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]

Download as PDF 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: E:\FR\FM\25JNR1.SGM 25JNR1 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 25JNR1

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