82_FR_55277 82 FR 55055 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Chinook Salmon Prohibited Species Catch Limits in the Gulf of Alaska

82 FR 55055 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Chinook Salmon Prohibited Species Catch Limits in the Gulf of Alaska

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 222 (November 20, 2017)

Page Range55055-55056
FR Document2017-25115

NMFS is reapportioning the projected unused amount, 404 Chinook salmon prohibited species catch limit, from the vessels participating in directed fishing for pollock in the Central Regulatory area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) to vessels participating in directed fishing for pollock in the Western Regulatory area of the GOA. This action is necessary to provide opportunity for harvest of the 2017 pollock TAC, consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 222 (Monday, November 20, 2017) 
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 222 (Monday, November 20, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55055-55056]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-25115]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 160920866-7167-02]
RIN 0648-XF786


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Chinook 
Salmon Prohibited Species Catch Limits in the Gulf of Alaska

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason adjustment.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is reapportioning the projected unused amount, 404 
Chinook salmon prohibited species catch limit, from the vessels 
participating in directed fishing for pollock in the Central Regulatory 
area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) to vessels participating in directed 
fishing for pollock in the Western Regulatory area of the GOA. This 
action is necessary to provide opportunity for harvest of the 2017 
pollock TAC, consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery 
Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), November 15, 
2017, until 2400 hours A.l.t., December 31, 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 (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 annual PSC limit of Chinook salmon vessels participating in 
directed fishing for pollock in the Central Regulatory area of the GOA 
is 18,316

[[Page 55056]]

Chinook salmon, in accordance with Sec.  679.21(h)(4)(i)(A). The 
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator) has 
determined that the vessels participating in directed fishing for 
pollock in the Central Regulatory area of the GOA will not require 404 
Chinook salmon of the Chinook salmon PSC limit allocated to those 
vessels under Sec.  679.21(h)(4)(i)(A). Regulations at Sec.  
679.21(h)(5)(iii) allow the reapportionment of Chinook salmon PSC 
limits. Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  679.21(h)(5)(iii) and 
taking into account the need of the sectors for Chinook salmon PSC, and 
following the limits set forth in Sec.  679.21(h)(5)(iv)(A), NMFS 
reapportions 404 Chinook salmon to vessels participating in the 
directed fishery for pollock in the Western Regulatory area of the GOA.
    The 2017 Chinook salmon PSC limits are revised as follows: 17,912 
Chinook salmon for vessels participating in directed fishing for 
pollock in the Central Regulatory area of the GOA (18,316 minus 404 
Chinook salmon) and 7,088 Chinook salmon for vessels participating in 
the directed fishery for pollock in the Western Regulatory area of the 
GOA (6,684 plus 404 Chinook salmon).

