176,313 been subject to notice and comment, Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC)
kg), gutted weight (431,460 lb (195,707 and all that remains is to notify the in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the
kg), round weight), for the July 1 public of the closure. Allowing prior BSAI.
through December 31, 2016, fishing notice and opportunity for public DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local
period, as specified in 50 CFR comment is contrary to the public time (A.l.t.), March 22, 2016, through
622.190(a)(4)(ii)(D). interest because of the need to 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2016.
The operator of a vessel with a valid immediately implement this action to FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh
commercial vessel permit for South protect vermilion snapper since the Keaton, 907–586–7269.
Atlantic snapper-grouper having capacity of the fishing fleet allows for
vermilion snapper on board must have SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
rapid harvest of the commercial quota.
landed and bartered, traded, or sold manages the groundfish fishery in the
Prior notice and opportunity for public
such vermilion snapper prior to 12:01 BSAI according to the Fishery
comment would require time and could Management Plan for Groundfish of the
a.m., local time, March 29, 2016. During result in a harvest well in excess of the
the closure, the bag limit specified in 50 Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
established commercial quota. Management Area (FMP) prepared by
CFR 622.187(b)(5) and the possession
limits specified in 50 CFR 622.187(c)(1), For the aforementioned reasons, the the North Pacific Fishery Management
apply to all harvest or possession of AA also finds good cause to waive the Council under authority of the
vermilion snapper in or from the South 30-day delay in the effectiveness of this Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Atlantic EEZ. During the closure, the action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). Conservation and Management Act.
sale or purchase of vermilion snapper Regulations governing fishing by U.S.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
taken from the EEZ is prohibited. As vessels in accordance with the FMP
specified in 50 CFR 622.190(c)(1)(i), the Dated: March 21, 2016. appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600
prohibition on sale or purchase does not Emily H. Menashes, and 50 CFR part 679.
apply to the sale or purchase of Acting Director, Office of Sustainable The non-CDQ allocation of the 2016
vermilion snapper that were harvested, Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. Pacific cod TAC in the Aleutian Islands
landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 [FR Doc. 2016–06737 Filed 3–22–16; 4:15 pm] subarea of the BSAI is 11,465 metric
a.m., local time, March 29, 2016, and BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
tons (mt) as established by the final
were held in cold storage by a dealer or 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for
processor. For a person on board a groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773,
vessel for which a Federal commercial March 18, 2016). In accordance with
or charter vessel/headboat permit for the § 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator,
South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with RULES
has been issued, the bag and possession that the non-CDQ allocation of the 2016
limits and the sale and purchase Pacific cod TAC in the Aleutian Islands
provisions of the commercial closure for subarea of the BSAI will soon be
vermilion snapper would apply reached. Therefore, the Regional
regardless of whether the fish are Administrator is establishing a directed
harvested in state or Federal waters, as fishing allowance of 9,000 mt, and is
specified in 50 CFR 622.190(c)(1)(ii). setting aside the remaining 2,465 mt as
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 58 / Friday, March 25, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 16097
incidental catch in directed fishing for DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE In the Aleutian Islands subarea, the
other species. In accordance with portion of the 2016 pollock total
§ 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional National Oceanic and Atmospheric allowable catch (TAC) allocated to the
Administrator finds that this directed Administration Aleut Corporation’s directed fishing
fishing allowance has been reached. allowance (DFA) is 14,700 metric tons
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting 50 CFR Part 679 (mt) and the Community Development
directed fishing for Pacific cod in the Quota (CDQ) is 1,900 mt as established
[Docket No. 150916863–6211–02]
Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI. by the final 2016 and 2017 harvest
After the effective date of this closure RIN 0648–XE518 specifications for groundfish in the
the maximum retainable amounts at
BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016).
§ 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
during a trip. Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of As of March 18, 2016, the
Pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS,
Classification
Islands (Regional Administrator) has
This action responds to the best determined that 5,000 mt of Aleut
available information recently obtained AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Corporation’s DFA and 1,900 mt of
from the fishery. The Assistant Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and pollock CDQ in the Aleutian Islands
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), subarea will not be harvested.
(AA), finds good cause to waive the Commerce.
Therefore, in accordance with
requirement to provide prior notice and ACTION: Temporary rule. § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(4), NMFS
opportunity for public comment
SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the reallocates 5,000 mt of Aleut
pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
projected unused amounts of the Aleut Corporation’s DFA and 1,900 mt of
U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is
impracticable and contrary to the public Corporation’s pollock directed fishing pollock CDQ from the Aleutian Islands
interest. This requirement is allowance and the Community subarea to the 2016 Bering Sea subarea
impracticable and contrary to the public Development Quota from the Aleutian allocations. The 1,900 mt of pollock
interest as it would prevent NMFS from Islands subarea to the Bering Sea CDQ is added to the 2016 Bering Sea
responding to the most recent fisheries subarea directed fisheries. These actions CDQ DFA. The remaining 5,000 mt of
data in a timely fashion and would are necessary to provide opportunity for pollock is apportioned to the AFA
delay the directed fishing closure of harvest of the 2016 total allowable catch Inshore sector (50 percent), AFA
non-CDQ Pacific cod in the Aleutian of pollock, consistent with the goals and catcher/processor sector (40 percent),
Islands subarea of the BSAI. NMFS was objectives of the Fishery Management and the AFA mothership sector (10
unable to publish a notice providing Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea percent). The 2016 pollock incidental
time for public comment because the and Aleutian Islands Management Area. catch allowance remains at 48,240 mt.
most recent, relevant data only became DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local As a result, the harvest specifications for
available as of March 21, 2016. time (A.l.t.), March 25, 2016, until 2400 pollock in the Aleutian Islands subarea
The AA also finds good cause to hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2016. included in the final 2016 and 2017
waive the 30-day delay in the effective harvest specifications for groundfish in
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
date of this action under 5 U.S.C. the BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016)
Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228.
553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS are revised as follows: 9,700 mt to Aleut
the reasons provided above for waiver of
manages the groundfish fishery in the Corporation’s DFA and 0 mt to CDQ
prior notice and opportunity for public
BSAI exclusive economic zone pollock. Furthermore, pursuant to
comment.
This action is required by § 679.20 according to the Fishery Management § 679.20(a)(5), Table 4 of the final 2016
and is exempt from review under Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and 2017 harvest specifications for
Executive Order 12866. and Aleutian Islands Management Area groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773,
(FMP) prepared by the North Pacific March 18, 2016) is revised to make 2016
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Fishery Management Council (Council) pollock allocations consistent with this
Dated: March 22, 2016. under authority of the Magnuson- reallocation. This reallocation results in
Emily H. Menashes, Stevens Fishery Conservation and adjustments to the 2016 Aleut
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Management Act. Regulations governing Corporation and CDQ pollock
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance allocations established at § 679.20(a)(5).
[FR Doc. 2016–06831 Filed 3–22–16; 4:15 pm] with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
TABLE 4—FINAL 2016 ALLOCATIONS OF POLLOCK TACS TO THE DIRECTED POLLOCK FISHERIES AND TO THE CDQ
DIRECTED FISHING ALLOWANCES (DFA) 1
[Amounts are in metric tons]
2016 A season 1 2016 B season 1
Area and sector 2016 Allocations
A season DFA SCA harvest limit 2 B season DFA
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with RULES
Bering Sea subarea TAC 1 ...................................................... 1,346,900 n/a n/a n/a
CDQ DFA ................................................................................. 135,900 54,360 38,052 81,540
ICA 1 ......................................................................................... 48,240 n/a n/a n/a
AFA Inshore ............................................................................. 581,380 232,552 162,786 348,828
AFA Catcher/Processors 3 ................................................ 465,104 186,042 130,229 279,062
Catch by C/Ps .................................................................. 425,570 170,228 n/a 255,342
Catch by CVs 3 ................................................................. 39,534 15,814 n/a 23,720
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Document Created: 2018-02-02 15:18:08
Document Modified: 2018-02-02 15:18:08
| 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 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 22, 2016, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2016. | |
| Contact | Josh Keaton, 907-586-7269. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 16096 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XE53 |
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