Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska Management Area, 77275-77276 [2015-31386]
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 239 / Monday, December 14, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
consistent with paragraphs (g)(3)(ii)(A)
and (B) of this section. No part of any
protected species may be retained for
personal use by a vessel owner or crew
member, or by a first receiver or
processing crew member. No part of any
protected species may be allowed to
reach commercial markets.
(A) Eulachon and green sturgeon.
Must be sorted and reported by species
on electronic fish tickets and state
landing receipts and may not be
reported in unspecified categories.
Whole body specimens of green
sturgeon must be retained, frozen,
stored separately by delivery, and
labeled with the vessel name, electronic
fish ticket number, and date of landing.
Arrangements for transferring the
specimens must be made by contacting
NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science
Center at 831–420–3903 within 72 hours
after the completion of the offload.
(B) Seabirds, marine mammals, and
sea turtles. Albatross must reported to
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 541–
867–4558 extension 237 or 503–231–
6179) as soon as possible and directions
for surrendering must be followed.
Marine mammals and sea turtles must
be reported to NMFS as soon as possible
(206–526–6550) and directions for
surrendering or disposal must be
followed. Whole body specimens must
labeled with the vessel name, electronic
fish ticket number, and date of landing.
Whole body specimens must be kept
frozen or on ice until arrangements for
surrendering or disposing are
completed. Unless directed otherwise,
after reporting is completed, seabirds,
marine mammals, and sea turtles may
be disposed by incinerating, rendering,
composting, or returning the carcasses
to sea.
*
*
*
*
*
(j) * * *
(2) * * *
(viii) Pacific whiting IFQ trips.
Immediately following weighing of the
total catch and prior to processing or
transport away from the point of
landing, the catch must be sorted to the
species groups specified at § 660.130(d)
and all catch other than the target
species (groundfish and non groundfish
species) must be accurately weighed
and the weight of non-target species
deducted from the total catch weight to
derive the weight of a single
predominant species. Catch from a
Pacific whiting IFQ trip may be sorted
after weighing and the weight of a single
predominant species determined by
deducting the weight of all other species
from the total weight of the landing,
provided that:
(A) The unsorted catch is weighed on
a bulk weighing scale in compliance
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16:45 Dec 11, 2015
Jkt 238001
with equipment requirements at
§ 660.15(c);
(B) All catch (groundfish and nongroundfish species) in the landing other
than the single predominant species is
reweighed on a scale in compliance
with equipment requirements at
§ 660.15(c) and the reweighed catch is
deducted from the total weight of the
landing;
(C) The catch is sorted to the species
groups specified at § 660.130(d) prior to
processing or transport away from the
point of landing; and
(D) Prohibited species are sorted by
species, counted, and weighed.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 12. In § 660.405, revise paragraph (a)
introductory text to read as follows:
§ 660.405
Prohibitions.
(a) In addition to the general
prohibitions specified in § 600.725 of
this chapter, it is unlawful for any
person to do any of the following,
except as otherwise authorized under
this part:
*
*
*
*
*
[FR Doc. 2015–31363 Filed 12–11–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 140918791–4999–02]
RIN 0648–XE354
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of
Pacific Cod in the Central Regulatory
Area of the Gulf of Alaska 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 amount of Pacific cod
from catcher vessels using trawl 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 2015 total
allowable catch of Pacific cod in the
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA to
be harvested.
DATES: Effective December 10, 2015,
through 2400 hours, Alaska local time
(A.l.t.), December 31, 2015.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh
Keaton, 907–586–7228.
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00045
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
77275
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 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 2015 Pacific cod total allowable
catch (TAC) specified for catcher vessels
using trawl gear in the Central
Regulatory Area of the GOA is 18,933
metric tons (mt), as established by the
final 2015 and 2016 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA
(80 FR 10250, February 25, 2015). The
Administrator, Alaska Region (Regional
Administrator) has determined that
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA will
not be able to harvest 2,000 mt of the
2015 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those
vessels under § 679.20(a)(12)(i)(B).
In accordance with
§ 679.20(a)(12)(ii)(B), the Regional
Administrator has also determined that
vessels using pot gear in the Central
Regulatory Area of the GOA currently
have the capacity to harvest this excess
allocation and reallocates 2,000 mt to
vessels using pot gear.
The harvest specifications for Pacific
cod in the Central Regulatory Area of
the GOA included in the final 2015
harvest specifications for groundfish in
the GOA (80 FR 10250, February 25,
2014) are revised as follows: 16,933 mt
for catcher vessels using trawl gear and
14,660 mt for vessels using pot gear.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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 catcher vessels using
trawl gear in the Central Regulatory
Area of the GOA to vessels using pot
E:\FR\FM\14DER1.SGM
14DER1
77276
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 239 / Monday, December 14, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES
gear in the Central Regulatory Area of
the GOA. 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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:45 Dec 11, 2015
Jkt 238001
to publish a notice providing time for
public comment because the most
recent, relevant data only became
available as of December 8, 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.
PO 00000
Frm 00046
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Sfmt 9990
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: December 9, 2015.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015–31386 Filed 12–9–15; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
E:\FR\FM\14DER1.SGM
14DER1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 239 (Monday, December 14, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 77275-77276]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31386]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 140918791-4999-02]
RIN 0648-XE354
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific
cod from catcher vessels using trawl 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 2015 total allowable catch
of Pacific cod in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA to be
harvested.
DATES: Effective December 10, 2015, through 2400 hours, Alaska local
time (A.l.t.), December 31, 2015.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 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 2015 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) specified for
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the
GOA is 18,933 metric tons (mt), as established by the final 2015 and
2016 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA (80 FR 10250,
February 25, 2015). The Administrator, Alaska Region (Regional
Administrator) has determined that catcher vessels using trawl gear in
the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA will not be able to harvest
2,000 mt of the 2015 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under
Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)(B).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(ii)(B), the Regional
Administrator has also determined that vessels using pot gear in the
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA currently have the capacity to
harvest this excess allocation and reallocates 2,000 mt to vessels
using pot gear.
The harvest specifications for Pacific cod in the Central
Regulatory Area of the GOA included in the final 2015 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA (80 FR 10250, February 25,
2014) are revised as follows: 16,933 mt for catcher vessels using trawl
gear and 14,660 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 catcher
vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA to
vessels using pot
[[Page 77276]]
gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. 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
December 8, 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: December 9, 2015.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-31386 Filed 12-9-15; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
