83 FR 12281 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Hook-and-Line Catcher/Processors in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 55 (March 21, 2018)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 55 (March 21, 2018)
| Page Range | 12281-12282 | |
| FR Document | 2018-05756 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 21, 2018)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 12281-12282] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-05756] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 170816769-8162-02] RIN 0648-XF906 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Hook-and-Line Catcher/Processors in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by hook- and-line [[Page 12282]] catcher/processors in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2018 Pacific cod total allowable catch apportioned to hook-and-line catcher/processors in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 16, 2018, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2018. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 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. Regulations governing sideboard protections for GOA groundfish fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR part 680. The A season allowance of the 2018 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned to hook-and-line catcher/processors in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA is 607 metric tons (mt), as established by the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (83 FR 8768, March 1, 2018). In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has determined that the A season allowance of the 2018 Pacific cod TAC apportioned to hook-and-line catcher/processors in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 595 mt and is setting aside the remaining 12 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 Pacific cod by hook-and-line catcher/processors in the Western Regulatory Area 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 directed fishing closure of Pacific cod by hook-and- line catcher/processors 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 March 15, 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. Dated: March 16, 2018. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018-05756 Filed 3-16-18; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 55 / Wednesday, March 21, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 12281
interest, because there is a need to FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: necessary for the conservation and
immediately implement this action to Nikhil Mehta, NMFS Southeast Regional management of South Atlantic black sea
protect the golden tilefish resource since Office, telephone: 727–824–5305, email: bass and is consistent with the
the capacity of the fishing fleet allows nikhil.mehta@noaa.gov. Magnuson-Stevens Act and other
for rapid harvest of the commercial SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The South applicable laws.
quota for the longline component. Prior Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery This action is taken under 50 CFR
notice and opportunity for public includes black sea bass and is managed 622.193(e)(2) and is exempt from review
comment would require time and would under the Fishery Management Plan for under Executive Order 12866.
potentially result in a harvest well in the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the These measures are exempt from the
excess of the established commercial South Atlantic Region (FMP). The South procedures of the Regulatory Flexibility
quota for the longline component. Atlantic Fishery Management Council Act because the temporary rule is issued
For the aforementioned reasons, the prepared the FMP and the FMP is without opportunity for prior notice and
AA also finds good cause to waive the implemented by NMFS under the comment.
30-day delay in the effectiveness of this authority of the Magnuson-Stevens This action responds to the best
action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). Fishery Conservation and Management scientific information available. The
Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
regulations at 50 CFR part 622. NOAA (AA), finds that the need to
Dated: March 16, 2018. The final rule implementing immediately implement the notice of
Emily H. Menashes, Regulatory Amendment 14 to the FMP the recreational season length
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable revised the recreational fishing year for constitutes good cause to waive the
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. black sea bass to be April 1 through requirements to provide prior notice
[FR Doc. 2018–05714 Filed 3–16–18; 4:15 pm] March 31 (79 FR 66316; November 7, and opportunity for public comment
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P 2014). The final rule also revised the pursuant to the authority set forth in 5
recreational AMs for black sea bass. U.S.C. 553(b)(B), because prior notice
Prior to the April 1 start of each and opportunity for public comment on
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE recreational fishing year, NMFS projects this temporary rule is unnecessary.
the length of the upcoming recreational Such procedures are unnecessary,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric fishing season based on when NMFS because the rule establishing the AM
Administration projects the recreational ACL will be has already been subject to notice and
met and announces the recreational comment, and all that remains is to
50 CFR Part 622 season end date in the Federal Register notify the public of the recreational
[Docket No. 130403320–4891–02] (50 CFR 622.193(e)(2)). The purpose of season length.
this AM is to have a more predictable For the aforementioned reasons, the
RIN 0648–XG056 recreational season length while still AA also finds good cause to waive the
constraining harvest at or below the 30-day delay in the effectiveness of this
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of recreational ACL to protect the stock action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).
Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper- from experiencing adverse biological Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Grouper Resources of the South consequences.
Atlantic; 2018–2019 Recreational NMFS estimates that recreational Dated: March 16, 2018.
Fishing Season for Black Sea Bass landings for the 2018–2019 fishing year Emily H. Menashes,
will be less than the 2018–2019 Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
recreational ACL. To make this
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
determination, NMFS compared [FR Doc. 2018–05703 Filed 3–20–18; 8:45 am]
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
landings in the last 3 fishing years to the BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
Commerce.
recreational ACL for the 2018–2019
ACTION: Temporary rule; recreational black sea bass fishing year of 848,455 lb
season length. (384,853 kg), gutted weight, 1,001,177 lb DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
(454,126 kg), round weight. The
SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
recreational ACL was set through the
length of the recreational fishing season Administration
final rule for Regulatory Amendment 19
for black sea bass in the exclusive
to the FMP (78 FR 58249; September 23,
economic zone (EEZ) of the South 50 CFR Part 679
2013). Landings in each of the past 3
Atlantic will extend throughout the
fishing years have been substantially [Docket No. 170816769–8162–02]
species’ 2018–2019 fishing year.
below the 2018–2019 recreational ACL;
Announcing the length of recreational RIN 0648–XF906
therefore, recreational landings in 2018–
season for black sea bass is one of the 2019 are projected to be below the
accountability measures (AMs) for the Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
2018–2019 recreational ACL.
recreational sector. This announcement Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Hook-
Accordingly, the recreational sector for
allows recreational fishers to maximize and-Line Catcher/Processors in the
black sea bass is not expected to close
their opportunity to harvest the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of
as a result of reaching its ACL, and the
recreational annual catch limit (ACL) for Alaska
season end date for recreational fishing
black sea bass during the fishing season for black sea bass in the South Atlantic AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES
while managing harvest to protect the EEZ south of 35°15.9′ N lat. is March 31, Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
black sea bass resource. 2019. Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
DATES: This rule is effective from 12:01 Commerce.
a.m., local time, April 1, 2018, until Classification
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
12:01 a.m., local time, April 1, 2019, The Regional Administrator,
unless changed by subsequent Southeast Region, NMFS, has SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed
notification in the Federal Register. determined this temporary rule is fishing for Pacific cod by hook-and-line
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![12282 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 55 / Wednesday, March 21, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
catcher/processors in the Western as established by the final 2018 and requirement to provide prior notice and
Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska 2019 harvest specifications for opportunity for public comment
(GOA). This action is necessary to groundfish of the GOA (83 FR 8768, pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
prevent exceeding the A season March 1, 2018). U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is
allowance of the 2018 Pacific cod total In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), impracticable and contrary to the public
allowable catch apportioned to hook- the Administrator, Alaska Region, interest. This requirement is
and-line catcher/processors in the NMFS (Regional Administrator) has impracticable and contrary to the public
Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. determined that the A season allowance interest as it would prevent NMFS from
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska of the 2018 Pacific cod TAC responding to the most recent fisheries
local time (A.l.t.), March 16, 2018, apportioned to hook-and-line catcher/ data in a timely fashion and would
through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, processors in the Western Regulatory delay the directed fishing closure of
2018. Area of the GOA will soon be reached. Pacific cod by hook-and-line catcher/
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Therefore, the Regional Administrator is processors in the Western Regulatory
Obren Davis, 907–586–7228. establishing a directed fishing Area of the GOA. NMFS was unable to
allowance of 595 mt and is setting aside publish a notice providing time for
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the the remaining 12 mt as bycatch to public comment because the most
GOA exclusive economic zone support other anticipated groundfish recent, relevant data only became
according to the Fishery Management fisheries. In accordance with available as of March 15, 2018.
Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional The AA also finds good cause to
Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North Administrator finds that this directed waive the 30-day delay in the effective
Pacific Fishery Management Council fishing allowance has been reached. date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
under authority of the Magnuson- Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
Stevens Fishery Conservation and directed fishing for Pacific cod by hook- the reasons provided above for waiver of
Management Act. Regulations governing and-line catcher/processors in the prior notice and opportunity for public
fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. comment.
with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 After the effective date of this closure This action is required by § 679.20
CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. the maximum retainable amounts at and is exempt from review under
Regulations governing sideboard § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time Executive Order 12866.
protections for GOA groundfish during a trip.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR Classification
part 680. Dated: March 16, 2018.
The A season allowance of the 2018 This action responds to the best Emily H. Menashes,
Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) available information recently obtained Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
apportioned to hook-and-line catcher/ from the fishery. The Assistant Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
processors in the Western Regulatory Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA [FR Doc. 2018–05756 Filed 3–16–18; 4:15 pm]
Area of the GOA is 607 metric tons (mt), (AA), finds good cause to waive the BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES
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Document Created: 2018-03-21 00:45:49
Document Modified: 2018-03-21 00:45:49
| 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 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 16, 2018, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2018. | |
| Contact | Obren Davis, 907-586-7228. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 12281 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF90 |
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