81 FR 5054 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka Mackerel in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 20 (February 1, 2016)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 20 (February 1, 2016)
| Page Range | 5054-5055 | |
| FR Document | 2016-01755 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 20 (Monday, February 1, 2016)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 5054-5055] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-01755] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 141021887-5172-02] RIN 0648-XE415 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka Mackerel 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; closure. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 5055]] SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the Eastern Aleutian district and the Bering Sea subarea (BSEAI) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Island management area (BSAI) by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery. This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2016 Atka mackerel total allowable catch (TAC) in the BSEAI allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 27, 2016, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., June 10, 2016. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the BSAI exclusive economic zone 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 A season allowance of the 2016 Atka mackerel TAC, in the BSEAI, allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery was established as a directed fishing allowance of 1,216 metric tons by the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015), and as adjusted by an inseason adjustment (81 FR 184, January 5, 2016) In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, finds that this directed fishing allowance has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the BSEAI by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery. After the effective dates 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 a 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 the Atka mackerel fishery in the BSEAI for vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of January 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: January 27, 2016. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016-01755 Filed 1-27-16; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![5054 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 20 / Monday, February 1, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
amended, subject to Commission confidential business information, or Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA
approval. otherwise sensitive information (AA), finds good cause to waive the
[FR Doc. 2016–00060 Filed 1–29–16; 8:45 am] submitted voluntarily by the sender will requirement to provide prior notice and
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
be publicly accessible. NMFS will opportunity for public comment
accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/ pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
A’’ in the required fields if you wish to U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is
remain anonymous). Attachments to impracticable and contrary to the public
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
electronic comments will be accepted in interest. This requirement is
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF impracticable and contrary to the public
Administration file formats only. interest as it would prevent NMFS from
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh responding to the most recent fisheries
50 CFR Part 679 Keaton, 907–586–7228. data in a timely fashion and would
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS delay the opening of directed fishing for
[Docket No. 140918791–4999–02] pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the
manages the groundfish fishery in the
GOA exclusive economic zone GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a
RIN 0648–XE414
according to the Fishery Management document providing time for public
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of comment because the most recent,
Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North relevant data only became available as
Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska Pacific Fishery Management Council of January 25, 2016.
under authority of the Magnuson- The AA also finds good cause to
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries waive the 30-day delay in the effective
Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
Management Act. Regulations governing
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance
Commerce. the reasons provided above for waiver of
with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50
ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. prior notice and opportunity for public
a closure. The A season allowance of the 2016 comment.
Without this inseason adjustment,
total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock in
SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed NMFS could not allow the fishery for
Statistical Area 630 of the GOA is
fishing for pollock in Statistical Area pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the
12,456 metric tons (mt) as established
630 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This GOA to be harvested in an expedient
by the final 2015 and 2016 harvest
action is necessary to fully use the A manner and in accordance with the
specifications for groundfish of the GOA
season allowance of the 2016 total regulatory schedule. Under
(80 FR 10250, February 25, 2015) and
allowable catch of pollock in Statistical § 679.25(c)(2), interested persons are
inseason adjustment (81 FR 188, January
Area 630 of the GOA. invited to submit written comments on
5, 2016).
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local this action to the above address until
NMFS closed directed fishing for
time (A.l.t.), January 29, 2016, through February 16, 2016.
pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the
1200 hrs, A.l.t., March 10, 2016. This action is required by § 679.25
GOA under § 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on
Comments must be received at the and is exempt from review under
January 27, 2016 (81 FR 4594, January
following address no later than 4:30 Executive Order 12866.
