Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher/Processors Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska, 18554-18555 [2015-07938]
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18554
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 66 / Tuesday, April 7, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
• 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:
Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228.
NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
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.
Pursuant to the final 2015 and 2016
harvest specifications for groundfish in
the BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015),
NMFS closed the directed fishery for
northern rockfish under
§ 679.20(d)(1)(iii).
As of April 1, 2015, NMFS has
determined that approximately 2,300
metric tons of northern rockfish initial
TAC remains unharvested in the BSAI.
Therefore, in accordance with
§ 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and
(a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize the
2015 TAC of northern rockfish in the
BSAI, NMFS is terminating the previous
closure and is opening directed fishing
for northern rockfish in the BSAI. This
will enhance the socioeconomic wellbeing of harvesters in this area. The
Administrator, Alaska Region (Regional
Administrator) considered the following
factors in reaching this decision: (1) The
current catch of northern rockfish in the
BSAI and, (2) the harvest capacity and
stated intent on future harvesting
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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patterns of vessels in participating in
this fishery.
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) and § 679.25(c)(1)(ii) 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 northern rockfish in the
BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish a
notice providing time for public
comment because the most recent,
relevant data only became available as
of April 1, 2015.
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.
Without this inseason adjustment,
NMFS could not allow the fishery for
northern rockfish in the BSAI to be
harvested in an expedient manner and
in accordance with the regulatory
schedule. Under § 679.25(c)(2),
interested persons are invited to submit
written comments on this action to the
above address until April 17, 2015.
This action is required by § 679.20
and § 679.25 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: April 2, 2015.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015–07942 Filed 4–2–15; 4:15 pm]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 140918791–4999–02]
RIN 0648–XD876
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by
Catcher/Processors Using Hook-andLine Gear in the Western Regulatory
Area of 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 Pacific cod by catcher/
processors using hook-and-line gear in
the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf
of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to prevent exceeding the A
season allowance of the 2015 Pacific
cod total allowable catch apportioned to
catcher/processors using hook-and-line
gear in the Western Regulatory Area of
the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), April 2, 2015, through
1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2015.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Obren Davis, 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 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.
Regulations governing sideboard
protections for GOA groundfish
fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR
part 680.
The A season allowance of the 2015
Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC)
apportioned to catcher/processors using
hook-and-line gear in the Western
Regulatory Area of the GOA is 2,850
metric tons (mt), as established by the
final 2015 and 2016 harvest
specifications for groundfish of the GOA
(80 FR 10250, February 25, 2015).
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i),
the Administrator, Alaska Region,
NMFS (Regional Administrator) has
determined that the A season allowance
of the 2015 Pacific cod TAC
SUMMARY:
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07APR1
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 66 / Tuesday, April 7, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES
apportioned to catcher/processors using
hook-and-line gear in the Western
Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon
be reached. Therefore, the Regional
Administrator is establishing a directed
fishing allowance of 2,840 mt and is
setting aside the remaining 10 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 Pacific cod by
catcher/processors using hook-and-line
gear in the Western Regulatory Area 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.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:31 Apr 06, 2015
Jkt 235001
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 directed fishing closure of
Pacific cod by catcher/processors using
hook-and-line gear in the Western
Regulatory Area of the GOA. NMFS was
unable to publish a notice providing
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18555
time for public comment because the
most recent, relevant data only became
available as of April 1, 2015.
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: April 2, 2015.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015–07938 Filed 4–2–15; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE CODE 3510–22–P
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 7, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18554-18555]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-07938]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 140918791-4999-02]
RIN 0648-XD876
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Catcher/Processors Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Western
Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by
catcher/processors using hook-and-line gear in the Western Regulatory
Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent
exceeding the A season allowance of the 2015 Pacific cod total
allowable catch apportioned to catcher/processors using hook-and-line
gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 2, 2015,
through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2015.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 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. Regulations governing sideboard
protections for GOA groundfish fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR
part 680.
The A season allowance of the 2015 Pacific cod total allowable
catch (TAC) apportioned to catcher/processors using hook-and-line gear
in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA is 2,850 metric tons (mt), as
established by the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for
groundfish of the GOA (80 FR 10250, February 25, 2015).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has determined that the A season
allowance of the 2015 Pacific cod TAC
[[Page 18555]]
apportioned to catcher/processors using hook-and-line gear in the
Western Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, the
Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of
2,840 mt and is setting aside the remaining 10 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 Pacific cod by catcher/processors using hook-and-
line gear in the Western Regulatory Area 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 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 directed fishing closure of Pacific cod by catcher/
processors using hook-and-line gear in the Western Regulatory Area 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 April 1, 2015.
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: April 2, 2015.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-07938 Filed 4-2-15; 4:15 pm]
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