Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod for American Fisheries Act Catcher/Processors Using Trawl Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 19144-19145 [2012-7711]
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19144
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 62 / Friday, March 30, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
(B) ACLs. The northern silver hake
and southern whiting ACLs are equal to
95 percent of the ABCs.
(C) TALs. The northern silver hake
and southern whiting TALs are equal to
the northern silver hake and southern
whiting ACLs minus a discard estimate
based on the most recent 3 years of data.
The northern silver hake and southern
whiting TALs are then reduced by 3
percent to account for silver hake and
offshore hake landings that occur in
state waters.
(3) Annual Review. (i) The SmallMesh Multispecies PDT will meet at
least once annually to review the status
of the stock and the fishery and the
adequacy of the 3-year specifications.
Based on such review, the PDT will
provide a report to the Council on any
changes or new information about the
small-mesh multispecies stocks and/or
fishery, and it will recommend whether
the specifications for the upcoming
year(s), established pursuant to
paragraph (b)(1) of this section, need to
be modified. At a minimum, this review
should include a review of at least the
following data, if available: Commercial
catch data; current estimates of fishing
mortality and catch-per-unit-effort
(CPUE); discards; stock status; recent
estimates of recruitment; virtual
population analysis results and other
estimates of stock size; sea sampling,
port sampling, and survey data or, if sea
sampling data are unavailable, length
frequency information from port
sampling and/or surveys; impact of
other fisheries on the mortality of smallmesh multispecies; and any other
relevant information.
(ii) If new and/or additional
information becomes available, the
Small-Mesh Multispecies PDT will
consider it during this annual review.
Based on this review, the Small-Mesh
Multispecies PDT will provide guidance
to the Whiting Oversight Committee and
the Council regarding the need to adjust
measures for the small-mesh
multispecies fishery to better achieve
the FMP’s objectives. After considering
this guidance, the Council may submit
to NMFS its recommendations for
changes to management measures, as
appropriate, through the specifications
process described in this section, the
process specified in paragraph (c) of this
section, or through an amendment to the
FMP.
(4) SAFE Report. (i) The Small-Mesh
Multispecies PDT will prepare a SAFE
Report at least every 3 years. Based on
the SAFE Report, the Small-Mesh
Multispecies PDT will develop and
present to the Council recommended
specifications as defined in paragraph
(a) of this section for up to 3 fishing
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years. The SAFE Report will be the
primary vehicle for the presentation of
all updated biological and socioeconomic information regarding the
small-mesh multispecies fishery. The
SAFE Report will provide source data
for any adjustments to the management
measures that may be needed to
continue to meet the goals and
objectives of the FMP.
(ii) In any year in which a SAFE
Report is not completed by the SmallMesh Multispecies PDT, the annual
review process described in paragraph
(a) of this section will be used to
recommend any necessary adjustments
to specifications and/or management
measures in the FMP.
(5) Accountability measures for the
small-mesh multispecies fishery—(i) Inseason adjustment of possession limits.
If the Regional Administrator projects
that 90 percent of a stock area TAL, as
defined in § 648.90(b)(3), has been
landed, the Regional Administrator
shall reduce the possession limit of that
stock to the incidental level, as specified
in § 648.86(d)(4), for the remainder of
the fishing year through notice
consistent with the Administrative
Procedure Act, unless such a reduction
in the possession limit would be
expected to prevent the TAL from being
reached.
(ii) Post-season adjustment for an
overage. If NMFS determines that a
small-mesh multispecies ACL was
exceeded in a given fishing year, the
exact amount of the landings overage
will be deducted, as soon as is
practicable, from a subsequent single
fishing year’s ACL for that stock,
through notification consistent with the
Administrative Procedure Act.
(c) * * *
(1) * * *
(ii) Adjustment process for whiting
DAS. The Council may develop
recommendations for a whiting DAS
effort reduction program through the
framework process outlined in
paragraph (c) of this section only if
these options are accompanied by a full
set of public hearings that span the area
affected by the proposed measures in
order to provide adequate opportunity
for public comment.
*
*
*
*
*
[FR Doc. 2012–7710 Filed 3–29–12; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 111213751–2102–02]
RIN 0648–XB138
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod for
American Fisheries Act Catcher/
Processors Using Trawl Gear in the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
AGENCY:
NMFS is prohibiting directed
fishing for Pacific cod by American
Fisheries Act (AFA) trawl catcher/
processors in the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands management area
(BSAI). This action is necessary to
prevent exceeding the B season
allowance of the 2012 Pacific cod total
allowable catch specified for AFA trawl
catcher/processors in the BSAI.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local
time (A.l.t.), April 1, 2012, through 1200
hrs, A.l.t., June 10, 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Obren Davis, 907–586–7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
BSAI exclusive economic zone
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 B season allowance of the 2012
Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC)
specified for AFA trawl catcher/
processors in the BSAI is 1,340 metric
tons (mt) as established by the final
2012 and 2013 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (77 FR 10669,
February 23, 2012).
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i)
and (d)(1)(ii)(B), the Administrator,
Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional
Administrator), has determined that the
B season allowance of the 2012 Pacific
cod TAC allocated to AFA trawl
catcher/processors in the BSAI will be
taken as incidental catch in the directed
fishing for other species. Therefore, the
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 62 / Friday, March 30, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
Regional Administrator is establishing a
directed fishing allowance of 0 mt for
Pacific cod allocated to AFA trawl
catcher/processors in the BSAI, and is
setting aside the remaining 1,340 mt as
incidental catch 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
cod by AFA trawl catcher/processors in
the BSAI.
After the effective date of this closure
the maximum retainable amounts at
§ 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time
during a trip.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Classification
SUMMARY:
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 closure of directed fishing for
Pacific cod by AFA trawl catcher/
processors 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 March 26, 2012.
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.
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with RULES
Dated: March 27, 2012.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012–7711 Filed 3–27–12; 4:15 pm]
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National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 111207737–2141–02]
RIN 0648–XB113
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in the West
Yakutat District in the Gulf of Alaska
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 pollock in the West Yakutat
District of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA).
This action is necessary to fully use the
2012 total allowable catch of pollock in
the West Yakutat District of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local
time (A.l.t.), March 26, 2012, through
1200 hrs, A.l.t., August 25, 2012, and
applicable beginning March 21, 2012.
Comments must be received at the
following address no later than 4:30
p.m., A.l.t., April 10, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
identified by NOAA–NMFS–2012–0069,
by any one of the following methods:
• Electronic Submission: Submit all
electronic public comments via the
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal
www.regulations.gov. To submit
comments via the e-Rulemaking Portal,
first click the ‘‘submit a comment’’ icon,
then enter NOAA–NMFS–2012–0069 in
the keyword search. Locate the
document you wish to comment on
from the resulting list and click on the
‘‘Submit a Comment’’ icon on that line.
• Mail: Address written comments to
Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries
Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn:
Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O.
Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668.
• Fax: Address written comments to
Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries
Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn:
Ellen Sebastian. Fax comments to 907–
586–7557.
• Hand delivery to the Federal
Building: Address written comments to
Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries
Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn:
Ellen Sebastian. Deliver comments to
709 West 9th Street, Room 420A,
Juneau, AK.
Instructions: Comments must be
submitted by one of the above methods
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19145
to ensure that the comments are
received, documented, and considered
by NMFS. Comments sent by any other
method, to any other address or
individual, or received after the end of
the comment period, may not be
considered. All comments received are
a part of the public record and will
generally be posted for public viewing
on www.regulations.gov without change.
All personal identifying information
(e.g., name, address) submitted
voluntarily by the sender will be
publicly accessible. Do not submit
confidential business information, or
otherwise sensitive or protected
information. 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 or Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe
PDF file formats only.
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
with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50
CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
NMFS closed directed fishing for
pollock in the West Yakutat District of
the GOA under § 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on
March 17, 2012 (77 FR 16481, March 21,
2012).
As of March 20, 2012, NMFS has
determined that approximately 950
metric tons of pollock remain in the
directed fishing allowance for pollock in
the West Yakutat District of the GOA.
Therefore, in accordance with
§ 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and
(a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize the
2012 TAC of pollock in the West
Yakutat District of the GOA, NMFS is
terminating the previous closure and is
reopening directed fishing pollock in
the West Yakutat District of the GOA.
The Administrator, Alaska Region
(Regional Administrator) considered the
following factors in reaching this
decision: (1) The current catch of
pollock in the West Yakutat District of
the GOA and, (2) the harvest capacity
and stated intent on future harvesting
patterns of vessels in participating in
this fishery.
Classification
This action responds to the best
available information recently obtained
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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 62 (Friday, March 30, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19144-19145]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-7711]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 111213751-2102-02]
RIN 0648-XB138
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
for American Fisheries Act Catcher/Processors Using Trawl Gear 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; closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by
American Fisheries Act (AFA) trawl catcher/processors in the Bering Sea
and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary
to prevent exceeding the B season allowance of the 2012 Pacific cod
total allowable catch specified for AFA trawl catcher/processors in the
BSAI.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 1, 2012,
through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., June 10, 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
BSAI exclusive economic zone 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 B season allowance of the 2012 Pacific cod total allowable
catch (TAC) specified for AFA trawl catcher/processors in the BSAI is
1,340 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2012 and 2013
harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (77 FR 10669,
February 23, 2012).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i) and (d)(1)(ii)(B), the
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has
determined that the B season allowance of the 2012 Pacific cod TAC
allocated to AFA trawl catcher/processors in the BSAI will be taken as
incidental catch in the directed fishing for other species. Therefore,
the
[[Page 19145]]
Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of
0 mt for Pacific cod allocated to AFA trawl catcher/processors in the
BSAI, and is setting aside the remaining 1,340 mt as incidental catch
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 AFA trawl catcher/
processors in the BSAI.
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) 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 Pacific cod
by AFA trawl catcher/processors 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 March 26, 2012.
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: March 27, 2012.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-7711 Filed 3-27-12; 4:15 pm]
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