27, 2016).
p.m., A.l.t., February 16, 2016. As of January 25, 2016, NMFS has Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments determined that approximately 11,700 Dated: January 27, 2016.
on this document, identified by FDMS metric tons of pollock remain in the A Emily H. Menashes,
Docket Number NOAA–NMFS–2013– season directed fishing allowance for Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
0147 by any of the following methods: pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
• Electronic Submission: Submit all GOA. Therefore, in accordance with [FR Doc. 2016–01751 Filed 1–29–16; 8:45 am]
electronic public comments via the § 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize the A
www.regulations.gov/ season allowance of the 2016 TAC of
#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2013- pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
0147, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, GOA, NMFS is terminating the previous
complete the required fields, and enter closure and is reopening directed National Oceanic and Atmospheric
or attach your comments. fishing pollock in Statistical Area 630 of Administration
• Mail: Address written comments to the GOA, effective 1200 hrs, A.l.t.,
Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional January 29, 2016. 50 CFR Part 679
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries The Administrator, Alaska Region
[Docket No. 141021887–5172–02]
Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn: (Regional Administrator) considered the
Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. following factors in reaching this RIN 0648–XE415
Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668. decision: (1) The current catch of
Instructions: Comments sent by any pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
other method, to any other address or GOA and, (2) the harvest capacity and Zone Off Alaska; Atka Mackerel in the
individual, or received after the end of stated intent on future harvesting Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
the comment period, may not be Management Area
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patterns of vessels in participating in
considered by NMFS. All comments this fishery. AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
received are a part of the public record Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
and will generally be posted for public Classification
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
viewing on www.regulations.gov This action responds to the best Commerce.
without change. All personal identifying available information recently obtained
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
information (e.g., name, address), from the fishery. The Assistant
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 20 / Monday, February 1, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 5055
SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed The A season allowance of the 2016 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such a requirement
fishing for Atka mackerel in the Eastern Atka mackerel TAC, in the BSEAI, is impracticable and contrary to the
Aleutian district and the Bering Sea allocated to vessels participating in the public interest. This requirement is
subarea (BSEAI) of the Bering Sea and BSAI trawl limited access fishery was impracticable and contrary to the public
Aleutian Island management area established as a directed fishing interest as it would prevent NMFS from
(BSAI) by vessels participating in the allowance of 1,216 metric tons by the responding to the most recent fisheries
BSAI trawl limited access fishery. This final 2015 and 2016 harvest data in a timely fashion and would
action is necessary to prevent exceeding specifications for groundfish in the delay the directed fishing closure of the
the A season allowance of the 2016 Atka BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015), and Atka mackerel fishery in the BSEAI for
mackerel total allowable catch (TAC) in as adjusted by an inseason adjustment vessels participating in the BSAI trawl
the BSEAI allocated to vessels (81 FR 184, January 5, 2016) limited access fishery. NMFS was
participating in the BSAI trawl limited In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), unable to publish a notice providing
access fishery. the Administrator, Alaska Region, time for public comment because the
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local NMFS, finds that this directed fishing most recent, relevant data only became
time (A.l.t.), January 27, 2016, through allowance has been reached. available as of January 26, 2016. The AA
1200 hrs, A.l.t., June 10, 2016. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting also finds good cause to waive the 30-
directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the day delay in the effective date of this
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh
BSEAI by vessels participating in the action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This
Keaton, 907–586–7228. BSAI trawl limited access fishery. finding is based upon the reasons
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS After the effective dates of this provided above for waiver of prior
manages the groundfish fishery in the closure, the maximum retainable notice and opportunity for public
BSAI exclusive economic zone amounts at § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at comment.
according to the Fishery Management any time during a trip. This action is required by § 679.20
Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and is exempt from review under
and Aleutian Islands Management Area Classification
Executive Order 12866.
(FMP) prepared by the North Pacific This action responds to the best Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Fishery Management Council under available information recently obtained
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens from the fishery. The Assistant Dated: January 27, 2016.
Fishery Conservation and Management Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, Emily H. Menashes,
Act. Regulations governing fishing by (AA) finds good cause to waive the Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP requirement to provide prior notice and Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 opportunity for public comment [FR Doc. 2016–01755 Filed 1–27–16; 4:15 pm]
and 50 CFR part 679. pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES
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Document Created: 2016-01-30 01:17:25
Document Modified: 2016-01-30 01:17:25
| 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.), January 27, 2016, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., June 10, 2016. | |
| Contact | Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 5054 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XE41 |
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