Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska, 14698-14699 [2012-6046]

Download as PDF 14698 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 49 / Tuesday, March 13, 2012 / Rules and Regulations common pool vessels to approach their pertinent common pool sub-ACLs. Therefore, the trip limit for GB cod is increased to 1,500 lb (608.4 kg) per DAS, up to 4,500 lb (2,041.1 kg) per trip; and the trip limit for SNE/MA yellowtail flounder is increased to 1,500 lb (608.4 kg) per DAS, up to 4,500 lb (2,041.8 kg) per trip, for Category A DAS vessels, effective March 8, 2012, through April 30, 2012. In addition, the trip limit for GB cod is increased to 75 lb (34.0 kg) per trip for open access Handgear B vessels effective March 8, 2012, through April 30, 2012. This action does not change the current cod trip limit for vessels with a limited access Handgear A permit (300 lb (136.1. kg) per trip) or Small Vessel Category permit (300 lb (136.1 kg) of cod, haddock, and yellowtail flounder combined). Catch will continue to be monitored through dealer-reported landings, VMS catch reports, and other available information, and if necessary, additional adjustments to common pool management measures may be made. srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with RULES Classification This action is authorized by 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA) finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B) to waive prior notice and the opportunity for public comment for this inseason adjustment because notice and comment would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest. The regulations at § 648.86(o) grant the RA authority to adjust the NE multispecies trip limits for common pool vessels in order to prevent the overharvest or underharvest of the pertinent common pool subACLs. The information informing this action only very recently became available. Give this fact, this action increases the trip limits for GB cod and SNE/MA yellowtail flounder to reduce the probability of underharvesting the common pool sub-ACLs. The information informing this action only very recently became available. Given his fact, the time necessary to provide for prior notice and comment would prevent NMFS from implementing the necessary trip limit adjustments in a timely manner. A resulting delay in the liberalization of trip limits would unnecessarily restrain catch rates for GB cod and SNE/MA yellowtail flounder, thereby preventing the total catch of these stocks to further approach the pertinent common pool sub-ACL. Giving effect to this rule as soon as possible will prevent these unnecessary impacts. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:06 Mar 12, 2012 Jkt 226001 Further, the AA finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness for this action. This action increases the trip limits for GB cod and SNE/MA yellowtail flounder to reduce the probability of underharvesting the common pool sub-ACLs. A delay in the increase of these trip limits would prevent vessels from harvesting catch at higher rates and potentially prevent the total catch of these stocks to further approach the pertinent common pool sub-ACL. Giving effect to this rule as soon as possible will prevent these unnecessary impacts. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: March 8, 2012. Carrie Selberg, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2012–6048 Filed 3–8–12; 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–XB077 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 630 in 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 pollock in Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the B season allowance of the 2012 total allowable catch of pollock for Statistical Area 630 in the GOA. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 10, 2012, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., August 25, 2012. 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 MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. The B season allowance of the 2012 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA is 2,589 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2011 and 2012 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (76 FR 11111, March 1, 2011) and inseason adjustment (77 FR 438, January 5, 2012). In accordance with § 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), hereby decreases the B season pollock allowance by 179 mt to reflect the total overharvest of the A seasonal apportionment in Statistical Area 630. Therefore, the revised B season allowance of the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 630 is 2,410 mt (2,589 mt minus 179 mt) In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional Administrator has determined that the B season allowance of the 2012 TAC of pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 2,200 mt and is setting aside the remaining 210 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 pollock in Statistical Area 630 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 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) 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 timely fashion and would delay the closure of directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 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 March 7, 2012. The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the effective E:\FR\FM\13MRR1.SGM 13MRR1 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 49 / Tuesday, March 13, 2012 / Rules and Regulations 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: March 8, 2012. Carrie Selberg, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2012–6046 Filed 3–8–12; 4:15 pm] srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with RULES BILLING CODE 3510–22–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:06 Mar 12, 2012 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 14699 E:\FR\FM\13MRR1.SGM 13MRR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 13, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14698-14699]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-6046]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 101126522-0640-02]
RIN 0648-XB077


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in 
Statistical Area 630 in 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 pollock in 
Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is 
necessary to prevent exceeding the B season allowance of the 2012 total 
allowable catch of pollock for Statistical Area 630 in the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 10, 2012, 
through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., August 25, 2012.

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.
    The B season allowance of the 2012 total allowable catch (TAC) of 
pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA is 2,589 metric tons (mt) as 
established by the final 2011 and 2012 harvest specifications for 
groundfish of the GOA (76 FR 11111, March 1, 2011) and inseason 
adjustment (77 FR 438, January 5, 2012). In accordance with Sec.  
679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional 
Administrator), hereby decreases the B season pollock allowance by 179 
mt to reflect the total overharvest of the A seasonal apportionment in 
Statistical Area 630. Therefore, the revised B season allowance of the 
pollock TAC in Statistical Area 630 is 2,410 mt (2,589 mt minus 179 mt)
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional 
Administrator has determined that the B season allowance of the 2012 
TAC of pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA will soon be reached. 
Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed 
fishing allowance of 2,200 mt and is setting aside the remaining 210 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 pollock in 
Statistical Area 630 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 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) and Sec.  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 timely fashion and would delay the closure of directed 
fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 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 March 7, 2012.
    The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the 
effective

[[Page 14699]]

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: March 8, 2012.
Carrie Selberg,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-6046 Filed 3-8-12; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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