Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Sharks in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 57097-57098 [2013-22585]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 180 / Tuesday, September 17, 2013 / Rules and Regulations Dated: August 26, 2013. Rowan W. Gould, Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2013–22245 Filed 9–16–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 120918468–3111–02] RIN 0648–XC873 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 620 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 620 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the C season allowance of the 2013 total allowable catch of pollock for Statistical Area 620 in the GOA. DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 13, 2013, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., October 1, 2013. 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. The C season allowance of the 2013 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA is 7,600 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2013 and 2014 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (78 FR 13162, February 26, 2013). In accordance with § 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), hereby increases the C season pollock allowance by 166 mt to reflect the total underharvest of the B season allowance in Statistical Area 620. Therefore, the revised C season allowance of the mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:48 Sep 16, 2013 Jkt 229001 pollock TAC in Statistical Area 620 is 7,766 mt (7,600 mt plus 166 mt). In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional Administrator has determined that the C season allowance of the 2013 TAC of pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA has been reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 7,566 mt and is setting aside the remaining 200 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 620 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 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 620 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 September 10, 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: September 11, 2013. James P. Burgess, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2013–22588 Filed 9–12–13; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 57097 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 121018563–3418–02] RIN 0648–XC872 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Sharks 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 retention of sharks in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary because the 2013 total allowable catch (TAC) of sharks in the BSAI has been reached. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 12, 2013, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2013. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 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 with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. The 2013 TAC sharks in the BSAI is 100 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2013 and 2014 final harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (78 FR 13813, March 1, 2013). In accordance with § 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2013 TAC of sharks in the BSAI has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that sharks caught in the BSAI be treated as prohibited species in accordance with § 679.21(b). SUMMARY: 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 E:\FR\FM\17SER1.SGM 17SER1 57098 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 180 / Tuesday, September 17, 2013 / Rules and Regulations mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES 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 prohibiting the retention of sharks in the BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:48 Sep 16, 2013 Jkt 229001 public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of September 10, 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. PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 This action is required by §§ 679.20 and 679.21 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: September 11, 2013. James P. Burgess, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2013–22585 Filed 9–12–13; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\17SER1.SGM 17SER1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 180 (Tuesday, September 17, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57097-57098]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22585]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 121018563-3418-02]
RIN 0648-XC872


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Sharks 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.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of sharks in the Bering Sea and 
Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary 
because the 2013 total allowable catch (TAC) of sharks in the BSAI has 
been reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 12, 
2013, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 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 2013 TAC sharks in the BSAI is 100 metric tons (mt) as 
established by the final 2013 and 2014 final harvest specifications for 
groundfish of the GOA (78 FR 13813, March 1, 2013).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2013 TAC 
of sharks in the BSAI has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring 
that sharks caught in the BSAI be treated as prohibited species in 
accordance with Sec.  679.21(b).

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

[[Page 57098]]

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 prohibiting the retention of sharks 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 September 10, 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. Sec.  679.20 and 679.21 and is 
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: September 11, 2013.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-22585 Filed 9-12-13; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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