83_FR_8676 83 FR 8636 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Trawl Catcher Vessels in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

83 FR 8636 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Trawl Catcher Vessels in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 40 (February 28, 2018)

Page Range8636-8637
FR Document2018-04074

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

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 40 (Wednesday, February 28, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 40 (Wednesday, February 28, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8636-8637]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-04074]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 160920866-7167-02]
RIN 0648-XF904


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

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 23, 
2018, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 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 A season allowance of the 2018 Pacific cod total allowable 
catch (TAC) apportioned to trawl catcher vessels in the Western 
Regulatory Area of the GOA is 1,528 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 inseason adjustment (82 FR 
60327, December 20, 2017).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has determined that the A season 
allowance of the 2018 Pacific cod TAC apportioned to trawl catcher 
vessels in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon be reached. 
Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed 
fishing allowance of 1,378 mt and is setting aside the remaining 150 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 Western Regulatory Area of the 
GOA. After the effective date of this

[[Page 8637]]

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 Acting 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 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 February 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: February 23, 2018.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-04074 Filed 2-23-18; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

8636 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 40 / Wednesday, February 28, 2018 / Rules and Regulations DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE fishing allowance has been reached. Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting Commerce. National Oceanic and Atmospheric directed fishing for pollock in Statistical ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. Administration Area 620 of the GOA. After the effective date of this closure SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed 50 CFR Part 679 the maximum retainable amounts at fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time using trawl gear in the Western [Docket No. 160920866–7167–02] Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska during a trip. RIN 0648–XF901 (GOA). This action is necessary to Classification prevent exceeding the A season Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic This action responds to the best allowance of the 2018 Pacific cod total Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical available information recently obtained allowable catch apportioned to trawl Area 620 in the Gulf of Alaska from the fishery. The Assistant catcher vessels in the Western Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA Regulatory Area of the GOA. AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries (AA), finds good cause to waive the DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and requirement to provide prior notice and local time (A.l.t.), February 23, 2018, Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), opportunity for public comment through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, Commerce. pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 2018. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh impracticable and contrary to the public Keaton, 907–586–7228. SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed interest. This requirement is SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS fishing for pollock in Statistical Area impracticable and contrary to the public manages the groundfish fishery in the 620 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This interest as it would prevent NMFS from GOA exclusive economic zone action is necessary to prevent exceeding responding to the most recent fisheries according to the Fishery Management the A season allowance of the 2018 total data in a timely fashion and would Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of allowable catch of pollock for Statistical delay the closure of directed fishing for Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North Area 620 in the GOA. pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the Pacific Fishery Management Council DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a local time (A.l.t.), February 23, 2018, under authority of the Magnuson- notice providing time for public Stevens Fishery Conservation and through 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 10, comment because the most recent, 2018. Management Act. Regulations governing relevant data only became available as fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh of February 22, 2018. with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 Keaton, 907–586–7228. The AA also finds good cause to CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS waive the 30-day delay in the effective Regulations governing sideboard manages the groundfish fishery in the date of this action under 5 U.S.C. protections for GOA groundfish GOA exclusive economic zone 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR according to the Fishery Management the reasons provided above for waiver of part 680. Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of prior notice and opportunity for public The A season allowance of the 2018 Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North comment. Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) Pacific Fishery Management Council This action is required by § 679.20 apportioned to trawl catcher vessels in under authority of the Magnuson- and is exempt from review under the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA Stevens Fishery Conservation and Executive Order 12866. is 1,528 metric tons (mt), as established Management Act. Regulations governing Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. by the final 2017 and 2018 harvest fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance Dated: February 23, 2018. specifications for groundfish of the GOA with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 Emily H. Menashes, (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017) and CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. inseason adjustment (82 FR 60327, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable The A season allowance of the 2018 Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. December 20, 2017). total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock in In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), [FR Doc. 2018–04071 Filed 2–23–18; 4:15 pm] Statistical Area 620 of the GOA is the Administrator, Alaska Region, BILLING CODE 3510–22–P 27,314 metric tons (mt) as established NMFS (Regional Administrator) has by the final 2017 and 2018 harvest determined that the A season allowance specifications for groundfish in the GOA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE of the 2018 Pacific cod TAC (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017) and apportioned to trawl catcher vessels in inseason adjustment (82 FR 60327, National Oceanic and Atmospheric the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA December 20, 2017). Administration will soon be reached. Therefore, the In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), Regional Administrator is establishing a the Regional Administrator has 50 CFR Part 679 directed fishing allowance of 1,378 mt determined that the A season allowance and is setting aside the remaining 150 of the 2018 TAC of pollock in Statistical [Docket No. 160920866–7167–02] mt as bycatch to support other Area 620 of the GOA will soon be anticipated groundfish fisheries. In reached. Therefore, the Regional RIN 0648–XF904 accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES Administrator is establishing a directed Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Regional Administrator finds that this fishing allowance of 27,000 mt and is Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Trawl directed fishing allowance has been setting aside the remaining 314 mt as Catcher Vessels in the Western reached. Consequently, NMFS is bycatch to support other anticipated Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific groundfish fisheries. In accordance with cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries in the Western Regulatory Area of the Administrator finds that this directed Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and GOA. After the effective date of this VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:11 Feb 27, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\28FER1.SGM 28FER1

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 40 / Wednesday, February 28, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 8637 closure the maximum retainable impracticable and contrary to the public 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon amounts at § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at interest as it would prevent NMFS from the reasons provided above for waiver of any time during a trip. responding to the most recent fisheries prior notice and opportunity for public Classification data in a timely fashion and would comment. delay the directed fishing closure of This action is required by § 679.20 This action responds to the best Pacific cod by catcher vessels using available information recently obtained and is exempt from review under trawl gear in the Western Regulatory Executive Order 12866. from the fishery. The Acting Assistant Area of the GOA. NMFS was unable to Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. publish a notice providing time for (AA), finds good cause to waive the Dated: February 23, 2018. requirement to provide prior notice and public comment because the most opportunity for public comment recent, relevant data only became Emily H. Menashes, pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 available as of February 22, 2018. Acting Director, Office of Sustainable U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is The AA also finds good cause to Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. impracticable and contrary to the public waive the 30-day delay in the effective [FR Doc. 2018–04074 Filed 2–23–18; 4:15 pm] interest. This requirement is date of this action under 5 U.S.C. BILLING CODE 3510–22–P sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:11 Feb 27, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\28FER1.SGM 28FER1


Document Created: 2018-02-28 03:19:49
Document Modified: 2018-02-28 03:19:49
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.), February 23, 2018, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2018.
ContactJosh Keaton, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation83 FR 8636 
RIN Number0648-XF90
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