82 FR 20285 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Possession and Trip Limit Implementation for the Common Pool Fishery
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 82 (May 1, 2017)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 82 (May 1, 2017)
| Page Range | 20285-20287 | |
| FR Document | 2017-08809 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 82 (Monday, May 1, 2017)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 20285-20287] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-08809] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 [Docket No. 150105004-5355-01] RIN 0648-XF377 Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Possession and Trip Limit Implementation for the Common Pool Fishery AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; possession and trip limit implementation. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This action sets the initial possession and trip limits for Northeast multispecies common pool vessels for the 2017 fishing year. The regulations authorize the Regional Administrator to implement trip limits for common pool vessels in order to prevent exceeding the pertinent common pool quotas. This action is intended to optimize the harvest of Northeast regulated multispecies. DATES: The possession and trip limit implementation is effective at 0001 hours on May 1, 2017, through April 30, 2018. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Spencer Talmage, Fishery Management Specialist, 978-281-9232. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The regulations at Sec. 648.86(o) authorize the Regional Administrator (RA) to implement possession and trip limits for common pool vessels in order to prevent the overharvest of common pool quotas. Effective May 1, 2017, this action sets the initial possession and trip limits for the 2017 fishing year, as summarized in Tables 1 and 2 below. These possession and trip limits were developed after considering any changes to the common pool quota, preliminary 2017 sector rosters, and 2016 catch rates. These adjustments are intended to facilitate optimized harvest of the common pool quotas and prevent early trimester closures. The initial 2017 possession and trip limits are the same as the initial 2016 limits, with the exception of four stocks (Georges Bank (GB) cod, Gulf of Maine (GOM) haddock, Southern New England/Mid- Atlantic (SNE/MA) yellowtail flounder, and witch flounder). The initial possession and trip limit for GB cod outside the Eastern U.S./Canada area and witch flounder are reduced relative to initial 2016 possession and trip limits to prevent early stock area closures in Trimester 1 as occurred in 2016. For GOM haddock and SNE/MA yellowtail flounder, the initial 2017 limits are higher than the initial 2016 limits to allow additional opportunities given that quota utilization was low for these stocks in 2016. For Handgear A and Handgear B vessels, possession and trip limits for GB and GOM cod are tied to the possession and trip limits for groundfish days-at-sea (DAS) vessels. The default cod trip limit is 300 lb (136 kg) for Handgear A vessels and 75 lb (34 kg) for Handgear B vessels. If the GOM or GB cod landing limit for vessels fishing on a groundfish DAS drops below 300 lb (136 kg), then the respective Handgear A cod trip limit must be reduced to the same limit. Similarly, the Handgear B trip limit must be adjusted proportionally (rounded up to the nearest 25 lb (11 kg)) to the DAS limit. This action sets the trip limit of GOM cod to 25 lb (11 kg) per DAS, up to 100 lb (45 kg) per trip for vessels fishing on a groundfish DAS, which is 97 percent lower than the default limit specified in the regulations for these vessels (800 lb (363 kg) per DAS). As a result, the Handgear A and Handgear B trip limit for GOM cod is 25 lb (11 kg) per trip. This action sets the possession and trip limit of GB cod at 250 lb (136 kg) per DAS, up to 500 lb (227 kg) per trip for vessels fishing on a groundfish DAS outside the Eastern U.S./Canada Area. As a result, the Handgear A trip limit for GB cod is also set at 250 lb (136 kg) per trip, and the Handgear B trip limit is 25 lb (11 kg) per trip. Weekly quota monitoring reports for the common pool fishery can be found on our Web site at: http://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/ro/fso/MultiMonReports.htm. We will continue to monitor common pool catch through vessel trip reports, dealer-reported landings, vessel monitoring system catch reports, and other available information and, if necessary, we will make additional adjustments to common pool management measures. Table 1--Initial 2016 and Initial 2017 Common Pool Possession and Trip Limits ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Stock 2016 Trip limit 2017 Trip limit ------------------------------------------------------------------------ GB Cod (outside Eastern U.S./ 500 lb (227 kg) per 250 lb (113 kg) per Canada Area). DAS, up to 2,500 lb DAS, up to 500 lb per (1,134 kg) per per (227 kg) per trip. trip. GB Cod (inside Eastern U.S./ 100 lb (45 kg) per 100 lb (45 kg) per Canada Area). DAS, up to 500 lb DAS, up to 500 lb (227 kg) per trip. (227 kg) per trip. GOM Cod..................... 25 lb (11 kg) per 25 lb (11 kg) per DAS, up to 100 lb DAS, up to 100 lb (45 kg) per trip. (45 kg) per trip. GB Haddock.................. 100,000 lb (45,359 100,000 lb (45,359 kg) per trip. kg) per trip. GOM Haddock................. 200 lb (91 kg) per 500 lb (227 kg) per DAS up to 600 lb DAS up to 1,000 lb (272 kg) per trip. (454 kg) per trip. GB Yellowtail Flounder...... 100 lb (45 kg) per 100 lb (45 kg) per trip. trip. SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder.. 250 lb (113 kg) per 500 lb (227 kg) per DAS, up to 500 lb DAS, up to 1,000 lb (227 kg) per trip. (454 kg) per trip. Cape Cod (CC)/GOM Yellowtail 750 lb (340 kg) per 750 lb (340 kg) per Flounder. DAS up to 1,500 lb DAS up to 1,500 lb (680 kg) per trip. (680 kg) per trip. American plaice............. 1,000 lb (454 kg) 1,000 lb (454 kg) per trip. per trip. Witch Flounder.............. 250 lb (113 kg) per 150 lb (68 kg) per trip. trip. GB Winter Flounder.......... 250 lb (113 kg) per 250 lb (113 kg) per trip. trip. GOM Winter Flounder......... 2,000 lb (907 kg) 2,000 lb (907 kg) per trip. per trip. SNE/MA Winter Flounder...... 2,000 lb (907 kg) 2,000 lb (907 kg) per DAS, up to per DAS, up to 4,000 lb (1,814 kg) 4,000 lb (1,814 kg) per trip. per trip. [[Page 20286]] Redfish..................... Unlimited........... Unlimited. White hake.................. 1,500 lb (680 kg) 1,500 lb (680 kg) per trip. per trip. Pollock..................... Unlimited........... Unlimited. Atlantic Halibut............ 1 fish per trip..... 1 fish per trip. Windowpane Flounder......... Possession Possession Ocean Pout.................. Prohibited. Prohibited. Atlantic Wolffish........... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Table 2--Initial 2016 and Initial 2017 Fishing Year Cod Trip Limits for Handgear A, Handgear B, and Small Vessel Category Permits ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Initial 2016 trip Initial 2017 trip Permit limit limit ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Handgear A GOM Cod.......... 25 lb (11 kg) per 25 lb (11 kg) per trip. trip. Handgear A GB Cod........... 300 lb (136 kg) per 250 lb (113 kg) per trip. trip. Handgear B GOM Cod.......... 25 lb (11 kg) per 25 lb (11 kg) per trip. trip. Handgear B GB Cod........... 25 lb (11 kg) per 25 lb (11 kg) per trip. trip. Small Vessel Category....... 300 lb of cod, 300 lb of cod, haddock, and haddock, and yellowtail flounder yellowtail flounder combined; combined; additionally, additionally, vessels are limited vessels are limited to the common pool to the common pool DAS limit for all DAS limit for all stocks.. stocks. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ As a reminder, Table 3 includes the common pool trimester Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for fishing year 2017. These trimester TACs are based on preliminary sector rosters. However, individual permit holders have until the end of the 2016 fishing year (April 30, 2017) to drop out of a sector and fish in the common pool fishery for the 2017 fishing year. Therefore, it is possible that the sector and common pool catch limits, including the trimester TACs, may change due to changes in sector rosters. If changes to sector rosters occur, updated catch limits and/or possession and trip limits will be announced as soon as possible in the 2017 fishing year to reflect the final sector rosters as of May 1, 2017. The regulations also require that any overages of the common pool quota be deducted from the respective quota in the following fishing year. If final fishing year 2016 catch information indicates the common pool exceeded its quota for any stock, we would reduce the common pool quota, as required, in a future action. Additionally, we are working to publish a proposed rule for Framework Adjustment 56. If approved, Framework 56 would substantively increase the 2017 catch limit for witch flounder. In the Framework 56 proposed rule, we intend to propose a change to the common pool trip limit for witch flounder consistent with the recommended quota increase. Table 3--Common Pool Trimester Total Allowable Catches for Fishing Year 2017 [mt, live weight] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Percentage of quota 2017 Stock ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Trimester 1 Trimester 2 Trimester 3 Trimester 1 Trimester 2 Trimester 3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GB Cod.................................................. 25 37 38 2.9 4.4 4.5 GOM Cod................................................. 27 36 37 2.7 3.6 3.7 GB Haddock.............................................. 27 33 40 84.3 103.0 124.8 GOM Haddock............................................. 27 26 47 10.0 9.6 17.3 GB Yellowtail Flounder.................................. 19 30 52 0.8 1.3 2.2 SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder.............................. 21 37 42 7.2 12.7 14.4 CC/GOM Yellowtail Flounder.............................. 35 35 30 5.5 5.5 4.7 American Plaice......................................... 24 36 40 5.2 7.8 8.7 Witch Flounder.......................................... 27 31 42 2.3 2.7 3.6 GB Winter Flounder...................................... 8 24 69 0.4 1.2 3.3 GOM Winter Flounder..................................... 37 38 25 12.6 12.9 8.5 Redfish................................................. 25 31 44 14.3 17.7 25.1 White Hake.............................................. 38 31 31 9.8 8.0 8.0 Pollock................................................. 28 35 37 32.5 40.6 42.9 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classification This action is required by 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) and 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive prior notice and the opportunity for public comment and the 30-day delayed effectiveness period because it would be contrary to the public interest. The regulations at Sec. 648.86(o) authorize the RA to adjust the Northeast multispecies possession and trip limits for common pool vessels in order to prevent the overharvest or underharvest of the pertinent common pool quotas. This action sets the initial common pool possession and trip limits on May 1, 2017, for the 2017 fishing year. The possession and trip limits [[Page 20287]] implemented through this action help to ensure that the Northeast multispecies common pool fishery may achieve the optimum yield (OY) for the relevant stocks, while controlling catch to help prevent inseason closures or quota overages. Delay of this action would leave the common pool fishery with no possession or trip limits to control catch and would likely lead to early closure of a trimester and quota overages. Any overage of catch must be deducted from the Trimester 3 quota, which could substantially disrupt the trimester structure and intent to distribute the fishery across the entire fishing year. An overage reduction in Trimester 3 would further reduce fishing opportunities for common pool vessels and likely result in early closure of Trimester 3. This would undermine management objectives of the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan and cause unnecessary negative economic impacts to the common pool fishery. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: April 26, 2017. Karen H. Abrams, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017-08809 Filed 4-27-17; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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§ 17.84 [Amended] DATES: The possession and trip limit For Handgear A and Handgear B
■ 3. Amend § 17.84 by removing and implementation is effective at 0001 vessels, possession and trip limits for
reserving paragraphs (i) and (n). hours on May 1, 2017, through April 30, GB and GOM cod are tied to the
2018. possession and trip limits for groundfish
Dated: March 28, 2017. days-at-sea (DAS) vessels. The default
James K. Kurth, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Spencer Talmage, Fishery Management cod trip limit is 300 lb (136 kg) for
Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Handgear A vessels and 75 lb (34 kg) for
Service. Specialist, 978–281–9232.
Handgear B vessels. If the GOM or GB
[FR Doc. 2017–08720 Filed 4–28–17; 8:45 am] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The cod landing limit for vessels fishing on
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P regulations at § 648.86(o) authorize the a groundfish DAS drops below 300 lb
Regional Administrator (RA) to (136 kg), then the respective Handgear
implement possession and trip limits for A cod trip limit must be reduced to the
common pool vessels in order to same limit. Similarly, the Handgear B
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
prevent the overharvest of common pool trip limit must be adjusted
National Oceanic and Atmospheric quotas. Effective May 1, 2017, this proportionally (rounded up to the
Administration action sets the initial possession and nearest 25 lb (11 kg)) to the DAS limit.
trip limits for the 2017 fishing year, as This action sets the trip limit of GOM
50 CFR Part 648 summarized in Tables 1 and 2 below. cod to 25 lb (11 kg) per DAS, up to 100
These possession and trip limits were lb (45 kg) per trip for vessels fishing on
[Docket No. 150105004–5355–01] developed after considering any changes a groundfish DAS, which is 97 percent
to the common pool quota, preliminary lower than the default limit specified in
RIN 0648–XF377 2017 sector rosters, and 2016 catch the regulations for these vessels (800 lb
rates. These adjustments are intended to (363 kg) per DAS). As a result, the
Fisheries of the Northeastern United facilitate optimized harvest of the Handgear A and Handgear B trip limit
States; Northeast Multispecies common pool quotas and prevent early for GOM cod is 25 lb (11 kg) per trip.
