81 FR 36808 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Other Hook-and-Line Fishery by Catcher Vessels in the Gulf of Alaska

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 110 (June 8, 2016)

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for groundfish, other than demersal shelf rockfish or sablefish managed under the Individual Fishing Quota Program, by catcher vessels (C/Vs) using hook-and-line gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the other hook-and-line fishery by C/Vs in the GOA has been reached.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 110 (Wednesday, June 8, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36808-36809]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13454]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 150818742-6210-02]
RIN 0648-XE667


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Other Hook-
and-Line Fishery by Catcher Vessels in 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 groundfish, other 
than demersal shelf rockfish or sablefish managed under the Individual 
Fishing Quota Program, by catcher vessels (C/Vs) using hook-and-line 
gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the 
Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the other hook-and-line 
fishery by C/Vs in the GOA has been reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), June 10, 2016, 
until 2400 hours A.l.t., December 31, 2016.

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 (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 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the other hook-
and-line fishery by C/Vs in the GOA is 129 metric tons as established 
by the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for groundfish of the 
GOA (81 FR 14740, March 18, 2016).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.21(d)(6)(ii), the Administrator, 
Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the Pacific halibut bycatch 
allowance specified for the other hook-and-line fishery by C/Vs in the 
GOA has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed 
fishing for groundfish, other than demersal shelf rockfish or sablefish 
managed under the Individual Fishing Quota Program, by C/Vs using hook-

[[Page 36809]]

and-line gear in 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 closure of the other hook-and-line fishery by C/Vs in 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 June 1, 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 Sec.  679.21 and is 
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: June 2, 2016.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-13454 Filed 6-7-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P