82 FR 8904 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Greater Than or Equal to 60 Feet Length Overall Using Pot Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 20 (February 1, 2017)

Page Range		8904-8905
FR Document		2017-02124

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season apportionment of the 2017 Pacific cod total allowable catch allocated to catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3m) LOA using pot gear in the BSAI.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 20 (Wednesday, February 1, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 20 (Wednesday, February 1, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8904-8905]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-02124]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 150916863-6211-02]
RIN 0648-XF190


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Catcher Vessels Greater Than or Equal to 60 Feet Length Overall 
Using Pot Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

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 Pacific cod by 
catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) 
length overall (LOA) using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent 
exceeding the A season apportionment of the 2017 Pacific cod total 
allowable catch allocated to catcher vessels greater than or equal to 
60 feet (18.3m) LOA using pot gear in the BSAI.

DATES: Effective January 31, 2017 through 1200 hours, A.l.t., September 
1, 2017. The compliance date is 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), 
January 25, 2017, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., September 1, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
BSAI exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan 
for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area 
(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 A season apportionment of the 2017 Pacific cod total allowable 
catch (TAC) allocated to catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 
feet (18.3m) LOA using pot gear in the BSAI is 9,123 metric tons (mt) 
as established by the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for 
groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016) and inseason 
adjustment (82 FR 2916, January 10, 2017).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Administrator, 
Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the A 
season apportionment of the 2017 Pacific cod TAC allocated as a 
directed fishing allowance to catcher vessels greater than or equal to 
60 feet (18.3m) LOA using pot gear in the BSAI will soon be reached. 
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3m) LOA using pot 
gear in the BSAI.
    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.

[[Page 8905]]

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 closure of directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher 
vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3m) LOA using pot gear in 
the BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public 
comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as 
of January 23, 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: January 27, 2017.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-02124 Filed 1-31-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

8904 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 20 / Wednesday, February 1, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Area 630 of the GOA. Commerce.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric After the effective date of this closure ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
Administration the maximum retainable amounts at
§ 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed
50 CFR Part 679 during a trip. fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels
[Docket No. 140918791–4999–02] Classification greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3
meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using
RIN 0648–XF200 This action responds to the best pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian
available information recently obtained Islands management area (BSAI). This
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic from the fishery. The Acting Assistant action is necessary to prevent exceeding
Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA the A season apportionment of the 2017
Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska (AA), finds good cause to waive the Pacific cod total allowable catch
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries requirement to provide prior notice and allocated to catcher vessels greater than
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and opportunity for public comment or equal to 60 feet (18.3m) LOA using
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 pot gear in the BSAI.
Commerce. U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is
DATES: Effective January 31, 2017
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. impracticable and contrary to the public
through 1200 hours, A.l.t., September 1,
interest. This requirement is
2017. The compliance date is 1200
SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed impracticable and contrary to the public
hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January
fishing for pollock in Statistical Area interest as it would prevent NMFS from
25, 2017, through 1200 hours, A.l.t.,
630 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This responding to the most recent fisheries
September 1, 2017.
action is necessary to prevent exceeding data in a timely fashion and would
the A season allowance of the 2017 total delay the closure of directed fishing for FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh
allowable catch of pollock for Statistical pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the Keaton, 907–586–7228.
Area 630 in the GOA. GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local notice providing time for public manages the groundfish fishery in the
time (A.l.t.), January 29, 2017, through comment because the most recent, BSAI exclusive economic zone
1200 hrs, A.l.t., March 10, 2017. relevant data only became available as according to the Fishery Management
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh of January 26, 2017. Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea
Keaton, 907–586–7228. The AA also finds good cause to and Aleutian Islands Management Area
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
waive the 30-day delay in the effective (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific
manages the groundfish fishery in the date of this action under 5 U.S.C. Fishery Management Council under
GOA exclusive economic zone 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon authority of the Magnuson-Stevens
according to the Fishery Management the reasons provided above for waiver of Fishery Conservation and Management
Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of prior notice and opportunity for public Act. Regulations governing fishing by
Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North comment. U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP
Pacific Fishery Management Council This action is required by § 679.20 appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600
under authority of the Magnuson- and is exempt from review under and 50 CFR part 679.
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Executive Order 12866. The A season apportionment of the
Management Act. Regulations governing Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. 2017 Pacific cod total allowable catch
fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance (TAC) allocated to catcher vessels
Dated: January 27, 2017.
with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3m)
Emily H. Menashes,
CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. LOA using pot gear in the BSAI is 9,123
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable metric tons (mt) as established by the
The A season allowance of the 2017 Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock in final 2016 and 2017 harvest
[FR Doc. 2017–02119 Filed 1–27–17; 4:15 pm] specifications for groundfish in the
Statistical Area 630 of the GOA is
11,014 metric tons (mt) as established
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016)
by the final 2016 and 2017 harvest and inseason adjustment (82 FR 2916,
specifications for groundfish in the GOA January 10, 2017).
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
(81 FR 14740, March 18, 2016) and In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii),
inseason adjustment (81 FR 95063, National Oceanic and Atmospheric the Administrator, Alaska Region,
December 27, 2016). Administration NMFS (Regional Administrator), has
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), determined that the A season
the Regional Administrator has 50 CFR Part 679 apportionment of the 2017 Pacific cod
determined that the A season allowance TAC allocated as a directed fishing
of the 2017 TAC of pollock in Statistical [Docket No. 150916863–6211–02] allowance to catcher vessels greater than
Area 630 of the GOA will soon be or equal to 60 feet (18.3m) LOA using
reached. Therefore, the Regional RIN 0648–XF190 pot gear in the BSAI will soon be
Administrator is establishing a directed reached. Consequently, NMFS is
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
fishing allowance of 10,414 mt and is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific
pmangrum on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES

Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by
setting aside the remaining 600 mt as cod by catcher vessels greater than or
Catcher Vessels Greater Than or Equal
bycatch to support other anticipated equal to 60 feet (18.3m) LOA using pot
to 60 Feet Length Overall Using Pot
groundfish fisheries. In accordance with gear in the BSAI.
Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian
§ 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Islands Management Area After the effective date of this closure
Administrator finds that this directed the maximum retainable amounts at
fishing allowance has been reached. AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and during a trip.

