81_FR_50551 81 FR 50404 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Dusky Rockfish in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska

81 FR 50404 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Dusky Rockfish in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 147 (August 1, 2016)

Page Range50404-50405
FR Document2016-18122

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for dusky rockfish in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2016 total allowable catch of dusky rockfish in the West Yakutat District of the GOA.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 147 (Monday, August 1, 2016) 
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 147 (Monday, August 1, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50404-50405]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-18122]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 150818742-6210-02]
RIN 0648-XE771


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Dusky 
Rockfish in the West Yakutat District 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 dusky rockfish in the 
West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is 
necessary to prevent exceeding the 2016 total allowable catch of dusky 
rockfish in the West Yakutat District of the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 27, 2016, 
through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 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.

[[Page 50405]]

    The 2016 total allowable catch (TAC) of dusky rockfish in the West 
Yakutat District of the GOA is 275 metric tons (mt) 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.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2016 TAC 
of dusky rockfish in the West Yakutat District of the GOA will soon be 
reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a 
directed fishing allowance of 270 mt, and is setting aside the 
remaining 5 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 dusky 
rockfish in the West Yakutat District 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 closure of directed fishing for dusky rockfish in the 
West Yakutat District 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 July 26, 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: July 27, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-18122 Filed 7-27-16; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

50404 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 147 / Monday, August 1, 2016 / Rules and Regulations § 300.27 Incidental catch and tuna (e) Whale shark restrictions for purse and no holes may be punched through retention requirements. seine vessels. Owners, operators, and the bodies of mobulid ray (e.g., to pass (a) Tuna retention requirements for crew of fishing vessels of the United a cable through for lifting the mobulid purse seine vessels. Bigeye, skipjack, States commercially fishing for tuna in ray). and yellowfin tuna caught in the the Convention Area may not set or (2) Applicable to purse seine Convention Area by a fishing vessel of attempt to set a purse seine on or operations, large mobulid rays must be the United States of class size 4–6 (more around a whale shark (Rhincodon typus) brailed out of the net by directly than 182 metric tons carrying capacity) if the animal is sighted prior to the releasing the mobulid ray from the using purse seine gear must be retained commencement of the set or the brailer into the ocean. Large mobulid on board and landed, except for fish attempted set. rays that cannot be released without deemed unfit for human consumption (f) Whale shark release. The crew, compromising the safety of persons or for reasons other than size. This operator, and owner of a fishing vessel the mobulid ray before being landed on requirement shall not apply to the last of the United States commercially deck, must be returned to the water as set of a trip if the available well capacity fishing for tuna in the Convention Area soon as possible, either utilizing a ramp is insufficient to accommodate the must release as soon as possible, any from the deck connecting to an opening entire catch. whale shark that is encircled in a purse on the side of the boat, or lowered with (b) Release requirements for non-tuna seine net, and must ensure that all a sling or net, using a crane if available. species on purse seine vessels. All purse reasonable steps are taken to ensure its The minimum size for the sling or net seine vessels must release all shark, safe release. must be at least 25 feet in diameter. billfish, ray (not including mobulid (g) Mobulid ray restrictions. The crew, [FR Doc. 2016–18083 Filed 7–29–16; 8:45 am] rays, which are subject to paragraph (g) operator, and owner of a U.S. BILLING CODE 3510–22–P of this section), dorado (Coryphaena commercial fishing vessel is prohibited hippurus), and other non-tuna fish from retaining on board, transshipping, species, except those being retained for storing, landing, selling, or offering for DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE consumption aboard the vessel, as soon sale any part or whole carcass of a mobulid ray that is caught in the IATTC National Oceanic and Atmospheric as practicable after being identified on Convention Area, except as provided in Administration board the vessel during the brailing the following sentence. In the case of operation. any mobulid ray caught in the IATTC 50 CFR Part 679 (c) Sea turtle handling and release. Convention Area on an observed purse All purse seine vessels must apply [Docket No. 150818742–6210–02] seine vessel that is not seen during special sea turtle handling and release fishing operations and is delivered into RIN 0648–XE771 requirements, as follows: the vessel hold, the mobulid ray may be (1) Whenever a sea turtle is sighted in stored on board and landed, but the Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic the net, a speedboat shall be stationed vessel owner or operator must show the Zone Off Alaska; Dusky Rockfish in the close to the point where the net is lifted whole mobulid ray to the on-board West Yakutat District of the Gulf of out of the water to assist in release of observer at the point of landing for Alaska the sea turtle; recording purposes, and then dispose of (2) If a sea turtle is entangled in the the mobulid ray at the direction of the AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries net, net roll shall stop as soon as the sea responsible government authority. In Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and turtle comes out of the water and shall U.S. ports the responsible governmental Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), not resume until the sea turtle has been authority is the NOAA Office of Law Commerce. disentangled and released; Enforcement divisional office nearest to ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. (3) If, in spite of the measures taken the port, or other authorized personnel. under paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed Mobulid rays that are caught and landed fishing for dusky rockfish in the West section, a sea turtle is accidentally in this manner may not be sold or brought on board the vessel alive and Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska bartered, but may be donated for (GOA). This action is necessary to active, the vessel’s engine shall be purposes of domestic human disengaged and the sea turtle shall be prevent exceeding the 2016 total consumption consistent with relevant allowable catch of dusky rockfish in the released as quickly as practicable; laws and policies. (4) If a sea turtle brought on board West Yakutat District of the GOA. (h) Mobulid ray handling and release. under paragraph (c)(3) of this section is The crew, operator, and owner of a U.S. DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska alive but comatose or inactive, the commercial fishing vessel must local time (A.l.t.), July 27, 2016, through resuscitation procedures described in promptly release unharmed, to the 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2016. § 223.206(d)(1)(i)(B) of this title shall be extent practicable, any mobulid ray FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: used before release of the turtle. (whether live or dead) caught in the Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. (d) Oceanic whitetip shark IATTC Convention Area as soon as it is SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS restrictions. The crew, operator, or seen in the net, on the hook, or on the manages the groundfish fishery in the owner of a fishing vessel of the United deck, without compromising the safety GOA exclusive economic zone States used to fish for HMS in the of any persons. If a mobulid ray is live according to the Fishery Management Convention Area shall be prohibited when caught, the crew, operator, and Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of from retaining on board, transshipping, owner of a U.S. commercial fishing Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES landing, storing, selling, or offering for vessel must use the release procedures Pacific Fishery Management Council sale any part or whole carcass of an described in the following two under authority of the Magnuson- oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus paragraphs. Stevens Fishery Conservation and longimanus) and must release (1) No mobulid ray may be gaffed, no Management Act. Regulations governing unharmed, to the extent practicable, all mobulid ray may be lifted by the gill fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance oceanic whitetip sharks when brought slits or spiracles or by using bind wire with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 alongside the vessel. against or inserted through the body, CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:30 Jul 29, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00122 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\01AUR1.SGM 01AUR1

