81 FR 86288 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Several Groundfish Species in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 230 (November 30, 2016)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 230 (November 30, 2016)
| Page Range | 86288-86289 | |
| FR Document | 2016-28814 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 230 (Wednesday, November 30, 2016)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 86288-86289] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-28814] [[Page 86288]] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 150916863-6211-02] RIN 0648-XF064 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Several Groundfish Species 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; apportionment of reserves; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS apportions amounts of the non-specified reserve to the total allowable catch (TAC) of Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Alaska plaice, Kamchatka flounder, northern rockfish, skates, sculpins, sharks, and octopus in the BSAI management area. This action is necessary to allow the fisheries to continue operating. It is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the fishery management plan for the BSAI management area. DATES: Effective November 29, 2016 through 2400 hrs, Alaska local time, December 31, 2016. Comments must be received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., Alaska local time, December 15, 2016. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by FDMS Docket Number 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, http://www.regulations.gov/docket?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, etc.), 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). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 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 parts 600 and 679. In the BSAI, the 2016 TAC of Alaska plaice was established as 12,325 metric tons (mt), the 2016 TAC of Kamchatka flounder was established as 4,550 mt, the 2016 TAC of northern rockfish was established as 4,375 mt, the 2016 TAC of skates was established as 27,100 mt, the 2016 TAC of sculpins was established as 4,325 mt, the 2016 TAC of sharks was established as 125 mt, and the 2016 TAC of octopus was established as 400 mt by the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for groundfish of the BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016) and apportionment of non-specified reserves (81 FR 68369, October 4, 2016). In accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(3) the Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has reviewed the most current available data and finds that the TACs for BSAI Alaska plaice, Kamchatka flounder, northern rockfish, skates, sculpins, sharks, and octopus need to be supplemented from the non-specified reserve to promote efficiency in the utilization of fishery resources in the BSAI and allow fishing operations to continue. Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(b)(3), NMFS apportions from the non-specified reserve of groundfish 1,000 mt to the Alaska plaice TAC, 300 mt to the Kamchatka flounder TAC, 170 mt to the northern rockfish TAC, 402 mt to the skates TAC, 300 mt to the sculpins TAC, 5 mt to the sharks TAC, and 100 mt to the octopus TAC. These apportionments are consistent with Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(i) and do not result in overfishing of any target species because the revised TACs and total allowable catch (TAC) are equal to or less than the specifications of the acceptable biological catch in the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773; March 18, 2016) and apportionment of non-specified reserves (81 FR 68369; October 4, 2016). The harvest specification for the 2016 TACs and TACs included in the harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI are revised as follows: The 2016 TAC is increased to 13,325 mt for Alaska plaice, 4,850 mt for Kamchatka flounder, 4,545 mt for northern rockfish, 27,502 mt for skates, 4,625 mt for sculpins, 130 mt for sharks, and 500 mt for BSAI octopus. 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) and Sec. 679.20(b)(3)(iii)(A) 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 apportionment of the non-specified reserves of groundfish to the BSAI Alaska plaice, Kamchatka flounder, northern rockfish, skates, sculpins, sharks, and octopus 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 November 22, 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. Under Sec. 679.20(b)(3)(iii), interested persons are invited to submit written comments on this action (see ADDRESSES) until December 15, 2016. 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. [[Page 86289]] Dated: November 25, 2016. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016-28814 Filed 11-29-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![86288 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 230 / Wednesday, November 30, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE otherwise sensitive information groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773;
submitted voluntarily by the sender will March 18, 2016) and apportionment of
National Oceanic and Atmospheric be publicly accessible. NMFS will non-specified reserves (81 FR 68369;
Administration accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/ October 4, 2016).
A’’ in the required fields if you wish to The harvest specification for the 2016
50 CFR Part 679 remain anonymous).
TACs and TACs included in the harvest
[Docket No. 150916863–6211–02] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: specifications for groundfish in the
Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. BSAI are revised as follows: The 2016
RIN 0648–XF064
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS TAC is increased to 13,325 mt for
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic manages the groundfish fishery in the Alaska plaice, 4,850 mt for Kamchatka
Zone Off Alaska; Several Groundfish (BSAI) exclusive economic zone flounder, 4,545 mt for northern rockfish,
Species in the Bering Sea and Aleutian according to the Fishery Management 27,502 mt for skates, 4,625 mt for
Islands Management Area Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea
sculpins, 130 mt for sharks, and 500 mt
and Aleutian Islands Management Area
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries for BSAI octopus.
(FMP) prepared by the North Pacific
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Fishery Management Council under Classification
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), authority of the Magnuson-Stevens
Commerce. Fishery Conservation and Management This action responds to the best
ACTION: Temporary rule; apportionment Act. Regulations governing fishing by available information recently obtained
of reserves; request for comments. U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP from the fishery. The Assistant
appear at subpart H of 50 CFR parts 600 Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA,
SUMMARY: NMFS apportions amounts of and 679. (AA) finds good cause to waive the
the non-specified reserve to the total In the BSAI, the 2016 TAC of Alaska requirement to provide prior notice and
allowable catch (TAC) of Bering Sea and plaice was established as 12,325 metric opportunity for public comment
Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Alaska plaice, tons (mt), the 2016 TAC of Kamchatka pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
Kamchatka flounder, northern rockfish, flounder was established as 4,550 mt, U.S.C. 553(b)(B) and
skates, sculpins, sharks, and octopus in the 2016 TAC of northern rockfish was § 679.20(b)(3)(iii)(A) as such a
the BSAI management area. This action established as 4,375 mt, the 2016 TAC requirement is impracticable and
is necessary to allow the fisheries to of skates was established as 27,100 mt, contrary to the public interest. This
continue operating. It is intended to the 2016 TAC of sculpins was
promote the goals and objectives of the requirement is impracticable and
established as 4,325 mt, the 2016 TAC contrary to the public interest as it
fishery management plan for the BSAI of sharks was established as 125 mt, and
management area. would prevent NMFS from responding
the 2016 TAC of octopus was to the most recent fisheries data in a
DATES: Effective November 29, 2016 established as 400 mt by the final 2016
through 2400 hrs, Alaska local time, timely fashion and would delay the
and 2017 harvest specifications for
December 31, 2016. Comments must be apportionment of the non-specified
groundfish of the BSAI (81 FR 14773,
received at the following address no March 18, 2016) and apportionment of reserves of groundfish to the BSAI
later than 4:30 p.m., Alaska local time, non-specified reserves (81 FR 68369, Alaska plaice, Kamchatka flounder,
December 15, 2016. October 4, 2016). In accordance with northern rockfish, skates, sculpins,
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments § 679.20(a)(3) the Regional sharks, and octopus in the BSAI.
on this document, identified by FDMS Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, Immediate notification is necessary to
Docket Number NOAA–NMFS–2015– has reviewed the most current available allow for the orderly conduct and
0118 by any of the following methods: data and finds that the TACs for BSAI efficient operation of this fishery, to
• Electronic Submission: Submit all Alaska plaice, Kamchatka flounder, allow the industry to plan for the fishing
electronic public comments via the northern rockfish, skates, sculpins, season, and to avoid potential
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to, sharks, and octopus need to be disruption to the fishing fleet and
http://www.regulations.gov/ supplemented from the non-specified processors. NMFS was unable to
docket?D=NOAA-NMFS-2015-0118, reserve to promote efficiency in the publish a notice providing time for
click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, utilization of fishery resources in the public comment because the most
complete the required fields, and enter BSAI and allow fishing operations to recent, relevant data only became
or attach your comments. continue. available as of November 22, 2016.
• Mail: Submit written comments to Therefore, in accordance with
The AA also finds good cause to
Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional § 679.20(b)(3), NMFS apportions from
waive the 30-day delay in the effective
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries the non-specified reserve of groundfish
Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn: 1,000 mt to the Alaska plaice TAC, 300 date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. mt to the Kamchatka flounder TAC, 170 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668. mt to the northern rockfish TAC, 402 mt the reasons provided above for waiver of
Instructions: Comments sent by any to the skates TAC, 300 mt to the prior notice and opportunity for public
other method, to any other address or sculpins TAC, 5 mt to the sharks TAC, comment.
individual, or received after the end of and 100 mt to the octopus TAC. These Under § 679.20(b)(3)(iii), interested
the comment period, may not be apportionments are consistent with persons are invited to submit written
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES
considered by NMFS. All comments § 679.20(b)(1)(i) and do not result in comments on this action (see
received are a part of the public record overfishing of any target species because ADDRESSES) until December 15, 2016.
and will generally be posted for public the revised TACs and total allowable This action is required by § 679.20 and
viewing on www.regulations.gov catch (TAC) are equal to or less than the is exempt from review under Executive
without change. All personal identifying specifications of the acceptable Order 12866.
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), biological catch in the final 2016 and
confidential business information, or 2017 harvest specifications for Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801, et seq.
VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:13 Nov 29, 2016 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\30NOR1.SGM 30NOR1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_86518/page/1.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 230 / Wednesday, November 30, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 86289
Dated: November 25, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–28814 Filed 11–29–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES
VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:13 Nov 29, 2016 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\30NOR1.SGM 30NOR1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_86518/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2016-11-30 02:18:00
Document Modified: 2016-11-30 02:18:00
| 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; apportionment of reserves; request for comments. | |
| Dates | Effective November 29, 2016 through 2400 hrs, Alaska local time, | |
| Contact | Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 86288 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF06 |
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