81 FR 60295 - Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Deep-Water Species Fishery by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Gulf of Alaska
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 170 (September 1, 2016)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 170 (September 1, 2016)
| Page Range | 60295-60296 | |
| FR Document | 2016-21029 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 170 (Thursday, September 1, 2016)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 60295-60296] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-21029] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 150818742-6210-02] RIN 0648-XE835 Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Deep-Water Species Fishery by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Gulf of Alaska AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for species that comprise the deep-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the fourth seasonal apportionment of the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl deep-water species fishery in the GOA has been reached. DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 1, 2016, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., October 1, 2016. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 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. The fourth seasonal apportionment of the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the deep-water species in the GOA has been determined to be 0 metric tons (mt). This apportionment was established by the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (81 FR 14740, [[Page 60296]] March 18, 2016) and reapportionment (81 FR 45423, July 14, 2016), for the period 1200 hours, A.l.t., September 1, 2016, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., October 1, 2016. In accordance with Sec. 679.21(d)(6)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the fourth seasonal apportionment of Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for deep-water species by vessels using trawl gear in the GOA has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for the deep-water species by vessels using trawl gear in the GOA. The species and species groups that comprise the deep-water species fishery include sablefish, rockfish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, and arrowtooth flounder. This closure does not apply to fishing by vessels participating in the cooperative fishery in the Rockfish Program for the Central 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 the deep-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear 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 August 25, 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. 679.21 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: August 26, 2016. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016-21029 Filed 8-31-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![60296 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 170 / Thursday, September 1, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
March 18, 2016) and reapportionment After the effective date of this closure publish a notice providing time for
(81 FR 45423, July 14, 2016), for the the maximum retainable amounts at public comment because the most
period 1200 hours, A.l.t., September 1, § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time recent, relevant data only became
2016, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., during a trip. available as of August 25, 2016.
October 1, 2016.
In accordance with § 679.21(d)(6)(i), Classification The AA also finds good cause to
the Administrator, Alaska Region, This action responds to the best waive the 30-day delay in the effective
NMFS, has determined that the fourth available information recently obtained date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
seasonal apportionment of Pacific from the fishery. The Assistant 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
halibut bycatch allowance specified for Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA the reasons provided above for waiver of
deep-water species by vessels using (AA), finds good cause to waive the prior notice and opportunity for public
trawl gear in the GOA has been reached. requirement to provide prior notice and comment.
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting opportunity for public comment This action is required by § 679.21
directed fishing for the deep-water pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 and is exempt from review under
species by vessels using trawl gear in U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is Executive Order 12866.
the GOA. The species and species impracticable and contrary to the public
groups that comprise the deep-water interest. This requirement is Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
species fishery include sablefish, impracticable and contrary to the public Dated: August 26, 2016.
rockfish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, interest as it would prevent NMFS from Emily H. Menashes,
and arrowtooth flounder. This closure responding to the most recent fisheries
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
does not apply to fishing by vessels data in a timely fashion and would Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
participating in the cooperative fishery delay the closure of the deep-water
[FR Doc. 2016–21029 Filed 8–31–16; 8:45 am]
in the Rockfish Program for the Central species fishery by vessels using trawl
GOA. gear in the GOA. NMFS was unable to BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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Document Created: 2018-02-09 11:57:27
Document Modified: 2018-02-09 11:57:27
| 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 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 1, 2016, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., October 1, 2016. | |
| Contact | Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 60295 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XE83 |
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