81 FR 60648 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment to the 2016 Gulf of Alaska Pollock Seasonal Apportionments
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 171 (September 2, 2016)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 171 (September 2, 2016)
| Page Range | 60648-60648 | |
| FR Document | 2016-21200 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 171 (Friday, September 2, 2016)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 60648] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-21200] [[Page 60648]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 150818742-6210-02] RIN 0648-XE837 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment to the 2016 Gulf of Alaska Pollock Seasonal Apportionments AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason adjustment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is adjusting the 2016 C seasonal apportionments of the total allowable catch (TAC) for pollock in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) by re-apportioning unharvested pollock TAC in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630 of the GOA. This action is necessary to provide opportunity for harvest of the 2016 pollock TAC, consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska. DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 30, 2016, until 2400 hours A.l.t., December 31, 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 (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 annual pollock TACs in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630 of the GOA are apportioned among four seasons, in accordance with Sec. 679.23(d)(2). Regulations at Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B) allow the underharvest of a seasonal apportionment to be added to subsequent seasonal apportionments, provided that any revised seasonal apportionment does not exceed 20 percent of the seasonal apportionment for a given statistical area. Therefore, NMFS is increasing the C season apportionment of pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA to reflect the underharvest of pollock in those areas during the B season. In addition, any underharvest remaining beyond 20 percent of the originally specified seasonal apportionment in a particular area may be further apportioned to other statistical areas. Therefore, NMFS also is increasing the C season apportionment of pollock to Statistical Areas 610 and 630 based on the underharvest of pollock in Statistical Areas 620 of the GOA. These adjustments are described below. The C seasonal apportionment of the 2016 pollock TAC in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA is 24,421 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(a)(5)(iv)(B), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), hereby increases the C season apportionment for Statistical Area 610 by 4,873 mt to account for the underharvest of the TAC in Statistical Areas 620 in the B season. This increase is in proportion to the estimated pollock biomass and is not greater than 20 percent of the C seasonal apportionment of the TAC in Statistical Area 610. Therefore, the revised C seasonal apportionment of the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 610 is 29,294 mt (24,421 mt plus 4,873 mt). The C seasonal apportionment of the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA is 15,404 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(a)(5)(iv)(B), the Regional Administrator hereby increases the C seasonal apportionment for Statistical Area 620 by 3,081 mt to account for the underharvest of the TAC in Statistical Areas 620 in the B season. This increase is not greater than 20 percent of the C seasonal apportionment of the TAC in Statistical Area 620. Therefore, the revised C seasonal apportionment of the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 620 is 18,485 mt (15,404 mt plus 3,081 mt). The C seasonal apportionment of pollock TAC in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA is 19,822 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(a)(5)(iv)(B), the Regional Administrator hereby increases the C seasonal apportionment for Statistical Area 630 by 3,243 mt to account for the underharvest of the TAC in Statistical Areas 620 in the B season. This increase is in proportion to the estimated pollock biomass and is not greater than 20 percent of the C seasonal apportionment of the TAC in Statistical Area 630. Therefore, the revised C seasonal apportionment of pollock TAC in Statistical Area 630 is 23,065 mt (19,822 mt plus 3,243 mt). 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 provide opportunity to harvest increased pollock seasonal apportionments. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of August 29, 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. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016-21200 Filed 8-30-16; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![60648 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 171 / Friday, September 2, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE provided that any revised seasonal The C seasonal apportionment of
apportionment does not exceed 20 pollock TAC in Statistical Area 630 of
National Oceanic and Atmospheric percent of the seasonal apportionment the GOA is 19,822 mt as established by
Administration for a given statistical area. Therefore, the final 2016 and 2017 harvest
NMFS is increasing the C season specifications for groundfish of the GOA
50 CFR Part 679 apportionment of pollock in Statistical (81 FR 14740, March 18, 2016). In
[Docket No. 150818742–6210–02] Area 620 of the GOA to reflect the accordance with § 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B),
underharvest of pollock in those areas the Regional Administrator hereby
RIN 0648–XE837 during the B season. In addition, any increases the C seasonal apportionment
underharvest remaining beyond 20 for Statistical Area 630 by 3,243 mt to
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic percent of the originally specified account for the underharvest of the TAC
Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment seasonal apportionment in a particular in Statistical Areas 620 in the B season.
to the 2016 Gulf of Alaska Pollock area may be further apportioned to other This increase is in proportion to the
Seasonal Apportionments statistical areas. Therefore, NMFS also is estimated pollock biomass and is not
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries increasing the C season apportionment greater than 20 percent of the C seasonal
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and of pollock to Statistical Areas 610 and apportionment of the TAC in Statistical
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 630 based on the underharvest of Area 630. Therefore, the revised C
Commerce. pollock in Statistical Areas 620 of the seasonal apportionment of pollock TAC
ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason GOA. These adjustments are described in Statistical Area 630 is 23,065 mt
adjustment. below. (19,822 mt plus 3,243 mt).
