83_FR_9279 83 FR 9236 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Less Than 50 Feet Length Overall Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

83 FR 9236 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Less Than 50 Feet Length Overall Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 43 (March 5, 2018)

Page Range9236-9237
FR Document2018-04388

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 50 feet length overall (LOA) using hook-and- line 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 total allowable catch apportioned to catcher vessels less than 50 feet LOA using hook-and-line gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 43 (Monday, March 5, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 43 (Monday, March 5, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9236-9237]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-04388]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 160920866-7167-02]
RIN 0648-XF892


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Catcher Vessels Less Than 50 Feet Length Overall Using Hook-and-Line 
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.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
catcher vessels less than 50 feet length overall (LOA) using hook-and-
line 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 total allowable catch apportioned to catcher 
vessels less than 50 feet LOA using hook-and-line gear in the Central 
Regulatory Area of the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 2, 2018,

[[Page 9237]]

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 catcher vessels less than 50 feet LOA using 
hook-and-line gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is 562 
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 catcher vessels 
less than 50 feet LOA using hook-and-line gear in the Central 
Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, the 
Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 
487 mt and is setting aside the remaining 75 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 less than 50 feet 
LOA using hook-and-line 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 directed fishing closure of Pacific cod by catcher 
vessels less than 50 feet LOA using hook-and-line 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 27, 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 28, 2018.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-04388 Filed 2-28-18; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

9236 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 43 / Monday, March 5, 2018 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 4—FINAL 2018 ALLOCATIONS OF POLLOCK TACS TO THE DIRECTED POLLOCK FISHERIES AND TO THE CDQ DIRECTED FISHING ALLOWANCES (DFA) 1—Continued [Amounts are in metric tons] 2018 A season 1 2018 B season 1 Area and sector 2018 Allocations A season DFA SCA harvest limit 2 B season DFA 541 .................................................................................... 12,236 n/a n/a n/a 542 .................................................................................... 6,118 n/a n/a n/a 543 .................................................................................... 2,039 n/a n/a n/a Bogoslof District ICA 8 .............................................................. 450 n/a n/a n/a 1 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), the Bering Sea subarea pollock, after subtracting the CDQ DFA (10 percent) and the ICA (3.9 percent), is al- located as a DFA as follows: Inshore sector—50 percent, catcher/processor sector (C/P)—40 percent, and mothership sector—10 percent. In the Bering Sea subarea, 45 percent of the DFA is allocated to the A season (January 20–June 10) and 55 percent of the DFA is allocated to the B season (June 10–November 1). Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2)(i) through (iii), the annual Aleutian Islands pollock TAC, after subtracting first for the CDQ DFA (10 percent) and second for the ICA (2,400 mt), is allocated to the Aleut Corporation for a pollock directed fishery. In the Aleu- tian Islands subarea, the A season is allocated up to 40 percent of the ABC, and the B season is allocated the remainder of the pollock directed fishery. 2 In the Bering Sea subarea, pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(C), no more than 28 percent of each sector’s annual DFA may be taken from the SCA before noon, April 1. 3 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4), 8.5 percent of the DFA allocated to listed catcher/processors shall be available for harvest only by AFA catcher vessels with catcher/processor sector endorsements delivering to listed catcher/processors, unless there is a C/P sector cooperative con- tract for the year. 4 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4)(iii), the AFA unlisted catcher/processors are limited to harvesting not more than 0.5 percent of the catcher/ processors sector’s allocation of pollock. 5 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(6), NMFS establishes an excessive harvesting share limit equal to 17.5 percent of the sum of the non-CDQ pollock DFAs. 6 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(7), NMFS establishes an excessive processing share limit equal to 30.0 percent of the sum of the non-CDQ pollock DFAs. 7 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(6), NMFS establishes harvest limits for pollock in the A season in Area 541 of no more than 30 percent, in Area 542 of no more than 15 percent, and in Area 543 of no more than 5 percent of the Aleutian Islands pollock ABC. 8 Pursuant to § 679.22(a)(7)(i)(B), the Bogoslof District is closed to directed fishing for pollock. The amounts specified are for ICA only and are not apportioned by season or sector. Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding. Classification The AA also finds good cause to DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE waive the 30-day delay in the effective This action responds to the best date of this action under 5 U.S.C. National Oceanic and Atmospheric available information recently obtained 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon Administration from the fishery. The Assistant the reasons provided above for waiver of Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA prior notice and opportunity for public 50 CFR Part 679 (AA), finds good cause to waive the comment. [Docket No. 160920866–7167–02] requirement to provide prior notice and opportunity for public comment This action is required by § 679.20 RIN 0648–XF892 pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 and is exempt from review under U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is Executive Order 12866. Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic impracticable and contrary to the public Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by interest. This requirement is Catcher Vessels Less Than 50 Feet Dated: February 28, 2018. Length Overall Using Hook-and-Line impracticable and contrary to the public interest as it would prevent NMFS from Jennifer M. Wallace, Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of responding to the most recent fisheries Acting Director, Office of Sustainable the Gulf of Alaska data in a timely fashion and would Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries delay the reallocation of AI pollock. [FR Doc. 2018–04389 Filed 2–28–18; 4:15 pm] Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Since the pollock fishery opened BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), January 20, 2018, it is important to Commerce. immediately inform the industry as to ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. the final Bering Sea subarea pollock allocations. Immediate notification is SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed necessary to allow for the orderly fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels conduct and efficient operation of this less than 50 feet length overall (LOA) fishery; allow the industry to plan for using hook-and-line gear in the Central the fishing season and avoid potential Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska disruption to the fishing fleet as well as (GOA). This action is necessary to processors; and provide opportunity to prevent exceeding the A season sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES harvest increased seasonal pollock allowance of the 2018 Pacific cod total allocations while value is optimum. allowable catch apportioned to catcher NMFS was unable to publish a notice vessels less than 50 feet LOA using providing time for public comment hook-and-line gear in the Central because the most recent, relevant data Regulatory Area of the GOA. only became available as of February 25, DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska 2018. local time (A.l.t.), March 2, 2018, VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:56 Mar 02, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00102 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\05MRR1.SGM 05MRR1

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 43 / Monday, March 5, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 9237 through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is 2018. determined that the A season allowance impracticable and contrary to the public FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh of the 2018 Pacific cod TAC interest. This requirement is Keaton, 907–586–7228. apportioned to catcher vessels less than impracticable and contrary to the public SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS 50 feet LOA using hook-and-line gear in interest as it would prevent NMFS from manages the groundfish fishery in the the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA responding to the most recent fisheries GOA exclusive economic zone will soon be reached. Therefore, the data in a timely fashion and would according to the Fishery Management Regional Administrator is establishing a delay the directed fishing closure of Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of directed fishing allowance of 487 mt Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North and is setting aside the remaining 75 mt 50 feet LOA using hook-and-line gear in Pacific Fishery Management Council as bycatch to support other anticipated the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. under authority of the Magnuson- groundfish fisheries. In accordance with NMFS was unable to publish a notice Stevens Fishery Conservation and § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional providing time for public comment Management Act. Regulations governing Administrator finds that this directed because the most recent, relevant data fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance fishing allowance has been reached. only became available as of February 27, with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting 2018. CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. directed fishing for Pacific cod by The AA also finds good cause to Regulations governing sideboard catcher vessels less than 50 feet LOA waive the 30-day delay in the effective protections for GOA groundfish using hook-and-line gear in the Central date of this action under 5 U.S.C. fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR Regulatory Area of the GOA. After the 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon part 680. effective date of this closure the the reasons provided above for waiver of The A season allowance of the 2018 maximum retainable amounts at prior notice and opportunity for public Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time comment. apportioned to catcher vessels less than during a trip. This action is required by § 679.20 50 feet LOA using hook-and-line gear in Classification and is exempt from review under the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA Executive Order 12866. is 562 metric tons (mt), as established by This action responds to the best Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. the final 2017 and 2018 harvest available information recently obtained specifications for groundfish of the GOA from the fishery. The Assistant Dated: February 28, 2018. (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017) and Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA Jennifer M. Wallace, inseason adjustment (82 FR 60327, (AA), finds good cause to waive the Acting Director, Office of Sustainable December 20, 2017). requirement to provide prior notice and Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), opportunity for public comment [FR Doc. 2018–04388 Filed 2–28–18; 4:15 pm] the Administrator, Alaska Region, pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 BILLING CODE 3510–22–P sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:56 Mar 02, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00103 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\05MRR1.SGM 05MRR1


Document Created: 2018-03-03 02:45:56
Document Modified: 2018-03-03 02:45:56
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.), March 2, 2018, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2018.
ContactJosh Keaton, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation83 FR 9236 
RIN Number0648-XF89
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