83_FR_11202 83 FR 11152 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska

83 FR 11152 - 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 83, Issue 50 (March 14, 2018)

Page Range11152-11153
FR Document2018-05133

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2018 total allowable catch of pollock for Statistical Area 610 in the GOA.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 50 (Wednesday, March 14, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 14, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11152-11153]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-05133]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 170816769-8162-02]
RIN 0648-XF900


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; closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in 
Statistical Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is 
necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2018 total 
allowable catch of pollock for Statistical Area 610 in the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 9, 2018, 
through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., March 10, 2018.

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 2018 total allowable catch (TAC) of 
pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA is 1,317 metric tons (mt) as 
established by the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for 
groundfish in the GOA (83 FR 8768, March 1, 2018).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional 
Administrator has determined that the A season allowance of the 2018 
TAC of pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA will soon be reached. 
Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed 
fishing allowance of 1,167 mt and is setting aside the remaining 150 mt 
as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In 
accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator 
finds that this directed fishing allowance has been reached. 
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in 
Statistical Area 610 of the GOA.
    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.

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 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 March 8, 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.  679.20 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

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


[[Page 11153]]


    Dated: March 9, 2018.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-05133 Filed 3-9-18; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

11152 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 50 / Wednesday, March 14, 2018 / Rules and Regulations proximately caused by illness, injury, or participating in the fishery shall be fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance death of the permit owner. If the permit provided to NMFS in the form of a letter with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 expires, it will be forfeited and NMFS from a certified medical practitioner. CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. will not reissue the permit to anyone. This letter must detail the relevant The A season allowance of the 2018 (10) Owner on-board requirement. (i) medical conditions of the permit owner total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock in Except as provided in paragraphs and how those conditions prevent the Statistical Area 610 of the GOA is 1,317 (f)(10)(ii) through (v) of this section, the permit owner from being on-board a metric tons (mt) as established by the DGN permit holder must be on-board fishing vessel during DGN fishing. An final 2018 and 2019 harvest the vessel and in possession of a valid exemption due to injury or illness will specifications for groundfish in the GOA Federal limited entry DGN permit when be effective only for the fishing year of (83 FR 8768, March 1, 2018). engaged in DGN fishing activity. the request for exemption. In order to (ii) A permit holder may designate extend a medical exemption for a In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), another individual to fish under their succeeding year, the permit owner must the Regional Administrator has permit for up to 15 days per fishing year submit a new request and provide determined that the A season allowance (April 1 to March 31 of the following documentation from a certified medical of the 2018 TAC of pollock in Statistical year); the substitute must comply with practitioner detailing why the permit Area 610 of the GOA will soon be all other Federal permitting owner is still unable to be on-board a reached. Therefore, the Regional requirements. A permit holder shall fishing vessel. An exemption from the Administrator is establishing a directed notify NMFS of a substitution at least 24 owner-on-board requirement will be fishing allowance of 1,167 mt and is hours prior to the commencement of the conveyed in a letter from NMFS to the setting aside the remaining 150 mt as trip. permit owner and is required to be on bycatch to support other anticipated (iii) If the person who owns a Federal the vessel during DGN fishing groundfish fisheries. In accordance with DGN permit is prevented from being on- operations. § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional board a fishing vessel because the Administrator finds that this directed person died, is ill, or is injured, NMFS [FR Doc. 2018–05186 Filed 3–13–18; 8:45 am] fishing allowance has been reached. may allow an exemption to the owner BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting on-board requirement for more than 15 directed fishing for pollock in Statistical days. The person requesting the Area 610 of the GOA. exemption must send a letter to NMFS DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE After the effective date of this closure requesting an exemption from the owner National Oceanic and Atmospheric the maximum retainable amounts at on-board requirements, with Administration § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time appropriate evidence as described at during a trip. paragraph (f)(10)(iv) or (v) of this 50 CFR Part 679 section. All exemptions for death, Classification injury, or illness will be evaluated by [Docket No. 170816769–8162–02] NMFS and a decision will be made in This action responds to the best RIN 0648–XF900 writing to the permit owner (or, in the available information recently obtained case of the death of the permit owner, Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic from the fishery. The Assistant to the estate or heirs of the permit Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA owner) within 60 calendar days of Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska (AA), finds good cause to waive the receipt of the original exemption requirement to provide prior notice and request. AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries opportunity for public comment (iv) Evidence of death of the permit Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 owner shall be provided to NMFS in the Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is form of a copy of a death certificate. In Commerce. impracticable and contrary to the public the interim before the estate is settled, ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. interest. This requirement is if the deceased permit owner was impracticable and contrary to the public subject to the owner on-board SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed interest as it would prevent NMFS from requirements, the estate of the deceased fishing for pollock in Statistical Area responding to the most recent fisheries permit owner may send a letter to 610 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This data in a timely fashion and would NMFS with a copy of the death action is necessary to prevent exceeding delay the closure of directed fishing for certificate, requesting an exemption the A season allowance of the 2018 total pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the from the owner-on-board requirements. allowable catch of pollock for Statistical GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a An exemption due to death of the Area 610 in the GOA. notice providing time for public permit owner will be effective only until DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local comment because the most recent, such time that the estate of the deceased time (A.l.t.), March 9, 2018, through relevant data only became available as permit owner has registered the 1200 hrs, A.l.t., March 10, 2018. of March 8, 2018. deceased permit owner’s permit to a FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh The AA also finds good cause to beneficiary, transferred the permit to Keaton, 907–586–7228. waive the 30-day delay in the effective another owner, or three years after the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS date of this action under 5 U.S.C. date of death as proven by a death manages the groundfish fishery in the 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon certificate, whichever is earliest. An GOA exclusive economic zone the reasons provided above for waiver of according to the Fishery Management daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES exemption from the owner-on-board prior notice and opportunity for public requirement will be conveyed in a letter Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of comment. from NMFS to the estate of the permit Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North owner and is required to be on the Pacific Fishery Management Council This action is required by § 679.20 vessel during DGN fishing operations. under authority of the Magnuson- and is exempt from review under (v) Evidence of illness or injury that Stevens Fishery Conservation and Executive Order 12866. prevents the permit owner from Management Act. Regulations governing Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:14 Mar 13, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\14MRR1.SGM 14MRR1

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 50 / Wednesday, March 14, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 11153 Dated: March 9, 2018. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS Classification Emily H. Menashes, manages the groundfish fishery in the This action responds to the best Acting Director, Office of Sustainable GOA exclusive economic zone available information recently obtained Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. according to the Fishery Management from the fishery. The Assistant [FR Doc. 2018–05133 Filed 3–9–18; 4:15 pm] Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North (AA), finds good cause to waive the Pacific Fishery Management Council requirement to provide prior notice and under authority of the Magnuson- opportunity for public comment DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Stevens Fishery Conservation and pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 Management Act. Regulations governing U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is National Oceanic and Atmospheric fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance Administration impracticable and contrary to the public with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 interest. This requirement is CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. impracticable and contrary to the public 50 CFR Part 679 The B season allowance of the 2018 interest as it would prevent NMFS from total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock in responding to the most recent fisheries [Docket No. 170816769–8162–02] Statistical Area 630 of the GOA is 4,184 data in a timely fashion and would RIN 0648–XG078 metric tons (mt) as established by the delay the closure of directed fishing for final 2018 and 2019 harvest pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic specifications for groundfish in the GOA GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical (83 FR 8768, March 1, 2018). notice providing time for public Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), comment because the most recent, the Regional Administrator has relevant data only became available as AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries determined that the B season allowance Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and of March 8, 2018. of the 2018 TAC of pollock in Statistical The AA also finds good cause to Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Area 630 of the GOA will soon be Commerce. waive the 30-day delay in the effective reached. Therefore, the Regional date of this action under 5 U.S.C. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. Administrator is establishing a directed 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon fishing allowance of 3,684 mt and is the reasons provided above for waiver of SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed setting aside the remaining 500 mt as prior notice and opportunity for public fishing for pollock in Statistical Area bycatch to support other anticipated comment. 630 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This groundfish fisheries. In accordance with This action is required by § 679.20 action is necessary to prevent exceeding § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional and is exempt from review under the B season allowance of the 2018 total Administrator finds that this directed Executive Order 12866. allowable catch of pollock for Statistical fishing allowance has been reached. Area 630 in the GOA. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Dated: March 9, 2018. local time (A.l.t.), March 10, 2018, Area 630 of the GOA. Emily H. Menashes, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., May 31, After the effective date of this closure Acting Director, Office of Sustainable 2018. the maximum retainable amounts at Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time [FR Doc. 2018–05167 Filed 3–9–18; 4:15 pm] Keaton, 907–586–7228. during a trip. BILLING CODE 3510–22–P daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:14 Mar 13, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\14MRR1.SGM 14MRR1


Document Created: 2018-03-14 01:06:20
Document Modified: 2018-03-14 01:06:20
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; closure.
DatesEffective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 9, 2018, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., March 10, 2018.
ContactJosh Keaton, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation83 FR 11152 
RIN Number0648-XF90
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