The C seasonal apportionment of the Classification
SUMMARY: NMFS is adjusting the 2016 C 2016 pollock TAC in Statistical Area
seasonal apportionments of the total 610 of the GOA is 24,421 metric tons This action responds to the best
allowable catch (TAC) for pollock in the (mt) as established by the final 2016 and available information recently obtained
Gulf of Alaska (GOA) by re-apportioning 2017 harvest specifications for from the fishery. The Assistant
unharvested pollock TAC in Statistical groundfish of the GOA (81 FR 14740, Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA
Areas 610, 620, and 630 of the GOA. March 18, 2016). In accordance with (AA), finds good cause to waive the
This action is necessary to provide § 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B), the Administrator, requirement to provide prior notice and
opportunity for harvest of the 2016 Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional opportunity for public comment
pollock TAC, consistent with the goals Administrator), hereby increases the C pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
and objectives of the Fishery season apportionment for Statistical U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is
Management Plan for Groundfish of the Area 610 by 4,873 mt to account for the impracticable and contrary to the public
Gulf of Alaska. underharvest of the TAC in Statistical interest. This requirement is
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska Areas 620 in the B season. This increase impracticable and contrary to the public
local time (A.l.t.), August 30, 2016, until is in proportion to the estimated pollock interest as it would prevent NMFS from
2400 hours A.l.t., December 31, 2016. biomass and is not greater than 20 responding to the most recent fisheries
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh percent of the C seasonal apportionment data in a timely fashion and would
Keaton, 907–586–7228. of the TAC in Statistical Area 610. provide opportunity to harvest
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS Therefore, the revised C seasonal increased pollock seasonal
manages the groundfish fishery in the apportionment of the pollock TAC in apportionments. NMFS was unable to
GOA exclusive economic zone Statistical Area 610 is 29,294 mt (24,421 publish a notice providing time for
according to the Fishery Management mt plus 4,873 mt). public comment because the most
Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of The C seasonal apportionment of the recent, relevant data only became
Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North pollock TAC in Statistical Area 620 of available as of August 29, 2016.
Pacific Fishery Management Council the GOA is 15,404 mt as established by The AA also finds good cause to
(Council) under authority of the the final 2016 and 2017 harvest waive the 30-day delay in the effective
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery specifications for groundfish of the GOA date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
Conservation and Management Act. (81 FR 14740, March 18, 2016). In 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
Regulations governing fishing by U.S. accordance with § 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B), the reasons provided above for waiver of
vessels in accordance with the FMP the Regional Administrator hereby prior notice and opportunity for public
appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 increases the C seasonal apportionment comment.
and 50 CFR part 679. for Statistical Area 620 by 3,081 mt to This action is required by § 679.20
The annual pollock TACs in account for the underharvest of the TAC and is exempt from review under
Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630 of in Statistical Areas 620 in the B season. Executive Order 12866.
the GOA are apportioned among four This increase is not greater than 20 Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
seasons, in accordance with percent of the C seasonal apportionment
§ 679.23(d)(2). Regulations at of the TAC in Statistical Area 620. Emily H. Menashes,
§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B) allow the Therefore, the revised C seasonal Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
underharvest of a seasonal apportionment of the pollock TAC in Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
apportionment to be added to Statistical Area 620 is 18,485 mt (15,404 [FR Doc. 2016–21200 Filed 8–30–16; 4:15 pm]
subsequent seasonal apportionments, mt plus 3,081 mt). BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
Lhorne on DSK30JT082PROD with RULES
VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:05 Sep 01, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\02SER1.SGM 02SER1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_60819/page/1.svg)
Document Created: 2018-02-09 11:55:53
Document Modified: 2018-02-09 11:55:53
| 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; inseason adjustment. | |
| Dates | Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 30, 2016, until 2400 hours A.l.t., December 31, 2016. | |
| Contact | Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 60648 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XE83 |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR