83_FR_13492 83 FR 13431 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Northern Rockfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

83 FR 13431 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Northern Rockfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 61 (March 29, 2018)

Page Range13431-13432
FR Document2018-06330

NMFS is opening directed fishing for northern rockfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI). This action is necessary to fully use the 2018 total allowable catch (TAC) of northern rockfish in the BSAI.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 61 (Thursday, March 29, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 61 (Thursday, March 29, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13431-13432]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-06330]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 170817779-8161-02]
RIN 0648-XG120


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Northern 
Rockfish 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; modification of a closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for northern rockfish in the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI). This action is 
necessary to fully use the 2018 total allowable catch (TAC) of northern 
rockfish in the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 26, 2018, 
through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2018. Comments must be received 
at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., April 10, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2017-0108, 
by either of the following methods:
     Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to: https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-0108, click the ``Comment 
Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your 
comments.
     Mail: Submit 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: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.

[[Page 13432]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
BSAI 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.
    Pursuant to the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for 
groundfish in the BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27, 2018), NMFS closed 
directed fishing for northern rockfish under Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii).
    As of March 21, 2018, NMFS has determined that approximately 4,800 
metric tons of northern rockfish initial TAC remains unharvested in the 
BSAI. Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  679.25(a)(1)(i), 
(a)(2)(i)(C), and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize the 2018 TAC of 
northern rockfish in the BSAI, NMFS is terminating the previous closure 
and is opening directed fishing for northern rockfish in the BSAI. This 
will enhance the socioeconomic well-being of harvesters in this area. 
The Administrator, Alaska Region (Regional Administrator) considered 
the following factors in reaching this decision: (1) The current catch 
of northern rockfish in the BSAI 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 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) and Sec.  679.25(c)(1)(ii) 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 northern rockfish 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 March 21, 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.
    Without this inseason adjustment, NMFS could not allow the fishery 
for northern rockfish in the BSAI 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 April 10, 2018.
    This action is required by Sec. Sec.  679.20 and 679.25 and is 
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: March 26, 2018.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-06330 Filed 3-26-18; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 61 / Thursday, March 29, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 13431 Small Entity Compliance Guide § 660.360 Recreational fishery— DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE management measures. Section 212 of the Small Business * * * * * National Oceanic and Atmospheric Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of Administration 1996 states that, for each rule or group (c) * * * of related rules for which an agency is (2) * * * 50 CFR Part 679 required to prepare a FRFA, the agency shall publish one or more guides to (i) * * * [Docket No. 170817779–8161–02] assist small entities in complying with (B) Recreational rockfish conservation RIN 0648–XG120 the rule, and shall designate such area (RCA). Fishing for groundfish with publications as ‘‘small entity recreational gear is prohibited within Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic compliance guides.’’ The agency shall the recreational RCA, a type of closed Zone Off Alaska; Northern Rockfish in explain the actions a small entity is area or groundfish conservation area. It the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands required to take to comply with a rule is unlawful to take and retain, possess, Management Area or group of rules. As part of this or land groundfish taken with rulemaking process, NMFS will send a AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries recreational gear within the recreational Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and small entity compliance guide to RCA. A vessel fishing in the recreational interested parties via the groundfish Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), RCA may not be in possession of any Commerce. email list server. In addition, copies of groundfish. [For example, if a vessel this final rule and guides (i.e., ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of fishes in the recreational salmon fishery a closure. information bulletins) are available from within the RCA, the vessel cannot be in NMFS at the following website: http:// possession of groundfish while within SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/. the RCA. The vessel may, however, on fishing for northern rockfish in the List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660 the same trip fish for and retain Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Fisheries, Fishing, and Reporting and groundfish shoreward of the RCA on the Management Area (BSAI). This action is recordkeeping requirements. return trip to port.] Off Oregon, from necessary to fully use the 2018 total April 1 through September 30, allowable catch (TAC) of northern Dated: March 23, 2018. rockfish in the BSAI. recreational fishing for groundfish is Samuel D. Rauch III, DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local prohibited seaward of a recreational Deputy Assistant Administrator for time (A.l.t.), March 26, 2018, through RCA boundary line approximating the Regulatory Programs, National Marine 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2018. Fisheries Service. 40 fm (73 m) depth contour, except that fishing for flatfish (other than Pacific Comments must be received at the For the reasons set out in the following address no later than 4:30 halibut) is allowed seaward of the 40 fm preamble, 50 CFR part 660 is amended p.m., A.l.t., April 10, 2018. (73 m) depth contour when recreational as follows: ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, fishing for groundfish is permitted, and fishing with long-leader gear (as defined identified by NOAA–NMFS–2017–0108, PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST in § 660.351) is allowed seaward of the by either of the following methods: COAST STATES • Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to: 40 fm (73 m) depth contour (i.e., within ■ 1. The authority citation for part 660 https://www.regulations.gov/ the RCA) from April 1 through continues to read as follows: docket?D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-0108, September 30. Coordinates for the click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq., 16 boundary line approximating the 40 fm complete the required fields, and enter U.S.C. 773 et seq., and 16 U.S.C. 7001 et seq. (73 m) depth contour are listed at or attach your comments. ■ 2. In § 660.351, add in alphabetical § 660.71. • Mail: Submit written comments to order the definition of ‘‘long-leader * * * * * Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional gear’’ as follows: (iii) * * * Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn: § 660.351 Recreational fishery— (B) Lingcod. There is a 3 fish limit per Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. definitions. day for lingcod from January 1 through Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668. * * * * * December 31. The minimum size for Instructions: Comments sent by any Long-leader gear (also known as lingcod retained in the Oregon other method, to any other address or Holloway gear) means fishing gear with recreational fishery is 22 in (56 cm) total individual, or received after the end of the following: One fishing line, length. For vessels using long-leader the comment period, may not be deployed with a sinker and no more gear (as defined in § 660.351) and considered by NMFS. All comments than three hooks, with a minimum of 30 fishing inside the recreational RCA, received are a part of the public record feet (9.14 meters) between the sinker possession of lingcod is prohibited. and will generally be posted for public and the lowest hook, and a non- viewing on www.regulations.gov * * * * * compressible float attached to the line [FR Doc. 2018–06316 Filed 3–28–18; 8:45 am] without change. All personal identifying above the hooks. The gear may be information (e.g., name, address), BILLING CODE 3510–22–P equipped with artificial lures and flies confidential business information, or less than or equal to 5 inches in length. otherwise sensitive information Natural bait, and lures or flies greater submitted voluntarily by the sender will rmajette on DSKBCKNHB2PROD with RULES than 5 inches in length, may not be be publicly accessible. NMFS will used. accept anonymous comments (enter * * * * * ‘‘N/A’’in the required fields if you wish ■ 3. In § 660.360, paragraphs (c)(2)(i)(B) to remain anonymous). and (c)(2)(iii)(B) are revised to read as FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: follows: Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:09 Mar 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\29MRR1.SGM 29MRR1

