82 FR 9531 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 24 (February 7, 2017)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 24 (February 7, 2017)
| Page Range | 9531-9532 | |
| FR Document | 2017-02604 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 7, 2017)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 9531-9532] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-02604] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 150818742-6210-02] RIN 0648-XF206 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; opening. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully use the A season allowance of the 2017 total allowable catch of pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA. DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 6, 2017, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 10, 2017. Comments must be received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., February 21, 2017. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by FDMS Docket Number NOAA-NMFS-2015-0110 by either of the following methods:Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2013-0147, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. Mail: Address 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: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted 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 will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). 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 A season allowance of the 2017 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA is 2,232 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for groundfish of the (81 FR 14740; March 16, 2016) and inseason adjustment (81 FR 95063; December 27, 2016). NMFS closed directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA under Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on January 27, 2017 (82 FR 8821; January 31, 2017). As of February 2, 2017, NMFS has determined that approximately 2,225 metric tons of pollock remain in the A season directed fishing allowance for pollock in Statistical Area 610 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 utilize the A season allowance of the 2017 TAC of pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and is reopening directed fishing pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA, effective 1200 hours, A.l.t., February 6, 2017. The Administrator, Alaska Region (Regional Administrator) considered the following factors in reaching this decision: (1) The current catch of pollock in Statistical Area 610 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 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 [[Page 9532]] data in a timely fashion and would delay the opening of directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 610 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 February 2, 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 pollock in Statistical Area 610 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 February 21, 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: February 3, 2017. Karen H. Abrams, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017-02604 Filed 2-6-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 24 / Tuesday, February 7, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 9531
determined that the 2017 Pacific cod DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh
TAC allocated as a directed fishing Keaton, 907–586–7228.
allowance to catcher vessels less than 60 National Oceanic and Atmospheric SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line Administration manages the groundfish fishery in the
or pot gear in the BSAI will soon be GOA exclusive economic zone
reached. Consequently, NMFS is 50 CFR Part 679 according to the Fishery Management
prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific [Docket No. 150818742–6210–02] Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of
cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North
RIN 0648–XF206 Pacific Fishery Management Council
(18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or
pot gear in the BSAI. under authority of the Magnuson-
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Stevens Fishery Conservation and
After the effective date of this closure Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Management Act. Regulations governing
the maximum retainable amounts at Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance
§ 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50
during a trip. Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), The A season allowance of the 2017
Classification
Commerce. total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock in
This action responds to the best ACTION: Temporary rule; opening.
Statistical Area 610 of the GOA is 2,232
available information recently obtained metric tons (mt) as established by the
from the fishery. The Acting Assistant SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed final 2016 and 2017 harvest
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA fishing for pollock in Statistical Area specifications for groundfish of the (81
(AA), finds good cause to waive the 610 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This FR 14740; March 16, 2016) and inseason
action is necessary to fully use the A adjustment (81 FR 95063; December 27,
requirement to provide prior notice and
season allowance of the 2017 total 2016).
opportunity for public comment NMFS closed directed fishing for
pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 allowable catch of pollock in Statistical
Area 610 of the GOA. pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the
U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is GOA under § 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on
impracticable and contrary to the public DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), February 6, 2017, January 27, 2017 (82 FR 8821; January
interest. This requirement is 31, 2017).
impracticable and contrary to the public through 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 10,
As of February 2, 2017, NMFS has
interest as it would prevent NMFS from 2017.
determined that approximately 2,225
Comments must be received at the
responding to the most recent fisheries metric tons of pollock remain in the A
following address no later than 4:30
data in a timely fashion and would season directed fishing allowance for
p.m., A.l.t., February 21, 2017.
delay the closure of directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments GOA. Therefore, in accordance with
Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than
on this document, identified by FDMS § 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and
60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-
Docket Number NOAA–NMFS–2015– (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize the A
line or pot gear in the BSAI. NMFS was
0110 by either of the following methods: season allowance of the 2017 TAC of
unable to publish a notice providing • Electronic Submission: Submit all
time for public comment because the pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the
electronic public comments via the GOA, NMFS is terminating the previous
most recent, relevant data only became Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to closure and is reopening directed
available as of January 31, 2017. www.regulations.gov/ fishing pollock in Statistical Area 610 of
The AA also finds good cause to #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2013- the GOA, effective 1200 hours, A.l.t.,
waive the 30-day delay in the effective 0147, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, February 6, 2017.
date of this action under 5 U.S.C. complete the required fields, and enter The Administrator, Alaska Region
553(d)(3). This finding is based upon or attach your comments. (Regional Administrator) considered the
the reasons provided above for waiver of • Mail: Address written comments to following factors in reaching this
prior notice and opportunity for public Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional decision: (1) The current catch of
comment. Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the
Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn: GOA and, (2) the harvest capacity and
This action is required by § 679.20 Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. stated intent on future harvesting
and is exempt from review under Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668. patterns of vessels in participating in
Executive Order 12866. Instructions: Comments sent by any this fishery.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. other method, to any other address or
individual, or received after the end of Classification
Dated: February 2, 2017.
the comment period, may not be This action responds to the best
Karen H. Abrams, considered by NMFS. All comments available information recently obtained
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable received are a part of the public record from the fishery. The Acting Assistant
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. and will generally be posted for public Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA
[FR Doc. 2017–02486 Filed 2–2–17; 4:15 pm] viewing on www.regulations.gov (AA), finds good cause to waive the
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P without change. All personal identifying requirement to provide prior notice and
information (e.g., name, address), opportunity for public comment
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES
confidential business information, or pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
otherwise sensitive information U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is
submitted voluntarily by the sender will impracticable and contrary to the public
be publicly accessible. NMFS will interest. This requirement is
accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/ impracticable and contrary to the public
A’’ in the required fields if you wish to interest as it would prevent NMFS from
remain anonymous). responding to the most recent fisheries
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![9532 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 24 / Tuesday, February 7, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
data in a timely fashion and would prior notice and opportunity for public This action is required by § 679.25
delay the opening of directed fishing for comment. and is exempt from review under
pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the Without this inseason adjustment, Executive Order 12866.
GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a NMFS could not allow the fishery for Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
notice providing time for public
pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the Dated: February 3, 2017.
comment because the most recent,
GOA to be harvested in an expedient
relevant data only became available as Karen H. Abrams,
of February 2, 2017. manner and in accordance with the
regulatory schedule. Under Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
The AA also finds good cause to Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
waive the 30-day delay in the effective § 679.25(c)(2), interested persons are
[FR Doc. 2017–02604 Filed 2–6–17; 8:45 am]
date of this action under 5 U.S.C. invited to submit written comments on
this action to the above address until BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
the reasons provided above for waiver of February 21, 2017.
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES
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Document Created: 2017-02-07 00:27:19
Document Modified: 2017-02-07 00:27:19
| 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; opening. | |
| Dates | Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 6, 2017, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 10, 2017. | |
| Contact | Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 9531 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF20 |
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