81 FR 67215 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Big Skate in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 190 (September 30, 2016)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 190 (September 30, 2016)
| Page Range | 67215-67216 | |
| FR Document | 2016-23830 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 190 (Friday, September 30, 2016)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 67215-67216] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-23830] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 150818742-6210-02] RIN 0648-XE922 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Big Skate in the Central Regulatory Area of 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 retention of big skate in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the 2016 total allowable catch of big skate in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA will be reached. DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 29, 2016, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2016. [[Page 67216]] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 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 2016 total allowable catch (TAC) of big skate in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is 1,850 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)(2), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2016 TAC of big skate in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA will be reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that big skate in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA be treated as prohibited species in accordance with Sec. 679.21(b). 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 prohibiting the retention of big skate in the Central Regulatory Area 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 September 27, 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 Sec. 679.21 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: September 28, 2016. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016-23830 Filed 9-28-16; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 190 / Friday, September 30, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 67215
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE reached, or is projected to be reached, close the commercial sector for greater
by filing a notification to that effect with amberjack constitutes good cause to
National Oceanic and Atmospheric the Office of the Federal Register. NMFS waive the requirements to provide prior
Administration projects that commercial landings of notice and opportunity for public
South Atlantic greater amberjack will comment pursuant to the authority set
50 CFR Part 622 reach the commercial ACL by October 4, forth in 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), as such
[Docket No. 100812345–2142–03]
2016. Accordingly, the commercial procedures would be unnecessary and
sector for South Atlantic greater contrary to the public interest. Such
RIN 0648–XE896 amberjack is closed effective at 12:01 procedures are unnecessary because the
a.m., local time, October 4, 2016, until AMs have already been subject to notice
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of 12:01 a.m., local time, March 1, 2017. and comment, and all that remains is to
Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2016 The operator of a vessel with a valid notify the public of the closure. Such
Commercial Accountability Measures Federal commercial vessel permit for procedures are contrary to the public
and Closure for South Atlantic Greater South Atlantic snapper-grouper with interest because of the need to
Amberjack greater amberjack on board must have immediately implement this action to
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries landed and bartered, traded, or sold protect greater amberjack since the
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and such greater amberjack prior to 12:01 capacity of the fishing fleet allows for
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a.m., local time, October 4, 2016. During rapid harvest of the commercial ACL
Commerce. the commercial closure, harvest and (commercial quota). Prior notice and
possession of greater amberjack in or opportunity for public comment would
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
from the South Atlantic EEZ is limited require time and would potentially
SUMMARY: NMFS implements to the bag and possession limits, as result in a harvest well in excess of the
accountability measures (AMs) for specified in § 622.187(b)(1) and (c)(1). established commercial ACL
commercial greater amberjack in the Also during the commercial closure, the (commercial quota).
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the sale or purchase of greater amberjack For the aforementioned reasons, the
South Atlantic. NMFS projects taken from the South Atlantic EEZ is AA also finds good cause to waive the
commercial landings of greater prohibited. The prohibition on sale or 30-day delay in the effectiveness of this
amberjack will reach the commercial purchase does not apply to the sale or action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).
annual catch limit (ACL) by October 4, purchase of greater amberjack that were Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
2016. Therefore, NMFS closes the harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior
to 12:01 a.m., local time, October 4, Dated: September 26, 2016.
commercial sector for greater amberjack
2016, and were held in cold storage by Emily H. Menashes,
in the South Atlantic EEZ on October 4,
2016, and it will remain closed until the a dealer or processor, as specified in Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
§ 622.190(c)(1)(i). Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
start of the next fishing year on March
1, 2017. This closure is necessary to For a person on board a vessel issued [FR Doc. 2016–23587 Filed 9–29–16; 8:45 am]
protect the greater amberjack resource. a valid Federal commercial or charter BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DATES: This rule is effective at 12:01
vessel/headboat permit for the South
a.m., local time, October 4, 2016, until Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery, the
bag and possession limits and the sale DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
12:01 a.m., local time, March 1, 2017.
and purchase provisions of the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: National Oceanic and Atmospheric
commercial closure for greater
Mary Vara, NMFS Southeast Regional Administration
amberjack apply regardless of whether
Office, telephone: 727–824–5305, email:
the fish are harvested in state or Federal
mary.vara@noaa.gov. 50 CFR Part 679
waters, as specified in 50 CFR
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 622.190(c)(1)(ii). [Docket No. 150818742–6210–02]
snapper-grouper fishery of the South
Atlantic includes greater amberjack and Classification RIN 0648–XE922
is managed under the Fishery The Regional Administrator, Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Management Plan for the Snapper- Southeast Region, NMFS, has Zone Off Alaska; Big Skate in the
Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic determined this temporary rule is Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of
Region (FMP). The FMP was prepared necessary for the conservation and Alaska
by the South Atlantic Fishery management of greater amberjack and
Management Council and is the South Atlantic snapper-grouper AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
implemented by NMFS under the fishery and is consistent with the Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Magnuson-Stevens Act and other Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Fishery Conservation and Management applicable laws. Commerce.
Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by This action is taken under 50 CFR ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
regulations at 50 CFR part 622. 622.193(k)(1) and is exempt from review
The commercial ACL for greater under Executive Order 12866. SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention
amberjack is equivalent to the These measures are exempt from the of big skate in the Central Regulatory
commercial quota. The commercial procedures of the Regulatory Flexibility Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
quota for greater amberjack in the South Act, because the temporary rule is action is necessary because the 2016
Atlantic is 769,388 lb (348,989 kg), issued without opportunity for prior total allowable catch of big skate in the
gutted weight, as specified in 50 CFR notice and comment. Central Regulatory Area of the GOA will
622.190(a)(3). This action responds to the best be reached.
Under 50 CFR 622.193(k)(1), NMFS is scientific information available. The DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska
required to close the commercial sector Assistant Administrator for NOAA local time (A.l.t.), September 29, 2016,
for greater amberjack when the Fisheries (AA) finds that the need to through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31,
commercial ACL (commercial quota) is immediately implement this action to 2016.
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:28 Sep 29, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00125 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\30SER1.SGM 30SER1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_67405/page/1.svg)
![67216 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 190 / Friday, September 30, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: determined that the 2016 TAC of big skate in the Central Regulatory Area of
Obren Davis, 907–586–7228. skate in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. NMFS was unable to publish
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS the GOA will be reached. Therefore, a notice providing time for public
manages the groundfish fishery in the NMFS is requiring that big skate in the comment because the most recent,
GOA exclusive economic zone Central Regulatory Area of the GOA be relevant data only became available as
according to the Fishery Management treated as prohibited species in of September 27, 2016.
Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of accordance with § 679.21(b). The AA also finds good cause to
Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North Classification waive the 30-day delay in the effective
Pacific Fishery Management Council date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
under authority of the Magnuson- This action responds to the best
553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
Stevens Fishery Conservation and available information recently obtained
the reasons provided above for waiver of
Management Act. Regulations governing from the fishery. The Assistant
prior notice and opportunity for public
fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA
comment.
with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 (AA), finds good cause to waive the
CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. requirement to provide prior notice and This action is required by § 679.20
The 2016 total allowable catch (TAC) opportunity for public comment and § 679.21 and is exempt from review
of big skate in the Central Regulatory pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 under Executive Order 12866.
Area of the GOA is 1,850 metric tons U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
(mt) as established by the final 2016 and impracticable and contrary to the public
Dated: September 28, 2016.
2017 harvest specifications for interest. This requirement is
groundfish of the GOA (81 FR 14740, impracticable and contrary to the public Emily H. Menashes,
March 18, 2016). interest as it would prevent NMFS from Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(2), the responding to the most recent fisheries Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS data in a timely fashion and would [FR Doc. 2016–23830 Filed 9–28–16; 4:15 pm]
(Regional Administrator), has delay prohibiting the retention of big BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:28 Sep 29, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00126 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\30SER1.SGM 30SER1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_67405/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2018-02-09 13:34:15
Document Modified: 2018-02-09 13:34:15
| 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 29, 2016, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2016. | |
| Contact | Obren Davis, 907-586-7228. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 67215 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XE92 |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR