Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska, 15047-15048 [2014-05918]
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sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with RULES
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 52 / Tuesday, March 18, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
Due to the increase in the butterfish
DAH from previous years, the 2013 MSB
specifications implemented a 3-phase
butterfish management system to allow
for maximum utilization of the
butterfish resource without exceeding
the stock-wide ACL. In phase 1, there is
no trip limit for vessels issued longfin
squid/butterfish moratorium permits
using mesh greater than or equal to 3
inches (76 mm), a 2,500-lb (1.13-mt) trip
limit for longfin squid/butterfish
moratorium permits using mesh less
than 3 inches (76 mm), and a trip limit
of 600 lb (0.27 mt) for vessels issued
squid/butterfish incidental catch
permits. Once butterfish harvest reaches
the trip hold reduction threshold to
move from phase 1 to phase 2, the trip
limit for longfin squid/butterfish
moratorium permit holders will be
reduced while in phase 2 to 5,000 lb
(2.27 mt) for vessels using greater than
or equal to 3-inch (7.62 cm) mesh. The
limit remains unchanged at 2,500-lb
(1.13 mt) per trip or calendar day for
vessels issued a Federal longfin squid/
butterfish moratorium permits and
fishing with less than 3-inch (76-mm);
and the incidental limit remains at 600
lb (0.27 mt). When we project butterfish
harvest to reach the trip hold reduction
thresholds to move from phase 2 to
phase 3, the trip limit for all longfin
squid/butterfish moratorium permit
holders will be reduced while in phase
3 to 500 lb (0.23 mt) to avoid quota
overages. For phases 2 and 3, the quota
thresholds to reduce the trip limits will
vary bimonthly throughout the year.
Section 648.24 requires NMFS to
reduce the butterfish trip limits for
vessels issued longfin squid/butterfish
moratorium permits when butterfish
harvest reaches the trip limit reduction
threshold to move from phase 1 to phase
2. When butterfish harvest reaches the
trip limit reduction threshold to move
from phase 1 to phase 2, vessels fishing
with a minimum mesh size of 3 inches
(76 mm) are prohibited from fishing for,
catching, possessing, or landing more
than 5,000 lb (2.27 mt) per trip or per
day. Trip limits for vessels issued
longfin squid/butterfish moratorium
permits fishing with mesh less than 3
inches (76 mm) remain at 2,500 lb (1.13
mt) of butterfish per trip, and the
incidental trip limit remains at 600 mt
(0.27 lb).
NMFS is further required to notify the
Executive Directors of the Mid-Atlantic,
New England, and South Atlantic
Fishery Management Councils; mail
notification of the trip limit reduction to
all holders of butterfish permits at least
72 hr before the effective date of the trip
limit reduction; provide adequate notice
of the trip limit reduction to recreational
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:18 Mar 17, 2014
Jkt 232001
participants in the fishery; and publish
notification of the trip limit reduction in
the Federal Register.
The Administrator, Greater Atlantic
Region, NMFS, based on dealer reports
and other available information, has
determined that butterfish harvest has
reached the phase 2 trip limit reduction
of 47 percent. Therefore, effective 0001
hours, March 18, 2014, the directed
butterfish fishery is operating under
phase 2, and vessels issued Federal
longfin squid/butterfish moratorium
permits may not fish for, catch, possess
or land more than 5,000 lb (2.27 mt) of
butterfish per trip or calendar day when
fishing with mesh size greater than 3
inches (76 mm). Trip limits for vessels
issued longfin squid/butterfish
moratorium permits fishing with mesh
less than 3 inches (76 mm) will remain
at 2,500 lb (1.13 mt) of butterfish per
trip and the incidental trip limit will
remain at 600 lb (0.27 mt). If or when
butterfish harvest is projected to reach
the phase 3 trip limit reduction
threshold specified for 2013, butterfish
trip limits for longfin squid/butterfish
moratorium permit holders will be
reduced to 500 lb (0.23 mt), regardless
of mesh size used, through a subsequent
action in the Federal Register.
Classification
This action is required 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)(B) to waive
prior notice and the opportunity for
public comment because it would be
contrary to the public interest. This
action reduces the butterfish trip limit
for vessels issued longfin squid/
butterfish moratorium permits, under
current regulations. The regulations at
§ 648.24 require such action to ensure
that butterfish vessels do not exceed the
2013 DAH. Data indicating the
butterfish fleet will have landed at least
50 percent of the 2013 DAH have only
recently become available. If NMFS
delays the implementation of this trip
limit reduction in order to solicit prior
public comment, butterfish harvest may
continue to increase without sufficient
effort control, thereby undermining the
conservation objectives of the FMP. The
AA further finds, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
553(d)(3), good cause to waive the 30day delayed effectiveness period for the
reasons stated above.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
PO 00000
Frm 00071
Fmt 4700
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15047
Dated: March 13, 2014.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–05920 Filed 3–13–14; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 130925836–4174–02]
RIN 0648–XD181
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by
Catcher Vessels Using Hook-and-Line
Gear 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 cod by catcher vessels
using hook-and-line gear in the Western
Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
(GOA). This action is necessary to
prevent exceeding the A season
allowance of the 2014 Pacific cod total
allowable catch apportioned to catcher
vessels using hook-and-line gear in the
Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), March 13, 2014,
through 1200 hours, A.l.t., September 1,
2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Obren Davis, 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.
