Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 52583-52584 [2014-21061]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 171 / Thursday, September 4, 2014 / Rules and Regulations (iv) * * * (J) * * * (1) * * * When the vessel is fishing under the Regular B DAS Program other gear may be on board provided it is stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2. * * * * * ■ 7. In § 648.108, revise the last sentence of paragraph (e) to read as follows: § 648.108 Summer flounder gear restrictions. * * * * * (e) * * * Nets must be stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2. * * * * * ■ 8. In § 648.144, revise the last sentence of paragraph (a)(4) to read as follows: § 648.144 Black sea bass gear restrictions. (a) * * * (4) * * * Nets must be stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2. * * * * * [FR Doc. 2014–20966 Filed 9–3–14; 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–XD480 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of a closure. AGENCY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI). This action is necessary to fully use the 2014 total allowable catch of Pacific cod allocated to catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:31 Sep 03, 2014 Jkt 232001 Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 1, 2014, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2014. Comments must be received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., September 15, 2014. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by 2013– 0152, by any of the following methods: • Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D= NOAA-NMFS-2013-0152, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. • Mail: Submit written comments to Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn: Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668. Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/ A’’ in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 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 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. NMFS closed directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI under § 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on February 4, 2014 (79 FR 7404, February 7, 2014). DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 52583 NMFS has determined that as of August 20, 2014, approximately 2,050 metric tons of Pacific cod remain in the 2014 Pacific cod apportionment for catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI. Therefore, in accordance with § 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully use the 2014 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod in the BSAI, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI. The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator) considered the following factors in reaching this decision: (1) The current catch of Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-andline or pot gear in the BSAI and, (2) the harvest capacity and stated intent on future harvesting patterns of vessels in participating in this fishery. 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 opening of directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI. Immediate notification is necessary to allow for the orderly conduct and efficient operation of this fishery, to allow the industry to plan for the fishing season, and to 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 August 20, 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\04SER1.SGM 04SER1 52584 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 171 / Thursday, September 4, 2014 / Rules and Regulations mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES Without this inseason adjustment, NMFS could not allow the fishery for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI to be harvested in an expedient manner and in accordance with the regulatory schedule. Under VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:31 Sep 03, 2014 Jkt 232001 § 679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to submit written comments on this action to the above address until September 15, 2014. This action is required by § 679.25 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: August 29, 2014. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2014–21061 Filed 8–29–14; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\04SER1.SGM 04SER1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 171 (Thursday, September 4, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52583-52584]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-21061]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 131021878-4158-02]
RIN 0648-XD480


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
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; modification of a closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher 
vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) length overall (LOA) using 
hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
Management Area (BSAI). This action is necessary to fully use the 2014 
total allowable catch of Pacific cod allocated to catcher vessels less 
than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 1, 
2014, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2014. Comments must be 
received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., 
September 15, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by 
2013-0152, by any of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to 
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2013-0152, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to Glenn Merrill, Assistant 
Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region 
NMFS, Attn: Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, 
AK 99802-1668.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address), confidential business information, 
or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender 
will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter 
``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). 
Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word, 
Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 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 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.
    NMFS closed directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels 
less than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI under 
Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii) on February 4, 2014 (79 FR 7404, February 7, 
2014).
    NMFS has determined that as of August 20, 2014, approximately 2,050 
metric tons of Pacific cod remain in the 2014 Pacific cod apportionment 
for catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot 
gear in the BSAI. Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  679.25(a)(1)(i), 
(a)(2)(i)(C), and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully use the 2014 total 
allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod in the BSAI, NMFS is terminating 
the previous closure and is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear 
in the BSAI. The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional 
Administrator) considered the following factors in reaching this 
decision: (1) The current catch of Pacific cod by catcher vessels less 
than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI and, (2) 
the harvest capacity and stated intent on future harvesting patterns of 
vessels in participating in this fishery.

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 opening of directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher 
vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the 
BSAI. Immediate notification is necessary to allow for the orderly 
conduct and efficient operation of this fishery, to allow the industry 
to plan for the fishing season, and to 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 August 20, 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.

[[Page 52584]]

    Without this inseason adjustment, NMFS could not allow the fishery 
for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-
and-line or pot gear in the BSAI to be harvested in an expedient manner 
and in accordance with the regulatory schedule. Under Sec.  
679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
on this action to the above address until September 15, 2014.
    This action is required by Sec.  679.25 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: August 29, 2014.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-21061 Filed 8-29-14; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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