81_FR_19122 81 FR 19058 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Northern Rockfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area.

81 FR 19058 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Northern Rockfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 64 (April 4, 2016)

Page Range19058-19059
FR Document2016-07613

NMFS is opening directed fishing for northern rockfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI). This action is necessary to fully use the 2016 total allowable catch (TAC) of northern rockfish in the BSAI.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 64 (Monday, April 4, 2016) 
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 64 (Monday, April 4, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19058-19059]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-07613]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 150916863-6211-02]
RIN 0648-XE551


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Northern 
Rockfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area.

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for northern rockfish in the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI). This action is 
necessary to fully use the 2016 total allowable catch (TAC) of northern 
rockfish in the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 30, 2016, 
through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2016. Comments must be received 
at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., April 19, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by 
NOAA-NMFS-2015-0118, by any of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to: https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2015-0118, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit 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).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.

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.
    Pursuant to the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for 
groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016), NMFS closed the 
directed fishery for northern rockfish under Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii).
    As of March 28, 2016, NMFS has determined that approximately 3,200 
metric tons of northern rockfish initial TAC remains unharvested in the 
BSAI. Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  679.25(a)(1)(i), 
(a)(2)(i)(C), and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize the 2016 TAC of 
northern rockfish in the BSAI, NMFS is terminating the previous closure 
and is opening directed fishing for northern rockfish in the BSAI. This 
will enhance the socioeconomic well-being of harvesters in this area. 
The Administrator, Alaska Region (Regional Administrator) considered 
the following factors in reaching this decision: (1) The current catch 
of northern rockfish in the BSAI 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) and Sec.  679.25(c)(1)(ii) 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 northern rockfish in 
the BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public 
comment because the most recent,

[[Page 19059]]

relevant data only became available as of March 28, 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 northern rockfish in the BSAI 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 19, 2016.
    This action is required by Sec. Sec.  679.20 and 679.25 and is 
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: March 30, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-07613 Filed 3-30-16; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

19058 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 64 / Monday, April 4, 2016 / Rules and Regulations squid [Dosidicus gigas,] DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE A’’ in the required fields if you wish to Onychoteuthidae, and remain anonymous). Thysanoteuthidae). National Oceanic and Atmospheric FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Administration (b) Directed commercial fishing for Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. Shared EC Species. For the purposes of SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS 50 CFR Part 679 this section, ‘‘directed commercial manages the groundfish fishery in the fishing’’ means that a fishing vessel [Docket No. 150916863–6211–02] BSAI according to the Fishery lands Shared EC Species without Management Plan for Groundfish of the landing any species other than Shared RIN 0648–XE551 Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands EC Species, or lands Shared EC Species Management Area (FMP) prepared by with other species and in amounts more Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic the North Pacific Fishery Management than: Zone Off Alaska; Northern Rockfish in Council under authority of the the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (1) 10 mt combined weight of all Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Management Area. Shared EC Species from any fishing trip; Conservation and Management Act. or AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Regulations governing fishing by U.S. Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and vessels in accordance with the FMP (2) 30 mt combined weight of all Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 Shared EC Species in any calendar year. Commerce. and 50 CFR part 679. § 660.6 Prohibitions. ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of Pursuant to the final 2016 and 2017 closure. harvest specifications for groundfish in In addition to the general prohibitions the BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, specified in § 600.725 of this chapter, SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed 2016), NMFS closed the directed fishery and the other prohibitions specified in fishing for northern rockfish in the for northern rockfish under this part, it is unlawful for any person Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands § 679.20(d)(1)(iii). to: Management Area (BSAI). This action is As of March 28, 2016, NMFS has (a) Directed commercial fishing. necessary to fully use the 2016 total determined that approximately 3,200 Engage in directed commercial fishing allowable catch (TAC) of northern metric tons of northern rockfish initial for Shared EC Species from a vessel rockfish in the BSAI. TAC remains unharvested in the BSAI. engaged in commercial fishing within DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local Therefore, in accordance with the EEZ off Washington, Oregon, or time (A.l.t.), March 30, 2016, through § 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and California. This prohibition does not 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2016. (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize the apply to: Comments must be received at the 2016 TAC of northern rockfish in the following address no later than 4:30 BSAI, NMFS is terminating the previous (1) Fishing authorized by the Hoh, p.m., A.l.t., April 19, 2016. closure and is opening directed fishing Makah, or Quileute Indian Tribes, or by ADDRESSES: You may submit comments for northern rockfish in the BSAI. This the Quinault Indian Nation, or on this document, identified by NOAA– will enhance the socioeconomic well- (2) Fishing trips conducted entirely NMFS–2015–0118, by any of the being of harvesters in this area. The within state marine waters. following methods: Administrator, Alaska Region (Regional (b) At-sea processing. At-sea • Electronic Submission: Submit all Administrator) considered the following processing of Shared EC Species is electronic public comments via the factors in reaching this decision: (1) The prohibited within the EEZ, except while Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to: current catch of northern rockfish in the https://www.regulations.gov/ BSAI and, (2) the harvest capacity and processing groundfish in accordance #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2015- stated intent on future harvesting with subpart D of this part. 0118, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, patterns of vessels in participating in ■ 4. In § 660.112, add paragraphs (d)(16) complete the required fields, and enter this fishery. and (e)(10) to read as follows: or attach your comments. Classification • Mail: Submit written comments to § 660.112 Trawl fishery—prohibitions. Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional This action responds to the best * * * * * Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries available information recently obtained (d) * * * Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn: from the fishery. The Assistant Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (16) Retain and process more than 1 Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668. (AA), finds good cause to waive the mt of Shared EC Species other than Instructions: Comments sent by any requirement to provide prior notice and squid species in any calendar year; or, other method, to any other address or opportunity for public comment retain and process more than 40 mt of individual, or received after the end of pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 any Shared EC squid species in any the comment period, may not be U.S.C. 553(b)(B) and § 679.25(c)(1)(ii) as calendar year. considered by NMFS. All comments such requirement is impracticable and (e) * * * received are a part of the public record contrary to the public interest. This (10) Retain and process more than 1 and will generally be posted for public requirement is impracticable and viewing on www.regulations.gov contrary to the public interest as it mt of Shared EC Species other than mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES without change. All personal identifying would prevent NMFS from responding squid species in any calendar year; or, information (e.g., name, address), to the most recent fisheries data in a retain and process more than 40 mt of confidential business information, or timely fashion and would delay the any Shared EC squid species in any otherwise sensitive information opening of northern rockfish in the calendar year. submitted voluntarily by the sender will BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish a [FR Doc. 2016–07516 Filed 4–1–16; 8:45 am] be publicly accessible. NMFS will notice providing time for public BILLING CODE 3510–22–P accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/ comment because the most recent, VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:02 Apr 01, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\04APR1.SGM 04APR1

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 64 / Monday, April 4, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 19059 relevant data only became available as of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action Administrator finds that this directed of March 28, 2016. is necessary to prevent exceeding the A fishing allowance has been reached. The AA also finds good cause to season allowance of the 2016 Pacific Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting waive the 30-day delay in the effective cod total allowable catch apportioned to directed fishing for Pacific cod by date of this action under 5 U.S.C. vessels using pot gear in the Central vessels using pot gear in the Central 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon Regulatory Area of the GOA. Regulatory Area of the GOA. After the the reasons provided above for waiver of DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska effective date of this closure the prior notice and opportunity for public local time (A.l.t.), March 31, 2016, maximum retainable amounts at comment. through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time Without this inseason adjustment, 2016. during a trip. NMFS could not allow the fishery for northern rockfish in the BSAI to be FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Classification harvested in an expedient manner and Keaton, 907–586–7228. This action responds to the best in accordance with the regulatory SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS available information recently obtained schedule. Under § 679.25(c)(2), manages the groundfish fishery in the from the fishery. The Assistant interested persons are invited to submit GOA exclusive economic zone Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA written comments on this action to the according to the Fishery Management (AA), finds good cause to waive the above address until April 19, 2016. Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of requirement to provide prior notice and This action is required by §§ 679.20 Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North opportunity for public comment and 679.25 and is exempt from review Pacific Fishery Management Council pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 under Executive Order 12866. under authority of the Magnuson- U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is Stevens Fishery Conservation and Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. impracticable and contrary to the public Management Act. Regulations governing Dated: March 30, 2016. interest. This requirement is fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance impracticable and contrary to the public Emily H. Menashes, with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 interest as it would prevent NMFS from Acting Director, Office of Sustainable CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. responding to the most recent fisheries Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. Regulations governing sideboard data in a timely fashion and would [FR Doc. 2016–07613 Filed 3–30–16; 4:15 pm] protections for GOA groundfish delay the directed fishing closure of BILLING CODE 3510–22–P fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR Pacific cod for vessels using pot gear in part 680. the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. The A season allowance of the 2016 NMFS was unable to publish a notice DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) providing time for public comment apportioned to vessels using pot gear in National Oceanic and Atmospheric because the most recent, relevant data the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA Administration only became available as of March 29, is 8,028 metric tons (mt), as established 2016. by the final 2016 and 2017 harvest 50 CFR Part 679 specifications for groundfish of the GOA The AA also finds good cause to (81 FR 14740, March 18, 2016) and waive the 30-day delay in the effective [Docket No. 150818742–6210–02] reallocation (81 FR 15650, March 24, date of this action under 5 U.S.C. RIN 0648–XE556 2016). 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), the reasons provided above for waiver of Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic the Administrator, Alaska Region, prior notice and opportunity for public Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by NMFS (Regional Administrator) has comment. Vessels Using Pot Gear in the Central determined that the A season allowance This action is required by § 679.20 Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska of the 2016 Pacific cod TAC and is exempt from review under AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries apportioned to vessels using pot gear in Executive Order 12866. Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a Dated: March 30, 2016. Commerce. directed fishing allowance of 8,018 mt Emily H. Menashes, ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. and is setting aside the remaining 10 mt Acting Director, Office of Sustainable SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed as bycatch to support other anticipated Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using groundfish fisheries. In accordance with [FR Doc. 2016–07599 Filed 3–30–16; 4:15 pm] pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional BILLING CODE 3510–22–P mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:02 Apr 01, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\04APR1.SGM 04APR1


Document Created: 2016-04-02 03:54:22
Document Modified: 2016-04-02 03:54:22
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; modification of closure.
DatesEffective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 30, 2016, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2016. Comments must be received
ContactSteve Whitney, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation81 FR 19058 
RIN Number0648-XE55
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