Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska, 57837-57838 [2014-22934]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 2014 / Rules and Regulations required. After a landing transaction has been completed, a transaction approval code verifying a legal transaction of the amount of IFQ groupers and tilefishes in possession and a copy of the dealer endorsement must accompany any IFQ groupers or tilefishes from the landing location through possession by a dealer. This requirement also applies to IFQ groupers and tilefishes possessed on a vessel that is trailered for transport. A dealer may only receive IFQ groupers and tilefishes transported by a vehicle or a trailered vessel that has a corresponding transaction approval code. (v) Approved landing locations. IFQ groupers and tilefishes must be landed at an approved landing location. Landing locations must be approved by NMFS Office for Law Enforcement prior to a vessel landing IFQ groupers or tilefishes at these sites. * * * * * * * * PART 622—[AMENDED] 4. In part 622, revise ‘‘IFQ online account’’ to read ‘‘IFQ account’’ wherever it occurs. ■ 5. In part 622, revise ‘‘IFQ Online Account’’ to read ‘‘IFQ account’’ wherever it occurs. ■ 6. In part 622, revise ‘‘ifq.sero.nmfs.noaa.gov’’ to read ‘‘ifq.sero.fisheries.noaa.gov’’ wherever it occurs. ■ [FR Doc. 2014–22998 Filed 9–25–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carly Bari, Fishery Management Specialist, 978–281–9224. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations governing the bluefish fishery are found at 50 CFR part 648. The regulations require annual specification of a commercial quota that is apportioned among the coastal states from Florida through Maine. The process to set the annual commercial quota and the percent allocated to each state are described in § 648.162. The final rule implementing Amendment 1 to the Bluefish Fishery Management Plan, which was published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2000 (65 FR 45844), provided a mechanism for bluefish quota to be transferred from one state to another. Two or more states, under mutual agreement and with the concurrence of the Administrator, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), can transfer or combine bluefish commercial quota under § 648.162(e). The Regional Administrator is required to consider the criteria in § 648.162(e)(1) in the evaluation of requests for quota transfers or combinations. Maine has agreed to transfer 45,000 lb (20,412 kg) of its 2014 commercial quota to Massachusetts. This transfer was prompted by the diligent efforts of state officials in Massachusetts not to exceed the commercial bluefish quota. The Regional Administrator has determined that the criteria set forth in § 648.162(e)(1) have been met. The revised bluefish quotas for calendar year 2014 are: Maine, 4,861 lb (2,205 kg); and Massachusetts, 545,970 lb (247,648 kg). 50 CFR Part 648 Classification [Docket No. 140214138–4482–02] This action is taken under 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. RIN 0648–XD511 Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Bluefish Fishery; Quota Transfer Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; quota transfer. asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES AGENCY: Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2014–23057 Filed 9–24–14; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P NMFS announces that the State of Maine is transferring a portion of its 2014 commercial bluefish quota to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. By this action, NMFS adjusts the quotas and announces the revised commercial quota for each state involved. DATES: Effective September 24, 2014, through December 31, 2014. SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:52 Sep 25, 2014 Jkt 232001 PO 00000 Frm 00135 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 57837 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 130925836–4174–02] RIN 0648–0648–XD519 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 630 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 630 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the C season allowance of the 2014 total allowable catch of pollock for Statistical Area 630 in the GOA. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 23, 2014, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., October 1, 2014. SUMMARY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 907–586–7228. 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 2014 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA is 13,720 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(a)(5)(iv)(B), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), hereby decreases the C season pollock allowance by 1,788 mt to reflect the total overharvest of the B season allowance in Statistical Area 630. Therefore, the revised C season allowance of the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 630 is 11,933 mt (13,720 mt minus 1,788 mt). In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional Administrator has determined that the C season allowance of the 2014 TAC of pollock in Statistical SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\26SER1.SGM 26SER1 57838 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 2014 / Rules and Regulations Area 630 of the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 11,433 mt and is setting aside the remaining 500 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 630 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) 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 630 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 22, 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. asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: September 23, 2014. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2014–22934 Filed 9–23–14; 11:15 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:52 Sep 25, 2014 Jkt 232001 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 131021878–4158–02] RIN 0648–XD520 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of 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; reallocation. AGENCY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amounts of Pacific cod from catcher vessels greater than 60 feet (18.3 meters) length overall (LOA) using pot gear and catcher vessels using trawl gear to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear, American Fisheries Act (AFA) catcher/processors (C/P), Amendment 80 (A80) C/Ps, and C/Ps using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to allow the 2014 total allowable catch of Pacific cod to be harvested. DATES: Effective September 24, 2014, through 2400 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 31, 2014. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 907–586–7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) 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. The 2014 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) specified for catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet LOA using pot gear in the BSAI is 18,976 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2014 and 2015 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (79 FR 12108, March 4, 2014). The Regional Administrator has determined that catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet LOA using pot gear will not be able to harvest 3,000 mt of the remaining 2014 Pacific cod TAC SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00136 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 allocated to those vessels under § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(5). The 2014 Pacific cod TAC specified for catcher vessels using trawl gear in the BSAI is 48,107 mt as established by the final 2014 and 2015 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (79 FR 12108, March 4, 2014) and sector reallocation in August (79 FR 49463, August 21, 2014). The Regional Administrator has determined that catcher vessels using trawl gear will not be able to harvest 2,500 mt of the remaining 2014 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(9). Therefore, in accordance with § 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A) and § 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(B), NMFS reallocates 5,500 mt of Pacific cod to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear, AFA C/Ps, A80 C/Ps, and C/Ps using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. The harvest specifications for Pacific cod included in the final 2014 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (79 FR 12108, March 4, 2014 and 79 FR 49463, August 21, 2014) are revised as follows: 15,976 mt for catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet LOA using pot gear, 45,607 mt for catcher vessels using trawl gear, 12,018 mt for catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear, 5,965 mt for AFA C/Ps, 32,131 mt to A80 C/Ps, and 4,389 mt for C/Ps using pot gear. 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 reallocation of Pacific cod specified from other sectors to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear, AFA C/Ps, A80 C/Ps, and C/Ps using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. Since these fisheries are currently open, it is important to immediately inform the industry as to the revised allocations. Immediate notification is necessary to allow for the orderly conduct and efficient operation of this fishery, to E:\FR\FM\26SER1.SGM 26SER1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 187 (Friday, September 26, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57837-57838]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-22934]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 130925836-4174-02]
RIN 0648-0648-XD519


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in 
Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska

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 directed fishing for pollock in 
Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is 
necessary to prevent exceeding the C season allowance of the 2014 total 
allowable catch of pollock for Statistical Area 630 in the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 23, 
2014, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., October 1, 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 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 C season allowance of the 2014 total allowable catch (TAC) of 
pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA is 13,720 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 
Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS 
(Regional Administrator), hereby decreases the C season pollock 
allowance by 1,788 mt to reflect the total overharvest of the B season 
allowance in Statistical Area 630. Therefore, the revised C season 
allowance of the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 630 is 11,933 mt 
(13,720 mt minus 1,788 mt).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional 
Administrator has determined that the C season allowance of the 2014 
TAC of pollock in Statistical

[[Page 57838]]

Area 630 of the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional 
Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 11,433 mt 
and is setting aside the remaining 500 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 pollock in Statistical Area 630 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 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) 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 630 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 22, 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: September 23, 2014.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-22934 Filed 9-23-14; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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