83 FR 10807 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Sablefish Managed Under the Individual Fishing Quota Program
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 49 (March 13, 2018)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 49 (March 13, 2018)
| Page Range | 10807-10808 | |
| FR Document | 2018-05059 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 13, 2018)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 10807-10808] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-05059] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 170816769-8162-02 and 170817779-8161-02] RIN 0648-XG019 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Sablefish Managed Under the Individual Fishing Quota Program AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; opening. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for sablefish with fixed gear managed under the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program and the Community Development Quota (CDQ) Program. The season will open 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 24, 2018, and will close 1200 hours, A.l.t., November 7, 2018. This period is the same as the 2018 commercial halibut fishery opening dates adopted by the International Pacific Halibut Commission. The IFQ and CDQ halibut season is specified by a separate publication in the Federal Register of annual management measures. DATES: Effective 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 24, 2018, until 1200 hours, A.l.t., November 7, 2018. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907-586-7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Beginning in 1995, fishing for Pacific halibut and sablefish with fixed gear in the IFQ regulatory areas defined in 50 CFR 679.2 has been managed under the IFQ Program. The IFQ Program is a regulatory regime designed to promote the conservation and management of these fisheries and to further the objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the Northern Pacific Halibut Act. Persons holding quota share receive an annual allocation of IFQ. Persons receiving an annual allocation of IFQ are authorized to harvest IFQ species within specified limitations. Further information on the implementation of the IFQ Program, and the rationale [[Page 10808]] supporting it, are contained in the preamble to the final rule implementing the IFQ Program published in the Federal Register, November 9, 1993 (58 FR 59375) and subsequent amendments. This announcement is consistent with Sec. 679.23(g)(1), which requires that the directed fishing season for sablefish managed under the IFQ Program be specified by the Administrator, Alaska Region, and announced by publication in the Federal Register. This method of season announcement was selected to facilitate coordination between the sablefish season, chosen by the Administrator, Alaska Region, and the halibut season, adopted by the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC). The directed fishing season for sablefish with fixed gear managed under the IFQ Program will open 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 24, 2018, and will close 1200 hours, A.l.t., November 7, 2018. This period runs concurrently with the IFQ season for Pacific halibut announced by the IPHC. The IFQ halibut season will be specified by a separate publication in the Federal Register of annual management measures pursuant to 50 CFR 300.62. 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 the sablefish fishery thereby increasing bycatch and regulatory discards between the sablefish fishery and the halibut fishery, and preventing the accomplishment of the management objective for simultaneous opening of these two fisheries. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of March 7, 2018. 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. 679.23 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: March 8, 2018. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018-05059 Filed 3-12-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 49 / Tuesday, March 13, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 10807
(4) Adjustments to the quota. If the § 648.295 Tilefish commercial trip limits five hooks per rod. Anglers may use
incidental harvest exceeds the and landing condition. either a manual or an electric reel.
incidental TAL for a given fishing year, (a) Golden tilefish—(1) IFQ landings. * * * * *
the incidental trip limit specified at Any golden tilefish landed by a vessel [FR Doc. 2018–04974 Filed 3–12–18; 8:45 am]
§ 648.295(a)(2) may be reduced in the fishing under an IFQ allocation permit BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
following fishing year. If an adjustment as specified at § 648.294(a), on a given
is required, a notification of adjustment fishing trip, count as landings under the
of the quota will be published in the IFQ allocation permit. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Federal Register. (2) Incidental trip limit for vessels not
* * * * * National Oceanic and Atmospheric
fishing under an IFQ allocation. Any Administration
■ 6. In § 648.293, paragraph (a)(1) is vessel of the United States fishing under
revised to read as follows: a tilefish vessel permit, as described at 50 CFR Part 679
§ 648.4(a)(12), unless the vessel is
§ 648.293 Tilefish accountability fishing under a tilefish IFQ allocation [Docket No. 170816769–8162–02 and
measures. 170817779–8161–02]
permit, is prohibited from possessing
(a) * * * more than: RIN 0648–XG019
(1) Commercial incidental fishery (i) 500 lb (226.8 kg) of golden tilefish
closure. See § 648.295(a)(3). at any time, or Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
* * * * * (ii) 50 percent, by weight, of the total Zone Off Alaska; Sablefish Managed
■ 7. In § 648.294, paragraph (b)(4) is of all species being landed; whichever is Under the Individual Fishing Quota
revised to read as follows: less. Program
§ 648.294 Golden tilefish individual fishing (3) In-season closure of the incidental AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
quota (IFQ) program. fishery. The Regional Administrator will Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
* * * * * monitor the harvest of the golden Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
tilefish incidental TAL based on dealer Commerce.
(b) * * *
(4) IFQ vessel. (i) All Federal vessel reports and other available information, ACTION: Temporary rule; opening.
permit numbers listed on the IFQ and shall determine the date when the
incidental golden tilefish TAL has been SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed
allocation permit are authorized to fishing for sablefish with fixed gear
possess golden tilefish pursuant to the landed. The Regional Administrator
shall publish a notice in the Federal managed under the Individual Fishing
IFQ allocation permit. Quota (IFQ) Program and the
(ii) An IFQ allocation permit holder Register notifying vessel and dealer
permit holders that, effective upon a Community Development Quota (CDQ)
who wishes to authorize an additional Program. The season will open 1200
vessel(s) to possess golden tilefish specific date, the incidental golden
tilefish fishery is closed for the hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March
pursuant to the IFQ allocation permit 24, 2018, and will close 1200 hours,
must send written notification to NMFS. remainder of the fishing year.
A.l.t., November 7, 2018. This period is
This notification must include: (b) Blueline tilefish—(1) Commercial
the same as the 2018 commercial
(A) The vessel name and permit possession limit. Any vessel of the
halibut fishery opening dates adopted
number, and United States fishing under a tilefish
by the International Pacific Halibut
(B) The dates on which the IFQ permit, as described at § 648.4(a)(12), is
Commission. The IFQ and CDQ halibut
allocation permit holder desires the prohibited from possessing more than
season is specified by a separate
vessel to be authorized to land golden 300 lb (136 kg) of gutted blueline tilefish
publication in the Federal Register of
tilefish pursuant to the IFQ allocation per trip in or from the Tilefish
annual management measures.
permit. Management Unit.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, A.l.t.,
(iii) A vessel listed on the IFQ * * * * * March 24, 2018, until 1200 hours, A.l.t.,
allocation permit is authorized to (c) Landing condition. Commercial November 7, 2018.
possess golden tilefish pursuant to the golden or blueline tilefish must be FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
subject permit, until the end of the landed with head and fins naturally Obren Davis, 907–586–7228.
fishing year or until NMFS receives attached, but may be gutted.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Beginning
written notification from the IFQ
■ 9. In § 648.296, the section heading in 1995, fishing for Pacific halibut and
allocation permit holder to remove the
and paragraph (a) are revised to read as sablefish with fixed gear in the IFQ
vessel.
follows: regulatory areas defined in 50 CFR 679.2
(iv) A single vessel may not be listed
on more than one IFQ allocation permit has been managed under the IFQ
§ 648.296 Tilefish recreational possession
at the same time. limits and gear restrictions. Program. The IFQ Program is a
(v) A copy of the IFQ allocation regulatory regime designed to promote
(a) Golden tilefish. (1) Any person the conservation and management of
permit must be carried on board each fishing from a vessel that is not fishing
vessel so authorized to possess IFQ these fisheries and to further the
under a tilefish commercial vessel objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens
golden tilefish. permit issued pursuant to § 648.4(a)(12), Fishery Conservation and Management
* * * * * may land up to eight golden tilefish per Act and the Northern Pacific Halibut
■ 8. Amend § 648.295 by: trip. Anglers fishing onboard a charter/ Act. Persons holding quota share receive
amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES
■ a. Revising the section heading; party vessel shall observe the an annual allocation of IFQ. Persons
■ b. Revising paragraphs (a) and (b)(1); recreational possession limit. receiving an annual allocation of IFQ
and (2) Any vessel engaged in recreational are authorized to harvest IFQ species
■ c. Adding paragraph (c). fishing may not retain golden tilefish, within specified limitations. Further
The revisions and addition read as unless exclusively using rod and reel information on the implementation of
follows: fishing gear, with a maximum limit of the IFQ Program, and the rationale
VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:26 Mar 12, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\13MRR1.SGM 13MRR1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_10856/page/1.svg)
![10808 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 49 / Tuesday, March 13, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
supporting it, are contained in the The IFQ halibut season will be specified the management objective for
preamble to the final rule implementing by a separate publication in the Federal simultaneous opening of these two
the IFQ Program published in the Register of annual management fisheries. NMFS was unable to publish
Federal Register, November 9, 1993 (58 measures pursuant to 50 CFR 300.62. a notice providing time for public
FR 59375) and subsequent amendments. comment because the most recent,
This announcement is consistent with Classification
relevant data only became available as
§ 679.23(g)(1), which requires that the This action responds to the best of March 7, 2018.
directed fishing season for sablefish available information recently obtained
from the fishery. The Assistant The AA also finds good cause to
managed under the IFQ Program be
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, waive the 30-day delay in the effective
specified by the Administrator, Alaska
(AA), finds good cause to waive the date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
Region, and announced by publication
requirement to provide prior notice and 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
in the Federal Register. This method of
opportunity for public comment the reasons provided above for waiver of
season announcement was selected to
pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 prior notice and opportunity for public
facilitate coordination between the
U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is comment.
sablefish season, chosen by the
Administrator, Alaska Region, and the impracticable and contrary to the public This action is required by § 679.23
halibut season, adopted by the interest. This requirement is and is exempt from review under
International Pacific Halibut impracticable and contrary to the public Executive Order 12866.
Commission (IPHC). The directed interest as it would prevent NMFS from Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
fishing season for sablefish with fixed responding to the most recent fisheries
data in a timely fashion and would Dated: March 8, 2018.
gear managed under the IFQ Program
will open 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 24, delay the opening of the sablefish Emily H. Menashes,
2018, and will close 1200 hours, A.l.t., fishery thereby increasing bycatch and Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
November 7, 2018. This period runs regulatory discards between the Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
concurrently with the IFQ season for sablefish fishery and the halibut fishery, [FR Doc. 2018–05059 Filed 3–12–18; 8:45 am]
Pacific halibut announced by the IPHC. and preventing the accomplishment of BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES
VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:26 Mar 12, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\13MRR1.SGM 13MRR1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_10856/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2018-03-13 01:57:20
Document Modified: 2018-03-13 01:57:20
| 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; opening. | |
| Dates | Effective 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 24, 2018, until 1200 hours, A.l.t., November 7, 2018. | |
| Contact | Obren Davis, 907-586-7228. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 10807 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XG01 |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR