83 FR 42228 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 162 (August 21, 2018)

Page Range		42228-42229
FR Document		2018-17991

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the Central Aleutian district (CAI) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery. This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2018 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean perch in the CAI allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 162 (Tuesday, August 21, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 162 (Tuesday, August 21, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42228-42229]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-17991]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 170817779-8161-02]
RIN 0648-XG115


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific 
Ocean Perch 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.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch 
in the Central Aleutian district (CAI) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands management area (BSAI) by vessels participating in the BSAI 
trawl limited access fishery. This action is necessary to prevent 
exceeding the 2018 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean perch 
in the CAI allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited 
access fishery.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 16, 2018, 
through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
BSAI exclusive economic zone 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.
    The 2018 TAC of Pacific ocean perch, in the CAI, allocated to 
vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery was 
established as a directed fishing allowance of 658 metric tons by the 
final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI 
(83 FR 8365, February 27, 2018).
    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 
ocean perch in the CAI by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl 
limited access fishery.
    After the effective dates 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 a 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

[[Page 42229]]

delay the closure of the Pacific ocean perch directed fishery in the 
CAI for vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery. 
NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment 
because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of 
August 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: August 16, 2018.
Margo B. Schulze-Haugen,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-17991 Filed 8-16-18; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

42228 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 162 / Tuesday, August 21, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27, 2018) opportunity for public comment SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed
and inseason adjustment (83 FR 2932, pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the
January 22, 2018). U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is Central Aleutian district (CAI) of the
The 2018 Pacific cod TAC specified impracticable and contrary to the public Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
for catcher vessels greater than or equal interest. This requirement is management area (BSAI) by vessels
to 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and- impracticable and contrary to the public participating in the BSAI trawl limited
line gear in the BSAI is 363 mt as interest as it would prevent NMFS from access fishery. This action is necessary
established by the final 2018 and 2019 responding to the most recent fisheries to prevent exceeding the 2018 total
harvest specifications for groundfish in data in a timely fashion and would allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean
the BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27, delay the reallocation of Pacific cod perch in the CAI allocated to vessels
2018). specified from jig vessels and catcher participating in the BSAI trawl limited
The 2018 Pacific cod TAC allocated to vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet access fishery.
catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line gear DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local
LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 time (A.l.t.), August 16, 2018, through
the BSAI is 5,027 mt as established by m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear. 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2018.
final 2018 and 2019 harvest Since the fishery is currently open, it is FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
specifications for groundfish in the important to immediately inform the
BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27, 2018) Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228.
industry as to the revised allocations.
and inseason adjustment (83 FR 2932, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
Immediate notification is necessary to
January 22, 2018). manages the groundfish fishery in the
allow for the orderly conduct and
The Administrator, Alaska Region, BSAI exclusive economic zone
efficient operation of this fishery, to
NMFS, (Regional Administrator) has according to the Fishery Management
allow the industry to plan for the fishing
determined that jig vessels will not be Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea
season, and to avoid potential
able to harvest 900 mt of the 2018 and Aleutian Islands Management Area
disruption to the fishing fleet as well as
Pacific cod TAC allocated to those (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific
processors. NMFS was unable to
vessels under § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(1). Fishery Management Council under
publish a notice providing time for
The Regional Administrator has authority of the Magnuson-Stevens
public comment because the most
determined that catcher vessels greater Fishery Conservation and Management
recent, relevant data only became
than or equal to 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA Act. Regulations governing fishing by
available as of August 15, 2018.
using hook-and-line gear will not be U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP
The AA also finds good cause to
able to harvest 363 mt of the 2018 appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600
waive the 30-day delay in the effective
Pacific cod TAC allocated to those and 50 CFR part 679.
date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
vessels under § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(3). The 2018 TAC of Pacific ocean perch,
553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
Therefore, in accordance with in the CAI, allocated to vessels
the reasons provided above for waiver of
§ 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A), NMFS apportions participating in the BSAI trawl limited
prior notice and opportunity for public
900 mt of Pacific cod from the jig vessel access fishery was established as a
comment.
apportionment to the annual amount This action is required by § 679.20 directed fishing allowance of 658 metric
specified for catcher vessels less than 60 and is exempt from review under tons by the final 2018 and 2019 harvest
feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line Executive Order 12866. specifications for groundfish in the
or pot gear. Also, in accordance with BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27, 2018).
§ 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A), NMFS apportions Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii),
363 mt of Pacific cod from the catcher Dated: August 16, 2018. the Regional Administrator finds that
vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet Margo B. Schulze-Haugen, this directed fishing allowance has been
(18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line gear Acting Director, Office of Sustainable reached. Consequently, NMFS is
apportionment to the annual amount Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific
specified for catcher vessels less than 60 [FR Doc. 2018–18014 Filed 8–16–18; 4:15 pm] ocean perch in the CAI by vessels
feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
participating in the BSAI trawl limited
or pot gear. access fishery.
The harvest specifications for Pacific After the effective dates of this
cod included in final 2018 and 2019 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE closure, the maximum retainable
harvest specifications for groundfish in amounts at § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at
the BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27, National Oceanic and Atmospheric any time during a trip.
2018) and inseason adjustment (83 FR Administration
Classification
2932, January 22, 2018) are revised as
follows: 249 mt to the annual amount 50 CFR Part 679 This action responds to the best
for vessels using jig gear, 0 mt to catcher available information recently obtained
[Docket No. 170817779–8161–02]
vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet from the fishery. The Assistant
(18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line gear, RIN 0648–XG115 Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA,
and 6,290 mt to catcher vessels less than (AA) finds good cause to waive the
60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and- Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic requirement to provide prior notice and
line or pot gear. Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch opportunity for public comment
in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES

Classification Management Area U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such a requirement
This action responds to the best AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries is impracticable and contrary to the
available information recently obtained Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and public interest. This requirement is
from the fishery. The Assistant Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), impracticable and contrary to the public
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA Commerce. interest as it would prevent NMFS from
(AA), finds good cause to waive the responding to the most recent fisheries
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
requirement to provide prior notice and data in a timely fashion and would

VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:40 Aug 20, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\21AUR1.SGM 21AUR1

$Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 162 / Tuesday, August 21, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 42229 delay the closure of the Pacific ocean day delay in the effective date of this Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. perch directed fishery in the CAI for action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This Dated: August 16, 2018. vessels participating in the BSAI trawl finding is based upon the reasons Margo B. Schulze-Haugen, limited access fishery. NMFS was provided above for waiver of prior unable to publish a notice providing notice and opportunity for public Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. time for public comment because the comment. most recent, relevant data only became This action is required by § 679.20 [FR Doc. 2018–17991 Filed 8–16–18; 4:15 pm] available as of August 15, 2018. The AA and is exempt from review under BILLING CODE 3510–22–P also finds good cause to waive the 30- Executive Order 12866. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:40 Aug 20, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\21AUR1.SGM 21AUR1$

Document Created: 2018-08-21 00:06:53
Document Modified: 2018-08-21 00:06:53

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 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 16, 2018, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2018.
Contact		Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation		83 FR 42228
RIN Number		0648-XG11

83 FR 42228 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 162 (August 21, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration