Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska, 44465-44466 [2013-17789]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 142 / Wednesday, July 24, 2013 / Rules and Regulations are projected to exist, in the South Atlantic, during a commercial or recreational fishing season, the RA may modify the opening and closing dates of the fishing season by filing a notification to that effect with the Office of the Federal Register, and announcing via NOAA Weather Radio and a Fishery Bulletin any change in the dates of the red snapper commercial or recreational fishing season. (iii) If the projected commercial or recreational fishing season is determined by NMFS to be 3 days or less, then the commercial or recreational fishing season will not open for that fishing year. § 622.185 [Amended] 4. In § 622.185, paragraph (a)(1) is removed and reserved. ■ 5. In § 622.187, paragraphs (b)(4) and (9) are revised to read as follows: ■ § 622.187 Bag and possession limits. * * * * * (b) * * * (4) Snappers, combined—10. However, excluded from this 10-fish bag limit are cubera snapper, measuring 30 inches (76.2 cm), TL, or larger, in the South Atlantic off Florida, and red snapper and vermilion snapper. (See § 622.181(b)(2) for the prohibitions on harvest or possession of red snapper, except during a limited recreational fishing season, and § 622.181(c)(1) for limitations on cubera snapper measuring 30 inches (76.2 cm), TL, or larger, in or from the South Atlantic EEZ off Florida.) * * * * * (9) Red snapper—0, except during a limited recreational fishing season, as specified in § 622.183(b)(5), during which time the bag limit is 1 fish. * * * * * ■ 6. In § 622.191, paragraph (a)(9) is added to read as follows: § 622.191 Commercial trip limits. ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with RULES * * * * * (a) * * * (9) Red snapper. During a limited commercial fishing season, as specified in § 622.183(b)(5), and until the commercial ACL specified in § 622.193(y)(1) is reached, 75 lb (34 kg), gutted weight. See § 622.193(y)(1) for the limitations regarding red snapper after the commercial ACL is reached. * * * * * ■ 7. In § 622.192, paragraph (j) is revised to read as follows: § 622.192 Restrictions on sale/purchase. * * * * * (j) No person may sell or purchase a red snapper harvested from or possessed VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:33 Jul 23, 2013 Jkt 229001 in the South Atlantic, i.e., state or Federal waters, by a vessel for which a Federal commercial vessel permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued, except if NMFS determines a limited commercial fishing season for red snapper is allowable, as specified in § 622.183(b)(5). ■ 8. In § 622.193, paragraph (y) is added to read as follows: 44465 length of the recreational fishing season for red snapper serves as the in-season accountability measure. See § 622.183(b)(5) for details on the recreational fishing season. On and after the effective date of the recreational closure notification, the bag and possession limits for red snapper are zero. [FR Doc. 2013–17790 Filed 7–19–13; 4:15 pm] § 622.193 Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), and accountability measures (AMs). BILLING CODE 3510–22–P * DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE * * * * (y) Red snapper—(1) Commercial sector. The commercial ACL for red snapper is zero. However, if NMFS determines that the previous year’s estimated red snapper landings and dead discards are less than the ABC, limited red snapper harvest and possession may be allowed for the current fishing year and the commercial ACL value would be determined using the formula described in the FMP. The AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to announce the limited commercial ACL for the current fishing year. NMFS will monitor commercial landings during the limited season, and if commercial landings, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the commercial ACL, based on the formula described in the FMP, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close the commercial sector for red snapper for the remainder of the year. On and after the effective date of the closure notification, all sale or purchase of red snapper is prohibited and harvest or possession of red snapper is limited to the bag and possession limits. This bag and possession limit and the prohibition on sale/purchase apply in the South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid Federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued, without regard to where such species were harvested or possessed, i.e., in state or Federal waters. (2) Recreational sector. The recreational ACL for red snapper is zero. However, if NMFS determines that the previous year’s estimated red snapper landings and dead discards are less than the ABC, limited red snapper harvest and possession may be allowed for the current fishing year and the recreational ACL value would be determined using the formula described in the FMP. The AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to announce the limited recreational ACL and the length of the recreational fishing season for the current fishing year. The PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 120918468–3111–02] RIN 0648–XC771 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in 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: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2013 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean perch in the West Yakutat District of the GOA. DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 19, 2013, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2013. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907–586–7241. 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 2013 TAC of Pacific ocean perch in the West Yakutat District of the GOA is 1,641 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2013 and 2014 harvest specifications for groundfish of the (78 FR 13162, February 26, 2013). In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\24JYR1.SGM 24JYR1 44466 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 142 / Wednesday, July 24, 2013 / Rules and Regulations ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with RULES NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2013 TAC of Pacific ocean perch in the West Yakutat District of the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 1,541 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 100 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 West Yakutat District 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. VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:33 Jul 23, 2013 Jkt 229001 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 ocean perch in the West Yakutat District of the GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of July 18, 2013. 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 19, 2013. Kelly Denit, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2013–17789 Filed 7–19–13; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\24JYR1.SGM 24JYR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 142 (Wednesday, July 24, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44465-44466]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-17789]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 120918468-3111-02]
RIN 0648-XC771


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific 
Ocean Perch in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska

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 ocean perch 
in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action 
is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2013 total allowable catch (TAC) 
of Pacific ocean perch in the West Yakutat District of the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 19, 2013, 
through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907-586-7241.

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 2013 TAC of Pacific ocean perch in the West Yakutat District of 
the GOA is 1,641 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2013 and 
2014 harvest specifications for groundfish of the (78 FR 13162, 
February 26, 2013).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region,

[[Page 44466]]

NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2013 TAC of 
Pacific ocean perch in the West Yakutat District of the GOA will soon 
be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a 
directed fishing allowance of 1,541 mt, and is setting aside the 
remaining 100 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 West Yakutat District 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) 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 
ocean perch in the West Yakutat District 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 July 18, 2013.
    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: July 19, 2013.
Kelly Denit,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-17789 Filed 7-19-13; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.