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 147 / Monday, August 1, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 50405 The 2016 total allowable catch (TAC) Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. NMFS (Regional Administrator), has of dusky rockfish in the West Yakutat Dated: July 27, 2016. determined that the 2016 TAC of Pacific District of the GOA is 275 metric tons Emily H. Menashes, ocean perch in the West Yakutat District (mt) as established by the final 2016 and Acting Director, Office of Sustainable of the GOA will soon be reached. 2017 harvest specifications for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is groundfish of the GOA (81 FR 14740, [FR Doc. 2016–18122 Filed 7–27–16; 4:15 pm] establishing a directed fishing March 18, 2016). BILLING CODE 3510–22–P allowance of 2,747 mt, and is setting In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), aside the remaining 100 mt as bycatch the Administrator, Alaska Region, to support other anticipated groundfish NMFS (Regional Administrator), has DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE fisheries. In accordance with determined that the 2016 TAC of dusky § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional rockfish in the West Yakutat District of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrator finds that this directed the GOA will soon be reached. Administration fishing allowance has been reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting establishing a directed fishing 50 CFR Part 679 directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch allowance of 270 mt, and is setting aside [Docket No. 150818742–0610–02] in the West Yakutat District of the GOA. the remaining 5 mt as bycatch to After the effective date of this closure support other anticipated groundfish RIN 0648–XE772 the maximum retainable amounts at fisheries. In accordance with § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch during a trip. Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance has been reached. in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf Classification Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting of Alaska This action responds to the best directed fishing for dusky rockfish in AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries available information recently obtained the West Yakutat District of the GOA. Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and from the fishery. The Assistant After the effective date of this closure Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA the maximum retainable amounts at Commerce. (AA), finds good cause to waive the § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. requirement to provide prior notice and during a trip. SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed opportunity for public comment Classification fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 West Yakutat District of the Gulf of U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is This action responds to the best Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary impracticable and contrary to the public available information recently obtained to prevent exceeding the 2016 total interest. This requirement is from the fishery. The Assistant allowable catch of Pacific ocean perch impracticable and contrary to the public Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA in the West Yakutat District of the GOA. interest as it would prevent NMFS from (AA), finds good cause to waive the DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska responding to the most recent fisheries requirement to provide prior notice and local time (A.l.t.), July 27, 2016, through data in a timely fashion and would opportunity for public comment 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2016. delay the closure of directed fishing for pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 Pacific ocean perch in the West Yakutat U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: District of the GOA. NMFS was unable impracticable and contrary to the public Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. to publish a notice providing time for interest. This requirement is SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS public comment because the most impracticable and contrary to the public manages the groundfish fishery in the recent, relevant data only became interest as it would prevent NMFS from GOA exclusive economic zone available as of July 26, 2016. responding to the most recent fisheries according to the Fishery Management data in a timely fashion and would Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of The AA also finds good cause to delay the closure of directed fishing for Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North waive the 30-day delay in the effective dusky rockfish in the West Yakutat Pacific Fishery Management Council date of this action under 5 U.S.C. District of the GOA. NMFS was unable under authority of the Magnuson- 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon to publish a notice providing time for Stevens Fishery Conservation and the reasons provided above for waiver of public comment because the most Management Act. Regulations governing prior notice and opportunity for public recent, relevant data only became fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance comment. available as of July 26, 2016. with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 This action is required by § 679.20 The AA also finds good cause to CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. and is exempt from review under waive the 30-day delay in the effective The 2016 total allowable catch (TAC) Executive Order 12866. date of this action under 5 U.S.C. of Pacific ocean perch in the West Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon Yakutat District of the GOA is 2,847 the reasons provided above for waiver of metric tons (mt) as established by the Dated: July 27, 2016. prior notice and opportunity for public final 2016 and 2017 harvest Emily H. Menashes, comment. specifications for groundfish of the GOA Acting Director, Office of Sustainable This action is required by § 679.20 (81 FR 14740, March 18, 2016). Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES and is exempt from review under In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), [FR Doc. 2016–18126 Filed 7–27–16; 4:15 pm] Executive Order 12866. the Administrator, Alaska Region, BILLING CODE 3510–22–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:30 Jul 29, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00123 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\01AUR1.SGM 01AUR1


Document Created: 2016-07-30 06:25:57
Document Modified: 2016-07-30 06:25:57
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.), July 27, 2016, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2016.
ContactSteve Whitney, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation81 FR 50404 
RIN Number0648-XE77
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