83_FR_48748 83 FR 48561 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Hook-and-Line Catcher/Processors in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

83 FR 48561 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Hook-and-Line Catcher/Processors in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 187 (September 26, 2018)

Page Range48561-48561
FR Document2018-20952

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

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 187 (Wednesday, September 26, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 187 (Wednesday, September 26, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 48561]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-20952]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 170816769-8162-02]
RIN 0648-XG501


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Hook-and-Line Catcher/Processors 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 hook-
and-line catcher/processors in the Western 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 hook-and-line catcher/processors in the Western 
Regulatory Area of the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 21, 
2018, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 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 annual allowance of the 2018 Pacific cod total allowable catch 
(TAC) apportioned to hook-and-line catcher/processors in the Western 
Regulatory Area of the GOA is 1,103 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 hook-and-line 
catcher/processors in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon 
be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a 
directed fishing allowance of 1,090 mt and is setting aside the 
remaining 13 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 hook-and-line catcher/processors in the Western 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.

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 hook-and-
line catcher/processors 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 
September 20, 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: September 21, 2018.
Margo B. Schulze-Haugen,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-20952 Filed 9-21-18; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 187 / Wednesday, September 26, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 48561 specifications for groundfish of the (83 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NMFS (Regional Administrator) has FR 8768, March 1, 2018). determined that the annual allowance of In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), National Oceanic and Atmospheric the 2018 Pacific cod TAC apportioned the Administrator, Alaska Region, Administration to hook-and-line catcher/processors in NMFS (Regional Administrator), has the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA determined that the 2018 TAC of 50 CFR Part 679 will soon be reached. Therefore, the northern rockfish in the Western Regional Administrator is establishing a [Docket No. 170816769–8162–02] Regulatory Area of the GOA will be directed fishing allowance of 1,090 mt soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional RIN 0648–XG501 and is setting aside the remaining 13 mt Administrator is establishing a directed as bycatch to support other anticipated fishing allowance of 50 mt, and is Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic groundfish fisheries. In accordance with setting aside 370 mt as bycatch to Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Hook- § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional support other anticipated groundfish and-Line Catcher/Processors in the Administrator finds that this directed fisheries. In accordance with Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of fishing allowance has been reached. § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Alaska Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting Administrator finds that this directed directed fishing for Pacific cod by hook- fishing allowance has been reached. AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and and-line catcher/processors in the Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. directed fishing for northern rockfish in Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. While this closure is effective the the Western Regulatory Area of the maximum retainable amounts at GOA. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time While this closure remains in effect, during a trip. the maximum retainable amounts at SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time fishing for Pacific cod by hook-and-line Classification during a trip. catcher/processors in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska This action responds to the best Classification (GOA). This action is necessary to available information recently obtained This action responds to the best prevent exceeding the annual allowance from the fishery. The Assistant available information recently obtained of the 2018 Pacific cod total allowable Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA from the fishery. The Assistant catch apportioned to hook-and-line (AA), finds good cause to waive the Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA catcher/processors in the Western requirement to provide prior notice and (AA), finds good cause to waive the Regulatory Area of the GOA. opportunity for public comment requirement to provide prior notice and DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 opportunity for public comment local time (A.l.t.), September 21, 2018, U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, impracticable and contrary to the public U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is 2018. interest. This requirement is impracticable and contrary to the public FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh impracticable and contrary to the public interest. This requirement is Keaton, 907–586–7228. interest as it would prevent NMFS from impracticable and contrary to the public responding to the most recent fisheries SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS data in a timely fashion and would interest as it would prevent NMFS from responding to the most recent fisheries manages the groundfish fishery in the delay the directed fishing closure of data in a timely fashion and would GOA exclusive economic zone Pacific cod by hook-and-line catcher/ delay the closure of directed fishing for according to the Fishery Management processors in the Western Regulatory northern rockfish in the Western Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Area of the GOA. NMFS was unable to Regulatory Area of the GOA. NMFS was Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North publish a notice providing time for unable to publish a notice providing Pacific Fishery Management Council public comment because the most time for public comment because the under authority of the Magnuson- recent, relevant data only became most recent, relevant data only became Stevens Fishery Conservation and available as of September 20, 2018. available as of September 20, 2018. Management Act. Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance The AA also finds good cause to The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the effective waive the 30-day delay in the effective with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. date of this action under 5 U.S.C. date of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon Regulations governing sideboard protections for GOA groundfish the reasons provided above for waiver of the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and opportunity for public prior notice and opportunity for public fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR part 680. comment. comment. This action is required by § 679.20 The annual allowance of the 2018 This action is required by § 679.20 and is exempt from review under Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. apportioned to hook-and-line catcher/ Executive Order 12866. processors in the Western Regulatory Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Area of the GOA is 1,103 metric tons Dated: September 21, 2018. (mt), as established by the final 2018 Dated: September 21, 2018. Margo B. Schulze-Haugen, and 2019 harvest specifications for Margo B. Schulze-Haugen, daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES Acting Director, Office of Sustainable groundfish of the GOA (83 FR 8768, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. March 1, 2018). Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018–20953 Filed 9–21–18; 4:15 pm] In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), [FR Doc. 2018–20952 Filed 9–21–18; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P the Administrator, Alaska Region, BILLING CODE 3510–22–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:04 Sep 25, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\26SER1.SGM 26SER1


Document Created: 2018-09-26 00:47:06
Document Modified: 2018-09-26 00:47:06
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 21, 2018, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2018.
ContactJosh Keaton, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation83 FR 48561 
RIN Number0648-XG50
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