83 FR 55641 - 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 216 (November 7, 2018)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 216 (November 7, 2018)
| Page Range | 55641-55642 | |
| FR Document | 2018-24375 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 7, 2018)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 55641-55642] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-24375] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 170817779-8161-02] RIN 0648-XG116 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the Eastern Aleutian district (EAI) 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 EAI allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), November 2, 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 EAI, allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery was established as a directed fishing allowance of 794 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 EAI by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery. [[Page 55642]] 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 delay the closure of the Pacific ocean perch directed fishery in the EAI 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 November 1, 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: November 2, 2018. Karen H. Abrams, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018-24375 Filed 11-2-18; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 216 / Wednesday, November 7, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 55641
the Federal Register on February 6, 808–522–8220, fax 808–522–8226, or DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
2018 (83 FR 5212), remain effective for http://www.wpcouncil.org.
the 2019 fishing year. National Oceanic and Atmospheric
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Administration
Classification Rebecca Walker, NMFS PIRO
This action is authorized by 50 CFR Sustainable Fisheries, 808–725–5184. 50 CFR Part 679
part 648 and is exempt from review SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a final
under Executive Order 12866. [Docket No. 170817779–8161–02]
rule published on October 23, 2018,
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. NMFS specified a 2018 limit of 2,000 t RIN 0648–XG116
Dated: November 2, 2018. of longline-caught bigeye tuna for the
U.S. Pacific Island territories of Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Karen H. Abrams,
American Samoa, Guam, and the CNMI Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
(83 FR 53399). NMFS allows each in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
territory to allocate up to 1,000 t of the Management Area
[FR Doc. 2018–24368 Filed 11–6–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P 2,000 t limit to U.S. longline fishing AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
vessels identified in a valid specified Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
fishing agreement. Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE On October 22, 2018, NMFS received Commerce.
from the Council a specified fishing ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration agreement between the CNMI and Quota
Management, Inc. (QMI). The Council’s SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed
Executive Director advised that the fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the
50 CFR Part 665 Eastern Aleutian district (EAI) of the
specified fishing agreement was
RIN 0648–XG025 Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
consistent with the criteria set forth in
management area (BSAI) by vessels
Pacific Island Pelagic Fisheries; 2018 50 CFR 665.819(c)(1). NMFS reviewed participating in the BSAI trawl limited
U.S. Territorial Longline Bigeye Tuna the agreement and determined that it is access fishery. This action is necessary
Catch Limits for the Commonwealth of consistent with the Pelagic FEP, the to prevent exceeding the 2018 total
the Northern Mariana Islands Magnuson-Stevens Fishery allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean
Conservation and Management Act, perch in the EAI allocated to vessels
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries implementing regulations, and other participating in the BSAI trawl limited
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and applicable laws. access fishery.
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce. In accordance with 50 CFR 300.224(d) DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local
and 50 CFR 665.819(c)(9), vessels time (A.l.t.), November 2, 2018, through
ACTION: Announcement of a valid
identified in the agreement may retain 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2018.
specified fishing agreement.
and land bigeye tuna in the western and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
SUMMARY: NMFS announces a valid central Pacific Ocean under the CNMI Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228.
specified fishing agreement that limit. NMFS will begin attributing SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
allocates up to 1,000 metric tons (t) of bigeye tuna caught by vessels identified manages the groundfish fishery in the
the 2018 bigeye tuna limit for the in the agreement to the CNMI starting BSAI exclusive economic zone
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana on October 25, 2018. If NMFS according to the Fishery Management
Islands (CNMI) to identified U.S. determines that the fishery will reach Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea
longline fishing vessels. The agreement the attribution limit of 1,000 t, we will and Aleutian Islands Management Area
supports the long-term sustainability of restrict the retention of bigeye tuna (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific
fishery resources of the U.S. Pacific caught by vessels identified in the Fishery Management Council under
Islands, and fisheries development in agreement, unless the vessels are authority of the Magnuson-Stevens
the CNMI. included in a subsequent specified Fishery Conservation and Management
DATES: The specified fishing agreement fishing agreement with another U.S. Act. Regulations governing fishing by
is valid on November 6, 2018. territory. U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP
ADDRESSES: NMFS prepared appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
environmental analyses that describe and 50 CFR part 679.
the potential impacts on the human Dated: November 1, 2018. The 2018 TAC of Pacific ocean perch,
environment that would result from the Karen H. Abrams, in the EAI, allocated to vessels
action. The analyses, identified by Acting Director, Office of Sustainable participating in the BSAI trawl limited
NOAA–NMFS–2018–0026, are available Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. access fishery was established as a
from https://www.regulations.gov/ [FR Doc. 2018–24278 Filed 11–6–18; 8:45 am] directed fishing allowance of 794 metric
docket?D=NOAA-NMFS-2018-0026, or tons by the final 2018 and 2019 harvest
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
from Michael D. Tosatto, Regional specifications for groundfish in the
Administrator, NMFS Pacific Islands BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27, 2018).
Region (PIR), 1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg. In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii),
176, Honolulu, HI 96818. the Regional Administrator finds that
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The Fishery Ecosystem Plan for this directed fishing allowance has been
Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific reached. Consequently, NMFS is
(Pelagic FEP) is available from the prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific
Western Pacific Fishery Management ocean perch in the EAI by vessels
Council (Council), 1164 Bishop St., participating in the BSAI trawl limited
Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, tel access fishery.
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![55642 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 216 / Wednesday, November 7, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
After the effective dates of this public interest. This requirement is finding is based upon the reasons
closure, the maximum retainable impracticable and contrary to the public provided above for waiver of prior
amounts at § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at interest as it would prevent NMFS from notice and opportunity for public
any time during a trip. responding to the most recent fisheries comment.
data in a timely fashion and would
Classification This action is required by § 679.20
delay the closure of the Pacific ocean
This action responds to the best and is exempt from review under
perch directed fishery in the EAI for
available information recently obtained vessels participating in the BSAI trawl Executive Order 12866.
from the fishery. The Assistant limited access fishery. NMFS was Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, unable to publish a notice providing Dated: November 2, 2018.
(AA) finds good cause to waive the time for public comment because the
requirement to provide prior notice and Karen H. Abrams,
most recent, relevant data only became
opportunity for public comment available as of November 1, 2018. The Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 AA also finds good cause to waive the Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such a requirement 30-day delay in the effective date of this [FR Doc. 2018–24375 Filed 11–2–18; 4:15 pm]
is impracticable and contrary to the action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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Document Created: 2018-11-07 00:04:57
Document Modified: 2018-11-07 00:04:57
| 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.), November 2, 2018, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2018. | |
| Contact | Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 55641 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XG11 |
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