Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Small Vessel Exemptions; License Limitation Program, 25625-25626 [2015-10413]
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 86 / Tuesday, May 5, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
sources, gathering and maintaining the
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of the law, no person is required to
respond to, nor shall any person be
subject to a penalty for failure to comply
with, a collection of information subject
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NMFS has current ESA biological
opinions that cover fishing under these
regulations on all listed salmon species.
NMFS reiterated their consultation
standards for all ESA listed salmon and
steelhead species in their annual
Guidance letter to the Council dated
March 3, 2015. Some of NMFS past
biological opinions have found no
jeopardy, and others have found
jeopardy, but provided reasonable and
prudent alternatives to avoid jeopardy.
The management measures for 2015 are
consistent with the biological opinions
that found no jeopardy, and with the
reasonable and prudent alternatives in
the jeopardy biological opinions. The
Council’s recommended management
measures therefore comply with NMFS’
consultation standards and guidance for
all listed salmon species which may be
affected by Council fisheries. In some
cases, the recommended measures are
more restrictive than NMFS’ ESA
requirements.
In 2009, NMFS consulted on the
effects of fishing under the Salmon FMP
on the endangered Southern Resident
Killer Whale Distinct Population
Segment (SRKW) and concluded the
salmon fisheries were not likely to
jeopardize SRKW. The 2015 salmon
management measures are consistent
with the terms of that biological
opinion.
This final rule was developed after
meaningful and collaboration with the
affected tribes. The tribal representative
on the Council made the motion for the
regulations that apply to the tribal
fisheries.
rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773–773k; 1801 et
seq.
Dated: April 29, 2015.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015–10421 Filed 5–1–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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15:13 May 04, 2015
Jkt 235001
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
RIN 0648–XD682
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Small Vessel
Exemptions; License Limitation
Program
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of Agency decision.
AGENCY:
The National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces the
approval of Amendment 108 to the
Fishery Management Plan for
Groundfish of the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands Management Area
(BSAI FMP), Amendment 100 to the
Fishery Management Plan for
Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA
FMP), and Amendment 46 to the
Fishery Management Plan for Bering
Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner
Crabs (Crab FMP). These amendments
correct text omissions in the BSAI FMP,
the GOA FMP, and the Crab FMP. These
amendments make the fishery
management plan (FMP) texts that
establish vessel length limits for small
vessels exempted from the license
limitation program (LLP) in the Bering
Sea and Aleutian Islands Management
Area (BSAI) groundfish and king and
Tanner crab fisheries, and the Gulf of
Alaska (GOA) groundfish fisheries,
consistent with the original intent of the
LLP, current operations in the fisheries,
and Federal regulations. This action
promotes the goals and objectives of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act, the
FMP, and other applicable laws.
DATES: The amendment was approved
on April 27, 2015.
ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of
Amendment 108 to the BSAI FMP,
Amendment 100 to the GOA FMP,
Amendment 46 to the Crab FMP, and
the analysis prepared for this action are
available from the Alaska Region NMFS
Web site at https://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Rachel Baker, 907–586–7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act
(Magnuson-Stevens Act) requires that
each regional fishery management
council submit proposed amendments
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00045
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
25625
to a fishery management plan to NMFS
for review and approval, disapproval, or
partial approval by the Secretary of
Commerce (Secretary). The MagnusonStevens Act also requires that, upon
receiving a fishery management plan
amendment, NMFS immediately
publish in the Federal Register a notice
that the amendment is available for
public review and comment.
The notice of availability for
Amendment 108 to the BSAI FMP,
Amendment 100 to the GOA FMP, and
Amendment 46 to the Crab FMP was
published in the Federal Register on
February 12, 2015 (80 FR 7816), with a
60-day comment period that ended on
April 13, 2015. NMFS received no
comments on Amendment 108 to the
BSAI FMP, Amendment 100 to the GOA
FMP, and Amendment 46 to the Crab
FMP.
NMFS determined that Amendment
108 to the BSAI FMP, Amendment 100
to the GOA FMP, and Amendment 46 to
the Crab FMP are consistent with the
Magnuson-Stevens Act and other
applicable laws, and the Secretary
approved Amendment 108 to the BSAI
FMP, Amendment 100 to the GOA FMP,
and Amendment 46 to the Crab FMP on
April 27, 2015. The February 12, 2015,
notice of availability contains additional
information on this action. No changes
to Federal regulations are necessary to
implement Amendment 108 to the BSAI
FMP, Amendment 100 to the GOA FMP,
and Amendment 46 to the Crab FMP.
Amendment 108 amends Table ES–2
and Section 3.3.1 of the BSAI FMP;
Amendment 100 amends Table ES–2
and Section 3.3.1 of the GOA FMP; and
Amendment 46 amends Section 8.1.4.2
of the Crab FMP. Specifically, these
FMP amendments add ‘‘or equal to’’ to
the vessel length limits for small vessels
that are exempt from the LLP in the
BSAI groundfish and king and Tanner
crab fisheries and GOA groundfish
fisheries. The amendments have the
effect of adding vessels 26 ft (7.9 m)
LOA in the GOA and vessels 32 ft
(9.8 m) LOA in the BSAI, including
BSAI Crab, to the LLP exemption. These
additions are necessary for consistency
with Federal regulations that exempt
from the LLP vessels that do ‘‘not
exceed 26 ft (7.9 m) LOA’’ in the GOA
and vessels that do ‘‘not exceed 32 ft
(9.8 m) LOA’’ in the BSAI. Additional
information can be found in the notice
of availability for Amendment 108 to
the BSAI FMP, Amendment 100 to the
GOA FMP, and Amendment 46 to the
Crab FMP (80 FR 7816, February 12,
2015) and the analysis prepared for this
action (see ADDRESSES).
Since the implementation of the LLP
by Amendment 39 to the BSAI FMP,
E:\FR\FM\05MYR1.SGM
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25626
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 86 / Tuesday, May 5, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES
Amendment 41 to the GOA FMP, and
Amendment 5 to the Crab FMP, which
were implemented by NMFS on October
1, 1998 (63 FR 52642), fisheries in the
BSAI and GOA have been conducted
according to Federal regulations and not
the FMP texts; therefore, approval of
Amendment 108 to the BSAI FMP,
Amendment 100 to the GOA FMP, and
Amendment 46 to the Crab FMP does
not impact LLP license holders, fishing
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:13 May 04, 2015
Jkt 235001
behavior or fisheries management in the
U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone off
Alaska. These amendments make the
three FMPs consistent with the original
intent of the Council and Secretary,
current operations in the fisheries, and
Federal regulations.
Response to Comments
NMFS did not receive any comments
on Amendment 108 to the BSAI FMP,
PO 00000
Frm 00046
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
Amendment 100 to the GOA FMP, and
Amendment 46 to the Crab FMP.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: April 29, 2015.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015–10413 Filed 5–4–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
E:\FR\FM\05MYR1.SGM
05MYR1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 86 (Tuesday, May 5, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25625-25626]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-10413]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
RIN 0648-XD682
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Small Vessel
Exemptions; License Limitation Program
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of Agency decision.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces the
approval of Amendment 108 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish
of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI FMP),
Amendment 100 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf
of Alaska (GOA FMP), and Amendment 46 to the Fishery Management Plan
for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs (Crab FMP). These
amendments correct text omissions in the BSAI FMP, the GOA FMP, and the
Crab FMP. These amendments make the fishery management plan (FMP) texts
that establish vessel length limits for small vessels exempted from the
license limitation program (LLP) in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area (BSAI) groundfish and king and Tanner crab fisheries,
and the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) groundfish fisheries, consistent with the
original intent of the LLP, current operations in the fisheries, and
Federal regulations. This action promotes the goals and objectives of
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the FMP,
and other applicable laws.
DATES: The amendment was approved on April 27, 2015.
ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of Amendment 108 to the BSAI FMP,
Amendment 100 to the GOA FMP, Amendment 46 to the Crab FMP, and the
analysis prepared for this action are available from the Alaska Region
NMFS Web site at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel Baker, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation
and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) requires that each regional
fishery management council submit proposed amendments to a fishery
management plan to NMFS for review and approval, disapproval, or
partial approval by the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary). The
Magnuson-Stevens Act also requires that, upon receiving a fishery
management plan amendment, NMFS immediately publish in the Federal
Register a notice that the amendment is available for public review and
comment.
The notice of availability for Amendment 108 to the BSAI FMP,
Amendment 100 to the GOA FMP, and Amendment 46 to the Crab FMP was
published in the Federal Register on February 12, 2015 (80 FR 7816),
with a 60-day comment period that ended on April 13, 2015. NMFS
received no comments on Amendment 108 to the BSAI FMP, Amendment 100 to
the GOA FMP, and Amendment 46 to the Crab FMP.
NMFS determined that Amendment 108 to the BSAI FMP, Amendment 100
to the GOA FMP, and Amendment 46 to the Crab FMP are consistent with
the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable laws, and the Secretary
approved Amendment 108 to the BSAI FMP, Amendment 100 to the GOA FMP,
and Amendment 46 to the Crab FMP on April 27, 2015. The February 12,
2015, notice of availability contains additional information on this
action. No changes to Federal regulations are necessary to implement
Amendment 108 to the BSAI FMP, Amendment 100 to the GOA FMP, and
Amendment 46 to the Crab FMP.
Amendment 108 amends Table ES-2 and Section 3.3.1 of the BSAI FMP;
Amendment 100 amends Table ES-2 and Section 3.3.1 of the GOA FMP; and
Amendment 46 amends Section 8.1.4.2 of the Crab FMP. Specifically,
these FMP amendments add ``or equal to'' to the vessel length limits
for small vessels that are exempt from the LLP in the BSAI groundfish
and king and Tanner crab fisheries and GOA groundfish fisheries. The
amendments have the effect of adding vessels 26 ft (7.9 m) LOA in the
GOA and vessels 32 ft (9.8 m) LOA in the BSAI, including BSAI Crab, to
the LLP exemption. These additions are necessary for consistency with
Federal regulations that exempt from the LLP vessels that do ``not
exceed 26 ft (7.9 m) LOA'' in the GOA and vessels that do ``not exceed
32 ft (9.8 m) LOA'' in the BSAI. Additional information can be found in
the notice of availability for Amendment 108 to the BSAI FMP, Amendment
100 to the GOA FMP, and Amendment 46 to the Crab FMP (80 FR 7816,
February 12, 2015) and the analysis prepared for this action (see
ADDRESSES).
Since the implementation of the LLP by Amendment 39 to the BSAI
FMP,
[[Page 25626]]
Amendment 41 to the GOA FMP, and Amendment 5 to the Crab FMP, which
were implemented by NMFS on October 1, 1998 (63 FR 52642), fisheries in
the BSAI and GOA have been conducted according to Federal regulations
and not the FMP texts; therefore, approval of Amendment 108 to the BSAI
FMP, Amendment 100 to the GOA FMP, and Amendment 46 to the Crab FMP
does not impact LLP license holders, fishing behavior or fisheries
management in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska. These
amendments make the three FMPs consistent with the original intent of
the Council and Secretary, current operations in the fisheries, and
Federal regulations.
Response to Comments
NMFS did not receive any comments on Amendment 108 to the BSAI FMP,
Amendment 100 to the GOA FMP, and Amendment 46 to the Crab FMP.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: April 29, 2015.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-10413 Filed 5-4-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
