83 FR 41019 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Sablefish in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 160 (August 17, 2018)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 160 (August 17, 2018)
| Page Range | 41019-41020 | |
| FR Document | 2018-17798 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 160 (Friday, August 17, 2018)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 41019-41020] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-17798] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 170816769-8162-02] RIN 0648-XG402 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Sablefish in the West Yakutat District 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 retention of sablefish by vessels using trawl gear in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the 2018 total allowable catch of sablefish allocated to vessels using trawl gear in the West Yakutat District of the GOA will be reached. DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 14, 2018, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2018. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 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 2018 total allowable catch (TAC) of sablefish allocated to vessels using trawl gear in the West Yakutat District of the GOA is 240 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)(2), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2018 TAC of sablefish allocated to vessels using trawl gear in the West Yakutat District of the GOA will be reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that sablefish caught by vessels using trawl gear in the West Yakutat District of the GOA be treated as prohibited species in accordance with Sec. 679.21(b). [[Page 41020]] 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 prohibiting the retention of sablefish by vessels using trawl gear in the West Yakutat District 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 August 13, 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. Sec. 679.20 and 679.21 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: August 14, 2018. Margo B. Schulze-Haugen, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018-17798 Filed 8-14-18; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 160 / Friday, August 17, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 41019
necessary to protect the lesser whether such species were harvested in DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
amberjack, almaco jack, and banded state or Federal waters. During the
rudderfish resources. commercial closure, the sale or National Oceanic and Atmospheric
DATES: This temporary rule is effective purchase of lesser amberjack, almaco Administration
at 12:01 a.m., local time, on August 22, jack, or banded rudderfish taken from
2018, until 12:01 a.m., local time, on the South Atlantic EEZ is prohibited. 50 CFR Part 679
January 1, 2019.
Classification [Docket No. 170816769–8162–02]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mary Vara, NMFS Southeast Regional The Regional Administrator for the
Office, telephone: 727–824–5305, email: NMFS Southeast Region has determined RIN 0648–XG402
mary.vara@noaa.gov. this temporary rule is necessary for the
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The conservation and management of the
Zone Off Alaska; Sablefish in the West
snapper-grouper fishery of the South fish in the Other Jacks Complex, a
Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska
Atlantic includes lesser amberjack, component of the South Atlantic
almaco jack, and banded rudderfish, snapper-grouper fishery, and is AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
which combined are the Other Jacks consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Complex. The Other Jacks Complex is Act and other applicable laws. Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
managed under the Fishery This action is taken under 50 CFR Commerce.
Management Plan for the Snapper- 622.193(l)(1)(i) and is exempt from ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic review under Executive Order 12866.
Region (FMP). The FMP was prepared SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention
by the South Atlantic Fishery These measures are exempt from the of sablefish by vessels using trawl gear
Management Council and is procedures of the Regulatory Flexibility in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf
implemented by NMFS under the Act because the temporary rule is issued of Alaska (GOA). This action is
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens without opportunity for prior notice and necessary because the 2018 total
Fishery Conservation and Management public comment. allowable catch of sablefish allocated to
Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by This action responds to the best vessels using trawl gear in the West
regulations at 50 CFR part 622. scientific information available. The Yakutat District of the GOA will be
The combined commercial ACL for Assistant Administrator for NOAA reached.
the Other Jacks Complex is 189,422 lb Fisheries (AA) finds that the need to DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska
(85,920 kg), round weight. Under 50 immediately implement this action to local time (A.l.t.), August 14, 2018,
CFR 622.193(l)(1)(i), NMFS is required close the commercial sector for the through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31,
to close the commercial sector for the Other Jacks Complex constitutes good 2018.
Other Jacks Complex when the cause to waive the requirements to
commercial ACL has been reached, or is FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
provide prior notice and opportunity for
projected to be reached, by filing a Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228.
public comment pursuant to the
notification to that effect with the Office authority set forth in 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
of the Federal Register. NMFS has as such procedures are unnecessary and manages the groundfish fishery in the
determined that the commercial sector contrary to the public interest. Such GOA exclusive economic zone
for this complex is projected to reach its procedures are unnecessary because the according to the Fishery Management
ACL by August 22, 2018. Therefore, this rule implementing the AM itself has Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of
temporary rule implements an AM to been subject to notice and comment, Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North
close the commercial sector for the and all that remains is to notify the Pacific Fishery Management Council
Other Jacks Complex in the South public of the closure. Such procedures under authority of the Magnuson-
Atlantic, effective at 12:01 a.m., local are contrary to the public interest Stevens Fishery Conservation and
time, on August 22, 2018. because of the need to immediately Management Act. Regulations governing
The operator of a vessel with a valid implement this action to protect the fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance
commercial permit for South Atlantic species in the Other Jacks Complex, with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50
snapper-grouper having lesser since the capacity of the fishing fleet CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
amberjack, almaco jack, or banded allows for rapid harvest of the The 2018 total allowable catch (TAC)
rudderfish on board must have landed commercial ACL. Prior notice and of sablefish allocated to vessels using
and bartered, traded, or sold such opportunity for public comment would trawl gear in the West Yakutat District
species prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, require time and would potentially of the GOA is 240 metric tons (mt) as
on August 22, 2018. During the result in a harvest well in excess of the established by the final 2018 and 2019
commercial closure, the recreational bag established commercial ACL. harvest specifications for groundfish of
limit specified in 50 CFR 622.187(b)(8) the GOA (83 FR 8768, March 1, 2018).
and the possession limits specified in 50 For the aforementioned reasons, the In accordance with § 679.20(d)(2), the
CFR 622.187(c) apply to all harvest or AA also finds good cause to waive the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS
possession of lesser amberjack, almaco 30-day delay in the effectiveness of this (Regional Administrator), has
jack, or banded rudderfish in or from action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). determined that the 2018 TAC of
the South Atlantic EEZ, while the Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. sablefish allocated to vessels using trawl
recreational sector is open. These gear in the West Yakutat District of the
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES
Dated: August 13, 2018.
recreational bag and possession limits GOA will be reached. Therefore, NMFS
apply in the South Atlantic on board a Margo B. Schulze-Haugen, is requiring that sablefish caught by
vessel for which a valid Federal Acting Director, Office of Sustainable vessels using trawl gear in the West
commercial or charter vessel/headboat Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. Yakutat District of the GOA be treated
permit for South Atlantic snapper- [FR Doc. 2018–17719 Filed 8–16–18; 8:45 am] as prohibited species in accordance
grouper has been issued, regardless of BILLING CODE 3510–22–P with § 679.21(b).
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![41020 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 160 / Friday, August 17, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
Classification DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE of the GOA will soon be reached.
Therefore, the Regional Administrator is
This action responds to the best National Oceanic and Atmospheric establishing a directed fishing
available information recently obtained Administration allowance of 3,271 mt, and is setting
from the fishery. The Assistant aside the remaining 100 mt as bycatch
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA 50 CFR Part 679 to support other anticipated groundfish
(AA), finds good cause to waive the fisheries. In accordance with
[Docket No. 170816769–8162–02]
requirement to provide prior notice and § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional
opportunity for public comment RIN 0648–XG400 Administrator finds that this directed
pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 fishing allowance has been reached.
U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting
impracticable and contrary to the public Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch
interest. This requirement is in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf in the West Yakutat District of the GOA.
impracticable and contrary to the public of Alaska While this closure remains effective the
interest as it would prevent NMFS from AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries maximum retainable amounts at
responding to the most recent fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time
data in a timely fashion and would Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), during a trip.
delay prohibiting the retention of Commerce. Classification
sablefish by vessels using trawl gear in ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
This action responds to the best
the West Yakutat District of the GOA.
SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed available information recently obtained
NMFS was unable to publish a notice
fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the from the fishery. The Assistant
providing time for public comment Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA
because the most recent, relevant data West Yakutat District of the Gulf of
Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary (AA), finds good cause to waive the
only became available as of August 13, requirement to provide prior notice and
2018. to prevent exceeding the 2018 total
allowable catch of Pacific ocean perch opportunity for public comment
The AA also finds good cause to in the West Yakutat District of the GOA. pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
waive the 30-day delay in the effective U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska
date of this action under 5 U.S.C. impracticable and contrary to the public
local time (A.l.t.), August 14, 2018,
553(d)(3). This finding is based upon interest. This requirement is
through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31,
the reasons provided above for waiver of impracticable and contrary to the public
2018.
prior notice and opportunity for public interest as it would prevent NMFS from
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: responding to the most recent fisheries
comment.
Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. data in a timely fashion and would
This action is required by §§ 679.20 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS delay the closure of directed fishing for
and 679.21 and is exempt from review manages the groundfish fishery in the Pacific ocean perch in the West Yakutat
under Executive Order 12866. GOA exclusive economic zone District of the GOA. NMFS was unable
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. according to the Fishery Management to publish a notice providing time for
Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of public comment because the most
Dated: August 14, 2018.
Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North recent, relevant data only became
Margo B. Schulze-Haugen, Pacific Fishery Management Council available as of August 13, 2018.
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable under authority of the Magnuson- The AA also finds good cause to
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. Stevens Fishery Conservation and waive the 30-day delay in the effective
[FR Doc. 2018–17798 Filed 8–14–18; 4:15 pm] Management Act. Regulations governing date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 the reasons provided above for waiver of
CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. prior notice and opportunity for public
The 2018 total allowable catch (TAC) comment.
of Pacific ocean perch in the West This action is required by § 679.20
Yakutat District of the GOA is 3,371 and is exempt from review under
metric tons (mt) as established by the Executive Order 12866.
final 2018 and 2019 harvest Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
specifications for groundfish of the GOA
(83 FR 8768, March 1, 2018). Dated: August 14, 2018.
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), Margo B. Schulze-Haugen,
the Administrator, Alaska Region, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
NMFS (Regional Administrator), has Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
determined that the 2018 TAC of Pacific [FR Doc. 2018–17797 Filed 8–14–18; 4:15 pm]
ocean perch in the West Yakutat District BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES
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Document Created: 2018-08-17 03:25:51
Document Modified: 2018-08-17 03:25:51
| 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.), August 14, 2018, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2018. | |
| Contact | Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 41019 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XG40 |
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