Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska, 39791-39792 [2011-17045]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 130 / Thursday, July 7, 2011 / Rules and Regulations to prevent exceeding the 2011 directed fishing allowance of Pacific ocean perch for trawl catcher vessels participating in the rockfish entry level fishery in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 3, 2011, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 1, 2011. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 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 MagnusonStevens 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 2011 directed fishing allowance of Pacific ocean perch allocated to trawl catcher vessels participating in the entry level rockfish fishery in the Central Regulatory Area is 375 metric tons as established by the final 2011 and 2012 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA (76 FR 11111, March 1, 2011). The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2011 directed fishing allowance of Pacific ocean perch for trawl catcher vessels participating in the entry level rockfish fishery in the Central Regulatory Area will soon be reached. Therefore, in accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch by trawl catcher vessels participating in the entry level rockfish fishery in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. After the effective date of this closure the maximum retainable amounts at § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip. wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with RULES_PART 1 Classification 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 closure of Pacific ocean perch by trawl catcher vessels participating in the rockfish entry level fishery in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a notice VerDate Mar<15>2010 13:26 Jul 06, 2011 Jkt 223001 providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of June 30, 2011. 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: July 1, 2011. James P. Burgess, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2011–17044 Filed 7–1–11; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 101126522–0640–02] RIN 0648–XA542 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. AGENCY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2011 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 2, 2011, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2011. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907–586–7269. 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 MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 39791 with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. The 2011 TAC of Pacific ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA is 2,798 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2011 and 2012 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (75 FR 11111, March 1, 2010). In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2011 TAC of Pacific ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 2,498 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 300 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In accordance with § 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 Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. After the effective date of this closure the maximum retainable amounts at § 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 closure of Pacific ocean perch 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 June 24, 2011. 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. E:\FR\FM\07JYR1.SGM 07JYR1 39792 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 130 / Thursday, July 7, 2011 / Rules and Regulations Dated: July 1, 2011. James P. Burgess, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2011–17045 Filed 7–1–11; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 101126521–0640–02] RIN 0648–XA547 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Northern Rockfish 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 closure. AGENCY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for northern rockfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI). This action is necessary to fully use the 2011 total allowable catch (TAC) of northern rockfish in the BSAI. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 1, 2011, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2011. Comments must be received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., July 22, 2011. ADDRESSES: Send comments to Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, Attn: Ellen Sebastian. You may submit comments, identified by 0648–XA547, by any one of the following methods: • Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal Web site at https://www.regulations.gov. • Mail: P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802. • Fax: (907) 586–7557. • Hand delivery to the Federal Building: 709 West 9th Street, Room 420A, Juneau, AK. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted to https://www.regulations.gov without change. All Personal Identifying Information (for example, name, address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with RULES_PART 1 SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 13:26 Jul 06, 2011 Jkt 223001 NMFS will accept anonymous comments. Enter ‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields, if you wish to remain anonymous. Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe portable document file (pdf) file formats only. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907–586–7269. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 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. Pursuant to the final 2011 and 2012 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (76 FR 11139, March 1, 2011), NMFS closed the directed fishery for northern rockfish under § 679.2(d)(1)(iii). As of July 1, 2011, NMFS has determined that approximately 3,398 metric tons of northern rockfish remain unharvested in the BSAI. Therefore, in accordance with § 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C) and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize the 2011 TAC of northern rockfish in the BSAI, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and is opening directed fishing for northern rockfish in the BSAI. This will enhance the socioeconomic well-being of harvesters in this area. The Administrator, Alaska Region (Regional Administrator) considered the following factors in reaching this decision: (1) The current catch of northern rockfish in the BSAI and, (2) the harvest capacity and stated intent on future harvesting patterns of vessels in participating in this fishery. 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) and 679.25(c)(1)(ii) 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 Frm 00030 Fmt 4700 Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: July 1, 2011. James P. Burgess, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2011–17048 Filed 7–1–11; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 101126522–0640–02] RIN 0648–XA544 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch, Northern Rockfish, and Pelagic Shelf Rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area and the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. AGENCY: Classification PO 00000 timely fashion and would delay the opening of northern rockfish in the BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of June 30, 2011. 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. Without this inseason adjustment, NMFS could not allow the fishery for northern rockfish in the BSAI to be harvested in an expedient manner and in accordance with the regulatory schedule. Under § 679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to submit written comments on this action to the above address until July 22, 2011. This action is required by § 679.20 and § 679.25 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Sfmt 4700 NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish, and pelagic shelf rockfish by catcher/processors participating in the limited access or opt-out fisheries that are subject to sideboard limits established under the Central Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Rockfish Program in the Western Regulatory Area and West Yakutat district of the GOA. This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\07JYR1.SGM 07JYR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 130 (Thursday, July 7, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39791-39792]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-17045]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE



National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration



50 CFR Part 679



[Docket No. 101126522-0640-02]

RIN 0648-XA542




Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific 

Ocean Perch 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 ocean perch 

in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action 

is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2011 total allowable catch (TAC) 

of Pacific ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.



DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 2, 2011, 

through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2011.



FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7269.



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.

    The 2011 TAC of Pacific ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area 

of the GOA is 2,798 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2011 

and 2012 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (75 FR 11111, 

March 1, 2010).

    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 

Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2011 TAC 

of Pacific ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA will 

soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing 

a directed fishing allowance of 2,498 mt, and is setting aside the 

remaining 300 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 

ocean perch in the Western 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 closure of Pacific ocean perch 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 June 24, 2011.

    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.





[[Page 39792]]





    Dated: July 1, 2011.

James P. Burgess,

Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 

Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 2011-17045 Filed 7-1-11; 4:15 pm]

BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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