83_FR_286 83 FR 284 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

83 FR 284 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 2 (January 3, 2018)

Page Range284-285
FR Document2017-28390

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear 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 catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 2 (Wednesday, January 3, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 3, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 284-285]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-28390]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 160920866-7167-02]
RIN 0648-XF907


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Catcher Vessels Using Hook-and-Line Gear 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.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear 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 catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear 
in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.

DATES: Effective 0000 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 1, 
2018, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 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. 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 catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear in 
the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA is 39 metric tons (mt), as 
established by the final

[[Page 285]]

2017 and 2018 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (82 FR 
12032, February 27, 2017) and inseason adjustment (82 FR 60327, 
December 20, 2017).
    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 catcher vessels 
using hook-and-line gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA will 
soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing 
a directed fishing allowance of 0 mt and is setting aside the remaining 
39 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 
catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear 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 catcher 
vessels using hook-and-line gear 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 December 27, 2017.
    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: December 28, 2017.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-28390 Filed 12-28-17; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

284 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 2 / Wednesday, January 3, 2018 / Rules and Regulations * * * * * the final 2017 and 2018 harvest Dated: December 28, 2017. Dated: November 21, 2017. specifications for groundfish of the GOA Alan D. Risenhoover, James W. Kurth, (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017) and Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, inseason adjustment (82 FR 12032, National Marine Fisheries Service. Deputy Director for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Exercising the Authority of the February 27, 2017). [FR Doc. 2017–28389 Filed 12–28–17; 4:15 pm] Director for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), BILLING CODE 3510–22–P [FR Doc. 2017–28386 Filed 1–2–18; 8:45 am] the Administrator, Alaska Region, BILLING CODE 4333–15–C NMFS (Regional Administrator) has determined that the A season allowance DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE of the 2018 Pacific cod TAC National Oceanic and Atmospheric DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE apportioned to vessels using jig gear in Administration the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA National Oceanic and Atmospheric is necessary to account for the Administration 50 CFR Part 679 incidental catch in other anticipated fisheries. Therefore, the Regional [Docket No. 160920866–7167–02] 50 CFR Part 679 Administrator is establishing a directed RIN 0648–XF907 [Docket No. 160920866–7167–02] fishing allowance of 0 mt and is setting aside the remaining 37 mt as bycatch to Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic RIN 0648–XF894 support other anticipated groundfish Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by fisheries. In accordance with Catcher Vessels Using Hook-and-Line Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Gear in the Western Regulatory Area of Administrator finds that this directed the Gulf of Alaska Vessels Using Jig Gear in the Central fishing allowance has been reached. Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries directed fishing for Pacific cod by Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries vessels using jig gear in the Central Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Regulatory Area of the GOA. After the Commerce. Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), effective date of this closure the ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. maximum retainable amounts at SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed during a trip. using hook-and-line gear in the Western fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using Classification Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska jig gear in the Central Regulatory Area (GOA). This action is necessary to of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action This action responds to the best prevent exceeding the A season is necessary to prevent exceeding the A available information recently obtained allowance of the 2018 Pacific cod total season allowance of the 2018 Pacific from the fishery. The Assistant allowable catch apportioned to catcher cod total allowable catch apportioned to Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA vessels using hook-and-line gear in the vessels using jig gear in the Central (AA), finds good cause to waive the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. Regulatory Area of the GOA. requirement to provide prior notice and DATES: Effective 0000 hours, Alaska DATES: Effective 0000 hours, Alaska opportunity for public comment local time (A.l.t.), January 1, 2018, local time (A.l.t.), January 1, 2018, pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is 2018. 2018. impracticable and contrary to the public interest. This requirement is FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh impracticable and contrary to the public Keaton, 907–586–7228. Keaton, 907–586–7228. interest as it would prevent NMFS from SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS responding to the most recent fisheries manages the groundfish fishery in the manages the groundfish fishery in the data in a timely fashion and would GOA exclusive economic zone GOA exclusive economic zone delay the directed fishing closure of according to the Fishery Management according to the Fishery Management Pacific cod by vessels using jig gear in Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North NMFS was unable to publish a notice Pacific Fishery Management Council Pacific Fishery Management Council providing time for public comment under authority of the Magnuson- under authority of the Magnuson- because the most recent, relevant data Stevens Fishery Conservation and Stevens Fishery Conservation and only became available as of December Management Act. Regulations governing Management Act. Regulations governing 27, 2017. fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance The AA also finds good cause to with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 waive the 30-day delay in the effective CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. date of this action under 5 U.S.C. Regulations governing sideboard Regulations governing sideboard 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon protections for GOA groundfish protections for GOA groundfish the reasons provided above for waiver of fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR jstallworth on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with RULES fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR prior notice and opportunity for public part 680. part 680. comment. The A season allowance of the 2018 The A season allowance of the 2018 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) This action is required by § 679.20 apportioned to catcher vessels using apportioned to vessels using jig gear in and is exempt from review under hook-and-line gear in the Western the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA Executive Order 12866. Regulatory Area of the GOA is 39 metric is 37 metric tons (mt), as established by Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. tons (mt), as established by the final VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:15 Jan 02, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\03JAR1.SGM 03JAR1

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 2 / Wednesday, January 3, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 285 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications for catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear hook-and-line gear in the Western groundfish of the GOA (82 FR 12032, in the Western Regulatory Area of the Regulatory Area of the GOA. NMFS was February 27, 2017) and inseason GOA. After the effective date of this unable to publish a notice providing adjustment (82 FR 60327, December 20, closure the maximum retainable time for public comment because the 2017). amounts at § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at most recent, relevant data only became any time during a trip. available as of December 27, 2017. In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, Classification The AA also finds good cause to NMFS (Regional Administrator) has This action responds to the best waive the 30-day delay in the effective determined that the A season allowance available information recently obtained date of this action under 5 U.S.C. of the 2018 Pacific cod TAC from the fishery. The Assistant 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon apportioned to catcher vessels using Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA the reasons provided above for waiver of hook-and-line gear in the Western (AA), finds good cause to waive the prior notice and opportunity for public Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon requirement to provide prior notice and comment. be reached. Therefore, the Regional opportunity for public comment This action is required by § 679.20 Administrator is establishing a directed pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 and is exempt from review under fishing allowance of 0 mt and is setting U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is Executive Order 12866. aside the remaining 39 mt as bycatch to impracticable and contrary to the public Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. support other anticipated groundfish interest. This requirement is fisheries. In accordance with impracticable and contrary to the public Dated: December 28, 2017. § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional interest as it would prevent NMFS from Alan D. Risenhoover, Administrator finds that this directed responding to the most recent fisheries Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, fishing allowance has been reached. data in a timely fashion and would National Marine Fisheries Service. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting delay the directed fishing closure of [FR Doc. 2017–28390 Filed 12–28–17; 4:15 pm] directed fishing for Pacific cod by Pacific cod by catcher vessels using BILLING CODE 3510–22–P jstallworth on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with RULES VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:15 Jan 02, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00077 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\03JAR1.SGM 03JAR1


Document Created: 2018-10-26 09:29:39
Document Modified: 2018-10-26 09:29:39
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 0000 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 1, 2018, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2018.
ContactJosh Keaton, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation83 FR 284 
RIN Number0648-XF90
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