Regulations governing sideboard
protections for GOA groundfish
fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR
part 680.
The A season allowance of the 2014
Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC)
apportioned to catcher vessels using
hook-and-line gear in the Western
Regulatory Area of the GOA is 156
metric tons (mt), as established by the
SUMMARY:
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18MRR1
15048
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 52 / Tuesday, March 18, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
final 2014 and 2015 harvest
specifications for groundfish of the GOA
(79 FR 12890, March 6, 2014).
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i),
the Administrator, Alaska Region,
NMFS (Regional Administrator) has
determined that the A season allowance
of the 2014 Pacific cod TAC
apportioned to catcher vessels using
hook-and-line gear in the Western
Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon
be reached. Therefore, the Regional
Administrator is establishing a directed
fishing allowance of 126 mt and is
setting aside the remaining 30 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 cod by
catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear
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.
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with RULES
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 directed fishing closure of
Pacific cod for catcher vessels using
hook-and-line gear 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 March 12, 2014.
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.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:18 Mar 17, 2014
Jkt 232001
Dated: March 13, 2014.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–05918 Filed 3–13–14; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 130925836–4174–02]
RIN 0648–XD184
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by
Catcher Vessels Using Hook-and-Line
Gear in the Central 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 cod by catcher vessels
greater than or equal to 50 feet (15.2
meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using
hook-and-line gear in the Central
Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
(GOA). This action is necessary to
prevent exceeding the A season
allowance of the 2014 Pacific cod total
allowable catch apportioned to catcher
vessels greater than or equal to 50 feet
(15.2 m) LOA using hook-and-line gear
in the Central Regulatory Area of the
GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), March 15, 2014,
through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10,
2014.
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.
Regulations governing sideboard
protections for GOA groundfish
fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR
part 680.
The A season allowance of the 2014
Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC)
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00072
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
apportioned to catcher vessels greater
than or equal to 50 feet (15.2 m) LOA
using hook-and-line gear in the Central
Regulatory Area of the GOA is 2,189
metric tons (mt), as established by the
final 2014 and 2015 harvest
specifications for groundfish of the GOA
(79 FR 12890, March 6, 2014).
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i),
the Administrator, Alaska Region,
NMFS (Regional Administrator) has
determined that the A season allowance
of the 2014 Pacific cod TAC
apportioned to catcher vessels greater
than or equal to 50 feet (15.2 m) LOA
using hook-and-line gear in the Central
Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon
be reached. Therefore, the Regional
Administrator is establishing a directed
fishing allowance of 1,189 mt and is
setting aside the remaining 1,000 mt as
bycatch to support other anticipated
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
catcher vessels greater than or equal to
50 feet (15.2 m) LOA using hook-andline gear 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.
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 directed fishing closure of
Pacific cod for catcher vessels greater
than or equal to 50 feet (15.2 m) LOA
using hook-and-line gear in the Central
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 March 12, 2014.
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.
E:\FR\FM\18MRR1.SGM
18MRR1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 52 (Tuesday, March 18, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15047-15048]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-05918]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 130925836-4174-02]
RIN 0648-XD181
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Catcher Vessels Using Hook-and-Line Gear 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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by
catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear in the Western Regulatory Area
of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent
exceeding the A season allowance of the 2014 Pacific cod total
allowable catch apportioned to catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear
in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 13,
2014, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., September 1, 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 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. Regulations governing sideboard
protections for GOA groundfish fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR
part 680.
The A season allowance of the 2014 Pacific cod total allowable
catch (TAC) apportioned to catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear in
the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA is 156 metric tons (mt), as
established by the
[[Page 15048]]
final 2014 and 2015 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA
(79 FR 12890, March 6, 2014).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has determined that the A season
allowance of the 2014 Pacific cod TAC apportioned to catcher vessels
using hook-and-line gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA will
soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing
a directed fishing allowance of 126 mt and is setting aside the
remaining 30 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
cod by catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear 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 directed fishing closure of Pacific cod for catcher
vessels using hook-and-line gear 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 March 12, 2014.
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 13, 2014.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-05918 Filed 3-13-14; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
