81 FR 57491 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 163 (August 23, 2016)

Page Range		57491-57492
FR Document		2016-20106

NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI). This action is necessary to fully use the 2016 total allowable catch of Pacific cod allocated to catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 163 (Tuesday, August 23, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 163 (Tuesday, August 23, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57491-57492]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-20106]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 150916863-6211-02]
RIN 0648-XE828


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
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 a closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher 
vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) length overall (LOA) using 
hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
Management Area (BSAI). This action is necessary to fully use the 2016 
total allowable catch of Pacific cod allocated to catcher vessels less 
than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 1, 
2016, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2016. Comments must be 
received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., 
September 6, 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 
www.regulations.gov/

[[Page 57492]]

#!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). 
Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word, 
Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 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.
    NMFS closed directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels 
less than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI under 
Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii) on February 5, 2016 (81 FR 7037, February 10, 
2016).
    NMFS has determined that as of August 17, 2016, approximately 1,511 
metric tons of Pacific cod remain in the 2016 Pacific cod apportionment 
for catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot 
gear 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 use the 2016 total 
allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod in the BSAI, NMFS is terminating 
the previous closure and is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear 
in the BSAI. The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional 
Administrator) considered the following factors in reaching this 
decision: (1) The current catch of Pacific cod by catcher vessels less 
than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear 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) 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 directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher 
vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the 
BSAI. Immediate notification is necessary to allow for the orderly 
conduct and efficient operation of this fishery, to allow the industry 
to plan for the fishing season, and to avoid potential disruption to 
the fishing fleet and processors. NMFS was unable to publish a notice 
providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant 
data only became available as of August 17, 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 Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-
and-line or pot gear 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 September 6, 2016.
    This action is required by Sec.  679.25 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: August 18, 2016.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-20106 Filed 8-22-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 163 / Tuesday, August 23, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 57491

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(1). Therefore, in recent, relevant data only became
accordance with § 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A), available as of August 17, 2016.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric NMFS apportions 1,000 mt of Pacific The AA also finds good cause to
Administration cod to the annual amount specified for waive the 30-day delay in the effective
catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
50 CFR Part 679 using hook-and-line or pot gear. 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
The 2016 Pacific cod TAC specified the reasons provided above for waiver of
[Docket No. 150916863–6211–02]
for catcher vessels greater than or equal prior notice and opportunity for public
RIN 0648–XE827 to 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line gear comment.
in the BSAI is 448 mt as established by This action is required by § 679.20
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic the final 2016 and 2017 harvest and is exempt from review under
Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of specifications for groundfish in the Executive Order 12866.
Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016). Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Aleutian Islands Management Area The Regional Administrator has
Dated: August 18, 2016.
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries determined that catcher vessels greater
than or equal to 60 feet LOA using hook- Alan D. Risenhoover,
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and-line gear will not be able to harvest
448 mt of the remaining 2016 Pacific National Marine Fisheries Service.
Commerce. [FR Doc. 2016–20105 Filed 8–22–16; 8:45 am]
cod TAC allocated to those vessels
ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation.
under § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(3). Therefore, BILLING CODE 3510–22–P

SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the in accordance with § 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A),
projected unused amount of Pacific cod NMFS apportions 448 mt of Pacific cod
to catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
from vessels using jig gear and catcher
vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet using hook-and-line or pot gear. National Oceanic and Atmospheric
(18.3 meters) length overall (LOA) using The harvest specifications for Pacific Administration
hook-and-line gear to catcher vessels cod included in the final 2016 harvest
less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) LOA specifications for groundfish in the 50 CFR Part 679
using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016)
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands and inseason adjustment (81 FR 5627, [Docket No. 150916863–6211–02]
management area. This action is February 3, 2016) are revised as follows: RIN 0648–XE828
necessary to allow the 2016 total 394 mt for vessels using jig gear, 0 mt
allowable catch of Pacific cod to be for catcher vessels greater than or equal Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
harvested. to 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line gear, Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod in the
and 7,674 mt to catcher vessels less than Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
DATES: Effective August 22, 2016 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot Management Area
through 2400 hours, Alaska local time gear.
(A.l.t.), December 31, 2016. AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Classification Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Obren Davis, 907–586–7228. This action responds to the best Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS available information recently obtained Commerce.
manages the groundfish fishery in the from the fishery. The Assistant ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA a closure.
according to the Fishery Management (AA), finds good cause to waive the
Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea requirement to provide prior notice and SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed
and Aleutian Islands Management Area opportunity for public comment fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels
(FMP) prepared by the North Pacific pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) length
Fishery Management Council under U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is overall (LOA) using hook-and-line or
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens impracticable and contrary to the public pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Fishery Conservation and Management interest. This requirement is Islands Management Area (BSAI). This
Act. Regulations governing fishing by impracticable and contrary to the public action is necessary to fully use the 2016
U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP interest as it would prevent NMFS from total allowable catch of Pacific cod
appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 responding to the most recent fisheries allocated to catcher vessels less than 60
and 50 CFR part 679. data in a timely fashion and would feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot
The 2016 Pacific cod total allowable delay the reallocation of Pacific cod gear in the BSAI.
catch (TAC) specified for vessels using specified from other sectors to catcher DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska
jig gear in the BSAI is 1,394 metric tons vessels less than 60 feet LOA using local time (A.l.t.), September 1, 2016,
(mt) as established by the final 2016 and hook-and-line or pot gear. Since the through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31,
2017 harvest specifications for fishery is currently open, it is important 2016. Comments must be received at the
groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773, to immediately inform the industry as to following address no later than 4:30
March 18, 2016) and one inseason the revised allocations. Immediate p.m., A.l.t., September 6, 2016.
adjustment (81 FR 5627, February 3, notification is necessary to allow for the ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
2016). orderly conduct and efficient operation on this document, identified by NOAA–
ehiers on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES

The Administrator, Alaska Region, of this fishery, to allow the industry to NMFS–2015–0118, by any of the
NMFS, (Regional Administrator) has plan for the fishing season, and to avoid following methods:
determined that jig vessels will not be potential disruption to the fishing fleet • Electronic Submission: Submit all
able to harvest 1,000 mt of the as well as processors. NMFS was unable electronic public comments via the
remaining 2016 Pacific cod TAC to publish a notice providing time for Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
allocated to those vessels under public comment because the most www.regulations.gov/

VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:39 Aug 22, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\23AUR1.SGM 23AUR1

$57492 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 163 / Tuesday, August 23, 2016 / Rules and Regulations #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2015- NMFS closed directed fishing for responding to the most recent fisheries 0118, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than data in a timely fashion and would complete the required fields, and enter 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot delay the opening of directed fishing for or attach your comments. gear in the BSAI under Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than • Mail: Submit written comments to § 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on February 5, 2016 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional (81 FR 7037, February 10, 2016). gear in the BSAI. Immediate notification Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries NMFS has determined that as of is necessary to allow for the orderly Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn: August 17, 2016, approximately 1,511 conduct and efficient operation of this Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. metric tons of Pacific cod remain in the fishery, to allow the industry to plan for Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668. 2016 Pacific cod apportionment for the fishing season, and to avoid Instructions: Comments sent by any catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA potential disruption to the fishing fleet other method, to any other address or using hook-and-line or pot gear in the and processors. NMFS was unable to individual, or received after the end of BSAI. Therefore, in accordance with publish a notice providing time for the comment period, may not be § 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and public comment because the most considered by NMFS. All comments (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully use the 2016 recent, relevant data only became received are a part of the public record total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific available as of August 17, 2016. and will generally be posted for public cod in the BSAI, NMFS is terminating viewing on www.regulations.gov The AA also finds good cause to the previous closure and is opening waive the 30-day delay in the effective without change. All personal identifying directed fishing for Pacific cod by information (e.g., name, address), date of this action under 5 U.S.C. catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon confidential business information, or using hook-and-line or pot gear in the otherwise sensitive information the reasons provided above for waiver of BSAI. The Administrator, Alaska prior notice and opportunity for public submitted voluntarily by the sender will Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator) be publicly accessible. NMFS will comment. considered the following factors in accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/ reaching this decision: (1) The current Without this inseason adjustment, A’’ in the required fields if you wish to catch of Pacific cod by catcher vessels NMFS could not allow the fishery for remain anonymous). Attachments to less than 60 feet LOA using hook-and- Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than electronic comments will be accepted in line or pot gear in the BSAI and, (2) the 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF harvest capacity and stated intent on gear in the BSAI to be harvested in an file formats only. future harvesting patterns of vessels in expedient manner and in accordance FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: participating in this fishery. with the regulatory schedule. Under Obren Davis, 907–586–7228. § 679.25(c)(2), interested persons are SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS Classification invited to submit written comments on manages the groundfish fishery in the This action responds to the best this action to the above address until BSAI exclusive economic zone available information recently obtained September 6, 2016. according to the Fishery Management from the fishery. The Assistant This action is required by § 679.25 Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA and is exempt from review under and Aleutian Islands Management Area (AA), finds good cause to waive the Executive Order 12866. (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific requirement to provide prior notice and Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Fishery Management Council under opportunity for public comment authority of the Magnuson-Stevens pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 Dated: August 18, 2016. Fishery Conservation and Management U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is Alan D. Risenhoover, Act. Regulations governing fishing by impracticable and contrary to the public Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP interest. This requirement is National Marine Fisheries Service. appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 impracticable and contrary to the public [FR Doc. 2016–20106 Filed 8–22–16; 8:45 am] and 50 CFR part 679. interest as it would prevent NMFS from BILLING CODE 3510–22–P ehiers on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:39 Aug 22, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\23AUR1.SGM 23AUR1$

Document Created: 2018-02-09 11:40:20
Document Modified: 2018-02-09 11:40:20

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; modification of a closure.
Dates		Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 1, 2016, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2016. Comments must be
Contact		Obren Davis, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation		81 FR 57491
RIN Number		0648-XE82

81 FR 57491 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 163 (August 23, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration