83_FR_16080 83 FR 16008 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Less Than 60 Feet (18.3 Meters) Length Overall Using Jig or Hook-and-Line Gear in the Bogoslof Pacific Cod Exemption Area in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

83 FR 16008 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Less Than 60 Feet (18.3 Meters) Length Overall Using Jig or Hook-and-Line Gear in the Bogoslof Pacific Cod Exemption Area in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 72 (April 13, 2018)

Page Range16008-16009
FR Document2018-07706

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using jig or hook-and-line gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod exemption area of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the limit of Pacific cod for catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using jig or hook-and-line gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod exemption area in the BSAI.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 72 (Friday, April 13, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 72 (Friday, April 13, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16008-16009]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-07706]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 170817779-8161-02]
RIN 0648-XG166


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Catcher Vessels Less Than 60 Feet (18.3 Meters) Length Overall Using 
Jig or Hook-and-Line Gear in the Bogoslof Pacific Cod Exemption Area 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; closure.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall 
(LOA) using jig or hook-and-line gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod 
exemption area of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area 
(BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the limit of 
Pacific cod for catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using 
jig or hook-and-line gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod exemption area in 
the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 10, 2018, 
through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
BSAI according to the Fishery

[[Page 16009]]

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.
    In accordance with Sec.  679.22(a)(7)(i)(C)(2), the Administrator, 
Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that 113 
metric tons of Pacific cod have been caught by catcher vessels less 
than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using jig or hook-and-line gear in the 
Bogoslof exemption area described at Sec.  679.22(a)(7)(i)(C)(1). 
Consequently, the Regional Administrator is prohibiting directed 
fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) 
LOA using jig or hook-and-line gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod 
exemption area.
    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 fishery closure of Pacific cod by catcher 
vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using jig or hook-and-line gear 
in the Bogoslof Pacific cod exemption area. NMFS was unable to publish 
a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, 
relevant data only became available as of April 9, 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.  679.22 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: April 10, 2018.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-07706 Filed 4-10-18; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

16008 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 72 / Friday, April 13, 2018 / Rules and Regulations canary rockfish was declared rebuilt. participate in the sablefish primary (B) Bag limits, hook limits. In times Preliminary data from CDFW shows that fishery, licensed by the International and areas when the recreational season 2017 recreational canary rockfish catch Pacific Halibut Commission for for the RCG Complex is open, there is was low in 2017. Increasing the canary commercial fishing in Area 2A (waters a limit of 2 hooks and 1 line when rockfish sub-limit should create off Washington, Oregon, California), and fishing for the RCG complex and additional opportunity to attain the fishing with longline gear north of Pt. lingcod. The bag limit is 10 RCG harvest guideline in 2018. Chehalis, WA (46°53.30′ N lat.) may Complex fish per day coastwide. There was not sufficient time after the possess and land up to the following Retention of yelloweye rockfish, March meeting to undergo proposed and cumulative limits: 160 pounds (64 kg) bronzespotted rockfish, and cowcod is final rulemaking before this action dressed weight of Pacific halibut for prohibited. Within the 10 RCG Complex needs to be in effect. The California every 1,000 pounds (454 kg) dressed fish per day limit, no more than 3 may recreational fishery begins on April weight of sablefish landed and up to 2 be black rockfish, no more than 3 may 15th. Affording NMFS the time additional Pacific halibut in excess of be cabezon, and no more than 2 may be necessary for prior notice and the 160-pounds-per-1,000-pound ratio canary rockfish. Multi-day limits are opportunity for the public to comment per landing. ‘‘Dressed’’ Pacific halibut authorized by a valid permit issued by would prevent NMFS from managing in this area means halibut landed California and must not exceed the daily the recreational fishery with the best eviscerated with their heads on. Pacific limit multiplied by the number of days available information to increase harvest halibut taken and retained in the in the fishing trip. opportunities for recreational anglers in sablefish primary fishery north of Pt. * * * * * California. Chehalis may only be landed north of [FR Doc. 2018–07710 Filed 4–12–18; 8:45 am] NMFS also finds good cause to waive Pt. Chehalis and may not be possessed BILLING CODE 3510–22–P the 30-day delay in effectiveness or landed south of Pt. Chehalis. pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(1), so that * * * * * this final rule may become effective ■ 3. In § 660.360, revise paragraphs DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE April 13, 2018. This inseason action (c)(1) introductory text, (c)(1)(ii), and implements a number of increases to National Oceanic and Atmospheric (c)(3)(ii)(B) to read as follows: incidental and directed landing limits Administration based on updated fishery information § 660.360 Recreational fishery— and new supporting analyses provided management measures. 50 CFR Part 679 to the Council at its March 2018 * * * * * [Docket No. 170817779–8161–02] meeting. Affording the time necessary (c) * * * for prior notice and opportunity for (1) Washington. For each person RIN 0648–XG166 public comment reduces the time these engaged in recreational fishing off the increased landing limits are available to coast of Washington, the groundfish bag Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic fishing vessels during the 2018 fishing limit is 9 groundfish per day, including Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by year, and delays the use of the best rockfish, cabezon and lingcod. Within Catcher Vessels Less Than 60 Feet available information in managing the the groundfish bag limit, there are sub- (18.3 Meters) Length Overall Using Jig fishery. limits for rockfish, lingcod, and cabezon or Hook-and-Line Gear in the Bogoslof outlined in paragraph (c)(1)(i)(D) of this Pacific Cod Exemption Area in the List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660 Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands section. In addition to the groundfish Fisheries, Fishing, Indian fisheries. bag limit of 9, there will be a flatfish Management Area Dated: April 10, 2018. limit of 3 fish, not to be counted AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Jennifer M. Wallace, towards the groundfish bag limit but in Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Acting Director, Office of Sustainable addition to it. The recreational Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. groundfish fishery will open the second Commerce. Saturday in March through the third ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. For the reasons set out in the Saturday in October for all species in all preamble, NMFS amends 50 CFR part areas except lingcod in Marine Area 4 SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed 660 as follows: as described in paragraph (c)(1)(iv) of fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels this section. In the Pacific halibut less than 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST overall (LOA) using jig or hook-and-line fisheries, retention of groundfish is COAST STATES gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod governed in part by annual management ■ 1. The authority citation for part 660 measures for Pacific halibut fisheries, exemption area of the Bering Sea and continues to read as follows: which are published in the Federal Aleutian Islands management area Register. The following seasons, closed (BSAI). This action is necessary to Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq., 16 U.S.C. prevent exceeding the limit of Pacific 773 et seq., and 16 U.S.C. 7001 et seq. areas, sub-limits and size limits apply: * * * * * cod for catcher vessels less than 60 feet ■ 2. In § 660.231, revise paragraph (18.3 m) LOA using jig or hook-and-line (ii) Rockfish. In areas of the EEZ (b)(3)(iv) to read as follows: gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod seaward of Washington that are open to § 660.231 Limited entry fixed gear recreational groundfish fishing, there is exemption area in the BSAI. sablefish primary fishery. a 7 rockfish per day bag limit. There is DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local a 2 fish sub-bag limit per day for canary time (A.l.t.), April 10, 2018, through daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES * * * * * (b) * * * rockfish in all Marine Areas. Taking and 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2018. (3) * * * retaining yelloweye rockfish is FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh (iv) Incidental Pacific halibut prohibited in all Marine areas. Keaton, 907–586–7228. retention north of Pt. Chehalis, WA * * * * * SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS (46°53.30′ N lat.). From April 1 through (3) * * * manages the groundfish fishery in the October 31, vessels authorized to (ii) * * * BSAI according to the Fishery VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:22 Apr 12, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\13APR1.SGM 13APR1

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 72 / Friday, April 13, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 16009 Management Plan for Groundfish of the LOA using jig or hook-and-line gear in 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using jig or hook- Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands the Bogoslof Pacific cod exemption area. and-line gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod Management Area (FMP) prepared by After the effective date of this closure exemption area. NMFS was unable to the North Pacific Fishery Management the maximum retainable amounts at publish a notice providing time for Council under authority of the § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time public comment because the most Magnuson-Stevens Fishery during a trip. recent, relevant data only became Conservation and Management Act. available as of April 9, 2018. Classification Regulations governing fishing by U.S. The AA also finds good cause to vessels in accordance with the FMP This action responds to the best waive the 30-day delay in the effective appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 available information recently obtained date of this action under 5 U.S.C. and 50 CFR part 679. from the fishery. The Assistant 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA the reasons provided above for waiver of In accordance with (AA), finds good cause to waive the prior notice and opportunity for public § 679.22(a)(7)(i)(C)(2), the requirement to provide prior notice and comment. Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS opportunity for public comment This action is required by § 679.22 (Regional Administrator), has pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 and is exempt from review under determined that 113 metric tons of U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is Executive Order 12866. Pacific cod have been caught by catcher impracticable and contrary to the public Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA interest. This requirement is using jig or hook-and-line gear in the impracticable and contrary to the public Dated: April 10, 2018. Bogoslof exemption area described at interest as it would prevent NMFS from Jennifer M. Wallace, § 679.22(a)(7)(i)(C)(1). Consequently, the responding to the most recent fisheries Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Regional Administrator is prohibiting data in a timely fashion and would Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. directed fishing for Pacific cod by delay the directed fishery closure of [FR Doc. 2018–07706 Filed 4–10–18; 4:15 pm] catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than BILLING CODE 3510–22–P daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:22 Apr 12, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\13APR1.SGM 13APR1


Document Created: 2018-04-13 00:18:12
Document Modified: 2018-04-13 00:18:12
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.), April 10, 2018, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2018.
ContactJosh Keaton, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation83 FR 16008 
RIN Number0648-XG16
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR