83 FR 49496 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Bering Sea Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 191 (October 2, 2018)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 191 (October 2, 2018)
| Page Range | 49496-49497 | |
| FR Document | 2018-21409 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 191 (Tuesday, October 2, 2018)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 49496-49497] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-21409] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 170817779-8161-02] RIN 0648-XG509 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Bering Sea Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of a closure. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to fully use the 2018 total allowable catch of Pacific ocean perch specified for the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 1, 2018, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2018. Comments must be received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., October 17, 2018. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2017-0108, by either of the following methods:Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-0108, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. Mail: Submit written comments to Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn: Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668. Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the public record will generally be posted for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (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. NMFS closed directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch (POP) in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI under Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii) (83 FR 8365, February 27, 2018). NMFS has determined that approximately 5,200 metric tons of POP remain in the directed fishing allowance. Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize the 2018 total allowable catch of POP in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and is opening directed fishing for POP in Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI, effective 1200 hrs, A.l.t., October 1, 2018, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2018. This will enhance the socioeconomic well-being of harvesters dependent on POP in this area. The Administrator, Alaska Region considered the following factors in reaching this decision: (1) The current catch of POP in the BSAI and, (2) the harvest capacity and stated intent on future harvesting patterns of vessels participating in this fishery. 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 opening of POP directed fishing in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of September 26, 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. Without this inseason adjustment, NMFS could not allow the fishery for POP in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI to be harvested in an expedient manner and in accordance with the regulatory schedule. Under Sec. 679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to submit written comments on this action to the above address until October 17, 2018. This action is required by Sec. 679.20 and Sec. 679.25 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. [[Page 49497]] Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: September 27, 2018. Alan D. Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018-21409 Filed 10-1-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![49496 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 191 / Tuesday, October 2, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 665 Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea § 679.20(d)(1)(iii) (83 FR 8365, February
Administrative practice and and Aleutian Islands management area. 27, 2018).
This action is necessary to fully use the NMFS has determined that
procedure, Fisheries, Fishing, Hawaii,
2018 total allowable catch of Pacific approximately 5,200 metric tons of POP
Sea turtles.
ocean perch specified for the Bering Sea remain in the directed fishing
Dated: September 26, 2018. subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian allowance. Therefore, in accordance
Samuel D. Rauch III, Islands management area. with § 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and
Deputy Assistant Administrator for DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize the
Regulatory Programs, National Marine time (A.l.t.), October 1, 2018, through 2018 total allowable catch of POP in the
Fisheries Service. Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI, NMFS
1200 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2018.
For the reasons set out in the Comments must be received at the is terminating the previous closure and
preamble, 50 CFR part 665 is amended following address no later than 4:30 is opening directed fishing for POP in
as follows: p.m., A.l.t., October 17, 2018. Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI, effective
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
1200 hrs, A.l.t., October 1, 2018,
PART 665—FISHERIES IN THE through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., December 31,
identified by NOAA–NMFS–2017–0108,
WESTERN PACIFIC 2018. This will enhance the
by either of the following methods:
• Electronic Submission: Submit all socioeconomic well-being of harvesters
■ 1. The authority citation for 50 CFR dependent on POP in this area.
electronic public comments via the
part 665 continues to read as follows: The Administrator, Alaska Region
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. considered the following factors in
https://www.regulations.gov/docket?
reaching this decision: (1) The current
■ 2. In § 665.813, revise paragraph (b)(1) D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-0108, click the
catch of POP in the BSAI and, (2) the
to read as follows: ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the
harvest capacity and stated intent on
required fields, and enter or attach your
§ 665.813 Western Pacific longline fishing future harvesting patterns of vessels
comments.
restrictions. • Mail: Submit written comments to participating in this fishery.
* * * * * Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional Classification
(b) * * * Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries This action responds to the best
(1) Maximum annual limits are Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn: available information recently obtained
established on the number of physical Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. from the fishery. The Assistant
interactions that occur each calendar Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668. Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA
year between leatherback and North Instructions: Comments sent by any (AA), finds good cause to waive the
Pacific loggerhead sea turtles and other method, to any other address or requirement to provide prior notice and
vessels registered for use under Hawaii individual, or received after the end of opportunity for public comment
longline limited access permits while the comment period, may not be pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
shallow-set fishing. The annual limit for considered by NMFS. All comments U.S.C. 553(b)(B), as such requirement is
leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys received are a part of the public record impracticable and contrary to the public
coriacea) is 26, and the annual limit for will generally be posted for public interest. This requirement is
North Pacific loggerhead sea turtles viewing on www.regulations.gov impracticable and contrary to the public
(Caretta caretta) is 17. without change. All personal identifying interest as it would prevent NMFS from
* * * * * information (e.g., name, address, etc.), responding to the most recent fisheries
[FR Doc. 2018–21349 Filed 10–1–18; 8:45 am] confidential business information, or data in a timely fashion and would
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P otherwise sensitive information delay the opening of POP directed
submitted voluntarily by the sender will fishing in the Bering Sea subarea of the
be publicly accessible. NMFS will BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish a
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/ notice providing time for public
A’’ in the required fields if you wish to comment because the most recent,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric remain anonymous). relevant data only became available as
Administration FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: of September 26, 2018.
Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. The AA also finds good cause to
50 CFR Part 679 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS waive the 30-day delay in the effective
[Docket No. 170817779–8161–02] manages the groundfish fishery in the date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
RIN 0648–XG509
management area (BSAI) exclusive the reasons provided above for waiver of
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic economic zone according to the Fishery prior notice and opportunity for public
Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch Management Plan for Groundfish of the comment.
in the Bering Sea Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Without this inseason adjustment,
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (FMP) prepared by the NMFS could not allow the fishery for
Management Area North Pacific Fishery Management POP in the Bering Sea subarea of the
Council under authority of the BSAI to be harvested in an expedient
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Magnuson-Stevens Fishery manner and in accordance with the
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Conservation and Management Act. regulatory schedule. Under
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Regulations governing fishing by U.S. § 679.25(c)(2), interested persons are
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Commerce. vessels in accordance with the FMP invited to submit written comments on
ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 this action to the above address until
a closure. and 50 CFR part 679. October 17, 2018.
NMFS closed directed fishing for This action is required by § 679.20
SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed Pacific ocean perch (POP) in the Bering and § 679.25 and is exempt from review
fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the Sea subarea of the BSAI under under Executive Order 12866.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 191 / Tuesday, October 2, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 49497
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local from the fishery. The Assistant
Dated: September 27, 2018. time (A.l.t.), September 27, 2018, Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA
Alan D. Risenhoover, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, (AA), finds good cause to waive the
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
2018. requirement to provide prior notice and
National Marine Fisheries Service. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: opportunity for public comment
[FR Doc. 2018–21409 Filed 10–1–18; 8:45 am] Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is
manages the groundfish fishery in the impracticable and contrary to the public
BSAI according to the Fishery interest. This requirement is
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Management Plan for Groundfish of the impracticable and contrary to the public
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands interest as it would prevent NMFS from
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Management Area (FMP) prepared by responding to the most recent fisheries
Administration the North Pacific Fishery Management data in a timely fashion and would
Council under authority of the delay prohibiting retention of ‘‘other
50 CFR Part 679 Magnuson-Stevens Fishery rockfish’’ in the Aleutian Islands
Conservation and Management Act. subarea of the BSAI. NMFS was unable
[Docket No. 170817779–8161–02] Regulations governing fishing by U.S. to publish a notice providing time for
vessels in accordance with the FMP public comment because the most
RIN 0648–XG510 appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 recent, relevant data only became
and 50 CFR part 679.
The 2018 ‘‘other rockfish’’ TAC in the available as September 26, 2018.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; ‘‘Other Rockfish’’ in Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI is The AA also finds good cause to
the Aleutian Islands Subarea of the 570 metric tons (mt) as established by waive the 30-day delay in the effective
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands the final 2018 and 2019 harvest date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
Management Area specifications for groundfish in the 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27, 2018). the reasons provided above for waiver of
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries In accordance with § 679.20(d)(2), the prior notice and opportunity for public
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS comment.
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), (Regional Administrator), has
Commerce. This action is required by §§ 679.20
determined that the 2018 ‘‘other
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. rockfish’’ TAC in the Bering Sea subarea and 679.21 and is exempt from review
of the BSAI has been reached. under Executive Order 12866.
SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention Therefore, NMFS is requiring that Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
of ‘‘other rockfish’’ in the Aleutian ‘‘other rockfish’’ in the Aleutian Islands
Islands subarea of the Bering Sea and Dated: September 27, 2018.
subarea of the BSAI be treated as
Aleutian Islands management area prohibited species in accordance with Alan D. Risenhoover,
(BSAI). This action is necessary because § 679.21(b). Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
the 2018 ‘‘other rockfish’’ total National Marine Fisheries Service.
allowable catch (TAC) in the Aleutian Classification [FR Doc. 2018–21400 Filed 9–27–18; 4:15 pm]
Islands subarea of the BSAI has been This action responds to the best BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
reached. available information recently obtained
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Document Created: 2018-10-02 01:19:38
Document Modified: 2018-10-02 01:19:38
| 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; modification of a closure. | |
| Dates | Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 1, 2018, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2018. Comments must be received | |
| Contact | Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 49496 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XG50 |
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