82 FR 18252 - Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Deep-Water Species Fishery by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Gulf of Alaska

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 73 (April 18, 2017)

Page Range		18252-18252
FR Document		2017-07802

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for species that comprise the deep-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the second seasonal apportionment of the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the deep-water species fishery in the GOA has been reached.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 73 (Tuesday, April 18, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 73 (Tuesday, April 18, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 18252]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-07802]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 160920866-7161-02]
RIN 0648-XF368


Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Deep-Water 
Species Fishery by Vessels Using Trawl Gear 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 species that comprise 
the deep-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf 
of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the second seasonal 
apportionment of the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for 
the deep-water species fishery in the GOA has been reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time April 13, 2017, through 
1200 hours, A.l.t., May 15, 2017.

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 second seasonal apportionment of the Pacific halibut bycatch 
allowance specified for the deep-water species fishery in the GOA is 
256 metric tons as established by the final 2017 and 2018 harvest 
specifications for groundfish of the GOA (82 FR 12032, February 27, 
2017), for the period 1200 hours, A.l.t., April 1, 2017, through 1200 
hours, A.l.t., July 1, 2017.
    In accordance with Sec.  679.21(d)(6)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS, has determined that the second seasonal apportionment of 
the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl deep-
water species fishery in the GOA has been reached. Consequently, NMFS 
is prohibiting directed fishing for the deep-water species fishery by 
vessels using trawl gear in the GOA. The species and species groups 
that comprise the deep-water species fishery include sablefish, 
rockfish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, and arrowtooth flounder.
    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 closure of the deep-water species fishery 
by vessels using trawl gear in 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 April 12, 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.
    This action is required by Sec.  679.21 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: April 13, 2017.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-07802 Filed 4-13-17; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

18252 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 73 / Tuesday, April 18, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

system if the system has provided an SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS Classification
email address. manages the groundfish fishery in the
GOA exclusive economic zone This action responds to the best
[FR Doc. 2017–07171 Filed 4–17–17; 8:45 am]
according to the Fishery Management available information recently obtained
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P from the fishery. The Acting Assistant
Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of
Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA
Pacific Fishery Management Council (AA), finds good cause to waive the
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE under authority of the Magnuson- requirement to provide prior notice and
Stevens Fishery Conservation and opportunity for public comment
National Oceanic and Atmospheric pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
Management Act. Regulations governing
Administration U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is
fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance
with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 impracticable and contrary to the public
50 CFR Part 679 interest. This requirement is
CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
The second seasonal apportionment impracticable and contrary to the public
[Docket No. 160920866–7161–02] interest as it would prevent NMFS from
of the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance
specified for the deep-water species responding to the most recent fisheries
RIN 0648–XF368
fishery in the GOA is 256 metric tons as data in a timely fashion and would
Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive established by the final 2017 and 2018 delay the closure of the deep-water
Zone Off Alaska; Deep-Water Species harvest specifications for groundfish of species fishery by vessels using trawl
Fishery by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the GOA (82 FR 12032, February 27, gear in the GOA. NMFS was unable to
the Gulf of Alaska 2017), for the period 1200 hours, A.l.t., publish a notice providing time for
April 1, 2017, through 1200 hours, public comment because the most
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries recent, relevant data only became
A.l.t., July 1, 2017.
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and In accordance with § 679.21(d)(6)(i), available as of April 12, 2017.
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Administrator, Alaska Region, The AA also finds good cause to
Commerce. NMFS, has determined that the second waive the 30-day delay in the effective
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. seasonal apportionment of the Pacific date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
halibut bycatch allowance specified for 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed the reasons provided above for waiver of
the trawl deep-water species fishery in
fishing for species that comprise the prior notice and opportunity for public
the GOA has been reached.
deep-water species fishery by vessels comment.
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting
using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska
directed fishing for the deep-water This action is required by § 679.21
(GOA). This action is necessary because
species fishery by vessels using trawl and is exempt from review under
the second seasonal apportionment of
gear in the GOA. The species and Executive Order 12866.
the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance
species groups that comprise the deep- Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
specified for the deep-water species
water species fishery include sablefish,
fishery in the GOA has been reached. Dated: April 13, 2017.
rockfish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole,
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska and arrowtooth flounder. Karen H. Abrams,
local time April 13, 2017, through 1200 After the effective date of this closure Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
hours, A.l.t., May 15, 2017. the maximum retainable amounts at Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time [FR Doc. 2017–07802 Filed 4–13–17; 4:15 pm]
Keaton, 907–586–7228. during a trip. BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
nlaroche on DSK30NT082PROD with RULES

VerDate Sep<11>2014 13:31 Apr 17, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\18APR1.SGM 18APR1

Document Created: 2017-04-18 00:00:16
Document Modified: 2017-04-18 00:00:16

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 April 13, 2017, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., May 15, 2017.
Contact		Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation		82 FR 18252
RIN Number		0648-XF36

82 FR 18252 - Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Deep-Water Species Fishery by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Gulf of Alaska

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 73 (April 18, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration