82 FR 42046 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher/Processors Using Trawl Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 171 (September 6, 2017)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 171 (September 6, 2017)
| Page Range | 42046-42046 | |
| FR Document | 2017-18818 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 171 (Wednesday, September 6, 2017)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 42046] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-18818] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 160920866-7167-02] RIN 0648-XF653 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher/Processors Using Trawl Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of a closure; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/ processors using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully use the 2017 total allowable catch apportioned to catcher/processors using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 1, 2017, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., November 1, 2017. Comments must be received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., September 15, 2017. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2016-0127, by either of the following methods: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: 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: NMFS may not consider comments if they are sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the comment period ends. All comments received are a part of the public record and NMFS will post the comments 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 is publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ``N/ A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 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. Regulations governing sideboard protections for GOA groundfish fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR part 680. NMFS closed directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processors using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA under Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on January 1, 2017, pursuant to the final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications for groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017). NMFS has determined that as of August 29, 2017, approximately 970 metric tons of Pacific cod remain in the 2017 Pacific cod apportionment for catcher/processors using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area 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 use the 2017 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processors using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator) considered the following factors in reaching this decision: (1) The current catch of Pacific cod by catcher/processors using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA and, (2) the harvest capacity and stated intent on future harvesting patterns of vessels in participating in this fishery. 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 opening of directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/ processors using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area 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 August 29, 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 Pacific cod by catcher/processors using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area 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 September 15, 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: August 30, 2017. Alan D. Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017-18818 Filed 8-31-17; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![42046 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 171 / Wednesday, September 6, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
landing transactions and dealer reports Instructions: NMFS may not consider and, (2) the harvest capacity and stated
using the paper forms. comments if they are sent by any other intent on future harvesting patterns of
For the aforementioned reasons, the method, to any other address or vessels in participating in this fishery.
AA also finds good cause to waive the individual, or received after the
30-day delay in the effectiveness of this comment period ends. All comments Classification
action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). received are a part of the public record This action responds to the best
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. and NMFS will post the comments for available information recently obtained
public viewing on www.regulations.gov
Dated: September 1, 2017. from the fishery. The Assistant
without change. All personal identifying
Alan D. Risenhoover, Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA
information (e.g., name, address),
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, (AA), finds good cause to waive the
confidential business information, or
National Marine Fisheries Service. otherwise sensitive information requirement to provide prior notice and
[FR Doc. 2017–18963 Filed 9–1–17; 4:15 pm] submitted voluntarily by the sender is opportunity for public comment
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P publicly accessible. NMFS will accept pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is
the required fields if you wish to remain impracticable and contrary to the public
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE anonymous). interest. This requirement is
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: impracticable and contrary to the public
National Oceanic and Atmospheric interest as it would prevent NMFS from
Administration Obren Davis, 907–586–7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
responding to the most recent fisheries
manages the groundfish fishery in the data in a timely fashion and would
50 CFR Part 679
GOA exclusive economic zone delay the opening of directed fishing for
[Docket No. 160920866–7167–02] according to the Fishery Management Pacific cod by catcher/processors using
RIN 0648–XF653 Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of trawl gear in the Central Regulatory
Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North Area of the GOA. NMFS was unable to
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Pacific Fishery Management Council publish a notice providing time for
Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by under authority of the Magnuson- public comment because the most
Catcher/Processors Using Trawl Gear Stevens Fishery Conservation and recent, relevant data only became
in the Central Regulatory Area of the Management Act. Regulations governing available as of August 29, 2017.
Gulf of Alaska fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance The AA also finds good cause to
with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 waive the 30-day delay in the effective
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
Regulations governing sideboard 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), protections for GOA groundfish
Commerce. the reasons provided above for waiver of
fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR
ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of prior notice and opportunity for public
part 680.
a closure; request for comments. NMFS closed directed fishing for comment.
Pacific cod by catcher/processors using Without this inseason adjustment,
SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed trawl gear in the Central Regulatory NMFS could not allow the fishery for
fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/ Area of the GOA under Pacific cod by catcher/processors using
processors using trawl gear in the § 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on January 1, 2017, trawl gear in the Central Regulatory
Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of pursuant to the final 2017 and 2018 Area of the GOA to be harvested in an
Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary harvest specifications for groundfish of
to fully use the 2017 total allowable expedient manner and in accordance
the Gulf of Alaska (82 FR 12032, with the regulatory schedule. Under
catch apportioned to catcher/processors February 27, 2017).
using trawl gear in the Central § 679.25(c)(2), interested persons are
NMFS has determined that as of invited to submit written comments on
Regulatory Area of the GOA. August 29, 2017, approximately 970 this action to the above address until
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska metric tons of Pacific cod remain in the
local time (A.l.t.), September 1, 2017, September 15, 2017.
2017 Pacific cod apportionment for
through 1200 hours, A.l.t., November 1, catcher/processors using trawl gear in This action is required by § 679.25
2017. Comments must be received at the the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. and is exempt from review under
following address no later than 4:30 Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 12866.
p.m., A.l.t., September 15, 2017. § 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully use the 2017
Dated: August 30, 2017.
identified by NOAA–NMFS–2016–0127, total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific
by either of the following methods: cod in the Central Regulatory Area of Alan D. Risenhoover,
• Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: Go to the GOA, NMFS is terminating the Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
www.regulations.gov/ previous closure and is opening National Marine Fisheries Service.
#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2016- directed fishing for Pacific cod by [FR Doc. 2017–18818 Filed 8–31–17; 4:15 pm]
0127, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, catcher/processors using trawl gear in BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
complete the required fields, and enter the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
nlaroche on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES
or attach your comments. The Administrator, Alaska Region,
• Mail: Submit written comments to NMFS, (Regional Administrator)
Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional considered the following factors in
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries reaching this decision: (1) The current
Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn: catch of Pacific cod by catcher/
Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. processors using trawl gear in the
Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668. Central Regulatory Area of the GOA
VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:36 Sep 05, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\06SER1.SGM 06SER1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_42217/page/1.svg)
Document Created: 2017-09-06 00:56:50
Document Modified: 2017-09-06 00:56:50
| 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; modification of a closure; request for comments. | |
| Dates | Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 1, 2017, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., November 1, 2017. Comments must be | |
| Contact | Obren Davis, 907-586-7228. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 42046 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF65 |
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