81 FR 9121 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 36 (February 24, 2016)

Page Range		9121-9121
FR Document		2016-03864

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2016 total allowable catch of pollock for Statistical Area 630 in the GOA.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 36 (Wednesday, February 24, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 24, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 9121]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-03864]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 140918791-4999-02]
RIN 0648-XE462


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in 
Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in 
Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is 
necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2016 total 
allowable catch of pollock for Statistical Area 630 in the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 19, 
2016, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., March 10, 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 A season allowance of the 2016 total allowable catch (TAC) of 
pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA is 12,456 metric tons (mt) 
as established by the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for 
groundfish of the GOA (80 FR 10250, February 25, 2015) and inseason 
adjustment (81 FR 188, January 5, 2016).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional 
Administrator has determined that the A season allowance of the 2016 
TAC of pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA will soon be reached. 
Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed 
fishing allowance of 11,856 mt and is setting aside the remaining 600 
mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In 
accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator 
finds that this directed fishing allowance has been reached. 
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in 
Statistical Area 630 of the 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 directed fishing for pollock in Statistical 
Area 630 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 February 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.
    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.

    Dated: February 19, 2016.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-03864 Filed 2-19-16; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 36 / Wednesday, February 24, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 9121

carriers, Moving of household goods, a water boundary, by the City of El Paso, (80 FR 10250, February 25, 2015) and
Seafood. by any municipality contiguous thereto, inseason adjustment (81 FR 188, January
For reasons set forth in the preamble, or by any municipality adjacent thereto 5, 2016).
FMCSA amends title 49, Code of which is included in the commercial In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i),
Federal Regulations, chapter III, zone of the City of El Paso under the the Regional Administrator has
subchapter B, part 372 as follows: provisions of paragraph (c) of this determined that the A season allowance
section. of the 2016 TAC of pollock in Statistical
PART 372—EXEMPTIONS, Issued pursuant to authority delegated in Area 630 of the GOA will soon be
COMMERCIAL ZONES, AND 49 CFR 1.87 on February 22, 2016. reached. Therefore, the Regional
TERMINAL AREAS T.F. Scott Darling, III, Administrator is establishing a directed
Acting Administrator. fishing allowance of 11,856 mt and is
■ 1. The authority citation for part 372
[FR Doc. 2016–04029 Filed 2–23–16; 8:45 am] setting aside the remaining 600 mt as
is revised to read as follows:
BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
bycatch to support other anticipated
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 13504 and 13506; groundfish fisheries. In accordance with
Pub. L. 105–178, sec. 4031, 112 Stat. 418; and § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional
49 CFR 1.87. Administrator finds that this directed
■ 2. Add §§ 372.245 and 372.247 to read DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE fishing allowance has been reached.
as follows: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting
Administration directed fishing for pollock in Statistical
§ 372.245 New Mexico Commercial Zone. Area 630 of the GOA.
(a) Transportation within a zone After the effective date of this closure
50 CFR Part 679
comprised of Dona Ana and Luna the maximum retainable amounts at
Counties, NM, by motor carriers of [Docket No. 140918791–4999–02] § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time
property, in interstate or foreign during a trip.
RIN 0648–XE462
commerce, not under common control,
management, or arrangement for Classification
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
shipment to or from points beyond such Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical This action responds to the best
zone is partially exempt from regulation Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska available information recently obtained
under 49 U.S.C. 13506(b)(1). from the fishery. The Assistant
(b) To the extent that commercial AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA
zones of municipalities within the two Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and (AA), finds good cause to waive the
counties (as determined under Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), requirement to provide prior notice and
§ 372.241) extend beyond the Commerce. opportunity for public comment
boundaries of this two county zone, the ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
areas of such commercial zones shall be U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is
considered to be part of the zone and SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed impracticable and contrary to the public
partially exempted from regulation fishing for pollock in Statistical Area interest. This requirement is
under 49 U.S.C. 13506(b)(1). 630 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This impracticable and contrary to the public
action is necessary to prevent exceeding interest as it would prevent NMFS from
§ 372.247 City of El Paso, TX. the A season allowance of the 2016 total
The zone adjacent to, and responding to the most recent fisheries
allowable catch of pollock for Statistical data in a timely fashion and would
commercially a part of El Paso, TX, Area 630 in the GOA.
within which transportation of delay the closure of directed fishing for
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the
passengers or property by motor carriers time (A.l.t.), February 19, 2016, through
in interstate or foreign commerce, not GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a
1200 hrs, A.l.t., March 10, 2016. notice providing time for public
under common control, management, or
arrangement for a continuous carriage or FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh comment because the most recent,
shipment to or from a point beyond Keaton, 907–586–7228. relevant data only became available as
such zone, is partially exempt from SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS of February 17, 2016.
regulation under 49 U.S.C. 13506(b)(1), manages the groundfish fishery in the The AA also finds good cause to
includes and is comprised of all points GOA exclusive economic zone waive the 30-day delay in the effective
as follows: according to the Fishery Management date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
(a) The municipality of the City of El Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
Paso, TX; Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North the reasons provided above for waiver of
(b) All municipalities which are Pacific Fishery Management Council prior notice and opportunity for public
contiguous to the City of El Paso; under authority of the Magnuson- comment.
(c) All of any other municipalities and Stevens Fishery Conservation and This action is required by § 679.20
all unincorporated areas within the Management Act. Regulations governing and is exempt from review under
United States which are adjacent to the fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance Executive Order 12866.
City of El Paso as follows: with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
(1) Within 15 miles of the corporate CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
limits of the City of El Paso; or The A season allowance of the 2016 Dated: February 19, 2016.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES

(2) Within 15 miles of the corporate total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock in Jennifer M. Wallace,
limits of the City of San Elizario, TX; Statistical Area 630 of the GOA is Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
and 12,456 metric tons (mt) as established Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
(d) All municipalities wholly by the final 2015 and 2016 harvest [FR Doc. 2016–03864 Filed 2–19–16; 4:15 pm]
surrounded, or so surrounded except for specifications for groundfish of the GOA BILLING CODE 3510–22–P

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:16 Feb 23, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\24FER1.SGM 24FER1

Document Created: 2016-02-23 23:55:32
Document Modified: 2016-02-23 23:55:32

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 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 19, 2016, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., March 10, 2016.
Contact		Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation		81 FR 9121
RIN Number		0648-XE46

81 FR 9121 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 36 (February 24, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration