82_FR_15221 82 FR 15164 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska

82 FR 15164 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 57 (March 27, 2017)

Page Range15164-15165
FR Document2017-05978

NMFS is opening directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully use the B season allowance of the 2017 total allowable catch of pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 57 (Monday, March 27, 2017) 
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 57 (Monday, March 27, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15164-15165]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-05978]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 160920866-7167-02]
RIN 0648-XF310


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in 
Statistical Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of closure.

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[[Page 15165]]

SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for pollock in Statistical 
Area 610 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully 
use the B season allowance of the 2017 total allowable catch of pollock 
in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 23, 
2017, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 27, 2017.
    Comments must be received at the following address no later than 
4:30 p.m., A.l.t., April 6, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by FDMS 
Docket Number NOAA-NMFS-2016-0127 by any of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to 
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2016-0127, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: Address 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), 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: 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 B season allowance of the 2017 total allowable catch (TAC) of 
pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA is 2,232 metric tons (mt) as 
established by the final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications for 
groundfish of the GOA (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017).
    NMFS closed directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 610 of 
the GOA under Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii) on March 12, 2017 (82 FR 13777, 
March 15, 2017).
    As of March 17, 2017, NMFS has determined that approximately 1,874 
metric tons of pollock remain in the B season directed fishing 
allowance for pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA. Therefore, in 
accordance with Sec.  679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and 
(a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize the B season allowance of the 2017 
TAC of pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA, NMFS is terminating 
the previous closure and is reopening directed fishing pollock in 
Statistical Area 610 of the GOA, effective 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 
23, 2017.
    The Administrator, Alaska Region (Regional Administrator) 
considered the following factors in reaching this decision: (1) The 
current catch of pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA and, (2) 
the harvest capacity and stated intent on future harvesting patterns of 
vessels in participating in this fishery.
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional 
Administrator has determined that the B season allowance of the 2017 
TAC of pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA will be reached on 
March 27, 2017. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a 
directed fishing allowance of 2,132 mt and is setting aside the 
remaining 100 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 will be 
reached on March 27, 2017. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed 
fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA on March 27, 
2017.
    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 Acting 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 opening of directed fishing for pollock in 
Statistical Area 610 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 March 17, 2017.
    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.
    Without this inseason adjustment, NMFS could not allow the fishery 
for pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA to be harvested in an 
expedient manner and in accordance with the regulatory schedule. Under 
Sec.  679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to submit written 
comments on this action to the above address until April 6, 2017.
    This action is required by Sec.  679.25 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: March 21, 2017.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-05978 Filed 3-22-17; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

15164 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 57 / Monday, March 27, 2017 / Rules and Regulations § 648.62 Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM) (30.6 mt) set under Scallop Framework ensure that federally permitted scallop Management Program. Adjustment 27 default measures for the vessels do not harvest more than the * * * * * start of the 2017 fishing year, and a State allocated TAC for the NGOM Scallop (b) * * * Waters Exemption Program for the State Management Area. The projections of (1) NGOM annual hard TACs. The of Maine. Section 648.62(b)(2) requires the date on which the NGOM Scallop annual hard TAC for the NGOM is the NGOM Scallop Management Area to Management Area TAC will be 73,371 lb (33,281 kg) for the 2017 be closed to federally permitted scallop harvested become apparent only as trips fishing year and 95,000 lb (43,091 kg) vessels for the remainder of the fishing into the area occur on a real-time basis for the 2018 fishing year. year once the NMFS Greater Atlantic and as activity trends begin to appear. * * * * * Regional Administrator determines that As a result, an accurate projection only [FR Doc. 2017–06002 Filed 3–23–17; 4:15 pm] the default TAC for fishing year 2017 is can be made very close in time to when BILLING CODE 3510–22–P projected to be harvested. Any vessel the TAC is harvested. In addition, that holds a Federal NGOM permit proposing a closure would likely (category LAGC B) may continue to fish increase activity, triggering an earlier DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE in the Maine state waters portion of the closure than predicted. To allow NGOM Scallop Management Area under federally permitted scallop vessels to National Oceanic and Atmospheric the State Waters Exemption Program continue to take trips in the NGOM Administration found in § 648.54 provided they have a Scallop Management Area during the valid Maine state scallop permit and period necessary to publish and receive 50 CFR Part 648 fish in state waters only. comments on a proposed rule would [Docket No. 151210999–6348–02] Based on trip declarations by likely result in vessels over-harvesting federally permitted scallop vessels the 2017 default TAC for the NGOM RIN 0648–XF312 fishing in the NGOM Scallop Scallop Management Area. Over-harvest Management Area, an analysis of fishing from the NGOM Scallop Management Fisheries of the Northeastern United effort, and other information, we project States; Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery; Area would result in excessive fishing that the 2017 default TAC will be effort in the area, where effort controls 2017 Closure of the Northern Gulf of harvested as of March 23, 2017. Maine Scallop Management Area are critical, thereby undermining Therefore, in accordance with conservation objectives of the Atlantic AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries § 648.62(b)(2), the NGOM Scallop Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Management Area is closed to all and requiring more restrictive future Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), federally permitted scallop vessels as of management measures. Also, the public Commerce. March 23, 2017. No vessel issued a had prior notice and full opportunity to ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. Federal scallop permit may fish for, comment on this closure process when possess, or land scallops in or from the we put these provisions in place. NMFS SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the NGOM Scallop Management Area after further finds, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Northern Gulf of Maine Scallop 0001 local time, March 23, 2017, unless 553(d)(3), good cause to waive the 30- Management Area will close for the the vessel is fishing exclusively in state day delayed effectiveness period for the remainder of the 2017 fishing year. No waters and is participating in an reasons stated above. vessel issued a Federal scallop permit, approved state waters exemption with the exception of Northern Gulf of program as specified in § 648.54. Any Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Maine permit holders also holding a federally permitted scallop vessel that Dated: March 21, 2017. Maine state scallop permit and fishing has declared into the NGOM Scallop Karen H. Abrams, under the state waters exemption Management Area, complied with all Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable program in Maine state waters, may fish trip notification and observer Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. for, possess, or land scallops from the requirements, and crossed the VMS [FR Doc. 2017–05904 Filed 3–22–17; 8:45 am] Northern Gulf of Maine Scallop demarcation line on the way to the area BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Management Area. Regulations require before 0001, March 23, 2017, may this action once NMFS projects that 100 complete its trip. All limited access percent of the 2017 default total scallop vessels fishing on a day-at-sea DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE allowable catch for the Northern Gulf of must exit the NGOM Scallop Maine Scallop Management Area will be Management Area before 0001 hr local National Oceanic and Atmospheric harvested. time, March 23, 2017. This closure is in Administration DATES: Effective 0001 hr local time, effect through February 28, 2018. March 23, 2017, through February 28, Classification 50 CFR Part 679 2018. This action is required by 50 CFR part [Docket No. 160920866–7167–02] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 648 and is exempt from review under Shannah Jaburek, Fishery Management Executive Order 12866. RIN 0648–XF310 Specialist, (978) 282–8456. NMFS finds good cause pursuant to 5 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The reader U.S.C. 553(b)(B) to waive prior notice Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic can find regulations governing fishing and the opportunity for public comment Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical activity in the Northern Gulf of Maine because it would be contrary to the Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska pmangrum on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES (NGOM) Scallop Management Area in public interest and impracticable. The AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries 50 CFR 648.54 and § 648.62. These NGOM Scallop Management Area Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and regulations authorize vessels issued a opened for the 2017 fishing year on Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), valid Federal scallop permit to fish in March 1, 2017, under default measures Commerce. the NGOM Scallop Management Area implemented under Framework 27 (May ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of under specific conditions, including a 4, 2016, 81 FR 26727). The regulations closure. total allowable catch (TAC) of 70,000 lb at § 648.60(b)(2) require this closure to VerDate Sep<11>2014 12:21 Mar 24, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\27MRR1.SGM 27MRR1

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 57 / Monday, March 27, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 15165 SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed under authority of the Magnuson- in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA on fishing for pollock in Statistical Area Stevens Fishery Conservation and March 27, 2017. 610 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This Management Act. Regulations governing After the effective date of this closure action is necessary to fully use the B fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance the maximum retainable amounts at season allowance of the 2017 total with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time allowable catch of pollock in Statistical CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. during a trip. Area 610 of the GOA. The B season allowance of the 2017 Classification DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock in local time (A.l.t.), March 23, 2017, Statistical Area 610 of the GOA is 2,232 This action responds to the best through 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 27, metric tons (mt) as established by the available information recently obtained 2017. final 2017 and 2018 harvest from the fishery. The Acting Assistant Comments must be received at the specifications for groundfish of the GOA Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA following address no later than 4:30 (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017). (AA), finds good cause to waive the p.m., A.l.t., April 6, 2017. NMFS closed directed fishing for requirement to provide prior notice and ADDRESSES: You may submit comments pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the opportunity for public comment on this document, identified by FDMS GOA under § 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on March pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 Docket Number NOAA–NMFS–2016– 12, 2017 (82 FR 13777, March 15, 2017). U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is 0127 by any of the following methods: impracticable and contrary to the public • Electronic Submission: Submit all As of March 17, 2017, NMFS has interest. This requirement is electronic public comments via the determined that approximately 1,874 impracticable and contrary to the public Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to metric tons of pollock remain in the B interest as it would prevent NMFS from www.regulations.gov/ season directed fishing allowance for responding to the most recent fisheries #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2016- pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the data in a timely fashion and would 0127, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, GOA. Therefore, in accordance with delay the opening of directed fishing for complete the required fields, and enter § 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the or attach your comments. (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize the B GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a • Mail: Address written comments to season allowance of the 2017 TAC of notice providing time for public Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the comment because the most recent, Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries GOA, NMFS is terminating the previous relevant data only became available as Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn: closure and is reopening directed of March 17, 2017. Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. fishing pollock in Statistical Area 610 of The AA also finds good cause to Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668. the GOA, effective 1200 hours, A.l.t., waive the 30-day delay in the effective Instructions: Comments sent by any March 23, 2017. date of this action under 5 U.S.C. other method, to any other address or The Administrator, Alaska Region 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon individual, or received after the end of (Regional Administrator) considered the the reasons provided above for waiver of the comment period, may not be following factors in reaching this prior notice and opportunity for public considered by NMFS. All comments decision: (1) The current catch of comment. received are a part of the public record pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the Without this inseason adjustment, and will generally be posted for public GOA and, (2) the harvest capacity and NMFS could not allow the fishery for viewing on www.regulations.gov stated intent on future harvesting pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the without change. All personal identifying patterns of vessels in participating in GOA to be harvested in an expedient information (e.g., name, address), this fishery. manner and in accordance with the confidential business information, or In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), regulatory schedule. Under otherwise sensitive information the Regional Administrator has § 679.25(c)(2), interested persons are submitted voluntarily by the sender will determined that the B season allowance invited to submit written comments on be publicly accessible. NMFS will of the 2017 TAC of pollock in Statistical this action to the above address until accept anonymous comments (enter Area 610 of the GOA will be reached on April 6, 2017. ‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish March 27, 2017. Therefore, the Regional This action is required by § 679.25 to remain anonymous). Administrator is establishing a directed and is exempt from review under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh fishing allowance of 2,132 mt and is Executive Order 12866. Keaton, 907–586–7228. setting aside the remaining 100 mt as Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS bycatch to support other anticipated manages the groundfish fishery in the groundfish fisheries. In accordance with Dated: March 21, 2017. GOA exclusive economic zone § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Karen H. Abrams, according to the Fishery Management Administrator finds that this directed Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of fishing allowance will be reached on Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North March 27, 2017. Consequently, NMFS is [FR Doc. 2017–05978 Filed 3–22–17; 4:15 pm] Pacific Fishery Management Council prohibiting directed fishing for pollock BILLING CODE 3510–22–P pmangrum on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES VerDate Sep<11>2014 12:21 Mar 24, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\27MRR1.SGM 27MRR1


Document Created: 2017-03-25 00:22:06
Document Modified: 2017-03-25 00:22:06
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionTemporary rule; modification of closure.
DatesEffective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 23, 2017, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 27, 2017.
ContactJosh Keaton, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation82 FR 15164 
RIN Number0648-XF31
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