Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 57491 [2016-20105]
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 163 / Tuesday, August 23, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 150916863–6211–02]
RIN 0648–XE827
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of
Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands Management Area
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation.
AGENCY:
NMFS is reallocating the
projected unused amount of Pacific cod
from vessels using jig gear and catcher
vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet
(18.3 meters) length overall (LOA) using
hook-and-line gear to catcher vessels
less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) LOA
using hook-and-line or pot gear in the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
management area. This action is
necessary to allow the 2016 total
allowable catch of Pacific cod to be
harvested.
SUMMARY:
Effective August 22, 2016
through 2400 hours, Alaska local time
(A.l.t.), December 31, 2016.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Obren Davis, 907–586–7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI)
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 2016 Pacific cod total allowable
catch (TAC) specified for vessels using
jig gear in the BSAI is 1,394 metric tons
(mt) as established by the final 2016 and
2017 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773,
March 18, 2016) and one inseason
adjustment (81 FR 5627, February 3,
2016).
The Administrator, Alaska Region,
NMFS, (Regional Administrator) has
determined that jig vessels will not be
able to harvest 1,000 mt of the
remaining 2016 Pacific cod TAC
allocated to those vessels under
ehiers on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES
DATES:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
14:39 Aug 22, 2016
Jkt 238001
§ 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(1). Therefore, in
accordance with § 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A),
NMFS apportions 1,000 mt of Pacific
cod to the annual amount specified for
catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA
using hook-and-line or pot gear.
The 2016 Pacific cod TAC specified
for catcher vessels greater than or equal
to 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line gear
in the BSAI is 448 mt as established by
the final 2016 and 2017 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the
BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016).
The Regional Administrator has
determined that catcher vessels greater
than or equal to 60 feet LOA using hookand-line gear will not be able to harvest
448 mt of the remaining 2016 Pacific
cod TAC allocated to those vessels
under § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(3). Therefore,
in accordance with § 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A),
NMFS apportions 448 mt of Pacific cod
to catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA
using hook-and-line or pot gear.
The harvest specifications for Pacific
cod included in the final 2016 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the
BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016)
and inseason adjustment (81 FR 5627,
February 3, 2016) are revised as follows:
394 mt for vessels using jig gear, 0 mt
for catcher vessels greater than or equal
to 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line gear,
and 7,674 mt to catcher vessels less than
60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot
gear.
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 reallocation of Pacific cod
specified from other sectors to catcher
vessels less than 60 feet LOA using
hook-and-line or pot gear. Since the
fishery is currently open, it is important
to immediately inform the industry as to
the revised allocations. Immediate
notification is necessary to allow for the
orderly conduct and efficient operation
of this fishery, to allow the industry to
plan for the fishing season, and to avoid
potential disruption to the fishing fleet
as well as processors. NMFS was unable
to publish a notice providing time for
public comment because the most
PO 00000
Frm 00053
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
57491
recent, relevant data only became
available as of August 17, 2016.
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 § 679.20
and is exempt from review under
Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: August 18, 2016.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–20105 Filed 8–22–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 150916863–6211–02]
RIN 0648–XE828
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod in the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of
a closure.
AGENCY:
NMFS is opening directed
fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels
less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) length
overall (LOA) using hook-and-line or
pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands Management Area (BSAI). This
action is necessary to fully use the 2016
total allowable catch of Pacific cod
allocated to catcher vessels less than 60
feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot
gear in the BSAI.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), September 1, 2016,
through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31,
2016. Comments must be received at the
following address no later than 4:30
p.m., A.l.t., September 6, 2016.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
on this document, identified by NOAA–
NMFS–2015–0118, by any of the
following methods:
• Electronic Submission: Submit all
electronic public comments via the
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
www.regulations.gov/
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\23AUR1.SGM
23AUR1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 163 (Tuesday, August 23, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 57491]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-20105]
[[Page 57491]]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 150916863-6211-02]
RIN 0648-XE827
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation
of Pacific Cod 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; reallocation.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific
cod from vessels using jig gear and catcher vessels greater than or
equal to 60 feet (18.3 meters) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line
gear to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) LOA using hook-
and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management
area. This action is necessary to allow the 2016 total allowable catch
of Pacific cod to be harvested.
DATES: Effective August 22, 2016 through 2400 hours, Alaska local time
(A.l.t.), December 31, 2016.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) 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 2016 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) specified for
vessels using jig gear in the BSAI is 1,394 metric tons (mt) as
established by the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016) and one inseason
adjustment (81 FR 5627, February 3, 2016).
The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator)
has determined that jig vessels will not be able to harvest 1,000 mt of
the remaining 2016 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under
Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(1). Therefore, in accordance with Sec.
679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A), NMFS apportions 1,000 mt of Pacific cod to the
annual amount specified for catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using
hook-and-line or pot gear.
The 2016 Pacific cod TAC specified for catcher vessels greater than
or equal to 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line gear in the BSAI is 448 mt
as established by the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016). The Regional
Administrator has determined that catcher vessels greater than or equal
to 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line gear will not be able to harvest 448
mt of the remaining 2016 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels
under Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(3). Therefore, in accordance with Sec.
679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A), NMFS apportions 448 mt of Pacific cod to catcher
vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear.
The harvest specifications for Pacific cod included in the final
2016 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773,
March 18, 2016) and inseason adjustment (81 FR 5627, February 3, 2016)
are revised as follows: 394 mt for vessels using jig gear, 0 mt for
catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet LOA using hook-and-
line gear, and 7,674 mt to catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using
hook-and-line or pot gear.
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 reallocation of Pacific cod specified from other
sectors to catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or
pot gear. Since the fishery is currently open, it is important to
immediately inform the industry as to the revised allocations.
Immediate notification is necessary to allow for the orderly conduct
and efficient operation of this fishery, to allow the industry to plan
for the fishing season, and to avoid potential disruption to the
fishing fleet as well as processors. NMFS was unable to publish a
notice providing time for public comment because the most recent,
relevant data only became available as of August 17, 2016.
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: August 18, 2016.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-20105 Filed 8-22-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