Fishery; Possession and Trip Limit trimester closures. This action sets the possession and trip
Implementation for the Common Pool
The initial 2017 possession and trip limit of GB cod at 250 lb (136 kg) per
Fishery
limits are the same as the initial 2016 DAS, up to 500 lb (227 kg) per trip for
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries limits, with the exception of four stocks vessels fishing on a groundfish DAS
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and (Georges Bank (GB) cod, Gulf of Maine outside the Eastern U.S./Canada Area.
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), (GOM) haddock, Southern New As a result, the Handgear A trip limit for
Commerce. England/Mid-Atlantic (SNE/MA) GB cod is also set at 250 lb (136 kg) per
ACTION: Temporary rule; possession and yellowtail flounder, and witch trip, and the Handgear B trip limit is 25
trip limit implementation. flounder). The initial possession and lb (11 kg) per trip.
trip limit for GB cod outside the Eastern Weekly quota monitoring reports for
SUMMARY: This action sets the initial U.S./Canada area and witch flounder are the common pool fishery can be found
possession and trip limits for Northeast reduced relative to initial 2016 on our Web site at: http://www.greater
multispecies common pool vessels for possession and trip limits to prevent atlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/ro/fso/
the 2017 fishing year. The regulations early stock area closures in Trimester 1 MultiMonReports.htm. We will continue
authorize the Regional Administrator to as occurred in 2016. For GOM haddock to monitor common pool catch through
implement trip limits for common pool and SNE/MA yellowtail flounder, the vessel trip reports, dealer-reported
vessels in order to prevent exceeding initial 2017 limits are higher than the landings, vessel monitoring system
the pertinent common pool quotas. This initial 2016 limits to allow additional catch reports, and other available
action is intended to optimize the opportunities given that quota information and, if necessary, we will
harvest of Northeast regulated utilization was low for these stocks in make additional adjustments to
multispecies. 2016. common pool management measures.
TABLE 1—INITIAL 2016 AND INITIAL 2017 COMMON POOL POSSESSION AND TRIP LIMITS
Stock 2016 Trip limit 2017 Trip limit
GB Cod (outside Eastern 500 lb (227 kg) per DAS, up to 2,500 lb per (1,134 kg) 250 lb (113 kg) per DAS, up to 500 lb per (227 kg) per
U.S./Canada Area). per trip. trip.
GB Cod (inside Eastern 100 lb (45 kg) per DAS, up to 500 lb (227 kg) per trip .. 100 lb (45 kg) per DAS, up to 500 lb (227 kg) per trip.
U.S./Canada Area).
GOM Cod ............................. 25 lb (11 kg) per DAS, up to 100 lb (45 kg) per trip ...... 25 lb (11 kg) per DAS, up to 100 lb (45 kg) per trip.
GB Haddock ......................... 100,000 lb (45,359 kg) per trip ....................................... 100,000 lb (45,359 kg) per trip.
GOM Haddock ..................... 200 lb (91 kg) per DAS up to 600 lb (272 kg) per trip ... 500 lb (227 kg) per DAS up to 1,000 lb (454 kg) per
trip.
GB Yellowtail Flounder ........ 100 lb (45 kg) per trip ..................................................... 100 lb (45 kg) per trip.
SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder 250 lb (113 kg) per DAS, up to 500 lb (227 kg) per trip 500 lb (227 kg) per DAS, up to 1,000 lb (454 kg) per
trip.
Cape Cod (CC)/GOM 750 lb (340 kg) per DAS up to 1,500 lb (680 kg) per 750 lb (340 kg) per DAS up to 1,500 lb (680 kg) per
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Yellowtail Flounder. trip. trip.
American plaice ................... 1,000 lb (454 kg) per trip ................................................ 1,000 lb (454 kg) per trip.
Witch Flounder ..................... 250 lb (113 kg) per trip ................................................... 150 lb (68 kg) per trip.
GB Winter Flounder ............. 250 lb (113 kg) per trip ................................................... 250 lb (113 kg) per trip.
GOM Winter Flounder .......... 2,000 lb (907 kg) per trip ................................................ 2,000 lb (907 kg) per trip.
SNE/MA Winter Flounder .... 2,000 lb (907 kg) per DAS, up to 4,000 lb (1,814 kg) 2,000 lb (907 kg) per DAS, up to 4,000 lb (1,814 kg)
per trip. per trip.
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TABLE 1—INITIAL 2016 AND INITIAL 2017 COMMON POOL POSSESSION AND TRIP LIMITS—Continued
Stock 2016 Trip limit 2017 Trip limit
Redfish ................................. Unlimited ......................................................................... Unlimited.
White hake ........................... 1,500 lb (680 kg) per trip ................................................ 1,500 lb (680 kg) per trip.
Pollock .................................. Unlimited ......................................................................... Unlimited.
Atlantic Halibut ..................... 1 fish per trip ................................................................... 1 fish per trip.
Windowpane Flounder ......... Possession Prohibited ..................................................... Possession Prohibited.
Ocean Pout
Atlantic Wolffish
TABLE 2—INITIAL 2016 AND INITIAL 2017 FISHING YEAR COD TRIP LIMITS FOR HANDGEAR A, HANDGEAR B, AND SMALL
VESSEL CATEGORY PERMITS
Permit Initial 2016 trip limit Initial 2017 trip limit
Handgear A GOM Cod ........ 25 lb (11 kg) per trip ....................................................... 25 lb (11 kg) per trip.
Handgear A GB Cod ............ 300 lb (136 kg) per trip ................................................... 250 lb (113 kg) per trip.
Handgear B GOM Cod ........ 25 lb (11 kg) per trip ....................................................... 25 lb (11 kg) per trip.
Handgear B GB Cod ............ 25 lb (11 kg) per trip ....................................................... 25 lb (11 kg) per trip.
Small Vessel Category ........ 300 lb of cod, haddock, and yellowtail flounder com- 300 lb of cod, haddock, and yellowtail flounder com-
bined; additionally, vessels are limited to the common bined; additionally, vessels are limited to the common
pool DAS limit for all stocks.. pool DAS limit for all stocks.
As a reminder, Table 3 includes the rosters. If changes to sector rosters the common pool quota, as required, in
common pool trimester Total Allowable occur, updated catch limits and/or a future action.
Catches (TACs) for fishing year 2017. possession and trip limits will be Additionally, we are working to
These trimester TACs are based on announced as soon as possible in the publish a proposed rule for Framework
preliminary sector rosters. However, 2017 fishing year to reflect the final
Adjustment 56. If approved, Framework
individual permit holders have until the sector rosters as of May 1, 2017. The
56 would substantively increase the
end of the 2016 fishing year (April 30, regulations also require that any
2017) to drop out of a sector and fish in overages of the common pool quota be 2017 catch limit for witch flounder. In
the common pool fishery for the 2017 deducted from the respective quota in the Framework 56 proposed rule, we
fishing year. Therefore, it is possible the following fishing year. If final intend to propose a change to the
that the sector and common pool catch fishing year 2016 catch information common pool trip limit for witch
limits, including the trimester TACs, indicates the common pool exceeded its flounder consistent with the
may change due to changes in sector quota for any stock, we would reduce recommended quota increase.
TABLE 3—COMMON POOL TRIMESTER TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCHES FOR FISHING YEAR 2017
[mt, live weight]
Percentage of quota 2017
Stock
Trimester 1 Trimester 2 Trimester 3 Trimester 1 Trimester 2 Trimester 3
GB Cod .................................................... 25 37 38 2.9 4.4 4.5
GOM Cod ................................................. 27 36 37 2.7 3.6 3.7
GB Haddock ............................................. 27 33 40 84.3 103.0 124.8
GOM Haddock ......................................... 27 26 47 10.0 9.6 17.3
GB Yellowtail Flounder ............................ 19 30 52 0.8 1.3 2.2
SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder .................... 21 37 42 7.2 12.7 14.4
CC/GOM Yellowtail Flounder ................... 35 35 30 5.5 5.5 4.7
American Plaice ....................................... 24 36 40 5.2 7.8 8.7
Witch Flounder ......................................... 27 31 42 2.3 2.7 3.6
GB Winter Flounder ................................. 8 24 69 0.4 1.2 3.3
GOM Winter Flounder .............................. 37 38 25 12.6 12.9 8.5
Redfish ..................................................... 25 31 44 14.3 17.7 25.1
White Hake .............................................. 38 31 31 9.8 8.0 8.0
Pollock ...................................................... 28 35 37 32.5 40.6 42.9
Classification U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive prior notice and trip limits for common pool vessels
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and the opportunity for public comment in order to prevent the overharvest or
This action is required by 50 CFR part and the 30-day delayed effectiveness underharvest of the pertinent common
648 and is exempt from review under
period because it would be contrary to pool quotas. This action sets the initial
Executive Order 12866.
the public interest. The regulations at common pool possession and trip limits
The Assistant Administrator for § 648.86(o) authorize the RA to adjust on May 1, 2017, for the 2017 fishing
Fisheries, NOAA, finds good cause the Northeast multispecies possession year. The possession and trip limits
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) and 5
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implemented through this action help to Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii),
ensure that the Northeast multispecies Commerce. NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for
common pool fishery may achieve the ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. Greenland turbot in the Aleutian Islands
optimum yield (OY) for the relevant subarea of the BSAI.
stocks, while controlling catch to help SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed
After the effective date of this closure
prevent inseason closures or quota fishing for Greenland turbot in the
the maximum retainable amounts at
overages. Delay of this action would Aleutian Islands subarea of the Bering
§ 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time
leave the common pool fishery with no Sea and Aleutian Islands management
during a trip.
possession or trip limits to control catch area (BSAI). This action is necessary to
and would likely lead to early closure prevent exceeding the 2017 Greenland Classification
of a trimester and quota overages. Any turbot initial total allowable catch
overage of catch must be deducted from (ITAC) in the Aleutian Islands subarea This action responds to the best
the Trimester 3 quota, which could of the BSAI. available information recently obtained
substantially disrupt the trimester DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local
from the fishery. The Assistant
structure and intent to distribute the time (A.l.t.), May 1, 2017, through 2400 Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA
fishery across the entire fishing year. An hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2017. (AA), finds good cause to waive the
overage reduction in Trimester 3 would requirement to provide prior notice and
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
further reduce fishing opportunities for opportunity for public comment
Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228.
common pool vessels and likely result pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is
in early closure of Trimester 3. manages the groundfish fishery in the
This would undermine management impracticable and contrary to the public
BSAI according to the Fishery interest. This requirement is
objectives of the Northeast Multispecies
Management Plan for Groundfish of the impracticable and contrary to the public
Fishery Management Plan and cause
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands interest as it would prevent NMFS from
unnecessary negative economic impacts
Management Area (FMP) prepared by responding to the most recent fisheries
to the common pool fishery.
the North Pacific Fishery Management data in a timely fashion and would
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Council under authority of the delay the directed fishing closure of
Dated: April 26, 2017. Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Greenland turbot in the Aleutian Islands
Karen H. Abrams, Conservation and Management Act. subarea of the BSAI. NMFS was unable
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Regulations governing fishing by U.S. to publish a notice providing time for
Fisheries National Marine Fisheries Service. vessels in accordance with the FMP public comment because the most
[FR Doc. 2017–08809 Filed 4–27–17; 4:15 pm] appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 recent, relevant data only became
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P and 50 CFR part 679. available as April 25, 2017.
The 2017 Greenland turbot ITAC in
the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI The AA also finds good cause to
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE is 106 metric tons (mt) as established by waive the 30-day delay in the effective
the final 2017 and 2018 harvest date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric specifications for groundfish in the 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
Administration BSAI (82 FR 11826, February 27, 2017). the reasons provided above for waiver of
The Regional Administrator has prior notice and opportunity for public
50 CFR Part 679 determined that the 2017 ITAC for comment.
[Docket No. 161020985–7181–02] Greenland turbot in the Aleutian Islands This action is required by § 679.20
subarea of the BSAI is necessary to and is exempt from review under
RIN 0648–XF389 account for the incidental catch of this Executive Order 12866.
species in other anticipated groundfish Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
fisheries for the 2017 fishing year.
Zone Off Alaska; Greenland Turbot in Dated: April 26, 2017.
Therefore, in accordance with
the Aleutian Islands Subarea of the Karen H. Abrams,
§ 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
Administrator establishes the directed
Management Area Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
fishing allowance for Greenland turbot
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the [FR Doc. 2017–08750 Filed 4–28–17; 8:45 am]
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and BSAI as zero mt. Consequently, in BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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Document Created: 2017-04-29 03:16:03
Document Modified: 2017-04-29 03:16:03
| 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; possession and trip limit implementation. | |
| Dates | The possession and trip limit implementation is effective at 0001 hours on May 1, 2017, through April 30, 2018. | |
| Contact | Spencer Talmage, Fishery Management Specialist, 978-281-9232. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 20285 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF37 |
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