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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 20 / Wednesday, February 1, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 8905

Classification length overall using hook-and-line or catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m)
This action responds to the best pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear.
available information recently obtained Islands management area. This action is
necessary to allow the A season Classification
from the fishery. The Assistant
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA apportionment of the 2017 total This action responds to the best
(AA), finds good cause to waive the allowable catch of Pacific cod to be available information recently obtained
requirement to provide prior notice and harvested.
from the fishery. The Assistant
opportunity for public comment DATES: Effective January 27, 2017, Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA
pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 through 2400 hours, Alaska local time (AA), finds good cause to waive the
U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is (A.l.t.), December 31, 2017. requirement to provide prior notice and
impracticable and contrary to the public FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh opportunity for public comment
interest. This requirement is Keaton, 907–586–7228. pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
impracticable and contrary to the public SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is
interest as it would prevent NMFS from manages the groundfish fishery in the impracticable and contrary to the public
responding to the most recent fisheries Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) interest. This requirement is
data in a timely fashion and would according to the Fishery Management impracticable and contrary to the public
delay the closure of directed fishing for Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea interest as it would prevent NMFS from
Pacific cod by catcher vessels greater and Aleutian Islands Management Area responding to the most recent fisheries
than or equal to 60 feet (18.3m) LOA (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific data in a timely fashion and would
using pot gear in the BSAI. NMFS was Fishery Management Council under delay the reallocation of Pacific cod
unable to publish a notice providing authority of the Magnuson-Stevens
time for public comment because the specified from jig vessels to catcher
Fishery Conservation and Management
most recent, relevant data only became vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA
Act. Regulations governing fishing by
available as of January 23, 2017. using hook-and-line or pot gear. Since
U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP
The AA also finds good cause to appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 the fishery is currently open, it is
waive the 30-day delay in the effective and 50 CFR part 679. important to immediately inform the
date of this action under 5 U.S.C. The A season apportionment of the industry as to the revised allocations.
553(d)(3). This finding is based upon 2017 Pacific cod total allowable catch Immediate notification is necessary to
the reasons provided above for waiver of (TAC) specified for vessels using jig gear allow for the orderly conduct and
prior notice and opportunity for public in the BSAI is 1,796 metric tons (mt) as efficient operation of this fishery, to
comment. established by the final 2016 and 2017 allow the industry to plan for the fishing
This action is required by § 679.20 harvest specifications for groundfish in season, and to avoid potential
and is exempt from review under the BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016) disruption to the fishing fleet as well as
Executive Order 12866. and inseason adjustment (82 FR 2916, processors. NMFS was unable to
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. January 10, 2017). publish a notice providing time for
The 2017 Pacific cod TAC allocated to public comment because the most
Dated: January 27, 2017. catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 recent, relevant data only became
Emily H. Menashes, meters(m)) length overall (LOA) using available as of January 13, 2017.
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI is
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. 4,259 mt as established by final 2016 The AA also finds good cause to
[FR Doc. 2017–02124 Filed 1–31–17; 8:45 am] and 2017 harvest specifications for waive the 30-day delay in the effective
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773, date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
March 18, 2016) and inseason 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
adjustment (82 FR 2916, January 10, the reasons provided above for waiver of
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 2017). prior notice and opportunity for public
The Administrator, Alaska Region, comment.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric NMFS, (Regional Administrator) has
Administration This action is required by § 679.20
determined that jig vessels will not be and is exempt from review under
able to harvest 1,700 mt of the A season Executive Order 12866.
50 CFR Part 679 apportionment of the 2017 Pacific cod
TAC allocated to those vessels under Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
[Docket No. 141021887–5172–02]
§ 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(1). Therefore, in Dated: January 27, 2017.
RIN 0648–XF169
accordance with § 679.20(a)(7)(iv)(C), Emily H. Menashes,
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic NMFS apportions 1,700 mt of Pacific Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of cod from the A season jig gear Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and apportionment to the annual amount
[FR Doc. 2017–02142 Filed 1–27–17; 4:15 pm]
Aleutian Islands Management Area specified for catcher vessels less than 60
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries or pot gear.
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and The harvest specifications for Pacific
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), cod included in final 2016 and 2017
pmangrum on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES

Commerce. harvest specifications for groundfish in
ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation. the BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016)
and inseason adjustment (82 FR 2916,
SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the January 10, 2017) are revised as follows:
projected unused amount of Pacific cod 96 mt to the A season apportionment
from vessels using jig gear to catcher and 1,293 mt to the annual amount for
vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) vessels using jig gear, and 5,959 mt to

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Document Created: 2017-02-01 00:06:20
Document Modified: 2017-02-01 00:06:20

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 January 31, 2017 through 1200 hours, A.l.t., September 1, 2017. The compliance date is 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 25, 2017, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., September 1, 2017.
Contact		Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation		82 FR 8904
RIN Number		0648-XF19

82 FR 8904 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Greater Than or Equal to 60 Feet Length Overall Using Pot Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 20 (February 1, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration