83_FR_44167 83 FR 43999 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Trawl Catcher Vessels in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

83 FR 43999 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Trawl Catcher Vessels in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 168 (August 29, 2018)

Page Range43999-44000
FR Document2018-18727

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the annual allowance of the 2018 Pacific cod total allowable catch apportioned to trawl catcher vessels in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 168 (Wednesday, August 29, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 168 (Wednesday, August 29, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43999-44000]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18727]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 107816769-8162-02]
RIN 0648-XG396


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Trawl Catcher Vessels in the Central 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 trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the 
Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 
annual allowance of the 2018 Pacific cod total allowable catch 
apportioned to trawl catcher

[[Page 44000]]

vessels in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 1, 
2018, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 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 annual allowance of the 2018 Pacific cod total allowable catch 
(TAC) apportioned to trawl catcher vessels in the Central Regulatory 
Area of the GOA not participating in the cooperative fishery of the 
Rockfish Program is 2,275 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)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has determined that the annual 
allowance of the 2018 Pacific cod TAC apportioned to trawl catcher 
vessels in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is necessary to 
account for the incidental catch in other anticipated fisheries. 
Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed 
fishing allowance of 0 mt and is setting aside the remaining 2,275 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 trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the 
GOA. While this closure is effective the maximum retainable amounts at 
Sec.  679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip. This closure 
does not apply to fishing by vessels participating in the cooperative 
fishery of the Rockfish Program for the Central GOA.

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 trawl gear in the Central 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 
August 22, 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 24, 2018.
Margo B. Schulze-Haugen,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-18727 Filed 8-28-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 168 / Wednesday, August 29, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 43999 electronic signature is the legally data storage for its automated records records matching the criteria specified binding equivalent of his or her for the quarters prescribed in the in a search. handwritten signature. following table for the time specified in ■ 9. In § 228.207, revise paragraphs (b) System security. Railroads using § 228.9(c)(3), to be updated within 30 (b)(1)(iii)(B) and (c)(1)(i) to read as an automated recordkeeping system days of the end of each prescribed follows: must protect the integrity of the system quarter— by the use of an employee identification § 228.207 Training. number and password, or a comparable Quarter 1 ........ January 1 through March 31. * * * * * method, to establish appropriate levels Quarter 2 ........ April 1 through June 30. (b) * * * of program access meeting all of the Quarter 3 ........ July 1 through September (1) * * * following standards: 30. (iii) * * * (1) Data input is restricted to the Quarter 4 ........ October 1 through Decem- (B) The entry of hours of service data, employee or train crew or signal gang ber 31. into the electronic system or automated whose time is being recorded, except system or on the appropriate paper (7) Supervisors and crew management that an eligible smaller railroad, or a records used by the railroad or officials can access, but cannot delete or contractor or subcontractor to such a contractor or subcontractor to a railroad alter, the records of any employee after railroad, may pre-populate fields of the for which the employee performs the employee electronically signs the hours of service record provided that— covered service; and (i) The eligible smaller railroad, or its record. (c) Identification of the individual * * * * * contractor or subcontractor, pre- (c) * * * populates fields of the hours of service entering data. If a given record contains data entered by more than one (1) * * * record with information the railroad, or (i) Emphasize any relevant changes to its contractor or subcontractor knows is individual, the record must identify each individual who entered specific the hours of service laws, the recording factually accurate for a specific and reporting requirements in subparts employee. information within the record and the data the individual entered. B and D of this part, or the electronic, (ii) The recordkeeping system may automated, or manual recordkeeping allow employees to copy data from one (d) Search capabilities. The automated recordkeeping system must system of the railroad or contractor or field of a record into another field, subcontractor to a railroad for which the where applicable. store records using the following criteria so all records matching the selected employee performs covered service (iii) The eligible smaller railroad, or criteria are retrieved from the same since the employee last received its contractor or subcontractor does not location: training; and use estimated, historical, or arbitrary information to pre-populate any field of (1) Date (month and year); * * * * * an hours of service record. (2) Employee name or identification Issued in Washington, DC. (iv) An eligible smaller railroad, or a number; and Ronald Louis Batory, contractor or a subcontractor to such a (3) Electronically signed records containing one or more instances of Administrator. railroad, is not in violation of paragraph [FR Doc. 2018–18639 Filed 8–28–18; 8:45 am] (b)(1) of this section if it makes a good excess service, including duty tours in faith judgment as to the factual accuracy excess of 12 hours. BILLING CODE 4910–06–P of the data for a specific employee but (e) Access to records. An eligible nevertheless errs in pre-populating a smaller railroad, or contractor or data field. subcontractor providing covered service DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (v) The employee may make any employees to such a railroad, must provide access to its hours of service National Oceanic and Atmospheric necessary changes to the data by typing Administration into the field without having to access records under subpart B that are created another screen or obtain clearance from and maintained in its automated recordkeeping system to FRA inspectors 50 CFR Part 679 railroad, or contractor or subcontractor to the railroad. and State inspectors participating under [Docket No. 107816769–8162–02] (2) No two individuals have the same 49 CFR part 212, subject to the following requirements: RIN 0648–XG396 electronic signature. (3) No individual can delete or alter (1) Access to records created and Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic a record after the employee who created maintained in the automated Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Trawl the record electronically signs the recordkeeping system must be obtained Catcher Vessels in the Central record. as required by § 228.9(c)(4); Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (4) Any amendment to a record is (2) An eligible smaller railroad must either: establish and comply with procedures AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries (i) Electronically stored apart from the for providing an FRA inspector or Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and record that it amends; or participating State inspector with access Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), (ii) Electronically attached to the to the system upon request and must Commerce. record as information without changing provide access to the system as soon as ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. the original record. possible but not later than 24 hours after (5) Each amendment to a record a request for access; SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES uniquely identifies the individual (3) Each data field entered by an fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels making the amendment. employee on the input screen must be using trawl gear in the Central (6) The automated system maintains visible to the FRA inspector or Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska the records as originally submitted participating State inspector; and (GOA). This action is necessary to without corruption or loss of data. (4) The data fields must be searchable prevent exceeding the annual allowance Beginning August 29, 2018, an eligible as described in paragraph (d) of this of the 2018 Pacific cod total allowable smaller railroad must retain back-up section and must yield access to all catch apportioned to trawl catcher VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:05 Aug 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\29AUR1.SGM 29AUR1

44000 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 168 / Wednesday, August 29, 2018 / Rules and Regulations vessels in the Central Regulatory Area of In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), requirement to provide prior notice and the GOA. the Administrator, Alaska Region, opportunity for public comment DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska NMFS (Regional Administrator) has pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 local time (A.l.t.), September 1, 2018, determined that the annual allowance of U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, the 2018 Pacific cod TAC apportioned impracticable and contrary to the public 2018. to trawl catcher vessels in the Central interest. This requirement is Regulatory Area of the GOA is necessary impracticable and contrary to the public FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: to account for the incidental catch in interest as it would prevent NMFS from Obren Davis, 907–586–7228. other anticipated fisheries. Therefore, responding to the most recent fisheries SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS the Regional Administrator is data in a timely fashion and would manages the groundfish fishery in the establishing a directed fishing delay the directed fishing closure of GOA exclusive economic zone allowance of 0 mt and is setting aside Pacific cod by catcher vessels using according to the Fishery Management the remaining 2,275 mt as bycatch to trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of support other anticipated groundfish Area of the GOA. NMFS was unable to Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North fisheries. In accordance with publish a notice providing time for Pacific Fishery Management Council § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional public comment because the most under authority of the Magnuson- Administrator finds that this directed recent, relevant data only became Stevens Fishery Conservation and fishing allowance has been reached. available as of August 22, 2018. Management Act. Regulations governing Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting The AA also finds good cause to fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance directed fishing for Pacific cod by waive the 30-day delay in the effective with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 catcher vessels using trawl gear in the date of this action under 5 U.S.C. CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon Regulations governing sideboard While this closure is effective the the reasons provided above for waiver of protections for GOA groundfish maximum retainable amounts at prior notice and opportunity for public fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time comment. part 680. during a trip. This closure does not This action is required by § 679.20 The annual allowance of the 2018 apply to fishing by vessels participating and is exempt from review under Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) in the cooperative fishery of the Executive Order 12866. apportioned to trawl catcher vessels in Rockfish Program for the Central GOA. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA not participating in the cooperative Classification Dated: August 24, 2018. fishery of the Rockfish Program is 2,275 This action responds to the best Margo B. Schulze-Haugen, metric tons (mt), as established by the available information recently obtained Acting Director, Office of Sustainable final 2018 and 2019 harvest from the fishery. The Assistant Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. specifications for groundfish of the GOA Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA [FR Doc. 2018–18727 Filed 8–28–18; 8:45 am] (83 FR 8768, March 1, 2018). (AA), finds good cause to waive the BILLING CODE 3510–22–P sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:05 Aug 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\29AUR1.SGM 29AUR1


Document Created: 2018-08-29 00:13:02
Document Modified: 2018-08-29 00:13:02
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 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 1, 2018, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2018.
ContactObren Davis, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation83 FR 43999 
RIN Number0648-XG39
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