13432 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 61 / Thursday, March 29, 2018 / Rules and Regulations SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS will enhance the socioeconomic well- comment because the most recent, manages the groundfish fishery in the being of harvesters in this area. The relevant data only became available as BSAI according to the Fishery Administrator, Alaska Region (Regional of March 21, 2018. Management Plan for Groundfish of the Administrator) considered the following The AA also finds good cause to Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands factors in reaching this decision: (1) The waive the 30-day delay in the effective Management Area (FMP) prepared by current catch of northern rockfish in the date of this action under 5 U.S.C. the North Pacific Fishery Management BSAI and, (2) the harvest capacity and 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon Council under authority of the stated intent on future harvesting the reasons provided above for waiver of Magnuson-Stevens Fishery patterns of vessels in participating in prior notice and opportunity for public Conservation and Management Act. this fishery. comment. Regulations governing fishing by U.S. Classification Without this inseason adjustment, vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 This action responds to the best NMFS could not allow the fishery for and 50 CFR part 679. available information recently obtained northern rockfish in the BSAI to be Pursuant to the final 2018 and 2019 from the fishery. The Assistant harvested in an expedient manner and harvest specifications for groundfish in Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA in accordance with the regulatory the BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27, (AA), finds good cause to waive the schedule. Under § 679.25(c)(2), 2018), NMFS closed directed fishing for requirement to provide prior notice and interested persons are invited to submit northern rockfish under opportunity for public comment written comments on this action to the § 679.20(d)(1)(iii). pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 above address until April 10, 2018. As of March 21, 2018, NMFS has U.S.C. 553(b)(B) and § 679.25(c)(1)(ii) as This action is required by §§ 679.20 determined that approximately 4,800 such requirement is impracticable and and 679.25 and is exempt from review metric tons of northern rockfish initial contrary to the public interest. This under Executive Order 12866. TAC remains unharvested in the BSAI. requirement is impracticable and Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Therefore, in accordance with contrary to the public interest as it § 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and would prevent NMFS from responding Dated: March 26, 2018. (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize the to the most recent fisheries data in a Jennifer M. Wallace, 2018 TAC of northern rockfish in the timely fashion and would delay the Acting Director, Office of Sustainable BSAI, NMFS is terminating the previous opening of northern rockfish in the Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. closure and is opening directed fishing BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish a [FR Doc. 2018–06330 Filed 3–26–18; 4:15 pm] for northern rockfish in the BSAI. This notice providing time for public BILLING CODE 3510–22–P rmajette on DSKBCKNHB2PROD with RULES VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:09 Mar 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\29MRR1.SGM 29MRR1


Document Created: 2018-03-29 00:25:45
Document Modified: 2018-03-29 00:25:45
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; modification of a closure.
DatesEffective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 26, 2018, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2018. Comments must be received
ContactSteve Whitney, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation83 FR 13431 
RIN Number0648-XG12
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