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 provide opportunity to harvest remaining pollock in the Western 
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 November 14, 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.  679.20 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: November 15, 2017.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-25115 Filed 11-15-17; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 222 / Monday, November 20, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 55055 public comment because the most Fishery Management Council under Dated: November 15, 2017. recent, relevant data only became authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Emily H. Menashes, available as of November 7, 2017. Fishery Conservation and Management Acting Director, Office of Sustainable The AA also finds good cause to Act. Regulations governing fishing by Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. waive the 30-day delay in the effective U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP [FR Doc. 2017–25093 Filed 11–15–17; 4:15 pm] date of this action under 5 U.S.C. appear at subpart H of 50 CFR parts 600 BILLING CODE 3510–22–P 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon and 679. the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and opportunity for public The 2017 TAC of Pacific ocean perch, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE comment. in the EAI, allocated to vessels This action is required by § 679.20 participating in the BSAI trawl limited National Oceanic and Atmospheric and is exempt from review under access fishery was established as a Administration Executive Order 12866. directed fishing allowance of 695 metric Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. tons by the final 2017 and 2018 harvest 50 CFR Part 679 specifications for groundfish in the [Docket No. 160920866–7167–02] Dated: November 15, 2017. BSAI (82 FR 11826, February 27, 2017). Emily H. Menashes, RIN 0648–XF786 In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. the Regional Administrator finds that Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic this directed fishing allowance has been Zone Off Alaska; Chinook Salmon [FR Doc. 2017–25121 Filed 11–15–17; 4:15 pm] reached. Consequently, NMFS is Prohibited Species Catch Limits in the BILLING CODE 3510–22–P prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific Gulf of Alaska ocean perch in the EAI by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and access fishery. Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric After the effective dates of this Commerce. Administration closure, the maximum retainable ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason amounts at § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at adjustment. 50 CFR Part 679 any time during a trip. [Docket No. 161020985–7181–02] SUMMARY: NMFS is reapportioning the Classification projected unused amount, 404 Chinook RIN 0648–XF838 salmon prohibited species catch limit, This action responds to the best Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic from the vessels participating in available information recently obtained Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch directed fishing for pollock in the from the fishery. The Assistant Central Regulatory area of the Gulf of in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, Management Area Alaska (GOA) to vessels participating in (AA) finds good cause to waive the directed fishing for pollock in the AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries requirement to provide prior notice and Western Regulatory area of the GOA. Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and opportunity for public comment This action is necessary to provide Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 opportunity for harvest of the 2017 Commerce. U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such a requirement pollock TAC, consistent with the goals ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. is impracticable and contrary to the and objectives of the Fishery public interest. This requirement is Management Plan for Groundfish of the SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed impracticable and contrary to the public Gulf of Alaska. fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the interest as it would prevent NMFS from DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska Eastern Aleutian district (EAI) of the responding to the most recent fisheries local time (A.l.t.), November 15, 2017, Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands data in a timely fashion and would until 2400 hours A.l.t., December 31, management area (BSAI) by vessels delay the closure of the Pacific ocean 2017. participating in the BSAI trawl limited perch directed fishery in the EAI for access fishery. This action is necessary FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh vessels participating in the BSAI trawl Keaton, 907–586–7228. to prevent exceeding the 2017 total limited access fishery. NMFS was allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS unable to publish a notice providing manages the groundfish fishery in the perch in the EAI allocated to vessels time for public comment because the GOA exclusive economic zone participating in the BSAI trawl limited most recent, relevant data only became according to the Fishery Management access fishery. available as of November 14, 2017. The Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local Acting AA also finds good cause to Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North time (A.l.t.), November 15, 2017, waive the 30-day delay in the effective Pacific Fishery Management Council through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, date of this action under 5 U.S.C. (Council) under authority of the 2017. 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon Magnuson-Stevens Fishery FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: the reasons provided above for waiver of Conservation and Management Act. Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. prior notice and opportunity for public Regulations governing fishing by U.S. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS comment. vessels in accordance with the FMP manages the groundfish fishery in the appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 This action is required by § 679.20 BSAI exclusive economic zone and 50 CFR part 679. and is exempt from review under according to the Fishery Management The annual PSC limit of Chinook Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea Executive Order 12866. salmon vessels participating in directed and Aleutian Islands Management Area Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. fishing for pollock in the Central (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Regulatory area of the GOA is 18,316 VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:26 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\20NOR1.SGM 20NOR1

55056 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 222 / Monday, November 20, 2017 / Rules and Regulations Chinook salmon, in accordance with Central Regulatory area of the GOA remaining pollock in the Western § 679.21(h)(4)(i)(A). The Administrator, (18,316 minus 404 Chinook salmon) and Regulatory area of the GOA. NMFS was Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional 7,088 Chinook salmon for vessels unable to publish a notice providing Administrator) has determined that the participating in the directed fishery for time for public comment because the vessels participating in directed fishing pollock in the Western Regulatory area most recent, relevant data only became for pollock in the Central Regulatory of the GOA (6,684 plus 404 Chinook available as of November 14, 2017. area of the GOA will not require 404 salmon). The AA also finds good cause to Chinook salmon of the Chinook salmon waive the 30-day delay in the effective Classification PSC limit allocated to those vessels date of this action under 5 U.S.C. under § 679.21(h)(4)(i)(A). Regulations This action responds to the best available information recently obtained 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon at § 679.21(h)(5)(iii) allow the the reasons provided above for waiver of reapportionment of Chinook salmon from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA prior notice and opportunity for public PSC limits. Therefore, in accordance comment. with § 679.21(h)(5)(iii) and taking into (AA), finds good cause to waive the account the need of the sectors for requirement to provide prior notice and This action is required by § 679.20 Chinook salmon PSC, and following the opportunity for public comment and is exempt from review under limits set forth in § 679.21(h)(5)(iv)(A), pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 Executive Order 12866. NMFS reapportions 404 Chinook U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. salmon to vessels participating in the impracticable and contrary to the public interest. This requirement is Dated: November 15, 2017. directed fishery for pollock in the Western Regulatory area of the GOA. impracticable and contrary to the public Emily H. Menashes, The 2017 Chinook salmon PSC limits interest as it would prevent NMFS from Acting Director, Office of Sustainable are revised as follows: 17,912 Chinook responding to the most recent fisheries Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. salmon for vessels participating in data in a timely fashion and would [FR Doc. 2017–25115 Filed 11–15–17; 4:15 pm] directed fishing for pollock in the provide opportunity to harvest BILLING CODE 3510–22–P sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:26 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\20NOR1.SGM 20NOR1


Document Created: 2018-10-25 10:42:15
Document Modified: 2018-10-25 10:42:15
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; inseason adjustment.
DatesEffective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), November 15, 2017, until 2400 hours A.l.t., December 31, 2017.
ContactJosh Keaton, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation82 FR 55055 
RIN Number0648-XF78
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