Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reapportionment of Halibut Prohibited Species Catch Limit in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands, 35958-35959 [2014-14735]
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35958
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 122 / Wednesday, June 25, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
300.207(c), 300.208(c), and 300.209(c)
were approved by OMB on January 16,
2013 (78 FR 3345, 3346).
This final rule notifies the public that
the collection-of-information
requirements contained in §§ 300.206,
300.207, 300.208, and 300.209 have
been approved by OMB and are
effective. In addition, this final rule will
update the table on NOAA information
collections approved by OMB that
appears under 15 CFR part 902.
ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with RULES
Classification
This final rule contains a collectionof-information requirement subject to
the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA).
The collection of this information has
been approved by the Office of
Management and Budget under OMB
Control Number 0648–0651. The
information collection consists of
documentation requirements for exports
of fishery products to the United States
from nations that were not positively
certified subsequent to identification by
the United States under the procedures
of the High Seas Driftnet Moratorium
Protection Act (50 CFR part 300, subpart
N).
Notwithstanding any other provision
of the law, no person is required to
respond to, and no person shall be
subject to penalty for failure to comply
with, a collection of information subject
to the requirements of the PRA, unless
that collection of information displays a
currently valid OMB control number.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries
finds that there is good cause to waive
prior notice and an opportunity for
public comment on this action, as notice
and comment would be unnecessary.
Notice and comment are unnecessary
for this current action because an
opportunity for public comment was
previously provided during the
rulemaking to establish the collectionof-information requirement (78 FR 3338)
and this current action makes only
minor, non-substantive changes to the
table on NOAA information collections
approved by OMB that appears under 15
CFR part 902. No aspect of this required
action is controversial. NMFS therefore
determines that APA requirements for
public notice and comment are
unnecessary for this action and
determines that this rule is not subject
to the 30-day delay in effectiveness
requirement at 5 U.S.C. 553(d).
List of Subjects in 15 CFR Part 902
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:16 Jun 24, 2014
Jkt 232001
Dated: June 19, 2014.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
For reasons stated in the preamble, 15
CFR part 902 is amended as follows:
15 CFR Chapter IX
PART 902—NOAA INFORMATION
COLLECTION REQUIREMENTS UNDER
THE PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT:
OMB CONTROL NUMBERS
1. The authority citation for part 902
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 44 U.S.C. 350 et seq.
2. In § 902.1, the table in paragraph (b)
under 50 CFR is amended by adding
new entries in numerical order for
§§ 300.206(b)(2), 300.207(c), 300.208(c)
and 300.209(c) to read as follows:
■
§ 902.1 OMB control numbers assigned
pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act.
*
*
*
(b) * * *
*
*
CFR Part or section where
the information collection
requirement is located
*
50 CFR
*
*
*
*
*
*
Current OMB
control number
(all numbers
begin with
0648–)
*
*
*
*
300.206(b)(2) ........................
300.207(c) .............................
300.208(c) .............................
300.209(c) .............................
*
*
*
–0651
–0651
–0651
–0651
*
[FR Doc. 2014–14916 Filed 6–24–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 131021878–4158–02]
RIN 0648–XD347
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Reapportionment of
Halibut Prohibited Species Catch Limit
in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule.
AGENCY:
PO 00000
Frm 00048
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
NMFS is reapportioning the
projected unused amounts of the halibut
prohibited species catch (PSC) limit
from the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands (BSAI) trawl limited access
sector’s Pacific cod fishery to the BSAI
trawl limited access yellowfin sole
fishery. This action is necessary to
provide opportunity for harvest of the
2014 total allowable catch of yellowfin
sole by the BSAI trawl limited access
sector, consistent with the goals and
objectives of the Fishery Management
Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea
and Aleutian Islands Management Area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local
time (A.l.t.), June 25, 2014, until 2400
hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2015.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steve Whitney, 907–586–7269.
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 (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.
In the BSAI, the halibut PSC limit
apportioned as a bycatch allowance for
the BSAI trawl limited access sector’s
Pacific cod fishery is 453 metric tons
(mt) as established by the final 2014 and
2015 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (79 FR 12108,
March 4, 2014).
As of June 12, 2014, the
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS,
(Regional Administrator), has
determined that 60 mt of the 2014
halibut bycatch allowance for the BSAI
trawl limited access sector’s Pacific cod
fishery will not be used. Therefore, after
consultation with the Council, and in
accordance with § 679.21(e)(3)(i)(B),
NMFS reapportions 60 mt of halibut
bycatch allowance from the BSAI trawl
limited access sector’s Pacific cod
fishery, to the BSAI trawl limited access
sector’s yellowfin sole fishery. The
revised 2014 halibut bycatch allowances
are 393 mt for the BSAI trawl limited
access sector’s Pacific cod fishery and
227 mt for the BSAI trawl limited access
sector’s yellowfin sole fishery. Table 12
of the final 2014 and 2015 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the
BSAI (79 FR 12108, March 4, 2014) is
revised consistent with this
reapportionment.
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 122 / Wednesday, June 25, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
35959
TABLE 12—FINAL 2014 AND 2015 PROHIBITED SPECIES BYCATCH ALLOWANCES FOR THE BSAI TRAWL LIMITED ACCESS
SECTOR
Prohibited species and area 1
BSAI trawl limited access fisheries
2014 Halibut
mortality (mt)
BSAI
2015 Halibut
mortality (mt)
BSAI
Red king crab
(animals)
Zone 1
C. opilio
(animals)
COBLZ
C. bairdi (animals)
Zone 1
Zone 2
Yellowfin sole ...........................................
Rock sole/flathead sole/other flatfish 2 .....
Turbot/arrowtooth/sablefish 3 ...................
Rockfish April 15–December 31 ..............
Pacific cod ................................................
Pollock/Atka mackerel/other species 4 .....
227
0
0
5
393
250
167
0
0
5
453
250
23,338
0
0
0
2,954
197
3,026,465
0
0
5,000
129,000
50,000
346,228
0
0
0
60,000
5,000
1,185,500
0
0
1,000
50,000
5,000
Total BSAI trawl limited access PSC
875
875
26,489
3,210,465
411,228
1,241,500
1 Refer
to § 679.2 for definitions of areas.
flatfish’’ for PSC monitoring includes all flatfish species, except for halibut (a prohibited species), flathead sole, Greenland turbot, rock
sole, yellowfin sole, Kamchatka flounder, and arrowtooth flounder.
3 Arrowtooth flounder for PSC monitoring includes Kamchatka flounder.
4 ‘‘Other species’’ for PSC monitoring includes skates, sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopuses.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
2 ‘‘Other
Classification
ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with RULES
This action responds to the best
available information recently obtained
from the fishery and consultation with
the Council. 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
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:16 Jun 24, 2014
Jkt 232001
delay the reapportionment of the BSAI
trawl limited access sector’s halibut PSC
limit. It is important to immediately
inform the industry as to the
reapportionment of the BSAI trawl
limited access sector’s halibut PSC
limit. Immediate notification is
necessary to allow for the orderly
conduct and efficient operation of this
fishery; allow the industry to plan for
the fishing season and avoid potential
disruption to the fishing fleet and
processors. NMFS was unable to
publish a notice providing time for
public comment because the most
recent, relevant data only became
available as of June 12, 2014.
PO 00000
Frm 00049
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
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: June 19, 2014.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–14735 Filed 6–24–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
E:\FR\FM\25JNR1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 122 (Wednesday, June 25, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35958-35959]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-14735]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 131021878-4158-02]
RIN 0648-XD347
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska;
Reapportionment of Halibut Prohibited Species Catch Limit in the Bering
Sea and Aleutian Islands
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is reapportioning the projected unused amounts of the
halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limit from the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands (BSAI) trawl limited access sector's Pacific cod
fishery to the BSAI trawl limited access yellowfin sole fishery. This
action is necessary to provide opportunity for harvest of the 2014
total allowable catch of yellowfin sole by the BSAI trawl limited
access sector, consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery
Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), June 25, 2014,
until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2015.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7269.
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
(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.
In the BSAI, the halibut PSC limit apportioned as a bycatch
allowance for the BSAI trawl limited access sector's Pacific cod
fishery is 453 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2014 and
2015 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (79 FR 12108,
March 4, 2014).
As of June 12, 2014, the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS,
(Regional Administrator), has determined that 60 mt of the 2014 halibut
bycatch allowance for the BSAI trawl limited access sector's Pacific
cod fishery will not be used. Therefore, after consultation with the
Council, and in accordance with Sec. 679.21(e)(3)(i)(B), NMFS
reapportions 60 mt of halibut bycatch allowance from the BSAI trawl
limited access sector's Pacific cod fishery, to the BSAI trawl limited
access sector's yellowfin sole fishery. The revised 2014 halibut
bycatch allowances are 393 mt for the BSAI trawl limited access
sector's Pacific cod fishery and 227 mt for the BSAI trawl limited
access sector's yellowfin sole fishery. Table 12 of the final 2014 and
2015 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (79 FR 12108,
March 4, 2014) is revised consistent with this reapportionment.
[[Page 35959]]
Table 12--Final 2014 and 2015 Prohibited Species Bycatch Allowances for the BSAI Trawl Limited Access Sector
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prohibited species and area \1\
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BSAI trawl limited access fisheries 2014 Halibut 2015 Halibut Red king crab C. opilio C. bairdi (animals)
mortality (mt) mortality (mt) (animals) (animals) -------------------------------
BSAI BSAI Zone 1 COBLZ Zone 1 Zone 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yellowfin sole.......................................... 227 167 23,338 3,026,465 346,228 1,185,500
Rock sole/flathead sole/other flatfish \2\.............. 0 0 0 0 0 0
Turbot/arrowtooth/sablefish \3\......................... 0 0 0 0 0 0
Rockfish April 15-December 31........................... 5 5 0 5,000 0 1,000
Pacific cod............................................. 393 453 2,954 129,000 60,000 50,000
Pollock/Atka mackerel/other species \4\................. 250 250 197 50,000 5,000 5,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total BSAI trawl limited access PSC................. 875 875 26,489 3,210,465 411,228 1,241,500
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Refer to Sec. 679.2 for definitions of areas.
\2\ ``Other flatfish'' for PSC monitoring includes all flatfish species, except for halibut (a prohibited species), flathead sole, Greenland turbot,
rock sole, yellowfin sole, Kamchatka flounder, and arrowtooth flounder.
\3\ Arrowtooth flounder for PSC monitoring includes Kamchatka flounder.
\4\ ``Other species'' for PSC monitoring includes skates, sculpins, sharks, squids, and octopuses.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
Classification
This action responds to the best available information recently
obtained from the fishery and consultation with the Council. 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
reapportionment of the BSAI trawl limited access sector's halibut PSC
limit. It is important to immediately inform the industry as to the
reapportionment of the BSAI trawl limited access sector's halibut PSC
limit. Immediate notification is necessary to allow for the orderly
conduct and efficient operation of this fishery; allow the industry to
plan for the fishing season and avoid potential disruption to the
fishing fleet and processors. NMFS was unable to publish a notice
providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant
data only became available as of June 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: June 19, 2014.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-14735 Filed 6-24-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P