Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska Management Area, 64334 [2014-25699]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 209 (Wednesday, October 29, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 64334]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-25699]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 130925836-4174-02]
RIN 0648-XD590


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation 
of Pacific Cod in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska 
Management Area

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific 
cod from vessels using jig gear to vessels using pot gear in the 
Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska management area (GOA). 
This action is necessary to allow the 2014 total allowable catch of 
Pacific cod in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA to be harvested.

DATES: Effective October 24, 2014, through 2400 hours, Alaska local 
time (A.l.t.), December 31, 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
Gulf of Alaska 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 2014 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) specified for 
vessels using jig gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is 797 
metric tons (mt), as established by the final 2014 and 2015 harvest 
specifications for groundfish in the GOA (79 FR 12890, March 6, 2014). 
The Administrator, Alaska Region (Regional Administrator) has 
determined that vessels using jig gear will not be able to harvest 500 
mt of the 2014 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under Sec.  
679.20(a)(12)(i)(A).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(a)(12)(ii)(B), the Regional 
Administrator has also determined that vessels using pot gear currently 
have the capacity to harvest this excess allocation and reallocates 500 
mt to vessels using pot gear.
    The harvest specifications for Pacific cod in the Central 
Regulatory Area of the GOA included in the final 2014 harvest 
specifications for groundfish in the GOA (79 FR 12890, March 6, 2014) 
are revised as follows: 297 mt for vessels using jig gear and 11,352 mt 
for vessels 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 vessels 
using jig gear to vessels using pot gear. Since the fishery is 
currently ongoing, 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 allow the industry to plan for the fishing season, and to avoid 
potential disruption to the fishing fleet as well as processors. NMFS 
was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment 
because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of 
October 23, 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: October 24, 2014.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-25699 Filed 10-24-14; 4:15 pm]
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