83 FR 5736 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessels Operating as Catcher Vessels Using Pot Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 28 (February 9, 2018)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 28 (February 9, 2018)
| Page Range | 5736-5737 | |
| FR Document | 2018-02614 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 28 (Friday, February 9, 2018)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 5736-5737] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-02614] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 160920866-7167-02] RIN 0648-XF940 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessels Operating as Catcher Vessels Using Pot Gear 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by non- American Fisheries Act (AFA) crab vessels that are subject to sideboard limits, and operating as catcher vessels (CVs) using pot gear, in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2018 Pacific cod sideboard limit established for non-AFA crab vessels that are operating as CVs using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 6, 2018, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 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 A season allowance of the 2018 Pacific cod sideboard limit established for non-AFA crab vessels, and that are operating as CVs using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA, is 174 metric tons (mt), as established by the final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017) and one inseason adjustment (82 FR 60327, December 20, 2017). In accordance with Sec. 680.22(e)(2)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has determined that the A season allowance of the 2018 Pacific cod sideboard limit established for non- AFA crab vessels that are operating as CVs using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a sideboard directed fishing allowance of 164 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 10 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In accordance with Sec. 680.22(e)(3), the Regional Administrator finds that this sideboard directed fishing allowance has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by non-AFA crab vessels that are operating as CVs using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. After the effective date 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 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 sideboard directed fishing closure of Pacific cod for non-AFA crab vessels that are subject to sideboard limits, and that are operating as CVs using pot 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 February 5, 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. 680.22 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. [[Page 5737]] Dated: February 6, 2018. Jennifer M. Wallace, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018-02614 Filed 2-6-18; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![5736 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 28 / Friday, February 9, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
DATES: Effective February 6, 2018, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE one inseason adjustment (82 FR 60327,
through December 31, 2018. December 20, 2017).
National Oceanic and Atmospheric In accordance with § 680.22(e)(2)(i),
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Administration the Administrator, Alaska Region,
Cynthia Hanson, Fishery Management
Specialist, (978) 281–9180. NMFS (Regional Administrator) has
50 CFR Part 679 determined that the A season allowance
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: of the 2018 Pacific cod sideboard limit
[Docket No. 160920866–7167–02]
Regulations governing the summer established for non-AFA crab vessels
flounder fishery are found in 50 CFR RIN 0648–XF940 that are operating as CVs using pot gear
648.100 through 648.110. These in the Central Regulatory Area of the
regulations require annual specification Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic GOA will soon be reached. Therefore,
of a commercial quota that is Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Non- the Regional Administrator is
apportioned among the coastal states American Fisheries Act Crab Vessels establishing a sideboard directed fishing
from Maine through North Carolina. The Operating as Catcher Vessels Using allowance of 164 mt, and is setting aside
process to set the annual commercial Pot Gear in the Central Regulatory the remaining 10 mt as bycatch to
quota and the percent allocated to each Area of the Gulf of Alaska support other anticipated groundfish
state is described in § 648.102, and the AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries fisheries. In accordance with
initial 2018 allocations were published Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and § 680.22(e)(3), the Regional
on December 22, 2017 (82 FR 60682), Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Administrator finds that this sideboard
and corrected January 30, 2018 (83 FR Commerce. directed fishing allowance has been
4165). reached. Consequently, NMFS is
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
The final rule implementing prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific
Amendment 5 to the Summer Flounder SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed cod by non-AFA crab vessels that are
Fishery Management Plan, as published fishing for Pacific cod by non-American operating as CVs using pot gear in the
in the Federal Register on December 17, Fisheries Act (AFA) crab vessels that are Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
1993 (58 FR 65936), provided a subject to sideboard limits, and After the effective date of this closure
mechanism for transferring summer operating as catcher vessels (CVs) using the maximum retainable amounts at
flounder commercial quota from one pot gear, in the Central Regulatory Area § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time
state to another. Two or more states, of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action during a trip.
under mutual agreement and with the is necessary to prevent exceeding the A
Classification
concurrence of the NMFS Greater season allowance of the 2018 Pacific
Atlantic Regional Administrator, can cod sideboard limit established for non- This action responds to the best
transfer or combine summer flounder AFA crab vessels that are operating as available information recently obtained
commercial quota under § 648.102(c)(2). CVs using pot gear in the Central from the fishery. The Assistant
The Regional Administrator is required Regulatory Area of the GOA. Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA
to consider the criteria in DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska (AA), finds good cause to waive the
§ 648.102(c)(2)(i)(A) through (C) in the local time (A.l.t.), February 6, 2018, requirement to provide prior notice and
evaluation of requests for quota transfers through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, opportunity for public comment
or combinations. 2018. pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
North Carolina is transferring 5,008 lb U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
(2,272 kg) of summer flounder impracticable and contrary to the public
Obren Davis, 907–586–7228.
commercial quota to Rhode Island. This interest. This requirement is
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS impracticable and contrary to the public
transfer was requested to repay landings
manages the groundfish fishery in the interest as it would prevent NMFS from
by North Carolina-permitted vessels that
GOA exclusive economic zone responding to the most recent fisheries
landed in Rhode Island under safe
according to the Fishery Management data in a timely fashion and would
harbor agreements. The revised summer
Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of delay the sideboard directed fishing
flounder quotas for calendar year 2018
Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North closure of Pacific cod for non-AFA crab
are now: North Carolina, 1,761,439 lb
Pacific Fishery Management Council vessels that are subject to sideboard
(798,975 kg); and Rhode Island,
under authority of the Magnuson- limits, and that are operating as CVs
1,001,381 lb (454,219 kg); based on the
Stevens Fishery Conservation and using pot gear in the Central Regulatory
initial quotas published in the 2018
Management Act. Regulations governing Area of the GOA. NMFS was unable to
Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea
fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance publish a notice providing time for
Bass Specifications and subsequent
with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 public comment because the most
adjustments.
CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. recent, relevant data only became
Classification Regulations governing sideboard available as of February 5, 2018.
protections for GOA groundfish
This action is taken under 50 CFR The AA also finds good cause to
fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR
part 648 and is exempt from review waive the 30-day delay in the effective
part 680.
under Executive Order 12866. date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
The A season allowance of the 2018
553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Pacific cod sideboard limit established
the reasons provided above for waiver of
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES
for non-AFA crab vessels, and that are
Dated: February 6, 2018. prior notice and opportunity for public
operating as CVs using pot gear in the
Jennifer M. Wallace, comment.
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA, is
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable 174 metric tons (mt), as established by This action is required by § 680.22
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. the final 2017 and 2018 harvest and is exempt from review under
[FR Doc. 2018–02660 Filed 2–6–18; 4:15 pm] specifications for groundfish of the GOA Executive Order 12866.
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017) and Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:59 Feb 08, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\09FER1.SGM 09FER1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_5764/page/1.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 28 / Friday, February 9, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 5737
Dated: February 6, 2018.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018–02614 Filed 2–6–18; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES
VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:59 Feb 08, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\09FER1.SGM 09FER1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_5764/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2018-02-09 00:11:55
Document Modified: 2018-02-09 00:11:55
| 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 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 6, 2018, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2018. | |
| Contact | Obren Davis, 907-586-7228. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 5736 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF94 |
2024 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR